South Africa: Gungubele visits Boegebaai green hydrogen project

Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, will today join a delegation from Sasol, Infrastructure South Africa and the Northern Cape Provincial Government in Port Nolloth for a stakeholders engagement and site visit to Boegebaai.

In a statement, the Presidency said the meeting and site visit will serve as an important interaction between government and Sasol to implement the Memorandum of Agreement, as signed and announced at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2021.

During the symposium held in October 2021, green hydrogen was identified as a big frontier that represents both future and current growth and investment opportunities for South Africa.

Globally, the demand for green hydrogen and green hydrogen-based products, such as ammonia and synthetic jet fuels, is rising.

This is off the back of national and corporate net zero commitments aimed at keeping global warming below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Due to the multi-sectoral implications of green hydrogen, the Presidency plays a convening and coordinating role across government with respect to green hydrogen, the Presidency said.

Through coordination in the Presidency, Sasol, the Northern Cape Provincial Government (NCPG) and the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) launched the following agreements at the SIDSSA 2021, which underpin their green hydrogen ambitions:

 A Memorandum of Agreement between the NCPG and Sasol, for Sasol to be the anchor developer of the planned Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Special Economic Zone, pending a detailed feasibility study;

 A Heads of Agreement between the NCPG and the Port of Rotterdam (PoR) for the PoR to act as a demand aggregator for green hydrogen into Europe; and

 A Memorandum of Agreement between GPG and Sasol for Sasol to develop green hydrogen production facilities in Gauteng aimed at decarbonising the domestic industry.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RTHK: Abu Dhabi attack threatens regional stability: France

France on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" a deadly drone attack in Abu Dhabi claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels.

"These attacks threaten the security of the United Arab Emirates and regional stability," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

"France expresses its support for the UAE in the face of these attacks," he said.

Le Drian reiterated his call for the Huthis to "immediately cease their destabilising actions in Yemen and in the region and to engage constructively in a political process for exiting the crisis".

"France reaffirms its mobilisation in favour of a cessation of hostilities in the whole country and a relaunch of talks with a view to a global political agreement under the aegis of the United Nations," the minister said.

The UAE vowed reprisals after the drone attack which triggered a fuel tank blast that left three people dead.

The United Arab Emirates is part of a Riyadh-led military coalition that supports Yemen's government against the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia with cross border strikes.

The conflict in Yemen, which has left 377,000 people dead, has intensified in recent weeks. Millions of people have fled their homes, with many on the brink of famine, in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Police sources said militants hurled a grenade at the 6th India Reserve Battalion at the PCR in Batmaloo area of Srinagar.

"The grenade exploded without causing any damage. The area has been surrounded for searches," a source said.

On Sunday, a civilian and a policeman were injured when militants hurled a grenade at a party of the security forces in Safa Kadal area of Srinagar.

--IANS sq/vd

( 103 Words)

2022-01-17-21:40:02 (IANS)
Ahead of Assembly polls, Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh's newly-formed political party Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) received a shot in the arm after senior Congress leader and two-time MLA from Garhshankar Luv Kumar Goldy along with his supporters joined the party on Monday. Goldy said that he always had faith and confidence in the leadership of Captain Amarinder Singh. He said that he joined the PLC after he took the confidence of his supporters. Goldy said, "Punjab needed the leadership of Captain Amarinder the most as his successors had proved utter failures. The Congress party was in a state of civil war and the Congress candidates will lose deposit in most of the constituencies." Welcoming Goldy into the party, Captain Amarinder, who is in isolation due to COVID, said, "Goldy belonged to a respectable political family of Garhshankar which had great contributions towards the freedom of the country and welfare of the state." Dharam Singh Fauji, a Municipal Councillor from Barnala also joined the Punjab Lok Congress on Monday along with his supporters. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) postponed the voting dates for the Punjab Assembly election to February 20. Earlier, the State was scheduled to go for polls on February 14. This comes after several political parties, including Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh's party Punjab Lok Congress, requested the Commission to postpone the elections. Sources said that the request was made as many people from the Scheduled Caste community from State are likely to visit Varanasi, in view of Guru Ravidas birth anniversary on February 16. According to the statement issued by the ECI, the last date for filing the nomination for the candidates is on February 1, while the candidates can withdraw their nominations till February 2. The results will be announced on March 10. (ANI)
Cellular Operation Association of India (COAI), the representative body for the Indian telecommunications industry, lauded the notification of RoW Policy on Urban Municipal Corporation by the Government of Karnataka, said a press release. These bye-laws are applicable to all City areas, Municipal Councils, Town Municipal Councils, Town Panchayats and areas under the Jurisdiction of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and includes Telecom Towers and OFC (Aerial and Underground). "As per the policy, One-time fee to meet administrative expenses for the installation of Telecom Tower and Aerial OFC deployment is Rs 10,000 per Application (Tower & Aerial OFC), whereas for the deployment of Optical fibre it is Rs 1,000 per KM OFC (underground) and for the deployment of Cell on Wheel (CoW) (Micro Site/Small Cell, IBS) is Rs 2,000 per application," said the release. The policy encourages the deployment of Tower, Underground OFC, Aerial OFC, CoW, Micro Site, Small Cell, IBS, etc. that are essential to improve the digital connectivity across Urban Municipal Corporation and other areas of Karnataka. The policy also supports the regularisation of the existing Telecom Infrastructure that will contribute towards the GDP growth of the state. This RoW policy will help to meet the National Broadband Mission, increase the Broadband penetration, provide internet and broadband services to the citizens, improve connectivity and capacity. Hence, this will improve the quality of the mobile services, and develop a robust Telecom/Digital Infrastructure in the State. The telecom industry has emerged as a saviour for many during the pandemic. With telecom reforms, this announcement will become the base for digital connectivity in the state and will go a long way in building a robust infrastructure. Today, as the country creates pathways for 5G and the following digital revolution, it is important to understand that seamless connectivity is the roadmap to our vision of 'Digital India.' "We thank the State Government of Karnataka for notifying RoW Policy on Urban Municipal Corporation. Additionally, we urge the state government to expedite the implementation of the same at all levels. This will help in the installation of mobile towers and deployment of OFC across the State. It will facilitate the speedy roll-out of telecom infrastructure while boosting the direct and indirect jobs associated with the roll-out of telecom infrastructure across the State. We will be working closely with the Government of Karnataka to make Karnataka Digitally advanced and create a digitally connected ecosystem," said Lt. Gen. Dr. SP Kochhar, Director General, COAI. Karnataka has approx 69 million subscribers with a teledensity of approximately 103 per cent including 44,000 telecom towers and approx. 1.5 Lakh KM cumulative optical fibre cable. To make Karnataka Digitally advanced under the 'National Broadband Mission' and 'Gati Shakti', Karnataka will need to have approx. 90,000 telecom towers and four times more telecom optical fibre cable by December 2024. (ANI)
Two Bangladeshi nationals who were apprehended by the North Bengal Frontier, Border Security Force (BSF) deployed on the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal for inadvertently crossing the International border were on Monday handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) as a goodwill gesture. In a statement issued by the BSF on Monday, it stated that the troops of Battalions under North Bengal Frontier BSF deployed on the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal under the dynamic leadership of Ajai Singh, Inspector General of North Bengal Frontier BSF are maintaining alertness on the border in order to thwart any attempt of anti-national elements to execute their nefarious design of smuggling and infiltrations. It further said that on 16 January 2022, troops of BOP Hili-I, 61 Bn BSF deployed on the Indo-Bangladesh border in Dakshin Dinajpur District of West Bengal apprehended two Bangladeshi nationals namely Md Rifat Hassan (13 years) and Md Ruhal Amin (14 years), both of them residents of Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. During questioning it was learnt that they inadvertently crossed the International Border. Later, Border Security Force contacted Border Guard Bangladesh and handed over apprehended Bangladeshi Nationals to them in a Flag Meeting as a goodwill gesture, stated the BSF. During the past one year, a total of 29 Bangladeshi nationals inadvertently crossed the International border from different bordering areas of North Bengal Frontier and all of them were handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh as a goodwill gesture, it added. (ANI)
While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is facing huge criticism over Nalanda liquor tragedy, former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, now a Rajya Sabha member, on Monday made an indirect "attack" on some of his own BJP-ruled states over deaths due to spurious liquor. A liquor ban and deaths due to poisonous liquor are two different things and connected with each other, Modi said, citing some incidents that happened in BJP-ruled states. "In 2015, 102 persons died in Maharashtra when BJP was ruling the state and Devendra Fadnavis was the Chief Minister of state. In 2019, 108 people lost their lives in different places in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In both the states, BJP is ruling," he said. His statement came at a time when Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are going for Assembly polls in the next few weeks. Sushil Modi, who is considered very close to Nitish Kumar, pointed out the speedy trial and conviction of 13 accused responsible for the liquor tragedy in Gopalganj in Bihar in 2016. However, at that time, the JD-U and the RJD were in power. 9 accused were given death penalty and 4 others had given life term. His statement is seen as relieving the pressure on Nitish Kumar as the BJP is the one which is strongly raising the Nalanda liquor tragedy that has claimed 13 lives. State BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal has being blaming "loopholes" of liquor ban implementation ever since Nitish Kumar came in power for the fourth time in Bihar in 2020. Jaiswal has levelled serious allegations against the Nitish Kumar government over implementation of the liquor ban, claiming that a nexus of senior bureaucrats, police officials and mafias are responsible for liquor operations in Bihar. Without breaking this nexus, liquor ban law cannot be successful in Bihar, he said. Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary, Liquor Prohibition, K.K. Pathak, said that the department has constituted a dedicated team to investigate the incident. --IANS ajk/vd ( 337 Words) 2022-01-17-22:52:02 (IANS)
Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi united all the Chief Ministers of North East India into a common string of development and progress, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Monday said that North East India is now politically significant and united. "Today, we have a significant number of MPs, all summed up together unlike the previous times. We have a sizable number of Union Ministers. PM Modi took the lead and united all the Chief Ministers of North East India into a common string of development and progress," said Deb. Slamming the previous Congress government, he said, "We have seen a PM who represented Assam in the upper house but what development Assam saw during his tenure is known to all". Deb was addressing the concluding ceremony of the Puthiba Lai Haraoba Festival organized at Puthiba temple, Agartala. According to Deb, the people of the North-East suffered due to a lack of coordination among the Chief Ministers of North Eastern states. "Whenever there is a problem, I speak to Assam Chief Minister, Manipur Chief Minister or Meghalaya Chief Minister directly. They are all just a call away now. And, before 2014 when multiple parties were ruling the NE states, ego clash between Chief Ministers stalled development activities. For instance, Assam-Agartala road was in decrepit condition. Had both the Chief Ministers been in good terms, things would have been settled long ago," said Deb. Deb also hailed his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh for the efforts being undertaken to bridge the gap between Tripura and Manipur. "Close relations between Tripura and Manipur dates back to the times when both the states were princely states. People of Manipur are respected for their rich cultural heritage and unity. The Modi government envisions development and a modern way of thinking but at the same time, it believes in protecting the cultural roots. Tripura is a house of diverse cultures. Here you can find tribal communities left with only five families. The government is making all-out efforts to protect them because cultural diversity defines India," added Deb. Deb also hoped that N Biren Singh would once again return to power with a thumping majority in Manipur. "I hope N Biren Singh who loves me as a younger brother makes a comeback with a majority and serves the people of Manipur. Under his regime, the Jiribam-Agartala railway link was established. And, works are going on in war footing to complete the Agartala-Imphal railway link. This is not a mere railway connection but a bridge that plugs off the gap between two strong states of North East India," said Deb. Puthiba festival is an annual function of the Manipuri community observed with grandeur. Artists from different parts of the state and Manipur perform their traditional dances on the concluding function that started five days back. This is the 12th year the festival is being organized here in Tripura. (ANI)
A citizen scientist has discovered a giant gaseous planet about 379 light-years from Earth, orbiting a star with the same mass as the Sun, NASA has said. The exoplanet, called TOI-2180 b, was discovered in data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). TOI-2180 b is almost three times more massive than Jupiter but has the same diameter, meaning it is more dense than Jupiter. This made scientists wonder whether it formed in a different way than Jupiter. Further, through computer models the team determined that the new planet may have as much as 105 Earth masses worth of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. "That's a lot. That's more than what we suspect is inside Jupiter," said Paul Dalba, astronomer at the University of California, Riverside, and lead author of the study. The Jupiter-size planet is special for astronomers because its 261-day year is long compared to many known gas giants outside our solar system. With an average temperature of about 170 degrees Fahrenheit, TOI-2180 b is also warmer than room temperature on Earth, and warmer than the outer planets of our solar system including Jupiter and Saturn. But compared to the array of transiting giant exoplanets that astronomers have found orbiting other stars, TOI-2180 b is abnormally chilly, NASA said. The result, published in the Astronomical Journal, also suggests the planet is just a bit farther from its star than Venus is from the Sun. To track the planet, professional astronomers and citizen scientists engaged in "a global uniting effort". Using TESS data, scientists looked for changes in brightness of nearby stars, which indicated the presence of orbiting planets. "Discovering and publishing TOI-2180 b was a great group effort demonstrating that professional astronomers and seasoned citizen scientists can successfully work together," said Tom Jacobs of Bellevue, Washington, a former US naval officer who discovered the exoplanet. While professional astronomers use algorithms to scan tens of thousands of data points from stars automatically, these citizen scientists use a programme called LcTools, to inspect telescope data by eye. On February 1, 2020, Jacobs noticed a plot showing starlight from TOI-2180 dim by less than half a percent and then return to its previous brightness level over a 24-hour period, which may be explained by an orbiting planet that is said to acetransit" as it passes in front of the star from our point of view, NASA said. With 27 hours of observations spread over more than 500 days, the team measured the amount of light that dims as the planet passes. This helped scientists to estimate how big the planet is and its density. The team wanted to observe the planet's transit when it came back around to confirm the orbit, but they couldn't. The lack of a clear detection put a boundary on how long the orbit could be, indicating a period of about 261 days. Using that estimate, they predict TESS will see the planet transit its star again in February 2022, NASA said. --IANS rvt/vd ( 507 Words) 2022-01-16-20:14:02 (IANS)
Inspired by the growth of bones in the skeleton, researchers at the universities of Linkoping in Sweden and Okayama in Japan have developed a combination of materials that can morph into various shapes before hardening. The material is initially soft but later hardens through a bone development process that uses the same materials found in the skeleton. When we are born, we have gaps in our skulls that are covered by pieces of soft connective tissue called fontanelles. It is thanks to fontanelles that our skulls can be deformed during birth and pass successfully through the birth canal. Post-birth, the fontanelle tissue gradually changes to hard bone. Now, researchers have combined materials that together resemble this natural process. "We want to use this for applications where materials need to have different properties at different points in time. Firstly, the material is soft and flexible, and it is then locked into place when it hardens. This material could be used in, for example, complicated bone fractures. It could also be used in microrobots - these soft microrobots could be injected into the body through a thin syringe, and then they would unfold and develop their own rigid bones", says Edwin Jager, associate professor at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) at Linkoping University. The idea was hatched during a research visit in Japan when materials scientist Edwin Jager met Hiroshi Kamioka and Emilio Hara, who conduct research into bones. The Japanese researchers had discovered a kind of biomolecule that could stimulate bone growth under a short period of time. Would it be possible to combine this biomolecule with Jager's materials research, to develop new materials with variable stiffness? In the study that followed, published in Advanced Materials, the researchers constructed a kind of simple "microrobot", one which can assume different shapes and change stiffness. The researchers began with a gel material called alginate. On one side of the gel, a polymer material is grown. This material is electroactive, and it changes its volume when a low voltage is applied, causing the microrobot to bend in a specified direction. On the other side of the gel, the researchers attached biomolecules that allow the soft gel material to harden. These biomolecules are extracted from the cell membrane of a kind of cell that is important for bone development. When the material is immersed in a cell culture medium - an environment that resembles the body and contains calcium and phosphor - the biomolecules make the gel mineralise and harden like bone. One potential application of interest to the researchers is bone healing. The idea is that the soft material, powered by the electroactive polymer, will be able to maneuver itself into spaces in complicated bone fractures and expand. When the material has then hardened, it can form the foundation for the construction of new bone. In their study, the researchers demonstrate that the material can wrap itself around chicken bones, and the artificial bone that subsequently develops grows together with the chicken bone. By making patterns in the gel, the researchers can determine how the simple microrobot will bend when voltage is applied. Perpendicular lines on the surface of the material make the robot bend in a semicircle, while diagonal lines make it bend like a corkscrew. "By controlling how the material turns, we can make the microrobot move in different ways, and also affect how the material unfurls in broken bones. We can embed these movements into the material's structure, making complex programmes for steering these robots unnecessary", says Edwin Jager. In order to learn more about the biocompatibility of this combination of materials, the researchers are now looking further into how its properties work together with living cells. (ANI)
Police spokesman Abdifitah Aden said that a suicide bomber blew himself up at Moalimu's vehicle at a busy Dabka intersection in Mogadishu, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The government spokesman is currently hospitalized in Mogadishu," Aden told journalists and promised to provide more details once the ongoing investigations are completed.

Witnesses said the former journalist escaped with slight injuries and is out of danger.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack in the restive city but the militant group, al-Shabab, frequently stages such attacks in the capital and elsewhere in Somalia.

--IANS int/skp/

( 134 Words)

2022-01-16-19:10:02 (IANS)
The man who stormed a Texas synagogue on the Sabbath and was holding hostages before he was shot and killed was demanding the release of 'Lady Al Qaeda', who is serving 86 years in a federal prison less than 30 miles from where the hostage standoff took place, Daily Mail reported. The suspect stormed the Congregation Beth Israel, in Colleyville, for Aafia Siddiqui, a known terrorist who is incarcerated at Carswell Air Force Base near Fort Worth, and he was demanding for her release, according to police sources, the report said. Siddiqui was arrested in Afghanistan in 2008 by local forces who found her with two kilos of poison sodium cyanide and plans for chemical attacks on New York's Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. The Pakistani-born neuroscientist had bragged to her student friends at the age of just 21 that she would be proud to be on the FBI's Most Wanted list, the report added. She is serving an 86-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, about 25 miles from the hostage site at the Texas temple. During her trial, Aafia demanded that every jury member get DNA tested to see if they were Jewish. Siddiqui, who was a biology major at MIT, said in 1993 that she wanted to do 'something to help our Muslim brothers and sisters' even if it meant breaking the law, the report added. --IANS san/pgh ( 251 Words) 2022-01-16-20:12:04 (IANS)
Stephen Ritterbush was practically born on the water.

After moving to Annapolis from Long Island in the 1950s, Ritterbushs earliest memories were of catching glimpses of the citys waterfront on his way to Green Street School (now known as Annapolis Elementary School) and later as a teen shredding coconuts at Jack Schleys delicatessen inside Market House. He soon found himself skittering around Spa Creek and the Severn River in a progressively larger series of boats, even using the water to get to high school.

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From the time I was little, I was a water rat, said Ritterbush, a 75-year-old retired venture capitalist. Maybe its ingrained in your genes, who knows. I have friends who love the mountains. I loved the water.

Ritterbush has now turned those experiences and a lifelong love of history into a new book, Working Waterfront: A Maritime History of Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay.

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The 118-page book published in November documents three centuries of Annapolis history and its connection to the bay, exploring the early days of America, the boom and bust of the oyster business, the citys role in the war effort and later the rise of boatyards, among many other events. Ritterbush drew on his extensive collection of old maps and photographs to capture the period of history that has rapidly disappeared over the past 50 years as the city moved away from an industrialized waterfront to one based on tourism.

Annapolis resident Stephen Ritterbush has published a book, Working Waterfront: A Maritime History of Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay, which documents three centuries of Annapolis history and its connection to the bay. The book explores the early days of America, the booming oyster industry and the rise of boatyards among many other historical events. (Courtesy of: Stephen Ritterbush)

The coffee table book is stuffed with more than 100 maps, illustrations, documents and full-page photos, all of which Ritterbush spent four years collecting from the Maryland State Archives, Smithsonian, the Annapolis Maritime Museum and other sources. He also relied on dozens of books he acquired about the region and dove into numerous transcripts of interviews conducted by Mike Miron  Eastports unofficial mayor who died in 2016  with residents during the 1980s through the early 2000s.

My three interests are maps, old photographs, and the history of the bay and Annapolis, said Ritterbush, who lives in Bay Ridge. I started to think, Gee, maybe it is worthwhile trying to put together a book.

World travel, business and an injury

Writing the book has been part of the third act of Ritterbushs life.

In the first act, he completed a stint in the Peace Corps during Vietnam and traveled overseas to places like Samoa, Hawaii, Indonesia, Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia. Nearly all of his stops were close to the sea. That way he was never too far from a boat.

Act two began when he returned home in the 1980s to start a different kind of adventure. He founded Fairfax Partners, a Washington, D.C.-based equity firm in 1989. During that period, he made a lot of money and lost a lot of money, he said. But thats the nature of the business.

On Dec. 20, 2014, came act three.

Ritterbush fell down his basement steps at home and suffered a devastating spinal injury that left him completely paralyzed.

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Annapolis resident Stephen Ritterbush has published a book, Working Waterfront: A Maritime History of Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay, which documents three centuries of Annapolis history and its connection to the bay. The book explores the early days of America, the booming oyster industry and the rise of boatyards among many other historical events. (Courtesy of: Stephen Ritterbush)

For more than four years after his injury, Ritterbush didnt go on a boat. But after meeting the founders of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating, an Annapolis organization that offers boating experiences and water access to people with disabilities, Ritterbush was finally able to get back out on the water. He now serves on CRABs board.

I grew up knowing that when youre on a boat, its one hand for the boat and one hand for yourself. I didnt hold on to any rail and it was a split-second, he said. Its like losing a loved one. I think about it every day.

Being out on the water, he added. Its like my church. Everything is at peace.

During his professional life before his injury, Ritterbush never learned to type on a keyboard. He opted to write out his notes longhand and then hunt and peck them into a computer. After the injury, that was no longer possible.

In writing the book, Ritterbush would read through historical texts and think about what he wanted to write. Hed then dictate off the top of his head to a note taker, Colleen Donn, who also helped organize the photo search. Then, he employed an editor, Jean Russo, who has an expansive knowledge of Annapolis and Maryland history, to edit the manuscript.

For months, Ritterbush would use this process to slowly craft the book into six rough chapters that recount the various eras of the bay.

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He starts at the formation of the Maryland colony in 1632 and the first forays into the Chesapeake Bay by European explorers, before moving on to the rise of the oyster industry in the 19th century and the various boats and harvesting techniques that arose during that time. Then, he recounts the citys transformation in the 20th century from the boom of industry around World War II and expansion of the Naval Academy to the rise of boatyards, before finally exploring the steady decline of the working waterfront in the 1970s.

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During his research, Ritterbush unearthed historical facts that surprised him, he said, such as the travails of William Claiborne, an early settler who established a trading post on Kent Island, and the work of Dr. Robert Goddard, whose name would eventually adorn NASAs Space Flight Center. Goddard tested liquid-fueled rockets at the Navys Engineering Experiment Station along the Severn River during World War II.

Oystermen's boats frozen in at Annapolis in February 1936. (Photo from the B. Frank Sherman Collection, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum)

Appreciating Annapolis unique history

In the book, Ritterbush also touches on the impact Black residents have had on the waterfront, from enslaved people who worked on early oyster boats to African Americans eventually making up 80% of all oystermen after the Civil War. Themes of freedom and opportunity, however fleeting, that the water provided residents are meant to be interwoven throughout the book, starting with the early settlers and ending with the local businesses that dotted the citys waterfront for generations.

One of the things I learned was how important Black people were to the oyster industry and how important the oyster industry was to them, he said. Because it really gave them a degree of freedom, even if they were enslaved, when they were out on the water.

Ritterbush said he hopes readers take away an appreciation for how unique Annapolis was throughout history, including briefly serving as the nations capital and later rising up to become an economic engine of the colonies before receding into a quiet backwater town after the Revolutionary War.

In the history of the country, [Annapolis] became a sleepy backwater but in a way that was good because a lot of the history has survived, he said. Annapolis is a living, breathing historical town thats managed to transition through various periods and still survive.

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Ritterbush initially had 500 copies of the book printed, nearly all of which have been sold, he said. He is currently waiting on the second run of 500 copies to be delivered this month.

The book is on sale at the Annapolis Maritime Museum for $35.
Europe's loud, rule-breaking unvaccinated minority are falling out of society. As the pandemic has moved into its third year, and the Omicron variant has sparked a new wave of cases, governments around the world are still grappling with the challenge of bringing the virus under control. Vaccines, one of the most powerful weapons in their armoires, have been available for a year but a small, vocal minority of people - Mass-Voll, one of Europe's largest youth-orientated anti-vaccine passport groups are not willing to get jabbed, reported CNN. Due to refusal to get vaccinated, Mass-Voll supporters are locked out of much of public life. Without a vaccine certificate, they can no longer complete their degree or work in a grocery store. They are barred from eating in restaurants, attending concerts or going to the gym. Faced with lingering pockets of vaccine hesitancy, or outright refusal, many nations are imposing ever-stricter rules and restrictions on unvaccinated people, effectively making their lives more difficult in an effort to convince them to get their shots, reported CNN. In doing so, they are testing the boundary between public health and civil liberties -- and heightening tensions between those who are vaccinated and those who are not. "We will not allow a tiny minority of unhinged extremists to impose its will on our entire society," Germany's new Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said last month, targeting the violent fringes of the anti-vaccine movement. Vaccine passports have been in place for months to gain entry to hospitality venues in much of the European Union. But as Delta and Omicron infections have surged and inoculation rollouts have stalled, some governments have gone further, reported CNN. Austria imposed Europe's first lockdown for the unvaccinated and is scheduled to introduce mandatory shots from February 1. Germany has banned unvaccinated people from most areas of public life, and the country's Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, warned in December that: "without mandatory vaccination, I do not see us managing further waves in the long term." And France's President Emmanuel Macron last week told Le Parisien newspaper that he "really wants to piss off" the unvaccinated. "We're going to keep doing it until the end," he said. "This is the strategy." The scientific basis for anti-COVID measures is solid - Vaccines have been proven to reduce transmission, substantially slash the likelihood of serious illness and decrease the burden on healthcare systems. Many of the restrictions also have broad public support -- Switzerland's were recently backed comfortably in a referendum -- as majority-vaccinated populations tire of obstacles blocking their path out of the pandemic, reported CNN. Moreover, real-world data shows that impact; European countries with highly vaccinated populations, such as Spain and Portugal, have been less badly affected by more recent waves of infection and have been able to open up their economies, while those with stuttering rollouts have faced severe restrictions and spikes in hospitalizations. But the latest rounds of curbs have fuelled anger among those unwilling to take a shot, many of whom are now slipping out of society -- or resorting to subterfuge and rule-breaking to create their own communities, citing their right to "freedom," reported CNN. "(Some) people have a very twisted idea of what freedom is," said Suzanne Suggs, professor of communication at the University of Lugano's public health institute. "They're arguing it's their individual right to harm others." Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said "the vast majority of people everywhere" were supportive of measures to combat COVID. Unlike in poorer parts of the world where some are desperate to receive doses, access to COVID-19 vaccines is plentiful in the EU. The effects of the shots have been clear for some time; across Europe, regions with lower rates of vaccine uptake have suffered more severe waves of hospitalizations and deaths, reported CNN. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in November that the lives of 470,000 people in Europe aged 60 and over have been saved by vaccines since the rollout began. Those who refuse to get inoculated may accuse vaccine passport-wielding politicians of turning them into second-class citizens, but EU governments are unrepentant. French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that those who do not protect themselves and those around them from COVID-19 by getting vaccinated are "irresponsible" and thus deserving of such a fate (locked out of public life). "When my freedom threatens that of others, I become irresponsible," he said. "An irresponsible person is no longer a citizen." (ANI)
Pakistan President Arif Alvi on Sunday apologised to a senior citizen over the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) administrative injustice and directed its chairman to take strict action against officers involved in the matter. Expressing dismay over the treatment meted out to 82-year-old Abdul Hamid Khan, the president said that "their heads should hang in shame" for the inconvenience caused, reported Geo News. FBR had refused to refund an ageing taxpayer a paltry sum of Rs 2,333 on frivolous grounds and dragged the citizen into unnecessary litigation spanning over a year. "Punitive action must be taken along the entire line of decision-makers in this case and the FBR chairman should ensure that those responsible, in particular, and others, in general, go through courses to learn priorities and courtesy," he said. The president while rejecting FBR's appeal observed that it appeared that unlawful treatment was meted out "with a view to irritate and humiliate" the ageing pensioner, reported Geo News. Khan had claimed a refund of Rs 2,333 on his income tax return for the year 2020 and submitted requisite documents of advance tax deduction of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited and cell phone company bills on October 19, 2020. The FBR unit officer rejected his refund claim on January 29, 2021, on the grounds that the applicant had failed to furnish the original certificates required for authentication. Khan then took up the matter with the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) to seek redressal of his complaint, reported Geo News. The FTO investigated the matter and ordered FBR to revisit the impugned order and pass a fresh order after providing the complainant with the opportunity for a hearing as per the law. The ombudsman further ordered the FBR to identify and initiate disciplinary proceedings against the official who passed the impugned order in derogation of the law and procedures and dragged the ageing taxpayer into unnecessary litigation as well as report compliance within 45 days, reported Geo News. Consequently, the FBR filed a representation with the president against the original order of the FTO. Alvi rejected the representation of the FBR and upheld the FTO's decision. The president termed the failure of the officer to verify the bills himself as shirking from responsibility and an act of maladministration. (ANI)
Amid China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, US President Joe Biden will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida virtually on Friday (January 21) to discuss issues pertaining to the Quad (an alliance of US, Australia, Japan and India). "President Joseph R Biden, Jr will meet virtually with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan on Friday, January 21 to further deepen ties between our governments, economies, and our people," read a statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. The two countries seek to further deepen their ties and the meeting will highlight the strength of the US-Japan Alliance, which is the cornerstone of peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. "President Biden looks forward to working with Prime Minister Kishida to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and to expand our close cooperation on critical issues like combatting COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, and partnering on new and emerging technologies, including through the Quad," added the statement. (ANI)
"As part of the ongoing investigation into the attack that took place at a Synagogue in Texas on 15 January 2022, Officers from Counter Terror Policing North West have made two arrests in relation to the incident," read Greater Manchester police statement.

Two teenagers were detained in South Manchester this evening. They remain in custody for questioning.

Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) North West and CTP International operations continues to assist the investigation being led by the US authorities, and police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance, added the statement.

Earlier, a 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram was killed on Sunday after a tense standoff.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Akram, who was demanding the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

At least four people were taken hostages, including a Rabbi by Akram at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville for more than ten hours on Saturday. (ANI)
According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Modi will address the WEF at 8:30 pm IST via video conference on Tuesday, the office said in a press release. The virtual event will be held from January 17-21.

Several heads of state will address the event including Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and EU Commission's chief Ursua von der Leyen.

The event will also witness the participation of top industry leaders, international organisations and civil society, who will deliberate on critical challenges being faced by the world today and discuss how to address them. (ANI)
A 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram, who took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue, that was called an "act of terror" by US President Joe Biden, was killed on Sunday after a tense standoff. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Akram, who was demanding the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan. "Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSamo of the FBI Dallas Field Office confirmed today the identity of the Colleyville, Texas hostage-taker as British Citizen, Malik Faisal Akram, 44," said the FBI release. At least four people were taken hostages by a man at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville for more than ten hours on Saturday. As per the release, the FBI's Evidence Response Team (ERT) will continue processing evidence at the synagogue. An FBI Shooting Incident Review Team (SIRT) will conduct a thorough, factual, and objective, investigation of the events. Meanwhile, Biden termed the synagogue hostage-taking incident in the Texan city of Colleyville as an "act of terror." "This was an act of terror, and not only was he (44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram) related to someone who had been arrested I might add 15 years ago and had been in jail for 10 years. Biden said he had spoken to Attorney General Merrick Garland about the hostage crisis. "Regarding Texas and the synagogue, I spoke this morning with the Attorney General, and we got a rundown. He said there was overwhelming cooperation with the local authorities and FBI, and they did one hell of a job," said the US President. Biden applauded FBI and local authorities and reiterated that the US has the capacity to deal with such assaults. "And they did just a great job. I also told him that I wanted to make sure that we got the word out that synagogues and other places of worship are not going to tolerate this. We have the capacity to deal with the assault on particularly," said Biden. "The Attorney General is focused that we deal with these kinds of acts. And thank God we had such professional FBI as well as local cooperation," added Biden He also said that he will talk to the Rabbi who was taken hostage. (ANI)
In its World Report 2022 released last week, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed a bleak picture of civil liberties in Pakistan.

According to the report, the Pakistani government continues to do little to hold law enforcement agencies accountable for torture and other serious abuses.

The HRW report said that attacks by Islamist militants, notably the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, targeting law enforcement officials and religious minorities killed dozens of people.

A climate of fear impedes media coverage of abuses by both government security forces and militant groups. Journalists who face threats and attacks have increasingly resorted to self-censorship, HRW said.

"Media outlets have come under pressure from authorities not to criticize government institutions or the judiciary. In several cases in 2021, government regulatory agencies blocked cable operators and television channels that had aired critical programs," the report said.

It further said members of the Ahmadiyya religious community continue to be a major target for prosecutions under blasphemy laws as well as specific anti-Ahmadi laws. Militant groups and the Islamist political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) accuse Ahmadis of "posing as Muslims." The Pakistan penal code also treats "posing as Muslims" as a criminal offense.

According to a Pakistani human rights organization, the Centre for Social Justice, at least 1,855 people were charged under Pakistan's blasphemy laws between 1987 and February 2021.

Violence against women and girls--including rape, murder, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriage--is endemic throughout Pakistan. Human rights defenders estimate that roughly 1,000 women are killed in so-called honour killings every year.

Furthermore, child marriage remains a serious problem in Pakistan, with 18 percent of girls marrying before age 18, and 4 percent marrying before 15. Women from religious minority communities remain particularly vulnerable to forced marriage.

The government has done little to stop such marriages, according to HRW. (ANI)
"The government is paying close attention to the regional economic pact being touted by US President Joe Biden, although too few details have emerged from Washington for Taipei to make specific plans," the official said, Taipei Times reported.

America is expected to launch the Indo-Pacific economic framework next month after negotiations with Australia, India, and Japan, the official said.

Washington has shown deep concern over semiconductor supply-chain issues, while Taiwan is a leading chipmaker and has an interest in enhancing ties between the two countries, the official said, according to Taipei Times.

The US plans for a comprehensive economic framework for the Indo-Pacific is only one component in a larger regional strategy being considered in Washington, which Taiwan must observe closely, the official said.

Speaking at an event marking the 70th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan in December last year, Tsai said that Taiwan's technological innovation and agile economy show that the country should play a role in the Indo-Pacific economic framework, Taipei Times reported further. (ANI)
Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist serving more than 80-years sentence in the US, has once again come to the limelight after her release was sought by the British hostage-taker at a Texas synagogue last week. Malik Faisal Akram, 44, took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue, that was termed as an "act of terror" by US President Joe Biden. Akram was killed on Sunday after a tense standoff. In light of this incident, an analysis by the American Enterprise Institute said Pakistan has once again emerged as a terror-sponsoring country after this hostage incident. In Pakistan, Siddiqui became a cause celebre. Pakistan's president, prime minister, and foreign minister all brought up her case with their American counterparts, and the Pakistani senate called on the US to release her. Siddiqui's case continues to draw attention ever since she was arrested in the eastern Afghan province of Ghazni in 2008 over plans to make "dirty bombs" and to attack US cities, according to the American broadcaster Voice of America (VOA). Her family and lawyers have denied the charges. Most Americans are unaware of Siddiqui's case, but militant groups have been seeking her release and using the case to gain more recruits, the report said. The conviction of Siddiqui in 2010 had sparked outrage in Pakistan. Later, the Pakistani Senate had passed a resolution in 2018, calling her "Daughter of the Nation" and urged the government to take "concrete steps" for her repatriation. While the news of Siddiqui's arrest passed with little notice in the US, her conviction led to widespread demonstrations in Pakistan and to demands that Pakistani authorities suspend the delivery of supplies for the war effort in Afghanistan. "Siddiqui isn't well known in the US, but in Pakistan, she's a big name -- many view her as an innocent victim. Also, at one point, ISIS had demanded that she be released in exchange for ISIS captives," Michael Kugelman, the deputy director of the Asia program at Washington's Wilson Center, wrote on Twitter. Back in July last year, Siddiqui suffered serious injuries after an inmate attacked her. According to VOA, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry took up the matter with US authorities through its embassy in Washington. The attack had also prompted protests by rights activists and religious groups in the US, calling for Siddiqui's repatriation to Pakistan. (ANI)
Almaty [Kazakhstan], January 17 (ANI/Sputnik): At least 225 people, including security personnel, have been killed during violent protests and violence in Kazakhstan recently, according to Pajhwok Afghan News on Monday. On Sunday, the head of the city police department, Kanat Taimerdenov, said that during the several days that Almaty was shaken up by riots, there were seven attacks on the city's morgues, and rioters stole several bodies of their accomplices, Sputnik News Agency reported. Mass protests began with people in the west of the country rallying against a steep hike in fuel prices. The unrest then spread to other areas, including the country's former capital of Almaty in the south of Kazakhstan. Protests turned violent in Almaty --there was looting and attacks on government offices. The government declared a state of emergency until January 19. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which sent peacekeepers into Kazakhstan. The CSTO mission wrapped up earlier this week and peacekeepers began to withdraw on Thursday. (ANI/Sputnik)
Today we pause to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to interpret his words calling upon America to see the content of the character before judging anyones person.

On Feb. 23, 2020, a 25-year-old African American man lay dead in the street of predominantly white Satilla Shores, a neighborhood in Brunswick, Georgia, killed by three white vigilantes. His crime  jogging in the streets of a white neighborhood and looking into a house under construction to see concepts of his dream to become an architect.

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In 1955, a 14-year-old African American boy came to Money, Mississippi for summer vacation with his extended family and was killed with a cotton gin fan strung around his neck, wrapped in barbed wire, shot in the head and dumped in the Tallahatchie river. His crime  allegedly offending a white woman.

The disregard of the killers of the content of the character of Emmett Till is what drove Dr. King to wonder aloud about his children being judged, not by the color of their skin but by the substance of the character of their person. The content of Ahmaud Arberys character was also not known by the three white male vigilantes in Brunswick, Georgia before they hunted him down in their neighborhood with pickup trucks, cornered him like a rat and blew his chest wide open so that daylight could be seen through his body.

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America has made progress from the killing and acquittal by an all-white jury of Emmett Till in 1955, without consideration of his character, to the unprecedented conviction of the three white vigilantes of Ahmaud Arberys killing by a jury of 11 whites and one Black in rural Southeast Georgia. In evaluating the meaning of Dr. Kings words regarding his four children being judged, not by their skin color, but by the content of their character, it is important to first understand that one needs to see beyond the race of the Emmett Tills of America, beyond the race of the Ahmaud Arberys of America, before judging them and their alleged acts.

At the most basic of foundations, it is absurd to say that Emmett Till and Ahmaud Arbery were not judged by the color of their skin before being killed. They were killed because of the lack of character in the white vigilantes and their preconceived prejudices prevented them from considering Emmett Till or Ahmaud Arbery as worthy of positive character. Neither the content of Emmett Till nor the content of Ahmaud Arberys character was considered before their executions.

The question lingers, however, what Dr. King meant by not being judged by the color of ones skin, but the content of ones character. We believe that the ugly thread of invidious prejudice and vicious racism runs so deeply in America, that Dr. King was speaking of the prejudgment made against the Emmett Tills of his lifetime, mirroring todays prejudice of todays Ahmaud Arbeys, before any consideration could be given regarding their character and who they were as citizens.

It is a diversionary tactic to become entangled in the maze of the conservative argument that race should not be considered in social, political and business settings. To fully embrace the conservative philosophy of not deploying reparative strategies is to ignore the enduring physical and psychological chains of slavery; to ignore the laws permitting, nay requiring, discrimination and devaluation of Black people; to ignore banking laws that permitted redlining to deny equal housing opportunities to Black people; to ignore the continued state legislative efforts to disenfranchise Black, Brown and other vulnerable voters; and to ignore denying qualified Black farmers federal funding, but providing abundant federal government-backed financial funding to white farmers (a practice that continues to this day) and then declaring, Why cant you keep up, theres something amiss with your character.

Unquestionably, as demonstrated by the vigilante lynching of Emmett Till in 1955 to the vigilante lynching of Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, too often the color of ones skin continues to dominate and dislodge consideration of the content of ones character in our nations financial, political and social discrimination.

Barbara R. Arnwine is president and founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition. Daryl D. Jones is a former member of the Anne Arundel County Council and lives in Severn.
An alarming rate of COVID-19 positivity rate in Pakistan's Karachi, reaching the 40 per cent mark on Sunday, has sent ripples through the medical fraternity in the country, a media report said on Monday. This latest surge is believed to be caused by the fifth wave of COVID-19, which would touch peak in the middle of March this year, the Dawn newspaper reported. This comes as Pakistan continues to register a record number of cases. On Monday, the country reported 4,340 new infections of COVID-19. Pakistan reported a positivity ratio of 8.7 per cent. The health department said that the infection rate reached 39.39pc in Karachi during the last 24 hours. It said about 95pc of the reported cases were of the Omicron variant, according to Dawn. The authorities have expressed concern over the number of growing infections among doctors, nurses, and paramedics. "It would not be less than 500, I think," a senior official was quoted by Dawn. "There are doctors, paramedics and even administrative staff of different public and private hospitals. Most of them are at their homes. This all we have witnessed within a week or 10 days." The Pakistani newspaper said the situation has compelled the medical fraternity to raise an alarm and make calls for immediate steps from the government and also from society. Pakistan has so far recorded over 13 lakh confirmed infections of COVID-19. The south Asian country has also recorded 29,019 deaths due to the virus. The provincial government in Sindh on Sunday announced pay cuts for government employees who refuse to wear a mask, Geo News reported. The directive has been issued in view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the province. (ANI)
In an interview, Zhang Boli, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and head of the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) said that the first step is to quickly block local community transmission outside COVID-19 control regions, Global Times reported.

From January 8 to January 16, a total of 294 confirmed local cases were reported in Tianjin. A total of 22 asymptomatic cases have been reported, the news outlet reported citing local authorities said on Monday.

"This round of outbreak will be under control generally when there are no new patients within the regions that are under control and no infections are found in the isolation sites," Zhang said.

"Don't treat the Omicron variant of COVID-19 like the flu" Zhang stressed, noting that Omicron is different from the flu.

Meanwhile, the Chinese mainland has reported 163 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in the last 214 hours, according to the National Health Commission on Monday.

According to Xinhua News Agency, out of the latest local cases, 80 were reported in Tianjin, 68 in Henan, nine in Guangdong, five in Shaanxi, and one in Guangxi, as per the commission.

The commission reported 60 new imported cases were recorded in 11 provincial-level regions, as per the news agency. (ANI)
China is likely to increase pressure on Taiwan next year, a prominent British historian and writer said while adding that deterrence is key to withstanding Beijing's military threats. Niall Ferguson, who is a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, made the remarks last week at a virtual event organized by the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science Foundation, English language newspaper Taipei Times reported. This comes as Beijing has mounted pressure on Taiwan in recent months. Besides breaking Taipei's defense identification zone on dozens of occasions, it has repeatedly threatened to take over the island by force which it considers as a breakaway province. According to Ferguson, Beijing would likely increase pressure on Taiwan after the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 20th National Congress concludes in the autumn, when Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to secure a third term as leader. Ferguson argued that Xi sees bringing Taiwan under Chinese control as the ultimate goal of his leadership. He added that domestic problems in China, such as a slowing economy and a growing debt problem, have threatened the legitimacy of the communist party. The British historian said China has been facing a backlash from the international community over accusations that it covered up the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan in 2019. It is also being criticized for its "wolf-warrior" diplomacy, Ferguson said. The US -- along with its allies -- should be committed to a credible deterrence strategy that could prevent "China from acting recklessly concerning Taiwan," Ferguson said. "Deterrence is key here." "And it's not just the US that can deter China. It's the US and [its] allies," he said, referring to other nations which have expressed concerns over security and stability in the Taiwan Strait. (ANI)
Nepal is an agricultural country, where agriculture is a key sector in income and employment generation and accounts for nearly one-third of the national GDP.

China's policy to tighten the export of chemical fertilizer has adversely affected Nepal's farmers, according to a report published in Nepal's media outlet Khabarhub.

The curb on the export of fertilizer has been placed on the pretext of "less production". This decision comes after China tightened exports of chemical fertilizers to Nepal by issuing a circular in October last year.

The report in the Nepali outlet stated that country's farmers are facing an acute shortage of chemical fertilizers due to China's unilateral decision.

Reportedly, the farmers cultivating wheat and commercial vegetables are returning empty-handed even after waiting in line for hours at local cooperatives.

According to farmers, their issue would get resolved if Beijing ensured a steady supply of fertilizer as stipulated in the agreement.

Initially, public sector enterprise Agricultural Inputs Company Limited had tendered for 10,000 tons of urea.

The transportation company Silk Transport had won the bid to supply chemical fertilizer. But merely 1,465 tons of manure have entered Nepal from China in September 2021. China has yet to send the remaining 8,535 tons to Nepal, according to Khabarhub.

Nepal had reached an agreement with China's Qinghai Yantianhuan International Fertilizer Ltd. to supply fertilizer to Nepal. However, due to Beijing's latest policy, the imported goods of Silk Transport are stuck in various places in China.

Nepal's Agriculture Ministry has taken a diplomatic initiative after Nepali suppliers complained that even the excrement allotted for Nepal could not come out in the Chinese industry.

China has not yet responded to the matter. (ANI)
The empty second train arrived in the Chinese border city earlier in the day, shortly after the first train departed the city at around 7 a.m. to return to the North's Sinuiju, Yonhap News Agency.

The first train had arrived in Dandong on Sunday, marking the first such train operation in one and a half years after the North shut down its borders to stave off the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was not immediately clear what the train carried home, but the sources said daily necessities, medical supplies and other emergency relief items seem to have been on board, with the train consisting of at least 15 cars.

The train services came ahead of such key events as the Lunar New Year, which falls on February 1 this year, the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4 and the February 16 birth anniversary of Kim Jong-il, the late father of the current leader, Kim Jong-un.

South Korean sources said the North could continue shipping necessary materials from China via land routes starting with the latest train operation.

--IANS ksk/

( 225 Words)

2022-01-17-09:08:05 (IANS)
This would be the second high-level visit from Pakistan since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August last year, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

According to the Pakistani daily, a high-powered Pak delegation led by the Pak NSA would undertake a two-day trip to Kabul on Tuesday on directives of the country's Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The report said the delegation has been tasked to assess the on-ground situation.

This visit comes as several contentious issues have emerged between the two countries clashed including the border fencing issue which led to clashes at the Durand Line.

Moreover, this visit is also significant due to the building humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan which is likely to affect its next-door neighbor.

Describing a "nightmare unfolding in Afghanistan", the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, last week warned that the world is "in a race against time to help the Afghan people."

Speaking to journalists in New York, the UN chief said the scale of the appeal "reflects the scale of the despair."

"Babies being sold to feed their siblings. Freezing health facilities overflowing with malnourished children. People burning their possessions to keep warm. Livelihoods across the country have been lost."

Currently, more than half the population of Afghanistan depends on life-saving assistance. (ANI)
French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain on Monday said that France will use its European Union presidency from January to June to take EU-India ties to an even greater strategic level. "From January to June, France will use its EU presidency to take EU-India ties to an even greater strategic level. Join us LIVE on January 18 at 6 pm IST to learn more about EU-India prospects during the French presidency," Lenain said in a Tweet. On 1 January 2022, France took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The French presidency coincides with the presidential elections in April when president Macron will be challenged by Le Pen, The Republican's Valerie Pecresse and far-right pundit Eric Zemmour. Last year, when India was battling with the second wave of COVID-19, New Delhi had received global support in the form of PPE kits, medical equipment, oxygen concentrators, and oxygen cylinders, and other medical aids from several countries including France. France had announced that it will provide India with eight high-capacity oxygen generators, liquid oxygen for 2000 patients for five days, as well as 28 ventilators and equipment for ICUs. Twenty-eight tonnes of medical equipment were sent by France as part of its solidarity mission for facing the COVID-19 crisis. (ANI)
Since the Taliban came into power in Afghanistan in August last year, the people of the country believe that the so-called "peace" of the group is worse than the war of the last 20 years, Italian author and journalist Francesca Marino said in an article. The crackdown on women, art, and culture in Afghanistan highlighted the hypocrite position of the Taliban. The group has led to the beheading of "mannequins" in clothing stores in the country, stating that it is a breach of the Shariah law. They have also banned music in vehicles and also advised drivers to not transport women who are not wearing Hijab. Taliban regime is taking repressive steps against women and the condition of women has deteriorated even since the takeover. Restrictions have been put in place for women in work and education. They are also not allowed to travel alone for more than 72 kilometers from their homes unless they are escorted by a male guardian. Apart from it, the recent report shows that the Taliban burned a musical instrument in front of a musician in Afghanistan's Paktia province and the musician was seen crying after his instrument was set on fire. A viral video posted by Abdulhaq Omeri, a senior journalist of Afghanistan, shows that a man with a gun was laughing at him, while another was making a video of his "miserable condition." "Schools are closed to girls, journalists and opponents are killed, music and films are banned, the Ministry for Women has been closed forever," wrote the author in the article published in Azione. The author further added that on December 25, 2021, the government of Kabul officially abolished the Electoral Commission of Afghanistan, stating: "We do not see its usefulness. If there is a need for it in the future, we will create an ad hoc Islamic commission." (ANI)
"The fire provoked an explosion in three tanks for transporting fuel in the Misfah area near the fuel depots of the Emirati state-owned company ADNOC," the police said in a tweet.

"Also, a small fire broke out in the construction area of the new airport of the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. According to the preliminary version, this happened as a result of a drone hit. No one is injured," the police added, according to Sputnik

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, at the same time of the attack, told the Almasirah broadcaster that the Yemeni rebel group will soon reveal details about the military operation in the UAE territory. (ANI)
This comes after the Sindh government agreed on Friday to keep schools and colleges open despite the Covid outbreak and the positivity rate of Karachi has now reached roughly 40 per cent.

The meeting, which included federal and provincial education ministers, decided that the huddle will meet again on Tuesday with new data to discuss the state of educational institutions and the education sector.

The meeting also addressed how to stop the spread of Covid-19 infections across Pakistan. It had decided that the serving of food in buses and on commercial flights will be banned.

It further decided to strengthen vaccination efforts in response to the Omicron wave, as well as increase coordination with the Sindh administration, due to the virus's rapid expansion in the province. (ANI)
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the projectiles fired from the Sunan airport at 8.50 a.m. and 8.54 a.m., respectively, and that they flew about 380 km at an altitude of 42 km, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"For more specific information, the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the US are conducting a detailed analysis," the JCS said in a statement without further details.

The latest firing came just three days after the North launched two suspected short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea that it later claimed to be guided missiles fired by a railway-borne regiment during a firing drill.

Monday's firing from Pyongyang appears to underscore the North's evolving capabilities to launch missiles from various platforms, including trains, subsurface assets and land-based facilities.

Last week, Pyongyang warned of a "stronger and certain reaction" to the US' recent imposition of fresh sanctions on six North Koreans involved in the regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

The North also test-fired its self-proclaimed hypersonic missile on January 5 and 11, ratcheting up tensions amid an impasse in nuclear negotiations with the US.

--IANS ksk/

( 220 Words)

2022-01-17-10:32:03 (IANS)
Numbers provided by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) indicate that the volume of trade between Afghanistan and three Central Asian republics - Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan has increased in the current year, according to Tolo News.

According to ACCI, this year Afghanistan has exported goods to Central Asia valued at USD 33 million and imports have exceeded USD 2 billion. "This year our imports from Central Asia were over USD 2 billion," ACCI acting chairman Mohammad Yunus Mohmand said.

Officials, however, did not provide an exact figure about the amount of Afghanistan-Central Asia trade in the last year, according to Tolo News.

Meanwhile, officials from the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce said that the volume of trade between the two countries has decreased by 26 per cent this year. "There are multiple reasons. First, there are goods' transportation problems in ports.

Second, Pakistan's banking system has imposed a series of limitations on trade which has led to a decrease in the imports of goods to Afghanistan," said Naqibullah Safi, head of the chamber.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance said that after the takeover of the Taliban customs' revenue increased in the north of the country because of Central Asia-South Asia trade and transit.

Further, ACCI officials said this year Afghanistan's import volume decreased due to unemployment, poverty and economic problems in the country which have led to a sharp decrease in demands in the markets. (ANI)
British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, 44, from Blackburn, was shot dead late Saturday night after a standoff with police in Colleyville, the report said.

Details of the ages or genders of the pair arrested in south Manchester on Sunday evening were not revealed.

Greater Manchester Police said it was liaising with local communities and continuing to assist in the US inquiry.

The force said the two teenagers were arrested "as part of the ongoing investigation into the attack" and were being held in custody for questioning.

According to US police sources, Akram arrived in the country via New York's JFK International Airport two weeks ago.

Akram's brother Gulbar confirmed his death in a statement carried on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page.

He apologised to the victims and said his brother had been suffering from mental health issues, the report said.

The hostage-taker was heard demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is currently serving an 86-year term in a prison in Forth Worth, Texas, about 20 miles away from the synagogue, law enforcement officials told local media.

President Joe Biden appeared to confirm the attacker had been seeking her release, saying the Texas attack was related to "someone who was arrested 15 years ago and has been in jail for 10 years", the BBC report said.

The President said the attacker had apparently bought weapons after he landed in the US.

--IANS san/ksk/

( 278 Words)

2022-01-17-12:34:03 (IANS)
Two Indian nationals are among the three people killed and six injured in the explosions in Abu Dhabi on Monday, India's envoy to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir confirmed to ANI. The two Indians and one Pakistani national were killed and at least six persons were injured as three petroleum tanker trucks blew up after catching fire near a major oil storage facility in the Mussafah area of the capital of UAE, according to the official state news agency WAM. "Two Indian nationals are dead in the explosions and we are trying to ascertain their identities," envoy Sunjay Sudhir told ANI. Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack that was suspected to have been carried out by drones, WAM said. "UAE authorities have informed that the explosion at Mussafah, near ADNOC's storage tanks, has led to 3 casualties, which includes 2 Indian nationals. The Mission @IndembAbuDhabi is in close touch with concerned UAE authorities for further details.," Indian mission in UAE tweeted. Abu Dhabi police said that the explosion involving three oil tankers and a fire in the construction site of the emirate's new airport extension were potentially caused by drones. "The fire provoked an explosion in three tanks for transporting fuel in the Misfah area near the fuel depots of the Emirati state-owned company ADNOC," the police said in a statement. "Also, a small fire broke out in the construction area of the new airport of the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. According to the preliminary version, this happened as a result of a drone hit," the police added. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree told the Almasirah broadcaster that the Yemeni rebel group will soon reveal details about "a special military operation that was carried out in the heart of the UAE". The UAE has been part of a Saudi-led military campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015. It intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 as part of the Arab Coalition but scaled down its operations in 2019, according to WAM. (ANI)
Taking to Twitter Jaishankar said, "A good discussion with FM Peter Szijjarto of Hungary. Discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education, mobility and health. Confident that the positive momentum of 2021 will grow further in 2022. Look forward to welcoming him in India soon."

Jaishankar expressed hope to further strengthen ties between both countries.

India and Hungary have enjoyed close and friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948. The relationship has been substantive and multifaceted. India and Hungary have signed several agreements that have contributed to further intensification of the bilateral relationship, MEA said in a statement. (ANI)
Under the plan, the Israeli government will offer El Al, Israir and Arkia airlines convertible bonds, which can be exchanged into shares, for three years without interest, at a total of $85 million, reports Xinhua news agency.

The government will also fund in advance for 20 years excess fuel and maintenance expenses related to the air defense systems installed on the planes, at a total of $15 million for all three airlines.

Israel has witnessed a surge of Covid-19 cases caused by the outbreak of the Omicron variant.

--IANS ksk/

( 129 Words)

2022-01-17-13:18:04 (IANS)
According to Nepal PM's personal secretary Bhanu Deuba, the Prime Minister is likely to make a televised address in a day or two.

"The date and time of PM's address are yet to be fixed but the Prime Minister is likely to address the nation on Tuesday or Wednesday," Deuba told ANI over phone.

PM Deuba, who became the country's prime minister for the fifth time, has not addressed the nation since he was appointed Prime Minister on July 13, 2021. He addressed the parliament after securing the vote of confidence.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said PM Deuba is likely to highlight the achievements of the government in the past six months. (ANI)
A New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules departed for Tonga on Monday to airdrop fresh water and other essential supplies, as the Pacific island country suffered from a serious tsunami following a major volcanic eruption. The plane loaded with provisions to Tonga is requested by the Tongan authorities which said water supply had been severely affected in the fallout from the eruption, according to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The C-130 Hercules is the second New Zealand aircraft leaving for Tonga after a P-3K Orion aircraft left Base Auckland on Monday morning to assist in an initial impact assessment of the area and low-lying islands, reports Xinhua news agency. New Zealand Defence Minister Peeni Henare said: "There is still no time frame for the reconnection of communications with Tonga," as communications are being repaired after the main undersea cable had been impacted. "We are working hard to see how we can assist our Pacific neighbours after the volcanic eruption near Tonga," said a statement of the New Zealand Defence Force. Tsunami waves hit Tonga on January 15. The tsunami followed a series of violent eruptions from underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, 65 km north of the country's main island Tongatapu. The New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency has issued a national advisory to cancel a warning on tsunami activity in the country. The advice, based on ocean observations, is that the beach and marine threat has now passed for all areas, the agency said. Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for up to another 24 hours in some locations around the entire country. People should remain vigilant and take extra precautions with regards to beach and ocean activities, it said. New Zealand has pledged to provide support for Tonga following the volcanic eruption that sent tsunami waves crashing onto the Pacific Island. Ardern told reportes that her government has made an initial sum of NZ$500,000 ($340,000) available to provide assistance to Tonga. The tsunami had a significant impact on part of the foreshore of Tonga, with boats and large boulders washed ashore and shops along the coast damaged, said Ardern. Along with the two aircraft dispatched, New Zealand was considering the deployment of a naval ship should it being needed, she said, adding the government was waiting to hear from the Tongan authorities about what was needed. Meanwhile, an Australian Air Force P8 Poseidon aircraft also reached Tonga on Monday. --IANS ksk/ ( 416 Words) 2022-01-17-14:26:01 (IANS)
"Just spoke to President Putin," said Imran Khan in a tweet on Monday.

"He (Putin) is the first Western leader to show empathy and sensitivity to Muslim sentiment for their beloved Prophet," Imran added.

The two leaders discussed trade and cooperation between the two countries

"We also discussed ways to move forward on trade and other mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries," said Imran, adding, "we invited each other to visit our countries."

During the telephonic conversation on Monday, Imran Khan and Putin fondly recalled their conversations during last year and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, according to the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office. (ANI)
United Kashmir People's National Party's (UKPNP) Central Secretary Committee of Foreign Affairs has written a letter addressed to members of important committees in the European Parliament to express its grave concern over Pakistan's continuous involvement in proxy war and terrorism in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In its letter, it pointed out that the actions initiated by the Pakistan government on terror groups in the form of taking over properties of terrorist groups, monitoring activities and temporarily detaining senior terrorist commanders and cadres lacked seriousness and was aimed only at satisfying the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Senior leaders of these groups were neither arrested nor persecuted under relevant terrorism-related charges. There was no clampdown on the functioning of their centres across Pakistan, their assets and infrastructure were not dismantled and their financing activities weren't curtailed. On the contrary, activities of these entities are gradually becoming unrestrained as usual. "Most of the lower and middle-level cadres, functionaries of LeT, JuD and JeM, who were detained under FATF pressure have been gradually released in a phased manner," read the letter. The UKPNP said that the Government of Pakistan is yet to take stern action against JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar even as they designated him under UNSCR, 1267, on 01/05/2019 and Masood continues to manage the affairs of JeM, however, he has not made public appearances. The party also said that the Pakistani authorities have also relaxed restrictions on activities of LeT and JuD and mentioned that according to the recent input, the Pakistani authorities are planning to release senior LeT/ JuD leaders Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki and others from 'protective custody' on November 26, 2021 (Mumbai attack anniversary). Criticizing the government of Pakistan, the letter read, "Senior LeT, JuD and JeM, leaders continue to move freely, attend meetings to intensify their efforts to raise public sentiments against India, Israel and the United States of America especially in the backdrop of Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar frequently travels to Rawalpindi/ Islamabad, usually accompanied by his brother Maulana Ammar for meetings with senior officials of Inter-Services-Intelligence (151), handlers with regard to Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) operations in India and Afghanistan. 6 Senior functionaries of JeM like Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar (MARA) and Maulana Ammar have been holding regular meetings with senior Taliban functionaries including Mullah Muhammad Fazal and Sirajuddin Haqqani in Afghanistan. The meeting is also attended by 151 officials Ibrahim Azhar, elder brother of Maulana Masood Azhar continues to handle JeM operations." The party wrote that Maulana Masood Azhar (Top leader of JeM), continues to address gatherings at JeM centres spread across Pakistan through recorded speeches. Activities at JeM's markaz Usman-0- Ali and Subhan Allah in Bhawalpur have also resumed and returned to normalcy. (ANI)
One morning in March 2021, at a nursing home in Evanston, resident Velta Saint registered an alarmingly low 44% oxygen level in her blood. Normal levels range from 95% to 100%, and one study recommends hospitalization for any patient with a reading below 90%.

Medical workers tried to improve Saints respiration, then sent her to a hospital  which sent her back to the nursing home, before she was returned to the hospital, where she died. Saints ordeal came after her daughter, a registered nurse, said the home had been slow, in her opinion, to diagnose her condition and failed to treat it aggressively. The daughter, Marlene Bryan, filed a complaint over her mothers treatment with the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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What gets me is, I told them, Bryan said. There were so many things that are so wrong. If somebody had said, This is not right, my mom would still be alive today.

A person walks past Symphony of Evanston nursing home on Oct. 26, 2021, in Evanston. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

But a state inspector found the complaint unsubstantiated, meaning he found insufficient evidence to give it credence. As a result, state regulators took no action against the nursing home  a common occurrence with complaints about long-term care.

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In 2021, state inspectors found about 64%  nearly 2 out of 3  of overall complaints and abuse or neglect complaints unsubstantiated. In 2020, 66% of overall complaints were unsubstantiated, and 90% of neglect allegations.

The issue isnt new nationally. As far back as 2009, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported that concerns had been raised about the timeliness and adequacy of complaint investigations and federal oversight. GAO found 19% of investigated complaints nationally were substantiated and led to a citation, and that many state agencies had difficulty meeting performance standards for handling complaints.

Illinois had the second-highest rate of complaints and number of substantiated complaints compared with peer states, according to a consultants report that generally found lax state oversight and poor quality of care. Still, the dismissal of most cases has come as residents and loved ones have increasingly complained about conditions in nursing homes. Complaints rose 29% from 2014 to 2019, the report found, and last year, the state failed to investigate the most serious complaints for three months.

The state is required by law to conduct general inspections annually and to respond quickly to specific complaints. One of the prime drivers of complaints, officials say, is a shortage of nursing home workers, which has only grown more severe during the COVID pandemic. To make matters worse, the state has been chronically short of inspectors.

In response to the Tribunes questions, spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said the health department is not able to comment about individual cases, and she did not address questions about whether the number of complaints that are substantiated is low. But she said the agency has overhauled its Office of Health Care Regulation, hiring a new management team and 40 new nurse surveyors and five supervisors since September 2020 to eliminate a backlog of complaints.

The health department also hired a manager to coordinate the use of proceeds from fines to improve the quality of care at nursing homes, and the state is proposing major changes to tie funding to staffing and performance.

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For their part, nursing home industry officials defended their performance, saying regulatory inspections often unnecessarily result in citations and fines, when working together would produce better results.

A rare look inside the complaint process

Saint lived at Symphony Evanston Healthcare, which Medicare rates at four out of five stars overall, based on health inspections, staffing and quality of resident care. It had 13 complaints that resulted in fines in the past three years, federal records show.

Responding to the Tribunes questions about the case, Symphony issued a statement noting that after an inspection and an administrative review, state inspectors did not find any deficiency in the treatment the home provided.

Patient privacy laws limit what we can share on the care provided, the statement read, but we do want to express our heartfelt condolences to (Ms. Bryan) and her family for their loss.

Because Bryan was willing to share the state inspection report with medical records of her mothers experience, the case offers a rare glimpse inside proceedings that typically remain secret due to health privacy laws.

Velta Saint was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the United States as a teenager, according to her daughter. She herself worked as a certified nursing assistant at nursing homes for about 20 years and cared a great deal for her patients, Bryan said.

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She married and divorced, and as a single mother raised three children in Evanston. Bryan fondly recalled her mother taking her kids to fly kites and buy caramel apples at the nearby Affy Tapple store, and always emphasizing the importance of education.

Years ago, Saint suffered a stroke that partially paralyzed her left side. Bryan said she took care of her at home starting in 2007, preparing meals, getting her medicine, and testing her blood sugar due to her diabetes. But her mothers health declined. She went from using a cane to needing a walker, and one day she fell down the stairs in her home. Eventually, she could not be left alone, and in 2019, she moved into Symphony nursing home.

Bryan said she visited her mother several times a week, bringing her favorite foods, including Jamaican beef patties. When COVID-19 became widespread by March 2020, visitors were prohibited. Bryan could only see her mother on video calls.

On Feb. 19, 2021, on a FaceTime call, Bryan said, she noticed her mothers face appeared swollen. She sounded congested and was having trouble breathing, and said she was not feeling well. Bryan said she made repeated calls to the director of nursing, and left messages explaining that something was wrong with her mother and she needed diagnostic testing, according to Bryans complaint.

Later that day, according to the complaint, officials at the home called back to say an X-ray showed that Bryans mother had pneumonia, an infection that causes fluid to build up in the lungs. Bryan said that in her opinion, the medical professionals at the home should have noticed her mothers condition and found the pneumonia before she alerted them.

At age 64, Saint had numerous underlying conditions, including heart failure, being overweight, high blood pressure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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Patients with comorbidities who acquire pneumonia in a health care facility such as a nursing home, where the infection might be resistant to treatment, generally should be treated aggressively with intravenous antibiotics to attack any drug-resistant bacteria, according to recommendations from the American Thoracic Society. Medical records show Saint instead was given an oral antibiotic Augmentin for a week.

Nursing home records collected in the state inspection show repeated detailed updates about Saint for March 2, 3, 4 and 5, but appeared to show only vital signs for March 6, the day immediately preceding her being hospitalized.

The records indicated no major complications until before dawn March 7, when Saint suddenly was measured with a dangerously low 44% blood oxygen level after being on a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, which is supposed to blow air into a patients airway to prevent sleep apnea.

Saints medical record from the home states, Incoming nurse on duty went immediately to assess resident. Resident was alert and oriented ... but very tired and weak. Resident reinstructed to keep her CPAP on. Nurse on duty observed that resident was noncompliant on keeping CPAP on. Residents voice sound was moist and audible sound as she were drowning in her own secretion.

Bryan said she believes this should have been considered a medical emergency that required an immediate call for an ambulance.

Instead, according to the complaint, the nurse on duty told Saint to take deep breaths with a measuring device called a spirometer, and got her oxygen level up to 72%  still far too low. She was given Tylenol for her fever, and coughed up thick white mucous. She was put on portable oxygen, and 30 minutes later her blood oxygen was at 70%, nursing home records indicate.

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About 2:30 that morning, records show, Saint was taken to Evanston Hospital with shortness of breath, cough and fever.

At present, patient denies any complaint, hospital records stated. At the time her symptoms seemed attributable to HFpEF, the record stated, referring to a form of ongoing heart failure. A chest X-ray found congestion and fluid in her lung, but there appeared to be no mention in the records of diagnosing or treating her pneumonia on that initial visit to the hospital.

According to the complaint, Saint was given Lasix, a diuretic, to help eliminate some of the excess fluid in her body, which shed also been prescribed at the nursing home, and required help breathing with a bi-level positive airway pressure machine, or BiPAP. She tested negative for COVID-19, but told doctors shed had shortness of breath and a cough for a week.

Saint was given several medications, measured oxygen levels above 90%, and was discharged back to Symphony of Evanston. There, she was seen by a doctor, who had her taken back to the hospital that night for admission and treatment of pneumonia.

The second time at the hospital, she was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, and pneumonia, records show. She was treated in the emergency department with IV antibiotics and steroids and a nebulizer to deliver medication to her lungs. She was first admitted to a room, and later put in intensive care on a BiPAP.

But, according to the complaint, she continued to decline the next day, with diminished breathing and increasing levels of carbon dioxide in her blood.

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At 6 a.m. the following day, hospital records show, she was found unable to answer, with coarse breathing sounds and crackles. The family was called to her bedside, and requested a morphine drip. A priest from her parish was called to administer last rites. Saint had a do-not-resuscitate order. Her breathing apparatus was removed, and records indicate she passed away peacefully.

Bryan said she believes Evanston Hospital also failed her mother by initially sending her home without resolving her pneumonia. So many people dropped the ball, she said she believes. NorthShore University HealthSystem, which includes Evanston Hospital, declined to comment, citing privacy regulations.

In response to Bryans complaint about her mothers care, the Department of Public Health sent inspector Rick Ramos, a health facility surveillance nurse and a licensed nursing home administrator, to the home March 17. He interviewed the nursing home administrator and director of nursing.

Records show the facility put (Saint) on BiPAP machine to manage her COPD and respiratory needs and was assessed by staff throughout her stay, his report stated. Nursing home officials were interviewed with no concerns related to improper nursing care.

Based on observation, interview and record review, the allegation of improper nursing cannot be substantiated, Ramos wrote. No deficiency cited.

Following Department of Public Health rules, A complaint is considered invalid if the Department determines that there is no credible evidence that there has been a deficiency

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In order to cite a violation, health department spokeswoman Arnold said, there must be evidence that a facilitys policies were not followed or didnt meet regulations, or that a doctors orders were not followed. If anyone questions a physicians orders, they can make a complaint against that physician.

Saints daughter disputed the findings, saying she believed her mother was not properly assessed, as indicated by the fact Bryan had to ask for an X-ray that found her pneumonia.

Bryan is appealing the findings of the inspection, and was scheduled for a hearing before an administrative judge Tuesday.

As a nurse, Bryan she said was able to understand the medical issues involved, navigate the system and file a detailed report challenging the inspection. The average person without medical training, she said, would never get that far through the daunting and emotional process.

Noting a Tribune report that Black and brown nursing home residents in Illinois died at a higher rate than whites, Bryan said in her view her mothers case is an example of why Black people are skeptical of their medical care. How would her treatment have been if she was white? she asked.

As complaints mount, regulating roughly 1,200 nursing homes in Illinois is a gargantuan task. Each year, health department inspectors conduct about 10,000 surveys, including annual licensing inspections and complaints, which can be reported by phone at 800-252-4343.

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In 2020, 161 cases were cited for putting residents in immediate jeopardy, and 329 plans of correction were imposed. Both numbers mark large increases from 2019, which state officials attributed to inspections for COVID-19 infection control.

More feedback is sought

Pat Merryweather, executive director for Project Patient Care, which advocates for patients, reviewed Saints treatment for the Tribune and said there were many unknowns in the case.

In general, Merryweather advocated for nursing homes to use rapid response teams, as do many hospitals, a tactic advocated by the World Health Organization. When a residents condition seriously worsens, the team is activated to keep the patient from crashing.

In case a physician isnt immediately available in person, Merryweather suggested, nursing homes should be able to reach one quickly through a telehealth consultation.

We need to move away from a wait-and-see mode, she said, to contacting a health care provider that can assess and if necessary, prescribe treatment and (an) intervention plan.

In response to Tribune questions, Matt Pickering, executive director of the Health Care Council of Illinois, which represents more than 300 skilled nursing facilities in the state, said they have experienced strict regulation.

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IDPH surveys and citations have actually increased in frequency and severity, he said. From what we can tell, this is one anecdotal example being used to highlight a trend that our members simply arent experiencing.

Instead, Pickering said, the state is increasing citations and fines, without providing substantive feedback for how to improve, as was found in a recent taxpayer-funded report.

We would welcome the opportunity to partner with the department, Pickering said, to identify ways we can better work together to ensure quality care in a collaborative manner.

Dr. Michael Wasserman, a former nursing home administrator and past president of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine, said the inspection process needs to be reworked.

The system is not effective and also hasnt lent itself to bringing about significant improvements in quality of care, he said.

Rather than pressuring nursing home workers, whom he called incredible people, he said the system should ensure the public funding that goes into nursing homes ends up improving patient care.

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rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com
The negative assessment on Moon's conduct of state affairs gained 3.1 percentage points to 56.7 per cent, according to the Realmeter survey.

Support for Moon's ruling Democratic Party slipped 2.3 percentage points to 31.3 per cent last week, reports Xinhua news agency.

The main conservative opposition People Power Party won 39.0 per cent of support last week, up 4.4 percentage points from the previous week.

The minor centre-right People's Party garnered 9.3 percent of approval score, trailed by the minor centre-left Open Democratic Party with 4.8 per cent and the minor progressive Justice Party with 3.4 per cent.

As for the approval rating of presidential candidates, support for the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung shrank 3.4 percentage pointsto 36.7 per cent last week.

Support for the People Power Party's Yoon Suk-yeol advanced 6.5 percentage points to 40.6 per cent last week.

The country's presidential election is scheduled for March 9.

--IANS ksk/

( 182 Words)

2022-01-17-15:12:03 (IANS)
Houthi-Saudi conflict spills into the wider Middle-East region with the drone attacks targeting three fuel tanks near depots of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on Monday. Earlier, three fuel tanks exploded near depots of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on Monday, the emirate's police said, adding that the blast may be caused by a drone hit, according to sources. Further, Saudi-led coalition destroys 8 drones headed towards the kingdom, according to Al Jazeera. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, at the same time as the attack, told the Almasirah broadcaster that the Yemeni rebel group will soon reveal details about the military operation in the UAE territory. Further, Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra, who has reported extensively on Yemen, said that the attack comes against the backdrop of a "massive military operation which is underway now in Yemen". Earlier, United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned the seizure of UAE flagged vessel Rwabee by the Houthis and demanded immediate release of the vessel and crew, according to Al Jazeera. Further, Iran-backed Houthis allegedly seized the Rwabee on January 3 this year, of the Red Sea port of Hodeidah and then released a video purportedly showing military equipment on board, including military-style rafts, trucks and other vehicles and what appeared to be a collection of rifles. Meanwhile, Yemen has been engaged in an armed conflict between the government forces led by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Haid, and the Houthi rebels. Since March 15 last year, Saudi Arabia led Arab alliance, working in cooperation with Hadi's forces, has been conducting air, land and sea operations against the Houthis in Yemen. The conflict has created the arguably biggest humanitarian crisis in the world in present times, according to Al Jazeera. On the other hand, the UAE which had largely scaled down its a military presence in Yemen in 2019, continues to hold sway through the Yemeni forces it armed and trained. Earlier, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support the internationally recognized government after the Houthis captured the capital, Sanna, the previous year. Meanwhile, Yemen has been engulfed in civil war since 2014 when the Houthis took the capital, Sanna and much to the norther part of the country, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. The UAE had largely scaled down its a military presence in Yemen in 2019 but continues to hold sway through Yemeni forces it armed and trained. Earlier, the Houthis have used bomb-laden to launch crude attacks at Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The group has also launched missiles at Saudi airports, oil facilities and pipelines, as well as used booby-trapped boats for attacks on key shipping routes. Yemen's government-aligned forces aided by the UAE backed Giants Brigades and with help from Saudi air raids, reclaimed the entire southern province of Shabwa from the Houthis earlier this month and made advances in nearby Marib province. Attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militant group against Saudi Arabia have more than doubled in 2021 from their pace last year, according to Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report that provides details of escalating violence in the Gulf region. During the first nine months of 2021, Houthi attacks against the Saudi kingdom averaged 78 a month, or 702 in total, said the CSIS report. During the same period in 2020, the report said, the monthly average was 38. The UN imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis in 2015 and US as well as ally Saudi Arabia which leads the military coalition backing the Yemeni government has long accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with weapons, a charge Tehran denies, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)
Finland has condemned Pakistan for sentencing to death a man on blasphemy charges. Mika Niikko, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Parliament of Finland has written to Riaz Fatyana, Chair of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, National Assembly of Pakistan on the subject of the verdict of death sentence to Zafar Bhatti in Pakistan, who has been held captive since 2012 on accusations of sending blasphemous text messages. Notably, on January 6 this year Bhatti was sentenced to death under section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code although the convicted claims that he is innocent. Finland and EU Parliament both condemned the death sentence and said that they are concerned whether the sentence is justified and fair after the convict has already spent 10 years in jail. The letter questioned the Pakistani government if it allows the implementation of the death penalty even if the evidence is debatable. "Here in Europe, there is no contrast between different religions or people in our justice system. We treat people equally because it's the right thing to do in the eyes of God and of a human. As you know, we have many Muslims here, in Europe. We are working to build tolerance and peaceful coexistence. We intervene if Muslims are oppressed," said the letter. The letter furthermore said that Finland and the EU (European Union) are following the human rights situation in Pakistan. "Violations against human rights and religious freedom cannot be tolerated anywhere," read the letter. It is also conveyed in the letter that there has been EU funding to support the projects for development in Pakistan and therefore Pakistan should work together with the EU to promote justice and advance human rights globally. "I believe that our common interest as leaders in our countries is to build peace inside of our societies and between all ethnic and religious groups. We as leaders know that hatred will not lead to a good outcome. If I have understood correctly, there is a freedom of religion mentioned in your constitution?," read the letter. (ANI)
Stressing that global development is suffering from severe disruption, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that major developed countries should adopt responsible economic policies, manage policy spillovers, and avoid severe impacts on developing countries. "The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century. These changes, not limited to a particular moment, event, country or region, represent the profound and sweeping changes of our times," said Xi during his virtual address at the Davos Agenda of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Monday. "As changes of the times combine with the once-in-a-century pandemic, the world finds itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation. How to beat the pandemic and how to build the post-COVID world? These are major issues of common concern to people around the world. They are also major, urgent questions we must give answers to," he added. The Chinese President emphasised that major economies should see the world as one community, think in a more systematic way, increase policy transparency and information sharing, and coordinate the objectives, intensity and pace of fiscal and monetary policies, so as to prevent the world economy from plummeting again. The process of global development is suffering from severe disruption, entailing more outstanding problems like a widening North-South gap, divergent recovery trajectories, development fault-lines and a technological divide, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday. Stressing that the process of global development is suffering from severe disruption, said Xi, adding that it entails more outstanding problems like a widening North-South gap, divergent recovery trajectories, development fault-lines and a technological divide. "The Human Development Index has declined for the first time in 30 years. The world's poor population has increased by more than 100 million. Nearly 800 million people live in hunger," he added. Xi also emphasised that difficulties are mounting in food security, education, employment, medicine, health and other areas important to people's livelihoods. "Some developing countries have fallen back into poverty and instability due to the pandemic. Many in developed countries are also living through a hard time," the Chinese President added. He also noted that major developed countries should adopt responsible economic policies, manage policy spillovers, and avoid severe impacts on developing countries. "International economic and financial institutions should play their constructive role to pool global consensus, enhance policy synergy and prevent systemic risks," he added. The WEF's virtual event Davos Agenda is being held from January 17-21. Several heads of state will address the event. The event will also witness the participation of top industry leaders, international organisations and civil society, who will deliberate on critical challenges being faced by the world today and discuss how to address them. (ANI)
A meeting of the provincial assembly held on Monday after hours of deliberation voted with the majority for Janakpur as the capital and Madhes as its name.

Province Assembly Speaker Saroj Kumar Yadav announced that 80 out of 99 members voted in support of the proposal for the name and the provincial capital. Monday's vote has exceeded two-thirds of the Assembly's current strength as required by the constitution.

The ruling Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), Maoist centre and the opposition Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), had jointly proposed the name Madhes.

The JSP had 39 lawmakers, Maoist Center 8 and DSP 16 lawmakers, totalling 63 votes. The Nepal Federal Socialist Party, which has one seat in the State Assembly, also supported the name along with 16 lawmakers from other parties.

Some of the lawmakers at the provincial assembly had come forward with the proposal to name "Birgunj" as provincial capital but failed to garner the required votes.

Nepali Congress (NC) had proposed 'Mithila Bhojpura', CPN-Unified Socialist and CPN-UML together had proposed 'Janaki' and another NC lawmaker Rajeshwar Sah had proposed 'Madhya Madhes'.

It has already been more than six years since the constitution's promulgation, but Province 1 and Province 2 had been waiting to finalise their own names. With Monday's move, the remaining province to be named is Province no. 1. (ANI)
India has saved crores of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic by supplying vaccines and essential medicines to many countries under One Earth One Health vision, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising that India is now pharmacy to the world and is the third-largest pharma-producer in the world. "In this time of Corona, we have seen how India following the vision of 'One Earth, One Health' is saving crores of lives by giving essential medicines, vaccines to many countries," said PM Modi while delivering the 'state of the world' address virtually at the World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda on Monday. "Today, India is the third-largest pharma producer in the world, is pharmacy to the world," he added. The Prime Minister also emphasised that India is sending record software engineers to the world. "More than 50 lakh software developers are working in India." Emphasising that India has the third-largest number of Unicorns in the world, he said that more than 10,000 start-ups have been registered in the last 6 months. PM Modi also emphasised that India is promoting Ease of Doing Business and minimizing government intervention. "India has made it the most competitive in the world by simplifying, reducing its corporate tax rates. Last year alone, we have reduced more than 25,000 compliances," said PM Modi. Urging the world to invest in India, PM Modi said that "the spirit of entrepreneurship, which has the capacity to adopt new technology in Indians, can give new energy to each of our global partners". Davos Agenda of the WEF is being held from January 17-21. Several heads of state will address the event. The event will also witness the participation of top industry leaders, international organisations and civil society, who will deliberate on critical challenges being faced by the world today and discuss how to address them. (ANI)
Defying all restrictions, a massive protest was organised by political activists and people of Sindh to mark the 118th birth anniversary of veteran Sindhi nationalist leader G.M. Syed at and around Syed's grave in Sann town of Pakistan's Sindh province. The Sindhi nationalist parties raised pro-freedom slogans and condemned Pakistan and China for exploiting their resources. The activists of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) carried banners asking the United Nations to fulfil their demand for freedom from Pakistan. The banners said, "United Nations - Pakistan is a terrorist state", "Sindhi Nation wants freedom of Sindhudesh" and "No China Go China". The JSMM said, "The Sindhi nation considers China's presence in Sindh's territorial waters as China's aggression against Sindh". Shafi Burfat, the chairman of JSMM said, "The Sindhi nation today had a big protest against the presence of China on the coast of Sindh and the construction of a naval base. The United Nations and the international community have been urged to immediately stop China from building any construction project on the coast of Sindh". Burfat, who is now living in exile in Germany added, "The international community should put pressure on China to end its occupation of the Sindh coast". Every year, the Sindhi nationalist parties organise massive events in Sann town on the birth anniversary of G.M. Syed. After the independence of Pakistan, he became the first political prisoner of the state in 1948. Syed restated the political implementation of Sufi ideologies which advocated for Islamic principles, secularism, Sindhi nationalism and laid the basis for the Sindhudesh Movement. (ANI)
With the return of Taliban to power in Afghanistan, the possibility of big power competition is engulfing the whole of Eurasia, as the ongoing developments in Kazakhstan show, according to a think-tank report. While the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, rushed the Russian-led military force under the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to enter Kazakhstan in order to restore order, the U.S.-led Western world inevitably sees this move as a Russian 'invasion' meant to "subvert the democratic order" in Central Asia, according to Russian International Affairs Council. However, this narrative largely underestimates the other players involved. Significantly, sharing a long common border with Kazakhstan, China is closely watching the situation. The Shanghai Cooperation Council (SCO), an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation and coordination against terrorism and other external threats, has also been silent. On the other hand, Turkey, keen to retain its cultural ties and economic influence in the largely Turkic Central Asia, has become the third player in what Ankara considers its backyard. Some observers claim that the Turkish President, Recep Erdogan, appears to be tacitly promoting militant groups, thus boosting the role of Sunni extremists together with the contribution of Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan, as per the analysis of Russian International Affairs Council. On the other hand, Central Asian Republics (CARs) did not recognize the first Taliban government (1996-2001) and eventually supported the US led assault on Afghanistan, an operation in which the Northern Alliance, composed mainly of ethnic migrants from Central Asia, played a key role. However, this time, with Taliban 2.0 in power, the Central Asian countries are not supporting any force hostile to the Taliban, like Ahmed Masoud of the Afghan Resistance. Instead, they have adopted a wait-and-watch policy to see if the Taliban will keep their promise of not nurturing and exporting terrorist groups to Central Asia. The Kazakhstan developments appear to belie these hopes and may have forced the largest CAR to secure help from Moscow. A side effect of this multi-vectorial foreign policy is that it also enhanced the role of Islam among the hitherto secular Kazakhs and the resultant Islamist radicalism in the society, with many groups trained in Afghanistan-Pakistan through the 1980s. These groups used the Turkish umbrella for spreading radicalism, while Turkey focused on the construction of mosques, various political, educational institutions in Kazakhstan, according to Russian International Affairs Council. The past role of Islamist militant groups, based in Turkey and Afghanistan-Pakistan region, that bears deep relevance to the current situation in fomenting trouble in Central Asia is summed up by Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Political-Military Analysis at the Washington-based Hudson Institute. Commenting on the Central Asia's Taliban surprise back in September, Dr. Weitz noted that "during the previous Taliban-ruled government in Afghanistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) used Afghan territory for training and transnational terrorist operations. Past records show that these groups have the tendency to merge with the local populace and remain entrenched. And having done that, they exercise influence, even control of the ground reality in the region. With the exit of the US-led forces in August 2021, the past seems to be repeating itself. As for Central Asia, we might see more Kazakhstan-like situations in the near future, according to Russian International Affairs Council. (ANI)
Remarking at a weekly press conference, Saeed Khatibzadeh said the decision still depends on the Saudi side and the practical measures it takes, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Khatibzadeh added that Iran is now focusing on the resumption of activities by its mission to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian revealed earlier in an interview with Al Jazeera English-language news channel that Iran has held four rounds of positive and constructive talks with Saudi officials in Iraq.

"What we have stated as our official position is that relations between the two countries would return to normal whenever the Saudi side wishes. Iran is ready and welcomes the reopening of the embassies and consulates," Abdollahian said.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in protest against the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following the Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric. (ANI/Xinhua)
On Monday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that UN humanitarians and partners have provided food assistance to more than 9 million Afghans, reported Xinhua.

Humanitarians have since September 2021 provided 9.4 million people with food assistance and reached over 145,600 children with community-based education activities.

They have also provided more than 1.6 million people with primary and secondary health care and treated more than 275,000 children under 5 for acute malnutrition, said OCHA.

In addition, over 550,000 people have been provided with water and sanitation hygiene assistance, including through hygiene promotion and hygiene kits, it said.

Civilian casualties due to improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance (UXO) continue to be reported, noted the office, reported Xinhua.

On Friday, two children were reportedly killed when a UXO was accidentally detonated by a group of children playing in Helmand Province.

On Sunday, two children were reportedly injured by a UXO detonation in Nangarhar Province, said OCHA.

The UN Mine Action Service on Wednesday carried out mine clearance operations and provided Explosive Ordnance Risk Education in villages in Lalpur District of Nangarhar Province, reported Xinhua.

In addition, mine clearance operations are ongoing in Pachiragam and Chaparhar districts of the same province, it said. (ANI)
Pandas are God's oversize teddy bears, big and roly-poly in a so-cuddly-it's-funny, designed-by-nature-for-Gund way. Their whole two-toned look  the snowy heads set off by adorable dabs of black  is raised to a unique-in-the-animal-kingdom level of huggability by the dark circles around their eyes, which evoke the sort of cartoon sadness that perhaps only a child's love could heal. Pandas seem to be crying out for our affection, and for our protection too. And these days, they really need it. Squeezed out of their natural habitat (the overdevelopment of Chinese forests has pushed them further and further up into the mountains), crucially lacking in genetic diversity, pandas, as a species, are now struggling to find their biological place in the future.

It's only natural that you go into a 3D IMAX movie called "Pandas" wanting to take a bath in fuzzy cuteness. Yet unlike last year's "Born in China," a Disney co-production that featured a touching chapter about a panda learning to separate from its mother, this is no Disneyesque bear hug of a movie. It does have its share of "Awww!" moments and dopey-funny music cues (pandas slithering up branches and falling down slides to the tune of ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man"), along with a spun-sugar narration by Kristen Bell ("He's the King Kong of cute!"). But then the 45-minute film gets down to the harsh business of survival. It's built around an attempt, by animal behavioral scientists, to take a panda named Qian Qian, born and raised in captivity, and train her to live in the wild.

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It wasn't so long ago that the headlines from China about two marquee pandas successfully mating were ritually greeted like maternity news out of Buckingham Palace. "Pandas" shows you how that situation has progressed. Much of the movie unfolds at Chengdu Panda Base, a research facility and idyllic preserve in Sichuan province that has now fostered the birth of some 200 pandas. But that won't solve the problem; it kind of is the problem. Though a handful of Chinese pandas still live in the wild, the panda is increasingly a fragile and precious hothouse species  hermetically born and raised, unable to survive on its own. The movie shows you the steep climb they're now facing.

Much of the effectiveness of the Disney school of true-life anthropomorphic nature documentaries, going back to movies like "Beaver Valley" (1950), hinged on the simple fact that they had no human characters to get in the way of our connection to the habits and personalities of the animals onscreen. In "Pandas," there are several human characters, like Rong Hou, the Chinese scientist who is leading the attempt to train Qian Qian, and Ben Kilham, an independent wildlife biologist, based in New Hampshire, who is known as a kind of bear whisperer. He has successfully taken brown bears born in captivity and introduced them to the wild, and Rong Hou travels to the New England woodlands to study his techniques.

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This part of "Pandas" is fine as far as it goes, but it doesn't exactly ignite you with storytelling energy. Training bears for the wild turns out to be less fun than simply observing bears in the wild. We're rooting, of course, for Qian Qian, whose progress (or lack of it) comes to symbolize the future hope for pandas. For a while, she seems to thrive. She learns to climb trees, and to master the activity that pandas do best: sitting around and eating 50 pounds of bamboo a day. (That's part of why we love them; they're nature's couch potatoes.) But then she's left on her own, and she doesn't do so well. It's a transplant that doesn't take.

Why not? The movie never spells it out, but the audience, right or wrong, can't help but read the signs in those black-circle eyes. In the woods, it seems that Qian Qian must have been lonely; on some level she rejects what it means to live on her own. "Pandas" is less sentimental than you expect, but you can respect the film's honesty and still leave it hoping that the next true-life panda adventure delivers more of a feel-good ending  for the audience, and mostly for the pandas.

"Pandas"  3 stars

MPAA rating: G

Running time: 45 mins.

Opens: Friday at AMC Navy Pier IMAX, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
"Over 1,500 Mujahedeen are settled in Squadron-3 and over 1,000 others stationed in Squadron-4. Now, also 200 Mujahedeen have graduated after taking six weeks of training," said Mufti Mohammad Muqtasid, a senior commander of the Islamic Emirate in the province, reported Tolo News.

The commander of the Al-Fatha corps in northern Afghanistan, Ataullah Omari, said that the newly deployed forces are professionally trained.

The commander denied reports about the presence of Daesh or ISIS fighters in the province and warned that they would prevent any attacks, reported Tolo News.

The Al-Fatha corpse is in charge of ensuring security in Faryab, Sar-e-Pul, Jawzjan, Balkh and Samangan provinces.

Previously, the chief of staff of the Islamic Emirate forces announced that efforts were underway to form a unit of 100,000 troops, reported Tolo News.

The Taliban-ISIS standoff has been ongoing in Afghanistan since 2015, when ISIS began forming terrorist cells in the country and recruiting fighters, compromising the Taliban influence.

Fierce clashes had erupted between the Taliban and the IS in Nangarhar, Logar and Farah provinces, reported Sputnik.

Since the Taliban return to power in Afghanistan in mid-August, ISIS has carried out several terrorist attacks across the country, including the blast at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul in August that killed more than 180 people, and an attack at a Shiite mosque in Kunduz city in October that resulted in over 150 deaths.

The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their commitment to eliminate the IS faction in Afghanistan and pledged to stop the attacks. (ANI)
Pyongyang [North Korea], January 18 (ANI/Sputnik): North Korea said it had conducted a test launch of tactical guided missiles on January 17, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The report said two tactical guided missiles fired in the western part of North Korea precisely hit an island target in the Sea of Japan. (ANI/Sputnik)
The commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy recently said that the ruling royal family members in Saudi Arabia were actually Jewish, and that their conflict with Iran harkens back to the seventh century battles between Muslim and Jewish tribes, Jerusalem Post reported. The speech made on January was aired on Iran's Bushehr TV and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). "We cannot bear to see injustice in a Muslim country that is perpetrated by the Zionists and the seed of the Jews," the commander, General Alireza Tangsiri, could be heard saying in a video recording of the speech, the report said. "[We cannot bear to see] that Muslims are being slaughtered by people who call themselves Christians but are not," he added, seeming to refer to the US' assassination of former IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, the report said. "These are the very same Jews -- and I'd better say Zionists -- whose hearts have never aligned with Islam, and even with the Prophet in his time," he said, probably in reference to Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem Post reported. The Iranian leadership is Shia, as opposed to that of Saudi Arabia, which is Sunni, the report said. Tangsiri then mentioned other battles in which early Muslims fought local Jewish tribes, who were only Muslim "by name". "Are the Saud clan really Muslims? They are the same Jews who were in Arabia back then," he concluded. The House of Saud is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia since 1744, comprising the descendants of Muhammad bin Saud and his brothers. Iranian rhetoric against the US and Israel has been more fiery than usual in recent weeks due in part to the two-year anniversary of the January 3, 2020 killing of Soleimani by a US drone strike in Iraq. --IANS san/arm ( 314 Words) 2022-01-17-22:42:04 (IANS)
The decline in local dialects among the younger generation has become more apparent in recent years as Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought to bolster a uniform Chinese identity. Mandarin is now spoken by more than 80 per cent of China's population, up from 70 per cent a decade ago. Last month, China's State Council promised to increase the figure to 85 per cent within the next four years, reported Taipei Times. However, Xi's initiative for a uniform Chinese identity is leading to fading of local dialects, including dialects of the Han majority, and ethnic languages such as Mongolian and Uyghur. In Inner Mongolia, for example, local regulations in 2016 allowed ethnic schools to use their own language. The policy was aimed at developing students' linguistic skills and cultivating bilingualism, but it was reversed in 2020 to favour Mandarin, a move that sparked protests from the ethnic population, reported Taipei Times. In 2017, a survey showed that among the 10 dialect groups, Wu Chinese, which includes the Shanghai dialect and is spoken by about 80 million people in eastern China, has the smallest number of users aged between six and 20. It prompted concern among linguists in the region. In 2014, the TV program Shanghai Dialect Talk was taken off the air after the government insisted that standard Mandarin be used for the channel to broadcast nationally. In 2000, China passed laws to standardize spoken and written language. In each province, a language committee monitors and polices the use of Mandarin. The strength of the implementation varies, but it is not difficult for a determined government to enforce its policy, reported Taipei Times. In September, Sichuan Province banned civil servants and party cadres from using the local dialect in the workplace. "The state has been telling people there are visible and tangible benefits from speaking standard Mandarin Chinese," said Fang Xu, an urban sociologist at the University of California, Berkeley. "Since then, many regional languages, including Shanghainese, have suffered the same fate." A 2010 study by Beijing Union University found that nearly half of local Beijing residents born after 1980 prefer using Mandarin over the Beijing dialect, reported Taipei Times. (ANI)
Michelle Obama, who turns 58 on January 17, has long been considered a fashion icon.

Some of her best looks were by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan.

At President Joe Biden's inauguration, she wore a symbolic, all-magenta look.

In 2008, Michelle Obama wore a memorable fiery red dress on election night.

The Obama family in 2008 on election night. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

She paired the Narciso Rodriguez dress with a simple black cardigan.

"The dress was utterly flattering with its black criss-cross waist," Verena von Pfetten at HuffPost wrote in 2008, "and the elongating blend of red into black delightfully accentuated her statuesque stature. And mostly, it was interesting to look at. Which is something to be said with regards to the usual wallflower role to which First Ladies are usually relegated  a role to which I'd imagine Michelle Obama would not take kindly, dress or no dress."

At the inaugural ball in 2009, Obama stunned in a white gown.

The Obamas at the inaugural ball. Jim Young/Reuters

Designed by Jason Wu, the dress featured organza flowers.

"No details of the dress were released before the balls and Wu did not know that Mrs. Obama had selected his design, which he intended to symbolize hope, until he saw it on television," according to the Smithsonian's website.

That same year, Obama solidified herself as a fashion icon when she wore a champagne-colored gown to a state dinner.

The Obamas in 2009. Jason Reed/Reuters

Obama paired the dress by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan with a shawl.

In 2011, she wore a flashy red gown to a state dinner that turned heads and caused a controversy.

The Obamas in 2011. Jim Young/Reuters

At a state dinner with China, Obama wore a gown by British designer Alexander McQueen, which angered many American designers who felt she should have worn an American dress.

"I like to patronize American designers, and the vast majority of the clothes that I wear are [designed by Americans,]" Obama said in response to the controversy. "But there are a lot of other designers that have cute stuff, too. I don't think that I'm any different from any other woman, other than the fact that people see what I wear and then they talk about it."

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A white gown Obama wore during a 2011 trip to London remains one of her best looks.

Obama in 2011. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

She wore the airy Tom Ford gown to a banquet with the Queen.

In 2012, Obama wore a simple blue gown but dressed it up with a statement necklace.

The Obamas in 2012. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Wearing a Marchesa gown, Obama greeted then-British Prime Minister David Cameron at a state dinner.

"First lady Mrs. Obama always looks so chic and modern," Roksanda Ilincic, who dressed Obama for the event, told NBC News at the time. "I love the addition of texture with the Tom Binns necklace."

For her second Inauguration Day parade, in 2013, Obama wore a knee-length coat with a belt.

The Obamas on Inauguration Day. POOL New/Reuters

The Thom Browne coat was made from men's neckties.

"She's such a strong woman," Browne told The New York Times at the time. "I wanted her to feel good in it and to feel comfortable, strong, feminine, and beautiful."

Obama also wore a silvery dress to announce the winner of 2013's Academy Award for best picture.

Obama in 2013. Handout/The White House

Obama's dress was made by Naeem Khan. She paired it with sparkly earrings.

In 2014, she wore a billowy, blue gown to a state dinner.

The Obamas in 2014. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Carolina Herrera designed this dress for Obama's French state dinner.

"Obama has previously favored younger, up-and-coming designers, but for this state dinner chose a veteran of the American fashion industry," Cara Kelly at The Washington Post wrote at the time. "Herrera, a Venezuelan native, has been producing evening wear since 1981."

At the 100th annual White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2014, Obama wore a detailed white dress.

Obama at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Olivier Douliery-Pool/ Getty Images

This Marchesa gown had a dropped shoulder and a draped sleeve with embroidered details that really made it stand out amongst the crowd of A-listers.

At a state dinner with China's prime minister in 2015, Obama wore a dress that many call her best look to date.

The Obamas in 2015. Mike Theiler/ Reuters

The off-the-shoulder, mermaid-style gown was designed by Vera Wang.

"The first lady's look  hair gathered in that vintage sultry side sweep popular on red carpets and the form-fitting frock's silhouette  hearkened back to old Hollywood glamour," Helena Andrews-Dyer at the Washington Post wrote at the time. "It was a very Veronica Lake moment. The custom dress was silk crepe with a V-neckline, delicate tulle sleeves, and an organza pleated skirt."

Obama's yellow, simple dress at 2016's State of the Union address made waves throughout the fashion world.

Obama at the 2016 State of the Union. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Narciso Rodriguez dress sold out online before the address was even finished.

Obama wowed the fashion world again at a state dinner in 2016.

The Obamas in 2016. Carolyn Kaster/AP

The pale dress was another one designed by Naeem Khan.

At her final state dinner, Obama wore a glistening Versace dress.

The Obamas in 2016. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

"Bellissima!" The Hollywood Reporter wrote in 2016. "Michelle Obama attended her 14th White House state dinner  her last as first lady  and you can bet she made it one to remember in fashion history."

At Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017, Obama wore a red coat dress.

The Obamas in 2017. Rob Carr/Getty Images

For her final outfit as FLOTUS, Obama wore Jason Wu, marking a significant end.

"Michelle Obama officially left her position as first lady after the inauguration on Friday, but her fashion legacy will continue to cast a long shadow on her successors," Erika Harwood at Vanity Fair wrote in 2017.

In 2017, Obama kicked the little black dress up a notch in her first public appearance since leaving the White House.

Obama in 2017. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The Cushnie et Ochs dress had a unique neckline that caught the attention of many at the ESPYS in Los Angeles.

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In 2018, Obama embarked on a six-month book tour where she wore some of her best looks, like this white outfit.

Obama in 2018. Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP

The off-the-shoulder top brought some sparkle, while the pants were simple and high-waisted.

Obama sported a black pantsuit with an eye-catching accessory on her book tour, too.

Obama in 2018. Jose Luis Magana/AP

Christopher Kane crafted this memorable pantsuit.

She wore $3,900, sparkly, thigh-high boots to a book tour event with Sarah Jessica Parker.

Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker in 2018. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

The gold sequin-covered boots were from Balenciaga's Spring 2019 collection. She paired the look with a long yellow silk shirt dress from the same brand.

On the book tour stop, Obama told Parker that there was no larger meaning to her footwear choice  she just liked the boots.

"They were just really cute," she said. "I was like, 'Those some nice boots!'"

Obama made a statement on her book tour with this purple pantsuit.

Obama in 2019. Paras Griffin/Getty Images

"Just that sliver of a slinky, sexy, sparkly, curve-hugging piece set this suit apart from the kind we became accustomed to seeing Michelle wear in the White House," Hannah Weil McKinley at Popsugar wrote in 2019. "While her outfits when Barack was in office were deliberate, crafted with the acute awareness of her obvious visibility (and the criticism that often came with it), this look  and the many others on her book tour  seems to be a happy departure from that."

In 2019, Obama wore one of her most daring dresses yet.

Obama and Lin Manuel Miranda in 2019. Paul Morigi/Invision/AP

At the Smithsonian's American Portrait Gala in 2019, Obama wore a Schiaparelli haute couture gown, which had a bust neckline.

"The inspiration for the shape originally came from the crinoline, which is often found underneath couture gowns, but the real starting point for the overall look was the color," Schiaparelli's creative director, Daniel Roseberry, said in a statement in 2019. "The acidic tone echoes Elsa Schiaparelli's signature shocking pink, and we also felt that it matched the strength and energy of Mrs. Obama. It was such an honor to make this special gown for her."

At President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021, Michelle Obama wore a symbolic, monochromatic look.

Barack and Michelle Obama in 2021. Rob Carr/Getty Images

According to Marie Claire, Sergio Hudson made the magenta-colored look, which included loose pants, a turtleneck, and an ankle-length jacket. Her outfit perfectly complemented Vice President Kamala Harris' look, which was also purple, a symbol of bipartisanship.

Obama wore a silk green wrap top and matching pants by Lafayette 148 New York to the groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

The Obamas at the groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center in 2021. Scott Olson/Getty Images

She accessorized with a Bychari necklace  the same Black-owned jewelry brand that designed the "Vote" necklace she wore to the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

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Mark Ruffalo in Avengers: Endgame, Elijah Wood in Lord of the Rings and Kate Winslet in Titanic' (Marvel Studios/New Line Cinema/Paramount)

Amid the praise for Quentin Tarantinos film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, one eagle-eyed celebrity viewer spotted a glaring historical inaccuracy in the blockbuster flick.

The moment occurs towards the end of the film, when Leonardo DiCaprios character Rick Dalton is reported to have arrived back in Hollywood from Europe on a Boeing 747. But it was John Travolta, who is a plane enthusiast and trained pilot, who said that this would have been impossible given the film is set in 1969.

Well, the 747 had its test flight in February 1969, but it went into service in January 1970. Theyre nine months off! He would have been on a Boeing 707! he said.

We can forgive Tarantino for that. But its hard to believe that some slip-ups  whether its Judy Garland without her ruby red shoes in The Wizard of Oz or Julia Roberts eating a croissant that gets swapped for a pancake in Pretty Woman  actually made it through the editing process.

According to the website Movie Mistakes, Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson  features no less than 60 errors over its two-hour duration.

Is there a film where somebody hasnt screwed up?

Here, we list 29 mistakes in films that you might not have caught.

Batman (1989)

Batman 1989: 'Gentleman Let's Broaden Our Minds, Lawrence!'

The Tim Burton-directed superhero film has multiple mistakes, but a major one happens when Joker and his crew deface paintings at a museum. One of his gang members slaps a painting with his hands that are covered in red paint, but in the next shot, the handprints have disappeared from the artwork.

Once Upon a Time In Hollywood (2019)

Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood' (Sony)

Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, flies back to Hollywood on a Boeing 747. But it would have been a 707. The film was set in 1969 and the 747 went into service in January 1970.

The Graduate (1967)

(Embassy Pictures)

Dustin Hoffmans character drives in the wrong direction across the Bay Bridge in San Francisco on his way to Berkeley, California. He is travelling on the top deck of the bridge for traffic going from California to San Francisco.

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Pretty Woman (1990)

There is a continuity issue at breakfast when Julia Robertss character takes a bite out of a croissant. Shes in the hotel room with her co-star Richard Gere, but when the camera pans back to her, it transforms into a pancake. Then when she takes a second bite out of the pancake, there is only one bite mark in it.

Pretty Woman (Rex Features)

North by Northwest (1959)

(MGM)

One of the children playing an extra in Alfred Hitchcocks film covers his ears a few seconds before Eva Marie Saints character unexpectedly fires a gun at Cary Grants character in the Mount Rushmore cafeteria.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

(Rex Features)

Bullet holes can be seen in the walls of the apartment where John Travolta and Samuel L Jacksons characters go to get a briefcase, but its before the shoot-out has happened.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

(Warner Bros)

John Connors Cessnas plane numbers keep changing in the film. When he is in the hanger on the runway it is N3035C, but once its flying, the numbers change to N3413F.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (MGM)

Judy Garland isnt wearing her iconic ruby red slippers in the scene where the trees pelt Dorothy and the Scarecrow with apples. Instead, she can be seen wearing plain black shoes.

American Sniper (2015)

The baby that Bradley Cooper holds while adapting to civilian life after the Iraqi War is plastic. In fact, it looked so fake, even he admitted it was nuts.

Independence Day (1996)

(Claudette Barius/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock)

When computer expert David Levinson, played by Jeff Goldblum, is throwing a tantrum in the hanger housing the captured alien craft, he knocks over a bin that is labelled Art Dept. Clearly, a set designer left it there by mistake.

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

(Univeral Pictures)

In a scene when Jesse and Tran race, Tran is wearing a shirt with sleeves, but in the next shot hes in a tank top. Didnt anybody notice when they edited it?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows  Part 2 (2011)

(Warner Bros)

We were always told that Harry Potter had his mothers blue eyes. But when we see Lily Potter as a child, she has brown eyes.

Star Wars: Episode IV  A New Hope (1977)

Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford in 'Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope' in 1977 (Rex Features)

As a group of stormtroopers enter a control room, one of them accidentally bangs his head on a door. The actor responsible, Laurie Good, couldnt believe it made it into the final film.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

(Rex Features)

There is a crew member wearing a cowboy hat and looking out to sea behind Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow on the pirate ship.

Quantum of Solace (2008)

(Rex Features)

A street cleaner behind Daniel Craigs James Bond is pretending to sweep the road but is holding his broom several inches off the ground.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

(Buena Vista Pictures)

When Bianca accidentally shoots a gym teacher with an arrow, an extra, who is playing a student, runs off to get urgent help  but once she thinks she is out of shot, she stops and looks back at the camera.

Braveheart (1995)

(Rex Features)

There is a modern car in the background of a big battle scene. Considering the film is set in the 13th century, its hard to imagine how it stayed in the final cut.

Django Unchained (2012)

(TWC)

Leonardo DiCaprio accidentally cut his hand while filming a scene in which he slams his hand on the table and breaks a glass. But rather than shout cut, he carried on in character. Tarantino liked it so much that he kept it in the film.

Captain Marvel (2019)

(AP)

Many of the mistakes are related to the films 1990s time period. These include computers using a wrongly dated version of Windows and Carol Danverss memories being jogged by a Nirvana song that wasnt out until after she left Earth.

Spider-Man (2002)

(Rex)

Toby McGuires Spider-Man saves Kirsten Dunsts Mary Jane from a group of attackers. He throws them through a set of windows before he kisses her upside down in the rain. But during their romantic embrace, the windows behind her are perfectly intact.

Halloween (1978)

(*)

John Carpenters slasher film starring Jamie Lee Curtis was set in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, but all the cars have Californian number plates and there are shots of palm trees, as the film was shot in Southern California.

The Goonies (1985)

(Rex Features)

At the end of the cult film, Data tells news reporters that the octopus was really scary, but this actually refers to a deleted scene. It was only added back in for the Disney Channel version.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

(*)

Eagle-eyed fans have noted that Ant-Man can be seen in two places at once during the final battle scene  in the van, and in his giant form, fighting alongside the other Avengers.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

(Rex)

Merry and Pippin are captured by the Orcs at the start of the film, and Pippin is seen in handcuffs. But he doesnt have them anymore in the fight scene. And then they reappear on his wrists a few moments later.Gladiator (1999)

(Rex)

Ridley Scotts epic film took place many centuries before fuel-powered vehicles. But during the Battle of Carthage, a gas canister can be seen on the back of a chariot when it flips over.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

(Rex)

There is a mix up over whether it is day or night at the beginning of the stock market heist scene in Christopher Nolans film. It is clearly daylight, but suddenly, after the police chase, its pitch black.

Titantic (1997)

(Rex)

When Jack (Leonardi DiCaprio) is painting a naked Rose (Kate Winslet) and tells her to go over by the bed, and then says he means the couch, it was DiCaprio flubbing his lines. But James Cameron kept it in the film because it was funny.

Jurassic World (2015)

(Rex)

The blockbuster featured about 33 mistakes, including a scene in which lead actor Chris Pratt talks to co-star Bryce Dallas Howard without his mouth moving. In another scene, a phones broken screen suddenly appears fixed
Wilmington resident Fawn Rhodes graduates from North Carolina Century University after returning to college 31 years later.

Wilmington native, Fawn Nicole Rhodes, said she just didn't quit.

Accomplishing one of her dreams of graduating from college, after more than three decades, she graduated from North Carolina Central University in December, obtaining a bachelor's degree.

Raised by her grandparents, Rhodes attended North Carolina Central University in 1990 at the age of 17. After her grandmother died in June 1991, her grandfather had Rhodes leave college to come help out at home. Begging her grandfather to go back to school, he finally gave in and Rhodes returned to North Carolina Central University August 1993.

Rhodes' grandfather died in November 1994.

I struggled with depression, was not doing well in school. I ended up getting a great job with GTE made the decision to leave school. I thought I would come back in the next year and finish since I only had one year left, but one year turned into multiple years, said Rhodes.

Rhodes relocated to Roswell, Georgia, then moved to Philadelphia, and finally returned to Wilmington in 2004.

More: Fast Times at New Hanover High: For 60th reunion, 1962 grad recalls Wilmington of old

Rhodes decided to return to school because she wanted "to stop feeling ashamed, many times I would be in various settings and I felt like an imposter because I had not finished my degree, and lastly I realized after being in the workforce that I needed my degree to command the income that would allow me to take care of my son and me, said Rhodes.

In 2018, she started a new job and started summer school classes. Having no idea how stressful the job would be, she failed two classes and had to go through the whole appeal process all over again.

"Heartbreaking. However, I did it  was reaccepted again and its has been a self-actualization process the whole time," said Rhodes.

The only person who knew at that time that Rhodes was returning to school was her son, and he was very supportive. When she did tell her immediate relatives that she was going to finish her college education, they were happy for her and supported her decision.

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More: Editor, publisher of Wilmington's historic Black-owned newspaper dies

Rhodes has now applied to law school, and will take the LSAT exam this month. Her goal is to obtain a law degree in healthcare law, and eventually she wants to be a judge. She also is applying to UNC Chapel-Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health to obtain her master's degree in public health.

She has begun working for New Hanover County Health Department as the advancing equity coordinator to increase awareness, educate and close the gap on health inequities in historically marginalized populations.

I am so excited about how this opportunity aligns with my career goals, said Rhodes.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington woman finishes college 31 years after she started
Shutterstock.com

Youve saved up some money and youre ready to start a home remodeling project. Whether the updates are to prepare your home for the market or simply for your own pleasure, you want to be smart about this investment.

Get Started: 8 Affordable Ways To Upgrade Your Primary Bedroom

More Rooms: 8 Affordable Ways To Upgrade Your Kitchen

As a savvy homeowner, you know all home upgrades dont offer an equal return, so you want to choose a project that will raise your property value. Heres a look at four expensive remodeling mistakes you dont want to make, along with budget-friendly alternatives truly worth your money.

Niche Updates



Your home is a reflection of you, so you might be tempted to spring for a custom renovation that reflects your interests. However, Isabelle Emond, a real estate broker and the owner of RE/MAX Ocean Surf and Sun, based in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, recommended against excessive improvements specifically tailored to your preferences.

Converting an extra room into a knitting room, converting the garage into a game room or installing wine cellars may make it difficult to find purchasers, because not everyone will share your interests, she said. You should avoid these luxury rooms because most buyers would prefer to have the extra space as a blank slate, rather than [have to] modify it to suit their tastes, if they decide to purchase your property.

Options: How To Maximize Space in a Small Bedroom: 7 Affordable Solutions

For reference, the average cost to build a wine cellar is $40,000, while converting a garage to a living space costs an estimated $14,419, according to HomeAdvisor.

Instead: If you have the funds and youre committed to a major project, consider converting your basement to a living area. This is more universally appealing because many buyers want to use the garage for its intended purpose.

Transforming your basement into a living area costs approximately $46,900 and you can expect to recoup 64% of the costs, according to the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, released by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Realtors.

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If your budget isnt quite that large, but you still want to take on a big project, consider adding a new roof. This will cost an average of $7,500 and youll likely recoup 107% of the costs, according to the Remodeling Impact Report.

See: 5 Affordable Ways To Make Over Every Room in Your House

High-End Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen is the heart of the home, so you might think no dollar value is too high to invest in it, but Emond said that isnt the case.

Avoid redesigning the kitchen with the most recent smart equipment with overly sophisticated features that a buyer would not appreciate, she said. Over-renovating to the point where you cant recoup your initial investment is a bad choice.

While innovative appliances might be fun for you in the short term, Emond said its best to focus on upgrades that appeal to the masses.

Instead of rebuilding a kitchen to be extremely smart, refinish the cabinets, change the backsplash and repaint the walls, because these features are easier and less expensive to change for the buyer.

Youll also save a lot of money by opting against a high-end kitchen remodel, as the average cost for this type of project is $149,079  with 53.9% of costs recouped  according to the 2021 Remodeling magazine Cost vs. Value report.

Instead: Toning your kitchen remodel down to a mid-range price point offers serious savings. If youre looking for a total overhaul, a major mid-range kitchen remodel costs an average of $75,571  with a 57.4% return on investment  while a minor kitchen remodel costs approximately $26,214, with 72.2% of costs recouped, according to Remodeling magazine.

Find: 26 Home Makeover Ideas That Each Cost Less Than $500

Waterfall Countertops

Speaking of kitchen improvements, if youre thinking about hopping on the popular waterfall countertop trend, Martha McNamara, head of design and product curation at Vevano Home, a firm that provides virtual interior design services and specializes in major home renovations, advised against it.

Although they are a beautiful statement piece, it often doubles your countertop price, she said.

Expect to spend $40 to $100-plus per square foot of stone slabs for a waterfall countertop and up to $100 per square foot for installation, according to Caesarstone. While the site notes these costs are comparable to what youd pay with a conventional countertop, its this up to $2,000 fabrication costs and $200 to $1,200 resealing costs  needed up to twice per year with granite  that really bring the price up.

Instead: If youre having second thoughts about that waterfall countertop, McNamara suggested finished cabinet panels that extend the depth of the overhang as a great alternative. She said this option is also more versatile and can work with more traditional styles, whereas the waterfall countertop is hard to pair with anything but a modern look.

Overall, expect to spend an average of $3,068 for countertop installation  including both materials and labor  according to HomeAdvisor.

Start Now: 20 Insider Tips To Save Money on Every Part of Your Home

Home Gyms

At the beginning of the pandemic, home gyms were all the rage, but Ben Fisher, a luxury real estate agent with The Fisher Group in Salt Lake City, Utah, said this trend has gone out of style.

If you really want to do some serious workout in your home, you can just buy a treadmill for running and a few other materials like a dumbbell, skipping rope and others, he said.





The average cost of building a home gym is $2,000, according to HomeAdvisor. Thankfully, theres no shortage of better renovation options for your money.

Instead: Its not the most exciting update, but an insulation upgrade costs approximately $2,400 and youll recoup about 83% of the costs, according to the Remodeling Impact Report.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Expensive Home-Remodeling Mistakes To Avoid
Paperkites / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Given that the future is always uncertain, planning for it can seem a little daunting. Or worse, something you can keep putting off indefinitely. However, this is all valuable time that could be spent shoring up your financial situation to help plan for your retirement.

For anyone whos been kicking the retirement can down the road for a while, starting to plan now can help ensure a financially secure future. Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there. To help navigate the sometimes-complicated road to retirement, GOBankingRates spoke with several financial experts about what Baby Boomers can  and should  be doing to plan for their futures.

Explore: 10 Reasons You Should Claim Social Security Early

Learn: 11 Social Security Mistakes That Can Cost You a Fortune

Get a Grasp of Your Finances

First, if youre going to start seriously planning for your future, you have to understand whats going on in your present. Finances are no different. Jill Fopiano, CEO of OBrien Wealth Partners, admits that while retirement seemed very far off in the future when we were in our 20s and 30s  maybe even our 40s, it starts to loom larger from there.

There are some pretty critical years immediately preceding retirement where you may have to trade immediate gratification for future security, Fopiano continued. Its time to take a hard look at your lifestyle now  and where you may be able to pare back some expenses  with a view towards the longer term. Getting a real grasp on your expenses, and sticking with a budget, can really impact your retirement savings.

See: How To Build an Emergency Fund Using Your Retirement Investment Accounts

Get Out of Debt

A key principle in saving money is making sure you dont owe anything. According to Paul Tyler, CMO of Nassau Financial Group, that means paying off anything you owe as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Take your first lesson from the Squid Game and get out of debt as quickly as you can, Tyler said. This includes all credit card debt, school loans, and even the mortgage on your home. The savings from interest payments can rapidly increase your retirement savings.

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If debts not a concern, Tyler still recommends that you suck in your stomach and save a little bit extra in the coming year.

Related: Can You Collect Social Security Even If You Never Worked?



Set a Retirement Date

As you get a grasp of your current financial situation, setting permanent goals is an important next step. Namely, the date on which you actually plan to retire. Wilson Coffman of Coffman Retirement Group said to get a clear understanding of what the health care costs are going to be in retirement.

For homeowners, this also means creating a plan to have your home paid off at your set date of your retirement, which will also help you become free of debt. Use a mortgage calculator and add to your principal payment each month to hit your payoff goal.

Find: Should I Save More for Retirement or Put Money Toward a Down Payment?

Use a Financial Planning Tool

The path to saving for retirement is not a straight one and can involve several steps over many years. However, the technology exists to help, as Personal Capitals Chief Investment Officer Craig Birk explained.

For many, retirement is the most expensive savings goal in their lives, Birk said. And its a long game. In retirement planning, theres a lot of nuance and personal decision involved. Fortunately, technology and fiduciary advice can help bring the process into clear focus. Using a good retirement planning tool can be extremely valuable in planning savings or withdrawal rates, as well as investment strategies.

Birk also adds that as financial life becomes increasingly complicated, there are some basic strategies to adhere to. First, know where you stand. Second, set concrete, timely goals. When thats done, he recommends periodically check in with your short-term and long-term goals to make sure that youre hitting the mark.

More: 7 Reasons You Might Not Receive Social Security Benefits



Take Advantage of Your 401(k)

One of the easiest ways to help shore up your retirement fund is to utilize a 401(k) if your employer provides one. This is especially true if the employer matches your contributions, as Matthew Stratman, Financial Advisor at Western International Securities explained.

This is free money that you should take advantage of to help give your retirement saving a boost, Stratman said. Make sure you are contributing up to the maximum amount that your employer matches. For example, if your employer matches up to 3 percent of your salary, make sure you contribute that amount to receive the full match from your employer.

Fopiano also pointed out that contribution limits for employer-sponsored retirement plans have been increased by 1000 to 20,500 for 2022, with an additional 6,500 catch up contribution allowed for people over age 50. This means theres more opportunity than ever to start saving.

Find: How Much Can the Average Senior Citizen Expect To Benefit From Social Security?



Consider Delaying Retirement

When planning for the future, a few years can make a big difference. Oak View Law Group consumer finance attorney Lyle Solomon didnt recommend putting off retirement indefinitely, but rather for a more extended period.

Adding a few years to your retirement plan can make a tremendous difference in your long-term financial security, Solomon said. Working longer permits you to continue contributing to your retirement savings, accumulating additional amounts that can be invested. And every year you earn more money from your job is a year youre not depleting your retirement savings.

Stimulus Update: Petition for $1,400 for Seniors, Golden State Check Delays & Octobers Child Tax Credit

Start Looking at Social Security Planning

An important step in planning for retirement is Social Security Planning, specifically when to take your social security payments. Evan Press, managing partner at Pacific Coast Wealth Strategies recommends holding off on payments as long as possible.

Delaying your payment each year from age 62-70 gets you an 8 percent increase each year you delay. This can have a profound effect on what you collect and your ability to retire comfortably, Press explained. Delaying is typically recommended as long as possible unless there is a health concern. The breakeven on waiting to collect until age 70, is roughly age 80. This means if you live past 80, you are better off waiting [until] age 70 to collect. This plays a role if a spouses social security is much less than the retirees.

Solomon also pointed out that working three more years after turning 66 can improve yearly retirement income from Social Security and savings by 50 percent or more. Which is something to consider when looking toward a comfortable retirement.

More From GOBankingRates:

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Easy Ways Every Boomer Can Catch Up on Retirement Savings
To binge or not to binge: That is the question. Millions assume the answer is binge! and thats that. If a series is any good, the only options are binge-watch or ignore altogether, since life is short and the queue is long. Right?

Wrong. Plenty of extended or limited series work best with a little breathing room between episodes. This brings us to Archive 81, an extremely well-acted creeper now streaming on Netflix. Its an eight-part narrative with a lot of tendrils, adapted from the 2016 horror podcast created by Dan Powell and Marc Sollinger. While it takes its time (too much so in the middle episodes), those in charge of the adaptation invest fully in the key characters. Result: We actually give a damn about their fates.

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Archive 81 showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine and company have cast their leads oh, so wisely. Mamoudou Athie iplays the taciturn New York City video archivist Dan Turner. Dina Shihabi is Melody Pendras, the haunted graduate student whose 1994-era videotapes comprise an unfinished oral history project on the history and denizens of an Manhattan apartment building known as the Visser, oozing secrets and spirits not of this world.

Given the podcast roots of Archive 81 (it spanned three seasons in all), it makes sense to go with actors blessed with fabulous, expressively mellow voices, the kind you want to listen to. Check, and check. Also, Athie and Shihabi excel in close-up. Separated by a generation but increasingly connected, the these two characters and actors spend a lot of time peering through a camera lens or studying grainy, wait-whats-that footage. Some performers can activate the art of reactive performance better than others. Athie and Shihabi are there for us, with every development.

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In "Archive 81," now streaming on Netflix, Dina Shihabi plays a graduate student whose oral history project leads her down a rabbit hole of supernatural and occult danger. (Netflix / HANDOUT)

Hired by a mysterious business titan (Martin Donovan, ever the wizard at the shifty, unexpected  pause), Dan is charged with restoring and digitizing a recently acquired collection of damaged videotapes. Hes to complete this project in a remote Catskills compound with no Wi-Fi and weekly deliveries of groceries. The tapes were recovered from the fire that burned the Visser to the ground (how? why?) The tragedy left 13 bodies never recovered (who, exactly?) Blair Witch style, albeit five years before The Blair Witch Project came out, we watch Melody videotaping her every interaction with the residents, inching closer to disaster.

Right off in Archive 81, signs of possible occult activity appear in the form of diabolical stone carvings; muttered portents delivered by the handyman (stay away from the sixth floor) and a seizure of unknown origin suffered by Melodys teenage Visser building neighbor, Jess, played wonderfully by Ariana Neal. Melodys Brooklyn roommate Annabelle (Julia Chan) moves in with Melody while the projects underway; in the present-day scenes, Dan has his best friend, albeit long distance, in the form of mystery and paranormal podcast host Mark (Matt McGorry). Soon enough Dans nightmares take him into Melodys world; his waking moments are filled, meanwhile, with suspicions that his employer may be hiding a thing or three.

Mamoudou Athie stars as a video archivist pulled into the realm of the supernatural in Netflix's "Archive 81." (Netflix / HANDOUT)

What doesnt quite work in Archive 81 mightve been avoided with a dramaturge on the writing team, or whatever the series equivalent might be. (Story editor, I guess.) The first four episodes are pretty delicious; then theres a bit of a sag, and once were clued into the specifics of what Melodys up against, and Dan, too, theres not enough screw-tightening and a little too much dog-paddling.

Scene to scene, the writers freely acknowledge their various inspirations, ranging from Rosemarys Baby to The Ring (its in the trailer, so Im not blowing any cover). When certain specters finally appear on screen, the visual realization is distressingly ordinary. But other elements of this series are familiar and effective in all the right ways. Archive 81 features a fine, bloody seance, one of its rare instances of gore. Its fun to check out a few of the first-season Archive 81 podcast episodes, just to see where and how the basics have been amplified, revised, imagined for the eyes as well as the ears.

Shihabi and Athie, their eyes full of dread and wonder, are reason enough to watch.

Archive 81  3 stars

Rating: TV-MA

Running time: 8 episodes, approximately 8 hours.

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How to watch: Now streaming on Netflix.

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.
Karen Chakoian is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Granville since 2000. If anyone told me this is what my life would look like, she noted, I never would have believed them. I am incredibly grateful that my love for God and others would bring me to this place.

GRANVILLE  Growing up, Karen Chakoian had very little idea what she wanted to do with her life.

My sister Chris felt a call to ministry in high school and majored in religion, she recalled. But that was her gig, not mine. I really had no idea what I was supposed to do with my life, except I wanted to get married and have kids.

It wasnt until I was graduating from college that I felt called to work in the church, she added. I was active in the Presbyterian Church on campus, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school. And I took a couple of religion courses out of curiosity. But I thought I would go to medical school or do research.

I kept praying, What should I do? and getting no answer, she continued. Finally, I switched my prayer to, Where should I be? And the answer came immediately: the church. Still, I couldnt imagine preaching (I was too shy!) or leading a church (I didnt think I was a leader). I thought perhaps I could work in Christian education. In seminary, I finally realized I was called to ministry.

Today Chakoian is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Granville.

If anyone told me this is what my life would look like, she noted, I never would have believed them. I am incredibly grateful that my love for God and others would bring me to this place.

Karen Chakoian grew up in Mt. Prospect, IL, a suburb of Chicago. After graduating from Prospect High School, she earned a degree (majoring in biology) from the University of Illinois in 1979, spent two years at Duke Divinity School, then transferred to Union Theological Seminary in New York where she earned a Master of Divinity and was ordained in 1984.

I was kind of a geeky kid, she remembered. I was in my own little world of my sister and me, though I was in awe of my big brothers and their mysterious lives. I loved school. Learning came easily. And it was fun.

Church was also a big a part of her life, particularly in the middle and high school years. She was, for instance, part of a group that performed Christian musical shows like Godspell in churches all over Chicagoland. As a teen, she was also asked to serve as a youth elder in her church.

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Fast forward. Her schooling behind her, Chakoian was working part-time in a small congregation in Des Moines, Iowa.

It was time to look for a full-time call, she said. I let a few friends know I was looking, and three months later I heard from the head of the search committee here. When I read the churchs information and what they were looking for, it felt like a perfect fit.

Chakoian came to Granville in 2000.

Its a pleasure and an honor to have known Karen for over 20 years, stated Sara Sharp, a long-time church member. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her! Weve been through much together  birth of babies, deaths of parents and friends, difficult relationships and family changes, illnesses and a lot of learning, love and laughter!

She stands beautifully beside her staff and congregation through the ups and downs of life, Sharp added. She brings scholarly wisdom, spiritual guidance and heart to all she does.

I feel so privileged to do this work, Chakoian responded. Every day I get to see God working in this world through the loving acts of the people around me. I learn wisdom from the inner struggles and resilience of others as they meet lifes challenges with courage and hope. And I have one of the few renaissance jobs left, requiring me to grow every day. Its never boring!

For more

Breakout Box: First Presbyterian Church is located at 110 W. Broadway in Granville. For more information, call 740-587-0178 or log on www.granpres.org.

Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs  whether theyre unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com or 740-328-8821.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Aces: Granville First Presbyterian's Pastor Karen Chakoian
Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar scored his fifth goal of the tournament (AFP via Getty Images)

Cameroon conceded a second-half goal to the Cape Verde Islands as they were held to a 1-1 draw on Monday but the hosts still finished top of Group A in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Captain Vincent Aboubakar scored his fifth goal of the tournament to put Cameroon in the lead in the 39th minute before half-time substitute Garry Rodrigues equalised in the 53rd minute.

Rodrigues' audacious back flick ensured Cape Verde finished with four points in third place in the standings. They are likely to advance as one of four best third placed finishers.

Aboubakar fired home a left footed shot after a botched clearance from the Cape Verdians, adding to a double scored in each of the opening two matches.

But Cameroon were unable to end the group phase with three victories, which had been their ambition.

It was difficult opponent who made things tough for us, Aboubakar told reporters. It was difficult to win although we wanted to finish with a 100 percent record. But we must not be negative about it because we are through.

Aboubakar also missed a chance from close range in the second half, but overall Cameroon had limited chances in the match at the Olembe Stadium.

Burkina Faso secured their place in the knockout stage after Cyrille Bayalas first-half goal helped them to an uninspiring 1-1 draw with Ethiopia and second place at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam.

Ethiopia pulled a goal back to claim their first point of the tournament (AFP via Getty Images)

Bayala netted midway through the opening period but his goal was cancelled out by an 82nd penalty by Ethiopia striker Getaneh Kebede that earned his side their only point of the tournament.

Ethiopia are eliminated but will be pleased with a much better defensive performance, while 2013 finalists Burkina Faso have a lot to improve if they are to go deep in the tournament.

Burkina will face the runners-up in Group C in the next stage, which will be either Morocco, Gabon or Ghana, though most likely one of the latter two.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has had health issues while away on international duty (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will return to Arsenal early from the Africa Cup of Nations with Gabons football federation (FEGAFOOT) confirming his early departure.

The Gunners striker has been in Cameroon but has not yet featured in the tournament in Cameroon after he was positive for Covid-19.

And now cardiac lesions have been found in tests conducted.

Aubameyang missed his sides opener against Comoros after contracting coronavirus and was then ruled out of Fridays clash against Ghana due to a minor heart concern.

Gabon announced last week that Aubameyang, along with team-mates Mario Lemina and Axel Meye, had been found to have cardiac lesions.

The problem was not thought to be serious but the Gabonese Football Federation has now said Arsenal and Leminas club Nice will be able to check on their players.

A statement read: The Gabon Football Federation decided to make the players Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina available to their clubs to continue the in-depth examinations.
Law enforcement personnel process the scene Sunday in front of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, where a man had held hostages for more than 10 hours Saturday inside the synagogue. The hostages got out safely, and the hostage taker was killed.

Members and leaders of the Austin-area Jewish community expressed profound relief after an hourslong standoff at a North Texas synagogue Saturday ended with all four hostages safe and unharmed.

Officers responded to Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, about 16 miles north of Fort Worth, just after 10:40 a.m. Saturday after a man took four people hostage, including the rabbi.

For nearly 11 hours, responding law enforcement agencies negotiated with the hostage taker. One hostage was released just after 5 p.m. and the remaining three were released just before 10 p.m. Authorities confirmed Saturday night that the hostage taker, identified as 44-year-old British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, was dead.

An outpouring of support for the affected congregation and Jewish community in Colleyville has come from both state and national leaders, who also expressed gratitude for the safety of the victims and the law enforcement response to the incident.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville posted on Facebook early Sunday morning: I am thankful and filled with appreciation for all of the vigils and prayers and love and support, all of the law enforcement and first responders who cared for us, all of the security training that helped save us."

"I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the CBI community, the Jewish community, the human community," he wrote. "I am grateful that we made it out. I am grateful to be alive.

More: FBI IDs assailant in Texas hostage standoff as British national; rabbi 'grateful to be alive'

The hostage incident hit especially close to home for many in Austin's Jewish community, including Rabbi Daniel Septimus, CEO of Shalom Austin.

Texas has a tight-knit Jewish community. But this one was very personal because Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, he and I were in rabbinical school together.  We know his family and his daughters, and one of his daughters actually has been in camp with my daughter in the past," Septimus said. "So it just became very personal and immediately had that sense of just terror, quite frankly.

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Shalom Austin, in partnership with the Austin regional chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, released a joint statement of support Sunday.

Last night, authorities were quick to point out how impressed they were by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walkers composure during the terrorist attack," the statement said. "For those of us who know Rabbi Cytron-Walker, it was no surprise. Rabbi Cytron-Walker is the definition of a mensch; he is a true person of integrity, honor and one of the kindest people you will ever encounter.

The statement acknowledged that Austin's Jewish community is processing Saturdays hostage incident within the context of a spike in antisemitic incidents in the Austin area in recent months.

More: Austin leaders rally behind Jewish community after 3 anti-Semitic incidents over the weekend

The growing antisemitism that we are all witnessing and that we have experienced recently in the greater Austin area is unacceptable and we cannot allow it to continue. Our entire community has a shared responsibility to help us turn this around. This cannot become commonplace, the statement said.

In late October, Anderson High School in Northwest Austin was vandalized with swastikas as well as racist and homophobic language. In the following days, a group of people displayed discriminatory and antisemitic banners over North MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1), and on Halloween night, Congregation Beth Israel in Austin was the target of arson. An 18-year-old from San Marcos is facing state and federal charges for the crime.

More: 'We are staying vigilant': San Marcos teen charged in Austin synagogue fire on Halloween

A law enforcement vehicle sits near Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville on Sunday. Four people were held hostage at the synagogue by a gunman Saturday.

Rabbi Steven Folberg of Austin's Congregation Beth Israel said the uptick in antisemitic incidents is increasingly difficult to process.

We are resilient. You know, we maintain our ideals for peace and community involvement and doing good things and working with our neighbors, and we move forward. But it's hard stuff. It's a hard time. A really hard time, Folberg said.

Sharyn Vane, an Austin mom, freelance writer and member of the Jewish community, co-founded a grassroots group called ATXKind, which organized a Rally for Kindness at the Capitol in November in response to the series of antisemitic incidents.

It just reminds you of the constant vigilance that is required when you're a Jewish person in America or globally," Vane said Sunday. "So when something like what happened yesterday happens, it does hit harder because it's not happening in isolation. There's a broader context where the Jewish community is under attack in ways large and small.

More: Jewish residents in Hays County receive antisemitic letters after string of Austin-area incidents

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin Jewish community reacts as Colleyville synagogue standoff ends
A look at some of today's top stories, the weather forecast and a peek back in history.

Fire departments from across Arizona gathered at the state Capitol in Phoenix on Sunday to honor 14 killed in the line of duty.

'Kind of a centrist but very pragmatic': After year in Senate, Mark Kelly touts microchips bill, infrastructure, COVID-19 aid.

A host of issues could make filing your taxes more complicated this year. Here's what you need to know.

Today, you can expect it to be mostly cloudy, with a high near 71 degrees. Partly cloudy at night, with a low near 47 degrees. Get the full forecast here.

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Today in history

On this date in 1805, Spanish troops, commanded by Lt. Antonio Narbona, invaded Canyon de Chelly, killing 93 Navajo warriors and 45 women and children. The bones of the slain were left in the cave where they were killed. The area became known as the Canyon de Muerto.

In 1877, Gov. Anson P.K. Safford signed the bill moving the Territorial capitol from Tucson to Prescott.

In 1912, the last remaining parts of the old scaffold used in the Cochise County Courthouse yard at Tombstone were cut up for kindling wood. The scaffold had been built in 1884 by C.J. Ulmer for the hanging of the Bisbee murderers.

In 1944, during World War II, Allied forces launched the first of four battles for Monte Cassino in Italy; the Allies were ultimately successful.

In 1994, the 6.7 magnitude Northridge earthquake struck Southern California, killing at least 60 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ Briefing: Fire departments honor fallen in Phoenix
This story was republished on Jan. 17, 2022 to make it free for all readers.

The Waukesha Christmas Parade suspects bail in an earlier felony domestic violence case was considerably lower than the average of similar open cases charged this year in Milwaukee County, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analysis found.

Darrell Brooks, 39, was released on $1,000 bail five days before the parade attack that killed six and injured more than 60. His case was one of four with that bail amount found through the analysis.

Darrell Brooks appears Nov. 23 in Waukesha County Court in Waukesha, charged with the deaths of five people at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. At the time of the parade, he was free on bail in a case in which he was charged with running over a woman with the same SUV.

That Brooks was free on bail in a case in which he was charged with punching and running over a woman with the same SUV he is accused of using to kill and injure those at the parade has stoked widespread outrage, much of it directed at Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, and proposals to change bail policy in Wisconsin.

Less than 24 hours after the parade attack, Chisholms office released a statement saying a prosecutor had recommended an inappropriately low $1,000 bail in Brooks earlier felony domestic violence case.

The Journal Sentinel sought to find out if the bail amount was an anomaly, as Chisholms office suggested.

Reporters requested a list of open felony bail jumping and recklessly endangering safety cases, two of the charges Brooks faced in that earlier case, from the Milwaukee County Clerk of Courts. Prosecutors often use the charge of bail jumping when someone who is out on bail in another case is charged with a new crime.

Among the roughly 800 cases, the Journal Sentinel identified 50 open cases with both charges filed this year. Reporters then went through all 50 cases individually to gather bail amounts and other data points. All the cases also included at least one other criminal charge.

The Journal Sentinel analysis found:

Bail ranged from $1,000 to $100,000.

The median bail was $5,000 in 34 of the cases with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, the specific degree faced by Brooks. All four of the $1,000 bails were in the second-degree grouping.

The median bail for first-degree recklessly endangering safety cases was $25,000. A first-degree charge is more serious than second-degree.

Nine of the 50 cases included charges related to domestic violence. Of those nine, Brooks had the lowest bail at $1,000. The next lowest bail was $2,500. The highest was $75,000.

Defendants posted bail in about 36% of all cases and nearly half the time in the second-degree recklessly endangering safety cases.

On average, those who posted bail did so within three weeks of being charged.

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Chisholm declined an interview request from the Journal Sentinel to discuss its findings and the status of his internal review. A spokesman for his office said Chisholm will address the subject of bail Thursday during a public County Board committee meeting.

In the earlier statement, Chisholm's office said the bail recommendation was not consistent with the offices approach involving violent crime, nor consistent with the risk assessment of the defendant.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm.

In Brooks' case, the assigned assistant district attorney, Michelle A. Grasso, who graduated from law school in 2019, did not appear at the hearing where bail was set. Instead, Assistant District Attorney Carole Manchester, a longtime prosecutor, represented the state. Court Commissioner Cedric Cornwall approved the $1,000 bail.

The Journal Sentinel analysis reflects the bail set by a court commissioner or a judge. Online court records do not include the prosecutors recommendation, so its not known if prosecutors had recommended higher or lower amounts than the set bail in these cases  just one of many limitations with public court data.

Across the country, courts and the counties that run them typically do not collect reliable, uniform data that can be compared across jurisdictions in a timely way.

The nonprofit Measures for Justice has tried to fill that void, but even its information is dated. The organization analyzed court data, including bail amounts, for Wisconsin and several states and found the median bail from 2011 to 2015 in Milwaukee County for a violent felony was $5,000, compared with $3,500 in Kenosha and Racine counties and $3,000 in Dane County.

What is considered when setting bail in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is one of a handful of states with cash bail, meaning people have to post the full amount in cash to be released from custody. It does not have a commercial bail-bond system, where people pay a percentage of bond to a private company, which in turn pays the full bail amount to the court.

Historically, bail was to ensure people have a financial incentive to return to court. Many states began to allow judges to consider risk to public safety in setting bail conditions in the 1980s, as a response to the rise in crime and public fear of violence in the 1970s. Wisconsin was one of those states.

More: The Waukesha Christmas Parade attack has raised questions about bail in Wisconsin. Here's what to know about how the system works

In Wisconsin, judges can only use cash bail amounts to help ensure a person's reappearance in court. When setting other terms of bail, such as ordering a defendant not to have contact with a victim, a judge can then consider protecting the community from danger and preventing witness intimidation.

Many state and local jurisdictions have adopted risk assessments over the past decade or so to help guide decisions about setting bail.

Milwaukee County uses the Public Safety Assessment, which examines nine factors, such as age, pending cases and past failures to appear in court. Those data points are used for the risk assessment, which typically is not public record, and can be considered by a judge. Defense attorneys and prosecutors also make bail recommendations to the court official. The Public Safety Assessment is one of the most commonly used risk assessment tools in courts across the country.

Risk assessments have come under criticism, with some criminal justice experts arguing they reinforce bias and are not individualized.

Jurisdictions that have abolished cash bail, such as Washington, D.C., and New Jersey, see nearly 90% of those released return to court, while the 6% or so who are truly dangerous get detained, said Spurgeon Kennedy, program director at the Arlington, Va.-based Justice Management Institute and president-elect of the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies.

He noted that Wisconsins preventive detention law allows dangerous people to be held without bail but said many prosecutors and judges dont use it enough and still fall back on cash bail.

Kennedy said he thought Brooks, for one, should have been detained and called Brooks $1,000 bail ridiculous.

If you really think a person's a danger, and you have a preventive detention statute, you use it, he said.

Wisconsin is among about 20 states that have such laws, which allow judges to order defendants held without bail for certain violent crimes. But recklessly endangering safety  Brooks most recent charge before the parade  is not one of the crimes covered under the law.

Michele LaVigne, a former director of the Public Defender Project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the preventive detention statute is oddly not used in this state but said Brooks earlier cases would not have met the threshold for using it.

None of this guys cases would have qualified for preventive detention so bail had to be set, she said.

Even for qualifying offenses like homicide, prosecutors eschew preventive detention.

The law requires prosecutors to convince a judge the defendant committed the qualifying crime, and that release, even with conditions, would not adequately protect the community. Both factors need to be proven at a hearing by clear and convincing evidence, a much higher standard than probable cause.

So even though Wisconsin prosecutors could seek detention without bail in many serious cases, they find it simpler to request very high bails that most defendants cant meet.

Brooks was charged soon after the parade attack with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one for each person who had been killed, and bail was set at $5 million. Waukesha prosecutors did not seek to hold him without bail.

Since then, Brooks has been charged with another count of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of 8-year-old Jackson Sparks.

COVID and a collapsing court system

Brooks was not the only defendant to receive a $1,000 bail in the cases examined by the Journal Sentinel.

Of the three other cases, one involved a man accused of stealing a parked car and running several red lights during a police chase before crashing into two cars, injuring another driver.

In another, Greenfield police chased a woman accused of shoplifting. The woman sped away, weaving in and out of traffic, with a teenager and baby inside her car, until she finally stopped.

In a third, a man accused of driving drunk was driving the wrong way on several streets in West Allis, almost hitting a police squad car. The officer started following the car and the driver sped away, until an officer was able to use a maneuver with his squad to hit the car, causing the driver to stop.

Like Brooks, all three defendants were out on bail when their cases were charged this year. And like Brooks, all three were able to post the amount to be released from custody.

Cash bail terms are inherently relative to each individuals situation. A $1,000 cash bail can be out of reach for many defendants. A Federal Reserve study released earlier this year found nearly 40% of Americans would struggle to pay an unexpected $400 expense. Brooks bail was posted by a relative.

More: What we know about the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack

More: Bice: District Attorney John Chisholm comes under criticism from Republicans over bail in Darrell Brooks case

More: Here is what we know about Darrell E. Brooks Jr., the suspect in the Waukesha Christmas parade incident

Another factor in this case and others is an overloaded court system, backed up after more than a year of pandemic restrictions with more cases piling up as police and prosecutors struggle to address a rise in homicides, experts say.

Milwaukee County Chief Judge Mary Triggiano has said the courts are facing a two-year backlog for trials.

The pandemic could have been a factor in Brooks 2020 case  the one he was out on bail on when he was charged in early November in the domestic violence case, said LaVigne, the retired UW professor.

Because of COVID, the system was collapsing. It was just collapsing and they are under, frankly, constitutional pressure to see what they can do about the jail, she said.

Brooks was charged in July 2020 with two counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He was accused of getting into a fight with a relative and then firing a gun at the relative and a friend, according to court records.

His bail was set at $10,000 and then reduced to $7,500. Prosecutors were prepared to go forward with his jury trial on Feb. 9, according to the district attorney's office's statement.

Brooks was still in custody at that time and had made a speedy trial demand, which defendants have a constitutional right to invoke. Under state law, after a speedy trial demand is entered, a trial date has to be set within 90 days. If the prosecution or the courts cannot meet that timeline, the defendant has to be released on bail.

In Brooks case, another jury trial was in progress in the same court and his case was postponed. After hearing arguments from Brooks' attorney, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Feiss dropped his bail to $500 and Brooks posted it Feb. 21, online records show.

A plea and sentencing hearing was scheduled in that case for Nov. 11. At that hearing, Brooks' attorney requested another adjournment and the prosecutor did not object.

By that time, Brooks already was in custody for the domestic violence incident.

The politics of bail reform

Cash bail reform is a national issue that has seen bipartisan support, but high-profile cases like the tragedy in Waukesha can upend public policy discussion.

Chisholm, a Democrat, has sought to limit the use of cash bail for some offenses. In the wake of the Waukesha attack, Republicans who control the state Legislature quickly said they plan to propose measures with minimum bail amounts and strengthening a judges ability to consider public safety in setting bail, something a judge already can weigh when imposing bail conditions, but not cash amounts, under state law.

Bail reform supporters say the problems with money bail are well-documented: It keeps many people in jail who are not dangerous, often leading them to lose employment, housing or critical social connections, and often coercing them into plea bargains with harsher consequences than those offered to defendants who are not in custody.

What's more, it has a disparate impact on low-income people and, in particular, people of color. Bail is set when people have not been convicted of any crime and are presumed innocent under the law.

Meanwhile, even very high bails do not prevent someone who is freed on bail from committing another crime. Those operating within the criminal justice system  from judges to prosecutors to defense attorneys to probation agents to police detectives  cannot predict the future. Instead, they try to assess risk.

If we want a risk-free bail system, absolutely risk-free, guaranteed that people will show and that there will be no new offenses of any kind committed, then we lock everybody up, said LaVigne, the former director of the Public Defender Project at UW-Madison.

If youre charged with a crime, youre locked up. And the question is for me: Are we prepared to do that?" she said. "I hope not, because none of these people have been convicted.

The other obstacle in local bail policy discussions is the lack of "good bail data," said Insha Rahman, vice president of advocacy and partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit research and policy group based in New York.

The Vera Institute has worked with Chisholm in the past to audit his office for racial disparities in prosecutors decision-making, but that research did not include a review of prosecutors bail recommendations.

Its a terrible, terrible tragedy that now six people are dead and dozens and dozens injured as a result of Mr. Brooks actions, Rahman said.

The challenge is to take one high-profile, isolated case and try to make bail or pretrial policy out of one incident, she said. That doesnt drive good policy.

Vanessa Swales, Elaine Rewolinski and Jessica Rodriguez of the Journal Sentinel staff and Kevin Crowe of USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Contact Ashley Luthern at ashley.luthern@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @aluthern.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bail for Waukesha parade suspect Darrell Brooks was lower than average




Former President Obama is wishing a happy birthday to his "best friend," his wife, Michelle.

The ex-commander in chief shared a lovey-dovey message directed to his spouse on Twitter on Monday, her 58th birthday.

In the tweet to his more than 130 million followers, Obama said of his wife, "My love, my partner, my best friend..."

Obama also shared a snapshot of the pair - who recently made their annual Christmas trip to Hawaii - in a tropical locale. The 44th president is seen kissing a smiling Michelle Obama's cheek in the photo.

The Obamas - who tied the knot in 1992 - often mark each other's birthdays with doting social media posts to each other and never-before-seen photographs. In a 2020 tweet, Barack Obama dubbed the former first lady his "star," while Michelle Obama called her husband a "phenomenal guy" when he turned 56 in 2017.
But "Dear Evan Hansen" is in no way some Luddite polemic. Here is the setup. Evan lives with his single mom, Heidi (Rachel Bay Jones), in an ordinary town. He is what used to be called a geek, or a nerd, or a whatever-pejorative that so many of us have suffered. Evan has few friends. But he has a loving mom and he has been to a therapist who suggested that he write letters of affirmation to his insecure self. Hence the title. He heads to school with one such self-missive in his clutches, bumping into Zoe (Laura Dreyfuss), the girl he adores, his family friend Jared (Will Roland), which is not the same as his real friend, and, most significantly, Zoe's brother Connor (Mike Faist), the school's aggressor-stoner with a dark, troubled soul.
On what would have been Betty White's 100th birthday, her assistant shared what she believes to be one of the last photos taken of the iconic comedian.

Betty's assistant, Kiersten, posted a photo of the actor to Betty White's verified Facebook page.

"On this special day, I wanted to share this photo of Betty. It was taken on 12/20/21. I believe its one of the last photos of her," the caption read. "She was radiant and beautiful and as happy as ever. Thanks to all of you who are doing kind things today and every day to make the world a better place."

Later on Monday, her assistant told TODAY that the day she took the photo, White was dressed up to record videos for her fans.

"It was the day we recorded some videos for her fans with regard to her birthday. She was excited to be 'glammed' up and to be able to record a message. Of course, it was about her birthday at the time," Kiersten told TODAY in a text. "She wanted people to see that she was alive and happy and really wanted an opportunity to thank people for supporting her throughout her life and career. It was a truly special day. There was lots of laughing and excitement and talk about what kind of animals I was going to round up for her birthday."

"The Golden Girls" star died on Dec. 31, 2021, at the age of 99. According to a copy of her death certificate, obtained by NBC News, listed White's cause of death as a "cerebrovascular accident," also known as a stroke. According to the certificate, White had suffered a stroke six days before her death.

I was told that Betty passed in her sleep peacefully without pain, Jeff Witjas, White's agent and a close personal friend, told NBC News in a statement. To me, this is the most important thing and brings me comfort as her friend. Anything else is private to Betty.

In the wake of White's death, fans encouraged others to honor the actor's legacy by donating to animal welfare groups and rescue organizations  a cause near and dear to the late-actor's heart. The actor received the National Humanitarian Medal from the American Humane organization, their highest honor, for her tireless dedication to improving the lives of animals.

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For nearly a century, Betty White has been a tireless and devoted animal welfare advocate and we are proud to have known her for 70 years  longer than any other supporter in our history, Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO, said in a written statement. "Betty dedicated herself to protecting and improving the quality of life for animals worldwide. She has always been a one-of-a-kind phenomenon, and we are honored to have known and worked with her during so much of her truly remarkable life."

Google also honored Betty White on her birthday. When users type her name into the search engine, a message appears, reading "Thank you for being a friend," along with rose petals. Of course, the tribute honors White's iconic role as Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls."

In addition, 900 movie theaters nationwide held screenings of Betty White: 100 Years Young  A Birthday Celebration" in honor of the five-time Emmy Award winner. The event, put on by Fathom Events, was announced last month prior to her passing.

"We are thankful for the many decades of delight she brought to everyone. Betty always said she was the luckiest broad on two feet to have had a career as long as she did," producers Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein wrote. We will go forward with our plans to show the film on January 17 in hopes our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life  and experience what made her such a national treasure.
If U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson made a New Year's resolution to take a more measured approach when discussing public policy, it didn't take him long to break it.

Because the state's most polarizing politician is already back to offering his often wild and controversial take on things in 2022.

Johnson  who last year advised using mouthwash to combat COVID-19 and labeled Social Security a Ponzi scheme  has already roped God into his bizarre take on vaccines and again questioned the seriousness of last year's Capitol riot.

Now he's taking on a new topic: out-of-wedlock births.

And who's to blame for the rate of unmarried childbearing in the U.S.? Former President Lyndon Baines Johnson, the architect of the Great Society.

LBJ, of course, died nearly 50 years ago.

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"You know, we had a booming economy and people were lifting themselves out of poverty (in the 1960s). But then we instituted the Great Society programs," the second-term Wisconsin Republican told Lou Dobbs' on "The Great America Show" podcast last week.

The Great Society was an alphabet soup of social and antipoverty programs that Johnson, a Democrat, pushed through Congress in the 1960s. They included food stamps, Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, federal educational funding, housing assistance and increased welfare spending.

But Johnson  the Wisconsin senator, not the former president  said the programs did little to eliminate poverty.

"But you know what skyrocketed? Out-of-wedlock birth rates," Johnson told Dobbs. "Back in the mid-'60s, probably on average, somewhere between 5% and 10% of births were out of wedlock. Now, nationally, we're over 40%."

Johnson, a devotee of libertarian writer Ayn Rand, wasn't done giving his take on the Great Society.

"Why aren't we looking at that and, gee, what caused that?" he said. "You know, could it be the Great Society programs that made it possible for, you know, single motherhood? That actually discouraged fathers from being present in the home, because you won't get the benefits then.

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"You have to look at the cause and effect of these things, as opposed to just the intentions," he concluded.

'Correlation does not mean causation'

If it were only that simple.

Yes, 40% of all births were to unwed mothers in 2019, the latest year for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The percentage is actually down slightly from its high in 2009 and has been largely flat for a decade.

And it's true that the percentage of children born out of wedlock is way up from 1960, shortly before the Great Society proposals were enacted. The figure was only 5% back then.

But just because there has been a rapid increase in unmarried births since LBJ launched his "war on poverty" doesn't mean the two are connected.

"Correlation does not mean causation," said Timothy Smeeding, professor of economics and public affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In other words, if two variables run parallel historically, it doesn't mean the one is causing the other.

A number of factors have contributed to the rise in out-of-wedlock births, he said.

There has been a rise in cohabitation, more permissive sexual mores, a decline in shotgun weddings, easier divorce laws, a drop in manufacturing jobs for males without college degrees and greater financial independence for women.

And that's just for starters.

The good thing, he said, is the decline in teenage pregnancies around the country. He said more and more parents are thinking about what they are doing and making better choices.

"Can you just attribute it to the Great Society programs?" Smeeding asked. "No."

One other mistake Johnson is making is conflating welfare with Johnson's Great Society. Some of the largest welfare programs, such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children, were created under then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1930s.

Douglas J. Besharov, a public policy professor at the University of Maryland, said the Wisconsin senator may be focusing on the Great Society because Black families were not allowed on most federal welfare programs before the 1950s and 1960s.

Some southern states, for instance, didn't permit families to receive welfare benefits during picking season, effectively kicking Blacks off the welfare rolls.

In addition, Besharov said, a number of states enacted so-called "man-in-the-house" rules, which disqualified families from receiving welfare benefits if there was an adult male present in the household. He said this ended up discouraging female welfare recipients from seeking to get married.

So, in short, there may be some basis for what Johnson is saying.

But Besharov said, in truth, many other factors have driven up the percentage of out-of-wedlock births over the last 60 years, ranging from changing attitudes about marriage and sex to the misuse of contraceptives that lead to unplanned pregnancies.

"What I'm really trying to say to you is," he said, "there are loads of reasons."

As it turns out, this isn't exactly a new issue for Johnson.

In 1997, Johnson, who has assets worth between $16.5 million and $78.1 million, set up a trust for his three children, according to a 2016 story on Salon.com. Most of the document is boilerplate.

But under the section labeled "termination of benefits," Johnson and his wife said their children could be cut off from receiving their share of the trust if they engaged in criminal behavior, such as two unrelated felonies, or had "more than one child" without being married.

"As it reads, it seems that his kids are allowed one felony or one child out of wedlock, and after that, they're cut off," the Salon story said. "While there's no way to know how big Johnson's trust is, odds are that it's huge; he is a very wealthy man, after all."

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 313-6684 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sen. Ron Johnson blames LBJ for high rate of out-of-wedlock births
Jan. 17LIMA  Sunlight flooded the sanctuary on a frigid Sunday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Lima, as Bishop Daniel E. Thomas gave the homily.

His visit was for a special purpose; the Diocese of Toledo gives the Drum Major award every year to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Speaking before the event with Brett Huntbrinker, a senior director with the Diocese, he explained that since 1996 they have recognized people who have been put forward by their communities for their service.

"(We're) honoring their accomplishments that reflect the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King," Thomas said.

For the 2021 award, three awards were offered during the service. They were Dr. Francis Oruma and Roseline Cookey-Oruma, Bob Proby and Mayor Sharetta Smith, all from Lima.

Oruma and Cookey-Oruma shared an award for their work in home health care with their company, Continued Care, Inc. They immigrated to the United States from Nigeria to further their educations and to help people in their times of medical need. Cookey-Oruma is a nurse and has a passion for individual care which inspired them to create Continued Care, Inc.

"Home health care is my wife's passion," Dr. Oruma said, "... however we are not expecting any award for it so we give the glory to God."

Bob Proby is a Marine veteran, having served in the Vietnam War, and an Air Force reservist, who gives back to his community and church. Proby is a busy member of the community, volunteering as the coordinator of the community soccer program and serving as secretary of the Lima Black Caucus. He and his wife, Sharon, provided pastoral care to people at Lima Convalescent Home.

He has served St. Charles Borromeo Parish for 16 years as sacristan, lector, usher and as a member of the worship commission.

"It's a great honor," he said, drawing parallels between the beliefs of Dr. King and the message Bishop Thomas gave during the homily.

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The final recipient of the Drum Major award was the newly elected mayor of Lima, Sharetta Smith. Smith is the first woman and Black person to be elected to the office. Prior to her election, she served in the judicial and executive branches of government as assistant district public defender and magistrate for Tennessee's 11th Judicial District and as chief of staff for former Mayor David Berger's administration.

"I'm honored to receive this award and join the past recipients ahead of me," Smith said. "I think the message that Dr. Martin Luther King (gave) is a message that we should all follow, one of unity that I talked about during my campaign that our success will be measured by what we can accomplish together."

The homily spoke to Smith as well, saying that the campaign for mayor was daunting but she did what spoke to her faith. Her message to people seeking ways to give back and make a difference in their communities is to "bloom where you are planted and just start where you are," continuing that "a family can change a block, one block can change a neighborhood, and one neighborhood can change a city; so start where you are."

Community members can nominate anyone in the Diocese over the age of 14. After the nomination, a committee at the Diocese chooses the recipients. The committee takes into consideration several factors, such as whether or not the person's life and work are in harmony with Catholic values, and how they are striving in the spirit of Dr. King's work to help the underserved.

"They try to move the event to a different congregation in the Diocese every year on the weekend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day, returning to Toledo every five years," Huntbrinker said.
Angela Glover went missing after a tsunami hit Tonga on Saturday.

Her brother told British media on Monday that her husband had found her body.

An underwater volcano erupted near Tonga on Saturday, triggering a tsunami.

The body of Angela Glover, a British woman who went missing in the Tonga tsunami, has been found, her brother told UK media.

Nick Eleini, Glover's brother, said her body was found by her husband, James, who managed to survive the tsunami by holding onto a tree, the BBC reported.

Eleini told Sky News: "This is just a terrible shock that's happened to us. We're ordinary people, stuff like this doesn't happen to people like us, but then, it does."

An underwater volcano erupted near Tonga on Saturday, triggering a tsunami. The country's internet and phone connections were cut, making it impossible to immediately assess the full impact of the disaster.

Australia and New Zealand sent surveillance flights to Tonga to examine the damage earlier on Monday.

The volcano eruption caused giant waves to hit several nearby countries, including the US, Peru, and Japan. Two people drowned in northern Peru on Saturday after unusually high waves, Reuters reported.

Read the original article on Insider
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said on Monday it had begun supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons to help it defend itself from a potential invasion, during a stand-off with Russia which has massed troops near the Ukrainian border.

Western countries say they fear Russia is preparing a pretext for a new assault on Ukraine, which it invaded in 2014.

Moscow denies any plans for an attack, but has said it could take unspecified military action unless the West agrees to a list of demands, including banning Ukraine from ever joining NATO. Talks last week ended with no breakthrough. Kyiv has asked Western countries for arms to help it protect itself.

"We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light anti-armour defensive weapon systems," British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told parliament, saying the first systems were already delivered on Monday and a small number of British personnel would provide training for a short period of time.

He did not specify the number or type of weapons that were being sent, but said: "They are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia. They are to use in self-defence."

"These are short-range .... but nevertheless it would make people pause and think what they were doing and if tanks were to roll into Ukraine, invade it, then they would be part of the defence mechanism."

Ukraine's defence minister welcomed Wallace's announcement.

"Ukraine highly appreciates Britain's decision to provide a new security package with light, anti-armour, defensive weapon systems!" Oleksii Reznikov said in a tweet.

Britain has previously warned Russia of severe consequences if it launched a new military assault on Ukraine, while offering financing to enhance Ukraine's naval capabilities.

Wallace said he had invited Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to visit London in the next few weeks to discuss the crisis, though he did not know whether the Russians would accept.

"The current gap is wide but not unbridgeable," Wallace said, voicing the hope that diplomacy would prevail and adding, "It is President (Vladimir) Putins choice."

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and Alistair Smout; additional reporting by Natalia Zinets and Matthias Williams; Editing by Kate Holton, Peter Graff and Howard Goller)
Jan. 17The city council in Calhoun, Georgia, approved mid-fiscal year hourly pay increases for city and public safety employees last week, an increase of $1 per hour more for city employees and $1.50 more per hour for public safety employees at the Calhoun Police Department and Fire Department.

Employees must either be full time or work at least 18 hours per week on a part-time basis to be eligible and must make less than $78,100 annually. The increase will be put into place in time for the first pay period of February.

The raises, which will be funded by American Rescue Plan funds approved by Democrats in Congress last year, are intended to make the city more competitive and attract top talent. They are currently considered temporary, as the American Rescue Plan funds are only available once, but city administrator Paul Worley said city officials are working to find a permanent funding solution.

"We are very excited to be able to offer this raise to city employees and public safety employees. It helps people deal with inflation and the cost of living but it also will help us, as the city, to attract the best possible people when we lose employees to retirement or when they leave, for whatever reason," Worley said during a call with the Times Free Press on Friday morning. "Right now, we are funding the raise through the American Rescue Plan but our goal is to be able to fund these increases permanently."

Worley said the August opening of Buc-ee's, a 53,200-square-foot shop featuring 120 gas pumps, homemade Texas barbecue, fudge, pastries and a variety of other items, has provided such a large boost in local sales taxes that the city may be able to fund the pay increases largely utilizing sales tax money. If not, city officials will likely turn to more traditional methods to raise the money.

"Buc-ee's has been a boon on our sales tax numbers. We're not solely relying on that, though," Worley said. "We have a low millage rate for a city of our size. The mayor and city council have said we may look at making small, incremental increases there for funding and also for hiring new public safety to keep up with the growth we're seeing in population."

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Worley said he does not yet know what the millage rate would increase to if the city were to move forward with that funding plan.

"That would depend on discussions between the mayor and city council," he said Friday.

Also at the meeting on Monday evening, Calhoun Mayor Jimmy Palmer swore in council members Ed Moyer and Ray Denmon, as well as school board members Andy Baxter, Rhoda Washington and Stephen King, all of whom were elected in November.

Contact Kelcey Caulder at 423-757-6327 or kcaulder@timesfreepress.com.
By David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada on Monday approved Pfizer Inc's oral antiviral treatment for mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in adults, but said global supply shortages meant only a few doses would be ready now.

Rising infections and hospitalizations due the Omicron variant are forcing provinces to put in restrictions and the federal government to support impacted businesses. Officials predict COVID-19 cases will soar in coming weeks.

"(This approval) is particularly important, as access to easy to use treatments could help to reduce the severity of COVID-19 in adults who become newly infected," chief public health officer Theresa Tam told reporters.

Ottawa said last month it had signed a deal with Pfizer for a million treatment courses, pending approval. A global shortage means only a fraction will arrive soon.

Canada has received 30,400 courses and officials said it will take delivery of another 120,000 by end-March.

"We're among the first countries to have approved the medication but also to have received the medication ... competition is high and we are doing a good job," Federal Health minister Jean-Yves Duclos told a separate briefing.

Pfizer's two-drug antiviral regimen, Paxlovid, was nearly 90% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in patients at high risk of severe illness, according to clinical trial data.

It is meant to be taken at home for five days beginning shortly after onset of symptoms.

Ontario, the most populous of the 10 provinces, is seeing signs Omicron cases may have peaked, chief medical officer Kieran Moore told an Ottawa radio station.

Official data show that as of Jan 8, 87.8% of Canadians aged 12 and older had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The U.S. authorized the Pfizer treatment for people ages 12 and older deemed at risk of severe illness last month.

Canada is looking at whether to approve Merck & Co's oral antiviral pill, molnupiravir, which had less impressive results than Paxlovid in its pivotal clinical trial.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru; Editing by Franklin Paul and Bill Berkrot)
The growing Florida restaurant chain Whiskey Joes Bar & Grill is opening its fifth location in Pensacola Beach this February at 400 Quietwater Beach Road, Unit 16.

Formerly home to Pensacola staples Castaways Beachside Restaurant and Raw Bar and Jubilee Oyster Bar & Grille, the location will once again be a spot for sunsets and seafood.

Whiskey Joes Brand Manager Marty Duffany said there are a few constants that span across the Whiskey Joes restaurants regardless of their location: a beachfront cocktail bar, outdoor firepits to gather around and a good view of the water. In Pensacola, the restaurant is planted right on the Little Sabine Bay.

Pensacola Beach checked all the boxes for an additional location, said John Tallichet, CEO of the Specialty Restaurants Corporation that includes Whiskey Joe's.

Manager Marty Duffany talks Thursday about the tiki bar at Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill under construction at the Pensacola Beach boardwalk.

We are absolutely thrilled to be entering the booming Pensacola market, Tallichet said in a statement. The Whiskey Joes brand aligns perfectly with Pensacolas sun-seeking, laidback crowd looking for a bite on the beach.

The space will be able to seat 730 to 800 people on a regular day using beachfront and indoor seating, Duffany said. The restaurant will also cater to those looking for a quick bite to eat with a carry-out window that can accept walk-up orders straight from the sand in addition to online ordering.

The restaurant will open in two phases, beginning with an outdoor kitchen and outdoor dining area opening in mid-February, and the indoor dining area and two indoor kitchens following closely after in April.

The restaurant will open with a Wednesday through Sunday schedule before committing to staying open seven days a week, according to Duffany. Lunch will begin at 11 a.m. and he anticipates the restaurant will stay open until about 10 p.m. to start.

New restaurants of 2021: Year in review: Here are the restaurants that opened in the Pensacola area in 2021

Papa's Tacos plans February opening: Papa's Tacos to open in February, bringing gourmet tacos, meals along with traditional fun

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Not only will the new location have the capacity to host birthday parties, anniversaries and corporate events, but it will provide a new option in the area for beachfront weddings and rehearsal dinners. Though the restaurant is still weeks away from opening, management is accepting bookings starting April 1.

Almost all the Floribbean-style food on the menu is made from scratch, Duffany said, including the restaurants famous gator bites, mango glazed scallops, local fish tacos, Island crab cakes, burgers and Joes Pile of Nachos.

He said he hopes the spot will be not only an attraction for tourists, but a place of retreat for even locals to feel as though they are on vacation.

Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill on the Pensacola Beach boardwalk is expected to open in February.

Give yourself the thought that youre going on vacation down to the Caribbean, those tropical-themed drinks, whether theyre frozen or shaken in a Hurricane glass, things like that. Thats what we want to do, Duffany said. We want to make sure even the locals, when they live in Pensacola, Tampa, Miami, that they feel like its a little getaway for the day and make you feel like youre in the Caribbean.

The hangout will also appeal for those looking for a quick drink on the beach, with over 40 drink options available from the brands World-Famous Barefoot Tiki Bar. Though the restaurant specializes in tropical, tiki-style cocktails, such as margaritas and mojitos, the bar will also have an extensive selection of craft and domestic beers on tap, according to public relations representative Sarah Thaler.

Even with the abundance of alcohol, Duffany said the laid-back atmosphere will be family friendly for people of all ages  especially for those with young children.

He said the beachside dining allows parents to enjoy a meal at the table while the kids are able to play within eyesight in the sand, unlike at more traditional restaurants. There will also be partial fencing surrounding the outdoor dining area.

If you go to any of our Whiskey Joes, you see that going on. Thats the whole vibe of it, Duffany said. Younger parents that are working and are stressed out with kids can come and almost feel like its a little day vacation, a little bit of the Caribbean in their life. Get away from that stress.

Duffany said he plans to use the outdoor space as a gathering point year-round, even in the cooler months, with the help of some later installations.

Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill on the Pensacola Beach boardwalk is expected to open in February.

Even in the colder months going forward, our restaurant is so cool. The thing is on the tiki bar, were going to try and keep that open year-round, he said. Starting next winter  well have heaters all through the tiki bars downstairs and then drop-down isinglass. We dont need the isinglass to start because well be already to the point it will start to warm up, well have that eventually.

Duffany said he plans to make the bars weekday happy hour competitive for the area, both in variety and price.

The restaurant is currently hiring for multiple positions including hosts, servers, bartenders, cooks, dishwashers, maintenance and a certified sanitize coordinator.

Duffany said he has received over 120 applications so far, but will still be hiring up until the point of the grand opening.

Those looking to reserve the space for a private event or apply for a job can visit the Whiskey Joes website for more information.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill to open Pensacola Beach location in February
Celine Dion has cancelled the North American leg of her Courage world tour due to ongoing health issues.

According to a statement posted on her website, the 53-year-old singer is suffering from severe and persistent muscle spasms which are preventing her from performing.

I was really hoping that Id be good to go by now, but I suppose I just have to be more patient and follow the regimen that my doctors are prescribing, Dion said.

Theres a lot of organising and preparation that goes into our shows, and so we have to make decisions today which will affect the plans two months down the road, she added.

The North American leg of the tour was scheduled to run from 9 March to 22 April.

The 53-year-old continued: Ill be so glad to get back to full health, as well as all of us getting past this pandemic, and I cant wait to be back on stage again.

Those who purchased tickets for the now-canceled shows in North America will be fully refunded, according to the singers statement.

Dion is still scheduled to participate in the European leg of the tour, which is scheduled to begin on 25 May, in Birmingham, England.

I was really hoping that Id be good to go by now, but I suppose I just have to be more patient and follow the regimen that my doctors are prescribing. /Jesperais vraiment etre prete a remonter sur scene maintenant, mais je constate que je dois etre plus patiente. - Celine xx... pic.twitter.com/zNnDMBo1JR  Celine Dion (@celinedion) January 15, 2022

In November 2021, Dion delayed her Las Vegas residency due to health issues.

Im heartbroken by this, she said in the statement at the time. My team and I have been working on our new show for the past eight months, and to not be able to open this November saddens me beyond words.

Earlier last year, Dion announced a new, very personal documentary that will offer an honest and heartfelt look at her life.
The rabbi of a Texas synagogue where a gunman took hostages during livestreamed services said Monday that he threw a chair at his captor before escaping with two others after an hourslong standoff, crediting past security training for getting himself and his congregants out safely.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker told CBS Mornings that he let the gunman inside the suburban Fort Worth synagogue Saturday because he appeared to need shelter. He said the man was not threatening or suspicious at first. Later, he heard a gun click as he was praying.

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Another man held hostage, Jeffrey R. Cohen, described the ordeal on Facebook on Monday.

First of all, we escaped. We werent released or freed, said Cohen, who was one of four people in the synagogue for services that many other Congregation Beth Israel members were watching online.

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Cohen said the men worked to keep the gunman engaged. They talked to the gunman, he lectured them. At one point as the situation devolved, Cohen said the gunman told them to get on their knees. Cohen recalled rearing up in his chair and slowly moving his head and mouthing no. As the gunman moved to sit back down, Cohen said Cytron-Walker yelled to run.

The exit wasnt too far away, Cytron-Walker said. I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door. And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired.

Authorities identified the hostage-taker as 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram, who was killed Saturday night after the last three hostages ran out of the synagogue in Colleyville around 9 p.m. The first hostage was released shortly after 5 p.m.

The FBI on Sunday night issued a statement calling the ordeal a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted and said the Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating. The agency noted that Akram spoke repeatedly during negotiations about a prisoner who is serving an 86-year sentence in the U.S. The statement followed comments Saturday from the special agent in charge of the FBIs Dallas field office that the hostage-taker was focused on an issue not specifically related to the Jewish community.

Akram could be heard ranting on a Facebook livestream of the services and demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaida who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan.

The last hour or so of the standoff, he wasnt getting what he wanted. It didnt look good. It didnt sound good. We were terrified, Cytron-Walker told CBS Mornings.

Video of the standoffs end from Dallas TV station WFAA showed people running out a door of the synagogue, and then a man holding a gun opening the same door just seconds later before he turned around and closed it. Moments later, several shots and then an explosion could be heard.

Authorities have declined to say who shot Akram, saying it was still under investigation.

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The investigation stretched to England, where late Sunday police in Manchester announced that two teenagers were in custody in connection with the standoff. Greater Manchester Police tweeted that counter-terrorism officers had made the arrests but did not say whether the pair faced any charges.

President Joe Biden called the episode an act of terror. Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Sunday, Biden said Akram allegedly purchased a weapon on the streets.

Federal investigators believe Akram purchased the handgun used in the hostage-taking in a private sale, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Akram arrived in the U.S. at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York about two weeks ago, a law enforcement official said.

Akram arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa from Great Britain, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was not intended to be public. Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement that its counter-terrorism police were liaising with U.S. authorities about the incident.

U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel told the House of Commons on Monday that she had spoken to her U.S. counterpart, Alejandro Mayorkas, and offered the full support of the police and security services in Britain in the investigation.

Akram used his phone during the course of negotiations to communicate with people other than law enforcement, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

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It wasnt clear why Akram chose the synagogue, though the prison where Siddiqui is serving her sentence is in Fort Worth.

Michael Finfer, the president of the congregation, said in a statement there was a one in a million chance that the gunman picked our congregation.

Cytron-Walker said his congregation had received training from local authorities and the Secure Community Network, which was founded in 2004 by a coalition of Jewish organizations and describes itself as the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America. Michael Masters, the CEO of the organization, said the congregation had provided security training in August and had not been previously aware of Akram.

The standoff led authorities to tighten security in other places, including New York City, where police said that they increased their presence at key Jewish institutions out of an abundance of caution.
GENEVA (AP)  Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that his country will send an additional 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine to other countries, calling for global cooperation to tackle the pandemic and other challenges while urging other powers to discard a "Cold-War mentality  a veiled swipe at the United States.

Xi touted China's efforts to share vaccines, fight climate change and promote development in the opening speech of a virtual gathering hosted by the World Economic Forum. The online event is being held after the group put off its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Efforts to battle the global outbreak that has claimed over 5.5 million lives and upended the world economy and climate change were prominent themes Monday.

In a panel session on the virus, Moderna's CEO said the vaccine maker was working on a single-shot booster for both COVID-19 and the flu, while U.S. infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci lamented as very disturbing the reluctance of many Americans to follow basic measures like mask-wearing and getting vaccinated.

Xi, who hasnt left China since the coronavirus emerged in early 2020, said his country has exported more than 2 billion doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to over 120 countries and international institutions. He announced plans to provide an additional 1 billion, including a donation of 600 million doses to Africa and an extra 150 million to Southeast Asia.

By comparison, managers of the U.N.-backed COVAX program to ship vaccines to developing countries announced over the weekend that it has now delivered 1 billion vaccine doses.

Xi touched on standard themes from previous international addresses, including responding to trading partners' complaints by promising to open China's state-dominated economy wider to private and foreign competition.

His comments come as tensions between the United States and China have simmered on topics like Taiwan, intellectual property, trade, human rights and the South China Sea.

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We need to discard Cold War mentality and seek peaceful coexistence and win-win outcomes, Xi said through a translator. Protectionism and unilateralism can protect no one. ... Even worse are the practices of hegemony and bullying, which run counter to the tide of history"  terms Beijing has used to describe U.S. policy and actions.

A zero-sum approach that enlarges ones own gain at the expense of others will not help, he added. "The right way forward for humanity is peaceful development and win-win cooperation.

Xi said China stands ready to work with other governments on climate change but announced no new initiatives and offered no resources. He said it was up to developed countries to provide money and technology.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took up the environment in his address, pledging his country's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Indias growth in the next 25 years will be green and clean, and also sustainable and reliable, he said, stressing its commitment to solar power.

While Xi and Modi touted environmental efforts, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ratcheted up his concerns about the use of coal  both China and India are big users  in his call for real climate action in developing countries.

Emissions must fall, but they continue to rise," Guterres said in his address, appealing for debt relief for developing countries needing help weaning off coal.

Guterres pointed to his call for coalitions to help foster a clean energy transition, highlighting U.S.-Chinese efforts to provide China with adequate technologies" to accelerate that shift.

"India doesnt like the coalition, but India has accepted several bilateral forms of support, and Ive been in close contact with the U.S., U.K. and several other countries to make sure that there's a strong project to support India, he said.

Guterres said the past two years had shown that the world needs to cooperate to halt climate change, achieve global economic recovery and beat the pandemic.

During a session on COVID-19's future, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said he hoped the U.S.-based company would have a combined vaccine booster ready to test in advanced research in the second quarter, saying a best-case scenario would be if the single shot covering both flu and COVID-19 would be ready for use next year.

I dont think it would happen in every country, but we believe its possible to happen in some countries next year, Bancel said.

Moderna has been criticized for prioritizing distribution of its COVID-19 vaccines to rich countries; only a fraction of its supply has gone to poor countries via COVAX. He said the company aimed to make about 2 to 3 billion doses this year and hopes to have data from a new vaccine tweaked to address the omicron variant in March.

The annual Davos gathering usually takes place in person in the Alpine snows of eastern Switzerland, drawing hundreds of business leaders, cultural elites, academics and government leaders. Leaders of countries like Germany, Colombia and Japan were set to address the gathering that runs through Friday.

___

Associated Press Business Writer Joe McDonald in Beijing, AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng in Toronto, Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi, and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden named its month-old little blue penguin after Betty White's character on the NBC sitcom "Golden Girls".

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is paying tribute to Betty White on what would have been the late actress' 100th birthday.

The zoo is naming its month-old little blue penguin "Rose" after White's character on the NBC sitcom "Golden Girls," according to a news release.

White died in her sleep from natural causes at the age of 99 on Dec. 31. She would have turned 100 on Monday.

Betty White was a huge Zoo supporter and animal lover, Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard said in a release. I had the pleasure of making her acquaintance years ago when she attended a Cincinnati Zoo fundraiser. We introduced her to our first ambassador cheetah, Angel.

Zoo officials say Rose is healthy and is soon expected to move to the little blue penguin habitat where she will join a colony of over 30 penguins.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Zoo names penguin 'Rose' in honor of Betty White
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  For decades renowned Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez kept the public from knowing about an intimate aspect of his life: He had a daughter with a Mexican writer, with whom he had an extramarital affair in the early 1990s.

The closely guarded secret was published by Colombian newspaper El Universal on Sunday and confirmed to the Associated Press by two relatives of the Nobel Prize-winning author, who is famous for novels like One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera.

Garcia Marquez died in Mexico City in 2014, where thousands of his readers lined up to see his casket in a concert hall. He was married for more than five decades to Mercedes Barcha and the couple had two children named Rodrigo and Gonzalo. They lived in Mexico City for much of their lives.

El Universal said that in the early 1990s Garcia Marquez had a daughter with Susana Cato, a writer and journalist who worked with Garcia Marquez on two movie scripts and who also interviewed him for a 1996 magazine story. Cato and Garcia Marquez named their daughter Indira: She is now in her early 30s and uses her mothers surname.

Shani Garcia Marquez, one of the writers nieces, told the AP that she had known for years about her cousin Indira, but had not mentioned her to the media because her parents always asked her to be discrete about her uncles personal life.

Gabriel Eligio Torres Garcia, who is also a nephew of the Colombian writer, said he has been in touch with Indira Cato through social media, though he has never met her in person.

My cousins Rodrigo and Gonzalo told me about her casually during a reunion, he said.

Other members of Garcia Marquezs family, cited by El Universal, said they had not spoken about the writers daughter previously out of respect for Mercedes Barcha who died in August 2020. Torres Garcia said that Indira Catos mother, Susana, had also been discrete about her daughters lineage, to keep her away from the media spotlight.

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Indira Cato is now a documentary producer in Mexico City. She won several awards for a 2014 documentary on migrants passing through Mexico.

Garcia Marquez family said they didnt want to share her contact information because they were not authorized to do so, and the AP could not contact Indira Cato independently.

She leads a very artistic lifestyle, like many people in this family, said Shani Garcia. It makes us very happy that she has shined on her own.
The Buncombe County Administration Building in Asheville Sept. 4, 2018.

Buncombe County government is canceling or going virtual with multiple meetings in the name of COVID-19 safety, this as more than 100 of its employees are out with the virus.

Board of Commissioners clerk Lamar Joyner announced Jan. 14 the meeting planned for Jan. 18 is canceled.

Joyner and Buncombe County spokesperson Lillian Govus confirmed the cancellation was due to a mix of winter weather, as a major snowstorm is forecast to hit the Asheville area Jan. 15-16, and COVID safety precautions.

Agenda items set to be addressed Jan. 18 will move to an upcoming meeting, Joyner said.

Govus said Jan. 14 that 104 Buncombe employees are out with COVID and 82 are quarantining, about 11% of the county's staff.

"These numbers include all staff including the sheriffs office," she said.

Buncombe County employs about 1,600 people.

COVID cases: Buncombe County COVID-19 positivity jumps to 20%, health director: 'Limit interactions'

More: What to know ahead of Asheville major winter storm, Gov. declares state of emergency

School impact: Spiking COVID-19 infections decimate Asheville City Schools staff; forces system to close

Before the commission meeting was canceled, Buncombe announced Jan. 3 it had to cancel several in-person Comprehensive Plan meetings. The county is beginning a significant public input phase of its "Comprehensive Plan 2043," a process that will see the county move to make policy and planning decisions that will guide its next two decades of growth.

There were six of these in-person or in-person/virtual hybrid meetings scheduled for January.

"Additional virtual meeting dates and times will be announced in addition to the currently scheduled Jan. 20 and Jan. 25 virtual meetings," Govus said in a news release Jan. 14.

Residents can visit engage.buncombecounty.org to access virtual meetings and see the current schedule for others.

The Comprehensive Plan and commission meetings aren't the only ones changed. Other Buncombe meetings are going virtual as county staff looks to keep the virus from spreading among staff members, officials and potential meeting attendees.

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The Jan. 18 Affordable Housing Committee meeting scheduled at 1 p.m. will meet virtually. Residents can view and sign up for comment at engage.buncombecounty.org.

The Community Engagement Markets scheduled for Sycamore Temple and Asheville Middle on Jan. 18 have been canceled, but all other markets will continue to operate with free grab-and-go, pre-packaged food boxes. Face coverings are required at the markets. Residents can find more details on a calendar for these markets.

Related: Omicron rises, but so do vaccinations.

Testing: COVID-19 cases skyrocket in Asheville, Buncombe: Where and how can you get tested?

More: Omicron should 'concern us all,' says Mission medical chief; nurses call for OSHA safety

Govus also noted Buncombe has several other services offered online including:

The Buncombe County Bureau of ID fingerprint services is available only by appointments, and residents can call 828-250-4665 to schedule.

"Masks are required in all indoor public spaces in Buncombe County, which includes Buncombe County buildings," Govus said.

"Community members accessing Buncombe County services should adhere to public health guidance around social distancing and handwashing. For the safety and wellbeing of Buncombe County staff and visitors, please do not access in-person services if you feel unwell."

The county's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic continues to operate each weekday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 40 Coxe Ave. in Asheville.

This clinic will be closed on Jan. 17 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

Residents don't have to make appoints to get a vaccine.

Andrew Jones is Buncombe County government and health care reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow or reach him at @arjonesreports on Facebook and Twitter. Email him at arjones@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe employee numbers, meetings take big COVID-19 hit
There's a resounding piece of advice Mississippi health officials have unwaveringly wielded for the past year as the coronavirus has ebbed and flowed: Get vaccinated.

It's been over a year since vaccination became available to some in the Magnolia State. Ten months have passed since Gov. Tate Reeves opened vaccination eligibility floodgates for adult Mississippians. In November, children aged 5 to 11 got the vaccine green light.

In that time, Mississippi's vaccination rate has dragged behind the nation's.

On Saturday, 45% of residents are fully immunized compared to the 63% of people in the United States. About 486,000 Mississippians have received a booster shot or third dose.

OMICRON'S WAKE: Over 44,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in Miss. in a single week

TRACKING COVID-19: Mississippi sets another single-day record with 9,300 new cases

Despite the omicron variant fueling the state's daily COVID-19 case counts, breaking previous record-highs, the rate of residents considered fully vaccinated is barely budging.

State health officials reported the first omicron case Dec. 6, back when Mississippi's fully immunized rate was 44%.

From Dec. 6 to Jan. 14, the state health department reported over 118,000 new COVID-19 infections, with Friday marking the highest single-day case count of 9,300.

Vaccination rates aren't keeping up the same pace.

About 75,000 residents became fully immunized between Dec. 6 and Jan. 14, bumping the rate by one percentage point, according to state health department records.

While vaccination doesn't mean a person is bulletproof against the virus, health officials say it protects most people from severe illness caused by COVID-19. It keeps hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. It significantly lowers the chance of death. And it allows children to stay in schools and parents to stay at work.

"Can vaccinated folks get COVID?" State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs tweeted. "Yes - but it's less likely and they are far less likely to be hospitalized or to die from COVID."

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Between Jan. 1 to 4, about 95% of people hospitalized with the coronavirus were partially immunized or unvaccinated. The state health department's most recent data show 87.8% of COVID-19-related deaths from Dec. 17 to Jan. 13 were in under-vaccinated residents.

Although omicron does not cause as severe of illness, it is more infectious than the delta variant, meaning Mississippi hospitals are still inundated with COVID-19 patients, though their stays are shorter.

As of Thursday, 1,365 were hospitalized across Mississippi for the coronavirus. About 259 were in intensive care units and 114 were on ventilators.

COVID AND HOSPITALS: Omicron's infectiousness is leaving Mississippi hospitals in a bind

COVID AND KIDS: As omicron kicks up in Miss., pediatric COVID hospitalizations rise

Health leaders at the University of Mississippi Medical Center  the state's largest hospital  said their center's emergency department is seeing a record number of coronavirus patients.

There's a cost-free mitigation strategy.

"Get vaccinated, if you can. Get your booster when you can. Wear your mask," said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.

On Jan. 7, UMMC  home to the state's only pediatric hospital  alerted its pediatric hospitalizations rates had tripled in a two-week period due to the influx of coronavirus patients.

The remedy? It's no different from children to adults.

Mississippi pediatricians say it's vital children get fully vaccinated to keep schools in-person, extracurriculars in-play and surrounding family members safe.

About 36% of children 12 to 17 have both shots, up 1% in the past month.

While the fully vaccinated rate for Mississippi children 5 to 11-years-old is far lower at 6%, it's climbing faster than other age groups. The age group's fully vaccinated rate has doubled in the four weeks.

Vaccinations are free of cost and can be scheduled online at covidvaccine.umc.edu or by calling 877-978-6453.

Have a health story? Or a health-related tip? Send it along to shaselhorst@gannett.com, on Twitter at @HaselhorstSarah or call 601-331-9307.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: As COVID-19 surges, Mississippi's vaccination rate stays stagnant
The Daily Beast

Claudio Peri/Pool/ReutersROMESince the beginning of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis has floated the idea that he wants to take a trip to Kyiv to try to broker a ceasefire. But now he says he would prefer to go to Moscow to try to talk some sense into Vladimir Putin, who he has not outwardly condemned in the now nearly three-month-old war and only did so lightly in a lengthy interview with an Italian newspaper.I feel that before going to Kyiv, I must go to Moscow, he told Corriere D
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses marchers during his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. He visited Gadsden a few days prior to that historic speech.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy impacted the world through his words and his example of non-violent protest.

In Gadsden, that impact was more than words and distant deeds; it was visits to the city as the battle for civil rights was waged here, and when Black residents sought King's help to save their homes.

Among collected papers at Stanford University's Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Center, there is a letter written by the civil rights leader  a response to an Attalla native who reached out as a number of Gadsden residents faced losing their homes and businesses to "urban renewal."

It was 1959, and Juanita Jelks was one of the plaintiffs in legal bid to stop the City of Gadsden and the Greater Gadsden Housing Authority from proceeding with a "slum clearance" plan that ultimately succeeded in demolishing Black homes and business in an area of South Gadsden around South Sixth Street.

Jelks, who lived on Lamar Street in Gadsden, and the other defendants had lost their case against the city earlier in the summer.

"We need help from all sources of strength, spiritual, mental, and financial," Jelks pleaded to King, in an Aug. 6, 1959, letter to him.

And King responded.

"Certainly, I am deeply sympathetic with the plight of Negroes in Gadsden in the efforts of the segregationists to uproot you home and preserve a system that is destined to die," King wrote, in a letter dated Aug. 8, 1959.

"I am sorry that I did not know about this situation before. I am sure that is is due to my own oversight," he wrote. "We have been involved in recent months with so many responsibilities I have often overlooked many important things in our home state.

"I will be more than happy to talk with you about the situation in Gadsden," he continued.

King went on to detail his schedule for the coming weeks to find a time when he could meet with a committee of people from Gadsden regarding their plight.

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"Please know again that I am deeply sympathetic and concerned about your present plight," King wrote. "I hope I can be of some assistance."

Online documents from collection at Stanford indicate Jelks, who was secretary for the Citizens' Protective Association of Gadsden, wrote back to King in September 1959, thanking him for meeting with Gadsden residents on Sept. 2, 1959.

It was the courts that those Gadsden residents needed help from  and it never came. Appeals were unsuccessful and Black homes and businesses in that South Gadsden area were demolished.

Chari Bostick of Grace Heritage Foundation has done extensive research on what the GGHA called "slum clearance" and the people affected termed "Negro clearance."

In public discussions about that time in Gadsden's history, Bostick noted there were some houses in poor condition in the area, but there were 56 homes that were not.

They were the well-kept homes of Black doctors, dentists nd teachers, she said, but they were demolished anyway, along with barbershops, theatres, cafes and churches. The "urban renewal" project occurred when Gadsden was segregated.

Bostick  and that lawsuit file in the 1950s  said the plan was designed to preserve segregation. Black residents were relocated to the Tuscaloosa Avenue area and to East Gadsden, in what would become the Green Pastures community.

A few years later, King visited Gadsden in the week before the Aug. 28, 1963, March on Washington, the site of his stirring "I Have a Dream" speech, Robert Avery recalled.

Avery was 15 then. He met King  but in Washington, not Gadsden. He and a friend, 17-ear-old James Smith, had hitchhiked to the capitol for the march. Their families in Gadsden had asked King and others to check on the teenagers.

While in Gadsden, King met with local civil rights leaders and spoke at local churches. Actors and activists Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, Tony Franciosa, and Virgil Frye came to Gadsden, too, and at the March on Washington Brando would display a cattle prod, saying police in Gadsden had used it to herd demonstrators.

King returned to Gadsden with members of his family, according to photos in the online collection at Stanford, before his assassination on April 4, 1968.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Martin Luther King Jr.'s connection to Gadsden, Alabama
A lawsuit against Amazon was filed Monday by the family of a delivery driver who was killed in December after a tornado hit an Amazon warehouse downstate, according to the familys attorneys.

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Six people who had been working at an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville died following the Dec. 10 storm, which left dozens dead across multiple states. Among them was independent contractor Austin McEwen, 26, who, like other workers, was allegedly required to work under conditions management knew to be unsafe, according to a news release from the law firm retained by the family. The facility had inadequate emergency plans and no basement shelter, the lawsuit contends, and McEwen and others who died were told to shelter in a bathroom during the storm.

The suit was e-filed Monday morning in Madison Circuit Court, though the courthouse was closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, an attorney for the family said.

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A spokeswoman for Amazon disputed those claims in a statement, saying members of a local team worked to move people to safety as quickly as possible.

The lawsuit was expected to be the first filed against Amazon in connection with the deaths, according to Clifford Law Offices, the Chicago-based firm representing McEwens family.

Workers remove debris from an Amazon distribution center in Edwardsville, Illinois, on Dec. 11, 2021, after it was hit by a tornado. (Tim Vizer/AFP)

It appears that holiday profits took precedence over safety, said the familys attorney, Jack Casciato, according to the news release.

In a statement, Kelly Nantel, a spokeswoman for Amazon, said the lawsuit misunderstands key facts. The building was new and up to code, Nantel said, and local teams were following weather conditions at the time of the storm.

Severe weather watches are common in this part of the country and, while precautions are taken, are not cause for most businesses to close down, Nantel said. We believe our team did the right thing as soon as a warning was issued, and they worked to move people to safety as quickly as possible.

Amazon representatives previously have said its emergency response, including in the event of severe weather, is part of training for warehouse employees. Amazon directs employees to shelter during tornadoes, representatives said last month, but the company declined to specifically state when employees at the Edwardsville facility were warned about the threat.

Amazon recently opened warehouses across the south suburbs, in Markham, Matteson and University Park.

According to law enforcement officials in December, the other victims at the Amazon warehouse were Deandre Morrow, 28, and Etheria Hebb, 34, both of St. Louis; and Illinois residents Kevin Dickey, 62, of Carlyle; Clayton Lynn Cope, 29, of Alton; and Larry Virden, 46, of Collinsville.

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The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration last month opened an investigation into the facilitys collapse, and has six months to complete it, OSHA officials said at the time.

oolander@chicagotribune.com
Despite a national nursing shortage in the United States, over 80,000 qualified applications were not accepted at U.S. nursing schools in 2020, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

This was due primarily to a shortage of nursing professors and a limited number of clinical placements where nursing students get practical job training. Additional constraints include a shortage of experienced practitioners to provide supervision during clinical training, insufficient classroom space and inadequate financial resources.

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Although the 80,000 may not account for students who apply to multiple nursing schools, it clearly suggests that not all qualified students are able to enroll in nursing school.

I am a nurse researcher, professor of nursing and founding director of WIRES, an office at the University of South Florida that focuses on the well-being of the health care workforce. Ive found that the nursing shortage is a complex issue that involves many factors  but chief among them is the shortage of faculty to train future nurses.

Growing demand for nurses

There are not enough new nurses entering the U.S. health care system each year to meet the countrys growing demand. This can have serious consequences for patient safety and quality of care.

Nationally, the number of jobs for registered nurses is projected to increase by 9% between 2020 and 2030.

Some states project an even higher demand for registered nurses because of their population and their needs. Florida, for example, will need to increase its number of registered nurses by 16% over the next decade.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be about 194,500 openings for registered nurses each year over the next decade to meet the demands of the growing population, and also to replace nurses who retire or quit the profession. This means the U.S. will need about 2 million new registered nurses by 2030.

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In addition to a shortage of registered nurses, there is also a shortage of nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioner is identified as the second fastest-growing occupation in the next decade, after wind turbine technicians, with a projected increase of 52.2%. Nurse practitioners have an advanced scope of practice compared with registered nurses. They must complete additional clinical hours, earn a masters or doctoral degree in nursing, and complete additional certifications to work with specific patient populations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the health and wellness problems of the nursing workforce. Despite these problems, student enrollment in nursing schools increased in 2020. The pandemic has not turned people away from wanting to pursue a career in nursing. However, without enough nursing faculty and clinical sites, there will not be enough new nurses to meet the health care demands of the nation.

Student enrollment in nursing schools increased in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Jeremy Hogan / Getty Images)

Need for more nursing faculty

Currently, the national nurse faculty vacancy rate is 6.5%. This is slightly improved from the 2019 rate of 7.2%. More than half of all nursing schools report vacant full-time faculty positions. The highest need is in nursing programs in Western and Southern states.

Nursing education in clinical settings requires smaller student-to-faculty ratios than many other professions in order to maintain the safety of patients, students and faculty members. Regulatory agencies recommend at least one faculty member to no more than 10 students engaged in clinical learning.

The faculty shortage is also affected by the fact that many current nursing faculty members are reaching retirement age. The percentage of full-time nursing faculty members aged 60 and older increased from roughly 18% in 2006 to nearly 31% in 2015.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports the average ages of doctorally prepared nurse faculty members at the ranks of professor, associate professor and assistant professor were 62.6, 56.9 and 50.9 years, respectively.

Another factor that contributes to the nursing faculty shortage, and the most critical issue related to faculty recruitment, is compensation. The salary of a nurse with an advanced degree is much higher in clinical and private sectors than it is in academia.

According to a survey by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the median salary of a nurse practitioner, across settings and specialties, is $110,000. By contrast, the AACN reported in March 2020 that the average salary for masters-prepared assistant professors in nursing schools was just under $80,000.

A registered nurse, at right, helps a nursing student prepare a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Will Lester / Getty Images)

Fixing the faculty shortage

Innovative strategies are needed to address the nursing faculty shortage. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019 was a start. The act provides funding for nursing faculty development, scholarships and loan repayment for nurses, and grants for advanced nursing education, nursing diversity initiatives and other priorities.

The Build Back Better Act that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2021 includes funding to help nursing schools across the country recruit and retain diverse nursing faculty and enroll and retain nursing students. The act is now before the U.S. Senate.

In addition to national strategies, individual states are addressing the shortage at the local level. Maryland, for example, awarded over $29 million in grants to 14 higher education institutions with nursing programs in Maryland to expand and increase the number of qualified nurses.

Finally, offering faculty salaries comparable to those in clinical settings may attract more nurses to use their expertise to train and expand the next generation of health care workers.

The Conversation

Dr. Rayna M. Letourneau is an assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Cierra Harris with her daughter, Cariah, 2, and sons Tavias, 6, back left; Takai, 8, center; and Tazeon, 7, right.

There were nights when Cierra Harris sat awake, cramped in the front of her SUV.

Every few minutes she would look over her shoulder, reassured by the sight of her four children sleeping peacefully under blankets atop the turned-down seats.

Struggling to get comfortable, her mind raced, knowing the sun would be up in a few hours, when shed have to get them ready for school and make herself presentable for work.

Behind that loomed questions that haunted her days: Where would they sleep that night? How could she afford a place for them all? When would this end?

Focused on survival, Harris could barely register how she got here  a 32-year-old professional woman, separated from her husband and homeless with her kids.

One thing she knew for certain.

I cant live like this, she thought. No matter what it took, she would create stability for her children.

Season of Sharing: Tireless Sarasota-Manatee caseworkers are key to Season of Sharing

More: Sarasota school psychologist hit by wave of loss and grief is helped by Season of Sharing

Embarrassed and in need of help

Harris prided herself on being a survivor.

Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Venice, Harris was brought up in a religious, Catholic family.

By her late 20s, the mother of three toddlers  Takai, Tazeon and Tavias  she had overcome abuse throughout her life, including domestic violence. Local nonprofit agencies invited her to speak to other women about her experiences, as a source of inspiration.

For years a stay-at-home mom, by the time her daughter, Cariah, was born two years ago, she decided to go back to school. With a career, she thought, she could always be self-sufficient and be a good example for her kids.

She obtained an associates degree in applied science and began classes toward a bachelors in business management. Long wanting to work with kids, she took a dream job at a daycare center, climbing her way up to the top post as director  juggling its stressful demands along with the many in her own home.

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Meanwhile, she and her husband saved money, sometimes living with relatives, hoping to buy a house  though prices were soaring beyond their reach.

Then this fall, their marriage began to unravel amid personal turmoil.

In early November, Harris resolved to get her children out of a tumultuous climate.

I left with the kids and $20 in my pocket, she said.

At first they moved between homes of friends and relatives, taking turns on different peoples couches.

Some nights they stayed at a hotel  the $112 nightly fee eating a huge chunk of her paycheck. Saving for an apartment felt impossible.

As Harris frantically searched apartment complexes, she found rents for two-bedroom apartments going for $2,000 a month. With her salary and expenses  food, car payments, insurance and other bills  it was a price she could not afford. Nor did she have the thousands of dollars needed for a deposit plus first and last months rents in order to move in.

Harris called affordable housing complexes and put her name on dozens of waiting lists.

Meanwhile, embarrassed at the imposition on family and friends and unable to crash with them long-term, Harris fell back in desperation on her SUV.

After school and a dinner of fast food or a homemade meal she cooked at the homes of friends, she would find a safe place to park.

Season of Sharing: Single mom kept going by dreams of an education helped by Season of Sharing

More: Sarasota social worker used to helping others gets rent help through Season of Sharing

With all of their personal items in the back cargo space of the SUV, she created a system  folding school clothes and organizing them into bins for the boys, now 8, 7 and 6. She tucked toothbrushes into pockets of the suitcases.

Before bedtime, she turned down the seats and set out the blankets for the boys, Cariah often staying close by her side until it was time to sleep.

On cold nights, Harris left the engine running to turn on the heat, consuming more gas, which could cost her $80 a week.

Sometimes she awoke with major cramps in her legs.

Her life was a mess, she would think, knowing that the holidays were bearing down on them. What type of Christmas could she give the kids?

The most important thing, she kept telling herself, was getting them onto solid ground.

Theres nothing else I have to do but give them a stable environment, she thought. She had made it through so much already, she reminded herself. She had pulled herself out of abusive relationships and put herself through school.

This is just another thing I will get out of, she thought, praying for help to find a way.

In the mornings, Harris woke the kids to help them dress. She dropped off the boys at school and headed with Cariah to the daycare center.

I still showed up for work every day, she said.

She put on a happy face for the client parents and kids  none of them aware of the anguish behind it.

One morning she got a text from a counselor at her sons school. One of her boys had told a teacher about a rough night sleeping in the SUV.

If there is anything you need, please reach out, the message read.

Harris was shaken. This situation was becoming unbearable for the kids. She had to do something drastic  and soon. But she was down to her last dollar, with no money to buy diapers or food, and payday was more than a week away.

When she got to school to pick up the boys, there was something waiting for her:

Gift cards to Wal-Mart, purchased by the women in the front office.

I cried that day because I literally didnt know how I was going to do anything, she said.

Season of Sharing: Help your neighbors in need by donating now

Harris felt a shift inside her. Something had to give. She couldnt save for an apartment. She couldnt go back to her husband. She wanted a healthier life for her kids.

Harris was praying for signs on how to seize a new path. And at last, they began to appear.

'This is a fresh start. Make it count.'

First, she decided, she had to switch jobs. She loved her work, but the pay was too low to support her children on her own.

Sometimes you have to make yourself uncomfortable to make yourself comfortable, said a friend, who told her about a job opening at PGT Custom Windows & Doors. It paid better, and the hours were more flexible. Harris put in an application and got an interview.

Around the same time, in late November, she swallowed her pride. She had accomplished a lot in her life. She didnt like imposing on others. But now she was homeless with her kids. And they needed her to do more. That included, she thought, asking for help.

Harris had heard of Family Promise of South Sarasota County, but never thought she would have to contact the nonprofit for herself.

Initially, the agency helped with gift cards and toiletries from their pantry, but then a space opened in its Bridge Housing Shelter Program. The program usually ran 60 to 90 days. It would provide a safe and stable environment for her family and Harris could save money for an apartment. A case manager asked if she was interested.

Absolutely, Harris said. I will do whatever I need to do.

By the time Harris and the children settled into their room, more help arrived.

Family Promise got a phone call from one of the income-based apartment complexes it deals with in Venice. A three-bedroom apartment was coming available in mid-December. Rent was $918. Did they have a family in need?

Harris couldnt believe her ears when she heard the news from Marie Mead, Family Promises Bridge Housing coordinator.

But there were two challenges: the complex required first and last months rents before a tenant could move in. Season of Sharing would cover one payment. And Family Promise, through the Bridge program, would cover the other.

Season of Sharing: Sarasota woman had big dreams for her life; then health problems almost left her homeless

More: Season of Sharing helps after a devastating accident impacts large Arcadia family

Harris, while working full time, committed to completing all the programs financial counseling and case management requirements in 45 days. She got the green light to move in by late December.

I remember thinking, God is good, she said.

For the agencys case managers, Harris made an impact.

I cant say enough about her, said Shannon Nordquist, formerly an Open Doors Family Service Coordinator at Family Promise and now a development associate. She was just so gracious and humble and motivated.

Harris case is a classic example, she added, of the power of local programs like Family Promise and Season of Sharing to help working families through hardship to get back on their feet.

It was not only just impeccable timing, Nordquist said. It really epitomizes what can happen when you have a motivated client and excellent services to empower them. It just speaks to the beauty of everything that both programs have to offer.

On December 30  after Family Promise provided gifts for the kids to unwrap on Christmas  she and the kids moved into their new home in time for the New Year.

Harris put all their belongings down in a pile on what was supposed to be the dining room floor. After cramped hotels and the SUV, the place seemed massive. The three boys raced to check out what would be their bedroom. Cariah, now 2, clung to her side, not ready to enter hers  the first she would have all to herself.

Harris took a deep breath, not sure how she would furnish it all.

Okay, Cierra, she told herself. This is a fresh start. Make it count.

'Now I have a place to come home to'

On an early January afternoon, Harris sat on a sofa in her living room.

Cariah napped in her bedroom while the boys tried to play quietly in theirs. Tavias peaked out, eager to show the new watch he got for Christmas.

In the end, a private donor  someone Harris called another guardian angel  stepped forward to help outfit the apartment with couches, end tables, beds and a dining room table and chairs.

I couldnt give just one word to signify what this has done for my family, Harris said about the past few months.

They say it takes a village, she added, referring to the popular proverb. In this village, everyone has really stepped up to help me.

In the living room, several pieces of wall art donated from Family Promise rested on the floor, waiting to be hung. There was one in particular that spoke to Harris.

Before you were born, I set you apart, it read, quoting Jeremiah 1:15.

I didnt leave without having that one for my wall, she said. I do believe I didnt make it out of this situation without God.

Family Promise and Season of Sharing helped get her in the door, she said. Now, she added, its her job to keep things afloat. Shes left humbled by her recent situation, also finding through it a strength she didnt know she had.

Looking ahead, she hopes to save money, buy a house, finish her bachelors degree.

But for the moment, her attention is trained on cementing her family's new stability  all that she had hoped for those sleepless nights in the SUV.

Seven weeks ago I didnt even know where I was going to sleep the next night, she said. Now I have a place to come home to.

How to help

Season of Sharing was created 21 years ago as a partnership between the Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to get emergency funds to individuals and families on the brink of homelessness in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. There are no administrative fees and no red tape  every dollar donated goes to families in need to help with rental assistance, utility bills, child care and other expenses.

Donations to Season of Sharing may be made online at cfsarasota.org/donors/support-season-of-sharing, or by sending a check (payable to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County) to Attn. Season of Sharing, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. Contact the foundation at 941-955-3000 for more information or to request a credit card form. All donations are tax-deductible.

This story comes from a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Saundra Amrhein covers the Season of Sharing campaign, along with issues surrounding housing, utilities, child care and transportation in the area. She can be reached at samrhein@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Season of Sharing helps Sarasota mom 4 kids move from SUV to apartment
Anthony Fauci Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images

Experts are looking into COVID's crystal ball to predict where the Omicron variant will lead the U.S., but the picture is far from clear.

White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci said Monday that it's "an open question" whether Omicron will be the last variant wave to majorly disrupt regular life, reports CNBC. Asked whether the highly transmissible variant could spread widely enough to hasten the end of the pandemic, Fauci said, "I would hope that that's the case. But that would only be the case if we don't get another variant that eludes the immune response of the prior variant."

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, meanwhile, predicted a "return to normal life" sometime in the spring, reports Fox Business, citing an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro. Bourla argues COVID-19 antiviral drugs in development could work alongside vaccines to prevent severe disease. Separately, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said the company's combined COVID-19 and flu shot could roll out by fall 2023, per CNN.

Other experts, like London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's Annelies Wilder-Smith, say it's "too early" to call COVID endemic, but predict "there is a high probability that we will have a new variant" before then, though it would likely be less severe.

Regardless of the murky post-Omicron pandemic, all agree that while still in the grips of the current variant, we should first focus on getting through our more immediate future. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned Sunday that this record-setting wave has not yet peaked, and declared "the next few weeks will be tough."

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The Cincinnati Bengals will be facing the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on Sat. at 4:30 p.m. ET, on CBS (Local-12 TV).

As the AFC's No. 1 seed, the Titans are coming off a first-round bye while the Bengals will be traveling on a short week. Tennessee finished the season 12-5 to secure the top spot. The Bengals defeated the Raiders Saturday to earn the opportunity.

Led by head coach Mike Vrabel, the Titans winning as many games as they did was certainly impressive. Vrabel is one of the leading candidates for the NFL's Coach of the Year award. Tennessee's season was one ravaged with injuries, none bigger than Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry's foot injury that forced him to end his season early.

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Doc: Say it again, Bengals fans. Amen!

Henry is expected to be back for the playoffs. The Titans' star running back hasn't seen game action since Oct. 31. Henry is a game-changer for Tennessee's offense as the entire unit revolves around getting him the ball.

"Any time we can get him back out here working, and working his way to going out and competing with us, is going to be huge for us," Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said of Henry's return.

To put into perspective how impactful Henry can be, the Titans were 6-2 before he suffered his foot injury. In the eight games he saw action in, Henry led the NFL in rushing with 937 yards and 10 touchdowns on 219 carries.

The Titans' passing offense is predicated off the run game, and Tannehill is one of the better play-action quarterbacks in the NFL. Tennessee also has a dynamic wide receiver duo with A.J. Brown and Julio Jones on the roster. Brown leads the Titans in catches and receiving yards with 63 catches for 869 yards and five touchdowns. Brown, Henry and Jones have combined for 10 Pro Bowls in their respective careers.

Defensively, the Titans get it done with a dominant pass rush and some of the best defensive backs in the league. Harold Landry has leads Tennessee with 12 sacks and veteran safety Kevin Byard recorded five interceptions in the regular season. The Titans had the No. 2 run defense in the NFL allowing 84.6 yards per game.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NFL Playoffs: Cincinnati Bengals face Tennessee Titans in Nashville
WESTPORT  The first racially integrated school in the country was in town.

It only makes sense that the Westport Historical Society and the Westport Elementary School team up to celebrate the 253rd birthday of the man who helped make it happen: Paul Cuffe.

Fittingly, just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, community members and school children gathered on Friday to celebrate the birthday of this famous Quaker man who fought against slavery and sought out tolerance during his time:1759-1817.

Cuffe was of African American and Native American descent, born on Cuttyhunk Island and later making his home in Westport.

Carl Cruz, a member of the New Bedford Historical Society and a descendant of Cuffe, gave a presentation on why Cuffes birthday  Jan. 17  calls for a community celebration.

Michael Grandfield, assistant principal at Westport Elementary School, tells students about Capt. Paul Cuffe, a wealthy mariner of African and Native American ancestry who fought to end slavery and promote tolerance.

Cuffe, one of 10 children, moved to this area when Cuffe was 8 and quickly began to make his mark on the area.

Cuffe took to seafaring, and at 14 embarked on his first whaling voyage to the West Indies.

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Two years later, Cuffe embarked on a second whaling journey and produced income to help his family at home. His father died when Cuffe was a teen. Cuffe and his brothers were responsible for the 116-acre farm, only a mile from the WES building.

Cuffe starts a shipping business

His journeys along the Atlantic were not all fun. During the Revolutionary War, he was captured by British forces and held for three months in New York as a prisoner of war, according to Cruz

He was one of four people of color to petition the state Legislature to allow people of color to vote in local elections.

Cuffe started his own shipping business along the west bank of the Westport River. There he built five large whaling ships used for whaling, fishing and transporting goods along the Atlantic Ocean.

Cuffe married a Native American woman, Alice Abel Pequit, in 1783. They had seven children and lived near the shipyard.

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Cuffe built a school house on Drift Road, hired a teacher and established the first integrated school  for Black and white  in the country.

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He became the richest man of color in New England, Cruz said.

In 1808, he was admitted as a member of the towns Quaker Friends group, which still exists to this day.

Cuffe also sailed to Sierra Leone in Africa and then to England in an effort to stop the slave trade.

He was also the first person of color to meet with an American president, according to Cruz. His resume does not stop there. He helped build the Quaker Meeting house in Westport, he returned to Sierra Leone after the War of 1812 to rescue Black families and he set up a smallpox hospital in town.

Betty Slade, of Westports Historical Society, said that the first birthday celebration of Cuffe happened two years ago, right before the pandemic started.

All four WES grades gathered this year to celebrate this birthday and the towns appreciation for this famous captain doesnt stop there.

A book was released last year  "Paul Cuffe: His Purpose, Partners and Properties" by David Cole, Betty Slade, Richard Gifford and illustrated by Ray Shaw.

A website in his honor can be found at https://paulcuffe.org/

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Westport's Captain Paul Cuffe was a pioneer in racial equality
(Reuters) - Credit Suisse's chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio resigned on Monday following an investigation by the Swiss bank's board into his personal conduct.

He will be replaced by Axel Lehmann, who joined the Credit Suisse board in October to head its risk committee following a series of scandals.

Here are five facts about Lehmann.

CROSS-TOWN JOINER

Lehmann, 62, joined Credit Suisse's board in October 2021 to become head of its Risk Committee. He moved from UBS, the Swiss lender which has enjoyed a relatively better recent history than its cross-town rival.

Lehmann served on UBS's board from 2009 to 2015 before joining its executive ranks. In 2016 he was appointed UBS's chief operating officer, a post he held for two years before becoming jointly president of Personal and Corporate Banking and president of UBS Switzerland between 2018 and 2021.

INSURANCE CAREER

Prior to UBS Lehmann enjoyed a 20-year career in the insurance industry, working briefly at Swiss Life before holding a series of top jobs at Zurich. He was chief executive of the insurer's European and then the North American businesses before becoming Zurich's chief risk officer between 2009 and 2015.

DIGITAL DEVELOPER

Lehmann was drafted in to Credit Suisse to get its risk management back on course, but his interest in digital may also be tapped by the bank.

Whilst at UBS he helped establish "digital factories" in Zurich to develop and roll out new online platforms for its clients globally.

He also announced early last year that UBS was to close one in five of its bank branches in Switzerland, as the pandemic shifted the acceleration to online banking.

SWISS NATIONAL

Lehmann is a Swiss citizen, meaning the lender is breaking a tradition that either its chief executive or chairman is a foreign national, since CEO Thomas Gottstein also comes from Switzerland.

Lehmann is an adjunct professor at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland where he also gained his PhD.

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STRATEGY

Lehmann indicated he is unlikely to ask the bank to change the turnaround course set by Horta-Osorio or Gottstein.

"The strategy is not under discussion," Lehmann told Reuters on Monday, adding that Gottstein was "absolutely central" to the bank.

(Reporting by Rachel Armstrong; Editing by Susan Fenton)
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A family is fighting a $105,000 tuition bill from Chicago Public Schools after the district determined three of the children did not live in the city while attending selective enrollment schools. The CPS inspector generals office called the case especially egregious in its recent annual report.

Dr. Edward Huang, an infectious disease specialist, and Kim Chhay, who has worked as a hospital pharmacist, filed a complaint in Cook County court last month asking a judge to reverse a Chicago Board of Education decision to seek tuition reimbursement and kick their son out of his West Rogers Park classical school. The couples attorney, Steven Glink, said the board reached conclusions for its own convenience in this case.

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The board did not produce one witness to refute the fact that they lived in Chicago. I had three witnesses  the dad, the mom, and there was a sister-in-law  say they all lived in Chicago during the disputed time, Glink said.

In court, Im hoping the judge will decide the case based on the facts that are and are not in the record.

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In their court paperwork, Huang and Chhay say they resided together in Skokie until 2010, when Chhay moved in with her brother and his family at their house in Chicagos Sauganash neighborhood because of tension in the Huang home. Chhay says three of her children followed her to her brothers house and lived there for varying amounts of time between 2011 and 2019.

The couples older daughter enrolled at Edison Regional Gifted Center in 2012 and graduated from Northside College Prep in 2020, records show. Another daughter started attending Decatur Classical School in 2019, while a son studied at Beaubien Elementary School before enrolling at Decatur. A fourth child stayed behind in Skokie and attended Niles West High School, according to the court filings.

Chicago Public Schools headquarters in the Loop on Dec. 15, 2021. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

CPS said enrollment documents for the children include a lease for Chhay to rent space in her brothers 1,300-square-foot home for $1,000 a month, covering water, gas and electricity; and various bills for the Sauganash house addressed to K Chhay. Chhay said she and the children lived at the Sauganash home into July 2019, and that was the address used for CPS enrollment during the contested time, records show.

Huang, meanwhile, continued to reside in Skokie, and purchased a home in Chicagos Norwood Park East neighborhood in the summer of 2019. He said the family discovered water damage at the Norwood Park home soon after they moved in, so they temporarily decamped to the Skokie home in September 2019, court records show.

Children must live within city limits to attend CPS and establish residency by July 1 before the start of the school year. Violators can be charged tuition as determined by the district. A Huang residency hearing was held virtually in October, at which a Northside College Prep staff member testified she reported her suspicions to the CPS Office of the Inspector General in 2019 after noticing a Skokie address on a family check for student fees.

At the hearing, chief investigator Tracy Larson said seven surveillances were conducted in this case, starting in 2019, with investigators observing cars registered to Chhay and Huang at the Skokie address each of the six times they were watching the home in the early morning.

Larson said an investigator handed an interview letter to Chhay outside the Skokie home in January 2020. She reportedly had three children with her at the time. Investigators did not see Chhay at her brothers Sauganash house during surveillance, according to the hearing report.

At the hearing, Glink argued the burden of proof was misplaced on the parents. He said no surveillances were conducted before 2019. No Sauganash or Skokie neighbors were interviewed, Glink said, and no witnesses came forward to say Chhay and her children did not live at the Sauganash house.

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In her analysis, the hearing officer wrote it is more likely than not that Chhay provided misleading documents to falsely establish residency at her brothers Sauganash home. The hearing officer noted that the K Chhay name on electric bills submitted for enrollment could denote Kendra Chhay, Chhays sister-in-law, as the Sauganash lease agreement for Kim Chhay did not require her to pay her own electric bill.

In reviewing Ms. Chhays actions for the relevant time periods to try and determine her intent as to residency, what stands out is the span of time that she used the (Sauganash) address for school enrollments, clearly a temporary address as it was her brothers home, and her failure to establish any permanency in Chicago, the hearing officer wrote. Skokie remained the familys hub and permanent residence.

The district had sought about $150,000 in tuition before the hearing officer determined the couple had established city residency with the 2019 purchase of the Norwood Park home, Glink said. Yet the Sauganash address was fraudulently used to enroll the two younger Huang children for the 2019-20 school year, the hearing officer determined.

At its Nov. 17 monthly board meeting, the Chicago Board of Education adopted the hearing officers findings and moved to collect $105,186.49 in tuition while disenrolling the two younger children from their school and banning them from attending selective enrollment schools in the future. The hearing officer noted students can be ineligible for selective enrollment schools if there is a finding of fraudulent enrollment.

In its annual report released this month, Inspector General Will Fletchers office called the couples case especially egregious because the family took highly sought-after seats ... away from Chicago residents that should have had the opportunity to attend, and benefit from, selective enrollment schools.

A CPS official informed Huang and Chhay in a Nov. 23 letter their two younger children will be transferred to a Norwood Park elementary school on Jan. 31 unless other arrangements are made. Glink said the district is allowing the couples daughter to stay at her school to finish the eighth grade this spring, and he hopes to reach an agreement to let the boy finish the semester as well.

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If they say no, then I will file an emergency motion for a restraining order and let the judge decide, Glink said. The next court date is in April.

tswartz@tribpub.com
Executives at GlaxoSmithKline PLC (NYSE:GSK) confirmed on Saturday that they had received three unsolicited, conditional and non-binding proposals from Unilever PLC to acquire the GalxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare business - and turned them all down because they fundamentally undervalued the Consumer Healthcare business and its future prospects.

The latest proposal received on Dec. 20, 2021 was for a total acquisition value of 50 billion British Pounts ($68 billion) comprising 41.7 billion in cash and 8.3 billion in Unilever shares, the company said in a press release. The consumer health care business is a Joint Venture between GalxoSmithKline and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), with GalxoSmithKline holding a majority controlling interest of 68% to Pfizer's 32%.





The Board of GSK is strongly focused on maximizing value for GSK shareholders and has carefully evaluated each Unilever proposal, the company said. In doing so, the Board and its advisers assessed the proposals relative to the financial planning assessments completed to support the proposed demerger of the business in mid-2022.

The Consumer Healthcare business has been transformed since 2014 through the successful integrations of GSKs business with the Novartis consumer health portfolio in 2015 and the Pfizer portfolio in 2019, GalxoSmithKline said in the statement. "Importantly, this transformation has also provided a platform to scale and optimize many aspects of the Consumer Healthcare business including divesting lower growth brands, introducing a new R&D/innovation model, optimizing the supply chain and manufacturing network, alongside continued investment in new digital, data and analytic platforms and capabilities.

This has resulted in the creation of a leading global consumer health care business with annual sales of 9.6 billion in 2021. "The business has an exceptional portfolio of world-class, category-leading brands; global scale with footprint and distribution capability to serve more than 100 markets; strong brand building, innovation and digital capabilities; and offers a unique proposition that combines trusted science with human understanding. The business is led by a highly skilled management team with deep experience in consumer healthcare and FMCG with strong commitment to delivery on its purpose and growth ambitions.

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The Board of GalxoSmithKline says it remains focused on executing its proposed demerger of the Consumer Healthcare business, to create a new independent global category-leading consumer company which, subject to approval from shareholders, is on track to be achieved in mid-2022.

Citing a Bloomberg article, Zacks Equity Research noted that analysts are valuing GalxoSmithKline's consumer health care business at as much as 48 billion and it is believed that any successful acquisition offer from Unilever should pay a significant premium over this valuation to attract Glaxo.

The company remains on track with its plan to spin off the business into a standalone company in mid-2022, Zacks added. The company has been consistently under pressure from its investors over the past few years to separate its core pharmaceutical business and the consumer business into separate entities to drive shareholders wealth. A better acquisition offer from Unilever or another company may result in a sale instead of a spin-off. In the trailing 12 months, Glaxos shares have risen 18.2% compared with the industrys 14.8% increase.

Britains second-biggest drugmaker said the proposals fundamentally undervalued the consumer business and its future prospects, and that it remains committed to separate the business from its medical arm and float it on the London Stock Exchange, reported The Guardian. Analysts have valued it at 45 billion, with some estimates as high as 48 billion, but takeover offers typically come with an acquisition premium.

On Saturday, GalxoSmithKline released new organic sales growth forecasts for consumer health care of 4% to 6% in the medium term, higher than the 3% to 3.5% analysts have penciled in. It said it was pushing on with plans for a stock market flotation this summer.

Jefferies analyst Peter Welford told The Guardian, A 50bn bid reflects a modest 10% acquisition premium, with Unilever gaining control of a leading global consumer healthcare business and likely able to realize significant synergies. We acknowledge post-spin there will be standalone costs that depress returns, but also greater freedom to allocate capital which could boost future growth prospects.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -The global job market will take longer to recover than previously thought, with unemployment set to remain above pre-COVID-19 levels until at least 2023 due to uncertainty about the pandemic's course and duration, the International Labour Organization said in a report on Monday.

The U.N. agency estimates the equivalent of around 52 million fewer jobs in 2022 versus pre-COVID levels, which amounts to about double its previous estimate from June 2021.

Disruptions are set to continue into 2023 when there will still be around 27 million fewer jobs, it said, warning of a "slow and uncertain" recovery in its World Employment and Social Outlook report for 2022.

"The global labour market outlook has deteriorated since the ILO's last projections; a return to pre-pandemic performance is likely to remain elusive for much of the world over the coming years," the report said.

Director-General Guy Ryder told journalists that there were numerous factors behind its revision, saying the "primary one is the continuing pandemic and its variants, notably Omicron."

The speed of recovery varies across regions, with the European and North American regions showing the most encouraging signs and Southeast Asia and South America lagging behind, according to the report.

Still, the projected deficit in working hours this year represents an improvement over the past two years. In 2021, the ILO estimates there were some 125 million fewer jobs than pre-pandemic levels and in 2020, 258 million fewer.

Overall, around 207 million people are estimated to be unemployed in 2022. However, the report said that the impact would be significantly greater since many people have left the labour force and have yet to return.

Among those are a high number of women https://www.reuters.com/markets/funds/gender-equality-takes-one-step-forward-three-back-during-covid-2021-12-02, often because they have been drawn into unpaid work at home such as teaching children during school closures or caring for sick family members.

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The report predicted that the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women's employment would narrow in the coming years but that a "sizeable gap" would remain.

"There are some anecdotal indications that they are not coming back in the same numbers and in the same portions as men are doing which would lead to concerns that a 'Long COVID' effect on gender at work would be a negative one," said Ryder.

Others who have left the workforce have done so voluntarily as part of a phenomenon some economists call "the great resignation". Ryder said this appeared to be more prominent in areas of the economy such as health and care giving.

"We do need to look again and to invest further in those areas of economic activity," he said.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Chizu Nomiyama)
After a week of temporary learning for Great Falls Public Schools, students will be returning back to classes on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Last Monday, GFPS announced that schools will be closed for a week due to a surge in COVID-19 related illnesses.

These COVID-19 related illnesses led to more than 125 staff being absent and left roughly 54 teaching positions unattended, where administrators, aides and other teachers had to cover. Due to inadequate amount of supervisors, remote learning was needed. Even the substitute fill rate was falling below 46%, the district reported.

Students temporarily learned online from Jan. 11 to Jan. 17. On Sunday evening, GFPS Superintendent, Tom Moore went on Facebook Live to inform parents of the districts decisions.

We have about 45 subs[titutes] working this next week  One of the things that we discussed today is providing some additional pay for substitutes over this next month.

The pay for substitutes has increased $25 per day. For classified and non-certified substitute base pay is about $90, with the pay increase comes to about $115 per day. For certified teachers base pay is around $100, pay will be raised $25, which will increase to $125 per day.

With students returning to school on Tuesday, the question of whether masks are required or not.

We will open our schools on Tuesday morning with a recommendation, a strong recommendation, that people wear masks in our public schools, students, staff and visitorsthe CDC and from our health officials are strongly recommended to be wearing masks in public settings.

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls Public Schools superintendent addresses return to school
Greenville County School District Administrative Center

Greenville County School District is allowing more teachers to return to classrooms after exposure to COVID. The district said even that may not keep enough teachers in the classroom and individual schools could still go virtual in coming days due to staff shortages.

Teachers in the district can now return to classrooms after being exposed to the virus as long as there are no symptoms, according to a change announced and put into place Monday.

The district said the policy means employees who have been exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 are allowed to work during their quarantine period regardless of vaccination status. The quarantine time period of 10 days would also require a mask, according to the district's policy.

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The change is due to a shortage of staff, the policy cites a "crisis staffing situation" and said the definition of crisis staffing is subject to change based on state guidance from the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

"This change may not ensure a sufficient level of staffing to prevent the need to shift a school to eLearning," the district's statement said.

Last week, Greenville County Schools board member Derek Lewis said the number of staff absences and vacancies is reaching critical numbers.

On Jan. 12, 1,300 classroom teachers and aides were absent, or about 21%, out of 6,000 instructional positions. Many of these teachers and aides were isolating due to positive COVID tests, or working from home because their children are isolating or quarantining at home.

The district is the state's largest.

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Mike Ellis lives in Powdersville and tells South Carolina stories with a focus on Anderson County and Pickens County along with faith and investigations. He's always looking for the next story that people need to read, please send any tips or feedback to mellis@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville teachers can return after COVID exposure without symptoms
Vice President Kamala Harris' new communications director is set to meet this week with Latino lawmakers to explain past tweets about immigrants as he continues to face pressure from Latino leaders and organizations to explain himself.

Jamal Simmons took on the new role last week and is scheduled to meet virtually on Thursday with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, people familiar with the plans tell CBS News.

A White House official confirmed that Simmons and Latino lawmakers are set to speak Thursday as part of "a mutually agreed upon meeting."

A day after his new role was announced, immigration rights advocates unearthed tweets from 2010, when Simmons commented on the appearance of two "undocumented folks" who appeared on MSNBC.

Jamal Simmons joined Margaret Brennan for a political panel on the 2020 race on

"Why wouldn't ICE pick them up?" Simmons asked, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Simmons, a longtime Democratic Party consultant who also served as a political analyst for CBS News during the 2020 presidential campaign cycle, apologized for his past remarks.

"As a pundit I tweeted+spoke A LOT," he tweeted in his explanation on January 7. "At times I've been sarcastic, unclear or plainly missed the mark. I apologize for offending ppl who care as much as I do about making America the best, multiethnic, diverse democracy+I'll rep the Biden-Harris admin w/humility, sincerity+respect."

Simmons has plunged right into his new role, traveling last week with President Biden and Harris to Atlanta for their remarks on voting rights. But the revelations about his past comments come at a fraught time for the Vice President, who faces unprecedented scrutiny as the first woman and minority to serve as in the number two role, but also faces questions and criticism from across the Democratic Party about her utility and effectiveness.

Harris is also in the process of restocking her staff after a series of year-end departures, including senior advisers, communications aides and head of her press advance team.

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News of Thursday's scheduled meeting was first reported by Axios.

Tim Perry contributed to this report.

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NEW DELHI (AP)  Indian authorities have charged a Hindu monk with inciting religious violence after he called for the genocide of India's Muslims at a meeting of right-wing supporters, police said Monday.

Senior police officer Swatantra Kumar said Yati Narsinghanand Giri, an outspoken supporter of far-right nationalists who also heads a Hindu monastery, was initially arrested on Saturday on allegations that he made derogatory remarks against women. He appeared the following day in a court in the town of Haridwar, where he was sent into 14 days of custody for hate speech against Muslims and calling for violence against them.

Kumar said the monk Giri, whom he described as a repeat offender, was formally charged Monday for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion." The charge can carry a jail term of five years.

In December, Giri and other religious leaders called on Hindus to arm themselves for a genocide against Muslims during a meeting in Haridwar, a northern holy town in Uttarakhand, according to a police complaint. He is the second person to be arrested in the case after India's Supreme Court intervened last week.

Uttarakhand state is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata. The political party's rise to power in 2014, and landslide reelection in 2019, has led to a spike in attacks against Muslims and other minorities.

Muslims comprise nearly 14% of Indias 1.4 billion people, a largely Hindu country that has long proclaimed its multicultural character.

The three-day conference that the monk Giri helped to organized was called the Dharam Sansad or Religious Parliament and followed on years of rising anti-Muslim hate speech. The closed-door meetings witnessed some of the most explicit calls for violence yet.

Videos from the conference showed multiple Hindu monks, some of whom have close ties to Modis ruling party, saying Hindus should kill Muslims.

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If 100 of us are ready to kill two million of them, then we will win and make India a Hindu nation, said Pooja Shakun Pandey, a Hindu nationalist leader, referring to the countrys Muslim population. Her calls for such a massacre were met with applause from the audience.

Pandey is being investigated by police for insulting religious beliefs.

During the congregation, Hindu monks and other supporters, including Giri, took an oath calling for the killing of those who were perceived to be enemies of the Hindu religion.

The calls for violence were met with public outrage and drew sharp criticism from former military chiefs, retired judges, and rights activists. Many questioned the Modi governments silence, warning hate speech against Muslims will only grow as several Indian states, including Uttarakhand, head to the polls in February.

Last week, students and faculty at the Indian Institute of Management  one of India's most prestigious business schools  submitted a letter to Modi in which they wrote his silence emboldens hate and threatens the unity and integrity of our country.

Modis ruling party has faced fierce criticism over rising attacks against Muslims in recent years.

Opposition leaders and rights groups have accused it of encouraging violence by hardline Hindu nationalists against Muslims and other minorities. The party denies the allegation.

___

Associated Press writer Chonchui Ngashangva contributed to this report.
Rep. Luis Correa (D-Calif.) is seen outside the House Chamber during the last four votes of the week on Thursday, July 1, 2021.





Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.) said Monday he won't attend a meeting between congressional Hispanic Democrats and Vice President Harris's new communications director, Jamal Simmons.

Thursday's virtual meeting is intended to defuse tensions between Simmons and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) over decade-old tweets where Harris's new aide apparently called for the deportation of undocumented activists who revealed their immigration status live on MSNBC.

"The deep concern to me is this may show his true disposition when it comes to immigration. That's what my concern is. A meeting is not going to change my mind or give me peace of mind one way or the other," Correa told The Hill.

Shortly after the tweets were resurfaced, Simmons tweeted an apology for "offending ppl who care as much as I do about making America the best, multiethnic, diverse democracy."

Simmons has privately discussed his tweets with some members of the CHC, telling them his offending tweets were poorly worded and not representative of his positions on immigration now or at the time he wrote them.

In one 2010 tweet, Simmons asked why Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was not detaining undocumented immigrants who revealed their status on live TV.

At the time, it was uncommon for undocumented immigrants to out themselves publicly, for fear of prosecution and deportation.

In conversations with members, Simmons has said the tweets in question were poorly worded but were written with the intent of illustrating the legal jeopardy that undocumented activists put themselves in by publicly admitting their undocumented status.

A number of prominent figures in the immigrant rights space came out to defend Simmons, a well-known progressive activist and journalist who's been vocal on diversity issues.

Jose Antonio Vargas, a journalist who was among the first to publicly announce his undocumented status, earlier this month came out in defense of Simmons, saying "he's a solid ally, and he's a friend."

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Chuck Rocha, the architect of Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I-Vt.) successful Latino outreach campaign, said Simmons "has always advocated for our community and he will be a great addition to this administration."

Simmons also called Erika Andiola, who was one of the activists who appeared on MSNBC, prompting the original offending tweet.

Andiola earlier this month tweeted about the call, saying she accepted his apology and believes Simmons is "committed to be an ally in his role."

Still, Simmons touched a third rail of immigrant politics by making such a casual reference to ICE arrests.

Correa, who has been one of the most vocal proponents of immigration reform this Congress, spurned the idea of a formal meeting to discuss the tweets, saying he'd rather see action than discuss decade-old statements on immigration.

"Everybody changes. I think Mr. Simmons, like I, we all change our predisposition, our perspective on issues and you know what, I think actions speak louder than words," said Correa.

The meeting, confirmed by the CHC and Harris's office, will take place during the CHC's weekly members meeting.
You are here: Arts

A pair of giant Spring Festival couplets were unveiled at Nanjing's Zhonghua Gate on Sunday to celebrate the upcoming lunar Chinese New Year, known as Spring Festival.



A pair of 15-meter-long, two-meter-wide red Spring Festival couplets were unveiled at the Zhonghua Gate.

The ceremony creatively uses the 650-year-old cultural heritage. It is also a new Chinese New Year custom in the city as the event only began seven years ago.

After the unveiling ceremony, couplets will be displayed successively at 13 city gates, such as Zhongshan, Xuanwu, Jiefang, and Taiping, among others.

Since the start of the collection of Spring Festival couplets, nearly 10,000 have signed up for application within a month, but only 13 couplets were selected.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives Eric James a pat on the back as a group of young picketers walk down Washington Street in St. Augustine on June 10, 1964. [ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Minister, activist, civil rights icon: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s messages were powerful enough when they were first spoken.

More half a century after King's assassination, for many, appreciation has only deepened for the Nobel Peace Prize winner's calls to action; for his memorable takes on courage, racial equality, dignity, unity and so much more.

Count among those inspired three Brevard residents  Karen Houston, a union representative; the Rev. Joel Tooley, lead pastor at Melbourne First Church of the Nazarene and an advocate for immigrants; and Rachad Wilson, Cocoa High School principal.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the trio details how some of King's lesser-known quotes, as well as those carved in time, resonate with them personally and professionally  and are just as relevant in 2022 as when first shared.

'No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.'

Karen Houston's first job was at a small fishing resort in her little hometown of Crescent City, Florida, working as a housekeeper.

She was 17, and didnt care what kind of job it was "as long as it provided me with spending money," she said.

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There was little industry other than agricultural in the Fruitland community where her family lived, but Houston aspired to "much higher accomplishments."

"Having come from meager beginnings I failed to see the actual worth of from whence I came. I didnt recognize that while I had little, I had more than many," she said.

"I didnt recognize the fact that I always felt safe and had a family unit that taught me to love myself and never to look down on others."

Karen Houston, a Cocoa resident, is a local field staff representative for the Space Coast AFL-CIO.

All these years later, as the local field staff representative for the Space Coast AFL-CIO, this Cocoa resident can easily relate to the struggles of people in lesser-paying but critical roles in the workplace.

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She looks for inspiration to the words of Martin Luther King Jr., who, she said, "wanted to uplift humanity and bypass those ideas that some jobs are lesser than others and that included the people doing those jobs."

"Little did I know that eventually I would learn to appreciate the jobs that were recognized as the bottom of the barrel," Houston said.

"Sanitation and housekeeping and restaurant work  the very necessary jobs that most people look down on but find them impossible to live without. I have been a bus driver, a landscape worker, a convenience store manager and worked for many years as a maintenance service worker at Kennedy Space Center  right back to my meager beginnings but within the scope of union wages on a federal enclave."

Houston once met a woman who asked her for a ride on a hot day. A hotel housekeeper, the woman was almost 60 years old and had just $20 left to last the rest of the month after paying her rent.

"She would have had to walk a couple of miles," Houston recalled. "She had cleaned 25 rooms that day. She made 50 beds, cleaned 25 bathrooms, vacuumed 25 carpets and more, at a beachside hotel where they normally get over $150 per night and more if it is beachfront."

Houston, who later wrote about the encounter, figured the woman earned $2.56 per room, working eight-hour days at $8 an hour.

"But yet she had a pleasant demeanor and was grateful," Houston said. "I remember quoting in my article that those beds were her cotton fields and she deserved much more than what she earned."

Houston has always, she said, "sought to uplift people, from childhood to today."

She fought against bullying while she was in school. Today she fights for "fairness on the job, in the community, and for an uplifted humanity."

"As we celebrate the MLK holiday, think for a moment about how Dr. King strived to ensure that all people regardless of race, creed, color, background, or job title deserved to be held in the highest of regard," she said.

On Aug. 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his most famous speech, I Have A Dream, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd surrounding the Reflecting Pool and continuing to the Washington Monument.

"The people spoke in 2020 when we passed a minimum wage of $15 an hour. As the world faced COVID-19 we learned to appreciate life and many of the people who were there all along doing what they are doing now. We saw just how much value they have but it was there all along.

"Now we have to work to keep our protection of workers, advancements in equitable living, and to empower our voices in acquiring affordable housing, health care, and the right to speak out against anything that threatens our livelihoods."

'We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back'

Growing up in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the Rev. Joel Tooley said, he didn't pay much attention to "the lack of diversity in my monocultural, homogenous childhood hometown."

"That is, until the still-black-and-white TV era of the late '70s, when President Fords resettlement efforts led 'boat people' from South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos into our neighborhood and into our very lives," said Tooley, lead pastor at Melbourne First Church of the Nazarene.

"It was then that I began to see the ugliness of xenophobia and full-blown racism in full color. As ugly as racism revealed itself to be at that time, my childlike love of others blossomed through the examples of solidarity that arose from my community  from those who had always been there and with those who had just arrived."

The Rev. Joel Tooley is lead pastor at Melbourne First Church of the Nazarene, 2475 S. Babcock St., and is a consultant with the Evangelical Immigration Table.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.

"Perhaps it is this heartbeat that pounded in the chests of those who modeled for me what it was to learn from the errors and ugliness of our nations demons," Tooley said.

"Even for those who were proud of their beautiful, strong (mostly European) heritage, there were lingering memories of hardship, persecution, and war."

Today, in his work as an advocate for immigrants, Tooley observes that Americans who might typically exclude those different from themselves "do not have to go very far beyond their own heritage and stories to reveal some shared experience of overcoming significant challenges in a journey to America that is full of hardship and overcoming."

These past couple of years, he said, locals have witnessed countless examples of "beautiful humanity across ethnic, cultural, religious, and socio-economic lines."

For example, a team of health care workers from a Louisiana university came to the Space Coast to spend a week providing free medical services for migrant farmworkers and laborers.

Students from Louisiana NW State University provided free medical assessments for local farmworkers families in June 2021.

Through the Mutual Aid group on Facebook and the work of area advocates, Tooley and other advocates "have seen families receive immigration legal assistance, groceries, transportation to vaccination appointments and so much more."

"While the ugliness of racism and xenophobia have made intimidating dents in our community, the courage I find comes from the beautiful humanity experienced in partnering with friends from the NAACP, the Islamic Society of Brevard, pastors and faith leaders representing Evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox Christianity as well as friends from our Hindu and Jewish communities and many who observe no specific faith at all," Tooley said.

"With the heartbeat of Dr. King, we must address the ugliness of racism and divisive rhetoric  but we must also march ahead. We cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone."

'Mother Dear, one day Im going to turn this world upside down'

Rachad Wilson knows the lasting value of education, volunteerism and the support of friends, family and community.

He saw it in action from childhood  and daily, as Cocoa High School principal, sees how that approach to life benefits students.

Rachad Wilson, principal of Cocoa High and a native of Rockledge, is pictured on the school campus.

The Rockledge native recalls former teachers including Bettye Bryant; Theresa Brown; Cora Knighton; Theresa Thomas; the late Tom Ferrence; Shirley Bradley; and Charles Stockton.

But the biggest in influence in his life, without question, he said: his parents, Alberta and Samuel Wilson.

"My brother and I were blessed to have wonderful parents. Our mother, in particular, epitomizes service to community. We grew up seeing this kind of involvement," said Wilson, CHS principal since 2017.

"Ive told this before, but its worth repeating. I vividly remember on Saturdays having to assist in doing things in the community. It was either helping to set up tables for voter registrations, food drives, or NAACP community meetings, or clothing giveaways and oftentimes, church functions."

Wilson doesn't know if he'll ever surpass his mothers involvement, but her dedication to bettering the lives of others "definitely left an indelible mark on who I am today," Wilson said.

"A lot of people talk the talk, but few walk the walk," Wilson said. "To this day this is the blueprint I see. This is what drives me to leave the world a better place than I met it."

'Their sacrifice is pretty much unknown': Brevard civil rights martyrs finally having their moment 70 years after their murder

His fierce devotion to the futures of Cocoa High students reflects that passion.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an anomaly, Wilson said, "a great man who was in a category all by himself."

"But as an educator, I, too, will hopefully leave some positive mark on my children as well as some of the young folks at CHS and beyond," he said.

"Daily, I try to effect change in them."

For example, he said, the JROTC students at CHS are very involved in the community, and school leaders stress that involvement. Teens participate in the city of Cocoa's Trash Bash and Keep Brevard Beautiful efforts. They partner with Central Brevard Sharing Center and Boy Scouts. They're involved with the city's Memorial Day parade and support the Elks Lodge and the Military Officers of America.

A print of a portrait of Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King Jr., by local artist Patrick H. Copelin, is one of the artworks at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Public Library at 955 E. University Blvd., Melbourne.

"We are going through some very challenging times right now for a number of reasons, especially in education. But as my late father always shared, 'Tough times will come, but tough people will last,'" Wilson said.

"My words of encouragement to young people, especially those for which I have the greatest impact, regardless of how tough a situation, are: Work hard. Discipline yourself. Surround yourself with positive people, strive for greatness, and in doing so, always, always remember to keep God first."

And Wilson comes back again and again to draw on King's timeless values.

"There are many sayings of this great man that I love and often refer to," he said.

"But the quote that resonates with me more than any is this: 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.'

"This says it all for me."

Contact Kennerly at 321-242-3692 or bkennerly@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly.

Support local journalism and become a subscriber. Go to floridatoday.com/subscribe

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Martin Luther King Jr.'s words resonate in Brevard decades later
Editor's note: This story has been revised to correct the spellings of Frans Van Santen and L.C. Stevenson.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade on Monday saw a line of marchers stretching over six blocks make the 1-mile trek from the Downtown Ocala Square to Webb Field at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center to honor the life and ideals of the slain civil rights leader.

The Rev. Eric Cummings, chairman of the Marion County School Board, said the march was all about unity.

Cummings said with current division in the country and voting rights legislation pending, people need to be "brought back to center."

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"I believe Dr. King would be upset by the division. We are moving backwards (in some areas)," he said.

Cummings said at the end of the march he was happy to see "all of God's children, Black and white, doing something positive" by honoring Dr. King's dream.

Cold weather? No problem for these marchers

Brenda Bess, 74, braved the chilly 40-degree temperatures with her friend Iris Thomas and Thomas' grandchild Dior Harvey, 9, to join the march.

"I come every year," Bess said.

Hundreds of people marched on Monday during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

Frans Van Santen, who recently moved here from Amsterdam, marched with a group from Grace Episcopal Church.

"This is my first (Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade) and it is an honor," he said.

Van Santen said the march "is important" and stands for King's belief in dignity for all human beings."

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn marched in one of the lead groups.

"We honor Dr. King's legacy (and words) to not judge people by the color of their skin but what is in their hearts," he said.

The honor guard, made up of area first responders, led the march on Monday from downtown Ocala to Webb Field.

Kelsey Meekins, 22, and Cynthia Warkoski, 28, were part of a large group from the College of Central Florida who covered the march route.

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Groups marching in the parade also included New Zion Missionary Church; New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church; Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ; Greater Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church; Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Sparr; United Church of Christ; Little Chapel United Methodist Church, Santos; Vanguard High School; New Shady Grove Missionary Church; The Bridges Project; St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Morriston; Kut Different, a youth advocacy group; Immerse Church; Unitarian Universalists; Sprit of Love Childcare; and Mount Zion A.M. E. Church.

The march was followed by a festival at Webb Field

Following the march, crowds gathered at Webb Field at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, where vendors were set up and local dignitaries addressed the group.

Rose Barnes and her son Malcolm, 2, display decorative candles at Monday's festival.

CF President James Henningsen challenged the attendees to "keep moving" in the vison and legacy of Dr. King.

Marion County Court Judge Lori Cotton told the group Dr. King wrote in his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" that "we are all interconnected."

"Whatever happens to one of us happens to all of us," she said, referring to Dr. King's writings.

Greg Harrell, Marion County clerk of courts, said "everyone can be of service" and spoke of the legacy of local civil rights activists Whitfield Jenkins and L.C. Stevenson.

Marion County School Superintendent Diane Gullett told the assembly Dr. King "had a dream of freedom and equity" for everyone. She said the local schools try to provide a "pathway for everyone to strive to fulfill their dreams."

Ocala City Council President Ire Bethea, President Pro-Tem James Hilty and Ocala Police Chief Michael Balken made the march and participated in the gathering at Webb Field.

Bethea, who has been on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade organizing committee for 20 years, said it was a good turnout in light of the chilly weather and COVID-19 concerns.

'Keep moving'

Bethea remarked on the diverse ethnic mix represented at the event. He said the march is a teaching moment for elders to pass the message of Dr. King to youth in the community.

A chorus from Meadowbrook Church sang during Monday's festival.

Wayne Little, 41, had his son, Malcolm, 7, at the Webb Field gathering.

"Dr. King helped end racism," Malcom said.

Antoinette Davis with the Marion County chapter of the NAACP Executive Committee operated a voting registration booth at Webb Field. A number of the organization's Youth Group members including Francesca Mitchell, KaNiya Murphy, Richshard-Prince Brown, Colin Mitchell and Zania Brown were there.

Davis said her group was working to dispel misinformation about voting and ensure everyone properly understands their voting rights.

Sarah Greene of Ocala walked through the park during the event with perhaps the youngest attendee: Jeriamiah, age 1.

Olden Williams was a member of the Class of 1968 at the segregated Howard High School in Ocala. That was the year Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

He said the loss of Dr. King was strongly felt by the students who he said was seen as a mentor.

"(His teaching) was to keep moving," Williams said.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: On MLK Day, Ocala/Marion gathers to remember and celebrate
DUBAI (Reuters) - Three Iranian diplomats have arrived in Saudi Arabia to take up posts at the headquarters of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, which severed diplomatic ties in 2016, launched direct talks last year at a time when global powers are trying to salvage a 2015 nuclear pact with Tehran, and as U.N.-led efforts to end a war in Yemen stall.

"Three Iranian diplomats have arrived in Jeddah to start their work at the OIC," foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a televised news conference.

In a further sign of a thaw in ruptured ties, Iran said in December that its regional Sunni rival Saudi Arabia had agreed to grant visas to three Iranian diplomats to be based in the kingdom.

Tehran and Riyadh held four rounds of talks in Iraq, with Baghdad hoping its mediation will stop the neighbours seeking to settle scores on its territory. Saudi Arabia has described the talks as cordial but exploratory, while Tehran says they had gone a "good distance".

Khatibzadeh said Iran had submitted its "expectations" to Saudi Arabia during the previous talks in Iraq.

"We hope to reach a result in the future talks ... which requires Saudi officials to pay attention to their remarks and actions," Khatibzadeh said.

"Iran has always expressed its readiness to open its embassy in Saudi Arabia."

Saudi Arabia and Iran have backed opposing sides in regional conflicts and political disputes in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq for years, and Saudi Arabia has led an Arab coalition waging war against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen since 2015.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Gareth Jones and Alex Richardson)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's Health Ministry said on Monday it would shorten the mandatory isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19 to five days from seven days, following an initial cut last week, provided they are asymptomatic.

Until last week, the isolation period was 10 days.

The latest decision, which takes effect on Wednesday, brings Israel in line with recommendations in the United States.

A negative home antigen test is also required before ending isolation, the ministry said.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said a spike in infections due to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and the amount of people in isolation has become a burden on the Israeli economy.

"This decision will allow on the one hand to continue to ensure public health, and on the other hand, though difficult, sustain the economy in this period so we can safely get through this wave," Bennett said.

The country's pandemic-response coordinator, Salman Zarka, said the health ministry has found that people are at their most contagious during the first three days after infection.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; editing by Barbara Lewis and Mark Heinrich)
LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Kentucky's largest district will remain on virtual learning for another week, the district announced Monday.

Jefferson County Public Schools moved to nontraditional instruction, or NTI, for the first time this school year last week due to "untenable" staffing numbers.

After a combined 11 days out of classrooms, JCPS has not seen a significant change in the number of positive COVID-19 cases among students and staff, sparking additional time on NTI.

"We reviewed the data as recently as this morning and have determined that we do not have enough staff to safely return to school, at this time," the district wrote in an email to families Monday afternoon.

Background: Thousands of JCPS teachers needed subs this year. They didn't always get them.

Bullitt County Public School students will also be on NTI Tuesday, though the decision was made because of ice-covered roads, not COVID-19 cases.

Around 4.4% of JCPS employees and students were positive or quarantined when schools dismissed early Jan. 6. A week later, that figure was up to 5.4%. Over the weekend, case and quarantine numbers declined slightly but staff figures remained around 4.5%.

District officials said JCPS had 692 staff in isolation or quarantine shortly after 2 p.m. Monday  up about 30 from Jan. 9 when the district first decided to move to virtual learning.

JCPS will continue to operate its curbside meal service this week. Families can pick up two days worth of meals for kids at more than 100 sites from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

School districts get 10 NTI days a year. After this week, JCPS will have two NTI days left for the rest of the school year. The district is using its remaining days "strategically," it said in emails to staff and families.

Interested in education? Sign up for The Hall Pass, our education newsletter

"It appears the number of positive cases may trend downward next week," the employee email says, adding the district hopes keeping classes virtual will decrease cases to the point they can reopen next Monday.

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Under a new state law, districts also get 10 remote learning days per school. Remote learning days can only be used to close individual schools, and can't be used to move the entire district online.

The JCPS school board is expected to give Superintendent Marty Pollio the authority to use those remote learning days in the future, if needed, in a special board meeting Tuesday evening.

Related: JCPS to consider relaxing COVID-19 quarantine policy

The board is also scheduled to discuss and vote on relaxed quarantine policies during the meeting. If approved, JCPS students and staff would no longer need to quarantine following COVID-19 exposure inside schools.

"We understand that continuing NTI may inconvenience you and your family, but we believe this is the best decision, at this time, to ensure our students receive the best instruction possible in a safe environment," the district wrote to families.

This story will be updated.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: JCPS extends virtual learning amid COVID-19 surge, staffing shortages
Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal, and I hope you're enjoying the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. For Dr. King, progress in the struggle for civil rights was never inevitable, and there were plenty of setbacks along the way. One such setback occurred 60 years ago in Albany, Georgia, but from that disappointment Dr. King sharpened tactics that he would later apply in more successful campaigns.

The Rhode Island Department of Health today reported 13 more coronavirus-related deaths and 11,591 additional cases over the last three days, along with 51,697 negative tests, for an 18.3% positive rate. There were 484 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 499 reported Friday. Rhode Island has reported an average of 4,838 new coronavirus cases a day over the last seven days, down 10% from Tuesday, when the seven-day case average peaked at 5,369.

A major winter storm passed through Rhode Island late last night and into this morning, bringing soaking rain and winds that gusted to 65 miles an hour along the coast. More than 7,000 National Grid customers were without power at one point but nearly all of them have been restored.

If you spend any time walking or jogging around Rhode Island, you've seen them on the side of the road, along the banks of rivers and even in public parks  empty single-serving liquor bottles, or "nips." Some legislators are seeking to ban the sale of nips in Rhode Island because of all the litter they generate, and over concerns that they fuel drunken driving. But liquor store owners say that would put them at a tremendous disadvantage with stores in other states.

The Warwick police have identified the man who they say charged at officers with a knife inside the lobby of the police station on Friday afternoon, and have also identified the four officers who fired at him. Jacob Thomas remains hospitalized, and the four officers are on "non-punitive administrative leave" while the case is being investigated, Police Chief Col. Bradford Connor said.

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The 2021 legislative session was unusual in many ways, but the amount of money spent on legislative salaries, benefits, meals and other reimbursements  not to mention legislative grants  barely budged, and House and Senate leaders are seeking a significant increase in their budget for next fiscal year.

An Ohio woman who was sexually assaulted by Nicholas Alahverdian, the former Rhode Island man captured in Scotland nearly two years after faking his death, described her ordeal and Alahverdian's subsequent attempt to sue her for libel in an interview with The Journal's Tom Mooney. Meanwhile, prosecutors in Utah say it could be months before Alahverdian is extradited to face rape charges there.

Text messages reveal that a Charlestown police sergeant advised an officer it was probably best to leave it last February, after the officer spotted a state trooper having sex in an unmarked cruiser behind a state garage. The trooper is now facing possible firing while the Charlestown police say they have taken unspecified "corrective actions."

For three quarters of a century, plumbers and builders have gone to Ardente Supply on Valley Street in Providence to find fixtures for the state's homes and businesses. One of the company's founders, Raymond Ardente Jr., celebrated his 100th birthday last week. Mark Patinkin went to the party and discovered a truly Rhode Island story.

Two Catholic parishes in Woonsocket are merging as a result of a familiar set of circumstances: declining Mass attendance and the increasing cost of keeping up aging church buildings.

Even if you didn't expect the Patriots to win on Saturday night, you had to have been shocked by how thoroughly they were beaten by the Buffalo Bills. Here's how it happened.

And finally, it's always a big deal when Hendricken and La Salle meet up, but last night's boys basketball game was one for the ages.

Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please encourage a friend to sign up.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Lessons from Martin Luther King Jr.; a proposal to ban nips in RI
The Rev. Tim Ahrens is senior minister at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Downtown Columbus.

In the winter of 1959, 30-year-old, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. headed to India to see the land of the father of nonviolent protests, Mahatma Gandhi.

Earlier, King had finished leading the year-long Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama. He said to reporters covering the trip, To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India I come as a pilgrim.

King wanted to meet the people whose battle against the oppressive rule of Great Britain had inspired his own fight for justice in America. During his month-long stay, at the invitation of Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru, he sought out the so-called "untouchables," the lowest caste in the ancient Indian caste system.

Isabel Wilkerson tells this story in her 2020 New York Times bestselling book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. She takes us to the southern tip of India, to the city of Trivandrum in the state of Kerala.

There, Martin and Coretta Scott King visited high school students whose families had been untouchables. The principal introduced the American civil rights leader this way: Young people, I would like to present to you a fellow untouchable from the United States of America.

In Wilkersons words, King was floored. He had not expected the term to be applied to him. He was, in fact, put off by it at first. He had flown in from another continent, had dined with the prime minister  and For a moment, he wrote, I was a bit shocked and peeved that I would be referred to as an untouchable.

Then he began to think of the reality of the 20 million people consigned to the lowest rank of American society for centuries. In his words, as Wilkerson's book explains, We were still smothering in an airtight cage of poverty, quarantined in isolated ghettos, exiled in our own country. Finally, he said to himself, Yes, I am an untouchable, and every Negro in the United States of America is an untouchable.

Sixty-three years ago, in a high school in Trivandrum, India, King came to realize the truth of the America system of caste  Black people in America are treated almost exactly like the untouchables of India. We also have a caste system in America.

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He would speak to it in the final years of his life, but it was not a theme of his speaking or writing. It took the brilliant research and expository writing of Wilkerson to uncover and reveal the long and twisted history of caste in America.

Caste is the unseen structure of systemic injustice in America.

America is an old house built on a faulty foundation with an infrastructure of caste. In Wilkersons words: Caste and race are neither synonymous nor mutually exclusive. They can and do coexist in the same culture and serve to reinforce each other. Race, in the United States, is the visible agent of the unseen force of caste. Caste is the bones, race the skin. Race is what we can see, the physical traits that have been given arbitrary meaning and become shorthand for who a person is. Caste is the powerful infrastructure that holds each group in its place.

The untouchable King, in all his brilliant, provocative, and powerful ways, was able to recognize this long before most people did.

He was not the first to write or speak about the structure of our old house, whose foundation stone was laid in 1619. Ashley Montagu (1942) and Gunnar Myrdal (1944) wrote books about our caste system. Bhimrao Ambedkar, an Indian untouchable who came to America to study economics in 1913, wrote about this. He reached out to meet and talk with W.E.B. DuBois, who already had written about these comparisons.

Together, Ambedkar and DuBois were able to develop these concepts and comparisons. Ambedkar rejected the term untouchables and even the term Harijans given to his people by Gandhi. He chose to call his own people, Dalits, which means broken people. He saw the pain and brokenness of his own people and felt they needed their own word to name and claim their reality.

Caste is the bones. Race is the skin. The bones of America are broken. Our system is broken. Black Americans are broken by this old house built in sand on a 400-plus-year-old foundation of injustice. We need to rebuild a nation based on a rock-solid foundation of justice for ALL.

It will take all of us naming each of the broken bones in our structure of injustice to begin to build a just body. Let us take the discovery of the untouchable Martin Luther King Jr. and the revelations of the incredible Isabel Wilkerson to name our caste system for what it is.

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us commit to build a new house on a solid foundation of justice and human equality.

The Rev. Tim Ahrens is senior minister at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Downtown Columbus.

Keeping the Faith is a column featuring the perspectives of a variety of faith leaders from the Columbus area.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Faith: The 'untouchable' MLK and America's caste system
Every investor in South Port New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPN) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. Large companies usually have institutions as shareholders, and we usually see insiders owning shares in smaller companies. I quite like to see at least a little bit of insider ownership. As Charlie Munger said 'Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome.

South Port New Zealand is not a large company by global standards. It has a market capitalization of NZ$220m, which means it wouldn't have the attention of many institutional investors. Taking a look at our data on the ownership groups (below), it seems that institutional investors have not yet purchased much of the company. We can zoom in on the different ownership groups, to learn more about South Port New Zealand.

Check out our latest analysis for South Port New Zealand

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About South Port New Zealand?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

Institutions have a very small stake in South Port New Zealand. That indicates that the company is on the radar of some funds, but it isn't particularly popular with professional investors at the moment. So if the company itself can improve over time, we may well see more institutional buyers in the future. When multiple institutional investors want to buy shares, we often see a rising share price. The past revenue trajectory (shown below) can be an indication of future growth, but there are no guarantees.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in South Port New Zealand. Southland Regional Council is currently the company's largest shareholder with 66% of shares outstanding. With such a huge stake in the ownership, we infer that they have significant control of the future of the company. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 8.2% and 5.2%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

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Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. We're not picking up on any analyst coverage of the stock at the moment, so the company is unlikely to be widely held.

Insider Ownership Of South Port New Zealand

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in South Port New Zealand Limited. Insiders have a NZ$24m stake in this NZ$220m business. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 15% stake in South Port New Zealand. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 5.2%, of the shares on issue. Private companies may be related parties. Sometimes insiders have an interest in a public company through a holding in a private company, rather than in their own capacity as an individual. While it's hard to draw any broad stroke conclusions, it is worth noting as an area for further research.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too.

I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can find historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph.

Of course this may not be the best stock to buy. Therefore, you may wish to see our free collection of interesting prospects boasting favorable financials.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Kyle MacLachlan and Jeff Goldblum at the Prada fashion show during the Milan Men's Fashion Week 2022. Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

Kyle MacLachlan and Jeff Goldblum walked on Prada's "Body of Work" runway at Milan Fashion Week.

The show had Hollywood stars including Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Asa Butterfield, and Damson Idris.

Prada described the show's inspiration: "Work is a state of reality  a vital component of life."

Kyle MacLachlan and Jeff Goldblum made surprise runway appearances in Prada's menswear show at Milan Fashion Week on Sunday.

In a press release about the show, Prada described the theme of its Fall/Winter 2022 offering, titled "Body of Work," at the industry event, saying: "Work is a state of reality  a vital component of life." Milan Fashion Week began on Friday and will continue until Tuesday, according to its website.

Prada's website says that the show used "theater and cinema as mirrors of reality," and took place at the Fondazione Prada  a Milanese arts and culture venue  that underwent a sci-fi makeover with tunnels of metal grating lit with neon light. The line is the second designed by co-artistic directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, who have worked together since early 2020, The Guardian reported.

MacLachlan, 62, and Goldblum, 69, bookended the runway show alongside eight other Hollywood faces, the press release said. These actors included Netflix stars Thomas Brodie-Sangster from "The Queen's Gambit," Asa Butterfield from "Sex Education," and Damson Idris from FX's "Snowfall."

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Asa Butterfield, and Damson Idris at the Prada fashion show during the Milan Men's Fashion Week 2022. Estrop, Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

"Actors are interpreters of reality, employed to echo truth through their portrayals," Prada said of its decision to use these actors, in the press release.

MacLachlan, known for his roles in "Twin Peaks" and "Sex and the City," walked first in an oversized long black coat, paired with a powder blue shirt, pants, and gloves. Hours after walking, he thanked Simons for the opportunity in a tweet, and described it as an "honor."

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Meanwhile, Goldblum walked in the finale in an all-black look consisting of a turtle neck, trousers, leather gloves, and another oversized coat with fur detailing on the sleeves and trim.

Prada's press release described its collection as "uniforms of reality," reimagining knitwear, bomber jackets, and parkas with "elegance and sophistication."

Prada's show took place amid several cancelations from luxury Italian fashion houses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vogue Business reported on January 5. Giorgio Armani posted on LinkedIn in early January to confirm that its shows would not go ahead due to "the worsening epidemiological situation."

Vogue Business said that Italian menswear brand Numero 00 also canceled its Milan show, while Brunello Cucinelli canceled his Pitti Uomo attendance in favor of a presentation in their showroom. It added that Hermes, Dior, Loewe, Ami, and Kenzo planned to go ahead with live menswear shows, as did Louis Vuitton with its final collection designed by Virgil Abloh before his passing.

According to the BBC, Italy recently recorded its highest daily figure for infections since the start of the pandemic, with over 220,000 new cases reported on January 6.

Representatives for Prada, MacLachlan, and Goldblum did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Be a landlord for Amazon and FedEx with these REITs that yield up to 4.1%

Being a landlord is one of the oldest ways to earn a passive income. And these days, you dont have to buy a house to get a piece of the action.

Check out real estate investment trusts, which are publicly traded companies that own income-producing real estate.

REITs collect rent from their properties and pass it along to shareholders in the form of dividends. That means investors dont have to worry about screening tenants, fixing damages or chasing down late payments. Instead, they simply sit back and enjoy the dividend checks rolling in when they pick a winning REIT.

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic did impact some commercial real estate. And not all REITs are the same. If you are a landlord for e-commerce giant Amazon, for instance, you should have no problem collecting a steady stream of rental income.

With that in mind, lets take a look at two REITs paying oversized dividends to investors.

Amazons landlord

The first one is STAG Industrial, a REIT that owns and operates single-tenant industrial properties throughout the U.S. Its biggest tenant is Amazon.

The companys portfolio consists of 517 buildings totaling approximately 103 million rentable square feet across 40 states.

Note that 434 of the 517 properties are warehouses, which happen to be an essential part of e-commerce.

Moreover, a tenant survey in 2020 revealed that around 40% of the REITs portfolio handles e-commerce activity.

To see how solid STAG Industrial is, take a look at its dividend history.

Since the company went public in 2011, it has paid a higher dividend every single year.

While most dividend-paying companies follow a quarterly distribution schedule, STAG Industrial pays shareholders every month. The monthly dividend rate stands at 12.08 cents per share, which translates to an annual yield of 3.4%.

STAG Industrial shares are up 48% over the past year.

Walmarts landlord

When it comes to paying monthly dividends, one company stands out above all  Realty Income.

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Realty Income has been paying uninterrupted monthly dividends since its founding in 1969. Thats 616 consecutive monthly dividends paid.

Better yet, since the company went public in 1994, it has announced 114 dividend increases.

Realty Income has a diverse portfolio of nearly 11,000 commercial properties located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the UK and Spain. It leases them to around 650 tenants operating across 60 industries.

This means even if one tenant or industry enters a downturn, the impact on company-level financials will likely be limited.

For instance, while Realty Income rents some properties to AMC Theaters  whose business was hurt by COVID-19  it also has Walgreens, FedEx and Walmart as some of its top tenants. And these businesses turned out to be largely pandemic-proof.

Earlier this week, the REIT increased its monthly cash dividend to 24.65 cents per share, giving the stock an annual dividend yield of 4.1%.

To put things in perspective, the average dividend yield of S&P 500 companies is just 1.3% today.

Trending on MoneyWise

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
The restoration and protection work of Beijing Central Axis  a historic strip of land in central Beijing  is being accelerated in 2022. It's part of efforts to win United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognition for the wider area around the world famous Forbidden City, which already won UNESCO recognition in 1987.



Stretching 7.8 kilometers, Beijing's Central Axis represents the core of the ancient city - from Yongding Gate in the south, to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north. With 750 years of history, it includes a huge number of historic buildings, relics, and cultural sites.

In 2013, this wider area around the Imperial Palaces was included on a list of nominations for World Heritage status.

Chen Mingjie, head of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, told CGTN that Beijing has implemented five major tasks to promote the Word Cultural Heritage declaration of Beijing Central Axis.

"We've carried out a number of detailed studies on this area. And we've put together a restoration plan based on our research, aimed at improving things like urban landscaping, public space maintenance , and the restoration of cultural sites. Moreover, effective policies and guidelines have been established as a result," said Chen.

Beijing has made a three-year action plan, which includes 48 projects, for historic preservation work. A series of restoration and reconstruction projects are underway in historic areas like Gulou and Shichahai, both major historic spots of along the Axis.

Many cultural landmarks and heritage sites have already been restored in the past five years. Businesses and residents illegally occupying or mistreating historic buildings are to be relocated. Preservation and protection are now considered as having the same importance as modern urban construction.

Public involvement is also a key part of the restoration work. According to Chen, citizens' support for the Beijing Central Axis restoration is strong as they believe the historic memory is equally as valuable as the modernization of the city.

Liu Weiyan, director of Urban Management Committee of Xicheng District of Beijing, said that the committee is carrying out restoration work, not only along the axis, but in the whole neighborhood.

"So far, we've completed more than half the work in Xicheng. Current measures include residents' relocation, the demolishing of illegal buildings, and urban greening. The key aim is to respect the will of the residents, while involving more citizens and communities in the protection work," added Liu.

The preservation work helps keep community memories alive, linking residents to the area's history.

"The Beijing Central Axis is a witness to history. It reflects an ideal for the urban planning of an oriental capital city. The space shows Chinese traditional aesthetics, which prefers symmetry, order and etiquette. The continuity and consistency of Chinese civilization are the essence of Beijing Central Axis," said Lv Zhou, the vice president of the Chinese Commission for the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

He added that the restoration and revitalization of this historic central part of the Chinese capital will hopefully allow it to meet the requirements for UNESCO World Cultural Heritage recognition.
Family, fun, and pop culture are the words that StocktonCon CEO Mike Millerick used to describe the convention.

The popular convention that attracts fans to the city every year was back Sunday with a bang. About 25 special guests attended this years third StocktonCon Winter event. Wrestlers, actors, artists, exhibitors, art commissions and a lot of cosplay were all seen at Sundays Utility Telecom event at the Stockton Arena.

We love having the fans out and trying to do a fun and safe event for them, Millerick said.

Fans of all ages were ready to meet their heroes and favorite guests.

Erik Becerra traveled with his 8-year-old son Lucca Becerra and his cousin Alex Salazar from South San Francisco to attend the meet and greet of Mexican masked professional wrestler Penta El Zero Miedo.

He's one of my favorite wrestlers, said Lucca, who was excited to get an autograph from the All Elite Wrestling star.

Other wrestlers in attendance were Stockton own UFC American mixed martial artist Nate Diaz, WWE stars Rikishi and Fandango and WWE Canadian star Tyler Breeze.

Penta El Zero Miedo (known as the masked wrestler) signs a sweater for fan Lucca Becerra at the StocktonCon Winter Show on Jan. 16.

Not only were wrestlers present but cartoonists also made a presence.

Corey Bass, cartoonist and illustrator from Hayward, attended the convention for the third time. Bass graduated from the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco in 2007. His art work takes him from a few hours to a few days and his affordable prices range from as low as $1 to up to $10.

On average, a pencil drawing usually takes maybe two to three hours  but color illustrations can usually take a lot longer, sometimes days to complete.

Unlike other artists, Bass does not autograph his work. He thinks you should not worry too much about that, but about making it your best work.

If you worry too much about immortality, you'll never become immortal, he said. His work can be found at https://coreybass84.tumblr.com/

Attendees of the StocktonCon Winter Show have the whole floor of the Stockton Area filled with booths of comic books, dolls, and many other collectables to choose from on Jan. 16.

Gabriella Reynosa who goes by Reynosa_cosplay on Instagram where she shares her projects progress on the making of her cosplay outfits. For StocktonCon Winter, she showed off her new character, Elizabethan xenomorph queen. Her cosplay project took her about a year and a half to create and a lot of hand sewing.

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Reynosa comes from Ripon and has participated in past StocktonCons, usually dressed as the It character, Pennywise.

I love dressing up and like seeing all the other people who dress up and taking pictures with other people.  I love the community, Reynosa said.

Anthony Lopez, also known as TX-10018 Shadow Stormtrooper, has been involved with 501st Special Operations Detachment for nearly nine years. Through the nonprofit organization he dress up and helps raise funds for children's charities and local communities while also having fun and living in a Star Wars Expanded Universe.

In his first year, he had 44 troops. He now owns the title of alias, CCG SuperTrooper.

These are all what we call screen accurate costumes, and everybody puts their own costume together," Lopez said. "And when you put them together correctly, they are just as good if not better than movie quality.

He said he has been part of many fundraising events, as well as many photoshoots such as some for Mythbusters.

Gio and Rebeca Gutierrez from Newark pose with the Star Wars charters at the StocktonCon Winter Show on Jan. 16th. Dianne Rose/For The Record

"Breaking Bad" and "Fast and Furious 4" actor Cesar Garcia attended his second StocktonCon. The Los Angeles actor has some wise words for those in Stockton that have huge dreams of acting or interested in any creative fields.

If you are creative, to never give up on that, and whatever you are creative on you know, pursue it by taking some kind of classes or anything, learn whatever the craft. If it's music, learn about music. If its film, you know, take acting classes, Garcia said. You've got to start somewhere. No matter where you start, is good, as long as you do something about it. Don't just sit there and dream about it. Do something.

He also suggests always staying true to yourself.

Actor Joseph Marcell, most known for his appearance as Geoffrey Butler, the butler on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," attended StocktonCon for the first time. Another first-time special guest was Renae Jacobs, an American voice actress best known for her character in the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" animated series, journalist April ONeil.

I think that people who grew up watching the Ninja Turtles are probably pretty pretty, especially if they're fans, they are darn good people. I know that because the turtles taught you about honor, and friendship, and loyalty, Jacobs said. I think that they took what Ninja Turtles had and took it to heart.

If you missed StocktonCon Winter, you will only have to wait a few more months for StocktonCon Summer. The dates are Aug. 13-14, a two day event this summer, Millerick said.

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers breaking news. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: StocktonCon Winter brings fans together for celebration of pop culture
A view of the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky (Getty Images)

A man in his mid 30s has reportedly died while trying to save a woman from downing in the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky.

The man, who has not been named, jumped into the river after passers-by spotted a woman who appeared to be naked, and in the water on Thursday. Temperatures were around freezing.

An attorney who witnessed the incident from his third-floor office told reporters that he had earlier watched the woman walk along the riverfront.

It was almost like she was in a trance, said Zach Berry, aged 35, in an interview with The Courier-Journal. She didnt acknowledge the man trying to help her. She walked like a robot.

Mr Berry said he prevented his 73-year-old colleague David Lambertus from diving into the water, while another man who of about the same age appeared at the riverside.

David looked him in the eye and said Are you a really good swimmer? And he said he was, the attorney said.

While the woman continued to swim and made it incredibly far, the man who jumped into the Ohio river in only his underwear went underwater.

There was no way he could get out there and grab her against her will, Mr Berry said. It was horrible knowing you cant save someone, then watching them die. It was an absolute tragedy, is what it was.

His body was not recovered on Thursday and according to WAVE 3 News, neither was the body of the woman, with both persons treated as missing.

Louisville Metro Police Department and Louisville Fire Department were called to the scene and responded.

The Independent has approached the police department for comment.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Suddenly, popular media is saturated with stories of powerful men outed by women for behavior in the workplace. These alleged harassers seem to assume that power in the workplace grants them sexual access to anyone.

In medieval Europe, most people assumed the same thing, although they didnt call it harassment.

As a historian of gender in the European Middle Ages, I am all too familiar with well-documented cases of sexual harassment, abuse and rape. Such behavior was not considered unlawful or wrong in the medieval period unless one powerful man harassed a woman who belonged to another powerful man.

One famous 12th-century saga involved a young philosopher, Abelard, and his teenage student Heloise. The story has many similarities with news of modern-day aggressors, with one major exception: None of todays harassers has suffered medieval punishment.

The case of Abelard and Heloise

In 1115, Abelard was the star of the budding university scene in medieval Paris. Famous for his quick mind and infallible memory, Abelard supposedly never lost an argument. One day he encountered Heloise, who also studied classics and philosophy (rare for a medieval girl). Abelard later wrote of that first glance, In looks she did not rank lowest while in the extent of her learning she stood supreme.

Knowing himself to be handsome and brilliant, Abelard stalked the girl and persuaded her uncle, Fulbert, a church official and Heloises guardian, to hire him as her personal tutor. Fulbert was delighted to employ the famous Abelard. Fulbert gave Abelard room and board, so that he might tutor Heloise day and night.

Abelard taught Heloise more than philosophy. My hands strayed oftener to her bosom than to the pages, he admitted. To avert suspicion I sometimes struck her. Eventually, as he wrote, their desires left no stage of lovemaking untried, and if love devised something new, we welcomed it. The affair became the subject of student ballads sung in the streets of Paris.

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The wages of sin

Abelard was alarmed at the gossip and sent Heloise off to her old convent school outside of town. Their affair remained torrid, though, and he visited when he could. They once had sex in a corner of the refectory where nuns took their meals.

Their troubles became worse when Heloise became pregnant. Abelard sent her away  this time to his sister in Brittany, where Heloise gave birth to their son Astrolabe, whom she left behind when returning to Paris.

When Uncle Fulbert learned of Astrolabes birth he went almost out of his mind, as Abelard put it, even though Abelard reminded him that since the beginning of the human race women had brought the noblest men to ruin. Eventually, to appease Fulbert, Abelard agreed to marry Heloise, but only if Fulbert would keep it secret. Heloise objected but submitted.

As things were, the stalking and beating of Heloise posed no danger to Abelards reputation nor did fathering an illegitimate son. News of a marriage, though, would ruin him  for only celibate churchmen could find permanent employment as teachers.

Fulbert, however, spread word of the marriage. Heloise and her uncle argued fiercely until Abelard once more hid Heloise in a convent. Against her wishes, he made her wear nuns clothing.

Uncle Fulbert believed that Abelard had abandoned Heloise. One terrible night, Abelard awoke to find himself under attack by a gang of ruffians who took shocking vengeance for Fulbert. As Abelard put it starkly, They cut off the parts of my body whereby I had committed the wrong of which they complained.

A eunuch, like a married man, was barred from high church offices and teaching positions. Abelard became a monk and Heloise an unwilling nun.

Whose calamity?

We know this sad story from Abelards History of My Troubles (Historia Calamitatum) written about 15 years after his marriage to Heloise. By then, she had become an abbess in charge of a small community of nuns at The Paraclete  a monastery founded by Abelard and named after one of his famous philosophical arguments. The two began to exchange letters in the 1130s. Heloise had never been happy in the convent. She wrote to her husband:

The pleasures of lovers which we have shared have been too sweet  wherever I turn they are always there before my eyes, bringing with them awakened longings and fantasies which will not even let me sleep.

Abelard suggested that she give all her love to Christ instead. He sent her handy tips for running a monastery. He refused to visit, though.

My agony is less for the mutilation of my body than for the damage to my reputation.

His career was paramount; her grief, less so. His reputation, his calamity. What about hers?

Bad love

Something about the history of Abelard and Heloise endured the centuries until 18th- and 19th-century intellectuals embraced the tale of these star-crossed lovers. Several poets and artists depicted Heloise unhappily entering the convent or dreaming of lost love. Parisians erected an ornate monument to the couple in the cemetery of Pere-Lachaise, where todays lovers still leave fresh roses.

However, despite the discovery of more letters exchanged between Abelard and Heloise, todays medievalist scholars tend to accept Abelards version of the relationship  that Heloise was complicit.

Abelard said Heloise loved him. But did the teenage girl actually consent to sex with the teacher who beat her? Did she agree to have the child? Did she prefer love to wedlock and freedom to chains, as Abelard claimed?

We know from her letters to him that she resisted the convent.

Of all the wretched women, I am the most wretched, Heloise complained, long after the affair.

Romancing harassment

No one has labeled Abelard a rapist, the seducer of a minor or a sexual harasser. His philosophical works remain crucial to the history of Christian theology and philosophy. Heloise is celebrated mostly for being a female intellectual in a period when there were few.

Such historical romances still play out in gender relations today, particularly in the university. A recent survey of graduate students and professors, for example, revealed the extent to which male professors prey on young minds and bodies under their guidance.

AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

And, like Heloise, many such victims still find it hard to voice resistance, although they no longer cower in the cloister. Instead of writing letters to their harassers or singing ballads in the streets, they reveal their secrets in digital media  too often anonymously.

Plus ca change, or the more it changes, the more its the same thing, as Abelard might say. One thing we have learned since the Middle Ages is that sexual harassment is a destructive crime, no matter how romantic the backstory.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts.

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Lisa Bitel does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
You are here: Business

East China's Jiangsu Province handled 1,800 China-Europe freight train trips in 2021 -- a record high -- up 29 percent year on year, according to the provincial department of transportation.

The import and export values of goods transported by the freight trains reached nearly 25.6 billion yuan (about 4 billion U.S. dollars), up 67.7 percent from 2020.

The province added seven new China-Europe freight train routes last year, including the Suzhou-Helsinki and the Nanjing-Tilburg freight train services.

The China-Europe freight train service kicked off operation in 2011 and has since served as a crucial link for trade and economic cooperation across the Eurasian continent.




Hopkins Street in New Iberia is lined with old shotgun houses, seafood markets, an elementary school and a few locally owned restaurants and small businesses. Some of the buildings stand vacant, and at least one lot remains covered in debris of a home that was demolished but not removed.

But Monday the street, also known as state Highway 675, received a new name and what some hope will be a new beginning.

New Iberia City Councilman Marlon Lewis and fellow Councilwoman Deedy Johnson-Reed unveiled a new street sign that read "Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Parkway" on the holiday that honors its namesake.

"It's a new beginning for Hopkins Street, a street that has been left behind when it comes to business and commerce," Lewis said. "And we are celebrating a hero, a prophet. It's an exciting day for me and the community at large  a historical moment."

A small crowd of government officials and residents clapped as the new name became visible, some singing "We Shall Overcome" from behind their masks as they stood in the parking lot of Moore's Soul Food Cafe and Catering.

Dedication of Hopkins Street (Hwy. 675) as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway in New Ideria, LA. Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

New Iberia native Precious Jacobs has been working in the city's West End for years, providing food, toys and other donations through Ja'Vian's Congregation of Hope, a nonprofit she founded in honor of her late son.

She knows this name change and highway dedication means a lot to the neighborhood and the Black community of New Iberia, because she knows what it means to her.

"It's finally some recognition for the Black community," Jacobs said. "We were one of the few cities that don't have a Martin Luther King Drive. It's not just a street sign. It's more for us."

Read more: Only 2% of teachers are Black men. Heres how groups aim to change that for Louisiana students

Nicolas Launay watched the unveiling holding his 3-year-old son Selyan on his shoulders. They took a photo by the sign alongside Lewis and other members of the community.

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Dedication of Hopkins Street (Hwy. 675) as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway in New Ideria, LA. Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

Launay teaches French at North Lewis Elementary School about 3 miles from where the new sign is. He grew up in the French West Indies, which shares a similar history of segregation and inequality.

"I grew up with that," he said. "I love the United States; I love to live here, but it is still very painful to see the inequality."

His first vacations in the U.S. were spent visiting Selma, Alabama, and following the Civil Rights Trail. He saw Monday's street dedication as another step in that journey.

"I am very hopeful for America and for my son that, like Martin Luther King said, we will not judge people 'by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,'" Launay said.

The sign unveiled at the highway's intersection with Field Street is not the only one. Signs are posted along the street from Highway 90 to Admiral Doyle Drive, including one directly in front of Johnston Hopkins Elementary.

More: Acadiana schools face COVID-related staff shortages, prep for possibility of virtual classes

That's likely not a coincidence. Johnson-Reed, who represents District 5 on the city council, reminded the crowd of King's strong belief in education, and she urged young people to not only go to school but to be ready to learn when they get there.

She hopes the new street signs and name serve as another reminder for citizens of New Iberia, young and old.

"Dr. King left a legacy of service for all of us," she said. "He broke the chains of Jim Crow in the South so all of us here could achieve what we want to achieve. Every time you ride down Hopkins Street, think about what is your legacy, what are you going to do to make New Iberia better?"

Contact children's issues reporter Leigh Guidry at Lguidry@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @LeighGGuidry.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: New Iberia street becomes Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Parkway
By Gopal Sharma

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal began giving COVID-19 vaccine booster shots on Monday as coronavirus infections surged due to the spread of the Omicron variant, officials said.

Daily cases jumped by 4,961 on Sunday, the biggest 24-hour increase in more than six months, taking total infections to 955,206, government data showed. COVID-19-related deaths stand at 11,620, the data showed.

The booster shots will be restricted to frontline workers for one week from Monday, the Health Ministry said, after which they'll be offered to people 60 and older.

The booster shots will be given to those people who have completed six months after getting a second vaccine dose, the government said in a statement.

Nepal, a natural buffer between China and India, has double-vaccinated 39.9% of its 30 million people in a campaign that began early last year.

The government has banned large public gatherings and closed schools and colleges until the end of January to curb the rate of infection.

Authorities have also made it compulsory for people to produce proof of full vaccination to use public services from this week, prompting large queues at vaccine centres.

(Reporting by Gopal Sharma; Editing by Tom Hogue)
The legacy of New Jerseys first African-American firefighter, Thomas Gerald Taylor, has grown richer as his grandson celebrates his own career milestone as a firefighter.

Dwayne Taylor, whose father was also a firefighter, was among six minority firefighters  four Hispanic and two African-American who were promoted to either battalion chief or captain, along with two others during a ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 13, led by Mayor Steven A. Fulop.

Thomas Gerald Taylor (left), Dwayne Taylor with his family (right). Screenshot City of Jersey City)

Im grateful for the opportunity to carry on my grandfathers and fathers legacies by serving this great community, said Taylor, who was promoted to battalion chief. Since taking office in 2013, Mayor Fulop has made it a priority to diversify the fire department; those efforts seemingly have come full circle with Taylors promotion.

Today we have the privilege of promoting his grandson, said Mayor Steve Fulop. This speaks volumes to about the progress weve made.

During the 36 years leading up to Taylors hiring, not a single applicant from a person of color was considered to join the fire department.

The city blames that in part on the leadership of former Mayor Frank Hague, who held office from 1917 to 1947. A news clipping read during the ceremony described Hague and then fire commissioner as exercising preferential treatment of applicants.

Taylors grandfather began his career as a firefighter in 1950, three years after Hague left office. He served for 29 years before retiring as a captain. He also held the position of president of the Jersey City NAACP for over a decade, and is credited with co-founding Vulcan Pioneers of New Jersey  a civic organization focused on the recruitment, retention, promotion and improved work conditions of minority firefighters.

Capt. Taylor was a strong believer in keeping his people and community informed, aware, and involved, read a Hudson Reporter archive of his passing in 2009.

Reflective on all the day represents not only for himself, but for his family, Battalion Chief Taylor said, I share this proud day with my family and community. It started with my grandfather breaking through boundaries as the first Black firefighter in one of New Jerseys largest cities, and it continues today with me being promoted to battalion chief. Its something my grandfather likely never imagined would happen 60 years later.

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Third generation #JerseyCity firefighter Dwayne Taylor, was promoted to Battalion Chief today. In 1950, his grandfather Thomas Gerald Taylor became JCFDs first African American firefighter. Today, Dwayne proudly holds the Battalion Chief title along with his loving family. #JCFD pic.twitter.com/ygKsjwMs8I  City of Jersey City (@JerseyCity) January 13, 2022

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Newtown Township Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve several safety measures along busily traveled Sycamore Street, the site of a fatal pedestrian accident last month.

Township crews got right to work on one of the suggestions. They were on the street Thursday painting white stripes across brick crosswalks to make them more visible to drivers.

Newtown Township Public Works employees inspect new white stripes painted on the brick crosswalks along North Sycamore Street at the intersection with Silo Drive, where a pedestrian was killed while walking across a crosswalk last month. The stripes are to better alert drivers to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks, and are one of the measures the township is undertaking to improve safety on the busy street.

The supervisors want the township to quickly work to improve lighting on the street by changing the existing street lights to higher powered bulbs and to paint "piano stripes" of white paint across the brick crosswalks to make them more visible to motorists.

They also want the township to evaluate its existing signage and to cut back on vegetation and possibly change on-street parking to improve the sight line for motorists and pedestrians crossing the street.

Newtown Township Public Works personnel direct traffic around recently painted crosswalks at the intersection of North Sycamore Street and Silo Drive in the township. The brick crosswalks were stripped to make them more visible to motorists.

Other possible safety enhancements listed by Derrick Kennedy, township engineer, will require evaluation by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and would take longer to implement.

These include reducing the speed limit on Sycamore to 25 miles per hour from the 35 miles per hour currently allowed, installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Sycamore and the private Silo Drive, and adding traffic-calming measures that could include speed bumps.

Traffic passes the intersection of North Sycamore Street and Silo Drive in Newtown Township Wednesday where a man was killed while using a crosswalk on the night of Dec. 22. Business owners would like to see more safety traffic measures along the busy street where several accidents involving pedestrians have occurred.

More: Sycamore Street is the place to be in Newtown. But is the road safe for visitors to the business district?

On Dec. 22, pedestrian Scott Spitznas of Medford Lakes, New Jersey, was killed when he was struck by a northbound vehicle while crossing Sycamore at Silo Drive.

It was one of several pedestrian accidents in a little more than two and a half years, Supervisor John Mack stated in an earlier petition to have safety measures installed on the street. Sycamore borders Newtown Borough's business district and feeds into three shopping centers served by Silo Drive.

More: Pedestrian killed attempting to cross N. Sycamore St. in Newtown Township

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Mack asked that some of the measures should be undertaken "immediately  a lot that has to do with visibility." He said the street is dark at night and that painting stripes across the bricks would help.

Money, he said, wasn't an issue because the township could use funds provided by the federal American Rescue Plan to improve safety in the township.

"I agree we have to move with a lot of speed," said board member Elen Snyder. "It's a matter of public safety."

Supervisor Kyle Davis, who joined the meeting virtually said, "I think the items we can move ASAP on, we should."

Board member Phillip Calabro thanked Bob Lutz, owner-operator of the Green Parrot restaurant, for contributing $7,500 he had raised to help with the safety initiatives. Spitznas was visiting the Green Parrot with a couple of friends shortly before he was killed.

Township Manager Micah Lewis said following the meeting that he would talk to the public works department about the safety measures that could be started right away.

When a resident asked for Kennedy's preliminary report to be made public, township Solicitor David Sander said that the report was not finalized and therefore did not have to be made public at this time, according to state law.

In another development, the board approved sending to PennDOT a synopsis of comments at a township Planning Commission meeting held to inform the public about the proposed Highway Occupancy Permit being sought for the Arcadia housing development planned next to the Newtown Bypass at Buck Road.

More: Sixty homes with $700K price tag are coming to Newtown Township. Here's the latest on the plan

According to the synopsis, PennDOT rejected all access to the development except for a U-turn plan at Mill Pond Road as the other options were not safe, but planners also had concerns about this proposal.

"Planning commission members had a great many concerns about safety in all directions, especially at peak AM and PM hours when traffic tends to back up in all directions," Planning Commission Chairwoman Peggy Driscoll told the supervisors.

She said that PennDOT favored a new access through open space directly to Mill Pond Road but this had already been prohibited by a settlement agreement about the development with neighboring communities.

Two residents who attended the planners meeting expressed concerns about safety and asked if the Mill Pond option might be renegotiated.

To contact Peg Quann, email mquann@couriertimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Newtown Township starts making safety improvements along Sycamoare St.
We are providing this weather report and coverage as a free service to our community. Consider subscribing to support your local newsrooms and to get access to other journalism that impacts Southwest Florida. See our current offers here.

An EF2 tornado reportedly touched down in the Iona area of Lee County, just before 8 a.m. Sunday, according to The National Weather Service.

The tornado left behind damages to dozens of homes and several neighborhoods in Southwest Florida. According to reports, wind speeds reached up to 118 mph during the storm.

Live updates: Tornado, strong storms destroy dozens of homes in Southwest Florida

Related: A tornado near Fort Myers reached 118 mph and destroyed dozens of homes. Here's what we know

What are the five intensity levels of a tornado?

The intensity of a tornado is measured on the Enhanced Fujita, or EF, scale. Ratings are assigned to each tornado based on the estimated wind speed and damage related to the storm.

The EF scale ranges from zero to five, according to The National Weather Service. An EF0 is the lowest ranking available for a tornado. EF0 tornadoes are considered "weak" and usually have wind speeds between 65 and 85 mph.

Damage data tracker: Rolling storm damage reports in Florida

On social media: Videos show storm damage across Fort Myers, Iona, Naples and on Alligator Alley

EF1 tornado

Tornadoes that are classified as EF1 have wind speeds that reach between 86 and 110 mph. The tornadoes damage mobile homes, blow windows out of buildings, and are capable of removing doors from sturdy structures.

EF2 tornado

EF2 tornadoes are classified as such if they have wind speeds that reach between 111 and 135 mph. These tornadoes tear the roofs off of well-constructed homes, destroy mobile homes, and are capable of uprooting and snapping large trees.

EF3 tornado

An EF3 tornado has wind speeds that reach between 136 and 165 mph. Tornadoes of this magnitude are able to blow away structures, damage homes, overturn trains, and lift cars off the ground.

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More: Power outages reported across Southwest Florida after tornado hits Fort Myers area

EF4 tornado

Tornadoes that are classified as EF4 have wind speeds that reach between 166 and 200 mph. EF4 tornadoes are capable of snapping trees, hurling cars around, and leveling and destroying well-constructed homes.

EF5 tornado

EF5 is the strongest classification for a tornado. These storms have wind speeds that reach 200 mph. An EF5 tornado is capable of causing severe damage to high-rise buildings, sweeping away homes, and moving automobile-sized objects with ease.

Stick with news-press.com and naplesnews.com for the latest developments on Sunday morning's storm. If you would like to assist families affected by the storm, click here to find out about ways you can help.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: EF2 tornado wind speed: Southwest Florida tornado rating scale




A Oklahoma-based megachurch pastor apologized on Monday after a video surfaced online of him rubbing his own spit on a churchgoer during a sermon.

"It's never my intention to distract others from God's Word and the message of Jesus... even with illustrations!" Michael Todd, the pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, wrote in a tweet.

"I apologize for my example being too extreme and disgusting! I Love Everybody," Todd added. "#REPRESENT"

A video of Sunday's sermon showed Todd and a man standing on stage while the pastor talks about how "receiving God's vision can be nasty." Todd then proceeds to spit in his hand twice before rubbing it on the churchgoer's face.

The moment seemed to catch caught the audience off guard, as gasps and "ewws" could be heard in the video.

"How you just reacted, is how the people in your life will react when God is doing what it takes for the miracle," Todd told the audience.

Many social media users criticized Todd for the sermon, particularly amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and spread of the omicron variant in the U.S.

"Had never heard of 'Pastor' Mike Todd before today," The Atlantic columnist Jemele Hill wrote in a tweet. "But I truly understand now why the elders used to frequently tell us that we're in the last days."

"If your pastor rubs spit on your face (looking at you, Mike Todd), find a new pastor," United Church's the Rev. Chuck Currie wrote in a tweet.
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP)  The coronavirus' omicron variant starting to barrel across South America is pressuring hospitals whose employees are taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed to cope with COVID-19s third wave.

A major hospital in Bolivia's largest city stopped admitting new patients due to lack of personnel, and one of Brazil's most populous states canceled scheduled surgeries for a month. Argentinas federation of private healthcare providers told the AP it estimates about 15% of its health workers currently have the virus.

The third wave is affecting the health team a lot, from the cleaning staff to the technicians, with a high percentage of sick people, despite having a complete vaccination schedule, said Jorge Coronel, president of Argentina's medical confederation. While symptoms are mostly mild to moderate, that group needs to be isolated.

It wasn't supposed to be this way: South America's vaccine uptake was eager once shots were available. About two-thirds of its roughly 435 million residents are fully immunized, the highest percentage for any global region, according to Our World in Data. And health workers in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina have already been receiving booster shots.

But the omicron variant is defying vaccines, sending case numbers surging. Argentina saw an average 112,000 daily confirmed cases in the week through Jan. 16, up from 3,700 a month earlier. Brazil's health ministry is still recovering from a hack that left coronavirus data incomplete; even so, it shows a jump to an average 69,000 daily cases in the same seven-day period, up 1,900% from the month before.

Omicron spreads even easier than other strains, and is already dominant in many countries  among them, Brazil and some parts of Argentina. It also more easily infects those who have already been vaccinated or infected by earlier versions of the virus. Early studies show omicron is less likely to cause serious diseases than the delta variant, and vaccination and booster shots still offer strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death.

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Lesser severity leaves South America's residents loath to give up their long-awaited summer that, so they were told, would mark a return to normality after full vaccination. The enduring pandemic often seems an afterthought to people who are out and about, and don't glimpse how omicron has started affecting medical staff. Beaches were packed this weekend in Argentina and Brazil.

Matias Fernandez Norte, a surgeon at the Hospital de Clinicas in Buenos Aires, told the AP that the high number of professionals on leave has generated physical and spiritual fatigue, in addition to the stress of dealing with a patient on the edge.

You feel like you are living a parallel reality. In the street you meet a world that doesnt seem to feel the pandemic," he said. "Sometimes it feels like people have forgotten. Unfortunately, thats what we feel.

Brazils council of state health secretariats estimates that between 10% and 20% of all professionals in the health network  including doctors, nurses, nurse technicians, ambulance drivers and others in direct contact with patients  have taken sick leave since the last week of 2021.

We are having trouble making the schedules, said the council's director, Carlos Lula.

The press office of Rio de Janeiro state's health secretariat told the AP that about 5,500 professionals have left their jobs since December. All elective surgeries scheduled in the state health network have been suspended for four weeks. As for urgent care, relocations and overtime are being used as stopgap measures.

Forty percent of our staff is on sick leave," Marcia Fernandes Lucas, health secretary for the municipality of Sao Joao de Meriti, in Rio's metropolitan region, told the AP in her office. "We are able to work with these 60% by redeploying them (between health centers).

Public hospitals in Bolivia are operating at 50-70% capacity due to the high number of infections among health care workers, according to the Bolivian doctors' union. In Santa Cruz, the countrys most populous city, the Childrens Hospital is overwhelmed  but less by its number of patients than the amount of staff falling ill, according to Freddy Rojas, its vice director. Last week, the facility stopped admitting new patients.

There has been a collapse, because we don't have replacements, said Jose Luis Guaman, interim president of the doctors' union in Santa Cruz.

Such is the risk of medical services grinding to a halt in Argentina's Buenos Aires province  the country's most populous  that health workers have been allowed to return to work even if coming into contact with someone infected, provided they are asymptomatic and vaccinated. Other provinces in Argentina are expected to adopt the same rules in the coming days, in line with the health ministry's recently-issued guidelines.

Similar measures are being enacted by authorities in France and the U.S., where omicron has been putting hospital systems to the test for weeks.

Chile has seen a constant increase in its number of cases, prompting the reactivation of public- and private-sector hospital beds, but so far the country hasnt experienced hospital overload. Peru has also seen case its numbers rise, but its facilities arent yet suffering.

The Pan American Health Organization said Wednesday it expects omicron to become the predominant coronavirus variant in the Americas in the coming week. Ten countries in the region  especially in the Caribbean  didn't reach the goal set by the World Health Organization to have 40% of citizens fully vaccinated by end-2021.

While a smaller fraction of people develop serious illness from the the highly-transmissible variant, the crush of contagion and resulting strain on hospitals means omicron shouldn't be underestimated, said Lula, of the Brazilian health secretariat council.

People have to understand that the argument that omicron is mild is false, Lula said. ___

Calatrava reported from Buenos Aires. Reporters Carlos Valdez and Paola Flores contributed to this report from La Paz, Bolivia, Mario Lobao from Rio de Janeiro, Patricia Luna and Eva Vergara from Santiago, Chile, and Franklin Briceno from Lima, Peru.
Scores of police in riot gear surrounded the property from early morning during an hours-long stand-off. Roads were sealed off around the area 1km north of Jerusalem's Old City walls, which last year saw regular clashes between Palestinians and Jewish settlers.

Jerusalem's municipality expropriated the land to build a school, in an area that captured and occupied in a 1967 war, along with the rest of East Jerusalem, and later annexed. An Israeli court ruled in favour of the eviction.

A tree-lined area of sandstone homes, foreign consulates and luxury hotels, Sheikh Jarrah has become an emblem of what Palestinians see as an Israeli campaign to force them out of East Jerusalem.

But it lies very close to the line between East and West Jerusalem, and contains a site revered by religious Jews as the tomb of an ancient high priest, Simeon the Just.

As Sheikh Jarrah residents and activists monitored the situation from nearby rooftops, Hagit Ofran, of the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now, called on the authorities to halt the eviction.

"Its good to build a school, but why take out families from their home and not use other public land that you already confiscated in the past and gave it to settlers?" she said.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Palestinian facing eviction by Israeli police from the flashpoint East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah threatened on Monday to blow up gas canisters at his home rather than let his family be forced out.

Scores of police in riot gear surrounded the property from early morning during an hours-long stand-off. Roads were sealed off around the area, about 1 kilometer (one-half mile) north of Jerusalem's Old City walls, where clashes often erupted last year between Palestinians and Jewish settlers.

Jerusalem's municipality expropriated the land to build a school, in an area Israel captured and occupied in a 1967 war, along with the rest of East Jerusalem, and later annexed. An Israeli court ruled in favour of the eviction.

"I will burn the house and everything in it, I will not leave here, from here to the grave, because there is no life, no dignity," Mahmoud Salhiyeh said as he stood on the roof of the building, surrounded by gas canisters.

"I've been in battle with them for 25 years, they sent me settlers who offered to buy the house and I did not agree."

A tree-lined area of sandstone homes, foreign consulates and luxury hotels, Sheikh Jarrah has become an emblem of what Palestinians regard as an Israeli campaign to force them out of East Jerusalem.

Israeli Internal Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev said on Monday a court had ruled the case was one of illegal squatting.

"You can't hold the stick at both ends by both demanding that the municipality take action on welfare for Arab residents and oppose the building of educational establishments for their welfare," Bar-Lev wrote on Twitter.

As Sheikh Jarrah residents and activists monitored the situation from nearby rooftops, the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, located opposite the home, tweeted that Consul-General Diane Corner had joined other diplomats to "bear witness to the ongoing eviction".

The consulate said that such evictions in occupied territory, in all but the most exceptional circumstances, were against international humanitarian law. It urged the Israeli government to "cease such practices which only serve to increase tensions on the ground".

(Reporting by Ammar Awad, Dedi Hayun, Ilan Rosenberg and Stephen Farrell in Sheikh Jarrah, Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Mark Heinrich)
You are here: Business

The first comprehensive bonded zone on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was put into use on Sunday in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Two container trucks carrying precision equipment imported from Canada entered the Xining comprehensive bonded zone Sunday morning under the supervision of Xining Customs, marking the zone's launch of operations.

Covering 92.4 hectares, the zone has so far seen the settlement of five companies.

The establishment of the zone, which was ratified by China's State Council in Dec. 2019, is important to promote the development of an open economy in Qinghai Province, local authorities said.

The province is located at the crossroads of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Silk Road Economic Belt, and serves as an important reserve of strategic resources and base of characteristic agricultural products in China.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP)  Singer and music producer Pharrell Williams is challenging corporate America to do more" by supporting entrepreneurs of color and adopting economic equity measures.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that in remarks Monday during the Urban League of Hampton Roads annual Martin Luther King Jr. awards program, Williams said big businesses need to invest in people of color and noted that some of them already are.

Not all businesses, Williams added. The smart ones  the ones that will be here in 50 years.

Williams singled out the Japanese financial and venture capital group SoftBank. He said the group was investing in founders of color, who could then create generational wealth and change their cities for the better.

Williams, who was born in Virginia Beach, also urged businesses and philanthropists to support the Urban League and thanked the local chapter for their work in financial wellness, health and housing.

The event, which could not be held in person because of COVID-19, was livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Several local leaders were honored for representing Kings legacy of social justice.
Carlo Allegri/Getty

I started a Joy Harjo reading jag the summer before last in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at op. cit., a magical store in whose forest of books, new and older, I picked up her 2012 memoir, Crazy Brave. I knew Harjo was the U.S. Poet Laureate, the first Native American so exalted, but I had never read her work. Her memoirs opening scene hooked me right away:

Once I was so small I could barely see over the top of the back seat of the black Cadillac my father bought with his Indian oil money. He polished and tuned his car daily. I wanted to see everything.

We were driving somewhere in Tulsa, the northern border of the Creek Nation. I dont know where we were going or where we had been I wonder what signaled this moment, a loop of time that on first glance could be any place in time. I became acutely aware of the line the jazz trumpeter was playing (a sound I later associated with Miles Davis). I didnt know the words jazz or trumpet."

My rite of passage into the world of humanity occurred then, through jazz. The music was a starting bridge between familiar and strange lands.

Americans Have Never Loved Poetry MoreBut They Call It Rap

That bridge runs through Harjos impressive trek of 22 books of poetry, six albums as a jazz saxophonist and husky spoken-word poet, two childrens books, two plays, last years memoir sequel Poet Warrior, screenplays, and editor of major anthologies. Awards, prizes, and honors include the Poetry Foundations Ruth Lily Prize for Lifetime Achievement, the Academy of American Poets Wallace Stevens Award, the William Carlos Williams Award, a Guggenheim, and two NEH fellowships as she begins her fourth year as Poet Laureate.

Harjos story is an American epic, a triumph of the spirit, reshaping historys lens on the West, rewriting a national myth of endless space.

Harjo built on discoveries of the familiara world of Muscogee Creek ancestral memory, shared by elders in Oklahomaleading to her early influential encounters in New Mexico with poets, jazz musicians, writers, and painters. The scenic lilts of self-discovery in her early work never took Harjo far from a steely focus on the dynamics of identity, enduring and transcending government injustices heaped on Indians, a legacy she came, over time, to see as precursor to the greater earth plundered by pollution, heaving from convulsions of the climate.

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If a single theme marks Harjos output, it is a spiritual quest, seeking the soul. I consider poetry soul talk, song language, she said in a 2009 interview. Thats only one definition. There are as many ways to poetry as there are to God.

Jack Mitchell/Getty

From Reconciliation, A Prayer, in the 2002 collection How We Became Human:

I.

We gather at the shore of all knowledge as peoples who were put

here by a god who wanted relatives.

This god was lonely for touch, and imagined herself a woman,

with children to suckle, to sing withto continue the web of the

terrifyingly beautiful cosmos of her womb.

This god became the father who wished for others to walk beside

him in the belly of creation.

This god laughed and cried with us as a sister at the sweet tragedy of

our predicamentfoolish humans.

Or built a fire, as our brother to keep us warm.

This god who grew to love us became our lover, sharing tables of

food enough for everyone in this world

II.

Oh, sun, moon, stars, our other relatives peering at us from the inside

of gods house walk with us as we climb into the next century

naked but for the stories we have of each other. Keep us from giving

up in this land of nightmares which is also the land of miracles.

We sing our song which weve been promised has no beginning or

end...

In Poet Warrior, Harjo circles back to devastating childhood episodes initially described in Crazy Brave, with new details on how she survived her early years. The father she initially adored, who came from a family with land generating some oil lease revenues, was an airline mechanic and raging alcoholic who chased women, beat his wife, and terrorized his kids. Joys mother sang as she bustled in the kitchen to sweet radio songs, doing a memorable take on Patsy Clines I Fall to Pieces, getting the girl into jitterbug dancing. After the divorce her mom had to work two jobs.

The child had a poetry anthology which opened a new world with the kindred spirit of Emily Dickinson: Alone in my need to be alone, her voice reached out from the pages and made friends with me... I liked to read aloud to myself:

Im Nobody! Who are you?

Are you  Nobody  Too?

Then theres a pair of us!

Two nobodies equal one somebody. Emilys poems told me she found herself with words. Poetry was a refuge from the instability and barrage of human disappointment. When I read and listened to disappointment I was out of the crossfire of my parents.

Her mother did a rebound marriage to an older man who gave them a big house and a dictatorship demanding that his wife serve him, whipping the kids, stealing Joys diaries to see what she was thinking, trying to grope and fondle her as she reached puberty. For a time, she attended an evangelical church whose preacher condemned nonbelievers. I was given excellent instructions on hell every Sunday morning and evening and Wednesday nightsuch that she quit, brooding: Why would the Creator-God make everything, then deem only those who were of a certain religion or church worthy of an eternal life?

In Crazy Brave, she writes, I loved the erotic poetry of the Song of Solomon The beloved was also God. I turned to these songs in the Bible to escape the pedantic sermons of the preacher. I preferred to consider God as a beloved rather than a wrathful white man who was ready to destroy anyone who had an imagination.

As a teenager she found rescue with acceptance to the Institute of American Indian Arts, a high school in Santa Fe where she boarded in the late 1960s, meeting young Seminoles, Sioux, Creek, and Pawnee students among those from other nations, awakening to a Native American renaissance as they found expression in classes on drama, literature, music, and the arts. She toured with one of the school acting companies. The kids grooved to the psychedelic rock shows that colored Santa Fe, then a hippie outpost of the old West. She fell in love with a Cherokee boy, became pregnant, ended up going to live with the boy and his cloying mother in Talequah, Oklahoma. After working day jobs to cover babysitting for her son while the boy-husband failed to get jobs, she took the baby and moved to Albuquerque, a single mom balancing work and classes at the University of New Mexico.

She fell in love with a poet by whom she had another child, only to realize that his wild binges, jumping in hotel swimming pools where he wasnt staying, crawling home with flowers and florid apologies, were a disaster she had to escape. Her home became the safe house for many of my Indian women friends whose husbands and boyfriends were beating them, she writes in Crazy Braze, recounting how one woman ended up in hospital with her jaw wired after a beating, losing a semester in college. These fathers, brothers, and husbands were all men we loved, and were worthy of love. As peoples we had been broken. We were still in the bloody aftermath of a violent takeover of our lands. Within a few generations we had gone from being nearly one hundred percent of the population of this continent to less than one-half of one percent. We were all haunted.

As a teenager she had begun traveling in Oklahoma, getting to know far-flung family members, learning about the Trail of Tears by which Andrew Jackson in the 1830s sent Creek, Seminole, and Cherokee nations of the Gulf South to Oklahoma where land theft by U.S. treaties further tightened the geography of their lives. They were the tears of the dead and the tears of those who remained to bury the dead. We had to keep walking. We were still walking, trying to make it through to home, she writes in Crazy Brave.

At 19 she joined the Creek-Muscogee nation, adopting the surname Harjo in honor of a grandmother whose artworks inspired her. Just as I felt my grandmother living in me, I feel the legacy and personhood of my warrior grandfathers and grandmothers who refused to surrender to injustice against our peoples.

In Albuquerque, at U.N.M., Joy Harjo became a poet, charged with a spiritual sensibility given shape by the stories and tribal history she absorbed in the Muscogee Creek Nation. The challenge of poetry was stark, as she writes near the end of the first memoir.

I could not express my perception of the sacred.

I could speak everyday language: Please pass the salt. I would like When are we going Ill meet you there.

I wanted the intricate and metaphorical language of my ancestors to pass through to my language and my life.

Her search for the sacred found a new dimension in the ethereal saxophone plateaus of John Coltrane in A Love Supreme, in the bebop rhythms of Charlie Parker and, first-hand, in Jim Pepper, a many-traveled reed player from the heartlands of the Mskoke people who gave her soprano sax tutorials. In hours away from the reading and writing she played scales and absorbed poetic cadences of the music.

From the title poem, Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings (2015):

This would be no place without blues, jazzThank

you/mvto to the Africans, the Europeans sitting in,

especially Adolphe Sax with his saxophones Dont forget

that at the center is the Mvskoke ceremonial circles. We

know how to swing. We keep the heartbeat of the earth in

our stomp dance feet.

You might try dancing theory with a bustle, or a jingle

dress, or with turtles strapped around your legs. You might

try wearing colonization like a heavy gold chain around a

pimps neck.

Paul Abdoo/Getty

Harjo earned an M.F.A. at the Iowa Writers Workshop in the late 1970s, followed by a string of college teaching positions, broadening her reach as a writer, spoken poet, and tenor sax player; the academic jobs took her to places like Phoenix, Fairbanks, Los Angeles, and Honolulu among other stops before making hometown Tulsa her base.

She experienced a conceptual turning point in 1990 while attending a conference of indigenous peoples in a mountain village near Quito, Ecuador, discussing a counter-response to the approaching celebration in the Americas of the 500th anniversary of Columbus arrival in 1492.

Ill never forget the arrival of the people from the Amazon villages, Harjo wrote in a 2010 piece for Muscogee Nation News. They walked up to the encampment barefoot, with their beautiful, colorful feathers and spears. They came to share a story of American oil companies, and how the lands were being destroyed and their way of life irrevocably broken, as their lands were rich with oil.

In that piece, written during the BP oil spill, which sent a vast petroleum slick onto beaches and through wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas, Harjo thought of Philip Deere, a Muscogee-Creek spiritual leader who gave a ringing speech at a 1977 UN meeting in Geneva: We, the Indigenous Peoples, are the evidence of the Western hemisphere. No matter how small a tribal people may be, each of them has a right to be who they are.

Thinking back on Deere, who died in 1985, she considered his prophecies and others like him who had been warning for many years of these earth changes and advised us to change our behavior, but we did not take heed. It is crucial that we dont give up in our minds and hearts as we watch our world shift.

Joy Harjo speaks onstage during the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences 11th Annual Governors Awards in 2019. Kevin Winter/Getty

In a coda to that world-shift, borne of a brooding day with a long flight delay at Chicagos OHare Airport, she wrote Everybody Has a Heartache (a Blues), collected in Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings (2015). Heres a sequence from the long poem:

Everybody has a heartache

This silence in the noise of the terminal is a mountain of

bison skulls.

Nobody knows, nobody sees

Unless the indigenous are dancing powwow all decked out

in flash and beauty

We just dont exist. Weve been dispersed to an outlaw

cowboy tale.

What were they thinking with all those guns and those

handcuffs?

They just dont choose to remember.

Were here.

In the terminal of stopped time I went unsteady to the beat,

Driven by a hungry spirit who is drunk with words and

songs.

What can I do?

I have to take care of it.

The famished spirit eats fire, poetry, and pain; it only wants

love.

I argue:

You want love?

Do you even know what it looks like, smells like?

But you cannot argue with hungry spirits.

Everybody has a heartache

In photographs Joy Harjo cuts a grand figure, looking younger than 71 with long black hair, body art inked across her right wrist cradling a tenor saxophone, the face uptilted with a smile to beat the band. Her despair at historys crimes and ravaged Earth has a long counter-rhythm in love song poetry composed at turns and open stretches on her long road, a gathering voice that registers the sacred in a shift to the incantations of an elder, the song-lines capturing time past, time to come.

In her latest collection, An American Sunrise: Poems (2019), she has an untitled piece that harks back to the 1990 congress of indigenous peoples in Ecuador where she met the barefoot Amazon village people with beautiful outfits and stories of oil-drilling horrors. Her update on this event extends the consciousness of our time:

In the womens circle, a striking Bolivian Indian woman in a

bowler hat stood up. She welcomed us, and noted that she was

surprised at all of the Natives attending from the United States.

We thought John Wayne had killed all of you.

(This was not a joke.)

And why, she asked, Do you call yourselves America? This

hemisphere is one body, one person. She is America.

------------------------

Jason Berry is the author of City of a Million Dreams, a New Orleans history and subject of a new documentary, using jazz funerals as a lens on the citys evolution.

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WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland is experiencing a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections, the health minister said on Monday, warning that the spread of the Omicron variant could send daily case numbers soaring to levels not yet seen in the country.

While daily case numbers have fallen since early December, the European Union's largest eastern member has had little respite since the fourth wave, regularly reporting over 10,000 new infections per day amid low vaccine take-up and limited restrictions on public life.

"We predict that the peak of infections will be in mid-February and that peak is about 60,000 cases a day," Adam Niedzielski told a news conference.

The highest number of daily cases reported since the pandemic began was 35,251 on April 1, 2021.

Niedzielski said that he expected figures released on Tuesday to show in excess of 20,000 daily cases.

On Friday, 13 of the 17 members of Poland's Medical Council advising the prime minister on COVID-19 resigned, condemning what they said was a lack of scientific influence on policy.

One of the members who resigned, Dr Konstanty Szuldrzynski, told TVN24 on Monday that the death rate in countries where stricter restrictions had been enforced had been lower than in Poland, and that the fifth wave would put the health service under enormous strain.

"We are going into the next wave of Omicron completely unprepared," he said. "Please remember that the huge death rate in Poland is not just related to the low percentage of vaccinated people but also to the fact that we have a very outdated health system."

Niedzielski said he had tried to persuade the members of the council who left to continue their work as part of the body, but without success. He said a new advisory body would be created which would take a different form.

"The change will consist mainly in extending the format, so there will be a wider range of experts who will assist and advise the prime minister," Niedzielski said.

The country of around 38 million has so far reported 4,323,482 cases of the coronavirus and 102,309 deaths.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Koper; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Hugh Lawson)
Police responded to an incident in front of the Dollar Tree in Landfall shopping center 1319 Military Cutoff Road, in Wilmington, N.C., Saturday, January 15, 2021. [SYDNEY HOOVER/STARNEWS]

The Wilmington Police Department has released the names of the suspect and victims in the Landfall triple homicide.

Wilbert Lamont Robinson, 40, is the alleged shooter and has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and firing into an occupied vehicle.

Police responded to reports of shots fired around 4 p.m. Saturday at 1319 Military Cutoff Road. When they arrived at the scene, officers found the bodies of two adults and one juvenile, as well as Robinson, who was found with an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Robinson was transported to the hospital for his injuries and was later charged.

More: Police confirm family relationship between suspect, victims in Landfall triple homicide

The three people who died were Robinson's mother, 65-year-old Diretta Marie Robinson; his sister, 48-year-old Trina Lynnette Robinson; and his son, a 13-year-old who was not named in the police department press release due to his age. All four lived in Hampstead.

Lt. Leslie Irving, public information for the police department, said the investigation continued throughout Sunday night and is still ongoing.

"This is a very unfortunate, tragic incident and our hearts and thoughts go out to the families that were impacted by this," Wilmington Police Department Chief Donny Williams said.

A motive is not yet known, according to the police department, though it appears the Robinsons all arrived at Landfall in the same vehicle.

"Homicide cases are often difficult to investigate; however, when we have good witness testimony, it enables our detectives to solidify their cases in a more efficient manner," the police department wrote in the news release.

The case has been turned over to the District Attorneys Office and no further comments will be provided at this time due to it being an ongoing criminal investigation, according to the release.

Williams said this is an isolated incident and there is no continued threat to the community. The case has been turned over to the district attorney's office.

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"We know there are a lot of questions about what took place here today and our intentions are to be transparent and release as much information as we can while, at the same time being respectful and seeking justice for our victims," Williams told the media at the scene on Saturday.

Police are asking anyone who was at the Landfall Shopping Center on Saturday and witnessed this incident to call them at 910-343-3609.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Hampstead man accused of shooting mother, sister, son in Wilmington
Apparently, there is no conspiracy theory too wild for some QAnon followers.

Case in point: Members of a QAnon group based in Dallas have floated the theory that John F. Kennedy is not only alive, but disguised himself as former President Donald Trump over the weekend to attend a rally in Florence, Arizona.

As evidence, the groups leader, Michael Protzman, claims Trump appeared to be shorter than he should have been, Vice News reported.

You could tell it wasnt Trump, Protzman said in a live chat excerpted below, referring to a moment where the former president invited Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake to the stage.

In a live chat Michael Protzman -48 talks about the Trump rally and explains that Kari Lake was endorsed by JFK and that JFK was disguised as Trump. pic.twitter.com/KbMTAbvT6B  2022 Karma (@2022_Karma) January 16, 2022

However, Ron Watkins, who many people believe started the QAnon movement, claimed there was no body double at the rally  just Trump.

Ron is in a live chat and was just asked if it was the real Trump at the rally. pic.twitter.com/LchVQqbhkV  2022 Karma (@2022_Karma) January 16, 2022

Kennedy wasnt the only dead celebrity supposedly supporting Trumps baseless claims of election fraud in Arizona, as one of Protzmans followers also claimed he saw Tupac Shakur and Kobe Bryant.

A lot of QAnons look for anything that can prove their theories and beliefs.

Here we have some who believe these two people were JFK and Carolyn.



While Pryme Minister who is a part of -48 group posted a picture saying he saw Tupac and Kobe Bryant behind Trump. pic.twitter.com/GWWdAqNh7D  2022 Karma (@2022_Karma) January 16, 2022

QAnon has claimed a connection to Kennedy before, previously suggesting that he and his son John F. Kennedy Jr. would somehow rise from the dead to help Trump reclaim the presidency.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
A customer making a purchase of bulk nips at Broadway Liquor's in Providence, was not happy upon hearing of the proposed bill.

Rep. David Bennett, D-Warwick, is tired of spotting discarded nips strewn along the side of the road whenever he walks his dog, or takes his grandson out in his stroller.

So he's proposing that the General Assembly make it illegal to sell the miniature bottles of alcohol.

"Its only supporting drinking and driving, and its causing a hell of a littering problem," Bennett said in a Thursday interview. "There's a ton of reasons to get rid of these things. What are they good for?"

House Bill 7064, which would ban the sale of "any sealable bottle, can, jar, or carton" that holds less than 100 milliliters of alcohol, has support from environmental groups that see it as an opportunity to crack down on a ubiquitous form of litter.

Rep. David Bennett is the sponsor of legislation to ban nips.

But liquor stores say that it will hurt them financially and send customers over the border to Massachusetts, while singling out just one source of pollution.

'Everyone's buying them'

The commonly held wisdom is that people buy nips to drink while driving, or in public settings where alcohol isn't allowed, and then toss the empty bottle to get rid of the evidence.

"They fit in your hands, so you can act like you're coughing when you're driving," Bennett said.

"Restaurant and bar owners, they can't stand them," he added. "People come into their places, they order a soda, they have their own nips in their pocket or their pocketbook, and they're making their own mixed drinks. So the company's losing money."

But nips are also popular because they've become so much less expensive than a full-sized bottle of alcohol, according to Sal Saliba, the owner of Broadway Liquors in Providence, who estimates that they make up 20% of sales.

Plus, some people find that purchasing only a single-shot bottle at a time helps keep their alcohol consumption in check, he added.

"Everybody's buying them, so what else can we do?" Saliba said. "It's the only way to survive."

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The miniature bottles can also come in handy if you only need a small amount of spirits for a specific recipe, or want to sample something you haven't tried before.

But Bennett, who doesn't drink at all, is unmoved by that argument.

"You can buy a fifth," he said.

More than 3,000 nip bottles collected on Aquidneck Island alone

It's hard to get precise data on how much nip bottles contribute to Rhode Island's litter problem.

In past years, Save The Bay collected around 3,000 glass and plastic bottles during its annual statewide coastal cleanups, but didn't track how many of those were nips.

Anecdotally, however, "nips are one of the most commonly seen forms of pollution and litter in Rhode Island," said Topher Hamblett, advocacy director for Save The Bay. "Theres no question about it."

Clean Ocean Access, which conducts shoreline cleanups on Aquidneck Island, keeps detailed tallies of the garbage that its volunteers pick up. Since 2013, they've collected more than 3,000 nip bottles, according to Dave McLaughlin, the group's founder and program director.

Plastic bottles of all kinds number in the "tens of thousands," McLaughlin said in an email. And that's just on the island alone, he noted.

"The thing we now hear from our members the most about, now that more than half of Rhode Islanders live in places with a plastic bag ban, is is these nip bottles," said Johnathan Berard, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action.

Empty Fireball Whiskey nips adorn a telephone pole in Warwick.

He, too, has been noticing more discarded nips during his runs along the Blackstone River in recent years.

"I feel like theyre becoming more ubiquitous," Berard said. "Thats completely non-scientific  just my gut feeling."

Tiny bottles end up in waterways, where they're 'more than an eyesore'

Discarded nip bottles can be fatal when swallowed by marine creatures, and wreak havoc when they get caught in catch-basins and storm drain systems, Hamblett said.

"Its much more than an eyesore," he said.

Often, the bottles travel through pipes and are deposited on beaches, where they slowly break down into microplastics, Hamblett said. Those tiny pieces of petroleum-based detritus end up floating in the waters of Narragansett Bay, where they're consumed by fish and animals.

"Nip bans will not solve the problem of littering itself," Hamblett acknowledged. "Thats a human behavior challenge of a huge magnitude. But addressing the problem at the source makes a lot of sense."

Even when empty nip bottles are placed in a recycling bin, they tend to wind up in the landfill because they're not large enough to be processed, Berard said.

The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Center's website notes that some plastic nip bottles "may be too small to be accurately captured and recycled through our current sorting process," so any that are less than 2 inches tall and 2 inches in diameter should just go straight in the trash.

And in most cities and towns, the reality is that single-use plastics like nip bottles get recycled "only as far as theyre able to be resold on the commodities market," Berard said. That means municipalities have to find a way to dispose of them, a cost that gets passed on to residents.

Good for the environment, but 'bad for our business'

Bennett introduced legislation last year that would have required consumers to pay a 50-cent deposit when they purchased nips.

The idea was to give people an incentive to return the bottles  but since Rhode Island doesn't have an existing bottle deposit program, it would have been up to liquor stores to take back the empties and refund the deposit. Bennett said that one store owner informed him that would be "a pain in the rear end."

Nips at the checkout counter at Broadway Liquors in Providence.

"He said, 'I'd just as soon as get rid of them,'" Bennett said. "And I said, 'That's a good idea.'"

Liquor store owners aren't too sure about that.

Saliba, of Broadway Liquors, said he doesn't even like selling nips because they're not much of a money maker. He agrees they're bad for the environment  but feels that he has to offer them in order to compete with other liquor stores.

"Everybody wants nips," he said. "People are going to start buying from Massachusetts if they stop selling them in Rhode Island. The state would lose a lot of money, too."

Jan Malik, a former state legislator who now runs Malik's Fine Wine and Spirits in Warren, has similar concerns.

"It's a good idea for our environment," he acknowledged. "But I'm a businessman, and it's bad for our business."

Rhode Island already has a litter control tax in addition to a beverage container tax, and Malik questioned where that money was going. He also pointed out that towns could simply enforce the anti-littering laws that already exist.

"Theres been problems in this country for years  cigarette butts, McDonalds cups, Burger King cups," he said. "Nothings ever been done about that."

Some states and towns already ban nips

There's some precedent for banning nips. New Mexico banned miniature liquor bottles last year, but carved out exceptions for hotel minibars, airplanes and golf courses. Utah has an even stricter law that applies to anything smaller than 200 milliliters.

In other New England states, bans have been adopted at the municipal level.

Chelsea, the first city or town in Massachusetts to prohibit the sale of nips, subsequently saw a reduction in public drunkenness, alcohol-related calls for ambulances, and people taken into custody for intoxication, according to CommonWealth Magazine.

Several other Massachusetts communities  including Newton, Mashpee, Falmouth and Wareham  have subsequently approved similar bans. Attleboro, however, opted against it.

Bennett's legislation would not prevent trains and airplanes from serving nips, "provided that any containers so distributed shall be collected prior to passengers disembarking off the train or aircraft, regardless of whether the contents of the container are consumed or not."

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Carol Hagan McEntee, Kathleen A. Fogarty, Deborah Ruggiero, Terri Cortvriend, Lauren Carson, Mia Ackerman, Marvin Abney and John G. Edwards. All are Democrats.

"I just feel its time time to get rid of the nips," Bennett said on Thursday. "You're breaking the law, youre hurting business, youre littering."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island legislator seeks to ban nips to reduce litter
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian military forces and hardware began arriving in ex-Soviet Belarus for joint drills starting in February, Minsk said on Monday, amid soaring tensions between East and West over Ukraine.

The "Allied Resolve" exercises will be held near Belarus's western rim, the borders of NATO members Poland and Lithuania, and its southern flank with Ukraine, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said.

"Set an exact date and let us know, so we aren't blamed for massing some troops here out of the blue, as if we are preparing to go to war," he told top military officials.

Troop movements by Russia are being closely scrutinised as a military buildup near Ukraine's borders and a barrage of threatening rhetoric have stirred Western fears that Russia is planning to invade.

Moscow denies any such plan, but has used the standoff https://www.reuters.com/world/us-rallies-united-front-against-russia-putin-seeks-cracks-2022-01-14 to campaign for security guarantees from the West, including a halt to NATO expansion and a formal veto on Ukraine https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/exclusive-ukraine-suspects-group-linked-belarus-intelligence-over-cyberattack-2022-01-15, a former Soviet republic, ever joining the military alliance.

The Belarusian leader, a pariah in the West since a sweeping crackdown in 2020 and last year's migrant crisis with the European Union, said the drills were needed as Ukraine had built up troops near Belarus.

He said Poland and the Baltics had more than 30,000 soldiers near Belarus's borders.

'NORMAL EXERCISES'

Lukashenko has led the former Soviet republic that Moscow sees as a buffer state to the West since 1994 and strengthened ties with Moscow during mass protests that erupted in 2020 as the West imposed sanctions.

"These should be normal exercises to work out a certain plan for confronting these forces: the West, the Baltics and Poland, and the south - Ukraine," he said in comments circulated by state media.

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The Kremlin said separately that reports that Estonia was prepared to host up to 5,000 NATO troops showed Moscow was right to be worried.

"It's exactly things like that which prove we have grounds to be concerned and it proves we're not the reason for escalating tensions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

He was asked on a conference call to comment after a senior Russian official declined to rule out or confirm whether Russia could deploy missiles in Venezuela or Cuba if the West refused to deliver Moscow's security guarantees.

"For Latin America - we're talking about sovereign states there, let's not forget that. And in the context of the current situation, Russia is thinking how to ensure its own security... We are ... reviewing different scenarios," he said.

Separately, Russia's Western Military District said its tank army was holding command-staff training exercises in five regions, involving 800 servicemen and more than 300 pieces of hardware, the Interfax news agency reported.

(Reporting by Maria Kiselyova, Dmitry Antonov and Anton Kolodyazhnyy; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Andrew Osborn and Timothy Heritage)
Overseas Chinese and students from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region condemned rumors and slanders by anti-China forces in the United States and the West at a video exchange meeting on Saturday.

"People often asked me about Xinjiang, and I always showed them photos of my hometown. They were all surprised by the development of Xinjiang," said Kamran Ekramjan, a Chinese student at Anadolu University in Turkey. "I firmly oppose any slanders against Xinjiang."

Kamiljan Ruza of the Turkey-China youth entrepreneurship association has been involved in foreign trade in Turkey for years.

Together with other members of the association, he organized a photo exhibition last year to show China's achievements in recent years. The visitors praised China's development, he said.

"I feel confident no matter what the difficulties, because the motherland always provides solid support to me," Kamiljan Ruza said at the meeting.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Moscow court on Monday said it had ordered Alphabet's Google to pay 4 million roubles ($52,526) for not removing access to content banned in Russia, the latest in a string of fines for the U.S. tech giant.

Russia upped the ante late last year in its efforts to increase pressure on Big Tech, handing massive, revenue-based fines to Google and Meta Platforms for repeatedly failing to remove content Moscow deems illegal.

Google declined to comment.

The TASS news agency reported that Google had been fined for providing access to links of banned websites.

($1 = 76.1530 roubles)

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow, Editing by Louise Heavens)
(Getty Images)

Apples Safari browser has a vulnerability in it that could expose users browsing history and personal information.

The bug, which was introduced in Safari 15, as reported by FingerprintJS, came from the Indexed Database API which is part of Apples WebKit. The API is used to save data on websites users have visited so they can be loaded faster when they return.

IndexedDB should stop data from one origin from interacting with data from other origins. But the bug means that was not happening.

In Safari 15 on macOS, and in all browsers on iOS and iPadOS 15, the IndexedDB API is violating the same-origin policy. Every time a website interacts with a database, a new (empty) database with the same name is created in all other active frames, tabs, and windows within the same browser session, software engineer Martin Bajanik said.

This, Mr Bajanik continues, lets arbitrary websites learn what websites the user visits in different tabs or windows. This is possible because database names are typically unique and website-specific. Sometimes, this includes unique user-specific information that would let people be precisely identified after using YouTube, Google Calendar, or Google Keep, for example.

All of these websites create databases that include the authenticated Google User ID and in case the user is logged into multiple accounts, databases are created for all these accounts, he says.

The leaks do not require specific user action  so there is little a user can do to stop it  and out of the top 1000 most visited websites over 30 were vulnerable due to this flaw including Instagram, Netflix, Twitter, and Xbox.

Unfortunately, users of Safari, iPadOS and iOS users cannot stop this without taking drastic measures, such as blocking all JavaScript  a move which would unfortunately make modern web browsing inconvenient.

Moreover, while Safari users on Macs could use a different browser, all browsers on iOS and iPadOS use Apples WebKit  including competitors such as Google Chrome  making switching impossible.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent before time of publication. FingerprintJS reported the leak to the WebKit Bug Tracker on 28 Novemember 2021, but Apple has not yet updated Safari.
Seacoast Village Project kicks off Lunch & Learn series

PORTSMOUTH - The Seacoast Village Project kicks off its 2022 Lunch & Learn series for seniors with Maximizing Good Health featuring Dr. Karl Singer on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at noon. The virtual program is the first in a ten-part series geared toward seniors and offered by Seacoast Village Project. The Lunch & Learn series, which is free and open to the public, will be held via Zoom video conference and requires advance registration.

Dr Singer, a board-certified geriatrician and Medical Director for the Rockingham County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, has a long-standing interest in how we can maximize healthy aging. During this presentation he will share the strategies he recommends to his patients and also what he uses himself. Prior to the Jan. 18 sessions, participants are encouraged to review the Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator created by Dr Tom Perls, the founder and director of the New England Centenarian Study, which is trying to understand the genetic and lifestyle traits that enable a long and healthy life. The calculator can be found at livingto100.com.

The series is offered by Seacoast Village project, a network of older adults working together to get connected, get smart and help each other out as they grow older in their homes and communities. For more information on the complete calendar of 2022 Lunch & Learn programs or to register for "Maximizing Good Health by Jan. 17, visit seacoastvillageproject.org.

Free SCORE workshop on starting your own business

PORTSMOUTH  Seacoast SCORE is offering a free live online workshop Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 12 to 2 p.m. This is an introductory course for those who are either considering, or are early in the process, of starting their own small business. You will learn about: small business myths, marketing vs. sales, start up cash and where to find it, business plans, LLC/sole proprietor/S-corp and which works for you, building a team, and more. Register at: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lsavzvcab&oeidk=a07eirun6zs196007b9

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Free, outdoor professional ice dancing performances and lessons

PORTSMOUTH  Professional figure skating company Ice Dance International based in Kittery is offering free performances and lessons this winter, many at easily accessible Seacoast locations. The public is invited to watch world renowned skaters or take a skating lesson with the pros throughout January and February, 2022.

Performance this week is on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Winter Party Fundraiser for IDI at the Labrie Family Ice Rink at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth.

Lessons, which are all free but those who wish to attend must register if indicated, will be on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 4:30 p.m. at the Strawbery Banke Museum Pop Up, registration not required; Monday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m., at the rink at the Kittery Community Center, 120 Rogers Road, Kittery, Maine; and Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m., at York Parks and Recreation, 200 U.S. Route 1, York, Maine.

Details and registration of all winter events are available at icedanceinternational.org. For those unable to attend person, performances can be viewed by live stream webcam provided by www.PortsmouthWebcam.com. To watch, visit www.StrawberyBanke.org/Skate.cfm.

Portsmouth Senior Activity Center Winter Art Exhibit opens

Ducks, an oil painting by Anita Freeman, will be on display in the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center's Winter Exhibit, which opens Jan. 20.

PORTSMOUTH  Visit the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center and be inspired by its new exhibit of local artists from Jan. 20 to April 14. The new artists this season, Gerry Bresnahan, Pat Corlin, Mary Crump, Patricia Dateo, Jane Fithian, Joe Flaherty, Anita Freeman, Gary Gansburg, Carol Kuzminski, Janice Michienzi, Nancy Reiss and Michael Sterling, will illustrate the challenges and the joys of creating art as a senior.

"Creativity is an important element to healthy aging," says artist and Art Committee member Mo OLeary. "It is good to see we are in no short supply here on the Seacoast. Im inspired by the talent of the artists who are part of the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center Winter Exhibit. And I invite other Seacoast older adult artists to consider this venue as a great welcoming place to share and sell your work."

The Hill, an oil painting by Joe Flaherty, will be on display during the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center Winter Exhibit.

Drop-in hours for the show are Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a safe reception where you can meet the artists and see their artwork on Thursday, Jan. 20, from 3 to 5 p.m. All are invited. Thank you for wearing a mask. The Senior Center is located at 125 Cottage St., Portsmouth. 603-610-4433. See more at www.cityofportsmouth.com/recreation/senior and you can follow them on Facebook.

Black Matter Is Life virtual poetry event

PORTSMOUTH The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is offering a third and final online poetry event in its The Black Matter is Life series. "The Black Matter Is Life: Poetry for Engagement and Overcoming" will be a virtual-only event held via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Visit blackheritagetrailnh.org/poetry-events for details and registration or call 603-570-8469.

Take a virtual trip to Tahiti with Dover library

DOVER  Escape to the South Pacific with the vibrant colors of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin virtually on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Learn more about Gauguin (the infamous frenemy of Vincent Van Gogh), his career in France and his decision to leave it all behind. Enjoy the incredible images inspired by the Tahitian people and landscape and find out why success eluded this notorious artist during his lifetime.

Registration is required to view this virtual program and the library uses Ring Central software which will need to be downloaded to your computer so give yourself a little extra time to sign on that evening for that to happen. The registration can be found on the librarys event calendar at library.dover.nh.gov/events. The program is free and open to the public. For more information call the library at 603-516-6050.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast Village Project, SCORE, Ice Dancing International
By Khalid Abdelaziz

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Protest organisers in Sudan's capital Khartoum announced two days of strikes and civil disobedience after security forces used gunfire and teargas on Monday to disperse demonstrations against a coup and medics said seven people had been killed.

The toll marked one of the bloodiest days since pro-democracy groups began a campaign of anti-military protests following the Oct. 25 coup, and threatened to deepen the gulf between military leaders and a large protest movement.

Security forces fired volleys of tear gas as they blocked thousands of protesters from advancing on Khartoum's presidential palace, and several injured civilians could be seen bleeding heavily in the street, a Reuters witness said.

They also used live ammunition and stun grenades, said the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, a group of medics aligned with the protest movement that reported the seven deaths.

Medics told Reuters that many others were being treated for injuries at Khartoum hospitals.

"The military prepared a massacre for us today, and all we've done is ask for civilian rule and democracy," said Mohamed Babaker, a 19-year-old student.

A police spokesman said a statement would be released later. Government sources put the death toll from Monday at three.

Huge crowds have regularly taken to the streets demanding civilian rule since the coup ended a military-civilian power-sharing arrangement agreed to after Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir fell during an uprising in 2019.

Military leaders reinstated Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in November in an attempt to safeguard economic reforms, but he resigned earlier this month.

Medics say at least 70 people have been killed by security forces since the coup.

"What is happening in Sudan now is a full-fledged crime ... the free world must act," Faisal Mohamed Salih, a former information minister in the transitional government after Bashir's fall, said in a social media post.

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A security and defence committee formed under Sudan's ruling council commended security services for their "restraint" and protection of civilians, paying tribute in a statement to a police officer killed in protests on Thursday.

It said it would establish an anti-terrorism force to counter "potential threats", but did not elaborate.U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Twitter the United States was "concerned by reports of escalating violence".

He noted that Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and new Special Envoy David Satterfield "are headed to Khartoum and will reiterate our call for security forces to end violence and respect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly".

Civilian groups called for two days of general strikes and civil disobedience starting on Tuesday to protest the latest violence. Resistance committees organising protests in Khartoum and its adjoining cities of Omdurman and Bahri called on people to barricade local streets.

Last week, the United Nations began consultations to try to break a deadlock between military leaders and pro-democracy civilian groups and avert the risk of further instability.

(Writing by Sarah El Safty and Aidan Lewis; additional reporting by Nafisa Eltahir in Khartoum and David Shepardson in Washington; editing by Mark Heinrich, William Maclean and David Gregorio)
Alexis Sanchez, centre, attempts to break through for Serie A leaders Inter Milan against Atalanta (Spada/LaPresse via AP) (AP)

Inter Milan extended their lead at the top of Serie A with a 0-0 draw at Atalanta.

The Nerazzurri have lost only once in the league this season but were grateful to goalkeeper Samir Handanovic for making fine saves to deny Luis Muriel and Mario Pasalic in Bergamo.

Leaders Inter are now two points clear of city rivals AC Milan while fourth-placed Atalanta are eight points off the top.

Atalantas Luis Muriel (left) and Inter Milans Nicolo Barella (right) battle for the ball during their 0-0 Serie A draw (Spada/LaPresse via AP) (AP)

Portugal midfielder Sergio Oliveira scored the winner on his debut as Roma beat Cagliari 1-0.

The Porto loanee netted a 33rd-minute penalty for Jose Mourinhos side after Dalbert had handled his shot.

Antonin Barak bagged a hat-trick as Verona won 4-2 at Sassuolo.

Gianluca Caprari had opened the scoring for the visitors, with Gianluca Scamacca and Gregoire Defrel replying for Sassuolo.

"Today the important thing was just to win - whether it was 5-0 or 1-0, the thing was to get the three points. The team dug in and managed to do that."



 - Jose Mourinho

#ASRoma #RomaCagliari pic.twitter.com/8Xp55tQSQL  AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) January 16, 2022

Venezia drew 1-1 with Empoli as David Okereke levelled Szymon Zurkowskis earlier effort.

Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup for the 12th time by beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in Saudi Arabia.

Luka Modric and Karim Benzema, from the penalty spot, scored either side of the break.

Real survived a late scare when Eder Militao was sent off for handball and Thibaut Courtois saved Raul Garcias resulting spot-kick.

 Ask for more trophy photos and you shall receive!#Supercampeones pic.twitter.com/6pgiv2daU1  Real Madrid C.F.  (@realmadriden) January 16, 2022

Elche boosted their LaLiga survival hopes with a 1-0 home victory over Villarreal.

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Lucas Boyes 78th-minute strike from outside the box earned Elche a third successive win in all competitions.

Real Betis came from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 and reach the last eight of the Copa del Rey.

El Gran Derbi was abandoned on Saturday after Sevilla midfielder Joan Jordan was struck on the head by an object thrown from the crowd after Betis Nabil Fekir cancelled out Papu Gomezs opener.

The game resumed from the 39th minute with the score at 1-1, and without the 55,000 fans present the previous evening, and Sergio Canales struck the winner for Betis 18 minutes from time. Valencia beat third-tier Atletico Baleares 1-0.

Augsburg moved out of the Bundesliga relegation play-off spot with a 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.

It's starting to get mighty tight down there 



Only five points separate 11th from 17th. #BLMatchday pic.twitter.com/I1MF4BXf2g  Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 16, 2022

Daichi Kamada gave eighth-placed Eintracht the lead and Michael Gregoritsch levelled seven minutes before the break.

Bottom-placed Greuther Furth were denied a rare top-flight win in a 2-2 draw at fellow strugglers Arminia Bielefeld.

Masaya Okugawas seventh goal of the season gave the hosts an early advantage and though Jamie Leweling and Havard Nielsen turned the game around, Gonzalo Castros stunning long-range effort prevented Furth from celebrating a second league victory.

In Ligue 1, third-placed Marseille drew 1-1 at home to 10-man Lille.

Newcastle target Sven Botman headed Lille into a 15th-minute lead but Benjamin Andre was sent off just after the half-hour and Marseille pressure was rewarded 15 minutes from time when Turkey winger Cengiz Under scored for the third successive game.

Fourth-placed Rennes thrashed Bordeaux 6-0 with Sehrou Guirassys late brace rounding off the scoring after goals from Martin Terrier, Benjamin Bourigeaud, Gaetan Laborde and Adrien Truffert.

Bordeaux had Issouf Sissokho sent off after 50 minutes when the score was 2-0.

Monaco remain a point behind Rennes after beating Clermont 4-0. Substitute Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice with Sofiane Diop and Caio Henrique also netting.

+3 points 

50 goals scored in all competitions for @OL_English

50 buts marques toutes competitions avec @ol

Thanks for your support  @dembelition pic.twitter.com/dZk0MjEwzz  Moussa Dembele (@MDembele_10) January 16, 2022

Lyon  with a Moussa Dembele penalty  and Metz recorded respective 1-0 wins at Troyes and Reims, while Lorient and Angers fought out a goalless draw despite Souleyman Doumbias 14th-minute dismissal for the visitors.

Late goals from Majeed Waris, Adrien Thomasson and Kevin Gameiro saw Strasbourg punish 10-man Montpellier, who led through Florent Mollet but had Sepe Elye Wahi sent off.
NATICK  Nomso Emetarom was telling people about his dream since he was a kid.

He remembers those conversations in elementary school, when he told friends he would go to law school and do something big.

In order to achieve what Ive achieved, I spoke my dream into existence, said Emetarom, a 2020 Suffolk University Law School graduate, on Monday morning at the Verve Hotel Boston Natick, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. He's a junior attorney through the Robert Half staffing agency.

Emetarom was one of several speakers at the Greater Framingham Community Churchs 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. This years event was hybrid  attendees could either watch online or go in person.

Youth Presenter Jacob Crutchfield-Jones makes his remarks during the Greater Framingham Community Church's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at the Verve Hotel in Natick, Jan. 17, 2022.

Emetarom sees his story as a testimonial to Kings message. He faced struggles on his career path, especially as a Black man, but he pushed through to achieve success.

There were even times where I felt like it was impossible, he said. However, my faith in God, myself and my dream far outweighed those obstacles. This is relevant on this day because Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. manifested his dream through his faith in the Lord and his unwavering commitment to his dreams, despite all the odds. As a result, his dream was able to live beyond his own life.

Nearly 60 years ago, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about civil rights at Worcester temple

As it does every year, the church highlighted a quote from one of Kings speeches. This year it came from his famous 1963 I Have a Dream speech.

Attendees take their seats during the Greater Framingham Community Churchs annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at the Verve Hotel in Natick, Jan. 17, 2022.

Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream, King said nearly 60 years ago at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

E. LaBrent Chrite, Bentley Universitys first African American president and the events keynote speaker, said Kings teachings are still relevant today because the world is in need of moral repair.

Why did it change? The interesting history of the real name of Martin Luther King Jr.

I struggle to understand how a country has been able to reverse so considerably from Dr. Kings vision, Chrite said.

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He touched on national issues such as the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attacks, the potential curtailing of voters' rights and the false claim that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election.

Keynote Speaker E. LaBrent Chrite, president at Bentley University in Waltham, speaks during the Greater Framingham Community Church's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at the Verve Hotel in Natick, Jan. 17, 2022.

While those are problems largely being peddled by the Republican party, he said progressives also share some blame for being misguided in their messaging and failing to solve the issues most Americans care about.

The pandemic has highlighted racial inequities, he said.

Historians: An unsuccessful protest in Georgia helped Martin Luther King Jr. become a national leader

The shockingly disproportionate mortality and morbidity rates associated with COVID-19 on communities of color, combined with the inability for Black and brown and other marginalized communities to withstand the harsh flows of the pandemics economic fallout is a powerful affirmation of these truths, Chrite said.

But people of color have been at a disadvantage in this country long before the pandemic, he said.

While America is not a racist country, racism is a prevalent and arguably dominant feature in its historical embrace of Black and brown people, Chrite said.

Singer Athene Wilson performs during the Greater Framingham Community Churchs annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at the Verve Hotel in Natick, Jan. 17, 2022.

To combat this, Chrite emphasized the importance of the private sector and capitalism to escape structural poverty.

He knows the power those can play in elevating someones life as a former dean of the University of Denvers Daniels College of Business and in his time as a university president at Bentley and, previously, Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He said he understands capitalism is not a perfect system, but he has yet to see a comparable alternative.

Look back at 2021 Martin Luther King br: Greater Framingham Community Church going virtual for MLK breakfast

One piece of advice Chrite shared was to embrace a universal display of empathy, patience, understanding and love for one another.

He said King found a way to express empathy for people who stood for everything he was against, including racist police officers in the Deep South.

Young Professional Presenter Nomso Emetarom addresses the crowd during the Greater Framingham Community Church's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at the Verve Hotel in Natick, Jan. 17, 2022.

To understand Kings impact, it's important to understand his approach to achieving his dream of freedom and justice for all people, said 17-year-old Jacob Crutchfield-Jones, who served as the events youth presenter.

King emphasized the importance of protesting peacefully, about making a statement through silent noise," he said.

Crutchfield-Jones pointed to an event at the Holt Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, on Dec. 20, 1956. King spoke at the church about ending a bus boycott that had been sparked by Rosa Parks a year earlier, when she refused to give up her seat to a white man. The boycott was a success. On Nov. 13, 1956, the Supreme Court upheld the federal district courts ruling that racially segregated seating on buses was unconstitutional.

King called for the boycott to end, noting that the mission was accomplished.

Kwani Lunis, mistress of ceremony at the Greater Framingham Community Church's Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, offers a few words, Jan. 17, 2022.

There he preached, It is more honorable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation,'" Crutchfield-Jones read to the crowd. "'So, in a quiet dignified manner, we decided to substitute tired feet for tired souls, and walk the streets of Montgomery until the sagging walls of injustice had been crushed by the battering rams of surging justice.

Cesareo Contreras can be reached at 508-626-3957 or ccontreras@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @cesareo_r.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Greater Framingham Community Church 35th annual MLK Day breakfast
Indiana Pacers' Domantas Sabonis (11) is defended by Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, in Indianapolis.

SAN ANTONIO  Suns starting center Deandre Ayton is ruled out for Monday's game at San Antonio (16-27) after spraining his right ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's road win over Detroit.

"I actually saw it out the corner of my eye," Suns coach Monty Williams said after the 135-108 victory at Little Caesars Arena. "I saw his gait change. I realized he twisted it. t looked like a quick twist."

Ayton scored six points on 3-of-3 shooting within the game's first eight minutes before leaving the game with the injury.

"I think DA stepped on my foot, actually, which I don't like, but it's just a road to recovery," Suns All-Star Devin Booker said. "We'll get him back."

Ayton is averaging 16.8 points and 10.6 rebounds in his fourth NBA season.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives to the basket as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, left, and forward Mikal Bridges (25) defend during the first half Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 at Little Caesars Arena.

The Suns are 11-3 this season without Ayton as he's missed six games with a right leg injury, five in health and safety protocols, two with a non-COVID illness and one to recondition after returning from protocols.

JaVale McGee will likely get the start Monday night for Ayton. The Suns backup big went for 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting in 15 minutes Sunday against the Pistons (10-32).

Cam Johnson is on pace to return Monday as he's listed as probable. Johnson has missed Phoenix's last three games with a left ankle sprain he suffered in last week's home loss to Miami.

With the NBA's best record, the Suns (33-9) will conclude their five-game road trip Thursday against Dallas (24-19).

The Mavericks have lost their previous eight matchups against Phoenix.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Deandre Ayton out Monday's Suns-Spurs game with right ankle sprain
You are here: China

Beijing will require nucleic acid tests within 72 hours of entry into the city, in a move to step up COVID-19 prevention after the city reported its first local Omicron case on Saturday.

The policy will start on Jan 22 and last through the end of March, according to Beijing Daily, covering the Chinese New Year holiday season and the city's Winter Olympics.

Previously Beijing required travelers to provide a negative nucleic acid result from 48 hours ahead of entry and a valid health code.
WASHINGTON  For years, the city of Boston rotated dozens of flags on a pole outside City Hall to celebrate veterans, paramedics, sports teams and LGBTQ pride as part of what it describes as an effort to promote diversity and civic engagement.

But when a group applied in 2017 to hoist a "Christian flag" up the 83-foot pole, city officials said it wouldn't fly. The blue and white flag, with a red Latin cross in one corner, would violate the long-held principle of separation of church and state, they said.

Now, the Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in that dispute, which turns on a fundamental First Amendment question: Who is conveying a message when a third-party group's flag flies on a government flagpole? The group or the government?

Even some advocates sympathetic to Boston's position acknowledge the city will likely be on defense, despite winning last year at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit. The high court's conservative majority often looks askance at government regulation of religion and some of the justices have fretted about what they see as "disfavored" religious rights.

Camp Constitution, the group challenging the city, has picked up some notable allies, including the Biden administration, which says the federal government confronts similar issues when it permits protests on the National Mall or allows people to submit designs for special U.S. Postal Service stamps to celebrate community events.

"What's unusual about this case that's hard for Boston to overcome is that they called it a public forum and they said it was open for all applicants and then, after 12 years of approving these applications with no denials, they censor one," said Mathew Staver with Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal group representing Camp Constitution.

Staver and his allies say Boston's flagpole is a public forum, a key concept in First Amendment law used by courts to help analyze when the government may regulate speech on public property. The government can't restrict speech based on the speaker's viewpoint in a public forum. What that means in practice is that if the city allows one group to speak in that space, say an LGBTQ rights group, it can't block a religious group that opposes those rights from speaking.

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Boston counters that the flag flapping above City Hall is, in fact, a form of government speech  not a public forum for First Amendment purposes  and that city residents perceive the flag as having the city's stamp of approval. Any other approach, the city argues, leads to absurd results: Boston might be forced to fly a New York Yankees flag a week after raising one for the Red Sox.

Or, more seriously, it might be required to fly a flag from a neo-Nazi group.

Instead, Boston officials say they choose which messages to endorse and that virtually all of the third-party flags they pick commemorate a day of observance, such as Juneteenth, a day that celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation, or St. Patrick's Day. Taken together, they say, it all means the messages the flags convey are the city's.

"It's well settled that when governments speak they can say what they want," said Douglas Hallward-Driemeier, a veteran Supreme Court lawyer who will argue the case Tuesday on behalf of Boston. "Certainly, the people of Boston who walk past City Hall Plaza every day would understand that this is where the city is speaking."

If Boston wins on that point, the issue of religion  religious freedom and disfavoring religious organizations  may not enter the picture. And that would likely increase the city's odds of success.

In all sorts of contexts, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the high court has looked favorably on religious freedom claims, from churches and synagogues successfully challenging coronavirus restrictions to religious entities that beat back requirements that they provide health insurance coverage for contraceptives.

In 2019, the court ruled that a massive Latin cross on government property outside of Washington, D.C., did not have to be moved in the name of church-state separation. In 2014 the court upheld a centuries-old tradition of offering prayers to open government meetings, even if those prayers are overwhelmingly Christian.

On the other hand, a 5-4 court in 2015 held that specialty license plates promoting everything from "Choose Life" to "Conserve Water" could prohibit images like the Confederate flag because license plates are government speech. The decision drew a sharp dissent from Associate Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and two others who have since left the court.

"Messages that are proposed by private parties and placed on Texas specialty plates are private speech," Alito wrote.

Boston's guest flag program appears to be relatively rare. Perhaps anticipating lawsuits, more than 7 in 10 cities do not fly third-party flags at all, according to a survey by the International Municipal Lawyers Association.

Even if Boston loses, it's unlikely Camp Constitution's flag will ever fly at City Hall. What's more likely is that the city, and others with programs like it, will just stop raising anyone's flag, experts said. Boston has already discontinued its guest flag program until the Supreme Court hands down a decision, likely later this year.

Lisa Soronen, executive director of the State & Local Legal Center, said that outcome would be a missed opportunity.

"It's a small thing but there is some value in flying them," Soronen said. "We have all these conversations about democracy in decline and I think there's something lost by the possibility of that for a city building up its worldview, its perspective, its friends."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court to hear First Amendment dispute over Christian flag
Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock

Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock was behind bars Sunday after being arrested on a domestic violence charge in Orange Beach.

Baldwin County jail records show Hammock was booked in just before 11 a.m. Sunday morning on a charge of "domestic violence strangulation." He was being held with no bond.

He was arrested by the Orange Beach Police Department. No further information about the incident was immediately available.

Hammock won his second term as mayor of Tallassee in 2020 about two weeks after he was charged with misdemeanor harassment in a road rage case. That case was later dismissed when a grand jury failed to return an indictment. Hammock later called that situation a "misunderstanding."

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at bharper1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock jailed on domestic violence charge
Farragut Primary second grade teacher Sarah Kerstetter organizes books as she sets up her classroom for the upcoming school year on Thursday, July 22, 2021.

Tennessee is trying to make it easier  and cheaper  to become a teacher.

In an effort to combat ongoing teacher shortages  only made worse by the pandemic  and the cost barriers to pursuing postsecondary education, Tennessee has partnered with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor to establish teacher apprenticeship programs across the state.

The first such program has already been approved. The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System and Austin Peay State University's Teacher Residency program became the first registered apprenticeship program for teaching in the country.

Fourth grade English Language Arts teacher Kellie Marks leads her classroom full of students on the first day of school at Napier Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools, in Nashville, Tenn. on Aug. 10, 2021.

The model, referred to as "Grow Your Own," builds off the proven success of residency programs in other fields, such as training programs for welders, advanced manufacturers and even doctors and healthcare workers.

School funding: Key House leaders have desire to push ahead this year on Tennessee school funding revamp

New report: Black and male teachers score lower on classroom observations than their peers, new report finds

Teacher candidates are often able to work full-time in the classroom while pursuing their degree and teaching credentials. The programs are sometimes even directly geared to non-traditional students like older adults who are already working in schools.

Registered Apprenticeships have opened the doors to so many good jobs across our economy, and Tennessees innovative teacher apprenticeship program now offers a new pathway to the classroom at a critical time for our children, schools and communities," U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh said in a statement.

Tennessee State Board of Education reports have often found teacher residency programs also produce higher-quality teachers that are more effective in the classroom.

In 2018, Austin Peay partnered with Clarksville-Montgomery schools to give recent high school graduates and teacher's aides a free, accelerated path to become full-time teachers.

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In October 2020, using more than $20 million in federal coronavirus relief funding, the state education department launched it's own statewide Grow Your Own strategy, partnering with 14 colleges, universities and teaching training programs and 63 school districts to develop similar programs.

The first class of teacher residents in the Early Learning Teacher Residency program  a partnership between Austin Peay State University and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System  prepare to sign their teaching contracts at a 'Signing Day' event on May 24, 2019.

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn told The Tennessean the state has been about 2,000 teachers short on average for the past several years.

Enrollment in teaching training programs at colleges and universities across the country has decreased in recent years and Tennessee is also committed to increasing the diversity of its teacher workforce, which is currently majority white and female though the state's student population is increasingly diverse.

"We know it's important for our teacher workforce to reflect the students in their classroom," Schwinn said Thursday. "When you have Grow Your Own programs, it can remove the financial barriers future teachers face and get students from low-income communities, from local communities in those positions will ensuring that local vacancies are filled."

The partnership with the federal government will allow the state and local communities to use federal labor dollars to establish and fund teacher apprenticeship programs across the state and even target specific areas of need like special education, advanced math or science.

Apprenticeships are a long-proven method to grow a skilled and qualified workforce, Tennessee Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Jeff McCord said in a statement. Working with the Tennessee Department of Education to develop a registered apprenticeship program for teachers is the next step in Tennessees workforce development journey. This innovative approach will serve to recruit new talent and help to create a workforce pipeline into the states school districts for years to come.

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn speaks at a news conference announcing a Grow Your Own partnership between the University of Tennessee and Knox County Schools at the Baker Center in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, March 2, 2020.

In addition to helping more high-quality teachers get into Tennessee classrooms, Schwinn has two other hopes for the program.

The state already has plans to work with the Council of Chief State School Officers  Schwinn serves on the board  to help other states launch similar programs.

"We hope states across the country will utilize this model to combat teacher shortages, remove barriers to becoming an educator for people from all backgrounds and continue to invest in the teaching profession," Schwinn said.

She also hopes this apprenticeship model could pave the way for similar programs for other sorely needed school staff, such as school nurses, school counselors and more.

Stay up-to-date on Tennessee's top education news by signing up for our new weekly newsletter, School Zone. Sign up here.

Want to read more stories like this? A subscription to one of our Tennessee publications gets you unlimited access to all the latest news throughout the entire USA TODAY Network.

Meghan Mangrum covers education for the USA TODAY Network  Tennessee. Contact her at mmangrum@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee combats teacher shortages with free apprenticeship programs
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker threw a chair at the hostage-taker. (BBC/CBS)

The rabbi at a synagogue in Texas who was taken hostage by a British gunman on Saturday has described how he threw a chair to distract his attacker so he could escape.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the other hostages got away after a 10-hour siege in the town of Colleyville.

British hostage-taker Malik Faisal Akram, originally from Blackburn in Lancashire, was shot dead after an FBI SWAT team entered the building.

Rabbi Cytron-Walker told CBS: "When I saw an opportunity, when he wasn't in a good position, I made sure the gentlemen were still with me, they were ready to go.

"The exit wasn't too far away, I told them to go."

He then threw the chair to cause a distraction before they all escaped.

All four hostages held at Congregation Beth Israel were unharmed, with one being released six hours into the siege.

Watch: Suspect dead and hostages released from stand-off at synagogue in Texas

US president Joe Biden branded the incident an act of terror and UK police are working with authorities in the US on the investigation.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced that officers from Counter Terror Policing North West had made two arrests in south Manchester on Sunday evening.

They said the teenagers, whose ages and genders they did not immediately confirm, remain in custody for questioning.

On Monday, home secretary Priti Patel added she had spoken to her US counterpart Alejandro Mayorkas and offered the full support of the UK police and security services in the investigation.

Akrams family said they were absolutely devastated by what had happened and do not condone any of his actions, according to a statement which had been shared on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page.

The statement, attributed to Akrams brother, said he had been involved in negotiating from the UK with his sibling during the ordeal, adding the hostage-taker was suffering from mental health issues.

FBI SWAT team members deploy near the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. (Getty)

An armoured truck is parked in the parking lot of Colleyville Middle School. (Getty)

US officials believe Akram had a visa, arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York around two weeks ago and bought a handgun used in the incident.

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In an update to reporters on Sunday, Biden said while he did not have all the details it was believed Akram had got the weapons on the street, adding: He purchased them when he landed.

He said there were no bombs that we know of, and that Akram is thought to have spent the first night in a homeless shelter.

Read more:

Texas rabbi: Security training paid off in hostage standoff

Teenagers arrested in UK in connection with Texas synagogue siege as FBI name British hostage-taker

Support flows to 'changed' Texas synagogue after standoff

Condemning what had happened, the statement from Akrams family said: We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident.

Akram is said to have demanded the release of Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US army officers in Afghanistan, and is in prison in Texas.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, FBI special agent in charge Matt DeSarno said they believed the man was singularly focused on one issue and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community, and added they will continue to work to find motive.

Confirming that the hostage-taker had died, he said there would be an independent investigation of the shooting incident.

Watch: Two teenagers held in Manchester after act of terror at US synagogue
Thiam appointed deputy minority whip

ANNAPOLIS  Del. Brenda Thiam, R-Washington, has been appointed to serve as a deputy minority whip, a position that helps organize debate and strategy on legislation at the committee level.

"I am honored to be selected by our leadership team to serve as a deputy minority whip," Thiam said. "This is my second session serving on the Judiciary Committee and I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues."

Del. Brenda Thiam

Thiam said she is ready to work in her new position and hopes to work "collaboratively on behalf of all Marylanders and favorably support and pass bills that will contribute to a better quality of life for us all."

More on county politics: Antietam Broadband grant expected to bring internet to 1,745 Washington County residents

More on Maryland General Assembly 2022: Despite COVID complications, the Maryland General Assembly gets down to business

County delegates meet to talk liquor legislation

ANNAPOLIS  Washington County delegates met for the first time during this year's Maryland General Assembly through Zoom.

The meeting was short, filled with liquor legislation the delegates hope to push during the General Assembly.

The delegates want removed a "sunset" provision in state law that would allow local wineries in the county to host 60 events per year and sell outside alcohol.

More hats in the ring

ANNAPOLIS  Several state and local candidates filed to run in Maryland primary races this week. Here's a rundown:

Del. Brooke Lierman, D-Baltimore City, is seeking the nomination for comptroller in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Peter Franchot plans to run for governor, but has not yet filed. Lierman currently chairs the Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, and is the House chair of the Joint Committee on Pensions.

Ladetra Robinson, operator of The Blossom School of Etiquette in Hagerstown, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Maryland House of Delegates seat in District 2B, currently held by Del. Brenda Thiam, R-Washington.

Incumbent Mike Guessford is running for re-election to one of three Washington County Board of Education seats to be decided this year. The board race is nonpartisan.

And there was one withdrawal  Democrat Carleah Summers of Frederick withdrew from the race for Congress in District 6.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Political Notebook Jan. 17
Thomas Tuchel is very confident of seeing out his current Chelsea contract (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)

Thomas Tuchel feels very confident he can complete his current Chelsea contract that runs until 2024.

The German boss is approaching one year at the Stamford Bridge helm, in which time he has led the Blues to the Champions League and European Super Cup titles, and the FA Cup final.

The Blues trail runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City by 13 points after Saturdays 1-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium however, with expectations of a genuine title challenge dashed after frustrating recent results.

Thomas Tuchel with the Champions League trophy after Chelsea beat Manchester City in May 2021 (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)

But Chelsea will nonetheless make the trip to Brighton on Tuesday with Tuchel still buoyant on his current and future situation in west London.

Asked if he has an option of further time at Chelsea under his current terms, the 48-year-old said: I dont even know; I dont even know to be honest!

I think I have a contract until 2024, and lets stay with this and lets try to stay as long as this contract says.

Because history tells us that its not that easy, but I feel very confident today that I can make it.

Tuchels Blues slipped 13 behind Pep Guardiolas Manchester City after Saturdays defeat (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

I dont want to be anywhere else, this is absolutely sure.

I feel very happy, and lets see whats going on.

But everybody knows what you need, you need results, and Im responsible for creating an atmosphere that gives us the results.

So all the focus is into the process and not into the result. What counts for games counts for my personal situation the same.

Club-record signing Romelu Lukaku continues to fight for top form, with the Blues struggling for fluency in Sundays loss.

Romelu Lukaku has been backed to find the right balance at Chelsea (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

But Tuchel said Chelsea were helping the 98million summer recruit seek the perfect balance of pressure and peace.

Asked if he had expected more from Lukaku on Sunday, Tuchel replied: We expected more from all our offensive performers in the last match.

I think we had enough offensive actions, transitions, to hurt Man City more than we did.

If this answers your question, maybe not 100 per cent, but he is included in our offensive component.

We need to find a mix between all the expectations, the pressure and to be relaxed enough to play your best game, because it's not only about pushing, about demands, it's also about feeling peace and being relaxed on the pitch.

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Thomas Tuchel on Romelu Lukaku

Hes a key player, so there will always be pressure but not more pressure than he puts on himself.

And we need to find a mix between all the expectations, the pressure and to be relaxed enough to play your best game, because its not only about pushing, about demands, its also about feeling peace and being relaxed on the pitch.

Southampton are keen to strike a deal for the permanent transfer of on-loan Chelsea youngster Armando Broja, with the forward having hit five Premier League goals this term.

Tuchel insisted any talk of a transfer must be shelved, though, so the Albania striker can focus purely on this season.

Hes our player and hes doing good, but at the same time its only half a season, so he needs to continue to improve and to make his statement at Southampton, Tuchel said.

We have a reason why they are our players, they have quality and mentality and now they are out there on their own in different environments and clubs, and proving themselves.

Armandos getting better and better, hes a very unique player with unique strengths in his game, he has speed, hes robust and hes a goalscorer.

First of all now is not the moment to discuss about the summer  its the moment for him to stay calm and keep on improving.
Ash from an erupted underwater volcano has made Tonga look like a moonscape, according to residents of the Pacific island.

Particles emitted by the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano  a once-in-a-millennium event that has been visible from outer space  darkened the sky and contaminated the water supply.

Locals have said that the island now looks like the surface of the moon after being coated in a layer of volcanic ash, the BBC reported.

Fresh water is now vital on the island, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern said, as authorities told the 105,000 residents to only drink bottled water and to wear face masks to protect their airways.

New Zealand has sent a plane to Tonga to assess the scale of the damage after satellite images captured the explosion sending plumes of smoke and volcanic ash into the air about 12 miles above sea level.

Experts say the eruption, which triggered a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, was one of the most violent in the region in decades.

The Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai erupted on Saturday (Screenshot)

The eruption had sparked a tsunami with 1.2 metre-high waves that have crashed into homes on the coast of Tonga  which lies 1,481 miles northeast of New Zealand  as well as several South Pacific islands.

People have fled low-lying areas in fear that the waves would get bigger, footage posted online shows.

Residents have been cut off from the rest of the world after the vast majority  if not all  the power, internet and telephone lines went down on Saturday at about 6.40pm local time.

Some parts of the island are seeing the power restored and some mobile phones were beginning to work again, Ms Ardern said.

But families and friends of those who have not been contactable have become increasingly concerned for their loved-ones safety, as casualty reports had yet to come through.

There are no official reports of injuries or deaths as contact has not been established with outlying coastal areas beyond the capital Nukualofa and closer to the volcano, Ms Ardern told a news conference.

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Nukualofa is covered in thick plumes of volcanic dust but otherwise conditions are calm and stable, she said.

There are parts of Tonga where we just dont know yet... we just havent established communication.

A plume rises over Tonga (R) near Australia (L), as seen by Japanese weather satellite Himawari-8 (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology/Reuters)

Experts have said that the volcano rarely erupts, but that it can have several weeks or even years of unrest once it does.

Tonga eruptions expert Professor Shane Cronin, from the University of Auckland, has said: This is one of the massive explosions the volcano is capable of producing roughly every thousand years.

We could be in for several weeks or even years of major volcanic unrest from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano.

Prof Cronin also said: Help will be needed to restore drinking water supplies.

People of Tonga must also remain vigilant for further eruptions and especially tsunami with short notice and should avoid low lying areas.

The event has triggered warnings in a number of countries including the US, where some flooding was seen in California, and Japan.

Powerful waves were registered in countries including Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Shockwaves have also been registered by observation sites in the UK, some 10,000 miles away from Tonga, according to the Met Office.

UK Foreign Office minister Zac Goldsmith called the situation in Tonga shocking and said Britain stood ready to help and support our Commonwealth friend and partner in any way we can.
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish court on Monday acquitted German journalist Mesale Tolu of terrorism charges, she said on Twitter, in a case that lasted nearly five years and added to strains between Ankara and Berlin at the time of her detention.

Tolu was detained in April 2017 as part of a crackdown following a coup attempt in July 2016 and was held in jail for eight months before being released. She had been accused of publishing terrorist propaganda and membership of a terrorist organisation.

"After four years, eight months and 20 days: acquitted on both charges!" she tweeted.

"In a state of law, such a trial would not have taken place in the first place. The verdict cannot make up for the repression and the time in prison," Tolu added.

Relations between the NATO partners soured after Germany condemned Turkey's arrests following the failed coup of some 50,000 people, and the suspension or firing of 150,000 others, including teachers, judges and soldiers.

Around a dozen people who hold German citizenship were also jailed in Turkey under the crackdown. Germany is home to some 3 million people of Turkish heritage.

Ties improved again after Turkey released German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel in 2018 and lifted a travel ban against Tolu months after her release.

(Reporting by Mehmet Emin Caliskan; Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Alex Richardson)
By Ali Kucukgocmen

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -A Turkish court on Monday rejected a request to release philanthropist Osman Kavala who has spent more than four years in jail without conviction, despite a European human rights watchdog moving against Ankara over his detention.

Kavala has remained in detention despite initially being acquitted of charges over nationwide protests in 2013 focused on Istanbul's Gezi Park. The ruling was overturned last year and combined with charges in another case related to a coup attempt in 2016. He denies any wrongdoing.

Kavala, 64, is now on trial with 51 others in a combination of three separate cases.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has called for Kavala's release over a lack of reasonable suspicion that he committed an offence, ruling that his detention served to silence him.

The Council of Europe (CoE) told Turkey in December it was preparing "infringement proceedings" over its failure to release Kavala, a move that could lead to Ankara's suspension from the body.

A panel of three judges rejected releasing Kavala by a majority vote and set the next hearing on his detention for Feb. 21. Kavala was detained on Oct. 18, 2017.

Human rights groups have said the case has political motivations and is part of a crackdown on dissent under President Tayyip Erdogan. The government rejects this and says Turkey's courts are independent.

Kavala has not attended the last two hearings. He said in October that there was no possibility of a fair trial after Erdogan said Turkey would not release "bandits, murderers and terrorist" in relation to the case.

Ilkan Koyuncu, Kavala's lawyer, said his client had lost faith in the judiciary.

'STAGED PLAY'

Milena Buyum, Turkey campaigner for Amnesty International, called on the Council of Europe to act.

"Refer this stubborn refusal to implement the binding (ECHR) judgment back to the court under infringement proceedings," she said on Twitter, referring to the first step in the process.

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Erdogan threatened in October to expel the ambassadors of 10 countries, including the United States, Germany and France, after they reiterated the ECHR ruling seeking Kavala's release.

Mucella Yapici, a co-defendant who has twice been acquitted of charges related to the 2013 protests, rejects the current indictment.

"We have been tried since 2015 with some nonsensical indictments. It is as if we are extras here in a staged played the end of which is already determined," the 70-year-old Yapici said.

(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen;Writing by Daren Butler;Editing by Tuvan Gumrukcu, Jonathan Spicer and Toby Chopra)
Mark Schlissel, president of the University of Michigan, in his office during an interview in the Fleming Administration Building on the U-M campus on June 16, 2017, in Ann Arbor.

The University of Michigan is investigating whether former President Mark Schlissel misused university funds in support of his relationship with a female employee, two sources with knowledge of the investigation told the Free Press on Sunday night.

The look into how money was spent is part of an ongoing review of Schlissel and his conduct, first prompted by an anonymous tip that reached the Board of Regents in December. The school's board fired Schlissel on Saturday night for violating the university's supervisor relationship policy.

It was unclear what funds the investigators might be examining. The sources requested anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.

New York law firm Jenner & Block is continuing the investigation, U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald confirmed to the Free Press. He did not answer questions about the scope of the work.

Schlissel has been unable to be reached for comment by the Free Press.

He made $927,000 a year.

More: University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel's firing stuns students, others

More: University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel fired by board after investigation

More: Tensions between U-M regents, President Mark Schlissel may have reached a boiling point

The university posted its contract with the law firm on its website Sunday. It was signed on Dec. 23, although the university began working with the law firm as soon as the university received a tip that Schlissel was involved with a female university employee on Dec. 8.

"After an investigation, we learned that Dr. Schlissel, over a period of years, used his university email account to communicate with that subordinate in a manner inconsistent with the dignity and reputation of the university," the board said in an announcement of Schlissel's firing.

The law firm charges the university per hour. The firm's standard rate was $1,100 in 2021 and $1,250 in 2022, but is giving a 15% discount to the school. No timeline has been given for wrapping up the investigation.

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According to emails posted by the university Saturday night in a stated spirit of transparency, Schlissel wrote to the female employee regularly and in familiar tones, including in October 2019 when he emailed about receiving a box of knishes. The woman said in reply that she liked the doughy snack food. Schlissel replied again: Can I "lure you to visit with the promise of a knish?"

The decision to fire him was made behind closed doors Saturday morning, without a public vote. It was effective immediately.

David Jesse was a 2020-21 Spencer Education Reporting Fellow at Columbia University and the 2018 Education Writer Association's best education reporter. Contact David Jesse: 313-222-8851 or djesse@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @reporterdavidj. Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: U-M investigating whether Schlissel misused university funds
A Texas state trooper blocks traffic on a road leading to a Colleyville, Texas, synagogue where a man apparently took hostages, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Associated Press/Jake Bleiberg

UK police said two teens were arrested in connection with the Texas synagogue hostage incident.

A man took four people hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas.

The FBI identified the suspect as 44-year-old British national, Malik Faisal Akram.

Police in the UK said they made two arrests in connection with Saturday's synagogue hostage incident in Texas.

The Greater Manchester Police announced on Sunday that officers from Counter Terror Policing North West arrested two teens in South Manchester.

"CTP North West and CTP International operations continues to assist the investigation being led by the US authorities, and police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance," the agency said.

No further information was available.

A man who the FBI identified as 44-year-old British national, Malik Faisal Akram took four people hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas.

In a press statement, President Joe Biden said Akram had only been in the US for a few weeks and had spent his first night in a homeless shelter. Biden said Akram had purchased a gun "on the street," after he arrived in the country.

An exact motive is not yet known but Akram reportedly made demands that convicted terrorist Aafia Siddiqui, dubbed "Lady Al-Qaeda" be released from the Carswell Air Force Base in Texas.

Siddiqui is serving an 86-year sentence after being convicted for attempting to kill a US soldier in 2010.

Read the original article on Insider
A Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER. Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

Airlines are once again bracing for a shortage of pilots as air travel ramps up.

Pilots are in short supply and pilot training is costly, long, and arduous.

Airlines are raising pay scales while offering massive sign-on bonuses and lowering education requirements for new hires.

Aviation's pilot shortage is back with a vengeance following a temporary reprieve during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airlines are pulling out all the stops in an effort to attract talent and encourage more people to become pilots. And after decades of low pay, intense training, and furloughs, pilots are being given an opportunity to shape their own career path while getting paid more.

Breeze Airways, the startup airline founded by David Neeleman of JetBlue Airways fame, has already raised the pay for its pilots after seven months of operations. New hire first officers flying Breeze's Embraer E190/E195 aircraft will see an 11% increase to $61 per flight hour, while first officers assigned the Airbus A220 aircraft will see a 24% increase to $68 per flight hour.

Many airline pilots who are just starting out will no longer have to endure low wages as they work their way up the ladder. Regional airlines, often the first stop for pilots that hope to fly for major carriers, are back to offering big sign-on bonuses to new hires.

Missouri-based regional airline GoJet Airlines is offering $20,000 bonuses to first officers, while pilots that have enough experience to join the airline as a captain are being offered $40,000. US regional carriers often have to fight the hardest to attract talent given the variety of competition.

Pilots looking to make the jump over to a major carrier will now have fewer barriers to doing so. Delta Air Lines is reducing its education requirements for prospective pilots when applying by eliminating the requirement to have a four-year college degree.

"While we feel as strongly as ever about the importance of education, there are highly qualified candidates  people who we would want to welcome to our Delta family  who have gained more than the equivalent of a college education through years of life and leadership experience," Delta wrote in its announcement. "Making the four-year degree requirement preferred removes unintentional barriers to our Delta flight decks."

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United Airlines similarly prefers but does not require a bachelor's degree for its pilot applicants and American Airlines does not list any preference or requirement for having a degree. Independent flight schools allow pilots to earn their required licenses and ratings without the additional cost of a college education.

"Ab initio" programs, where prospective pilots with no prior training can get all of their required licenses, are also growing in popularity in the US with airlines like United getting ready to open their own pilot academies in places like Arizona. Though pilots still bear the cost of training, they will have a set career course to fly for a major airline and have access to financial aid including loans.

Some pilot requirements are outside of an airline's control, including the required number of flight hours a pilot must possess before being hired by a passenger airline and the Federal Aviation Administration's mandatory retirement age of 65. But not all airlines are looking for pilots who intend to stay for decades.

Breeze, for example, wants to hire older pilots who retired from the airline industry amid the pandemic, even if they only have a few years before reaching retirement age.

"Anybody who has three years left would be great because they bring in maturity, discipline, and lots of experience," Christopher Owens, Breeze's vice president of flight operations, told Insider.

Another lever that airlines including Breeze are pulling is hiring pilots from Australia under the E-3 visa program for skilled workers. Breeze has seen at least 120 applicants for the program, which more airlines are adopting to increase their supply of pilots.

Airlines are realizing that they can't afford to not address the pilot shortage as they are already feeling its effects. Regional airlines flying on behalf of United, for example, have been forced to ground hundreds of aircraft as well as cut and reshuffle routes.

"I'm a little less optimistic that that situation is going to reverse itself in the near term unless we do something to increase the supply of pilots," Scott Kirby, United's chief executive officer, said in a Senate hearing last month.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kaweah Delta Medical Center announced Tuesday, April 27, 2021 a name change to Kaweah Health that better reflects their mission to provide comprehensive health services to the community.

San Joaquin Valley hospitals sounded the alarm over an ongoing coronavirus surge that has overwhelmed healthcare workers and pushed local emergency rooms "close to disaster levels."

Nine hospitals, including Visalia's Kaweah Health, published the unified alert on social media. The post includes a video with a stark S.O.S. message warning that the "COVID-19 burden on our hospitals is greater than ever before."

The message pleads with residents to get a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot in order to curb the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant, which has caused Tulare County's positivity rate to skyrocket from 4% to nearly 20% in just two weeks.

"We are signaling for your help. Please get your vaccine and your booster," the hospitals' message states.

As of Sunday, Kaweah was treating 73 COVID-19 patients, eight of whom were in the ICU. The hospital was at 98% capacity. While that's fewer patients than the grim heights reached during the crest of last year's delta surge, hospital officials are concerned by the omicron variant's high transmission rate.

"While the number of inpatient COVID [patients] isnt as high as last year, we are experiencing a higher number of staff leaves due to the virus, and at an alarmingly rapid rate," Laura Florez-McCusker, hospital spokesperson, said in an email. "In just one week, our number of staff leaves increased by 250%.

"The number of staff unable to work due to a positive COVID test created challenges and shortcomings in inpatient staffing."

There are nearly 250 Kaweah employees on coronavirus leave at the same time that hospital admissions are beginning to climb, straining the hospital from both ends. Kaweah also recently broke a record for emergency department patients treated, Florez-McCusker said.

"The disaster is the high volumes of all patients paired with high volumes of people on leave," said Keri Noeske, the hospital's Chief Nursing Officer. "We are able to provide care, it just takes longer with fewer resources."

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Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

On Friday, Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville announced its ICU was full. The eastern Tulare County hospital was treating 21 COVID-19 patients.

Seeing the surge of the Omicron and Delta variants hitting our hospital and health care systems, we are at capacity. Our ICU is beyond capacity and this is the time that we really need people to focus on getting their booster if they havent already done so to avoid hospitalization, Dr. Jeffery Hudson-Covolo, the hospital's chief nursing officer, said in a news release.

Beyond vaccines and booster shots, the S.O.S. encourages people to do the following to help ease the burden on Valley hospitals:

Keep wearing your mask.

Practice social distancing.

Encourage others to do the same.

Besides Kaweah and Sierra View, the message was cosigned by Community Health System, UCSF Fresno, Madera Community Hospital, Saint Agnes Medical Center, San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Healthy Fresno County, and Valley Children's

Joshua Yeager is a reporter with the Visalia Times-Delta and a Report for America corps member. He covers Tulare County news deserts with a focus on the environment and local governments.

Follow him on Twitter @VTD_Joshy. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Valley hospitals call S.O.S. amid pandemic surge
The wellness products we think are worth investing in this January. (Neom)

Yahoo Life's editors are committed to independently selecting wonderful products at great prices for you. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

If December is the month of indulgence, January is the month of self-care - the time of year when we hunker down and take long baths, enjoy candlelit evenings and nourish ourselves with something other than brandy butter and mince pies.

So, to help you make the most of this time of hibernation, we've picked out the best wellness products that we think are worth investing in.

We know your bank balance might have taken a beating after the festive season, so we've tried to pick fairly priced products to add to your basket to help with your self-care routine, this month and beyond.

5 wellness products that are actually worth investing in this year

Neom Organics London Perfect Night's Sleep Magnesium Body Butter | 36 from John Lewis

Fun fact for you, getting your daily boost of magnesium is vital for your health and wellbeing, yet it's thought that the majority of us are deficient.

Magnesium plays a role in most of our bodily processes. Due to magnesium's vital intracellular work, it is a crucial mineral to our overall physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Actually, there's hardly an organ or system that does not rely on magnesium to function optimally. Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Barb Woegerer told wellbeing brand, Neom.

Don't worry though, this luxurious magnesium body butter will ensure you're dosed up - and that your skin is soft and glowing too.

Lumity Skin Routines Ice Globe Roller | 28 (Was 35) from Look Fantastic

Lumitys professional-grade ice roller for your face puts your skin through a workout akin to an at-home facial. This handy little product aids lymphatic drainage at a cellular level and gets to work to tame inflamed skin.

Plus, it reduces redness from Christmas-related breakouts while shrinking the size of your pores so skin looks instantly brightened, balanced and smooth with an even tone.

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Not only does it help your skin, but the simple act of massaging your face with a roller may also even reduce stress and release tension, much like a normal full-body massage.

John Lewis & Partners The Ultimate Collection Silk Standard Pillowcase | 45 from John Lewis

Not only does a silk pillow case help to regulate your body temperature and encourage deeper and better quality sleep, silk pillow cases are also known for their skin and hair benefits, such as combating bedhead, as well as the deep face wrinkles caused by sleeping face down.

John Lewis' affordable silk pillowcase has been a bestseller for a while and has almost 400 five-star reviews. One customer said: "the rich, warm luxurious fabric, helps prevent wrinkles and protect long, delicate hair."

Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil | 47 from John Lewis

January is the month of hibernation and so long, languishing baths are high up on our to-do list, as are home workouts. So this luxurious de-stress muscle bath and shower oil is the ideal way to soothe an aching body and transform your bathroom into a spa.

Made up of soothing rosemary, lavender and ginger to de-stress your body, one happy customer said: "Beautiful fragrance, so relaxing. Sheer bliss!"

Neom Organics London Wellbeing Pod Diffuser | 95 from Look Fantastic

Designed to deliver the perfect amount of scent in minutes with the power to fragrance your home and help improve your wellbeing, simply pick an essential oil depending on how you want to feel and then go about your day.

With numerous features to help create an optimum relaxing environment, one customer said "The light, the scent, and even trickles of water sound like a bubbling brook".

Watch: What are the best bargain beauty products
The Free Clinic of Central Virginias Food Pharmacy Store launched in July 2017 after Sante Perez-Morris, patient navigation manager at the free clinic, wanted to start doing more for patients being seen at the clinic.

With our clientele of patients that come in and just knowing that their income and even with food stamps, it was just not enough, she said.

Originally, volunteers and different churches would donate food items and the clinic would hold on to them until the holidays to give out. Perez-Morris felt there had to be a better way to serve their population on a daily basis.

The staff began chipping in so they could build a big enough pantry that would have a presence at the clinic and patients would start noticing it.

So it started with staff and volunteers that were just bringing in things from their own cupboard, and staff took money out of their pay periods to buy items, and then they started bringing in hygiene items from there and it just grew, she said. And then one day we were like, You know what, we could take this even bigger; we can take it even further.

The Free Clinic went to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and set up a meeting. Now, nearly five years later, it picks up anywhere between 800 to 2,400 pounds of food weekly from partner agency BRAFB, which in turn, is given for free to anyone in need who comes into the clinic.

The Free Clinic of Central Virginia, at 1016 Main St., provides a full array of services including medical, dental and behavioral health care. It provides care to people who are uninsured or underinsured, which means their insurance may not cover some services they need.

Ula Kauppi, director of development, said most patients are considered low- to middle-income if they fall under 250% of the federal poverty level.

We treat about 4,000 patients a year and statistics tell us that theres about 37,000 people in our area who are in the same situation. So were always trying to reach more people to let them know that were here and we can help them, and if we cant help them, we can find somebody who can, she said.

Many patients dont even realize they qualify for Medicaid, so staff can help set them up.

Kauppi added many patients dont live near grocery stores and dont have access to fresh produce.

So theyve been really excited about heads of cabbage and bags of potatoes, and you cant get that in the convenience stores, she said.

Christy Sale, patient services coordinator, orders from the BRAFB twice per week sometimes, and checks the website daily to see what items are new.

We try to get the fresh produce every week and everything else we try to stockpile but I would say typically once a week we have a pickup from the food bank, she said. Literally weve gone and weve had three vehicles worth of food stocked to the top.

When patients come in and fill out paperwork before their appointment, Sale takes that opportunity to let them know about the food and ask if they need anything to take home.

Even though its mostly patients who use the store, Sale said its open for anyone in need.

The Food Pharmacy Store, as staff has named it, has become a voluntary task of even non-administrative workers at the clinic.

Now as a designated food bank location, Perez-Morris hopes more people in need will come to the clinic to take advantage of the free groceries.

We tell patients to please share with neighbors or family members because they can come any time, five days a week to get food, she said. We know that theres a need and we have the resources here and we would love for them to utilize it so we can assist with grocery needs just to fill in the gap, even if its just for a few days to hold you over until you get paid again or until your food stamps kick in or whatever your circumstances may be at that time.

Food items change weekly but tend to include canned tuna fish, pasta, spaghetti sauce, ham, turkeys, almond milk, rice and beans.

Sale started creating a menu to put in grocery bags so people would know what they could use the ingredients to make at home.

In 2021, the clinic spent $2,600 at BRAFB on food for the store. Thanks to donations raised from the community on Giving Tuesday, the clinic was able to raise $2,300 to purchase a stainless steel refrigerator and industrial shelving to house more produce, meats and other items.

I literally never thought wed get to the point where wed have refrigerators, Perez-Morris said.

Up until that point, the clinic could never accept anything other than nonperishable items as they had nowhere to keep it fresh.

Raven Younger, patient care coordinator, said the food pharmacy benefits patients because they are able to receive medical services as well as some groceries for their families.

They have access to resources that they didnt even know we offered, she said. They have their medical or dental appointment and then theyre able to leave with items to make a whole meal for their family. Even if it just holds them over for a few days or for the holidays, were happy were able to help.

Perez-Morris hopes one day the clinic can transform the entire basement into the Food Pharmacy Store, but until then, she just smiles anytime someone walks away with a food bag.

I honestly I feel so good, she said. I just I smile every time I see something happening in there. I never could have imagined that it would grow to be this big. We know that the need is there, but just having that feeling of knowing that youre helping someone else, its a great feeling.

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A Rustburg man will face charges in connection with the death of his father after an attack Sunday, authorities said.

Michael Stout, 40, initially was charged with aggravated malicious wounding in connection with an assault early Sunday on Gregory Wade McGann, 60, according to the Campbell County Sheriffs Office.

McGann was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital after authorities responded at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday to the 7000 block of Wards Road for a domestic disturbance and found him injured.

McGann later died from his injuries, and Stout now will face upgraded charges, the sheriffs office said. The sheriffs office said it will work with the commonwealths attorneys office in determining what those charges will be.

Stout is held without bond at the Campbell County Adult Detention Center.

 From staff reports
The view from Dr. Ali Khans hotel room might give the impression that the Nebraska public health expert was taking some time away to relax from the states winter cold spell.

Palm trees. Green vegetation. Blue ocean on the horizon.

In reality, Khan, dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Centers College of Public Health, volunteered to travel to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands last month at the behest of the World Health Organization. He went there to help the remote U.S. territory with its response to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Khan said the island territory, set in the Pacific Ocean north of Guam and east of the Philippines, has done a good job of responding to the virus. But in October, health officials identified a large outbreak among schoolchildren and construction workers.

Its the kind of work Khan has done for roughly three decades during a career focused on health security, global health and emerging infectious diseases. Before joining UNMC, he had a 23-year career as a senior director at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which he joined as a disease detective.

At the CDC, Khan responded to numerous high-profile domestic and international public health emergencies. He is also a former assistant surgeon general with the U.S. Public Health Service.

Khan represents UNMC on the steering committee of the WHOs Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, a technical partnership that provides support upon request to prevent and control outbreaks and public health emergencies.

UNMC is one of three American institutions represented on the 21-member international network. The others are Tulane University and the CDC.

Khan said the Northern Mariana Islands has mounted a model public health response to COVID-19, with good leadership by the governor and local health system and solid, aligned public health messaging.

While the commonwealth has faced challenges with vaccine confidence, misinformation on social media and equity issues similar to those on the U.S. mainland; 90.8% of residents eligible for vaccination  those 5 and older  have received at least one vaccine dose, according to CDC data, and 84.4% are fully vaccinated.

By comparison, 78.5% of all U.S. residents 5 and older have received at least one shot, and 66.5% of that group are fully vaccinated.

The territory has had 18 deaths since the start of the pandemic, representing about one-half of 1% of all cases reported. The mortality rate for the U.S. as a whole is 1.4%, according to Johns Hopkins University.

They have shown both how you can get to higher vaccination numbers and what could be the benefits of that when you think about morbidity and mortality, Khan said. He said he would like to see the U.S. get to a vaccination rate of 85%.

The commonwealth, he said, faces some particular challenges that make it important for residents to work together to keep outbreaks under control. The territory has a single health system with a finite number of nurses, doctors and hospital beds. If those beds fill, the health system cant send patients to hospitals in neighboring states, as can be done on the mainland.

If they have an out-of-control outbreak, not only is there no room at the inn, but theres only one inn, he said.

Khan said he hasnt been to a single store during his three weeks on Saipan, the commonwealths largest island, that isnt religious about making sure that patrons write down their names and phone numbers upon entry, take their temperatures and wear masks.

After shutting down and switching to remote learning during the earlier clusters, schools reopened in person Jan. 3.

Its just so nice to see what is possible when you approach it collectively as a community, politically and scientifically, he said.

The territory is also receiving support from federal agencies. But the supply chain is long, said Sean Casey, Pacific COVID-19 incident manager for WHO. The turnaround time for supplies is long, and many of the small nations dont have a lot of leverage when ordering supplies. The WHO recently provided PCR testing materials, which had been running low, as well as rapid antigen tests.

Casey said the global outbreak network is key to connecting partners with resources and expertise.

Its a really critical tool for us, and its really great that weve been able to leverage it for the Pacific and deploy Dr. Khan to the CNMI, he said.

Khans job involves working with health officials to improve their surveillance, lab methods and screening practices. He is also helping the team make sure that theyre collecting the right data and using it to improve their work. That includes looking at questions such as who gets hospitalized and why and whether patients got monoclonal antibodies and, if they didnt, why not.

Its all about using data to improve their response, and its a lot of fun, said Khan, who gave up his personal holiday time from the university to make the trip. The WHO is paying his local expenses.

Khan will be in the territory for about two more weeks. He plans to try to find some scholarship funds and recruit some students for the college, which offers classes online.

Such deployments, he said, also ensure that he stays current in his research and teaching. Two years ago, he went to Fiji and Tonga for a measles outbreak. He was in Sierra Leone during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

This is what Ive done for 30 years, he said.
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UK company Chariot Oil and Gas will start pumping gas from offshore Larache in the Atlantic to Moroccan clients in 2024, head of Moroccos hydrocarbons office Amina Benkhadra said.

Chariot had announced few days ago a major gas discovery offshore the northern Moroccan city of Larache, following appraisal and exploration drillings carried out at the Anchois-2 well within the Lixus license.

Chariot will initially supply power plants in Kenitra, Mohammedia and Tahadart, she said.

Larache offshore gas as well as Tendrara permit operated by Sound Energy and other companies such as SDX energy will all help Morocco replace gas imports from Algeria.

Morocco used to rely on Algeria for most of its gas needs until the latter unilaterally decided to halt the flow of gas through a pipeline last October in a series of hostile measures against the kingdom.

Moroccos energy minister Leila Benali said national gas consumption would increase from 1 billion cubic meters in 2021 to 3 billion cubic meters in 2040.

Moroccos domestic gas production is expected at 110 million cubic meters this year but promising prospects await the country with the successful wells discovered by the British companies Sound Energy, Chariot, and Sdx energy across the country.

Morocco has revised upwards its renewable energy targets to 70% of the energy mix by 2040 and 80% by 2080 in a bid to meet its low-carbon goals.

Moroccan authorities look at LNG as a clean source of energy suitable for the carbon-free transition.
Former Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita died Sunday in Bamako at the age of 76, a year and a half after being overthrown by the military, which is now defying part of the international community.

Begun in 2013, the presidency of IBK- as he was commonly called  largely coincided with the turmoil in which Mali has been caught since the previous year.

Mr. Keita was overthrown in August 2020 by the military, which, after a second coup in May 2021, is using the ills accumulated during the IBK era to plan to continue ruling the country for several more years.

President IBK died this morning at 9:00 am (GMT and local time) at his home in the capital, where he was living in seclusion, away from public life, said a family member.

This information was confirmed by several members of his family and his entourage. The cause of death was not specified.

The death occurred following a long illness, the Malian transitional government, led by Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, who was minister in IBKs cabinet, before becoming his opponent, said simply in a statement.

The transitional government has, in this text signed by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, saluted the memory of the illustrious departed and announced that information on the funeral ceremony will be the subject of a later communique.

The head of Malian diplomacy Abdoulaye Diop said he was saddened to learn of the death of former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and bowed, in a message on Twitter, with great emotion before his memory.

The president of neighboring Senegal, Macky Sall, said on Twitter that he was saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Keita. The former president of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou, comrade of the deceased in the Socialist International, praised a learned man, a great patriot and a pan-Africanist.
King Mohammed VI has strongly condemned the despicable attack perpetrated by the Houthi militia and their supporters against the territory of the United Arab Emirates, which targeted innocent people and civilian facilities.

In a phone talk this Monday with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Emirati Armed Forces, the King reiterated Moroccos firm support for all measures taken by the United Arab Emirates to defend their territory and the peace of their people in the face of the despicable attacks by the Houthi militia and its supporters, the Royal office said in a statement.

As part of the tradition of constant and active solidarity between the two brotherly countries, the Sovereign assured Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that the Kingdom will always stand by the United Arab Emirates and provide all forms of support to this brotherly country for the defense of its national security and the protection of its citizens.

Iran-backed Houthi militias set off explosions in fuel trucks that killed three people on January 17 and caused a fire near the airport of Abu Dhabi, drawing worldwide condemnation.

Morocco, through its Foreign Ministry, has also strongly condemned the despicable attack perpetrated by the Houthi militias and their backers against the Musaffah region and the Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates.

The Kingdom also strongly denounced the targeting of civilians by the Houthis and expressed its full solidarity with the UAE as well as support for its actions to defend its security, the Foreign Ministry said.

The UAE condemns this terrorist attack by the Houthi militia on areas and civilian facilities on Emirati soil(It) will not go unpunished, the Emirati foreign ministry said in a statement. The UAE reserves the right to respond to these terrorist attacks and criminal escalation.
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Scattered thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely late. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 79F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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General Hospital

Days of Our Lives

The Young and the Restless

The Bold and the Beautiful

This Week in Soaps history...

January 16th-20th, 2017

This week on the US Daytime Soaps...Liam was worried that Quinn, Eric, and Wyatt wouldn't stop their campaign to reunite Steffy and Wyatt. Steffy kept assuring Liam that she'd return home as soon as the divorce was final, but Liam insisted that she set Wyatt straight, expedite the divorce, and move back to the cliff house.Quinn intended to tell Eric about Ridge's scheme to break them up, but after a few tequila shots, Ridge and Quinn opened up to each other and wound up kissing. Quinn and Ridge decided to keep what had happened between them.Liam found it strange that Ridge hadn't succeeded in his plan and was puzzled when Ridge decided to abandon future attempts to rid them of Quinn.Chloe ended up back in the hospital after she collapsed.Sonny tried to talk Deimos down.Joey, Jade, Ciara, Claire, and Theo moved in together.Abigail wondered if Chad still had feelings for Gabi.Dario told Eduardo that Deimos had stolen the hard drive, not Kate. Kate told Eduardo that they were through.Carrie and Austin searched for Anna while Paul and Steve pursued Stefano.Eric found Hope by the roadside and took care of her. Eric hid Hope from the police. Hope learned why Eric had been paroled.Jennifer learned that J.J. was working a case on the docks.Sonny, Dario, and Chad's meeting did not go as planned.Abigail and Gabi joined forces to help their loved ones.Chloe told Nicole that their friendship was over if she married Deimos. Brady asked Chloe if Holly was Nicole's child.Elizabeth warned Sam that Alexis might have killed Tom.Nathan and Maxie exchanged wedding vows, surrounded by close friends and family including Maxie's daughter, Georgie.Griffin learned that Claudette had died and angrily accused Valentin of murder. Charlotte ran to hide in a linen closet when she overheard Griffin confront Valentin about Claudette's suspicious death. Lulu followed her daughter and eventually got Charlotte to open up to her. Charlotte confessed that she missed her mother, prompting Lulu to confess that she was Charlotte's real mother.Anna recalled meeting Valentin in the past when he'd been a disfigured young man who had stuttered.Andre was disappointed when Jordan agreed to leave town with Curtis to follow a lead.Rudge sent Julian a warning by creating a health scare with Leo. Julian's sister Olivia was revealed to be alive and the one who'd been pulling his strings for a year.Reed used Victoria's credit card to access a pornographic website. Victoria tried to get Reed to turn to Nick instead of Billy for advice.Victor hosted a dinner to let his family know how important they were to him.Reed secretly spiked his drink and continued to clash with Victoria.Lily filled in as a model for a Brash & Sassy photo shoot.Jack encouraged Hilary to tell Devon the truth about the night of the accident, but she lost her nerve when Devon said he wanted to make the most of their future together and start a family. Mariah apologized to Devon for manipulating Hilary into confessing to causing Mariah's fall, and their conversation triggered Devon's memory. Devon told Hilary that things were over between them.Phyllis attempted to lure Ravi to work on a project for Fenmore's, but he remained loyal to Jabot and was thrilled when Ashley offered him a contract.Gloria feigned interest in Craig in order to thwart Lauren's efforts to get him to invest in Fenmore's. Phyllis became suspicious when she spotted Jack and Gloria together.Sharon found the burner phone to contact Dylan and attempted to reach him. Alex became livid when Dylan received a call from a woman. Dylan slept with Alex to win her trust and avoid having his cover as "Derek" blown. Alex arranged for Dylan to meet Fisk, and the men agreed to a drug deal. Dylan found himself trapped in a locked car, heading away from the location where the exchange was to take place.WEEK OF JANUARY 15th-19th 2007Miguel convinced Kay that Fox had been lying to her, and Kay believed him. In addition, Miguel comforted Kay on her wedding night by making love to her.Jared and Theresa's happiness was short-lived when Gwen and Jared walked in on Ethan and Theresa making love. Ethan was in a trance, unbeknownst to Jared, Gwen, and Theresa.Chad was saved by the bell when Jared came to his rescue again. Whitney was still clueless about Chad's affair.Fancy was still being terrorized by her attacker, and Sheridan continued to use Fancy's plight to her advantage by trying to convince Luis that Fancy was crazy. Source 3 and
I love this post! I am a big podcast listener.



I just subscribed to energy vs climate, though I haven't listened to a single episode yet. We'll see how it goes. I listened to a good episode from media indigena today too, very timely as it was talking a bit about the indigenous politics of the mandalorian/boba fett, and I just picked up s2 of the mandalorian again yesterday.

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I haven't tried to listen any of these TV Shows podcasts because I watched the episodes so long ago I feel like I wouldn't remember/understand what they're talking about?



Other than that I love this roundup, will probably listen to most of these

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The 4th and final season of Wooden Overcoats premiered last week and I'm so happy and I also don't want it to end, I'm gonna miss that show very much.

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None of my favorites are all that new and exciting but:



Hurdle with Emily Abbate

ChuckyVision

Dead Meat

How Did This Get Made?

Comedy Bang! Bang!

Books in the Freezer

Black Friday (the one with Fred Armisen)

Colors of the Dark (I just really love Rebekah McKendry!)

Faculty of Horror

The Severin Films Podcast

Horror Queers

Eli Roths History of Horror

Nightmare on Film Street

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since this is a podcast post, is there any tea behind the michael/sarah split from youre wrong about? or just boring he left to do maintenance phase full time?

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i know hes polarizing here, but seth rogans storytime podcast was a lot of fun. great stories and cinematic elements. i am looking forward to season 2.

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Oh I didn't know he had a podcast! I might check that out.

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https://www.texasmonthly.com/podcasts/series/americas-girls/ Texas Monthly is doing a series on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Theres one episode left but its been pretty interesting.

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Podcast Recs (for Horror Fans):

Horror Queers

Halloweenies (just dropped their episode on Scream 2022!)

Knight Light

Evolution of Horror

Kill by Kill (they do non-horror content like erotic thrillers and its amazing)

Girl Thats Scary

PsychoAnalysis

Nightmare on 5th Street

Pod and the Pendelum

Nightmare on Fierce Street

The Losers Club (King book centric but cover the film adaptations)

TGIF

Anatomy of a Scream



Non-Horror Podcast Recs:

Strange Bedfellows/Babysitters Club Club

F This Movie

We Hate Movies

The Read





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If you like Wicked the musical or Broadway, but particularly Wicked, I recommend Sentimental Men. It's a Wicked-themed podcast that has current and former Wicked actors on for almost every episode. Absolutely fascinating dive into the show's history. (Although Kerry Ellis is lyyying in her podcast when she claims she never did the 'throw these pins at the girls in the front row.' There is audio evidence, Kerry!)

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I've never listened to Marc Maron but I might for queen Nicole. Also, pressing play right now for CONAF!





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oh god no @ a new girl podcast



i never got it and i feel like everyone around me was obsessed with it. it's only been off the air since 2018, i can't believe it's already having a comeback

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Podcasts recommendations, please =)





Currently I'm listening:



-Maintenance Phase: it's about diet, wellness and how much of bullshit it is.



-You're Wrong About: it's about many different topics and how wrong our initial perception of them is.



-Eat, Pray, Britney: it's about Britney, her performance, family drama, life, free Britney, etc.



-RedHanded: it's true crime stuff.



I mostly listen to them while on work and sometimes they all go in hiatus at the same time and I have nothing else to listen lol so I feel like I'm running out of options.



edit. also for Spanish speakers there is Cuentos De La Milpa, it's batshit crazy but really funny. It's about conspiracy, folklore, ghost stories, it has everything.



Edited at 2022-01-17 05:51 pm (UTC)

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how is "Eat Pray Britney"? I've had it only list for ages, but was getting through the "It's Britney Bitch" and "We Need to Talk About Britney" podcasts firsts.

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I think it's definitely one of the better Britney podcast out there, they sometimes bring guesses like the guy that works at page six and he explained how he posts the tips he gets and how sometimes they played him to keep a certain narrative.



They are amateur tho so sometimes the sound isn't the greatest and an interesting fact (I guess...) it's that they were spied by team conservatorship.

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omg sounds interesting. I'll check it out! thanks. :)

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I have a lot of nostalgia for teen magazines and one of my favorite podcasts is "Girly Mags," a comedy podcast where a group of friends/comedians go through old issues of teen magazines. I also love it's more serious spiritual sister "Teen People," which interviews people who were involved with Teen People magazine. I also like "Legends Only" podcast with the guy from MuuMuse for pop culture stuff.



Other faves include Sleepover Cinema (where two sister filmmakers review old teen films) and Saving Sex and the City 3, where comedies come up with hilarious plots for a new SATC movie.

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The OC rewatch podcast is so weird, they don't even rewatch the episodes.



I think Whitney Port's rewatch of The Hills was up there

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If the U.S. experiences a near-repeat of the 2014 polar vortex winter, natural gas prices could test the $6.526/ MMBtu mark once again.

Forecasts of frigid temperatures later this month sent U.S. natural gas prices surging in the middle of last week to above $4.85 per million British thermal units (MMBtu)the highest level since November.

If the cold snap expected over the next two weeks holds and forecasts for additional Arctic blasts this winter materialize, natural gas at the Henry Hub could surge to above $6/MMBtu again, in a pattern similar to the one from the winter of 2014, when the polar vortex drove demand high and pushed up prices, analysts say. U.S. natural gas prices were on a rollercoaster ride last week, surging by 14 percent on Wednesday to a six-week high, due to cold weather, before retreating by 12 percent on the following day on the prospect for weather turning milder and after the weekly stock draw was in line with expectations, said Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank.

Adding to this was the recent surge in LNG shipments to Europe and the once-insulated US market has become much more exposed to international developments, all of which supported the biggest weekly rise since November, Hansen added.

Rollercoaster could be the key word for U.S. natural gas prices for the rest of the winter as market sentiment, and traders moves will likely depend on weather patterns and forecasts.

In the short term, over the next two weeks, a cold snap is expected to sweep across a large part of the United States, bringing increased demand for space heating and power generation and pushing prices higher.

[F]rigid Arctic air will advance into the northern and eastern US late next week w/lows of -20s to 20s for very strong demand, NatGasWeather.com forecast at the end of last week.

The weather forecasts by the end of January not only suggest still frigid conditions in many areas, but also include a couple of the most impressive Arctic blasts so far this winter, according to Satendra Singh at Investing.com.

If we see more Arctic blasts and a repeat or near-repeat of the 2014 polar vortex winter, natural gas prices could test the $6.526/ MMBtu mark once again, the analyst said.

Related: A Copper Crisis Threatens The Energy Transition

Moreover, freezing temperatures could lead to production interruptions at some wells, other analysts note.

The possibility of late-month freeze-offs remains a crucial wild card, Eli Rubin, senior analyst at EBW Analytics Group, told Natural Gas Intelligence on Friday.

The cooling in the January weather forecast over the past three weeks, particularly for the last third of the month, has led to the coldest outlook since the 2014 Polar Vortex, Rubin added.

U.S. natural gas prices are set for rollercoaster volatility this winter, depending on how cold and how long the colder-than-normal snaps will be. Yet, average 2022 prices are expected to be slightly lower compared to last years average, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Last year, the natural gas spot price at Henry Hub averaged $3.91/MMBtu, with a monthly average high of $5.51/MMBtu in October, the EIA said in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) in January.

This year, EIA sees Henry Hub spot prices averaging $3.82/MMBtu in the first quarter and $3.79/MMBtu for all of 2022, on the back of higher productionset to reach a record-high 96.0 Bcf/dand relatively unchanged domestic consumption. The record output and flat domestic demand will continue to support the growth in U.S. natural gas exports that will increase to records this year and next, the administration says.

Further growth to another record U.S. dry natural gas production of 97.6 Bcf/d in 2023 is set to result in $3.63/MMBtu average price next year, lower than this years expected average, the EIA notes.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Crude oil has already gained 10 percent since the start of the year and has further to go, Vitol's head of Asia told Bloomberg in an interview.

"These prices are justified," said Mike Muller. "Strong backwardation is very much justified."

The executive added that unlike natural gas, whose high price has already prompted lower consumption for some industrial users, oil has yet to reach that price level.

The latest in the gas sector "serves to remind us that people will abstain from buying expensive energy at some point," Muller said at an industry webinar, adding, "The question is at what point that affects the oil market."

Crude oil prices have posted four consecutive weeks of gains, which is the longest winning streak since October, in evidence that the demand recovery remains robust as fears about the effect of Omicron die down.

News that China will release oil from its strategic reserve next month had the potential to disrupt the rally but did not, with Brent crude reaching a two-month high last week and trading at over $86 per barrel at the time of writing. WTI was trading at over $84 per barrel.

"People looking at the big picture realize that global supply versus demand situation is very tight and that's giving the market a solid boost," Phil Flynn, Price Futures Group senior analyst, told Reuters last week.

Meanwhile, according to Vitol's Muller, the White House may decide to release more crude oil from the strategic petroleum reserve, on top of the 50 million barrels announced in November last year.

"The market's saying: 'More, please,'" Muller said, as quoted by Bloomberg.

According to traders that Reuters interviewed, there is a strong appetite for future oil supply ahead of spring and summer, otherwise known as driving season in the northern hemisphere. There is also an element of anticipation of even tighter supply.

"With spring and summer on the horizon ... people are getting prepared to enjoy a strong market," one trader said.

"I think it's more trying to get ahead of tightness they think is coming ... back to a 'herd of lemmings' market dynamic," said another.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia (TAPI) natural gas pipeline has been long aborning, but its prospects recently got a shot in the arm.

The 1100-mile, $10 billion project has seen numerous delays since the pipeline consortium was announced in late 2014, though the project was first mooted in 1991. Construction started in early 2018 with a projected in-service date of 2021, but halted later that year after workers clearing the route were killed by unknown assailants. Also, the projects $10 billion cost estimate is a decade old, and an update may cause further delay to the Asian Development Bank-funded effort that is now slated to resume work in September 2022. Turkmenistan will loan Afghanistan the funds for its share of the project, to be repaid from gas transit revenues.

Representatives of the government of Tajikistan recently met officials in Afghanistan, and the Taliban announcement that it will dedicate 30,000 troops to pipeline security may motivate the parties to start construction.

The completed pipeline will allow Turkmenistan to reduce its reliance on its biggest gas customer, China, which has recently taken most of Turkmenistans gas exports, though in 2021 the country doubled its gas exports to Russia, which used to be the biggest importer of Turkmen gas until it was displaced by China in 2010. The pipeline will generate additional income that Ashgabat can use to improve services to citizens, a priority after the recent unrest in neighboring Kazakhstan.

But there may be competing opportunities. For example, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan recently signed a trilateral gas swap deal for up to 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year. Its not a large amount - Turkmenistan exports about 40bcm to China every year  but its another income stream that should be managed with an eye to future growth. Then theres the possibility of a connection to the proposed Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP) to supply Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC). Connecting to the SGC would require a 200-mile subsea pipe between Baku and Turkmenba?y, but may face opposition from Iran and Russia on (probably spurious) environmental grounds. Once the politics are resolved, the project would likely be cheaper and carry less of a security burden than the overland TAPI route, and build on the January 2021 agreement between Baku and Ashgabat to jointly develop the Dostluq (friendship) oil and natural gas field in the Caspian Sea.

For Afghanistan, the project would provide transit fees of about $500 million per year, along with an annual share of 500 million cubic meters of gas for the first ten years, ultimately increasing to 1.5 bcm per year.

For the Taliban government, a successful project would: demonstrate it can be a reliable partner in a major infrastructure project, employ demobilized Taliban troops so they dont defect to the Islamic State or Al-Qaeda, earn revenue to pay for electricity imports (the country relies on imports for 78% of its power), demonstrate to China it is safe to invest in Afghanistan, and be an opportunity for cooperation with Pakistan despite the dispute over their shared border.

Of course, Kabul will have to figure out what to do with that natural gas, in addition to its one trillion cubic feet of reserves. The U.S.-driven development plan for the country emphasized renewables, like solar and wind, and the U.S.-funded $335 million Tarakhil Power Plant near Kabul, which relied on expensive, imported diesel fuel, is now used as a back-up facility when hydropower and imported power arent available. An International Finance Corporation-sponsored 59-megawatt gas-to-power plant in Mazar-i-Sharif would have boosted the countrys current total domestic generation by up to 30 percent, but can it be revived under the Taliban?

And time is of the essence as Uzbekistan recently reduced its power exports by 60%, possibly due to increased domestic demand as winter sets in, possibly to nudge Kabul (or the UN) to start paying the $90 million owed to power suppliers in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.

For Pakistan, the pipeline would help solve the countrys persistent energy shortfalls, such as the deficit between current gas production of 4 Billion Cubic Feet per Day (BCFD) against demand of 6 BCFD. By 2025, gas production is expected to fall to less 1 BCFD due to depletion of gas reserves while demand increases to 8 BCFD.

And Pakistan wont have to wait to 2025 for an economic impact: Between 2008 and 2012, 40 percent of Pakistans textile sector moved to Bangladesh, one reason being the uneven supply of gas and electricity.

Then theres Pakistans view of its regional interests and its endless search for strategic depth. The pipeline would be an independent source of revenue for Afghanistan, just when Pakistan feels the Taliban government should be beholden to it. And India would be able to increase the share of gas in its energy mix from 6.5% to 15%, possibly encouraging more trade between Kabul and New Delhi. To Islamabad, it will add to an already bad outcome: the ungrateful Taliban still arent helping Pakistan isolate the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, while India is expected to be the worlds fastest growing economy in 2022, according to the World Bank.

They say all politics is local and that may be the case here. One Pakistani observer, Hina Mahar Nadeem, noted the countrys gas shortfalls have a silver lining  for the interests that control the import of expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG). Accordingly, TAPI and the much-delayed (mostly by U.S. sanctions on Iran) Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline are a threat to their economic and political power.

In late 2020, Pakistan and Russia signed a deal to complete the 700-mile Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline, to move LNG from Port Qasim (Karachi) to Kasur, in the Punjab. Pakistan may be treating with Russia to balance against China, or maybe the deal was decided on strictly dollars-and-cents terms. Regardless, this project may crowd out attention and funding for Pakistans phase of TAPI.

A richer energy mix and pipeline transit revenues would strengthen Pakistan as it negotiates new efforts with China under the umbrella of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor. Pakistans leaders will need to strengthen their position vis-a-vis China while demonstrating to Beijing they are a reliable partner that will develop energy resources that can accommodate Chinas projects. But first, those leaders must and take on entrenched business and national security interests to successfully support TAPI, despite the economic benefits to its neighbors. But this assumes the countrys leaders arent captive (willing or otherwise) to their business confederates and the securicrats.

For India, TAPI would add to the countrys energy mix, propelling its impressive economic growth. India is the worlds third-largest energy consuming country, and has doubled energy use since 2000, with 80% of demand still being met by coal, oil and solid biomass. TAPI gas would allow India to use less coal, helping it meet its COP26 carbon emission goal, and satisfy increased energy demand by 2030 of 25% to 35% according to the International Energy Agency.

India has built a connection for TAPI at Fazilka at the Indo-Pakistan border in the Punjab region, a location on the border with Pakistan that may be subject to cross-border attacks by Pakistan-affiliated groups. Will Pakistan or its proxies be able to resist attacking such a key piece of infrastructure if India-Pakistan relations fail to improve?

For India, the best approach may be wait and see if the U.S. threatens sanctions against TAPI partners, whether the Taliban can prove they know how to govern and secure the country against the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, and how serious is the announced Russia-Pakistan pipeline deal.

Where does this leave Turkmenistan?

It, too, should take it slow. It is no longer 2014, and it now has opportunities for increased swaps with Iran and Azerbaijan, and further opportunities with Iran may blossom if Tehran and Washington can secure a nuclear deal. The opportunity to connect to Europe via the TCP/SGC may present more revenue with fewer security concerns, or iffy partners like Pakistan and Afghanistan. Also, Washington needs to clear the way regarding sanctioned officials in Kabul, though the acting minister of defense, Mullah Muhammad Yaqub, who declared I am directly responsible for and overseeing the security of the TAPI project hasnt been sanctioned by Washingtonyet.

Washington might get behind TAPI in the wake of the recent deployment of Collective Security Treaty Organization peacekeeping troops to Kazakhstan, which has increased Russias clout in Central Asia. Increased revenue for Ashgabat that can be directed to services for its citizens may prevent the public unrest that gave Moscow an opening to intervene, and Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow may not need much convincing in this regard.

But it may serve Ashgabat well to ask Washington for a blanket sanctions exemption for all project principals and suppliers, and any government officials in the mix, to make it clear who bears responsibility if the project again fails to launch. If this happens, it will be a shabby way to treat ally India, and in Pakistan it will be interpreted as U.S. revenge against the country for supporting the Taliban.

The push of increased regional influence for Moscow and the pull of clean energy for ally India will hopefully make Washington green-light (or get out of the way of) the long-delayed project.

By James Durso for Oilprice.com

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Daily oil production in OPEC+ producer Kazakhstan rebounded strongly at the end of last week, suggesting that output has now fully recovered from the unrest earlier this month, according to advanced oil data analytics provider OilX.

Daily Kazakh oil production data suggests a sharp rebound in production on January 16, suggesting that production has now fully recovered, OilX said in a Kazakhstan production update on Monday.

At the beginning of last week, OilX said that Kazakhstans daily oil production was expected to return to pre-unrest levels by the end of the week, as Chevron had started to gradually restore the curtailed output.

The impact of the disruptions due to the unrest in OPEC+ producer Kazakhstan was estimated at 73,000 barrels per day (bpd), said OilX, which expected production to gradually increase by January 14 to the levels seen before January 6.

Protests erupted in Kazakhstan in the first days of January over higher fuel prices. The government had lifted price controls on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which many Kazakhs use to fuel their LPG-converted vehicles because its cheaper than gasoline. The rise in fuel prices also resulted in a surge in consumer goods. The protests continued even after the government resigned to appease the protesters and the president restored the lower price of LPG.

More than 160 people were killed in Kazakhstan in one week of unrest during protests that affected production at the countrys largest oilfield, Tengiz, operated by Chevron.

The U.S. supermajor said a week ago that production at the oilfield was gradually being restored to its usual volumes, following several days of curtailed output amid logistics disruptions due to contractors supporting the protests.

A few days before that, Chevron had said that TCO production operations continue, however, there has been a temporary adjustment to output due to logistics.

Tengizchevroil, or TCO, the joint venture pumping oil at Tengiz, produces around 700,000 barrels per day out of Kazakhstans total crude oil production of some 1.6 million bpd.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Employees at Plank Seafood Provisions recently were preoccupied  some may say obsessed  with making small paper origami cranes.

They worked on the colorful birds during downtime and breaks at the Old Market seafood restaurant, asking one another for tips to conquer the process and leaving behind a trail of materials.

There was paper everywhere, in drawers, at the host station, said server Arianna McCullough. It was a bonding thing for everybody.

Some worked on them at home with friends. General manager Brian Wall enlisted his kids to help, establishing a crane assembly line.

They were united in a good cause: Their goal was to make a thousand cranes for co-worker Corey Robison, 27, who is fighting cancer. They wanted to surprise him with something that would cheer him up and give him hope as he has immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

The notion came from a Japanese legend, shared by Plank server Taylor Uyema, that the gods will grant a wish to anyone who makes a thousand origami cranes.

The legend became widely known in the 1950s, when a Japanese girl who had leukemia after radiation exposure in World War II tried to make 1,000 cranes. She died in 1955, before she could finish the task, but her schoolmates finished it for her.

That prompted people across the globe to create the cranes for seriously ill loved ones as a wish for recovery.

McCullough said she and her co-workers quickly realized that 1,000 cranes might not be possible, but they did make several hundred.

She created a mobile displaying 54 of the bright, vibrant birds as a surprise for Robison, who was away from work for weeks after he was diagnosed in August 2020 with fibrolamellar, an extremely rare form of liver cancer.

It took more than a year to finish the cranes and the mobile, McCullough said. Robison had no idea what was going on, though evidence of the cranes and their creation was still at Plank when he returned to work.

I would see them, and they would just say they were working on a little project, Robison said.

They gave him the large mobile before the holidays last fall. He was astonished  and deeply touched.

It was such an overwhelming moment of gratitude, he said. That really solidified it for me. They are more than just co-workers. They care about my well-being.

Assembling the mobile was labor-intensive. McCullough, 24, hand-beaded every wire on the mobile, color-coordinating some of it with the cranes.

Working with that wire definitely makes your fingers raw, she said.

Making the cranes themselves can be daunting. The pattern helps, McCullough said, but its still an intermediate project as opposed to something for beginners. She said some of her co-workers found it intimidating at first.

The second one you make is still challenging, but after that it gets very easy, she said.

They persevered because they have a high regard for Robison, who is a server, bartender, sometimes shift manager and, above all, friend. He has a bachelors degree in criminology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and was applying to law school when he got sick. Hes been with Plank for about four years.

Corey is a very caring person, always super helpful, McCollough said, and we wanted to reflect that. He is always there when you need him.

Robison said his colleagues return that care. He finds talking about his cancer therapeutic and said theyre always prepared to hear whatever I have going on.

He had surgery shortly after his diagnosis and remains on immunotherapy and chemo, which will continue at least through December 2023.

The combination of therapy I am on is novel. I started it even before the clinical trial. It was conceived by M.D. Anderson (Cancer Center) in Houston and Rush (University Medical Center) in Chicago, he said.

Doctors tried it because his cancer returned eight weeks after his operation. He now has no evidence of disease.

Things are looking very good at this point, he said.

Colleagues and Planks parent company, Flagship Restaurant Group, also contributed to a GoFundMe page set up when Robison couldnt work.

It was many of my co-workers, too, and were talking hundreds of dollars. Any amount is great, but these folks really helped prop up my family and I when I was initially going through it, he said.

His parents and two siblings live in Omaha, and he has a longtime girlfriend and a close relationship with her young daughter.

The average staffer at Plank is under 30, so watching a peer tackle such a serious illness was jolting. It was a scary time, they said, and they knew that it would help to make something tangible that might bolster Robisons spirits. They said it was a rewarding process.

For Uyema, making the cranes was a chance to remember her dad, who died of cancer. She said she sees the mobile as a beacon of hope and overcoming.

For Wall, the general manager, it was the same opportunity: He has a brother-in-law whos fighting the disease.

Robison himself is reaching out amid his struggles. He does advocacy work for FibroFighters, a nonprofit support group for patients with fibrolamellar cancer.

The mobile, he said, is a regular reminder that he has a personal support system in his Plank family.

It is hanging right next to my bed so that every morning, its the first thing I see. I will have it forever, he said. I hope I am able to show them as much appreciation and love as they have shown me. They are a special breed of humans.

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Four Omaha area school districts are suing the Sarpy County treasurer for allegedly failing to repay more than $6.5 million in tax payments after being underpaid for three years.

The Omaha, Millard, Gretna and Springfield Platteview school districts filed the lawsuit on Dec. 30. It alleges that Trace Jones, interim Sarpy County treasurer, has refused to pay back what the county owes them in tax payments, despite recommendations from state audit officials.

In March 2021, the school districts were part of a 75-page audit report published by the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts.

The audit showed that the Sarpy County treasurer at the time, Brian Zuger, miscalculated distributions to school districts from 2018 to 2020.

He also conducted inaccurate financial reconciliations and had a patchwork system of bookkeeping in an office that oversees about $130 million on a daily basis.

The payments were funds that the Omaha Public Power District makes to county and city governments and school districts in lieu of paying property and real estate taxes  called payment in-lieu of taxes (PILOT). The utility directs 5% of its gross revenues from the previous years retail electricity sales to those entities.

The lawsuit says Zugers office failed to include the tax levies of all school districts in Sarpy County when calculating those tax payments, which reportedly led to over- and underpayments to Omaha area school districts and cities by millions of dollars.

The Omaha Public Schools was underpaid by $1.4 million, according to the lawsuit. Millard Public Schools missed out on a $2.3 million payment.

The lawsuit alleges Gretna Public Schools was underpaid by $721,774, while Springfield Platteview Community Schools didnt receive $1.9 million in funds.

Bellevue Public Schools was also reportedly overpaid by more than $2.3 million, and Papillion La Vista Community Schools received $946,054 more than it was supposed to receive, according to the lawsuit. Both schools werent included in the lawsuit, and officials from both districts declined to comment.

Sarpy County and some cities around the Omaha metro area were also overpaid, but the school districts incorrect payments account for more than half of the $12.5 million in calculation errors, said Dakota Christensen, senior auditor for the State Auditors Office.

Christensen said he wasnt sure what the process was to correct overpayments, but the errors will have a widespread impact on multiple school districts in Nebraska.

The state aid formula that provides money to school districts is based on the amount of local revenue each district receives. If an incorrect payment is recorded, the difference makes its way into the formula and will cause other districts to be over or underpaid.

The state auditor said in its report that it recommends the county treasurer correct the erroneous distributions. It also said the treasurer should implement procedures to prevent the mistake from happening in the future.

In April 2021, Zuger was removed from office during an administrative hearing by the Sarpy County Board. Jones has been serving as interim treasurer.

Despite the state auditors recommendation that the treasurer make the correct payments to the school districts, the treasurer has not done so, said Steve Davidson, the attorney representing all four districts.

In April 2021, Jones sent a letter to the Omaha area school districts and cities that receive scheduled payments, saying the county will not be making retroactive adjustments to prior PILOT payments.

Sarpy County declined to comment on the reasons behind the refusal, citing the pending litigation, said Bonnie Moore, chief deputy county attorney.

In the lawsuit, the districts request to be paid back the funds owed, along with court costs.

The parties are working closely with Sarpy County and remain optimistic that a solution can be achieved without further litigation, Davidson said.

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired an unidentified projectile into eastern waters, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on Monday without mentioning further details.

It marked the DPRK's fourth projectile launch this year.

The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said last week that the railway-borne missile regiment test-fired two tactical guided missiles on Friday.

The DPRK said it successfully test-launched a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 respectively.
The mystery redevelopment that will rise in the place of Omahas downtown library will soon be announced by city officials.

Mayor Jean Stothert told The World-Herald on Friday that an announcement is likely coming in the next six weeks.

More than half a dozen developers are interested in the site where the 45-year-old W. Dale Clark Library sits, Stothert said.

In November, the mayor announced the relocation of the librarys public and administrative services ahead of a demolition that is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.

The main question developers have is when the property will be cleared for construction, Stothert said.

That is the No. 1 question that we get asked, she said. We need to do (the demolition) now because we need to open up those redevelopment opportunities by removing the library.

Stothert declined to share details of the future redevelopment. She noted that plans are not yet finalized.

But The World-Herald has learned through interviews and records obtained through public records requests that financial technology company Fiserv, formerly First Data, had expressed interest in the site. Officials have said those plans are not currently moving forward.

Mutual of Omaha has also been mentioned as a possibility, though the company is not referenced in records reviewed by the newspaper. The Fortune 500 company, headquartered at 33rd and Dodge Streets, recently launched a facility needs study that could reshape its headquarters.

Asked about any potential involvement in the library site, a spokesman for Mutual of Omaha said the company does not respond to rumors but acknowledged the study thats currently underway.

Conversations about the future of Omahas largest public library have been ongoing for years. Interest in redevelopment of the site picked up in 2018 with the announced overhaul of Omahas three downtown parks, Stothert said.

We can compare what happened with the riverfront development to what happened with the building of the Gene Leahy Mall in the 70s, Stothert said. It sparked development, it sparked people coming back downtown into the core of the city.

Records, spanning from May 2020 to November 2021, offer a glimpse into discussions about Fiservs potential project.

References to Project Ducati, the code name for the Fiserv project, appear in emails among city officials, a local real estate agency and top Fiserv employees.

Jason Fisher, president of local commercial real estate agency The Lund Co., said he was involved in talks with city and Fiserv officials for more than two years about a potential real estate development that could have brought Fiserv employees to downtown Omaha.

Conversations centered on what the project would entail, including economic incentives and associated costs, Fisher said.

You can tell theres a lot of work thats been done, Fisher said, referencing records obtained by The World-Herald that show a rough timeline of meetings about the project. But as we sit right now, we dont have a project to talk about.

Fiserv spokeswoman Ann Cave said in an emailed statement earlier this month that the company does not currently have any plans to build or occupy a new site in Omaha.

We remain committed to Omaha and to our existing presence in the city, Cave said.

In 2019, the Milwaukee-based Fiserv acquired First Data, a company that started in Omaha and grew its presence here. The company has campuses in Omaha and Lincoln.

Both Fisher and Stothert said that even though the Fiserv project is not currently moving forward, the collaborative effort surrounding Project Ducati shows a commitment to the development of downtown.

I think that even though theres no project to talk about, this was a great example of the community coming together to ensure and do everything we could to have a great corporate citizen like (Fiserv) continue its commitment in Nebraska and in Omaha, Fisher said.

Another party interested in the library site is Spruce Capital Group, based on records obtained by the newspaper.

The Omaha-based real estate development and management firm sent a letter to officials in the Mayors Office in June.

The firms vice president, David Slosburg, wrote, I believe (Spruce Capital Group is) uniquely qualified to deliver a mixed-use development on the library site. We have the development expertise and the financial strength to do this deal.

Slosburg did not return a phone message last week.

Also speculated to be in conversations with the city is Mutual of Omaha.

Mutual employs more than 5,000 people nationally, including roughly 4,000 in the Omaha area.

Stothert declined to confirm if Mutual is or has been in talks with the city regarding the library site. The mayor noted that Mutual has purchased property near its current campus in midtown.

That whole big area of land there east of Turner Park, Mutual owns all of that now, she said. I think its no surprise that Mutual is in active conversations looking to what they need to do in the future for their company, their building and what they need to build a new facility.

Mutual spokesman Jim Nolan, in an email, declined to comment on the question of the companys potential involvement in redeveloping the library site.

Nolan told The World-Herald in December that nothing about the size, shape or location of Mutuals future facilities has been decided. Eventual plans could involve renovation of the current headquarters complex, new construction near the complex or new construction elsewhere in Omaha.

Its just the beginning stages of some work to figure out what our future workplace needs are, given the reality that hybrid work is going to be continuing into the foreseeable future, Nolan said at the time.

Discussions on plans for the library site continue as the city works out the logistics of moving services from the W. Dale Clark Library.

News of the move brought questions and concerns from Omaha residents.

Included in records obtained by The World-Herald were dozens of emails sent by members of the public to Omaha City Council members.

Councilman Danny Begley, whose district includes the downtown library, appeared to receive the most.

Many of the concerns reflected in the emails have also been aired during Omaha Public Library Board meetings. Most express opposition to the librarys move, concerns about the accessibility of the new downtown location and questions about what would replace the W. Dale Clark Library.

Theres no mention of Project Ducati in the emails to Begley that were reviewed by The World-Herald. The councilman said details of the potential redevelopment havent been shared with him.

If the mayor chooses to sell that property to a major developer where theres going to be thousands of jobs, obviously thats a good thing for economic development, but nothing has been brought to me as far as what thats going to look like, he said. I look forward to hearing what that is.

Under the plan announced in November, the services of the downtown library are slated to move to a new site just west of the Old Market.

The city would sign a 10-year lease for the building at 1401 Jones St. at a cost of $465,000 a year. After five years, the city would have the option to opt out of the lease or buy the building.

The structure is a few blocks south of the librarys current location and would need renovations, which are expected to cost $3 million  an expense split by the city and the buildings current owner, White Lotus Group.

The librarys administrative offices and distribution would move to a vacant Shopko store at 84th and Frederick Streets. The city would pay $500,000 to remodel that space and $405,000 per year to lease it under a 10-year lease.

As the process moves forward, Begley said, transparency is vital.

The community and expertise of the library staff should play an important role in the future of Omahas public libraries, he said. I really believe that its vital that discussions are transparent, and the public has to weigh in on the process and the conversation.

The Library Board will vote on the lease agreements for the new locations at its 5 p.m. Thursday meeting at the W. Dale Clark Library. If approved, the lease agreements would then go before the City Council.

If both the Library Board and council sign off, the new downtown library location would likely open in the fall. The city aims to demolish the W. Dale Clark Library by December.

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BLOOMINGTON  Eviction filings in McLean County have jumped out of the moratorium gates to pre-pandemic levels, but the number of those cases being approved for eviction is reduced, according to the latest numbers from the circuit clerks office.

Mark Fellheimer, chief judge of the 11th Circuit Court, alluded that more leniency and willingness to negotiate between landlords and tenants could be a reason for fewer cases resulting in eviction.

I see a lot of flexibility on behalf of tenants and landlords that are being very realistic with what were dealing with, Fellheimer said.

The moratorium on residential evictions in Illinois was established in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses closed and people lost jobs. The moratorium was lifted Oct. 3 of last year.

In pre-pandemic years, parties would come into the courthouse and landlords would ask for a possession in about 10 to 14 days, Fellheimer said.

What Ive seen lately is theyre agreeing basically to a 30-day possession date just to accommodate the tenant and wrap the whole thing up, so its kind of a win-win, the judge said.

JoAnna Callahan, social service director at The Salvation Army of McLean County, said while the shelter has seen some new intakes over the past few months as a result of evictions, the shelters capacity has remained pretty steady.

I would not say that I have seen the demand for shelter significantly increase. It has been pretty steady, Callahan said. We do anticipate the request for shelters to significantly increase as we see more evictions being processed. And should we see that coming through and if the COVID infection rate in the program is low to none, we would consider expanding our capacity as the community needs it, but as of right now weve been pretty steady.

The shelter has had to temporarily halt intakes in the past week because of positive COVID cases. Its COVID-19 rent and utility assistance program also has come to a stopping point because of a lack of funds.

The rental assistance program is funded through donations.

The Salvation Army has been referring people to other rental assistance programs at the state and federal levels, and other local agencies such as PATH, United Way, Home Sweet Home Ministries and other organizations within the Bloomington-Normal Housing Assistance Coalition.

287 evictions filed in months after moratorium

When the moratorium was reaching its end, judges, lawyers, rental assistance providers and other officials were preparing for not only a spike of eviction filings which could clog the court, but an increase in evictions and homelessness.

Just over three months since the moratorium on evictions was lifted, that surge has not fully materialized in McLean County.

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 287 eviction cases were filed in McLean County court. Of those, 109 cases have been approved for eviction and 30 cases were dismissed, the circuit clerk's office told The Pantagraph.

Between those same dates in 2019, 202 eviction cases were filed and of those, 149 were approved for eviction.

While the 287 filings from October through December equals about 95 per month, its difficult to truly tell at this point whether it has been an actual surge because filings had been sidelined since March 2020. A total of 119 cases were filed in October last year, and that dwindled to 78 filed in December.

That number (287) doesnt mean anything because so many couldnt be filed for a year and a half, theres no baseline, Fellheimer said.

To better gauge where the court is in handling eviction cases, court staff has pulled the total number of eviction cases from 2017, 2018 and 2019 and broken them into monthly averages.

There were 787 eviction cases filed in 2017, averaging about 65 per month; 889 filed in 2018, averaging about 74 per month; and 861 filed in 2019, averaging about 71 per month.

Therefore, the court is eyeing an average of about 70 eviction filings in a month to measure whats a normal amount.

Once we know the average monthly filings are hovering near what the average would be for 17, 18 and 19, I would know we have reached kind of an equilibrium point, Fellheimer said.

He added that rumblings around the courthouse suggest there could be more eviction cases filed in the near future, with a peak sometime in March.

Jeremy Hayes, executive director of the Bloomington Housing Authority, said the BHA has not filed any evictions since the moratorium was lifted. In a typical year between that timeframe, he said there could be as many as a dozen evictions.

Some of those, even if we file an eviction, they can get resolved before theres even a hearing date, for instance, Hayes said. Thats always our hope. Were in business to house people, thats our mission, we take that very seriously and its always viewed as a failure if we end up getting to eviction, but unfortunately, its unavoidable.

The BHA has taken steps to assist its renters. The housing authority does not provide much direct rental assistance, but it frequently points tenants to programs such as the Illinois Rental Payment program or Mid Central Community Action or The Salvation Army.

Hayes also noted that because the BHA is federally regulated, it differs from more typical landlords.

Private sector landlords may tend to issue a five-day notice for rent the day after rent is due. And if there is no payment within those five days, the landlord can file an eviction. The BHA, however, is subject to issuing 30-day notices, Hayes said.

The BHA currently has 565 occupied units, which is about its average. If anything, Hayes said, its occupancy has slightly increased in the last year.

All through the pandemic, the BHA sent notices to tenants each month explaining that rent is payable and balances continue to accrue.

We sent multiple notices to our tenants who were behind, letting them know that there are various resources, Hayes said. Some of them sought and received assistance months ago and we were able to resolve the issue a long time ago. Unfortunately, we have others who have lingered, and its a fairly small portion of our overall tenant base, that were just struggling to get any kind of response out of.

He said a few people, if they are unresponsive, could be facing eviction at the end of the month.

The majority of times, however, when tenants are responsive and have sought assistance, the BHA is able to facilitate agreements and repayment plans.

Thats probably how we differ, Hayes said of the BHA. We are going to be more inclined than any other housing provider to work out a repayment agreement, to allow these delinquent balances to be paid off over time. Thats really our goal, is to work with the tenant and especially if theres some other organization involved, were going to work together to come up with a plan to keep them housed.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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BLOOMINGTON  Just like a person, Bill Kemp said, every centennial barn has its own story to tell.

If these barn doors could talk, he said they would speak of the livestock they sheltered, and the lives of children that unfolded while playing inside, as they worked alongside their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Kemp, who serves as librarian with the McLean County Museum of History, is also the historian and former board member of Barn Keepers. Its a small group of history enthusiasts, barn owners and people generally interested in agriculture, who he says are dedicated to barn preservation and education.

He said theres a running joke in their group: A lot of city-slickers cant tell the difference between a corncrib and a barn.

Barn Keepers is working on a coffee table book consisting of 40 to 50 barns in or adjacent to McLean County that are at least 100 years old. Kemp said its an extension of a program that began in 2016 to recognize these older barns with an all-weather reflective metal sign.

Owners of centennial barns are invited to apply for the the program, and 50 barns have been donned with their signage so far. Kemp added theyre looking for another 15 or 20 barns to include in their book, which they hope to publish around the holiday season.

However, a fact that haunts Barn Keepers is that these historical structures are rapidly disappearing from our Corn Belt landscape, the historian said.

Referencing a 1955 book containing aerial photos of every farmstead in McLean County, Kemp said there were 4,500 barns in the county that time. But in 2002, Kemp said a survey conducted by a group that would later form Barn Keepers counted only 1,200 barns.

Not a month goes by where we dont hear about or read about a late 19th or 20th century barn coming down because of a windstorm, a farm needing acreage or its a danger and has to be taken down, he said.

Communities closer to Bloomington-Normal have suffered worse, Kemp said, because of suburban sprawl.

So Barn Keepers is continuing its mission of documenting and educating people about barns. They also hope to restart their barn tours this fall, after being canceled the last two years because of the pandemic.

Kemp said Emma Pfeiffer, an Illinois State University student majoring in history education, interned for Barn Keepers for the fall 2021 semester. Kemp said Pfeiffer interviewed barn owners about their propertys history and took photos for the new book.

No government money

Saving these rural relics is a challenge. Kemp said theres precious little local, state or federal funds available for preservation.

He said barn owners are basically on their own, which is a shame. Whether theyre repainting the exterior or giving it a new roof, siding or windows, Kemp said thats all a significant investment for farmers.

For board member Allene Gregory, a centennial barn holds a special place on her family's farmstead south of Secor in rural El Paso. She said her great-great-grandfather settled the farm in 1838.

Gregory said her family has replaced the barn roof three times, added gutters and restored the south side of the foundation. Last month, the same storm system that spawned deadly tornadoes in Edwardsville also tore out part of the barns roof.

Now 74 years young, Gregory recalled playing in the barn with her cousin Larry Bussone, who grew up in a nearby house. Gregory said they were up in the hay mound when a bat flew in and perched on the ladder.

She said her cousin starting telling her stories about vampires and scared me to death. Eventually, the bat left and she came down.

So Gregory said its very important to try to preserve their history, and shes saddened by the quickening losses. She once noticed another old barn outside of Kappa she said appeared to be in mint condition.

But on another day, driving by she saw the barn had been torched to the ground. She couldnt believe it.

With the new book on the horizon, Kemp said it will be a celebration of not just barns, but also the families who have worked tirelessly to keep these buildings healthy.

He said: Barns that have survived and are well cared for are labors of love, because these families are dedicated to keeping a part of their story alive.

Get involved: Barn Keepers For those looking for more information on Barn Keepers' efforts, or for how to get involved, visit www.barnkeepers.org. Board member Ron Ropp can also be reached at rjropp@gmail.com, and historian Bill Kemp at bkemp@mchistory.org.

Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison

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FOUR CHAPLAINS OF WWII TO BE HONORED

The American Legion combined Honor Guard from Post 635 in Normal and Post 56 in Bloomington will conduct a celebration of life for the Four Chaplains on Feb. 3 in the McLean County Museum of History at the Old McLean County Courthouse. The heroism and bravery of the Four Chaplains became celebrated and admired around the world for their commitment to their God, their fellow soldiers and their dedication to duty, honor and country. The Four Chaplains heroically gave their life jackets to soldiers who did not have one as their transport ship, the USS Dorchester, sank in the North Atlantic after being torpedoed in the early hours of Feb. 3, 1943. The ceremony will commence at 11 a.m. with an invocation, a speaker to talk about the Four Chaplains, a salute to the branches of the military, a three-volley rifle salute and "Taps." Members of the public who have had relatives who were veterans who were not provided military honors at their funeral, please contact Butch Ekstam (309-825-2703) and the Honor Guard may be able to provide communal rites during our Four Chaplain ceremony. The deceased veterans casket flag and obituary must be provided at least by Feb. 1 to be included in the ceremony.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

The Veterans Affairs Health Care System has added gender identifiers in the national medical records system as of December to help VA providers better understand and meet the health care needs of veterans. VA added transgender male, transgender female, non-binary, other or does not wish to disclose options in its new gender identity field. VA health records now display both gender identify and preferred name, so VA staff can address the veteran appropriately. There is no indication in the VA news release that the addition of preferred name on the Form 1010 EZ, Application VA Health Care and the VA national medical care record system can be used by veterans who are not transgender or non-binary.

VA HEALTHCARE - VIETNAM AND BLUE WATER NAVY

It took a long time after the Vietnam War ended for the VA Veterans Benefit Administration to recognize that boots on the ground Vietnam veterans had medical conditions caused by exposure to Agent Orange defoliant during their service in Vietnam. It took literally decades for the VBA to recognize that Blue Water Navy veterans who entered the territorial waters of Vietnam also had medical conditions attributable to their military service. While waiting for that recognition, many veterans whose service included Vietnam boots on the ground or Blue Water Vietnam territorial waters were denied VA health care because an income means test that was added to eligibility requirements in 2003. Today, applications for VA health care require only a registration and not enrollment as other veterans must complete. Veterans who meet the Vietnam service eligibility requirements can contact the VA, including the Bloomington VA clinic, and register (not enroll) and thus gain automatic enrollment in VA health care. The contact number is 309-827-4090, and ask for eligibility.

QUESTION ABOUT VA?

If you have questions about VA benefits or other veteran-related issues, email me at jerry.vogler@mcleancountyilgov and I will research the issue and respond in the Veterans Corner if appropriate.

Jerry Vogler is superintendent of the McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission.

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EDWARDSVILLE  The Clifford Law Offices of Chicago have announced it plans to file a lawsuit on behalf of the family of a 26-year-old delivery driver killed while working at an Amazon distribution center in Edwardsville when a tornado struck the facility on Dec. 10.

Austin McEwen, an independent contractor driving for an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, was one of six people killed when a tornado struck the facility.

Others killed in the Edwardsville tornado were Clayton Cope, 29, of Alton; Larry Virden, 46 of Collinsville; Deandre Morrow, 28, of St. Louis; Kevin Dickey, 62, of Carlyle; and Etheria Hebb, 24, of St. Louis.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the deaths.

In a release issued early Monday, the Clifford Law Offices alleged McEwen and the others were required to work during an Amazon "peak season" when Amazon management knew that conditions were highly unsafe, as tornado warnings had been issued. The firm said tornado warnings had been issued for southwestern Illinois as early as Dec. 9 and re-issued on several occasions with growing concern and intensity over the next 24 hours.

The firm states workers at the facility were required to continue working instead of being told to evacuate when it was known of the possibility of a major tornado. According to the firm, the Amazon facility had no basement shelter and there was no safety plan or adequate emergency plan required by the OSHA.

The lawsuit is believed to be the first filed against Amazon related to the incident.

"Initial reports from those that survived this avoidable tragedy are disturbing," said Jack J. Casciato, a partner at Clifford Law Offices who represents McEwen's family. "We certainly intend to discover what precautions Amazon could have taken to save lives.

"Certainly, this entire facility could have been evacuated when it was believed a tornado was en route," said Casciato.

The lawsuit alleges Amazon failed to adhere to OSHA preparedness plans for inclement weather; could have evacuated workers but chose to have workers continue working during a peak holiday season; and failed to have a facility that contained a basement shelter.

According to the law firm, the Dec. 10 E-3 hit the distribution center at 8:28 p.m. with winds reaching speeds of 150 mph. The roof of the facility collapsed, leveling the building.

The law firm is planning a Zoom press conference on the filing of the lawsuit at noon Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. McEwen's mother, Alice McEwen, is expected to make a statement.

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One morning in March 2021, at a nursing home in Evanston, resident Velta Saint registered an alarmingly low 44% oxygen level in her blood. Normal levels range from 95% to 100%, and one study recommends hospitalization for any patient with a reading below 90%.

Medical workers tried to improve Saints respiration, then sent her to a hospital  which sent her back to the nursing home, before she was returned to the hospital, where she died. Saints ordeal came after her daughter, a registered nurse, said the home had been slow, in her opinion, to diagnose her condition and failed to treat it aggressively. The daughter, Marlene Bryan, filed a complaint over her mothers treatment with the Illinois Department of Public Health.

What gets me is, I told them, Bryan said. There were so many things that are so wrong. If somebody had said, This is not right, my mom would still be alive today.

But a state inspector found the complaint unsubstantiated, meaning he found insufficient evidence to give it credence. As a result, state regulators took no action against the nursing home  a common occurrence with complaints about long-term care.

In 2021, state inspectors found about 64%  nearly 2 out of 3  of overall complaints and abuse or neglect complaints unsubstantiated. In 2020, 66% of overall complaints were unsubstantiated, and 90% of neglect allegations.

The issue isnt new nationally. As far back as 2009, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported that concerns had been raised about the timeliness and adequacy of complaint investigations and federal oversight. GAO found 19% of investigated complaints nationally were substantiated and led to a citation, and that many state agencies had difficulty meeting performance standards for handling complaints.

Illinois had the second-highest rate of complaints and number of substantiated complaints compared with peer states, according to a consultants report that generally found lax state oversight and poor quality of care. Still, the dismissal of most cases has come as residents and loved ones have increasingly complained about conditions in nursing homes. Complaints rose 29% from 2014 to 2019, the report found, and last year, the state failed to investigate the most serious complaints for three months.

The state is required by law to conduct general inspections annually and to respond quickly to specific complaints. One of the prime drivers of complaints, officials say, is a shortage of nursing home workers, which has only grown more severe during the COVID pandemic. To make matters worse, the state has been chronically short of inspectors.

In response to the Chicago Tribunes questions, spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said the health department is not able to comment about individual cases, and she did not address questions about whether the number of complaints that are substantiated is low. But she said the agency has overhauled its Office of Health Care Regulation, hiring a new management team and 40 new nurse surveyors and five supervisors since September 2020 to eliminate a backlog of complaints.

The health department also hired a manager to coordinate the use of proceeds from fines to improve the quality of care at nursing homes, and the state is proposing major changes to tie funding to staffing and performance.

For their part, nursing home industry officials defended their performance, saying regulatory inspections often unnecessarily result in citations and fines, when working together would produce better results.

A rare look inside the complaint process

Saint lived at Symphony Evanston Healthcare, which Medicare rates at four out of five stars overall, based on health inspections, staffing and quality of resident care. It had 13 complaints that resulted in fines in the past three years, federal records show.

Responding to the Tribunes questions about the case, Symphony issued a statement noting that after an inspection and an administrative review, state inspectors did not find any deficiency in the treatment the home provided.

Patient privacy laws limit what we can share on the care provided, the statement read, but we do want to express our heartfelt condolences to (Ms. Bryan) and her family for their loss.

Because Bryan was willing to share the state inspection report with medical records of her mothers experience, the case offers a rare glimpse inside proceedings that typically remain secret due to health privacy laws.

Velta Saint was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the United States as a teenager, according to her daughter. She herself worked as a certified nursing assistant at nursing homes for about 20 years and cared a great deal for her patients, Bryan said.

She married and divorced, and as a single mother raised three children in Evanston. Bryan fondly recalled her mother taking her kids to fly kites and buy caramel apples at the nearby Affy Tapple store, and always emphasizing the importance of education.

Years ago, Saint suffered a stroke that partially paralyzed her left side. Bryan said she took care of her at home starting in 2007, preparing meals, getting her medicine, and testing her blood sugar due to her diabetes. But her mothers health declined. She went from using a cane to needing a walker, and one day she fell down the stairs in her home. Eventually, she could not be left alone, and in 2019, she moved into Symphony nursing home.

Bryan said she visited her mother several times a week, bringing her favorite foods, including Jamaican beef patties. When COVID-19 became widespread by March 2020, visitors were prohibited. Bryan could only see her mother on video calls.

On Feb. 19, 2021, on a FaceTime call, Bryan said, she noticed her mothers face appeared swollen. She sounded congested and was having trouble breathing, and said she was not feeling well. Bryan said she made repeated calls to the director of nursing, and left messages explaining that something was wrong with her mother and she needed diagnostic testing, according to Bryans complaint.

Later that day, according to the complaint, officials at the home called back to say an X-ray showed that Bryans mother had pneumonia, an infection that causes fluid to build up in the lungs. Bryan said that in her opinion, the medical professionals at the home should have noticed her mothers condition and found the pneumonia before she alerted them.

At age 64, Saint had numerous underlying conditions, including heart failure, being overweight, high blood pressure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Patients with comorbidities who acquire pneumonia in a health care facility such as a nursing home, where the infection might be resistant to treatment, generally should be treated aggressively with intravenous antibiotics to attack any drug-resistant bacteria, according to recommendations from the American Thoracic Society. Medical records show Saint instead was given an oral antibiotic Augmentin for a week.

Nursing home records collected in the state inspection show repeated detailed updates about Saint for March 2, 3, 4 and 5, but appeared to show only vital signs for March 6, the day immediately preceding her being hospitalized.

The records indicated no major complications until before dawn March 7, when Saint suddenly was measured with a dangerously low 44% blood oxygen level after being on a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, which is supposed to blow air into a patients airway to prevent sleep apnea.

Saints medical record from the home states, Incoming nurse on duty went immediately to assess resident. Resident was alert and oriented ... but very tired and weak. Resident reinstructed to keep her CPAP on. Nurse on duty observed that resident was noncompliant on keeping CPAP on. Residents voice sound was moist and audible sound as she were drowning in her own secretion.

Bryan said she believes this should have been considered a medical emergency that required an immediate call for an ambulance.

Instead, according to the complaint, the nurse on duty told Saint to take deep breaths with a measuring device called a spirometer, and got her oxygen level up to 72%  still far too low. She was given Tylenol for her fever, and coughed up thick white mucous. She was put on portable oxygen, and 30 minutes later her blood oxygen was at 70%, nursing home records indicate.

About 2:30 that morning, records show, Saint was taken to Evanston Hospital with shortness of breath, cough and fever.

At present, patient denies any complaint, hospital records stated. At the time her symptoms seemed attributable to HFpEF, the record stated, referring to a form of ongoing heart failure. A chest X-ray found congestion and fluid in her lung, but there appeared to be no mention in the records of diagnosing or treating her pneumonia on that initial visit to the hospital.

According to the complaint, Saint was given Lasix, a diuretic, to help eliminate some of the excess fluid in her body, which shed also been prescribed at the nursing home, and required help breathing with a bi-level positive airway pressure machine, or BiPAP. She tested negative for COVID-19, but told doctors shed had shortness of breath and a cough for a week.

Saint was given several medications, measured oxygen levels above 90%, and was discharged back to Symphony of Evanston. There, she was seen by a doctor, who had her taken back to the hospital that night for admission and treatment of pneumonia.

The second time at the hospital, she was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, and pneumonia, records show. She was treated in the emergency department with IV antibiotics and steroids and a nebulizer to deliver medication to her lungs. She was first admitted to a room, and later put in intensive care on a BiPAP.

But, according to the complaint, she continued to decline the next day, with diminished breathing and increasing levels of carbon dioxide in her blood.

At 6 a.m. the following day, hospital records show, she was found unable to answer, with coarse breathing sounds and crackles. The family was called to her bedside, and requested a morphine drip. A priest from her parish was called to administer last rites. Saint had a do-not-resuscitate order. Her breathing apparatus was removed, and records indicate she passed away peacefully.

Bryan said she believes Evanston Hospital also failed her mother by initially sending her home without resolving her pneumonia. So many people dropped the ball, she said she believes. NorthShore University HealthSystem, which includes Evanston Hospital, declined to comment, citing privacy regulations.

In response to Bryans complaint about her mothers care, the Department of Public Health sent inspector Rick Ramos, a health facility surveillance nurse and a licensed nursing home administrator, to the home March 17. He interviewed the nursing home administrator and director of nursing.

Records show the facility put (Saint) on BiPAP machine to manage her COPD and respiratory needs and was assessed by staff throughout her stay, his report stated. Nursing home officials were interviewed with no concerns related to improper nursing care.

Based on observation, interview and record review, the allegation of improper nursing cannot be substantiated, Ramos wrote. No deficiency cited.

Following Department of Public Health rules, A complaint is considered invalid if the Department determines that there is no credible evidence that there has been a deficiency

In order to cite a violation, health department spokeswoman Arnold said, there must be evidence that a facilitys policies were not followed or didnt meet regulations, or that a doctors orders were not followed. If anyone questions a physicians orders, they can make a complaint against that physician.

Saints daughter disputed the findings, saying she believed her mother was not properly assessed, as indicated by the fact Bryan had to ask for an X-ray that found her pneumonia.

Bryan is appealing the findings of the inspection, and was scheduled for a hearing before an administrative judge Tuesday.

As a nurse, Bryan she said was able to understand the medical issues involved, navigate the system and file a detailed report challenging the inspection. The average person without medical training, she said, would never get that far through the daunting and emotional process.

Noting a Tribune report that Black and brown nursing home residents in Illinois died at a higher rate than whites, Bryan said in her view her mothers case is an example of why Black people are skeptical of their medical care. How would her treatment have been if she was white? she asked.

As complaints mount, regulating roughly 1,200 nursing homes in Illinois is a gargantuan task. Each year, health department inspectors conduct about 10,000 surveys, including annual licensing inspections and complaints, which can be reported by phone at 800-252-4343.

In 2020, 161 cases were cited for putting residents in immediate jeopardy, and 329 plans of correction were imposed. Both numbers mark large increases from 2019, which state officials attributed to inspections for COVID-19 infection control.

More feedback is sought

Pat Merryweather, executive director for Project Patient Care, which advocates for patients, reviewed Saints treatment for the Tribune and said there were many unknowns in the case.

In general, Merryweather advocated for nursing homes to use rapid response teams, as do many hospitals, a tactic advocated by the World Health Organization. When a residents condition seriously worsens, the team is activated to keep the patient from crashing.

In case a physician isnt immediately available in person, Merryweather suggested, nursing homes should be able to reach one quickly through a telehealth consultation.

We need to move away from a wait-and-see mode, she said, to contacting a health care provider that can assess and if necessary, prescribe treatment and (an) intervention plan.

In response to Tribune questions, Matt Pickering, executive director of the Health Care Council of Illinois, which represents more than 300 skilled nursing facilities in the state, said they have experienced strict regulation.

IDPH surveys and citations have actually increased in frequency and severity, he said. From what we can tell, this is one anecdotal example being used to highlight a trend that our members simply arent experiencing.

Instead, Pickering said, the state is increasing citations and fines, without providing substantive feedback for how to improve, as was found in a recent taxpayer-funded report.

We would welcome the opportunity to partner with the department, Pickering said, to identify ways we can better work together to ensure quality care in a collaborative manner.

Dr. Michael Wasserman, a former nursing home administrator and past president of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine, said the inspection process needs to be reworked.

The system is not effective and also hasnt lent itself to bringing about significant improvements in quality of care, he said.

Rather than pressuring nursing home workers, whom he called incredible people, he said the system should ensure the public funding that goes into nursing homes ends up improving patient care.

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CHARLESTON  The aunt of a 10-year-old girl fighting for her life after falling through pond ice spoke of the tragedy Sunday, and praised the bravery of the young grandfather who died trying to save her.

MaLiyah White was later airlifted for treatment and is now being cared for at a hospital in Peoria, where she remains in critical condition, according to her aunt, Amanda Beals.

In Facebook postings, Beals described MaLiyahs heart being restarted by medical teams after firefighter divers had pulled her from beneath the ice of the frozen pond Saturday morning.

However, we dont know about brain function yet, said Beals of her niece. She is a strong little girl and when we were telling her we love her before they took her away, her head was turning a little bit, so we are hopeful thats a good sign.

She identified the grandfather, whose body was also recovered by dive teams, as Carlos Serafin, 31. Beals said MaLiyah had ventured onto a pond near where she lives on East County Road 620 North, following several pet dogs that had walked out onto the ice. MaLiyah then fell through the ice, and Beals said another of her nieces who saw the accident happen, 8-year-old Bailey Croy, ran to get help.

Beals said her brother, Bill Croy, and Serafin dashed to the rescue. Carlos jumped into the pond with a broom stick to try and save MaLiyah, but she was already under the ice and he also got sucked under, Beals said in her Facebook post.

Bill busted the ice to try to get to them, but couldnt find them.

Beals has launched an appeal  https://gofund.me/d3cdce89  to help MaLiyahs family with medical and funeral expenses. An account will also be set up at the Washington Savings Bank branches in Mattoon and Effingham. Beals said both MaLiyah and Bailey are Bill Croys granddaughters and he has custody of them. Bill Croy is married to Carlos Serafin, whom Beals described as the girls other abuelo, or grandfather.

Carlos loved those girls and all of their dogs sooo much, Beals said in a Facebook message to the Herald & Review.

And we as a family cant stress enough how much Carlos was a hero and how much he really loved his family and would do anything for them. Beals also urged well-wishers to continue to pray for Bill and Bailey. Its going to be a long road for everyone.

Lincoln Fire Protection District Chief Frederick Reynolds said in a statement that crews from the Charleston Fire Department wearing protective cold-water suits had gone into the pond to perform the rescues. They had been called to the scene at 7:53 a.m. and had found and rescued both victims by 8:15 a.m. Chief Reynolds said first responders also rescued three dogs from the pond.

Beals, in another Facebook post, said one of the dogs, called Horchata, had died.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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 Flash

China's Foreign Ministry on Sunday said China is ready to provide every possible form of support and assistance to Tonga after the country was hit by continuous volcanic eruptions and the ensuing tsunami waves.

"China extends deep condolences and sincere sympathies to the government and people of Tonga, and stands ready to provide every possible support and assistance at Tonga's request," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a statement.

Wang said China is closely watching the situation in Tonga. "The Chinese Embassy in Tonga immediately activated the emergency response mechanism and learned about the situation of Chinese citizens after the disaster through various channels. So far, no casualties of Chinese citizens have been reported," Wang said.

The eruptions of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai valcano in Tonga on Friday and Saturday have had a significant impact on the South Pacific island country, especially its capital Nuku'alofa.

The full extent of the natural disaster was not apparent as communications were still cut off on Sunday.

Several other countries have also said they will provide help to Tonga.
Hon. Yaw Dr. Osei Adutwum, MP for the Bosomtwe Constituency, and the Minister of Education, through hard work and dedication, on the 2nd January 2022 together with Nananom and Nickseth Construction Company Limited cut sod for the construction of a new ultramodern Senior High School at Sawua to provide quality education for the people of the Bosomtwe District in the Ashanti Region.



Hon. Dr. Osei Adutwum said, as has been the vision of President Akufo Addo, which he has always reiterated, in order to transform society you need to transform education and not just simple education, but Science, Technology, and Engineering education. According to the minister, the project is to be completed in one year, hence the selection of three contractors for its execution is coming out as one of the best senior high schools in the country.



The Minister re-echoed the trust he has in Nickseth Construction Company Limited to provide value for money, recounting the good the company has been doing for mother Ghana. He cited the infrastructure development at the newly established school, Deduako Girls Senior High School at Deduako in the Bosomtwe District of Ashanti Region as the handiwork of Nickseth Construction Company Limited.



Dr. Godfred Owusu-Boateng, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, responding to the question why Nickseth Construction Company Limited has been doing so well in the construction industry, said the company, mindful of its mission and vision of To maintain a strong passion for a touch of excellence towards timeless perfection in the construction industry, lives according to its core values, adding that this is why Nickseth Construction Company Limited always leads.



The Queen mother of Sawua, Nana Akosua Abrafi II, hailed Hon Yaw Osei Adutwum for the gesture and for showing good leadership to make the district proud. She prayed for the minister and the construction companies that the good Lord endows them with all that is needed to complete the project.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ministry of Education (MoE), has described the strike action by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) as unfortunate as the ministry had negotiations with the association during which some binding documents were signed.



According to the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Kwesi Kwarteng, he expected UTAG to have respected the decision of the National Labour Commission.



Speaking to Eye Witness news, he said, The National Labour Commission has made a directive which ought to be binding. Im sure the good people of UTAG, may want to respect the decision of the National Labour Commission. Of course, if they disagree there are other processes available to them. But of course, the Ministry of Education and government as a whole will continue to engage them to make sure that we find an amicable solution to some of the conditions that have been raised.



With a lot of these concerns, we would have expected that probably that negotiation that we did and the document that bind us probably would have been terminated fully. Unfortunately, we heard of the announcement of this strike which the NLC has made a decision upon. Inasmuch as we felt that, probably UTAG was a bit too fast and declaring the strike, we feel that in a way, that engagement will still have to go on at the end of the day so that we get to the bottom of the matter, he added.



The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) begun its nationwide strike action to press home their demand for improved conditions of service.



UTAG from last year has been lamenting the worsening conditions of its members and followed through with some demands on government.



In its latest press release dated January 8, the group decried governments inability to implement as well as meet timelines agreed upon during negotiations as part of efforts aimed at improving the conditions of service of lecturers.













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A cabinet Minister in the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos led NPP goveenment is optimistic he can raise 100 engineers from the Bosomtwi Constituency in the Ashanti Region within 10yrs.



Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Education Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for the people of Bosomtwe Constituency on Friday, 14th January, 2022, organized a mini durbar of Chiefs and people of Bosomtwi Constituency to bid farewell to 61 students from Bosomtwe who will be studying Medicine and various courses in Engineering fully is fully funded by the MP.



According to Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, he has a stern believe in the Ghanaian youth especially those in his constituency in becoming higly qualified engineers to support the developmental growth of the Ghanaian economy which the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has strategically put him at the education ministry to transform our education and produce human resources that can stand the 4th industrial revolution and provide the country with the requisite expertise.



The 100 engineers initiative which started with 30 engineering students last year has now increased to 61 students within a year. The Fridays colorful ceremony at the Bosomtwi Constituency office gave the Minister the opportunity to interact with the students and motivated them in the presence of their parents, Chiefs, opinion leaders and the entire community as he presented Laptops to each student, fees, boarding, feeding and transportation paid.



He mentioned that the freshmen will be studying in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-KNUST, University for Development Studies-UDS, University of Mines and Technology-UMAT, University of Energy and Natural Resources- UENER and Kumasi Technical University-KTU.



My vision of ensuring that Bosomtwe gets 100 Engineers within the next ten years is on course. said the Bosomtwi MP.



The ecstatic beneficiary students who shared their happiness with www.mayorcarlos.com expressed their gratitude to Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum for his generosity towards them NAD their parents and thereby redefining their destiny which might have been something very far away from becoming engineers due to the high cost involved in that field.



They couldnt hide their joy as they were seen crowded around the Minister and taking selfi photos with Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The National Lottery Authority (NLA) is still on its efforts to clamp down on illegal lotto operators in the country. A swoop carried out in the Central Region specifically Cape Coast resulted in the arrest of Seven(7) persons, they included the Operator of Lucky Star and 5 other accomplices and the Agent of Sikatuo Lotto.



After the closure of the licensing window in October 2021 and subsequent clamping down on illegal lotto operators, there were calls on the NLA to extend the licensing window to give the opportunity to individuals who were not able to register for the license to do same. The Authority graciously listened to the calls for the extension and in a press release issued on the 15th of December, 2021 said  The National Lottery Authority (NLA) wishes to announce that following the incessant requests made by some Private Lotto Operators and other stakeholders, it is extending the closing date of the 2021/2022 licensing year from Thursday 16th December 2021 to Thursday 23rd December 2021



The statement continued All unlicensed Lotto Operators and any interested entities and/ or individuals who wish to be licensed within the legal framework of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) and VAG Act 844, are hereby requested to contact the operations Office at the NLA Head Office, Fortune House first Floor, Accra for Licensing Application forms and payment term. NLA in collaboration with the security services began clamping down on all unlicensed operators from 1st November, 2021 and will continue the exercise into the New Year 2022.



After the extension, the NLA continued the operation which got the recalcitrant operators in Cape Coast arrested. The suspects were sent to the Central Police Command and subsequently arraigned before the Cape High Court on the 6th of January, 2021.



The seven (7) suspects were charged under the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) under Section 18(1) and (2) under the reading Prohibition in Relation To Coupons and Section 19 which relates to offences in relation to a coupon. They pleaded not guilty and the presiding judge requested them to provide their valid license on the next date of adjournment. The case was adjourned to the 10th day of February 2022.



Speaking to the media after the court proceedings the Public Relations Manager of the NLA said The NLA will not relent on our drive to clear illegal operators from the lottery industry, we have kept a human face to the whole exercise and have been extremely patient with these operators. They were all over asking for more time to get licensed and we graciously granted the request by given them a 7 day extension. I remember the difficult time my boss the Director- General Mr. Samuel Awuku had to go through convincing the Board to grant the extension. But these people are still bent on operating illegally. We will walk the talk and go after them, we will not end by arrested them but will prosecute them as we have done today.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Intra African Trade Fair (IATF) 2023 has opened for registrations for participants and exhibitors by visiting intrafricantradefair.com.



The fair aims to provide a unique and valuable platform for businesses to access an integrated African Market of over 1.2 billion people with a GDP of over US$ 3 Trillion created under the African Continental Free Trade Area.



IATF 2021 A RESOUNDING SUCCESS



Speaking at a Press Conference to announce the opening of registrations for the IATF 2023, Chairperson of the IATF 2021 Advisory Council who doubles as the Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo expressed delight at the resounding success of IATF 2021.



He said, "IATF 2021 represented more than a trade fair, and it fostered African Integration on the platform of Trade".



He added that the fair provided a meeting platform for trade and investment deals worth more than 42 billion dollars to be closed in just one week.



ACTIVATION OF IATF 2023



Head of Trade Facilitation, Intra African Trade Initiative at the Afrieximbank, Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe highlighted some of the components of IATF 2023 including Trade. The exhibition, Trade and Investment Forum, IATC Virtual, Africa Automotive Show among others.



Also present at the Press Conference were the President of Afrieximbank Professor Benedict Oramah and the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat His Excellency Wamkele Mene.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A trial of a former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and two others has been adjourned to tomorrow (January 18, 2022) due to the sickness of one of the accused persons.



Dr Forson, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako Enyan Esiam, and the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, has been charged with Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health and Richard Jakpa, a businessman, for allegedly causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the state in a deal to purchase some 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.



Dr Forson and Japka, were in court for the case, but Anemana was absent.



Anemanas lawyer, Mr Alex Owureidu Dankwa, informed the Accra High Court that his client had a condition and therefore goes for medical care on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.



In view of the fact that all the three accused persons must be present in court, the presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, adjourned the case to tomorrow (Tuesday, January 18)



Support



Dr Forson appeared in court in high spirits, wearing a black suit with a white bow tie.



Many of his colleague NDC MPs and top personalities of the NDC thronged to the court to support him.



They included a former Attorney -General, Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah -Opong, Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Muhammed Mubarak Muntaka, and the MP for Cape South, Mr Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, and the MP for Ellembele, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah.





Source: graphiconline.com









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AS THE date for the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Executives elections gradually draws closer, some key party members (contestants) have emerged as hot favourites.



They include Stephen Ayensu Ntim, John Boadu and Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye aka Nana B, who are gunning for the national chairman, general secretary and organizer positions, respectively.



The trio are expected to win in their various positions if the elections were to be held today, according to a leaked research carefully conducted by the Research Bureau at the Office of the Presidency.



Time of Research



The research was conducted during the NPP National Delegates Conference, held in Kumasi from December 18 to 20, 2021, which was graced by NPP members from the 275 constituencies in the country.



The research, undertaken by top pollsters, reportedly sent out a staggering number of 4,000 questionnaires, which attracted 3,920 responses, representing 98 percent success rate.



The researchers mainly asked about which of the contestants were popular in the party and could therefore lead the NPP to make history in 2024 by winning a third consecutive national elections.



Generally, most of the partys delegates have made up their minds already, with regards to who they would cast their ballot for during the polls. In percentage wise, just three to 5 percent were undecided.



National Chairman Race



In the National Chairman race, Stephen Ayensu Ntim took a commanding lead, polling 60.3%, followed by Stephen Asamoah-Boateng 18.1%, Prof. Ameyaw Ekumfi 10.2%, Robert Kutin Jnr 4.5% and Abankwa Yeboah 3.8% in that order. Just 3.1% were undecided.



Stephen Ntim has contested for the same position on a number of occasions in the past but he lost all of them. This time around, mother luck would certainly smile at him as the NPP delegates see him as a fighter and a patriot.



General Secretary Race



The incumbent General Secretary, John Boadu amassed 52.4% to take the first position as Justin Kodua Frimpong followed closely with 31.6%, Frederick Opare-Ansah 11.7%, Charles Cromwell Bissue 1.3% and Musah Superior 0.8%. The undecided stood at 2.2%.



For John Boadu, the respondents consider him as very experienced politician and a communicator, whose wide expertise would be of immense of help the party, especially as the NPP is eager to break the eight and retain power in 2024.



National Organizer



Per the findings, Nana B would easily emerge victorious in the National Organizer race with 70.8% and he would be followed by Titus Nii Kwartei Glover 10.1%, Dr Kwame Afriyie 7.7%, Eric Amoako Twum 5.7%, Archibald Cobbina 2.8% and Bright Essifie Kumi 1.3%. About 1.6% were undecided.



According to the party delegates, Nana B has displayed boldness, competence, hard work and loyalty during his tenure as the NPP National Youth Organizer, hence their decision to vote massively for him to sustain his splendid works for the party.



National Treasurer



In the National Treasurer elections, Dr. Charles Dwamena, who has campaigned across the country so far, is tipped to win by 54.7%, followed by Mary Posch-Oduro 29.4% as Collins Nuntwiri Nuamah finished last with 14.6%. The undecided were 1.3%.



National Women Organizer



Kate Gyamfua, who has transformed the womens wing of the party during the last four years, on her part, amassed a whopping 89.8% as her only competitor, Ellen Ama Daaku, secured a paltry 4.8%. About 5.4% of the respondents were undecided though.



National Youth Organizer



In the National Youth Organizer contest, Salam Mustapha is expected to win by 50.7%, followed by Michael Osei Boateng aka Pope, 28.8%, Prince Kamal Gumah 11.7, Abanga Yakubu Fusani 5.4% and Nana Kwadwo Akwaa 1.8%. About 1.6% were undecided.



National Nasara Coordinator



The incumbent National Nasara Coordinator, Abdul Aziz Haruna Futah, who is seen as a workaholic, comfortably led the polls with 55.9%, Alhaji Ali Suraj 21.6% and Alhaji Muazu Kunata Issahaka 20.4%, followed in that order. About 2.1% of the respondents were undecided.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The attention of the NPP General Secretary, John Boadu, has been drawn to a press conference by on January 12, 2022, by a group purporting to be a pro-NPP group, calling themselves, the Ashanti Patriots Movement, where they made some wild claims in respect of the partys forthcoming internal elections including the next presidential primaries of the Party ahead of election 2024.



The group also took issues with the party leadership particularly the General Secretary, John Boadu, whom they asked to resign if he was unable to enforce the CODE OF CONDUCT issued under his hand.



The gravamen of the groups claim was that, supporters of Hon. Alan Kyerematen were being victimized with suspensions for merely declaring support for the Trade Minister, whereas those who declared support for the Vice President, H.E Mahamudu Bawumia, in clear breach of the Code, were not visited with similar sanctions.



On the basis of this, the group contended that, it would be difficult if not impossible for the NPP to break the 8, as their members may be forced to vote against whoever the Party brings as Presidential Candidate in the 2024 General Elections.



The General Secretary wishes to respond as follows:



First of all, the said group is alien to the NPP, and has never been part of the partys volunteer groups in any previous elections. In fact, the convenor of the group, Emmanuel Osei-Gyamfi, who addressed the presser, is NOT even a member of the Party.



Records show that he voluntarily forfeited his membership of the NPP (even if he ever was), when in 2020, he filed to contest as an Independent Parliamentary Candidate in the Atwima Nwabiagya North Constituency of the Ashanti Region.



How can somebody who is not a member of the NPP, purport to lead a group in the Party to fight for the interest of Alan Kyerementen? It is not surprising that the group would threaten that they may vote against the partys Presidential Candidate in 2024 if their concerns were not addressed.



Certainly, the group can only be said to be on a mischievous and destructive mission, and it will be in the interest of Mr. Alan Kyerematen to dissociate himself from such diabolic agenda against the NPP.



The General Secretary also categorically denies the groups allegation of discriminatory application of the Code against the supporters of Alan Kyerematen as a presidential hopeful. In any case, until the Party opens nomination for presidential primaries, there cannot be any aspiring presidential candidate duly recognized by the party.



It is also to be noted that when party members are suspended on allegations of misconduct, as in the case of what happened in the Northern Region, the Party Constitution provides the aggrieved members a remedy in Article 4.



The partys disciplinary and grievance procedures do not permit the General Secretary to directly interfere in disciplinary matters at the constituency and regional level until the necessary processes are initiated to invoke the jurisdiction of the National Disciplinary Committee and the National Executive Committee.



Equally, the Code of Conduct launched by the party in July 2021 expressly provides clear procedure for handling alleged breaches of party rules, which however, do not derogate from the provisions in Article 4 of the Party Constitution.



Finally, the General Secretary wishes to use this opportunity to reiterate the partys caution to individuals wishing to lead the Party in the future to take the necessary steps to rein in their supporters. They should not allow their individual ambitions to affect the partys forward march.



The Party is resolved to crack the whip when it becomes necessary in order to ensure party discipline and sanity, which are the essential prerequisites for victory in 2024.



Signed



Iddi Muhayu-Deen

Press Secretary to John Boadu

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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" " People wave American flags as they ride in a Fourth of July Parade in Alameda, California on Monday, July 4, 2016. GABRIELLE LURIE/AFP/Getty Images

If you want to get an up-close-and-personal understanding of American exceptionalism, just visit any small town or big city in the United States on the 4th of July.

On this day, Americans celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the document by which the American colonies severed ties with the British Crown and laid forth certain "self-evident" truths that set apart the fledgling nation: "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

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Ask any American what they love about their country on July 4th, and no matter their political persuasion, they'll likely sum it up in one word: freedom. Freedom to exercise their religion, freedom to protest injustice, freedom from government intrusion or freedom to speak their mind.

For others, America is about opportunity. It's a place where the circumstances of your birth don't dictate the course of your life. Where individuals who work hard and remain optimistic can achieve any goal, whether it's owning a small business or being president of the United States.

And then there's the way that Americans celebrate the 4th of July, which points to some core aspects of American exceptionalism, including a few that rub other nations the wrong way.

On the 4th of July, America's blustery patriotism is on public display, with parades in the streets and flags adorning every building, lawn and oversized T-shirt. Refrains of "God Bless America" reinforce the notion of America as a divinely sanctioned land and people. Topping it all off are explosive and expensive fireworks displays, not-so-subtle nods to the military might that not only secures American freedom but solidifies its influence over the rest of the world.

In America's deeply divided political discourse, the term American exceptionalism is now wielded as a political weapon. Candidates from the right accuse their opponents of not "loving America" or of abandoning the unique attributes that make America "great" in a move toward "European-style" forms of government.

And candidates from the left insist that America's exceptionalism is born from its diversity and sense of equality and argue that policies that limit immigration or infringe on civil rights are themselves "un-American."

To get a better grasp on this slippery notion of American exceptionalism, we're going to dive into the double meaning of the term. We'll look at its surprising origins in communist theory, and the many ways that America's exceptionalism is a product of both factual differences between America and the rest of the world (metric system, anyone?), and simply the stories Americans like to tell about themselves.
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Russia will station troops on its own territory near the Ukrainian border due to tensions with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday.

"We find it necessary to keep those troops due to a very tense situation and very unfriendly environment," Peskov said in an interview with U.S. broadcaster CNN.

Russia has to take measures of precaution in response to NATO military build-up, drills and frequent flights of fighter jets and reconnaissance planes near the Russian borders, he said.

However, Russia is not considering a military action even if negotiations with the United States and NATO on security guarantees fail, Peskov stressed.

Nevertheless, Russia is "ready to take countermeasures" if both sides cannot reach a consensus, he said.

Earlier this week, Russian diplomats held talks with the United States in Geneva, with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna, and then with NATO in Brussels. They all ended without any breakthrough.

Peskov told CNN that NATO is reluctant to promise that it will not grant Ukraine membership or deploy offensive weapons on the Ukrainian territory, which are part of Russia's red lines.
The black material is an electroactive polymer, the volume of which changes when the researchers apply a low voltage, which makes this simple microrobot bend. On the other side of the material, you can see the gel to which the researchers have attached biomolecules that allow the soft gel material to harden like a bone. Credit: Olov Planthaber/LiU

Inspired by the growth of bones in the skeleton, researchers at the universities of Linkoping in Sweden and Okayama in Japan have developed a combination of materials that can morph into various shapes before hardening. The material is initially soft, but later hardens through a bone development process that uses the same materials found in the skeleton.

When we are born, we have gaps in our skulls that are covered by pieces of soft connective tissue called fontanelles. It is thanks to fontanelles that our skulls can be deformed during birth and pass successfully through the birth canal. Post-birth, the fontanelle tissue gradually changes to hard bone. Now, researchers have combined materials which together resemble this natural process.

"We want to use this for applications where materials need to have different properties at different points in time. Firstly, the material is soft and flexible, and it is then locked into place when it hardens. This material could be used in, for example, complicated bone fractures. It could also be used in microrobotsthese soft microrobots could be injected into the body through a thin syringe, and then they would unfold and develop their own rigid bones," says Edwin Jager, associate professor at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) at Linkoping University.

The idea was hatched during a research visit in Japan when materials scientist Edwin Jager met Hiroshi Kamioka and Emilio Hara, who conduct research into bones. The Japanese researchers had discovered a kind of biomolecule that could stimulate bone growth under a short period of time. Would it be possible to combine this biomolecule with Jager's materials research, to develop new materials with variable stiffness?

When voltage is applied, the material (left) will slowly bend towards the chicken bone (white). If the liquid contains the minerals needed for bone development, the material will, in the space of a few days, begin to build artificial bone that attaches itself to the chicken bone. Credit: Olov Planthaber/LiU

In the study that followed, published in Advanced Materials, the researchers constructed a kind of simple "microrobot," one which can assume different shapes and change stiffness. The researchers began with a gel material called alginate. On one side of the gel, a polymer material is grown. This material is electroactive, and it changes its volume when a low voltage is applied, causing the microrobot to bend in a specified direction. On the other side of the gel, the researchers attached biomolecules that allow the soft gel material to harden. These biomolecules are extracted from the cell membrane of a kind of cell that is important for bone development. When the material is immersed in a cell culture mediuman environment that resembles the body and contains calcium and phosphorthe biomolecules make the gel mineralise and harden like bone.

One potential application of interest to the researchers is bone healing. The idea is that the soft material, powered by the electroactive polymer, will be able to maneuver itself into spaces in complicated bone fractures and expand. When the material has then hardened, it can form the foundation for the construction of new bone. In their study, the researchers demonstrate that the material can wrap itself around chicken bones, and the artificial bone that subsequently develops grows together with the chicken bone.

By making patterns in the gel, the researchers can determine how the simple microrobot will bend when voltage is applied. Perpendicular lines on the surface of the material make the robot bend in a semicircle, while diagonal lines make it bend like a corkscrew.

Danfeng Cao, PhD student at Linkoping University, assembles a piece of a bone which the microrobot will then wrap itself around and grow together with. Credit: Olov Planthaber/LiU

"By controlling how the material turns, we can make the microrobot move in different ways, and also affect how the material unfurls in broken bones. We can embed these movements into the material's structure, making complex programs for steering these robots unnecessary," says Edwin Jager.

In order to learn more about the biocompatibility of this combination of materials, the researchers are now looking further into how its properties work together with living cells.

Explore further Technique speeds up thermal actuation for soft robotics

More information: Danfeng Cao et al, Biohybrid VariableStiffness Soft Actuators that SelfCreate Bone, Advanced Materials (2021). Journal information: Advanced Materials Danfeng Cao et al, Biohybrid VariableStiffness Soft Actuators that SelfCreate Bone,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202107345
Credit: Bocconi University

Sophia Kalantzakos' scholarship focuses on how the climate crisis impacts global power politics. Her book China and the Geopolitics of Rare Earths, focuses on resource competition between the major industrial nations (U.S., E.U., Japan) and China. In this interview with Via Sarfatti25, Kalantzakos warns that the era of hyper-competition particularly between the U.S. and China will negatively impact efforts to effectively act on the climate crisis. Sophia Kalantzakos is Global Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Public Policy at New York University and a long-term affiliate at NYU Abu Dhabi.

What are rare earths, and why are they important?

Even though the seventeen rare earth elements can be found in different locations, what makes them "rare" is that it has not always made economic sense to mine them because they are often found in very low concentrations. Rare earths are important because they are essential inputs in high tech, renewable, and defense applications. When I wrote the book in 2018, China controlled 97% of the production of the minerals and dominated the entire supply chain. What shocked me then was that the major industrial nations had not realized that they had become so dependent on China for these inputs. The thought that prevailed, at the time, was that somehow globalization and trade would guarantee uninterrupted access to rare earths. It's a bit ironic to have held that belief because there was ample evidence to the contrary with the precursor of oil, which was not even as geographically concentrated as rare earths minerals.

How did governments first become aware of their dependency on China for these strategic minerals?

In 2010 there was geopolitical dispute between Japan and China because of a maritime incident in the disputed waters near the Senkaku Islands (or the Diaoyu Islands according to China) in the East China Sea. As a result, China briefly and unofficially embargoed the shipments of rare earths to Japan, which was a big customer. It was the first time that China had used a strategic resource to leverage a geopolitical dispute. Up until then, China had intentionally kept a low profile. Its main goal was to grow its economy and was working within international institutions to develop an expertise in order to partake in the global system. 2010 perhaps constituted an "aha" moment for China's competitors who woke up to the realization that they were almost entirely dependent on the PRC for these materials.

What was your goal in writing "China and the Geopolitics of Rare Earths?"

Major industrial nations huffed and puffed after the 2010 incident, but never seriously addressed nor did they resolve the issue. When prices for these minerals corrected themselves, they chose to believe that things had gone back to "normal." In my book, I wanted to raise the question of whether or not industrial nations had actually learned anything from the rare earth crisis. This is a very central question considering that the entire world now professes to be moving into the direction of decarbonization and digitalization, without having given enough thought to or been able to implement comprehensive strategies about how to ensure access to these inputs. The assumption was that global trade would remain uninterrupted. However, now that we experienced the trade wars between the U.S. and China as well as the pandemic, we see that we should question whether that assumption was in fact correct. For the longest time there was a sense that the 2010 incident was a mere blip. And I was insisting that it wasn't.

What is your take on what is happening in Afghanistan in terms of 'rare earth' minerals?

I don't believe that things are going to change in the rare earths space because of Afghanistan. I wouldn't even put Afghanistan on the table right now.

Alarmism about rare earths in Afghanistan is part of a campaign to hype geopolitical tension and is meant to chastise the U.S. for pulling out. The logic of this claim is "We (the U.S.) left Afghanistan and now China is going to get ahead of us there too." After all, you need to have a security concern to maintain forces in a place. China is generally careful about "moving in" to anywhere. It hasn't been that kind of a power.

If concerns about China grabbing rare earth minerals in Afghanistan are mainly hype, what are some of the other misconceptions about rare earths that we can shoot down?

With the exception of 2010, where the embargo was unofficial and short lived, China has not really weaponized these elements. But China is a rising power. Actually, it has already risen. The PRC would like to excel and become a leader in the decarbonization space. The usual suspectsthe OECD countries, U.S., Europe, Japanare accustomed to being the front runners, and now China is giving everyone a run for their money.

The problem today is that there is a growing narrative (pushed by the United States) according to which the world is once again bipolar and that the fight is one between political systems: democracy versus autocracy. Thus, access to critical minerals and the push to decarbonize because of the climate crisis are unfolding against the backdrop of fraught geopolitics. This constitutes a big problem because both decarbonization and digitalization are at the heart of the major global economic and industrial shifts currently underway. So suddenly, the minerals have become targets of geopolitical dispute. This is why I originally wrote the book in 2018 and updated it in 2021 (in English and Italian), because I foresaw that people were underestimating the problem.

Why is it a problem to have the view of a bipolar world right now?

The climate crisis seems to be the most urgent and comprehensive threat we face today. It's the greatest threat to our global commons and impacts everything: our food supply, our consumption, socio-economic relations, biodiversity, even the way that we build our infrastructure. The world needs to work together to solve this. Bipolar competition, in the way that it's unfolding, has exacerbated tensions and distracts focus from the climate crisis. We can't be fighting about everything else, and then say "that we cooperate and discuss the climate crisis," because the climate crisis is everything; it's an existential threat.

What have we not learned since 2010? What should the U.S. and Europe be doing?

I think two things are happening. The first is, post-pandemic it is now clear that we need to build supply chain resilience especially in a world where global supply chains are indispensable. When factories closed in Asia, people in the United States were fighting over things like toilet paper and masks. Even today there are still considerable shortages on a wide range of commodities resulting in major shipping delays and must be pre-ordered.

So building resilience in the supply chains and creating alternatives, were lessons not learned then although they are now a major pre-occupation for both the E.U. and the U.S.

The second thing that's happening is that the United States is now securitizing this issue as it has chosen to adopt a bipolar and adversarial logic in its relations with the PRC. The logic is that "China is the main rival, we oppose the autocracy of China, we will not let China become the global leader in the decarbonization and high-tech space and therefore, we need to desinicize supply chains."

In Europe, both the rhetoric and policy are different. Europe is not saying "we want to decouple from China." What the Europeans are doing is building resilience, creating new networks of interdependence. They have invited Asian companies to Europe providing them incentives to invest and have launched important initiatives such as the European Battery Alliance and the European Raw Materials Alliance.

In the end, we cannot urgently decarbonize by trying to replicate supply chains. That will take too long, it's too costly, and it's not efficient. And it won't help us do what we are trying to do, which is to decarbonize in 10 years. Time is of the essence and we need to work within the real parameters of the problem that we have created.

More information: China and the Geopolitics of Rare Earths. China and the Geopolitics of Rare Earths. oxford.universitypressscholars  01/oso-9780190670931

Provided by Bocconi University
Scientists have long known that injecting a large quantity of reflective particles into the upper atmosphere could cool the planet.

Planetary-scale engineering schemes designed to cool Earth's surface and lessen the impact of global heating are potentially dangerous and should be blocked by governments, more than 60 policy experts and scientists said on Monday.

Even if injecting billions of sulphur particles into the middle atmospherethe most hotly debated plan for so-called solar radiation modification (SRM)turned back a critical fraction of the Sun's rays as intended, the consequences could outweigh any benefits, they argued in an open letter.

"Solar geoengineering deployment cannot be governed globally in a fair, inclusive and effective manner," said the letter, supported by a commentary in the journal WIREs Climate Change.

"We therefore call for immediate political action from governments, the United Nations and other actors to prevent the normalisation of solar geoengineering as a climate policy option."

An increase of 1.1 degrees Celsius above mid-19th century levels has already boosted the intensity, frequency and duration of deadly heat waves, droughts and megastorms.

The world's nations have committed to capping the rise in Earth's surface temperature to 1.5C above mid-19th century levels, but UN-backed scientists have said that threshold will be breached, possibly within a decade.

The failure to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that drive global heating has led some policy makers to embrace solar geoengineeringwidely dismissed not long ago as more science fiction than sciencein order to buy time for a more durable solution.

It has long been known that injecting a large quantity of reflective particles into the upper atmosphere could cool the planet.

Nature sometimes does the same: debris from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines lowered Earth's average surface temperature for more than a year.

But the open letter said there are several reasons to reject such a course of action.

Artificially dimming the Sun's radiative force is likely to disrupt monsoon rains in South Asia and western Africa, and could ravage the rain-fed crops upon which hundreds of millions depend for nourishment, several studies have shown.

Unintended consequences

"Stratospheric sulfate injection weakens the African and Asian summer monsoons and causes drying in the Amazon," the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said in its most recent scientific assessment.

Other regions, however, could benefit: a study last year concluded that SRM could sharply curtail the risk of drought in southern Africa.

Scientists also worry about so-called termination shock if seeding the atmosphere with Sun-blocking particles were to suddenly stop.

If SRM "were terminated for any reason, there is high confidence that surface temperatures would increase rapidly," the IPCC said.

In addition, the technology would do nothing to stop the continuing buildup of atmospheric CO 2 , which is literally changing the chemistry of the ocean.

The open letter also cautions that raising hopes about a quick fix for climate "can disincentivise governments, businesses and societies to do their upmost to achieve decarbonisation or carbon neutrality as soon as possible".

Finally, there is currently no global governance system to monitor or implement solar geoengineering schemes, which could be set in motion today by a single country, or even a billionaire with rockets.

The open letter calls for an "international non-use agreement" that would block national funding, bad outdoor experiments and refuse to grant patent rights for SRM technologies.

Such an agreement "would not prohibit atmospheric or climate research as such," the letter said.

Other forms of solar radiation modification include brightening marine clouds by seeding them with salt particles from the ocean, and placing giant mirrors in space to reflect away Earth-bound sunlight.

Less controversial techniques include whitening rooftops and road surfaces, and lightening the colour of crop leaves through genetic modification.

Signatories to the open letter include Frank Biermann, a professor of global sustainability governance at Utrecht University; Aarti Gupta, a professor of global environmental governance at Wageningen University in The Netherlands; Professor Melissa Leach, director of the Institute of Development Studies in Sussex, England; and Dirk Messner, president of the German Environment Agency.

Explore further Dimming Sun's rays could ease climate impacts in Africa

 2022 AFP
In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force a Royal Australian Air Force P-8 Poseidon aircraft departs an airbase in Amberly, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, to assist the Tonga government after the eruption of an undersea volcano. Credit: LACW Emma Schwenke/ADF via AP

New Zealand and Australia were able to send military surveillance flights to Tonga on Monday to assess the damage a huge undersea volcanic eruption left in the Pacific island nation.

A towering ash cloud since Saturday's eruption had prevented earlier flights. New Zealand hopes to send essential supplies, including much-needed drinking water, on a military transport plane Tuesday.

No casualties have been confirmed on Tonga, although a British woman was reported missing.

The U.K. Foreign Office said Monday it was "supporting the family of a British woman reported missing in Tonga and are in contact with the local authorities."

Relatives of Angela Glover, who ran an animal rescue center in Tonga's capital, said she has not been seen since she was swept away by a tsunami wave. Her husband, James, survived by clinging on to a tree.

Glover's brother Nick Eleini told The Guardian, "I don't think this is going to have a happy ending."

Communications with Tonga remained extremely limited. The company that owns the single underwater fiber-optic cable that connects the island nation to the rest of the world said it likely was severed in the eruption and repairs could take weeks.

The loss of the cable leaves most Tongans unable to use the internet or make phone calls abroad. Those that have managed to get messages out described their country as looking like a moonscape as they began cleaning up from the tsunami waves and volcanic ash fall.

In this photo provided by the New Zealand Defense Force, an Orion aircraft is prepared at a base in Auckland, New Zealand, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, before flying to assist the Tonga government after the eruption of an undersea volcano. Credit: NZDF via AP

Tsunami waves of about 80 centimeters (2.7 feet) crashed into Tonga's shoreline, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described damage to boats and shops on Tonga's shoreline. The waves crossed the Pacific, drowning two people in Peru and causing minor damage from New Zealand to Santa Cruz, California.

Scientists said they didn't think the eruption would have a significant impact on the Earth's climate.

Huge volcanic eruptions can sometimes cause temporary global cooling as sulfur dioxide is pumped into the stratosphere. But in the case of the Tonga eruption, initial satellite measurements indicated the amount of sulfur dioxide released would only have a tiny effect of perhaps 0.01 Celsius (0.02 Fahrenheit) global average cooling, said Alan Robock, a professor at Rutgers University.

In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force, a Royal Australian Air Force P-8 Poseidon aircraft prepares to depart an airbase in Amberly, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, to assist the Tonga government after the eruption of an undersea volcano. Credit: LACW Emma Schwenke/ADF via AP

Satellite images showed the spectacular undersea eruption Saturday evening, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a giant mushroom above the South Pacific waters.

A sonic boom could be heard as far away as Alaska and sent pressure shockwaves around the planet twice, altering atmospheric pressure that may have briefly helped clear out the fog in Seattle, according to the National Weather Service. Large waves were detected as far away as the Caribbean due to pressure changes generated by the eruption.

Samiuela Fonua, who chairs the board at Tonga Cable Ltd. which owns the single cable that connects Tonga to the outside world via Fiji, said the cable appeared to have been severed about 10 to 15 minutes after the eruption. He said the cable lies atop and within coral reef, which can be sharp.

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption, right, at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

Fonua said a ship would need to pull up the cable to assess the damage and then crews would need to fix it. A single break might take a week to repair, he said, while multiple breaks could take up to three weeks. He added that it was unclear yet when it would be safe for a ship to venture near the undersea volcano to undertake the work.

A second undersea cable that connects the islands within Tonga also appeared to have been severed, Fonua said. However, a local phone network was working, allowing Tongans to call each other. But he said the lingering ash cloud was continuing to make even satellite phone calls abroad difficult.

He said Tonga, home to 105,000 people, had been in discussions with New Zealand about getting a second international fiber-optic cable to ensure a more robust network but the nation's isolated location made any long-term solution difficult.

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption, right, at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

The cable also broke three years ago, possibly due to a ship dragging an anchor. At first Tongans had no access to the internet but then some limited access was restored using satellites until the cable was repaired.

Ardern said the capital, Nuku'alofa, was covered in a thick film of volcanic dust, contaminating water supplies and making fresh water a vital need.

Aid agencies said thick ash and smoke had prompted authorities to ask people to wear masks and drink bottled water.

In a video posted on Facebook, Nightingale Filihia was sheltering at her family's home from a rain of volcanic ash and tiny pieces of rock that turned the sky pitch black.

"It's really bad. They told us to stay indoors and cover our doors and windows because it's dangerous," she said. "I felt sorry for the people. Everyone just froze when the explosion happened. We rushed home." Outside the house, people were seen carrying umbrellas for protection.

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

One complicating factor to any international aid effort is that Tonga has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks of COVID-19. Ardern said New Zealand's military staff were all fully vaccinated and willing to follow any protocols established by Tonga.

Dave Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, said it was very unusual for a volcanic eruption to affect an entire ocean basin, and the spectacle was both "humbling and scary."

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the eruption caused the equivalent of a magnitude 5.8 earthquake. Scientists said tsunamis generated by volcanoes rather than earthquakes are relatively rare.

Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau, who chairs the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, said she hoped the relatively low level of the tsunami waves would have allowed most people to get to safety, although she worried about those living on islands closest to the volcano.

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

This combination of satellite images taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption of the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: NICT via AP

"We are praying that the damage is just to infrastructure and people were able to get to higher land," she said.

The explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano, about 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of Nuku'alofa, was the latest in a series of dramatic eruptions. In late 2014 and early 2015, eruptions created a small new island and disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

Earth imaging company Planet Labs PBC had watched the island in recent days after a new volcanic vent began erupting in late December. Satellite images showed how drastically the volcano had shaped the area, creating a growing island off Tonga.

Explore further Volcano erupts in Pacific, West Coast under tsunami advisory

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano spewed smoke and ash in the air, with a thunderous roar heard 10,000 kilometres (6,000 miles) away in Alaska.

A massive volcanic eruption in Tonga that triggered tsunami waves around the Pacific caused "significant damage" to the island nation's capital and smothered it in dust, but the full extent was unclear with communications still hampered Monday.

The eruption on Saturday was so powerful it was recorded around the world and heard as far away as Alaska, triggering a tsunami that flooded Pacific coastlines from Japan to the United States.

The capital Nuku'alofa suffered "significant" damage, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, adding there had been no reports of injury or death but a full assessment was not yet possible with communication lines down.

"The tsunami has had a significant impact on the foreshore on the northern side of Nuku'alofa with boats and large boulders washed ashore," Ardern said after contact with the New Zealand embassy in Tonga.

"Nuku'alofa is covered in a thick film of volcanic dust but otherwise conditions are calm and stable."

Tonga was in need of water supplies, she said, as "the ash cloud has caused contamination."

There has been no word on damage in the outer islands but New Zealand sent an air force reconnaissance aircraft early Monday "to assist in an initial impact assessment of the area and low-lying islands," the country's Defence Force said.

Map locating the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, which erupted January 14, sending large waves crashing ashore in Tonga.

Tonga has also accepted Canberra's offer to send a surveillance flight, Australia's foreign office said, adding it is also immediately prepared to supply "critical humanitarian supplies".

The United States and the World Health Organization have pledged support, while the United Nations children's agency said it was preparing emergency supplies to fly in.

A 1.2-metre (four-foot) wave swept ashore in the Tongan capital with residents reporting they had fled to higher ground, leaving behind flooded houses, some with structural damage, as small stones and ash fell from the sky.

"It was massive, the ground shook, our house was shaking. It came in waves. My younger brother thought bombs were exploding nearby," resident Mere Taufa told the Stuff news website Saturday.

She said water filled their home minutes later and she watched the wall of a neighbouring house collapse.

"We just knew straight away it was a tsunami. Just water gushing into our home," Taufa said.

"You could just hear screams everywhere, people screaming for safety, for everyone to get to higher ground."

Waves hit the coast of Suva City in Fiji following the volcanic eruption in Tonga.

Drownings in Peru

Tonga's King Tupou VI was reported to have been evacuated from the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa and taken by police convoy to a villa well away from the coastline.

Dramatic satellite images showed the long, rumbling eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano spew smoke and ash in the air, with a thunderous roar heard 10,000 kilometres (6,000 miles) away in Alaska.

The eruption triggered tsunamis across the Pacific with waves of 1.74 metres measured in Chanaral, Chile, more than 10,000 kilometres away, and smaller waves seen along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico.

Two women drowned on a beach in northern Peru due to "anomalous waves" caused by the eruption, authorities said Sunday, and dozens of people required rescue from flooding in the south of the country.

In California, the city of Santa Cruz was hit by flooding due to a tidal surge generated by the tsunami, while waves of around 1.2 metres hit along Japan's Pacific coast.

The eruption triggered tsunami alerts around the Pacific.

'Just incredible'

The US Geological Survey recorded Saturday's eruption as equivalent to a 5.8-magnitude earthquake at zero depth.

The volcano's eruption lasted at least eight minutes and sent plumes of gas, ash and smoke several kilometres into the air.

New Zealand scientist Marco Brenna described the impact as "relatively mild" but said another eruption with a much bigger impact could not be ruled out.

The eruption was so powerful it was even heard in Alaska, the UAF Geophysical Institute tweeted, saying the fact it was audible was "fairly unique."

It cited Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists David Fee as recalling "only a couple other volcanic eruptions doing something like this"namely, the 19th-century eruption of Indonesia's Krakatau, and Alaska's Novarupta, the most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century.

The Fife weather station in Scotland tweeted it was "just incredible to think of the power that can send a shockwave around the world" after the eruptions produced a jump in its air pressure graph.

Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, which lies about 65 kilometres north of Nuku'alofa, has a history of volatility.

In recent years it breached sea level during a 2009 eruption, while in 2015 it spewed so many large rocks and ash into the air that when they settled, a new island had formed two kilometres long by one kilometre wide and 100 metres high.

Explore further Tongans warned of acid rain after volcanic eruption

 2022 AFP
Credit: Michigan State University

Newly published research from MSU scientists details the reproductive response of two types of Michigan lake trout found in Lake Superiorsiscowets and leansto sea lamprey parasitism, and the results coincide with a long-held evolutionary theory.

The life history theory was developed in the 1950s in an attempt to explain how natural selection has molded organisms' behavior, lifespan and reproduction.

Tyler Firkus, a doctoral student in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, said that while the theory gives predictions about how organisms may react to parasitism, few studies have provided empirical evidence.

Firkus works in the lab of Cheryl Murphy, and both are co-authors of a recently published paper in the journal Integrative and Comparative Biology.

Before starting laboratory trials, the team developed a life history conceptual model based on known information about siscowets and leans, two lake trout ecomorphs of the same species.

Leans favor shallow, warmer water and grow more quickly than siscowets, which are found in deep, cold water and live longer than leans. Researchers hypothesized that leans would ramp up reproductive efforts in response to sea lamprey parasitism due to their shorter lifespans, while siscowets would favor energy storage and a long-term approach to successful reproduction.

"In the wild, siscowets display a higher rate of observed sea lamprey parasitism, which suggests a greater number of them survive the experience than leans," Firkus said. "Siscowets also don't show altered growth trajectories as a result of sea lamprey parasitism, showing they are able to cope better."

To spawn or not to spawn?

For the study, researchers used 11- to 12-year-old leans and siscowets raised from eggs collected from wild adults in Lake Superior. Sea lamprey were gathered by commercial fishing operations in Lake Superior and Lake Huron, actively attached to a host.

Scientists placed individual siscowets or leans into a tank with one sea lamprey and recorded the duration of attachment. Sea lamprey were allowed to feed for no longer than four days, which prevented a lethal event. Other individual fish were placed in tanks with no sea lamprey to act as a control.

Once each trial was complete, the lake trout's fat content, length and weight were measured, and the attachment site was graded for severity of the wound. The lake trout were then moved back to their regular tanks to heal.

Since spawning typically occurs for both siscowets and leans in early October, researchers monitored each fish from mid-September to early November following parasitism. The volume of eggs or miltthe sperm-containing fluidwas measured for each lake trout, and those that did not produce eggs or milt were considered to have skipped spawning.

"Leans produced more eggs than siscowets per gram of body weight, regardless of parasitism status," Murphy said. "All female leans produced eggs as well, which tells us that one of their responses is to reproduce to ensure the next generation."

Conversely, more than half of siscowets avoided spawning altogether, and those with more severe wounds skipped spawning at an even higher rate78%. Since they live longer, Murphy said, siscowets have more opportunities to spawn. After parasitism, their responses focus on energy storage and survival, improving the likelihood of successful reproduction in the future.

For lean males, parasitism did not have an effect on milt concentration. But in male siscowets, milt concentration decreased, as researchers expected.

"This is the first study we're aware of that provides empirical evidence of life history tradeoffs in sea lamprey parasitism," Firkus said.

In addition to Firkus and Murphy, partners on the project were Rick Goetz, a research physiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Great Lakes Water Institute, and Gregory Fischer, the facilities manager at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility.

More precise sea lamprey management

A second paper, published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research, expands on the initial project to examine the rate of sea lamprey parasitism on lake trout.

Firkus noted that the current visual examination procedure used to record sea lamprey wounds is unreliable. As attachment marks heal over time, it becomes difficult to identify and classify them with high accuracy. Additionally, sea lamprey sometimes attach to areas that don't leave noticeable traces, such as the fins or gills.

To paint a clearer picture of the problem, researchers needed a biological marker unique to parasitism, and Murphy's team has found it in blood.

Blood samples and wounding descriptions were taken from siscowets in the first experiment, both immediately following parasitism and again after seven months. This was compared to non-parasitized control fish.

For parasitized lake trout, scientists discovered that three functional classes of proteins were affected, including blood coagulation, immune response and lipid transport. The team identified an anticoagulant response in fish that experienced severe wounds, and some proteins did not fully recover in the seven-month timeframe. Less severely wounded lake trout showed an intermediate response.

These results suggest that blood coagulation could be a reliable indicator of sea lamprey attacks and their severity, and can persist long after parasitism when healing has progressed.

Murphy said that quantifying the blood clotting response could be a cost-effective way to evaluate parasitism rates when combined with wound observation. The next step is to further validate these findings when tested against a variety of potential environmental scenarios.

"This can help fisheries managers make important sea lamprey management decisions because it gives them a more accurate idea of parasitism rate," Murphy said. "Wound identification and assessment is an important tool, but we think using these biomarkers can supplement that data."

More information: Tyler J Firkus et al, The Influence of Life History on the Response to Parasitism: Differential response to non-lethal sea lamprey parasitism by two lake charr ecomorphs, Integrative and Comparative Biology (2022). Tyler J Firkus et al, The Influence of Life History on the Response to Parasitism: Differential response to non-lethal sea lamprey parasitism by two lake charr ecomorphs,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac001
Until now, evidence of the role of beavers in helping to manage river ecosystems in Scotland has been minimal. Credit: Shutterstock/ZIDO.Pictures

Beavers could make an important contribution to improving the condition of Scotland's rivers, including helping to improve water quality and limiting the effects of drought.

The positive role they can play in water resource management, as well as in creating habitat, carbon sequestration and river restoration, is highlighted in a report produced by scientists at the University of Aberdeen and the James Hutton Institute. They have collated evidence from 120 studies of beaver populations worldwide, as part of a large-scale review of their effects on streams and rivers.

In Scotland, beavers have already taken up residence in a few areas, including Tayside and Knapdale. While sometimes their presence has been welcomed, in other situations there has been conflict, for example where their activity affected intensively managed landscapes.

Until now, evidence of the role of beavers in helping to manage river ecosystems in Scotland has been minimal. But by identifying trends associated with the effects of beaver dam building on water quantity and qualitywhile factoring in the characteristics of Scottish riversthe scientists who produced the report have provided detailed evidence to help policymakers consider the benefits and limitations of beaver expansion in Scotland, including where trade-offs are required.

In November last year the Scottish Government announced a revised beaver policy which included the development of a new national strategy for beavers. The research leading to the publication of the report was requested by NatureScot and funded by the Scottish Government via the Centre of Expertise for Waters.

Dr. Josie Geris, from the University's School of Geosciences, led the study. She said: "We found that, by modifying physical processes in streams and rivers, beaver dam building could help to address several important water management challenges in Scotland, including water supply and, by trapping sediment and contaminants, water quality.

"Locally, beaver activity may also limit the effect of extreme events such as drought, which is expected to increase with climate change and can carry an economic impactfor example during the dry summer of 2018 when numerous private water supplies to communities and businesses were affected.

"Achieving the potential of the positive effects of beaver activity may involve some challenges and the need to find solutions. And while most of the evidence points to positive contributions to river ecosystems locally, the report recommends that more work is needed on understanding how the effects of beavers across multiple sites sum up to affect rivers at larger scales."

Angus Tree from NatureScot said: "This is a significant study that clearly demonstrates the unique ways in which beavers engineer ecosystems. It backs up evidence we've gathered over the years and will help our work with stakeholders as we develop the best ways to live with, and benefit from, beavers. We are committed to continuing work to restore and manage beavers, as one important way to protect Scotland's environment and respond to the climate emergency."

Explore further Beavers head north and impact Arctic landscape

More information: Establishing the potential influence of beaver activity on the functioning of rivers and streams and water resource management in Scotland. Establishing the potential influence of beaver activity on the functioning of rivers and streams and water resource management in Scotland. www.crew.ac.uk/publications/th  cesses-and-resources
The field site. Credit: Jeff Bain and Joanne Angai

Arsenic has been leaching into the lake from tailings at the abandoned Long Lake Gold Mine, which operated intermittently until 1937 and produced approximately 200,000 metric tons of tailings, discharged directly to the environment without containment.

Now a team of researchers from the University of Waterloo has shown that a passive form of remediation that uses common waste materials can remove virtually all of the arsenic from samples of the lake water. Their results are published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.

The scientists found that mixing wood chips, leaf mulch, and iron filings (left over from manufacturing car engines) with limestone creates conditions that encourage bacteria to grow. The bacteria pull the arsenic from the water by converting it to a solid form that is essentially trapped within the waste material filter.

Joanne Angai is the lead author on the study and conducted the research as part of her MSc in Earth Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Passive treatment is a cost-effective approach to remediation, she said. "Active treatment involves pumping water out of the ground, treating it, then putting it back in, whereas with passive methods you're treating the water where it is," she stated. There are also fewer ongoing operational requirements and lower costs associated with monitoring the process.

Passive treatment is greener too, according to Carol Ptacek, co-supervisor on Angai's thesis and a member of the research team. "It's lower in energy use, so it helps mitigate or reduce the greenhouse gas emissions often associated with active treatment systems," said Ptacek, a professor in the University of Waterloo's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The researchers used a variety of different techniquesincluding water chemistry, next-generation genomic sequencing, and synchrotron studiesto determine what reactions occurred when they pumped contaminated lake water through acrylic columns packed with the reactive material. When they tested samples of water that had passed through the mixture, they found that the arsenic concentration had decreased significantly.

Using the SXRMB beamline at the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan, the team examined core samples of the waste material and confirmed it had trapped virtually all of the arsenic as a mixture of arsenic sulfides and arsenic bound to iron minerals. Ptacek says having access to the CLS beamline and its scientists enabled them to generate useful results from the study. "The synchrotron provided definitive characterization of the composition and structure of the reaction product in a highly efficient and effective manner," says Ptacek.

While this approach for capturing contaminants from groundwater before they reach surface water has been applied in other cleanup projects, this is the first study to show the method is effective when used with low pH, arsenic-heavy water. Ptacek and another member of the research team, David Blowes, developed and patented the use of organic carbon and zero valent iron for remediation, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, while they were graduate students at the University of Waterloo. While they initially used the two types of waste materials separately, they later discovered the advantages of combining the two.

"Joanne's work demonstrates that it's possible to treat water under challenging conditions," said Blowes. "I think we'll push these types of systems further, into more extreme conditions than we have in the past. This really opens up the door to treating much lower-pH water and higher contaminant concentrations than we've considered previously."

A remediation plan for the site is under development, and Blowes, also a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Angai's co-supervisor, said the new approach could be applied to the ongoing efforts.

Explore further A low-cost solution to remove arsenic from drinking water

More information: Joanne U. Angai et al, Removal of arsenic and metals from groundwater impacted by mine waste using zero-valent iron and organic carbon: Laboratory column experiments, Journal of Hazardous Materials (2021). Journal information: Journal of Hazardous Materials Joanne U. Angai et al, Removal of arsenic and metals from groundwater impacted by mine waste using zero-valent iron and organic carbon: Laboratory column experiments,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127295
Drivers have been warned of major travel headaches from Arkansas in the South all the way up to Maine.

A major winter storm blanketed a swathe of North America in snow Monday as it sliced up the US east coast into Canada, disrupting travel and cutting power to thousands of homes.

Many Americans who had been without electricityabout 120,000 of them Monday afternoonseemed to be back online by the evening, according to the website PowerOutage.us. The biggest concentration of outages came in the mid-Atlantic state of West Virginia and the southeastern states of North and South Carolina and Georgia.

More than 1,700 flights within, into or out of the United States were canceled by Monday evening, in addition to the 3,000 the day before, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Large parts of the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario remained under winter storm or blizzard warnings, according to a Canadian government website.

In Toronto, up to two feet (60 centimeters) of snow was expected"a historic storm for the city," tweeted Anthony Farnell, chief meteorologist of Canadian TV channel Global News.

"The @cityoftoronto has declared a major snow storm condition in response to today's heavy and disruptive snowfall which will help support our city-wide snow removal operations," Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted Monday, and triggering a rule that prevents cars from parking in certain areas while the powder is cleared.

More than 80 million people fell under the winter weather alerts, US media reported.

Many schools were closed and school buses were not operating in Quebec and the south of Ontario, including the Toronto area. Students had been due to return to classrooms on Monday in both provinces after the holiday break.

Monday was a national holiday in the United States, so most schools and businesses were already closed, though many people usually take the opportunity to travel during the long weekend.

The US National Weather Service (NWS) said earlier it expected the storm to "slowly wind down today," but that snow would continue to fall through the evening in upper New York and New England.

The heaviest snowfall was recorded in Ashtabula, Ohio, the agency said.

"Significant impacts due to snow, ice, wind, and coastal flooding will persist across a large area," NWS said in a tweet.

The storm spawned damaging tornadoes in Florida, while in the Carolinas and up through the Appalachian mountain region, icy conditions and blustery winds raised concerns.

Children sled at Capitol Hill during a snowstorm in Washington.

Powerful winds downed trees and caused coastal flooding, with a 12-foot storm surge reported in Boston.

According to scientists, climate change could be an aggravating factor for extreme weather events like snowstorms, as well as deadly floods, typhoons and heat waves.

Transport was also seriously disrupted, with drivers warned of hazardous road conditions and major travel headaches from the southern US state of Arkansas to Quebec.

A portion of busy interstate highway I-95 was closed in North Carolina.

In Toronto, police tweeted that they had closed two sections of highway due to extreme weather, and asked drivers to stay home, "unless it's absolutely necessary."

State of emergency

"We're seeing a number of cars having to stop and de-ice their windshield," the Quebec transportation ministry tweeted Monday morning.

Around 3,000 flights within, into or out of the United States were canceled by Sunday evening.

"Heavy precipitation and gusts allow ice to form, despite windshield wipersall the more reason to stay home!"

US officials also discouraged driving, and many states prepositioned teams to deal with the emergency, especially in the south, where snow is much less common.

The northeastern United States already experienced snow chaos earlier this month. When a storm blanketed the northeast, hundreds of motorists were stuck for more than 24 hours on the I-95, a major highway linking to Washington.

Explore further South prepares for weekend threat of debilitating snow, ice

 2022 AFP
The view into the Echo Chamber created and designed by artist Jamie Hamilton at the Santa Fe Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Credit: Michael Clark

The laws of physics underlying everyday life are, at one level of description, completely known, and can be summarized in a single elegantif quite complexequation. That's the claim physicist Sean Carroll, an SFI Fractal Faculty member and External Professor, makes in a recent paper.

Objects in our everyday worldpeople, planets, puppiesare made up of atoms and molecules. Atoms and molecules, in turn, are made of elementary particles, interacting via a set of fundamental forces. And these particles and forces are accuratelyand completely, Carroll arguesdescribed by the principles of quantum field theory, in a model known as the "Core Theory." All the things we humans experience in our day-to-day livesthe warmth of sunlight, the gravitational pull of the Earth, the kinetic energy required to move our bodies through spaceare beholden to and can be explained by Core Theory.

Don't worry that physicists will soon be out of their jobs, though. The Theory of Everything is not yet in our hands. We will undoubtedly discover new particles and new forces, and perhaps even phenomena that are completely outside the domain in which our current understanding of physics operates. If we push beyond our ordinary world into black holes and other aspects of quantum gravity, there are indications that quantum field theory might not be the right framework to describe them. Similarly, it may not suffice to explain conditions in the early universe, or near neutron stars or black holes, or phenomena such as dark matter and dark energy that don't interact noticeably with human beings under ordinary circumstances.

Core Theory, Equation 7 from the paper "The Quantum Field Theory on Which the Everyday World Supervenes." Credit: Santa Fe Institute

But Carroll argues that none of the discoveries needed to explain such phenomena will alter our understanding of the physics that affects our everyday lives.

Assuming Carroll's claim is correct, it has a number of immediate implications. It means there is no life after death, as the information in a person's mind is encoded in the physical configuration of atoms in their body, and there is no physical mechanism for that information to be carried away after death. The problems of consciousness must ultimately be answered in terms of processes that are compatible with this underlying theory. And while historically, discoveries of new particles and forces have spurred technological innovations, Core Theory means that won't happen going forward, since those discoveries won't be at a level to impact our everyday lives.

Carroll admits that he can't give an airtight proof for this, which would be essentially impossible. But his arguments, he says, highlight the challenge faced by those who think something beyond the Core Theory is required. He notes that the dynamics summarized by the equation of the Core Theory are "well-defined, quantitative, and unyielding, not to mention experimentally tested to exquisite precision in a wide variety of contexts. . . . Skeptics of the claim defended here have the burden of specifying precisely how that equation is to be modified. This would necessarily raise a host of tricky issues."

Explore further How the act of measuring a quantum particle transforms it into an everyday object

More information: Sean M. Carroll, The Quantum Field Theory on Which the Everyday World Supervenes. arXiv:2101.07884v1 [physics.hist-ph], Sean M. Carroll, The Quantum Field Theory on Which the Everyday World Supervenes. arXiv:2101.07884v1 [physics.hist-ph], arxiv.org/abs/2101.07884
Fig. 1: zip-1 is required for induction of pals-5 GFP reporters by pals-22(RNAi) and by prolonged heat stress. a, b Graphical overview of RNAi screen results in the pals-22(jy3); jyEx191[pals-5::gfp] background (a) and following chronic heat stress (b). GFP intensity was normalized to the length of worms (TOF) and it is indicated on the x-axis; different RNAi clones are listed on the y-axis. Boxes on the right represent enlarged sections of the graph containing zip-1(RNAi) results and relevant controls. Source data are provided as a Supplementary Data 1 file. c pals-22(jy1); jyEx191[pals-5::gfp] animals show constitutive expression of the PALS-5::GFP reporter when grown on control vector RNAi plates (upper image) but not on zip-1 RNAi plates (lower image). Two independent experimental replicates were performed with similar results. d Expression of GFP from the jyIs8[pals-5p::gfp, myo-2p::mCherry] reporter is decreased in zip-1(jy13) animals following prolonged heat stress (lower image), in comparison to wild-type animals (upper image). Three independent experimental replicates were performed with similar results. c, d Fluorescent and DIC images were merged. Scale bars = 200 m. myo-2p::mCherry is expressed in the pharynx and is a marker for the presence of the jyIs8 transgene. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27621-w

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgency for science to continue unraveling how viruses infect and how immune systems respond to such threats.

University of California San Diego researchers studying how small worms defend themselves against pathogens have discovered a gene that acts as a cell's first-line response against infection. Division of Biological Sciences Postdoctoral Scholar Vladimir Lazetic, Professor Emily Troemel and their colleagues at UC San Diego and the New York University Grossman School of Medicine identified the key role of "ZIP-1," a protein called a transcription factor, which helps convert genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA.

The finding, published Jan. 10 in Nature Communications, could have implications for identifying similar genes that control immune responses to infection in humans.

"By better understanding immunity against viral infection we can identify new ways to treat viral infection," said Troemel, a professor in the Section of Cell and Developmental Biology. "The new antiviral factor that we've identified is giving us a better handle on immunity and how worms are fighting off viral infections. Worms sense an RNA virus in a way that's similar to how humans sense an RNA virus like coronavirus."

The researchers studied Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny roundworm with a transparent body that allows scientists to closely monitor how an infection invades a living animal. Lazetic used a fluorescent tracking method to identify which parts of the roundworm's cells are involved in an infection response. He was surprised to find that ZIP-1 emerged so early in the defense process. In addition to viruses, ZIP-1 jumpstarted defenses to infection by a cell-invading fungus as well, the data revealed.

"We found that the subset of genes controlled by ZIP-1 is important for immunity, but not for some other phenotypes that we see in other animals that have activated this immune response," said Lazetic, who noted that the ZIP-1 name comes from its predicted zipper-like structure. "We also observed that ZIP-1 is activated by a previously described receptor that is important for triggering antiviral immunity, both in mammals and in C. elegans, so there are links that can be made with human immunity."

For Troemel, the most surprising aspect of the results was finding that ZIP-1 acts as a centralized hub for immune response against a number of threats.

"A virus, a fungus and heat stress are all so different, but we found that they're all going through the same central ZIP-1 hub to turn on a set of immune genes," said Troemel. "Understanding the early role of ZIP-1 is important because we know that timing matters so much in terms of immune response. That's one of the lessons we have learned with COVID. If you have an early interferon response, that tends to correlate very well with fighting off the infection."

Troemel's lab is now probing the details of the discovery further, including investigating how the receptor that worms use to sense a virus, which is similar to a receptor that humans use in immune response, communicates with ZIP-1 in the defense process.

"Revolutions in biology oftentimes have come from understanding how simple organisms cope with threats such as infection," said Troemel. "Studies that might seem abstract can lead to groundbreaking discoveries."

Explore further Research uncovers how 'non-professional' cells can trigger immune response

More information: Vladimir Lazetic et al, The transcription factor ZIP-1 promotes resistance to intracellular infection in Caenorhabditis elegans, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Vladimir Lazetic et al, The transcription factor ZIP-1 promotes resistance to intracellular infection in Caenorhabditis elegans,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27621-w
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

There is too much focus on online radicalisation, says Joe Whittaker, when this is just one of the factors that make someone become a terrorist. In fact, Whittaker's research shows that terrorists who use the internet are less successful in achieving their goal than those who stay offline. He will defend his dissertation on 19 January.

Whittaker discovered that internet use can be a hindrance to terrorists. He used data to research whether their plan, for instance an attack or traveling to Syria, succeeded, and discovered that terrorists were less successful if they had used the internet. "A woman used an IS flag as her profile photo on Facebook and wrote on her page about how great IS is. A Facebook friend reported this and Facebook in turn notified the FBI. They began an investigation into that individual."

IS-terrorists

For his research Whittaker analyzed data on 201 IS terrorists in the US. He used a number of criteria to determine whether to include them in his research. The terrorists had to be identified as a member of IS, charges had to have been brought against them, they had to have been in contact with other members of IS and they had to be part of a plan. A plan could mean an attack or traveling to Syria or Iraq.

Online versus offline

Whittaker's analysis showed that terrorists used the internet a lot. But this is no surprise, he says, because who doesn't use the internet? He also compared the terrorists' online and offline behavior. Did they belong to a network of like-minded people on social media, for example, and was the same true offline too? "I saw that people who used the internet were nearly always members of terrorist networks offline too. The image of someone sitting at their computer in their bedroom and falling completely under the spell of terrorist propaganda doesn't stand up therefore."

Protection

According to Whittaker his research results raise an interesting policy question. "In mainland Europe and UK we are keen to remove all terrorist content from social media. And it's logical for us to want to because no one wants to see videos of people being beheaded on Facebook. But my research shows that this has unintended consequences. This was how the terrorist who posted an IS flag as her profile photo could be found. If terrorists don't use Facebook but encrypted apps instead, they are then more protected from criminal investigations. Whether you like it or not, these kinds of terrorist platform will continue to exist." The question therefore is whether we want to put too much effort into deleting all the terrorist content on the internet.

Ignore

Whittaker also thinks it is easy for politicians and the media to point to YouTube and Facebook as the culprit when it comes to radicalisation. "It definitely happens, but online radicalisation isn't as big as we think it is. Other reasons why people become terrorists are then forgotten: a personal network, for instance, or growing up in a certain neighborhood. It's too easy for politicians to point the finger at YouTube and Facebook. But this allows them to ignore major social problems, like racism and Jihadi networks."
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As required by the Climate Change Act 2008, the government has today submitted the Third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3) to Parliament.

The CCRA3 is partly based on an independent Technical Report by a large team of experts led by the University of Exeter, in partnership with the Met Office.

Professor Richard Betts MBE, who led this team, says that ""ne of the key conclusions from the University of Exeter's work was that current worldwide policies could result in up to 4C warming by 2100."

"The agreements made at the COP26 climate summit in November have reduced the likelihood of this, but it remains possible."

The Technical Report concluded that global warming is already bringing substantial risks to the UK's natural environment, infrastructure, human health, communities and businesses.

It also concluded that the UK is subject to international risks relating to issues such as security, migration and supply chains.

All these risks are expected to be higher at global warming of 2C, and would be even greater if warming were to reach 4C.

Professor Betts continued that "COP26 fell short of its aims, and it is becoming less likely that we will be able limit global warming to low levels. The Paris Agreement's 1.5C goal is slipping out of reach."

"We need to be better prepared for the climate changes we have already caused."

Professor Betts, of the University of Exeter and the Met Office, welcomed the publication of the CCRA3.

"We are glad to see our science included in this key report, which does not shy away from the high levels of warming that could occur," he added.

The Technical Report, the findings of which were presented by Professor Betts at COP26 in Glasgow, involved more than two years of work, drawing on numerous scientific papers and other reports as well as new research.

It also involved extensive engagement with a large number of stakeholders in government, the private sector and civil society organizations with responsibility for adapting to climate change or expertise in how this can take place.

The CCRA3 report published today also relied on independent advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) on the risks posed to the UK from climate change, and the extent to which the UK is unprepared.

Baroness Brown of Cambridge, chair of the CCC's Adaptation Committee, says that "expert input to CCRA3 process was vital to ensure that the assessment is based on sound evidence."

"The team led by the University of Exeter produced a robust, authoritative Technical Report which provided a solid foundation for the CCC's advice to government, and provides crucial information for the UK to act on under the National Adaption Programme."

Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said that "we are proud to have played a leading role in this vital piece of climate change work."

"This was achieved by working together with the Met Office, the CCC and other universities and organizations, to bring together the required expertise and viewpoints from a wide range of disciplines."

"Adapting and responding to life-changing climate change is the biggest challenge of our generation and that is why the University of Exeter has brought together the strength and power of more than 600 of our researchers working on the climate and ecological crisis at the heart of our 2030 strategy."

"We are committed to working in partnership with governments, businesses and communities in the critical decade ahead."

Experts from many institutions, including Exeter, are already working on research that will underpin the next CCRA.

Explore further UN science panel to release key report on climate change
Sarah Kezar evaluating and observing Palmer amaranth in the lab. Palmer amaranth is a weed that is invading crops, stealing their nutrients and sunlight. Kezar recently presented her research about the weed at the 2021 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Credit: Sam Craft, Texas A&M Agrilife

The world is warming. And fast. By 2050, it's likely the planet will have warmed by about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit compared to before the Industrial Revolution. That warming brings substantial changes. Storms will be stronger. People will run their air conditioners more. It will even change when and where our crops growand how well they perform.

"Globally, temperature and moisture stresses drastically affect crop productivity leading to substantial yield losses," says graduate student, Sarah Kezar. "Under the changing climate, minimizing agricultural losses caused by these stresses have become a major challenge and has created a global concern to assure food security."

But it's not just our crops that will be affected. For as long as humans have farmed crops, we've also fought weeds. These pesky plants fight for water, light and nutrients with the crops we use for food. By their very nature, weeds are typically more robust than domesticated crops. How will the permanent race between weeds and crops change in a warming world?

"The response of crops to anticipated changes in temperature and available water has been well documented, but little has been studied with weed species," she says. So, to complement research on the changing growing conditions for crops, Kezar and her team have been focusing on how weeds will adapt as well. They've discovered that pernicious weeds may grow stronger compared to most crops.

Comparison of Palmer amaranth leaves from no temperature and moisture stress (left) to increasing temperature and moisture stress (left to right). Kezars research found that this weed is especially tolerant to various weather conditions  helping it compete against food crops. Credit: Sarah Kezar

That's not good news. But the knowledge of weeds' strengths can help scientists plan for better ways to combat them as our world continues to change. Kezar presented her research at the 2021 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, held in Salt Lake City.

Kezar explained how Palmer amaranth grows in hotter and drier conditions like those the U.S. faces in the future. Palmer amaranth is a giant weed, growing over six feet tall if left unchecked. The weed can produce as many as a million seeds from a single plant. It originally hails from the desert Southwest. But it has recently spread far and wide, reaching 28 states. Palmer amaranth's range is likely to expand as the warm conditions it prefers spread northward.

To assess how Palmer amaranth will fare in the future, Kezar set up an experiment under highly controlled conditions. She tested growth at four different temperatures, which ranged up to daily high temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Kezar also varied how much water the weed received, to simulate wetter and drier conditions.

"Palmer amaranth growth was affected by elevated temperature and moisture stress conditions in terms of magnitude, but this weed was still able to grow," says Kezar. "The fact that Palmer amaranthmaintained adequate growth under high temperature and moisture stress shows that Palmer amaranth can still remain highly competitive by exhausting soil water and nutrients available to crops to impact yield."

Sarah Kezar evaluating and observing Palmer amaranth in the field. The weed can grow very tall  over 6 feet  and produce up to a million seeds from one plant. Kezars research shows that this weed is still efficient under stress conditions, informing future research on how to combat it. Credit: Texas A&M Agrilife

Palmer amaranth has an advantage growing under these conditions. The weed has a highly efficient metabolism, like corn and sorghum. These types of plants are better at capturing energy from the sun (photosynthesis) under hot weather. Most crops don't have this ability. The scientists saw evidence of the weed's special abilities in their experiments. "We did see that Palmer amaranth actually had an increase in photosynthetic capabilities," Kezar says.

Research like this can help farmers and scientists plan for the future. By knowing which weeds will outperform crops, we can better prepare systems in place to keep them at bay.

"Developing improved management practices are important for effective control of this species in the face of climate change," says Kezar. "When we think about climate change impacts on the future of agriculture, we need to keep weed responses in the conversation."

More information: Kezar, S., Bagavathiannan, M., & Maity, A., Growth Response and Adaptations of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in the Face of Environmental Changes. Kezar, S., Bagavathiannan, M., & Maity, A., Growth Response and Adaptations of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in the Face of Environmental Changes. scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2021a  lim.cgi/Paper/136532
A person carries their dog as they cross Butler Street as snow falls during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022, in Lawrenceville a neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Credit: Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

A dangerous winter storm brought significant snowfall, strong thunderstorms and blustery winds to the northeastern U.S. on a holiday Monday.

A foot (30 centimeters) or more of snow fell in parts of New York state, Ohio and Pennsylvania Sunday night through Monday morning, and tens of thousands of customers in the region were without power.

Forecasters in Buffalo, New York, said the snow was falling fast, dumping almost 17 inches (43 centimeters) by 10 a.m. The city advised people not to travel if they didn't need to on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while some surrounding towns instituted a travel ban.

"WOW! (Latest) snow measurement at 1 AM was 4.6 inches in the last hour at the Buffalo Airport!" the National Weather Service in Buffalo tweeted overnight. "And tack on another 4 inches in the last hour ending at 2 AM! Total so far since late Sun evening - 10.2 inches."

The weather service said 17 inches (43 centimeters) or more of snow were reported in Ashtabula County in northeast Ohio.

"We've had a very strong area of low pressure that's kind of moved up the coast, with pretty heavy snowfall accumulations from Tennessee, North Carolina all the way into the northeast," said meteorologist Marc Chenard at the weather service's headquarters in College Park, Maryland.

A pedestrian uses an umbrella as they cross Liberty Avenue, in downtown Pittsburgh, as snow begins to fall during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022. Credit: Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

New York City got less than an inch of snow, which was washed away by rain overnight. The weather service said spotty showers and snow showers might continue through Monday night.

Forecasters said wind gusts in New York City could top out around 45 mph (72 kph), and around 60 mph (97 kph) on Long Island.

Sleet and rain were the main threats for much of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Periods of snowfall transitioned to rain overnight. NWS meteorologists in Boston said wind gusts could reach 70 mph (113 kph).

The howling winds spread a fire that destroyed a motel and two other structures in coastal Salisbury, Massachusetts, early Monday.

The storm forced the closure of many COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites in the northeast Monday.

The massive winter system brought similar conditions Sunday to the Southeast, where thousands were still without power Monday.

A snowplow truck makes its way down Butler Street as snow falls during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022, in Lawrenceville a neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Credit: Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

Pedestrians cross Roberto Clemente Bridge in downtown Pittsburgh, as snow begins to fall during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022. Credit: Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

A sign prohibiting empty trailers and loaded doubles after 3 p.m. on Sunday can be seen along 376 West on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Six to 13 inches (15 to 33 centimeters) of snow was expected in parts of east-central Ohio and western Pennsylvania from Sunday afternoon. Credit: Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

A cat plays in the snow during a huge winter storm in Mississauga, Ontario, on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Credit: Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP

Birds stand on a patch of ice in the Allegheny River on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, on the North Shore in Pittsburgh. Six to 13 inches (15 to 33 centimeters) of snow was expected in parts of east-central Ohio and western Pennsylvania from Sunday afternoon. Credit: Emily Matthew/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

A person sweeps away snow on the sidewalk on 44th Street as snow falls during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022, in Lawrenceville a neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Credit: Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

People walk in the snow on Butler Street during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022, in Lawrenceville a neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Credit: Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

A snowplow truck waits at a stoplight on Liberty Avenue as snow falls during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022, in Lawrenceville a neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Credit: Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

Colin Queen clears the sidewalk along Fifth Street during a winter storm on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Winston-Salem, N.C. A winter storm brought a mix of snow, sleet and wind with accumulations totaling 2-3 inches in the Triad region. Credit: Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP

Multiple states reported inches of snow, and two people died Sunday in North Carolina when their car drove off the road. The roof of a dormitory partially collapsed in the state at Brevard College, with officials saying it broke under the weight of snow. There were no injuries.

Severe thunderstorms in Florida spun up a tornado with 118 mph (190 kph) winds, destroying 30 mobile homes and majorly damaging 51 more. Three minor injuries were reported.

Wet roadways in the South were expected to refreeze Monday, creating icy conditions for motorists.

Plow trucks were scattered along roads and highways up the East Coast, working to clear the way for travelers. Some crashes were reported in the early morning hours, including an ambulance involved in a wreck on Interstate 279 in Pittsburgh, KDKA-TV reported. It was unclear whether anyone was injured.

Explore further Travel woes as winter storm blankets eastern US and Canada

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An employee of Sotheby's Dubai presents a 555.55 Carat Black Diamond "The Enigma" to be auctioned at Sotheby's Dubai gallery, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

Auction house Sotheby's Dubai has unveiled a diamond that's literally from out of this world.

Sotheby's calls the 555.55-carat black diamondbelieved to have come from outer space"The Enigma." The rare gem was shown off on Monday to journalists as part of a tour in Dubai and Los Angeles before it is due to be auctioned off in February in London.

Sotheby's expects the diamond to be sold for at least 5 million British pounds ($6.8 million). The auction house plans to accept cryptocurrency as a possible payment as well.

Sophie Stevens, a jewelry specialist at Sotheby's Dubai, told The Associated Press that the number five bears an importance significance to the diamond, which has 55 facets as well.

"The shape of the diamond is based on the Middle-Eastern palm symbol of the Khamsa, which stands for strength and it stands for protection," she said. Khamsa in Arabic means five.

"So there's a nice theme of the number five running throughout the diamond," she added.

Stevens also said the black diamond is likely from outer space.

"With the carbonado diamonds, we believe that they were formed through extraterrestrial origins, with meteorites colliding with the Earth and either forming chemical vapor disposition or indeed coming from the meteorites themselves," she said.

Black diamonds, also known as carbonado, are extremely rare, and are found naturally only in Brazil and Central Africa. The cosmic origin theory is based on their carbon isotopes and high hydrogen content.

An employee of Sotheby's Dubai presents a 555.55 Carat Black Diamond "The Enigma" to be auctioned at Sotheby's Dubai gallery, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

Explore further Rare Russian pink diamond sells for $27 million

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Warren County Health Services reported 150 new cases and 228 recoveries Sunday, making the total of active COVID cases at 1,157.

Two more Warren County residents were hospitalized on Sunday. The total is now 11, with one person in critical condition and six vaccinated patients.

Glens Falls Hospital spokesman Ray Agnew reported a total of 32 COVID patients with three in the ICU and five now off isolation.

New York state data indicated as of Sunday, 47,419 Warren County residents have been fully vaccinated and 50,979 individuals have received at least one dose.

Warren County has transitioned to New Yorks new COVID-19 case investigation program, details of which can be found by accessing this website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/new-york-state-contact-tracing.

Warren County residents who have a COVID-19 diagnosis should refer to this website, as county health departments are no longer involved in COVID-19 case investigations.

Medical practices and laboratories that conduct COVID-19 tests will upload their positive case results to New Yorks CommCare COVID reporting system, which will result in state case investigators determining further steps.

Warren County residents should continue to report positive home COVID-19 tests to Warren County Health Services online portal at warrencountyny.gov/COVIDHomeTestReport, and these cases will be referred to state personnel.

Warren County Health Services will hold its next public booster/first dose vaccine clinic on Tuesday at Warren County Municipal Centers Human Services Building from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Find details and registration links at warren-county-ny-covid-19-warrencountyny.hub.arcgis.com/pages/vaccines.

In addition, Warren County Health Services has scheduled the following clinics for students at Warren County schools:

Lake George Central School, Thursday

Johnsburg Central School, Friday

Warrensburg Central School, Jan. 27

Parents should check with school administrators for information related to appointments.

Washington County

The Washington County Department of Public Health had not updated COVID data as of Sunday at 6 p.m.

According to New York state data, Washington County had 38,147 residents who have completed the vaccine series and 40,682 have received one dose.

Statewide

As of Sunday, the New York state COVID data website reported a total of 14,174,828 residents have received the complete vaccine series and 16,011,651 residents have received one dose of the COVID vaccine.

The state reported a total of 51,264 positive cases on Sunday, from test results taken on Saturday.

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ATLANTIC CITY  The blacked-out windows of an empty storefront at Tanger Outlets at The Walk became local artist John Morris canvas Thursday morning in an attempt to uplift the community.

Partnering with the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and Tanger Outlets, Morris created the window mural he envisioned to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. for the holiday.

Tanger Outlets Atlantic Citys goal was to partner with our community to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring legacy through the power of art, said Rachel Hentschel, marketing director for Tanger Outlets.

Joyce Hagen, the executive director of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation, said she was grateful for the opportunity to add more art to the city.

Were grateful Tanger Outlets recognizes us as an organization in the city the community trusts, and that can help achieve their goals, said Hagen.

The partnership between Tanger Outlets and the Arts Foundation led them to Morris.

Hagen said she usually reaches out to several artists she thinks would fit a project, but on such short notice, she thought of Morris as the best fit this time.

Morris had worked previously with the Arts Foundation on projects featuring his art, which is one of the reasons Hagen turned to him for the MLK project.

Morris recently was part of an Arts Foundation ARTeriors projects in which 12 artists transformed a three-story house on Ocean Avenue into a pop-up work of art. Part of that projects purpose was to help highlight the ongoing revitalization of the city.

Morris has done other work shown in Atlantic City, including contributing to a Black Lives Matter exhibit at the African American Heritage Museum at the Noyes Arts Garage last year. The exhibit highlighted 400 years of injustices faced by the Black community and how that was a precursor to todays movement.

For this years MLK project, Morris had to create the window mural within a week, due to his busy work schedule, a tight timeframe.

This means a lot to me, said Morris, an Absecon resident. Any opportunity I have to create and do what I want creatively is great, as long as I have the time.

Morris, 38, is a driver for New Jersey Transit and co-owner of Drips ArtxFashion art studio in Absecon.

He also will soon be a new student at Stockton University for the spring semester. Morris plans to pursue a degree as a business major with a minor in cannabis studies and aims to incorporate all of his business knowledge with art and the cannabis industry.

For the MLK project at The Walk, Morris canvas consisted of several empty storefront windows and doors.

On one, King stands at a podium speaking into several microphones. Morris said this image was to amplify the words of peace and equality about which King spoke.

On another, he painted a megaphone with lightning bolts and the year 1963 on it. Morris said that was to commemorate the year of the I Have a Dream speech.

A third window panel was covered in some of Kings trademark phrases, including Let freedom ring. Morris said that was the phrase that stuck out to him the most since he first learned about the speech in elementary school.

Morris reminisced about a time when he was younger and would see his grandfather wearing a T-shirt he got while attending the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.

That was also the day and place that King gave the I Have a Dream Speech, which was Morris inspiration for the project.

I remember reading it as a kid. The I Have a Dream speech where he said, Let freedom ring  stands out a lot to me because of the divide in the world, said Morris. Were divided more now than we have been in recent years. Were moving backwards. We have to remember where we came from and where Martin Luther King Jr. wanted us to be.

Hagen said Atlantic City is a diverse community and that there are additional creative ways people could express the work King did.

Hopefully, what he created will stick with the children of the community, and they will take the concepts of Martin Luther King Jr. and live their lives in a stronger way because of the artwork, said Hagen.

Tanger Outlets also plans to further support Black art, artists and cultural organizations by making a donation to both the The Black Artist Fund and the Black Art Futures Fund, according to Hentschel.

The Black Artist Fund is a national nonprofit organization founded by Black creatives to address inequity in arts funding, according to the organizations website.

The Black Art Futures Fund provides support to Black-led and Black-benefitting small businesses and community-based arts and culture organizations across the United States, according to its website.

Hentschel said Tanger doesnt have any other specific projects with the Arts Foundation planned at the moment but that if the opportunity arose, her organization would love to be a part of it.

Speeches have their place, marches have their place, art has its place. Were not good at speeches, but were good at art, said Hagen.

Contact Selena Vazquez: 609-272-7225 svazquez@pressofac.com

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Millions of Americans will celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. Many maintain, however, that his work has been left unfinished.

Mount Zion Baptist Church in Pleasantville will host its Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremony at noon Monday. The theme of ceremony, which will be held virtually via Zoom, is The Unfinished Work; Ending Segregation, Expanding Democracy.

The Rev. Willie Francois III, the senior pastor at Mount Zion Baptist, will be one of the hosts of the event. He said he wanted to tell attendees that segregation remains a problem in the United States that continues to hurt Black Americans, citing phenomena such as discrimination in the housing market, mass incarceration and economic inequality.

Theres a lot of unfinished work of the civil rights era, and segregation is one of them, Francois said. The very same things Doctor King lived for and ultimately died for are still realities today.

Francois has taken a particular focus on segregation in schools. He has cited a 2017 UCLA study that indicated New Jersey was the sixth most segregated state in the nation with respect to its Black students and seventh most segregated state in the nation with respect to its Hispanic students. This phenomenon, Francois said, deprives Black and Hispanic children of the wealth of educational resources the state has to offer. He criticized Gov. Phil Murphy for not doing more to integrate New Jersey schools and praised a lawsuit over school segregation currently being adjudicated in state courts.

We have so many students, Black and Brown, who are locked out of that high-quality education, locked out of those resources and those opportunities because of segregation, which we know is fixable, Francois said.

Francois also pointed to the failure of Democratic Party leaders in the U.S. Congress to pass their voting rights legislation  namely the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act  as evidence of the need for renewed civil rights efforts.

The pastor encouraged people to honor the legacy of King by getting involved in local democracies, by attending municipal government or school board meetings, and by holding state and federal elected officials accountable. He said people should feel a sense of solidarity with different communities and to form a unified front against injustice.

I think those are some easy ways that we can make Dr. Kings legacy, not just something that we celebrate once a year, but (make) Dr. Kings legacy as something we embody on a daily basis, Francois said.

Francois will be joined by an array of prominent figures including National Urban League President Marc Morial; Century Foundation Fellow Michelle Burris; Myron Orfield, the director of the Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity at the University of Minnesota; University of the District of Columbia Law Professor John Brittain; East Harlem Scholars Academies Superintendent Robert Harvey; and the Rev. Charles Boyer, the pastor at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal in Woodbury, Gloucester County. Those interested in attending the virtual ceremony at Mount Zion Baptist can text MLK22 to 474747 or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EG2uRzsyRLCKsYaxSxMJBg to register.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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More dangerous winter weather is set to hit New Jersey, and state officials are again cautioning residents to be weary of power outages and hazardous conditions.

Gov. Phil Murphy held a news conference Sunday to address the winter storm that is forecasted to begin in New Jersey on Sunday night and last into Monday morning. Murphy said he was not declaring a state of emergency in response to the forecast but urged residents to be careful. He underscored that he could still issue an emergency declaration if the situation eventually warrants him doing so.

This storm, and my colleagues can correct me if they see this differently, will not go in the record books for accumulation of snow. God willing it wont go in the record books for other reasons, but it is pretty lethal mix of a lot of stuff, depending on where you are, Murphy said.

Murphy and other state experts said most of the snow accumulation is forecasted to be concentrated in North Jersey, specifically to the north and west of the New Jersey Turnpike. The National Weather Service has likewise posted a winter weather advisory for several North Jersey counties: Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, western Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.

Parts of South Jersey and regions of the state south and east of the turnpike are expected to experience some wintery mix, heavy rain and winds of up to 50 mph. Coastal areas are forecasted to face coastal flooding, and there has been a gale warning and wind advisory issued for the entire Jersey Shore.

Although the snow impacts of the storm will affect roads to the north, Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti urged residents to the south and east to take precautions driving as well.

Even if you are south and east of the turnpike line, with all the water that is predicted to come down, we ask everybody to maintain posted speeds, to drive carefully and keep appropriate distances, Gutierrez-Scaccetti said.

Gutierrez-Scaccetti added that roads have been brined as appropriate and tow trucks positioned to be ready to clear accidents.

Officials are asking that residents across the state to stay off the road, if possible, and to stay clear of downed power lines, which could be lethal. If residents lose power or see a downed wire, they are asked to call their utility providers.

Board of Public Utilities President Joseph Fiordaliso encouraged residents to stay home and expressed thanks that Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which likely will make for a less crowded Monday morning commute.

Thank goodness tomorrow is a holiday, and we can get this all cleaned up hopefully by the end of the day, Fiordaliso said.

Murphy also addressed the other environmental disaster to affect New Jersey residents Sunday: the 11-alarm chemical plant fire in Passaic that started Friday night. He thanked responding firefighters for their response, noting that one firefighter injured by the incident and more than a dozen others required medical attention. Murphy said that officials from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency have been monitoring air quality around the fire to ensure air quality in the city remains safe.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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The pounding rain and the worst of the rain is over. However, this storm is still very much with us. Coastal flooding will occur Monday morning as winds continue to whip throughout the day. Rain or snow showers will fall at times, too.
SPRINGFIELD  A continuing sharp spike in COVID-19 cases being driven by the omicron variant has pushed the states hospital capacity to its limits and is prompting the state to bring in additional health care workers from other states and countries.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that more than 2,000 additional health care workers have been deployed throughout the state, including 919 in hospitals hit hard by the surge, with another 552 scheduled to arrive within the next several days.

This current wave of COVID is causing more people to get sick than ever before in the pandemic, Pritzker said. And the vast majority of the serious illnesses and deaths are among the unvaccinated.

As of Wednesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health was reporting 7,219 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state, down slightly from the record 7,353 who were hospitalized on Tuesday. Another 271 people in the state had died of the disease just since Monday.

We have never had this many COVID patients in the hospital at any point in the pandemic. Not in spring of 2020; not in the winter of 2020, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, noting that the previous pandemic record was 6,175, set in November 2020.

Over the past seven days, more than 227,000 new cases have been confirmed in Illinois out of 1.9 million tests performed, for a seven-day case positivity rate of 12%.

But as difficult as this moment is, there will be an end to it, Pritzker said. We have all the necessary tools for prevention, and we are nearer than ever to having everything we need to detect and treat the disease to keep even the most vulnerable people alive. I can't say enough about how extraordinary our hospitals and our health care heroes have been throughout this pandemic.

Pritzker said the state was taking several actions to bolster its health care workforce, such as allowing out-of-state health care providers to continue practicing in Illinois with expanded permissions to care for all patients, not just COVID-19 patients.

In addition, doctors trained in other countries have been given permission to provide assistance to licensed physicians in Illinois. And out-of-state providers, including physicians, nurses and mental health providers, are being allowed to provide telehealth services to patients in Illinois if they have a pre-existing provider-patient relationship.

* * *

COVID PROTOCOLS IN SCHOOLS: Gov. Pritzker issued an executive order late Tuesday spelling out protocols that schools now need to follow whenever a student or school employee tests positive for COVID-19.

Consistent with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the order requires infected individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, to be excluded from school premises for a minimum of five days and a maximum of 10 days following the onset of symptoms or the date of their test.

Schools also must exclude students or employees who come in close contact with an infected person for a minimum of five days after their exposure, and those individuals must continue to wear a mask at all times around others, including when outdoors, for an additional five days after they return to school.

* * *

MORE SESSION DAYS CANCELED: Illinois House and Senate leaders in the General Assembly announced Wednesday that they were canceling in-person session days next week, although committees will continue to meet remotely.

Given the recent COVID-19 numbers, this is not the time to bring hundreds of people together inside the Capitol, Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said in a statement. Through our remote committee process we have proven that we can get work done, protect peoples health and at the same time expand the legislative process to people who might want to testify but wouldnt have the time or resources to come to Springfield.

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REPUBLICANS CALL FOR DCFS HEARINGS: Three Republican state House members called for hearings into the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Thursday out of concerns for workers safety, improper placements of state wards and the recent death of North Chicago boy.

Reps. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, and Tom Weber, R-Lake Villa, held a news conference Thursday to demand that DCFS Director Marc D. Smith appear and answer questions. They called on their Democratic colleagues and Gov. Pritzker to join their calls for hearings.

For the past three years, members of the House and Senate of both parties have tried to peel the onion that is DCFS to find the root causes of their failures, Reick said. And the only conclusion that we could draw is that the agency is irretrievably broken and that no amount of money will solve its systematic failures.

DCFS has come under fire in recent weeks for three incidents: the death of a caseworker, the death of a child in a family where abuse allegations were reported, and a contempt citation issued against Director Smith for failing to move children to appropriate placements.

Child protection investigator Deidre Silas worked for the department for six months when she was sent alone to a house in Thayer on Jan. 4 to check on the welfare of six children. Silas was found dead by Sangamon County Sheriffs deputies. She had been bludgeoned and stabbed. Benjamin Reed, 32, who lived at the home, was later charged with Silas murder. She was the mother of two children.

In a separate incident, 6-year-old Damari Perry was found dead in an abandoned building in Gary, Indiana. Damari was taken into the states care in 2015, but was returned to his mothers care, along with his siblings, two years later. Two subsequent abuse allegations were received by DCFS, including an allegation that the mother wrote a note threatening harm to Damari.

On Dec. 29, prosecutors said Damari was punished with a shower in cold water. He vomited, went unresponsive and later died. Jannie Perry, the boys mother, and two siblings face charges in connection with his death.

It should come as no surprise that members of the GOP are once again using our states most vulnerable as pawns in their political games, Pritzker spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh said. This is the same party that stood behind (former Gov.) Bruce Rauner as he decimated social services and recklessly cut 500 beds for youth in care without creating alternative placements. They repeatedly voted against increased funding for DCFS, resulting in dangerously low staffing levels. As the administration has repeatedly made clear, these reckless decisions destroyed lives quickly, but it will take years to undo that damage.

DCFS has a $1 billion budget, but money to hire more caseworkers isnt the solution, Weber said.

Failed leadership cannot be fixed by more money or more employees. When you see a pattern of children being taken away from then returned to their mother and years later that child is murdered, these are patterns that arent going to be fixed by more money. This is something that can only be address by an investigation of the failed policies of DCFS and its leadership, the state representative said.

* * *

CONTEMPT CHARGES AGAINST DCFS DIRECTOR: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc D. Smith faced a contempt citation in two Cook County juvenile cases with a $1,000-a-day fine for as long as he leaves the children in their current placements. Those cases were dismissed Thursday.

A 9-year-old girl, known as A.M. in court records, was placed in a locked psychiatric facility. The girl suffered horrific sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a parent, including being forced to have sex with adults. Despite court orders to place the girl in a therapeutic foster care setting, the 9-year-old currently was held in a locked psychiatric unit for more than 223 days.

The other case involved a child known as C.R.M. who was also ordered on Nov. 14 to be taken out of temporary shelter where he was confined since Aug. 14 when he was placed in a temporary shelter in Mount Vernon  279 miles from Chicago where his mother lives. Before that, C.R.M., who has severe mental health issues, was at another temporary shelter in Chicago where he slept in a utility room. At that time, DCFS told the court that the child needed a therapeutic foster home placement. The Mount Vernon shelter is a temporary placement for children for less than 30 days. C.R.M. had been at the shelter more than 150 days.

The contempt citation was issued after numerous violations of court orders to remove the children and put them in appropriate placements.

The Department of Children and Family Services is dedicated to keeping children safe and strengthening families. We are working aggressively addressing the decades-long challenge of a lack of community resources and facilities for children with complex behavioral health needs, which has been exacerbated by an increased demand in social services in recent years, DCFS spokesman Bill McCaffery said. Every single day, DCFS works with its network of providers and foster parents in an ongoing effort to place these children in settings that can provide the appropriate level of care and in which the children can grow and flourish.

Both of the contempt citations were purged and the fines vacated at a Cook County hearing on Thursday. Smith was found in contempt in the case of a 17-year-old boy who has been in a locked psychiatric hospital since September. The court ordered sanctions of $1,000 per day until DCFS appropriately places the child, to start Jan. 18. At the DCFS directors request, the court stayed the order until Jan. 20 for DCFS to seek appellate review.

* * *

PRISON INTAKES: The Illinois Department of Corrections announced Tuesday that it would pause intake of inmates from county jails amid the COVID-19 surge.

As of Friday, IDOC reported 1,042 staff members and 1,684 inmates were positive for COVID-19.

Sheriffs who are charged with operating county jails around the state say IDOCs decision puts more stain on county resources and personnel.

Unfortunately, IDOC did not provide any communication or collaboration with the Illinois Sheriffs Association or any Sheriff regarding this suspension of intake although we have repeatedly offered a willingness to discuss issues with the Department, Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs Association, said in a written statement. As people are aware, crime is continuing to occur and arrests continue to be made by law enforcement as we work to combat crime in our communities.

Madison County Chief Deputy Jeff Connor said he met with all the police chiefs in the county and apprised them of the situation. The Madison County Jail currently houses 290 inmates. The jails capacity is 306. The jail is currently holding 28 people who were scheduled to be transferred to DOC.

This really puts us behind the eight ball. It puts a strain on our staff and local police departments, Connor said.

Until they are transferred to DOC, counties will have to pick up the tab for food, utilities and medical costs.

* * *

ELECTRIC VEHICLES CHARGING ACT: A measure before the General Assembly would require new and renovated residential or commercial buildings to set aside parking spaces that could easily be converted into electric vehicle charging stations.

Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, advanced House Bill 3125 through the House Energy and Environment Committee on Tuesday, noting she would work on an amendment to remove extra language that does not pertain to the parking provision.

Under the bill, newly built or extensively renovated residential buildings would have to make all spaces electric vehicle capable, meaning they meet certain wiring requirements. Depending on the size of the parking lot, a certain number of spaces would have to be electric vehicle ready, meaning they contain receptacles with the necessary voltage to install an EV charging station.

Residential buildings would be required to have at least six parking spaces ready for installation of charging stations. If there are one to six parking spaces, all spaces would be required to be EV ready.

Buildings with 24 parking spaces or more would have to have at least one fully equipped charging station.

Commercial buildings would need to set aside 20 percent of parking for EV ready spaces.

Neda Deylami, an EV advocate for the Sierra Club, said the passage of the bill is more urgent than ever to fight climate change and make personal transportation more affordable and convenient.

* * *

DEMMER MAKING RUN FOR TREASURER: State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, announced Tuesday he will run for state treasurer. If he wins the Republican Party nomination, he likely would face two-term incumbent Mike Frerichs, who is seeking reelection.

In Tuesdays announcement, Demmer pledged to oppose tax increases and bring greater transparency to state spending.

Unfortunately, in Springfield right now, the politicians answer to every problem is higher taxes and more spending, Demmer said in a statement. We know Springfield politicians wont change overnight, but we can take an important first step by electing a proven fiscal watchdog as state treasurer. As treasurer, Ill be on the side of Illinois families working to protect their hard-earned dollars and shining a light on how our tax dollars are spent.

Demmer, 35, has served as state representative since 2013, serving a district comprised of portions of DeKalb, LaSalle, Lee and Ogle counties in northern Illinois. Demmer serves as deputy minority leader and has been the Republicans point person on state fiscal issues.

Frerichs countered with a statement welcoming Demmer to the race and warning voters that Demmer would undo years of progress and represent big-business interests.

Demmer attacked Frerichs for supporting income tax hikes, including a proposed tax on retirement income. Frerichs pointed to success in creating college saving plans, a retirement plan that travels with workers, and returning more than $1 billion in unclaimed property.

Tom Demmer opposed every reform I have championed as treasurer, even when other Republicans were on our side, said Frerichs, who has held the office since 2015. He does not have the conviction to fight for Illinois families, and he does not have the backbone to stand up to special interests.

Demmer will be on the Republican Party ballot in the June 28 primary election. Thursday is the first day to circulate petitions for the primary, and candidates must file between March 7 and March 14.

* * *

COVID-19 UPDATE: The Illinois Department of Public Health said Friday, Jan. 7, that the state had recorded 201,428 new cases of COVID-19 over the previous week, a 57% increase over the previous week, while the weekly number of deaths rose 15%, to 444 as the omicron variant of the virus continues to spread.

Those cases were confirmed out of more than 1.3 million laboratory tests performed over the previous week, which brought the preliminary statewide case positivity rate to 15.2%.

Those case counts are the highest of any since the pandemic began, according to IDPH data, although the death rate is well below the pandemic peak of a year ago. On Thursday, Jan. 6, alone, the state recorded more than 44,000 new cases, the highest single-day case count since the pandemic began.

That brings the total number of cases since the pandemic began to just under 2.4 million, including 28,361 deaths.

As of Thursday night, IDPH reported 7,096 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, including 1,123 patients in intensive care units and 639 on ventilators. Those cases account for 38 percent of all staffed ICU beds available and 11.5% of all staffed ventilators.

IDPH continues to advise people that vaccines are the strongest defense against the virus. As of Thursday night, more than 19.5 million vaccinations had been administered. Over the past week, 294,687 doses were administered, for an average of 42,098 per day.

Currently, 73% of the states total population has received at least one dose of vaccine, while 64% are fully vaccinated and 40% have received a booster shot.
On Jan. 4, the membership of the Chicago Teachers Union voted to "suspend in-person teaching in the Chicago Public schools." That union represents 25,000 Chicago Public School teachers and staff. And 73% of those voting, voted to close the schools. Therefore, 340,000 public school students were locked out of their schools.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, labeled the strike, "an illegal work stoppage" and filed an unfair labor practice complaint. Chicago Public Schools and the union came to an agreement, which was narrowly ratified last week, but the schools were closed for days.

Unfortunately, Gov. J.B. Pritzker last year signed a bill passed by the Democrats in the Illinois legislature that gives the teachers union the power to use students as bargaining chips during its negotiations with the Chicago Public School Board.

According to the Illinois Policy Institute, "House Bill 2275, signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on April 4, repeals a portion of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act that limited negotiations between CPS and CTU to issues related to wages and benefits.

"Now CPS will be forced to bargain over everything, including subjects such as class schedules, hours and places of instruction.

"The bottom line: The increased number of issues that must be resolved during bargaining increases opportunities for CTU to disagree with CPS  and escalates the unions likelihood of going on strike."

So if the teachers union can bargain over schedules, hours and places of instruction, why can't the union strike once negotiations deadlock? If the union and the board are at loggerheads over the "place of instruction" (in school or at home), how can the strike be illegal?

But here's what a Chicago parent whose child or children are locked out of the public schools can do: Send your child to a private school, if you can afford it, or if financial assistance is available. Or you can leave Illinois and move to another state where the teachers unions don't control the Democratic mayor and governors, and run the state.

How about Arizona? Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, has proposed to halt a similar "power grab" by Arizona teachers unions. Ducey proposes to give every parent education-related aid in the sum of $7,000 to assist them in placing their children in any school that's open!

The governor says the state is taking "preemptive action."

In a series of online posts he said:

"We're making sure in-person learning remains an option for all Arizona families and students.

"With the new 'Open for Learning Recovery Benefit Program,' if a school closes for even one day, students and families who meet the income requirements will have access to instruction that best meets their needs.

"It funds up to $7,000 for needs related to approved child care, school-coordinated transportation, online tutoring and school tuition.

"We will continue to work with families, public health experts and school leaders to ensure our kids can stay in the classroom and parents have a choice  always."

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has lauded Ducey's plan. "Governor Ducey's announcement that Arizona will give the education money to parents if their school is closed is the most creative response yet to the teachers union putting children last. Chicago should follow his lead."

In America, if you're wealthy, you can send your child to the private school of your choice. If you are poor, you don't have that option. The poor face a monopoly; the public school system monopoly specifies where your child will go to school.

When a state provides public funding to allow the parents to send their children to the school of their choice  whether public or private  that monopoly is broken.

According to the Chicago Public Education Fund, "in FY20, CPS has a total budget of $7.0 billion, excluding capital funding." [$20,588 per student].

At my old high school, Notre Dame College Prep of Niles, Ill., tuition for 2021-22 is $13,400. Alleman High School tuition for 2021-22 is $5,500, and is discounted for more than one child.

Chicago Public Schools and their unions are not revenue deprived. They are a virtual monopoly. They can strike with impunity because once they lock the school doors, most public school parents have no choice.

Ducey's plan to use revenues that would normally go to the public schools to allow the parents a choice, when the unions exercise their choice to close the schools, makes sense. Only a politician who gets major funding from such unions would object.

Ducey's plan should appeal even to the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She hates monopolies. She wants to give every American $1,000 a month even if they don't want to work. She voted to give convicted criminals in the state penitentiaries economic recovery checks. If she had no objection to how such money is spent, why would she object to poor parents spending free money to send their children to better schools, or at least schools with their doors open?

John Donald O'Shea, of Moline, is a retired circuit judge and a regular columnist for this newspaper.

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Things have been relatively quiet out here on the farm.

Wintertime means theres less to do in general, and we are enjoying the break. As long as we keep hay out for the cattle and horses, and make sure the waterers dont freeze, theres not a whole lot else we have to do right now.

Mind you, keeping those things done can sometimes be a challenge.

We did have some issues with our cattle waterers on those incredibly cold days two weeks ago. It was about minus-10 degrees and windy, and the boys and I were out with a hairdryer, thawing the waterer on the west side of the barn. The night before, it had been the one inside the barn.

Any cattleman can tell you  thawing waterers is not a fun job. It always happens on the coldest possible days, and all you can do is blow warm air at the pipes until the ice jam melts.

Our one waterer had the heat tape go bad, so the inside of the waterer froze up. Luckily, a hair dryer and a light bulb that we put down into the waterer housing eventually got it to break free. The outside one froze on top, so all we could do was blow the hairdryer at it until it thawed.

Now they are both fixed with new heat tape and bowl heaters, so hopefully we wont have to do that again this winter.

Livestock cannot go without water for very long, so these situations are emergencies when they happen. Just like people, you can go without food for a couple days if something happens, but you cannot go without water

Contrary to popular belief, they really dont start eating snow for water. Instead, they get progressively dehydrated, which leads to all sorts of illness, especially in their digestive tract. Needless to say, we cant just say Ill deal with that in the morning.

We have been making our plans for the coming year, and working on all the paperwork for the accountant. Its not my favorite thing to do, but it has to be done. Our taxes are very complicated, so we keep our accountant busy working it all out for us. Theres no way I could ever consider doing my own taxes. He will get it all figured out for us over the next couple of months, and hopefully it will be a good outcome for us in the end.

Besides the farming, Robb has been travelling to several meetings. He spoke to the National No-Till Conference the first week of January and has several meetings to attend as the Iowa Soybean Association president this month.

I wish he didnt have to travel at this time of year  the weather always seems to throw a wrench into things. He barely made it home Friday night in the snowstorm.

Heres hoping that you can all stay warm this month, and perhaps enjoy some time outdoors in the snow. My boys were sledding this weekend and getting pulled behind the Gator at high speed on a sled. Good thing I wasnt watching. They had a blast, though, and no one broke anything. Ill take that as a win.

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When human skeletal remains recently were found in Rock Island County, it became likely a cold case was about to warm up.

For Quad-Citians with missing family members, the discovery of a long-lost body stirs strong emotion.

"Most of the families realize, if it's their loved one that's been found, they'll hear from the police," said Dennis Harker, founder of the Quad Cities Missing Persons Network. "They just worry and hope.

"That's all you can do; you worry and hope."

Before county officials this week announced the remains found near the Mississippi River in Andalusia appear to be those of a female between the ages of 25 and 45, dozens of families had time to worry and hope.

Some of the Quad-Cities' missing have become familiar over the years: Jerry Wolking (1990), Steve Asplund (1994), Trudy Appleby (1996), David McAllister (2017).

But there are many more.

"There are about 30 people from around our area that haven't been found," Harker said. "Those are from the Quad-Cities and nearby, like Clinton and Maquoketa."

In the case of the remains found in Andalusia, the discovery was of particular interest to those whose loved ones were believed to have vanished near water  either the Mississippi or the Rock River.

People who have disappeared on or near either river have been found in the same areas of the Mississippi; either pulled by currents into the slough at Andalusia or near Buffalo, which was the case with Harker's son, David, in 2013.

Marilyn McAllister's son, also David, disappeared in May of 2017.

"Your mind goes to: Could it be him? I hope it's him. I hope it's not him," she said. "There's part of you that hopes it's him. The not knowing is just devastating."

The first thing McAllister did when hearing of the December discovery in Andalusia was to encourage others on social media to pray for the family of whomever had been found.

"Whoever it is, it's someone's loved one," she said. "It doesn't have to be someone from here. But you think: Could it be Trudy (Appleby)? Could it be Steve (Asplund)?"

The instinct for many who have not born the burden of not knowing is to presume that finding a missing loved one delivers so-called closure for their families.

"I don't like the word closure," McAllister said. "It's a different kind of grief, not closure. Your grief switches from, My god, I don't know where my son is to, Now I grieve my son's death. It's never really over."

As someone who has been through the missing and the finding, Harker put it this way: "You just move into a phase of perennial grief. You want desperately to know, but the pain doesn't go away."

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You could say Aaiden, the 5-year-old son of Courtney Davis in Rock Island, Donations provide single mom's son a place to sleep is a fan of superheroes.

Stickers and posters paper the walls and action figures litter his bedroom floor: Captain America, Spiderman, Iron Man, War Machine, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Davis is a little shy to say it, but Aaiden needs a new bed. His mattress slopes toward the floor atop a broken wooden frame.

"Even though he likes to sleep on the floor, I'm like, 'No, baby, you need to sleep in your bed," Davis said. "But he likes to jump into the bed and so he ended up kind of breaking it.

"I wanted a couch, but my baby needs a bed; I can wait for the couch," Davis added.

Davis, a single mom with another on the way, has worked at Rock Island Skip-a-Long Child Development Services taking care of children before and after school for the past few years.

She was nominated for the Quad-City Times Wish List Program by Tanisha Harris, the family service provider for Skip-a-Long, after Davis mentioned she needed a new bed for her son. For more than two decades, Wish List has used reader donations to buy Quad-Cities residents basic, specific necessities. Wish List partners with United Way Quad Cities for nominations submitted by local nonprofits.

To donate, visit unitedwayqc.org/wishlist.

"She's a real humble person," Harris said. "She doesn't like to say 'I need,' but she mentioned her son's bed, and I confirmed that was something she really needed."

Harris said Davis started as a parent with Skip-a-Long. Davis took a parenting class, asked lots of questions and was a vocal and active participant.

"I said if you'd like to work with kids and would like to get more experience working with kids, especially as a new parent, you should apply," Harris said. "Eventually, she did."

Davis moved to Rock Island from Chicago to leave what she described as a not-good living situation for her and her son, and to live with her sister in the area.

A couple of weeks later, she was approved for her first apartment and had a job at Dollar General.

"I got approved here, and then when my son had his own room, I had my first apartment, I was just so happy," Davis said. "It was just the greatest feeling ever."

But she wanted to work closer to her son and operate on a similar schedule. So, she applied for Skip-a-Long and was hired initially to care for toddler-age kids until moving to school-age. She says she loves the job, both the work and her coworkers.

Soon, she'll be preparing for another baby, which she said was an unexpected, but exciting, addition to their family.

"I didn't think that I was going to have any more. I was really stuck on just having one kid," Davis said. "... It was still a surprise to me though. It really was like, OK, are we ready for this? Well, you gotta get ready anyway. I'm excited."

Aaiden, Davis said, inspired her to make changes in her life. She smiles wide when she talks about how quickly he catches on to new math concepts, or how he loves coloring.

"He really, I'm not gonna say changed me, but he made me better," Davis said. "Just the views of the world, it's like, 'I got to do this for you.'

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A Chicago police supervisor who was disciplined for his role in the departments shoddy handling of the reinvestigation into the 2004 death of David Koschman  who was punched by a nephew of then-Mayor Richard M. Daley  was recently promoted to lieutenant, officials said Friday night.

Sam Cirone will be assigned to the Area 3 detective division, the same unit that handled the original investigation into Koschmans death 17 years ago, according to police department sources.

Cirone has worked at CPD for 29 years and was promoted based on his test score on the lieutenants exam, the department said.

Cirone had faced a possible one-year suspension on accusations by city officials that he ran a poor reinvestigation into Koschmans death in 2011. He was accused of failing to adequately review a police report for inaccuracies and didnt instruct detectives to interview key witnesses or canvass the original crime scene.

In Dec. 2019, the Chicago Police Board voted 5-0 of finding Cirone guilty of failing to adequately supervise the case but penalized him with only a reprimand, among the least punitive measures that does not involve any time off from work without pay.

Cirone, who was a sergeant during the reinvestigation, was among four supervisors and two detectives accused by former city Inspector General Joseph Fergusons office of violating department rules during the second look into the death of Koschman, who died 12 days after being hit by a single punch from Richard Vanecko, Daleys nephew, after a brief, drunken confrontation in the Rush Street nightlife district.

The case was reopened in 2011 following Chicago Sun-Times stories critical of the original police investigation into Koschmans death in May 2004.

Vanecko eventually pleaded guilty to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter in 2014. He was given the sentence of 60 days in jail, followed by 60 days of home confinement and then 2 1/2 years of probation. Vanecko also was required to pay $20,000 in restitution to Koschman and issue an apology.

One of the two detectives under Cirones supervision, Nicholas Spanos, was suspended for a year in the case but skipped most of that suspension by using accrued paid leave time, according to a report from Fergusons office. James Gilger, the other detective working for Cirone on the case, left the department before facing any discipline.

Three other supervisors in the reinvestigation have also since left the department, including Deputy Chief Dean Andrews, Cmdr. Joseph Salemme and Lt. Denis Walsh. Walsh allegedly removed the original file on the Koschman case from his office for no legitimate work purpose.

In its decision to only reprimand Cirone, the police board found that while he supervised an investigation that was not entirely thorough, the board laid blame on Cirones superiors and others for shoddy work.

The board blamed Andrews for playing a major role in designing an inaccurate police report in the case, Salemme, who clearly exercised little command authority over the investigation, and Detectives Spanos and Gilger for their work.

Sergeant Cirone failed as a supervisor, but his role in this investigation and his responsibility for its failures is clearly less than that of the actual detectives and those above him, the police board wrote.

Moreover, the Board finds that Sergeant Cirones conduct is mitigated by the fact that he was supervising the investigation of many other serious cases while the 2011 Koschman re-investigation was taking place.

Jeremy Gorner contributed.

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A family is fighting a $105,000 tuition bill from Chicago Public Schools after the district determined three of the children did not live in the city while attending selective enrollment schools. The CPS inspector generals office called the case especially egregious in its recent annual report.

Dr. Edward Huang, an infectious disease specialist, and Kim Chhay, who has worked as a hospital pharmacist, filed a complaint in Cook County court last month asking a judge to reverse a Chicago Board of Education decision to seek tuition reimbursement and kick their son out of his West Rogers Park classical school. The couples attorney, Steven Glink, said the board reached conclusions for its own convenience in this case.

The board did not produce one witness to refute the fact that they lived in Chicago. I had three witnesses  the dad, the mom, and there was a sister-in-law  say they all lived in Chicago during the disputed time, Glink said.

In court, Im hoping the judge will decide the case based on the facts that are and are not in the record.

In their court paperwork, Huang and Chhay say they resided together in Skokie until 2010, when Chhay moved in with her brother and his family at their house in Chicagos Sauganash neighborhood because of tension in the Huang home. Chhay says three of her children followed her to her brothers house and lived there for varying amounts of time between 2011 and 2019.

The couples older daughter enrolled at Edison Regional Gifted Center in 2012 and graduated from Northside College Prep in 2020, records show. Another daughter started attending Decatur Classical School in 2019, while a son studied at Beaubien Elementary School before enrolling at Decatur. A fourth child stayed behind in Skokie and attended Niles West High School, according to the court filings.

CPS said enrollment documents for the children include a lease for Chhay to rent space in her brothers 1,300-square-foot home for $1,000 a month, covering water, gas and electricity; and various bills for the Sauganash house addressed to K Chhay. Chhay said she and the children lived at the Sauganash home into July 2019, and that was the address used for CPS enrollment during the contested time, records show.

Huang, meanwhile, continued to reside in Skokie, and purchased a home in Chicagos Norwood Park East neighborhood in the summer of 2019. He said the family discovered water damage at the Norwood Park home soon after they moved in, so they temporarily decamped to the Skokie home in September 2019, court records show.

Children must live within city limits to attend CPS and establish residency by July 1 before the start of the school year. Violators can be charged tuition as determined by the district. A Huang residency hearing was held virtually in October, at which a Northside College Prep staff member testified she reported her suspicions to the CPS Office of the Inspector General in 2019 after noticing a Skokie address on a family check for student fees.

At the hearing, chief investigator Tracy Larson said seven surveillances were conducted in this case, starting in 2019, with investigators observing cars registered to Chhay and Huang at the Skokie address each of the six times they were watching the home in the early morning.

Larson said an investigator handed an interview letter to Chhay outside the Skokie home in January 2020. She reportedly had three children with her at the time. Investigators did not see Chhay at her brothers Sauganash house during surveillance, according to the hearing report.

At the hearing, Glink argued the burden of proof was misplaced on the parents. He said no surveillances were conducted before 2019. No Sauganash or Skokie neighbors were interviewed, Glink said, and no witnesses came forward to say Chhay and her children did not live at the Sauganash house.

In her analysis, the hearing officer wrote it is more likely than not that Chhay provided misleading documents to falsely establish residency at her brothers Sauganash home. The hearing officer noted that the K Chhay name on electric bills submitted for enrollment could denote Kendra Chhay, Chhays sister-in-law, as the Sauganash lease agreement for Kim Chhay did not require her to pay her own electric bill.

In reviewing Ms. Chhays actions for the relevant time periods to try and determine her intent as to residency, what stands out is the span of time that she used the (Sauganash) address for school enrollments, clearly a temporary address as it was her brothers home, and her failure to establish any permanency in Chicago, the hearing officer wrote. Skokie remained the familys hub and permanent residence.

The district had sought about $150,000 in tuition before the hearing officer determined the couple had established city residency with the 2019 purchase of the Norwood Park home, Glink said. Yet the Sauganash address was fraudulently used to enroll the two younger Huang children for the 2019-20 school year, the hearing officer determined.

At its Nov. 17 monthly board meeting, the Chicago Board of Education adopted the hearing officers findings and moved to collect $105,186.49 in tuition while disenrolling the two younger children from their school and banning them from attending selective enrollment schools in the future. The hearing officer noted students can be ineligible for selective enrollment schools if there is a finding of fraudulent enrollment.

In its annual report released this month, Inspector General Will Fletchers office called the couples case especially egregious because the family took highly sought-after seats ... away from Chicago residents that should have had the opportunity to attend, and benefit from, selective enrollment schools.

A CPS official informed Huang and Chhay in a Nov. 23 letter their two younger children will be transferred to a Norwood Park elementary school on Jan. 31 unless other arrangements are made. Glink said the district is allowing the couples daughter to stay at her school to finish the eighth grade this spring, and he hopes to reach an agreement to let the boy finish the semester as well.

If they say no, then I will file an emergency motion for a restraining order and let the judge decide, Glink said. The next court date is in April.

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As Anna Roller helped to package food in Rapid City for Feeding South Dakotas BackPack Program, she didnt think of the activity as an abstract exercise.

A couple of my friends use it, said Anna, whos 13. I like seeing them go home knowing that I helped pack some of their (food).

About 20 people were helping with the work Monday morning, and organizers were expecting around 40 volunteers throughout the two shifts during the day. Their service was part of Feeding South Dakotas Bring Your Child to Serve Day, planned in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The event was designed to open the door to young volunteers with the hope they'll come back.

This is a way to highlight the opportunity for kids 11 and up to volunteer for us not just this day but any day, Megan Kjose, development director for Feeding South Dakota, told the Journal last week.

Lori Dykstra, CEO of Feeding South Dakota, said in a statement that Martin Luther King Jr., Day was an excellent opportunity for families to volunteer together. A news release from Feeding South Dakota also observed the importance of ... bringing to life Dr. Kings vision of neighbors working together to build a better future.

This is the first time Feeding South Dakota has conducted Bring Your Child to Serve Day.

Patrick Bierle, distribution center coordinator for Feeding South Dakota, said Monday that the organization currently prepares about 1,400 bags per week in western South Dakota for the BackPack Program. As explained on Feeding South Dakotas website, the program provides food for children they can take home on weekends and holidays  a key supplement to the food they receive in school.

Bierle noted several sources of donations received by Feeding South Dakota, including both financial and food-based. The organization also receives food from The Emergency Food Assistance Program, he explained, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

We accept all food donations, and it all goes to good use, Bierle said. But he also noted that Feeding South Dakota can make especially efficient use of financial donations.

Bring Your Child to Serve Day comes after the holiday season  a time when donations tend to slow down a bit, explained Bierle.

Bierle noted, too, that the presence of younger volunteers creates a chance for some additional education about hunger in the community.

They may not know the issues people are facing, and this will give them an insight of what we do and who we do this for, he said, speaking in Feeding South Dakotas Rapid City distribution center.

A few feet away, a gathering of volunteers was working swiftly, sorting cereal, milk, fruits, soup, vegetables and other items and placing them into packages. A combination of children and adults were synchronizing their work along a kind of assembly line, with a goal of packing 2,000 bags  with the help of another volunteer shift  by the end of the day.

Jessica Owczarek has come to volunteer with Feeding South Dakota a few times, initially at the urging of a friend.

I like to be able to get the community the food that they need, she said. But also, the assembly line thing is kind of fun.

Her daughter, Evalynn Owczarek, was eager to accompany her on Monday.

I wanted to see what it was all about, and I also wanted to help all the kids who didnt have food because it made me feel really sad to think about them, said Evalynn, whos 11. It makes me happy that were doing this for them.

At the other end of the line was Annas mother, Cary Combs. An educator at Robbinsdale Elementary School in Rapid City, Combs said she was especially drawn to the BackPack Program because she sees first-hand the difference the work makes. Along with the other adults who were serving, she was glad to be able to make helping out a kind of family endeavor.

Our kids benefit where I work, Combs said. I enjoy helping with that, and its nice to be able to do it with the whole family. Ive got all three of my kids here.

People can contact Feeding South Dakota by calling 605-348-2689 in Rapid City or by visiting the organization's main website at https://feedingsouthdakota.org/.

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The small grey and white songbird sat perched on top of a six-foot-tall, dead mullein stalk. It appeared to have a small rodent in its claws. With a flash of black and white wings, it took off for a nearby hawthorn tree where it began to impale its catch on a one-inch thorn.

Knowing immediately that this bird, known for impaling prey on barb wire fences, or in this case hawthorn thorns, was none other than the northern shrike.

Lacking the typical talons and piercing beak of a raptor, this small predator is well adapted to catch and consume small birds, rodents and insects. A closer inspection of their beak will reveal a sharply curved tip with a special adaptation called a tomial tooth, used to sever the spinal cord of its victims.

Northern shrikes are true avian carnivores, never feeding on any plant or seed matter, with their prey size typically ranging from robins to grasshoppers. They are also known to cache excess food resources which accounts for their storage of prey items on barb wire or thorns.

Both male and female northern shrikes possess a distinct black mask extending from the beak past the eye with a contrasting light grey plumage above and below the eye. The body maintains a grey appearance with black primary wing feathers streaked with a white bar again contrasting with black shoulders. The tail feathers are black with white outer edges. The black and white flashes from the wings and tail in flight are a great identifier to this solitary bird.

Northern shrikes nest in the far north of North America, including most of Alaska and the Canadian Yukon territories. They winter in the northern U.S., which accounts for this species being regularly observed during the annual Bitterroot Christmas Bird Count. Although not terribly abundant, each year since 1986 an average of five northern shrikes are tallied during that survey. Here at Teller northern shrikes are a common winter visitor, perhaps due to the abundance of prey items and grassland habitats.

By late winter in the Bitterroot, both male and female will begin singing as courtship with the urge to depart for its northern breeding grounds growing near.

When they arrive at their breeding grounds the female will build a nest with some help from the male. The site selection for the nest is typically in dense brush or trees near open areas or tundra. Researchers have learned that part of the courtship involves the male catching prey items and offering the meal to the female who rarely hunts during her nesting cycle.

Once eggs are deposited in the twigged, bowl-shaped nest, it takes about 20 days for the young, helpless shrikes to hatch. With protein-rich meals, it does not take long for this species to fledge in preparation for the migration south by late October.

From a conservation perspective, northern shrike populations appear to be stable, yet impacts to their breeding grounds from oil and gas operations as well as timber harvest may have some impact on their nesting grounds. Scientists are not too concerned about the abundance of this species given the remoteness of their breeding grounds.

Suitable winter habitat in the northern U.S. is also not of concern due to the abundance of prey items associated with agricultural activities. All in all, this unique little bird will likely be impaling prey items on Bitterroot hawthorn trees for years to come. Dont let its gentle appearance and soft whistle calls fool you, this little bird is a skilled predator with many small rodents and birds falling victim to its cute songbird appearance.

Sam Lawry, Teller Wildlife Refuge Executive Director has 35 plus years in the wildlife conservation profession. His contributions to the Ravalli Republic are intended to share some of that knowledge of wildlife in the Bitterroot with the community. If you would like more information about Teller Wildlife Refuge please visit our website at www.tellerwildlife.org.

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BOZEMAN  Clancy Gaworski never heard the sound of 13-year-old Finn Johnsons pounding drums echoing through the streets of Livingston.

It was a photograph in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle of Finn busking for money to buy a new drum set last summer that caught Clancys attention. He and his wife, Mary Gaworski, were reading the newspaper when he perked up and announced his plan.

He saw that picture in the paper and said, You know what, if this young man is trying to earn the money to buy his own, I want him to have mine, Mary told the Chronicle recently, sitting in the dining room of her Bozeman home.

Clancy always did what he said he was going to do. He and Mary had that conversation in August. Over the next few months, Mary and her daughter Cindy Soriano worked to connect with Finns mother, Lesa Maher. Scheduling conflicts, missed calls and unexpected events kept pushing the meeting back.

Shortly after New Years Day, Finn got his drum set. Mary and Soriano drove to his home in Livingston, and set the drums up, wrapping a bow around the kick drum.

But Clancy wasnt there. He died in October. He was 74 years old.

A longtime love

In December, Mary walked down the hall from her dining room, which was glowing with the reds and greens of family Christmas decorations, just a few weeks before the exchange. She opened the door to a room that she had tried her best to avoid since her husband of 45 years died: the drum room.

Clancy would sit in that small back room, bouncing on his stool and playing his drum kit with his earbuds connected to the stereo. Marys treadmill  now occupied by boxes and some hanging clothes  was set up in that same room.

She would ask him to play a beat for her to walk to. Sometimes he would play too fast.

Whatre you doing? she would joke. Youre going to kill me!

His love of drumming had been with him since he was a teenager. He got his first taste when he attended a military academy in his native Illinois, where he played snare drum at the school.

Clancy soon became a well-respected carpenter in Illinois, eventually moving to Bozeman in the 1970s and landing a job with Martel Construction. His thumbprints can be found everywhere in the valley.

His final job before retiring in 2012 was upgrading the end zone at Bobcat Stadium, Mary said. She pointed to a book given to him as a retirement gift, saying that his life was a timeline of jobs. The only photo of Clancy in the entire book was of him smiling, leaning against the newly completed railing above the end zone; the other pages were filled with buildings that were finished under his supervision.

The love of drumming never left. It stayed with him through his career, through raising four daughters. He was known to pound his palms and fists against the dashboards of his friends cars, leaving behind dents as a physical reminder of his rhythm.

But for most of his life, Clancy never had a drum set to call his own.

Musical childhood

Finns mom, Lesa Maher, said that he was always a music kid. He would watch Scooby-Doo and would perk up to the different theme songs.

His favorites were the episodes that had more punk rock themed opening music, similar to Green Day, one of his favorite bands.

She said Finn would get in trouble at school for rattling away, making drum beats with his palms and fists.

Hes had lessons for ukulele, bass and piano, but drumming came from within.

Hes never had any drum lessons at all, hes a total natural drummer, Maher said.

Maher bought her son his first drum set when he was 3-years-old for Christmas. People called her crazy for doing that, she said. But she has always wanted to expose Finn to things that he has a passion for.

Finn grew out of that kit, and continued to accumulate different pieces and parts over the years. He got a hi-hat from his grandparents, and snare drums here and there. Finns kit was a DIY creation, similar to Eddie Van Halens handmade Frankenstrat guitar.

Maher said her son has never had a cohesive drum set, and that hes always mixed and matched pieces together. He used the case for his snare drum as a kick drum, acquiring a pedal from his friend.

Hes playing three modified snares and a suitcase, he was making his own thing, Maher said.

'I'm in'

It wasnt until Clancys retirement that he got his own kit.

It was a serendipitous moment when Jeanie Williams, Clancys eldest daughter from his marriage with Mary, found a black drum kit for sale eight years ago.

Williams was driving through her neighborhood when she came across a garage sale at a friends house. She used to babysit the kid who owned the kit, and she knew right away that she wanted to buy it for her dad.

She called her sister Cindy Soriano and asked if she was in. The neighbor wanted $200 for the drums.

I dont care how much it is, Im in, Soriano said.

They bought the kit and went to work putting it together. Williams and Soriano tipped off their mother about the drums. They made plans to have the kit waiting for Clancy once he and Mary returned from a camping trip.

As he walked through the house, Soriano and Mary waited for him to notice the drums. It took a few passes by the room before he saw the gleaming, black kit.

Jesus Christ, what in the hell did you two do now, Clancy said, grinning from ear to ear.

Mary said he would play whenever he could, bouncing in his seat and pounding his sticks to favorites like Kaw-liga by Charley Pride and Wipe Out by the Surfaris.

The drumming stopped when Clancy was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease around 2018. The disease causes scarring of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and get oxygen to the bloodstream.

The last time he played the drums that Mary or Soriano could remember was shortly before his diagnosis. The whole family was in town, and his daughters begged him to play. Soriano said she stood in the doorway and bawled while Kaw-liga played from the stereo.

The four girls got one more time out of him, Soriano said.

The final exchange

When Clancy said he was going to do something, he did it. Mary said her husband wanted to find out who Finn Johnson was.

Soriano found Maher on Facebook, and a conversation began. But after a while, it seemed like the kit would never make it to Finn.

Mary was worried in early December that they had put too much pressure on Maher to accept the drums. She recalled an email exchange where Finns mother said that she felt like she was holding the family up.

Maher wasnt avoiding getting the drum set on purpose, but her busy schedule made it difficult to find time to set up an exchange.

I felt like if they wanted to give the kit to another kid, they should, Maher said. But their dad was clear that he wanted Finn to have it.

I would not know who else (to give it to), Mary said. Clancys wishes were that Finn have it.

Finally, after nearly five months, a date for the exchange was chosen.

Soriano, her husband and Mary loaded the drum kit up and headed to Livingston. They set the instrument up in the driveway and waited for Maher and her son to get home.

When the pair pulled up to their house, Finn was confused about all the people on the porch. He hopped out of the car to investigate, and when he made it to the fence, he saw it.

When the thank yous, the hugs and the handing off of Clancys drumsticks ended, Finn ran up to his room to create his own cohesive drum set.

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A Republican bill targeting diversity efforts at Virginias governors schools would ban them from using race and other factors in admissions. But school leaders say students arent selected based on race, and the leader of Maggie L. Walker Governors School in Richmond says the bill is written in a way that doesnt address its admissions process.

House Bill 127, introduced by Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, would prevent governors schools from collecting data on race, sex, nationality or ethnicity during an application process unless required by federal law. It also would prevent schools from participating in what Davis calls proxy discrimination  including using geographic or socioeconomic factors or limiting the number of students from any single school.

Some critics say thats aimed directly at new admissions rules at Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology in Northern Virginia. Davis said those allegations are false.

There are communities that have historically not had the same resources as others when it came to educational opportunity, Davis said in an interview. By adjusting admissions standards significantly by allowing race to be used significantly as [an admission standard], it just covers up the inequities that exist at the middle school level.

Davis is chair of the House of Delegates Education Committee. While the House is controlled by Republicans, the bill is likely to face a tougher path in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Last year, Thomas Jefferson, colloquially known as TJ, admitted one of the most racially diverse classes it ever has after significant admissions changes. The school says it still did not consider race.

Instead, it removed its controversial admissions test and ensured that every feeder middle school in the localities it feeds was represented. The process also considers such factors as whether a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch and whether English is their first language. Those factors are what Davis describes as proxy discrimination.

Maggie Walker in Richmond may not be impacted by the bill as written because the bill spells out who is barred: governors schools or any governing board member, director, administrator, or employee.

Walker is regionally governed, and the board and its employees dont select students. Students are selected by the 14 school districts that feed into it. TJ is singularly governed by the Fairfax County School Board.

Some of the localities that feed into Maggie Walker have explored or implemented changes that Davis describes as proxy discrimination.

Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, whose school district has been seeking greater diversity in its open enrollment and governors schools admissions process, was the only superintendent in the area to publicly oppose the bill.

I strongly oppose this bill, as its a thinly veiled effort to prevent Governors Schools from becoming more diverse, Kamras said in a statement. We should be breaking down barriers to educational opportunity in Virginia, not building them.

And in 2020, Chesterfield County changed its admissions process to allow for more school-based admission  that was a driving factor behind the most diverse class in five years at the governors school, with nearly half of the Black students selected in the schools freshman class having come from Chesterfield. Before the change, more years than not in the past two decades, Chesterfield had sent zero Black students to the school.

After reviewing the language to the bill, Bob Lowerre, the director of Maggie Walker, said he doesnt see how the bill could affect the daily operations of the school since it already doesnt seek demographic data during the admissions process.

As the selection process for students is done by our partner districts and nobody employed by the MLWGS school board is involved in that process besides administering the assessments, the language of the bill does not appear to affect us, Lowerre said in a statement. We have never asked questions about race, sex, or gender on our applications nor would we do so in the future. To be honest, it doesnt appear that the bill would affect the selection process of our students or how we actually operate our school.

Richmond and Henrico County seek race during the admissions process, but parents can decline to answer  it also does not factor into whether a student is selected to attend the school.

Makya Little, a graduate of TJ who is part of the TJ Action Alumni Network, said the collection of demographics data is key to sound decisions on admissions policy.

As TJ graduates, you know, were fortunate enough to receive a world-class education and so we understand the importance of data-driven decisions and science in public policy, she said in an interview. So how do we know that the system is working or improving without the data to evaluate it? And demographic data such as race isnt currently a factor in the admissions at schools like TJ, so we feel like that argument is a straw man.

The governors schools have struggled with diversity for decades. A six-month investigation by the Richmond Times-Dispatch into Maggie Walker found that white students had been selected to attend the school at a rate four times higher than Black students.

Carrie Kahwajy, a governors school alumna and member of the Maggie Walker Anti-Racist Alumni Group, says data is key to making sound decisions on diversity. She also worries about the part of the bill that encourages governors schools to use traditional methods of admissions, like testing. TJ removed their admissions test completely, and Maggie Walker removed the achievement portion of their admissions test after its planning committee found it had no value.

My concerns in general are that politicians ... made promises to their voters that they would make some changes, and so some politicians are stretching themselves thin to find ways to execute those promises, Kahwajy said in an interview. I think his intention was to ensure that white children were allowed greater access to these regional schools than other children in the community.

Davis says diversity shouldnt be made by changing admissions efforts, but instead by fixing pipeline issues at the middle schools by providing more resources to underserved schools.
Alone in a Birmingham jail cell, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter in 1963 responding to criticism from local white clergy about his nonviolent demonstrations against segregation in Alabama.

In 2022, the message remains relevant, according to those who read and heard a recitation of the letter at St. Jamess Episcopal Church on Monday, the federal holiday honoring the late civil rights leader, whose birthday was Saturday.

One of those who read a portion of the letter was Mae Helen Shields of Midlothian, who marched and organized alongside King. About three weeks after King wrote his letter, she marched in the Childrens March in Birmingham, for which she was arrested and jailed.

It was very dangerous, but we met it with our head up. We withstood, Shields said after Mondays event. We didnt ever fear the danger. We faced it.

She read a excerpt from Kings letter where he describes the four steps of his nonviolent campaign, which included self-purification before direct action.

We started having workshops on nonviolence and repeatedly asked ourselves the questions, Are you able to accept the blows without retaliating? Are you able to endure the ordeals of jail? Shields read from the letter.

Later, the letter reads: An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.

Shields, along with six others  they were Black, white, Christian, Jewish, women and men  each read a portion of the letter to a predominantly white audience. The church, located on Franklin Street at the edge of Virginia Commonwealth Universitys campus, is a stones throw from Stuart Circle, where, until recently, a monument to Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart sat on a pedestal thats now empty. It was the first of long line of monuments that gave that portion of the avenue its name, and one of the flashpoints of the civil unrest in 2020.

He wasnt preaching to the choir, Lisa Edwards Burrs said afterward, pointing out that Kings letter was for white audiences. He was speaking to those who could turn the tide.

Some of the sentiment is still so real and needed, said Burrs, adding that it was particularly impactful to hear Kings words from diverse voices.

A member of St. Jamess parish choir and a professor of music at Longwood University, Burrs also sang renditions of Lift Every Voice and Sing, often referred to as the Black national anthem, and We Shall Overcome, a hymn popularized during the civil rights movement.

The Rev. J. Lee Hill said the letter was a poignant choice for the congregation. The oft-quoted letter addresses the white moderate whom King describes as someone who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension, to a positive peace which is the presence of justice ... who paternalistically feels that he can set the timetable for another mans freedom.

His words cut across lines of race, religion and denominations, things that divide us, Hill said after the reading. That allows his words to live in this church, this congregation, as it had in others. King has a wonderful way of crossing those boundaries.

Hill is the missioner for Racial Justice & Healing for the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, and read the first section of the letter that carries the immortal line: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

The letter was selected by the churchs racial justice committee, according to Mark Whitmire, the parishs director of music, who also read a portion. Whitmire said that for 15 years, the church had used its Sunday evening service, called Evensong, to honor King, but because of the pandemic, it tried something different this year.

We wanted to be outside to announce to the world: were all in, Whitmire said, but added that the wintry weather sent them inside. Dr. Kings words are undoubtedly and uncompromisingly true, so it wasnt hard to internalize.
The father of Adam Oakes sat down at a conference table inside the Pocahontas government building, faced three state senators and described his life following the death of his only son. Its a painfully desolate existence, Eric Oakes said.

Adam Oakes, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, died in February following an inebriated fraternity initiation party. His blood alcohol content was five times the legal driving limit, and 11 members of the fraternity have been charged with hazing.

I cant understand why nobody got him help, Eric Oakes said.

On Monday, Oakes and his niece Courtney White advocated for legislation to prevent hazing and to toughen the penalties.

A state Senate subcommittee voted 3-0 to approve a bill that would restructure the roles of advisers, require hazing awareness training and mandate universities publish their fraternity misconduct. Called Adams Law, the bill heads to the Senate education committee.

A second bill, which would make hazing a felony, was not voted on Monday.

Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, the chairperson of the committee, said she was glad to see the legislation come forward.

Hazing has gotten out of control, she said.

Five Virginia students have died in alleged hazing incidents in the past 10 years, according to a website that tracks hazing deaths in the U.S.

After Oakes died, his family has worked to prevent more hazing deaths. They created the Live Like Adam Foundation to educate graduating seniors about the transition from high school to college, and they pushed for two bills that address hazing.

Both are sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax. Del. Kathleen Murphy, D-Fairfax, sponsored identical bills in the House of Delegates.

The first bill, which was approved by the subcommittee Monday, requires an adviser be present at new member events. Advisers would be tasked with providing in-person education on hazing to current and new members. Current law suggests anti-hazing training but doesnt require it, Boysko said.

Part of the problem, White said, is that students dont realize theyre being hazed when theyre encouraged to drink in excess. Their definition of hazing has become distorted.

When she was a student at Radford, White rushed a sorority, and she knew the way she was treated made her feel embarrassed. But she didnt realize until later that she experienced hazing, she said.

The bill would also prevent fraternities and sororities from choosing former members as advisers. Advisers who are past members sometimes pass along a culture of hazing to students, White said. Because the adviser once endured a hardship, they think so should the new members.

Also, students who report hazing would be given immunity from punishment, encouraging students to report hazing.

The bill also would require universities to publish online the rule violations of their student organizations. Some colleges, including Cornell University, already do this. VCU says it intends to.

A Richmond Times-Dispatch investigation revealed that Oakes fraternity, Delta Chi, had a reputation for sexual assault, underage drinking, low grades and illegal parties. Its infractions were so frequent that in 2018, VCU decided to suspend the fraternity for four years.

But the fraternity hired a lawyer and appealed, and VCU reduced the suspension to one year.

If Adam Oakes had any idea what kind of fraternity he was joining, he never would have done so, his father said Monday.

The second bill, which wasnt voted on, would make hazing a Class 5 felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison, if the hazing causes the death or serious injury of the student. Hazing is currently a Class 1 misdemeanor, carrying no more than one year in jail. Virginia law defines hazing as recklessly or intentionally endangering the health of a student in connection to an organizations initiation.

Twelve states currently consider hazing a felony, White said, and two more states have introduced bills to raise the punishment.

Also part of the bill is a provision that a person can be charged with hazing if it causes severe emotional distress. Current law dictates that bodily injury be suffered. If the hazing does not result in bodily injury, the crime would remain a misdemeanor.

Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, said he favored 95% of Adams Law. But at some point, he said, young adults must be given the chance to make their own decisions.

He also questioned if fraternities and sororities need the same requirements, saying hazing is a bigger issue for young men than young women. (The Times-Dispatchs investigation revealed that in the past decade, VCU fraternities have been seriously punished far more often than sororities.)

But White countered, saying hazing isnt limited to fraternities alone, and Locke agreed.

It is both, White said.
Gina Ciarcia has joined the crowded field of Republican candidates jockeying for the party nomination to challenge Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, in the dramatically reconfigured 7th Congressional District.

Ciarcia, a resident of Dumfries in Prince William County who ran unsuccessfully for the House of Delegates last fall, is seeking to represent a district previously rooted in the Richmond suburbs but now anchored in eastern Prince William and the Fredericksburg area.

She is the second Prince William resident  and woman  to seek the GOP nomination. Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega, who lives just outside the new district, also is running for the seat currently held by Spanberger, a two-term Democrat who lives in western Henrico County.

Ciarcia touts her background in education, a winning issue for Republicans in the November elections as they won back Virginias top three statewide offices and control of the House. A mother of five, she cites years of homeschooling, tutoring and full-time teaching.

Her campaign said she home-schooled her children and others until high school under the Classical Conversations curriculum. She also taught at Veritas Collegiate Academy in Fairfax County and Dominion Christian School in Reston.

Ciarcia, who moved to Prince William in 2017, also features her role as wife of a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer. As a military spouse, I am no stranger to service and sacrifice, she said.

In addition to Ciarcia and Vega, the Republican primary field includes state Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania; Derrick Anderson, a military veteran and lawyer who grew up in Spotsylvania; John Castorani, a former military and civilian intelligence operative who lives in Orange; and Gary Adkins, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran who lives in Stafford County.

Del. John McGuire, R-Goochland, declared his candidacy last year under the 7th Districts former boundaries, which included his home in Goochland County as well as parts of Henrico and Chesterfield counties. McGuire has not yet said whether he will run in the new district.

Congressional candidates are not legally required to live in the districts they represent, but generally do to run for office.

Three former Republican hopefuls  state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield; Tina Ramirez, also of Chesterfield; and Taylor Keeney of Goochland  have dropped out of the 7th District race after being moved into new congressional districts that Republicans already represent.

Chase and Ramirez are likely to face off for the GOP nomination in the new 12th Senate District.

Spanberger announced in late December that she would run for re-election in the new district. She has not said whether she and her family, including three school-age children, will move into the new district and, if so, where.

A number of Democratic elected officials from Prince William had expressed interest in running for the seat under an initially proposed map that would have included the entire county within the district. However, most of them withdrew from consideration after the Virginia Supreme Court approved a final map that split the county between the 7th and 10th districts.

Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Prince William, and Prince William School Board Chairman Babur Lateef are still considering whether to seek the Democratic nomination for the seat.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin backed off his pledge to try to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative through executive action, saying in his executive order Saturday that he wants a state regulatory board to do it.

Even that would be illegal, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center in Charlottesville.

The General Assembly passed legislation in 2020 to join the program, in which energy producers in a number of states trade emission reductions for credits, or buy credits to emit carbon dioxide past a cap.

The revenue the state gets from the program is directed to programs that help low-income people reduce energy usage  thereby lowering their cost of electricity  and for programs combating sea level rise in coastal areas.

Youngkin has called the program a tax and said its not good for business or electricity ratepayers, while Democrats say the program is raising important money to fight climate change.

Youngkin said in December that he would use executive power to remove Virginia from RGGI.

Last week, then-Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, issued an opinion saying that wouldnt be legal. Apparently acknowledging that he cant do it, Youngkins executive order No. 9 called on an emergency regulation to go before the State Air Pollution Control Board for consideration.

Since Virginias participation in RGGI is required by law, it cannot be repealed through regulation alone, whether labeled as emergency regulation or otherwise, said Nate Benforado, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center.

The governors order expressed concern about the cost of RGGI on customers.

Virginias participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) risks contributing to the increased cost of electricity for our citizens. Virginias utilities have sold over $227 million in allowances in 2021 during the RGGI auctions, doubling the initial estimates. Those utilities are allowed to pass on the costs of purchasing allowances to their ratepayers.

Youngkins office downplayed his change in tone.

Press secretary Macauley Porter said: The Governor-elect promised he would remove RGGI because of the unfair burden it places on Virginia taxpayers. On Day One, he issued an executive order to do just that.

The SELC acknowledged the law is raising millions of dollars but said it is for an important cause.

The RGGI has brought in millions of dollars that are being deployed across the Commonwealth to help communities deal with flooding and to lower energy bills for Virginians who need it most, a statement said.

The General Assembly gets to decide the laws in Virginia, and the Executive Order  which asks state officials to develop an illegal repeal  is a dead end.
A state senator whos tried for years to scale down Dominion Energys influence in the state Capitol called on Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday to join the effort, saying lawmakers need the new governors support if theyre going to pass the legislation.

We need the new governor to speak out on this issue, said Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City. I can get a portion of my caucus. I cant get them all. I certainly cant get the ones that are more senior in leadership. ... The commonwealth needs the new governor to take a firm stand on this issue.

Petersen held a news conference with Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, on Monday to discuss legislation they have filed that would prohibit campaign contributions from any public utility.

The issue: The General Assembly writes laws that regulate Dominion, a monopoly and the states largest electric utility. Dominion is among the largest campaign donors to lawmakers, and those laws they write generally favor the utilitys bottom line.

Last year, Dominion was able to keep hundreds of millions above a fair profit following a review of its finances, rather than return it to customers.

Ware said he thinks the bill has a good chance of passing in the House, where Republicans have a 52-48 edge. This is about ratepayers. At the bottom line, we are concerned for the ratepayers.

Adding to the chances something could pass this year, he said, was Dominions $250,000 in funding to a secretive federal political action committee last fall that funded misleading attacks on Youngkin. The ads were meant to undercut Youngkin with his Republican base by painting him as weak on the Second Amendment.

Dominion CEO Bob Blue apologized last year and said the company failed to properly vet the PAC, while Youngkin attacked the utilitys assistance of his Democratic opponent, Terry McAuliffe.

On Monday, the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project posted Federal Election Commission data showing all the donors to the anti-Youngkin PAC, called Accountability Virginia.

In addition to money from the Dominion PAC, Accountability Virginia received personal donations from Blue ($10,000), Dominion President Ed Baine ($5,000), Dominion general counsel Carlos Brown ($5,000) and Bill Murray ($7,500), the utilitys head lobbyist.

Dominion donated $50,000 to Youngkins inauguration committee in December.

As for the legislation from Petersen and Ware, Dominion spokesman Rayhan Daudani said on Monday: Campaign finance laws should apply to all equally.

A state filing by Dominions PAC last year showed the utility had given $200,000 to the PAC between July 1 and Sept. 30. A new federal filing by the PAC also showed an additional $50,000 donation from Dominion to Accountability Virginia, received on Oct. 15, bringing the utilitys total contribution to $250,000.

Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, unloaded on the utility in a speech on the state Senate floor on Monday.

I said at the time that we needed to change disclosure policies in Virginia because we would not know exactly what was done until after the next governor was inaugurated, he said.

Suetterlein said Dominions leadership should have known in September what was happening with its money, and noted that the personal donations from its executives came right around the time Blue was apologizing and saying Dominion wanted its money back from the PAC.

I know those folks are sophisticated enough that they knew how to cancel a check between Oct. 16 and Oct. 18. Theres no excuse ... we need more disclosure in this commonwealth, he said.

Daudani said Dominions last donation was made electronically on Oct. 12. We did try and put a stop payment after the fact, but the transaction was complete.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was at a Harlem event for the launch of his first book, Stride Toward Freedom, when he was stabbed in the chest with a letter opener by a woman with a mental illness on Dec. 20, 1958.

Rushed to Harlem Hospital in New York City, King was met by the doctors and anesthesia team  including nurse anesthetist Goldie D. Brangman  who would save his life. A certified registered nurse anesthetist, Brangman would go on to become the only African American CRNA to serve as president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, a post she held from 1973-74.

Brangman graduated from Harlem Hospital School of Nursing in 1943 and was eager to attend formal anesthesia school at a time when nurses were being trained to replace male physicians called up to serve in World War II. But many schools were not accepting Black applicants, so she stayed at Harlem Hospital to study there. Brangman and a colleague attended classes during the day and worked in the evening, teaching other nurses as they gained more knowledge. By the time Brangman retired, she had provided anesthesia care for Harlem Hospital patients for nearly 65 years.

In 1949, Brangman established the Harlem Hospital Nurse Anesthesia program and served as its director until her retirement in 1985. True to her vision of welcoming a diverse group of nurses to the anesthesia field, Brangmans first class included an Irish Catholic student, a Jewish student with a doctoral degree, two students from Africa, a Filipino student and a Korean student, with the rest being Caucasian, Hispanic and Black students from New York and New Jersey.

Today, thousands of highly trained nurses with advanced degrees work across the nation and in our Armed Forces as CRNAs. If you have had surgery or delivered a baby, a CRNA likely was involved in your care. CRNAs represent more than 50% of the anesthesia workforce and are specialists in airway management, intubations and advanced patient assessments. CRNAs provide high-quality, cost-effective anesthesia care while maintaining an excellent patient safety record. CRNAs enter the workforce with a masters or doctoral degree from an accredited program, and are qualified to administer anesthesia to patients in any health care setting, including hospitals, surgical centers and veterans facilities.

CRNAs are the backbone of the anesthesia care administered in Virginia and often are the only providers in rural Virginia. For more than 100 years, Virginia nurse anesthetists have provided high quality and safe anesthesia care to patients across the commonwealth and in every military branch, where they are the primary providers of anesthesia care on the military front lines, Navy ships and aircraft evacuation teams.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government and several governors across the country have removed cumbersome barriers to letting CRNAs practice without physician overview. CRNAs have been instrumental in helping overworked and stressed health care systems deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing their critical care skills, and airway and ventilator expertise to patient care. It is important to maintain this commonsense solution to improve access and reduce costs.

Today, Kings impact on the civil rights movement is honored in the holiday we celebrate on the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Brangman continues to serve as a role model for many across the country, not only for helping to save Kings life, but for her life of anesthesia excellence and focus on diversity. Brangman passed away on Feb. 9, 2020 at age 102. As we honor King, let us not forget those whose lives intersected his and also were visionaries.

The Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists remembers and honors Brangman for her contributions, her dedication to the field and advancing the profession for CRNAs of color.
For most people, a car is the second biggest purchase in our life after a property and requires a huge sum of money to own. Its only understandable that we want to save as much as possible on peripheral costs that come with purchasing a car like insurance premiums.

In Malaysia, every person who owns a car and drives it on public roads is required by law to get car insurance. Insurance premiums used to be tariffed, which means that prices for policies are fixed. But with the liberalisation of the car insurance industry in 2016, insurance companies now have more free room to adjust premiums according to the consumers risk profile.

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Motor insurance is one of the largest sectors in the industry and there are many types of motor insurance with the common ones offering third party, third party fire and theft, and comprehensive coverage.

With so many insurance products in the market, it could take hours to scour the internet and go back and forth between websites to find a policy that fulfills all your needs at the right price. What if theres a way to do the same but in just a few clicks?

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Step 1: Fill up details and get instant quotes in as fast as one minute for certain insurers Step 2: Compare quotes based on price and features of the policy Step 3: Purchase car insurance through PolicyStreets safe and user-friendly online payment system

The entire process is online with no physical branch visits required. Should you have any further enquiries on your policy, you can even reach out to advisors on the platform for clarification. After payment, you can expect your e-policy to be sent to you via email in as fast as a few minutes, depending on the location and insurer company.

***

Purchasing car insurance is an important decision as its likely that we would stick to a provider once we buy a plan for a long period. So, its crucial to get the policy that serves all your needs at the right price from the very beginning. If youre looking to buy car insurance, consider PolicyStreet to easily compare quotes and complete your purchase. As PolicyStreet is one of only 32 approved financial advisers in Malaysia, you can rest assured that you will be in good hands.

Find out more on their website.

*Terms and conditions apply.

The contents of this article do not constitute financial advice. Readers should conduct their own research before making a financial decision.

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Crews across the Roanoke and New River valleys and beyond spent the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday clearing major roads and side streets in the wake of Sundays winter storm.

Roanokes final official snowfall tally counted 8 inches, which is the citys biggest storm since Dec. 9, 2018, when 15 inches fell. Across the region, areas received anywhere from 5 to 9 inches of snowfall, with up to 2 of those inches falling as sleet.

Below freezing temperatures are expected Monday night as well, which could increase the risk of refreezing on some roads, and black ice, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

VDOT equipment operators worked in 12-hour rotating shifts to clear roads Sunday and Monday.

As of late Monday afternoon, Interstates 81, 581 and 77 were clear, but motorists were cautioned to watch for slick spots, particularly on ramps, bridges and overpasses. Conditions on primary roads were mostly clear by the afternoon, according to a news release from VDOTs Salem District.

Crews made progress clearing the deep snow from neighborhood streets and secondary roads by Monday afternoon, VDOT reported.

However, gusty winds Monday are causing snow to blow and drift in some areas and this may cause previously plowed roads to cover in snow again.

VDOT Communications Manager Jason Bond said the sleet that fell over the weekend could be beneficial for road crews.

Sleet on top of snow can help prevent it from drifting or blowing, Bond said. Sleet has the benefit of keeping snow totals down especially if it comes as part of a storm with mixed precipitation.

Sleet can be plowed just like snow and it is easier to clear than freezing rain, which coats roads with ice, Bond said.

Temperatures are expected to climb near 50 degrees on Wednesday with a chance of rain, which could help with melting. But cold weather is returning later this week with a chance of more snow.

Low temperatures and gusty winds were creating risks Monday for Appalachian Power Co. crews working to restore electricity to customers in Southwest Virginia.

As of Monday morning, more than 6,500 Virginians were without power due to the storm. Amherst, Grayson and Pulaski counties were the most affected, according to a news release from Appalachian Power. By early evening, crews had restored power to 75% of Virginians who had lost electricity, leaving just 1,300 people still affected.

Appalachian Power officials said all Virginia customers should have their power restored before Tuesday.

High winds could lead to additional outages if snow-laden trees fall down and affect power lines.

Nearly 250 line mechanics and assessors from Appalachian Powers sister company Indiana Michigan Power arrived Saturday night to assist with storm restoration.

Weather Journal columnist Kevin Myatt contributed to this report.

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Times may change, but the spirit of the annual Continuing His Dream & Works programs message of honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy remains the same.

The ninth annual event has transitioned from an in-person to a virtual experience in recent years due to the pandemic. Despite the format change, event organizer, motivational speaker and civil rights activist Charles Alex-Zan Alexander said he is excited by the opportunity the digital release offers.

While we certainly miss being able to hold the event in person, this gives us the opportunity to share the program with more people, he said. You can call up your out-of-town family and show them the program, share a bit of Charlottesville with them.

A key feature of each years event is the Alicia B. Lugo award, named after the Charlottesville civil rights trailblazer and first Black woman to chair the Charlottesville School Board.

This years recipient is Nikuyah Walker, who just finished two terms serving as Charlottesvilles mayor.

In an interview with The Daily Progress, the Charlottesville native and mother of three said she was honored to receive an award with Lugos namesake, whom she personally knew.

Of the potential things that I could be honored for, being honored by Black people and being aligned with Miss Lugo and the work that she did is an honor, and I appreciate that the elders of the community thought of me, Walker said.

Reflecting on Lugos accomplishments and legacy, Walker said she admired how Lugo was unapologetically Black and proud of where she came from. Walker said she was struck by Lugos pride in Burley Middle School and its legacy within Charlottesvilles Black community. Lugo and her family were among the Black students who chose not to attend Lane High School, instead opting to remain at Burley.

It was amazing to hear her claim her space in that time as a woman growing up in the heart of the Civil Rights movement, Walker said. She gave the community her strength and was unapologetic about her feelings and made sure her community was being heard.

Born in 1941 on Anderson Street, Lugo attended the Jefferson School and became a dynamic presence in the halls of what was then Burley High School as both a student and a teacher. Lugo was valedictorian of the Class of 1959 and returned to teach at Burley after graduating from what is now Hampton University. Lugo died in 2011, leaving behind a lifetime of advocacy work.

Walker was the first Black woman to serve as Charlottesvilles mayor. Looking back at her time in public office, Walker said she was proud that she kept equity in the minds of the Charlottesville community, even when it was difficult.

I was unapologetically willing to force the community to deal with itself and the level of racism that is still very much alive here today, she said. I was able to keep that conversation going every day and tie it into all of those normal things that people think of as city business by bringing an equity lens into those conversations.Walker opted not to seek re-election last year, choosing to return to private life after four years as mayor. Though she said she expects to return to community advocacy at some point, right now she is focusing on self-care.

The Continuing His Works & Dreams Telecast Comcast will will be available online at Alex-Zan.com.
Many Americans feel the country is headed in the wrong direction. An October 2021 NBC poll put the figure at 71%. The ignominious withdrawal from Afghanistan, Congressional dysfunction, and COVIDs unwillingness to JUST. STAY. DOWN. How do we make sense of where the country is at the moment?

People on the right tell themselves a story in which they are the only patriots who love this country. They believe they are saving the country from socialists who will spend us into penury and acquiesce to Communist China. They fear their enemies will burn down the cities and open borders. Many long for a time in the past when the country was united and prosperous.

But, slow down. People on the left tell themselves stories, too. They believe their enemies are at least inveterately racist and at the very best supremely misled. Foes are tools of big business (contributing to alarming climate change) and hateful to POC (people of color), including immigrants. And, by the way, that mystical long ago wasnt so great. It masked domination by white, cisgendered, heterosexual men.

We use these stories, or frames, to make sense of new information we hear. Part of the story on the right is that Democrats want to give people money for nothing. This lens helps them make sense of new phenomena they encounter. So, the shortage of employees at your local fast-casual restaurant is explained by payments made as part of the COVID stimulus that made people not want to work.

On the left, where rapacious big business is part of the story, the absence of employees at the self-same restaurant is explained by people using the opportunities provided by the sizzling job market to escape abuse in underpaid jobs.

The truth is that, as with many complex phenomena, the causes of the employee shortage are manifold. In the US, more than 4.5 million people left their jobs in November 2021, building on millions more throughout 2021. That is a Great Resignation!

Looking at causes, government payments did make it easier for some employees to be choosy. But, the hot job market also enabled people to leave jobs that were just plain meh instead of downright exploitative.

COVIDs peaks and troughs have contributed too; loss of jobs has been especially acute in in-person, poorly paid fields like accommodation and food service. The number of day care workers is down over the pandemic. Lack of day care has made it hard for parents to get back in the labor force, whatever their motivation about work.

There are also longer-term trends at work. Goldman Sachs says 1.5 million workers retired early and likely wont be rejoining the labor market. Research from the libertarian CATO institute says that were short, too, of 1.2 million immigrants because of Trump-era policies and the pandemic.

All these factors have contributed to the shortage of workers at that fast-casual restaurant, so our frames on both left and right missed quite a lot. Interestingly, the workers shortage is manifesting globally, so this should cause us to regard warily any U.S.-only policy explanations.

As I explained the stories above, did you notice that the me in each story is always the good guy? Im the one standing up for old-fashioned American values of hard work (on the right). Im the one trying to save lives because Im against abortion (also right), pro-mask mandates (on the left) or fighting climate change (also left). We are often the heroes of the stories we tell ourselves.

These stories in which we privilege ourselves and never listen to the other side or drill down for more complex answers are contributing to the division in the country today. Our separate stories are contributing to why so many of us see the country headed in the wrong direction. We cant wait for any president, candidate, or official to solve the problem for us. We have to start to change, each one of us.

So, I challenge all of us in the new year to do something hard.

Discover a new source of news that doesnt automatically feed into your existing worldview.

Uncover the complexity behind socio-economic and political phenomena.

Find new stories to tell yourself in the new year. Make them stories in which you are one American who loves their country among many others, even on the other side, who do too. Dont insist you are the only hero in the story.

Its going to take heroes on both sides to get this country going in the right direction.

Paige Johnson Tan is a professor in the political science department at Radford University. She conducts research on democracy and authoritarianism, specializing in Asia.
The tale of a man whose life was saved when a genetically modified pigs heart was transplanted into his body sounds like a dose of science fiction with a rustic twist.

That notion isnt entirely off the mark, as in fact this electrifying international news originates in Southwest Virginia.

To clarify, the surgery took place at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The heart came from the Blacksburg area.

On Jan. 7, a team of surgeons replaced 57-year-old David Bennetts ailing heart with a new one taken from a pig raised by Revivicor, a biotechnology company in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. The company specializes in altering pigs DNA so that organs such as lungs, kidneys and hearts can be harvested for human transplant.

Dying from heart failure, ruled ineligible for a normal heart transplant, Bennett volunteered for the experimental surgery, telling university staff, I want to live. I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice.

Even in those circumstances, Bennett appears to have maintained a sense of humor. In an account from the Washington Post, after a doctor first explained the procedure, Bennett, after a pause, asked, Well, will I oink?

As of Jan. 11, Bennett had been taken off the heart-lung machine supporting his new heart and was breathing on his own. His son, David Bennett Jr., shared with the press that his father was in considerable pain and had a long road through recovery ahead, but was determined to see it through.

Its still far too soon to know if the surgery truly heralds hope for the hundreds of thousands who need heart transplants, but the fact that it worked at all astonishes and suggests the way forward will be worth the journey.

Revivicor chief scientific officer David Ayares told Roanoke Times writer Alison Graham, The organ is life-supporting, and its doing its job.

The miracle does not come without warts-and-all caveats. Important as the companys work is, Revivicors very business model and mission, which require experimentation on animals, might be hard for some to take. Just as a general example, Christiansburg, only eight miles south of Blacksburg, once had an explicit ban on laboratory testing of animals for business purposes in its town code. The ban was removed in 2019 after a query about a site from a business reportedly similar to Revivicor.

As news of Bennetts successful surgery circulated worldwide, a second, less wholesome discovery circulated soon after. In 1988, Bennett committed a brutal assault in a bar. Angered by 22-year-old Edward Shumakers flirtations with the woman who was then his wife, Bennett stabbed Shumaker multiple times. Paralyzed for the rest of his life, Shumaker died in 2015. Bennett served six years in prison and moved on to participate in a scientific leap of progress.

Bennetts past may sound a sour note, but it does not lessen the magnitude of the breakthrough. With these complexities, too, the speculation inherent in science fiction becomes reality.

Revivicors innovations involve making genetic tweaks to the pigs so that a human who receives one of these modified organs wont instantly reject it as antibodies attack the foreign tissue. Grahams excellent piece on how the successful transplant plants Revivicor on the world stage (Jan. 13, Blacksburg company raised genetically modified pig for first heart transplant into human) details the genetic tweaks in plain language.

Should Bennetts new heart prove longlasting, the door opens to alleviating the long waiting list for organ transplants, a wait that costs lives. As phrased by Dr. Bartley Griffith, the surgeon who performed Bennetts transplant, There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients.

Beyond xenotransplantation  the term for organ transplants between species  Revivicor has also pursued having pigs produce human insulin for treatment of diabetes.

In a delightful pop culture callback, the Blacksburg lab has a corporate lineage that traces back to PPL Therapeutics, the Scottish biotechnology firm that in 1996 famously cloned Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.

In October, after the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC in Roanoke celebrated the grand opening of a 139,000-square-foot addition, founding executive director Michael Friedlander talked to The Roanoke Times about what it means to put our region on the biotechnology map.

To take Friedlanders explanation and expand it beyond the Fralin Institutes own considerable achievements, the idea is that buzz caused by major industry innovations here in our hometowns would make our Blue Ridge Mountains an attractive landing site for entrepreneurs, for companies, for inventors, for other scientists.

What kind of breakthrough would generate that level of enticing, globe-spanning buzz? Well, here is an example.
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FLORENCE, S.C.  The South Carolina National Guards 133rd Military Police Company, Timmonsville Sunday morning had its deployment ceremony in the comfy confines of the Florence Center  it had originally been scheduled for the Florence Veterans Park.

More then 500 people turned out to see the men and women of the unit off for its fourth deployment since 2001. This is the first company size deployment since 2011-2012 when the company deployed to Afghanistan.

Deputy Adjutant General of the South Carolina National Guard Brigadier General Jeff Jones, the commander of the 59th Troop Command, Col. Herman Crosson, the 51st Battalion Commander, LTC Michael Jones, Capt. Courchesne and the 59th Troop Commands, CSM Kevin Pickrel, each provided brief remarks to the company and the assembled visitors.

Jones delivered regards and words of appreciation from the Adjutant General, Major General Van McCarty. He said McCarty had planned to be in attendance, but he was needed in the upstate as part of the National Guards response to the winter storm.

Speakers talked about the units previous history of support for the United States and South Carolina, the intense training that has prepared them for their mission and the wishes for a safe and meaningful experience in foreign lands. There was mention and tribute to the Soldiers from the 133rd who made the ultimate sacrifice during combat in Afghanistan in 2012.

The theme from all the speakers was the gratitude and thanks to the families of the more than 150 soldiers in the 133rd. Without that family support, the training, the dedication, and the execution of assignments would be impossible.

Following the speakers and the singing of the Army Song, the soldiers were dismissed to spend a little time with their families, friends, and others who came out during the winter storm to show support.

The 133rd will report first to Fort Bliss, Texas, for a few weeks of additional training before deploying to their ultimate destination, US Central Command, which includes most of the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
 Elderly death row defendant loses in Ninth Circuit | Main | Why Kaua may be the circuit decision of the month (so far) 

January 16, 2006

Should criminal justice reform be the new civil rights movement?

From my sentencing-centric perspective, reflecting on a day honoring Martin Luther King leads me to the view that Dr. King, were he still alive, would be focused on criminal justice reforms. So many aspects of the criminal justice system  from racial profiling to jury selection, from drug sentencing to the administration of the death penalty  highlight that our system is not color-blind (or at least not color-neutral). And, because of felon disenfranchisement and other collateral consequences, the enduring impact of a racially skewed criminal justice system cannot be overstated.

Of course, we have come a long way from Scottsboro (background here and here and here). Nevertheless, potent report on racial inequities from The Sentencing Project (available here and here) and the posts linked below all highlight that we still clearly have a long way to go:

UPDATE : Providing a fitting follow-up, Scott at Grits for Breakfast has this interesting post in which he details why "empirically," criminal justice is already a major focus at least of Texas' civil rights movement."

ANOTHER UPDATE : On this theme, a terrific North Carolina lawyer has forwarded to me a cert. petition, which I have made available for download below, that he recently filed in the NC Supreme Court assailing a sentence imposed by a judge who has repeatedly stated her view at sentencing that the commission of a crime by an African American defendant "disrespects " the civil rights movement and the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. In the lawyer's words, "It is a world gone mad in criminal sentencing for a judge to consider as an aggravating factor for sentencing that a defendant is black, in supposed respect to the memory of Martin Luther King!!"

Download sentencing_cert_pet_ncsc.doc

January 16, 2006 at 07:09 AM | Permalink

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Doug,

You are exactly right! Having recently come from the trenches of indigent defense, I can only say that the current state of criminal "justice" disproportionately affects the poor, the young, and minorities. Since Dr. King is no longer with us, it is our duty to shoulder the burden and fight for reform.

Happy MLK Day.

Laura

Posted by: Laura I Appleman | Jan 16, 2006 10:50:44 AM

Did you say "sentencing-centric?"

Posted by: RLS | Jan 16, 2006 8:33:24 PM

RLS: I love coining terms. Does that one make sense?

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 17, 2006 3:58:00 AM

I think you've committed the same supposed literary sin of which a reader accused me recently: Ne.O.Lo.Gism :-)

(To be fair, it's likely my commenter used the phrase more with the secondary "babblings of a psychotic" definition in mind.)

Personally, I'm not such a stickler, but I do think new words should be shorter, not longer, in keeping with Orwell's admonitions regarding politics and the English language. Best,

Posted by: Scott | Jan 17, 2006 10:26:25 AM

Oh, and thanks for the plug, Doc, BTW. Hope you had a great MLK Day.

Posted by: Scott | Jan 17, 2006 10:27:28 AM

Doug: Only in academia (as opposed to that world professors fear...you know...the non-MTV version of the "REAL WORLD."

RLS

Posted by: RLS | Jan 18, 2006 10:29:16 PM

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Posted by: | Oct 14, 2008 10:22:53 PM

Very Interesting!

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Posted by:  | Jan 6, 2011 6:36:27 AM

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 Seventh and final USSC regional hearing this week in Phoenix | Main | A sad sentencing in memoriam: Professor Daniel J. Freed 

January 18, 2010

Another reminder of race and criminal justice realities to honor MLK's legacy

I have generally made a habit of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King's Day by encouraging everyone to reflect on the historic and modern intersection of racial issues and criminal justice realities. I will do so again today principally by providing links to some prior MLK Day posts and also to other more recent posts spotlighting the enduring racial dynamics that surround the modern administration of criminal justice.

As always, readers are encouraged to add their own perspectives via the comments (and also encouraged to keep it civil in honor of one of America's great civil rights leaders).

Some related posts:

January 18, 2010 at 11:47 AM | Permalink

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Your readers may also be interested in a new book by Professor Michelle Alexander called "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness." Prof Alexander also has an Op Ed concerning the role of race in the California prison crisis, which I address in the Stanford Criminal Justice Center blog, here: http://blogs.law.stanford.edu/scjc/2010/01/18/governors-plan-for-prisons-ignores-racial-history/.

Posted by: Kara Dansky | Jan 18, 2010 2:14:49 PM

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 Notable Yale Law Journal Forum essays respond to big report on solitary confinement | Main | SCOTUS grants cert on two more criminal cases (and on Obama's immigration policies) 

January 18, 2016

Some still timely phrases from MLK's "I Have A Dream" speech for advocates of criminal justice reforms

Long-time readers likely know that I have long stated in this space that I think Martin Luther King, whom we all should take time to honor today, would have been concerned with criminal justice and especially sentencing issues if he had lived into the modern era of mass incarceration. I also have a tradition of spending MLK Day listening to the full legendary "I Have A Dream" speech Dr. King delivered in the "symbolic shadow" of Abraham Lincoln in August 1963. And as I was listening to the speech this year, more than a few lines had a timely resonance in light of on-going efforts to move forward with modern criminal justice reforms. Here are some of the lines catching my ear today:

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.... Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children. It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.... But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

One reason I have spent much of may professional career working on criminal justice issues is because I strongly believe that freedom is a preeminently important human value and that each and every American's freedom is, in many senses, inextricably bound to each and every other American's freedom. These beliefs keep me ever engaged in the struggle for an ever-sounder criminal justice system, keep me ever committed to the "fierce urgency of now," and keep me ever eager to encourage all to seek to satisfy the thirst for freedom without "drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

With the echoes of this remarkable speech still in my head, let me conclude this honoring of Dr. King by providing links to some prior MLK Day posts (from both of my main blogs). As always, readers are encouraged to add their own perspectives via the comments (and also encouraged to keep it civil in honor of one of America's great civil rights leaders).

January 18, 2016 at 01:45 PM | Permalink

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Didn't MLK deplore the rate of criminality in the black community? I believe he gave a speech in St. Louis where he did. Remember too, one of the bitterest complaints about the apartheid system was that it failed to protect law-abiding black South Africans from criminals.

"One reason I have spent much of may professional career working on criminal justice issues is because I strongly believe that freedom is a preeminently important human value and that each and every American's freedom is, in many senses, inextricably bound to each and every other American freedom."

Yes, but it seems you are into the freedoms of criminals more than the freedom of law-abiding society to be free from the depredations of criminals.

Posted by: federalist | Jan 18, 2016 1:59:22 PM

Like many, I was taught to venerate that speech as a child. As the years have passed, I have found it more and more disagreeable. It is a speech rooted in the kowtowing of a slave to his master. It is rooted not in a thirst for equality but in a rejection of equality. Fundamentally, King is not making the argument that that justice is the right thing to do, he is making the argument that justice is the decent thing to do. More and more I see this speech as the perfect evidence of the claim made by postmodern philosophers that morality is based upon nothing more than "convention and anecdote".

To my mind the speech is morally treasonous, not because it is a plea for the wrong result but because it amounts to nothing more than cultural butt-kissing. I'm with the philosophers who say that morality cannot be left to convention and anecdote. Racism is wrong, it always was and always will be wrong. And its wrongness has nothing to do with blank checks or inherent human dignity.

for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

Wrong. As recent history has shown they came because they felt sorry for your black ass. The weren't motivated by a sense of common destiny but by a sense of noblesse oblige--that by helping the poor black child they were making the world a less cruel place for their own kind, because they were tired of African American caterwauling.

I want to be perfectly clear here. I am not blasting King for what he said. This was exactly the correct way to approach the problem at that time. Too much violence would have destroyed the sympathy the white nobles had for the treatment of the black community at the hands of low-class whites. I'm disgusted by the fact that it took this intellectualized butt-kissing to get white people to do the right thing. That's why I find it disagreeable.

Posted by: Daniel | Jan 18, 2016 2:49:43 PM

federalist: part of my call for freedom-oriented reforms involves pushing for a new understand of who is a criminal and who is law-abiding. Indeed, the grand moments of much of American history highlights that concern for the "freedom of criminals" has been a driving force of American exceptionalism. The freedom fighters involved in the Boston tea party were, of course, engaged in criminality. So turn were slaves who sought to flee from the south to the north via the Underground Railroad. So too was MLK when he was in the Birmingham jail and so have been so many others involved in civil disobedience throughout American history. Indeed, much of human history shows that the first step to the diminishment of the freedom of all citizens is when a government start to prioritize some citizens' freedoms over others.

Daniel: I am curious if you think much has really changed over the last half-century? Do you expect the BLM movement to achieve much in this era without being involved in intellectual butt-kissing of some sort? Critically, in a democracy were political power always trends toward a majority viewpoint, isn't it likely that all minority concerns (racial, religious, economic, social) will have to be pursued through at least some efforts to kiss the butts of the majority of voters through some means?

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 18, 2016 4:02:04 PM

Doug, you can do better than that. Are you really positing that crack dealers are engaging in civil disobedience? If not, why mention?

And as for this:

"Indeed, much of human history shows that the first step to the diminishment of the freedom of all citizens is when a government start to prioritize some citizens' freedoms over others." Um, so what? We are talking about people who, through their voluntary acts, have wronged society. Or more to the point, this statement actually buttresses points I've made--the people who are in favor of retroactive sentence reductions (other than those required by the Constitution--this is to nip your irrelevant Scalia sloganeering in the bud) favor the interests of criminals getting early releases--without much back-end checking--over the interests of the law-abiding. Your unstated idea that the interests of the criminal class need to be equal with that of the law-abiding (else the law-abiding's freedoms are being elevated) is preposterous. Now, obviously, we have Constitutional protections and notions of fairness and justice which preclude LWOP for DUI. That's what criminals are entitled to--not some idea that their interests (note I say interests, not freedom) are somehow equal to the society that they have wronged.

You claim to want this debate on a practical level. Your responses disprove that. I get it--if you did want to really debate this, you'd be open to iron-clad guarantees of far better back-end checking than is currently the case, but you can't actually come out and say this because this was an obvious problem all the while, and you'd look like you didn't think all this through and got seduced by the siren-song of "freedom" for criminals and being morally superior. So you engage in platitudes and silly absolutism. You cannot even come out and say that the release of a guy who had a history of serious recent violence should not have been released under a regime that was supposed to keep locked up those who pose a serious risk of violence. You can't even say that---face it Doug, you simply think that too many people are incarcerated (a simplistic idea if ever there were one) and that whatever it takes to get the numbers down is ok. That would be honest.

Posted by: federalist | Jan 18, 2016 5:26:33 PM

@Doug B.

Liberals overweight sympathy as a bulwark against cruelty. I simply do not believe there is any historical evidence that sympathy can carry the burden of liberal hopes over the long run the way they expect it to carry that burden. Sympathy has its limits--nurses call it "care fatigue". I've seen this today among responses to BLM activists. What more do these people want? Look at all those millionaire black athletes! We even have a Black president and yet they still complain! How much is enough?

So while I think MLK was shrewd in his strategy at that time I believe he sent the country on a perilous course because sympathy is not a stable domestic emotion. Why do you think Trump is getting so much mileage out of his 'ban the muslims' comment? People get tired. They stop caring. Forget about butt-kissing; they don't want the minority anywhere near them. And when a culture has eliminated any essential moral or intellectual foundation for its policies--as this country has--then there is nothing to hold back the tide of human cruelty that we have seen perpetrated in Bosnia and Rwanda.

Hell may indeed have no fury like a woman scorned but let me assure you that history has many examples that are not pretty of a majority that has run out of sympathy for a minority. Butt-kissing may work in the short run but fundamentally it shifts the argument onto a ground that is poisoned.





Posted by: Daniel | Jan 18, 2016 6:04:26 PM

federalist: I do considerable comparable some crack dealers in Detroit and weed dealers in Denver and gun dealers in Durango and bootleggers decades ago during Prohibition. These are all often small "businessmen" looking to profit by providing adults access to a potentially harmful product. They are all exercising a form of freedom that gives meaning to the first term in the phrase "free market," and you are thicker than I thought if you cannot readily appreciate that any and all criminal prohibitions of free market transaction among adults, though perhaps justifiable on other grounds, serve to diminish human freedom.

Speaking of being thick, I must be missing something when you say it is problematic to say the "interests of the criminal class need to be equal with that of the law-abiding (else the law-abiding's freedoms are being elevated)." Huh? Are you saying that treating the so-called "criminal class" as having lesser interests in freedom does not amount to elevating the fredooms of the law-abiding? And are you ignorant to the historical fact that the first move of most repressive regimes are to brand as "the criminal class" guilty of "wronging society" whomever they wish to oppress (whether Jews in Germany under Hitler or gays in Russia under Putin).

I surmise you operate with a kind of formalistic forfeiture approach to these matters: once any individual has violated a duly enacted law and thus "wronged society," her interest in freedom (and lots of other interests, I presume) are forever diminished. That is certainly a defensible moral view, but it puts huge pressure on giving blind respect to duly enacted laws, and also raises hard questions as to whether any violation of any law passed by any sovereign diminishes the transgressors interests in society. Should everyone who ever speeds or jaywalks be forever considered part of a "criminal class" deserving of less respect? Everyone who engages in underage drinking or marijuana use? And should this dimiinshed respect persist for past behavior even if society comes to view prior prohibitions as misguided (e.g., should all adulterers and/or those who engaged in "sodomy" before Lawrence v. Texas be subject to diminished respect)?

Unless and until you explain in some detail whose freedoms should be respected and whose shouldn't, I will continue to believe strongly that all adults' freedoms should be respected comparably. That does not mean we cannot and should not restrict freedoms in service to lots of other societal values, but it does mean that I still am inclined to respect the interest in freedom that Weldon Angelos and Scooter Libby and Martha Stewart in the same way I respect your freedom interests.

I am not trying to be "morally superior," but rather just trying to explain my own personal moral perspective. And I would now be very eager to hear more about and better understand your distinct moral perspective --- specifically, I am eager to how just you define who gets relegated to "the criminal class" and just how you think their seemingly diminished interest in freedom is to be understood and applied relative to the freedoms of the "the law-abiding." Thanks in advance for any further explanation of your views so I can better understand your different perspective on these important issues in our "land of the free and the home of the brave."

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 18, 2016 6:52:07 PM

Interesting comments, Daniel, and I concur that sympathy has its limits. But I surmise the core aspect of your pessimissm is the view that "when a culture has eliminated any essential moral or intellectual foundation for its policies -- as this country has -- then there is nothing to hold back the tide of human cruelty." To me, the genius of the MLK Dream speech was its repeated to the "essential moral and intellectual foundation" of the USA as expressed in our founding documents and repeated in the Gettsburg Address four score and seven years later.

Indeed, as I perhaps poorly explained in my post here, I think a commitment to human freedom (and a kind of political equality) is the "essential moral and intellectual foundation" of the American experience, and I think that foundation gets stronger and stronger as we have over time, with fits and starts and some temporary back-sliding, enhanced humans freedoms and political equality throughout the last 2.5 centuries.

There are certainly times in modern America, whether due to sharp political rhetoric or incarceration data or broader disrepect shown to freedom by many important people in many spheres, that I worry about a diminishment commitment to what I see as America's "essential moral and intellectual foundation." But then, if I look a bit harder, I can usually find new rays of freedom shining through even as dark clouds seem to gather. But, then again, I tend to be a perpetual optimist when in comes to the USA.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 18, 2016 7:16:07 PM

"Should everyone who ever speeds or jaywalks be forever considered part of a "criminal class" deserving of less respect? Everyone who engages in underage drinking or marijuana use? And should this dimiinshed respect persist for past behavior even if society comes to view prior prohibitions as misguided (e.g., should all adulterers and/or those who engaged in "sodomy" before Lawrence v. Texas be subject to diminished respect)?"

Apparently my comments about absolutism didn't take. Really? The problem isn't the idea that there are some bedrock rights people (criminals or not) have or that criminals have rights that we're obligated to respect--the problem is that you posit that criminals (who have committed serious crimes--I am not talking about nonsense like unenforced laws) somehow should be on equal footing. That's obviously nonsense.

"I do considerable comparable some crack dealers in Detroit and weed dealers in Denver and gun dealers in Durango and bootleggers decades ago during Prohibition."

Wow. Amazing things that will be said in order to avoid admitting error.

Posted by: federalist | Jan 18, 2016 8:47:45 PM

@Doug B.

Postmodern liberalism has abandoned the "essential" character of human equality and human freedom in the American tradition. This was the entire point of Richard Rorty's famous 1985 essay on "Postmodern Bourgeois Liberalism". For the record, Rorty is the intellectual godfather of gay rights and Justice Kennedy's opinion in Obergerfell is full of this type of postmodern bourgeois liberalism. In fact, what Kennedy really tries to do in that opinion is reconcile the libertarian "freedom" tradition in American life with postmodern liberal assertions of "human dignity", rooted in human sympathy. I'd argue that in a more inchoate way MLK speech is trying to do the same thing.

So my pessimism is rooted in fact. It is people like Kennedy and Rorty who tell me point blank that in America dignity and freedom have no essential character. You might believe that freedom is essential to the American experience, I might believe that freedom is essential to the American experience, but the five justices who signed on to Obergerfell do not. This isn't because they hate freedom. It's because they believe there is nothing essential about the American experience.

There is a historical irony in that stance because Obergerfell is perhaps the most beautiful example of what WEB Du Bois called "double consciousness". For Du Bois, however, double consciousness was not an identity but represented a lack of identity. Postmodernism has turned his criticism of Black culture into a virtue--it is the fact that America has no essential identity that is America's identity. That is what five justices on SCOTUS tell me. That is what the person who has been called the greatest American philosopher of the 20th century tells me. So excuse me if I feel that I have every right to be pessimistic about whether a country that says the fact that it has no identity is its greatest identity can hold the line against human irrationality.





Posted by: Daniel | Jan 18, 2016 11:06:47 PM

MLK, Lawyer Dumbass Victim

In the 18th Century, everyone educated knows slavery to be wrong.

Slave owning, lawyer dumbasses decide a tax bite of 2% of GDP requires a violent revolution against Mother England. They kill 10,000 people and maybe much more, for a few lousy pounds. They come up with the masking ideology of freedom and individual liberties, when no one has any, except them.

The American Revolution was one of the greatest mistakes in the annals of lawyer stupidity. Had we stayed a British colony, slavery would have ended in 1833 not in 1863. It would have ended peacefully as it did around the world, and without a war. The race problem that took another 100 to resolve, in 1964, would not have taken place. We would be more like Canada and less extreme in every way.

Lawyer dumbass, James Madison, allows slavery to continue in the US constitution.

Lawyer dumbass, John Marshall, uses Article III to violate Article I, Section 1. This filthy crook invents judicial review just out his fevered imagination, in violation of a lot of law.

http://supremacyclaus.blogspot.com/2007/06/marburygate-or-misconduct-in-marbury-v.html

Cut to lawyer uber dumbass, Justice Roger Taney. This asshole of assholes, uses Marshall's fiction of judicial review, and cancels the Missouri Compromise that prevented war for 30 years, abrogates a ratified international treaty settling the border with Canada and prohibiting the spread of slavery. He then invents out of whole cloth substantive due process right in the Fifth Amendment, another stupid lawyer fiction. Lawyer uber asshole Taney sets off Bloody Kansas, and the Civil War shortly after.

Did any of you lawyer assholes in this blog study the Dred Scot decision in law school courses on Constitutional Law? Not a single one of you assholes knows anything about it. And what I learned about it in high school was erased from your stupid brains by the criminal cult indoctrination you willingly underwent.

Along comes, Mr. Please, Do Not Sue Your Neighbor. To his credit, Lincoln issues an arrest warrant to arrest Taney for treason, then to hang him. A lawyer in the room snatches it back from the Federal marshal's hand. He persuades Lincoln to not arrest a Justice of the Supreme Court. Taney then dies a slow painful death, of course, soon afterward. Lincoln's soldiers enter the courts of Maryland lawyer traitors and pistol whip the judges issuing writs of habeus for accused Confederate spies. These are beaten whether they needed to be or not, and flung in Civil War era prisons. So far so good.

However, Lincoln is often called the greatest President by the lying filthy traitor lawyer, but who is really the very worst President, bar none. Lincoln, lawyer, dumbass supreme, has a decision to make. He is proposed to buy the slaves, to declare the newborn free, and other peaceful options. This lawyer dumbass, a moron, a distance learner, chooses war. His decision kills 850,000 Americans in the most catastrophic decision in our history, worse than even the stupid lawyer decision to have an American Revolution. Lawyer Lincoln is executed by an actor, as he well deserved to be. I did admire the way the conspirators were rounded up, arrested, tried, and hanged within weeks. When the lawyer is killed, justice is swift and certain.

Two lawyers and a judge form the KKK. They initiate a campaign of genocidal terror, by beating and lynching hundreds of innocent black males in front of hundreds of witnesses.

http://withoutsanctuary.org/

How do you that and not go to jail? The local prosecutor and the judge have given the lawyer founded and run KKK absolute legal immunity. That's how. The Klan is a lawyer fraternal organization. However, it cannot operate so openly without the legal immunity of the local lawyer profession.

The Congress says, enough. They pass the KKK Act. The Army hangs dozens of these lawyer pieces of treasonous, genocidal filth. The KKK goes away. Blacks thrive in every field, without any stupid affirmative action or political correctness, just by their own enterprise, and accumulate well earned wealth and power. The self evident lesson? Hang a lot of lawyer scum, blacks will thrive.

The election of 1876 is far more unsettled and disputed than Gore v Bush. A deal is struck. Republicans get the Presidency, and the Army of Occupation is removed from the South. The lawyer founded and run KKK comes roaring back. Same deal. Kill thousands of black in public lynchings, and nothing happens to the lawyers because their pals, the prosecutors have granted them immunity to do so. Blacks lose all their hard earned gains.

The Supreme Court allows Jim Crow laws. Had they allowed the market to be free, discrimination would be punished by ruination. If I do not want a third of the population in my restaurant, and my competitor across the street does allow them, I go out of business for discrimination. But lawyer passed laws had it so no white restaurant could accept black customers.

Cut to World War II. The lawyers elites have been soldiers against racist Nazi government. They saw that black soldiers did their part, return home, and get treated as the Nazi would have. These geniuses figure, this is not right. Meanwhile, reverend King studies the methods of lawyer super dumbass Mahatma Gandhi, admirer and good pal to Adolf Hitler. That asshole did not cause the deaths of 850,000 as our asshole, Lincoln, did. By getting rid of the British, he set off the ethnic cleansing and the killing of tens of millions of Hindu and Muslim Indians. Their lawyer assholes make ours look like geniuses.

So, MLK tactics pressure the lawyer dumbass to pick up the pace. The oppressive Civil Rights Act gets passed, in total violation of the Free Association Clause of the First Amendment, the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment, and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. But political correctness, which is always lawyer job generating case, prevails. These violations are ignored.

MLK is assassinated by whom? James Earl Ray, the spawn of an ultra-violent career criminal, is himself a career, violent, super-predator. He should have been executed shortly after his fourteenth birthday. Instead he is protected, privileged, and empowered by the rent seeking, pro-criminal lawyer dumbass, despite committing thousands of violent crimes. This subhuman is allowed and enabled to kill a great leader, a non-lawyer, by the lawyer dumbass.

You disgusting lawyer traitors are not through with black people. Your vile feminists lawyer set about the destroy the black family, so big government may replace it. It took the lawyer founded and led KKK 100 years to lynch 5000 innocent black males. That is now the excess number of murders of black males every single year. The vile feminist lawyer and its male running dogs is 100 times more deadly to black males than the KKK. Now the vile feminist lawyer and its male running dogs are coming after the white family. All the social pathologies of the black population will now visit the white population because there are no genetic difference in behavior between the races.

Meanwhile, I live in a lawyer neighborhood only 5 miles from an extremely dangerous black ghetto. No crime. Welcome to Switzerland and Japan. The death penalty is at the scene for anyone not getting the memo. The lawyer is looking out for itself, and only for itself.

The lawyer profession has been, and continues to be the greatest enemy of the people of MLK.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jan 19, 2016 12:20:27 AM

federalist: it seems you are much more eager to launch criticisms than to try to provide any explanation for your (still confusing) expression of your gut feelings concerns whose freedoms should and should not be a basis for concern.

This main post is about human freedom, and you criticized my concern for the "freedoms of criminals." I then noted that governments eager to diminish human freedom often brand the disfavored "criminals" to deny them (and others) freedom. You retreat in response, intimating that some branded as "criminals" have freedoms that merit concern (like MLK, I suppose), and that you are only assailing having concern for freedoms of "the criminal class" who "wrong society." But I do not understand how that is a meaningful distinction. Bootleggers in the 1920s, like today's weed dealers or unlicensed gun sellers, are all considered to have "wronged society" by failing to follow duly enacted federal criminal laws.

When I seek further explanation as to which criminals' freedoms you think I should or should care about, you add that you mean only those involved in "serious crimes ... [not] unenforced laws" as if this distinction somehow clarifies matters rather than just showing you are making this up as you go along to account for your gut feelings. We are left to wonder if, for example, shoplifting, DUI, domestic assault, buying/selling a gun without a license, small-time marijuana (or crack) dealing, or major lying (e.g., Martha Stewart/Scooter Libby/Bill Clinton) qualify as "serious crimes" or if instead the millions of Americans arrested and prosecuted for these types of crimes are able to avoid your "criminal class" label? I suppose we can ask for your gut feeling in each case, but I generally prefer the rule of law to the rule of federlist in important settings.

Let me keep it simple, in the hope I might still get some clearer understanding of your views: can you explain just how and why you see a small-time cocaine dealer today as so obviously different than, say, a small-time weed dealer (today or in the 1950s when a first-offense for marijuana possession carried a minimum sentence of 2-10 years) or a small-time bootlegger in the 1920s. I surmise you think it is obvious I should forever care much less about freedom of the small-time cocaine dealer today than about the freedom of the others, but some more explanation of how and why you see these figures as so obviously different will perhaps help me see what I am struggling to understand in your criticisms of my concern for the "freedoms of criminals."

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 19, 2016 12:45:51 AM

Daniel: I will not question your view of postmodern liberalism, or of Richard Rorty's account of it or your reading of Justice Kennedy's opinion in Obergerfell. But I readily will question whether what Kennedy and Rorty have to say defines America is any more accurate or certain than what the Justice Holmes said in Buck v Bell to echo eugenic philosophers of a century ago.

I say this not to deny, Daniel, your claim "that you have every right to be pessimistic about whether a country that says the fact that it has no identity is its greatest identity can hold the line against human irrationality." But I say it to highlight that few paths in American (or human) history seem to me to be certain or even reasonably predictable.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 19, 2016 12:59:00 AM

Prof. Berman. Let's keep it simple. Find a small time drug dealer. Try to sell the same product in his territory. Report back.

That is the impetus for the Mandatory Guidelines, the massive increase in the murder rate caused by the crack epidemic and its profitability. See the movie, American Gangster, if you do not want to do the experiment. Based on a true story.

The funniest, most shocking part of that movie, no one has mentioned or even noticed. The ending. You have an incorruptible police officer. He turns in a suitcase from the trunk of a car containing $2 million in cash. He cannot be reached. He is therefore picked to head the task force, and takes down an entire division of NYPD, as well an entire black mafia. Rare individual.

He attends law school at night, passes the New Jersey bar. Frank Lucas is sentenced to multiple life terms, and his murderous rampages have not been indicted yet. So this incorruptible police officer becomes a lawyer. We see him, at the end, getting Frank Lucas out of prison in his appellate practice, and their walking around together, now friends, likely because offered him $million to get him out. I threw food at the screen seeing that for the first time.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jan 19, 2016 1:43:06 AM

Doug, you're playing silly definitional games while equating crack dealers with the Underground Railroad. I foolishly entered the thicket of your position that criminals' freedom (which you seem to take to mean freedom from incarceration) is somehow on an equal footing with the interests of society. The whole thing is ridiculous--let's take murderers--any freedom from incarceration would be a matter of grace (from a normative standpoint)--obviously, other crimes have a different calculus.

And no, I didn't retreat--that's so silly--that I want to talk about serious crime, not consensual sodomy isn't a retreat, it's a focus on what's really important---you want to play these deconstructionist games to try to tease out what--that I don't know, and cannot fully know, the proper balance to be struck with respect to any criminal transgression? And for what--to somehow defend the ridiculous idea that (a) criminals can actually persecuted so therefore we, as a society, have to release serious felons early to prove up our commitment to not persecuting criminals and (b) that the interest of the law-abiding in freedom from incarceration is somehow equal to the interest of criminals? The caveat to (b), of course, is that where society goes way too far (a judgment call) then the interest in freedom of the criminal approaches that of the law-abiding. Getting into crazy deconstructionist nonsense to justify your opinion doesn't get it done. You want to criticize me as coming from the gut (of course, you didn't want to debate the actual law governing what Gleeson did)--but even if that's true--you posit that the incarcerated's freedom to walk around in society is a strong as the law-abiding. That cannot be right.

Posted by: federalist | Jan 19, 2016 9:15:19 AM

federalist, I am not playing "silly definitional games" at all, I am just contining to try to better understand your initial criticism that I ought not be so concerned about the "freedoms of criminals." I explained that my concern for the "freedoms of criminals" is rooted in the long history of governments using the label "criminal" to justify all sorts of widespread denials of freedom, and so I hoped to hear who exactly are the "criminals" whose freedoms you do not think I should care so much about.

You used the term "criminals" (and then "criminal class") as if it should be obvious who you are talking about, and all I keep trying to understand is just who you are talking about. I genuinely want to know, are you talking about marijuana dealers in Denver? All (most, some, a few) drunk drivers? Scooter Libby and Martha Stewart? I think all humans' freedoms are important, but you seem to say I am wrong for caring about (a few, some, all?) of these "criminals."

So, I keep asking if you mean all criminals, and eventually after trying to dodge this basic question, you suggested no, only "serious criminals." I then asked who are "serious criminals" and you make no effort to help me understand what you mean, but your prior references to crack dealers and now to murderers continue to leave me to worry, yet again, that you cannot provide any kind of clear and defensible account of the scope and meaning of your initial criticisms and thus will continue to avoid answering what should be simple questions about the meaning of the very terms you used to attack my concern for human freedom. Sigh, I guess I should give up trying to actually understand what you mean and just treat you more like SC whose feverish attacks I have learned to just ignore.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 19, 2016 10:00:34 AM

"Yes, but it seems you are into the freedoms of criminals more than the freedom of law-abiding society to be free from the depredations of criminals."

That's what I wrote--you transmogrified it into me taking you to task about not being so concerned about the "freedoms of criminals." Obviously, you cannot mean constitutional protections--since you and I are on the same page there--I never advocate for blowing off these protections. So what you are referring to is them getting out, and my criticism, which is correct, is that you seem to care far less about society which has to bear the predations of released criminals. I foolishly allowed myself to get into the your miasma of talking in terms of freedoms (which is obviously ambiguous when it comes to incarcerated criminals) and serious criminals. And so we get into the reduction ad absurdum which allows you to obfuscate your way out of ridiculous comments.

I don't know (don't really care) about the precise boundaries of serious criminals and not-so serious ones, as I am generally willing to defer to society's views on these things. What I do care about--three entirely preventable deaths. All you can muster is something along the lines of "well, to make omelets . . . ." But seriously, you advocate constant efforts to reduce sentences and pay little attention to the human wreckage that accompanies it, nor do you seem to care about the fact that criminals had a choice about what they did, whereas innocent members of society don't. You can dress up all your criminal friendly ideas as a commitment to freedom and try to make the case that crack dealers aren't really all that bad since they are akin to the Underground Railroad (truly offensive, by the by). But the bottom line is that people get hurt by policies you embrace, and that's certainly more of a freedom issue than whether we let out a crack dealer or some 16 year old animal who slaughtered a family.

Posted by: federalist | Jan 19, 2016 11:25:50 AM

federalist, if you are now asserting we are "on the same page" for constitutional protections of prisoners, I then struggle to understand why you attack my expressed views in cases like Montgomery and Plata. These cases are about whether and how the constitutional protections of prisoners should be given meaning through retroactive application of a new Eighth Amendment rule (Montgomery) and a congressionally authorized prisoner release order (Plata). Indeed, these cases are so challenging because we have to figure out how to balance the freedom interests of prisoners convicted of some VERY serious crimes with other interests, including public safety. I suppose I am pleased to hear you do not disagree with my take on prisoners' freedom interests in constitutional analysis, and I apologize that your prior attacks of my SCOTUS discussions led me to think that was what your attack at the start of this thread was partially about.

Turning to your latest articulation, you now say that you are assailing me because I "seem to care far less about society which has to bear the predations of released criminals." First, I wonder where exactly you see this in my expressions of concerns about human freedoms, and I still need to know which "released criminals" you think I am not concerned about with respect to their potential harm to society. I thought you had come to see that I worry a whole lot about the "predations" of released drunk drivers, who kill many more Americans than do released crack dealers.

And when you try to duck again explainnig key terms by saying you are "generally willing to defer to society's views," we get back to my first response that repressive regimes have a history of encouraging a society to view disfavored citizens and not-so-serious criminals as serious criminals (e.g., gays, socialists, bootleggers, weed dealers). (Also a big problem, in my view, is the tendency of some regimes also to encourage society to view what seem to be quite serious offenses (DUI, domestic assault) as not-so-serious.

I agree that many sentencing decisions can result in "human wreckage" and "entirely preventable deaths," but that is precisely why I often harp on drunk driving when the concern is public safety. Statistics continue to show me that better sentencing decisions in the drunk driving arena could result in much less "human wreckage" and "entirely preventable deaths," but I almost never see the usual tough on crime crowd talking about these cases.

Now you (and Bill these days) are understandably focused on the tragedy resulting from one drug offender's release. And because that tragedy is now very salient, I understand why. But, by the same measure, you seem to continue to want to ignore or disregard the people who get harmed --- and the potential harm to broader commitments to the value of freedom --- by the policies you embrace (which, again, I cannot even fully understand because you keep dodging my request that you explain how to distinguish a small-time cocaine dealer today from a small-time weed dealer or a small-time bootlegger).

I keep pressing a critical definitional point about WHICH criminals' freedoms you think I should care less about, because the more you say, the more it seems you agree with me with respect some part my human freedom concerns.

Indeed, I surmise by your telling use of the phrase "16 year old animal" that what is really in play here is your belief, federalist, that some people who commit certain crimes should not be treated or considered humans but instead should be treated and considered sub-human animals. The suggestion some humans are to be treated as "less than human" reminds me of the way repressive regimes have historically justified being repressive in certain arena. It also returns me to wanting to know who other than murderers do you think should be considered and treated as "animals" --- are repeat drunk drivers "animals" in your view? crack dealers? weed dealers?

I was previously inclined to give up on this thread; but your latest assertion that for prisoners' "constitutional protections [we] are on the same page" has me thinking our views, as we further explain them, may be more similar than even we realize.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 19, 2016 12:26:40 PM

@Doug B.

All fair points. I wasn't trying to dissuade you from your optimism, only to explain why I don't share it.

Posted by: Daniel | Jan 19, 2016 2:44:45 PM

Um, Doug, you and I disagree on what the Constitution requires, not that the constitution needs to be followed. As for Montgomery, um, don't see how that needs to be retroactive, even if one agrees with the underlying "constitutional" law.

All I am talking about is this idea of criminals getting out. All the other stuff is besides the point. I agree that drunk driving laws should be strengthened and that we should be looking at ways to ratchet up punishments. I don't know what else you want me to say---I've taken this position before.

My criticism of you has been very simple--you espouse this idea that releasing criminals proves up our commitment to freedom--I point out that you don't seem to care as much about the safety of society. You then try to drag me into some miasma of what constitutes a serious crime. Um, no. Not going there.

Second, you criticize me for calling some guy who slaughtered his friend's family an animal. Actually, he's worse, and in my view, death is really the only appropriate punishment. So forgive me if I don't think (a) a settled judgment should be ripped open for this guy and (b) you're morally obtuse for proposing some rule not required by the constitution to make the victim's family go through the hell of trying to keep this guy in prison. Sorry Doug, his interest in the naked power of 5 criminal coddlers on the Supreme Court shouldn't override the families' interest in repose. And yes, Doug, I remember the BS you espoused about re-sentencing being in the victims' general interests.

Posted by: federalist | Jan 19, 2016 6:22:41 PM

federalist, I think seeking to limiting deprivations of freedom "proves up our commitment to freedom." And I care plenty about the "safety of society," I just do not think historically high and costly incarceration and extreme criminal enforcement of drug prohibitions contributes effectively in the long term to the safety of society. Indeed, I genuninely believe we could have more freedom and more safety if we improve our sentencing systems. That is both my hope and my goal.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 19, 2016 10:16:55 PM

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 "How to make an innocent client plead guilty" | Main | Is "tough-on-crime" no longer a winning political strategy? 

January 15, 2018

Some new quotes at the end of the latest MLK day

I was stuck in a car for most of this day for celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, and thus I am only now getting a chance late in the day to honor this great man. Many years, I make sure to spend time listening to the full "I Have A Dream" speech Dr. King delivered in the "symbolic shadow" of Abraham Lincoln in August 1963. I have previously flagged some quotes from that speech, but this year I figured I would look to another MLK source for inspiration. Specifically, as I gear up to go back to teaching, I thought interesting a few lines from this MLK college essay titled "The Purpose of Education." A mere eighteen years old, MLK shows himself to already be wise beyond his years (and enduringly timely):

Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking. To think incisively and to think for one's self is very difficult. We are prone to let our mental life become invaded by legions of half truths, prejudices, and propaganda. At this point, I often wonder whether or not education is fulfilling its purpose. A great majority of the so-called educated people do not think logically and scientifically. Even the press, the classroom, the platform, and the pulpit in many instances do not give us objective and unbiased truths. To save man from the morass of propaganda, in my opinion, is one of the chief aims of education. Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction. The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.... We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.

Links to some prior MLK Day posts:

January 15, 2018 at 09:18 PM | Permalink

Comments



Posted by: Docile the Wimpy Terrorist In OR | Jan 15, 2018 9:21:19 PM

Pointless, horrifying problems, 100% the fault of the lawyer profession.

Lawyers started the American Revolution. They did so as taxes rose to 2% of GDP. These were needed to fund the military protecting them from vicious, Stone Age savages that took no prisoners except for blonde little girls to be used as sex slaves. This lawyer revolution prevented the end of slavery in 1833, by British law, enforced by sheriffs.

Roger Taney, a lawyer, ended the Missouri Compromise, and violated a ratified treaty with Canada. He also violated Article I Section 1 by his first historic application of judicial review from Marbury v Madison, inventing substantive due process, from nowhere. That traitor set off the Civil War.

Then lawyer Lincoln was given many alternatives to prevent war. Mr. "Please, Do Not Sue Your Neighbor" chose a war that killed 850,000 people.

Lawyers and judges founded the KKK. The military, non-lawyers, hanged them by the dozens. Immediately, black people thrived with no affirmative action.

Lawyers did a deal. Give the Presidency to the Republicans, remove the military from the South. The KKK returns. It kills 5000 lynching victims with hundreds of witnesses, and is immunized by the discretion of the local prosecutors.

Discrimination can be destroyed by the marketplace. Exclude a third of the population, you will go out of business. So, lawyers enact big, really big government laws excluding black people from all white businesses, to cancel the effect of the market.

So blacks under the thumb of big government lawyers still do pretty well. Their social pathologies are a little worse than those of white people.

So, the lawyers pass a Civil Rights Act. It violates the free association privilege inherent in the Freedom of Assembly Clause. Instead of repealing stupid Jim Crow laws, it rams people into other people who do not want to hang out with them, causing massive conflict, and hideous effects on their rates of social pathologies. The black family is destroyed. Bastardy rates soar. The social consequences include massive increases in criminality, and an excess of 5000 murders a year. What the KKK achieved in 100 years, the modern lawyer achieves in one year.

In the face of this history, 95% of black voters support the Democratic Party, the party of the lawyer and of the KKK. MLK was, of course, a registered Republican. He formed a patriarchal family, with a beautiful, feminine woman. He raised fine children. He supported black enterprise, and joining the capitalist system. He did not support big government interference and socialism as the myths now claim.

If this history were not so deadly, so tragic, it would be a ridiculous, unbelievable episode of the Twilight Zone, with ridiculous lawyer irony upon lawyer irony.

Posted by: David Behar | Jan 15, 2018 10:44:01 PM

Behar, how did you escape again from the asylum?

Posted by: Emily | Jan 16, 2018 1:28:02 AM

Mr. Behar, congratulations! You win the incoherent drivel award for 1918. I regret, however, that because you are still in a straighjacket, you are ineligible for the lunatic screed award. Better luck next year.

Posted by: anon1 | Jan 16, 2018 1:33:32 AM

Hi, Emily. Did you know any of those facts?

Posted by: David Behar | Jan 16, 2018 4:11:21 AM

Anon1. Are you a licensed lawyer?

Posted by: David Behar | Jan 16, 2018 4:12:22 AM

Emily. Do you know why these facts are news to you? You attended law school. It made you among the stupidest person in the country. Law school erased your memory of high school American history. You are now stupider than a Life Skills student, learning to eat with a spoon. There are people stupider than you are, Harvard Law School radicalized lawyers. Among them, the stupidest sit on the Supreme Court. Put that Life Skills student on the Supreme Court, you would get an immediate upgrade in the intelligence of the decisions, not to mention much more clarity of the writing of the opinions.

If you are dirty feminist, you are as vile as a member of the KKK. Both movements were lawyer scams, pc, and totally accepted by the lawyer profession in their day.

Stupid and vile is no way to go through life.

Posted by: David Behar | Jan 17, 2018 7:50:32 AM

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 Latest issue of Ddalus explores "Reimagining Justice: The Challenges of Violence & Punitive Excess" | Main | Helpful FAMM "Explainer" talks through DOJ rule for implementing earned time credits under FIRST STEP Act 

January 17, 2022

How about passing the EQUAL Act so we can be "free at last" from the crack/powder sentencing disparity?

On MLK day, I have a tradition of making time to listen to the full "I Have A Dream" speech by Dr. King, which always delivers and always has its own unique power each and every listen. In recent years, I have also used this day to explore Stanford University's awesome collection of MLK Papers; in posts linked below, I have quoted from various renown speeches and writings with an emphasis on the intersection of the civil rights movement and criminal justice reform. But this recent news item from Wyoming has me today focused on a specific policy ask for advancing freedom and racial justice:

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., became the seventh Republican co-sponsor of the EQUAL Act on Friday, which would fully and finally eliminate the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. The two substances are virtually identical and equally dangerous, and yet crack carries a penalty that is 18 times that of powder cocaine, according to a news release. The bill passed in the House of Representatives by a margin of 361-66, including 143 Republicans. Lummis joined Republican Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, as co-sponsors. Advocates from across the political spectrum said the addition of Lummis is a clear indication that the EQUAL Act has the momentum needed to pass the Senate.... The EQUAL Act has support from groups across the political spectrum, including the Major Cities Chiefs Association, National District Attorneys Association, Americans for Tax Reform, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Prison Fellowship, Due Process Institute, Americans for Prosperity, FAMM, Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition, Faith and Freedom Coalition, ALEC Action, R Street Institute, FreedomWorks and Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

With seven notable and diverse GOP senators serving now serving as co-sponsors for the EQUAL Act, I have to believe this bill could easily overcome any filibuster efforts and secure passage on the floor of the Senate (likely by the 5 to 1 margin that it secured passage in the House). So why is this not getting done ASAP? To its credit, the Biden Administration has testified in support of the EQUAL Act in the US Senate, but I have not heard Prez Biden himself (or VP Harris) lean into this issue at all. (Notably, if they want to focus on voting rights as a focal point for civil rights advocacy, they might also really advance the MLK legacy by taking on felony disenfranchisement. Moreover, they should try to get bipartisan bills like the EQUAL Act passed into law so that people who care about criminal justice reform can better understand why they should bother to vote at all.)

In part because US Sentencing Commission data reveal that "only" 1,217 persons were sentenced on crack trafficking offenses in FY 2020, which accounts for "only" 7.5% of all offenders sentenced for drug trafficking offenses, the import and impact of the EQUAL Act would not be as huge now as it might have been in years past. (In FY 2009, just before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 reduced the crack/powder disparity from 100-1 to 18-1, there were over 5,000 persons sentenced on crack offenses; indeed, more than 5,000 persons were sentenced each year on federal crack offenses through most of the 2000s.) Still, the USSC 2020 data show that over 93% of those sentenced for federal crack offenses are persons of color (with 77% black), so that there is still a profound inequitable impact from our federal sentencing scheme that still unfairly treats crack offenses as much more serious than functionally comparable powder offenses.

Links to some prior MLK Day posts:

A few related posts on the EQUAL Act:

January 17, 2022 at 02:59 PM | Permalink

Comments

A judge here in the Northern District of Texas agreed to give a defendant a three level reduction based on the DOJ position in supporting this equalization. He did stress that he was ONLY granting the reduction because it was part of the AUSA deal with the defendants attorney; but knew of another sitting judge who already sentences defendants based on the equalization.

This is just another reminder of how sentencing disparities continue to exist (depending on the judge).

Its worth noting that this particular AUSA wanted it on record that the defendant has already received the benefit of the Equal Act, and therefore should not be allowed to receive any further reductions should the bill pass and be made retroactive- because she NEVER wants the defendant below a level 22!



Posted by: Shanta | Jan 19, 2022 3:22:22 PM

Shanta --

"Its worth noting that this particular AUSA wanted it on record that the defendant has already received the benefit of the Equal Act, and therefore should not be allowed to receive any further reductions should the bill pass and be made retroactive..."

Isn't that just saying that if the defendant gets Benefit X up front, he shouldn't get the windfall of reaping the same benefit a second time at the backend? That's not punitive; it's just ordinary common sense.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 19, 2022 6:03:08 PM

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Crypto.com Capital announced Monday that it is expanding its $200 million Web 3 fund, and it has appointed Jon Russell, a former technology journalist based in Bangkok where he wrote for Tech Crunch and The Ken, as an Asia-based general partner.

Crypto.com Capital initially launched the fund in March 2021 with $200 million in capital, targeting seed and Series A deals in verticals like DeFi, NFTs, blockchain gaming and the metaverse.

The fund is currently run by Crypto.com co-founder Bobby Bao and is hiring more GPs around the world. Russell will help expand the funds exposure to Asia-based projects.

Russell told CoinDesk that the fund is set to more than double its size and an announcement is expected in the coming days.

Crypto.com Capitals prior investments include Frax Finance and liquidity provider Woo Network.

Asia is quickly developing an immense institutional appetite for digital assets.

Singapores DBS Bank, one of the regions largest, operates a crypto trading desk. Thailands Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) recently acquired a majority stake in Thai cryptocurrency exchange Bitkub.

SCB 10xs Chief Venture and Innovation Officer Mukaya Tai said that she envisions a world where DeFi protocols have disintermediated banks.

Despite the bear market, VCs still are willing to allocate capital to the ecosystem. This comes on the heels of FTX establishing a $2 billion venture fund to invest in crypto startups and Sino Global Capital opening to outside investors via a $200 million fund.

CORRECTION (Jan. 17, 06:20 UTC): Crypto.com reached out to clarify that they will be giving Russell the title General Partner, not LP. An announcement earlier Monday said he had been named LP.
The rabbi of a Texas synagogue said Monday that he threw a chair at the gunman and then escaped with two other hostages after a 10-hour standoff, crediting past security training for getting himself and his congregation out safely.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker told CBS Mornings that he let the gunman in Saturday because he appeared to need shelter. He said the man was not threatening or suspicious at first. Later, he heard a gun click as he was praying.

Another man held hostage, Jeffrey R. Cohen, described the ordeal on Facebook.

First of all, we escaped. We werent released or freed, Cohen said.

Cohen said the men worked to keep the gunman engaged. They talked to the gunman, he lectured them. At one point as the situation devolved, Cohen said the gunman told them to get on their knees. Cohen recalled rearing up in his chair and slowly moving his head and mouthing no. As the gunman moved to sit back down, Cohen said Cytron-Walker yelled to run.

The exit wasnt too far away, Cytron-Walker said. I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door. And all three of us were able to get out with even a shot being fired.

Authorities identified the hostage-taker as 44-year-old British national, Malik Faisal Akram, who was killed Saturday night after the last hostages ran out of Congregation Beth Israel around 9 p.m.

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Starting a therapy session by asking my therapist if theyve seen the Sex And The City reboot, And Just Like That, is not a moment Im proud of, yet here we are. My therapist laughed and said no; they had tried to watch the first few minutes, they said, but it was so bad that they couldnt keep going. They asked me why I brought it up. I had to discuss it with them, I said, because no matter how much I agreed that the show is otherwise not worth the screentime, I couldnt stop thinking about it. In And Just Like That, I somehow found the thing that makes me most anxious about coming out to my family as non-binary reflected right back at me: the chance that Ill be de-centered from my own experience. If And Just Like That is any proof, its just as plausible that my coming-out moment could become not about me but other peoples reactions to the powerful declaration of the identity Im trying to share with them. And of all the shows out there, its this heteronormative dramedy that nails that particular fearto its detriment.

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While Im still not out to my family or many other people, the opposite is true for Charlottes 12-year-old child, Rock, who features in a storyline about their budding gender identityand their parents contention of it. Rock is a rare character in whose life I see my own, or at least a hypothetical coming-out future for myself that I can relate to. Theyre a bubbly kid who (like me) aligns with pretty much the only representation nonbinary people get to see on TV: white, assigned female at birth, someone who wouldve just been called a tomboy a generation ago. They hate wearing dresses and love skateboarding, and thats about all we get to know about them. But And Just Like That doesnt really focus on Rocks journey, or that of people like thempeople like me. Instead, the people the show aims to represent are the well-meaning but uninformed 50-something, straight, cisgender white women, and how they react to and talk about us behind closed doors. This isnt a show sculpted for me and my generation, in tune with our sensibilities and hoping to help us navigate the mystery that is gender; its for my moms exact demographic of people who still struggle to see past their deeply-ingrained binary understanding of it.

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And Just Like That spends much of its first several episodes assuring us viewers that yes, the writers are keeping up with the times, thank you very much. Look: Carries boss is nonbinary! Look: Miranda hooks up with them! And look: Charlottes kid doesnt want to wear a dress! If these moments werent enough for the writers to toot their own horns about, extending their hands out to the woke viewers its hoping to attract, they build an entire subplot around this progressive awakening: Charlottes child Rose now identifies as Rock, coming out out to their parents (not as nonbinary, just as using a new name) via rapping about it on TikTok. Yep, really: TikTok. Rock doesnt make a big to-do over coming out, but the name change, and its implied shrugging-off of gender, sends the uptight and prudish Charlotte into a tizzy.

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To the shows credit, Rocks blase coming-out moment to their parents might be realistic for todays younger generation to some degree. Research shows that kids and teens are increasingly comfortable with asserting their diverse sexualities and gender identities. But I couldnt see an ounce of myself onscreen. There was nothing to see anywaythe writers didnt bother to portray a single thought or feeling that Rock has about unveiling their new name to not just their parents, but the world. Names and identities are inherently intertwined, which is why it can be so healing for some trans people to rename themselves. Choosing a new name is a reclamation of ones identity, a way of literally reintroducing yourself. But Rocks social media-enabled anointment is treated as blink-and-youll-miss-it, a quick gag and nothing more. I cant relate to this rare coming out moment, because there isnt one.

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Instead, it was watching Charlotte and, later, her husband sputter that rang more true than anything else.The first time Charlotte discusses Rocks gender at all is with her friend Anthony, the stereotypical mean gay guy, a trope thats somehow alive and kicking in 2022. At this point, Rock hasnt changed their name or said anything to Charlotte about their identity besides saying that they sometimes dont feel like a girl, but this small amount of information is enough for Charlotte to pull Anthony aside and ask him: Is this something? Do we have to confront this? Anthony gets annoyed and waves it off, downplaying Rocks desires as temporary. In Anthonys dismissive exchange with Charlotte I see one of the many ways I fear a conversation about my coming out would go the second Im out of earshot. The combination of confusion and minimization is a unique one, and uniquely painful at that, making methe stand-in for the child in questionfeel both misunderstood and minimized.

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Charlotte is really trying to understand that her child no longer aligns with their mothers image of them, and I can sympathize to a degree: Gender is a confusing, infinitely personal subject. But Charlotte is not discussing acceptance here; shes asking how to acknowledge Rocks feelings at all. The best possible outcome for mother and child in this situation, for Rocks gender identity to be recognized by their family, is a low bar; recognizing their gender is a single step above ignoring it. But what makes it worse is that when Charlotte asks Anthony if she should ignore it, he says yes, makes a predictable joke about being a fairy, and  thats it. The scene ends. The idea of Rock even questioning their gender is met with Anthonys comical comparison to a kid wanting to be Tinkerbell or a dogthat is, either something fictional or inhuman.

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Later, once Rock announces their name change, Charlotte and Harry go down to Rocks school to essentially complain to the administration about their childs new name. Were treated to a scene, again played for comedy, in which the parents wonder if a child so young can even know themselves well enough to do this or if its just a ploy for attention. The teachers gently correct Charlotte and Harry and tell them that Rocks feelings are seriousthe first reasonable adults we see portrayed in this situation. But the second that Charlotte and Harry leave the classroom and walk alone down the hall, Harry goes back to questioning Rocks intentions. Hearing people who arent you talk about your kid to you is the most humbling experience Ive ever had as a father, he tells Charlotte. Unintentionally, hes acknowledging that this is yet another conversation about Rock between people who arent Rock, when they should be communicating with their actual child and doing the work to better understand them. Harry doesnt come off as if hes humbled by how much he has yet to learn about gender from his childinstead, he uses it as if to mean defeated or overwhelmed. During his conversation with the teachers, Harry seems unsure of the mere idea that some kids are trans; his starting point for coming to terms with Rocks gender is even lower than Charlottes. What Harry is working on instead is the idea that there is, in fact, a gender spectrum. Through this, the show establishes that Charlotte and her take on gender will make her the good guy, a position that hardly feels earned.

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Rocks gender identity isnt the plot nearly as much as Charlottes handling of it, which is understandable to a degree, since shes one of the shows three main characters. In so doing, the show centers on how well-meaning, cishet, self-proclaimed allies react to those of us who are nonbinary or nonconforming, mostly without success. I know that Charlotte loves her child, but the difference between love and understanding is the ability to view Rocks identityor mineas a truth about who they are, rather than something trivial, attention-seeking, or maybe even, the dreaded words, a phase. What the show is doing here is not outwardly transphobic in this way. Instead, its awkward, surface-level, and protective of a generation that didnt grow up encouraged to explore their identities. How does someone like Charlottes heteronormative, perfection-seeking form of motherhood intersect with gender? How can it?

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But for as much as this grates on me, Charlotte and Harrys rendering of their child as a road bump in their own lives after Rock comes out does strike me as uncomfortably realistic. It mirrors my biggest fear in coming out: To my parents, maybe I wont be me. Maybe Ill just be something to process instead of someone to see. Maybe Ill be a plot point. Ive watched that plot point of my own anxieties play out episode after episode, to the point that And Just Like That has almost served as exposure therapy. Ive seen the closed-door conversations that I fear, and if I can stomach those, I think I can handle my moms reaction. I think. I hope.

And just like that  Im out. I know you love me, mom. I love you too. Just please dont talk about me at brunch.
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A little over two years ago, I dreamed that all hell had broken loose in New York. I was walking through the increasingly chaotic streets of Midtown, dragging an old grandfather clock with a built-in turntable, hoping to play Richard Strauss Metamorphosen at just the right cinematic moment, the climax of the terror, when a swarm of armed men in unmarked uniformsled, for whatever dream-logic reason, by Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrovburst out of the Times Square subway station and started beating people at random. I was looking for my wife, to warn her, when the goons found me. They knew who I was, what I had written, what I had said. I didnt make it to her.

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Rousing in a sweat, it didnt take me long to untangle the meaning behind this dream. A few weeks earlier, I had finished editing my book, a history of secession in the United States and an argument for considering some form of disunion as a possible solution to Americas troubles. In it, I hoped to offer an entirely new account of the history of this nation through the ever-present possibility of its demise: the difficulty of forming a union in the first place; the ceaseless threats to its integrity once it existed; the devastating war that broke it apart; the rancid compromises that only superficially knit it back together; the return, in recent years, of a long-forgotten sense of its fundamental fragility and, possibly, its impermanence.

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Through four or five years of laboring on the project, I had wrestled daily with the note on which to conclude: a rousing call for renewal, rediscovery of the merits of unity? Too trite, vapid, the same sort of feel-good appeal I knew had covered up so much injustice and inequality in the past. An unsentimental demand that it was time to pull the plug? Simplistic, careless; it was only on the worst days I really felt that way. In the end, I settled on what I hoped would prove a productive ambiguity: providing the reader with a fresh account of the countrys past might empower her to reexamine old assumptions and come to her own conclusions about its future. I couldnt pretend to have answers I did not have. It seemed enough to pose the right questions.

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Still, I could only interpret my dream as a sign of suppressed doubt about what it was I thought I was doing. A reckoning is coming, I offered in the books introduction. (Mea culpa: The word had not yet become nauseatingly ubiquitous.) I never intended my book as a call to civil war, nor was I necessarily reckoning-averse. But after I sent off the manuscript, the questions begin plaguing me: Even if the status quo was indefensible and unjust, might whatever came next be worse? Sure, the nations political order had become terminally dysfunctional, but how would its dissolution affect me and my family? Neither Trumps eviction from the White House nor Democratic majorities in Congress would fix what was really wrong with the republic. But wasnt posing the choice between national reinvention and national rupture perhaps a little glib, even reckless? I had long told friends I hoped my book would be dangerous. Five years later, married with one kid and another on the way, stunned along with everyone else by the paroxysms of the Trump era, that no longer seemed such a worthy aspiration.

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A few days after my dream, the first cases of a mysterious pneumonia were reported in central China. By May, an armed militia had invaded the Michigan statehousesome were later charged with plotting to kidnap the governor. That summer, federal agents in unmarked uniforms terrorized Black Lives Matter protesters in D.C. And one year ago, Americas own little green men conga-lined up the steps of the Capitol building, zip ties in tow, searching for politicians to hang. I had thought that seeing my predictions come true would be satisfying. Instead it has been disorientingand terrifying.

It feels unseemly to begin a review of somebody elses book with a bare-all account of my tortured feelings about my own. But the difficulty I have found trying to dispassionately address the imminent possibility of national fracture informs and heightens my admiration for Stephen Marches attempt to do so in The Next Civil War: Dispatches From the American Future, an expanded version of an essay the Canadian journalist published in the Walrus in 2018. While novels such as Omar El Akkads American War and Christopher Browns Tropic of Kansas (both 2017), journalist Robert Evans podcast It Could Happen Here (2019present), and films like Bushwick (2017) have offered convincing and disturbing fictional treatments of what a new civil war would look like, Marches is the first nonfiction text to probe the question at length.

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It would take both more and less than Marche anticipates to propel the United States into violent conflict.

Dispensing entirely with the question of whether the U.S. will experience a civil war (the subject of political scientist Barbara Walters recent How Civil Wars Start) in order to focus on why, how, and where one could break out, Marche depicts five near-future scenarios in which the United States either collapses into a vicious armed conflict or breaks apart entirely: A standoff on an interstate bridge in the West draws far-right militias and a fierce federal crackdown. A divisive president is assassinated at a Jamba Juice by a web-radicalized gunman. A mammoth hurricane erases New York City from the map, while worsening drought shrinks the nations food supply, triggering a systemic collapse. A dirty-bomb attack on the Capitol explodes into a violent free-for-all. In his final scenario, the Union divides into four separate nations that would each, Marche contends, probably be saner, more normal, than the country left behind.

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Marche has made a real contribution by endeavoring to fill in the details for possible futures that remain, for most of us, the creatures of wee-hour anxieties and feverish imaginations. Yet the scenarios he offers are not always convincing. I dont know how the next civil war, should it come, will begin, but I highly doubt it will be precipitated by agents of the Federal Highway Administration. As the militia standoff escalates at the bridge, Marche relates, there are torchlit rallies and banners with swastikas and chants like You will not replace us and Blood and soil. Were supposed to believe that all through this, the rebels maintain the support not only of locals but also of a wide swath of the nation. (Remember, President Donald Trumps embrace of the far-right marchers in Charlottesville, Virginia, was widely rejected by the public and became an early and indelible stain on his presidency.) Why would a military response to the bridge standoff be necessary, given that the fictional encampment poses no immediate threat to life or limb? Would half the country really celebrate a presidential assassin as a heroic resister, or countenance the bombing of a Los Angeles synagogue? It would take both more and less than Marche anticipates to propel the United States into violent conflict. Oddly, he never contemplates the likeliest scenario, the one narrowly averted in 2020 and as likely as not to develop in 2024: a seriously disputed presidential election, with two pretenders to the throne.

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Marches final chapter, on the possibility of a new state secession movement triggering the breakup of the United States, most clearly demonstrates the limits of his imaginative approach. While secession may be the best-case scenario for the United States, he argues, it is virtually impossible for it to happen. Why? Not because of Appomattox, or because the late Antonin Scalia once wrote a letter (often cited as if it were a binding opinion) stating that secession was unconstitutional. Rather, Marche leans heavily on his big discovery that a successful independence movement requires recognition from the United Nations Security Council, where the United States possesses a veto. Q.E.D.? Maybe, except that elsewhere in the book he notes that if the United States crumbles, the peace and security of the global order falls. For a book so richly imagined in some respects, Marche seems to expect that the secession of one or another state, or the dissolution of the Union in one fell swoop, would occur in a tidy vacuum, an otherwise orderly world. Far more likely it would be the consequence, not the cause, of a massive and potentially violent constitutional crisisperhaps combined with other scenarios Marche explores, such as widespread environmental catastrophe and economic collapse. Should that be the case, why assume the already hapless U.N. remains intact?

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To be sure, even if some of Marches scenarios seem implausible, so would have the idea, three years ago, that if a deadly virus swept through the country, killing hundreds of thousands, a large percentage of the population would effectively side with the virus. The books hypotheticals arent much crazier than the prodigiously fucked-up timeline were already stuck inonly more developed, projected further into the future.

For all its complacency-busting bravado, the book partakes uncritically in an oddly familiar array of cliches and platitudes. Despairing Americans today might take inspiration from, yes, the pilgrims on Plymouth Rock and their shining city on a hill; likewise, the radical generosity of the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild countries the U.S. military had just destroyed during World War II, stands as proof that hope worked. (There was a little more to it than that.) Its hardly surprising that such blinkered lessons might be gleaned from a history with which the author often seems strikingly unfamiliar. Praising George Washingtons 1796 warning to American citizens about the danger of parties, Marche solemnly suggests we revive the Farewell Address, as if his readers have not heard countless Never Trump pundits and impeachment prosecutors quote Washingtons words incessantly for the past seven years. Instead of an account of the harsh partisan reality behind Washingtons rhetoricthe first presidents fear that the Union would soon dissolvewe get this bit of DSouza-level subtlety: Washington had built an extraordinary country and was in the act of handing it over peacefully. Marche does not seem to recognize that his rhetoric here partakes of the same sappy united-we-stand brand of bluster that he elsewhere identifies, rightly, as vapid.

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The recent mainstreaming of the possibility of another civil war sometimes recalls the scene in Dont Look Up when the astrophysicists played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence first appear on the set of the Morning Joelike news show and can barely get the hosts to pay attention to their apocalyptic warning, sandwiched as it is between more titillating segments on a social media influencers personal dramas. Only, in the case of the Second Civil War, the hosts do pay attention because the subject is titillating. What they desperately avoid discussing is the roots of Americas problems in its undemocratic institutions inherited from the founding, and the legitimacy crisis in every branch of government. Just as it is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism, our political culture seems more comfortable contemplating the prospect of a second civil war, the breakup of the Union, the fall of the republic, than the adoption of the handful of reforms necessary to prevent such catastrophes from happening.

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Perhaps to keep his book from being simply a soft-core fantasia of various potential cataclysms, Marche closes with a rather mushy paean to American hope. The nation must recover its revolutionary spirit, he contends, without seeming to notice that this is precisely what the rioters in D.C. last January also thought they were doing. To Marche, this would mean taking another look at Americas ghostly constitution, though 10 pages earlier he notes that the prospect of a new constitutional convention grows more remote every day. At this point, he writes, disunion is among the best-case scenarios for the United States. Yet he cant help but lament all that would thereby be losta glorious and transcendental vision of human beings: worth affirming in their differences, vital in their contradiction.

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For someone interested in the possibility of the United States experiencing a second civil war, Marche says remarkably little about the first. And that which he does say is unsatisfactory: On the eve of Americas first civil war, the most intelligent, the most informed, the most dedicated people in the country could not foresee its arrival. He quotes the historian Henry Adams, the grandson of John Quincy Adams, recalling that not one man in America wanted the civil war, or expected or intended it. But however useful Adams can often be as a witness to history, that statement is demonstrably wrong. His own grandfather famously predicted as early as 1831 that the contest between slavery and freedom can only be settled at the cannons mouth. Over the next three decades, novels like The Partisan Leader (1836) by Nathaniel Beverly Tucker; Wild Southern Scenes by John Beauchamp Jones; and Anticipations of the Future by Edmund Ruffin (both from 1860) vividly and gorily imagined what a civil war between North and South would look like. (Ruffin ended up going down in Southern lore as the man who fired the first shot at Fort Sumter, in 1861, presumably a role Marche has no interest in playing for the sequel.)

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These days, talk of a looming civil war seems to reflect a deep-seated regret that the first one took place at all. The solution to the next civil war will be the solution to the crises America already faces, Marche offers. If America cannot solve these problems now, why would it be able to solve them after widespread violence? I dont know. Last time, however, it was because the forces standing in the way of a lasting solution had been militarily defeated, their reincorporation into the body politic premised on their acceptance of systemic reforms that would have been unthinkable had they not rebelled. Marche twice mentions the failure of Reconstruction, never its epoch-shifting successes: the abolition of slavery, the rewriting of the Constitution to embed the precept of equality for the first time. The armed occupation of the former Confederacy may have faileddone in by the same kind of intermittent guerrilla violence we may be facing in the years aheadbut the Reconstruction amendments endured, at least partly. Though this fact is little acknowledged by todays proponents of a third reconstruction (the second, in this schema, was the civil rights movement of the 1960s), the first one was only possible because it had been preceded by a war.

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My dream of chaos in the streets of Manhattan continues to spook and confound me. I cannot subscribe to the accelerationist idea that violence can be purifying. Yet it seems odd that neither Marche nor other commentators on the possibility of a civil war acknowledge that even worse than widespread political violence would be uncontested descent into right-wing authoritarianism, unilateral surrender to Republican plans for permanent minority rule. The writer Malcolm Harris recently observed how strange it is that liberals can worry this much about a coming civil war without thinking once about how to win it. To frame the coming crisis as something we must do everything possible to avoid only benefits those forces that will present themselves as on the side of peace and order yet harbor profoundly radical plans for reshaping this country. We are not exempt from history: nothing good has ever been preserved, and nothing better created, without a critical mass of people willing to insist on it.

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In 1860, the remnants of the defunct Whig Party, torn apart five years earlier by divisions over slavery, regathered under the banner of the Constitutional Union Party. They adopted a simple, catchy slogan: The Union As It Is, the Constitution As It Is. Rejecting both secession and Lincolns anti-slavery platform, they wanted to go back to the old way of doing things, the tradition of time-buying trade-offs and periodic compromises to smooth over sectional strife. The partys presidential candidate won 12.6 percent of the national vote.

Today, The Union As It Is, the Constitution As It Is has become the effective rallying cry of political elites and much of the chatterati. It rings as hollow now as it did then. Stasis is no longer an option. Most striking, in reading about the 1861 secession crisis and the outbreak of war, is the palpable sense of hope and optimism among the Northern publicthe sense that the cracking up of the Union might in the end prove to have been necessary, for it to be put back together in some new and nobler form. Two weeks after Lincolns election, with the Souths departure from the Union already likely, the editors of a Republican paper in Indiana, fearful the new administration would compromise with the Southern insurrectionists, declared themselves heartily tired of having this threat stare us in the face evermore.  We never have been better prepared for such a crisis than now. We most ardently desire that it may come.  Our voice is for war! If it be bloody, fierce and devastating, be it so. The time had come to press the point.
When the hostage situation at a Texas synagogue ended Saturday night, it had sounded as if the hostages had been rescued by an FBI team. In reality, the hostages managed to escape unharmed, in great part due to the quick-thinking actions of a rabbi who was among the four Jewish congregants taken captive at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, which is around 25 miles west of Dallas. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker told CBS News on Monday that he threw a chair at the hostage-taker to help he and the two other hostages exit the building.

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Cytron-Walker said he and the two other hostages who were there throughout the nearly 11-hour standoff grew increasingly terrified as the hours ticked on. The last hour or so of the standoff, he wasnt getting what he wanted. It didnt look good. It didnt sound good. We were very, we were terrified, Cytron-Walker said. The fourth hostage had been released a few hours earlier, unharmed. The rabbi said he made sure the other hostages were ready to run and they were close to the exit. I told them to go, I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door, he said. And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired.

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Rabbi Charlie Cytron Walker recalls how he and two other hostages escaped after being held at gunpoint in a Texas synagogue over the weekend: I threw a chair at the gunman and I headed for the door. pic.twitter.com/GoRCgI4xlL  CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 17, 2022

Another man who was held hostage, Jeffrey R. Cohen, described what he lived through in a Facebook post. First of all, we escaped. We werent released or freed, Cohen wrote. In another post, Cohen describes how he deliberately made every effort to stay as close to the exit as possible and how he and the other hostages kept the gunman engaged. But then things began to devolve and thats when the rabbi yelled run.

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Cytron-Walker explained he invited the hostage-taker into the synagogue on Saturday morning because he thought he might need shelter. He even made him a cup of tea. When I took him in, I stayed with him, the rabbi said. Making tea was an opportunity for me to talk with him. In that moment I didnt hear anything suspicious. He didnt realize anything was off until the prayer service had already started. I heard a click, and it could have been anything. And it turned out that it was his gun, he said. Cytron-Walker credited the numerous courses he has attended about safety with teaching him how to properly react in this type of situation. They really teach you in those moments that when your life is threatened, you need to do whatever you can to get to safety, he said.

The hostage-taker has been identified as Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British national who was killed after the hostages ran out of the synagogue. The FBI called the hostage-taking a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted. His brother, Gulbar Akram, said his brother had distanced himself from the family in recent years. He had mental health issues, his brother said in an interview with the New York Times. Its well known, everybody in the town knows, he has mental health issues.
The new OP+ regime grants benefits to people with three doses or a combination of vaccine and recovery from Covid. Rules should apply all through the wave, government promises.

Entry conditions change as the Omicron wave is set to arrive in Slovakia. (Source: TASR)

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With the Omicron variant expected to become dominant in Slovakia in the coming weeks, the government prepared for the new pandemic wave with new measures, which came into force on Wednesday, January 19 and are expected to remain in place until further notice. The government is promising to not introduce any more lockdowns.

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Those fully vaccinated against Covid and recovered from the disease were given access to most shops and services, as well as mass events held around the country. Yet, there are certain changes for the validity of the certificates. In addition, there is a new regime, requiring an extra certificate for full vaccination or recovery status.

Several modifications came into force on February 15 and 16, allowing everybody enter all shops and moderating the conditions for entering hotels and other accommodation facilities.

Hygienists have adjusted some rules. Check the main changes Read more

The Slovak Spectator put together answers to what applies to people in various life situations:

Basic rules Starting February 1, the vaccination certificate will be valid for 9 months from the last vaccination .

. The status of those recovered from Covid will apply to people who have had Covid not more than 180 days prior .

will apply to people who have had Covid . The test result is valid for 48 hours for antigen tests, 72 hours for PCR/LAMP tests .

. Shops, services and mass events will follow four entry regimes: basic, OTP, OP and OP+ (find the explanation below).

Entry regimes: Basic: everyone regardless of being vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid OTP (vaccinated, tested, recovered): people who have: been fully vaccinated against Covid: at least 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine, but no more than nine months; at least 21 days have passed since receiving the single-dose vaccine, but no more than nine months; at least 14 days have passed since receiving at least one dose of the Covid vaccine within 180 days since recovery from Covid, but no more than nine months; children younger than 12 years and two months;

tested negative (PCR/LAMP test not older than 72 hours, antigen not older than 48 hours); children younger than 18: the negative result from self-testing is also accepted;

recovered from Covid in the past 180 days and have it confirmed with a positive PCR test result; children younger than 12: a confirmation issued by their paediatrician based on a positive antigen test issued before November 15, 2021 is also accepted;

have a contraindication against the Covid vaccine with a confirmation and a negative Covid test (PCR/LAMP test not older than 72 hours, antigen not older than 48 hours). OP (vaccinated, recovered): people who have: been fully vaccinated against Covid: at least 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine, but no more than nine months ( until February 1: 12 months); at least 21 days have passed since receiving the single-dose vaccine, but no more than nine months ( until February 1: 12 months); at least 14 days have passed since receiving at least one dose of the Covid vaccine within 180 days since recovery from Covid, but no more than nine months ( until February 1: 12 months); children younger than 12 years and two months;

recovered from Covid in the past 180 days and have it confirmed with a positive PCR test result; children younger than 12: a confirmation issued by their paediatrician based on a positive antigen test issued before November 15, 2021 is also accepted;

have a contraindication against the Covid vaccine with a confirmation and a negative Covid test (PCR/LAMP test not older than 72 hours, antigen not older than 48 hours). OP+: people who: have been fully vaccinated and: have received the booster shot; have a negative Covid test; have recovered from Covid in the past 180 days;

have recovered from COvid within the past 180 days and are able to present a negative Covid test result (PCR/LAMP: not older than 72 hours, antigen: not older than 48 hours);

have a contraindication against the Covid vaccine with a confirmation and a negative Covid test;

are children younger than 18 years and two months who have been fully vaccinated;

are children younger than 12 years and two months of age and are able to present a negative Covid test result (PCR/LAMP: not older than 72 hours, antigen: not older than 48 hours);

are children younger than 6 years (no test necessary).

At work

Employees can enter the workplace, without the need to present a proof of vaccination, testing or recovery.

Mandatory testing of employees will end Read more

Questions & answers

What am I allowed to do if Im neither vaccinated nor recently recovered from Covid?
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/amur-tiger-hit-by-train-in-russias-khabarovsk-region-local-authorities-say-1092317693.html

Amur Tiger Hit by Train in Russia's Khabarovsk Region

Amur Tiger Hit by Train in Russia's Khabarovsk Region

An Amur tiger was killed by a train in the Khabarovsk Krai in Russia's Far East

2022-01-17T11:35+0000

2022-01-17T11:35+0000

2022-01-17T12:14+0000

russia

amur tiger

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"On Sunday, January 16, we received a report about the death of an Amur tiger in the Vyazemsky municipal district. The animal was hit early in the morning by a locomotive on the section of the railway between the villages of Avan and Kotikovo," the ministry said in a statement.The tiger's carcass was retrieved by the police before being delivered to the city of Ussuriysk for examination in a special laboratory.The Amur tiger is one of the rarest predators on the planet, listed in the International Red Book. As of fall 2021, the total number of tigers in Russia exceeded 600. In the wild, the Amur tiger lives in the Far East in Russia.

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russia, amur tiger
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/biden-uses-mlk-jr-day-to-push-democrats-voting-rights-bills-1092326661.html

Biden Uses MLK Jr. Day to Push Democrats' Voting Rights Bills

Biden Uses MLK Jr. Day to Push Democrats' Voting Rights Bills

Americans commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, with the federal holiday introduced in the 1980s to celebrate the life of the civil rights leader... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T19:02+0000

2022-01-17T19:02+0000

2022-01-17T19:40+0000

joe biden

voting rights

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President Joe Biden used his official MLK Jr. Day commemoration speech Monday to make a renewed public push in favour of a pair of voting rights bills Democrats say will expand democracy in America, but which Republicans fear will be an affront to state rights.Last week, Vice President Harris and I visited Atlanta, Georgia, the cradle of civil rights in America. We paused and prayed at the crypt of Dr. and Mrs. King. We met members of their familyWe met students who are changing the world just like generations of young people before them had done that. In fact Dr. King was just one those young people  [a] 15-year-old student at Morehouse College when he began his journey to fulfill the promise of an America for all Americans, a promise that holds that were all created equal, and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives, Biden said in his pre-taped address.Dr. King wasnt just a dreamer of that promise, he was a doer. And on this federal holiday that honours him, its not just enough to praise him, we must commit to his unfinished work to deliver jobs and justice, to protect the sacred right to vote, the right from which all other rights flow, the president added.Suggesting that America is suffering attacks against its democracy, from the January 6 insurrection to the onslaught of Republicans anti-voting laws in a number of state, Biden said that its no longer just about who gets to vote, its about who gets to count the vote, and whether your vote counts at all.I know where I stand. And its time for every elected official in America to make it clear where they stand. Its time for every American to stand up, speak out, be heard. Where do you stand? Whose side are you on? On this day of remembrance, service and action, may God bless Dr. And Mrs. King and their family. And may God bless you all. And may God protect our troops, Biden concluded.Twin BillsDemocratic lawmakers seek to pass two major voting rights bills  the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The presidents party says the bills, if approved into law, will broaden election access, reduce discrimination against minorities and protect election officials from partisan influence.Republicans have expressed serious reservations about the bills, dismissing their central claim about advancing voting rights, and suggesting that their goals include creating federal encroachments on state rights and an effort to ensure that Democrats are able to win as many future elections as possible through a voting system that is less secure.The bills passed the Democrat-controlled house of Representatives last week, and enjoy a slim partial majority of support in the Senate, where Never Trumper GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska supports the John Lewis bill, but not the Freedom to Vote bill. Democrats require 60 votes to get the bills passed, but most Republicans have sought to stonewall the legislation. The presidents party also lacks the 50 votes needed to change the threshold to drop the 60 vote rule in favour of a simple majority, with conservative Democratic senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin pushing for the traditional 60 votes on the voting rights matter.The twin bills will be up for debate beginning Tuesday, with a vote possible as soon as Wednesday, according to officials.From Pariah of the State to HeroMartin Luther King Jr. is now a celebrated civil rights leader in the United States. However, during his lifetime, he was subjected to constant surveillance under the FBI's domestic counterintelligence programme (COININTELPRO), with the domestic intelligence agency searching for evidence of subversive and communist influence and digging up dirt on his personal life.King was assassinated on 4 April, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee by James Earl Ray. The mysterious circumstances of the civil rights leader's killing quickly gave birth to alternative theories on his death, particularly after Ray recanted his confession and claimed he was coerced into giving it. In 1999, a jury in a Memphis civil suit concluded that King was assassinated as a result of a conspiracy involving the US government. King's wife and other members of his family believe Ray was set up to take the fall. A federal investigation by Attorney General Janet Reno concluded in the year 2000 however that there was 'no evidence' of a conspiracy.MLK Jr. was just one of a series of US officials to have been killed under suspicious circumstances in the 1960s, starting with the November 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy and ending with the June 1968 killing of his brother, former attorney general Robert F. Kennedy. Malcolm X, another African American civil rights leader from its more militant flank, was murdered in February 1965, with allegations made about FBI involvement in that killing.

https://sputniknews.com/20220112/partisan-fight-intensifies-as-voting-rights-bill-in-hot-water-in-us-senate-yetagain-1092209922.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220113/democrats-voting-rights-bill-in-critical-danger-as-sen-sinema-doubles-down-on-filibuster-support--1092243185.html

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Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

joe biden, voting rights
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/bojo-reportedly-grilled-in-partygate-probe-amid-save-big-dogred-meat-premiership-rescue-plans-1092309078.html

BoJo Reportedly Grilled in Partygate Probe Amid Save Big Dog&'Red Meat Premiership Rescue Plans

BoJo Reportedly Grilled in Partygate Probe Amid Save Big Dog&'Red Meat Premiership Rescue Plans

Boris Johnson has already been grilled by Sue Gray, the senior civil servant carrying out an investigation into alleged COVID-19 rule breaking in Downing Street and government departments, reported The Telegraph.

2022-01-17T06:01+0000

2022-01-17T06:01+0000

2022-01-17T08:09+0000

boris johnson

uk

covid-19

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Boris Johnson has already been grilled by Sue Gray, the senior civil servant carrying out an investigation into alleged COVID-19 rule breaking in Downing Street and government departments, reported The Telegraph.The UK Prime Minister has shared what he knows about the so-called party culture ostensibly rampant amid staff at a time when the country was under strict coronavirus restrictions, according to Whitehall sources cited by the outlet. The publication of Grays report is anticipated as early as this week.The scandal has set Boris Johnson firmly in the crosshairs, fending off attacks from a broad spectrum of critics. However, Oliver Dowden, chairman of the UK Conservative Party, defended the PM and attempted to explain how the Government was seeking to move forward through the scandal.Dowden revealed that he was appalled that parties allegedly took place the night before Prince Philips funeral.Nevertheless, the party co-chairman insisted that embattled Boris Johnson should remain in his position. He underscored that first of all, the ongoing probe needed to establish all of the facts of what happened. And then the Prime Minister will be held to account in Parliament for what happened, he added.Last week, Boris Johnson issued an apology to Buckingham Palace after reports of two No10 parties held on the eve of Prince Philips funeral.The Prime Minister has been under a barrage of criticism from the opposition Labour Party, as its leader, Keir Starmer, has insisted that Johnson had broken the law by ostensibly attending lockdown parties and then lying about the fact.The Tory PM is also perilously close to being forced into a leadership contest by his own backbench MPs, with Tim Loughton becoming the sixth Conservative parliamentarian to publicly call for Boris Johnson to quit amid the ongoing row.According to the former children's minister and East Worthing and Shoreham MP, the PMs position had become "untenable" and stepping down would be "the only way to bring this whole unfortunate episode to an end"."The reason for my conclusion in calling for him to stand down is the way that he has handled the mounting revelations in the last few weeks. Obfuscation, prevarication and evasion have been the order of the day when clarity, honesty and contrition was what was needed and what the British people deserve," said Loughton in a statement on social media.Andrew Bridgen, William Wragg, Douglas Ross, Caroline Nokes and Sir Roger Gale are among the other Tory MPs who had earlier called on the PM to quit.A number of Tory MPs are allegedly poised to demand Johnsons resignation, with varying reports suggesting from 20 to 35 of the 54 letters required to trigger a vote of no confidence have already been submitted to the 1922 Committee. A backbencher cited by The Guardian said there were a lot of letters written but not necessarily sent yet.Operation Save Big DogIn a bid to save the Prime Minister from a possible leadership challenge and to shore up his tattered reputation, a plan dubbed Operation Save Big Dog is believed to be under way to shift the blame from Johnson.Thus, the Prime Minister is allegedly gearing up for a "mass clearout" of his advisers, reported The Sunday Times, with Martin Reynolds likely to be the first to exit.Reynolds, Johnsons principal private secretary, had invited more than 100 Downing Street staff to a "bring your own booze" drinks party on 20 May 2020, during the first lockdown in the country, in a leaked email made public earlier by ITV News.His deputy, Stuart Glassborow, has also been targeted for booting out, according to the outlet. It was added that Downing Street Chief of Staff Dan Rosenfield' might also be at risk.Operation Red MeatFurthermore, a plethora of policy announcements are reportedly in the pipeline to help the Prime Minister save his tenuous position.These, according to UK media reports, include lifting plan B COVID-19 restrictions amid encouraging signs.Imposed in early December amid the spread of the Omicron variant of the respiratory disease, current measures in England include guidance to work from home, widespread use of face coverings, and NHS COVID passes to get into nightclubs and large events. They are set to be reviewed on 26 January. Coronavirus cases continued to fall on Sunday. While 70,924 lab-confirmed cases were recorded, the figure represented a 50% fall from 141,471 reported the previous Sunday.Furthermore, another reportedly populist measure mulled by the Prime Minister is sending in the military to tackle the English Channel migrant boat crisis.According to plans, defence chiefs will purportedly take charge of efforts to stop the perilous crossings that have soared to record levels this year, with the Royal Navy boats possibly sent to reinforce the Border Force fleet.In the first week of February, as part of Johnsons much-touted levelling up agenda, a document is expected to be unveiled, currently being prepared by Michael Gove. It will reportedly lay out the governments strategy to improve lives in neglected towns. Also, Chancellor Rishi Sunak will unveil measures to support families with rising fuel bills ahead of an announcement on the expected rise of the energy price cap. Extra funds will allegedly be set aside by the goverment for jobs and skills training to help those out of work.Also seen as part of the plan to deflect attention from the scandal that Johnson has been mired in, the culture secretary, Nadine Dorries, confirmed on Sunday the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)s licence fee will be abolished in 2027, with broadcasters funding frozen for the next two years.Dorries tweeted on Sunday morning to say that it was time to discuss and debate new ways of funding, supporting and selling great British content.Amid these latest reports, some Boris Johnson allies were cited as being upbeat about the PMs chances of political survival.The Prime Minister admitted to the House of Commons that he attended the May 2020 gathering which is part of the Cabinet Office probe, speaking at PMQs on Wednesday (12 January). He also offered a "heartfelt apology", but said he had believed it to be a "work event," asking people to wait until the findings of the investigation ahead of any further statements from him.

https://sputniknews.com/20220116/bojos-resignation-the-only-way-to-bring-partygate-episode-to-an-end-tory-mp-says-1092290457.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220110/france-reportedly-seeking-whole-of-eu-treaty-with-britain-on-migrant-channel-crossings-1092161028.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220116/bbc-faces-2bn-in-cuts-as-culture-minister-freezes-license-fee-for-two-years-1092299209.html

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Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

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https://sputniknews.com/20220117/coordination-center-used-during-kazakhstan-protests-located-in-kiev-fugitive-banker-says-1092308124.html

Coordination Center Used During Kazakhstan Protests Located in Kiev, Fugitive Banker Claims

Coordination Center Used During Kazakhstan Protests Located in Kiev, Fugitive Banker Claims

Coordination Center Used During Kazakhstan Protests Located in Kiev, Fugitive Banker Says

2022-01-17T03:56+0000

2022-01-17T03:56+0000

2022-01-17T03:59+0000

kazakhstan

mass protests

mukhtar ablyazov

opposition

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"Our organizational headquarters - more precisely, it was called The Democratic Elections of Kazakhstan Coordination Headquarters - is located in Kiev," Ablyazov said, explaining that the coordination center received calls from protesters, who were then told to act according to a certain "algorithm" developed by the opposition.The "algorithm" requires the protesters to act in a coordinated manner, "not to allow the authorities to engage in provocations," but it also involves the seizure of administrative buildings, the fugitive banker said.Ablyazov insisted that the riots that occurred in Kazakhstan, leading to the death of over 200 people, were not a coup attempt.Ablyazov Says Was Calling on Protesters to Occupy Administrative BuildingsThe banker also told Sputnik that during the mass riots in Kazakhstan he was calling on protesters to occupy administrative buildings.Earlier this month, Director of the Kazakh Institute of World Economy and Politics Yerzhan Saltybaev said that the influence on the protests of Mukhtar Ablyazov, a former banker and government minister who has claimed to be the leader of the Kazakh opposition movement, is very limited despite his significant financial resources.Ablyazov was sentenced in absentia in Kazakhstan for murder and embezzlement. He has been residing abroad for many years.According to the Kazakh government, more than 50 state and 1,300 business facilities were damaged during the unrest earlier this month. The mayor's office was burned down in Almaty. In addition, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities were attacked.

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kazakhstan, mass protests, mukhtar ablyazov, opposition
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/courteney-cox-dishes-why-shocking-murder-scene-in-iconic-slasher-scream-was-scrapped--1092319308.html

Courteney Cox Dishes Why Shocking Murder Scene in Iconic Slasher 'Scream' Was Scrapped

Courteney Cox Dishes Why Shocking Murder Scene in Iconic Slasher 'Scream' Was Scrapped

Courtney Cox has revealed that a proposed murder scene in the 1996 original horror franchise Scream was ditched once producers realised how popular the character would be.

2022-01-17T12:42+0000

2022-01-17T12:42+0000

2022-01-17T12:42+0000

us

the scream

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Courtney Cox has revealed that a proposed murder scene in the 1996 original horror franchise Scream was ditched once producers realised how popular the character would be.Arquette went on to star in the film's four subsequent sequels. After meeting on the set of the iconic slasher flick, Courteney Cox and David Arquette tied the knot, but eventually split after 14 years of marriage.The 57-year old actress, together with co-star, Canadian actress Neve Campbell, was speaking to Pedestrian TV about their reprised lead roles in the newest edition of the Scream series.Paramount Pictures has released the sequel, over a decade since its fourth instalment, now directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett since the death of series creator Wes Craven.Courteney added in the interview that she had been concerned at the time of the original movie that her reputation for portraying sweet characters like Monica on Friends would leave director Wes Craven unsure of whether she could pull off the Gale Weathers role.When Cox and Campbell were asked about their favourite moments from the entire franchise, both actresses agreed on the scene in which Sidney Prescott (Neve) slaps Gale Weathers (Courteney), as well as the follow-up scene where Sidney and Tatum (Rose McGowan) were reminiscing on the smack.Asked about the future of the Scream franchise, Courteney Cox responded:I would imagine that the audience will want more films.Neve Campbell added:The fifth instalment of Scream, a direct sequel to Scream (2011), is the first in the series not to be directed by Wes Craven, who died of a brain tumour in 2015. In the 2022 film, theatrically released in the US on 14 January, a new killer dons the Ghostface serial killers mask to begin targeting a group of teenagers, resurrecting secrets from the deadly past of the town of Woodsboro.

https://sputniknews.com/20220116/retired-officer-opens-up-on-heinous-decapitation-case-which-inspired-scream-horror-saga-1092299559.html

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us, the scream
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/distress-signal-detected-in-tonga-in-wake-of-powerful-volcano-eruption-and-tsunami-1092326030.html

Distress Signal Detected in Tonga in Wake of Powerful Volcano Eruption and Tsunami

Distress Signal Detected in Tonga in Wake of Powerful Volcano Eruption and Tsunami

On Saturday, the Hunga-Tonga Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano erupted, triggering tsunami alerts in the Pacific nations. 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T19:14+0000

2022-01-17T19:14+0000

2022-01-17T19:14+0000

tonga

volcano

tsunami

distress

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A distress signal has been detected in the low-lying group of islands in the Tonga archipelago following a strong eruption of the undersea volcano last Saturday and subsequent tsunami alert for the entire South Pacific region, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in the update on Monday. According to the Tonga government, 36 people live on Mango.The UN Satellite Centre has been sharing the latest updates on the volcanic eruption in Tonga.British woman Angela Glover, who ran a dog charity in Tonga, was washed away while trying to save her dogs, her brother located in Sydney told reporters. Two more people drowned off a beach in northern Peru due to abnormally high waves triggered by the Tonga volcanic eruption.

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Sofia Chegodaeva

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tonga, volcano, tsunami, distress
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/divine-miracle-three-eyed-calf-born-in-india-taken-for-reincarnation-of-god-shiva-1092313635.html

'Divine Miracle': Three-Eyed Calf Born in India Taken for Reincarnation of God Shiva

'Divine Miracle': Three-Eyed Calf Born in India Taken for Reincarnation of God Shiva

Despite some Indian villagers link the birth of the animal to the reincarnation of Lord Shiva, widely mentioned in Hindu mythology for having a third eye in... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T10:50+0000

2022-01-17T10:50+0000

2022-01-17T10:50+0000

india

calf

god

cow

cow

god

india

reincarnation

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The birth of a calf with a third eye in the middle of its forehead and four nostril holes has triggered a lot of curiosity among many people in Chhattisgarh state's Rajnandgaon District in India. Believing it to be the actual rebirth of the three-eyed Hindu God Shiva, a large number of people are flocking from nearby villages and queuing up to worship the calf, with incense sticks, offering coconut and money as per the local culture.The calf was born on 14 January, just as the Hindu festival of harvesting, "Makar Sankranti", was being celebrated. The timing of the curious calf's arrival has also lent to locals developing a perception that the bovine birth holds religious significance. Surprised by the birth of a jersey breed calf with three eyes and four nostrils, its owner Neeraj Chandel stated that a medical screening of the calf had yielded a clean bill of health.However, Chandel added, "Due to its long tongue, the calf is facing difficulties in drinking milk from the cow. We are helping in feeding her."However, a veterinary doctor, Kamlesh Chaudhary, said that such cases should not be considered miraculous as such things happen due to the abnormal development of the embryo.

india

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india, calf, god, cow, cow, god, india, reincarnation
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/expert-suggests-theres-a-good-chance-for-potential-trump-clinton-2024-rematch-1092307310.html

Expert Suggests There's a 'Good Chance' For Potential Trump-Clinton 2024 Rematch

Expert Suggests There's a 'Good Chance' For Potential Trump-Clinton 2024 Rematch

While Trump has not stated clearly if he is in fact running for president again in 2024, the ex-POTUS has been outperforming other Republican candidates in... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T03:52+0000

2022-01-17T03:52+0000

2022-01-17T03:52+0000

donald trump

us

hillary clinton

republicans

democrats

election

2024 us presidential elections

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Dick Morris, a former top advisor to former President Bill Clinton, expressed a belief that a rematch between Hillary Clinton and ex-President Donald Trump in 2024 has a "good chance" of taking place. In an interview with John Catsimatidis on WABC Radio aired Sunday, Morris said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be toast if Democrats lose control of Congress in the 2022 midterm elections, thus paving the way for a second Hillary campaign, with husband Bill playing a key role in her approach.Morris added that knowing the former state secretary's circle, he thinks "there is only one person capable of that level of thinking  and thats her husband, Bill."In the meantime, even though no Democrats have publicly criticized Biden, according to Morris, "all Democrats are disappointed with him," while Clinton has recently warned her party against aligning itself with the policy agenda of the progressive Democrats.The former top aide also referred to Clinton's interview last month with MSNBC, quoting her on the warning she gave to the party about the need to be competitive in elections "not just in deep-blue districts where a Democrat and a liberal Democrat, or so-called progressive Democrat, is going to win."In the same interview, Clinton also took a jab at the Biden administration's struggle to pass legislation in a Democratic-controlled Congress. She claimed she was "all about vigorous debate  at the end of the day, it means nothing if we dont have a Congress that will get things done and we dont have a White House that we can count on to be sane and sober and stable and productive."Last week's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal by Democratic political consultant Doug Schoen and former Manhattan Borough President Andrew Stein noted that Clinton, 74, "is already in an advantageous position to become the 2024 Democratic nominee."In recent interviews, Clinton, who recently even read out her would-be victory speech while shedding a tear, has constantly criticized the former president, often describing him as a threat to the democratic order.In his turn, Trump has responded to Clinton's criticism, stating that he would welcome a challenge from her in 2024. He, however, also called Clinton "a crooked woman" who cheated in the 2016 election and attempted to spy on him.

https://sputniknews.com/20220114/hillary-clinton-2024-sounds-implausible-but-not-impossible-us-political-scientists-say-1092265587.html

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Kirill Kurevlev

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Kirill Kurevlev

donald trump, us, hillary clinton, republicans, democrats, election, 2024 us presidential elections
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/india-to-deploy-first-s-400-missile-defense-system-unit-by-april-reports-say-1092313489.html

India to Deploy First S-400 Missile Defense System Unit by April, Reports Say

India to Deploy First S-400 Missile Defense System Unit by April, Reports Say

India has launched a deployment of the first regiment of S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile defence system, with the first unit to begin operation in April

2022-01-17T08:55+0000

2022-01-17T08:55+0000

2022-01-17T08:55+0000

asia & pacific

india

s-400

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The five missile defence S-400 units will be deployed at the border areas to address the threat from China, with one of them set to start running in April and the others by the next year, Indian newspaper Hindustan Times reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The Indian government is yet to make public statement about the deployment.Russia and India signed a $5.43 billion contract for the supply of S-400 in October 2018 following China and Turkey, which acquired the defense complexes earlier. The S-400 Triumph missile defense systems are capable of shooting down a hostile aircraft from the distance of 25 to 249 miles.India is deploying the systems amid a flare-up in tensions with China in Ladakh border area. Both Beijing and New Delhi have increased their military presence in the area.

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asia & pacific, india, s-400
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/indian-couple-to-host-harry-potter-themed-wedding-reception-in-metaverse-1092318639.html

Indian Couple to Host Harry Potter-Themed Wedding Reception in Metaverse

Indian Couple to Host Harry Potter-Themed Wedding Reception in Metaverse

The invitation for the wedding went viral on Twitter after being shared by the happy couple, leaving many social media users bemused. Meanwhile, due to the... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T14:11+0000

2022-01-17T14:11+0000

2022-01-17T14:11+0000

harry potter

india

harry potter

harry potter

india

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In a first, a couple from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu are hosting their wedding reception in the Metaverse  and to make things even weirder, it's Harry Potter-themed. The Metaverse is an online virtual world where users can live-interact with others through a digital avatar and 3D holographic videos. It claims to offer a hyper-real alternative world to coexist in.Dinesh S. P. and Janaganandhini Ramaswamy are scheduled to get married on 6 February in the village of Sivalingapuram. They will digitally host their reception in "Hogwarts.""I came up with the idea of having a Metaverse wedding reception. My fiancee also liked the idea," Dinesh, a software engineer and blockchain and NFT enthusiast, told The Times of India daily.Dinesh's fiancee Janaganandhini said she was "thrilled" with the idea of a Hogwart theme-based virtual reception."It's apt in a way as we met on Instagram and will be having our wedding reception on Meta," she said.

india

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harry potter, india, harry potter, harry potter, india
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/iran-open-to-reviving-riyadh-embassy-as-diplomats-arrive-in-saudi-arabia-for-first-time-since-2016-1092324113.html

Iran Open to Reviving Riyadh Embassy as Diplomats Arrive in Saudi Arabia for First Time Since 2016

Iran Open to Reviving Riyadh Embassy as Diplomats Arrive in Saudi Arabia for First Time Since 2016

Iran and Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations in 2016 after the Saudi Embassy in Tehran was attacked by a mob of protesters following Riyadhs execution... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T15:39+0000

2022-01-17T15:39+0000

2022-01-17T17:03+0000

saudi arabia

iran

negotiations

embassy

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Tehran is ready to reopen its embassy in Saudi Arabia, and to allow the kingdom to reopen its diplomatic mission in the Islamic Republic, if Riyadh is prepared to take practical steps in this direction, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh has said.Khatibzadeh confirmed that a delegation of Iranian diplomats had arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to represent Iran at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation  the 57-member body centred around the idea of Muslim solidarity and economic cooperation.Prospects for Iranian-Saudi DetenteOn Saturday, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, a member of the powerful National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in Irans parliament, tweeted that he expects the embassies of the two countries to reopen soon, emphasizing that this should have important effects in reducing regional tensions and increasing the cohesion of the Islamic World. Jahanabadi called on Irans security apparatus and media to be mindful of the activities of the vicious Israelis and stupid radicals who he claimed might try to disrupt the potential Iranian-Saudi detente.Iran and Saudi Arabia have had no diplomatic relations since the January 2016 execution of Saudi Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a critic of the Saudi monarchy who was arrested repeatedly for suggesting that Saudi Arabias oil-rich Eastern Province should secede from the kingdom if Shia rights were not respected. Al-Nimrs killing prompted mobs of angry protesters to attack the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, with Riyadh cutting ties and Tehran reciprocating.The two powerful, oil-rich regional nations have had a tense relationship since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, with the traditional political and economic competition heated up by religious sectarianism, with Saudi Arabia seeing itself as the leader of Sunni Muslims, and the Islamic Republic considering itself the defender of the regions Shia Muslims, and, over the past decade, a defender of secular Syria and members of all Abrahamic faiths in general as well against the scourge of terrorism.The two countries often find themselves on opposing sides of various conflicts  starting with Saudi Arabias close alliance with the United States. Riyadhs disdain over Tehrans support for Lebanons Hezbollah, suspected Saudi aid to militants fighting the Bashar Assad government in Syria during the first years of the war, Tehrans animosity over the death of hundreds of Iranian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia in 2015, the Saudi-led war in Yemen and Riyadhs support for US efforts to rein in Irans ballistic missile and peaceful nuclear programmes have all served to exacerbate tensions and distrust.In spite of the strain, Iran has reiterated repeatedly over the past year that it would be prepared to return its envoy to Riyadh tomorrow if its diplomatic overtures were met with reciprocal support by the Saudi side. Tehran has also invited Saudi Arabia to join the Hormuz Peace Initiative, an Iranian-tabled proposal calling on regional powers, not foreigners, to ensure the security of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman.Iran and Saudi Arabia began talks on improving relations in 2019. In January 2020, a US drone strike killed Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad while he was on a diplomatic mission aimed at improving Iranian-Saudi ties.

https://sputniknews.com/20210619/iran-is-ready-to-send-envoy-to-saudi-arabia-tomorrow-waiting-for-signal-from-riyadh-1083188679.html

saudi arabia

iran

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Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

saudi arabia, iran, negotiations, embassy
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/israels-netanyahu-agrees-to-advance-plea-deal-talks-in-corruption-case--reports-1092327840.html

Israel's Netanyahu Agrees to Advance Plea Deal Talks in Corruption Case  Reports

Israel's Netanyahu Agrees to Advance Plea Deal Talks in Corruption Case  Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to move ahead in a plea deal negotiation with prosecutors, Israeli broadcaster... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T20:45+0000

2022-01-17T20:45+0000

2022-01-17T20:45+0000

corruption

israel

benjamin netanyahu

prosecutors

plea deal

gifts

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Prosecutors, however, have denied being in talks with Netanyahu, and the signing of a plea deal is still uncertain, The Jerusalem Post newspaper said, citing sources from both defense and prosecution teams.Netanyahu has been a suspect in several corruption scandals during his time as a prime minister. The investigations include allegations that the politician received expensive gifts from various business people, advanced a law that would benefit a major newspaper, and supported loosening regulation of telecom giant Bezeq in return for favorable coverage. The cases are officially dubbed as 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000. Netanyahu has dismissed all accusations.According to earlier Israeli media reports, the sides have agreed in informal talks on several points to drop cases against the former prime minister. In exchange, the politician will reportedly have to plead guilty on the deception of public trust in cases 1,000 and 4,000, for which he will be sentenced to community service for up to six months instead of a jail term.Netanyahus trial began in May 2020, and witness testimony kicked off in April 2021.

https://sputniknews.com/20220117/netanyahu-mulls-plea-bargain-but-what-will-it-mean-for-israels-political-scene-1092311936.html

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corruption, israel, benjamin netanyahu, prosecutors, plea deal, gifts
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/marital-rape-congress-leader--experts-advocate-seeking-married-womens-consent-before-sex----1092316416.html

Marital Rape: Congress Leader & Experts Advocate Seeking Married Women's Consent Before Sex

Marital Rape: Congress Leader & Experts Advocate Seeking Married Women's Consent Before Sex

A number of NGOs in Delhi have filed several petitions to make marital rape a criminal offence. The 2015-16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), conducted... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T15:02+0000

2022-01-17T15:02+0000

2022-01-17T15:02+0000

india

rape

rape

marital affairs

rape

india

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In a first, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India's main opposition party Congress, has tweeted on the issue of marital rape. He said it's important to emphasise consent to ensure women's safety.The Congress parliamentarian comment comes as the Delhi Court continues hearing several petitions seeking to make marital rape a criminal offence.This is the first time a prominent politician has spoken out about marital rape. Ghandi's tweet has so far garnered thousands of likes and retweets. According to Section 375 of Indian law, rape is defined as forced sexual intercourse by a man with any woman except his wife above 15 years of age.But the women activists are happy at least "the issue of marital rape is being discussed in the country."Speaking with Sputnik, Ranjana Kumari, a women's rights activist and the chairperson of Women Power Connect, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation of women's groups, said that in Indian society, marriage is considered sacrosanct. "Which also means that women have given her consent to her husband over her body, hence, the topic is debatable in itself," she said. Last week, the Delhi government told the court that the non-criminalisation of marital rape does not compel a woman to have sexual intercourse with her husband.However, in its affidavit, the federal government has taken a stand that criminalising marital rape may "become a phenomenon that may destabilise the institution of marriage and an easy tool for harassing the husbands."Marital rape has been increasingly challenged across the world and over the years, more than 100 countries, including the United States, Russia, and Britain have outlawed marital rape.India is among a few of those countries where the topic remains debatable. In recent years, many unhappy wives and lawyers have petitioned courts, calling for the "offending law" to be repealed.Divya Srinivasan, an advocate and woman rights activist, said, "Even now, it is very difficult to report a rape case in the country. Most of the time, it is done by a known one and family members feel shame about it." "A wife charging her husband of rape, this is unheard in Indian society and even if law changes, the wife won't get any support from the society."Similarly, in November 2017, the Gujarat High Court had said that marital rape is a "disgraceful offence" and not criminalising it has made "a large population of women" suffer.A study conducted by the International Centre for Women (ICRW) and United Nations Population Fund's (UNPFA) across seven states in India covering 9,205 men, reported that one-third of the men admitted to have engaged in forced a sexual act on their wives.

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Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg

Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg

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india, rape, rape, marital affairs, rape, india
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/mccaul-says-us-got-into-new-cold-war-with-russia-calls-for-sanctions-more-arms-sales-to-ukraine-1092307037.html

McCaul Says US Got Into New Cold War With Russia, Calls for Sanctions, More Arms Sales to Ukraine

McCaul Says US Got Into New Cold War With Russia, Calls for Sanctions, More Arms Sales to Ukraine

GOP Rep. Says US Is in New Cold War With Russia, Recommends Sanctions, More Arms Sales To Ukraine

2022-01-17T03:44+0000

2022-01-17T03:44+0000

2022-01-17T03:44+0000

us

cold war

us-russia relations

nato

us arms for ukraine

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Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in an interview with CNN Sunday that the United States and Russia are once again in a state of "cold war".He told the host of State of the Union Jake Tapper that deterrence is a way to prevent a purported Russian invasion of Ukraine.Michael McCaul, who has received several political contributions from US defense giants like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, also spoke in favor of more arms sales to Ukraine.According to the lawmaker, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan has made world leaders from Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea's Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping "all view that as a moment of weakness."When asked by the host whether the current state of US relations with Russia is reminiscent of the years of the Cold War, McCaul responded, "I do. I do, because I think Putin again smells weakness here."US DeterrenceRemarks similar to McCauls are seen by many as a tool to denigrate the policy of the current administration. Still, the fact that the United States has to deal with its extremely polarized political arena recklessly jeopardizes the worlds stability, according to professor of Government and Chair in Government and Business Relations at the University of Texas, James K. Galbraith.Meanwhile, some analysts have been quick to point that the US deterrence, already demonstrated near Russian borders, has already contributed to the current stalemate-like situation. Former Central Intelligence Agency agent Joseph Weisberg told media that the deployment of US military personnel and weapons in neighboring former Soviet republics would be considered a threat by anyone.Along with many Russian politicians, who have accused Washington of escalating tensions near the Russian borders and intentionally pushing the hostile mentality of the Cold War era, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, said that the sanctions proposed in the US could terminate relations between the two countries.The urgent need to outgrow the Cold War mentality amid officials and politicians in Washington was also stressed by Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov, who also noted that the recent US and NATO talks with Russia were intended to "preserve peace and stability" in Europe by putting legally binding guarantees down on paper.Earlier this week, a group of House Republicans, including McCaul, introduced Ukraine-related legislation, The Guaranteeing Ukrainian Autonomy by Reinforcing its Defense Act, that includes sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and $200 million in military aid for Ukraine. Legislation projects with sanctions against Russia have been also put forward by other lawmakers in Congress.Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden earlier noted that he doesnt seek a new "cold war", nor does he want a world "divided into blocs."Security GuaranteesRussia held a series of high-level security talks with the United States, NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe early this week. During the negotiations, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko pointed out that a further deterioration in relations between Russia and NATO countries could lead to the most unpredictable and grave consequences for European security.In its NATO proposals, Moscow said that the alliance should end military cooperation with the post-Soviet countries, stop establishing military bases on their territory, limit the deployment of strike weapons near Russian borders, remove American nuclear weapons from Europe and guarantee NATO's non-expansion further eastwards.The Russian ambassador to the US said on Saturday that Moscow was waiting for a written response to its security proposals to consider the next step.With both sides apparently admitting that negotiations were fruitless, the US has remained pesistent in its accusations against Russia. On Sunday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS that the Biden administration was ready to move forward with diplomacy or take a "robust response," in coordination with the transatlantic community, if Russia went down the path of escalation in Ukraine.

https://sputniknews.com/20211228/observers-after-20-year-war-us-simply-abandoned-afghanistan-without-political--economic-solution-1091863905.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220111/what-are-major-reasons-behind-washingtons-unwillingness-to-accept-russias-nato-proposals-1092184191.html

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us, cold war, us-russia relations, nato, us arms for ukraine
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/netanyahu-mulls-plea-bargain-but-what-will-it-mean-for-israels-political-scene-1092311936.html

Netanyahu Mulls Plea Bargain But What Will it Mean for Israel's Political Scene?

Netanyahu Mulls Plea Bargain But What Will it Mean for Israel's Political Scene?

Israel's former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is close to reaching a plea bargain in his corruption trial

2022-01-17T08:55+0000

2022-01-17T08:55+0000

2022-01-17T08:55+0000

benjamin netanyahu

israel

middle east

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Israel's former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is close to reaching a plea bargain in his corruption trial, Israeli media outlets report.According to that deal, Netanyahu would admit to two counts of breach of trust, which would result in a suspended prison sentence. It would also mean that he would be obliged to perform several months of community service.The agreement could be reached as early as this week and local experts have already started to mull over the possible scenarios. Here are the main ones.Scenario 1: Netanyahu rejects the plea bargainThe main apple of discord is a charge of moral turpitude. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblitt is reportedly pressing on having that formal declaration in. Netanyahu is vehemently against it, as it would mean he would be barred from Israel's political life for the next seven years, something that the 72-year old Likud leader is trying to avoid.On Sunday, it was reported that Netanyahu's wife Sara as well as his two sons are rejecting the deal. His family is believed to have a big influence over the decisions of the former PM, and if these reports are accurate, the chances that the agreement will be reached are slim.In the event of such a rejection, the trial of Netanyahu will continue and according to estimates it will take some six years to complete, primarily because there are 333 witnesses that need to testify. It will also cost the country millions of dollars.Scenario 2: Netanyahu goes ahead with the deal under certain conditionsThe former premier will try to insist to keep the charge of moral turpitude out. Apart from barring him from political life, a conviction on this clause would also take away some of his basic indulgences such as a private driver and a bodyguard. It would also mar his reputation and present him as somebody who admitted his guilt.In such a case, Netanyahu would need to resign from his current post as the leader of Israels opposition. He would also need to depart from political life until the next round of elections, expected three years from now.Israeli experts have already said that this scenario is highly unlikely. Israel's liberal circles are objecting to the possibility that Netanyahu could evade prison. Many elements in the political establishment are worried that the ex-premier would make a comeback in the next round of general polls and that his popularity would only grow with time.Scenario 3: Netanyahu accepts the plea bargain without preconditionsAs mentioned earlier, in such an event "King Bibi" is barred from any political life for the next seven years.Once he vacates his seat as the leader of Likud, Israel's largest party, the battle for who will inherit this throne will kick off.Several Likud politicians have already voiced their willingness to try their luck. They include the former health minister Yuli Edelstein, former transportation minister Yisrael Katz and the previous mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat.To obtain the seat of the Likud chief, they would need to compete in the primaries, which would take place five months after the date of Netanyahu's resignation. Once the name of the new leader is confirmed, he will need to decide on the direction his party will be taking.One of the options is to remain in the opposition and wait for the next round of elections. Another is to initiate a no-confidence vote in the current government, which is believed to be fragile due to the fact that it is comprised of parties with opposite ideologies.There is a chance that the hawkish Likud party will be able to split the current coalition and "steal" its conservative parties such as Israel Beitenu, the New Hope and Yamina.Reportedly, such talks are already under way, but experts doubt they will ripen into a deal, primarily because those who have jobs in the current government won't want to risk them. However, as the chasm between the left and the right grows wider on such issues as settlement activity, Jerusalem or the handling of terror, a crack in the ranks might still be a possibility.For now, all options are on the table, and many Israelis are eager to see how this drama will end up playing out.

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Elizabeth Blade

Elizabeth Blade

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Elizabeth Blade

benjamin netanyahu, israel, middle east
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/north-korea-launches-unidentified-projectile---media-citing-south-korean-military-1092306051.html

North Korea Launches 'Two Ballistic Missiles' - Media Citing South Korean Military

North Korea Launches 'Two Ballistic Missiles' - Media Citing South Korean Military

This is North Korea's fourth reported launch this year. The previous ones took place on January 5, 11 and 14. In the first two cases, North Korea claimed to... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T00:07+0000

2022-01-17T00:07+0000

2022-01-17T03:38+0000

dprk

south korea

military & intelligence

missile

north korea

asia & pacific

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North Korea fired an unknown projectile towards the Sea of Japan, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea.The alleged launch took place at about 9 am local time, according to the press release cited by the agency. Specifications such as range, altitude, and speed are reportedly being investigated.Later, the Joint Chiefs of Staff clarified, as cited by Yonhap, that the country's military detected a launch of two ballistic missiles from the Sunan Airport located in the DPRK's capital city of Pyongyang.At the moment, the characteristics of the projectiles, the possible target and launch results are also unknown.Following initial reports, the Japanese news agency Kyodo has reported, citing the nation's authorities, that North Korea could have launched a ballistic missile.Also on Monday, Yonhap reported that North Korea had earlier denounced the South Korean military drills held under the multi-national "Sea Dragon" exercise on the same day as "reckless military maneuvers that lead to political instability." The North Korean media reportedly blasted the exercises as "clearly a military confrontation madness" against the country, per the translation.North Korea performed a missile test of a Hwasong-8 hypersonic rocket last week. According to the state news agency KCNA, the missile flew 1,000 kilometers and reached its target, including a 600-kilometer "glide leap flight."The earlier missile launches spurred the United States to impose sanctions against North Korea. Pyongyang has responded by threatening to escalate its actions if Washington does not stop its "confrontational stance."

https://sputniknews.com/20220113/north-korea-warns-us-after-new-sanctions-follow-ballistic-missile-launches-1092243844.html

south korea

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Kirill Kurevlev

Kirill Kurevlev

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Kirill Kurevlev

dprk, south korea, military & intelligence, missile, north korea, asia & pacific
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/plane-with-russian-peacekeepers-returns-from-kazakhstan-to-russia-1092307432.html

Plane With Russian Peacekeepers Returns From Kazakhstan to Russia

Plane With Russian Peacekeepers Returns From Kazakhstan to Russia

Plane With Russian Peacekeepers Returns From Kazakhstan to Russia

2022-01-17T03:20+0000

2022-01-17T03:20+0000

2022-01-17T03:20+0000

kazakhstan

russian defense ministry

russia

csto

peacekeepers

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Earlier, the ministry said that more Russian peacekeepers from the CSTO collective force had left the Kazakh city of Almaty and were on their way to Russia.More Il-76 aircraft with Russian peacekeepers are expected to arrive at the Ulyanovsk Vostochny Airport later in the day.On Sunday, the Russian defense ministry said that 19 aircraft carried out the transfer of Russian peacekeepers from Almaty to the Chkalovsky airfield.Peacekeepers from Armenia, Belarus and Uzbekistan have already returned home from Kazakhstan. The return of all CSTO peacekeepers is scheduled to be completed by January 19.A wave of protests swept across Kazakhstan earlier this month, following a sharp rise in gas prices. Despite the government's attempts to quell the discontent and promises to bring the prices down, violence erupted in Kazakhstan and protests turned into riots, looting and clashes with law enforcement officers.The government declared a state of emergency until January 19. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev asked for CSTO assistance in resolving the crisis situation and peacekeepers were sent into Kazakhstan. The CSTO mission wrapped up earlier this month and peacekeepers began to withdraw on January 13.

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Alexandra Kashirina

kazakhstan, russian defense ministry, russia, csto, peacekeepers
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/russia-rejects-claim-that-security-proposals-are-attempt-to-restore-spheres-of-influence-1092325358.html

Russia Rejects Claim That Security Proposals are Attempt to Restore 'Spheres of Influence'

Russia Rejects Claim That Security Proposals are Attempt to Restore 'Spheres of Influence'

On Friday, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters that Brussels rejects alleged Russian attempts to "build spheres of influence" in... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T17:08+0000

2022-01-17T17:08+0000

2022-01-17T19:07+0000

russia

nato

russia-nato row on european security

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Moscow rejects claims made by Western officials and media that its security proposals constitute an attempt to reconstitute 'spheres of influence' in the world, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has said."For example, NATO and EU representatives regularly make statements about which regions Russia and now China 'should not be allowed into.' This was said in relation to Afghanistan immediately after the withdrawal of US forces and its allies. This is also being said in relation to the Western Balkans, although from the point of view of common sense it is completely incomprehensible why Russia's historically good-neighbourly relations with the countries of this region can pose a threat to someone. On the contrary, this is an additional factor of stability and security," the diplomat added.Grushko recalled that the Charter for European Security adopted at the 6th summit of the Organisation for Security Co-operation in Europe in 1999 states that "within the OSCE no State, group of States or organisation can have any pre-eminent responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the OSCE area or can consider any part of the OSCE area as its sphere of influence."Russia is presently awaiting the written responses from the US and NATO to the security guarantee proposals outlined by the Russian Foreign Ministry in mid-December following three rounds of discussions last week with US, NATO and OSCE officials. Deputy foreign minister Grushko led the talks with NATo on 12 January in Brussels.Last week, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell accused Russia of attempting to "build spheres of influence" in Europe and said that the bloc "rejects" such efforts. Before Borrell, US and European media pumped out article after article accusing Moscow of plans to rebuild Cold War-style spheres of influence amid Russia's security concerns over Ukraine's potential NATO membership and the threat of a bloc missile and troop buildup in the country.In the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian and Ukrainian leaders expressed support for a neutral, non-bloc aligned Ukraine. Starting in 1998, the Western alliance -whose raison d'etre disappeared with the USSR's disappearance, began an eastward expansion, incorporating every former Soviet ally in Eastern Europe, the three former Soviet Baltic republics, and four republics of the former Yugoslavia. In that time, the alliance has pushed as much as 1,220 km east, and if Ukraine is incorporated, would be over 1,900 km east of NATO's 1989 borders.Notwithstanding these developments, the US and its allies have accused Russia of being the aggressive party, claiming Moscow has designs to "invade" Ukraine or even its Baltic NATO neighbours or Poland. Russian officials have dismissed these claims and called on the West to reduce the concentration of forces and the frequency of drills near the Russian frontier, warning that Moscow would be forced to take "counter-threat" countermeasures if this doesn't take place.Under the security proposals outlined by the Russian Foreign Ministry in mid-December, both sides would be required to refrain from deploying troops, missile systems, aircraft and warships in areas where they could be considered a threat to the other side. NATO is asked to halt its eastward expansion, scrap any ambitions to swallow up Ukraine, and limit the deployment of foreign troops and weapons in countries that joined the bloc after 1997. Moscow believes that if the security proposals were implemented, they would significantly ease tensions between Russia and the West. NATO has already publicly rejected any intention to close its 'open door' policy for membership.

https://sputniknews.com/20210926/clinton-and-yeltsin-got-drunk-in-kremlin-restroom-book-claims-1089424356.html

https://sputniknews.com/20200131/german-lawmaker-reveals-how-nato-fooled-gorbachev-about-blocs-eastward-expansion-plans-1078193547.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220116/stoltenberg-says-nato-wont-agree-to-keep-military-within-pre-1997-borders-1092303995.html

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Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

russia, nato
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/russias-envoy-to-osce-slams-blocking-of-delegations-facebook-page-as-censorship-1092316190.html

Russias Envoy to OSCE Slams Blocking of Delegation's Facebook Page as 'Censorship'

Russias Envoy to OSCE Slams Blocking of Delegation's Facebook Page as 'Censorship'

The blocking of the Facebook page of the Russian delegation in Vienna is a politically-motivated attempt at censorship

2022-01-17T10:50+0000

2022-01-17T10:50+0000

2022-01-17T11:25+0000

world

russia

facebook

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The Facebook account of the Russian security delegation in Vienna has been restored. However, Russia has not received any explanation from Meta, Konstantin Gavrilov, the head of the Russian delegation at the Vienna talks on military security and arms control, said.Earlier in the day, Russia's OSCE Permanent Representative Alexander Lukashevich said that the blocking of the Facebook page of the Russian delegation in Vienna was a politically-motivated attempt at censorship.The page, affiliated with the Russian Foreign Ministry, was blocked for allegedly publishing illegal content.On 16 January, Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor sent a request to Meta (which owns the Facebook social network) to remove restrictions from the official Facebook page of the Russian delegation at the talks in Vienna on military security and arms control. Roskomnadzor noted that these actions of the administration of the social network Facebook violate the key principles of the free distribution of information, and unhindered access to it. The agency considers this an act of censorship, which is prohibited by the Russian Constitution.

russia

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world, russia, facebook
https://sputniknews.com/20220117/sirhan-sirhan-the-gop-prepares-for-midterms-and-more--1092269847.html

Sirhan Sirhan; the GOP Prepares for Midterms and More

Sirhan Sirhan; the GOP Prepares for Midterms and More

Michelle Witte opens with the Supreme Court yesterday blocked the Biden administrations vaccine or testing mandate for large employers. 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T08:52+0000

2022-01-17T08:52+0000

2022-01-17T08:52+0000

midterms

inflation

gop

potus

trump

sirhan sirhan

political misfits

vaccine mandate

radio

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SirhanSirhan, the GOP prepares for midterms and POTUS 2024 Why is inflation spiking? CIA Trains Ukraine paramilitary SirhanSirhan, the GOP prepares for midterms and POTUS 2024 Why is inflation spiking? CIA Trains Ukraine paramilitary

Michelle Witte mentions NPRs interview with a business owner who was relieved that the mandate was struck down, not because he didnt believe in vaccines, but because so many businesses are still in chaos over all the other pandemic fallout. John Kiriakou shares with listeners an article from Yahoo News about the CIA training Ukrainian paramilitary. Then, Aaron Good, political scientist and host of the American Exception podcast on Patreon. His doctoral dissertation is going to be published by Skyhorse in April under the title 'American Exception: Empire and the Deep State' joins the Misfits. Aaron explains Newsoms decision not to release Sirhan Sirhan, alleged assassin of Robert Kennedy Jr. Good points out that the autopsy, witness accounts, and a second shooter clears Sirhan yet Establishment Democrats have long been opposed to Sirhans release. Next, John and Michelle are joined by Eugene Craig, Republican strategist and former vice-chair of the Maryland Republican Party they delve into likely contenders for the 2022 midterms and 2024 run for president. No Trump 2.0 in 2024 Trump would prefer a role such as Speaker of the House instead. No long campaign because you do not need to be a member of congress to be Speaker. Not likely because some Republicans will be opposed and certainly all Democrats. Mitch McConnell remains important to Republicans as an effective leader while Kevin McCarthy is a shell of leadership abilities. Former governor of Maryland Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican, is not likely to run for president. Hogan does not want to risk a losing campaign running for POTUS yet hes likely to run for Senate. Steve Grumbine, Founder and CEO of the nonprofits Real Progressives and Real Progress in Action. Hes the host of the podcast Macro n Cheese. He's also a leading activist and evangelist for Modern Monetary Theory. Talks with the Misfits about whats behind the story of spiking inflection. The severity of the surge will wane once supply chains catch up. Opportunistic monopolies are exploiting the pandemic and raising prices. Last, the Misfits look ahead to all that Prince Andrew, formally known as the Duke of York, has to look forward to.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

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https://sputniknews.com/20220117/sweden-investigates-drone-flights-over-nuclear-plants-as-national-incident-1092312853.html

Sweden Investigates Drone Flights Over Nuclear Plants as 'National Incident'

Sweden Investigates Drone Flights Over Nuclear Plants as 'National Incident'

While no permit is required from the Swedish Transport Agency for lighter drones, they have to be flown within sight at a certain distance and not over... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T08:50+0000

2022-01-17T08:50+0000

2022-01-17T08:50+0000

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The Swedish Police are investigating unauthorised drone flights over several nuclear power plants across the Nordic country as a special event. The police confirmed that drones have been observed over the Forsmark and Oskarshamn nuclear power plants. Drones were also reportedly spotted over the Ringshals nuclear power plant and the closed power plant in Barseback, but the police couldn't confirm that information.According to police spokeswoman Petra Blomqvist, the first observation of a flying object over Forsmark was made on Friday evening and continued for over an hour. According to the police, there is no indication that the drone has landed inside the area of the nuclear power plant.These are extremely serious events. We are investigating a possible connection, Blomqvist said in a statement.The police decided to handle the incidents as a special national incident, which implies a certain level of interconnection. The incidents and investigations are handled regionally, but are coordinated by the police's national operational department, Noa.There are currently no suspects in either of the cases, according to the police, which are investigating unauthorised access to protected objects, violations of the Civil Aviation Act and illegal depiction of protected objects. The Armed Forces have been informed about the efforts as well.Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist emphasised that on previous occasions drones have been noted at various protected objects in connection with military exercises.According to experts, though, Sweden's preparedness against drone attacks is insufficient.According to unconfirmed information published by the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, it is a question of larger drones, possibly with petrol engines and helicopter-like rotor blades, which may cost up to SEK 1 million ($110,000). Joakim Stenberg, a technician at the drone-focused company UAS Intelligence Sweden, called them extremely unusual as only a single company produces them in Sweden. Drones of this type may weigh up to 50 kg and have a range of up to 200 kilometres.For lighter drones, no permit is required from the Swedish Transport Agency as long they are flown within sight, no higher than 120 meters above the ground and not over crowds or protected objects.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220117/texas-synagogue-hostage-taker-reportedly-said-he-wished-he-was-among-911-terrorists-1092320044.html

Texas Synagogue Hostage-Taker Reportedly Said He 'Wished He Was Among 9/11 Terrorists'

Texas Synagogue Hostage-Taker Reportedly Said He 'Wished He Was Among 9/11 Terrorists'

During an 11-hour hostage situation at a synagogue in Colleyville, Faisal Akram demanded the release of female terrorist Aafia Siddiqu and called himself her... 17.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-17T15:53+0000

2022-01-17T15:53+0000

2022-01-17T16:06+0000

us

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The British man shot dead after taking people hostage in the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in the suburb of Dallas, Texas allegedly told court staff he wished he had been among the 9/11 terrorists shortly after the attacks, the Lancashire Telegraph reported on Monday.According to a letter from the Blackburn Magistrates' Court cited by the paper, Faisal Akram told the court staff the next day after the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York he wished he was on the plane attacking the towers.After the incident, Akram was banned from entering the court complex and was warned that if he did he would be detained and face a fine or prison. Akram denied having said this at the time: "I'm innocent. This is nothing to do with me because I didn't say that. People at the court have just got it in for me because they don't like me," he told reporters. Police have not yet commented on any of his previous offences. As an investigation into the synagogue hostage crisis continues, Akram is believed to have travelled to the US two weeks prior to the attack. The UK has promised its "full support" to US investigators after the attacker was identified as a British citizen.Akram entered the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Dallas during a service on Saturday and took a rabbi and three more people hostage. During an 11-hour-long siege, Akram's relatives and FBI officers tried to persuade him to surrender but in vain. Akram demanded the release of jailed female terrorist Aafia Siddiqu, aka Lady Al Qaeda, who was convicted for attempting to kill US military personnel in Afghanistan, and that she be brought to the synagogue so they could both "die together." He agreed to release one of his hostages and two more managed to escape. Akram was shot when police stormed the synagogue and later died of his wounds.

https://sputniknews.com/20220117/two-teenagers-in-custody-in-uk-in-connection-with-texas-synagogue-hostage-taking-1092307904.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220117/whats-behind-royal-familys-drastic-decision-to-strip-prince-andrew-of-military-roles-hrh-title-1092261644.html

What's Behind Royal Family's Drastic Decision to Strip Prince Andrew of Military Roles, HRH Title?

What's Behind Royal Family's Drastic Decision to Strip Prince Andrew of Military Roles, HRH Title?

The UK Royal family has stripped Prince Andrew of military roles and patronages amid sex abuse case filed against the Duke of York by Virginia Giuffre in August 2021.

2022-01-17T11:06+0000

2022-01-17T11:06+0000

2022-01-17T11:06+0000

world

us

opinion

ghislaine maxwell

prince andrew

jeffrey epstein

uk royal family

virginia roberts giuffre

uk

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Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has been stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages, according to Buckingham Palace's Thursday statement. In addition to that, the duke will stop using the title "His Royal Highness" (HRH) in an official capacity, as a royal source told the BBC on 13 January. Earlier, the prince lost his bid to throw out a sex-abuse lawsuit brought against him by Virginia Giuffre last year. Giuffre (nee Roberts), an alleged victim of American millionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, claims she was coerced into sexual encounters with the duke when she was 17.This is How the Royals Survive the Perfect StormThe professor points out that the public are appeased by Buckingham Palace's decisive actions seeing that the duke is being suitably treated as a "disgraced member of the family."Up until recently, the Duke of York held a number of honorary military titles in Britain and elsewhere in the commonwealth. Thus, in 2017, Andrew was appointed as the colonel of the famed Grenadier Guards, one of the most senior infantry regiments in the British Army. The British Queen had also appointed the prince as royal colonel of regiments or units such as the Small Arms School Corps, the Royal Highland Fusiliers and the 9th/12th Lancers.While Andrew's future is unlikely to be bright even if he wins the latest sex abuse case, the Royal family as an institution will survive the scandal with the swift actions they have taken, according to the royal expert."There have been many other scandals they have weathered so I dont think this will bring them down," Maclaran says. "They will use the forthcoming Jubilee to emphasise the benefits the monarchy brings and as a positive to overcome the negatives that the Andrew scandal threatens to bring."Prince Andrew's Life Already RuinedLast week the Sun reported that Prince Andrew plans to pay 10 million ($13 million) from the sale of his Swiss chalet in an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre. The media cited Giuffre's lawyer David Boies as saying that he thinks Virginia "is determined to go to trial", but that a "settlement is always a possibility".Even if the matter is settled the prince's reputation has already sustained a huge damage. The royal expert expects that in the future Prince Andrew "will be kept very much in the background".Before being stripped of military roles and HRH title, the Duke of York have already been treated as an outcast for quite a while due to the sexual scandal. The media started to circulate accusations against the prince in March 2011, when the Daily Mail published a photo featuring Andrew with his hand around Virginia's waist. In 2014, Giuffre made a court filing in Florida claiming that Epstein had offered her to his influential peers, including Prince Andrew.The prince's ties to Epstein and his November 2019 interview in which Andrew failed to show sympathy to the convicted sex offender's victim have been followed by a tide of negative press. Soon after that Prince Andrew was forced to retire from his royal duties. In February 2020 his name was removed from "Pitch at the Palace", a startup-mentoring platform founded by him in 2014.In August 2021 Virginia Giuffre filed a civil case in New York under the state's Child Victims Act alleging that Prince Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17 in London, New York, and the US Virgin Islands. According to Giuffre, she was brought there by Jeffrey Epstein and his "madam" Ghislaine Maxwell. The prince has repeatedly denied the allegations. In December 2021 Maxwell was found guilty of conspiring with Epstein to groom and sexually abuse underage girls in a separate case.The prince's legal team tried to convince US District Judge Lewis Kaplan to throw Giuffre's lawsuit out. Recently, the lawyers argued that the prince could be shielded by a Giuffre-Epstein 2009 settlement. The settlement with Epstein, which was unsealed and released on 3 January, awarded her $500,000. However, the judge rejected the duke's lawyers' motion and ruled that the case could proceed.

https://sputniknews.com/20220116/prince-andrews-accuser-vows-to-destroy-him-and-leave-him-broke-because-of-his-arrogance-media-says-1092292157.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220114/how-the-mighty-are-fallen-members-of-uk-royal-family-who-have-been-stripped-of-titles-1092252764.html

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Americas Bipartisan Infrastructure Law keeps making it rain for Virginia.

The commonwealth will receive $536.8 million from it, the largest-ever investment in its bridges, three members of the states congressional delegation say.

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, plus Rep. Abigail Spanberger in a separate announcement, heralded the launch Friday of a U.S. Department of Transportation initiative devoted to repairing bridges across the nation.

USDOTs Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program was made possible by the passage of the infrastructure law negotiated by Warner and Spanberger and supported by Kaine.

Warner was instrumental in securing the historic investment in Virginias bridges, his office said.

In its Culpeper District alone, the Virginia Department of Transportation estimates that 59 bridges are in poor condition, a Warner spokeswoman said. The funds will go toward fixing such decaying bridges.

For the full list of such bridges and their status, go to infobridge.fhwa.dot.gov and select Virginia.

In the House of Representatives, Spanberger helped negotiate and voted to pass the infrastructure bill late last year.

In the USDOT programs first round of funding, Virginia was awarded $107.42 million for bridge projects in fiscal 2022, Spanberger announced Friday.

Such an urgent issue of public safety cannot be ignored, and this major investment in Virginias infrastructure must be used by VDOT and the incoming Youngkin administration to make improvements as soon as possible, the congresswoman said in a statement. This funding will allow our commonwealth to fix bridges in poor condition, help prevent congestion, increase weight restrictions, and make our roads safer for drivers and first responders. Additionally, it will help create and sustain good-paying construction jobs throughout our areawhile keeping our physical infrastructure competitive.

In November 2021, Spanberger attended the White House signing ceremony for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. After strongly advocating for the bill and highlighting the benefits for Central Virginia, Spanberger voted to pass the physical infrastructure legislation with a bipartisan majority of the House members earlier that month.

The bridge program is an important investment in making transportation safer and more reliable, the senators said. All total, USDOT rates 577 bridges across Virginia as being in poor condition.

A key author of the infrastructure law, Warner said the bridge initiative is just one of the transformative investments coming to Virginia because of its passage.

Modernizing bridges will improve safety and support economic growth in every corner of the commonwealth, he and Kaine said. Todays announcement is one more reason we were proud to support the once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment that is improving lives and livelihoods across the country.

In July 2021, Warner joined Richmond officials for a tour of Richmonds Mayo Bridge, built in 1913 across the James River. It is one of the hundreds of Virginia bridges considered structurally deficient and expected to benefit from the infrastructure bill.

In December 2021, Kaine joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in Richmond and Henrico County to discuss how the $7.7 billion in federal funds that Virginia expects to receive from the infrastructure bill will be used to repair and replace roads and bridges and improve public transportation.

The bridge program also dedicates funding for tribal bridges as well as off-system bridgeslocally owned facilities not part of the federal-aid highway system, Spanberger said.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act incentivizes states to direct money to off-system bridges owned by a county, city, town or other local agency, Spanbergers office said. Normally, states must match federal funding with up to 20 percent state or local funding. But under the program, federal funds can be used for 100 percent of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating locally owned off-system bridges.

Warner, Kaine and Spanberger are Democrats.

Learn more about the USDOT Bridge Formula Program, go to fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/20220114.

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LINCOLN  Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA)  collectively known as Nebraska Corn  are crying foul after researchers at Texas A&M University released an economic analysis suggesting pending tariffs on nitrogen fertilizers will create shortages resulting in increased prices for farmers. Nebraska corn farmers have been concerned for several months as fertilizer prices have risen more than 80% for the upcoming growing season compared to 2021. The Texas A&M report validates farmers fears that fertilizer companies are artificially manipulating prices to the detriment of U.S. agriculture.

As part of this study, we conducted a historical analysis going back to 1980 and found that fertilizer costs tend to go up when corn revenues increase, said Dr. Joe Outlaw, lead researcher of the study. Notably, these prices tend to go up exponentially even after accounting for natural gas prices and higher demand.

The study noted the price of anhydrous ammonia, one type of nitrogen fertilizer, increased by $688 per ton  $86,000 for a 1,000-acre farm  from the end of 2020 through the end of October 2021.

The economic analysis has farmers worried about a petition by CF Industries with U.S. International Trade Commission to impose tariffs on nitrogen fertilizers imported from Trinidad and Tobago and Russia. CF Industries is one of the countrys leading nitrogen producers. Despite a widespread condemnation from ag groups, the U.S. Department of Commerce released a preliminary finding recommending tariffs.

Costs of fertilizers are sky high and will continue to climb with the addition of the proposed tariffs, said Andy Jobman, president of NeCGA and farmer from Gothenburg. Nebraskas farmers have been experiencing financial difficulties for the past several years due to low prices. High input prices are going to cause great financial harm to many operations after we finally thought we caught a break. High nitrogen prices are eliminating profitability for family farms.

I think the solution is simple, said Jay Reiners, chairman of NCB and farmer from Juniata. Fertilizer companies need to remove us from their trade spats, while maintaining a reliable and affordable supply of their products in the market. Only then can our farmers have a chance at success as we approach the 2022 growing season.

The Texas A&M economic analysis was conducted by 21 state corn organizations including: Nebraska, Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of -cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board is to promote the value of corn by creating opportunities.

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) is a grassroots commodity organization that works to enhance the profitability of corn producers. NeCGA has more than 2,400 dues-paying members in Nebraska. NeCGA is affiliated with the National Corn Growers Association, which has more than 40,000 dues-paying members nationwide.
A tsunami has hit Tonga's largest island, Tongatapu, and reportedly sent waves flooding into the capital after an underwater volcano in the South Pacific exploded in a violent eruption on Saturday, sending a cloud of ash and gas steam into the air.

A tsunami warning has been issued for the islands of Tonga. Tsunami advisories have also been issued for New Zealand's North Island and the west coast of the United States from California to Alaska, as well as Canada's British Columbia.

Satellite imagery shows a massive ash cloud and shockwaves spreading from the eruption.

Waves crossed the shoreline of Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, on Saturday, flowing onto coastal roads and flooding properties, according to CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand (RNZ).

Tonga's King Tupou VI was evacuated from the Royal Palace after the tsunami flooded the capital, RNZ reported, citing local media reports that a convoy of police and troops rushed the monarch to a villa at Mata Ki Eua.

Residents headed for higher ground, RNZ said, as waves swept the palace grounds, waterfront and main street.

Ash was falling from the sky in Nuku'alofa on Saturday evening and phone connections were down, RNZ said.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano first erupted Friday, sending a plume of ash 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) into the air, according to RNZ.

A second eruption hit on Saturday at 5:26 p.m. local time, RNZ reported.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said it recorded a tsunami wave of 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) near Nuku'alofa at 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves of 2.7 feet (83 cm) were observed by gauges at Nuku'alofa and waves of 2 feet at Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, Reuters reported.

Warning for US

A tsunami advisory is now in effect for the US west coast including the states of California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, according to the NWS National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska.

Dave Snider, Tsunami Warning Coordinator at the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, told CNN, "We have seen the wave moving through Hawaiian Island."

Current observations are that the wave is one-to-two feet high heading toward the US mainland Pacific Coast. The estimated arrival time along the California Coast is 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

Speaking by telephone Snider noted, "We don't have a really good forecast because this event is based on a volcano rather than earthquake."

Snider notes this is currently an advisory and not a tsunami warning in effect for the U.S. west coast following Tonga eruption.

Read the full story:

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Snow began falling in Statesville early Sunday, and by late morning, several inches had come down across the area.

However, authorities were reporting few issues. There were a few crashes reported around the county and there were scattered power outages as well, but most of those were addressed by late Sunday morning.

Everything is pretty quiet, city of Statesville spokeswoman Nancy Davis said.

She said there were a few outages reported in the Hidden Lakes area Sunday morning, but those were back on by late morning.

Davis said streets in the city were snow-covered, and crews were out scraping some of them and applying salt to interstate exits, bridges and other spots.

N.C. Highway Patrol First Sgt. Daniel Hall said the roads across the county were in poor condition early Sunday afternoon.

Most are ice- and snow-covered, he said. The ice mixture is very dangerous for travel.

Hall said, so far into the first winter storm of the year, folks seem to be heeding the advice to stay off the roads.

As of now, it seems, people are staying in and avoiding travel. We encourage motorists to stay home at this time, he said.

Hall said motorists, if they do choose to travel, need to be on the lookout for N.C. Department of Transportation trucks that are working to clear the roadways.

Use caution and give the plenty of room to work, he said.

If travel is absolutely necessary, drivers need to take precautions.

Reduce your speed and greatly increase your following distances, Hall said. Many collisions on snow- or ice-covered roadways are simply the result of driving too fast for the conditions of the highways. At a minimum, your vehicle could become stuck or damaged. Beyond that, it could take longer for first responders to arrive at the scene of your collision.

He added that troopers are working to diligently handle the incoming reports of wrecks. By early afternoon, Hall said, wrecks were increasing. It is highly encouraged that people stay home, he said.

For current road conditions visit drivenc.gov.

In southern Iredell County, authorities closed the portion of White Oaks Road from Shearers to Fieldstone roads due to treacherous conditions. A portion of Bluefield Road also was closed due to conditions but reopened Sunday morning.

An overturned pickup truck also resulted in the closure of three of the four southbound lanes of Interstate 77 around 6:30 a.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported.

The forecast called for the snow to be mixed with ice as the day wore on Sunday, and that could mean more hazards for Monday. But with Monday being Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and schools, government offices and some businesses closed, authorities were hopeful the situation would not worsen.

Road conditions will be affected through the first part of the week, as temperatures are predicted to be in the 40s and dip below freezing each night.

But more wintry weather may be on tap for next weekend. The early forecast is for a chance of snow showers Friday and Saturday.
China blames Omicron case in Beijing on parcel sent from Canada

by IANS |

New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) The single Omicron case detected in Beijing was traced back to an international document from Canada, and it was found to have similar strains from those in North America and Singapore, the Global Times reported citing health authorities in the Chinese capital as saying.



The authorities said that Omicron variant was detected on the outer package, internal surface and papers of the mail.



The patient who was found with Omicron on January 15 had received an international mail on January 11 which was sent from Canada on January 7, transferred via the US and China's Hong Kong region to Beijing.



Combined with the epidemiological studies, the testing results of suspicious samples and the gene sequencing result of the case, the possibility that the Beijing case was infected by the virus through the international mail cannot be ruled out, the Global Times quoted Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing centre for disease control and prevention, as saying to reporters.



The Omicron strain of the patient in Beijing is similar to those of North America and Singapore in December 2021, Pang said.



The Beijing health authorities ruled out the possibility that the case has any relation with Omicron-infected outbreaks in other Chinese cities.



The patient only had contact with the outer package of the document and the front page of the document inside the mail. She did not touch the internal surface of the mail or other papers.



Testing results on 22 samples relating to the mail showed Omicron was detected in two samples of the outer surface of the mail package, two samples of internal surface of the package as well as eight samples of the paper inside, the report said.



Previously, China reported multiple outbreaks in relation to imported goods.



The Covid-19 virus can survive for a long time in low temperature, thus the risk of goods causing the viral transmission increases in winter, Pang said, suggesting people reduce purchasing overseas commodities as the epidemic overseas is rampant.



The Beijing health authorities reminded people to take precautionary measures when receiving mail or goods from overseas by wearing masks and gloves and disinfecting and disposing of the packages properly.
Last updated: 2022-02-10

The current state of my apps

For those who dont know me, I am a Linux system administrator who codes a lot, mostly as a hobby. During my hobbies I wrote a few Android apps too, my most known one being Catima.

Catima is only available on Google Play and F-Droid and will probably remain exclusive to these platforms for the forseeable future.

But why isnt Catima on other app stores, like the Samsung Galaxy Store, Amazon AppStore or Huawei App Gallery, one may ask. Is there something wrong with those stores? The answer may surprise you:

The reason Catima isnt on alternative app stores isnt because there is something wrong with them, its because there is something wrong with Google Play.

Note: With this I meant that Google Play was taking way too much of my time and energy to also publish to other stores. Luckily, the situation seems to have died down for now and I may reconsider publishing to other stores. That would however require me being convinced that that store isnt as bad as the Huawei AppGallery.

What is wrong with Google Play

Everyone knows Google Play. It is pre-installed on every Android device bought in stores, so it is the way to reach as many users as possible. That, however, is pretty much where the good parts end.

Unlike F-Droid, publishing on Google Play is not free but requires a one-time payment of 50 Euros to register a developer account. This account can then be used to publish as many apps with as you want, so the cost is not insane given the amount of users you reach, but still worth mentioning.

The real problem with Google Play, however, is not the money. It is the incompetence of their support and moderation staff.

The beginning of the end

On October 2nd 2021, I received an email titled: Action Required: Your app is not compliant with Google Play Policies.

I was confused, because I actually always do read the rules and was pretty sure I wasnt breaking any policy.

After several mails back and forth, I started to get a hunch: Google was using Google Translate incorrectly.

You see, Google doesnt accept apps saying theyre free in the title (most likely to keep the app list clean, as this info is already readable on other places), and if you naively throws the Dutch word vrij (meaning free as in freedom) into Google Translate, you get free in English. While the word free in English is ambigious, it is possible to use it to refer to things as being at no cost, which would break the policy.

Google never truly explained which word they had a problem with, just kept repeating vague statements like your apps title in nl_NL and no_NO locales currently contains text that indicates price and promotional information, but this was my best guess as to what was wrong. After 4 full days of trying to teach Google staff how a dictionary worked, I caved in and changed the Dutch and Norwegian titles. Not even 24 hours later, I got another email.

Action Required: Your app is not compliant with Google Play Policies

The relentless gut-punching

The new compliance email did not focus on just Dutch and Norwegian, it marked 9 new languages:

Annoyed, I changed all those translations and hoped for it to end.

Again, not even 24 hours later, I got another email:

Fine, small change, so Ill just update the Chinese translation.

At this point, were on October 7th and I got a promising email: Your update is live in the store:

While this was less than ideal, it seemed like the end of this hell, and like I could move on to focus on actually making the app better.

After only 5 days, the issue was resolved by pure guessing on my side. Well, mostly at least. There was just some last annoyances on November 7th and November 20th, until something truly interesting happened.

Google accidentally proves my theory

On November 23rd, I got another mail. Another Action Required. This one, though, was somewhat different.

Yes, you read that right. Google was upset that I used the word Free in my app titles. The only problem? I never used them. This proved my theory: Google was using Google Translate to translate the app titles instead of reviewing them with native speakers.

Ill be honest, I pretty much had a mental breakdown that day. It was just too insane for words.

One last punch in the gut: a stupid Google Play Console bug

I got one last such e-mail on December 17th, this time talking about the Bulgarian translation. I removed it, thinking this was hopefully finally the end.

Sadly, a bug in the Google Play Console causes all fields of all languages to be revalidated if you make any change. Because Google recently lowered the title length from 50 to 30 characters and not all Catima translators have changed their translations yet, I literally cannot edit the non-compliant title, as all fields of all languages need to follow the rules at the moment you hit save, even if you are not making changes to that specific field or language.

As I write this, I have just received another email from Google after I told them I literally cannot comply due to this bug telling me to make sure all my titles are 30 characters or shorter.

Despite all I tried, its now almost 3 full months later, and I am still not compliant.

Further reading

If you want to see all my frustration, take a look at Catima GitHub issue #439 and all these tweets.

Other Google Review team mess-ups

On January 16th, 2022, Google rejected an app update because of a lack of login info. Despite the fact that Catima is completely offline and Catima accounts literally do not exist.

On January 18th, the resubmission was approved 10 minutes after I received another email (which couldnt have been automatic as it was 2 days later) telling me the following: Were reaching out in response to your recent appeal regarding Play Console Requirements policy. If your app was missing valid log-in credentials and you are now ready to provide them, you can resolve this issue on your own without waiting to hear back from a policy support agent.. Not very sensical, but for now, Catima is approved again.

This happened again on January 31st, just 2 weeks later. This time the appeal was approved the very next day.
NASA found that asteroids can "sneak up" on Earth by bypassing the network of telescopes that are searching open space for them.

A group of astronomers funded by the NASA have warned that dangerous asteroids may be heading towards Earth and that these can go totally undetected due to a blind spot in the sky. These asteroids can bypass the network of computerised telescopes and "sneak up" on Earth because of the way our planet rotates and orbits the sun.

As reported by The Telegraph, the telescope's algorithm has been created to alert astronomers of asteroids and other moving objects. These are coded in a way that avoids raising false alarms when supernovas happen. While the objects heading towards Earth seem to drift west in the sky due to the planet's eastward spin on its axis, asteroids appear stationary as it approaches from the eastern sky.

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50% of impactors heading to Earth from the east are difficult to detect

The study published in the journal Icarus, says that 50 percent of impactors heading to Earth from the east are thought to experience slow motion, making them hard to detect. Hence, the team wrote: "Surveys should take extra care when surveying the sky in this direction, and aggressively follow up new slow-moving objects."

But despite the big revelation, Professor Richard Wainscoat, who led the research team at the University of Hawaii, said that people "shouldnt lose sleep". He said that if they find something that is going to hit the earth, they would like to do something about it. He said, "Its not a matter of finding them and sitting there and letting it hit."

Earlier in 2019, Earth had a "near miss" when a 100 metre asteroid darted past the planet only 43,000 miles away. The object was spotted only 24 hours earlier and the US Congress then instructed the US space agency to identify 90% of asteroids bigger than 140 metres that could destroy a large city if landed. Additionally, the agency also launched a heavy spaceship program last year to smash into the moonlet of a comet to knock it off course. Around 40 per cent of large asteroids that are closely approaching Earth have been catalogued, said Professor Wainscoat.

Earlier a NASA report had warned at least five asteroids are approaching Earth this month - with one the size of a large building. However, there is no known threat of an asteroid colliding with Earth in the next century. The most hazardous asteroid in the solar system is named Bennu and there is a possibility it may strike Earth in the next 200 years.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/nasa-issues-grim-warning-asteroids-25958966
The US is working to determine who carried out a cyberattack on Ukraine and it wouldnt be surprising if Russia was behind it, President Joe Bidens NSA said.

The US is working to determine who carried out a cyberattack on Ukrainian government websites and it wouldnt be surprising if Russia was behind it, President Joe Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. Ukrainian officials say all evidence points to Russia, while Russia denies it was behind the hacks. Its the latest source of tension after President Vladimir Putin massed 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border for what the U.S. says is a possible invasion.

Were working hard on attribution, Sullivan said on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday. This is part of the Russian playbook, so it would not surprise me one bit if it ended being attributed to Russia.

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And yes of course, if it turns out that Russia is pummeling Ukraine with cyberattacks and if that continues over the period ahead, we will work with our allies on the appropriate response, he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN that last weeks inconclusive diplomacy by the U.S. and Europe to head off a possible Russian military move against Ukraine was a disturbing outcome.

There are some understandings between us, Peskov said in an interview with Fareed Zakaria GPS aired Sunday. But in general, in principle, we can now say that we are staying on different tracks, on totally different tracks, and this is not good, and this is disturbing.

The Biden administration said Friday that Russian actors are preparing potential sabotage operations against their own forces and fabricating provocations in social media to justify an invasion into Ukraine if diplomacy fails.

Russia says it wants NATO to bar Ukraine and other ex-Soviet states from membership and to roll back its forces to positions they held in 1997.

Sullivan reiterated that the U.S. and its allies have warned Russia it will face severe economic consequences and a price to pay if its troops move into Ukraine.

GOP Critics

Republican lawmakers called for more forceful action now, such as a permanent halt to the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.

The U.S. should let Putin know that Nord Stream 2 pipeline is not going to operate, Senator Mitt Romney said on NBCs Meet the Press.

Rather than threatening after an invasion takes place, we ought to be providing deterrence before an invasion takes place, Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Looking for a new gaming smartphone? We're spoiled for choice these days, but Black Shark is one of the biggest brands in this area. If you need to get one that can deliver the best in performance, the Black Shark 4 Pro is now available in Malaysia.

Just today, Black Shark Malaysia launched the Black Shark 4 Pro gaming smartphone in Malaysia. The phone was first unveiled back in March 2021, but it's taken a while to make its way here. Anyway, this model sports a Snapdragon 888 chipset, a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED that supports a refresh rate of 144Hz, and 120W fast charging.

Besides the above, this model comes with magnetic pop-up shoulder buttons and DTS Ultra X certified dual speakers. Moreover, it has an upgraded liquid cooling system that delivers improved cooling efficiency, so it won't feel warm even when you play demanding mobile games. Finally, this smartphone comes with a 64MP+8MP+5MP triple-camera at the back, as well as a 20MP front camera.

The Black Shark 4 Pro is available starting on 4 February 2022 in two configurations: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage; and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage. They're priced at RM2599 and RM2999, respectively. What's more, the first 500 buyers could get up to RM500 worth of gifts. There are also upcoming promos for the Black Shark Lucifer T2 earbuds and Black Shark Goblin headphones, so don't miss out if you're a Black Shark fan.

If you are interested in these products, check out the Black Shark Malaysia store page on Shopee. So, do any of you plan to buy the Black Shark 4 Pro? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news on the latest gaming smartphones.
Cattle rancher Bobby Helmers, 79, has joined the renewable energy revolution, recently allowing utility company Engie to build several wind turbines on his land in Texas

Cattle rancher Bobby Helmers cranes to listen as the blades of his six giant wind turbines slice through the air in the same Texas fields that once echoed with the sounds of oil pumps.

Like JR and Bobby Ewing, lead characters in the hit 1970s and 80s TV series "Dallas," Helmers hosted oil wells on his land for decades. But with renewable energy increasingly viable even in the petroleum-rich Lone Star State, the 79-year-old is among several ranchers who have plugged their pumps and made the shift to wind power.

He still marvels at how little noise comes from the massive turbines, each of which cuts a 120-meter diameter over the property, and the taste of modernity that they brought three years ago to a traditional cattle ranch owned by his wife Sandra's family for three generations.

"The Stetsons and the horses have been replaced by caps and pickups," Helmers said, referring to the iconic brand of wide-brimmed cowboy hats.

The cows, however, remain on the ranch in San Angelo, some 250 miles (400 kilometers) southwest of Dallas.

The Helmers and an employee raise 125 head of Brangus, a hybrid between the Angus breed prized for its tender beef and Brahman known for their resistance to heat.

But today, half of the ranch's operating revenue comes from the turbines.

Blades from wind turbines rotate in a field behind an out-of-use oil pumpjack near Eldorado, Texas

Texas wind champion

A few miles away, in a small building set among juniper bushes and cacti, Kevin DeFoor manages some 10 workers tasked with maintaining the wind farm of 76 turbines, including those on the Helmers land.

"The region developed itself thanks to agriculture, ranching and oil," said 48-year-old DeFoor, an employee of French energy giant Engie, which manages the wind farm.

It took a while before the area native realized that local riches were not just found in the soil.

In 2007, DeFoor, a former prison warden, became the first in his family to work in the wind energy sectorand he has been raving about the area's wind consistency ever since.

"Our turbines turn 50 percent of the time," DeFoor said, in what he called a "great performance" for the US wind sector.

President Joe Biden's call for a clean energy revolution has resonated in Texas. The state known for its fossil fuels has invested heavily since the early 2000s to become the nation's top wind energy producer and second-biggest producer of solar energy.

Cows and turbines coexist on Bob Helmers's ranch in Texas, where leaders such as former governor George W Bush, later a US president, promoted an all-of-energy approach

"Contrary to popular belief, Texas governor (and later US president) George W Bush, and then his successor Rick Perry didn't want Texas to be solely reliant on oil," according to Joshua Long, an associate professor of environmental studies at Southwestern University near Austin.

"They viewed Texas as 'The Energy State,' with a diversity of energy sources."

As a result, fossil fuels and renewables have coexisted in Texas for years.

'Stable' revenue

Such transformations will be in focus later this week when Biden hosts an Earth Day summit aimed at reinvigorating the world's climate change fight.

But it is not out of environmental conviction that Helmers flipped from oil to wind.

Installed in the early 1990s, his oil pumps began producing steadily shrinking returns, and after about three decades, the contractor operating them eventually threw in the towel.

The US state of Texas juggles its image as a cowboy and ranching frontier with its embrace of high-tech renewable wind energy

Fossil fuels and renewable energy have coexisted in the US state of Texas for years

In a slice of good fortune, the Infinity Renewables group arranged to meet with Helmers and his neighbors in a nearby restaurant, where the potential royalties from wind energy the suitors described convinced Helmers to make the switch.

Oil reserves and profits can drop, he said, while "in wind, the production is stable," and profit shares rise over the years as the investments are amortized.

A full decade passed between the initial negotiations and construction of the first turbine on Helmers's property. By then, Engie had bought Infinity Renewables, and the technology had improved.

"The turbines were supposed to be 1.5 Megawatt hours, and they are now 2.625," boosting revenues, the jeans-clad cowboy said in his living room, where hunting trophies adorn the walls.

While his oil income fluctuated due to market volatility, Helmers now appreciates the steadier, although undisclosed, new income.

Despite the successes, he experienced his first wind energy disappointment a few months ago when his turbines stopped spinning for 10 days during a historic cold snap that paralyzed the region.

Explore further Low-level jets create winds of change for turbines

 2021 AFP
Shiny Columbus during spacewalk. Credit: ESAL. Parmitano, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

Astronauts on board the International Space Station are connecting straight to Europe at light speed, thanks to the European Data Relay System.

An upgrade to the communications system is delivering broadband internet speeds similar to those enjoyed by families on Earth.

It means that experiments on board the International Space Station can be monitored from Europe in close to real time. Until now, data from investigations into the effects of radiation on seeds and biomining research had to be stored on hard drives and returned to Earth many months later.

Astronauts on board the International Space Station are connecting via a radio link to one of the two geostationary satellites that form the European Data Relay System. The satellite picks up signals from the Station as it loops around the Earth every 90 minutes and relays them straight back to its European base station.

The state-of-the-art system provides speeds of up to 50 Mbit/s for downlink and up to 2 Mbit/s for uplink. The communications device which enables itnicknamed "ColKa' for "Columbus laboratory Ka-band terminal'  was installed during a spacewalk in January 2021.

ColKa uses the European Data Relay System, which was developed as an ESA Partnership Project with satellite manufacturer Airbus, as part of ESA's efforts to federate industry around large-scale commercial telecommunication programs, stimulating innovative service developments to achieve economic benefits.

Europe strengthened its connection to space on Wednesday 27 January, as NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins (white suit with red stripes) and Victor Glover (plain white suit) installed the Columbus KA-band antenna (ColKa) outside ESAs Columbus laboratory on the International Space Station. This antenna will create an additional bi-directional KA-band data transmission for the Space Station, providing a direct link between the Columbus laboratory and Europe, for researchers and astronauts, at home broadband speeds. Credit: ESA/NASA

ESA and Airbus signed a two-year contract on 29 November 2021 to deliver data from the Station to Europe.

Colka was designed and built by British and Italian companies, using products from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany and Norway, some of which have been qualified under ESA's Telecommunications and Integrated Applications program of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES).

The knowledge gained from designing, building and running ColKa will be instrumental for ESA's telecommunications package under the ESPRIT telecommunications and refueling module that is being designed for the lunar Gatewayan outpost over 1000 times farther from Earth than the International Space Station that will provide vital support for a sustainable, long-term human return to the lunar surface.

Explore further Image: Underwater astronaut training
Former Sen. David Perdue and his wife Bonnie didnt have to wait long in line Monday to cast their ballots for the May 24 primary, which will determine who will receive the Republican nomination for the race to serve as Georgias next governor.
Global supply chain disruptions have caused worldwide shortages throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but a Texas A&M logistics expert said we should not assume the sky is falling.

Madhav Pappu, a clinical assistant professor at A&Ms Mays Business School, said in a recent article published by the university that hes optimistic about the global supply chains recovery in 2022.

Like Chicken Little, we dont want to end up in the foxs den, Pappu said in the article. Instead, we should look up to get a clearer view of whats going on now and whats likely to be ahead.

Pappu teaches in A&Ms Department of Information and Operations Management. Pappu said businesses are shifting from a just in time manufacturing process, which keeps inventories at a bare minimum, to a just in case model that builds in excess inventory. He noted that companies are also looking for ways to bring back manufacturing to the United States.

Companies, especially in the United States, have made enormous strides in automation and efficiency in recent decades, and this will continue, Pappu said. In fact, good companies are using this crisis as an opportunity to increase their competitive advantage.

An example of how companies are betting that the United States will continue to lead in technology and innovation is Samsungs plan to build a $17 million computer chip manufacturing plant in Texas, Pappu said. This means we wont have to depend as much on foreign manufacturers, which simplifies distribution.

Pappu said he believes large retail companies, such as Amazon, Walmart and Target, will continue to separate themselves from small, local stores and that he expects larger companies will implement drones and other forms of technology to keep up with consumer demand for quick deliveries.

Pappu said consumers should not panic while global supply chain issues continue to be resolved.

Theres no need to stockpile items that are plentiful and made by lots of different companies, like soap, Pappu said. Your favorite brand might not be available, and you might grumble, but you still have soap. To blindly follow someone who does stockpile is to be like Chicken Little.
From the inaugural platform, President Joe Biden saw American sickness on two fronts  a disease of the national spirit and the one from the rampaging coronavirus  and he saw hope, because leaders always must see that.

End this uncivil war, he implored Americans on Jan. 20, 2021. Of the pathogen, he said: We can overcome this deadly virus."

Neither malady has abated.

For Biden, it's been a year of lofty ambitions grounded by the unrelenting pandemic, a tough hand in Congress, a harrowing end to a foreign war and rising fears for the future of democracy itself. Biden did score a public-works achievement for the ages. But Americas cracks go deeper than pavement.

In this midterm election year, Biden confronts seething divisions and a Republican Party that propagates the delusion that the 2020 election, validated as fair many times over, was stolen from Donald Trump. That central, mass lie of a rigged vote has become a pretext in state after state for changing election rules and fueling even further disunity and grievance.

Her husband campaigned to help unite the country, but Jill Biden says healing a nation wounded by a deadly pandemic, natural and other disasters and deep political polarization is among her chief roles as first lady, too.

Wrapping up a year in which she saw herself as a key member of President Joe Biden's team, the first lady told The Associated Press that she found herself taking on a role that "I didn't kind of expect, which was like a healing role, because weve faced so much as a nation.

Biden took office at a particularly polarized time in American history, so it's not surprising that citizens are divided on his performance at the one-year mark.

Here's what a cross-section of Americans have to say about the job Biden has done so far.
KEARNEY  Property owners would be smart to watch their mail in one week, Buffalo County Assessor Ethel Skinner said.

Thats because the white envelopes arriving around Jan. 21 could contain information to save money on property taxes.

The notices from Skinners office  shes mailing 26,000 of them  will contain preliminary valuations on property all across Buffalo County.

The preliminary valuation notices are important, Skinner said, because property owners can compare the preliminary valuations with what they believe the value of their home is, and then schedule an appointment to communicate with the assessors office. If errors are detected on the assessed valuation, then its possible the property owners tax might be reduced for 2022.

Its a chance for them to look at it, think about it and have their questions answered, Skinner said about the notices. Inside the white legal-sized envelope, it will show their valuation. On the bottom of the page it tells them to give us a call and well discuss it with them. If they dont think theres anything wrong with it, they dont have to call, Skinner said.

Property owners with questions about their preliminary valuations have until Feb. 23 to call the assessors office. Skinner said her office has until March 19 to file valuations with the state.

The next phase in the valuation process will occur on June 1 when the assessor mails yellow postcards with actual valuations. Property owners who disagree with their valuation can file protests between June 1-30. The county will hear protests in July, but Skinner urged property owners to consider working with her office to correct valuations when they receive the preliminary valuation notices next week because those corrections will be permanent.

Any valuation changes revised through the protest process are not permanent. Skinner said they will revert to the prior valuation at the end of the calendar year.

The Buffalo County assessor began mailing notices of preliminary valuations three years ago. Skinner said the practice helped to reduce the number of valuation protests.

When Skinner arrived in 2017 to be assessor, Buffalo County heard 2,500 protests. In 2020 it was 1,125 protests.

Last year, in 2021, it was 356 protests, Skinner said.

She said fairness in Nebraskas property tax system depends upon accurate records. Thats why its important for property owners to allow assessors office personnel into their houses to accurately record information that will determine the tax valuation.

Everyone says, Im willing to pay my fair share, but if you dont help the assessor get the correct information, then you may be paying more than your fair share, she said.
YORK  Justice Tranberg, 22, of Blaine, Minn., was sentenced this past week to nearly a year in jail for delivery of methamphetamine; however, he was also given that same amount of credit for time already served and was released from jail.

He was convicted of a Class 2A felony.

The case began when a deputy with the York County Sheriffs Department was working his regular patrol on Interstate 80, in the middle of the night. He says, in the affidavit filed with the court, that he saw a car without a working taillight.

A traffic stop was initiated.

He said the vehicle was driven by a man named Anthony Mitchell and Tranberg was the passenger.

The deputy says the men were unable to provide him the proper rental papers for the vehicle.

The deputy also said he could see a green leafy substance scattered across Tranbergs lap and sweatshirt. The deputy said when he asked Tranberg if there was marijuana in the vehicle, Tranberg gestured to the glove box.

When Tranberg later opened the glove box, the deputy said there was a glass pipe inside.

The deputy deployed his canine and the dog indicated to the detection of illegal narcotics.

During a search of the vehicle, investigators said they found approximately 10 pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags, plastic bags, plastic containers and Ziploc baggies. All the bags, containers and baggies, with the exception of the one found in the glove box, were contained in a large black suitcase in the trunk of the vehicle.

It seems he has some warrants in Minnesota and he was on probation when this occurred, York County Attorney John Lyons said during Tranbergs sentencing proceedings. This defendant is not a good candidate for probation. The state is asking for six years, in prison, following the logic of the classification of the crime.

He does have a criminal record that is significant for someone of his age, but being in jail showed him that being behind bars is not what he wants, said Tranbergs attorney, York County Public Defender David Michel. He has spent 309 days in jail since his arrest and his co-defendant was given time served with 190 days. I believe it would be fait to have the same considerations given to this defendant. We are asking for time served.

Tranberg told Judge James Stecker that he wanted to go to treatment and apologized to the court.

Judge Stecker acknowledged Tranbergs criminal history which included driving under the influence and domestic abuse/assault.

He was sentenced to 309 days in jail with credit for 309 days already served.

And now, get the treatment you say you want, Judge Stecker said to the defendant.
CHICAGO  A former Chicago alderman convicted of tax evasion has sought an early release from prison due to his age, medical conditions and the omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge.

Attorneys for Edward Vrdolyak filed an emergency petition Friday, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Attorneys said the 84-year-old suffers from medical conditions including dementia and has a compromised immune system that would put him at higher risk for severe illness or death.

The motion seeks that his sentence be reduced to time served.

A hearing for the motion has not been set.

Vrdolyak began serving his sentence in November after several delays related to the pandemic. He's a former Chicago alderman nicknamed "Fast Eddie" for his backroom dealing.

He pleaded guilty in March 2019 to a tax charge alleging that he obstructed an IRS investigation into payments to and from his friend and associate related to Illinois' $9.3 billion settlement with tobacco companies in the late 1990s. Prosecutors said Vrdolyak had been paid at least $12 million in fees stemming from the settlement even though he did no legal work on the case.

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The Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority recently named its administration building in honor of Calhoun County Council Chairman David K. Summers.

Summers chaired the TRSWA since its inception in December 1992 and the landfills opening in July 1998 until his resignation from the agencys board due to health reasons in February 2021.

The board of directors dedicated the building in Jackson, located in Aiken County.

"I am very honored they awarded and named the building for me," Summers said.

Summers received a plaque that is placed in his honor within the buildings foyer. The building was completed in 2013.

David is a true leader, a great leader and, without him, the TRSWA and its landfill would probably never have happened, said Eric Thompson, former general manager of the TRSWA. Because of his dedication, he made a tremendous contribution to the Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority and the nine counties that it serves.

Summers represented Calhoun County as part of the TRSWA. The authority also consists of Orangeburg, Bamberg, Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda.

Summers was one of the agencys longest-serving founding board members.

Summers reflected on how he became a board member.

"I walked in the back door of the conference center and they were all sitting there but me," he said. "Monroe Neese from Edgefield County said, 'What are you doing in here? You are late. Come in here. You have been elected chairman.'"

Summers said he thought the meeting was to start at 4:30 p.m. and not 4 p.m.

Summers, a frequent advocate of the private sector, has often praised the TRSWA as a prime example of a government success story. The landfill is among the largest permitted in the nation.

Summers said the TRSWA has been a great success.

"We got a place to go with our garbage over the next 100 years, which is important that you have somewhere to take it," he said. "We were very fortunate to get that piece of land. It has turned out to be real good. We have had good leadership over there."

Summers said counties could not have done it flying solo. The landfill has served as the counties' alternative to private disposal or constructing a $7 million landfill on their own.

"It would have cost a lot more to get a private outfit," Summers said. "We still have to pay for it, but it is not like it would have been with a private company. We have been fortunate there."

"David was a solid person that we needed at the time to keep the nine counties together along with the Department of Energy and DHEC," Thompson said. "He was the glue that held everything together."

Thompson said Summers provided a "very calm" and "meaningful" contribution to the life of the TRSWA as chair, noting concerns among smaller counties of the TRSWA that their voices would be minimized.

"That never happened," Thompson said. "It was really because of David and the way he handled the meetings."

Thompson recalled how he picked up Summers in his private plane before their meeting with Dr. Mario Fiori, former Savannah River Site manager and United States assistant secretary of the Army.

"I kept telling him don't call this a garbage dump but a state-of-the-art landfill," Thompson said.

Summers recalled how he and his family were at the beach when he was picked up, and how Thompson had instructed him to sell their idea.

"I said, 'Dr. Fiori, we have nine counties that would like to build a state-of-the-art, Subtitle D landfill on your property,'" Summers said. "He said, 'in other words you want to build a garbage dump.' I knew then that he and I would get along just fine."

"David has a good sense of humor," Thompson said. "His sense of humor really pulled a lot of irons out of the fire for us."

Thompson also cited Summers' dedication in traveling all the way from Cameron to Aiken for latenight meetings for years.

"That takes a lot of commitment to sacrifice your time from your family," Thompson said.

Today, the site consists of a 1,100-acre remote tract with about 300 acres being used to bury solid waste.

TRSWA was formed when six counties asked the regional Lower Savannah Council of Governments for help in designing a Subtitle D landfill in an effort to address solid-waste demands.

In examining the most economical means of complying with the Solid Waste Act of 1991 and the requirement for a costly Subtitle D landfill, nine counties formed the consortium.

From the very beginning, Three Rivers attracted a great deal of attention, including receiving the states Palmetto Partnership Certificate of Excellence.

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When David Summers became chair of Calhoun County Council in 1979, gasoline was selling for 86 cents a gallon.

The quiz game Trivial Pursuit was launched and the blockbuster "Alien" had just made the big screen. Sony had also just released the Walkman costing about $200.

In January 2022, the 41-year chairman passed the gavel as he chose not to run for the position.

According to the South Carolina Association of Counties, Summers is the longest-serving council chairman since 1969 when records began to be kept.

Summers has been dealing with health issues over the past year, prompting him to step down. He also lost his wife and two daughters to COVID within seven months of each other last year.

"I have to give things up," Summers said. "I have had 41 great years as chairman, mostly to you guys for supporting me and all but now with this fibrosis I got, I can't do it anymore. I can't get out and move around and what not."

Summers' last motion as chair was to nominate the officers of chairman, vice chairman and chaplain of council.

James Haigler was unanimously named chairman. Haigler has served in Calhoun County government for 32 years with about 20 years as council vice chairman.

Summers was elected in November 1978 and took office as council chair in January 1979 at age 39.

There was one year, 1990, when Roger Hill was elected chair, but Summers was elected the next year.

"I enjoyed it and learned a lot and met a lot people," Summers said, reflecting on his four decades of service. "I enjoyed doing what I have done with the Association of Counties through the years."

Summers said perhaps the biggest change he has seen in the past four decades in government is the increasing encroachment of state government on county governments. He said unfunded state mandates have hurt county governments.

"It takes it off the state and puts it on the county and causes the county to raise taxes on the people," Summers said. "I don't like that but there is nothing you can do about it. They are putting it on you anyhow."

Summers said he will most miss being able to move around and go to meetings as he has in the past.

He said he could not remain as chair because it "was not being fair to people on council."

Summers thanked his constituents.

"I appreciate them very much," he said. "I had some opposition when I first started in the first few years. I appreciate the support so much from the people ... and thank them for that."

"I have had a lot tell me I can't quit and that I need to keep looking out for them," he said. "I will be just one of the regulars on there now."

Summers said he "always enjoyed" working with Haigler and will continue to be a supporter.

Summers said in his early days on council, Calhoun County worked often with Orangeburg County. Calhoun County helped provide funding -- about 15% -- for the Orangeburg jail as well as about 15% of the Regional Medical Center. The county continues to have three residents on the RMC board.

He also noted Calhoun County helped fund Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and also has county residents on the college's board.

"I want to thank everybody for supporting me as chairman," Haigler said. "I probably will be calling on all of you and will probably need some help. I appreciate you all putting the confidence in me."

During the election of officers, Summers also nominated Cecil Thornton as vice chairman, but the motion failed with a 3-1 vote with Thornton abstaining.

Councilman John Nelson nominated Ken Westbury as vice chairman. Westbury was elected to serve in the position with a 4-1 vote.

Col. John Nelson was unanimously elected chaplain.

Haigler thanked Summers for "being the ambassador he has been for Calhoun County and for the state."

"He is well known all over the state," Haigler said. "He has done a great job for us. We appreciate your service as chairman."

Haigler said he understands the challenging role as chairman as much of the blame can often fall on the leader.

Thornton and Westbury echoed Haigler.

"We owe him a great deal of gratitude," Thornton said. "I am thankful for everything he has done for this county over the years."

"You have been outstanding in your service for a long period of time," Westbury said. "I don't know how you stood as long as you have but we appreciate all you have done."

In other matters, council was informed the Calhoun County Rural Fire Board voted unanimously that council move forward to approve medical transport insurance service for volunteer firefighters.

The matter was presented as information to council as the county is still waiting on final numbers of how many volunteers will qualify for the insurance benefit. This information should be forthcoming for council's Jan. 24 meeting.

The insurance will take effect July 1 if approved. The county estimates it will cost between $20,000 to $25,000 annually to provide the insurance, but much depends on how many firefighters qualify.

County officials say the insurance benefit serves as an incentive to try to attract more volunteer firefighters to serve in the county.

In other business:

Council gave unanimous second reading to allow the Calhoun County Historical Commission to execute deeds and closing documents for the sale of certain properties. Years ago, the late county Clerk of Court C.R. Banks largely left his estate to the county and provided stipulations on what can and can't be done on the property through any sales.

Calhoun County Administrator John McLauchlin said about 30 county employees are out due to testing positive with COVID or having to quarantine. He said the county has an administration policy in place that individuals wear masks within county buildings and in public areas. The county has about 200 employees.

Council unanimously voted to reauthorize and extend holding meetings electronically. The January meeting was held virtually via OfficeSuite due to the increasing surge of the coronavirus.

Council appointed Suzanne Wolfe to serve on the Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees. Nelson said Wolfe has a wide range of experience in the medical field and has taken initiative in Sandy Run related to internet infrastructure and is a business owner.

"She is a very astute, smart and very public savvy person that I think will seat well on this board given the challenges they face," Nelson said.

Council unanimously passed a resolution recognizing school choice week from Jan. 23-29.

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The City of Orangeburg is beginning the process of creating a strategic plan to prepare for expected growth.

We have a lot of projects in the pipeline, City Administrator Sidney Evering told council members during a recent meeting. I know the public is eager to see shovels in the ground and things starting to happen.

I assure you we are working earnestly to do this, but I think a strategic plan will be an essential part of bringing this to fruition, Evering said.

Dr. Morris Blachman will serve as a consultant and facilitator for the planning process. Blachman has served as professor at the University of South Carolina's School of Medicine's Department of Continuous Professional Development and Strategic Affairs.

You have tremendous opportunities in front of you, to be able to consider, sit down and think through how do you bring the resources you have in this community to bear in a way that you can focus and target them so that you have the greatest opportunity for success, he said.

This is really about strategic management, Blachman continued.

Blachman said planning will not happen overnight.

It is a process, he said. You want to make sure you really think it through.

The process will include a Jan. 26 retreat for council where it will focus on a vision for Orangeburg and how to move forward. These discussions will be used to develop an operational plan that will focus on criteria to ensure there is accountability in the process.

Council members and staff will also be interviewed in the process.

The information gathered from these efforts will be used in formulating the strategic plan, which will also provide benchmarks that can be reviewed regularly, Blachman said.

A draft of the plan will be presented to council for review, with the final plan in place by early spring.

Councilwoman Liz Zimmerman Keitt said the plan is welcome.

It is time that we move forward, Keitt said. It has been extremely too long for Orangeburg to be the way it is today.

In other business:

 Riverbank Drive residents George and Merle Buck requested council address the vehicle accidents in front of their house.

We have had eight wrecks that we can remember in our yard and each time they are getting worse and worse, Merle Buck said. It is such a dangerous curve. Something needs to be done or somebody is going to get killed.

The couple say they will pursue the matter all the way to the S.C. Department of Transportation until it is corrected.

Interim Department of Public Safety Chief Charles Austin said in the short term, the city will place radar to measure vehicles speed at the curve and increase traffic enforcement. He said ODPS will also gather a historical record of the traffic accidents at the curve and is willing to present the information to the SCDOT when the Bucks present the matter.

 Council voted 5-1 to hire Michael Kozlarek of Greenville-based Kozlarek Law LLC to serve as the city's new attorney.

Councilman Jerry Hannah was opposed. Councilman Bernard Haire was not in attendance.

The vote was made after an hour closed session to conduct interviews and discuss compensation. Details of the contract are currently being negotiated.

Following the meeting, Evering said Kozlarek was chosen specifically for his wealth of experience specifically surrounding economic development.

Longtime city attorney James F. Walsh Jr. retired from the position Dec. 31. Council recognized Walsh's retirement during the meeting with a resolution. Walsh served the city for about 37 years.

Walsh will continue his private practice in the city.

Council members praised Walsh's service to the city, his legal acumen and his open-door policy for council.

 Council gave second reading to a change in the city's zoning ordinance regarding buffers between commercial and residential properties.

The change will allow different buffering types based on what the commercial property is used for, including a lower-intensity buffering option, such as vegetation and trees, and a more substantial buffering form, such as a wall or fencing.

Under the change, existing buffers will be grandfathered in unless there is over a 50% change to the existing buffer. The code would then be triggered.

 Council unanimously voted to cancel its regularly scheduled Feb. 1 meeting due to it being the Municipal Association of South Carolina Hometown Legislative Action Day.

 Council recognized creativity as the January Community of Character trait.

 Council went into closed session to conduct a performance evaluation of Municipal Judge Virgin Johnson and Department of Public Utilities Manager Warren Harley. There was no discussion or vote taken on the matter in open session.

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A 42-year-old Neeses man pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 16 years of age.

Daniel Allen Lopez entered his guilty plea before Circuit Judge Ed Dickson on Jan. 10 at the Orangeburg County Courthouse.

Dickson sentenced Lopez to 14 years in prison. Lopez was given credit for having already spent 316 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center from Aug. 18, 2015 until June 28, 2016.

A warrant originally charged Lopez with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor victim between the ages of 11 and 14, but he pleaded to second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor victim under 16 years of age instead.

Court records alleged Lopez had sex with a 14-year-old child on June 25, 2015.

In other recent guilty pleas:

 Jolisa Darlene Banks, 32, of 7648 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence.

Dickson sentenced her to three years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.

He gave Banks credit for having already served two days in jail.

He ordered Banks to complete a domestic violence intervention program.

Banks is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition for the next three years.

Banks charge stems from a June 8, 2019 incident.

 Christopher Baughman, 29, of 164 Opal Lane, Neeses, pleaded guilty to one count each of receiving stolen goods valued at $10,000 or more and receiving stolen goods valued at $2,000 or less.

Dickson sentenced him to prison for five years.

One case involved a black trailer. The other case involved three batteries.

As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed two counts of receiving stolen goods valued at $2,000 or less.

A charge of receiving stolen goods valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 was dismissed at his preliminary hearing.

 Cedrick Bradley, 26, of 307 Clara Lane, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to possession of less than 28 grams of marijuana.

Dickson sentenced him to pay a fine of $100 and all court fees by March 15 or report to jail for 30 days.

A warrant charged Bradley with first-offense possession with intent to distribute marijuana, but he pleaded guilty to possession of less than 28 grams of marijuana instead.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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BAMBERG Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) has been awarded $782,575 through the Federal Communications Commissions COVID-19 Telehealth Program as part of its second round of funding.

PCC serves as a leading partner and administrator for the South Carolina Rural Telehealth Initiative, a consortium of diverse health care providers that will deploy a telehealth platform and remote patient monitoring devices to enhance: 1) remote care of patients with COVID-19, 2) remote care for select chronic disease patients with high risk of mortality from acquiring COVID-19, and 3) telehealth capabilities for COVID-19 and other admitted patients to critical access hospitals. The health care providers in the consortium operate primarily in rural, underserved communities located in the Upstate, Midlands, Pee Dee and Low Country regions of the state. Health care organizations in the SC Rural Telehealth Initiative include Williamsburg Regional Hospital, Allendale County Hospital, Lowrys Primary Care in Chester, Clemson Health Clinic - Walhalla, Little River Medical Center, Clyburn Center for Primary Care of Rural Health Services, Inc. and the Alpha Behavioral Health Center in Chesterfield County.

The funds will cover the costs of remote monitoring devices such as connected blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, and pulse oximeters so high-risk patients can continue receiving quality care remotely with lower risk of COVID-19 transmission. In addition, the funds will reimburse the cost of the development of a telehealth platform. The SC Rural Telehealth Initiative will be co-led by PCC Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting, MHA and Clemson Rural Health Director Ron Gimbel, Ph.D. Patients with certain chronic disease and other conditions are at heightened risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2.

Innovation in remote patient monitoring and telehealth connectivity (in the home) helps to protect vulnerable patients while promoting self-management of their chronic condition. Remote patient monitoring includes enabled medical devices that capture biomedical readings and visualize trends to help guide patients. The devices, such as weight scales, blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, pulse oximeters, peak flow meters, and others will be integrated within a dedicated telehealth platform to provide trended data for comparison by patients, clinical staff and providers. Safety thresholds and aligned messaging to patients will help the high-risk patients isolate at home, receive care remotely, and guide them when readings are troublesome, said Gimbel.

Within our critical access hospital partners, the devices will be used within the hospital facilities to ensure high quality care despite of nursing shortages and other challenges.

The SC Rural Telehealth Initiative is committed to improving access to care and health outcomes for SC residents. In addition to patients with COVID-19, our health providers will be treating high risk patients who have Type-2 diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, obesity, and substance use disorders. Many of the patients are underrepresented minorities and older adults including veterans, said Schwarting.

According to a news release, the FCCs COVID-19 Telehealth Program supports the efforts of health care providers to continue serving their patients by providing reimbursement for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to enable telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Round 2 is a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act. As the impact of new variants continue to challenge our healthcare system, the FCC has worked diligently to review and approve funding commitments as part of our COVID-19 Telehealth Program, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in the news release.

As we head into 2022, the ability to treat patients and loved ones from the safety of their home is of vital importance. Established in 2010, PCC is a non-profit organization that provides technology, broadband, and telehealth support services to health care providers in rural and underserved areas in S.C.

PCC co-chairs the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, along with the Medical University of South Carolina, serving as an advocate for rural providers and partnering with organizations to improve health care access and delivery for all South Carolinians. The National Cooperative of Health Networks Association named Palmetto Care Connections as the 2021 Outstanding Health Network of the Year. PCC Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting received South Carolinas 2021 Community Star award presented by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

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Today we pause to honor the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to interpret his words calling upon America to see the content of the character before judging anyones person.

On Feb. 23, 2020, a 25-year-old African-American man lay dead in the street of a predominantly white neighborhood near Brunswick, Georgia, killed by three white vigilantes. His crime: jogging in the streets of a white neighborhood and looking into a house under construction to see concepts of his dream to become an architect.

In 1955, a 14 year-old African-American boy comes to Money, Mississippi, for summer vacation with his extended family and is killed with a gin fan strung around his neck, wrapped in barbed wire, shot in the head and his body dumped in the Tallahatchie River. His crime: allegedly offending a white woman.

The disregard of the killers of the content of the character of Emmett Till is what drove King to wonder aloud about his children being judged, not by the color of their skin but by the substance of the character of their person. The content of Ahmaud Arberys character was also not known by the three white male vigilantes in Brunswick, Georgia, before they hunted him down in their neighborhood, cornered him like a rat and blew his chest wide open so that daylight could be seen through his body.

America has made progress since the killing of Till and the acquittal of suspects by an all-white jury, without consideration of his character, to the unprecedented conviction of the three white vigilantes of Ahmaud Arberys killing by a jury of 11 whites and one Black in southeast Georgia. In evaluating the meaning of Kings words regarding his four children being judged not by their skin color but by the content of their character, it is important to first understand that one needs to see beyond the race of the Emmett Tills of America, beyond the race of the Ahmaud Arberys of America before judging them and their alleged acts.

At the most basic of foundations, it is absurd to say that Till and Arbery were not judged by the color of their skin before being killed. They were killed because of the lack of character in the white vigilantes and their preconceived prejudices prevented them from considering Till or Arbery as worthy of positive character. Neither the content of Tills character nor the content of Arberys character was considered before their executions.

The question lingers, however, what King meant by not being judged by the color of ones skin but the content of ones character. We believe that the ugly thread of invidious prejudice and vicious racism runs so deeply in America that King was speaking of the pre-judgment made against the Tills of his lifetime, mirroring the prejudice against todays Arberys, before any consideration could be given regarding their character and who they were as citizens.

It is a diversionary tactic to become entangled in the maze of the conservative argument that race should not be considered in social, political and business settings. To fully embrace the conservative philosophy of not deploying reparative strategies is to ignore the enduring physical and psychological chains of slavery; to ignore the laws permitting, nay requiring, discrimination and devaluation of Black people; to ignore banking laws that permitted red-lining to deny equal housing opportunities to Black people; to ignore the continued state legislative efforts to disenfranchise Black, brown and other vulnerable voters; and to ignore denying qualified Black farmers federal funding but providing abundant federal government backed financial funding to White farmers (a practice that continues to this day) and then declaring, Why cant you keep up, theres something amiss with your character.

Unquestionably, as demonstrated by the vigilante lynching of Till in 1955 to the vigilante shooting of Arbery in 2020, too often the color of ones skin continues to dominate and dislodge consideration of the content of ones character in our nations financial, political and social discrimination.

Barbara R. Arnwine is president and founder of Transformative Justice Coalition and Daryl D. Jones is board chair and executive vice president of the coalition. They wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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Tuesday support meetings

Weekly Grief Share meetings set

Grief Share is a support group to support and encourage you during your grief journey. After the funeral, when the cards and flowers stop coming, most of the people around you return to their normal lives. But your grief continues and you feel alone. Often, friends and family want to help you, but dont know how. Thats the reason for Grief Share. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and have successfully rebuilt their lives. We understand how you feel because weve been in the same place. We will walk with your on the long path through grief toward healing and hope for the future. We meet weekly on Tuesdays at Highland Park Community Church, 5725 Highland Dr., Casper, at 6:30 p.m., in room 1327. There is a $20 fee for the book (scholarships available). For more information please call Vickie Obermueller at 262-8024 or The Healing Place at 265-3977.
COLLEYVILLE, Texas (AP)  Authorities on Sunday identified a 44-year-old British national as the man who took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue for 10 hours before an FBI SWAT team stormed the building, ending a tense standoff that President Joe Biden called "an act of terror."

Malik Faisal Akram was shot and killed after the last of the hostages got out at around 9 p.m. Saturday at Congregation Beth Israel near Fort Worth. In a statement, the FBI said there was no indication that anyone else was involved, but it didn't provide a possible motive.

Akram could be heard ranting on a Facebook livestream of the services and demanding the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan. The FBI and police spokeswomen declined to answer questions Saturday night about who shot Akram when the standoff ended.

Video from Dallas TV station WFAA showed people running out a door of the synagogue, and then a man holding a gun opening the same door just seconds later before he turned around and closed it. Moments later, several rounds of gunfire could be heard, followed by the sound of an explosion.

"Rest assured, we are focused," Biden said during a visit to a food pantry in Philadelphia on Sunday morning. "The attorney general is focused and making sure that we deal with these kinds of acts."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said the hostage-taker was specifically focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community, and there was no immediate indication that the man was part of any broader plan. But DeSarno said the agency's investigation "will have global reach."

It wasn't clear why Akram chose the synagogue.

Law enforcement officials who were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity earlier said the hostage-taker demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaida who is in a federal prison in Texas. He also said he wanted to be able to speak with her, according to the officials, one of whom confirmed that the hostage-taker was a British national.

A rabbi in New York City received a call from the rabbi believed to be held hostage in the synagogue to demand Siddiqui's release, a law enforcement official said. The New York rabbi then called 911.

Police were first called to the synagogue around 11 a.m. and people were evacuated from the surrounding neighborhood soon after that, FBI Dallas spokeswoman Katie Chaumont said.

Saturday's services were being livestreamed on the synagogue's Facebook page for a time. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that an angry man could be heard ranting and talking about religion at times during the livestream, which didn't show what was happening inside the synagogue.

Shortly before 2 p.m., the man said, "You got to do something. I don't want to see this guy dead." Moments later, the feed cut out. A spokesperson for Meta Platforms Inc., the corporate successor to Facebook Inc., later confirmed that Facebook had removed the video.

Multiple people heard the hostage-taker refer to Siddiqui as his "sister" on the livestream. But John Floyd, board chair for the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,  the nation's largest Muslim advocacy group  said Siddiqui's brother, Mohammad Siddiqui, was not involved.

"This assailant has nothing to do with Dr. Aafia, her family, or the global campaign to get justice for Dr. Aafia. We want the assailant to know that his actions are wicked and directly undermine those of us who are seeking justice for Dr. Aafia," said Floyd, who also is legal counsel for Mohammad Siddiqui. "We have confirmed that the family member being wrongly accused of this heinous act is not near the DFW Metro area."

Texas resident Victoria Francis told the AP that she watched about an hour of the livestream before it cut out. She said she heard the man rant against America and claim he had a bomb.

"He was just all over the map. He was pretty irritated and the more irritated he got, he'd make more threats, like 'I'm the guy with the bomb. If you make a mistake, this is all on you.' And he'd laugh at that," she said. "He was clearly in extreme distress."

Francis, who grew up near Colleyville, tuned in after she read about the hostage situation. She said it sounded like the man was talking to the police department on the phone, with the rabbi and another person trying to help with the negotiations.

Colleyville, a community of about 26,000 people, is about 15 miles (23 kilometers) northeast of Fort Worth. The synagogue is nestled among large houses in a leafy residential neighborhood that includes several churches, a middle and elementary school and a horse farm.

Congregation Beth Israel is led by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who has been there since 2006 as the synagogue's first full-time rabbi. He has worked to bring a sense of spirituality, compassion and learning to the community, according to his biography on the temple's website, and he loves welcoming everyone, including LGBT people, into the congregation.

In a Sunday morning post on what appears to be Cytron-Walker's Facebook page, the rabbi thanked law enforcement and first-responders, and security training "that helped save us."

"I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the CBI Community, the Jewish Community, the Human Community. I am grateful we made it out. I am grateful to be alive," he wrote.

Anna Salton Eisen, a founder and former president of the synagogue, said the congregation has about 140 members and that Cytron-Walker has worked hard to build interfaith relationships in the community, including doing pulpit swaps and participating in a community peace walk. She described Saturday's events as "surreal."

"This is unlike anything we've ever experienced. You know, it's a small town and it's a small congregation," Eisen said as the hostage situation was ongoing. "No matter how it turns out, it's hard to fathom how we will all be changed by this, because surely we will be."

President Joe Biden issued a statement thanking law enforcement after the hostage situation ended.

"There is more we will learn in the days ahead about the motivations of the hostage taker. But let me be clear to anyone who intends to spread hatewe will stand against anti-Semitism and against the rise of extremism in this country," Biden said.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Twitter that he had been monitoring the situation closely. "This event is a stark reminder that antisemitism is still alive and we must continue to fight it worldwide," he wrote. He said he was "relieved and thankful" that the hostages were rescued.

The standoff prompted increased security in other places, including New York City, where police said that they increased their presence "at key Jewish institutions" out of an abundance of caution.

Aafia Siddiqui earned advanced degrees from Brandeis University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before she was sentenced in 2010 to 86 years in prison on charges that she assaulted and shot at U.S. Army officers after being detained in Afghanistan two years earlier. The punishment sparked outrage in Pakistan among political leaders and her supporters, who viewed her as victimized by the American criminal justice system.

In the years since, Pakistani officials have expressed interest publicly in any sort of deal or swap that could result in her release from U.S. custody, and her case has continued to draw attention from supporters. In 2018, for instance, an Ohio man who prosecutors say planned to fly to Texas and attack the prison where Siddiqui is being held in an attempt to free her was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

___

Tucker and Balsamo reported from Washington, D.C.; Associated Press writers Jennifer McDermott in Providence, Rhode Island; Michael R. Sisak in New York; Holly Meyer in Nashville, Tenn.; Acacia Coronado in Austin, Texas; and Issac Scharf in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

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BILLINGS  A U.S. District Court judge sided with bison advocates this week by ordering the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to revisit its decision regarding a denial of evidence submitted in an attempt to have Yellowstone National Parks bison protected under the Endangered Species Act.

In a 33-page memorandum opinion, District of Columbia Judge Randolph D. Moss said he had no view on the ESA issue. Rather, he said the Fish and Wildlife Service had applied the wrong standard and failed to address a significant aspect of the question before it when it last denied the petitioners arguments.

It is concerning, to be sure, that over seven years have now passed since the 2014 petition was filed, Moss wrote. But it remains unclear whether sufficient basis exists to proceed to the next stage of the ESA process, and in light of the substantial amount of work done to date, the Service should be able to answer that question promptly.

Although the judge set no deadline for the Fish and Wildlife Service response, he did require the parties to file a joint status report within 90 days to update the court.

Since 2014, Buffalo Field Campaign and Western Watersheds Project have been fighting to have Yellowstones bison declared endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The request is based on an argument that Yellowstone contains two genetically distinct subpopulations, the Central and Northern herds, which are often separated geographically but do intermix. To back up the claim, they pointed out that only 22 indigenous bison remained in Central Yellowstone in 1902. Meanwhile, the Northern herd is descended from 18 females from northern Montana and three bulls from Texas introduced in 1902.

The Central herd tends to remain around the Madison River while the Northern herd is found along the Yellowstone and Lamar rivers.

Under an agreement with the state of Montana, in an attempt to avoid bison infected with the disease brucellosis from passing it to livestock, the state and National Park Service agreed in 2000 to allow the slaughter of bison and bison hunting to reduce the parks bison population. The theory was that fewer bison would mean fewer would wander out of the park in winter when they might come into contact with cattle and spread brucellosis.

Since that agreement was forged, however, the Central bison herds population has declined. To support a demand for boosting the bison population, the conservation groups cited a 2014 study that found the two herds were genetically distinct. So rather than set a limit of 3,000 bison for the entire park, they argued the population should be 3,000 bison for each herd.

The Fish and Wildlife Service, which implements the Endangered Species Act, dismissed the study and instead touted a different one that examined the bisons mitochondrial DNA. This study did not support the claims of distinct bison populations. Therefore, no change to existing management was warranted, the agency argued.

The Fish and Wildlife Service had also said the petitioners failed to adequately account for mixing between the central and northern herds. Ignoring this suggests that the substructure of two distinct lineages in two distinct herds may not be sustained over time.

Judge Moss said the USFWSs 2019 finding offers no analysis of why, in the Services view, it chose one study over the other. The agency failed to articulate . . . a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made.

Whether the issue will get more attention now that Martha Williams, the former director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, is on track to become the new director of the USFWS is uncertain.

When Montana congressman Ryan Zinke was appointed to lead the Department of Interior, the USFWS denied the bison ESA petition. At the same time, he was urging the Park Service to manage Yellowstones bison more like livestock.

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Until about three years ago, the examination of burial sites or historic human remains was an informal effort between a biological anthropologist from the University of Wyoming, the state archaeologist and volunteers.

Then in 2019, state lawmakers passed Senate File 78, which put into law requirements concerning the discovery of human remains on state or private land. It placed almost all of the responsibility on the state archaeologist, Spencer Pelton.

Since then, the law has several times guided the handling of burial sites and remains. But theres an issue, department officials told the Joint Appropriations Committee last week. The biological anthropologist is retiring and the examination of human remains is taking over Peltons time.

And so the state parks department is seeking nearly $100,000 for a biological anthropologist to help Pelton out. Gov. Mark Gordon did not include this money in his budget recommendations. But state lawmakers will have their say on whether to pay for the position.

In the time since the bill was enacted, Pelton has relied on volunteers  local historians and graduate students at the University of Wyoming  to help him with the work, a process that can take three to four months of continuous work each time a discovery is made.

It quickly monopolized most of my time, Pelton said. Its a big job that has to be dealt with in a pretty sensitive way.

This was not the intention of the sponsors of the 2019 legislation, however.

We werent adding new duties, said Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas. We were just defining what they are.

When the bill was originally passed, a monetary allocation was not part of the conversation, Boner added.

An appropriation was never even a discussion, he said.

Not mentioning the money was partly a strategic move at the time the bill was being considered.

The rationale at the time was: we really needed to get something protecting human remains in place and attaching some funding source to that decreased the chances, Pelton said.

This strategy paid off  the bill passed all major votes unanimously.

Since the start of 2020, four discoveries of human remains have required the work of the state archaeologist.

In April 2020, utility workers unearthed the bones of a small child in the backyard of a Cheyenne residence.

With help from local historians, the State Archaeologist determined the bones were associated with Cheyennes Old City Cemetery, a burial place used between 1867 and 1875 by early residents and later built on top of by expansion of the city in the early 20th century, the state parks department said in a press release. The remains are intended for reburial in Cheyennes Lakeview cemetery.

In that same month, dispersed human remains were found in a lot that was being developed in Glenrock. Following extensive excavation, historical research, and intensive laboratory analysis, the remains were found to be a U.S. military cavalryman who died at an Oregon Trail stop called Deer Creek Station in 1865.

Those bones are set for reburial at a location that has yet to be decided.

The state archaeologist consults with coroners, land owners and Native American tribes to determine what happens next. If the remains are determined to be Native American, the tribal historic preservation offices are called to weigh in  and possibly take over the process.

Sara Needles, the state historic preservation officer, told the Joint Appropriations Committee that she was not sure that theyd be able to find someone in Wyoming to contract for the work and may need to look outside of the state. The cost of doing so is still undetermined.

For the state parks department, there may have been a glimmer of hope during Thursdays committee meeting that the money would come through.

Were requiring you to do this, and we need to give you the tools to do it, said Rep. Lloyd Larsen, R-Lander, a member of the committee.

Even if Pelton and his colleagues are not granted the budgetary amendment, he plans to maintain good work.

Throughout this process, its important to maintain reverence for the deceased and any potential descendants, he said.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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After a short pause over the holidays, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is back at work removing wild horses from the range in southwestern Wyoming, including from an area where tourists flock to see the animals.

Travel Wyoming touts the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop in the White Mountain Herd Management Area near Rock Springs as one of the few scenic byways in North America to provide visitors with such a detailed image of the pure and untamed Wild West.

But with horses limited by BLM to one per every 1,917 acres, visitors and locals who enjoy viewing these magnificent animals will soon be hard-pressed to catch even a glimpse of a mustang.

BLM plans to round up over 1,000 wild horses from the Scenic Loop area by the end of February. Its part of a massive roundup that in the end will result in 3,555 federally-protected mustangs being permanently removed from the wild.

The agency says the roundup is necessary to restore a thriving natural ecological balance to the region, but conservation groups say the area already meets this designation without the need to reduce horse populations. They question why BLM is focused on horse numbers, when mustangs are outnumbered in the area 10-to-1 by sheep and cattle.

The 3.8-million-member Sierra Club has called out the BLMs bias against wild horses in resource allocation and called for the removal of livestock from designated wild horse habitat areas instead of removing horses. Other groups, including Western Watersheds Project, Center for Biological Diversity, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and WildEarth Guardians have also called for the removal of livestock from wild horse habitat areas.

The White Mountain Herd Management Area and surrounding areas subject to the BLM roundup are in a checkerboard of public and private land. Seventy-four percent (2.5 million acres) is public land managed by the BLM, while 26% (900,000 acres) is state or privately-owned. Most of the private land is owned or leased by the wealthy and politically powerful Rock Springs Grazing Association, which has sought the elimination of the Wyoming Checkerboard herds for more than a decade.

Its time to stop favoring the narrow interests of private ranchers who make use of our public lands while scapegoating our nations wild horses. Doing so not only harms mustangs by stealing their freedom and subjecting them to dangerous and traumatic helicopter roundups, it harms Wyomings local tourist economy and gouges U.S. taxpayers.

This largest-ever roundup will cost us a pretty penny: $4.4 million to gather the horses and another $171 million to warehouse the removed mustangs for life in government holding pens and pastures.

We urge BLM to reevaluate the science and supposed benefits of this enterprise and to act in the best interests of local communities that depend on tourism and the wild horses that most American citizens want to see protected and preserved.

Suzanne Roy is the executive director of the American Wild Horse Campaign.

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An increase in measles cases in January and February 2022 is a worrying sign of a heightened risk for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and could trigger larger outbreaks, particularly of measles affecting millions of children in 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF have warned.

Pandemic-related disruptions, increasing inequalities in access to vaccines, and the diversion of resources from routine immunisation are leaving too many children without protection against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
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Twenty quilts stitched together with clothes abandoned on Arizonas migrant trails will soon be displayed together for the first time at the Arizona History Museum in Tucson.

The 13-month exhibition, called Los Desconocidos: The Migrant Quilt Project, opens Jan. 20 at the museum at Second Street and Park Avenue, just west of the University of Arizona campus.

The intricate quilts are the work of more than 50 artists recruited by border relief volunteer Jody Ipsen and project curator Peggy Hazard to honor those who have died while crossing the desert in search of a better life.

Each quilt memorializes the migrants whose bodies were found during a single federal fiscal year in the Border Patrols Tucson Sector, which extends from the New Mexico state line to the eastern edge of Yuma County.

Those whose remains have been identified by the Pima County Medical Examiners Office are listed by name. The rest are remembered simply as a desconocido or unknown.

The quilts are beautiful yet poignant representations of a very difficult subject, said Vanessa Fajardo, Museum Curator with the Arizona Historical Society.

Since 2000-01, the fiscal year of the first quilt, the bodies of more than 3,600 migrants have been found in Southern Arizona, according to records compiled by the medical examiner and the Tucson-based humanitarian group Humane Borders.

About 1,400 sets of remains have gone unidentified.

Ipsen launched the migrant quilt project in 2007 after meeting with people in Mexico and Central America whose loved ones died or disappeared while trying to reach the U.S.

The subversive quilt-making collection, as she calls it, tells their stories of loss and suffering using scraps of fabric and personal items collected from the same desert where so many people have died.

The 2002-03 quilt features a map of Arizona made from multicolored squares of denim and covered in 205 tiny Xs marking the spots where bodies were found.

The 2018-19 quilt incorporates postage stamps from the migrants home countries arranged in the shape of crosses.

The 2015-16 quilt includes pesos the quilter found hidden in the hems of several pairs of jeans left behind in the desert.

The new exhibit will mark the Tucson debut of the latest work in the series, the 2019-20 quilt by renowned textile artist Susan Hoffman.

The exhibit also includes statements from the various quiltmakers about their experience with the project.

Ipsen and company donated their creations to the Arizona Historical Society last year so they could be preserved, displayed and loaned out to other museums, churches and public buildings around the country for years to come.

They were the first contemporary works to be added to historical societys expansive textile collection, which includes roughly 200 quilts dating to the early 1800s.

Each new migrant quilt that is made in the future will also go to the historical society for safekeeping.

Ipsen has said the project will continue as long as people continue to die in Arizonas borderlands.

Based on the latest figures from Humane Borders, 226 sets of remains were found in the Tucson Sector in 2021 alone.

Thats the highest total for a single calendar year since the medical examiner began tracking a dramatic increase in migrant deaths two decades ago. It does not account for the unknown number of people who died in the desert but whose bodies were never found.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@tucson.com or 573-4283. On Twitter: @RefriedBrean

If you go Los Desconocidos: The Migrant Quilt Project" opens Jan. 20 at the Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second St. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets for admission can be purchased at tucne.ws/azhmt. Free validated parking is available at the Main Gate Garage on Second Street, one block west of the museum.

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A Target in Tucson is starting warehouse workers at $18.55 an hour plus benefits. An online ad for a cashier at QuickTrip says new hires can make anywhere from $12 to $25.50 an hour. And a resort near the Catalina Foothills is offering a minimum of $16 an hour to its next front desk supervisor.

None of those jobs require college degrees, and they are promising wages some recent college graduates are struggling to secure.

Perhaps no institution in Tucson is more aware of this phenomenon  which pandemic-induced labor shortages have fueled  than Pima Community College, where enrollment has dropped more than 18% since the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago. And even before that enrollment was a concern; PCCs full-time student enrollment dropped from 22,027 students in 2012 to 14,058 in 2019, according to the latest Arizona Auditor Generals report.

The workforce is our competition. If theyre not here at Pima theyre in the workforce, David Arellano, dean of enrollment management at PCC, said. Poverty is also our competition.

With around 35% of students over the age of 25, PCC students  and community college students in general  are far more likely than those at four-year universities to have unmet basic needs and children or other family members to care for while attending school.

Theres a lot of job opportunities out there now to get your financial needs met here and now, Arellano said, noting that Pimas goal is to create sustainable economic and social mobility for its students. We do see students taking advantage of those employment opportunities and going to school at the same time. We have other students who arent taking advantage of college right now and are going straight into the workforce. Some are so focused on meeting their immediate needs through employment that college isnt even on their minds.

Bypassing college for the booming labor market is one reason community college leaders are citing to explain the dramatic enrollment declines two-year colleges like PCC are facing nationwide.

According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse, between fall 2019 and fall 2020, two-year colleges saw a nearly 15% drop in enrollment nationwide.

Robert Fairlie, an economist at the University of California at Santa Cruz who is researching this trend, said its too soon to pinpoint the exact reasons why community colleges have lost so many students during the pandemic.

But in addition to the lure of making money now and avoiding any student debt, he also suspects that the remote learning colleges like PCC have adapted to (about 30% of PCCs courses are taught entirely in person right now) has unintentionally isolated some students.

Students are not as engaged in classes; theyre not as engaged in being part of a community on campus. All of these things we took for granted with working in person are gone, Fairlie said. The message hes heard from students is that its hard to concentrate. Its hard to talk to advisors. Its hard to meet that professor after class or have casual conversation with that teaching assistant. Everything right now has to be deliberate. You have to think ahead and plan ahead, and thats so much harder to do remotely.

He is not sure what it will take for community college students to start coming back to campus. But he hypothesizes that the barrage of decent paying, no-degree-required jobs available right now are allowing would-be students to take some time off to work before deciding to enroll.

Regardless of the reasons why students are disappearing from two-year colleges, Fairlie said continued enrollment plunges stand to weaken communities like Tucson.

Firefighters, police officers, nurses and technicians who repair your car are often educated at community colleges, he said. These workers keep communities moving.

Enrollment strategy

So, what is PCC, which relies heavily on local property taxes and tuition dollars to stay afloat, doing to try to recruit and retain more students?

The new spring semester started last week, and before it did, the college laid out its enrollment strategy.

Last fall, it was able to use federal pandemic relief money to forgive 4,500 students outstanding balances, which resulted in at least 750 students re-enrolling. Its also investing in more targeted marketing techniques, expanded dual enrollment offerings and more on-campus child care options. It also offers advising and other student support services in remote and in-person settings, which is another effort to make those resources more accessible to students who may struggle with transportation.

Then of course, theres Chancellor Lee Lamberts signature Centers of Excellence, which is an ongoing $35 million project designed to train students for in-demand careers such as auto repair, cybersecurity and hospitality.

Only time will tell if and how these efforts will work to recruit more students amid the unusual market forces the pandemic has created and beyond.

Arellano, the enrollment chief for PCC, said his hope right now is that prospective students who may be torn between the immediate benefits of entering the workforce and the long-term benefits of pursuing PCCs offerings will recognize the transformational potential of the latter.

Historically, theres always been that community college stigma, but I think what were seeing in the pandemic is that this is where the community and learners need to come to get re-skilled, cutting-edge training to get a promotion or get that better job, Arellano said. During the pandemic, I think a lot of folks are realizing that.

Photos: Pima College defeats Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball Pima Aztecs vs. Snow College women's basketball

Kathryn Palmer covers higher education for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at kpalmer@tucson.com or her new phone number, 520-496-9010.

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Tucson City Council has taken the first step in designating the funds from raising water rates for Tucson Water customers in unincorporated Pima County by expanding the utilitys low-income program.

The council adopted changes Tuesday, Jan. 11, to improve access to Tucson Waters low-income program while providing emergency assistance to customers experiencing hardships.

When City Council adopted differential water rates in June, it identified three spending areas to allocate the $9.9 million annual revenue it anticipates generating from the new rates: low-income assistance, climate resiliency and infrastructure upgrades.

The water utility already offers discounts on monthly water bills for customers based on their monthly income and the number of individuals living at their residence. Customers previously had to prove the number of people in their homes by providing social security numbers for each resident.

Now, with the new guidelines adopted Tuesday, customers seeking assistance can self-attest to the number of people in their homes without having to provide Social Security numbers. And when customers provide proof of participation in public assistance programs such as Section 8, SNAP and Head Start, they will automatically qualify for a 25% discount.

The goal is to try to make it easier for people to apply, said Silvia Amparano, the deputy director of Tucson Water. One of the reasons why people get denied is that they dont have documentation to prove their identity, and so one of the goals for mayor and council was to make it as easy as possible and have them self-certify the total number of people who are living in the household.

City Council also approved an emergency hardship program for customers experiencing job loss, serious illness or family loss regardless of their income. Amparano anticipates this assistance will be available by March 1.

Customers who can provide documentation proving one of these circumstances will be eligible for a credit up to $150 based on their need and availability of program funds. The average customers water bill is $42 a month, so the program would grant about 3 months of coverage, on average.

Our call takers who deal with customers on the front lines hear from people when they cant pay a bill, the reasons why. Somethings happened in their life, its a temporary crisis that they need a little time or help to get their finances in order, Amparano said. This is just a little bit of help to get through that temporary crisis.

City staff estimates the program additions will cost $350,000 to $450,000 a year, but Amparano called this a rough estimate, as its unclear how many customers will take advantage of the program.

At the highest estimate, the new options would bring Tucson Waters annual low-income program cost from $1.8 million last fiscal year to about $2.25 million this year. For now, that money will come from general utility revenues, as differential rates only went into effect on Dec. 1 and are not expected to be spent until next year, according to Amparano.

Pima County has sued the city for the policy change and is in active litigation to put an end to differential rates. If the county succeeds in making the city disband its implementation of differential rates, its unclear if City Councils goals for low-income assistance, climate resiliency and infrastructure would be met to the same level without those funds.

We will meet our commitments to the community as expressed by mayor and council. This includes our robust customer assistance programs as approved by mayor and council, Assistant City Manager Timothy Thomure said in an email.

City Council voted Tuesday to split the $9.9 million in differential rate funds into thirds toward each of the three dedicated areas. That means the low-income program will have about $3.3 million in funding, leaving room for further growth.

One idea for the programs expansion is to extend water discounts to renters. In order to qualify for water discounts, Tucson Water customers must have the utility statement in their name  a requirement many renters do not meet.

Amparano told the mayor and council on Tuesday that one concept is to create an agreement between renters and landlords who have the utility in their name. If both parties agree to the discount, the amount could be removed from the tenants rent.

How do we help the renters that may not necessarily have the bill in their name, making sure that they actually get the benefit, not the landlord? Amparano said. We need more time to look at what makes sense and how much it would potentially cost because the more we expand it, the more it costs, and we got to make sure that we can fund it.

The current plan is to reach out to ratepayers to spread the word of the existing low-income program and its new additions.

I plan to do some very focused outreach to the low-income community based on the census tract information, Amparano said. The hardest part about the low-income program is letting people know that its available and having people take advantage of it.

Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com

Assistance programs To learn more about Tucson Waters low-income programs, visit tucsonaz.gov/water/low-income-assistance-program For questions, contact 520-791-3242 with your account number available and follow the prompts. Customers can also e-mail TW_Web1@tucsonaz.gov

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PHOENIX  The way David Cook sees it, once you have been elected to office you should not have to be bothered gathering signatures on nominating petitions for your reelection.

The Republican state representative from Globe is proposing that incumbents have an alternate option for getting their names back on the ballot: Pay a $250 fee that would go into the state treasury.

HB 2581 wont help Cook. Hes leaving the legislature at the end of the session.

But Cook told Capitol Media Services there is no real need for the biennial signature chase for lawmakers.

He said petitions make sense for someone running for the first time. Cook said getting the necessary signatures, which have to be at least one-half of a percent of the registered voters in the district  perhaps in the 300 to 700 range  shows that the candidate and his or her positions has at least some basic level of support to put the name on the ballot.

All that changes, Cook said, once someone wins.

You have the support, youve won the election, he said. At that point, Cook said, theres no need to go through the same process every two years.

And if someone does a bad job, Cook said voters have options.

One is the recall process, though just calling a special election requires a nearly impossible signatures equal to 25% of the people who voted in the last election. Thats why theres been only one in the past 40 years.

And then theres the fact people have to stand for reelection.

If youre not doing a good job, youre voted out of office, Cook said.

But Cook acknowledged theres a more practical reason he wants to allow incumbents to buy their way back onto to the ballot: time.

It starts, he said, with the fact that nominating petitions are due in early April, when the legislature is still in session. And Cook said weekends often are spent just taking care of business.

I thought we were a citizen legislature, he said, paid $24,000 a year with the premise that most lawmakers have other jobs to which they need to tend.

Youre down there doing the job all week, Cook said. And then youve got your career that actually pays your bills and your mortgage and your car payments.

For Cook, thats being a rancher.

And he said the legislature isnt just a January through April, May or June thing.

Even when youre out of session you continue to meet with those people and work on that stuff, Cook said.

There are other options.

One is hiring paid circulators. Cook said, though, the price can be as high as $10 per signature.

The other involves volunteers. But Cook said that depends on supporters having the time to go out and collect names on petitions.

No date has been set for a hearing.

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PHOENIX  An Apache Junction lawmaker who continues to question the outcome of the 2020 presidential race now wants to represent southeast Arizona in Congress.

Anybody who knows me, knows that my heart has been down in the southern part of the state anyway, Republican state Sen. Kelly Townsend told Capitol Media Services on Monday. Thats where I go for leisure, and thats where I go to work.

And that, she said, means politically, pointing out that she has been involved in Southern Arizona issues, such as efforts to get the attorney general to overturn a mandate by Pima County that its employees get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The move comes two days after Townsend spoke at the Trump rally in Florence where she got a shout-out from the former president. Townsend also led the crowd in a cheer, saying What do we want? Indictments. When do we want them? Now.

But Townsend insisted she is not in the same camp as some other Republicans, like gubernatorial hopeful Kari Lake, who claims without any evidence that the election was stolen and that Biden was not legitimately elected. Instead, Townsend said, its a matter of answering a bunch of questions about how the election was conducted despite the fact that various reviews and lawsuits to date all have affirmed the Trump loss.

We have reports, still waiting for the final, and the attorney general is investigating, that there were (ballot) envelopes with zero signatures on there, and it got approved as a signature, Townsend said. You cant tell me that wasnt with intent to defraud by saying, Yeah, it did and just clicking the Yes box and sending it on and counting the votes.

Townsend acknowledged she crafted a proposal a year ago  even after the tally was certified and even after the states 11 electors cast their ballots for Biden  to allow the legislature to override the results and instead transfer those votes to Trump.

She said, though, that wasnt to disregard the public vote, but simply to provide a mechanism for lawmakers to void the results if an audit demanded by Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott, showed problems.

Townsend never got to pursue the measure because that audit is still ongoing. The Senate is waiting for an analysis of Maricopa County computer files even though a hand count by Cyber Ninjas, the firm it hired for the review, showed the race did, in fact, go to Biden.

The newly redrawn congressional district is considered a possible pickup for the GOP, with incumbent Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick having announced her retirement. It runs loosely from Casa Grande through midtown Tucson, down to Sierra Vista and up through Safford and Morenci.

It already has attracted several Republican contenders.

Some, like Juan Ciscomani, a former aide to Gov. Doug Ducey, have roots in Southern Arizona.

On paper, the newly redrawn district leans slightly Republican based on voter registration figures.

But the area has proven to be fertile ground for both parties.

Before Kirkpatrick it was represented by Republican Martha McSally. But it also is the area that elected Democrat Gabrielle Giffords.

And an analysis of the 2020 election using the current district lines shows that it went for both Biden and Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly. Townsend said she remains undeterred.

My challenge is to win the hearts and the minds of the voters, and I think I can do that, she said, saying that people in Southern Arizona know her.

My No. 1 goal is the rights and the health of the district, Townsend said. I have proven that Im willing to do that regardless of a persons party.

But she still sits on the fence when asked whether she believes Biden or Trump actually won the 2020 election.

I dont know because we havent finished this audit, Townsend said.

We have reports that have come to us about irregularities, she continued. Until we have an answer from the attorney general, who is currently investigating the claims, it would be irresponsible for me to make a claim, one way or the other.

Townsend also has been at the center of various debates over COVID and vaccines.

She has decried the push to get people vaccinated, stating, I am afraid for our society. She also has equated efforts to mandate vaccination with Communism.

And just last month she introduced legislation that would punish pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions for drugs for purposes that have not been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

That is specifically aimed at allowing patients to get ivermectin, a drug normally used for parasites, particularly in animals. There are claims that it can be used to prevent COVID-19.

In some ways the decision to pursue a congressional bid was forced on Townsend.

The new legislative lines put her in the same district as fellow Senate Republican Wendy Rogers from Flagstaff who has created a national name for herself  and gathered nearly $2.5 million so far in her reelection bid  over her claims of election fraud. Townsend, who had only $13,000 in her campaign fund, said she did not want to run against a fellow Republican.

She also said a congressional bid in her home district also was not an option as she would have to try to unseat Republican Andy Biggs.

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Sinemas inbox is full

I have repeatedly tried to contact Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas offices (Washington D.C., Tucson and Phoenix) to express my opposition to her entrenched views on reforming the filibuster, supporting voting rights legislation and moving forward on the nations infrastructure needs. After listening to her obligatory thanks for calling since your views and opinions are so important to me message I am then told that sorry, my inbox is full so please do call back later! What better illustration of a senator who remains deaf, disconnected and dismissive of the very residents of Arizona who elected her to office? Guess its time for a new answering machine, senator?

Scott Feierabend

Northeast side

Co-dependent triangle

I worked at Sierra Tucson and Cottonwood discovering the co-dependent triangle of victim, persecutor and rescuer realizing that explains Jan. 6, Trump and Americas divisions. Victims of every sort become angry and become perpetrators (abusers) like on Jan. 6 and once caught become victims again never realizing that victims have responsibility and persecutors have choices.

Eventually persecutors feel guilty and become rescuers and then feeling sad and fearful become victims all over again. Rescuers can negotiate and flee this trapped triangle. This triangle is a part of every tribal and dualistic group in America and the world. It is a vicious cycle of negativism.

The rule of law illustrates democracy. The law of rules illustrates fascism. The rich elites strive to destroy democracy and substitute an autocratic dictator to do the 1% bidding. This is all evolving before our eyes and we are doomed unless/until we all discover it soon.

Lawrence Quilici

East side

Way off base

Re: the Jan. 3 article US would be more happy with more people.

Wow! With the unemployment rate below 4%, companies begging for employees, a birth rate below the replacement rate and over 800K and climbing American deaths due to COVID-19, the writer is advocating to keep immigrants out as a solution to the climate crisis? Lets start with the birth rate. We need immigrants to maintain our population and many of the immigrants at the border are poorly educated and would welcome the service jobs that are going begging. Keeping them out will not affect the climate crisis. They will still be resource consumers in Mexico. As far as reducing the human population COVID is doing that all by itself  5.5 million deaths worldwide and climbing. The Third World is poorly inoculated giving the virus ample opportunity to continue coming up with new variants to infect people.

Tyler Cowen was right on in his editorial. We need more people.

Morton Smith

Foothills

Protect voting rights

Dear Sen. Sinema,

The 15th Amendment gives Congress the power to enforce the right to vote. Now is the time to exercise that power. The right to vote is under attack from all quarters. Congress needs to take control over these abuses. Now is the only time to do so  soon it will be too late. I am sure you do not want democracy to die on your watch. Quiet women do not change history. This is your opportunity to change history. Please welcome it. You need, we need you, to pass the voting rights bills by any means necessary.

Rick Jones

Downtown

We all pay

Re: the Jan. 11 article Deadly extreme weather year as emissions soar.

This article about climate change and the negative impacts on humans and property should be lauded. The costs of these weather events are enormous ($742 billion in the past five years). Thousands of people have died. Who pays for this? Everyone does.

Pricing carbon is a fast means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is a way to approach burning fossil fuels since the total cost includes the pollution and the extreme weather events. The Business Roundtable, about 75% of Republicans under 40 years old, all living Federal Reserve Chairpersons, Sens. Romney and Graham, and over 3,500 economists support carbon pricing. Economists agree that dividends should be paid to households. Current bills do that. It is time for our representatives and Sens. Sinema and Kelly to support carbon pricing legislation because it saves money.

Bill Jones

East side

Continued attacks on Sinema

On Jan. 13, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema took to the Senate floor where she gave an impassioned speech defending the Senates long-standing filibuster and said she has not changed her mind about it.

Afterward, Sarah Michelsen, an ACLU senior campaign strategist and former state director of Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign in 2020, tweeted that Sinema sounds like shes going to cry, keep going with the attacks because they are breaking her. So this is how progressive Democrats treat women, with hate, harassment and intimidation and no respect for their views. They will attack anybody who gets in the way of their leftist agenda.

The mantra from Democrats used to be about Republicans war on women. Well, in fact it is Democrats who are engaged in a war on Sinema. How much longer can she withstand the onslaught of attacks before caving? She should have a U.S. Secret Service protection detail assigned to her, Sen. Joe Manchin too. Why has Twitter not silenced people like Michelsen?

Audrey Flowers

Midtown

Trumps no Christian

Ive struggled with Americans who supported Donald Trump in 2016, however, Im especially confused by continued support of the Christian/Evangelical voters.

I recently saw a bumper -sticker on a car: Jesus is LORD Trump is NOT. Hes been divorced twice, married three times, ironically twice to immigrants (while disparaging other immigrants routinely). Hes been quoted on a hot-microphone When youre a star you can do anything you want! Hes filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy six times between 1991 and 2009. Why? To stop paying contractors and vendors he owed money to. As of June 2021 there were 11 civil and three criminal cases pending against Trump. Look at all the men he brought into the White House, charged with crimes, many serving time in prison.

The only miracle Trump knows is how COVID-19 will disappear like a miracle, while thousands died. This is a man you want as president? A role model for your children and grandchildren?

Robert Ryan

Midtown

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Stephen Cazenave and Jessica Creller enjoy sitting outside and talking during warm winter days when they come.

The dating couple has been struggling to make ends meet while living in a small Owasso apartment amid the pandemic.

Cazenave has been working at Walmart the past six months, and Creller has been cleaning houses. Creller  diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease  picked up the side hustle after social distancing from her regular job as a medical assistant and phlebotomist.

Mines not in remission (the colitis), so Im still battling that every day, Creller said. I cant be around a lot of people with the whole pandemic. I just cant work; I cant take that chance.

Cazenave said going to work at the busy retail chain can pose a challenge because of his girlfriends health condition.

We have our good days and bad days, he said. I have to be careful with who Im around, just because  itll affect her (COVID), so I have to stay very cautious about the people I hang around with.

The couple, in a two-year blended relationship, has two young children, Adorah and MaKenzi, and also socially distances them amid complications that stem from the coronavirus.

I have to stay home a lot of the time, Creller said, and with them being in school, we have to try and make sure that we dont bring anything from school, so we try to make them change and sanitize and all of that.

We cant do play dates like we used to, birthday parties and the parks. We were used to barbecues that shut down the whole block, and we cant do any of that anymore.

Creller remains optimistic, however, citing this difficult time as a means to learn and grow, both as a parent and as a partner to Cazenave.

Ive been able to definitely work on my patience, especially as a mother with my children, because a lot of my time is now focused on being a mom and being at home, and a lot of us, we dont remember to be present every day.

Hes not the father of these two; theyre from my previous relationship, so for us, were trying to figure out how we blend, and then I have to figure out how to allow someone else to be a part  Being at home a lot, it helps us with that.

Creller moved to Owasso from Fort Smith, Arkansas, two years ago and then met Cazenave. Despite their hardships, they both enjoy living in Owasso, where they strive to continue sticking together and staying connected with others.

Its very calm, peaceful; people are very polite, Creller said. Its just so family friendly; theres always kids, no matter where you go, playing outside, parents playing with the children. Its just a good area.

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The rubber chicken circuit is a time-honored tradition among politicians: You go to a community, show up at a local civic club lunch, and hone your message.

If everything works out, youll shake some hands, bolster your standing among voters, and maybe convince the skeptical folks in the back that youre not such a bad guy after all. If youre lucky, the chicken cordon bleu isnt too bad, either.

Its standard stuff with boiler-plate speeches. And thats what makes Oklahoma Attorney General John OConnors Sand Springs visit earlier this month so remarkable.

In one speech, he managed to downplay majority rule and elevate the idea that in order for the United States to move forward, it must embrace the Christian faith.

There have been times in America when majority vote has been dead wrong, he said to members of Sand Springs Rotary Club. So our system has to be based on a deeper set of principles, and I submit to you that thats God the creator.

On the surface, the case he makes could be compelling to many. OConnor mentioned a number of government actions that went beyond the realm of the unwise and into the immoral.

OConnor referred to the Dred Scott v. Sandford and Plessy v. Ferguson decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, and hes right about those: Theres no way you can morally justify denying citizenship to people based on their race, nor can you dismiss the harms of separate but equal laws that legalized systemic racism.

On the flip side, telling a group of Oklahomans that the country needs to get right with God is going to get a lot of nodding heads. Throw in the line, I can tell you right now, theres no such thing as an ideal godless America, and you might earn a couple of amens from the lunchtime crowd.

Its a neat rhetorical trick. OConnor rightly laments the damage of past wrongs and then implies that the cure is turning to God.

But he leaves something unsaid, and its a big something.

Who decides what Gods will is?

This is a question people have wrestled with as long as there have been governments. At one time, kings and emperors were themselves elevated to deity status.

Weve mostly outgrown that as a species, but not completely: North Korea is officially atheist, but the rulers of the Kim family are practically revered as gods in that nation, complete with their own spiritualized mythologies.

European monarchs once ruled by something called the divine right of kings. With help from the clergy, they took Romans 13:1-2 (Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there) as the spiritual authority they needed to rule as they saw fit.

Disobeying a king was tantamount to rebelling against God, and you could literally lose your head over it. In this system, every royal edict was  legally speaking  holy writ.

Many wars throughout the centuries have been fought over religion, with warring sides each claiming a true interpretation of Gods will.

Sometimes this happened between different faiths (Muslim conflicts with Christianized Europe in the Dark Ages, and Christian campaigns against Muslims during the Crusades); other times within faiths (Catholic vs. Protestant wars raged in Europe for centuries following the Protestant Reformation).

In all these cases, each side was certain it was right and was prepared to enforce that view at sword point or, later on, over the barrel of a gun.

There is a cynical side to this, too. Many of these conquerors allegedly fighting for their faith werent that interested in what God thought; they just wanted to use his name to further their causes.

Not much has changed in that regard. You dont have to look hard to see people doing that now.

Hindu nationalists in India are using their faith  and their positions in government  to oppress Muslims. The Islamic State group used Islam to slaughter, rape and enslave Christian and Yazidi Iraqis. The use of religion as a tool of conquest crosses centuries, cultures and continents.

That fact wasnt lost on our nations founders. People came to the American colonies for a variety of reasons, one of them being to escape religious persecution in Europe.

The first words of our Bill of Rights address the subject directly.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, reads the opening line of the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Kings had used the institution of the church  often grafted into the government  as a source of power and repression. For the framers, the United States didnt need a king or a state religion.

That concept is crucial for the nation. Although application has been uneven and, at times, rocky (religion was a pretext for vast wrongs against Indigenous peoples, and significant Mormon blood was shed in the 1800s), the U.S. has allowed a variety of faiths to flourish.

A wide swath of Protestants made America home, living alongside Catholics. Non-Christian faiths from every corner of the world have adherents here, worshiping freely. People who dont believe in God are likewise protected under the umbrella of the First Amendment.

The genius of the First Amendment is its timelessness. As a nation, the U.S. in the late 18th century was mostly Christian. Thats still true today, but the religious diversity of the U.S. is far beyond what the framers could have imagined. And yet, the First Amendment still works.

That brings us back to OConnors speech. Im sure the attorney general would deny hes advocating for an official American religion, or at least I hope he would. But weve seen hints from others who push for just that.

Last week, I mentioned former National Security Adviser Gen. Michael Flynn telling a San Antonio ReAwaken America conference, If were going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God, and one religion under God.

Flynns statement opposes the First Amendment directly, and its important we say that. At the very least, it runs parallel to what OConnor told Sand Spring Rotarians a little more than a week ago, and I wonder if OConnor believes that majority rule should be superseded by those who claim a special insight into the thoughts of the Almighty.

Perhaps at the next civic club speech, someone can ask OConnor if he agrees with Flynn or sides with the Constitution. And if youre there, as youre cutting into your chicken a lorange, maybe you can follow that up by asking the attorney general if he believes he speaks for God.

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Bond session: Bixby Public Schools is hosting three information sessions about its upcoming $110 million bond proposal that will go before voters on Feb. 8.

The sessions are scheduled for Wednesday at the North Intermediate School cafeteria, Jan. 26 in the high school auditorium and via livestream and Feb. 2 in the West Campus cafeteria. All three events will start at 6:30 p.m.

Charter school expo: The Tulsa Charter Collaborative is hosting an enrollment fair for students and parents on Thursday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Greenwood Cultural Center. Masks are required for all attendees.

Participating schools include College Bound Academy, Collegiate Hall, Dove Science Academy, KIPP Tulsa, Tulsa Honor Academy, Tulsa Legacy Academy and Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences.

Application season: The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics is accepting 2022-2023 applications through March 1 from high school sophomores interested in attending its residential campus in Oklahoma City.

Help wanted: Bartlesville Public Schools is hosting a support staff job fair Tuesday from 4:30-5:30 in Bartlesville High Schools commons area. The district is seeking to hire bus drivers, bus dispatchers, cafeteria staff, custodians, paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, teacher assistants and information technology specialists.

COVID-19 by the numbers: Despite staff shortages forcing multiple campuses to pivot to distance learning during the week, several area school districts published updated COVID-19 case counts on Friday.

Tulsa Public Schools reported 303 cases among students and 182 among its employees. Booker T. Washington High School had the most reported cases with 98, while Eliot Elementary School and Mayo Demonstration Academy each had 30.

Bartlesville Public Schools reported 132 cases among students and 40 among its employees. An additional 307 students and 12 employees are in quarantine due to close contact exposure. Wayside Elementary School had the largest number of students in quarantine with 81, while Bartlesville High School had the highest number of students testing positive, with 31 confirmed cases.

Bixby Public Schools reported 265 active cases among its staff and students, including 57 at Bixby High School.

Broken Arrow Public Schools reported 451 student cases and an additional 216 cases among its employees. The district does not differentiate among campuses in its public-facing reporting.

Collinsville Public Schools reported 91 student cases and 28 cases among its employees. Collinsville High School accounted for nine staff cases and 38 student cases.

Glenpool Public Schools reported 16 cases among its students and 28 positive cases among its employees, including nine at its upper elementary school.

Jenks Public Schools reported 342 cases among its students and an additional 173 among its employees. The central campus, which is shared by Jenks High School, Jenks Freshman Academy and Jenks Alternative Center, documented 38 staff cases and 103 student cases.

Owasso Public Schools reported 265 cases among its students and 97 among its staff. OPS does not differentiate among sites in its public-facing reporting. By comparison, the district had 68 reported cases among its students on Jan. 7.

Skiatook Public Schools reported 55 cases among its students and 22 among its staff. District-wide, Skiatook Middle School had the largest one-week increase in cases, jumping from two to 26 among its students and staff.

Union Public Schools reported 272 cases among its students and 147 among its employees. Only four campuses district-wide  Boevers, McAuliffe, Rosa Parks Early Childhood Education Center and Union Alternative School  had less than 10 confirmed cases.

Berryhill, Sand Springs and Sapulpa did not publish updated case counts by the close of business Friday.

School board schedule: Bartlesville Public Schools board of education is scheduled to meet Monday.

The boards of education for Owasso, Sapulpa and Union have regular meetings scheduled for Tuesday. The board of education for Allen Bowden has a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

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For Jack Henderson, April of 1968 was already a month he would never forget.

His senior year at Tulsas Booker T. Washington High School was winding down, and he was in a celebratory mood.

But two blows that came right on top of each other would mar that April, making it stand out in Hendersons memory for all the wrong reasons.

It started on April 8, he said, when the news broke that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated.

I couldnt believe it. I cried like a baby, said Henderson, a former Tulsa City Councilor and longtime north Tulsa community leader.

Then, just days later, while he was still in shock, news of a personal loss rocked his family.

I had just sent him a letter, Henderson said of his brother, 21-year-old Marine Corps Sgt. Timothy Henderson, who was killed in action in Vietnam on April 11, 1968.

Two weeks later that letter came back. Unopened.

Just like that, two heroes were gone from Jack Hendersons life. But they were far from forgotten.

A few months later, when he volunteered for the Air Force, Henderson would be thinking of his brother.

And King would always be in the back of his mind, he said, when he turned his focus to civic involvement.

That was never more true than his effort to make sure there was a permanent tribute to King in Tulsa.

This year marks 10 years since Tulsas Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was officially renamed in Kings honor, an effort spearheaded by Henderson as a city councilor.

The boulevard, which runs from Archer Street to the city limits at 65th Place North, was formerly part of Cincinnati Avenue.

Henderson said the idea first arose more than 20 years ago, when he became aware that many of the smaller surrounding communities had streets named for King.

It just made it all the more glaring, he said, that Tulsa did not.

It was embarrassing, added Henderson, who was then president of the Tulsa NAACP.

He approached his then-city councilor, Joe Williams, about it, and he agreed they should act.

But the original idea, renaming all of Cincinnati for King, didnt get far. Some downtown businesses and churches that wouldve been affected werent supportive.

It wasnt the name itself that was the problem, Henderson said, more the expense and trouble that would come from changing addresses.

In hindsight, we should have involved them at the beginning, he said. But we were just two guys with an idea that we were excited about.

Henderson didnt abandon the idea. Later, after he succeeded Williams as the district councilor, he took it up again.

In 2011, he proposed renaming just the 7-mile stretch of Cincinnati running north from Archer, and not affecting downtown.

The plan drew the full support of the City Council. The following year, the change was made official and new street signs were erected.

I thought it was a win then and I still think it was a win, he said.

Long overdue

All these years later, the tragic events of April 1968 still haunt Henderson.

My brother had volunteered for a second tour. He was almost done with it when he was killed, he said.

I was bitter, he said, adding that it motivated him to volunteer for service in hopes of going to Vietnam.

However, rules to prevent families from losing multiple sons would keep him assigned elsewhere, Henderson said.

He went on to serve four years in the Air Force, then transitioned into the Air National Guard.

Kings death also had a profound impact on him.

As a youth, Henderson had been inspired by Kings marches and willingness to be jailed for what he believed.

His words and example later guided Henderson as a civic leader, where his goal was to make Tulsa a better place for Black and white citizens, he said.

Henderson, 71, said the citys annual MLK parade has done a good job of remembering King and what he stood for.

Hes marched in every one and will be back for the 43rd Monday in his usual spot  out in front helping hold the lead banner.

He also thinks about King, he said, when he drives the route that bears his name.

Its common for him to get a call from a friend, Henderson added, and theyll ask me what Im doing. And Ill say Im cruising down MLK.

Im proud, very proud, we were able to accomplish it, he said of the renaming. It was long overdue.

Henderson said hed be all for seeing his original vision realized someday, with MLK Boulevard extended further down Cincinnati.

I dont know whos going to take up the banner, but whoever it is, more power to them, he said.

Tell them to come see me. Id be happy to advise.

Video: MLKs daughter discusses critical race theory

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Public health and medical experts are warning people not to take the omicron variant lightly and encouraging everyone to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Make no mistake, the omicron variant is serious even with a lesser severity than its predecessors, they say, and research suggests that significantly increasing booster dose rates in the U.S. now would save tens of thousands of lives in the coming months.

Omicron is very, very serious, Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart said Wednesday in a virtual briefing. What weve seen so far is it seems to go into the bronchial tubes but not into the lungs, which is why the level of acuity isnt as high as with delta or some of the other COVID-19 strains.

When we say that its milder, it doesnt mean that its milder for everybody. What people need to remember is that with the sheer proportionality and number of people getting sick, theres some people that this will not be a mild illness for  especially people who have chronic conditions, or are immunocompromised or are older.

New COVID-19 cases dwarf anything Oklahoma has endured previously while hospitalizations are approaching the delta variants peak in the summer. Historically, about 33% of COVID hospitalizations required intensive-care but that percentage during the omicron wave has been lowering to the mid- to lower 20s.

The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation supporting health care system improvements, says it used a previously developed simulation model to forecast how much COVID hospitalizations and deaths could be reduced by accelerating the pace of booster shots between January and the end of April.

Doubling the booster rate would save about 41,400 lives and prevent 406,000 hospitalizations before May. Tripling the rate would keep 63,200 individuals alive and avert 597,000 hospitalizations.

Oklahoma ranks 43rd in percentage of booster doses given as a percentage of the fully vaccinated population at 32.7%. The national average is 37.5%. And the state ranks No. 39 for percent of its population fully vaccinated at 54.1%, well under the U.S. average of 62.8%.

Dr. Dale Bratzler, University of Oklahomas chief COVID officer, described it as a huge impact if the country could at least double its pace of booster doses. He said its more evidence to promote full vaccination and a booster once an individual is eligible.

Studies have been consistent that about four months or so after youve had your first series of vaccines, your immunity starts to wane, so thats why we strongly recommend a booster, Bratzler said.

Dr. Aaron Wendelboe, an OU Health epidemiologist, explained that most antibodies circulate or stick around in our bodies for about six months.

He said that six-month time frame is unaffected by the type of infection  be it COVID, or another virus or a bacterial infection  nor by whether the antibodies come from natural infection or vaccination.

In the context of COVID, Wendelboe said the delta and omicron variants replicate rapidly  faster than our memory cells can kick in to produce more antibodies to thwart off infection.

Prior infection or vaccination does offer some help, he said, but a booster five months after the primary series greatly increases the number of antibodies already present in the body to begin fighting off an infection right away instead of a relatively delayed response from memory cells.

In fact, the booster dose reduces your risk of infection with omicron by 25 times, Wendelboe said. Again, thats another huge number.

Wendelboe said individuals who are unvaccinated and have never been infected can still experience quite severe disease from omicron.

Scientists have learned from omicrons spread in South Africa and the U.K. that variants are mutating to find populations that are most susceptible, he said.

Unfortunately our children are a susceptible group, and so we are actually seeing a higher proportion of unvaccinated kids getting hospitalized with omicron, Wendelboe said.

The three-day average of pediatric hospitalizations in Oklahoma reached 43 on Thursday, the highest it has been since early September as the delta wave began to subside.

Only 9.9% of Oklahomas population ages 5 to 11 are fully vaccinated, which is No. 44 in the U.S. The nation is at 17.9%.

Oklahoma kids ages 12 to 17 are 41.7% fully vaccinated as a demographic, which ranks 36th in the nation. The country is at 54.4%.

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Ninety-three years after he was born and more than 53 years since his death, the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hold special relevance to the world Americans live in today.

In the years since his assassination, King has been rightfully elevated to icon status, revered for his tireless civil rights work as well as some of the greatest oratories ever delivered by an American.

We remember King for his I Have a Dream speech, an uplifting message that prompted the nation to back some of the most important civil rights legislation of our times.

King led from the front, when the civil rights cause clashed with authorities who were determined to uphold segregationist laws and social norms that oppressed millions of Black Americans.

His home was bombed during the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott. He was arrested numerous times. He, along with fellow protesters, faced down fire hoses, police dogs and officers batons, and did so while upholding the principle of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience.

That sort of dignity in the face of oppression is part of what earned him so much respect and fueled the successful implementation of long-sought civil rights protections that helped elevate Black Americans toward equal status with whites.

Oft quoted and universally admired, its important to remember that this was not always so. Kings activism often made the moderate middle uncomfortable.

In his 1957 book Stride Toward Freedom, King wrote, True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.

King also said this about those who called themselves allies, but consistently dragged their feet:

First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate, he said in his 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negros great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice

And one more line from that letter forms the bedrock of the modern Black Lives Matter movement: Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

If King were alive today, hed acknowledge the progress that has been made since the early days of the civil rights movement. But hed also tell us that its an unfinished task.

Racial inequities still exist, and pointing them out  as well as their root causes  has produced a backlash. King would remind us to never give up.

We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right, he wrote.

Through all that, King was consistent. Whether his message encouraged us toward an ideal or scolded us for our failures, the standard never changed: I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.

May it be so.

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Ho Chi Minh Citys Department of Science and Technology recently held a ceremony to summarize the citys major activities and propose plans for this year, announcing that municipal startups attracted venture capital funds worth US$1.1 billion in 2021.

Chu Van Hai, deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology, said at the ceremony that all last year's science and technology activities were adversely affected as the pandemic wreaked havoc on both Vietnams economy and society.

However, our burgeoning innovation ecosystem for startups has made significant progress, Hai said.

Ho Chi Minh City has around 2,000 startups, 65 percent of which are active in information technology, followed by those in high technology, food processing, and agriculture.

The statistics also reveal that there are 34 innovation centers and 19 investment hubs in the southern city.

Last year saw the thriving development of the city's startup ecosystem, with the amount of venture capital estimated at $1.1 billion, the officer said.

The figure accounted for 60 percent of the total capital and 70 percent of venture capital deals across the country, proving that Ho Chi Minh City has cemented its vital role as Vietnam's startup and innovation center.

According to reports, the city spent over VND16 trillion ($700 million) on scientific research and technology, comprising 1.18 percent of the gross regional domestic product (GRDP).

The majority of the investment came from the business sector.

Given the disadvantages resulting from the epidemic, startups in Ho Chi Minh City still promoted innovation activities and brought up revolutionary changes in management methods, organization systems, and services, according to the official.

Chu Van Hai, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, delivers a speech at the closing ceremony summarizing Ho Chi Minh citys major activities and proposing plans for this year on January 14, 2022. Photo: T.Nhan / Tuoi Tre

The annual ranking of StartupBlink, the worlds most comprehensive startup ecosystem map which ranks the best cities for startups from 100 countries and 1,000 cities across the globe, announced Ho Chi Minh City at the 179th position in 2021.

Ho Chi Minh City jumped up 46 notches in the startup race thanks to its impressive progress last year.

In 2022, the municipal authorities will focus on restructuring science and technology research programs, in the hope of promoting key programs in the socio-economic sector and solving problems in the current health, education, and public sector governance systems.

In the meantime, authorities prioritize establishing the Institute of Advanced Technology and Innovation, which imminently serves as a center in the citys research networks.

The institute also focuses on support for technology transfer and commercialization, enhancing the application of science and technology to reality, and effectively controlling business operations.

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Police in Thai Nguyen Province, northern Vietnam on Sunday arrested and initiated legal proceedings against a 32-year-old teacher for touching the genitals of four female students with his hands.

Ha Hoang Tu, a teacher at Van Lang No. 2 Elementary School in Dong Hy District, has been investigated on charges of lewd conduct with children under 16 years old.

As the homeroom teacher of a third-grade class, Tu reportedly used his hands to touch the genitals of four nine-year-old girls of the class on January 12.

Upon receiving reports on the case, police in Dong Hy District started an investigation and arrested Tu.

The man admitted to his conduct.

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Australia and New Zealand dispatched surveillance flights on Monday to assess the damage in Tonga, isolated from the rest of the world due to the eruption of an underwater volcano that triggered a tsunami and blanketed the Pacific island with ash.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged to provide support for Tonga as early as possible but said the volcano ash had hampered relief efforts.

"There's been a lot of challenges there with the ash cloud and the disruption to communications and so we are working together to get as much support to Tonga as we possibly can," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology told Reuters in an emailed statement on Monday there was "no current volcanic activity, and the volcano is not spewing ash". It said ash that had reached the Australian state of Queensland was from a previous eruption.

Australia's Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said initial reports suggested no mass casualties and that Tonga's airport "appears to be in relatively good condition" but there were "significant damage" to roads and bridges.

Seselja said Australia was liaising with the United States, New Zealand, France and other countries to coordinate responses.

New Zealand's Defence Minister Peeni Henare said at a news conference in Auckland that power had been restored in large parts of Nuku'alofa and some communications are back up.

A New Zealand Hercules C-130 would perform drops of essentials after the requirements are assessed and the navy will also be deployed.

An underwater volcano off Tonga erupted on Saturday, triggering a tsunami on the shores of Tonga and cutting off phone and internet lines for the entire island.

There are no official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga as yet but communications are still limited and outlying costal areas remain cut off.

Satellite images show some of the outlying islands submerged.

A U.K. woman has reportedly gone missing after she was washed away, media reports said.

Angela Glover and her husband James, who own the Happy Sailor Tattoo in Nuku'alofa, had gone to get their dogs when the wave hit. James managed to hold onto a tree but his wife, who also runs a dog rescue on the island, and their dogs were washed away, New Zealand state broadcaster TVNZ reported. Several social media posts from family and friends said she has still not been found.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Sunday that the tsunami had a significant impact on infrastructure.

Red Cross said it was mobilising its regional network to respond to what it called the worst volcanic eruptions the Pacific has experienced in decades.

An aerial view shows capsized boats believed to be affected by the tsunami caused by an underwater volcano eruption on the island of Tonga at the South Pacific, in Muroto, Kochi prefecture, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo January 16, 2022. Photo: Kyodo/via REUTERS

Red Cross has enough relief supplies to support 1,200 households with essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits and hygiene kits, said Katie Greenwood, IFRCs Pacific Head of Delegation told Reuters.

Greenwood said the agency is expecting up to 80,000 people to be affected by the tsumani

"That is what we are planning for as a worst case scenario until we can get further confirmation from the people on the ground," she said.

The agency said there were concerns that communities may not have access to safe drinking water as a result of saltwater inundation caused by the tsunami waves and ashfall.

Massive blast

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano has erupted regularly over the past few decades but the impact of Saturday's eruption was felt was far away as Fiji, New Zealand, the United States and Japan. Two people drowned off a beach in Northern Peru due to high waves caused by the tsunami.

About 26 hours since the eruption, nations thousands of kilometres to the west have volcanic ash clouds over them, New Zealand forecaster WeatherWatch said in a statement.

Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are affected and the ash cloud is expected to fan out towards eastern Australia on Monday, it said.

Early data suggests the volcanic eruption was the biggest blast since Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines 30 years ago, New Zealand-based volcanologist Shane Cronin told Radio New Zealand.

"This is an eruption best witnessed from space," Cronin said.

"The large and explosive lateral spread of the eruption suggests that it was probably the biggest one since about the 1991 eruption of Pinatubo," Cronin said.
Read what is in the news today:

Politics

-- State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited, sent wishes, and presented Lunar New Year gifts to social policy households and workers in the central city of Da Nang on Sunday.

Society

-- Border guards in central Quang Nam Province helped a cargo ship with a hole in the bottom deal with the risk of sinking while getting ready to respond to oil spills at sea following the incident on Sunday.

-- Two elderly people and their two grandchildren, who recently returned to northern Thai Binh Province from an area at high risk of COVID-19 infection in Hai Phong City, have been blocked inside their home by the local authorities and have necessities supplied by their neighbors despite testing negative for the coronavirus.

-- Passenger bus tickets for trips from Ho Chi Minh City to other localities ahead of the coming Lunar New Year holiday have received low demand.

-- About 250 people in Ho Chi Minh City, mainly the elderly, received free psychological examination and counseling after recovering from COVID-19 under a healthcare program at the Institute of Ethnic Medicine and Pharmacy on Sunday.

-- A cold spell was projected to hit northern Vietnam from Sunday night, causing rains in many parts of the region over the next day, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Education

-- Police in northern Thai Nguyen Province on Sunday arrested and initiated legal proceedings against a 32-year-old teacher for touching the genitals of four female students with his hands.

Lifestyle

-- The 2022 Tet Festival, an event organized annually in Ho Chi Minh City in celebration of the Lunar New Year, kicked off at the Youth Culture House in District 1 on Sunday night.

World news

-- The United Kingdom is drawing up plans under which people will not be legally bound to self-isolate after catching COVID-19, The Telegraph reported on Sunday.

-- Australia and New Zealand dispatched surveillance flights on Monday to assess the damage in Tonga, isolated from the rest of the world due to the eruption of an underwater volcano that triggered a tsunami and blanketed the Pacific island with ash, Reuters reported.

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Five members in a family from Hung Yen Province, northern Vietnam have died so far following a meal in late December, with investigators still struggling to determine the reason behind their demise.

The Peoples Committee in Ngoc Thanh Commune, Kim Dong District confirmed on Sunday that the fifth victim had passed away at the hospital on Saturday.

Police investigation showed that Nguyen Tien San, 50, and his wife invited their two daughters to their home in Kim Dong District for a meal on December 26.

Their first daughter  28-year-old Nguyen Thi Tuoi  came with her two children aged nine and three.

Meanwhile, the second daughter  26-year-old Nguyen Thi Tinh  arrived with her husband and their two children aged five and three.

Following the meal, Tuoi, Tinh, and their family members returned to their own homes.

Later that day, Tuoi and her nine-year-old son as well as Tinh and her five-year-old son experienced stomachache, vomiting, and convulsion.

They were taken to local hospitals for emergency treatment, but the two young boys died a few hours later.

Tuoi passed away on December 28, while Tinh died on December 29.

Tuois husband, Nguyen Van Dung, who did not attend the meal on December 26, fell into a coma on December 28 after he had organized the funeral for his son and retrieved the body of his wife.

Despite doctors efforts, Dung took his last breath on Saturday.

Colonel Nguyen Thanh Truong, director of Hung Yens Department of Public Security, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Sunday that officers were still working to identify the cause of the victims deaths.

The autopsy and blood tests have not showed any abnormal signs as yet, Col. Truong added.

Family members said they were just having a usual lunch that day and asserted that food poisoning was not the cause.

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Ho Chi Minh Citys Bui Vien backpacker street is gradually regaining its lively and bustling atmosphere as authorities lifted a months-long ban on bars and discos after the COVID-19 pandemic had been put under control.

According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters on Sunday night, Bui Vien Walking Street in District 1 was filled with people, who were mostly young Vietnamese.

They were either having a stroll along the street or enjoying a few drinks with their friends while listening to the sound of upbeat music.

Several foreigners were also spotted among the crowd.

A foreigner has a drink at a bar on Bui Vien Walking Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, January 16, 2022. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Linh, a resident in District 8, said he came to Bui Vien with his friends to chill out following a hard-working week.

Bui Vien Street is gradually reviving following the serious COVID-19 outbreak, Linh stated.

I hope that the street will be able to welcome back more tourists in the near future.

Ho Chi Minh City has been one of the hardest-hit localities since the fourth virus wave hit Vietnam on April 27, with more than 511,200 local infections.

A group of friends pose for a photo at a bar on Bui Vien Walking Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, January 16, 2022. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

The metropolis has recorded a daily count of less than 700 cases since the beginning of January, a sharp decrease compared to about 1,600 cases a month earlier, according to the citys COVID-19 information portal.

Municipal authorities had implemented various levels of social distancing measures since May 31 last year before loosening restrictions and switching to living safely with the pandemic in October thanks to a large-scale vaccination campaign and natural immunity from mass infections.

People enjoy their drinks on Bui Vien Walking Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, January 16, 2022. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

The city of nine million has so far administered over eight million first vaccine doses, more than 7.2 million second shots, and nearly four million third jabs.

Bars, discos, and karaoke shops had been closed from April 30 and were only permitted to reopen on January 10.

The prolonged suspension previously prompted bar and restaurant businesses on Bui Vien Street to transform into vegetable shops to make ends meet.

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Patti Newton has given a rare interview following the death of TV legend Bert Newton.

Currently holidaying with daughter Lauren, son-in-law Matt Welsh and her six grandchildren, Patti, 76, told Womans Day, Some of the stories that have come out are just incredible, things even I didnt know.

After almost 47 years of marriage, Patti has been surprised by the memories shared, including missing Logies, one of which Peter Ford revealed was gifted to a man dying of AIDS in Melbourne in the 1980s.

I think a few of the Logies might have made a similar journey, been used to make somebody feel better, Patti said.

He was generous to a fault, really, but he loved it.

I often used to think he spent so much money on everyone else, but now Im so glad he did. He made such a lot of people happy.

Lauren, 42, added, Were falling apart, but were doing the best we can. You have to keep going with little kids around, so its a good distraction.

You can read more here.

A new family pic in this video:
Tyler, TX (75702)

Today

Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 75F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
Ukraine's fifth President (2014-2019) and leader of the European Solidarity Party Petro Poroshenko has called on all democratic forces in the country to unite to protect sovereignty and democracy in the country and has confirmed that he is returning to Ukraine on Monday.

"We need unity of the whole world in the face of this attempt to return Ukraine to [fourth Ukrainian President Viktor] Yanukovych's time, and to bring Ukraine back to the state of Malorossiya. We have to stop, very decisively stop these attempts by responding to such attempts to implement such a scenario," Poroshenko said at a press conference in Warsaw on Sunday.

"How can this be done? Only by unity, unity in the country itself, unity of the democratic opposition. And this is one of the main reasons for my return to Ukraine. There are already a few hours left until my return. And we call for unity of all democratic forces in defense of Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democracy. I'm very optimistic about that the possibility of a union, the unity of responsible democratic forces," the former president said.

He said that he has received many letters of support from politicians, activists, volunteers, deputies, journalists, including "from unexpected sources" over the past three weeks. "I have to be in Ukraine, in my homeland, among the millions of people who support me. We should strengthen our unity, unite the nation, do everything to bolster Ukraine's ability to withstand and counter [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's scenario [...]. My return will give another reason to announce an extraordinary parliamentary session dedicated to these threats," the politician said.

The European Solidarity leader added that he was going to Ukraine "for the sake of unity, for the sake of helping the country, so that we can stand in defense of Ukraine and attract international attention." "I'm also going as a member of the Ukrainian parliament, and I can't skip any sessions [...] and skip a session of the Verkhovna Rada," Poroshenko said.
By Anshuman Daga and Oliver Hirt

SINGAPORE/ZURICH (Reuters) - Credit Suisse will stick to its strategic overhaul despite the abrupt departure of its mastermind Antonio Horta-Osorio following an internal probe into his personal conduct, including breaches of COVID-19 rules, the bank's new chairman said on Monday.

Horta-Osorio leaves less than nine months after he joined the bank to help it deal with the implosion of investment firm Archegos and the insolvency of British supply chain finance company Greensill Capital, while it was still reeling from the 2020 exit of CEO Tidjane Thiam over a spying scandal.

The Portuguese banker unveiled a new strategy for Switzerland's no. 2 bank in November to focus on wealth management, rein in its investment bankers and curb a freewheeling culture.

"In the years ahead the strategy will be reviewed regularly, but at the moment it's not an issue at all," Axel Lehmann, the Credit Suisse board member picked to replace Horta-Osorio, told Reuters in an interview, his first with the media since his appointment.

The bank's shares were down around 1.6% in early afternoon trade.

Horta-Osorio's personal conduct has recently come under scrutiny, after he breached COVID-19 quarantine rules twice in 2021 - an embarrassment for the former Lloyds chief executive who has said every banker needed to be a risk manager.

"I regret that a number of my personal actions have led to difficulties for the bank and compromised my ability to represent the bank internally and externally," the Portuguese banker said in a statement issued https://bit.ly/3fC7Flb by Credit Suisse on Monday.

"I therefore believe that my resignation is in the interest of the bank and its stakeholders at this crucial time," he said.

Credit Suisse said Lehmann had taken over with immediate effect. It gave no details on an investigation commissioned by its board.

Two people familiar with the situation said that besides COVID-19 breaches the probe also looked into Horta-Osorio's use of company private jets, citing an instance when he has directed one to take him to the Maldives on his return from a business trip in Asia.

Story continues

A spokesperson for Horta-Osorio said he was not speaking to the media.

His exit marks a professional low point for the banker who spent a decade at Lloyds rebuilding the lender following its bailout during the 2008 financial crisis. Last summer he was awarded a knighthood in Britain for his contribution to financial services and mental health, winning praise for speaking publicly about the stress he experienced after taking over at Lloyds.

Lehmann, a Swiss citizen who previously worked for rival UBS and spent nearly two decades at Zurich Insurance Group, said no change of course was planned for Credit Suisse as it tries to steer its way back into calmer waters.

He said business remained excellent despite the latest upheaval and that no big management changes were in the works, adding that Chief Executive Thomas Gottstein was "central to our ability to continue the transformation together".

The board concluded that it was time for Horta-Osorio to go, he said.

"We determined over the weekend - and he also thought about it - that it's just in the best interest for him but certainly for the bank as well to put this story behind us and he resign."

TWO STRIKES

Analysts said Horta-Osorio's departure was inevitable after it was found he had breached COVID-19 rules twice, but it could further complicate the bank's turnaround.

"His departure leaves Credit Suisse with a lack of strong characters at the top and leadership questions will likely be raised," wrote analysts at Citigroup.

In December, Reuters reported that a preliminary internal bank investigation had found that Horta-Osorio attended the Wimbledon tennis finals in London in July without following Britain's quarantine rules.

Horta-Osorio also broke Swiss COVID-19 rules in November by leaving the country during a 10-day quarantine period, the bank said last month.

The pandemic brought greater scrutiny of prominent figures, with athletes such as tennis superstar Novak Djokovic or politicians like British Prime Minister Boris Johnson drawing heat for their actions at a time when the public has to live with COVID-19 curbs.

Investors had been hoping the bank's strategic changes would help lift the ailing Swiss bank's share price.

David Herro, portfolio manager at Harris Associates, Credit Suisse's third-biggest shareholder, told Reuters before Horta-Osorio's departure he believed the infractions were "minor" and that he and his turnaround plan had the institution's full backing.

"So, that's a very important reason to invest in the company. And if that person (Horta-Osorio) leaves, that very important reason leaves".

'WHAT A WASTE'

Reeling from a disastrous year, Credit Suisse reported a 21% fall in its third-quarter profit last year and warned of a loss for the final three months of 2021.

UBS, Switzerland's largest bank, however reported its highest quarterly profit in six years in the third quarter and while Credit Suisse shares have shed 23% over the past year, its rival's have soared 33% to a four-year high.

Horta-Osorio's sudden exit demoralised staff at Credit Suisse, with some questioning what was next for the bank.

"What a waste and again we make the headlines for the wrong reason," a senior Credit Suisse private banker said on condition of anonymity as he was not allowed to speak to media.

"In between we froze for one year waiting for the new strategy from the new man," he said.

(Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
COLLEYVILLE, Texas (AP)  Authorities on Sunday identified a 44-year-old British national as the man who took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue for 10 hours before an FBI SWAT team stormed the building, ending a tense standoff that President Joe Biden called "an act of terror."

Malik Faisal Akram was shot and killed after the last of the hostages got out at around 9 p.m. Saturday at Congregation Beth Israel near Fort Worth. In a statement, the FBI said there was no indication that anyone else was involved, but it didn't provide a possible motive.

Akram could be heard ranting on a Facebook livestream of the services and demanding the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan. The FBI and police spokeswomen declined to answer questions Saturday night about who shot Akram when the standoff ended.

Video from Dallas TV station WFAA showed people running out a door of the synagogue, and then a man holding a gun opening the same door just seconds later before he turned around and closed it. Moments later, several rounds of gunfire could be heard, followed by the sound of an explosion.

"Rest assured, we are focused," Biden said during a visit to a food pantry in Philadelphia on Sunday morning. "The attorney general is focused and making sure that we deal with these kinds of acts."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said the hostage-taker was specifically focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community, and there was no immediate indication that the man was part of any broader plan. But DeSarno said the agency's investigation "will have global reach."

It wasn't clear why Akram chose the synagogue.

Law enforcement officials who were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity earlier said the hostage-taker demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaida who is in a federal prison in Texas. He also said he wanted to be able to speak with her, according to the officials, one of whom confirmed that the hostage-taker was a British national.

A rabbi in New York City received a call from the rabbi believed to be held hostage in the synagogue to demand Siddiqui's release, a law enforcement official said. The New York rabbi then called 911.

Police were first called to the synagogue around 11 a.m. and people were evacuated from the surrounding neighborhood soon after that, FBI Dallas spokeswoman Katie Chaumont said.

Saturday's services were being livestreamed on the synagogue's Facebook page for a time. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that an angry man could be heard ranting and talking about religion at times during the livestream, which didn't show what was happening inside the synagogue.

Shortly before 2 p.m., the man said, "You got to do something. I don't want to see this guy dead." Moments later, the feed cut out. A spokesperson for Meta Platforms Inc., the corporate successor to Facebook Inc., later confirmed that Facebook had removed the video.

Multiple people heard the hostage-taker refer to Siddiqui as his "sister" on the livestream. But John Floyd, board chair for the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,  the nation's largest Muslim advocacy group  said Siddiqui's brother, Mohammad Siddiqui, was not involved.

"This assailant has nothing to do with Dr. Aafia, her family, or the global campaign to get justice for Dr. Aafia. We want the assailant to know that his actions are wicked and directly undermine those of us who are seeking justice for Dr. Aafia," said Floyd, who also is legal counsel for Mohammad Siddiqui. "We have confirmed that the family member being wrongly accused of this heinous act is not near the DFW Metro area."

Texas resident Victoria Francis told the AP that she watched about an hour of the livestream before it cut out. She said she heard the man rant against America and claim he had a bomb.

"He was just all over the map. He was pretty irritated and the more irritated he got, he'd make more threats, like 'I'm the guy with the bomb. If you make a mistake, this is all on you.' And he'd laugh at that," she said. "He was clearly in extreme distress."

Francis, who grew up near Colleyville, tuned in after she read about the hostage situation. She said it sounded like the man was talking to the police department on the phone, with the rabbi and another person trying to help with the negotiations.

Colleyville, a community of about 26,000 people, is about 15 miles (23 kilometers) northeast of Fort Worth. The synagogue is nestled among large houses in a leafy residential neighborhood that includes several churches, a middle and elementary school and a horse farm.

Congregation Beth Israel is led by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who has been there since 2006 as the synagogue's first full-time rabbi. He has worked to bring a sense of spirituality, compassion and learning to the community, according to his biography on the temple's website, and he loves welcoming everyone, including LGBT people, into the congregation.

In a Sunday morning post on what appears to be Cytron-Walker's Facebook page, the rabbi thanked law enforcement and first-responders, and security training "that helped save us."

"I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the CBI Community, the Jewish Community, the Human Community. I am grateful we made it out. I am grateful to be alive," he wrote.

Anna Salton Eisen, a founder and former president of the synagogue, said the congregation has about 140 members and that Cytron-Walker has worked hard to build interfaith relationships in the community, including doing pulpit swaps and participating in a community peace walk. She described Saturday's events as "surreal."

"This is unlike anything we've ever experienced. You know, it's a small town and it's a small congregation," Eisen said as the hostage situation was ongoing. "No matter how it turns out, it's hard to fathom how we will all be changed by this, because surely we will be."

President Joe Biden issued a statement thanking law enforcement after the hostage situation ended.

"There is more we will learn in the days ahead about the motivations of the hostage taker. But let me be clear to anyone who intends to spread hatewe will stand against anti-Semitism and against the rise of extremism in this country," Biden said.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Twitter that he had been monitoring the situation closely. "This event is a stark reminder that antisemitism is still alive and we must continue to fight it worldwide," he wrote. He said he was "relieved and thankful" that the hostages were rescued.

The standoff prompted increased security in other places, including New York City, where police said that they increased their presence "at key Jewish institutions" out of an abundance of caution.

Aafia Siddiqui earned advanced degrees from Brandeis University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before she was sentenced in 2010 to 86 years in prison on charges that she assaulted and shot at U.S. Army officers after being detained in Afghanistan two years earlier. The punishment sparked outrage in Pakistan among political leaders and her supporters, who viewed her as victimized by the American criminal justice system.

In the years since, Pakistani officials have expressed interest publicly in any sort of deal or swap that could result in her release from U.S. custody, and her case has continued to draw attention from supporters. In 2018, for instance, an Ohio man who prosecutors say planned to fly to Texas and attack the prison where Siddiqui is being held in an attempt to free her was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

___

Tucker and Balsamo reported from Washington, D.C.; Associated Press writers Jennifer McDermott in Providence, Rhode Island; Michael R. Sisak in New York; Holly Meyer in Nashville, Tenn.; Acacia Coronado in Austin, Texas; and Issac Scharf in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
A Lincoln couple is facing felony charges after their 4-month-old child was found to be malnourished and in need of life-saving care earlier this month, according to court documents.

Kevin Scott, 21, and Amanda Wellington, 25, called police at around 3 p.m. Jan. 2 after they found their child had turned blue and was gasping for air in their home near 27th and Y streets, according to the affidavit for the couple's arrest.

Paramedics rendered life-saving measures to the child, who was later admitted to CHI St. Elizabeth for "immediate life-saving care" after investigators found the child to be severely malnourished, according to the affidavit.

"His bones were clearly visible, and his skin was hanging due to the lack of muscle and body fat," the affidavit reads.

Stacie Bleicher, medical director at Lincoln's Child Advocacy Center who reviewed body cam footage of the child, told investigators the baby was at risk of death when police responded to the couple's residence, according to the affidavit.

The 4-month-old, who was 7 pounds at birth, weighed 6 pounds, 6.5 ounces when he was admitted to St. Elizabeth's, according to the affidavit. The child hadn't seen a doctor since mid-September, LPD investigators wrote in the affidavit.

Scott and Wellington told investigators transportation issues had prevented them from taking their child to medical appointments in the months since, and the family's gas had been shut off, according to the affidavit. The couple, whose apartment had been heated by space heaters, told police they couldn't afford to have their gas re-activated.

In the affidavit, investigators noted the couple had a functioning vehicle.

A spokesperson for Black Hills Energy said the gas provider in Lincoln encourages customers to call and worth through financial issues. The spokeswoman pointed to Black Hills Cares, a company program that in Nebraska partners with the Salvation Army to provide financial assistance to those in need, as well as public assistance programs throughout the state.

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lincoln offers funds to assist with housing and utility costs, though need for such assistance has to be a result of the pandemic for applicants to qualify, according to the city's website.

Both Scott and Wellington were arrested on Friday and later charged with felony child abuse.

After initially being lodged at the Lancaster County Jail, both Scott and Wellington were released on personal recognizance bond, meaning they didn't have to pay to be released. They would have to pay $500 if they fail to appear at their next court hearing in February.

A part of the couple's bond condition is a no contact order with the 4-month-old, who remains at St. Elizabeth's, according to court filings.

Three other children living in the home were placed into protective custody, according to juvenile court records.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley
We have sad news to report today, as early this morning we lost Brigadier General Charles Edward McGee, one of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the legendary group of African American aviators who fought to fly and defend the United States during WWII. Like all of those within this band of extraordinary heroes, McGee had to battle more than just the Luftwaffe to achieve his goals, but he did so with true grit and grace; or as he himself would have said, by applying the four Ps  Perceive, Prepare, Perform, and Persevere.

Born on December 7th, 1919, McGee was a sophomore engineering student at the University of Illinois by the time of his 22nd birthday, the date when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor and plunged America into the Second World War. McGee enlisted in the U.S. Army during October, 1942 and eventually found his way into flight training with fellow African Americans in the cadre which became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. While there isnt room here to describe the immense struggle which the men and women within this famed group encountered in their efforts to serve their nation, all of those who eventually made it to the battlefields in North Africa and Europe had already overcome a far more insidious foe just to arrive there.

Charles McGee received his pilots wings when he graduated with Class 43-F on June 30th, 1943, but it wasnt until February, 1944 that he found himself in the combat zone, stationed in Italy with the 302nd Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group; he flew his first sortie on Valentines Day.

Charles McGee served in the Mediterranean Theatre for the next nine months, participating in nearly 140 combat missions, with many of these involving the escort of Allied bombers to targets in Germany, Austria and Yugoslavia. Other operations involved ground attack sorties against airfields and rail yards. He also downed a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 while escorting B-17s from the 5th Bombardment Wing on August 24th, 1944 during the bombing raid against Pardubice Aerodrome, about 70 miles due east of Prague in the present-day Czech Republic. McGee was one of three 332nd FG airmen to down an enemy fighter on that mission.

Of his time in Europe, McGee mentioned in a DoD article that his most memorable mission involved escorting transport aircraft over Yugoslavia, one of several such missions which took place during the war, to repatriate downed Allied airmen who had been safeguarded by partisans. Remarking on these efforts, McGee stated: It was just wonderful to realize that the hundreds of Americans were able to get back home.

By the end of November, 1944, McGee was on his way back home to the United States where he would become an instructor, training members of the 447th Bombardment Group to fly the B-25 Mitchell bomber.

Following WWII, McGee remained in the military. He saw further combat during the Korean War, flying 100 missions in F-51D Mustangs with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron.

During the Vietnam War, McGee commanded the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, flying 172 missions in the RF-4 Phantom II.

He closed his combat career having flown a total of 409 sorties, spread across three different conflicts; an extraordinarily high mission count for any Air Force officer. McGee retired as a Colonel in January, 1973 having flown 6,308 hours in numerous aircraft types. He received numerous commendations during his career, and a ceremonial promotion to Brigadier General in 2020, a rank he should rightfully have attained during his military service given his vast combat leadership experience and hard-earned skillset.

Following his departure from the military, McGee returned to college to earn the degree interrupted by WWII. He stayed connected to aviation as well, and continued to fly even into advanced old age. He also devoted a lot of energy to encouraging younger generations to follow his example and live by the four Ps. In addition to his public service, Gen McGee will perhaps best be remembered for his trailblazing experience as a Tuskegee Airman, of course. Remarking on this time, he noted in a recent article for the DoD that his decision to join the Army Air Forces came partly from his desire to fly, but also because of the opportunity and freedom it represented. Regarding freedom, General Charles McGee noted:

What freedom means to me is the fact that although there were those who said I couldnt do something because of my happenstance of birth Freedom provided the opportunity to serve and prove that its not just an idea for somebody to tell you cant do something  it also requires the endeavor from yourself, that yes I can. And its in freedom that you get the opportunity to prove that you have abilities. They can be developed to not only help you as an individual, but what it means in the area of business, jobs and opportunities  you cant beat it. Freedom is the key to providing such opportunity for one and all.

Charles McGee followed these ideals during his entire adult life, and worked publicly to encourage others to do so too. We are lucky for the example he provided, one worth emulating

Fair winds and blue skies General McGee.
Forget the stereotypical images of macrame plant hangers and 1970s barefoot hippies. Hemp has come solidly into the 21st century with surprising range, versatility and renewed popularity.

One of the first companies licensed to grow industrial hemp in New York, Hudson Hemp got its start in 2017 shortly after hemp was legalized in the state.

We decided to go in this direction as hemp is a particularly specialized plant in carbon sequestering, which ties into our regenerative agricultural practices, says Hudson Hemp co-founder Melany Dobson, of the decision to go into the hemp business.

This year, we produced 10 acres of CBD-rich hemp to use in tinctures and salves currently featured on our website. We also partner with external companies to create products for their businesses.

Hemp in regenerative farming

Not only does regenerative farming work to reverse the effects of chemical pollution and decarbonization to improve topsoil health and fertility, it also helps reduce soil erosion and loss that can contribute to climate change.

Together with her sister, Freya, and brother, Ben, Dobson and the Hudson Hemp farm team focus on enriching and leaving the soil of their Old Mud Creek Farm and Stone House Farm properties better off than they found it. Born into a family that raised lettuce and tomatoes, Dobson only decided to follow in her fathers organic farming footsteps after a stint in Northern California opened her eyes to the possibilities the cannabis industry had to offer.

Regenerative farming aims to not only maintain the integrity of the environment, but enhance it with strategic crop rotation and nutrient sequestering, she explains. Organic farming may meet certain guidelines and regulations to achieve certification, but doesnt follow the same format of ecosystem balancing that allows for longevity in sustainable harvesting.

As adopters of the regenerative practice movement, the Dobsons transition began back in 2013 with a move toward diversifying and earning organic, non-GMO status for their farming operations. Hemp has helped them achieve these goals by producing a viable crop that supports biodiversity, sustainability and carbon sequestration  the ability to pull carbon dioxide out of the air and reintroduce it into the soil  through a natural, closed-loop farming system.

All about hemp

Although its receiving renewed attention in recent years, hemp has actually been around for millennia with historical mentions going back as far as 8000 B.C.

Hemp (cannabis sativa) is a type of plant that contains medicinal properties, Dobson describes. Hemp and cannabis are both the same species of plant, only differing in THC content. Cannabis contains higher than 0.3 percent THC content, whereas hemp contains less than said amount.

Cannabis was widely grown in the United States until the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 put the kibosh on the crop until 2018, when the U.S. Farm Bill federally legalized hemp production, ushering in a new generation of CBD growers and suppliers. The versatility of the crop is part of what makes hemp so appealing.

CBD has been known to help treat anxiety, minor aches and pains, Dobson notes. Hemp also provides strong, fibrous material that can be used in the production of food, fuel and fiber.

Hand-in-hand with Hudson Hemp growing operations, Dobson and her sister oversee the production and sales of Treaty, their line of plant extract-enhanced CBD tinctures in four formulas: Calm, Focus, Recover and Balance.

Hemp and marijuana: The same?

Many people mistakenly believe that hemp and marijuana are the same. Not the case, Dobson explains.

It has raised concerns of whether hemp can make someone high, she continues. This is untrue, as hemp and marijuana contain different chemical properties.

Its important to read CBD product labels closely because the regulation of CBD products currently varies by state, which can lead to discrepancies in quality and potency. Hudson Hemp insists on careful in-house analysis and third-party testing to assure high product integrity and standards.

The future of hemp farming

As the CBD industry continues to expand, industrial hemp presents an intriguing proposition for farmers wanting to diversify their crops and venture into new markets. Dobson hopes to continue blazing new trails for others to follow into the world of hemp and regenerative farming.

Now that cannabis has been legalized in multiple states, as well as being in the works for New York, this will provide new opportunities for hemp growers to produce both hemp and cannabis if they so choose, she says.

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WATERLOO  The strength of Martin Luther King Jr.s dream has been wielded before, around the country and locally, to address shortfalls in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Confidence was expressed Sunday night at the 43rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet that it will continue to resonate.

Joy Sallis Briscoe, the keynote speaker at the event geared toward remembering the life and legacy of the iconic civil rights leader, took great pride in pointing out past accomplishments. But she also used her 20-minute speech to state how it is time for the community to come together and commit to continuing to close economic disparity gaps and ensure prosperity for all.

Briscoe, a talent acquisition and outreach specialist in the Waterloo Community School District, even gave tips on how to make that happen.

At Dr. Kings Noble Peace Prize Address in 1964, he said, and I quote, There is nothing new about poverty; what is new, however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it, she said. We have the resources to get rid of it. Weve done this before. The decision is still on us. Who are we going to be?

The Journey of the Dream Continues was the theme for the annual banquet, virtual again this year because of COVID-19. A professional video was produced by the Social Action Inc. and Experience Waterloo with support from many community stakeholders.

It was released over Facebook and YouTube the day before the federal holiday recognizing the civil rights leader who famously gave the I Have a Dream speech.

Briscoes motivational speech was part of an hour-long segment that can be viewed on the Facebook page of Social Action Inc., www.facebook.com/SocialActionInc.IA, and YouTube at: www.youtube.com/channel/UCylXsA__fwlcmgGZYNhEtwg/featured.

Briscoe gave examples of Kings dream working its magic: the nation electing the first African-American president, Barack Obama, more than a decade ago, and more generally, the rise in entrepreneurs of color.

Locally, she pointed to Waterloo voters in 2021 choosing the first Black-majority City Council in the citys history, in support of its first Black mayor.

We did these things because most of us understood the vision and leadership necessary to continue to thrive together, and that vision happened to be best implemented in our newly elected officials and current mayor, she said.

She also pointed to other local successes, whether it be the number of LGBTQA community members serving in the public sector, or the leaders of color and women in the school districts.

Specifically, it was examples like hometown champion Nikole Hannah-Jones launching her 1619 Freedom School in Waterloo that Briscoe lauded for helping close achievement gaps.

But she noted the elephant in the room, the disparities that still exist in areas like the unemployment rate, income and homeownership.

Briscoe also pointed to other inequalities: the unequal sentencing of people of color and not enough people of color holding C-Suite titles at companies.

She noted how the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area still ranked on the 24/7 Wall St. report as one of the worst places to be Black and that other Iowa and Midwest communities have joined it on the infamous list.

She used statistics  numbers with souls connected to real people  to present the whole story and explain how there is still work to be done to move the needle closer to Kings dream.

She said many times in the past people came together to fight inequality, discrimination and racism, and numerous actions have proven society is capable of making strides.

Weve done this before as a community, and we can do this again, she said.

And she noted shortfalls still exist: Right now, Black women are among the highest demographic with educational attainment, yet they remain the lowest with salaries, and in the C-Suite.

And she offered advice on addressing the issues.

Be brave was first. Those in power shouldnt be afraid to be bold. Find the right people to lead an organization in its inclusivity and equity initiatives. And look at changing policy that is burdening underrepresented people.

Her second tip: Dedicate resources and funds toward these initiatives. Dont just talk, have meetings and form committees.

Third, take urgent action. And fourth, have intent: If youre trying to reach women, say it.

Shawn Rochester wrote in the The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America that out of every $100 intended to reach Black populations, just over $1 actually goes to that community, because there is no intent, she said. We cannot improve a situation we are unwilling to name and identify.

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WATERLOO  Staffing issues and how to reward current employees with the help of federal relief funds were topics of discussion at the Cedar Valleys two largest school districts Monday.

Its not looking good, Kingsley Botchway, chief officer of human resources and equity, told the Board of Education about shortages in Waterloo Community Schools and across the country.

We lobby our legislators, weve talked to the (Department of Education), weve tried to do as much as we can to have that conversation, he said. I think right now were dealing with some significant challenges with staffing. Again, a lot of it is just understaffing weve been able to cover.

While not a solution to shortages, the district is considering a comprehensive incentive package for employees that would make use of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, as he told The Courier earlier. Those funds, distributed in three rounds during 2020 and 2021, are intended to help districts recover following COVID-19 disruptions. Waterloo Schools has received $52.31 million through those federal funds, some of which are already spent or designated.

Superintendent Andy Pattee said Cedar Falls Community Schools is also looking at ways to provide incentives for staff using ESSER funds after Board of Education member Nate Gruber asked about the possibilities. The district received $6.24 million from the federal government, and also spent some of the funds.

Anything that we could pay out by the end of the school year, I would like to see the wheels put in motion, said Gruber.

So, the wheels have been put into motion on that, replied Pattee. The district is considering just different components as we look at what that could be labeled as. Our intent is to do something.

The district already used ESSER funds to provide a $1,000 incentive for teachers who gave early notification of their plans to resign at the end of the school year. Those had to be finalized by Jan. 4.

We had 13 people that took advantage of that, said Pattee, so $13,000 will be paid out to them. That just gave us an opportunity to hire in advance.

Notifications usually happen in March or early April with interviews taking place in April or May. But with those early notices, now we are doing interviews for those positions, he noted.

Staff challenges

Discussion at the Waterloo board meeting was spurred by concerns that a special needs paraeducator voiced during the meetings public comment period.

Amber Megivern told the board that there are 40 open support staff jobs in the district, a shortage that is further strained when qualified paraeducators substitute for an absent classroom teacher.

Support staff who sub are often doing the job of two people because there isnt a para working in the classroom due to support staff shortages, she said. And theyre doing it without being properly compensated.

Megivern noted that the additional compensation a paraeducator working as a substitute receives is the difference between their daily pay and the substitute rate. In my case, that was $25 for an entire day of subbing or $12 for a half day, she said.

Working conditions paraeducators may encounter dont make the positions an easy sell.

Long-time support staff are dealing with an increase in challenging behaviors daily, she said. We are the ones dealing with behavior so that the teacher can continue to teach with minimal distractions.

Megivern added, Many of us have been kicked, punched, bit or called a variety of colorful names. Yet, we come back day after day, year after year. For some students we are the most dependable and consistent adult in their lives.

Botchway praised her and other district staff for their efforts and talked about how ESSER funds could be used to boost compensation. The district currently has a bonus funded with the money available for paraeducators who refer someone to the job. If the person is hired and continues in a job until the end of the school year, the referrer will get a $500 bonus.

Were looking at a comprehensive incentive package that we will be moving forward with hopefully shortly, he added. But on top of that, were also looking at what we can do with the longevity (pay for staff), as well.

Were looking not only what we can do in the short term but what we can in the long term, he said. Right now, our staff are pulling together and thats a credit to them. Theyre amazing.

Botchway noted that paraeducators take the brunt of staffing shortages.

So were working as quickly as we can to address those areas  but from a sustainable standpoint, not just from a tomorrow standpoint, he explained.

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A medical worker collects a nasal swab sample from a child for COVID-19 testing at a hospital in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, Jan. 16, 2022.

With COVID-19 cases surging again, private and public testing facilities in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka are now witnessing an unprecedented rush of patients.

Bangladesh reported 5,222 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths on Sunday, bringing the tally to 1,617,711 and death toll to 28,144, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. (Xinhua)

DHAKA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- With COVID-19 cases surging again, private and public testing facilities in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka are now witnessing an unprecedented rush of patients.

Long queues were seen Sunday at one of the largest testing centers in Dhaka, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where tests are conducted at a nominal fee.

In the past week, queues are also getting longer outside many other private and public facilities, which share RTPCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) results within 12 hours.

A total of 29,305 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh at the private and government facilities, after 24,028 on Saturday, the official data showed.

Bangladesh reported 5,222 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths on Sunday, bringing the tally to 1,617,711 and death toll to 28,144, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said.

On Saturday, the country reported 3,447 new cases. The cases have been rising remarkably in Bangladesh since the beginning of this month with offices, businesses and transport services in the country staying open.

Bangladeshi authorities on Thursday started to impose stringent rules to combat a fresh spike in COVID-19 infections.

In parts of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, mobile courts initiated drives and fined those violating the restrictions.

On Monday, Bangladesh's Cabinet Division issued a circular with 11-point directives to be effective from Thursday until further notice.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged unvaccinated people to get jabbed to protect lives from the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Speaking at an inauguration ceremony online, Hasina said the Omicron variant is spreading fast and families are getting infected, calling on all people in the country to follow the health protocols properly and abide by the latest directives issued by the authorities.

According to the official data, the COVID-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh is now 1.74 percent and the current recovery rate is 95.99 percent.

The total number of recovered patients in the country stood at 1,552,893 including 293 new recoveries, said the DGHS.

Bangladesh recorded the highest daily new cases of 16,230 on July 28 last year and the highest number of 264 deaths twice on Aug. 5 and Aug. 10, 2021. 

People line up to receive COVID-19 tests at a hospital in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, Jan. 16, 2022.

With COVID-19 cases surging again, private and public testing facilities in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka are now witnessing an unprecedented rush of patients.

Bangladesh reported 5,222 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths on Sunday, bringing the tally to 1,617,711 and death toll to 28,144, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. (Xinhua)

A medical worker arranges test tubes at a hospital in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, Jan. 16, 2022.

With COVID-19 cases surging again, private and public testing facilities in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka are now witnessing an unprecedented rush of patients.

Bangladesh reported 5,222 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths on Sunday, bringing the tally to 1,617,711 and death toll to 28,144, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. (Xinhua)

A medical worker collects a nasal swab sample from a baby for COVID-19 testing at a hospital in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, Jan. 16, 2022.

With COVID-19 cases surging again, private and public testing facilities in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka are now witnessing an unprecedented rush of patients.

Bangladesh reported 5,222 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths on Sunday, bringing the tally to 1,617,711 and death toll to 28,144, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. (Xinhua)

People wait for COVID-19 tests at a hospital in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, Jan. 16, 2022.

With COVID-19 cases surging again, private and public testing facilities in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka are now witnessing an unprecedented rush of patients.

Bangladesh reported 5,222 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths on Sunday, bringing the tally to 1,617,711 and death toll to 28,144, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. (Xinhua)

A medical worker collects a nasal swab sample from a woman for COVID-19 testing at a hospital in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, Jan. 16, 2022.

With COVID-19 cases surging again, private and public testing facilities in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka are now witnessing an unprecedented rush of patients.

Bangladesh reported 5,222 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths on Sunday, bringing the tally to 1,617,711 and death toll to 28,144, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. (Xinhua)
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BOOK OF THE WEEK

In Marie Romero Cashs book The Word Thief, a novel fusing drama and crime with flecks of romance, Lizbeth Newman assumes the onerous task of completing her late fathers half-finished manuscript.

Lizbeth is a freelance writer, while her late father, Anthony Fox Newman, was an internationally known, prolific, best-selling mystery writer.

Lizbeth faces several major roadblocks to complete his manuscript, several of which she is aware of. One is zero experience as a novelist.

A second is the pressure of time; her fathers New York publisher requires the full manuscript in six months.

If the deadline isnt met, the six-figure advance he received must be repaid. Not repaying it is an unacceptable option for Lizbeth. She knows her fathers estate would face bankruptcy and that, in turn, would void the charitable bequests he had made in his will.

Theres another obstacle that Lizbeth slowly learns more and more about.

It is in the form of the handsome, silver-tongued Gary Gorman. A budding novelist, he plots his chance to steal Newmans outlines and chapter notes.

The scheming Gary plans to purloin Newmans research as the basis for his own book.

To keep Lizbeth from suspecting him, Gary makes a play for Lizbeths affections, flattering her with deceit. Gary monopolizes Lizbeths precious hours to keep her from completing her fathers manuscript.

Gary is, you guessed it, the word thief in the title. He is presumably the tall man who breaks into Lizbeths home, too. Presumably, because the burglar isnt identified.

At the same time, Gary is a thief of hearts. Lizbeth is vulnerable.

Jilted once, she is still seeking a sincere romantic partner in her life.

She thinks she may be attracted to Gary.

But Lizbeths good friend Jane and her therapist keep her on track, emotionally and organizationally. Their sound advice bolsters Lizbeths effort to find the inner strength to write a credible complete manuscript and meet the manuscript deadline.

Her strength is also driven by the enduring spirit of her father. In her head, she hears him urge her, You can do this, Lizzie. Lizbeth answers his declaration with an unspoken assertion: Yes, Daddy. I know I can.

Romero Cashs novel is set in Santa Fe, where she was born and raised, and where she has lived most of her life.

Santa Fe locations and events are sprinkled throughout The Word Thief.

For example, theres a reference to The Shed, a popular restaurant just off the Plaza where late in the novel Lizbeth confronts Gary with his lies, his hypocrisy.

The reader also learns about The Shed:  a Santa Fe landmark for over 75 years, specializing in traditional New Mexico dishes smothered in ear-popping red or green chile and popular Margaritas.

Another building referred to is the Hilton Hotel (actually Hilton Santa Fe), where Gary, visiting from Oklahoma City, checks in. It states that the hotel was built on the site of a 300-year-old historic Santa Fe hacienda owned by the affluent Ortiz family 

A few annual events in the City Different are also mentioned, among them the Santa Fe Fiesta and the International Folk Art Market. At the markets Friday night gala, the Newman family is being recognized for its longtime support of the market.

Gary makes his move. He meets Lizbeth for the first time at the gala.

Meanwhile, he slides into a different surname, Harmon, after a friend of the Newmans misunderstands Garys last name.

From a ticket seller Gary learns about the events dress code. Hes told, This is Santa Fe. Whatever you wear to a black-tie event without the black tie. In other words, dress casual.

Santa Fe is certainly a character in The Word Thief just as it was in Romero Cashs Jemimah Hodge mystery series.

Santa Fe is a presence, the author said in a phone interview. You cant call it a city, a town or a village. Its a presence and it has a lot of energy. Santa Fe is special to me. Thats why I write about it.

Besides being a writer, Romero Cash is also an award-winning woodcarver and santera.
SUN CITY, Ariz.  Two residents at an assisted living facility in Sun City are dead after an apparent murder-suicide Sunday, authorities said.

Maricopa County Sheriffs officials said deputies were called out to the facility around 9:30 a.m. after getting reports of shots being fired.

Deputies said a man and woman were found with gunshot wounds and both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriffs officials said no suspects were being sought in the double shooting.

They didnt immediately release the names and ages of the two people who died, but said both were residents of the assisted living facility.
TUCSON, Ariz.  A Tucson man has been sentenced to a decade in prison for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend in 2020.

Pima County prosecutors said Jahkwez Desean Wilson was given a 10-year prison term on a murder charge and eight months for reckless child abuse.

According to Tucson TV station KOLD, Wilson will serve the sentences consecutively.

He also was credited with 605 days for time served at Fridays sentencing.

Prosecutors said Wilson and Chad Edmonson were accused of killing 34-year-old Christina Leeann Nunley in May 2020.

Nunley had been staying at an eastside Tucson hotel with Wilson and his children, according to police.

They said while Nunley was meeting with the visitor in another room, a single gunshot was fired and she was found dead.

Prosecutors said Edmonson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last October and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

According to court records, Wilson got a shorter sentence in part because he called 911 and tried to help Nunley.
PHOENIX  Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey quietly tapped $95 million in federal coronavirus relief money in November to boost pay for state troopers, prison guards and workers in several other state departments deemed essential.

The Republican governors office did not announce that he was using cash from President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan Act to provide 20% pay boosts to the states corrections officers, 15% increases to state troopers and 10% increases to workers at the departments of child safety, economic security, juvenile corrections, transportation and health services.

Duceys office routinely issues news releases when he allocates cash from the pot of COVID-19 relief money he controls, but that wasnt done this time.

Using the money to provide premium pay for essential workers is allowed under terms of the virus relief law signed by the Democratic president last March. It allows state and local governments to boost pay by up to $13 per hour for essential workers and allows a maximum per-employee amount of $25,000.

The Associated Press learned of the moneys use when an updated report on the governors use of virus relief funds was posted by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, which provides non-partisan analysis of state finances to lawmakers.

The premium pay started flowing to 17,291 of the states approximately 35,000 workers on Nov. 27. Duceys budget director, Matt Gress, informed the Republican Senate president and House speaker of his decision to tap the funds for premium pay in a Dec. 9 letter.

Ducey is seeking similar permanent raises for troopers and at other agencies in the budget proposal he released on Friday.

The state Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry and the Department of Public Safety have been struggling to hire and retain officers, in part because of wages that are low or uncompetitive. Ducey is seeking a permanent 15% raise for state troopers, 20% for juvenile and adult corrections employees and pay boosts for several other agencies that total nearly $250 million a year.

Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, said the premium pay is sorely needed at the agency that not only patrols state highways but does investigations, runs a crime lab and does many other law enforcement jobs.

The agency has 448 vacancies out of nearly 2,300 approved positions and Ducey wants to spend $31 million a year on DPS raises alone, according to the governors office.

It really was just a stopgap to start trying to stop people from leaving because all the agencies around us have received considerable pay raises and we were still so far behind, Hawkins said. So yeah, well deserved and hopefully it does what the intent was, to try to stop the high number of regrettable attrition that we have, increased retirement, guys going out earlier than they probably would have.

The agency pays its starting troopers about $57,000 a year, and the new 15% stipend gets them to $65,000, Hawkins said. Average annual pay before overtime for non-supervisors is just over $70,000.

We werent competitive at that rate, Hawkins said. But Id say that Arizona in general has not followed the market trend when it comes to police pay.

He pointed to officer pay in Texas and California, where rookie California Highway Patrol officers start at $93,000 a year. Cities and counties in Arizona are also struggling to fill positions because of low pay, and Ducey said in his state of the state address last week that his 15% pay hike would make troopers the best paid officers in the state.

Its not just line DPS troopers that are getting premium pay; dispatchers, crime lab technicians, radio repair staff and many others are getting premium pay, which ends on June 30.

The same is true at other agencies, according to a spreadsheet of classifications earning premium pay provided by the state Department of Administration. Even mail clerks at the states prisons are getting 20% premium pay.

A starting correctional officer earns just over $35,000 a year before the 20% premium pay.

C.J. Karamargin, Duceys spokesman, said there is increasing competitiveness in all sorts of jobs.

Weve got some quite a few critical positions that are vital to public safety, Karamargin said. So acknowledging the importance of these positions at this time where staffing is such a big issue across the board, we thought this was a good thing to do.
LOS ANGELES  A quest for the fortune left behind by multimillionaire murderer Robert Durst is underway just days after his death.

A lawyer for the family of his first wife, who vanished and was declared legally dead, notified the real estate tycoons trust that it would be seeking more than $100 million from Dursts estate and widow.

Attorney Robert Abrams told The Associated Press he would soon be filing a new wrongful death lawsuit against the estate and would renew legal actions against others he has claimed helped cover up the killing of Kathie McCormack Durst four decades ago.

Durst, 78, died Monday in a California hospital while serving a life sentence for shooting his best friend, Susan Berman, in the back of the head at her Los Angeles home in 2000. He was facing second-degree murder charges in New York for his wifes alleged slaying.

A Los Angeles County jury convicted Durst of first-degree murder in September on the theory he silenced Berman as she planned to tell authorities she provided a phony alibi to help him get away with killing Kathie Durst in New York in 1982.

Abrams sent a letter Tuesday to a lawyer who is co-trustee warning not to distribute money from the trust or destroy any records.

He singled out Dursts second wife, Debrah Charatan, whom he said is believed to be either the sole or primary beneficiary of a trust worth tens of millions of dollars.

Echoing allegations Abrams made in a 2017 lawsuit that remains under appeal, he said Charatan quietly married Durst in 2000 to help him evade authorities after the investigation into Kathie Dursts disappearance was reopened.

Were not about to let Debrah Charatan dissolve the trust and get tens of millions of dollars more, Abrams said. You dont get tens of millions of dollars in America for covering up a murder.

Charatan has never been charged with a crime in the case and her attorneys said in court papers in 2019 that she bears no responsibility related to Kathie Dursts disappearance, which occurred six years before she met Robert Durst.

Attorney Scott Epstein said the lawsuit was based on rumor more suitable for a work of fiction.

The plaintiffs claims are at best an example of the most extreme form of speculation and at worst nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to publicly embarrass and extort money from Ms. Charatan, an innocent party, who is perceived by the plaintiffs as a deep pocket, Epstein wrote.

The lawsuit against Charatan and others was thrown out because it was filed after a deadline expired, though its being appealed.

Epstein did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment. A woman who answered a phone listed in Charatans name hung up when an AP reporter called for comment on Friday.

Attorney Gary Freidman, the co-trustee who Abrams addressed his three-page letter to, declined to comment.

Dursts deadly turn from a wealthy life of ease to a series of bizarre and bungled runs from the law became tabloid fodder and the focus of a feature film and a six-part documentary.

He was long estranged from his family, which controls one of New Yorks largest commercial real estate firms, owns several New York skyscrapers and runs One World Trade Center.

After an acrimonious legal dispute, he was bought out of The Durst Organization and his family trust in 2006 for tens of millions of dollars, his brother, Douglas Durst, who runs the company, testified. Prosecutors estimated Robert Durst was worth about $100 million.

The McCormack familys previous lawsuit against Durst for wrongful death was also tossed because it was filed too late.

They can revive the lawsuit under New York law because Durst was charged last year with murder in the case, Abrams said.

Robert Durst was the last person to see Kathie Durst alive on Jan. 31, 1982. Her body was never been found and she was finally declared legally dead in 2017.

During his LA trial, Durst testified he didnt kill his wife and didnt know what happened to her. He also denied killing Berman, though he said if he had killed either woman, he would lie about it.

Abrams letter to the trust was akin to a restraining order, essentially saying we dont want you paying anyone anything until we get to the bottom of this, said Matt Hunter, a New York estate attorney.

Wife No. 1s estate is trying to glom onto to whatever wife No. 2 is entitled to through either Roberts estate or Roberts trust, said Hunter, who has no role in the case.

Durst married Charatan in December 2000 while he was hiding from New York authorities. The previous lawsuit against Charatan said she handled his finances so he could lay low.

Berman, who told friends in late 2000 she was planning to speak with investigators, was killed about two weeks after they wed.

Durst eventually returned to a low-rent Galveston, Texas, apartment where had holed up disguised as a woman unable to speak. In September 2001, he killed his elderly next door neighbor, Morris Black, chopped up his body and tossed it out to sea.

He was acquitted after testifying that Black, who he had befriended, had pulled a gun on him and it accidentally fired during a struggle for the weapon. He was convicted of tampering with evidence for disposing of the body.

Abrams plans a news conference on the 40th anniversary of Kathie Dursts disappearance later this month to reveal more evidence he uncovered.

He said he will file legal actions against others, including and Charatan and Durst family members whom he said also helped hide what they knew about Kathie Dursts slaying.

A spokesperson for The Durst Organization said Abrams has a reputation for bringing unsupported claims, naming the company or Douglas Durst more than 30 times in court filings in the past two years.

Mr. Abrams has a long history of leveling hollow, baseless attacks without ever providing a single shred of documentation to substantiate his wild claims, Jordan Barowitz said. Time and time again, these accusations have been summarily dismissed and thrown out by the courts.

___

Associated Press journalist Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report.
PHOENIX  A 16-year-old working a fast-food restaurants drive-thru window was shot and seriously wounded by a customer following an argument about an order, Phoenix police said Saturday.

The customer walked up to the window, pulled out a handgun and shot the employee, a police statement said.

The gunman got into the passenger side of a vehicle that then drove off, but officers later arrested Theotis Polk, 27, the statement said.

Police didnt release specifics on the argument, but the parents of Brian Durham Jr. told local news outlets that they were told that the argument started when the customer asked for more barbeque sauce and another employee said the customer would have to pay extra.

Yes, barbecue sauce , and I guess it was a confrontation between two other people, and he was like the register man. So, he was stuck in the middle, Robert Durham, Sr. said, abc15,com reported.

The boy was in stable condition after surgery, the father said. They give him commands and he moves his fingers and toes but cant talk.

Jail records said Polk was booked on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and multiple other crimes.

Online court records didnt list an attorney for Polk who might comment on his behalf.



This story has been corrected to reflect that the shooting occurred Thursday night, not Friday night.
WASHINGTON  Charles McGee, a Tuskegee Airman who flew 409 fighter combat missions over three wars and later helped to bring attention to the Black pilots who had battled racism at home to fight for freedom abroad, died Sunday. He was 102.

McGee died in his sleep at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, said his son, Ron McGee.

After the U.S. entry into World War II, McGee left the University of Illinois to join an experimental program for Black soldiers seeking to train as pilots after the Army Air Corps was forced to admit African Americans. In October 1942 he was sent to the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama for flight training, according to his biography on the website of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

You could say that one of the things we were fighting for was equality, he told The Associated Press in a 1995 interview. Equality of opportunity. We knew we had the same skills, or better.

McGee graduated from flight school in June 1943 and in early 1944 joined the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Red Tails. He flew 136 missions as the group accompanied bombers over Europe.

More than 900 men trained at Tuskegee from 1940 to 1946. About 450 deployed overseas and 150 lost their lives in training or combat.

In recent years the Tuskegee Airmen have been the subject of books, movies and documentaries highlighting their courage in the air and the doubts they faced on the ground because of their race. In 2007 a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award from Congress, was issued to recognize their unique military record that inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.

McGee remained in the Army Air Corps, later the U.S. Air Force, and served for 30 years. He flew low-level bombing and strafing missions during the Korean War and returned to combat again during the Vietnam War. The National Aviation Hall of Fame says his 409 aerial fighter combat missions in three wars remains a record.

He retired as a colonel in the Air Force in 1973, then earned a college degree in business administration and worked as a business executive. He was accorded an honorary commission promoting him to the one-star rank of brigadier general as he turned 100. Another event marked his centennial year: He flew a private jet between Frederick, Maryland, and Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

In 2020, McGee drew a standing ovation from members of Congress when introduced by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address.

In addition to encouraging young men and women to pursue careers in aviation, McGee was a source of information about the Tuskegee Airmen and offered a unique perspective on race relations of the era through the airmens nonprofit educational organization.

At the time of the war, the idea of an all African American flight squadron was radical and offensive to many, McGee wrote in an essay for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

The prevailing opinion was that blacks did not possess the intelligence or courage to be military pilots. One general even wrote, The Negro type has not the proper reflexes to make a first-rate fighter pilot. The Tuskegee Airmen certainly proved men like him wrong.

Charles Edward McGee was born Dec. 7, 1919, in Cleveland, the son of a minister who also worked as a teacher and social worker and was a military chaplain. He graduated from high school in Chicago in 1938.

Survivors include daughters Charlene McGee Smith and Yvonne McGee, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild. His wife of more than 50 years, Frances, died in 1994.

A family statement described McGee as a living legend known for his kind-hearted and humble nature, who saw positivity at every turn.

In tweets Sunday honoring McGee, both Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III called him an American hero.

While I am saddened by his loss, Im also incredibly grateful for his sacrifice, his legacy, and his character. Rest in peace, General, Austin wrote.

In his Smithsonian essay, McGee wrote that he was often asked why the Tuskegee Airmen were so successful in combat.

I would say it was because of our courage and perseverance, he wrote. We dreamed of being pilots as boys but were told it was not possible. Through faith and determination we overcame enormous obstacles. This is a lesson that all young people need to hear.

He added: I am most proud of my work as a Tuskegee Airman that helped bring down racial barriers and defeat the Nazis.

___

Associated Press writer Daisy Nguyen contributed to this report.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's spectacular economic performance in 2021 goes a long way in stabilizing the world economy, and its commitment to free and open trade bodes well for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economies in the post-pandemic landscape, an analyst said Monday.

"China's spectacular economic performance in 2021 is particularly spectacular when viewed together with China's relentless and strict effort in controlling the spread of the pandemic," said Oh Ei Sun, principal adviser for Malaysia's Pacific Research Center, in a written interview with Xinhua.

China's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 8.1 percent year on year to 114.37 trillion yuan (about 18 trillion U.S. dollars) last year, China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday.

Oh said that China is the largest trading partner of most ASEAN countries, and ASEAN as a whole has also become China's largest trading partner, even during the course of the pandemic.

"China's and ASEAN's insistence upon free trade, even in the face of rising protectionism, is particularly commendable, and this has borne fruitful benefits for all sides, as China is now leading the world in terms of economic recovery rate, followed closely by ASEAN," he said.

China will continue to be a major destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, with the country seeing a 14.9 percent increase year on year in 2021 due to its stable supply chains, and huge domestic markets and productivity are among the most important attractions as well as the tremendous flexibility and customization of goods and services by Chinese businesses, he said.

As for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which was signed by 15 Asia-Pacific countries including China and entered into force on Jan. 1, Oh sees great opportunities for investors.

Oh said that the agreement, the world's largest free trade deal, will enable the free flow of goods, services and people's interactions among all member economies, with reduced or removed tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

RCEP will provide an even greater access to China's domestic markets and population with plenty of disposable income, thus naturally becoming an attractive business expansion destination for participating economies, he said. 
SANTA FE  A proposed vote of no confidence in Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart failed Sunday during a private caucus meeting of Senate Democrats.

The scope of the disagreement within the caucus isnt necessarily clear, as caucus meetings are held in private.

But the motion came less than a month after a contentious special session on redistricting, when Democrats argued over how to redraw boundaries for their chamber.

Stewart, D-Albuquerque, backed a bipartisan plan that would have ensured two Republican incumbents didnt end up in the same district.

The chamber ultimately adopted another map  jointly sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque  incorporating the wishes of pueblo governors and other Native American leaders.

It left Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca of Belen and Sen. Joshua Sanchez of Bosque in the same district, forcing them to either move or run against each other in 2024 to keep a legislative seat.

Stewart said Sunday that Lopez proposed a vote of no confidence in her Sunday, and the motion failed.

Stewart said she couldnt say anything more about internal matters of the caucus.

The Journal wasnt able to reach Lopez late Sunday.

Caucus meetings arent public. They allow the members of a political party in a chamber  Senate Democrats, for example  to meet confidentially to debate leadership posts and plan strategy.

A spokesman for the Democratic caucus said he had nothing to report out of the meeting.

Lawmakers are set to meet for a 30-day legislative session beginning Tuesday, focused on budget and tax legislation, crime, energy and the election code.

Stewart, a retired educator, has served as Senate president pro tem for a year. The post is voted on by the entire chamber, but she won the Democratic nomination last year after having served earlier as majority whip.

The president pro tem presides over the Senate in some circumstances and wields influence over the membership and leadership of the chambers committees.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal <Body.Content>

Albuquerque police detectives arrested Domenic Mora, 18, on suspicion of shooting and killing his relative during a family argument over internet service last week, police announced Sunday.

A Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest of Mora, who last week was charged with an open count of murder in the death of Daniel Trujillo, who was shot and killed at a family home in Southwest Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Police had been called to the home near Unser and Arenal that night by a woman who said her grandson had shot and killed Trujillo, her brother, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.

Moras family members told police he was distraught over a fight with his girlfriend, and Mora had overdosed and required Narcan the night before the shooting. Mora was upset that his grandmother had disconnected the internet and was punching the wall and spilling soap on the floor prior to the shooting, according to court records.

Moras grandmother told police she was trying to ignore Mora during his tantrum over the internet service when she heard a pop. She said after the shooting Mora admitted to shooting Trujillo and left in his car.

Police said they found Moras car hours later near San Mateo and Lomas.

The complaint said that family members told detectives that Mora was known to carry a gun.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  He uses a cane and moves slowly but the mordant wit guiding the pen that launched thousands of political cartoons skewering the powerful and despotic is still evident.

Hes taken on Putin, Nixon, the Clintons, Kim Jong-un and countless other politicians and dictators.

The unique character of his cartoons, that at one time were syndicated in an estimated 500 newspapers worldwide, is unmistakable.

Pat Oliphant, 86, sips coffee in his Santa Fe home studio as he tells a reporter he has not drawn for several years after his eyesight deteriorated.

Dressed casually in a blue shirt and cardigan sweater with a shock of white hair, he relates a career that started in his native Australia as he playfully banters with his wife of over 30 years, Susan Conway Oliphant.

The thing he liked was studying the features and what part of a politician was telling and what he stood for, said Conway Oliphant.

Did I say that, I must say that in the future, Oliphant responds. I dont know how I survived in here, its bloody cold, he said, as he sat in the studio, filled with small notebooks where cartoons were first sketched.

A mutual friend introduced the couple in Washington, D.C., where Conway Oliphant owned an art gallery after becoming an art conservator and studying in France.

They bought their home here in 1996 but Oliphant has been coming to Santa Fe since his days at the Denver Post in the 1960s and 70s. Its been a long association, he said. He went on to work at the Washington Star during Watergate and then his work was syndicated and also appeared for several years in the Journal.

Getting ready to start the fun

He read two newspapers and watched a morning news show to start his day and then hit the drawing board where for some 60 years a cartoon was finished by noon to be transmitted to newspapers worldwide.

It all comes together at one time after you make up your mind what you want to say, said Oliphant. Thats when the fun starts, otherwise you scrap the whole thing and start again.

That doesnt happen very often, said Conway Oliphant.

The studio, infused with natural light, displays numerous sculptures that Oliphant created simultaneously with his cartoons as well as wood carvings he tinkered with.

He shows visitors a caricature figure of Richard Nixon bent over with his hands covering his private parts. Thats titled Nixon Holding His Own, said Conway Oliphant.

She always blushes when she has to say that, Oliphant teases her.

He started as a copy boy at his hometown paper, the Adelaide News. Its one of Rupert Murdochs early papers, and Oliphant gives the media mogul no quarter.

There is nothing great about Murdoch, he should have been euthanized early, said Oliphant.

His parents nurtured his drawing talents and he became a political cartoonist at 20. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1964 to become the cartoonist for the Post.

Political columnist Fred Brown worked with Oliphant at the Post. What a magnificent character! Brown said in a phone interview.

Oliphant had a penchant for cartoons that would never make it into a family paper such as LBJ naked, said Brown.

Oh yeah, I did a lot of those, Oliphant said, when told of the anecdote.

He lamented the changing media environment, which he thinks has weakened the political cartoon trade.

Theyre not but they could be (still powerful), he said. Something happened with the internet, I dont know what it was that really killed off (cartoons)  in some strange way it terminated the use of good cartoons.

The practitioners are no longer treating it as an art, which it is.

A villain a day for motivation

Oliphants cartoons are populated with villains, which he needs for inspiration.

I should say Trump, he answers when asked what villains would get him mad today. But he was not to my satisfaction, able to capture the ex-president.

I did him several times, but getting that self-satisfaction in his face, its almost impossible to voice really my disgust for that guy, he said.

Oliphant frequently depicted Russian President Vladimir Putin, sometimes as an oversized figure looming over dissidents or as the shirtless Superslav racing on horseback. He often includes Punk, the little penguin he invented in Australia, at the bottom of cartoons, who in this cartoon opines, That Putin is a riot.

A lifetime of reading has underscored his sense of justice. I like to take the side of the guy that I think is worthwhile  Theres an attitude of being for the little guy, the oppressed, being on the side of the guy who needs a little lift.

In the early days, Oliphant would give drawings away to admirers, but now his wife is learning about and compiling a database for posterity and for scholars to research.

We are keeping the whole body of work because its too important as a history of the second half of the last century, she said. About 10,000 have been catalogued but Oliphant may have done as many as 15,000 or 20,000, said Conway Oliphant.

About 7,000 originals have been gifted to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and the Library of Congress has several thousand. Yale University has some.

Conway Oliphant is still in awe of her husbands body of work.

I think hes a miracle, she said. To get up in the morning and think about what you are going to do that day  and how hes going to say what he thinks and get it out by noon  and to do it every day for 60 years.

If not for the cartoon decline and his eyes, Oliphant might still be skewering his next target.

We have seen the demise of a perfectly good mode of expression, its awful and I dont know how it will ever be resuscitated, he said.

I miss it every day of my life because it was something I enjoyed, really enjoyed.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  After several years of negotiations, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville was gifted about 7,000 political cartoons and other art by Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and Santa Fe resident Pat Oliphant in 2018.

It really amounted to kind of a time capsule of Pats work from the  late 60s until the last drawing he did in 2014, said university professor Elizabeth Hutton Turner, in a recent telephone interview.

That makes the university the largest repository of his work and his professional papers and all the elements relating to his career in America and some of the work (including) the scrapbooks his father kept when he worked in Australia, said Hutton Turner, whose specialty is American and modern art.

Hutton Turner and Molly Schwartzburg, curator of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the university are both friends of Oliphant and his wife, Susan Conway Oliphant, and worked with the couple to acquire the collection.

The library, where the works are held, introduced the collection in a public exhibition which the Oliphants attended and it included a symposium suggested by Oliphant on the future of political cartoons.

He is very passionate on the future of the genre, said Schwartzburg.

Conway Oliphant has been working to create a database of her husbands work, which she estimates could be 15,000 to 20,000 drawings.

To have a digitized record of that and to make it searchable and researchable and have images associated with every entry and to be able to search it by date and by theme, by subject, its an immense resource, said Hutton Turner.

Hutton Turner spoke of the line in Oliphants work, which is defined as being able to craft an illustration using strokes of different angles and weights.

I think Patrick Oliphant is a national treasure, said Hutton Turner. His prodigious talent and his amazing skill at drawing, the way he is able to carry our mind and our thoughts in a way that really does cut through a lot of the confusion to bring forward something so clear and so beautiful, I mean there is such fluidity in his line.

In addition to the cartoons, the collection includes his sculptures  many of presidents  and works on paper, letters, fan mail and hate mail.

The collection really will provide biographers and other scholars with the core material to understand Oliphants impact on the culture, said Schwartzburg.

The academic interest in Oliphants work goes beyond his artistic talent, said Hutton Turner.

Not only because he is a terrific artist, a terrific draftsman, a terrific caricaturist, satirist and of course journalist, its also that his commentary is a marvelous resource, primary resource for those studying the history of the presidency, studying the history of American elections, studying various issues like that.
It has taken more than five years and five months, but the day of judicial reckoning is almost here for a Pena Blanca motorist accused of slamming into a group of motorcyclists, causing losses of life and limb, and fueling anger and despair over how long this case has languished.

More anger and despair  and perhaps relief  may come Tuesday when Maryann OQuinn is expected to accept a plea agreement that essentially lets her walk away from the carnage and death wrought that day with little more than a court-ordered slap on the wrist.

OQuinn, 39, is accused of recklessly hurtling down N.M. 22 near Cochiti Lake on Aug. 6, 2016, exceeding the posted 55 mph speed limit by at least 30 mph when she failed to navigate a curve and veered into the oncoming motorcyclists, hurling them into a ditch, bloodied, broken and bereft of a body part or two.

Motorcyclists Lauren and Jeremy Wallaert, who were celebrating their fifth anniversary by riding with friends to Cochiti Lake, each lost a leg in the crash  and thought they were going to lose their lives.

Left lying in a ditch, without limbs, saying our goodbyes and begging friends to keep us alive for our children, Lauren Wallaert said in a previous column.

Two other motorcyclists were also seriously injured in the crash.

The Wallaerts didnt die, but OQuinns 15-year-old daughter, Nicole, did, after she and four other passengers were ejected from OQuinns gold Hyundai when it rolled.

Three of the other passengers were seriously injured, two of them juveniles.

OQuinn was indicted on reckless vehicular homicide, five counts of great bodily injury by vehicle, two counts of child abuse and a single count of driving with a suspended license. If convicted on every charge, OQuinn faced a prison sentence of 63 years.

But under the plea agreement, she may face no prison time at all.

You read that right.

Although the specifics are not public until Tuesday, OQuinns attorney confirmed that under the plea agreement most of the felonies his client faced will be reduced to misdemeanors, with probation as a possible sentence.

Its a fair plea agreement, Leonard Foster said.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jessica Martinez of the 13th Judicial District said the plea was necessary because of concerns over OQuinns wavering competency and confidence in proving that she drove recklessly, which requires evidence of willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, as opposed to driving carelessly, in which prosecutors need only prove that OQuinn drove imprudently and with inattention.

In addition, hospital records do not indicate that OQuinn was intoxicated at the time of the crash and cellphone records do not show she was on her phone at the time of the crash, Martinez said.

We did everything we could to get some kind of justice for the victims, but there just wasnt enough to assure a conviction of reckless or intent, Martinez said. We are obviously disappointed.

Lauren Wallaert, whose horrifying recounting of the crash has been featured in this column, is disappointed, too. But she is also resigned, realistic and weary.

I wish I had more to say, but we are simply growing tired of being ignored and have known there wouldnt be justice from the very start of our case, she said from her home in Oregon, where the couple moved to escape the memories of that horrific day. If the case was dropped, I would feel so defeated. We felt this was our only option.

OQuinn was indicted six months after the crash and might never have been indicted at all had it not been for the efforts of the Wallaerts and Debbie Hill and Mitchell Woodall, the other two motorcyclists severely injured in the crash.

From the very beginning, we have been so let down by our justice system, Wallaert said. We had to ask for charges to be filed.

The case has repeatedly snagged over the years. Early on, a delay was caused by an argument over obtaining OQuinns hospital records to determine her level of intoxication since Sandoval County deputies at the scene had not bothered to test that, despite a witness stating he had smelled alcohol on OQuinn at the crash site.

An attempt to obtain information from a 13th Judicial District pretrial services employee led to more delays and the entire 13th Judicial District court recusing itself from the case.

In August 2019, the case was assigned to state District Judge Brett Loveless of the 2nd Judicial District in Bernalillo County.

The longest delay came over the question of OQuinns competency. An initial evaluation found her incompetent but based the finding on the depression, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury she suffered as a result of the crash.

We believe she was competent at the time of the crash, Martinez said.

Prosecutors fought for an additional evaluation. In July 2020, that report deemed her competent in spite of her cognitive shortcomings.

But concerns about her competency and cognitive issues remained. District Attorney Barbara Romo, who took over the office in January 2021, also said the case and many others were mired in a backlog caused by the courts shutting down because of COVID-19.

Finally, a plea agreement was presented in November, according to court records. Tuesdays hearing will be held via Zoom.

Wallaert, who lost her right leg above the knee in the crash, said she and the other motorcyclists are hoping to convince the judge to order OQuinn to refrain from driving as part of her conditions of probation.

It would be a small victory, at least. But it comes at a far too big price.

UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. Reach Joline at 730-2793, jkrueger@abqjournal.com
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

As New Mexico legislators prepare to convene a 30-day session largely devoted to budgeting, natural resource agencies are asking the state to fund executive budget recommendations over more conservative proposals from a key legislative panel.

Brittany Fallon, policy director for New Mexico Wild, said conservation groups were thrilled when lawmakers directed $43.5 million in federal pandemic funds in December to state parks, watershed projects, outdoor recreation and abandoned well cleanup.

But without staff funding, the agencies are not going to be able to spend that money in a timely way, because theyre barely surviving as is, Fallon said. Agencies can only protect the environment as much as we fund them to do so.

The Legislative Finance Committee proposes that the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department receive a general fund increase of $1.8 million, or 7.5%, from Fiscal Year 2022.

The executive budget recommendation released by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration includes a general fund boost of $7 million, or a 29% increase.

EMNRD cabinet secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst said the executive plan is vastly preferable for funding forest firefighters and oil and natural gas regulators.

Some of the nuances matter greatly, she said. The executive recommendation supports creation of 11 new full-time employees (in forestry) including nine firefighter positions and an administrative position to help manage really complex funding streams and paperwork for firefighting expenses, with the fire season now lasting year round.

The executive budget also supports a $50 million Land of Enchantment general obligation bond.

The proposal, which was not backed by the LFC, would fund forest thinning, land acquisitions and watershed projects if approved by lawmakers and voters.

The LFC recommends a general fund increase of $1 million, or 6%, for the Environment Department. The executive budget suggests an increase of $7.8 million or 48%.

Debate over natural resource agency funding is an old tension, said Ben Shelton, political and policy director for Conservation Voters New Mexico.

But whats different this year, specifically with climate, is that the agencies really put together some budget plans that restructure themselves internally to be a lot more proactive in the climate space, Shelton said.

NMED requested staff funding for a climate change bureau to spearhead vehicle emissions standards and carbon emissions reductions.

The department also wants more staff for a cannabis and hemp bureau to regulate edibles.

The LFC proposes $400,000 from the general fund for seven climate bureau staff  with some positions contingent upon passage of hydrogen hub and clean fuel standard bills  and $239,000 for six cannabis and hemp bureau positions.

The executive plan poses $2.5 million for 15 climate change bureau staff and $2.3 mill for 19 new positions at the cannabis and hemp bureau.

NMED cabinet secretary James Kenney said state efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are attractive for big businesses eyeing New Mexico markets.

Without funding the climate bureau, I think were basically signaling to those Fortune 500s that were not the right state for them, Kenney said.

The executive budget would also direct $1.5 million to NMED to match federal grants for watershed and wetland projects.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
PHOENIX  Martin Luther King III came to Arizona with harsh words for Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, whose refusal to change the Senates Jim Crow-era filibuster rules makes voting rights legislation unlikely to pass.

King told a crowd campaigning to protect voting rights that Sinema cannot simultaneously express support for the legislation while also blocking their approval.

History will remember Sen. Sinema, I believe unkindly, for her position on the filibuster, the civil rights leaders eldest son said as the nation prepares to mark the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

With his wife Arndrea Waters King; and their daughter Yolanda Renee King, 13, the family joined a march in Phoenix with local activists and supporters from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, a predominantly Black church, and spoke about the importance of no celebration without legislation.

Our daughter has less rights around voting than she had when she was born, King said in an interview. I cant imagine what my mother and father would say about that. Im sure theyre turning over and over in their graves about this.

Arizona is one of 19 states that have passed more than 30 state voting laws in the last year  including a ban on giving water to voters in long lines, and stricter ballot signature requirements  that King called draconian. They make it harder for people to vote, especially people of color, he said.

Another reason the family chose to appear in Arizona is to send a message to Sinema. President Joe Biden had implored her and Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, to end the filibuster rules that require 60 of 100 senators to pass most legislation.

Sinema poured cold water that idea Thursday, making clear in a dramatic speech on the Senate floor that while she supports the voting rights legislation, she would not alter filibuster rules so it could move forward. The filibuster, she said, forces bipartisan cooperation. Otherwise, Republicans could just repeal and replace whenever they rise to power.

We must address the disease itself, the disease of division, to protect our democracy, said Sinema, drawing disappointment from fellow Democrats.

Sinema was jeered by some of the hundreds of people attending Saturdays rally after the Rev. Warren Stewart, a prominent Black clergy member and activist, said she was among those  who would hide behind procedure.

The rally was held at Eastlake Park, which for decades during segregation was a gathering place for Blacks not welcome in other parts of the city.

The plea from the King family brings an especially powerful voice to an increasingly tense campaign to pressure Sinema to change her mind. Progressive groups have installed billboards and aired television ads, and activists even harassed Sinema in a bathroom at Arizona State University and a friends wedding where the senator officiated.

Congressional Democrats have written voting legislation that would usher in the biggest overhaul of U.S. elections in a generation by striking down hurdles to voting enacted in the name of election security. The legislation also would reduce the influence of big money in politics and limit partisan influence over the drawing of congressional districts.

It also includes the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a bill that would strengthen civil rights-era voting law and honor the legacy of the late Georgia congressman.

Supporters had hoped legislation would advance by Mondays MLK holiday. Still encouraged, King urged people to take action like sign petitions or call their senators. The holiday is not a traditional celebration where you kick back, eat barbeque and just relax, he said. This is about working.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, having worked closely as a young man with Martin Luther King Jr., said Friday that he was worried about the current lack of political consensus on voting rights. Previously, Republicans and Democrats in Washington have voted to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act of 1965, with both parties recognizing the historic nature of the legislation.

The right to vote was the crown jewel of the civil rights struggle, Jackson said in a phone interview, adding that were in a desperate situation.

Ultimately, he agrees with members of the King family who are pushing for MLK Day celebrations to take a different tone until Congress acts on the voting rights bills.

Theres no time to celebrate, Jackson said. Its time to demonstrate, march in big numbers. We cannot just be silent observers in this fight. ___

Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper and Paul Davenport in Phoenix and Aaron Morrison in New York contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  The failure of last weeks high-stakes diplomatic meetings to resolve escalating tensions over Ukraine has put Russia, the United States and its European allies in uncharted post-Cold War territory, posing significant challenges for the main players to avoid an outright and potentially disastrous confrontation.

Unlike previous disagreements that have arisen since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the current Ukraine crisis and seemingly insurmountable differences between Washington and Moscow carry real risks of debilitating economic warfare and military conflict that are exacerbated by the dangers of miscalculation and overreaction.

For the U.S. and its NATO and other European allies, nothing less than a vast pullback of the roughly 100,000 Russian troops now deployed near the Ukrainian border will prove that Russian President Vladimir Putin has any intention of negotiating in good faith. For the Russians, the Wests absolute refusal to consider a ban on NATO expansion and the withdrawal of troops from Eastern Europe is proof of its perfidy.

Potential concessions are complicated by the fact neither Putin nor President Joe Biden wants to be seen as backing down before either domestic or foreign audiences.

The refusal thus far by each side to climb down from what the other regards as unrealistic and maximalist demands has left the prospects for diplomacy in limbo, with the U.S. and its allies accusing Russia of stoking tensions for no legitimate reason and the Russians complaining again that the Americans are the aggressors.

Some believe the situation will have to become even more dire before the impasse can be broken.

The gap in perceptions is so broad that a new and dangerous escalation could be necessary to make the parties open up their imagination and search for agreements, Fyodor Lukyanov, the head of the Moscow-based Council for Foreign and Defense Policies, observed in a commentary.

For Western analysts, it seems a situation in which Putin will have to compromise if conflict is to be avoided. Some think Putins focus on NATO, which has struggled for years with questions about its relevance, may have given the alliance a new lease on life.

This is an extremely uncertain and tense period without an obvious way out unless Putin backs down, said Jeff Rathke, a Europe expert and former U.S. diplomat who is currently president of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Hes talked himself into a frenzy that is hard to walk away from if he doesnt get the fundamental redrawing of the European security architecture that he claims to want. Hes shown hes ready to play chicken with the threat of massive military force to bring that about and hes certainly gotten everyones attention, but he hasnt changed anyones views, Rathke said.

U.S. officials from Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan to chief negotiator Wendy Sherman have said it is Russia that faces a stark choice. De-escalate or face punishing sanctions and the opposite of what it wants: an increased NATO presence in Eastern Europe and a more well-armed Ukraine.

Yet in Russia, officials say the shoe is on the other foot. They have cast their demands as an absolute imperative and have argued that the Western failure to meet them makes talks on other issues irrelevant.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the U.S. and Russia reached some understandings during last weeks talks. But in general, in principle, we can now say that we are staying on different tracks, on totally different tracks, and this is not good, and this is disturbing, he said in an interview on CNNs Fareed Zakaria GPS to be broadcast on Sunday.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday that Russia had vainly tried for years to persuade the U.S. and its allies to engage in talks on the non-deployment of intermediate-range missiles to Europe, limits on war games and rules to avoid dangerously close encounters between Russian and allied warships and aircraft until the U.S. and NATO expressed willingness to discuss those issues this week.

He attributed the change in approach to a U.S. desire to shift attention away from Russias main demands, adding that Moscow will focus on NATO non-expansion. And he insisted that its the U.S. thats formulating the position in talks while other allies just march on its orders.

To be frank, everyone understands that the prospect for reaching a deal depends on the U.S., Lavrov said. He said whatever the U.S. says about the need to consult allies in negotiations are just excuses and attempts to drag the process out.

Thus, the stalemate.

The Wests approach has been to have as much diplomatic effort as possible to de-escalate, said Andrew Weiss, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he oversees research in Washington and Moscow on Russia and Eurasia.

The problem weve got is that the Russians mean business, and theyve shown us in a bunch of cases, in 2014, in 2008, that theyre prepared to go to war to get these things, and were not, he said. And thats the challenge.

The tough and uncompromising Russian positions have led some to believe that Moscow will only up the ante after receiving what all sides expect will be formal, written refusals from the U.S. and NATO to accede to its demands.

Indeed, the chief Russian negotiator in the talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, suggested Thursday that Moscow might respond to rejections by escalating matters outside of Europe through the potential deployment of troops to Cuba and Venezuela. The U.S. has called such a suggestion bluster and said it would respond decisively if it happened.

The lack of a diplomatic solution logically leads to the further exacerbation of the crisis, wrote Dmitri Trenin, the head of the Carnegie Moscow Center, in an online analysis.

Trenin predicted that a set of military-technical measures that Putin said Russia would take if the West rejects its demands could include a broad array of moves  from the deployment of new weapons systems in various regions to much stronger military ties with Belarus and a closer coordination with the Chinese partners.

Still, theres a risk that by focusing his ire on NATO, Putin may have inadvertently strengthened its hand, especially with its newer members like the Baltic states, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic.

For countries that have joined NATO since the Cold War, you can definitely say that NATO is more relevant to them now than it was a year ago or in 2014, Rathke said. Anyone who thought that NATO was no longer relevant to European security has been taught a lesson in the last few months. And its only going to get worse.

___

Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report.
MOSCOW  Russias top diplomat angrily rejected U.S. allegations that Moscow was preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine, as Russian troops that are amassed near the Ukraine border launched more drills Monday.

The White House said Friday that U.S. intelligence officials had concluded that Russia had already deployed operatives to rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine to carry out acts of sabotage there and blame them on Ukraine in a false-flag operation to create a pretext for possible invasion.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the U.S. claim as total disinformation.

He reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the U.S. and its allies to Moscows request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet nations, or station its forces and weapons there.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscows demands during last weeks Russia-U.S. negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels, which were held as an estimated 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and other heavy weapons are massed near Ukraine in what the West fears might be a prelude to an invasion.

Amid the troops buildup, Russia in recent weeks has held a series of war games in regions that border Ukraine. On Monday, the military announced the launch of another exercise involving armored units stationed in the western part of Russia that includes 300 combat vehicles.

A delegation of U.S. senators is visiting Ukraine to emphasize U.S. support for the country.

Our bipartisan congressional delegation sends a clear message to the global community: the United States stands in unwavering support of our Ukrainian partners to defend their sovereignty and in the face of persistent Russian aggression, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, said in a statement.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said after the delegation met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that if Russia invades Ukraine we will impose crippling economic sanctions, but more important we will give the people of Ukraine the arms, lethal arms they need to defend their lives and livelihoods.

Speaking Monday on a visit to Kyiv, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime  economic, political and strategic  and emphasized the need to continue negotiations.

We are prepared to have a serious dialogue with Russia, because diplomacy is the only way to defuse this highly dangerous situation, she said.

Baerbock said Germany has offered to send cybersecurity specialists to Ukraine to help investigate last weeks cyberattacks, which Ukrainian authorities have blamed on Russia. At the same time, she noted that Germany hasnt changed its refusal to provide it with weapons.

We made clear that we will do everything to avoid escalating the crisis, she said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on a visit to Spain that we expect clear steps from Russia to deescalate the situation, adding that military aggression against Ukraine would entail serious political and economic consequences.

Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia could launch an attack from various directions, including from the territory of its ally Belarus.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has increasingly relied on the Kremlins support amid Western sanctions over a brutal crackdown on domestic protests, said Russia and Belarus will hold massive military drills next month.

Lukashenko said the maneuvers will be conducted on Belarus western border and also in the countrys south, where it borders Ukraine. Belarus Security Council Secretary Alexander Volfovich said Monday that Russian troops already had started arriving in the country for the exercise, according to the BELTA news agency.

Russia has denied having plans to attack its neighbor and in turn accused the Ukrainian leadership of hatching plans to use force to reclaim control of Russian-backed rebel-held territories in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have denied it.

Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 after the ouster of Ukraines Moscow-friendly leader and also threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have been killed in nearly eight years of fighting there.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will take unspecified military-technical measures if the West stonewalls its demands.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led the Russian delegation at the talks with the U.S. in Geneva, said last week that he would neither confirm nor exclude the possibility of Russia sending military assets to Cuba and Venezuela if the U.S. and its allies dont curtail their military activities on Russias doorstep. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan has dismissed the comments as bluster.

Asked Monday about the possibility of Russian missile deployment to Cuba and Venezuela, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia is thinking about how to ensure its security in the context of the current situation.

___

Yuras Karmanau reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Frank Jordans in Berlin and Aritz Parra in Madrid contributed to this report.
COLLEYVILLE, Texas  The rabbi of a Texas synagogue where a gunman took hostages during livestreamed services said Monday that he threw a chair at his captor before escaping with two others after an hourslong standoff, crediting past security training for getting himself and his congregants out safely.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker told CBS Mornings that he let the gunman inside the suburban Fort Worth synagogue Saturday because he appeared to need shelter. He said the man was not threatening or suspicious at first. But later, he heard a gun click as he was praying.

Another man held hostage, Jeffrey R. Cohen, described the ordeal on Facebook on Monday.

First of all, we escaped. We werent released or freed, said Cohen, who was one of four people in the synagogue for services that many other Congregation Beth Israel members were watching online.

Cohen said the men worked to keep the gunman engaged. They talked to the gunman, and he lectured them. At one point as the situation devolved, Cohen said the gunman told them to get on their knees. Cohen recalled rearing up in his chair and slowly moving his head and mouthing no. As the gunman moved to sit back down, Cohen said Cytron-Walker yelled to run.

The exit wasnt too far away, Cytron-Walker said. I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door. And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired.

Authorities identified the hostage-taker as 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram, who was killed Saturday night after the last three hostages ran out of the synagogue in Colleyville around 9 p.m. The first hostage was released shortly after 5 p.m.

The FBI on Sunday night issued a statement calling the ordeal a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted and said the Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating. The agency noted that Akram spoke repeatedly during negotiations about a prisoner who is serving an 86-year sentence in the U.S. The statement followed comments Saturday from the special agent in charge of the FBIs Dallas field office that the hostage-taker was focused on an issue not specifically related to the Jewish community.

Akram could be heard ranting on a Facebook livestream of the services and demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaida who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan.

The last hour or so of the standoff, he wasnt getting what he wanted. It didnt look good. It didnt sound good. We were terrified, Cytron-Walker told CBS Mornings.

At a service held Monday evening at a nearby Methodist church, Cytron-Walker said the amount of well-wishes and kindness and compassion has been overwhelming from Colleyville  a city of about 26,000 people, 15 miles (23 kilometers) northeast of Fort Worth  and surrounding communities.

Thank you for all of the compassion, from the bottom of my heart, Cytron-Walker said.

While very few of us are doing OK right now, well get through this, he said.

Video of the standoffs end from Dallas TV station WFAA showed people running out a door of the synagogue, and then a man holding a gun opening the same door just seconds later before he turned around and closed it. Moments later, several shots and then an explosion could be heard.

Authorities have declined to say who shot Akram, saying it was still under investigation.

The investigation stretched to England, where late Sunday police in Manchester announced that two teenagers were in custody in connection with the standoff. Greater Manchester Police tweeted that counter-terrorism officers had made the arrests but did not say whether the pair faced any charges.

President Joe Biden called the episode an act of terror. Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Sunday, Biden said Akram allegedly purchased a weapon on the streets.

Federal investigators believe Akram purchased the handgun used in the hostage-taking in a private sale, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Akram arrived in the U.S. at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York about two weeks ago, a law enforcement official said.

Akram arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa from Great Britain, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was not intended to be public. Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement that its counter-terrorism police were liaising with U.S. authorities about the incident.

U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel told the House of Commons on Monday that she had spoken to her U.S. counterpart, Alejandro Mayorkas, and offered the full support of the police and security services in Britain in the investigation.

In the two weeks before Akram took hostages at the synagogue, he had stayed at Dallas-area homeless shelters.

Wayne Walker, CEO and pastor of OurCalling, which provides services to homeless people, said that Akram stayed at their downtown Dallas facility Jan. 2, and their review of camera footage showed he was dropped off by someone he appeared to know well. Walker said they contacted the FBI and gave them access to their photos and video.

He was dropped off by a guy who actually had some conversations with him outside and actually brought him in to our facility, had some more conversations with him inside, Walker said. And then before he left, they gave each other long hugs like they were long lost friends and patted each other on the back before the one took off.

So he was dropped off by somebody that looked like he had a relationship with him, he told The Associated Press.

An FBI spokeswoman said late Monday night that they did not have any information they could confirm regarding Akrams stay at the OurCalling facility. The agency has said there was no early indication that anyone else was involved in the hostage-taking.

Akram stayed three nights between Jan. 6 and Jan. 13 at Union Gospel Mission Dallas, the homeless shelters CEO, Bruce Butler, told CNN. According to their records, Akram left there for the last time on Jan. 13  two days before he took the hostages at the synagogue.

Akram used his phone during the course of negotiations to communicate with people other than law enforcement, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

It wasnt clear why Akram chose the synagogue, though the prison where Siddiqui is serving her sentence is in Fort Worth.

An attorney in Texas who represents Siddiqui said Monday that Siddiqui had no connections to Akram.

She said from the beginning when she was sentenced that she does not want any violence done in her name and she doesnt condone any type of violence being done, said attorney Marwa Elbially.

Akram, who was called Faisal by his family, was from Blackburn, an industrial city in northwest England. His family said hed been suffering from mental health issues.

We would also like to add that any attack on any human being, be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim, etc. is wrong and should always be condemned, his brother, Gulbar Akram, wrote.

___

Stengle reported from Dallas and Tucker reported from Washington, D.C. Also contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Paul J. Weber and Acacia Coronado in Austin; Michael Balsamo in Washington; Colleen Long in Philadelphia; Elliot Spagat in San Diego; Jennifer McDermott in Providence, Rhode Island; Michael R. Sisak in New York; Holly Meyer in Nashville, Tenn.; Issac Scharf in Jerusalem; and Danica Kirka in London.
ANKARA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Turkey on Monday condemned the drone attack in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which killed at least three people.

"We condemn the attacks perpetrated with drones on Jan. 17 against Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We extend our condolences to the families of the victims, the people, and the government of the United Arab Emirates," said the ministry.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack.

The UAE is an active member of the Saudi-led coalition which has been fighting a war against the Houthi rebel militia in Yemen.

Turkey and the UAE recently have stepped up to restore bilateral ties after years of tension. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has paid an official visit to the Turkish capital Ankara in November 2021.

In 2013, Ankara and Abu Dhabi fell on rival sides after the latter lent support to the overthrow of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, who was backed by Turkey.

The relations between Turkey and the Gulf country had further derailed over their conflict of interests in Libya, the Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean. 
BRASILIA, Brazil  The coronavirus omicron variant starting to barrel across South America is pressuring hospitals whose employees are taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed to cope with COVID-19s third wave.

A major hospital in Bolivias largest city stopped admitting new patients due to lack of personnel, and one of Brazils most populous states canceled scheduled surgeries for a month. Argentinas federation of private healthcare providers told the AP it estimates about 15% of its health workers currently have the virus.

The third wave is affecting the health team a lot, from the cleaning staff to the technicians, with a high percentage of sick people, despite having a complete vaccination schedule, said Jorge Coronel, president of Argentinas medical confederation. While symptoms are mostly mild to moderate, that group needs to be isolated.

It wasnt supposed to be this way: South Americas vaccine uptake was eager once shots were available. About two-thirds of its roughly 435 million residents are fully immunized, the highest percentage for any global region, according to Our World in Data. And health workers in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina have already been receiving booster shots.

But the omicron variant is defying vaccines, sending case numbers surging. Argentina saw an average 112,000 daily confirmed cases in the week through Jan. 16, up from 3,700 a month earlier. Brazils health ministry is still recovering from a hack that left coronavirus data incomplete; even so, it shows a jump to an average 69,000 daily cases in the same seven-day period, up 1,900% from the month before.

Omicron spreads even easier than other strains, and is already dominant in many countries  among them, Brazil and some parts of Argentina. It also more easily infects those who have already been vaccinated or infected by earlier versions of the virus. Early studies show omicron is less likely to cause serious diseases than the delta variant, and vaccination and booster shots still offer strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Lesser severity leaves South Americas residents loath to give up their long-awaited summer that, so they were told, would mark a return to normality after full vaccination. The enduring pandemic often seems an afterthought to people who are out and about, and dont glimpse how omicron has started affecting medical staff. Beaches were packed this weekend in Argentina and Brazil.

Matias Fernandez Norte, a surgeon at the Hospital de Clinicas in Buenos Aires, told the AP that the high number of professionals on leave has generated physical and spiritual fatigue, in addition to the stress of dealing with a patient on the edge.

You feel like you are living a parallel reality. In the street you meet a world that doesnt seem to feel the pandemic, he said. Sometimes it feels like people have forgotten. Unfortunately, thats what we feel.

Brazils council of state health secretariats estimates that between 10% and 20% of all professionals in the health network  including doctors, nurses, nurse technicians, ambulance drivers and others in direct contact with patients  have taken sick leave since the last week of 2021.

We are having trouble making the schedules, said the councils director, Carlos Lula.

The press office of Rio de Janeiro states health secretariat told the AP that about 5,500 professionals have left their jobs since December. All elective surgeries scheduled in the state health network have been suspended for four weeks. As for urgent care, relocations and overtime are being used as stopgap measures.

Forty percent of our staff is on sick leave, Marcia Fernandes Lucas, health secretary for the municipality of Sao Joao de Meriti, in Rios metropolitan region, told the AP in her office. We are able to work with these 60% by redeploying them (between health centers).

Public hospitals in Bolivia are operating at 50-70% capacity due to the high number of infections among health care workers, according to the Bolivian doctors union. In Santa Cruz, the countrys most populous city, the Childrens Hospital is overwhelmed  but less by its number of patients than the amount of staff falling ill, according to Freddy Rojas, its vice director. Last week, the facility stopped admitting new patients.

There has been a collapse, because we dont have replacements, said Jose Luis Guaman, interim president of the doctors union in Santa Cruz.

Such is the risk of medical services grinding to a halt in Argentinas Buenos Aires province  the countrys most populous  that health workers have been allowed to return to work even if coming into contact with someone infected, provided they are asymptomatic and vaccinated. Other provinces in Argentina are expected to adopt the same rules in the coming days, in line with the health ministrys recently-issued guidelines.

Similar measures are being enacted by authorities in France and the U.S., where omicron has been putting hospital systems to the test for weeks.

Chile has seen a constant increase in its number of cases, prompting the reactivation of public- and private-sector hospital beds, but so far the country hasnt experienced hospital overload. Peru has also seen case its numbers rise, but its facilities arent yet suffering.

The Pan American Health Organization said Wednesday it expects omicron to become the predominant coronavirus variant in the Americas in the coming week. Ten countries in the region  especially in the Caribbean  didnt reach the goal set by the World Health Organization to have 40% of citizens fully vaccinated by end-2021.

While a smaller fraction of people develop serious illness from the the highly-transmissible variant, the crush of contagion and resulting strain on hospitals means omicron shouldnt be underestimated, said Lula, of the Brazilian health secretariat council.

People have to understand that the argument that omicron is mild is false, Lula said. ___

Calatrava reported from Buenos Aires. Reporters Carlos Valdez and Paola Flores contributed to this report from La Paz, Bolivia, Mario Lobao from Rio de Janeiro, Patricia Luna and Eva Vergara from Santiago, Chile, and Franklin Briceno from Lima, Peru.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

After a two-day cancellation of classes due to a cyberattack, the 75,000 students enrolled in the Albuquerque Public Schools will return on Tuesday.

While we are still dealing with the cyberattack that forced schools to close last week, we have found ways to work around the issues so that students can return to learning, APS officials said Monday afternoon. We will be able to take attendance, contact parents in emergencies, and assure that students are picked up from school by authorized adults.

APS spokeswoman Monica Armenta said district Superintendent Scott Elder is expected to speak publicly about the cyberattack on Tuesday.

Armenta said no other information would be released while the cyberattack was still being investigated.

Teachers and administrators on Wednesday discovered that their student information system had been compromised. The system is used to take and track attendance, contact families in emergencies and ensure that only authorized parents or guardians can pick up students.

Classes were subsequently canceled Thursday and Friday. There were no classes scheduled on Monday in honor of the national holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

The canceled classes will be made up at the end of the school year, like a snow day, Armenta said.

Numerous questions are still unanswered: Was the cyberattack a ransomware event in which there was a demand for money? How did hackers get into the computer system? Were any other APS systems compromised? Was there any other personal information about students or parents in the compromised system?

In a video message released Thursday, Elder said that cyber experts and law enforcement from near and far were aiding in the investigation.

Cyberattacks, he said, are a growing problem for school districts nationwide, which have seen a five-fold increase since 2016.

Further, he said, virtual learning necessitated by the pandemic has made schools even more vulnerable because there are more access points for potential intrusion.

The state Public Education Department has said no other school districts in New Mexico were affected by the cyberattack.

APS is the largest district in the state, but not the only one to have been the target of cyberattacks. In the last five years, hackers have broken into the computer systems of the Taos Municipal Schools, Gadsden Independent School District and the Las Cruces Public Schools. New Mexico Highlands University has been a victim as have the small town of Truth or Consequences, the city of Farmington, San Miguel County and Bernalillo County.
WENN/Avalon Celebrity

The Duke of Sussex decides to apply for a judicial review of a Home Office decision after his attempt to personally pay for police protection for himself and his family when they are in the country has been denied multiple times.

Jan 17, 2022

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry will do everything to make ensure his family's safety. The Duke of Sussex is taking legal action against British goverment after his request for protection for him and his family in the U.K. was denied.

Journalist Omid Scobie shared on Twitter on Saturday, January 15 that "Prince Harry has applied for a judicial review of a Home Office decision not to allow him to personally pay for police protection for himself and his family when they are in the UK." The journalist also revealed that the representatives for the Sussexes had confirmed the legal action.

A full statement from Harry's legal spokesperson read, "Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats. While his role within the Institution has changed, his profile as a member of the Royal Family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family."

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the UK. In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home," the statement continued.

The statement also shared that Harry "first offered to pay personally for UK police protection for himself and his family in January of 2020 at Sandringham," but the offer was "dismissed." It also mentioned that "during his last visit to the UK in July 2021 - to unveil a statue in honour of his late mother - his security was compromised due to the absence of police protection, whilst leaving a charity event." The prince eventually decided to challenge the decision after "another attempt at negotiation was also rejected."

"The UK will be Prince Harry's home and a country he wants his wife and children to be safe if. With the lack of police protection, comes too great a personal risk," the statement further added, before concluding, "It is due to a leak in a UK tabloid, with surreptitious timing, we feel it necessary to release a statement setting the facts straight."

Harry and Meghan, who share two kids together, stepped down as senior members of British Royal family in 2020. Their second child, daughter Lilibet Diana who was born on June 4, 2021 in the United States, has yet to meet her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth, grandfather Prince Charles or other members of the royal family in person.
WENN/Instar/Avalon Celebrity

Many social media users suspect that the Mera depicter has anything to do with the end of marriage between her 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' co-star and his wife of almost five years.

Jan 17, 2022

AceShowbiz - Amber Heard has been dragged into Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet's marital separation. After the Hawaiian-born actor announced the end of his marriage to his wife, his "Aquaman" co-star is somehow blamed for it.

Many social media users believe that the Mera depicter has anything to do with Jason's split from Lisa, citing her previous relationship with Johnny Depp which began right after he separated from his longtime partner Vanessa Paradis. Amber and Johnny starred in 2011's movie "The Rum Diary" before he announced his split from Vanessa in 2012, while Jason and Amber recently wrapped the production of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom".

"SUSPICIOUS! Especially, when the news spreads about Amber Heard had flirting with Momoa," one person tweeted, insinuating that the "Magic Mike XXL" star might have caused the couple's split. Another asked, "What the F**K did Amber Heard do now? #JasonMomoa #LisaBonet."

A third user similarly suspected, "A reminder that #johnnydepp broke up his relationship not long after starring in a film with #AmberHeard." Someone else pointed out the similar pattern, "#jasonmomoa is now splitting with his wife after starring in a film with her. The wait and see if she struck again has started. #JustSaying."

"I don't know much.. but I would be surprised if amber heard didn't have something to do with Jason momoa and Lisa bonet splitting up .. if it's true you heard it here first," a fifth commenter tweeted, as someone else claimed, "Jason Momoa & Lisa Bonnet are divorcing. I think it's because he never stood up for Lisa's friend Johnny Depp & allowed her into their lives. Being friends with Amber Heard has its consequences. Lisa even said she wasn't happy he was working with her. You listen to your wife."

Jason announced on January 12 that he and Lisa have called it quits after nearly 5 years of marriage and 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," he wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post. "And so we share our Family news that we are parting ways in marriage."

"We share this not because we think it's newsworthy but so that as we go about our lives we may do so with dignity and honesty," the "Game of Thrones" alum 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"

Concluding the statement, they assured that their "devotion unwavering to this sacred life our children. Teaching our children what's possible. Living the Prayer. May Love Prevail. J & L."

According to a new report, Jason and Lisa had been living separate lives for months before they made their split public. OK! Magazine pointed out that the now-estranged couple last made their public appearance together in February 2020.

"Since then, Momoa [has] been photographed spending large amounts of time hanging out with friends in his native Hawaii as he continues to film 'Aquaman 2'," the magazine claimed. Additionally, it's noted that the former "The Cosby Show" star didn't come to the premiere of his movie "Dune" in late 2020.
NBC TV

The comedian pokes fun at his private life while portraying a different multiversal iteration of President Joe Biden, who is also played by James Austin Johnson, in a new episode of the long-running NBC show.

Jan 17, 2022

AceShowbiz - Pete Davidson bragged about how fun his current private life in a new episode of "Saturday Night Live". The comedian poked fun about the matter during the cold open of the January 15 episode of the hit NBC comedy show.

The segment was centered on President Joe Biden, who was played by James Austin Johnson, as he held a press conference. During the press conference, the president encouraged Americans to stop watching "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in theaters to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"The time has come. You are ready. I am Joe Biden from the real universe, the timeline you're living in is about to collapse," Pete said in a modulated voice while portraying a different multiversal iteration of the president of the United States. "You see, it was created as a joke starting in 2016 when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. Now it's spiraled out of control and could explode at any minute."

A journalist then asked him if "the rest of us are okay in the real world." To the question, Pete answered, "Everyone on Earth is better off in the real world except one man named Pete Davidson. Your world is maybe more fun for him."

Pete's personal life has indeed become more fun amid his heated romance with Kim Kardashian. The new couple bonded when the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" alum hosted "SNL" in an October 2021 episode, in which they shared a kiss during a skit where Kim and Pete were playing Princess Jasmine and Aladdin respectively.

Of the moment, a source said of Pete, "He was a true professional the whole time they rehearsed and in between takes, but afterward things got flirty." The insider continued, "They exchanged numbers and Pete asked if Kim would like to hang out sometime, which she agreed to straight away."

Before confirming their romance in last November, Kim and Pete were snapped enjoying dinner dates in both New York and California. "Kim and Pete are very in sync right now. They're very in step with each other and the relationship is easy. They're getting closer and closer and are a really great pair," another source spilled, adding that "The Freak Brothers" star "has bonded with her entire family."

Earlier this month, the lovebirds went to enjoy a romantic post-New Year's vacay in the Bahamas. In pictures that circulated online, the reality TV star turned heads as she wore a black top that let her flaunt her massive cleavage. She completed her look with a pair of black ripped wide pants. As for the comedian, he opted for a casual look in white pants, a hoodie in a matching color and a navy jacket.

Most recently, they were photograped during another date night as they grabbed a pizza at Jon & Vinny's in Los Angeles. The pair continued their casual night out by buying ice cream from a nearby drugstore.
WENN/Sheri Determan Celebrity

The 'Teen Mom' star says that she finds it 'terrifying and traumatizing' that she is 'attacked and harassed' following an alleged assault with a security officer outside Grandmaster Records club.

Jan 17, 2022

AceShowbiz - Farrah Abraham has weighed in on her arrest after she allegedly slapped a security guard while dining at a club in Los Angeles. In her statement, the "Teen Mom" star said that she's "tired" of being "maliciously attacked."

"I'm tired of being maliciously battered, attacked, conspired against while having dinner at Grand Master Records," the 30-year-old told E! News while on her way to church on Sunday, January 16. She then pointed out, "This was a private persons arrest."

Farrah shared, "My lawyer is handling from here." She also noted that "it is terrifying and traumatizing that people attack me and I cannot even enjoy dinner as I'm the only person out of three attacked and harassed."

"I look forward to court, as always," Farrah stressed. The former star of "16 and Pregnant" went on to add, "This is why I'm getting a law degree to protect myself yet again from conspired attacks."

Farrah was taken into custody on Saturday after she allegedly assaulted a security officer outside Grandmaster Records club, where she and a friend were partying. While police officers were not initially called to the scene, a bystander made a citizen's arrest and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) were called, TMZ reported.

Police records showed Farrah was placed on a citizen's arrest just after midnight and booked on a charge of misdemeanor assault by Los Angeles Police officers. However, she was released from custody less than two hours later. She is due in court on May 19.

Following the arrest, Farrah posted videos of the incident on her Instagram account. Taking to her Story, she wrote, "I will never understand sexism & sexist hatred. To all the men who wish me wrong I give it to the 1 who created us all. I CARE FOR MEN & WOMAN EVERY DAY EQUALLY."

"Why is a male on top of me holding me down when I was walking. This is scary and he should be fired and in jail for [battery]," Farrah captioned a clip of her being pressed face down by a man. She further stressed, "I'm tired of people harassing me, holding me down, hurting me and [lying] about me  it's scary, it [affects] mothers, it is traumatizing and I'm hurt."

Farrah also alleged in her Story that she had made a reservation for dinner at the venue, and after the incident, she claimed to have been injured amid the altercation. "Bruised and beaten at dinner," she claimed, alongside photos of her bruised skin. "Stop attacking and hurting woman."

Farrah Abraham shared snapshots of her bruised skin.

In a statement posted on her page, Farrah explained her decision to share details from her arrest. She penned, "I post this as no woman or man should ever be battered, abused, conspired, ganged up on, set up, recorded, and video sold."

Farrah went on to note that she's "putting a restraining order" on the man who "made this dinner reservation and conspired an attack on myself with the staff at @grandmaster_recorders as it was a 'private persons arrest' complete setup." She added, "I've had a very traumatizing year and I don't deserve to be attacked, bruised, men on me, and battered."

"As a single mother to be harassed, battered, and conspired against as a paying customer.  I thank the HOLLYWOOD police for rescuing myself from being held against my will and being attacked, I NEEDED HELP," Farrah shared. "I couldn't even use my phone."

Near the end of her post, Farrah said, "I look forward to my law degree and I look forward to court. Justice will be served as always. [Women] it is a scary unsafe world we live in, act upon your rights and always care for others even when everyone hurts you and attacks you." The mother of 12-year-old Sophia concluded her post, "You are resilient and you are stronger [than] all of the weak people out there who hurt and traumatize us."
Instagram TV

The late magazine publisher reportedly would host the weekly gathering that he dubbed 'Pig Nights', though the prostitutes were not allowed to know about the nickname.

Jan 17, 2022

AceShowbiz - "Secrets of Playboy", an upcoming A&E's new docuseries, is set to give more insights into the wild life of Hugh Hefner. According to a new report, the series will detail the late Playboy founder's weekly huge bash involving prostitutes at his famous mansion.

TMZ claims that Hefner would host a party, which he called "Pig Nights", every Thursday nights. His former girlfriend Sondra Theodore also reveals on the docuseries that it would start with "2 pimps bringing in carloads of prostitutes from Sunset Blvd."

Theodore adds that she tended to look the other way while Hugh did all sorts of "crazy stuff." She also notes that the prostitutes were not allowed to know that he named the gathering "Pig Night."

Meanwhile, some mansion insiders further spill to the news outlet that Hefner would sit at the head of the table smoking his famous pipe while the hookers drank and ate with movie and TV stars. Hefner, however, made sure that everything was safe for the wild bash. It was said that the prostitutes got ratings and quick medical checks before heading to the room for sex rendezvous with the stars.

"Secrets of Playboy" also explains that the evening is a dinner party that also "served as a jumping-off point for sex parties." The upcoming docuseries is set to premiere on Monday, January 24.

Prior to this, Hefner's widow Crystal Hefner got candid about her regrets as a Playboy model. "Over five years, my account has shifted from not always safe for work posts to my REAL safe for work life," she wrote on her Instagram account earlier this month. "The real me. I was living for other people before, to make others happy, suffering internally in the process."

She added that while her Playboy persona earned her fame on social media, she noted that "modesty is what empowers me these days, and because it feels so much better internally, it will probably be this way for the rest of my life." The model further claimed that she has "removed everything fake from my body" and deleted her old photos to make her feel "that I belong more to myself."

She explained, "As I made this transition, I always thought 'Will my account survive?' I was watching the girls that had similar pages keep posting the same scantily clad stuff and growing exponentially while I tanked hard." However, she apparently was worried over nothing as she shared, "I feel that all the people here with me at this point actually care and are invested in my life in a positive way."
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The Quality Control artist, born Shandler Beaubien, was driving a Toyota Camry in Miami with his family when he was attacked by an unidentified individual.

Jan 17, 2022

AceShowbiz - Another rapper has fallen victim to gun violence. The hip-hop community is mourning the death of rapper Wavy Navy Pooh, who was killed during a drive-by shooting in Miami. He was 28.

WSVN reported that the incident occurred on late Friday, January 14 at an intersection in south Miami. The Quality Control artist, born Shandler Beaubien, was driving a Toyota Camry with his family at the time, Officers stated. Florida law enforcement said that he was with a female passenger and his two kids, a five-year-old and an infant.

At one moment, someone pulled up to the driver's side and fired at least 15 shots at Wavy. As he was struck multiple times, Wavy was pronounced dead at the scene. Thankfully, none of the passengers were injured during the tragic incident.

"An unknown subject in a four-door Lexus, a gray Lexus, approached him from the driver's side, opened fire and then fled westbound on 152nd Street," Miami-Dade Police detective Alvaro Zabaleta told the outlet. "On the front seat, there was a one-year-old child in a car seat that easily could have been struck by gunfire and taken his life."

Quality Control later confirmed the devastating news on social media on Saturday. Writing on Instagram alongside a black-and-white picture of the late rapper, the official account of the music label wrote, "It is with great sadness & a heavy heart that we announce the loss of one of our beloved artist, Wavy Navy Pooh. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family at this time. #RIPWavyNavyPooh."

The label's co-founder and CEO Pierre Thomas a.k.a. P also took to his account to pay tribute to Wavy. "Sad Day Bra. May God Keep Your Family," so he wrote.

Florida authorities have yet to make any arrests as the investigation is currently underway.
Instagram Music

After receiving backlash over the action, the 'I Got the Job Done' emcee takes to his Instagram account to share a video addressing the incident which he dubs a 'misunderstanding.'

Jan 17, 2022

AceShowbiz - Big Daddy Kane has issued a statement after he pushed an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter off stage during a performance on Friday evening, January 14. The 53-year-old rapper took to his Instagram account on Saturday to issue an apology over the "misunderstanding."

After receiving backlash over the action, Big Daddy Kane posted a video addressing the matter. While the rapper shared a viral video of him kicking off the interpreter, who is identified as Billy Sanders, he noted that most people didn't watch the clip of him apologizing to the interpreter after learning of the situation.

"My bad," the rapper could be heard telling the interpreter. He then addressed the audience, "I want everyone to enjoy."

Further explaining the situation, Big Daddy Kane said, "Y'all, I've done crazy stuff in my life but I would never try to disrespect an interpreter who is doing a sign language for the deaf community onstage." He went on to claim that he and his manager were "clueless" as no one told them that there was going to be an interpreter.

"So when I came on stage and saw someone just mouthed the lyrics, you know, I was just trying to get him off the stage. But no one showed the clip of me apologizing to the brother and allowing him to stay on stage and finish the show. No one showed the clip of me apologizing to the crowd. Because as I said in the clip, I want everyone to enjoy and that means even those who can't hear it," he continued.

The "I Get the Jobe Done" MC further noted that he was given an opportunity to talk with the deaf community alone to explain the situation. Concluding his clip, the rhymer said, "Anyway though, much respect to the deaf community. I would never disrespect y'all, and once again, much love to that interpreter. Again, I apologize, my brother."

Despite his apology, some people still came at the rapper. "Anyone can film a section of a narrative for their personal gain. I'm giving you the facts, though," he replied to one comment from a critic.

Some others, meanwhile, defended the artist. "In these times I don't blame him. He should've been informed that someone else was going to be on stage with him. It was the Brooklyn thing to do, he sincerely apologized. I really dislike what social media has done to the collective," someone wrote. Another person called his video the "best apology I ever seen from a star."
WENN Celebrity

The 'Cardigan' songstress and her actor boyfriend have travelled 4,000 miles just for a three-day visit to St. Ives, prompting their friends to speculate that it's for a 'special' event.

Jan 18, 2022

AceShowbiz - Swifties are hearing wedding bells. Rumors swirl that Taylor Swift and her longtime boyfriend Joe Alwyn may have been secretly engaged after they enjoyed a whirlwind break in Cornwall, England.

The couple, who has been together for almost six years now, recently jetted from her Nashville home to London for a three-day getaway, according to The Sun. They reportedly flew by a private jet last week before heading to holiday hotspot St. Ives.

The fact that the pop star and the British actor travelled 4,000 miles for just a three-day visit to the town shows it was "particularly special" for the couple. "Taylor's a superstar and obviously very wealthy, so she can travel almost anywhere she wants at any time," a source tells the site. "But to go that far just for a few days clearly meant a lot to them."

The so-called insider further weighs on the pair's trip, "It feels like things are getting more serious and people think an engagement could be on the cards. That could explain such a long journey to a specific place."

As to where Taylor and Joe are in their relationship now, the source claims, "Taylor is keeping her cards close to her chest, but they're certainly very happy and enjoying their time together. Lockdown made things even more serious and they've lived together throughout."

Taylor and Joe reportedly rented a house for their romantic getaway rather than staying in a hotel for maximum privacy. After three nights, they returned to the U.S. with a 3,000-mile flight to Maine. A pal adds, "It sounds a gorgeous trip."

Taylor and Joe have been splitting their time between the U.S. and London in recent years. They share a 7million home in Primrose Hill, but the "Lover" hitmaker still considers Nashville her "main house."
Dentsu International (dentsu) Singapore is pleased to announce that it has delivered a strong close to 2021, charting a return to pre-pandemic growth as it commits to more purpose-led growth in 2022. It has also further reinforced its leadership bench strength with three strategic senior appointments for the market: Preeti Mascarenhas has joined as Chief Strategy Officer, dentsu Singapore, while the network has promoted Florian Lacombe to Head of Operations, dentsu Singapore, and Prema Techinamurthi to Managing Director, Creative Group, dentsu Singapore.

Dentsu Singapores strong performance for 2021 has been fuelled by its focus on strategic sectors, such as health and gaming, and sustainable growth; further integration of its offerings; and a strengthened eco-system of partnerships in the region, including with Google and Salesforce.

In 2021, dentsu Singapore kickstarted its commitment to being a Force for Good and Growth with successes in business wins including Standard Chartered as well as local born-for-good start-ups, Float Foods and Sustenir.

Prakash Kamdar, CEO, dentsu Singapore, commented, We have spent the last two years firming the foundations for our future growth and our strong turnout for 2021 is testament to our business rigour. The formula for dentsu Singapore, with or without the pandemic, has been one built on purpose, discipline, and trust. Our people believe in and live this as we increasingly see more clients take to these values in us as their trusted partners.



Our teams are reinforced and more integrated than ever as they go to market. We made a number of senior appointments across the business last year and I am delighted that we are now able to further augment our Singapore leadership bench strength as we kick-off 2022 with three strategic business appointments in Preeti, Florian and Prema to bring us to new heights.

Preeti joins dentsu Singapore in the newly created role of Chief Strategy Officer for the market where she will lead strategy for key integrated clients and pitches, and solutions development. She has been recognised in various industry forums for her data-driven mindset, including in Campaign Asias Women Leading Change 2020 as well as the ICOM data Creativity award.

In another newly created role for the market, Florian will oversee the markets business transformation journey and lead operational excellence for Singapore in his promotion to Head of Operations for dentsu Singapore. Florian joined iProspect in 2017 as Regional Performance Director for General Motors and eventually took on the role of Head of Operations for dentsu Singapores Media Service Line in 2021 where he has been pivotal in leading its transformation program.

In her role as Managing Director, Creative Group, dentsu Singapore, Prema is responsible for delivering excellence and driving business growth as well as transformation to further unlock the full potential of the Creative service line. Over the past year, she has been at the forefront of dentsu Singapores Force for Good and Growth commitment in her work for Float Foods and Sustenir, as well as for dentsu Gaming, where she led the account wins of two new regional gaming clients and also led dentsus largest regional client, Toyota, in launching a successful regional e-sports tournament in partnership with ONE E-Sports. Prema takes on the baton from Phil Adrien who will be focusing on his role as CEO, Creative APAC.

The reinforced leadership appointments are effective immediately and come as dentsu Singapore CEO, Prakash Kamdar is expected to commence his additional role as CEO of dentsu Indonesia on 1 February 2022. The appointment is expected to ignite synergistic opportunities across both markets and a bigger canvas to achieve Good and Growth in the region going forward.
After the release of the Tamil anthology Putham Pudhu Kaalai, the audience has love the second part, Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa... which released on 14 January 2022, on Amazon Prime Video. The directors have been very excited to showcase the stories to the audience as it is very relatable with the personal experience of every human during lockdown. The story describes the lockdown in a positive way instead of thinking only the adversities.

Being hailed as one of the beat anthologies of recent times, the directors talk about their inspiration towards the stories and challenges of shooting them, putting forward their gratitude for being a part of such a masterpiece.



Talking about the inspiration for their stories that are featured as part of the anthology;

Director Balaji Mohan who has directed Mugakavasa Mutham in "Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadha... shares that everybody was affected in different ways during the lockdown. Stating that it was hard to ignore people's difficulties and create something, the director said that at the same time, one cannot keep thinking only about difficulties and make one's life miserable.



An artistic intelligence is something that smells the need of a story to reach its audience where they can find themselves. The duty to find a ray of hope even in difficult times was upon them, Balaji said and added that the aim of an artistic creation must be to share it with the people.



"I realised that this was the social responsibility of artists. I thank Amazon Prime Video for having given me an opportunity to do this. Audiences who watch this film will be able to relate to it and that I think will pave the way for this film's success," Balaji said.



It is creators' utmost desire to create a story for the audience in spite of all the challenges they face while shooting. Director Halitha Shameem who directed Loners in "Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadha said that the fact that she had narrated a story that was really close to the audience had given her immense happiness. Unlike what had happened during the first lockdown, the director said Narrating the difficulties faced by the people during the second lockdown was easy. "When we began filming, the lockdown had come to an end. We recreated the lockdown and shot the film. In other words, we recreated the lockdown," she said. The director informed that during Corona, people had gotten used to mobile phones and video calls. Picturising this was pleasantly challenging, she said.



Director Madhumitha who directed Mouname Paarvayaai in "Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadha said that people experienced a lot of difficulties with regard to communication during Covid. There were restrictions to stay in touch with family members, who were within one's home, and contacting friends and guests who were outside. There were several difficulties when it came to staying in touch over the last two years. All these formed the basis for 'Mouname Paarvayaai'. I consider it an honour to have worked with my fellow directors on Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa...

Following the success of the first edition, Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa promises to enthrall audiences with a heartwarming narrative that celebrates the spirit of resilience and grit in the face of adversity. The five-part anthology released on this Pongal, on 14 January on Amazon Prime Video in India and more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Over the past years, discovery+ has augmented its position as the hub of armed forces led content. Home to an exclusive, never-seen-before Military content, this Republic Day discovery+ celebrates the tales of bravery and courage with Home of Patriots campaign by launching new series from the fan favourite franchises Mission Frontline and Breaking Point. Premiering on 20th January, Mission Frontline features the actor, writer, producer, and director Farhan Akhtar along with the supremely popular action director and producer Rohit Shetty. Followed by the launch of 4 new episodes from the hit series Breaking Point on 21st January.

Post the overwhelming response of Mission Frontline starring talented actors like Rana Daggubati and Sara Ali Khan, the action-packed episodes will see Farhan Akhtar, and Rohit Shetty spend a day with the Rashtriya Rifle soldiers and J&K Polices Special Operations Group in Srinagar respectively. Full of adventure, endurance, backbreaking training, and powerful visuals, each episode traverses through the life of Indias brave warriors through the eyes and experiences of these celebrities.

Yet another interesting release scheduled for the month is popular franchise Breaking Point, a 4-part series that will showcase different groups of soldiers in training including the paratroopers, Armoured Corps, Army Artillery, and Army Aviation. A staggering slate that is sure to fill your hearts with pride and gives the audience a never seen before look into the training imparted at Indias premier institutions across cities like Nashik, Jodhpur Ahmednagar, Agra, Jaisalmer and Sarmathura. Each moment of the series takes the viewer a step closer to how the soldiers are transformed into warriors of the Indian Army.

Speaking of his overall training experience, Farhan Akhtar said, If I could express the feeling in one word, it would be humbling for me. Back when we were filming Lakshya, we went up close and personal with the lives of our jawans, but stepping into their shoes and experiencing the hardships they go through on-ground is a life-changing experience. It was extremely difficult for me to get trained in such tough terrains and weather conditions, but their support and encouragement made it possible. It is an honour to have got the chance to be a part of discovery+ s Mission Frontline.

Talking about his experience of spending a day with the forces, Rohit Shetty said, An experience that I cannot explain even through the best of phrases. People often associate me with action, but true action is what these police officers personify. Given the high-tension area, leaving for duty each morning, and hoping for the family to be safe by the time you get back requires a lot of courage. Im moved by their undying spirit. Thank you, discovery+, for bringing out these aspects of a polices life that will startle the audience and make them want to salute their enthusiasm and zeal for the country and its citizens.

Sharing her thoughts on Home of Patriots, Megha Tata, Managing Director- South Asia, Discovery, Inc. said, Discovery as a brand has always upped the ante with breakthrough content, and our repertoire of military specials has stood out from the crowd. There couldnt be a better time to glorify and pay homage to our army men with our Home of Patriots content campaign that aims to give the masses an access into the world of these warriors. Its an honour to have countrys influential personalities like Farhan Akhtar and Rohit Shetty who experience the lives of the soldiers and police officers for a day, making it an exciting watch for the audience.

In addition to Mission Frontline and Breaking Point, the military special content will see glimpse of the grueling training programs of the Indian Armed Forces through its stellar line-up of shows like Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil, Special Operations India, Battle Ops, Breaking Point: High Altitude Warfare School, Women Fighter Pilots, Breaking Point: Air Force Academy and Breaking Point: Indian Submariners, Breaking Point: Commando School Belgaum (2017), Indias Paratroopers  Earning the Badge (2016) and Revealed: National Defence Academy (2014). Revealed: Siachen (2016), 1965: Indias Battles and Heroes (2015) and Indian Army Womens Expedition (2013) among other exciting line up you do not want to miss.

Watch Mission Frontline starring Farhan Akhtar and Rohit Shetty on 20th January and 4 special episodes of Breaking Point on 21st January only on discovery+.
Heineken Lao, a leading premium beer brand in Laos has been a strong contender in the Laotian market by constantly giving fresh experiences to Laotians. With Covid still at its peak in Laos, festive year-end celebrations was a toned down and subdued affair.

To encourage responsible consumption and staying home, Heineken Lao teamed up with Wunderman Thompson to deliver a fresh and safe festive celebration and experience at home called the Heineken Star Festive BBQ. This initiative focuses on still bringing people together responsibly during Covid times whilst driving sales and growth for the brand.

In Laos, Mu Kra Tah or grilled pork is a national culture, a shared grill pan to be enjoyed eating with friends and usually with fresh, tasty beer. With Laotians love for grilled food on a pan, their consumption is as frequent as 2-3 times a week especially during Covid. It becomes a gathering of friends and family and peaks during end of the year timing when Laotians gear up for year-end celebrations.

Facing a huge competition in Laos from Beerlao, Heineken Lao and Wunderman Thompson needed to find a way to own the festive season in a memorable and unique way for Laotions. With the insight and research above, we found that Mu Kra Tah is the true symbolic of celebration and with that a new Heineken experience was born.

The Heineken Star Festive BBQ is a specially created pan by Heineken Lao to give a Star experience when enjoying the grilled food at home. The Star Grill Pan, is a Heineken signature star-shaped pan, specially designed to distribute the heat throughout the star pan. The product is designed for 5 persons consumption, each person having their own star corner to separate grilling, to encourage limiting celebration size in a fun way. The special grilled pan is prepacked with premium imported meat, organic vegetables and of course 1 extra cold Heineken carton, making the experience tastier and more special.

The campaign was launched nationwide and online on early December 2021 with strong KOL and influencer outreach. Even though on-trade outlets were closed, this campaign overachieved its target goals with sales of over 270k cartons during that period alone. The Star Festive BBQ was sold out and additional 50% more stocks were given away due to positive feedback and participation from consumers.

Fahmi Rajendra, Marketing Director, Heineken Lao

Despite the pandemic, our goal has never changed - to stay connected with our consumers, providing them a new refreshing experience through initiatives. Our ambitious challenge was to find a safe way to connect people in a really fun and engaging way. Thats why we unveiled The Heineken Star Festive BBQ to offer our valued local consumers the chance to enjoy Mu Kra Tah; whilst enjoying ice-cold Heineken.

Park Wannasiri, Chief Creative Officer, Wunderman Thompson Thailand

For a famous global brand like Heineken we believe this is the way to create meaningful relevancy with the local audience. The Heineken Star Festive BBQ will elevate the Laos national culture to the next level, and Heineken is the first brand to proudly share the Mu Kra Tah culture! This is not only a refreshing experience to Laotians, but has proven to drive sales and bring business results as well.

CREDITS

Client Credits: Heineken Lao Brewery Co., Ltd.

Marketing Director: Fahmi Rajendra

Senior Brand Manager: Duangchai Thamhaksa

Brand Executive: Phonepaseuth Phommasoulin

Brand Executive: Sammar Boonyasang

Marketing Trainee: Prisa Senduangdeth

Trade Marketing Manager: Vinith Savattry

Trade Marketing Assistant: Chanpheng Manisone

Trade Marketing Assistant: Airnoy Sorsaiysumphan

Trade Marketing Assistant: Chansouda Saysanavongsay

Brand Designer: Phetaloun Atphasouk

Marketing Trainee: Toulanan Senpaseuth

Brand Portfolio Manage: Ketmany Phimmathath

Agency Credits: Wunderman Thompson Thailand

Chief Executive Officer: Maureen Tan

Chief Creative Officer: Park Wannasiri

Creative Director: Suebthong Thanomsri

Art Director: Naruemon Kongsomthong

Copywriter: Warintorn Patthanakiat

Group Account Director: Wasna Jirasuradej

Account Manager: Pufah Nuntavisit

Agency Production Director: Jiroj Mechoojit

Agency Producer: Jutamas Juntasorn

Planning Director: Puvadon Tarasin

Project Manager: Thanda Panchareon
TV9 exiting the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) in protest against the latters clear attempt, yet again, to stall BARC ratings cannot be seen in isolation. Scratch the veneer of this development, and you will see the many festering maladies that have afflicted the Indian broadcast industry, the news genre in particular, at multiple levels. The mad rush for ratings and the alacrity to be the number one channel at the cost of basic journalistic principles, multiple industry bodies that are accused of giving prominence to individual interests than that of the industry, regulatory intrusiveness, policy bottlenecks and bureaucratic hassles, and so on and so forth.

When TV9 Network claimed to be 'number one' within three months of its launch, no established broadcasters liked it. A huge split happened there, which is evident from TV9 walking out; and now the bad has become worse, says a broadcast veteran who wished to remain anonymous.

TV9 is a regional entity and a new entrant in NBDA. They are moving to the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), which is more of an association of regional players. It is also a fight between the so-called national channels and regional channels, he added.

According to a Mumbai-based media analyst, NBDAs statement saying we stand vindicated is just hogwash. No industry body would ever destroy the industry. It is very irresponsible of NBDA to stall the ratings because there are only a few handful of people in their board who are getting benefitted (from the TV news ratings not being released.) You cannot put an entire industry at stake.

Continuing further the analysts asked, Why is an industry body formed? It is to develop an entire industry and protect the interests of all the stakeholders. Not just a few stakeholders who are on your board.

As per news reports, even before the final decision to walk out of NBDA, TV9 had posed faith in the NBF as early as July 2021. TV9 chose to side with the NBF, when, as an industry-wide initiative, it led a petition to the then I&B Minister, seeking the release of news channel ratings, which was signed by both member and non-member channels.

It was a humungous task. We reached out to even non-NBF members. They signed the petitions for BARC ratings. We did not discriminate among NBF members or non-members. Our position was that the entire news FTA channels have to get it," said R Jai Krishna, Secretary-General, News Broadcasters Federation.

Terming TV9 Networks decision to walk out as a right decision, an industry analyst, said, I wouldnt want to be a part of an industry body in which I didnt have a say at all. It is counter-productive. I am actually paying money to be part of an industry body to be victimised.

NBDA wants the ratings to come out after the upcoming assembly elections in five states. The analyst affirmed that there was no reason to stop the TV news ratings in the first place, and there is no rationale to withhold it further.

R Jai Krishna added here, NBF has clearly told BARC and the MIB that if some channels are not happy with the methodology, let them not take it. We trust BARC and we want the data. If some channels are not happy, let them get out of the ratings methodology. Nobody is stopping them and nobody is forcing them to continue.

When Arnab Gowsami left Times Now to set up his own channel, Times did not want to give a room or a seat to Arnab in NBA. He then formed his own body  NBF, which is very close to the current dispensation, said a senior broadcaster, preferring anonymity.

NBDA is trying to serve the interest of only three or four networks, alleged the media analyst. Some time back, NBDA had said they dont trust BARC. Now the same process has only been approved. Whatever processes were discussed last April, which were approved by the board in July, have been approved by the MIB. You were not happy with the same decision in July. Are you happy with it now? It is dual standards. They did not want the ratings to come out because they knew where they were standing.

Adgully reached out to Rajat Sharma to get the NBDAs perspective, but he declined to comment. An email sent to the official ID of the body seeking comments remains unanswered until the time of filing this report.

Rally behind TV9

Smaller channels, obviously, are welcoming TV9s move.

It is a very bold and right decision. We need many more such decisive channels, said TV5 CEO Anil Singh, referring to TV9s exit from NBDA. According to him, BARC in its current form is a bankrupt organisation in terms of credibility, independence, and accountability.

Shankar Bala, CEO, Fourth Dimension Media, too, called it a very bold and encouraging step by a reputed media group like TV9 to pull out of the NBDA. He added, This definitely means that somewhere there were let down by the existing group on the ratings imbroglio. Them pulling out would send a strong signal to the industry.

According to a broadcast veteran, Rajat Sharma was the first one to join NBSDRA (News Broadcasting Standards Disputes Redressal Authority), the self-regulatory body for news channels created by the NBA. He was the first one to walk out of it and then later returned. When it was set up, former Supreme Court Justice JS Varma was heading the NBSDRA. He gave a ruling against India TV. He penalised the channel and asked it to carry an apology for a report. But, Sharma refused to do that and walked out of it. However, he later came back, he recalled.

All of these are in a complete mess because each one has failed their own sectors. As a veteran, I can say that nothing is going to happen to this sector. They blame one another, but they themselves will not change, he lamented.

According to him, these news channels are so compromised that they survive from elections to elections, be it state or national, gathering maximum revenue during this period with election-related special programmes and advertorials.

The capital-intensive TV biz

A broadcast industry called the whole news channel versus BARC tussle silly. He noted that the news channel business in India, which is completely dependent on advertising revenue, is completely wrong.

Going back to the genesis of the problem, he talked about the 2005 and 2010 uplinking and downlinking policies, which enabled many players to enter. Because of this, many people, who had nothing to do with journalism, entered the business. They have a very different idea of doing journalism, he said.

Hoteliers, real estate guys, politicians, and people who believe in extortion all got into this racket. The business model is not at all transparent. And that is the licensing part. The regulatory part also didnt help, playing a double whammy. The news business is costlier, with heavy capital expenditure and human resources. You need a constant pipeline of investment on a monthly basis. Then only you will be able to produce quality content. You have subscription revenue and advertising revenue. The subscription revenue is so skewed because of TRAIs regulation and micromanaging. When you are completely dependent on advertising revenue, you have to be shockingly sensational, shockingly careless, and you have to shout from the rooftop, and compromise editorial quality. You have to shock and awe the audience. Then you will be able to get the ad revenue, says the veteran executive.

Continuing further, he said that unlike newspapers, news channels do not get any concessions. They have to pay the frequency charges, uplinking fee, and monitoring charges to the government. These three are constant. Then you have capital expenditure, human resources expenditure. Now comes the regulatory part: TRAI. Since they have started pricing the channel, news channels have had to make it advertisement-driven. Because of TRAIs heavy-handedness, news channels themselves opted out of the subscription system. Now they depend completely on advertisements, he said, adding that right now, there are 910 channels, of which news channels themselves are 600. In primetime, a GEC charges Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh for a 20-second ad, whereas news channels charge between Rs 25,000 to 30,000.

He revealed that there are news channels that are ready to accept even a paltry sum of Rs 5,000 because they are so desperate. These channels are only helping advertisers, he argued. News channels neither bother about their duty as the fourth estate, nor are they answerable to their viewership. Nor are they answerable to their own journalism profession. As a result, only the intermediary benefits. And on top of it, there are cable and DTH operators who charge carriage fees and platform fees. Almost 80 per cent of the ad revenue goes to service the distribution business itself, as cable operators, carriage fees, platform fees, and marketing fees so that the channels continue to be available so that there is some kind of TRP. When there is TRP, advertisements will come. Here, TRAI is helping only the distributors by heavy regulation. TRAI is also forcing these channels to only go for advertisement revenue, he elaborated.

The ratings war

Thanks to cheap competitive journalism minus any quality, channels are constantly looking for ratings on a weekly basis. The day the ratings are out, they want to slice and dice their standing on each week, remarked a broadcaster.

He added, One channel will claim I am number one. Another will claim the same thing. Even though they are talking about data, they have this imagination to claim to be number one. But, advertisers are cleverer than these channels, because they are investing money. They want the target to be protected and to ensure their RoI. So, they will see who the real number one is and who is number two.

As long as they are number one everything is hunky dory, he said. But when they become second or third, they cry before TRAI and the Ministry, saying that the BARC is compromised, their methodology is wrong, etc. It is immature, he maintained.

Everyone goes before TRAI and complains, depending upon their standing on the ratings during a two or three week period. They launch a whispering campaign that reaches the decision-makers. And they are waiting in the wings to get into anything because they want to have control. So, TRAI would come out with a consultation paper. These channels forget how and why BARC was formed. I was involved in the BARC formation. Everybody was complaining about TAM. As per the original mandate of BARC, it has to be an industry-driven body, which comprises IBF and two advertisement associations. That set the criteria set by the ministry. We all know that there is something wrong with BARC, he maintained.

The BARC brouhaha

According to the executive, the CEOs and promoters of news channels should have started discussing the BARC problem without letting the regulators or policymakers get into this. Because it was formed like an industry-driven body, they should have started a discussion and found a way, taking all kinds of remedial measures. But nobody had the vision and maturity to do that, he added.

And TRAI came out with a recommendation, which was so intrusive it was like micromanaging BARC. They wanted to have a say in BARC, forgetting the fact that the stakeholders are investing in BARC. And it is very difficult to set up a BARC-like institution. Because it is very highly capital-intensive. And can only a BARC-like body do the measurement? No. because the technology has evolved so much that there are other technological tools and calculations available to measure the same audience. To come out with recommendations to micromanage the body is tantamount to killing that body, he further said.

Now they say randomly that if you have only 50,000 people meters you increase to one lakh. There should be a road map to see whether that kind of investment is available with the body. And if that kind of investment is needed, who is going to pay for it? If you are asking for a seat within BARC  they want to become a stakeholder  then you should participate in the investment as well. And if the regulator is on the BARC board, and if something goes wrong who is going to take responsibility? Now, the Prasar Bharati CEO is there on the BARC board, he adds.

According to him, everybody is silent on the role of Shashi Shekhar Vempati. Doordarshan was one of the members of the BARC board. Did the board not know what was going on? So, they should have asked Vempati to take charge or take responsibility and make himself available on the board. He cannot do it on his own as he has to consult the board members. So, it is once again back to square one. You have to discuss within the board, involve the stakeholders and take the remedial measures. Why should the government get into this? The whole thing is not going to help anyone, he affirmed.

He admitted that there is a split in the NDBA. While stating that he did not like TRP ratings for news channels, the industry veteran felt that there should be some other methodology. According to him, Right now in the absence of BARC ratings for TV news channels, things are normal, because no one knows who is number one. The number one business is the ugliest thing. When you want to become number one, you go to any extent to garner that. In the absence of the number one claim, there is an absence of shrillness in the editorial content. The acidity is there, but there is no rooftop shouting happening.

At the same time, he maintained that without BARC ratings small channels cannot survive, and felt that news channels have to be subscription-based.

News channels know there is a problem with licensing or regulation. They never discuss this issue. Have you ever seen a programme on any TV news channel on the issue of BARC, regulation, or licensing? Who is going to bell the cat? No one is ready to do that, he noted.

Is there a haste?

The analyst pointed out that the release of ratings is a contract between BARC and the channels. Under the Indian Contract Act, no third party can interfere in a mutual contract. It is actually a criminal act to interfere in a contract. If somebody goes to court, every single NBDA member has to pay a penalty. What they are doing is a criminal act. If one channel goes to court, the minimal damages would be Rs 20-25 crore, he informed.

Has the MIB gone about issuing the missive on ratings to BARC in a hurry? Is the ground ready for the ratings to return after a 15-month-long hiatus?

According to the broadcaster, the ball is in the open court right now. The committee needs to be formed immediately. A BARC source was wondering about the need for this urgency. From the start date, BARC needs at least 10 to 15 days just to do the groundwork and reactivate the meters. They need that much time to start measuring the data. They have to reconnect and recalibrate and test. Then only they can go online. For all these, they need time. They apprised MIB of this. Without understanding this, the Ministry came out with this order. So, that means somebody, who is in need of revenue, is pushing them to issue the order, he said.

Adgully is receiving various kinds of feedback from industry stakeholders on this story. It has always been our endeavour to present a well-balanced viewpoint and an equal share of voice to all. We make it a point to reach out to all stakeholders to get all-round views  while some respond to us, others dont. We are more than happy to publish such divergent views. Please reach out to us to share your views.
Reebok India, in collaboration with 22feet Tribal Worldwide, launched a social media campaign, #ReebokSneakerFest for their biggest sneaker sale of the year. It was a nationwide callout to sneakerheads where some of Reeboks most loved Sneakers were on sale. The campaign reached a whopping 5 million users on social media that resulted in 48% increase in Reebok Indias website traffic, where the sale was hosted.

After the success of the first SneakerFest in 2020, SneakerFest 2.0 was aimed at building a perfect brand moment for Reebok India by sparking conversations around sneakers on social media. The idea was brought to life with exciting teasers, social media stories, engagement-led reels and posts. To start the chatter on social media, the brand also collaborated with content creators and influencers and launched the grand sale.

Keeping up with the social trends, Reebok brought in some of the top sneakerheads like Zerxes Wadia and Shakti Singh Yadav and kicked off a reel challenge. A Sneaker Lookbook was also introduced in collaboration with Anushka Menon and Kayaan Contractor. Further, a Spin to win contest was launched, which received an overwhelming response from the audience. Through the campaign, Reebok engaged with a huge number of sneaker lovers, resulting in a sharp spike of 48% in the website traffic, out of which 80% were first-time users who turned up in search of their favourite sneakers. With the wide range of sneakers showcased during the sale, people spent more time browsing on the website, which took the conversion rate by up to 24.5% as compared to the previous week.

Speaking on the campaign, Kanika Nijhawan, Brand Director, Reebok India said, It will be fair to say that SneakerFest 2.0 seized the attention of a large number of sneakerheads in the country and by extending some great offers, we managed to boost our sneaker sales. The collaboration with influencers and engagement activities throughout the social handle reached out to millions of users within a few days and made the campaign a total success.
Rediffusion today announced the appointment of Ms. Ruchira Raina as Executive Director, South and East. She will be based out of Bangalore. Rediffusions Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai offices will report into her.

Ms. Raina has over 35 years of experience in media, advertising and marketing. She is a former Managing Director of Dentsu Communications, where she headed the agency from 2003 to 2011.

Starting from Anand Bazaar Patrika (ABP) in media in the late 80s, Ms. Raina then moved to Mudra in media, and then shifted to client servicing. She then joined Rediffusion Kolkata to lead the Eveready and Shaw Wallace businesses, shifting to Rediffusion Bangalore as Branch Head where she ran the entire BPL business. In 2002, Ruchira moved to TVS in brand management. In 2003, she joined Dentsu.

Post Dentsu, Ruchira Raina moved in 2011 to Aircel as head of market research and consumer insights. In 2015, she shifted base to Australia to pursue some entrepreneurial projects.

I have known Ruchira Raina for nearly three decades. She is a marketing powerhouse and a brand dynamo. I have rarely seen anyone as sharp and as committed to clients brands as Ms. Raina. She has deep understanding of diverse categories and is an expert on automobiles  both 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers. Ruchiras return to Rediffusion after a long hiatus is most welcome, says Dr. Sandeep Goyal, Managing Director of Rediffusion.

For me, Rediffusion is home. I almost feel as if I have not really been away for so long. I have enjoyed some of my best client relationships at Rediffusion. We have produced outstanding work on a number of market leaders over the years and I am looking forward to doing it all over again in this innings. Clients today demand lots more of digital interventions, and luckily in my previous assignments I got to do a lot of that stuff, says Ruchira Raina.

Ms. Raina helped create the Give Me Red campaign for Eveready. She launched BPF QPF TVs. She launched the famous Aamir Khan campaign for Toyota Innova, the John Abraham campaign for Yamaha and the Hrithik Roshan campaign for Acer. She also launched brand Aircel, giving MS Dhoni his first major commercial break. Advertising can be fun when brands are willing to take some risks to achieve exponential growth, adds Ms. Raina.
The story is brief, but were told that autism is a big part of special education in Kent. Autistic Spectrum Disorder remains the most common primary need type with 41.2% of children and young people with an Education and Health Care Plan having ASD identified as their primary need.

Seriously, no one anywhere is talking about these issues. There is absolutely no alarm over whats happening.

Hopes to expand? Im sure these smiling adults are very well-intentioned, but these stories about autism numbers are really scary and should have everyones attention. Questions should be asked. Why are there always more affected children? When is it going to stop? Why are theyre never any answers?

A recent story from Kent in southeast England is but one example. The title reads, Life Skills Manor School, for children with autism, has opened in Sandwich , and its about a school for 22 students that hopes to expand to 46

Adults are often seen in photos with the stories. Theyre typically smiling as they cut the ribbon for yet another autism school, built so students wont have to be sent to costly out-of-county schools.

What is a continual mystery to me is why no one questions why this is happening. They just keep calling for more funding, more services in mainstream schools and more exclusive special schools, specifically ones for children with autism.

I added a number of stories to Loss of Brain Trust this past week which testify to the impact disabled children are having on schools, especially in Britain.

Not only that, but more affected kids are coming.

According to the Kent Commissioning Plan 2021-2025, the need for specialist placements in Kent is increasing each year by 14.8%.

Clearly this is a new phenomenon or there would already be accommodations to meet the needs of children that are not coping in mainstream education.

There is something about the word AUTISM that silences everyone.

Imagine the response if we were talking about children who are blind.

If we were building schools for the blind and talking about a 15% increase annually, the public would demand to know why so many kids cant see. People would want it stopped.

Autism is permanently the mysterious illness that weve convinced ourselves has always been aroundwe just called it something else. Of course the obvious question is: Where were they back in the 1980s and 1990s and early 2000s like we see today?

Britain, like the U.S., has had laws requiring local schools to educate disabled children for the last 50 years. So where were the large numbers of children with autism and other serious behavioral problems?

Sometimes I feel as though readers of Loss of Brain Trust and Age of Autism are the only people in the world who realize this is happening.

The event in Kent is typical of places across England. The stories from the Isle of Wight and Bedfordshire below both talk about it being a national problem.

Isle of Wight: $1.8M SPED overspend

there could still be a gap of 1.33 million [$1.8M] funding gap for special education needs or disabilities (SEND) pupils.

the Island was not alone in having the funding shortfall.

Bedfordshire: Dramatic increase in SPED numbers....funding in the red.

"We've seen a significant increase in demand for educational health and care needs assessments.

"That's resulted in extra children with educational health and care plans (EHCPs) with a knock-on impact over the provision of the places for young people," he explained.

"And then that has an effect on the budget. In the last paper, we forecast a 2.9m overspend. Now it's looking like a 4.3m [$5.9M] overspend, with a worse case scenario of as high as 6m [$8M] by the end of the year. 

"The number of CBC maintained EHCPs for pupils in reception to year 14 in autumn 2021 was more than 2,100.

"The forecasts are for an extra 900 by January 2025 (or 40 per cent higher), and an additional 400 by January 2030 (a further 13 per cent more)."

Mr Fraser said: "We've also seen a big swing in the amount of money being provided to special schools and top-up small schools because of the increasing demand. All this money is going on meeting children's needs.

"It's a national problem. 

Widnes: New special school for up to 64 pupils.

Worcestershire: Council proposes 4% tax hike to pay for special services.

Mansfield: Special school for kids with anxiety or behavioral issues a maximum of four students, two staff per classroom.

Surrey: 7 year old with autism has $200/day taxi ride to special school.

Surrey: Autistic girl waits 2 yrs for SPED plan.

Herefordshire: Council facing $717,000 SPED overspend.

Special schools are full

Tameside: Special needs services heavily criticized with excessive waiting lists.

Worcestershire: 5 year old with autism gets only 2  hrs/day in school

And finally in the U.S. is a story from Loudoun, VA where an interventionist who works with autistic kids says this about the leap in the rate from one in 54 kids with autism to one in 44 : Its fascinating.

The demand for therapies and services, like many early-childhood fields, is high. According to Johanna Van Doren-Jackson, senior manager for Loudoun Countys early intervention program, Infant and Toddler Connection, referral rates from pediatricians are through the roof. 

there is no consensus among experts as to why ASD rates are burgeoning among youth. Its fascinating, Van Doren-Jackson said. The field has changed. It was about parenting. Now its seen as possibly genetic.

That remark about autism being genetic flies in the face of the sentence below her photo:

Johanna Van Doren-Jackson, senior manager for Infant and Toddler Connection, called the increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among children very concerning.

Dramatic increases every year or two are impossible with a genetic disorder.

Very concerning?

Is that the best we can do? I have lots of other words that Id use to describe whats happening, and theyre a lot more appropriate than very concerning.



Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism.
TRIPOLI, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Italian Ambassador to Libya Giuseppe Buccino on Monday stressed the importance of Libya's stability for the Mediterranean region.

"Libya's stability is crucial for the stability of the Mediterranean region," Buccino was quoted as saying by a statement released by Libya's Foreign Ministry.

The Italian diplomat made the remarks during a meeting with Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush here on Monday, according to the statement.

The two officials also discussed recent developments in Libya, bilateral collaboration, and a variety of areas of mutual concern, including illegal migration, according to the statement.

Buccino pledged that his country would assist Libya's National Unity Government in achieving stability and security.

The two officials also discussed an initiative put forward by Mangoush to address illegal migration based on Libyan-international coordination, the statement added.

Since the fall of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the North African country has become a point of departure for illegal migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European ports.

According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 32,000 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya in 2021. 
Farmers have opportunities to achieve greater nutrient-use efficiency and reduce nutrient losses when following the 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles  applying the right fertilizer source at the right rate at the right time and in the right place. The principles use various best-management practices to optimize fertilizer-use efficiency. Among the practices are manure incorporation and cover crops.

Low-disturbance manure application can be good for a farmers bottom line as well as for the environment, said Eric Young, a soil scientist for the U.S. Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service. He has identified several benefits in field tests conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, which is jointly operated by the Agricultural Research Service. He also points to other studies showing similar findings.

Manure can be variable in terms of nutrient content so Young recommends sampling manure sources, ideally more than once per year. He cited a UW study of both liquid and solid dairy manure. Nutrient content can change on the same farm as forage quality and feed rations change.

Sampling is critical so that we have confidence in assigning nutrient credits to manure to replace fertilizer, he said.

Some pieces of application equipment feature shanks that enable farmers to incorporate manure into soil at depths of 4 to 6 inches. That can help reduce nitrogen loss. Young said a Cornell University study showed that when manure is applied via surface broadcast about 70 percent of nitrogen can be lost within about a week.

Its really nitrogen expensive not to incorporate manure, he said.

Even if using traditional tillage a farmer can capture more nitrogen by using a chisel plow or disk harrow in an annual-crop system. Its more challenging to apply manure on top of forages and after hay cuttings, but its still relatively routine, he said.

Whats not routine is top-dressing liquid manure to alfalfa stands. Thats been an area of study for the past couple of years, Young said. Researchers are studying whether low-disturbance manure applications can be successful in an alfalfa-grass situation.

There are advantages to applying manure on forage crops. It can reduce fertilizer expenses and build soil fertility. Thats not just from a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium standpoint. Carbon also can be built.

Manure and cover crops have vital carbon, which becomes soil carbon and helps maintain favorable structure in soil health, he said.

Another advantage related to forages is that farmers would have more land on which to apply manure. That would reduce some pressure on corn acres, Young said. If applied effectively after grass cuttings a farmer could capture nutrients and reduce runoff risk.

But there could be potential negative effects on forage yield and quality. That would depend on application rate, timing, forage species, moisture, drainage and fertility.

All of those things are on the table when we talk about optimizing manure management on forage crops, he said.

Young and a team of researchers conducted a study in 2017 at the agricultural-research station near Marshfield.

The study involved five treatments.

 shallow disk injection

 aeration-banding

 banding treatment alone with toolbar raised

 standard broadcast

 control  no treatment

Plots were seeded in 2016 at a rate of 14 kilograms per hectare of alfalfa and 7 kilograms per hectare of meadow fescue. Manure was applied at a rate of 6,000 gallons per acre after a first cutting of alfalfa in mid-June. No manure was applied after the second cutting. Manure was applied again after the third cutting in late August

A rainfall simulation was conducted on the plots to evaluate runoff. The rainfall was applied at a rate of 1.7 inches per hour for 30 minutes. That would mimic about a 10-year recurrence interval storm, a substantial rainfall. A 10-year recurrence interval is an estimate of how frequently storms occur of a given size. A 10-year storm occurs on average once every 10 years or 10 percent of the time, Young said.

Samples were taken to estimate the amount of nutrients lost. The researchers also looked at the amount of surface coverage of each plot using digital photos. They calculated percent coverage of newer bare soil, litter and an estimate of the live plants.

The broadcast, banded and aerator-banded treatments showed much more manure on the soil surface compared to the treatment with the shallow disk injection unit. Manure wasnt applied after the second cutting so there wasnt much change. There also wasnt a significant effect from manure applied after the third cutting.

The shallow disk injection unit did the best job of incorporating manure under the surface. The researchers didnt measure dry-matter yields, but they didnt see much damage between the different methods compared to the control and the broadcast application, Young said.

The researchers collected water-quality data and found that runoff-nutrient concentrations were reduced with the shallow injection unit. That treatment showed it did a better job of retaining more dissolved reactive phosphorus in the manure.

Young also discussed the economics of using various manure-application treatments. Taking into consideration  after the initial investment  the nitrogen savings from less ammonia loss, the injection method saves quite a bit of money, Young said.

He cited a Pennsylvania State University study that shows theres not a lot of difference in income and net return between treatment methods after the initial investment. The study collected data from multiple farms using manure-application methods to arrive at ammonia-loss and income information.

Young also described a four-year experiment that the Agricultural Research Service conducted in a corn-silage system. The researchers wanted to determine how manure applications affected corn-silage yield and soil nitrogen the following spring.

From 2012 to 2015 they applied manure each fall after corn-silage harvest at the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station. The manure was applied at a rate of 8,000 gallons per acre. Table 2 shows the effect of different treatments on corn-silage yields.

The units are in mega-grams per hectare at 35 percent dry matter. Mega-grams per hectare is similar to U.S. tons per acre. The corn yields are less than the state average, which is about 18 tons per acre  partly because the experiment was conducted in a lesser-yielding field at the station, Young said.

The greatest dry-matter yields through a three-year period were observed in the sweep-injection treatment. Fall-applied manure application may not be the best practice in all situations, but farmers may be able to capture more ammonia by injecting manure into soil. The study showed that some nitrogen was still available the following year.

Researchers studied soil-nitrate levels at different depths in both spring and fall. Sweep-injection and strip-till injection treatments did well at retaining nitrogen. Researchers observed that 30 parts per million of soil nitrate was still available the following spring. They sampled soil at 11 to about 24 inches deep, and observed little nitrogen leaching.

The study showed that plots receiving low-disturbance injection treatments had similar yields to those with the largest rate of nitrogen fertilizer. Low-disturbance equipment is more-compatible with cover crops, with much less disturbance moving into winter. The researchers also saw increased stability of soil organic carbon and aggregate stability with strip-till injection, Young said.

Young presented Water Quality Risks and Benefits of Low Disturbance Manure Applications during the UW-Discovery Farms Conference, held Dec. 15, 2021, in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Lynn Grooms writes about the diversity of agriculture, including the industrys newest ideas, research and technologies as a staff reporter for Agri-View based in Wisconsin.

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In a recent consumer survey conducted for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), more than half of the Minnesotans surveyed said they would buy more, and pay more, for locally grown fish and seafood.

Nearly half of respondents are interested in learning more about fish raised in Minnesota. Many said Minnesota-raised fish is more sustainable and safer to eat than fish raised outside of the state.

More than 80% said aquaculture facilities are good for the states economy. Amy Schrank, a Minnesota fisheries and aquaculture extension educator said she thinks aquaculture has the potential to give rural economies a positive boost.

It can contribute to healthy food production, job creation, local business growth, while also protecting water resources, she said.

Minnesota has 25 registered, licensed aquaculture farmers with most of the fish being used as bait or restocking populations in ponds and lakes.

Schrank thinks theres a missed opportunity there.

Theres still increasing demand by people for fish protein as a food source, but wild fisheries are not able to meet that demand, she said.

The U.S. imports 90% of its seafood, but with recent supply chain disruptions, Schrank expects Minnesotas aquaculture industry to grow.

Theres been sort of a redoubled focus on local food and sustainable food, which aquaculture has the potential to fill globally, she said.

Harold Stanislawski, business development director for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute agrees.

Interest in aquaculture is growing in Minnesota and the region for a variety of reasons, he said. Consumers are looking for new sources of protein and prefer to buy local.

AURI survey respondents were asked if they would be likely to buy more of certain species of Minnesota-raised fish if it were available in local grocery stores and restaurants. 42% of respondents said they were likely or very likely to buy more shrimp, 40% said they were likely to buy more walleye, and 37% said they were likely to buy more salmon.

Fifty-seven percent of consumers either agreed or strongly agreed that Minnesota-raised fish, salmon, or shrimp would be higher quality. Meanwhile, 45% agreed or strongly agreed that being Minnesota-raised would make such a product more affordable.

Schrank is heading up a similar study with the University of Minnesota Sea Grant program. The new $250,000 project will span three years (2020-2023) and will seek to determine the potential for a sustainable food-fish aquaculture industry in Minnesota.

One of the biggest challenges in aquaculture, like in most businesses, is a business plan, she said.

Schrank believes that one of the biggest reasons many business start-ups fail is because they dont have a solid business plan.

The University of Minnesota Sea Grant aquaculture market study will provide companies and individuals who are considering entering the industry with credible data that will help them decide which production strategies and species are best suited for profitability.

Producers will need this information to apply for loans from banks and lending institutions, Schrank said.

Minnesota soybean farmers stand to gain from the aquaculture industry. In 2018, U.S. aquaculture demanded an estimated 8.6 million bushels of soybeans.

In fact, Soybean meal is the premier protein source used in aquaculture around the world.

A 2020 study funded by the Soy Aquaculture Alliance stated that finfish, such as catfish, depend heavily on soybean meal as a key ingredient in its feed. Soybeans have a high protein content and favorable amino acid profile, and are easily digested by the fish.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports per capita food fish consumption in the U.S. hit a record at 19.2 pounds in 2019, up from 17.7 pounds in 2010. In fact, seafood has now surpassed pork as the number one animal protein source around the globe.

Schrank says natural water sources cant sustain the demand for fish and fish populations in the wild have dwindled.

With the worlds population growing by 81 million people per year, aquaculture fueled by soybeans has the potential to not only grow exponentially, but to feed a hungry world.

Melisa Goss, Associate Editor for the Tri-State Neighbor, is a South Dakota farm girl whose love of travel has allowed her to see ags vital impact around the world, from Americas heartland to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia and many places in between. She makes her home in Sioux Falls with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer. You can reach her at mgoss@lee.net.

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MANKATO, Minn.  Minnesota corn and soybean farmers from Roseau, St. Vincent, Luverne, Preston, and all parts in between are headed to the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato for the 2022 MN Ag Expo.

Held Wednesday and Thursday during the third week of January (Jan. 19-20), Minnesota farmers and the entire ag community are invited to the event.

MN Ag Expo is hosted by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA). The convention includes the two lobbying organizations annual meetings and voting on resolutions to take to the state and national level.

In addition to important policy and leadership activities, MN Ag Expo features several learning sessions and a large and relatable trade show. Two keynote speakers: Amanda Radke on Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., and Jack Zimmerman on Jan. 20 at noon, will help listeners thrive in 2022.

Radke will share the way COVID shut down her speaking engagements, allowing her to focus on foster care and adopting a baby boy.

Zimmerman, who lost both of his legs while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, will talk about perseverance in the face of adversity.

A lot of our farmers just went through some pretty rough economic times, and everyone is dealing with COVID, so these stories are uplifting, inspiring, and should just give people a good perspective on really whats going on, said Joe Smentek, MSGA executive director.

The 2022 MN Ag Expo is a great way to learn more about both organizations, as well as new farming practices.

Were really excited to get back to meeting in person. Well have a lot of great vendors on our tradeshow floor and farmers will hopefully learn about new products, new ways to use the chemistries that we have available, he said.

Obviously with some of the regulations going on, things are changing rapidly. So being able to visit with those companies and get the latest information on the products they want to use to control weeds and bugs, is advantageous.

Regarding policymaking, both organizations have already held their pre-resolution meetings. At the MN Ag Expo, the resolutions are read over, and all delegates have an opportunity to vote to incorporate the new resolutions into the existing resolution documents.

The resolutions for each organization are brought to Commodity Classic, held in New Orleans, March 8-12, 2022. Some of the resolutions could become part of the national lobbying efforts or priorities.

Issues are also prioritized for lobbying at the Minnesota Legislative session that begins at noon on Monday, Jan. 31.

The MCGA is working on passing legislation to make E15 standard through Minnesota and the U.S., said Bryan Biegler, MCGA president and farmer near Lake Wilson, Minn.

Another issue is the rising cost of fertilizer. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has sent a letter to The Mosaic Company asking the phosphate and potash supplier to meet with the NCGA to discuss options.

They have talked the government into doing the countervailing duties  getting the tariffs put on  so basically they have been able to shut down imports from a couple of other countries, Biegler said. They are one of the few players to get phosphorus from.

He encourages corn farmers to attend the MCGA annual meeting, as well as MN Ag Expo.

When I first got on the board, I had no idea what was going on, or what the organizations did, he said. Since Ive gotten on, my eyes have been opened to all that MCGA does for corn producers.

Speaking for the MSGA, Smentek said dicamba herbicide use and volatility concerns, as well as defining the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) were chief concerns.

Dicamba, (as well as) Chlorpyrifos (insecticide), and some of the input uses that we have seen come under attack by EPA and other environmental groups, those will be big hot button issues that well want to make sure those federal agencies are watching, Smentek said.

On the tradeshow floor, farmers can talk with researchers displaying their professional research posters. The tradeshow also has a booth featuring the Ag Innovation Campus in Crookston.

The Soybean Research & Promotion Council is pushing to get that built, Smentek said. Farmers can come by and learn whats going on at the new crush facility, along with some really cool things with AURI, and bringing innovation.

After the work is done, comedian Todd Andrews will entertain during the evening dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 19. His performance will focus on moving to his wifes hometown in western Wisconsin, after he lived many years in Boston.

Logistics

With two days of good meetings, farmers may want to reserve a hotel room if they live a distance away. In early January, there were still rooms available at hotels located around Mankato.

Planning your route downtown ahead of the event can be helpful, as there are a couple of new ramps available for parking. Ramp or street parking in downtown Mankato generally has a fee.

Pre-registration has ended for the 2022 event, but farmers can register at the MN Ag Expo doors either day of the event.

MN Ag Expo is for farmers and everybody that works with farmers who grow corn and soybeans, Smentek said. There should be some good vendors and ideas and chances to meet with other farmers. There will be lots of opportunities to interact with the checkoff groups and industry at this meeting.

For any questions, please contact Michelle at the Minnesota Soybean Office: 507-388-1635.

The following is the schedule for the 2022 MN Ag Expo:

Wednesday, Jan. 19

 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Registration opens

 8 a.m., MSGA Delegate Session and Annual Meeting

 10 a.m., Trade Show opens

 10 a.m., Learning Session (Watch for signage at the show)

 11 a.m., Learning Session: Becks Hybrids, Carbon  Not Just a Credit

 12 p.m., Boxed Lunch in Trade Show

 12:30 p.m., Learning Session: Blue Horizon Energy, Spot the Difference: Understanding Quality in Solar Projects

 2 p.m., Afternoon Keynote Speaker Amanda Radke, Shifting Our Mindset and Shaping New Opportunities in Challenging Times

 4 p.m., Trade Show closes

 4 p.m., MCGA Reception & Silent Auction

 5:30 p.m., Dinner with comedian Todd Andrews

 7 p.m., MSGA Carnival at the Loose Moose (Ticketed event, $25. Tickets can be purchased at the door.)

Thursday, Jan. 20

 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Registration opens

 7:30 a.m., MN Corn PAC Breakfast (Additional cost. Must be an MCGA member to attend.)

 7:30 a.m., Trade Show opens

 8 a.m., Morning Ag Economic Outlook with Kent Thiesse, Overview of the Current U.S. Ag Industry

 9 a.m., MCGA Delegate Session & Annual Meeting

 10 a.m., Learning Session: Jodi DeJong Hughes, University of Minnesota Extension, and farmer Brian Ryberg, Strip-Till and No-Till

 11 a.m., Learning Session (Watch for signage at the show)

 12 p.m., Lunch Keynote Speaker Jack Zimmerman, Five Minutes  300 Seconds  That Changed My Life

 3 p.m., Trade Show closes

For questions, call the MSGA office at 507-388-1635, or the MCGA office at 952-460-3607.

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One of the recipients of a sewing machine from Ahwatukee resident Reva Chaudhrys nonprofit, Gift A Treat, was a woman named Rita, who is now teaching women in her impoverished India neighborhood how to sew and become financially independent making clothing.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (R) meets with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 17, 2022. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen met here on Monday with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi on regional issues, a senior official said.

The discussions included the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Myanmar's political situation, said Kao Kim Hourn, a minister attached to the Cambodian prime minister.

The two sides talked about ways to promote the economy, trade, investment and tourism in the post-pandemic era after the RCEP agreement, signed by 15 Asia-Pacific countries, entered into force on Jan. 1, 2022, said Kim Hourn.

Lim pledged to work closely with Cambodia, the ASEAN chair for 2022, and other ASEAN member states to implement the RCEP effectively in order to boost development in the ASEAN region, the official said.

The ASEAN secretary-general also vowed to work closely with ASEAN dialogue partners, particularly with China, Japan and South Korea.

On the Myanmar issue, Hun Sen briefed Lim about his recent visit to Myanmar, saying that the trip was aimed at coordinating a ceasefire, delivering humanitarian assistance to the needy Myanmar people, and paving the way for the ASEAN chair's special envoy on Myanmar to have access to all parties concerned, Kim Hourn said.

Lim, who is on an official visit to Cambodia from Saturday to Wednesday, is scheduled to meet with several senior government officials, and will attend the ASEAN Tourism Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday in the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (R) meets with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 17, 2022. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (R) meets with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 17, 2022. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)
Politics has been said to be more akin to chemistry than to physics, and political events are more explicable by focusing on the different reactions of units with each other, rather than trying to explain the entire universe and attempting to formulate basic fundamental laws. Changing and incomplete interpretations and different points of view inhibit objectivity in history or of the present or closure on the interpretation of events or policies which are always subject to misunderstanding.

Three comments are in order. One is that commentaries and political utterances and historical analyses and judgments are propelled by the zeitgeist of the day, especially in this age of influential social media; the second is the issue of whether we should apologize, or even take revenge, for what may now be considered shameful history or for offensive actions of the past and present. The third is the prevalence, in politics, literature, and in the theater, of absurdity, the disparity between statements and policies and reality.

Let us start with mild forms of absurdity and adherence to cancel culture. The Dutch confectioners, Tonys Chocolonely, has released three new chocolate bars named Injustice, Inequality, and Inhuman. The aim is to increase awareness by shoppers of the use of child labor and slavery in the chocolate industry. About 75% of cocoa is produced in Ghana and the Ivory Coast in West Africa, where exploitation of children is common. The multinational retailer, Marks and Spencer, rebranded its midget gems as mini gems after a woke protest that midget was offensive and is a form of hate speech. A pub on Bewdley, Worcestershire, changed its name from Black Boy Inn to the Bewdley Inn. The Rolling Stones have withdrawn their 1971 song Brown Sugar because of its presentation of scenes of slavery and sexual violence, including a slave driver whipping a group of women.

Meanwhile, the British National Trust continues its new woke policy, its chemical mixture of its discovery of historical achievements, the links between 93 of the famous historical properties it controls and slavery and colonialism. The NT is independent of government-controlled operations, but it is a statutory body and has received considerable funding from British official sources. It has only a tenuous relationship with colonialism or slavery, but claims its policy will give greater transparency to understanding of its properties, art, and objects.

The NT has tried to alter history by making volunteers at one of its properties wear a gay pride rainbow symbol, but gave it up.

The head of the NT, Hilary McGrady, declared the trust will continue to decolonize the country homes one by one. The immediate question arises is not only whether the NT is acting in disregard of its stated charitable purposes, but also whether its new wokery serves any useful purpose, educational or social. Among the properties being decolonized the most well-known is Chartwell, begun in 1634, the former home from 1922 to his death of Winston Churchill. The house suffers because Winston among other offices was, 1921-2, government minister for the colonies.

Winstons father Randolph Churchill was a friend and admirer of Benjamin Disraeli, the Jewish-born political leader and prime minister who lived in a Victorian mansion Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire. The mansion is being examined because of Disraelis unwokish acts, bringing about British purchase of the Suez Canal company, and his invitation in 1876 to Queen Victoria to be Empress of India, a title that existed until 1948.

The homes of cultural, as well as political figures are being scrutinized by the NT. Allan Bank, the home in the Lake District of William Wordsworth, is being decolonized not because of the 400 books and memorabilia of the poet but because his brother Jim in 1801 had been a commander of an East India Company ship and had captained two voyages to China. It appears irrelevant that the poet for the most part was opposed to slavery.

Rudyard Kipling won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907 but his home near Brattleboro in Vermont is being decolonized because he believed in the mission civilisatrice, the belief that the British Empire was a way to maintain order and stability, and by carrying the White Mans burden colonization could help civilize the natives of the colonies.

The historic properties are also being examined by a Trust project in conjunction with Leicester University. The project, with politically correct agenda, explores country homes to make known their colonial links, including slave produced sugar wealth, East India Company connections, black servants, Indian loot, Francis Drake and other circumnavigators, colonial business interests, holders of colonial office, Chinese wallpaper, and imperial interior design. This is intended as food for thought for schoolchildren.

The Zeitgeist of absurdity has affected so-called educational institutions and literary outlets. Students at Salford University in English literature have been warned on what it calls content notes that Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre and Charles Dickens Great Expectations both contain passages they might find distressing. Jane had an unhappy childhood. Dickens writes of poverty, prison ships, fights to the death. Warnings have been given of other texts. They include poems by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Robert Browning.

Other popular literature has been drawn into the absurdity. The adventure book, The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, prolific novelist of more than 800 books, has been rewritten by another writer Jacqueline Wilson to limit sexist elements. The characters will still go to the enchanted wood, but to make the book politically correct for the 21st century, emphasis will be on gender equality.

More generally, Oxford University Press on December 15, 2021, issued a statement asking parents to be more adventurous in reading books to their children rather than limit themselves to classics as most parents do. They should choose books that contain material on issues such as environment, diversity, and homeliness, issues which they can then discuss with their children. In literature as on the stage and on the screen, the norm now appears to be that relationships are racially mixed, and characters are sexually fluid. Will the National Trust discover that this form of behavior was present in the properties it is decolonizing?

Image: Publicdomainvectors.org
Michigan grassroots conservatives continue in their efforts to bring to light the malfeasance, fraud, and violation of Michigan election law that occurred in the 2020 election, particularly in Detroit. They are continually reminded by mainstream media and the Michigan secretary of state that the 2020 election was the most secure in history. The observations and sworn testimonies of many citizens do not support this notion.

Using COVID as the excuse, the secretary of state, Jocelyn Benson, mailed out unrequested absentee ballot applications. What authority did she have? The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that she did have authority under state law and the Michigan constitution. But Judge Patrick Meter, in a dissenting opinion, said that she "was not expressly granted the authority to send unsolicited absentee voter applications by the Legislature under state law." It was a stretch to assume that because of the passage of Proposal 3 in Michigan in 2018, allowing for no-excuse absentee voting, the secretary of state had the right to take it a step farther and mail out millions of unsolicited absentee ballot applications. This provided low-hanging fruit for would-be ballot-harvesters and stuffers. She also allowed a partisan organization, Rock the Vote, to funnel new registrations into the Qualified Voter File (QVF). Black American election integrity expert Linda Lee Tarver noted how unprecedented this was in Michigan and that Benson simply "got away with it." The state Legislature should have asserted its constitutional right of jurisdiction over election matters instead of allowing decisions to be outsourced to the Executive Branch and the courts.

At the TCF center in Detroit, late-night ballot dumps were ridiculed as the incident of the little red wagon just innocently doing its job delivering camera equipment. It appeared to be a straw-man distraction from the real "red" flag, which was the white van that delivered ballots at 3:30 A.M. and 4:40 A.M. Possibly up to 30,000 ballots were estimated in these deliveries, as seen in video footage that Detroit election officials wish would just disappear. Election officials just chalked this up to supposedly massive numbers of absentee ballots that still required processing despite all the fancy high-speed tabulators, courtesy of Zuck Bucks infusion into Detroit.

Michigan Citizens for Election Integrity (MC4EI) recently collaborated, in Detroit, with Christina Bobb of OANN in interviewing affiants who were GOP poll challengers in the 2020 election. In the wee morning hours, Biden supposedly overcame a 450,000-vote differential to overtake Trump by 154,000 votes after counting had concluded.

There were counting tables where there was no ballot-counting for hours and, as the evening wore on, poll workers laid their heads down on the tables and went to sleep. Yet we are told that early-morning "counting" was necessary because of the huge wave of absentee ballots that were expected due to COVID. Apparently, this wave came in after Republican poll workers and challengers went home or, more to the point, were forced out in a war of attrition.

GOP poll challengers were verbally abused with profanity, threatened, and even physically accosted. They were threatened into keeping a six-foot distance due to COVID or they would be thrown out. Democrat poll workers observed no such social distancing. A court settlement before the election allowed for GOP poll challengers to move within this six-foot distance. But word of this court decision was, somehow, not conveyed to the poll workers by the election officials. How convenient! No one was held accountable according to details released in the explosive report, "TCF Timeline: The 2020 General Election in Detroit. See page 18.

Absentee ballots arrived at the TCF in unmarked vehicles, some with out-of-state license plates. No bipartisan accompaniment of these ballots. No chain of custody with a record as to where these were transported from, times of departure and arrival, and who was transporting them. Most importantly, how many ballots were being transported?

Eyewitness testimony noted that thousands of illegitimate ballots were processed at the TCF center in Detroit. Thousands of supposedly "new" registrants were noted on the day of the election.

On the day after the election, thousands of ballots were still being "processed" as they represented "voters" not on the registration rolls. Their data were, therefore, entered in long after poll closure.

The official explanation was that these mystery ballots had been processed prior to arrival at the TCF center and had been matched with the registration rolls and verified, but because of a "clerical error" in failing to click "save," the information was not preserved. This is not likely with thousands of ballots in question, as noted by clerks from other counties interviewed (p. 36) by MC4EI.

Meanwhile, vote-harvesters (see Meyers) were observed right in front of the Detroit Department of Elections in full view of election workers. Disregarding the "one vote per one person" rule, thousands of ballots were stuffed into the "convenient" drop boxes (p. 12). Around two dozen GOP volunteers functioned as ballot-trackers at several of the over 20 satellite voting centers around Detroit during the weeks leading up to and including Election Day and Nov. 4. They observed countless irregularities, including violating ballot secrecy with transporting of ballots in open, accessible trays, voters being enticed to vote by rewards of food and drink, and people dropping off multiple ballots.

Democrats are notorious for moving the goalposts in their arguments. First, they have claimed there is no election fraud. Then, yes, there is fraud, but not enough to overturn an election! Grassroots Republicans have responded with repeated requests to examine the ballots, voting machines, and registration rolls to settle the issue once and for all using all the tools of forensic analysis. Sorry, they say  it might interfere with democracy! What they really are doing is running out the clock until the 22 months is over (in Sep. 2022) for retention of election-related materials as required by federal law. Much, no doubt, has already been deleted, destroyed, or censored. Clean-up completed! Even as early as Dec. 1, 2020, following the contentious presidential election, Secretary Benson sent a memo to clerks in Michigan counties with orders for them to "delete Electronic Poll Book software and associated files." This was despite the growing demands for post-election audits.

Many grassroots conservative organizations have sprouted up all over the nation in response to the 2020 election. Joe Brandis, president of Michigan Citizens for Election Integrity (MC4EI.com), and Patrice Johnson, president of Pure Integrity for Michigan Elections, among others, are tirelessly working to shine a light on the woeful lack of election integrity and security.

Leftist liberals gush over being "woke." Conservatives should celebrate that the 2020 election was their "wake-up call." It is no longer business as usual for them or "don't worry, next time!" Michigan conservative Republicans understand that the well-being of America is at stake. In the words of Montesquieu, "the tyranny of a prince is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy."

Rebecca Behrends, M.D. is a retired E.D. physician and vice president of research for Michigan Citizens for Election Integrity (MC4EI.com).

Image: Tom Arthur via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
With Russian soldiers hovering along the Ukrainian border for the past two months, the West worries, whats next? Will Vladimir Putin invade? Does he want to take over Ukraine? Or is the Russki strongman simply flexing his muscles to scare NATO into blackballing Ukraine?

Although Putin seems to be in control, he is playing a very dangerous game he cannot afford to lose. If this current crisis does not play out significantly in Russias favor, Moscows super strongman could be in big trouble at the Kremlin.

To understand why Putin is beating his war drums along his Western border, delve deep into the Russian psyche. For them, everything is about Mother Russia and the projection of both national and personal strength. Russia was always given more credence than was justified during the Cold War.

It was the false perception of Russian strength, creating fear in the rest of the world, that produced results for them. As a retired very senior CIA source told me after the Soviet Union collapsed, they were really never more than a Third World country with First World nukes. And with their primitive telephone system and small percentage of military personnel on duty who were sober, they probably would have never been able to launch many of their missiles anyway!

In Russia, perceived personal power is the greatest of all assets and much more important than reality. In the eyes of Russians, perceived power in a leader is seen as 100% total control or a 0% failure. There is no middle ground.

Nikita Khrushchev received significant secret concessions from President Kennedy to remove Soviet missiles from Cuba, but that crisis heralded the end of Khrushchevs time in the big chair at the end of the table. The only thing that surprised Soviet watchers was Khrushchev walking out of the Kremlin as opposed to being carried out in a box due to lead poisoning.

Gorbachev was toast the day he flew home from Reykjavik without concessions from Reagan.

Machismo works well in Moscow. Putin makes no secret of his multiple mistresses, including a beautiful news anchor on Moscow TV and the $100 million Kleptocrat Svetlana Krivonogikh with whom he has an all-but-admitted daughter.

Russians love troikas. Its Putins dream to install a new 3-person statue overlooking Red Square. Lenin  Stalin  Putin. Visualize it: Lenin, closed fisted rallying the Workers of the World. Stalin in uniform defeating Hitler, and a cast-bronze Putin bare-chested on a horse, showing off his six-pack pecs.

Although the West may think Putin is omnipotent in Russia, he must constantly demonstrate greater and greater power internally. Recent public protests in the Moscow streets are a PR disaster for Putin. Bidens green-lighting Putins gas pipeline boosted his creds with party bureaucrats but was not nearly enough to satiate the old-line Communists. Nothing less than effectively rebuilding the former Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact will satisfy them.

Uncle Vladimirs European Socialism Reassembly Plan is nothing new. A few years ago, Russia feared Georgias newly formed links with the West. After Kremlin diplomacy failed, Putin solved the problem at the point of a bayonet. Belarus read the tea leaves and quickly fell in line.

Image: Vladimir Putin, strong man (edited in befunky). YouTube screen grab.

But Ukraine would not cower to Putins demands. After poisoning the Ukrainian president did not work, Russias invasion and seizure of the eastern third of Ukraine produced results. The message was very clear: Do what The Big Guy wants, or we will crush you.

Obama did what the world expected in response to that Russian invasion. He sent blankets and Band-Aids. When Putin started threatening a further full Ukrainian invasion a few years later, Trump sent bullets and bombs. Putin put his next planned power-play on hold as a result.

But now Biden and Company are in charge in Washington (well, sort of) and Putin must flex his muscles again. He has assembled a huge army on the Ukrainian border. The forces are structured for invasion, not defense. For example, his armor and artillery units are all positioned directly on the border. The 120,000 Russian soldiers are ready to invade at a moments notice. If they were in a defensive posture they would be dug in with the artillery and support units positioned to the rear. Not only are the Russian forces ready to surge across the border, but they are also making no attempt to camouflage their positions or hide their intentions. Putin wants Western satellites to photograph the assembled invasion forces.

Why is Putin doing this? Because more than anything else, Ukraines political movements toward the West and desire to align with NATO are seen as signs of Russian weakness in the twisting corridors of the Kremlin. Moscows leaders, no matter who they are, do not survive public perceptions of weakness. Just ask Gorby. Who cares if 10,000 Ukrainians die? That would be a slow day during Stalins pogroms.

But whats the best way for Putin to pump up his power profile? His first choice would be to avoid invading Ukraine. If he can get Biden to guarantee a Russia-friendly Ukraine, it would be seen by the Moscow apparatchiks as a repeat of Neville Chamberlains Peace in Our Time humiliation by Hitler. As a result of the British Prime Ministers surrender at Berchtesgaden, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and conquered 14 million people without firing a shot while Chamberlain enjoyed a series of rather delicious quaint afternoon teas at 10 Downing Street.

There is an interesting parallel between Czechoslovakia in 1938 and Putins invasion of the Crimean portion of Ukraine. Hitler justified the Czechoslovakian annexation because many people there spoke German. Putin claimed Crimea should be his because many citizens in Eastern Ukraine spoke Russian. If Putin needs an excuse to overrun the rest of Ukraine in 2022, most of the rest of Ukraine also speaks Russian.

(Perhaps we could convince Boris Johnson to take back New York City because they speak English, or at least a vague version of it in Da Bronx.)

Putin has only two choices. He must either intimidate his way into everything he wants at the negotiating table or he must unleash the Kraken-ski and invade.

If the bully boy threats work, Putin will be seen as a hero in Moscow and increasingly feared in the rest of Europe. If Putin must invade to get what he wants, he will still be seen as a hero in Moscow and increasingly feared throughout the rest of Europe. Those two benefits are much more important to him than any negative sanctions the world could ever impose. Our response? If Putin does invade, Biden will provide little more than bluster, blankets, and Band-Aids.

The third option, to withdraw without a publicly perceived victory, is simply a nonstarter for Putin.

As a result, there is no possible victory for the West. We missed that chance years ago during the Russian invasions of Georgia and Crimea.

Bottom line: America and Western Europe are weakened because Putin plays hardball while Obama and Biden play Pattycake.

Ed Sherdlu is the pen name of a former CBS television network reporter. He uses a pen name because his mother would be so embarrassed to know that Eds 12-Step Journalism Recovery Program had been a failure.
My sister shies away from the news like a vampire from sunlight. Still, even she knows what's going on, for she said to me today, "Something is very wrong with the American media. They're so busy spinning that they don't even pretend to tell the truth." When she said that to me, she hadn't even seen the AP's ludicrous fact-check of a statement Donald Trump made during his Arizona rally.

Here's what Donald Trump said:

The left is now rationing life-saving therapeutics based on race, discriminating against and denigrating ... White people to determine who lives and who dies. If you're White you don't get the vaccine or if you're White you don't get therapeutics. ... In New York state, if you're White, you have to go to the back of the line to get medical health.

There is a simple fact-check that deserves to be made against Trump here because he did misstate the truth about vaccines when he said, "If you're white, you don't get the vaccine." In fact, vaccines are available to everybody.

The racism attached to vaccines actually flows against minorities in the form of vaccine mandates. It's minorities who are least likely to get vaccines, which means that the vaccine mandates barring people from their jobs or preventing them from access to daily life in their communities hit minorities hardest. That's racism.

I wouldn't expect the AP to make that very pertinent point about the incredible racism against minorities inherent in the vaccine mandates. However, the two journalists it took to write this little fact-check could simply have stated that Trump was wrong and that vaccines are readily available. Instead, they editorialized about Trump being a racist ("The former president seeded racial resentment...") and then went the extra mile.



Image: Internet meme showing the lengths to which the media will go to defend vaccines from the truth.

That extra mile concerns Trump's statement that "If you're White you don't get therapeutics. ... In New York state, if you're White, you have to go to the back of the line to get medical health."

The reality is that Trump's statement is correct. Here's what happened in New York State:

NY State Department of Health warns they don't have enough Paxlovid or Monoclonal Antibody Treatment and white people need not apply. https://t.co/shbMWDomLJ pic.twitter.com/MwBtjv2pDx  Karol Markowicz (@karol) December 31, 2021

White people go to the back of the line. Other jurisdictions decided to do the same, most notably Utah and Minnesota (which walked it back after the outcry). In each case, race was assigned points, sometimes more points than actual comorbidities, in determining who qualifies for therapeutics.

In other words, Trump was "absotively, posilutely" correct. But the AP couldn't give him that. Instead, this is the laughable pretzel that emanated from AP's alleged "fact-checkers," which is irrelevant spin that fails to address core facts:

[T]here is no evidence they [sic] being sent to the "back of the line" for COVID-19 care as a matter of public health policy. [snip] Trump distorted a New York policy that allows for race to be one consideration when dispensing oral antiviral treatments, which are in limited supply. The policy attempts to steer those treatments to people at the most risk of severe disease from the coronavirus. It says that nonwhite race or Hispanic ethnicity "should be considered a risk factor" because long-standing health and social inequities make people of color more likely to get severely ill or die from the virus.

One can understand if health care providers were told to focus on people's symptoms, rather than their race (although it's hard to imagine New York health care workers doing that). However, the policies explicitly say race must be counted alongside health.

In other words, people who are not White get a weighted preference in the allocation of health care. Race matters more than comorbidities. This means that Trump was right and that this part of the "fact-check" is wrong. But hey, it worked to smear Trump, so the narrative is intact, and that's all that really counts.
Last week, Joe Rogan interviewed Dr. Robert Malone, who pushes back against all the conventional left-wing and media (but I repeat myself) narratives about the vaccines and about alternative treatments. The interview was hugely popular, with millions tuning in. Afterward, 270 doctors allegedly were so horrified by the misinformation spouted during that interview that they signed a letter demanding that Spotify pull it. However, when Jordan Schachtel looked at that 270 number, he discovered that only 100 were actual medical doctors. The rest were doctor-adjacent.

The misinformation about 270 doctors started with the tweets such as this one:

Menace to public health: 270 doctors call out Spotify over Joe Rogans podcast https://t.co/DhXJ0OPl10  The Guardian (@guardian) January 14, 2022

Then there was Twitter's choice of a "trending" story, which changed doctors to "medical experts":

I must confess that I found the story boring to begin with. According to Wikipedia, "as of 2018, there were over 985,000 practicing physicians in the United States." Assuming that the numbers have remained more or less the same since then, that means that the 270 "doctors" or "medical experts" (which implies doctors) who wrote that letter constitute less than 0.03% of America's practicing physicians. Color me deeply unimpressed.

Jordan Schachtel discovered, though, that even that number is an exaggeration:

Well, I reviewed this open letter, and it turns out that only around 100 of the 270+ signatories to the letter are people with qualified medical degrees. And a large chunk of that 100 or so medical doctors are MDs employed at universities who are not in fact practitioners of medicine. Yet part of the letter reads: "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 Rogan's podcast." Paradoxically, the disseminators of this petition are guilty of the very misinformation label that they've attached to Rogan. In fact, neither of the two reported co authors of the letter  Jessica Rivera and Ben Rein  possess medical degrees. Rivera holds a master's degree and Rein is a PhD academic who researches psychiatry. The letter denouncing Joe Rogan and pressuring Spotify to censor his speech has all kinds of random signatories. By my count, the letter is signed by over 50 PhD academics, around 60 college professors, 29 nurses, 10 students, 4 medical residents, and even a handful of... science podcasters.

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Image: Healthcare people. Freepik license.

But here's something more significant for you to chew on: there's no doubt that the medical establishment is pro-vaccine and anti-therapeutics. (This story will make your hair curl.) There's a reason for that, and the reason is that America effectively has socialized medicine. And no, it's not Obamacare.

The secret to America's being a single-payer country that dances to the government's tune is contained in this single line of news: "If hospital staff aren't fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, their organization will be deemed noncompliant with Medicare and Medicaid regulations, according to a new rule handed down Thursday by CMS." CMS stands for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In other words, all doctors and hospitals are dependent on Medicare and Medicaid and, if they alienate the government, they lose their money.

That's why health care companies have demanded that employees get useless vaccines and why doctors and hospitals are refusing to give patients alternative therapeutics, even if the patients don't respond to the government-approved approach. Of course, as those 270 medical and medical-adjacent signatories show, a lot of people in medicine are entirely on board with the Democrat party. Younger doctors, especially, are the best little students in undergrad, which means they absorbed the most leftist indoctrination over the years  and many of them went into government work and created those CMS regulations.

All of this means that we're not just pushing back against doctors; we're pushing back against the entire medical economy. It's a big fight, but that doesn't mean we can't win.
Cracks are appearing in the vaccination frenzy that has gripped medical authorities and politicians here and elsewhere. Despite the admission by the CEO of Pfizer that "two doses of the vaccine offer very limited protection, if any," fanatics in and out of medicine, government, and journalism persist in urging draconian measures to eliminate the unvaccinated from society. The propaganda and fear porn blitz has convinced about half of Democrats to want to vitiate the Constitution to persecute vax refusers and even questioners:

But the narrative that vaccinations offer deliverance from the scariest epidemic since the bubonic plague is crumbling before our very eyes, as the far milder omicron variant spreads herd immunity and the officially recognized truth of the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin slowly reaches the public.

An important voice in Britain has spoken out on the absurdity of the vax frenzy. The Epoch Times reports:

It is a "waste of time" to keep vaccinating people against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, the former chairman of Britain's Vaccines Taskforce has said. Dr. Clive Dix, who played a key role in helping pharmaceutical firms create the COVID-19 vaccines, told LBC radio on Jan. 16: "The Omicron variant is a relatively mild virus. And to just keep vaccinating people and thinking of doing it again to protect the population is, in my view, now a waste of time." Dix said the focus now should be on protecting vulnerable people, such as those over 60, 2 percent of whom remain unvaccinated. "We should have a highly-focused approach to get those people vaccinated and anybody else who's vulnerable," he said. Though he supports the ongoing booster campaign, he said he has been "critical" of boosting everybody as he is not convinced "it was needed or is needed" for younger people.



Dr. Clive Dix.

Photo credit: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Note that Dr. Dix is not a critic of the vaccines and expresses no concern for side effects. His point is that there is little benefit and that a rational policy should focus on the most vulnerable, not the bulk of the populace who are (and always have been) at little risk. That is what Sweden recognized at the start of the pandemic, and thereby avoided the huge costs of lockdowns, including the closings of schools that have led to skyrocketing rates of suicide and drug overdoses among young people.

Dix told The Observer newspaper last week that mass vaccination against COVID-19 should come to an end and the UK should focus on managing it as an endemic disease like flu. "We now need to manage disease, not virus spread," he said. "So stopping progression to severe disease in vulnerable groups is the future objective."

Dr. Dix does not mention the use of therapeutics, and he presumably sees vaccinations of the most vulnerable as a way of minimizing the harm of an infection, not preventing it. In essence, this uses the very expensive vaccines as an alternative to the cheap, generic medicines hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. But others in the U.K. see the cost of vaccines as a factor that should halt the drive to vaccinate everyone:

The UK government's medical advisers have already acknowledged that it is "untenable" to jab the population every three or six months. Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, said on Jan. 3 that it is not the government's "long-term view" to give everyone a booster vaccine every few months. Professor Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and chair of the government's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), told The Telegraph that it's "not sustainable or affordable" to "vaccinate the planet every four to six months."

I wish that the crazies who want to punish the unvaxxed would acknowledge the futility, if not the unconstitutionality and immorality, of their position. But now that the facts are coming out and people in high-prestige medical posts are acknowledging the futility of mass vaccinations, perhaps the fever will abate.
Hunter Biden and Paul Pelosi are about the same age. Both of them have almost zero qualifications for any productive business endeavor, but they have endlessly used their parents' powerful position to greatly enrich themselves with high-paying positions at corrupt institutions. Many of these board seats and honorific titles can't exactly be called "jobs."

Yet most of the media have zero interest. Here is what ZeroHedge reports:

What's Going On With Nancy Pelosi's Son?

For starters, Paul Pelosi landed a $180,000 per year job as Senior Vice President at data company InfoUSA  while he was also a full-time loan officer at Countrywide Home Loans in San Mateo and had zero experience in database marketing. According to investigators, between 2001 and 2004, before Pelosi Jr. joined the company, InfoUSA knowingly sold fraudsters the data of millions of Americans  which was then used to scam elderly people out of their life savings. According to a 2007 New York Times report on the investigation, InfoUSA sold a list of 500,000 gamblers over age 55 called 'Oldies but Goodies', which described its members as 'gullible'. InfoUSA also sold lists of people with cancer or Alzheimer's called 'Suffering Seniors', the Times reported. The data company denied their lists had such titles. Iowa investigators found emails showing InfoUSA staff knew the firms they were selling to were being investigated for fraudulently targeting old people, but continued to sell the data regardless, the state's AG said. Daily Mail More on Gupta from Inc.com: How about this for a story? A man leaves India for Omaha with $58 in his pocket. He starts a company in 1972 that reaches peak revenue of $400 million, spends a night in the Lincoln bedroom, puts Bill Clinton on its payroll, sails Bill on his 80-foot yacht with an all-female crew, and flies Hillary Clinton to campaign events on his corporate jet. And hes as happy as a clam  despite getting sued by shareholders, being pushed out as CEO, incurring over $12 million in debts to settle shareholder lawsuits, and using insurance to pay $13 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that he sold his company  netting him $150 million for his 40% stake  at too low a price. The man is Vinod Gupta, former CEO of InfoUSA, a company that built a database that marketers use to sell everything from consumer products to politicians. Gupta got himself into a larger-than-life heap of trouble.

Funny how that sounds like Hunter Biden, with all his international cronies and shady business deals, some apparently on behalf of the Biden crime family.

Nancy Pelosi has great knowledge of why the Capitol was not secured on Jan. 6, 2021, and refuses to turn over documents. Reps. Adam Schiff, Adam Kinzinger, and Liz Cheney also seem to have no interest in Pelosi while they seemingly target anyone who happens to know Trump.

The media also don't give a damn about Pelosi because they are simply campaigning for Democrats and seeking to destroy Trump and the Republicans. They know that Biden and the Democrat policies are extremely unpopular, so they continue to claim that a protest where one unarmed protester was shot by a cop was an armed insurrection.

The truth and corruption haven't mattered to the media for a long time. Only power for Democrats.

Image: Screen shot from video posted by The Jay Martin Show via YouTube.
Shades of the darkest days of the Stalinist Soviet Union, where dissent from the lethal incorrect pseudo-scientific doctrines of Lysenkoism could result in imprisonment in a psychiatric hospital! Julia Marnin reports in the Miami Herald:

A doctor with decades of experience can't practice medicine after her license was temporarily suspended over complaints that she shared coronavirus misinformation, according to a Maine licensing board. The board has ordered her to undergo a neuropsychological evaluation, it said. Dr. Meryl J. Nass, who got a license to practice medicine in Maine in 1997, had her license "immediately" suspended for 30 days after a board investigation and review of complaints against her on Jan. 12, according to a suspension order from the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine. Nass, who's an internist in Ellsworth, must "submit" to an evaluation by a "Board-selected psychologist" on Feb. 1, the board's evaluation order issued Jan. 11 said.

Dr. Nass's purported "misconduct" includes both prescribing hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin and talking and writing about them in public. Via Bizpacreview:

A 25-year Maine doctor has had her license temporarily suspended and been ordered to submit to a psychological evaluation for the alleged offenses of treating her patients with Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin, in addition to sharing so-called "misinformation" about the coronavirus and its associated vaccines. The State of Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine issued the 30-day suspension (minimum) last Tuesday on the grounds that Dr. Meryl J. Nass' medical services would constitute "an immediate jeopardy to the health and physical safety of the public." The order goes into detail about how she prescribed Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine to several patients and once falsely labeled a patient a victim of Lyme disease so that the patient could procure these meds from a pharmacist. "The patient [Patient 2] and I wanted him treated with hydroxychloroquine. I reviewed his dozen or so medications and discussed all potential drug interactions and how to ameliorate them, and we decided to proceed," Naas admitted last month in a written statement to the board.



Dr. Nass (Twitter icon).

Dr. Nass made a terrible choice, however, that may leave her vulnerable:

But the problem was finding a pharmacist willing to dispense the drug. I was eventually forced, when the pharmacist called a few minutes ago and asked me for the diagnosis, to provide misinformation: that I was prescribing the drug for Lyme disease, as this was the only way to get a potentially life-saving drug for my patient.

While saving lives is an understandable motivation, lying about the basis of a prescription  even of a drug with an excellent safety record  is a violation of norms and possibly laws. But that detail does not seem to be the motivation behind the medical board's actions.

In an order separate from the suspension order, the board also demanded that she "submit to a neuropsychological evaluation by a Board-selected psychologist on February 1, 2022." It's presumed she must pass the evaluation to recover her license. "The information received by the Board demonstrates that Dr. Nass is or may be unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to her patients by reason of mental illness, alcohol intemperance, excessive use of drugs, narcotics, or as a result of a mental or physical condition interfering with the competent practice of medicine," the second order reads. The "information" includes a complaint filed by someone on Oct. 26th that Nass "was engaging in the public dissemination of 'misinformation regarding the SARS CoV2 pandemic and the official public health response' ... via a video interview and on her website." In the video, she reportedly criticized the federal government's mask/vaccine mandates, called out the government's refusal to acknowledge natural immunity, drew attention to the licensing dilemma surrounding the Pfizer vaccine, etc.

It is the public confrontation by Dr. Nass that seems to be the motive behind forcing a psychological evaluation.

The "information" also includes another complaint filed on Nov. 7th about the alleged "misinformation" she was sharing on Twitter. This "misinformation" included "a link to an interview with Dr. [Joseph] Mercola," an osteopathic physician who's been labeled a "conspiracy theorist" by the establishment over his unorthodox views on treating COVID. It also included her "stating that a patient informed consent form for hydroxychloroquine used at a hospital was a form 'designed to scare patients from using a safe drug that works well for COVID by making false claims," and that "humans beings, we're guinea pigs for these [the COVID] vaccines."

Should tweets like these send a physician for mental examination?

And in May neither Fauci nor Walensky could tell Senator Burr how many of their employees were vaccinated during a Senate hearing.



The employees do know something. https://t.co/2Hn1nB9HlF  MERYL NASS, MD (@NassMeryl) January 6, 2022

They were all given the same marching orders and all complied. They are desperate. The people know they lie. Between the oligarchs and the people, where can these puppets run? https://t.co/0s3QPOcbj0  MERYL NASS, MD (@NassMeryl) January 6, 2022

Kinda sorta. All those measures were already a sick joke, a useless mix of virtue signalers and means to the WEF's Great Reset, especially that passport.



Omicron, like Trump, pulled back the curtain.



They are trying to regain the narrative. Don't let them. https://t.co/hPuZv5oHw6  MERYL NASS, MD (@NassMeryl) January 6, 2022

This smacks of suppression of dissent over a scientific and medical issue that is far from settled.

Dr. Nass has not yet indicated if she will submit to psychiatric evaluation. Stay tuned.
We remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today.

On Saturday morning, I watched students from local schools celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The parade was long, and the message was right. These young people are the grandchildren of Dr. King's generation, and the march would have made him proud.

As I observed the young people walk by, I couldn't help but think of what the late Dr. King would say about the state of African Americans today. Dr. King was killed half a century ago, and so much has changed, some good and some bad.

I recalled watching a documentary about one of the biggest moments of the 20th century or the March on Washington, plus the wonderful "I have a dream" speech.

The best part was Reverend King's words:

I have a dream ... that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

It was a great message, but where are we now?

We've made a lot of progress, from electing a black man to the White House, a black woman to the vice presidency, and many more examples. Do you think Reverend King would have believed that in 1968?

We've also made progress in education and business. Just look around.

Overall, lots of progress, but there are many serious problems in the inner cities, from crime to the breakdown of the family to lousy public schools and a Democrat party choking those communities.

The other big problem is that the civil rights leadership is no longer about correcting past mistakes, but rather about exploiting grievances or calling everybody a racist. In other words, these so-called civil rights leaders of today, such as the Rev. Al Sharpton, keep themselves relevant by banging the drums of racism. Even President Biden couldn't control himself last week in Atlanta, comparing his opponents to George Wallace, Bull Connor, and Jefferson Davis.

Meanwhile, the black Democrats running most of our inner cities are not addressing the needs of their citizens, from crime to lousy public schools. Again, just look around and see Baltimore, Chicago, and others every weekend, and so on.

What would Dr. King say today? We will never know, but it's hard to think that he'd be happy with what we are watching. I think that he would tell the Democrats to go back and listen to what he said in the "I have a dream" speech.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: Circe Denyer via Public Domain Pictures, CC0 public domain. Image filtered with FotoSketcher.
Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Sometimes, it's worth a million or more views.

This brings us to the pictures rolling out from Los Angeles of the wholesale theft of Union Pacific's railroad containers, leaving thousands of broken packages strewn around tracks in photos redolent of places like Calcutta, India.

Keep hearing of train burglaries in LA on the scanner so went to #LincolnHeights to see it all. And theres looted packages as far as the eye can see. Amazon packages, @UPS boxes, unused Covid tests, fishing lures, epi pens. Cargo containers left busted open on trains. @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/JvNF4UVy2K  John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) January 13, 2022

That's wokesterism in action. What it's not is all the idiotic things the press has been trying to blame for it, and I'm looking at you, Los Angeles Times.

Union Pacific is ready to throw in the towel on Los Angeles because these thefts are out of control  something like one out of six containers now gets broken into  and very few thieves are ever prosecuted.

Wokesterism is the problem. What's the proof? Well, the word of Union Pacific in its plea to far-left Los Angeles district attorney George Gascon is at least a clue.

Letter from @UnionPacific to @LADAOffice on rise in train robberies. 90 containers breached a day, theft up 356% says UP. UP considering rerouting its trains out of LA county. UP asks DA to be harder on theives. Says theyre back out on the tracks a day after released. @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/SRNFYkPtiq  Kristine Lazar (@CBSLAKristine) January 14, 2022

That pretty well lays it out. But don't imagine that the press has caught on. The Los Angeles Times, whose headquarters is walking distance from the track mess, meaning it missed the big story that CBS got that was literally right in front of its reporters' eyes for weeks now, has gone on to claim that the problem is vague e-commerce and geography, with a dollop of blaming the victim. They carefully didn't mention that the district attorney doesn't prosecute looters.

Here's the nut graf of their execrable reportage, if you can call it that:

Thieves are pilfering railroad cars in a crime that harks back to the days of horseback-riding bandits, but is fueled by a host of modern realities, including the rise of e-commerce and Southern California's role as a hub for the movement of goods.

So we didn't have e-commerce, and Southern California was never a hub of trade (memo to LAT: Look at the diagonal street grids of the area and Google why they were built that way) until the last year or two when this shambles started happening?

This wouldn't pass a sixth-grade term paper as far as logic goes. And like the packages on the nearby tracks, the answer is right in front of their faces.

Los Angeles has a wokester district attorney who refuses to prosecute crimes. That's what's happening, but like the track shambles itself, they didn't notice. And it's a really big story now, making national headlines, given that most Americans had no idea that their country had gone this far down into becoming a third-world hellhole.

The practical problems are obvious, too. Rail shipments are a linchpin of the supply chain, and these thefts are not only keeping store shelves empty but are also raising prices, as the cost of theft is always passed on to the consumer.

The Times might have gotten a clue from Union Pacific, which wrote this letter to Gascon about the mass lootings of their freight trains:

Last month, Union Pacific sent L.A. D.A. George Gascon a letter about the mass looting of their trains & expressed frustration with Gascons soft on crime policies. 100+ arrests, most suspects released within 24 hours on zero bail. UP now considering avoiding LA County. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/9UDRuHLvtd  Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) January 15, 2022

The land-based pirates, operating in rings, break into the boxcars and shipping containers because they have no fear of prosecution. Store shelves go empty, COVID test kits get strewn on the tracks and out of pharmacies, and missing package claims are filed to the tune of billions with the postal service and retailers. It's a wholesale merger of the supply chain crisis and the Soros crime crisis right there in Los Angeles. And man, it's ugly.

They could have had that story, but they had a "narrative," so their story got flabby. Then they blamed the victim.

Union Pacific is charged with guarding the rail areas and has just private security guards to keep the thieves away. Cops don't enforce that area. The Los Angeles Times couched all of the complaints coming from Union Pacific about the extent of theft as something the company "claimed" to start  suggesting that maybe the company was exaggerating or lying. The LAT then goes one worse, blaming Union Pacific for the mess by claiming itself that the railroad doesn't hire enough security guards:

Union Pacific is deploying more drones, has brought in extra security and enlisted the Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to combat the thefts, Guerrero said. But Union Pacific is partly to blame for not deploying more security, said Los Angeles Police Capt. German Hurtado, who works in the Hollenbeck Division. "We have millions of dollars of items and equipment, but it is unpoliced," Hurtado said. "There are even sometimes weapons on these trains. Everything goes by train, you learn."

The rail line didn't need large numbers of guards in the past, nor do they need brigades of guards when they pull into other stations in other cities...but that little issue escaped the LAT.

Next, the Times got out the gaslights, claiming that the crime isn't happening at all and it's all in our heads:

Though Los Angeles has seen a significant increase in homicides over the last two years, property crimes like the rail thefts are a different story. According to LAPD data through Nov. 27, property crime was up 2.6% over the same period last year but is down 6.6% from 2019.

That stat is literally irrelevant. It doesn't describe what's happening at the Union Pacific depot. It also barely notes that crimes are being not reported. When the Union Pacific guards pick up a looter, the far-left district attorney of Los Angeles doesn't bother to prosecute. Why go through the bother of reporting a crime if the district attorney is just going to fail to prosecute? The Times included a crummy statement that should have been a "claim" from the D.A.'s office that the crimes they don't prosecute simply don't have enough evidence. That's the Chesa Boudin line up in San Francisco, too. It's like they read from the same talking points.

Win-win for the looter. Win-win for the Soros left. Not surprisingly, the shambles that have followed very likely led to the train derailment in Los Angeles just the other day. That much crap on the tracks has to eventually contain something hard enough or massive enough to damage tracks or derail by itself a slow-moving freight train getting into or out of the station, so the shambles are getting harder to defend.

Wokesterism is causing these problems, and the minute Los Angeles gets a district attorney willing to prosecute crimes to protect America's supply chain, the thieves will be gone  and in the best scenario, locked up. The press bid to cover up for the pirates and looters and explain away the shambles makes one wonder who these people are working for. Wokesterism, and only wokesterism, is behind this lunacy.

Correction: Thefts are from containers, not boxcars.

Image: John Schreiber, Twitter video screen shot.
JAKARTA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo has chosen Nusantara, or archipelago in English, as the name of the new national capital to be built on the country's Kalimantan island, a senior government official said Monday.

"I just received a direct confirmation from the president on Friday and he said the new capital is named Nusantara," the country's National Development Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa said during a meeting with the special committee for the new capital city's establishment at the House of Representatives in Central Jakarta.

The minister explained the reason for selecting Nusantara was because the name has been well known since a long time ago.

"It is iconic internationally, easy and it describes the archipelago of the Republic of Indonesia," Monoarfa said, adding, "And I think we all agree with the name Nusantara."

The plan to relocate the capital from the country's most populated island of Java was first announced by the government in April 2019.

Months later, Widodo announced two districts in East Kalimantan province, which are North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara, to be the site of the new capital city.

With an area of about 127,000 square km, East Kalimantan is home to more than 3.7 million people.

The ground-breaking of the multibillion U.S. dollars construction project was initially expected to be conducted in August 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the government to put it on hold.

The new capital will serve as the center of government, while Jakarta the current capital city which is home to more than 10 million people, would remain the business and economic center of Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest economy. 
Virginia's new governor Glenn Youngkin, lieutenant governor Winsome Sears, and attorney general Jason Miyares are moving fast on their first days in office. Governor Youngkin issued eleven executive orders just after taking office at noon Saturday, including an end to the mask mandate in Virginia schools.

The order "delivers on his Day One promise to empower Virginia parents in their children's education and upbringing by allowing parents to make decisions on whether their child wears a mask in school," Youngkin's office said in a news release. Youngkin has also issued an order to "investigate wrong-doing in Loudoun County," presumably referring to a series of high-profile criminal cases involving students and staff.

On his first day, Virginia attorney general Jason Miyares has eliminated the Office of Civil Rights. Miyares also announced he will prosecute criminal cases in jurisdictions in which Soros district attorneys decline to prosecute, and he has already opened investigations into Loudoun County Public Schools.

The school issue gained national attention last year following the arrest of a 14-year-old Loudoun County high school student charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a schoolmate in a bathroom. That case sparked outrage among parents after the teen was moved to a new school and charged in a second sexual assault case  while wearing an ankle monitor. The teen was recently sentenced in juvenile court. The victim in the case is the daughter of a man arrested for disorderly conduct at a school board meeting earlier in the year when he tried to raise his daughter's plight and was summarily silenced.

Another executive order, and the first on Youngkin's list, is a promise to end the "use of divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory, in public education," according to his office's press release. CRT has become a hot-button political issue and a battle cry for Republicans, but local and state school officials in Virginia have insisted that the theory is not being taught in public schools. If that's the case, their anger about the order is mystifying, to say the least.



Image: Glenn Younkin, Winsome Sears, Jason Miyares, all from Glenn Youngkin's Flickr stream; Virginia State Capitol by Martin Kraft. CC BY-SA 3.0.

Virginia lt. gov.elect Winsome Sears, the first non-white woman to be elected statewide in Virginia, insisted that Critical Race Theory doesn't need to be instituted in the state's public schools because it's already "woven" into the curriculum. "I beg to differ that CRT is not taught" in Virginia public schools, she said. "In 2015, former [Democratic] Gov. [Terry] McAuliffe, his state board of education had information on how to teach it, so it's weaved in."

Youngkin's other Day One executive orders include:

 A promise to restore integrity and confidence in the Parole Board of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

 A promise to make government work for Virginians by creating the Commonwealth Chief Transformation Officer.

 A promise to declare Virginia open for business.

 A promise to combat and prevent human trafficking and provide support to survivors.

 A promise to establish a commission to combat antisemitism.

 A promise to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Youngkin also issued two executive directives, including a plan "to jumpstart our economy by cutting job-killing regulations by 25 percent" and a directive to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all state employees.

Although Trump had nothing to do with this election, it's apparent that Trumpism has infused courage into previously lackluster Republicans.
In "Israel must choose: Withdraw from the occupied territories or grant Palestinians under its control full rights" (1/6/22), Mairav Zonszein, an Israeli-American journalist and analyst for the Crisis Group, attempts to lecture Israel on its obligations to the people who wish to destroy it.

What irony! Israel is lambasted for considering unilateral steps and, in this article, is lambasted for the opposite!

The Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank are not "occupied." In the Oslo Accords, the parties agreed to divide control over those territories until they could decide their legal status through further negotiations. It would therefore be more accurate to say the lands are "disputed."

Further, Zonszein omitted that the Palestinians have been offered states numerous times and have walked away from the negotiation table without making counteroffers. President Bill Clinton and ambassador and longtime negotiator Dennis Ross confirmed this.

The Palestinians' chief sticking point in negotiations is to flood Israel with enough of its citizens to destroy it. What part of "wanting their own state" does flooding the neighbor state define?

Zonszein has it backward. The real choice needs to be made by the Palestinian people. Their leadership clearly likes the status quo  they have been able to steal billions from the world community and the Palestinian people for whom aid is meant. Do Palestinians want a state of their own now, or do they want to hold out until they feel they can destroy Israel? That is up to them to answer, for the conflict to conclude.

Image: Washington Post.
In her delightful January 9 post about both Congress's and some Supreme Court justices' embarrassing behavior, Clarice Feldman questioned the general public's familiarity with American civics. With the reader's indulgence, I would like to tag on to that point with a little Civics 101.

The best starting point for understanding American Civics is the Crisis of July 5, 1776. You've never heard of that? Okay, let me explain.

On July 3, 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which declared that the thirteen erstwhile colonies "are and of right ought to be free and independent states ... absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown." It was published on July 4, 1776. And then, on July 5, 1776, the thirteen new states faced a legal crisis.

What was the crisis? The crisis was what henceforth would be the controlling law to be applied in the new nation's courts to resolve disputes. On July 2, the colonists still viewed themselves as Englishmen governed by the common law of England. But on July 5, they were no longer English colonies, but were, instead, sovereign states. So what law would control civil disputes?

Within a few months, all thirteen colonies answered the question, and they all gave the same answer. For each colony, their law would be...the Common Law of England! And that remains the case today: the law of every one of the 50 U.S. states  except Louisiana  is the common law of England, as revised from time to time by state and federal constitutions or statute, and as augmented by decisions rendered by judges across America.

None of this contradicts the Constitution's declaration that it is the "supreme law of the land." Yes, the Constitution is the supreme law  meaning that, in the event of a conflict between the Constitution and other law, the Constitution prevails. But the reality is that the Constitution affects very, very, very few legal disputes, whereas almost all regularly occurring disputes can be resolved under the common law. Thus, the Constitution is the supreme law, but the common law is the fundamental law.



Image: John Trumbull's 1818 "Declaration of Independence." Public Domain.

The denouement of the thirteen original states' July 5 crisis is revealing. Why, during a desperate war, would the colonies adopt their enemy's legal system? The answer is simple and straightforward: maintaining that legal system was the very purpose of the revolution! The colonists understood that "no taxation without representation," along with the rights of "life, liberty & property," and "consent of the governed" were all common law doctrines applicable to all Englishmen  but Parliament was denying the colonists those rights.

As George Washington remarked, "[t]he sword was our last resort for the preservation of our liberties." The whole point of the revolution was not to gain liberty but to keep it. The colonies already had liberty under the common law.

And here lies what we educators call "the teachable moment." A revolution and a rebellion are not the same thing. A revolution is a radical change of the locus of power. A rebellion is a rejection of law. Hence, the British were the rebels! The British sought to deprive the Americans of their benefits under the common law. The colonists were forced to change the locus of political power to retain for themselves the benefits of the common law. The American Revolution was thus a conservative revolution.

In addition to all the above, one of the principles of the common law was and is the doctrine of reciprocity, which provides simply that the duties of the government's protection of the citizens and the citizens' allegiance to the government are reciprocal. Thomas Jefferson described it as "a certain position in law that allegiance and protection are reciprocal, the one ceasing when the other is withdrawn."

This common law doctrine of reciprocity was the colonists' justification for the revolution. In terms of a principled stand against the Democrat attack on constitutional and legal norms, has it any application to the events of our time?
Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. occupies the Oval Office solely because he is not Donald Trump. He has no qualities to recommend him as POTUS beyond that. Arguably, it was the support of NeverTrumps that provided his margin of victory in the scandal-ridden 2020 election. Now that his presidency is collapsing due to his complete ineptitude, those NeverTrumps owe us an explanation for their support of this disaster.

Former Reagan speechwriter and prominent NeverTrump Peggy Noonan indicated that she had broken with President Biden over his voting rights speech in Georgia, June 11, in her January 15 Wall Street Journal column. It would not, I think, be unfair to conclude that with this speech, President Biden has lost Peggy Noonan, who wrote, among other things: "The speech itself was aggressive, intemperate, not only offensive, but meant to offend." Clearly, the speech was intended to provoke former president Trump, with its invidious references to him  references, however, that Ms. Noonan happened to overlook.

To have a sense of where Peggy Noonan stands on the issue of Donald J. Trump, two of her many columns on or about Mr. Trump shed some light, I think, on her problem with Trump Derangement Syndrome. There are, as examples, her column extolling the courage of Rep. Liz Cheney, seeing her as facing down her GOP colleague/cowards  and her July 2021 column attacking President Trump for being "weak and sniveling."

Early in this demagogic speech, Biden stated, "The violent mob of January 6th, 2021 empowered and encouraged by a defeated former president, sought to win through violence what he had lost at the ballot box, to impose the will of the mob, to overturn a free and fair election, and, for the first time  the first time in America's history, they  to stop the peaceful transfer of power." By omitting this vicious calumny, Ms. Noonan did not have to denounce it for the lie it is.

Or consider this lie, not cited by Ms. Noonan: "The goal of the former president and his allies is to disenfranchise anyone who votes against him. ... That's the kind of power you see in totalitarian states, not in democracies." It should be no surprise that Biden, in the course of his extreme remarks urged mail-in voting and drop ballot boxes for Georgia voters, while accusing George Republicans of placing obstacles in the way of free and honest elections.

Biden also included an anecdote about a civil rights worker in Mississippi who was taken off a bus, arrested, jailed, brutally beaten, and visited by friends the next day. He could only whisper the word "freedom." What did Biden intend by that anecdote  to say Georgia Republicans will treat Democrat voters this way in coming elections?

Interestingly, Ms. Noonan cited the remarks of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell rebuking Biden, in the Senate, January 12. McConnell (another Trump-loather) was quoted by the columnist, in part, as saying: "Mr. Biden's speech 'was profoundly unpresidential,' 'deliberately divisive,' and 'designed to pull our country farther apart.'"

Another McConnell quote, courtesy of Ms. Noonan, "In less than a year, restoring the soul of America has become: Agree with me or you're a bigot."

Where has Mitch McConnell  and Peggy Noonan  been since June 2015, when Donald J. Trump announced his presidency? Have they not heard the calumnies directed at Mr. Trump from the likes of the Bidens: vote for him and you're a racist, a bigot, an anti-Semite, a misogynist, and whatever other group they left can think of for purposes of assailing Mr. Trump? And didn't McConnell denounce President Trump for January 6 in terms not unlike the convenient lies of the Trump-loathers?

There was, of course, one great omission in Noonan's column, and also in McConnell's reply to Biden: an apology to Donald J. Trump for falling for the false and vicious leftist denunciations intended to tar and feather the true, patriotic nature of the former president.

Noonan concluded her column with a long paragraph that merits attention in its own terms, and for ironic instruction:

When national Democrats talk to the country, they always seem to be talking to themselves. They are of the left, as is their constituency, which wins the popular vote in presidential elections; the mainstream media is of the left; the academics, historians and professions they consult are of the left. They get in the habit of talking to themselves, in their language, in a single, looped conversation. They have no idea how they sound to the non-left, so they have no idea when they're damaging themselves. But this week in Georgia Mr. Biden damaged himself. And strengthened, and may even have taken a step in unifying, the non-Democrats who are among their countrymen, and who are in fact the majority of them.

The irony is obvious. Who joins Democrats in Beltway talk if not the media and the Republican Senate leadership? As for Biden's speech, it could have been delivered by an AOC, a Bernie Sanders, a Hillary Clinton  or a Barack Obama. That the words were delivered by Biden should not be a surprise. The only difference is that some years back, he was forced to leave the presidential race because of plagiarism. As president, he just reads the words of others put in a teleprompter for purpose of trying to fool the people.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
According to the head of Xbox Phil Spencer, it isnt all that surprising to hear Sony is planning to come out with a PlayStation competitor to Game Pass. Speaking to IGN of the rumored service, Spencer says that when he hears other companies are doing things like Game Pass, he thinks its the right answer.

Spencer also calls the whole thing an inevitability. And really thats not too far off the mark. The success of Xbox Game Pass is known far and wide by a large portion of the gaming community. Both by gamers and people in the industry that create games.

That includes Sony, who has been routinely killing it when it comes to console hardware sales. But theres no denying the success and value that Game Pass offers, while Sonys own PlayStation NOW has been less liked by the masses. So it was only a matter of time before Sony came out with its own version of Xboxs offering.

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Xboxs Phil Spencer says a PlayStation Game Pass was always going to happen

Spencer doesnt name a PlayStation rival to Game Pass directly, but it seems like he does infer it. Stating that he feels the industry was always going to go this way. Which means that eventually, Sony was always likely going to offer something like Game Pass.

Even if Microsoft did do things first, Spencer doesnt look at Sony moving in the same direction as validation. Instead, he sees this movement of games being available across screens as an industry inevitability.

Xbox has a head start, but it will it stay ahead?

Nothing about Sonys service has been confirmed thus far. But the rumor is that Sony will be doing away with the PlayStation Now brand, and rolling its offerings into a service codenamed Spartacus. PlayStation Plus is also said to be a part of this new service bundle.

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There were also be tiered packages. With options for PS4 and PS5 games, as well as PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games. All for a single monthly fee. If the details are accurate, then PlayStation owners may be in for a value that really does rival what Xbox offers.

The service is rumored to be coming out sometime in 2022.
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(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 14 - Italy's COVID-19 incidence rose again in the week of January 7-13, rising to 1,988 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants, up from 1,699 the previous week, according to the weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the Higher Health Institute (ISS) and the health ministry.

It said the nation's Rt transmission number was 1.56 in the December 22-January 4 period, up from 1.43 in last week's report.

An Rt over 1 indicates the epidemic is expanding.

It said the proportion of Italian intensive-care places occupied by COVID-19 sufferers had risen from 15.4% to 17.5%.

The report said the proportion of ordinary hospital beds taken up by coronavirus patients had climbed from 21.6% to 27.1%.

Italy looks set to become a medium-COVID-risk orange zone rather than moderate risk yellow on the basis of the number of coronavirus hospital admissions.

Calabria and Piedmont may be bumped up to orange on Monday and 10 other regions are at risk of being reclassified.

Val d'Aosta will become orange on Monday and Campania yellow, Health Minister Roberto Speranza decided.

The ISS said the growth of the COVID-19 contagion curve had been "very significant" in the last 14 days. (ANSA).


Vietnams UN peacekeeping officer dies on duty

The Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations will hold a memorial service on January 19 for Lieutenant Colonel Do Anh, who laid down his life while performing UN peacekeeping mission.













Lt. Col. Do Anh passed away at 6am on January 6, 2022 (local time) at the field hospital No. 3 in Nakasero, Kampala, Uganda. (Photo: VNA)

The department said on January 17 that the memorial service will take place at the National Funeral Hall, No.5 Tran Thanh Tong street, Hanoi. He will be laid to rest in the Nhon martyrs' cemetery in the capital city's Bac Tu Liem district on the same day.



Do Anh, born in 1983 in the northern province of Nam Dinh and residing in Bac Tu Liem district, Hanoi, was sent to the Central African Republic to work as a military observer in 2021.



Do Anh passed away at 6am on January 6, 2022 (local time) at the field hospital No. 3 in Nakasero, Kampala, Uganda.



On January 8, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) coordinated with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence to hold an online memorial service for Lt. Col. Do Anh.



Later, on January 15, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations held a ceremony to receive his remains from the UN side.



With his dedication to the revolutionary cause of the Party, people and army and the UN peacekeeping mission, the Prime Minister signed Decision No.41/QD-TTg recognising Do Anh as a martyr and awarding him with a certificate of national merit service.



The Ministry of National Defence also posthumously promoted Do Anh from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel.
BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday that China and the Philippines should maintain their friendship, remove disruptions, deepen cooperation, and jointly open up a better future for bilateral relations.

Wang made the remarks when addressing the Manila Forum for China-Philippines Relations via video.

Facts have proved that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's strategic decision to improve relations with China is in line with the fundamental interests of the Philippine people. It is also in line with the common interests of China and the Philippines and the trend of peaceful regional development, Wang said.

Noting the friendly exchanges between the two countries have lasted for more than 1,000 years, Wang said China is willing to continue to guarantee Philippine COVID-19 vaccine needs. China will also cooperate on specific drugs and public health capacity-building until the virus is defeated.

China is willing to continue to open the door to more Philippine agricultural products and improve investment to help the Philippines accelerate its industrialization and modernization process and enhance its independent development capabilities, Wang said.

On the South China Sea issue, Wang said China is prepared to promote joint development without affecting each other's respective rights and claims. China is also willing to turn challenges into opportunities, help the development of the Philippines, and strengthen the friendship between the two peoples.

Wang called on both sides to maintain the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation framework and deepen the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership. 
(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, JANUARY 17 - Three people, two Indians citizens and a Pakistani, were killed on Monday in air raids carried out by Yemeni Houthi insurgents in the United Arab Emirates, said Saudi pan Arab television al Arabiya, quoting police sources in Abu Dhabi, where the attacks were carried out.



The wounded are six but the toll could worsen in the coming hours, the report said.



The Yemeni Houthi insurgents confirmed carrying out the attacks with drones against oil installations in the United Arab Emirates in the region of the capital Abu Dhabi. The website of the Lebanese Hezbollah, who are also close to Iran and collaborate with Houthis in Yemen, quoted the Yemeni general Yahiya Saria, a commander of Houthi forces, who said the attacks carried out on Abu Dhabi "show the ability" of insurgents to strike "the enemy in-depth".



"It was a high-quality operation", said a statement attributed to general Saria. (ANSAmed) (ANSAMed).


Lebanon: government denies agreement with Israel for gas

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, JANUARY 17 - The Lebanese government has denied over the past few hours reports published by Israeli media claiming that the Jewish State and Beirut reached a secret agreement for the provision to Lebanon of Israeli gas, media in Beirut reported on Monday morning.



The two countries are formally at war since their birth as independent States more than 70 years ago and the Lebanese government is dominated by the pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah, openly hostile to any form of normalization of relations with the Jewish State.



Through the United States the two countries however have been for over a year in direct talks for the delimitation of maritime borders, a theme connected to the exploitation of energy resources off the Lebanese and Israeli coasts.



The allegation of the secret agreement between Israel and Lebanon, a country enduring the worst economic crisis in decades, was denied on Sunday night by the energy ministry of Beirut after Israeli media reported the news. According to the reports, the current US negotiator between Lebanon and Israel, Amos Hochstein, helped the parts find an agreement.



The accord reportedly provided for gas extracted off Israeli coasts near the border with Lebanon to be transferred to Beirut through Jordan and Syria. (ANSAmed) (ANSAMed).




Syria: ISIS threatens aid workers in Hol camp, media After murder of young doctor in ambush

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, JANUARY 17 - Syrian and pan Arab media on Monday highlighted a warning issued over the past few hours by the Kurdish-Syrian Red Crescent over the growing risk affecting humanitarian operators in the refugee camp of al-Hol, in northeastern Syria, where for over two years Kurdish authorities have kept tens of thousands of Syrians and Iraqis who fled areas formerly controlled by ISIS.



In the Hol camp on Wednesday a young doctor of the Kurdish-Syrian Red Crescent was killed in an ambush by alleged members of ISIS.



Jihadist militants are accused by many sides of being behind a series of killings against civilians, mainly women - Syrian and Iraqi - held at the camp since 2019.



The al-Hol camp has been repeatedly described as a stronghold of ISIS, formally declared defeated in the spring of 2019. Over 50,000 people, mainly Syrian and Iraqi nationals, reside in al-Hol.



Many of these people are women related to ISIS militants killed in battle or imprisoned.



Kurdish-Syrian authorities, dominated by the anti-Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), are supported by the United States and manage militarily and politically northeastern Syria, including refugee camps for civilians like al-Hol and prisons where about 20,000 suspected ISIS members are held. (ANSAmed)
Iran sends diplomats to Jeddah, sign of detente They represent Tehran at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, JANUARY 17 - Iranian diplomats have been dispatched to Saudi Arabia, at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in a significant step forward in the process of normalization of relations between the rival countries that halted diplomatic relations five years ago.



The news came on the day of renewed tensions in the Gulf after air raids were carried out by pro-Iranian Yemeni insurgents in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia's allies.



Iranian and Saudi media said the three diplomats were dispatched to the Saudi port of Jeddah, on the Red Sea, after obtaining the expected entry visa from Saudi authorities in the past weeks.



From Tehran, the foreign ministry confirmed the circumstance, affirming that the presence in Jeddah of the three diplomats "can be a good prelude for the two sides to send delegations to visit their embassies".



Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are part of the OIC. But the two regional rivals interrupted diplomatic relations after tensions registered in 2016. Riyadh also supports Houthi insurgents in Yemen, backed by Iran.



Over the past few months Iranian and Saudi representatives met four times in Baghdad for political-diplomatic talks mediated by the Iraqi government with the support of the United States. (ANSAmed)
(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, JANUARY 17 - The Lebanese government has denied over the past few hours reports published by Israeli media claiming that the Jewish State and Beirut reached a secret agreement for the provision to Lebanon of Israeli gas, media in Beirut reported on Monday morning.



The two countries are formally at war since their birth as independent States more than 70 years ago and the Lebanese government is dominated by the pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah, openly hostile to any form of normalization of relations with the Jewish State.



Through the United States the two countries however have been for over a year in direct talks for the delimitation of maritime borders, a theme connected to the exploitation of energy resources off the Lebanese and Israeli coasts.



The allegation of the secret agreement between Israel and Lebanon, a country enduring the worst economic crisis in decades, was denied on Sunday night by the energy ministry of Beirut after Israeli media reported the news. According to the reports, the current US negotiator between Lebanon and Israel, Amos Hochstein, helped the parts find an agreement.



The accord reportedly provided for gas extracted off Israeli coasts near the border with Lebanon to be transferred to Beirut through Jordan and Syria. (ANSAmed) (ANSAMed).


Serbia: 59.71% approve referendum on reform of judiciary EU approves vote that strengthens adhesion process

(ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, JANUARY 17 - In Serbia the reform of the judiciary at the center of a referendum on Sunday was approved by 59.71% of voters against 39.26%, the electoral commission said, after 98.79% of ballots were counted. The results, it highlighted, are not final yet, although variations are expected to be small.



The turnout was 30.65% of those who have a right to vote, just over 6.5 million- The president of the electoral commission Vladimir Dimitroevic said he had not heard reports of significant irregularities in the electoral process, as denounced last night by members of the opposition. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic last night spoke about a clear success of the referendum, stressing the importance of constitutional amendments approved by citizens, aimed at giving full autonomy to the judiciary, subtracting it from political influence, and boosting the democratization process and the rule of law in the Balkan country involved in adhesion talks with the European Union.



The European Union welcomed the "referendum on the constitutional reform held in Serbia. The results strengthen the independence of the judiciary and this boosts the entry process of Belgrade in the Union, given that the independence of the judicial power is one of the milestones of European law. A series of laws now have to be changed to put into practice the constitutional changes and we are now ready to work with Serbia", said a spokesperson of the European Commission during a daily briefing with the press, expressing dismay over how the vote went in Kosovo: "All Serbians of Kosovo should have been allowed to vote in the constitutional referendum through the ballot collection process managed by OSCE. The fact that it didn't happen is unpleasant". "We now expect the sides, Belgrade and Pristina, to start a dialogue and to allow Serbians to participate in future elections: we are ready to facilitate his process and to use all tools that we have to reach this objective", the spokesperson added. (ANSAmed)
Turkey: philanthropist Kavala remains in jail New hearing scheduled on February 21

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, JANUARY 17 - Judges of the 13th section of the criminal court in Istanbul have ruled that Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala must remain in prison, said Turkish journalists attending the hearing. The human rights activist has been detained since 2017.



The next hearing of the trial against Kavala was scheduled on February 21. Kavala faces espionage charges as part of an investigation into an attempted coup in Turkey in 2016.



In two days a deadline given by the Council of Europe requiring Ankara to provide an explanation on the case of the Turkish philanthropist will expire. The European Court of Human Rights demanded the release of the Turkish philanthropist in December 2019. After over two years, Turkey has still not implemented the court's sentence and for this reason last month the Council of Europe notified to Ankara the intention of opening an infraction procedure against it and is awaiting an explanation concerning the fact that Turkish authorities have still not released Kavala.



"It would be serious for Turkey if the Council of Europe imposed sanctions, it would be shameful for Turkey to be punished by a Council of which it is a founding member. I would not be happy about the sanctions, they should not take the situation this far", Kavala told a lawmaker from the main opposition party Chp Ozgur Ozel who visited him yesterday in the prison of Silivri where he has been detained for over four years. (ANSAmed) (ANSA).




A woman unable to contact her parents after a volcano erupted near Tonga has called it one of the toughest moments of her life.

Siniva Filise, 42, who lives in Barry, Wales, has been struggling to contact her father Fakahau Valu, 73, and her mother Lioneti Valu, 66, since Saturday morning.

The mother-of-three received word that her parents are safe and well through a former colleague on the island but has not been able to speak to them directly.

Siniva Filise with her mother Lioneti Valu. (Siniva Filise/PA)

An undersea volcano erupted near the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday, sending large tsunami waves crashing across the shore and islanders rushing to higher ground.

The eruption has prevented international communications to the island, leaving friends and family members around the world anxiously trying to get in touch with loved ones.

Ms Filise told the PA news agency: I woke up on Saturday morning and saw the what was happening in Tonga on social media. I tried to call my mum but I couldnt get through.

It would have been the middle of the night (in Tonga) and I was just thinking about my parents in the dark, just the two of them It was the worst feeling ever.

After failing to contact them, Ms Filise said she decided to chance it and messaged a former colleague on Facebook who is a member of the armed forces in Tonga assisting on the emergency response.

She said: International calls still cant get through but the Armed Forces have satellite connectivity.

I begged her to try and give them a call and I cried last night when she messaged me and said she had managed to speak to them and they were both fine.

Thats the only the message Ive had but it gives me a glimmer of hope, even though I havent been able to speak to them directly.

Fakahau Valu and Lioneti Valu. (Siniva Filise/PA)

Ms Filise grew up on the mainland of Tonga with her five siblings and has remained close with her family despite moving to the UK 16 years ago.

The Tonga people are very family orientated people and even though me and my siblings are overseas, my mum will call us every morning before we go to work, she said.

We are so close and were so used to having my mum call us that when something like (the volcanic eruption) happens I just feel helpless.

Tonga is still Covid-free but obviously they will have to open the borders to let international aid in, so thats one thing to worry about on top of trying to recover from the volcano eruption and the tsunami.

What I do know is that the people of Tonga are very resilient.
COPENHAGEN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Rasmus Prehn, the Danish Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, will miss Monday's EU Council meeting in Brussels after testing positive for the coronavirus.

"Positive results for corona and self-isolation. I received the result of my PCR test last night. Only with a very small number of symptoms... A slight ache in the head, neck, and ears, for example. I hope it does not get any worse. "Hooray for the third vaccination," Prehn tweeted Monday.

According to Prehn's Facebook post, "skilled employees will speak on behalf of Denmark at the EU Council meeting in place of me."

Prior to the weekend, another member of government, Culture Minister Ane Halsboe-Jrgensen, tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing her to miss the planned reopening of cultural life since Jan. 16.

Earlier in December, 2021, Denmark's Health Minister Magnus Heunicke had tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of an EU council meeting in Brussels.

The Folketing, or the Danish Parliament, has decided not to renew a number of expiring restrictions. This meant that Sunday saw the reopening of areas of cultural life that had been closed since mid-December.

The reopening included museums, art galleries, cinemas, venues, theaters, high schools and evening schools.

In the past two weeks, positive corona infections in Denmark have increased significantly, averaging more than 20,000 cases a day.

The Statens Serum Institut (SSI) on Monday recorded 28,780 new cases of COVID-19 infections, the highest daily number since the beginning of the pandemic, and 11 new deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the national totals to 1,159,986 cases and 3,505 deaths.

Additionally, the SSI reports that 80.1 percent of the population, or 4,705,637 people, are fully vaccinated, while 3,348,903 people, or 57 percent, received re-vaccination or the booster jab. 
Peers are being urged to back an amendment to a controversial bill that campaigners say could prohibit large-scale demonstrations from taking place in Westminster.

The House of Lords on Monday will consider the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which has sparked Kill the Bill protests across the country.

Campaigners have argued that, without changes, the right to peaceful protest could be curbed by the legislation.

They are pushing for the upper chamber to back an amendment drafted by former Conservative attorney general Dominic Grieve, which they say would enshrine demonstrators rights.

The amendment was tabled by crossbench peer Lord Colville and campaigners say it is backed by opposition parties as well as Conservative peers.

Separately, a number of high-profile business figures have spoken out about the bill, with Dragons Den TV star Deborah Meaden, along with 200 firms such as The Body Shop, Ben & Jerrys, Patagonia, and Innocent Drinks, calling for anti-protest provisions in the draft legislation to be rejected.

Ms Meaden said the bill was bad for business and weakens the fundamentals of a strong democracy.

She added: Giving voice to those who challenge and disrupt the status quo is an essential part of business.

It creates a culture of innovation and leads to better ways of doing things. The same applies in society.

Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden has voiced concern about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Yolanthe Fawehinmi/PA)

Best for Britain, an anti-Brexit turned internationalist campaign group, said that, as the bill stands, it would have prevented some of the largest demonstrations in British history, including the Countryside Alliance march, the protest against the Iraq war, the marches for a second referendum on European Union membership, and the Brexit day of celebration.

The groups concerns related to clause 59  intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance.

The change invoked in the clause would see the common law offence of public nuisance replaced with a new statutory offence, targeting the tactics used by the likes of Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion, where protesters have glued themselves to road surfaces and blocked bridges and newspaper pressing plants.

But critics say the wording is too broad and could prevent peaceful protest from taking place.

The 133B amendment would ensure that legal avenues continue to be available for people to apply to hold peaceful demonstrations, Best for Britain said.

Former attorney general Dominic Grieve (Jacob King/PA)

Former cabinet minister Mr Grieve said: Whatever our political differences, it is important that we are all allowed to air them freely and fairly.

By changing this one part of the bill, we can hope to retain this vital method of holding power to account.

Protests are meant to make an impact  and that is something this Government does not seem to want to allow.

Lord Colville said: The Police Bill as it stands will ban protests of over 5,000 people taking place in Parliament Square.

My amendment will protect the right for protests to continue to take place in Parliament Square.

It will protect our most basic freedom, the right for the people of the UK to be heard by those who exercise power in their name.
A man who brutally raped a teenager more than 30 years ago has been jailed for nine years.

Armed with a large sharpened stick, Paul Shakespeare, now 66, snatched his 18-year-old victim from a footpath as she walked her dog and dragged her into bushes before attacking her.

The daylight rape in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire left the teenager so traumatised she has never told her family what happened to her on the afternoon of Sunday April 29 1990.

Paul Shakespeare has been jailed for nine years for the stranger rape of a teenager in 1990 (Gloucestershire Police/PA)

After raping the girl, Shakespeare threatened to find her and kill her if she told anyone, Gloucester Crown Court heard.

Shakespeare was only brought to justice after he was arrested in Cumbria last year and his DNA matched the profile of the rapist.

Virginia Cornwall, prosecuting, told the court the attack took place in broad daylight near to a childrens play area on the Honeybourne line, a former railway line area popular with walkers and cyclists.

She said Shakespeare had been seen prior to the attack staring at women near to the play area.

This was a premeditated stranger rape when a weapon was used to gain the victims submission, she said.

The defendant had noticed the teenager alone and he had selected her for what was a premeditated assault.

She recalls the stick above his head as he spoke to her, Dont say anything, be quick or Ill kill you.

She became frightened and obeyed because she was scared.

After raping her he asked where she lived and where she worked and it seems she told him through fear.

Before running off he told her, I know where you live and where you work and Ill come and find you. If you tell anyone Ill kill you.

The sharpened stick used by Paul Shakespeare to threaten the victim (Gloucestershire Police/PA)

After Shakespeare fled, the teenager approached a woman and told her she had been raped and the police were informed.

An investigation was launched and despite local and national press coverage, Shakespeare was not caught.

In 2008 the victim took part in a Crimewatch reconstruction but the defendant still evaded justice.

In June last year Shakespeare was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and his DNA later matched samples taken from the rape.

Shakespeare initially denied the attack and said he had consensual sex with the teenager.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the victim, who is now in her 40s, said the rape had a profound effect on her causing her to try and take her own life.

I couldnt tell my family because of the shame I felt, I felt embarrassed, violated and dirty.

To this day my mum is not aware of what happened to me, she said.

Being raped will haunt me for the rest of my life.

On that day I was the most scared I have ever been.

I didnt know whether I would live or die  I was petrified.

I am grateful he has finally admitted what he has done.

I can only hope that he is remorseful, not only to me, but to his family for the pain he has caused for knowing that he is now a rapist.

Paul Shakespeare had driven a nail through the stick (Gloucestershire Police/PA)

At a previous hearing, Shakespeare, of Scaleby Close, Upperby, Carlisle pleaded guilty to rape and possession of an offensive weapon.

Kim Whittlestone, defending, said Shakespeare was in poor health suffering from epilepsy and was now using a wheelchair.

There are family members who were unaware of his offending 30 years ago. He has been married for 20 years. His wife works in the NHS as a nurse, and he has three adult children, she said.

All have to come to terms with what occurred, and he feels remorse and shame for that.

Jailing Shakespeare for nine years, Judge Michael Cullum said: I am so relieved this day has finally come for your victim.

For 30 years she has been denied justice and living daily with the nightmare you inflicted upon her.

That nightmare does not end with sentence.

She knew this day would come and her remarkable faith in criminal justice has been borne out.

At least she and all women will be safe from you for a considerable period of time.

The judge condemned Shakespeare for initially claiming the rape was consensual.

It was a wicked lie and it was the ultimate in victim blaming, he said.

This was not consensual, and this was nothing like consensual and as a result of your actions your victim tried to end her life.

That day you went out to rape and you did rape.

Although you did know, and your family didnt, you are a rapist.

Shakespeare was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Simone Bowley said: That young woman was immensely courageous, and her bravery since then has not wavered.

She has had to wait for more than 30 years to hear Shakespeare admit his abhorrent crimes and watch him get jailed.

I am pleased for her that this day has come and I truly hope she can now get the closure which she has deserved for all of these years.

Retired Detective Sergeant Mike Wilson, who led the initial investigation in 1990, said: Ive been involved in lots of investigations during my 31 years in the police service, but this horrendous crime always stayed in the back of my mind and never went away.

Being told that there was finally a DNA match more than 30 years later was great news.
Scotland and the UK can become a leader in floating offshore wind farms, the boss of one of the biggest renewable energy producers in the UK has said.

ScottishPower chief executive Keith Anderson hailed the development of two new ground-breaking wind farms.

Instead of being attached to the seabed, they will float on the surface of the water  something that opens up many more square miles of sea to development.

The company was awarded the rights to develop the two floating wind farms, the first of their kind in the world, in a new round of awards from Crown Estate Scotland.

Contracts worth close to 700 million were awarded to 17 projects, of which ScottishPower is developing three.

Other companies with contracts include Shell, SSE and BP.

What Scotland has done literally overnight is that it has made industrialisation and commercialisation of floating offshore wind a reality, Mr Anderson told the PA news agency.

So what has up until now been largely a prototype and R&D (research and development) exercise, the announcements today make it a reality.

The UK has become one of the global leaders in offshore wind in recent decades, and now is taking the lead on floating turbines, the chief executive said.

We now lead offshore floating wind. No one else is looking to do anything like this, so we become the world leader in the development of the technology, he said.

What that in turn means is that every company that wants to have a future in floating offshore wind  you need to get your backside to Scotland and start investing and getting involved in these projects.

He said that the price of building floating wind turbines will rapidly be brought down, outpacing the massive cost reductions that regular offshore wind has shown in recent decades.

What we need to do with floating now is to put all of our efforts and focus on massively driving down the cost of mass manufacture of floating foundations.

If weve only got that one area to focus on, we can really pour all of the innovation into that one area and we can drive the cost down really quickly.
Unilever has said that its future lies in health, beauty and hygiene businesses after its 50 billion bid for GSKs consumer unit was revealed over the weekend.

The business said that it wants to move towards these areas, which bring much higher rates of sustainable market growth.

Unilever said that it could seize on significant opportunities to drive growth through investment and innovation, and by leveraging Unilevers strong presence in emerging markets.

The bid for GSKs consumer arm would be one of the largest takeover deals in UK history.

Unilever is already the third largest company on Londons FTSE 100 index, worth around 100 billion.

Unilever has said that its future lies in health, beauty and hygiene businesses (PA)

Any such deal  so far Unilever has been rebuffed by GSK  would see it merge with one of the largest units of the FTSEs fifth biggest company.

GSK has been saying for months that it plans to part ways with its consumer unit. The business is a joint venture with US drug giant Pfizer, but the management thinks it will do better as a standalone business.

After months of speculation, managers decided that the best option was to spin the unit off as an independent listed company  easily big enough to be on the FTSE 100 in its own right.

However, Unilevers approach opens a new door for the unit which produces Panadol among others.

It is a door that some GSK investors might be pleased to see opened  the companys share price on Monday certainly indicated this.

Some activist investors have been calling for chief executive Emma Walmsley to explore a potential sale as an alternative to the spin-off.

The deals 50 billion valuation was first reported by the Sunday Times this weekend.

The reporting caused Unilever to bring forward a strategic update which it had planned to release later this month.

A review has concluded that Unilevers future strategic direction lies in materially expanding its presence in health, beauty and hygiene, it said.

Unilever added: The board also concluded that major acquisitions should be accompanied by the accelerated divestment of intrinsically lower growth brands and businesses.

This would provide funding and enable separation dis-synergies to be offset by acquisition synergies.

(GSKs) consumer health is a highly complementary category for Unilever, with good potential for synergies and a number of routes to build scale.

It said that 45% of the units business comes from oral care and vitamins, minerals and supplements, categories in which Unilever already has presence and substantial capabilities.

It would also allow Unilever to grow in the US, China and India, some of the worlds most important markets.

Shortly after trading opened in London on Monday shares in Unilever had dropped 6%, while those in GSK rose 5%.
Two teenagers have been arrested in Manchester after a British man flew to the US, bought a weapon and held people hostage in a 10-hour stand-off at a synagogue.

Malik Faisal Akram, originally from Blackburn in Lancashire, was shot dead when the FBI entered the building in Texas on Saturday night.

US President Joe Biden branded the incident an act of terror and UK police are working with authorities in America on the investigation.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced that officers from Counter Terror Policing North West had made two arrests in south Manchester on Sunday evening.

#UPDATE | Counter Terrorism Policing North West update following the events in Texas: pic.twitter.com/Q3o08bc8Js  Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) January 16, 2022

They said the teenagers, whose ages and genders they did not immediately confirm, remain in custody for questioning.

GMP said police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance.

The four hostages held at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas were unharmed.

Akrams family said they were absolutely devastated by what had happened and do not condone any of his actions, according to a statement which had been shared on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page.

The statement, attributed to Akrams brother Gulbar who said he had been involved in negotiating from the UK with his sibling during the ordeal, added that the hostage-taker was suffering from mental health issues.

US officials believe Akram had a visa, arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York around two weeks ago and bought a handgun used in the incident.

In an update to reporters on Sunday, Mr Biden said while he did not have all the details it was believed Akram had got the weapons on the street, adding: He purchased them when he landed.

He said there were no bombs that we know of, and that Akram is thought to have spent the first night in a homeless shelter.

Condemning what had happened, the statement from Akrams family said: We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident.

Akram is said to have demanded the release of Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US army officers in Afghanistan, and is in prison in Texas.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, FBI special agent in charge Matt DeSarno said they believed the man was singularly focused on one issue and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community, and added they will continue to work to find motive.

My thoughts are with the Jewish community and all those affected by the appalling act in Texas. We condemn this act of terrorism and anti-semitism. We stand with US in defending the rights and freedoms of our citizens against those who spread hate.    https://t.co/36Eb8lRQTV  Liz Truss (@trussliz) January 16, 2022

Confirming that the hostage-taker had died, he said there would be an independent investigation of the shooting incident.

He said the FBI had been in contact with their legal attache offices in London and Israel for an investigation with global reach.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemned the act of terrorism and anti-semitism, while the British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce said UK authorities are providing full support to Texas and US law enforcement agencies.
A Holocaust survivor who spent four months at Auschwitz has celebrated becoming a great-grandmother for the 35th time.

Lily Ebert, 98, was liberated by American soldiers in April 1945 when she was 20 and, some 77 years later, says babies are the best revenge against the Nazis.

For anybody to achieve this  to be a great-grandmother  is something special, but how much more for me as a Holocaust survivor it is very special, Ms Ebert, who grew up in Hungary, told the PA news agency after her youngest grandchild welcomed a newborn earlier in January.

My 98 year old great grandmother Lily Ebert, an Auschwitz survivor, has just become a great-grandma for the 35th time! I never expected to survive Auschwitz and start a family. Babies are the best revenge against the Nazis. ( Me and Lily in 2003) pic.twitter.com/HSSUzFl8dM  Dov Forman (@DovForman) January 16, 2022

I never thought I would achieve this. I had to survive first of all and then to achieve this age (the Nazis) wanted to kill us and we showed (them) that they could not.

After being freed, Ms Ebert spent a year in Switzerland before moving to Palestine-occupied Israel in 1946.

She migrated to the UK in 1967 with her husband, Samuel, and began a life of educating the world about the horrors of the Holocaust.

She is now based in North London, where she is a mother of three, grandmother of 10, and great-grandmother of 35.

Shes dedicated her whole life to educating others about the Holocaust, one of her great-grandsons explained.

Ms Ebert recently celebrated her 98th birthday (@DovForman)

She would go to different schools, workplaces, organisations, with other survivors  and she would share her testimony, Dov Forman said.

She also was a founding member of the Holocaust Survivor Centre in the UK.

Ms Ebert promised herself she would tell her story.

I have not heard the story  I was there. I am a witness, she said.

I promised myself: as long as I am here, I will tell my story for the future generations.

Mr Forman, 18, praised his great-grandmother in a tweet which has accrued more than 120,000 likes.

My 98 year old great grandmother Lily Ebert, an Auschwitz survivor, has just become a great-grandma for the 35th time, he wrote.

The A-level student is used to media attention  his TikTok account for Ms Ebert and her stories has a following of more than 1.6 million.

He has even co-authored a book with Ms Ebert titled Lilys Promise, which tells of the life she has built for herself.

Today my incredible great grandma Lily Ebert, a Holocaust survivor, turns 98!! I never expected to survive Auschwitz. Now, at 98, I celebrate surrounded by my family  the Nazis did not win! To the thousands of people who sent birthday cards & messages to Lily, THANK YOU  pic.twitter.com/TT7PQ6ikrv  Dov Forman (@DovForman) December 29, 2021

Were just trying to tell her story to as many people as possible, both on social media and via our book, Mr Forman said.

I could sit here for a whole day and explain to you how much Ive learned from her she really is the queen of the family.

Were just an incredibly tight family and Lily sits at the top of that, and she just inspires us every day.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. midterm elections are some 10 months away, but President Biden's administration and allies already foresee a possible scenario in which Republicans take the House of Representatives, the Senate, or both, and launch a series of investigations and attempts to impeach the president.

Lawmakers, congressional staffers and strategists predict a slew of investigations targeting the Biden administration, particularly if Republicans loyal to former President Donald Trump gain important committee seats in Congress.

Those seeking to pursue investigations include House Republicans Matt Gaetz, who pledged in a podcast to target the Department of Justice until "sphincters tighten," Bob Gibbs, who has been pushing to impeach Biden since September over the Afghanistan pullout, and James Comer, a hopeful to become head of the House Oversight Committee.

Comer's targets include the president's son Hunter Biden, the administration's handling of supply chain issues and vaccine mandates, and its removal of Trump military academy appointees, his office said.

The White House has already taken small steps that will help shield the administration from aggressive probes.

It hired a special advisor, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, to oversee implementation of the $1 trillion infrastructure law, which Republicans would likely scrutinize in search of fraud.

The White House also bolstered the legal counsel's office with a longtime Democratic communications official to help with fallout from the chaotic U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan last year.

Biden's transition team after his 2020 election win formed the White House counsel's office in anticipation of Republicans winning the Senate and pursuing investigations, one team member said.

The January 2021 runoff elections in Georgia left control of the body to Democrats instead but the counsel's office still has that legal firepower.

"We had every reason to believe that it was going to be a Republican Senate," said Andy Wright, director of legal policy for the transition team. "That was built in to the original planning."

President Biden delivers remarks on "how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will rebuild America's bridges," in the South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington, on Jan. 14. (Reuters)

That planning included having Jonathan Su, who has experience handling investigations in the Obama White House years, serve as Biden's deputy counsel.

The Biden White House may hire new researchers, lawyers and communications officials to focus on the probes, strategists said.

Ben LaBolt, a former Obama spokesman, said the Clinton and Obama White Houses assembled teams of roughly the same size and expertise as congressional committees pursuing investigations.

You need to have a parallel structure at the White House that's capable of anticipating those attacks, responding to those attacks, he said.

Biden plans to travel to states with key political races this year, an adviser said, and the White House hopes Democrats will maintain majorities in Congress on the back of its COVID-19 vaccination rollout and legislative achievements.

The Democratic National Committee is expected to spend heavily in contested races in states such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that will also be important in 2024.

If the Republicans do win in November, they are "going to run the same play they did in 2011 but it will be even more unhinged and less credible," said Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama who was brought in as a spokesman in the Obama White House to deal with investigations then.

"Theyll subpoena everything under the sun," said Richard Painter, former associate counsel under Republican President George W. Bush.

Among the issues, Republicans could look into the Justice Department's investigation of the deadly Jan. 6 riot on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters and thwart the congressional investigation into the attack if it is still ongoing.

We are going to go after this administrative state, and we are going to start at the Department of Justice and the FBI, Gaetz said, referring to Jan 6.

Outlays from the COVID-19-related $1.9 trillion "American Rescue Plan" and the infrastructure law, both unpopular with Republicans despite some bipartisan support for the latter, also would likely be scrutinized.

"Theres no doubt Republican lawmakers are going to pour over documents and all this spending will see unprecedented scrutiny, said Amy Koch, a Republican strategist in Minnesota who helps state and federal candidates get elected.

Some Republicans have already signaled an appetite for impeaching Biden, with a group of four led by Gibbs filing articles of impeachment over immigration on the U.S. border with Mexico and for the way U.S. troops were removed from Afghanistan.

'There will be a lot of pressure on Kevin McCarthy'

Gibbs is joined by House Republicans Andy Biggs, Brian Babin and Randy Weber. Separately Marjorie Taylor Greene, a pro-Trump firebrand, filed articles of impeachment the day after Biden was sworn into office.

"There will be a lot of pressure on Kevin McCarthy, if hes speaker, to pursue impeachment of Biden from day one. He may not have much of a choice if he wants to retain the title, a Republican congressional staffer with ties to leadership said.

McCarthy is in line to succeed Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if Republicans take over control of the chamber.

During the 2020 election, Biden's son, Hunter, became a target of Trump and Republicans, who alleged wrong-doing when he served on the board of a Ukraine energy company. A Ukraine review found no evidence.

There will be a lot of this Hunter stuff, and a lot of it is going to be unfair to Biden, and a lot of it is going to be personal, Painter predicted.

House Democrats twice impeached Trump, once over Ukraine and again for his actions ahead of the Jan. 6 riot, but he was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate both times.
WASHINGTON (AP)  By some counts, President Joe Biden can lay claim to a banner first year in office. But numbers also reveal plenty of setbacks.

Most in the United States got their COVID-19 vaccines, but other countries fared better. Economic growth surged; so did inflation. America exited Afghanistan, but the war ended with a chaotic evacuation and a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops. Pandemic aid and infrastructure bills passed. Pricey legislation to advance Biden's social and climate proposals shrunk and then stalled.

Some notable numbers from Biden's first year:

63.5% vaccination rate. Most Americans got jabbed. Countries with higher vaccination rates: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

3.9% jobless rate. The low unemployment rate is a big highlight of Biden's first year. He inherited a coronavirus-thrashed economy with unemployment at 6.4%. Employers added 6.4 million jobs last year as unemployment dropped well below the 4.6% that the Congressional Budget Office had anticipated in July for the end of 2021.

7% inflation. In running the economy hot, Biden got burned as inflation reached a nearly 40-year high. Higher prices led to disapproval of Biden's economic leadership. Gasoline and groceries cost more, and some notable economists said higher prices were a sign that Biden's relief package was too large.

$1 trillion. The cost of Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law, which includes $550 billion in new spending. To get an agreement, Biden pulled back from the $2.3 trillion he initially proposed. He separately proposed $1.8 trillion for a package of social and climate initiatives, but that was modified and unable to clear the Senate. So Biden got about one-quarter of the $4 trillion in spending he proposed.

13 deaths. The number of U.S. troops who died in a suicide bombing at the gate of Kabul's airport during the U.S. evacuation of more than 124,000 people from Afghanistan. At least 169 Afghans were killed, with the evacuations leaving scores of Americans and tens of thousands of Afghan allies behind. More than 2,460 U.S. service members died in Afghanistan over the course of the two-decade war.

1.78 million border crossings in the Southwest. Migrants began streaming across the U.S.-Mexico border once Biden became president. There were 1.78 million encounters with border agents during his first 10 full months, a four-fold increase compared with President Donald Trump's last 10 months in office.

20 natural disasters. There were 20 extreme weather and climate disasters that each caused damages in excess of $1 billion and killed a combined 688 people. These included a drought, two floods, 11 severe storms, four tropical cyclones, a wildfire and a winter storm. Adjusted for inflation, the U.S. has averaged 7.4 disasters annually since 1980 that caused $1 billion or more in losses.

President Biden vistied 24 states in his first year in office. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

24 states. Biden visited nearly half of America's 50 states during his first year. Excluding stops at his homes in Delaware, top destinations were Pennsylvania (seven times) and Michigan (five times). Both were key states in his 2020 election victory. Jill Biden went to 35 states.

41 federal judges. Biden had 41 judges confirmed to the bench during his first year in office, more than any of his recent predecessors at the same time in their presidencies. Of those, 80% are women, and 53% are people of color, according to the White House.

103 days. It took an average of 103 days for Biden nominees requiring Senate confirmation to be confirmed. Thats longer than the average for nominees in the first years of the previous six administrations and nearly three times longer than during Ronald Reagans first year in office, according to an analysis by the Partnership for Public Services Center for Presidential Transition.

9 news conferences. There will be a 10th on Wednesday. Biden has been remarkably press shy. He held nine news conferences (six solo and three joint) and 22 media interviews during his first year. Thats fewer news conferences than any of his five immediate predecessors at the same point in their presidencies, and fewer media interviews than any of his recent predecessors.

32 not a joke" references. It's one of Biden's favorite speech lines. Among the things he said were not a joke: Civil rights icons, labor unions that built the middle class, air pollution from Delaware chemical plants, climate change as a national security risk, California voters, Biden's disregard of polls on his economic agenda.
In this photo provided by the New Zealand Defense Force, an Orion aircraft is prepared at a base in Auckland, New Zealand, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, before flying to assist the Tonga government after the eruption of an undersea volcano. (NZDF via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  New Zealand and Australia were able to send military surveillance flights to Tonga on Monday to assess the damage a huge undersea volcanic eruption left in the Pacific island nation.

A towering ash cloud since Saturday's eruption had prevented earlier flights. New Zealand hopes to send essential supplies, including much-needed drinking water, on a military transport plane Tuesday.

U.N. humanitarian officials and Tongas government report significant infrastructural damage around Tongatapu, the main island in the archipelago, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

There has been no contact from the Haapai Group of islands, and we are particularly concerned about two small low-lying islands  Mango and Fonoi  following surveillance flights confirming substantial property damage, Dujarric said.

A British woman who was missing has been found dead, her family said, in the first reported fatality on Tonga.

The brother of Angela Glover, who ran an animal rescue center, said the 50-year-old died after being swept away by a wave.

Nick Eleini said his sisters body had been found and that her husband survived.

I understand that this terrible accident came about as they tried to rescue their dogs, Eleini told Sky News.

He said it had been his sisters life dream to live in the South Pacific and she loved her life there.

The U.N.'s Dujarric said two people were reported missing. It isn't clear whether one of them was Angela Glover.

Communications with Tonga remained extremely limited. The company that owns the single underwater fiber-optic cable that connects the island nation to the rest of the world said it likely was severed in the eruption and repairs could take weeks.

The loss of the cable leaves most Tongans unable to use the internet or make phone calls abroad. Those that have managed to get messages out described their country as looking like a moonscape as they began cleaning up from the tsunami waves and volcanic ash fall.

The U.N. World Food Program is exploring how to bring in relief supplies and more staff and has received a request to restore communication lines in Tonga, Dujarric said.

Tsunami waves of about 80 centimeters (2.7 feet) crashed into Tonga's shoreline, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described damage to boats and shops on Tonga's shoreline. The waves crossed the Pacific, drowning two people in Peru and causing minor damage from New Zealand to Santa Cruz, California.

Scientists said they didnt think the eruption would have a significant impact on the Earths climate.

Huge volcanic eruptions can sometimes cause temporary global cooling as sulfur dioxide is pumped into the stratosphere. But in the case of the Tonga eruption, initial satellite measurements indicated the amount of sulfur dioxide released would only have a tiny effect of perhaps 0.01 Celsius (0.02 Fahrenheit) global average cooling, said Alan Robock, a professor at Rutgers University.

Satellite images showed the spectacular undersea eruption Saturday evening, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a giant mushroom above the South Pacific waters.

A sonic boom could be heard as far away as Alaska and sent pressure shockwaves around the planet twice, altering atmospheric pressure that may have briefly helped clear out the fog in Seattle, according to the National Weather Service. Large waves were detected as far away as the Caribbean due to pressure changes generated by the eruption.

Samiuela Fonua, who chairs the board at Tonga Cable Ltd. which owns the single cable that connects Tonga to the outside world via Fiji, said the cable appeared to have been severed about 10 to 15 minutes after the eruption. He said the cable lies atop and within coral reef, which can be sharp.

Fonua said a ship would need to pull up the cable to assess the damage and then crews would need to fix it. A single break might take a week to repair, he said, while multiple breaks could take up to three weeks. He added that it was unclear yet when it would be safe for a ship to venture near the undersea volcano to undertake the work.

A second undersea cable that connects the islands within Tonga also appeared to have been severed, Fonua said. However, a local phone network was working, allowing Tongans to call each other. But he said the lingering ash cloud was continuing to make even satellite phone calls abroad difficult.

He said Tonga, home to 105,000 people, had been in discussions with New Zealand about getting a second international fiber-optic cable to ensure a more robust network but the nation's isolated location made any long-term solution difficult.

The cable also broke three years ago, possibly due to a ship dragging an anchor. At first Tongans had no access to the internet but then some limited access was restored using satellites until the cable was repaired.

Ardern said the capital, Nuku'alofa, was covered in a thick film of volcanic dust, contaminating water supplies and making fresh water a vital need.

Aid agencies said thick ash and smoke had prompted authorities to ask people to wear masks and drink bottled water.

In a video posted on Facebook, Nightingale Filihia was sheltering at her family's home from a rain of volcanic ash and tiny pieces of rock that turned the sky pitch black.

Its really bad. They told us to stay indoors and cover our doors and windows because its dangerous, she said. I felt sorry for the people. Everyone just froze when the explosion happened. We rushed home. Outside the house, people were seen carrying umbrellas for protection.

One complicating factor to any international aid effort is that Tonga has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks of COVID-19. Ardern said New Zealand's military staff were all fully vaccinated and willing to follow any protocols established by Tonga.

Dave Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, said it was very unusual for a volcanic eruption to affect an entire ocean basin, and the spectacle was both humbling and scary.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the eruption caused the equivalent of a magnitude 5.8 earthquake. Scientists said tsunamis generated by volcanoes rather than earthquakes are relatively rare.

Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau, who chairs the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, said she hoped the relatively low level of the tsunami waves would have allowed most people to get to safety, although she worried about those living on islands closest to the volcano.

We are praying that the damage is just to infrastructure and people were able to get to higher land, she said.

The explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai volcano, about 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of Nukualofa, was the latest in a series of dramatic eruptions. In late 2014 and early 2015, eruptions created a small new island and disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

Earth imaging company Planet Labs PBC had watched the island in recent days after a new volcanic vent began erupting in late December. Satellite images showed how drastically the volcano had shaped the area, creating a growing island off Tonga.

___

Associated Press journalists Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Maryland, and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
Talk show host Michael Jackson worked in radio and television in the U.S. for more than 50 years. He is seen here in 2009 with a plaque commemorating his 1984 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Jackson, the onetime dean of Los Angeles talk radio whose voice graced Southern California airwaves for more than half a century, died Saturday. He was 87.

Jackson, who had Parkinsons disease, died peacefully at home surrounded by his three children, a family spokesperson said.

Jackson was best known for his collegial and non-combative style as he interviewed presidents, celebrities, authors and ordinary Angelenos, most notably during his reign at the top of local ratings while at KABC-AM from 1966 to 1998.

His unmistakable British accent was heard by millions of listeners across several continents, with his lengthy list of accolades including a place in the Radio Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and even an honor from the queen of England.

The world knew and adored our Michael Jackson. But Michaels home was California, Los Angeles, America. For that we are grateful, former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, who was a frequent guest on Jackson's show, said in a statement provided by Jackson's family.

Jackson's friendly demeanor and desire for balance in his on-air discussions of news and events stood in stark contrast to the brash partisan talk radio hosts who rose in popularity in the early 1990s. Jackson was reassigned in 1997 at KABC because of low ratings against conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh before resigning a year later.

Despite that, Jackson said he refused to sacrifice his signature civility for a bump in ratings.

"I think sometimes Ive been overly polite to guests, showing them greater deference, but Im not going to become less polite," Jackson told The Times in 1992. "Rudeness is such an easy excuse for not doing your homework.

Born in England in 1934, Jackson occasionally shared with his loyal listeners the fear he felt as a child when Germany launched air attacks against the United Kingdom during World War II in what would be known as the Blitz bombings. At the time, his father served as a Royal Air Force navigator trainer, and Jackson's fear was compounded by worries about his father's safety.

Amid the uncertainty, Jackson said he would huddle with classmates in the dining room of the boarding school he attended to listen to the radio.

"The headmaster would call for silence, and we would listen to the BBC news," Jackson told The Time in 2014. "Then he would announce the [former students] who had been killed or wounded in battle. We little kids didnt really understand."

Following the war, Jackson's family moved to South Africa, where he began his career at 16 years old as a disc jockey by lying about his age, claiming to be 22.

Jackson's family left South Africa in 1958, arriving in the United States, where he soon began working as a DJ in San Francisco. Jackson moved to Los Angeles to work at KHJ-AM and then news station KNX-AM, before landing at KABC, where he would remain for 32 years, wearing a coat and tie every day to the studio.

After leaving KABC, Jackson worked at various stations until retiring at the age of 73.

It was a testament to Michael, that so many of the guests and celebrities preferred to actually come in the studio, rather than do phoners, said Lyle Gregory, who worked as Jacksons show producer for 30 years and is a close family friend. With his British accent and boyhood charm, Michael made people comfortable, they opened up. That was his gift. Michael molded an interview into conversation, news and information."

Gregory said there has been an outpouring of condolences since news of Jackson's passing, including from former President Clinton, who was among the presidents the radio host had interviewed on his show.

"Michael Jackson was both an essential voice for Los Angeles and a huge influence on me as a host," said Larry Mantle, host of KPCC's "AirTalk." "Hes the one who made me want to host a talk show. Michael had a remarkable skill set that combined wide-ranging knowledge, deep curiosity, empathy for the listener, and a quick wit."

Mantle said growing up in Los Angeles it was well known that Jackson's show was where "the conversation was happening," adding that the host himself became influential because so many prominent Angelenos listened to Michael.

"He clearly understood that appreciating ones listeners goes hand-in-hand with serving them," Mantle said. "Michaels enthusiasm for L.A. and care about our region came through whether talking with elected officials, actors, businesspeople, or loyal listeners."

Jackson was preceded in death by his wife, Alana Ladd. He is survived by his children Alan Jackson, Alisa Magno and Devon Jackson, their respective spouses, Heidi, Tom and Sarah, and his grandchildren Taylor, Emily, Adeline, Amelia and Hugo.

In a statement, Jackson's children said they hoped people would honor their father by "being polite and good to one another," an attribute that the radio host most cherished. For those wishing to pay tribute to Jackson, the family asked that donations be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research in Memory of Talk Radio Broadcaster Michael Robin Jackson.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LJUBLJANA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- From Wednesday, Slovenia will relax the rules on mandatory self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case of COVID-19, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said on Monday. The government's aim is to keep the country's overburdened hospitals functioning, he said.

Healthcare, social and educational workers who have been in contact with an infected person will no longer have to spend seven days in isolation but will instead have to take a COVID-19 test every day for seven consecutive days after the risky contact and wear an FFP2 mask at work, Poklukar told a news conference.

"From Wednesday, students will also not be obliged to go into self-isolation ... but will have to take a COVID-19 test every day for seven days (after a risky contact at school)," Poklukar said.

He said the whole class will have to go into quarantine only if 30 percent of pupils become infected over a period of 14 days. Under the rules currently in force, all students (from kindergarten to university) must quarantine even if only a single case of COVID-19 was reported in their class.

"We adopted these changes based on new professional discoveries about the Omicron variant," Poklukar said. "Our aim is to ensure that the most important and most vulnerable members of our society continue to operate with as few interruptions as possible."

"With these changes we also help other segments the society, including businesses, to operate normally," he added.

People who have received a booster shot, have overcome COVID-19 and have also been fully vaccinated, as well as those who have overcome COVID-19 over the past 45 days will continue to be exempt from mandatory self-isolation even after a risky contact, Poklukar added.

On Friday, Slovenia recorded a new all-time high of 7,580 new daily COVID-19 cases. On Sunday, there were 4,967 new cases, down from 6,012 on Saturday, the National Institute of Public Health said on Monday.

Although Slovenia has been badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, to date only 57.1 percent of its 2.1 million population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 
People watch a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with a file footage at a train station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea Monday in its fourth weapons launch this month, South Koreas military said, with the apparent goal of demonstrating its military might amid paused diplomacy with the United States and pandemic border closures.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North likely fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area in Sunan, the location of Pyongyangs international airport. The missiles were launched four minutes apart Monday morning and flew around 380 kilometers (236 miles) on a maximum altitude of 42 kilometers (26 miles) before landing in waters off the countrys northeastern coast, it said.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the missiles did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to its allies, but highlighted the destabilizing impact of the Norths illicit weapons program. Japans Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said the missiles landed outside the Japans exclusive economic zone, and the chief cabinet secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, condemned North Koreas actions as threats to peace.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who is visiting the United Arab Emirates, instructed officials to make utmost efforts to ensure stability on the Korean Peninsula, his office said. It also said members of the presidential National Security Council stressed the need to revive nuclear diplomacy with Pyongyang.

North Korea had conducted a pair of flight tests of a purported hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 and also test-fired ballistic missiles from a train Friday in an apparent reprisal over fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration last week for its continuing test launches.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen four missile launches already this month. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korea has been ramping up tests in recent months of new, potentially nuclear-capable missiles designed to be maneuverable and fly at low altitudes, which potentially improve their chances of evading and defeating missile defenses in the region.

Some experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is going back to a tried-and-true tactic of pressuring his neighbors and the U.S. with missile launches and outrageous threats before offering negotiations meant to extract concessions.

A U.S.-led diplomatic push aimed at convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program collapsed in 2019 after the Trump administration rejected the Norths demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since pledged to further expand a nuclear arsenal he clearly sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.

His government has so far rejected the Biden administrations call to resume dialogue without preconditions, saying that Washington must first abandon its hostile policy, a term Pyongyang mainly uses to describe sanctions and combined U.S.-South Korea military exercises.

State Department imposes sanctions

Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Seouls University of North Korean Studies, said the North may have conducted another launch to pressure Washington and could continue to dial up its testing activity after vowing stronger action over what it perceives as U.S. hostility.

Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on five North Koreans over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the Norths missile programs in its response to the Norths earlier tests this month.

The State Department ordered sanctions against another North Korean, a Russian man and a Russian company for their broader support of North Koreas weapons of mass destruction activities, and the Biden administration also said it would pursue additional U.N. sanctions over the Norths continued tests.

The announcement of the sanctions just came hours after North Korean state media said Kim Jong Un oversaw a successful test of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday, which was the countrys second test of the system in a week, and claimed that the weapon would greatly increase the countrys war deterrent.

The North also on Friday fired two short-range ballistic missiles from a train in an apparent retaliation against the fresh U.S. sanctions tied to the hypersonic tests. Fridays test came hours after the Norths Foreign Ministry issued a statement berating the Biden administration over the new sanctions and warned of stronger and certain reaction if Washington maintains its confrontational stance.
US senators promise solidarity and weapons for Ukraine in warning to Putin

KYIV (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of United States senators promised solidarity and weapons on a visit to Kyiv on Monday while warning Russian President Vladimir Putin against launching a new military offensive against Ukraine.

Kyiv and its Western allies have sounded the alarm after Russia massed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's borders and pressed the United States for security guarantees, including a block on Ukraine joining the NATO alliance.

Russia denies planning a new military offensive.

The United States has been Ukraine's most powerful backer in its standoff with Moscow after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the outbreak of the war in eastern Ukraine.

"I think Vladimir Putin has made the biggest mistake of his career in underestimating how courageously the people of Ukraine will fight him if he invades," Senator Richard Blumenthal told reporters.

"And we will impose crippling economic sanctions, but more important we will give the people of Ukraine the arms, lethal arms they need to defend their lives and livelihoods," he said after the delegation met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

These weapons could include Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger missiles, small arms and boats, he said.

"And so our message is: there will be consequences if he chooses to violate the sanctity of this democracy," Senator Amy Klobuchar added.

(Reporting by Sergiy Karazy and Matthias Williams; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
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YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian attended the opening ceremony of the leading international forum Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week during his visit in the United Arab Emirates, the Presidential Office reports.

The opening of the forum was held in Dubai, at the Expo 2020 Dubai center.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize awarding ceremony was held on the sidelines of the opening of the forum. This prize is awarded to companies operating in healthcare, food, energy, education and water economy industries, who offer innovative and inspiring solutions to sustainable development.

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week forum is being held since 2008. Through its year round initiatives and events, ADSW brings members of the global community together to accelerate sustainable development.

Working with its public and private partners, ADSW hosts a series of events that welcome heads of state, policy makers, business leaders and technology pioneers, providing them with a global platform to share knowledge, showcase innovation and outline strategies for delivering climate action.
This would be the country's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine if given emergency-use approval

The source said the product might need a small trial in India. (Photo: Gennova Biopharmaceuticals)

New Delhi: India's Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is working on an Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine candidate that could be ready in a month or two, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The source, who did not want to be named as the information was private, said the product might need a small trial in India before it could be rolled out as a booster or standalone vaccine.

A representative for Gennova, a unit of drugmaker Emcure Pharmaceuticals that does business in some 70 countries, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pfizer Inc said last week a redesigned COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron coronavirus variant could be ready to launch by March.

The source said Gennova on Friday separately submitted to India's drug regulator phase 2 trial data for its original mRNA vaccine candidate. The government said last year that product was found to be "safe, tolerable, and immunogenic" in the participants of an initial study.

If given emergency-use approval, this would be the country's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine like the ones developed by Pfizer and Moderna.
According to information available in the public space, Russian forces are currently surrounding Ukraine from three sides

This handout picture taken and released by the Russian Defence Ministry on January 14, 2022 shows Russian troops unboarding a military cargo plane upon landing in Ivanovo after compleeting their mission in Kazakhstan. (AFP)

Two events have focussed attention on Russia once again as the New Year dawned. The first being the ostensible military build-up on its borders with Ukraine. Once a part of the erstwhile Soviet Union, Ukraine is a nation with whom Russia has a lightning rod history now stretching back into antiquity.

Second is the intervention to stabilise the domestic unrest in Kazakhstan albeit in a multilateral format. It begs the obvious question. Is Russia repositioning itself post the US withdrawal from Afghanistan that has seriously undermined the global credibility and reliability of that nation. If so, towards what endgame?

According to information available in the public space, Russian forces are currently surrounding Ukraine from three sides. A report published in the New York Times illustrates that soldiers, heavy armour and medium to long range artillery have been deployed in a manner that seek to subserve the ends of broadening the theatre of conflict with Ukraine, were the situation to escalate. Both on Ukraines eastern and northern borders in close proximity to its capital Kyiv substantial Russian military assets stand arrayed.

Russia has been paranoid since the early 1990s itself about Ukraine and Georgia becoming members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

Strategic experts have long believed that Russia had commenced putting in place the requisite building blocks focussed on a momentous armed intrusion into Ukraine way back in 2014 itself when it had annexed Crimea. The continuing conflict since then in the heavily industrialised regions of Donetsk and Luhansk also known as Donbas is yet another manifestation of that desire.

The deployment of Russian troops on its borders with Ukraine appears to be in the range of a hundred thousand personal or more, according to analysts who closely track developments in that part of the world. Europe and Russia focussed Western think tanks estimate that Moscow may have drawn up operational plans for military manoeuvres that would take its forces deep into Ukraine involving upwards of two hundred thousand personnel. An operation may well be in the works before the winter ends.

However, there is ambiguity and no real clarity as to why the Kremlin has decided to go down this risky road of confrontation in Ukraine that could spark off unintended consequences not limited too Eastern Europe alone. It could draw Nato into the arc of conflict if the continuing negotiations between the US and Russia in Geneva do not arrive at a modus vivendi leading to a rapid de-escalation.

There would be economic implications as well as Europe is already reeling under the scourge of very high natural gas prices as Gazprom has been withholding gas flows to Europe. Europes miseries have been compounded by the non-certification and sanctions imposed by the US on a new gas pipeline Nord Stream-2.

What today are the nations of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were between the ninth and the 13th centuries a part of Kievan Rus, a medieval superpower that also subsumed huge swathes of Eastern Europe in its embrace. All these three countries trace their cultural ancestry to the Kievan Rus. However, Russians and Ukrainians parted ways linguistically, historically aeons ago and politically once again in August 1991 in the death throes of the erstwhile Soviet Union.

Russian nationalists, however, claim ad-nauseam that Russians and Ukrainians are one people  an integral part of the Russian civilisation. They also take within their cuddle adjoining Belarus. However, Ukrainians are not too enthused by this embrace of the Russian bear.

Moving east to the erstwhile Asiatic region of the former Soviet Union an unexpected inflection point has erupted in the resource-rich Kazakhstan. This former republic of the Soviet Union lies between Russia and China. It is the largest landlocked Westphalian state in the world with a sparse population of 19 million people only.

It was ruled by the erstwhile Communist apparatchik turned strongman Nursultan Nazarbayev for over three decades since it became independent on December 16, 1991. Nazarbayev demitted office in March 2019 but continued to wield substantive power as he continued to control Kazakhstans KGB styled security apparatus.

On January 2, 2022, thousands of Kazakhs took to the streets. The ostensible trigger was the lifting of the upper ceiling on LPG prices by the government. However, the bile is far more deep-seated including ire at social and economic inequalities accentuated further by the unremitting pandemic coupled of course with serious anger against a deeply authoritarian one-party state subterfuging as a democracy. Government buildings were torched as angry mobs took control of the airport and other public utilities compelling the current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev  a protegee of Nazarbayev to turn to Moscow for help.

The evolving situation in Kazakhstan presents itself as yet another dare to Moscow. For it represents the third revolt against a totalitarian Kremlin affiliated oligarchy in less than eight years. There were vigorous pro-democracy protests in Ukraine in 2014 followed by Belarus in 2020. The unfolding turmoil portends to undercut Moscows economic and geo-political heft as it once again attempts to project power in its near abroad.

Coincidentally, Kazakhstan also matters both to the United States and China, albeit for different reasons. US oil majors like Exxon Mobil and Chevron have invested tens of billions of dollars in the western part Kazakhstan, the epicentre of the current protests. China is also concerned because any serious upsurge in neighboring Kazakhstan with whom it shares a 1,782-kilometre-long border could lead to a seeding of ideas of protest in China that itself today is a capitalist authoritarian regime masquerading as a communist state.

Russias intervention in Kazakhstan is exceptional in many senses of the word. For it is under the aegis of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a military alliance composed of Russia and its strongest security confederates in the post-Soviet world. The pact includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The transnational character of the intercession is noteworthy, for it constitutes the first-ever combined deployment of CSTO military personnel in three decades since the inception of this military bloc.

Is Russia, therefore, making a renewed global play beginning in its erstwhile sphere of influence? Given that the US is retreating into a Jeffersonian phase in its history. Only time will tell. However, the pirouetting moves of the Russian bear are worth observing closely in the next few months and years ahead.
by Shafique Khokhar

A Catholic from Karachi has been bringing friends of all faiths to the Salvation Army Church for months to distribute food to day labourers brought to their knees by pandemic. One of the people helped: "This place is different from other centres, because everyone is served with respect and a smile".

Karachi (AsiaNews) - Bryan Everest Benedict is a Catholic philanthropist from Karachi who is working to create harmony among communities through service to the poor, without discrimination of creed, race or colour. Five months ago he started a service to bring food to the poor.

Bryan had already served the poor through the JDC - a Muslim organisation - at the beginning of the Covid-19 emergency and continued to do so during the holy month of Ramadan, opening up meeting spaces in hearts and promoting diversity in society.

Now he has organised a team of volunteers and donors in which there are Protestants and Catholics, but also Muslim, Sikh and Hindu friends. They distribute food at the Salvation Army church in the densely populated Saddar area of Karachi. The meals are distributed according to protocols that keep men and women separate: every week between 300 and 400 people are fed without discrimination.

Bryan says he is sad to see that more and more people gather for these distributions and there is not enough food, but he is also grateful to all those who donate and open their hearts to those struggling to survive.

Most of the people fed are migrants to Karachi who come in serach of day labour and earn enough for families left behind in remote villages. Mr Muhammad Arif, who sleeps in the street because he has no home, waits every Friday and Saturday for the gates to open. "This place is different from other food distribution centres," he says, "because everyone is served with respect and a smile.

Bryan always asks his friends to bring food, water and crockery directly instead of money. He ensures that everything he receives is used responsibly as a gift from God. Zaiba Bhukhtiar, a well-known Pakistani Muslim actress, is also part of the group. Zaiba said she feels proud and happy to serve the poor by offering them food in person. "We are just mediators of God's blessings on these people," she commented.
by Mathias Hariyadi

A Muslim believer later identified as H.F. threw away a traditional Hindu religious offering. The video of the gesture went viral. Protests and demonstrations have been organised against radical groups, which consider sesajen illegal.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A video of a Muslim man kicking a Hindu religious offering has generated anger and concern in Indonesia. In the footage, shot by a friend of the Islamic radical, the young man is seen chanting "Allah-u akbar" and throwing away what is called sesaji (or sesajen), a typical religious offering made up of flowers, fruit and incense and usually placed at crossroads, under bayan trees or in other places considered sacred.

The perpetrator, later identified as H.F. and originally from the city of Bantul, said: "It is precisely these objects that could trigger the anger of Allah." The incident took place near Mount Semeru, in the Lumajang region of East Java, and after attracting public attention and becoming a trending topic on social media last week, it sparked outrage and protests.

A number of Hindu organisations have condemned the act and organised street demonstrations against radical groups that consider sesaji to be illegal practices. "This was an act of blasphemy against our national cultural and religious traditions and especially towards our fellow Hindus in the Lumajang region," said Ketut Swardana, head of Indonesia Hindu Prajaniti's legal department.

H.F. was arrested on 13 January. 'He was already a suspect for blasphemy,' said Chief Commissioner Gatot Repli Handoko, spokesman for the East Java Police Headquarters, in a press release. "H.F. has been charged under Sections 156 and 158 of the Penal Code and his case is currently under investigation," he added.

After his arrest, the Muslim man apologised to the Indonesian people, but claimed he had acted 'spontaneously' to prove his personal beliefs and said he had asked his friend to record the video in order to upload it to his social profiles.
A rebel spokesman said the group launched an operation "deep in the UAE, killing two Indians and a Pakistani. In Yemen government forces reported military progress earlier this month.

Abu Dhabi (AsiaNews/Agencies)  At least three people died and six were wounded in an attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), claimed by Yemens Houthi rebels. Two of the dead are from India and one is from Pakistan, police said.

Three tankers exploded in the Musaffah industrial area, near storage facilities owned by the ADNOC oil company. A fire also broke out at a construction site near the capital's international airport.

Preliminary investigations indicate the detection of small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire, local police are quoted by the WAM news agency.

A Houthi military spokesman said that the group launched what it described as a military operation "deep in the UAE, announcing more details in the coming hours.

For the past 10 years, the Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led military coalition, which includes the UAE.

This is not the first time that they have used drones to carry out crude and often inaccurate attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Some of the regions oil facilities and pipelines as well as major shipping lanes have been targeted by Houthi attacks.

Earlier this month, Yemeni forces, with Saudi support, regained control of the southern province of Shabwa and made progress in neighbouring Marib.
Buddhist clerics have been forced to abandon their shrines, usually considered safe havens. Some NGOs put the number of people displaced over the past week at 170,000. For Myanmars Catholic bishops, it is necessary to facilitate humanitarian access to suffering and internally displaced people.

Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Hundreds of Buddhist monks have fled the cities of Loikaw and Demoso in the state of Kayah due to intensified fighting between ethnic militias and the Myanmar troops.

Last week, tens of thousands of people fled their homes and took refuge in Shan State to escape bombardments by the countrys military, which overthrew the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February of last year.

According to the United Nations, 90,000 people were forced to flee last week. Some NGOs estimate the figure to be much higher, around 170,000. This group joined the more than 200,000 people already internally displaced.

Some 30 monasteries were abandoned, something unusual in a country where temples are considered safe havens.

It was impossible for us to stay there, a monk said, requesting anonymity for his safety. It was hard to make the decision to leave, but we had to do it, he added.

The town is deserted like a cemetery, a police officer told Agence France Press. Roughly 600 vehicles were leaving the town daily, he explained.

Twelve monasteries in nearby Demoso town have also been emptied, whilst a Christian priest said that about 15 priests also fled Loikaw last week.

The two locations are strongholds of anti-coup rebels and fighting has increased since December. In addition to bombardments, the military has halted supplies of water, electricity and the Internet.

Recently, the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Tom Andrews called on junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to halt the air and ground attacks on Loikaw, lift the blockade on people seeking to escape, and allow aid to get through.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) made the same request, urging all concerned to facilitate humanitarian access to suffering and internally displaced peoples [sic] to provide them basic humanitarian assistance.

In their statement, the CBCM stressed that human dignity and the right to life can never be compromised.

We strongly demand respect for life, respect for the sanctity of sanctuary in places of worship, hospitals, and schools, reads the statement, issued last Friday. Thousands are on the move; millions are starving.

Lastly, the prelates call on priests, religious men and women, and catechists to remain engaged in their mission of love and sacrifice for the people irrespective of faith, race, and place, convinced that openness and fellowship can heal this nation.
THE HAGUE, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Jewish family of Anne Frank hiding in Amsterdam during the World War Two was most likely betrayed by a Jewish notary in Amsterdam, a new cold case investigation concluded in a book published on Monday.

The investigative team that had analyzed the betrayal of Anne Frank and her family for years came to the conclusion that Jewish notary Arnold van den Bergh had given away their hiding place to the Nazi German occupiers in the Netherlands along with the addresses of others in hiding to save his own family.

No definitive proof was found, but according to the team Anne Frank's father Otto Frank, the only family member who survived the war, himself seemed to have taken the theory seriously.

Anne Frank, born on June 12, 1929, is one the most famous Jewish victims of the Holocaust during World War II. Her diary has been published in several languages and adapted for stage and screen alike.

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands between 1940 and 1945, Anne Frank and her family went into hiding in Amsterdam in 1942 to escape persecution. Two years later, the Franks were betrayed and Anne along with her elder sister Margot were transported first to Auschwitz and then to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they both died of typhus probably in February or March 1945. The exact date of their death remains unknown.

Despite the extensive attention paid to Anne Frank's life since the first publications of her diary, up to now it was not clear how the Nazis discovered the Frank family's hiding place in a secret annex on the Prinsengracht in the center of Amsterdam.

In 2016, Dutch filmmaker Thijs Bayens came up with the idea to study one of the best-known mysteries of the World War Two with the help of modern police techniques and investigative tools. A 23-strong team led by retired Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agent Vince Pankoke collected interviews, diaries, address lists and war files from archives worldwide to test the existing and new hypotheses.

The results are summed up in the book entitled "The Betrayal of Anne Frank. A Cold Case Investigation. It was written by Canadian author Rosemary Sullivan and published on Monday.

The investigators revisited a series of old suspicions and tested the theory that the discovery of the secret annex was merely a coincidence. Central to their investigation was an anonymous note that was delivered to Otto Frank shortly after the war. Although the trail to the original was deadlocked, the team managed to find a copy of it made by Otto Frank in a police officer's family archives.

"At the time, your hiding place in Amsterdam was communicated to the Judische Auswanderung in Amsterdam, Euterpestraat, by A. van den Bergh, who at the time lived near Vondelpark, O. Nassaulaan. At the J.A. there was a whole list of addresses passed on by him," the note read.

Otto revealed the note's existence back in 1964. At the time, despite the note, Van den Bergh was not regarded as a suspect, because he himself would have been in a concentration camp in 1944 and so he could not possibly have given the address from there. This changed when the investigators found out that he had not been in a camp at all. This set them on the trail of Van den Bergh.

During the war, Van den Bergh did everything he could to prevent his own and his family's deportation. As a prominent member of the Jewish Council, he was granted a postponement of deportation for a long time, and he arranged a hiding place for his daughters.

Later, he managed to convince the German officials that he was not Jewish and quit the council, but in 1944 he was again designated as Jewish. That was the moment when Van den Bergh decided to pass on the addresses of hiding Jews he had obtained during his time as a member of the Jewish Council to the Germans.

According to the researchers, questions still remain. They will never know exactly how and why Van den Bergh betrayed the Frank family: he died in 1950 of throat cancer. 
by Nirmala Carvalho

While India grapples with the Omicron variant, the Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital has installed equipment for new emergencies. Archbishop Machado urges federal minister to tell the central government that Christians are an integral part of building the nation, not its enemies.

Mumbai (AsiaNews)  Just as India feels the brunt of the third wave of COVID-19 (258,000 cases reported today with a positivity rate of 19.65 per cent), a Catholic hospital in Vasai (Maharashtra) has opened a new facility to produce oxygen, which will be available to all.

Archbishop of Felix Machado Vasai blessed the equipment a few days ago in a ceremony in the presence of Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The facility is in the Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, built thanks to the efforts of Cardinal Valerian Gracias, archbishop of Bombay between 1950 to 1978.

The hospital which began in 1979 with barely 20 beds; today it has reached the capacity of 140 beds, Archbishop Machado said. Forced to borrow millions, it spared no effort to save every life, each precious in God's eyes.

Soon after the second wave the hospital updated all its ventilators, oxygen cylinders and other instruments to face any other tragic moments.

The hospital caters to people of all caste, class and creed. At the height of the pandemic, it boosted its capacity by 40 more beds, placed in corridors to accommodate as many people as possible. With the help of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters, its doctors, nurses and other employees, of all faiths, put the health of the poor first.

The inauguration of the new oxygen-making equipment, the only one of its kind in Vasais Palghar district, is an example of positive collaboration between the hospital and the government, which provided funding. Minister Athawale praised the Church for the services it offers, especially to the poorest.

For his part, Archbishop Machado cited the many initiatives undertaken by the local Catholic Church to help the authorities deal with the pandemic; they include a recently inaugurated building made available to the local government as a quarantine entre for the sick, still used for COVID-19. A second building is used as a public warehouse to store 9,000 tonnes of grain.

I asked the minister to tell the central government what Christians are doing and that we are an integral part of building the nation, our Mother India, said the prelate. This is the opposite of what some say in order to exclude us or treat as enemies of the country.
The task of the Holy Land Editions is the dissemination of the Fifth Gospel, i.e., the historical and geographical environment in which the Word of God was revealed and took on the flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, for us and for our salvation. This also means talking about the people who live there at present, the life of Christians of the various Churches and denominations, but also that of Jews and Muslims, in an attempt to build, in a complex and difficult context such as the Middle East, a fraternal society.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis spoke to a delegation from the Custody of the Holy Land on the centennial of The Holy Land Review. In his address, Francis urged them to tell the world the story of fraternity among Christians from different Churches and between Christians, Jews and Muslims.

The delegation included Custos Father Francesco Patton OFM, people who work in magazines various language editions, employees of the Holy Land Editions, and associates of the Christian Media Center. The pontiff remained seated during the audience, apologising for a strong pain in the leg.

Francis stressed the importance of the work of sharing the Fifth Gospel, that is, the historical and geographical environment in which the Word of God was revealed and took on the flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, for us and for our salvation.

This also means talking about the people who live there at present, the life of Christians of the various Churches and denominations, but also that of Jews and Muslims, in an attempt to build, in a complex and difficult context such as the Middle East, a fraternal society.

For this reason, I encourage you to tell the story of fraternity that is possible: the fraternity between Christians of Churches and confessions that are unfortunately still separated, but which in the Holy Land are often already close to unity. . . Speak about the fraternity that is possible among all the children of Abraham: Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Speak about the ecclesial fraternity that is open to migrants, displaced persons, and refugees, in order to restore to them the dignity they lost when they had to leave their homeland in search of a future for themselves and their children.

Expressing his gratitude to the staff of the magazine, he noted that, in order to realise your reports, investigations and publications you do not limit yourselves to the quietest territories, but also visit the places with greater difficulties and suffering, such as Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Gaza.

I know that you try to present positive stories, those of active resistance against the evil of war, those of reconciliation, those of restoring dignity to children robbed of their childhood, those of refugees with their tragedies but also with their dreams and their hopes.

For this reason, Thank you because to do your work you have not spared the soles of your shoes, and I know that you will not hesitate to do the same in the future in order to tell of all this. In fact, in order to communicate a given reality, nothing can fully replace personal experience.

In the Holy Land, above all one can see, "indeed touch the reality of the history that God has realised with men, from Abraham to the empty tomb of Jesus.

The Pasqual mystery enlightens and gives meaning to todays history and to the journey of the peoples who now live in that Land, one which is unfortunately marred by wounds and conflict, but which the grace of God always opens to the hope of fraternity and peace.

In this sense too, in speaking about the Holy Land, you speak about the Fifth Gospel, the one that God continues to write in history. Through the means of social communication, you can enrich the faith of many, even those who do not have the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the holy places. You do this through your professional commitment, performed every day with competence in the service of the Gospel.

This is precious for believers around the world and, at the same time, it goes to support Christians living in the Land of Jesus. I want to take this opportunity to express my closeness to them. I always remember them in my prayers."

Finally, please, as you travel home, bring my greeting and my blessing to the families and Christian communities of the Holy Land.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Russia ranks 7th in the world in terms of the number of Jewish citizens; Ukraine 12th. The Chief Rabbi of Russia extols the role of religions in Russian society. Russian, Ukrainian and Polish Jews want to be protagonists of a new Europe of peace.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - According to a recent survey published by the website Ria.ru, Russia is the 7th largest country in the world in terms of the number of Jewish citizens. There are more than 25 million Jews in the world, according to Jafi, the Jewish Agency for Israel, of which 150,000 are in Russia; in the last century, however, the population of ethnic Jews on Russian soil was much larger. The 1917 revolution, and various anti-Semitic waves during the Soviet period, greatly reduced the community, to which Stalin had also assigned a special status region that still exists, that of Birobidzhan, in the Siberian Far East.

After the State of Israel, which is home to just under 7 million people, the countries with the largest populations are the USA (6 million), 446,000 in France, 393,000 in Canada, 292,000 in Great Britain and 175,000 in Argentina. Ukraine is 12th with 43,000 Jews. In all, there are just over 15 million people who consider themselves Jewish for all intents and purposes, starting from their religious identity, but the number rises if one considers all those who have the right to obtain Jewish citizenship according to the "law of return", the constitutive norm of the Israeli State.

Jews are also a growing population, and in the past year they have increased by more than 100,000. The chief rabbi of Russia, Berl Lazar from Milan (see photo), at a congress last year of rabbis from all former Soviet countries in Almaty, Kazakhstan (the city of the recent street battles) said that the task of the spiritual leaders of these nations is to increase the members of the Jewish community by at least one million people in the next five years.

In an interview with Ria Novosti, Lazar also said that the anti-Semitism situation in former Soviet countries is better than in European countries, and that "Kazakhstan is a country where anti-Semitism is practically non-existent, a place of great tolerance and coexistence between representatives of different cultures", from which everyone should take an example.

Visiting the Russian city of Samara, the Chief Rabbi took part in the ceremony for the completion of the restoration of the local Choral Synagogue, built in the early 1900s and then destroyed by the Soviets. Thanking the local authorities, he extolled the role of religions in today's Russia, which "play such an important role in safeguarding moral values that are often despised in the rest of the world".

Another important rabbi working between Russia and Ukraine, Shmuel Kaminetskij, believes that "in reality there are over a million Jews in these two countries", but it is difficult to be recognised as such, because many are not "in line with our traditions; only the Most High can declare a person Jewish". He collected the signatures of more than 120 Jewish communities in Ukraine and sent them to the Verkhovnaja Rada, the Parliament in Kiev, to support the project prepared by several Ukrainian historians for a large memorial complex in Babyj Yar, the site of the terrible tragedy in which the Nazis exterminated about 200,000 people between 1941 and 1943, mostly Jews, even opening a soap factory made from the bodies of the victims.

In Ukraine, many citizens who did not actually have Jewish roots became Jewish, as a form of protest against all political and religious dictatorships of the past and present. In the Soviet years, and even after the end of the totalitarian regime, it was a loophole used to escape to Israel, where the Russian-Ukrainian diaspora is widespread.

Ukrainian politics today accords great honours to the sacrifices of Jews, and also to Ukrainians who helped Jews save themselves at the time of the Second World War, for whom a special Day of Remembrance was established in 2021 on 14 May. Many intellectuals and humanitarian activists in Ukraine today call themselves "Ukrainian Jews" to raise the consciousness not only of local society, but of the whole of Europe. Russian, Ukrainian and Polish Jews, who in large part are the founders of the state of Israel in the last century, today want to be protagonists of a new Europe of peace, despite the new conflicts and war scenarios that threaten the continent.
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The Henderson County annex will be the location of a new office for a NET Health official. The county has entered a lease agreement with the district.
If one calls them donks, purists might get upset. Unless we are dealing with a fifth-generation, 1971 to 1976 model year Chevrolet Impala . In which case, its perfectly traditional to call them exactly that. Even better, it seems that we are dealing with siblings in the video embedded below.They are brothers from another mother, though, as far as we can tell. But first, lets talk about the background. It seems that what we have here might be a big-wheel example of the classic  grudge race  skirmish. We cannot vouch for that, as the videographer behind the Drag Racing and Car Stuff channel on YouTube does not say anything about that.But its a race without ETs and trap speeds, and maybe thats all the hint that we need. Along with the massive audience presence on and around the track. And its time to advocate safety once again, as these tracks should really not allow that many fans near untamed race cars So, lets give a shout out to the Palm Beach International Raceway (based in Jupiter, Florida) officials: safety first , ladies and gentlemen, then eager audience fulfillment! Now, lets see the contestants for what the description calls the first Friday in 2022 big wheel donk title battle. Well, if you are a fan of the genre, this one is clearly a treat.In the left lane sits Blue Magic, which is  as one might have guessed  a blue-painted Convertible. On the other side is a crimson, blown piece of wonder  aka Sugaman. Both have what it takes to become donk kings , including the huge wheels, attitude, and desire to win the quarter-mile encounter.Alas, only one of them came out on top (or rather sporting the victors green light), and we are not going to spoil the fun of finding out for yourself...
Until Overture can officially take to the skies as the worlds fastest airliner, the XB-1 demonstrator must first successfully conduct ground tests and flight tests. The prototype aircraft is equipped with three General Electric J85 engines, which are small single-shaft turbojet engines.These particular ones previously powered the Canadian version of the Northrup Grumman F-6 Freedom Fighter. Although they demonstrated their efficiency for the military aircraft, this experimental aircraft requires extensive additional testing. Boom Supersonic carried out the engine runs at the Centennial Airport in Denver, Colorado. These specific tests are gradual, going from one engine at idle, and then three engines at idle, to throttle at various rates. The engines go from idle to rapid throttle, simulating what is called a late go-around maneuver.Meanwhile, the test team is monitoring everything from the control room over at Booms hangar. This is possible thanks to the camera on the XB-1s telemetry antenna. At the same time, the team also keeps an eye on what the test pilots multifunction display is showing, as well as on the weather coordinates.The manufacturer also showed images of the vehicle following around the XB-1, filled with yellow hoses that are used to run air into the engines, to start them, as well as into the aircrafts bays, to make sure that all electronics stay at the adequate temperature. During the tests, the engines went from barely moving to 60 knots (70 mph/112 kph).Theres more coming up for the XB-1. The demonstrator is due to start flight testing in Californias Mojave Desert. This is where it will take off at 185 knots (212 mph/341 kph) for its first flight.The Overture airliner will be able to reach supersonic speeds of Mach 1.7, as well as an impressive range of 4,250 nautical miles (4,888 miles/7,866 km). In a few years, Boom plans to start manufacturing Overture, having already secured United Aircraft orders, plus a significant boost from the U.S. Air Force, who is eyeing this trailblazing airliner for future strategic transportation.
Abundant creativity has been one of Rob Chappells most distinctive traits ever since he was a child, though it became increasingly predominant as the years went by. Back in the day, the Canadian would spend countless hours drawing his own interpretations of comic book characters, and it wasnt long before he garnered an interest in graphic design.During high school, Rob also attended a comprehensive metalwork class, which showed him the way around welding and various fabrication techniques. As such, the idea of becoming a full-time welder started to gain traction in his mind, but he eventually decided that pursuing a design-oriented career might be the better option.Although his primary occupation remains unchanged to this day, Chappell became heavily involved in custom motorcycle culture a few years ago. The guy went on to establish a small workshop named Origin8or in the Canadian town of Oshawa, and the bikes hes been creating are nothing short of extraordinary!If youve got a good memory, you might remember that weve already looked at two of Robs most remarkable exploits in the past, though neither of them are quite as impressive as the hardtail bobber shown above. This sexy thing combines the modified frame of a 1968 Triumph Bonneville with a 72 MY T120s powerplant, resulting in a thrilling display of bespoke workmanship thatll leave you genuinely speechless.Not only does Origin8ors one-off Bonnie look the part, but it also carries a purposeful selection of mechanical upgrades for improved performance. Starting with the powertrain enhancements, Chappell had the 1972 Bonnevilles parallel-twin mill rebuilt using fresh pistons, high-performance cams, and aftermarket valves. As a result, the engines displacement grew to approximately 750cc, and it now inhales via top-notch Amal carburetors.On the other end of the combustion cycle, we spot a shiny pair of exhaust headers developed by the experts over at Lowbrow Customs, who are also responsible for supplying that seamless hardtail conversion kit. The new rear end  which is fitted with discrete LED blinkers  deletes two inches (50 mm) of ground clearance while adding about four inches (100 mm) to the motorcycles total length.As you mightve already noticed, the 68 Bonnies original fuel tank is still in play, but its been stripped naked of its factory badges and rubber bolsters. In their stead, you will find gold leaf-plated Triumph decals sitting atop a snazzy gunmetal-grey finish that looks seriously rad. The creatures framework was enveloped in a layer of bronze paint for contrast.Moving on to the unsprung sector, were greeted by Borrani wheels that sport high-end Michelin tires, measuring 19 inches at the front and 18 inches at six oclock. Each hoop comes equipped with a single brake rotor, and both units are operated through premium braided brake lines. Additionally, Rob aimed to summon even more stopping power by pairing the rear disc with a Suzuki GSX-R750's caliper.Up in the cockpit, the bobber-style masterpiece features a Koso speedometer and clip-on handlebars, sporting bar-end mirrors, LED turn signals, and ODI grips. Just ahead of the clip-ons, Origin8ors head-turner flaunts an old-school headlamp that draws power from a modern Antigravity battery.The cosmetic pizzazz is concluded with a rear fender of unknown origin and one gorgeous solo saddle, which is connected to the subframe via two springs and a single hinge. To top it all off, the Canadian moto architect installed a set of new foot pegs on the flanks, thus concluding his 26th project in style. If youd like to see more of Rob Chappells outstanding work, then be sure to visit the official Origin8or website for a closer look at his portfolio.
Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Liberty Counsel

Jan. 17, 2022



ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 17, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left a legacy of hope and inspiration that continues 54 years after his assassination.

At the age of thirty-five, Dr. King was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize and turned the $54,123 prize money over to the furtherance of the non-violent civil rights movement. Jailed for violating a law used to stop him from protesting injustice, King wrote his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to seven clergymen and one rabbi.

Dr. King was a minister like his father and grandfather. He pastored Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Dr. King pursued his dream of a color-blind society through lectures, nonviolent marches and protests. He suffered harassment, threats, beatings, incarceration and even his house was bombed. But he kept marching for justice, equality and peace. In 1963, he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial before thousands of people. He said, "I look to the day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." The speech beautifully and forcefully articulated the hopes and aspirations of the civil rights movement as rooted in the Bible and the Constitution.

King often addressed the church specifically, challenging Christians to pursue both spiritual and political reform. King said, "The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority."

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver, "We long for the day when the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will become a reality."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org



Related Links



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Looks like Model Y heat pumps are seizing en-masse in Russia as well. This is how it looks like:



(in the video they just count start attempts), video credit to some Russian Tesla owners group pic.twitter.com/tN9rHdkJvT  green (@greentheonly) January 15, 2022

finding pictures of undamaged Tesla pumps proving to be hard.

Instead I was shown this video of a Honda unit that I was told looks almost exactly like a non-failed Tesla unit looks like (timestamp 4:55 in case it did not transfer)https://t.co/av9LdR7T54  green (@greentheonly) January 16, 2022

Fixing this is a high priority  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2022

Thats the first public official admission of the problem. Unfortunately, it only came after our colleagues at Drive Tesla Canada sent Musk a question on Twitter that shows Tesla owners want the company to be more transparent. After saying that the fixes tried by Tesla Service Centers have not worked, they stated that some clarity and transparency would go a long way with owners.It is not just a matter of losing their patience with how Tesla is dealing with the problem. In places where the temperature can drop to below -20C (-4F), it poses life-threatening situations. Musks answer was that a firmware fix to recalibrate heat pump expansion valve was already rolling out. However, there are strong signs that the issue is not related solely to software.As some readers highlighted, Mark was not the only person to experience heating issues in Tesla cars with heat pumps last winter. If you dont remember him, he shared with us how his cars heating system stopped working in the middle of a road trip at -30C (-22F). In the same article, we also told Tyler Selvigs story, which was very similar. Lauri Orrainen later contacted us and confirmed his Model 3 is a 2021 Standard Range Plus made in China that is only two months old. In other words, cars made at Giga Shanghai also present the issue.The most recent development came from the white hat hacker GreenTheOnly, who tweeted a video of a Tesla heat pump in Russia. The component does not seem to work: it just shakes and stops multiple times.GreenTheOnly then shared images of the interior of the heat pump. It presents signs of some metal parts hard-rubbing against each other, something that no OTA (over-the-air) update can fix. GreenTheOnly then shares how the interior of a heat pump should look, and the difference is noticeable.Although it is good to see the Tesla CEO admitting that theres something wrong with the companys heat pumps, it would be great if he said what the issue is and how the company plans to fix it once and for all. As Drive Tesla Canada states, some clarity and transparency are not a goodwill demonstration: they are mandatory in this case.
And as it turns out, switching to one of these alternatives is currently the only option for some unlucky Android Auto users who came across a rather unusual bug after installing the most recent update for the app.A bunch of posts on Googles support forums reveal that the update to Android Auto 7.2 caused Google Maps to go missing in the car, therefore making it impossible to launch the navigation if this is the only app installed on the phone.Its not exactly clear whos affected and who isnt, but at first glance, the update somehow made Google Maps unavailable only on Android Auto. The app is still there on the mobile device, and it can be normally launched when the phone is not connected to the head unit in the car.One of the users struggling with this problem claims they already reached out to Samsung to get assistance on dealing with the whole thing. However, the South Korean company explained its not an error happening on their side, instead of blaming Android Auto and recommending the customer to reach out to Google.At this point, however, the Mountain View-based search giant is yet to acknowledge the issue and provide a workaround, though, at the same time, its important to keep in mind the bug may not be widespread in the first place.Right now, the only option for those who are struggling with this problem appears to be a temporary switch to an alternative app such as Waze. Of course, if they just want Google Maps no matter what, the only solution is to just avoid launching Android Auto, therefore running the app on their mobile device with the navigation shown on the phones screen.
They do this for a simple reason: custom shops across the world and massively in love with them, and customers keep asking them to be remade into whatever their imagination and desires want.We reckon there are probably few custom garages that have not re-made V-Rods at one point in their existence. But there are a few who have dedicated their entire existence to the breed like the Germans from Rod Squad.Weve seen some of their builds before, starting with the mighty Ragnarok we talked about back in October and ending with the Carbon Eagle we covered just before Christmas.This year, we kick off the Rod Squad coverage with the 911 (spelled by the shop NineOneOne). Its not a tribute to emergency services or the number they can be reached at, here in the U.S., but to Porsche itself.Porsche has been instrumental in the birth of the V-Rod line of motorcycles. Harley tapped the German carmaker asking for help with the creation of the Revolution engine, the powerplant that gave V-Rods their grunt. And the Germans, through their Porsche Engineering division, were more than happy to help, coming up with a water-cooled 1,131cc, good for up to 120 hp.The engine is so highly-appreciated still that, with the exception of air filters and exhausts, few other changes are being made to it by garages. But the rest of the V-Rods go through extreme modifications, and so is the case of the 911 we have here, proudly wearing a modified Porsche logo on the rear fender and the 911 inscription on the fuel tank.Draped in black, down to the spokes on the wheels, with a red stripe crossing the fuel tank and featured on the brake calipers, the 911 is a 280 mm rear tire conversion, sitting on an Arnott air ride suspension that makes it look particularly road-hungry.Sporting Kellermann indicators front and rear, superbike-style handlebars, and a Ducati silencer, the motorcycle does not look very Porsche-ish, to be fair, but it does have a certain all-German appeal to it.Like most shops operating out of Europe, Rod Squad is not very inclined to release pricing information for the builds it makes, and so is the case now. We know this type of builds to be quite expensive though, and this time too were probably dealing with changes that are worth at least the price of the base motorcycle.
If you ask me, the rare 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE is one of the most beautiful bikes that Pierre Terblanche has ever designed. However, only a select few will ever get the chance to throw a leg over one such entity, as there are a mere 2,000 copies in existence around the globe.Weve seen these Italian pearls fetching some serious piles of cash at auction in the past, and IndyCar racer Graham Rahal recently sold his for over forty grand! The limited-edition Duc pictured above is also waiting to meet its new owner on the BaT (Bring A Trailer) website, where it will be listed until Thursday, January 20.For the time being, youd have to spend about 20,000 bones to get ahead of the top bidder, though it probably wont be enough to secure this purchase. Bolognas two-wheeled predator comes equipped with a premium pair of aftermarket mufflers from Termignoni, while its digital odometer shows just under 18k miles (29,000 km).The Paul Smart 1000 LE is put in motion by a fuel-injected 992cc L-twin juggernaut, with four desmodromic valves and a single overhead camshaft. At around 8,000 rpm, the air-cooled mill is capable of delivering 92 ruthless stallions to a six-speed transmission, which turns the rear 17-inch wheel through a drive chain.When the crank spins at 6,000 revs per minute, Ducatis icon is pushed forward by as much as 67 pound-feet (91 Nm) of torque. This whole ordeal lets the PS1000LE go from zero to 60 mph (96 kph) in a staggering 3.1 seconds, and its top speed is rated at 135 mph (217 kph).Stopping power comes from dual 320 mm (12.6 inches) brake rotors up front and a single 245 mm unit at the rear, all of which are paired with Brembo calipers. Weighing in at 423 pounds (192 kg) dry, th entire structure is supported by 43 mm (1.7 inches) upside-down Ohlins forks and an adjustable piggyback monoshock.
A few days ago, on January 13, Lori Harvey turned 25 years old and celebrated in style, and the party is not over yet. At first, her actor boyfriend, Michael B. Jordan, threw her a surprise birthday party, and then she had a very glamorous photoshoot involving a Mercedes-Benz SL Convertible , where both Lori and the car looked incredible.But her birthday celebrations are far from over, because she switched from cars to yachts on a lavish holiday in the Bahamas.While Lori didnt disclose the name of the vessel shes on, she delighted her 4.1 million followers on Instagram with a few snaps from on board the luxurious vessel, and you can check them out in our gallery.During her getaway to the Bahamas, Lori shared a lot of pictures where you can see the modern and elegant interior design of the ship. She posed her bedroom which overlooks the sea and gave a glimpse of the small details that included flowers on the windowsill. She also shared a picture of the wooden hallway and a mirror selfie with her rocking a bikini as she made her way below deck.Harvey also sat by the edge of the yacht, with her feet in the turquoise water, and even shared a few snaps of Pablo Escobars WWII-era plane wreck, which also qualifies as a dive site where you can go snorkeling. Lori didnt try that out, but she did share a relatable picture of her playing Uno with her friends.The model-turned-entrepreneur released her skincare line last year, where she attended the premiere in a white dress matching her rental, a Rolls-Royce Ghost. Recently, she also turned heads when she left her Pilates session in a gray-wrapped Lamborghini Urus . And her latest coastal getaway is clearly on-brand for Harvey.
The Swedish aviation startup enjoyed massive success in the very short period since the official launch of the personal electric aircraft named Jetson One. It can already count 100 orders and more than 3,000 purchase requests since October 2021. Its not too surprising, considering that the launch video on Jetsons YouTube channel accumulated over 14 million views.People wanted to see what this unusual vehicle would like when its flying, and they werent disappointed, as the Jetson One flight through the woods became instantly viral. Judging by the number of orders, founders Peter Ternstrom and Tomasz Patan werent joking when they said that they wanted to make everyone a pilot.After all, who wouldnt like a personal flying car waiting outside their home, ready to take them anywhere , without the costs and the hassle of a private jet? A new era is downing, one where you can get a partially-assembled aircraft at your doorstep, which you can take to the sky as soon as you want, with no pilot license required.Built in aluminum and carbon fiber, and powered by eight motors, Jetson One claims to be able to reach 63 mph (102 kph). Despite its small size, the personal aircraft features advanced avionics and safety systems, including a triple-redundant flight computer, terrain tracking, and obstacle avoidance. The pilot should feel safe enough inside the race car-inspired frame, and there are also several emergency functions integrated, as well as a rapid-deployment parachute.In addition to the record-breaking sales, the Swedish company is one step closer to launching mass production of the coveted personal aircraft. Its first external investor, Rikard Steiber, also became Senior Advisor, and he is preparing the companys first round of external fundraising.
EV







Andrew Liveris told Bloomberg that the factory should be operating there by 2025 or 2026 and that the company did not mention plans to build a plant in Europe. The two pieces of information match well together for a simple reason: a Saudi Arabian factory would not live from its own home market. To be economically feasible, it would have to export most of its production.Jeddah is the leading candidate to receive the investment. It is close to the Red Sea and has an important port that would be crucial for exporting these cars not only to Europe but also to the Chinese market. Lucid may eventually consider a factory in the Asian giant, but luxury brands do well in China just with exports. Ask Porsche or Bentley about that.Another strong candidate to receive Lucids new factory is Neom, a city that is still under construction. Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman himself would have conceived it as a city of the future. Neom is a combination of Greeks word for new and Arabics term for future. PIF would have invested $500 billion to complete this city by 2025. A Lucid factory there would be the crown jewel to the citys success.Some U.S. intelligence reports state that Bin Salman was involved with the assassination of the exiled Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Ironically, that would be the same year Lucid agreed to have a factory in Saudi Arabia to receive PIFs investments.Lucid would be now discussing if the company will wholly own the factory or if ownership will be shared with its partners, meaning PIF. It would not surprise us if Lucid only manufactured its cars in a factory that belonged to the sovereign fund. Themaker would manage to export them without the risks and liabilities that having a factory in an autocracy with no automotive manufacturing tradition could bring.
AMG

When you say power couple, you cant help but think of several world-renowned couples, like Jay-Z and Beyonce, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, and many others. Of course, Toto and Susie Wolff are among them.Toto serves as Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-Petronas Formula One Team, and he's also one of the three equal shareholders, together with Daimler AG and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS. Meanwhile, his Scottish wife, former racing driver Susie Wolff, has received a promotion to CEO of the Formula E team, Venturi Racing, a couple of months ago.With a lot going on this last season in Formula One, Toto Wolff should learn how to take a step back, and enjoy. But he's still all about business as he just met up with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem on Friday, January 14, to discuss the controversy surrounding the latest F1 race in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The meeting came two days after his birthday. Wolff turned 50 on January 12.But, according to his wife, the two left work behind as they enjoyed a small spin in the couple's Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing after a wonderful weekend together. Since the Gullwing is a two-seater, their son, Jack, who is turning 5 in April, must have stayed at home.Susie shared a few snaps of the Austrian executive behind the wheel of the vintage beauty. Although produced for only three years, the 300 SL marked the debut of the breathtaking Gullwing doors. It came with a direct-injected 3.0-liter inline-six engine, which offered 212 horsepower (215 ps) at 5,800 rpm and 203 lb-ft (275 Nm) at 4,600 rpm. These figures helped the coupe accelerate from zero to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in 8.8 seconds, before maxing out to 162 mph (261 kph).As a former ambassador to Mercedes-Benz, Susie Wolff seems to be quite a fan of their vintage vehicles. She previously called her Mercedes-Benz W113 a pure joy, as she took the convertible out for a drive in Monaco, on a Sunday last October.
The reason why the Glacier Express was designed as the slowest express train on the planet is so that the magnificent views along the route can be thoroughly enjoyed. In a world of incredible speed, where everyone wants to get to the opposite end of the world with the speed of light, this majestic train in Switzerland is all about slow living.Traveling through the Swiss Alps, from the world-renown Zermatt resort to St Moritz, the Glacier Express takes its passengers across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. The beauty of the Swiss Alps is legendary, so no wonder it required a slow-paced journey to enjoy it to its full extent. And theres one more thing  this unique train is built with huge, panoramic windows, and additional glass inserts along the top, for an almost unobstructed view of the surroundings.What could be better than admiring this spectacular view from these huge windows? Well, enjoying royalty treatment, in the ultra-luxurious excellence class. In addition to enjoying lounge seating with a guaranteed window seat, and exclusive access to the Glacier Bar, you would also be taken care of by a concierge who will make sure that you get everything you need, from delicious snacks to extra information regarding the journey.Thanks to the Glacier Express being so slow, passengers in the excellence class can enjoy their expensive wine or cocktail in peace, as well as a seven-course gourmet menu. An elegant five oclock tea, plus constant refreshments throughout the trip, are also included. Of course, whoever wants to benefit from this luxurious treatment, must be ready to part with hundreds of dollars. As Thrillist reports, customers need to book an individual ticket, as well as a seat reservation. For the excellence class, the seat reservation alone costs 420 Swiss francs ($460).As hypercars and supersonic aircraft are taking over mobility , this unusually slow, but sophisticated train is offering a different take on luxurious travel.
Most of the time, billionaires go for the most prestigious Italian or Dutch shipyards when choosing their floating mansions . But William Wrigley was proud to show off his all-American beauty, a 191-foot (58 meters) vessel built by Trinity Yachts. Designed by Geoff van Aller, Unbridled immediately stands out due to its deep blue hull and impressive size.On the outside, the American ship flaunts a generous sun deck with a jacuzzi, a full bar, and plenty of sun loungers, with additional lounging areas and al-fresco dining options on the rest of the deck. The main deck hosts the masters suite, including a private study and a convertible guest cabin. Four more cabins on the lower deck, all with en-suite bathrooms, provide enough space for family and friends accommodation. In total, up to 12 passengers can enjoy cruising on board Unbridled.Patrick Knowles is responsible for the classic, elegant interior, which features no less than twenty different types of wood, according to American Luxury . A media room and a wine cellar complete the premium amenities of this perfect vacation yacht. When it comes to water fun, there are plenty of options onboard, from extra-large tenders that can reach remote areas to fishing gear and an extensive dive center.The billionaire owner got his beautiful yacht over two decades ago, and unlike others who change their luxury toys as often as possible, he kept Unbridled in the family. But the U.S.-made luxury boat, which underwent an extensive refit in 2019, is now available for almost $25 million, through Burgess Yachts , as well as for charter, with a steep weekly rate of over $300,000.A true embodiment of the American luxury lifestyle, this classic superyacht can stand proudly next to some of the newest European leisure vessels.
I become concerned when professing Christians fail to believe the Genesis account of Creation and prefer to lean towards a long-age view of what Moses wrote.

Yes, it can be difficult to believe the ages of the people who lived after the fall; many scientists discard The Flood and talk in millions of years, sometimes hundreds of thousands of years when in fact Creationists believe the world is only approaching about 6,000 years old.

However, if Genesis isnt a correct version of how God created the earth in six days and rested on the seventh, then can we believe the rest of the Bible?

As believers in Jesus and serving as His followers, then its fair we believe in what He himself believed in (Matthew 19:36; Mark 10:69; Luke 17:2627), what the Apostle Paul believed in (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:2122,45; 1 Tim. 2:1314) and the Apostle Peter believed in (2 Peter 3:37).

Some professing evangelical Christians accuse creationists of taking a naive literalistic view of Genesis, and claim creationism is a 20th century aberration.

Is it an aberration of the 20th century?

No, it doesnt appear so. It was also the view of the vast majority of the Church Fathers, including the faithful defender of the Trinity, Basil the Great. See Genesis means what it says: Basil (AD 329379).

And the great leaders of the 16th Century Protestant Reformation, in returning to biblical authority, also accepted a straightforward view of Genesis. This includes the Father of the Reformation, Martin Luther  see What was Martin Luthers stand on Creation/Evolution?

John Calvin, the great reformer

One of the most influential of the Reformers was the French lawyer and theologian John Calvin (15091564).

He became leader of Geneva (Switzerland), which became a refuge for 6,000 Protestants. Calvin founded the University of Geneva in 1559, which attracted many foreign scholars, and still does today.

His monumental Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559) proclaimed the grace of God and salvation in Jesus Christ.

He was also a skilled commentator on books of the Bible, including Genesis. His teachings influenced many confessions, catechisms, preachers, leaders of modern Christian revivals, and were brought to America by the Pilgrim Fathers.

Calvin believed;

The earth is young:

They will not refrain from guffaws when they are informed that but little more than five thousand years have passed since the creation of the universe.

God created in six consecutive normal days: Here the error of those is manifestly refuted, who maintain that the world was made in a moment. For it is too violent a cavil to contend that Moses distributes the work which God perfected at once into six days, for the mere purpose of conveying instruction.

Let us rather conclude that God himself took the space of six days, for the purpose of accommodating his works to the capacity of men.

I have said above that six days were employed in the formation of the world; not that God, to whom one moment is as a thousand years, had need of this succession of time, but that he might engage us in the contemplation of his works.

The day-night cycle was instituted from Day 1  before the sun was created [commenting on let there be light (Genesis 1:3).

Therefore the Lord, by the very order of the creation, bears witness that he holds in his hand the light, which he is able to impart to us without the sun and the moon. Further, it is certain, from the context, that the light was so created as to be interchanged with the darkness  there is, however, no doubt that the order of their succession was alternate 

It is thus clear, if we accept the authority of Scripture alone, we must believe Genesis should be taken at its plain meaning.

Sadly, one hotbed of anti-creationist, theistic evolutionary/long age ideas even includes a college named after Calvin  Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Some of their staff have even invoked Calvin in support, although, as we have seen, Calvin opposed all such compromises.

Today the church needs a new Reformation to return to the authority of the Bible, the written Word of God, rather than trusting the fallible conjectures of unbelieving scientists.

Ref: Jonathon Safarti, Christian Ministries International
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A new bipartisan Senate group is in early discussions about crafting an election reform measure, as the Democrats sweeping voting rights proposals continue to run into steep procedural hurdles.

Driving the news: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) convened a Zoom call late Wednesday afternoon as a cross-section of lawmakers from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) have expressed openness to reforming the outdated bill.

A person familiar with the call characterized it as a "wide-ranging discussion of election issues," including the option to update the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to clarify the role the vice president and Congress play in certifying presidential elections.

Besides Collins, the participants were Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the person told Axios.

Why it matters: The discussion came on the eve of the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack, the culmination of former President Trumps efforts to take advantage of ambiguities in the bill to challenge the 2020 election results.

In particular, the Electoral Count Act doesnt specify if the vice president is merely ceremonial or if the VP actually has the power to refuse to certify certain electors, as Axios reported Tuesday.

What we're watching: The White House and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer remain focused exclusively on passing their own voting rights legislation.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates told Axios: "The president has been crystal clear that the pending voting rights legislation, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, are essential for protecting the constitutional right to vote, the rule of law and the integrity of our elections against un-American attacks based on the Big Lie."

"There is no substitute. Period."

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Georgia next Tuesday to make the case for federal voting rights legislation, the White House announced.

Proponents of reform say the Jan. 6 insurrection made clear the need to close loopholes that could be exploited in the future.

Collins told Axios before the meeting: "I would like personally to see the language change, so that it's clear that the vice president is performing just the ministerial role and does not have the authority to change our block counts from states."

Kaine, who's been heavily involved in Democrats' voting reform talks, told Axios that a standalone Electoral Count Act bill is "not even 5% of what we need to do on voting, but it would be a good thing."

"I do think it needs to be reformed," Shaheen said before the Zoom call. "I don't think that addresses voting rights. I think we should get whatever done we can."

But, but, but: Some Democrats are concerned making changes to the Electoral Count Act would reduce the urgency to pass federal voting rights bills.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), a key figure in Democrats' voting rights push, said a narrow Electoral Count Act reform bill would be a "distraction" and a "cynical political maneuver by people who are trying to rig the elections in our country."

Adam Bozzi, a spokesperson for End Citizens United, told Axios: "This feels like a GOP stall tactic. ... Claiming that they would 'negotiate' on a small part of the bill to slow movement overall is part of their playbook."

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to identify Joe Manchin as a Democrat, not a Republican.
Donald Trump is trashing Ron DeSantis in private as an ingrate with a "dull personality" and no realistic chance of beating him in a potential 2024 showdown, according to sources who've recently talked to the former president about the Florida governor.

Why it matters: The two are among the most popular Republicans in the country, and as the former president eyes another run in 2024, he's irked by DeSantis' popularity and refusal to rule out running against him.

DeSantis is a favorite of Republican voters when pollsters remove Trump from the hypothetical 2024 field.

The governor also hasn't been beyond tweaking his fellow Floridian.

DeSantis said on the "Ruthless" podcast, recorded Thursday, one of his biggest regrets in office was not speaking out "much louder" in March 2020, when Trump advised the American public to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Behind the scenes: "In the context of the 2024 election, he usually gives DeSantis a pop in the nose in the middle of that type of conversation," said a source who recently spoke to Trump about DeSantis.

The source, who shared the private remarks on the condition of anonymity, has heard Trump criticize DeSantis on multiple occasions.

The source said Trump makes a point of saying he isn't worried about the Florida governor as a potential 2024 rival.

"He says DeSantis has no personal charisma and has a dull personality," the source added.

A spokesman for Trump did not comment when presented with this reporting.

A second source who's discussed DeSantis with Trump said the reason for the former president's irritation with the popular governor is "that Ron DeSantis won't say he won't run [in 2024]. ... The others have stated pretty clearly they won't challenge him."

DeSantis also did not respond to a request for comment.

Between the lines: Several potential 2024 GOP contenders have either ruled out running if Trump does  as his former UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, did  or said they would support Trump if he runs.

That's been the case for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).

Trump has kept a close eye on these statements. He's noticed that two potential rivals in particular have declined to rule out running: DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Trump seems less bothered by Pence than DeSantis. He's told advisers he thinks Pence's future in GOP politics is over after he abided by the Constitution and refused Trump's request to send electors back to the states on Jan. 6, 2021.

Other potential rivals who haven't ruled out challenging Trump include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

The second source said that in Trump's view, "there's no way" DeSantis would be governor without Trump's endorsement.

The former president also's said something to the effect of: "What's the big deal? Why won't he just say he's not going to run against me?"

The New York Times' Maggie Haberman reported recently that "Trump has been telling a range of aides a version of, he isn't getting the deference from DeSantis that he wants in the pre-2024 leadup."

Trump's private irritation about what he perceives as DeSantis' ungratefulness and willingness to defy him date back several years. Their disputes have ranged over matters as varied as closing beaches during the early days of the pandemic and a public clash over hurricane death statistics  as the Washington Post's Ben Terris and Josh Dawsey detailed in a 2020 story.

DeSantis claimed on the "Ruthless" podcast last week that the reports of tensions between him and Trump were a media invention. In the same conversation, he again sidestepped a question about his strength as a potential GOP presidential nominee in 2024.

What we're seeing: Trump's frustrations with DeSantis have been bleeding into his public statements, though he's refrained  so far  from attacking the popular governor by name.
A major winter storm lashed much of the East Coast Sunday and Monday, causing widespread power outages and disrupting travel over the holiday weekend.

The latest: Authorities in North Carolina confirmed that two people died in a car crash and that they responded 600 vehicle accidents during the storm on Sunday, per the Washington Post.

State of play: The Weather Prediction Center said in a storm summary Monday that winter storm warnings were still in effect for portions of the Central Appalachians, Ohio Valley, interior Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, while other portions of the Central Appalachians and coastal New England are under high wind warnings.

The prediction center, based in College Park, Maryland, said the storm is expected to move slowly through the Northeast on Monday, likely bringing more snow and precipitation to the Central Appalachians and Northeast.

Extremely high wind gusts over 60 miles per hour were recorded in parts of the East Coast on Monday morning, and more than 129,200 customers from New York to Georgia were still without power, according to estimates from PowerOutage.us.

The big picture: Heavy snow and ice accumulations were "likely to produce hazardous travel," downed trees and more outages from the Mid-South to the Northeast, per the National Weather Service.

The NWS reported 22 inches of snow fell in Ohio and New York at their highest points, 20 inches in North Carolina, and 10 inches in Georgia.

The wintry storm spawned two tornadoes in southwest Florida Sunday morning  including an EF-2 tornado with maximum winds of 118 near Fort Myers, Lee County, which injured at least three people, per the NWS.

By the numbers: More than 8,000 customers were without power in West Virginia and over 7,000 had no electricity in both Kentucky and North Carolina on Tuesday morning.

Other states still with widespread power outages included Georgia (nearly 5,000) and Florida (almost 4,000).

More than 3,000 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were canceled and over 8,000 others were delayed on Sunday, when the weather was particularly bad, FlightAware data shows.

What to expect: A deep low pressure system responsible for the severe U.S. weather in Florida is set to move farther into southeastern Canada on Tuesday, per the NWS.

Much of the interior Northeast will see the snow becoming more scattered over Monday night and the snow across the region should gradually taper off on Tuesday, the agency said.

"However, due to the size of the departing storm, blustery conditions are expected to continue into Tuesday for much of the Northeast," the NWS added.

Meanwhile, weather agency Environment Canada warned 8-16 inches of snow could fall on Monday over parts of southern and eastern Ontario, near the border with the U.S.

In photos: Scenes from monster storm

A vehicle crashed on the road closed by the storm, on the Northwest Angle ice road at Lake of the Woods between Warroad and Angle Inlet, Minnesota on Jan. 17. Photo: Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. Capitol dome during a snowstorm on Jan. 16. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The scene on Main St. in Greenville, S.C., on Jan. 16. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

An Amtrak train engine moves along tracks in the train yard at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Scenes from Charlotte, N.C., where the wintry conditions were still fun for some on Jan. 16. Photo: Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
The 45-kilometer railway will be part of broader transport links between the two countries envisaged by the Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh as well as follow-up agreements reached by Baku and Yerevan.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reported decisive progress towards establishing the rail link between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan after face-to-face talks held in Brussels in December.

Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service that the construction of its Armenian section will likely cost Yerevan $200 million and take about three years. But Grigorian did not say when it will start.

The task force formed by Pashinians government late last week is to deal with practical modalities of the transport project. It will be headed by Artashes Tumanian, Armenias former ambassador to Iran, and also comprise nine government officials and railway and construction specialists.

Tumanian, who is now an adviser to Pashinian, did not return phone calls at the weekend.

Pashinian insisted last month that the rail link will be beneficial for not only Azerbaijan but also Armenia. Through that railway Armenia will gain access to Russia and Iran, while Azerbaijan will get a rail link with Nakhichevan, he said.

Critics of the Armenian prime minister are skeptical about the projects economic benefits for Armenia, however. Suren Parsian, an opposition-linked economist, believes that it is first and foremost a political undertaking.

We often overestimate the significance of this unblocking of transport infrastructures, Parsian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. True, Armenia needs to have open roads and alternative options. But this must not be presented as a miracle cure.

While apparently reaching an agreement on the rail links, Aliyev and Pashinian failed to patch up their differences on the status of a highway that would also connect Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan through Syunik.

Aliyev said ahead of their December 14 meeting in Brussels that people and cargo passing through that Zangezur corridor must be exempt from Armenian border controls. Pashinian rejected the demand.
A single-serving friend is like a McDonalds soft serve. We treat those we deem as friends as an expendable afterthought that brings momentary satisfaction with no lasting purpose.

David Finchers Fight Club, despite its 1999 release, would appear to be a film for our time. In one scene, the protagonist explains this concept of single-serving friends, The people I meet on each flight, theyre single-serving friends. Between take-off and landing, we have our time together, thats all we get.

We may not live our lives on planes, but we act like we do.

Social Media

Consider social media. Friends are counted akin to scoreboards. Friend lists stop representing those actual friends and start acting like a list of followers, connections, and social status. Friends become a means to an end: popularity, influence, self-aggrandisement.

This appears understandable. Social media is relatively novel. Physical distance and the anonymity of the Internet allows us to emotionally distance ourselves to our own whim and pleasure.

Here wisdom may be gleamed from Proverbs chapter 18, verse 24,

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a

brother.

Commenting on this verse, John Gill notes,

Friendship ought to be mutual and reciprocal, as between David and Jonathan; a man that receives friendship ought to return it, otherwise he is guilty of great ingratitude.

How can we achieve this if we focused on our friend lists and social media popularity, rather than on the people who number our friend lists or like our posts? As Gill suggests, unless we can reciprocate genuine friendship, we will open ourselves to ingratitude.

Church

Consider our churches. Though we meet in-person (lockdown restrictions pending), thus having the appearance of the opportunity for friendship, the church can suffocate friendships as seamlessly as social media.

Churches become a factory for spiritual popularity and holiness measured in volunteering. Friendships confined to church too easily serve only to social climb than build connection. Though there can be a plethora of reasons to explain this phenomenon, one thing is clear: the standard churches easily fail to uphold.

Take Pauls words in Galatians. In chapter 6, verse 2 he states,

Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Likewise, Jesus states in John chapter 15, verses 12 to 13,

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

When we measure friendship by these verses, it is not surprising when churches and congregations fall short and friendships suffer. How can we fulfil the law of Christ through bearing one anothers burdens if we do not know each others struggles? How can we lay down our lives for each other if we do not know each other?

Life

Social media and church. Though these appear as isolated contexts, they speak to a pattern of not only how we act online or in church, but of how we live life.

If our interactions with friends are consumed solely by the Internet and by the time we spend in church, what time do we leave to build actual friendships?

Psalm chapter 133, verse 1 states,

Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when brothers dwell in unity.

In his commentary on this verse, Matthew Henry notes,

not only not quarrelling, and devouring one another, but delighting in each other with mutual endearments, and promoting each others welfare with mutual services.

In order for us to dwell in unity together, to build the types of friendships described in Scripture, we need to consider what it means to promote each others welfare.

In an increasingly technology-driven world full of cliques and single-serving friendships, may we take the time to seek a welfare other than our own.
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For much of Southeast Texas, delta was the hurricane with strength that took the area by surprise in 2020.

For Marinette Landry Parkerson, however, delta is a different kind of storm - one thats impacted her life for months with seemingly no end in sight.

For 5 months, Ive been held hostage against my will..against my will! Landry Parkerson said of her pernicious battle with the coronavirus delta variant.

She remains quarantined in her west end home with her latest positive infection  the fourth shes endured since Aug. 2021.

Almost simultaneously, on Beaumonts north end, Raven Simon was fighting her own COVID battle.

The 30-year-old hit the trifecta in 2021 - a ticket no one wants to win, she said.

In August, Simon contracted the original COVID-19 strain, then delta and recently omicron.

Coupled with underlying health issues, Simons life has been upended on multiple levels.

When COVID hit in early 2020, the Parkerson family took it seriously.

My husband is immune deficient, so we were hyper-vigilant, and I mean hyper-vigilant, Landry Parkerson said.

Out of work for a month, her husband made sure every precaution was taken when the family returned from school and work.

People will think were crazy, but when the kids got home, hed spray them with Lysol before they came in the house. When I got home, he had fresh clothes ready near the door. Id put my clothes in a bag and hed take them straight to the washer in the garage, she recounted.

They were constantly spraying Lysol and sanitizing any commonly-touched surfaces.

And when BISD offered staff vaccinations, Landry Parkerson was among the first in line, getting her first dose in February.

People have a choice if they want the vaccination or not, and I looked at it as Im protecting myself, my family, the people in my house and other people in the community, Landry Parkerson said.

Despite being vaccinated and taking diligent precautions, Landry Parkerson, her husband and their daughter, then 4, contracted the delta variant in August.

Two nephews and a granddaughter evaded the virus reach.

As long as theyve been in the house with me, theyve never tested positive, she said.

Landry Parkersons first infection presented with fatigue and the worst headache ever. They were sharp, pinging headaches that would hit hard and last for about 5 minutes, then leave. The headaches came and went throughout the day for about 14 days, she recalled.

She recovered, and returned to work in September.

But Landry Parkerson still wasnt feeling 100%  fatigue and brain fog lingered in the wake of her recovery, she said.

One month into the semester, it got worse.

On October 4 Landry Parkerson went to work but told her supervisor she wasnt feeling well.

The following Monday, she felt worse and got tested for COVID-19 after work.

The result came back positive  again.

I went downhill so fast. I couldnt even get out of bed, she recalled.

Landry Parkerson got the monoclonal antibody infusion.

I didnt do it with the first one, because I was healthy person with a lower risk of life-threatening complications.

Once she contracted the illness a second time, however, doctors advised she get the treatment.

It worked wonders for my husband whod gotten it after their initial infection, but it was the opposite for me. My body didnt like it at all. It seems like all my problems (with chronic infection and symptoms) started after that.

It feels like it took from me instead of giving to me, she said, but this is a case-by-case disease - what works for one doesnt work for the other.

Her husband and daughter did not get re-infected - only shes had persistent, recurring infections.

We were more worried about him, because Im super strong. I rarely get sick and heal quickly when I do. Now were all shocked that I cant seem to recover, Landry Parkerson said. I can barely get out of bed because of the fatigue. It hurts to breathe and even to move.

I have Delta now, Landry Parkerson said last week, her voice raspy, a cough increasing as she recounted her COVID ordeal.

Last week, she received a note from her childrens school that theyd been exposed to COVID the week prior.

Her granddaughter is now sick with a fever of 101 degrees and nausea, but Landry Parkerson struggles with providing the care shed like to give.

Im not supposed to be around anyone, she said.

Its not the risk of her infecting others so much as her own health, doctors told her.

Ive been sick so long, outside people are more harm to me than I am to them, she explained.

Im trying to get better, but it wont leave me alone, she said. And thats the crazy part of this. Ive been vaccinated. I dont know why its just lingering."

Since October, Landry Parkerson has tested positive every two weeks.

Now, into her fourth COVID infection and on medical leave since October, Parkerson said, Im still trying to understand - how did I get here? Its by the grace of God that Im alive, she said. Given the severity of her long-term and recurring bouts with COVID, she credits being vaccinated with saving her life.

The vaccination helped me stay out of the hospital, she believes.

Still, Ive had some really bad days, where I thought I was going to go to the hospital, she added.

My husbands talked to me to relieve the anxiety in those hardest days, she said.

While Landry Parkersons battle with COVID has been marked by severe and persistent symptoms, Raven Simons journey took a different path.

Two of her three infections have been largely asymptomatic.

Simon got tested the first time after learning she and her boyfriends son were exposed by a family friend.

Neither she, nor the boy, were notified that their tests had come back positive for the original strain of COVID-19.

Three weeks later, Simon was back in the emergency room.

Shed suffered for years with low potassium, but this felt different.

I knew something was wrong, she said. My body usually tells me when something aint right, Simon said, adding, this time it was telling her, you got to go to the hospital.

She spent 36 hours in the ER where shed gone for COVID testing less than a month prior.

In addition to again testing positive for COVID-19, other test results showed Simons potassium to be critically low, putting her at high risk for a cardiac event.

She spent five days in the hospital before being released.

Simon recovered with virtually no symptoms.

Then came Christmas. Family members started testing positive while the omicron variant was ravaging the nation  her mother, grandmother, cousin, uncle, aunt and a family friend among them.

Simon developed a headache  the worst shed experienced  along with coughing, difficulty breathing and extreme nausea.

I was driving in my car and had to stop quick to pull over. I just started puking, and it was like pouring out of me, she recalled.

Again, she thought, somethings not right and went to the emergency room.

She told them about her symptoms and that her grandmother had just tested positive for the virus.

An hour later, she was moved to the COVID floor before being released to recover at home.

Having suffered her first bout of symptomatic illness, and now negative for the virus, Simons experiencing lingering symptoms.

I feel fatigued, but Ive done my best (to carry on with life), she said. If its in my lungs, its just gonna be there, because I dont like the medicine. It made me a zombie, and Ive got things to do - Ive got my daughter, Ive got to go to work and school - so Im going to have to deal with it.

Simon isnt risking a fourth infection.

I literally dont go anywhere. I stay in my house and maybe go for a walk outside around my apartment building, she said.

Dealing with multiple bouts of coronavirus and long-haul illness or symptoms takes more than a physical toll. Its impacted both womens mind and spirit.

Simons plans to start a new life after dealing with multiple COVID infections.

Shes just started an online culinary program after a months-long delay.

I didnt start because of the health issues  that brain fog. I was told I need a neurological doctor, she said.

She also has a history of health issues  stomach and intestinal problems, hernias, ulcers and other health concerns. And being on Medicare with no primary care physician, addressing her health issues is challenging.

All the time Im dealing with health issues Im anxious, she said.

Simons third COVID infection intensified those feelings.

I was terrified. I thought I was gonna die, Simon said, adding, Im tired, tired of doctors not figuring out whats wrong with me.

The resulting depression even drove her to the point of wanting to hurt myself, she said.

Its a side of COVID not lost on Landry Parkerson.

Some days I just sit in my house with my mask on. The kids come home from school and go straight to their rooms, she said, adding, I do feel lonely. It takes a toll mentally, emotionally and physically.

Im the parent who likes to see my kids get on the school bus every morning. Thats what I take pleasure in, and when Im in a bad place, I cant do that at all, she said. It takes a huge toll even thinking about housework - I have to rely on my husband and my children, Landry Parkerson said.

Sometimes, when Parkersons symptoms are at their most severe, her older daughter takes their youngest children.

Its a help but one that comes with mixed feelings  a blessing to have family and friends in time of need and a reminder of her infirmity one and the same.

Simon has turned her eyes to the future as she grapples with recurring symptoms, despite recent negative tests.

Shes masking while shopping for the ingredients needed to complete culinary projects, and her mother Thira Simon helping keep the course schedule on track amid the struggle with COVID brain fog.

And she looks forward to getting vaccinated as soon as possible to prevent future infections.

I would love to be vaccinated. If you can get vaccinated, please get it., Simon said, adding, This COVID stuffs real, because Ive had it three times, so I really know that its real.

For Landry Parkerson, finding hope amid the struggle comes through faith.

God has been good to me through it all. Im still able to wake up every morning and be a part of this life. That God sees value in me to allow me to wake up every morning has helped Parkerson hold on to hope.

I prayed every day and every night for Him to carry me, because I believe in a power greater than myself, she said, adding, My husband cant give me what I need. My children cant give me what I need - the grace of God to be around me at all times.

Shes also working with a clinic at the University of Texas Medical Branch in League City intended for those battling long-haul COVID.

Its basically a test study, because nobody knows why COVID does what it does to certain people, and especially somebody like me, because I have no underlying conditions at all, Landry Parkerson said.

Shes starting with occupational therapy, physical rehab and weekly group counseling.

Its a space in which long haulers can talk about our experiences. Theyre trying to also heal us from the inside to the outside  a holistic approach that recognizes the effects depression and anxiety have on the immune system and physical health.

My goal is to help someone (else who might be struggling, to show them that they can overcome,) but my focus is getting back to 100% Marinette, looking to uplift someone else and be my social butterfly self, Landry Parkerson said.

Landry Parkerson hopes her story and recovery benefit others who may suffer her same COVID fate, and urges proactive caution.

Young people dont think its gonna happen to them. I didnt think it would happen to me  certainly not a second time, but definitely not a third and then a fourth time, she said.

But it did.

Always protect yourself and your family, because you never know, she said, adding those recovering should take the time to fully heal, because your body is fighting. Youre in a whole battle.

kbrent@beaumontenterprise.com
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Two men were arrested in the Mines Road area loading marijuana bundles into a parked vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.

Jose Adan Espinoza-Ramirez, 33, and Juan Manuel Martinez, 50, were arrested on the charges of possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, attempt to possess with the intent to distribute the controlled substance, and conspire to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a report of multiple people illegally crossing into the United States on Jan. 7. A camera operator notified agents that the group remained on the riverbanks near the Perez Property and were carrying bundles of marijuana.

Responding agents encountered multiple people carrying suspected bundles of marijuana running along a trail that leads to the corner of Abbeville and Allen roads. The people were loading the bundles into a red Ford Expedition parked at the end of the trail.

Upon encounter, eight people started running through the brush in the direction of the Rio Grande. An agent then observed a migrant in the rear driver side passenger seat securing the bundles inside the vehicle. The migrant was identified as Martinez. A group of people managed to return to Mexico with four bundles of marijuana.

A search of the area resulted in the discovery of an individual who was identified as Espinoza-Ramirez, a migrant from Mexico. Five suspected bundles of marijuana were located in and around the vehicle. The marijuana weighed 356.04 pounds and had an estimated street value of $284,832.

Drug Enforcement Administration special agents and task force officers would respond to take over the investigation. In a post-arrest interview, Espinoza-Ramirez admitted to making arrangements to smuggle the marijuana with an acquaintance in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico the previous day. He expected payment for his smuggling services.

Martinez stated that a man he identified as Alberto recruited him in the United States to do mechanic work on Albertos vehicle. Alberto instructed Martinez to drive a red Ford Expedition near the trail located by Abbeville and Allen.

Martinez stated that individuals then approached his red Ford Expedition with bundles of marijuana and began placing them in the vehicle. Martinez stated that Alberto and the other individuals absconded when approached by the U.S. Border Patrol. Martinez stated that his vehicle was the only vehicle in the area at the time, states the affidavit.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Beaumont ISD is doing just that -- creating awareness among students, teachers and parents using presentations and initiatives aimed at empowering students and helping them make informed decisions.

BISD At-risk Coordinator Jacqueline Shirey said the district is approaching Human Trafficking Awareness Month from several angles tailored to each audience.

"For our students, we are doing a lot of awareness activities at developmentally-appropriate levels," said BISD At-risk Coordinator Jacqueline Shirey. "We'll make available activities for our younger kids about online safety, just feeling good about themselves, character building. Nothing too heavy, of course."

For the Seventh through 12th graders, Shirey said the district is focusing on social media safety and how to spot someone that is unsafe.

The district also has partnered with Harvest House in Beaumont to provide lessons to its Seventh graders.

"We've collaborated with them for the past few years, and they give us presentations and little videos, and then we turn it around to our teachers to utilize in their classes," Shirey said.

On average, students are exposed to, enter into the life of trafficking or are propositioned to be exploited between ages 11 and 14, which is why there is a dedicated program for Seventh graders, Shirey said.

"What we see a lot is that we have really good prevention programs set up in our high school to show teens the risks," she said. "But often, when it comes to trafficking, the age of grooming starts much earlier than high school. So, we found 7th grade to be a really great target audience because we might be able to catch kids sooner in the way that they start to develop their social media habits, how they learn to identify and value themselves -- all those things are being shaped around that age group."

Shirey said the lessons and presentations that she's gathered will be rolled out through the month through each campus. Another campaign, #LoveIsn't, begins next week at Beaumont United and West Brook high schools.

"It's basically an awareness messaging campaign of what do you deserve in a relationship with someone? Who is a good partner for you?" she said. "Because we're really trying to combat what we see a lot with young teens, both men and women, is the grooming process that traffickers use, and really targeting our high school students as how to spot grooming and if you're in a relationship where you have been groomed or you're being exploited, how to get out."

How to be safe online, including on social media, is one of the biggest messages the district is trying to get across to its students, Shirey said.

"One of the biggest messages especially when it comes to online safety is how to not get tricked, how to spot those signs, how to set yourself up for success," she said. "Don't engage with people you don't know. Don't send pictures to someone who asks you for that."

It's important for the district to make students aware of potential threats while also not making them scared, Shirey said.

Shirey said awareness also benefits adults in the community.

"Even adults do not realize that it's happening here," she said. "We kind of have a misconception that it happens either in other countries or it happens only if you live on the border of Mexico or it happens to this kind of person in this kind of place. And that's not the case -- it's happening in Texas, it's happening in America."

Students might not think they'd ever be at risk for trafficking, so the awareness is important, Shirey said.

"Every teenager has had an experience with something DM-ing them, that's a common thing," she said. "Now, take that experience, what if that person wasn't safe? That's how easy it is."

Using common situations helps students realize that anyone can be taken advantage of, Shirey said.

Last year's Human Trafficking Awareness Month was a success, which gives Shirey high hopes for this month's outcomes.

"Probably our biggest triumph last year is that we trained over 1,600 employees on human trafficking prevention education and we did it all virtually," she said.

In addition to the month-long presentations, the district is hosting an informational session for parents and other community members on Jan. 26 so they can better identify children who may be at-risk and unsafe behaviors. Time and location of the event was not been made available as of press time. There will also be another session in Spanish at a later date.

"The more irresponsible parents a child has, the more likely they are to be at risk for exploitation," Shirey said. "We look at things like our students who are homeless or in foster care, those who continuously run away. Those greatly increase their risk of being exploited or propositioned."

Shirey said it's not really a matter of "if" these children will be propositioned or exploited, but a matter of "when."

"We look at those populations of kids and really try to put in some supports for them to make sure we have our eyes on them," she said. "Any kids who are depressed or heavily anxious -- struggling with any vulnerability."

But with all of the training and presentations, Shirey said she hopes the district will be able to create a safe, empowering environment for every student.

olivia.malick@hearst.com

twitter.com/oliviamalick
Inspire. Imagine. Innovate. Impact.

Those are the four tenets by which the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities at Lamar University abides by and aims to instill in each of its students -- a mission university administration hopes will be boosted by a host of changes ushered in by the program's new dean.

The TALH program is geared toward gifted and talented Texas high school students ready to move toward their college careers with more advanced classes and involvement opportunities.

"(These) opportunities (are) designed to enhance student learning and leadership in a variety of academic areas, including humanities, STEAM and liberal arts," said Lamar Dean of the Reaud Honors College and TALH Program Tilisa Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux, who began her tenure as dean in March 2021, said she felt that the program was prime for innovation, reinvigoration and re-imagination, which led her to recreate the academy's purpose and change things that she felt would make the program better for future students.

"My big, hairy audacious goal is to become the most influential and desired high school academy program in all of Texas," she said. "My goal was really to align our students with what some of the bigger overarching goals of a top-tier graduating high-caliber student should get in their experience, and then go above and beyond that."

Changes that have been made to the program include new academic tracks such as engineering, business, pre-med, etc., and dropping the requirement that students who live within 30 miles of Lamar University live on campus.

TALH was established in the early 1990s and allows students to graduate high school with two years of college credits, which puts them on track to graduate from college two years early.

Thibodeaux said that TALH is different from dual credit courses and early college high schools because of the number of courses offered through Lamar.

"Our students are like freshmen in college," she said. "They have all the resources, all the availability and the distinguished track plan built into their experience."

In addition, Thibodeaux said the on-campus experience is much different than what other programs can offer.

"You can integrate like a college student," she said. "(The academy) also feeds directly into our programs."

When a student applies to the program, they do a pre-degree plan and the academy then looks at the courses the student has already taken in high school and what courses they need to complete their high school diploma, Thibodeaux said.

"That's the first priority," she said. "Then, we look at how those classes cross with the core (courses). We look at Lamar University core, which is Texas common core, and if they complete that, then when they leave (TALH), they can go to any public institution and have their core (classes) complete."

If a student has already completed most of their core classes by the time they get to TALH, Thibodeaux said they can spend their senior year taking some elective courses from their pre-degree plan, which would put them ahead in the degree track once they enroll in that program as a college student.

The program is open to high school students from across Texas and allows its enrollees to live on the Lamar University campus while they attend classes. Students in TALH have free tuition and pay no fees, though students who live on campus pay for housing. They also have access to all Lamar facilities such as the recreational center and can join student organizations such as marching band.

"You're looking at about $10,000 a semester if you live on campus as a traditional college student," Thibodeaux said. "So, (TALH) students are gifted $40,000 over the course of two years."

Thibodeaux said the free tuition allows low-income students to take advantage of the opportunity that TALH provides.

To ensure that students, most of whom are minors, are kept safe, resident assistants live in the dorms with students and do dorm and curfew checks. An officer also monitors CCTV overnight to make sure no one leaves after curfew.

"We have weekly meetings," she said. "We have innovation seminars with the seniors every other week and community meetings that we do every week. We are non-stop with our students all the time, and our doors are always open. We're very particular about knowing where our students are at all times."

Thibodeaux said the program has 27 students and she said she hopes to keep enrollment open until May. The academy is hosting several preview dates during the spring semester, the first of which takes place on Jan. 26.

olivia.malick@hearst.com

twitter.com/oliviamalick
You know that feeling when youre riding a fancy brand-new rollercoaster and youre literally being smashed and banged around from side to side and never know what to expect next? Well, as cheesy as it sounds, I can think of no better analogy to describe my college experience  a rollercoast
WikiCommons

I have a dream, declared Martin Luther King, Jr., as he addressed a crowd of several hundred thousand gathered on the Mall around the Washington Monument. On August 28, 1963, the day Dr. King delivered his I Have a Dream, speech, America was uneasy. It was a time of social unrest. In the midst of a nation torn by racial strife and social unrest, Dr. King painted an indelible picture of America as it could be. His oratory was soaring, his imagery was vivid, and his cause was right. Like many of Dr. Kings speeches and sermons, I Have a Dream, contains numerous references to Bible passages. Did you catch the quotes from these four Bible verses?

Amos 5:24

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.

Chapters 5 and 6 of Amos contains some of the most moving poetry in the Bible and strongly denounces religious hypocrisy and economic inequality, so it may come as no surprise that Dr. King would reference the book of Amos in his I Have a Dream speech. Throughout the text, Amos voices prophetic rage against the injustices of the day. The entire book is given to denouncing the excesses of eighth-century B.C.E. Israelite life and reminding people of their true conventional obligations. We are reminded in Amos that those who are at ease in Zion and feel secure on Mount Samaria, who lie on beds of ivory and eat lambs from the flock will be the first to go in exile (Amos 6:1-7).

Perhaps the most famous line from the book is Amos 5:24. The context of the powerful statement is a prophetic denunciation of the sacrifices and meal offerings of a people who have failed to keep a covenant which is constituted by justice and fairness. Throughout Amos 5 to 6, the prophet lashes out against those who have become rich at the expense of the poor and against public  but hollow  displays of piety. According to Amos, God says, I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies (Amos 5:21). Religious devotion is meaningless if it is accompanied by unfair taxes to the poor, backdoor bribes, and working against those in need. Amos would likely disapprove of the concentration of wealth and the corresponding increases of poverty and he would rage against displays of self-importance in some areas of life.

Isaiah 40:4-5

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain...

What is happening in your dreams? Are they being realized or are they gradually fading away? Have you lost hope because they now seem impossible? We can all learn how to revive our dreams and keep them alive from Dr. King. He gave us the answer when he quoted Isaiah 40:4-5, saying, I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight, and the glory of Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. Dr. King understood that his dream of social justice and racial equality was in harmony with Gods dream, and thats God dream will surely be realized.

Psalm 30:5

Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Dr. King makes more subtle reference in this Bible passage. This biblical allusion provides a moral basis for Kings argument. We know that we will all face problems and trials in life and some of these are completely beyond our control. These are all trials that test our faith. Anyone can have faith in God during fair weather but the true test of our faith is how we respond during stormy weather, when we cant see our hands in front of our face. Christ should be our example during our times of pain, mental anguish and suffering. Though we will endure trials, God promised in Psalm 30:5 that weeping only comes for a night but joy comes in the morning.

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is their male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

This is another Bible passage where Dr. King makes more subtle reference. We are created by One and all made in the image of God. We recognize from this passage that each of us is connected through our creation and our redemption. Fulfilling Dr. Kings dream pleases God. We should love one another as we are all Gods children.

His cadences, inflections and biblical allusions gave Dr. Kings I Have a Dream speech memorable structure. His powerful argument gave the speech its moral weight. I Have a Dream reminds us that all human beings are equally created in the image of God. As Christians, its important that we realize this. But it is also important that we realize that we are sinners, and sin is the fundamental problem on the issue of race.

Sin is interwoven in our lives and institutional structures that we often cant see it. The only remedy for the problem of racism and racial prejudice is the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. His atonement for sin is the only cure, and the only real picture of true racial reconciliation is that found in Revelation 7:9-12. In this passage, we read of the redeemed people of God as a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, and all tribes and all people and tongues, standing before the lamb. The Lamb, who is Jesus Christ will make us one.

There is still much work to do; we struggle in a fallen world until Jesus comes. By Gods grace, we know the real progress is possible and that we are accountable. The church must show the world that the new community of Jesus is called to demonstrate His glory in calling us together.

The Christian doctrine of humanity revealed in the Bible is the only adequate foundation for dealing with racism. Ultimately, we do believe that every single human being is made in the image of God and reflects Gods glory by his or her very existence. Either we believe that God delights in the racial and ethnic diversity of those made in His image, or we simply refuse to believe what the Bible so clearly teaches us.

Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council.
Two Ugyhur men accused of bombing a Hindu shrine in Bangkok in 2015 told BenarNews through an interpreter on Monday that they have never been permitted to contact relatives, are not allowed time in a prison yard and are sometimes fed pork despite their Muslim faith.

Dressed in brown prison uniforms and wearing handcuffs and leg restraints, Uyghurs Adem Karadag and Yusufu Mieraili spoke to a BenarNews reporter as they left a scheduling hearing in the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court following their first court appearance in two years.

We are not allowed to make any phone calls in prison, Karadag and Mieraili told BenarNews through an interpreter following the three-hour hearing. Our families have not heard from us or are even aware of our arrests in 2015.

The defendants said they have no books to read or paper to write on to send letters.

Some of the meals contain pork even though we are Muslims, they said. The hardest part is that we are not allowed to step outside of the building and do not get to see the sky.

Karadag and Mieraili have been housed at the militarys Lak Si temporary detention center since their arrests within two weeks of the blast that killed 20 people and injured more than 100 at the Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist site, on Aug. 17, 2015. It has been called the deadliest terror attack in modern Thailand.

A military court began hearing the charges against them in 2016 before the case was moved to a Bangkok civilian criminal court in 2019.

Karadag and Mieraili, who identified themselves as Uyghurs from Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China, pleaded not guilty before both courts. They could face death sentences if convicted of charges including premeditated killing and possession of explosives.

Chuchart Kanpai, the lawyer representing Karadag, said the defense and prosecution teams agreed that testimony would begin late this year.

The prosecution requested interviews with 424 witnesses, Chuchart told BenarNews. The next questioning of a witness will be on Nov. 1, 2022."

Mieraili lawyer Jamroen Panonpakakorn said the defendants will seek to question only five to 10 witnesses. The court scheduled sessions for Nov. 1 and 2, Nov. 22 through 25, and Dec. 6 through 9.

Delays

Over the years, the trial has been beset by delays linked to interpreters. A lawyer and an NGO worker assisting the Uyghurs with their defense previously said Karadag could not speak Chinese and would prefer a Uyghur-speaking translator while Mieraili can communicate in English, but not fluently.

On Monday, the Uyghurs met an interpreter proposed by the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok and signed documents accepting the arrangement. The interpreter was selected in August 2021 but was not able to travel to Thailand until this month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chalida Tajaroensuk, director of the Peoples Empowerment Foundation, a Thai NGO, expressed concern about the decision.

The defendant should have a basic right to choose the interpreter because it has a great impact on the case and it is a matter of life and death, Chalida told BenarNews.

We see that the court does not have an understanding of Uyghur and Chinese politics because the court should not employ an interpreter from the Chinese government under these political circumstances. It shows that this process of hiring an interpreter is not sensible.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

A few showers early becoming a steady rain overnight. Low around 50F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

A few showers early becoming a steady rain overnight. Low around 50F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.
Data from county sheriffs in Massachusetts shows rates of mental health issues among inmates ranging from 14 percent all the way up to 90 percent, a big gap that needs to be accounted for says a panel of experts and lawmakers.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Partly cloudy and windy. High near 65F. Winds ESE at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 41F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
At some point, Senators Joe Manchin and Kristen Sinema will return to being generalized by many Republicans or far-right conservatives. Theyll be berated for backing some liberal policies or standing with their fellow Democrats on an issue that Republicans dislike.

And for sure, many folks in the Democratic Party will not forget what they consider disloyalty or traitorous actions that have denied President Biden of his most controversial and questionable legislation.

But if you look at what Manchin and Sinema continue to do despite the pressure of the media and those consumed by political emotions, youll appreciate it no matter which party you belong to.

These two senators continue to make decisions with their constituents and the American people in mind, refusing to change positions due to peer pressure.

As Washington continues to further resemble a middle school popularity contest its nice to see the adults that people voted to represent them act like adults.

Integrity isnt a common trait in the Capitol anymore. Its like seeing an endangered species.
Sometimes in life, bad things have to happen to set up corrections. The Biden administration is bad for America, most voters understand that therefore the Democrats will likely be punished next November.

On the retail level, United Van Lines is reporting folks are moving out of states run by progressives in record numbers. San Francisco is now unlivable. Thousands of mostly poor people are being shot each year in Chicago. The New York City District Attorney publicly says he will only prosecute crimes if he feels like it.

The progressive philosophy has led to anarchy and, again, most clear-thinking Americans know it. I assume they'll remember the progressive horror so we can deep-six this movement for the foreseeable future.

See you this evening for the No Spin News beginning at six.
The sixth hospital in Kerala will be set up with an investment of Rs 140 crore

Aster DM Healthcare is strengthening its footing in the country by signing a 30-years lease agreement to set up its sixth hospital in the state of Kerala, adding to the existing 14 hospitals in India. The hospital is being set up by Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), a material subsidiary of Aster DM Healthcare and will be situated in the Kasaragod district of Kerala, catering to patients from Malabar and Southern Karnataka. On behalf of Aster, the agreement was signed by Farhan Yasin, Regional Director, Aster Kerala, and Oman Clusters.



An initial investment of around Rs 140 crores have been earmarked for the new facility, which will include a 200-bed comprehensive tertiary care facility, with the option of expanding to a quaternary care facility in the future. The new Aster Hospital is expected to begin operations in 2024-25, making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable for patients in the region who will no longer need to travel to Mangalore to receive quality healthcare.



As the first tertiary hospital in Kasaragod district, the upcoming hospital will provide 24x7 emergency and critical care as well as super specialities.



Once completed this will be one of the largest hospitals in the region. At Aster, we strive for excellence, every moment, and every day - to bring great healthcare within reach of people. We live by our motto Well Treat You well to the last detail, said, Farhan Yasin, Regional Director, Aster- Kerala & Oman.
The South African (SA) lemon juice industry recently received complaints from its United States (US) counterpart, accusing SA of dumping lemon juice at lower prices. According to a radio interview on SAFM that was published on Money Web, the local lemon juice industry is now at risk of paying anti-dumping tariffs if investigations, which are being conducted in the US, show that SA is dumping cheaper lemon juice that unfairly benefits from higher profit margins compared to their US counterparts.

Local lemon juice market still developing

One of the companies being investigated for dumping lemon juice is Venco Food Processors. In the SAFM radio interview, Hannes de Waal, chairperson of Venco Food Processors, said the investigation came as a surprise. The company that filed a petition at the end of December is Ventura Coastal LLC."We received notice early in January and the team said the process (had) formally started just before the end of December," he said. "We are still investigating what was alleged at this time, and the process that we are involved in with the American trade authorities is to co-operate. The information that theyve requested to date has been extremely basic, so we are still learning where its going to end."De Waal explained that the lemon juice market for export is about $130 million in total for all countries that export to the US. Argentina, Mexico, Italy, Brazil and Spain are the major competitors for SA. The lemon juice market, said De Waal, is one that is still developing for SA. Lemons are prohibited from being exported to the US due to crop residues of products used to contain the fungal disease, black spot, which gives SA access to exporting lemons to the European Union. Although the lemon juice export market in the US is an attractive market, it still makes up a small section of SAs lemon export market.According to De Waal, they will lobby the industry to contest the complaint, since the local lemon industry is expanding rapidly, and access is needed to all market channels which SA can export to globally. De Waal said, It seems to us that the cost at which weve been able to sell was substantially lower than the US cost. However, those are the same prices that we use to sell all over the world. We sell a lot of juice in Europe at those prices, and we also sell quite a bit of juice today in SA at those prices. If we look at the tariff that is being quoted, 128%, that means they want us to sell at double-plus."Were not selling at lower than our cost of production because that would be plain stupidity. We dont have that kind of money and, as you can imagine, shipping a container of lemon juice concentrate to the US is extremely expensive. If you look at the shipping challenges, why ship something were not going to make pay? That would be silly," said De Waal.To find out more, listen to the radio interview here
Nearly 1,000 international tourists visit Phu Quoc in pilot month

Phu Quoc Island District in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has received nearly 1,000 international tourists after a month carrying out a plan to welcome foreign visitors.

The first international visitors are welcomed in Phu Quoc on November 20, 2021



According to a report from Kien Giang Provincial Department of Tourism, the resort island has welcomed nearly 1,000 tourists from Thailand, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Laos, and Kazakhstan since reopening from November 20, 2021.



In its pilot plan to welcome international tourists using vaccine passports, Phu Quoc is allowing some travel firms to receive visitors to select local tourism sites and 18 hotels and resorts.



Under the plan, visitors from countries with high safety in Covid-19 prevention and control in regions such as Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Australia will need to book package tours via travel agents if they want to go to Phu Quoc.



To enter the country, visitors must meet certain requirements, including a certificate of full vaccination against Covid-19 recognised by relevant authorities in Vietnam, or proof of Covid-19 recovery, along with an English certificate of negative Covid-19 test results via RT-PCR method within 72 hours before departure.



Children under 18 years old with a valid negative Covid-19 test result are allowed to travel to Phu Quoc with fully vaccinated parents or guardians.



Phu Quoc is expected to welcome between 3,000 to 5,000 international tourists per month via charter flights until March 20, 2022.
Jane Austen's The History of England - Pages 27 and 28



Copyright  The British Library Board

Elizabeth continued

It would be endless to recount the misfortunes of this noble & gallant Earl. It is sufficient to say that he was beheaded on the 25th of Feb:ry, after having been Lord Leuitenant of Ireland, after having clapped his hands on his sword, and after performing many other services to his Country. Elizabeth did not long survive his loss, & died so miserable that were it not an injury to the memory of Mary I should pity her.

James the 1st

Though this King had some faults, among which & as the most principal, was his allowing his Mother's death, yet considered on the whole I cannot help liking him. He married Anne of Denmark, and had several Children; fortunately for him his eldest son Prince Henry died before his father or he might have experienced the evils which befell his unfortunate Brother.

As I am myself partial to the roman catholic religion, it is with infinite regret that I am obliged to blame the Behaviour of any Member of it: yet Truth being I think very excusable in an Historian, I am necessitated to say that in this reign the roman Catholics of England did not behave like Gentlemen to the protestants.
The Canadian province of Alberta has censored data showing a huge increase in Covid infections and deaths in people following their first Covid vaccine dose.

Yesterday I wrote a Substack highlighting the data, which were presented in chart form on the provinces official Website.

The charts are available here, Figure 12, on this Web page:

https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm#vaccine-outcomes

Did I say are?

I meant were.

Theyre gone. Theyve been removed. From an official government Website. Without notice. Not even a note claiming theyre being updated, or double-checked, or anything. Theyre just gone. The page now ends at Figure 11. Nothing below.

Fortunately, the Wayback Machine (thank you, Wayback Machine!) still has them, so nobody can claim I made them up, or something..

COVID-19 Alberta statistics | alberta.ca (archive.org)

We are at war with Eurasia. We have always been at war with Eurasia.

For reference, here are the charts:
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The board of directors of Brandon Jazz Festival Incorporated has voted to dissolve the corporation, but the festival will continue next year.

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The board of directors of Brandon Jazz Festival Incorporated has voted to dissolve the corporation, but the festival will continue next year.

Keeping the corporation going in the face of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led the board to make the decision.

They had been discussing dissolution since last spring, said former executive director Brent Campbell. They had been weighing the pros and cons and had a formal vote last fall.

"The fact we havent been able to have a festival in three years made us think it was time for us to dissolve and hand it over to someone else to organize," he said. "I wasnt sure that we could ever return to the template we had enjoyed for so many years with so many groups attending, and it felt like a major change in the format was necessary. The board felt that another entity would be best suited to take an event like this in a new direction."

Campbell added that he personally had been considering stepping down and letting someone else take over his role before this vote was held.

In 2020, they were forced to cancel just 10 days before the festival was to begin. Then they were forced to cancel again in 2021 and now 2022. This seemed like a good time to do this with the festival having had to cancel the event for the third consecutive year.

However, the show will go on, in 2023. Brandon University has agreed to take over the administration and running of a new event with a new format.

"Its a natural passing of the torch because the festival was held on the university campus and many in the public believed the university already ran the festival," Campbell said.

This will give the university plenty of lead time to develop a new format for the festival, he said.

A news release stated Greg Gatien, dean of the School of Music at Brandon University, and Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music faculty members Eric Platz, Marika Galea and Ken Gold will be responsible for the new event.

Held every year on the third weekend in March, the festival started in 1983 as an educational event for students. Groups were brought in from around Manitoba, Ontario and the United States to run workshops, have groups play and be adjudicated by experts in the genre.

Campbell said looking at archived programs, he calculates between 13,000 to 14,000 students went through the festival. He added they had been missing one program, but a member of the public came forward with a copy and their archives are now complete.

The release also said the corporation and its members wish to thank all the many directors, groups, adjudicators and performers for their support since 1983 when the festival started with 12 groups and two adjudicators, Phil Nimmons and Don Clark.

 kmckinley@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @karenleighmcki1
The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union is questioning why demands for health-care support workers to receive COVID adjustment pay have gone unanswered by the provincial government.

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The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union is questioning why demands for health-care support workers to receive COVID adjustment pay have gone unanswered by the provincial government.

The union has sent two letters to Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon, dated Dec. 20 and Jan. 10, asking for COVID premiums for health-care support workers, said MGEU president Kyle Ross. To date, the union has yet to receive any response. The letters call on the provincial government to provide COVID premium pay for health-care support workers working in hospital emergency departments and personal care homes in outbreak situations.

Kyle Ross

"It has been challenging. We have been advocating for our members," Ross said. "Theyre working shoulder-to-shoulder with people who are getting it [COVID-19] in the same environment and not being treated the same. Its just not fair."

MGEU is calling for a pay adjustment for staff  about 15 members  who work in the Brandon Regional Health Centre emergency department for as long as there is a pandemic, as well as for the 3,200 members who work in personal-care homes during an outbreak.

Personal support workers, sometimes referred to as health-care aides, help manage the daily tasks of patients dealing with illness or injury or the effects of aging. They work with a health-care team to provide patient care in a variety of settings, from hospitals to private homes.

Ross said these health-care workers are not being treated equitably because they are not receiving the COVID premium. He hopes changes are coming because MGEU wants members to feel supported and valued in their jobs.

"The government had indicated they wanted to open a new dialogue with us when the new premier was elected  [we sent the letters] and they did not respond. I guess you could say [the conversation] is one-way right now," Ross said. "We hope we can change that and work this out together, but its frustrating."

While members would appreciate seeing the implementation of COVID adjustment pay, he said, more steps are needed to establish a good-faith relationship.

The inequity of pay has created hardship for health care support workers because they have to work in a challenging environment that has only become more difficult during the pandemic while being short on staff.

"Its not good for everyone," Ross said. "Its still a difficult environment with COVID."

Exposures to the virus are becoming more pressing because of how contagious the omicron variant has proven to be, he added.

"Its why we are advocating for this COVID adjustment pay for people to feel like they are taking on these challenges," Ross said. "While theyre wearing PPE on the scene, there is still that risk. Its scary for them, its frustrating."

Recruitment into health care is difficult due to the adversity of the job, and it has only become more challenging during the pandemic.

With the current vacancies, the job is becoming increasingly gruelling for all staff, and it is hard to encourage people to enter the health-care industry when they are dealing with situations like the lack of COVID adjustment pay.

When asked if walkouts were a possibility, Ross said: "We are working towards some resolutions on those issues that are challenging for our members. Thats where we are right now, but that may change in the future."

The Brandon Sun spoke with two staff members at the Brandon Regional Health Centre  a man and a woman. The paper agreed to withhold their names to protect the safety of their employment.

The duo said it has been disappointing to see the provincial government fail to provide COVID adjustment pay for health-care support workers who work alongside others receiving the pay in the emergency department.

"The entire system is fed up," the male staffer said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, patient counts at the hospital have risen exponentially. Speaking candidly, they estimate the patient load in the emergency department has tripled.

"There is no hope  the hope was lost a long time ago, hope in our government," he said. "I have not worked a shift in weeks where I have not seen one of my fellow staff members  be it a nurse, a doctor, a health-care aide, a clerk  where I have not seen one person crying on that shift. That to me is sad  everyone is feeling exhausted."

The inaction of the provincial government has affected morale across the entire hospital, his colleague added, especially because the discrepancies in COVID adjustment pay feed into a feeling of segregation.

"Its put a wedge there that wasnt there before, this whole pay issue," she said.

It has been frustrating and demoralizing to be experiencing exposures to the virus when they are not receiving the same premiums as their co-workers in the hospital.

The female hospital worker noted the shift premium is not based on skills or education  it is based on the hazard of COVID exposure.

While the hazard pay would not change the day-to-day experience of their jobs, she said, it would serve as an incentive for others to help out and pick up shifts that would enhance the care patients receive.

"Right from the very beginning, when that COVID pay was announced anybody who worked in that building shook their heads and said why is the ED [Emergency Department] not put on that list?" the male staffer said. "The front doors of the hospital are the ED. Every COVID patient admitted to the hospital goes through the ED."

He said the rollout of premiums was "bungled from the start," and it has been disappointing to see the provincial government continue to refuse including emergency department workers.

"We feel a little segregated out," the female staffer said. "Why do our lives not matter?"

These pressures have led to them seeing workers in the building quit "for greener pastures."

"Ive heard it from people that, Im going to work at Giant Tiger because they are going to pay me a dollar less an hour, but I dont have to deal with this," he said. "The workload has gotten so extreme it has burnt us out."

The discrepancies in COVID pay have also impacted how the hospital is run, the female staffer alleged. People are opting to work in positions where they can receive the pay, adding to the workload those in the emergency department face as they remain uncompensated.

"Theres no incentive to come down to emergency and help out," she said.

Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said the organization supports the push by MGEU to secure COVID adjustment pay for health-care support workers.

In the last two years, work within health care has been dramatically changed by the global health crisis.

"What Im hearing from nurses in facilities is that their workload has gotten progressively larger over the past two years. They are carrying bigger patient loads than theyve carried in the past. They are working extended hours on a regular basis," Jackson said.

Nurses have received the adjustment, and it was extended to four emergency departments  the Brandon Regional Health Centre, and at Winnipegs St. Boniface Hospital, Grace Hospital and Health Sciences Centre.

These issues of workload have only been compounded by the nursing shortage in the province, she said  a situation that is just becoming progressively worse due to early retirements among health-care workers opting to leave the public health-care sector.

"Theres a lot of frustration out there, and theres a lot of anger," Jackson said. "Nurses are upset. Theyre angry because they are the ones that are working the double shifts that are doing everything to glue the system together at the expense of patient care."

The nursing shortage has been building for years, but partnerships like the one with MGEU help provide health-care workers with a sense of hope.

"Its one huge team, and the problem is that if there is someone on the team missing, the rest of the team has to pick up the slack," Jackson said. "I think its important to note that we dont do anything thats not teamwork in health care. I think its time for this government to stand up and be counted when it comes to recognizing the challenges that the health-care workers in this province have met over the past few years."

She believes that if health-care support workers are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other staff, they deserve the same benefits.

"We talk about how we need to keep nurses in nursing, how we need to keep the team together. But its only when we are in a critical situation when there is no other option but to be fair that we see this government actually stepping up. Nothing is ever done until we are in dire straits  this is unsustainable," Jackson said. "It is imperative that this government maintains every health-care worker in the system right now. This is all about retention."

The Brandon Sun requested an interview regarding COVID adjustment pay for health-care support workers via email and phone on Saturday and Sunday from the Manitoba Ministry of Health and Seniors Care. No response was provided by the publication deadline.

Shared Health declined to provide comments to The Brandon Sun.

 ckemp@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
Health Canada added another tool to its pandemic-fighting arsenal Monday, approving Pfizer's antiviral treatment for COVID-19 as the rapid spread of the Omicron variant continued to tax the country's health-care system and millions of students returned to in-person learning.

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Classrooms have been prepared for the return of students next week at John MacNeil Elementary School in Dartmouth, N.S. on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Millions more Canadian students will head back to school today as officials across four provinces work to keep classrooms safe from COVID-19 and the threat of Omicron-driven staff shortages. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Health Canada added another tool to its pandemic-fighting arsenal Monday, approving Pfizer's antiviral treatment for COVID-19 as the rapid spread of the Omicron variant continued to tax the country's health-care system and millions of students returned to in-person learning.

The agency authorized Paxlovid for adult patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are also at high risk of becoming more seriously ill. Health Canada did not authorize it for use on teenagers or on patients who are already hospitalized because of COVID-19.

Hospitalizations continued to rise Monday as Ontario reported 578 COVID-19 patients in intensive care units and 3,887 in hospital overall, up from 3,595 a day before. Quebec, meanwhile, reported 3,381 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, including 286 in ICU.

Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser with Health Canada, said authorization comes at a "crucial time in the pandemic as we're faced with new variants."

The drug could help alleviate pressure on health-care systems by decreasing the number of high-risk people who would require hospitalization, but health officials noted on a conference call Monday that supply would be an issue early on.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief medical officer, said Paxlovid's impact likely won't be seen right away.

"A lot of it depends on the initial supply and we all know that the supply isn't going to be great at the start," she said. "For the Omicron wave itself, it may contribute, but it won't be a key contributor to the current wave.

"So it is very much another layer, another tool as we progress over the next month."

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Canada has already received its first shipment of 30,000 treatment courses of the Pfizer drug, with another 120,000 expected through March. He added that distribution to provinces and territories will begin "immediately."

News of Paxlovid's authorization came as Canadian students in four provinces returned to in-person learning, though a heavy winter snowstorm in parts of Ontario and Quebec meant another virtual school day for many.

Students in Nova Scotia and Manitoba also returned to class after starting the new year online because of record-high case counts. The provinces switched to remote learning to take pressure off the health-care system and give schools more time to improve safety measures.

Some Manitoba high-school students staged a walkout Monday to protest their return amid rising COVID-19 numbers.

The students called for enhanced safety measures in classrooms, better access to masks and an option for online learning.

Manitoba reported 20 COVID-19-related deaths since Friday, with hospitalization numbers reaching a record 601, including 107 in ICU.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, meanwhile, officials are waiting at least another week to relax public health restrictions following a surge in COVID-19 that began in late December. The province moved to Alert Level 4 on Jan. 4 and will stay there until at least Jan. 24.

Newfoundland and Labrador reported 15 hospitalized COVID-19 patients on Monday, one shy of its pandemic record of 16 set on Oct. 17.

In Ottawa, Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi said Monday that obtaining Paxlovid will help keep Canada's hospitalization figures from continuing to creep upwards.

"I think the timing of this (authorization) is also very important," she said. "The bottom line is ... it keeps people potentially out of the hospitals."

The prescription medication is meant to be taken at home within five days of the start of symptoms, timing that could prove difficult as Canada deals with a limited capacity for PCR testing.

Tam said rapid tests could also be used to determine who might receive Paxlovid.

"You can try and get the PCR test but if it's simply not available or not available fast enough, the rapid antigen test may be used," she said. "That's just a very practical approach."

Tam said provinces and territories will determine how best to use limited supply of the drug, adding that deployment to jurisdictions will be based on a per-capita basis.

She said priority for Paxlovid will be given to those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and don't mount enough protection against COVID-19 with vaccines; people over the age of 80 whose vaccines are not up to date; and those 60 years and older living in rural or underserved communities including First Nation, Inuit and Metis individuals whose vaccinations are not up to date.

Unvaccinated people also remain at higher risk for severe disease. But Duclos said they shouldn't view Paxlovid as a substitute for vaccination.

"A drug is a treatment," he said. "It's much better not to have to be treated and the best way not to have to be treated is to be vaccinated."

The Pfizer pill uses a combination of two antiviral drugs to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from replicating once it has infected a patient.

Sharma said clinical trials showed treatment with Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19 by 89 per cent when the medications were started within three days of the beginning of symptoms, and by 85 per cent when started within five days.

Meanwhile, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has updated its guidance on vaccination following myocarditis.

The agency says those who either had no cardiac workup or had normal cardiac investigations can receive the next dose of their vaccine once they are symptom free and at least 90 days has passed since vaccination.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2022.
HALIFAX - As 400 public schools in Nova Scotia prepare to resume in-person classes on Monday, the president of the province's teachers union says he has "severe doubts" as to whether they can stay open until the end of the week.

Classrooms have been prepared for the return of students next week at John MacNeil Elementary School in Dartmouth, N.S. on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Stand-alone HEPA air purification devices have been placed in classrooms, desks are spaced and face masks are provided at each work location. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

HALIFAX - As 400 public schools in Nova Scotia prepare to resume in-person classes on Monday, the president of the province's teachers union says he has "severe doubts" as to whether they can stay open until the end of the week.

In an interview Sunday, Paul Wozney said he believes the government has been "overselling" its plan to help schools remain open as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to sweep through the province.

"I think people forget, but before the holidays we couldn't keep the doors open to in-person learning, we didn't have enough staff," said Wozney. ""The pressure that Omicron presents hasn't lessened, it's gotten worse."

The province reported 696 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and 627 cases on Saturday.

"I have severe doubts about whether or not we're going to be able to sustain in-person learning until the end of this week," Wozney said.

Nova Scotia schools have been closed to students since in-person classes ended on Dec. 18 and have been learning remotely since instruction resumed on Jan. 10.

Wozney said the province should exercise caution and continue with remote learning until case numbers are more manageable as has been done in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Students are not scheduled to return to in-class learning in New Brunswick until Jan. 31, while Newfoundland and Labrador and P.E.I. are holding off on a return until at least Jan. 24.

Meanwhile, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston admitted last week that school closures due to outbreaks and staff shortages are a possibility.

But Education Minister Becky Druhan told reporters following a cabinet meeting Thursday that plans are in place to respond to whatever operational challenges arise.

"We are putting plans in place provincewide and additionally at a school level to make sure we are prepared as well as we possibly can," Druhan said. "We will do our best to work through (challenges) and to ensure that we have kids in school ... as much as we possibly can."

Druhan said that includes assigning administrative staff from school districts to the classroom in the event of teacher shortages due to illness or the need to self-isolate.

Druhan said other steps taken include the installation of portable ventilation units in classrooms. Three-ply cloth masks will also be available to teachers and students, she added.

Despite the contingency plans Wozney still questions whether there will be enough staff available to teach should in-school virus outbreaks occur.

He said part of the problem is an ever shrinking pool of available substitute teachers, an issue that was evident before the pandemic began.

As an example, Wozney cited the Halifax area which he said went from a list of as many as 2,000 active substitutes to just below 1,000 after the pandemic began. He said the shortages are worse in rural areas of the province.

"We do not have the people to sustain in-person learning for any prolonged period of time," he said. "We've made that abundantly clear to the (education) department."

Wozney added that he doesn't know whether there is a plan to cover off custodial or administrative staff who may be absent.

"It strains all reason that we are going to put our youngest, least vaccinated Nova Scotians in this situation and effectively hope for the best," he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2022.
First things first: Where does Shauna find the resolve to chop up her lovers body in a bathtub? We even see it when shes in the wilderness in high school, volunteering to slit the deers throat. Im hoping that we meet members of her family so we can see why she is who she is. She seems like a completely self-sufficient person even before shes stranded in this situation. I think theres something inside her thats a little bit scary even to her, but it feels like the most honest part of herself.

Its not just young Shauna who butchers animals  as an adult, she guts a rabbit in the kitchen. Are you squeamish when it comes to blood?

Im a vegetarian  I havent eaten meat since I was 10 years old. I didnt want to have to do that with a real rabbit, so they made me this crazy prop rabbit  it was all magnets, sticking pieces together. It looked so real!

How else are you like and not like Shauna?

Shes able to switch into a cold, calculating veneer that I dont know if I have  I guess I must, because it can come out of me. But shes also someone who has a great capacity for love, so were alike in that way. Shes a lot more confident than I am, but she still has moments of self-doubt, which can lead her to make some of her biggest mistakes.

What about when it comes to survival skills?

If Im going anywhere, I have to read every single TripAdvisor and Yelp review just to make sure the hotel is going to be as nice as I need it to be. Im very particular, very princess-y. When I was a child, I went to nature camp for a few days, and the entire thing was torture. At the end of it, everyone in the class had to write a letter to the person who impressed them the most, and I got every letter because people were like: You got through it. You cried the entire time, but somehow, you did it.

Lets talk about Jeff (Warren Kole). Why does Shauna stay with him?

Before the wilderness, there was chemistry, and they really liked each other, but Shauna felt like it was temporary. And then she came back from this experience with a ton of survivors guilt. But shes not dealing with any of it  shes just stuffing it all down, and she feels like the responsible thing to do is to now marry Jeff. Shes scared to look too closely at Who is this person Im with? in case she has to do something difficult. Its a similar situation with Adam [the former lover in the bathtub, played by Peter Gadiot], where she just kind of jumps into things. Shes so scared of finding out something she doesnt want to know that she just lets things happen to her.

How much did you know about Shaunas character going into the series?

The writers had told me what happened to Jackie [Ella Purnell], because when she started appearing in front of me in flashbacks, I said I needed to know specifics. And I knew the trajectory of the Adam relationship. I knew the trajectory of the Jeff relationship and that he was the blackmailer. I think sometimes writers are scared that if an actor has all the information, theyre going to give things away in their performance, but its helpful for me to have so I can do something layered thats fun for people to go back and watch.
Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has urged Australians to get their COVID-19 booster vaccination doses when they are eligible and to follow other public health directions.

People aged over 18 are eligible for a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if their second dose was at least four months ago. That interval will drop to three months from January 31.

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Some immunocompromised adults have received, or are eligible to receive, three doses as part of their primary vaccination course. They are eligible for a fourth dose as a booster shot if their third jab was at least four months ago. That interval will also drop to three months at the end of January.

People probably are wondering what can I do? What can I do for myself and my family at this time? I think thats important, Professor Kelly said.

We all have an ability to consider what to do during this pandemic. The first one very importantly the [Health] Minister has already mentioned: if you are due for a booster, go and get it.

If you have a child that is five years or older, get them vaccinated. Vaccination is definitely something you can and should be doing and should be doing that today.

Wear a mask when asked; follow the public health directions. They are still important, and were still trying to decrease the transmission of the virus.

In terms of testing, if you are asked to get a test or if you are close contact, make sure you do get that test and follow the instructions and the advice from public health officials. I think this is very reasonable.

In case you missed it earlier today, Australias expert vaccination group has recommended a third coronavirus vaccine dose for severely immunocompromised children.

Under updated Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation guidelines, five- to 11-year-olds with specific medical conditions or drug therapies affecting their immune system will be eligible for a booster shot two to four months after their second dose.

Children in this age group only became eligible for vaccination from January 10, meaning their third dose will not be until later this year. You can read ATAGIs full advice here.
Recent coronavirus cases have been less likely to be hospitalised than people infected in mid-2021, early data shows as health authorities say booster doses have played a significant role in preventing severe disease.

However, there are concerns about the states high case load, with vulnerable people catching the virus before receiving a booster and hospitals stretched by the sheer number of infections.

Lung specialist Associate Professor Lucy Morgan and NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant warned booster shots were making the difference in COVID-19 severity. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Data published in NSW Healths COVID-19 weekly surveillance report on Monday showed the hospitalisation rate was lower for all age groups, including the elderly, compared to the Delta wave. About 95 per cent of infections are now the milder Omicron variant, Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.

Ten per cent of people in their 70s who caught the virus from November 26 to January 1 were hospitalised, compared to 40 per cent from June 16 to November 25. For people in their 80s, the hospitalisation rate was 27 per cent, down from 54 per cent.
Travellers are being marooned overseas after recovering from COVID-19 due to outdated Australian re-entry requirements that have left one Melbourne family in an insane catch-22 in Fiji.

On Monday, Martina Cullen was forced to say goodbye to her husband and children as they flew home to Melbourne because the Australian government requires her to wait 14 days after her positive PCR test before boarding a plane.

Martina Cullen and husband Nigel Landeryou.

What I wasnt prepared for was that the Australian government have kept in place a rule that is no longer valid within Australia, she said.

Despite being cleared by Fijian authorities, the Melbourne University enrolments manager will remain in Fiji with her nephew after other family members flew home on Monday.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan says the number of people being tested for COVID-19 must jump in order to get a better idea of the extent of the current outbreak as it is revealed one of the new cases of COVID-19 has been admitted to hospital.

Mr McGowan said the person in hospital was not in intensive care, and is one of three cases which were announced on Sunday.

WAs first-dose vaccination rate of people older than 12 years old is at 95.3 per cent, with 87.9 per cent having had two doses and 21.9 per cent having had their third.

A slight increase in testing was recorded after mask mandates were reintroduced on Sunday night. Mr McGowan said this needed to increase further to stop the spread.
Getting the call from the Department of Health Mrs McKinlay said the Department of Health called her on Saturday morning to say the salon had been an exposure site. At the time there were no mask mandates for West Australians when they were indoors at businesses. The timeframe showed it was my client, Mrs McKinlay said. I was deemed high risk and my staff were deemed low risk but we still all went and got tested.

We shut the salon down straight away and let our immediate clients know what was happening. Loading Because of the trail of where the previous case had been ... they [health authorities] are confident it is the Omicron strain. The department told Mrs McKinlay a person with the virus had been at her salon on Thursday. Mrs McKinlay said since the Department of Health had been so under the pump with the virus she thought it would be quicker for her to contact all her clients about the positive case.

She said she was concerned the department still had not put up her business as an exposure site on its public list. The Department of Health did not put the salon on its public exposure site, however, as it believes all possible contacts have been reached. Mrs McKinlay said her business kept a detailed list of who came into her salon. She said testing positive for the virus had been upsetting. Id already been in contact with so many people but my clients as well so I knew straight away I felt like I had put other people at risk, Mrs McKinlay said.

What it has been like having COVID-19 Mrs McKinlay said on Saturday morning, two days after she was exposed, she had a runny nose but had not thought too much of it since she was prone to hay fever and sinus infections. But by the end of Saturday  after she had got tested and gone into isolation  she had a scratchy throat, sore ears and felt a head cold coming on. Mrs McKinlay said she was not feeling any better as her symptoms had changed.

I have a little bit of a cough now which I didnt have to start with so hopefully that will stay mild, she said. Loading Ive just been able to treat everything with a Pandaol  headaches and body pains. Mrs McKinlay said having the virus felt like you had just played a game of footy and needed a good massage afterwards. I definitely dont think it should be underestimated, I think people should be considering the dangers of it in the first place, complacency is what will get people off-side, she said.

I cant compare it to any other COVID strain, because I havent had that before. In terms of flu and cold-wise Ive only really had the flu once in my life and I remember that being pretty bad. I wouldnt say I feel that bad at the moment, I guess it depends how long the strain will last ... its clearly a lot more contagious as well. Grants would be helpful Mrs McKinlay said she thought families would be impacted more by close contact protocols but WA opening up and facing the pandemic was going to be stressful for small businesses financially. She said getting support from the government in the form of grants would take the stress off.

The bills dont stop coming in but the government is also not made of money either, Mrs McKinlay said. We make the money to pay them to pay us. Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive Chris Rodwell said it was encouraging businesses to look at their continuity plans in preparation for COVID-19 spread and the border opening on February 5. Every business will face some unique impacts and weve been assisting businesses to grapple with that since the start of the pandemic, he said. Theres a range of things to consider. Theres revisiting customer and supplier arrangements. From a staffing perspective there might be options to engage overflow staff, limit the crossover between shifts, split rosters, or ramp up working from home.
WA Police are searching for a gunman after a man in his 30s was shot in the leg in Port Kennedy on Monday.

Officers were called to a rental property on Stakehill Road just after 1pm on Monday, arriving to find the man with a gunshot wound to his leg.

The man was taken by a friend to Rockingham Hospital before being rushed by St John Ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital.

He remained in a critical condition on Monday evening and was yet to be interviewed by police.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says there is nothing the federal government can do to silence anti-vaxxers in its ranks after deporting No. 1 Novak Djokovic for fear he would encourage people to shun the COVID-19 vaccine.

Senior ministers on Monday faced accusations of hypocrisy for their hard line against Mr Djokovic while government MPs such as George Christensen and Senator Alex Antic continue to spread anti-vaccination messages.

We have got anti-vaxxers, certainly, but theyre not from overseas: Barnaby Joyce. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Weve got anti-vaxxers, certainly, but theyre not from overseas, Mr Joyce told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. What can [we] do? As much as [Immigration Minister Alex] Hawke would like, he cant send any of our politicians to Serbia.

Mr Joyce, the Nationals leader, said he had counselled Mr Christensen about his remarks knowing full well that hes entitled to make them. He also said comments by anti-vaxxer MPs mattered less because they dont have the profile of Djokovic. I think he takes it up about 15 storeys.
Gig economy platforms such as Uber, Deliveroo and Airtasker face new minimum standards over how they treat their workers as the Victorian government moves to beef up protections in the growing sector.

The Victorian government has released 28 draft minimum standards that include giving workers their pay rates in writing and providing an appeal mechanism for employees removed from a platform.

Food delivery gig economy platforms boomed during lockdowns but the industry struggled with a spate of deaths in 2020. Credit:Steven Siewert

The draft standards make Victoria the first state to move on regulating the gig economy, a growing sector in which big technology platforms offer workers the freedom of choosing their hours as independent contractors but have no minimum wage, workers compensation or paid sick leave.

Former Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James had recommended the establishment of the proposed standards in a 2020 report on the gig economy, which found many workers were young or migrants and lacked bargaining power.
Singapore: Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun says he has no regrets about being arrested in China, declaring it has allowed him to put a spotlight on the countrys legal system.

The comments made in a message to his wife Yuan Xiaoliang, lawyers and friends come three years after the University of Technology graduate and pro-democracy blogger was first detained and subjected to torture and isolation.

Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun says he is innocent of vaguely defined charges of espionage. Credit:AFR

The Chinese court system has delayed his trial and verdict for months, leaving Yang to languish in prison, unsure of his fate on espionage charges which he and the Australian government have strongly denied.

I feel no regrets about being arrested, Yang said. The value and ideal of promoting, popularising, and practising law, fairness and justice, social justice, freedom, and democracy are my original aspiration and my Chinese dream.
Krakatoas 1883 eruption, killing 36,417, ranked a six. Mount Tambora, in 1815, is the most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history: it ranked a 7, and caused significant global climate change. That eruption exacerbated a period of global cooling and the months that followed became known as the Year Without Summer. In 1991 the explosion of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines is estimated to have cooled the world by up to half a degree for several years. The cooling potential of large volcanoes immediately attracted the attention of climate scientists in the hours after the blast in Tonga.

Loading As the US-based climate scientist and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report author Zeke Hausfather explained to the Herald and The Age, major volcanic eruptions can inject massive amounts of sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere, where it lingers for months, reflecting solar radiation away from earth. It was clear the blast from Tonga was violent enough to spew its plume to where the stratosphere sits, above the earths surface, but subsequent recordings suggest not enough sulphur dioxide was released to have a measurable effect. [The plume] did reach the requisite height as far as we can tell, Dr Hausfather said. But based on the latest satellite measurements, there wasnt actually that much sulphur dioxide in the gases that came all the way up to the stratosphere.

Our latest measurement is that about half a million tonnes of sulphur dioxide ended up going into the stratosphere from this volcano. And that compares to about 20 million tonnes that came out in Pinatubo. According to Professor Nebel, the blast would probably sit on the VEI index between four and five, putting it on par with Mount Vesuvius, the eruption that destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD. That would put the explosions power at about 1000 times the power of the nuclear bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. University of Auckland vulcanologist Professor Shane Cronin, who has closely studied the volcano over the last decade, told Radio New Zealand early signs put the eruption at a five, the biggest eruption since Mount Pinatubo.

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai - named for two small, uninhabited islands that sit above the vast underwater volcano - has a long history of violence. In 2014, an eruption created a third island, bridging the gap between the other two; that island has now been effectively destroyed by Saturdays explosion. Work led by Professor Cronin in 2014 found the volcano tended to have a major eruption every 1000 years; the last one was in 1100 AD, meaning Fridays blast was on schedule. At this stage, its not clear what caused the volcano to erupt so violently, but speculation has focused on gas bubbles.

Loading Macquarie University Adjunct Associate Professor Heather Handley studied the volcano in 2009. Her work found a high concentration of dissolved gas within the magma of the volcano. Subduction volcanoes, like Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai, are caused when a section of the earths crust is forced down toward the core. As the crust is jammed down, it sweats, and releases dissolved gases. These gases typically work their way to the surface inside magma before being released. But the Tongan volcano wasnt releasing much of its gas, Professor Handley found, causing extreme pressure to build. When that pressure is released - perhaps by a collapse in the underwater structure of the volcano - the entire structure can explode. If cold seawater hits hot magma as it does, the explosion becomes even more powerful. Its like taking the top off a fizzy drink bottle. As soon as you take the pressure off, the bubbles start to form and then it explodes, Professor Handley said.

Loading Without communication with Tonga - beyond satellite phones - it is also not yet clear what impact the blast has had on the region. Depending on the direction it travelled the tsunami it caused may have damaged coastal infrastructure and inundated low-lying subsistence farms near the capital, Nukualofa, says Rebecca McNaught, who has worked as a disaster management adviser in the Pacific for over 15 years. She says it is also possible the islands farming could be disrupted by ash.
Latest News Commercial lending market flourishing 40% to 50% uplift, says brokerage

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Rent prices in Melbourne and Canberra are the highest theyve ever been, with the latter making its mark as the strongest rental upswing since 2007, according to the Domain Rent Report for the December quarter.

In Canberra, the median rent for houses is at $675 per week, up 4.7% over the quarter and 12.5% over the year, while the median rent for units is at $530 per week, up 1.9% over the quarter and 7.1% over the year. This makes Canberra the most expensive city to rent in across the country.

Joel Dignam, executive director at Better Renting, said it was still a landlords market, leaving low-income earners little to no room for negotiation. Typically, low rental vacancy spells out good returns for investors but terrible fortunes for tenants.

Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne have rental vacancy rates of 1%, 2.6% and 3.2%, respectively  to be considered a landlords market, the figures must remain below 3%.

Landlords are still in a strong position when it comes to having a range of tenants to choose from and knowing that theres very little chance of a long vacancy compared to a tenant whod often have to spend every free moment inspecting a number of properties just to find a place, Dignam said.

Nicola Powell, chief of research and economics at Domain, said the Canberra results are highly influenced by seasonal change, which means rent prices could settle in the months to come.

The tail end of the year to the start of the new year is usually a busy period in the rental market so when you look at a landlord who now has a vacant property on the market, they will align the rent price to the current market rate, Powell said

However, there seemed to be a mismatch between asking rent price and gross rental yield in Canberra. With the former at its peak, the latter has experienced its lowest rate ever at 3.7%, falling 1.2% over the quarter and 11.% over the year.

Sydney emerged as the second-most expensive rental market, with houses and units priced at $600 and $490 per week, respectively. This could be explained by its less interrupted economy that managed to keep lockdowns to a minimum, retaining people in a traditional work arrangement.

Only Melbourne seemed to be a capital market exception. Interestingly, it recorded its highest rent growth, but it stayed as the cheapest of the major cities, with other smaller cities like Adelaide outpacing its median rent price of $445 for houses and $375 for units per week.

People have been able to get a larger rental that they couldnt afford before, Powell said.

Matthew Hassan, senior economist at Westpac, the Melbourne market has balanced from the excess stock of those leaving home to pursue a tree or sea change, among other factors.

The rental market in Melbourne still has an overhang of stock, but thats very likely to be in particular parts of the city, Hassan said. The rise in rents would be more in the middle or outer suburbs  areas where you can work from home in beautiful surroundings or go to the office in the city if you need to.
Latest News Commercial lending market flourishing 40% to 50% uplift, says brokerage

Busy brokers reap benefits of outsourcing Provider can turn applications around within 24 hours

The government of New South Wales has extended rent protection to commercial tenants who have been impacted by the Omicron surge to keep businesses afloat, leaving the property industry with no choice but to catch the fall.

The protection covers businesses with a 30% reduction in an annual turnover under $5 million and will last until March 13. In these two months, landlords are prohibited from terminating leases when rent is overdue and are ordered to negotiate on rent relief instead.

However, the property industry has criticised the move as unnecessary and, to an extent, harmful to investors and landlords. Luke Achterstraat, executive director at Property Council NSW, found no reason for the government to intervene in commercial contracts when people are vaccinated and lockdowns are over.

This decision should be seen for what it is: government intervention into legal contracts and a compulsory transfer of income from one business to another, Achterstraat told The Sydney Morning Herald. Such radical measures are not what living with COVID is supposed to be about.

Property is the only private industry being legislated to support other private industry, with scant regard to the challenges faced by commercial property owners themselves, Achterstraat added, citing the $15 billion worth of support the industry provided to commercial tenants in 2020.

However, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean stood by the governments order to allow a buffer time for businesses to recover from very real supply and staff shortage problems.

Small business is the engine room of our economy and we need to make sure we support impacted businesses through this latest Omicron wave, Kean told The Sydney Morning Herald. The ability to negotiate rent will [allow them to] keep the lights on now and recover more quickly.
Bryan, OH (43506)

Today

Chance of an isolated thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Chance of an isolated thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The on Monday upheld the winding up of Devas Multimedia, saying it is a case of of a huge magnitude which cannot be brushed under the carpet".

A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and V Ramasubramanian dismissed the appeal filed by Devas Multimedia Pvt Ltd and said when two forums namely NCLT and NCLAT have recorded concurrent findings on facts, it is not open to this Court to reappreciate evidence.

"If the seeds of the commercial relationship between Antrix and Devas were a product of perpetrated by Devas, every part of the plant that grew out of those seeds, such as the Agreement, the disputes, arbitral awards, etc., are all infected with the poison of .

"A product of fraud is in conflict with the public policy of any country including India. The basic notions of morality and justice are always in conflict with fraud and hence the motive behind the action brought by the victim of fraud can never stand as an impediment," the bench said.

The top court said it does not know if the action of Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in seeking the winding up of Devas may send a wrong message to the community of investors.

"But allowing Devas and its shareholders to reap the benefits of their fraudulent action, may nevertheless send another wrong message namely that by adopting fraudulent means and by bringing into India an investment in a sum of Rs 579 crores, the investors can hope to get tens of thousands of crores of rupees, even after siphoning off Rs 488 crore," the bench said.

The apex court refused to agree with the submission of Devas that the criminal complaint filed for the offences punishable under Section 420 read with Section 120B IPC, has not yet been taken to its logical end.

"It is contended that in case the officials of Antrix and shareholders of Devas are acquitted after trial, the clock cannot be put back if the company is now wound up. Attractive as it may seem at first blush, this contention cannot hold water, if scrutinised a little deeper.

"The standard of proof required in a criminal case is different from the standard of proof required in the proceedings before NCLT. The outcome of one need not depend upon the outcome of the other, as the consequences are civil under the Act, 2013 and penal in the criminal proceedings," the bench said.

It also rejected the submission that the actual motive behind Antrix seeking the winding up of Devas, is to deprive Devas, of the benefits of a unanimous award passed by the ICC Arbitral tribunal and the two BIT awards and that such attempts on the part of a corporate entity wholly owned by the government would send a wrong message to international investors.

"We do not find any merit in the above submission. If as a matter of fact, fraud as projected by Antrix, stands established, the motive behind the victim of fraud, coming up with a petition for winding up, is of no relevance," the bench said.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had upheld the earlier order of the Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which had on May 25, 2021, directed the winding up of Devas Multimedia and appointed a provisional liquidator for the purpose.

The NCLT's direction came over a petition filed by Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The NCLT had said Devas Multimedia was incorporated with a fraudulent motive to collude and connive with the then officials of Antrix Corporation to get bandwidth from it by entering into an agreement in 2005, which was subsequently cancelled by the government.

This order was challenged by Devas Multimedia and its shareholder Devas Employees Mauritius Private Ltd before the Chennai bench of NCLAT, which dismissed the petition.

According to Devas, what this agreement intended to achieve was first-of-its-kind and tremendous innovation. As a result, Devas introduced and utilised technologies like never before and was a huge revenue generator for Antrix.

Devas Multimedia was incorporated on December 17, 2004.

According to the winding-up petition filed by the commercial arm of ISRO before NCLT, the then officials of Antrix Corporation including its then chairman had executed a contract dated January 28, 2005.

This was terminated on February 25, 2011, as it was obtained fraudulently in connivance of the then officials and in accordance with the Agreement, which provides for termination on the ground of force majeure (unforeseeable circumstances).

It was stated in the said letter that the Government of India had taken a policy decision not to provide orbital slots in SBand for commercial activities.

Investigating agencies CBI and Enforcement Directorate has unearthed fraud in executing the agreement, Antrix had said.

The CBI had later filed a charge sheet and ED had initiated PMLA proceedings.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) had also initiated an investigation into the affairs of Devas Multimedia but a stay was granted by the Delhi High Court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Nidhi Verma

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian state refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp will lift 45% more oil from Iraq this year to meet its expanded refining capacity, sources familiar with the matter said.

The refiner will buy 3.2 million tonnes or about 64,000 barrels per day (bpd) from Iraq this year, up from 44,000 bpd in 2021, they said.

Iraqi state-owned marketer SOMO and did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Iraq is the top supplier of oil to India, and higher purchases by will further strengthen the Middle East nation's share in Indian markets.

As OPEC's second-largest oil producer, Iraq will be able to boost exports by as much as 250,000 bpd from the second quarter after finishing the installation of pumping stations at its Gulf ports, an Iraqi oil source has said.

Last year HPCL's chairman M K Surana said the company's import of high sulphur crude oil would rise after the expansion of its 166,000-bpd plant at its Vizag plant to 300,000 bpd by March this year.

It aims to complete a bottom upgradation project at the Vizag refinery by the end of the year.

In the last quarter of 2021, expanded capacity at its Mumbai refinery to 190,000 bpd.

(Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

(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.)
Lenders to troubled Ltd (BILT) will meet on January 18 ahead of the application for the companys liquidation, which will be heard by the Mumbai bench of National Company Law Tribunal bench on January 25, 2022. The financial creditors admitted claims are just over ~3,100 crore.

A meeting of the Committee of Creditors of the company has been convened on Tuesday, (18th January, 2022), BILT informed the BSE.

On January 6, the company informed the BSE that the NCLT will now hear its liquidation application on January 25, as the one scheduled for January 3 could not take place.

Bankers said there was just one application for liquidation and moving it was not the end of the road. The resolution process could also look at selling the entity as a going concern.

The corporate insolvency resolution process for BILT under the Insolvency and Code, 2016 commenced after the NCLT passed an order on January 17, 2020.

The company manufactures writing and printing paper, copier paper, water-marked paper, food-grade paper, etc, and it has one integrated paper manufacturing facility at Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, and a rayon-grade wood pulp facility at Kamalapuram, Telangana.

BILT has so far submitted its audited standalone financial results for the quarter and year ended March 2020. It is making efforts to complete the filings for the subsequent quarters.

The company's net worth is negative as on the reporting date, and it continues to incur heavy losses. There is persistent severe strain on working capital, which has resulted in considerable decline in the level of the company's operations.

The resolution professional is expected to make every effort to preserve the value of the property and manage the operations as a going concern. The ability of the company to continue as a going concern is dependent on successful completion of the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP). Pending the outcome of the CIRP, the standalone financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
Indias largest power generating company, state-owned limited will raise $750 million through external commercial borrowing as term to fund its expansion plans in the renewable energy and coal mining businesses.

The company floated a request for proposal (RfP) on Monday.  Ltd is looking to raise external commercial borrowing (ECB) in the form of term amounting to $500 million plus green shoe option of $250 million, the RfP said.

The RfP stated, the proceeds from the would be utilised towards capital expenditure for ongoing/new capacity addition programme including renewable energy projects, coal mining & washeries, refinancing of existing ECBs/rupee loans availed domestically for capex etc.

The loan shall be unsecured, without any guarantee or letter of comfort from the Government of India. Negative lien will be provided with carve out for certain permitted borrowing for which security can be created by the company, said the RfP.

The average maturity period of the term loan will be seven years under the proposed ECB. Repayments will be made in seven equal annual instalments starting from the fourth year. Last date for submission of bids is January 31, said the company.
Hotels is eyeing a valuation of about $9 billion (Rs 66,700 crore) in its initial public offering after preliminary conversations with potential investors, according to people familiar with the matter.

The SoftBank Group-backed start-up is expected to get the green light to proceed with the offering this week or next after filing preliminary documents last year, said the people, asking not to be named because the talks arent public. A formal roadshow will begin after regulatory approval and determine final pricing.

The valuation is targeting would be lower than the $12 billion (Rs 88,000 crore) initially reported in local media last year and probably lower than the $10 billion level the start-up hit in 2019. The start-up, led by 28-year-old Ritesh Agarwal, has discussed offering a discount of as much as 15 per cent on the $10 billion suggested by bankers during early discussions, the person said.

Executives are watching IPO demand as prepares to build an order book from institutional investors, one of the people said. The decline in tech stocks in the U.S. may also weigh on valuations, a different person said.

Such muted expectations reflect Oyos financial struggles and a more measured appetite for in India following the disastrous stock market debut of Paytm. The digital payments provider raised a record $2.4 billion in its November offering, but shares quickly plummeted and now trade at about half the IPO price.

Oyos offering will be among the biggest since Paytms. In its preliminary filing, the company said it planned to raise Rs 8,430 billion ($1.1 billion) through the sale of new shares and some secondary shares, or those held by existing investors.

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son became an early and enthusiastic backer, encouraging Agarwal to rapidly expand beyond India into markets like Japan and the US. The Japanese billionaire even personally guaranteed a $2 billion loan to Agarwal so he could buy more shares in Oyo, an extremely unusual move.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought the start-ups expansion to a sudden halt. Agarwal had to pull back in many markets and laid off thousands of employees. In an interview with Bloomberg TV last year, he said the pandemic hit Oyo like a cyclone.

The IPO will consist mainly of primary shares, or those sold by the company, and a smaller portion of secondary stock. SoftBank, which holds about 47 per cent of the equity, aims to sell a small percentage of shares. Agarwal, who holds about a third of the stock, does not plan to part with shares.
Realty firm on Monday reported over two-fold jump in sales bookings at record Rs 4,267.6 crore for the quarter ended December.

The company's sales bookings stood at Rs 2,026 crore in the year-ago period.

The Bengaluru-based Prestige group has also clocked the highest-ever collections of Rs 2,431.6 crore during the December quarter, up 70 per cent year-on-year.

During April-December 2021, the company's sales bookings rose 97 per cent to record Rs 7,113.4 crore as against Rs 3,610.3 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The collections rose 51 per cent at Rs 5,005.4 crore during the first nine months of this fiscal as against Rs 3,307.6 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Prestige group Chairman Irfan Razack said, The new sales were backed by the great response to our newly launched project and the existing inventories across geographies."



The company looks forward to continuing to expand its footprint in high growth opportunity markets, he added.

Venkat K Narayana, Chief Executive Officer, Prestige Group, said, "We strongly believe there is a tremendous opportunity to expand our core markets as we continue to deliver our quality products on time."



The company is looking forward to further growth in its sales bookings in 2022, with a launch pipeline of over 15 million square feet, he added.

Prestige Group has operations in 12 locations in India.

The group has completed 255 projects with developable area of 144 million square feet and has 47 ongoing projects across segments, with total developable area of 58 million square feet.

Further, it has 79 million square feet under planning and holds a land bank with potential developable area of over 27 million square feet.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The on Monday junked an appeal filed by Devas Multimedia challenging an order to wind up the company.

A bench comprising Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice V Ramasubramanian dismissed the appeal filed by Devas Multimedia Pvt Ltd.

The (NCLAT) had upheld the earlier order of the Bengaluru bench of the (NCLT), which had on May 25, 2021 directed winding up of Devas Multimedia and appointed a provisional liquidator for the purpose.

The NCLT's direction came over a petition filed by Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The NCLT had said Devas Multimedia was incorporated with a fraudulent motive to collude and connive with the then officials of Antrix Corporation to get bandwidth from it by entering into an agreement in 2005, which was subsequently cancelled by the government.

This order was challenged by Devas Multimedia and its shareholder Devas Employees Mauritius Private Ltd before the Chennai bench of NCLAT, which dismissed the petition.

According to Devas, what this agreement intended to achieve was first-of-its-kind and a tremendous innovation. As a result, Devas introduced and utilised technologies like never before and was a huge revenue generator for Antrix.

Devas Multimedia was incorporated on December 17, 2004.

According to the winding up petition filed by the commercial arm of ISRO before NCLT, the then officials of Antrix Corporation including its then chairman had executed a contract dated January 28, 2005.

This was terminated on February 25, 2011, as it was obtained fraudulently in connivance of the then officials. Investigating agencies CBI and Enforcement Directorate have unearthed fraud in executing the agreement, Antrix had said.

The CBI had later filed charge sheet and ED had initiated PMLA proceedings.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) had also initiated an investigation into the affairs of Devas Multimedia but a stay was granted by the Delhi High Court.

(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.)
Student housing startup Your-Space has raised USD 10 million (around Rs 75 crore) from a clutch of investors for the expansion and growth of its business.

The company has raised the amount in Series-A funding through a combination of pure equity and convertible debentures, Your-Space said in a statement.

The funding round was led by personal investment from Shantanu Rastogi (General Atlantic) and Ajay Gupta's (Capital Foods) family office AJAX Capital and Holy Basil Consultancy.

The round also saw participation from Manish Choksi's (Vice Chairman at Asian Paints) family office, Sunidhi Group's family office, Sanjaya Gupta (former MD & CEO of PNBHFL), among others.

"The fundraising is a testament to the confidence of our stakeholders in our value proposition- sharp focus on product management and redefining customer service standards at a reasonable price," said co-founder and COO Shubha Lal.

The funds will help the company deepen its presence in a competitive crowded market, she said.

Your-Space has over 7,000 operational beds in 9 cities. It targets to have more than 20,000 beds by July this year for the coming 2022-23 academic year.

"It (funding) gives us the firepower to continue delivering global service standards at scale," said Lal.

Your-Space said the company was formed with a purpose to better the students' world while they toil hard to study away from their homes.

It focuses on security, comfort, community and health.

"The company will utilise these funds for growth focusing on metros and tier I cities. They will also be enhancing operating robustness through a scalable, modular technology platform, which will help augment user experience and assist in building a large student community," the statement said.

Your-Space will also strengthen its team.

We are in the sector of Student Lifestyle! Our strategy for expansion is to remain focused on being the most preferred student housing brand in India," said Nidhi Kumra, co-founder and CEO.

With the fresh influx of students to the top tier cities, only 30 per cent avail on-campus accommodation, leaving 70 per cent of the students to seek other housing options.

The student housing market size is projected to reach over USD 25 billion annually by 2025, the company said.

Rastogi said, There is a significant unmet need for safe, comfortable, convenient and affordable lodging & community spaces for 30M+ migrant undergrad and post-grad students in India".

(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.)
Governor Phagu Chauhan, Chief Minister and several leaders have expressed their grief over the death of kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj on Monday.

Governor said that Birju Maharaj brought for Indian dance and art a special recognition from across the world and his death is an "irreparable loss to the art world."



Kumar condoling the death of the great kathak dancer said that the country has lost a legend of performing arts. His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire art world. He was given the level art award by the Government of in 2013. He has been an inspiration to artistes.

Bihar Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha too condoled the Kathak master's demise. Pandit Birju Maharaj left behind him the tradition and legacy of Kathak, a dance form synonymous with his name. His death is an irreparable loss to the art world, 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.)
In a massive setback, the on Monday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by MLA Nitesh Rane, son of Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane - in an attempt to murder case.

Kept in reserve last week as was granted continued interim protection from arrest, the much-anticipated order was pronounced by Justice C.V. Bhadang.

However, on the court's request, the prosecution assured it will continue its earlier commitment and refrain from any coercive steps against till Jan 27.

Among other things, Nitesh Rane, 39, has been accused as the key conspirator behind an attempt to murder case against a ruling Shiv Sena leader Santosh Parab - which allegedly took place on Dec 18 (2021) - in Kankavli town of Sindhudurg district, considered the political bastion of the Rane family.

On Dec 30, the Principal Judge of Sindhudurg District & Sessions Court Shirishkumar V. Hande had rejected the legislator's anticipatory bail plea which was challenged by Rane on Jan 4 in the .

The Kankavli Police lodged an FIR against Rane Jr following a complaint by Parab, but the BJP legislator claimed that he was being targeted for allegedly mocking Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray and to prevent his participation in the Sindhudurg District Cooperative Bank elections held on Dec 30.

Nitesh Rane's lawyer, Nitin Pradhan contended before the court that his client had been cooperating with the investigators and had been questioned for four hours last month.

The Special Prosecutor Sudeep Pasbola said that they needed Nitesh Rane's custodial interrogation to corroborate the circumstantial evidence collected in the case, various transactions like who had paid and how much for the attempted contract killing, plus the forensic reports of the confiscated phones of the accused.

Meanwhile, BJP Leader of Opposition (Council) Pravin Darekar slammed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government for allegedly misusing the official machinery and pursuing vendetta against Rane Jr, but said they respect the court verdict.

The Shiv Sena has demanded that now with the Sindhudurg District & Sessions Court and have rejected the anticipatory bail plea, - who was 'incommunicado' for several weeks - should gracefully go and surrender before the police.

--IANS

qn/skp/

(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.)
By Ben Krishna, University of Cambridge Cambridge (UK) Jan 17 (The Conversation) Hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug controversially touted as a cure for COVID despite a lack of robust evidence, is creating renewed interest as a potential treatment for . The discussion has been sparked by a new study from the University of Glasgow, which is yet to be published in a scientific journal, that looks at how antibodies from vaccines block from entering cells. The researchers conclude, as many others have, that antibodies (the proteins that neutralise the virus) against previous variants or induced by vaccines are less effective against . What's interesting, though, is that the study finds that omicron may have changed the way it enters cells. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, is coated in a lipid bilayer (a thin membrane made of two layers) just like our cells. When the virus enters our cells, the bilayers fuse like oil droplets on the surface of water, termed membrane fusion. Membrane fusion occurs after the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has attached to the ACE2 receptor on the cell surface, but can happen in two different places (see diagram below). Membrane fusion can occur on the cell's surface, or it can can occur after the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been engulfed in an endosome. The two ways enters your cells An endosome occurs when the cell's membrane folds back in on itself, creating a bubble of outside material inside the cell in order to take up nutrients. Normally the cell will then sort through the material and keep useful nutrients while discarding others. However, many viruses exploit endosomes as a way to enter cells. This means that SARS-CoV-2 has two ways to enter cells: from the surface or via an endosome. The University of Glasgow study shows that omicron has picked up mutations that improve its ability to enter our cells via endosomes and this is where comes into play. (HCQ) is a drug that accumulates in endosomes and decreases their acidity, which disrupts their function. Making endosomes less acidic reduces membrane fusion, thereby reducing SARS-CoV-2's ability to enter cells. So HCQ could act as an antiviral. This is possibly how HCQ acts as an anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory drug (although some researchers dispute this). It's important to note that the new study does not test HCQ's effect on omicron. has had a difficult pandemic HCQ has become notorious during the pandemic. The first study claiming HCQ is effective against COVID was criticised by science fraud expert Elisabeth Bik, who questioned the ethics, timelines for the trials, a lack of randomisation for patients and missing data. Didier Raoult, the lead author of the work, then filed a criminal complaint against Bik for moral harassment, blackmail and extortion. During this, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, promoted HCQ I assume in support of a fellow Frenchman, while use of the drug was also supported by Donald Trump, for reasons only clear to Donald Trump. More bizarrely, a study published in the Lancet suggested that HCQ treatment actually increased fatalities, though this latter study has been accused of data fraud as well. Throughout all of this, other researchers have failed to find any positive benefits for HCQ, or strong indications for side-effects. HCQ has so far been an example of science at its worst. But will hydroxychloroquine be effective against omicron? I struggle to see the benefits of treating omicron infections with HCQ. In the University of Glasgow study, the researchers show that omicron enters cells via endosomes more so than other variants, but they do not show that omicron is limited to using endosomes. It can still enter from the cell surface. Using HCQ to stop omicron entering via endosomes would therefore only marginally limit the virus from entering cells. To show that HCQ is effective against omicron, scientists need to infect cells with omicron in the presence and absence of HCQ and shows a significant reduction in infectivity. If this shows that HCQ is effective against omicron, it would be sensible to test HCQ in a clinical trial. However, unlike in March 2020 when HCQ was first suggested as a treatment, we have plenty of drugs to treat COVID including antivirals, such as molnupiravir and remdesivir, anti-inflammatories, such as dexamethasone, and antibody therapies. (The Conversation) AMS 01170950 NNNN

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The on Monday asked the Centre to clarify its position in principle on the issue of criminalising marital after the government sought time to formulate and place its considered stand.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher, who is heading the bench dealing with a batch of petitions challenging the legality of the marital exception in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), said that the Centre has to say yes or no as in issues such as the present one, deliberation does not end.

In a matter like this, they (Centre) have to in principle say yes or no because if they don't, however much they may deliberate, it is not going to come to an end, the judge said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that it will not be appropriate to place before the court a less discussed and consulted stand and time was needed to undertake the process of consultation.

I don't mind that (consultation) but they have to take a decision which way they are going there are some matters, for whatever reasons, I think the court ultimately decides one way or the other and that's how it gets resolved. You take your time, Justice Shakdher observed.

Yes and no is the end product of consultation, responded the solicitor general who also submitted that nothing imminent was going to happen within a couple of weeks.

We have to formulate our stand and place our considered stand for your lordship and considering that this a 2015 matter if your lordship can grant us a reasonable time. This might need a little consultation etc, the solicitor general said.

The bench, which also comprised Justice C Hari Shankar, said that it would continue to hear other lawyers appearing in the case which would give time to the Centre.

You come back. We will decide how much time to give you then, the bench told the solicitor general.

The Centre, on January 13, had told the high court that it was considering a constructive approach to the issue of criminalising marital and has sought suggestions from several stakeholders and authorities on comprehensive amendments to the criminal law.

standing counsel Monika Arora had told the bench that the Centre was undertaking a comprehensive task of amending the criminal law which includes section 375 (rape) of the IPC.

In its additional affidavit filed by the Under Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs, the Centre had asserted that it is already seized of the matter and that the marital rape exception could not be struck down only at the instance of the petitioners as the principles of natural justice required a "larger hearing of all stakeholders".

The bench is hearing PILs filed by NGOs RIT Foundation, All India Democratic Women's Association, a man and a woman seeking striking down of the exception granted to husbands under the Indian rape law.

Justice Shankar said that there should be a dispassionate attitude in the case and that the issue of criminalising marital rape should prima facie be viewed from the perspective of the act and not of a married or unmarried woman.

The judge reiterated that a married relationship entailed the expectation of intercourse, which was legally and socially recognised.

Senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, submitted that there was no reason to preserve the marital rape exception.

The amicus argued that a married cannot be denied the right to prosecute her husband if she believed that she was raped and in case of denial of a conjugal relationship, the remedy before the spouse is to file a plea for restitution and not force himself upon her.

He had earlier said that the foundation of section 375 (rape) of the IPC was the lack of consent and there was no reason to give lessor protection against non-consensual intercourse to a married woman.

He had thus argued that the marital rape exception in law was arbitrary and violated Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution.

The central government, in its earlier affidavit filed in the case, has said that marital rape cannot be made a criminal offence as it could become a phenomenon that may destabilise the institution of marriage and an easy tool for harassing the husbands.

The Delhi government has told the court that marital rape was already covered as a "crime of cruelty" under IPC.

The petitioners have challenged the constitutionality of the marital rape exception under section 375 IPC on the ground that it discriminated against married women who are sexually assaulted by their husbands.

The hearing in the case will continue on January 18.

(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 Monday issued a letter to the district, civic administrations and health departments in the state asking them to use oral anti-viral drug 'Molnupiravir' for treatment of symptomatic, adult COVID-19 patients with "abundant caution and in certain conditions".

Dr Pradeep Vyas, additional chief secretary (health), in the letter, requested district and civic authorities to use Molnupiravir with "abundant caution and in certain conditions and in full advised dose". He said this drug has received emergency use authorization (from the Drug Controller General of India) and based on the opinion of some experts it has also been included in treatment protocol circulated on January 6, 2022, in the state subject to certain conditions.



"Subsequently, certain state governments like Odisha have withdrawn this drug from the market. ICMR has also not recommended its use in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (which causes COVID-19). Molnupiravir has not been included in the Standard Treatment Protocol released by the Government of India on January 17, 2022," Dr Vyas said in the letter. Molnupiravir has been shown to reduce hospitalization in a clinical trial and thus has received emergency use authorization, not an FDA approval, the letter stated.



"Till further clarity is received, you are requested to please use Molnupiravir with abundant caution and in certain conditions and that also in full advised dose," the senior bureaucrat stated. The letter-cum advisory said the drug may be "prescribed for the treatment of COVID-19 in patients who have mild illness not requiring oxygen, one or more risk factors that will cause hospitalization and impending severe disease, in whom there are no other options available, where there are no contra-indications to the use of Molnupiravir' and in the first five days of the illness".However, patients under the age of 18 and pregnant women should not be given this drug, it maintained. Besides district and civic heads and health departments, the letter has been marked to district civil surgeons and health officers.

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continued to record a spike in COVID-19 cases with 2,447 infections reported in the state on Monday taking the tally to 7,11,656 while the death toll rose to 4,060 with three more fatalities.

had recorded 2,047 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) reported the highest number of fresh cases with 1,112, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (235) and Ranga Reddy (183) district, a state government bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 pm.

As many as 2,295 people recovered from the infection on Monday. The cumulative number of recoveries till date was 6,85,399.

The number of active cases stood at 22,197, the bulletin said.

A total of 80,138 samples were tested today and the total number examined till date was 3,07,09,658.

Meanwhile, the High Court on Monday directed the state government to increase testing, including RT-PCR tests and other tests for COVID-19, and to review the situation and take an appropriate decision in view of the rising number of cases.

The High Court while hearing a batch of PILs on COVID-19 issues, also issued directions to ensure strict implementation of COVID-appropriate behaviour. The court posted the matter to January 25.

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Lieutenant Governor on Monday, during a review meeting with senior officials, stressed on timely completion of investigation of cases related to crime against women and children.

Baijal along with Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, the additional chief secretary (home department) and other senior officers reviewed the status of measures taken to prevent crime against women.

Taking to Twitter, the lieutenant governor (L-G) said,"Appreciated various measures taken by to prevent crime against women including SAFE CITY project, Project ABHAYA and SASHAKTI program of imparting self-defence training & awareness initiatives like Nazuk and Nirbhik."



Emphasis was laid on timely completion of investigation of cases pertaining to crime against women and children and enhancing the conviction rate to create exemplary and deterrent effect of law, Baijal tweeted.

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Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that the capital city is expected to report a substantial decline of around 4,000-5,000 Covid-19 cases on Monday.

Jain said that this is the fourth consecutive day when the city is going to report declining trends in fresh Covid infection. Around 14 to 15 thousands cases may be reported.

Talking to media, he said that around 2,700 beds occupancy was reported on Sunday and over 13,000 beds are still unoccupied in the hospitals.

Health Minister Jain said that has so far administered 2.85 crores vaccines doses and hundred per cent of its eligible population have been inoculated with the first dose of vaccines.

"Eighty per cent of eligible population in the city have received their second dose of vaccines, while 1,27,000 individuals have been administered precautionary dose which includes 3,5000 population of 60 plus age group, 60,000 frontline workers and 32,000 healthcare workers", added Jain.

has no vaccine shortage as of now and has a stock of around 10 days, the minister said.

Meanwhile, Delhi on Sunday recorded 18,286 new Covid cases along with 28 deaths. The fresh Covid infection has pushed the tally to 17,09,870.

The active Covid cases have also registered a decline at 89,891 as per the Delhi health department.

--IANS

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(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.)
Trade bodies in are pressing for relaxation of the partial lockdown measures clamped by the government on the job intensive sector and have demanded its relaxation.

The travel restriction announced by the Mamata Banerjee government to contain the spread of the disease in the state has severely impacted the state's industry, they said on Monday.

This season sees high flow of visitors to the mountains in north Bengal, the Sundarbans, Santiniketan, in the sea resorts of Digha and Mandarmani and other tourist destinations in the state. The restrictions have pushed to the wall again the sector which was recovering after the previous ones in 2020 and 2021, the spokesman of the trade bodies said.

The Travel Agents Association of Bengal (TAAB) said the government must consider reopening the sector with detailed safety protocol and appoint a committee with representatives from the government, trade bodies and other stakeholders to ensure it.

The Association of Tourism Service Providers in Bengal (ATSPB) had last week demonstrated in front of Victoria Memorial in the city and appealed to the state government for the same "leeway" for the travel sector as given to malls, restaurants, salons and theatre halls.

The demonstrators had carried placards with slogans 'Save Tourism, Save Lives' and 'Save Tourism, Save Bengal'.

Malls, restaurants, theatres and salons have been allowed by the government to operate with 50 per cent capacity and safety measures.

We appeal to Chief Minister to allow sightseeing everywhere in the state at 50 per cent capacity while observe complete COVID-19 norms. That will allow us to at least survive. Unless sightseeing is permitted, small and medium travel operators will be wiped out. It is impossible for them to find any alternative means of income to support their families they may even be driven to suicide, ATSPB president Madan Agarwal said.

TAAB general secretary Amitava Sarkar said it is upto the government to take decision on the leeway but "Something is required to be done as the livelihood of lakhs of people are at stake".

Over 90 per cent of hotel bookings had been canceled due to the partial lockdown and ban at the tourist spots of the state, they claimed.

The travel organisations have claimed that the sector accounts for about 12 per cent of the state's GDP of Rs 13 lakh crore.

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The (SC), on Monday, directed major Supertech Ltd to execute a contract within a week with a company to demolish its twin 40-storey towers in its Emerald Court project in Noida.

The NOIDA authority informed the bench that it has finalised the company Edifice Engineering for demolishing the twin towers in consultation with the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee.

The top court also directed Supertech Ltd to make the refund payments to the home buyers without prejudice to their rights and contentions. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant told senior advocate Parag Tripathi, appearing for Supertech Ltd., The contract (with a demolishing agency) shall be executed no later within a period of one week from today.

The bench noted in its order, Advocate Ravindra Kumar, appearing on behalf of Noida states that the agency which is to carry out the work of demolition has been finalised in consultation with CBRI. Parag Tripathi, senior counsel, appearing on behalf of Supertech Ltd. states that there are no objections to the agency, which has been finalised and the developer would be applying for all necessary no objection certificates (NOC) within a period of one week. The application for NOCs shall also be marked to NOIDA authorities.

The top court refused to give more time to Supertech Ltd for entering into a contract with Edifice despite the repeated insistence of Tripathi saying that the NOCs can be obtained subsequently.

Tripathi submitted that the court can give one week for applying for NOC and Supertech will enter into the contract within two weeks. I have already placed EOI which has terms of the contract. I just need the NOC, which the agency wants. It is the agency which has said that you please get the NOC. I have no difficulty in entering into contract

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary on Sunday that even during the pandemic, some companies have earned billions of dollars through vaccines.

Inaugurating the 16th state convention of the CPI-M here, Yechury said: "The rich countries of the world are endangering humanity for the sake of their own, and their companies' profits. Even in the times of Covid pandemic, instead of reducing the patent royalties from the vaccine, they are making it so expensive that many poor countries are unable to buy it. As a result, during this pandemic, poverty and unemployment have increased.

"Including in India, there has been a massive increase in the wealth of some of the world's richest individuals."

He said that the relief package -- stimulus package -- which the governments are announcing to come out of such a situation, is "also going directly into the vault of these trillionaires".

Due to this, hunger and deaths are increasing on one hand, while on the other, the betting market is flourishing, he said.

He said that the "imperialist" countries led by the US are making conspiracies to take over the post-Covid world.

"Efforts are being made to lay siege to the socialist countries which have protected their people by overcoming this disaster and kept the economy under control. The Indian government led by Narendra Modi has come to be known all over the world as a puppet of the US," the CPI-M leader said.

Referring to the situation in the country, Yechury said since coming back to power again after 2019, the Modi government has attacked and weakened the four identities of the core concept of India -- secular democracy, economic sovereignty, social justice and federal structure linked to center-state relations.

"Illegal arrests and restrictions have increased. Journalists are also being charged with treason. Atrocities on women, Dalits have intensified... tribals are being driven out of their settlements by handing over the land to the corporates... privatisation is being done rapidly. The work of the state government is being interfered with by sending people related to the RSS in the Raj Bhavans," the Left leader said.

Speaking on the almost year-long agitation by the farmers, he said: "The farmers have won by staging a historical agitation for a year."

"Our party will take forward these struggles to save the country and its people, by increasing the participation of more people and sections in them. Small industries and businesses are also in trouble, and demands will be raised for them too," Yechury said.

He said that in the coming days, his party will form a front which will have a common opinion in all these matters and "will liberate the people of the country from the corporate Hindutva rule of Modi".

--IANS

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Every evening, the Delhi government releases data on fresh Covid cases detected in the last 24 hours. What is the procedure that it follows?

As per the health officials, the data is collected one day before from all the 11 districts in the city which are then compiled to present the fresh picture of the Covid situation in the national capital.

Sample collection starts at around 9 am every day.

"Sample collection starts at various facilities and in the containment zones and Covid hotspots at around 9 am and goes on till 2-3 pm," said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

All the samples are preserved in the cold chain and are transported to the designated labs the same day. In the labs, the positive cases are calculated to find the exact Covid numbers for that particular day.

The sample collection is done by trained healthcare workers following standard safety measures. At the time of sample collection, the person undergoing the test needs to share complete details like name, age, sex, residential address and documentary proof for that address along with mobile numbers.

As per the DGHS, a person has to give throat and nasal swabs, which are technically called Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal swabs, collected separately at the same time.

As per Delhi government's prescribed norms, any suspect case can visit government healthcare facilities as well as private centres.

A private hospital approached by a person takes the sample and sends it to the empanelled /designated Covid lab or it may arrange sample collection and processing by the designated lab itself.

As per the government order, the national capital has three official labs -- LNJP, ILBS and NCDC -- for genome sequencing.

However, Delhi has seen an increase in the number of private labs since the second Covid wave last year.

Seeing the high transmissibility of new Covid variant Omicron, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced two weeks ago that Delhi is ready to conduct 3 lakh tests a day if needed.

Meanwhile, a total of 65,621 new tests -- 54,141 RT-PCR and 11,480 Rapid Antigen -- were conducted in the last 24 hours, as per Sunday's health bulletin, which pushed the total number of tests conducted in the city to 3,40,60,063 so far.

---IANS

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The number of grew from 102 to 142, while 84 per cent of households in the country suffered a decline in their income in 2021, which was also a year marked by tremendous loss of life and livelihoods, according to non-profit Oxfam India's latest report published on Monday.

The report 'Inequality Kills' comes ahead of the World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda.

It indicates that the collective wealth of India's 100 richest people hit a record high of Rs 57.3 trillion in 2021.

In India, during the pandemic (since March 2020, through to November 30th, 2021) the wealth of increased from Rs 23.14 trillion to Rs 53.16 trillion.

More than 46 million Indians, meanwhile, are estimated to have fallen into extreme poverty in 2020 (nearly half of the global new poor according to the United Nations).

The stark wealth inequality in India is a result of an economic system rigged in favour of the super-rich over the poor and marginalised, the report said

It advocates a one per cent surcharge on the richest 10 per cent of the Indian population to fund inequality combating measures such as higher investments in school education, universal healthcare, and social security benefits like maternity leaves, paid leaves and pension for all Indians.

"The 'Inequality Kills' briefing shows how deeply unequal our economic system is and how it fuels not only inequality but poverty as well. We urge the Government of India to commit to an economic system which creates a more equal and sustainable nation," Amitabh Behar, CEO, Oxfam India said in a statement.

Further, Behar said that Oxfam's global briefing points to the stark reality of inequality contributing to the death of at least 21,000 people each day, or one person every four seconds.

Moreover, the pandemic set gender parity back from 99 years to now 135 years. Women collectively lost Rs 59.11trillion in earnings in 2020, with 13 million fewer women in work now than in 2019, the report showed.

"It has never been so important to start righting the wrongs of this obscene inequality by targeting extreme wealth through taxation and getting that money back into the real economy to save lives," Behar said.

"India can show the world that democratic systems are capable of wealth redistribution and inclusive growth where no one is left behind. India's fight against inequality and poverty must be supported by the who made record profits in the country during the pandemic," he suggested.

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The surge of cases had not yet peaked in the US and the country is expected to see an increase in hospitalisations and deaths in the next few weeks, Surgeon General Dr. has warned.

In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Dr Murthy noted the "good news" of the plateaus and drops in known cases in the Northeast, especially in New York City and New Jersey.

But "the challenge is that the entire country is not moving at the same pace", he said, adding "we shouldn't expect a national peak in the coming days".

"The next few weeks will be tough," he said.

The highly contagious variant has fueled an explosive surge of known cases, with an average of more than 800,000 new cases a day reported on Saturday, according to a New York Times database.

The next several weeks would overwhelm hospitals and staff, Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, was quoted as saying.

"Right now we're at about 150,000 people in the hospital with Covid," he said on "Fox News Sunday." "That's more than we've ever had. I expect those numbers to get substantially higher."

In Kansas City, has overwhelmed hospitals since the holiday season, the city's mayor, Quentin Lucas, said in an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation."

"We have seen incredible challenges in our health care network, even getting employees that are working in our EMS services, fire department and in public safety,a Lucas said. "It is a substantial concern."

--IANS

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Over 18,600 people, including more than 2,900 healthcare workers, were given the 'precaution' dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Delhi on Monday, according to government data.

As many as 6,439 people aged above 60 and 9,252 frontline workers were also administered the third dose in the city, data on the CoWIN app showed.

People aged 60 and above, healthcare and frontline workers who took their second dose of vaccine nine months ago are eligible for the 'precaution' dose.

According to the CoWIN app, 18,669 people got their 'precaution' dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Delhi on Monday.

Beneficiaries are being administered 'precaution' dose of the same vaccine they took 39 weeks ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on December 24 announced 'precaution' shots for vulnerable populations and those at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

On January 3, the Centre had rolled out vaccinations for adolescents aged between 15 and 17.

So far, over 5.6 lakh beneficiaries in this age group have received their first dose of Covid vaccine in Delhi, the data showed.

On Monday, over 48,000 beneficiaries in the 15-17 age group received their first dose, it stated.

According to government data, over 2.85 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered in Delhi since the inoculation exercise started on January 16 last year. As many as 1.19 crore people have received both doses.

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Prime Minister will deliver the 'State of the World' special address at the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Davos Agenda on Monday.

According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Modi will address the WEF at 8:30 pm IST via video conference on Tuesday, the office said in a press release. The virtual event will be held from January 17-21.

Several heads of state will address the event including Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and EU Commission's chief Ursua von der Leyen.

The event will also witness the participation of top industry leaders, international organisations and civil society, who will deliberate on critical challenges being faced by the world today and discuss how to address them.

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Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is working on an Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine candidate that could be ready in a month or two, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The source, who did not want to be named as the information was private, said the product might need a small trial in India before it could be rolled out as a booster or standalone vaccine.

A representative for Gennova, a unit of drugmaker Emcure Pharmaceuticals that does business in some 70 countries, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pfizer Inc said last week a redesigned COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant could be ready to launch by March.

The source said Gennova on Friday separately submitted to India's drug regulator phase 2 trial data for its original mRNA vaccine candidate. The government said last year that product was found to be "safe, tolerable, and immunogenic" in the participants of an initial study.

If given emergency-use approval, this would be the country's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine like the ones developed by Pfizer and Moderna.

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The Bihar government has ordered an investigation after records showed that a civil surgeon of Patna has received five shots of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The civil surgeon, Dr Vibha Kumari Singh, however, said she had taken the vaccine jabs only thrice as per rules.

She said someone else had taken the vaccine using her PAN card details and called for an investigation.

According to CoWIN portal, she took the first dose of the vaccine on January 28, 2021 and registered for the second dose on March 12, 2021. She was fully vaccinated by March, 2021.

According to government records, she also took the vaccine on February 6, 2021 using PAN card and for the fourth time on June 17, 2021. She got the precautionary dose for the fifth time on January 13, 2022.

Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said, The administration has started an investigation. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty.

Meanwhile, Bihar on Monday recorded 3,526 fresh cases, 1,884 less than Sunday's figure, pushing the tally to 7,90,652, while five fresh fatalities took the death toll to 12,141, according to the state health department.

Patna recorded 1,035 new cases, 540 less than what the figure was on Sunday. The number of active cases now stands at 11,846 in Patna, said the bulletin issued by the state health department.

The number of the state's active cases is 33,122 on Monday, while the cumulative recoveries stood at 7,45,389.

Five fresh casualties were reported from Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran and Samastipur districts in the past 24 hours.

Altogether 6.36 crore samples have been tested for so far, including 1.12 lakh in the last 24 hours.

The state has so far reported one confirmed case of the Omicron variant.

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The parade on the Rajpath this year will see the "grandest and largest" flypast ever with a total of 75 aircraft to mark the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav celebrations, an IAF official said on Monday.

The flypast will conclude with seven jaguar fighter aircraft flying in the "Amrit" formation to commemorate the 75 years of Independence.

"The flypast this year will be the grandest and largest with 75 aircraft from IAF, Army and Navy flying during the parade. This is in line with the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav celebrations," IAF PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said at a press briefing.

"The flypast will include Tangail formation which will have one Dakota and two Dornier flying in Vic formation. This is tribute to the Tangail air drop operations of the 1971 War. There will also be Meghna formation of 1 Chinook and four Mi-17s," he said.

The flypast will begin with "Dhwaj" formation with four Mi-17 aircraft, followed by "Rudra" and "Rahat" formations with 4 and 5 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), respectively.

Among the other aircraft that will display their might at the parade are Rafale, Indian Navy's MiG29K, P-8I surveillance aircraft and Jaguar fighter jets.

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It seems that the (WEF) Davos virtual summit has already set an agenda for Indian Prime Minister who is scheduled to deliver his special address on Monday evening at 8.30 p.m.

From Covid-19 putting pressure on the Indian healthcare system to India's struggle with climate change, specially mentioning the Mumbai floods, Covid's impact of Indian school children from the rural areas to new emerging mental health problems among the public, the WEF has already mentioned all in its India-centric reports.

"India recently announced the establishment of a Hydrogen Mission. India's ambitious five-part Panchamrit pledge to reach net zero by 2070 was one of the most important announcements at Glasgow," read one recent WEF report on India, just three days before PM Modi's 'State of the World' special address in Davos.

Nearly 40 per cent of the students in underprivileged households in India have not been studying during school closures, according to a new report.

Only 1-in-4 children in India have access to a digital device, and nearly half of the children in rural India have no means to study online.

As a result, India is experiencing a significant drop in literacy levels.

It's feared that this could cause more children to drop out, says 'This is how Covid-19 lockdowns affected India's school children' WEF referring to a report. which explained the impact of lockdown on the underprivileged school children.

On gender inequality, the WEF has already raised serious questions about the Indian government's claims, saying the government and industry are bringing think-tanks, civil society, and community networks to support women merchants in India.

For example, affordable mobile data, public digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurial innovations are all measures which have increased the amount of digital payments, but there are still several barriers which are specific to women and one of the most important challenges to overcome is trust.

Citing an example of grocery stores in India, WEF says the 12 million kirana stores employ 45 million people and account for 95 per cent of the country's Rs 35 trillion market for food and groceries. However, only 2 per cent of the kirana stores have been digitized so far. The rate is much lower for women and rural merchants.

The Davos Agenda 2022 is bringing together world leaders to address the 'state of the world'.

Starting Monday, the week-long virtual event will feature heads of state and government, CEOs and other leaders discussing the critical challenges facing the world today and presenting their ideas on how to address them.

In addition to PM Modi, the world leaders delivering "State of the World" special addresses will include Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, US Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, and Nigeria's Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

--IANS

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(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.)
Covid cases across the country crossed 258,000 on Monday, even as the two big metros - Mumbai and Delhi - reported a dip in reported cases. The national daily positivity rate increased to more than 19 per cent, signaling the need to step up testing.

As the third wave persists, the health ministry has issued new clinical guidelines for adult Covid patients. The government may also consider starting vaccination for those in the 12-14 age group from March, PTI has reported.

Mumbai reported 5,956 cases - 24 per cent lower than Sunday. Delhi had over 12,000 cases - a decline of 31 per cent, compared to Sunday. While on a day-to-day basis, there was a slight drop in countrywide cases, compared with 271,000 infections reported on Sunday, this could also be because of low levels of testing during the weekend. The fewer reported cases could also be due to a large number of people opting for home antigen tests, instead of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (or RT-PCR) test.

The health ministry on Monday also issued new clinical guidelines for adult Covid patients. For severe cases described as having peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (or SpO2) below 90 per cent in room air and respiration at less than 30 per cent, admission to an intensive care unit or high-dependency unit is to be followed.

While most protocols remain the same as in the previous waves, the government, while suggesting the use of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab in severe patients under very specific circumstances, has not included Molnupiravir in its advisory.

Consider Remdesivir for five days to treat hospitalised patients, the guidelines stated, stressing there was no evidence of benefit beyond that period. The drug is not to be used on patients who are not on oxygen support or in a home setting.

If a cough persists for more than two or three weeks, the health ministry has suggested that the patient be investigated for tuberculosis and other conditions.

The guidelines have been framed by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences' joint monitoring group and the national task force.

In the current wave being spurred by the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, the government has said that patients with upper respiratory tract symptoms, with or without fever and with no shortness of breath, are mild cases.

For those with moderate disease, the government has said there is no evidence of benefit for injectable steroids in those not requiring oxygen supplementation, or on continuation after discharge.

Learning from past experience, the guidelines also state that anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy, such as steroids, can have a risk of secondary infection, such as invasive mucormycosis, when used too early at a higher dose or for a longer-than-required period.

Meanwhile, a PTI report said India may begin inoculating children in the 12-14 age group against Covid in March as the 15-18 population is likely to get fully vaccinated by then, said N K Arora, chairman of the Covid-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India.

"Adolescents in this age group have been actively participating in the inoculation process, and going by this pace of vaccination, the rest of the beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group are likely to be covered with the first dose by January-end and subsequently their second dose is expected to be done by February-end," said Arora.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the time has come to revisit the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act as it creates more disputes than resolving them.

The Chief Minister spoke virtually at the inaugural of the 'PM Gati Shakti' southern zone conference chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

"There are some legal interventions that are necessary. Delay is the most costly affair which has been affecting our infrastructure. The delay in our irrigation projects are bogged down by the Act. In fact, it creates more disputes than resolving them," Bommai said.

He said the time has come to revisit the legislation and see to it that the multifold levels of addressing the are removed at one single stage.

"Especially on the basis of maximum utility of a river basin capacity and using technology, and giving away all political considerations, a win-win situation for all riparian states can be the solution. Let us start thinking anew on that. The structure and content in resolving these issues has to be re-addressed by the Government of India, he added.

The Chief Minister's statement has come at a time when the state has locked horns with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh regarding concerning Cauvery, Mahadayi and Krishna rivers.

Also, the state is pushing for clearances, especially environment-related ones, with regards to the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery to which Tamil Nadu is opposed.

Noting that some "basic impediments need to be removed, referring to problems such as environmental and forest clearances at the central government level, Bommai said, We have to maximise the scale of investment and relax certain rules in the finance sector, so that more investments can come through for infrastructure development."

He also stressed on the need for common Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules for all-round development of the entire Indian coastline, instead of each state with a coastline having its own.

Highlighting the need for a Bengaluru-Mysuru-Hyderabad high-speed rail line, the Chief Minister said upgrading of the 453 kilometre lane will bring new economic activity between the two states.

On the much-awaited suburban rail project for Bengaluru worth Rs 15,000 crore, Bommai said, Bengaluru is an international city that contributes 40 per cent of the country's IT/BT exports. It needs better infrastructure in terms of transportation, hence the suburban rail project needs more impetus and speed."

Bommai also requested Gadkari for central support to regional airports at Ballari, Shivamogga, Vijayapura and Hassan.

For tourism, heliports at Chikmagalur, Madikeri and Hampi are coming up, he said, adding, Hampi, which is a UNICEF site, Badami and Vijayapura can be one circuit. Mysuru, Shravanabelagola, Belur and others can be another circuit. These should be on the tourism map.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recognized the two-dose course of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 as an acceptable form of vaccination for travellers.

"Today, the TGA determined that an additional COVID-19 vaccine, the two-dose course of the Gamaleya Institute vaccine (Sputnik V, Russian Federation) would be 'recognized' for the purpose of establishing a traveller's vaccination status," the TGA said in a Monday statement.

The regulator explained that additional data on the Russian vaccine's effectiveness showed that two doses of Sputnik V demonstrated an average efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 infection of 89 percent and against hospitalization or death of 98-100 percent.

"The single-dose course of the Gamaleya vaccine ('Sputnik Light') is not currently recognized by the TGA," the Australian regulator specified.

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Health Minister Anil Vij said on Sunday that seven lakh children aged between 15-18 have been vaccinated against COVID-19, adding that children in this age group will not be allowed to attend physical classes without getting vaccination once the open.

"Seven lakh children aged 15-18 have been vaccinated till yet in the state. Once the open, children aged 15-18 will not be allowed without receiving their vaccination," Vij told ANI.

The minister said that the state government is fully alert of rising COVID-19 cases in the state.

"50 per cent of the cases come in Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat as they are adjacent to Delhi and the infection is spreading fast in Delhi. We are completing all healthcare related arrangements in our state. No matter if patient is from Delhi or anywhere else, we will treat them," he added.

Responding to Akhilesh Yadav's statements on Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath contesting assembly election from Gorakhpur, Vij said, "He should worry about his own party. Yogi Adityanath will registered a huge win no matter from where he is contesting."

Putting all speculations to rest, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday announced that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will contest from his stronghold Gorakhpur which elected him to Lok Sabha for five straight terms till 2017.

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.

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The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) on Monday said that around 15 lakh employees will go on nationwide strike for two days from February 23 to protest against .

"National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Engineers (NCCOEEE) has decided to resort to two days nationwide strike along with call given by All India Trade Unions on 23rd and 24th February," an AIPEF statement said.

According to the statement, the NCCOEEE has also decided that core committee leaders of NCCOEEE will meet Governor Punjab on February 1 and handover memorandum to him against privatization of Chandigarh UT Power Department.

AIPEF Chairman Shailendra Dubey said that on call of NCCOEEE about 1.5 million power employees & engineers across the country will resort to two days strike on 23rd and 24th February against privatization policies of the central government.

He said that main demands of employees are: withdrawal of Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2021, scrap decision of of profit making power departments of Union Territories Chandigarh, Dadra Nagar Haveli Daman & Diu and Puducherry, Integrate all unbundled power utilities in states like KSEB Ltd in Kerala and HPSEB Ltd in Himachal Pradesh, Implement old pension scheme for all power employees recruited after unbundling of SEB''s, regularise all outsourced power employees like Telangana government has done.

(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 (RBI) bought and sold the equivalent proportion of the in November 2021, according to data from the central bank.

The purchased USD 8.489 billion from the spot market and sold a similar amount in the market, the monthly Bulletin for January 2022 released on Monday showed.

In October, the had turned net seller of the US currency after it bought USD 7.755 billion from the spot market and sold USD 7.855 billion, the data showed.

In November 2020, the RBI had net bought USD 10.26 billion from the spot market.

During FY 2020-21, the RBI had net purchased USD 68.315 billion from the spot market. It had bought USD 162.479 billion from the spot market and sold USD 94.164 billion during the financial year 2020-21, the data showed.

In the forward dollar market, the outstanding net purchase at the end of November 2021 stood at USD 49.106 billion, similar to the previous month, the data showed.

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India's during October-December period jumped nearly four-fold to 17 lakh tonnes on higher demand from overseas, according to industry body ISMA.

So far, 38-40 lakh tonnes have been contracted by mills for exports. Mills are now waiting for global prices to improve for further contracts.

Sugar marketing year runs from October to September.

"As per market reports and port information, about 17 lakh tonnes of sugar have been physically exported during the period October to December' 2021," ISMA said in a statement.

During the same period in the previous year, about 4.5 lakh tonnes of sugar were exported.

Further, ISMA said it is reported that about 7 lakh tonnes of sugar is in pipeline for export this month.

"Amid of expectedly better upcoming season 2022-23 (April March) in CS Brazil, the global price of raw sugar has fallen further and is currently reeling at an over 5-month low at around 18 cents/pound," ISMA said.

According to the association, Indian mills are waiting for the opportune time and are in no hurry to enter into further export contracts, beyond 3840 lakh tonnes already been signed so far.

The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said that the country has produced 151.41 lakh tonnes of sweetener between October 1, 2021 and January 15, 2022 period of the ongoing 2021-22 marketing year, as against 142.78 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous marketing year.

In Maharashtra, sugar mills have produced 58.84 lakh tonnes till January 15, 2022, as against 51.55 lakh tonnes in the same period of the previous marketing year, ISMA said in a statement.

Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh fell to 40.17 lakh tonnes till January 15, from 42.99 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.

In Karnataka, production has increased to 33.20 lakh tonnes of sugar as on January 15, 2022, as compared to 29.80 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous marketing year.

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The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore's Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP-HRM) batch of 2020-2022 has attracted the highest package of Rs 36.4 lakh per annum (lpa) along with benefits.

Having concluded the final placements process for the PGP-HRM, has registered a record average cost-to-company (CTC) of Rs 20.46 lpa, up by 12.2 per cent over the last year. Moreover, the average package for the top 10 percentile of the batch stood at Rs 28.46 lpa and for the top 25 percentile at Rs 23.45 lpa.

More than 20 recruiters offered roles to the 35 students of PGP-HRM at led by domains like BFSI, IT/ITeS and manufacturing.

From the BFSI domain Hero Fincorp, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Tata AMC recruited in large numbers in the virtual placement drive whereas the IT/ITeS sector stood second with participation from Bristlecone, Capgemini, IBM, and Searce. Prominent recruiters in the manufacturing domain included Lohia Corp and Haber.

Conglomerates like Galadari Brothers, Dubai and DCM Shriram took part in the placement drive. GAIL, Allcargo Logistics, Crompton Greaves, Jasper Colin Research, and People Business were among the other prominent recruiters.

Commenting on the placements, director Himanshu Rai said, "PGP-HRM is the flagship HR programme of IIM Indore that has created its own mark which is evident in the faith reposed by the industry in our students. We look forward to strengthening our relations with the industry by creating business-oriented and socially conscious HR professionals and carrying forward such success stories in the upcoming years."
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said his party's chief ministerial candidate for the polls will be announced on Tuesday.

The (AAP) has received over 15 lakh responses under its campaign to elect its CM face for the Assembly polls, a party leader said.

Kejriwal had on January 13 asked the people of Punjab to suggest names of their preferred chief ministerial candidates and launched a mobile number for the purpose.

Kejriwal then said though he had wanted party's state unit chief Bhagwant Mann's name to be declared as the chief ministerial candidate, the Sangrur MP insisted that people should make the decision.

Kejriwal had also ruled himself out of the race.

"The name of the party's chief ministerial candidate for elections will be announced tomorrow at 12 noon," Kejriwal told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Delhi.

Later in the day, AAP leader Raghav Chadha in Chandigarh said, "We have so far received more than 15 lakh responses through SMS, voice calls, WhatsApp messages. AAP's IT team is scrutinising each message and tomorrow Kejriwal will disclose the results."



Chadha said it will be only AAP which will go to the state Assembly polls with the chief ministerial face.

He said none of the other political parties, including the ruling Congress, announced the name of their chief ministerial candidate.

Replying to a question, Chadha said the next list of candidates will be announced soon. So far, the party has announced 112 candidates.

Voting for Punjab's 117 Assembly seats is scheduled for February 20 and the counting will take place on March 10.

Accepting the demand of political parties, the Election Commission on Monday decided to hold the single-phase Assembly polls in Punjab on February 20 instead of February 14 in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and political parties in the state had urged the poll panel to postpone the date of voting as lakhs of followers of Guru Ravidas travel to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate his birth anniversary on February 16.

Channi had said as members of the Scheduled Castes community are likely to visit Varanasi from February 10 to 16, they won't be able to vote in the elections.

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The Congress on Monday alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Trinamool Congress were contesting in Goa to split the opposition vote and help the BJP.

Congress Senior observer of Goa, P.Chidambaram, said the people are voting either for the BJP or for the regime change.

Chidambaram in a statement said, "My assessment that the AAP (and the TMC) will only fracture the non-BJP vote in Goa has been confirmed by Mr Arvind Kejriwal. The contest in Goa is between Congress and BJP".

"Those who want a regime change (after 10 years of misrule) will vote for the Congress. Those who want the regime to continue will vote for the BJP. The choice before the voter in Goa is stark and clear. Do you want a regime change or not? I appeal to the voters of Goa to vote for a regime change and vote Congress," he added.

The Congress is facing a tough battle in Goa while trying to be ahead of the BJP as the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are spoiling the grand old party's game in the state.

The Congress is trying to put up a strong face and has denied any alliance talks with the Trinamool despite speculations in the political circles. Jittered by the Congress stance, the Trinamool has launched an offensive against the Congress.

"The Trinamool has been saying that they are open to alliances, but Congress is not willing to accept and behaving like an emperor," Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra said, adding: "Need of hour in Goa is to defeat BJP - no one should be on their high horse. AITC will not, repeat not, shy away from walking the last mile."

Speculation of an alliance between the two parties was triggered after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar told reporters that his party is in talks with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress for a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming elections in Goa.

--IANS

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Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said his party will support those outfits that have the ability to defeat the BJP in polls scheduled for February-March in five states.

The goal of the CPI(M) is to keep BJP away from power in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur, Yechury, who is on a visit to Bhopal to participate in a state level CPI(M) convention, told reporters.

He said his party was also discussing this issue with other Leftist groups as the aim was to stop the division of anti-BJP votes by forging alliances.

Claiming there was an anti-BJP atmosphere in UP, he said the CPI(M) will talk to the Samajwadi Party (SP), which is the main contender for power there.

The BJP has to be defeated politically and kept away from power in order to make a better India, he said.

"This (communal polarization by the BJP) has created an atmosphere of hatred and violence, disturbing the social fabric, unity and brotherhood in the country. So, it is necessary to keep them (BJP) away from power by defeating them in otherwise the country's constitutional system will not survive," he said.

The condition of the people has deteriorated very quickly under the Narendra Modi government, with unemployment and hunger being widespread, while the country's wealth was being looted through disinvestment, he claimed.

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After releasing the candidate list for 105 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday held discussions on all 70 seats of the Uttarakhand assembly polls.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, president JP Nadda, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand president Madan Kaushik, election in-charge Prahlad Joshi, in-charge Dushyant Gautam, co-in-charges RP Singh and Locket Chatterjee were present in the meeting.

The meeting, which started at 6 pm in the office went on till 10 pm.

A panel of three names was sent to Delhi, which was discussed in the core group meeting today. The 70 seats which have been discussed today would be taken forward in the CEC meeting to be held on January 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be part of the meeting.

As per sources, by January 20 to 21 the list of 70 candidates will be released for Uttarakhand.

At present, the BJP has 57 assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand's 70-seated assembly. This time the party has given the slogan 'Abki Baar 60 Paar'.

Earlier in the afternoon, the party discussed the 40 seats for the Goa Legislative Assembly. Goa CM Pramod Sawant, election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis, G Kishan Reddy along with organization ministers were present.

Sources say that the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to contest 38 out of the 40 assembly seats in Goa this time. The party has decided not to field its candidates in 2 Christian majority seats.

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Even as Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Naresh Tikait has announced extending support towards the Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal (SP-RLD) alliance in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, his brother and BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait has denied this, saying "there was a misunderstanding".

"We didn't extend any support, people have made a mistake in understanding," Rakesh Tikait said,

A video of Naresh Tikait extending support to the SP- has recently emerged. On being asked on this, Rakesh Tikait told IANS: "We have not extended any support yet and we will soon confirm that through our official social media account as well."

"If someone comes to our house, we say 'we are with you'. We are not telling anyone whom to vote.

"We have decided that we will not support anyone. Even if we are against the government, everyone (the people) knows what they have to do," he said.

Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the SP- alliance, Congress, SP and Bahujan Samaj Party have released the list of their candidates.

The SP- alliance has announced the candidature of Rajpal Baliyan from Budhana in Muzaffarnagar district, Chandan Chauhan from Meerapur and Ashraf Ali from Thana Bhawan in Shamli.

On January 15, the Samyutk Kisan Morcha had decided to start Mission UP from February 1.

The RLD and alliance on Saturday announced its second list of seven candidates for the assembly elections.

In this list, all the candidates belong to the RLD. On Thursday, the first list of 29 candidates was released in which the has named its 10 candidates while RLD has been given 19 seats.

The RLD candidates have been announced in 26 seats so far.

--IANS

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A high-profile Majitha Assembly constituency in Punjab's Majha region has gained prominence for the February 14 poll owing to Majithia versus Majithia versus Majithia -- three namesakes in the fray -- and one among them is facing serious allegations of involvement in drug nexus.

The high-profile Assembly constituency is the citadel of 'Majhe da Jarnail' and former (SAD) revenue minister and sitting legislator Bikram Singh Majithia, turncoat and AAP candidate Sukhjinder Raj Singh, alias Lalli Majithia, who lost two consecutive Assembly polls to the Akali leader, and his younger brother and first-time candidate Jagwinder Pal Singh, alias Jagga Majithia, 59.

A multi-cornered contest is on the cards with turncoat Bhagwant Pal Sachar, who was president of the District Congress Committee (Rural) and believed to be close to Congress state chief Navjot Sidhu, joined the BJP after his claim for the candidature was denied by the Congress. He's likely to be the BJP candidate from this seat.

The contest is among the SAD, the Congress, AAP and the BJP. The BJP has an alliance with former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress and the SAD (Sanyukt), and farm leader Balbir Singh Rajewal's Sanyukt Samaj Morcha.

This time the stakes are all the more high due to the entry of several parties, compared to the triangular contest in 2017 in Majitha, part of the parliamentary seat.

Up against his elder brother, Jagga Majithia, told IANS on Monday that when his brother Lalli Majithia was in the fray in the past two Assembly polls he was the main campaigner.

"Nobody knows him in the constituency as he's not a social worker. I was the main campaigner in all his previous elections and I stood with my constituents even when there was no election. No one will vote for him as he kept his doors shut for the public," he said.

Before joining AAP, Lalli Majithia, a confidant of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, resigned as chairman-cum-director of the Punjab State Grains Procurement Corporation Ltd (Pungrain) on December 30.

On the day of Majithia joining AAP, its leader Raghav Chadha said the Majitha constituency is usually a fixed match with a compromise candidate against SAD candidate Bikram Majithia by the Congress and to return the favour a weaker candidate given by the SAD against Capt Amarinder Singh.

"Not anymore! AAP fields a political stalwart Lalli Majithia, a force to reckon with," state party co-in-charge Chadha tweeted.

In 2017, the AAP had fielded Himmet Singh Shergill, who faced a humiliating defeat by garnering just 10,252 votes, compared to the winner's total 65,803 votes. At that time Arvind Kejriwal vowed to send him to jail if the party came into power.

The younger brother of former Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and brother-in-law of former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, sitting legislator Bikram Majithia, who is the eye of storm again, was summoned by Enforcement Directorate in 2014 for investigating the money laundering link in the Rs 6,000 crore international synthetic drugs racket busted by the Punjab Police in 2013.

In the latest drugs case, he got interim protection from arrest from the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 10 in the case registered against him by the Punjab Police in Mohali on December 20.

He was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including Sections 25 (punishment for allowing premises), 27 (A) (whoever is financing any activities pertaining to narcotic drugs) and 29 (party to a criminal conspiracy to commit an offence).

Bikram Majithia, one of the most powerful Akali leaders, is also facing allegations of having links with certain NRIs who have been accused of international money laundering related to the massive drugs racket.

Responding to the recent drug case against Majithia, SAD patriarch and five-time Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that he was apprehending such an action by the Congress government.

Daring the state Congress government to arrest him, elderly Badal told the media that, "Congress governments have always tried to weaken Punjab and the Akali Dal. Whenever I was the chief minister, I never troubled any Congress leader."

Bikram Majithia, who is educated at the Lawrence School in Sanawar in Himachal Pradesh, was elected MLA from this seat in 2017 with a margin of 22,884 votes, lower than a margin of 47,581 he had got in 2012. He won this seat in 2007 too. His father Sardar Satyajit Singh Majithia is a former Deputy Defence Minister.

In the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly and ousted the SAD-BJP government after 10 years.

The AAP had emerged as the second-largest party, winning 20 seats. SAD won 15 seats, while the (BJP), which had a coalition government with the Akali Dal in Punjab from 2007 to 2017, secured three seats.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

--IANS

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Eight candidates from across parties, including a sitting minister, filed their nomination papers on Monday for four assembly constituencies in the district, a senior government official here said.

cabinet minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary and former minister Tejpal Singh, who had contested earlier against each other, filed their nomination papers from Chhata assembly constituency, Navneet Singh Chahal District Magistrate said.

He said Chaudhary has filed his nomination as BJP candidate and Tejpal Singh as SP-RLD candidate.

Karan Singh also filed his nomination from Chhata assembly constituency.

From assembly constituency, former leader of congress legislature party Pradeep Mathur filed his nomination, while Poonam Gupta also filed hers.

Devendra Agrawal filed his candidature as SP-RLD candidate, the official said.

Yogesh Chaudhary alias Yogesh Nauhar filed his nomination as SP-RLD candidate from Mant assembly constituency, while Bhupendra Kumar Dhangar filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Baldeo reserved assembly constituency, he added.

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Ahead of the assembly polls, minister Harak Singh Rawat was on Sunday dismissed from the state cabinet and expelled from the primary membership of the for six years.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also written to the governor about the removal of Rawat from the cabinet, sources said.

Rawat has been dismissed from the cabinet by Chief Minister Dhami and also expelled from the primary membership of the party for six years, state spokesman Shadab Shams told PTI in Dehradun.

Welcoming the decision, Shams said this gives a strong message that the is a party which does not tolerate indiscipline and does not bow to pressure of any kind.

Rawat, who represents the Kotdwar seat in the state assembly, is said to have been seeking a ticket for his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain from the Lansdowne constituency and a change of seat for himself.

The sources in the BJP also said that for some time now, there have been reports of Rawat being unhappy with the BJP leadership.

He has also been in touch with the Congress to return to that party, they said, adding that among other reasons, the BJP expelled him for anti-party activities.

Rawat was in the news recently when he threatened to resign from the state cabinet insisting on his demand for a medical college in Haridwar.

He is currently in Delhi.

Elections in will be held in single phase on February 14.

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Private sector lender has appointed Rupa Devi Singh as its new part time chairman following the retirement of Nasser Munjee from that position. Her appointment is subject to approval from regulatory authorities like Reserve Bank of India and the shareholders of the Bank.

The bank informed the BSE that the Board of Directors at its meeting held on January 14, 2022 approved the appointment of Rupa Devi Singh, independentdirector, as non-executive (part-time) chairman. Singh's appointment will be effective from the date of receipt of the RBI approval. Munjee was the chairman of the bank since August 2005.

Rupa Devi Singh has been a non-executive independent director of the bank from January 22, 2015. She has over 35 years of experience in various sectors viz. commercial banking, project structuring, infrastructure, etc.

She was the founding managing director and CEO of Power Exchange India (PXIL). Prior to joining PXIL, she worked with CRISIL as director  Power Practice and subsequently, as director, Corporate & S E Asia at CRISIL.

She started her career with the State Bank of India (SBI) and had a long stint of about 26 years during which she worked in various senior positions.
Two Indians and a Pakistani national were killed and six injured on Monday in a suspected Houthi drone attack near the airport that sparked multiple explosions in the United Arab Emirates' capital.

The explosions were caused by "small flying objects", possibly drones, that hit three petroleum tankers in Abu Dhabi, police said.

Another minor fire broke out in the new construction area of the Airport, according to the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM).

It said that the fire that broke out in the Musaffah ICAD 3 area near the National Oil Company (ADNOC) resulted in the explosion of three petroleum tankers.

"Preliminary investigations suggest that the cause of the fires are small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas, it said, adding that the fire has been brought under control.

Abu Dhabi police identified the dead as two Indian nationals and one Pakistani.

Another six persons sustained mild and moderate injuries, police said, without disclosing their identity.

The Indian Embassy in said that the mission is in close touch with concerned authorities for further details.

" authorities have informed that the explosion at Mussafah, near ADNOC's storage tanks, has led to 3 casualties, which includes 2 Indian nationals. The Mission @IndembAbuDhabi is in close touch with concerned UAE authorities for further details, the Indian Embassy in UAE tweeted.

Authorities have launched an extensive investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding it, police said.

"However, there are no significant damages resulting from the two accidents," WAM reported.

The fire that broke out in the construction area of the Abu Dhabi Airport on Monday "resulted in a short disruption for a small number of flights".

An Etihad Airways spokesperson told the Khaleej Times newspaper that normal airport operations were quickly resumed. The disruption was the result of precautionary measures.

"The safety and comfort of our guests and crew is our number one priority, the spokesperson added.

The UAE didn't immediately blame anyone for the attack. However, Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed that they targeted the United Arab Emirates, without giving details.

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels said they would soon make a statement about "a special military operation that was carried out in the heart of the UAE," the Houthi-owned Al Masirah TV channel said on Monday.

Yemen's Houthi group has taken responsibility for several attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities in the past. The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen fighting Houthi rebels.

Saudi Arabia has condemned the attack in a statement.

"We condemn in the strongest of words the cowardly terror attack that targeted Abu Dhabi Airport in the UAE," the kingdom's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"The kingdom also points out that this terror attack which the Houthi militia is behind reconfirms the danger that this terror group poses and its threat to the security, peace and stability in the region and the world.

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Beijing's first reported case of the variant has prompted stepped-up measures in the nation's capital, just weeks before it hosts the Winter Olympic Games.

Following the positive test announced Saturday, more than 13,000 people and all places visited by the patient over the previous days have been tested, according to state media. The person's apartment complex and workplace have been sealed off.

The infected person lives and works in the city's northwestern district of Haidian and had no travel history outside of for the past two weeks, according to state media.

State media on Monday reported the capital, with its 20 million residents, was considering stronger restrictions on travel. All transit links with Tianjin have already been severed. flights have been sharply reduced and domestic travellers have been barred if they transferred to a second location before arriving in .

No new cases were reported in on Monday, although the nearby city of Tianjin saw another 80 cases recorded over the previous 24 hours.

The Olympics open on Feb. 4, just days after the start of Lunar New Year celebrations. Athletes, officials, staff and journalists are required to enter a closed-loop bubble without outside contact and undergo daily testing.

Beijing Daily reported Sunday that the capital will require travellers to take nucleic acid tests within 72 hours of entry starting Jan. 22. Some schools in Beijing have also closed early and moved classes online ahead of the winter holidays.

Officials across the country also urged residents to stay in their cities for the new year, instead of travelling back to their hometowns. Tourist sites, including sections of the Great Wall, have also closed amid China's zero-COVID" policy that has seen millions of people placed under lockdowns.

The economic, logistical and psychological stresses resulting from that policy have become increasingly apparent, creating tension over how long the restrictions must remain in place.

Following three weeks of isolation, the ancient capital of Xi'an appeared to be turning a corner, with stay-at-home rules lifted on neighborhoods determined to be virus-free.

Roughly 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) southwest of Beijing, the city of Xi'an, which has a population of 13 million and counts as a major tourist site for its famed Terracotta Warriors, has reported over 2,000 infections since December last year.

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China's population grew to 1.4126 billion by the end of last year, increasing by less than half-a-million as the birth rate fell for the fifth consecutive year, stoking fears of a looming demographic crisis and a consequent economic slowdown in the world's most populous nation.

At the end of 2021, China's population on the mainland grew to 1.4126 billion from 1.4120 billion in 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

China's population increased by 480,000 in a year-on-year comparison from 2020, as per the NBS data.

The number of new births in 2021 stood at 10.62 million, down from 12 million in 2020, Hong Kong-based South Morning Post reported.

Earlier this month, Henan province, the country's third-most-populous administrative region, reported that its number of newborn children fell to 920,000 in 2020 - a 23.3 per cent decline from 2019 - as the birth rate dropped to 9.24 births per 1,000 people.

Experts have warned that a demographic turning point may be around the corner in China, threatening its booming economic growth, the Post report said.

In such a situation, the ratio of people in the workforce and dependent persons (retired with pension and other benefits) may be adversely affected, straining the economy.

Chinese provinces have started announcing a slew of supportive measures to motivate couples to have three children to prevent a steep decline in birth rates.

Beijing, Sichuan and Jiangxi provinces have rolled out supportive measures such as increased parental leave, maternity leave, marriage leave and paternity leave, state-run Xinhua news agency reported earlier.

permitted all couples to have two children in 2016, scrapping the draconian decades-old one-child policy which policymakers blame for the current demographic crisis.

Last year passed a revised Population and Family Planning Law allowing Chinese couples to have three children in an apparent attempt to address the reluctance of couples to have more kids due to mounting costs.

The decision to permit the third child came after the once-in-a-decade census in 2020 showed that China's population grew at its slowest pace to 1.412 billion.

The census figures revealed that the demographic crisis China faced was expected to deepen as the population above 60 years grew to 264 million up by 18.7 per cent.

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The coronavirus' omicron variant starting to barrel across South America is pressuring hospitals whose employees are taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed to cope with COVID-19's third wave.

A major hospital in Bolivia's largest city stopped admitting new patients due to lack of personnel, and one of Brazil's most populous states canceled scheduled surgeries for a month.

Members of the Argentine Union of Health, which represents private healthcare providers, estimates that about 30% of its doctors have taken leave after showing light symptoms or coming into contact with someone infected.

The third wave is affecting the health team a lot, from the cleaning staff to the technicians, with a high percentage of sick people, despite having a complete vaccination schedule, said Jorge Coronel, president of Argentina's medical confederation.

While symptoms are mostly mild to moderate, that group needs to be isolated.

It wasn't supposed to be this way: South America's vaccine uptake was eager once shots were available. About two-thirds of its roughly 435 million residents are fully immunized, the highest percentage for any global region, according to Our World in Data. And health workers in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina have already been receiving booster shots.

But the omicron variant is defying vaccines, sending case numbers surging. Argentina saw an average 112,000 daily confirmed cases in the week through January 16, up from 3,700 a month earlier.

Brazil's health ministry is still recovering from a hack that left data incomplete; even so, it shows a jump to an average 69,000 daily cases in the same seven-day period, up 1,900% from the month before.

Omicron spreads even easier than other strains, and is already dominant in many countries among them, Brazil and some parts of Argentina.

It also more easily infects those who have already been vaccinated or infected by earlier versions of the virus. Early studies show omicron is less likely to cause serious diseases than the delta variant, and vaccination and booster shots still offer strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Lesser severity leaves South America's residents loath to give up their long-awaited summer that, so they were told, would mark a return to normality after full vaccination.

The enduring pandemic often seems an afterthought to people who are out and about, and don't glimpse how omicron has started affecting medical staff. Beaches were packed this weekend in Argentina and Brazil.

Matas Fernndez Norte, a surgeon at the Hospital de Clnicas in Buenos Aires, told the AP that the high number of professionals on leave has generated physical and spiritual fatigue, in addition to the stress of dealing with a patient on the edge.

You feel like you are living a parallel reality. In the street you meet a world that doesn't seem to feel the pandemic," he said. "Sometimes it feels like people have forgotten. Unfortunately, that's what we feel.

Brazil's council of state health secretariats estimates that between 10% and 20% of all professionals in the health network including doctors, nurses, nurse technicians, ambulance drivers and in direct contact with patients have taken sick leave since the last week of 2021.

We are having trouble making the schedules, said the council's director, Carlos Lula.

The press office of Rio de Janeiro state's health secretariat told the AP that about 5,500 professionals have left their jobs since December. All elective surgeries scheduled in the state health network have been suspended for four weeks. As for urgent care, relocations and overtime are being used as stopgap measures.

Forty percent of our staff is on sick leave," Marcia Fernandes Lucas, health secretary for the municipality of Sao Joao de Meriti, in Rio's metropolitan region, told the AP in her office.

"We are able to work with these 60% by redeploying them (between health centers). Public hospitals in Bolivia are operating at 50-70% capacity due to the high number of infections among health care workers, according to the Bolivian doctors' union. In Santa Cruz, the country's most populous city, the Children's Hospital is overwhelmed but less by its number of patients than the amount of staff falling ill, according to Freddy Rojas, its vice director. Last week, the facility stopped admitting new patients.

There has been a collapse, because we don't have replacements, said Jos Lus Guaman, interim president of the doctors' union in Santa Cruz.

Such is the risk of medical services grinding to a halt in Argentina's Buenos Aires province the country's most populous that health workers have been allowed to return to work even if coming into contact with someone infected, provided they are asymptomatic and vaccinated. Other provinces in Argentina are expected to adopt the same rules in the coming days, in line with the health ministry's recently-issued guidelines.

Similar measures are being enacted by authorities in France and the US, where omicron has been putting hospital systems to the test for weeks.

Chile has seen a constant increase in its number of cases, prompting the reactivation of public- and private-sector hospital beds, but so far the country hasn't experienced hospital overload. Peru has also seen case its numbers rise, but its facilities aren't yet suffering.

The Pan American Health Organization said Wednesday it expects omicron to become the predominant variant in the Americas in the coming week. Ten countries in the region especially in the Caribbean didn't reach the goal set by the World Health Organization to have 40% of citizens fully vaccinated by end-2021.

While a smaller fraction of people develop serious illness from the the highly-transmissible variant, the crush of contagion and resulting strain on hospitals means omicron shouldn't be underestimated, said Lula, of the Brazilian health secretariat council.

People have to understand that the argument that omicron is mild' is false, Lula said.

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will stick to its strategic overhaul despite the abrupt departure of its mastermind Antonio Horta-Osorio following an internal probe into his personal conduct, including breaches of Covid-19 rules, the embattled bank's new chairman said on Monday.

Horta-Osorios exit comes less than a year after he was hired to help the bank deal with the implosion of collapsed investment firm Archegos and the insolvency of British supply chain finance company Greenshill Capital, even as it was still reeling from the 2020 exit of CEO Tidjane Thiam over a spying scandal.

Combined these triggered multi-billion dollar losses and sackings at Switzerland's No. 2 bank, and Horta-Osorio unveiled a new strategy in November to rein in its investment bankers and curb a freewheeling culture.

The strategy is not under discussion, Axel Lehmann, a board member brought in to replace Horta-Osorio, told Reuters in a telephone interview. The banks shares were down over 2 per cent in Mondays trade.





said Antonio Horta-Osorio (left) resigned following an investigation commissioned by the board and Axel Lehmann became its chairman with immediate effect

The Portuguese banker's personal conduct has recently come under scrutiny, after he breached Covid-19 quarantine rules twice in 2021.

"I regret that a number of my personal actions have led to difficulties for the bank and compromised my ability to represent the bank internally and externally, Horta-Osorio said in a statement issued by Credit Suisse on Monday. I therefore believe that my resignation is in the interest of the bank and its stakeholders at this crucial time.

Credit Suisse said he resigned following an investigation commissioned by the board and that Lehmann had become its chairman with immediate effect.

Lehmann, a Swiss citizen who spent over 10 years at rival UBS and nearly two decades at Zurich Insurance Group , said no sweeping changes were planned for Credit Suisse as it tries to steer its way back into calmer waters. He said customer business remained excellent despite the latest upheaval and no big management changes were in the works.



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By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil prices were steady on Monday, as investor bets that global supply will remain tight amid restraint by major producers were offset by a rise in Libyan output.

was down 4 cents, or 0.1%, to $86.02 a barrel by 0953 GMT. Earlier in the session, the contract touched its highest since Oct. 3, 2018 at $86.71.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 20 cents, or 0.2%, at $84.02 a barrel, after hitting $84.78, the highest since Nov. 10, 2021, earlier in the session.

Frantic oil buying, driven by supply outages and signs the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will not be as disruptive as feared for fuel demand, has pushed some crude grades to multi-year highs, suggesting the rally in Brent futures could be sustained a while longer, traders said.

"The bullish sentiment is continuing as (producer group) OPEC+ is not providing enough supply to meet strong global demand," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and their allies, together known as OPEC+, are gradually relaxing output cuts implemented when demand collapsed in 2020.

But many smaller producers cannot raise supply and others have been wary of pumping too much oil in case of renewed COVID-19 setbacks.

Meanwhile, Libya's total oil output is back to 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the National Oil Corp. Libyan output was around 900,000 bpd last week, due to the blockade of western oilfields.

"Libya's oil production had dropped to a good 700,000 barrels per day at the start of the year, which had played its part in the price rise," said Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch.

Concerns over supply constraints outweighed the news of China's possible oil release from reserves, Fujitomi analyst Tazawa said.

Sources told Reuters that China plans to release oil reserves around the Lunar New Year holidays between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6 as part of a plan coordinated by the United States with other major consumers to reduce global prices.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Monday it is the prerogative of the U.S. government whether to release supply from the strategic petroleum reserves.

Festering geopolitical threats to supply are also supporting bullish sentiment, analysts said.

U.S. officials voiced fears on Friday that Russia was preparing to attack Ukraine if diplomacy failed. Russia, which has amassed 100,000 troops on Ukraine's border, released pictures of its forces on the move.

(Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London, Reporting by Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo and Roslan Khasawneh in Singapore; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell, Himani Sarkar and Susan Fenton)

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Dubbing as an " beggar", Jamat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul-Haq on Sunday stated that Pakistan Prime Minister's departure is 'the only solution' to all the problems of the country marred with financial woes.

Speaking at a gathering ahead of local body polls in Lahore, Haq called for a fresh election in the country. Slamming Khan's government for increasing petroleum prices, JI chief said, " and Pakistan cannot function together."

"There is no space left for pluses or minuses from in this country, as Imran Khan's departure is the only solution to all the problems," Haq was quoted as saying by Geo News.

Over Pakistan's contentious deal with the Monetary Fund (IMF), Sirajul Haq said that the Pak PM has become "an beggar". He also said that the incumbent government, led by PTI is unable to rule the country.

This stinging criticism comes amid massive financial problems that the country is facing.

Meanwhile, the opposition has rejected the passing of the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 and the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2021, to meet conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The approval of the supplementary finance bill was necessary to ensure Pakistan's sixth review of the USD 6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The JI chief went on to say that the ruling government used to claim that it was the "champion of the economy" but nothing has changed as "it is merely using old parts in new machinery."

Last week, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairmen Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had termed as the 'crisis of this century, stating that this government has failed on all fronts.

"The government's deal with IMF would have devastating effects on the nation," he had said.

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Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday said fighting the pandemic was a top priority in his speech opening this year's parliamentary session, as the Tokyo region was hit by surging infections.

Kishida also named stepping up defense measures against rising regional threats as a priority, hours after North Korea test-fired two possible ballistic missiles its fourth this year.

I will devote my body and soul to win this fight against the coronavirus, Kishida said in his speech before the lower house, which marked the start of its new 150-day session. He called on people to help each other to overcome the national crisis" of the pandemic.

The Japanese capital reported 4,172 new cases on Sunday, raising the hospital bed occupancy rate to 19.3%. Tokyo authorities have said that when that rate breaches 20%, they will request the government place the area under pre-emergency status and move toward restrictions like working from home and shorter hours for eateries.

Kishida reiterated his plans to keep Japan's stringent border controls in place, banning most foreign entrants until the end of February, while the country tries to speed up booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines and reinforce medical systems to support an increasing number of patients being treated at home.

The highly transmissible omicron variant has driven infections higher and started to paralyze medical and public services in some areas, as more people are forced to self-isolate. last week trimmed the 14-day quarantine period to 10 days.

Kishida urged companies to promote remote work, and called on schools to use online classes flexibly. Booster shots only started last month with medical workers and so far less than 1% of the population has had their third jab.

recently cut the wait between a second and third shot for elderly people to six months from eight. In part because of a shortage of imported vaccines, most younger Japanese are not expected to get their turn until March.

In his parliamentary speech, Kishida also addressed what he said was an increasingly severe and complex" regional situation. I'm determined to protect the people's lives and daily life," the premier vowed.

North Korea's repeated and escalating test-firing of ballistic missiles are absolutely not permissible and we should not overlook its significant progress of missile technology," Kishida added.

North Korea on Monday fired two possible ballistic missiles, which Japanese officials said landed off the North's eastern coast.

North Korea's nuclear and missile development, along with China's rapid military buildup, have already prompted Kishida's government to raise Japan's military budget.

Kishida repeated his plans to review Japan's defense policy, and consider the development of a controversial pre-emptive strike capability, to drastically strengthen defense power.

Kishida is set to hold an online summit with Pesident Joe Biden on Jan. 21 as the two leaders seek to further strengthen bilateral ties, Tokyo and Washington announced Monday.

Kishida called the U.S. alliance the lynchpin of Japan's diplomatic and security policies."



Kishida, who is from the city of Hiroshima that the U.S. attacked with an atomic bomb in World War Two, also said he sought "a world without nuclear weapons" and plans to launch a conference with former and serving world leaders on phasing out nuclear weapons. He said he hoped the initiative would have its first meeting in his hometown this year.

Kishida pledged to promote energy reforms to meet the target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. He said he supported the use of innovative nuclear energy, nuclear fusion technology as well as renewables to meet this goal.

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Amid China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, US President will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida virtually on Friday (January 21) to discuss issues pertaining to the Quad (an alliance of US, Australia, and India).

"President Joseph R Biden, Jr will meet virtually with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of on Friday, January 21 to further deepen ties between our governments, economies, and our people," read a statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

The two countries seek to further deepen their ties and the meeting will highlight the strength of the US- Alliance, which is the cornerstone of peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.

"President Biden looks forward to working with Prime Minister Kishida to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and to expand our close cooperation on critical issues like combatting COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, and partnering on new and emerging technologies, including through the Quad," added the statement.

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rose on Monday, with Brent crude futures at their highest in more than three years, as investors bet supply will remain tight amid restrained output by major producers with global demand unperturbed by the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Brent crude futures gained 42 cents, or 0.5%, to $86.48 a barrel by 0022 GMT. The contract touched its highest since Oct. 3, 2018 - $86.71 - earlier in the session.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 62 cents, or 0.7%, at $84.44 a barrel, after hitting $84.78, the highest since Nov. 10, 2021, earlier in the session.

The gains followed a rally last week when Brent rose 5.4% and WTI climbed 6.3%.

Frantic oil buying, driven by supply outages and signs the Omicron variant won't be as disruptive as feared for fuel demand, has pushed some crude grades to multi-year highs, suggesting the rally in Brent futures could be sustained a while longer, traders said.

"The bullish sentiment is continuing as (producer group) OPEC+ is not providing enough supply to meet strong global demand," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd.

"If (investment) funds increase allocation weight for crude, prices could reach their highs of 2014," he said.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies - OPEC+ - are gradually relaxing output cuts implemented when demand collapsed in 2020.

But many smaller producers can't raise supply and others have been wary of pumping too much oil in case of renewed COVID-19 setbacks.

Worries of a Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine that could disrupt energy supply also lent support to prices.

U.S. officials voiced fears on Friday that Russia was preparing to attack Ukraine if diplomacy failed. Russia, which has massed 100,000 troops on Ukraine's border, released pictures of its forces on the move.

The U.S. government has held talks with several energy companies on contingency plans for supplying natural gas to Europe if conflict between Russia and Ukraine disrupts Russian supplies, two U.S. officials and two industry sources told Reuters on Friday.

U.S. crude oil stockpiles, meanwhile, fell more than expected to their lowest levels since October 2018, but gasoline inventories surged due to weak demand, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

Concerns over supply constraints outweighed the news of China's possible oil release from reserves, Fujitomi analyst Tazawa said.

Sources told Reuters China plans to release oil reserves around the Lunar New Year holidays between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6 as part of a plan coordinated by the United States with other major consumers to reduce global prices.

(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)

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Pakistan's National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yufuf will lead a high-level inter-ministerial delegation to Kabul on Tuesday for a two-day trip for talks on bilateral matters and a focus on Islamabads efforts to avert a humanitarian crisis in the war-torn nation, a media report said citing officials as saying.

"Yusuf is steering the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell (AICC) to channel Pakistan's humanitarian and economic assistance to in a manner that helps the Afghan interim authorities in combatting their key challenges while adhering to the requirements of the UN and sanctions," the Dawn news report said late Sunday.

The informed officials said that the purpose of the visit is to ascertain Afghanistan's "humanitarian, economic and development needs".

The Dawn news report said the "main sectors of Pakistan's cooperation with include health, higher education, provision of humanitarian assistance, and enhancement of trade/business contacts".

Meanwhile, the Taliban-led government in Kabul is yet to confirm the visit which comes as tensions are simmering between the two countries over the Durand Line, the de-facto border between Afghanistan and .

maintains that the fencing of the 2,670 km long border is pivotal to the country's border security and national interest as it would help curb the gateway of terrorists, who enter into the country from Afghanistan and carry out attacks in the country.

On the other hand, the Taliban leadership has been very clear with its position on the Durand line. It have never agreed to the very existence of the Durand line as they claim that the demarcation occupies Afghan land.

--IANS

ksk/

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Pakistan Prime Minister on Monday spoke to and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and issues and also appreciated the Russian President's "emphatic statement" that freedom of speech could not be a pretext to abuse the Prophet.

During a telephonic conversation with President Putin, Prime Minister Khan said he has regularly highlighted the appalling rise in Islamophobia and associated hatred in his addresses to the UN General Assembly, pointing towards its serious ramifications, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

He "appreciated President's Putin statement that insulting Holy Prophet Muhammad does not count as an expression of artistic freedom, it said.

Khan, in a tweet, said he spoke to Putin "primarily to express my appreciation for his emphatic statement that freedom of speech could not be a pretext to abuse our Prophet".

"He (Putin) is the first Western leader to show empathy & sensitivity to Muslim sentiment for their beloved Prophet," said Khan, who frequently faces the wrath of hardline Islamists in the country over offensive caricatures of the Prophet in some western publications.

Khan said they also discussed ways to move forward on trade and other mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and Russia and invited each other to visit their respective countries.

During the conversation, the two leaders exchanged views on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and issues of mutual interest, the Foreign Office statement said.

Khan underscored that Pakistan's bilateral relationship with Russia was on an upward trajectory, with an increased focus on trade and economic ties and energy cooperation, it said.

He reiterated the government's resolve for early realisation of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project, which is being developed with Russia's aid.

Khan and Putin agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in different areas, increase high-level exchanges, and remain in close contact on matters relating to Afghanistan, the statement said.

Khan also said a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was pivotal for regional stability. He said Afghanistan was facing dire humanitarian and economic challenges and support of the community to the people of Afghanistan at this critical juncture remained vitally important.

According to a report in Pakistan Observer newspaper, in December last, Putin while addressing his annual news conference said that insults to the Prophet are a violation of religious freedom and the violation of the sacred feelings of people who profess Islam.

The Russian president highlighted that such acts trigger extremist reprisals, citing as an example the attack on the editorial office of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris after it published blasphemous sketches of the Prophet, the report said.

Pakistan's defence ties with Russia have moved past the bitter Cold War hostilities in recent years and the chill in the relations between Pakistan and the US has further pushed the country towards Russia and China.

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The on Sunday said that it will open schools and universities for girls and boys in March 2022.

Deputy Minister of Information and Culture and spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Zabiullah Mujahid speaking with US-based news agency is not against education, but boys and girls must be completely segregated in schools, reported Tolo News.

Mujahid said that the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education are working hard to reopen higher schools and public universities in two months, reported The Khaama Press.

The spokesman said that higher schools in most of the provinces have been reopened and in some provinces, they are still closed due to economic issues.

He reiterated that girls and boys will be separated in classrooms and they are working to build more hostels for girls around .

It has been nearly six months that 150 public universities have been closed across while in 40 private universities boys and girls study, reported The Khaama Press.

Girls are only allowed to attend classes up to sixth grade in public schools.

Since the takeover in mid-August, girls in most parts of Afghanistan have not been allowed back to school beyond grade 7.

The closing of girls' schools has been met with sharp reactions inside the country as well as from the community.

Meanwhile, a number of female students who remain out of school said the Islamic Emirate should keep its promise and reopen the schools in the new year, reported Tolo News.

"We have heard a lot of promises but these promises must become practical. We were deprived of going to school due to Covid-19 and then because of recent changes in the country," said Bahara, a student.

"We are calling for the immediate reopening of schools, and the government should pave the ground for this," said Azada, a student.

A number of female teachers said they have not received their salaries for five months and they urged the Islamic Emirate to address their challenges, reported Tolo News.

"We have not been called to schools for the past five months. Even those teachers at boys' schools face an uncertain fate," said Suhaila Omar Zada, a teacher.

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will hold talks with the Corporation on Tuesday as part of a desperate measure to tide over the current fuel and crisis faced by the island nation, Power Minister Gamini Lokuge said on Monday.

Lokuge said that the talks with the Corporation's local entity would be held for a solution to the fuel crisis.

The Lanka IOC, the Sri Lankan subsidiary of India's oil major Corporation (IOC), has been in operation in since 2002.

I have asked my officials to start talks with the LIOC tomorrow (Tuesday), I will join if necessary, the power minister said.

He said that the continuous electricity supply could be assured until January 22. Previously, he said the supplies could be ensured until January 18.

Minister Udaya Gammanpila had said that there was no point in discussing with the power ministry on continued supplies of diesel and furnace oil required to generate power.

They must find their own dollars to pay for the supplies and order their requirements well in advance, Gammanpila said.

He said that the country's national carrier, Srilankan Airlines, had found dollars on their own to pay for fuel supplies.

is currently facing a severe foreign exchange crisis with falling reserves.

The country is grappling with a shortage of almost all essentials due to the lack of dollars to pay for the imports.

Additionally, power cuts are imposed at peak hours as the state power entity is unable to obtain fuel to run turbines.

The state fuel entity has stopped oil supplies as the electricity board has large unpaid bills. The only refinery was recently shut as it was unable to pay dollars for crude imports.

Early this week, the Indian government announced a billion dollar assistance package in addition to other balance of payment support to Sri Lanka.

The billion dollar loan credit facility is to be used to avert a food crisis while allowing for the import of items and medicines. Additionally, there will be USD 500 million for importing fuel from India.

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US and British authorities Monday continued an investigation into the weekend standoff at a synagogue that ended with an armed British national dead and a rabbi crediting past security training for getting him and three members of his congregation out safely.

Authorities identified the hostage-taker as a 44-year-old British national, Malik Faisal Akram, who was killed Saturday night after the last hostages ran out of Congregation Beth Israel around 9 p.m. The FBI said there was no early indication that anyone else was involved, but it had not provided a possible motive.

The investigation stretched to England, where late Sunday police in Manchester announced that two teenagers were in custody in connection with the standoff. Greater Manchester Police tweeted that counter-terrorism officers had made the arrests but did not say whether the pair faced any charges.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker said security training at his suburban Fort Worth congregation over the years is what allowed him and the other three hostages to make it through the 10-hour ordeal, which he described as traumatic.

In the last hour of our hostage crisis, the gunman became increasingly belligerent and threatening, Cytron-Walker said in a statement. Without the instruction we received, we would not have been prepared to act and flee when the situation presented itself.

Video of the standoff's end from Dallas TV station WFAA showed people running out a door of the synagogue, and then a man holding a gun opening the same door just seconds later before he turned around and closed it. Moments later, several shots and then an explosion could be heard.

Authorities have declined to say who shot Akram, saying it was still under investigation.

Akram could be heard ranting on a Facebook livestream of the services and demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaida who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan.

President Joe Biden called the episode an act of terror. Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Sunday, Biden said Akram allegedly purchased a weapon on the streets.

Federal investigators believe Akram purchased the handgun used in the hostage taking in a private sale, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Akram arrived in the U.S. at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York about two weeks ago, a law enforcement official said.

Akram arrived in the US recently on a tourist visa from Great Britain, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was not intended to be public. London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement that its counter-terrorism police were liaising with U.S. authorities about the incident.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno had said Saturday night that the hostage-taker was specifically focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community. It wasn't clear why Akram chose the synagogue, though the prison where Siddiqui is serving her sentence is in nearby Fort Worth.

On Sunday night, the FBI issued a statement calling the ordeal a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted. The agency said the Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating.

Michael Finfer, the president of the congregation, said in a statement there was a one in a million chance that the gunman picked our congregation.

Akram used his phone during the course of negotiations to communicate with people other than law enforcement, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Multiple people heard the hostage-taker refer to Siddiqui as his sister on the livestream. But John Floyd, board chair for the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations the nation's largest Muslim advocacy group said Siddiqui's brother, Mohammad Siddiqui, was not involved.

resident Victoria Francis, who said she watched about an hour of the livestream, said she heard the man rant against America and claim he had a bomb. Biden said there were apparently no explosives, despite the threats.

He was just all over the map. He was pretty irritated and the more irritated he got, he'd make more threats, like I'm the guy with the bomb. If you make a mistake, this is all on you.' And he'd laugh at that, Francis said. He was clearly in extreme distress.

Colleyville, a community of about 26,000 people, is about 15 miles (23 kilometers) northeast of Fort Worth. Reached outside his home Sunday, Cytron-Walker declined to speak at length about the episode. It's a little overwhelming as you can imagine. It was not fun yesterday, he told the AP.

Andrew Marc Paley, a Dallas rabbi who was called to the scene to help families and hostages upon their release, said Cytron-Walker acted as a calm and comforting presence. The first hostage was released shortly after 5 p.m. That was around the time food was delivered to those inside the synagogue, but Paley said he did not know if it was part of the negotiations.

Cytron-Walker said his congregation had received training from local authorities and the Secure Community Network, which was founded in 2004 by a coalition of Jewish organisations and describes itself as the official safety and security organisation of the Jewish community in North America. Michael Masters, the CEO of the organisation, said the congregation had provided security training in August and had not been previously aware of Akram.

The standoff led authorities to tighten security in other places, including New York City, where police said that they increased their presence at key Jewish institutions out of an abundance of caution.

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The US President on Sunday (local time) termed synagogue hostage-taking incident in the Texan city of Colleyville as an "act of terror."

"This was an act of terror, and not only was he (44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram) related to someone who had been arrested, I might add, 15 years ago and had been in jail for 10 years," said Biden.

At least four people were taken by a man at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville for more than ten hours on Saturday.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Dallas Division on Sunday (local time) identified the man killed as 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram.

According to the law enforcement officials, the hostage-taker demanded the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

Biden said he had spoken to Attorney General Merrick Garland about the hostage crisis. "Regarding Texas and the synagogue, I spoke this morning with the Attorney General, and we got a rundown. He said there was overwhelming cooperation with the local authorities and FBI, and they did one hell of a job," said the US President.

Biden applauded FBI and local authorities and reiterated that the US has the capacity to deal with such assaults.

"And they did just a great job. I also told him that I wanted to make sure that we got the word out that synagogues and other places of worship are not going to tolerate this. We have the capacity to deal with the assault on particularly," said Biden.

"The Attorney General is focused that we deal with these kinds of acts. And thank God we had such professional FBI as well as local cooperation," added Biden

He also said that he will talk to the Rabbi who was taken hostage.

When asked about how the gunman obtained weapons, Biden said "I don't have all the facts." He said the idea of background checks was critical but nothing stopped shooters from buying guns on the street.

"The Attorney General -- allegedly the assertion was that he got the weapons on the street, that he purchased them. As it turns out there were apparently no bombs, even though he said he had bombs as well. He apparently spent the first night in a homeless shelter -- I don't have all the details, so I'm reluctant to go into much more detail, but allegedly he purchased it on the street," said the President.

Biden also insisted on background checks on the sale of weapons in the US. He said, "Guns are -- they need to be -- the idea of background checks is critical, but you can't stop something like this if someone is on the street buying something from someone else on the street. There are so many guns that have been sold in this way it's ridiculous because of the failure to focus as hard as we should, consistently should on gun sales, ghost guns, a whole range of things."

Biden also added that there was not sufficient information on why the gunman had targeted the synagogue.

"I don't think there is sufficient information to know why he went to that synagogue and why he insisted on the police releasing a person who had been in prison for 10 years. I just don't have enough facts," added Biden.

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The municipality of the northern Chinese city of Tianjin is trying to block local community transmission of COVID-19 amid the spread of Omicron, local media reported citing a top Chinese expert.

In an interview, Zhang Boli, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and head of the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) said that the first step is to quickly block local community transmission outside COVID-19 control regions, Global Times reported.

From January 8 to January 16, a total of 294 confirmed local cases were reported in Tianjin. A total of 22 asymptomatic cases have been reported, the news outlet reported citing local authorities said on Monday.

"This round of outbreak will be under control generally when there are no new patients within the regions that are under control and no infections are found in the isolation sites," Zhang said.

"Don't treat the variant of COVID-19 like the flu" Zhang stressed, noting that is different from the flu.

Meanwhile, the Chinese mainland has reported 163 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in the last 214 hours, according to the National Health Commission on Monday.

According to Xinhua News Agency, out of the latest local cases, 80 were reported in Tianjin, 68 in Henan, nine in Guangdong, five in Shaanxi, and one in Guangxi, as per the commission.

The commission reported 60 new imported cases were recorded in 11 provincial-level regions, as per the news agency.

(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 Zealand's military on Monday morning was able to send a surveillance flight to Tonga to assess the extent of the damage from a huge undersea volcanic eruption.

A towering ash cloud had prevented the military from launching any flights earlier to the Pacific island nation.

People on Tonga described their country as looking like a moonscape as they began the task of cleaning up from the tsunami waves and ash fall caused by the eruption. Communications with the island nation remained limited after the internet was cut soon after the eruption on Saturday evening.

There were no reports of injuries or deaths, although concerns remained for the fate of people on some of the smaller islands near the volcano.

Meanwhile, scientists said they didn't think the eruption would have a significant impact on the Earth's climate.

Huge volcanic eruptions can sometimes cause global cooling as sulfur dioxide is pumped into the stratosphere. But in the case of the Tonga eruption, initial satellite measurements indicated the amount of sulfur dioxide released would only have a tiny effect of perhaps 0.01 Celsius (0.02 Fahrenheit) global average cooling, said Alan Robock, a professor at Rutgers University.

Satellite images showed the spectacular undersea eruption Saturday evening, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a giant mushroom above the South Pacific waters.

A sonic boom could be heard as far away as Alaska and sent pressure shockwaves around the planet twice, altering atmospheric pressure that may have briefly helped clear out the fog in Seattle, according to the National Weather Service. Large waves were detected as far as the Caribbean due to pressure changes generated by the eruption.

In Tonga it sent tsunami waves crashing across the shore and people rushing to higher ground.

With internet and phone lines down, friends and family members around the world were left anxiously trying to get in touch.

Government websites and other official sources remained without updates on Sunday afternoon.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Sunday there had not yet been any official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga, but cautioned that authorities hadn't yet made contact with some coastal areas and smaller islands.

Communication with Tonga remains very limited. And I know that is causing a huge amount of anxiety for the Tongan community here, Ardern said.

She said there had been significant damage to boats and shops along the Tongan coastline. The capital, Nuku'alofa, was covered in a thick film of volcanic dust, Ardern said, contaminating water supplies and making fresh water a vital need.

Aid agencies said thick ash and smoke had prompted authorities to ask people to wear masks and drink bottled water.

In a video posted on Facebook, Nightingale Filihia was sheltering at her family's home from a rain of volcanic ash and tiny pieces of rock that turned the sky pitch black.

It's really bad. They told us to stay indoors and cover our doors and windows because it's dangerous, she said. I felt sorry for the people. Everyone just froze when the explosion happened. We rushed home. Outside the house, people were seen carrying umbrellas for protection.

Ardern said was unable to send a surveillance flight over Tonga on Sunday because the ash cloud was 63,000 feet (19,000 meters) high but they hoped to try again on Monday, followed by supply planes and navy ships.

One complicating factor to any aid effort is that Tonga has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks of COVID-19. Ardern said New Zealand's military staff were all fully vaccinated and willing to follow any protocols established by Tonga.

Dave Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, said it was very unusual for a volcanic eruption to affect an entire ocean basin, and the spectacle was both humbling and scary.

(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 suspected drone attack by Yemens Houthi rebels targeting a key oil facility in killed three people  two Indian nationals and a Pakistani  and sparked a separate fire at Abu Dhabis airport on Monday, police said.

The Indian Embassy in the said that the mission is in close touch with concerned the Emirati authorities for further details.  authorities have informed that the explosion at Mussafah, near ADNOCs storage tanks, has led to 3 casualties, which includes 2 Indian nationals, the Indian Embassy in tweeted.

The police did not identify the wounded, who police said suffered minor to moderate injuries at an industrial area where Abu Dhabi's state-owned energy company runs a pipeline network and an oil tanker storage facility.

Three transport tankers caught fire at the facility, while another fire was sparked at an extension of Airport.
Vietjet Air to resume HCM City-Thailand air route

Budget airline Vietjet Air has announced plans to reopen the air route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok from January 21.





The budget airline Vietjet Air has announced plans to reopen the air route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok from January 21.





According to its plan to further expand its international routes,Vietjet Air will operate two round-trip flights per week every Friday and Saturday between Tan Son Nhat and Suvarnabhumi airports.



Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Thanh Son said that the reconnection of the financial, cultural and travel hubs of Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok would contribute to the two countries economic recovery while meeting the increasing travel demand of people in the region, especially when the Lunar New Year holidays draw near and the peak travel season in summer follows.



Thailand is one of the popular destinations for Vietnamese people," he said. "We are very happy to be able to reopen the route."



Vietjet has also operated many routes connecting Bangkok with other tourism and economic centres of Thailand such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kae and Ubon Ratchathani, along with other regional routes.



Earlier on January 1, Vietjet resumed a series of international routes connecting Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City with Tokyo (Japan), Taipei (China), Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Singapore with one round trip per week each since early January 2022. In the next phase, it will reopen its entire international flights and look to open new routes to India and Russia, and other locations.



Passengers are advised to follow regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control, and immigration regulations of destination countries including vaccine passports, negative PCR tests, quarantine, and accommodation. The airline is offering free RT- PCR test packages to all passengers flying internationally from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Hartford police and U.S. Marshals arrested a Manchester man on a murder charge in connection with a July shooting death, police said Monday.

Gregory Hopkins, 34, of Autumn Street, also faces one count of criminal possession of a firearm and was being held in lieu of $2.5 million bail.

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Hartford police investigate the killing of a man who tried to drive himself to a hospital after being shot in July. (Zach Murdock/)

The killing happened on July 29 at about 11:30 a.m. Officers responded to a report of gunfire and found a crime scene on Greenfield Street, police spokesman Lt. Aaron Boisvert said. Minutes later, a car crash was reported in the area of Greenfield Street and Oakland Terrace. The unresponsive driver, Desmond Wray, 35, of Vine Street, Hartford, had been shot and was taken to Saint Francis Hospital, where he died, Boisvert said.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Hopkins, and with the help of the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, he was arrested without incident on Friday, police said.

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Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com
A suspected drone attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting a key oil facility in killed three people and sparked a separate fire at Abu Dhabi's airport on Monday, police said.

Police in the United Arab Emirates identified the dead as two Indian nationals and one Pakistani. It did not identify the wounded, who police said suffered minor to moderate injuries at an industrial area where Abu Dhabi's state-owned energy company runs a pipeline network and an oil tanker storage facility.

Three transport tankers caught fire at the facility, while another fire was sparked at an extension of Airport.

Police said that while an investigation was underway, preliminary findings indicated there were small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire. They said there was no significant damage from the incidents, without offering further details.

Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed they were behind an attack targeting the United Arab Emirates on Monday, without immediately elaborating. The Iranian-backed Houthis have claimed several attacks that Emirati officials later denied took place.

The incident comes as Yemen's yearslong war rages on and as an Emirati-flagged vessel was recently captured by the Houthis. Although the has largely withdrawn its own forces from the conflict tearing apart the Arab world's poorest nation, it is still actively engaged in Yemen and supports local militias there fighting the Houthis.

The has been at war in Yemen since early 2015, and was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched attacks against the Houthis after the group overran the capital of Yemen and ousted the internationally backed government from power.

The Houthis have come under pressure in recent weeks and are suffering heavy losses as Yemeni forces, allied and backed by the UAE, have pushed back the rebels in key southern and central provinces of the country, dashing Houthi efforts to complete their control of the entire northern half of Yemen.

Yemen's government-aligned forces reclaimed the entire southern province of Shabwa from the Houthis earlier this month and made advances in nearby Marib province. They were aided by the UAE-backed Giants Brigades and had help from Saudi airstrikes.

The airport fire in was described by police as minor and took place at an extension of the airport that is still under construction. For years, the airport home to Etihad Airways has been building its new Midfield Terminal, but it was not clear if that was where the fire took place.

Etihad Airways said precautionary measures resulted in a short disruption for a small number of flights and that airport operations have returned to normal. Abu Dhabi Airports did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The other blast struck three petroleum transport tankers near a complex for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. in the Musaffah industrial area. The company describes it as a pipeline and terminal facility located some 22 km (13 miles) from the centre of the city of Abu Dhabi, where 36 storage tanks also supply transport trucks carrying fuel. It is also a short distance from Al-Dhafra Air Base, a military installation that hosts US and French forces.

The location of the ADNOC facility where the tankers caught fire is approximately 1,800 km (1,100 miles) northeast of Saada, the Houthis' stronghold in Yemen.

While Emirati troops have been killed in the war in Yemen, the conflict so far has not directly affected daily life in the wider UAE, a country with a vast foreign workforce that is also home to Dubai, a glitzy city of sky scrapers and five-star hotels.

The incident comes as South Korea's President Moon Jae-in is visiting the . During a meeting with Emirati Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Sunday, the two countries reportedly reached a preliminary deal valued at some $3.5 billion sell mid-range South Korean surface-to-air missiles to the UAE.

At an event attended by the South Korean president earlier in the day, Emirati Energy Minister Suhail Mazrouei declined to comment on the explosion at ADNOC's facility, saying only that police would provide updates on their investigation.

The Houthis have used bomb-laden drones to launch crude and imprecise attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the course of the six-year-long war. The group has also launched missiles at Saudi airports, oil facilities and pipelines, and used booby-trapped boats for attacks in key shipping routes.

Though there have been civilian deaths in Saudi Arabia from some of these attacks, the overwhelming number of civilian deaths in the conflict have been in Yemen. The war has killed 130,000 people in Yemen  both civilians and fighters  and has exacerbated hunger and famine across the impoverished country.

Torbjorn Soltvedt, an analyst at the risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, noted that while the Houthis have claimed responsibility for an attack on the UAE, Iraqi-based militias have also threatened the Emiratis with attacks.

Today's attack comes only days after Iran-backed groups threatened to strike against Abu Dhabi in response to alleged Emirati interference in Iraqi politics, he said.

He said the attack highlights the missile and drone threat faced by the UAE and the region's other main oil producers. He said unless Gulf Arab states find a solution to diffuse regional tensions "they will remain vulnerable to attacks.
The NSE Nifty is likely to start trade on a negative note, with the SGX Nifty January futures as of 07:30 AM, indicating a likely gap-down of 70-80 points at the opening bell. Meanwhile, here are the for trade today.

Earnings Watch: Angel One, Artson Engineering, Bhansali Engineering, Finotex Chemical, Goodluck India, Hathway Cable Datacom, Hexa Tradex, HFCL, Indo City Infotech, Kic Metaliks, Maharashtra Scooters, Moschip Technologies, Sonata Software, Tata Steel Long Products, Tatva Chintan Pharma, Tiger Logistics, UltraTech Cement and Vikas Ecotech are some of the companies to announce December quarter results today.

HDFC Bank: The largest private sector lender, reported a 18 per cent YoY jump in net profit in the OctoberDecember quarter (Q3FY22) aided by higher credit growth and lower provisions. The lenders profit after tax was to the tune of Rs 10,342.2 crore, in line with the Street estimates, compared to Rs 8,758.29 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. READ MORE



Meanwhile, in the quarter gone by, issued around 950,000 credit cards, its highest ever credit card issuance in any single quarter.

HCL Technologies: The IT majors third quarter revenue growth beat Street estimates, but supply-side cost, increments and taxation pulled down net profit. The company reported a net profit of Rs 3,442 crore, down 13.6 per cent YoY. Net profit was, however, up 5.4 per cent on a QoQ basis. Revenue for the quarter grew 15.7 per cent YoY to Rs 22,331 crore, and rose 8.1 per cent sequentially. READ MORE



Further,has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Starschema, a leading provider of data engineering services, based in Budapest, Hungary in a $42.5 million deal.

Jubilant FoodWorks: The company has scheduled its board meeting on February 2, 2022, to consider a proposal for sub-division of the equity shares.

Metro Brands: The newly listed company reported a strong 62.5 per cent YoY growth in net profit at Rs 100.15 crore for the third quarter ended December 2021 when compared with Rs 61.61 crore in the third quarter ended December 2020. Total income also rose 57.2 per cent YoY from Rs 310.42 crore to Rs 487.98 crore in the same period.

Brightcom Group: The companys board will meet on January25 to consider a proposal for bonus issue of shares.

JSW Group: The group plans to raise Rs 2,200 crore through bank loans to fund a 450- megawatt (Mw) wind power unit in Tamil Nadu. JSW Renew Energy Two (JRETL), a subsidiary of JSW Future Energy, will be setting up power plants at Tuticorin and Dharapuram in the state.

Oil India: The state-owned company has exited from a US shale oil venture, selling its 20 per cent stake to its venture partner for $25 million -- the second exit of an Indian firm from the US shale business in two months. READ MORE



Airline stocks: On Sunday, jet fuel or ATF price was hiked by 4.2 per cent - the second increase in rates this month warranted by firming international oil prices. Rates were increased by Rs 2,039.63 per kl, or 2.75 per cent, to Rs 76,062.04 per kl on January 1.

Auto shares: Sales of automobiles across all segments in India hit a multi-year low in the December quarter owing to pandemic-induced factors, which disrupted both supply and demand. A persistent increase in raw material costs, coupled with safety and emission regulations, jacked up vehicle prices, particularly hitting those at the entry level of the market, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said on Friday. READ MORE



REC: The company successfully raised $1,175 million from a consortium of seven banks as the Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners (MLABs). According to the statement issued by the company, this is the single largest syndicated loan raised in the International Bank Loan market by any Indian NBFC. READ MORE



Adani Gas: A joint venture of billionaire Gautam Adani's gas arm and Total of France bagged 14 licences to retail CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas to households in New Delhi. According to the results of the bid opening for the 11th round of city gas distribution (CGD) bidding, Indian Oil Corporation received 9 licences and BPCL 6. READ MORE



RIL, M&M: According to Reuters sources, Reliance Industries (RIL), South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co and automaker Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) are among companies that have submitted bids under the country's Rs 18,000-crore billion battery scheme. READ MORE



Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail: The company plans to acquire a 51 per cent stake in popular and contemporary brand 'Masaba' promoted by the leading designer Masaba Gupta for a cash consideration of Rs 90 crore.

TCS: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) promoters - Tata Sons and Tata Investment Corporation Ltd (TICL) - intend to participate in the IT services major's Rs 18,000 crore buyback offer by tendering shares worth about Rs 12,993.2 crore.

Tinplate Company of India: The companys net profit grew almost three-fold to Rs 94.94 crore in Q3FY22 when compared with Rs 32.82 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. Total income also nearly doubled to Rs 1,189.85 crore from Rs 621.91 crore.

International Travel House: The company reported a turnaround in Q3, with net profit at Rs 2.20 crore for the quarter ended December 2021 when compared with a net loss of Rs 10.70 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total income jumped 90.4 per cent to Rs 32.75 crore from Rs 17.20 crore in the same comparable period.

Sacheta Metals: The company reported a marginal 5.6 per cent growth in Q3FY22 net profit at Rs 94 lakh as against Rs 89 lakh reported in Q3FY21. Total income, however, was down 23.1 per cent at Rs 18.48 crore from Rs 24.04 crore for the same period.

Stocks in F&O ban: Escorts, Indiabulls Housing Finance, Vodafone Idea and SAIL are the only stocks in the F&O ban period today.
The key equity indices traded with minor gains amid bouts of volatility in morning trade. The Nifty was trading near the 18,300 level. Auto stocks were in demand.

At 10:24 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 54.64 points or 0.09% to 61,277.67. The Nifty 50 index advanced 28.65 points or 0.16% to 18,284.40.

In broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.29% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.53%.

Buyers outpaced sellers. On the BSE, 2175 shares rose and 1202 shares fell. A total of 142 shares were unchanged.

Results Today:

UltraTech Cement (down 1.87%), Angel One (up 1.59%), Sonata Software (up 0.55%), Tata Steel Long Products (up 1.41%), Tatva Chintan Pharma Chemicals (up 0.52%), HFCL (up 5.39%), Maharashtra Scooters (up 0.63%), Bhansali Engineering Polymers (down 0.11%), Hathway Cable and Datacom (up 1.08%) and Moschip Technologies (up 5%) will announce their quarterly earnings today.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Auto index rose 2.10% to 11,887.90. The index had declined 0.37% to end at 11,643.05 on Friday.

Ashok Leyland (up 2.50%), Tata Motors (up 2.36%), Bajaj Auto (up 1.52%), Eicher Motors (up 1.43%), TVS Motor Company (up 1.10%), Mahindra & Mahindra (up 0.87%) and Bharat Forge (up 0.33%) advanced.

Hero MotoCorp gained 3.20% to Rs 2652.80. The two-wheeler maker said that its board has approved an investment of up to Rs 420 crore in one or more tranches, in Ather Energy.

Maruti Suzuki India rose 2.40% to Rs 8275.85. The car major announced price change across models owing to increase in various input costs. The weighted average price increase in ex-showroom prices (Delhi) across models is 1.7%. The new prices are effective from Saturday, 15 January 2022.

Economy:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a Pre-Budget stakeholder's consultations with BJP's State party representatives, on 16 January 2022.

BJP National Spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal said, representatives from 25 states participated in this discussion.

The representations were from industries, professionals, business communities, academicians, economists, tribal communities, and backward classes and women.

COVID-19 Update:

In last 24 hours, India reported 2,58,089 fresh COVID cases, as per the health ministry's data. The country reported 385 new deaths taking the death toll to 4,86,451. The country recorded 1,51,740 recoveries, taking the total number of recoveries to 3,52,37,461. The active cases comprise 4.43% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 94.27%, the ministry said.

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Dalmia Cement (Bharat) (DCBL), a subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat, commenced commercial production at its Murli Plant in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra.

With this, DCBL has added 2.9 million tonne (MnT) cement capacity to the company's overall installed capacity. Its installed cement capacity has now grown to 35.9 MnT.

The company acquired the plant for Rs 410 crore and further committed to invest Rs 929 crore for the revival, modernisation, expansion and installing green manufacturing equipment viz waste heat recovery systems, solar power, green fuel systems and robotic labs for enhanced quality monitoring. Approximately Rs 900 crore is spent/committed out of a total of R 1339 crore.

The plant has been turned around in a record time of 15 months from its acquisition under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process.

Earlier, Dalmia Bharat had unveiled its long-term growth and investment strategy to expand its installed cement capacity across the nation to 110-130 million tonnes per annum by 2031. The growth strategy is being executed through a mix of organic & inorganic opportunities with an inclination towards a more planned and cost-effective organic route.

Puneet Dalmia, managing director, Dalmia Bharat, said, "We have hit the road running this year by aggressively following through with our growth strategy nationally. For the western market, in particular, we continue to take our responsibility as a corporate leader seriously by creating a progressive and sustainable ecosystem. Moving forward, and in partnership with the great state of Maharashtra, we look forward to focusing on our ambitious business, social and sustainability goals."

DCBL is a leading player in the cement manufacturing segment. With a growing capacity, currently pegged at 35.9 MnT, Dalmia Cement is the the fourth-largest cement manufacturing group in India by installed capacity. Spread across ten states and fourteen manufacturing units, the company is a category leader in super-speciality cement used for oil well, railway sleepers and airstrips and is the country's largest producer of Portland Slag Cement (PSC).

On a consolidated basis, net profit of Dalmia Bharat declined 12.07% to Rs 204 crore on 11.41% rise in net sales to Rs 2577 crore in Q2 September 2021 over Q2 September 2020.

Shares of Dalmia Bharat were up 0.33% at Rs 2012.05.

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HDFC Bank: The private sector bank's net profit rose 18.08% to Rs 10,342.20 crore on 8.33% increase in total income to Rs 40,651.60 crore in Q3 December 2021 over Q3 December 2020.

HCL Technologies: The IT major reported 5.4% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,442 crore and revenue increased by 8.1% to Rs 22,331 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q2 FY22. HCL Tech expects revenue to grow in double digits in constant currency, while EBIT margin is projected to be between 19% and 21% for FY22.

Hero Motocorp: Hero Motocorp said that its board has approved an investment of up to Rs 420 crore in one or more tranches, in Ather Energy.

Maruti Suzuki India: The car major announced price change across models owing to increase in various input costs. The weighted average price increase in ex-showroom prices (Delhi) across models is 1.7%. The new prices are effective from Saturday, 15 January 2022.

Metro Brands: Metro Brands posted a 54.6% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 100.85 crore on a 59% jump in net sales to Rs 483.77 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21.

PVR: PVR Cinemas announced opening a four-screen property in Narsipatnam, Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.

PB Fintech: PB Fintech parent of online insurance and credit comparison platforms Policybazaar and Paisabazaar said that it has acquired Visit Internet Services (VISPL) for Rs 22.41 crore. The acquisition was done through PB Fintech's subsidiary Docprime Technologies.

Tinplate Company of India: The company's net profit surged to Rs 94.94 crore in Q3 FY22 from Rs 32.82 crore in Q3 FY21. Net sales during the quarter increased by 88% YoY to Rs 1,065.84 crore.

ICRA: ICRA on Friday announced that Vipul Agarwal group chief financial officer has resigned from the position.

Vishwaraj Sugar Industries: On a standalone basis, Vishwaraj Sugar Industries' net profit slipped 3.34% to Rs 29.44 crore on a 61.06% surge in total revenue from operations to Rs 133.28 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21.

SeQuent Scientific: SeQuent Scientific on Friday announced that its board of directors has appointed Rajaram Narayanan as new managing director and chief executive officer with effect from 11 April 2022.

Gokaldas Export: The company plans to augment its production capacity and also explore opportunities in the new line of business.

NBCC (India): NBCC (India) on Friday announced that it secured total business of Rs 592 crore in the month of December 2021.

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KPI Global Infrastructure was locked in an upper circuit of 5% at Rs 454.55 on signing new long term power purchase agreements (PPA) for the sale of 3.10 MW (AC)/ 4.12 MW (DC) solar power to two clients under its IPP segment.

The first client of KPI Global Infrastructure, Cadila Healthcare received 1.20 MW (AC)/ 1.50 MW (DC) and 0.60 MW (AC)/ 0.90 MW (DC) solar power in two separate tranches respectively. The second client was Organic Industries, purchased 3.10 MW (AC)/ 1.72 MW (DC) solar power from KPI Global Infrastructure.

In a separate announcement, KPI Global Infrastructure intimated that it has re-allocated the capacity of 1.25 MW, owing to discontinuance of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), of M/s Vikram Nuvotech India, Surat to M/s GHCL, Bhilad against signing of PPA under Independent Power Producer (IPP) segment of the company.

On a consolidated basis, the company posted a net profit of Rs 12.26 crore in Q2 FY22 as compared to a net profit of Rs 1.38 crore reported in Q2 FY21. Net sales soared 135.9% to Rs 57.43 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21.

K.P.I. Global Infrastructure generates and sells solar power under Solarism brand name in India. It develops, builds, owns, operates, and maintains solar power plants as an independent power producer and captive power producer.

The scrip hit an all-time high at Rs 454.55 during intraday trade. Meanwhile, shares of Cadila Healthcare lost 0.61% to Rs 439.45 on BSE.

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Metro Brands posted a 54.6% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 100.85 crore on a 59% jump in net sales to Rs 483.77 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21.

Consolidated profit before tax stood at Rs 133.19 crore in Q3 FY22, rising 78% from Rs 74.9 crore posted in Q3 FY21. The footwear maker posted a robust recovery in customer sentiments since August 2021 which continued in Q3 FY22. The company said it posted its best ever quarterly result.

Consolidated EBITDA grew by nearly 70% to Rs 169 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21. EBITDA margin improved to 34.9% in Q3 FY22 from 32.7% in Q3 FY21. Meanwhile gross margins improved to 59.1% in Q3 FY22 from 57.9% in Q3 FY21.

Metro Brands said strong gross margins were achieved due to lower contribution of discount sales and improvement in overall sales mix. In coming quarters, the company sees overall gross margins to normalize back to around 55-56% levels. Store expansion also gathered pace with 39 new stores opening in Q3 FY22.

Shares of Metro Brands entered bourses on 22 December 2021. The scrip was listed at Rs 436, representing a discount of 12.80% to the initial public offer (IPO) price. The IPO of Metro Brands was subscribed 3.64 times. The issue opened for bidding on 10 December 2021 and it closed on 14 December 2021. The price band of the IPO was fixed at Rs 485-500.

Metro Brands is one of the India's largest footwear retailers and is among the aspirational Indian brands in the footwear category. The company opened its first store under the Metro brand in Mumbai in 1955 and have since evolved into a one-stop shop for all footwear needs.

Shares of Metro Brands ended 1.51% higher at Rs 507.9 on Friday.

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The benchmark indices extended gains in early afternoon trade, buoyed by auto and FMCG stocks. The Nifty was trading a tad below 18,300 mark.

At 12:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, jumped 65.85 points or 0.11% at 61,288.88. The Nifty 50 index gained 41.85 points or 0.23% at 18,297.60.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.23% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.73%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,279 shares rose and 1,217 shares fell. A total of 131 shares were unchanged.

COVID-19 Update:

In last 24 hours, India reported 2,58,089 fresh COVID-19 cases, as per the health ministry's data. The country reported 385 new deaths taking the death toll to 4,86,451. The country recorded 1,51,740 recoveries, taking the total number of recoveries to 3,52,37,461. The active cases comprise 4.43% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 94.27%, the ministry said.

Economy:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a pre-Budget stakeholder's consultations with BJP's State party representatives, on 16 January 2022. BJP National Spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal said, representatives from 25 states participated in this discussion. The representations were from industries, professionals, business communities, academicians, economists, tribal communities, and backward classes and women.

Derivatives:

The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, advanced 2.88% to 17.0325. The Nifty 27 January 2022 futures were trading at 18,322.70, at a premium of 25.1 points as compared with the spot at 18,297.60.

The Nifty option chain for 27 January 2022 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 20.4 lakh contracts at the 18,500 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 30.9 lakh contracts was seen at 17,000 strike price.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Realty index rose 0.99% to 514.65. The index added 2.15% in two sessions.

Sobha (up 4.14%), Prestige Real Estates (up 4%), Brigade Enterprises (up 2.91%), Macrotech Developers (Lodha) (up 1.94%) and Godrej Properties (up 0.74%) were the top gainers in the Realty segment.

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Vikas Lifecare was locked in an upper circuit of 5% at Rs 6.88 after its recently acquired, Genesis Gas Solutions bagged orders of Rs 5.5 crore for supplying 40,800 natural gas meters and laying pipeline and commissioning of meter from Aavantika Gas.

Aavantika Gas is a Joint Venture (JV) of GAIL (India) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.

Last week, Vikas Lifecare had entered into definite agreement with the existing promoters/ shareholders for acquiring 75% equity of Genesis Gas Solutions (Genesis) in a cash deal amounting Rs 25 crore, payable in stages within a period of 3 months. Vikas Lifecare is in the process of acquiring 75% equity of Genesis Gas Solutions, a company engaged in the business of developing "smart products" including smart gas meters & power distribution solutions for the infrastructure segment.

Post completion of the acquisition process Genesis Gas Solutions, it shall become subsidiary of the company and start contributing significantly in consolidated revenue and profits. Vikas Lifecare planned to move further ahead with the objective of broad-basing the product portfolio, diversifying into futuristic and unique product lines, new edge businesses, complimenting and supplementing the existing business lines of the company.

Vikas Lifecare's net profit rose 725.81% to Rs 2.56 crore in the quarter ended September 2021 as against Rs 0.31 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2020. Net sales rose 111.83% to Rs 67.49 crore in the quarter ended September 2021 as against Rs 31.86 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2020.

Vikas Lifecare engages in the trading of various chemicals compounds, polymers, PVC resins, plastic granules, and products related to plastic industry in India. It operates through real estate, trading-polymers, trading-cashew nuts and manufacturing divisions.

The scrip hit 52-week high at Rs 6.88 during intraday trade.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On the eve of the Uttar Pradesh polls, 9 BJP legislators including three ministers have quit, making their way to its main adversary, the Samajwadi Party (SP). The defectors have boasted that each day three to four legislators from the BJP will leave till January 20  with the 21st being the last date to file nominations for the first phase of the elections.

This has been described by one of the deserters as a political earthquake and by political observers as a set-back and a major jolt to the BJP. Most of those leaving represent the ...
Two obstetricians' groups  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine  are now recommending COVID-19 shots for all pregnant women, citing concerns over rising cases and low vaccination rates. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) (Charles Krupa/AP)

Pregnant with her first child, the patient arrived at UConn Health critically ill with COVID-19. She had received two doses of the vaccine months earlier, but had put off getting her booster shot.

She actually ended with severe illness and required a Caesarean delivery because of respiratory complications, said Christopher M. Morosky, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and a practicing OB-GYN.

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Even more alarming for the patient and her family, the baby she delivered tested positive for the coronavirus, Morosky told members of a state committee examining the impact of COVID-19 on those who are pregnant.

Both mother and newborn are now recovering at home.

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However, the trauma the patient had with this COVID-positive baby and the mom recovering from COVID infection and recovering from major surgery was just overwhelming to this family, Morosky said. They were brand new parents, and you can imagine putting all that on top of it.

At a meeting last week, the Women and Childrens Health Committee, which is part of the state Medical Assistance Program Oversight Council, heard other harrowing tales from OB-GYNs on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis.

Dr. Vero Pimentel, a specialist in maternal and fetal medicine at St. Francis Hospital, cited studies that show a higher risk of miscarriage among pregnant patients with the virus.

In our hospital just this past week, we had a third trimester loss of somebody who was COVID-positive and a second trimester loss of someone who was COVID-positive, Pimentel said. The risk of miscarriage is real, the risk of [fetal] demise is real and the risk of preterm delivery is real as well.

A COVID-19 infection during pregnancy brings an increased chance of other serious complications, including preeclampsia and maternal death. It also increases the likelihood the newborn will be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. (Courant file photo) (STEPHEN DUNN / Hartford Courant)

A COVID-19 infection during pregnancy brings an increased chance of other serious complications, including preeclampsia and maternal death. It also increases the likelihood the newborn will be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Yet vaccination rates among pregnant Americans are lower than among the overall population, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control. In mid-September, just 31% of pregnant people were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, prompting the CDC to issue an urgent health advisory to encourage inoculation. The agency said 22 pregnant people died of COVID-19 complications in August alone.

The CDC health advisory strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination either before or during pregnancy because the benefits of vaccination for both pregnant persons and their fetus or infant outweigh known or potential risks.

Since that advisory, the percentage of pregnant Americans who have received the vaccine has climbed to 41.5% of the population, a figure Morosky says is still unacceptably low. And vaccination rates remain proportionally lower for pregnant Black and Hispanic people, according to the CDC.

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(The state does not track vaccination rates among pregnant residents, but state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, said she is pushing to change that.)

Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut >

Pregnant people were not included in clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccines, which has fed skepticism about the vaccine, Pimentel said. Other factors include misinformation, mistrust of the system, the legacy of racism in medicine and a fear that the vaccine could harm the fetus.

The plea for pregnant patients to get vaccinated has taken on a new urgency with the increase in cases driven by the omicron variant. Over the last two weeks, half of the patients who came to the hospital have been COVID-positive, Morosky said.

And even though the majority of them are fine, it is an additional stress on top of their pregnancy, he said.

Health care professionals work at a COVID-19 sampling site at UConn Health in April 2020. (Courant file photo) (Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant)

At St. Francis, the labor and delivery unit has seen many patients who have COVID, Pimentel said. Some of those who have experienced symptoms have received monoclonal antibodies to help them fight the infection, she said.

The CDC advisory calls on health departments and clinicians to educate their pregnant patients on the benefits and safety of the vaccines, something Pimentel and her colleagues at St. Francis have been doing.

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The hospital assesses the vaccination status of every pregnant patient who comes in for an ultrasound, Pimentel said. If the patient is not vaccinated, the staff provide counseling to explain the benefits. The hospital holds a vaccination clinic for pregnant patients twice a week.

Were in the trenches, Pimentel said. My job is to educate one pregnant person at a time ... and if I change that one pregnant person, I can change her family, and if I change her family, I will change her community.
Relationship between the BJP and its ruling alliance partner in appears to be souring by the day with the leaders trading barbs on the social media platforms and threatening to part ways.

Taking a dig at the JD(U), general secretary of BJP OBC wing Nikhil Anand tweeted: "The smaller groups cannot understand the working style of big parties. They are not clear about their own identity whether they belong to a small or a big group. The day doesn't seem far when they would have to search for a new place."

Anand's statement meant that the BJP which has 74 seats in Legislative Assembly have employed Nitish Kumar-led JDU to run the government in the state despite the latter having only 45 seats. However, he refrained from naming any leader in his tweet.

In a prompt retort, Abhishek Jha, the youngest spokesperson of said: "@Nikhil Anand JI: People should give statements according to their stature. If you spit at the sky, it falls on you. Please clean it up. God may help you."

Jha had targeted BJP state chief Sanjay Agrawal on January 12 when he raised questions over his visit in a village in West Champaran to console family members who lost their loved one in a poisonous liquor tragedy.

After a liquor tragedy in chief minister's district Nalanda on January 15 which claimed 13 lives, state BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal had slammed Nitish Kumar government for the failure of his pet project liquor ban in the state.

He said that the nexus of senior officials, police and mafias are responsible for the failure of liquor ban in the state.

--IANS

ajk/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.)
registered a massive 48 per cent growth in shipments in India in the calendar year 2021, and was on course to log a record 4.4 per cent market share for the full year, new data showed on Monday.

shipped a record 5.4 million iPhones to India in the entire year, and 2.2 million in the festive quarter (Q4) alone, according to Gurugram-based market research firm CMR.

On the quarterly basis, the Cupertino-based giant registered 34 per cent growth in the October-December period.

" just had its best year in India, shipping more than 5 million iPhones, and on track to notch a historic 4.4 per cent market share in a rather hyper-competitive smartphone market," Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, told IANS.

Through the course of the year, Apple continued to register market gains on the back of increased share of domestic manufacturing, aggressive retail initiatives, and robust consumer demand through the all-important festive Deepavali sale.

"The key to Apple's market performance is in the fact that it was able to manage and diversify its supply chains through the pandemic. In India, for instance, Apple is working with multiple ODMs to produce its flagship models," Ram added.

The 12 (with 40 per cent market share) was the most sought-after model in Q4 in India, followed by iPhone 11, SE (2020), iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max models.

In the July-September period (Q3), Apple had shipped over 1.53 million iPhone units in the country.

"With the potential launch of iPhone SE 2022 edition in the first half of 2022, and increased accessibility and affordability on its older-generation iPhones, Apple will be well-placed to turbocharge its India growth story," Ram noted.

Riding on the stellar performance of iPhone 11 and XR, Apple had for the first time doubled its smartphone market share in India to nearly 4 per cent in the festive quarter of 2020.

Apple has now started assembling its new flagship iPhone 13 in India, as the tech giant prepares to manufacture/assemble its top-of-the-line in the country.

iPhone 13 is being assembled on trial basis at the Foxconn plant in Chennai, and will be available in the domestic market, as well as for exports from the country by early next year.

Apple is reportedly ramping up production of iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices in India and Vietnam to end its dependence on China.

The tech giant is already assembling its highest-selling models iPhone 12, iPhone 11 and XR in India, along with iPhone SE, 7 and 6S.

Apple started manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017 with iPhone SE.

--IANS

na/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
According to industry estimates based on excise and Custom duty trends, the value share of Indian brands (across smartphones and feature phones, operator phone sales  which is mostly Jio phones  and the value of phones smuggled into the country) has dropped to a mere 1.2 per cent in January-October 2021 compared to 25.4 per cent in the calendar year 2015. In the same period, the Chinese have established their domination, hitting a value share of 64.5 per cent, ...

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With a growing proliferation of wireless earbuds across price ranges, neckband-style might have taken a backseat, but they are not out yet. A case in point is the newly launched Enco M32. Cheaper than the predecessor, the Enco M32 brings significant upgrades in terms of audio, on-battery time, and design.

Starting with design, the Enco M32 has a flexible neckband that wraps around the neck but you do not feel a thing because of its lightweight build. Therefore, you can wear it all day long without any discomfort. Neither small nor too large, the earphones do not look odd; they are just perfect for someone who still finds value in neckband-style . We must give it to for keeping the design minimal; the earphones fade in the background and are no reason for distraction to others.

Coming to the audio, the output is loud and bass-heavy. However, the earphones need to be properly inserted into the ear cavity for best experience. That exercise is a bit tricky, though, because the in-ear tips are made of a cheap material and do not have a good grip.

The earphones come with ear wings pre-fitted for a snug fit and grip but they are small and might not serve the purpose for everyone.

Coming back to audio, the Enco M32 does not have support for the Sony LDAC codec, unlike the predecessor. Though not a big omission for someone who consumes content from platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music, audiophiles with a liking for Hi-Res lossless audio might mind. What everyone would mind, however, is the lack of app support.

As for calls, the earphones are good in indoor environments like home and offices but struggle in noisy outdoor environments. In windy weather conditions, the earphones just cannot block the wind noise.

Rounding up the package is a stellar on-battery time. Though the claimed 20 hours of on-battery time while listening to music on a quick charge of 10 minutes is farfetched, the earphones have a decent on-battery time, in line with most other neckband-style in the segment. On regular usage with volume level set to 70 per cent, the earphones work for about a couple of days before blinking red and asking for a charge. On extensive usage with volume set to max, they sail through a day.

Priced at Rs 1,799, the OPPO Enco M32 is not a successor to the Enco M31 but a cheaper variant without premium features like support for Sony LDAC codec for Hi-Res audio streaming. For its price, however, the OPPO Enco M32 still make a decent neckband-style wireless product with good audio and stellar on-battery time.
Pandemic cut his bright career short. Salil Tripathi had to quit as the manager of an upmarket restaurant in the heart of Delhi in 2020 after it ran into losses. And on January 9, a rashly driven SUV cut his young life short. Tripathi, just 36 and a delivery executive with Zomato now, was waiting for an order before making another dash. News reports of his tragic death brought some succour to his family.

But, in a way, it also highlighted the condition of lakhs of gig workers who continue to work amid little or no access to . Amid the ongoing uncertainty, Business Standards Bhaswar Kumar spoke to Dr K Srinath Reddy, president of Public Health Foundation of India to know his views about how the third wave is likely to play out and whether it will be different from the previous disastrous waves that India had witnessed. After the pandemic and the havoc it has caused, let us move on to markets. After a long bout of selling, foreign portfolio investors are back on Dalal Street. Moreover, India remains among the top five emerging market economies that have seen renewed interest. While some see this as bargain buying, others believe sustenance of these inflows holds the key for a firm market rally. Just like the companies, the government too needs money. So what does it do when it requires funds to meet its current obligations, in excess of its annual revenue generation? Well, it issues Treasury Bills or T-Bills. Find our about T-Bills and more in this episode of the podcast.
We now get food and groceries delivered within 15 minutes of ordering them on mobile applications. But have you wondered what it takes to accomplish such a feat? What the delivery executive goes through in between picking the order from the restaurant or warehouse and handing it over to you? One of them, Salil Tripathi, lost his life eight days ago on a cold winter night, while his wife and a minor son waited for him back home. Salil was the sole breadwinner of his family. And so are lakhs of others who continue to walk a tightrope without any insurance and other benefits which workers in organised sectors enjoy. When Salils accidental death attracted the media glare, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal took to Twitter and assured help in processing an insurance payout of Rs 10 lakh. Zomato employees contributed Rs 12 lakh to the family and a fundraising page started by his wife raised about Rs 9 lakh. While Zomatos move came as a welcome step, this instance has emphasised the need to provide benefits to gig and platform workers. Gig workers currently depend on the generosity of companies. In the absence of a legislation that grants protections to gig workers, the companies employing them don't have a uniform policy on the kind of insurance cover they should provide to their drivers or delivery partners in cases of accidents or medical emergencies. Zomato covers its delivery partners with accident and life insurance along with an OPD allowance, whereas Swiggy offers Rs 6 lakh worth of medical and accident insurance cover. However, Shaik Salauddin, the national-general secretary of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) told Business Standard that there have been several instances where Zomato and Swiggy havent done enough to compensate their delivery partners for loss of pay after they met with an accident while on the job. The IFAT represents gig workers employed by food delivery and taxi apps. The recent Fairwork India report 2021 ranked Indian startups based on how they treat their gig workers. It said that most Indian startups dont score well when judged against the principle of Fair Conditions. To address this issue and many more, the Central government has come up with the Code on which recognises gig and platform workers. But according to reports, the Centre is unlikely to implement it before state elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab this year, as it is worried about the possibility of protests by labour unions, after having had a similar experience with the three contentious farm laws that had to be withdrawn.

The Supreme Court too has admitted a petition by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) that seeks classification of gig and platform workers as unorganised workers under the Unorganised Workers Act, 2008. This would entitle them to benefits such as provident fund, health and maternity benefits and old age protection.

This is obviously an attempt to distance itself from any language that would make the aggregator responsible for providing the drivers with social security or any form of protection or acknowledging any form of employer-employee relationship, reads the IFAT petition.

The IFATs petition points out that recently, two large cab aggregators updated the service agreements for their riders and drivers to essentially absolve the ride sharing/ hailing company (the aggregator) of all liabilities and/or responsibilities towards the drivers or riders. One of the aggregators, for instance, has stopped using the word partner in the agreement and now defines individuals utilising its app service for commercial gains as customers.

Gayatri Singh, cofounder of Human Rights Law Network and the advocate who filed the PIL on behalf of IFAT, explained why the present working arrangements between gig workers and platforms is untenable.

The new Code on Social Security introduced by the government also envisages a social security fund for gig workers, which will collect contributions from aggregators. Introduction of the code will address many issues plaguing the in India now. It mandates compulsory registration of both gig and platform workers on an online portal to avail these benefits.

Because of a continuous fall in wages and a rise in out-of-pocket expenses, these delivery gigs, originally supposed to be part-time work for pocket money, have now become the mainstay for many. According to several testimonies in the Fairwork report, most delivery partners spend 12-16 hours daily to make ends meet.

And the is here to stay. A report by Boston Consulting Group says that Indias has the potential to serve up to 90 million jobs in the next eight to 10 years from about 24 million today.

Labour codes are indeed a big step in the right direction. But, clearly, the road to social security for gig and platform workers is long and bumpy.

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38% of respondents take early payments monthly in 2021, up from 19% in 2017, according to a supplier sentiment survey conducted by Taulia, the leader in working capital technology solutions. Taulias global supplier sentimentsurveyhas been conducted annually since 2017 and reflects the views of nearly 80,000 respondents over a five-year period.

There has been growing interest from suppliers in regularly receiving early payment once an invoice is approved as an alternative source of finance. In 2021, one-fifth (22%) of suppliers were interested in receiving early payment every time for every customer, compared to 15% in 2017.

The supplier's reasons for taking early payments varied. In 2021, the main reasons for their interest in early payments were*:

Cash flow gap (49%) Collections/payment predictability (27%) Working capital needs (21%) Ease of use (18%) Reduce DSO (7%)

There is also a clear progression towards better behaviour from businesses with a welcome decrease in late payment, which fell from 45% in 2017 to 36% in 2021. The reduction in late payments signifies improvements in automation and businesses desire to promote their suppliers financial health.

Cedric Bru, CEO of Taulia, said: The financial health of suppliers is paramount to building robust supply chains. These results speak for themselves when it comes to showing the progress being made around ensuring that suppliers get paid as they desire - early or on-time. This year has seen significant disruption to supply chains due to a wide range of external factors, but adequate financing shouldnt be a barrier.

By working together, those at every point along the supply chain can support the growth of their own business and that of others by offering choice, flexibility, and consistency when it comes to getting paid. We hope to see continued progress with this for every size of business and know that by providing the best technology, we can actively help to make these choices available to as many businesses as possible.

About the research

Taulia has held an annual Supplier Survey each year since 2017, with reports published the following year. During this period, 79,918 survey responses have been collected globally. Survey respondents were contacted via email and varied across geography, job title, and industry.

To read the full report, https://taulia.com/resources/supplier-survey-reports/supplier-survey-5-year-review/

*Note: Respondents to this question were offered the choice of multiple answers, hence the >100% totals.

About Taulia

Taulia is a leading fintech provider of working capital management solutions. Taulia helps companies access liquidity tied up in their payables, receivables and inventory. A network of more than 2 million businesses use Taulias platform to determine when they want to pay and be paid. Taulia processes more than $500 billion each year and is trusted by the worlds largest companies including Airbus, AstraZeneca, and Nissan.

For more information, please visit www.taulia.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220117005085/en/
Tourism has been the most affected sector worldwide, by the coronavirus crisis. Ireland, like so many other countries, placed this sector on hold, for almost two years. But in February of 2022, it will be ready to launch its new marketing campaign, with the help of Imax, but also through a mix of integrated marketing and data management.

March 2020: Ireland Tourism paid Advertising is put on Pause

Digital marketing is often the strategic center for companies, and it was the same for this great country, before the coronavirus arrived. Ireland had a good thing going with their paid media advertising online, until March 2020, when it decided to halt everything it was doing. It took the management team over a month to decide what they were going to do. They knew, however, that staying completely away from customers and partners is never good in the long term. When you visit a site like https://www.12handz.com/, you find many various ways to stay in in touch, through online marketing. And thats what Tourism Ireland did, taking the decision to move on to social media, in order to keep a certain level of communication open.

As they aimed to remain connected with their industry partners, tourists and media, they delivered this social media campaign on their own accounts, but also on their partners platforms. Their messages could be seen as regular posts, but also through paid ones. The message was centered around nine different elements, that were meant to be fond reminders of the country. It focused on the things people knew and appreciated most about Ireland.

Preparing for Tourists to return, a Year Later

It is in May of 2021 that Tourism Ireland decided that it was time to start preparing for a return of tourists to their country. The goal was to reassure the potential visitors on the safety that they would find, once they arrived inside the country. They knew that travel restrictions were about to be eased-up, and they let everyone around the world, know about it.

However, it was still a delicate subject, and they wanted to make sure that they would not anger or aggravate anyone. Therefore, they chose to restrain themselves from taking a book now approach, preferring instead to aim for the near future, by announcing that the time had come to start planning a trip to Ireland.

Throughout those two years, they worked with Imax to prepare a documentary on Ireland, in order to be ready when the crisis would end, to acquire new visitors. The campaign was part of the Green Button global one, which calls upon culturally curious travelers.

Tourism Ireland: A Leader in Marketing Technology

Before everything went South, Tourism Ireland had already been investing in digital marketing technology for close to two years. They continued to do so, through the pandemic. Today, they consider themselves one of the leaders in the field, in their sector (tourism).They place the focus on having the best digital relationship with their customers, in the business. Their communication with travelers is highly personalized and provide the right content for each individual.
Commercial photographer Qin Xiao focuses his lens on the variety of overalls people have worn on the streets of Shanghai, as part of efforts to showcase the diverse dressing styles of city dwellers. For this series, his subjects are typically people in their work attire. The 34-year-old photographer has been engaged in street photography since 2011, and held several exhibitions on the theme of Senior Fashion Hub, a series on fashionable senior citizens.

May 02, 2022 05:44 PM
Tacos, burritos and burrito bowls come in many meat and veg options at Lucky Taco in Vernon, which also offers local microbrews, other beers, margaritas and soft drinks. (Susan Dunne)

Erin Emmons has ridden out the pandemic with the same hopeful highs and frustrating lows as any other restaurant owner. Now, the proprietor of Lucky Taco is rebounding. Her full-service Manchester spot is back on track. Her to-go satellite in Manchester is set to reopen in the spring. Her Vernon location finally opened in October, a year after she signed the lease.

And the new location now offers takeout, a boon to a site at a busy rush-hour intersection just off Exit 67 of I-84. After months of heartache, Emmons is optimistic.

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Last spring we cut our hours down in Manchester. Now its open Tuesday to Saturday for both lunch and dinner. Were starting to bulk up on the staff. Were seeing people coming back, Emmons said. If you want sit-down service, you can go to Manchester. If you want quick service, you can come here. We give people the choice of both.

The Vernon store is spacious enough that social distancing is easy. The tables are spread far apart. Emmons is ready to add more seating when the pandemic wanes. That is, if another COVID issue  the supply-chain bottleneck  eases up.

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I ordered tables and chairs. I got the chairs. But I dont know where the tables are, she said, laughing. This continues the problems that delayed the Vernon opening for so long. It was late for every single reason you could think of but especially material delays and equipment delays.

Almost everything available at the Manchester restaurant is available in Vernon.

We cant do nachos. We dont have an oven, Emmons said. Meats and beans are roasted in the commissary kitchen in Manchester and brought to Vernon.

An artwork by Bri Dill of Manchester at Lucky Taco in Vernon. (Susan Dunne)

Tacos, burritos and burrito bowls come in many meat and veg options: carnitas, cheesesteak, stewed chicken, grilled chicken, beef picadillo, shaved rib eye, kung pao chicken, adobo shrimp, buffalo chicken, Thai chicken, jerk pork, Nashville hot chicken, ginger-marinated fish, Cajun sweet potato, black beans and portabella. Wings, soups, salads, quesadillas and jalapeno poppers are offered.

Draft, bottled and canned beers, margaritas and soft drinks are available. Emmons said if things go well, she may build a full bar.

Food & Drink Weekly Keep up with news from the Connecticut food scene, delicious recipes, and restaurant and bar reviews >

Emmons said as horrible as the pandemic has been, she has learned a lot that will carry over permanently.

Make sure everyone knows how to do every single position. Before the pandemic, I was front of house, administration. After it started, I became a line cook full time. If someone is a cashier, they might be asked to cook, to wash dishes, to do stocking, to top the tacos, she said. I am very happy to train. Cross-training got us through.

She also learned the importance of flexibility.

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You hear new information daily. No day is the same, she said. Its so important to be flexible to adjust to what is important today.

The new store is filled with many artworks. Many of them are by local artist Heather Herindeen, all for sale. Emmons said she is looking for more local artists for the Manchester and Vernon stores. Interested artists can email getluckytacos@gmail.com.

Lucky Taco Vernon, at 81 East St., is open Wednesday to Saturday noon to 8 p.m. Those who want takeout on Fridays or Saturdays are advised to call early. First responders, police officers and members of the military get 20% off every day. On Wednesdays, hospital workers get 15% off. luckytacoct.com.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
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Gov. Ned Lamont shakes hands with Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney as House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford applauds in the governor's office in 2019. Then-Republican leader Themis Klarides applauds at the right. (Christopher Keating)

HARTFORD  After making sweeping decisions for nearly two years, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is calling upon the legislature to codify some of his executive orders in an election year.

Both Lamont and the legislature are trying to figure out the next steps because his emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic expire on Feb. 15  and all Republican legislators and some Democrats do not want any more extensions after they were already granted by the legislature six times.

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With no immediate request to extend his emergency powers, Lamonts sweeping authority  that has prompted critics to give him the moniker King Ned  would end less than nine months before the November election.

When asked by The Courant if it would be easier not to extend the powers, Lamont responded, Politically, it would be, but look, the big red-flag items are masks and vaccinations. Weigh in, legislature. I would love your input on that. Should we continue that or not? Heres your opportunity.

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Lamont plans to meet with top leaders this week as his chief legal counsel, Nora Dannehy, crafts a list of the orders that could be continued.

Nora is putting together  here are our 10 or 15 [executive orders] that wed like to see extended, Lamont said after an event in Windsor.

Heres your opportunity to legislate that. Make adjustments to it, if you dont want kids wearing masks, if you want to close schools, Lamont said. Heres your chance to weigh in on the executive orders. And Id love to have legislative input on that. I think its really important.

Gov. Ned Lamont announces the arrival of 426,000 home COVID-19 tests at a New Year's Eve press conference at the state commodities warehouse in New Britain for distribution to cities and towns. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant (Cloe Poisson / Special to the Courant)

Separately from the specific orders, Lamont wants to know if there could be a narrow exception for extending his powers in a limited way.

Sometimes when it comes to purchasing, youve got to be able to move fast, Lamont said. We ran into that when we were trying to get the rapid tests about two weeks ago.'

Republicans have complained repeatedly that they have been shut out of the process as Lamont has made unilateral decisions during the ongoing pandemic.

Heres their chance, Lamont said. I think its a good time for them to weigh in. Input, heres your chance.

But House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford said that the legislature traditionally holds committee hearings and votes before making any final decisions in a process that is often not done quickly. The next legislative session starts on Feb. 9  just days before Lamonts powers expire.

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Connecticut House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, says of Gov. Ned Lamont: I suspect that his decisions are being more driven by the polls that his campaign has paid for versus what is the best course of action for the residents of Connecticut. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) (Jessica Hill/AP)

Generally, we are running out of time in order to have options to put on the table, Candelora said. I suspect that his decisions are being more driven by the polls that his campaign has paid for versus what is the best course of action for the residents of Connecticut.

Senate Republican leader Kevin Kelly of Stratford said legislators should not grant the seventh extension.

There is no reason why the legislature cannot act as an equal branch of government to manage the pandemic response and represent the voices of our constituents, Kelly said. It is past time to reinstate the oversight and transparency our three-branch system of government was designed to protect.

Kelly added that the state is still having various problems under Lamonts orders.

Today, under executive powers, residents are still struggling to get PCR tests and timely results, he said. The capacity and the testing infrastructure do not meet the demand.

Teachers feel unsupported. Staffing challenges persist. COVID-19 positive patients are being introduced into nursing homes, and the voices of nursing home residents and their loved ones are being ignored.

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Connecticut would benefit from legislative input and co-equal branches of government. It is the legislatures responsibility to fight for the peoples right to be part of this process. Its the peoples government, and their voices must be heard.

Lamont declared both public health and civil preparedness emergencies in March 2020 as the pandemic was spreading quickly across the state. Since the original six-month declaration, the emergencies have now been extended six times by the Democratic-controlled legislature. But Lamont now has far fewer powers than he did at the peak of the pandemic  when he issued more than 300 different actions through his executive orders, which include many that have long since expired.

But the legislature would be able to block any of Lamonts executive orders if a majority of the top six leaders in the House and Senate were to vote to do that. House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford says that if any of the five other leaders want to block an order, they should contact him and he would arrange a vote. The Democrats control four of the six votes, effectively allowing them to uphold any of Lamonts orders if they vote together.

The current executive orders give Lamont the power to mandate mask wearing in schools and require state employees to be vaccinated. The orders include requiring nursing home employees to continue to get vaccinated and to continue wearing masks, along with requiring public school students to wear masks.

Five Things You Need To Know Daily We're providing the latest coronavirus coverage in Connecticut each weekday morning. >

State Sen. Cathy Osten, a Sprague Democrat, agrees with Republicans that Lamonts powers should not be extended.

The governor said that he wasnt going to ask for an extension last time, and Im expecting that that will be the case, Osten said in an interview. I voted against the extension a number of times before, but Im more than willing to look at what he wants to see extended and see what that language says.

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Osten said she voted against the extensions because I think we should debate the statutory changes and vote accordingly to our districts.

Despite criticism of Lamont by Republicans and conservatives, Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney of New Haven said Lamont has not mishandled his authority.

I think it will continue to be a cooperative effort, as it has been, Looney said. I think the governor has done a fine job in using his emergency powers to this point. He has been judicious and restrained in them and has not abused them.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com.
In what seems to be a regular occurrence at this point, Mazda has announced a product stoppage anew at their Japanese factories this May.
A Carlow native has been inaugurated as the first female mayor of Breuberg, a town south of Frankfurt, Germany.

Deirdre Heckler, whose maiden name is Dooley, from Highfield in Carlow Town first went to Germany in 1990 as a student and has remained there ever since.

Congratulations to @BusinessDCU graduate, Deirdre Heckler (BA International Business and Marketing), who has been named the first female Mayor of Breuberg in Germany



Deirdre first visited Germany while she was studying at @DCU!



Read more: https://t.co/bqZz0fuTlD December 7, 2021

Speaking to KCLR, Mayor Heckler said that she always wanted to go to Germany because she often had German people, employed by Braun, living near her in the 1980s.

"I think something must have triggered that stage in my head that I thought, yes, I'd like the German way of life; the structure, the punctuality, all that sort of thing.

"I think that must have done something with me in my childhood years."

Deirdre has been in local politics for the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) for 16 years and last September was chosen as the towns mayoral candidate and was elected directly.
People watch a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with a file image, at a train station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. North Korea on Monday fired two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea in its fourth weapons launch this month, South Korea's military said, with the apparent goal of demonstrating its military might amid paused diplomacy with the United States and pandemic border closures. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Marco was born and raised in Florence (Italy). As a teenager, he developed a keen interest in art, and moved naturally towards studying architecture in Florence and then Milan. A curious student, he experimented with all forms of artistic expression. In parallel, he participated in a political theatre group and research centre modelled after Bertolt Brecht (twentieth century playwright). He created his first designs for the stage, and in 1965, he made his first trip to Paris, where he immersed himself enthusiastically into the new philosophies and works of the avant-garde.

After his studies, he began working in an architectural firm and devoted himself to painting for pleasure. His pictorial research led him towards abstract art, and his works are now filled with material. He manages through trials (with plaster, cement and colour) to compose an organised abstraction. Marco has invented a new medium he calls vinavil, made up of a vinyl resin, which allows for the creation of transparent volumes. Through optical effects, the painting seems to free itself from its background and fly away.

Over the years, the artist has participated in numerous projects and is constantly experimenting with new ways of expression. He studies the cities of art such as Florence, San Gimignano or Paris. He wishes to represent citiess souls by drawing monuments.

He also designs and makes collections of objects, such as jewellery. The MoMA (Museum of Modern Art in New York) has selected some of his creations for their shop catalogue.

To date, his work includes several hundred canvases and thousands of varied works: drawings, graphic designs, art books. Added to this is another collection: portraits of women in film and digital black and white photos.

Today, Marco works as an artist and photographer. He is working on several photographic projects and video installations.
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.
A spokesman for Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Sunday that the mayor and other city leaders are looking at ways to prevent future deaths from opioid overdoses in schools. That includes providing wider access to naloxone or Narcan, the brand name for the nasal spray version of the injectable drug that can revive overdose victims in a matter of minutes. (Courant file photo)

The death of a 13-year-old Hartford boy who overdosed on fentanyl last week at the Sport and Medical Sciences Academy is spurring new calls to stock school nurses offices with naloxone, a powerful tool to treat overdoses.

A spokesman for Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Sunday that the mayor and other city leaders are looking at ways to prevent a similar tragedy. That includes providing wider access to naloxone or Narcan, the brand name for the nasal spray version of the injectable drug that can revive overdose victims in a matter of minutes.

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Theres a lot that were discussing in terms of how we can prevent something like this from happening again, said Akash Kaza, the mayors communications director. We are engaging in those conversations with school, police and the [public] health team.

Josh Michtom, a member of the Hartford City Council, said he is planning to propose making the overdose-reversal drug available at city schools, as well as libraries and other public buildings.

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In all of our city institutions, including our schools, the right folks should have training in administering Narcan and recognizing overdoses, Michtom said.

Some states, including New Jersey and Rhode Island, require naloxone to be available in every public and private school building. Maryland began requiring public schools to carry naloxone and to educate students about the risk of opioid abuse in 2018.

In Connecticut, the decision is left up to individual school districts. Drug prevention experts say widespread access to Narcan, including in schools, will save lives.

Im not going to say this could have been prevented, Mark Jenkins, executive director of the Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance, said of the Hartford students death. But it possibly could have been.

The alliance has been working to make naloxone widely available since 2014. It has trained school personnel to administer the medication in various districts, including Windsor and West Hartford, as well as several private schools in the Hartford region.

Having the overdose-reversal drug available does not lead to an increase in drug use, Jenkins said.

You have fire extinguishers in schools, but how often do you see a fire in schools? Jenkins said. We have to become proactive in making sure we have responses in case an overdose takes place because its a time-sensitive issue.

According to the state Department of Public Health, 1,374 people died of a drug overdose in Connecticut in 2020, a 285% increase in less than a decade, and 85% of those deaths were caused by fentanyl.

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The state does not have statistics on how many students overdose at school. Just 7.8% of the overall drug-related deaths were in people under 25.

But the death of the 13-year-old was distressing.

We still have much to learn about the circumstances of this tragedy, and about how a child had access to such a shocking quantity of such deadly drugs, Bronin said in a statement issued Saturday.

Michtom said his heart goes out to the students family. If you would have asked me if fentanyl use was a big risk for middle school kids, I would have said no. Sniffing fentanyl is not where they start at that age.

Buses are lined up to leave the Sport and Medical Sciences Academy in Hartford pm Thursday, where a seventh-grader overdosed on fentanyl. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

Police are continuing their investigation. The 13-year-old student, whose name is being withheld due to his age, collapsed at 10:30 a.m. Thursday during gym class at the magnet school.

A school nurse initiated CPR until fire department personnel arrived and took over, a fire official said. He was taken to Connecticut Childrens, where he died on Saturday.

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Two other seventh-graders were believed to be exposed to the drug and were also transported to the hospital, officials said. Both were released to their parents Thursday night, police said.

Investigators later found nearly 40 bags of fentanyl stashed in multiple locations within the Sport and Medical Sciences Academy, in a search prompted by the students overdose.

This tragic loss will raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our school community, especially our students, Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, superintendent of Hartford Public Schools, said in a letter to parents Sunday. Our school and district crisis Intervention Team has already been assembled and will continue to help with the needs of students, parents and school personnel.

School social workers will be available for students and their families. Clinical psychologists from Connecticut Childrens will also be on hand to provide emotional support by phone, Torres-Rodriguez said.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this photo taken during Dec. 27 - Dec. 31, 2021 and provided on Jan. 1, 2022 by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea.

North Korea on Monday fired at least one suspected ballistic missile into the sea in its fourth weapons launch this month, officials in South Korea and Japan said, with the apparent goal of demonstrating its military might amid paused diplomacy with the United States and pandemic border closures.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff didnt immediately say whether the projectile was ballistic or how far it flew. Japans Prime Ministers Office said it detected a possible ballistic missile launch from North Korea, but didnt immediately provide more details.

Japans Coast Guard issued a statement urging vessels traveling around the Japanese coast to watch out for falling objects but no immediate damage to vessels or aircraft were reported.

The launch came after the North conducted a pair of flight tests of a purported hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 and also test-fired ballistic missiles from a train Friday in an apparent reprisal over fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration last week for its continuing test launches.

North Korea has been ramping up tests in recent months of new missiles designed to overwhelm missile defenses in the region.

Some experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is going back to a tried-and-true technique of pressuring the U.S. and regional neighbors with missile launches and outrageous threats before offering negotiations meant to extract concessions.
Photo: Mowi

Eighty fish processing plant workers in Surrey will lose their jobs in March.

Mowi Canada West announced today that it will permanently close its fish processing plant in Surrey in March.

This is a direct result of the (federal) government decision on the Discovery Islands, said Dean Dobrinsky, head of human resources and communications for Mowi Canada West.

Mowis processing plant in Port Hardy does primary processing  i.e. gutting  and the Surrey plant further processes the fish into fillets. All of that secondary processing work will now be sent to processors in the U.S., Dobrinsky said.

Mowis 23,000-square foot processing plant only went into operation four years ago, in December 2017, but is now being shut down, as a result of an order in 2020 by then Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan to have all open-net salmon farms removed from the Discovery Islands by June 2022.

The order, which came down in December 2020, followed marching orders from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the federal fisheries minister. In a mandate letter, he ordered the minister to plan the phasing out of open-net salmon farms in B.C.

No such mandate was given for salmon farms in Atlantic Canada.

Mowi held the bulk of federal licences for the 19 salmon farms in the Discovery Islands. They accounted for 30% of Mowis production in B.C.

As a result of the eviction, Mowi has had to euthanize 6.8 million juvenile salmon, and 140 salmon farm workers have either been laid off or have quit and not been replaced  about 25% of the companys salmon farm workforce in B.C. When the Surrey processing plant shuts down around the end of March, that will bring the total job losses to 220.

At the time the order was given to begin vacating the Discovery Islands, Dobrinsky said the minister at the time  Bernadette Jordan  promised some kind of transition that, presumably, would include supports for workers who lost their jobs.

Dobrinsky said the industry has heard nothing from either Jordan or her successor, Joyce Murray, who is the new federal fisheries minister.

In a federal government news release in December, 2020, Jordan was quoted as saying: I am committed to working with all involved parties; the First Nations, industry and the Province of British Columbia, over the next 18 months to ensure a fair and orderly transition process that phases out salmon farming in the Discovery Islands.

Theres been no safety net, there has been no transition plan  there has been nothing from this government, Dobrinsky said.

She promised that there would be transition and that they would be talking to the companies. Weve heard not one word from the government since.

"The livelihoods of hardworking Canadians will be impacted, and that is not lost on Minister Murray," Claire Teichman, Murray's press secretary, said in an emailed response to Dobrinsky's criticism that there have been no support for workers from the federal government or contact with the industry.

"Our government has existing programs available for the workers who are impacted by this decision through Employment and Workforce Development.

"Our government believes in a sustainable, environmentally-conscious aquaculture industry. We will continue to support it by finalizing our plan to transition from open-net pens in B.C. coastal waters; investing $10 million through Budget 2021 in new and sustainable aquaculture technology; investing in new approaches to planning and managing aquaculture activities in priority areas in B.C.; and developing Canadas first-ever, national Aquaculture Act that will create more transparency and clarity across the industry."

Mowi and other salmon farm companies in B.C. are awaiting a decision from the Federal Court on a judicial review of Jordans order. The companies argued in court that Jordan overstepped her authority in ordering all operations in the Discovery Islands shut down. They are hoping for a decision early this year.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that four Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders are "hell-bent on removing Nawaz Sharif from the party," local media has reported.

Geo tv quoting Fawad reported that there is a "rat race going on among senior PML-N members as to who would lead the party next," adding that, "four top-most party leaders want to remove PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in a bid to take over the party's leadership."

According to the Pakistani outlet, the Minister even claimed that the four members he was referring to "even went out to meet someone and confessed that since Nawaz had treated the country in a bad manner, they should instead be given a chance to lead the party."

Speaking about the "lack of coordination and trust" among Opposition parties, Fawad said that there is "so much mistrust among the three Opposition parties -- PML-N, PPP, and JUI -- that they don't even blink an eye lest the other one should strike a deal," as per Geo tv.

In November 2019, Nawaz Sharif left Pakistan and went to London medical treatment following the Imran government's approval for the visit.

Following the recommendations of the medical board, the Pakistan government will decide the next course of action to bring back Nawaz Sharifto Pakistan and to initiate legal proceedings against Shahbaz Sharif as the guarantor of his brother.

Last year in December, Pakistan's Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar had said that Nawaz Sharif had been cornered in the UK as Islamabad was actively pursuing his extradition case. Akbar had also said that Sharif was a convict and was not even entitled to get a visit visa as per UK's immigration laws.

(ANI)

Also Read: North Korea launches unidentified projectile, possibly ballistic missile: Reports


Hima Cement suspends operation after fire kills three

17 January 2022

Operations at the Hima Cement factory (Holcim group) in Kasese district in western Uganda have been suspended following a fire that broke out at the premises on Saturday afternoon and left three staff members dead. Eight others were rushed to hospital in critical condition.

"Our operations at the Hima plant have been stopped as we take stock of this incident and to ensure that the fire is fully contained. The health and safety of our employees and all stakeholders remains our number one priority," Hima Cement's CEO, Jean-Michel Pons, said in a statement.



The CEO said preliminary investigations indicated that a team of staff were doing installation works at a light diesel oil tank inside the factory before the fire broke out.

"What we know so far is that a team staff was doing installation works at the light diesel oil tank when the incident happened. Our team is working with the authorities to further investigate the incident and to ascertain the course of events," Mr Pons added.



Those who sustained injuries were taken to Kilembe Hospital in Kasese district.

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Dragon Products ends rail shipments from South End spur

17 January 2022

Dragon Products has stopped shipping cement along the Rockland South End rail line in Maine, USA. A representative of the cement manufacturer in Thomaston said the last planned shipment by barge from the South End marine terminal in Rockland departed on 13 January 2022. The company announced in August 2021 it would stop barge shipments and would stop using the South End Rockland rail spur.

The cement plant purchased the 44 Atlantic St property in 1994. The Thomaston cement plant has since operated the marine terminal in Rockland. The cement plant sends rail cars about five miles on the line from the Thomaston plant to its dock on Rocklands South End waterfront, where a barge is then filled and product shipped to the Boston market.

The decision was made because the rail cars would no longer be licensed for service. Dragon will continue to sell cement from the plant in trucks and ship cement directly to its customers but not to the terminal.

A company representative said there are no current plans to sell the property. The property totals 8.1 acres with a nearly 44,000ft2 former warehouse, and the property and buildings are assessed at US$2.7m.

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Snow at the Double C Farm in Soddy Daisy - photo by April Eidson

Snow at the Little Philly Farm at Rising Fawn, Ga. - photo by Phyllis Dyar

Snow on the back side of Signal - photo by Jim Robbins

Police Blotter: Brother-In-Law Accused Of Harassing Couple Just Had Car Trouble; Borrowed Cadillac Gets Stolen At Community Kitchen When Keys Are Left Inside

Requetta Dotley Wants To Name Street For Kane Brown; Chip Henderson Says That Honor Should Be Not For The Living

2 Shot On West 13th Street Court Monday Evening

A man on Grubb Road told police that his brother-in law, who had been harassing him and his wife, was parked about a block away from his house, and he was worried that he was stalking them. An ... (click for more)

City Council Vice Chair Raquetta Dotley is proposing that a city street be named for Kane Brown, country star who hails from Chattanooga. He is set to perform on Saturday at Finley Stadium. ... (click for more)
Dear Residents of Signal Mountain,

On behalf of the 44 police and fire officers and their families of the town of Signal Mountain, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to the 2021 S. M. Robertson Police & Fire Christmas Fund.

The fund was started over 50 years ago and we continue to see the generosity of the citizens of our community. Even in the midst of the last two years being so challenging in many ways, we were blown away to experience, for the first time in the funds history, over $10,000 being distributed to the police and fire men and women on Christmas Eve. Thank you for sacrificially blessing these men and women and their families who faithfully serve.

Its an honor and privilege to see, firsthand, the faithful love and support of our community. May God grant you and yours peace, safety, and joy during the coming year.

T. W. Francescon, Jr.

S. M. Robertson Police & Fire Christmas Fund






Rankings reflect sales for the week ended Saturday, Jan. 8, which were reported on a confidential basis by vendors offering a wide range of general interest titles. Picture Book rankings include hardcover sales only. Series rankings include all print and e-book sales.

Every week, thousands of diverse selling locations report their actual sales on hundreds of thousands of individual titles. The panel of reporting retailers is comprehensive and reflects sales in stores of all sizes and demographics across the United States. An asterisk (*) indicates that a books sales were barely distinguishable from those of the book above. A (b) indicates that some bookstores reported receiving bulk orders.

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The New York Times Best Sellers are compiled and archived by The Best-Seller Lists Desk of The New York Times News Department, and are separate from the Culture, Advertising and Business sides of The New York Times Co. More information on rankings and methodology: www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/methodology.

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PICTURE

1. STACEYS EXTRAORDINARY WORDS, by Stacey Abrams. Illustrated by Kitt Thomas. (Balzer and Bray) Stacey is entered into a spelling bee by her teacher. (Ages 4 to 8)

2. THE YEAR WE LEARNED TO FLY, by Jacqueline Woodson. Illustrated by Rafael Lopez. (Nancy Paulsen) Two siblings relieve their boredom with their imaginations. (Ages 5 to 8)

3. CHANGE SINGS, by Amanda Gorman. Illustrated by Loren Long. (Viking) A childrens anthem for change. (Ages 4 to 8)

4. THE 1619 PROJECT: BORN ON THE WATER, by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson. Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith. (Kokila) A young Black girl traces her ancestry for a school assignment. (Ages 7 to 10)

5. LITTLE BLUE TRUCKS VALENTINE, by Alice Schertle. Illustrated by Jill McElmurry. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Little Blue Truck delivers Valentines Day cards to all his farm animal friends. (Ages 4 and up)

6. DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, by Adam Rubin. Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. (Dial) What to serve your dragon-guests. (Ages 3 to 5)

7. THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU WILL BE, by Emily Winfield Martin. (Random House) A celebration of future possibilities. (Ages 3 to 7)

8. THE SMART COOKIE, by Jory John. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. (Harper) Cookie builds up her self-confidence. (Ages 4 to 8)

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9. IN MY HEART, by Jo Witek. Illustrated by Christine Roussey. (Abrams Appleseed) An exploration of feelings. (Ages 2 to 4)

10. GRUMPY MONKEY, by Suzanne Lang. Illustrated by Max Lang. (Random House) Jim Panzee is having a bad day. (Ages 3 to 7)

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MIDDLE GRADE HARDCOVER

1. WONDER, by R.J. Palacio. (Knopf) A boy with a facial deformity starts school. (Ages 8 to 12)

2. DAUGHTER OF THE DEEP, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion) Ana Dakkar faces the weekend trials at the Harding-Pencroft Academy. (Ages 9 to 12)

3. REFUGEE, by Alan Gratz. (Scholastic) Three children in three different conflicts look for safe haven. (Ages 9 to 12)

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4. OUT OF MY HEART, by Sharon M. Draper. (Atheneum) In this sequel to Out of My Mind, Melody goes to summer camp. (Ages 10 and up)

5. PONY, by R.J. Palacio. (Knopf) A young boy sets out on a perilous journey across America to rescue his father. (Ages 10 and up)

6. PAX, JOURNEY HOME, by Sara Pennypacker. Illustrated by Jon Klassen. (Balzer and Bray) A boy and his pet fox reunite after a year of separation. (Ages 8 to 12)

7. STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME, by Jason Reynolds. Illustrated by Raul the Third. (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy) As a coping mechanism for his frets, a young boy creates a superhero alter ego. (Ages 7 to 12)

8. THE COMPLETE COOKBOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS, by Americas Test Kitchen Kids. (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky) Over 100 kid-tested recipes from Americas Test Kitchen. (Ages 8 and up)

9. THE CHRISTMAS PIG, by J.K. Rowling. Illustrated by Jim Field. (Scholastic) When a young boys favorite toy goes missing, its Christmas Pig to the rescue! (Ages 8 to 12)

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10. THE ICKABOG, by J.K. Rowling. (Scholastic) A fearsome monster threatens the kingdom of Cornucopia. (Ages 8 to 18)

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YOUNG ADULT HARDCOVER

1. ONE OF US IS LYING, by Karen M. McManus. (Delacorte) For five students, a detour into detention ends in murder. (Ages 14 and up)

2. HERES TO US, by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. (Quill Tree) Two lovers reconnect in this sequel to What If Its Us. (Ages 14 and up)

3. YOUVE REACHED SAM, by Dustin Thao. (Wednesday) After the death of her boyfriend, Sam, Julie can still reach him via cellphone. (Ages 12 to 18)

4. THE HATE U GIVE, by Angie Thomas. (Balzer and Bray) A 16-year-old girl sees a police officer kill her friend. (Ages 14 and up)

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5. YOULL BE THE DEATH OF ME, by Karen M. McManus. (Delacorte) Three friends skip school together and become involved in a murder. (Ages 14 to 17)

6. THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, by Chloe Gong. (Margaret K. McElderry) A re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai. (Ages 14 to 18)

7. IRON WIDOW, by Xiran Jay Zhao. (Penguin Teen) Zetian becomes a Chrysalises pilot to battle the Hunduns but has an ulterior motive. (Ages 14 to 17)

8. THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. (Little, Brown) Avery and the four Hawthorne grandsons have a new family puzzle to solve. (Ages 12 to 18)

9. OUR VIOLENT ENDS, by Chloe Gong. (Margaret K. McElderry) The White Flowers and the Scarlet Gang join forces against a common enemy. (Ages 14 and up)

10. ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD, by Benjamin Alire Saenz. (Simon & Schuster) Two boys in love must navigate through a world that doesnt understand them. (Ages 14 and up)

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SERIES

1. HARRY POTTER, by J.K. Rowling. (Scholastic) A wizard hones his conjuring skills in the service of fighting evil. (Ages 10 and up)

2. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Amulet) The travails and challenges of adolescence. (Ages 9 to 12)

3. A GOOD GIRLS GUIDE TO MURDER, by Holly Jackson. (Delacorte) Pippa Fitz-Amobi solves murderous crimes. (Ages 14 and up)

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

4. PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion) A boy battles mythological monsters. (Ages 9 to 12)

5. THRONE OF GLASS, by Sarah J. Maas. (Bloomsbury) Celaena must battle evil forces threatening her realm. (Ages 14 and up)

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6. WINGS OF FIRE, by Tui T. Sutherland. (Scholastic) Only the five dragonets of destiny can unite the seven warring dragon tribes. (Ages 9 to 12)

7. SHADOW AND BONE TRILOGY, by Leigh Bardugo. (Square Fish) The basis of the Netflix series; previously titled The Grisha Trilogy. (Ages 12 to 18)

8. FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDYS: FAZBEAR FRIGHTS, by Scott Cawthon. (Scholastic) Short stories from the twisted, sinister world of Five Nights at Freddys. (Ages 12 to 18)

9. FOLK OF THE AIR, by Holly Black. (Little, Brown) Judes quest to become the first mortal queen of the High Court of Faerie. (Ages 14 to 17)

10. A TWISTED TALE, by Liz Braswell. (Disney-Hyperion) A twist on Disneys greatest tales. (Ages 12 and up)
Employees of The Read House, 107 West Martin Luther King Blvd., called police in regards to a homeless person in the building who was refusing to leave. An employee told police a black male was in the building who was not a guest. He said when he told the man to leave, he started to cuss at him. The man left prior to police arrival. Management identified the man, saying this is a common occurrence. After police left, the man came back to the premises, but once again left prior to police arrival.

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Police observed a vehicle traveling south on Central Avenue with dark tinted windows. Police attempted to make a traffic stop due to the tint being so dark. After police initiated blue lights, the vehicle took off heading east on East 23rd Street. Police know the identify of a man who has several warrants on file and has been known to drive this vehicle.

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Police encountered a man in the parking lot of the Residence Inn, 2340 Center St. The man requested a ride to his grandmother's house on Ranco Circle. Police gave the man a ride to that location.

* * *

A trash can was set on fire at 2815 4th Ave. CFD arrived and put out the fire. It is unknown what started the fire and there are no known suspects.

* * *

A woman called police from the Hamilton Inn, 6860 Lee Hwy., and said that she was in an argument with her ex-boyfriend. She said that she was trying to get her belongings and he told her that she had to leave and he escorted her out of the hotel room. She then called the police to get

her belongings from him inside the room. Police were able to knock on the door and the ex-boyfriend answered the door. The woman was able to get her belongings and left the scene without any issue.

* * *

Police responded to a possible stolen vehicle recovery on Bradt Street. However, upon arrival and checking the vehicle, it was a Ford not a Lexus, which was the type of vehicle stolen.

* * *

A woman on Boyce Street told police that overnight someone had knocked the crossbar and mailboxes off of the post. She said with the location of the post, the damage must have been intentional. The cost to repair is unknown. There is no suspect information.

* * *

A woman told police she left her purse inside a vehicle while at the SunTrust Bank, 7001 Lee Hwy. She said the person driving the car was Erica and she was with a male named Shawn, unknown last names. She said she attempted to get them to stop after she realized her purse was inside the vehicle, but they drove away. She said she believed they were unaware her purse was inside the vehicle when they left. She said she wanted her purse back, but has no way of contacting the people in the vehicle.

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A loss prevention employee at Sportsman's Warehouse, 6241 Perimeter Dr., reported a white male shoplifting two air pistols. Security footage revealed the man take the items and leave as a passenger in a white Mitsubishi SUV (TN tag). ERPD was dispatched to check for the vehicle at the registered address, at which time it was learned that the registered owner no longer lives there, but frequents local hotels. No further suspect information or investigative leads were available.

* * *

The manager at the Red Roof Inn, 7014 Shallowford Road, told police that a guest was refusing to get out of a room. Police went to the room and spoke with man, who was packing his items. The man packed all the items from the room and went to a nearby hotel.

* * *

A shoplifting at was reported at Academy Sports, 2220 Hamilton Place Blvd. The manager told police that a customer just walked into the business with nothing in his hands. Moments later he walked right back out without paying for anything. When he walked out he had what looked like a blue jacket wrapped around his arm. It appeared to be an Under Armour jacket sold in the store for $45. After he was told that someone just walked out of the store without paying for merchandise, the manager walked out and was able to see that he got into a bluish Honda CRV with TN tag. After running the tag information, it did come back to a blue Honda CRV to a man police identified. Police attempted to locate the vehicle in the area and at the address and were not able to. The only suspect information that police have on the man that entered the store was a white male around 30 years old, weighing around 160 pounds and about 6' tall.

* * *

A man on Bridge Circle told police he rented his vehicle to a woman using Terro. He said the woman returned the vehicle at 12:03 p.m. and took pictures of the vehicle at his residence. Two minutes after the woman took the pictures, the man's GPS showed the vehicle in motion. The vehicle GPS was last active in Alton Park. Police searched the area, but were unable to locate it. The man said the keys were inside the vehicle when it was stolen. Police entered it in NCIC as stolen.

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A shoplifting was reported at Gabe's, 5380 Highway 153. An employee told police a black female in her 30's with braids in a pony tail came into the store and shoplifted a buggy full of merchandise. She was seen leaving the store and getting into a white sedan with a black bumper, possibly a Nissan Altima. It is unknown what all was taken or a total dollar amount.

* * *



A man on Sargent Daly Drive told police his ex-girlfriend has been calling/texting him threats about making his life hard and possibly trying to have him arrested. The man said he has had

reoccurring issues with the woman and wished to have this documented in case she were to act upon her threats.

* * *

A man on Cannon Avenue told police he is out of town, but he observed a package delivered to his porch at 10 a.m. via Ring camera. He said he also observed a white female come to the porch at 10:53 a.m., remove the package and enter a black SUV, possibly a Nissan Xterra. He was able to send a picture to police for possible identification. He said the package contained a black Shane Dawson pig purse ($65).
April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl disaster struck horror in people all over the world. The accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine released a massive amount of radioactive particles into the atmosphere, which spread over much of the U.S.S.R. and Europe, making its way to the United States. But even though particles have been traced to America, the degree of radiation is nowhere near that in Belarus, a small poor country in Russia. Killing many, the radiation compromised the immune systems of all, especially children.

Thousands of miles away, in a tiny town in Tennessee, a church ministry was formed at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church to provide a respite to these children and give their compromised immune systems a chance to recover. Through this ministry, Belarusian children have come to Chattanooga for fresh air and sunlight and nutrition for over three decades. And even though the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is no longer front page news, the battle to aid these children is front and center on the minds of volunteers for the Chernobyl Childrens Program. Eve Soltau is a dedicated volunteer with CCP, and the fact that the borders are closed due to the pandemic does not discourage her. Actually, the pandemic probably does discourage her because she can no longer travel to Belarus. But it does not deter her.

Seeds of Hope is one initiative of the CCP, and it involves selling original artwork created by the young students at the Republican College of Art in Minsk, Belarus. For years, Eve, along with others, including Catherine Kelley, travelled to Belarus to collect these works that included watercolors, batik, oils, and pen and ink. They sold them to support the mission of CCP, which is to secure a future and a hope for these children, one child at a time.

Unable to travel to Belarus, Eve did not wait out the pandemic as she busied herself with a slew of other things on her plate. No, she began making jewelry to sell in an effort to support the cause, and she and Bonny Clark set up a table at the Lookout Holiday Market, with all proceeds supporting CCP.

Eve donates the supplies, all the materials for the jewelry, Bonny said. And the wares are fabulous! Beaded bracelets of different stones, hammered gold oval earrings, sweet charms  I bought several pairs of earrings under the guise of gift-giving. But it is doubtful these beautiful baubles will leave my home. This jewelry is amazing. Deflecting any personal compliments, Eve bragged on her former college roommate, Eve Roebuck, saying she has such an eye for combining different shades and types of stones in these pieces. Eve Roebuck also volunteers for the CCP, designing and creating jewelry from the materials donated by Eve Soltau.

Much of Eves jewelry is made of gold, and clearly her heart is made of the same.

There is a Facebook page, Belarus Friends and Family, and a website, chernobylchildrensprogramofgreaterchattanooga.wordpress.com.

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Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.






The history of Chattanoogas two well-known newspapers, the Chattanooga Times, published by Adolph Ochs in 1878, and Chattanooga News Free Press, started by Roy McDonald in 1933, also had a rival in the African American publication, Chattanooga Weekly Blade in 1869.

It was started by former slave, Randolph Miller (1829-1916), who had been emancipated on June 9, 1864 in Newton County, Georgia, on General William Tecumseh Shermans famous march through Georgia to Savannah.

Teaching himself to read, in October of that year Miller arrived in Chattanooga and took a job as a pressman for the Chattanooga Gazette (1839-186__). He would eventually work for five newspapers in the city.

He went to Richmond, Virginia after the end of the Civil War but returned to Chattanooga and took a position at the Times under Adolph Ochs.

After working for said paper for many years Miller started his own newspaper the Chattanooga Weekly Blade in 1898.

Randolph Miller was both a colorful and controversial individual. Rumors exist that Millers weekly newspaper had the quiet support of Mr. Ochs.

He was well known in both the white and black communities for his personal attire as well as his editorial style. His vigorous non-violence campaign against segregation preceded Martin Luther King, Jr. by about 50 years.

He and other black leaders organized a strike against the 1905 law that segregated public transportation on street cars by a three-week boycott that was successful.

He also started the first known jitney taxi service known as the Hack Line that ran between downtown Chattanooga and other African American communities.

For 16 years Miller published the Weekly Blade. He was particularly proud that he claimed that he and famed civil rights leader, Frederick Douglas, were the only ex-slaves that had edited newspapers during that period.

Miller remarked that Douglas paper was published in the North, mine in the South, and his support being backed by more money was greater than mine.

Because of declining health caused primarily from overwork he stopped publication of the Weekly Blade. He died in 1916 at the age of 86 and is buried in the Forest Hills Cemetery in the St. Elmo area in Chattanooga.

His memory remains as both a civil rights activist and journalist.

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Jerry Summers



(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)
Vickie Diane Harriman, 72, passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022, after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

She was a member of the Church of God in Flat Rock, AL and a 1967 graduate of Kirkman Technical High School. For nine years, she was a receptionist for the law office of Baker, Kinsman, Hollis, Clelland and Hogue when they were located downtown. For five years, before she retired, her greatest devotion was assisting families who had loved ones afflicted with Alzheimers and dementia as a contract caregiver. She was the kindest soul and loved by all.

Vickie was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Franks; mother, Emma Mae Wilson; sister, Helen Siler and brother, Eddie Franks.

She survived by her husband, Andre Harriman; sons, Eric (Danielle) Landrum and Keith Landrum; grandchildren, Atticus, Madigan and Loxley, all of Chattanooga; sister, Virginia Vanallman of South Pittsburg, TN; cousins, Ernie and Connie Wilson of Fort Oglethorpe, GA and David Wilson of Nashville, TN; lifelong childhood friends, Tonya and Glenn Anderson of Flat Rock, AL, and Naomi and John Thompson of Rossville, GA, as well as many friends and acquaintances.

In accordance with Vickies wishes, there will be a private ceremony with family held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to The Mid-South Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Suite 8, Chattanooga, TN 37421 in recognition of the caregivers who work tirelessly to provide a quality of life to individuals afflicted with this terrible disease. Dont be afraid to get involved in caring or volunteering to help these individuals and their families in their time of need.

Share your memories and express your condolences at www.turnerfamilyfuneralhome. com

Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58 Chapel, 423 622-3171.
Center Post is the name of a small but formerly very dynamic community of farmers, millers, and store-keepers who lived about half way between LaFayette and Menlo, Georgia. Several well-kept and attractive farm houses once dominated that scene, though most totally disappered after about 1950. Only the name remains today - there on the 'Broomtown Road', identified on current maps as Georgia Highway 336.

How the place got the name 'Center Post' has always been a question in the back of my mind; I am familiar with machine parts called center posts, which function as essential parts of mills, lathes, etc., but I prefer to believe the name had a MILITARY origin, as when a compound was placed there for Indian Removal in 1838.

My distant cousin, Mary Martin Gilmer, long deceased, and of Rock Spring, Georgia, told of this compound to my mother back in the 1950's. She said her information had come directly from her grandfather, Enos Martin, a Justice of the Peace in the area, who had witnessed the actual Cherokee removal, which we now call the 'Trail of Tears'.

This Enos Martin was a teenager at the time, and had ridden his horse over from his home closer to Pigeon Mountain to witness the event. He and his dad, Joshua, probably rode over together, and may have been acquainted with some of the Natives.They (Joshua and young Enos) had arrived in the area from Greene County in 1836 - as squatters - doubtless to negotiate for the choicest pieces of land available as these new lands of southwest Walker County were opening up for white occupancy. Joshua and adolescent son, Enos, witnessed the whole thing, and I am guessing that this boy knew at least some of those Native Americans by name, as the Cherokee had always been friendly toward the whites. Enos always remembered hearing the Indian Agent tell the chief to, "Get on your horse, Chenowee", as the group started its trek north to a larger compound at LaFayette. I have seen that name, Chenowee, spelled at least one other way, though recognizable as the same name.

Always curious about this 'land of my fathers', my many investigations have revealed that there was once a large and thriving community of Cherokee who lived along the foot of Pigeon Mountain in a highly desirable secluded area where they were free to live life as they saw fit, and with no ruling authority except their own. For they had come into the area and cleared a lot of the land, not only for agricultural needs, but also for their well-known ball-gaming activity. Some authorities think that this area was a converging spot for regular seasonal outdoor events such as the yearly Green Corn festivities, which may have included neighboring tribes of non-Cherokee origin as well. There was also an archeologically investigated religious shrine of some sort which remained hidden until recent years. Found totally by accident, this seems to prove the importance of the area among the Cherokee Nation. The land is now kept immaculately clean and beautiful by its present owners, but be advised it is NOT for TRESPASSERS!

Supposing that this area was once choice Cherokee property, we can imagine that it lingered in the memory of those displaced Native Americans for many years, the old stories being handed down from generation to generation. Curiosity abounded among the burgeoning population of young Cherokee braves, and once acclimatized to their new home in Oklahoma, one or more of these young men was delegated to return there to search for the old sites. And so it was in 1890, when my father was six years old - and when the new TAG Railroad was being built - that a Native American man came to my grandparents' door seeking lodging. This was no problem, and he was welcomed into the Martin household as an honored guest.

This guest was on foot and gave no reason for his unexpected visit. He appeared to always be gazing into the distance as if searching for places unknown but to him. My dad said he would stare off into the distance for a time, and then "take off" toward whatever object he saw for closer inspection. No one tried to interfere with the gentleman's searches, and he was at peace to satisfy his own needs unmolested.

That was the end of my dad's story, except for a few minor details not pertinent to my theme. But, since those long-ago years when dad was telling me these things, I have found a story online - a similar story from the same year, 1890, where a Native American suddenly appeared in dad's community, but over closer to the mountain, and seemingly to watch the construction of the TAG Railroad. This story relates how an Indian would stand on a pinnacle of Pigeon Mountain to watch the railroad's progress. When all the work was done, the Indian simply vanished, never to be seen again. My dad never knew of that mysterious individual, although it could have been the same person.

OR, did the mysterious train-watcher scout around in the area near the tiny oasis community of Center Post? Did the wealthy and more influential Clarkson family welcome him in to their lovely and sturdily built brick home (built 1874) which still stands? Did they bond with one another for the future benefit of both? I can visualize the Native American gentleman being slightly flattered by the Clarksons' hospitality, and some good conversations produced as a result. I can imagine how one or more of their conversations drifted off into the realm of fine horses then being bred by the Cherokee of Oklahoma.

And it follows that at the outbreak of World War I in 1914 there was a sudden and imminent need for horses at Fort Oglethorpe. Could it be that the imagined bond between Joe Clarkson, Sr., and the mysterious Cherokee gentleman played a part in obtaining quality animals for the United States Army's 6th Cavalry from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma? The author was alerted to this connection by a living member of the Clarkson family.

If this last connection is actual then there could be at least one more viable link with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Because in 1947 the Army closed Fort Oglethorpe and the lands were returned to civilian use. Many vacated buildings were suddenly available, and so the primary school at Center Post, long in need of newer facilities, was given at least two of those wartime structures - a major undertaking for its day. Roads had to be totally closed, with all traffic coming to a standstill on the narrow roads.

I am hoping to have given enough detail in this story for a younger historian to run with! It would be interesting to see how much further this enigmatic story linking Native Americans with white people might go if only a few more facts were uncovered.
90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days Season 5 star Jasmine isnt willing to settle for a measly electric toothbrush as a Christmas present from Gino. The Panama native responded to Ginos gift with a demand for an island getaway for the two of them. However, Ginos unemployment might cause some issues. Heres how it all went down.

Jasmine | TLC

Before the 90 Days Season 5 star Gino bought Jasmine an electric toothbrush as a Christmas present

Its the thought that counts, right? Maybe not in this instance. In the Jan. 9 episode of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days Season 5, Jasmine asked for her Christmas presents from Gino. Unfortunately, the electric toothbrush he gave her when he first arrived in Panama was Ginos only present for Jasmine. The episode ended with Jasmine obviously irritated at the lack of thought behind the gift.

In the newest episode, which aired on Jan. 16, Jasmine heads to the gym to work off some of that annoyance, but Gino tags along. After an excruciatingly awkward few minutes, Jasmine tells Gino what he needs to do to make up for the electric toothbrush gift.

No Christmas gift? No problem! Just pay for this $2,500 trip #90DayFiance pic.twitter.com/pGEPikFPZy  90DayFiance (@90DayFiance) January 14, 2022

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days Season 5: Woman Claiming to be Jasmine Turns on Ginos Alleged Ex, Calls Her a No Talent W****

Jasmine demands a $2500 island vacation for the two of them

Jasmines idea of a Christmas gift is much more expensive than anything Gino had in mind. She explains to Gino, I wasnt happy about exchanging gifts yesterday and the best way for you to make it up is the following. I just planned a four-day trip to an amazing island here in Panama. Just one little detail  you need to pay for it.

When Gino asks how much the trip will cost, Jasmine replies, Two thousand five hundred dollars.

Gino is clearly shocked at the cost. He explained to Jasmine in an earlier episode of Before the 90 Days Season 5 that his unemployment forces him to be more frugal with his money. However, all Jasmine sees is the amount of money hes spent to take trips with other women hes dated in the past.

Later, Jasmine tells the Before the 90 Days Season 5 producers, He made a mistake by not giving me any Christmas gifts. Now, Im going to give myself a Christmas gift and Im going to pick out something expensive.

Reluctantly, Gino agrees to pay for the trip, and Jasmine seems satisfied. However, her calm demeanor doesnt last long.

Before the 90 Days Season 5 star Jasmine has a breakdown over the color of Ginos walls at home

If Gino didnt realize an electric toothbrush was enough to set Jasmine off, he had no idea the color of his walls would be enough to cause Jasmine to burst into tears. Gino tells Jasmine he wants to make her happy, but her reply confuses him.

What I really want is for you to set on fire all the stupid things in your house and Ill be one hundred percent happy, the Before the 90 Days Season 5 star says, smiling.

Gino asks about the point of that. Jasmine explains that everything in his house reminds her of his exes. Talking about his exes just makes me think about all of the stuff he has in his house related to his ex-wife and I dont like it.

Gino attempts to tell Jasmine he likes the colors in his house, but it sets Jasmine off. Jasmine breaks down sobbing as she leaves to have some time by herself. Later Gino tells cameras, Jasmines emotional instability gives me concern about our future.

Whether or not Gino and Jasmine make it in the long run still isnt known. To watch their story unfold, catch new episodes of Before the 90 Days Season 5 every Sunday on TLC.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days Season 5: Why Jasmines Hiding That Shes on Birth Control From Gino
Cynthia Bailey from The Real Housewives of Atlanta has fond memories of being on Below Deck Season 3 and said shed love to go back again and bring her husband Mike Hill.

Bailey set sail with Claudia Jordan and family on Eros, which aired in 2015. The boat ended up being stuck at the dock due to bad weather but she said it didnt matter  she had a trip of a lifetime. She shared this memory with Showbiz Cheat Sheet, even after spending eight days at the lavish Triton Luxury Villa in the Turks and Caicos on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.

Below Deck was a gift of a trip

She recalled the trip as being the biggest gift and enjoyed every minute. We ended up docking because the weather in the Bahamas was not the best, she said. But you know what, if Bravo has ever given me a gift, it was being able to take my family on Below Deck.

Kate Chastain from Below Deck serves RHOAs Claudia Jordan and Cynthia Bailey and family | Paul Drinkwater/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank

I got so many mom points from [daughter] Noelle, she added. She had the best time. And my mom, it was like the best vacation of her life. At the time Baileys daughter was a teen and developed a crush on deckhand Emile Kotze. They referred to Kotze as an African Prince especially after he fed strawberries to the guests while wearing a pair of tight jeans and no shirt.

Shed love to return to Captain Lees boat

She added that the crew and Captain Lee Rosbach were also wonderful. It could have been like a tornado the whole time, she added. And the yacht was so beautiful. The crew was so amazing. Captain Lee was our captain. They basically gave us everything we wanted. So it didnt even matter that the weather was kind of crappy because it just ended up being so much fun.

And you know, for someone coming from reality TV, Ive never been on a show where I wasnt part of the drama, she added. But the crew was the drama. So I just got to actually be on a cruise and just eat and drink and have fun with my friends and family. Then all the drama was happening in the kitchen with other people and it had nothing to do with me. Sign me up! I would go on Below Deck once a year if they would have me.

And while shed love to go on any Below Deck series, only one captain has her heart. Captain Lee, she said. As long as I have Captain Lee, thats my boy. Hes great. Were friends now and hes amazing.

Bailey wasnt kidding when she said the best part was staying out of the drama. She had no idea of the drama brewing below deck with the crew. Below Deck Season 3 was one of the most drama-filled seasons because it included multiple crew firings and the hookup between bosun Eddie Lucas and stew Rocky Dakota came to an explosive and shocking end.

Cynthia Bailey has her bikini ready for a Below Deck vacation

Bailey said she had so much fun shes ready to return with Hill. I have my bikini ready to go! she exclaimed. In 2022, I would love to go on Below Deck with my family. That would be awesome. Especially with my girls and Mike. Hes never been and hed love it.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Claudia Jordan and Cynthia Bailey are entertained by Below Deck deckhand, Connie Arias | Paul Drinkwater/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank

And while Bailey left RHOA, shes busier than ever. She partnered with Seagrams Escapes and helped to create Seagrams Escapes Peach Bellini. Also, I did a movie for Lifetime called Lockdown thats coming out next month, she shared. And Im pretty excited about that. Ive always loved acting. She also has a slew of other projects shes working on  but said shed make time to return to Below Deck.

RELATED: RHOA: Mike Hill Says He Had Nothing to Do With Cynthia Baileys Decision to Leave  Cynthia Didnt Need the Reality Show to Make Her
Vishal Parvani from Bravos Family Karma made good on his last proposal to Richa Sadana and the couple finally married over the weekend in Mexico.

Parvani and Sadana had a traditional Indian wedding, complete with endless parties, galas, and events. Several Family Karma cast members were in attendance and shared photos and videos on their Instagram stories along the way. The couple almost broke up last season when Sadana got sick of waiting for Parvani to follow through on the wedding and grow up. But he proved that he was serious and re-proposed to her.

Vishal Parvani and Richa Sadana share the wonderful wedding news

Parvani shared the wedding news on Instagram. Husband and Wife. Love you for always. 1.15.2022, he shared along with photos from the beachfront ceremony. Thank you to all our friends and family, for all the love and support these past 10 years. We did it! And to our amazing team  We cannot say thank you enough for helping us pull off such a spectacular wedding. Parvani also tagged the team responsible for putting the wedding together.

Cast photo of Vishal Parvani, Richa Sadana, Reshma Parvani, Kishor Parvani from Family Karma | Tommy Garcia/Bravo

Amrit Kapai replied to the post, Was that a dream.

Vishal Parvani re-proposed with a mariachi band in tow

Parvani may have added a little foreshadowing to his destination wedding when he re-proposed on Family Karma. He greeted Sadana at a new Miami apartment and hid a mariachi band in the bathroom to surprise her. I promise you I will spend more time with you in Memphis, he said to her in the apartment (via Bravo). He continued, I want us to get married by that date. I want to say were putting this date down. Were gonna make it happen. F*** what everyone else says. Its just us two.

On cue, the mariachi band emerged. If you pull a mariachi band out of the back of the bathroom, I mean, I have to say yes at that point, she joked.

He promised her, Were getting married. We are getting married, he said. This is the last proposal. No more!

During his latest appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Parvani said he was house hunting in Sadanas hometown of Memphis. Im here with Richa, actually, in Memphis, he shared. Were looking at houses to buy over here.

Family Karma fans hope to see the wedding on season 3

Fans got a small taste of the wedding from cast videos on Instagram. Many hope this means the wedding will be shown on the upcoming season. Family Karma Kast podcast shared multiple photos and clips on Instagram and teased another season. ICYMI, Vishal and Richa are getting married this weekend! Want to keep up with the festivities?

Check in with our stories  were posting anything and everything we find (including some hints about filming for Family Karma Season 3!). Well also do a breakdown of everything were hearing from and about the wedding on next weeks podcast episode, so make sure youre subscribed at the link in our bio! Super congratulations to the happy couple!! We are SO thrilled for you! the podcast shared.

Beautiful photos! I hope they are filming, one fan wrote. Another person added, I cant believe we dont know about a new season yet. Like wth?! Also, such gorgeousness, I cant handle!

Bravo has not made an official announcement about Family Karma Season 3. Parvani and Sadanas wedding may not be the only one  Kapai and Nicholas Kouchoukos also got engaged on Family Karma Season 2.

RELATED: Family Karma Wedding Coming Soon to Bravo? Amrit Kapai Is Ready
One of the hit movies on Netflix is Dont Look Up. Viewers found the film entertaining and relatable at certain points. The director wrote the movie before the pandemic occurred. He made the plot crazier in response to real-world events.

The movie continued to give people a few laughs outside the narrative. They presumed the number in one scene was fake and would not result in anything if they dialed it. Several individuals tested it out, and the hotline they connected to had shocked them.

A crisis hotline number appears in Dont Look Up

People who watched Dont Look Up may remember a phone number. In the context of the story, the digits are supposed to make up a crisis number. It shows up after Randall Mindy and Kate Dibiasky do a media tour to warn about the comet.

A portion of the population does not believe in the danger. Others feel worried and want to destroy the asteroid. Of course, the authorities do not want everyone to panic. So, the government and BASH have him appear in a PSA to help ease the publics concerns.

The new hotline is supposed to address peoples fears and questions. Randall encourages people to call to have one of their scientists behave as a much-needed friend. In the background, a mother talks to Sharon for comfort.

Individuals can have some peace of mind by dialing the 1-800 number. However, the free hotline is only available to BASH customers with possible data charges.

People reached a different hotline when the called

Leonardo DiCaprio attends the world premiere of Netflixs Dont Look Up | Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

The crisis phone number might seem like a series of random digits in the movie. According to Insider, some people dialed the number to see what would happen. They might have expected to get an automated message that it was not in service.

The 1-800 number leads to a womans voice, and the results surprised multiple individuals. They connected to a phone sex operator. Many people went to Twitter to post about their findings. They found the whole thing amusing and brilliant.

Welcome to Americas hottest hotline. Guys, hot ladies are waiting to talk to you. Press 1 now. Ladies, to talk to interesting and exciting guys free, press 2 to connect free now, a woman says when the call goes through.

Nevertheless, Insider confirmed it is a mock sex hotline. No one will find themselves accidentally talking to a real phone sex operator because of the movie.

Dont Look Up delivers satire and drama

Dont Look Up is a 2021 science-fiction film that contains satire about climate change. The cast consists of multiple well-known actors. The list includes Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, and Jonah Hill. The movie became available to stream on Netflix last December.

The story deals with two astronomers, Randall and Kate, who warn about a giant comet heading toward Earth. The impact could cause an extinction event across the globe, but the United States government shows no concern. The characters attempt to alert the rest of the world by using the media.

There are plans to destroy the meteor with nukes, but the CEO of a wealthy company, BASH, stops everything. He and the White House decide to exploit some valuable elements from the comet. The astronomers continue to try to save the planet from destruction.

One scene that connected with people was DiCaprios speech during an interview on TV. The moment almost was not in the film if the actor had not requested it. The movie blends comedy and drama in a way many viewers have enjoyed.

RELATED: Dont Look Up Star Leonardo DiCaprio Had A Problem With Meryl Streeps Nude Scene
The Madrigal family lives together in one magical home. Almost every member of this family boasts unique and miraculous powers. Well, all except Mirabel. Who is the most powerful character from the Disney 2021 release, Encanto? Heres what we know about the family Madrigal.

Disneys Encanto features the Madrigal family with magical powers

An Encanto step-and-repeat at the opening night fan event for Disneys Encanto | Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

With music created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Disneys Encanto told the story of one powerful family living in Colombia. As explained during The Family Madrigal, each member of this family was awarded a gift thanks to Abuelas magical candle. Although it started with Abuela, the first family members to receive gifts were the siblings named Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno.

Pepas mood controlled the weather, while Julietas food healed any ailments. The Madrigal family didnt talk about Tio Bruno, but people said he could see into the future.

Pepa and her husband had three children. The eldest child, Dolores, had super strong hearing, while her brother Camilo could shapeshift. The youngest sibling, named Antonio, could speak to animals.

Julieta and her husband also had three children, the eldest two daughters acting as the beauty and the brawn. Isabela embodied the beauty with her chlorokinesis, or the ability to conjure and grow plants. Luisa, who had super strength, embodied the brawn. And Mirabel? The third child of Julieta? Well, Mirabel didnt get any magical gift.

Who is the most powerful character in Disneys Encanto?

When it comes to the Madrigal family, everyone is powerful. However, which person is the most powerful is open to fans interpretation. Unlike characters from Marvel and The Incredibles, these Disney characters used their powers to do everyday tasks instead of fight villains.

Luisas strength helped her collect donkeys and even move churches. Julietas arepa helped her husbands bee stings. Even if it was for his benefit, Camilo used his gift to get seconds of food.

These gifts werent always a good thing, though. Pepa can create hurricanes similar to the one that ruined her wedding day. Brunos gift wasnt widely accepted. Still, his visions were an accurate way to predict whether someone would go bald or another peoples fish would die.

Mirabel eventually brings the magic back to the Madrigal home

Sure, Maribel wasnt given a magical gift, but her bravery is what saved her family. Without Maribel, the rest of her family would be without their magic and without their home.

Abuela was also power-less, but if it wasnt for her and Abuelos sacrifice, none of her children and grandchildren would have their gifts. Eventually, she learned that the greatest gift wasnt her familys powers but her family itself.

Even the Madrigal house has its own magic, coming to life to help characters like Mirabel and Abuela. First released in theaters, Encanto is now available on Disneys streaming platform, Disney+.

RELATED: A Song From Disneys Encanto References Let It Go From Frozen for an Obvious Reason
The new Republican majority in the House of Delegates is looking to roll back much of what Gov. Ralph Northams administration did to control the pandemic in Virginia.

Theyre also pushing to limit governors emergency powers.

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But while theyll have an ally with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, those bills would still have to get though a state Senate, where Democrats have a one-vote majority and have generally supported Northams measures.

House Republicans will also support a fact-based regulatory approach to COVID-19 mitigation, said Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott County.

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So far, Republican legislators proposals include HB 27, by newly elected Del. Timothy V. Anderson, R-Virginia Beach. It would prohibit the State Health Commissioner and state public and mental health boards, professional licensing boards, and the Department of Social Services from requiring any person to undergo vaccination for COVID-19.

Another Hampton Roads newcomer, Del. Karen S. Greenhalgh, R-Virginia Beach, has a bill to protect doctors ability to prescribe drugs for off-label use  that is, for treatments not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Her HB 102 says pharmacists cant decline to fill such prescriptions and hospitals cant deny of limit a doctors privileges for prescribing off-label use. Sentara Healthcare last year suspended Dr. Paul Marik, director of the Intensive Care Unit at Norfolk General Hospital, for two weeks after he sought a court order to end Sentara Norfolk General Hospitals ban on administering ivermectin and several other drugs to its COVID-19 patients.

Del. Nicholas J. Freitas, R-Culpeper, filed HB 306 which says people, including parents and guardians of children, who object to a vaccine on religious grounds should be exempt from mandatory immunization requirements during an epidemic.

Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, said hes already hearing from insurers concerned about his HB 22 that said every adult has a right to be free of any medical mandate from the state, local government, health care provider or facility or provider of public accommodations, such as a store or restaurant.

The bill says such mandates include requiring any health-related test or procedure, or taking of any medication. It would also bar making such medical mandates a condition for getting a job, fringe benefits or other services.

On the other side of the Capitol, state Sen Sen Amanda F. Chase, R-Chesterfield, filed SB189, which says employers cant require employees receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Her bill would set fines of up to $50,000 for large employers who violate that ban.

On the other hand, state Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax, wants to allow health insurers to assess surcharges or offer incentives to encourage people to get a COVID-19 vaccination

One major GOP push will be to roll back Northam administration pandemic regulations for business.

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Were going to address the Department of Labor and Industrys rigid COVID regulations, said Del. Israel OQuinn, R-Bristol.

The issue is the 32-page set of requirements and directives the state Department of Labor and Industry issued last summer, OQuinn said.

The regulations make employers responsible for removing employees from a workplace if they test positive for COVID-19 or are suspected of having the virus. Those employees arent to return to work until theyve completed a quarantine period or a doctor or public health official says they can return. Employers are required to provide a free PCR test to such employees.

The regulations also direct employers to limit unvaccinated employees access to common areas.

In addition, for high risk workplaces, including meat processing plants, seafood plants, supermarkets, high-volume retail stores and prisons, require ventilation measures to increase air flow and increase the effectiveness of air filters.

It directs high risk firms to space out people on production lines or install physical barriers between them, and calls for prescreening of employees for sign of the virus, as well as staggering break periods and start and end times for work shifts. Retailers are directed to offer curbside pickup, revise schedules for stocking and find ways to increase the distance between employees and customers.

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OQuinn said hes waiting for details from Youngkins office for specific items to be rolled back or repealed.

OQuinn said he felt proposals to limit governors emergency powers might find some Democratic support, meanwhile.

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Freshman Del. Marie E. March, R-Pulaski, is proposing to limit governors emergency authority to regulate the sale or distribution of goods and services. Her HB 151 would also prohibit a moratorium on evictions, and limits the term of emergency executive orders to 45 days.

Del. Kathy Byron, R-Lynchburg, would also set a 45-day limit on those orders, while Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, and sate Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, would set a 30-day limit.

One perennial health care controversy will arise yet again: the state requirement that it must approve new hospitals, hospital expansions and new imaging centers.

State Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax, wants to speed the review process, with his SB 205. State Sen. George Barker, D-Alexandria, wants the state Board of Health to set regulations for free-standing emergency departments, which some hospitals have seen as a way of encroaching on their market.

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Also coming back this year will be a push to allow short-term medical plans, as Del. Bobby Orrock, R-Caroline, chair of the House Health Welfare and Institutions committee seeks to repeal prohibitions on these plans.

So, too, is the idea of allowing multiple-employer plans, allowing smaller employers to arrange something like the coverage self-insured large employers with SB 195, sponsored by state Sen. Monty Mason, D-Williamsburg.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com
Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3 has ramped up the drama between Kimberly Scott, who plays Chukwuemekas mom, Ogechi, and Gina Yashere, who plays Kemi. The two focus a lot on Ogechis son, nicknamed Chuey (Tony Tambi). In Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3, Episode 6, Kemi went to extreme lengths. However, Chueys father has never appeared on the sitcom. Fans wonder if Bob Hearts Abisholas Kimberly Scott is married in real life.

Tori Danner as Morenike, Tony Tambi as Chukwuemeka, Kimberly Scott as Ogechi, Gina Yashere as Kemi, Billy Gardell as Bob, and Folake Olowofoyeku as Abishola | Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images

Is Bob Hearts Abisholas Kimberly Scott married in real life?

Finding details about Bob Hearts Abisholas Kimberly Scott can prove difficult, as many searches get crossed with Eminems ex-wife Kim Scott. However, the two are very different.

According to Super Stars Bio, Kimberly Scotts marital status is single.

NOW ON #CBS6: Abishola takes her relationship with Bob to the next level when she invites him to join her at church and Kemi fights with Ogechi to be Chukwuemeka's favorite on #bobheartsabishola pic.twitter.com/kYGY6coaG6  WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) March 10, 2020

Like her co-stars Billy Gardell and Matt Jones, who has starred on six different sitcoms on CBS alone, she has appeared in several other titles like Will & Grace and The Commish. She even starred in Batman & Robin in 1997.

And while fans have become familiar with her character on Bob Hearts Abishola dealing with the hot mess Kemi, very few details, in general, remain available about the actor.

Bob Hearts Abisholas Kimberly Scott has little information about her online

Bob Hearts Abishola gave more looks into Ogechis character and how she and Kemi tried to set up Chuey with Morenike (Toni Danner, who once worked with a Loki). However, online, she keeps her life more private.

Most sites that provide statistics on actors give fans a tiny peek into their family history. However, for the recurring star on Bob Hearts Abishola, Kimberly Scott has almost nothing filled out.

While it confirms she was born in Kingsville, Texas, on Dec. 11, 1967, the sections for her parents and siblings remain empty. They list her favorite color as white and her favorite location as Dubai.

She graduated in 1987 from the Yale School of Drama. Starring in films like The Abyss and Flatliners, one of the few pieces of info fans can find is her awards.

What awards has the actor won?

Long before Bob Hearts Abisholas Kimberly Scott found herself juggling her sons love life sometime after Bob and Abisholas wedding, she was getting award nominations.

In 1988, Scott was nominated against Christine Estabrook, Frances McDormand, and Kimberleigh Aarn for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. However, Estabrook took the award, Drama Desk confirmed.

For now, that remains her only award stats. However, Gardell and Abishola actor Folake Olowofoyeku think the show deserves an Emmy award for the latest season.

Join us for an ALL NEW episode of Bob  Abishola tonight on CBS!!



Heres some more #BoobyShola wedding footage for yall that have been asking!



Much more #BobWedsAbishola BTS to come! #BobHeartsAbishola #CBS pic.twitter.com/Wszw4ZcjAB  Folake Olowofoyeku (@thefolake) October 4, 2021

They spoke up about the Bob Hearts Abishola cast and crews work on the wedding episode. In addition to filming in Lagos, Nigeria, they put a lot of effort into creating a wedding as authentic as possible.

If the Chuck Lorre sitcom starts earning awards, other parts of the show could receive some much-deserved notice. And Bob Hearts Abishola actor Kimberly Scott could stand on that list for a nomination or a win.

RELATED: Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3: Who is Actor Saidah Arrika Ekulona That Plays Abisholas Mother?
Ree Drummond is the star of The Pioneer Woman who is loved by the viewers of Food Network. The celebrity cook has been hosting her show from Oklahoma and fans have really enjoyed seeing the progress over the years. Drummond features her family heavily and during the pandemic, it was her kids that took over the filming crew duties to continue delivering new episodes. However, this is about to change and some fans are afraid its going to kill the family vibe the show has now.

Ree Drummond | Tyler Essary/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

In a new Instagram post, Drummond talked about the future of her show and teased what was coming up when production resumed again. The television personality said that they were going to start shooting more of the ranch activities again. Furthermore, its what she said after that shook fans up.

And later this summer, my original crew from the U.K. will be coming back for the first time in over two years, Drummond revealed.

What are fans saying about The Pioneer Woman having the original film crew back?

What that means is that The Pioneer Woman would start filming again with her professional crew and some fans would like to continue having the kids film the show for her mother. The viewers took to the comments to express their feelings about the upcoming change.

Ive been loving the shows with the kids filming. I hope it stays that same relaxed style when the UK crew comes back, a fan said.

I have really enjoyed your shows that the kids have been filming. So fun!!! a follower added.

Awww, Ill miss the kids filming!! I really loved that. Felt genuine and relaxed. I loved the family vibe so much. Please at least make the family filming part of the rotation. Dont do away with it all together! I see Im not alone in these feelings! an Instagram user suggested.

I like the show the BEST when you and your kids are filming!!! another fan mentioned.

The kids are doing a great job filming. Id stick with them. I love your interaction with them throughout the show, another follower commented.

I think I love your show more white the kids doing the recording! It is just better! But love your show either way! another Instagram user said.

RELATED: The Pioneer Woman Star Ree Drummond Gets Spinoff on discovery+ and Some Fans Lash Out

Ree Drummonds kids love filming The Pioneer Woman

Over the course of two years, Drummonds kids have taken over filming The Pioneer Woman. Fans have loved that the show feels nostalgic and endearing and dont want to mess up that vibe. Drummonds family talked about helping film the show and why they actually loved doing it.

My mom texted us and was like, Can you guys help me film the show?' daughter Alex said on Instagram. And we were like, What do you mean? We were very confused.

Daughter Page said that they started filming the show on their iPhones and originally thought it was going to be a short-term thing. At the time of the interview back in August 2021, the family had shot close to 60 episodes of the Food Network show.

I think its fun! I think my mom is just a lot more natural and its very goofy, Alex added.

The Pioneer Woman airs Saturdays on the Food Network and is always available on the discovery+ streaming service.

RELATED: The Pioneer Woman Star Ree Drummond Gets Called out by Some Fans for Unsanitary Habits
Two HGTV stars are teaming up for a new show. Bryan Baeumler of Renovation Island and Scott McGillivray from Vacation House Rules have joined forces for Renovation Resort, a seven-part competition series that will air on HGTV Canada.

Bryan Baeumler and Scott McGillivray team up for new HGTV Canada show

[L-R] Scott McGillivray; Bryan Baeumler and Sarah Baeumler | HGTV

RELATED: Renovation Island: How to Book a Stay at Caerula Mar Club Resort

In Renovation Resort. McGillivray enlists his frenemy and fellow HGTV host and Baeumler to help him turn his recently purchased lakeside resort from a total wreck into a one-of-a-kind vacation rental. But the reno pros wont be doing the dirty work themselves. Instead, theyll call in four contractor/design duos, who will each design and renovate one of the resorts four waterfront cabins.

McGillivray and Baeumler will oversee the renovation process, set up challenges, and judge the results. In the end, one cabin will be named the best and that team will go home with a life-changing prize.

Casting for Renovation Resort is happening now

Renovation Resort is set to premiere on HGTV Canada in spring 2023. So far, theres no word yet on when or if the show will air on HGTV in U.S. Casting is already underway for the show.

Im stuck with Bryan, and I need you to make my life easier, McGillivray wrote in an Instagram post promoting the show. Please help! Renovation Resort is casting now and were looking for power duos to transform a blank slate into an amazing vacation home. If youre a real estate expert, designer, do-it-yourselfers, home influencer, or contractor, we want to hear from you! This is your chance to show off your skills and win a cash prize!

The shows casting page notes that producers are looking for people who are fun, outgoing and enthusiastic about design and renovation. Filming will take place from mid-June to the end of July in Ontario, Canada. Both U.S. and Canadian residents are welcome to apply.

Will there be a Renovation Island Season 3?

While Baeumlers fans will have to wait a while to see Renovation Resort, what about his other show, Renovation Island? The series, which airs as Island of Bryan in Canada, follows Baeumler and his family as they renovate a run-down resort in the Bahamas.

Renovation Island premiered in 2020. A second season aired in the summer of 2021. So far, HGTV hasnt made an official announcement about whether there will be a Renovation Island Season 3. But in a September 2021 Instagram post, Baeumler revealed that filming on new episodes was underway.

Guess What!!!! Were already filming the next season of Island of Bryan and Renovation Island!!!, he wrote.

Baeumlers wife Sarah Baeumler confirmed the news in an Instagram post of her own.

If you havent already heard, the news is out and we are in the works of filming another season of Island of Bryan/Renovation Island, she wrote.

Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook!

RELATED: Renovation Island: Sarah and Bryan Baeumler Spent More Than $10 Million Renovating Their Resort
Gretchen Rossi says one thing she learned about being on The Real Housewives of Orange County is that the show will expose your truth  whether you like it or not.

She reflected on Jen Shahs ongoing legal battle currently playing out on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and wondered why Shah continued to film. Shah was arrested last March and pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering through telemarketing.

Rossi said the truth will come out, regardless of if Shah is guilty. Because the show ends up unearthing skeletons in the closet, like it or not.

Reality television will usually expose sketchy activity

Rossi said she doesnt really follow the Shah case, but she knows that Shah is facing serious legal trouble. Yeah. I mean, obviously again, I dont live under a rock. I dont really follow it closely, but obviously, I saw a lot of stuff on social, she said on the Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast.

Brianna Gunvalson, Vicki Gunvalson, Lynne Curtin, Gretchen Rossi, Alexis Bellino, Tamra Judge from RHOC go shopping | Tony Avelar/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

And some of the stuff thats come out over the years with some of the women, youre just like, why are you on camera? Like showing off everything that you own and have. And its just like, oh my gosh, it is surprising to me, she added.

But you know what, I mean good for them that  I guess, think theyre going to get away with it, she said. You think about it, if theyd been getting away with whatever theyve been doing for so many years, they obviously think that its going to continue on. That theyre going to continue to be able to get away with it. But not a good decision coming on reality TV. Thats not gonna bode well for you.

What advice does Gretchen Rossi from RHOC have for future cast members?

She also said anyone considering reality television should make sure they are OK with their past or secrets being exposed. Run! she laughed. I would just say, look, first of all, you need to just be completely OK with anything and everything coming out.

You know, like if you have any skeletons in your closet that you dont want to come out, dont go on the show, she said. If you have any negative things or any bad thing going on between your relationship. Probably not a good platform to go on.

And I would also just say, just be 100% authentic in yourself and dont ever like, try to be something that you think the audience wants or the producers want, because it will completely resonate on camera, she said.

Adding, Like you just always have to be 100% true to who you are and thats it. And even if, even if its bad, like even if theres some bad sides to you, like just show it all.

Joe Giudice from RHONJ blames the show for his troubles

In a recent interview, Joe Giudice from The Real Housewives of New Jersey said being on the show was a big reason he got into trouble. Giudice and his wife were found guilty of mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud. Both served prison sentences. Joe Giudice never sought U.S. citizenship and was deported back to Italy. The couple later divorced.

He basically backs what Rossi from RHOC said about exposure. I mean it kinda exposed me to everything, he told Access Hollywood. Ive been in business for so long in the states and I never had issues with anybody. No IRS. No courts. I was never in court. As soon as I got on that show it was like pretty much everybody came after me.

RELATED: RHOC: Heather Dubrow Says Jeff Lewis Has a Lot of Hate in His Heart
On the recent Sister Wives episode, Janelle Browns mother, Sheryl Brown, dies just over a week before Christmas 2020. As Kody heads to the funeral in Wyoming, he reveals that grandma Sheryl is also his dads wife. Sister Wives fans are shocked to learn that Janelle and Kody are step-siblings.

Kody Brown and Janelle Brown, Sister Wives | TLC

Janelles mother dies weeks before Christmas

On the Jan 16 episode of Sister Wives, Janelle reveals that sad news about her mother, Sheryl. She says, So, my mom passed away last night. Were back at her house in Wyoming. And its just weird that shes not coming back through the door ever. Janelle explains, I am sort of stunned, and Im sort of at a loss.

Janelle explains that her mother was diagnosed with cancer and that there was no good way to operate. She explained that she tried to get her mother from Wyoming to Flagstaff, Arizona, closer to her family. However, her mother was too sick to travel.

Just over a week before Christmas, Janelle finds out that her mothers health is declining. So she rushes to be by her side. She says, I rushed there and was able to spend the last few hours with her that she was alive.

Kodys father remarried Janelles mother

In the episode, Kody decides to drive to Wyoming to be with Janelle for the funeral of Sheryl. He reveals some interesting connections in the family. He says, She is Janelles mom. Theres a strange relationship that we have in this.

He explained, Meri and Janelle were friends, and then, I became friends with Janelle. He reveals, Janelle introduced Sheryl, her mother, to my dad, and they get married. Kodys father, William Winn Brown, also was a polygamist. He says, My dad ended up marrying Sheryl before I married Janelle.

Kody says, And so its weird that Sheryl is both my dads wife, my moms sister wife, and my mother-in-law. Kody reveals that it was over nine months since he last saw Sheryl. Despite the fear of being exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19), Kody decides to still go to the funeral.

Sister Wives fans shocked to find out Janelle and Kody are stepsiblings

Many Sister Wives fans were shocked to learn that Janelle and Kody were technically step-siblings before they got married. One fan wrote on Reddit, So are Janelle and Kody technically step-siblings since her mom married her dad as his second wife but was not legally married to him? Yet, she is also Kodys mother-in-law and second mom?

One fan said its not so bad because they didnt grow up as siblings, as they were the ones to introduce them. However, its still strange. Another fan commented, Step-siblings only really apply if the parents married when they were minors, otherwise just their parents are married, they are not related.

Since Janelle and Kody were the ones to introduce their parents, its not really like theyre step-siblings, but it is an interesting connection. Sister Wives airs Sundays on TLC and discovery+.

RELATED: Sister Wives: Were Robyn and Kody Brown Intimate Before Marriage?
Theres nothing Isabela Madrigal cant do. This pretty, perfect character is a member of the magical Madrigal family, even performing her solo song What Else Can I Do. Heres what Encanto cast member Stephanie Beatriz said about the track included in the Disney animated film.

Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote Encanto songs like We Dont Talk About Bruno and Surface Pressure

Stephanie Beatriz attends Disney Studios premiere of Encanto | Frazer Harrison/WireImage

Aside from his starring role in Mary Poppins Returns and his songwriting for Moana, Lin-Manuel Miranda composed the music for Disneys 2021 release, Encanto. This animated film highlighted the sounds of Colombia while introducing viewers to the powerful and magical Madrigal family.

Miranda gave each character their own pulse, specifically highlighted during songs like We Dont Talk About Bruno. The musician is also the mastermind behind several solo songs that appear throughout the film.

That includes Mirabels Waiting on a Miracle and Luisas Surface Pressure. Mirabels sister, Senorita Perfecta, Isabela, performed the song What Else Can I Do, complete with bright colors and weirdly-shaped plants.

The song I wrote for Isabela is called What Else Can I Do and for that, I was really inspired by the 90s rock en enspanol movement, Miranda said during a Behind the Music Featurette for Encanto. And it was about finding those Colombian rhythms that are so unique.

Stephanie Beatriz considers What Else Can I Do to be one of the most special things from Disneys Encanto

Isabela and Mirabel didnt always see eye to eye. That is, until they performed What Else Can I Do. Mirabels voice actor, Beatriz, is featured on this Encanto track. The actor shared her love for the message of this song and the fun sounds created by Miranda.

To me, one of the most special things in this film is the song between Isabela and Mirabel because I feel like I know that feeling of I didnt know that maybe you were struggling with something. Youve been so perfect this whole time I just didnt know what you were going through, Beatriz said during Disneys Encanto: A Journey Through Music Featurette.

its also just a banger, she added. Its a really good song.

Who voices Isabela in Disneys Encanto?

As one of Mirabels sisters, Isabela earned her perfect golden child nickname because of her chlorokinesis  her ability to make plants and flowers. The character mostly used this power to create beautiful bouquets, practicing perfect poses along the way.

With such a perfect reputation, Isabela wanted to marry solely to make her family happy. It isnt until she spends time with Mirabel that this character realizes she can let loose every once and a while.

Isabela Madrigal is voiced by Jane the Virgin and Orange is the New Black actor Diane Guerrero. The actor also performs What Else Can I Do alongside Beatriz, with the track appearing on the official Encanto soundtrack. Encanto is now available on Disney+.

RELATED: Disneys Encanto: Why It Was Important for Luisas Surface Pressure To Have a Cool Sound
Stevie Nicks iconic look is widely admired and recreated by fans. Though she didnt begin dressing in her shawls and top hats until she joined Fleetwood Mac, she said that an early experience with hair dye helped shape the look. She got in trouble, but she said that switching up her hair color had a profound effect on her.

Stevie Nicks | Michael Putland/Getty Images

Stevie Nicks met her best friend in high school

Due to her fathers work, Nicks family moved frequently moved throughout her childhood. She was born in Arizona but lived in New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and California. This was difficult for Nicks.

Well, we moved  a lot, she said in the book Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks by Stephen Davis. So I was always the new girl. I knew I wasnt going to have much time to make friends, so I made friends quickly and I adjusted really well, and when Id say, Im gonna miss my room, my mom would always say, Theres always a better house.

When the Nicks family moved from Utah to California, Nicks wasnt a fan of her new high school.

[It] was a very hoity-toity school, she said, very cliquey, and a lot of rich people went there.

Still, she made a lasting connection after joining the school choir. Here, she met Robin Snyder, who would remain Nicks best friend for years to come.

Dying her hair helped establish her signature look

When Nicks first moved from Utah to California, she dressed relatively conservatively compared to her new classmates. She wore her hair short and in its natural dirty blonde color. At the end of the school year, however, she and Snyder decided to change up their looks.

I had my hair streaked at the end of my tenth-grade year and got in a lot of trouble for it, she said. They didnt just streak it blond, they streaked it silver. My hair was totally ivory. I was grounded for six weeks. But when my hair changed, everything changed. I got to wear grayish plum eye shadow. There was no way I was going back.

Nicks maintained her new, more adventurous look by cutting her own hair.

Id gather up the top, measure it with my fingers, and just chop it off, she explained. I did it pretty well.

When she joined Fleetwood Mac and began working with a designer, a professional stylist gave her the shag haircut that became her trademark in the 1970s.

Stevie Nicks worked with a designer when she joined Fleetwood Mac

Though Nicks always had an idea of how she wanted to look, she was able to bring it to life after joining Fleetwood Mac. She teamed up with designer Margi Kent to create a stage uniform. She explained that she wanted something urchin-like, an English street urchin out of Great Expectations or A Tale of Two Cities.

Polaroid pictures of #StevieNicks in the 70s pic.twitter.com/mYrYWkWkoq  Rhino Records (@Rhino_Records) August 5, 2021

After some experimentation, Nicks and Kent finalized the look shes worn for decades.

We came up with The Outfit, Nicks said. A Jantzen leotard, a little chiffon wrap blouse, a couple of little short black tailored jackets, two skirts, and the velvet boots. That gave us an edge. I could be very sexy under layers of chiffon, lace, and velvet. And nobody will know who I really am.

RELATED: Stevie Nicks Supported Christine McVies Exit From Fleetwood Mac: Pack Your Bags and Go Home
Since 1987, The Bold and the Beautiful has been telling the drama of the fashion industry. The show focuses on The Forresters as they run their clothing empire. Viewers loved the glamourous creations showcased on the runway. These days, iconic fashion shows have taken a backseat to other stories; however, fans believe its time to bring back the catwalk drama.

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood I GettyImages

The Bold and the Beautiful fashion shows should return, according to fans

Set in the glitz of Los Angeles, The Bold and the Beautiful captivated fans with its fashion drama. Forrester Creations was the go-to spot for every designer and model to work. The Forresters faced many battles while running their business empire; however, they delivered extravagant runway shows.

RELATED: The Bold and the Beautiful: Fans Disappointed Brookes Co-CEO Storyline Was Dropped

Its been a long time since the soap opera had a fashion show, and fans on Twitter are ready to see them make a comeback. More fashion, fewer repeat conversations, wrote one user. Its nice to see the models coming back. It would be time to show more fashion shows & competitions, another fan commented.

Iconic fashion show moments

The Bold and the Beautiful created many iconic fashion show moments throughout the years. Who could forget Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) introducing her lingerie line Brookes Bedroom during a press conference? Or Taylor Hayes (Hunter Tylo) modeling a wedding dress and Ridge Forrester (Ronn Moss) proposing to her?

The Forresters had many fashion rivals, notably Sally Spectra (Darlene Conley). The redhead created chaos by stealing their designs and creating knockoffs. The two companies took their rivalry to the catwalk and had fashion showdowns worldwide, including Venice, Italy.

Whether competing with a rival fashion house or each other, the Forresters wowed audiences with their creations.

Personal drama has replaced work duties

The decrease in fashion shows is one of the many criticisms from The Bold and the Beautiful fans. The fashion drama is one of the reasons viewers tuned into the soap opera. Aside from competing with other companies, there was also an internal battle in Forrester Creations.

Walking out of the office on Friday like #BoldandBeautiful pic.twitter.com/cGuQu56IWS  Bold & The Beautiful (@BandB_CBS) January 14, 2022

RELATED: The Bold and the Beautiful: More Work and Less Gossiping for the Logans

Throughout the decades, family members battled for the coveted CEO position. But these days, the characters personal lives are center stage. The offices of Forrester Creations have become a place for employees to talk about their romantic entanglements.

Although now and then, a character will be seen working on an outfit, fans want more. They want to see more gorgeous fashion creations on the runway and not in the office.
Efficient electrocatalysts, which are needed for the production of green hydrogen, for example, are hidden in materials composed of five or more elements. A team from Ruhr-Universitat Bochum (RUB) and the University of Copenhagen has developed an efficient method for identifying promising candidates in the myriad of possible materials. To this end, the researchers combined experiments and simulation.

Millions of systems are conceivable

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are chemically complex materials made up of mixtures of five or more elements. Whats 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.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, center, signs executive orders in the Governors conference room as Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, left, Suzanne Youngkin, Second from left, Attorney General Jason Miyares, second from right, and Secretary of the Commonwealth, Kay Cole James, right, look on at the Capitol Saturday Jan. 15, 2022, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) (Steve Helber/AP)

Norfolk students and staff members will still be required to wear masks despite an order from the new governor, while Chesapeake is still deciding whether to lift a mask mandate, school leaders said in messages to parents Monday.

Norfolk and Chesapeake are the latest school districts to respond to new Gov. Glenn Youngkins executive order ending a statewide mask mandate in K-12 schools. Richmond, Alexandria, Fairfax County and Arlington County school district officials have also said they will continue to enforce masking, according to reporting from the Associated Press.

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In a message, Norfolk Superintendent Sharon Byrdsong said students and staff would be required to wear masks on school buses and within schools and division-wide facilities.

Please know that we will continue to keep you updated on these executive orders and specifically how they may affect the existing daily operations of our schools, Byrdsong added.

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Chesapeake students and staff will still have to wear masks, at least for the coming week, said Chris Vail, the districts director of communications.

We anticipate additional guidance from the Virginia Department of the Education and other agencies this week about this order, Vail said.

Byrdsong said the district will continue to follow its Health Mitigation Plan  a 34-page guide to masking, social distancing and other school guidelines developed with the Norfolk Department of Public Health.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home. Elnora J Rock of Chickasha, OK, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the age of 85. She was born Dece
At a time when pastors feel particularly under pressure, heres some good news from the pews: Evangelical churchgoers are pretty happy with how things are going at their churches.

Most dont think the sermons are too long; if anything, theyd like to see more in-depth teaching from leaders. They arent bothered by too many messages about giving. They dont think social issues and politics play an outsized role in the teaching.

Thats according to a new survey of evangelical churchgoers in the US, the Congregational Scorecard conducted by Grey Matter Research and Consulting and Infinity Concepts.

Around three-quarters are satisfied with their congregation approach to various areas of church life and wouldnt want it to change, the survey found.

Among the findings:

85 percent are satisfied with the length of their sermons and how long the service runs.

88 percent are happy with how often the church asks for tithes and donations.

74 percent like the style of the service, while the remainder are split between some preferring more traditional and some preferring more contemporary.

By and large, churches are doing a pretty good job of giving evangelicals what they want to experience, the researchers concluded. The survey focused on evangelicals by belief who attend worship services at least occasionally.

Those who dont think sermons are the right length are just as likely to say they want them longer as they are to want them shorter.

A 2019 Pew Research Center analysis found that average evangelical sermon is 39 minutes long, while sermons in historically Black churches tend to be longer, around 54 minutes. Theres no single answer for the ideal sermon length, but Mark Dever told 9Marks last year, A sermon should be as long as a preacher can well preach and a congregation can well listen.

Grey Matter reported that few young churchgoers are bored with preaching; just 10 percent of those under 40 want shorter sermons. Of those 70 and older, 11 percent would like the pastor to preach shorter.

And younger evangelicals are the ones most likely to want more in-depth teaching from their churches. Evangelicals under 40 are twice as likely as their seniors (39% to 20%) to want more substance from the pulpit.

Virtually no evangelical churchgoers wish their church would lighten up a little on [in-depth teaching], but three out of ten would like more of it, according to the Grey Matter report. So maybe it is time some church leaders push just a little bit more in terms of the depth of teaching they are providing.

Even after a year when some congregants criticized COVID-19 responses and churches saw deepening fissures over how leaders engaged political and social issues, most churchgoers still gave their churches high marks in these areas.

Two-thirds said their church had the right amount of political engagement. Those who werent satisfied were twice as likely to say they wanted less politics in church (22%) than to wish for more (11%).

For people who dont attend as regularly (once a month or less), political messaging was the top thing theyd want to change about church; 35 percent said they wanted less politics.

Evangelicals were twice as likely to say they want more engagement with social issues from their church than less (19% versus 9%); 72 percent were happy with how their church addressed such issues. Younger evangelicals (25%) and African American evangelicals (34%) were particularly likely to want social issues to come up more.
200 Hindu radicals attack Christians at house church in India

A mob of some 200 Hindu nationalists attacked a house church during its worship service in Indias eastern state of Chhattisgarh, injuring the pastor and at least two other Christians and forcibly converting a Christian woman to Hinduism, according to a report.

The mob, apparently led by a man identified as Sanjith Ng, assaulted the Christians in a church in Odagoan village in Chhattisgarhs Kondagaon District on Sunday, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern reported.

Sanjith Ng barged into the house where the worship service was underway and beat Pastor Hemanth Kandapan and a member of the congregation, identified as Sankar Salam, ICC said, adding that the man then dragged the pastor out of the house where more than 200 people had gathered.

The mob brutally beat the pastor and Salam, claiming they were illegally converting Hindus to Christianity. The pastor and the congregant sustained severe internal injuries and had to be hospitalized.

The mob threatened the Christians, saying they would be killed if they continued to hold prayers in the village.

I was under house arrested for nearly nine hours, Pastor Kandapan was quoted as saying. All through that time I was hackled and abused by the mob even in the presence of the police.

On Monday, leaders of the Hindu nationalist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) forced the Christians to participate in a religious ceremony where a Christian woman, named Sunderi Bathi, was forcibly converted to Hinduism.

The situation in the village is still tense, Pastor Kandapan said.

We do not know how long these families will have to stay out of their homes, he added, referring to five families that had fled the village.

Kondagaon is a tribal-majority district.

Attacks against tribal Christians have increased since radical Hindu groups launched a campaign in 2020 to stop the countrys tribal, or indigenous, people from converting to Christianity. These groups have been demanding that the government ban those who convert from receiving education and employment opportunities.

Most tribals do not identify as Hindus; they have diverse religious practices and many worship nature. However, the governments Census deems them to be Hindu.

In September 2020, tribal villagers vandalized 16 houses belonging to Christians from the same tribe in three separate attacks, forcing most of the Christian women in those villages to flee into jungles for safety at the time.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014, attacks on Christians have increased and intensified.

While Christians make up only 2.3% of Indias population and Hindus comprise about 80%, there has been an uptick in radical Hindu nationalist attacks on religious minorities.

The watchdog group Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, reports that Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences.

Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam, an Open Doors fact sheet on India explains. They use extensive violence to achieve this goal, particularly targeting Christians from a Hindu background. Christians are accused of following a foreign faith and blamed for bad luck in their communities.

For Indias Christians, 2021 was the most violent year in the countrys history, according to a report. At least 486 violent incidents of Christian persecution were reported in the year.
14-year-old Pentecostal girl kidnapped, forced to marry captor in Pakistan

Yet another underage girl in Pakistan has been abducted and forced to convert to Islam and marry her Muslim captor and police have allegedly been slow to act on the case, according to a report.

Mahnoor Ashraf, a 14-year-old Pentecostal Christian, has been missing since she left her home, along with her 8-year-old nephew in Lahores Cantonment area in Punjab province for a nearby shop on Jan. 4, Morning Star News reported.

The nephew later told Mahnoors parents that their Muslim neighbor, 45-year-old Muhammad Ali Khan Ghauri, had abducted her with the help of his friends.

When Mahnoors father, Ashraf Masih Chaudhry, went to the alleged abductors house, he was informed that he had been missing ever since.

Ghauris house is on the same street, and our families had good terms with each other, Mahnoors older brother, Akram Masih Chaudhry, was quoted as saying. We dont know when he managed to lure Mahnoor into a relationship.

The abductor is married with two children.

Chaudhry then filed a police complaint but the investigating officer was slow to act on their case, Akram said, adding that on Jan. 7, Ghauris family informed them that Mahnoor had allegedly converted to Islam and married Ghauri on Jan. 4, the day she was abducted.

Ghauris friends who allegedly helped in the abduction have been identified as Muhammad Waqas, Raza Ali and Muhammad Imran. A local cleric who performed the Islamic marriage despite knowing that she was a minor has been identified as Muhammad Ibrar.

The marriage certificate states Mahnoors age as 19, though her birth certificate shows her year of birth as 2007.

The police are not doing anything to find Mahnoor, Akram was quoted as saying.

A 2014 report by The Movement for Solidarity and Peace Pakistan estimated that hundreds of women and girls from Pakistan's Hindu and Christian communities are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam every year.

Many victims are minors taken from their families, sexually assaulted, married to an assailant, and held in captivity justified by falsified marriage and conversion documents, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said previously. Violence, threats and grooming tactics are used to compel victims to make statements in court supporting their captors.

Religion is often injected into cases of sexual assault to place religious minority victims at a disadvantage, ICC previously reported, adding that perpetrators play upon religious biases to cover up and justify their crimes by introducing an element of religion.

International watchdog group Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, ranks Pakistan at No. 5 on its 2021 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.

Pakistan is also listed by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for tolerating in or engaging in egregious violations of religious freedom.
Christian MP says prosecution for tweeting Bible verse on homosexuality is a privilege

A Christian politician in Finland who faces the possibility of six years in prison for sharing her deeply held biblical beliefs on sexuality and marriage says its quite a privilege to be interrogated for her religious beliefs.

Parliament Member Paivi Rasanen, who was interrogated by police for over 13 hours and questioned on how she interprets the Apostle Pauls letters in the Bible, will appear in court next Monday over criminal charges for voicing her belief on marriage and sexuality.

She authored a 2004 booklet on sexual ethics describing marriage as between one man and one woman. She also expressed her views on a 2019 radio show and tweeted church leadership on the matter.

I thought it was quite a privilege to have these kinds of discussions with the police, Rasanen said in an interview with Alliance Defending Freedom International, a legal nonprofit that specializes in religious freedom cases and is supporting the 62-year-old former interior minister.

I had many times during these hours the possibility to tell to the police the message of the Gospel, what the Bible teaches about the value of human beings, that all people are created in the image of God and that is why they all are valuable.

It was like giving Bible studies to the police, she remarked.

Rasanen, who worked as a doctor before going into politics and is married to a pastor, said it was absurd and shocking to be interrogated and claims it feels like Soviet times.

I could never have imagined when I worked as the minister of the interior and was in charge of the police that I would be interrogated and asked that kind of questions in a police station, the lawmaker who led the Christian Democrats party from 2004 to 2015 said.

She said police also asked her if she was ready to renounce her writings.

But I answered that I will stand on what I believe and I will speak about these things and write about these things also in the future because they are a matter of conviction, not only an opinion, she said.

Rasanen has been charged with three counts of ethnic agitation over statements expressing her beliefs about human sexuality and marriage. Evangelical Lutheran Mission Bishop Juhana Pohjola has been charged with one count of ethnic agitation for publishing Rasanens booklet.

Prosecutors in Finland determined that Rasanens previous statements disparage and discriminate against LGBT individuals and foment intolerance and defamation.

The mother of five maintains that her expressions are legal and should not be censored.

I cannot accept that voicing my religious beliefs could mean imprisonment, said Rasanen in a statement previously issued by ADF International. I do not consider myself guilty of threatening, slandering or insulting anyone. My statements were all based on the Bibles teachings on marriage and sexuality.

In November, Pohjola warned that his prosecution illustrated that the Gospel of Christ is at stake because of postmodernism and cancel culture.

He said hate speech laws had been unfairly used against him.

When postmodernism first swept over Western countries, its basic core was denial of absolute truth. The only truth was that you must allow everyone to have his or her own subjective truth, Pohjola said. This hyper-individualism continues, but it has now a different tone. If you are against LGBTQ+ ideology, so-called diversity, equality and inclusiveness, you are not only considered to be old-fashioned  but rejected as morally evil. This is what the prosecutor general understands her duty to be, to protect fragile citizens and victims from the intolerant and hateful Christians.

Six members of U.S. Congress have condemned the prosecution as infringements on religious freedom.

Led by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, the lawmakers urged the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to consider these prosecutions when recommending which countries the U.S. State Department should place on a special watch list of countries that engage in religious freedom violations.

Last May, professors from Ivy League institutions like Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University were among legal scholars to urge USCIRF to pressure the State Department to sanction Finlands prosecutor general for prosecuting Pohjola and Rasanen.

No reasonable balance of the goods of public order, civil equality, and religious liberty can ever support this suppression of the right to believe and express ones beliefs. The prosecutions are straightforward acts of oppression, they wrote.
Raphael Warnock to Senate colleagues: You can't remember MLK and dismember his legacy

Rev. Raphael Warnock, who was elected as Georgias first black U.S. senator a year ago, urged his colleagues in Congress Monday not to "dismember" the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by opposing Democrat-backed voting rights legislation.

The 52-year-old Warnock, who continues to lead the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and King Jr. both served as pastors, made the call during the Beloved Community Commemorative Service remembering famed civil rights leader's life at the church on Monday.

Our nation needs our prayers. We are at a critical moment. As pastor of this church now for over 16 years, I know that at this time of the year, everybody lines up to offer praise in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. Everybody loves Dr. King. They just dont always love what he represents, Warnock began.

Everybody quotes Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend. Perhaps the most quoted speech will be that one that he delivered in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial. I Have a Dream 1963, an important speech.

However, Warnock reminded the audience that the I Have a Dream speech was not the first speech King gave before the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

First time he gave a speech at the Lincoln Memorial the year was 1957, when Dr. King, in his own relevant and powerful and prescient way, talked about all kinds of conniving methods being used to stop people from voting, Warnock said. Was he talking about then or was he talking about now? Warnock continued before taking aim at his colleagues.

I asked the question because Ive been to this mountain at this moment time and time again, and I know that politicians especially, God bless their hearts, would want to be seen standing where Dr. King stood, he said. Let the word go forth. You cannot remember Dr. King and dismember his legacy at the same time. If you would speak his name, you have to stand up for voting rights. You have to stand up on behalf of the poor and the oppressed and the disenfranchised.

The Democrat continued that those championing the words of King have to stand up for healthcare because he said out of all the injustices, inequality in healthcare is the most shocking and the most inhumane.

He invoked the words of Joshua 24:15.

I was a preacher long before I was in the Senate, he said. So I offer you the words of Joshua. Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.

Democrats have been loudly beating the voting-rights drum in recent weeks, including some in the faith community. About 25 progressive faith leaders recently embarked on a hunger strike in a bid to push Congress to pass voting rights legislation by Martin L. King Jr. Day Monday.

Conservatives contend that bills, such as the one passed last year in Georgia, aim to improve the integrity of the voting process amid allegations of voter fraud. Progressives believe that such bills curtail ballot access for urban and suburban communities.

Legislation proposed since Democrats won the House in 2018 includes the For the People Act, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Last week, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed a bill that combines the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. That bill is now before the more evenly divided Senate, where Vice President Kamala Harris breaks a 50-50 tie in favor of the Democrats.

The Democrats voting bills have been met with varying degrees of resistance from Republicans while an ongoing debate over whether the Senate filibuster should be repealed continues to rage.

Abolishing the filibuster would give Democrats the ability to pass bills with a simple majority in the Senate rather than compromising with Republicans to meet a 60-vote threshold. Two Democrats  Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona  have said they would not vote to end the filibuster.

I am sometimes sitting in the chamber when some of my colleagues are making arguments against the voting rights bills that we are trying to pass right now, and as I listen to their arguments, their arguments sounded strangely familiar, Warnock argued Monday.

And I began to wonder why, and I went back and looked again at the history that Ive studied my whole life, and I realized that many of the segregationists who opposed voting rights  many of the opponents of voting rights, they didnt stand up and say we are opposed to black people voting. They made states rights arguments.

He argued that voter suppression bills have been passed in 19 states and introduced in 49 states.

Governors and members of the Congress are channeling old states rights arguments to fight against voting rights now the same way they did back then, he contends. So  Choose ye this day whom ye will serve. You cannot remember Dr. King and dismember his legacy at the same time.

As progressives maintain their voting bills aims to prevent states from suppressing votes, critics of the legislation say they are attempts to defang voter identification laws passed in 35 states, ban the updating of voter rolls and block poll observers from watching the vote count.

Several other speakers at the King ceremonial event, including Vice President Harris, who joined remotely, spoke about voting rights and the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which aims to set national standards for voting access.

A landmark bill, as we all know, sits before the United States Senate: The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. This bill represents the first real opportunity to secure the freedom to vote since the United States Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act nearly a decade ago. And the Senate must pass this bill now, Harris said.

You know, it was more than 55 years ago that men, women and children marched from Selma to Montgomery to demand the ballot. When they arrived at the state capitol in Alabama, Dr. King decried what he called normalcy  the normalcy, the complacency that was denying people the freedom to vote.

Harris stressed that the only normalcy King would accept is the normalcy that recognizes the dignity and worth of all Gods children.

Today, we must not be complacent or complicit. We must not give up, and we must not give in, she said. To truly honor the legacy of the man we celebrate today, we must continue to fight for the freedom to vote, for freedom for all.

Despite a Democrat-imposed Martin Luther King Day deadline to vote on the voting rights bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced last Thursday that a vote wont take place until at least Tuesday. But Democrats dont appear to have enough votes to pass the legislation as long as the filibuster remains in place.
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.
Pastor Tavner Smith announces time off to spend 'with God' after staffers quit over affair rumors

Weeks after a video surfaced online allegedly showing him kissing a woman who is not his wife and multiple members of his staff quit, Pastor Tavner Smith of Venue Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has announced he will take a few weeks off to get counseling and spend time with God.

Im going to be taking some time to fill up, spend time with God, and get some counseling so I can come back rested, refreshed and ready for the rest of the year, he wrote in an Instagram post on Jan. 5. I love you and Ill see you in February.

At least eight employees of Smiths fast-growing congregation reportedly quit working for the church last month after confronting him about the video recorded in North Georgia.

Two former employees and four volunteers or members previously connected to the church told The Chattanooga Times Free Press that the eight employees quit after confronting the pastor about a rumored affair with a church employee.

The church previously declined to comment publicly, but court records show that the pastor and his wife, Danielle Smith, who have three kids, began divorce proceedings last May.

That same month, Smith was in the middle of preaching a series he called Dirty Destinies where he preached about how God can use peoples dirt from their past to minister.

The question is not Am I dirty?' because I am, he said. A matter of fact, look at your neighbor and say 'Im dirty.'"

I dont think we have any doubts about that anymore. I think weve been real about that over the last six weeks, he continued. Every single person in here is full of dirt. God did not choose perfect people. God only chooses available people.

He noted that the subtitle of the series was No perfect people allowed.

Do you know why God doesnt choose perfect people? Its because there are none, he told the congregation. A perfect person could not relate to any other person because everybody else has been through stuff, got dirt and struggling with dirt as we speak.

Several individuals who said they are former members or employees of Smiths church, however, were not happy with the way he had been handling his affairs. They publicly made significant allegations of pastoral abuse and misconduct against Smith and his leadership team.

Former Venue Church employee Colt Chandler Helton, who claims to have worked for over 12 churches throughout his career, including Hillsong and North Point, said in a Facebook post that he was hired by Venue Church to set up its systems and structures and model anything an adult would experience on a Sunday morning.

In hind sight I taught the Iranians how to make nuclear weapons, Helton, who worked for the church for nearly a year beginning in 2014, contends. I gave a man who had very very bad intentions the ability to make a mega church.

He shared a lengthy list of reasons why he left Venue Church, including what he claims to be financial abuse and witnessing domestic abuse in an atmosphere where there are zero elders or accountability.

He suggested that Smith may have been intimately involved with females in the church other than his wife.

I witnessed on many times the lead pastor have alone time with females on the worship team and congregation, he wrote, while pointing out how the churchs theology devolved into something resembling the prosperity gospel.

I was told I was not allowed to speak to the lead pastor unless I was spoken to. Because he was so close to God and his closeness couldnt be put in jeopardy by speaking to commoners, Helton also claimed.

Smith's website explains that he moved to Tennessee in 2012 "because of his radical obedience to Gods plan, and started a move of God through Venue Church." He previously served as an executive student pastor at Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, South Carolina. The website says that he became the understudy to Redemption Pastor Ron Carpenter, who remains Smith's mentor.
Pastors among 9 Christians arrested, charged with 'illegal' conversions in India: watchdog Authorities storm church during worship service, confiscate Bibles

Police in Indias central state of Madhya Pradesh arrested nine Christians, including two pastors, on false charges of illegal conversion under the states controversial anti-conversion law, a Christian persecution watchdog organization reports.

Police arrived at a house church in Jhabua Districts Padalya village, where Pastor Ramesh Vasuniya was leading a worship service last Sunday, local sources told the U.S.-based International Christian Concern reported.

The pastor was allegedly dragged to a police van, and five congregants were reportedly arrested.

In a separate incident in Bisoli village in the same district, police reportedly arrested three Christians, identified only as Pastor Jansingh, Ansingh and Mangu. They were charged with forced conversion.

Sources also allege that officers beat the three Christians inside the police station.

Upon searching their homes, authorities reportedly confiscated Bibles and a certificate for a Bible course as evidence of forced conversion.

Officers were said to have demanded Pastor Jansinghs wife to pay 300,000 rupees (approximately $4,000), saying she would otherwise never see her husband again.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014, human rights advocates have warned that attacks on Christians have increased and intensified.

While Christians make up about 2.5% of Indias population and Hindus comprise about 80%, radical Hindu nationalists have carried out attacks on Christians under the pretext of punishing the use of monetary rewards to convert Hindus to Christianity.

Several Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, have enacted anti-conversion laws, which bans the use of force, financial benefits or other forms of allurement to encourage Hindus to convert to Christianity.

While some of these laws have been in place for decades, no Christian has been convicted of forcibly converting anyone to Christianity. Hindu nationalist groups often abuse these laws to make false charges of forced conversion against Christian leaders and organizations.

Anti-conversion laws typically state that no one can use the threat of divine displeasure, which essentially means Christians cant talk about Heaven or Hell since it would be seen as luring someone to convert.

The independent news website The Scroll reports there has been an "anti-Christian" mobilization in the Jhabua district for over a year that has organized rallies and pressured government officials. In September, the Jhabua district administration reportedly issued notices to Christian leaders and churchgoers demanding information on their conversions to Christianity.

According to the newspaper, the notices were meant to serve as a ground for legal action against those responsible for alleged forced conversions in the area. Those notices were withdrawn by the province's high court in early December.

India ranks as the 10th worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List. According to the organization, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences.

Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam, an Open Doors fact sheet on India explains. They use extensive violence to achieve this goal, particularly targeting Christians from a Hindu background. Christians are accused of following a foreign faith and blamed for bad luck in their communities.

According to a report from the United Christian Forum, 2021 was the most violent year in the countrys history for Christians. The forum documented at least 486 violent incidents of Christian persecution. The previous record was 328 incidents in 2019.
The housing department shall send DPRs related to electricity distribution infrastructure and related information pertaining to energy efficiency and housing data within a week as requested by KfW for the feasibility study. (Representational image/ Twitter)

Vijayawada: Germanys state-owned KfW bank has offered financial support for energy-efficient systems in the AP governments flagship housing programme under the Navaratnalu Pedalandariki Illu Scheme. KfW says it shall provide upto Euro 150 million for construction of such houses and Euro 2 million for technical assistance.

The offer was made at a virtual meeting between KfW, AP Housing department and AP State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM, state energy department) on financial and technical cooperation, sharing of best practices and providing experts for training the housing staff, engineers and housing beneficiaries. Energy- efficient steps of international standards shall be introduced thereof.

KfWs head of energy efficiency, Dr. Martin Lux, promised its support to AP housing department in project preparation/studies for houses being constructed under the state housing scheme. He also proposed finances of upto Euro 150 million for construction of energy efficient houses and Euro 2 million for technical assistance after appraisal of the project details.

A promise of support has also been made for additional financing for electricity distribution infrastructure and strengthening the reliability of the network for supply of power to houses under the housing scheme.

While thanking KfW for its interest to work with the AP government vis-a-vis the housing scheme, special chief secretary for housing, Ajay Jain, said the state government has taken up the construction of 15.6 lakh houses in the first phase, of which the work on around 10.72 lakh houses have already started.

Ajay Jain said the government would introduce energy efficiency measures in 28.3 lakh houses in two phases, under which the housing department will supply four LED bulbs, two LED tube lights and two energy efficient fans to each household to save on energy bills.

Besides this, energy-efficient streetlights and energy-efficiency pump-sets for drinking water will be arranged in the 17,000 Jagananna Colonies coming up across the state.

The housing department shall send DPRs related to electricity distribution infrastructure and related information pertaining to energy efficiency and housing data within a week as requested by KfW for the feasibility study.

KfW team consisting of Alex Heuer, Rukmini Parthasarathy, Hemant Bhatnagar, Kiran, Sangeeta Agarwal and some other officials participated in the meeting.
California drops Aztec prayers from ethnic studies curriculum after parents file suit

The California Department of Education said it's removing two religious chants to Aztec gods from its ethnic studies curriculum in response to a lawsuit filed by parents.

As part of a settlement in the lawsuit, the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education have voluntarily agreed to officially remove the prayers from the state-approved Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, according to the conservative legal firm Thomas More Society.

The curriculum included a section of Affirmation, Chants, and Energizers, including the In Lak Ech Affirmation, which invoked five Aztec deities. Although labeled as an affirmation, it addressed the deities both by name and by their traditional titles, recognized them as sources of power and knowledge, invoked their assistance, and gave thanks to them.

The Aztec prayers at issue  which seek blessings from and the intercession of these demonic forces  were not being taught as poetry or history, said Paul Jonna, partner at LiMandri & Jonna LLP and Thomas More Society Special Counsel, in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

Rather, the ESMC instructed students to chant the prayers for emotional nourishment after a lesson that may be emotionally taxing or even when student engagement may appear to be low. The idea was to use them as prayers.

Jonna explained in a statement after filing the lawsuit that the Aztecs regularly performed gruesome and horrific acts for the sole purpose of pacifying and appeasing the very beings that the prayers from the curriculum invoke.

He added: The human sacrifice, cutting out of human hearts, flaying of victims and wearing their skin, are a matter of historical record, along with sacrifices of war prisoners, and other repulsive acts and ceremonies the Aztecs conducted to honor their deities. Any form of prayer and glorification of these bloodthirsty beings in whose name horrible atrocities were performed is repulsive to any reasonably informed observer.

While the state has now officially removed the prayers, it continues to dispute any and all liability, says the Thomas More Society, which filed the lawsuit last September on behalf of the Californians for Equal Rights Foundation, individual taxpayers and parents of current and former students.

The ESMC was adopted last May, making California the first state in the nation to offer a statewide ethnic studies model for educators, the board said at the time, according to The Epoch Times.

Even after the removal of the Aztec prayers, the curriculum remains deeply rooted in Critical Race Theory (CRT) and critical pedagogy, with a race-based lens and an oppressor-victim dichotomy, Thomas More Society said.

The legal firm said earlier that the curriculum also includes the Ashe Prayer from the Yoruba religion  an ancient philosophical concept that is the root of many pagan religions, including Santeria and Haitian Vodou or voodoo.

The co-chair of the curriculum, R. Tolteka Cuauhtin, developed much of the material cited throughout the lessons, in which Christians, specifically those of European ancestry, are viewed as the source of evil to be resisted and overthrown.

White Christians are guilty of theocide against indigenous tribes, the killing of their deities and replacing them with the Christian faith, Cuauhtin argues in a chart.

The ultimate goal, according to Cuauhtin, is to engineer a countergenocide against whites, investigative journalist Christopher Rufo wrote about the issue in City-Journal last March.

Frank Xu, president of Californians for Equal Rights Foundation, said the settlement still gives him hope.

We are encouraged by this important, hard-fought victory, Xu said in a statement. Our state has simply gone too far in attempts to promote fringe ideologies and racial grievance policies, even those that disregard established constitutional principles. Endorsing religious chants in the state curriculum is one glaring example.

He added, To improve California public education, we need more people to stand up against preferential treatment programs and racial spoils. At both the state and local levels, we must work together to re-focus on true education!
Lutheran bishops worldwide condemn criminal prosecution of Finnish MP Paivi Rasanen

Lutheran bishops from around the world have issued a statement condemning the criminal prosecution of Paivi Rasanen, a Christian politician who is facing six years in prison for sharing her biblical beliefs on sexuality and marriage, and Finnish Bishop-elect Juhana Pohjola, who distributed a pamphlet written by Rasanen.

The actions of the Finnish State in prosecuting Christians for holding to the clear teaching of the very words of Jesus regarding marriage and sex (Matthew 19:4-6) are egregious, says the statement issued by the International Lutheran Council and joined by the bishops and presidents of dozens of Lutheran church bodies worldwide.

Rasanen, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, could face up to six years in prison after being charged with three counts of ethnic agitation related to statements she made expressing her beliefs about human sexuality and marriage.

A longstanding member of the Finnish Parliament, Rasanen publicly voiced her opinion on marriage in a 2004 booklet on sexual ethics, describing marriage as between one man and one woman. She also expressed her views on a 2019 radio show and tweeted church leadership on the matter.

Pohjola, the bishop-elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, has also been charged with one count of ethnic agitation for publishing Rasanens booklet.

 The accused clearly affirm the divinely given dignity, value, and human rights of all, including all who identify with the LGBTQ community, says the letter, titled A Protest and Call for Free Religious Speech in Finland.

We Lutherans make this strong confession along with Drs. Pohjola and Rasanen, it continues. The vast majority of Christians in all nations, including Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, share these convictions. Would the Finnish Prosecutor General condemn us all? Moreover, shall the Finnish State risk governmental sanctions from other states based on the abuse of foundational human rights?

Prosecutors determined that Rasanens previous statements disparage and discriminate against LGBT individuals and foment intolerance and defamation. The mother of five maintains that her expressions are legal and should not be censored.

I cannot accept that voicing my religious beliefs could mean imprisonment, said Rasanen in a statement previously issued by ADF International, which is representing her. I do not consider myself guilty of threatening, slandering or insulting anyone. My statements were all based on the Bibles teachings on marriage and sexuality.

She added, I will not back down from my views. I will not be intimidated into hiding my faith. The more Christians keep silent on controversial themes, the narrower the space for freedom of speech gets.

In May, law professors and scholars called on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to pressure the State Department to sanction Finlands prosecutor general for prosecuting Rasanen and Pohjola.

In an open letter published by Real Clear Politics, professors from Ivy League institutions like Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University argued that the prosecution of the politician for her remarks could compel Finlands clergy and lay religious believers to choose between prison and abandoning teachings of their various faiths.

Rasanen is no stranger to controversy as she has become known as a prominent Finnish defender of traditional Christian views on marriage, euthanasia and abortion.

As Evangelical Focus noted earlier, Rasanens views are often more conservative than those in the ECLF leadership.
Preaching the Dream: 5 important speeches by Martin Luther King Jr.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a notable figure in the civil rights movement, being for many the face of the 1960s struggle for racial equality.

King remains one of the few historic figures in the United States to have a federal holiday named in his honor, falling on the third Monday of January every year.

Known for organizing massive demonstrations and using the tactic of nonviolence, King is also well-remembered for his inspirational speeches advocating for social change.

Some of these words were spoken at large civil rights gatherings, while others were given within the sanctuaries of churches. They are well remembered and often quoted in the modern day.

Here are five memorable speeches given by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. over the course of his public career. They include remarks given at the March on Washington and words spoken the day before he was assassinated.

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Finlands prosecution of Christian MP over biblical views is act of oppression, legal scholars warn

Law professors and scholars are calling on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to pressure the State Department to sanction Finlands prosecutor general for prosecuting a Christian politician who shared her biblical beliefs on sexuality and marriage.

In an open letter published by Real Clear Politics last Friday, professors from Ivy League institutions like Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University spoke out in defense of Paivi Rasanen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola. They both face criminal charges related to Rasanen expressing her Christian views on marriage.

Rasanen, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, could face up to six years in prison after being charged with three counts of ethnic agitation related to statements she made expressing her beliefs pertaining to human sexuality and marriage.

Rasanen is the former chair of the Christian Democrats and a former interior minister who has served in Parliament for seven terms. The mother of five, who is married to a pastor and Bible college principal, has been under police investigation since June 2019.

She publicly voiced her opinion on marriage in a 2004 booklet on sexual ethics, describing marriage as between one man and one woman. She also expressed her views on a 2019 radio show and tweeted church leadership on the matter.

Prosecutors determined that her previous statements disparage and discriminate against LGBT individuals and foment intolerance and defamation. The mother of five is adamant that her expressions are legal and should not be censored.

In their open letter, the professors argue that the prosecution of the politician for her remarks could compel Finlands clergy and lay religious believers to choose between prison and abandoning teachings of their various faiths.

The charges against Dr. Rasanen stem from her authorship of a 2004 booklet entitled, Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual Relationships Challenge the Christian Concept of Humanity, published by the Luther Foundation, they wrote. In the booklet, Dr. Rasanen argues that homosexual activity should be recognized by the church as sinful based on the teachings of the Hebrew Bible and Christian scripture.

Second, the Prosecutor General has charged the Bishop-Elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, with one count of ethnic agitation for publishing Dr. Rasanens booklet, the letter continues.

The Prosecutor Generals pursuit of these charges against a prominent legislator and bishop sends an unmistakable message to Finns of every rank and station: no one who holds to the traditional teachings of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and several other religions on questions of marriage and sexual morality will be safe from state harassment should they, like Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Rasanen, express their moral and religious convictions.

The letter argues that the prosecutions constitute serious human rights abuses because they violate Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 10 of the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights. Those documents affirm the right of an individual to manifest his religion or belief in teaching.

The professors urged commissioners serving on the congressionally-mandated independent commission tasked with advising the U.S. government on international religious freedom matters to urge Secretary of State Antony Blinken to sanction Finland Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen because of a gross violation of human rights.

The letters signatories include Princeton University law professor Robert P. George, Harvard Universitys Learned Hand Professor of Law Emerita Mary Ann Glendon and Harvard constitutional law professor Adrian Vermeule.

Other signatories include: Peter Berkowitz, a senior fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution; Middlebury College political science professor Keegan Callanan; Yale University history and religious studies professor Carlos Eire; Princeton University math professor Sergiu Klainerman; Princeton University international studies professor John B. Londregan; Harvard University African American studies lecturer Jacqueline C. Rivers; and attorney David Rivkin of the law firm BakerHostetler.

The signatories argue that Rasanens prosecution isnt merely mundane applications of a European-style hate speech law.

No reasonable balance of the goods of public order, civil equality, and religious liberty can ever support this suppression of the right to believe and express ones beliefs. The prosecutions are straightforward acts of oppression, they write.

To uphold the internationally recognized rights of freedom of expression and religious liberty, the United States must now respond to the abuses in Finland as it has recently responded to other violations of religious liberty in non-western nations.

The letter points to how the U.S. government designated a Chinese government official as a human rights abuser for his involvement in the detention and interrogation of Falun Gong practitioners for practicing their beliefs.

Prosecutor General Toiviainens status as a European official must not shield her from sanctions for her abuse of traditionalist Christians in Finland, the letter argues.

In addition, the letter urges USCIRF to pressure Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to designate Toiviainen for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act, which allows for sanctions to be placed on foreign officials believed to be responsible or complicit in severe human rights abuse.

Prosecutor General Toiviainen and any line prosecutors who choose to assist her plainly meet this description, the professors argue.

The letter contends that there is no statue of limitations on human rights violations of this magnitude.

Should calls by USCIRF to designate and sanction Prosecutor General Toiviainen and her accomplices fall on deaf ears, we respectfully request that USCIRF not simply let the matter drop, they conclude.

Rasanen is represented by ADF International, which argues that her case is about the freedom to express religious beliefs in the public square without the fear of government investigation.

In a March statement, Rasanen said that she did not threaten, slander or insult anyone and that her comments were all based on the Bibles teachings on marriage and sexuality. She vowed to defend her right to confess her faith.

The more Christians keep silent on controversial themes, the narrower the space for freedom of speech gets, she said.

Earlier this month, the European Evangelical Alliance voiced its support for Rasanen, asking if the prosecutor is attempting to redefine human rights law.

"Freedom of expression gives the right for anyone to share their opinion," EEA General Secretary Thomas Bucher wrote in a statement. "The right to freedom of expression exists to legally protect those that express views which may offend, shock or disturb others."
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.
Teen perpetrator of sexual assault in girls' bathroom ordered to register as sex offender

The teenage perpetrator of multiple sexual assaults at two high schools has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and undergo rehabilitation until he reaches adulthood.

Reports that two girls were assaulted at two separate high schools in Loudoun County, Virginia, sparked outrage among parents in the Washington, D.C.-area school district and across the United States. The Daily Wire first reported on the sexual assault of a teenage girl committed at the hands of a boy allegedly wearing a skirt in a girls bathroom at Stone Bridge High School on May 28.

Shortly thereafter, news broke that the perpetrator of the May 28 attack assaulted another girl at Broad Run High School. The perpetrator of the two assaults, whose name has not been released to the public, learned his fate Wednesday. According to NBC News' Washington affiliate, the student was ordered to remain in a locked residential treatment facility, where he will undergo rehabilitation and therapy until his 18th birthday.

Additionally, he is ordered to have no contact with the victims nor their families and he also has to register as a sex offender. Pamela Brooks, the judge overseeing the case, expressed particular concern about the results of the boys psychological evaluation, noting that this was the first occasion where she ever ordered a minor to register as a sex offender.

Scott Smith, the father of the Stone Bridge High School victim, reacted to the development on Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight Wednesday. He indicated that while his family was relieved that were able to put one felony assault behind us, the legal battles to address the wrongs done to his daughter have only just begun.

Unfortunately, our daughter was physically assaulted the first week of school when she returned this year and that one was mishandled as well, he said. Ninety days later, we finally got charges and that court case starts next week. Its a felony malicious wounding.

Smith did not elaborate on the second sexual assault. The first sexual assault of his daughter took place as Loudoun County Public Schools was considering implementing a policy that would allow trans-identified students to use bathrooms designated for the opposite sex. The proposed enactment of such a policy generated outrage from the community, which came to a head at a contentious June 22 school board meeting.

At the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Scott Ziegler ensured concerned parents that To my knowledge, we dont have any records of assaults occurring in our restrooms. The transgender bathroom policy was approved in August of last year, and the second sexual assault, which took place at Broad Run High School, occurred after its implementation.

While Ziegler insisted at the June 22 school board meeting that no sexual assaults had occurred in bathrooms or locker rooms within the school district, Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman wrote in a letter to the superintendent that you knew of the alleged sexual offense the day it occurred.

Chapman pointed to an email made public by local news outlet WTOP revealing that Ziegler wrote an email to school board members informing them that a female student alleged that a male student sexually assaulted her in the restroom earlier that day.

Critics allege that the school district engaged in a cover-up by sending the perpetrator to another school and not informing the public of what happened in an effort to avoid derailing the transgender bathroom policy. The incidents in Loudoun County occurred as parents and community members across the U.S. have confronted their local school boards to express outrage about sexually explicit material available in school libraries and included in the curriculum.

The sexual assaults in Loudoun County played a role in Virginias statewide elections this past fall, with five former attorneys general of the state calling on Attorney General Mark Herring to investigate the Loudoun County School Board over its handling of the sexual assaults. The Republican who ran against Herring in last years general election, Jason Miyares, also joined the chorus of those seeking an investigation into the school board.

Miyares defeated Herring in the election as Republicans won the gubernatorial election as well as the lieutenant governors seat. Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe received criticism for addressing the outrage over sexually explicit curriculum and critical race theory in public schools at a debate with Republican opponent Glenn Youngkin by declaring I dont think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.
Bob Saget, Norm Macdonald, Betty White and the afterlife

We were all shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Bob Saget at age 65. To the generation who grew up watching "Full House," Bob was a father figure they came to love. Yet another generation discovered him as the host of "America's Funniest Home Videos."

Bob Saget was found dead in his hotel room in Florida following a show on his comedy tour. This tragic event happened right on the heels of the death of beloved comedic actress Betty White, who died at 99.

Bob Saget made this statement on Instagram after Betty passed:

"She always said the love of her life was her husband, Allen Ludden, who she lost in 1981. Well, if things work out by Betty's design  in the afterlife, they are reunited. I don't know what happens when we die, but if Betty says you get to be with the love of your life, then I happily defer to Betty on this."

He honestly added, "I don't know what happens when we die."

Death is something we all think about almost every day  some more than others. We should think deeply about death, but more importantly, the afterlife.

In older times, people commonly wrote a Latin phrase on the top of documents: "Memento Mori." It means "Think of death."

The phrase sounds morbid on the surface, but it's not. It served as a reminder to be aware that life ends, eternity is close and there is an afterlife.

Betty White and Bob Saget were not the only comedians to think about the afterlife. In Sept. 2021, Norm Macdonald died of cancer at age 61. Macdonald quietly fought his cancer battle and continued in his comedy work. He often spoke about the afterlife and Heaven.

Larry King asked Macdonald about his "religious views" in an interview.

"I'm a Christian," Macdonald replied. "It's not stylish to say that now."

Larry King then asked, "Are you devout? ... You believe in the Lord?"

"Yes, I do," Macdonald said.

Larry did not know he was interviewing a man facing death every day in his fight with cancer. He then asked Macdonald, "You think that you're going somewhere when (life) ends?"

Norm said he did.

Larry said he could not believe in an afterlife because of all the evil in the world.

Norm responded, "It sounds like you have a God-shaped hole in your heart."

Larry did. We all do.

Norm Macdonald once posted these words: "Scripture. Faith. Grace. Christ, Glory of God. Smart man says nothing is a miracle. I say everything is."

That sums it up perfectly.

I am not an expert on the afterlife, but I am a student, not only because I am a Christian and a pastor, but also because my son, Christopher, died in 2008. I have thought deeply about what happens when we leave this life and enter the next one. Here is what has brought endless comfort to me: There is a Heaven, and Jesus has made a way for us all to go there.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying" (John 11:25).

My son believed in Jesus as I do. He is now in Heaven.

For the Christian, the moment we take our last breath on earth, we take our next breath in Heaven. Because Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again, I have hope for the afterlife. And I know that I will see my son again.

King David, who also lost a son too soon, wrote, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me" (2 Sam. 12:23).

My son is not just a part of my past; he is also a part of my future. Jesus promised me that.

It is not a bad thing to think about these things deeply. Renowned author and theologian C.S. Lewis said, "A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not . . . a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do."

Think about death, eternity, and the afterlife. But think on it with the knowledge that death is not the end. There is an afterlife, but you need to be ready for it. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.

Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, you may be also" (John 14.2).

Only those who are prepared to die are genuinely ready to live.

Now Norm, Larry, Betty, and Bob are in the afterlife. And one day, you will be too. You decide in this life where you will spend the afterlife.

Choose well.
Deconstructing and losing faith by reading the Bible

Its January and that means many Christians have started the year with a fresh goal to read through the Bible. In the past, this has generally been celebrated and seen as a positive thing when someone decides to read through the Good Book. However, there is a significant change happening out there regarding the Bible. Many are starting to claim as they read the whole Bible, that it is not the Good Book but it is the Evil Book.

Is the Good Book actually an Evil Book?

If you go on Tik Tok and YouTube, you quickly see the increasing amount of videos made by former Christians who tell their stories of how reading the Bible turned them into agnostics or atheists. The story generally goes that they grew up in churches and heard the usual nice stories in the Bible about Jesus healing the blind and teaching people to care about the poor. They heard the stories of amazing Bible heroes like young David defeating the giant Goliath and saw the childrens artwork depicting the story of a Santa Claus-like looking Noah with smiling happy animals in an ark floating on the water. But as they got older and started reading the whole Bible with a new lens, the Bible doesnt seem so wonderful and good anymore.

They realize that David was a polygamist with at least eight wives and also had concubines (1 Chronicles 3). They read how he even killed 200 men and removed their foreskins as a bridal gift to one of his wives fathers (1 Samuel 18:27). They begin processing that the nice childrens story artwork they grew up on with Noah on a boat with happy smiling animals floating on water, was really a story of God causing massive death with the drowning of women, children, and infants. Also, their childhood childrens storybook and artwork didnt show that Noah got drunk and passed out naked in his tent after God he got off the ark (Genesis 9:20-21).

Does God ban eating shrimp but endorses slavery?

I talked with one college student who was a Christian but lost his faith when he got into a campus Bible study. He said he never knew that slavery was talked about positively in the Bible with people being sold as property and even instructions for a father selling his daughter into slavery (Exodus 21). This student was then led to explore more things about the Bible online and found plenty of graphical memes with Bible verses from the Levitical laws with commands that God said not to eat shrimp or eat bacon or get tattoos. There are repeated accusations that Christians cherry-pick the verses they like and ignore the ones they dont like. There is the understandable question of why would God create rules that ban the eating of shrimp but He didnt ban slavery? This student saw Bible verses that seemed so misogynist like when it says Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submissionit is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church (1 Corinthians 14:33-35).

So, the more the Bible is read, the more it certainly seems to be anti-women, anti-science, pro-slavery, and pro-violence. It makes sense then, as comedian and magician Penn Jillette says: Reading the Bible is the fast track to atheism. But is this true that the Bible is not the good book and if you really read it, you will find things you never knew before and end up rejecting your faith?

There are answers when we understand how to and how (not) to read the Bible

I understand why this is happening as for so many growing up in churches today, many of the very tough and disturbing things in the Bible werent addressed. So, seeing verses put to memes, or mentioned on Tik Tok of course is going to feel shocking and cause doubt and even disbelief. However, there are responses. While the Bible is 100% fully inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), there are some basic Bible study methods we have to put into place to understand it and the difficult things in it. Such as:

1) The Bible is a library, not a book: When opening a Bible or reading it digitally, we dont read it like a normal book. It is a library of books written over 1,500 years, in different genres. When opening the Bible, it is like going into a library and pulling a book off a shelf, and depending on what section of the library you are in, you read it differently. If you are reading a book of poetry, it will be read differently than when reading a book of history. Or when you read a law book that has laws pertaining to certain people at certain times and places, the laws may or may not apply for us today in our world.

2) Never read a Bible verse: Pulling out single Bible verses on their own, one can make the Bible say almost anything. You always need to read the full context of what is happening, not just look at single verses. You dont pull a single sentence from The Lord of The Rings and then make a conclusion, without placing it in the whole story. The Bible is not fiction, but the same principles apply. Every verse is part of a specific section of the whole Bible story we need to examine to make sense of the verse.

3) The Bible was not written to us, but for us: Some parts of the Bible are written to everyone and some parts were written to specific people at a specific time for a specific purpose. It is all 100% inspired by God and for us to learn from. But we must look at each part of the Bible from the eyes and culture of the original reader and why and what God was communicating to them.

4) All the Bible points to Jesus: From the very opening chapters of the Bible to the very end, it all leads to and points to Jesus. When we see this, it all lines up to an amazing beautiful life-changing library of books.

It is so sad seeing so many who are losing faith in the inspired Word of God. I wasnt a Christian growing up and the Bible changed my entire life and I believe it can change so many others. There are answers when we search more deeply and understand it is an ancient text that we cant just read with modern eyes. My prayer is that parents and churches will teach early on about the difficult parts so it doesnt catch people off-guard when they havent seen them before.
home World Tsunami causes significant damage in Tongas capital; casualty reports await

Tsunami waves crashed across the shore of the Pacific nation of Tonga after the eruption of a huge undersea volcano Saturday, causing significant damage in the capital city of Nukualofa and bringing the entire U.S. West coast under a tsunami advisory.

As the telephone and internet links remained severed early Sunday, possible casualties remained unknown.

Coastal areas beyond the capital Nukualofa remained uncontactable, New Zealands Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at a news conference Sunday, Reuters reported. Nukualofa is covered in thick plumes of volcanic dust but otherwise conditions are calm and stable. We have not yet received news from other coastal areas, Ardern was quoted as saying.

Tonga, which has a population of about 105,000, lies northeast of New Zealand.

Satellite images showed the volcanic eruption Saturday which sent plumes of ash, steam and gas rising like a mushroom about 12 miles above sea level.

The volcano, named Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai, has erupted regularly over the past few decades but the latest eruption was so loud that residents in Fiji and New Zealand heard it, according to Reuters.

My entire house was shaking, Sanya Ruggiero, a consulting communications advisor based in Suva, the capital of Fiji, was quoted as saying. My doors, windows were all rattling like hell. And mine was not even as bad as others. Hundreds of people ran out of their homes.

Later, videos appeared on social media showing large waves slamming coastal areas and reaching homes, a church and other buildings, The Associated Press reported.

It was massive, the ground shook, our house was shaking. It came in waves. My younger brother thought bombs were exploding nearby, a local resident, Mere Taufa, told the Stuff news outlet.

While official damage assessments were awaited, she added that the New Zealand high commission in the Tongan capital had said the tsunami damaged boats, shops and other infrastructure.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Pacific Office in Suva also had no updates on damages or casualties, according to Al Jazeera, a Qatari government-run news outlet.

An Australian government spokesperson told Reuters that initial assessments were still underway but Australia was ready to provide support to Tonga if requested.

Residents along the U.S. Pacific coast as well as in Hawaii and Alaska had also been advised to move away from the coastline to higher ground.

Savannah Peterson, a resident of Pacifica, California, just south of San Francisco, said the water reached her oceanfront house. It came up so fast, and a few minutes after that it was down again. It was nuts to see that happen so quickly. Ive never had water come all the way up to my front door, and today it did.

We dont issue an advisory for this length of coastline as weve done  Im not sure when the last time was  but it really isnt an everyday experience, Dave Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, was quoted as saying.

The highest waves were recorded in Port San Luis, California (4.3 feet); King Cove, Alaska (3.3 feet); Area Cove, California (3.7 feet); Crescent City, California (3.7 feet); and Port Reyes, California (2.9 feet), CNN reported, citing the National Weather Service.



Originally published in The Christian Post.
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has urged the Centre to reduce the time-gap between the second Covid19 shot and the precaution dose to six months from the present nine months.

This would be of benefit to healthcare, frontline workers and those aged above 60 years with comorbidities. This will help them get protection from the Coronavirus," the state has proposed.

Chairing a high-level review meeting with health minister Krishna Srinivas and top officials on Covid19, Chief Minister Jagan advised officials to write to the Centre seeking a reduced time-gap between the Covid second dose and the precaution dose so that this could help more number of targeted beneficiaries to get the shot in advance of three months.

As for the second dose, the CM asked officials to pay more attention to the districts that are lagging behind in giving the shot. Districts like Nellore and West Godavari completed 100 per cent target in Covid jabs to children aged between15 and 18. Five more districts completed 90 per cent target and four districts 80 per cent of the targeted population. Expedite the inoculation drive in the remaining districts, the CM said.

The officials told the CM that they have strengthened all the requisite amenities in hospitals to face the third wave as regards beds, oxygen etc. Some 53,184 beds were kept ready. Out of 27,000 active Covid cases, only 1,100 infected were taking treatment in hospitals. Of these, only 600 needed medical oxygen.

The CM told officials to keep ready all requisite medicines and stock medical oxygen to avoid any complaint of shortage. Unlike the earlier days of a waiting period of 14 days for discharge for C-patients from hospitals, there are now being seen off in a weeks time, officials told Jagan.

The officials said they kept ready 28,000 beds by identifying one Covid Care Centre for each assembly segment.

Referring to the new guidelines from ICMR, they informed the CM that no Covid19 test need be conducted on those who are not showing any symptoms of Covid.

The CM reviewed the functioning of 104 call centres, telemedicine and other facilities and also enquired about the progress of upcoming medical colleges and asked officials to give more publicity on health schemes like Arogyasri, village/ward clinics and government hospitals so that the people would know where to go in times of a need. He also called for resort to artificial intelligence in providing better care to Covid patients.
China, a staunch pioneer in pursuit of better shared world

Xinhua) 08:17, January 17, 2022

-- As the first country to propose the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good and to advocate global vaccine cooperation, China has provided over 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and organizations by the end of 2021.

-- Amid the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, China has been advancing economic globalization with openness as a hallmark and shared prosperity as a vision.

-- Since 1990, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions. Now it is the second largest funding contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Some 25 km away from Belarus' capital of Minsk is where the "Great Stone," a Chinese-Belarusian industrial park, is situated.

Since the two countries signed an agreement on the construction of the park in 2011, it has grown into a modern facility with the operation of more than 80 enterprises from 10-plus countries. Its industrial production maintained an upward trend even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That is just one of the many examples of how the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping was turned into reality.

Today, in a world affected by combined major changes and a pandemic unseen in a century, the flagship vision not only embodies the common values of mankind and conforms to the trend of the times, but also carries far-reaching influence for the prosperity and progress of mankind.

Photo taken on Oct. 19, 2021 shows the "Great Stone", a Chinese-Belarusian industrial park 25 km away from Minsk, capital of Belarus. (Industrial Park Development Company CJSC/Handout via Xinhua)

VISION TO ACTION

Xi first presented the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind to the world during his visit to Russia in 2013. Since then, he has expounded the idea on multiple occasions.

During his speech at the UN Office in Geneva in 2017, Xi placed priority on partnership, security, growth, inter-civilization exchanges and a sound ecosystem in building such a community.

"The fact that President Xi Jinping came out with such a vision is to be greeted and saluted because it is a very positive attitude towards the future and towards multilateralism and cooperation" said Jean-Jacques de Dardel, former Swiss ambassador to China who had accompanied Xi during his visit to Switzerland five years ago told Xinhua recently in a virtual interview.

Reflecting the hope of people from all countries for a better world, the notion has been enriched to include building a shared future with neighboring countries, with Asia-Pacific partners, with African and Latin American countries, and building a maritime shared future, a shared future in cyberspace and a community of common health for mankind.

The first China-Europe freight train bound for Tilburg from Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, arrives in Tilburg, the Netherlands, June 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

"Today, the concept has developed into a comprehensive system of scientific theories, which constitutes an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy," Zhang Qingmin, professor and chair of the Department of Diplomacy at Peking University, said recently.

Through contributing to the global COVID-19 response among others, China has been transforming the concept into action.

Photo taken on March 6, 2021 shows a container of COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese company Sinovac at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia. (Colombian Presidential Office/Handout via Xinhua)

As the first country to propose the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good and to advocate global vaccine cooperation, China has provided over 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and organizations by the end of 2021, demonstrating its sense of responsibility as a major country.

China, alongside more than 30 countries, also launched an Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on COVID-19 Vaccines Cooperation, to promote the fair distribution of vaccines and enhance vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.

Photo taken on Sept. 6, 2021 shows COVID-19 vaccines on the production line of a factory of the Egyptian Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) in Giza, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

In the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, China set the example of how a major country can lead in the building of a better world for all mankind, said Herman Tiu Laurel, founder of Philippine BRICS Strategic Studies.

COMMON DEVELOPMENT

The past year marked the 20th anniversary of China's entry into the World Trade Organization, the 30th anniversary of China's joining the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, a manifestation of China's integration into the global economy.

Amid the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, China has been advancing economic globalization with openness as a hallmark and shared prosperity as a vision.

Aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2019 shows the COSCO Shipping Pisces approaching Piraeus port, Greece. (Xinhua/Wu Lu)

As the only major economy to register positive growth in foreign trade in goods in 2020, China has made important contributions to keeping global industrial and supply chains stable and boosting world economic recovery.

Over the years, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a popular international public product and the world's largest international cooperation platform, with 141 countries and 32 international organizations having signed relevant cooperation documents with China.

From the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to China-Laos Railway, from the China-Europe freight train service to the Port of Piraeus, from the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway to the Chinese-Belarusian industrial park, progress has been made in an array of key projects that stretch across continents and brought substantial benefits to local people.

The Lane Xang electric multiple unit train passes by the China-Laos borderline inside a tunnel, Oct. 15, 2021. The 1,035-km China-Laos Railway started operation on Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Cao Anning/Xinhua)

By 2020, China's trade with BRI partner countries exceeded 9.2 trillion U.S. dollars, and its aggregated direct investment in these countries reached nearly 140 billion dollars.

"China has, by far, the most experience in designing and building infrastructure in recent decades and its commitment to work with the developing world is a major step in redressing deep global imbalances," Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a public intellectual and chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, told Xinhua.

To facilitate more balanced and sustainable post-pandemic global development, China has put forward the Global Development Initiative, which has won the endorsement and support of multiple international organizations including UN agencies and nearly 100 countries.

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2021 shows the Lahore converter station of the 660kV Matiari-Lahore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan's eastern Punjab Province. (SGCC/Handout via Xinhua)

Besides, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership's entry into force on Jan. 1, a historic step forward in economic globalization, will allow the region and the whole world to better share China's development opportunities.

"We must take a people-centered approach and make global development more equitable, effective and inclusive, so that no country will be left behind," Xi stressed at 16th G20 Leaders' Summit via video link in October 2021.

UPHOLDING MULTILATERISM

Shortly after Xi's 2017 speech, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind was incorporated into a number of UN resolutions.

Committed to a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Xi has called on all countries to uphold the authority and standing of the United Nations, and work together to practice true multilateralism.

Since 1990, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions. Now it is the second largest funding contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

Chinese peacekeepers clear the ruins of the port explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 30, 2020. (Photo by Zhao Wenhuan/Xinhua)

Ever since China's restoration of its lawful seat in the United Nations, "it has championed multilateralism in all aspects and in its dealing with all regions of the world," said Laurel.

Such multilateral approach has helped China achieve cooperation towards commonly beneficial goals and projects, he added.

A firm believer in honoring its words with actions, China has also been promoting international cooperation against such major threats as climate change and pledged to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

A sub-forum themed "Towards a Carbon Neutral Future: Synergy between Climate Change and Biodiversity" is held during the Ecological Civilization Forum of the first part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

It has also announced the launch of a 1.5 billion yuan (233 million dollars) fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries, a commitment which builds hope for "living in harmony with nature."

"China has clearly moved from a production and consumption country to an innovation country. President Xi's global vision of green and low carbon development will complete the progress into a sustainable country. More importantly, the commitment will continue in our efforts to balance humanity with nature," said Lawrence Loh, director of the Center for Governance and Sustainability at National University of Singapore.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Hyderabad: A performance audit report of defence estates management tabled in 2011 by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) revealed that the land given to Secunderabad Club was meant for the welfare of armed forces. It also mentioned that guest rooms were constructed on the land without authorisation.

According to the report Bungalow No. 220, known as Secunderabad Club, measuring 20.18 acres, classified as B3 land, was given to the club for welfare of the armed forces. The club had made unauthorised construction over the land, including 33 guest rooms, restaurant, and a petrol pump and was charging rent ranging from Rs 2,400-3,000 per day per suite. The case of unauthorised construction was sub-judice.

The report also mentioned the defence ministrys observation that the clubs established to provide recreational facilities to the defence personnel and their families had expanded their activities and enrolled civilians as members of the club.

The ministry stated in January 2002 that the practice was defeating the very purpose for which the land was given.

The ministry directed Services headquarters and DGDE to initiate action for termination of lease in such cases, the report mentioned.

However, representatives of the club claim that the land was donated by Salar Jung.

Adnan Mahmood, legal adviser of Secunderabad Club, said that the original owners of the land are club members since 1878.

The audit report claims that like many other bungalows in the cantonment area, Secunderabad Club is under army control. It is at fault.
New Delhi: The Congress is all set to release its list of candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Uttarakhand. The screening committee has met several times over the past week and has almost zeroed in on candidates in 45 Assembly segments out of the 70 in the state. The main issue that is plaguing the Congress is possible desertion of leaders from the party if they do not get tickets.

Uttarakhand Mahila Congress chief Sarita Arya has already made it clear that if she does not get a ticket from Nainital, she will move to the BJP. Ms Arya is a veteran Congress leader who was the MLA from Nainital from 2012 to 2017, when she lost to Sanjeev Arya of the BJP.

Interestingly, Sanjeev Arya and his father Yashpal Arya have both come back to the Congress and are demanding a ticket from Nainital. This development clearly puts the Congress on the backfoot.

Meanwhile, the Congress has already stripped its former state unit chief Kishor Upadhyay from all his posts as he was seen moving around with BJP leaders. Both Sarita Arya and Kishor Upadhyay are in touch with the central leaders of the BJP. Mr Upadhyay was chairman of the Uttarakhand Congress Coordination Committee, member of the state Congress core committee, and the Uttarakhand Congress Pradesh Election Committee. Sensing the situation going out of hand, the high command has appointed Mohan Prakash as the senior observer for the Assembly elections in the state.

Former state chief minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat has also said that he is not keen on contesting the Assembly polls and instead will oversee election management, though he also added that the decision of the partys central election committee will be final. Last month Mr Rawat, who is also the chief of the campaign committee, had a showdown with AICC in-charge for the state Devendra Yadav, and the party high command eventually had to intervene to sort the matter out. Insiders claim that the list of Congress candidates is almost ready and can be released at any time, but with the desertions taking place the party is adopting a cautious approach.
SAN ANTONIO - For years, Keira Gilmore had her heart set on going to Texas A&M University. In high school, she was accepted and started mapping out her future. But the potential cost of school caused arguments between her and her parents, then her fiance broke up with her abruptly, and her mother - who was already pregnant - got sick.

Fighting depression and needing to help out at home with siblings, Gilmore realized she couldn't move three hours away to Texas A&M.

When Robert Garza was a senior in high school two years ago, he didn't know what he wanted for himself, college or getting a job in construction. With money tight, his father frequently hinted he should look for whatever scholarships he could find.

For Gilmore and Garza, the solution to their problems was the same: free tuition at one of five San Antonio community colleges, provided by a new program called Alamo Promise. Both are not only on track to graduate, but are also working toward definite career goals. Gilmore boasts a 4.0 grade-point average as a political science major at Northwest Vista College and hopes to become a lawyer. Garza is on schedule to earn a welding certificate at St. Philip's College that would qualify him for a lucrative job working on an oil field.

Similar "promise" programs that pay for local high school students' tuition have multiplied throughout the country. There are more than 400 nationwide, with 10 in Texas alone, according to the University of Pennsylvania's database. Requirements can vary between programs, but most offer local students free tuition at nearby community colleges.

But Alamo Promise students get more than free tuition. The five participating colleges, known as the Alamo Colleges District and serving more than 68,000 students, also provide an array of services, including low-cost health care, food pantries at each campus, and day care programs that can cost parents as little as $10 a week. An emergency financial aid program can help students pay for car repairs, rent or medical needs if they qualify.

Although many of the Alamo Promise students would qualify for enough financial aid to attend college free without this program, figuring out how to complete all the requirements can be daunting. The process "is complicated for students to understand," said Laura Perna, a higher education expert and the vice provost for faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. Alamo Promise "is a clear message with no fine print."

That simple offer and the program's additional support services have been especially important during the pandemic. And they seem to be driving more first-generation and lower-income students to higher education.

The five Alamo colleges' overall enrollment fell by about 5.5 percent from fall 2020 to fall 2021, but the enrollment from the 25 high schools in the Promise program increased 17 percent, between the year before it began and its first year in fall 2020, said Chancellor Mike Flores.

For the fall semester of the program's second year, the five Alamo colleges admitted 2,423 students, with 87 percent of them Hispanic and 6 percent African American. Alamo Promise students can be either full-time or part-time students.

Making this program work in San Antonio, the country's seventh-largest city, could be instructive for other cities. While San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the United States, only about half of its high school seniors go on to college, and just 34 percent earn a degree. With 65 percent of jobs nationwide requiring credentials beyond high school, it's easy to understand why the area faces a shortfall of highly skilled workers.

It's a challenge for every urban area in the country to produce a sustainable pipeline of workers for today's jobs, said Ron Nirenberg, the city's mayor. He said he hopes the program will help the city chip away at its need for information-technology and health-care workers.

"When we first started planning the Alamo Promise program, we called it our moonshot for ending cycles of generational poverty that have been in San Antonio for decades," Nirenberg said. "We have to bust some myths about what higher education is all about. If you want to work in a job that pays a living wage, you are going to have to have some kind of postsecondary credential."

Alamo Promise's guidelines are relatively simple. The five community colleges selected 25 city high schools where the majority of students have not gone on to postsecondary education and more than half are economically disadvantaged. Alamo Promise offers graduates three years of fully paid tuition and fees, after students apply for federal financial aid. This program is known as a last-dollar scholarship because Alamo Promise pays whatever costs remain after financial aid. The program has no income limits for participants.

In the first year, the Alamo Promise program ended up paying a little more than $2,000 per year for each student's tuition and fees; full-time tuition for in-state residents is $3,112. All told, the schools put $1.87 million toward Alamo Promise in fiscal year 2021. The Promise program pays only for students' tuition and fees; the other services available to students, including health care and day care, are available to all Alamo students and are paid out of the schools' general budget.

For next fall, the program plans to expand to 47 high schools, said Stephanie Vasquez, Alamo Promise's chief program officer.

When the program launched in the pre-pandemic fall of 2019, high schools held pep rallies to highlight the offer and encourage graduating seniors to "save their seat" at Alamo. The push worked, with 60 percent of the eligible 9,500 students finishing applications for financial aid and for admission to one of the Alamo colleges. Just shy of 3,000 enrolled in the fall of 2020, the program's first year enrolling students.

Along with enabling students to graduate debt free, the Alamo Colleges try to reduce other barriers that may prevent students from starting, continuing or finishing college. That's why they feature food pantries at each of the five campuses, as well as low-cost health centers and three day care centers, officials said.

When an official from another school asked Gilbert Becerra Jr., vice president of student success at Palo Alto College, one of the five participating in the Alamo Promise program, whether these measures dragged the school outside of its lane, he said, "We realized that anything that gets in the way of learning is our lane."

Martha Kanter, the executive director of College Promise, a national nonprofit that builds support free college programs, noted that a recent report catalogued 800 barriers to student retention and success.

"What keeps a student from staying in school can be something as simple as a bill from four years ago, a car breakdown, books," she said. And it isn't just about the money. "Students need support, guidance, a career pathway. Those supports are critical."

A few years ago, the Alamo consortium revamped its counseling philosophy, to make sure students met with counselors in their major at regular intervals and to create so-called "guided pathways," mapping all its programs to either employment or transfers to four-year colleges. The work has resulted in dropping students' average time for earning an associate's degree from 4.6 years in 2015 to 3.76 years in 2020.

When the pandemic hit, another benefit of this overhaul became clear. During the spring 2020 semester, when the coronavirus forced classes online, the five schools' 150 counselors logged nearly 1 million interactions with students, advising on tech and connectivity needs, social and emotional welfare, even on whether they had enough to eat, said Adelina Silva, the consortium's vice chancellor of student success.

"We're very, very proactive," Silva said. "We call it intrusive in a good way."

The payoff surprised even the vice chancellor: The course completion rate for Alamo during that semester was 91.8 percent, its best mark ever, she said.

For all the investment behind the scenes, Alamo Promise officials agree that stories like Garza's prove the program's worth.

"I didn't think I'd make it this far, this fast," he said. "My high school would be proud of me."

- - -

This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education.
LONDON - The FBI is investigating the Texas synagogue attack, in which an armed British citizen took four people hostage, as a terrorist incident - while police in northwestern England took two teenagers into custody for questioning as part of the investigation that now spans two countries.

Malik Faisal Akram, a resident of the United Kingdom, held a rabbi and three congregants hostage during Saturday services at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, a suburb of Fort Worth and Dallas. The 11-hour standoff ended with the hostages freed and Akram dead, although it remains unclear whether the 44-year-old was killed by police or took his own life.

"This is a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted, and is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force," the FBI said in a statement emailed to The Washington Post early Monday. "We never lose sight of the threat extremists pose to the Jewish community and to other religious, racial, and ethnic groups."

President Joe Biden on Sunday called Akram's actions an "act of terror." A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the incident was "a terrible and anti-Semitic act of terrorism," Reuters reported.

During the standoff, Akram repeatedly referenced Aafia Siddiqui, an American-educated Pakistani woman widely known as "Lady al-Qaeda" who was convicted on terrorism charges in 2010. People who heard him on the live stream of services, which carried part of the ordeal, said Akram chose this place because it appeared to be the closest gathering of Jews to a federal facility in Fort Worth where Siddiqui is being held on an 86-year sentence for trying to kill U.S. soldiers.

Akram, who could be heard saying he targeted the synagogue because the United States "only cares about Jewish lives," called for Siddiqui to be released. He referred to her as "my sister," seemingly as an expression of solidarity because her relatives say they were not related, asking to see her and saying they would rise together to Jannah, the Muslim paradise where the faithful are taken after Judgment Day.

Britain's Greater Manchester Police said Sunday that two teenagers in South Manchester had been taken into custody for questioning by counterterrorism officers and that the department would be assisting U.S. officials with the inquiry.

Police said Akram was from the Blackburn area of Lancashire, a county in northwestern England.

"Blackburn is unfortunately well known for producing some terrorists in the past," said Raffaelo Pantucci, a researcher at Royal United Services Institute, a defense and security think tank.

In 2015, a 14-year-old from Blackburn became the youngest person to be convicted of a terrorism offense in Britain. The teen was jailed for inciting terrorism in Australia after instructing a jihadist to behead or kill officers at an Anzac Day parade. Last year, at the age of 20, he was freed after a parole board determined he was suitable for early release.

Still, Pantucci said that things had been "quite quiet" there recently. "Blackburn is quite a conservative community, quite fundamentalist," Pantucci said. "The mosques there do not like violence nor the attention it attracts."

Akram arrived at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Dec. 29, according to law enforcement officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation. As the crisis unfolded, he spoke to his family in England as part of the FBI negotiators' attempts to defuse the situation, the officials said.

His brother Gulbar Akram said Sunday that their family was "devastated" and "do not condone any of his actions." According to Gulbar Akram, his brother had mental health issues, although he declined to comment further in an interview with The Washington Post.

Gulbar Akram told The Post on Monday that his brother "released" all the hostages through the fire exit. "I was in the police incident room [in the Blackburn police station] working with the police, negotiators and FBI, I should know."

In Blackburn, Abdul Samad Umerji Ismail, a trustee at the Masjid-e-Irfan mosque on Eldon Road, confirmed that Akram had prayed at his mosque, but said he hadn't seen him there for a couple of years.

The news has left the community wondering how "from our town. . . something happened like this." He said, "People like this, ruin everybody's name."

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker - who leads the congregation and was among the hostages - credited security training as the reason "we are alive today" and suggested that the hostages escaped. "In the last hour of our hostage crisis, the gunman became increasingly belligerent and threatening," Cytron-Walker said in a statement. "Without the instruction we received, we would not have been prepared to act and flee when the situation presented itself."

Saturday's standoff sent shock waves through the local community but also around the world, as Jews in Britain and Israel took to social media to voice concerns over what it means to be Jewish in 2022. "This event is a stark reminder that antisemitism is still alive and we must continue to fight it worldwide," Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted after the attack.

U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., chair of the Homeland Security Committee, said "we must acknowledge that this attack comes at a time when anti-Semitic threats against the American Jewish Community have risen at an alarming rate."

While the facts of the attack are under federal investigation, Thompson said, "and the assailant is believed to have acted in support of a convicted foreign terrorist, this attack underscores the complexity of the current terrorist threat picture and diverse security risks posed to places of worship."

Cytron-Walker said that "I encourage all Jewish congregations, religious groups, schools, and others to participate in active-shooter and security courses."

Because of coronavirus precautions, few people were in the synagogue for Saturday's Shabbat, said 20-year-old Olivia Zelling, who watched the live stream with her mother, Stacey Silverman. At first, they were one of maybe 20 people listening, Zelling said. By the time the live stream had ended, she said, 10,000 were watching.

They listened in horror for hours as Akram ranted. They could not see what was happening - the video was stuck on a prayer book, they said - and that made it worse. "We were terrified because we thought at any minute we could hear a tragedy unfold, hear a gunshot," said Silverman, 53.

Akram switched back and forth between English and another language, and he sounded angry. He swore often. It was clear, Silverman said, that the man had targeted them and their faith.

"It's kind of a scary time to be a Jew in this country," she said, also referencing the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people in 2018.

She and her daughter said they are deeply worried about antisemitism in the United States and in their community. "We're horrified that [this] happened. But I don't think we're shocked," Silverman said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Hannah Knowles in Washington and Karla Adam in London contributed to this report.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A sweeping new Texas voting law that Republicans muscled through the Legislature last year over dramatic protests is drawing fire again, even before some of the most contentious restrictions and changes kick in ahead of the state's first-in-the nation primary.

Thousands of Texans  including some U.S. citizens  have received letters saying they have been flagged as potential noncitizens who could be kicked off voting rolls. And this week, local elections officials said hundreds of mail-in ballot applications are being rejected for not including required new information.

Its just a bad situation on a number of levels," said James Slattery, an attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, one of several voting rights groups that has sued the state over the new law.

The Texas law was approved last year by Republicans, who joined their party colleagues in at least 18 states, including Florida, Georgia and Arizona, in enacting new voting restrictions since the 2020 election, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. The national GOP campaign to tighten voting laws has been partly driven by former President Donald Trumps false claims that he won the election, not President Joe Biden.

Democrats have strenuously objected  including by walking out and to gridlock the Legislature, warning it could disenfranchise untold numbers of voters, especially Black, Latino and Asian people. Many of its provisions, such as expanded powers for partisan poll watchers, don't take effect until the election. But Democrats and civil rights groups say what has happened so far is alarming.

First, Texas sent letters to more than 11,000 voters warning them their registrations will be canceled unless they prove to their local elections office they are citizens. More than 2,000 registrations ended after the voters did not come in, according to the Texas Secretary of State's office. But some who received the warning letters were citizens.

Monty Tew, a 52-year-old who was born in Texas, said he couldn't understand why he got the letter asking him to prove his citizenship. He said he paid $30 to request a copy of his birth certificate, which he then sent the county a picture of as proof of citizenship and was soon notified the issue was resolved.

I feel fortunate for that not to have been that big of a deal, it wasnt that burdensome, said Tew, of Round Rock, a city outside Austin. But I can imagine how that can be a much bigger flogging for someone else perhaps, if they didnt have their hands on technology or if paying someone $30 to get something that was a waste of your time, money and effort could be a hassle.

Then this week, election administrators in some of Texas' largest counties, which are run by Democrats, began raising early alarms about hundreds of mail-in ballot applications theyve had to reject for not complying with strict new provisions.

Tucked into the 76-page law is a new requirement that voter include either their drivers license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on mail-in ballot applications, or the number of a state-issued identification.

Counties then match those numbers to their records before mailing an actual ballot. Texas already had some of the nations most restrictive mail-in ballot rules, and was among only a handful of states that did not expand mail balloting in 2020 during the pandemic.

As of Friday, Harris County officials said they had rejected more than 200 of 1,200 applications from voters in the Houston area. In Austin, county election officials put the rate of rejections at roughly 50%.

Its definitely a red flag, said Isabel Longoria, the Harris County elections administrator. At this point, to be so low in the number of applications and have a 20 percent rejection rate for the primaries? Its really got me worried.

The Secretary of State's office said in a statement Friday that counties should check with it on how to properly reject mail ballots. It had previously said the letters warning voters they may lose their right to vote were sent as part of the implementation of the new voting law. That measure includes provisions setting out a procedure to comply with a settlement of a 2019 lawsuit settlement over the last time Texas had tried to weed out noncitizen voters and ended up threatening to revoke the registration of large numbers of U.S. citizens as well.

Voters who do not provide proof of citizenship to their county voter registrar within 30 days of receiving the notice of examination will have their registration cancelled, with the opportunity to be reinstated if the voter later provides proof of citizenship, including at the polling place, said Sam Taylor, a spokesman for the office.

Of the 2,327 voters whose registration have been canceled through the procedure, 278 have been confirmed as noncitizens, Taylor said.

But civil rights groups say the state is not taking the correct steps to ensure U.S. citizens don't get caught in the process. The state is supposed to only flag people who identified as noncitizens on their driver's licenses after registering to vote. But it's also catching some like Harish Vyalla, 35, of Austin, who said he has voted in the county at least twice since becoming a US citizen in 2013.

I had no concerns because I know I am a citizen with proper documentation, but I was surprised because nobody had asked me in the past, said Vyalla, adding it took about a month to preserve his right to vote. "The government should already have all these proofs and documents in hand.

Nina Perales, an attorney with the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, helped write the settlement of the 2019 case. She said state state officials are clearly not following it and are setting themselves up for another lawsuit.

Perales said Texas voters should brace for a potential rocky voting experience as the laws provisions fully kick in during the March 1 primary.

Texans would be well-served to know their rights when they go to the polls, because I think therell be confusion and doubt for a lot of voters, Perales said.

___

Riccardi reported from Denver. Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
A buyer is ready to call an intriguing Advance, NC, property dome, sweet dome.

"There was a lot of interest in it when it first hit the market," says the listing broker, Kati Lawrence of Premier Realty. "I think a lot of people just wanted to see it because it is so uniqueversus really having an interest in buying it. But right now, it is under contract.

Listed for $549,000, the intergalactic-looking triple-dome home is connected by walkways, and each dome serves a particular purpose. It's a triple delight of a design that was custom-built by the original owner in 1981.

It took the first owner about five years to build. In the 1980s, dome houses were all the rage, and the original owner looked into buying kits, but they werent quite what he wanted, so he decided to design it himself," says Lawrence. "They made everything custom for the house and added the porch and sunroom later."

For the current owner, the second owner of the property, parting with the place wasn't easy.

She's moving to Georgiaor she would not be selling, because she loves the home, says Lawrence.

Located on a private, 13.1-acre wooded lot, the multilevel, three-bedroom home features a number of modern amenities. Plenty of features are packed into the home's unique design. A spiral staircase leads up to a loft from the main bedroom, and skylights let in an abundance of natural light. Then there are Bluetooth-paired lights and slate stone flooring.

Aerial view of home in Advance, NC Realtor.com

Exterior Realtor.com

Garage Realtor.com

Entry Realtor.com

Foyer Realtor.com

Sunken living area Realtor.com

Kitchen Realtor.com

Main bedroom Realtor.com

Deck off main bedroom Realtor.com

All three domes are connected, and one serves as a two-car garage.

Lawrence explains that the main dome serves as living space, with a sunken section and stairs that go up to a loft. Behind the loft is the kitchen, which lines the back of the second dome.

"You go down another hallway that is lined with bookcases, and there is a third dome," she says.

It has three bedrooms, the primary bedroom and two others.

You can take your pick of vantage points on the propertys natural beauty: the spacious outdoor deck, the stone patio, or the glass-walled sunroom. Windows and sliders abound throughout the domes, with beautiful views from each room.

Sunroom Realtor.com

Deck view Realtor.com

When the current owner found the property, she was looking for something different and quirky.

She has done some cosmetic work to the home to make it more modern and took out a wall under the loft to make the walkway to the kitchen more open, Lawrence notes.

When the house was originally built, it had a geothermal heating and cooling system, but the current owner introduced HVAC for central air conditioning.

Her improvements paid off, and an offer came in quickly. It didn't appeal to everyone who looked at it, but it only took one person to find the triple domes dreamy.

As the agent tells us, "It takes someone special to buy itits a very cool property."

The post This Triple-Dome Design in North Carolina Is Simply Dreamy appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Florida, US (34429)

Today

Rain, occasionally heavy, ending early. Partial clearing overnight. Thunder possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

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Rain, occasionally heavy, ending early. Partial clearing overnight. Thunder possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Local

Local centenarian's secret of a life well lived

nancykennedy / Nancy Kennedy / Chronicle Reporter At 100, Theresa Anderson is energetic, busy and full of life. In her 90s she wrote a song book, The Inspiration Tree, as a way of working out her grief after the death of her husband in 2011. Special to the Chronicle Theresa Anderson dressed for her First Communion. Special to the Chronicle Theresa Anderson, 1940.

At 100, Theresa Anderson is a bundle of energy and optimism.

She cant see well, but even that isnt enough to slow her down.

Her secret, she said, is peanut butter and beer. She likes her peanut butter on toast for breakfast and one beer at the end of the day.

Im one of 11 children  Im in the center, she said. My mom was a widow with three little boys when she met my dad, and then they had eight children. I was number two in that set.

Anderson first came to Florida from her hometown of Cincinnati during the war years, World War II.

A friend had relatives in Miami and invited Anderson and another friend to come too.

I asked my dad, Pop, can I go to Florida?

He said, How old are you?

I said, 21, and he told me, You dont have to ask my permission anymore, so I went to Miami and got a job with Pan Am, although I was too tall to be a stewardess and you had to be a nurse at that time, she said. I always wanted to be a secretary.

As it turned out, her two friends moved back to Ohio so Anderson moved in with another friend.

Then the two of them met a pair of Navy pilots.

Anderson liked the one with the beautiful blue eyes, Paul Anderson.

That was in 1944.

We decided when the war was over wed get married, she said. He had to go to Michigan for training, and once he left I had no interest in Florida so I went home to Cincinnati, got a job and got ready for a wedding.

The war ended in August 1945 and they were married in November.

After a honeymoon in Chicago, they settled in a small town in Iowa and raised four children, two boys and two girls.

Sound of music

My sister, Mary Lou, could sit down at the piano and could play anything, Anderson said. Not me. I had to listen.

Because she had eyesight problems, she couldnt see well enough to read the sheet music. So, she got herself a fake book, a collection of songs written with only the melody, lyrics and chord symbols.

She taught herself to play anything, said Andersons daughter, Sue McCollough. She taught herself to play piano and organ.

When the Anderson children were in high school, Anderson and her husband would leave the kids in care of their grandfather, who lived with them, and they started taking trips to Florida.

In 1974, they bought their first mobile home in Florida.

When we lived in Dade City, I used to play piano at a Dade City supper club, Anderson said.

She said when they first got married, her husband asked her, Do you mind if we move every five years or so?

They would buy a house, live in it a while, then sell it and buy something bigger.

We were the original house flippers, she said.

They did that all throughout their small town in Iowa and then in Florida, living in Zephyrhills, Leesburg, Tavares, Lakeland, Dade City, Citrus Springs and Crystal River.

Im an excellent packer, Anderson said.

They also had a string of businesses in Iowa: feed and grain, a farm raising turkeys and pigs, a golf course.

Thats how we eventually came to Florida, she said. Wed close up the golf course in October and come back (to Iowa) in April.

Paul Anderson died in 2011 when he was almost 90, and for the next year, the normally energetic Theresa Anderson became quiet and withdrawn.

When a year passed, she announced, Well, I guess Im not going to die.

I thought when your husband died, you died by the next year from a broken heart, and I had a broken heart, she said.

To work out her grief, she started walking around the neighborhood: two blocks to the north, two blocks to the west, two blocks to the south, then take a little rest, as she described it.

On her route, she found a tree that became her inspiration tree, a tall, stately oak.

She had memorized a prayer for healing and strength, which she recited as she walked.

Its called the Miracle Prayer, and if you believed what it said something very spiritual would happen to you, but I said, ha ha, but it worked, she said.

As she walked, she started thinking of song lyrics. Then she put the words to music.

When she had a collection, she played the songs on the piano and recorded them, then had someone transcribe them into sheet music, the pages of which have been bound into The Inspiration Tree songbook.

One of the songs, When, asks: When will all the love songs be sung? When will all the bells be rung? When will the love I have for you be reflected in your eyes of blue?

They sparkled, they winked, they thrilled and they teased me. Did you ever know how much they pleased me?

When will I see your blue eyes again? I know that you know, please tell me when.

A good life

Theresa Anderson turned 100 on Dec. 9, 2021, which she said is not as difficult as it sounds. You just take each day as it comes.

She has a pace thats faster than any older person, McCollough said. She never slows down. Shes the same as when she was 30.

I grew up in a family that went through that big Depression that started when I was just starting school and lasted for 10 years, she said. My mother only got to the sixth grade because she had to go to work after her dad died, and she stressed education.

She said, Youll never get anyplace unless you learn, learn, learn.

Anderson hasnt stopped learning, McCullough said. Even though her mom can barely see, she listens to audio books for the blind from the Library of Congress and plays the piano.

When she was 90, she and her daughter, Nancy Nissen, started taking trips, to the Holy Land, Alaska, Colorado.

Ive had a good life, she said. Whats most important is love, and love of family.
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Spotlight PAs Danielle Ohl contributed reporting.

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Oklahoma City, OK (73106)

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A mix of clouds and sun. High 67F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 53F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Raspunsul la criza refugiatilor: Apel de propuneri, lansat de MAD-Aid in parteneriat cu Camera de Comert Britanica din Moldova
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the MMS- Payne Funeral Home Chapel from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Grace Ann Harrison passed away on April 26, 2022 at the age of 76 years old. Grace Ann was born to Dryden and Joan Carman 
Beachwood, OH (44122)

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Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 48F. S winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 48F. S winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Beachwood, OH (44122)

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Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 48F. SSW winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 48F. SSW winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Alice Stuedemann, 89 of Camanche, formerly of Clinton, passed away April 30th at Mercy One Hospital. Visitation and services are being planned for Monday, May 9th at St. John Lutheran Church. Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17) The National Bureau of Investigation said Monday it has foiled the escape attempt of self-confessed drug lord Rolan Kerwin Espinosa and two others from the bureaus detention center last January 13.

In a statement, NBI officer-in-charge director Eric Distor said that the Security Management Section immediately acted upon receiving information on the planned escape of the three prisoners.

On the same night, they immediately conducted an inspection of the jail. In one of the cells, the raiding team of agents observed a deformed exhaust fan, which when removed, exposed a hole fit for a detainee to escape, the statement read.

Following the incident, Distor said that security measures has been tightened with regular inspection of all jail facilities.

In a message to reporters, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NBI is expected to submit a report today about the incident. He also instructed the bureau to intensify its intelligence work.

The NBI earlier filed a complaint before the Department of Justice against Espinosa and 25 others, including his alleged police coddlers.

Espinosa is the son of former Albuera, Leyte mayor Roland Espinosa, Sr. The ex-mayor was arrested over charges of illegal possession of dangerous drugs and firearms in 2016. Both father and son were tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte in his list of alleged illegal drug coddlers and traffickers.

In the same year, the younger Espinosa was arrested in Abu Dhabi, while mayor Espinosa was killed in a shootout in his jail cell.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17)  Two Cabinet officials have warned against an illegal solicitation scheme using their names to swindle job seekers not yet vaccinated against COVID-19.

Acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Monday said some individuals have been using his name and that of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to solicit an unauthorized medical bond or medical insurance.

He said the 6,000 being solicited is claimed "to be part of recruitment and hiring procedure." The scammers have also been using the letterheads of the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force and the Department of Labor and Employment, he added.

According to Bello, a fake set of Guidelines for Recruitment of Non-Vaccinated Applicants is being circulated as part of the scam.

The Labor chief alerted both job seekers and private sector employers, as he stressed the DOLE and the IATF never issued such Guidelines.

Authorities are already tracking those behind the fraud for flagrant violation of Philippine laws and preying on workers, especially in this time of the pandemic, and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Nograles also urged anyone with information to report such fraudulent activity to 8888 Citizens Complaint Center.
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At 7:40 p.m., the borough of State College declared a "snow emergency," according to a release.

Any parked vehicles "must be removed" from public roadways in order for the Department of Public Works to remove snow and parking regulations will be "strictly enforced," the release said.

The snow emergency will remain in effect until later notice and all snow and ice must be cleared off the sidewalks 24 hours after the storm has ended, according to the Ordinance Enforcement.

Earlier on Sunday, the borough of State College asked residents to move their vehicles from the roadways so Department of Public Works crews can clear the snow, according to a release.

The borough urged the public to "use extreme caution" if traveling during the snowstorm, the release said.

Due to the snowstorm, Penn State declared a "Midnight Clear" for Sunday through Monday night. The roof levels of East, Eisenhower, HUB, Nittany and West parking decks will remain closed until "further notice," according to a release.

RELATED
For Penn State professor Molly Countermine, Neeli Bendapudis recent appointment as Penn States 19th president was like a glass ceiling being shattered.

As the first woman and person of color to hold the position, Bendapudi will succeed current Penn State President Eric Barron on or before July 1.

Previously, Bendapudi was the president of the University of Louisville and was announced as Barrons successor at the Dec. 9 Board of Trustees meeting.

Many Penn State professors said theyre optimistic about the change, like Countermine, who's an associate teaching professor of human development and family studies.

Gary King, professor of biobehavioral health, said the appointment appears to represent a change in perspective.

I personally welcome the transition to advancing a 21st century agenda for Penn State, King said. It [remains] to be seen whether we will see change and results.

King said Bendapudi has a notable record of promoting diversity at the University of Louisville.

But the support for Bendapudi as the new president comes with high expectations.

Julio Palma, assistant professor of chemistry at Penn State Fayette, said he expects a strong commitment to equity and diversity  as well as shared governance and transparency from Bendapudi.

I cannot emphasize enough that we have high expectations because we are one of the most prestigious universities in the country, Palma said.

Palma said more diversity among Penn States commonwealth campuses is important, as well as the need for change in high numbers of sexual violence on campus.

The fall 2021 semester saw the most known forcible sex offense Timely Warnings, 25, reported in a fall semester since there were 19 Timely Warnings issued in fall 2016.

I think a bunch of males in leadership [positions]... is not the correct answer, Palma said. I would really hope that having that first woman as president, we will take greater steps toward fighting this violence against women.

Countermine said she heard from a friend of a friend at the University of Louisville some things that might translate into concern for Bendapudi, but she said that women in leadership positions are very often judged more harshly than men.

Im excited to see what a woman will do in this position  and a woman of color  and I hope that the Penn State community as a whole will embrace her and not just assume things about her based on what theyve heard, Countermine said. Lets give her a chance.

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE

Palma said he was surprised to hear the presidential decision happened so soon because faculty, staff and administrators didnt know what was happening throughout the election process.

We must acknowledge that the presidential search process was very secretive and [lacked] transparency, Palma said. This is not something that is the candidates fault or responsibility.

According to the Penn State Office of the Board of Trustees website, the board led the presidential search process through a Presidential Recruitment and Selection Committee  which included student, faculty and staff representatives.

The Board of Trustees also had a Next Gen Penn State listening phase in spring 2021 to gain input from Penn State community members, again including students, staff and faculty, its website said.

Andrew Read, Penn State professor of biology and entomology, was part of a small group of faculty chosen to converse with Bendapudi on Nov. 18 before the presidential appointment was announced.

Read said he felt listened to throughout the presidential selection process.

I thought she was a terrific catch for Penn State, Read said.

There was consultation between faculty and the university regarding the selection process early on, according to Read, and faculty were able to comment in the early phases.

I have heard almost  maybe nothing  critical of the decision, Read said.

For Raymond Najjar, professor of oceanography, hes cautiously optimistic about the appointment of Bendapudi.

The new president will face challenges, Najjar said via email, referring to the increase in coronavirus cases in Centre County and inequalities in vaccination rates among Penn States campuses.

At Penn States University Park campus, 89.7% of students are vaccinated, and across the commonwealth campuses, 76.9% of students are vaccinated.

Najjar said it seems Bendapudi did a good job at the University of Louisville, and he hopes she can bring that same level of commitment to improving faculty diversity at Penn State.

Its truly a historic moment for Penn State, Najjar said, "and I am proud of the board for [its] unanimous vote for Dr. Bendapudi.

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE
Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center announced Monday via Twitter Sesame Street Live! will perform its Lets Party! tour at the facility this March 11-12.

Get Ready!  @SesameStLive is heading to the BJC on March 11th and 12th for THREE performances! Jump to the beat with your friends on Sesame Street!  Tickets on sale Tuesday, January 25th at 10 AM 's  https://t.co/T3qLWxrPYo pic.twitter.com/BJW9vZIMDB  Bryce Jordan Center (@JordanCenter) January 17, 2022

Three performances are set to take place at 5:30 p.m. March 11, 10:30 a.m. March 12 and 2 p.m. March 12.

Tickets will go on sale 10 a.m. Jan. 25 via Ticketmaster, and prices for the tickets will be available through the BJC when sales open.

Sesame Street Live! strongly encourages face coverings at its performances  regardless of coronavirus vaccination status, according to its website, though it said other guidelines will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will align with the BJC's guidelines.

Further coronavirus guidelines, ticketing information and other general updates will be provided on the Sesame Street Live! website as information becomes available.

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE
Three anti-abortion bills, sponsored by conservatives in the House Republican caucus, all met the same fate in hearings that started Wednesday afternoon and stretched into the early morning hours of Thursday. All three failed on party-line votes.
Here are legislative committee hearings and other events of note for the week ahead at the Colorado state Capitol.

Committee schedules are subject to change. The daily schedule is available on the legislatures website.

Options for public testimony during committee hearings can be found here.

House regulations regarding remote testimony can be found here. Senate regulations are here.

According to General Assembly safety protocols: "Masks should be worn at all times while in the Capitol or anywhere in the Capitol Complex. Legislative staff, the press, and the public are required to wear masks while in House and Senate space, including chamber floors, galleries, lobbies, and committee rooms and hallways. Members of the public, press, lobbyists, staff, and members can request a mask at the testing site adjacent to the south entrance to the Capitol. Legislators and staff can get a mask at the front desks of the House and Senate chambers."

MONDAY, JANUARY 17

The General Assembly is not meeting, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18

The first full week is mainly SMART (State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent Government) Act hearings.

Upon adjournment: Joint Finance Committee, JBC Hearing Room (Legislative Services Building, third floor)

SMART Act presentations from Department of Revenue, Department of Treasurer

Presentation from the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA)

Public testimony

Upon adjournment: Joint State Veterans & Military Affairs Committee, Room 271

SMART Act presentation from the Department of State, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Public testimony

1:30 p.m., Joint Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources and House Agriculture, Livestock and Water committees, Room 271

SMART Act presentation from the Department of Natural Resources, followed by public testimony

SMART Act presentation from the Department of Agriculture, followed by public testimony

Other meetings of note:

The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission is meeting at 9 a.m. via Webex. The agenda includes an update on the Tina Peters complaint.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20

Upon adjournment, Joint Senate Transportation & Energy and House Energy & Environment committees, Room 271

SMART Act presentation from the Colorado Energy Office

SMART Act presentation from the Publics Utilities Commission

SMART Act presentation from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

Public testimony

1:30 p.m., Joint Education committees, Room 271

SMART Act presentation from the Colorado Department of Education

SMART Act presentation from the Department of Higher Education

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21

Upon adjournment, Joint Business Affairs & Labor, Room 271
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
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
Do you feel more secure? Is your computing experience more trustworthy these days?

Seriously  youre reading this article on a computer or phone, connecting to this site on an internet shared with your Grandma as well as Russian hackers, North Korean attackers, and lots of teenagers looking at TikTok videos. Its been 20 years since then-Microsoft CEO Bill Gates wrote his Trustworthy Computing memo where he emphasized security in the companys products.

So are we actually more secure now?

Im going to keep in mind the side effects from last weeks Patch Tuesday security updates and consider them in my answer. First, the good news: I dont see major side effects occurring on PCs not connected to active directory domains (and I havent seen any showstoppers in testing my hardware at home). I can still print to my local HP and Brother printers. I can surf and access files. So, while Im not ready yet to give an all-clear to install the January updates, when I do, I doubt youll see side effects.

But for businesses, this months updates deliver a confusing and murky story. Microsoft has not exactly been a good trustworthy computing partner this month. Rather taking the past two decades to develop bullet-proof, resilient systems, we get servers going into boot loops and admins having to boot into DOS mode and run commands to uninstall updates.

This isnt where we were supposed to be at this point.

As Gates said 20 years ago: Availability: Our products should always be available when our customers need them. System outages should become a thing of the past because of a software architecture that supports redundancy and automatic recovery. Self-management should allow for service resumption without user intervention in almost every case.

And yet, Im still delaying updates on my computer systems because the latest updates, in particular, have shown that servers may have recovery issues. Case in point: Windows Servers domain controllers might restart unexpectedly. That cropped up after last weeks security patches on all supported Windows server platforms. As noted in the known-issue write-up, this occurs after using Microsofts own recommended guidance for Active Directory hardening, which included using Shadow Principals in Enhanced Security Admin Environment (ESAE) or environments with Privileged Identity Management (PIM). The systems affected include Windows Server 2022 (KB5009555); Windows Server, version 20H2 (KB5009543); Windows Server 2019 (KB5009557); Windows Server 2016 (KB5009546); Windows Server 2012 R2 (KB5009624) Windows Server 2012 (KB5009586).

Ive also seen reports that following the Active Directory security hardening guidance (created after the November security releases) will trigger the reboot problem if youve set the PACRequestorEnforcement value to 2.

Even with cloud services, the issues around availability remain unsolved. For example, Microsoft 365 has a Twitter account whose entire focus is communicating on availability issues with the service. Rarely a week goes by that I dont get an alert about some service issue. Cloud services are hardened, but I dont see a lot of progress either with local servers or cloud services. Instead of planning on automatic recovery, we have to make sure we have alternative services and alternative ways to communicate should our systems be hit either by patching or by ransomware.

More from Gates: Security: The data our software and services store on behalf of our customers should be protected from harm and used or modified only in appropriate ways. Security models should be easy for developers to understand and build into their applications.

And yet, last weeks security releases included confusing communication regarding a potentially wormable flaw. The https bug in the form of CVE-2022-21907 is not clear on which versions are vulnerable. Clarification and analysis had to come from external sources before we could figure out Windows 10 version 1809 and Server 2019 are not vulnerable by default  unless the HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\HTTP\Parameter\EnableTrailerSupport registry key is set to 1. Versions of Windows 10 after 1809 are vulnerable by default. Id argue that 20 years after the release of the trustworthy computing memo, our security models  and just as importantly, our security communication  still arent easy to understand.

Were also tracking issues with HyperV servers on Server 2012R2 (and, it appears, only that platform) where virtual machines fail to start after applying KB5009624 on devices using UEFI. If you have any virtual servers hosted on Server 2012R2, hold back on installing updates on those platforms.

And users of Windows 10 workstations that rely on Virtual Private Networks for remote access are having to uninstall the January updates due to a side effect that breaks VPN access on Windows 10 or Windows 11 systems. For those who rely on L2TP VPN or IPsec VPN, you will fail to connect using VPN after installing the updates.

Gates closed out his memo with this: Going forward, we must develop technologies and policies that help businesses better manage ever larger networks of PCs, servers and other intelligent devices, knowing that their critical business systems are safe from harm. Systems will have to become self-managing and inherently resilient. We need to prepare now for the kind of software that will make this happen, and we must be the kind of company that people can rely on to deliver it.

So how did that work out? Were in the same place we were 20 years ago; we still have to rely on ourselves to decide on the right time to install updates.

So how do you really feel about security? Join the discussion in the AskWoody forums!
Most technologists understand that end-to-end encryption in messaging keeps people safe and empowers commerce. But the UK government is launching a publicity blitz to have that layer of protection removed.

The decision will affect every nation the UK does business with, including those that still value the right to privacy and free speech.

Privacy versus safety

Rolling Stone reports the UK has developed an emotive ad campaign around child safety to build support for its argument. Of course, this campaign comes nowhere near addressing the threat to free speech, commerce, or privacy in such a move. Naturally, the reaction across most of the tech industry has been a series of shared oaths as people who know about this stuff ask: Do we have to explain this again?

Robin Wilton, director of Internet Trust at the Internet Society told Rolling Stone:

Without strong encryption, children are more vulnerable online than ever. Encryption protects personal safety and national security. What the government is proposing puts everyone at risk.

The report also explains that the UK government doesnt seem to want to address the privacy-versus-security debate. Instead, it simply seeks to inflame reaction with an emotive campaign that raises public support for such a move while utterly ignoring the multitude of arguments against it.

One slide mentioned cites a request that the campaign must not start a privacy vs. safety debate, except, of course, that it automatically does. To get some sense of the many nuanced protections provided by encryption, take a look at this clear and comprehensive piece.

Lack of security as a design feature

One of the few points of agreement between Apple and Facebook is about the need for privacy protection. Both companies have long opposed attempts to weaken security protection, arguing that doing so poses numerous threats.

What sort of threats?

For example:

Entrepreneurs working on confidential business ideas may find blueprints stolen by state and non-state actors who have penetrated their messaging system.

People of different genders and sexualities could be exposed to reprisal by authoritarian governments.

Opposition politicians, community advocates, and dissident intellectuals can be identified, tracked, and monitored, stifling civic freedom and free speech.

Lack of encryption on a platform scale threatens smart logistics and smart infrastructure by weakening protection.

Financial transactions might be more easily exposed.

Ongoing revelations around NSO Group (and of PRISM many years ago) shows the extent to which surveillance is already used in an egregious manner. The removal of end-to-end encryption simply makes it easier to do by removing an important layer of protection.

Added to which, what begins with law enforcement ends up with criminals and repressive regimes. The impact? Everyone becomes less safe.

Such a pointless move

Whats worse about the idea is its innate futility. After all, if larger entities are forced to abandon encryption, the criminals the government says it wants to target will be savvy enough (and guilty enough) to find alternatives, such as:

Third-party encryption apps;

Pre-encrypted messaging;

Encrypted data embedded inside fake photos.

There are so many options available to the guilty that those most impacted by the UK government plan will be those who are innocent, who will become more vulnerable and lose privacy in exchange for less, rather than more, security.

The former head of UK intelligence service, Jonathan Evans, in 2017 warned against weakening messaging encryption, pointing to the commercial need for such protection."

Its very important that we should be seen and be a country in which people can operate securely  thats important for our commercial interests as well as our security interests, so encryption in that context is very positive," he said.

If you can scan one thing more, what would it be?

The UK intent generates rather disturbing echoes following Apples flawed plan to introduce on-device CSAM scanning on its devices. While the iPhone maker seems to be sitting on those plans now, the UK governments new campaign suggests why the company developed the tech  and hints how easily it could be extended into other fields.

John Hopkins Information Security Institute Associate Professor of Computer Science Matthew Green warns: Dont listen to anyone who tells you 'theyll never give in to government pressure' when its obvious they already are.

Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
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In what, given a dark turn, could be a great premise for a Stephen King novel, Stephen King simply can't stop writing. To this date, the man has written 63 novels, with so many classics and forgotten gems that just reviewing the list unleashes a flood of nostalgia, like, well, a Stephen King character recollecting their Maine upbringing. Yet more interesting than merely stating King to be a prolific writer is noticing one curious way he dealt with his literary compulsion early in his career: his creation of an alter ego or a dark half, if you will.

The official story goes that the late '70s publishing industry deemed readers not to like authors putting out more than one book a year, something King himself disputes. As a response, he made up a fictional persona that would also allow him to test the idea that his post-Carrie success was a fluke. This fictional persona was Richard Bachman. During the late '70s and early '80s, indeed, the Bachman pen name meant a way for King to explore slightly more visceral, realistic horror, in comparison to the still-disturbing yet more psychologically and conceptually oriented works he was writing back then  think classics like The Shining, The Stand, The Dead Zone, or Pet Sematary. Anyway, here's King playing a character named Bachman in 2010:
Pattie Boyd, wife of Clapton and before that George Harrison, had album's worth of music penned about her, including "Wonderful Tonight," "Something" (it's a Harrison song, don't worry about not knowing the backstory), "Layla," "Mystifies Me," "Breathe on Me," and probably a bunch of others.

3. "Smoke On The Water" Is As Original As Every Douchebro Who Plays It

It makes sense that one of the single most memorized-by-people-who-shouldnt-play-guitar song was ripped off. It might make less sense that it was ripped off from a jazz tune. There are other Deep Purple songs that were ripped off too.

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4. "Macho Man" Is Forever A Trump Song

Trump, pretty predictably, loved hypermasculine songs. He's most known for playing "Macho Man" by The Village People to amp up crowds at his rallies, until The Village People pulled permission in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.

5. Fleetwood Macs Rumors Had The Most Awful Recording Process

Rumours was made amid the bandreal-life husband and wife Christine and John McVie, Lindsay Buckingham, and Stevie Nicksbreaking up. One song was about Christine sleeping with someone else. Another was about Nicks affair. Both "Dreams" and "Go Your Own Way" are about "Hey why don't you go screw yourself?" except the person who was being told to go screw themselves were working on the song as well, even singing the lyrics. It was a drug-fueled, revenge-filled romp designed almost entirely to hurt each other and became one of the best albums of all time. Art, man.


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With two weeks to go until a key COVID-19 testing partner is due to withdraw its services, Connecticuts Department of Public Health says it is still sorting out how the work will be replaced at 16 sites across the state.

State officials said they are not planning to pause operations at any testing sites as a result of the transition, which is scheduled to come at a critical time as demand for coronavirus testing has soared amid a new wave of infections driven by the highly-contagious omicron variant. However, officials said its possible some sites could move locations.

At this time, there are no planned interruptions as part of the transition, DPH spokesman Christopher Boyle said in an email Friday. There is always a possibility a site could relocate within a town if that change will better meet the needs of the community.

Beginning in 2020, to help meet the demand for testing during the pandemic, the state government stood up about two dozen testing sites scattered throughout the state. It brought on lab contractors to handle processing those tests and collecting thousands of swabs from patients.

But in late December, the states top contractor for its testing sites, Stamford-based Sema4, which runs 16 of 25 state-backed sites, announced it will discontinue its COVID-19 line of business entirely by the end of this month.

Sema4s withdrawal followed controversy over investments into the company by a venture capital firm co-founded by Annie Lamont, the governors wife. The issue was first reported in the Connecticut Mirror in November.

On Friday, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Health said the agency is developing a plan to fill the gap beyond Jan. 31, when Sema4 is due to stop its services.

State officials said they are in active talks with laboratories already contracted with the state, but they have not yet identified which company, or companies, will take over the 16 sites, the spokesman said.

The testing locations have processed tens of thousands of tests and are critical for some communities.

Municipal officials around the state, including in Norwalk, Hartford, Killingly and Plainfield, said they have been assured the sites will remain open but are waiting for more information from the state about the transition plan. And theyre keeping a close eye to ensure it goes smoothly.

In Kent, a small town hugging the border with New York, the Sema4 site is the only place to get a COVID-19 test for miles. Jean Speck, head of the towns board of selectmen, said first responders and teachers around the region turn to the site at Kents transfer station for needed weekly testing. Some Kent residents, particularly the elderly, dont have the option of driving 40 minutes or more to seek a COVID-19 test, Speck said.

"I'm doing everything I can to keep it open, Speck said by phone Friday morning. The only thing that would keep it from staying open is if DPH and, you know, the governor's office can't find a lab to come do the tests. I've told DPH that we will keep the site open for as long as they want us to keep the site open.

As the omicron variant has caused an unprecedented spike in cases, traffic at the Kent testing center roughly quadrupled, she said. Volume has remained high enough that the town, Sema4 and the state recently agreed to add another day of testing each week.

While the personnel at the site work for a staffing agency, Speck said she is awaiting word from the state health agency about which laboratory can process the tests.

They are diligently working on a transition plan to put a new lab partner in place, Speck said, adding that both the state and Sema4 have been excellent partners.

Hartford officials said theyre in touch with state health officials and monitoring the process closely.

Our hope and our goal is for a seamless transition to a new vendor who can continue to provide testing services to our community at the current location, Liany Arroyo, director of Health and Human Services for the city of Hartford, said in a statement.

State officials said the vendors involved in discussions to take over Sema4s work landed contracts with the state through open-bid processes during the spring and summer.

At least nine other organizations are contracted with the state to provide COVID-19 testing, according to the master contract on file with the state Department of Administrative Services. The state is contracted to pay up to $95 per molecular test, a price that includes the fees to collect and process the swabs.

Sema4 began COVID-19 testing in the spring of 2020, securing its first contract with the Connecticut Department of Public Health in late May, state records show.

The core of Sema4s business is in genetic testing. The arrival of the coronavirus pandemic meant the firms usual testing volume dropped off, and Sema4 pivoted to begin offering COVID-19 tests, according to a recent disclosure to investors. In the first nine months of 2021, more than half of the diagnostic tests Sema4 processed in its lab were for COVID-19, according to the companys filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

In mid-December, Sema4 first said it would discontinue its COVID-19 testing by mid-January; shortly after, the company agreed to continue until the end of January.

Sema4 in a statement said soon after the pandemic began in early 2020, labs nationwide were overwhelmed and struggled to meet testing turnaround times. So, the company said it answered the call to enter the COVID-19 testing business.

But, the company said, the situation is now very different. In Connecticut, and across the country, lab capacity has grown, vaccines and treatments are available along with more testing options. We therefore believe now is the appropriate time to dedicate our resources to Sema4s core mission, the statement said.

The affect of Sema4s departure on appointment availability and turnaround times remains to be seen.

In recent weeks, the state testing sites have together conducted about 25,000 tests, according to sites weekly averages the state Department of Public Health provided to Hearst Connecticut Media. Roughly two-thirds of that volume was handled by Sema4.

During the week between Christmas and New Years, Connecticut reported nearly 230,000 tests in total, a figure that includes testing at both state-run sites, like Sema4s, and privately run locations, like at CVS and Walgreens, though the figure does not include at-home test kits.
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WESTPORT  Michael Kronick never envisioned himself as the chief of a fire department. In fact, he never thought hed become a career firefighter.

But as new opportunities presented themselves, Kronick grew through the ranks, continuing to show others his ability to lead.

On Jan. 1, Fire Chief Robert Yost retired after 34 years and Kronick, then second in command as deputy chief, stepped up into the new role to replace him.

I am flattered that the town asked me, Kronick said. It wasnt something that I had set out to do when I first got into fire service. I am absolutely flattered, but I am also apprehensive because I know what the job entails and I know how much work it is to be the chief of a fire department.

I am humbled by the offer and the opportunity, he added.

Kronick first got into fire service in 1986 when he joined the fire explorers in Fairfield. As an incoming high schooler, he said he only did it because his friends were doing it, adding it was straight up peer-pressure that got him involved in the business.

He said his high school friends all had older brothers who were involved in the program and they were joining because of their brothers.

I just followed along because thats what my friends were doing and I never looked back, Kronick said.

Kronick graduated from Fairfield High School in 1991 and when he turned 18, he joined the Southport Volunteer Fire Department in Fairfield, where he said he begin learning the craft of being a firefighter.

He began taking a few fire tests while he earned his bachelors of science degree from the University of Connecticut. He said it was essentially for the same reason as joining the explorers  My friends were doing it.

I was really interested in being a firefighter, but not a career firefighter because I was already a volunteer and pretty happy with it at the time, Kronick said

Kronick joined the Westport Fire Department in 1998 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2009. He became the assistant chief in 2012 before becoming the deputy chief in 2017.

He also later earned a masters in fire science from the University of New Haven

Kronick said growing through the ranks is very common in the fire department.

Were a little different than most uniform services, Kronick said. We usually promote from within.

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said Kronicks experience made him a great candidate to lead the department.

Mike has the proven ability and expertise to seamlessly and effectively take over the role as chief, Tooker said. Like Chief Yost, Mike has a breadth of knowledge, skill and understanding that will ensure that the current high standards of safety and efficiency will be maintained in the Westport Fire Department.

Kronick said the ability to help others is what makes the job worth it.

He said its about going out and being a part of a team to do what you can to improve the outcomes for people in need.

While dealing with the pandemic, the fire department recently helped the town distribute test kits and masks to residents. The fire department even assisted in providing vaccinations. Kronick said the fire department trained all of its firefighters to become vaccinators to help the health department and the schools get all the students and teachers vaccinated.

Thats pretty unique in this part of Connecticut, he said. I dont know of any other fire departments that were able to do that, but we saw an opportunity to help and stepped in.

To be part of that feels really good, he added. Were making change and helping people.

Kronick said that he has learned a lot about leading a fire department from Yost and while Yosts retirement came unexpectedly, Kronick can understand why.

I also know after 30 to 40 years in the business you kind of hit that wall, Kronick said. I wasnt surprised he was leaving because he had so many years on the job, but it was also unexpected and a surprise.

Kroncik said that he has known Yost since before he became a Westport firefighter. He said their paths had cross many times. Both are University of Connecticut alumni and were members of the Mansfield Volunteer Fire Department, right off the UConn campus. Kronick remembers joining the department and hearing some of the members talk about how proud they were that one of their guys was on a big city fire department.

They talked so fondly and supportive of Chief Yost, Kronick said. Ive know him for a longtime. He is a longtime friend.

serenity.bishop@hearstmediact.com
SHELTON  Zoning officials are preparing a zone change proposal for the city-owned Mas property and abutting sites that would be part of what Mayor Mark Lauretti envisions as a future manufacturing hub.

Once complete, the city would file the zone change application with the Planning and Zoning Commission for its verdict.

Initial wording, presented as part of a report to the commission Tuesday, calls for the area to fall under the Industrial IA-1 district, replacing the Planned Development District approval granted for the site decades earlier.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Alex Rossetti told the commission that the zone change, if approved, would guarantee no shopping centers, restaurants, gas stations or multi-family housing.

Removal of this PDD zone is necessary to eliminate any perceived threat of multi-family residential development and/or retail shopping centers and to preserve the area for quality industrial and related economic development, the report reads. The IA-1 District is no longer in use anywhere in the city and therefore can be modified and tailored for use on the Mas property as well as related parcels.

Zoning staff and the city are completing a final zone change draft that will be on a meeting agenda for the entire Planning and Zoning Commission. If the commission accepts the final draft  or a slightly modified version after its input  it will then be referred to the appropriate state and regional agencies and a public hearing will be scheduled. That public hearing could be in February.

In December, Lauretti told Hearst Connecticut Media three firms have expressed interest in calling the Mas property home.

A significant part of making this happen is extending Constitution Blvd. West  with bids coming in last month at between $4.5 million and nearly $10 million for that work, according to Lauretti.

Extending the roadway and use of the Mas property has been on the table for years, but Lauretti began the most recent push in April when he presented preliminary plans for creating the road leading into the city-owned land, which would be developed into a manufacturing corporate park.

Lauretti said he expects the cost to be about $5 million for the road work, which would allow for access into the 70-acre, city-owned Mas property. Lauretti said three good sized manufacturers are interested and deals with two could be struck soon.

Shelton state Rep. Jason Perillo helped secure $5 million in funding for the road extension in the states 2021 bond package. The funding will be available once approved by the state Bond Commission, according to Perillo.

The Inland Wetlands Commission, at its meeting in November, approved the citys permit application for extension of the roadway, with street construction occurring within regulated wetlands areas.

The application approved by Inland Wetlands is for phase one roadway construction only, with a portion of Bridgeport Ave. to be widened along with intersection improvements. Portions of Cots Street and Blacks Hill Road will also be reconstructed as part of this project.

This work also calls for the city to purchase 55 and 56 Blacks Hill Road, according to the application submitted to Inland Wetlands.

The property sits near Bridgeport Ave., and the roadway plans include extending Constitution Blvd. to reach Shelton Ave./Route 108. Lauretti said a zone change would be needed, requiring plans to go before the Planning and Zoning Commission at some point.

The Mas property is now vacant. It is mostly wooded with considerable stone ledges and several ponds, including one some 600 feet long and 250 to 300 feet wide, and lies between Bridgeport Aven., Cots Street, Tisi Drive, Sunwood Condos on Nells Rock Road, Regent Drive, Walnut Ave., and Kings Highway. Part of the land abuts the back of the Perry Hill School property.

brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com
Cullman, AL (35055)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
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
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Technical Forecast for the US Dollar: Neutral

The US Dollar (via the DXY Index) was on its way to its worst weekly performance since May 2021 before a late-week rally offered relief.

US Dollar net-long positioning fell for the first time in a month, but remains near its most net-long level since October 2019.

The IG Client Sentiment Index s uggests that the US Dollar has mostly mixed bias against its three major counterparts.

US Dollar Rates Week in Review

The US Dollars second week of 2022 was rather dismal. The greenback lost ground against all of its major counterparts, with the broader DXY Index falling by -0.60% on the week. USD/JPY rates produced the biggest move, falling by -1.16%. The first and third largest components of the DXY Index, EUR/USD and GBP/USD rates, gained +0.48% and +0.63%, respectively. But there was a notable shift in price action by Friday, and a sharp US Dollar rebound accumulated enough technical evidence to suggest that the worst may be over. It very well may be the case that the monthly lows for the US Dollar are now in the rearview mirror.

For full US economic data forecasts, view the DailyFX economic calendar.

DXY INDEX PRICE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: DAILY CHART (March 2020 to January 2022) (CHART 1)

The DXY Index dropped to its lowest level since early-November 2021, and along the way, it appeared that significant technical damage had been levied. The sell-off by the DXY Index saw price action break through the uptrend from the June, September, and October 2021 swing lows, but support was ultimately found at a familiar area around 94.65/74, where the March 2020 low, September 2020 high, and September to early-November 2021 highs were carved out. The rebound from this critical support region saw the DXY Index retake the June, September, and October 2021 uptrend, suggesting a false bearish breakout transpired. Gains above 96.00 are eyed over the coming days as a confirmation signal that the greenback sell-off has finished.

EUR/USD RATE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: DAILY CHART (January 2021 to January 2022) (CHART 2)

EUR/USD rates broke out higher from their two month-long triangle early last week, but did not advance meaningfully before resistance was met in a number of forms: the descending trendline from the May and September 2021 swing highs; the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the 2017 low/2018 high range; and the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the 2020 low/2021 high range. But perhaps most notably, the daily candlestick on Friday has taken the shape of a bearish outside engulfing bar, and coming in after a breakout, means its also a bearish key reversal. A move back below 1.1380 would offer a strong confirmation signal that EUR/USDs bullish breakout as failed.

IG Client Sentiment Index: EUR/USD Rate Forecast (January 14, 2022) (Chart 3)

EUR/USD: Retail trader data shows 52.36% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.10 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 1.70% lower than yesterday and 6.35% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 13.85% lower than yesterday and 4.95% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests EUR/USD prices may continue to fall.

Positioning is more net-long than yesterday but less net-long from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed EUR/USD trading bias.

GBP/USD RATE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: DAILY CHART (January 2021 to January 2022) (CHART 4)

GBP/USD rates have rallied more over the past three weeks than other USD-pairs, a testament to Sterling strength afforded by rising Bank of England rate hike expectations. Nevertheless, the two daily candlesticks to close out the week  a shooting star on Thursday followed by a bearish piercing candle on Friday  hint that a near-term top has been reached. But with the pair firmly above its daily 5-, 8-, 13-, and 21-EMA envelope, as well as daily MACD still trending higher above its signal line and daily Slow Stochastics holding in overbought territory, GBP/USD rates offer the least appealing setup to take advantage of a potential US Dollar rebound in the days ahead. On the other hand, if US Dollar weakness resumes, look to GBP/USD rates as a leader to the upside.

IG Client Sentiment Index: GBP/USD Rate Forecast (January 14, 2022) (Chart 5)

GBP/USD: Retail trader data shows 38.82% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.58 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 6.20% lower than yesterday and 16.73% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 9.17% lower than yesterday and 20.31% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests GBP/USD prices may continue to rise.

Positioning is less net-short than yesterday but more net-short from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed GBP/USD trading bias.

USD/JPY RATE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: DAILY CHART (January 2021 to January 2022) (CHART 6)

Weakness in US equity markets coupled with a dip in long-end US Treasury yields provided a near-perfect environment for USD/JPY rates to pullback last week  and that they did. In doing so, the uptrend from the September and December 2021 swing lows was broken, suggesting that the multi-month rally has finished. However, with the daily candlestick on Friday forming into a hammer, price action may be hinting that a period of choppy, sideways movement is ahead for the pair. USD/JPY rates may not be an appealing long yet, but there is early evidence that the worst of the selling may be finished in the near-term.

IG Client Sentiment Index: USD/JPY Rate Forecast (January 14, 2022) (Chart 7)

USD/JPY: Retail trader data shows 43.10% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.32 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 8.45% higher than yesterday and 25.89% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 17.43% lower than yesterday and 34.70% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests USD/JPY prices may continue to rise.

Yet traders are less net-short than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current USD/JPY price trend may soon reverse lower despite the fact traders remain net-short.

CFTC COT US Dollar Futures Positioning (January 2020 to January 2022) (Chart 8)

Finally, looking at positioning, according to the CFTCs COT for the week ended January 11, speculators decreased their net-long US Dollar positions to 37,860 contracts from 39,057 contracts. Despite the decline, net-long US Dollar positioning remains near its highest level since October 2019, when the DXY Index was trading above 98.00. Further evidence of net-longs being liquidated could ultimately prove fruitful for the US Dollar on a longer-term basis as overcrowding has hindered additional strength.

--- Written by Christopher Vecchio, CFA, Senior Strategist
Ashland, KY (41101)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Volcanic eruptions have significant impact on Tonga with tsunami causing damages

Xinhua) 08:18, January 17, 2022

Tongan geologists aboard a ship watch the eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga, Jan. 15, 2022. (Photo provided by Tonga Geological Services of the Government of Tonga.)

Friday's violent eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano continued for over 12 hours and the volcano also erupted for eight minutes on Saturday, sending plumes of ash into the sky.

Tsunami waves had a significant impact on the foreshore on the northern side of Nuku'alofa, with boats and large boulders washed ashore.

SUVA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The eruptions of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga on Friday and Saturday have a significant impact on the South Pacific island country, especially its capital Nuku'alofa.

According to Tonga's news website Matangi Tonga Online, Friday's violent volcanic eruption continued for over 12 hours and the volcano also erupted for eight minutes on Saturday, sending plumes of ash into the sky.

The Royal Palace grounds, the waterfront and main street were flooded in Nuku'alofa, but information about the extent of damage in the island country is unavailable because its communication with the outside world has been cut off since Saturday evening as a result of the volcanic eruptions.

According to Radio New Zealand, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a press conference Sunday afternoon that New Zealand High Commission in Nuku'alofa was in contact with local authorities and that damage assessments were underway.

She said that the New Zealand High Commission said the tsunami waves had a significant impact on the foreshore on the northern side of Nuku'alofa, with boats and large boulders washed ashore. Shops along the coast were damaged, and there would be a need for a major cleanup.

The undersea cable has been impacted, probably because of power cuts, and the Tongan authorities have been trying to restore communications, according to her.

Ardern pledged that New Zealand will provide aid to Tonga and if necessary, New Zealand is ready to send planes and naval vessels. Reconnaissance flight will be useful in viewing the impact of the volcanic eruptions on the low-lying islands.

Meanwhile, in Fiji, airborne ashes from Tonga are seen over the southernmost islands from Vatoa southward, with the ashes floating as far north as Tubou and Moala, and about to move to the island of Kadavu.

Fiji's National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) said on Sunday that if the prevailing winds continue at the current level, airborne ashes could reach Fiji's central Lau and eastern Viti Levu, the major island of Fiji.

The NDMO and the Fiji Meteorological Service have advised the people living on islands in the eastern area of the country to take necessary precautionary measures to avoid any exposure to the airborne volcanic ashes from Tonga.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, about 65 km north of Nuku'alofa, is part of the highly active Tonga-Kermadec Islands volcanic arc, a subduction zone extending from New Zealand north-northeast to Fiji. Over the past decades, the volcano has erupted several times.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Sunbury, PA (17801)

Today

Rain likely. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

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Rain likely. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
As one of the wealthiest and most powerful trade unions in the land, Unite has been the Labour Party's most generous benefactor.

The union under Len McCluskey donated millions to Labour under Jeremy Corbyn, who was a close ally of 'Red Len'.

Unite has also lavished 98.6 million on a troubled hotel and conference project in Birmingham which is now the subject of a QC-led inquiry.

Now it emerges that the union claimed an astonishing 660,000 in taxpayer-funded furlough cash for its hotel staff during the lockdown.

The union claimed 145,206 furlough for staff at the Birmingham hotel and a further 519,125 for workers at its hotel in Eastbourne.

As one of the wealthiest and most powerful trade unions in the land, Unite has been the Labour Party's most generous benefactor. A file photo is used above (stock image)

The accounts said: 'During the period, the Union's hotels in Birmingham and Eastbourne furloughed 94 staff on average for nine months under the Government's Job Retention Scheme.'

During the same period McCluskey, who stood down as general secretary last year, was paid 101,568, including a 'car benefit' of 5,900 and 4,852 in pension contributions. The accounts also said: 'Key management personnel compensation of 5.1 million was paid in the year comprising salary, benefits in kind, and employer pension contributions.'

Unite, whose income from members and investments was just under 172 million, spent just over 167 million, leaving a surplus of 4.6 million for 2020.

So why did they need the taxpayer to fund their hotel staff?

I spy Craig's secret agent gong

In a rare interview Sir David Omand, former head of the UK intelligence agency GCHQ, confessed an admiration for the James Bond films. 'I hugely enjoy them but they have nothing whatever to do with the gathering of secret intelligence,' he told Nick Ferrari on LBC radio.

'The ideal intelligence officer, is the person, he or she, who walks into the room and you don't even notice them. If Daniel Craig walks into a room heads will turn.'

Asked if it was right that Craig is in the Order of St Michael and St George  an honour usually only accorded spies and diplomats and which James Bond has in the Ian Fleming books  Omand replied: 'Oh yes, it's one of those little British quirks, it's a little bit of eccentricity.

Tributes have been pouring in for the deputy chief medical officer for England Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, who is leaving in March to take up a job at Nottingham University. Trade minister Penny Mordaunt says: 'Whatever you apply yourself to next, I know you'll tear the pants out of it.'

Sound advice from dry-as-dust Tory MP John Redwood for supporters of Chancellor Rishi Sunak: 'Those who brief that Mr Sunak should be the next PM should tell him that imposing an avalanche of unpopular and unwise tax rises will undermine that ambition.'

In the 2016 Tory party leadership contest, the then-Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Andrea Leadsom withdrew from the final round, enabling a coronation of Theresa May.

Is she going to run again?

A Brexiteer who was sacked by Boris in his last reshuffle, she was spotted in The Old Custom House, a pub beside the harbour in Padstow, Cornwall, audibly opining on her leadership credentials.

She was remarking that she is 'one of only three Dames in the parliamentary party' and that she had been advised to sit tight and 'behave herself' while the PM's problems continue to pile up.

Who you gonna call? Gove-busters!

Is the moment last week when Housing and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove became trapped in a lift in the BBC about to become comedy gold?

Jon Culshaw, a star of Radio 4's Dead Ringers, is on the case. 'It's the perfect gift for a playwright. As an ideal 30-minute one act play. This will surely be written and be an ideal start to a theatrical evening.'

Who will play Gove? It has to be Rick Moranis, who starred in Ghostbusters.

If you pardon the pun, he's a real dead ringer for Gove.
As the Prime Minister contemplates his undoing, the result of partying in Downing Street while the rest of the nation locked down in accordance with his own anti-socialising edicts, it might accord Boris Johnson bleak satisfaction to see that two of his most persistent adversaries are also facing public humiliation.

I speak of Gina Miller and John Bercow.

Ms Miller is the multi-millionaire financier who used the courts to challenge the PM's attempt to expedite Brexit by proroguing Parliament in the autumn of 2019.

Last week Gina Miller, pictured, declared the creation of a new political party (hers) called True and Fair. It was attended by just 13 people, which seems to have consisted of five reporters and Miller's own staff

Although the High Court had ruled that he was entitled to do this, lawyers for Miller  who made no secret of the fact that she wanted the result of the 2016 referendum to be overturned  persuaded the Supreme Court, led by Baroness Hale, to declare Johnson's manoeuvre illegal.

Farce

As we now know, Johnson eventually managed to engineer the general election result required to 'get Brexit done'  and honour the pledge by his predecessor, David Cameron, that the politicians would accept the verdict of the people in the referendum.

One would have thought this would be the last we would hear from Gina Miller, at least on the subject of democracy. But no.

Last week, she declared the creation of a new political party (hers) called True and Fair. To say its launch in a Westminster conference centre was a farce would be to understate the embarrassment.

It was attended by just 13 people, which seems to have consisted of five reporters and Miller's own staff.

As one of those reporters, Will Lloyd of the UnHerd website, wrote: 'Dutifully, I began eating one of the 50 croissants laid out for journalists. Someone had to.'

Gina Miller outside the Supreme Court in London in September 2019, after judges ruled that the Prime Minister's attempt to expedite Brexit by proroguing Parliament was unlawful

Ms Miller, described by Lloyd as 'a Brexit leftover, surrounded by uneaten croissants', then stood up to declare that her new party would bring 'long overdue changes to British politics'.

By the accounts of the few reporters who turned up, the launch speech was devoid of any policies which would actually change anything, and the rhetoric as empty and tired as that inflicted on us by any of the established parties.

Thus, Ms Miller intoned that we must have 'a government that works for everyone'. Yawn.

After this debacle, True and Fair issued a statement claiming that 'hundreds of people were bitterly disappointed not to be able to attend in person'. I bet they weren't.

And who should pop up next? None other than her fellow combatant against 'Brexit Boris' during the last Parliament, the irascible former Speaker, John Bercow.

Yesterday, he gave a lengthy interview to the Sunday Times to challenge, pre-emptively, the findings of an investigation by Kathryn Stone, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

John Bercow, pictured, in an interview complained that 'this process has been made up as they go along'

Although she has not yet released her decision on the multiple cases of bullying of staff of which Bercow has been accused, it seems she has upheld no fewer than 21 counts out of a total of 35 complaints by the former clerk of the Commons and two former private secretaries.

Bercow complains bitterly, saying that 'this process has been made up as they go along'.

This is quite funny, as Bercow himself became notorious for the way he made up the rules as he went along, almost invariably in favour of those attempting to 'stop Brexit'.

Yesterday Bercow gave a lengthy interview to challenge, pre-emptively, the findings of an investigation by Kathryn Stone (pictured), the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. It seems she has upheld no fewer than 21 counts out of a total of 35 bullying complaints by the former clerk of the Commons and two former private secretaries

Sacred

As even one who didn't agree with the verdict of the people in 2016, the Guardian's Anne Perkins, wrote at the time, Bercow had 'ignored the considered advice of the official guardians of the rules of parliamentary procedurethe Speaker takes a grave risk when he appears to ignore the rules'.

Especially so when, also disregarding the almost sacred duty of that role to appear impartial, he was content to be driven in a family car festooned with a 'B******* to Brexit' sticker.

Anyway, it is not that, but the multiple charges of bullying which thwarts his deepest wish  to remain a parliamentarian through the peerage that would normally come to a Speaker upon retirement.

So instead, among less illustrious sinecures, Bercow has been charging 82.50 a pop for thousands of so-called 'celebrity videos', in which he records, upon request, personal messages to people for their birthday, or some other occasion. I imagine his screech, 'Order, order' is most in demand.

Whatever post-public-office humiliation lies in wait for Boris Johnson, it can surely not be as grim as that.

A charter for pious vandals

'God made me do it' is not usually a credible defence in a criminal trial. But it did the trick for Father Martin Newell, last week acquitted by a jury at Inner London Crown Court of 'obstructing an engine'.

After two of his colleagues (also acquitted) from Christian Climate Action had used a ladder to clamber on to the roof of a rush-hour DLR train about to leave Shadwell station in October 2019, Newell glued himself to the side of it.

The commuters inside reacted angrily, as one might expect. One of them told the allegedly divinely inspired demonstrators: 'This is a f****** electric train.'

Father Martin Newell pictured with Reverend Sue Parfitt outside Inner London Crown Court. They, with another colleague, were last week acquitted by a jury of 'obstructing an engine'

But Newell informed them, and the court: 'Jesus taught us to love your neighbour, and Pope Francis said the Earth is our neighbour.'

Remarkably, the jury bought that line. Or perhaps not so remarkably, as it follows a pattern of similar acquittals, even when the judge had advised jurors that there was no defence in law.

This was what happened last April, when six Extinction Rebellion protesters were cleared of causing criminal damage after they smashed windows at Shell's London headquarters.

Their argument, which the jury effectively endorsed, was that because Shell is an oil company, it was contributing to 'causing serious injury and death'.

I'm surprised they didn't claim that employees in the building were accessories to murder, and having their windows smashed constituted merciful 'climate justice'.

More recently, there was the acquittal by a jury of a group who had helped dump in Bristol harbour the statue of Edward Colston (1636-1721), a philanthropic slave-trader.

The jury system is an essential ancient defence of our liberties, but sometimes jurors can be accused of taking a liberty with their decisions  to the detriment of law-abiding citizens (such as those DLR commuters).

I doubt Father Martin Newell will ever repent of his actions. But it can happen.

In 2000, the author Mark Lynas (pictured) was one of 28 Greenpeace members sensationally acquitted by a jury after they had been charged with criminal damage

In 2000, the author Mark Lynas was one of 28 Greenpeace members sensationally acquitted by a jury after they had been charged with criminal damage.

Led by the then executive director of Greenpeace, Lord Melchett, they had destroyed a crop of genetically modified (GM) maize in Norfolk.

But 13 years later, Lynas told the Oxford Farming Conference (at which the virulently anti-GM Prince Charles was also speaking): 'I apologise to you for having spent several years ripping up GM crops.

'I am also sorry that I helped to demonise an important technological option which can be used to benefit the environment.'

I wonder what the jurors in that case thought, if they read his confession.
Weaponising ones children in any intra-family conflict is unseemly and cruel.

To do so when the victim is your 95-year-old grandmother who has spent her entire life devoted to public service is a despicable new low.

And, make no mistake, that is exactly what the prissy and petulant Duke of Woke is doing, with his massive strop and ill-advised legal challenge over the UK governments decision to refuse him police protection when in Britain because hes no longer a working royal - by choice, remember.

In public, Prince Harry and Meghan are forever banging on about their love for the Queen.

But like most virtue signalling, woketopian multi-millionaires, their woolly words are never followed up by good deeds.

If Harry doesnt get the security he wants, he is likely to attend her Platinum Jubilee celebrations alone, leaving Archie and Lilibet back in California with Meghan

Harry is the polar opposite of his exceptional grandmother, who, throughout her reign, has kept her public pronouncements to a minimum and allowed herself to be judged by her actions.

I believe the couples latest legal outburst amounts to nothing short of emotional blackmail.

Because Harry is making it clear that if he doesnt get his way, he will not bring his family to the UK, including seven-month daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who they named after Her Majesty (another woke gesture, for which they didnt bother to ask her permission) but has never met the Queen.

In her twilight years, Harry knows all too well his grandmother cannot travel, so there is zero chance of her making a trip to their 11 million Montecito mansion, of which the Sussexes are reportedly already growing tired (of course they are).

If Harry doesnt get the security he wants, he is likely to attend her Platinum Jubilee celebrations alone, leaving Archie and Lilibet (sorry, the name still makes me cringe) back in California with Meghan.

It makes me angry when I think of how much the Queen has had put up with from this pair over the course of 12 months where she has so bravely grappled with the loss of her rock Prince Philip and had to deal with the ignominy brought on the monarchy by her shamed son Prince Andrew.

And by God she has tried to remain cordial, managing to maintain her cool when Harry used her private Christmas present for Archie (a waffle maker) as a publicity stunt in an interview with James Corden and when Meghan made a host of unfounded and untrue claims about her family to Oprah Winfrey on international television. Recollections may vary, the Queen responded diplomatically to keep the peace.

But Harry has not repaid his grandmother in kind, with his almost obsessive bid to challenge the Royal Family at every turn.

That said, nothing comes close to threatening to withdraw access to his family altogether unless he gets his way.

The problem for Harry is that, as ever, he has picked the wrong target.

The Queen simply cannot and will not interfere in security decisions made by the British government, no matter how much she might personally want to see Harry.

She knows that would not be appropriate or politically palatable.

The Queen simply cannot and will not interfere in security decisions made by the British government, no matter how much she might personally want to see Harry

And, as has been widely discussed over the past 24 hours, the precedent that would be set by offering Harry Met police officers every time he visited is unfathomable.

The Duke of Sussex is seeking a judicial review against the refusal by the Home Office, but a government spokesman has said: The UK protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.

The Home Office position is right; the rich and privileged cannot simply buy access to the British police.

The Met has had severe resourcing issues over the last decade that means they often cant even investigate crimes committed against members of the public

The government would be turning the Met into literal guns for hire.

There would be nothing to stop other high profile British celebrities from all walks of life  be it Richard Branson, Harry Styles or Nigel Farage  demanding similar protection.

Its not as if the police are going to ignore any genuine security threats made against the Sussexes, but they will be treated just as all threats are.

MailOnline columnist Dan Wootton

One exasperated royal insider told the Daily Mail today: They cant just pick and choose which bits they think should apply to them. The Met does not just have a pool of specially trained officers on tap for whenever they decide to just pop over the Atlantic.

In Harrys fantasy world, however, he has a right for the police to protect him from pesky paparazzi photographers, who he seems to irrationally equate with criminals.

His mum Princess Dianas former protection officer Ken Wharfe has said that on his most recent trip to the UK the biggest threat appeared to come from the media.

Writing in todays Daily Mail, Wharfe revealed: The only security issue during his most recent visit to the country, as far as I am aware, came after a charity function when paparazzi photographers tried to get pictures of the Duke.

While that might be very annoying for Harry, its certainly no justification for police protection. In fact, photographers have a right to take pictures of public figures as long as they are following the law and strict media codes developed in Britain in recent years.

Harry faces far more bother from the truly wild paps working for websites like TMZ in his new home of California, which is exactly why he probably pays privately for security thanks to the tens of millions he is now raking in from Netflix, Spotify, BetterUp, Ethic and whatever other company is prepared to pay them shedloads for, it seems, doing hardly anything.

Just like Beyonce, Eminem or Taylor Swift, as very rich celebrities, there is an expectation that they use a tiny proportion of their massive fortune to help keep themselves feeling safe with a private security team. That team will, of course, liaise with authorities on any specific threats when the police would get involved.

But, for me, Harrys embarrassingly entitled strop over his loss of police protection proves he is now regretting his decision to cut all royal ties, even if hes far too stubborn to ever admit it.

For me, Harrys embarrassingly entitled strop over his loss of police protection proves he is now regretting his decision to cut all royal ties, even if hes far too stubborn to ever admit it

Over the period of two miserable years following their marriage, Meghan convinced Harry they could go it alone and there was another life for him, a life that involved great opportunities in Tinseltown and even greater wealth.

Predictably, even with those riches, Harry cannot accept that the trappings of royalty, which he always claimed to hate, have now slipped through his fingers.

When I first revealed Megxit, Harry was smarting over small fry issues, like the fact his family hadnt been included as a picture on the Queens table during her Christmas address.

He was convinced the mere threat of him skulking off was going to see royal courtiers  and his father and grandmother give in to their ludicrous half in/half out proposal, so Harry could have his royal cake and eat it too: Access to official events, a state-funded mansion on the grounds of Windsor Castle, an office with staff at Buckingham Palace, and, of course, state security all around the globe as an internationally protected person.

These were the sorts of issues senior courtiers and his relatives tried to warn the petulant Sussexes about on a constant basis as they plotted their plans in Canada over Christmas in 2019 with a bunch of Hollywood yes people who didnt know a thing about the workings of the monarchy. But the royal staff were batted away branded as being men in grey suits trying to make their life difficult.

Harry has created a fantasy world in his head of what the UK is like, no doubt egged on by Meghan, who appears to want to make her husband as embittered towards his own family and own country as possible.

But the more his outlandish behaviour continues and the more pain he puts the poor Queen through, the more the British public feel like saying: Stay in California and dont bother coming back.
Heavens, the noise! Tea time in the Commons yesterday and opposition MPs were making a right din. It's been a while since a minister's statement has caused such uproar but Nadine Dorries's turn at the dispatch box had sent them into apoplexy.

Normally you'd have to visit a pig farm at feeding time to hear such a cacophony of high-pitched squealing.

The Culture Secretary had come to the House to serve notice on the BBC licence fee. For the next two years, it would be frozen. As of 2027, Auntie will have to start thinking of new ways to fund itself.

Nervy times for all those phalanxes of BBC execs. Not to mention the velvet-voiced maitre d's at their favoured Marylebone canteens.

Raring to go: Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries makes her Commons statement yesterday

Rarely do ministers enjoy announcing a budget freeze but in this instance Nadine was raring to make an exception.

Hates the Beeb. Loathes it. All those pointless strategy meetings, all those oily management types who peer down their noses at her.

She regards it as a haven for Lefties and judging by the howls of protest that greeted her announcement  not least in The Guardian  she may well have a point.

Labour culture spokesman Lucy Powell reckoned this was all part of the Government's 'long-standing vendetta' against our national broadcaster.

She described the move to freeze the licence fee as 'cultural vandalism' and the actions of a 'tinpot dictator' rather than a democracy.

A bit OTT, surely. Were we living in a dictatorship, whoever was in charge of BBC 3's infantile offering would surely by now have got their comeuppance.

One hardly needs a degree in media studies to recognise the BBC is anathema to today's youth. They look upon its constant spool of smug panel shows and painfully woke dramas with as much puzzlement as cassette tapes and dog-eared copies of the London A-Z.

Yet in Powell's dreamland, it remains some time-honoured institution before which families still gather on a Saturday evening and marvel. Out came all those well-worn cliches trotted outside the employ of New Broadcasting House.

Good old Auntie was a 'well-loved treasure' she said. It was a 'jewel in the crown' and the 'envy of the world'.

Out came all those well-worn cliches trotted outside the employ of New Broadcasting House

It is true one rarely encounters a foreigner with a grumble about the Beeb. Then again, they don't have to pay for it  and they only get the highlights.

John Nicolson (SNP Ochil and S Perthshire) thought the move was an attempt to muzzle the BBC's news output after its critical coverage of Downing Street drinking sessions.

Kevan Jones (Lab, N Durham) also wondered if the Government was trying to distract attention from the Partygate hoo-ha.

To be fair, we waited a whole 40 minutes before we heard one of those lachrymose paeans on the World Service.

Hilary Benn (Lab, Leeds C) spoke of people overseas still 'huddling around the radio' to hear the words 'this is London'. In which century is he living?

It is true one rarely encounters a foreigner with a grumble about the Beeb. Then again, they don't have to pay for it  and they only get the highlights

Others were more appreciative. Julian Knight (Con, Solihull), chairman of the Culture Select Committee and a former BBC journalist, broadly welcomed the statement.

Yer man Sammy Wilson (DUP, E Antrim) congratulated Dorries on finally having the guts to tackle what amounted to a broadcasting 'poll tax'.

Peter Bone (Con, Wellingborough) was most excited. He's been gunning for the licence fee ever since Bill and Ben first sprouted from their flowerpots. One reason the licence fee has become such an anachronism of course is streaming. Netflix, Amazon Prime et al have put us in charge of our own schedules.

Dorries bragged that some 97 per cent of households in the UK now had access to superfast broadband, which meant they could stream as many as five movies around the house if they so wished.

How polite, genteel Jamie Stone (Lib Dem, Caithness) longed for such luxuries. His patch is almost last stop before you hit the Orkneys.

Poor chap probably has to dangle a metal hanger out of the top window just to get a faint television signal.

For about an hour Dorries stood defending her decision to try to drag the BBC into the 21st century.

During the Cameron and Osborne era, she was always denounced as old-fashioned.

But it was those attacking her while defending the corporation's antiquated business model who risked looking outdated.
Operation Red Meat. It sounds like one of those clandestine missions that changed the course of World War II.

Perhaps Boris Johnson has been inspired by the new movie, Operation Mincemeat, which tells the true story of how British spies deceived Hitler into believing what we would today dismiss as 'fake news'.

In the spring of 1943, they landed a corpse dressed as an officer in the Royal Marines on the coast of Spain.

The body was carrying a briefcase containing papers which suggested the Allies were about to invade Greece and Sardinia, rather than the intended target, Sicily.

Nazi sympathisers in Spain passed the documents to the Germans, who fell for the elaborate ruse and diverted forces away from Sicily to the Greek islands.

As a consequence, the liberation of Europe began successfully with far fewer casualties than anticipated.

Had the plan failed there would have been a bloodbath.

Today, Boris Johnson finds himself under siege, after a series of clumsy own goals. His political future hangs by a gossamer thread.

He may have won important battles against the Covid-19 doomsayers, but he is in grave danger of losing the war.

If he is to survive, he must take a leaf out of the playbook of his hero Winston Churchill, who signed off personally on Operation Mincemeat, despite the risks.

The fightback has been dubbed Operation Red Meat, a long-overdue blitz of proper Conservative policies and values.

I have visions of Boris prowling the Cabinet War Rooms in siren suit and homburg, puffing on a Romeo y Julieta cigar, briefing his most loyal colleagues (and Rishi Sunak). It might go something like this . . .

Boris Johnson is planning an 'Operation Red Meat' policy blitz in a bid to win back his backbenches and dampen anger

Now pay attention everyone. We find ourselves under heavy bombardment from the Labour Party, the BBC, even some Fifth Columnists in our own ranks.

Although I have said previously that I have taken more out of alcohol than it has taken from me, it is time to go on the wagon. From this moment forward, booze is banned from the cloisters of Downing Street.

No more Wine Time Fridays, no more sorties to the Tesco Metro in the Strand for another consignment of Vino Collapso. Raab, I want you to dump that fridge in Green Park, after dark.

We will need a clear head for the existential struggle which stretches out before us. Let us therefore brave ourselves to our duties. If this administration is to last for another three years, men will have to say: This was their dryest hour.

No more following the science. Their predictions have turned out to be an inverted pyramid of piffle. We must take back control. Most people stand about as much chance of dying from Omicron as finding Elvis on Mars, being decapitated by a Frisbee or reincarnated as an olive.

Henceforth, all restrictions will be lifted. No more masks, especially in schools, no vaccine passports, an immediate end to self-isolating.

Working From Home will cease from Monday. Any civil servant still refusing to report to the office will be summarily dismissed, without compensation.

As a gesture of goodwill, and atonement for breaches of lockdown at the heart of government, all criminal convictions for infringements of the rules will be rescinded and fines refunded with interest.

We must take the fight to the real enemy. I have already instructed Nadine to freeze the BBC licence fee for the next two years and abolish it altogether from 2027.

Mr Johnson pictured during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons last week

Who is running Broadcasting House these days  Lord Haw-Haw?

I have informed the head of the NHS that the health service will not receive another penny until there is a root-and-branch clear-out of the top-heavy bureaucracy and an end to the billions of pounds frittered away every year.

It is the job of the NHS to protect the public, not the other way round.

The UK Health Security Agency  formerly Public Health England  will be abolished. We can't expect hard-working taxpayers indefinitely to subsidise public sector inefficiency, especially at a time when the country is facing a serious cost of living crisis.

To that end, Rishi, you will prepare an emergency Budget scrapping the proposed increase in corporation tax and National Insurance contributions and abolishing VAT on fuel.

It is preposterous that a nation rich in oil and gas reserves is relying on expensive imported fuel to meet our energy needs. And all in pursuit of an elusive Net Zero.

If the Chinese have no intention of cutting carbon emissions, why the hell should we?

The planned closure of existing coal-fired and nuclear power stations will be halted. North Sea oil and gas extraction will start returning to full capacity as of today, and onshore fracking will commence as soon as licences can be issued.

Drill, baby, drill!

The war on motorists is at an end. All temporary cycle lanes and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, brought in under cover of Covid, will be ripped out. Smart motorways will be scrapped and hard shoulders restored.

We promised to take back control of our borders and we will. Priti, I have asked the Navy to assume command of the Channel shipping lanes and prevent dinghies full of illegal migrants crossing into British territorial waters. They will be returned to France, whether the French like it or not.

On the economic front, we will keep our pledge to level-up the country. The Govester will announce tomorrow that the entire country, north of the Trent, is being turned into one giant freeport  and to hell with Treasury opposition.

On Northern Ireland, we have tried to negotiate with the EU in good faith but this approach has proved futile. Unless Brussels backs down, we will invoke Article 16 without further delay. We did not vote for Brexit only for part of the United Kingdom to remain a satrapy of a foreign power.

I must confess that after suffering a near-death experience myself, old BoJo did go a bit doolally. Eyes were taken off the ball. And for that, I am truly sorry.

It is time for me to take back control, too. The Two Ronnies of Doom are being put out to pasture. Yes, mistakes have been made. But I have learned there are no disasters, only opportunities. And, indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters.

The real disaster would be to let that beer-swilling hypocrite Captain Hindsight prosper from our current predicament.

If the Starmer Chameleon had been in charge these past two years, we'd have been in permanent lockdown.

I still believe that I'm the best man for the job, especially if the choice of successor is between Dishi Rishi and Fizzy Lizzie.

Yes, these are difficult times, and stupid mistakes have been made. But as the Great Man said: If you are going through hell, keep going.

As we adapt to living with Covid, it is imperative that we restate our Conservative values. But I am conscious that may not be enough. The people are crying out for some red meat.

Moggster, we need a futile gesture at this stage. It will raise the whole tone of the Government. Pop over to Westminster Bridge, jump in and don't come back . . .
A leading finance expert has revealed why couples who live together should not split rent equally.

While talking about money with your partner might be awkward at first, Victoria Devine, from Melbourne, said it's necessary and believes couples should split the rent based on the percentage of individual salaries.

The host of the She's On The Money podcast shared a video with her 36,000 Instagram followers explaining how it isn't 'equitable' to split rent equally if one person makes twice as much as the other.

Scroll down for video

While talking about money with your partner might be awkward at first, Victoria Devine, from Melbourne, (pictured) said it's necessary and believes couples should split the rent based on their individual salaries

The host of the She's On The Money podcast said she 'doesn't believe' it's fair to split rent and living expenses equally with your partner if one person earns significantly more than the other

'Hear me out, if you earn $60,000 a year, and your partner earns $150,000 a year - I don't think it's fair for you to pay equal rent/bill/fixed expenses. Why? Because while it might be equal it's not equitable,' Victoria wrote.

She continued by saying shared expenses in relationships should not put pressure on one person and should be split based on percentage of income instead 50/50.

This way the lower income earner can still save money, making the split truly equal.

After 17 hours the video was viewed more than 57,000 times, and hundreds agreed with the strategy.

'Percentage based is way better! Don't get me started on domestic labour and "traditional" household roles!' one woman wrote.

'110 per cent agreed - that's what we have been doing, and it's such a relief,' another added.

To calculate the percentage of an income, Victoria said to first work out your annual after-tax income and divide by 12 to get a monthly figure.

Then, add your individual after-tax incomes together to calculate the joint income.

Next, divide each individual's income by the joint income figure and multiply this by 100 to get the percentage.

'Hear me out, if you earn $60,000 a year, and your partner earns $150,000 a year - I don't think it's fair for you to pay equal rent/bill/fixed expenses. Why? Because while it might be equal it's not equitable,' Victoria wrote

How to calculate your income by percentage: 1. First, work out your annual after-tax income and divide by 12 to get a monthly figure 2. Next add your individual after-tax incomes (net income) together to calculate a joint income 3. Now divide each individual's income by this joint income figure and multiply by 100 to get a percentage Advertisement

Last year Gerry Incollingo, Managing Director of financial planning business LCI Partners, told FEMAIL the average Australian should spend a maximum of 30 per cent of their monthly gross income on rent.

Pushing further than this recommended amount can place strain on the person and their financial situation.

'Of course, circumstances differ across the board and sometimes it may seem necessary to compromise on other expenses to increase your ability to afford rent, however, it is commonly considered that pushing for higher than 30 per cent often generates housing stress,' Mr Incollingo said.

'Prospective renters should make it their primary focus to accurately determine how much they make and calculate how much they are able to afford within a safe sweet spot.'

Evidently the '30 per cent rule' might be too much for those earning a high annual wage, such as $100,000 or more.

Failing to understand and manage your financial position can result in 'rental stress' and the possibility of being unable to pay for additional bills.
A woman who forced herself to eat as much sushi as she could in one sitting at an all-you-can-eat restaurant has revealed how she ended up being rushed to hospital after being left in agony as a result of her feast.

Danielle Shapiro, 24, decided to get her money's worth at the $50-per-head sushi buffet at Sushi 85 restaurant in Mountain View, California on December 21.

In one sitting, Danielle ate a whopping 32 rolls of sushi, as well as four gyozas, a bowl of edamame, two jalapeno poppers and a bowl of miso soup.

Real estate agent Danielle ended up paying the price for her indulgence when she woke up the next morning with severe stomach pains and ended up in the hospital with Gastroesophageal Reflux disease - more known as commonly as acid reflux - which causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, causing irritation.

Danielle Shapiro was rushed to hospital after deciding to get her money's worth at the $50-per-head sushi buffet at Sushi 85 restaurant in Mountain View

Danielle posted a video of the incident on TikTok  which amassed a whopping 11.3 million views from stunned social media users

The real estate agent is a huge fan of sushi and ate a whopping 32 rolls at the restaurant. Pictured: Some of Danielle's sushi feast

Danielle posted a video of the incident on TikTok  which amassed a whopping 11.3 million views from stunned social media users.

Danielle from San Mateo County, Northern California explains: I am a huge fan of sushi. I like to eat it a couple times a month if I'm lucky.

'My best friend Amanda was in town for the weekend and she loves sushi as well so we were both looking forward to the All you can eat sushi experience.'

'The all you can eat sushi is about $50 a person so Amanda and I had to make sure we got our money's worth, which meant eating a lot.'

'Our dinner was about two hours long because we were so stuffed we had to keep taking breaks.'

During the meal, and prior to her hospital visit, Danielle took video footage of herself chowing down on dozens of dishes, revealing that she began the meal with a bowl of miso soup, before moving on to some heavier treats.

Danielle consumed four fried gyoza dumplings, two jalapeno poppers, eight green dragon rolls, eight snow rolls, eight California rolls, eight wakame rolls, and some edamame

Danielle began her meal with a bowl of miso soup before moving on to the heavier dishes

The large meal caused Danielle to suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux disease - commonly known as acid reflux - which causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus

Danielle reported having 'severe' stomach pains the day after binging on sushi, which led her to seek medical help

After the soup, Danielle consumed four fried gyoza dumplings, two jalapeno poppers, eight green dragon rolls, eight snow rolls, eight California rolls, eight wakame rolls, and some edamame.

In the caption of her food-filled video, the sushi lover joked that she and her friend Amanda had to be 'rolled out of the restaurant' - however it turns out that her painful reaction to the large meal was just the start of her woes.

'Immediately after dinner we were so full we had to sit in my car for about 30 minutes before driving home,' she explained. 'My stomach felt very firm from all the sushi and probably the rice that expanded in my stomach.

'That night I went to sleep at my boyfriend's house and I had the worst stomach ache but didn't think much of it since I had a huge meal! I am not a morning person so when I woke up around 6am the next day I knew something was wrong.

'My stomach and chest had intense pain and it was hard to take deep breaths.'

Worried about her symptoms, Danielle's boyfriend Sam and her grandma drove her to hospital and she remained there for several hours before being diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux disease and prescribed medication for the ailment.

The condition, also known as acid reflux, causes a number of painful symptoms, although it is typically not seen as being life-threatening.

Danielle revealed that her dinner with her friend Amanda lasted for two hours because multiple breaks were need to help them digest after stuffing themselves

Before being rushed to hospital, Danielle uploaded a TikTok video documenting all of the dishes she ate during her all-you-can-eat meal

Alongside her feast of sushi rolls, Danielle ate a bowl of edamame beans

These symptoms include bloating, vomiting, burping, hiccups, heartburn, bitter or sour-tasting acid regurgitation, nausea, and a sore throat as a result of the acid back-up. In some cases, the symptoms can be confused for a heart attack, particularly if a sufferer is experiencing severe heartburn or chest pains.

The real estate agent says she hasn't been put off sushi forever, although she admits that she needs to 'take things slower' next time she visits an all-you-can-eat restaurant

Acid reflux is incredibly common, however for some people, it can become a lasting condition that reoccurs regularly throughout their lives - prompting some to rely on medication in order to keep their symptoms at bay.

The condition is caused by a number of different factors, including eating a large meal, lying down after a meal, snacking shortly before you go to sleep, or eating or drinking foods and beverages that are highly acidic.

Smoking, obesity, and pregnancy can also cause acid reflux.

Although Danielle was given the all-clear to leave hospital after a few hours, she says it took several days for her to make a full recovery from her sushi-induced symptoms.

Surprisingly, she says the traumatic experience hasn't put her off sushi forever - and she'll definitely be eating her favorite food again.

She says: 'I will definitely eat sushi again! This experience has not ruined sushi for me, or the all-you-can-eat sushi experience.

'I did learn that next time I need to listen to my body and take things slower.'
A mother who spent years believing her two children had died of natural causes before learning they had been murdered by their father admits she still feels 'guilty every day' and wonders if she could have done more to save them.

Jordan Monaghan, 30, of Blackburn, killed his 24-day-old daughter Ruby in her Moses basket at home on New Year's Day in 2013, and smothered 21-month-old son Logan in a changing room cubicle at the local swimming baths eight months later.

In both instances, he led his then partner Laura Gray, 29, to believe their children had tragically died of natural causes.

Doctors ruled Ruby had pneumonia, while Logan's cause of death was inconclusive. Laura never suspected her children had died at the hands of their father.

After evading justice for six years, and while on bail for the murder of his two children, he killed his new girlfriend, 23-year-old Evie Adams, with a deadly cocktail of prescription drugs in October 2019, making it look like suicide.

Last month he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ruby, Logan and Miss Adams.

Speaking today, Miss Gray says she believes Monaghan killed their children in a bid to stop her leaving him and admits she still feels 'guilty'.

Jordan Monaghan, 30, killed his 24-day-old daughter Ruby in her Moses basket at home on New Year's Day in 2013, and smothered 21-month-old son Logan in a changing room cubicle at the local swimming baths eight months later. In both instances, he led his then partner Laura Gray (pictured with Monaghan and Logan) to believe their children had died of natural causes

Siblings Logan and Ruby, pictured, were killed within eight months of each other by their father, Jordan Monaghan. Their mother Laura still carries the deaths of her children with her

Miss Gray says she believes Monaghan killed their children in a bid to stop her leaving him

Last month Monaghan (pictured) was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ruby, Logan and Miss Adams

'I always feel guilty, every day I feel guilt, and it runs through my head all the time what I could have done differently. I carry that with me every day. I will carry that with me for the rest of my life.'

Miss Gray had known Monaghan since childhood and was best friends with his sister. He proposed when Laura was just 16 and they moved in together the following year.

'We settled down and were really happy,' she recalled. 'Jordan was well thought of by family and friends. There were no warning signs at all.'

In 2011, the couple welcomed son Logan and Monaghan seemed to be a 'good dad' who doted on his son.

Now looking back, Miss Gray believes she missed early signs of coercive control.

'He was controlling me, even then, but I didn't see it,' she said. 'Nobody did. I could never in my worst nightmares have imagined what the future held.'

Ruby's (pictured) and Logan's deaths were both investigated as sudden and unexplained events, but the girl's death was attributed to bronchiolitis and Logan's cause of death remained 'unascertained'

Monaghan smothered Ruby (pictured left) on New Year's Day, 2013, as she slept in her Moses basket. Monaghan was alone with the child as her mother slept upstairs at the family home. He killed son Logan (right) at a swimming pool

Laura, pictured with her daughter, said she still cradles her children's toys to feel close to them

Timeline of Jordan Monaghan's murders January 2013 Monaghan's daughter Ruby dies at their home in Blackburn, Lancashire aged just three weeks. August 2013 Monaghan's son Logan dies, aged 21 months. Monaghan is questioned by police for eight hours but released. August 2013 An inquest is held into the death of the two children. Ruby's death is attributed to bronchiolitis and Logan's cause of death remained 'unascertained'. Monaghan and his then partner, Laura Gray, the children's biological mother, undergo genetic tests to determine whether the children were killed by a hereditary condition. January 2018 Monaghan is arrested and quizzed by police, after an incident involving another child, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Police reopen the investigation into the deaths of the two children and Monaghan is arrested on suspicion of murder. January 2019 Monaghan at this point is in a relationship with Evie. Police become so worried about her welfare that they take her to a place of safety. But manipulative Monaghan ignores their orders and continues to see her. When the pair are stopped together in a car he claims she is 'some bird I just met'. October 2019 While he is on bail for double murder of the two children, Monaghan's new partner, Evie Adams dies of a drug overdose. Despite now suspecting he is behind the deaths of two children and Evie, police bail him again and the investigation appears to make little progress. Between October 2019 and January 2019 Police continue their investigation. Detectives, who had earlier warned Evie through a court order to steer clear of Monaghan, make a breakthrough. They discover in the toxicology reports that Evie had a cocktail of tramadol and diazepam in her system. It is revealed the defendant illegally bought strong prescription drugs on the black market via WhatsApp and other contacts. Police meanwhile call in 12 of the country's leading experts in cardiology, genetics, neurology and paediatrics, to try and get to the bottom of what happened to the babies. January 2021 Monaghan is rearrested and charged with all three murders. December 2021 Monaghan is found guilty of three counts of murder following a 10 week trial at Preston Crown Court. He is sentenced to life in prison. Advertisement

On December 8, 2012, the couple welcomed a daughter, Ruby, and had the 'best Christmas ever'.

'I felt like the luckiest mum in the world, with my own little family,' Laura said. 'It was all I had ever wanted. I was determined to give my children everything I had never had.'

Days after Christmas, Laura was upstairs folding clothes when Monaghan shouted that Ruby wasn't breathing. She rushed downstairs to find their daughter fighting for breath in his arms and phoned the ambulance.

The newborn spent three days in hospital before being sent home with her parents.

The following day, on New Year's Eve, Ruby was killed by her father.

Laura recalled: 'The children were in bed and we watched a film and saw the New Year in before I went to bed. Jordan stayed up to give Ruby her 2am bottle.

'I woke in the early hours to Jordan shouting that she wasn't breathing. I ran downstairs and I could see, the moment I looked at her, that she had gone. We called an ambulance and I went with her to the hospital, but it was too late.'

A routine police investigation followed and Ruby's death was attributed to acute bronchial pneumonia.

'I crashed completely after Ruby died,' Laura said. 'I really leaned on Jordan for support. He was very strong and practical. He planned the funeral, then he returned to work.

'He just carried on. But again, I just thought that he was being strong for me. I didn't suspect a thing. We focused on Logan, because he was all we had left. Jordan had a really close relationship with his son.'

Shortly after their daughters death Laura asked Monaghan to move out after discovering he had developed a gambling addiction and had stopped paying the rent.

The next day, he killed Logan, again making it look like a natural death.

The triple murderer took his toddler to the local swimming baths and smothered him in the changing rooms. He pushed the toddler home in his pram with the rain cover down, making it look like he had fallen asleep on the journey.

'Jordan told me to wake Logan while he went out to collect a pizza. 'I knew the moment I lifted the rain cover.

'He looked the same as Ruby. Jordan tried CPR, covering up what he had done and putting on a show, knowing he was already dead. I was shell-shocked, absolutely devastated.'

Monaghan gave chilling interviews, speaking of his family's heartbreak at losing two young children and pleading 'for answers'.

In August 2013 an inquest attributed Ruby's death to bronchiolitis and Logan's cause of death remained 'unascertained'.

Monaghan and Miss Gray underwent genetic tests to determine whether the children were killed by a hereditary condition.

Now looking back, Laura says there were subtle signs something was wrong.

'When I found Ruby, she was covered with a blanket,' she explained. 'Looking back, that didn't make sense. Surely if she wasn't breathing, he would have uncovered her?

'With Logan, he had taken him swimming without telling me. Jordan hated swimming, he'd never been. Then he came home and insisted that I woke Logan, to ensure that I found him. I still struggle not to blame myself.'

In the wake of her children's deaths Laura suffered a breakdown and was admitted to hospital for psychiatric help.

Monaghan exploited the situation and visited Laura 'every day', eventually leading to them rekindling their relationship.

'He was really supportive,' Laura continued. 'He was the link to my two children, the only one who knew how I truly felt.'

Logan (left) and Ruby's graves, which still have 'Mummy and Daddy' on them. Laura says she wants to find a way to have 'Daddy' removed

In the wake of her children's deaths Laura suffered a breakdown and was admitted to hospital for psychiatric help. Pictured, Laura today

The couple tried to rebuild their lives, but Monaghan began gambling again and Laura finally ended the relationship.

She said: 'He knew that we were having problems and I think he did it to bring us closer together, knowing that I would lean on him for support. And I did. I leaned on him, and he knew that I needed him. It was a control thing.'

In January 2018 Monaghan was arrested and quizzed by police, after an incident involving another child, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Police reopened the investigation into the deaths of the two children and Monaghan was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Laura said she will 'always be a mum' and Monaghan can't take that from her

By January 2019, Monaghan was in a relationship with Evie Adams. Police became so worried about her welfare that they take her to a place of safety.

But manipulative Monaghan ignored their orders and continued to see her. At one point, when the pair were stopped together in a car, he claimed she was 'some bird I just met'.

Eight months later, in October 2019, Miss Adams was found dead after an apparent drug overdose.

In reality, Monaghan had illegally bought strong prescription drugs on the black market via WhatsApp and other contacts.

Miss Adams was found to have tramadol, diazepam, amitriptyline, zopiclone and pregabalin medication in her body after her collapse and death on October 24, 2019.

She died from tramadol and diazepam toxicity.

Monaghan then faked a suicide note from Miss Adams, discovered apparently by chance falling out of a picture frame as he removed the couple's favourite photo of themselves to place in her coffin.

The killer was re-arrested in January 2021 and charged with all three murders.

He claimed to have nothing to do with the death of his children, but a dozen experts told the court that while the exact cause of the deaths was difficult to pin down, imposed airway obstruction was either 'likely' or could not be ruled out.

Now Laura is trying to rebuild her life with the help of her new partner Andy Chambers, 33, pictured, and the couple hope to one day start a family of their own

Monaghan also claimed the illegal prescription drugs were for himself and denied ever giving any to Miss Adams.

On December 17 he was convicted of the three murders and two counts of attempted murder in relation to a third child who cannot be identified.

Laura found comfort in meeting Miss Adams' family at the trial but said she is also haunted by what might have been had she and Monaghan stayed together.

'It's scary to think what could have happened if we hadn't split up,' she admits.

Now she is trying to rebuild her life with the help of her new partner Andy Chambers, 33, and the couple hope to one day start a family of their own.

Laura, who still feels close to her children by cradling their toys, teddies and even the clothes they wore on the day they died, says she can never forgive Monaghan for what he has done.

She added: 'No punishment would ever be enough. What he did is beyond human understanding. I will always carry the memory of my precious children and I want to make them proud.

'The thought of having more children after what's happened is hard, but I want to keep that hope alive. I will always be a mum, it's all I ever wanted, and Jordan can't take that from me.'
Princess Eugenie has followed in the footsteps of her cousin Prince Harry as she announced she is launching a podcast for her anti-slavery charity.

The Queen's granddaughter, 33, who founded The Anti-Slavery Collective charity foundation with her close friend Julia de Boinville, shared a snap as the pair recorded an episode from her home Frogmore Cottage.

Royal fan account Gert's Royals tweeted: 'Princess Eugenie & Jules reveal they are recording a podcast for The Anti-slavery Collective @TASC_org, a charity they co-founded to end human trafficking. Recording started in 2021 at Eugenies home, and will be released later this year.'

Meanwhile Eugenie was spotted visiting her father's home of the Royal Lodge today amid a difficult period for the royal family, as it was announced her father Prince Andrew has had his titles stripped away.

Princess Eugenie, 33, has followed in the footsteps of her cousin Prince Harry as she announced she is launching a podcast for her anti-slavery charity

Royal fan account Gert's Royals shared the news that Eugenie has been recording podcast episodes at her home of Frogmore Cottage

In a snap shared online, Eugenie can be seen relaxing on a cream sofa in her home, behind which is a blue built-in bookcase.

The royal appeared animatedly as she chatted with her close friend Julia, with both women speaking into microphones attached to a small table.

The announcement comes as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's 18million Spotify podcast deal came under scrutiny - after their expected 2021 Archewell series remained missing in action with the streaming giant refusing to say if and when it will air.

However the couple have only produced 35 minutes of content for their Archewell Audio channel, which was put together with Spotify's Gimlet Studios.

Meanwhile Eugenie was spotted visiting her father's home of the Royal Lodge today amid a difficult period for the royal family, as it was announced her father Prince Andrew has had his titles stripped away

Eugenie's husband Jack Brooskbank could be seen driving the mother-of-one away from her parent's home of the Royal Lodge today

Neither they nor Spotify have responded to questions about the future of the aural endeavor.

But - unlike the rest of its shows - Archewell Audio is notable by its absence on Gimlet's website.

And Spotify's press release of December last year now looks to be completely off the mark.

It had trilled: 'Archewell Audio will leverage Spotifys global reachwith 144 million Premium subscribers and 320 million monthly active usersto spotlight powerful and diverse voices and perspectives.

'Archewell Audio and Spotifys Gimlet studio will release their first offering; a holiday special hosted by The Duke and Duchess that will feature stories of hope and compassion from inspirational guests in celebration of the new year. In 2021, The Duke and Duchess will produce and host podcasts that build community through shared experiences and values.

Eugenie is not the first royal to embark on a podcast series, with Harry and Meghan inking a lucrative contract with Spotify in 2020 - however the couple have only produced 35 minutes of content for their Archewell Audio channel

'The first complete series from Archewell Audio and Spotify is expected next year and will be available to stream for free on Spotify.'

It remains unclear when the couple will release their podcast.

Eugenie's latest news comes amid a difficult period for the royal family, as it was announced her father Prince Andrew has had his titles stripped away.

The prince was said to have hosted a shooting party for about 12 friends and relatives on Friday - a day after the monarch's decision to remove the titles.

The shooting party was understood to have been a Christmas present from the Queen to Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack, who invited along family friends.

'It seems quite brazen of Andrew to host a party and let his family go shooting with all the controversy raging,' a source told the Sun on Sunday.

Eugenie's latest news comes amid a difficult period for the royal family, as it was announced her father Prince Andrew has had his titles stripped away

Buckingham Palace announced the Queen's decision to cast Andrew out of the royal fold in a statement on Thursday

The Palace said previously that the Duke's military appointments were in abeyance after he stepped down from public duties in 2019.

But, up until a few days ago, 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.

Andrew's stunning downfall, which also saw him stripped of his royal patronages 'with the Queen's approval and agreement' last Thursday, comes as his family abandoned him to fight his sex abuse lawsuit in America as a private citizen.

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'.

The Duke 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'.
A no-nonsense building boss has warned 'snowflakes' not to bother applying for a job - after burning through ten 'workshy' blokes in a year who 'love their phone and want their mummy to pamper them'.

Adam Weedon, 40, put out an advert looking to hire labourers for his company, Ad-A-Brick Building Services, in Chatham, Kent, but vowed to weed out unsuitable candidates with a tongue-in-cheek description.

In order to hire the right candidates for the job, Adam shared the quirky advert on his company's social media page detailing what the role entails, that a driving licence is required and the rate of pay.

However, the advert then reveals that the role is 'hard work, so no snowflakes need apply'.

Building boss Adam Aeedon, 40, warned 'snowflakes' not to bother applying for a labouring job at his firm

The job role Adam advertised asked for applicants to be dedicated hard workers for Ad-A-Brick building services

The professional labourer posted the ad after growing tired of hiring people, only for them to find the work too difficult

The bricklayer shared the ad after claiming to have unsuccessfully hired ten blokes aged 30 or under over the last 12 months who 'love' their phones and walked away from the job because they found the role 'too hard'.

Adam said: 'I've been looking for a building labourer and wrote the "no snowflake" advert because everyone nowadays wants a job, but doesn't want to work for the money.'

'I've had ten people over the course of a year. They all love their phones too much and find the work, such as pushing a wheelbarrow, laying slabs and doing drives and pathways, too hard.

'I wrote the ad because they're [the people previously hired] are not fitting the bill - they're workshy, on their phone and want their mummy to pamper them.'

The Ad-A-Brick building website. The company provides multiple building services, including landscaping and working with artificial grass

The bricklayer shared the ad after claiming to have unsuccessfully hired ten blokes aged 30 or under over the last 12 months who 'love' their phones

Adam had been considering writing the forthright advert for a long time, and finally did after hearing friends had faced similar problems at their own companies

'They leave, they don't turn up the next day because it's too hard.'

Frustrated Adam said he wrote the advert after reaching the end of his tether hiring men who weren't up to the task.

Adam said: 'The decision to write the ad had been bubbling up for a while. I've got mates who own their own companies and they all say the same thing [about workers].'

'It's getting pretty tiring. I'm still looking for someone, I'll give them a try and see where it goes from there.'

'The answer for the time being is working on my own. I might as well jump in and out the digger and get the job done myself.'

The ad, posted on December 14th, reads: 'JOB ADVERT FOR JANUARY ONWARDS.'

'Full-time labouring position, pay dependent on experience, hard work so no snowflakes need apply.'

'Driving licence preferred or close to Walderslade.'
Princess Beatrice's husband's ex Dara Huang has shared a picture posing with a portrait of The Queen as she celebrates becoming a British citizen.

The US-born architect, 39, who shares son Woolfie, five, with her former fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, looked proud as she held her new citizenship.

In pictures posted to Instagram, she stood with Kensington and Chelsea mayor Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, in front of a Union Flag and a portrait of Her Majesty.

Sharing her pride in a gushing Instagram post, Dara revealed how she arrived in the UK with a 'rack of student debt' and that she's 'proud to be British, American, and Taiwanese'.

Dara is the daughter of a businesswoman and a retired NASA scientist who immigrated to the US from Taiwan.

Princess Beatrice's husband's ex Dara Huang has shared a picture posing with a portrait of The Queen as she celebrates becoming a British citizen. The US-born architect, 39, who shares son Woolfie, five, with her former fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, looked proud as she held her new citizenship while pictured with a Union Flag, the royal portrait and Kensington and Chelsea mayor Councillor Gerard Hargreaves

While Edo is descended from Italian nobility, he was born in London and is a British citizen. Their son Christopher Woolf - who goes by Wolfie, was also born in the UK.

Sharing snaps from Kensington Town Hall in west London on Friday, Dara wrote: 'I'm so proud to be BRITISH.

'Thank you for taking me into your country, the typical cliche of arriving without a dime, but a rack of student debt (thanks Harvard).

'Eleven years later, you've given me the experiences I needed to thrive, the opportunity to own my own business, the health care (NHS England) that brought my baby into this world.

'The hundreds of residents I've been able to employ and the open heart to allow me to contribute and also support my endeavours.'

She went on: 'I have no words. I'll always remember every person who was kind and gave me a chance.

Sharing her pride in a gushing Instagram post, Dara revealed how she arrived with a 'rack of student debt' and that she's 'proud to be British, American, and Taiwanese'

'I am also proud of my American roots and my Taiwanese parents.

'Further proof, dreams do come true.

'Thank you Britain and everything you stand for.'

Dara split with Edoardo in 2018. They share custody of the five-year-old and Beatrice, 33 is said to have grown close to him, with Sarah Ferguson saying she considers him a grandson.

Dara and Edoardo wed in July 2020 and they had their daughter Sienna Elizabeth in September last year.

Despite spending much of the year travelling the world for her business, Dara has spent the past few years in west London.

While Edo is descended from Italian nobility, he was born in London and is a British citizen. Their son Christopher Woolf - who goes by Wolfie, was also born in the UK.

The mother-of-one said staying in London for the two months is 'very different' from her transatlantic lifestyle - which sees her travel between London, New York and Hong Kong.

The Harvard-educated architect who grew up in Florida, became engaged to Edo in 2017, after meeting in 2015.

She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and transferred to the Ivy League school for her Masters in Architecture.

Dara runs Design Haus Liberty, and also founded Vivahouse, which converts disused commercial properties into co-living spaces.

After graduating from Harvard with a MA in Architecture, Dara went on to work at architectural firms across Europe, including Herzog de Meuron in Switzerland and Foster + Partners in London.

Projects she worked on included the Tate Modern Museum in London, the Tribeca skyscraper, and 56 Leonard Street in New York.

According to her LinkedIn page, she has won several awards and honours for her work including Property Weeks 40 under 40, BBC Chinas 100 Women, three RIBA competition recognition, Property Week's Resi-trailBlazer, Prestige 40 under 40, and Hong Kong Most Valuable Service award.

The page also reveals she has homes in London and Hong Kong, while her family home is in Florida.
Queen of Letizia paid homage to her mother-in-law's impeccable sense of style today when she wore a Valentino outfit first donned by Queen Sofia in 1977.

King Felipe VI's wife, 49. recycled the dress worn by her mother-in-law during a visit to Germany 44 years ago with her husband, the disgraced King Juan Carlos, 84, who has gone into exile in the Middle East.

The vintage number consists of a large floor-length green skirt and a delicate pink floral blouse. Letizia updated it with a new pink belt for a diplomatic reception today.

She beamed in Sofia's outfit as she and Felipe greeted ambassadors to Spain for the annual event at Zarzuela Palace.

Queen Letizia of Spain, King Felipe VI's wife, 49, sported a Valentino number Queen Sofia, 83, wore during a visit to Germany 44 years ago during a ceremony at Zarzuela Palace this morning

Queen Sofia, now 83, pictured donning the same Valentino outfit in 1977 during her visit to Germany

Letizia stayed true to the aesthetic of Sofia's outfit and kept her accessories to a minimum.

The deep green skirt gently brushed against the floor as she stood by her husband and greeted each of her guests for the day.

The delicate blouse was adorned with pale pink roses with green leaves that matched the skirt. The see-through sleeves were tied at the wrists with a shiny pink ribbon.

Sofia, who was 39 when she wore the Valentino number, cinched the top at the waist with a bow and had also chosen to pair the outfit with a sparkling diamond necklace and matching bracelets and earrings.

The delicate blouse was adorned with pink roses and greed leaves, which matched the floor-length skirt

Each year, Felipe VI, centre, and Letizia, right, welcome foreign ambassadors to the Palace for a New Year reception

Her daughter-in-law opted for a fitted built-in belt without a bow, which matched the silky collar and wrists of the top.

Letizia kept the outfit simple, and was not wearing a necklace nor a bracelet.

Her brown locks were styled in a slick pony, revealing she was wearing a beautiful pair of drop earrings made of emerald and ruby, which perfectly matched the outfit.

The mother-of-two was wearing a face mask, but was still sporting a fresh makeup, with her signature smoky eye and a sculpted brow.

King Felipe VI looked dapper in a tailcoat. His wife decided to pay homage to his mother with her colourful outfit

Meanwhile, King Felipe Vi looked smart in a dark tailcoat and grey trousers.

The event, which takes place each year, sees the royal couple welcoming ambassadors to Zarzuela Palace for a reception marking the new year.

After each envoy has presented their well wishes to the Spanish sovereign, the King addresses his guest during his speech.

Letizia started 2022 in style, sporting to very strong looks for her first official engagements of the year.

Sofia turned heads in 1977 when she wore the outfit in Germany during a visit with her husband King Juan Carlos, now 84, centre

She donned a splendid navy dress for her first event of the year on January 6 at the traditional Pascua Militar ceremony in Madrid.

Wrapped in a short black coat, the Spanish royal, who enjoyed the Christmas break with her family away from the spotlight, looked well rested at today's event, which was combined with a reception at the Palacio Real, to mark Epiphany - a national holiday in Spain.

Considered almost as important as Christmas Day itself, Epiphany marks the moment when baby Jesus, at just a few days old, was seen for the first time by the Magi or Three Kings.

Tradition has it that the Queen always has to wear a floor-length number for this first engagement of the year, and Letizia picked a magnificent navy blue gown for the occasion.
Kendall Jenner is conjuring up images of much warmer days courtesy of her latest modeling turn, which sees her posing up in a series of summery, sun-soaked images for a striking jewelry campaign.

While the 26-year-old model is currently enjoying a snowy ski getaway in Aspen with her friends, her newly-released photo shoot for high-end accessories brand Messika couldn't be further away from the frosty Colorado climate.

Shot in St Tropez during summer 2021, the photos see Kendall modeling a variety of sleek swimwear while strike a pose in a turquoise swimming pool - all the while dripping in a collection of dazzling diamonds.

In one image, the model can be seen sporting a slicked back wet-look 'do, with her bejeweled hands held up to her head. The photo sees her donning a plunging long-sleeved black wet suit, which emphasizes her layered gold-and-diamond necklaces.

Strike a pose: Kendall Jenner conjures up images of summer in her latest fashion campaign for high-end jewelry brand Messika, which was shot in St Tropez over the same

If you've got it... The images see the 26-year-old showing off her trim and toned figure while posing on a beach in the South of France

Feeling blue: According to the brand, Kendall was chosen as its latest spokesperson because she 'represents todays alpha woman'

Lounging around: Kendall was just as complimentary about the brand, praising its 'beautiful pieces' which she has been seen sporting on a number of occasions in the past

Another photo shows Kendall wearing the same zip-up wetsuit while lounging in the pool, with one hand in the water, while the other is clasping a chunky gold chain around her neck as she glares at the camera.

As well as her wetsuit, the Kardashian-Jenner sibling also donned several other sporty looks for the shoot - which took place in July 2021 - including a long-sleeved black crop top and skin-tight booty shorts, which accentuated her incredibly trim and toned stomach.

Taking a break from black, she also added several metallic blue pieces to her wardrobe for the shoot, including a shimmering bomber jacket, and a cropped turtle neck, which she paired with several dainty diamond chains around her neck and wrist.

According to Messika designer Valerie Messika, the campaign was intended to emphasize Kendall's natural 'energy and radiance', with a brand statement describing the model as being 'in control of her own destiny'.

'The photographs merge Kendall Jenners elegant figure with the natural infinite effect of the landscape,' the brand explained.

There she goes: As well as sleek swimwear, Kendall also models workoutwear in the campaign, with the brand saying it wanted to capture her 'energy and radiance' in the photos

Model stare: Kendall was shot by photographer Chris Colls, who previously snapped Kate Moss when she posed for Messika

Polar opposites: The model is currently enjoying a snowy ski vacation in Aspen, Colorado, with friends - a far cry from the heat of summer that is captured in her Messika campaign

Bling thing: Kendall described the brand's pieces as 'beautiful', noting that her shoot helped her to better understand the 'craftsmanship' that goes into every single design

'Capturing the immensity of the sea joining the sky, each image is a manifesto of freedom. That of a young woman in an iridescent blue lame swimsuit or jacket taking a break in the clear water or running across crisp white sand.

'Whatever her choice, her attitude reflects her brilliance. Between athleisure and performance, her outfits have the energy of a woman well in her life, in her time and of the moment, whose body and mind are in perfect harmony.

'In control of her own destiny, she represents todays alpha woman.'

Designer Valerie added: 'I wanted to illustrate a subtle alliance between grace and strength and capture an image of an alpha woman with a mysterious and hypnotic aura; Kendall perfectly embodied that for me.'

And Kendall was just as complimentary about the brand - which she has been seen wearing on a number of occasions, both in her personal life and for red carpet events.

Brrr: The model is currently enjoying a snowboarding trip in Aspen, Colorado, with her friends, where she has had to swap her swimsuits for warm skiwear

Favorite: Kendall began vacationing in Aspen when she was a child, alongside her father, Caitlyn Jenner, and mom Kris

'I am very happy to have been chosen by Messika for its new campaign,' the model said in a statement.

'Its jewelry has always reminded me of Paris, one of my favorite cities. During the shoot, I was able to see so many beautiful pieces, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship of the house that goes into even the smallest earring.'

At the time of the shoot, behind-the-scenes images captured the tricks of the trade used by the brand in order to capture the perfect pictures - with paparazzi photos revealing that Kendall jogged along a treadmill on the beach in order to achieve the ideal snap of her running along the location's dazzling white sands.

Over the past few days, Kendall has traded sand for snow while enjoying a getaway in Aspen, Colorado, with her close friend Fai Khadra, where she has been seen making the most of her time on the mountains by hitting the slopes on her snowboard.

The model was seen bundled up an all-black ski gear while strolling through the Highlands Ski Area on Sunday - before adding a metallic silver ski jacket over the top of her look.
A teenager who spent lockdown practicing embroidery has quit her supermarket job after using social media to promote her tote bag designs, and can now turn over five figures a day.

Maisie Crompton, 19, who lives in Cambridge, explained that she was working one day a week at Waitrose during lockdown and began embroidery as a hobby to stop her from being bored.

She noticed other people were interested in her designs after using TikTok to document her learning process.

Having purchased materials from Amazon with 25 from her grandmother, Maisie debuted her sell-out range of products on Depop and now earns up to 12,000 in sales a day on her own website, offering both personalised bags and her own embroidered designs - costing from 15.

Maisie Crompton, 19, (pictured) who lives in Cambridge, has launched Totes For You after taking up embroidery as a hobby during lockdown

Maisie, who boasts over 176,000 followers on TikTok and almost 7,000 on YouTube, admitted that she hadn't expected to be able to quit her supermarket job just months after launching Totes For You.

In a YouTube vlog, Maisie said: 'In the first lockdown I had just finished my A-Levels. I was working in a supermarket, so I was counted as a key worker and I was really bored in my free time. I had an idea to start embroidering.

'I started a series on TikTok where I basically just shared the journey with everyone and it went down well, better than I expected. I documented the process from getting the idea, creating the ideas to getting the materials to starting the website. Everything.

'I had no idea how to run a business let alone a successful business. I knew the basics that you should be making more money than you're spending, and that was about it.'

The teenager claimed studying GCSE business didn't help, so she focused on doing her own research and creating designs.

She revealed her first TikTok video about her embroidery racked up more than 60,000 views within a week.

Maisie said she spent 25 on materials to start her business, including needles, an embroidery hoop, thread and tote bags. Pictured: Maisie's embroidery on a tote bag

Maisie revealed that she began the business using hand embroidery after her grandmother gave her 25, saying: 'I bought needles, embroidery hoop, embroidery thread and tote bags for 25 all off Amazon. Obviously since then I've changed my suppliers.

'When I was about 10/11 I was really into sewing, then when I was a teenager I didn't really do much but I still had the skills to do it.

'It came quite naturally to me when I started. Also,A I'm a perfectionist, so if I couldn't do it I was going to work until I could.

'Each one would take me about one to three hours but I had the time, there was nothing else to do during lockdown.'

Maisie (pictured) said her website began racking up 4,000 a month in sales when it first launched, and she hadn't earned as much in a year at Waitrose

Maisie said she chose Depop as her first selling platform because there aren't any initial start up fees.

Racking up five star reviews, she decided to start her own website by asking friends to model her products and bought a second-hand embroidery machine to increase the speed of production.

Maisie said: 'The day we launched I made 13 sales. I was so happy, I was buzzing. We made around 4,000 in a month, I had never seen money like that come in.

'To put it into perspective I worked a year at Waitrose and didn't even make four grand that year. That was sales, not profit but it was crazy to me.'

Maisie (pictured), who is saving to buy a house, admitted it's been difficult to remain motivated since launching her business

Maise's website has since expanded its range of products to include sweatshirts for 36, T-shirts for 24 and stationery from 1.40 - in addition to her tote bags which start from 15.

The 19-year-old admitted due to the popularity of her business it's difficult to do everything that she wants to do including uploading regularly to YouTube.

She said work can be 'overwhelming' and revealed that she often has to go outside of her home to find motivation.

Maisie revealed that she's now saving for a mortgage on her own house, saying: 'I would rather not rent because I see it as a waste of money.

'I'm financially stable enough that I can afford to live somewhere nice, but its just not money that I really want to spend.'
A leather jacket worn by Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski is at the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit after Lego created a toy version of the TV personality wearing a similar leather jacket.

In a past season of the hit Netflix series, Porowski wore a leather jacket by designer James Concannon. The design features artwork on the front, including a peace sign and a skull, as well as the words 'thyme is on my sign' written in graffiti style on the back.

Last fall, Lego released a Queer Eye toy set featuring miniature versions of the show's five stars, and one of the available outfits was a leather jacket with its own graffiti style artwork.

In a lawsuit filed in Connecticut in December, Concannon says that Lego 'painstakingly copied not only the individual creative elements of the jacket, but the unique placement, coordination, and arrangement of the individual artistic elements, as well.'

A leather jacket worn by Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski is at the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit

In October, Lego released a Queer Eye set including a outfit option for Antoni including a leather jacket with white artwork

Designer James Concannon, who made Antoni's jacket, is accusing Lego of 'painstakingly [copying] not only the individual creative elements of the jacket, but the unique placement, coordination, and arrangement of the individual artistic elements, as well'

According to The Fashion Law, Concannon created the custom leather jacket for Porowski in 2018.

In 2019, he shared photos of it on Instagram of the 'Thyme Is On My Side' jacket, writing: 'Spraypaint and acrylic on leather. 1 of 1. In the collection of and worn by @antoni in the new @queereye seasons first episode. Love you Popo.'

The black jacket features a white skull on one side of the chest, with the words 'raw' and 'war' written above and below it, and a yin-yang with smiling and sad faces on the collar.

There is a peace sign on the opposite-side collar, while the left side also has a pair of fists breaking chains and the words: 'As monuments fall / tear down the walls / and shake hate's chain / off society's brain.'

The back says 'Thyme is on my side' in a dripping white font over a gray background.

His suit says it was 'created using a plain black leather jacket that Porowski sent to Concannon, to which Concannon added his original artwork, composing and arranging each artistic element to reflect his signature aesthetic.'

He copyrighted the design in November 2021.

Photos from the shoot so side-by-side comparisons of the designer' jacket and the Lego piece

The black jacket features a white skull on one side of the chest, with the words 'raw' and 'war' written above and below it, and a yin-yang with smiling and sad faces on the collar

The back says 'Thyme is on my side' in a dripping white font over a gray background

In Lego's Queer Eye set, which went on sale in October 2021, one of the changeable top halves features a painted-on black leather jacket with white markings.

In the complaint, Concannon (pictured) accuses Lego of replicating his jacket without permission or compensation, saying he 'never agreed' to allow the company to 'exploit' his work for free

The markings include what looks like a Lego skull, a smiley face on one side of the collar, a piece sign on the other, and a globe. There also appears to be similar button and zipper placement.

On the back, it reads 'Rebuild the world' in a dripping white font on a gray background.

In Concannon's complaint, he accuses Lego of replicating his jacket without permission or compensation.

The suit says 'he certainly never agreed to allow LEGO  the largest toy company in the world, with over $5 billion in annual revenue  to commercially exploit his artwork for free.'

He said they 'infringed and will continue to infringe upon his copyrights in the jacket by, among other things, copying, publicly displaying, distributing, and creating derivative works of the infringing product, which is substantially similar to, derived from and a derivative of [his] original artwork and design.'

Though Concannon designed the jacket in 2018, he didn't copyright the design until November 2021 - a month after Lego's Queer Eye set came out

He says that Lego had offered him a free set, then revoked the offer. The designer is now suing for monetary damages

When he first brought the issue to Lego's attention, he alleges that they offered him a 'free Fab 5 Loft set  which retails for $99.99  for [his] six-year-old son to play with, only to later revoke that offer, telling [him] that Lego does not give away its products for free.'

When Concannon sent a cease-and-desist letter, he says he was told that a case against Lego 'would be an "uphill battle" [for them].'

Lego's lawyers also asserted that 'in effect, by gifting the jacket to his friend Porowski knowing that [he] would wear the jacket on Queer Eye, Concannon was granting an "implied license" to Netflix to use the jacket in any manner it pleased  including sub-licensing the work to LEGO.'

Concannon is suing for monetary damages for 'all damages [he] suffered and for any profits or gain by [LEGO].'
Former President Barack Obama wished his 'love' and 'best friend' Michelle a happy birthday on Instagram this morning.

Obama, 60, celebrated the former first lady is honor of her 58th birthday by sharing a sweet shot of himself kissing her smiling cheek as a beautiful sunset plays out behind them.

'Happy birthday, Michelle,' he wrote in a to-the-point caption. 'My love, my partner, my best friend...'

Former President Barack Obama wished his wife Michelle a happy birthday on Instagram this morning, posting a photo of him kissing her cheek in what appears to be Hawaii

'Happy birthday, Michelle,' he wrote in the photo's caption. 'My love, my partner, my best friend...'

The photo appears to be a newly-released image and looks to have been shot in Hawaii, where the couple vacationed over Christmas and New Year's.

A beaming Michelle wears a brown top holds a martini in her right hand, her other around her husband' back.

The former president, meanwhile, is dressed in a white button-down and plants a kiss on her left cheek.

The Obama family visits the former president's home state every year to get in some relaxation and visits with loved ones.

In December, Obama was was pictured donning black swim trunks as he went for a dip in the Pacific Ocean, and was snapped squinting in the sun as he left his sunglasses behind.

The day before, his daughters, Sasha, 20, and Malia, 23, were also caught on camera as they went out on the water on stand-up paddle boards, each wearing a bikini for the beach day.

Obama was also later pictured getting in a round of gold with friends, though Michelle managed to avoid the cameras.

In December, Obama was was pictured donning black swim trunks as he went for a dip in the Pacific Ocean while visiting Hawaii with his family

The day before, his daughters, Sasha, 20, and Malia, 23, were also caught on camera as they went out on the water on stand-up paddle boards

Michelle was not photographed in public in Hawaii, but she did share a photo celebrating New Year's

She did, however, share her own photo from Hawaii, showing how she and her husband rang in the new year with silly star-shaped glasses.

In celebration of her birthday today, well wishes have poured in for the former first lady today, including from current first lady Jill Biden.

Obama frequently shares adoring posts about his wife in honor of her birthday and their anniversaries.

In 2021, he posted a throwback photo of this wife from the '90s and wrote: 'Happy birthday to my love, my partner, and my best friend. Every moment with you is a blessing. Love you, Miche.'

In 2020, he shared a series of four black-and-white snaps, which appear to have been taken inside a photo booth.

All four are exceedingly affectionate, with Michelle hugging her husband's head and sitting in his lap.

One shows Obama kissing her cheek, and another shows him flashing a peace sign.

Obama frequently shares adoring posts about his wife in honor of her birthday and their anniversaries, including this photo in 2021

Last year, he called his wife his 'best friend' and a 'blessing' in a gushing tribute

In 2020, he shared a series of four black-and-white snaps, which appear to have been taken inside a photo boot

All four are exceedingly affectionate, with Michelle hugging her husband's head and sitting in his lap

One shows Obama kissing her cheek, and another shows him flashing a peace sign

'In every scene, you are my star, @MichelleObama!' he wrote, adding: 'Happy birthday, baby!'

'In every scene, you are my star, @MichelleObama!' he wrote, adding: 'Happy birthday, baby!'

In 2019, the message came alongside another old photo.

'I knew it way back then and I'm absolutely convinced of it today  you're one of a kind, @MichelleObama. Happy Birthday!' he wrote.

In return, she has shared similar doting messages, including one on his birthday last year.

'Of all of your accomplishments, I know that being a present, loving father to our girls tops them all,' she wrote in celebration of his 60th.

'Thank you for never letting the weight of the world get in the way of being a wonderful husband and father. Happy 60th birthday, @BarackObama!'
A Holocaust survivor who spent four months at Auschwitz has celebrated becoming a great-grandmother for the 35th time.

Lily Ebert, 98, who grew up in Hungary, was liberated by American soldiers in April 1945 when she was 20 and, some 77 years later, says babies are the 'best revenge against the Nazis'.

She said: 'For anybody to achieve this - to be a great-grandmother - is something special, but how much more for me as a Holocaust survivor... it is very special.

'I never thought I would achieve this. I had to survive first of all and then to achieve this age... (the Nazis) wanted to kill us and we showed (them) that they could not.'

Lily Ebert, 98, who spent four months at Auschwitz has celebrated becoming a great-grandmother for the 35th time. Pictured: Lily, with great-grandson Dov Forman as a baby in 2003

After being freed, Ms Ebert spent a year in Switzerland before moving to Palestine-occupied Israel in 1946.

She migrated to the UK in 1967 with her husband, Samuel, and began a life of educating the world about the horrors of the Holocaust.

She is now based in North London, where she is a mother-of-three, grandmother-of-10, and great-grandmother-of-35.

'She's dedicated her whole life to educating others about the Holocaust,' Dov Forman, who is one of her great-grandsons explained.

'She would go to different schools, workplaces, organisations, with other survivors... and she would share her testimony. She also was a founding member of the Holocaust Survivor Centre in the UK.'

Lily, who has visited schools and workplaces sharing her testimony of surviving the Nazis, said she 'promised' herself to tell her story for future generations. Pictured: Lily, with Dov Forman

Ms Ebert explained that she 'promised' herself she would tell her story, saying: 'I have not heard the story - I was there. I am a witness. I promised myself: as long as I am here, I will tell my story for the future generations.'

In a tweet which has racked up 120,000 likes, 18-year-old Dov praised his great-grandmother.

He wrote: 'My 98-year-old great-grandmother Lily Ebert, an Auschwitz survivor, has just become a great-grandma for the 35th time.'

Many commenters were touched by the post and shared their own stories of relatives who've birthed a generation after surviving the Holocaust.

Dov said he has learned a lot from his great-grandmother and he is using social media to tell her story to as many people as possible. Pictured: Lily on her 98th birthday

A-level student Dov has gained a following of over 1. million on a TikTok account for Ms Ebert and her stories.

He has also co-authored a book with Ms Ebert titled Lily's Promise, which tells of the life she has built for herself.

'We're just trying to tell her story to as many people as possible, both on social media and via our book,' Dov said. 'I could sit here for a whole day and explain to you how much I've learned from her... she really is the queen of the family.

'We're just an incredibly tight family and Lily sits at the top of that, and she just inspires us every day.'

Lily was on one of the last trains carrying Hungarian Jews to enter Auschwitz in 1944, enduring months at Birkenau before being transported to Altenburg, a sub-camp of Buchenwald.

She was born in December 1923 in Bonyhad, a town in southwestern Hungary which at the time had a Jewish population of nearly 7,000.

She first hit headlines in July 2020, after successfully searching for the family of the American soldier who gave her a banknote with a message wishing her 'good luck and happiness'.
Exposing Biden's big COVID lies  follow the numbers

By Mark Alexander

web posted January 17, 2022

Rhetorical question: Do you think the majority of Americans are going to be, shall I say politely, "agitated" when they finally awaken to the reality that Joe Biden's unconstitutional and draconian vaxxing mandates have been primarily a leftist political charade to indoctrinate and condition citizens that they must submit to the Democrats' power and control agenda?

Of course, you are likely already fully aware of this administration's agenda and political machinations to contain the ChiCom Virus pandemic threat. But many of the Left's legions of "sheeple," whose lives and children's lives continue to be unnecessarily turned upside down by mandates and school closures, are now starting to figure it out.

How much damage has this agenda done to kids? Last week, a joint declaration by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children's Hospital Association has declared a "national state of emergency in children's mental health." The damage has been devastating.

For the record, Democrats are artful masters of the BIG Lie , and there has been no bigger and more consequential political lie in our nation's history than the collaborative promotion of fear and angst being perpetuated by the Democrat Party and its Leftmedia propagandists .

Unfortunately, much of the government mandate damage has already been done.

Some of the best and brightest young military Patriots devoted to Liberty , those who have abided by their oaths " to support and defend " our Constitution, have already been purged after refusing to submit to Biden's mandate. The same is true among the other ranks of federal employees. Indeed, that has been the administration's mandate objective  to remove loyal and faithful Patriots whom Biden and his delusional leftists label " extremists ."

In the past two weeks, there have been admissions by the most powerful of Biden's COVID pandemic commissars  admissions that have cast a bright light on the adulteration of official pandemic counts, and on the Demos' underlying agenda.

It started with the nation's highest-paid bureaucrat , the Beltway troll Anthony Fauci , who for the first time has declared a newfound concern for the economic impact of his quarantine mandates: "There is the danger that there will be so many people who are being isolated ... that you could have a major negative impact on our ability to keep society running." Where was that fundamental concern 22 months ago?

Then, responding to the administration's awakening that parents are fed up with their kids being locked out of schools, Fauci made a shocking admission regarding hospital counts for children  who we already know are at virtually no risk for hospitalization, much less death  in order to unwind teacher union objections . In an amazing statement, Fauci declared : "If you look at the children who are hospitalized, many of them are hospitalized with COVID as opposed to because of COVID. If a child goes in the hospital, they automatically get tested for COVID. And they get counted as a COVID-hospitalized individual when, in fact, they may go in for a broken leg or appendicitis or something like that. So it's overcounting the number of children who are, quote, 'hospitalized with COVID,' as opposed to because of COVID."

This confession was shocking because, notably, all adults are also tested upon hospital admission, and likewise, as we have suggested repeatedly, the number of adult admissions because of COVID versus with COVID, as well as the number of deaths, has been inaccurate. The question, then, is this: What are the actual numbers of hospitalizations and deaths of all ages with COVID versus because of COVID? In fact, in New York last week, health officials announced almost 50% of their "COVID hospitalizations" are not because of COVID.

The truth about those numbers has a direct bearing on all the masking and vaxxing mandates, emerging proposals for vaccination passports , and, most important, the reported efficacy of vaccines based on hospitalization and death data that we now know is highly suspect. Arguably, vaccines benefit those with significant comorbidity factors, but how about those who have no such factors?

It is abundantly clear, despite Demo state governors and mayors issuing child vaccination mandates , that 99.999% are NOT at risk of serious illness or death because of COVID.

The fake hospitalization numbers being reported by the Leftmedia even made their way into SCOTUS deliberations regarding Biden's disastrous vaxxing mandates.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, even after Fauci's "clarification," still erroneously claimed , "We have hospitals that are almost at full capacity with people severely ill on ventilators." Wrong. She further falsely asserted, "We have over 100,000 children, which we've never had before, in serious condition and many on ventilators." Wrong again.

That false claim was so far off the mark that CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky had to publicly correct Sotomayor, and it even prompted The Washington Post "fact-checker" to give her its worst rating, four Pinocchios . In fact, there are fewer than 3,500 children in hospitals with COVID.

That is what happens when a Supreme Court justice and her brainwashed young clerks get their information from CNN and MSNBC. So, the future of individual Liberty in regard to the SCOTUS decision on Biden's mandates is resting on the uninformed opinions of Sonia Sotomayor? It appears so.

A key question we have asked repeatedly over the last 18 months about the CDC's hospitalization and death counts of those with COVID versus dying because of COVID was queried last week by Fox News host Bret Baier, who asked Walensky , "How many of the 836,000 deaths in the U.S. linked to COVID are from COVID or how many are with COVID?"

Not denying this was an important distinction related to comorbidity factors, Walensky dodged the question, saying, "Those data will be forthcoming."

Right. I can tell you I have searched deep within the CDC website for the last year, and that comorbidity death distinction data is nowhere to be found. There are lists of comorbidity factors, but no cumulative data on how, or how many of, those factors are attributable to deaths.

Of course, Walensky refused to give a straight answer for the same reason that data is not plain on the CDC website  if she answered the question accurately, raising legitimate questions about comorbidities, that would call into question the Demos' underlying government power-play agenda.

Flustered when pressed for an answer, Walensky claimed, "We have ever-evolving science with an ever-evolving variant."

Well, OK, take your time.

Maybe the CDC will provide an answer after Fauci is finished evaluating his latest transgender monkey study .

Confirming some other key data points , Walensky admitted what everyone already knows: "Our vaccines are working exceptionally well ... but what they can't do anymore is prevent transmission."

However, then the CDC director inadvertently elevated the question about comorbidities again by noting data indicating those factors in the deaths of people who have been vaccinated.

According to Walensky : "The overwhelming number of deaths, over 75%, occurred in people who had at least four comorbidities. So really these are people who were unwell to begin with."

In other words, 75% those who died with as opposed to because of COVID had "at least four comorbidities."

So when will she get back to us with an answer to the question about comorbidities as a factor of those unvaccinated death counts? Again, it is clear that vaccines benefit those with significant comorbidity factors, but release the data so the uninformed, like Sotomayor, can make better informed decisions.

To that end, former Trump administration COVID adviser Dr. Scott Atlas noted that, actually, "Two-thirds of deaths are people with six or more comorbidities." And as an example of CDC misinformation, he added: "Yet the message was out there that anybody with hypertension, high blood pressure was at high risk for COVID. That was false. ... This was an intentional inculcation of fear in the American public. This should never happen again. ... The truth will prevail. And hopefully we're starting to see that now with these admissions about hospitalizations and deaths being mis-categorized."

One reason the CDC does not make this data readily accessible is because it does not want people to decide they are not high risk, and therefore choose not to get vaccinated. In other words, paternalistic bureaucrats think you are such an idiotic adolescent that you can't be trusted with your own decisions regarding this vaccine.

Moreover, given the Demos' politicization of the CDC, that data is concealed because it would call into question Biden's power and control agenda, i.e., Fauci's permanent pandemic  you know, the little man who was instrumental in the ChiCom development of COVID .

There is no question that the ChiCom Virus is a very bad bug, but there is also no question that Democrat politicos at the federal, state, and local levels have used the pandemic as fodder for their statist power agenda. That would include Biden's so-called " voting rights " bill, a.k.a. the Demos' bulk-mail ballot fraud . They hope to use the pandemic as reason to perpetuate mailing ballots to millions of unauthenticated voters, as California and seven other states now do.

The bottom line: Joe Biden clearly did not " shut down the virus " as advertised, though his administration has grossly overstated the numbers. As for Biden's assertion back during the 2020 election when the CDC reported 220,000 deaths  "Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain President of the United States"  political analyst Rich Lowry asks , "When does Trump get his apology?"

As for his latest lie that he would provide "free testing," Biden's blame-shifting solution for failing to ramp up test production months ago  if that wasn't a planned failure to keep the fear and chaos going strong  is to force insurers to pay for tests ... if folks can find one.

One thing the Democrats have demonstrated  the Red Chinese need not invade the U.S. to severely cripple our strength as an adversary.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
It's 2022, we've put Blue Monday behind us, and it's time to lift our spirits, strengthen our resolve, and commit to living a healthier lifestyle.

But it's not always easy, is it? We start with such good intentions, but then life tends to get on top of us, thwarting our very best efforts, when all we really want is to keep going!

So what if there were some easy things you could do to help look after yourself better this year? Some little changes you and all your family  no matter how young - could make to help you support your health and feel like your best selves?

Well, there are  it's actually far easier to take some small steps to support your immune system than you'd think.

And, as the temperature plummets and children start going back to school and bringing home all manner of bugs and viruses, it's never been more important to look after yourselves.

So here are a few simple but effective ways to support all your immune systems:

GET OUTSIDE MORE!

From jumping in puddles to playing chase in the park, wrap up warm and get yourself and the kids outside this January to increase your levels of Vitamin D - it helps keep our immune systems healthy. Alternatively, if it's raining or they refuse to venture outdoors, your children will love Holland & Barrett's elderberry-flavoured Kids Vitamin D Gummies (3.99 for 30). And because they're chewable and taste yummy, the littles ones will be happy to have them!

No such thing as bad weather! Wrap up warm and get the family outside for fun in the fresh air

HAVE SOME GUILT-FREE 'ME' TIME

We live in such busy times but long-term stress is the enemy of good health because it reduces our body's ability to fight off illness. So take some time this year to do things that leave you feeling calmer whether it's blissfully long soaks in the bath, soothing yoga sessions or gentle meditation in the park, if the weather allows.

Take some time for yourself, and don't feel guilty about it! Stress is the enemy of good health

TUM'S THE WORD!

When we eat, the bacteria in our tummies break down the food and produce compounds that help our immune systems function. So why not try Holland & Barrett's Expert High Strength Triple Action Immune Support (19.99 for 60 capsules) which contains five billion live friendly bacteria to enrich your gut, along with vitamins, minerals and actives to support your immunity.

SEE YOUR PALS MORE

Friends don't just make us laugh and support us when we're low, it seems they also make us healthier (1). Socialising helps keep the immune system in good working order by being called into action when we go out and are exposed to diseases, while scientists have found being lonely makes us less resistant to outbreaks of illness.

GET FRUITY

Make sure you are eating enough fruit and veg - it's fantastic for your health, and the vitamin C it contains is one of the biggest immunity heroes in our food arsenal. Alternatively, taking Holland & Barrett's Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Zinc effervescent tablets (4.19 for 20) is a great way to top up your levels. Drop two tablets in a glass of water for your daily immunity hit.

Are you eating enough fruit and veg? Eating the rainbow helps you get the vitamins you need

SLEEP ON IT

Don't feel guilty about a lie-in  it's good for your health. Studies show people who don't get decent quality sleep are more likely to get sick and also recover less quickly. For the best rest, get plenty of exercise in the day, ditch digital devices in the evening and do something relaxing before hitting the hay.

SUPPORT EVEN THE SMALLEST IMMUNE SYSTEMS

It's never too early to think about your baby's health and there's plenty you can do to help them. You can also give them Holland & Barrett's Baby Vitamin C&D Immunity Liquid (7.99 for 30ml) which has been specially formulated to support even the smallest immune system. Its liquid format means it's easy to give your baby exactly the right dose.

MAKE FITNESS FUN

Exercise is amazing for supporting our body's defences, but if you can't bear to get on a bike or go for a run, find something you enjoy that gets your heart beating faster. It'll do the same job! Dancing, skipping or even hula hooping all count.

THINK ABOUT ZINC

Zinc is incredible for keeping the immune system functioning as it should, so tuck into plenty of red meat, shellfish or legumes (think chickpeas, lentils and beans) or pick up some Holland & Barrett High Strength Immunity Support Powder (8.99 for 14 sachets) which also contains vitamins C and D and comes in super-convenient, one-a-day sachets so you can take them with you.

JUST ASK HOLLAND & BARRETT For more than 150 years, Holland & Barrett has been a trusted face on our high street, dispensing both expert advice and great products to help customers look after their wellness. All their staff undergo extensive training about their products and are kept up-to-date with the latest information so if you've any questions or worries, pop into your local store for some free personalised advice. Knowing what's right for you and your growing family can often be confusing, so Holland & Barrett colleagues, all of whom are Qualified To Advise, are on hand to help. You can also access their expert colleagues online via their free online consultation service. Alternatively, help is at hand at hollandandbarrett.com and in their online Wellness Hub where you can read about the topics and issues that affect you.

SOURCES

1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20407593/

2) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3868360/Can-watching-scary-movie-GOOD-health-Experts-reveal-scared-immune-boost-help-lose-weight.html
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Dr Anthony Fauci (pictured), warned that the Omicron variant may not be the virus's final strain, as there is potential for another strain that can evade immunity from Omicron to emerge in the future

Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, warns that the Omicron variant may not spell the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, told the Davos Agenda virtual event Monday that 'natural vaccination' - or immunity via previous infection - might not be as effective as some believe.

Like the emergence of Omicron, there is potential for a new variant to emerge in the future that can bypass the natural immunity provided by infection from the new strain.

He says that even if Omicron - which has caused a massive surge in new cases worldwide but is not as severe or deadly as its predecessors - is the final strain of Covid, it will likely become endemic.

His warning runs counter to the positive predictions coming from some officials in the UK who believe that the virus could have a 'flu-type' relationship with people by the end of the year based on its current spread.

'I would hope that that's the case. But that would only be the case if we don't get another variant that eludes the immune response of the prior variant,' Fauci said.

Fauci has previously made grim projections about new Covid variants, and was even correct about a variant like Omicron emerging.

In August, when the Delta variant was first rising in the U.S., Fauci warned that with transmission of Covid so rampant it was likely that a vaccine resistant variant would eventually emerge.

Months later, than variant did come about, when South African health officials discovered the highly infectious Omicron variant in late November.

He fears that there is a chance another variant emerges that has mutated in a way that allows it to get around protection provided by recovering from Omicron.

Covid becoming endemic as a result of Omicron has become a common theory among health experts and officials, and has served as a beacon of hope for the population suffering through the recent surge.

Omicron is burning through people so quickly, causing daily Covid cases to hit records almost everywhere in the world, that it could soon run out of people to infect.

The U.S.'s daily case average eclipsed 800,000 for the first time over the weekend, with the height of the Omicron surge now reaching four times as many cases as the peak of the Delta wave. Disparities in case figures have not translated into more deaths, though, with the 1,839 deaths being recorded every day in America - the most since early October - is still far below the 3,200 deaths per day being averaged at the peak of the Delta surge in late September.

Cases also seem to be reaching a peak. Week-to-week case growth nationwide is slowing. New daily cases are only up seven percent over the past week, compared to a 75 percent increase the week before. New York and New Jersey were struck hard and fast by the variant last month, but cases in the neighboring states are now decreasing over the past two weeks - down 14 percent and 20 percent respectively.

Dr Vivek Murthy, America's surgeon general, warns that the peak may not be as near as some believe. He told CNN on Sunday that not every state will experience was is currently going on along the east coast.

'There are parts of the country -- New York, in particular, and other parts of the Northeast -- where we are starting to see a plateau, and in some cases, an early decline in cases,' Murthy said.

'The challenge is that the entire country is not moving at the same pace,'

'The Omicron wave started later in other parts of the country, so we shouldn't expect a national peak in the next coming days. The next few weeks will be tough.'

New Jersey, once among the leader in infection rate, is now seeing cases decline - signaling this surge is coming to an end.

Its neighbor, New York, and Maryland - which is experiencing a seven percent decline in daily cases - are also among the only three states in America where cases are going down.

The rate of case growth in state where cases are increasing is starting to slow, though. Last week, almost every state in America was recording a two-week doubling of cases. As of Monday morning, only 35 states have logged an increase of more than 100 percent in the past 14 days.

Some states that were once hotspots look like they could soon join the ranks of states posting decreasing cases. Georgia was once one of the hardest hit states in America by the recent Omicron surge, mainly fueled by an outbreak in the Atlanta area. The Peach state has seen a rapid decline in growth, though, with cases only up 34 percent over the past two weeks.

Neighboring Florida has quickly dropped off the leaderboard of states with the highest case growth, with the Sunshine state logging a 35 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks. Florida numbers can sometimes be misleading, though, due to the inconsistent nature of case reporting in the state.

A Covid surge in Chicago was primarily responsible for Illinois being among case growth leaders in December - even as cases were decreasing for a lot of the rest of the Midwest. The tapering off of cases in the state's most populated city has made the situation seem more under control, with the Prairie state now logging a 61 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks - with the figure only expecting to fall further.

While states in the east start seeing cases taper off, the virus's move westward is continuing. Alaska is still far and away the U.S. leader in case change, with the state experiencing a 610 percent increase in daily case over the past two weeks.

Texas (428 percent case increase over past two weeks), Utah (414 percent), Oregon (402 percent) and Montana (394 percent) also make up the national leaders.

Every mainland U.S. state west of the Mississippi river has recorded a doubling of cases over the past two weeks, with all but Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Minnesota - which are all along the river - recording a tripling of cases as well. This further highlights the massive westward movement of the virus.

States along the east coast are still leading the U.S. in hospitalization rate. New Jersey and New York are both logging 70 Covid hospitalizations per every 100,000 residents - tied with Delaware for the country's lead. Pennsylvania (63 per every 100,000) and Maryland (61) make up the rest of the top five. These numbers are not totally reliable, though.

Indiana currently leads the U.S. in daily deaths, holding the dubious honor for the past week. The Hoosier state is recording 1.3 deaths per every 100,000 residents - far outpacing every other U.S. state. Some hospitals are reporting that they are overwhelmed by the number of Covid patients coming in for treatment, and the state's hospital association told the Indy Star that medical facilities are running above capacity.

'The current state is probably the worst to second worst that I have ever seen it,' Dr Mark Leutkemeyer, chief medical officer for Indiana University Health's Adult Academic Health Center, said.

St Joseph County, a northwestern county that includes South Bend, has even opted to spend some of its Covid relief money on expanding morgue capacity in order to deal with the surging deaths.

Covid Czar Fauci has net worth of over $10 million as he profits from the pandemic Records show that Fauci - the highest-paid federal employee in the country, who earns more than President Joe Biden - and his wife, the top bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health, have a combined wealth of $10.4 million. He is the highest-paid federal employee in the country, making $434,312 a year as head of the NIAID, while Biden's salary is $400,000. When he retires, Fauci's pension will be the largest in US history, exceeding $350,000 per year. Fauci's records show that he and his wife were paid $13,298 to attend four galas and ceremonies - three of them virtual. He and his wife also have an interest in an Italian restaurant in San Francisco, Jackson Fillmore Trattoria. The restaurant did not make them any money, however, the disclosures show. Records show Fauci was paid $5,000 to attend a 'RFK Ripple of Hope' virtual awards ceremony in December 2020; $1,600 to attend 'An Evening of Hope' virtual event in April 2020; and $1,500 to attend a 'Prepared for Life' virtual gala in October 2020. He was also reimbursed $5,198 for costs associated with his being awarded federal employee of the year and being given the Service to America medal, in October 2020. The four events were listed under 'gifts and travel reimbursements'. Advertisement

Michigan has also long struggled with Covid, being among the national leaders in hospitalizations and deaths for months now. One out of every 100 Michiganders was hospitalized with Covid at some point in 2021. The state is now averaging 1.08 daily deaths per every 100,000 residents.

Seven U.S. states are recording more than one death per every 100,000 residents as of Monday morning, including Indiana and Michigan. New Mexico (1.1 deaths per every 100,000 residents), Maryland (1.08), Pennsylvania (1.06), Ohio (1.04) and New Jersey (1.02) make up the rest of the group.

Covid reporting in the U.S. is different than some other countries, as it is largely decentralized with each state using its own system and its own schedule to report cases. This has led to inconsistent numbers and totally unreliable figures at some points during the pandemic.

Florida, for example, abandoned regularly reporting cases early last year. Nebraska has shut down some of its public Covid reporting systems as well. When Gov Hochul took office in New York, she informed the public that her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, had failed to add around 12,000 deaths in the state to official numbers.

Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that the lack of data available has hindered the agency's response to Delta and Omicron.

'We have decades of underinvestment in information systems,' Tom Frieden, the CDC's director from 2009 to 2017, told the Wall Street Journal.

The variant has also prevented other strains of the virus from infecting people. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Omicron accounts for 98 percent of active cases in the U.S., almost entirely pushing out the much more severe Delta variant.

Add that Covid booster shots have been found to be effective against the variant and the number of people left for the variant to infect is quickly running out.

Once it does burn out, infections will continue at a lower rate, and due to the mild nature of the variant and regular availability of vaccines in the developed world it should be possible to control the virus.

Fauci said reaching that level is what would be needed for Covid to be shifted from a pandemic to endemic.

'Control means you have it present but it is present at a level that does not disrupt society,' he said.

'That's my definition of what endemicity would mean.'

At this point, life would basically be back to normal. Lockdown measures, masking and vaccine mandates would no longer be needed even though the virus is still circulating.

'It's not going to be that you'll eliminate this disease completely. But hopefully, it will be at such a low level that it doesn't disrupt our normal social, economic and other interactions with each other,' Fauci said.

'To me, that's what the new normal is.'

This would make Covid similar to the flu. A common, sometimes deadly, yet preventable and fairly mild illness that modern society has learned to live with.

SAGE modeler predicts UK will have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of the year Britain could have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of 2022, one of the Government's scientific advisers said today. Dr Mike Tildesley, who sits on an influential modelling sub-group of SAGE, warned the country 'was not there yet' because hospitalization levels from the virus are still 'relatively high'  despite being just a fraction of those seen in previous waves. But he predicted even milder variants than Omicron would emerge over the course of the year, bolstering the UK's wall of immunity and creating an even bigger disconnect between infection numbers and hospitalizations and deaths. Dr Tildesley, a modeler at Warwick University, said the data suggested the pandemic was 'turning around' following the Omicron wave, meaning ministers could start discussing what 'living with' Covid would be like. Infections are now in freefall across the country, with MailOnline analysis suggesting outbreaks are now shrinking in 96 per cent of England's 7,000 neighborhoods. Hospitalizations also appear to be trending downwards. Education Secretary and former vaccine tsar Nadhim Zahawi today described the figures as 'promising', and a sign 'Plan B' restrictions could be lifted before the end of this month because the country is set to be in a 'much better place' within weeks. The optimistic comments came as a World Health Organization expert today said there was 'light at the end of the tunnel' for Britain amid plummeting case numbers and stable hospital rates. Advertisement

In the UK, experts are also hopeful that the virus will effectively become another version of the common flu.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has modeled a potential future where people live with Covid the same way that they do the flu.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a modeler for SAGE, predicted this week that while the virus is still currently a danger, its mild nature and the quick decline in cases being experienced in the country mean it could soon become endemic in England by the end of 2022.

Across the pond cases are plummeting. A MailOnline analysis of case data in the UK finds that infections are dropping in 96 percent of the countries neighborhoods. The mortality rate of Covid during this wave of the virus is seven times lower than it was at the peak of the 2020-2021 winter surge. Half as many Britons are in hospitals now suffering from Covid symptoms when compared to the original peak in March 2020.

On Monday, the UK recorded 84,429 new cases, the fourth consecutive day with less than 100,000 new cases and another figure which brings down the nation's case average. The UK also recorded 85 deaths, dropping back below the triple-digit mark after a worrying uptick in deaths last week.

In South Africa, the 4,700 average new daily cases is the lowest total since late November - just when the Omicron fueled surge was starting. The nation's Covid surge reached a peak of 23,000 daily cases in mid-December, though deaths never increase beyond 140 per day - far less than the 400 deaths per day being logged during the summer Delta surge and another example of how mild Omicron infection can be.

France's record Covid wave seems to be cresting as well, with the European nation finally seeing rampant case growth slow down in recent days. The country is averaging 286,000 cases per day, a ten percent increase over the 262,000 cases being recorded daily a week ago.

For comparison, over the previous week, cases had increased by 63 percent.

Denmark was one of the first countries to suffer an Omicron-fueled Covid outbreak. The nation saw cases rapidly increase, and officials in the state instituted partial lockdown measures to counter the spread of the virus. Over the weekend, restrictions were lifted, signaling the nation is more comfortable with Omicron at the moment.

The country is averaging 23,000 new cases per day as on Monday, a record for the Nordic nation. Denmark has never suffered a massive surge of Covid cases, with its record being around 35 per day last winter. Currently, the nation is recording ten deaths from the virus daily.
For Helen and Simon Wright, attending the inquest into the death of their 15-year-old daughter Annabel was always going to be an ordeal.

They were, however, determined to see it through in the hope that the coroner would share their concerns about Roaccutane, the acne medication they believed had driven their child to suicide, and use his powers to order the medical watchdog to review its use in young people.

Instead, at the inquest in Northallerton last month, they were dismayed when the assistant coroner for North Yorkshire declared there was no settled and agreed view on a link between the drugs active ingredient, isotretinoin, and self-harm.

He recorded a verdict of suicide, rather than concluding that Annabel had taken her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed by the medication.

Helen, 49, told Good Health that the coroner declined to look at a dossier of studies compiled by their expert witness, an eminent dermatologist with decades of experience, even though the link between isotretinoin and suicide is in the patient information leaflet.

For Helen and Simon Wright, attending the inquest into the death of their 15-year-old daughter Annabel was always going to be an ordeal. They were, however, determined to see it through in the hope that the coroner would share their concerns about Roaccutane

This states that, while on the drug, some people have had thoughts about hurting themselves or ending their own lives, have tried to end their own lives, or have ended their lives. These people may not appear to be depressed.

For Helen the inquest and its verdict were a heavy blow to her struggle to draw attention to the risks of isotretinoin, in the hope of sparing other parents the nightmare that has engulfed her family.

Now she even despairs of anything positive coming out of an official year-long review of the potential side-effects of Roaccutane, carried out for medicines watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which is expected to make recommendations in the coming weeks.

Helen believes the only way the risks associated with isotretinoin can be managed is by the immediate banning of this drug to all under the age of 21, or at the very least to adolescents under the age of 18 as they are often unable to recognise the effects of this drug on their mental state, given the normal mood instability associated with teenagers.

Similarly, it is difficult for those around them to notice any changes in their mood due to this drug.

In an age where the safeguarding of children is paramount, it is wrong that we allow our children to take such toxic drugs for non-life- threatening conditions. Doctors are not being honest with patients about side-effects, monitoring is ineffective and my child is dead as a result.

Following the inquest the Wrights expert witness, Professor Tony Chu, a leading dermatologist with 35 years experience, called on the medicines watchdog to alter the prescribing guidelines for the drug.

This drug needs to be regulated properly, Professor Chu told Good Health.

Isotretinoin is taken by many thousands of young people in the UK  prescribing data collated by the NHS Business Services Authority, shows that between January and October 2021 alone, more than 45,000 prescriptions for isotretinoin were handed out in England.

Professor Chu acknowledges that Roaccutane is an effective treatment for acne, which he has used throughout his career  but only ever cautiously.

Too often, he says, it is prescribed in mild cases, such as Annabels, where its use is not justified and where the risks are not spelled out clearly enough.

Following the inquest the Wrights expert witness, Professor Tony Chu, a leading dermatologist with 35 years experience, called on the medicines watchdog to alter the prescribing guidelines for the drug

Currently, women must give written consent before taking the drug, acknowledging that isotretinoin can harm unborn babies or cause miscarriages and that they must not get pregnant while on the drug, or for a month after stopping taking it.

Professor Chu told Good Health: There should be a consent form for all patients to sign, not just women. This would explain in detail the potential side-effects of this drug and the fact that it can cause severe depression, that there have been suicides reported, and that it can cause sexual dysfunction and impotence for men, or complete loss of libido for women.

That would mean patients are properly informed.

The appeal to the MHRA by Professor Chu, founder of the Acne and Rosacea Association UK, comes as campaigners await the outcome of the watchdogs review of the suspected psychiatric and sexual side-effects of the drug. Its remit includes making recommendations to improve the balance of benefits and risks for isotretinoin, to raise awareness of the associated risks and for further research to evaluate the risks.

The Wrights, along with other parents and patients, have contributed to the review and were invited to a confidential virtual briefing in December,.

The Wrights declined to attend  for Helen despairs of anything positive coming out of the review.

She is not the only parent to think this. Another parent who attended the virtual meeting told Good Health: It came across to me that they will support the use of isotretinoin and have barely any concerns at all.

I did not pick up on any outrage or concern, no empathy that families have lost loved ones, no concern that dermatologists are misleading patients.

The mother, a school secretary from Essex who wishes to remain anonymous, says her happy, sporty son became depressed and developed sexual problems after taking the drug for eight months at the age of 15. He remains vulnerable to depressive thoughts.

In the UK, isotretinoin is marketed by the Swiss drugs company Roche as Roaccutane. In 2009, Roche stopped selling the drug in the U.S., saying competition made it no longer viable.

But it also admitted it had been faced with high costs from personal-injury lawsuits that the company continues to defend vigorously.

There is no doubt isotretinoin is effective and has helped transform patients skin.

But as Good Health has previously revealed, isotretinoin is linked to a hidden epidemic of sexual dysfunction in young men that continues long after the drug is stopped, with a 2018 paper published in the International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine finding that some men suffered erectile dysfunction for between ten and 20 years.

Statistics recorded by the MHRAs Yellow Card system, where doctors, drugs companies and patients can report the adverse effects of medicines, reveal that since isotretinoin was introduced in the UK in 1983 there have been 140 reported cases of sexual dysfunction and 1,776 of psychiatric reactions linked to the drug.

The latter ranges from anxiety disorders (235 cases) and depressive disorders (416 cases) to suicidal and self-injurious behaviours (319 cases)  a category that includes 82 suicides, 61 suicide attempts and 22 incidents of self-harm.

However, these figures are certain to be a significant underestimate. The Yellow Card scheme is voluntary and the MHRA admits by its own estimate, published in 2018, only 10 per cent of serious reactions and between 2 and 4 per cent of non-serious reactions are reported. If so, this would suggest as many as 800 young people have taken their own lives after going on the drug.

Among them was trainee accountant Luke Reeves, 21, who in 2017 became irrational and lethargic while on Roaccutane, and made two attempts at suicide before taking his own life at the family home in Copford, Essex.

After the inquest his father Richard said his son was never the same after taking Roaccutane.

He added: It permanently changed him physically but more importantly it permanently damaged his brain. It changed his personality, his ability to rationalise.

More recently, was the tragic death of Annabel Wright, who was found dead in her bedroom in May 2019. She had been on Roaccutane for six months and shortly before she died had had her dose increased.

In August 2020, Good Health reported how Annabels death had come completely out of the blue. Her mother said that that evening her daughter had been revising for a Spanish exam in her bedroom and chatting excitedly on the phone with a friend who had just confirmed that she would be joining Annabel and her family on holiday in Spain that summer.

Later, after a family dinner, Annabel picked up and cuddled the family dog, Monty, which that morning had woken her by licking her face, and said: Are you going to wake me up like that every morning?

She didnt know she wasnt going to wake up again, her mother Helen told Good Health last year.

After reading about other, similar cases, she and her husband, Simon, 55, became convinced that their daughter, a normal, happy teenager, had been suddenly overwhelmed by suicidal feelings brought on by Roaccutane.

I know Annabel didnt want to leave us, Helen said. Whatever hit her, hit her like a tidal wave.

In his written evidence to the inquest, Professor Chu pointed out that after six months on a relatively low dose of isotretinoin, during which Annabel had no mood changes, she had killed herself after the dose had been increased.

If British Association of Dermatologists guidelines and the product licence of isotretinoin had been followed ... Annabel should not have been offered the drug, he wrote.

These guidelines refer to advice from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in June 2021, which states taking into account  the possibility of psychiatric side-effects, isotretinoin was recommended for use only in situations when  benefits outweighed the risks. Professor Chu added: There is no doubt that oral isotretinoin led to an idiosyncratic reaction in Annabel that resulted in her suicide.

In August 2020, Good Health reported how Annabels death had come completely out of the blue. Her mother said that that evening her daughter had been revising for a Spanish exam in her bedroom and chatting excitedly on the phone with a friend who had just confirmed that she would be joining Annabel and her family on holiday in Spain that summer

If Annabel and her mother had been made aware by the dermatologist of the very rare possibility of suicide with this drug, Annabel would have refused it.

Patient information leaflets, says Professor Chu, are not enough  Who reads them? and all patients should be asked to read and sign a detailed consent form. Existing guidance from the MHRA reminds doctors of concerns about the possible risk of psychiatric disorders associated with isotretinoin, and that they should monitor all patients for signs of depression and refer for appropriate treatment if necessary.

But at Annabels last appointment, on May 1, 2019, this monitoring amounted to a single question: Hows your mood? Annabel just said Fine, and a few hours later she killed herself.

Annabel began taking 20mg of Roaccutane a day, the most common dosage, on November 14, 2018, after a hospital dermatologist frightened her into taking it, according to her mother, by saying she might be at risk of scarring  even though her daughters acne was relatively mild.

Helen raised concerns about the risk of depression, but the dermatologists exact words were It could be argued that those children took their lives because they were depressed about their skin, says Helen.

A month later, Annabels dose was increased to 30mg. On March 7, 2019, the dose was increased to 40mg. This, believes Professor Chu, was unnecessary. Having studied contemporaneous photographs of Annabel, he believes her acne was only grade 1 on a scale that rates severity from 1 to 10.

I wouldnt consider Roaccutane until youve got to at least a grade 5 or 6, and not unless youd had at least two different antibiotics, and shed only had one, he says.

Less than two months later, Annabel killed herself. However, the coroner decided there was no evidence the balance of Annabels mind was disturbed and the fact she took her own life does not in itself mean the balance of her mind was disturbed and, if it was, there is no evidence that this was caused or contributed to by isotretinoin.

The only evidence of that, he said, was from Annabels parents, and that of Professor Chu, and that part of his evidence was outside of his expertise.

In fact, Professor Chu submitted a dossier of papers to the coroner, highlighting extensive research demonstrating a link between the drug and depression and suicide.

As a dermatologist, Ive always been known as somebody who uses Roaccutane but who is totally aware of the potential problems, the professor of dermatologic oncology at the University of Buckingham told Good Health.

I have helped a lot of people who have had problems with the drug. Mainly it is problems with dry skin, or terribly dry lips for years. But some people have had mental health issues.

Professor Chu said he had been shocked by the coroners attitude. If you have a drug that causes a rash, you would ask a dermatologists opinion. In this case you have a drug that causes severe psychological problems, and you ask a neurologist or neurobiologist for their opinion.

Consequently, I spent a lot of time sorting out a dozen good scientific papers, mainly from neurobiologists, who have done a lot of work on Roaccutane, showing that it can and does affect the brain.

That was all sent to the coroner, but during the inquest he said he wasnt going to read it.

At the inquest the coroner said: I do not accept that Annabel and Helen were not properly advised about the risks of isotretinoin and I find the treatment options discussed and recommended were correct and proportionate.

Good Health approached the coroner, a retired solicitor, for a comment but a spokesperson said it was not his practice to enter into correspondence with persons who are not interested parties as to what occurred in an inquest.

While some want to see the use of the drug in children and teenagers banned outright, Professor Chu does not: It is a very effective drug. But it must be regulated properly. The potential side-effects are rare, but unless you are warned about them you cant make a properly informed decision.

He believes that the majority of patients on the drug are not told about the serious potential side-effects  because these are very rare, there is a terrible complacency in dermatology about the drug.

I have seen hundreds of patients whove not been warned of the possible side-effects beyond the risk of some dry skin.

Professor Chu says that, like Helen, he fears the MHRA will do nothing, he says. The trouble is there is too much pressure from dermatologists who will not agree that this drug needs to be better licensed.

The suggestion that its the acne, rather than the drug, that leads to depression is a fallacy widespread among dermatologists, says Professor Chu. The evidence that everybody quotes is from a single paper which looked at about five people. During the MHRA review, this came up time and time again, people saying Oh well, of course acne causes severe depression. Well, it doesnt, and theres no good evidence for that at all.

A spokesperson for the MHRA told Good Health: Patients, their families and other stakeholders have been an integral part of the review of isotretinoin.

A spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists said they fully support the approach of discussing the benefits and possible risks with patients and young people, so a shared and informed decision is made.

Roche said: We take the safety of all our medicines very seriously. Millions of patients worldwide have taken Roaccutane, but like most medications, it can have side-effects. It is vital that patients are fully informed as to what to expect when they take it and that they are monitored closely to ensure they get the ongoing care they need.

Roche said it was not appropriate for us to comment on the MHRA guidance review.

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local branch or go to samaritans.org
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***51% of customers that applied to switch via the DT Partner Network could save at least 91.42, April-June 2021.
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The first Central American migrant caravan of 2022 was stopped in Guatemala just hours into its planned journey from Honduras to the US, with only 10 of the 300 people traveling with it allowed to continue.

Several hundred migrants who had departed from the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula at dawn Saturday in the hopes of reaching the United States crossed the border and entered Guatemalan territory on Saturday afternoon. There, they were intercepted by cops equipped with riot gear and shields, before being taken into custody ahead of plans to return most of them to Honduras.

Some 300 migrants, mainly Hondurans and Nicaraguans, arrived in Corinto, Honduras Saturday afternoon and crossed into the Guatemalan border province of Izabal, where they were met by hundreds of anti-riot agents from the national police and army.

The Guatemalan Migration Institute said it was in talks with the migrants on returning them to their countries of origin. Those who wish to remain in Guatemala must present their personal identification document, vaccination card and a negative test for the coronavirus.

Migrants from Central America sit on a road in front of a Guatemalan police officers after a migrant caravan was blocked by Guatemalan authorities, near the border with Honduras, on Saturday afternoon

Honduran police check documents of migrants who are part of a caravan hoping to reach the United States, in Corinto, Honduras on Saturday

The migrants arrived in Corinto, Honduras on Saturday afternoon. Some crossed the border at Izabal where they were met by law enforcement. Another set of migrants attempted to make the journey north in San Pedro Sula on Sunday morning

Guatemalan military police stand guard as migrants from Central America wait on a road after being blocked by Guatemalan authorities while traveling in a caravan

Migrants who are part of a caravan who were hoping to reach the United States, rest in Corinto, Honduras. A total of 300 people formed the caravan, but only 10 were allowed to continue on their journey to the US

Migrants from Central America wait on a road near the border with Honduras outside of Puerto Barrios, Guatemala

Guatemalan police stand guard as migrants from Central America wait on a road after being blocked by Guatemalan authorities while traveling in a caravan, near the border with Honduras outside of Puerto Barrios, Guatemala

Migrants who are part of a caravan hoping to reach the United States, wait in a line as they wait to have their documents checked by police in Corinto, Honduras

Guatemala's military lines to stop migrants who are part of a caravan from Honduras hoping to reach the United States, after they crossed the border in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala

The numbers of migrants trying to cross the US-Mexico border were at their highest on record in 2021

'People are being returned, everything in order, humanely,' said institute general director Carlos Emilio Morales. 'We are protecting our borders; we are protecting the health of all Guatemalans.'

Guatemala's government said 36 people were deported to Honduras because they did not meet the requirements and a group of 10 who met immigration and health requirements were allowed to continue.

The migrants had begun their journey toward the U.S. from San Pedro Sula shortly after dawn Saturday, walking to the Guatemalan border in hopes that travelling in a group would be safer or cheaper than trying to hire smugglers or trying on their own. They were joined by a second smaller group.

Fabricio Ordonez, a young Honduran laborer, said he had joined the group in hopes of 'giving a new life to my family.'

'The dream is to be in the United States to be able to do many things in Honduras,' he said, adding he was pessimistic that left-leaning President-elect Xiomara Castro, who takes office on Jan. 27, would be able to quickly solve the Central American nations economic and social problems after 12 years of conservative administrations plagued by scandal.

A migrant from Central America sits on a road in front of a Guatemalan police officers after a migrant caravan was blocked by Guatemalan authorities, near the border with Honduras

Migrants wanting to reach the US, mostly Hondurans and Nicaraguans, take a rest on arrival at the Honduran-Guatemalan border, in Corinto, Honduras

A migrant from Central America crawls under a gate to avoid immigration authorities while setting off in a caravan for the United States, near the border with Guatemala

Guatemalan authorities said about 300 people attempted to cross into the country

Migrant children wait on a road after a caravan of migrants from Central America was blocked by Guatemalan authorities

'They have looted everything,' he said. 'It is going to be very hard for this government to improve things.'

Nicaraguan marcher Ubaldo Lopez expressed hope that local officials would not try to hinder this group, as they have in the past.

'We know this is a very hard road and we ask God and the Honduran government to please accompany us to the border with Guatemala and not put more roadblocks,' he said.

Migrants wanting to reach the US, mostly Hondurans and Nicaraguans, cross the Honduran-Guatemalan border, in Corinto, Honduras

Large groups of hundreds of people walking across San Pedro Sula, with many crossing busy highways on foot

Guatemalan authorities said about 100 people crossed into Guatemala at unauthorized border crossings, and later added that some 36 people have been returned to Honduras

It's the first such U.S.-bound migrant caravan to be formed this year in Central America

He said he hoped that Guatemala and Mexico also would allow the group to pass and that the U.S. government 'will open the doors to us' - despite repeated recent examples of regional governments, often under U.S. pressure, trying to halt such caravans.

The caravan, which is the first to be registered this year, originally had about 600 members but divided into several groups to try to evade the control of the Guatemalan authorities and go through the different border crossings and illegal routes.

Migrants from Central America wait on the side of a road after being blocked by Guatemalan authorities while traveling in a caravan, near the border with Honduras

Honduran police have formed prevented the caravan from reaching the border crossing.

Migrants from Central America are transported back to the Honduras border by Guatemalan authorities after their caravan was blocked from advancing, outside of Puerto Barrios

A member of the Guatemalan Army helps a migrant from Central America with a baby stroller after Guatemalan authorities blocked a migrant caravan from advancing and returned migrants to the Honduras border

The first caravan of the year comes after deep economic hardship and poverty that plagues 62% of the Honduran population, made worse by the coronavirus pandemic and two back-to-back hurricanes in 2020

Migrant children rest on the side of the road after a caravan of migrants from Central America was blocked from crossing the border

Members of a migrant caravan begin their journey in the hopes of reaching the US, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

The caravan set off days before leftist President-elect Xiomara Castro takes office in Honduras on January 27

There were more than one million migrants from countries other than Mexico who tried to cross the U.S. border in 2021

Large numbers of migrants, many from Central America and Haiti, have reached the U.S. border over the past year, creating a headache for the administration of President Joe Biden.

In December, 56 migrants died when a truck carrying more than a hundred foreigners overturned on a highway in southern Mexico.

The U.S. Border Patrol has said it had more than 1.6 million encounters with migrants along the Mexican border between September 2020 and the same month in 2021 - more than four times the total of the previous fiscal year.

Biden has backed proposals for $7 billion in aid to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras in hopes improved economic conditions will slow migration.

At the end of last year, the U.S. government reactivated an immigration policy that forced asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their hearings.

Mexico's foreign ministry confirmed the reactivation of the U.S. program and said it would temporarily not return migrants to their countries of origin for humanitarian reasons.

The government of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has indicated that Washington has accepted its humanitarian concerns with the program, including the need for 'greater resources for shelters and international organizations, protection for vulnerable groups, consideration of local security conditions' as well as vaccines and anti-COVID-19 measures from migrants.

The Guatemalan army stop the migrant caravan in Guatemala-Honduras border town of Corinto

A group of migrants are seen being taken back across the border in the back of a pickup truck

Hundreds of migrants tried to pass the border but army and police stopped them with tear gas

Another group of migrants set off in the dark early in the morning hoping their chances of crossing the border might be better

Some of the migrants could be seen carrying babies in their arms as they made the journey

When it comes to the numbers of migrants reaching the the U.S. border, ICE reported more than 1.6 million encounters with migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2021. The figure more than quadruple the number in 2020 and the highest annual total on record.

The number of encounters fell to just over 400,000 in 2020 with the coronavirus outbreak slowing migration across much of the world.

But in 2021, encounters at the southwest border rebounded sharply according to data published by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, most encounters with migrants that cross into the U.S. see them deported.

Before the pandemic, during the Trump administration migrants were expelled from the U.S. beginning in March 2020 under a public health order which hoped to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Biden administration has continued to deport migrants entering the country under the same order.
A man has been arrested following the death of a five-year-old girl who was found in cardiac arrest.

South Yorkshire police were called to a house in the Intake area of Sheffield on Saturday, 18 December at 9:54am after baby Avery was found seriously unwell.

The phone call had come from a member of the ambulance service who had attended the property and found the baby in cardiac arrest. She was then taken to hospital where she tragically died.

Police have now revealed a man has been arrested in connection with her death and has since been released on bail, while enquiries into the tragedy continue.

South Yorkshire police were called to a house in the Intake area of Sheffield on Saturday, 18 December at 9:54am after baby Avery (pictured) was found seriously unwell

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police told the MailOnline: 'Police were called at 9.54 am on Saturday, December 18 (2021) to a house in the Intake area of Sheffield following reports from the ambulance service that a baby was in cardiac arrest.

'The girl was taken to hospital where she sadly died.

'Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing and a 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been released on bail.'

Her mother, who has remained anonymous, previously paid tribute to her 'beautiful' daughter, who would have turned six-months-old last Friday.

The phone call had come from a member of the ambulance service who had attended the property and found the baby in cardiac arrest. She was then taken to hospital where she tragically died.

She told Yorkshire Live: "She was very giggly, very smiley and she's got bright big blue eyes.

'From the day she was born I always called her beautiful, so every time she was sat on the settee or in her bouncer I'd tell her how beautiful she was and she'd always smile and make her cooing noises.

'She was just giggly all the time and kicking her legs, trying to speak and if you ignored her she'd get louder and louder and louder.'
Today Show host Allison Langdon had an embarrassing 'return to work' moment when she suddenly became confused about an Australia Day story she was presenting.

The glamorous presenter was reading out the results of a new survey on the attitude of young Australians to the date of the national day when she stopped and commented, 'wow, this is making no sense'.

Langdon, who returned from annual holidays this morning to resume hosting the breakfast program with co-host Karl Stefanovic, was presenting the survey from the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) that claims only 15 per cent of young Australians want to change the date of the national day.

'In a poll of 1,000 people aged 18-24, most thought... wow, this is making no sense... 65 per cent supported celebrating as it is on the 26th of January, 84 per cent were proud to be Australian...'

'What about the 86 other per cent?' interjected Stefanovic, laughing at Langdon's confusion about the poll results.

'There was a whole bunch of people who are not proud of our nation's history,' Langdon responded, shuffling her notes.

'I'm just going to fact-check that and come back to you in a little bit...'

'You should have stayed on holidays,' Stefanovic advised her.

'I should've stayed on holidays,' Langdon whispered in response.

Today Show host Allison Langdon was reading the results of a new survey on the attitude of young Australians to the date of Australia Day when she stopped and commented, 'wow, this is making no sense'

The Today Show host was referring to a new poll of 1,038 people by the conservative-leaning IPA on their attitude to changing the date of Australia Day.

The IPA's poll found 65 per cent of those surveyed support Australia Day being celebrated on January 26, with 15 per cent of respondents believing the date of Australia Day should be changed.

The poll found 84 per cent of those surveyed were proud to be an Australian, while only 5 per cent disagree.

The Institute of Public Affair's poll found 69 per cent of Australians support Australia Day being celebrated on January 26, with only 11 per cent of respondents believing the date should be changed

Protestors are seen during an Invasion Day rally in Brisbane, Sunday, January 26, 2020

It was the fifth year the IPA had conducted its Australia Day poll.

'Every year the usual suspects talk down our great history, yet IPA polling reveals that 69 per cent of Australians believe Australia has a history to be proud of, with only 14 per cent disagreeing with that proposition.' said Dr Bella dAbrera, Director of the Foundations of Western Civilisation Program at the IPA.

Indigenous Australians are among a number of groups to regularly protest that January 26 marks the colonisation of Australia by white Europeans and is disrespectful to the original inhabitants of the land.
A Duke University professor has called on his fellow Muslims to confront the 'increasing anti-Semitism problem' within their community in wake of the Texas synagogue terror attack.

Abdullah T. Antepli, a professor of the Practice of Interfaith Relations at the Duke Divinity School, took to Twitter Sunday saying members of his faith have a 'moral call for action for the soul of Islam and Muslim' to address the hatred towards Jews.

He also took aim at Rep. Ilhan Omar for over past anti-Semitic commentary, including a comment she made in 2019 suggesting that Israels allies in American politics were 'all about the Benjamins'. That was a reference to cash which was widely interpreted as an anti-Semitic trope, and which Omar later apologized for.

'We North American Muslims need to have the morally required tough conversations about thosepolite Zionists are our enemiesThe Benjamins!!!... voices and realities within our communities,' Antepli wrote.

'We MUST! Without ands and buts, without any further denial, dismissal and or trivializing of the issues we need to honestly discuss the increasing anti-Semitism within various Muslim communities.'

Abdullah T. Antepli, a professor of the Practice of Interfaith Relations at the Duke Divinity School, took to Twitter Sunday saying members of his faith have a 'moral call for action for the soul of Islam and Muslim' to address the hatred towards Jews

Antepli's comments come just hours after an FBI Hostage Rescue Team on Saturday night stormed Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas - near Fort Worth - ending a 10-hour standoff with police by accused gunman Malik Faisal Akram, who disrupted a Sabbath service and took the rabbi and three other people hostage.

Akram, 44, of Blackburn, England - who was reportedly armed with 'backpacks of explosives' - had demanded the release of convicted Pakistani terrorist Aafia Siddiqu - known as Lady Al Qaeda - who police say was referred to as his sister.

The four hostages were all released unharmed. After the incident, the Jewish community and President Joe Biden renewed calls to fight anti-Semitism.

The FBI has sparked fury after claiming that they had yet to find evidence that the attack was anti-Semitic.

'Houston! We have a problem,' Antepli tweeted. 'Not going anywhere.quite the contrary getting worse.'

He argued that North American Muslims need to hold honest discussion about anti-Semitism without any 'further denial, dismissal and or trivializing of the issues'.

Antepli took to Twitter Sunday, calling on the Muslim community to address Jew-hatred 'honestly, morally and accurately'

The professor alleged the community has failed to address Jew-hatred 'honestly, morally and accurately'.

'I am really sick and tired of the over all defensiveness and tribal nature of our reaction to this alarming internal problem,' he wrote.

'We are better than this! We can no longer pretend the problems of anti-Semitism within us does not exist. There are more urgent moral calls than Lets not bring shame to our already vulnerable communities..'

The professor also called out American leaders - specifically Omar - who he suggests further the anti-Semitism problem.

'The Benjamins,' he wrote, quoting a February 2019 tweet from Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, that caused outrage among her party and other leaders.

Antepli's comments come just hours after an FBI Hostage Rescue Team on Saturday night stormed Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas - near Fort Worth - ending a 10-hour standoff with police by accused gunman Malik Faisal Akram, who disrupted a Sabbath service and took the rabbi and three other people hostage

Akram, 44, of Blackburn, England - who was reportedly armed with 'backpacks of explosives' - had demanded the release of convicted Pakistani terrorist Aafia Siddiqu - known as Lady Al Qaeda - who police say was referred to as his sister

'Anti-Semitism must be called out, confronted and condemned whenever it is encountered, without exception,' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her team wrote at the time.

'We are and will always be strong supporters of Israel in Congress because we understand that our support is based on shared values and strategic interests. Legitimate criticism of Israel's policies is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate that the United States and Israel share. But Congresswoman Omar's use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel's supporters is deeply offensive. We condemn these remarks and we call upon Congresswoman Omar to immediately apologize for these hurtful comments.'

Omar apologized for for using old anti-Semitic tropes about Jews and money in her tweets but stuck to her guns in blasting the problems of lobbyists and their financial influence in politics.

'Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes,' Omar said in a statement in 2019.

Antepli (left) also took aim at Rep. Ilhan Omar (right) for over past anti-Semitic commentary, including a comment she made in 2019 suggesting that Israels allies in American politics were ' all about the Benjamins'. That was a reference to cash which was widely interpreted as an anti-Semitic trope, and which Omar later apologized for

'The Benjamins,' Antepli wrote Sunday, quoting a February 2019 tweet from Omar (above) that caused outrage among her party and other leaders

'My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole,' she added. 'We have to always be willing to step back and think through criticism, just as I expect people to hear me when others attack me for my identity. This is why I unequivocally apologize.'

'At the same time, I reaffirm the problematic role lobbyists in our politics, whether it be AIPAC, the NRA or the fossil fuel industry. It's gone on too long and we must be willing to address it,' Omar added. She tweeted out her statement with the words: 'Listening and learning, but standing strong.'

Sunday, responding to the Texas hostage situation, Omar tweeted: 'Thank God for the freeing of the hostages. Blessings to the members of Beth-Israel synagogue and the entire community.'

She was just one of several lawmakers issuing their support for the synagogue and members of the Jewish faith.

On Sunday, Omar responded to the Texas hostage situation, sending 'blessings to the members of Beth-Israel synagogue and the entire community'

'Yesterday, an act of terrorism horrified the nation, as worshippers at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas were taken hostage during a Shabbat service. In the wake of this antisemitic attack, we stand with the Jewish communities in Colleyville, across our nation and around the world,' Pelosi echoed.

'Antisemitism and other forms of hateful violence have been on the rise in recent years. This extremism has injected fear into communities and stolen too many lives. Hatred and violence have no place in America  and we must never fail to confront and combat these dark forces.'

She continued: 'Congress remains ironclad in our commitment to fighting the scourge of antisemitism here at home and around the world. We cannot and will not rest until all of our children, regardless of their faith, can reach for their dreams in a world at peace.'

During a visit to a Philadelphia food bank, President Joe Biden Sunday described Akram's actions as an 'act of terror,' adding that there was not yet sufficient information as to why the gunman had specifically targeted a synagogue.

'Allegedly - I don't have all the facts, nor does the attorney general - but allegedly the assertion was he got the weapons on the street,' the president explained.

US President Joe Biden described Akram's actions as an 'act of terror' during a visit to a Philadelphia food bank on Sunday

A SWAT team was set up by a nearby middle school as the hostage situation dragged on for more than ten hours

'He purchased them when he landed and it turns out there apparently were no bombs that we know of. ... Apparently he spent the first night in a homeless shelter. I don't have all the details yet so I'm reluctant to go into much more detail.'

'I don't think there is sufficient information to know about why he targeted that synagogue, why he insisted on the release of someone who's been in prison for over 10 years, why he was engaged, why he was using anti-Semitic and anti-Israel comments,' Biden told reporters.

Akram was shot dead by the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team after holding four hostages for more than 10 hours at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas on Saturday.

Lead FBI special agent Matthew DeSarno confirmed Akram was a British citizen and that 'at this time there is no indication that other individuals are involved' in a statement released to the media on Sunday afternoon.

DeSarno also claimed Akram was focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community and there was no immediate indication that the man had was part of any broader plan, but noted the agencys investigation 'will have global reach.'

'It is very disturbing to hear from the FBI they do not believe the hostage takers demands had anything to do with the Jewish faith,' wrote South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The FBI Shooting Incident Review Team plans to conduct a 'thorough, factual and objective investigation' of the shooting.

Counter Terror police also confirmed to MailOnline they would continue to work with 'US authorities and colleagues in the FBI' over the coming days as the investigation into Akram's actions continues.

Akram was shot dead by the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team after holding four hostages for more than 10 hours at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas on Saturday

The FBI said Akram was focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community and there was no immediate indication that the man had was part of any broader plan (Pictured: Officials negotiating during the hostage situation)

The alleged gunman's 'devastated' brother Gulbar Akram shared a message on social media in which he revealed he had been working with the FBI and 'liaising' with his sibling throughout the stand-off. He also apologized and blamed 'mental health issues' for Malik's actions.

Gulbar wrote online: 'It is with great great sadness I will confirm my brother Faisal passed away in Texas, USA this morning. We are absolutely devastated as a family. We can't say much now as their is an ongoing FBI investigation.

'We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologize wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident.

'Sitting in the incident room all last night at Greenbank until the early hours liaising with Faisal, the negotiators, FBI etc. And although my brother was suffering from mental health issues we were confident that he would not harm the hostages.

'There was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender.

'Obviously our priority will be to get him back to the UK for his Funeral prayers although we have been warned it could take weeks.

'We would also like to add that any attack on any human being be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim etc is wrong and should always be condemned. It is absolutely inexcusable for a Muslim to attack a Jew or for any Jew to attack a Muslim, Christian, Hindu vice versa etc.'
One of the final surviving Tuskegee Airmen pilots - who flew in World War Two, as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars - has died aged 102.

Charles E. McGee died in his sleep Sunday, at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, bringing to an end an astonishing life that saw him fly as a combat pilot in 409 missions across all three wars.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed McGee's death, writing on Twitter: 'Today, we lost an America hero. While I am saddened by his loss, I'm also incredibly grateful for his sacrifice, his legacy and his character. Rest in Peace, General.'

McGee retired from the military as a colonel in 1973, but was given the honorary rank of Brigadier General by then-President Donald Trump in February 2020 to mark his 100th birthday. He also flew a jet to celebrate his centenary.

McGee's death means there are now just seven surviving Tuskegee Airmen pilots. Of the 14,000 pioneering black men who enlisted to help the war effort, 1,000 - including McGee - qualified as pilots, with an estimated 250 of the airmen who did other jobs still surviving.

Charles E McGee's death was announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a moving Twitter message posted Sunday

Charles McGee, pictured with then-President Donald Trump in 2020, died at 102-years-old after flying 409 fighter combat missions over three wars, including World War II, the Vietnam War and the Korean War

McGee first earned his wings and 2nd Lieutenant's commission in June 1943.

He died in his sleep Sunday morning at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, a family spokesperson said.

'He had his right hand over his heart and was smiling serenely,' his youngest daughter Yvonne McGee said in a statement released by the spokesperson.

Tuskegee airman and U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Colonel Charles McGee reminisces about his career as a military pilot at his home in Bethesda, Maryland

McGee (pictured) was one of the rare black pilots who fought on missions in Europe during World War II. He was a member of the 332nd Fighter Group

McGee was born December 7, 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio. His plane was hit twice in combat, once during the Korean conflict and again years later near Laos, both times on his right wing.

McGee battled racism and segregation during his military career. He was called to service in 1942 at age 23 and became one of the first black military aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

McGee was among more than 900 men to train in rural Alabama from 1940 to 1946 after the Army Air Corps was forced to admit blacks pilot. About 450 deployed overseas and 150 lost their lives in training or combat.

McGee was one of only a few pilots  white or black  who flew combat missions in that conflict and during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

'Being brought up, they say African-American or black, but we're American and our country was at war,' McGee said in 2016.

'We were just as interested in supporting that effort as anybody else at that time and so we turned our back on the fact that there was segregation, if you will, and took advantage of the opportunity to prove that we can fly airplanes,' he added.

The Tuskegee Airmen's success helped lay the groundwork for the civil rights movement and influenced then-President Harry Truman's decision to desegregate the armed forces in 1948.

Then-President George W. Bush honored the Tuskegee Airmen in 2007 with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award given by Congress. McGee was among the airmen present at the ceremony

US President George W. Bush (center) signs Presidential Proclamation in Honor of the 60th Anniversary of Armed Forces Integration with Tuskegee Airmen, including General Charles E McGee, pictured to the left of the president with his arms behind his back

Tuskegee airman Charles McGee (center) was present at President Donald Trump's State of the Union on Capitol Hill in 2020, one of his last public appearances before his death

President Ronald Reagan is presented with a flight jacket by Lt. Colonel Charles McGee, President of the Tuskegee Airmen Association (TAI) making Reagan an Honorary Member of the TAI, Washington DC, February 2, 1984

In 2019, McGee was accorded an honorary commission promoting him to the one-star rank of brigadier general under a congressional measure signed by then-President Donald Trump, 13 days after his 100th birthday.

In a White House ceremony on February 4 2020, President Trump officially pinned the star on McGees uniform. Later that evening he was cheered by a joint session of Congress at Mr. Trumps State of the Union address.

A day later, McGee was honored at a Black History Month event at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters in Washington.

After flying as a Tuskegee Airman in World War Two, he built a legacy for the next three decades as an Air Force pilot during the North Korea and Vietnam wars. McGee earned the the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters and the Bronze Star Medal, along with many other military honors. He retired about 50 years ago.

McGee receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1951 in Korea, with two oak leaf clusters and the Bronze Star Medal, along with many other military honors

McGee posing in his Air Force uniform in an undated picture. He went on to become the director of the Kansas City, Missouri, airport after retiring

Army Brigadier General McGee poses for a photo in his pinned uniform with all the honors he received throughout all three wars he served

Lieutenant Colonel McGee (right) served as Commander of the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Vietnam; Lieutenant Tom Coney (left) flew as his backseater

In 2011, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

'We're saddened by the loss of Brigadier General Charles McGee, a trailblazer who served as a Tuskegee Airman and flew 409 combat missions,' NASA also said in a tweet on Sunday after his death was announced.

After his military career, McGee worked as a business executive and served as the director of the Kansas City, Missouri, airport. He also served as president of the Tuskegee Airmen association.

McGee is survived by his three children, 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Iran vowed for revenge for Soleimani's murder, but anti-Iran activists have asked for Mousavian, a Princeton University professor, to resign after his comments

He held the role when Trump administration decided to assassinate one of Iran's major generals, Qasem Soleimani, by air strike in January 2020

Hook, 53, was the Trump administration's special envoy for Iran from 2018 to 2020

Hussein Mousavian, 65, said in a recent interview that Brian Hook and his family are terrified of the threats they've received from the current Iranian regime

An Iranian Princeton scholar has sparked fury for smirking during an interview where he discussed how a US diplomat's wife was unable to sleep over fears she'd be murdered in revenge for the assassination of an Iranian general.

Hussein Mousavian, 65, gave a smile during a recent interview on Iranian TV while discussing the terror former US special envoy for Iran Brian Hook and his spouse are said to fear in the wake of the January 2020 assassination of Qasem Solemani.

Mousavian said: 'I went to America and an American told me that Brian Hook's wife can't sleep, she cries and trembles, she told Brian, 'They'll kill you,' since Hook was a partner in the death of Haj Qassem [Soleimani], that's how much they were trembling,' Mousavian said.

He was referring to Iran's vow for revenge after the Trump administration carried out drone strikes that killed Iranian extremist officer Qasem Soleimani two years ago.

Mousavian, the former senior negotiator of Iran's nuclear committee who now works as a Middle East security and nuclear policy specialist at Princeton University. There have been repeated calls for the Ivy league college to fire him, with Mousavian's latest interview already stoking those further.

Princeton University's Middle East expert, Hussein Mousavian, formerly an Iranian official, smirked after saying in a recent interview that his country's government sent death threats to Brian Hooks, a former top Trump administration official, and his family, making them tremble with fear and sleepless

Brian Hook, former U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State, has received targeted threats from the Iran government since Soleimani's assassination in 2020

Mousavian's comments came after he appeared in a documentary, titled 72 hours, that was released this month by a company with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (ICRG). Soleimani was the general of one of its divisions: the Quds Force, from 1998 until his assassination in 2020.

The Quds Force is primarily responsible for extraterritorial and clandestine military operations. In his later years, Soleimani, nicknamed the 'Shadow General,' was considered by some analysts to be the right-hand man of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, as well as the second-most powerful person in Iran behind him.

He was assassinated in a targeted American drone strike on January 3, 2020 at Baghdad International Airport, in Iraq, on the orders of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The strike was strongly condemned by some, including the Iranian government. Hours after his burial three days later, the Iranian military launched missiles against U.S. military bases in Iraq; while no lives were lost in the second attack, the Pentagon reported that 110 American troops were wounded in the strikes.

Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in airstrikes launched by the Trump administration in 2020, removing what many called 'Iran's second-most powerful person' behind the Ayatollah

The wreckage of Solemani's car is pictured after the US-ordered drone strike at Baghdad Airport in January 2020

Mousavian's comments have stirred a debate on his employment at Princeton, which many Iranians activists against the regime have criticized due to his alleged role in human rights abuses within Iran.

Mousavian, who frequently travels back and forth between Iran and the U.S., has been part of Princeton's faculty since 2009 and has served as an Iranian official since 1990, when he was first appointed as the country's ambassador to Germany.

Mousavian's knowledge regarding threats made towards Hook and his family from Iran has been taken seriously by the U.S. government, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Critics say it shows how Tehran has been able to place influential figures in highly-esteemed institutions, including universities and think tanks that work hand-in-hand with the government in D.C.

'It's simply dangerous for any university to employ Mousavian, as he has directly celebrated death threats against Brian Hook and has been implicated in the death of Iranian dissidents in the 1990s,' Alireza Nader, a veteran Iran expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think-tank, told the Free Beacon.

United Against a Nuclear Iran, an advocacy group critical of the Iranian regime, has pressured Princeton University president Christopher Eisgruber to fire Mousavian 'from any association or affiliation with Princeton without delay.'

Mousavian 'sounded gleeful over the fact that American citizens and their families were concerned by death threats received from supporters of the Iranian regime,' former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I., Conn.) and former U.S. ambassador Mark Wallace, UANI's leaders, said in a statement. They added that Mousavian's involvement at Princeton is a 'stain on the university's reputation and credibility.'

'At a time in which the U.S. intelligence community assesses that the Islamic Republic is working to develop networks for terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland, there should be no room at Princeton or any other U.S. institution for Ambassador Mousavian,' Lieberman and Wallace said.

'We condemn any threats against U.S. officials, former U.S. officials, or U.S. citizens,' a State Department spokesman added in response to Mousavian's comments.

DailyMail.com has contacted Princeton University for comment.

Mousavian later clarified in an email to The Washington Free Beacon, that he was only talking about the realities of the threat. He added that Soleimani's assassination 'was a clear violation of international laws.'

'During past decades, the U.S. and Iranian official threatened each other thousands of times,' Mousavian said. 'Academics and analysts have always quoted the threat statements and analyzed. In an interview, I mentioned that such threats, cause harms to families which is a fact.

The reality is that the assassination of General Soleimani in Baghdad was a clear violation of international laws since he was in an official visit invited by Iraqi prime minister to discuss fight on terror and improvement of Iran-Saudi relations.

'I always have reiterated that the U.S. and Iran should avoid threatening and the use of force and resolve their dispute through diplomacy,' he concluded.

Mousavian was present for Soleimani's funeral two years ago and always maintained that the murdered military leader was not a terrorist.

The Princeton faculty member is also involved in a recent lawsuit filed against the university by Xiyue Wang, a historian at the school who was kidnapped by Iranian officials and held captive in its infamous Evin prison, where political prisoners inside the country are held. He was stuck in Iran for three years until he was liberated by the Trump administration in 2019.

Wang's lawsuit alleges that Princeton left him to 'rot' in Iran as he claims that the university preferred to maintain its relationship with the Ayatollah's extremist regime. Wang added that Princeton took the advice of 'pro-regime activists and academics,' including Mousavian, in downplaying his kidnapping.

'Everything Princeton did and abstained from doing was centered around absolving its institutional responsibility, protecting its institutional reputation, and maintaining its political relations with Iran,' the lawsuit states.

Mousavian is one of several former Iranian officials working at American universities.

Oberlin College has also faced backlash from Iran's anti-regime activists for hiring Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, a religion professor and Nancy Schrom Dye chair in Middle East and North African studies. Mahallati was Irans ambassador to the U.N. in the late 1980s, when Iran killed thousands of political protesters over just a couple of months in 1988.
Looking at the structural problems of Canadian conservatism at the dawn of 2022 (Part Three) By Mark Wegierski

web posted January 17, 2022 The impact of the so-called right-wing blogosphere is certainly far less in Canada than in the United States. The impact of various personal blogs (such as those of Kate McMillan, the late Kathy Shaidle, or Richard Klagsbrun) is difficult to accurately gauge. There are as well the party-based Blogging Tories. The website conservativeforum.org is only an archive site. Free Dominion could be called a self-posting forum where commentary is not formally structured. Unfortunately, Free Dominion has been recently subjected to vicious lawfare and its situation is highly tenuous. Enter Stage Right is an independent, formally structured, consistently edited, frequently updated, conservative Canadian e-zine. There is also Judi McLeods Canada Free Press. In the wake of the failure of the Sun News Network, Ezra Levant has launched a major website, called The Rebel (or The Rebel Media) with dozens of bloggers regularly contributing to it. Another substantial media initiative is Candice Malcolms True North Canada, as well as The Post-Millennial website. Three websites of the culturalist opposition are actforcanada.ca, capforcanada.com and eurocanadian.ca. Representing Western Canada, there is the new Western Standard website. In July 2013, there arose with great fanfare, the daily webzine, Freedom Press Canada Journal, but it was forced to greatly reduce the frequency of its postings as of November 30, 2013, and, in subsequent months, appears to have been completely removed from the Internet. Since mid-2014, short article postings began to very sporadically appear on the website  but, as of this writing, the website is no longer extant. Freedom Press Canada has also published, over the last several years, a number of hard-hitting conservative books, but its publishing endeavours appear to have ended by now. It is also commonly considered that mass-circulation newspapers like The National Post, Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen, and The Toronto Sun are heavily right-wing. However, that is not really the case. There are also a considerable number of blogs of varying political complexion now associated with major newspapers and magazines, such as that, for example, of Colby Cosh  who had previously had a long-running personal blog. There had also arisen, in April 2011, a right-leaning cable-based news station  Sun News Network. However, it completely shut down on February 13, 2015. A boutique cable service called The News Forum has arisen around October 2020. Their tagline is where all voices matter. In the U.S., there are hundreds of private, frequently religiously affiliated colleges, which may constitute the basis for a network of conservative dissent. There is clearly some conservative presence in much of the U.S. academy. In Canada, conservative professors are few and far between; perhaps the University of Calgary is the only public university with a significant conservative presence (in its department of political science). And, there are only a few private colleges, notably, Trinity Western University in British Columbia, and Redeemer University College in Ontario. Trinity Western University has recently faced strong opposition when it endeavoured to launch a law school. The law school was rejected as legitimate by the Ontario and Nova Scotia bar associations, meaning that its graduates would be unable to practice law in those provinces. There was also agitation continuing against its earlier recognition by the British Columbia bar association. On October 30, 2014, the result of a binding referendum of the B.C. bar association members was to instruct the bar associations benchers to withdraw the recognition of Trinity Westerns law school. There was indeed a highly orchestrated campaign against the recognition of the law school. This culminated in the 2018 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada that the provincial bar associations were justified in forbidding Trinity Western University law school graduates from practicing law in their provinces. Given these developments, Trinity Western University cancelled its plans to establish a law school. Taking into account the disparity in resources as between small-c conservatives and left-liberals in Canada  which is clearly astronomical  the situation of conservatism in Canada may indeed be seen as rather difficult. One supposes that one of the few possible reassurances for so-called small-c conservatives is that they, after all, have human nature and commonsense on their side. However, what traditionalists call human nature is considered merely a fiction by most left-liberals  who believe that human beings are almost entirely determined by their immediate environment, and can indeed be shaped in any direction left-liberalism chooses. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
An Upstate New York school district has come under fire over a homework assignment asking middle schoolers to translate the phrase 'You are Mexican and ugly' into Spanish.

Administrators at Williamsville Central School District, the largest suburban school district in Western New York, ultimately issued an apology to sixth graders at Mill Middle School in Buffalo after they were handed an assignment which required them to translate sentences from English into Spanish, according to CNN.

'You (friendly) are Mexican and ugly,' one of the sentences on the worksheet read.

'You (politely) are pretty and American,' another within the same assignment read.

Parents of students took to social media to hold the administrators responsible while expressing their horror over the offensive sentences.

'Shocked at this Spanish homework assignment in Williamsville Central School District loaded with such blatant racism,' Allison Wainick, a school district parent, said on Twitter.

'Can we even begin to unpack all that is wrong here? Who is developing this curriculum & where is the oversight?'

'You (friendly) are Mexican and ugly,' one of the sentences on the worksheet, pictured, read. 'You (politely) are pretty and American,' another within the same assignment read

'Shocked at this Spanish homework assignment in Williamsville Central School District loaded with such blatant racism,' Allison Wainick, pictured, a school district parent, said on Twitter

Williamsville Central School District, pictured, the largest suburban school district in Western New York

'As a Latina whose children attend Mill and Williamsville I am in complete shock,' one mother wrote.

'This is completely unacceptable,' another Hispanic mother said while she criticized the assignment.

'There must be serious consequences. An apology from the district is not enough, this is not something that children can forget.'

Meanwhile, administrators within the school district released a statement shortly after the online backlash, and offered an apology for the offensive assignment.

'We are addressing the situation to ensure this does not happen again. The District does not condone any instructional material that denigrates our students, families, culture, or beliefs,' the statement read.

The school official did not name the teacher who assigned the homework, or say whether they will face any specific punishment.

Williamsville Central School District, pictured, where administrators were forced to apologize for an offensive Spanish assignment for a sixth grade class

'This assignment fails to meet our standard and will be dealt with appropriately.'

CNN reported that school officials within the district had received numerous complaints over the years regarding potentially racist or offensive behavior by teachers.

However, nothing has been done about it, according to social media comments from parents' of students in the district or those who attended Mill Middle School themselves, and who claim the same homework was previously handed out to other year groups.

'Wow. I complained about this assignment at Casey middle...3 years ago,' one comment read.

'Nothing was done.'

Another person questioned the judgment of the unidentified Spanish teacher who gave the assignment, who had 'several issues' with a particular teacher in recent years.

'I had several issues with a specific Spanish teacher at Mill Middle over the years,' one person commented on a post about the homework in a community Facebook group for parents and teachers in the school district.

'Many calls were made and unfortunately fell on mostly deaf ears (with the exception of one amazing guidance counselor that has since retired).'

Meanwhile, district and officials at Mill Middle School have yet to respond to requests for comment beyond their publicly issued statement.
Patients are resorting to DIY dentistry and pulling out their own teeth because they cannot get to see an NHS dentist, a report reveals today.

More than half of Britons have not seen a dentist in the past year, with most saying they could not get an appointment.

The deepening crisis has led to one in five people treating themselves at home  with some even carrying out their own extractions and fillings.

The Great British Oral Health Report reveals millions are missing out on the professional care they need. And it warns an acute shortage of NHS dentists and a lack of funding will make access even more challenging in the years to come.

More than half of Britons have not seen a dentist in the past year, with most saying they could not get an appointment

The problem is being fuelled by a growing number of practitioners giving up NHS work to focus on private treatment  around 16million people now no longer have a dentist.

The report, published by Mydentist, the UKs largest provider of NHS dentistry, combines a survey of 2,026 adults with the latest data.

It reveals 53 per cent have not seen a dentist in the past year, with 56 per cent of these saying it was because they were unable to access one.

And it exposes a postcode lottery of care, with 9 per cent more people in southern England having had a routine check-up in the past year than those in the North.

There were 951 fewer dentists offering NHS services in 2020/21 than the previous year, and more than 40 per cent say they are now likely to change career or seek early retirement.

The problem is being fuelled by a growing number of practitioners giving up NHS work to focus on private treatment  around 16million people now no longer have a dentist

One in five people polled said they have had to perform DIY dentistry  this includes using temporary home fillings kits (3 per cent) and pulling out their teeth (1 per cent).

Tom Riall, chief executive of Mydentist, said making it easier for highly-skilled dentists from across the Commonwealth to practise in the UK will make a huge difference to reducing oral health inequalities.

But British Dental Association chairman Eddie Crouch said: When dentistry is haemorrhaging talent owing to failed contracts, underfunding and a cack-handed Covid response, the answer is not simply looking abroad.

NHS England said: The NHS has taken unprecedented action... throughout the pandemic by creating 600 urgent dental centres; and providing full income protection for dental practices unable to deliver their usual levels of activity.

It urged anyone in pain who can not find a dentist to call NHS 111.
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Fears are growing for a British charity worker feared to have been swept away when a tsunami triggered by a 'once-a-millennium' volcanic eruption inundated the Pacific island of Tonga.

Angela Glover, 50, was last seen in person by her husband James when a wall of water crashed through their coastal home in Veitongo on the Polynesian island.

An urgent appeal for information about her was put online yesterday by friends and relatives living in Australia.

The news came as Australia and New Zealand both made efforts to send aid and reconnaissance planes to the region.

The underwater Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano erupted late Saturday afternoon local time (Saturday morning GMT) setting off tsunami waves that crossed the Pacific and blanketing the surrounding islands in thick ash.

Seabed cables that carry the internet to and from the remote archipelago are believed to have been severed in the blast, adding to the confusion from the scene.

50-year-old British aid worker Angela Glover was last seen in person by her husband James when a wall of water crashed through their coastal home in Veitongo on the Polynesian island of Tonga

A newly formed volcanic cone between the Tonga islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai erupts on 15 January 2015, releasing dense, particle-rich jets from the upper regions and surges of water-rich material around the base

Dramatic official aerial maps showed the eruption cloud over Tonga after the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcanco erupted. Pictured: Satellite images of the volanic eruption in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday

The eruption is the latest explosion on the islands in the past month after days of volatility on Tonga, which has seen smaller eruptions before

Scientists said the eruption was a 'once in a thousand years' occurrence but warned it may not be over yet and there could be further explosions

The volcanic eruption let out a huge plume of ash and has reportedly created a new island, although communications remain down on Tonga

Tonga volcano eruption as seen from Himawari-8 of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Hundreds of frightened Tongans fled to higher ground as the eruption triggered a tsunami in the island nation, with a four-foot wave observed in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa

 Slide me  Left: A satellite image shows the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai with a plume of smoke rising from it, days before the eruption. Right: The volcano two hours before its eruption in Tonga.

Pictured: Satellite imagery shows the underwater explosion (left). The images showed a three-mile-wide plume rising into the air to about 12 miles

A car is caught in rising water at Santa Cruz Harbor on Saturday as tsunami flooding strikes low-lying areas

People look at a damaged boat in a marina at Tutukaka, New Zealand, after waves from a volcano eruption swept into the marina

A man takes a picture of the big waves in the breakwater caused by the tsunami in Venice beach while he walks with his dog

It remains unclear how many people were killed in the eruption and subsequent flooding.

Former Londoner Angela, who works for an animal charity, emigrated to Tonga five years ago.

On Sunday she took to social media to comment on the eruption, saying her home was under a tsunami warning. It is believed the waves hit minutes later.

How can volcanoes create new islands? Volcanic islands are created by eruptions underwater, usually at the boundaries of two tectonic plates, which are pieces of the earth's crust. When the plates ease apart, lava spews out in a volcanic eruption. When the lava cools, layers of erupted material form the basis of new land mass. They layers build their way up from the sea bed to create new islands.

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Tattooist James is believed to have been able to cling to a tree but Angela, who runs a dog rescue centre on the island and several of her animals were swept away.

Her friend Donna Head posted on Facebook: 'Ange is still missing.'

She added: 'We must be optimistic and pray for a miracle I'm trying to process that this beautiful happy face is missing.

'I shall continue to update when I have further news.'

She finished with the hashtag #prayforAnge.

Another post read: 'My uncle held on to a tree but my Auntie and dogs were washed away.

'My uncle still hasn't been able to find my Auntie. If anyone has any information please reach out.'

As the search continued, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged his country would supply aid to Tongans as soon as possible but added the ash cloud was adding to the logistical problems.

'There's been a lot of challenges there with the ash cloud and the disruption to communications and so we are working together to get as much support to Tonga as we possibly can,' Morrison said.

Australia's Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said initial reports suggested no mass casualties and that Tonga's airport 'appears to be in relatively good condition' but there were 'significant damage' to roads and bridges.

Seselja said Australia was liaising with the United States, New Zealand, France and other countries to coordinate responses.

New Zealand's Defence Minister Peeni Henare said at a news conference in Auckland that power had been restored in large parts of Nuku'alofa and some communications are back up.

A New Zealand Hercules C-130 would perform drops of essentials after the requirements are assessed and the navy will also be deployed.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Sunday that the tsunami had a significant impact on infrastructure.

Red Cross said it was mobilising its regional network to respond to what it called the worst volcanic eruptions the Pacific has experienced in decades.

In this satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite, and released by the agency, shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday

A surfer defies warnings to stay out of the water and catches a wave at Manhattan Beach in El Segundo, California Saturday

'Red Cross has enough relief supplies to support 1,200 households with essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits and hygiene kits,' said Katie Greenwood, IFRC's Pacific Head of Delegation told Reuters.

She said the agency is expecting up to 80,000 people to be affected by the tsumani

'That is what we are planning for as a worst-case scenario until we can get further confirmation from the people on the ground,' she said.

The agency said there were concerns that communities may not have access to safe drinking water as a result of saltwater inundation caused by the tsunami waves and ashfall.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano has erupted regularly over the past few decades but the impact of Saturday's eruption was felt was far away as Fiji, New Zealand, the United States and Japan. Two people drowned off a beach in Northern Peru due to high waves caused by the tsunami.

Early data suggests the volcanic eruption was the biggest blast since Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines 30 years ago, New Zealand-based volcanologist Shane Cronin told Radio New Zealand.

'This is an eruption best witnessed from space,' Cronin said.

A tsunami has struck Tonga sending terrified locals fleeing for high ground as huge waves crashed over roads and into homes (pictured, tsunami waves begin to overwhelm coastal homes in Tonga on Saturday)

Locals took to social media to share dramatic videos of the surging waves making land and crashing through homes and cars (pictured, still images from video filmed in Tonga and posted to social media on Saturday)

Waves wash ashore Seal Beach after a tsunami advisory was issued following an underwater volcano eruption over 5300 miles away

'The large and explosive lateral spread of the eruption suggests that it was probably the biggest one since about the 1991 eruption of Pinatubo,' Cronin said.

'This is one of the massive explosions the volcano is capable of producing roughly every thousand years,' he added. 'We could be in for several weeks or even years of major volcanic unrest from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano.

Satellite images showed a huge eruption, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising above the sea. A sonic boom could be heard as far away as Alaska.

The Tonga Meteorological Services said a tsunami warning was declared for all of the archipelago, and data from the Pacific tsunami center said waves of 2.7 feet were detected.

Across the Pacific on California's central coast, the National Weather Service reported tsunami waves up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) and flooding in beach parking lots at Port San Luis. About 200 miles (320 km) down the coast, the waves were much smaller at Southern California's Seal Beach, according to Michael Pless, the owner of M&M Surf School.

Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau, who chairs the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, said she hoped the relatively low level of the tsunami waves would have allowed most people to get to safety, although she worried about those living on islands closest to the volcano.

She said she hadn't yet been able to contact her friends and family in Tonga.

Some churches in New Zealand organised community prayers in Auckland and other cities.

'We pray God will help our country at this sad moment. We hope everybody is safe,' Maikeli Atiola, the Secretary of the Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Auckland said, Radio New Zealand reported.

Ms Ardern said the main undersea communications cable has been impacted, likely due to loss of power.

Power was being restored in some areas on the islands and local mobile phones were slowly starting to work, she added.

In Seal Beach, California, residents ignored warnings to stay away from the beach and flocked to the municipal pier to take pictures of the waves after a tsunami advisory was issued

Spectators flock to view waves from the Seal Beach municipal pier after a tsunami advisory was issued following an underwater volcano eruption around 5,300 miles away

Locals pleaded for people to 'pray for us' as the eruption was compared to 'bombs going off' by those who heard it, followed by the tsunami surging ashore

The eruption was so intense it was heard as 'loud thunder sounds' in Fiji more than 500 miles away, officials in Suva said

One complicating factor to any international aid effort is that Tonga has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks of Covid-19.

Ms Ardern said New Zealand's military staff were all fully vaccinated and willing to follow any protocols established by Tonga.

The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano is located about 40 miles north of the capital, Nuku'alofa. In late 2014 and early 2015, a series of eruptions in the area created a small new island and disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

There is not a significant difference between volcanoes underwater and on land, and underwater volcanoes become bigger as they erupt, at some point usually breaching the surface, said Hans Schwaiger, a research geophysicist with the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

Large waves move in near Santa Cruz on Saturday. Inundation is not expected, but a tsunami advisory means there could be dangerous currents and strong waves along the coast

Large waves are seen in San Mateo County at around 8.10am on Saturday as a tsunami moved ashore

Joggers stretch next to a tsunami hazard zone sign in El Segundo, California, on January 15, 2022. The US National Weather Service issued tsunami advisories for the entire west coast of the United States following a massive volcanic eruption

Pictured: Image captured by NOAA's GOES West satellite and made available by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows an explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, located in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga, 13 January 2022

With underwater volcanoes, however, the water can add to the explosivity of the eruption as it hits the lava, Schwaiger added.

Before an explosion, there is generally an increase in small local earthquakes at the volcano, but depending on how far it is from land, that may not be felt by residents along the shoreline, Schwaiger said.

In 2019, Tonga lost internet access for nearly two weeks when a fiber-optic cable was severed. The director of the local cable company said at the time that a large ship may have cut the cable by dragging an anchor. Until limited satellite access was restored people couldn't even make international calls.

Southern Cross Cable Network's Veverka said limited satellite connections exist between Tonga and other parts of the world but he did not know if they might be affected by power outages.

The eruption (pictured from a satellite) could be heard thousands of kilometres away and sparked warnings in New Zealand, Fiji and American Samoa
New Zealand's most prominent anti-vaxxer has been dramatically arrested at his sprawling Auckland mansion - only for dozens of his followers to block the cop car from the police station with a haka.

Brian Tamaki, leader of the evangelical Destiny Church, planted a kiss on his wife as he was led away by police on Monday morning after allegedly breaching his bail conditions.

Tamaki, who has said in the past 'Covid is yet to be proved', described himself as a 'political prisoner' after being charged three times for organising and promoting lockdown protests, high fiving supporters as he was taken away in a police car.

He arrived at the Mt Eden Remand Centre to find more than 50 people blocking the road before they performed the sacred war cry.

Brian Tamaki (pictured), leader of the separatist Destiny Church, was led away by police on Monday morning after allegedly breaching his bail conditions

He arrived at the Mt Eden Remand Centre to find more than 50 people blocking the road before they performed the sacred war cry

Tamaki was eventually remanded in custody.

Tamaki and his wife Hannah had spoken to their followers via a Facebook live video in the hours leading to his arrest.

The 63-year-old, who is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, pleaded his innocence moments before authorities arrived at his home.

'People think I keep breaching my bail conditions, I've always said I'm not guilty,' he said.

'For all of those who say 'book him, send him off to jail', you don't understand about why this has happened and I should never have been charged in the first place thank you.'

Destiny Church supporters block police as they take the group's leader to the Mt Eden Remand Centre on Monday morning

Followers block a police car attempting to take Tamaki to the prison

Tamaki said he had no regrets over his actions and reiterated 'I'm not a criminal'.

'It's all about speaking truth and actually that truth is about how our freedoms and rights have been eroded,' he said.

Last year Auckland's Mayor said Tamaki's comments on Covid and vaccinations were 'reckless and foolhardy'.

'In my view, Brian Tamaki is failing in his duty of leadership by telling his supporters that they don't need to be vaccinated when overwhelmingly the evidence is that vaccination greatly reduces the chances of catching the virus and of being hospitalised by serious illness or dying as a result,' Phil Goff said.

'It's also reckless and foolhardy when Covid is in the community to have people gathering in large numbers without the protection of vaccination, without masks and without social distancing.'

In November the tribe who created the spiritual haka demanded Tamaki and his anti-vaccine cohort stop using the dance at their rallies.

The Ka Mate haka is best known as the dance used by New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team, who have special permission to perform it before their matches, but it has recently been adopted by protesters.

The Ngati Toa tribe spoke out after it emerged lockdown activist and church leader Brian Tamaki (right) planned to teach the dance to protesters at future demonstrations

Anti-vaccine and lockdown activists perform a haka during a protest in Christchurch on November 13. New Zealand's Ngati Toa tribe has pleaded with anti-vaccine protesters to stop using the traditional war dance during their rallies

'We do not support their position and we do not want our tupuna [ancestors] or our iwi [tribe] associated with their messages,' the Ngati Toa tribe said in a statement.

'We insist that protesters stop using our taonga [cultural treasure] immediately.

'Our message to protesters who wish to use Ka Mate is to use a different haka.'

The tribe said it had been active in promoting the Covid-19 vaccine to its community members and condemned the use of the haka to promote anti-vaccine slogans.

Ngati Toa own the legal rights to use the dance, which is known for tongue protrusions, loud chanting and rhythmic body slapping.

Today, the haka is still used with Ngati Toa's blessing during Maori ceremonies and celebrations to honour guests and show the importance of the occasion.

Dozens of 'freedom' protesters though have been seen using the dance while rallying against the country's ongoing Covid restrictions.
Lockdown has led to millions more Britons putting their health at risk by drinking up to 50 units of alcohol a week.

It is the latest sign that shutting down society has had a damaging knock-on effect.

Professor Julia Sinclair, chairman of the addictions faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the switch to boozing at home was partly to blame for the rise as the drinking sessions can last hours longer than they would in a pub.

The switch to boozing at home was partly to blame for the rise as the drinking sessions can last hours longer than they would in a pub

The research used a score called Audit, developed by the World Health Organisation, to assess problem drinking. Audit takes into account a range of factors including how often people drink and how many units they consume in a session to determine if they fall into increasing or higher risk categories.

It found the number of Britons whose drinking puts them at risk jumped to eight million in October last year  a rise from six million in October 2019.

About 5.5million men drank at increasing or higher risk levels in the three months to the end of October, up from four million in February 2020. Among women, the figure was 2.3million, up from 1.6million in 2020.

The NHS recommends adults consume no more than 14 units of alcohol per week. One measure of spirits is one unit, a pint of lower-strength lager is two units and a large glass of wine is three.

Guidelines in England state women are at increasing risk of damaging their health when they drink 15 to 34 units a week  and more than this is higher risk. For men, increasing risk is 15 to 49 units and higher risk is 50-plus.

Professor Sinclair said drinking at home can go on for hours and many are not keeping track of their measures.

She added: People are carrying on drinking what they started to drink at home and drinking in addition to that. Our best, most realistic scenario is that the higher-risk drinkers go back over the next probably five years to normal risk drinking.
Sixteen of the 17 Covid-19 deaths recorded in NSW overnight were patients who had not received their booster shot.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said only one person who died had a booster shot, highlighting the importance of getting a third dose.

'We know that for the Omicron variant, having that booster is critical to upping your level of protection,' she said.

'And we know that with both variants, even though the Omicron variant is milder overall, it still will have an incredible impact on people that are elderly and those underlying conditions.'

NSW and Victoria recorded a dip in Covid-19 cases while ICU and hospitalisation rates spiked in both states.

The uptick prompted health minister Brad Hazzard to take aim at anti-vaxxers for placing unnecessary strain on the healthcare system after it was revealed last week that half of Covid patients in ICU were unvaccinated.

The new cases come as health minister Greg Hunt says there are clear signs that the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is peaking

While Mr Hunt provided some hope for the future, two-thirds of parents still believe it is unsafe for children to return to classrooms in a few weeks time when the country is in the middle of the Omicron outbreak

'If you are not fully vaccinated, you are six times more likely to end up in hospital and 13 times more likely to end up in ICU,' he said.

'That means you are requiring the assistance of the health staff who are already exhausted. Can I just say to those people who have chosen not to get vaccinated - it's time to give a damn about someone other than yourself.

'Give a damn about your community, your family and most particularly, the health staff.'

NSW reported 29,504 new cases and 17 deaths on Monday, down 15 per cent from the 34,660 infections and 20 deaths recorded on Sunday.

Victoria recorded 22,429 new cases and six deaths, down 20 per cent from the previous 28,128 infections, and 13 deaths.

Hospitalisation rates have increased in both states with NSW hospitals treating 2,776 patients - up from 2,650 - and Victoria hospitals treating 1,229 patients - up from 1,114.

ICU figures have followed trend with 203 patients now in NSW units - up from 191 - and 129 in Victoria units - up from 122.

The new cases come as health minister Greg Hunt says there are clear signs the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is peaking.

'There are signs that NSW in particular and the ACT maybe peaking,' Mr Hunt said Sunday.

'I won't call it as having reached it yet, but in particular what we've seen, is that all of these jurisdictions have so far significantly undershot the hospitalisation, ICU and ventilation predictions that were made at the outset.'

Premier Dominic Perrottet added: 'The best way through this pandemic is to push through.'

'What we can't have, and I understand that it is a different approach to the last two years, but what we can't have here in NSW and across the country are never-ending lockdowns.

'Because that will result in a pandemic that becomes a never-ending story.'

On Monday, premier Dominic Perrottet added: 'The best way through this pandemic is to push through'

Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy warned the national cabinet last week that 10 per cent of the workforce could be absent because of Covid at any one time, which would increase by a further five per cent if schools stay closed

Lung specialist Dr Lucy Morgan pleaded with residents to get vaccinated to reduce the chances of falling seriously ill and requiring medical care by nurses and doctors.

'We are exhausted,' she said. 'And in responding to the unprecedented demands, the thousands of patients presenting to our hospitals every day, our capacity to manage everything else has also really changed.

'In the short-term, that's OK. But in the long-term, and it's two years now, this is bad. It's really hard on us and it's really hard on the people of New South Wales because this is leading to some delayed diagnoses.'

NSW treasurer Matt Kean announced the state government would be extending a lifeline to the events and festival sector and providing $43 million in funding after the industry was hit by restrictions during the Omicron outbreak.

'What we want to do is preserve the fabric of the economy,' he said. 'Ensure that we come through this, not only safely but we come out stronger.

'So my message to the community is very clear - we will stand with businesses, with families and with workers in NSW to make sure that we come through this safely but also make sure that we come out the other side stronger.'

Two-thirds of parents still believe it is unsafe for children to return to classrooms in a few weeks time when the country is in the middle of the Omicron outbreak.

'What we can't have, and I understand that it is a different approach to the last two years, but what we can't have here in New South Wales and across the country are never ending lockdowns,' Mr Perrottet said

Two-thirds of parents still believe it is unsafe for children to return to classrooms in a few weeks time when the country is in the middle of the Omicron outbreak

Just one-in-five parents were happy to let their children go back to school, according to a national survey by parent advocacy group, The Parenthood, in a poll of 3043 families.

More than half of respondents (56 per cent) said school should be delayed to allow precautions to be taken around the provision of masks, rapid antigen tests and ventilation.

A similar proportion (52 per cent) said the peak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 should be allowed to pass, while 51 per cent said schools should stay closed to ensure more children can be vaccinated.

'In the weeks since the 2021 school year ended the COVID picture around the country has changed dramatically,' The Parenthood's executive director Georgie Dent said .

'Having spent almost two years heeding the strict message that keeping kids home was the best way to keep them and others safe from this virus, it is not surprising that against a backdrop of surging cases parents aren't feeling confident or certain that returning as planned makes sense.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged states and territories to open schools as planned, although Queensland has delayed its opening by two weeks.

Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy warned the national cabinet last week that 10 per cent of the workforce could be absent because of Covid at any one time, which would increase by a further five per cent if schools stay closed.

Meanwhile, Mr Hunt also announced $24 million in additional funding to assist the temporary widening of telehealth consultations through GPs and other specialists due to the high infection rate from the Omicron outbreak

Meanwhile, Mr Hunt also announced $24 million in additional funding to assist the temporary widening of telehealth consultations through GPs and other specialists due to the high infection rate from the Omicron outbreak.

The decision was widely applauded by GPs and other help groups.

The funding will also cover the continued supply of personal protective equipment, such as masks, respirators, face shields and gowns for face-to-face consultations, including patients that have tested positive through a rapid antigen test.

The latter aligns with national cabinet's January 5 decision that RAT tests no longer need to be confirmed by a PCR test.

Mr Hunt said telehealth had been a vital support during the pandemic, providing greater flexibility in healthcare delivery at the most critical time and continues to be a fundamental part of the pandemic response.
John Bercow is facing a possible lifetime ban from Parliament following a bullying investigation.

Mr Bercow said the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards had found him guilty on 21 out of 35 claims relating to his behaviour during his decade as Speaker of the House of Commons.

Allegations by former colleagues included that he twice threw a mobile phone, swore at officials and ignored an aide on a trip.

John Bercow with his wife Sally in 2017. The former Speaker of the House of Commons is facing a possible lifetime ban from Parliament following a bullying investigation

Mr Bercow yesterday made public the provisional findings of the investigation by commissioner Kathryn Stone before her final decision later this month.

He is appealing against her findings and branded the inquiry a 'kangaroo court', claiming the process was 'protracted, amateurish and unjust'.

'The powers that be were determined to get their scalp  that is the reality of the matter,' he told radio station LBC.

'Witnesses who were present were not interviewed, witnesses who were not present were interviewed.

'Hearsay was preferred over direct testimony. When people said, "I don't remember that, I don't recall John Bercow behaving in that way", they were described as unhelpful and their evidence was to be disregarded.'

Mr Bercow (pictured yesterday) made public the provisional findings of the investigation by commissioner Kathryn Stone before her final decision later this month

He added: 'The commissioner upheld allegations which had been rejected by the investigators and without taking any new evidence or interviewing me.'

The counts were brought by former Commons clerk Lord Lisvane and private secretaries Kate Emms and Angus Sinclair.

Two claims brought by former Black Rod Lieutenant-General David Leakey were rejected by the 18-month inquiry.

In a separate interview with The Sunday Times yesterday Mr Bercow admitted he was a 'Marmite figure'.

He said: 'I'm flawed. I sometimes wind people up unnecessarily. But I had hugely collegiate relations with my team.'

Lord Lisvane last night criticised Mr Bercow's decision to make public the findings before they had been finalised.

In a statement, he said: 'Everyone involved in this exacting two-year inquiry has had to undertake to preserve strict confidentiality. This is an undertaking that Mr Bercow has now casually broken.

Mr Bercow, pictured in 2019, said the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards had found him guilty on 21 out of 35 claims relating to his behaviour during his decade as Speaker

'As with many rules, it appears that he believes this does not apply to him. He now makes assertions which are not true.

'When I am released from the duty of confidentiality and all the documents in the inquiry are published, the record will be clear.'

A Commons spokesman said: 'We cannot comment on individual cases or allegations.' Mr Bercow stepped down as Speaker in November 2019.

He was nominated for a peerage by Jeremy Corbyn but it was blocked because of the bullying investigation.
Huge ash clouds from the 'once in a thousand' year volcanic eruption in Tonga have filled the skies over Queensland leading to beautiful sunrises.

Sunshine State residents awoke to picturesque views on Monday after the massive eruption near the Pacific island on Sunday.

Ash clouds have slowly travelled west toward the Coral Sea and passed over Fiji, Vanuatu and Nouvelle-Caledonie, leaving rustic coloured skies in their wake.

The clouds are expected to hover over central and eastern Queensland and potentially reach as far as the Northern Territory before finally clearing on Tuesday.

Weatherzone meteorologist Con Hough told Daily Mail Australia the sunsets and sunrises would become more noticeably saturated in orange and yellow.

Huge ash clouds from the 'once in a thousand' year volcanic eruption in Tonga have swamped the skies over Queensland leading to 'beautiful' sunrises (pictured, sunset in Bondi on Monday)

A tsunami struck Tonga sending terrified locals fleeing for high ground as huge waves crashed over roads and into homes (pictured, tsunami waves begin to overwhelm coastal homes in Tonga on Saturday)

Sunshine State residents awoke to picturesque views of the sun rising on Monday following the massive eruption near the Pacific island on Sunday

'There is still some ash offshore, fairly sizeable ash cloud over the ocean, still tracking towards Queensland,' he said.

'It could result in some good sunsets in parts of Queensland and through tomorrow as well.'

The Queensland Government has not issued any warnings of a change to air quality.

Australia and New Zealand dispatched surveillance flights on Monday to assess the damage in Tonga, isolated from the rest of the world due to the eruption of an underwater volcano that triggered a tsunami and blanketed the Pacific island with ash.

Prime minister Scott Morrison pledged to provide support for Tonga as early as possible, but said the volcano ash hampered relief efforts.

'There's been a lot of challenges there with the ash cloud and the disruption to communications and so we are working together to get as much support to Tonga as we possibly can,' Morrison told 2GB radio on Monday.

Australia's Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said initial reports suggested no mass casualties and the airport 'appears to be in relatively good condition' but there was 'significant damage' to roads and bridges.

Part of the devastation the tsunamis have caused in Tonga pictured from the deck of a fishing boat (pictured)

Locals took to social media to share dramatic videos of the surging waves making land and crashing through homes and cars (pictured, still images from video filmed in Tonga and posted to social media on Saturday)

Seselja said Australia was liaising with the US, New Zealand, France and other countries to coordinate responses.

An underwater volcano off Tonga erupted on Saturday, triggering a tsunami on the shores of Tonga and cutting off phone and internet lines for the entire island.

There are no official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga as yet but communications are still limited and outlying costal areas remain cut off.

Satellite images show some of the outlying islands are submerged in water.
Millions of Covid-19 rapid antigen tests have arrived with more on the way as Australians battle for to get their hands on one.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews welcomed the much-anticipated delivery of three million antigen tests on Monday as the state recorded a 20 per cent drop in new infections to 22,429.

The tests will be distributed to frontline health workers, emergency services, and staff in the disability and aged care services from Tuesday.

Millions more tests will soon arrive in Victoria to increase accessibility and ease the pressure on PCR testing clinics.

However, the other millions of Victorians, and others around Australia, will continue to pay soaring price of up to $100 for a single test after Prime Minister Scott Morrison flatly refused to make them all free like in other countries.

Health and emergency services workers will be among the first to get access to free rapid antigen tests after three million kits arrived in Victoria (pictured a Melbourne paramedic)

'I've got some good news,' Mr Andrews captioned photos of the special delivery in a Melbourne warehouse.

'Three million free rapid antigen tests have landed in Victoria, and 41 million more are on the way.

'Thousands have already gone to our hospitals and emergency services to help get more of our most critical workers back to work safely.

'And over the last week more than 400,000 have been distributed for free at PCR testing sites to those who need them.'

Victoria was the first state in Australia to distribute free rapid antigen tests to the community through testing clinics with 91,000 distributed on Sunday alone.

28 million more RATs are on their way to Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced

'Thanks to our bulk order of tests, Victorians will soon be able to reliably obtain a free RAT. As more tests progressively arrive, we'll continue to roll them out to those who need them,' Mr Andrews said.

'As we continue to test, there's nothing more important than getting your third dose  it will not only give you better protection against Covid-19, but also significantly slow transmission.'

Mr Andrews' tweet sparked a divided response.

Thank goodness Dan... You're a hero,' one teacher commented.

'Even just knowing this news helps to relieve stress... If only some could be portioned out to schools for teachers, that would relieve even more stress.'

Many used the news to take a swipe at Mr Morrison, who rejected calls to make rapid antigen tests free for everyone.

'Why does Dan Andrews always have to clean up Morrison's messes? What use is Morrison?' one wrote.

Another joked: 'Hey Dan, better hide them from Morrison or he might steal - sorry I mean requisition them.

The Victorian Premier described the arrival of three million free RATs (pictured) as 'good news'

But not everyone was supportive of the Victorian premier.

'Hopefully the next 41 million are on the same shipment as the 4,000 ICU beds you promised and were still waiting,' one person commented.

Another added: 'I got excited when I read you got good news. I thought you had left the government.'

Mr Morrison described the critical shortage of rapid antigen tests as 'not unique.'

'The rapid antigen tests are in short supply all around the world. This is not something that is unique to Australia going through it,' he told 2GB on Monday.

'It's part of dealing with Omicron. Omicron has disrupted everything.'

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has received more than 1,800 complaints about price gouging since Christmas Day with some retailers going as far as refusing to give customers a receipt.

The consumer watchdog has put businesses selling rapid tests on notice, amid reports of individual rapid antigen tests selling for $100.

Wholesale costs range between $3.95 and $11.45 a test.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is investigating reports of price gouging of rapid antigen tests, which are in short supply

'At the extreme end, we have received reports or seen media coverage of tests costing up to $500 for two tests through online marketplaces, and over $70 per test through convenience stores, service stations and independent supermarkets, which is clearly outrageous,' ACCC Chair Rod Sims said in a statement.

'There are several businesses that have repeatedly come to our notice thanks to the information provided by the public. We are asking those businesses to urgently explain the prices they are charging.'

Almost of the price gouging reports were regarding pharmacies with almost 900 complaints.

Convenience stores, tobacconists and supermarkets accounted for 15 per cent of complaints, as did petrol stations.

The ACCC has contacted more than 40 test suppliers, major retailers and pharmacy chains seeking information about their costs, current pricing, and stock availability.
The world's 10 wealthiest men doubled their fortunes during the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic as poverty and inequality soared, a report said on Monday.

Oxfam said the men's wealth jumped from 500 billion ($700 billion) to 1.1 trillion ($1.5 trillion), at an average rate of 1 billion ($1.3 billion) per day, in a briefing published before a virtual mini-summit of world leaders being held under the auspices of the World Economic Forum.

Among the world's 10 richest men are Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon chief Jeff Bezos.

Oxfam said the billionaires' wealth rose more during the pandemic than it did the previous 14 years, when the world economy was suffering the worst recession since the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

It called this inequality 'economic violence' and said inequality is contributing to the death of 21,000 people every day due to a lack of access to healthcare, gender-based violence, hunger and climate change.

Among the world's 10 richest men are Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk (pictured), Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon chief Jeff Bezos

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is among the top 10 richest men in the world

Forbes' world top-10 richest people 1. Elon Musk - $268.1 billion Source: Tesla, Space X 2. Bernard Arnault - $188.2 billion Source: LVMH 3. Jeff Bezos - $188 billion Source: Amazon 4. Bill Gates - $134.5 billion Source: Microsoft 5. Larry Ellison - $120.1 billion Source: Software 6. Larry Page - $119.4 billion Source: Google 7. Mark Zuckerberg - $117.5 billion Source: Facebook 8. Warren Buffett - $116.9 billion Source: Berkshire Hathaway 9. Sergey Brin - $115.1 billion Source: Google 10. Muckesh Ambani - $98.5 billion Source: Microsoft Data from Forbes, as of January 4 Advertisement

Oxfam called for governments to impose a one-time 99% tax on the world's billionaires and use the money to fund expanded production of vaccines for the poor - part of an effort to combat global inequality widened by the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic has plunged 160 million people into poverty, the charity added, with non-white ethnic minorities and women bearing the brunt of the impact as inequality soared.

'The pandemic has been a billionaire bonanza,' Oxfam International Executive Director Gabriela Bucher said.

'When governments did the rescue packages and pumped trillions into the economy and to financial markets in order to support the economy for all, what happened is a lot of it went into the pockets of the billionaires.'

Vaccine development has been one of the pandemic's success stories but Bucher said they've been 'hoarded by the rich countries' seeking to protect pharmaceutical monopolies.

The report follows a December 2021 study by the group which found that the share of global wealth of the world's richest people soared at a record pace during the pandemic.

The study found that the top 1% have captured 19 times more of global wealth growth than the whole of the bottom 50% of humanity.

'Inequality is now as great as it was at the pinnacle of Western imperialism in the early 20th century. The Gilded Age of the late 19th Century has been surpassed,' the report said

Oxfam urged tax reforms to fund worldwide vaccine production as well as healthcare, climate adaptation and gender-based violence reduction to help save lives.

Oxfam called for rich countries to waive intellectual property rules on COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to expand their production.

A one-off 99% tax on the 10 richest men's pandemic windfalls could earn more than $800 billion and be used to fund that effort and other progressive social spending, the group said.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is among the world's top 10 richest men

The money 'would be able to pay for vaccines for the whole world, have health systems for everyone,' Bucher said.

'We would also be able to compensate for the damage of climate change and have policies that address gender-based violence,' while still leaving the 10 billionaires $8 billion richer than they were at the start of the pandemic, she added.

The group said it based its wealth calculations on the most up-to-date and comprehensive data sources available, and used the 2021 Billionaires List compiled by the US business magazine Forbes.

Forbes listed the world's 10 richest men as: Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, former Microsoft CEOs Bill Gates (pictured) and Steve Ballmer, former Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, US investor Warren Buffet and the head of the French luxury group LVMH, Bernard Arnault

Forbes listed the world's 10 richest men as: Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, former Microsoft CEOs Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, former Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, US investor Warren Buffet and the head of the French luxury group LVMH, Bernard Arnault.

But it's not all doom and gloom. The group noted that the U.S. and China, the world's two biggest economies, are starting to consider policies aimed at countering inequality, such as raising tax rates on the rich and taking action against corporate monopolies.

'The point is extreme inequality is not inevitable and this is why it brings us hope,' Bucher said.

Oxfam has long sought to inspire debate at the annual gathering of business and political elites typically held in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.

The pandemic forced organisers to put off the event for a second year, instead holding virtual sessions where political leaders will be joined by business executives and campaigning groups such as Oxfam.
If limiting the unvaxxed is wise, what about limiting fat people? By Selwyn Duke

web posted January 17, 2022 For the record, Ive 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 todays lepers, attaining this status via refusal to accept experimental mRNA therapy agents (MTAs, a.k.a. vaccines) designed to prevent something they dont 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, Australias Northern Territory announced new draconian lockdown restrictions earlier this month, with the MTA-resistant especially targeted. Never mind that Lord Fauci the Infallible and other health oracles once said , implying 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 itll be shrimp-on-the-barbie and Fosters time once again. Dont say its impossible, either, because Democrat counties often prove the achievability of such numbers with voter turnouts 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 recently, 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 ones 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. Hes 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 doesnt 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 youll strain the medical system. What of the plumper among us? Its 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? Theyre costing us all money, you know. Im being facetious, of course, but this mentality could be applied to anyone whos seen as playing fast and loose with his health, such as smokers and sedentary thin individuals who happen to scarf down artery-clogging food. For that matter, what if its learned that the promiscuous and people engaging in certain sexually anomalous behaviors inordinately burden the healthcare system? Well, I guess some things are worth the money  such as our ruling classs favorite hobbies. And, hey, if we werent 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 . Home
Students should consider taking joint action against universities that force them to attend Zoom lectures, according to the Education Secretary.

Nadhim Zahawi will today encourage young people to challenge institutions that fail to provide any or insufficient face-to-face teaching. His intervention comes as tens of thousands of students return to campuses after the Christmas break.

Despite curbs on face-to-face learning being lifted last May, some universities are still teaching lectures online while charging 9,250-a-year fees.

More than 100 institutions, including many in the Russell Group, reportedly plan to offer a mix of online and face-to-face teaching again this term.

Remote learning: Despite curbs on face-to-face learning being lifted last May, some universities are still teaching lectures online while charging 9,250-a-year fees

Student unions may be able to support raising concerns over online teaching as a group

In an open letter, Mr Zahawi said: If you feel that you are not getting the face-to-face teaching you signed up for, or that you would expect, talk to your university or college. He added: I know that students expect and deserve face-to-face teaching and support, and you have my full backing.

Student unions may be able to support raising concerns as a group. But if still dissatisfied after a complaint, students can contact the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) via its Large Group Complaints process. He said: This is intended for complaints from a large group of students at a single provider where there is a high degree of commonality between the complaints.

The minister said in 2020 the OIA made recommendations in more than 280 cases on issues including disruption caused by Covid-19. Compensation reached more than 450,000 and an additional 282,000 was paid under OIA settlements. The Office for Students also has a notification process to highlight issues such as course quality.

Last night Mr Zahawi told the Daily Mail the UK must learn to live with the virus and students deserve a fair deal regardless of the pandemic.

Mr Zahawi told the Daily Mail the UK must learn to live with the virus and students deserve a fair deal regardless of the pandemic

He said: While virtual learning can complement and enhance the learning experience, I do not want to see students who were promised face-to-face education receiving anything less than the highest quality teaching.

A Universities UK spokesman said: Like schools, colleges, and other sectors, universities are still having to balance the provision of in-person activities with public health measures to protect students and staff.

A Russell Group spokesman said: In-person teaching remains at the heart of the university experience. At all Russell Group universities students can expect seminars, small group classes and lab work to be taught in-person.

n More than a dozen MPs and peers yesterday backed a court challenge to the Government over making pupils wear masks in class. Parent group UsforThem sent a letter to Mr Zahawi calling the guidance discriminatory and disproportionate and said a judicial review would be launched if it was not changed.
The Trump Administration has been accused of 'unprecedented' meddling in the 2020 census collection in an alleged effort to try and stop undocumented migrants from being counted so congressional districts wouldn't be reapportioned in their favor.

A newly released memo apparently written by Census Bureau Deputy Director Ron Jarmin in September 2020 alleged former President Donald Trump and his officials were developing 'a method to identify unauthorized residents' which they would then use to match immigrants who'd been included in the census count.

That would mean these immigrants would be removed from the final count, giving the states where they live fewer congressional seats, and less sway over the election.

It appears Trump banked on many of those immigrants settling in Democrat-led states, meaning that leaving them out of the count could potentially grant his rival party less sway in congress.

The president has also made regular claims about voter fraud, alleging that illegal immigrants who vote fraudulently are far more likely to opt for the Democrat party.

His alleged attempts to influence the census could limit the impact of this illegal voting, by limiting the number of Democrat candidates these fraudulent voters would have the option to file ballots for.

Census Bureau Deputy Director Ron Jarmin (left) alleged former President Donald Trump (right) and his officials were developing 'a method to identify unauthorized residents' which they would then use to match immigrants enumerated in the census. Jarmin believed Trump's administration would then use the data to reapportion the House of Representatives to benefit the Republican party before he left office

'While the presidential memorandum may be a statement of the administration's policy, the Census Bureau views the development of the methodology and processes as its responsibility as an independent statistical agency,' the memo stated.

Jarmin believed Trump's administration would then use the data to reapportion the House of Representatives to benefit the Republican party before he left office.

The US Census, which is conducted every decade, determines the distribution of House seats issued across states and, consequently, votes in the Electoral College.

Some officials have been accused of using the Census data when redrawing district lines to rig elections, a process known as gerrymandering. For example, if an official were to create a district that contained 70 percent of voters who identified as Republican, it would offer little chance for a Democratic candidate to win.

Although the Constitution requires the census to reflect the 'whole number of persons in each state,' Jarmin alleged Trump was aiming to exclude non-citizens from the count to make the voting districts more reflective of his target supporter.

He claims Trump adamantly ordered the Census Bureau, in a July 2020 presidential memorandum, to tally the number of unauthorized immigrants in each state and subtract them from the House reapportionment population estimates.

In Jarmin's memo, which appeared to be a list of talking points to address with then Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, the census official complained about the administration's alleged attempt to breach the privacy of census respondents.

He claimed the Commerce Department was 'demonstrating an unusually high degree of engagement in technical matters,' such as the calculation of population totals, 'which is unprecedented relative to the previous censuses.'

Although the Constitution requires the census to reflect the 'whole number of persons in each state,' Jarmin alleged in a September 2020 memo (pictured) that Trump was aiming to exclude non-citizens from the count to make the voting districts more reflective of his target supporter

The Trump Administration has been accused of 'unprecedented' meddling in the 2020 census collection in an effort to 'try and stop undocumented migrants from being counted so congressional districts wouldn't be reapportioned in their favor'

Jarmin complained that political appointees had taken interest in how the Census Bureau would produce final population figures.

'Interest was expressed in both item and status and count imputation,' he penned. 'Status and count imputation impacts the census unedited file that underlies the 12/31 apportionment products. Item imputation impacts the census edited file that impacts the 4/1 PL-94-171 redistricting product.'

He continued: 'The Census Bureau views imputation methodologies as its responsibility as an independent statistical agency.'

The memo also accused political officials of pressing the bureau to end the counting process weeks early, as well as pushing to reduce the steps used to process and double-check population data so the apportionment figures could be provided to Trump before the end of the his presidential term.

The memo also accused political officials of pressing the bureau to end the counting process weeks early, as well as pushing to reduce the steps used to process and double-check population data

Ultimately, the Census Bureau 'proved unable' to provide Trump with the noncitizen figure count before he left office, the New York Times reported.

The unauthorized residents were also included in the 2020 Census count and in the allocation of House seats, as they had been in prior censuses.

The memo, which was made public in recent days, was part of hundreds of documents obtained by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University's Law School in a lawsuit seeking information on Trump administration's alleged plans for calculating the allotment of House seats.
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An Australian has issued an emotional plea for help to find his missing aid worker sister who was last seen clinging to rocks in the Tonga tsunami.

The island nation was inundated by huge waves triggered by an underwater volcano eruption on Saturday, with a second on Sunday morning.

Angela Glover, 50, was with her husband James when a wall of water crashed through their coastal home in Veitongo on the Polynesian island.

'URGENT! To any of Angela's friends. I am Angela's brother in Sydney. I have just heard of the tsunami that has just occurred in Tonga,' her brother Nick Eleini in Sydney posted on her Facebook page on Sunday.

'If anyone has Angela's address please can you DM me or phone me.'

Ms Glover, a British aid worker, has not been heard from since the tsunami on Sunday.

Phone and internet communications on the ground have been largely cut off, though some satellites phones were working.

Angela Glover (pictured) has not been heard from since a tsunami flooded through Tonga on Sunday

Ms Glover's brother Nick Eleini posted a plea for help to contact Ms Glover after communication with the island was knocked out (pictured)

Another separate possible 'large explosion' was reported at the Tonga volcano by the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre about 9am AEDT on Monday.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre also said it had detected large waves in the area: 'This might be from another explosion of Tonga volcano. There are no known earthquakes of significant size to generate this wave.'

Australia's Minister for the Pacific, Zed Seselja, said a plane has left Australia on Monday to assess the damage.

'Australia's P-8 surveillance flight has departed to Tonga this morning to assess the situation on the ground. Australia stands ready to provide every possible support to the people of Tonga following the devastating tsunami.' he said.

There are reports of massive damage to villages on the Tongan coastline (pictured)

New Zealand also sent a plane to assess the initial damage wreaked by the explosion after experts warned up to 80,000 people could be affected by the tsunami that knocked out power and communications.

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden warned large parts of the island remained uncontactable and that there had been 'significant damage' but no deaths have been reported.

'Most international flights have been cancelled, and options to leave the country are extremely limited. A state of emergency is in force and activities are restricted to prevent the spread of Covid,' the Australian Smart Traveller site said.

The British Foreign Office confirmed on Saturday that it was assisting a group of Britons stuck on the island following the undersea volcanic eruption which was felt as far away as the west coast of the US.

The explosion triggered a 7.4-magnitude earthquake and sent tsunami waves crashing into the coast of the Pacific island, leaving it covered in ash and cut off from aid.

Satellite images showed the spectacular eruption from space and despite the dire warnings, spectators flocked to the beaches to view the surging tsunami waves, while surfers threw caution to the wind to catch the powerful waves generated by the surge.

50-year-old British aid worker Angela Glover was last seen in person by her husband James when a wall of water crashed through their coastal home in Veitongo on the Polynesian island of Tonga

Dramatic official aerial maps showed the eruption cloud over Tonga after the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcanco erupted. Pictured: Satellite images of the volanic eruption in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday

In the US, waves of more than 1.3m were recorded on the California coast on Saturday, and tsunami-effect waves were recorded along the coast in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia in Canada, and Alaska.

Katie Greenwood of the IFRC in Fiji said that help was urgently needed.

'We suspect there could be up to 80,000 people throughout Tonga affected by either the eruption itself or from the tsunami wave and inundation as a result of the eruption,' she told the BBC.

Tonga remains largely uncontactable with telephone and internet links severed, as experts warned it could take up to two weeks to fully restore communications, leaving relatives overseas praying for their families on the Pacific islands.

The eruption is the latest explosion on the islands in the past month after days of volatility on Tonga, which has seen smaller eruptions before

Tonga volcano eruption as seen from Himawari-8 of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Hundreds of frightened Tongans fled to higher ground as the eruption triggered a tsunami in the island nation, with a four-foot wave observed in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa

Professor Shane Cronin, an expert in Tonga eruptions from the University of Auckland, said the the enormous eruption was rare.

'This is one of the massive explosions the volcano is capable of producing roughly every thousand years,' he wrote in The Conversation.

'We could be in for several weeks or even years of major volcanic unrest from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano.'

Two women drowned in northern Peru when two metre waves hit a truck, dragging it into the sea at Naylamp beach, Lambayeque, in the north of the country.

The driver escaped but his wife and another women drowned in the swell. Although Peru did not issue a tsunami warning, its navy are monitoring 'abnormal waves' off its coast.

 Slide me  Left: A satellite image shows the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai with a plume of smoke rising from it, days before the eruption. Right: The volcano two hours before its eruption in Tonga.

Pictured: Satellite imagery shows the underwater explosion (left). The images showed a three-mile-wide plume rising into the air to about 12 miles

The massive ash cloud covering the tiny island nation of Tonga is preventing surveillance flights from New Zealand to assess the extent of damage.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the eruption was 'hugely concerning' and agencies were still trying to establish full communications with Tonga.

One complicating factor to any international aid effort is that Tonga has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks of Covid-19.

Ms Ardern said New Zealand's military staff were all vaccinated and willing to follow any protocols established by Tonga.

The immediate concern in Tonga is for air and water safety due to ash and smoke. The government has asked the public to wear masks and use bottled water for now.

A car is caught in rising water at Santa Cruz Harbor on Saturday as tsunami flooding strikes low-lying areas

Tsunami advisories were issued for Hawaii, Alaska and the U.S. Pacific coast. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens were also advised to evacuate as waves of more than a metre hit coastal areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the eruption caused the equivalent of magnitude 5.8 earthquake. Scientists said tsunamis generated by volcanoes rather than earthquakes are relatively rare.

The powerful waves registered in Japan, New Zealand and Australia, with a thunderous roar heard 6,000 miles away in Alaska.

The eruption has reportedly created a new island in Tonga, the second time such an event has happened in Tonga in 10 years.

Internet outages mean friends and family members around the world on Sunday are still anxiously trying to get in touch to figure out if there were any injuries and the extent of the damage.

Even government websites and other official sources remained without any updates.

People look at a damaged boat in a marina at Tutukaka, New Zealand, after waves from a volcano eruption swept into the marina

A man takes a picture of the big waves in the breakwater caused by the tsunami in Venice beach while he walks with his dog

Satellite images showed a huge eruption, with a plume of ash, steam, and gas rising above the sea. A sonic boom could be heard as far away as Alaska.

The Tonga Meteorological Services said a tsunami warning was declared for all of the archipelago, and data from the Pacific tsunami centre said waves of almost a metre were detected.

Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau, who chairs the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, said she hoped the relatively low level of the tsunami waves would have allowed most people to get to safety, although she worried about those living on islands closest to the volcano.

How can volcanoes create new islands? Volcanic islands are created by eruptions underwater, usually at the boundaries of two tectonic plates, which are pieces of the earth's crust. When the plates ease apart, lava spews out in a volcanic eruption. When the lava cools, layers of erupted material form the basis of new land mass. They layers build their way up from the sea bed to creat new islands.

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She said she hadn't yet been able to contact her friends and family in Tonga.

Some churches in New Zealand organised community prayers in Auckland and other cities.

'We pray God will help our country at this sad moment. We hope everybody is safe,' Maikeli Atiola, the Secretary of the Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Auckland said, Radio New Zealand reported.

Ms Ardern said the main undersea communications cable has been impacted, likely due to loss of power.

Power was being restored in some areas on the islands and local mobile phones were slowly starting to work, she added.

Official damage assessments were not yet available, she said. But Ms Ardern said the New Zealand high commission in Nuku'alofa had said the tsunami has damaged boats, shops and other infrastructure.

Australia said it would send a P8 surveillance aircraft to Tonga on Monday to assess damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, ports and power lines, which would determine the next phase of the response effort.

In the US, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the country stands prepared to provide support.

He said he was 'deeply concerned for the people of Tonga as they recover from the aftermath of a volcanic eruption and tsunami'.

In this satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite, and released by the agency, shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday

A surfer defies warnings to stay out of the water and catches a wave at Manhattan Beach in El Segundo, California Saturday

Tonga's cabinet held a crisis meeting on Sunday and was contacting development partners, a spokeswoman for Zed Seselja, Australia's minister for international development and the Pacific told Reuters.

She said Australia would sent a P8 surveillance aircraft to Tonga on Monday.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano has erupted regularly over the past few decades but Saturday's eruption was so loud that residents parts of faraway Fiji and New Zealand said they heard it.

'My entire house was shaking,' said Sanya Ruggiero, a Consulting Communications Advisor based in Suva, the capital of Fiji, some 750km from Tonga.

'My doors, windows were all rattling like hell. And mine was not even as bad as others. Hundreds of people ran out of their homes,' said Ruggiero, who consults for several agencies and the United Nations.

Rumblings and eruptions from the volcano continued to be heard through the night, Ruggiero said. Hundreds of people were moved to evacuation centres in Suva. Fiji Airways had to cancel all its flights due to the ash clouds.

'This is the worst disaster Tonga has had in living memory and the recovery from this is going to take years,' Ruggiero said.

Experts said the ash fallout could contaminate drinking water and cause respiratory issues.

'Help will be needed to restore drinking water supplies. People of Tonga must also remain vigilant for further eruptions and especially tsunami with short notice and should avoid low lying areas,' said Shane Cronin, professor at the School of Environment, University of Auckland.

A tsunami has struck Tonga sending terrified locals fleeing for high ground as huge waves crashed over roads and into homes (pictured, tsunami waves begin to overwhelm coastal homes in Tonga on Saturday)

Locals took to social media to share dramatic videos of the surging waves making land and crashing through homes and cars (pictured, still images from video filmed in Tonga and posted to social media on Saturday)

Waves wash ashore Seal Beach after a tsunami advisory was issued following an underwater volcano eruption over 5300 miles away

'We are praying that the damage is just to infrastructure and people were able to get to higher land,' she said.

Tonga gets its internet via an undersea cable from Suva, Fiji, which presumably was damaged.

Southern Cross Cable Network, the company that manages the connection, does not know yet 'if the cable is cut or just suffering power loss,' chief technical officer Dean Veverka said.

The Fiji-based Islands Business news site reported that a convoy of police and military troops evacuated Tonga's King Tupou VI from his palace near the shore. He was among the many residents who headed for higher ground.

On Tonga, home to about 105,000 people, video posted to social media showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas, swirling around homes, a church and other buildings.

New Zealand's military said it was monitoring the situation and remained on standby, ready to assist if asked.

Ms Ardern said there had not yet been any official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga, but cautioned authorities had not yet made contact with some coastal areas and smaller islands.

'Communication with Tonga remains very limited. And I know that is causing a huge amount of anxiety for the Tongan community here,' she said.

She said there was significant damage to boats and shops along the Tongan coastline.

In Seal Beach, California, residents ignored warnings to stay away from the beach and flocked to the municipal pier to take pictures of the waves after a tsunami advisory was issued

Spectators flock to view waves from the Seal Beach municipal pier after a tsunami advisory was issued following an underwater volcano eruption around 5,300 miles away

The New Zealand Prime Minister added Tonga's capital of Nuku'alofa was covered in a thick film of volcanic dust that was contaminating water supplies and making fresh water a vital need.

Aid agencies said thick ash and smoke prompted authorities to ask people to wear masks and drink bottled water.

Ms Ardern said New Zealand was unable to send a military surveillance flight over Tonga on Sunday because the ash cloud was 19,000m high but she hoped to send the flight on Monday, followed by supply planes and navy ships.

Dave Snider, the tsunami warning co-ordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Centre in Palmer, Alaska, said it was very unusual for a volcanic eruption to affect an entire ocean basin, and the spectacle was both 'humbling and scary'.

In Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported waves that measured 1.6 feet in Nawiliwili, Kauai and 2.7 feet in Hanalei.

The National Weather Service said there were reports of boats getting pushed up in docks, but the hazard diminished as the morning went on.

'We are relieved that there is no reported damage and only minor flooding throughout the islands,' the tsunami center said, describing the situation in Hawaii. The tsunami advisory for the islands was lifted about 11 hours after the eruption more than 4,800 miles away.

Locals pleaded for people to 'pray for us' as the eruption was compared to 'bombs going off' by those who heard it, followed by the tsunami surging ashore

The eruption was so intense it was heard as 'loud thunder sounds' in Fiji more than 500 miles away, officials in Suva said

In Tonga, a Twitter user identified as Dr Faka'iloatonga Taumoefolau posted video showing waves crashing ashore.

'Can literally hear the volcano eruption, sounds pretty violent,' he wrote, adding in a later post: 'Raining ash and tiny pebbles, darkness blanketing the sky.'

The explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano was the latest in a series of dramatic eruptions.

Earth imaging company Planet Labs PBC had watched the island in recent days after a new volcanic vent there began erupting in late December.

Satellite images captured by the company show how drastically the volcano had shaped the area, creating a growing island off Tonga.

'The surface area of the island appears to have expanded by nearly 45 per cent due to ashfall,' Planet Labs said days before the latest activity.

Large waves move in near Santa Cruz on Saturday. Inundation is not expected, but a tsunami advisory means there could be dangerous currents and strong waves along the coast

Large waves are seen in San Mateo County at around 8.10am on Saturday as a tsunami moved ashore

Residents in Hawaii, Alaska and along the US Pacific coast were advised to move away from the coastline to higher ground and to pay attention to specific instructions from their local emergency management officials.

'We don't issue an advisory for this length of coastline as we've done - I'm not sure when the last time was - but it really isn't an everyday experience,' Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, said.

He said the waves slamming ashore in Hawaii were just under the criteria for a more serious tsunami warning.

'It looks like everything will stay below the warning level, but it's difficult to predict because this is a volcanic eruption, and we're set up to measure earthquake or seismic-driven sea waves,' Mr Snider said.

Beaches and piers were closed across Southern California as a precaution. The National Weather Service tweeted there were 'no significant concerns about inundation.'

Strong rip currents were possible, however, and officials warned people to stay out of the water.

Joggers stretch next to a tsunami hazard zone sign in El Segundo, California, on January 15, 2022. The US National Weather Service issued tsunami advisories for the entire west coast of the United States following a massive volcanic eruption

Pictured: Image captured by NOAA's GOES West satellite and made available by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows an explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, located in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga, 13 January 2022

On California's central coast, the National Weather Service reported tsunami waves up to 1.2 meters and flooding in beach parking lots at Port San Luis.

About 320 km down the coast, the waves were much smaller at Southern California's Seal Beach, according to Michael Pless, the owner of M&M Surf School.

'The waves are looking pretty flat,' he said. 'We're hoping they reopen the beach in a couple hours.'

Crowds gathered at the Santa Cruz Harbor in California to watch the rising and falling water strain boat ties on docks. Law enforcement tried to clear people away when big surges started at around 7.30am.

About an hour later, a surge went over the back lip of the harbor, filling a parking lot and low-lying streets and setting some cars afloat. In 2011 after the Japanese earthquake a series of surges cost $20 million of damage in the harbour.

Although experienced surfers would consider the waves reaching the West Coast barely high enough to qualify as swells, the National Weather Service warned that tsunamis cause deceptive water surges powerful enough to pull people out to sea.

Residents of American Samoa were alerted of a tsunami warning by local broadcasters as well as church bells that rang territory-wide Saturday. An outdoor siren warning system was out of service. Those living along the shoreline quickly moved to higher ground.

As night fell, there were no reports of any damage and the Hawaii-based tsunami centre cancelled the alert.

The eruption (pictured from a satellite) could be heard thousands of kilometres away and sparked warnings in New Zealand, Fiji and American Samoa

A tsunami advisory (orange) is in effect for Hawaii and the entire US Pacific seaboard, from the US/Mexico border all the way to the tip of Alaska's Aleutian Islands, after an undersea volcano erupted near Tonga

Authorities in the nearby island nations of Fiji and Samoa also issued warnings, telling people to avoid the shoreline due to strong currents and dangerous waves. In New Zealand, officials warned of possible storm surges from the eruption.

New Zealand's forecaster, Weather Watch, tweeted that people as far away as Southland, the country's southernmost region, reported hearing sonic booms from the eruption.

Others reported that many boats were damaged by a tsunami that hit a marina in Whangarei, in the Northland region.

Earlier, the Matangi Tonga news site reported that scientists observed massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after it started erupting early Friday. Satellite images showed a 3-mile-wide plume rising into the air to about 12 miles.

The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano is located about 64km north of the capital, Nuku'alofa.

In late 2014 and early 2015, a series of eruptions in the area created a small new island and disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

There is not a significant difference between volcanoes underwater and on land, and underwater volcanoes become bigger as they erupt, at some point usually breaching the surface, said Hans Schwaiger, a research geophysicist with the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

With underwater volcanoes, however, the water can add to the explosivity of the eruption as it hits the lava, Schwaiger added.

Before an explosion, there is generally an increase in small local earthquakes at the volcano, but depending on how far it is from land, that may not be felt by residents along the shoreline, Schwaiger said.

In 2019, Tonga lost internet access for nearly two weeks when a fiber-optic cable was severed. The director of the local cable company said at the time that a large ship may have cut the cable by dragging an anchor.

Until limited satellite access was restored people couldn't even make international calls.

Southern Cross Cable Network's Veverka said limited satellite connections exist between Tonga and other parts of the world but he did not know if they might be affected by power outages.
Having two vaccine jabs and a previous Covid infection provides 90 per cent protection from the virus for more than a year, a Government study has found.

The findings by the UK Health Security Agency shows two doses on top of a prior infection 'significantly reduces' both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, compared with just a previous infection.

The report debunks claims made by an NHS anaesthetist, Dr Steve James, that vaccination was unnecessary if someone had previously had the virus.

Having two vaccine jabs and a previous Covid infection provides 90 per cent protection from the virus for more than a year, a Government study has found (file photo used)

The study of 35,000 healthcare workers found unvaccinated individuals who had had Covid developed 85 per cent protection three to nine months later, but this dropped to 73 per cent 15 months after infection.

Those who were double jabbed and tested positive three to nine months previously had 91 per cent protection  and this was 90 per cent 15 months after catching Covid.

Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor of the UK Health Security Agency, who led the study, shared the findings after the debate around protection from prior infection was raised by Dr James, a consultant anaesthetist at King's College Hospital, London.

The findings show two doses on top of a prior infection 'significantly reduces' both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, compared with just a previous infection (file photo)

Dr James told Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, during a televised visit to the hospital that 'the science is not strong enough' to warrant mandatory jabs for front-line NHS workers, and that he had acquired immunity through infection.

But the study shows that those who are double jabbed have significantly more protection a year after infection.

Separately, the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine said it encourages all members and other NHS staff to get vaccinated.

'We note that the overwhelming majority of our members have been vaccinated regardless of prior infection, in line with the scientific evidence,' the two bodies said.

'Collectively, we need to listen to and acknowledge the concerns of those healthcare workers who have chosen so far not to be vaccinated, so that they are supported to make the best health choices for their patients, their families and themselves.'
A gene that reduces the severity of Covid infections by 20 per cent has been discovered by researchers.

The scientists said their discovery will help to create drugs that are effective against the virus.

It also explains why the disease's symptoms are so variable, hitting some harder than others.

The gene tells the body to make a protein that is effective at breaking down SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid (pictured in a file image)

The scientists said their discovery will help to create drugs that are effective against the virus (file photo used)

The gene tells the body to make a protein that is effective at breaking down SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid.

It is found in one in three people of white European ancestry, according to researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

In those of African heritage, it was present in eight out of ten individuals, found the study in Nature Genetics.

The gene determines the length of the protein OAS-1 and when it is longer, it is better at breaking down SARS-CoV-2.

Co-author Brent Richards, of McGill University said: 'That we are beginning to understand the genetic risk factors in detail is key to developing new drugs against COVID-19.'
A Met Police commander who bullied staff and made bogus expenses claims has been sacked for gross misconduct.

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin was accused of presiding over a 'boys club'.

He was said to have claimed more than 5,500 in expenses using the corporate credit card of a junior officer, which was blown on booze and flight upgrades on a week-long policing trip to Florida.

Mr Martin also allegedly belittled female officers, calling one pregnant colleague a 'f***ing nutter'.

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin, pictured, was accused of presiding over a 'boys club'

A police misconduct hearing was told Mr Martin, a borough commander in west London, liked to 'bellow' at another female colleague, saying she should make his tea and porridge.

Two other officers were found to have committed misconduct yesterday.

Scotland Yard said: 'The behaviour demonstrated by these officers has no place in the Met.

'It is right they have been subject to a detailed and thorough investigation by the Directorate of Professional Standards, resulting in a misconduct hearing and the subsequent sanctions.

'Three of the officers were of a leadership rank and should have been setting a strong example for the standards we hold in the Met.

'Instead they abused their trusted positions; in particular in the way they spoke to and treated more junior members of staff was appalling.

'This behaviour will not be tolerated by anyone in the Met and we will continue to investigate and hold to account those who act in this manner.'
She was outed as a CCP spy last week and had donated to several UK politicians

Christine Lee, 58, announced a project to get young Chinese politicians in power after being appointed legal adviser to the Chinese embassy

The Communist spy at the heart of an MI5 Whitehall security alert boasted about her plans to install Chinese MPs in the Commons as far back as 2007, it emerged yesterday.

Christine Lee, 58, the solicitor outed as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party, announced a project to get young politicians in power after being appointed legal adviser to the Chinese embassy.

The mother of twos political interference activities appear to date back 15 years when, just hours after stepping off a 13-hour flight from Beijing, she announced a plan to get the first Chinese MP elected.

Christine Lee, 58, the solicitor outed as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party, announced a project to get young Chinese politicians in power after being appointed legal adviser to the Chinese embassy

We have been silent for too long. We will not be silent any more, she told Time Out London. Chinese here dont do [British] politics.

We need to use our voices to be seen and heard.

On her website, which has now been closed, she told of her influence as adviser to the embassy in London.

It comes as a former head of MI5 accused ministers of failing to act on warnings that might have stopped her infiltrating Westminster.

Lord Evans of Weardale, who ran MI5 between 2007 and 2013, also told The Sunday Times that foreign interference is a live and present threat to democracy.

The Chinese embassy has rejected the claims, saying: China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.
'Trump has been telling a range of aides a version of, he isn't getting the deference from DeSantis that he wants in the pre-2024 leadup' the source said

The Florida governor 'won't say he won't run [in 2024]. ... The others have stated pretty clearly they won't challenge him,' the source went on to say of DeSantis

'He says DeSantis has no personal charisma and has a dull personality,' the source added

The two are among the most popular Republican figures in the country as Trump and potentially DeSantis eye a presidential run in 2024

The former president also gave DeSantis no chance of defeating him in a possible 2024 election

Donald Trump is said to have been trashing Ron DeSantis in private, calling the Florida governor an ingrate with a 'dull personality'

Donald Trump is said to have branded Ron DeSantis a 'dull' charisma free-zone as rumors swirl the former president is angry the popular Florida governor hasn't said that he won't challenge Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.

Sources close to the former president who have recently talked to him about DeSantis said Trump has grown increasingly irked by DeSantis in recent months, with Trump beginning to voice his frustrations to those in his inner circle.

'In the context of the 2024 election, he usually gives DeSantis a pop in the nose in the middle of that type of conversation,' said a source who recently spoke to Trump about DeSantis.

'He says DeSantis has no personal charisma and has a dull personality,' the source told Axios.

Trump and DeSantis are pictured at a Florida rally in November 2019. The former president is now said to be bashing the popular Florida governor behind his back, with speculation mounting that the two men could face-off for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination

The two are among the most popular Republican figures in the country, and with Trump eyeing another presidential run in 2024, many political pundits believe he is irritated by DeSantis' interest in running against him and his growing popularity.

Trump is said to be further annoyed that DeSantis hasn't come out to say he wouldn't run against the former president if he did opt to launch another White House bid.

Trump hasn't actually announced his own bid, and isn't expected to do so until early next year.

Those close to the former president say they expect him to launch a second White House run - but also admit Trump may choose to act as a 'kingmaker' for the next presidential candidate instead.

The source, who was not named or identified, said they have heard Trump regularly criticize DeSantis on more than one occasion.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addresses a joint session of a legislative session, January 11, 2022, in Tallahassee, Florida

The root of Trump's ire towards DeSantis appears to stem from the face that the Florida governor 'won't say he won't run [in 2024]. ... The others have stated pretty clearly they won't challenge him,' the source went on to say.

'Trump has been telling a range of aides a version of, he isn't getting the deference from DeSantis that he wants in the pre-2024 leadup.'

DeSantis, for his part, has told friends he believes Trump's expectation that he bend the knee is asking too much, The New York Times reported.

The Florida governor is up for re-election this year. And Trump claims he made the politician. The former president backed then Congressman DeSantis in the Republican primary during the 2018 gubenatorial election. DeSantis won the general election by heavily tying himself to Trump, including running TV ads where DeSantis taught his children how to 'build the wall' and say 'Make America Great Again.'

'Look, I helped Ron DeSantis at a level that nobody's ever seen before,' Trump told The New York Times' Jeremy Peters for his forthcoming book, 'Insurgency,' on the rightward shift of the Republican Party.

Trump said he believed DeSantis 'didn't have a chance' of winning without his help.

When Trump was president, DeSantis was a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private club in Palm Beach. The two would often dine together when Trump was in town.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Trump tore into politicians - DeSantis included - who will not say whether they have had their COVID vaccine or booster, deeming them 'gutless.'

'I've taken it, I've had the booster,' Trump said.

'Many politicians - I've watched a couple of politicians be interviewed and one of the questions was 'did you get the booster,' he continued. 'The answer is yes but they don't want to say it, because they're gutless. You gotta say it, whether you've had it or not, say it.'

DeSantis (R) sits next to Trump and Kristi Noem during a meeting with Governors elects in the Cabinet Room at the White House on December 13, 2018 in Washington, DC

Trump (R) listens as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks ahead of the signing an executive order on lowering drug prices at the White House, in Washington, DC on July 24, 2020

'The vaccine has saved tens of millions of people throughout the world. I have had absolutely no side effects,' he said in an interview with OAN that aired Tuesday night.

Still, the former president said he does not think young people should get the jab.

'I don't think young, healthy people should take it. I think that, certainly these young kids their immune system is so strong,' he continued, before telling how his 15-year-old son Barron had Covid-19 for 'like two seconds.'

Trump had also said he was so confident of being the GOP nominee he has said that if he runs again for president, most other Republicans would 'drop out.'

In October, Trump bragged that if he were to run against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whose popularity has has soared during the pandemic, for the 2024 GOP nomination, he would easily 'beat him'.

Former President Donald Trump listens to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speak about the coronavirus response during a meeting at the White House in Washington, April 28, 2020

Former President Donald Trump introduces Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a homecoming campaign rally at the BB&T Center on November 26, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida

'If I faced him, I'd beat him like I would beat everyone else,' he said at the time.

'I don't think I will face him,' Trump said during the interview. 'I think most people would drop out, I think he would drop out.'

Trump made the prediction during an interview with Yahoo Finance.

The former president, who lost the 2020 general election, still remains popular and has a lot of influence among Republican voters and GOP politicians as he toys with the idea of a third run at the presidency.

'It's getting to a point where we really have no choice' Trump said last month about him running.

On September 11th he gave an even clearer indication that he was considering running once again.
Radio broadcaster Ray Hadley has confronted NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet over the lifting of Covid rules while accusing him of badmouthing him behind his back.

Appearing on Hadley's 2GB morning program on Monday, Premier Dominic Perrottet denied he was referring to people like Hadley when he said he would not 'give in to the bedwetters' by re-introducing Covid restrictions.

'I don't know where that's come from, I haven't made those comments in cabinet at all,' Mr Perrottet responded.

Hadley responded that people had told him Mr Perrottet had called 'people like me' bedwetters after a few drinks at a pre-Christmas function.

'Ray, I have no recollection of that,' Mr Perrottet responded.

Hadley also claimed former premier Gladys Berejiklian had directly told him Mr Perrottet was part of 'a team' who pushed for most Covid restrictions to be dropped on December 15.

'Don't blame Gladys, she's gone!' Hadley told Mr Perrottet when the premier said the roadmap for removing restrictions had been in existence before he took the top job.

'You were part of the team pushing the December 15 date, whether you deny it or not, because that comes straight from her to me,' Hadley said.

'You deny it, Im telling you she says that you were part of the push to get the brakes released on December 15, and when you became Premier you were intent on doing it.'

Hadley has been a vocal opponent of Mr Perrottet's decision to end a range of Covid restrictions in mid-December, particularly as the Omicron variant began to take hold across the state.

'We've always made changes based on the information in front of us,' Mr Perrottet said.

2GB's Ray Hadley Hadley told NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet that people had told him the premier called 'people like me' bedwetters about their concerns on the lifting of Covid rules after a few drinks at a pre-Christmas function

Hadley said respected clinical immunologist Graham Stewart had told him that Mr Perrottet could not have done more to make the current Omicron outbreak worse

The premier said he had delayed the original re-opening date in NSW by two weeks to allow the full vaccination rate to increase.

Mr Perrottet said he didn't see decisions about ending or reintroducing public health measures as backflips but as 'adjusting to the circumstances we find ourselves in'.

He said it was a misconception that he had removed masks altogether saying the government's position was to 'highly recommend' the wearing of masks before it was made mandatory again on December 22 until January 27

'Did you tell ministers after the reshuffle we won't cave in to NSW Health on masks?

'No...' Mr Perrottet began to respond.

'See what you've got to understand, Dominic, is that there are people leaking to me because they're not happy with you, ok?', Hadley said. "And they're very senior members of your government.'

'It's no good denying it, I know you said it... and you did cave in on the 23rd.'

'What I said was we highly recommend masks on the 15th of December, that was the point that we made,' Mr Perrottet responded.

Hadley said NSW and Australia had been 'the blue chip' of controlling the virus and was now no better than many other countries.

'You're sending people back into childcare centres who are close contacts to deal with little children who can't be vaccinated.

'Yes, we were [in a better position] Dominic... now we're no better than many other nations in the world, and this has happened under your premiership.'

'Ray, I disagree with you,' Mr Perrottet said, pointing to the state's high vaccination rate.

Mr Perrottet said the former strategy of pursuing a Covid elimination goal had to make way for living with the virus.

Hadley said respected clinical immunologist Graham Stewart had told him that Mr Perrottet could not have done more to make the current Omicron outbreak worse.

'You, as premier, you could not have done more to make it worse and herd infection won't produce herd immunity,' Hadley said.

'That's the sort of people I rely on, not someone who doesn't care or does care about whether they get re-elected in 2023.'

On December 23 Mr Perrottet announced masks would again be required for indoor settings and reintroduced the two square metre rule for venues, earning a rebuke from Hadley

On December 23 Mr Perrottet announced masks would again be required for indoor settings and reintroduced the two square metre rule for venues, earning a rebuke from radio host Hadley.

'The boy Premier decided he knew more on December 15 and a week later, what did he do?' Hadley asked. 'Seven days after he made the decision, he reversed a decision he should never have made in the first place.

'I know one thing: this will cost him the premiership in 2023.'

NSW reported 29,504 new cases and 17 deaths on Monday - down 15 per cent from the 34,660 infections and 20 deaths recorded on Sunday.

Hospitalisation numbers edged higher, with NSW hospitals treating 2,776 patients - up from 2,650, while there were now 203 patients now in NSW ICU units, up from 191.
North Korea has fired two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea in its fourth weapons launch this month, South Koreas military said, with the apparent goal of demonstrating its military might.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North likely fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area in Sunan, the location of Pyongyangs international airport, but didnt immediately say how far they flew.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the missiles did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to its allies, but highlighted the destabilizing impact of the Norths 'illicit' weapons program.

Tensions between North Korea and the US have risen since Joe Biden became president. And last Monday, all airports across the west coast of the United States were ordered by the FAA to halt all operations by the Federal Aviation Authority, moments after a prior launch from the rogue state

This picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Monday shows a firing drill of railway-borne missile regiment is held in North Pyongan Province

North Korea state television shows the test firing of railway-borne missile that took place on Friday

This picture taken on January 11, 2022 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, speaking with military officials during an observation of what state media says was aa hypersonic missile test-fire

People watch a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with a file image, at a train station in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is pictured. The country fired a projectile into sea in the fourth launch this month, South Korea said on Monday

Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said the missiles landed outside the Japans exclusive economic zone, and the chief cabinet secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, condemned North Korea's actions as threats to peace.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who is visiting the United Arab Emirates, instructed officials to make 'utmost efforts to ensure stability' on the Korean Peninsula, his office said.

It also said members of the presidential National Security Council stressed the need to revive nuclear diplomacy with Pyongyang.

North Korea had conducted a pair of flight tests of a purported hypersonic missile on January 5 and January 11 and also test-fired ballistic missiles from a train Friday in an apparent reprisal over fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration last week for its continuing test launches.

North Korea has been ramping up tests in recent months of new missiles designed to overwhelm missile defenses in the region.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes what state media report is a hypersonic missile test at an undisclosed location in North Korea last week, on January 11

A picture of a test missile launch from January 5 is shown here

North Korea on Monday fired two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea in its fourth weapons launch this month, South Korea's military said

North Korea's goal was to demonstrate its military might amid paused diplomacy with the United States and pandemic border closures

Some experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is going back to a tried-and-true technique of pressuring its neighbors and the U.S. with missile launches and outrageous threats before offering negotiations meant to extract concessions.

A U.S.-led diplomatic push aimed at convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program collapsed in 2019 after the Trump administration rejected the Norths demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

That came after a historic June 2018 summit between Trump and Kim in Singapore.

Kim has since pledged to further expand a nuclear arsenal he clearly sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.

His government has so far rejected the Biden administrations call to resume dialogue without preconditions, saying that Washington must first abandon its 'hostile policy,' a term Pyongyang mainly uses to describe sanctions and combined U.S.-South Korea military exercises.

Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Seouls University of North Korean Studies, said the North may have conducted another launch to pressure Washington and could continue to dial up its testing activity after vowing stronger action over what it perceives as U.S. hostility.

A man watches a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch at a train station in Seoul, South Korea

Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on five North Koreans over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the Norths missile programs in its response to the Norths earlier tests this month.

The State Department ordered sanctions against another North Korean, a Russian man and a Russian company for their broader support of North Koreas weapons of mass destruction activities, and the Biden administration also said it would pursue additional U.N. sanctions over the Norths continued tests.

The announcement of the sanctions just came hours after North Korean state media said Kim Jong Un oversaw a successful test of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday, which was the countrys second test of the system in a week, and claimed that the weapon would greatly increase the countrys 'war deterrent.'

The North also on Friday fired two short-range ballistic missiles from a train in an apparent retaliation against the fresh U.S. sanctions tied to the hypersonic tests.

Fridays test came hours after the Norths Foreign Ministry issued a statement berating the Biden administration over the new sanctions and warned of 'stronger and certain reaction' if Washington maintains its confrontational stance.
Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood seek to shake stability on both sides of the Jordan River By Pinhas Inbari

web posted January 17, 2022 Hamas attempts, led by Saleh Arouri, to infiltrate the West Bank, worry not only Israel but Ramallah and Jordan as well. Hamas efforts are currently the common denominator for the cooperation required of Israel and Jordan. Israeli and Palestinian Authority forces are already operating in the Jenin region of the West Bank. This is an opportunity to examine what is happening in Jordan. Developments there should be troubling King Abdullah II. Although Jordan is currently calm domestically, and there are no violent events like in Jenin, the Jordanian parliament is giving the king stress. According to comments from journalists close to the palace, the king views the Muslim Brotherhood (Hamas umbrella organization) as the source of the unrest. In mid-December, the Jordanian parliament challenged the governments far-reaching water and electricity agreements with Israel. 2 Then, on December 28, 2021, a brawl took place while the lawmakers discussed changing the fundamental laws to ensure gender equality. When it deliberated whether to attach the Arabic feminine form of the word Jordanian [Jordanienne (sic)] alongside the masculine form of Jordanian, an uproar erupted that included swearing and an exchange of blows. Eventually, a compromise was reached, under which the Arabic feminine form of the word Jordanienne entered the fundamental laws. The parliament passed amendments that enabled the king to appoint top public security and judicial officials, along with the grand mufti and royal advisers. An amendment was also approved to establish a National Security Council controlled by the king, which would handle all issues related to defense and security. But it came at a price. In an unprecedented move, the parliament removed the king as the head of the parliamentary security committee. Jordanian journalists close to the royal palace accused the Muslim Brotherhood of planning the provocations in parliament. The veteran leader of the Muslim Brotherhood branch in Jordan, Laith Shubeilat, did not hesitate to accuse the Brotherhoods new generation of having ties to foreign entities  namely Iran. Shubeilat is no lapdog for the Hashemite regime; he had a strained relationship with King Hussein and was arrested several times. In a recording released on January 3, 2022, Shubeilat was heard attacking the Brotherhood leaderships corruption: You preserved the organization, and you did not preserve the religion. Jordanian publicist Ahmed Salama reported that when King Abdullah allowed Khalid Mishaal and Ismail Haniyeh to attend the funeral of a senior member of the Brotherhood, Ibrahim Ghosheh, in August 2021, they used this humane gesture to persuade mourners to recognize the two Hamas figures as leaders of Jordans own Islamic faction. The funeral turned into a pledge of allegiance to Hamas and its leaders, Salama wrote. Moreover, their incitement was an embarrassment to the governments alliance with the Ramallah authority. The goal of the Brotherhood, according to Salama, is to fragment Jordan as they have divided the Palestinians. Its logic is clear: just as they opened the door to Iran in Gaza, they want to divide Jordan to allow Irans infiltration as well. 6 Arouris attempts to infiltrate the West Bank are understood in Jordan as part of an Iranian mission also to infiltrate the East Bank. Faced with this Hamas strategy, Jordan must coordinate with Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Pinhas Inbari is a veteran Arab affairs correspondent who formerly reported for Israel Radio and Al Hamishmar newspaper, and currently serves as an analyst for the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Home
Heartbroken AFL hero Dustin Martin and his family may never know exactly how his dad Shane died at home alone in New Zealand last month.

The body of the former Rebels bikie boss was reportedly found in his kitchen in Mount Maunganui, 200km south-east of Auckland, a week before Christmas.

But a month later, his death certificate still remains blank and the results of a post mortem and toxicology report won't be revealed for months.

The NZ coroner's office also confirmed intimate details of his final moments might never be known after investigators ruled out an official inquest into the death.

Now his family are understood to be arranging transport of his body to Australia for a funeral after it was officially released by the coroner.

Heartbroken AFL hero Dustin Martin and his family may never know exactly how his dad Shane (pictured together with Dustin) died at home alone in New Zealand last month

Mr Martin had battled depression for years after being cut off from Richmond Tigers great Dustin, 30, but mystery still surrounds his death on December 17.

Detectives have ruled out anything criminal behind the tragedy and it's understood Mr Martin, 54, did not self-harm.

But question marks still remain after police closed the investigation when they found there were no suspicious circumstances.

New Zealand Ministry of Justice coroners are still trying to determine if the death was natural causes, an accident or drugs-related.

The body of former Rebels bikie boss Shane Martin (pictured in Auckland with Australian actress Rachel Griffiths) was reportedly found in his kitchen a week before Christmas

It is understood the family have been told he may have suffered a heart attack after he was reportedly found face down on his kitchen floor.

But his death certificate will not be issued for months to come.

It's awaiting the result of a post mortem, including a toxicology report, which was carried out in the days following his death.

However the autopsy findings are not expected to be known until April, five months after Mr Martin's death.

A month later, the death certificate for Shane Martin (pictured) still remains blank and the results of a post mortem and toxicology report won't be known for months

And even once the post mortem results are revealed, the full details of his death and the events leading up to it will remain a mystery after coroners ruled out an inquest.

'The cause and circumstances of death have yet to be determined,' a spokesman for the NZ Ministry of Justice told Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

The body was released to his shocked family on December 21 who hoped to fly it to Australia for the funeral because of New Zealand's strict Covid travel restrictions.

It's believed those arrangements are still underway. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Richmond FC for confirmation.

Heartbroken dad Shane Martin (pictured) battled depression for years after being cut off from his AFL hero son Dustin Martin, but mystery still surrounds his death in New Zealand

The dad of three had been living in New Zealand since he was kicked out of Australia in 2016, when his visa was cancelled over his gangland connections.

The tattooed Maori hardman was devastated to be cut off from his family, decades after he moved across the Tasman Sea and met Dustin's Australian mother, Kathy Knight.

'I was depressed and angry for a while and took it out on my wife a bit,' he revealed in 2019. 'It wasn't her fault but she stood strong. Now we're living together.

'We'd just got married, two weeks after that I got deported, separated for nearly three years.'

The body of the former Rebels bikie boss was found at his home on Terrace Avenue in Mount Maunganui (pictured), on the Bay of Plenty, 200km south-east of Auckland, last month

He had to watch his son win in Richmond Tigers' 2019 and 2020 grand final victories on television from New Zealand after a bid to fly over was thwarted.

'It's pretty hard to see it on TV when I should be there, really, but that's another story,' he admitted in 2020.

'It's still a proud moment but I would have loved to be there, but yeah, you know, it is what it is, don't want to take the moment away from it.'

Covid restrictions meant even triple Norm Smith medallist Dustin, 30, was unable to fly over to New Zealand until April this year, and he begged authorities to have pity.

Shane Martin had to watch his son win in Richmond Tigers' 2019 and 2020 grand final victories on television from New Zealand after a bid to fly over was thwarted

'It's been a massive challenge, but it is what it is,' Martin said in March

'I love my dad and he's made me the man I am today. I've got full belief he'll back here to watch us win another flag.

'That's my dream to be able to have the old man up there [in the grandstand] with the rest of my family and watch the Tiges win another flag.'

Shane's final attempt to return to Australian ended in frustration when he was held at Sydney Airport by Australian Border Force in February 2020 before he was sent home again.

The tattooed Maori hardman was devastated to be cut off from his Dustin Martin (pictured) and his family, decades after he moved across the Tasman and met Dustin's mother, Kathy Knight

'It s***s me that you can't keep in contact with people who have been a big part of your life,' he fumed.

'I met some really good, respectful people, I don't regret it. It sort of annoys me how people look down on bikies, or clubbies. They do have morals, respect and loyalty.

'They respect what Im fighting for and vice versa.'
A young learner driver won't be able to get back behind the wheel anytime soon after crashing his car on a busy road while allegedly drunk.

NSW Police allege the male driver, 21, also broke the law by driving his uninsured Toyota Prado unaccompanied without an instructor.

Officers said he long list of allegedly wrong decisions by the unexperienced driver could have cost him his life.

Highway patrol officers arrived at Elizabeth Drive in Bonnyrigg in Sydney's south-west about 6pm last Friday to find the car impaled on a divider fence.

A learner driver was lucky to escape unscathed after crashing his uninsured Toyota Prado into a centre divide barrier

Police alleged the learner driver was the only occupant in the vehicle and was behind unsupervised.

The man was arrested after a positive blood alcohol test and later returned a reading of 0.136, almost three times the legal limit for a full licence driver.

The legal blood alcohol limit for learner and provisional drivers is zero.

Police also alleged the man admitted during questioning his Toyota Prado was not insured.

Police allege cans of Wild Turkey bourbon (pictured) were found at the crash scene

The crash unfolded on Elizabeth Drive near Liverpool on one of the busiest roads in south-west Sydney, causing extensive damage (pictured)

He was issued with a court attendance notice and had his learner licence suspended immediately.

He was charged with mid range drink driving, negligent driving by a learner driver, not displaying L plates, driving a vehicle without a licence and driving without being accompanied.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command shared photos of the damaged car and a can of Woodstock Wild Turkey allegedly found in the vehicle in the hope of discouraging other young drivers from making the same mistakes.

The centre divide fence stretching along Elizabeth Drive was also damaged.

'Fortunately, the driver nor any other persons were injured as a result of these decisions,' the Facebook post read.
A mentally disturbed transgender woman who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl could be allowed to serve her sentence under house arrest, after the Los Angeles County district attorney refused to prosecute the 26-year-old as an adult for the crime committed shortly before their 18th birthday.

Hannah Tubbs's case has sparked anger and confusion in Los Angeles, and raised uncomfortable questions for the famously liberal DA, George Gascon, about how he deals with transgender criminals and young offenders.

Tubbs was a boy named James when, on New Year's Eve in 2014, he spotted a 10-year-old girl at a Denny's in Palmdale, California.

He followed the girl into the bathroom, held her by the throat and forced his hand down the girl's pants. He only stopped when someone came into the restroom, and then ran away before he could be stopped. He was two weeks off his 18th birthday at the time - with Gascon refusing to sentence Tubbs as an adult because the defendant was 17 when the attack took place.

On New Year's Eve in 2014, James Tubbs was seen on surveillance camera footage entering a Denny's in Palmdale, California, where he sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl

Denny's in Palmdale, at 37050 47th St E, where the girl was attacked in 2014

At the time, police said the suspect was a panhandler with the nickname 'Shrink' who frequented a nearby Chevron gas station early mornings.

He was described as an 18- to 20-year-old man, standing about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds, ABC reported at the time.

Tubbs was described as walking with a noticeable limp and was 'holding his hands down in an odd fashion,' according to a county sheriff's sergeant

The man walked with a noticeable limp and was 'holding his hands down in an odd fashion,' according to a county sheriff's sergeant.

Tubbs then vanished, until he was arrested in Idaho in 2019 on suspicion of battery.

DNA entered into a database that matched Tubbs with the sexual assault at Denny's, and the accused was brought back to California - by which point there were arrests, according to Fox, for battery, drug possession and probation violations in Idaho and Washington.

Tubbs had now transitioned and was known as Hannah.

Hannah Tubbs pleaded guilty to the 2014 crime after being charged in early 2020, and will be sentenced later this month.

But Gascon has said that he will not press for jail time in an adult facility, as the crime was committed while Tubbs was a minor.

Tubbs instead faces a stay at a juvenile custody facility - even though she is too old for juvenile hall - or will be granted probation at a court, according to the LA Times.

The Sheriff's Department has also offered to house Tubbs in an adult facility, likely a county jail.

Tubbs was extradited from Idaho to California, but George Gascon (pictured), the DA, is refusing to prosecute the 26-year-old as an adult

Gascon told the outlet he was concerned Tubbs could be victimized in an adult facility as a trans woman and said a probation report recommended she be sentenced to home confinement.

Prosecutors asked that Tubbs be kept in custody for two years instead.

Tubbs might also qualify as 'developmentally disabled' and has multiple mental illnesses, the LA Times reported.

'The defendant entered an open plea to the court, leaving it up to the judge to decide what the sentence should be,' said a spokesman for Gascon's office.

'Our office is seeking that he be placed in a custodial setting in a sheriff's facility for two years.'

Gascon's approach has sparked widespread anger.

Kathryn Barger, on the board of supervisors for Los Angeles County's Fifth District, said the family of the young girl attacked by Tubbs deserved justice.

'It's useless to catch criminals like Hannah Tubbs if we don't follow through and seek justice for victims such as the 10-year-old girl she sexually assaulted,' said Barger.

'She bears the burden of a lifetime of trauma.

'[Tubbs] will be offered therapeutic interventions under the auspices of 'restorative justice' ... and possibly granted only probation or parole.

'Where is the justice for her young victim and her family?'

A campaign has been growing for Gascon to be recalled

In July 2021, protesters in Santa Clarita demanded the recall of Gascon

Jon Hatami, a prosecutor and supporter of the movement to recall Gascon, said Tubbs was too dangerous to be in the juvenile system.

'This clearly shows you the dangerous aspect of the blanket policies of George Gascon,' he said.

'Here you have a person who has committed at least two sexual assaults of young girls who is now 26 years old and has a history of violent conduct in the past.

'This is not somebody who should appear in the juvenile system.'

LA County Deputy District Attorney, John McKinney, strongly disagreed with Gascon's decision.

'The DA is trying to distance himself from this result and lay blame on the judge when in fact, it's only happened because of his policy against transferring juvenile cases to adult court,' said McKinney.

'Two years is a pathetic outcome for man who is a career criminal with felony convictions in multiple states and who committed forcible sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in a Denny's bathroom.

'What is happening is our district attorney is ushering him right out the door, back onto the streets of this county and God knows where else he might roam.

'It's madness, it makes a mockery of our criminal justice system.'

Lt. Richard Ruiz with the LA County Sheriff's Special Victims Unit - the same unit that investigated the Tubbs case in 2014 - told Fox his department is outraged.

'I would ask the public to reach out to Mr Gascon and express their concerns and their outrage on a matter such as this involving a sexual predator,' he said.
A former top advisor to Bill Clinton says there's a 'good chance' Hillary Clinton will run against Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election if the current administration loses Congress in the midterms.

Dick Morris claimed Sunday morning a Clinton-Trump rematch is likely if the Democrats don't pull the successful results in November's election, alleging the failure would cause the party to turn on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

'There's a good chance of it,' Morris told WABC radio host John Catsimatidis before applauding the former presidential nominee's campaign strategy, which could see her face-off against Donald Trump again after Trump beat her to the White House in 2016.

'Hillary has set up a brilliant, brilliant strategy that nobody else is able to do.'

He continued: 'What she's done  at a point at which no Democrat is willing to come out and criticize Joe Biden, but all Democrats are disappointed with him and have to realize the ultimate correctness of our accusations that he was incompetent to be president  she has set up a zero-sum gain with him.

'The worse he does, the better she does because she's positioned herself as the Democratic alternative to Biden.'

Dick Morris claimed there's a 'good chance' for a Clinton-Trump rematch and believes Clinton has 'set up a brilliant, brilliant strategy' by positioning herself as the opposition to the Biden-Harris Administration

Morris also claimed Clinton, 74, has portrayed herself as the opposition to the extreme left and cautioned her own party to be cognizant of the candidates they're running in what she refers to as 'purple districts'.

That appears to be an attack on 'woke' progressive policies that have been blamed for turning many centrist Dems away from the party.

The former political advisor alleged 'there is only one person capable of that level of thinking  and that's her husband, Bill.'

Although Clinton has not yet said if she intends to enter the bid for president in 2024, she has publicly taken aim at the current administration's efforts, saying they 'mean nothing if we don't have a Congress that will get things done and we don't have a White House that we can count on to be sane and sober and stable and productive'.

Morris alleged Clinton is well positioned to be the Democratic party's change candidate who can reference Biden's failures, noting that a 'left-wing took over the party and led us into disaster in the 2022 midterms'.

A former top advisor to Bill Clinton says there's a 'good chance' Hillary Clinton (pictured December 2021) will run against Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election if the current administration loses Congress in the midterms

'The person who staked out the turf first and owns the turf in the Democratic Party is going to be Hillary. It's a brilliant, brilliant strategy,' he explained.

His comments come just weeks after Clinton warned the Democratic Party it needs to be 'clear eyed' about what wins elections - a tacit warning that its progressive wing risks handing midterm victories to the Republican Party.

She told NBC's Willie Geist last month that Democrats needed candidates who could win in purple states if it was to have a Congress that will 'get things done.'

Her comments reflect divisions in both parties, as centrists grapple with fringes that offer ideological purity and headline generating Twitter accounts.

For Democrats, that means the so-called Squad of progressives - including the likes of Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar.

'I think that it is a time for some careful thinking about what wins elections, and not just in deep blue districts where a democrat and a liberal Democrat or so-called progressive Democrat is going to win,' said Clinton.

Morris believes President Joe Biden (right) and VP Kamala Harris (left) will lead the Democratic party into a 'disaster' in the 2022 midterms. He believes this is beneficial to Clinton's campaign saying: 'The worse he does, the better she does because she's positioned herself as the Democratic alternative to Biden'

'We've got to be very clear eyed about what it's going to take to hold the House and the Senate in 2022. And to win the electoral college because also Republicans are doing everything they can to create an environment in which winning the Electoral College, even narrowly the way Joe Biden did will be out of reach for Democrats,' she argued in December, just weeks after the party's defeat in Virginia's gubernatorial election.

She added that she understood why politicians would want to argue for their own priorities.

'But at the end of the day, nothing is going to get done if you don't have a Democratic majority in the House, in the Senate, and our majority comes from people who win in much more difficult districts and our majority in the Senate comes from people who can win in not just blue states and hold those wins ... but can win in more purpleish states,' she said.

'So this is going to be a very intense period, not just for the Democratic Party, but for the country.'

Morris, referencing her commentary, said Sunday: 'She was absolutely right and nobody else has the guts to say that.'

He alleged other Democrats had to keep their alliance with the extreme left because 'that's their potential base'.

Morris' remarks come just weeks after Clinton, during an NBC interview (pictured), warned the Democratic Party it needs to be 'clear eyed' about what wins elections - a tacit warning that its progressive wing risks handing midterm victories to the Republican Party

She said last month that Democrats needed candidates who could win in purple states if it was to have a Congress that will 'get things done" as opposed to the so-called Squad of progressives like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) and Ilhan Omar (right)

'Hillary can say "go to hell, I don't care about you guys. I'm going to be the anti-Chirst, I'm going to run against you." Therefore, she's the only one between now and the end of the midterm elections who's prepared to say what the truth is,' Morris said.

He added: 'She staked out a ground, not on ideological issues, but on pragmatism.'

Morris' statements echo those made last week in a Wall Street Journal op-ed making a case for a Clinton 2024 run.

The authors cited Biden and Harris' poor poll numbers, alleging they could open doors for the former Secretary of State.

'She is already in an advantageous position to become the 2024 Democratic nominee,' Democratic political consultant Doug Schoen and former New York City Council president Andrew Stein wrote.

'She is an experienced national figure who is younger than Mr. Biden and can offer a different approach from the disorganized and unpopular one the party is currently taking.'

However, others argue Clinton isn't 'forward-thinking' enough to secure a bid for the 2024 race.

'Democrats have a rich history of bringing old-school politicians out of the stables for a comeback and having them get slaughtered,' Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Campaign Change Committee, told The Hill Sunday.

Although neither Clinton (right) nor Trump (left) have announced plans to run in 2024, political analysts have made cases for both of them (Pictured: 2016 presidential debate in New York)

'Not just Hillary Clinton in 2016 but Senate candidates like Ted Strickland in Ohio, Russ Feingold in Wisconsin, Phil Bredesen in Tennessee and Walter Mondale in Minnesota.'

'We need forward-looking leaders who stand for a new vision and not the politics of yesteryear that everybody hates,' he added.

Although Clinton has not formally stated if she plans to run for president in 2024, a source close to the former First Lady and her husband claims the couple wants to return to prominence in the Democratic Party.

'Its a perpetual itch that will never go away,' the insider told Politico. 'They know how to slowly reenter. The Clintons want to reset the board in their favor and then move the pieces.

Trump also hasn't announced if he plans to run 2024, but he has publicly said hes thinking about it.'

'I think a lot of people will be very happy, frankly, with the decision, and probably will announce that after the midterms,' he said in an interview in November.

Recent polls have shown he is favored above other potential Republican candidates.

In a Reuters survey published last month, 54 percent of Republicans said they would pick Trump as their top choice. Eleven percent indicated they favored Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams has been blasted for saying there's only a 'perception' of danger on the city's subway, the day after a passenger was pushed to her death in a seemingly random attack.

Speaking at a press conference in the wake of Saturday's murder, Adams said: 'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system I think it's about 1.7 percent of the crimes in New York City that occur on the subway system.

'Think about that for a moment,' he added. 'What we must do is remove the perception of fear.

'Cases like this aggravate the perception of fear,' he said referring to the death of subway rider Michelle Go, 40  who was unexpectedly killed when suspect Simon Martial, 61, allegedly pushed her in front of an oncoming MTA train on Saturday morning at the station on West 42nd St and Broadway.

Go is believed to have been a senior manager at Deloitte Consulting.

'When you see homeless individuals with mental health issues not being attended to and given the proper services, that adds to the perception of fear,' Adams said.

Former Republican mayor candidate and Adam's arch-nemesis, Curtis Sliwa, was the first among many users on Twitter to criticize the relatively new mayor's comments, sharing on Sunday:

'The WHO has a song that says 'the new boss is the same as the old boss.' Adams is saying what DeBlasio said for 8 yrs - #mta crime is a perception & not real. He won't confront Bragg & covers up subway crime. What happened to the law & order candidate?'

He was referring to Adams' status as a former NYPD cop - and repeated promises to stamp-out spiraling crime in the Big Apple.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams insisted on Sunday that subways are still safe and there is only perception of fear among commuters as an estimated 1.7 percent of the crimes in the city occur on the MTA system.

Former Republican candidate for the mayor's seat in the Big Apple, Curtis Sliwa, criticized Adams' comments on Sunday, writing online: 'What happened to the law & order candidate?'

Twitter users online lashed out at Adams for downplaying the amount of crimes on the Big Apple's subway, with the majority saying the 'perception' that the mayor chose to describe the violence as is very much a 'reality'

Others also joined in Sliwa's condemnation of Adams, saying the feeling of danger on the Big Apple's subway is not a 'perception' as the mayor claims, but a 'reality' for many daily commuters.

'It is a reality, not perception that way too many of your constituents are facing @NYCMayor,' the Victims Rights NYC PAC wrote. 'They did not elect you to further gaslight them. They hired you based on your promises of public safety & they will fire you do not deliver.'

Senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and NY Post columnist, Nicole Gelinas was also vocal of Adams' choice of words, sharing on Twitter: 'Where Adams either quickly recovers or irrevocably falls apart early. We dont have a perception problem of subway violence. We have a reality problem. 16 random unprovoked stranger subway murders since 3/20 (including 2 this new year) are enough.'

Another NY post staffer, Kristen Flemming, took a dig at the newly-elected mayor, saying that 'Michelle Gos family might have something to say about this perception.

Alleged killer Martial was charged with second-degree murder after the Saturday morning incident at around 9:40 a.m. Go, of Asian descent, was a NYC resident in the city's Upper West Side of Manhattan. It remains unclear if the killing was racially-motivated.

Simon Martial, 61, was arrested after he allegedly shoved Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, right, onto the subway tracks and killed her

Martial has a history of mental illness and told reporters to 'go f*** yourself' as he was walked out of a Midtown precinct on Saturday night, declaring himself 'God.'

'Yeah because I'm God,' he said when asked if he killed Go, the New York Post reported. 'Yes I did. I'm God, I can do it.'

He then claimed: 'She stole my f***ing jacket, that's why.'

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack was 'unprovoked' and the victim 'does not appear to have any interaction with the subject.'

Prior to her death, Go worked as a senior manager of strategy and operations for management and acquisitions at Deloitte Consulting, according to her LinkedIn.

She graduated from University of California Los Angeles with a bachelor's in economics and public policy, and earned her Master of Business Administration from New York University.

Martial reportedly shoved Go onto the tracks as a southbound R train approached the station in a seemingly random attack. He purportedly had approached a different woman, who was not Asian, but she moved away, police said.

Martial has a lengthy criminal history, including serving two years in state prison for attempted robbery before being released in August 2021, the New York Post reported, citing state records.

Simon Martial, 61, is charged with second-degree murder after the Saturday morning incident. He was seen Saturday night leaving a Midtown precinct

Before becoming New York City's new mayor, Adams first rose to public prominence as a young police officer and co-founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, an advocacy group that called for criminal reform and an end to racial profiling and police brutality.

He ran his 2021 mayoral campaign on increasing the relatively expansive role for the New York Police Department in promoting public safety in the city, particularly when it comes to fighting rising gun violence, crimes done in the public eye and racially-motivated attacks on Asian-American and Jewish residents.

He has also supported increasing the number of officers of color, 'anti-crime units' and 'stop and frisk' techniques.

Overall, crime rose 6.13 percent in New York City over 2020 through December 31. The biggest rise came in felony assaults, which rose 9.6 percent from 2020, but murders (4.1 percent), shooting victims (0.6 percent), rapes (3.3 percent), and robberies (4.7 percent) have also risen last year.
Wildcard Aleksandar Vukic has become the first local winner on day one of the Australian Open with a four-set upset triumph over No.30 seed Lloyd Harris.

Vukic held his nerve in a tight encounter on Court 3, winning 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-6 (7-3) against South African Harris in two hours and 53 minutes.

'This is totally a dream. Especially this court, with all these guys. I mean I came here as a kid and I was watching the Aussies play here,' he told reporters after the win.

'To play here myself and to get the win, I can't put it into words. I'll treasure this moment for the rest of my life.'

Aleksandar Vukic scored himself a standing ovation after defeating No.30 seed Lloyd Harris on Monday

The 25-year-old received a standing ovation from the delighted home crowd as Vukic shook his head, seemingly in disbelief after posting his breakthrough first main-draw win at a grand slam.

Vukic's reward is a second-round clash against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot, with the winner of that match likely to next face No.3 seed Alexander Zverev.

He admitted to feeling nerves serving out to take the fourth set and the match but said the presence of his family and friends helped him get through it.

'Theyre the reason why I am here. My whole family is here and a few friends as well. It means the world,' Vukic said.

The 25-year-old received a standing ovation from the delighted home crowd as Vukic shook his head, seemingly in disbelief after posting his breakthrough first main-draw win at a grand slam

'They are with me day in and day out and through ups and downs. A lot of stuff that people dont see. Im so grateful for them.'

It continued a good recent run of form from Sydneysider Vukic, who reached his first ATP Tour quarter-final last week in Adelaide before bowing out to eventual champion and fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Harris became the first seed to exit the tournament on day one at Melbourne Park.

There are six locals in action on Monday including women's world No.1 Ash Barty, Ajla Tomljanovic, John Millman, James Duckworth and Kokkinakis.
A Swedish electric car company has conquered Australia's Nullarbor thanks to a new fast-charging system powered by vegetable oil.

The all-electric Polestar 2 crossed the plain after making use of a fully off-grid charging station at the Caiguna Roadhouse, 370km east of Norseman in Western Australia and 370km west of the South Australian border.

The Biofil chargers use waste vegetable oil, essentially chip fat from the roadhouse to generate electricity.

All-electric Polestar 2 (pictured) has conquered the Nullarbor Plain powered by vegetable oil

Developed by retired engineer Jon Edwards, the system fills a gap in charging locations that has previously prevented electric vehicles from crossing the Nullarbor and completing a lap of Australia.

Mr Edwards said the cost of installing an equivalent solar-powered EV fast charger in the same location would be five times higher.

'Solar energy would not have been economically feasible for such a low traffic location, making Biofil the environmentally friendly interim solution for EVs driving across the Nullarbor right now,' he said.

The system is also considered environmentally sustainable, with the amount of carbon dioxide released in producing the electricity equivalent to the amount absorbed by the seed crops that produced the oil.

Electric vehicles have been unable to cross the Nullarbor until now. Pictured is the Polestar 2 on its historic journey

Polestar Australia managing director Samantha Johnson praised the visionary ingenuity that turned a waste product into a carbon dioxide-neutral charging solution.

The company was founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding in 2017.

The Polestar 2 sedan goes on sale in Australia in February
The 2,000 year old skull of a Peruvian warrior was found to have been fused together with metal in one of the world's oldest examples of advanced surgery, according to a museum.

The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma says the skull, which is in its collection, is reported to have been that of a man who was injured during battle before having some of the earliest forms of surgery to implant a piece of metal in his head to repair the fracture.

Experts told the Daily Star that the man survived the surgery, with the skull now a key piece of evidence in proving that ancient peoples were capable of performing advanced surgeries.

The skull in question is an example of a Peruvian elongated skull, which is an ancient form of body modification where tribe members intentionally deformed the skulls of young children by binding them with cloth or even binding the head between two pieces of wood for prolonged periods of time.

A 2,000-year-old skull, pictured, is believed to have been that of a man who was injured in battle and had surgery to implant a piece of metal to repair the fracture

The skull in question is an example of a Peruvian elongated skull, which is an ancient form of body modification where tribe members intentionally deformed the skulls

Intentional skull deformation as an ideal of beauty. With a skull deformation (in ethnology also head deformation) the back of the head was flattened, lengthened, or the forehead flattened

'This is a Peruvian elongated skull with metal surgically implanted after returning from battle, estimated to be from about 2000 years ago. One of our more interesting and oldest pieces in the collection,' the museum said.

'We don't have a ton of background on this piece, but we do know he survived the procedure.'

'Based on the broken bone surrounding the repair, you can see that it's tightly fused together. It was a successful surgery.'



The skull had originally been kept in the museum's private collection, however it was officially put on display in 2020 following growing public interest in the artifact due to news coverage on the discovery of the skull.

The area where the skull was discovered in Peru has long been known for surgeons who invented a series of complex procedures to treat a fractured skull.

The injury was commonplace at the time due to the use of projectiles like slingshots during battle. Elongated skulls were common in Peru at the time, and were stretched by applying force to a person's cranium, often by binding it between two pieces of wood.

Multiple reasons have been given for skull elongation, varying from serving as a way for society's elites to mark themselves out, to acting as a form of defense.

Subsequent archaeological digs have found that Peruvian women who had elongated skulls were less likely to have suffered serious head injuries than those without.

'Silver and gold were typically used for this type of procedure,' a spokesperson for the SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology exhibit told the Daily Star

The practice of elongating skulls was found among disparate cultures ranging from the Mayas to the Huns, and were found to be a status symbol of privilege

Pictured: the Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma, where the SKELETONS exhibit is on display

Surgeons during that time period would scrape a hole in the skull of a living human without the use of modern anesthesia or sterile techniques.

'They learned early on that this was a treatment that could save lives. We have overwhelming evidence that trepanation was not done to increase consciousness or as a purely ritual activity but is linked to patients with severe head injury, [especially] skull fracture,' physical anthropologist John Verano of Tulane University told National Geographic in 2016.

'We don't know the metal. Traditionally, silver and gold was used for this type of procedure,' a spokesperson for the SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology exhibit told the Daily Star.

In a 2018 study published in Current Anthropology, the practice of elongating skulls was found among disparate cultures ranging from the Mayas to the Huns, and were found to be a status symbol of privilege and prestige in groups worldwide.
Detectives are treating the disappearance of missing nine-year-old girl Charlise Mutten as a possible homicide - with officers today spending five hours scouring the property she disappeared from.

The school student was last seen on Thursday afternoon at a sprawling five-hectare property in Mount Wilson, in the Blue Mountains - which is owned by the family of her mother Kallista's fiance, Justin Stein.

After the young girl - who usually lives with her grandmother in Queensland but was visiting her mum for the holidays - was reported missing at 8.20am on Friday morning, officers roped off the popular wedding venue and declared it a crime scene.

Asked directly if police believed her disappearance was suspicious on Monday, Police Area Command Acting Superintendent John Nelson would only say detectives were 'not discounting any scenario'.

The search was tonight hampered by heavy rain, forcing SES and RFS volunteers to wind up their search ahead of what would be Charlise's fifth night missing in the mountains.

Charlise Mutten, 9, was staying with her mother Kallista Mutten when she disappeared on Thursday at a sprawling private wedding venue owned by the family of her fiance, Justin Stein

Pictured: Detectives and police cars entering the scene. Investigators told reporters to leave the scene

Dramatic footage captured by Daily Mail Australia showed police cars and a large number of detectives on foot swooped on the retreat about 11.30am on Monday.

Investigators ordered the media to 'leave, now!' from outside the gates on Monday morning - moments after plain clothes child protection squad officers drove into the property.

A police bus followed by unmarked police cars rolled through the gates as a uniformed officer stood guard.

They stayed at the property for five hours before leaving that afternoon.

Rescue teams spent Monday scouring dense bushland, fire trails, murky ponds and rivers in 30 degree heat following a promising development on Sunday.

Rural Fire Service volunteers found a 'very small and barefooted' footprint along a trail just kilometres away from where Charlise was las seen, with NSW Police Chief Inspector Gary Sims also told reporters 'certain items' had been found.

But Inspector Sims said the items 'unfortunately haven't led to anything that gives us a definite indication of her location'.

Doubt now hangs over the description of what Charlise was last seen wearing, which had been widely broadcast as a pink top, black knee-length skirt and pink Nike thongs.

Neither Charlises mother Kallista Mutten, nor her stepfather, Justin Stein, have been able to tell police definitively what the schoolgirl was wearing when she was last seen on the verandah of the Wildenstein property last Thursday afternoon.

More than 90 Rural Fire Service officers have now been deployed in groups of seven to ten across Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson to search for Charlise, and items of the clothing she was wearing when she vanished.

Charlise Mutten (pictured) went missing on Thursday afternoon. Search teams have been scouring the scene for four days

Charlise Mutten was last seen on Thursday afternoon. She was reported missing on Friday

Picture: The sprawling five-hectare Mount Wilson property where Charlise Mutten went missing

NSW RFS Commander Peter Bennett told Daily Mail Australia the search parties had reached the 'saturation point' of available officers from four different stations at Chifley, Macarthur, Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains.

He described the search areas as 'inhospitable' and the task as 'exhausting'.

He said his officers were on the lookout for traces of Charlise 'or anything unusual'.

Around ten groups of firies will each search an area of 10km on Monday.

'It's pretty thick scrub,' he said, 'walking in line through that is exhausting.'

Ms Mutten is not believed to have given a formal interview yet, despite expectations she would be spoken to today.

Five police cars entered the scene on Monday morning (pictured)

The search for nine-year-old Charlise started on Friday and went over the weekend

RFS volunteers (pictured) found footprints on a nearby fire trail. Police found also 'certain items' relating to the search

Kallista collapsed and was taken to hospital shortly after her daughter was reported missing. There is no suggestion she or her fiance were involved in her daughter's disappearance.

Searchers who set off to comb vast areas of bush have been encouraged to call out Charlise's name as they conduct line searches.

Neighbours told detectives they saw a car with no headlights driving away from the area at 4.30am on Friday.

That evening, police impounded a vehicle in Sydney's west.

Acting Superintendent John Nelson said: 'A 31-year-old man from this location has been helping us with our inquiries.'

Pictured: Charlise as a toddler with her mother Kallista. The youngster normally lives with her grand mother in Queensland

Her distressed mum Kallista Mutten (pictured, left and right, with Charlise) was consoled by emergency workers on Saturday

Police divers searched the waters of the Hawkesbury River on Saturday (pictured) and seized a boat, which is being scanned for fingerprints

Police divers searched the waters of the Hawkesbury River on Saturday and seized a boat, which is being scanned for fingerprints.

Following her daughter's disappearance, Ms Mutten collapsed and was taken to hospital. Mr Stein spoke to police on Friday.

'For any parent this is a distressing scenario, so yes she is quite distressed so we're providing her with support,' acting superintendent John Nelson said.

The nine-year-old is described as being of Caucasian appearance with brown hair and blue eyes, and is between 130 and 140 centimetres tall.

Kallista Mutten's fiance Justin Stein (pictured) went to Penrith on Friday to speak with NSW police

Storms prevented a PolAir helicopter, which used thermal imaging technology, from searching overnight on Friday, but it was deployed again on Saturday

She was last seen wearing a pink round-neck shirt, knee-length black skirt and pink Nike thongs.

Storms prevented a PolAir helicopter, which used thermal imaging technology, from searching overnight on Friday, but it was deployed again on Saturday.

Rural fire service volunteers have used 'line searching' tactics and marked out any items found in their painstaking search.

NSW Police sent out multiple geo-targeting text messages to all residents in the area on Friday and Saturday evening to inform them of Charlise's disappearance and request help.

They also asked social media users to share the missing girl's photo widely.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about her whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Charlise is described as being of Caucasian appearance with brown hair (pictured, Charlise Mutten
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A powerful winter storm that left much of the eastern US snow and ice-covered brought four tornadoes to Florida Sunday morning, injuring at least four people and leaving a path of destruction behind.

Officials say the twisters left hundreds homeless after destroying 65 homes and over 100 mobile homes in three different communities.

An EF-1 storm  topping speeds of 110 mph and spanning about 50 yards wide  caused a semi-truck to flip on its side as the twister crossed Interstate 75 in Charlotte County, Fox Weather reported. The accident left the trucker with minor injuries.

Video captured by Fort Meyers residents showed debris flying through the air as an EF-2 storm moved through Lee County, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.

The twister obliterated the Tropicana RV Resort, where trailers were torn to bits, and left 28 homes were destroyed and another 62 were rendered unlivable, Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass said. It also left at least four residents injured.

Two EF-0 tornadoes were also recorded Sunday, downing power lines, trees and tearing the roofs off several homes.

A powerful winter storm that left much of the eastern US snow and ice-covered brought four tornadoes to Florida Sunday morning, injuring at least four people and leaving a path of destruction behind (Pictured: An EF-2 storm rolling through Naples on Sunday)

An EF-1 storm  topping speeds of 110 mph and spanning about 50 yards wide  caused a semi-truck to flip on its side (pictured) as the twister crossed Interstate 75 in Charlotte County

Officials say the twisters left hundreds homeless after destroying 65 homes and over 100 mobile homes in three different communities

The twister that ripped moved through the Iona area near Fort Myers Sunday was the first EF-2 or stronger tornado to affect Lee County since January 2016.

The storm, which reached speeds of 118 mph, ripped apart several homes leaving at least 28 destroyed, 24 with major damage and 14 with minor damage. Hundreds of displaced residents have been offered temporary shelter.

The twister also hit nearby Cottage Point Trailer Park, where an 81-year-old man recounted his home being torn from the ground.

Scary moments in Fort Myers, Florida as a tornado moved through the area this morning. This was at that Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club.



Permission: Kyle Wendover#FLwx #Florida #Tornado #FortMyers @Weatherbug pic.twitter.com/93d87Gu9Eb  Live Storm Chasers (@LiveStormChaser) January 16, 2022

Edward Murray told the Naples Daily News he was inside his mobile home Sunday morning when a tornado picked it up and tossed it on top of his neighbor's residence.

'That's my house that's turned upside down,' he told the newspaper. 'The tornado took me off my feet, blew me toward the east wall and buried me under the sink, refrigerator, kitchen chairs and everything else.'

Murray and his daughter, Cokie, escaped unharmed, crawling from the wreckage.

'I was so happy when I saw the sky,' Murray, 81, explained. 'I said to the devil, I said to the devil, "It's not going to be today."'

Damage was also reported at several buildings in Iona, Florida, south of Cape Coral.

The storm, which reached speeds of 118 mph, ripped apart several Fort Myers homes leaving at least 28 destroyed, 24 with major damage, 14 with minor damage and and another 62 rendered unlivable. Four residents were injured

Residents of Century 21 in the Iona area embrace after a tornado touched down in Fort Myers on Sunday morning

Debris lies scattered around a home after a tornado touched down in Fort Myers on Sunday

A woman searches for belongings in her in-laws home at Tropicana Mobile Home Park after an EF-2 tornado ravaged through Fort Myers on Sunday

A resident of the Tropicana Mobile Home Park in Fort Myers searches for belongings after a tornado destroyed her home

A National Weather Service report confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Charlotte County after coming ashore as a waterspout near Gasparilla Marina in Placida.

The storm flipped a boat and damaged several others before leaving the marina and ripping through Gasparilla Mobile Estates, where it damaged at least 35 residences.

It clocked peak winds of 110mph and was on the ground for 1.3 miles, with an estimated width of 50 yards.

Although no one was injured, WBBH-TV reported that the twister caused an estimated $500,000 in damages.

Photographs from Placida show boats completely in smithereens, debris sprung across yards and roadways, and trailers crushed and completely folded in.

Charlotte County Public Safety said numerous residents have been displaced, noting the local recreation center is open as a refuge for those impacted by the weather.

Two EF-0 tornadoes were confirmed in Collier County on Sunday, tearing off roofs, uprooting trees and leaving behind a trail of broken tree branches.

The first touched down in the Victoria Falls neighborhood of Naples and traveled two miles to Lely Resort.

Several trees were downed and two roofs damaged.

A National Weather Service report confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Charlotte County after coming ashore as a waterspout near Gasparilla Marina in Placida (Pictured: Damage in Charlotte County)

The storm flipped a boat (pictured) and damaged several others before leaving the marina and ripping through Gasparilla Mobile Estates, where it damaged at least 35 residences

Although no one was injured, the twister caused an estimated $500,000 in damages

A waterspout near Isles of Capri in Collier County was photographed Sunday. Two EF-0 tornadoes were confirmed in the county on Sunday, leaving behind a trail of debris and a two damaged roofs. No injuries were reported

The second EF-0 storm struck in Carnestown, north of Everglades City, and partially knocked down a power pole.

No injuries were reported in either instance.

Meanwhile, the winter storm - nicknamed 'the Saskatchewan Screamer' - has caused chaos across much of the US, bringing heavy snowfall, power outages for 220,000, and cancelations of 2,700 flights.

After unleashing its fury across the southeast Sunday, the extreme weather is likely to begin moving northeast before battering states along the Atlantic on Monday, Accuweather forecasters said.

'The heaviest snowfall will accumulate across interior parts of the Northeast, unloading accumulations that could bring some communities to a standstill,' the weather network reported.

Snow is expected to be heaviest Monday from western Maryland and Pennsylvania through Maine, with some regions likely to see 12 inches of snowfall, the Weather Channel said.

High wind warnings are in effect from Suffolk counties in New York through Maine; gusts of up to 65 miles per hour are expected in Long Island, and from Cape Cod to Cape Ann, said the National Weather Service.

Meanwhile, the winter storm - nicknamed 'the Saskatchewan Screamer' - has caused chaos across much of the US, bringing heavy snowfall, power outages for 220,000, and cancelations of 2,700 flights (Pictured: NCDOT plowing the highway in Clemmons, NC on Sunday)

A snow storm hammered eastern states Sunday, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. The extreme weather is likely to begin moving northeast before battering states along the Atlantic on Monday

A person carries their dog as they cross Butler Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as snow falls during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night

Hundreds of flights at Charlotte Douglas International were cancelled Sunday due to inclement weather

The storm also caused chaos on roadways throughout the southeast. Officials from several states urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel after the storm created icy roads and poor visibility. Vehicles are pictured navigating driving conditions along Interstate 85 in Mebane, North Carolina on January 16

The storm also caused chaos on roadways throughout the southeast, including Tennessee, where treacherous conditions prompted warnings from the National Weather Service.

'Major travel impacts will occur,' it warned Sunday. 'Please exercise caution on area roadways through tonight. Only travel if absolutely necessary.'

A portion of the state's I-40 eastbound was closed Sunday after a transport overturned during wet and slick conditions, a Tennessee transportation department spokesperson said.

Airlines throughout the nation canceled more than 2,700 flights on Sunday, with another 1,500 flights delayed, according to FlightAware.

American Airlines Group nixed 600 trips, and nearly 95 percent of the flights out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, an American Airlines hub, were canceled. Another 62 flights scheduled for tomorrow have also been cancelled in anticipation of yet more bad weather.

Eerie photos taken Sunday showed the roads leading up to the airport's terminal devoid of cars, buses and people, with its concourses also silent, while de-icing machines were snapped working on a Delta jet parked on its runway.

By the time the storm is through, 100 million Americans will likely have felt its effect, Accuweather said.
This year, an all-encompassing stimulus check payment is almost certainly not in the cards and the prospects of that happening are slim to none.

Despite this, a select people will continue to benefit from the 2021 initiatives and will be able to collect part of the funding this year. While the funds expected to come in this year were hoped to include another year of Expanded Child Tax Credit payments, they have been put on hold for the time being. The Senate's ability to enact President Biden's Build Back Better proposal is dependent on the Senate's ability to pass it.

Who are eligible to receive stimulus payments?

Those who qualified for the Stimulus Check Tax Credits in 2021 but did not get them because they did not file a tax return or for any other reason are now owed both sections of the credit, which is worth up to $3,600 per eligible kid. Depending on how many eligible children those qualifying people have, they might be receiving a sizable sum of money from the IRS.

Additionally, parents who received the first half of the stimulus check payments will receive the second half when they file their taxes for 2021 this year, bringing the total amount received to $1,800 per qualified kid. Unlike previous credits, which were distributed in monthly installments, this one would be distributed as a lump sum of the tax return.

Parents who had a new baby or adopted one in 2021 will also be eligible for the additional funds-and not just because of the child tax credit. A child born this year would also be eligible for the $1,400 third stimulus payout. As a result, eligible parents will be able to claim both the money and the tax credit, as per Digital Market.

According to Andy Phillips, director of H&R Block's Tax Institute, parents who have a baby in 2021 may be eligible for a $5,000 tax refund this year. That's the difference between a $1,400 stimulus for dependents and the $3,600 child tax credit from last year. Parents may be eligible for both of these benefits if their new child is born by the end of 2021.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is encouraging everyone to keep a watch out for IRS communication in their mail. Only a few weeks ago, the IRS began mailing out "Letter 6419, 2021 advance Child Tax Credit." And it's still going strong this month. People who received the third payment in 2021 will get "Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact Payment" from the IRS later this month, according to BGR.

Read Also: Fourth Stimulus Check in 2022: Americans in These States May Receive New Payments This Month and in February

Will seniors receive stimulus checks this year?

For the first time in early January, the United States exceeded one million covid-19 instances in a single day and then went on to break that record in three consecutive days. There is worry that millions of people's livelihoods might be jeopardized if they are compelled to self-isolate following a positive test.

The campaign started before the 5.9% COLA hike was announced, but it has persisted after hundreds of seniors complained they were facing tremendous financial difficulties when prices began to rise. Many people have expressed their dissatisfaction with the administration, telling TSCL that "our government has forgotten about us."

Costs for seniors have surpassed COLA increases, according to TSCL researchers. While COLAs have increased Social Security income by 55% during the previous twenty-one years, housing and healthcare prices have climbed by 118 and 145 percent, respectively, AS USA via MSN reported

Related Article: New Surprise, Automatic $5,200 Stimulus Checks Are Being Sent Today! Who's Eligible for the Payment?

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Health authorities across the country remain cautiously optimistic Australia is nearing the peak of the Omicron wave of Covid-19, but some believe peaks may already have arrived.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall says the state was at or around its peak with under 4,000 cases on Monday, subject to the ongoing behaviour of residents.

Mr Marshall said the fact more people were recovering from the virus each day compared to new cases was another indication the state was at or near its peak.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said while there was a lot of uncertainty, the state is reasonably close to its peak after 22,429 cases and six deaths were recorded on Monday.

Health minister Greg Hunt (pictured) says 'There are signs of (Covid numbers) plateauing'

'(But) we've got a high proportion of PCR tests coming back positive, so that does mean there are a lot of people out there who don't know their status,' he said.

Professor Sutton said hospitalisation numbers were also yet to hit their peak, as he predicted that may not be reached for a month due to a two-week lag between case numbers and admissions.

Queensland is predicting outbreaks to peak on the Gold Coast in the next week and then Brisbane shortly after.

It follows 15,122 cases and seven deaths in the state on Monday.

While case numbers remain relatively high, Health Minister Greg Hunt said data was pointing to a plateau for new infections.

Mr Hunt said there were clear signs from NSW and the ACT where numbers are flatlining, with more than 29,500 and 1,600 infections on Monday respectively.

'There are signs of a plateauing, and that is playing itself through in terms of the number with serious illness as well as the number of those who are being diagnosed,' he told ABC Radio.

It comes as union leaders gather for an emergency meeting later on Monday on how workers can be kept safe on the job while there are still high cases levels.

Part of the meeting will examine the lack of availability of rapid antigen tests that many workers require to attend their job.

Scott Morrison (pictured) says Australia is not unique in its shortages of rapid tests

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government needed to engage with workers in order chart a path forward about working safely while there are large infection rates.

'The most important thing we need to see from Scott Morrison is for him to fix this mess that he's made of rapid antigen tests,' he said.

'All of those other challenges around shortages in our supermarkets and the issues in our workforce all go back one way or another to that defining failure.'

The prime minister said changes to close contact definition and testing requirements were alleviating pressure on supply chain issues.

Labor says Scott Morrison has 'made a mess' of rapid antigen tests (pictured)

However, he said Australia was not unique in its shortages of rapid tests.

'The rapid antigen tests are in short supply all around the world,' Mr Morrison told Sydney radio 2GB.

'It's part of dealing with Omicron. (It's) disrupted everything, so we've changed so much to ensure we can get through what is a difficult period.'

More than 70,000 cases have been reported nationally on Monday, including 1,037 in Tasmania and 284 in the Northern Territory.

Nearly five million people have received their booster shot since the start of the rollout.

The medical regulator is expected to fast-track an application by Pfizer for a booster shot for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Currently, only people 18 and over are eligible for boosters.
Jill Biden has painted herself as America's healer as she recounted visiting the scenes of multiple deadly disasters in her first year as first lady.

Biden, 70, told The Associated Press that she found herself taking on a role that 'I didn't kind of expect, which was like a healing role.'

The community college teacher said the visits she made were necessary 'because we've faced so much as a nation.'

The first lady spoke on January 8 in Las Vegas - a day after she and the president comforted families in Louisville, Colorado, where a huge swath of homes burned to the ground in a late December wildfire.

She hugged people as they stood in front of the charred ruins of their lives and later offered public condolences for dogs and other pets killed in the blaze.

Her visits to Colorado and to see victims of a deadly Christmas parade crash in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and a trip in January to tornado-ravaged areas of Kentucky are a 'prime example' of the responsibility she feels, she said.

'I would want to know that my president and first lady cared about me,' Biden said.

'I think that's an important part of what I do. I mean, just helping people through the tough times.'

Jill Biden packs produce at a food bank in Philadelphia on Sunday, at hunger relief organization Philabundance

Biden visits a memorial for victims of the Christmas parade attack on December 15, 2021

Biden listens to a resident of the Creekwood neighborhood that was hit by a tornado in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on January 14, 2022

Biden talks to Bowling Green residents who lost their homes on January 14

Biden, 70, has experienced her share of tough times.

She and Joe Biden wed less than five years after his first wife and infant daughter were killed in a 1972 automobile crash, and at age 26 she became a mother to his two surviving young sons.

In 2015, the couple buried one of those boys, Beau, after he died of brain cancer at age 46.

The first lady has lost several close friends to breast cancer, and empathized with the people in Colorado because her own home in Delaware once caught fire after a lightning strike.

'I know the tough things that we've been through in our life and I know the, how much the acts of kindness have meant to me and to Joe,' Biden said.

'So I just know what a difference it makes when you show up.

'I think showing up is really important.'

She showed up in a lot of places in the year past, traveling in the middle of a pandemic at a pace that far exceeded the president's - all while continuing her other full-time job: as an English and writing professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She has taught there since 2009.

Biden is the first first lady to continue her career - she's a lifelong teacher - and hold a paying job outside the White House.

The New Jersey-born, Pennsylvania-raised first lady spent the past year dropping in at schools, COVID-19 vaccination sites, military bases, Native American reservations and other locations in 35 states.

That includes a dozen mostly Southern states that did not vote for her husband for president.

By contrast, he touched down in 24 states, excluding trips home to Delaware.

'The pandemic really did not constrain her a great deal and she was able to move forward and do all of these things: teach and advocate for people to get vaccinated and make some visits to military installations and cancer centers,' said Myra Gutin, a professor at Rider University who writes about first ladies. 'That's pretty major.'

At vaccination sites, Jill Biden encouraged people to get protected and held hands with both grown-ups and kids getting their jabs.

Biden comforts a person as they get a COVID-19 vaccination at a COVID-19 clinic at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi on June 22, 2021

Biden speaks after visiting a pediatric COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on December 3

Biden, center left, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speak to a person as they visit a vaccine clinic in Harlem in June 2021

Navajo Nation Council Member Eugenia Charles Newton helps Biden cover up with a Navajo Pendleton blanket during a live radio address to the Navajo Nation at Window Rock in Arizona in April 2021

At schools, she toured classrooms and spoke with students about writing in journals to help them cope during the pandemic.

At military bases, she thanked military spouses and other family members for sacrificing alongside their loved ones in uniform.

On the policy front, Joining Forces, the first lady's White House initiative to support military families, and the National Security Council last year announced a first round of administration commitments to help military spouses with employment, child care and other matters.

But she suffered a policy defeat when the president dropped a proposal for tuition-free community college - something she has spent years advocating for - from a sweeping social welfare and climate change bill after some key Democratic senators objected to the size of the package.

Other presidents' wives also have played the role of national healer.

Katherine Jellison, a history professor at Ohio University who studies first ladies, recalled the actions of Lucy Webb Hayes after the Civil War and during Reconstruction.

Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, showcased American plants and wildlife, 'something that Americans from all regions could get behind,' by having them depicted on White House china, Jellison said.

Hayes also invited representatives from states that were on opposite sides of the Civil War to social events.

'She worked hard to unify the country in a variety of interesting ways,' Jellison said.

Besides her role as healer, Jill Biden also fulfilled the traditional first lady function of representing the United States abroad.

She flew off on one solo foreign trip, to Tokyo to root for U.S. athletes at the delayed 2020 Olympic Games.

Biden waves prior to the start of the swimming competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 24, 2021, in Tokyo

Biden reacts as she and President Joe Biden meet veterans of the British Armed Forces before boarding Air Force One at Heathrow Airport in London, on June 13, 2021

Biden helps making ravioli in culinary class during a visit to Naples Middle High School, a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school, after attending events on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome, on November 1, 2021

She also accompanied the president on overseas trips to England and Rome.

Her husband's inauguration, coming after his two earlier failed attempts at the presidency, 'just took my breath away,' Jill Biden recalled.

For her, the White House 'is a magical place.'

When she wakes up, she thinks, 'Wow, look where I am.'

But she also feels there's a lot of work to do in the country and, because of that, she can't 'get my coffee and sit in bed and watch the news.'

'I've always said that if I were ever given this platform I would never waste it. Not one day,' the first lady said.

'That's why when I wake every day I think, "What can I do today? What am I doing? Where am I going? What's the strategy? What's the plan?"'

Her plans for 2022 include keeping her focus on education, military families and doing more work promoting cancer research. She will continue to teach.

'But then I want to layer some other things on,' Jill Biden added, describing her desire to bring art and artists to the White House and her hope that the pandemic will recede enough to allow the White House to reopen to tourists and more socializing.

'It's going to be an exciting year,' she said.

'It's got to be a better year with the pandemic.

'I mean everybody, I think everybody across this country is saying, "C'mon, it's got to be a better year."'
Anne Frank may have been betrayed by a Jewish notary who became an informant for Nazi occupiers in order to save his own family's lives.

It has long been theorized that the young Jewish diarist and her family were discovered by Gestapo officers in 1944 after a tip-off from an unknown informant but now a retired FBI agent believes he has come up with the name of the man who revealed where the Franks were hiding: Arnold van den Bergh.

For the last six years, Vince Pankoke, who worked for the FBI for 30 years targeting Colombian drug cartels, has worked with a team of investigators and attempted to try to crack the case using modern crime-solving techniques. His findings were aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday night.

Alongside various investigative strategies, Pankoke and his team used artificial intelligence to sort through reams of data and original documents in an attempt to discover who betrayed the Frank family ultimately leading a search team to their secret annex hidden behind a bookcase.

The investigation found Amsterdam businessman Arnold van den Bergh, pictured, revealed where the teenager was hiding

Vince Pankoke believes he has solved the case as to who betrayed the Frank family and revealed their location after investigating for six years

The bookcase (left) hiding the entrance to the secret annex which housed the family of Anne (right) and other Jews in hiding

As investigators dug into the question of who may have betrayed Anne Franks family to the Nazis, they began to focus on a suspect who was Jewish and, they say, likely used the information to save himself, his wife, and children from the genocide. https://t.co/Okgmh9LOOK pic.twitter.com/OiXCoOWsin  60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 17, 2022

Pankoke and his team scanned local addresses and records to come up with possible suspects, until they found the man they believed was responsible.

They believe van den Bergh may have been the informant - and astonishingly, that Anne's father Otto Frank knew all about what he had done.

Van den Bergh was a member of Amsterdam's Jewish Council, set up by the Nazis to oversee the Jewish populations they were exterminating. Each council had access to a full list of local Jewish people, with Dutch Jews' religion recorded on their birth records.

Pankoke and his team noted that Van den Bergh did not get sent to a concentration camp towards the end of the war, when the Nazis began to disband Jewish councils - and now believe he was able to save his and his family's lives by betraying other Jews. He died of unknown causes in London in 1950.

Anne kept a diary during the two years she was in hiding which was published after the war and turned her into a globally recognized symbol of Holocaust victims.

She died in the Bergen-Belsen Nazi concentration camp at age 15, shortly before it was liberated by Allied forces.

Pankoke, together with his team visited the concealed rooms behind an Amsterdam warehouse where the Frank family lived, in the search for clues.

In attempting to work out who tipped off the police to their location, investigators used standard law enforcement techniques in examining various suspects and used the basic principles of 'knowledge, motive, opportunity.'

Pankoke's team included an investigative psychologist, a war crimes investigator, historians, criminologists plus several archival researchers.

Pankoke, pictured right, had a team which included an investigative psychologist, a war crimes investigator, historians, criminologists plus several archival researchers

Anne Frank lived here in Amsterdam and hid with her parents to escape from the Nazis between June 1942 and August 4, 1944

This photo taken in 1940 shows Anne Frank at the age of 12 years, sitting at her desk at the Montessori school in Amsterdam. Frank's celebrated WWII diary recounts her Jewish family's hiding, arrest and deportation by the Nazis to Auschwitz

A retired FBI agent paired up with a documentary maker from Holland to investigate who betrayed Anne Frank, pitured, and her family to the Nazis

Together, they set about addressing various questions including whether the person suspected of betraying them knew about the location of the secret annex.

They fed letters, maps, photos and books into an artificial intelligence database that was developed specifically for the project and then let the machine learning set to work where it was able to identify relationships between people, addresses that were alike - and connections.

'We had to consider all those options. The team and I sat down and we compiled a list of ways in which the annex could have been compromised. You know, was it carelessness of the people occupying the annex maybe making too much noise or being seen in the windows? You know, was it betrayal?' Pankoke said.

Then, Pankoke looked at the possible motive behind the August 1944 reveal and whether the betrayer was anti-Semitic, or if they did it for money.

Pankoke's investigators looked at about dozen potential suspects, each of which in turn was ruled out before Arnold van den Bergh's name was left standing.

The Jewish Council of Amsterdam was a body set up by the Nazis to have Jews oversee preparations for the extermination of their own minority throughout the Netherlands during World War II. Arnold van den Bergh is seated fifth from left

Van den Bergh, was well known Jewish businessman who lived in Amsterdam with his wife and children.

'We started a search. And we couldn't find Arnold van den Bergh or any of his immediate family members in those camps,' Pankoke explained.

He was seemingly living an open life despite being in the middle of Nazi-occupied Holland as Jewish people all around him were being taken away to concentration camps.

Pankoke surmised that Van den Bergh must have had some form of protection and leverage with the Nazis.

'Van den Bergh wasn't deported,' said Dutch journalist Pieter van Twisk to CBS News, who worked on the the investigative project leading the research team.

'We went into the city archive and found proof that actually he was 'Aryanized,' so he lost his Jewish identity during the war. That was quite a feat. You couldn't just do that.'

Anne's father, Otto Frank received a letter after the war specifically naming Van den Bergh as the prime suspect, pictured above

Otto Frank, pictured, never revealed the contents of the letter despite having a name of the person who may have betrayed him

There was also another key piece of evidence: a note that Anne's father, Otto Frank received after the war, specifically named Van den Bergh as the prime suspect.

As a founding member of the Jewish Council, Van den Bergh had access to a list of addresses where Jews would have been hiding in Amsterdam.

As his leverage and protections preventing him from being hauled off to the camps was gradually whittled away, he knew he had to give something of value to the Nazis in order for him and his wife to stay safe.

'There's no evidence to indicate that he knew who was hiding at any of these addresses,' explains Pankoke. 'They were just addresses that were provided where Jews were known to have been in hiding.'

As to why Otto Frank did not come forward with Van den Bergh's name even years later, Pankoke has his theories.

Otto Frank is pictured with his daughters Margot and Anne (sitting on his lap), circa 1931

For more than two years the Frank family endured a clandestine life in the cramped quarters. But by August 1944 they were daring to hope that the city would soon be liberated by the Allies. Pictured, a photo from a 1999 reconstruction, as appears on the Anne Frank House website. Anne and Fritz's bedroom

'He [Otto] knew that Arnold van den Bergh was Jewish, and in this period after the war, antisemitism was still around. So perhaps he just felt that if I bring this up again, with Arnold van den Bergh being Jewish, it'll only stoke the fires further.'

Despite the deep dive into the almost 80-year-old case and the identifying of Van den Bergh as the person who betrayed them, the investigative team notes that the evidence is still very much circumstantial in the case.

Nevertheless, Pankoke says that he believes the Franks who were hiding in the annex were definitely betrayed and that it wasn't simply a coincidence.

'I think that people that are looking at this feel, 'Ah, maybe we can learn something if this case is solved,'' Pankoke said.

'And maybe to the Holocaust survivors that are still out there, they understand that somebody still cares that these mysteries are solved.'

Pankoke admitted that his evidence is circumstantial - and if it were brought before a jury, would be unlikely to bring a conviction.

But he believes his theory to be the most plausible one yet, and is hopeful that news of the discovery may shake loose further, previously hidden details of van den Bergh's secrets.
Pictured: Mark Duncan-Smith, president of the Australian Medical Association in WA

A top doctor has warned Western Australia could record up to an astonishing 60,000 Omicron cases a day if tough restrictions aren't returned to the isolated state.

Mark Duncan-Smith, a plastic surgeon and president of the Australian Medical Association in WA, based his grim predictions on South Australian modelling.

The worst case scenario is despite 60,000 daily cases only ever being officially recorded in New South Wales twice, and never in Victoria, despite the states having significantly higher populations living in a much smaller land mass.

The AMA chief, the organisation credited with some of Australia's most gloomy Covid forecasts, urged premier Mark McGowan to reinstate density limits in public venues, reduce the number of household guests to ten, ban dancing and singing in public places, excluding weddings, and a move to work from home where possible.

'I am calling immediately for the Premier to move towards increasing restrictions,' Dr Duncan-Smith said, adding the leader had described the SA modelling as accurate.

A top doctor has warned WA's Omicron crisis will peak sometime in March or April and warned the government to act now by reintroducing harsh restrictions (pictured, a Perth woman)

Poll DOES WA NEED NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS? Yes No DOES WA NEED NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS? Yes 48 votes

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'Using population-adjusted figures, comparing that to Western Australia, if we don't increase restrictions now we will be facing somewhere between 50,000 to 60,000 new cases per day at our peak.'

The president said WA's Omicron crisis will peak sometime in March or April and warned the government to act now - or pay the price.

'You may introduce restrictions early and adequately, and that will reduce to approximately 10,000 cases new cases per day,' he stated.

Dr Duncan-Smith's plea for yet more restrictions comes as the state recorded just five new local cases on Sunday.

WA health authorities are yet to publish Omicron-adjusted modelling for the state, however Mr McGowan on Sunday moved to reintroduce an urgent mask mandate.

From 6pm on Sunday, residents in Perth and the surrounding Peel region have been required to wear masks in all indoor public settings.

The mandate will not apply to the home, for people doing vigorous indoor exercise, or children under 12.

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

The three new cases recorded on Monday bring WA's latest outbreak to 21 infections, with the premier warning residents needed to 'assume it was spreading'.

'Its clear the number of cases of the Omicron variant is growing, and so is the risk to the community,' Mr McGowan said, announcing the new mandate over Twitter.

'We know that masks have a significant impact in helping stop the spread of this virus. Its important we all do our bit to help limit the spread.'

Meanwhile, Western Australians not vaccinated against Covid will be banned from nearly every activity outside the home from January 31.

Announcing the controversial restrictions earlier this week, Mr McGowan confirmed the new rules could be in place 'for years' as he continues his 'Covid-zero' stance.

Un-jabbed adults had already been banned from dining in at cafes, pubs and restaurants, with vaccine passports checked at the door.

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)

But from the end of the month, they'll also be banned from visiting loved ones in hospital, going into a bottle shop 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 will be barred from museums, Perth Zoo, gyms, and the entire Crown Casino complex.

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.

Almost 95 per cent of Western Australian residents have had one dose of the Covid vaccine, while 87 per cent have had both doses.

Meanwhile, Western Australians not vaccinated against Covid will be banned from nearly every activity outside the home from January 31 (pictured, punters in Perth)

WA also made another drastic move earlier this week by banning anyone from any state and territory coming into his state, dubbing the rest of the nation an 'extreme Covid risk'.

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.
A pastor from Oklahoma has gone viral after spitting on his hand before rubbing it in the face of his brother during a sermon over the weekend to explain God's 'imperfect vision.'

The sermon from Pastor Michael Todd, who leads the Transformation Church in Tulsa, was based around the idea that 'receiving a vision from God might get nasty' - with Todd demonstrating the idea in grim fashion.

He elicited reactions of surprise and disgust from the congregation as he live-streamed the service, hawking a mouthful of spit and wiping it all over the face of his brother, who has not been named, and stood impassively during the stunt.

'Just as he's physically standing here, knowing what's coming.'

'God is saying, "can you physically, spiritually and emotionally be able to stand?"'

'When getting the vision, or receiving it, it might get nasty.'

Picutred: Pastor Michael Todd, who leads the Transformation Church in Tulsa, during a sermon demonstration on Sunday

Pastor Todd pictured spitting into his hand before wiping the spit onto a churchgoers face to explain God's 'imperfect vision'

According to several social media users who commented under the Twitter video, the man who received the spit sermon, pictured right, was Pastor Todd's brother

Pictured: the moment when Pastor Todd rubbed the man, reportedly his own brother, with his spit about his face

'Receiving a vision from God might get nasty,' Todd repeated as he smacked his spit-filled hands together.

The churchgoer, reportedly Todd's brother, somehow calmly takes the pastor's spit on his face as Todd violates COVID-19 etiquette and transfers the contents of his nose and mouth onto the unnamed man's face.

'The vision I'm about to give you, it might get nasty,' Pastor Todd said to a captive crowd as he swirled the spit about his hands.

A long strand of spit can be seen dangling from the man's face before he wipes it off incredulously.

'Do you hear and see the responses of the people?'

'What I'm telling you, is how you just reacted, is how the people in your life will react when God is doing what it takes for the miracle.'

'Receiving a vision from God might get nasty,' was the theme of Sunday's sermon, when the pastor, pictured left, spit in his hand and rubbed it onto the man on the right's face

The video, pictured, had over 17,000 views as of Monday morning after being posted on Sunday night

The video had over 17,000 views as of Monday morning after being posted on Sunday night.

According to several social media users who commented under the Twitter video, the man who received the spit sermon was Pastor Todd's brother, however that didn't excuse the nastiness for some online parishioners.

'So WHAT if that's his brother!! That is DISGUSTING and BEYOND disrespectful.. you need to stop letting "men of God" tell u the things they do and say are "of God" and start recognizing it for what it is,' tweeted Marquita Gibson.

'I clicked on his name trending and I saw ppl say spit, my definition of spit just just saliva THAT is not spit!' another person wrote.

'That is a full on hacked up loogie thick mucus' they wrote before adding nauseated and vomiting emojis.

Since February 2015, Pastor Michael and with his wife Natalie Todd have been the Lead Pastors of Transformation Church in Tulsa, pictured above

'C'mon bruh! Nah dat ain't Christian like,' a third person tweeted.

'Oh hell, no there's chunks in that,' another person wrote.

'The problem in 2022 is not vision... the problem is clarity of vision from God,' Todd captioned an Instagram post Sunday while promoting the service's live stream on his YouTube channel.

'Today's word was too good to listen to only once!'

Since February 2015, Pastor Michael and with his wife Natalie Todd have been the Lead Pastors of Transformation Church in Tulsa.
An elderly nurse who was badly injured after being attacked at a Los Angeles transit bus stop has died of her injuries at a hospital where she worked for 38 years, her employer announced on Sunday.

Sandra Shells, 70, was attacked by a homeless man at about 5.15 a.m. on Thursday near Vignes Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue, half a mile away from Union Station, while she was waiting to catch a bus to her job at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries at the same medical facility on Sunday.

Later that same day, police arrested Kerry Bell, a 48-year-old homeless man who was found sleeping not far away from the bus station.

Bell allegedly punched Shells in the head, leading the nurse to hit her head on the ground, likely striking it against the concrete. As a result of her fall, Shell suffered a fractured skull.

Bell was arrested without incident on suspicion of assault, but his charge will be updated to suspicion of murder, according to police.

No motive for the unprovoked attack has been revealed. Bell is being held on $2million bail, according to jail records.

Sandra Shells, 70, died three days after sustaining a fractured skull in a random attack near Union Station, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release

Shells was a nurse at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center for nearly 40 years when she passed away on Sunday

Bell has one prior arrest in Los Angeles, but multiple prior arrests in several other states, according to the LAPD.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore shared on Twitter that Shells' death was 'a tragic and senseless murder directly tied to the failure of this Nation's mental health resources. We can and must do better. This victim lived her life for others. We are falling short.'

'We are deeply saddened by this news,' officials with LA County-USC Medical Center said in a statement. 'Sandra Shells will forever be remembered for her compassionate care and unmatched dedication to her patients and her community throughout her 38-year career at LAC+USC.'

'Sandra worked tirelessly and selflessly to keep her patients safe and healthy and will always be remembered as a kind, compassionate and giving nurse with a helpful and thoughtful nature who was a favorite amongst colleagues and patients.

'There will never be enough words to express our gratitude for her tremendous work and dedication,' the statement added.

The random attack occurred 0.5 miles away from Union Station, where Shells regularly took the bus to get to work

LA crime is on the upswing, according to police statistics. Shooting victims have increased 10.6 percent year-to-year and 53 percent from the same point in 2019

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has called for a full investigation into the attack, arguing that essential workers who are already working in tough conditions during the pandemic deserve a 'more safe and stable environments.'

'Learning of this attack is both shocking and heartbreaking,'' Barger said in a statement. 'I'm asking for a full investigation into what caused the attack and any information that can be used to prevent this from happening again.

'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. Los Angeles, like many cities across the country, has witnessed an alarming rise in violent crime over the past two years.

Homicides in the City of Angeles rose 52 percent last year from 2019, and shooting incidents were up 59 percent, according to LAPD data.

The city has also suffered a shocking wave of follow-home robberies and organized smash-and-grab attacks on retailers.

Jacqueline Avant, the 81 year-old wife of famed music producer Clarence Avant, became the most high-profile robbery victim when she was shot and killed at her $2.7 million Beverly Hills mansion in December.
China's birth rate has fallen again for the fifth consecutive year with fewer babies born in 2021 than during the Great Famine under Chairman Mao.

Only 10.6million babies were born last year in the population of more than 1.413billion, down 12 per cent on the 12million born in 2020.

It is the lowest level recorded in the Communist nation since its founding in 1949.

China's birth rate has fallen again for the fifth consecutive year with fewer babies born in 2021 than during the Great Famine under Chairman Mao

Overall, the population increased by 480,000, the lowest since the famine of 1959 to 1961 which killed tens of millions of people.

Ning Jizhe, head of the National Bureau of Statistics, told state media the decline was caused by 'a decrease in the number of women of childbearing age, a continued decline in fertility, changes in attitudes toward childbearing and delays of marriage by young people'.

The decline in birth rates could undercut the ruling party's plans to develop technology and self-sustaining economic growth based on consumer spending rather than exports and investment.

The fall in population growth has prompted warnings China, where economic output per person is below the global average, might face a 'demographic time bomb' and have too few workers to support a growing number of elderly people.

The ruling party has enforced birth limits since 1980 to restrain population growth and conserve resources.

But leaders started to worry after the working-age population peaked at 925million in 2011 and started to drop earlier than expected.

The decline in birth rates could undercut the ruling party's plans to develop technology and self-sustaining economic growth

Authorities eased birth limits starting in 2015. But couples are put off by high costs, cramped housing and job discrimination against mothers.

Yi Fuxian, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told the New York Times: 'China is facing a demographic crisis that is beyond the imagination of the Chinese authorities and the international community.'

The percentage of people aged 16 to 59, the official working age population, edged down to 882.2million, or 62.5 per cent of the total, from 63.3 per cent reported in the 2020 census. That is down from 70.1 per cent a decade ago.

Demographers say the working-age share of the population might fall to half by 2050.

There were 267million people aged 60 and above, or 18.9 per cent of the total, up from 264million, or 18.7 per cent, in 2020.

The looming worker shortage comes as President Xi Jinping's government boosts spending on its military and efforts to create global competitors in electric cars and other technologies.

Overall, the population increased by 480,000, the lowest since the famine of 1959 to 1961 which killed tens of millions of people

Japan, Germany and some other rich countries face the same challenge of supporting aging populations with fewer workers. But they can draw on investments in factories, technology and foreign assets.

By contrast, China depends on labor-intensive farming and manufacturing.

The party took its biggest step in 2015 when rules that limited many couples to having only one child were eased to allow two.

Chinas birth rate already was falling before the one-child rule, paralleling trends in South Korea, Thailand and other Asian economies.

The average number of children per mother tumbled from above six in the 1960s to below three by 1980, according to the World Bank.

Demographers say official birth limits concealed a further fall in the potential number of children per family.

The one-child limit, enforced with threats of fines or loss of jobs, led to abuses including forced abortions.

A preference for sons led parents to kill baby girls, prompting warnings millions of men might be unable to find a wife, and fueling social tension.
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Dr Mike Tildesley, who sits on an influential modelling sub-group of SAGE, warned the country 'was not there yet' because hospitalisation levels from the virus are still 'relatively high'

Britain could have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of 2022, one of the Government's scientific advisers said today.

Dr Mike Tildesley, who sits on an influential modelling sub-group of SAGE, warned the country 'was not there yet' because hospitalisation levels from the virus are still 'relatively high'  despite being just a fraction of those seen in previous waves.

But he predicted even milder variants than Omicron would emerge over the course of the year, bolstering the UK's wall of immunity and creating an even bigger disconnect between infection numbers and hospitalisations and deaths.

Dr Tildesley, a modeller at Warwick University, said the data suggested the pandemic was 'turning around' following the Omicron wave, meaning ministers could start discussing what 'living with' Covid would be like.

Infections are now in freefall across the country, with MailOnline analysis suggesting outbreaks are now shrinking in 96 per cent of England's 7,000 neighbourhoods. Hospitalisations also appear to be trending downwards.

Education Secretary and former vaccine tsar Nadhim Zahawi today described the figures as 'promising', and a sign 'Plan B' restrictions could be lifted before the end of this month because the country is set to be in a 'much better place' within weeks.

The optimistic comments came as a World Health Organization expert today said there was 'light at the end of the tunnel' for Britain amid plummeting case numbers and stable hospital rates.

Work from home guidance and vaccine passports are expected to be dumped when restrictions expire on January 26, and travel tests could be banned for the vaccinated in a huge boost to the tourism industry. But face masks on public transport and in shops will likely remain in place until later this year.

Covid self-isolation rules were finally cut to five days today, weeks after staff shortages brought on by them hit the economy and essential services. Infected people can now stop quarantining early, as long as they test negative on days five and six.

And Downing Street is understood to already be drawing up plans to dump the requirement entirely under its plan to live alongside the virus, it was claimed today. But experts have warned another variant could still scupper plans in future, which could put the UK back on the path to another lockdown.

Former vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi (left) said the latest data was 'looking positive'. Yesterday Conservative Party chairman Oliver Dowden also suggested 'Plan B' measures could be removed before the end of January

Boris Johnson pictured today on his morning jog. He is coming under mounting pressure to cut the remaining Covid curbs

Discussing the current situation, Dr Tildesley said another variant  expected to emerge over the coming months  would likely be more transmissible than Omicron but 'generally also milder'.

He told BBC Breakfast: 'My hope is that as we get further into this year and next year, we are dealing with milder versions of Covid.

'Hopefully we [will] have more of a flu-type relationship with Covid where potentially we protect the vulnerable as we get into the colder weather, but we don't see a return of restrictions.'

Downing Street working on plans to dump self-isolation rules Self-isolation for Covid-infected Britons could be abandoned over the coming months, it has been claimed. Quarantine periods were today shortened to five days, eeks after staff shortages brought on by them hit the economy and essential services. People in England will now be able to leave isolation early providing they test negative on days five and six. But Downing Street is already working on plans to repeal the rule entirely  after it hit the economy and essential services. A senior Government source told the Daily Telegraph: 'Lots of legal requirements were put in place during the pandemic. 'As we come into a stage where things are more manageable and those legal restrictions may no longer be necessary, we will look to remove them promptly from the statute book. 'The Prime Minister is obviously determined to get back to normal as soon as we can.' Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to do away with Covid curbs, with 'Plan B' measures expected to be dumped before the end of this month. Advertisement

Dr Tildesley added: 'Say we get into a situation where the virus becomes very, very mild and we are living alongside it  we're not there yet, but hopefully we will be at some point this year  then we do need to talk about not just cases but also hospital admissions and the number of people who are dying with the disease.

'If we can get those numbers as low as possible then hopefully we can see restrictions removed and we can live alongside the virus.'

Omicron initially sparked panic in Whitehall when the variant emerged in mid-November because it spread so much faster than its predecessors.

But studies quickly began to mount showing the mutant strain was causing less severe disease, partly due to the strain being inherently less lethal and the build-up of immunity through vaccines and prior infection.

Some scientists believe the virus has to make a 'trade-off' between whether it will be more infectious or more deadly, which is likely driving it towards becoming milder.

Asked about the current wave, Dr Tildesley said the figures were 'cautiously good news' which could indicate the virus was 'turning around'.

He said: 'We have had very, very high case numbers throughout late December and early January  we peaked about 200,000 at one point. We do now seem to be a little bit beyond that.'

But he warned that children returning to schools could still send Covid cases back up, with 'another week of data' needed before the impact was clear.

On hospitalisations he said they were still 'relatively high' although appeared to be plateauing or 'possibly going down' in London. This is a signal that they could soon start falling in the rest of the country because the capital was first to be hit by the virus.

Britain's Covid cases fell for the eleventh day in a row yesterday and halved in a week after 70,924 new infections were recorded compared to 141,472 on the previous Sunday.

Cases are now pointing downwards in almost every local authority in England, in yet another signal that the wave is now fizzling out.

And the number of Covid deaths during the peak of the Omicron wave was seven times lower than those recorded during the Alpha-fuelled outbreak last winter, before the vaccine roll out, in a sign the variant is much milder.

Hospitalisations are now plateauing across the country with the number of Covid patients on hospital wards also flatlining. Admissions to critical care beds have barely risen since the mutant strain took hold.

It came as self-isolation rules were cut to five days in England today, weeks after staff shortages brought on by them hit the economy and essential services.

From this morning people in England can end their quarantine after five full days, providing they test negative on days five and six, in a move hailed as restoring 'extra freedoms'.

Britain nearing end of Covid pandemic, WHO adviser says Britain could soon exit the Covid pandemic, a WHO adviser says Dr David Nabarro, the agency's special envoy on Covid, said there was now 'light at the end of the tunnel' for the country. He told Sky News: 'Looking at it from a UK point of view, there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel '[But] I think that it's going to be bumpy before we get to the end. 'So even though it's possible to start imagining that the end of the pandemic is not far away, just everybody be ready for the possibility that there will be more variations and mutations coming along, or that there will be further challenges, other surges of even Omicron coming.' Scientists raised eyebrows last week when they suggested the UK was on the brink of exiting the pandemic. But amid high vaccination rates and case rates the Omicron variant did not put hospitals under 'unsuportable' pressure. It is hoped that the next variant of Covid will be even milder than Omicron. It means that if this is the case then the UK may no longer need to impose restrictions every time a new variant emerges. Advertisement

A Cabinet minister struck an optimistic note today by saying the signs for lifting restrictions later this month are 'encouraging'.

And it coincides with the Prime Minister trying to restore his popularity after a series of lockdown scandals that have led to wide calls for his resignation.

Dr Tildesley said the move  announced by Sajid Javid in the Commons last week  was not without risk but that he 'totally understood' it was a practical measure.

He told BBC Breakfast: 'We're seeing an awful lot of absences, and it's particularly concerning in healthcare at the moment actually, so if we can reduce the isolation period then that will allow more people to get back to work

'Of course, important to remember that is done with two negative tests  so you can't come out of isolation until the sixth day with a second negative test.

'And if you don't get a negative test, you have to stay in isolation potentially even until day 10 so hopefully that mitigates some of the risk.'

Mr Zahawi said today that the current data was pointing in the right direction and it was looking positive Plan B measures could be lifted.

The now Education Secretary told BBC Breakfast: 'If you look at infection rates, they remain high, hospitalisations is still high, touching 20,000 people in hospital, but it feels like they're plateauing.

'The good news is the number of people in ICU has been coming down, certainly in London, which was the epicentre, the level of staff absence in education has remained pretty flat, it was 8 per cent before Christmas, it's at about 8.5 per cent at the moment.

'So I'm confident that when we review this on the 26 of January, as we said we would do, then we'll be in a much better place to lift some of these restrictions.

'But it's worth remembering that because we stuck to Plan B this economy is the most open economy in Europe.'

Amid very high cases and vaccination levels, scientists have already suggested that the UK could be one of the first countries to exit the pandemic.

Dr David Nabarro, the World Health Organization's (WHO) special envoy for Covid, agreed with the predictions. He told Sky News there was 'light at the end of the tunnel' for the UK in its fight with Covid.

He said: 'Looking at it from a UK point of view, there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel I think that it's going to be bumpy before we get to the end.

'So even though it's possible to start imagining that the end of the pandemic is not far away, just everybody be ready for the possibility that there will be more variations and mutations coming along, or that there will be further challenges, other surges of even Omicron coming.'

He said children do not get very ill from Covid, and 'we're going to have children acting as vectors of the virus for some time to come'.

He said there was a need to still be 'respectful of this virus', adding: 'Do what you can to stop transmitting it. Do what you can to protect others from being affected by it. It's not the common cold.

'I know people would like it to be but it's a virus that has still some really unpleasant features. Let's do our best to protect people from it if we possibly can.'

Conservative party chairman Oliver Dowden yesterday also suggested Covid curbs could be lifted before the end of this month. He claimed he was 'very hopeful and optimistic' restrictions would soon be eased during a round of interviews.

And the Health Secretary  usually a backer of tighter curbs  is also now taking a softer line, with sources saying he believes the current wave is 'moving in the right direction'.

'Plan B' restrictions are set to expire on January 26, with ministers already thought to be preparing to dump work from home guidance and vaccine passports. Travel testing rules could also be eased for fully-vaccinated arrivals, meaning they will no longer be required to get an expensive swab.

A 'final decision' on easing curbs is yet to be taken, however.
Robert Burns was advised not to write in Scots by a friend

His poetry popularised the Scots language, introducing the world to auld lang syne, sleekit beasties and cutty sarks.

But Robert Burns was advised not to write in Scots by a friend who thought it would limit his audience, according to new research.

A project by academics at the University of Glasgow's Centre for Robert Burns Studies looked at letters to and from Scotland's national bard.

The team looked at some 800 letters written by Burns and around 300 to 400 letters from his friends and admirers - and have put together both sides of the letter correspondence where available.

They found that, in 1787, Dr John Moore advised the poet not to write in Scots, warning that London readers would not connect with it, though Burns ignored his suggestion.

Instead, evidence suggests he may even have written more verses in Scots after getting the advice.

Burns' most famous poems include Auld Lang Syne - which is traditionally sung by millions of people across the world at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve  and Address to a Haggis.

The latter poem includes the line, 'Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great Chieftan o' the Puddin-race!', and is traditionally recited on Burns Night.

In a letter (above) in May 1787, the poet's friend Dr John Moore advised him not to write in Scots, warning that London readers would not connect with it, though Burns ignored his suggestion

Dr Moore wrote to Burns in May 1787, saying: 'It is evident that you already possess a great variety of expression and Command of the English Language, you ought therefore to deal more sparingly for the future in the Provincial Dialect  why should you by using that limit the number of your admirers to those who understand the Scotish [sic], when you can extend it to all persons of Taste who understand the English language.

Who was Robert Burns? Robert Burns was born 25 January 1759 and died 21 July 1796 and was widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. He was a high-ranking member of the Freemasons and much of his popularity stems from the fact he was a farmer's son who could speak to the common man. But he also led a varied social life which exposed him to different sections of society. In his poems, he often used small subjects to express big ideas and he is often thought of as a pioneer of the Romantic movement. For instance, in 'To a Mouse', he draws a comparison between the lives of mice and men. He was a source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism after his death. Burns has a national day named after him on the 25th January each year. At New Year, his poem 'Auld Lang Syne' is still sung to this day. For 200 years his birthday has been celebrated with suppers in his honour on 'Burns Night'. Advertisement

Burns replied a few months later to say his 'scarcity of English' denied him the words he wanted to use to write about a young woman he had been working with.

He wrote: 'My scarcity of English denies me the power of doing her justice in that language; but you know the Scotch idiom, She was a bonnie, sweet, sonsie lass.'

Dr Craig Lamont, a research associate in Robert Burns Studies at the University of Glasgow, told The Telegraph: 'Burns clearly ignores Moore's advice to write less Scots verse, and though he makes excellent use of English prose in his correspondence, he did send one letter entirely in Scots.

'It is addressed to William Nicol, Master of the High School in Edinburgh, and its date  June 1 1787  may suggest that Burns had Moore's advice in mind, and that rather than writing less Scots, he tried out writing even more.'

Dr Rhona Brown, a senior lecturer in Scottish Literature at Glasgow and a colleague of Dr Lamont, said: 'In the correspondence, we get closer to Burns 'the man' than anywhere else: his letters reveal his triumphs, failures, anxieties, fears and joys.

'Our edition of the correspondence is also presenting, for the first time, letters written to Burns as well as by Burns, allowing us to reconstruct personal dialogues from throughout Burns's life.

'Two of Burns's relationships stand out - with Dr John Moore and Mrs Frances Dunlop - as we have both sides of the correspondence.

'What is fascinating, for example, is that early on, Moore advised Burns not to write in Scots. He cautioned Burns that he was limiting his audience and felt that London readers wouldn't understand or connect with the Scots language. Dunlop advised him to avoid political subjects.

People around the globe will celebrate Burns Night on January 25 to celebrate the anniversary of the poet's birth on that date in 1759. Above: A portrait of Burns projected onto the front of Prestonfield House in Edinburgh during Burns Night in 2018

'But Burns is his own man and ignores the advice and carries on regardless. I think history has now shown that he was right.'

People around the globe will celebrate Burns Night on January 25 to celebrate the anniversary of the poet's birth on that date in 1759.

The correspondence will be published as part of the new Collected Works of Robert Burns published by the Oxford University Press.

The new edition's publication of responses to the poet's letters also reveals that reactions to his works were not always what people might expect.

'Burns sends Dr John Moore a long, heartfelt letter giving a detailed account of his childhood and life up to 1787: this letter is now known as Burns's autobiographical letter,' Dr Lamont added.

'In response, Moore asks Burns to 'divide your letters when they are so heavy', because 'I was obliged to pay six & eightpence for it'.'

The team will premiere their video documentary on the 'Editing Robert Burns for the 21st Century: Correspondence' project at 10am on January 17 at https://burnsc21-letters-poems.glasgow.ac.uk/documentaries/

The Centre will also host an online question and answer session on Thursday January 20 so that members of the public and Burns scholars can find out more about the project, with more information available via @GlasgowBurns.
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The body of a British woman missing on the island of Tonga was found by her husband who led a search party for her after she was swept away in the devastating tsunami, making her the first person known to have died in the disaster sparked by an underwater volcanic eruption.

Angela Glover, 50, an advertising worker from Brighton who met tattoo artist husband James in London before they married and moved to Tonga in 2015, had been missing since the island was hit by the enormous waves on Saturday evening when the nearby Hunga-Tonga volcano exploded.

She was last seen on a beach on the west of the island of Tongatapu by James as a 4ft wave came ashore. He survived by clinging to a tree, but Angela was unable to grab hold and was swept away while holding on to driftwood. James then found her body in nearby scrubland during a search on Monday, brother Nick Eleini said.

Nick, who lives in Australia but has today flown to the UK to be with mother Jennifer, told Sky News that his sister - who ran a dog shelter - was trying to save her pets when she was killed. Four of her five dogs were swept away in the tsunami, with only one found alive so far.

Mr Eleini, speaking outside the family home in Hove, said they are 'devastated' by the news - describing Angela as a 'beautiful' person who could 'light up a room'. 'She was absolutely a ray of sunshine,' he added.

Mrs Glover, who founded a dog rescue charity on Tonga - named TAWS - had dedicated her life to helping abandoned and abused dogs.

He added: 'This terrible accident came about as they tried to rescue their dogs'.

Mr Eleini said the body of his sister Angela was found by her husband James.

He told MailOnline: 'She was the centre of our family and we are just broken.'

Mr Eleini flew back to the UK from Australia to comfort their mother Jennifer, 85.

Fighting back tears, he said: 'There had been a search party and I believe James found the body and it was in some bushes.

'I'm not really aware of the geography in Tonga other than it's a low lying, scrubby, sandy area. She was found in that area.

Angela last saw her mum two years ago when she came back to Sussex for a visit. Mr Eleini said they were in constant contact online over three-way video conferences.

'I haven't got the words in my vocabulary to describe they way we are feeling at the moment.

Angela Glover, 50 (right with husband James), has been found dead on the Tongatapu island of Tonga, after it was hit by a devastating tsunami late on Saturday

Angela met husband James, a tattoo artist, in London while working in advertising, and the pair moved to Tonga in 2015 after getting married. They had been living in the village of Veitongo, where Angela ran a dog shelter

Just hours before the tsunami hit, Angela uploaded a haunting last image to Instagram of a blood-red sunset, saying the island was 'eerily quiet' after an earlier eruption at the same volcano

'It's just a terrible shock. We are ordinary people and stuff like this just doesn't happen to people like us and then it does.'

'Both when she was working in London and when she achieved her life's dream of going to work in the South Pacific.

'She loved her life there and we are so proud of her achievements.

'In such a short time in Tonga they started a business and made a life there and her charity work.

'She was so committed to it. She loved animals and dogs in particular. The uglier the dog, the more she loved it.

'We would laugh at her when she sent us photographs of these dogs that she'd rescued.'

Mr Eleini said the family will make preparations to repatriate her body back to the UK.

'I have no idea what happens next but I believe there is a process we have to go through to repatriate Angela's body but I don't know what that is,' he said.

A statement issued by the family said: 'Angela and James loved their life in Tonga and adored the Tongan people. In particular, they loved the Tongan love of family and Tongan culture.

'Since she was a little girl, it was always Angela's dream to swim with whales and it was Tonga that gave her the opportunity to fulfil these dreams. As you can imagine, her family is devastated and we respectfully request that we are given privacy to grieve.'

Much of Tonga's communications network was destroyed in the blast, meaning news from the island has been infrequent and the overall toll of dead and injured remains a mystery. Undersea cable operators say it could take weeks to repair the damage, while aid workers say even satellite phones are struggling due to the ash cloud.

What little news has emerged suggests casualties on the main island of Togatapu are likely to be limited, but concern is mounting for the inhabitants of smaller outlying islands after a distress beacon was detected coming from a group of low-lying isles earlier today.

The signal was traced to the Haapai island group, located around 85 miles north of the volcano - specifically from the Fonoi and Mango islands, where 105 people live. Other than the distress beacon, rescuers have had no contact with the islanders

 Slide me  Hunga-Tonga island: A satellite image taken on December 8 (left) shows the peak of the volcano visible above the ocean. A second image taken on January 16 (right) shows how it has been all-but destroyed by the eruption

 Slide me  Tongatapu island: An image taken on February 7 last year (left) shows the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa before the tsunami struck, compared to an image taken on January 16 (right) which shows lots of water damage from the tsunami

 Slide me  Uoleva island: An image taken in April last year (left) shows a village on one of the smaller islands near the volcano intact, and a second image taken on January 16 (right) shows how it was damaged by the tsunami and blanketed in ash

 Slide me  Uiha island: An image taken in April last year (left) shows the main village on the island before the tsunami, while a second image taken on January 16 (right) shows damage and how the surroundings were covered in ash

 Slide me  Nomuka island: A picture taken on May 30 last year (left) shows the island before the tsunami hit, while another image taken on January 16 (right) shows damage to the island after the wave struck

Dramatic official aerial maps showed the eruption cloud over Tonga after the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcanco erupted. Pictured: Satellite images of the volanic eruption in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday

Aid workers warn 80,000 of Tonga's 105,000 residents could be affected by the fall-out from the disaster, which includes ash blanketing homes and poisoning drinking water, sea water poisoning crops, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.

'Further volcanic activity cannot be ruled out,' the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in the update on Monday, reporting only minor injuries but emphasising that formal assessments, especially of the outer islands, had yet to be released.

Just hours before tragedy struck, Angela had uploaded a haunting image to Instragram alongside a message which said: 'We've been under tsunami warnings today, everything's fine. A few swells, a few eerie silences, a wind or two, then silence, sudden stillness, electric storms....'

The post was uploaded on Friday, after an initial eruption hit the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano on Thursday evening and hours before the devastating second blast late Saturday which triggered the tsunami.

Meanwhile new satellite images revealed the extent of the damage to the Hunga-Tonga volcano and surrounding islands, including Tongatapu itself where Angela was at the time the wave hit.

The peak of Hunga-Tonga has been almost completely destroyed, with almost none of the volcanic island visible above sea level following the blast. Experts say the blast, likely the strongest anywhere on earth for the last 30 years, was triggered when superheated magma was thrown into the cold seawater.

Extensive flood damage is also visible in Nuku'alofa, the capital of Toga, with more flood damage visible on the nearby islands of Uoleva, Uiha and Nomuka, along with ash deposits as debris rained from the sky.

Professor Shane Cronin, a Tonga eruptions expert, shared images of the damage with MailOnline, saying: 'Eruptions over the last month have mainly destroyed new land mass created during 2014-2015 eruptions.

'The 30 December eruption added to that land mass, the 13 Jan one removed a lot of it, and the 15 Jan one destroyed almost all vestiges of it as well as reduced the size of the pre-existing islands.'

Damage to internet cables has left thousands of overseas Tongans waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones as messages trickle off the islands, mainly via aid workers using satellite phones - though even these calls have been disrupted due to the density of an ash cloud that has blanketed the skies.

How can volcanoes create new islands? Volcanic islands are created by eruptions underwater, usually at the boundaries of two tectonic plates, which are pieces of the earth's crust. When the plates ease apart, lava spews out in a volcanic eruption. When the lava cools, layers of erupted material form the basis of new land mass. The layers build their way up from the sea bed to create new islands.

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Besides leaving people in the dark about the fate of family, the internet cut threatened to hurt Tongans reliant on money transfers from relatives overseas.

'I think the worst part is the blackout and the fact that we know nothing,' said Filipo Motulalo, a New Zealand-based journalist with Pacific Media Network.

'There is no communication,' he added.

'Our home is among those close to the area that was flooded already so we don't know how much damage there is.'

'I would say we're anxious, not fearful,' said the Auckland Tongan Community secretary, Kennedy Maeakafa Fakana'ana'a-ki-Fualu.

'We're hopeful everyone is alright. We accept there is a problem with the internet but we hope for the best,' he added.

Fakana'ana'a-ki-Fualu, who is arranging for containers of relief supplies to be sent to Tonga, said a cable fault preventing internet access was a serious issue for families reliant on funds sent by the Tongan community in New Zealand.

'That will be a problem and we will have to look at alternatives,' the community secretary said, adding that he expected the Tongan government, with support from New Zealand and Australia, 'will be able to do something to help out.'

Saturday's powerful eruption was heard as far away as Alaska and Finland and triggered a tsunami that swept through coastal houses in Tonga, damaging infrastructure and dumping boats and boulders on shore.

'We pray God will help our country at this sad moment. We hope everybody is safe,' Maikeli Atiola, the Secretary of the Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Auckland, told Radio New Zealand.

The news came as Australia and New Zealand both made efforts to send aid and reconnaissance planes to the region. It remains unclear how many people were killed in the eruption and subsequent flooding.

Former Londoner Angela, who works for an animal charity, emigrated to Tonga five years ago.

On Sunday she took to social media to comment on the eruption, saying her home was under a tsunami warning. It is believed the waves hit minutes later.

Tattooist James is believed to have been able to cling to a tree but Angela, who runs a dog rescue centre on the island and several of her animals were swept away.

Her friend Donna Head posted on Facebook: 'Ange is still missing.'

She added: 'We must be optimistic and pray for a miracle I'm trying to process that this beautiful happy face is missing.

'I shall continue to update when I have further news.'

She finished with the hashtag #prayforAnge.

The eruption is the latest explosion on the islands in the past month after days of volatility on Tonga, which has seen smaller eruptions before

The volcanic eruption let out a huge plume of ash and has reportedly created a new island, although communications remain down on Tonga

 Slide me  Left: A satellite image shows the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai with a plume of smoke rising from it, days before the eruption. Right: The volcano two hours before its eruption in Tonga.

Another post read: 'My uncle held on to a tree but my Auntie and dogs were washed away.

'My uncle still hasn't been able to find my Auntie. If anyone has any information please reach out.'

As the search continued, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged his country would supply aid to Tongans as soon as possible but added the ash cloud was adding to the logistical problems.

'There's been a lot of challenges there with the ash cloud and the disruption to communications and so we are working together to get as much support to Tonga as we possibly can,' Morrison said.

Australia's Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said initial reports suggested no mass casualties and that Tonga's airport 'appears to be in relatively good condition' but there were 'significant damage' to roads and bridges.

Seselja said Australia was liaising with the United States, New Zealand, France and other countries to coordinate responses.

New Zealand's Defence Minister Peeni Henare said at a news conference in Auckland that power had been restored in large parts of Nuku'alofa and some communications are back up.

A New Zealand Hercules C-130 would perform drops of essentials after the requirements are assessed and the navy will also be deployed.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Sunday that the tsunami had a significant impact on infrastructure.

Red Cross said it was mobilising its regional network to respond to what it called the worst volcanic eruptions the Pacific has experienced in decades.

'Red Cross has enough relief supplies to support 1,200 households with essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits and hygiene kits,' said Katie Greenwood, IFRC's Pacific Head of Delegation told Reuters.

She said the agency is expecting up to 80,000 people to be affected by the tsumani

'That is what we are planning for as a worst-case scenario until we can get further confirmation from the people on the ground,' she said.

The agency said there were concerns that communities may not have access to safe drinking water as a result of saltwater inundation caused by the tsunami waves and ashfall.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano has erupted regularly over the past few decades but the impact of Saturday's eruption was felt was far away as Fiji, New Zealand, the United States and Japan. Two people drowned off a beach in Northern Peru due to high waves caused by the tsunami.

Early data suggests the volcanic eruption was the biggest blast since Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines 30 years ago, New Zealand-based volcanologist Shane Cronin told Radio New Zealand.

'This is an eruption best witnessed from space,' Cronin said.

Tonga volcano eruption as seen from Himawari-8 of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Hundreds of frightened Tongans fled to higher ground as the eruption triggered a tsunami in the island nation, with a four-foot wave observed in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa

Locals pleaded for people to 'pray for us' as the eruption was compared to 'bombs going off' by those who heard it, followed by the tsunami surging ashore

In this satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite, and released by the agency, shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday

'The large and explosive lateral spread of the eruption suggests that it was probably the biggest one since about the 1991 eruption of Pinatubo,' Cronin said.

'This is one of the massive explosions the volcano is capable of producing roughly every thousand years,' he added. 'We could be in for several weeks or even years of major volcanic unrest from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano.

Satellite images showed a huge eruption, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising above the sea. A sonic boom could be heard as far away as Alaska.

The Tonga Meteorological Services said a tsunami warning was declared for all of the archipelago, and data from the Pacific tsunami center said waves of 2.7 feet were detected.

Across the Pacific on California's central coast, the National Weather Service reported tsunami waves up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) and flooding in beach parking lots at Port San Luis. About 200 miles (320 km) down the coast, the waves were much smaller at Southern California's Seal Beach, according to Michael Pless, the owner of M&M Surf School.

Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau, who chairs the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, said she hoped the relatively low level of the tsunami waves would have allowed most people to get to safety, although she worried about those living on islands closest to the volcano.

She said she hadn't yet been able to contact her friends and family in Tonga.

Some churches in New Zealand organised community prayers in Auckland and other cities.

'We pray God will help our country at this sad moment. We hope everybody is safe,' Maikeli Atiola, the Secretary of the Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Auckland said, Radio New Zealand reported.

Ms Ardern said the main undersea communications cable has been impacted, likely due to loss of power.

Power was being restored in some areas on the islands and local mobile phones were slowly starting to work, she added.

One complicating factor to any international aid effort is that Tonga has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks of Covid-19.

Ms Ardern said New Zealand's military staff were all fully vaccinated and willing to follow any protocols established by Tonga.

The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano is located about 40 miles north of the capital, Nuku'alofa. In late 2014 and early 2015, a series of eruptions in the area created a small new island and disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

There is not a significant difference between volcanoes underwater and on land, and underwater volcanoes become bigger as they erupt, at some point usually breaching the surface, said Hans Schwaiger, a research geophysicist with the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

With underwater volcanoes, however, the water can add to the explosivity of the eruption as it hits the lava, Schwaiger added.

Before an explosion, there is generally an increase in small local earthquakes at the volcano, but depending on how far it is from land, that may not be felt by residents along the shoreline, Schwaiger said.

In 2019, Tonga lost internet access for nearly two weeks when a fiber-optic cable was severed. The director of the local cable company said at the time that a large ship may have cut the cable by dragging an anchor. Until limited satellite access was restored people couldn't even make international calls.

Southern Cross Cable Network's Veverka said limited satellite connections exist between Tonga and other parts of the world but he did not know if they might be affected by power outages.

People look at a damaged boat in a marina at Tutukaka, New Zealand, after waves from a volcano eruption swept into the marina

A car is caught in rising water at Santa Cruz Harbor on Saturday as tsunami flooding strikes low-lying areas

A tsunami has struck Tonga sending terrified locals fleeing for high ground as huge waves crashed over roads and into homes (pictured, tsunami waves begin to overwhelm coastal homes in Tonga on Saturday)
The surgeon general for the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy, made statements on Sunday warning that the Omicron variant's spread in the country has not yet peaked, arguing that the next few weeks will be especially "tough" for Americans.

The medical professional had an interview on CNN's "State of the Union" where he noted the "good news" of the numerical plateaus and drops in known cases in the Northeast, especially in New York City and New Jersey. However, he said that the challenge was that the United States was moving unequally.

Omicron Variant

Murthy added that the people of the United States should not expect a national peak in the coming days. The Omicron coronavirus variant has caused a massive surge of cases in the U.S., raising the average daily cases to more than 800,000 as of Saturday.

The dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, Dr. Ashish Jha, also expressed her concerns that the next few weeks will cause overwhelming strain to hospitals and medical staff. She said that, currently, there were roughly 150,000 people in the hospital who were infected with the coronavirus, the New York Times reported.

Murthy said that the brutal Winter surge brought by the Omicron variant is the reason why authorities were prioritizing delivering resources to hospitals that are struggling. The surgeon general emphasized the need to double down on precautions that are currently in place.

Read Also: Experts Warn for More COVID-19 Variants; Current Vaccines May Not Be Effective Against Upcoming Strains

The medical professional also endorsed the coronavirus vaccines by saying that they were working very well in keeping people out of hospitals and from severe illnesses. Murthy noted this is the reason why officials wanted everyone to get vaccinated against the deadly disease as soon as they could and even get booster shots.

In another interview with ABC's "This Week," Murthy said that it was "very disappointing" that the U.S. Supreme Court decided to block the Biden administration's vaccine-or-test requirement for large private businesses. Murthy said that the decision was a setback for public health because the requirements basically helped protect the community at large and make workplaces safer for workers and customers, the New York Post reported.

Situation in the United States

The situation shows varying levels of severity of the Omicron variant's spread in different areas in the United States. In New York State, for example, authorities only recorded roughly 48,000 cases on Friday, which is a 47% drop from the previous week's case count, said Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday.

In a statement, Hochul said that the region was turning the corner on the winter surge but argued that they were not yet in the clear. On the other hand, Minnesota also observed declining intensive-care hospitalizations for COVID-19. Washington, D.C., and other city officials in the eastern half of the country have reported lower cases.

However, New York's drop in known cases does not mirror the situation seen across the United States. Both Oklahoma and Georgia reported more than a 100% rise in weekly COVID-19 cases based on an analysis of Johns Hopkins University data, which also showed Colorado with a 90% increase, USA Today reported.



Related Article: CDC Urges Americans To Wear Mask With Highest Protection as Biden Administration Set To Give Away Free Masks

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Police investigating a vicious break-in which saw an elderly mayor's wife killed and her husband left fighting for his life are examining a nearby house raid which also saw another couple in their 80s attacked.

Freda Walker, 86, was found dead in her home along with her 88-year-old husband Kenneth by a neighbour on Saturday morning.

Ambulance crews dashed to Langwith Junction, Derbyshire, after a neighbour raised the alarm at 9.30am and paramedics called police who launched a murder investigation.

The manhunt for her killer is still ongoing but friends suggested someone she may have helped could have turned against them.

Meanwhile, police in Nottingham were today searching a property that was the scene of a similar violent robbery at the home of an elderly couple a short distance away in Trowell on January 6.

In that incident, a couple, both in their 80s, were set upon in their bed by an intruder demanding cash.

The woman is reported to have sustained cuts to the right side of her head, severe swelling to her arm, and a possible broken jaw.

Her husband sustained injuries to his face, arms and body.

Today, shocked residents paid tribute to Mrs Walker, describing her as a 'generous person with a warm spirit' who was known for her charity work.

One neighbour said: 'Freda was the most generous person you could ever meet and had such a kind and warm spirit.

'The couple didn't have any children and I think helping others was her way of being a mother to those who were less fortunate.

'She worked with homeless charities and just wanted people to have a chance to make a life for themselves.

'The community here are in real shock. It's so sad and an awful thing to happen to two pillars of their community.'

Floral tributes have also been left outside the couple's home as the community struggles to come to terms with the murder.

A card on a bunch of flowers read: 'To the best friend anyone could ever have had in their lives.

'I shall miss you so much, I can't believe this happened to the nicest person on this earth.'

Another card said: 'To a lovely lady who would help anyone she could without hesitating. She will be missed.'

Mr Walker sits on Shirebrook Town Council, representing the Shirebrook Langwith Ward and is a retired mining safety inspector who celebrated his 88th birthday on Thursday.

Last month, Mr Walker, who is also the former mayor of Bolsover, was awarded an honorary status for his service to Bolsover District Council.

Freda and her husband. Tributes called her 'the best friend anyone could ever have had'

Forensic scene of crime officers secure evidence at the scene as they worked today

Criminals were being hunted today as the culprit was on the loose after the murder

Police have launched a murder investigation after an 88-year-old woman was killed and her husband, 88, suffered life-threatening injuries at their village home

Derbyshire Police said a 'serious level of violence' was used in the incident but no arrests have yet been made

Speaking at the murder scene, Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett said Mr and Mrs Walker were 'well known' in the local area. Pictured: flowers left outside the house

Meanwhile, police in Nottingham were today searching a property that was the scene of a similar violent robbery at the home of an elderly couple a short distance away in Trowell on January 6 (officers pictured at the time)

The man and woman in their 80s were in bed at their house in Trowell, Nottinghamshire, when the burglar burst in and assaulted them. Pictured earlier this month

The couple were today described as 'lovely people' who were 'well known' in the local area.

Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher said his 'thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time'.

Derbyshire Police launched a murder investigation, saying a 'serious level of violence' was used in the incident but no arrests have yet been made.

Police say the family of the couple have been made aware and are being supported by specialist officers.

Speaking at the murder scene, Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett said: 'This couple were well known here. I know that many people who knew them were shocked by this horrific incident.

'I want to appeal to anybody who has any information in relation to this incident to come forward as a matter of urgency.

'I must confirm that no arrests have been made in this case and this is not a domestic incident.

'There was also a serious level of violence used in the incident and we are doing all we can to understand the circumstances and find those responsible.

'If you were in the area on the 14th of January through to the 15th, please contact police officers as we especially want to find anybody who may have any dashcam footage and anybody in the area that has CCTV.

'We have got officers from our major crime unit, which is a regional team, who are working hard and working with a number of lines of enquiry, all in the effort to try and identify who is responsible for this horrific incident and to bring them to justice.'

Chf Supt Barnett confirmed Mr Walker suffered 'horrific injuries and is in a critical condition in hospital'.

She added: 'We wish him all the best and I really hope that he has a speedy recovery, he is in the best care at the moment.

'The family are aware, but I am not sure if the family are by his side at this time.'

Police refused to confirm how Mrs Walker died.

Freda Walker (pictured, left) was found dead at her house in Langwith Junction, Derbyshire, and her husband Kenneth (right) was taken to hospital with 'life-threatening injuries'

Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher said his 'thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time' following the attack

Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett said Mr Walker had suffered horrific injuries and was in a critical condition in hospital

Neighbours have today been leaving flowers outside the house where Mr and Mrs Walker lived

Chf Supt Barnett said: 'While I cannot talk about the mechanics of how the injuries happened, what I do urge people to do is to carry out good security in relations to their homes.

'Keep their doors and windows locked and do not let any strangers in. Don't keep any valuables on display.

'And to have a means of making contacting with emergency services if needs be.

'Investigators are looking at the broadest possible range of scenarios alongside other forces to consider whether or not there are any other offences that might be connected to this.'

Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher described the incident as 'very serious and sad', adding: 'My thoughts are with all those affected and I will continue to work with the authorities over the coming days.'

Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Fletcher added: 'This is an incredibly shocking incident in what is a very strong community.

'The police are investigating and I was briefed by them earlier today.

'Whilst it is too early to know what has happened, I know the police share my desire to see those responsible brought to justice.

'I'm sure I speak on behalf of every resident in Bolsover when I say our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.'

Steve Fritchley, the leader of Bolsover District Council, who has known Mr Walker for 38 years, told MailOnline: 'I'm saddened and shocked to hear about the attack on him and his wife Freda.

'They represented the Council as Chair and consort of the Bolsover for some years and were lovely people.

'Only in the last month Ken, along with other ex local councillors, was awarded Honorary Alderman status for his service to Bolsover District Council.

'Let us hope that the culprits are found and arrested quickly.'

Residents and friends of the couple expressed shock today.

A dog walker, who passes through Station Road every Sunday morning, was a friend of the couple.

He said: 'This is very quiet area. I was an acquaintance of Kenneth and Freda. They were very nice people.

'Kenneth used to be a local councillor heavily involved in the area.

'A long time ago, he was the Mayor of Bolsover or Chesterfield I think, one of the two.

'They were always a nice couple and ready to speak to you. I spoke to Mrs Walker regularly as I walk the dog through here - more so in the summer.

'Yesterday, I had been fishing all day and came home and heard what had happened and my partner told me that there had been an attack in their house.

'Then I found out Ken is critical in hospital. It is horrible to hear.

'I just knew them as an inviting and lovely couple. I always used to wave at them as I walked by.'

A neighbour said: 'Ken and Freda were devoted to each other. This has shocked everyone who knew them.'

Another resident said: 'We are totally shocked. We didn't hear a thing - nothing.

'We didn't know them, we've only just moved to the area ourselves. We didn't even know their names.

'It is a really quiet area - odd bit of trouble, especially with living on the main road. But nothing like this. Really sad.'

A neighbour, two doors down from the couple, said: 'I knew of their names because this a close-knit area - everybody knows everybody.

'It is shocking and upsetting. I have lived on this street for 53 years. It has been a lovely area to live. It is really sad.

'You would see Kenneth and Freda now and again but that was it. This is just shocking.'

Assistant Chief Constable, Dave Kirby of Derbyshire Police gives a press conference appealing to the public for help with their murder investigation

Forensic officers have been at the crime scene throughout today and police said 'investigators are looking at the broadest possible range of scenarios'

Police outside the house in Station Road, Langwith Junction, Derbyshire, where the elderly woman was found dead and her husband seriously injured

Assistant Chief Constable, Dave Kirby of Derbyshire Police holds a photo of Ken Walker and Freda Walker during a press conference appealing to the public for help with their murder investigation

A resident who lived on the neighbouring estate of Primrose Way, said: 'The police came to visit me this morning, as they have done with all the neighbours in the estate, just to see if I had heard anything.

'I've heard it was a some sort of break-in or burglary there, I didn't know them - never seen them.

'I heard this morning that it was an elderly couple and the lady had died. The gentleman is in intensive care.

'The police are not revealing much information to use either. We're looking for updates.

'It is just shocking - you don't expect to hear something like this happen in a quiet residential estate.'

Police have cordoned off the couple's home which backs onto several allotments. An alleyway by the side of the house has also been sealed off.

Pictures from the scene show a number of police vehicles, and forensics officers in attendance.

The area is popular with young families due to being close to Brookfield Primary School and Langwith Bassett Junior Academy.

Assistant Chief Constable David Kirby said: 'Freda and Kenneth were very well known in the Langwith Junction area  and there has been an understandable outpouring of grief following Freda's death.

'My thoughts are with her family and friends  and with the wider community who are understandably shocked by the news.

'Our thoughts are also with Kenneth at this time, who remains in a critical condition in hospital.

'A significant level of violence was used in this incident and, while we cannot go into specifics of the offence at this time, this is not being investigated as a domestic incident.

'Again, I understand that this will come as a shock for the community and there will be understandable concern.

'There is an increased police presence in the area, and high visibility patrols will continue in the coming days. I would urge anyone with concerns to speak to officers on patrol or contact the force directly.

'Finally I would urge anyone with information, in particular any drivers with dashcam footage or homeowners with CCTV that covers the period of time between 5pm on Friday 14 January and 9am on Saturday 15 January to contact the force as a matter of urgency.'

Anyone who may be able to help detectives with their enquiries is asked to contact Derbyshire police using the reference 240-150122.

Following the attack in Trowell earlier this month, Detective Sergeant Charlotte Henson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'This is an extremely violent attack on two elderly people who were sleeping in their own home.

'The two victims had to seek immediate medical attention for their injuries but thankfully they are not believed to be life-threatening or life-altering.'
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Coronavirus cases are now falling in virtually every area of England, official figures show as the Omicron wave continues to collapse with deaths six times lower than in the second wave.

Some 6,519 out of 6,790 neighbourhoods (96 per cent) around the country recorded a fall in infections in the week to January 11, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

It means 54million people are living in places with declining case rates now just eight weeks after Omicron burst onto the scene in late November and sent infections to record levels. Parts of Castle Point, Shropshire and Bexley have seen infections fall by more than 70 per cent week-on-week.

Deaths  which are the biggest lagging indicator of the trend in infections  are still rising slowly but there are an average of just 212 per day now compared to 1,200 per day at the peak of Alpha wave last January, despite three times more infections this wave.

The weakened link between infections and less severe outcomes is down to protection from the vaccines, natural immunity, antivirals and Omicron, which is thought to be intrinsically milder than older strains.

This is also highlighted in intensive care rates, with 4.5 times fewer patients moved to mechanical ventilation beds and half as many patients in hospital overall.

It comes amid growing optimism among the Government, its own scientific advisers and even the World Health Organization, who say the UK is on the cusp of taming Covid.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a modeller on an influential SAGE committee, today predicted the UK would have a flu-like relationship with Covid by the end of the year. He said the country has almost reached a point where ministers could start discussing what 'living with' Covid would be like.

Dr David Nabarro, the WHO's special envoy on Covid, said there was 'light at the end of the tunnel' for Britain amid plummeting case numbers and stable hospital rates.

Britain had one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world, which coupled with high levels of natural immunity from sustained transmission within the community has allowed England to be one of the most open countries in Europe.

Plan B restrictions are still in place, with staff told to work from home and vaccine passports required for some events, but these are expected to be dropped by the end of the month.

Education Secretary and former vaccine tsar Nadhim Zahawi said the country's Covid data is 'promising' and he is confident restrictions can be eased later this month.

 Slide me  UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows Covid cases are falling in 96 per cent of the country's nearly 7,000 neighbourhoods. The maps show the number of cases per 100,000 people in each region, with darker colours equating to more infections. The first map shows case rates in the week to January 4, while the second map shows cases in the week to January 11

 Slide me  UKHSA data shows Covid infections fell in the week to January 11. The maps show the number of cases per 100,000 people in each part of London, with darker colours equating to more infections. The first map shows case rates in the week to January 4, while the second map shows cases in the week to January 11

The Office for National Statistics estimates the second wave took off in early September 2020 before subsiding by April 2021. Official figures show cases spiked at 76,000 during the Alpha-fuelled wave, while three times as many cases were recorded at the peak of 246,000 this winter

Despite the number of positive Covid samples registered during the third wave being three times higher than during the second wave, UKHSA data shows the number of infected patients in hospital peaked at 19,876 (red line) on January 10 2022  half the level seen at the peak last winter, when 39,254 infected people were in hospital (yellow line)

The number of Covid patients who were moved on to mechanical ventilation beds to help with their breathing dropped over the course of the Omicron wave. Some 900 infected patients were in the critical care beds on January 4, the most recent peak (red line), compared to 4,077 on January 24 last year (yellow line)  equating to 4.5 times fewer patients

And Covid fatalities within 28 days of a positive test were six times lower at the peak this winter compared to 12 months earlier. Some 1,359 coronavirus fatalities were registered on January 19 2021 (yellow line), compared to 236 Covid deaths on January 9 2022 (red line), the most recent peak in the Omicron wave

SAGE modeller predicts UK will have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of the year Britain could have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of 2022, one of the Government's scientific advisers said today. Dr Mike Tildesley, who sits on an influential modelling sub-group of SAGE, warned the country 'was not there yet' because hospitalisation levels from the virus are still 'relatively high'  despite being just a fraction of those seen in previous waves. But he predicted even milder variants than Omicron would emerge over the course of the year, bolstering the UK's wall of immunity and creating an even bigger disconnect between infection numbers and hospitalisations and deaths. Dr Tildesley, a modeller at Warwick University, said the data suggested the pandemic was 'turning around' following the Omicron wave, meaning ministers could start discussing what 'living with' Covid would be like. Infections are now in freefall across the country, with MailOnline analysis suggesting outbreaks are now shrinking in 96 per cent of England's 7,000 neighbourhoods. Hospitalisations also appear to be trending downwards. Education Secretary and former vaccine tsar Nadhim Zahawi today described the figures as 'promising', and a sign 'Plan B' restrictions could be lifted before the end of this month because the country is set to be in a 'much better place' within weeks. The optimistic comments came as a World Health Organization expert today said there was 'light at the end of the tunnel' for Britain amid plummeting case numbers and stable hospital rates. Advertisement

UKHSA data shows cases fell in 6,519 of 6,790 of England's local authorities in the week to January 11, with rates plummeting fastest in Hadleigh North in Castle Point (71.5 per cent), Bridgnorth East in Shropshire (71.2 per cent) and Albany Park in Bexley (71.1 per cent) in the week to January 11.

There were near-70 per cent falls in parts of Cumbria, Essex and Sussex.

Meanwhile, cases are continuing to double cent week-on-week in parts of Birmingham and Bradford, with positive tests inclining quickest in Bordesley Green North, Toller Lane & Infirmary and Chellow Heights.

Parts of Peterborough and Sheffield have also seen big upticks, official data shows.

But daily data signals that the Omicron wave is subsiding, with just 70,924 positive samples announced yesterday across Britain, the lowest figure in more than a month.

And despite lags in reporting confirmed cases over the weekend, case numbers have been trending downwards for 11 days.

With experts saying that the latest wave has already peaked, official data shows its impact has been a fraction of the level of the wave seen last winter.



The Office for National Statistics estimates the second wave took off in early September 2020 before subsiding by April 2021.

Official figures show cases spiked at 76,000 and nearly 40,000 patients were in hospital at one time, while more than 4,000 people required ventilators and 1,360 daily deaths were recorded at last winter's peak.

Despite the number of positive Covid samples registered more than tripling to 246,000, hospitalisation levels and deaths over the same period are a fraction of the number seen last year.

UKHSA data shows the number of infected patients in hospital peaked at 19,876 on January 10  half the level seen at the peak last winter.

And Omicron's increased transmissibility led to nearly 40 per cent of Covid patients in England being so-called incidental, according to NHS England data.

It means they were not primarily being treated for the virus, suggesting the latest wave was even milder than the figures suggest.

However, record-high infection levels led to up to 50,000 NHS staff stuck at home due to the virus earlier this month, piling pressure on the health service which was forced to work with a reduced headcount.

Meanwhile, the number of Covid patients who were moved on to mechanical ventilation beds to help with their breathing dropped over the course of the Omicron wave, supporting reports that the strain causes milder illness than previous variants. However, scientists are yet to confirm whether the strain is inherently milder or vaccines are squashing rates of severe outcomes.

Some 900 infected patients were in the critical care beds on January 4, the most recent peak, compared to 4,077 on January 24 last year  4.5 times fewer patients.

UKHSA data shows cases are falling in 6,519 of 6,790 of England's local authorities, with rates plummeting fastest in Hadleigh North in Castle Point (71.5 per cent), Bridgnorth East in Shropshire (71.2 per cent) and Albany Park in Bexley (71.1 per cent) in the week to January 11. Infections are also tumbling in Woodbank Park in Stockport (70.7 per cent), Rayleigh South East in Rochford (70 per cent) and Belfairs in Southend-on-Sea (69.9 per cent). Dalton South in Barrow-in-Furness, Margaretting, Stock & Ramsden in Chelmsford, Fernhurst & Northchapel in Chichester and the Dales & South Skegby in Ashfield have also seen cases fall by nearly 70 per cent in a week

Meanwhile, cases are continuing to rise by up to 104 per cent week-on-week in parts of Birmingham and Bradford, with positive tests inclining quickest in Bordesley Green North, Toller Lane & Infirmary and Chellow Heights. Thornbury, Brown Royd, Canterbury and Heaton Highgate in Bradford, Central Park in Peterborough, Balsall Heath East in Birmingham and Burngreave & Grimesthorpe in Sheffield have also seen cases continue to rise by up to 83 per cent in the week to January 11. But daily data signals that the Omicron wave is subsiding, with just 70,924 positive samples announced yesterday, the lowest figure in more than a month

Figures compiled by Oxford University experts at Our World in Data, shows that while Covid cases have reached record levels across the UK in the latest wave of infections, the number of patients in hospital, on ventilators and deaths are a fraction of the level recorded in previous surges in infections

And Covid fatalities within 28 days of a positive test were six times lower at the peak this winter compared to 12 months earlier.

Some 1,359 coronavirus fatalities were registered on January 19 2021, compared to 236 Covid deaths on January 9 2022, the most recent peak in the Omicron wave. But that figure could still increase because the data isn't final.

Experts point to the protection among Britons from the vaccine rollout  with more than nine in 10 of over-12s having at least one jab and 63 per cent of over-12s being booster  and prior infection, with around four in 10 Britons thought to have had the virus, for blunting the impact of the Omicron wave.

It comes as the number of Covid cases confirmed daily in the UK yesterday dropped to 70,924, the lowest level seen since December 14.

Cases skyrocketed over the festive period as the super transmissible variant took off, with the ONS estimating that one in 15 people in England were infected in the first week of the year.

The end of Plan B in sight? Optimistic Oliver Dowden hints Covid curbs WILL be lifted on January 26 Oliver Dowden today gave a firm hint that Plan B restrictions will be lifted in England on January 26 as he said the latest coronavirus data 'seems to be heading in the right direction'. The chairman of the Conservative Party said the numbers relating to Covid infections and hospitalisations are now 'very promising'. Mr Dowden said it has 'always been my hope that we would have the Plan B restrictions for the shortest period possible' and he is 'very hopeful and optimistic' that curbs will be eased before the end of the month. However, he cautioned that the Government will 'await the data at the point of the decision before making that final decision'. There is a growing expectation in Westminster that Boris Johnson will lift Plan B measures when they are reviewed on January 26. That will mean the end of working from home guidance and Covid passes for entry to large venues being axed. Travel testing rules could also be eased for fully-vaccinated travellers so they would no longer have to take a test on their return. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is said to support the move, which would bolster the travel industry and ease financial pressure on families. However, reports suggest that a legal requirement to wear face masks in indoor settings like shops and public transport is likely to remain. Advertisement

Meanwhile, hospitalisations across the UK have flattened out, with an average of 1,983 people admitted per day in the week to January 7.

But deaths are still creeping upwards, with 236 fatalities within 28 days of testing positive recorded on January 9.

However, with between five and seven per cent of people across the UK having the virus in the first week of the year and sustained high infection levels throughout the winter, many of the coronavirus deaths will be among people who died from other causes.

Measuring Covid deaths as deaths within 28 days of testing positive has always included people who died from reasons other than the virus, but with higher numbers of people testing positive, a higher proportion of recorded Covid deaths will not be related to the virus.

Meanwhile, Dr Tildesley, who sits on an influential modelling sub-group of SAGE, said even milder variants than Omicron would emerge over the course of the year, bolstering the UK's wall of immunity and creating an even bigger disconnect between infection numbers and hospitalisations and deaths.

Dr Tildesley, a modeller at Warwick University, said the data suggested the pandemic was 'turning around' following the Omicron wave, meaning ministers could start discussing what 'living with' Covid would be like.

Dr Tildesley added: 'Say we get into a situation where the virus becomes very, very mild and we are living alongside it  we're not there yet, but hopefully we will be at some point this year  then we do need to talk about not just cases but also hospital admissions and the number of people who are dying with the disease.

'If we can get those numbers as low as possible then hopefully we can see restrictions removed and we can live alongside the virus.'

Asked about the current wave, Dr Tildesley said the figures were 'cautiously good news' which could indicate the virus was 'turning around'.

He said: 'We have had very, very high case numbers throughout late December and early January  we peaked about 200,000 at one point. We do now seem to be a little bit beyond that.'

But he warned that children returning to schools could still send Covid cases back up, with 'another week of data' needed before the impact was clear.

And Mr Zahawi said today that the current data was pointing in the right direction and it was looking positive Plan B measures could be lifted.

The now Education Secretary told BBC Breakfast: 'If you look at infection rates, they remain high, hospitalisations is still high, touching 20,000 people in hospital, but it feels like they're plateauing.

'The good news is the number of people in ICU has been coming down, certainly in London, which was the epicentre, the level of staff absence in education has remained pretty flat, it was 8 per cent before Christmas, it's at about 8.5 per cent at the moment.

'So I'm confident that when we review this on the 26 of January, as we said we would do, then we'll be in a much better place to lift some of these restrictions.

'But it's worth remembering that because we stuck to Plan B this economy is the most open economy in Europe.'
Senior police officers who oversaw a 'boys club' have been sacked amid claims of cronyism, bullying and racking up thousands in bogus expenses claims.

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin was found to have failed to declare a conflict of interest when he interviewed his friend Chief Inspector Davinder Kandohla for promotion to Superintendent.

The officer then committed further misconduct in a bid for revenge on the man he accused of 'grassing' on him to bosses, a hearing was told.

He also claimed more than 5,500 in expenses while using a card owned by Police Sergeant James Di-Luzio on alcohol, travel insurance and flight upgrades on a week-long trip to a policing conference in Florida.

At the time, his line manager was only aware he had claimed 105.98 on expenses.

He also claimed one colleague's pregnancy had led her to talk too much, before calling her a 'f***ing nutter'.

Kandohla was accused of failing to declare the conflict of interest and telling colleagues to make false statements on two occasions.

His wife, PC Parina Kandohla, was also accused of failing to report and challenge him, but the allegations against her were not proven.

The police misconduct hearing in west London also heard all three male officers bullied more junior colleagues.

Chief Inspector Davinder Kandohla (left) and Chief Superintendent Paul Martin (right) at work

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin (pictured) was accused of multiple misdemeanours including calling a pregnant colleague a 'f****** nutter' and approving invalid expenses

Their behaviour came to light in July 2018 when a colleague told bosses Martin had been an assessor during Kandohla's application to become a Superintendent.

Martin told one colleague he disliked to 'get a life and die' and claimed another's pregnancy had led her to talk too much before calling her a 'f***ing nutter'.

In a separate allegation, Kandohla is said to have left a message for the same woman which read 'hi mwah x, guess who? want u.'

Martin told another colleague her predecessor had failed the loyalty tests he had set and said colleagues had to be loyal to him or 'face the consequences.'

The hearing was told he would 'bellow' demands that one junior female colleague should make his tea and porridge and wash up the bowl.

It is also alleged Kandohla called one who told an officer he had seen him in a pub with a junior female officer a 'c**t' and said he wanted to 'sort it out in the locker room'.

Di-Luzio was often 'rude and dismissive', yelling at one colleague and telling another he wanted 'to make PCs cry', it was heard.

All three male police officers were found to have breached Standards of Professional Behaviour, amounting to gross misconduct, in relation to honesty and integrity, duties and responsibilities, respect and courtesy, among others.

Met Commissioner Cressida Dick has come under heavy criticism over her officers' behaviour in recent months following a string of controversies

Both Martin and Kandohla were dismissed without notice, while Di-Luzio was issued with management advice.

Met Police Commander Catherine Roper said: 'The behaviour demonstrated by these officers has no place in the Met.

'It is right they have been subject to a detailed and thorough investigation by the DPS, resulting in a misconduct hearing and the subsequent sanctions.

'Three of the officers were of a leadership rank and should have been setting a strong example for the standards we hold in the Met.

'Instead they abused their trusted positions; in particular in the way they spoke to and treated more junior members of staff was appalling.'

She added: 'This behaviour will not be tolerated by anyone in the Met and we will continue to investigate and hold to account those who act in this manner.'
An unvaccinated mother whose baby was stillborn while she was seriously ill in hospital with Covid-19 has urged people to get their jabs to save themselves the 'agony' of becoming severely unwell.

Rachel, 38, who did not wish for her surname to be used, was so ill she was not aware she had given birth to her son Jaxon, at 24 weeks, on August 6.

She had wanted to get her vaccine while pregnant last year, but said there had been uncertainty at that early stage in the rollout over whether expectant women should have it.

She said she and her family were 'devastated' by their loss, and urged people to take up the offer of jabs.

She said: 'I did initially go to get the vaccine, but at the time the advice was not to have it.

'I thought I'd have the vaccine when I'd had the baby, but it wasn't meant to be.'

Rachel, from Bilston in Wolverhampton, was left paralysed after coming out of an induced coma and was on three different types of life support and dialysis during the horrific ordeal.

Jaxon was stillborn at 24 weeks - but Rachel was so heavily sedated medics were not able to tell her the heartbreaking news until a few days later.

Rachel spent three and a half months in hospital after contracting the virus and, now fully vaccinated, she is urging women - especially from black and minority ethnic communities - to make sure they are jabbed.

Rachel (pictured) was so ill she was not aware she had given birth to her son Jaxon, at 24 weeks, on August 6

She said: 'I would say take it - it's a two-minute thing that can save months of agony if you end up like I was.

'Its really important. In the news it says theres quite a low take-up - it would appear black and ethnic minority women, if theyre pregnant and unvaccinated, are more likely to be in intensive care.

'The evidence and data is there.'

In November last year experts warned that while uptake of the vaccine among pregnant women was improving, they were worried about some groups shunning the jabs, including younger women, those in the most deprived areas and women from black and minority ethnic communities.

As more data has emerged showing the vaccine to be safe, there have been repeated calls for pregnant women to get jabbed.

Last week, the Department of Health and Social Care cited statistics from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System which it said showed 96.3% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with Covid-19 symptoms between May and October were unvaccinated, a third of whom required respiratory support.

Rachel said it is 'really important' everyone gets their jabs.

Speaking about her loss, she said: 'I was heavily sedated a lot of the time and, from what Im told by my family, my chances werent looking very good.

'They were trying to get the baby to survive to 28 weeks but unfortunately, at 24 weeks, my son was born stillborn.

'I didn't actually know I had given birth.

'I was on drugs so they wanted to tell me when I wasn't sedated, and the obstetrician informed me a few days later.

'My emotions were disbelief - one minute you're having a scan and a gender reveal, naming the baby and getting excited, and then there was this sudden loss.

'I was only able to see him once.

'Normally I'd have been able to spend a lot more time with him and to hold him. But I didn't get to do that because of the circumstances.'

She said things have been difficult for her partner Austin and her 18-year-old son.

'We're all devastated at our loss,' she said.

'We were all very excited at this new life then we were left with nothing.'

Rachel was initially admitted to New Cross Hospital, in Wolverhampton, when she was suffering with Covid symptoms and was put into an induced coma in the integrated critical care unit before being transferred to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester for further treatment.

While there, she received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - prolonged cardiac and respiratory support - which Rachel thinks saved her life.

She returned to New Cross a few weeks later where she underwent a tracheostomy to help her with her breathing after her oxygen levels had dropped.

Rachel, who is urging pregnant women to get the vaccine, was initially admitted to New Cross Hospital (pictured), in Wolverhampton, when she was suffering with Covid symptoms and was put into an induced coma in the integrated critical care unit before being transferred to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester for further treatment

Rachel praised the supportive medical staff at both hospitals and has visited the team who treated her.

She said: 'I was really thankful for the care and all their expertise. It could have been totally different because not only was my son being buried, but I could have been as well. So I am very grateful to them.

'It was quite surreal but it was special to meet them again. They had seen me at my worst, so for me to see them now I felt very grateful.

'Id like to say a big thank you to all the nurses and doctors on ICCU, in particular to senior sister Vicky Harris, Sonia James and Annie Chisamba, but also gynaecology consultant Professor David Churchill, the bereavement midwife Kirsty Malcolm, Dr Monica Bowa-Nkhoma from renal and the staff on Ward C14, and everyone at Glenfield Hospital.

'The staff brought Jaxon to ICCU and Ive been given a special book with his handprints, and they also helped with funeral arrangements.'

Rachel revealed her cousin, Shem McLeod, was also pregnant when she caught Covid.

Shem was in a coma around the same time but her baby son survived.

Rachel said: 'She went through exactly the same as me and we supported each other throughout.

'Its unfortunate we had to go through that but at least we got to share it.'
MPs are today calling for a 'dirty money' probe into the 15million sale of Prince Andrew's Sunninghill estate to a Kazakh oligarch now at the centre of corruption claims.

The Duke of York, 61, sold the home in Ascot, Berkshire, to Timur Kulibayev, 55, the son-in-law of Kazakhstan's autocratic former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, in 2007.

But questions have been raised ever since over the sale of the property, originally gifted by the Queen to Andrew when he married Sarah Ferguson, after it went for 15million - 3million over its asking price.

That is despite the property, which was mockingly called 'SouthYork' due to its supposed similarity to the garish ranch of SouthFork in the US series Dallas, languishing on the property market for 5 years at an asking price of 12million.

Andrew, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, was once a special trade envoy for the UK.

And he has been accused of acting as a fixer in Kulibayev's business deals and is a close friend of the tycoon's Nazarbayev.

Questions have now been raised again over the sale, after Kulibayev was forced to resign as the head of a leading business lobby in his country after public anger over corruption allegations.

Protests over perceived corruption and energy hikes in Kazakhstan in recent days have left 225 people dead, including 19 law enforcement and military personnel, the authorities said on Saturday.

Today, MPs called for the National Crime Agency to investigate into the sale of the beleaguered duke's home, with Labour's Dame Margaret Hodge telling The Sun: 'In the last few years, dirty money has infected our entire politics.

'Prince Andrew is one of too many people in the public sphere who kleptocrats try to woo for help in this country.'

'I certainly think that Britain is helping Kazakhstan's elite launder money out of the country.'

Then: Sunninghill House, on the edge of Windsor Great Park near to Ascot, which was sold by Prince Andrew in 2007

Kazakh oligarch Timur Kulibayev, who paid 3million over the asking price for Prince Andrew's marital Sunninghill Park estate, has been forced to resign as the head of a leading business lobby in his country after public anger over corruption allegations

Prince Andrew continues to face questions over the sale of his home in Ascot, Berkshire, to Kulibayev in 2007 for 15 million - even though the asking price was 12million and it had languished on the market for five years. The estate was gifted to the prince by his mother the Queen when he married Sarah Ferguson in 1986. Pictured: Andrew and Ferguson at Royal Ascot in 2019

Meanwhile Chris Bryant, Labour MP for Rhondda who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, also told the SunOnline: 'Of course it should be investigated. I've been saying so ever since it came to light.

'Nobody is above the law.

'And the insidious way dodgy foreign oligarchs have laundered their money and peddled influence in the UK is now a matter of national security.'

Mr Kulibayev's resignation comes days after Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal titles and patronages by the Queen as he was ordered to fight sex accuser Virginia Roberts' allegations as a 'private citizen'.

Mr Kulibayev, 55, said in a statement posted on the Atameken lobby's website: 'From today, I decided to resign as the elected Chairman of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs 'Atameken'.'

Kulibayev is married to Dinara Kulibayeva, the middle daughter of Kazakhstan's founding president Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Much of the popular anger in the protests appeared directed at Nazarbayev, who ruled for more than a quarter-century before stepping down in 2019 and handing over power to a hand-picked loyalist.

Nazarbayev has not been seen in public since the end of last year.

His successor, Kassym Jomart-Tokayev, last week for the first time openly criticised the former president, accusing his mentor of failing to share the vast national wealth with ordinary people.

In another potential sign of the Nazarbayev family's political decline, Tokayev's office confirmed Monday that the octogenarian's nephew Samat Abish had been dismissed from his post as first deputy chief of the national security committee.

It had been announced during the unrest that Abish had been replaced, then that he was only on 'annual leave', until his firing was confirmed on Monday.

While Abish was a high-ranking figure who operated in the shadows, Kulibayev was a prominent jet-setter whose reported relationships with figures such as Queen Elizabeth II's second son Prince Andrew made him a regular feature in the foreign press.

In 2015, Kulibayev razed Sunninghill Park - which had been compared to a Tesco superstore due to its ugly appearance - so that he could build a new home. Last year, images (above) showed how the home's sprawling ultra-modern replacement was nearing completion

Along with Kulibayeva, Kulibayev controls the country's largest commercial bank, Halyk, and is a powerful player in the oil and gas industry.

He did not offer a reason for his resignation, but called on the lobby to follow the priorities outlined for business by Tokayev in his speech to lawmakers and officials last week.

On Saturday, the sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna said that two other Nazarbayev in-laws had left their posts at the helm of national energy companies.

Youngest daughter Aliya Nazarbayeva's husband Dimash Dosanov and oldest daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva's partner Kairat Sharipbayev formerly headed the national oil transporter KazTransOil and the national gas company QazaqGaz respectively.

Separately last week, Nazarbayev ally and former national security chief Karim Masimov was arrested on coup-plotting charges along with two of his deputies, authorities said.

Demolition work began in 2015 after bats that had been roosting in the roof were found a new home, and planning permission for a new property was granted

Over 2,000 troops from the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation credited with stabilising the crisis began to withdraw from Kazakhstan on Thursday.

In 2015, Kulibayev razed Sunninghill Park - which had been compared to a Tesco superstore due to its ugly appearance - so that he could build a new home.

Last year, images showed how the home's sprawling ultra-modern replacement was nearing completion.

It boasts six en-suite bedrooms, sweeping glass balconies, French doors and a 25-metre swimming pool.

The previous home had 12 bedrooms. Prince Andrew and his now former wife Sarah Ferguson moved in to the property in 1990.

After their divorce in 1996, the property was put on the market in 2002.

Andrew then moved to Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park two years later, while Sarah and the couple's daughters Beatrice and Eugenie stayed at Sunninghill until 2006.
Three people have been killed and six wounded in Abu Dhabi following suspected drone attacks carried out by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

A fire broke out at an extension of Abu Dhabi's main international airport and three fuel tanker trucks exploded in the Musaffah area near the storage facilities of ADNOC, Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil company, on Monday.

One Pakistani national and two Indian nationals were killed after the fuel trucks exploded, UAE state news agency WAM reported, citing the police.

The six people who were wounded in the attack are suffering mild and medium injuries, officials added.

UAE police said preliminary investigations indicated the detection of small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire.

Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed on Monday they had launched the attack on the UAE, without elaborating.

The UAE has been at war in Yemen since early 2015, and was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched attacks against the Iranian-backed Houthis after the group overran the capital of Yemen and ousted the internationally backed government from power.

Three people have been killed and six wounded in Abu Dhabi following suspected drone attacks carried out by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Pictured: Black smoke billows up into the air following suspected drone attack

The black smoke could be seen rising up into the air following the suspected drone attack

A fire broke out at an extension of Abu Dhabi's main international airport and three fuel tanker trucks exploded in the Musaffah area near the storage facilities of ADNOC, Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil company, on Monday

Video footage from Abu Dhabi shows a black plume of smoke rising up into the sky from the area of one of the reported drone attacks.

A full investigation has been launched, the police said, without identifying the wounded.

Military spokesman Yahia Sarei of Yemen's Houthi movement, which is battling a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and including the UAE, said the group launched a military operation 'deep in the UAE' and would announce details in coming hours.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have claimed several attacks that Emirati officials later denied took place.

Police said one of the blasts struck three petroleum transport tankers near a storage facility for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the Musaffah area. The neighborhood, 13 miles from the center of Abu Dhabi city, also has an oil pipeline network and 36 storage tanks, from which transport trucks carry fuel nationwide.

UAE authorities and ADNOC did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. The coalition's spokesman did not immediately respond.

Men stand outside a storage facility of oil giant ADNOC in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, on January 17, following the suspected drone strike

Video footage from Abu Dhabi shows a black plume of smoke rising up into the sky from the area of one of the reported drone attacks

A long-range Samad-3 drone assembled by Houthi forces which was captured by the Saudis and inspected by a UN panel. It is still unknown whether drones were used in the attack

Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed on Monday they had launched the attack on the UAE, without elaborating

Why are there tensions between the UAE and Yemen's Houthi rebels? The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been at war in Yemen since early 2015, and was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched attacks against the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi rebels after the group overran the capital of Yemen and ousted the internationally backed government from power. UAE and its allies believe the Houthis are tools for Iran to seize control of Yemen, though the Houthis deny they are backed by Tehran. Although the UAE has decreased the number of troops it has on the ground since 2019, it continues to be actively engaged in the war and supports key militias fighting the Houthis. It also cooperates closely with the United States in counter-terrorism operations in Yemen. Pro-coalition forces backed by the UAE have recently joined fighting against the Houthis in Yemen's energy-producing regions of Shabwa and Marib. Yemen's government-aligned forces, aided by the UAE-backed Giants Brigades and with help from Saudi airstrikes, reclaimed the entire southern province of Shabwa from the Houthis earlier this month and made advances in nearby Marib province. The Houthis have claimed previous attacks on Abu Dhabi's airport, as well as the emirate's Barakah nuclear power plant - claims that Emirati officials have denied in the past. The Houthis have used bomb-laden drones to launch crude and imprecise attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the course of the war. The group has also launched missiles at Saudi airports, oil facilities and pipelines, as well as used booby-trapped boats for attacks in key shipping routes. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, now in its seventh year, pushed the small nation into a humanitarian crisis that has cost tens of thousands of lives and forced millions of people onto the brink of starvation. Advertisement

Pro-coalition forces backed by the UAE have recently joined fighting against the Houthis in Yemen's energy-producing regions of Shabwa and Marib.

The UAE has been at war in Yemen since early 2015, and was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched attacks against the Iranian-backed Houthis after the group overran the capital of Yemen and ousted the internationally backed government from power.

Although the UAE has decreased the number of troops it has on the ground since 2019, it continues to be actively engaged in the war and supports key militias fighting the Houthis. It also cooperates closely with the United States in counter-terrorism operations in Yemen.

The suspected drone attack comes as the Saudi-led coalition said on Monday it had destroyed three explosive-laden drones launched in the direction of southern Saudi Arabia from Sana'a airport in Yemen, Saudi State TV reported.

It was not immediately clear whether the drone launch from Sana'a was related to the suspected attacks in Abu Dhabi.

The Houthis have come under pressure in recent weeks and are suffering heavy losses as Yemeni forces, allied and backed by the UAE, have pushed back the rebel group in key southern and central provinces of the country.

Yemen's government-aligned forces, aided by the UAE-backed Giants Brigades and with help from Saudi airstrikes, reclaimed the entire southern province of Shabwa from the Houthis earlier this month and made advances in nearby Marib province.

The incident comes as South Korea's President Moon Jae-in visits the UAE. During the president's meeting with Emirati Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Sunday, the two countries reportedly reached a preliminary deal valued at some $3.5 billion sell mid-range South Korean surface-to-air missiles to the UAE.

The Houthis have claimed previous attacks on Abu Dhabi's airport, as well as the emirate's Barakah nuclear power plant - claims that Emirati officials have denied in the past.

The Houthis have used bomb-laden drones to launch crude and imprecise attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the course of the war. The group has also launched missiles at Saudi airports, oil facilities and pipelines, as well as used booby-trapped boats for attacks in key shipping routes.

Though there have been civilian deaths in Saudi Arabia from some of these attacks, the overwhelming number of civilian deaths have been in Yemen. The war has killed 130,000 people in Yemen - both civilians and fighters - and has exacerbated hunger and famine across the impoverished country.

Houthi fighters ride vehicles carrying the coffins of slain comrades who were killed in recent fighting against Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen on January 10

Torbjorn Soltvedt, an analyst at the risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, noted that while suspicion likely would fall on the Houthis, Iraqi-based militias also have threatened the Emiratis with attacks.

'Today's attack comes only days after Iran-backed groups threatened to strike against Abu Dhabi in response to alleged Emirati interference in Iraqi politics,' he said.

'The attack is another reminder of the highly complex missile and drone threat faced by the UAE and the region's other main oil producers,' he added. 'Unless the Gulf Cooperation Council states can find a solution to diffuse regional tensions, or deter hostility from regional state and non-state actors, they will remain vulnerable to attacks.'
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Princess Eugenie was today driven away from her father Prince Andrew's residence in Windsor by her husband, four days after the Queen removed his honorary military roles and he gave up his use of the HRH style.

The 31-year-old royal, who is 12th in line to the throne and can still use the HRH title, was seen in the back of Range Rover Vogue hybrid electric car while being driven out of Royal Lodge in the grounds of Windsor Great Park.

Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank, 35, live about three miles away with their 11-month-old son August at Frogmore Cottage, which was the first family home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before they left Britain.

Eugenie, her sister Princess Beatrice and mother Sarah Ferguson are all waiting to hear if they will be dragged into Andrew's court case in New York as lawyers for Virginia Giuffre say who they wish to interview under oath.

The next stage of the sexual assault case brought by Andrew's sex accuser is for both sides to formally interview witnesses, done outside of a courtroom-setting but with a court recorder sitting in.

Known as depositions, the hearings allow lawyers to ask any question, no matter how personal. Reports in the Sun and Telegraph over the weekend claimed family would not have to give evidence, but this is not yet confirmed.

Andrew, 61, is thought to still be at his 31-room Royal Lodge home and allegedly hosted around a dozen family friends there on Friday evening including Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank before a shoot at Windsor Great Park.

The shooting party was a Christmas present from the Queen to Eugenie and her husband, reported The Sun. Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 62, did not go on the shoot but joined the party for lunch at the York Club.

Today was the first time Eugenie has been seen in ten days, after she was last spotted in a car park outside London Heathrow Airport on January 7 with her family following their ski trip to Switzerland without Andrew.

Her sister Beatrice was most recently seen last Thursday out shopping in London's Chelsea while pushing her three-month-old daughter Sienna in a pram, where she kept a low profile and drank a takeaway coffee.

The Queen's move last Thursday was a humiliation for Andrew and came one day after the lawsuit against him took a big step forward when a judge threw out his motion to dismiss the sexual assault case and ruled it can go to trial.

Andrew, who was born an HRH, will not use it any official capacity, and was also stripped of his remaining royal patronages in a decision which represented the Duke of York's complete removal from official royal life.

The dramatic move was also seen as an attempt to distance the monarchy from Andrew, who was once second in line to the throne as the spare to the heir, in the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

It comes as Andrew was accused of a 'tone-deaf' defence in his legal battle with Virginia Giuffre - who used to be known as Virginia Roberts - after his lawyers suggested she may have 'false memories' of her encounters with him.

Princess Eugenie was today pictured in the back of a Range Rover Vogue SE P400 hybrid electric car in Windsor

Eugenie, 31, was driven away from Prince Andrew's Royal Lodge home in Windsor today by her husband Jack Brooksbank, 35

Princess Eugenie was last pictured on January 7, speaking with her mother Sarah Ferguson outside London Heathrow Airport

In a scathing response to the duke's demand for Ms Giuffre's mental health records, her lawyer David Boies said: 'She wouldn't misremember sexual abuse by a prince of England.'

The claim about memory issues was made by Andrew in legal filings over the weekend in the case brought against him by Ms Giuffre at a court in New York.

Duke of York 'had tantrums if maids ruined his teddy collection' The Duke of York would 'shout and scream' if maids rearranged a collection of more than 50 teddy bears positioned on a bed at Buckingham Palace, a former royal protection officer claims. Despite being a middle-aged father-of-two, he would become 'verbally abusive' if staff moved the stuffed menagerie, the ex-officer told a forthcoming documentary about Andrew's friendship with convicted child abuser Ghislaine Maxwell. To avoid confrontations, a laminated photograph in a drawer in the prince's private apartments showed the correct arrangement in the event that any of them had to be moved. Paul Page  who was in the Royal Protection Command from 1998 to 2004  also said officers questioned the Duke's relationship with Robert Maxwell's daughter because of the way 'she was allowed to enter and exit the palace'. Mr Page made the claims to ITV's Ranvir Singh in Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile, which will be broadcast at 9pm tomorrow. Journalist Elizabeth Day also recalled seeing an 'oversized teddy bear squashed into a seat' in the corridor outside his office at Buckingham Palace, which turned out to have been a wedding gift from his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. She said in The Mail on Sunday's You magazine that the bears suggested the duke was 'someone who had never really grown up because he had never had to'. Advertisement

She claims she had sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 in 2001 while under the control of Jeffrey Epstein, the late paedophile who was friends with the duke. Andrew has vehemently denied her allegations.

His lawyers have asked to interview Ms Giuffre's psychologist, Dr Judith Lightfoot, about all their sessions, any prescriptions that were issued and the 'theory of false memories'.

Ghislaine Maxwell used a 'false memory expert' during her trial for trafficking and recruiting underage girls for Epstein, but was found guilty on five of six counts.

Mr Boies told the Daily Mail: 'This is exactly what Maxwell tried. It didn't end well. People may misremember a lot of things, but they don't misremember sexual abuse by a prince of England.

'In addition, Prince Andrew needs to say that all the other people who saw them together also have 'false memories'.'

Referring to the notorious photo of Andrew with Ms Giuffre in 2001 in London, Mr Boies added: 'And how does a 'false memory' create a photograph?'

The filings from Andrew's US lawyer, Andrew Brettler, requested help from the Australian government to question Dr Lightfoot.

Ms Giuffre, now a 38-year-old mother-of-three, currently lives in Australia and goes by her married name, Virginia Giuffre.

The legal filing stated: 'Defendant contends that plaintiff may suffer from false memories, as evidenced by the fact that her claims regarding her time with Epstein and the circumstances under which defendant allegedly assaulted her have repeatedly changed over the years.'

A source close to the duke told The Sunday Times that focusing on false memories was from the 'Maxwell playbook'. The tactics of Andrew's legal team have also triggered a 'victim blaming' row.

Brad Edwards, a Florida lawyer who represents dozens of Epstein victims, called the strategy 'so tone-deaf that it basically amounts to litigation suicide'.

He said: 'Taking another play out of the Epstein/Maxwell book and attacking Virginia is probably the only thing he can do to look worse. I'd say his defence can't get worse, but last time I thought that he went on TV and gave what amounted to the most embarrassingly stupid interview of all time.'

Virginia Roberts is photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in early 2001 in London's Belgravia

Prince Andrew spoke about his links to Jeffrey Epstein in an interview with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis in November 2019

Spencer Kuvin, a Florida lawyer who represents several Epstein victims, said attacking a victim's memory was a 'horrible' defence.

Prince Andrew may have DATED Ghislaine Maxwell: Insiders tell documentary the pair had 'easy warmth' around each other Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell had an 'easy warmth' around each other and may have dated in the past, a friend of the pair has claimed. Euan Rellie, who is a New York-based, British investment banker, attended the University of Oxford with Maxwell, 60, and was a guest at dinner parties that she and her disgraced ex-boyfriend Jeffery Epstein hosted in the US. He recalled being invited to Epsteins New York home one evening and the disgraced socialite admitted that it was 'for my friend Prince Andrew'. And a former Palace police guard made similar claims. Paul Page said he and colleagues wondered if the Andrew and Maxwell were 'intimate' due to the frequency of her visits to the Palace. Mr Rellie and Mr Page made the revelations during an interview with Ranvir Singh for the upcoming ITV documentary, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile. Advertisement

He said: 'It's a classic 're-abuse' of the victim and an attempt to implicitly embarrass the victim in an attempt to intimidate them and hope the embarrassment and public shaming will make them drop their claims.'

Attorney Gloria Allred, who also represents numerous Epstein victims, said: 'The prince is entitled to take the deposition of Virginia's therapist for the purpose of determining emotional distress. That is not uncommon.

'The court may have to determine her questions, eg: do they go over the line. It's OK to ask the therapist about treatment, if she suffered problems to ascertain if she suffered emotional distress, and if her distress is caused by other issues.

'If there are questions which are not appropriate that may have to be decided by the court.

'Prince Andrew claims he can't remember even meeting her [Ms Giuffre]. If he has a therapist she could take the deposition of his therapist.

'Is Andrew's memory of not recollecting meeting her, is that a false memory out of self-interest? He may have  maybe not a false memory  but he may have a selective memory that remembers certain facts but not others.'

The case is moving ahead after Judge Lewis Kaplan last week rejected a request by Andrew to dismiss it.

Afterwards, the Queen stripped Andrew of all his military patronages and the use of the style His Royal Highness, effectively isolating him from the family.

With a trial tentatively set for September, Andrew could settle the case but will reportedly have to pay as much as 10million.

The duke's team have also asked to interview Ms Giuffre's husband Robert under oath.

A source said: 'Mrs Giuffre put her mental health at issue by suing for emotional distress damages.

'The duke's legal team are perfectly entitled to test her claims, determine her damages, if any, and see what she told her therapist or not.'
A 14-year-old French girl who was kidnapped, beaten and gang-raped by two men who kept her locked in a tiny flat has finally been rescued.

Police officers in Marseille managed to track her down by using the GPS on her phone's Snapchat app.

The girl, who has not been named, was lured into the tiny apartment by a 26-year-old man who offered to host her after she ran away from home last week.

She was reportedly forced to smoke cannabis before the suspect and another 64-year-old man allegedly took turns raping her.

Police were alerted to the kidnapping by her parents early on Friday morning after she sent them panicked messages over Instagram while her captors were asleep explaining that she had been kidnapped and beaten and that she did not know where she was.

Officers were able to trace the 14-year-old's phone using Snapchat GPS to the residence in the Cabucelle district of Marseille and rescued her on Friday evening.

The two men were arrested and charged in Marseille's prosecutor's office on Sunday with kidnapping and rape of a minor, but have maintained the sex was consensual.

The teen, who told police she was forced to give oral sex, was taken to hospital for treatment in a state of shock and later returned home to her family.

A 14-year-old French girl who was kidnapped, beaten and gang-raped by two men who kept her locked in a tiny flat has finally been rescued after police used Snapchat GPS to track her down in Marseille

The teen was asked to turn on her location on Snapchat to allow police to track her down.

She stayed in touch with officers via messaging apps as they closed in on the apartment, despite being too scared to speak out loud for fear of waking her kidnappers.

Once police found the correct apartment building, they knocked on each of the doors until the teen texted 'yes' to confirm they had the correct flat in Marseille's Cabucelle district.

One of the suspects was found trying to delete evidence from his phone as police entered the building.

The victim was found under the influence of drugs and hospitalised for emergency treatment. She later underwent a medical examination, which confirmed she had 'anal lesions', local media reported.

The girl, who has not been named, was lured into the tiny apartment by a 26-year-old man who offered to host her after she ran away from home in Marseille (pictured) last week

A policewoman Information and Command Centre in Marseille came up with the idea to use Snapchat to track down the 14-year-old, police said, describing the case as 'rare' and 'unique'.

'This rescue took place thanks to Snapchat, but above all took place thanks to the excellent idea of the young assistant policewoman from the Information and Command Center (CIC), without whom nothing would have been possible,' department secretary of the Alliance union in the Bouches-du-Rhone region, Rudy Manna said.

'Snapchat alone would not have allowed the arrest of these individuals,' he added.

It was not immediately clear what the motive to kidnap the teenager was, but police said they were confident of uncovering what happened through an investigation.
This is the moment a pizza chef threw a bowl of flour over himself when a colleague made him jump for a hilarious prank video.

Footage filmed by Lindsey Cissel, 33, at New York J&P Pizza in Mount Airy, Maryland, show her creeping up on her colleague Antonio Herman, 32, as he mixes up dough ingredients in a bowl.

She leaps out just as the start of James Brown's 'I Feel Good' screeches out, making Mr Herman jump and throw the contents of the bowl in his own face.

She can heard laughing as Mr Herman comes back into shot, covered from head to toe in flour.

Footage filmed at New York J&P Pizza in Mount Airy, Maryland, on New Year's Eve shows Lindsey Cissel, 33, a general manager, pranking her colleague Antonio Herman, 32, by scaring him

The video, which was made on New Year's Eve, has been viewed more than 34 million times.

In the footage, James Brown screams out right on cue as general manager Mrs Cissel jumps out at Mr Herman.

As he tips the bowl up in fright a cloud of flour fills the room and she can be heard laughing as more colleagues watch on in the background.

Emerging from the cloud, Mr Herman looks unimpressed, his face and hair now completely white.

He chucks the bowl on the counter as he coughs out flour from his mouth and nose.

Mrs Cissel successfully scares Mr Herman as he tips the bowl up in fright and a cloud of flour fills the room. He puts the bowl back on the counter, unimpressed

Mrs Cissel said: 'I was trying to scare him right on cue with the sound I used.

'It was so funny! Until I saw the mess he had made after.

'He was a good sport as always. We always have fun at work. I was really pleased with how the video turned out.'

The viral footage has racked up 4.2m likes on TikTok and commenters have found it hilarious.

One commented 'Omgggg no way' while others poked fun at his appearance, saying Mr Herman resembled 'Puff the magic dragon' and 'Charlie Chaplin' after the funny stunt.

Others wrote 'it's snowing!' and 'Omg it's the flour coming of his mouth and nose.'

The video is part of a TikTok craze called the 'I Feel Good' scare prank where people film themselves spooking friends and family with the tune as the soundtrack.
An anti-vaxxer who begged people not to 'make the same mistakes' as him after he almost died of Covid has celebrated coming home - by getting jabbed.

Andrew Pugh, 52, initially refused to get the vaccine after being taken in by conspiracy theories he read on Facebook.

The popular binman even bragged about being 'a hero' for not being jabbed despite his partner of 20 years begging him to take the virus seriously.

The father-of-three finally realised the severity of it when he was struck down last month after he started struggling for breath.

He was rushed to Royal Worcestershire Hospital's intensive care unit on December 5 and his family warned he had a 50/50 chance of survival.

While he was in hospital he posted poignant videos on Facebook describing his battle with the virus.

After six weeks, Mr Pugh has finally returned home to Worcester and said he was thrilled finally to get vaccinated.

An anti-vaxxer who begged people not to 'make the same mistakes' as him after he almost died of Covid has celebrated coming home - by getting jabbed

He said: 'I got released from hospital and the very first thing I did was have my jab. It's a huge relief to have the jab.

'I don't want anyone else to go through what I have put my family through. If I had my time again I would definitely have had the vaccine as soon as it was available.'

Despite being vaccinated, Mr Pugh faces a gruelling road ahead as he battles long Covid. He added: 'Every day is a struggle - it still takes my breath away.

'Since being home, I have had to learn breathing techniques to help to every day tasks. You have to really calm yourself down.

'Even walking up the stairs is still a massive challenge for me. The doctors did tell me it could around four to six weeks to start feeling better.

'I still have breathing apparatus at home which is a struggle sometimes and I am still constantly coughing.

Andrew Pugh, 52, spent three weeks at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after catching the virus at the start of December

At one point during the ordeal, Mr Pugh could barely eat, sleep or walk and received the majority of his oxygen through a full-faced mask as friends and family feared the worst

Mr Pugh's girlfriend was warned by doctors it was a 'fifty-fifty' chance he would survive, as the ward began to fill up and he could overhear nearby ventilators being switched off

But the former anti-vaxxer has begged fellow jab-sceptics to get their shots after his brush with death

'That being said, it has being lovely to be back at home. I've been able to see my children, grandchildren and family.

'They are spoiling me - taking me out places and really looking after me. It is great to be back with my family.

'I am a father of three and a grandfather of eight so I want to spend as much time with them as possible now.

'We're planning to go a visit some places with kids and grandchildren, as a family. Knowing that you could have lost your life, it puts everything into prospective.

'With this time off, I am going to treasure it.'

Mr Pugh is now determined to use his experience to persuade others to get vaccinated.

He said: 'I didn't get the vaccine, I thought I was being the hero. If it wasn't for the nurses and the fact I'm a non-smoker I wouldn't be alive.

'My message is simply this: please people get your vaccinations, you don't want to end up like me.

'When you're dead and all your family are heartbroken you can't turn around and say 'I wish I had the vaccine'.

'This is very real and people need to get their jabs. If I can help others to get vaccinated now, that would be great.'

He added: 'I've put my family through sheer hell. I was being so selfish, it's woken me up.'
On Jan. 3, Brandon Borries' mother has been missing since an aircraft accident off the coast of Panama in which she was a passenger.

Sue Borries, 57, and Debra Velleman, 70, both retired US teachers, have been missing since flying back to the mainland from a bed-and-breakfast on an island off the coast of Panama in an aircraft that crashed due to an engine failure.

Missing women's families urge the US to help with the search

Debra Velleman's husband, Anthony Velleman, as well as the pilot and another passenger, all survived the crash. Dennis Borries, Sue's husband and Brandon's father, had successfully traveled back to the mainland on the same plane that subsequently crashed. The Velleman and Borries families are now pleading with the US government to help them find the two ladies.

Both sides have requested permission from the US Defense and State Departments to bring in a third party to assist with the search and dive. Borries claims that they must first get permission from the US government to conduct a third-party search. The Panamanian administration has already committed to lend a hand.

Related Article: Australia Light Plane Crash Kills 4 People Including 2 Children During "Joy Flight" Ride

Retired Illinois, Wisconsin school teachers among missing

According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the Velleman family from Wisconsin has contacted their state lawmakers, as well as Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Scott Fitzgerald. The Borries and Velleman families have been frustrated while waiting for answers owing to a lack of urgency on the side of the US government, Fox News reported.

A week after a plane crashed off the coast of Panama, the families of two missing Americans, including a lady from Waukesha are pleading with the US government to increase search resources. The accident happened on Monday, January 3rd. At the time, there were four persons on board, including a pilot. Anthony and Debra Velleman of Waukesha, Sue Borries of Illinois, Melisa Zachrich of the United States (this information has been revised after original reports incorrectly listed the passenger as Canadian rather than American). Retired Illinois, Wisconsin school teachers among missing

While flying from Isla Contadora to Punta Chame on the mainland, the plane crashed into the water. Sue Borries and Debra Velleman have yet to be discovered. The plane's survivors were transferred to nearby hospitals and treated. Anthony Velleman had the first of two operations to address injuries on January 7, according to a Velleman family spokesperson, with the second scheduled for January 10. Since last week, Panamanian officials have spearheaded the hunt for the missing, but the relatives of the missing want more from US officials, as per CBS58.

According to a family statement, the Panamanian government asked that the US deploy capabilities like as Navy salvage divers and sonar to help in the search and find the debris, but the request was refused this week owing to a lack of assets and authority. As part of the search and recovery effort, the Velleman family has contacted two of their Wisconsin senators, Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald.

According to Baldwin's office, has provided technical modeling to Panamanian officials to help in the search for the jet. The surviving passengers are still recovering. Anthony Velleman will be flown back to Wisconsin by air ambulance and will require months of significant medical care , ABC News reported

Read Also: Australian Man Pleads Guilty to Cold Crime of an American in 1988 Whose Death Was Mistakenly Dismissed

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A sales assistant won an age and sex harassment case after her male boss bellowed at the top of his voice she 'Must be in her menopause' after she mixed up an order.

Leigh Best, 52, heard the remark during a disagreement with owner David Fletcher at the upmarket pet food business where she worked.

An employment tribunal heard Mr Fletcher made the remark after married Mrs Best had covered her ears and said: 'I don't want to hear about it' when a customer mentioned having a 'hot flush'.

When she complained about his comments to his wife and fellow owner Andrea, she was told to 'stop moaning' and a month later she was sacked.

Mrs Best, who now owns her own raw pet food business Rawkings Premium, took her employers to the tribunal and is now set to receive compensation after winning claims of age and sex discrimination and unfair dismissal.

The panel found Mr Fletcher had broached a 'highly sensitive topic' and acted 'tactlessly' when he asked her about the menopause.

Leigh Best, 52, won an age and sex harassment case against her employers at dog food firm

Business owner David Fletcher yelled at her she 'Must be in her menopause' over order error. He is pictured here alongside his wife Andrea

The hearing in East London was told Mrs Best, who is now 54, started working for Embark on Raw, a raw dog and cat food business based near Billericay, Essex in January 2019.

In March 2020 she had a 'relatively small' argument over an order mix up with Mr Fletcher which led to him shouting about her being menopausal from a back room, the tribunal was told.

'(He) made inappropriate and derogatory comments about her age and remarks, relevant to her sex as a woman, relating to his perception or 'guess' that she might be menopausal or be experiencing stereotypical menopausal symptoms,' the panel was told.

The tribunal found he did this 'even after...she had made it quite clear that she did not wish to participate in any such discussion.

'A customer had been describing a 'hot flush', (Mrs Best) put her hands over her ears and said ' I am having none of that, I don't even want to hear about it*I don't want to know.'

'Mr Fletcher continued to pursue the topic even after the customer had departed and that was unwanted conduct which had the effect of violating (her) dignity and of creating a humiliating environment for her at work.'

Tribunal said she was victimised for complaining about Mr Fletcher's behaviour towards her

When Mrs Best complained to Mrs Fletcher about what her husband had said, the tribunal concluded that she became 'alarmed' as the accusation 'would reflect badly on her own husband' and the business.

Mrs Best was told: 'It shouldn't happen like this. You've got to stop moaning and you've got to talk to people with respect, you've got to stop trying to blame people, you're very quick to tell people when they're doing something wrong* you've got to get on with everybody or we'll have to call it a day'.

The tribunal heard that before her complaint Mrs Best had raised concerns about the way the business and staff were dealing with the Covid pandemic.

As it was classed an essential business, Embark on Raw stayed open during lockdown.

Mrs Best had, on multiple occasions, raised concerns about Covid safety procedures at work, the tribunal was told.

Although the Fletchers assured its customers it was following hygiene procedures, Mrs Best claimed that these were not 'implemented' and 'enforced'.

The panel heard she was 'extremely worried' that neither the management nor the staff were consistently following the relevant rules and were endangering not only her health and safety but also others.

It was also told she 'expressed extreme anxiety and stress' when she noticed one of her colleagues coughing while not wearing a mask.

She complained to Mrs Fletcher about the 'worrying situation in the shop' but was told she was told she was 'paranoid' and asked to stop 'digging' fellow employees.

This led to Mrs Fletcher accusing her on April 20 of creating 'a divide in the business, in your words and your actions to other people'.

It was during that conversation that Mrs Best raised her concerns about Mr Fletcher's menopause comments, the tribunal heard.

When he heard of this 'awful conversation', he told his wife 'it's time to let her go now'.

And in May 2020, she was sacked for 'rude' and 'confrontational' communication with co-workers and managers - a decision she unsuccessfully appealed.

However, the tribunal ruled she had actually been sacked for raising her covid concerns and then victimised for complaining about Mr Fletcher's behaviour towards her.

The tribunal, headed by Employment Judge Bernice Elgot, said: 'Mr Fletcher invaded the Claimant's privacy, broached a highly sensitive topic for her and acted tactlessly in directly asking her, as an employee having the protected characteristic of sex as a woman, whether she was menopausal.

'He asked that question even after... she had made it quite clear that she did not wish to participate in any such discussion.

'We are satisfied that part of the reason for the company's decision to dismiss Mrs Best is that she made a significant allegation of sexism and ageism against Mr David Fletcher.'

Of her covid concerns, the panel said she had made disclosures of 'information' which were also in the 'public interest'.

'She was intervening to protect herself, her family, her close friends and contacts, the customers and suppliers of [the Fletcher's] business and the wider public,' the tribunal said.

Mrs Best will be awarded damages at a hearing on January 31.
A teenager who took a gun into a college and began shooting at students and staff causing them to flee in terror is facing jail.

Sandijs Dreimanis, 18, walked into Crawley College, in West Sussex, armed with an imitation gun and a knife, in April 2021.

He pulled the pistol out of his pocket and began firing causing staff and students to run for their lives, a court heard.

Today at Lewes Crown Court, Dreimanis, who is originally from Latvia, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear.

At an earlier hearing he also pleaded guilty two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article on school premises.

Armed police were scrambled to Crawley College on April 26, after receiving reports of a masked man brandishing a gun in the car park.

Dozens of police snipers, including counterterrorism officers from nearby Gatwick Airport, stormed the campus and searched classrooms, while a helicopter flew overhead.

They called in support from police in Surrey, Kent and the Metropolitan Police force who attended, alongside dogs units.

Sandijs Dreimanis (pictured), 18, walked into Crawley College, in West Sussex, armed with an imitation gun and a knife, and began firing, causing staff and students to run for their lives

As the incident unfolded, two lecturers at the college, Peter Davidson and Simon Wilson, ran towards the gunman.

They reportedly accosted the suspect, who was also armed with a knife, and rugby-tackled him to the ground.

Both men sustained stab wounds but managed to pin the attacker to the ground until police arrived.

No other injuries were reported during the incident and a blank firing handgun and a knife were seized by police after Dreimanis was arrested shortly after 3.20pm.

Dozens of police snipers, including counterterrorism officers from nearby Gatwick Airport, stormed the campus and searched classrooms, while a helicopter flew overhead

After Dreimanis, a student at Crawley College, pulled the pistol out of his pocket and began firing, staff and students to ran for their lives, a court heard

The incident happened shortly after lunch when Dreimanis - a student at Crawley College - walked onto the campus wearing a black mask and hoodie and pulled the imitation gun out of his pocket.

He levelled the gun at fellow students and began firing causing terrified teenagers to run for their lives, a court heard.

'He was telling people: "Run, run",' said Elise Stellebotte, 17. 'It all was pretty terrifying.'

Elise, who is studying for a motor mechanics diploma, said she and fellow students left their classrooms after hearing shots being fired.

She said: 'I heard several shots being fired really quickly and everyone dived out of the classroom.

'I saw the gunman. He was wearing a black puma hoodie and a mask. I was only a few yards away and I could see he had this pistol in his hand and was waving it around.

'I dont think he was very old but he was difficult to see behind the mask and hoodie.

'He pointed the pistol at my tutor, Steve Hopkins, and fired but they were just blanks thank God. He was so shocked.

'He continued ranting and shouting telling people to "Run, run". He was trying to scare people, deliberately.

'No-one knew what was going on and I tried to approach him but we were told to get back in the classroom.

'Everyone was pretty petrified. We had no idea what was happening and its worrying with all the terror attacks you hear about.

'I heard he stabbed on lecturer in the hand when he tried to tackle him and I also heard he may have also stabbed himself.

'One of my classmates was almost having a panic attack and people were very scared. Then police arrived and there were armed snipers everywhere and the helicopter in the air.'

Officers liaised with counter-terror specialists but later said it was not being treated as a terrorist incident

Officers called in support from police in Surrey, Kent and the Metropolitan Police force who attended, alongside dogs units

Another student, Eddie, 18, said: 'It was absolutely terrifying. I heard shots ringing out and they were unmistakably gunshots. I saw the guy. He was wearing a black hoodie and a jumper and he had a mask on.

'He was screaming at people telling them: "Run for your lives, run, run!" and jumping around all over the place then he fired some shots. No-one knew they werent live bullets. Thanks God they turned out to be blanks.

'It was the scariest thing ever. Everyone thought it was a terrorist attack and we all went back into the building for safety.'

Police snipers were seen on the roof of the college and armed response units were patrolling the grounds and carrying out room to room searches of the premises.

Eventually armed police left the college after the incident was deemed not to be terrorist-related.

Later the two lecturers who had tackled Dreimanis were praised for their bravery by Sussex Police.

When Dreimanis appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court in April, prosecutor Melanie Wotton said he had made 'full admissions' in police interviews

Chief Inspector Shane Baker, of the Crawley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: 'Id personally like to thank everyone who helped to quickly bring this incident to a safe conclusion, especially the two members of college staff whose heroics have not gone unnoticed.

'They put themselves in harms way in order to protect their students, fellow employees and the wider public, and I am hugely grateful for their quick-thinking actions.'

After being charged, Dreimanis appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court in April 2020, where prosecutor Melanie Wotton said he had made 'full admissions' in police interviews.

She told the court that Dreimanis had 'wanted the armed police officers to attend and for him to be shot'.

The case was not opened today but the court heard Dreimanis faces jail when he is sentenced on March 11.
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A UCLA grad student was stabbed to death in a random attack in the middle of the afternoon last week while she was working in a luxury furniture store in Los Angeles.

Brianna Kupfer, 24, was alone in the Croft House store on La Brea Avenue in LA's upscale Fairfax neighborhood when a man walked in around 1:50 p.m. and knifed her.

The architectural design student from Pacific Palisades was discovered 20 minutes later by another customer.

By the time police arrived at the scene, she was already dead.

Police said the male suspect is believed to be homeless and fled through the back door before calming walking down an alley, adding that he did not know the victim and that there is no known motive at this time.

Brianna, who was a graduate of Brentwood High School and the University of Miami, had been working as a design consultant at the high-end furniture store popular with celebrities like Mandy Moore, whose Pasadena home features a Croft House sofa, according to Architectural Digest.

The murder comes amid a huge crime surge in Los Angeles, with its woke District Attorney George Gascon under fire for failing to crack down on the violence.

Homicides in the City of Angeles rose 52 per cent last year from 2019, and shooting incidents were up 59 per cent, according to LAPD data.

The city has also suffered a shocking wave of follow-home robberies and organized smash-and-grab attacks on retailers.

Brianna Kupfer, 24, was stabbed to death in a random attack last Thursday while she was working in a luxury furniture store in Los Angeles

The architectural design student from Pacific Palisades was alone in the Croft House store on La Brea Avenue in LA's upscale Fairfax neighborhood when a man entered around 1:50 p.m. and stabbed her. She was found 20 minutes later by a customer

Police said the male suspect (pictured) is believed to be homeless and fled through the back door before calming walking down an alley

A memorial for Kupfer has formed outside the Croft House in the days following the deadly attack

A heartfelt note posted to the store's window this week talks about how Kupfer was beloved by her coworkers

Kupfer's father told CBSLA she was 'loved by all' and was a talented artist.

Riley Rea, co-owner of Croft House, told the LA Times that Brianna was beloved by her coworkers at the store where she had worked for a year.

She added: 'She was mature beyond her years.'

A heartfelt note was posted to the store's window this week that reads: 'The entire Croft House family is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of our beloved team member on January 13, 2022. Our La Brea Avenue showroom will be closed until further notice to allow our team members to grieve and process this unthinkable tragedy and in order for law enforcement to complete their investigation. Please keep the family, friends, and colleagues in close thought during this difficult time as we mourn, cherish, miss, and honor someone we care for so much. The entire Croft House family sends our love to our team member's family and friends. Please direct all questions related to this tragic event to the LAPD.'

At the bottom of the page is a handwritten note that reads: 'We love you so much.'

Croft House is a Los Angeles manufacturer and retailer of handmade pieces of statement furniture, according to their website, with sofas priced around $6,000 and dining tables at nearly $8,000.

The LAPD said in a statement: 'The suspect is described as a male Black, unknown age, tall, thin, wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses, a white N-95 mask, dark skinny jeans, dark shoes and carrying a dark back pack.

'Based on evidence discovered by detectives, the suspect is believed to be homeless.'

Dr. Jennifer Botelho, the owner of a nearby chiropractic office, said the suspect entered her business shortly before the stabbing.

She said: 'He came in and asked a couple of questions: "Do you do orthopedics here?" What kind of care we provide, and then he left. So he was just here for a few minutes.'

She added: 'It's terrifying. It's horrible. She's such a young girl.  We feel so horrible for Brianna's family, and hope we can catch this guy.'

Her father described as her an 'angel' and a clever young woman who was devoted to her family with big aspirations.

Brianna leaves behind her mother, father, brothers Brandon and Tucker and her sister Mikaela, who was her best friend, her family said.

The killing comes amid a huge crime surge in Los Angeles, with its woke District Attorney George Gascon under fire for failing to crack down on the violence.

Homicides in the City of Angeles rose 52 per cent last year from 2019, and shooting incidents were up 59 per cent, according to LAPD data.

The city has also suffered a shocking wave of follow-home robberies and organized smash-and-grab attacks on retailers.

Brianna (centre right) leaves behind her mother, father, brothers Brandon and Tucker and her sister Mikaela, who was her best friend, her family said

LA crime is on the upswing, according to police statistics. Shooting victims have increased 10.6 percent year-to-year and 53 percent from the same point in 2019

Kupfer (pictured with her mother) is described by her family as an 'angel' and a clever young woman who was devoted to her family with big aspirations

Jacqueline Avant, the 81 year-old wife of music producer Clarence Avant, became the most high-profile robbery victim when she was shot and killed at her $2.7 million Beverly Hills mansion in December.

On January 3 in nearby San Jose, nine hammer-wielding thugs stormed a San Jose shopping center and smashed glass display cases at three stores before fleeing with $110,000 in jewelry.

Los Angeles police arrested 14 people last November in connection with 11 recent smash-and-grab robberies at stores, where nearly $340,000 worth of merchandise was stolen.

The killing comes amid a huge crime surge in Los Angeles, with its woke District Attorney George Gascon under fire for failing to crack down on the violence

A Los Angeles Nordstrom, a Lululemon in Studio City, a Fairfax district store, and a CVS pharmacy in South Los Angeles were among the stores hit.

However, due to county's zero-bail policies, the suspects were all released within hours of being handcuffed.

Gascon said of rising crime rates: 'The reality is that we go through these cycles, and we go through the cycles for a variety of reasons  In many ways we cannot prosecute our way out of social inequalities, income inequalities, the unhoused, the desperation that we have.'

Gascon is currently embroiled in a row over a transgender woman who has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl, with the DA saying she could be allowed to serve her sentence under house arrest.

He refused to prosecute the 26-year-old Hannah Tubbs as an adult for the crime committed shortly two weeks before her 18th birthday.

On New Year's Eve in 2014, Tubbs spotted a 10-year-old girl at a Denny's in Palmdale, California, followed her into the bathroom, held her by the throat and forced a hand down the girl's pants.

Gascon is refusing to sentence Tubbs as an adult because the defendant was 17 when the attack took place.

Jon Hatami, a prosecutor and supporter of the movement to recall Gascon, said Tubbs was too dangerous to be in the juvenile system.

'This clearly shows you the dangerous aspect of the blanket policies of George Gascon,' he said.

Separately, Gascon is facing another scandal after his own cops went over his head to ask federal prosecutors to charge the alleged killers of an off-duty LAPD officer.

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva sought out the federal prosecution for the four gang members accused of killing Officer Fernando Arroyos, 27, on January 10 over fears pursing them through Gascon could lead to lighter sentencing.

Last year, Gascon axed sentencing enhancements - such as membership of a gang - that would have seen Arroyos' alleged killers potentially jailed for life if convicted.

California law stipulates a sentence of 25 years to life without parole, whereas Gascon's reforms would see killers offered parole after completing their sentence.

The federal charges they now face come with enhancements which automatically lengthen a sentence should the person be convicted to life without parole.

Gascon previously announced he had decided to no longer pursue sentencing enhancements in cases involving gangs as part of an increasingly controversial prison reform policy aimed at boosting 'equity.'
Detectives have been thrown an unexpected curveball in the search for missing Charlise Mutten, with family members now unable to confirm the last thing the nine-year-old was seen wearing before she disappeared without a trace.

The schoolgirl was last seen on Thursday afternoon at a sprawling five-hectare property in Mount Wilson, in the Blue Mountains - which is owned by the family of her mother Kallista's fiance, Justin Stein.

When Charlise, who usually lives with her grandmother in Queensland but was visiting her mum for the holidays, was reported missing at 8.20am on Friday morning, officers roped off the popular wedding venue and declared it a crime scene.

As the desperate search for the young girl with a bright smile enters its fifth day, it's also been revealed Charlise's biological father issued a cryptic post over social media on Sunday night.

'Has anyone won the "Worlds most hopeless person award" twice? We have a repeat entry this year!' he wrote on Facebook.

Doubt now hangs over the description of what Charlise was last seen wearing, which had been widely broadcast as a pink top, black knee-length skirt and pink Nike thongs.

Charlise Mutten (pictured) went missing on Thursday afternoon. Investigators have been scouring the scene, with the search now entering its fifth day

Neither Charlises mother Kallista Mutten, nor her stepfather, Mr Stein, have been able to tell police definitively what the schoolgirl was wearing when she was last seen on the verandah of the Wildenstein property last Thursday afternoon.

Detectives are treating the disappearance as a possible homicide, with officers spending five hours on Monday scouring the property she vanished from.

A red car was seized over the weekend on High Street, in Penrith, as part of the investigation and will undergo forensic testing.

It is understood police are trawling through hours of CCTV footage to track the Holden Colorado ute's movements through the region around the time the school girl vanished.

Asked directly if police believed her disappearance was suspicious on Monday, Police Area Command Acting Superintendent John Nelson would only say detectives were 'not discounting any scenario'.

The search was hampered by heavy rain on Monday, forcing SES and RFS volunteers to wind up their search ahead of what would be Charlise's fifth night missing in the mountains.

Charlise Mutten, 9, was staying with her mother Kallista Mutten when she disappeared on Thursday at a sprawling private wedding venue owned by the family of her fiance, Justin Stein

Pictured: Detectives and police cars entering the scene on Monday, with investigators telling reporters to leave

Police have seized a red ute (pictured) as part of their investigation, which will be forensically examined

Dramatic footage captured by Daily Mail Australia showed police cars and a large number of detectives on foot swoop on the retreat at 11.30am on Monday.

Investigators ordered the media to 'leave, now!' from outside the gates on Monday morning - moments after plain clothes child protection squad officers drove into the property.

A police bus followed by unmarked police cars rolled through the gates as a uniformed officer stood guard.

They stayed at the property for five hours before leaving that afternoon.

Rescue teams spent Monday scouring dense bushland, fire trails, murky ponds and rivers in 30C heat following a promising development on Sunday.

Rural Fire Service volunteers found a 'very small and barefooted' footprint along a trail just a few kilometres away from where Charlise was las seen, with NSW Police Chief Inspector Gary Sims also telling reporters 'certain items' had been found.

But Inspector Sims said the items 'unfortunately haven't led to anything that gives us a definite indication of her location'.

Charlise Mutten was last seen on Thursday afternoon. She was reported missing on Friday

Picture: The sprawling five-hectare Mount Wilson property where Charlise Mutten went missing

More than 90 Rural Fire Service officers have been deployed in groups of seven to ten across Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson to search for Charlise, and items of the mystery clothing she was wearing when she vanished.

NSW RFS Commander Peter Bennett told Daily Mail Australia the search parties had reached the 'saturation point' of available officers from four different stations at Chifley, Macarthur, Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains.

He described the search areas as 'inhospitable' and the task as 'exhausting', with officers were on the lookout for traces of Charlise 'or anything unusual'.

Ten groups of firefighters searched an area of 10km on Monday.

'It's pretty thick scrub,' he said, 'walking in line through that is exhausting.'

Ms Mutten is not believed to have given a formal interview yet, despite expectations she would be spoken to.

Charlise Mutten (pictured) went missing from the Blue Mountains on Thursday night. Family members have been unable to confirm to police her last known outfit

The search for nine-year-old Charlise started on Friday and went over the weekend (pictured, police at the scene on Monday)

RFS volunteers (pictured) found footprints on a nearby fire trail. Police found also 'certain items' relating to the search

Ms Mutten collapsed and was taken to hospital shortly after her daughter was reported missing.

There is no suggestion she or her fiance were involved in her daughter's disappearance.

Searchers who set off to comb vast areas of bush have been encouraged to call out Charlise's name as they conduct line searches.

Neighbours told detectives they saw a car with no headlights driving away from the area at 4.30am on Friday.

That evening, police impounded a vehicle in Sydney's west.

Acting Superintendent John Nelson said: 'A 31-year-old man from this location has been helping us with our inquiries.'

Pictured: Charlise as a toddler with her mother Kallista. The youngster normally lives with her grandmother in Queensland

Her distressed mum Kallista Mutten (pictured, left and right, with Charlise) was consoled by emergency workers on Saturday

Police divers searched the waters of the Hawkesbury River on Saturday (pictured) and seized a boat, which is being scanned for fingerprints

Police divers searched the waters of the Hawkesbury River on Saturday and seized a boat, which is being scanned for fingerprints.

Following her daughter's disappearance, Ms Mutten collapsed and was taken to hospital. Mr Stein spoke to police on Friday.

'For any parent this is a distressing scenario, so yes she is quite distressed so we're providing her with support,' acting superintendent John Nelson said.

The nine-year-old is described as being of Caucasian appearance with brown hair and blue eyes, and is between 130 and 140 centimetres tall.

Kallista Mutten's fiance Justin Stein (pictured) went to Penrith on Friday to speak with NSW police

Rural fire service volunteers have used 'line searching' tactics and marked out any items found in their painstaking search.

NSW Police sent out multiple geo-targeting text messages to all residents in the area on Friday and Saturday evening to inform them of Charlise's disappearance and request help.

They also asked social media users to share the missing girl's photo widely.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about her whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A tweet posted by trans activists targeting JK Rowling and revealing her home will not be treated as criminal, Police Scotland have said.

The Harry Potter author, 56, contacted officers after campaigners posted a photograph on Twitter of her Edinburgh house in November that revealed the property's address.

The now deleted social media post included trans activists standing by the house and carrying placards with slogans such as 'trans liberation now'.

Ms Rowling, who has been criticised in the past for her views on transgender people, said the photo made her a victim of 'doxxing'  the act of publishing private personal information about an individual or organisation, usually online, to enable others to take action.

Today Police Scotland confirmed inquiries were carried out and no criminality was established.

JK Rowling, 56, contacted officers after campaigners posted a photograph on Twitter of her Edinburgh house in November

Last year the Harry Potter author condemned three trans activists for trying to 'intimidate' her after they protested outside her house before posting a picture of her address on social media.

In November last year she tweeted: 'I have to assume [they] thought doxxing me would intimidate me out of speaking up for women's sex-based rights.

'They should have reflected on the fact that I've now received so many death threats I could paper the house with them, and I haven't stopped speaking out.

'Perhaps, and I'm just throwing this out there, the best way to prove your movement isn't a threat to women, is to stop stalking, harassing and threatening us.'

Downing Street criticised the targeting of JK Rowling by activists and the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'I don't think any individual should be targeted in that way.

'We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and that people are able to share their views as long as it is done in that fashion.'

The campaigners deleted the photo the day after it was posted.

They said the decision was made after they received 'serious and threatening transphobic messages'.

All three activists later took down their Twitter accounts in light of the row.

In June 2020, Ms Rowling faced accusations of transphobia after she mocked an online article which used the words 'people who menstruate' instead of 'women'.

Then, in September 2020, she faced renewed calls of transphobia after it was revealed the the villain in her latest book, Troubled Blood - written under Rowling's pseudonym Robert Galbraith - was a male serial killer who dresses as a woman to slay his victims.

Last year the author took to social media to say that her address had been posted on Twitter

The author later clarified that she respected 'every trans person's rights to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them,' and went on to say she would march 'if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans'.

She then defended herself in a passionate essay on her website under the headline: 'J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues.'

Harry Potter actors Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Eddie Redmayne, who stars in her Fantastic Beasts films, all criticised the author for her remarks.

Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series admitted that he felt he needed to stand up for transgender people.

He said that while he was 'not an authority' on the debate, he felt he had a responsibility to speak out in support of the trans community as 'silence is louder'.

In an interview with Esquire, he said: 'I am hugely grateful [for] everything that she's done. I think that she's extremely talented, and I mean, clearly, her works are genius.

In June 2020, Ms Rowling faced accusations of transphobia after she mocked an online article which used the words 'people who menstruate'

She was then embroiled in another controversy after it was revealed that the villain in her latest book Troubled Blood (right) is a male serial killer who dresses as a woman to kill his victims

'But yeah, I think also you can have huge respect for someone and still disagree with things like that...

'Sometimes silence is even louder. I felt like I had to because I think it was important to. I mean, I don't want to talk about all that Generally, I'm not an authority on the subject.

'Just out of kindness, and just respecting people. I think it's a valuable group that I think needs standing up for.'

However, a collection of over 50 actors, writers, playwrights, journalists later penned a joint letter in response to 'hate speech' directed against Ms Rowling.

Signatories of the letter include Booker winner Ian McEwan, actor Griff Rhys Jones, actress Frances Barber and playwright Sir Tom Stoppard.

Last December JK Rowling was among those criticising Police Scotland after they said they intended to record rapes by offenders with a penis as being committed by a woman if the attacker 'identifies as a female'.

Ms Rowling described the reform as 'Orwellian', tweeting: 'War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength. The Penised Individual Who Raped You Is a Woman.'

Scottish ministers are currently facing a backlash to their planned Gender Recognition Act which is set to become law in 2022.

The planned reforms will allow people to change their gender officially without providing medical evidence and shorten the time people have to live as their new gender before it is legally recognised.

It comes after complaints that the current procedures, which sees transgender people wait up to two years for formal recognition of their acquired gender, were bureaucratic, invasive and humiliating.
A host of Michigan state and Flint city officials implicated in the Flint water crisis will escape racketeering charges after the state's attorney general disbanded the prosecution team working on the case.

Michigan's attorney general Dana Nessel in 2018 fired the top prosecutors and investigators who were part of the three-year long investigation under the previous attorney general Bill Schuette.

The team had already filed criminal charges against 15 Michigan state and Flint city officials, including four officials charged with financial fraud thought to be behind the public health scandal in which up to 100,000 people were poisoned with tainted water.

Nessel rebuilt a new prosecution team to continue with the investigation, but although several defendants were re-indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, misconduct in office, obstruction of justice and perjury last year, the racketeering charges were dropped.

Sources close to the case told the Guardian that the officials would have been prosecuted under RICO laws - a tactic often used to charge organized crime groups - but Nessel's new prosecution team has since omitted the charges and taken RICO off the table.

The water poisoning came after the disastrous 2014 decision by Michigan's then-governor, Republican Rick Snyder, to switch the city's water source from Lake Huron to Flint River in the absence of proper water treatment and outdated equipment.

Michigan's attorney general Dana Nessel in 2018 fired the top prosecutors and investigators who were part of the investigation into crimes committed by Flint city and Michigan state officials which lead to the Flint water crisis

The team had already filed criminal charges against 15 Michigan state and Flint city officials, including four officials charged with financial fraud thought to be behind the public health scandal in which up to 100,000 people were poisoned with tainted water (pictured: A file photo shows the Flint River in Michigan)

Flint residents Gladyes Williamson (C) holds a bottle full of contaminated water, and a clump of her hair, alongside Jessica Owens (R), holding a baby bottle full of contaminated water, showing the disastrous impact of the Flint water crisis (pictured 2016)

In total, some 100,000 Flint water customers fell ill, prompting several lawsuits and neglect charges to be brought against Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. But several state and city officials who were set to be charged with racketeering and financial fraud in a RICO cause have had the charges dropped (Snyder pictured in 2018)

What are RICO charges? RICO stands for Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The US federal law came into power in 1970 under President Nixon, and grants prosecutors enhanced powers to prosecute multiple criminals under one law. The act allows criminals to be hit with harder penalties for their involvement in organisations and is widely used against organized criminal groups. It is especially useful in bringing down those involved in racketeering in financial fraud by allowing criminals to be tried for crimes that they ordered or assisted in. Before RICO, individuals could escape prosecution in cases in which they were involved - even where widespread harm was caused - if they did not personally commit the crime. Advertisement

The tragedy and Flint became a symbol of social injustice in the United States, and led to both a state and federal emergency being declared in Genesee County.

In a money-saving move, Flint managers appointed by then-Gov. Rick Snyder and regulators in his administration allowed the city to use the Flint River in 2014-15 to supply citizens' drinking water, while another pipeline was being built from Lake Huron.

But the river water wasn't treated to reduce corrosion, and lead in old pipes broke off and flowed to homes as a result.

There is no safe level of lead. It can harm a child's brain development and cause attention and behavior problems.

It is believed that anywhere between 6,000 and 12,000 children were exposed to drinking water with high levels of lead due to corrosion of the water distribution system's pipes, with some suggesting as many as 20,000 were exposed.

The lead poisoning of thousands of the city's children threatens to have catastrophic health consequences lasting for decades.

In total, some 100,000 Flint water customers fell ill, prompting several lawsuits and neglect charges to be brought against Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.

An outbreak of Legionnaire's disease, thought to be linked to the Flint water crisis, also resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people in 2014-2015.

The chairman of Flint city council Eric Mays, said he believes that Nessel was responsible for having the RICO case dropped.

'Was it a lack of political or legal will? I cannot say. But it bothers me to this day her team hasn't addressed it.'

When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Nessel's office said: 'The prosecution team reviewed all the evidence and pursued all viable charges,' according to the Guardian.

The financial fraud charges initially levied at the officials were of particular importance, as Flint city's financing for the bungled water supply switch - which left tens of thousands of citizens drinking poisoned water - is suspected to have been syphoned from funding set aside to clean up sewage sluldge.

The city would likely have been unable to pay the tens of millions of dollars needed to make the switch without the fraudulent funding as it was already at its borrowing limit.

Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards shows the difference in water quality between Detroit and Flint after testing, giving evidence after more than 270 samples were sent in from Flint that show high levels of lead during a news conference on Sept. 15, 2015

In this March 21, 2016 file photo, the Flint Water Plant water tower is seen in Flint, Mich. A judge on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021

Flint resident Gladyes Williamson holds a sign for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's resignation alongside a jug of her tap discolored tap water and a bag containing hair she has lost as more than 50 people protest in front of City Hall in downtown Flint, Mich. on April 25, 2016

What are the health implications of lead poisoning? Lead poisoning occurs when the metal builds up in the body. Children younger than six years old are particularly vulnerable as such poisoning can damage their mental and physical development. In severe cases, lead poisoning can be fatal. Lead poisoning is often caused by exposure to contaminated paint and dust in water, air and soil. Symptoms include learning difficulties, irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, constipation, seizures and hearing loss. Aside from removing the source of contamination, treatment includes medication that encourages lead removal via urine. Blood lead levels higher than five micrograms is considered abnormal in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of 2018, some 535,000 children in the US were thought to have at least levels this high, the CDC adds. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement

Flint switched back to a Detroit regional water agency in fall 2015 after Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha publicly reported elevated lead levels in children.

Some critics said the disaster in the predominantly Black city was an example of environmental racism.

So far, the only person to be convicted in relation to the Flint Water Crisis is Corinne Miller from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, who was sentenced to a year of probation, 300 hours of community service and fined $1,200.

Many residents of the city continue to drink bottled water to this day, even though the water system is once again fed from the lake and the lead pipes have been mostly replaced.

For many, the Flint water scandal came to symbolize the country's 'environmental racism,' a term that refers to the disproportionate exposure of African Americans to pollutants in the air, water or soil.

Some 57 percent of Flint's 100,000 residents are Black, and more than a third live below the poverty line.

In November 2021, a US federal judge ordered $626 million must be paid to Flint residents whose water supply was poisoned by lead.

Most of the money - $600 million - is coming directly from state coffers, which was accused of repeatedly overlooking the risks of using the Flint River without properly treating the water.

Flint resident Melissa Mays, a 43-year-old social worker unrelated to council chair Eric Mays, said her three sons have had medical problems and learning challenges due to lead.

'Hopefully itll be enough to help kids with tutors and getting the medical care they need to help them recover from this,' Mays said of the payout.

'A lot of this isnt covered by insurance. These additional needs, they cost money.'

Attorneys are also seeking as much as $200 million in legal fees from the overall settlement.

The deal makes money available to up to 20,000 Flint children who were exposed to the water, adults who can show an injury, certain business owners and anyone who paid water bills.

About 80 percent of what's left after legal fees is earmarked for children.
Meghan Markle's trusted journalist friend Omid Scobie today claimed the 'ring of protection' around Prince Andrew from the Royal Family had been 'confusing'.

Mr Scobie said the 'threat to Brand Windsor and the family business' had 'finally forced the institution's hand' after the Queen removed his honorary military roles.

The Harper's Bazaar royal editor-at-large also compared the issue to Megxit, saying there was 'no sympathetic support behind palace walls for the Duke of Sussex'.

Mr Scobie added that Prince Harry 'simply wanted to remove his family from an unhealthy environment' but was 'publicly dragged over the coals and stripped of his every achievement and royal privilege before setting one foot out of the country'.

The author also pointed out in the opinion piece that it was 'a staggering 26 months before Andrew was dealt with' after his disastrous BBC interview in November 2019.

Mr Scobie said he met a senior Buckingham Palace aide for drinks soon after the interview, who told him: 'Well, he's on his own now. He's not our problem anymore.'

Harry and Meghan at Westminster Abbey in March 2020 before stepping down as senior royals

The author, who co-wrote the 2020 biography Finding Freedom about the Sussexes, regularly reveals news about them on Twitter and often writes in their defence.

Given this, it seems unlikely that Mr Scobie would have written such an article without speaking in advance to representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

And he wrote in an opinion piece for the i today: 'For the public watching this saga play out, the ring of protection around Andrew has been confusing, especially when you compare his treatment to Prince Harry, who  love or loathe him  simply wanted to remove his family from an unhealthy environment.

'There was no sympathetic support behind palace walls for the Duke of Sussex. Instead, he was publicly dragged over the coals and stripped of his every achievement and royal privilege before setting one foot out of the country.

Meghan Markle's trusted journalist friend Omid Scobie wrote an opinion piece for the i today

'The royal establishment has long spoken of its need to reflect modern day ethics. But when the selfish behaviour of a pompous prince is quietly protected in a way that Harry wasn't, simply because Andrew doesn't challenge the system, it is clear that this is an institution whose moral compass is in desperate need of repair.'

Mr Scobie was born to a Scottish father who runs a marketing agency and an Iranian mother who works in child welfare. He started his career on celebrity magazine Heat.

He rose to fame as one of the authors of Finding Freedom, a controversial biography about the Sussexes which he co-wrote with fellow royal expert Carolyn Durand.

The Court of Appeal heard last year that Jason Knauf, Harry and Meghan's former communications secretary, gave information to Mr Scobie and Ms Durand  leading to Meghan apologising for misleading the court about whether he had done so.

Prince Andrew next to Harry and Meghan on the Buckingham Palace balcony in June 2019. Also pictured (front) are the Queen (left), James, Viscount Severn and Isla Philips (both right)

It came during a court row that ended with the Mail On Sunday being ruled to have invaded Meghan's privacy over a letter sent to her estranged father Thomas Markle.

Mr Scobie, who has boasted of exclusive access to the couple, is also a royal contributor for Good Morning America and host of ABC royal podcast 'The Heir Pod'.

It comes after the Queen removed Andrew's honorary military roles in a dramatic Buckingham Palace statement last Thursday and he gave up his use of the HRH style.

One day earlier the sex lawsuit against him took a big step forward when a judge threw out his motion to dismiss the sexual assault case and ruled it can go to trial.

Andrew, who was born an HRH, will not use it any official capacity, and was stripped of his remaining royal patronages amid his complete removal from official royal life.

It was also seen as an attempt to distance the monarchy from Andrew, who was once second in line to the throne, in the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

He has been accused of a 'tone-deaf' defence in his legal battle with Virginia Giuffre after his lawyers suggested she may have 'false memories' of encounters with him.

In a scathing response to his demand for her mental health records, her lawyer David Boies said: 'She wouldn't misremember sexual abuse by a prince of England.'

Virginia Giuffre holds a photo of her aged 16, when she says Jeffrey Epstein began abusing her

The claim about memory issues was made by Andrew in legal filings over the weekend in the case brought against him by Ms Giuffre at a court in New York.

She claims she had sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 in 2001 while under the control of Jeffrey Epstein, the late paedophile who was friends with the duke. Andrew has vehemently denied her allegations.

His lawyers have asked to interview Ms Giuffre's psychologist about all their sessions, any prescriptions that were issued and the 'theory of false memories'.

Ghislaine Maxwell used a 'false memory expert' during her trial for trafficking and recruiting underage girls for Epstein, but was found guilty on five of six counts.
A bipartisan group of senators is in the Ukraine to show their support following reports that U.S. intelligence agencies have information that Russia is preparing to conduct a false-flag operation in the eastern part of the country.

Seven senators - both Republicans and Democrats - arrived in the early hours of Monday morning Ukraine time for a briefing at the U.S. embassy and meetings with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

'This timely visit strengthens the US-Ukraine strategic partnership & helps deter further Russian aggression,' Kuleba tweeted in welcoming the American delegation.

The codel comes after Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the Pentagon has credible information indicating Russia has 'prepositioned a group of operatives' to execute 'an operation designed to look like an attack on them or Russian-speaking people in Ukraine' in order to create a reason for a potential invasion.

Russia denied the allegation. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday dismissed it as 'total disinformation.'

A bipartisan group of senators is in the Ukraine to show their support

Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba with Republican Sen. Rob Portman - the group of six senators will also meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky

The senators said their trip to a show support.

'After an hour classified briefing at the U.S. embassy, our delegation heads to the Foreign Ministry to meet with @DmytroKuleba and his team to discuss how Congress can support Ukraine in the case of a further Russian invasion,' said Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut.

Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio is leading the delegation along with Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.

'Proud to lead a bipartisan delegation w/@senrobportman to Ukraine to send a powerful message to the global community: the U.S. stands by our Ukrainian partners in their pro-democratic aspirations & in defense of their sovereign right against Russian aggression,' tweeted Shaheen.

The senators were able to make the trip after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer canceled plans to hold a series of votes over the Martin Luther King weekend on voting rights legislation.

Unable to secure support within his own ranks to kill a filibuster attempt - and facing Sunday's snow storm that slammed the Northeast - Schumer dismissed the Senate for the weekend and will bring them back in session on Tuesday.

Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut were also on the trip as were Republican Senators Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota.

The senators' visit came a few days after the Senate split along (mostly) party lines about whether to impose sanctions on the Russian Nord stream 2 pipeline project that Ukraine's leaders want to see stopped immediately.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz pushed the sanctions. The White House lobbied Democrats against it but a handful of them running for re-election supported Cruz's effort.

The legislation, however, failed to secure the 60 votes it needed to advance in the Senate.

All the Democrats on the codel voted against the sanctions bill, while all the Republicans supported it.

The trip also comes after a week's worth of diplomatic meetings between Russian and Western officials over Russia's amassing nearly 100,000 troops along Ukraine's border.

Those talks failed to achieve any breakthroughs, as Russia would not commit to de-escalating and American and NATO officials said Moscow's demands - including that NATO never admit Ukraine into the alliance - were non-starters.

A number of Ukraine's governmental websites were hit by a cyberattack on Friday, a development European officials warned would ratchet up tensions over Ukraine even further.

Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia could launch an attack from various directions, including from the territory of its ally Belarus.

Snipers started the shooting training at the Kadamovsky training ground in the Rostov region

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has increasingly relied on the Kremlin's support amid Western sanctions over a brutal crackdown on domestic protests, said that Russia and Belarus will hold massive military drills next month.

Lukashenko said the maneuvers will be conducted on Belarus' western border and also in the country's south where it borders Ukraine.

Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of Ukraine's Moscow-friendly leader and in 2014 also threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have been killed in nearly eight years of fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces in the countrys industrial heartland called Donbas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will take unspecified 'military-technical measures' if the West stonewalls its demands.
The RSPCA is on the hunt for a missing wallaby who escaped from a Lincolnshire zoo and dodged three attempts to catch him - only to give keepers the slip again.

Seven-month-old Ant was reported missing from his enclosure in Tiny Steps Petting Farm in Thurlby on Wednesday, January 5, in the south Kesteven area of Lincolnshire.

He left behind his fellow wallaby Dec, who was found alone in their shared pen.

Since his escape, Ant has been seen hopping around the area The Stamford Mercury reports.

Keepers have put out feeding stations in an effort to entrap Ant, but he has proven to be a hard catch.

On Sunday morning, staff at the farm checked a trap and found Ant inside eating the food which had been left to lure him in.

Ant the seven-month-old wallaby escaped from Tiny Steps Petting Zoo on January 5 and has given keepers the run around ever since

Two RSPCA inspectors arrived to give assistance and keepers lifted the trap with Ant inside, covering it with a blanket.

But the clever wallaby managed to open the trap's door and hopped away from the rescue mission.

Volunteer Bret Whitcombe told the BBC how Ant managed to escape his trap on Sunday morning.

He said: 'We managed to get him out of the wooded area he was in just in time for him to kick and break the trap, so he's now on the loose again,' he said.

'He's causing us lots of problems, bless him.'

Tiny Steps released this image of Ant as they keep the public updated about their efforts to humanely catch him and bring him safely home

Tracey Hall, owner of Tiny Steps Petting Farm, posted on Facebook: 'Words can't adequately describe the frustration and upset at this happening.

'The trap is made for dogs, foxes and other UK mammals, none of which are even half as strong as a wallaby.

'The metal grille door was almost bent double. As you can imagine, there isn't too much call in the UK for a wallaby trap.'

Tiny Steps Petting Farm are continuing with their efforts to entrap Ant safely and have advised the public not to chase him, as wallabies are highly stressed animals.

Darts and tranquilisers have also been ruled out as potentially dangerous due to the length of time before they take effect.
Taxpayers face coughing up 200,000 for a council staff to get a day off for the Welsh patron saint - after the government refused the extra holiday.

Welsh nationalists want to mark St David's Day on March 1 with the special day off work on top of bank holidays.

But Boris Johnson's Government rejected the request because too many people commute across the Wales and English border to work.

It is now set to be discussed by Gwynedd Council in North Wales.

Gwynedd Council in North Wales are going to be having a meeting about the day off plans

Saint David was a Welsh bishop of Mynyw but is now the adored patron saint of Wales

But already it is feared it cost 200,000 to employ part-time staff to keep the council running for the day off.

The proposal suggests: 'St David's Day 2022 is designated as an additional holiday day for Council staff working on the terms of employment of local government employees, for celebrating our patron saint's day.'

An alternative suggestion of a half-day off, which would cost 100,000, is also mooted.

St David is beloved throughout Wales with his day being observed by everyone in the country

David the Waterdrinker: Hill-raiser and patron saint of doves As well as being the patron saint of Wales, St David is also the patron saint of doves and is known as Dewi Sant in Welsh. Born in Caerfai in Pembrokeshire around 500 AD, he was recognised as the Welsh patron saint during the country's resistance to the Normans. After his studies, St David travelled and made pilgrimages to Jerusalem where he was made an archbishop. He then went on to teach Christianity and minimise belief in Pelegrian heresy, the idea that sin did not taint human nature and divine aid is not needed to differentiate between good and evil. St David founded 12 monasteries where monks abstained from pleasure. He is well-known for performing miracles with the most famous being how he was able to raise the ground under him to form a hill so that the Synod of Brefi crowd could hear his sermon. Legend also reveals that St David could be the nephew of King Arthur but in other tales, his mother was the niece of the King. The patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick is also said to have foreseen the birth of St David. Advertisement

But in a letter Paul Scully MP, the Minster for Small Business, rejected the calls.

He said: 'While we appreciate that the people of Wales want to celebrate their patron saint, more people work across the English/Welsh border than across the English/Scottish border.

'This closer degree of integration could cause greater business disruption. If we had separate bank holidays in England and Wales, the impact on both employees and businesses is difficult to predict.'

Gwynedd Council said the response was 'hugely disappointing' that the Welsh Government cannot make the decision - but that it has to be made in Westminster.

They said: 'It is obvious that the current government at Westminster has no intention of devolving this right and so it will not be possible for the Welsh Government to respond to the council's demand for now.'

The Bank Holiday wish will be discussed by councillors tomorrow.

St David is accepted as the greatest figure in the 6th century Welsh Age of Saints.

He was the founder of scores of religious communities, and is said to have been the only native-born patron saint of the countries of Britain and Ireland.

St David died on 1 March  St David's Day - in 589 and was canonised by Pope Callixtus in the 12th century.

He had an unusual nickname of David the Waterdrinker because he ate extremely modestly on a died of bread and water, forgoing meat and beer.
According to his legal counsel, Prince Harry is filing a legal appeal to a UK government decision that forbids him from privately paying for police security for himself and his family while staying in the UK.

Because of a leak in a British tabloid newspaper, Harry's legal team claimed they started the legal battle in September of last year but chose to make the information public now in order to set the facts right.

Prince Harry will foot the bill for police protection

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, wants to bring his son Archie and infant daughter Lilibet to visit, but his legal representative stated Saturday that he and his family were unable to return to their home due to the danger.

The charge stems from an event that occurred in London in the summer of 2021 when the prince's security was breached as he departed a charity event. When Harry visits the UK, his privately financed US security force will not be able to match the necessary police protection. The Duke "initially offered to pay personally for UK police security for himself and his family in January of 2020 at Sandringham," but the offer was turned down.

At the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, Harry met with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth, father Prince Charles, and brother Prince William to discuss terms for the Sussexes' departure from royal duties, just days after the couple announced their decision to step down as "senior" royals, according to CNN.

Related Article: Meghan Markle Wins 1 Pound Token in Damages After Privacy Case; Sussexes Face Pressure Over 2020 Archewell Figures

Royal chief blasts Prince Harry's claim that his family is unsafe in the UK

A former royal protection chief has disputed Prince Harry's claim that his return to the UK is "unsafe." Officials in the government opposed his requests, fearing that it would allow any affluent people to hire The Met's crack unit as a private police force. Because he is sixth in line to the throne, Prince Harry considers himself a security risk for his life, as well as a target for terrorist threats due to his two tours of war in Afghanistan.

Harry is "creating circumstances that don't exist," according to the former chief of Scotland Yard's royal protection section. Last night, it was also revealed that the Queen will not back Harry's request for Met Police security. The Met Police, Harry has been warned, are not "weapons for hire" and cannot be exploited as a private force for the wealthy. The family may now be forced to skip the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities this summer due to the security dispute.

Many people have reacted negatively to it, with one biographer who spent a year with Prince Harry calling his choice to sue the government "beyond awful." As it was reported that the Duke is preparing for a legal fight after being stripped of his bodyguards, Angela Levin claimed she feels his behavior has become "extremely problematic" and that he is "hurting" his grandmother, as per The Sun.

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stood down as senior working royals and relocated to the United States two years ago, they lost publicly sponsored police protection in the United Kingdom. Lilibet Diana, the couple's daughter, was born in June and has yet to meet her great grandmother, the queen, and other royal family members. As a result, Harry requested a court review in September to question the security processes' decision-making, according to his counsel. Harry made the decision to make the information public due to a leak in the British tabloid media.

In an email, a government official stated that the United Kingdom's protective security system is "rigorous and proportional" and that it has always been a policy not to share comprehensive details about such arrangements. The representative further stated that commenting on the specifics of any legal actions would be inappropriate, NBC News reported.

Read Also: Palace Reveals Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Amid Prince Andrew's Struggle To Fund Sexual Abuse Battle

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A grandmother was shot dead Saturday morning at the restaurant she worked at for the past 34 years after she tried to help a co-worker who had just gotten to work escape a gunman who was trying to rob them outside.

Robin Baucom, 59, was shot in the torso and rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where she later died, according to Harris County deputies.

The incident happened at a Cracker Barrel on North Freeway in Houston after Buacom's colleague arrived at about 6.15am, KTRK reports.

Deputies say the co-worker was suddenly approached by a man in the passenger seat of a 2018 or newer metallic gray Dodge Charger. The man allegedly got out of the car and tried to grab the employee's purse.

Baucom, a manager at the restaurant who was already inside, let her employee in and pushed back on the door to stop the man from entering. He then pulled out a gun and shot Baucom.

Authorities are still searching for the shooter. Baucom is survived by a husband, three kids and three grandkids, according to KHOU.

Robin Baucom, 59, was a manager at a Cracker Barrel in Houston, where she had worked for 34 years until Saturday

She was shot in the torso as she tried to let an employee who was being robbed into the store

Photos released by the Harris County Sheriff's Office show a suspect clad in all-black and the metallic gray Dodge Charger used in the shooting

The identity of Baucom's co-worker is not yet known.

'Our condolences go out to her family. Sad to think these victims were simply starting their day, working,' said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on Twitter, along with surveillance photos of a suspect, clad in all black, and his getaway vehicle.

Family and friends gathered outside the Southern food restaurant for a vigil on Sunday.

Mourners were seen holding balloons and hugging each other at the scene of the deadly shooting.

'It was such a senseless way to lose her life. She was just trying to go to work to make a living,' Robin's sister Gail Baucom said through tears in an interview with KTRK.

Mourners gathered at the Cracker Barrell on North Freeway in Houston on Sunday

She was just trying to go to work to make a living,' said Robin's sister Gail Baucom, above

Robin's daughter Tina said her mom started working at the chain when she was in kindergarten

'She would have done anything in the world to protect her employees of any of us,' Tina said

Gail said Robin worked at the restaurant for more than three decades and described it as Robin's second home.

'She is our hero and we hope she will be remembered as a hero because she lost her life trying to protect her employees and Cracker Barrel. She was always taking care of business wherever she was needed,' Gail wrote about her sister, according to KPRC.



'She would have done anything in the world to protect her employees of any of us,' Robin's daughter Tina said at Sunday's vigil.

'When I was starting kindergarten, she started at Cracker Barrel part-time. She would buy me back-to-school clothes. It was supposed to be a couple of months. Thirty-four years later, a heart attack, and shes back at it.'

Baucom's brother Billy Crumpton said: 'The greatest love a person can have is giving their life for another person; and thats exactly what she did.

'She came to work like she always does. Car drove up there and stole a purse from the worker she was letting come in the store. She pushed the worker into the store and was wrestling with the guy trying to get him away so she could shut the door and lock it. And he stuck a gun up there and shot her," Crumpton told KRIV, adding that the pair were close.

The chain said it's 'focused on supporting our managers family, her fellow employees, and local law enforcement'

No arrests have been made in Saturday's shooting, though police have released surveillance shots of a suspect and his vehicle. Above, constables outside the Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel acknowledged Baucom's death in a statement released to the media.

'We can confirm that there was a criminal shooting at our Houston store on North Freeway prior to opening Saturday morning which resulted in our stores associate manager sustaining fatal injuries as she protected other employees from harm.

'All of Cracker Barrel is solely focused on supporting our managers family, her fellow employees, and local law enforcement as we grapple with this tragedy and grieve,' the company said in a statement provided to DailyMail.com.

The North Freeway store will be closed for at least a week and employees will be paid as usual, the company said.
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Distress signals have been detected from outlying islands in tsunami-hit Tonga as reports emerge of widespread damage - though the true death toll remains unknown.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed concern for two islands, Mango and Fonoi, after surveillance flights confirmed 'substantial property damage' from Saturday's eruption but there had been no contact with residents.

The agency said extensive damage had been reported on the western beaches of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, with several resorts and houses either destroyed or seriously damaged, while two people were reported missing.

No details of the missing were released but the brother of a British woman who was swept away by the tsunami said his sister's body had been found.

It comes as satellite images have revealed the devastation caused by the 'once-in-a-millennia' underwater volcanic eruption at the weekend.

The peak of Hunga-Tonga, which has been visible above the ocean since eruptions in 2014/15 formed a new island, has been almost entirely destroyed with just a few scraps of land visible through clouds in images taken Sunday.

Tongatapu has also been badly damaged with water inundating the northern shoreline - facing the volcano - and water damage also visible on the southern side of the island.

An airfield in the southeastern corner of the island also shows signs of water damage, suggesting the wave was able to penetrate at least two miles inland from the coast.

Similar damage is also visible in coastal areas on the islands of Uoleva and Nomuka, with lesser damage to the coastal areas on Uiha island. Ash deposits are visible on all islands, as debris from the eruption rained form the sky.

Hunga-Tonga erupted once on January 13, partially destroying the volcano peak, before a second and much-larger eruption struck late Saturday - wiping out what was left and triggering a tsunami with the blast visible from space.

A British woman swept away from her Tongan home is the only person reported killed from the eruption, but with communications networks all-but wiped out news from the island has been sparse. The toll is expected to rise once the networks are restored, which undersea cable companies warn could take weeks.

 Slide me  Hunga-Tonga island: A satellite image taken on December 8 (left) shows the peak of the volcano visible above the ocean. A second image taken on January 16 (right) shows how it has been all-but destroyed by the eruption

 Slide me  Tongatapu island: An image taken on February 7 last year (left) shows the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa before the tsunami struck, compared to an image taken on January 16 (right) which shows lots of water damage from the tsunami

 Slide me  Tongatapu island: An image taken in November last year (left) shows a small island close to Tongatapu, compared to an image taken on January 16 (right) which shows the same island completely inundated with water and covered in ash

 Slide me  Tongatapu island: An image taken in February last year (left) shows an area on the northern side of the island, facing the volcano, before the eruption. The same area is pictured (right) on January 16 after being hit by the tsunami and ash

What little news has emerged suggests casualties on the main island of Togatapu are likely to be limited, but concern is mounting for the inhabitants of smaller outlying islands after a distress beacon was detected coming from a group of low-lying isles earlier today.

The signal was traced to the Haapai group, located around 85 miles north of the volcano - specifically from the Fonoi and Mango islands, where 105 people live. Other than the distress beacon, rescuers have had no contact with the islanders.

Angela Glover, a British woman who had been living with husband James in Tonga since 2015, has also been confirmed dead - with brother Nick Eleini saying that James found her body during a search in nearby scrubland Monday.

Nick, who lives in Australia but has today flown to the UK to be with mother Jennifer, told Sky News that his sister - who ran a dog shelter - was trying to save her pets when she was killed. Four of her five dogs were swept away in the tsunami, with only one found alive so far.

Mr Eleini, speaking outside the family home in Hove, said they are 'devastated' by the news - describing Angela as a 'beautiful' person who could 'light up a room'. 'She was absolutely a ray of sunshine,' he added.

Mrs Glover, who founded a dog rescue charity on Tonga - named TAWS - had dedicated her life to helping abandoned and abused dogs.

He added: 'This terrible accident came about as they tried to rescue their dogs'.

Mr Eleini said the body of his sister Angela was found by her husband James.

He told MailOnline: 'She was the centre of our family and we are just broken.'

Mr Eleini flew back to the UK from Australia to comfort their mother Jennifer, 85.

Fighting back tears, he said: 'There had been a search party and I believe James found the body and it was in some bushes.

'I'm not really aware of the geography in Tonga other than it's a low lying, scrubby, sandy area. She was found in that area.

Angela last saw her mum two years ago when she came back to Sussex for a visit. Mr Eleini said they were in constant contact online over three-way video conferences.

'I haven't got the words in my vocabulary to describe they way we are feeling at the moment.

'It's just a terrible shock. We are ordinary people and stuff like this just doesn't happen to people like us and then it does.'

'Both when she was working in London and when she achieved her life's dream of going to work in the South Pacific.

'She loved her life there and we are so proud of her achievements.

'In such a short time in Tonga they started a business and made a life there and her charity work.

'She was so committed to it. She loved animals and dogs in particular. The uglier the dog, the more she loved it.

'We would laugh at her when she sent us photographs of these dogs that she'd rescued.'

Mr Eleini said the family will make preparations to repatriate her body back to the UK.

'I have no idea what happens next but I believe there is a process we have to go through to repatriate Angela's body but I don't know what that is,' he said.

A statement issued by the family said: 'Angela and James loved their life in Tonga and adored the Tongan people. In particular, they loved the Tongan love of family and Tongan culture.

'Since she was a little girl, it was always Angela's dream to swim with whales and it was Tonga that gave her the opportunity to fulfil these dreams. As you can imagine, her family is devastated and we respectfully request that we are given privacy to grieve.'

Two people also drowned off the coast of Peru on Saturday, some 6,400 miles from Tonga, as abnormally large waves caused by the eruption crossed the Pacific and collided with the shore.

Boats moored in marinas in New Zealand were also badly damaged or sunk, but no injuries or deaths were reported. Tsunami alerts were also triggered in Japan, Hawaii, Australia, and the US West Coast, though no deaths or significant reports of damage followed. Most tsunami alerts had been lifted by Monday morning.

Aid workers warn 80,000 of Tonga's 105,000 residents could be affected by the fall-out from the disaster, which includes ash blanketing homes and poisoning drinking water, sea water poisoning crops, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.

'Further volcanic activity cannot be ruled out,' the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in the update on Monday, reporting only minor injuries but emphasising that formal assessments, especially of the outer islands, had yet to be released.

Australia's Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said initial reports suggested no mass casualties from Saturday's eruption and tsunami but Australian police had visited beaches and reported significant damage with 'houses thrown around'.

'We know there is some significant damage, and know there is significant damage to resorts,' he said in an interview with an Australian radio station, adding that Tonga's airport appeared to be in relatively good condition.

Tonga's deputy head of mission in Australia, Curtis Tu'ihalangingie, said the surveillance flights were expected to return on Monday evening. He asked for patience as Tonga's government decides its priorities for aid.

Tonga is concerned about the risk of aid deliveries spreading COVID-19 to the island, which is COVID-free.

'We don't want to bring in another wave - a tsunami of COVID-19,' he told Reuters by telephone.

The Ha'atafu Beach Resort, on the Hihifo peninsula 13 miles west of the capital Nuku'alofa, was 'completely wiped out', the owners said on Facebook.

The family that manages the resort had run to safety through the bushes to escape the tsunami, it said. 'The whole western coastline has been completely destroyed along with Kanukupolu village,' it said.

The Red Cross said it was mobilising its regional network to respond to what it called the worst volcanic eruption the Pacific has experienced in decades.

Katie Greenwood, the Pacific Head of Delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies told Reuters up to 80,000 people could have been affected by the tsunami.

 Slide me  Tongatapu island: An airport two miles inland from the coast is pictured (left) on November 5 last year before the eruption, and (right) on January 16 afterwards - inundated with water

 Slide me  Tongatapu island: A satellite image shows part of the island's southern coast, facing away from the volcano, in November last year (left) and again on January 16 (right) after the eruption, showing signs of water damage and ash fall

 Slide me  Uoleva island: An image taken in April last year (left) shows a village on one of the smaller islands near the volcano intact, and a second image taken on January 16 (right) shows how it was damaged by the tsunami and blanketed in ash

Tongatapu island: A satellite image taken before the eruption shows the Ha'atafu Beach Resort on the west coast of the island, which staff have since said was completely destroyed in the eruption

An image shows a hut at the Ha'atafu Beach Resort on the island of Tongatapu, Tonga. Its owners have since revealed the resort has been 'completely destroyed'

Aid efforts have been hampered by the huge ash cloud kicked up by the eruption, but military surveillance flights by Australia and New Zealand were underway on Monday to assess the damage and dictate the response.

New Zealand hopes to send essential supplies, including much-needed drinking water, on a military transport plane Tuesday.

But Curtis Tu'ihalangingie, head of Tonga's mission in Australia, said any aid will be quarantined on arrival due to the risk it is contaminated with Covid - despite the virus being largely spread through the air. He did not say how long the aid would remain in quarantine.

No personnel would be allowed to disembark arriving aircraft, he added, meaning foreign air workers and medics will be unable to assist in the recovery - despite 60 per of of islanders' being vaccinated against the virus. Tonga has reported just one case of Covid and no deaths since the pandemic began.

Communications with Tonga remained extremely limited. The company that owns the single underwater fibre-optic cable that connects the island nation to the rest of the world said it likely was severed in the eruption and repairs could take weeks.

The loss of the cable leaves most Tongans unable to use the internet or make phone calls abroad. Those that have managed to get messages out described their country as looking like a moonscape as they began cleaning up from the tsunami waves and volcanic ash fall.

Tsunami waves of about 4ft crashed into Tonga's shoreline, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described damage to boats and shops on Tonga's shoreline.

Professor Shane Cronin, a Tonga eruptions expert, shared images of the destruction caused by the volcano with MailOnline, describing the eruption as a 'once-in-a-millennium' event.

He said: 'On Hunga, new radiocarbon dates from charcoal reveal that the last very large eruption was ~AD1000, this tallies with ashfall that I found on Tongatapu.

'On Tongatapu, I found an older large event at AD200 also dated by radiocarbon methods. The chemical composition of these Tongatapu ash layers match that of Hunga.

'Eruptions over the last month have mainly destroyed the new land mass that was created during the 2014-2015 eruptions.

'The 30 December eruption added to that land mass, the 13 Jan one removed a lot of it, and the 15 Jan one destroyed almost all vestiges of it as well as reduced the size of the pre-existing islands.'

Scientists said they did not think the eruption would have a significant impact on the Earth's climate.

Huge volcanic eruptions can sometimes cause temporary global cooling as sulphur dioxide is pumped into the stratosphere. But in the case of the Tonga eruption, initial satellite measurements indicated the amount of sulphur dioxide released would only have a tiny effect of perhaps 0.01 Celsius (0.02 Fahrenheit) global average cooling, said Alan Robock, a professor at Rutgers University.

Satellite images showed the spectacular undersea eruption on Saturday evening, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a giant mushroom above the South Pacific waters.

A sonic boom could be heard as far away as Alaska and sent pressure shockwaves around the planet twice, altering atmospheric pressure that may have briefly helped clear out the fog in Seattle, according to the National Weather Service.

Large waves were detected as far away as the Caribbean due to pressure changes generated by the eruption.

 Slide me  Uoleva island: A town on the southwestern side of the island is pictured last April (left) before the eruption, and on January 16 (right) with signs of water damage and covered in volcanic ash

 Slide me  Uiha island: An image (left) taken in April last year shows an area on the south of the island before the eruption, and another image (right) taken on January 16 shows damage caused after the eruption

 Slide me  Nomuka island: An image taken (left) on May 30 last year shows the island's main village before the eruption, and another image (right) taken on January 16 shows the same area afterwards

Dramatic official aerial maps showed the eruption cloud over Tonga after the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcanco erupted. Pictured: Satellite images of the volanic eruption in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday

Samiuela Fonua, who chairs the board at Tonga Cable Ltd which owns the single cable that connects Tonga to the outside world via Fiji, said the cable appeared to have been severed about 10 to 15 minutes after the eruption. He said the cable lies atop and within coral reef, which can be sharp.

Mr Fonua said a ship would need to pull up the cable to assess the damage and then crews would need to fix it. A single break might take a week to repair, he said, while multiple breaks could take up to three weeks.

He added that it was unclear yet when it would be safe for a ship to venture near the undersea volcano to undertake the work.

A second undersea cable that connects the islands within Tonga also appeared to have been severed, Mr Fonua said. However, a local phone network was working, allowing Tongans to call each other. But he said the lingering ash cloud was continuing to make even satellite phone calls abroad difficult.

He said Tonga, home to 105,000 people, had been in discussions with New Zealand about getting a second international fibre-optic cable to ensure a more robust network but the nation's isolated location made any long-term solution difficult.

The cable also broke three years ago, possibly due to a ship dragging an anchor. At first Tongans had no access to the internet but then some limited access was restored using satellites until the cable was repaired.

Ms Ardern said the capital, Nuku'alofa, was covered in a thick film of volcanic dust, contaminating water supplies and making fresh water a vital need.

Aid agencies said thick ash and smoke had prompted authorities to ask people to wear masks and drink bottled water.

One complicating factor to any international aid effort is that Tonga has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks of Covid-19. Ms Ardern said New Zealand's military staff were all fully vaccinated and willing to follow any protocols established by Tonga.

Dave Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Centre in Palmer, Alaska, said it was very unusual for a volcanic eruption to affect an entire ocean basin, and the spectacle was both 'humbling and scary'.

The US Geological Survey estimated the eruption caused the equivalent of a magnitude 5.8 earthquake. Scientists said tsunamis generated by volcanoes rather than earthquakes are relatively rare.

Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau, who chairs the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, said she hoped the relatively low level of the tsunami waves would have allowed most people to get to safety, although she worried about those living on islands closest to the volcano.

'We are praying that the damage is just to infrastructure and people were able to get to higher land,' she said.

The explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano was the latest in a series of dramatic eruptions. In late 2014 and early 2015, eruptions created a small new island and disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

Earth imaging company Planet Labs PBC had watched the island in recent days after a new volcanic vent began erupting in late December. Satellite images showed how drastically the volcano had shaped the area, creating a growing island off Tonga.

Angela Glover, 50 (right with husband James), has been found dead on the Tongatapu island of Tonga, after it was hit by a devastating tsunami late on Saturday

The eruption is the latest explosion on the islands in the past month after days of volatility on Tonga, which has seen smaller eruptions before

Tonga volcano eruption as seen from Himawari-8 of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Hundreds of frightened Tongans fled to higher ground as the eruption triggered a tsunami in the island nation, with a four-foot wave observed in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa
President Joe Biden took aim at Republican state legislatures passing election security laws in his speech marking Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, using his address memorializing the slain civil rights leader to attack his rivals and push his federal voting legislation.

Biden called on elected officials to make 'clear where they stand' on voting reform after his most recent attempt to pass the federal legislation fell apart last week amid inter-Democratic Party squabbling.

He compared today's struggle over how to ensure free and fair elections to King's hard-fought battle for equality and said the January 6 Capitol riot was proof that attacks on democracy from the right 'are real.'

'Vice President Harris and I visited Atlanta, Georgia, the cradle of civil rights in America,' Biden began, referring to his trip early last week.

'We paused and prayed at the crypt of Dr. and Mrs. King, we met members of their family...we met students who are changing the world just like generations of young people before them had done that -- in fact, Dr. King was just one of those young people.'

Biden said King was a '15-year-old student at Morehouse College' when he set out on a path to a 'promise that holds that we're all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.'

Biden called on all elected officials across the country to make clear 'where they stand' on voting rights in his brief Monday morning address

'Dr. King wasn't just a dreamer of that promise, he was a doer. And on this federal holiday that honors him, it's not just enough to praise him. We must commit to his unfinished work, to deliver jobs and justice, to protect the sacred right to vote, the right from which all other rights flow,' he continued.

The president pivoted to a harsher tone as he accused Republicans of 'attacking' American democracy over their election security measures and once again invoked the deadly insurrection at the United States Capitol.

'Attack (sic) on our democracy is real, from the January 6 insurrection to the onslaught of Republicans' anti-voting laws in a number of states. It's no longer just about who gets to vote. It's about who gets to count the vote, and whether your vote counts at all,' Biden said.

He said GOP efforts to strengthen security at the ballot box were about 'two things: voter suppression and election subversion.'

'In his time, through his courage, his conviction, his commitment, Dr. King held a mirror up to America and forced us to answer the question: Where do we stand? Whose side are we on?' Biden said.

Biden said King 'held up a mirror to America' that's now being 'held up again'

'Were in another moment right now, where the mirror is being held up to America, being held up again. The question being asked again: Where do we stand? Whose side are we on? Will we stand against voter suppression, yes or no? Will we stand against election subversion, yes or no?

'Will we stand up for America where everyone is guaranteed the full protections and the full promise of this nation, yes or no?'

The president called on 'elected officials' nationwide to make their stance on voting rights reform clear.

'I know where I stand. And its time for every elected official in America to make it clear where they stand,' he said.

Biden, who won the White House on the promise of unifying the country, now urged all Americans to make clear 'whose side are you on' over voting rights.

'It's time for every American to stand up, speak out, be heard: where do you stand? Whose side are you on?' he asked.

GOP Rep. Burgess Owens criticized Biden for using the federal holiday to promote his 'demeaning' and 'divisive' voting rights agenda.

'Black Americans, just like Italian Americans or Polish Americans, all we want is fairness,' Owens told Fox.

'We want to know that our vote counts. To say that we're the only race of the whole country that if we have to get an ID that we cannot pull it off  I cannot articulate how demeaning that thought process is.'

The Utah Republican said of King, 'He was brave. He was bold. He was respectful. He could persuade people to listen to him. That was the black community and that was our dreams and hopes at that time.'

'That is not the dreams and hopes of the Biden Administration. Look at everything they do and the policy they put together. It's demeaning. It's divisive.'

Harris marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day by quoting the slain icon.

Kamala Harris quoted Martin Luther King Jr. along with an image of herself and Biden at his memorial

'I often turn to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for inspiration. Today, Im keeping these words in mind: the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,' the vice president wrote on Twitter along with an image of herself and Biden at King's memorial.

Despite its likely failure, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the election bill, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, on Tuesday.

Last week Biden delivered a fiery speech promoting his voting rights legislation in Atlanta, where the president compared Republican opponents of the measure to infamous figures like Confederate leader Jefferson Davis.

His remarks earned swift criticism from GOP members of Congress and even prompted a fellow Democrat, Senator Dick Durbin, to say they may have gone 'a bit too far.'

The address alone served to divide his own party, with other Democrats like Rep. James Clyburn telling NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday that he endorsed it 'wholeheartedly.'

But their chances of passing federal voter protections dimmed after two key centrists, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, opposed changing Senate rules to allow the bill to pass on Democrats' razor-thin 50-50 majority with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie-breaking vote.

Previous efforts to pass election bills through the Senate have died at the hands of a Republican filibuster, which needs 60 votes to be overcome.

On Sunday Clyburn, a longtime Biden ally, admitted the current bill 'may be on life support' but indicated they were not giving up on finding ways to pass it.

The president compared opposition to the civil rights movement of the 1960s to the Capitol rioters and Republican legislatures passing election laws today
Sean Farrow admitted to installing hidden cameras in the toilet cubicle and a female change room at the Monash House Private Hospital in January 2019

A male nurse jailed for sexually assaulting a patient and recording videos of colleagues undressing at a Melbourne hospital has been banned from nursing for at least 10 years.

Sean Farrow was jailed in 2019 after admitting to installing hidden cameras in a toilet cubicle and female change room at the Monash House Private Hospital.

The registered nurse also admitted to sexually assaulting a female patient who was recovering in the post-operative ward where he worked.

Farrow was sentenced to six months in prison and placed on an 18-month community corrections order.

Last month, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia took the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal which found Farrow committed five instances of professional misconduct.

His nursing registration was cancelled and he was banned from registering or from working in the health industry for 10 years.

Mr Farrow did not take part in the VCAT proceedings, instead he informed the board he did not intend to return to work in the 'industry' and did not wish to be contacted about the matter again.

Instead, he emailed the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency telling them it would be 'prudent' not to take the matter to VCAT because 'it is a complete WASTE of time, money, resources and personnel'.
One of the four inmates named in the suit, Edrick Floreal-Wooten, said he felt violated

Four inmates at an Arkansas jail are suing the facility and its doctor after they were allegedly tricked into taking ivermectin to treat COVID-19 - despite the CDC warnings that the drug does not prevent or treat the virus, and can have serious side effects.

The inmates at Washington County Jail were told the pills they were taking were just vitamins, antibiotics or steroids, according to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas in federal court Thursday on behalf of the detainees.

'The truth, however, was that without knowing and voluntary consent, Plaintiffs ingested incredibly high doses of a drug that credible medical professionals, the FDA, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all agree is not an effective treatment against COVID-19,' the lawsuit continued.

The suit states that inmates were given the drug as early as in November 2020 and in very high doses.

One of the four inmates named in the suit, Edrick Floreal-Wooten, said he felt violated.

'It was not consensual,' he told CBS News in a prison interview. 'They used us as an experiment  like we're livestock,' he said. 'Just because we wear stripes and we make a few mistakes in life, doesn't make us less of a human. We got families, we got loved ones out there that love us.'

Floreal-Wooten, along with Jeremiah Little, Julio Gonzales, and Dayman Blackburn are now suing to demand they receive a medical evaluation by an independent provider and be 'awarded their costs, fees, and any other appropriate relief to which they are entitled.'

The suit names the jail, Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder and Dr Robert Karas as defendants.

The state Medical Board has been investigating complaints against Karas over the jail's use of ivermectin, and is expected to discuss the investigation at its February meeting.

Robert Karas, the facility's doctor, is also being sued by the ACLU on behalf of the patients

According to the lawsuit, the four inmates tested positive for COVID and were quarantined in August 2021 before being given the drug

Four inmates at Washington County Jail are suing the facility and its doctor after they were reportedly tricked into taking ivermectin to treat COVID-19

'No one - including incarcerated individuals - should be deceived and subject to medical experimentation. Sheriff Helder has a responsibility to provide food, shelter, and safe, appropriate care to incarcerated individuals,' said Gary Sullivan, legal director of the ACLU of Arkansas.

The situation is reminiscent of the infamous Tuskegee Study, in which almost 400 unsuspecting poor black men were withheld treatment for syphilis for more than 40 years so doctors could track the ravages of the illness on their bodies - despite Penicillin being discovered as an effective cure for the disease in the meantime.

According to the lawsuit, Floreal-Wooten, Little, Gonzales, and Blackburn tested positive for COVID and were quarantined in August 2021.

The complaint then claims that the individuals were given a cocktail of drugs, including two to ten ivermectin pills a day.

'They said they were vitamins, steroids and antibiotics,' Floreal-Wootenold, one of the inmates in the lawsuit, told CBS News in September.

'We were running fevers, throwing up, diarrhea...and so we figured that they were here to help us...We never knew that they were running experiments on us, giving us ivermectin. We never knew that.'

The lawsuit states that Floreal-Wootenold received 3.4 times the approved dosage for ivermectin - he was reportedly given 48 mg over a period of four days, while the maximum dosage over that period according to his height and weight is 14 mg.

'High doses' is no hyperbole,' the lawsuit read.

Other inmates received even higher doses, according to the complaint. Blackburn was reportedly given 6.3 times the approved dosage.

Karas seemed to stand his ground on Facebook on Saturday, arguing that the drug was to credit for the low number of deaths at Washington County Jail

High doses of the drug, the CDC states, can cause hallucinations, seizures, coma and death. Floreal-Wootenold, who remains incarcerated at the facility, told CBS hat he feels he can't trust the medical staff at the jail anymore.

The FDA has only approved ivermectin for use by people and animals for some parasitic worms, head lice, river blindness and rosacea. According to the agency, minor side effects for the drug include skin rash, nausea and vomiting.

'...Without knowing and voluntary consent, plaintiffs ingested incredibly high doses of a drug that credible medical professionals, the FDA, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all agree is not an effective treatment against COVID-19, and that if given in large doses is dangerous for humans,' the lawsuit said.

Karas did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokeswoman for the sheriff's office declined to comment.

Karas has previously said no inmates were forced to take the drug.

The lawsuit states that some incarcerated individuals were given Ivermectin as early as November 2020 and only became aware of the treatment in July 2021.

In a September letter sent by his attorney, Karas told a Medical Board investigator that 254 inmates at the jail had been treated with ivermectin.

In the letter, Karas said the information given to inmates about ivermectin depended on who was administering it and that paramedics had not been given 'required counseling details' to discuss with inmates about the drug.

The inmates said they were never told ivermectin was among the medications they had been given to treat their COVID-19, and instead were told they were being given vitamins

Karas said the process had since been improved.

'Since the inception of the media coverage, we adopted a more robust informed consent form to assuage any concern that any detainees were being misled or coerced into taking the medications, even though they weren't,' the letter said.

The American Medical Association, the American Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists last year called to an immediate end to prescribing and using the drug to treat the coronavirus.

Pharmacy prescriptions for ivermectin boomed last summer, and health officials in Arkansas and other states issued warnings after seeing a spike in poison control center calls about people taking the animal form of the drug to treat COVID-19.

The CDC also sent an alert to doctors about the drug.

Despite the warnings, the drug had been touted by Republican lawmakers in Arkansas and other states as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Karas seemed to stand his ground on Facebook on Saturday, arguing that the drug was to credit for the low number of deaths at Washington County Jail.

'Guess we made the news again this week,' she wrote. 'Still with the best record in the world at the jail with the same protocols. Inmates aren't dumb and I suspect in the future other inmates around the country will be suing their facilities requesting the same treatment we're using at WCDC - including the Ivermectin.'
The far-right French firebrand hoping to become his countrys new President was today found guilty of provoking racial hatred by calling child immigrants thieves, rapists and murderers.

Eric Zemmour, 63, was not in the Paris Criminal Court on Monday when judges read out the verdict, and said he would have to pay a fine equivalent to 8000.

Zemmour, a magazine journalist turned television pundit, has already been convicted twice on similar charges.

His latest conviction followed a trial in November when Zemmour denied a charge of complicity in provoking racial hatred and racial insult.

It is the latest in a turbulent few months for the presidential hopeful, who was revealed to be having a love child with his 28-year-old assistant in November and waved an assault rifle at reporters while telling them to 'back off' in October.

Despite this, Zemmour is standing to replace Emmanuel Macron as President of France in April.

Opinion polls currently put him behind in the presidential race to Mr Macron and Marine Le Pen, of the far-Right National Rally, as well as Valerie Pecresse, the Republicans candidate.

Far-right French firebrand Eric Zemmour, 63, who is hoping to become his countrys new President was today found guilty of provoking racial hatred by calling child immigrants thieves, rapists and murderers

In November it was revealed Zemmour is expecting a love child with his personal assistant Sarah Knafo (pictured together in December 2021) who at 28, is 35 years his junior

In scenes posted on social media, Mr Zemmour can be seen brandishing a sniper rifle in the direction of journalists at a Paris gun fair, without making any safety checks whatsoever. Pictured: Still grabs from a video of the incident a Paris gun fair showing Zemmour looking down the scope of the rifle before pointing it at the press on Wednesday

His defence barrister Olivier Pardo said his client did not attend the hearing today 'in order to prevent the judicial compound from turning into a non-stop TV news studio'.

The case centered on Zemmours appearance during a live debate on the CNews TV channel in September 2020.

It followed a Pakistani national being arrested for wounding two people with a meat cleaver outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris.

The attacker originally claimed to be 18, but it then emerged that he was in fact 25.

Despite this, Zemmour told the program that there were too many unaccompanied child migrants from Muslim majority countries in France, saying: All these young people are from an immigrant background. They have no place here.

They are thieves, they are murderers, they are rapists, that's all they are  they must all be sent back, and they shouldnt come in the first place.

Complaints poured in, including from numerous local authorities in France who are charged with looking after child migrants.

These are young people who have the right to protection and a dignified welcome, said Stephane Troussel, president of the Seine-Saint-Denis departmental council.

We cannot tolerate the combined actions and racism which this gravedigger of the French Republic is accustomed, Mr Troussel added.

In turn, Zemmour denied any wrongdoing, while his defence counsel argued that the trial has become politicised because of their clients presidential ambitions.

Eric Zemmour, 63, was placed in a headlock by an unidentified assailant as he walked through the crowd at the Zenith area in northern Paris in December

Zemmour was first convicted of provoking racial hatred in February 2011, and then he was found guilty of provoking religious hatred in June 2017.

He frequently rages against Muslims, black people and anybody else from an immigrant background.

Zemmour has also been accused of virulent anti-Semitism after denying  against all the historical evidence  that the French collaborated with the Nazis during the wartime Holocaust.

Today's conviction was the latest in a string of chaotic incidents involving the far-right presidential hopeful.

In October, Zemmour waved an assault rifle at journalists and saying: 'Back off!'

In scenes posted on social media, Zemmour was seen brandishing the weapon, without making any safety checks whatsoever, at the Milipol arms fair in Paris.

And in November it was revealed Zemmour is expecting a love child with his personal assistant Sarah Knafo who at 28, is 35 years his junior.

The news came out after the presidential hopeful took legal action to try to prevent French outlet Closer from publishing details of his secret affair.

But the privacy application was thrown out of court and in November the magazine ran with the headline: 'Eric Zemmour is going to be a daddy in 2022'.

Polls currently show France's President Emmanuel Macron (pictured in Poitiers, western France, on October 8, 2021) ahead in the first round of the presidential election
Pierce Brosnan was every inch the dashing gentleman last week as he stepped out to pick up several large bouquets of flowers in Malibu, ahead of the premiere of his upcoming film.

The former James Bond, 68, was spotted with his hands full shortly after buying four dozen roses from a local Whole Foods store last Thursday.

The Irish actor opted for a few different colors, juggling bouquets of yellow, white and orange roses in one arm as he left the supermarket.

Pierce Brosnan was spotted picking up four bouquets of flowers during an outing in Malibu last week

The former James Bond, 68, was seen with his hands full after selecting four dozen yellow, white, and orange roses from a local Whole Foods store

Brosnan, who has lived in Malibu with his wife for 20 years, appeared to struggle a bit while juggling the flowers in one arm

Brosnan looked cheerful as he was apparently looking to brighten someone's day with a kind gesture

He showed off his silver locks and wore a black zip-up jacket with a black t-shirt underneath, matched with dark slacks and loafers.

The 007 veteran appeared to be alone during the outing and it is unclear who the flowers were for.

Brosnan, who has been married twice, recently celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary with wife Keely Smith, 58, with whom he has two sons.

The film star tied the knot with the journalist in Ireland in August of 2001, and this past summer took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to his spouse of two decades.

'Happy anniversary my darling Keely, my love forever grows with you' the actor wrote, adding emojis of a clover and a heart.

The Irish actor wore a black zip-up jacket with a black t-shirt underneath, matched with dark slacks and loafers

The 007 veteran appeared to be alone during the outing and it is unclear who or what the flowers were for

The sighting comes just days before the release of Brosnan's new film, The King's Daughter, which is set to premier January 21

Brosnan, who was the fifth actor to play James Bond from 1995 to 2002, has been married to wife Keely Smith (left) for two decades

The couple have called Malibu home for the last 20 years and were recently seen going for a romantic bike ride around the beach city in December.

The duo have two sons, Dylan, 24, and Paris, 20. Brosnan also shared three children with first spouse Cassandra Harris, who passed away at age 43 in 1991 from ovarian cancer.

Brosnan, who was the fifth actor to play James Bond from 1995 to 2002, has a number of film projects premiering this year, including The King's Daughter, which is set to be released January 21.

He plays the role of King Louis XIV who is hoping to achieve immortality by capturing a mermaid and stealing her life force, but a discovery by his illegitimate daughter threatens to ruin the king's plans.

Brosnan and Smith have two sons, Dylan, 24, and Paris, 20. They are pictured above at the 2020 Golden Globes

The King and the doctor: Starring alongside Pierce is Pablo Schreiber who plays Dr. Labarthe in the upcoming film

Starring alongside the Golden Globe nominee is Kaya Scodelario, Pablo Schreiber, Benjamin Walker, William Hurt, Rachel Griffiths and Fan Bingbing.

The King's daughter is based on Vonda N. McIntyre's 1997 Nebula Award winning novel The Moon and the Sun.

Brosnan is also set to star in the upcoming DC film Black Adam, in which he will play Dr. Fate alongside Dwayne Johnson.

Dr. Fate is the son of an archaeologist and one of DC's oldest characters, while Dwayne Johnson will play the titular role in the film, which has been in the works for years.

Brosnan was also recently signed in October to star in an upcoming movie, Fast Charlie, a hitman thriller directed by Phillip Noyce.
Keith Waters (pictured today) is taking action against Active Learning Trust after he resigned from Isle of Ely Primary in Cambridgeshire for tweeting the events are 'harmful to children'

A pastor was 'forced out of his job' at a secular primary school after he tweeted that gay pride events are 'harmful' to children, an employment tribunal has heard.

Keith Waters, 55, who is a minister at an Evangelical church, has accused school bosses of religious discrimination and constructive dismissal.

He claimed the tweet made in June 2019, which he later deleted, was an expression of a 'Christian viewpoint' on LGBTQ Pride events

Waters, a former caretaker at the school, tweeted: 'A reminder that Christians should not support or attend LGBTQ 'Pride Month' events held in June.

'They promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Christian faith and morals. They are especially harmful to children.'

Waters' comments were condemned online as homophobic and some parents wrote to the school to complain.

But Waters has defended the comments as being 'born out of love' as he appeared at an employment tribunal in Cambridge today.

He wore a grey suit and brought his own copy of The Bible as he opened legal action against his former employer the Active Learning Trust, which runs the non-faith Isle of Ely Primary School in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Waters resigned from his role three weeks after making the tweet and is claiming he was forced out and subjected to religious discrimination.

The 55-year-old will argue the bosses interfered with his rights to freedom of religion, expression and thought at the tribunal in Cambridge this week. Pictured: London Pride

In his witness statement, Waters explained that Pride events are 'diametrically opposed to Christian sexual ethics'.

He wrote: 'Beliefs, culture and ethics promoted by 'Pride' are thus diametrically opposed to Christian sexual ethics.

'Not only does 'Pride' promote what we regard as sin; it also encourages people to take pride on that sin.'

Waters said that he specifically warned that Pride events were 'especially harmful to children' because he believes children should be taught Biblical teachings.

Mr Waters' (pictured today) tweet landed him in hot water on social media, with a swift pile on damning him for alleged homophobia

Waters stated that he felt he had 'no option' but to resign on June 24, 2019 - a day before he was due to face a disciplinary hearing.

He wrote: 'I reasoned that the actions of my employer were damaging my wellbeing and that it had become apparent that the outcome of disciplinary hearing and any subsequent appeal would mean that the ALT would no longer accept my rights to freedom of expression, faith and speech.

'I am a Christian minister and exercising these rights is something that I do every day of the year.'

Waters' legal action is backed by Christian Legal Centre.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki went head-to-head with Virginia's governor Glenn Youngkin over mask mandates in schools over the weekend.

The press secretary defended her child's school's decision to continue its mask requirement despite the new governor's order banning them.

Youngkin, who took office on Saturday, in one of his first orders required school districts to allow parents an opportunity to opt out of masking their children at school.

Psaki noted her personal stake in the matter, having a child who attends Arlington schools, and pointed out that Youngkin's children do not attend school in the district.

'Hi there. Arlington county parent here (don't believe you are @GlennYoungkin but correct me if I am wrong). Thank you to @APSVirginia for standing up for our kids, teachers and administrators and their safety in the midst of a transmissible variant,' she wrote on Twitter.

Psaki and husband Greg Mecher have two children, aged 3 and 6.

Psaki quoted a clip where Youngkin was asked what he would do after Arlington announced it would not comply.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki went head-to-head with Virginia's governor Glenn Youngkin over mask mandates in schools over the weekend

'If there's one thing that hopefully everybody heard in November it's that it is time to listen to parents. So over the course of this week I hope they will listen to parents, because we will use every resource within the governor's authority to explore what we will do and can do in order to make sure that parents' rights are protected,' Youngkin said.

Youngkin, the first Republican to win the governor's seat in Virginia in over a decade, issued a list of 11 day-one executive orders on Saturday. Among them was one that promised 'to empower Virginia parents in their children's education and upbringing by allowing parents to make decisions on whether their child wears a mask in school.'

Another of his day-one orders promised to end the use of 'divisive concepts' in the classroom, particularly the teaching of critical race theory.

Exclusive: Governor Youngkin on Arlington school system saying it will require masks, despite Youngkins order stating that schools cant do that. He threatened to use state resources to force schools to comply - but we still dont know what that means exactly. @WTOP https://t.co/5Lijz9kbgd pic.twitter.com/SnC4dcCIar  Nick Iannelli (@NickWTOP) January 16, 2022

Youngkin, shown above on the day of his swearing-in, in day-one order promised to end the use of 'divisive concepts' in the classroom, particularly the teaching of critical race theory

In a statement shortly after on Saturday, Arlington Public Schools said it would continue to require masking on school grounds and buses.

Arlington had implemented its own mask mandate before even former Gov. Ralph Northam required masking for all public schools.

Prince William County schools has said that it too will continue to mandate masks for its students.

Education issues were central to Youngkin's campaign, as he ran pledging to do away with Covid-related school closures and fighting back against critical race theory and other progressive ideologies in schools.

Republicans have pointed to Youngkin's successful campaign as a blueprint ahead of the midterm elections where they hope to take back the House.
Health chiefs have extended the shelf life of Pfizer's Covid jabs over fears millions of injections would have to be binned.

A slowdown in the booster drive prompted concerns that life-saving doses would end up being wasted.

But NHS bosses have now been given permission to push back the expiry date of 20 batches of Pfizer's vaccines by two weeks, it was revealed today.

The batches  which are transported and stored in ultra-cold freezers  can now be kept in fridges for 45 days after they are thawed. Previously, they were no longer usable after 31 days.

Officials said the move, which was approved by both Pfizer and the UK's drug safety watchdog, would allow more patients to be vaccinated over the coming days.

NHS England did not confirm how many doses were affected, but Pfizer confirmed only the specified batches now have a 45-day shelf life.

But both the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Pfizer said the extension does not affect the 'safety, quality or efficacy' of the jabs.

Before Christmas, Boris Johnson pledged to drastically speed up the booster drive to protect the NHS in the face of Omicron.

His original pledge  to offer all eligible adults a booster by New Year's Day  would have required up to 1million jabs a day.

But this target was not met, despite hitting highs of almost 970,000 shortly before Christmas Day.

Since then, however, uptake has slowed drastically. Just 116,000 people on average are now getting a booster each day across Britain.

NHS England told local leaders today that 20 batches of Pfizer's injections can be administered up to 45 days after being removed from ultra-cold freezers, compared to the currently recommended 31 days

Pfizer's jab can be stored for up to nine months in an ultra-cold freezer, between -80 and -60C. Once it has been moved to a fridge, it must be used within 31 days and cannot be refrozen. Pictured: Covid vaccine freezers, where vaccines are kept before being distributed

An average of 550,000 doses were dished out per day across the UK in the run up to Christmas. But the drive has subsequently slowed and just 145,845 third doses have been injected per day across Britain in January, dropping to 115,593 doses per day over the last week

A Whitehall insider told the i newspaper last week that there are worries about wasting doses.

SAGE modeller predicts UK will have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of the year Britain could have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of 2022, one of the Government's scientific advisers said today. Dr Mike Tildesley, who sits on an influential modelling sub-group of SAGE, warned the country 'was not there yet' because hospitalisation levels from the virus are still 'relatively high'  despite being just a fraction of those seen in previous waves. But he predicted even milder variants than Omicron would emerge over the course of the year, bolstering the UK's wall of immunity and creating an even bigger disconnect between infection numbers and hospitalisations and deaths. Dr Tildesley, a modeller at Warwick University, said the data suggested the pandemic was 'turning around' following the Omicron wave, meaning ministers could start discussing what 'living with' Covid would be like. Infections are now in freefall across the country, with MailOnline analysis suggesting outbreaks are now shrinking in 96 per cent of England's 7,000 neighbourhoods. Hospitalisations also appear to be trending downwards. Education Secretary and former vaccine tsar Nadhim Zahawi today described the figures as 'promising', and a sign 'Plan B' restrictions could be lifted before the end of this month because the country is set to be in a 'much better place' within weeks. The optimistic comments came as a World Health Organization expert today said there was 'light at the end of the tunnel' for Britain amid plummeting case numbers and stable hospital rates. Advertisement

The unnamed source said: 'You plan for a certain number of people to come forward, and if they don't you have a problem.'

A source told the HSJ that No10's booster drive led to vaccines being pushed out across the country 'irrespective of whether regions wanted it'.

Health leaders may be hoping the surplus jabs can be given to 16 and 17-year-olds, who can come forward for booster jabs from today.

The same rules exist for all age groups, however, with people only eligible three months after their final primary dose.

In a letter to local leaders today, Dr Emily Lawson, head of vaccine deployment for NHS England, and Dr Jonathan Leach, medical director for the jab rollout, said Pfizer 'assessed available data' and found there is 'no impact on product quality' if the expiry date is extended by two weeks.

And the MHRA said there is 'no detrimental impact on the safety, quality or efficacy' of the injection when its shelf life is increased by 14 days. The agency said it had 'no objection' to the move.

The letter instructed staff who oversee the vaccines to change the expiry dates on the affected batches and prioritise dishing out these doses.

'This extended shelf life will enable more patients to access these critical and life-saving vaccines over the coming days,' the NHS said.

Pfizer's jab can be stored for up to nine months in an ultra-cold freezer between the temperatures of -80C and -60C.

It is then moved to fridges where it can be used.

Dr Laura Squire, chief healthcare quality and access officer at the MHRA, said: 'The NHS requested that the shelf life of a limited number of defrosted doses be extended to ensure these are not wasted.

'The MHRA is satisfied that the available data support there being no detrimental impact on the safety, quality or effectiveness of the product should it be used beyond its authorised expiry date up to a maximum of 45 days.'

A Pfizer spokesperson said its experts examined batches of its jab provided to the NHS 'to help minimise the potential wastage of these vaccine doses'.

But they warned the extension to the shelf life of these batches 'do not affect the expiry dates of any other vaccine doses'.

In an address to the nation on December 12, the PM warned being double-jabbed is 'simply not enough' protection against Omicron.

As it stands, 36.4million Britons  63.4 per cent of over-12s  have had a booster dose, despite 45.3million Britons having had two doses by three months ago and now being eligible.

However, some of the missing nine million people will have tested positive in the last month and are required to wait 28 days from their positive test to get a Covid vaccine.

It comes as 16 and 17-year-olds have been invited to get their Covid booster jab from today, provided they had their second dose at least three months ago.

The group was invited to come forward for a first dose from August and second dose from November.

And the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises No10 on the rollout, last month said those in the age group should receive a booster vaccination 'in response to the threat from the Omicron variant'.

So far, 893,825 (72 per cent) of 16 and 17-year-olds have had at least one jab, while second dose data is not available for the cohort.
RTHK: North Korea fires more suspected missiles

North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles on Monday, Seoul said, its fourth weapons test this month as Pyongyang flexes its military muscle while ignoring offers of talks from the United States.

Despite biting international sanctions, Pyongyang has conducted a string of weapons tests this year, including of hypersonic missiles, as leader Kim Jong Un pursues his avowed goal of further strengthening the military.

Reeling economically from a self-imposed coronavirus blockade, impoverished North Korea has not responded to Washington's offers of talks, while doubling down on weapons tests and vowing a "stronger and certain" response to any attempts to rein it in.

The launches come at a delicate time in the region, with North Korea's sole major ally China set to host the Winter Olympics next month and South Korea gearing up for a presidential election in March.

Two suspected "short-range ballistic missiles" were fired east from an airport in Pyongyang early Monday, the South Korean military's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, with Japan also confirming the launch.

Fired just before 9am, they flew 380 kilometres at an altitude of 42 km, the JCS added.

The frequent and varied tests this year indicate North Korea "is trying to improve its technology and operational capability in terms of covert actions", Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters.

Pyongyang said it successfully tested hypersonic gliding missiles on January 5 and January 11, with the second launch personally supervised by Kim.

In response, the United States last week imposed fresh sanctions on five North Koreans connected to the country's ballistic missile programmes, prompting an angry reaction from Pyongyang.

A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman described the move as a "provocation", according to state news agency KCNA.

If "the US adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it", the spokesman said hours before Pyongyang fired two train-launched missiles Friday.

Analysts said the Monday test also appeared to be an attempt to send the United States a message.

"It is signalling that it will forge ahead with tests despite criticism," said Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Russian troops to stay near Ukrainian border amid NATO pressure: Kremlin

Xinhua) 08:21, January 17, 2022

Photo taken on Sept. 12, 2021 shows a scene of the joint strategic exercise "Zapad-2021" by Russian and Belarusian armed forces at a training ground in Belarus. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

Moscow is "ready to take countermeasures" if Russia and West cannot reach a consensus, Peskov said.

MOSCOW, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia will station troops on its own territory near the Ukrainian border due to tensions with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday.

"We find it necessary to keep those troops due to a very tense situation and very unfriendly environment," Peskov said in an interview with U.S. broadcaster CNN.

Russia has to take measures of precaution in response to NATO military build-up, drills and frequent flights of fighter jets and reconnaissance planes near the Russian borders, he said.

However, Russia is not considering a military action even if negotiations with the United States and NATO on security guarantees fail, Peskov stressed.

Nevertheless, Russia is "ready to take countermeasures" if both sides cannot reach a consensus, he said.

Earlier this week, Russian diplomats held talks with the United States in Geneva, with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna, and then with NATO in Brussels. They all ended without any breakthrough.

Peskov told CNN that NATO is reluctant to promise that it will not grant Ukraine membership or deploy offensive weapons on the Ukrainian territory, which are part of Russia's red lines.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
The capital of Tonga was affected by the volcanic eruption, and the quake, which registered at 7.4 Magnitude, adversely affected the island with an information blackout.

To date, the death toll is not known, and other details about Nuku'alofa are sketchy of how the population is affected. The last known report from the island was social posts saying the sky darkened from pyroclastic material from the eruption.

Tonga volcanic eruption aftermath

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcano was so powerful that it triggered tsunami waves that crashed into the island's coast. It got worse from harmful ashfall that coated the surrounding areas, reported the Express UK.

Tsunami waves had reached up to California, USA, with evacuation alerts in Australia and Japan that attest to the power generated by the eruption in Tonga.

Residents of the capital were running to high ground as waves nearly three feet were filling the streets after the underwater volcano vent out its furry last Saturday.

Since Sunday, the Pacific island was not reachable, relatives in New Zealand were hoping no one of their loved ones was affected. The island's 107,000 residents have been out of since cited the Swift Headline.

There were no confirmed reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga, according to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, as she spoke at a media briefing on Sunday.

She added alarmingly no contact with coastal areas farther than the capital of Tonga Nuku'alofa is unsettling. The capital is covered with thick plumes of volcanic dust but with more stable conditions.

Read Also: Hunga Tonga Volcano Undergoes Catastrophic Explosion Generating Aerial Shockwave Reaching New Zealand, Sparking Tsunami Alerts

Tsunami alerts were issued

Maikel Atiola, the Secretary of the Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Auckland, told Radio New Zealand that he hoped everything was better and everyone was safe.

Tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific due to the eruption, with US officials urging residents all along the Pacific coast to stay away from the shores. Many Beaches in New South Wales, Australia, were shut for safety, noted Business World.

Hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians were advised to leave as waves of over a meter slammed into coastal districts, remarked Reuters.

The Amani islands in the Southern Part of Japan were threatened with 10-foot-high waves. Due to the tsunami risk, approximately 230,000 people were instructed to flee from eight prefectures. Locations impacted by the terrible tsunami in Japan in 2011 have been included in the notification.

The tsunami capsized ten boats in Kochi Prefecture on the archipelago of Shikoku in southern Japan, while Japan Airlines postponed 27 flights all across the nation.

Several cities in California, including Santa Monica and Santa Cruz, have been flooded due to the tsunami, and beaches have been closed to the public.

Dave Snider, the National Tsunami Warning Center coordinator in Palmer, Alaska, reported seeing the wave moving to Hawaii. He added that they have no way of knowing because the origin is volcanic, not seismic.

Thunder sounds from the eruptive blast were heard up to Fiji Islands, 500 miles away. The capital of Tonga has been cut off from help due to the lack of phone and internet lines which have become unreliable as an aftermath of the destructive volcanic eruption.

Related Article: Eruption of Dormant Antarctic Volcanoes Could Lead to the Rise of Sea Levels Globally, Affect Earth's Climate

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A pro-lockdown scientist today called on the UK to 'do more' to prevent flu as a consensus begins to emerge that the worst of Covid is over.

Parallels between coronavirus and influenza are being drawn now that Omicron is causing around the same number of deaths as a bad flu season.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi revealed that ministers are planning to loosen social restrictions even more by the end of this month amid the 'promising' stats.

There are currently 200 daily Covid deaths in England on average as the fourth wave peaks, compared to 400 from flu in a bad year.

But Dr Kit Yates, a member of the Independent Sage pressure group, suggested those rates were not low enough and called for more action to tackle flu.

Dr Yates, from the University of Bath, tweeted: 'Even if the 200-300 daily flu deaths figure were correct, it doesn't follow that we should be doing less to prevent Covid deaths.

'Perhaps it's time we started talking about doing more to prevent flu.'

Independent Sage has consistently pushed for an Australian-style Covid elimination strategy and most recently demanded a Christmas lockdown.

The group is made up of 12 scientists, including a former Government chief scientific adviser, a Communist Party member and some of No10's own advisers.

Dr Kit Yates, a member of the Independent Sage pressure group, today called on the UK to 'do more' to prevent flu

There are currently 200 daily Covid deaths in England on average as the fourth wave peaks, compared to 400 from flu in a bad year (pictured, Dr Yates' tweet)

To work out flu deaths, the UK Health Security Agency  formerly Public Health England  estimates them using a statistical model, which looks at the prevalence of flu and excess winter fatalities. The cumulative number of fatalities was estimated to be in the region of 15,000 in 2016/17, with about 300 people dying every day at the peak. In 2017/18, during the Aussie flu outbreak, a total of 22,000 people were killed by influenza, with in excess of 400 dying per day at the worst of the epidemic. But in 2018/19 just 4,000 were estimated to have died to the virus, with just tens of people dying per day at the peak

While Dr Yates did not put forward any specific measures for flu, he later said there were 'things we can do to prevent the transmission of Covid which are nothing like a lockdown'. MailOnline has approached Dr Yates for comment.

Dr Yates' comments come just a month after Independent Sage lobbied for a 10-day circuit-breaker lockdown and 'limited' mixing at Christmas.

The group published an emergency statement on December 15 that criticised the Government for squandering 'the opportunity for early action'.

Among the group's demands were for all indoor retail and hospitality venues to be shut and a blanket ban on cross-household mixing in enclosed spaces.

The statement said: 'The opportunity for early action has been lost and the time for further delay is over.

'The situation is so urgent we must take emergency action now and that means it is imperative to reduce contacts.

'Advice is no longer enough since it does not convey the urgency of the situation...

'Accordingly we now call for an immediate circuit break to then enable limited mixing from the 25 to 28th December.'

While other UK nations imposed tougher curbs, England stuck to its Plan B suite of measures, including compulsory masks, Covid passports and working from home.

Covid outbreaks now shrinking in 96% of England's neighbourhoods Coronavirus cases are now falling in virtually every area of England, official figures show as the Omicron wave continues to collapse with deaths six times lower than in the second wave. Some 6,519 out of 6,790 neighbourhoods (96 per cent) around the country recorded a fall in infections in the week to January 11, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). It means 54million people are living in places with declining case rates now just eight weeks after Omicron burst onto the scene in late November and sent infections to record levels. Parts of Castle Point, Shropshire and Bexley have seen infections fall by more than 70 per cent week-on-week. Deaths  which are the biggest lagging indicator of the trend in infections  are still rising slowly but there are an average of just 212 per day now compared to 1,200 per day at the peak of Alpha wave last January, despite three times more infections this wave. The weakened link between infections and less severe outcomes is down to protection from the vaccines, natural immunity, antivirals and Omicron, which is thought to be intrinsically milder than older strains. Advertisement

Mr Zahawi today confirmed reports that Boris Johnson is looking to loosen those curbs even more by the end of the month.

The Government has taken confidence in the collapsing Covid numbers and widening disconnect between cases and serious illness.

Another 84,429 tests came back positive for the virus across the UK in the past 24 hours, according to Government dashboard data, down 41 per cent on last week.

Daily cases have fallen week-on-week for 12 days in a row. There were also 85 coronavirus deaths registered today in a 10 per cent rise compared to last Monday.

Latest hospital data shows there were 2,357 admissions on January 11, virtually unchanged in a week.

MailOnline's analysis of official numbers suggests 400 people died to influenza daily at the peak of the Aussie flu outbreak in 2017/18 in England, and 300 in 2016/17.

Omicron appears to be peaking at 260 daily deaths across the whole of the UK and around 200 in England.



One of No10's pandemic modellers today said the relatively low Covid deaths were a sign that the UK could have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of the year.

Dr Mike Tildesley, who sits on an influential modelling sub-group of SAGE, warned the country 'was not there yet' because hospitalisation levels from the virus are still 'relatively high'  despite being just a fraction of those seen in previous waves.

But he predicted even milder variants than Omicron would emerge over the course of the year, bolstering the UK's wall of immunity and creating an even bigger disconnect between infection numbers and hospitalisations and deaths.

Dr Tildesley, a modeller at Warwick University, said the data suggested the pandemic was 'turning around' following the Omicron wave, meaning ministers could start discussing what 'living with' Covid would be like.

For comparison, there were 1,200 per day at the peak of Alpha last January, despite three times more infections this wave.
A Mexican national has been sentenced in Texas to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of sexually abusing a 13-year-old family member from the time she was at least 10 years old, and possibly even younger.

Lucio Delossantos-Narvaez, 53, was convicted in Lubbock on January 12 of continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child.

On Thursday, Delossantos-Narvaez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after just 20 minutes of deliberations.

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Lucio Delossantos-Narvaez, 53, has been found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole

Prosecutors said during closing arguments last week that the victim was perhaps as young as eight years old when Delossantos-Narvaez would enter her room and molest her, reported Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

The case against Delossantos-Narvaez began unfolding in 2019, when the victim's mother caught a glimpse of his reflection on a TV screen groping her daughter.

Following his arrest, Delossantos-Narvaez was interviewed by police and admitted to sexually abusing the victim, claiming that the incidents took place between December 2018 and January 2019.

During the man's four-day trial last week, the victim, who is now 13 years old, took the stand and testified that she had been subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of the defendant on multiple occasions, but she was unable to pinpoint a date when the abuse began.

The girl told the court she believed the molestation began sometime after she turned 8 years old.

But a nurse who examined the child testified that the girl had told her Delossantos-Narvaez began abusing her after her 10th birthday.

Lubbock County Assistant District Attorney Cara Landers told jurors that in one instance, the victim recounted how Delossantos-Narvaez was groping her in the kitchen while the rest of her family were watching movies in the living room.

The man's defense lawyer, Jesse Mendez, conceded that his client was guilty of indecency with a child, but he argued that prosecutors failed to demonstrate that at least two instances of sexual abuse had taken place at least 30 days apart, which is required to prove continuous sexual abuse.

Prosecutors said Delossantos-Narvaez began sexually abusing a young family member when she was 10, and perhaps as young as eight

The girl's mother went to the police in 2019 after catching a glimpse of Delossantos-Narvaez' reflection on a TV screen groping her daughter

Mendez painted the victim's testimony as unreliable because she could not tell jurors with certainty when the abuse began.

Prosecutors asked the jury to sentence Delossantos-Narvaez to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was 'the only way to assure that this can't happen again to her or to another child in Lubbock or in any other location.'

Delossantos-Narvaez was given a life sentence for continuous sexual abuse of a child and 20 years in prison for indecency by sexual contact with a child younger than 14 years-old, which will run concurrently.

The 53-year-old Mexican citizen is also on hold for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and may face additional charges.
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The Saskatchewan Screamer continued its wintery wrath Monday as the deadly storm brought snowfalls, thunderstorms, and strong winds to the northeastern US.

The ongoing storm - also known as Izzy - is being blamed for more than 150,000 power outages and havoc on roadways and airports. In North Carolina, two people died in a car crash Sunday during the storm.

More than 1,700 US flights were cancelled Monday and about 1,500 were delayed, according to the flight tracking website Flightaware. Road travel is also a mess, with about 500 crashes reported in Virginia alone, and officials are warning people not to travel in some parts of the country.

The highest level of snow during the storm was recorded in Harpersfield, Ohio where 22.5 inches of snow landed as 40 counties within the state were under storm warnings Monday. Residents of Sherrodsville, Ohio, pulled out their measuring sticks to snap photos of 14 inches of snow piled on the ground.

And in Milford, Connecticut, several homes flooded with water measuring two-feet deep in some spots, Fox News reported.

Forecasters in Buffalo, New York, said the snow was falling fast, dumping more than 16 inches by 8am. The city advised people not to travel if they didn't need to on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while some surrounding towns instituted a travel ban.

The Saskatchewan Screamer continued to hammer the US on Monday, when it zeroed in on the northeast. A woman is pictured walking past a frozen sculpture on January 17. A woman is pictured walking past a frozen sculpture in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A Suffolk County police car is pictured powering through a flooded area in Coram, New York on January 16 after the ongoing Saskatchewan Screamer storm flooded coastal regions on the east coast and caused snowstorms inland

Pictured: a man walks across the snow-covered Rachel Carson bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 17

A worker uses a snow plow to clear streets in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 17

A cat is pictured playing in the snow in the Toronto, Ontario area on January 17

A National Park Service worker shovels snow near the Washington monument on January 17 following a snow-filled night

An aerial photo shows snow covering the City of Miamisburg, Ohio, on January 17

Lake Michigan was covered by snow and ice at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Illinois on January 17

By the time the storm is through, 100 million Americans will have felt its effect, according to forecasters. Lake Michigan is pictured in Chicago, Illinois on January 17

Visitors walk past the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial as the sun breaks through the clouds in Washington, DC on January 17

Women are seen jogging past the Lincoln Memorial plaza January 17 after a stormy night in Washington, DC

Snow dusts the grass surrounding headstones at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on January 17

States with most power outages North Carolina: 23,437 South Carolina: 23, 414 West Virginia: 21,799 Georgia: 13,706 Maine: 11,978 Kentucky: 11,364 Pennsylvania: 9,283 Source: Poweroutage.us Advertisement

New York City and Boston were spared the heaviest snowfall, which was accumulating at higher elevations in western Massachusetts, eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New England.

By the time the storm is through, 100 million Americans will likely have felt its effect.

As eight inches of snow accumulated in the Lower Hudson Valley, downpours drenched coastal cities, causing flooding in some regions, the National Weather Service said.

Flood warnings were in effect Monday morning for parts of New York City, including: Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.

Snow will continue to fall at a rate of one-to-two inches per hour from northwest Pennsylvania to northern New York and into western and northern New England, NWS forecasters said.

Winter storm warnings remained in effect from southern New York to Northern New England, said CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray.

'The I-95 corridor has pretty much been the dividing line between rain and snow,' she said on air. 'The snow has really been in interior sections and all the rain along the coast.'

New York Governor Kathy Hochul gave residents a stern warning: 'Please stay home. But if your work requires you to be out or you have to be somewhere, make sure that you are fortified even in your own vehicle with food and water and whatever else you may need, including blankets or clothing.'

Harry Ruester of Brattleboro, Vermont clears his driveway January 7 during a snowstorm

Mike Goode digs his car out in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania on January 17

The snow-covered Pittsburg, Pennsylvania skyline is seen from the Andy Warhol bridge on January 17

A bundled-up woman waits for the bus to arrive in Brattleboro, Vermont on January 17

A man carries his cross-country skis in the Vermont town while walking through the storm January 17

A woman's poncho billows in the wind as she walks through stormy conditions in Queens, New York, on January 17

Visitors walk past the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial following the storm on January 17

Residents of Vermont were seen digging themselves out of the snow Monday; about a foot of snow accumulated in Burlington by early afternoon, with some using the opportunity to take their huskies out for a sleigh ride.

In Pennsylvania, Colver was hit with a foot of snow and Pittsburgh received seven inches.

'This was a snowstorm that hit fast, it hit hard,' Pittsburg Mayor Ed Gainey said in an online video statement.

The wind-driven storm is being blamed after two people died Sunday night when their car went off road and collided with trees in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The crash happened after the brutal storm had already caused chaos across much of the eastern US, bringing tornadoes, heavy snowfall, power outages for 260,000 and cancelations of over 3,000 flights.

Now the extreme weather is battering the northeast, with torrents of snow, sleet and rain triggering widespread flood warnings.

The Canadian province of Ontario was also hit by the storm, which prompted school closures and traffic disruptions due to heavy snowfall and powerful winds.

Most of the New York City area was under a coastal flood warning on January 17

A large tree limb snapped during the storm and took down an electrical wire, barely missing an Audi parked on the street in Babylon, New York on January 17

A woman is pictured walking her dog January 17 along Rockaway Beach, Queens, which was under a flood warning

People in the Bronx are pictured bundling up January 17 as rain hammered the area during the ongoing winter storm Izzy

Waves rage at the Storm Surf and Foam Fire Island in Long Island, New York on January 17

Virginia, Georgia, and North and South Carolina meanwhile have all declared states of emergency as workers attempting to clear debris and restart public transport reel from the brutal conditions.

Areas such as central Mississippi and central North Carolina received around nine inches of snow over the weekend, while parts of central South Carolina had up to a half-inch of ice, according to the NWS.

Forecasters said wind gusts in New York City could top out around 45 mph and around 60 mph on Long Island.

NWS meteorologists in Boston said wind gusts could reach 70 mph.

The howling winds spread a fire that destroyed a motel and two other structures in coastal Salisbury, Massachusetts, early Monday.

Pictured: A man clears heavy snow off his driveway in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on January 17

A woman in Pittsfield, Massachusetts clears off her car January 17 during the snowstorm

A Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio resident is pictured plowing their walkway Monday after snow blanketed the region

A backyard in Sherrodsville, Ohio is pictured Monday after 14 inches of snow here in the town

Plows are pictured clearing snow from the streets of Cleveland, Ohio on January 17

In New Hampshire, the state closed its five COVID-19 testing sites as well as a vaccine clinic.

The storm also triggered several tornadoes Sunday, with one twister wiping out mobile home parks in Fort Meyers, Florida, leaving upward of 200 residents homeless.

Shocking video footage showed how the tornado obliterated the local Tropicana RV resort; the nearby Cottage Point Trailer Park was also hit.

Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass said 28 homes were destroyed and another 62 were rendered unlivable.

The storm is expected to move into eastern Canada Monday night, although forecasters said strong winds in the US could linger.

New York City employees are seen repairing drains, surrounded by water from the storm, on January 17
The family of a heiress who drowned on holiday have won a court battle to pursue a civil claim against her husband for unlawful killing - and block a 3million insurance payout.

Paula Leeson, 47, from Sale, died in a swimming pool at a villa in a remote village in Denmark, on June 6, 2017, while on holiday with her husband Donald McPherson.

He was charged with her murder in 2020, but a trial at Manchester Crown Court collapsed after the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to reach a verdict.

McPherson stood to gain 3.3million in insurance payouts as a result of her death, but Ms Leeson's family are pursuing a civil claim of unlawful killing against him.

He tried to have this claim thrown out, but the High Court has ruled the case can go ahead, a decision her family says takes them 'one step closer to securing justice'.

Paula's body was barely cold when McPherson began transferring money  around 20,000  from a joint account his wife had administered, to pay off some of his 69,000 debts. (Pictured, Paula Leeson)

His Honour Judge Pearce, sitting as a Judge of the High Court, dismissed McPherson's application to strike out the claim.

The court also ordered Greater Manchester Police to disclose documents likely to support the family's claim.

McPherson, who has since moved to New Zealand, was acquitted of murder after a judge directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict.

He was charged with her murder in 2020, but a trial at Manchester Crown Court (pictured) collapsed after the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to reach a verdict

McPherson (pictured) stood to gain 3.3million in insurance payouts as a result of her death, but Ms Leeson's family are pursuing a civil claim of unlawful killing against him

Ms Leeson was the daughter of Willy, a successful businessman who ran his own civil engineering firm in Greater Manchester.

Alison Rocca, Partner at Glaisyers ETL, said: 'The Leeson family are pleased that Donald McPherson's efforts to delay and frustrate the claim over the last six months have been overcome.

'His recent move to New Zealand will not allow him to escape the consequences of his actions.

'The family are now one step closer toward securing justice for the untimely death of their beloved daughter and ensuring Donald McPherson does not benefit from his acts.'

The next stage of the claim is a further directions hearing, likely to be in March.
On Saturday, a 44-year-old British citizen named Malik Faisal Akram held four Jews hostage for more than ten hours at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.

The first few hours of the crisis were livestreamed on the synagogue's website, the confluence of Covid, zoom services, and partial remote attendance of the bar mitzvah held in the synagogue.

Despite this live window into the afternoon's events, there is still much we don't know. But there are a few things we do know.

We know that the assailant was seeking to release Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national who is serving an 86-year sentence in Texas.

Siddiqui was convicted in 2010 for multiple chargers, including attempted murder and armed assault on US officers in Afghanistan. During her trial, she demanded the jurors be genetically tested to ensure none of them were Zionists.

We also know that one month ago, Zahra Billoo, an executive director of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations gave a speech in which she said that Zionist synagogues and most major Jewish organizations were responsible for both Islamaphobia and various other ills affecting the United States.

One month prior to her speech, in November, CAIR had lobbied for Siddiqui's release.

Now we have an assailant, enter a synagogue, one of the many Jewish institutions Billoo singled out, trying to trade hostages for Siddiqui, a terrorist who CAIR has been trying to free.

These facts, and their relevance, seem obvious to us, four Jewish women who are frankly sick and tired of watching overt Jew-hatred and violence be explained away.

In the wake of the incident, the FBI declared that Akram was 'singularly focused on one issue' that was unrelated to the Jewish community, and that they are 'continuing to work to find the motive.'

Those with progressive sensibilities are often fearful of calling out hatred aimed at Jews when the perpetrator doesn't fit a narrow mold of Christian White Supremacists for fear of being branded a racist or worse, illiberal. (Above) Tweet from Daily Beast columnist Wajahat Ali

But somehow, they were not obvious to much of the media, and to the FBI, who in the wake of the incident declared that Akram was 'singularly focused on one issue' that was unrelated to the Jewish community, and that they are 'continuing to work to find the motive.'

But Akram didn't take his hostages in a Walmart. He entered a synagogue, on Shabbat, and took a Rabbi and three of his congregants hostage.

Having a difference of opinion on almost any political issue today is enough to get you labeled a racist, but somehow you can be spared the label of an antisemite even if you go into a Jewish house of worship, on a Jewish holy day, and hold Jews hostage.

The sobering reality is that Jew hatred doesn't only manifest as swastikas, tiki torches, and chants of 'White Lives Matter' and 'Jews will not replace us!'

Those with progressive sensibilities are often fearful of calling out hatred aimed at Jews when the perpetrator doesn't fit a narrow mold of Christian White Supremacists for fear of being branded a racist or worse, illiberal.

In fact, before the hostages had even been released, pundits were already worrying on Twitter about how the attacks would exacerbate Islamophobia.

How many more attacks will need to take place before we set aside the polite overtures and clearly name, condemn, and do something about the hatred that is gripping us on both sides of the political spectrum?

Attacks on Jewish lives are being made by individuals and groups with differing ideologies, political outlooks, religious sentiments, and national origins.

What they share in common, however, is a pernicious and overt hatred of Jews. They don't try to hide it and neither should we.

Zahra Billoo (above), an executive director of CAIR, gave a speech in which she said that Zionist synagogues and most major Jewish organizations were responsible for both Islamaphobia and various other ills affecting the United States.

On Saturday, a 44-year-old British citizen named Malik Faisal Akram (above) held four Jews hostage for more than ten hours at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.

According to a 2021 study conducted by Fuente Latina, a US nonprofit media organization that helps media cover Israel and the Jewish world, 66% of 1825-year-olds from across the United States are not familiar with the term antisemitism.

It turns out that even when we are talking about the world's oldest hatred, most young adults have no clue what we're saying.

When the study's researchers adjusted the language to ask if respondents believed 'hatred of Jews' is a form of racism, an additional ten percent agreed.

Furthermore, few in the study could identify different forms of antisemitism, dismissing many physical and verbal attacks as bullying.

The dismissal of Jewish centrality to the Colleyville attack perpetuates indifference to violence or discriminatory attacks against Jews in America.

It's time to retire the term antisemitism (and finally end the debate on whether there is or isn't a hyphen) and call this what it is in plain English  Jew hatred.

Jews and allies alike need to be unequivocal about calling out Jew-hatred from wherever it stems  whether it be white supremacy, anti-Zionism, or a nonprofit masquerading as a champion of progressive values.

Fighting for the rights of Muslims and other minorities is important; retaining ties to terrorist organizations and openly spouting inflammatory conspiracy theories against Jews is something else entirely.

If that isn't Jew hatred, we don't know what is.

Daniella Greenbaum is an Emmy-award winning producer and writer, Aviva Klompas and Dr. Rachel Fish are Co-Founders at Boundless and Leah Soibel is Founder & CEO of Fuente Latina. Follow Greenbaum on Twitter: @dgreenbaum
A serving Metropolitan Police officer today admitted sending sexual messages to a 15-year-old boy.

Police Constable Will Scott-Barrett, 33, from Bromley, south-east London, pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court, to a charge of sexual communication with a child on or before February 3 last year.

An earlier court hearing was told the serving officer sent videos of himself performing a sex act as well as pictures of his genitalia to the boy, who is now 16, on Snapchat and Discord.

The officer, who works in the Met Police's intelligence command, was off-duty at the time of his offending, which is not said to have been connected with his role in the force.

Serving Metropolitan Police officer Will Scott-Barrett, 33, (pictured) from Bromley, south-east London, today admitted sending sexual messages to a 15-year-old boy

The police officer sent videos of himself performing a sex act as well as pictures of his genitalia to the boy on Snapchat and Discord

He pleaded guilty to a charge of gaining sexual gratification while messaging a child when he appeared in court today.

Luke Staton prosecuting, told the earlier hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'Initially, the contact took place on Snapchat and then on Discord.

'Certain parts were intimate and sexualised.'

Ben Summers, for Scott-Barrett, told today's hearing at Isleworth Crown Court: 'We are asking the court to order a pre-sentence report as well as a psychiatric report.

'Mr Scott-Barrett has pre-existing mental health conditions following events in 2016.'

Judge Robin Johnson adjourned sentencing to February 28 for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports to be prepared.

He warned Scott-Barrett he faces a possible jail sentence.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of gaining sexual gratification while messaging a child when he appeared in court today

Judge Robin Johnson told Scott-Barrett to 'brace yourself for a period of imprisonment' in the hearing at Isleworth Crown Court (pictured)

'Whoever sentences you, you will appreciate the starting point appears to be 12 months imprisonment and you should brace yourself for a period of imprisonment if that is the conclusion of the sentencing judge,' he said.

Scott-Barrett was wearing a navy suit and pink patterned tie as he received conditional bail until the next hearing.

The officer was charged in November after an investigation by the force's online child sexual abuse and exploitation command.

The Met previously said Scott-Barrett was suspended from duty after the initial allegation was made in February last year and the Directorate of Professional Standards was informed.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Rose, a commander in intelligence command, said: 'This type of conduct has absolutely no place within our organisation and PC Scott-Barrett must now face the consequences of his actions.

'We expect exemplary standards from our people, both on or off duty - there is no distinction.

'We depend on the trust of the public and we know that this type of behaviour undermines their confidence in us. That is why we will always act when misconduct comes to light.'
The United States government has released a new wanted poster for one of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's sons who is sought on drug trafficking charges

The poster included an updated snapshot of Joaquin 'El Chapito' Guzman-Lopez, 35, was released by the Department of State on Thursday along with a $5million reward for information leading to his arrest.

According to Borderlandbeat.com, the U.S. government had erroneously used a photograph of El Chapo's other Cesar Guzman, who reportedly is not involved in the narcotics business.

Four of El Chapo's sons are either under indictment or under investigation by federal agents. They include Joaquin, Ovidio Guzman-Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar.

Last month, Homeland Security offered three $5 million bounties for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction for Joaquin's three brothers.

The United States on Thursday released an updated photo of Joaquin 'El Chapito' Guzman-Lopez, the son of Joaquin 'El Chapo, Guzman. U.S. authorities are offering a $5 million reward to anyone who can provide information for his arrest and/or conviction

Left is the new photo released by the U.S. government of Joaquin 'El Chapito' Guzman-Lopez. In December 2021, the Department of State mistakenly used a photo of his other brother Cesar Guzman when the announced four $5 million rewards for the capture of him and his three other brothers: Ovidio Guzman-Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar

With Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman serving a life sentence in the United States, his four sons have assumed control of the transnational drug trafficking organization

El Chapito was indicted with his brother Ovidio Guzman Lopez on April 2, 2018 and each charged with conspiring to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, 500 grams of methamphetamine, and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.

All four brothers have taken a bigger role in the Sinaloa Cartel after El Chapo was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the U.S., where he is now serving a life sentence.

U.S. federal authorities say both Joaquin Guzman-Lopez and Ovidio Guzman-Lopez carry 'high-level command and control roles' in their Guzman-Lopez Transnational Criminal Organization, which operates under the umbrella of the drug cartel empire their jailed father co-founded.

Their uncle Aureliano 'El Guano' Guzman and co-founder Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada also share control of the organization.

The U.S. Department of State announced in December $5 million rewards for information leading to the arrest of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's four sons, including Ivan Archivaldo Guzman (left) and Ovidio Guzman Lopez (right)

Jesus Guzman is one of El Chapo's four children who have taken over control of the Sinaloa Cartel

El Chapito got heavily involved in the international drug trade business following the murder of their brother, Edgar Guzman-Lopez, in 2008.

El Chapito and Ovidio Guzman Lopez, who was nearly captured and extradited to the United States in October 2019, reportedly took on large profits from the sale of drugs and used their proceeds by investing it into the purchase of marijuana in Mexico and cocaine in Colombia.

The U.S. government said the duo 'also began purchasing large amounts of ephedrine from Argentina and arranged for the smuggling of the product into Mexico as they began to experiment with methamphetamine production.'

Federal investigators say that El Chapito and his brother manage about 11 laboratories in their home state of Sinaloa that produce between 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine per month. In turn, the drug is sold at wholesale prices to other members of the translational cartel and to their distributors in the United States and Canada.

Despite the million dollar rewards, Mexico President Andre Manuel Lopez cautioned in December that the United Stats government that its federal agents won't simply be able to step walk on Mexican soil and apprehend El Chapo's sons.

'If they are in national territory, it is up to the national authorities to stop it, foreign agencies are not allowed to do so,' Lopez Obrador said during a press conference Thursday.

Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken said last month that the government hopes that the rewards could 'enhance our efforts to disrupt and deter transnational criminal activity globally.'

'When transnational criminal organizations engage in drug and firearms trafficking, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and money laundering, among other illicit activities, they threaten global public health, safety, and U.S. national security, while facilitating corruption that undermines the stability and security of partner nations,' he said.
A doctor who treated casualties at the Bataclan attack in Paris in 2015 has told the Manchester Arena inquiry it is 'vital' to send trained doctors to the scenes of terrorist incidents.

Dr Matthieu Langlois was a physician with the French counter-terrorism policing unit RAID when he was sent to the Bataclan theatre after three men opened fire on the crowd in November 2015.

The inquiry heard that Dr Langlois triaged casualties in the theatre's orchestra pit, which was classed as a 'hot zone' because of the ongoing threat from the terrorists, two of whom remained in the building with hostages on the first floor.

He also carried out basic lifesaving techniques, including applying tourniquets and compressing wounds, the inquiry heard.

Today Dr Langlois told the Manchester Arena inquiry it is 'vital' to have a trained doctor in the 'hot zone' as 'you need to have very quick and extremely experienced eyes to see all the casualties' during terrorist incidents.

Soldiers and rescue workers evacuate people after the terror attack in Paris in 2015

Giving evidence to the inquiry into the bombing in Manchester, which killed 22 people, the doctor said: 'The objective was to clear, as quickly as possible, the 'hot zone' and we did that because all of level zero of the Bataclan was cleared in 35 to 40 minutes, and it was done more than 30 minutes before the neutralisation of the threat.'

The inquiry into the bombing at Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017 has heard that many casualties waited more than an hour for treatment amid confusion over whether further attacks were under way.

Three paramedics went into the City Room foyer, where the suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, struck, as members of the public and unarmed police officers were forced to move casualties on makeshift stretchers.

Dr Langlois added: 'One thing I am quite sure of is it is not a job for a junior physician or for paramedics. You need to have very quick and extremely experienced eyes to see all the casualties.'

Emergency teams evacuate people near the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris in November 2015

The Glade of Light memorial in tribute to the 22 people murdered in the Manchester Arena terror attack in 2017

Armed officers stood outside the Manchester Arena after terrorist Salman Abedi detonated an explosive in 2017

The inquiry chairman, Sir John Saunders, asked Dr Langlois if there was a risk in doing rapid triage that someone may wrongly be believed to be dead.

He replied: 'That's why you need to be experienced.'

The doctor said tactical doctors, who would be sent to the scene of attacks, should have specific training, repeated at very frequent intervals.

While triaging patients at the Bataclan, Dr Langlois also carried out some basic lifesaving techniques, including applying tourniquets and compressing wounds, the inquiry heard.

But he said the priority was to get casualties out of the area quickly.

He added: 'We know the most important thing is the delay between the point of injury and arrival at a trauma centre.'

The inquiry heard that since the Bataclan attack he had identified learning points including the need for emergency services to co-ordinate with each other.

He said: 'We need a real operational collaboration between all these teams.'

The terror attacks in Paris were carried out by three separate groups of terrorists and prompted a three-month state of emergency in France - which allowed police to put people under house arrest without trial and to block websites.

The terrorists, who targeted the Stade de France, restaurants and bars along the Canal Saint-Martin and the Bataclan theatre, killed 130 people and injured more than 400.

The Manchester Arena inquiry continues.
The family of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is calling on President Joe Biden to put the same 'power and passion' he put into the bipartisan infrastructure bill into passing voting rights legislation.

'What we've seen with President Biden is what happens when he puts his full force and power behind an issue like infrastructure. What we want to see is that same power and passion being put behind voting rights,' Arndrea Waters King, the wife of Martin Luther King III told Politico's Playbook. 'We hope that [Monday] is a working day for President Biden.'

She said the King family has long seen his holiday as a 'day of action.' She noted Coretta Scott King 'when she was working so many years to make sure that there was a King holiday, her vision of it always was a day of action - a day on, not a day off.'

And Martin Luther King III, King's son, called on politicians to stop the lofty talk and get to work.

'No celebration without legislation,' he said.

Biden lobbied hard for the $1.2 billion infrastructure package that became law in November. But that legislation had the support of both parties. Republicans object to voting rights legislation, arguing it should be a state issue and not a federal one.

The King family on Monday joined several hundred other activists in a walk across the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge to call for voting rights reform.

'You were successful with infrastructure, which was a great thing,' Martin Luther King III, said to a crowd of hundreds, 'but we need you to use that same energy to ensure that all Americans have the unencumbered right to vote.'

They will also join Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other leaders at a noon press conference in Washington D.C. to push for voting rights.

Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, and Yolanda Renee King and other civil rights leaders march in the DC Peace Walk for voting rights

The King family met privately with President Biden when he was in Atlanta last Tuesday

It was the right to vote that made simple people of all colors realize that that is the price of citizenship in this great nation  Ambassador Andrew Young sat down with VP Kamala Harris to talk about the importance of voting and MLKs faith in change in this NowThis exclusive pic.twitter.com/Ab8dNKiMEk  NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 17, 2022

The King family met privately with Biden when the president was in Atlanta on Tuesday to push voting rights. In a fiery public speech, Biden called on the Senate to kill the filibuster and pass voting rights legislation. And he warned Republicans that history was watching their action.

Many local civil rights activists in Georgia skipped Biden's remarks out of frustration for the lack of action on behalf of his administration.

The voting rights legislation didn't advance last week because of two Democrats: Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, who were against killing the filibuster, arguing its a powerful legislative tool.

Biden met with both senators privately to discuss the matter. But the path forward for voting rights legislation remains unclear.

Biden released a video on Monday to talk about voting rights and King's legacy.

'Dr. King wasn't just a dreamer of that promise, he was a doer. And on this federal holiday that honors him, it's not just enough to praise him. We must commit to his unfinished work, to deliver jobs and justice, to protect the sacred right to vote, the right from which all other rights flow,' he said.

He is in his hometown of Wilmington, Del., for the long weekend and has nothing on his public schedule until he departs for the White House on Monday evening.

But public schedules don't reflect every meeting and phone call a president has. The White House has not responded to DailyMail.com's inquiry on how Biden is spending the day.

On Sunday, Biden and Jill Biden volunteered at a Philadelphia-area food bank, where they packed carrots and apples in food boxes.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden pack food boxes while volunteering in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service, at Philabundance, a hunger relief organization, in Philadelphia on Sunday

Biden called on all elected officials across the country to make clear 'where they stand' on voting rights in his brief Monday morning address

Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer surrendered on late Thursday night and sent senators home, missing his deadline to pass voting legislation by Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Schumer had vowed to keep the Senate in session all weekend to try and meet his goal but ultimately conceded to factors that were leading to its defeat: Manchin and Sinema doubling down on their opposition to killing the filibuster, Democratic Senator Brian Schatz is out through Sunday after testing positive for COVID, and the massive snow storm that hit Washington D.C. area on Sunday.

But, the Majority Leader vowed, he will start debate on a massive voting rights package on Tuesday.

He has canceled next week's schedule recess to bring senators back to Washington for the debate, beginning on Tuesday. And he renewed his promise to call a vote to kill the filibuster if Republican senators use that legislative tool to try and block the bill.

'Due to the circumstances regarding COVID and another potentially hazard winter storm approaching the DC area this weekend, the Senate will adjourn tonight,' Schumer said late Thursday night, his voice sounding hoarse.

'We will return on Tuesday to take up the House-passed message containing voting rights legislation. Make no mistake, the United States Senate will for the first time this Congress debate voting rights legislation.'

'If the Senate Republicans choose obstruction over protecting the sacred sacred right to vote - as we expect them to - the Senate will consider and vote on changing the Senate rules, as has been done many times before, to allow passage of voting rights legislation.'

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer surrendered on late Thursday night and sent senators back to their home states for the long weekend

It's unclear how Schumer will get voting legislation over the finish line, which leaves President Biden's dream of federal voting laws in tatters.

The president put all his powers of persuasion behind this effort. He went to Capitol Hill to personally lobby Manchin and Sinema. When the two stuck to their guns in favor of the filibuster - Biden needs all 50 Democratic senators to vote to kill it - he brought them to the White House Thursday night for another round of talks.

The meeting between the president and the two rogue senators was 'candid and respectful,' as Biden made a last-ditch effort to change the moderates' minds on filibuster reform.

They met at the White House on Thursday evening for a little over an hour, with the meeting ending by 7 p.m.

'The President hosted Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema at the White House tonight for a candid and respectful exchange of views about voting rights,' a White House official later said.

The meeting came after Sinema and Manchin took turns earlier on Thursday dashing Biden's hopes for the massive voting package, which would make Election Day a holiday, reform the redistricting process and tighten campaign finance laws.

Republicans oppose a federal law, saying elections should be handled on the state level.

President Joe Biden invited Sen. Joe Manchin (pictured) to the White House Thursday night in a last-ditch effort to change the West Virginia Democrat's mind of editing the filibuster to let voting rights bills go through the Senate using just a simple majority

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema gave a speech on the Senate floor in support of the filibuster, which President Joe Biden wants the Senate to reform, prior to his visit Thursday afternoon to Capitol Hill

Before inviting the two rogue senators to the White House Thursday night, President Joe Biden paid them a visit on Capitol Hill Thursday afternoon

Biden spent over an hour with Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill Thursday to try and convince Manchin and Sinema to support removing the filibuster for voting rights legislation.

But Sinema dealt a death blow before that meeting when she went to the Senate floor to deliver a defiant defense of the legislative tool.

Manchin waited until after Capitol Hill meeting to issue a lengthy statement explaining his opposition to killing 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.'
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Members of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s family marched on Washington on Monday to demand voting rights reform, calling out Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema for blocking it.

King's son Martin Luther King III cited his father's famous letter from a Birmingham jail and compared the two senators to those who told his father to wait for a more 'convenient time' to fight segregation.

'While there he wrote an open letter, in which he said the biggest stumbling block was not the Ku Klux Klan, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to order than justice,' he said.

'He was surrounded by people who told him to wait until a more convenient time and to use more agreeable methods - 59 years later, it's the same old song and dance from Senator Manchin and Sinema.'

'History will not remember them kindly,' he said of the two senators, who, despite a personal lobbying campaign from President Joe Biden, declined to kill the Senate filibuster in order to advance voting rights legislation.

Yolanda Renee King, Arndrea Waters King, and Martin Luther King III, lead the annual D.C. Peace Walk: Change Happens with Good Hope and a Dream across the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge for Dr. Martin Luther King Day

King's son Martin Luther King III compared Senator Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema's opposition to voting rights legislation to those who told his father to wait for a more 'convenient time' to fight segregation

People participate with Martin Luther King III and his family for the MLK Holiday Peace Walk across the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

Signs at Monday's march in Washington D.C.

Members of Martin Luther King Jr.'s family slammed Senators Joe Manchin (left) and Kyrsten Sinema (right) on Monday for blocking voting rights legislation

Earlier on Monday, as part of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day D.C. Peace Walk, the King family and more than 100 national and local civil rights groups marched across the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge into downtown Washington.

Martin Luther King III praised congressional Democrats for passing a sweeping infrastructure bill last year, but implored them to push through voting-rights legislation.

'If you can deliver an infrastructure bill for bridges, you can deliver voting rights for Americans. If you do not, there's no bridge in this nation that can hold the weight of that failure,' he said.

The bill would expand access to mail-in voting, strengthen federal oversight of elections in states with a history of racial discrimination and tighten campaign finance rules. Democratic supporters say it is needed to counter a wave of new restrictions on voting passed in Republican-led states that election observers say would make it harder for minority and low-income voters to cast ballots.

New restrictions have emerged following former President Donald Trump's false claims that his 2020 election defeat was the result of widespread fraud.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said the chamber would take up the bill on Tuesday, a delay from his earlier plan to hold a procedural vote on the bill by Monday, the federal holiday honoring King.

King III, his wife, Arndrea Waters King, and their daughter Yolanda Renee King, joined him at the march and the press conference after.

Yolanda Renee King, 13, also pleaded with the two conservative Democratic senators to pass voting rights legislation.

'Our future hinges on your decision and history will remember what choice you make,' she said.

She noted that while she is 'not old enough to vote, this fight is personal for me. Its our future these elected leaders are deciding. Its our voices they are trying to silence because they know our voices are powerful.'

Martin Luther King III (L) with daughter Yolanda Renee King

The march across Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

The march was in support of voting rights legislation stalled in the Senate

King's family is urging the Senate to pass federal voting rights legislation

Republicans are united in opposition to the voting rights legislation, saying it should be handled on the state level and not the federal.

The only way around for Democratic leaders is to persuade Manchin and Sinema to agree to change the chamber's filibuster rule that requires at least 60 senators to agree on most legislation.

Chuck Schumer surrendered on late Thursday night and sent senators home, missing his deadline to pass voting legislation by Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Schumer had vowed to keep the Senate in session all weekend to try and meet his goal but ultimately conceded to factors that were leading to its defeat: Manchin and Sinema doubling down on their opposition to killing the filibuster, Democratic Senator Brian Schatz is out through Sunday after testing positive for COVID, and the massive snow storm that hit Washington D.C. area on Sunday.

But, the Majority Leader vowed, he will start debate on a massive voting rights package on Tuesday.

He has canceled next week's schedule recess to bring senators back to Washington for the debate, beginning on Tuesday. And he renewed his promise to call a vote to kill the filibuster if Republican senators use that legislative tool to try and block the bill.

'Due to the circumstances regarding COVID and another potentially hazard winter storm approaching the DC area this weekend, the Senate will adjourn tonight,' Schumer said late Thursday night, his voice sounding hoarse.

'We will return on Tuesday to take up the House-passed message containing voting rights legislation. Make no mistake, the United States Senate will for the first time this Congress debate voting rights legislation.'

'If the Senate Republicans choose obstruction over protecting the sacred sacred right to vote - as we expect them to - the Senate will consider and vote on changing the Senate rules, as has been done many times before, to allow passage of voting rights legislation.'

It's unclear how Schumer will get voting legislation over the finish line, which leaves President Biden's dream of federal voting laws in tatters.

The president put all his powers of persuasion behind this effort. He went to Capitol Hill to personally lobby Manchin and Sinema. When the two stuck to their guns in favor of the filibuster - Biden needs all 50 Democratic senators to vote to kill it - he brought them to the White House Thursday night for another round of talks.

The meeting between the president and the two rogue senators was 'candid and respectful,' as Biden made a last-ditch effort to change the moderates' minds on filibuster reform.

They met at the White House on Thursday evening for a little over an hour, with the meeting ending by 7 p.m.

The meeting came after Sinema and Manchin took turns earlier on Thursday dashing Biden's hopes for the massive voting package, which would make Election Day a holiday, reform the redistricting process and tighten campaign finance laws.

Biden spent over an hour with Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill Thursday to try and convince Manchin and Sinema to support removing the filibuster for voting rights legislation.

But Sinema dealt a death blow before that meeting when she went to the Senate floor to deliver a defiant defense of the legislative tool.

Manchin waited until after Capitol Hill meeting to issue a lengthy statement explaining his opposition to killing 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.'
Ukraine accuses Russia of engaging in a "hybrid war" as Kyiv has gathered evidence that Moscow was responsible for the massive cyberattack that defaced its government website.

In a statement on Sunday, Kyiv's Ministry of Digital Development said that "all evidence" points out that Russia was behind the cyberattacks on more than 70 government websites. It further disclosed that the cyberattack was a diversion, based on a report from Al Jazeera.

"Moscow continues to wage a hybrid war and is actively building up its forces in the information and cyberspaces," the statement reads.

Is The Cyberattack A Prelude To Invasion?

Last week, tech giant Microsoft reported that dozens of computer systems and several Ukrainian government agencies had been infected with destructive malware disguised as ransomware, as per AP News report.

The cyberattacks happened on Friday as Russia has been alleged to mobilize around 100,000 troops near the border of Ukraine to gain assurances from the US and its Western allies that Kyiv will not be allowed to join NATO.

Top officials of Russia and the United States held security talks last week in Geneva, but it resulted in no breakthrough.

Western powers have issued warnings to impose serious sanctions on Moscow if it launches another attack on Ukraine.

Read Also: Ukraine Government Websites Hit by Cyberattack That Warns To "Expect The Worst" as Russia Moves More Troops

Attackers left a message on the defaced websites claiming to have leaked and damaged crucial data. But the authorities denied the hackers' claims.

The message on the hacked pages said, "Ukrainian! All your personal data was uploaded to the public network. All data on the computer is destroyed, it is impossible to restore it. All information about you has become public, be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future." It was written in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish languages.

US, Western Allies Ready To Take Necessary Actions

Meanwhile, White House security adviser Jake Sullivan warned that the United States and its Western allies would impose severe economic consequences" on Russia if it launches an invasion of Ukraine.

In an interview with CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Sullivan said that the US already had sent a "clear message" to Moscow, and if it continues to escalate the situation, the US will collaborate with its allies on taking the "appropriate response."

Sullivan also said that if Russia takes military action, the US is ready to take steps that will target its economy "that go at their strategic position in Europe" and beef up NATO's solidarity.

"If Russia wants to go down the path of invasion and escalation, we're ready for that too, with a robust response that will cut off their strategic position," he said. "So, from our perspective, we are simultaneously pursuing deterrence and diplomacy, and we've been clear and steadfast in that again, fully united with the transatlantic community."

According to reports, the US government holds information that Russia has sent a squad of agents to eastern Ukraine to carry out a false-flag operation to create a pretext for an invasion.

Sullivan said the Biden administration has still not attributed culpability for the cyberattack. However, he added that it would not be a surprise if Russia gets identified as the one behind.

Related Article: Russia Warns US Is Oblivious to Ukraine Issue as Officials Set To Discuss War Games, Missile Deployments

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A man who disguised himself as a food delivery rider is suspected of murder after a 30-year-old man was shot in the doorway of his apartment in NYC's East Village on Friday evening.

CCTV footage released today by the NYPD shows the suspect, clad in a dark jacket with yellow reflectors and two bags, gain entry to the Lilian Wald housing block posing as a food delivery rider.

The suspect emerged minutes later, appearing to be holding only one bag, before speeding off on an e-bike.

NYPD officers responding to a 911 call subsequently found Davon Venable, 30, bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds to his back and neck in the doorway of his fourth floor apartment.

Venable was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai-Beth Israel Medical Center later that evening.

Not only did the suspect use an elaborate disguise to enter the building incognito, law enforcement sources alleged Venables was shot after answering the door to someone who knocked and asked 'did you order an Uber?'

The shooting comes amid a wave of violent crime in NYC - the most recent NYPD data suggests that in the first full week of January 2022 (3-9), the number of murders increased by 33.3 percent vs the same period last year.

CCTV footage released today by the NYPD shows the suspect, clad in a dark jacket with yellow reflectors arrive outside the Lilian Wald housing block posing as a food delivery rider

The suspect, whose identity was shrouded by a helmet and masked, carried two plastic bags into the building posing as a delivery rider

According to law enforcement sources quoted by The Villager, Venable and his father were sitting at home in the Lilian Wald property when they heard a knock on the door shortly before 10pm ET on Friday.

While stood outside, the shooter allegedly asked: 'Did someone order an Uber?'

Venables got up to answer the door, and was promptly gunned down by the suspect, who was wearing black clothing.

Officers from the 9th Precinct and NYPD PSA 4 found Venable bleeding heavily in the doorway of the property from multiple gunshot wounds.

The suspect was captured exiting the building minutes later, appearing to be carrying just one of the two bags he entered the property with

The CCTV footage shows the suspect speeding away from the scene of the crime on an e-bike

The most recent NYPD data suggests that in the first full week of January 2022 (3-9), the number of murders increased by 33.3 percent vs the same period last year

The 30-year-old was hit in the back and the neck. He was treated and rushed to hospital by EMS but was pronounced on arrival at Mount Sinai-Beth Israel Medical Center.

The NYPD released the CCTV footage earlier today, appealing to the public for further information on the potential identity of the shooter, whose face was covered by a helmet and mask.

No arrests have yet been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

The footage of the suspected murderer was released just one day after NYC mayor Eric Adams was blasted for suggesting that there was a 'perception of fear' around crime in NYC.

His comments referred to another murder which took place on Saturday, when a woman was pushed in front of a subway train.

Adams' has been accused of skirting the issue of rising murders and violent crime despite promises to stamp out the worrying trend in the Big Apple.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams insisted on Sunday that subways are still safe and there is only perception of fear among commuters as an estimated 1.7 percent of the crimes in the city occur on the MTA system

Speaking at a press conference in the wake of Saturday's murder, Adams said: 'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system. I think it's about 1.7 percent of the crimes in New York City that occur on the subway system.

'Think about that for a moment,' he added. 'What we must do is remove the perception of fear.

'Cases like this aggravate the perception of fear,' he said referring to the death of subway rider Michelle Go, 40  who was unexpectedly killed when suspect Simon Martial, 61, allegedly pushed her in front of an oncoming MTA train on Saturday morning at the station on West 42nd St and Broadway.

Go is believed to have been a senior manager at Deloitte Consulting.

Simon Martial, 61, was arrested after he allegedly shoved Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, right, onto the subway tracks and killed her on Saturday

'When you see homeless individuals with mental health issues not being attended to and given the proper services, that adds to the perception of fear,' Adams said.

Former Republican mayor candidate and Adam's arch-nemesis, Curtis Sliwa, was the first among many users on Twitter to criticize the relatively new mayor's comments, sharing on Sunday:

'The WHO has a song that says 'the new boss is the same as the old boss.' Adams is saying what DeBlasio said for 8 yrs - #mta crime is a perception & not real. He won't confront Bragg & covers up subway crime. What happened to the law & order candidate?'

He was referring to Adams' status as a former NYPD cop - and repeated promises to stamp-out spiraling crime in the Big Apple.
A 49 year old mother was stabbed to death through the eye by her violent lover just weeks after he was released from prison, a jury heard today.

Former air stewardess Michaela Hall had met Lee Kendall when she worked for a charity which helps prisoners when they are freed from custody.

But Truro Crown Court heard she broke professional boundaries as his support worker and began an intimate sexual relationship and he moved into her home in Mount Hawke, Cornwall.

Prosecutor Miss Jo Martin QC told the court that Michaela was soon subjected to numerous violent assaults by Kendall.

But the jury heard that she often refused to support any prosecutions against 42 year old Kendall who would always deny attacking her when arrested and interviewed by police.

Miss Martin told the jury: 'He killed her by stabbing her through the eye with a knife.

Pictured: Michaela Hall, 49, was stabbed to death through the eye by her violent lover Lee Kendall just weeks after he was released from prison, a jury at Truro Crown Court heard today

'There is no doubt that he did kill Michaela Hall. He now accepted that he did, that was not always the case.'

She said when police arrested him in June 2021, he was interviewed and lied about what had happened on that fatal night on May 31 and said he had nothing to do with her death.

Miss Martin said Kendall later claimed there had been a drunken struggle and that Michaela had been the attacker.

He said that he had tried to take the knife off her and her death was the result of an accident.

The prosecutor said it was for the jury to decide whether mother-of-two Michaela died as a result of a tragic accident or if Kendall 'deliberately and intentionally stabbed her through the eye'.

Miss Martin said Michaela gave up her job as an air stewardess and moved to Cornwall where her family lived.

She had worked for two charities who helped prisoners when they were released from prison.

But she said: 'Sadly Michaela's personality type was unsuited for the role. She got too involved and got too close.

Former prisoner Lee Kendall has denied murder and is on trial at Truro Crown Court (pictured)

'She genuinely wanted to help but she could not recognise the importance of professional boundaries.'

Jurors were told she met Kendall, who had a drug problem, when he was freed from prison in March 2019 and she was assigned as his support worker.

But within a month she lost her job because it was discovered she had started an intimate sexual relationship with Kendall who had moved into her home.

Miss Martin said they had a 'complex relationship' and Michaela tried to help and save him.

But she said: 'It was not long before the violence started.'

She suffered black eyes and various attacks and 999 calls were made to police as the violence escalated.

Kendall did admit some attacks and in May 2021 was given a three year community order by a judge.

But just 17 days later he stabbed her to death as the knife penetrated up to nine centimetres into her brain through her right eye.

A post mortem also revealed she had other facial and neck wounds which were consistent with manual strangulation and Kendall's DNA was found on her neck.

The court heard Michaela had been talking to a friend in Gran Canaria who could hear her friend scream 'like one out of a movie' as she shouted 'don't come near me Lee, stop Lee, get off me' before hearing a dull thud.

The friend eventually managed to alert the UK authorities and police went to the house three times over the next 24 hours but did not see any sign of a disturbance so did not force an entry.

It was only when her parents raised their concerns and got a spare key that her father Peter discovered her body in a bedroom.

Kendall denies murder and his trial continues.
A massage therapist has been convicted of sexually assaulting a female patient he thought was moaning with pleasure - when she was in fact suffering from sciatica.

Graham Stannard, 47, repeatedly touched the 25-year-old between her legs, claiming he was encouraged by her noises.

But the woman insists she did not consent and her involuntary groans were a response to him touching her painful condition - caused by an irritated nerve.

A jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court rejected his claim he thought she was consenting and unanimously found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

Stannard, from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, was bailed until sentencing on March 28.

Graham Stannard, 47, repeatedly touched the 25-year-old between her legs, claiming he was encouraged by her noises

Judge John Lodge told him: 'You have been found guilty of two very serious offences and custody is a very realistic option and you must prepare yourself for that.'

The trial heard Stannard, the boss of Healing Zen Massage and a practitioner of Zen-Su deep release massage had a therapy room in a beauty salon in Balham, London.

After reading his positive online reviews the woman, who has a high-pressure desk job, booked an appointment to receive a massage on August 2, 2020.

The jury viewed her recorded police statement in which she said: 'When I removed my mask he said: 'Wow. You've got such a lovely smile,' and I thought that was the first thing out of place.'

She stripped-down to her pants and lay face-down on the table as Stannard began. 'He said: 'It's really nice you are making those noises. I'd like to hear more of them'.

'They were just the normal noises of a massage,' she told the trial, explaining Stannard put his hand between her legs after massaging her hip area.

'He just went for it and touched me four times or something, quite hard under my knickers so it was not a mistake.

'I went completely quiet. I always thought in a situation like that I'd be shouty and tell him to: 'F*** off,' but I just completely froze.

But the woman insists she did not consent and her involuntary groans were a response to him touching her painful condition - caused by an irritated nerve

'I started moving my bum and hips away, but it didn't deter him and I thought: 'What the f***?' I thought: 'F***, he's going to do it again,' and this time he really went for it.

'He asked me to turn over. I was topless and he looked stoked, so happy with eyes wide open, buzzing.

'He said: ''You've got such an amazing body,'' he was ecstatic and said he was going to do my front and I thought he would do something worse.'

She said Stannard hastily concluded the massage then tried to discuss it with her. 'He was close to my face and from then it was just creepy.

'He returned after ten minutes and he was like: 'God, that was amazing. Maybe I can take you out to dinner and do a massage after that.'

'He gave me a hug and was going to try and kiss me and I left and called my boyfriend and burst into tears and told him what happened.

'I was sitting on the kerb, breathing heavily, it was horrible. I walked around for 20 minutes dry heaving and had a bath when I got home because I had oil all over me and wanted to get it off.'

She then received a text from Stannard, which read: 'Lovely to see you. Let me know about home massage.'

Earlier prosecutor Warwick Tatford told the jury: 'This defendant has worked as a full-time masseur for over 11 years and has a proper business.

'No doubt his regular clients think good of him, but he gave into sexual temptation that day when he gave a massage to this 25-year-old lady, an attractive lady as you will see in the video.

'It was under her knickers so must have been deliberate and he seemed to be enjoying it and she did not consent to it.'

Stannard did not deny touching the woman between her legs when questioned by police.

'His case is she either consented and was excited or if she didn't consent he genuinely believed she was.'

The prosecutor rejected this, telling the jury: 'He just fancied her and couldn't resist sexually assaulting her.

'It was quite a forceful massage and she made noises when he hit a painful spot. She talks about moaning, but not with a sexual meaning.

'He started imitating what she was saying, like it was turning into some sort of pornographic fantasy.

'The defendant seems to have been caught up in the excitement of it all and acting out a sexual pleasure. He told the officers he was sexually aroused and had crossed the line.

'That's quite close to admitting sexual assault and he says he got carried away in the moment and that it felt consensual.'

When cross-examined the woman was asked about the noises she made and said it was 'wrong' to conclude she was 'aroused' during the massage.

She was asked why she did not ask Stannard to stop, replying: 'It happened so quickly, I was in shock. I didn't know what to say.'

The woman was also questioned as to whether moving her bum and hips could be 'misconstrued' as joining in with the sexual behaviour.

Judge Lodge told the jury: 'I am not going to sentence the defendant today.

'The prosecution will want to consider if they want to seek a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent the defendant committing similar offences.

'I will also ask for a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service to cover issues such as the risk of re-offending.'
MPs can expect MI5 warnings about Chinese spies trying to subvert Parliament will become 'more commonplace' as the communist regime seeks to make UK politics 'more favorable' towards Beijing, Priti Patel warned today.

The Home Secretary addressed the Commons in the wake of the scandal over access given to lawyer Christine Lee, who was last week outed as a Chinese agent.

Ms Lee, a Birmingham-based lawyer, donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

The alert from the security service 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.

Addressing the Commons today, Ms Patel said: 'We can expect to see these kinds of alerts become more commonplace as a result of the work of our world class intelligence agencies who have adapted to counter these new and emerging threats.'

The Home Secretary addressed the Commons in the wake of the scandal over access given to lawyer Christine Lee, who was last week outed as a Chinese agent.

Addressing the Commons today, Ms Patel said: 'We can expect to see these kinds of alerts become more commonplace as a result of the work of our world class intelligence agencies who have adapted to counter these new and emerging threats.'

She added: 'In this case, the aim was to make the UK political landscape more favourable to the Chinese authorities' agenda and to challenge those... who raise concerns about the Chinese authorities' activities on very pressing issues such as human rights.

'I, like all members across this House, was utterly appalled that an individual who has knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party for a number of years targeted members of this Parliament.'

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.

Mr Gardiner thanked MPs from 'all across this House for the kind messages I have received over the past few days'.

He welcomed the Home Secretary's statement and asked if the measures announced will 'help MPs to get extra support when making the required checks about the true source of any donations'.

He added: 'She will know the security services told me their alert was based on specific intelligence of illegal funding which did not relate to the donations that paid for my office staff, those ceased in 2020. So is she able to tell the House what steps she is taking to ascertain where the tainted money ended up?'

Priti Patel said she was sure Mr Gardiner would continue to co-operate with intelligence and security services, adding: 'It is a fact that across this House we will absolutely come together to do everything possible in terms of protecting the integrity of our democracy and all honourable members from such malign interference and threats.'

She added she looked forward to working with the Speaker to 'close down some of these permissive loopholes that have clearly been exposed'.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'The information received by the Speaker from the Security Service last week was obviously extremely serious and we condemn in the strongest terms the attempts by China to interfere in Britain's democratic process.

Ms Lee 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.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'The information received by the Speaker from the Security Service last week was obviously extremely serious and we condemn in the strongest terms the attempts by China to interfere in Britain's democratic process.

'Clearly the work is important that has been done, but I would be very concerned if this meant that the Home Secretary and the Home Office were complacent in this area, because we have seen a series of important warnings about attempts by both Russia and China to interfere in both the Russian report and also in the report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, particularly about the risks from foreign money.'

Christine Lee, 58, the solicitor outed as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party, announced a project to get young Chinese politicians in power after being appointed 'legal adviser' to the Chinese embassy

Last night it was revealed she boasted about her plans to install Chinese MPs in the Commons as far back as 2007, it emerged yesterday.

Christine Lee, 58, the solicitor outed as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party, announced a project to get young politicians in power after being appointed 'legal adviser' to the Chinese embassy.

The mother of two's 'political interference activities' appear to date back 15 years when, just hours after stepping off a 13-hour flight from Beijing, she announced a plan to get the first British-Chinese MP elected.

'We have been silent for too long. We will not be silent any more,' she told Time Out London. 'Chinese here don't do [British] politics.

We need to use our voices to be seen and heard.'

On her website, which has now been closed, she told of her influence as adviser to the embassy in London.

It comes as a former head of MI5 accused ministers of failing to act on warnings that might have stopped her infiltrating Westminster.

Lord Evans of Weardale, who ran MI5 between 2007 and 2013, also told The Sunday Times that foreign interference is a 'live and present threat' to democracy.

The Chinese embassy has rejected the claims, saying: 'China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.'
District Attorney Alvin Bragg told his congregation he's had a 'challenging two weeks' since his start as Manhattan's top prosecutor, days after it was reported that nine attorneys have quit his office over his 'soft-on-crime' policies.

'It has been a challenging two weeks church family, challenging. That hour with the Sunday school is one of the best hours of the week. I always tell them, "They do more for me than I do for them,'" he said.

Bragg made the comments during Sunday service at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. The church was honoring the the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. ahead of MLK Day on Monday.

The Harvard-educated former federal prosecutor dismissed criticisms that he's naive about public safety after he circulated a day-one memo earlier this month vowing to stop going after some low-level offenses, including subway turnstile jumping, prostitution, and trespassing.

The January 3 memo also outlines a number of circumstances in which charges should be downgraded, including certain cases of armed robbery and drug dealing.

Nine assistant district attorneys reportedly quit since Bragg took over, including John Irwin and Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, who successfully prosecuted sex pest Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Meanwhile, overall crime in New York City is up 30 percent compared to the same time last year, with robbery up by 25 percent and felony assault up by nearly five percent.

'It has been a challenging two weeks church family, challenging,' said new Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg during a Sunday service at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem

Bragg, 48, defended his day-one policy memo instructing prosecutors to stop going after some low-level offenses, which generated criticism that he's 'soft on crime'

'Part of the discussion that' been so frustrating the last couple weeks is the suggestion that  I don't know public safety,' Bragg said Sunday. 'The reality is  before I turned 21, I had a semi-automatic weapon pointed at my head, I had a knife to my throat, a homicide victim at my doorstep, and was shot at. I know public safety.'

Bragg, 48, admitted that the tone - or grammar - of his day-one policy memo may have been divisive, but he stood by its spirit.

New Yorks new DA unveils revised charges for crimes including armed robbery and drug dealing Among other woke proposals from Bragg's memo, the DA recommended: Robbers wielding guns or other deadly weapons to steal from stores and businesses will be prosecuted only for petty larceny - a misdemeanor - provided no victims were injured and there is no 'genuine risk of physical harm.' Armed robbery is a class B felony, usually punishable by up to 25 years in jail. Convicts who are caught with weapons other than guns will have their charges downgraded to misdemeanors, as long as they are not also charged with more serious offenses. The felony would normally see crooks jailed for seven years. Burglars who loot residential storage areas, parts of homes that are not 'accessible to a living area' and businesses located in mixed-use buildings, will be prosecuted for a minor class D felony, where they would normally face class B and class C charges punishable by up to 25 and 15 years in prison respectively. Drug dealers suspected of 'acting as a low-level agent of a seller' will only be charged with misdemeanor possession. Advertisement

'You know what happens when you provide housing and employment to those returning from incarceration? Recidivism goes down. So, we started the conversation,' Bragg said, as reported in the New York Post.

'Maybe I had a comma out of place, maybe I didnt use the exact right words, but the urgency of now didnt start the conversation, so we started it.

'And it may be a long conversation. [I'm] harboring no illusions that the storm will end soon.'

The Democrat has said that offenses like marijuana misdemeanors, prostitution, resisting arrest and fare dodging will no longer be prosecuted. He will continue his predecessor Cyrus Vance Jr's policy of declining to prosecute marijuana possession.

Robbers wielding guns or other deadly weapons to steal from stores and businesses will be prosecuted only for petty larceny - a misdemeanor - provided no victims were injured and there is no 'genuine risk of physical harm,' according to Bragg's memo.

Also, convicts who are caught with weapons other than guns will have their charges downgraded to misdemeanors, as long as they are not also charged with more serious offenses, though the felony would normally see crooks jailed for seven years.

Drug dealers suspected of 'acting as a low-level agent of a seller' will only be charged with misdemeanor possession.

Nearly a dozen lawyers have quit Bragg's office in the first two weeks of Bragg's term.

'I know one [ADA] who was with the office over 20 years who left without a job,' a law enforcement source told the New York Post. 'They didn't want to work in this kind of office. They wanted to continue prosecuting the law.'

Illuzi-Orbon - who prosecuted Weinstein - had been in the Manhattan DA's office since 1988, save for a leave in 2015 when she unsuccessfully ran as a Republican for District Attorney of Staten Island.

John Irwin, formerly a trial division chief, is among the other quitters, while a veteran prosecutor was told she was being demoted and would have to work under a hire Bragg made from the nonprofit Legal Aid Society.

Meanwhile, overall crime in New York City is up 30 percent compared to the same time last year

Nine lawyers have quit Bragg's office in the first two weeks of Bragg's term, including Harvey Weinstein prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, above in February 2020

New York's crime rate continues to rise under new Mayor Eric Adams, who promised to be tough on crime, and progressive DA Alvin Bragg

New York City is currently experiencing soaring crime rates and an increase in shooting incidents not seen since the mid-2000s

'He wants to get rid of all the senior people who prosecuted high-profile cases and replace them with young inexperienced people who think like him and don't want to uphold the law,' said one former prosecutor.

New Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD cop who swept into office on a campaign vow to crack down on soaring crime in the city, has expressed support for Bragg's new polices, saying: 'I like Alvin.'

'I believe that he's going to be a good district attorney, and I'm going to sit down and have a conversation with him as we build out what we need to do around public safety,' the mayor said at a press conference earlier this month.

'I think he's on Team Public Safety,' added Adams. 'Team Public Safety is not only handcuffs, Team Public Safety is also ending the pipeline that turns people into career criminals.'

All of the departures at the Manhattan DA's office are cases of prosecutors quitting, as Bragg has yet to fire anyone.

Similar scenarios have played out in other cities where so-called progressive DA's have risen to power.

Two prosecutors have quit their jobs in the San Francisco District Attorney's office - and are now joining an effort to recall Chesa Boudin.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner dismissed at least 30 people from his office on his first day.

Overall, crime has gone up 30 percent in citywide through that same date.

There have been eight murders in New York City so far since January 1, up from six at the same time in 2021. Robbery is up by 25 percent and felony assault is up by nearly five percent.

On Saturday morning at around 9.40am, a 40-year-old woman was pushed in front of a train at the West 42nd Street and Broadway station.

Simon Martial, 61, was arrested after he allegedly shoved Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, right, onto the subway tracks and killed her on Saturday morning

Simon Martial, 61, is charged with second-degree murder after the Saturday morning incident. He is seen Saturday night leaving the Midtown precinct

Simon Martial, 61, is charged with the second-degree murder of Michelle Alyssa Go, who lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and worked at Deloitte.

Martial has a history of mental illness and told reporters to 'go f*** yourself' as he was walked out of a Midtown precinct on Saturday night, declaring himself 'God.'

'Yeah because I'm God,' he said when asked if he killed Go. 'Yes I did. I'm God, I can do it.'

He then claimed: 'She stole my f***ing jacket, that's why.'

On Sunday, January 9, Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, was killed as she worked the night shift at a Burger King in East Harlem.

Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, was shot dead as she worked the night shift on January 9. She was allegedly crouching down to try to get the gunman more money from a second register

Police arrested Winston Glynn, a 30-year-old homeless man, in connection with the murder

Police say Glynn had worked at the same Burger King as the victim between April 2020 and December 2020, more than a year before she was hired. Above, Glynn in his work uniform

Police have arrested Winston Glynn, a homeless Jamaican immigrant who previously worked at the same Burger King location.

The 19-year-old cashier handed Glynn $100, but he demanded more money, police say.

Bayron-Nieves crouched down to try and open a second cash register drawer, but had no key. That is when Glynn fired a single shot and fled, grabbing the injured Burger King manager's phone on his way out.

Glynn's criminal record includes at least four prior arrests, most recently in November 2021, when he was charged with menacing with a weapon.

A spokesperson for the Queens District Attorney told DailyMail.com on Friday that Glynn was released from jail on his own recognizance because the offense he was charged with is an A misdemeanor, which 'is not bail eligible.'
A teenager who was working the drive-thru at a Milwaukee Burger King when she was shot and killed in an apparent robbery, which she staged with her best friend and her best friend's father who acted as the robber, court documents allege.

Niesha Harris-Brazell, 16, was working a shift with her best friend, Mariah Edwards, on January 2, when she was found fatally shot inside the fast food joint.

Just a few minutes prior, surveillance footage caught a man in a red hoodie and a facemask waving a pistol around and demanding money as Harris-Brazell frantically took money out of the cash register and cried for help.

Investigators initially believed the man in the red hoodie who had demanded the cash, had shot and killed the 16-year-old.

But when they reviewed surveillance footage taken from another camera within the fast food joint, they discovered the 'robber' never opened fire, according to court documents, first obtained by FOX 6 News.

Instead, the shot was fired from within the Burger King, and Milwaukee police are now searching for Harris-Brazell's co-worker, Derrick Ellis, 34, who apparently tried to shoot at the robber and inadvertently hit Harris-Brazell.

During the ensuing investigation, police discovered Mariah's father, Antoine, was allegedly the man in the red hoodie.

He is alleged to have concocted the robbery with Harris-Brazell and his daughter.

Antoine, 41, is now facing charges of felony murder, intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child with death a a consequence and possession of a firearm by a felon, while Ellis is facing murder charges.

It is unclear what charges Mariah may face.

Niesha Harris-Brazell, 16, was fatally shot during an apparently staged robbery at the Burger King she was working at on January 2

Antoine Edwards, 41, right, was identified as the robber seen in surveillance footage climbing through the drive-thru window that night when Derrick Ellis, left, fired two shots and inadvertently shot and killed Harris-Brazell

Her best friend, Mariah Edwards, seen here talking to the press following the shooting, reportedly told authorities she had staged the robbery with Harris-Brazell and her father, Antoine Edwards

According to a criminal complaint obtained by FOX 6 News, surveillance footage from inside the Burger King showed a Chevy Impala pull up to the drive-thru window shortly after 10pm on January 2.

The driver, now believed to be Antoine Edwards, then knocked on the window several times until a 'juvenile male employee' responded. The two reportedly spoke for a moment, before Edwards pulls away.

After the car left the window, Mariah said she and Harris-Brazell called his phone to confirm that was him, and about three minutes later, the same Impala and driver reappeared at the window.

Harris-Brazell then promptly opened the window, and quickly backed away from it so she was not in view of the driver as she starts taking out cash and calls out to other employees, 'He's got a gun.'

A short time later, FOX 6 reports, the driver steps out of the car and crawls through the drive-thru window holding a semiautomatic pistol, waving it at Harris-Brazell. Antoine said he decided to do so because he thought Harris-Brazell was taking too long to get him his money.

Surveillance footage then shows that the driver quickly ducked and pulled himself out of the window, while Harris-Brazell fell to the ground.

In the ensuing investigation, police found other surveillance footage from inside the fast-food joint showing Ellis responding to Harris-Brazell's call for help, pulling out a gun and firing two shots at the thief.

He was then seen scrambling to pick up the shell casings from he floor, and was filmed running to the store manager who helped him stow the weapon in the store's safe before he fled. He has not been seen since.

The store manager reportedly told authorities that Ellis usually comes to work with a weapon, and they helped him hide it because he is a convicted felon who is not allowed to possess a gun.

Surveillance footage from the Burger King showed the driver of a Chevy Impala, later identified Antoine Edwards, stepping out of the car and crawling through the drive-thru window holding a semiautomatic pistol

He had reportedly knocked on the drive-thru window a few minutes earlier and spoke to a young male worker, before coming back around three minutes later

Following that revelation, investigators say they then learned he driver of the Impala was Antoine Edwards, whose daughter Mariah was working in the kitchen at the time.

Mariah allegedly confessed that she, her father and Harris-Brazell coordinated the robbery at a time when they expected the register to be filled with cash. She claimed she and her father got Harris-Brazell involved in the scheme because she worked at the drive-thru window.

She claimed it was never part of the plan for Ellis to come to their aid, or for Harris-Brazell to die.

Antoine also allegedly confessed to the scheme, but said his daughter was not involved and that Harris-Brazell was his only accomplice.

Both father and daughter have now been arrested, as Harris-Brazell's mother, Liceala Brazell, continues to claim her daughter was innocent.

'It's really making me mad, it's making me angry,' she said of the Edwards' claims, noting that they have told so many lies.

And speaking directly to Mariah, Liceala said: 'That's not going to help you, that's not going to help your father.'

Her grandmother Ida Lane also told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: 'That's complete and utter bulls***.

'In all actuality, my granddaughter didn't have to work. She had a grandmother that worked, a mother that worked, five aunties and one uncle that worked. My granddaughter didn't have to do nothing but save what she needed or what she wanted.

'We were trying to instill values in her,' she said.

Fundraisers were set up for Harris-Brazell (pictured) in the aftermath of the shooting

In the aftermath of the fatal shooting, a GoFundMe was set up by Hazel-Brazell's sister that took in more than $40,000.

A local restaurateur also led fundraising efforts for her family, raking in donations from the Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yellich and Green Bay Packers icon Donald Driver.

Following the news that she may have staged the robbery, the restaurant owner, Omar Shaikh told FOX 6 News: 'It wasn't the news I wanted to hear, but I don't regret it. You still have a family who lost a 16-year-old daughter.

'I know a lot of families that live in certain areas don't have a lot for reserves, don't have money for a funeral.

'I think the heart was in the right place and that family is suffering right now.'

He added that nobody has asked for their donations back.

Harris-Brazell's fatal shooting came just about a week before another teenage girl was gunned down and killed during a robbery while working her shift at a Harlem Burger King.

Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, was shot and killed while working at Burger King in Harlem on January 9

Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, was working as a cashier at the Burger King at 116th Street and Lexington Avenue in East Harlem on January 9 when an armed robber entered the restaurant at around 1am.

The gunman pistol-whipped a male customer before punching a female manager in the face.

Bayron-Nieves, who just started the job three weeks ago, gave the robber $100 cash from the drawer, an eyewitness said, according to her mother.

The criminal turned to leave, but turned around again and shot Bayron-Nieves in the torso, according to the New York Post.

The teen was transported to nearby Metropolitan Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

'She didn't deserve to be mowed down while working at a Burger King,' a police source said.

The robber, who has yet to be identified or apprehended, was described as a slim male who was wearing dark clothes and a black mask, according to the NYPD.
The badly decomposed body of an 84-year-old man was discovered over the weekend among piles of trash inside the Brooklyn apartment he shared with his wife, who reportedly was planning to wait a year before notifying the police of his death.

Brent Shapiro's body was found hours after police responded to the home on Coney Island Avenue near Glenwood Road in Midwood on Saturday.

When police arrived around 7pm, they discovered the apartment building was so full of trash that they had to use the fire escape to get inside the third-floor bedroom, the New York Daily News reported.

Shapiro's body was located among the piles of trash.

He had died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

A police source told the Daily News that Shapiro had been dead for at least two months, but his 72-year-old wife never called 911.

The badly decomposed body of 84-year-old Brent Shapiro was found Saturday among piles of trash inside the Midwood, Brooklyn apartment he shared with his wife, who reportedly was planning to wait a year before notifying the police of his death.

On Monday, the entry to the apartment building in Midwood was still filled with trash from floor to ceiling (pictured) and the area reeked of a foul stench

Shapiro had died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. His body was found at his home (pictured) after his sons requested a wellness check

She was taken to a hospital for psychiatric observation Saturday after she reportedly told officers she had planned to wait a year before notifying authorities her husband had died.

Police were initially called to the scene by the couple's adult children who requested a wellness check for their parents, who they described as mentally ill, a police source told the Daily News.

They added they had not seen their parents since 2019.

On Monday, the entry to the apartment building was still filled with trash from floor to ceiling and the area reeked of a foul stench.

A neighbor tells DailyMail.com that Shapiro's wife, who owns the building, used to clean the front outside area and take care of the 'little planter area,' but said she had not been seen in quite awhile.

The neighbor added that he hadn't seen Shapiro in long time either, and had not heard anything until police came by the building on Saturday.

An NYPD spokesperson tells DailyMail.com that the investigation is ongoing.
U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday and is experiencing very minor symptoms while isolating and working remotely, a spokesman said on Monday.

Milley's most recent contact with President Joe Biden was on January 12 at the funeral of retired General Raymond Odierno, the spokesman said.

Milley had tested negative several days prior to and each day following contact with Biden, until yesterday, the spokesman added.

Milley's most recent contact with President Joe Biden was on January 12 at the funeral of retired General Raymond Odierno

All other Joint Chiefs of Staff except for one tested negative for COVID-19 yesterday, the spokesman said, without saying who else had tested positive.

Milley is vaccinated and has received his booster, the spokesman added.

The U.S. defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.

He tested negative on January 9 and exited isolation to return to work at the Pentagon.
He was the death-wish killer who pleaded to be allowed to face a firing squad  and his final words before he was shot inspired one of the world's best-known marketing slogans.

Gary Gilmore was executed in Utah state prison on this day in 1977 after being sentenced to death in October 1976 for the murder of a motel clerk.

Unlike most death row inmates, Gilmore had famously demanded to be killed as soon as possible. In the seconds before he got his wish, his final words were: 'Let's do it'.

In 2015, advertising executive Dan Wieden said that Gilmore's words had inspired him to dream up sportswear giant Nike's famous 'Just Do It' slogan.

He recalled how, in 1988 just before a crunch marketing campaign meeting with Nike bosses, he decided to suggest a slightly altered version of Gilmore's words as the firm's tag line.

Just Do It, which is still Nike's slogan, was first used in adverts that same year and has since been described as one of the best taglines of the 20th century.

Gilmore's case was also notable because the death penalty had been controversially reinstated in the US in 1976 and the 36-year-old became the first to be executed under the new law.

His final words were also printed on T-shirts, whilst his corneas  which were donated within hours of his death  inspired the hit song 'Gary Gilmore's Eyes'.

Gary Gilmore was executed in Utah state prison on this day in 1977 after being sentenced to death in October 1976 for the murder of a motel clerk

Gilmore had spent much of his early life in prison after getting into trouble with the law following the death of his father.

In 1964, he was given a 15-year sentence as a repeat offender after facing assault and armed robbery charges.

On July 19, 1976, after being paroled in April that year, the killer robbed and murdered gas station employee Max Jensen, in Orem, Utah.

The next evening, he murdered motel manager Bennie Bushnell. He forced Bushnell to lie down before shooting him through head.

Gilmore committed his heinous crimes even though both men had complied with his demands.

Whilst the first killing never went to trial, in October 1976 Gilmore was sentenced to death for the second murder.

Gilmore's fate became part of a political tug of war because the four-year legal moratorium on the death penalty in the US had come to an end that same year.

His killing was the first execution in the US in nearly ten years.

The last man to be executed before Gilmore in the US was Luis Jose Monge, who died in a gas chamber in Colorado in June 1967.

Unlike most death row inmates, Gilmore had famously demanded to be killed as soon as possible. In the seconds before he got his wish, his final words were: 'Let's do it'. Above: The room where Gilmore was executed is seen being examined by the world's media

In 2015, advertising executive Dan Wieden said that Gilmore's words had inspired him to dream up sportswear giant Nike's famous 'Just Do It' slogan

Gilmore's own mother, Bessie, had called on Utah's Supreme Court to defer her son's execution, as had lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union.

Ultimately, the execution was delayed three times before a final date of January 17 was set.

Gilmore twice attempted to take his own life while awaiting the implementation of his sentence.

On the first occasion, he and the woman he had wanted to marry, Nicole Barrett, took drugs overdoses at the same time  he in his prison cell and she in her flat.

Miss Barrett had also called on the authorities to give her boyfriend his expressed wish of dying 'like a man' without a blindfold.

The normal practice for executions in the state was for the condemned to be strapped to an oak chair with a hood over their face.

The second suicide attempt, in mid-December after had finally set his execution date to January 17, saw Gilmore again take a drug overdose.

Just a day earlier, he had called Robert Bullock a 'moral coward' after he had set the execution date instead of having him killed immediately.

Gilmore's case was also notable because the death penalty had been controversially reinstated in the US in 1976 and the 36-year-old became the first to be executed under the new law. Above: The chair in which Gilmore sat

Gilmore, who had also been on a 25-day hunger strike to try to force through the execution, said: 'It's unnecessary, it's needless and unwanted.

'Man, you just don't have the guts to carry out your law. You're a moral coward.'

The final date for Gilmore's execution was enforced when the US Supreme Court refused to intervene to have it stopped once more.

Even as he was about to be killed, lawyers from the ACLU had scrambled to try to get yet another stay of execution agreed.

The firing squad of five was made up of five volunteers who used Winchester rifles. Four were paid 60, whilst the captain who shouted 'fire!' was given an extra 15.

The executioners stood concealed behind a curtain with five small holes, through which they aimed their files.

When asked what his final words were, Gilmore replied with words that became iconic.

Hollywood executives had vied to tell Gilmore's story on-screen and the rights to the production were bought from Gilmore for 75,000 by agent Lawrence Schiller.

Schiller was one of the witnesses to his execution, which took place at dawn.

Afterwards, he sold a 20,000-word interview with Gilmore to Playboy magazine.

When it emerged that movie legends Steve McQueen or Paul Newman could portray him, he said he did not want them to take on the role because 'the audience watch them  not eh character'.

Hollywood executives had vied to tell Gilmore's story on-screen and the rights to the production were bought from Gilmore for 75,000 by agent Lawrence Schiller. Above: Schiller's body is wheeled away after his killing

For his last meal, Gilmore had initially asked for six cans of beer but changed his request at the last minute to prime rib and salad.

Asked if he would have had his execution televised if he had had the choice, Gilmore had said in an interview before his death: 'No. Too morbid. Too macabre. But at the same time I really don't care. I guess I'm more or less indifferent.'

As well as his corneas, Gilmore also offered his bones, nerves and skin for donation, whilst his kidneys were offered up for research.

American writer Normal Mailer wrote a novel based on Gilmore's life, titled The Executioner's Song. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize.

The saga was also turned into a TV film of the same name in 1982.

Speaking in 2015, advertising executive Mr Wieden, the co-founder of advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, detailed how he recalled Gilmore's final words just before his meeting with Nike executives.

Speaking to Dezeen magazine, he described how he was worried that an upcoming series of five TV adverts lacked cohesion, because they all had a different feel to them. He felt they needed a tagline to tie them all together

His company had been parachuted in by Nike to help them counter-attack rivals Reebok, who had just announced bigger profits.

Speaking in 2015, advertising executive Mr Wieden (pictured), the co-founder of advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, detailed how he recalled Gilmore's final words just before his meeting with Nike executives

Mr Wieden said: 'We came up with five different 30 second spots. The night before [a meeting with Nike] I got concerned because there wasn't an overlying sensibility to them all. Some were funny, some were solemn. So I thought we need a tagline to pull this stuff together.

'I wrote about four or five ideas. I narrowed it down to the last one, which was 'Just do it'.

He said the reason he chose the slogan was because he had recalled Gilmore's final words.

He added: 'for some reason I went: 'Now damn. How do you ask for an ultimate challenge that you are probably going to lose, but you call it in?'

'So I thought, well, I didn't like 'Let's do it' so I just changed it to 'Just do it'.'

At first, he recalled, Nike hated the idea, but he won them round and the slogan appeared at the end of an advert featuring 80-year-old runner Walt Stack.

It is now one of the most famous slogans in the world, described by Campaign magazine as 'arguably the best tagline of the 20th century'.
A knifeman who stabbed five people in a Manchester shopping centre after buying a 1.50 blade in his local shop is to be detained in hospital indefinitely.

Shoppers at Manchester Arndale centre ran for their lives and dived for cover as Raphael Chevelleau, 43, knifed three people and attempted to wound two others as he dashed through the mall.

Chevelleau, a paranoid scizophrenic, bought the cheap kitchen knife on the morning of October 11 2019, from Blackley Pound Store near his flat in Rochdale Road, before he caught a bus into the city.

Manchester Crown Court heard he entered the Arndale at about 11.05am and shortly after went into a baby-change room, where he unwrapped the knife packaging and left with the stainless steel chef's knife in his jacket pocket.

Prosecutors then described how he broke into a run 'with no warning' and randomly stabbed five members of the public.

Schizophrenic Raphael Chevelleau entered the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester at about 11.05am and shortly after went into a baby-change room, where he unwrapped the knife packaging and left with the stainless steel chef's knife in his jacket pocket

'Smiling' Manchester knifeman Raphael Chevelleau, 43, launched a violent stabbing spree that lasted just over a minute in Manchester's Arndale shopping centre

His first victim was a 61-year-old engineer, who Chevelleau stabbed in the back.

The defendant swiftly moved on to a 35-year-old woman walking with her husband in the centre.

The court heard he ran past them before he returned and swung the knife towards her stomach and grazed her.

The woman later recalled Chevelleau had a 'wide cheesy smile' as he attacked her.

Chevelleau next targeted a 45-year-old woman pushing her baby in a pram, who had a lucky escape as the knife came close to her ribs.

A 21-year-old woman from Ireland, visiting the city with friends for an 18th birthday celebration, was then attacked as their group sat outside a Starbucks cafe with suitcases in tow.

She told the court that people were shouting 'everybody run' and a crowd 'literally parted' as the defendant was chased by a security guard.

In a statement she said: 'The man was looking right through me and looking as if he really wanted to hurt me.'

Chevelleau grabbed her and stabbed her right shoulder and right bicep.

He attacked his final victim, a 52-year-old female department store worker, as he ran out of the Arndale.

She said she joined others 'running for their lives' and felt an impact on her left arm and back as she grabbed a railing down steps.

She took refuge in the Arndale after Chevelleau stabbed her and recalled: 'I couldn't move any more, if he comes back he will kill me. I thought I was finished.'

Mr Ford said only the layers of her clothing, including a bubble coat, meant she was not more seriously wounded.

Chevelleau dumped the knife in a waste bin in the street after his violent spree lasting just one minute and 27 seconds.

Chilling CCTV footage from Blackley Pound Store in Rochdale captures the moment Chevelleau (pictured above with the knife on the counter) calmly purchased the 1.50 blade he used during a random rampage that saw him stab five people

Prosecutors said Chevelleau caused 'widespread fear and panic among the general public' during his minute-long stabbing spree. He is pictured running through bystanders (right)

Today, Judge Nicholas Dean QC told Manchester Crown Court: 'A sense of pandemonium reigned as people fled the precinct.'

Chevelleau pleaded guilty to three section 18 assaults and two attempted section 18 assaults.

He later told police 'this was for my people' and said: 'I was going to stab my ex-girlfriend but I couldn't be bothered to travel.'

The court was told about 'Natalie', a woman Chevelleau had become 'fixated' with. It was heard that while 'Natalie' is a real person, she is regarded as being 'part of his delusional ideas'.

Chevelleau, who was 41 at the time, had not been in a relationship with her and had not seen her for at least 10 years.

Referring to 'Natalie' after being arrested, Chevelleau said: 'I was going to stab my ex-girlfriend but I couldn't be bothered to travel.'

After getting off the bus in Manchester city centre he decided to 'take it out on members of the public' instead, Judge Dean said.

The incident had 'life-changing consequences' for the five victims, the court heard.

Judge Dean said Chevelleau's intention to seek out and attack 'Natalie', and the stabbings in the Arndale, were 'entirely driven' by his paranoid schizophrenia.

Chevelleau was sentenced under the Mental Health Act to be detained indefinitely at Ashworth Hospital, a high-security psychiatric unit in Maghull, Merseyside.

If he were to be released then Chevelleau would pose a 'substantial risk' of causing serious injury or death, the judge said.

Judge Dean added: 'It is difficult to see that risk will ever be managed in the community.'

The judge said that if Chevelleau did not suffer from mental health problems, he would have received a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years in prison.

As today's hearing finished, Chevelleau, of Rochdale Road, Blackley, asked the judge: 'Can I say something?'

Judge Dean, noting the defendant would be able to speak to his barrister after the hearing, replied: 'No thank you, Mr Chevelleau.'
Billionaires from around the world, especially the 10 richest individuals, have seen a massive rise in their wealth during the pandemic despite many poor people worldwide suffering from the illness while others have died, a study shows.

The report claims that the coronavirus pandemic resulted in lower incomes for the poorest people worldwide, which in turn, contributed to the death of 21,000 people every day. However, in sharp contrast, the 10 richest men have more than doubled their collective wealth since March 2020.

The Rich and The Poor

Oxfam, a charity organization, typically releases a report on global inequality at the start of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. The event is commonly attended by thousands of corporate and political leaders, celebrities, campaigners, economists, and journalists. They gather in the Swiss ski resort to hold panel discussions, drinks parties, and other activities.

But for the second year in history, the event will be held online and is scheduled to be held this week due to the threat of the Omicron coronavirus variant. The sudden surge of new cases has alarmed organizers and derailed their plans to return the event to a physical one, BBC reported.

Oxfam's report, named "Inequality Kills," wrote that the world was entering 2022 with an "unprecedented concern." It argued that the current global state of extreme inequality between the rich and the poor was a form of "economic violence" against the poorest individuals and nations.

The report said that structural and systemic policy and political choices were skewed to favor those who were wealthy and powerful in society. It claimed that this situation ultimately resulted in harm to the majority of ordinary people worldwide, highlighting the divide surrounding the coronavirus vaccines as a prime example.

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"Millions of people would still be alive today if they had had a vaccine - but they are dead, denied a chance while big pharmaceutical corporations continue to hold monopoly control of these technologies," said Oxfam, Aljazeera reported.

The report also calculated that 252 men had more wealth than all one billion women and girls in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean combined. Furthermore, the 10 richest men in the world owned more than the least affluent 3.1 billion people.

Amassing Wealth

Billionaires worldwide added $5 trillion to their wealth during the health crisis, a situation that has exacerbated the gap between the rich and the poor. Millions of people around the world have been pushed into poverty due to the pandemic and its effects.

Oxfam's report used compiled data by Forbes that showed billionaires' wealth began from $8.6 trillion in March 2020 and ended at $13.8 trillion in November 2021. The spike in wealth represents a larger increase than in the last 14 years combined. The 10 richest men in the world had a collective wealth surge of more than double its original value, rising by $1.3 billion in a single day.

Oxfam's executive director Gabriela Bucher said in a press release that billionaires worldwide had a terrific time throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Central banks pushed trillions of dollars into financial markets to save the economy, yet the majority of which ended up in the pockets of billionaires riding the stock market boom, CNN reported.



Related Article: Kyrsten Sinema Faces Democratic Backlash for Pro-Filibuster Stan But Joe Manchin Praises Senator as Voting Rights Bill Stymied

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The mother of a student who was raped and murdered on a night out three years ago has admitted she wants to have a face-to-face chat with her daughter's killer so she can finally 'get answers'.

Lisa Squire, 51, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, tragically lost her eldest daughter Libby in February 2019 when she was murdered by Polish butcher Pawel Relowicz, 26.

She has now revealed she finally feels strong enough to find out what happened during Libby's final moments and wants to speak to the twisted killer in person.

The maternity ward nurse has been tormented by unanswered questions about her daughter's death for three years and wants to ask Relowicz what her 'last words were'.

Lisa Squire, 51, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, tragically lost her eldest daughter Libby (pictured) in February 2019 when she was murdered by Polish butcher Pawel Relowicz, 26

She has now revealed she feels strong enough to find out what happened during Libby's final moments and wants to speak to the depraved killer in person. Pictured: Lisa and Russell Squire

Libby was targeted by Relowicz (pictured), who had a history of spying on female students and was on the prowl looking for a vulnerable victim

Mrs Squire said: 'Id like to sit at a table opposite him and have a cup of coffee with him. I really would.

'I want to know what happened that night. I still dont know what happened. What were Libbys last words? How did she die? Did you hit her?'

Speaking to The Mirror, she added: 'I want him to have to look at me.'

On the night she disappeared, Relowicz, a married father of two - who had carried out a string of other sexually-motivated crimes in the months leading up to his attack on Libby - had been searching for women to prey on.

Libby was a philosophy student in Hull and was last seen sitting on a park bench after becoming separated from her friends and refused entry in a nightclub in the early hours of February 1, 2019.

She was targeted by Relowicz, who had a history of spying on female students and was on the prowl looking for a vulnerable victim.

He lured her into his car and drove her to a nearby park, where he raped her before dragging her body to the freezing water of the River Hull. Her body was later discovered in the Hull estuary seven weeks after she went missing.

In February last year, Relowicz was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years and is currently behind bars at high-security HMP Wakefield.

Since Libby's death, Mrs Squire has lobbied politicans for tougher measures on low-level sex offenders to prevent more serious crimes from being committed.

Mrs Squire, who also has three teenage children, previously urged people to report all non-contact 'minor' offences to the police in a bid to stop other twisted killers like Relowicz causing more misery.

Since Libby's death, Mrs Squire has lobbied politicans for tougher measures on low-level sex offenders to prevent more serious crimes from being committed

She said: 'I know Libby was flashed at, a few weeks or months before she died. It happened after a night out around November time. I'm not sure exactly when.

'She told him to 'p**s off' basically, and berated him.

'I said to her 'you should really report it' and she said "Oh mum, I gave him a mouthful and told him what a pathetic human being he was." But she didn't report it.

'And that absolutely haunts me now because likely or not that was him.'

Lisa said she wants to see an early intervention along with education in school on the subject of flashing and sexual harassment.

Her younger 19-year-old daughter Beth is also due to go to university this September.

She spoke to her about the importance of reporting minor crimes, warning that each time the person flashes it could go 'a bit further' each time.

'By reporting it, you are hopefully stopping the next person being attacked by this man,' she added.
Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen said that the U.S. economy has 'never worked fairly' for black Americans in remarks on Martin Luther King Day.

In recorded remarks before the National Action Network's Annual King Day Breakfast, Yellen recalled a portion of King's 'I Have a Dream' speech where he compares discrimination against black Americans to a bounced check from the founding fathers.

'It's obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note,' Yellen claimed. 'But we refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt.'

'From Reconstruction to Jim Crow to the present day, our economy has never worked fairly for black Americans or really for any American of color,' she continued.

The secretary then highlighted the work of the Biden administration to address the racial wealth gap.

'From Reconstruction to Jim Crow to the present day, our economy has never worked fairly for black Americans or really for any American of color,' Yellen said

In words before the National Action Network's Annual King Day Breakfast, Yellen recalled a portion of King's 'I Have a Dream' speech where he compares discrimination against Black Americans to a bounced check from the founding fathers

She said the Treasury had completed its first-ever equity review, and had hired the most diverse leadership, including hiring the first counselor on racial equity. Yellen said that equity from the American Rescue Plan had been directed specifically to communities of color and the Treasury had injected $9 billion into community development financial institutions.

'There is still much more work Treasury needs to do to narrow the racial wealth divide,' she said.

The Federal Reserve determined in an analysis using 2019 figures that black families held less than 15% the wealth of white families.

A black family's median net worth in 2019 was $24,100 while a white family's median net worth was $188,200, according to the Federal Reserve.

Using the mean, a black family's average net worth in 2019 was $142,500 while a white family's mean net worth was $983,400.

The mean is substantially higher than the median due to the higher concentration of wealth at the top for each group.

Hispanic families, meanwhile, had a median net worth of $36,100 and a mean of $165,500.

Other families - those of Asian, American Indian and other descents - had lower wealth than white families and higher wealth than black and Hispanic families.

Families of all races have not been able to fully recover since the financial crisis of 2008, though the recession had the strongest effect on white families. Over the 2007 to 2019 period, wealth for the typical white family fell 11 percent while a black family's wealth fell 7 percent.

The Fed noted that the high concentration of white wealth could be in part due to the fact that white families are far more likely to receive an inheritance or financial gift than black families - 29.9% of white families do, while 10.1% of black Americans can say the same.

At the same time, white unemployment is much lower and homeownership is much higher. The December white unemployment rate was 3.1% while the black unemployment rate was 7.2%. While 74% of white households owned their own home in the third quarter of 2021, only 44% of black households did.

President Biden chose to focus his MLK Day address on legislation to expand voting rights that has so far failed to make its way through Congress.

'Dr. King wasn't just a dreamer of that promise, he was a doer. And on this federal holiday that honors him, it's not just enough to praise him. We must commit to his unfinished work, to deliver jobs and justice, to protect the sacred right to vote, the right from which all other rights flow,' he continued.

The president pivoted to a harsher tone as he accused Republicans of 'attacking' American democracy over their election security measures and once again invoked the deadly insurrection at the United States Capitol.

'Attack (sic) on our democracy is real, from the January 6 insurrection to the onslaught of Republicans' anti-voting laws in a number of states. It's no longer just about who gets to vote. It's about who gets to count the vote, and whether your vote counts at all,' Biden said.

He said GOP efforts to strengthen security at the ballot box were about 'two things: voter suppression and election subversion.'

'In his time, through his courage, his conviction, his commitment, Dr. King held a mirror up to America and forced us to answer the question: Where do we stand? Whose side are we on?' Biden said.
At least 359 United States-bound migrants, mostly from Central America, were found crammed inside a tractor trailer on a highway in the southeastern Mexican state of Veracruz.

The shocking discovery was made Sunday around 3:30a.m. local time when Federal Immigration Agents pulled over the driver on road connecting the towns of connecting Coatzacoalcos and Veracruz before they proceeded to inspect the freight container, the National Institute of Migration said in a statement.

The agents heard voices coming from the trailer box and pried its doors open, finding the migrants sitting alongside both sides of the cargo box while other individuals were spread across the floor sleeping beside each other.

Mexican immigration agents found 359 migrants from Central American and South American being smuggled in a tractor trailer Sunday morning in the southeastern state of Veracruz. The agents were manning a checkpoint on a highway connecting the municipalities of Coatzacoalcos and Veracruz before they proceeded to inspect the freight container. The driver was placed under arrest while the migrants were taken in for processing

A group of 359 migrants bound for the United States were found hiding in a freight container that was being hauled down a highway in Veracruz, Mexico, on Sunday around 3:30 a.m. local time

National Institute of Migration said there were 294 migrants from Guatemala in the truck. The rest of the group consisted of 38 Nicaraguans, 15 Salvadorans and eight Hondurans. There were also four residents of Ecuador

According to the National Institute of Migration, 294 of the migrants were natives of Guatemala. The rest of the group consisted of 38 Nicaraguans, 15 Salvadorans and eight Hondurans. There were also four residents of Ecuador.

The driver, whose name was withheld from the press, in under arrest and being held by the local Office of the Attorney General.

The migrants - who did not require emergency medical attention - remained in custody of the National Institute of Migration for processing. It's unknown if they would be deported to their home countries or offered humanitarian visas to remain in Mexico, as has been the case with many migrants who have been removed from buses and trucks, and voluntarily dropped out of caravans.

'The (National Institute of Migration) endorses its commitment to safe, orderly and regular migration, with full respect and safeguarding the rights of people in the context of mobility, regardless of their nationality, social, economic or political status,' the immigration agency said in a statement.

Migrants often pay smugglers to take them in buses or trucks through Mexico to the US border. Such trips are often very dangerous, as smugglers often pack many people into cargo compartments.

Immigration agents instruct migrants not to move from the roof of a freight container after the truck that was hauling it was pulled over on a highway in Veracruz, Mexico, on Sunday.

Immigration agents pry open the door of a tractor trailer what was stopped with 359 migrants in Veracruz, Mexico, on Sunday

The truck that was pulled over Sunday was similar in size to a tractor trailer that was involved in a deadly crash in the nearby southern state of Chiapas on December 9. The accident left 56 migrants dead and injured 104 others.

A group of more than 170 Central Americans survived a scare last Tuesday when a smaller truck they were being smuggled in crashed against a highway media divider, also in Veracruz. Authorities rescued 38 migrants while the rest fled the scene of the accident.

Recent Mexican government data shows more than 252,000 undocumented migrants were intercepted in the country between January 2021 and November 2021. At least 100,000 were deported during the same period.

The Mexican Commission for Aid to Refugees received 31,488 refugee petitions in all of 2021.
GB News has announced that it will be playing the National Anthem every morning from tomorrow onwards.

The tune of God Save the Queen will be played to video footage of scenery across the UK filmed at dawn, following calls from Tory MP Andrew Rosindell last week for the BBC to do so.

The news channel will be the only TV news broadcaster to play the anthem after the BBC stopped doing it 24 years ago.

Clips capture sights from the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland, the Chepstow Castle in Wales, Runswick Bay on the Yorkshire coast and other sites

Tory MP Andrew Rosindell in 2018. At culture questions earlier this month, he asked: 'Will the minister take steps to encourage public broadcasters to play the national anthem?'

The anthem will also be played on GB News' radio service.

Clips capture sights from the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland, the Chepstow Castle in Wales and Runswick Bay on the Yorkshire coast.

Dartmoor, Bristol at dawn and Pen y Fan in Wales are also featured.

The anthem is still played nightly on radio channels like Radio 4, and was previously played at the end of broadcast on television channels.

But since the late 1990s BBC One has run the BBC News Channel overnight from around 1am, while BBC Two plays repeats of daytime shows in the small hours.

Dartmoor, Bristol and Pen y Fan in Wales are also featured in the video clips taken at dawn

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell said the public broadcaster and other television companies should be encouraged to play the patriotic number more often in the year of the Queen's platinum jubilee.

At culture questions earlier this month, Mr Rosenidell - sporting a Union Jack lapel badge - asked: 'I know the minister will agree that the singing of the national anthem is something that provides great sense of unity and pride in our nation.

'So in this year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, will the minister take steps to encourage public broadcasters to play the national anthem and ensure the BBC restores it at the end of the day's programming before it switches to News 24?'

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries could be heard saying 'fantastic' and Culture Minister Chris Philp told MPs: 'We fully support the signing of the national anthem, Her Majesty the Queen and other expressions of patriotism - including the flying of the Union Jack.

Chepstow Castle in Wales, pictured in GB News' national anthem video which will be played every morning

'The more that we hear the national anthem sung, frankly, the better. Organisations like schools are free to promote it and the more we can do in this area the better it'll be.'

But the idea was slammed by former Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler, who tweeted: 'Dear Mr Rosindell If you have what's known as ''a wireless'' and are capable of tuning it to the excellent BBC Radio 4, you may find that the National Anthem is played at the end of every day.

'God save the Queen (and the country) from posturing parliamentarians.'
Boris Johnson's plans to turn Britain Green by 2050 at a cost of 1trillion may not go far enough to help counter climate change, a Government report suggested today.

The PM published the most detailed proposals yet for how the country will become Net Zero within 30 years, rejecting alarm at the potential costs to families and businesses hit hard by the Covid pandemic.

It came weeks before he hosted the Cop26 UN climate change conference in Scotland.

As well as clean flights, a shift to electric cars by 2035, and gas boilers out by 2030, there will be a focus on encouraging homeowners to be more environmentally-conscious. That could include incentivising mortgage lenders to prioritise properties with better energy ratings.

But the UK's Third Climate Change Risk Assessment, released by the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs, identified 61 'climate risks cutting across multiple sectors of our society'.

And it noted: 'The risk assessment concludes that 34 of 61 risks are ranked as ''more action needed'', meaning that new stronger or different government action is required in the next five years over and above those already planned.'

It added: 'The evidence indicates that the costs of climate change to the UK are high and Increasing.

'For eight of the sixty-one climate risks, UK-wide economic damages by 2050 under 2C (of average temperature) rises are estimated to exceed 1billion per annum.'

The PM published the most detailed proposals yet for how the country will become Net Zero within 30 years, rejecting alarm at the potential costs to families and businesses hit hard by the Covid pandemic.

In a foreword to the government document last October - titled Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener - Boris Johnson said the UK would 'lead the charge'

'The number of risks that fall into this ''very high'' damage category has risen since a similar assessment in CCRA1 a decade ago, which found only three risks this large.

'For thirty-six of the risks, UK-wide damages will be at least 10 million per annum. The 'very high' damage risk areas include risks to natural carbon stores and carbon sequestration due to the high costs of climate change; risks to infrastructure networks (water, energy, transport, ICT) from climate hazards which cause cascading failures across sectors, risks to health and wellbeing from high temperatures particularly amongst the vulnerable; risks to productivity due to overheating in places of work; risks from flooding; risks to financial markets, and risks associated with climate change overseas.'

In a statement accompanying today's report, Climate Adaptation Minister Jo Churchill said: 'The scale and severity of the challenge posed by climate change means we cannot tackle it overnight, and although weve made good progress in recent years there is clearly much more that we need to do.

'By recognising the further progress that needs to be made, were committing to significantly increasing our efforts and setting a path towards the third National Adaptation Programme which will set ambitious and robust policies to make sure we are resilient to climate change into the future.'

In typically bullish style last October, Mr Johnson insisted that he is not afraid to 'lead the charge' - saying 'history has never been made by those who sit at the back of the class'.

He claimed that Russia and China are 'following our lead' - even though both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are expected to snub the COP26 summit in a fortnight, where the premier wants world leaders to commit to slashing carbon emissions.

China has also announced plans to build more coal-fired power plants and increase oil and gas exploration in recent weeks, raising questions about how serious it is about green issues.

The government says that switching from fossil fuels to clean energy, including wind, new nuclear and emerging hydrogen technology, can ease the reliance on imports and protect families from price spikes. It says 440,000 'well-paid' jobs can be created over the next decade.

However, there are growing concerns from the Tory backbenches at the consequences of the push - which economists say is likely to cost 1trillion over 30 years, although the bill for dealing with climate change would almost certainly be higher.
Britain last night sent troops and hi-tech weapons to Ukraine in a bid to thwart a feared Russian invasion.

In a clear signal to Vladimir Putin, two RAF transporters flew badly needed missile systems to Kiev's forces. Troops were aboard the planes and will remain in Ukraine to teach their counterparts how to combat Russian tanks.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the deployment came 'in light of the increasingly threatening behaviour from Russia'.

Up to 100,000 of Moscow's troops are stationed along the border, sparking fears that an invasion could be days away.

The Kremlin insists it has 'no plans' to attack but the build-up of its troops, tanks and artillery pieces suggests otherwise.

Warning President Putin against 'what could be a very, very bloody war', Mr Wallace told MPs: 'The UK is providing a new security assistance package to increase Ukraine's defensive capabilities. We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light, anti-armour, defensive weapon systems.

'A small number of UK personnel will also provide early-stage training for a short period of time before then returning to the United Kingdom.'

However, Germany hasn't moved from its position of refusing to provide Ukraine with weapons, according to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

She warned on a visit to Kiev that 'any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime - economic, political and strategic' - and emphasized the need to continue negotiations.

'We are prepared to have a serious dialogue with Russia, because diplomacy is the only way to defuse this highly dangerous situation,' she added.

Baerbock said Germany has offered to send cybersecurity specialists to Ukraine to help investigate last week's cyberattacks, which Ukrainian authorities have blamed on Russia.

'We made clear that we will do everything to avoid escalating the crisis,' she said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on a visit to Spain that 'we expect clear steps from Russia to deescalate the situation,' adding that 'military aggression against Ukraine would entail serious political and economic consequences.'

As the Bundestag continues to oppose involvement, flightpath tracking data shows how British aircraft are avoiding German airspace en route to ferrying anti-armour weaponry to Ukraine.

Combat training sessions with personnel of formations and military units of the Guards Tank Army of the Western Military District in the Moscow Region on January 12

A soldier holding an 84mm unguided anti-armour weapon - effective in assaulting tanks and combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopter, aircraft and armoured vehicles

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured) said Britain will supply Ukraine with 'self-defence' weapons and training to help increase its defensive capabilities

As the Bundestag continues to oppose involvement, flightpath tracking data shows how British aircraft are avoiding German airspace en route to ferrying anti-armour weaponry to Ukraine

Members of the Kyiv Territorial Defense Unit are trained in an industrial area on January 15 in Kyiv, Ukraine

It comes as the threat of a Russian invasion has increased over the last few months. Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers stand in a trench near the front line on January 17, in the village of New York, formerly known as Novhorodske, Ukraine

Russia conducted military drills with tanks and explosives in an attempted show of strength

'I still remain hopeful that diplomacy will prevail,' Mr Wallace said. 'It is President Putin's (pictured) choice whether to choose diplomacy and dialogue, or conflict and the consequences'

What is happening in Ukraine? What is happening? According to UK defence experts, Vladimir Putin is on the brink of invading Ukraine for a second time  having sent troops into the country's eastern regions and Crimea in 2014. His apparent intention is to prevent Ukraine joining Nato, the defensive alliance led by the US and the UK. As a precursor to conflict he issued a set of demands which he surely knew would be rejected, including the withdrawal of Nato troops from all former Soviet republics. Around 100,000 Russian troops are positioned in striking distance of Ukraine and in recent days military hospitals have been built  often an indicator conflict is imminent. How did we get here? Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has become increasingly pro-Western and its government is desperate to join Nato and the EU  moves Russia strongly opposes. Putin wants Ukraine back under Moscow's control as part of his 'sphere of influence' strategy to redraw the political map. He has already succeeded in Belarus, a close ally with an autocratic president who shares his ideals. How close is it to war? Days of talks between East and West last week failed to produce any peace settlement. Mr Putin has arguably come too close to conflict to turn back. Experts think he could launch a military offensive within a matter of days  although he may prefer to soften up Ukraine with further cyber-warfare strikes first. Washington has said it has intelligence that Moscow is planning an attack on its own forces so it can blame Ukraine and move in, known as a 'false flag' attack. What will the West do if Putin invades? Ukraine doesn't belong to Nato so there will be no military response, at least not officially. Any military assistance provided by the UK or US will be covert and deniable. President Joe Biden and Boris Johnson have agreed a package of 'unprecedented' economic sanctions against Russia in the event of war. Putin wants to force a favourable diplomatic settlement. He may be able to do so if he restricts his offensive to the eastern regions already occupied by pro-Russian separatists. He could then call for that region to become independent from the rest of Ukraine, just as Crimea is. Advertisement

The deployment was welcomed last night by Tobias Ellwood, Tory chairman of the Commons defence committee but he said Ukraine needed further help to stand up to Russia.

'We have a responsibility to European security,' he told Channel 4 News. 'What happens in Ukraine has significant impact for the rest of Eastern Europe. So it's important that we stand with the Ukrainians.

'What Putin is trying to achieve here, he's trying to redraw the map of Eastern Europe. Putin is all ready to go.

'He has had the assurance from Nato it will not respond militarily so he's simply waiting now for a break in the weather  oddly enough for the weather to become colder for the roads and the lakes to freeze over  and then that's when I think the campaign will start in earnest.'

The weapons flown to Ukraine are understood to include shoulder-fired missiles, such as the AT4 84mm anti-armour system which is widely used by Nato members.

In eastern Ukraine  the region most likely to see conflict between British-trained troops and Russian soldiers  the weapon could destroy advancing tanks and combat vehicles, helicopters and aircraft flying at low altitude.

The number of British troops involved was not revealed last night for security reasons.

They will not engage the Russians or deploy to the battle zone. Because Ukraine does not belong to Nato, there will be no military response from the UK, US and other alliance members to an invasion.

In his statement to MPs, Mr Wallace added: 'The Prime Minister has been clear that any destabilising action by Russia in Ukraine would be a strategic mistake that would have significant consequences.

'That is why there is a package of international sanctions ready to go that will make sure the Russian government is punished if it crosses the line.'

He added: 'Ukraine is not a member of Nato and British troops will not be deploying to fight Russians.'

The C-17 military transporters carrying the weapons and troops last night avoided German airspace.

After taking off from the UK, the pair had to cross over Denmark and the Baltic before heading south over Poland.

It is thought that Berlin, which stands to benefit from the Nord Stream2 gas pipeline connecting it to Russia, wants to remain neutral and has meetings with Moscow this week.

The British move comes after Russia launched a cyber-attack that destroyed the websites of several Ukrainian government departments. Kremlin-backed hackers also left chilling messages threatening pro-Western notables by telling them: 'Be afraid and expect the worse.'

Negotiations last week between Russian and Western diplomats, who were hoping to defuse the prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, ended inconclusively

An Ukrainian soldier dressed in camouflage and armed with a rifle walks in a trench near the border with Russia

In recent months, Russia has amassed forces and military equipment near the Ukrainian border, raising the possibility of an invasion

A soldier from Ukraine uses a hand-held periscope to view the positions of Russian-backed troops in a trench near the front line

An Ukrainian soldier called Maksym feeds a woodstove to heat a small bunker on the front line on January 17

An invasion would likely come from the country's east, where separatists have waged a nearly 8-year war against the Ukrainian government. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier armed with a gun

Ben Wallace told MPs there was 'real cause of concern' over the scale of the force being assembled by the Kremlin. Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers climb up a small hill in a trench near the front line

Mr Wallace said: 'Ukraine has every right to defend its borders and this new package of aid further enhances its ability to do so.' Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers in a trench near the front line

Putin's army carrying out shooting exercises in the Rostov region bordering Ukraine on Monday

Snipers started the shooting training at the Kadamovsky training ground in the Rostov region

Russian troops from the western military district in tank ambush drills

The deployment of British weapons and troops also follows the failure of talks in Brussels and Vienna last week.

The UK and the US dismissed Russian demands for a veto over which countries can join Nato and for the withdrawal of Western troops from former Soviet republics.

The UK has trained over 22,000 Ukrainian troops since 2015. The mission began after the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Since then 15,000 Ukrainian troops and Russian separatists have been killed in fighting in the Donbas region. In 2019 the UK expanded its military support to Ukraine to naval cooperation and last year the Government announced it would provide two mine counter-measure vessels.

It was also agreed that Kiev would buy up to eight new ships made in the UK and equipped with weapons systems.

Mr Wallace said he 'remained hopeful' that diplomacy could prevail. He has invited the Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu to London for talks.
The chief executives of major U.S. passenger and cargo carriers on Monday warned of an impending 'catastrophic' aviation crisis on Wednesday when AT&T and Verizon finally deploy their new 5G services.

The two companies have spent tens of billions of dollars to license the 3.7 to 3.98 GHz frequency range for its new high-speed C-Band 5G service.

But officials with the FAA and airplane manufacturer Boeing have warned that there is potential for interference with vital aircraft instruments that operate in the 4.2 to 4.4 GHz range, such as radio altimeters that tell pilots their altitude as they fly in low visibility.

In short, the fear is that false altitude readings could confuse pilots as they approach the runway in poor visibility conditions, with potentially disastrous results.

The executives warned that some planes, including Boeing 787s, 777s, 737s, could even be grounded permanently over the safety concerns which will affect passengers and delay cargo being transported.

And on a day like Sunday when winter weather gripped the nation, the CEOs claim in their letter that interference to airplanes' altimeters could result in 'more than 1,100 flights and 100,000 passengers would be subjected to cancellations, diversions or delays.'

Other planes could be grounded permanently because the altimeter provides signals to their mandated safety features.

AT&T and Verizon, which won nearly all of the C-Band spectrum in an $80 billion auction last year, have agreed to buffer zones around 50 airports to reduce interference risks and take other steps to cut potential interference for six months. But many of the major airports were not included in the list.

Action is urgent, the executives added in the letter, writing: 'To be blunt, the nation's commerce will grind to a halt.'

It was signed by the chief executives of American Airlines, JetBlue Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, as well as officials from FedEx Express and UPS Airlines.

The CEOs of some of the nation's largest airlines wrote to federal officials on Monday warning about the potential negative effects of 5G

This graphic shows how the wireless spectrum used by 5G networks could interfere with altimeters, which measure a plane's altitude and is especially important for low-visibility operations. The CEOs of the airlines have asked officials that the 5G be implemented everywhere in the country except within the approximate 2 miles of airport runways at some key airports

Why radio frequencies are the key to understanding how 5G can affect aircraft AT&T and Verizon have spent tens of billions of dollars to license the 3.7 to 3.98 GHz frequency range for the new high-speed C-Band 5G service. The C-band is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies ranging from 4.0 to 8.0 gigahertz (GHz), although the US Federal Communications Commission has designated 3.7-4.2 GHz as C band too. The problem is that wireless spectrum used by 5G networks could interfere with radio altimeters, which measure a plane's altitude - especially important for low-visibility operations. Airlines fear that C-band 5G signals will disrupt planes' navigation systems, particularly those used in bad weather. This interference with radio altimeters, which measure a plane's altitude, could lead to the loss of radar altitude information or, worse, incorrect radar altitude information unknowingly being generated, they say. It is not seen as a problem in Britain or Europe, according to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority, Ofcom and EU Aviation Safety Authority. All three insist there is no evidence 5G interferes with aircraft systems. However, in Europe 5G networks work in the 3.4-3.8GHz spectrum so regulators on this side of the Atlantic don't appear as concerned about it being close to the 4.2-4.4GHz band for radio altimeters. It seems the basis for US airlines' fears is that mobile networks' traffic from the top edge of 3.98GHz might bleed into the neighbouring altimeter band. 'The issue is that the C-band frequency used for 5G in the US is a little bit close to the frequencies used by altimeters,' Roslyn Layton, vice president at Strand Consult, told Tech Monitor. The radio altimeter is a critical aviation safety technology that indicates the airplane's height and supports safe landing. It operates in the 4.2-4.4 GHz spectrum band; cell phones are currently not permitted to operate in that band or any nearby band to prevent interference. However, if telecommunication authorities reallocate the 3.7-4.2 GHz band for 5G, the risk of interference could increase. The airlines want 5G signals to be excluded from 'the approximate two miles of airport runways at affected airports as defined by the FAA on 19 January 2022'. This would ensure that no airplanes are affected by the 5G interference, they say. There have been fatal accidents associated with incorrect radar altitude, most recently Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 in Amsterdam in 2009. The FAA has warned that potential interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments such as altimeters and make an impact on low-visibility operations. So this threat could compromise key safety systems and result in suspended passenger and cargo flights. For passengers, flights may be cancelled or have to be diverted to other airports if 5G towers are deployed too close to airport runways. But most aviation regulators are content the risks posed by 5G to planes are low, according to Layton. 'This whole thing is unhelpful for the world's airport regulators,' she said. 'They have blessed this technology years ago, so what does it look like when the FAA all of sudden says 'there's a problem'? It's really inconvenient and a bit embarrassing.' AT&T and Verizon have agreed to buffer zones around 50 airports to reduce interference risks. In the UK, Ofcom said the country had had 5G deployments and other services in the bands near to radio altimeters for years and there have been no known cases of interference. Similarly, other countries are already using these frequencies for 5G and other wireless services with no reported incidents of interference to aviation equipment. The issue in the US is that it's about to deploy these services, so there's concerns of the effects deployment may have. Advertisement

AT&T and Verizon agreed to delay deployment for two weeks until Wednesday, temporarily averting an aviation safety standoff.

They have since agreed to push back the launch of their new service from January 4, but it is now set to debut on Wednesday.

When that happens, the airline CEOs warned federal officials on Monday, a significant number of widebody aircrafts will become unusable and 'could potentially strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas.'

'Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded,' the CEOs wrote.

'The harm that will result from deployment on January 19 is substantially worse than we anticipated for two key reasons,' they explained.

For one, they said, even though the FAA announced it had cleared for use two radar altimeters used in some Boeing and Airbus jets so they could perform low-visibility landings at many airports where 5G C-band will be deployed, the list did not include many large airports.

Additionally, they argued, because radio altimeters provide critical information to other safety and navigation systems in modern airplanes, multiple modern safety systems 'will be deemed unusable.'

'Airplane manufacturers have informed us that there are huge swaths of the operating fleet that may need to be indefinitely grounded.'

'The ripple effects across both passenger and cargo operations, our workforce and the broader economy are simply incalculable,' the CEOs wrote as they asked officials 'that 5G be implemented everywhere in the country except within the approximate 2 miles of airport runways' at some key airports.

'Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies.'

The carriers added they urge action to ensure '5G is deployed except when towers are too close to airport runways until the FAA can determine how that can be safely accomplished without catastrophic disruption.'

The letter, which was obtained by DailyMail.com, went to White House National Economic Council director Brian Deese, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Airlines late on Monday were considering whether to begin canceling some international flights that are scheduled to arrive in the United States on Wednesday.

'With the proposed restrictions at selected airports, the transportation industry is preparing for some service disruption. We are optimistic that we can work across industries and with government to finalize solutions that safely mitigate as many schedule impacts as possible,' plane maker Boeing said on Monday.

United Airlines late Monday separately warned the issue could affect more than 15,000 of its flights, 1.25 million passengers and snarl tons of cargo annually.

United said it faces 'significant restrictions on 787s, 777s, 737s and regional aircraft in major cities like Houston, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.'

JetBlue Airways Chief Executive Officer Robin Hayes told employees on Monday that the planned rollout of new 5G service by AT&T and Verizon on Wednesday is set to 'further stress our already fragile air system.'

Hayes said in a memo the airline is preparing for the 'worst' when the new service and new flight restrictions take effect.

'While we will do our best to avoid customer disruption, we won't be able to avoid the impact of this, including significant flight delays, cancellations, and diversions in low visibility flying,' Hayes wrote.

One area of concern is whether some or all Boeing 777s will be unable to land at some key U.S. airports after 5G service starts, as well as some Boeing cargo planes, airline officials told Reuters.

The airlines urged action to ensure '5G is deployed except when towers are too close to airport runways until the FAA can determine how that can be safely accomplished without catastrophic disruption.'

Modern planes, like the one seen here, contain altimeters, which measures altitude and allows pilots to fly when visibility is limited

The wireless service can render radar altimeters unreliable. Pictured is a Verizon 5G tower going up in Utah

Airlines late on Monday were considering whether to begin canceling some international flights that are scheduled to arrive in the United States on Wednesday. Pictured: American Airlines is worried about the affect of 5G on their planes

THE EVOLUTION OF MOBILE BROADBAND UP TO 5G The evolution of the G system started in 1980 with the invention of the mobile phone which allowed for analogue data to be transmitted via phone calls. Digital came into play in 1991 with 2G and SMS and MMS capabilities were launched. Since then, the capabilities and carrying capacity for the mobile network has increased massively. More data can be transferred from one point to another via the mobile network quicker than ever. 5G is expected to be 100 times faster than the currently used 4G. Whilst the jump from 3G to 4G was most beneficial for mobile browsing and working, the step to 5G will be so fast they become almost real-time. That means mobile operations will be just as fast as office-based internet connections. Potential uses for 5g include: Simultaneous translation of several languages in a party conference call

Self-driving cars can stream movies, music and navigation information from the cloud

A full length 8GB film can be downloaded in six seconds. 5G is expected to be so quick and efficient it is possible it could start the end of wired connections. By the end of 2020, industry estimates claim 50 billion devices will be connected to 5G. Advertisement

The FAA said on Sunday it had cleared an estimated 45% of the U.S. commercial airplane fleet to perform low-visibility landings at many airports where 5G C-band will be deployed and they expect to issue more approvals before Wednesday.

The airlines noted on Monday that the list did not include many large airports.

The CEOs of major airlines and Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun held a lengthy call with Buttigieg and Dickson on Sunday to warn of the looming crisis, officials told Reuters.

But the issue doesn't just affect airplanes - they could also have a negative effect on the nation's helicopters, including lifesaving medevac choppers.

Under US law, all commercial helicopters must have a working altimeter in order to fly. Without them, officials warn, landing in remote areas or on hospital landing pads will be near impossible.

Helicopter Association International petitioned the FAA in October asking for medevacs to be exempt from the law when 5G rolls out, and the FAA granted it last week for areas where 5G C-Band interference could affect the radio altimeter.

Airlines for America, the group that organized the letter, declined to comment.

The FAA said it 'will continue to ensure that the traveling public is safe as wireless companies deploy 5G.

'The FAA continues to work with the aviation industry and wireless companies to try to limit 5G-related flight delays and cancellations.'

The other government agencies did not comment.

The UK CAA, the mobile phone industry and Ofcom released statements earlier this month in response to UK concerns. They said they did not share the worries of that in the US at this stage.

A spokesperson for the CAA, the UK equivalent to the FAA, said: 'We are aware of reports that suggest that the frequency band being used for 5G in a number of countries could potentially pose a risk of interference with aircraft radio altimeters.

'There have been no reported incidents of aircraft systems being affected by 5G transmissions in UK airspace, but we are nonetheless working with Ofcom and the Ministry of Defence to make sure that the deployment of 5G in the UK does not cause any technical problems for aircraft.'

A spokesperson for Ofcom said: 'We're aware that the aviation sector is looking at this; we've done our own technical analysis and are yet to see any evidence that would give us cause for concern.'

Within the C-band of 5G there are different bandings. Most of Europe and the rest of the world have 3.2-3.8GHz usage in the 5G spectrum. But the US within the spectrum go up to 3.9GHz to 4.1-4.2GHz. Altimeters on planes are in the 4.4GHz range, so theres more chance of potential interference with 5G spectrum in the US

Gareth Elliott, head of policy and communications at Mobile UK, which represents mobile networks, said: 'The UK's mobile network operators follow all health and safety guidelines and engage with a variety of industries on interference. Mobile operators are actively coordinating with the aviation authorities to ensure no interference in the UK.'

Professor Frank de Vocht, an expert in radiation and epidemiology at the University of Bristol, said the risk of 5G affecting planes 'is highly theoretical and even then tiny'.

This is even the case in the US where allocated frequencies for 5G are a little bit closer to the frequencies used by the altimeters.

'This should still not be a problem if the planes are equipped with up-to-date altimeters with good frequency filters,' Professor de Vocht said.

'Of course, given that this relates to air travel you want to not just minimise but eliminate any risk.

'This can be solved retrofitting planes with new altimeters with better frequency filters, but somebody will need to pay for this; or alternatively by banning certain frequencies being use by 5G which is what the US air travel industry is hoping for.'

Richard Rudd, an expert in the physics of radiowave propagation, also said any consequences of 5G interference with planes 'could be catastrophic'.

'The key difference is that, in the US, some of the new 5G services will be using a band that is closer in frequency to the altimeter band than elsewhere,' Rudd told MailOnline.

'It seems that the actual risk of interference is likely to be very small, and therefore very hard to evaluate accurately even with extensive field trials, but obviously the consequences could be catastrophic.

'One problem is that there is no universal specification for how well an altimeter should be able to reject interference on the 5G frequencies, so theoretical studies are not helpful.'

The list of 50 airports with 5G buffers AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL LAURENCE G HANSCOM FLD BOEING FLD/KING COUNTY INTL BIRMINGHAM-SHUTTLESWORTH INTL NASHVILLE INTL BOB HOPE AKRON-CANTON CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTL DALLAS LOVE FLD DALLAS-FORT WORTH INTL DETROIT METRO WAYNE COUNTY ELLINGTON EWR NEWARK LIBERTY INTL FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL FORT LAUDERDALE/HOLLYWOOD INTL FLINT MICHIGAN WILLIAM P HOBBY NEW HAVEN GEORGE BUSH INTCNTL/HOUSTON INDIANAPOLIS INTL LONG ISLAND MAC ARTHUR JOHN F KENNEDY INTL HARRY REID INTL LOS ANGELES INTL LAGUARDIA LONG BEACH (DAUGHERTY FLD) KANSAS CITY INTL ORLANDO INTL HARRISBURG INTL CHICAGO MIDWAY INTL MCALLEN INTL MIAMI INTL MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL INTL/WOLD-CHAMBERLAIN ONTARIO INTL CHICAGO O'HARE INTL SNOHOMISH COUNTY (PAINE FLD) PALM BEACH INTL PHILADELPHIA INTL PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL ST PETE-CLEARWATER INTL PITTSBURGH INTL RALEIGH-DURHAM INTL FREDERICK DOUGLASS/GREATER ROCHESTER INTL SEATTLE-TACOMA INTL SAN FRANCISCO INTL NORMAN Y MINETA SAN JOSE INTL JOHN WAYNE/ORANGE COUNTY ST LOUIS LAMBERT INTL SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL TETERBORO Advertisement
A medical board in Maine has suspended the license of an MIT-educated doctor and ordered a psychiatric evaluation after she was accused of treating some of her patients with Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine and spreading misinformation about COVID-19.

Maines Board of Licensure in Medicine voted last week to conduct a deeper investigation into Dr Meryl Nass, from Ellsworth. The board also voted to suspend her license for 30 days and have her undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

The board stated in its January 12 order that allowing Nass to continue practicing medicine 'constitutes an immediate jeopardy to the health and physical safety of the public who might receive her medical services.'

Nass, 70, is an internist who is active in Childrens Health Defense, a group that agitates against vaccines and vaccine mandates.

Dr Meryl Ness, 70, last week had her medical license suspended in Maine for 30 days for allegedly spreading COVID misinformation

The medical board has received at least two complaints that Nass was spreading misinformation about the virus on her blog and on Twitter.

Nass' suspension also stems from treating her COVID-stricken patients with Ivermectin, which is an anti-parasite drug used predominantly on animals, and with Hydroxychloroquine, even though the Food and Drug Administrator had revoked an emergency use authorization for the malaria drug because it may not be effective against the coronovirus.

On December 19, 2021, another doctor informed the Maine board that Nass had diagnosed an unvaccinated patient with COVID over the phone and prescribed to him five days of Ivermectin.

The patient's son later texted Nass, telling her his father was 'borderline delirious. He moans on every exhale and he says says snippers of things that don't make sense at all,' [sic] read the text, which was quoted in Ness' suspension order.

The son informed the internist that both his parents were 'not doing well at all.'

He added: 'My dad's breathing is very shallow and when he tries to breathe deeply he begins to cough violently. I don't see any signs of improvement. When do i need to consider taking him to the ER? Should we be taking more ivermectin?'

In another case, Ness self-reported to the medical board that she had lied to a pharmacist that her patient had Lyme disease in order to obtain Hydroxychloroquine to treat his COVID, saying 'this was the only way to get a potentially life-saving drug for my patient.'

Ness' practice in Ellworth, Maine, is currently closed because of her 30-day suspension

Nass also referred to her conversation with the pharmacist during a Zoom meeting with members of the Maine State Legislature, telling them: 'I lied and said the patient had Lyme disease and so the pharmacist dispended the medication only because I lied...'

The COVID patient, who had multiple comorbidities, ultimately had to be hospitalized and intubated. He was discharged from the hospital 20 days later.

On New Year's Eve, the board received a report from a certified midwife nurse, who informed its members that one of her pregnant patients contracted COVID earlier last year and had been prescribed Hydroxychloroquine by Nass.

Nass, who has degrees from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Mississippi Medical School, has practiced medicine for four decades and in recent years has been increasingly critical about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, including ones for COVID-19.

Nass wrote in a blog post recently that her lawyer predicted she would lose her licenses during the medical boards meeting, Maine Public reported.

She has also blogged that COVID-19 vaccines are associated with reproductive harm. No recognized medical body has substantiated that claim, which is oft repeated in anti-vaxx circles.

Nass has also described the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a 'criminal agency.'

Nass' medical license is suspended until February 11, pending a yet-to-be scheduled hearing.
Prince Charles has invited Prince Harry and his family to stay with him in the UK in the hope of meeting Lilibet for the first time, it emerged tonight.

The Prince of Wales is yet to see his granddaughter face-to-face, after she was born in California in June last year.

The offer, which would be the first time the family have fully come together since Harry and Meghan decided to quit as working royals, was made just before Christmas, according to the Mirror.

However, his son's refusal to return without a substantial level of security from the Met Police is said to have put the reunion in doubt.

In recent months, the family have communicated via a series of 'good natured' calls, sources told the paper.

The first picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's daughter Lilibet was released in a Christmas card last month

The Prince of Wales (centre), during his visit to Haddo Country Park, Ellon, Aberdeenshire last week

What it really costs to guard Sussexes The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's security team in Canada was made up of at least six 60,000-a-year Scotland Yard protection officers. But experts say the true cost of each officer would have been closer to 100,000 a year when taking into consideration overtime, flights back and forth to the UK, pension contributions and living expenses. The couple spent more than three months in Canada before moving to California in March 2020 when they are reported to have hired top-of-the-range security firm Gavin de Becker and Associates (GDBA), used by A-listers including Jeff Bezos, Tom Hanks and Madonna. The team from GDBA  described as a 'secret service for famous people'  is rumoured to cost about 7,000 per day, or 2.5million a year. Harry and Meghan are likely to have been provided a team of six bodyguards, which could include former intelligence officers from the FBI and CIA, who work in rotation, with four on duty by day and two at night. The couple's American security would have no jurisdiction in the UK or access to intelligence information. Advertisement

One said: 'The Prince of Wales has been saddened that he hasn't had the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren, which he really does miss.

'He is a fantastic grandfather and loves playing the role immensely and it's certainly fair to say he feels there is something missing from his life without the ability to get to know Harry's children.

'This is something he is hoping to remedy which is why he made the gesture for Harry, Meghan and the children to stay with him if they wanted to, whenever they may come home for a period of time.'

It comes as a former head of royal protection warned today that Prince Harry 'cannot pick and choose' when he wants to visit the UK and receive protection.

The Duke of Sussex should not be expecting bodyguards supplied to him when he decides to return home, Dai Davies said.

The ex-Met Police officer pointed out Princess Anne was nearly kidnapped and her protection officer was shot - but she does not get full time protection.

His comments came as sources suggested the Queen will not help her grandson in his demand for security personnel when he comes to Britain.

The insiders claimed the Monarch has no intentions of 'caving into his demands' for protection from the Met and Home Office.

Prince Harry faced outrage yesterday over his threat of legal action against Her Majesty's Government.

He is seeking a judicial review of the decision to strip him of his UK police protection team, claiming it is too dangerous to visit without Scotland Yard bodyguards.

Last night there was anger at the unprecedented legal threat against the government as sources hit back saying: 'Scotland Yard is not available for hire'.

Mr Davies, who was Operational Unit Commander for the Royals from 1995, told GMB: 'He chose to go to America, that's his prerogative.

'And it's our prerogative to ensure when we look at any aspect of protection, any member of the Royal Family that we actually look and assess it through various security agencies. That's the crux.

'And it's been decided in this level, one they won't supply him with protection because the risk at this stage is deemed low.

'However should there be a risk when he comes then clearly the Metropolitan Police would be duty bound.'
Putting unemployed and older people to work could help feed regional and remote communities during the peak of the Omicron outbreak, a government minister has suggested.

The call from Social Services Minister Anne Ruston came after staff shortages ravaged the food supply chain.

Workers catching the Omicron strain of Covid and having to go into isolation have caused supply chain problems.

The Independent Food Distributors Association, which represents hundreds of suppliers across Australia, says the staff shortages were having a devastating impact on businesses, and rural communities were particularly vulnerable.

'We've got to keep in mind the remote and Indigenous communities are out there and we need to make sure we keep getting the food up to them,' chief executive Richard Forbes said.

'It's the great unknown at the moment ... we need to be as prepared as possible.'

Independent distributors deliver food to 1500 hospitals and aged care facilities around Australia, as well as prisons, schools and military bases.

Mr Forbes said federal, state and territory governments should be prioritising critical distribution services, and subsidising the cost of running their businesses during the pandemic.

'Just as we're getting our head above water, we have to pay for RAT tests. We should get free RAT tests for servicing the most vulnerable in society. That's fair,' he said.

It comes after acting Small Business Minister Anne Ruston on Wednesday suggested opening up job opportunities for older Australians, the unemployed, and temporary visa holders to ease the burden on the nation's supply chain caused by surging COVID-19 cases.

The unemployed, older Australians and temporary migrants could be forced to stack supermarket shelves to help alleviate critical supply shortages (pictured is a Centrelink queue in Sydney early on in the pandemic)

'A very high number of the workforce are currently furloughed either because they have Covid, are caring for someone with Covid or are a close contact,' Senator Ruston told Sky News on Wednesday, adding food and grocery supply was 'our number one priority.'

'Anybody who is currently on unemployment benefits who is able to work, we would be really keen for them to undertake some really active investigations about how they could help out with these workforce shortages,' Senator Ruston told Sky News.

'Many older Australians, I am sure, will be happy to do a few extra hours to help out at the moment.'

Job vacancies are now are record highs with 396,100 positions available in November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed on Wednesday.

During the past year, advertised employment numbers have surged by 56.1 per cent or by 142,400, making it even harder for employers to recruit staff.

Intriguingly, the number of job ads in November 2021 was 74.2 per cent higher than in February 2020, just before the pandemic.

Workers in critical industries who test negative to Covid will no longer have to self isolate if they are a close contact with a positive case they live with.

Mr Morrison last week said this meant supermarket workers could stack shelves at night, provided they weren't interacting with customers.

CommSec senior economist Ryan Felsman said employers were particularly struggling to find low-skilled workers.

Job vacancies are now are record highs with 396,100 positions available in November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed on Wednesday. During the past year, advertised employment numbers have surged by 56.1 per cent or by 142,400, making it even harder for employers to recruit staff (pictured is an empty set of shelves at a Coles supermarket in Sydney)

Welfare benefits in Australia JOBSEEKER (SINGLES): $629.50 a fortnight or $314.75 a week JOBSEEKER (SINGLE PARENTS): $676.80 a fortnight or $338.40 a week YOUTH ALLOWANCE: $537.40 a fortnight or $268.70 a week since January 1 PANDEMIC LEAVE DISASTER PAYMENT: $75O a week Advertisement

'A number of industries are reporting labour shortages, particularly for lower paid jobs,' he said.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese blamed the staff shortages on a lack of rapid antigen tests.

'Working people have made incredible sacrifices and stepped up,' he said.

'They did their part of the bargain, the federal government has not done its part.'

Businesses also raised with Senator Ruston the need for national consistency and clarity around isolation and testing requirements with the acting minister.

This included ensuring adequate and consistent supplies of rapid antigen tests.

Food and retail associations, transport and distribution associations, the National Farmers Federation, the Pharmacy Guild, the small business chamber and the Regional Airline Association put forward their concerns.

Acting Small Business Minister Anne Ruston held crisis talks with industry leaders night as thousands of workers self isolate with Covid, causing a shortage of consumer goods

Single Australians without work are eligible for a $629.50 a fortnight in JobSeeker benefits.

This rises to $676.80 a fortnight for single, unemployed parents.

Australians forced to self isolate because of Covid can claim $750 a week from Centrelink but they have to keep re-applying if they don't recover or test negative.

The payment came into effect on December 9, for those living in New South Wales, to cope with the surge in Omicron cases.

It helps those who lost 20 hours or more of work in a week.

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment has to be declared on a tax return, including if recipients are receiving a Family Tax Benefit or a Child Care Subsidy.

By comparison, the minimum wage is $772.60 a week.
North Korea fired two presumed ballistic missiles from an airport in capital Pyongyang on Monday, the fourth test this month displaying the advancement of its missile capabilities, according to South Korea's military.

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missiles, suspected as short-range ballistic type, were fired east from Sunan Airfield in Pyongyang. The missiles traveled about 380 km (236 miles) to a maximum altitude of 42 km (26 miles), as per Al Jazeera.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno condemned the latest missile launch as a threat to peace and security while Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian called on "relevant sides" to maintain the "overall peach and stability on the peninsula," as per Reuters.

Before the launch on Monday, North Korea had already conducted three missile tests in less than two weeks. According to reports, earlier missile launches involved sophisticated hypersonic missiles, which can travel at incredible speeds and pose a challenge to missile defense systems.

Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said the missiles seemed to have crashed in the ocean near North Korea's east coast. He added that the series of launches appears that North Korea boosts its missile technology.

Kishi noted that North Korea's continued weapons testing violates UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit Pyongyang from developing all kinds of ballistic missiles.

"The repeated launching of North Korea's ballistic missiles is a grave problem for the international community, including Japan," Kishi told the members of the media.

Read Also: Japan, South Korea Criticize North's Latest Hypersonic Ballistic Missile Launch That Successfully Hits Target

Continued Missile Launch Are A Cause For Alarm

A spokesperson of the US State Department condemned the new ballistic missile launches that are against UN Security Council policies. The official added that North Korea's continued firing of missiles threatens its neighbors and the international community.

"We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) and call on them to engage in dialogue," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the US military's Indo-Pacific Command said the missile launches are "the destabilizing impact" of North Korea's unlawful weapons development program. However, the Monday launch did not pose an immediate threat to the United States and its allies.

However, according to Professor Mason Richey of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, the rapid pace of weapons testing indicated that North Korea holds enough missiles to utilize in tests, training, and demonstrations. It also bolstered its confidence by highlighting the size of its arsenal.

North Korea: Denuclearization Talks, Not This Time

The latest launches of Pyongyang have prompted both condemnation and an appeal for dialogue from US President Joe Biden's administration, which has imposed fresh sanctions on North Korea.

On Wednesday, the US has imposed sanctions and called on the UN Security Council to blacklist several North Korean personalities and entities. It also urged North Korea to resume its talks on denuclearization, as per CBS News.

In the 10th year of his regime, North Korean Kim Jong Un committed to devoting a larger portion of the country's budget to military development, citing the rising instability on the Korean peninsula as justification.

Despite the health and economic effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Pyongyang has already begun spending about a quarter of its gross domestic product on weapons, which is more than any other country.

Related Article: North Korea Launches 2nd Possible Ballistic Missile In 6 Days Amid International Objection

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Free rapid antigen tests will be given to students around NSW as major changes to how Aussie kids return to school are expected to be made.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell told Radio 2GB on Tuesday morning that schools across the state would be given access to the free tests ahead of Term One.

It comes as reports suggest students in the state may need to take two rapid tests at home each week before heading into the classroom under Covid safety measures.

State governments are also considering calling in parents to supervise students as teachers infected with Covid work remotely.

Private school principals around NSW were briefed by the Association of Independent Schools of NSW on Monday and told as much as 20 per cent of staff could be off sick at once due to rising Omicron infections

Meanwhile, private school principals around NSW were briefed by the Association of Independent Schools on Monday and told as much as 20 per cent of staff could be off sick at once at a single school due to rising Omicron infections.

The staff were told parents could volunteer to supervise those in the classroom while educators taught from home, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Parents won't be allowed to teach the students and would have to undergo child training programs.

Meanwhile as Term One is set to kick off in NSW and Victoria in the coming weeks, the NSW Government is considering a plan that would see each parent given enough RATs to test every student twice per week before school.

Those who test negative can keep attending school while infected students will be required to isolate for a week, the Herald reported.

NSW has imported 1.2million RAT kits in preparation. However, some 24million RATs would be required to test each student twice a week during a 10-week term.

Victoria is also reportedly leaning towards a surveillance testing model, but neither state has finalised its plans.

Authorities are hoping NSW's infection numbers have peaked, but Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant warned on Monday that deaths are expected to rise.

Principals in NSW have also been told activities deemed high risk such as excursions, sporting events and singing could go ahead if they had their own Covid-safety plans.

Last week teachers threatened to stage a boycott after Scott Morrison announced they would be required to stay in the classroom even if they are a close contact.

Teachers have threatened to stage a boycott after Scott Morrison announced they would be required to stay in the classroom even if they are a Covid-19 close contact

Mr Morrison announced on Thursday a series of sweeping changes to Covid isolation and close contact rules in order to stem staff shortages.

Teachers and childcare workers are now exempt from close contact isolation rules while staff in Canberra have been told to keep classrooms open even during Omicron outbreaks.

Australian Education Union president Correna Haythorpe labelled the changes as 'deeply offensive' while claiming that staff have been treated like 'babysitters'.

'As a consequence, the AEU would advise our members that if they feel vulnerable as a close contact or they are worried about the potential risk to others, they should not be going into a school environment,' she said.

'All the Prime Minister provided was an announcement that there would be another announcement, delivered within a frame that says schools must be open to provide a babysitting service for the broader workforce.

Ms Haythorpe claimed the changes were putting the welfare of students and teachers at risk.

'This is deeply offensive and shows no respect for the thousands of dedicated and professional teachers, principals and education support staff who have worked incredibly hard to provide a high-quality education during the extremely difficult circumstances of the pandemic.'

The Independent Education Union of Australia's NSW/ACT branch added exempting teachers from isolation rules could lead to more classroom closures.

The new isolation rules also apply to anyone working in the food supply sector as well as the transport, freight and logistics industries whose role is deemed critical.

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.
Malik Faisal Akram, 44, flew to New York City from the UK on January 22, despite being known to MI5

There is growing outrage and demand for answers as to how the British terrorist gunman who took four hostages at a Texas synagogue on Saturday was even able to enter the US on a tourist visa when he was known to intelligence agencies in the UK.

Malik Faisal Akram, 44, flew to New York City from the UK on January 22, despite being known to MI5.

His family say he had a criminal history but somehow, he was able to get an ESTA tourist visa - which are supposed to be off-limits to foreigners who have broken the law.

Akram spent two weeks at a homeless shelter in Dallas, during which time he was able to buy a gun on the street.

On Saturday, he arrived at Beth Israel Congregation in the morning and knocked on the window. He was welcomed inside by the rabbi, had a cup of tea with him, and then raided services at 11am while the congregation was praying.

The standoff lasted nearly 12 hours before he was shot dead by a SWAT team. None of the hostages were hurt.

Police are piecing together the terrorist's final movements after arriving at JFK airport by January 2 before staying in a homeless hostel run by a Christian charity before launching the attack on January 15

There is growing fury and intrigue over how the gunman was even able to enter the US when he was known to British authorities, and had to apply to US Customs and Border Protection for a visa

Now, there is growing fury over how Akram even got into the country but there was silence from the White House and major DC politicians.

'How long did the FBI know a radical Islamist foreign national with a criminal record was in the country? Were they working with him or his associates?

'How did this person get a visa? Did he slip through the cracks because they were too busy surveilling your conservative grandma?' Donald Trump Jr. tweeted.

'They dont want us to talk about how a known jihadist got past the FBI and into the country, obtained an illegal firearm, and took hostages at a synagogue,' Jasec Posobiec said.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz said the details so-far known of the attack were 'highly concerning.'

He told DailyMail.com: 'A full investigation must be completed, any anyone else found to have been involved in this attack or otherwise engaged in illegal activity should be brought to justice.'

Stephen Miller, Trump's former adviser, tweeted that 'every journalist' should be asking whether Biden changing vetting laws for tourists contributed to the incident.

Officers are seen surrounding the building in Texas on Saturday

Who is Aafia Siddiqui, the 'Lady Al Qaeda' terrorist who planned chemical attacks on Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge Siddiqui, who was a biology major at MIT, said in 1993 that she wanted to do 'something to help our Muslim brothers and sisters' even if it meant breaking the law. She jumped to her feet and 'raised her skinny little wrists in the air' in a display of defiance that shocked her friends. An in-depth account of her journey to infamy also reveals that she took a National Rifle Association shooting class and persuaded other Muslims to learn how to fire a gun. Siddiqui lied to her husband and after they wed over the phone he was stunned to discover she was just marrying him for his family's connections to better enable her to wage jihad. Two handout photos of terror suspect Aafia Siddiqui released by the FBI in May of 2004 She was arrested in Afghanistan in 2008 by local forces who found her with two kilos of poison sodium cyanide and plans for chemical attacks on New York's Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building Siddiqui, a mother-of-three, eventually got her twisted wish and became the most wanted woman in the world by the FBI. She was handed to the Americans and convicted of attempted murder in a U.S. court in 2010. But her hatred for the U.S. was so strong that during her interrogation she grabbed a rifle from one of her guards and shot at them shouting: 'Death to Americans'. A 2014 Boston Globe profile of Siddiqui's time in Boston sought to answer what happened during her 11 years as a student in the U.S. Something happened to radicalize an intelligent and devout woman who not only graduated from MIT but also got a doctorate in neuroscience from Brandeis University. At MIT she made few friends and was remembered as intelligent, driven and a regular at the Prospect Street mosque, which would later be attended by alleged Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev. She wore long sleeves and the hijab and was seen as 'very sweet' for a former roommate at her all-female dorm. The focus of her life was the Muslim Student Association but things appear to have changed with the start of the Bosnian War, which seems to have been the beginning of her radicalization. Siddiqui became involved with the Al-Kifah Refugee Centre, a Brooklyn-based organization which is thought to have been Al Qaeda's focus of operations in the US. Terrorism expert Evan Kohlmann said: 'Aafia was from a prominent family with connections and a sympathy for jihad. She was just what they needed.' In 1993 as she and some friends debated how to raise money for Muslims being killed during the Bosnian War, one of them joked that they didn't want to go on the FBI's Most Wanted List. Waqas Jilani, then a graduate student at Clark University, said: 'She raised her skinny little wrists in the air and said: 'I'd be proud to be on the Most Wanted list because it would mean I'm doing something to help our Muslim brothers and sisters' 'She said we should all be proud to be on that list'. Jilani added that Siddiqui said in her speeches that Muslims should 'get training and go overseas and fight'. He said: 'We were all laughing like, 'Uh-oh, Aafia's got a gun!' 'Part of it was because she was such a bad shot, but also because she was always mouthing off about the U.S. and the FBI being so bad and all.' Siddiqui married Mohammed Amjad Khan, the son of a wealthy Pakistani family, in a ceremony carried out over the phone before he flew to Boston. But upon arrival he discovered that far from being the quiet religious woman he had been promised, her life was very different. He said: 'I discovered that the well-being of our nascent family unit was not her prime goal in life. Instead, it was to gain prominence in Muslim circles.' Khan described to the Boston Globe how she regularly watched videos of Osama bin Laden, spent weekends at terror training camps in New Hampshire with activists from Al-Kifah and begged him to quit his medical job so he could join her. In the end he stopped bringing work colleagues home because she would 'only to talk about them converting to Islam'. Khan said: 'Invariably this would lead to unpleasantness, so I decided to keep my work separate.... '...By now, all her focus had shifted to jihad against America, instead of preaching to Americans so that they all become Muslims and America becomes a Muslim land'. The breaking point was the September 11 2001 attacks after which Siddiqui, who was by now dressing in all black, insisted they return to Pakistan and got a divorce. American officials suspect she remarried Ammar Al-Baluchi, the nephew of 9/11 architect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, though her family deny this. Siddiqui and her children disappeared in Karachi, Pakistan in 2003 shortly after Mohammed was arrested. The following year she was named by FBI director Robert Mueller as one of the seven most wanted Al Qaeda operatives, and the only woman. Advertisement

The Independent reports that Akram was known to MI5 but that they didn't consider him a severe threat.

It's unclear what he said in his application for an ESTA tourist visa, which asks whether or not applicants have a criminal record.

The ESTA website claims checks will be carried out to see if an applicant has any undisclosed criminal convictions on file.

But according to social justice charity Nacro, the US authorities do not have access to criminal records held on the UK's Police National Computer.

There was equal outrage in the UK, where lawmakers demanded to know how he was able to by-pass America's immigration rules, which are known to be some of the strictest in the world.

Gunman Malik Faisal Akram, 44, tapped on the window at Beth Israel Congregation

Tory MP Bob Seely told MailOnline there seemed to have been a 'dreadful' error at the UK and US borders caused by an 'intelligence failure' and it needed to be looked at.

'This is clearly a failure of intelligence sharing. It is absolutely dreadful that he has been allowed to go to the States and hurt people.

'Clearly something has gone wrong somewhere,' he said.

Another senior MP with knowledge of the security services voiced surprise that the background had not been picked up. 'How did he get into the US?' they said. 'You get picked up for walking on the cracks in the pavement.'

Yesterday, his brother, Gulbar, demanded how he was allowed into America despite a long criminal record.

He said Malik was mentally ill and was mourning the death of his brother three months ago, reportedly from Covid.

The extent of his criminal record is not yet clear, but it may be that some of his offences may have been too petty or too old to stop him being turned away from the United States' border.
The life expectancy of residents across Australia has improved last year despite the Covid-19 pandemic

Researchers from the Australian National University discovered the average lifespan increased by eight months in Australia for both men and women amid Covid-19 lockdowns.

With lower social mobility, less people died from illnesses such as influenza, cancer and heart disease.

There was also a drop in the number of fatal road accidents.

The life expectancy of residents across Australia has improved thanks to ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns stretching back to 2020 (pictured, a woman shopping in Sydney's CBD recently)

Researchers from the Australian National University discovered the average lifespan increased by eight months in Australia in 2020 for both men and women (pictured, residents soaking up at the sun at Bondi Beach in Sydney)

It was a different story globally, where life expectancies during the pandemic since 2020 shrunk dramatically.

The US experienced a drop in life expectancy - but it increased for male and female residents in Norway and Denmark.

ANU School of Demography researcher Vladimir Canudas-Romo admitted he was surprised by the statistics.

'In the past decade, Australia has not been increasing particularly, our life expectancy is increasing very modestly by one month each year,' professor Canudas-Romo told The Australian.

'For decades it has been like that and the increase has been progressing very slowly, and this year everywhere else there is an excess of deaths... so by protecting ourselves and distancing ourselves from others our life expectancy has been boosted.'

Professor Canudas-Romo went onto point out that the nation's high vaccination rate of close to 95 per cent was a significant factor, with Australia's living conditions envied the world over.

'All these health measures we were asking, the sacrifices of lockdown and social distancing have had a very important effect on public health, and the best example is a life expectancy that has increased by so much,' he said.

'Get vaccinated, keep social distancing and continue good hygiene  that is the way to go.'

Co-author Brian Houle, from the ANU's School of Demography, said the challenge now is to increase life expectancy in a post-pandemic Australia.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the life expectancy for Australian women was 85.85 years and 81.7 years for men in 2020.
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Virginia's new attorney general Jason Miyares purged 30 staffers from his office before he was sworn in - and has now announced a probe into the state's scandal-hit Loudoun County School Board.

Friday's mass firing - which took place the day before Miyares' inauguration in Richmond, included 17 attorneys and reportedly the entire conviction integrity unit. Loudoun County School Board - which has been plagued by scandal after scandal over critical race theory-inspired 'equity' lessons and transgender issues - is now also set to come under Miyares' spotlight, after news of its extreme progressive policies and cover-ups swept the United States.

Miyares, a Republican, was sworn in on Saturday after a GOP sweep across Virginia that led to a governor - Glenn Youngkin - lieutenant governor - Winsome Sears, attorney general and lower chamber of the state legislature all controlled by the same party. Democrats still control the state senate and the secretary of state's office.

Miyares spokesperson Victoria LaCivita told DailyMail.com the 30 staffers knew the AG would be moving in a different direction and said the large-scale purge was typical at the start of a new administration.

She said Miyares' predecessor, Mark Herring, made more cuts.

'During the campaign, it was made clear that Attorney General Miyares and former Attorney General Herring have very different visions for how the office should be run. This is routine for a new administration,' she said.

'There are 523 people who work in the Office of the Attorney General, and 643 who report to the Attorney General statewide. Only 30 personnel changes were made. Attorney General Herring made more substantial cuts after he took over from his Republican predecessor.'

Emilee Hasbrouck, who formerly worked with the conviction integrity unit in the attorney general's office, said that her entire unit had been cleaned out.

'Today, the incoming AG fired, among many others, the entire Conviction Integrity Unit. With no notice. I found out at 10am. Two of my colleagues found out at 4pm. I'm so sorry to all the people we didn't get to help,' Hasbrouck wrote on Twitter.

LaCivita did not deny that the attorney general fired the entire unit, but said that the Conviction Integrity Unit was actually expanded to include Investigations and Cold Cases.

While it's routine for lawyers to be replaced when one party loses control of the office, the scope of the firing surprised the outgoing administration of Herring.

'These are dedicated and professional public servants who do important work, like investigate wrongful convictions, protect Virginians' civil rights, help to ensure free and fair elections, and prevent human trafficking and opioid abuse,' said Herring spokesperson Charlotte Gomer, according to the Times-Dispatch. 'Their absence will be a significant loss to the mission of the Office of Attorney General.'

Jason Miyares is pictured being sworn in as Virginia Attorney General on January 15 - days before he purged 30 staff from his office

Miyares has already launched a probe into Loudoun County School Board, which has hit the headlines over the last year thanks to a series of woke scandals

Miyares is pictured with his wife Page during Saturday's swearing in at the Governor's Mansion in Richmond. The couple have two daughters

Miyares has also vowed to investigate the state's parole board over its alleged soft-on-crime policies, and has Loudoun County School board in his sights too. The school board has become America's most infamous, initially for its hardline teaching of critical race theory-inspired 'equity' lessons about race, and then over a cover-up involving a 14 year-old boy in a skirt who sexually assaulted two different girls at two schools in the district.

'One of the reasons Virginians get so fed up with government is the lack of transparency - and that's a big issue here,' Miyares said in a statement.

'The Virginia Parole Board broke the law when they let out murders, rapists, and cop killers early on their sentences without notifying the victims. Loudoun Country Public Schools covered up a sexual assault on school grounds for political gain, leading to an additional assault of a young girl.'

A 14-year-old boy, who identifies as non-binary, was arrested and found guilty of raping a girl in a Loudoun County school bathroom that allowed students to use the restroom of their gender identity.

The student was transferred to another school in the same district where he allegedly sexually assaulted another student and the district was accused of covering up the incident.

Indeed, Virginia's Loudoun County was a focal point in Youngkin's gubernatorial race against former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe after the arrest of the skirt-wearing 14-year-old male high school student.

The district has been accused of covering up the crime and saw one of the alleged victim's parents arrested at a school board meeting.

Miyares, second from right, is pictured above on the day of his swearing in, along with Youngkin, third from left and Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, second from left

Miyares, a Republican, was sworn in on Saturday after a GOP sweep across Virginia that led to a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and lower chamber of the state legislature all controlled by the same party

The student involved has been placed on the sex offenders registry for life as part of his sentence.

New Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin used the case to knock Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

Miyares, who ran a tough-on-crime campaign, had pledged to investigation allegations of wrongdoing by the state parole board.

In 2020 the Virginia Parole Board granted 329 inmates early parole, higher than any number in the last four years.

The state inspector general did investigate at least seven of the cases after a whistleblower alleged misconduct, and found some of the complaints to be 'substantiated.'

But the Virginia parole board did not face any consequences and former Gov. Ralph Northam's administration called the investigator of the cases Jennifer Moschetti biased.

Moschetti then lost her job in March 2021.

Hours after his inauguration, Youngkin fired the entire parole board and brought in all new appointees.

It was only part of a busy day for the new governor, where he issued nine executive orders and two executive directives.

Among the governor's day-one actions were banning critical race theory in schools, allowing parents to opt out of mask requirements in schools and rescinding the state's vaccine mandate.

Virginia's attorney general Jason Miyares in one of the first actions of his new office fired 30 staffers, including 17 attorneys and the entire civil rights division

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

Meanwhile, Helen Hardiman, an assistant attorney general who focuses on investigating and litigating housing discrimination in the Office of Civil Rights, said she did not expect to be let go under the new administration.

'I expected some personnel changes, which likely come with any change of administration,' she said. 'I am not a political appointee. I don't have a political job.'

When a state housing board finds discrimination, they refer cases to her to file and maintain lawsuits.

'My biggest heartburn right now is I have 20 court cases,' Hardiman said.

LaCivita said that more changes could be to come.

'AG elect Miyares is looking forward to fully analyzing and evaluating the entire Office of the Attorney General in the days and weeks after the Inauguration. After he's had time to do this, we will announce any other office changes,' she wrote on Twitter on Friday.

Some of those who were let go had ties to Republicans.

Deborah Bell, a community outreach coordinator, said she learned at 10 a.m. Friday that she was being terminated that day.

'The way it was handled was cold, it was brutal and it was cruel,' said Bell, who has been with the office eight years and is married to Republican Brandon Bell, a former state senator.

Stephen Izaguirre, a Texas deputy sheriff-turned-outreach coordinator who voted for Miyares, said that he didn't think the new attorney general had put enough consideration into the firings.

Izaguirre said he focuses on making older people aware of potential scams, and when he first started the job in 2019 he had little information and had to essentially build the office from the ground up. He said he would have been happy to share tht information with the new team.
Ray Hadley's social media team have been forced to disable comments on his Facebook page after he confronted the NSW Premier over badmouthing the shock jock behind his back.

Appearing on Hadley's 2GB morning program on Monday, Dominic Perrottet denied he was referring to people like Hadley when he said he would not 'give in to the bedwetters' by re-introducing Covid restrictions.

'I don't know where that's come from, I haven't made those comments in cabinet at all,' Mr Perrottet responded.

Hadley responded that people had told him Mr Perrottet had called 'people like me' bedwetters after a few drinks at a pre-Christmas function.

'Ray, I have no recollection of that,' Mr Perrottet responded.

On Tuesday morning, Hadley's team blocked comments on both their post promoting Mr Perrottet's appearance, and a December 17 story where the 2GB host called the premier 'weak as piss'.

Ray Hadley's social media team have been forced to disable comments on his Facebook page after he confronted the NSW Premier over badmouthing the shock jock behind his back

Hadley's feud with the new Premier ignited last year, when he said Perrotet wasn't doing enough to ensure residents would remain safe from Covid as he loosened restrictions.

'I think he's close to signing his political death warrant,' the shock jock said. 'He's putting Sydney and NSW at risk.

'I hope he's listening if he continues on this particular path, Chris Minns will be premier in 2023 and he will go down the path of Kristina Kenneally being a partial premier.'

On Monday the pair locked horns for the first time this year as Hadley returned to the airwaves.

Hadley's team blocked comments on both their post promoting Mr Perrottet's apperance and a December 17 story where the 2GB host called the premier (pictured) 'weak as piss'

He claimed former premier Gladys Berejiklian had directly told him Mr Perrottet was part of 'a team' who pushed for most Covid restrictions to be dropped on December 15.

'Don't blame Gladys, she's gone!' Hadley told Mr Perrottet when the premier said the roadmap for removing restrictions had been in existence before he took the top job.

'You were part of the team pushing the December 15 date, whether you deny it or not, because that comes straight from her to me,' Hadley said.

'You deny it, Im telling you she says that you were part of the push to get the brakes released on December 15, and when you became Premier you were intent on doing it.'

Hadley has been a vocal opponent of Mr Perrottet's decision to end a range of Covid restrictions in mid-December, particularly as the Omicron variant began to take hold across the state.

'We've always made changes based on the information in front of us,' Mr Perrottet said.

2GB's Ray Hadley Hadley told NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet that people had told him the premier called 'people like me' bedwetters about their concerns on the lifting of Covid rules after a few drinks at a pre-Christmas function

The premier said he had delayed the original re-opening date in NSW by two weeks to allow the full vaccination rate to increase.

Mr Perrottet said he didn't see decisions about ending or reintroducing public health measures as backflips but as 'adjusting to the circumstances we find ourselves in'.

He said it was a misconception that he had removed masks altogether saying the government's position was to 'highly recommend' the wearing of masks before it was made mandatory again on December 22 until January 27

'Did you tell ministers after the reshuffle we won't cave in to NSW Health on masks?

'No...' Mr Perrottet began to respond.

'See what you've got to understand, Dominic, is that there are people leaking to me because they're not happy with you, ok?', Hadley said. "And they're very senior members of your government.'

'It's no good denying it, I know you said it... and you did cave in on the 23rd.'

'What I said was we highly recommend masks on the 15th of December, that was the point that we made,' Mr Perrottet responded.

Hadley said NSW and Australia had been 'the blue chip' of controlling the virus and was now no better than many other countries.

'You're sending people back into childcare centres who are close contacts to deal with little children who can't be vaccinated.

'Yes, we were [in a better position] Dominic... now we're no better than many other nations in the world, and this has happened under your premiership.'

'Ray, I disagree with you,' Mr Perrottet said, pointing to the state's high vaccination rate.

Mr Perrottet said the former strategy of pursuing a Covid elimination goal had to make way for living with the virus.

Hadley said respected clinical immunologist Graham Stewart had told him that Mr Perrottet could not have done more to make the current Omicron outbreak worse.

On December 23 Mr Perrottet announced masks would again be required for indoor settings and reintroduced the two square metre rule for venues, earning a rebuke from Hadley

'You, as premier, you could not have done more to make it worse and herd infection won't produce herd immunity,' Hadley said.

'That's the sort of people I rely on, not someone who doesn't care or does care about whether they get re-elected in 2023.'

On December 23, Mr Perrottet announced masks would again be required for indoor settings and reintroduced the two square metre rule for venues, earning a rebuke from radio host Hadley.

'The boy Premier decided he knew more on December 15 and a week later, what did he do?' Hadley asked. 'Seven days after he made the decision, he reversed a decision he should never have made in the first place.

'I know one thing: this will cost him the premiership in 2023.'
The sister of a homeless man accused of shoving a Deloitte executive to her death in front of a subway train in Times Square last weekend says her brother has been battling schizophrenia for more than two decades and should never have been let out of a mental institution.

Simon Martial, 61, was arrested on Saturday on a charge of second-degree murder for allegedly pushing 40-year-old Michelle Alyssa Go onto the tracks on the southbound N/Q/R/W platform at West 4nd Street and Broadway.

Martial, who has a lengthy criminal history, seemingly admitted to killing the subway rider when asked by a reporter if he did it, saying, 'Yes, because I'm God. Yes, I did it. I'm God. I can do it.'

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The older sister of accused Times Square subway pusher Simon Martial, 61 (left), says her brother is mentally ill and has been in and out of hospitals. He is charged with murdering Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, right, by shoving her onto the subway tracks

Josette Simon said of her brother that he never should have been released from a mental hospital because he is schizophrenic

Speaking to the New York Post on Monday, Martial's older sister, Josette Simon, from Georgia, argued that her brother belonged in a mental health facility and should have been kept off the streets.

Simon said that in his youth, her brother was a hardworking and giving man, but by the time he was in his 30s, he had succumbed to paranoia and thought that people were after him.

Not long after their mother died 23 years ago, Simon said her brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

For a time, Martial stayed with another sister, but he had been in and out of mental hospitals for the better part of 20 years, according to Simon.

Simon said she once begged a mental hospital to not let Martial out because he does not voluntarily take medication

I remember begging one of the hospitals, Let him stay, because once hes out, he didnt want to take medication, and it was the medication that kept him going, his sister told the newspaper.

Simon recounted that during her final conversation with her brother, he told her that 'they' were after him. She said Martial told her he was being watched by people hiding in closets.

Simon apologized to Go's loved ones, saying that news of her violent death at the hands of her 'sick' brother has been tearing her apart.

Im his older sister, and it really breaks my heart that there was nothing I could do, Simon said. And they let him out in the street.

Simon said she now would like to see her brother get professional help, rather than being locked up 'like an animal with people who are really murderers.'

'I'm not saying let him out, but get his some help,' Simon said. 'He's crazy.'

Mayor Eric Adams came under fire after saying that New Yorkers were safe in the subway, and that the 'perception of fear' had to be removed

Go, of Asian descent, was waiting for a southbound train at 9.40am on Saturday when police say Martial pushed her, resulting in her death. It remains unclear if the killing was racially-motivated.

Martial has a history of mental illness and told reporters to 'go f*** yourself' as he was walked out of a Midtown precinct on Saturday night, declaring himself 'God.'

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack was 'unprovoked' and the victim 'does not appear to have any interaction with the subject.'

Prior to her death, Go worked as a senior manager of strategy and operations for management and acquisitions at Deloitte Consulting, according to her LinkedIn.

She graduated from University of California Los Angeles with a bachelor's in economics and public policy, and earned her Master of Business Administration from New York University.

Martial reportedly shoved Go onto the tracks as a southbound R train approached the station in a seemingly random attack. He purportedly had approached a different woman, who was not Asian, but she moved away, police said.

Martial has a lengthy criminal history, including serving two years in state prison for attempted robbery before being released in August 2021, the New York Post reported, citing state records.

Sources told DailyMail.com that he has been arrested at least twice in the past for robbery. One incident was in August 2017 in Manhattan, when he was charged with first-degree robbery after allegedly entering a car, pretending to have a gun and stealing $43.

He was also arrested in July 1998 for allegedly simulating a gun in an attempt to rob a taxi driver, threatening to kill the driver. He was charged with two counts of robbery and criminal possession of a weapon at the time.

Sources told the Post that he has had three encounters with police as an emotionally disturbed person.

The horrifying attack comes as crime in the subway and around the city continues to soar at the beginning of Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's first terms.

Bragg's controversial decision to downgrade burglary, armed robbery and drug dealings from felonies to misdemeanors has drawn criticism, as it has led to many criminals being let back out on the streets.

The number of felony assaults has since increased by 4.7 percent over the course of the last week, as compared to the same time last year.

Overall, crime is up 30.5 percent from the same period in 2021, according to the city's crime stats.

Former Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said newly-elected Mayor Eric Adams has his hands tied in terms of crime while Bragg's office implements its woke policies.

Adams has come under fire after saying at a press conference on Sunday: 'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system... What we must do is remove the perception of fear.'

Curtis Sliwa, former Republican mayoral critic, lashed out at Adams on Twitter, writing: 'What happened to the law & order candidate?'

Simon Martial, 61, is charged with second-degree murder after the Saturday morning incident. He was seen Saturday night leaving a Midtown precinct
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A woman who crashed through the ice while driving on a frozen river in the outskirts of Ottawa found time to snap some selfies as nearby residents dragged over a kayak to rescue her from the roof of her sinking car.

The unidentified woman stood atop her yellow sedan as it sank under the ice of the Rideau River in the suburb of Manotick Sunday afternoon.

She was pictured taking photos of herself as the vehicle sank further down, with only the roof of the car peering over the cold water by the time she was rescued.

In videos posted on social media, two people are seen hauling a blue kayak toward the scene of the accident. The woman gets on top of it and is pulled out to safety via a rope tied to the watercraft.

'Oh well. I guess I'll walk,' she says later, standing on solid ground.

She was the only person in the car. Police responded at about 4.30pm, and she was charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, though driving on frozen water isn't illegal in itself.

An unidentified woman stood on the roof of her yellow sedan as it sank under the ice of the Rideau River in the suburb of Manotick on Sunday afternoon

In video taken by bystanders, the woman appears calm and patient as her car slowly skins more and more into the river

She was eventually pulled out to safety by two nearby residents who brought over a kayak

Paramedics were at the scene, but said the woman didn't want to be seen, according to the National Post newspaper.

One Twitter user claims he saw the woman 'rip by' him

It is unclear where she came from or where she was headed, but one Twitter user claims he saw her 'rip by' and said it was 'not surprising she went through ice there.'

One video shows the car speeding down the frozen river, but it's unclear if it was intentional or if the car was simply skidding rapidly down the ice.

After the car crashed through, the preternaturally calm woman simply waited to be rescued .

'This portion of the river has thin ice compared to other areas of the river,' the Ottawa Police Service said in a press release. 'This portion of the river has thin ice compared to other areas of the river,' said the Ottawa Police Service, .

'Ice conditions at this time of the year can be unpredictable. The Ottawa Police Service would like to remind residents to stay off the ice and remember "No Ice is Safe Ice."'

In videos from the scene, two people haul a kayak over to help the woman as bystanders film the rescue. She was eventually dragged out to safety.

'Don't go toward the car. Please come closer,' one man urges off-camera as the woman appears to inch closer to the broken ice atop the river.

The woman's misfortune was posted on Twitter. She was uninjured and appeared to be the only person in the car

The vehicle is still in the river, with police warning that it 'could pose as a hazard for curious onlookers venturing out on the ice'

Listener video of a water rescue on the Rideau River in Manotick #ottnews #TheMorningRush @billcarrolltalk pic.twitter.com/81CdtxFSYX  580 CFRA (@CFRAOttawa) January 17, 2022

'Oh well. I guess I'll walk,' she says as she watches her car sink further into the river.

It is not illegal to drive on frozen water in Canada. However, some have called for speed limits for this kind of driving.

'Driving on frozen lakes and rivers is generally safe, so long as you properly plan for the winter adventure,' according to Outdoor Canada magazine.

The vehicle is still in the river, with police warning that it 'could pose as a hazard for curious onlookers venturing out on the ice.'
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Gun-toting Second Amendment rights advocates descended on Virginia's Capitol Square on Monday for the state's annual Lobby Day.

In recent years, the annual tradition has seen large swaths of gun rights activists gather at the Capitol in Richmond, Virginia to demand that the state government repeal gun control laws.

But on Monday, the crowds were less impressive as just dozens of pro-gun group members, many wearing camo and bulletproof vests and carrying assault rifles, gathered across the street from the Capitol. Some stood close to signs proclaiming that firearms are prohibited beyond a certain point.

The gun activists chanted about their freedoms and at one point, were seen walking towards the Capitol with their weapons, before they were promptly stopped by Richmond police who calmly let them know where guns are and are not allowed on the premises.

No arrests were reported, and by the end of the work day, the protesters gathered up their things and left.

Black Lives Matter activists were also on the scene, as were others protesting vaccine mandates.

In 2020, the Washington Post reports, 22,000 armed advocates from around the country converged on the Capitol for Lobby Day to protest Democrats' efforts to pass gun control.

And after the Democrats passed laws to limit weapons on the Capitol last year, gun rights organizers staged a drive-through protest, holding out their guns and honking as they passed by.

But this year, with a new Republican governor and a Republican-controlled General Assembly, many of the bills being proposed would expand gun rights in the state.

Many focus on eliminating certain costs or penalties associated with gun usage and others would allow citizens to carry guns in more places.

Many of the gun rights activists on the scene on Monday were there to speak to their state legislators about supporting these types of bills, a change from previous years when they tried to prevent gun control laws from being passed.

Moderate crowds of pro-gun activists descended on Virginia's Capitol Square on Monday for the state's annual Lobby Day

Dozens of the men were seen carrying guns across the street from the state's Capitol, where guns are prohibited

Several of the men were dressed in combat-gear as they waited outside the Capitol

This year saw smaller gun rights crowds than in years passed when they tried to prevent Democrats from passing gun control legislation

A man was decked out in Republican and Don't Tread on Me pins as he wore a hat that said 'Guns save lives'

There was a heavy police presence wrapped around the Capitol after previous contentious protest

Inside the Capitol, the scene was even more cordial, with members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, which organized the protest, dressed in button-down shirts as they met with lawmakers, according to the Washington Post.

'We've got teams going around to all legislations handing our agenda,' Philip Van Cleave told CBS News 6. 'This is a day where we're trying to get a bunch of gun control passed in the last two years repealed.'

The group was laser-focused on three things they said they would like the General Assembly to change in the new year:

To repeal the ban on guns in places of worship, preschools and day cares To revoke the authorities of localities to implement gun bans in government buildings, parks and community centers To allow guns inside state agencies like the DMV and the post office.

'We need to take that all away and let the state set the gun laws,' Van Cleave said. 'Therefore, if you know the state law, you're good everywhere.'

One man was seen decked out in floral gear as he waved what appeared to be a Thin Red Line flag

Signs were displayed throughout the area noting that guns are prohibited on the Capitol grounds

A group of protesters guarded their truck with guns as they collected food

The guns rights activists formed a line around the Capitol with their hands on their guns

Members of Black Lives Matter 757 were also on the scene of the Capitol on Monday

As the men guarded the outdoors, allies inside lobbied officials to repeal gun control laws

But Lori Haas, the Virginia State Director for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, hit back at those assertions, claiming the gun laws made Virginians safer.

'We know gun violence is on the increase in the commonwealth,' she said. 'Our numbers are skyrocketing.

'It means we aren't doing enough. I'm adamantly opposed to repealing,' Haas said, adding: 'Repeal efforts are going after legitimate policies and laws that the General Assembly passed to make us safer.

'We all deserve to live free form gun violence, and easy access to firearms and more and more spaces and places where firearms are present has not kept us safer.'

Still, Van Cleave said he was encouraged that the Republicans are now in control of the governorship and the General Assembly.

'We need some Democrats, especially in the Senate, to come along with us on these things,' he said, 'and we think some of them will because they're bills that make a lot of sense of the self-defense point of view.'

A group of women were also on the scene of this year's Lobby Day protesting vaccine mandates

Members of the local Black Lives Matter chapter are pictured here outside the Capitol

Brandon Howard, 45, collected food while attending Lobby Day with the Virginia Citizens Defense League

At one point, protesters could be seen marching towards the Capitol, but they were stopped by police

A patch on a tactical vest is seen daring officials to take his guns during a gun rights rally outside of the Virginia State Capitol
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The devastated father of a UCLA grad student who was stabbed to death in broad daylight last week while working in a luxury LA furniture store is slamming politicians for ignoring the recent spike in violent crime.

'We have a lot of politicians that somehow forgot about people and think the key to getting elected is to support the lowest rung of our society and to give them rights and somehow that's the answer to getting votes,' Todd Kupfer told Fox News.

Kupfer's 24-year-old daughter, Brianna Kupfer, was murdered last Thursday when a male suspect, who is believed to be homeless, walked into Croft House around 1:50 p.m. and stabbed her to death. He then fled through the back door before calmly walking down an alley.

The architectural design student from Pacific Palisades was discovered 20 minutes later by a customer. She died at the scene before help could arrive.

The LAPD determined that it was a random attack and the suspect did not know the victim. Police say he was wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses, a white N-95 mask, and carrying a dark back pack.

'Crime is truly spiking, and we have a lot of criminals on the streets that shouldn't be out,' Kupfer's father told Fox News.

His daughter had been working as a design consultant at the high-end furniture store popular with celebrities like Mandy Moore, whose Pasadena home features a Croft House sofa, according to Architectural Digest.

'She was a kind soul and always was trying to make herself better and everything around her better,' Kupfer, said as he fought back tears. 'She cared about people.'

The murder comes amid a huge crime surge in Los Angeles, with homicides in Los Angeles rising 52 per cent last year from 2019, and shooting incidents were up 59 per cent, according to LAPD data.

Kupfer says he believes politicians are ignoring this spike in violent crime.

'We need to champion [my daughter] as a beacon of what's wrong and make sure that people recognize that  because it could be their children next, and it's just an impossible price to pay,' he said.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon is under fire for failing to crack down on the recent spike in violence.

He won over voters last year with promises of sweeping criminal justice reforms that critics say put the interests of criminals before the safety of the community, Fox News reported.

Brianna (centre right) leaves behind her mother, father, brothers Brandon and Tucker and her sister Mikaela, who was her best friend, her family said

Brianna Kupfer, 24, was stabbed to death in a random attack last Thursday while she was working in a luxury furniture store in Los Angeles

LA crime is on the upswing, according to police statistics. Shooting victims have increased 10.6 percent year-to-year and 53 percent from the same point in 2019

The killing comes amid a huge crime surge in Los Angeles, with its woke District Attorney George Gascon under fire for failing to crack down on the violence

The city has also suffered a shocking wave of follow-home robberies and organized smash-and-grab attacks on retailers.

Jacqueline Avant, the 81 year-old wife of music producer Clarence Avant, became the most high-profile robbery victim when she was shot and killed at her $2.7 million Beverly Hills mansion in December.

On January 3 in nearby San Jose, nine hammer-wielding thugs stormed a San Jose shopping center and smashed glass display cases at three stores before fleeing with $110,000 in jewelry.

Los Angeles police arrested 14 people last November in connection with 11 recent smash-and-grab robberies at stores, where nearly $340,000 worth of merchandise was stolen.

A Los Angeles Nordstrom, a Lululemon in Studio City, a Fairfax district store, and a CVS pharmacy in South Los Angeles were among the stores hit.

However, due to county's zero-bail policies, the suspects were all released within hours of being handcuffed.

Gascon said of rising crime rates: 'The reality is that we go through these cycles, and we go through the cycles for a variety of reasons  In many ways we cannot prosecute our way out of social inequalities, income inequalities, the unhoused, the desperation that we have.'

Police said the male suspect (pictured) is believed to be homeless and fled through the back door before calming walking down an alley

The architectural design student from Pacific Palisades was alone in the Croft House store on La Brea Avenue in LA's upscale Fairfax neighborhood when a man entered around 1:50 p.m. and stabbed her. She was found 20 minutes later by a customer

Gascon is currently embroiled in a row over a transgender woman who has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl, with the DA saying she could be allowed to serve her sentence under house arrest.

He refused to prosecute the 26-year-old Hannah Tubbs as an adult for the crime committed shortly two weeks before her 18th birthday.

On New Year's Eve in 2014, Tubbs spotted a 10-year-old girl at a Denny's in Palmdale, California, followed her into the bathroom, held her by the throat and forced a hand down the girl's pants.

Gascon is refusing to sentence Tubbs as an adult because the defendant was 17 when the attack took place.

Jon Hatami, a prosecutor and supporter of the movement to recall Gascon, said Tubbs was too dangerous to be in the juvenile system.

'This clearly shows you the dangerous aspect of the blanket policies of George Gascon,' he said.

Separately, Gascon is facing another scandal after his own cops went over his head to ask federal prosecutors to charge the alleged killers of an off-duty LAPD officer.

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva sought out the federal prosecution for the four gang members accused of killing Officer Fernando Arroyos, 27, on January 10 over fears pursing them through Gascon could lead to lighter sentencing.

Last year, Gascon axed sentencing enhancements - such as membership of a gang - that would have seen Arroyos' alleged killers potentially jailed for life if convicted.

California law stipulates a sentence of 25 years to life without parole, whereas Gascon's reforms would see killers offered parole after completing their sentence.

The federal charges they now face come with enhancements which automatically lengthen a sentence should the person be convicted to life without parole.

Gascon previously announced he had decided to no longer pursue sentencing enhancements in cases involving gangs as part of an increasingly controversial prison reform policy aimed at boosting 'equity.'

A memorial for Kupfer has formed outside the Croft House in the days following the deadly attack

A heartfelt note posted to the store's window this week talks about how Kupfer was beloved by her coworkers

Riley Rea, co-owner of Croft House, told the LA Times that Brianna was beloved by her coworkers at the store where she had worked for a year.

She added: 'She was mature beyond her years.'

A heartfelt note was posted to the store's window this week that reads: 'The entire Croft House family is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of our beloved team member on January 13, 2022. Our La Brea Avenue showroom will be closed until further notice to allow our team members to grieve and process this unthinkable tragedy and in order for law enforcement to complete their investigation.

Please keep the family, friends, and colleagues in close thought during this difficult time as we mourn, cherish, miss, and honor someone we care for so much. The entire Croft House family sends our love to our team member's family and friends. Please direct all questions related to this tragic event to the LAPD.'

At the bottom of the page is a handwritten note that reads: 'We love you so much.'

Dr. Jennifer Botelho, the owner of a nearby chiropractic office, said the suspect entered her business shortly before the stabbing.

She said: 'He came in and asked a couple of questions: 'Do you do orthopedics here?' What kind of care we provide, and then he left. So he was just here for a few minutes.'

She added: 'It's terrifying. It's horrible. She's such a young girl.  We feel so horrible for Brianna's family, and hope we can catch this guy.'

Her father described as her an 'angel' and a clever young woman who was devoted to her family with big aspirations.

Brianna leaves behind her mother, father, brothers Brandon and Tucker and her sister Mikaela, who was her best friend, her family said.
Rapid antigen tests are being advertised for $1,000 when they are meant to be selling for as little as $12.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has compiled a list a complaints about price gouging for home testing kits.

In one case, it noticed a home test kit being advertised with a four-figure price tag.

'The highest prices by far have been identified on online marketplaces, one of which featured an advertisement of a test for over $1,000 each,' it said.

This is significantly more than the $12 price at Priceline for a Chinese-made All Test rapid antigen test.

The ACCC has revealed rapid antigen tests often costing $20 to $30, with prices of $70 at smaller retail outlets.

This was well above the wholesale costs of $3.95 to $11.45 for one test.

Ordinary Australians also reported exorbitant prices to the competition regulator, with stock either sold out or in very short supply even though 70million kits, the federal government ordered, are meant to be arriving in January.

From Christmas Day to January 7, maximum prices surged from just $14 to $100.

Rapid antigen tests are being advertised for $1,000 when they are meant to be selling for as little as $12. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has compiled a list a complaints about price gouging for home testing kits (pictured is a Sydney pharmacist)

When it came to reported rip offs, pharmacists had the most complaints at 879 during the two-and-a-half week period covering December 25 to January 12.

This was followed by 283 for supermarkets, tobacconists and convenience stores and 272 for petrol stations.

In some cases, retailers are even refusing to give customers a receipt to hide their price gouging.

ACCC chair Rod Sims said retailers selling RATs at a huge mark-up needed to explain themselves.

'We are asking those businesses to urgently explain the prices they are charging,' he said.

'In the middle of a significant outbreak of Covid-19 in a pandemic, the excessive pricing of rapid antigen tests required to diagnose the illness and protect other members of the public, is of significant concern to the ACCC.'

The competition regulator has contacted more than 40 test suppliers, major retailers and pharmacy chains demanding details on their pricing.

Since October, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved 22 test kits, with 16 of them made in China and only one manufactured in Australia, with the rest from the US, Germany, South Korea and Singapore.

The ACCC has revealed rapid antigen tests often costing $20 to $30, with prices of $70 at smaller retail outlets. This was well above the wholesale costs of $3.95 to $11.45 for one test (pictured is a test kit in Sydney)

From Christmas Day to January 12, maximum prices surged from just $14 to $100 by January 7

ACCC chair Rod Sims said retailers selling RATs at a huge mark-up needed to explain themselves

The TGA approved its first self-administered rapid antigen test almost a year after their counterparts in the United States and the UK.

With Chinese New Year coming up on February 1, Chinese factories are set to close, further delaying supplies.

Now a backlog in orders, as a result of new Covid testing rules allowing RATs, is creating uncertainty.

'Given delays in the supply of tests, or test parts, into Australia, delays in distribution due to Covid illness or isolation requirements within workforces and at the retailer level, there is significant difficulty forecasting accurate supply,' Mr Sims said.

The ACCC has also received reports about retailers refusing to issue receipts, which is a breach of consumer law for goods worth more than $75 before GST.

Since October, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved 22 test kits, with 16 of them made in China (pictured is a Chinese-made example listed for less than $25)

Where are the rapid antigen tests from? CHINA: 16 AUSTRALIA: 1 UNITED STATES: 2 GERMANY: 1 SOUTH KOREA: 1 SINGAPORE: 1 The Therapeutic Goods Administration approved 22 rapid antigen tests from October 13 to January 12 Advertisement

Of those, 31 per cent related to convenience stores, tobacconists and supermarkets, followed by 27 per cent for pharmacists and 23 per cent for petrol stations.

'We are closely examining reports of businesses refusing to issue receipts for rapid antigen tests,' Mr Sims said.

Australia has lagged behind other major economies in approving rapid antigen tests.

The American Food and Drug Administration approved the first over-the-counter home testing kit in December 2020.

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the first lateral flow test kit in January 2021.

Rapid antigen tests in Australia have quickly sold out at chemists and supermarkets after National Cabinet, on January 5, announced they would be allowed to confirm a positive Covid test.

The measure was designed to people from having to queue up for hours at a Covid testing clinic to get a PCR or polymerase chain reaction test.

Pensioners, veterans and health care card holders will be entitled to 10 free rapid antigen tests over three months at pharmacies, when stocks arrive.

When it came to reported rip offs, pharmacists had the most complaints at 879 during the two-and-a-half week period, followed by 283 for supermarkets and convenience stores and 272 for petrol stations

On New Year's Day, Queensland allowed visitors to rely on a negative rapid antigen test result into of a PCR test to gain entry into the state.

But since January 15, neither have been needed.

The New South Wales government has since January 12 required residents to register a positive rapid antigen test result.

The federal government last week invoked the Biosecurity Act 2015 to ban price gouging on rapid antigen tests and and impose restrictions on improper exports.

Health Minister Greg Hunt announced fines of up to $66,000 for price-gouging retailers.

The test kits have sensitivity ratings ranging from 80 per cent for acceptable to 95 per cent for very high sensitivity.

Of the 22 TGA-approved kits, 10 of them have a 95 per cent 'very high' sensitivity rating for detecting Covid.
Joe Biden's message and the promise he made to the American people from the beginning of his campaign for the presidency was that he was going to 'heal and restore America's soul.'

Over and over again on the campaign trail, he spoke and pleaded with the American people in an effort to convey that he alone was the antidote to the divisive chaos of the Trump years.

He promised to be a president for all Americans and to usher us out of what was one of the most divided times in American history.

We all know he hasn't done that.

By any metric, America is becoming a worse place to live, work, and raise our children.

The Fourth of July promise of freedom from Covid was little more than an ill-advised photo op.

A new Gallup poll just released Monday shows that in 2021, Republicans went from a 9-percentage point deficit in party identification to a 5-point lead. It is the biggest advantage for Republicans since the 1994 'Republican Revolution.'

Biden promised to be a president for all Americans and to usher us out of what was one of the most divided times in American history. We all know he hasn't done that.

And despite Democrats constantly calling every Republican 'racist,' a new Quinnipiac University poll shows Joe Biden's approval rating has collapsed among Hispanic voters and is now lower than his rating among white voters.

If people on the left don't want to believe seasoned political analysts on how and why the direction of America is a disaster under Biden, they will be very hard pressed to ignore the sheer breadth of signs showing where Democrats are bleeding voters.

If I were working for a principal with this kind of reaction polling-wise, I would be nothing short of panicking  trying desperately to come up with an emergency strategy while there is still time.

Instead, as we head into midterms, the White House cast of characters from Chief of Staff Ron Klain to the ever-snarky Jen Psaki seem to have no new ideas at all.

At least Kamala Harris is working on her rebrand. Good luck with that!

There is very little left to straighten out the Biden administration's failing agenda and PR problems. So instead, they're doubling down on division.

It was particularly disheartening to see President Biden making a bizarrely vitriolic and hubristic speech in Georgia, where he attacked Republicans but also his fellow moderate Democrats Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema by attempting to link anyone who is against him -- on issues like voter ID -- to segregationists like George Wallace and Bull Connor.

Even Democratic Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin conceded that President Biden 'may have gone a little too far with his rhetoric.'

In the eyes of President Biden and his administration, if you do not support changing the Senate filibuster rules to pass stalled voting and election legislation, you are comparable to some of the most reviled villains of our past.

It is worth noting that there are other Democratic senators such as Jon Tester, Mark Kelly, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, who were also signaling that they ultimately wouldn't support the repealing of the filibuster.

After deploying the same tactic literally hundreds of times in the previous administration, Democrats now call it racist, and they have resorted to trying to repeal the filibuster because they don't have the votes to pass their voting bills without it.

But in another sign of their hypocrisy, they are even using the filibuster themselves right now to block Ted Cruz's Russia sanctions bill.

Biden attacked Republicans but also his fellow moderate Democrats Joe Manchin (left) and Kyrsten Sinema (right) by attempting to link anyone who is against him -- on issues like voter ID -- to segregationists like George Wallace and Bull Connor.

One of the founding principles of our Constitution was to avoid the tyranny of the majority. This can't be overstated.

One of the perils of conflating freedom and democracy is that people have forgotten the downside of government if you can't just get what you want with 50 plus one.

The promise of a united, bipartisan Biden-era has been revealed as a con and a lie. If you disagree with him or his policies, you are no better than racist segregationists.

No great president in history has ever inspired his nation by accusing them of being comparable to the worst kind of figures in American history if you disagree with them.

The cynical part of me knows deep down he is just doing this to placate his base, but you cannot win elections or hearts and minds by simply playing to one audience.

And as for restoring civility and dignity to the office?

This speech proves Joe Biden isn't interested in being a president for all Americans  just the ones who agree with him.
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How Andrew and Harry would be embarrassed by removal of Counsellors of State and missing out on Platinum Jubilee medal COUNSELLORS OF STATE Prince Andrew and Prince Harry both face losing their roles as Counsellors of State which would be hugely embarrassing for them and an unprecedented move that would require an Act of Parliament to make it happen. Counsellors of State are authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the Sovereign, such as attending Privy Council meetings, signing routine documents and receiving credentials of new ambassadors to the UK. The position of Counsellor of State was provided for in 1937 under the Regency Act. Prior to 1937, Regency Acts were drafted and passed only in necessity - with nine separate Acts to cover various eventualities since 1728. Shortly after George VI became king in 1936, a new Regency Act was passed which provided a rule for all future reigns. It was then that the new Counsellor of State office was created to cover short-term absences. QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE MEDALS In keeping with tradition, a Platinum Jubilee medal will be awarded to people who work in public service including representatives of the Armed Forces, the emergency services and the prison services. The special commemorative medal will be awarded on February 6 to mark the Queen's 70 years on the throne. Members of the Royal Family holding honorary military titles will be eligible - and the only veterans who receive the award will be those who already have a George Cross or Victoria Cross. Now that Princes Harry and Andrew have lost their military titles, this means the duo will be treated like all other veterans and not receive the medal - which again would be very embarrassing for the duo. Advertisement

Prince Andrew and Prince Harry face a new double humiliation as royal officials are mulling ways to remove another of their significant roles, while also denying them Jubilee medals like other veterans.

Buckingham Palace officials are now considering how to remove the role of Counsellors of State from the Duke of York and the Duke of Sussex - a potentially significant position that the pair still possess.

The duo, who are ninth and sixth in line to the throne respectively, have already been stripped of their royal patronages and military titles by the Queen - and both asked not to use the handle His Royal Highness.

Palace sources confirmed they are still two of the four Counsellors of State, who would be called upon to take the place of the Queen if she were unable to carry out her duties because of illness or absence abroad.

They would be authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the monarch, including signing important documents, attending Privy Council meetings and receiving the credentials of new ambassadors to the UK. The other two Counsellors of State are Prince Charles, who is heir to the throne, and William, who is second in line.

A royal source said: 'It is a genuine problem that the Palace is looking to address. Can you imagine the Duke of York having to sign official documents, for example, because the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge were both abroad, and the Queen became ill? It's not an exaggeration to say it could put the monarchy in jeopardy.'

A Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment, but sources suggested that Andrew, 61, and Harry, 37, could not be stripped of their roles without an Act of Parliament having to be passed first.

By law, the counsellors of state are the monarch's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21. If Andrew and Harry were removed they could be replaced by Princess Anne and Camilla.

'There could be events later this year which make such a change necessary,' the source said in an apparent reference to the outcome of Andrew's court case in the US and the publication of Harry's forthcoming memoirs.

The position of Counsellor of State was provided for in 1937 under the Regency Act. Prior to 1937, Regency Acts were drafted and passed only in necessity - with nine separate Acts to cover various eventualities since 1728.

Shortly after George VI came to the throne in 1936, a new Regency Act was passed which provided a rule for all future reigns. It was then that the new office of Counsellor of State was created to cover short-term absences.

Both Andrew and Harry have been stripped of their royal patronages and military titles amid the former's ongoing court battle and the latter's decision to quit 'The Firm' and move to North America with his wife Meghan Markle.

In a further blow to Andrew and Harry, they will also now both not be eligible for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal next month having lost their honorary military titles, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Prince Andrew and Prince Harry are pictured at Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle on April 17 last year

The commemorative medal will be awarded on February 6 to mark the Queen's 70 years on the throne and given to serving members of the Armed Forces, police, fire, emergency and prison services.

Members of the Royal Family holding honorary military titles will also be eligible - and the only veterans who receive the award will be recipients of the George Cross or Victoria Cross.

Now that Harry and Andrew have lost their military titles, this means the duo will be treated like all other veterans and not receive the special medal.

Last Thursday, the Queen removed Andrew's honorary military roles and he gave up his use of the HRH style.

Andrew is thought to still be at his 31-room Royal Lodge home and allegedly hosted around a dozen family friends on Friday including Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank before a shoot at Windsor Great Park.

Prince Harry is pictured wearing his medals while smiling with the Duke of York on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2014

The Queen's move last week was a humiliation for Andrew and came one day after the lawsuit against him took a big step forward when a judge threw out his motion to dismiss the sexual assault case and ruled it can go to trial.

Andrew, who was born an HRH, will not use it any official capacity, and was also stripped of his remaining royal patronages in a decision which represented the Duke of York's complete removal from official royal life.

The dramatic move was also seen as an attempt to distance the monarchy from Andrew, who was once second in line to the throne as the spare to the heir, in the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

It comes as Andrew was accused of a 'tone-deaf' defence in his legal battle with Virginia Giuffre - who used to be known as Virginia Roberts - after his lawyers suggested she may have 'false memories' of her encounters with him.

Meanwhile an security expert said yesterday that Harry should learn from his aunt Princess Anne, who gets police security only when on royal duties, an expert said yesterday.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ride in a carriage opposite Prince Andrew and Prince Harry at Royal Ascot in June 2016

The Duke of Sussex, who now carries out no royal engagements, has threatened legal action unless he gets Met Police security, which he would pay for, when he is back in the UK from California.

Yesterday ex-royal protection chief Dai Davies said Princess Anne 'doesn't get full time protection now and yet in 1974 she was nearly kidnapped  her protection officer was actually shot'.

The ex-chief superintendent added: 'Her security is now adapted according to risk. There just isn't a large pool of officers to pick and choose from.'

Of Harry and wife Meghan he said: 'They both have such egos that they expect the treatment.

'The fact is, many senior royals are losing their protection. They're not going to take officers away from other royals or other duties to protect him.'

Princes Andrew and Harry also will not be eligible for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal, according to the Daily Telegraph

Royal insiders say there is no backing for the prince's demands at Buckingham Palace.

Harry is now seeking a judicial review of the decision to strip him of his UK police protection team, claiming it is 'too dangerous' to visit without Scotland Yard bodyguards.

Lawyers acting for Harry have written a 'pre-action protocol' letter to the Home Office, threatening to go to the High Court if his family are not provided with security while they are in Britain.

A government spokesman said the UK's security system was 'rigorous and proportionate' and that it was long-standing policy not to provide detailed information about such arrangements

It is also unprecedented for the judiciary to get involved in matters of royal protection, which are signed off by an independent committee and the Home Secretary.

Prince Charles 'invites Harry and Meghan to stay with him in UK in the hope of meeting Lilibet for the first time', sources claim - but Sussexes' refusal to return without Met Police protection puts reunion in doubt

Prince Charles has invited Prince Harry and his family to stay with him in the UK in the hope of meeting Lilibet for the first time, it emerged tonight.

The Prince of Wales is yet to see his granddaughter face-to-face, after she was born in California in June last year.

The offer, which would be the first time the family have fully come together since Harry and Meghan decided to quit as working royals, was made just before Christmas, according to the Mirror.

However, his son's refusal to return without a substantial level of security from the Met Police is said to have put the reunion in doubt.

In recent months, the family have communicated via a series of 'good natured' calls, sources told the paper.

The first picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's daughter Lilibet was released in a Christmas card last month

The Prince of Wales (centre), during his visit to Haddo Country Park, Ellon, Aberdeenshire last week

One said: 'The Prince of Wales has been saddened that he hasn't had the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren, which he really does miss.

What it really costs to guard Sussexes The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's security team in Canada was made up of at least six 60,000-a-year Scotland Yard protection officers. But experts say the true cost of each officer would have been closer to 100,000 a year when taking into consideration overtime, flights back and forth to the UK, pension contributions and living expenses. The couple spent more than three months in Canada before moving to California in March 2020 when they are reported to have hired top-of-the-range security firm Gavin de Becker and Associates (GDBA), used by A-listers including Jeff Bezos, Tom Hanks and Madonna. The team from GDBA  described as a 'secret service for famous people'  is rumoured to cost about 7,000 per day, or 2.5million a year. Harry and Meghan are likely to have been provided a team of six bodyguards, which could include former intelligence officers from the FBI and CIA, who work in rotation, with four on duty by day and two at night. The couple's American security would have no jurisdiction in the UK or access to intelligence information. Advertisement

'He is a fantastic grandfather and loves playing the role immensely and it's certainly fair to say he feels there is something missing from his life without the ability to get to know Harry's children.

'This is something he is hoping to remedy which is why he made the gesture for Harry, Meghan and the children to stay with him if they wanted to, whenever they may come home for a period of time.'

It comes as a former head of royal protection warned today that Prince Harry 'cannot pick and choose' when he wants to visit the UK and receive protection.

The Duke of Sussex should not be expecting bodyguards supplied to him when he decides to return home, Dai Davies said.

The ex-Met Police officer pointed out Princess Anne was nearly kidnapped and her protection officer was shot - but she does not get full time protection.

His comments came as sources suggested the Queen will not help her grandson in his demand for security personnel when he comes to Britain.

The insiders claimed the Monarch has no intentions of 'caving into his demands' for protection from the Met and Home Office.

Prince Harry faced outrage yesterday over his threat of legal action against Her Majesty's Government.

He is seeking a judicial review of the decision to strip him of his UK police protection team, claiming it is too dangerous to visit without Scotland Yard bodyguards.

Last night there was anger at the unprecedented legal threat against the government as sources hit back saying: 'Scotland Yard is not available for hire'.

Mr Davies, who was Operational Unit Commander for the Royals from 1995, told GMB: 'He chose to go to America, that's his prerogative.

'And it's our prerogative to ensure when we look at any aspect of protection, any member of the Royal Family that we actually look and assess it through various security agencies. That's the crux.

'And it's been decided in this level, one they won't supply him with protection because the risk at this stage is deemed low. However should there be a risk when he comes then clearly the Metropolitan Police would be duty bound.'

Prince Andrew's ex Lady Victoria Hervey says her 'very private' friend Ghislaine Maxwell was 'a victim' of Jeffrey Epstein - and is now 'scapegoat' for other people's crimes

Prince Andrew's ex girlfriend Lady Victoria Hervey has insisted 'very private' Ghislaine Maxwell was a 'victim' of Jeffrey Epstein.

The socialite, 44, the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol and the former love interest of the Duke of York, first met the pair 20 years ago but has previously said she has no clue what they had been secretly up to.

She appeared on Lorraine earlier today where she said pair were 'a double act' but she 'sees the Ghislaine as a victim'.

Lady Victoria told the morning breakfast presenter: 'She is a scapegoat right now, so unfortunately for her, she is being taken down for what he has done as well. Some might argue is not quite as fair as it could be.'

Maxwell, 60, was convicted of facilitating the sexual abuse of minors by her former partner, Jeffrey Epstein, on December 29. She faces 65 years in prison, meaning she could spend the rest of her life behind bars.

She was found guilty on five of six counts of sex trafficking - a spectacular downfall for the former London society girl who later moved into the highest circles of New York's social scene.

Prince Andrew's ex girlfriend Lady Victoria Hervey, 44, has insisted 'very private' Ghislaine Maxwell was a 'victim' of Jeffrey Epstein

Lady Victoria said: 'I mean to be honest I think Ghislaine was a victim and is a victim.

'She was a victim that then became the accomplice as her role changed in that relationship when they were no longer together.

'She kind of switched sides. I do see her as a victim as well.'

Lorraine went on to question the socialite over her own connections with the pair, saying: 'Why do you think, if you were just an ordinary girl with no connections, do you think she specifically wanted you in that place?'

Victoria said: 'At the time I was the IT girl of London, on the social scene, everyone knew me, I was at every dinner event.

The daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol and the former love interest of the Duke of York, first met the pair 20 years ago but has previously said she has no clue what they had been secretly up to (pictured together in 2004)

'It was a plus having me on her list of who to invite. It probably kept it more interesting for all the men she was entertaining.

'Obviously you want to have attractive girls who are the hot girls in London at the time.'

She added that Jeffrey and Ghislaine were 'definitely a double act', saying: 'It wouldn't have worked with him on his own.

'It was a lot easier for her to approach other women being a female.

Lady Victoria told the morning breakfast presenter that she feels Ghislaine is 'a scapegoat' and is 'being taken down' for Epstein's crimes

'Girls would feel less intimated and less scared, rather than a man. It would have been a lot less obvious in that respect.'

Lady Victoria confessed she felt 'used' by the duo, but added she 'had fun at the time.'

She said: 'I was so naiive. People in my situation that were really young, of course we were going to get taken advantage of.

'We were just a pretty face to have entertain people. I was one of the lucky ones and I'm aware of that.'

Lady Victoria confessed she felt 'used' by Ghislaine and Epstein, but added she 'had fun at the time' (pictured in 2002 with Prince Andrew)

She said she had no idea that anything was amiss during parties with the group, saying: 'Besides the situation of having a feeling there were video cameras in the apartment, it was social gatherings and dinner parties. It all seemed very fun at the time.'

'This is in the early 2000s when no one had any idea of what people found out later on but the early 2000s, people wanted Ghislaine and Jeffrey at all their events. They were invited there everywhere.

Meanwhile Lady Victoria said she 'had followed some of the trial' but was 'a bit disappointed'.

She explained the public 'hadn't learned anything new' and because the trial wasn't televised she felt 'a detachment from it.'

Ghislaine Maxwell could spend the rest of her life behind bars after a jury convicted her of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by the late American financier and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein last month

She said: 'She hasn't really named any new names yet. I'm hoping...that she will start giving out names. I don't think we're quite there yet.'

Meanwhile on her dinner with Ghislaine, Jeffrey, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, she pondered: 'Is it to make them feel important? I suppose so and I think it was business being conducted at the same time through these introductions of powerful different people together.

'So I don't know exactly what business deals did happen at those dinners, but for sure, you know, things obviously did.

Lady Victoria continued: 'She is unfortunately a scapegoat right now, because there's no one else to blame.

'So unfortunately for her she is being taken down for what he's done as well, which some might argue is not quite as fair as it could be but that is the situation she is in right now.'

However, Lorraine argued that the victims consider Ghislaine just as guilty as Jeffrey.

On the infamous picture of Prince Andrew and Virgina Giuffre, Lady Victoria offered: 'That was stupid.'

And asked if Ghislaine ever spoke to her about her friendship with Prince Andrew, Lady Victoria admitted: 'No. I mean, she was really quite private about a lot, but obviously they were good friends. You can just tell by the body language when you see people, when they're good friends.

'I don't know what's going to happen now in terms of the sentencing, how many years they're going to give her.'

Disgraced socialite Ghislaine is set to be sentenced on sex trafficking crimes on June 28.

The sentencing date was set by Judge Alison Nathan on Friday afternoon.

The delayed sentencing was based on the defense attorneys' decision due to recent 'compelling' evidence they say could overturn the trial, as well as Maxwell's conviction.

Maxwell was found guilty on five of six counts of sex trafficking - a spectacular downfall for the former London society girl who later moved into the highest circles of New York's social scene. Pictured: Maxwell with Epstein

Maxwell's lawyers last week demanded a new trial after a juror revealed he had helped convict the former socialite by telling fellow jury members about his experience of sexual abuse.

She was found guilty of sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and three counts of conspiracy. She was found not guilty of enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.

Maxwell was convicted after a month-long trial in which prosecutors maintained that she recruited and groomed teenage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse from 1994 to 2004.

Maxwell once had a romantic relationship with Epstein, but later became his employee at his five residences, including a Manhattan mansion and a large estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

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

Epstein took his own life at a Manhattan federal jail in August 2019 as he awaited a trial on sex trafficking charges.

Maxwell's lawyers argued at trial that she was made into a scapegoat by federal prosecutors after his death.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew is under severe pressure to settle with Virginia Roberts Giuffre after a New York judge refused to throw out her case - paving the way for a box office trial in nine months to examine claims she was repeatedly forced to have sex with him when she was a teenager.

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

The decision is a devastating blow to the Duke of York, who now faces a hugely expensive and reputation-shredding court case next September unless he tries to pay off Giuffre with at least $5 million.

If he chooses not to settle, or if Giuffre rejects any offers, Andrew faces being interviewed by her lawyers in a videotaped deposition in London that could be played in court, although the ninth in line to the throne cannot be forced to give evidence due to it being a civil suit in a different legal jurisdiction.

Additionally, he could simply ignore the case and let the court give a decision in his absence, although this would be likely to damage his reputation further.

Meghan's mouthpiece Omid Scobie puts the boot in over Prince Andrew: Journalist compares how Duke of York kept his titles until the Queen's 'hand was finally forced'... with how Prince Harry was 'stripped of privilege' after Megxit

Meghan Markle's trusted journalist friend Omid Scobie today claimed the 'ring of protection' around Prince Andrew from the Royal Family had been 'confusing'.

Mr Scobie said the 'threat to Brand Windsor and the family business' had 'finally forced the institution's hand' after the Queen removed his honorary military roles.

The Harper's Bazaar royal editor-at-large also compared the issue to Megxit, saying there was 'no sympathetic support behind palace walls for the Duke of Sussex'.

Mr Scobie added that Prince Harry 'simply wanted to remove his family from an unhealthy environment' but was 'publicly dragged over the coals and stripped of his every achievement and royal privilege before setting one foot out of the country'.

The author also pointed out in the opinion piece that it was 'a staggering 26 months before Andrew was dealt with' after his disastrous BBC interview in November 2019.

Mr Scobie said he met a senior Buckingham Palace aide for drinks soon after the interview, who told him: 'Well, he's on his own now. He's not our problem anymore.'

Harry and Meghan at Westminster Abbey in March 2020 before stepping down as senior royals

The author, who co-wrote the 2020 biography Finding Freedom about the Sussexes, regularly reveals news about them on Twitter and often writes in their defence.

Given this, it seems unlikely that Mr Scobie would have written such an article without speaking in advance to representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

And he wrote in an opinion piece for the i today: 'For the public watching this saga play out, the ring of protection around Andrew has been confusing, especially when you compare his treatment to Prince Harry, who  love or loathe him  simply wanted to remove his family from an unhealthy environment.

'There was no sympathetic support behind palace walls for the Duke of Sussex. Instead, he was publicly dragged over the coals and stripped of his every achievement and royal privilege before setting one foot out of the country.

Meghan Markle's trusted journalist friend Omid Scobie wrote an opinion piece for the i today

'The royal establishment has long spoken of its need to reflect modern day ethics. But when the selfish behaviour of a pompous prince is quietly protected in a way that Harry wasn't, simply because Andrew doesn't challenge the system, it is clear that this is an institution whose moral compass is in desperate need of repair.'

Mr Scobie was born to a Scottish father who runs a marketing agency and an Iranian mother who works in child welfare. He started his career on celebrity magazine Heat.

He rose to fame as one of the authors of Finding Freedom, a controversial biography about the Sussexes which he co-wrote with fellow royal expert Carolyn Durand.

The Court of Appeal heard last year that Jason Knauf, Harry and Meghan's former communications secretary, gave information to Mr Scobie and Ms Durand  leading to Meghan apologising for misleading the court about whether he had done so.

Prince Andrew next to Harry and Meghan on the Buckingham Palace balcony in June 2019. Also pictured (front) are the Queen (left), James, Viscount Severn and Isla Philips (both right)

It came during a court row that ended with the Mail On Sunday being ruled to have invaded Meghan's privacy over a letter sent to her estranged father Thomas Markle.

Mr Scobie, who has boasted of exclusive access to the couple, is also a royal contributor for Good Morning America and host of ABC royal podcast 'The Heir Pod'.

It comes after the Queen removed Andrew's honorary military roles in a dramatic Buckingham Palace statement last Thursday and he gave up his use of the HRH style.

One day earlier the sex lawsuit against him took a big step forward when a judge threw out his motion to dismiss the sexual assault case and ruled it can go to trial.

Andrew, who was born an HRH, will not use it any official capacity, and was stripped of his remaining royal patronages amid his complete removal from official royal life.

It was also seen as an attempt to distance the monarchy from Andrew, who was once second in line to the throne, in the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

He has been accused of a 'tone-deaf' defence in his legal battle with Virginia Giuffre after his lawyers suggested she may have 'false memories' of encounters with him.

In a scathing response to his demand for her mental health records, her lawyer David Boies said: 'She wouldn't misremember sexual abuse by a prince of England.'

Virginia Giuffre holds a photo of her aged 16, when she says Jeffrey Epstein began abusing her

The claim about memory issues was made by Andrew in legal filings over the weekend in the case brought against him by Ms Giuffre at a court in New York.

She claims she had sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 in 2001 while under the control of Jeffrey Epstein, the late paedophile who was friends with the duke. Andrew has vehemently denied her allegations.

His lawyers have asked to interview Ms Giuffre's psychologist about all their sessions, any prescriptions that were issued and the 'theory of false memories'.

Ghislaine Maxwell used a 'false memory expert' during her trial for trafficking and recruiting underage girls for Epstein, but was found guilty on five of six counts.
The family now living in a farmhouse where a woman mistaken for Rupert Murdochs wife died in a bungled kidnap are said to be frustrated by delays in the search for her body.

Muriel McKay is thought to have met her death more than 50 years ago at the 11-acre farm in Hertfordshire.

Last month her killer Nizamodeen Hosein gave directions to where the mother of threes body was buried but police are yet to start digging.

The family who now live on the farm have refused to comment publicly and are waiting for the police to begin excavations after 75-year-old Hoseins confession.

The farm used to be owned by Hoseins elder brother Arthur.

Muriel McKay was murdered 50 years ago, and her killer Nizamodeen Hosein, 75, said last month he had buried her in a farm in Hertfordshire - but police are yet to excavate the site

The wait will also add to the agony of Mrs McKays family. She was taken there by the two brothers, who mistook her for the wife of media boss Rupert Murdoch.

The current owners, who bought the farm for 2.2million in 2007, have refused requests from the McKay family to allow them on the property to scan the location using a ground penetrating radar.

There is no suggestion that they will obstruct a police search.

One local said: The family are waiting for the police to move their a**** and get it done.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police are reviewing material from the case, but it is understood that an imminent excavation is not expected. The case is complicated by the fact that five decades have passed since the murder.

The farm in Hertfordshire where Mrs McKay is believed to have been buried used to be owned by killer Nizamodeen Hosein's brother

Nizamodeen Hosein murdered Mrs McKay in 1969 in the mistaken belief that she was Rupert Murdoch's then wife. Pictured: Rupert Murdoch and Anna Murdoch in 1988

Detectives are believed to be combing through a large quantity of documents to find out where the original searches took place 52 years ago. Hosein and his brother Arthur demanded 1million for Australian Mrs McKay, 55, who was married to Alick McKay  deputy to Mr Murdoch in the UK.

On December 29, 1969, the brothers followed Mr Murdochs chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce, unaware he had lent it to Mr McKay while he was in Australia.

They forced their way into the McKay house in Wimbledon, south-west London, and bundled the terrified wife into a car, taking her to the Hertfordshire farm. Mrs McKay was never seen alive again and her body was not found.

The men were caught after police noticed their car circling a ransom pick-up area.

They were later sentenced to life in the UKs first conviction for a murder without a body. In December Hosein, who was deported to Trinidad after serving 20 years, told Matthew Gayle, a British barrister hired by the McKay family, that he would reveal the location of the mother of threes body because he wanted closure before he died.

He also claimed that Mrs McKay died of a heart attack two days after the abduction.

His brother Arthur died in prison in 2009.

Mrs McKays daughter Dianne, now 81, told the Daily Mail that she visited the farm to make a personal plea to its current owners and lay flowers last week.

For the first time in my life I had this really strong urge to go there, to see where my mothers grave may be and to plead with the family to allow us access, she said.

If she is there, I would like to get her out of that place and bring her home. I dont think that is too much to ask.
The Duchess of Sussex has complained to the BBC after it said she had apologised for misleading the High Court.

The broadcaster said last night Meghan had asked it to clarify that she had, in fact, apologised for not remembering asking her former PR chief to help with the controversial royal biography Finding Freedom.

She had previously denied co-operating with the project. The BBC said she had no intention to mislead the court on this.

It came after the duchess reacted to a segment of a podcast  Harry, Meghan And The Media  to accompany broadcaster Amol Rajans BBC2 documentary The Princes And The Press.

The Duchess of Sussex has complained to the BBC after it said she had apologised for misleading the High Court. It came after the duchess reacted to a segment of a podcast  Harry, Meghan And The Media  to accompany broadcaster Amol Rajans (pictured) BBC2 documentary The Princes And The Press

The broadcaster said last night Meghan had asked it to clarify that she had, in fact, apologised for not remembering asking her former PR chief to help with the controversial royal biography Finding Freedom

She had previously denied co-operating with the project. The BBC said she had no intention to mislead the court on this

'Police guard for Harry? Anne doesnt get one and she was nearly kidnapped!' Prince Harry should learn from his aunt Princess Anne, who gets police security only when on royal duties, an expert said yesterday. Harry, who now carries out no royal engagements, has threatened legal action unless he gets Met Police security, which he would pay for, when he is back in the UK from California. Yesterday ex-royal protection chief Dai Davies said Princess Anne doesnt get full time protection now and yet in 1974 she was nearly kidnapped  her protection officer was actually shot. The ex-chief superintendent added: Her security is now adapted according to risk. There just isnt a large pool of officers to pick and choose from. Of Harry and wife Meghan he said: They both have such egos that they expect the treatment. The fact is, many senior royals are losing their protection. Theyre not going to take officers away from other royals or other duties to protect him. Royal insiders say there is no backing for the princes demands at Buckingham Palace. Advertisement

In it he referred to her recent legal victory over The Mail on Sunday over the publication of a private letter to her estranged father.

During the case, it emerged that she had failed to remember email exchanges with her communications secretary Jason Knauf in which they discussed briefing writers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.

Rajan said on the podcast: Initially Meghan Markle had said she hadnt helped Scobie with the book. She apologised for misleading the court on this.

A statement issued by the BBC yesterday said: The Duchess of Sussex has asked us to clarify that she apologised to the court for not remembering email exchanges with her former communications secretary, Jason Knauf, in her evidence and said that she had no intention to mislead the court.

Last year Mr Knauf revealed Meghan had allowed him to speak to the authors of Finding Freedom  contradicting her previous denials of involvement in statements to the High Court  by sending him details that could be shared with them.

Meghan previously claimed she did not know whether her team had given information to the Finding Freedom authors and insisted she had not been contacted by aides for clarification of any matters relating to the book.

But in an exchange shortly before Mr Knauf was due to meet the journalists, she said: For when you sit down with them it may be helpful to have some background reminders so Ive included them below just in case. I know you are better versed at this than most but assisting where I can. I appreciate your support  please let me know if you need me to fill in any other blanks. Thank you!

Scobie had earlier submitted the list of topics to discuss, to which Meghan had then responded.

She later told the High Court she had absolutely no wish or intention to mislead the defendant or the court but accepted Mr Knauf had offered information for the book with my knowledge.

The programme sparked a row between Buckingham Palace and the BBC, with all three royal households releasing a rare joint statement criticising the broadcaster for giving credibility to overblown and unfounded claims that they had briefed journalists against Harry and Meghan.

It was also lambasted for giving airtime to the duchesss lawyer denying accusations that she had bullied staff without any critical examination of those claims.
The medicinal leech is in danger of extinction in the UK because of water pollution, environmentalists say.

The creatures  once widespread across the country  are in as few as 25 ponds in Kent, Hampshire and Cumbria. It is the only British leech that can suck blood from humans.

Worming treatments for farm animals leaking into ponds are thought to have killed the leeches, according to the Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT). They are still used by the NHS to improve blood flow, but are bred in laboratories.

Dr Jeremy Biggs, of the FHT, said the leeches 'could easily go extinct in this country within 25 years'.

The charity hopes to reintroduce leeches to good-quality waters which used to have them

The charity hopes to reintroduce them to good-quality waters which used to have leeches.

'We are thinking of doing that in Yorkshire, and it could be around the fringes of the New Forest, and there are some possibilities in the Lake District as well,' Dr Biggs said.

Medicinal leeches do not spread any diseases to humans, and their bite is painless as they produce natural painkillers in their saliva.

Dr Biggs said: 'These are really rare creatures that could easily go extinct in this country within 25 years if we don't do anything about it.

'They are found in other parts of Europe but they are not common anywhere.'

He added: 'People think leeches are gross and slimy, an impression people may have got from watching programs on bloodsucking leeches in the Amazon.

'They are just neat creatures, it's so cool that there is such a thing, but of course people are brought up to be freaked out by anything that's not warm and cuddly.'

'We should learn to love leeches.'

Leeches are surprisingly hard to find  so the trust is developing a test that can sample the water of a pond or a ditch to see if medicinal leech DNA is present

Leeches are surprisingly hard to find  so the trust is developing a test that can sample the water of a pond or a ditch to see if medicinal leech DNA is present.

Once the DNA test is developed, conservationists will travel across the UK to test ponds and ditches to look for the elusive creatures.

The FHT will also launch three 'ark' collections where specimens of wild-caught leeches can be kept to ensure that a population of leeches remains.

Dr Biggs said the plan is to send conservationists back to places where medicinal leeches were recorded historically to see if there are any still there.

Existing ponds will need to be managed so they are more friendly to leeches, by cutting back overhanging foliage as medicinal leeches like warmer water.

He added: 'We will possibly try to reintroduce them to good quality environments which used to have leeches, where ponds are good enough to support them.

'We are thinking of doing that in Yorkshire, and it could be around the fringes of the New Forest, and there are some possibilities in the Lake District as well.'
Engineers working on HS2 will be able to explore England's high-speed railway using virtual reality headsets in order to fix faults that crop up in the future.

Train tracks, overheard power lines and bridges will be packed with some 50,000 sensors similar to those used in Formula One and aviation that will detect issues and beam data back to a 3D 'digital twin' replica of the railway.

It will allow engineers to enter a 'metaverse'-style environment where they will see a virtual representation of the real world, allowing them to diagnose issues and send out teams to fix them if required.

The first 'phase' of the line, between London and Birmingham, is supposed to open between 2029 and 2033.

However, in September last year Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen told the Commons the 'loss-making' project  which has an overall budget that has now swelled to over 106billion  will not be completed before 2041.

Taking live information on the health of its infrastructure from thousands of sensors across the route and building it into HS2s digital twin will create Britains new high speed rail network 'in complete virtual form'

A 'metaverse' of HS2, England's upcoming high-speed railway line, will let engineers put on a virtual reality (VR) headset to fix faults. Pictured are workers in one of the two tunnels at the south portal HS2 align compound, in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

The HS2 high-speed rail line is a 'loss-making' project, which will not be completed before 2041, Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen warned the House of Commons

HOW WILL IT WORK? - Train antenna receives data from sensors on track, bridges and power lines - Data is beamed to signalling mast and sent to control centre - Faults on the actual track will appear in the digital replica - Workers can detect faults and send repair teams - In addition there will be cameras on top of trains monitoring the condition of the overhead line Advertisement

The data that sensors on board the high speed trains collect will be transmitted directly to HS2's Birmingham-based Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC) at Washwood Heath, about two miles north-east of Birmingham city centre.

Workers will be able to don a headset to keep an eye on the HS2 digital replica, which will have as much detail as its real-life counterpart.

'They will see a virtual representation of the real world', David White, head of strategic planning and asset management on HS2, told the Times.

'Anything with a sensor on it will have data on its condition fed into the VR version of the railway and can be observed via the headset.'

At a given section of the London to Birmingham track, an antenna on top of the trains will receive data from sensors on the train track, bridges and power lines.

This data will then get beamed to a tall signalling mast and sent to the control centre via a superfast 5G signal to continually update the digital replica in real time.

Once an issue is detected, HS2 workers will be able to send out teams to fix the issue at the site.

The first 'phase' of the line, between London and Birmingham, is expected to open between 2029 and 2033. Artist's impression of an HS2 train

Alternatively, some problems could be solved by a quick fix that doesn't require a team to be deployed  such as simply turning off power with the flick of a switch at the control centre.

'Our plan is to reduce the amount of time that our staff have to go outside,' said White.

'At night on normal railways, you have to go through quite a lot of processes to turn the catenary [system of overhead wires] off, especially in tunnels, which adds a huge amount of time to the start of the maintenance activity.

'So if you can eliminate some of that you're really giving a lot more back to the maintainer to do the work they need to and then release the space back to the train operator.'

HS2 will also use machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence (AI), to predict faults before they happen.

It's Meta's ambition to transform into a 'metaverse'  a collective virtual shared space featuring avatars of real people, accessible with an internet connection and virtual reality headset (stock image)

Information on previous faults will be analysed by the company's machine learning tool in order to predict where future faults are most likely to occur.

'The idea is that the AI gets more experienced as time goes on, and will understand how things have failed in the past and determine when assets are likely to fail,' White said.

'Digital twins' of infrastructure used for maintenance purposes goes back several years, but more and more firms are opting to view them in a virtual internet-connected reality with their own avatars  a concept known as the 'metaverse'.

Interest in metaverses suddenly surged last autumn when Mark Zuckerberg re-branded his company from 'Facebook' to 'Meta' as part of a new focus on the metaverse concept.

The term 'metaverse,' coined in the 1992 dystopian novel 'Snow Crash,' is used to describe immersive, shared spaces accessed across different platforms where the physical and digital converge.

Zuckerberg has described it as an 'embodied internet.'

HS2 said its digital replica will be different from Meta's vision of the metaverse, as workers won't have avatars and will just put on headsets to inspect the route.
Some asteroids can 'sneak up' on us thanks to a quirk of the Earth's rotation that makes them seem like they are barely moving  making them hard to detect.

This is the warning of NASA-funded experts who investigated how telescopes nearly missed a 328-feet-wide asteroid that came within 43,500 miles of Earth back in 2019.

The space rock, dubbed '2019 OK', was the first object of its size to get that close to our planet since 1908  but it was only spotted 24 hours before its closest approach.

The reason, the team determined, is because it was moving towards us in such a way that its motion across the night sky was counteracted by the Earth's spin.

Thus  to early warning systems like Pan-STARRS1 at Hawaii's Haleakala Observatory  2019 OK looked stationary, so did not set off the automated detection software.

In fact, the experts said, up to half of asteroids approaching Earth from a danger zone east of 'opposition' likely undergo periods of such apparent slow motion.

An asteroid is said to be at opposition when its position in the night sky places it along a line that intersects both the Earth and the sun.

This means that half of these asteroids could presently also be difficult to detect  and computerised telescopes will need to be updated to take account of the effect.

Some asteroids can 'sneak up' on us thanks to a quirk of the Earth's rotation that makes them seem like they are barely moving  making them hard to detect (stock image)

Pictured: Some asteroids approaching Earth from the east of opposition (the yellow line) appear at practically the exact same point in the sky as they get closer. This is because as the asteroid would appear to move eastward across the night sky, such motion is counteracted by the Earth's rotation  meaning it is seen from the exact same angle from the Earth even as it gets closer (represented by the series of parallel, dashed orange lines)

WHAT IF 2019 OK HAD STRUCK EARTH? While not big enough to cause a global catastrophe, 2019 OK would have wreaked considerable devastation had it impacted the Earth  especially in a densely-populated setting. 'It's a city-killer asteroid,' Swinburne University astronomer Alan Duffy told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'It would have hit with over 30 times the energy of the atomic blast at Hiroshima.' Advertisement

The study was undertaken by astronomer Richard Wainscoat of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and his colleagues.

'Near-Earth Objects that approach from a direction east of opposition  most notably 02 hours [030] east of opposition  are prone to periods of slow motion during their approach,' the researchers explained in their paper.

'The induced topocentric motion coming from Earth's rotation cancels the natural eastward motion in the sky, making the object appear to be almost stationary, This makes discovery difficult.

'Surveys should take extra care when surveying the sky in this direction, and aggressively follow-up new slow-moving objects.'

Had the apparent slow motion phenomena not been in play with asteroid 2019 OK, the researchers said, the near-Earth object would likely have been detected up to four weeks before it made its closest approach to our planet.

As NASA defines it, a near-Earth object  or 'NEO' is any body that comes within 28 million miles (45 million kilometres) of the Earth's orbital path around the sun.

Any NEO whose orbit crosses that of our planet's and is larger than 460 feet (140 meters) in diameter is further classified as a 'potentially hazardous object' (PHO).

In 1994, the US Congress mandated that NASA should catalogue at least 90 per cent of NEOs larger than 0.6 miles (1 kilometre) across  that is, large enough that they would cause a global catastrophe should one ever impact the Earth.

That goal was achieved in 2011. In 2005, however, the directive was updated to include the cataloguing of 90 per cent of all PHOs by the year 2020  a goal which, to date, has still not been achieved, with the figure currently at around 40 per cent.

'Weve got a way to go,' Professor Wainscoat told the Telegraph.

However, he added, 'once we have catalogued more than 90 per cent, the number that can creep up on us from [the danger zone] will be small.'

To early warning systems like Pan-STARRS1 at Hawaii's Haleakala Observatory, 2019 OK  seen here at four different times on July 7, 2019, before it had been flagged  looked stationary, so did not set off the automated detection software

The risk of devastating impactors was recently highlighted in the Netflix film 'Don't Look Up', in which Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence star as scientists trying to warn a disinterested public about a comet on course to wipe out humanity.

In case you are worrying about an Armageddon-themed demise, however, Professor Wainscoat said that people 'shouldn't lose sleep' over the possibility.

However, he added: 'In the event that we find something that is going to hit the Earth we would like to do something about it!

'It's not a matter of finding them and sitting there and letting it hit.'

In fact, NASA is presently undertaking a mission to explore the feasibility of diverting the course of an asteroid by crashing a space probe into it.

The DART 'Double Asteroid Redirection Test' mission launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California last November, and is expected to reach its target  the minor-planet moon Dimorphos  around late September this year.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Icarus.
A satellite dish-like aircraft that will allow its pilot to whizz through the skies at up to 160 miles per hour has completed its first untethered flight test.

The full-scale electric ZEVA Aero, created by Tacoma, Washington-based firm ZEVA, performed a series of unmanned flight tests in rural Pierce County on January 9.

It completed four flights, totalling more than four minutes of controlled hovering, simulated taxiing manoeuvres at slow speeds and limited vertical climb manoeuvres.

The vehicle is defined as a vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which can take off straight up into the air, reducing the need for runway space.

The company calls ZEVA Aero a 'personal flying machine' that can transition from an upright 'hover mode' to 'forward flight mode' where the passenger faces downwards as they zoom through the air in a 'Superman-like trajectory'.

The patent-pending design is expected to be available for pre-order for consumers for a $5,000 (3,650) deposit as early as spring this year, with an eventual price tag for the first production units estimated up to $250,000 (182,000).

Pictured is ZEVA Aero in its upright 'hover mode' orientation during the testing on January 9. When manned, the single passenger will be able to see out of the window at the top

In forward flight mode, the aircraft will tilt towards a horizontal orientation, giving him or her unrestricted views of the ground below during a 'Superman-like trajectory'

ZEVA AERO SPECS - Power: 100% electric - Range: 50 miles (best in class) - Speed: 160 mph cruise - Zero emissions - Vertical take off and landing Advertisement

The January 9 flight is part of a rigorous test program to achieve certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

'This is a huge inflection point for ZEVA as we join an exclusive set of proven flying eVTOL platforms, and a testament to the relentless hard work and ingenuity of our entire team over the past two and half years,' said Stephen Tibbitts, CEO of ZEVA.

'We are dissecting our learnings from our critical first taxiing flight, which is a direct result of the support we've received from our investors and community, leading us to bring in additional talent to spearhead this historic moment.

'We are eager to continue to our next stage of hover flight testing on our road to certification and eventual autonomous flight allowing anyone, not just pilots, to access zero-emission point-to-point travel.'

The firm says: 'ZERO is a new class of aircraft that blends the best features of multi-copter with streamlined wing-body for improved range and efficiency'

Its compact airframe is designed for a single pilot and is small enough to fit in a standard automobile parking space

ZEVA Aero's compact airframe is designed for a single pilot and is small enough to fit in a standard automobile parking space.

The vehicle uses eight zero-emission electric motor-driven propellers to get airborne.

When in upright 'hover mode', the single passenger will be sat upright and able to see out of the window at the top.

But in forward flight mode, the aircraft will tilt towards a horizontal orientation, giving him or her unrestricted views of the ground below, like the Galactica ride at Alton Towers.

For the tests on January 9, the aircraft stayed in an upright position as it lifted off from the ground and landed safely.

The major milestone for the Tacoma-based startup occured in rural Pierce County, Washington, on Sunday, January 9th, 2022 as part of its rigorous test program to achieve FAA airworthiness certification

'ZEVA Aero successfully conducted multiple take offs and landings,' the firm said. 'The aircraft performed perfectly!'

In future, tests will involve a human passenger in the cockpit and flight in the more adventurous near-horizontal orientation.

'ZEVA will continue hover flight tests and advance to transition flight testing this spring to fine-tune the unique Superman-like trajectory of the aircraft design,' the firm says.

A scaled-down version of the aircraft, just one-sixth of its actual size, completed flights in the horizontal orientation back in 2019.
Rocks sinking through the mantle of the early moon could hold the key to explaining why our lunar satellite appears to have had a magnetic field in its past, a study has claimed.

The moon isn't large enough to have a magnetic field, like the one surrounding the Earth, but rock samples returned to Earth by NASA astronauts 50 years ago suggested they were formed in the presence of a strong magnetic field.

This is a mystery that has baffled planetary scientists for decades, but a new study, by experts from Brown University Providence, Rhode Island may have the answer.

They suggest that the early moon may have been able to generate intermittent, powerful magnetic fields as a result of giant rocks sinking through the liquid mantle during its first billion years  before it became a solid body.

This, the team said, would explain how some of the moon rocks formed under a magnetic field, despite there being no evidence of one around the moon today.

Rocks sinking through the mantle of the early moon could hold the key to explaining why our lunar satellite appears to have had a magnetic field in its past, a study has claimed

KEY FINDINGS As the moon began to solidify, certain rocks that didn't sink early on began to fall to the core. This included formations made of titanium, that would break into 37 mile diameter blobs. They would sink intermittently over the course of about a billion years. When each of these blobs eventually hit the bottom, they would have given a major jolt to the moon's core dynamo. Having been perched just below the moon's crust, the titanium formations would have been relatively cool in temperature compared to the core. The core had an estimated temperature of up to 3,800F. When the cool blobs came in contact with the hot core after sinking, the temperature mismatch would have driven an increased core convection. This would be enough to drive a magnetic field at the moon's surface as strong or even stronger than Earth's. There could have been as many as 100 of these downwelling events over the moon's first billion years of existence, each lasting about a century. Advertisement

Rocks returned to Earth during NASA's Apollo program, from 1968 to 1972, have provided volumes of information about the moon's history.

They have helped planetary scientists better understand how it formed, find what it is made of and now, how it developed and lost a magnetic field.

Analysis of the rocks revealed that some seemed to have formed in the presence of a strong magnetic field  one that rivalled Earth's in strength  and others didn't.

However, for decades it wasn't clear how a moon-sized body, a quarter the size of the Earth, could have generated a magnetic field that strong.

In this new study, geoscientists show that giant rock formations sinking through the moon's mantle could have produced the kind of interior convection that generates strong magnetic fields.

The processes could have produced intermittently strong magnetic fields for the first billion years of the moon's history, the researchers say.

'Everything that we've thought about how magnetic fields are generated by planetary cores tells us that a body of the moon's size should not be able to generate a field that's as strong as Earth's,' said Alexander Evans, study co-author, from Brown.

'But instead of thinking about how to power a strong magnetic field continuously over billions of years, maybe there's a way to get a high-intensity field intermittently.

'Our model shows how that can happen, and it's consistent with what we know about the moon's interior.'

Planetary bodies produce magnetic fields through what's known as a core dynamo, slowly dissipating heat causes convection of molten metals in the core.

The constant churning of electrically conductive material is what produces a magnetic field, much like the core in the Earth produces the magnetic field.

The moon lacks a magnetic field today, and models of its core suggest that it was probably too small and lacked the convective force to have ever produced a continuously strong magnetic field.

In the case of the early moon, Evans says, the mantle surrounding the core wasn't much cooler than the core itself and because the core's heat didn't have anywhere to go, there wasn't much convection in the core.

But this new study, in partnership with Sonia Tikoo from Stanford University, shows how sinking rocks could have provided intermittent convective boosts.

This is a mystery that has baffled planetary scientists for decades, but a new study, by experts from Brown University Providence, Rhode Island may have the answer

The moon's crust may have formed from a 'slushy' magma ocean that froze over hundreds of millions of years, study reveals The moon's crust may have formed thanks to a 'slushy' magma ocean that froze over the course of hundreds of millions years, a new study has revealed. An international team of scientists, led by the University of Cambridge, created a series of computer and mathematical models to examine the chemical make-up and behaviour of moon rocks, and how they'd behave in the early 'liquid magma' moon. They found that as the moon cooled, after its initial explosive beginning, the freezing sea of molten rock could have led to the current lunar surface. The moon's crust may have formed in a similar way to crystals in a slushy machine, the researchers said, before remaining suspended in liquid magma over hundreds of millions of years as the 'slush' of the young moon froze and solidified. If the crystals remain suspended as a slurry, then when the crystal content of the slurry exceeds a critical threshold, the slurry becomes thick and sticky. 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' - creating the lunar surface. Advertisement

The story of these sinking stones starts a few million years after the moon's formation, the researchers explained.

Very early in its history, within a billion years of it forming, the moon is thought to have been covered by an ocean of molten rock.

As this vast magma ocean began to cool and solidify, minerals like olivine and pryoxene, denser than the liquid magma, sank to the bottom.

Less dense minerals, like anorthosite, floated to the top and formed a crust.

The remaining liquid magma was rich in titanium as well as heat-producing elements like thorium, uranium and potassium, so it took a bit longer to solidify.

When this titanium layer finally crystallised just beneath the crust, it was denser than the earlier-solidifying minerals below it.

Over time, the titanium formations sank through the less-dense mantle rock underneath, a process known as gravitational overturn.

For this new study, Evans and Tikoo modelled the dynamics of how those titanium formations would have sunk, as well as the effect they might have when they eventually reached the moon's core.

Based on the current composition of the moon, and the estimated viscosity of its mantle, the team predict the formations would break into 37 mile diameter blobs, and sink intermittently over about a billion years.

When each of these blobs eventually hit bottom, they would have given a major jolt to the moon's core dynamo, the researchers found.

Having been perched just below the moon's crust, the titanium formations would have been relatively cool in temperature - far cooler than the core's estimated temperature of somewhere between 2,600 and 3,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the cool blobs came in contact with the hot core after sinking, the temperature mismatch would have driven an increased core convection.

This, the team said, would explain how some of the moon rocks formed under a magnetic field, despite there being no evidence of one around the moon today

SCIENTISTS DON'T AGREE ON HOW THE MOON FORMED Many researchers believe the moon formed after Earth was hit by a planet the size of Mars billions of years ago. This is called the giant impact hypothesis. The theory suggests the moon is made up of debris left over following a collision between our planet and a body around 4.5 billion years ago. The colliding body is sometimes called Theia, after the mythical Greek Titan who was the mother of Selene, the goddess of the moon. But one mystery has persisted, revealed by rocks the Apollo astronauts brought back from the moon: Why are the moon and Earth so similar in their composition? Several different theories have emerged over the years to explain the similar fingerprints of Earth and the moon. Perhaps the impact created a huge cloud of debris that mixed thoroughly with the Earth and then later condensed to form the moon. Or Theia could have, coincidentally, been chemically similar to young Earth. A third possibility is that the moon formed from Earthen materials, rather than from Theia, although this would have been a very unusual type of impact. Advertisement

This would have been enough to drive a magnetic field at the moon's surface as strong or even stronger than Earth's.

'You can think of it a little bit like a drop of water hitting a hot skillet,' Evans said.

'You have something really cold that touches the core, and suddenly a lot of heat can flux out. That causes churning in the core to increase, which gives you these intermittently strong magnetic fields.'

There could have been as many as 100 of these downwelling events over the moon's first billion years of existence, the researchers predicted, and each one could have produced a strong magnetic field lasting a century or so.

Evans says the intermittent magnetic model not only accounts for the strength of the magnetic signature found in the Apollo rock samples, but also for the fact that magnetic signatures vary widely in the Apollo collection.

Planetary scientists and geologists studying these rock samples found that some of them carry a strong magnetic signature, others have no signature or a weak one.

'This model is able to explain both the intensity and the variability we see in the Apollo samples  something that no other model has been able to do,' Evans said.

'It also gives us some time constraints on the foundering of this titanium material, which gives us a better picture of the moon's early evolution.'

The idea is also testable, Evans explained, implying there should be evidence of a weak magnetic background on the moon, punctuated by high-strength events.

That should be evident in the Apollo collection, which the team say should be discoverable by examining the rocks in closer detail.

While the strong magnetic signatures in the Apollo samples stuck out like a sore thumb, weaker signatures have received less attention, Evans says.

The presence of those weak signatures along with the strong ones would give this new idea a big boost, which could finally put the Moon's magnetic mystery to rest.

The findings have been published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
The human brain pays attention to unfamiliar voices during sleep to stay alert to potential threats, a new study reveals.

Researchers in Austria measured the brain activity of sleeping adults in response to familiar and unfamiliar voices.

Hearing unfamiliar voices when asleep caused the human brain to 'tune in' during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM), the first stage of sleep.

However, researchers didn't see the effect during REM, the deepest stage of sleep, likely due to micro-structure changes in the brain, they say.

Even though our eyes are shut off from what's around us, the brain continues to monitor the environment as we sleep, balancing the need to protect sleep with the need to wake up.

One way the it accomplishes this is by selectively responding to unfamiliar voices over familiar ones, according to the experts.

This may go back to the long process of human evolution, and the need to quickly awake in the face of potential danger, characterised by less familiar auditory cues.

Overall, the study suggests unfamiliar voices  like those coming from a TV  prevents a restful night's sleep because the brain is on higher alert.

The brain pays attention to unfamiliar voices during sleep. This ability allows the brain to balance sleep with responding to environmental cues, according to experts (stock image)

WHAT IS NREM SLEEP? Non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) is the first stage of sleep. Non-REM sleep happens first and includes three stages. The last two stage of non-REM sleep is when you sleep deeply. Its hard to wake up from this stage of sleep. Advertisement

The study has been led by researchers at the University of Salzburg and published today in the journal JNeurosci.

'Our findings highlight discrepancies in brain responses to auditory stimuli based on their relevance to the sleeper,' the team say in their paper.

'Results suggest that the unfamiliarity of voice is a strong promoter of brain responses during NREM sleep.'

For the study, researchers recruited 17 volunteers (14 female) with an average age of 22 years.

The volunteers, all of whom had no reported sleep disorders, were fitted with polysomnography equipment during a full night's sleep.

Polysomnography measures brain waves, respiration, muscle tension, movements, heart activity and more, as they advanced through the different sleep stages.

Before the start of the experiment, participants were advised to maintain a regular sleep/wake cycle  around eight hours of sleep  for at least four days.

Before the experiments, volunteers were advised to maintain a regular sleep/wake cycle (around 8h of sleep) for at least four days. Then they spent two nights in the lab - the first they were asleep with polysomnography (PSG) data recorded but they heard no auditory stimulation. For the second night PSG data was recorded while auditory stimulation came from loudspeakers through the night. In both nights, participants were tested during wakefulness before and after sleep

FINDING YOUR SLEEP 'SWEET SPOT' CAN PROTECT THE BRAIN Getting between seven and eight hours of sleep each night in old age is the sweet spot for keeping your brain healthy, a 2021 study found. People who regularly got fewer than six hours had worse cognitive function and higher levels of a dangerous plaque in the brain linked to dementia. People who slept too much also performed poorer in memory, reaction time and flexible thinking tests, experts at Stanford University found. Read more: Finding your sleep 'sweet spot' will help protect your brain Advertisement

As they slept, they were presented with auditory stiumuli via loudspeakers of their own first name and two unfamiliar first names, spoken by either a familiar voice, (such as a parent) or an unfamiliar voice (a stranger).

Researchers found that unfamiliar voices elicited more K-complexes, a type of brain wave linked to sensory perturbances during sleep, compared to familiar voices.

While familiar voices can also trigger K-complexes, only those triggered by unfamiliar voices were found to be accompanied by large-scale changes in brain activity linked to sensory processing, they found.

However, brain responses to the unfamiliar voice occurred less often as the night went on and the voice became more familiar, indicating the brain may still be able to learn during sleep.

These results suggest K-complexes allow the brain to enter a 'sentinel processing mode', where the brain stays asleep but retains the ability to respond to relevant stimuli.

'It might be that the sleeping brain learns, through repeated processing, that an initially unfamiliar stimulus poses no immediate threat to the sleeper and consequently decreases its response to it,' say the experts.

'Conversely, in a safe sleep environment, the brain might be "expecting" to hear familiar voices and consistently inhibits any response to such stimuli to preserve sleep.'

Graph shows the difference in the triggered K-complexes and micro-arousals. Left, the difference between unfamiliar voice (UFV) and familiar voice (FV) in the number of triggered K-complexes was significant from 100ms to 800ms. Right, the difference in the number of micro-arousals between FVs and UFVs was significant in the periods from 200 to 400ms, and from 500 to 700ms

As well as K-complexes, presenting auditory stimuli during NREM sleep increased the number of 'spindles' and 'micro-arousals' in the brain.

'Spindles are faster brain waves that appear during NREM sleep and are linked to memory consolidation,' study author Ameen Mohamed at University of Salzburg told MailOnline.

'Micro-arousals are periods in sleep during which the EEG signal shifts from slow and synchronised activity of sleep to faster, wake-like activity.

'By definition, they last from three seconds to 15 seconds; if they are longer they are considered awakenings. They appear in all sleep stages.'

However, researchers found no difference in the amount of triggered K-complexes, spindles or micro-arousals between the subject's own name and unfamiliar names.

This is interesting because previous research  including one 1999 study by a French team  has demonstrated that the subject's own name evokes stronger brain responses than other names during sleep.
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A vast 4,500-year-old network of 'funerary avenues' lined with well-preserved Bronze Age tombs has been uncovered in Saudi Arabia.

In a new paper, researchers detail the arrangement of around 18,000 tombs, spanning thousands of miles in the Saudi Arabian counties of Al-'Ula and Khaybar.

They consist of small piles of stone arranged in elaborate shapes, marking the spot where either single individuals or small groups were buried, experts say.

The burials are described as 'pendant' tombs because they resemble circular pieces of jewellery attached to a chain, or 'tail'.

University of Western Australia archaeologists describe ancient highways in their new paper. Pictured is a dense funerary avenue with 'wedge-tailed' pendants and infilled ringed cairns, emanating from Khaybar Oasis in Saudi Arabia

The tombs as described as 'pendant' because they resemble circular pieces of jewellery, or 'heads', attached to a chain, or 'tail'

Small piles of stone arranged in elaborate shapes (pictured) mark the spot where either single individuals or small groups were buried

WHAT ARE FUNERARY AVENUES? Funerary avenues are long-distance 'corridors' linking oases and pastures. They get their name because they're bordered by thousands of elaborate burial monuments. Funerary avenues in the AlUla and Khaybar counties in Saudi Arabia have been detailed in a new study. Advertisement

Pendant tombs are already known to have yielded human remains dating to as early as the mid-third millennium BC, during the Bronze Age.

In total, the experts have observed around 18,000 tombs along 'funerary avenues'  long-distance 'corridors' linking oases and pastures lined by burials  only 80 of which have been sampled or excavated.

It's thought that the tombs may have been built as memorials ('cenotaphs') or for other, as yet unclear symbolic or ritual purposes.

Dr Matthew Dalton, from the University of Western Australia's School of Humanities, is lead author of the findings.

He and his team used satellite imagery, helicopter-based aerial photography, ground survey and excavation to locate and analyse the funerary avenues.

'The people who live in these areas have known about them for thousands of years,' Dr Dalton told CNN.

'But I think it wasn't really known until until we got satellite imagery that just how widespread they are.'

Desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula and Levant are known to be criss-crossed by innumerable pathways, flanked by stone monuments, the vast majority of which are ancient tombs.

Thousands of miles of these paths and monument features, collectively known as 'funerary avenues', can be traced across the landscape, especially around and between major perennial water sources.

The Bronze Age-era tombs span large distances in Al-'Ula and Khaybar, two counties in northwestern Saudi Arabia, western Asia

Funerary avenues were the major highway networks of their day, according to Dr Dalton.

Their existence today shows that the populations living in the Arabian Peninsula 4,500 years ago were more socially and economically connected to one another than previously thought.

Researchers found that the highest concentrations of funerary monuments on these avenues were located near permanent water sources.

The direction of the avenues indicated that populations used them to travel between major oases, including those of Khaybar, Al-'Ula and Tayma.

Lesser avenues fade into the landscapes surrounding oases, suggesting the routes were also used to move herds of domestic animals into nearby pastures during periods of rain.

The researchers used satellite imagery, helicopter-based aerial photography, ground survey and excavation to locate and analyse the funerary avenues

A funerary avenue with pendants and burial cairns. Here, the avenue descends from the Harrat Uwayrid towards Saq, a spring near Al-'Ula, Saudi Arabia

'These oases, especially Khaybar, exhibit some of the densest concentrations of funerary monuments known worldwide,' Dr Dalton said.

'The sheer number of Bronze Age tombs built around them suggests that populations had already begun to settle more permanently in these favourable locations at this time.'

Continued excavation and analysis of human remains within these monuments will be essential going forward, according to the researchers.

'Primary inhumations, where identifiable and suitably preserved, may reveal the demographics of those for whom avenue monuments were originally constructed, allowing better reconstructions of these societies and their funerary practices,' they say.

The findings have been published in the journal The Holocene.
A 130-million-year-old fossilized flower bud found in China may solve Charles Darwin's 'abominable mystery' that questioned when and how the first flowering plants evolved.

The fossil includes a leafy branch, physically connected fruit and flower bud, which suggests angiosperms were present in the Jurassic period (201.3 million to 145 million years ago).

Angiosperms are plants that has flowers and produces seed.

This specimen, which is the oldest on record, was discovered at a deposit dated more than 164 million years ago and could be the transitional stage that finally answer's Darwin's enigma.

A 130-million-year-old fossilized flower bud found in China may solve Charles Darwin's 'abominable mystery' that questioned when and how the first flowering plants evolved

The famed naturalist's abominable mystery was first brought to light in 1879.

In a letter to his closest friend, botanist and explorer Dr Joseph Hooker, he wrote: 'The rapid development as far as we can judge of all the higher plants within recent geological times is an abominable mystery.'

Flowering plants appeared on Earth relatively recently on a geological timescale, then swiftly diversified in an explosion of color, shape and form.

Many fossils that could be the answer have been discovered, but further investigations reveal they were not a true angiosperm.

In a letter to his closest friend, botanist and explorer Dr Joseph Hooker, Charles Darwin (pictured) wrote: 'The rapid development as far as we can judge of all the higher plants within recent geological times is an abominable mystery

Pictured is a map showing the location of Inner Mongolia, China where the fossil was discovered

However, the fossilized flower bud, named Florigerminis jurassica, fits the criteria.

The ancient plant is described has having woody branches with nodes, an area on the stem where buds are located, physically connected fruit and a flower bud that ends on the branch.

It also features multiple tepals smooth-margined, tightly enwrapping the center.

'Although over 100 blooming flowers of Nanjinganthus exemplify the truthful existence of angiosperms in the Jurassic, our current knowledge of early angiosperms is still sparse,' reads the study published in Geological Society, London, Special Publications.

'Here we report Florigerminis jurassica, a fossil plant including physically connected flower bud, fruit and leafy branch, from the Jiulongshan Formation (the MiddleLate Jurassic: >164 Ma) of Inner Mongolia, China.'

The fossil includes a leafy branch, physically connected fruit and flower bud, which suggests angiosperms were present in the Jurassic period (201.3 million to 145 million years ago)

The plant tissues are preserved in yellowish rock made of volcanic ash that was ejected during an eruption and its leaves have since fallen off, leaving just their scars embedded in the deposit.

'According to Darwinism and outgroup comparison, well-differentiated perianth is thought to be derived and not expected for pioneer angiosperms, but this thinking is now challenged by the presence of well-differentiated perianth in Jurassic Euanthus [discovered in 2016] and Nanjinganthus [discovered in 2018],' according to the study.

Both Jurrassic Euanthus and Nanjinganthus have similar characteristics to that of modern flowering plants, but many experts argue they are not true angiosperms.

'The unexpected occurrence of flowers such as Florigerminis, Euanthus and Nanjinganthus, all from the Jurassic, implies that the related theories of angiosperm evolution lack the predictability required for a scientific theory,' reads the study.
Earth has experienced five mass extinctions caused by natural phenomena, but a new study suggests a sixth event is underway and human activities are to blame.

The research, led by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, reveals our planet has lost 150,000 to 260,000 (7.5 to 13 percent) of all its two million known species since 1500.

Although some are in denial that the dramatic decline will amount to a mass extinction, billionaire Elon Musk is one who believes increased rates of species extinctions is inevitable.

Replying to a tweet announcing the release of the study, Musk commented: 'There is a 100 [percent] chance of *all* species extinction due to expansion of the sun.'

However, the tech tycoon also offers up a solution - humanity must make life multiplanetary.

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Although some are in denial that the dramatic decline will amount to a mass extinction, billionaire Elon Musk is one who believes increased rates of species extinctions is inevitable

Musk's tweet echoes statements he made in December 2021 to Time magazine, which he proposed creating a 'futuristic Noah's Ark' to take animals to Mars in order to save them from extinction on Earth.

'The next really big thing is to build a self-sustaining city on Mars and bring the animals and creatures of Earth there,' he said.

'Sort of like a futuristic Noah's ark. We'll bring more than two, though - it's a little weird if there's only two.'

Although scientists have ridiculed Musk for the plan, the billionaire's stance on a sixth extinction could be accurate.

The study, led by Robert Cowie with the University of Hawaii, notes that the Red List of Threatened Species includes mostly birds and mammals, but leaves out most invertebrates - a group that has seen a dramatic loss

The study notes that the Red List seems to avoid Romeo Error and does not include all extinct species, thus underestimating how many have actually disappeared from the Earth. Pictured is recent extinct Endodontidae from Rurutu that are not on the Red List

The study, led by Robert Cowie with the University of Hawaii, notes that the Red List of Threatened Species includes mostly birds and mammals, but leaves out most invertebrates - a group that has seen a dramatic loss.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, human activity is known to have forced 869 species to extinction in the last 500 years.

'Incorporating estimates of the true number of invertebrate extinctions leads to the conclusion that the rate vastly exceeds the background rate and that we may indeed be witnessing the start of the Sixth Mass Extinction,' reads the study published in the journal Biological Reviews.

Pictured is an Eskimo curlew from Audubon that disappeared around 1827, but is not listed as such, for fear of committing the Romeo Error

The study notes that the Red List seems to avoid Romeo Error - uncritical acceptance of pronouncements and assumptions of extinction - and does not include all extinct species, thus underestimating how many have actually disappeared from the Earth.

And this is largely observed among invertebrate species, which are typically recorded only locally and sometimes only one specimen, making them impossible to assess with the Red List criteria.

'For instance, ~ 20% of Australian Neuroptera are known from a single specimen or a single locality; in a random sample of terrestrial molluscs worldwide, 30% were known only from the original description and 33% from only one locality; in a random sample of Coleoptera, 53% were known only from a single locality and 13% from a single specimen; among species of Trichoptera newly described in 20112014, 45% were based on singletons; and of 2,198 worldwide mantids, 48% are reported based on single specimens,' the study reads.

The team also says the Red Lists is not a good basis to assess global extinction because 'it is far from comprehensive and biased taxonomically. Pictured is a parasite that went extinct when its host, the kiwi, was transferred to a predator-free island - it is also not on the Red List

The team also says the Red List is not a good basis to assess global extinction because 'it is far from comprehensive and biased taxonomically, and it is impossible to evaluate the vast numbers of species, notably invertebrates, according to the IUCN categories and criteria, not only because of their sheer numbers but also because we simply do not have adequate data.'

'Including invertebrates was key to confirming that we are indeed witnessing the onset of the Sixth Mass Extinction in Earth's history,' said Cowie.

Unfortunately, along with science denial taking a foothold in modern society on a range of issues, the new study points out that some people also deny that the sixth extinction has begun.

Additionally, others accept it as a new and natural evolutionary trajectory, as humans are just another species playing their natural role in Earth's history.

Some even consider that biodiversity should be manipulated solely for the benefit of humanity.

'Humans are the only species capable of manipulating the biosphere on a large scale,' Cowie emphasized.

'We are not just another species evolving in the face of external influences. In contrast, we are the only species that has conscious choice regarding our future and that of Earth's biodiversity.

'Denying the crisis, accepting it without reacting, or even encouraging it constitutes an abrogation of humanity's common responsibility and paves the way for Earth to continue on its sad trajectory towards the Sixth Mass Extinction.'
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has urged his former club to hijack Tottenham's move for Wolves star Adama Traore.

The Spaniard has played a pivotal role for the Midlands outfit, featuring in over 150 matches across all competitions since joining from Middlesbrough in 2015.

The 25-year-old has impressed in performances for Wolves in recent seasons, attracting interest from several of Europe's elite.

Martin Keown (left) has urged his former side Arsenal to enter the race for Adama Traore (right)

Tottenham are said to be the frontrunners for his signature as Traore is believed to be their first choice as Antonio Conte prioritises bringing in a new right wing-back.

But former defender Keown has urged Spurs' north London rivals to enter the race for the winger.

Following Wolves' 3-1 victory over Southampton at the weekend, in which Traore rounded off the hard-earned win with a goal, the 55-year-old sung his praises on BBC's Final Score.

The ex-defender has encouraged Mikel Arteta (pictured) to make a move for the Spaniard

'I feel Traore is awesome at times, and just for once, we have the satisfaction of seeing it,' said Keown.

'It's a lovely finish from him. I'd sign him if I was a manager. Arsenal  get in and buy him!'

Despite Keown's encouragement, Mikel Arteta is more desperate for a pure striker to lead the line this January.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future at the Emirates looks uncertain, while Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah's contracts are set to expire in summer.
Rose Ayling-Ellis is urging England to give sign language legal status - an implementation she said would be 'so emotional' for the deaf community.

The EastEnders actress, 27, who was Strictly Come Dancing's first deaf contestant and winner, has voiced fears of the country's current situation, which often sees deaf children receive serious diagnoses from their doctor without a translator.

Scotland is the first of the four nations to enshrine the language law - but the soap star, gracing the front of The Big Issue, is campaigning for the same down south.

Making a change: Rose Ayling-Ellis said it would be 'so emotional' for the deaf community if sign language was given legal status - as she fronted The Big Issue with her campaign

The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act came into force in October 2015 and means public bodies have an obligation to provide interpreters for deaf people using services like the NHS and education.

As part of the Strictly champ's campaigning, she is backing West Lancashire Labour MP Rosie Cooper's Private Members' bill that aims to declare BSL an official language with rights attached as it goes to its second reading in the House of Commons on January 28.

Last week, the Frankie Lewis actress told This Morning: 'I have heard so many stories about deaf people going to a doctor, they ask for an interpreter, and they don't refer them an interpreter, so they end up needing their child to translate, or a family member.

Campaigning: The EastEnders actress, 27, who was Strictly Come Dancing's first deaf contestant and winner, has voiced fears of the country's current situation, which often sees deaf children receive serious diagnoses from their doctor without a translator

'That shouldn't be. Because it's not an official language, we can't do anything about it.'

At present, the only requirement for a qualified interpreter in England is in the court system.

During this week's interview with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield alongside Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice, Phillip pointed out that the Google search for British Sign Language was up by 488 per cent and added Rose had inspired a whole range of people.

Fight: During this week's interview with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield alongside Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice (pictured), Phillip pointed out that the Google search for British Sign Language was up by 488 per cent

Speaking out: She said: 'I think that's amazing because sign language needs to be more appreciated, it's got such a rich history'

She said: 'I think that's amazing because sign language needs to be more appreciated...

'It's got such a rich history. The first record of sign language in the UK was 400 years ago. People don't realise it's such a beautiful language...

'It's got its own grammar, its own structure, so it's really nice to see people inspired by that and want to learn. Even just a small, simple sign can make a big difference.'

Rose made history as Strictly's first deaf contestant with one of her dances making history thanks to a silent spell, which left audiences in awe.

Reaching out: As part of the The Strictly champ's campaigning, she is backing West Lancashire Labour MP Rosie Cooper's (pictured 2006) Private Members' bill that aims to declare BSL an official language with rights attached

Phillip asked if they will do the iconic Couples' Choice dance on tour, where they danced in silence. Rose said: 'Yeah, I think it would be weird for us not to do it.'

Giovanni said: 'It was such a special moment. It's such an important dance, it's a statement. So doing it in an arena with 10,000 people live and to stop the music there would be quite spectacular...

'It's one of the most beautiful things we've done on Strictly, so we both want to do it so much.' Rose joked, 'I hope no one will eat crisps by the side!'

Speaking about winning the show, Rose said: 'I was speechless...

'When it actually happened, you sort of imagine what you would say and what you would feel like, but when it happened I didn't know what to say, I was so speechless, I couldn't even breathe!'
News broke over the weekend that Kyle Sandilands had proposed to his girlfriend Tegan Kynaston during the Christmas holidays.

And the radio host's ex Imogen Anthony took to Instagram on Sunday to admit she'd spent the last 48 hours on 'a full Barangaroo bar crawl', which also involved going to Crown Sydney 'twice in two days'.

While it's unclear if her bender was related to Kyle's engagement, Imogen, 30, said things were so wild she 'won't be drinking' again until her birthday in two weeks' time.

Wild: As news broke Kyle Sandilands was engaged to girlfriend Tegan Kynaston, his ex Imogen Anthony (pictured) admitted she'd spent the last 48 hours on 'a full Barangaroo bar crawl'

The Big Brother VIP star wrote: 'As stated in my previous post, please excuse my disheveled head as it was absolutely p**sing down with rain on the two days I decided to leave the house.

'For f**k's sake, if it ain't Covid, it's crap weather. Anyhow, for someone who doesn't go out much anymore, she (unintentionally) ended up at the Crown twice in two days, did a full Barangaroo bar crawl, made friends with the bellmen, left accessories in different bathrooms and had multiple staff members helping her.'

Imogen concluded, 'Needless to say she ain't going back there for a while and isn't drinking 'till at least her birthday (in two weeks) Who was she? We're still not quite sure.'

Drowning sorrows: While it's unclear if her bender was related to Kyle's engagement, Imogen, 30, said things were so wild she 'won't be drinking' again until her birthday in two weeks' time

Cryptic: Imogen has not made a direct reference to her ex-boyfriend since news of his engagement to Tegan was leaked over the weekend

Imogen has not made a direct reference to her ex-boyfriend since news of his engagement to Tegan was leaked over the weekend.

The former couple were together for eight years, but Kyle never popped the question.

The media titan, 50, announced his shock split from Imogen on The Kyle and Jackie O Show in November 2019.

Ex appeal: The former couple (pictured in November 2014) were together for eight years, but Kyle never popped the question

He told listeners the couple 'haven't been living with each other' for months and their relationship had simply 'run its course'.

'We haven't been with each other for quite a few months now. Unfortunately it's run its course,' he said.

Kyle began dating Tegan, 35, following his split from Imogen.

The radio host is believed to have proposed to Tegan at his holiday home in Port Douglas earlier this month.

It's official! Kyle began dating Tegan, 35, following his split from Imogen. The radio host, 50, is believed to have proposed to Tegan at his holiday home in Port Douglas earlier this month

He put a ring on it! Tegan later showed off the massive sparkler in an Instagram post

Tegan, who is the director of communications for Kyle's company, was also spotted wearing a large diamond ring on Saturday after touching down in Sydney.

A source close to the couple said the wedding will happen in the near future.

The couple went public with their romance on New Year's Eve in 2019 when Tegan shared a picture of herself kissing Kyle in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Wedding bells: Tegan, who is the director of communications for Kyle's company, was also spotted wearing a large diamond ring on Saturday after touching down in Sydney

Two months earlier, she had denied rumours she was dating the KIIS FM presenter.

Earlier this month, Kyle revealed he hadn't ruled out having children with Tegan.

'It is definitely not off the cards,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

Going public: The couple went public with their romance on New Year's Eve in 2019 when Tegan shared a picture of herself kissing Kyle in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Kyle explained: 'It has never really been on my priority list and I think that is just because I was that kid that dragged around my childhood issues from my parents' divorce and this and that.'

He admitted he wasn't always interested in having children, but came around to the idea after spending time with other parents, including John Ibrahim and his partner Sarah Budge.

The businessman also recently confirmed he had been given the 'all-clear' after undergoing fertility testing.

'It's definitely not off the cards': Earlier this month, Kyle revealed he hasn't ruled out having children with Tegan

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia last month, Kyle said: 'I was really nervous [about the fertility test] until it came back saying, "Yep, it's all great, everything's fine."

'[Tegan] is all good, obviously. She's a young and healthy woman. So it's good to know that everything's fine in that area so it won't interfere with any future plans.

'[I wasn't thinking about kids] because I've been work focused. But all my friends have kids and Tegan's family and friends, they've all got kids. And we're like the only couple at the barbecue that've got no kids, we have the FOMO [fear of missing out].'
Maria Thattil has spoken out about the criticism she receives for dating white men.

The former Miss Universe Australia, 28, told Refinery29 people often make offensive and insensitive comments about her romantic life.

This scrutiny has only increased since Maria, who is of South Asian heritage, grew close to Joey Essex on this year's season of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Hitting back: Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil (pictured) has spoken out about the criticism she regularly receives for dating white men

A recent comment on her social media read: 'Why some Indian girls go for white guys instead of their own???'

'It's not the first time I've gotten remarks about that, let me tell you,' she said.

Maria added that while she has dated people 'from various ethnic backgrounds' in the past, including South Asian, she is shamed whenever she dates a white person.

Criticism: The scrutiny has only increased since Maria, who is of South Asian heritage, grew close to Joey Essex on this year's season of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

'Every time I've dated somebody who has appeared to be white, there's always been that conversation around, "What do your parents think?"' she added.

'There's almost this assumption that my family are going to want me to marry a nice Indian doctor, which is actually something that a man said to me on Tinder - he asked me if that was the expectation.'

She decided to address the criticism after her flirtation with Joey, 31, made headlines in the UK and Australia, explaining 'there is a real double standard here'.

Backlash: She decided to address the criticism after her flirtation with Joey (left) made headlines in the UK and Australia, explaining 'there is a real double standard here'

Maria said that when a white person dates a person of colour it's seen as 'exotic', but when a person of colour dates a white person, it's considered 'problematic'.

'It's, "Why don't you date your own?" and "How dare you?" and it's just a disgusting double standard, and I think that we're past that. We're past analysing and scrutinising interracial relationships,' she said.

A defiant Maria insisted that who she chooses to date is nobody else's business.

Speaking out: Maria said that when a white person dates a person of colour it's seen as 'exotic', but when a person of colour dates a white person, it's considered 'problematic'

In a post on Instagram on Sunday, Maria referenced her Refinery29 interview and spoke about the hurtful 'comments that have been made about @joeyessex and I'.

Maria explained 'it's not the first time I've heard them', and added 'we face a lot of scrutiny when we date outside our own communities'.

'The historical tension carries over and it's assumed we are self-hating, ashamed of our own or acting out of a colonial mentality. But all of these stereotypes are exactly that - stereotypes,' she said.
She was known as the peacemaker between the warring women on the Real Housewives of Sydney.

But Matty Samaei proved she can certainly make waves of her own when she debuted her raunchy transformation on Sunday.

The 47-year-old looked like a woman half her age in a skimpy, yet stylish leopard print bikini.

Remember me? Bikini-clad Real Housewives of Sydney's Matty Samaei, 47, debuted her raunchy transformation on Sunday, right, five years after starring on the show

The cosmetic injector showcased her ample cleavage along with her flat stomach in the swimmers.

Matty's skin looked smooth and supple as she gazed at the camera while taking a hit from her vape on a sun lounge.

'Vaping time. No kids,' Matty captioned the clip, which saw her pan up and down her incredible physique.

Wowsers! The 47-year-old looked like a woman half her age in a skimpy, yet stylish leopard print bikini

No missing her! The cosmetic injector showcased her ample cleavage along with her flat stomach in the swimmers

Her Instagram post is a return to the spotlight for Matty, who chose to focus on her successful clinic Medispa by Matty after starring on the show.

The Real Housewives of Sydney was cancelled after just one season by Foxtel when it was panned by critics following its premiere in 2017.

It followed the lives of socialites Athena X Levendi, Krissy Marsh, Lisa Oldfield, Nicole O'Neil, Matty Samaei, Victoria Rees, and Melissa Tkautz.

Flawless: Matty's skin looked smooth and supple as she gazed at the camera while taking a hit from her vape on a sun lounge

Matty did hint that the show could have made a return during an interview with the Daily Telegraph back in 2020.

'We know [with Melbourne] that it's coming back and normally once the franchise is starting to produce one city there's no reason they will not do Sydney,' she said.

'So my intuition and from some of the things I've been hearing, we will be back but I don't know when it will be,' she added.

Star: Matty was known as the peacemaker between the warring ladies on the show

Foxtel has still not publicly released plans to produce a second season of the series.

Foxtel's executive director of television, Brian Walsh, told TV Tonight in 2019 that the show wouldn't be returning for a second season.

'Sydney won't happen again. Once bitten twice shy,' he said.

'Too extreme': Real Housewives of Sydney stars (left to right) Nicole O'Neil, Lisa Oldfield, Athena X Levendi, Melissa Tkautz, Krissy Marsh, Matty Samaei and Victoria Rees

Walsh also told The Daily Telegraph around this time that he believed RHOS had simply gone 'too far' in terms of its content.

'A lot of the women in this show were nasty for nasty's sake and have no redeeming features,' he said.

American network Bravo, which has aired several seasons of RHOM, also reportedly refused to pick up the Sydney version because of its 'extreme' nature.
Halle Berry showed off her golden eye makeup as Cleopatra on Sunday in a behind-the-scenes snap on Instagram.

The 55-year-old actress posted a selfie as the ancient Egyptian queen who she portrays in advertisements for Caesars Sportsbook.

The photo showed Halle with black bangs and full golden eye makeup along with matching stones lining her upper eye.

Golden gal: Halle Berry showed off her golden eye makeup as Cleopatra on Sunday in a behind-the-scenes snap on Instagram

Halle in the caption for her roughly 7.4 million followers wrote: 'half woman. half warrior. delicate and strong'.

She added: 'thank you @r.h.sin'

Halle was referencing New York writer Reuben Holmes, 32, who writes poetry under the pen name r.h. Sin.

The Oscar-winning actress last month debuted as Cleopatra in a commercial for Caesars Sportsbook that also starred pitchman JB Smoove, 56.

Hollywood star: The 55-year-old actress, shown last month in Santa Monica, California, posted a selfie as the ancient Egyptian queen who she portrays in advertisements for Caesars Sportsbook

Powerful quote: Halle also shared a powerful quote

Halle in her Instagram post credited makeup artist Jorge Monroy, hairstylist Sara Seward and fashion stylist Lindsay Flores.

The Cleveland native recently paid tribute to the late Sidney Poitier in an essay written for Variety.

Halle described the impact Sidney had on her life, from the time she was a young girl watching him on Guess Who's Coming To Dinner to the moment she received the Oscar for Best Actress in 2002.

Going Strong: The Cleveland native is shown earlier this month on Instagram with boyfriend Van Hunt, 51

Paying tribute: Halle, shown last month in Last Vegas, recently paid tribute to the late Sidney Poitier in an essay written for Variety .

When Halle was finally able to meet him, however, she was so in awe of his presence she 'froze' and was unable to speak for several minutes.

'It is the only time in my life when I have been rendered speechless! I was so overwhelmed by his powerful presence, his regal aura, I could not get my words out. For several minutes, I just sat there and stared at him,' Halle wrote.

Halle can next be seen in the sci-fi disaster film Moonfall that is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 4 by Lionsgate.
Christina Haack and fiance Josh Hall have been relishing some alone time during a weekend getaway on the beach.

But come Sunday, the Flip Or Flop star appeared to bid farewell to their short romantic trip together when she posted a photo of the couple snuggled up together just feet from the scenic ocean.

'Too fast, too soon, too blah blah blah.. that feeling of pure bliss / those deep convos, love is what it is,' Haack, 38, wrote alongside the image that showed her rocking a pink bikini.

Scroll down to videos

Alone time: Christina Haack slipped into a pink bikini on Sunday on what appeared to be the final day of her weekend getaway by the ocean with fiance Josh Hall

In the selfie photo, Haack had her left arm firmly wrapped around Hall's shoulders as she flashed a big beaming smile for the camera.

The angle of the shot gave her 1.7 million Instagram fans and followers more than a hint of her cleavage in the pink number.

For their swan song day, she had her blonde tresses styled long and flowing over shoulders to about the middle of her back with a part in the middle.

And with the sun glaring down on a glorious day on the beach, she opted to wear a pair of stylish, large-frame sunglasses.

The couple also struck a pose while playing a game of cornhole on the beach

Living the life: The duo wanted to live out the remaining moments of their romantic weekend with a bottle of champagne by Veuve Clichquot USA

Ringer: Hall revealed how his ladylove was a 'rapid fire ringer' during a game of cornhole

Stylish: The Flip Or Flop star looked lovely in a white-patterned minidress

Apparently the duo wanted to spend their remaining time together in style by enjoying a bottle of champagne while relaxing on the beach.

About an hour earlier, they struck another pose together, only this time the reality star was decked out in a white-patterned minidress.

It appears as though the photo was taken around the time they enjoy a game of cornhole, which was documented by Hall in a post on his Instagram page.

'Rapidfire ringer Christina Haack,' the real estate worker wrote across the bottom of a video showing his ladylove showcasing her cornhole skills.

'Day': The couple soaked in the sun on Saturday in one of the resort's pools

'Night': The lovebirds also documented their Saturday night during dinner

The previous day the mother of three posted both 'day' and 'night' photos on Instagram, which included a picture of the couple by the pool and seemingly out for dinner.

Haack announced the kickoff of their 'weekend getaway' on Friday by posing arm-in-arm with Hall in front of the gorgeous blue ocean.

'1.14.22 building life together and enjoying some alone time. Love you Josh,' she wrote in the caption, along with a red heart emoji.

For this photo, Haack sat on her man's lap in a revealing white bikini, while her beau firmly wrapped his hands around her hips, as he leaned back on the stone ledge in gray shorts and flip flops.

Couple's time: Haack kicked off the weekend by professing her love for Hall in a white bikini

Living the life: The reality star revealed she and Hall are enjoying a 'weekend getaway' at a hotel situated in a gorgeous cove by the ocean

The perks: The hotel looks to have a couple of salt water pools on its property

The pair appear to be staying at a hotel situated on a gorgeous cove by the sea that also has a pair of salt water pools.

Haack confessed to being on a 'weekend getaway' with her fiance when she shared a short video that panned the hotel grounds.

She also posted some clips of several parked sailboats near the hotel on Friday.

Fun in the sun: Haack also took to Instagram on Friday and shared a video of sailboats parked near their hotel, just off the shoreline

Social butterfly: Haack has been keeping her 1.7 million Instagram fans and followers updated on her downtime since the holidays

Just three days earlier, Haack showcased her two-year-old son Hudson Anstead, whom she shares with her second ex-husband Ant Anstead, while out enjoying the Southern California sun.

'Dana Point doesn't suck,' she captioned a photo of her boy with their pet pooch.

Earlier in the week, Hall posted a photo of the couple while out taking a stroll together in Dana Point.

Haack also has two children: daughter Taylor El Moussa, 11, and son Braydon El Moussa, six, that she co-parents with her first ex-husband and Flip Or Flop co-star Tarek El Moussa.

Family time: Just three days earlier, Haack posted a photo of her two-year-old son Hudson Anstead, whom she shares with her second ex-husband Ant Anstead, while out enjoying the Southern California sun with their pet pooch
Over the previous months, several leaks and rumors about the Samsung Galaxy S22 specs have circulated online. Now, according to the latest speculations, the said device will include a 1TB storage option and a tougher screen.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Specs

To further emphasize the specs, Samsung Galaxy S22 is reported to include a single punch-hole selfie camera in the center and uniformly small bezels around the display, per 91 Mobiles. Meanwhile, the power and volume buttons are said to be located on the right panel of the device.

In addition, Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus are expected to include a triple camera arrangement on the back, with an LED flash on the right-hand side of the vertical camera setup. While the S22 Ultra may have a quad-camera configuration.

Moreover, Tom's Guide added that the primary camera on both S22 and S22 plus is rumored to equip 50 megapixels.

With regards to its front camera, several reports also stated that the Samsung Galaxy S22 would include a 10MP camera with a 3X telephoto zoom lens, replacing the old 3x hybrid optical zoom.

Aside from this, the South Korean-based technology company is reported to be testing the Galaxy S22's potential to capture 8K video at 60 frames per second. If this leak is true, this would be an upgrade over the Galaxy S21 Ultra's maximum frame rate for 8K video, which is 24fps.

Read Also: Logan Paul Pokemon Cards Are Fake: Best Memes, Reactions to $3.5 Million Pokemon Scam

The Teal Mango reported that Samsung Galaxy S22 specs will also include a 5G connection, dust and water resistance to IP68, an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader, a USB Type-C connector with up to 45W fast charging and 15W fast wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Storage Will Have 1TB

In terms of Samsung Galaxy S22 storage options, Lets Go Digital reported recently that a 1TB Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is in the works.

This storage option was also corroborated by a well-known leaker Ishan Agarwal, tweeting that a 1TB variant of the S22 Ultra will be released. However, this variation may only be available in a few countries. Ishan also stated that main European areas will very probably get a 1TB storage option.

I can confirm that there will be a Galaxy S22 Ultra variant with 1TB Storage but Samsung might release it in only select regions. Important European markets will surely get it. https://t.co/QSaed40FPD  Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) January 15, 2022

Apart from these rumored specs and storage options, another recent Samsung Galaxy S22 leak hinted a tougher screen on all its variants.

All Samsung Galaxy S22 Variants Will Have Tougher Screens

In the recent tweet of another leaker @UniverseIce, they revealed that all Samsung Galaxy S22 variants will have Gorilla Glass Victus Plus.

S22/S22+/S22 Ultra

ALL

Gorilla glass victus +  Ice universe (@UniverseIce) January 14, 2022

Corning introduced Gorilla Glass Victus approximately a year and a half ago, and it was first introduced to Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, as well as several tough devices, per Dev Discourse.

However, it is unclear whether this applies to both front and rear parts. For those who do not know, Victus was present on both sides of the S21 Ultra. Even if Samsung utilizes an earlier version of Gorilla Glass for the back panel, it will be an improvement over the S21 and S21 plus's plastic backs.

Corning stated that "Gorilla Glass Victus survived drops onto hard, rough surfaces from up to 2 meters. Competitive aluminosilicate glasses, from other manufacturers, typically fail when dropped from 0.8 meters."

The company added that the scratch resistance of Victus is four times better than competitive aluminosilicate.

Samsung Galaxy S22 release date rumors suggest that it will be launched around February, with an announcement expected on February 9. It is said to be available for purchase on February 25, per Tom's Guide.

Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S22 is unknown, although the Samsung Galaxy S21 started at $799. Recent talks said that each model's price would jump by roughly $100.

Related Article: Samsung Galaxy S22 Rumors: New Leaks Release Early This Year from Display to Battery
Abbie Chatfield joined hundreds of beachgoers on Sunday as she soaked up the summer sun in Bondi, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The 26-year-old flaunted her sensational figure in a skimpy beige bikini while topping up her tan alongside her Bachelorette star boyfriend Konrad Bien-Stephen.

The former Bachelor contestant-turned-radio presenter was all smiles as she relaxed on the sand after a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Sizzling hot: Abbie Chatfield joined hundreds of beachgoers on Sunday as she soaked up the summer sun in Bondi, in Sydney's eastern suburbs

Abbie wore sunglasses to protect herself from the sun as she chatted to her beau.

After spending a few hours at the beach, Konrad covered up in printed shorts, a white T-shirt and navy cap.

The lovebirds were seen carrying their belongings as they returned to their car.

Fun in the sun: The 26-year-old flaunted her sensational figure in a skimpy beige bikini while topping up her tan alongside her Bachelorette star boyfriend Konrad Bien-Stephen (left)

Shady lady: Abbie wore sunglasses to protect herself from the sun as she chatted to her beau

Summer chic: After spending a few hours at the beach, Konrad covered up in printed shorts, a white T-shirt and navy cap

Abbie, who previously vowed to never speak publicly about her dating life, went Instagram official with Konrad on November 24.

The couple took another major step in their relationship recently when the podcaster introduced her boyfriend to her family.

'This year for Christmas I am heading to Queensland with my new beau, Konrad, to spend it with my family, who I haven't seen since the borders closed,' she told the Herald Sun last month.

The pair documented their festive getaway on Instagram, including sharing photos of themselves kissing at a Brisbane bar.

Heading home: The lovebirds were seen carrying their belongings as they returned to their car

It's official! Abbie, who previously vowed to never speak publicly about her dating life, went Instagram official with Konrad on November 24

Moving fast: The couple took another major step in their relationship recently when the podcaster introduced her boyfriend to her family

Abbie revealed on December 21 that Konrad had said 'I love you'.

She told fans on TikTok he'd uttered those three little words after surprising her with a date at a drive-in movie theatre.

'I started sobbing. It's just, this man treats me better than I thought anyone ever would and is just the most thoughtful, beautiful angel on the planet. I never thought I would find someone like him,' she said.

Abbie then recalled how Konrad had told her: 'Do you know why I did this? Because I love you.'

Loved-up: The pair documented their festive getaway on Instagram, including sharing photos of themselves kissing at a Brisbane bar

Memories: Abbie revealed on December 21 that Konrad had said 'I love you'

Thoughtful: She told fans on TikTok he'd uttered those three little words after surprising her with a date at a drive-in movie theatre
Bindi Irwin has appealed to fans for donations after her husband Chandler Powell's great aunt Susan was struck down with cancer.

The conservationist, 23, revealed the sad family news on Twitter on Monday, sharing a link to a GoFundMe page that had been set up to raise money for Susan's medical treatment.

Susan, who lives in Ohio, was diagnosed with cancer last year and also recently discovered she had a tumour on her spinal cord.

Fundraiser: Bindi Irwin (right) has appealed to fans for donations after her husband Chandler Powell's (left) great aunt Susan was struck down with cancer

Bindi tweeted: 'I'll match up to $4,000 raised. Chandler's great aunt is one of the most giving people I know. Susan has such a kind heart and has always made me feel like part of the family.

'We are all donating to help. If you can too, any amount would mean the world.'

Chandler, 25, a former professional wakeboarder from Florida, also encouraged his Twitter followers to donate generously.

'My aunt Susan was diagnosed with cancer last year and has been taking it on like an absolute champion,' he wrote.

Helping: The conservationist, 23, revealed the sad family news on Twitter on Monday, sharing a link to a GoFundMe page that had been set up to raise money for Susan's medical treatment

Health battle: Susan (centre with her sons Kyle and Kevin), who lives in Ohio, was diagnosed with cancer last year and also recently discovered she had a tumour on her spinal cord

Pitching in: Bindi tweeted, 'I'll match up to $4,000 raised. Chandler's great aunt is one of the most giving people I know. Susan has such a kind heart and has always made me feel like part of the family. We are all donating to help. If you can too, any amount would mean the world'

'Her family and friends have been rallying behind her and started this fundraiser.'

A quick glance at the GoFundMe page shows Bindi initially donated $1,000 before giving another $4,000 later on Monday.

Bindi's mother Terri Irwin has put down $500, while Chandler's mother Shannan has donated $200.

Donations: Chandler, 25, a former professional wakeboarder from Florida, also encouraged his Twitter followers to donate generously

Giving generously: A quick glance at the GoFundMe page shows Bindi initially donated $1,000 before giving another $4,000 later on Monday

The fundraiser has reached $9,593 in just 24 hours, and it looks likely Susan will reach her $25,000 goal by the end of the week.

It follows reports Bindi and Chandler are planning a trip back to America now that international borders are starting to reopen.

Chandler, who lives with his wife's family in Queensland, hasn't seen his relatives in the U.S. since he and Bindi spent three weeks with them in Florida in December 2019.

Extended family: Bindi's mother Terri Irwin (right) has put down $500, while Chandler's mother Shannan has donated $200

Missing his family: It follows reports Bindi and Chandler are planning a trip back to America now that international borders are starting to reopen. Chandler, who lives with his wife's family in Queensland, hasn't seen his relatives in the U.S. since he and Bindi spent three weeks with them in Florida in December 2019 (pictured during that trip)

The Powells also haven't been able to meet the couple's daughter Grace Warrior, who was born in March, because of Covid restrictions.

'Chandler is excitedly planning a trip to America so his parents can finally meet little Grace,' a source close to the family told Woman's Day in November.

The insider added that Chandler's parents have found it 'extremely hard' having him on the other side of the world during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kept apart: The Powells haven't been able to meet Bindi and Chandler's daughter Grace Warrior (right) who was born in March, because of Covid restrictions

While their planned trip to the U.S. is supposed to be a holiday, Bindi and Chandler reportedly haven't ruled out living there permanently one day.

'They've discussed the idea of moving to the States a few times now,' the source said, adding that it'd be nice for Grace to get to know her father's roots eventually.

However, there are no plans to relocate anytime soon because a lot of work still needs to be done to help Australia Zoo financially recover post-Covid.
Reality star Mikey Pembroke spotted a missing woman stranded on the rocks at Sydney's Palm Beach on Sunday.

The woman - believed to be in her 20s - fell down a cliff at Barrenjoey Head around 8am on Sunday and become stranded on the rocks.

The former Married At First Sight star saw the woman while on a boat in Broken Bay.

Saved: Married At First Sight's Mikey Pembroke (pictured) spotted a missing woman stranded on rocks at Palm Beach after falling down a cliff

The Manly Observer shared a video of the rescue to Instagram and wrote: 'Former MAFS contestant Mikey Pembroke today came across a woman who needed to be rescued on rocks in Palm Beach where authorities say she fell at 8am this morning.'

'Other sources have claimed she was there for two days. He alerted authorities who mounted a successful rescue operation.'

Following the rescue, Mikey shared a message he received from a friend of the woman on Instagram.

Missing: The woman - believed to be in her 20s - fell down a cliff at Barrenjoey Head around 8am on Sunday and become stranded on the rocks. Pictured Barrenjoey Headland, Palm Beach

'I just want to say the biggest thank you for spotting my best friend on the rocks today at Barrenjoey headlands,' the message read.

'It's been a devastating past 24 hours since she went missing and if you hadn't cruised around the waters there, spotted her and called emergency services, she wouldn't be alive today.'

'Words cannot describe how much I thank you so so much for spotting her and helping her.'

Spotted: The former Married At First Sight star spotted the woman while on a boat in Broken Bay

Mikey rose to fame on season seven of Married At First Sight in 2020 and was paired with Natasha Spencer on the ratings juggernaut.

Their 'marriage' fell to pieces at a dinner party after Natasha revealed details of their sex life to fellow co-stars Michel Goonan and Stacey Hampton.

She jokingly told them Mikey had only lasted '10 seconds' in the bedroom because of a cramp in his buttocks.

Natasha and Mikey have since made up and moved on with their lives.
Hugh Sheridan has referenced their own heartbreak while congratulating Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston on the couple's engagement.

The Packed to the Rafters star, 36, took to the comments section of the Kyle and Jackie O Show's official reveal of the radio star's happy news and wrote, 'Don't do it!!! But congrats'.

Hugh split from fiance Kurt Roberts back in November.

Happier times: Hugh Sheridan acknowledged their own heartbreak while congratulating Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston on their engagement. Hugh (right) pictured with ex Kurt Roberts

Shock jock Kyle, 50, proposed to Tegan, 35, at his holiday home in Port Douglas earlier this month.

Tegan, who is the director of communications for Kyle's company, was spotted wearing her huge diamond engagement ring on Saturday after touching down in Sydney.

A source close to the couple said the wedding will happen in the near future.

Smiling through the pain: The Packed to the Rafters star, 36, took to the comments section of the Kyle and Jackie O Show's official reveal of the radio star's happy news and wrote, 'Don't do it!!! But congrats'

Just jokes: Kyle's happy news comes after Hugh split from their fiance of eight months following a whirlwind romance

Kyle's happy news comes after Hugh split from fiance of eight months following a whirlwind romance.

The actor -who identifies as non-binary and uses they/their pronouns- shared their news in a heartbreaking Instagram post last year.

Hugh said the couple tried 'very hard' to make their romance work, but Covid, the recent death of Hugh's father and being in the public eye caused too much pressure on their relationship.

It's over: Sheridan announced their split from fiance Kurt Roberts in a heart-wrenching post in November

Hugh and the 29-year-old banker got engaged earlier this year in March, after just three months after dating.

'In retrospect, having a first public relationship, that public, that fast, might've been too much pressure on us,' Hugh explained in their break-up post.

'Maybe it was COVID or quarantines or us working to hard (I take the blame for full responsibility for the working hours), maybe it's dads death or all the above.

'For now we didn't make it, but we tried very, very hard, I'm so sorry for us that it wasn't easy and I'm sorry for the added pressure.

Too much pressure: The actor said the couple tried 'very hard' to make their romance work, but COVID, the recent death of Hugh's father and being in the public eye caused too much pressure on their relationship

Bittersweet: Hugh announced their breakup on Kurt's birthday and penned a beautiful tribute to their ex

'Lots learned, the heartache is heavy, but zero regrets for the greatest love.'

Hugh announced the couple's split on Kurt's birthday, and penned a beautiful tribute to Kurt.

'Today, I should've been landing in a couple of hours in Sydney to surprise my best friend,' the actor wrote.

'Happy Birthday to one of the most beautiful people on earth inside and out @kurtroberts_ you are an angel and I wish you all to the love and happiness you deserve.

Beautiful words: Hugh described Kurt as one of the kindest, most caring and beautiful humans the actor has ever met and thanked him for his support through some very tough times

'As you know, a year ago I came out as a human, a two weeks; later got cancelled, then in the darkness found light in Kurt.

'I did a horrific job when I proposed to you on the couch at our home So I tried to make up for it and surprised someone who deserved better.'

Hugh described their ex as one of the kindest, most caring and beautiful humans the star has ever met and thanked him for his support through some very tough times.

The House Husbands star had had an incredibly difficult year, including the death of their father, who passed away aged 76 after a battle with cancer in May.

'The point is Kurt is incredibly kind, someone who is earnestly caring and helped me through a very tough time,' Hugh wrote.

Whirlwind romance: Hugh proposed to Kurt during the first night of the actor's new Adelaide Fringe Festival dance show in March

'I didn't think it would be right to not say Happy Birthday to an amazing and caring human, but also not be false cause whether it's right or wrong; transparency is what I promised you all.

'Bless you dear Kurt you beautiful human and thank God for birthday today, without you I wouldn't be. X love shoosie.'

Hugh proposed to Kurt during the first night of the actor's new Adelaide Fringe Festival dance show back in March last year.
Alessandra Ambrosio spent the last several weeks enjoying the holidays in her native Brazil.

Now back home in her adopted home of Los Angeles over the weekend, the longtime supermodel reunited with her boyfriend, Richard Lee, and headed out for a lunch date at Wally's in Santa Monica.

The couple had spent some time together in Brazil but hadn't seen each for more than a week.

Reunited: Alessandra Ambrosio, 40, just returned to the U.S. and reunited with her boyfriend, Richard Lee, after spending the last few weeks in her native Brazil

The fashionista showcased her 5ft9.5in statuesque figure in a grey dress minidress and matching long-sleeve top combo that covered her shoulders, just above her chest.

She also donned a pair of white sneakers, stylish sunglasses, as she carried a grey purse over her shoulder.

Ambrosio, 40, pulled her dark brown tresses off her face and into a ponytail.

Leggy: The fashionista showcased her 5ft9.5in statuesque figure in a grey dress minidress and matching long-sleeve top combo that covered her shoulders, just above her chest

Lee, who's also a model, kept it casual in the fashion department in black sweatpants and a matching top.

In keeping with the casual theme, he also wore a pair of flip flops and had his salt-and-pepper hair styled short and pushed back up off his face.

The couple will soon be celebrating their first anniversary together.

Milestone: The couple will be celebrating their one year anniversary in February

They reportedly started dating back in late February 2020, which included a dinner date near the beach.

Ambrosio last took to her Instagram page on Friday and shared a series of photos taken while she frolicked near the scenic ocean in Praia Brava beach in Brazil.

She flaunted her fab figure in a tiny tie-dye bikini on what likely turned out to be her last day in her native country before taking a flight back to Southern California.

Revealing: Ambrosio last took to her Instagram page on Friday and shared a series of photos taken while she frolicked on Praia Brava beach in Brazil in a tie-dye bikini
Kanye West was seen for the first time after attending his daughter Chicago's fourth birthday following claims he was not 'allowed to know' the location of the celebration.

The 44-year-old artist was joined by Pusha-T and Fivio Foreign as they took a break from recording in the studio to have lunch in Los Angeles.

Ye was covered from head-to-toe as he sported an all-black look including balaclava which concealed his identity.

Squad goals: Kanye West was joined by Pusha-T (pictured right) and Fivio Foreign (second from left) as they took a break from recording in the studio to have lunch in Los Angeles

This was the first time the 44-year-old artist was seen after attending his daughter Chicago's fourth birthday following claims he was not 'allowed to know' the location of the celebration

Along with the couture headwear, he sported a baggy hoodie, leather pants and a pair of enormous plastic Red Wing boots.

Just a day before West - who shares Chicago and three other children with his estranged wife Kim Kardashian - made the allegations about not knowing the location for his second youngest child's birthday as he drove around town, seemingly in search of the party.

However, in video posted to Atiana de la Hoya's Instagram account, Kanye could be seen attending the party.

Incognito mode: Ye was covered from head-to-toe as he sported an all-black look including balaclava which concealed his identity

Rocking it: Along with the couture headwear, he sported a baggy hoodie, leather pants and a pair of enormous plastic Red Wing boots

'I'm just wishing my daughter a public happy birthday. I wasn't allowed to know where her party was,' Kanye said in the video. 'There's nothing legal that saying that this is the kind of games that's being played, it's the kind of thing that really has affected my health for the longest and I'm just not playing, I'm taking control of my narrative this year.

'I was supposed to be in Miami recording my album. My whole schedule is all based around on me being able to take my kids to school, me being there for them, making sure that I'm in their life, that's the whole point, I have the money they take so many fathers just throughout America, they've been taking the fathers out of homes purposely so I'm speaking up, I'm using my voice to say, "This ain't going to keep happening, this narrative and that... happened."

'It's a lot of people that's not in a position where they ain't got no voice when people be playing games like this, baby mamas be playing games, the grandmas will be playing games like this, and it's like as y'all know, that ain't going to play like that with me.'

Kanye had claimed the location of his daughter Chicago's birthday party was withheld from him in a rambling video he recorded on Saturday

However, in video posted to Atiana de la Hoya's Instagram account, Kanye could be seen attending the party

However, in video posted to Atiana de la Hoya's Instagram account, Kanye could be seen attending the party

West - who shares Chicago and three other children with estranged wife Kim Kardashian - recorded his thoughts as he drove around town, seemingly in search of the party, in the video

Sources, however, say Kim and Kanye had actually planned on having two separate parties for their daughter.

Kanye was set to have his party Saturday at 4PM. However, it was news to Kim and the rest of the family that he had made a video alleging he had not been invited.

The insider says the invite allegations were untrue, and Kanye was given the information about the second party once he decided to come. He is now in attendance.

Sources, however, say Kim and Kanye had actually planned on having two separate parties for their daughter

Having a chat: Kanye appeared in good spirits chatting with Jenner

Kardashian didn't publicly respond to the drama on social media, where she uploaded a sweet birthday tribute to her little girl and documented the party throughout the day.

'My birthday baby girl Chi Chi turns 4 today! My independent baby girl twin. You are the most lovable huggable snuggable baby girl on the planet,' she captioned a slideshow of photos with her youngest daughter.

She continued: 'The ultimate princess! I cant wait to celebrate with all of the Barbies and LOL Dolls a girl could dream of lol. You really have brought so much joy into our family and I love you so so soooo much!!!!'

Proud mama: Kardashian didn't publicly respond to the drama on social media, where she uploaded a sweet birthday tribute to her little girl and documented the party throughout the day

'My birthday baby girl Chi Chi turns 4 today! My independent baby girl twin. You are the most lovable huggable snuggable baby girl on the planet,' she captioned a slideshow of photos with her youngest daughter

Yum! Kim's sister Khloe Kardashian shared photos of the joint birthday of her nieces Chicago and Stormi, who is the three-year-old daughter of Kylie Jenner

Wow: Khloe snapped a picture of her daughter True having fun next a massive ball pit at the bash

In a statement to Page Six, Kim's divorce lawyer Laura Wasser shutdown any notion that the children are being 'kept' from Kanye.

'Mr. West being kept from the children, by security or anyone else, is news to us. Both parties' priority has always been the children maintaining strong bonds with each of their parents throughout this transition and beyond,' the statement read.

A source also told TMZ that all that Kim 'has asked Kanye to do is call ahead of time when he wants to come to her house to see the children' because she 'simply wants some structure in order to protect her right to privacy in her home.'

Alleged: In an extended clip obtained by ET , the rapper claimed that he 'couldn't come inside' Kim's house on Monday to visit with daughter North, eight, because her 'security stopped me at the gate'; Kim and Kanye pictured in 2020

West continued: 'Earlier this week, Monday, when I went to go pick my kids up from [sic] school, the security stopped me at the gate.

'So at that point, security was in between me and my children and that's what was not going to happen,' he claimed to the host.

'But I didn't want to argue about it. So I just chilled, took my kids to school, and then took my kids back. I am driving. I bring them back and North was like, 'I want you to come upstairs and see something.' And it's like, 'Oh, Daddy can't come see something. Daddy can't come inside.' But that hadn't been defined.

'My daughter wanted me to go inside. I was like, I am the richest Black man and North's father, right, and the security was able to stop me from going into the room with my daughter and that had not been defined.

The former couple share four children together which they are currently co-parenting; North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two

'And I am hearing that the new boyfriend is actually in the house that I can't even go to.'

Kanye then claimed that he called on two of his female 'cousins' to speak to security on his behalf.

'That's where I call my cousins. And my cousins is real opinionated, you know that. And I said, 'I need you to go and say these two things: Security ain't going to be in between me and my children, and my children ain't going to be on TikTok without my permission.''

He insisted that the alleged confrontation between Kardashian's 'security' and his 'female cousins; was 'non-aggressive' and that he 'simply' wanted to relay some things to his estranged partner.

West said he had 'two female cousins' relay to Kim's 'security' that 'his children ain't going to be on TikTok without my permission'; North and Kim pictured on TikTok

'Just to say really simply like, look, for us to be - Certain words I don't like, co-parent - like, from where I am from, you're my baby mama. So for us to be cordial and civil, there are certain things that are not finna be done and be done under the rug,' Kanye said.

Later in the interview, Kanye once again alluded to Kim's beau Pete Davidson by bringing up the kiss they shared during a Saturday Night Live sketch when she hosted back in October.

'This is for anybody that's going through a separation, and people intentionally do things to be mean and hurt you to be playing games,' he said.

'How you gonna bring me to SNL and kiss the dude you dating right in front of me, and everybody's like, ''Aw, that's cool.''

Not happy: Kanye recently alluded to Kim's beau Pete Davidson by bringing up the kiss they shared during a Saturday Night Live sketch when she hosted back in October (pictured)

He continued: 'I can have my principles and things I've changed things, and I backslide, and I haven't been the best Christian and things the media can make seem some kind of ways But at the end of the day, I'm Jesus gang.

'I'm about family, just me and my kids, parenting. And I mean, my kids' mom we not together. I'm still gonna be the best dad.'

Sweet: Kanye West , 44, is reportedly planning to tear down the home he has purchased for a whopping $4.5 million across the street from his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, 41, and their kids (Kim and Kanye pictured with North and Saint)

The comments come after reports claimed Kanye is still 'pursuing' his ex Kim, despite having moved on in a new relationship with Julia Fox.

For the most part, the former couple's divorce has gone smoothly, and the former couple had been acting cordially towards each this past year.

There have also been reports that Kim is happy that Kanye has found a new love interest in Uncut Gems star Julia, giving the relationship her full blessing.

However, West surprised fans by releasing a diss track aimed at Kardashian's new boyfriend Pete, threatening to 'beat his a**' over the weekend.
Patrick Schwarzenegger looked ripped as he pulled a kayak on to a Maui beach.

The actor, 28, wore a pair of green and pink bathing shorts with no shirt as he dragged the yellow kayak through the sand.

His bleached blonde hair appeared a vibrant yellow in the Hawaii sun, wet from the Pacific Ocean.

Ripped body: Patrick Schwarzenegger looked ripped as he pulled a kayak on to a Maui beach

Before heading on shore, the Midnight Sun actor was photographed paddling out in the water with a grin on his face. The kayak read Ocean Kayak on the side in large black lettering.

As he made his way out of the water and on to the shore, his strong pectoral muscles shined and his abs rippled.

Schwarzenegger had a small bit of stubble cover his cheeks, chin and neck.

Heading in: Scwarzenegger, 28, wore a pair of green and pink bathing shorts with no shirt as he dragged the yellow kayak through the sand

Hard workout: Before heading on shore, the Midnight Sun actor was photographed paddling out in the water with a grin on his face

His biceps bulged from the effort of pulling the small yellow boat.

Schwarzenegger is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ex-wife Maria Shriver. He has two sisters, Katherine and Christina, a brother, Christopher, and his half-brother Joseph Baena.

Shriver and Schwarzenegger have been separated for years, but they finalized their divorce just last month.

A broken family: Schwarzenegger is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ex-wife Maria Shriver. He has four siblings (pictured 2021)

Infidelity: Arnold and Maria famously remained estranged for years after she filed for divorce in July 1, 2011 following news he fathered a child with their housekeeper (pictured 2021)

A sitting judge was required to officially enter the divorce into the court system on Tuesday at L.A. Superior Court after a private judge mediated and signed off on the divorce earlier in December 2021, according to TMZ.

Arnold and Maria famously remained estranged for years after the journalist filed for divorce in July 1, 2011 following news he fathered a child - Joseph Baena - with their housekeeper Mildred Patricia 'Patty' Baena.

The divorce remained in limbo for a decade due to both the 'lack of motivation' and a complex property settlement agreement, with his empire including a Brentwood mansion, an Idaho holiday home and a number of investment properties.
He is a celebrated actor with over 230 film and TV roles to his credit in an illustrious career that spans over 50 years.

And in an excerpt from his new memoir Putting the Rabbit in the Hat, shared to GQ, Brian Cox detailed why he turned down some very famous roles, with the star noting the lack of 'money' was one of the reasons for declining a part.

The 75-year-old actor revealed why he passed on roles in Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises in the excerpt... while also bashing 'overrated' Pirates star Johnny Depp.

Turned down: Brian Cox is a celebrated actor with over 230 film and TV roles to his credit in an illustrious career that spans over 50 years, with the actor revealing some famous roles he turned down

Bashing: The actor revealed why he turned down roles in Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises in the excerpt... while also bashing Pirates star Johnny Depp

Cox, whose memoir is set for release on January 18, was offered the role of King Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones, who would ultimately be played by Mark Addy.

He had worked with Game of Thrones co-creator David Benioff on the 2002 movie The 25th Hour, who offered him the Robert Baratheon role, who ultimately died in the first season after a bear attack.

'Im often asked if I was offered a role in Game of Thrones - reason being that every other bugger was - and the answer is, yes, I was supposed to be a king called Robert Baratheon, who apparently died when he was gored by a boar in the first season,' Cox said.

No thanks: Cox was offered the role of King Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones, who would ultimately be played by Mark Addy

He added that he knows, 'very little about Game of Thrones' and he turned the role down because the money wasn't that great.

'Well, Game of Thrones went on to be a huge success and everybody involved earned an absolute fortune, of course. But when it was originally offered the money was not all that great, shall we say say,' Cox added.

'Plus I was going to be killed off fairly early on, so I wouldnt have had any of the benefits of the long-term effects of a successful series where your wages go up with each passing season. So I passed on it, and Mark Addy was gored by the boar instead,' he said, adding, 'I lied. I did google it.'

Money: He added that he knows, 'very little about Game of Thrones' and he turned the role down because the money wasn't that great

He added that the money not being great is 'par for the course' with the Scotland native adding, 'heres always been a tendency for American productions to treat British actors differently from American actors. In other words, to get them cheap.'

The actor added that he always gets asked about 'Harry f***ing Potter,' revealing he was up for the role of Mad Eye Moody, which ultimately went to Brendan Gleeson.

'I think someone had a burning cross held up for me not to be in Harry Potter, because all my pals were in it. I think the part I might have played was the one that Brendan Gleeson got, Mad-Eye Moody, but Brendan was more in fashion than I was at that point, and thats very much the way of the world in my business, so he got it. Also, hes much better than I would have been,' Cox candidly added.

Par: He added that the money not being great is 'par for the course' with the Scotland native adding, 'heres always been a tendency for American productions to treat British actors differently from American actors. In other words, to get them cheap'

Mad Eye: The actor added that he always gets asked about 'Harry f***ing Potter,' revealing he was up for the role of Mad Eye Moody, which ultimately went to Brendan Gleeson

Mad Eye Moody debuted in the fourth Harry Potter movie, 2005's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and he also appeared in 2007's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and 2010's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

He added that he 'turned my nose up' at the role of the Governor in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, which was played by Jonathan Pryce.

'The guy who directed Pirates was Gore Verbinski, with whom I made The Ring, and hes a lovely chap but I think I blotted my copybook by turning down the Governor,' Cox said.

Role: Mad Eye Moody debuted in the fourth Harry Potter movie, 2005's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and he also appeared in 2007's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and 2010's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Governor: He added that he 'turned my nose up' at the role of the Governor in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, which was played by Jonathan Pryce

He added the role would have been, 'a money-spinner' but he added that particular role was, 'the most thankless.'

'Plus I would have ended up doing it for film after film and missed out on all the other nice things Ive done,' he added, before bashing the franchise star, Johnny Depp.

'Another thing with Pirates of the Caribbean is that its very much the "Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow" show, and Depp, personable though Im sure he is, is so overblown, so overrated,' Cox said.

Money-spinner: He added the role would have been, 'a money-spinner' but he added that particular role was, 'the most thankless.'

Missed out: 'Plus I would have ended up doing it for film after film and missed out on all the other nice things Ive done,' he added, before bashing the franchise star, Johnny Depp

'I mean, Edward Scissorhands. Lets face it, if you come on with hands like that and pale, scarred-face make-up, you dont have to do anything. And he didnt. And subsequently, hes done even less,' Cox added.

'But people love him. Or they did love him. They dont love him so much these days, of course. If Johnny Depp went for Jack Sparrow now, theyd give it to Brendan Gleeson,' he added.

'So nono regrets about Pirates, I dont think,' he concluded.

Nothing: 'I mean, Edward Scissorhands. Lets face it, if you come on with hands like that and pale, scarred-face make-up, you dont have to do anything. And he didnt. And subsequently, hes done even less,' Cox added
Heidi Klum, appearing on Monday's edition of Ellen, explains how one of her legs is insured for a higher amount than the other one.

The 48-year-old model, in a segment called 'Heidi Blanking Klum,' told Ellen that a client put a $2 million insurance policy on her legs, with one costing more.

The German supermodel said that 'one was more expensive than the other one,' adding that 'its weird the things that some people do.'

The latest: Heidi Klum, 48, appearing on Monday's edition of Ellen, explains how one of her legs is insured for a higher amount than the other one

The America's Got Talent judge alluded to an earlier accident she was involved in, in which one of her legs was injured.

'When I was young I fell into a glass and I have, like, a big scar,' said Klum, who wore a pink skirt in the appearance with her blonde locks down and front styled in bangs. 'Obviously I put so much spray tan on right now you cant see it right now.'

The mom-of-four - to daughters Leni, 17, (with ex Flavio Briatore) and Lou, 12, and sons Henry, 16, Johan, 15 (with ex-husband Seal) - chat last week with US Weekly about her family, calling her husband Tom Kaulitz, 32, 'amazing' with her kids.

'Im sure its not easy to step into an immediate family, having all of a sudden four kids and teenagers,' she said of her marriage to the Tokio Hotel guitarist. 'They were easier when they were younger, for sure. Every age comes with its challenges.'

The German supermodel participated in a segment called 'Heidi Blanking Klum,' in which she filled in the blanks to various statements

She explained that a client put a $2 million insurance policy on her legs, with one costing more than the other

Klum said that 'one was more expensive than the other one,' adding that 'its weird the things that some people do'

She said that she wants her kids to 'have a great time' in whatever career endeavors they choose, as Leni is 'making her own mark' as a model.

'I think its so wonderful how shes not trying to be me,' Klum said. 'Shes not trying to be someone else. Like, she is shorter for a model, and she owns it  shes had a camera in her face since she was born, so she sees the camera more as her friend than her enemy.

'So I feel likes shes super easygoing in front of the camera and always has the best time.'

The one-time Project Runway host has been on the promotional trail for Chai Tea With Heidi, a dance track with Snoop Dogg.

Klum wore a pink skirt in the appearance with her blonde locks down and front styled in bangs

The America's Got Talent judge alluded to an earlier accident she was involved in, in which one of her legs was injured after she fell into a glass table
90 Day Fiance star Anna-Marie Campisi took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal she and husband Mursel Mistanoglu are expecting their first child together.

'Mursel and I are super excited to announce that we are expecting a little boy this May! We are currently 22 weeks!,' Anna wrote in the caption for her roughly 302,000 followers.

She included several photos including a little yellow onesie with black printing that read 'Future Beekeeper May 2022'.

New addition: 90 Day Fiance star Anna-Marie Campisi took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal she and husband Mursel Mistanoglu are expecting their first child together

Nebraska native Anna and Mursel, from Antalya, Turkey, both enjoy beekeeping as a hobby and bonded early over their mutual interest in it.

Anna also shared a photo of herself with Mursel and an image from a sonogram of the baby boy due in May.

The couple has been open about their fertility journey and use of a surrogate to have a child together.

Anna also has sons Joey, Gino and Leo from a previous relationship.

Future beekeeper: The Instagram post included several photos including a little yellow onesie with black printing that read 'Future Beekeeper May 2022'

Sonogram image: Anna also shared a sonogram image on Instagram

Her children born out of wedlock caused Mursel's parents in Turkey during season seven to disapprove of their impending marriage.

Mursel called off the wedding and returned to Turkey, but later came back within the 90 days of his K-1 visa and married Anna.

Anna paid tribute to their romance last June on Instagram.

Going strong: Mursel and Anna starred on season seven of 90 Day Fiance in 2019

'Two years ago today Mursel landed in the United States for the first time! @murselmistanoglu007 time flies! Its been a crazy and busy 2 years,' she wrote.

90 Day Fiance debuted on January 12, 2014 on TLC.

The show has been renewed through its eight season that premiered on December 6, 2020.
A flaw discovered in iPhones and iPads can leak user data from third-party browsers. It reveals an Apple user's browser history and even leaks login information on Google accounts! Unfortunately, Apple has yet to address this severe iPhone Safari bug.

Researchers from Fingerprint JS revealed the details of this software bug discovered in Safari 15. They said exploiting its IndexedDB API can let malicious actors spy on a victim's internet activity and reveal their identity. Researchers created a demo site and video explanation on the topic, which is embedded below.



iPhone Safari Bug: Leaked Information

According to researchers, the bug violates the "same-origin" policy that prevents data scripts from one program from interacting with another. It works by reading the coded websites from a third-party browser about their web history, open tabs and windows.

As seen in the video demonstration, researchers used two websites as an example. Their simulation first recorded the YouTube entry. Next, it revealed a very specific Google ID linked to a logged-in account. Researchers pointed out that this information could be used to deanonymize a victim.

In theory, hackers can exploit this bug to grab a victim's username and profile. Then they might use the profile picture to search for other online accounts with the same face. Eventually, malicious actors might compile a rudimentary profile of the victim.

The proof-of-concept is only limited to 30 domain names, per 9to5mac. However, there is nothing stopping malicious actors from expanding it to a much larger set. This implies a severe security threat to Apply users' privacy.

Read Also: New NASA Space Telescope Could End Cosmic Dark Age; Simulated Photo Shows Power to Capture Millions of Galaxies!

Apple Devices With Safari Bug

Researchers said that any website running with IndexedDB JavaScript API is vulnerable to the Safari 15 bug. The bug is found on any iPhone running on iOS 15 and iPad running on iPadOS 15.

Researchers also revealed that using private mode in Safari 15 will not resolve the issue. The problem also persists on private tabs from browsers like Brave or Google Chrome running on iOS.

The bug was officially reported to the WebKit Bug tracker on November 28, 2021, as bug 233548.

Did Apple Fix the iPhone Safari Bug?

FingerprintJS researchers said they notified Apple about the issue last year. However, at the time of writing, the problem is yet to be resolved. Engadget said they tried to ask Apple for a comment about the issue. Unfortunately, the company did not respond.

For now, Apple users worried about the flaw are recommended to avoid using internet browsers on their iPhones and iPads. Instead, they should resort to surfing with their Mac devices. This is an extremely round-about method for a quick Google search. However, it is the only safe option available until Apple has resolved the case.

Hopefully, Apple developers might start their security update later this month. Fans are recommended to watch out for incoming iOS and iPadOS updates in the coming days.

Related Article: iPhone 14 Pro Max Price Leak Hints Shocking Increase; But Standard Version Costs Like iPhone 13
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Rita Ora is gearing up to film the new season of The Voice Australia.

And the British songstress had her own Baywatch moment on Monday, as she took part in a photoshoot at Sydney's Maroubra Beach.

The 31-year-old stunned in a vibrant tassel frock and made a number of poses while standing on a surf rescue boat and surrounded by a bevy of shirtless lifesavers.

Move over, Pam! Rita Ora (pictured), 31, had her own Baywatch moment as she posed while standing on a surf rescue boat with a bevy of shirtless lifesavers for a photoshoot at Sydney's Maroubra Beach on Monday

Rita looked to be in her element as she flailed her arms and moved her body from side to side.

She accessorised with statement jewellery, and styled her caramel tresses out in tousled curls.

The Body on Me hit-maker completed the look with glamorous makeup, including a subtle smoky eye and a slick of natural colour on her pout.

Feeling bold: The British songstress donned an eye-catching tassel frock that showed off her lithe arms

And, action! Rita looked to be in her element as she flailed her arms and moved her body from side to side

Beauty: The Body on Me hit-maker's caramel locks were styled out in tousled waves

Bling: She accessorised her vibrant ensemble with several pieces of eye-catching jewellery

A group of lifesavers pulled the boat along the sand, allowing Rita to have her own Baywatch moment.

Rita arrived in Australia at the beginning of December alongside Taika Waititi, her boyfriend of almost a year.

She's in Australia to film The Voice: Generations and the next main season of The Voice Australia, with production believed to have commenced in early December.

Star: A group of lifesavers pulled the boat along the sand, allowing Rita to have her own Baywatch moment

Down Under: Rita is gearing up to film the new season of The Voice Australia in Sydney

Back in Australia: Rita arrived in Australia at the beginning of December alongside Taika Waititi, her boyfriend of almost a year

Busy schedule: She's in Australia to film The Voice: Generations and the next main season of The Voice Australia, with production believed to have commenced in early December

Taika, 46, is also rumoured to be continuing work on several upcoming films, including Thor: Love and Thunder, which is in post-production.

Rita recently revealed that freezing her eggs was the 'best thing she ever did' in a candid interview.

The songstress told The Independent that she would 'love to have a nice big family', and also gushed over her romance with Taika, saying she 'wasn't expecting to find love' with him.

Company: Taika, 46, is also rumoured to be continuing work on several upcoming films, including Thor: Love and Thunder, which is in post-production

Candid admission: Rita recently revealed that freezing her eggs was the 'best thing she ever did' in an interview

Honest and open: Rita told The Independent that she would 'love to have a nice big family', and also gushed over her romance with Taika, saying she 'wasn't expecting to find love' with him

Kosovo-born Rita froze her eggs at age 24 and then again at age 27 after seeking the advice of her doctor.

She said of the process: 'I'd love to have a nice big family! I think as women, we put that pressure on ourselves, subconsciously, because we feel like that is our duty  to create and give life.

'So, I just wanted to not worry about it. And I didn't after, and it was the best thing I ever did.'

Thinking of the future: Kosovo-born Rita froze her eggs at age 24 and then again at age 27 after seeking the advice of her doctor

She said of the process: 'I'd love to have a nice big family! I think as women, we put that pressure on ourselves, subconsciously, because we feel like that is our duty  to create and give life'

Rita continued: 'So, I just wanted to not worry about it. And I didn't after, and it was the best thing I ever did'

Matters of the heart: Elsewhere in her chat with the publication, she spoke about her romance with Taika, saying: 'I didn't expect to find love in Australia, nor was I looking for it'

Elsewhere in her chat with the publication, she spoke about her romance with Taika, saying: 'I didn't expect to find love in Australia, nor was I looking for it.'

She added that she is keen to keep her relationship out of the spotlight and 'protect it', before saying she has changed the way she dates in the public eye now.

'I think protecting something that you really care about, you've got to have a sense of privacy a little bit. I wouldn't have known that if I didn't go through what I went through in the past,' she said.

Private: She added that she is keen to keep her relationship out of the spotlight and 'protect it', before saying she has changed the way she dates in the public eye now

Life in the spotlight: 'I think protecting something that you really care about, you've got to have a sense of privacy a little bit. I wouldn't have known that if I didn't go through what I went through in the past,' she said

Upon reflection: When asked to elaborate, Rita said she used to be 'so trusting and sometimes oversharing'

Met in Oz: Rita met the Oscar-winning filmmaker in Australia in February while she was filming The Voice Australia

Action packed: Actress Nicole Eggert as lifeguard Roberta 'Summer' Quinn in a still from Baywatch, circa 1994

When asked to elaborate, Rita said she used to be 'so trusting and sometimes oversharing'.

Rita met the Oscar-winning filmmaker in Australia in February while she was filming The Voice Australia.

A source told The Sun the duo started 'secretly' dating in early March, three months before she left Australia for Los Angeles in early June.

Timeline: A source told The Sun the duo started 'secretly' dating in early March, three months before she left Australia for Los Angeles in early June

Insider: 'All their friends know about the relationship - they're really into each other,' the source said at the time

No hiding it now: The couple made their red carpet debut at the LA premiere of The Suicide Squad on August 2

'All their friends know about the relationship - they're really into each other,' the insider said at the time.

The couple made their red carpet debut at the LA premiere of The Suicide Squad on August 2.

Taika was previously married to film producer Chelsea Winstanley, but the pair are believed to have quietly split in 2018.

They share two daughters, Te Hinekahu and Matewa Kiritapu.

Over: Taika was previously married to film producer Chelsea Winstanley, but the pair are believed to have quietly split in 2018
They are known for their poised and polished personas.

But on Monday's episode of The Project, co-hosts Carrie Bickmore, 41, and Lisa Wilkinson, 62, spoke candidly about none other than public toilets.

The TV presenters revealed that they always 'hover' when using a public toilet, during a segment where travel bloggers listed the criteria a restroom should meet.

'I do the hovercraft': The Project co-hosts Carrie Bickmore (pictured), 41, and Lisa Wilkinson revealed their public toilet habits on Monday's program

'I haven't sat on a public toilet I reckon since 1985,' Carrie told co-hosts Lisa, Tommy Little and Steve Price.

Without missing a beat, Tommy asked Carrie: 'You do the hovercraft?'

Revealing that she never makes contact with a public toilet seat, the mother of three said that she's 'even taught' her daughter to hover.

No topic off-limits: 'I haven't sat on a public toilet I reckon since 1985,' Carrie told co-hosts Lisa, Tommy Little (pictured) and Steve Price. Tommy asked Carrie: 'You do the hovercraft?', to which the mother of three said responded, 'I'm even taught my daughter to hover'

Diverting the attention over to Lisa, Carrie asked her whether she also hovers.

'[It's] so good for the thighs. Best thigh exercise you can do,' she responded.

When probed by Tommy, Lisa revealed that she last walked into a public toilet 'about a week ago' and said the best ones are where there's only one stall.

Crouching only: Lisa (pictured), 62, also revealed she hovers and said it's 'so good for the thighs... best thigh exercise you can do'

'The best public toilet guys are definitely the ones that don't have any other public toilets around them. You know what I'm saying?' she began.

Lisa continued: 'You know if someone sort of sees you go in and... I don't want a neighbour. I don't want to know what your neighbour has done.'

Amid the Omicron Covid-19 outbreak, Lisa is filming The Project from Sydney while her co-hosts film from the Melbourne studio.

The Project continues Tuesday at 6.30pm on Channel 10.
Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh has revealed she was sexually assaulted at the age of 12 after admitting the testimonies of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's young victims brought back 'painful memories.'

Singh, 44, made the admission after speaking to Lisa Phillips, now 45 and one of the many underage girls targeted by the late Epstein and his close friend Ghislaine Maxwell before his arrest for the trafficking of minors in 2019.

Appearing in forthcoming ITV documentary Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile, which airs on Tuesday evening, the mother-of-one admitted to having a degree of empathy with his survivors after experiencing similar trauma in her own childhood.

Admission: Ranvir Singh has revealed she was sexually assaulted at the age of 12 after admitting the testimonies of Jeffrey Epstein's victims brought back 'painful memories'

She said: 'Speaking to Lisa brought up something that happened to me when I was 12.

'It happened once  and that person is dead  and so I have an understanding of what its like and why you would never want to speak of it again.'

Former model Phillips, who now lives in Los Angeles, claimed she first met Epstein after a photoshoot in the Caribbean more than 20 years ago, where he invited her and another friend to his island, Little St James.

She told Singh: 'I went along with it. Youre not going to kick and scream and fight and yell when youre on an island.'

Painful: Singh made the admission after speaking to Lisa Phillips, now 45 and one of the many underage girls targeted by the late Epstein (Philips is pictured on her way to Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean island in 2000)

Understanding: The mother-of-one admitted to having a degree of empathy with his survivors after experiencing similar trauma in her own childhood

Phillips had previously claimed that Epstein introduced her to Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his military titles this week while facing a civil suit in the United States for the alleged assault of Virginia Giuffre.

Speaking in 2020, she told The Sun: 'I found Jeffrey very charming and he seemed really nice. I had mentioned I had lived in England and he said, "Oh, would you like to meet a prince?"

'This man walked up and I recognised him as Prince Andrew. He was very nice. It was very brief.'

Disgraced: The late Epstein and his close friend Ghislaine Maxwell before their arrest for the trafficking of minors

Giuffre said she was 17 when she was introduced to the Queen's second son in London, and described him as an 'abuser' and 'not the prince from the fairy tale stories you read'.

Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by Epstein, alleges the Duke had sex with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17, still a minor under US law.

Epstein committed suicide at New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center while awaiting trial for sex trafficking in 2019.

Close friend Maxwell, the Oxford-educated daughter of the late British press baron Robert Maxwell, will be sentenced in June after being found guilty of assisting him in the procurement of young girls.
Machine Gun Kelly, 31, fans have turned the musician into a meme after his engagement to Megan Fox, over his uncanny resemblance to a Foot Locker employee.

The 35-year-old actress made the announcement on Wednesday by sharing a romantic video of their intimate proposal with her Instagram following, citing that it took place on Tuesday, January 11.

Megan looked stunning in a black maxi dress that showed off her toned midriff, with her raven locks left to tumble down her back.

Hilarious: Machine Gun Kelly, 31, fans have turned the musician into a meme after his engagement to Megan Fox, over his uncanny resemblance to a Foot Locker employee

However, fans were distracted by MGK's choice of wardrobe, comparing his striped black and white shirt to that from the Foot Locker logo and uniform.

One Twitter user racked up over 740,000 likes by sharing a photo of the proposal with Megan with her hands over her mouth in shock with the caption: 'when the foot locker employee finds an extra pair of the sold out shoes for you in the back'.

Another follower chimed in: 'Looks like MGK had time to propose to Megan Fox after his shift at Footlocker'.

Uncanny: Fans were distracted by MGK's choice of wardrobe, comparing his striped black and white shirt to that from the Foot Locker logo and uniform

Resemblance: Fans couldn't help but poke fun at the similar looking shirts

A third echoed: 'He proposed and then left to work a shift at Footlocker'.

Another person wrote: 'MGK with that when you gotta propose at 12 but your shift at Foot Locker begins at 2 fit on'.

Even Foot Locker themselves hilariously weighed in, sharing the meme and commenting: 'To be clear, Machine Gun Kelly requested off that day'.

Unbothered by her fiance's choice of attire, Megan 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.

Funny: Even Foot Locker themselves hilariously weighed in, sharing the meme and commenting: 'To be clear, Machine Gun Kelly requested off that day'

'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.

'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.

Machine Gun Kelly showed off the Transformers star's stunning engagement ring which featured a diamond and emerald in honor of their respective birthstones.

Wedding bells: Megan noted in her post's lengthy caption that she and the 31-year-old musician 'drank each other's blood' to celebrate the occasion

'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,' he explained of the custom ring.

Alexandra Michell Gemologist Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Pawn told MailOnline that the unique ring is likely to retail for up to $340,000.

'Each pear shape stone appears to be approx. 3cts on two magnetic diamond pave set bands shaped like thorns, signed Stephen Webster. This is a different choice from the traditional engagement ring style and is reminiscent of vintage Toi et Moi rings, the gem expert explained.

'The style is favoured by other celebs including Emily Ratajkowski but dates back to fashion icon Jackie Kennedy. I would estimate this to retail for up to $340,000, being a Stephen Webster bespoke piece, with an emerald specially sourced for the ring.'

MGK also noted in his caption that he proposed 'beneath the same branches we fell in love under' and he had 'brought her back to ask her to marry me.'

The punk rocker also shared a slow motion video of him and Megan falling backwards onto a bed with red rose petals placed on top of it in the shape of a heart.
Ioan Gruffudd has paid tribute to girlfriend Bianca Wallace after she admitted to being diagnosed with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis.

The Australian actress detailed her day to day life with the condition, a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, in a recent Instagram video after being diagnosed three-years ago.

Taking to Instagram on Friday night to share a nine-minute long video captioned 'I think it's time,' she explained how she didn't know if she would ever walk again after being told she had the condition at the age of 25.

Gruffudd, 48, has since posted a message of support for the 29-year old, with whom he embarked on a relationship shortly after confirming his separation from wife Alice Evans in 2021.

Proud: Ioan Gruffudd has paid tribute to girlfriend Bianca Wallace after she revealed a previously undisclosed battle with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis

Sharing an Instagram story that has since expired and consequently no longer present on his account, he wrote: 'I'm so proud of you.'

Wallace revealed that she first went to doctors after being unable to pick up a pen to write, and that after that 'everything changed'.

The actress detailed how she now suffers with occasionally going blind in her left eye, has a tremor and that the whole right side of her body has nerve damage.

She went on to say that the diagnosis has actually been her 'lucky charm' and pushed her to get into acting and 'appreciate life for what it is'.

Common symptoms include tiredness, vision problems and problems with walking or balance. Multiple sclerosis cannot be cured, but medicines and other treatments can help ease some of the symptoms.

Opening up: The Australian actress detailed her day to day life with the condition in a recent Instagram video after being diagnosed three-years ago

Old times: Gruffudd and estranged wife Alice Evans confirmed their separation after 13-years of marriage in 2020

Wallace added: 'I haven't always had the same outlook on life. I haven't always been about following your heart and living your life to the best of your ability. That's actually come with a diagnosis of aggressive multiple sclerosis.

'In October 2018 I was diagnosed with MS, I was diagnosed with an aggressive from, it was very aggressive in nature, it came on hard and fast. I was at work in accounting and I tried to pick up a pen and I couldn't.

'There was an initial shock, I can't really describe how I felt, I've never been able to put it into words, this is why I haven't spoken about it in the last three years as I don't quite know what to say.'

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS? Multiple sclerosis (known as MS) is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body and causes nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. It is an incurable, lifelong condition. Symptoms can be mild in some, and in others more extreme causing severe disability. MS affects 2.3 million people worldwide - including around 400,000 in the US, and 100,000 in the UK. It is more than twice as common in women as it is in men. A person is usually diagnosed in their 20s and 30s. The condition is more commonly diagnosed in people of European ancestry. The cause isn't clear. There may be genes associated with it, but it is not directly hereditary. Smoking and low vitamin D levels are also linked to MS. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, vision problems, bladder problems, numbness or tingling, muscle stiffness and spasms, problems with balance and co-ordination, and problems with thinking, learning and planning. The majority of sufferers will have episodes of symptoms which go away and come back, while some have ones which get gradually worse over time. Symptoms can be managed with medication and therapy. The condition shortens the average life expectancy by around five to 10 years. Advertisement

Couple: Bianca previously posted a montage of photos of her year - including a snap of her and Ioan holding hands in the south of France

She continued: 'It has been the most confronting this to be dealt in life. It's not something a 25 year old would have ever expected. I then put the pen in my other hand to try to write and I just couldn't.

'I was sent to the emergency room and from there everything changed. Within the next few weeks I couldn't walk anymore, the entire right side of my body was completed whacked out. I had to start a journey I wasn't ready for. You're never ready for a diagnosis like this.

'I've always been a bubbly positive person but when you are faced with aggressive MS something changes. It put a question mark over my head but now I think it's the luckiest thing that could have happened to me as I was able to ask the hard, heavy questions in life.

Moving on: Evans has suspended her Twitter account after branding the photo of her estranged husband and Wallace 'sick and evil'

'Will I ever walk again? I had my new. The neurologist answered that with 'I don't know'. At 25 I didn't know if I was going to walk again. I realised I had to make some changes in my life. I realised that starts with me. I was miserable, unhappy, I didn't know if I would walk again.'

She added: 'I was living with regret. I didn't know what was going to happen to me. I still don't. It was hardship that has made me who I am. That's why I always tell people to just follow their heart as I know how how debilitating regret can be.

'I deal with a lot of drama because of the diagnosis. I go blind in my left eye, I have botox to lift it up. My entire right side has nerve damage, this is my tremor look. When I'm stressed I lose my walk. So I had to learn how to control my emotions.

'I know how it feels to lie in bed and regret everything and I don't want to do that again ever. Without MS I would never have become an actress, it's the big question mark that did that. I don't know how it will progress I don't know what's going to happen.'

She signed off by saying: 'That knocked all the fear off me. It taught me to appreciate life for what it is. I hope this has cleared up some questions you may have of me. So now you know!'

There they are: Gruffudd and Wallace have made sporadic appearances in public since confirming their relationship (pictured together on New Year's Eve)

The clip comes a week after Gruffudd's estranged wife quit Twitter after slamming the actor's new girlfriend over a perceived 'lack of empathy'.

102 Dalmations star Evans announced her split from the Welsh actor in a series of angry tweets last January, with Gruffudd subsequently confirming a new romance with Bianca in October.

While her Instagram page is still open, she set her Twitter page to private before deleting it over the weekend after users of the social media platform expressed their opinions on her situation.

One user wrote: 'She left. She had to close her account. She went too far,' while another person claimed it was her followers who forced her off Twitter.

All over: 102 Dalmations star Evans announced her split from the Welsh actor in a series of angry tweets last January

Earlier in the week, Evans responded to photos posted by Bianca, which included one of Wallace holding hands with Gruffudd while on holiday in the south of France.

Infuriated, she branded the snaps 'sick' and 'evil', adding that it was a 'stake in the heart' to see the images.

Taking to Twitter, Evans reposted the photo writing: 'YEAH. This has been causing me quite a big amount of stress. I'm so happy for them. It's like one long holiday. It's not that they don't deserve it- I hear B only is on vacay so why should she change.

'It's the hurt - the real pain that this photo causes me.'
She's been living in Australia on and off since March 2020 when she found herself 'stranded' in the country due to the Covid pandemic.

And American actress Kate Walsh certainly made the most of the Aussie sunshine on Sunday, as she stripped down to a bikini while enjoying a beach day at Esperance, around an eight-hour drive from Perth in Western Australia.

The age-defying 54-year-old looked nothing short of sensational as she enjoyed the region's famous white sands and clear waters, all while sporting a white string bikini which showed off her epic curves.

Summer stunner: American actress Kate Walsh certainly made the most of the Aussie sunshine on Sunday, as she stripped down to a bikini while enjoying a beach day at Esperance, around an eight-hour drive from Perth

The Emily In Paris star teamed the slinky two-piece - designed by Perth swim label Ambra Maddalena - with a fun sun shirt of the same lemon-print pattern.

For the occasion, Kate kept sun-safe in a white bucket hat and a pair of oversized black sunglasses.

She left her hair in a gentle tousled style, which was damp after a dip in the ocean.

Kate is currently dating Australian farmer Andrew Nixon, with the pair seen sharing a kiss during a beach date in Perth earlier this month.

Andrew is part of Nixon Farming, a family farming enterprise in the Moora region.

The pair reportedly met on a cruise in early 2020.

New digs: The actress has been living in Australia on and off for almost two years, after finding herself 'trapped' Down Under when the pandemic began in early 2020

The actress has been living in Australia on and off since 2020, after finding herself 'trapped' Down Under when the pandemic hit.

According to The West Australian, she has been living with Andrew in Perth since then after he reportedly convinced her to relocate.

Kate announced in June she would be leaving Australia and returning to the U.S. for a little while - presumably to shoot the Netflix show Emily in Paris.

At the time, she told a WA radio station: 'I'm about to go home for a bit, literally in six days.'

However, she promised to come back, adding: 'I go back for work and [to] see my family. So I'll be gone for a couple of months, but then I'll be back!'

Going strong: Kate is currently dating Australian farmer Andrew Nixon (pictured) with the pair seen sharing a kiss during a beach date in Perth earlier this month. Andrew is part of Nixon Farming, a family farming enterprise in the Moora region

The actress previously told The Daily Telegraph she enjoyed living in Perth so much she didn't want to return to New York City, even when she was able to.

'I didn't really want to go back to New York in the middle of a pandemic when it was pretty gnarly to say the least,' she said.

'I couldn't go home initially, and now that I can, I don't really fancy going back. When I have my own mother saying don't come home, my 86-year-old mum we are in a very challenging time!'
Simon Cowell has made a cheeky dig at his friend and co-judge David Walliams about his short five-year marriage to supermodel Lara Stone.

The music mogul, 62, - who recently got engaged to girlfriend Lauren Silverman following a nine-year romance, got his own back after the comedian, 50, poked fun at the length of time it took him to get engaged.

The Daily Star reported that during filming of the latest series of Britain's Got Talent, the topic of Simon's wedding news came up.

'Hopefully mine will last longer than yours': Newly-engaged Simon Cowell has poked fun at pal David Walliams' short marriage to supermodel Lara Stone (pictured at Sunday's auditions)

One of the first acts to perform for the judges was a dance troupe, whose routine included a segment where a dancer wearing a mask of David's face sitting on a fake Simon's knee and proposing.

David took the opportunity to make a quip about Simon taking his time to pop the question.

Giving his feedback on their performance, he told the auditionees: 'It was good you brought it up to date with the engagement.'

Breakup: David was previously married to supermodel Lara Stone, but their marriage sadly only lasted for five years, until their split in 2015

He then added: 'I mean, they only had a kid seven years go. He took his time.'

But Simon got in the last laugh, after he shot back: 'Hopefully mine will last longer than yours David!'

David was previously married to Lara, but their marriage sadly only lasted for five years, until their split in 2015.

The Little Britain star and Dutch model, 37, met in 2009, and got engaged only months after they began dating.

They tied the knot at London's Claridge's Hotel in May 2010 and welcomed a baby boy Alfred, in May 2013.

Happy news: Meanwhile, Simon's proposal to Lauren came after her learnt 'what was precious' over the past two years

However, the couple soon 'drifted apart' and embarked on a trial separation in March 2015, which led to their subsequent divorce in September of the same year.

Meanwhile, 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...

'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.

'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.'

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

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.'

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.

'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.

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.'

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)

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.

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.
Amanda Holden was pictured leaving the Heart radio studios on Monday looking chic in a dressy ensemble.

The 50-year old sported an olive green satin dress from UK retailer Pretty Lavish, with a loose high neck and long sleeve design.

The dress also featured a ruched-in waist and slit down the leg.

Glamorous: Amanda Holden looked chic in an olive green satin maxi dress and cream jacket as she left Heart radio in London on Monday

Amanda paired the outfit with a cream duster coat, YSL shoulder bag and matching champagne ombre heels.

Embracing the sleek look, she kept her blonde locks slick and straight with a dewy makeup look - accessorising with white sunglasses.

The star hosts Heart Breakfast weekdays from 6:30am until 10am, alongside co-host Jamie Theakston.

Sleek: The star kept her blonde locks sleek and straight, with dewy makeup and a pink lip

Smiles: Amanda paired the outfit with a cream duster coat, YSL shoulder bag and matching champagne ombre heels

Less is more: Opting for minimal jewellery, the radio host paired a pair of white sunglasses with the ensemble

Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts also joins Amanda on Heart Breakfast as the shows' showbiz reporter, with the two often spotted leaving together.

Before stepping out this morning, Amanda revealed that talent show Britain's Got Talent is returning for 2022.

Amanda has been a judge on the show since 2007, and is set to return to the panel with David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell.

Looking lavish: Amanda's dress is from UK retailer Pretty Lavish, featuring a satin finish and ruched in waist

'I actually cried! It was so lovely to see everybody but when we walked into the theatre and with a proper audience...the atmosphere was electric' said Amanda on this mornings Heart Breakfast.

The judge also teased that two golden buzzers have already been pressed after the first day of auditions!

Britain's Got Talent is set to return later in 2022, after a two-year hiatus.
She welcomed her first child - a baby boy named Sunny - in February last year and will soon wed her longtime boyfriend Josh Barker.

And Elyse Knowles was feeling incredibly grateful on Monday as she celebrated exactly one year since getting engaged to Josh.

The model, 29, shared throwback photos from the beach proposal, as well as a sweet video of her wiping away tears on her Instagram Stories, while pregnant with Sunny.

Memories: Elyse Knowles, 29, celebrated one year since getting engaged to beau Josh Barker on Monday, with sweet throwback photos of the beach proposal shared to her Instagram Stories (both pictured)

'One year ago today,' Elyse captioned a photo of the couple posing on the sand, with the bride-to-be proudly showing off her diamond engagement ring.

She looked radiant and glowing as she donned a brown bikini top and briefs, while also drawing attention to her baby bump at nearly nine months pregnant.

The former Myer ambassador then shared a candid video of herself wiping away happy tears, before posting another gorgeous throwback photo of the couple.

Plenty to celebrate: The model looked radiant at nearly nine months pregnant as she proudly showed off her diamond engagement ring. Josh looked equally ecstatic as he placed an affectionate hand on her baby bump in one sweet throwback photo

Emotional: Elyse also shared a candid throwback video where she wiped away happy tears shortly after the beach proposal

'Beautiful day, just us,' she captioned the photo, that saw a casually dressed Josh placing a tender hand on her baby bump.

Elyse often takes to her Instagram to share precious moments of family life.

Last month, the blonde beauty shared a sweet photo to her Stories of her mother Kim Knowles bonding with Sunny in the coastal town of Byron Bay.

'Thank you Kimmy for your endless love and help,' Elyse captioned an adorable image of Kimmy holding onto Sunny and planting a kiss on his head.

Heartwarming: Elyse often takes to her Instagram to share precious moments of family life. Last month, the blonde beauty shared this sweet photo to her Stories of her mother Kim Knowles bonding with Sunny in the coastal town of Byron Bay

Little Sunny looked cute as a button in a white shirt and overalls as he enjoyed time with his grandmother, who was presumably on her way back home to Melbourne.

Kim also took to her Instagram Stories to share a heartwarming photo of herself enjoying one 'last walk' before her trip back home, with Sunny strapped to her chest.

She also shared the same image Elyse posted to her Instagram Stories, captioning it sweetly, 'See you soon little man'.

So sweet: Kim took to her Instagram Stories to share a heartwarming photo of herself enjoying one 'last walk' before her trip back home, with Sunny strapped to her chest. She also shared the same image Elyse posted to her Instagram Stories, captioning it, 'See you soon little man'

Elyse revealed to Stellar magazine in May last year that she was crippled by anxiety following the birth.

'I got quite anxious leaving home for the first time. My heart was racing. I didn't know if I could do it,' she told the publication.

'Having [Sunny], having our dogs and getting out there... And Sunny was screaming in the car and it made me quite scared.'

'My heart was racing': The heartwarming posts comes after Elyse revealed in an interview with Stellar magazine that she was crippled by anxiety and couldn't leave her home after the birth of her son

She added: 'I found it hard to breathe and I had to tell myself, "It's fine, what could go wrong? Everyone has babies... you just have to go for it."

'It took a couple of times to feel confident. But I'm not going to lie, it was hard at the start.'

Elyse and Josh relocated from Melbourne to Byron Bay in 2019, and in May 2020 purchased a $2.3million beach house in the New South Wales coastal town.
She welcomed her daughter Dylan on September 17 last year.

And on Monday, Georgia Fowler showed off her sensational post-pregnancy body while on a getaway with her family.

The 29-year-old Victoria's Secret model posted two photos from the holiday, which she went on with her little girl and partner Nathan Dalah.

One hot mama! On Monday, Georgia Fowler showed off her sensational post-pregnancy body while on a getaway with her family

The stunning two-piece featured a high waist and padded bra, which emphasised her ripped stomach and ample assets to perfection.

She teamed her look with a pair of oversized sunglasses, and pulled her hair into a tight bun.

Georgia captioned the image: 'Hitting refresh into Twenty twenty two. (Nearly wrote 2020- what a vortex!)

'The festive season felt- well anything but festive, so it was so special to have a family getaway and a real retreat before we begin the year with more focus and (slightly) more rest.

Gorgeous: The stunning two-piece featured a high waist and padded bra, which emphasised her ripped stomach and ample assets to perfection

'Setting my intentions as I venture into the first year with a little sidekick in tow. Wishing you all health and happiness and go get those dreams.'

Last month, Georgia shared a photo of herself breastfeeding her daughter and said feeding a newborn was 'a full-time job'.

'Those early weeks of engorgement, the worry about your supply, the leaks through your tops, and, well, everywhere else - it's a messy time,' she wrote.

Promoting a range of eco-friendly baby products, Georgia offered a few encouraging words of support to fellow new mums: 'Go mamas, you got this.'

Georgia welcomed Dylan with her businessman boyfriend Nathan on September 17.

Candid: Last month, Georgia shared a photo of herself breastfeeding her daughter and said feeding a newborn was 'a full-time job'

Motherhood: 'Those early weeks of engorgement, the worry about your supply, the leaks through your tops, and, well, everywhere else - it's a messy time,' she wrote in the post

The New Zealand-born beauty announced she was expecting her first child with the Fishbowl co-founder in April.

In November, Georgia paid tribute to her little girl on her two-month birthday, revealing her sweet nickname.

'Two months of Diddy. Thanks for being the coolest, most serene, and now the smiliest bub out. (And for sleeping six-hour stints). We love you more than life itself,' she wrote on Instagram.
"Metal Gear" and "Silent Hill" publisher Konami welcomed the new year by auctioning off 14 pieces of digital artwork based on classic "Castlevania" games as part of the promise they gave to their fans.

To commemorate the series' 35th anniversary, they launched their first-ever "Konami Memorial NFT collection."

NFTs are non-fungible tokens, that are unique non-interchangeable units of data, which allows users to own, buy, and sell digital items, such as in-game items, music, or digital artworks.

Video Game Chronicles stated that the Konami NFT artworks are sold with an average price of $12,000.

The Konami's "Castlevania" NFT and all of the Konami Memorial collection were sold in an auction via OpenSea on Jan.12 at 17:00(US East) until Jan.14 at 21:00 EST (US West).

Dracula's Castle for 'Castlevania' NFT

The Konami NFT Memorial Collection auction was composed of game scenes, BGMs, and drawn visuals, with all of the 14 unique artworks that were sold.

Konami was able to have earnings of $162,000 USD in total.

According to Nintendo Life, one of the collections became the center of attraction and became the highlight of the auction: it is a JPEG from the original "Castlevania" game, the Castle of Dracula.

The NFT art was bought at a hefty price of $26,000.

In addition, as one of Konami's gifts towards the buyers and now holders of "Castlevania" NFTs, the names of the winners from the auction will be displayed on their website for 10 months.

Read Also: Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT: 5 Biggest Celebrities Who Invested in Unique NFT Collection

Konami Issued An NFT Disclaimer

Around 3 a.m EST on January 15, as seen on VGC, the entire collection has already sold out.

Other Memorial Collection artwork sold through OpenSea also includes multiple gameplay videos from "Castlevania" and virtual posters.

However, even with those short clips, someone spent more than $17,000 on buying one of these gameplay montages.

Konami will most certainly make more money from releasing and selling NFTs in the future, as the firm can collect a royalty of up to 10% on every sale of its NFTs in the future.

Meanwhile, with every NFT sold, the platform OpenSea gets a 2.5% commission.

Following this Memorial Collection, Konami has more NFT plans.

Upon digging, unfortunately, as Kotaku has pointed out, minors aren't allowed to purchase any of these NFTs.

Furthermore, upon buying, Konami also stated that they will not be responsible for the NFT returns the artworks will give out.

It stated that the NFT buyers bought isn't guaranteed to be around in the future, stating:

"Konami will only be responsible for granting the use of the NFT and purchaser benefits for the NFT and will not provide any guarantee for the NFT itself. (e.g. continuity, compatibility with other services.)"

Open Sea and Kanomi Earnings

As stated above, a Memorial Collection NFT was sold for $17,518 in the form of a 3-minute highlights movie compiled from multiple "Castlevania'' gameplay.

However, the montage videos aren't the only highlight as next to it is the "Circle of the Moon," a popular series installment, which also sold for over $17,000.

Related Article: 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' on Netflix, Disney Plus: When Will Tom Holland's Film Be Available for Streaming?
Pregnant Kylie Jenner has landed a permanent restraining order against a fan, Jrue Mesgan, who has tried several times to approach the billionaire at her mansion in Holmby Hills, California.

On Monday it was shared that a Los Angeles judge ordered that obsessed fan to stay away from the cosmetics mogul and not harass her, according to TMZ.

This comes weeks after legal documents were filed by Kylie's lawyer, Shawn Holley, so that the star could add another layer of protection against Mesgan.

Better outlook: Pregnant Kylie Jenner has had a legal victory when it comes to a stalker. She has obtained a permanent restraining order against Jrue Mesgan, who has tried several times to approach her at her mansion in Holmby Hills, California

Jenner is currently expecting her second child with boyfriend Travis Scott. They already have daughter Stormi Webster together.

Kylie's sisters, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and Kendall, recently attended a baby shower for that second child at Jenner's Holmby Hills estate.

Mesgan has a long history with Kylie.

In December he was arrested after violating a temporary restraining order by going to her Holmby Hills house and buzzing the gate.

He was charged with two criminal counts after he attempted to visit her home.

A celebration: Kylie recently attended a baby shower for that second child at Jenner's Holmby Hills estate. Seen with mother Kris Jenner and grandmother MJ

Her family was there for support: Kylie's sisters, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and Kendall were there too as they attempted needlepoint

Mesgan was charged with one count each of violating a protective order and violating a court order, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ.

Both counts are misdemeanors.

Police were seen putting Mesgan in handcuffs in December.

According to law enforcement, the man  who has visited her house numerous times  approached her estate in the very exclusive part of Beverly Hills, called Holmby Hills, and buzzed the gate.

Her family: Kylie pictured with Travis Scott and daughter Stormi Webster in June in NYC

However, a security guard on the property spotted Mesgan and called the police.

He was arrested for a misdemeanor violation of a court order at the time and was being held on $20K bail, TMZ reported .

The publication reported that Mesgan has been to the star's home on multiple occasions over the past few months in an attempt to see her.

Jenner responded by getting a stay-away order which was violated in December thus the arrest was made and led to the permanent restraining order.

It has not been an easy time for the make-up mogul as she has been the target of several obsessed fans.

A good move: On Monday it was shared that a Los Angeles judge ordered that obsessed fan to stay away from the cosmetics mogul and not harass her, according to TMZ

Earlier in December a man was arrested for misdemeanor trespassing after he allegedly attempted to propose to Jenner.

The 23-year-old suspect had hopped a fence in Kylie's neighborhood in hopes of reaching the reality star, but ended up knocking on her neighbor's door, according to TMZ , citing law enforcement sources.

Police were called to the scene and spoke with the individual, who had arrived with flowers. The man said he intended on professing his love and proposing to Kylie.

The man was ultimately arrested for misdemeanor trespassing and taken in for booking.

In June 2021, a man attempting to profess his love for the beauty mogul was arrested. According to TMZ, he was 'familiar' to her security detailing but cooperative in the past when asked to leave the property.

Targeted: Mesgan has a long history with Kylie. In December he was arrested after violating a temporary restraining order by going to her Holmby Hills house and buzzing the gate. He was charged with two criminal counts after he attempted to visit her home

This time around it was said that he refused to leave until he got a chance to see Kylie face to face which led to his arrest.

Though Kylie was not home at the time of the incident, the man put up a fight in order to see Jenner.

Her security team detained him until police arrived, and subsequently he was booked for misdemeanor trespassing  before being released.

More recently, a man was arrested after he allegedly jumped Kylie's fence and set off fireworks.

Scary: Mesgan was charged with one count each of violating a protective order and violating a court order, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ. Both counts are misdemeanors. Kylie seen here in 2020

Both Kylie and her sister Kendall Jenner also have restraining orders against another man who tried to hit both of their homes in the same day.

In March, a trespasser was found swimming naked in Kendall's pool before heading to Kylie's house in Hidden Hills, following just six hours in jail. He has been ordered to stay 100 yards from both of them.

That same month, Kendall was also granted a five-year restraining order against another man who was believed by police to be driving across the country to shoot her and then kill himself.

The back to back incidents prompted Kendall to leave her home in Beverly Hills as well, despite upping the level of security there.

Continuing issue: More recently, a man was arrested after he allegedly jumped Kylie's fence and set off fireworks; seen at her Hidden Hills estate in early January

Kim Kardashian has also been the subject of stalkers and trespassing. On June 8 it was reported that she received a package from a creepy fan who sent her a diamond engagement ring and Plan B.

They were believed to be sent by a man who had shown up to her property several times in the past as well.

He had first come to her home in February, before returning a few weeks later telling her gated community guards that he was there to pick her up for dinner. She has also now been granted a restraining order against him.
Ferne McCann commanded attention as she attended best pal Billie Faiers' 32nd birthday celebrations on Sunday.

The former TOWIE star, 31, showed off her tanned legs as she went braless in a grey blazer dress as she took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps from the party.

Ferne added a boost to her height with knee-high Balenciaga boots and accessorised the look with a yellow Givenchy bag.

All eyes on her: Ferne McCann commanded attention as she attended best pal Billie Faiers' 32nd birthday celebrations on Sunday

Styling her blonde locks back, Ferne pouted for the camera as she posed for a solo shot to show off her outfit as well as one with Billie.

Another photo showed Billie beaming as she carried balloons into the party, with the television personality also sharing an insight into her fancy oyster meal.

Billie showed off the sensational curves in a white dress which boasted a high neck and short sleeves.

The former TOWIE star, 31, showed off her tanned legs as she went braless in a grey blazer dress as she took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps from the party

Another photo showed Billie beaming as she carried balloons into the part

She elevated her height with gold high heels, and accessorised with a Fendi baguette bag.

Ferne captioned the shot: 'A very happy day for @billiefaiersofficial birthday yesterday'.

To which Billie replied: 'Aww love these pics. The best day with you darling'.

Billie and husband Greg Shepherd recently enjoyed a festive break in the Maldives, where they kept their social media inundated with snaps from the sun soaked getaway.

Ferne also shared an insight into her fancy oyster meal

To which Billie replied: 'Aww love these pics. The best day with you darling'

In one snap, Billie and Greg shared a sweet snap of them kissing.

In the picture, Billie showed off her incredible bikini body in a skimpy green and white two piece which showed off her holiday tan.

The pair gave a glimpse of their lavish and sunny resort in the background where the beach was lined with loungers.
They recently enjoyed a lavish break in the tropical Maldives.

And Millie Court, 24, was in a nostalgic mood as she shared some pictures from her holiday with Liam Reardon, 22, on Instagram on Sunday after the pair landed back in the UK.

Former Love Island winner Millie looked sensational in the snaps as she showed off her taut abs while wearing a pastel blue tube top and matching sarong.

Tropical dreams: Millie Court, 24, showed off her taut abs in a pastel blue tube top and sarong while on her Maldives holiday with Liam Reardon, 22, in throwback Instagram snaps on Sunday

She showed off her long slender leg through a front split in her garment, displaying a healthy tan after relaxing in the sun.

The reality star's naked arms and shoulders were left exposed to the warm evening air as she stood close to a hunky Liam.

Former bricklayer Liam, who triumphed on last year's Love Island alongside girlfriend Millie, looked dashing in a green and white checked shirt.

In style: She showed off her long slender leg through a front split in her garment, displaying a healthy tan after relaxing in the sun

He wore a pair of cream shorts and matching shoes for the evening and could be seen lovingly kissing Millie in one photo as the azure water gently lapped the shore behind them.

While away in the Maldives earlier this month, Liam played a hilarious prank on Millie, with the couple sharing a clip of the moment on social media with fans.

They were both left in hysterics when Liam pretended to ask a bikini-clad Millie to marry him while waiting for their camera timer to go off.

Keeping it casual: Former bricklayer Liam, who triumphed on last year's Love Island alongside girlfriend Millie, looked dashing in a green and white checked shirt and cream shorts

Taking to social media from their Maldives getaway, Millie explained: 'I set the timer up and said ''quick do something before it goes off''.' She added: "He totally was not being serious".

Millie wrote in full: 'This pic cracks me up, I set the timer up and said ''quick do something before it goes off'' - we were cracking up. This is just our humour btw and he was totally not being serious.'

Sharing another sweet photo of herself and Liam embracing on the beautiful shoreline, the media personality wrote: 'What an amazing first holiday with you.'

Hilarious: Liam played a hilarious prank on his girlfriend Millie in a clip shared by the latter on Instagram from their Maldives getaway

The couple have openly documented their lavish trip to The Maldives, after previously celebrating the New Year in Dubai.

It comes after Millie took to social media to candidly discuss her struggles with adult acne after bravely posting a makeup-free snap from her holiday.

Captioning the post she penned: 'Stripped back. I feel quite proud of myself for posting these photos today. A completely untouched photo of me.

Cheeky: Liam pretended to ask bikini-clad Millie to marry him while waiting for their camera timer to go off

Cheeky: Liam pretended to ask bikini-clad Millie to marry him while waiting for their camera timer to go off

'A year ago I would never have dreamed of even walking out of the house without makeup on, let alone taking a photo and putting it on the gram for everyone to see.'

She went on: 'As some of you may know, I've struggled with adult acne and it was the thing I was most insecure and self conscious about.

'I've been through a lot of different skin care and treatments and I thought it would never get better, so it feels amazing to be at this point and look at this picture of myself and how far I've come.

Stunning: It comes after Millie took to social media to candidly discuss her struggles with adult acne after bravely posting a makeup-free snap from her holiday

She shared some advice for her fans about how to take care of their skin, adding: 'It wasn't an easy journey, nor a quick one, and what worked for me may not work for you. That's the most annoying thing about skincare, it's not a one size fits all.

'But all I can say is do your research, speak to professionals, persevere don't give up because one day you will find something that works for you, like I did.

'I think my skin also loves me on holiday, something about it I don't know what, but it always seems to clear up in the sun and sea. No doubt about it, when I get back home my skin will break out again like it did over Christmas but I guess that's just something I have to deal with now - random breakouts every now and then.'

Millie went on to warn her followers not to be taken in by the flawless images of people on Instagram.

She said: 'Don't be fooled by Instagram either, this is my good side - I have a couple of marks, deep scars and 2 spots on my other side, but to see that one side is clear is enough for me and a huge difference to what it was a year ago!'
Andrew Garfield revealed just how big of a secret he kept his return in Marvel's newest movie Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The 38-year-old actor went on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast on Monday and talked in detail about his character, Peter Parker's, return in Marvel's latest Spider-Man adaption, starring Tom Holland.

The actor talked with Josh about how he even had to keep his return a secret from his old co-star and ex-girlfriend, Emma Stone.

Keeping the secret: Andrew Garfield revealed just how big of a secret he kept his return in Marvel's newest movie Spider-Man: No Way Home; seen in early January

'Emma kept on texting me. She was like, "Are you in this new Spider-Man film?"' Andrew began. 'And I was like, "I don't know what you're talking about."'

Andrew and Emma both starred in both Amazing Spider-Man films, with the first being released in 2012 and its sequel in 2014. The co-stars went on to date for four years in real life, after being cast as love interests in the Marvel movies.

'She was like, "Shut up. Just tell me." I'm like, "I honestly don't know"  I kept it going, even with her,' the Tony Award winner continued, laughing. 'And then she saw it. She was like, "You're a jerk."'

Amazing Spider-Man: Andrew and Emma both starred in both Amazing Spider-Man films, with the first being released in 2012 and its sequel in 2014. The co-stars went on to date for four years in real life, after casted as love interests in the Marvel movies

Andrew in action: Andrew starred as Spider-Man in 2012 and then in the sequel, Amazing Spider-Man 2 in 2014

Andrew wasn't the only star to return in the latest Spider-Man movie. He was accompanied by Tobey Maguire, 46, the original casted Spider-Man.

'There were moments where I was like, "God, I hate lying." I don't like to lie and I'm not a good liar, but I kept framing it as a game,' he said.

'And I kept imagining myself purely as a fan of that character, which is not hard to do.'

Andrew went on to talk with Josh about how he would feel from a fan's point of view.

All three Spider-Men: Andrew wasn't the only star to return in the latest Spider-Man movie. He was accompanied by Tobey Maguire, 46, the original casted Spider-Man

'I would want the actor to do an incredibly good job at convincing me he wasn't in it,' he said. 'And then I would want to lose my mind in the theater when my instinct was proven right. That's what I would want.'

Although Andrew and Emma split up in 2015, just a year after the sequel to Amazing Spider-Man was released, the co-stars still remain great friends.

'We care about each other so much, and that's a given, that's kind of this unconditional thing,' Andrew said on Vanity Fair's Little Gold Men podcast in 2017. 'There's so much love between us and so much respect  It's also been wonderful to have that kind of support for each other.'
Kanye West had quite the weekend, battling it out with his estranged wife Kim Kardashian over his access to their four children.

The 44-year-old hip hop mogul was spotted out on Sunday night in West Hollywood, after the proverbial throw-down with Kim, wearing an attention grabbing face-covering balaclava.

Kim and Kanye's daughter Chicago celebrated her fourth birthday party on Saturday at an over-the-top joint birthday party with cousin Stormi which was gate-crashed by the rapper.

Awkward exes: Kanye West was spotted Sunday wearing a full black balaclava and an all-black ensemble by Virgil Abloh, following a tense weekend with Kim Kardashian where he accused her of barring him from their daughter's birthday

While heading out in Hollywood, Kanye seemingly wanted to go incognito by completely obscuring his face with a black mask but the bizarre look ended up making him stand out.

The billionaire wore head-to-toe black in an ensemble crafted by late Louis Vuitton artistic director Virgil Abloh.

Kanye rocked a black hoodie by Abloh with white wording covered by a swipe of orange paint paired with leather moto pants and knee high leather moto boots.

His outing comes after a tense weekend with ex-Kim Kardashian over his claim she failed to include him in their daughter Chicago's birthday plans.

Statement: While heading out in Hollywood, Kanye seemingly wanted to go incognito by completely obscuring his face with a black mask but the bizarre look ended up making him stand out

Kim is seemingly trying to distract from the tension with her soon-to-be former husband with a new set of bikini clad snaps from her recent vacation to the Bahamas with Pete Davidson.

'Mother Nature,' the Skims mogul captioned a carousel of pictures wearing a skimpy white string bikini.

Kim spent the weekend lavishing her daughter Chicago and niece Stormi with a massive birthday party, however, despite the fun bash, there was a lot of public drama with Kanye.

I wasn't allowed to know where her party was': His outing comes after a tense weekend with ex-Kim Kardashian over his claim that she failed to include him in their daughter Chicago's birthday plans and refused to give him the address

'I'm just wishing my daughter a public happy birthday. I wasn't allowed to know where her party was,' Kanye said in a video. 'There's nothing legal that saying that this is the kind of games that's being played, it's the kind of thing that really has affected my health for the longest and I'm just not playing, I'm taking control of my narrative this year.

'I was supposed to be in Miami recording my album. My whole schedule is all based around on me being able to take my kids to school, me being there for them, making sure that I'm in their life, that's the whole point, I have the money they take so many fathers just throughout America, they've been taking the fathers out of homes purposely so I'm speaking up, I'm using my voice to say, "This ain't going to keep happening, this narrative and that... happened."

'It's a lot of people that's not in a position where they ain't got no voice when people be playing games like this, baby mamas be playing games, the grandmas will be playing games like this, and it's like as y'all know, that ain't going to play like that with me.'

He was later seen at the over-the-top Barbie and LOL Doll themed event standing near Kris Jenner and, at one point, holding up Chicago while she smacked a pink number '4' pinata.

In a subsequent video, Kanye seemed to have gotten over his hurt feelings about ot being invited, thanking Travis Scott for providing him with the address.

Nothing to see here: Kim attempted to distract fans from the Kanye of it all on Monday by posting a handful of snaps from her recent Caribbean vacation with beau Pete Davidson

He said, she said: Insiders claim that Kim was shocked to hear of Kanye's video rant about being banned from the party and had understood that she and Ye were supposed to have thrown separate events for their daughter

'I'm so happy right now, I just came from Chi's party,' Kanye said in the clip. 'I just gotta shout out to Travis Scott for sending me the address and the time and making sure that I was able to spend that birthday memory with my daughter and to be there with the rest of the family.'

The Flashing Lights hitmaker shares Chicago and with daughter North, eight, and sons Saint, six, and Psalm, two, with his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, 41.

The Grammy Award winner mentioned seeing a few members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, but did not name Kim specifically.

'I saw everybody, it was you know, Kris, Corey and Kylie... Kylie let me in right when I got to the spot because the security stopped me once again when I got there,' he said.

'I'm so happy right now, I just came from Chi's party,' Kanye said in the clip. 'I just gotta shout out to Travis Scott for sending me the address and the time and making sure that I was able to spend that birthday memory with my daughter and to be there with the rest of the family,' Kanye said in a subsequent video after finally arriving

'And you know, it's just a matter of having a conversation, open dialogue, and everyone just had a great time.

'I'm just really happy that I could be there for my children and I just want to thank everyone for their support in the situation. Letting me just calmly and legally take control of my narrative.'

The Atlanta native concluded his video by emphasizing his dedication to his children.

'I know we disagree and people have different opinions on a lot of different things that I do but with this one, this is my main focus. My life centers around my children and I just had a great time today,' he said.

This comes after reports that things were so tense between Kanye and Kim that the parents had to stay at 'opposite sides' of the party.

'He seemed okay once he started talking to the family and was in great spirits laughing and playing with Chicago, it seems he just wanted to be involved in her day and didnt want to cause trouble,' a source told The Sun

'Mr. West being kept from the children, by security or anyone else, is news to us. Both parties' priority has always been the children maintaining strong bonds with each of their parents throughout this transition and beyond,' Kim's divorce lawyer told Page Six

Though there reportedly was no 'scene' between the divorcing couple, a source told The Sun on Sunday that they kept their distance throughout the party. According to the source, Kanye arrived at the party in a frenzy.

'When he finally got the address he arrived like a bat out of hell in a rental car around 1 p.m., driving himself without any security,' they shared.

Despite his apparent anger in his self-shot video, he apparently put that aside once he was with his children.

'He seemed okay once he started talking to the family and was in great spirits laughing and playing with Chicago, it seems he just wanted to be involved in her day and didnt want to cause trouble,' they continued.

According to insiders, Kim and Kanye had actually planned on having two separate parties for their daughter.

The Wests: The Flashing Lights hitmaker shares Chicago and with daughter North, eight, and sons Saint, six, and Psalm, two, with his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, 41

Kanye was set to have his party Saturday at 4PM. However, it was news to Kim and the rest of the family that he had made a video alleging he had not been invited.

The insider says the invite allegations were untrue, and Kanye was given the information about the second party once he decided to come.

Kardashian didn't publicly respond to the drama on social media, where she uploaded a sweet birthday tribute to her little girl and documented the party throughout the day.

In a statement to Page Six, Kim's divorce lawyer Laura Wasser shutdown any notion that the children are being 'kept' from Kanye.

'Mr. West being kept from the children, by security or anyone else, is news to us. Both parties' priority has always been the children maintaining strong bonds with each of their parents throughout this transition and beyond,' the statement read.
Gabrielle Epstein isn't exactly known for her subtlety when it comes to fashion.

And the LA-based Aussie model, 27, looked like a bona fide sex kitten on Monday when she dressed up in a very racy outfit for a date night.

The OnlyFans star showcased her surgically enhanced assets in a plunging bustier-style top which she teamed with completely sheer tights.

Daring display: Gabrielle Epstein looked like a bona fide sex kitten on Monday when she dressed up in a very racy outfit for a date night

She accessorised with evening gloves, a silver necklace and a designer handbag dripping with diamonds.

'All black outfits are my fav,' she captioned the gallery of sultry snaps on Instagram.

It comes after Gabrielle unleashed her inner wild child last Wednesday as she stripped down for a late-night beach photo shoot.

She left almost nothing to the imagination as she frolicked on the sand in a tiny micro bikini with barely there G-string bottoms.

Revealing: The LA-based Aussie model, 27, showcased her surgically enhanced assets in a plunging bustier-style top which she teamed with completely sheer tights

Lavish: She accessorised with evening gloves, a silver necklace and a designer handbag dripping with diamonds

Sultry: 'All black outfits are my fav,' she captioned the gallery of suggestive snaps on Instagram

She captioned the series of photos: 'Night swim.'

Gabrielle's 'less is more' approach to fashion often gets her in trouble with Instagram's anti-nudity police.

And she was censored by the Facebook-owned platform yet again earlier this month after sharing a photo of herself that was apparently 'too naked'.

She's a free spirit! It comes after Gabrielle unleashed her inner wild child last Wednesday as she stripped down for a late-night beach photo shoot

Daring: She left almost nothing to the imagination as she frolicked on the sand in a tiny micro bikini with barely there G-string bottoms

She told her followers an image she'd posted to her back-up account - which features more racy content than her main account - was removed because it supposedly violated Instagram's community guidelines.

She posted a comparatively tame gallery of photos of herself in a white lace bra and sweatpants, and wrote in the caption: 'Hi, Instagram removed my pic this morning because I was too naked (what's new?) so here is this instead.'

While it's unclear why Instagram took steps to remove Gabrielle's earlier post, the image may have been reported by a user or alternatively it could have been flagged by an algorithm that detects nudity.

Removed: It comes after the OnlyFans star was censored by Instagram yet again earlier this month after sharing a photo of herself that was apparently 'too naked'

'What's new?' She said an image she'd posted to her back-up account was removed because it supposedly violated Instagram's community guidelines

Instagram's community guidelines state: 'For a variety of reasons, we don't allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos and some digitally created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals and close-ups of fully nude buttocks.

'It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos in the context of breastfeeding, birth giving and after-birth moments, health-related situations (for example, post-mastectomy, breast cancer awareness or gender confirmation surgery) or an act of protest are allowed.

'Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is okay, too.'

Wet T-shirt contest! Gabrielle turned heads in late December when she hit the beach in a soaking wet crop top and very skimpy bikini bottoms

Gabrielle turned heads in late December when she hit the beach in a soaking wet crop top and very skimpy bikini bottoms.

She left almost nothing to the imagination in the see-through white T-shirt, which featured a retro Fanta logo from the early '90s.

The drenched top offered a generous glimpse of underboob and drew attention to Gabrielle's impressively lean abs.

Throwback: She left almost nothing to the imagination in the see-through white T-shirt, which featured a retro Fanta logo from the early '90s

She appeared to be one sudden move from a wardrobe malfunction as she struck a series of poses by the ocean.

Meanwhile, her bottoms offered hardly any coverage at all and were pulled up perilously high on her hips.

Gabrielle's Instagram followers were stunned by her raunchy ensemble, with one commenting: 'Why do I all of a sudden have the thirst for Fanta?'

'Unreal,' another added, while a third wrote, 'Geeeee willikers Batman.'

Flawless: The drenched top offered a generous glimpse of underboob and drew attention to Gabrielle's impressively lean abs

Cheeky display: Her bottoms offered hardly any coverage at all and were pulled up perilously high on her hips

In November, Gabrielle fired back at critics who said her photos were 'too explicit'.

Speaking to Maxim, she called out the 'toxic double standard' between how men and women are treated differently on Instagram.

'There are plenty of photos of men without their shirts on showing their nipples but the fact that mine can be covered and a photo still gets removed creates a very toxic double standard,' she said.

Defiant: In November, Gabrielle fired back at critics who said her photos were 'too explicit'

'We are all human, we are all born with bodies and we should not be taught to be ashamed of how they look in a natural state.'

She said she'd turned to OnlyFans to get around Instagram's censorship.

'I also feel like I can be more of myself on OnlyFans,' she explained.

'To me showing my body isnt about me being objectified; its about me feeling confident, powerful and beautiful in my own skin.'

Double standards: 'There are plenty of photos of men without their shirts on showing their nipples but the fact that mine can be covered and a photo still gets removed creates a very toxic double standard,' she told Maxim

Gabrielle's statements come after Instagram removed one of her pictures due to claims of 'sexual solicitation'.

In September, she was frustrated to learn her post breached community guidelines.

She uploaded a screenshot of an alert she'd received telling her a naked photo had been deleted because it breached 'adult sexual solicitation' rules.

Confident: 'To me showing my body isnt about me being objectified, its about me feeling confident, powerful and beautiful in my own skin,' she explained

It wasn't the first time she'd had content removed by Instagram, with the blonde bombshell commenting: '@instagram here we go again.'

'You can't even see ANYTHING what is going on,' she added.

The supposedly offensive photo showed a naked Gabrielle lying on a white sheet while propping herself up on her elbows.

Prior to finding fame as an adult model, Gabrielle was a competitive swimmer and ambassador for fitness brands.
Isla Fisher is turning 46 next month, but the Australian actress barely looks like she's aged in a day in 20 years.

In a photo posted to her Instagram on Monday, the red-haired beauty showed off her youthful visage as she posed in a stunning low-cut dress by Versace Jeans Couture.

'Dress to impress for press,' she cheekily captioned her photo as she attended a media call to promote her new Stan Australia series, Wolf Like Me.

Dressed to impress! Isla Fisher, 46, showed off her ageless visage and stunned in a low-cut dress as she attended a press event for her upcoming Stan Australia original series Wolf Like Me on Tuesday

For the press junket day, the Wedding Crashes star stunned in a multi-coloured off-the-shoulder gown teamed with pink heels.

She wore her crimson-coloured locks in her signature glamorous waves and took her soft makeup look to another level by adding false lashes to her lids.

Last week, the fashionista slipped her svelte figure into a $1,000 Versace Jeans Couture mini dress.

On Thursday, she showed off her showed off her very best assets in the gold frock ahead of a late-night TV appearance in the United States.

Golden girl! Last week, the fashionista slipped her svelte figure into a $1,000 Versace Jeans Couture mini dress

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 comedy-drama series.

Isla's dress featured Versace's iconic leather buckle detailing on the shoulders and a plunging bustier-style design.

TV appearance: Isla shared a gallery of photos to Instagram of her luxury outfit as she prepared for her interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers

Isla is known for her love of fashion and recently wore a $10,000 designer outfit from Fendi.

She modelled a pink turtleneck, mauve satin shorts and leather heels, and accessorised with a $5,100 beige leather bag.

Dripping in designer: Isla is known for her love of fashion and recently wore a $10,000 designer outfit from Fendi

On the home front, Isla and her husband Sacha Baron Cohen celebrated their 20-year anniversary just last year.

'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 main opposition People Power Party's presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is seen with his wife Kim Keon-hee on MBC's program airing contents of phone calls between Kim and a YouTuber, Sunday. Yonhap



By Kim Bo-eun



Stocks related to main opposition People Power Party's presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol surged Monday, after a local broadcaster's airing of personal phone calls between Yoon's wife Kim Keon-hee and a YouTube channel reporter turned out not to be as damaging as expected to Yoon, maintaining his chances of being elected.





The reporter for a liberal YouTube channel named Voice of Seoul submitted recorded phone calls with Kim to broadcaster MBC, which aired a program releasing the content late Sunday. Concerns had mounted within the main opposition party, but little of Kim's remarks were considered controversial enough to affect Yoon's rating.






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New Delhi: The countrywide vaccination drive against Covid-19 on Sunday completed one year, during which over 156.76 crore doses have been administered. The massive vaccination campaign is being seen as a bulwark against the rampaging third wave of Covid-19, caused by a new variant, Omicron, that was not known when the first vaccines were administered.

Highlighting the intensity of the third wave, India added 2,71,202 new infections, according to date update by the Union health ministry on Sunday, taking the total tally to 3,71,22,164. This included 7,743 cases of the Omicron variant, up by 1,702 which is the highest in a single day so far. The active cases have increased to 15,50,377.

According to health ministry officials, over 93 per cent of the adult population have received at least one dose while over 69.8 per cent have been fully vaccinated. A commemorative postage stamp on indigenously developed vaccine Covaxin was released to mark the event.

As a result of the country's solidarity and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's commitment during the Corona crisis that the country not only manufactured a vaccine but also inoculated a large part of the population in a very short time. This one year of vaccination campaign shows India's resolve, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in another tweet.

The drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. Vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2. Vaccination opened for those over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. Vaccination of all people aged over 45 started from April 1. It was extended to everyone above 18 from May 1. On January 3 this year, adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years were allowed to take the vaccine. A third dose is being given from January 10 to health and frontline workers and those above aged 60.

The health ministry has claimed that India's vaccination programme has been one of the most successful in the world, when compared to developed western nations with a significantly low population base to vaccinate. India administered 100 crore doses in less than nine months, it said.

Covid vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore mark on October 21 last year. The cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 150-crore mark on January 7.

A certain section of people attempted to sow confusion and spread misinformation to create vaccine hesitancy, but the prime minister was determined and he kept on encouraging and motivating the scientists and companies. Thus, the COVID-19 vaccine research, manufacturing and the inoculation drive progressed at a steady pace, Mandaviya said.

Our vaccination drive is an example of what India can achieve if the citizens come together in the spirit of 'jan bhagidari', as remarked by the prime minister. It is a remarkable example of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he said as he thanked the healthcare professionals, the scientific community, the vaccine manufacturers and all the people for their relentless hard work and dedication in the battle against the pandemic.

Highlighting the remarkable efforts of all the stakeholders in the collective fight against Covid, the health minister said, The entire world community is surprised with our efforts in fighting the pandemic. Despite having a high density of population, we have been able to administer more than 156 crore vaccine doses. India has encountered various challenges along the journey, but it is the resolve and dedication of more than 135 crore people that we could overcome every challenge. Credit goes to our indigenous research and development and the streamlined production and distribution of vaccines.

He said the vaccination programme is a story of the country's unparalleled journey.

It showcases the Indian model and the extraordinary achievement of our country, guided by the unshakable conviction of the prime minister in the hidden potential and capabilities of the citizens, Mandaviya said.
The source said the product might need a small trial in India. (Photo: Gennova Biopharmaceuticals)

New Delhi: India's Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is working on an Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine candidate that could be ready in a month or two, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The source, who did not want to be named as the information was private, said the product might need a small trial in India before it could be rolled out as a booster or standalone vaccine.

A representative for Gennova, a unit of drugmaker Emcure Pharmaceuticals that does business in some 70 countries, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pfizer Inc said last week a redesigned COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron coronavirus variant could be ready to launch by March.

The source said Gennova on Friday separately submitted to India's drug regulator phase 2 trial data for its original mRNA vaccine candidate. The government said last year that product was found to be "safe, tolerable, and immunogenic" in the participants of an initial study.

If given emergency-use approval, this would be the country's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine like the ones developed by Pfizer and Moderna.
A member of a Bomb Disposal Squad attempts to defuse an IED bomb found inside a bag at Ghazipur flower market in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The IED recovered in the Gazipur area of east Delhi was part of the consignment of explosives that were smuggled into India from Pakistan, according to Intelligence agencies.

"We have found that in Gazipur the bag contained IED wrapped with tape was planted by a sleeper cell. The explosives that were recovered weighed around 1.5 kilograms, contained both RDX and ammonium nitrate and had the potential to cause a high-intensity blast. It is expected that such bombs have reached poll-bound states through a network of sleeper cells," said a senior official to ANI.

He added that recoveries of explosives made by Punjab Police in recent months are just the tip of the iceberg.

Intelligence agencies coordinated with Delhi Police and National Security Guard (NSG) for a detailed report into the matter. NSG will share their report on the case with Delhi Police on Monday.

He said that in the last few months there was a surge in drone activities in border areas, many times drones used to drop explosives especially tiffin bombs that were remained undetected and they might be used in terror activities before or during elections to create a law and order situation.

"In Ludhiana blast, RDX was used and again we found RDX in Gazipur in Delhi. It appears to be part of a consignment delivered from Pakistan that has reached Delhi through the channel of sleeper cells. Intelligence agencies are tracking suspects involved in the syndicate. We have also shared information with UP ATS," he added.

Intelligence and security agencies are on their toes after a Telegram channel in the name of Mujahideen Ghazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group active in Kashmir, has claimed responsibility for planting an improvised explosive device (IED) at the Gazipur flower market last week.

"A Telegram channel has claimed that the explosives in Gazipur could not explode due to technical glitches but it does not mean their plan has failed. The message has been shared with Delhi Police and asked to increase patrolling in high footfall places," he said.

Teams of Delhi Police Special cell are in UP to get any leads in the case.

"We are working on the possibility that the suspect might have escaped through UP border after planting explosives in Gazipur flower market that is located in Delhi-UP border," he added.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police is scanning more than 80 CCTV located in the vicinity where the explosive was found in Gazipur.
Hyderabad: Established by the British in 1878, Secunderabad Club is one of the oldest clubs in the country. The main club house, which caught fire in the early hours of Sunday, was given heritage status by Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HMDA) in 1999. Several articles of historic value are believed to have been destroyed in the fire.

Mohammed Saifiullah, a city historian, said it is a pity to see the well-maintained building gutted in fire. However, there is no reason why it cannot be restored with equipment like smoke alarms to prevent further such incidents, he said.

Shafiullah said Salar Jung Bahadur II gifted the land to the British. Built by the British, the Indo-European architectural monument is integral to Cantonment buildings. It originally belonged to former Prime Minister of Hyderabad state, Salar Jung, who later gifted it to the British, which subsequently was turned into a club.

However, another historian, Capt. L. Pandu Rangareddy, who is a past member of the club, said there was no basis to say the structure belonged to Salar Jung. He maintained that The building was originally used as an army transit camp for the convenience of British officers during Sikandar Jahs rule, when Nizams had a subsidiary alliance with the British.

Capt. Rangareddy added that the building was later used to station officers of the Imperial Civil Services. Later, IAS officers were allotted the building and they were followed by civilians, he added.

Shafiullah explained that as a heritage enthusiast, he would like to see the structure restored to its past glory as the concrete parts are still intact.

This would be a better proposition to razing it to the ground and rebuilding it, he said.

However, a senior club member, who did not wish to be named, said that restoring the monument to its original glory is next to impossible. He added that there were no blueprints of the structure and that digitization of records had commenced only two decades back.

The Secunderabad Club is home to a library with a huge collection of over 55,000 books, which includes a rare series of vintage lithographic bird paintings. To the relief of its members, the main library was unaffected by the fire incident. Capt. Rangareddy termed the library as one of the best in the city.
New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah is likely to hold a series of meetings and spice up the campaign in Uttar Pradesh from next week as the party looks to retain power in the state which is vital for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in 2024.

Elections in UP will be held in seven phases from February 10, and the results are scheduled on March 10.

With the Election Commission having extended the ban on public meetings and roadshows till January 22, and the BJP leadership busy finalising its candidates for the Assembly polls in five states, Shah will start his tour after Saturday and hold meetings, including with organisational leaders, to cover the whole of the state.

In his first round of campaign meetings, in December, Shah had said the Yogi Adityanath government had put an end to the ABCD of the Samajwadi Party, listing apradh aur aatank (crime), bhai bhatijawad (nepotism), corruption, and danga (riots).

Even if the ban remains in place, the EC has allowed indoor meetings under certain conditions, sources noted.

In an informal interaction, a senior BJP leader expressed confidence that the BJP will repeat its 2017 feat when it had won more than 300 seats in the 403-member Assembly, saying that the Yogi Adityanath-led government's performance on the issue of law and order and corruption, besides the welfare programmes of the Modi government at the Centre, will win over people's support.

Asked about a string of defections from the BJP to its main rival Samajwadi Party, including of OBC leader Swami Prasad Maurya, and their allegation that the ruling party was anti-backward castes, the party leader said these leaders claim to represent their castes and what may have prompted their resignation is that the BJP has been successful in winning over these communities, leading to their marginalisation.

The kind of representation backward castes like Maurya, Saini or Nunia have received in the BJP's organisation and in its government is there for all to see, he said, claiming that the Samajwadi Party had never given these communities any position. Whatever these defectors may say, these communities have no reason to not support the BJP, he added.

With party leaders seeking tickets for their kin, a senior BJP leader said any relation of a party member who is already holding an elected position like an MP or MLA is unlikely to be fielded. This rule will not apply to those who are already MLAs, he added.

Voters in Uttar Pradesh have been giving a clear mandate in last several polls and the BJP is sure that it won't be any different this time, he said.

Since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when the BJP won 71 of its 80 seats, the party swept the state in the 2017 Assembly and then in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, pushing its rivals to the margins.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav has been targeting the BJP over the alleged non-performance of its state government and has been working to broaden his party's base by inducting leaders from rival parties.

The BJP has announced its candidates for 107 seats in Uttar Pradesh and is likely to announce its nominees for the remaining seats in the coming days, besides for four other poll-bound states -- Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. Stakes are high for the BJP as it is in power in four of the five states.
China will not fill the so-called power vacuum after US pullout Mideast countries should control own destiny

By Yang Sheng and Zhang Changyue (Global Times) 08:24, January 17, 2022

China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi

China disagrees that there is "power vacuum" in the Middle East that needs to be filled, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently, while the hasty US pullout from the region in 2021 has caused ongoing chaos in the region.

In the same week of the first month of 2022, six Middle Eastern countries including major regional ones such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey all sent their top diplomats to China and to seek more and deeper cooperation or to reinforce and consolidate the existing partnerships. Chinese analysts said the weakening US presence in the region has caused rising concerns among the regional countries, and they have realized that ties with China will be significant for the region in the future.

But China boosting ties with the Middle East is not based on hegemonic ambition but on common interests and mutual respect. China will not seek to replace the US role in the region, nor does the Middle East need major foreign powers to intervene in regional issues, because they should learn to solve their problems on their own, said Chinese experts.

"The Middle East has a long history, unique cultures and plentiful natural resources, but at the same time, the region is suffering from long-existing unrest and conflicts due to foreign interventions," Wang told media on Saturday after meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Turkey and Iran and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

"China has always supported the Middle East to realize stability and to speed up its development. We believe the people of the Middle East are the masters of the Middle East. There is never a 'power vacuum,' and there is no need of 'patriarchy from outside,'" Wang said.

From January 10 to Saturday, Wang held talks with the foreign ministers of the six Middle Eastern countries and the GCC Secretary General in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu Province.

"Some US politicians and elites actually want China to fill the 'power vacuum' left by the US after they realized that their deep interference in the Middle East has brought the US more trouble than benefits. They're hoping that China will repeat their mistakes, so China would become mired in the complex situation of the Middle East and China's strength will be weakened," said Yin Gang, a research fellow at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on Sunday.

In recent years, Western media and scholars have hyped China's rising influence in the Middle East alongside the routes of the Belt and Road Initiative, such as the establishment of a logistics base in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa and signing a 25-year strategic agreement with Iran. These Western voices are trying to shape a narrative of China's rising "hegemony" with ambitions to replace the US in the region, said analysts.

"China will not be fooled and will not step into the trap, this is the message that the Chinese foreign minister wants to convey by mentioning the term 'power vacuum,'" Yin emphasized, saying that cooperation between China and the Middle East will always be based on equality, complementarities, mutual respect and shared benefits, rather than unilateral massive input from China based on hegemonic ambitions.

Wang said that facts have repeatedly proven that the international community may contribute to stability in the Middle East but it should not create trouble. The Middle East needs development, and regional countries can learn from external models but should not directly copy those models.

"Neo-liberalism is not a panacea," Wang told media.

Li Shaoxian, director of the China Institute for Arab Studies at Ningxia University, told the Global Times on Sunday, "The Middle East is a place where its people have been unable to control their own destiny for a very long time, instead, they have seen interventions or control from external forces for quite a long time."

This is because there is no local power that can effectively solve regional problems and unify the people that is able to resist foreign invasions launched by Western colonialists and imperialists.

Wang mentioned the term "neo-liberalism" because of the US-led interventions in the region, Li said.

"Under the ideological instruction of neo-liberalism, the Greater Middle East Projects proposed by the US after the 9/11 that tried to spread Western democracy and the 'Arab Spring' encouraged by the West for similar reasons since 2010 have brought disastrous consequences," Li noted.

The current appalling chaos resulting from the Iraq War launched by the US and the hasty pullout from Afghanistan last year show that the "democracy" that the West imposed on the Middle East does not work and is a complete disaster, experts said.

"Middle East countries should find their own ways to solve their challenges and problems instead of relying on external forces," said Li

The difficulty for regional countries to realize real independence and development lies in effective resistance to foreign interventions, experts said, because the US will keep interfering in regional issues even though Washington is reducing its presence.

Regional countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran should realize that some of conflict between them was actually hyped and used to serve US strategy as a means to provide the legitimacy to intervene, so it would be unwise and unnecessary to maintain the hatred and hostility toward one another after the US pullout, Chinese analysts said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)




North Korea fired two more suspected short-range ballistic missiles eastward from an airfield in Pyongyang, Monday, South Korea's military said, in the recalcitrant regime's fourth show of force this year.







The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that it detected the projectiles fired from Sunan Airport in the capital in the morning, in a text message sent to reporters, without elaborating further.







"Currently, our military is tracking and monitoring related (North Korean) movements and maintaining a readiness posture," the JCS said.





The latest launches came just three days after the North launched two suspected short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea that it later claimed to be guided missiles fired by a railway-borne regiment during a firing exercise.





Monday's launches from Pyongyang appear to underscore the North's evolving capabilities to launch missiles from various platforms, including trains, subsurface assets as well as land-based facilities.





Last week, the North warned of a "stronger and certain reaction" to the United States' recent imposition of fresh sanctions on six North Koreans involved in the regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.





The North also test-fired a self-proclaimed hypersonic missile Jan. 5 and Tuesday last week, ratcheting up tensions amid an impasse in denuclearization negotiations with the U.S. (Yonhap)


This photo provided on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, by the North Korean government shows a missile test from railway in North Pyongan Province, North Korea (Korea News Service via AP)

SEOUL: North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles Monday, Seoul said, its fourth weapons test this month as Pyongyang flexes its military muscle while ignoring offers of talks from the United States.

Despite biting international sanctions, Pyongyang has conducted a string of weapons tests this year, including hypersonic missiles, as leader Kim Jong Un pursues his avowed goal of further strengthening the military.

Reeling economically from a self-imposed coronavirus blockade, impoverished North Korea has not responded to Washington's offers of talks, doubled down on weapons tests and vowed a "stronger and certain" response to any attempts to rein it in.

The launches come at a delicate time in the region, with North Korea's sole major ally China set to host the Winter Olympics next month and South Korea gearing up for a presidential election in March.

Two suspected "short-range ballistic missiles" were fired east from an airport in Pyongyang early Monday, the South Korean military's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, with Japan also confirming the launch.

Fired just before 9 am (0000 GMT), they flew 380 kilometres (around 240 miles) at an altitude of 42 km, the JCS added.

The frequent and varied tests this year indicate North Korea "is trying to improve its technology and operational capability in terms of covert actions", Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters.

Pyongyang said it successfully tested hypersonic gliding missiles on January 5 and January 11, with the second launch personally supervised by Kim.

In response, the United States last week imposed fresh sanctions on five North Koreans connected to the country's ballistic missile programmes, prompting an angry reaction from Pyongyang.

A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman described the move as a "provocation", according to state news agency KCNA.

If "the US adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it," the spokesman said hours before Pyongyang fired off two train-launched missiles Friday.

Analysts said the Monday test also appeared to be an attempt to send the United States a message.

"It is signalling that it will forge ahead with tests despite criticism," Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul told AFP.

Needs a win

Hypersonic missiles are a top priority in Pyongyang's new five-year defence development plan, unveiled January 2021, which it has pursued while dialogue with the United States remained stalled.

With the country battling major economic hardship domestically after years of Covid-induced isolation, Pyongyang may be looking to offer citizens a military victory ahead of key domestic anniversaries.

"It needs to present something to North Koreans," said Cheong Seong-chang of the Center for North Korea Studies at the Sejong Institute.

"It now has become clear that it will be difficult for the North to score on the economic side."

This weekend, a North Korean freight train crossed the Yalu River railroad bridge into China for the first time in over a year, according to the Yonhap news agency.

The move could signal the prospect of resumed China-North Korea land trade, which has been suspended since the start of the pandemic in early 2020.

"This timing suggests Beijing is more than complicit with Pyongyang's provocations," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

"China is supporting North Korea economically and coordinating with it militarily."
Pakistani protesters carry portraits of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist who is currently serving a prison term in the US, as they stage a demonstration for her release in Lahore. (AFP)

ISLAMABAD: Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani prisoner in the United States whose release was reportedly demanded by a Texas hostage-taker this weekend, is serving an 86-year sentence for the attempted murder of American soldiers.

Four people were freed unharmed on Sunday following a more than 10-hour standoff at a synagogue in the US state. Their suspected captor was killed.

Media, quoting a US official briefed on the matter, reported that the man was calling for the release of 49-year-old Siddiqui.

Her lawyer said in a statement to CNN that she had "absolutely no involvement" in the hostage situation, and condemned the man's actions.

A US-educated Pakistani scientist, she was jailed in 2010 for attacking American soldiers in Afghanistan.

She was the first woman to be suspected of Al-Qaeda links by the US, but never convicted of it.

At 18 years old Siddiqui travelled to the US, where her brother lived, to study at Boston's prestigious MIT, later earning a PhD in neuroscience at Brandeis University.

But after the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001, she came up on the FBI's radar for donations to Islamic organisations and was linked to the purchase of $10,000 worth of night-vision goggles and books on warfare.

The US suspected she joined Al-Qaeda from America, returning to Pakistan where she married into the family of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- an architect of the 9/11 attacks.

She disappeared in around 2003, along with her three children, in Karachi.

Five years later she turned up in Pakistan's war-torn neighbour Afghanistan, where she was arrested by local forces in the restive southeastern province of Ghazni.

'Death to America'

During her interrogation by US forces, she grabbed a rifle and opened fire, while screaming "Death to America" and "I want to kill Americans".

The soldiers escaped unhurt, but she was injured.

Her imprisonment sparked outrage in her home country and her supporters claim she was the victim of a secret Pakistan-US plot.

After she was sentenced, Al-Qaeda's then number two called on Muslims to "avenge" the decision.

Her release has previously been at the centre of militants' demands, including during two hostage crises in Pakistan as well as the capture of James Foley, an American journalist who was beheaded by the Islamic State in 2014.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, tweeted: "Siddiqui isn't well known in the US, but in Pakistan she's a big name -- many view her as an innocent victim."

In a previous article, he described her as a cause celebre among Islamist militants, and said she was viewed as a "powerful symbol of how poorly Americans treat innocent Muslims in the global campaign against terror".

The issue has remained a matter of long-running tension between Pakistan and the US.

During his election campaign, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, an open critic of US action linked to the war on terror, vowed to get her released. He offered to free Shakeel Afridi, who is languishing in Pakistani jail over his role in helping Americans trace Al-Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.
By Andy Mukherjee

Shortly before the 2014 election that made him prime minister, Narendra Modi came up with the idea that Indias young population, constitutional checks on arbitrary political power and large domestic market would bring prosperity over a decade. He even coined a slogan, calling it the nations 3D advantage  demographics, democracy and demand.

Indias democratic institutions, such as the judiciary and a free press, have frayed under Modi. With just over 40 per cent of the labour force engaged in the economy  among the worst rates of worker participation anywhere in the world  the youth-bulge narrative has also lost its sheen. What remains of the 2014 mantra is demand. But how big an advantage is the domestic Indian economy? Can an inward-looking growth strategy create enough jobs and attract the capital thats fleeing China?

In a Foreign Affairs article, economist Arvind Subramanian, an adviser to the Modi administration until 2018, and Josh Felman, a former International Monetary Fund representative in New Delhi, have attempted to answer these questions. Team Modi has done a decent job providing physical and digital infrastructure as well as basic services like cheap housing, electricity, water, cooking gas and bank accounts; but this boosting of the hardware of the economy, the authors argue, has been accompanied by a weakening of its software, including the centerpiece of the governments growth framework  its industrial policy.

Read more: Hindutva cannot produce economic growth

The chest-thumping nationalism of the last eight years has led to a repudiation of the gradual opening up of the previous three decades. More than 3,000 tariff increases have affected 70% of imports. India entered 11 trade agreements in the 10 years under previous Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. On Modis watch, it hasn't signed even one. Although the country is starting negotiations with post-Brexit Britain and Australia, and claims to be close to a pact with the United Arab Emirates, bilateral deals wont compensate for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free-trade accord linking Asias exporting powerhouses. New Delhi turned its back on RCEP in 2019.

This protectionist drift springs from the belief that an economy of 130 crore consumers is large enough to be powered by internal demand. But, as Subramanians previous work with Pennsylvania State University economist Shoumitro Chatterjee has shown, even before Covid-19, no more than 1 per cent-to-2 per cent of the population could be described as middle class, compared with 25 per cent in China. Such a tiny font of purchasing power could at best drive $500 billion in spending. World trade, meanwhile, is a $28 trillion opportunity, with much smaller countries like Vietnam making a determined play to win market share.

Will self-reliant India work? Subramanian and Felman are skeptical. India has seen this movie before, they say. Indeed, the current leitmotif is reminiscent of the pre-1991 license raj, in which the state controlled capacity in the private sector, but shielded it from global competition by erecting high tariff walls. The lynchpin of the new system is subsidies, with New Delhi promising Rs 2 lakh crore ($27 billion) to investors for making their widgets in India. The idea is to dangle fiscal sops in front of a company like Tesla Inc and win a large electric-vehicle factory. (Elon Musk, however, is proving to be a hard catch.)

India is parched for capital expenditure, and its trade deficits are ballooning, particularly with China. Every new investment is a victory of sorts for policymakers. Still, a subsidy raj carries all the risks of the old license regime: It is hard to enforce, is driven by arbitrary decision-making, and creates a system of entitlements from which it will be difficult to exit, according to Subramanian and Felman.

Its impossible to become a factory to the world by coaxing firms to substitute imports with domestic production. Take mobile phones. Two years of tariff increases on camera modules, display and touch panels, printed circuit boards, and parts used in chargers have pushed up the cost of assembly in India by 8 per cent. Thats about 6 per cent of a phones ex-factory price and fully negates the 5 per cent subsidy on offer, according to a study by the countrys Cellular & Electronics Association. The net benefit for Make in India is zero.

Contrast this with Vietnam, which is copying the winning formula of East Asian Tiger economies: free and frictionless trade. Out of 120 tariff lines of relevance to the handset industry, 59 are duty-free in Vietnam, compared with only 32 in India. And while India imposes import duties of 15 per cent or more on 28 items, Vietnams tariffs are that high only for 16 components. These, too, are mostly sourced from countries with which Vietnam has free-trade deals. So theyre effectively zero-duty imports as well.

Indias inward turn has coincided with a rise in economic concentration. Just two conglomerates, led by billionaire tycoons Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, have amassed vast influence across sectors. The danger of depending on a small coterie of national champions is that it wont build widespread public support for market-based reforms. In fact, it already has turned many Indians against them, Subramanian and Felman say, citing the yearlong farmers protests that forced Modi to drop his plan of a market-oriented makeover of agriculture.

The pandemic has hollowed out Indias middle class by destroying 10 million manufacturing jobs. Industrial output in November was slightly lower than two years ago. And yet, by skipping out on large free-trade areas and putting up protectionist obstacles, New Delhi is crimping the countrys chances in labour-intensive industries like textiles and footwear  just as China is vacating the space because it has run out of cheap labour. For a second time in Indias history, self-reliance might prove to be a costly mistake.

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Oil prices rose on Monday, with Brent crude futures at their highest in more than three years, as investors bet supply will remain tight amid restrained output by major producers with global demand unperturbed by the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Brent crude futures gained 42 cents, or 0.5%, to $86.48 a barrel by 0022 GMT. The contract touched its highest since Oct. 3, 2018 - $86.71 - earlier in the session.

US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 62 cents, or 0.7%, at $84.44 a barrel, after hitting $84.78, the highest since Nov. 10, 2021, earlier in the session.

Read more: Asia weighs mixed China data, Brent clears 2021 highs

The gains followed a rally last week when Brent rose 5.4% and WTI climbed 6.3%.

Frantic oil buying, driven by supply outages and signs the Omicron variant won't be as disruptive as feared for fuel demand, has pushed some crude grades to multi-year highs, suggesting the rally in Brent futures could be sustained a while longer, traders said.

"The bullish sentiment is continuing as (producer group) OPEC+ is not providing enough supply to meet strong global demand," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd.

"If (investment) funds increase allocation weight for crude, prices could reach their highs of 2014," he said.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies - OPEC+ - are gradually relaxing output cuts implemented when demand collapsed in 2020.

But many smaller producers can't raise supply and others have been wary of pumping too much oil in case of renewed Covid-19 setbacks.

Worries of a Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine that could disrupt energy supply also lent support to prices.

US officials voiced fears on Friday that Russia was preparing to attack Ukraine if diplomacy failed. Russia, which has massed 100,000 troops on Ukraine's border, released pictures of its forces on the move.

The US government has held talks with several international energy companies on contingency plans for supplying natural gas to Europe if conflict between Russia and Ukraine disrupts Russian supplies, two US officials and two industry sources told Reuters on Friday.

US crude oil stockpiles, meanwhile, fell more than expected to their lowest levels since October 2018, but gasoline inventories surged due to weak demand, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

Concerns over supply constraints outweighed the news of China's possible oil release from reserves, Fujitomi analyst Tazawa said.

Sources told Reuters China plans to release oil reserves around the Lunar New Year holidays between January 31 and February 6 as part of a plan coordinated by the United States with other major consumers to reduce global prices.
State refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp will lift 45 per cent more oil from Iraq this year to meet its expanded refining capacity, sources familiar with the matter said.

The refiner will buy 3.2 million tonnes or about 64,000 barrels per day (bpd) from Iraq this year, up from 44,000 bpd in 2021, they said.

Iraqi state-owned marketer SOMO and HPCL did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Iraq is the top supplier of oil to India, and higher purchases by HPCL will further strengthen the Middle East nation's share in Indian markets.

As OPEC's second-largest oil producer, Iraq will be able to boost exports by as much as 250,000 bpd from the second quarter after finishing the installation of pumping stations at its Gulf ports, an Iraqi oil source has said.

Last year HPCL's chairman M K Surana said the company's import of high sulphur crude oil would rise after the expansion of its 166,000-bpd plant at its Vizag plant to 300,000 bpd by March this year.

It aims to complete a bottom upgradation project at the Vizag refinery by the end of the year.

In the last quarter of 2021, HPCL expanded capacity at its Mumbai refinery to 190,000 bpd.

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The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which wrested power in Manipur for the first time in 2017 in alliance with two political parties and supported by independent MLAs, this time most probably fight alone, party leaders indicated.

Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik and Assam Minister Ashok Singhal, BJP's in-charges for the Manipur elections, separately indicated that the saffron party is keen to contest the elections on its own this time.

However, both Bhowmik and Singhal did not completely rule out the pre-poll alliance with the like-minded parties.

"We are in talks for a pre-poll alliance with the like-minded parties and allies," Singhal said in Guwahati without disclosing any details of the possible alliance.

Both the ministers however, claimed that the BJP on its own would secure the absolute majority.

While talking to IANS, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Bhowmik said that this time BJP due to its good governance and excellent performance would get majority on its own.

Also read: As Manipur heads to polls, BJP bets on Biren Singh again

"Our central leaders would soon announce the party candidates for the Manipur elections. Party leaders and workers in Manipur are very active in all respects to secure the BJP's victory in the forthcoming polls," said Bhowmik, a BJP leader from Tripura, who is holding a series of indoor organisational meetings every day in different districts.

After 15 years, the Congress was ousted by the BJP-led alliance in the 2017 Assembly polls, despite emerging as the single-largest party with 28 seats.

But the saffron party, which had bagged 21 seats, stitched together a coalition government with the support of four National People's Party (NPP) MLAs, four Naga People's Front (NPF) members, the lone Trinamool Congress MLA and an Independent member.

The NPP headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, however, already announced to contest the elections on its own this time and would field candidates in at least 40 seats.

The NPP, a national political party, which has political bases in different northeastern states, had contested nine seats in 2017 and won four.

Another ally of the BJP-led government, the Naga People's Front (NPF), is still undecided on a pre-poll alliance in Manipur.

NPF Manipur state unit president Awangbow Newmai claimed that NPF and BJP have good relations but no pre-poll alliance has been finalised yet between the two parties.

The party has received applications from 40 prospective candidates, Newmai said.

The elections to the 60-member Manipur assembly would be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Punjab's Ferozepur (rural) constituency, Ashu Bangar, has resigned from the party, saying it is being run like a private company by leaders from Delhi.

Addressing the media in Ferozepur, poll debutant Bangar said he was being "humiliated and pressurised" by the AAP leadership. "Candidates are pressurised with threats that their ticket would be cancelled, so no one speaks up."

Bangar, who is yet to announce his next move, said AAP was functioning like a private company under state in-charge Raghav Chadha, who was behaving like a dictator and mentally torturing AAP volunteers. "All decisions are being taken from Delhi without taking local Punjabis taken into confidence."

He also took objection to the AAP's charge that Balbir Singh Rajewal-led Samyukt Samaj Morcha is in league with the BJP.

He said people were angry with Raghav Chadha over his remarks against farmers.

Responding to Bangar's allegations against AAP, state Congress media in-charge Alka Lamba said: "History repeats itself once again. In 2017 similar allegations were made against AAP and Punjabis never forgave them. It shows that only faces have changed but their modus operandi remains the same."

Punjab will go to the polls in a single phase for the 117-member assembly on February 20.

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For a party going to a multi-cornered election based on its 100-odds days of performance towards the fag end of its tenure and not its four-and-half years of rule since 2017, it remains a challenging arduous task ahead.

The ruling Congress in Punjab wants the electorate to weigh them on what they did in the last 3 months ever since Captain Amarinder Singh was unceremoniously ousted as the chief minister. The Congress campaign in poll-bound Punjab will focus on tall promises, freebies and a new leadership at the helm of affairs that is willing to bite the bullet. This is perhaps the only election where the incumbent outgoing regime wants the electorate to expunge all what it did, or did not do, in four and half years after coming to power, which is why the Congress is banking more on symbolism to woo the voters.

With polls round the corner and a wounded Captain and other Congress adversaries threatening to upset the applecart, it was the elevation of firebrand leader Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Congress state chief and eventually the coronation of Charanjit Channi as chief minister, which the Congress wanted to showcase as the refurbished party to save Punjab.

Also Read | Punjab Polls: It's Majithia versus Majithia versus Majithia, literally!

As a slew of populist announcements spilled out on expected lines and Channis visual projection as a next door aam aadmi was broadcasted with impunity, there were flip flops that left much to be desired. Channis government changed three DGPs and two state advocate generals in quick succession owing to one or the other differences between the state Congress top brass. The Congress bit more than it could chew in the NDPS case it registered against former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother of former union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Both Sidhu and Channi wanted to project their intent to catch the big fish involved in drug trade. This was one way the Congress wanted to castigate and undermine Capt for his alleged soft paddling on the drug issue over the years. But the opposition tirade that Channi and the Badals were in cahoots, which is why Majithia could not be arrested even weeks after the FIR, has left the Congress with a lot of answering to do.

The Congress so far shying away from projecting its chief ministerial candidate too may see some public display of dissent with Sidhu, a Jat Sikh, pitching in firmly. To brush off CM Channi, a Dalit leader in a state that has the highest percentage of Dalits at 33 per cent, too will invite a backlash, something that could aggrandize challenges for the Congress ahead of polls.

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By denying tickets to the brother and another relative of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, the Congress has proved that it had made him CM merely for using him as a tool" to get the Scheduled Caste votes, AAP leader Raghav Chadha alleged on Monday.

In its first list of 86 candidates, the Congress on Saturday had given the ticket to sitting legislator Gurpreet Singh GP from Bassi Pathana (SC) seat which was being eyed by Channi's brother Manohar Singh.

Singh on Sunday announced to fight as an independent from this seat. Channi's brother had been demanding the Congress ticket for contesting from the Bassi Pathana seat, Chadha told reporters here, and added, But he was denied the ticket.

Read more: Union Minister of State Balyan meets BKU president Naresh Tikait, sparks buzz

Similarly, Channi's relative Mohinder Singh Kaypee, who wanted the ticket from the Adampur seat in Jalandhar, was also denied it, said Chadha, alleging Kaypee was denied the ticket because he was Channi's relative.

Chadha, however, said the ruling party gave tickets to the sons of Fatehgarh Sahib MP Amar Singh and minister Brahm Mohindra.

Manohar Singh was not given the ticket because he was Channi's brother. The Congress party has proved that the party used Channi Saab. We could say that Channi Saab was made the chief minister only for using him to take votes of the Dalit community, he said.

Channi Saab does not have any say in the party that he could take two tickets for his family, he said in a dig at the ruling party.

It appears Channi was used as a tool by the Congress to appease people of a particular community, he alleged. The Congress appointed Channi as the Punjab chief minister last year after Amarinder Singh was made to resign. Channi is Punjab's first Dalit CM.

Chadha further alleged that the Congress in the past had appointed Sushil Kumar Shinde as the chief minister of Maharashtra for a few months to woo votes of a particular community and later after the elections, Shinde was removed. Chadha further said party leader Arvind Kejriwal will announce the name of the party's chief ministerial face on Tuesday.

The official announcement of the name of AAP's CM face for the 2022 state assembly polls will be made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tomorrow, Chadha who is the party co-in-charge of Punjab affairs. Chadha further said it will be only the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which will go to the state assembly polls with the chief ministerial face.

He said none of the other political parties including the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP announced the name of their chief ministerial candidate. Around 15 lakh people responded to the AAP's 'Janta Chunegi Apna CM' drive in which the party is asking the people to name the party candidate who will be their choice for the CM face for the February 14 Punjab assembly polls.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal last week had asked people who should be the party's chief ministerial face in the Punjab assembly polls, even as he had stated that his own preference for the post is Bhagwant Mann. Kejriwal, however, had ruled himself out of the race as the AAP launched its "Janta Chunegi Apna CM" drive and said the name of the candidate for the top post will be announced after getting the feedback of people.

The mobile number was launched by the party on which people can give their opinion till 5 pm on January 17 by recording their voice and sending text or WhatsApp messages as to who should be the party's chief ministerial candidate.
Already pushed on the backfoot following desertions of several senior OBC, Dalit and Brahmin leaders ahead of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP's trouble has been compounded by its allies, who have upped the ante and have been demanding their pound of flesh from the saffron party.

BJP's allies, Apna Dal, Nishad Party and some other smaller outfits, have been exerting pressure on the BJP to give them more seats in the polls and many of them have even threatened to ditch the alliance if their demands were not met.

Nishad Party (NP), which claims to represent the 'Nishad' OBC community comprising fishermen and boatmen, managed to get 15 seats from the BJP after it threatened to leave the alliance and join the Samajwadi Party (SP)-led alliance.

''In normal conditions we would not have given them more than seven-eight seats,'' said a senior UP BJP leader while speaking to DH here adding that the BJP could not afford to lose any more allies, especially those representing the OBCs.

Also read: UP Elections 2022: Akhilesh announces sops for farmers, takes pledge to defeat BJP

Similarly, the Apna Dal (AD), which enjoys considerable influence among the electorally influential 'Kurmi' community, has also been demanding two dozen seats from the BJP. ''We have no choice but to concede their demand....it is likely that they will get at least more than 11 seats. which they were given in the previous polls,'' the BJP leader said.

UP BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh had held a meeting with his party's alliance partners, which also included Bhartiya Manav Samaj Party, Shoshit Samaj Party, Prithviraj Janshakti Party, Musahar Andolan Manch and some others a few days back to discuss seat sharing.

According to the sources, the representatives of these smaller parties expressed their resentment over what they termed ''preferential treatment'' meted out to NP and AD by the BJP. ''We have other options.....we will walk out of the alliance if adequate number of seats are given to us,'' said one of their representative.

As many as three former ministers and eight MLAs had resigned from the BJP and joined the SP in the past few days.

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A man watches a TV screen at a train station in Seoul, Jan. 17, showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with a file image. AP-Yonhap



The presidential National Security Council (NSC) expressed strong regret Monday after North Korea fired two suspected short-range ballistic missiles eastward that marked its fourth show of force this month.



The council held an emergency meeting after South Korea's military announced that the North fired two suspected ballistic missiles into the East Sea.






Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav was on Monday made to take 'anna sankalp' (pledge with grains in hand) by a farmer from Lakhimpur Kheri district to 'defeat' the BJP in the forthcoming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

The pledge was administered to Akhilesh by Tejinder Singh Virk, who claimed that attempts were made to crush him under the wheels during the violence at Tikonia in the district along with the other farmers. Four farmers had died during the violence after they were run over by a vehicle allegedly driven by Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish in October.

Speaking to reporters later, Akhilesh promised to clear the cane dues of the farmers within 15 days if his party formed the next government in the state.

Also read: Yogi Adityanath 2nd UP Chief Minister to contest from Gorakhpur district

"We will clear all cane dues.....we will also provide free power to the farmers for irrigating their fields besides giving them interest-free loans, pension and insurance," the SP president said.

He also announced that his party would provide financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the next of kin of the farmers who were killed in the violence at Lakhimpur Kheri.

The SP president, who has stitched an alliance with several smaller outfits in the forthcoming polls, has been trying to reach out to farmer leaders to solicit their support for the SP-RLD alliance.

The support of the farmers was crucial if Akhilesh were to nurture any hope of coming back to power in the state. The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), which had been at the forefront of the farmers' agitation against the now-scrapped farm laws, declared its support for the SP-RLD nominees in the western UP region on Sunday.

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In a strategic move aimed at cornering Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in the latter's bastion of Gorakhpur, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday offered his party ticket to Dr Radhamohan Das Agarwal, the sitting MLA from Gorakhpur City assembly seat who was denied re-nomination and was replaced with Adityanath in the forthcoming assembly polls in the state.

''Radhamohan Das is welcome to join our party....we will nominate him from the same seat,'' Akhilesh told reporters.

Akhilesh's offer to Agarwal, who is a four-time MLA from the seat, has come amid reports of differences between Agarwal and Adityanath, though the former had supported the latter's candidature from the seat.

Also read: Yogi Adityanath 2nd UP Chief Minister to contest from Gorakhpur district

Agarwal, who at one time was a close confidante of Adityanath, had of late turned critical of his government. He had earlier accused his own government of being 'casteist', an allegation often leveled by the opposition parties.

Gorakhpur BJP MP Ravi Kishan had even asked Agarwal to resign, while the BJP leadership had served a show cause notice to him seeking an explanation over his remarks.

Agarwal has not so far reacted to the offer by Akhilesh.

Adityanath, who was earlier tipped to contest from either Ayodhya or Mathura, was suddenly nominated from the safer seat of Gorakhpur City, which has been its stronghold since 1967.

Sources in the SP said that Akhilesh had offered nomination to Agarwal as the latter was quite popular in the constituency. ''It will become a tough fight if he (Agarwal) decides to contest on our symbol,'' said a senior SP leader.

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North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast Monday, according to the South Korean military, which said it was analyzing the flight data to learn more.

The launches, from near the Suan Airport outside Pyongyang, the Norths capital, were the fourth and fifth ones this month. They came after the country fired two ballistic missiles from train cars Friday, hours after it warned of stronger and certain reaction if the United States helped impose more sanctions in response to the Norths recent series of missile tests.

The spate of missile tests has raised tensions at a sensitive time: China is preparing to host the Winter Olympics in Beijing next month, and South Korea is gearing up for its presidential election March 9.

North Korea resumed testing missiles in September, after a six-month hiatus. It has since conducted at least six missile tests, which involved a long-range strategic cruise missile, ballistic missiles from train cars rolled out of mountain tunnels and a submarine-launched ballistic missile. In two tests conducted January 5 and January 11, it launched what it called hypersonic ballistic missiles with detachable gliding warheads, which made them harder to intercept because they could change course during flight.

In response, the United States blacklisted five North Korean officials active in China and Russia who US officials said had been involved in procuring goods for the Norths nuclear weapons and missile programs. Washington has also proposed that the UN Security Council place fresh sanctions on North Korea.

Multiple Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from developing or testing ballistic missile technologies or technologies used to make and deliver nuclear weapons.

North Korea launched three intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2017, claiming that it was capable of targeting the continental United States with nuclear warheads. Its leader, Kim Jong Un, then started negotiations with President Donald Trump. But their three meetings ended in 2019 without an agreement on how to roll back the Norths nuclear weapons program or when to lift sanctions.

North Korea has since resumed testing mostly short-range ballistic missiles.
Spider-Man just finished saving the very fabric of reality, but to hear President Joe Biden tell it  at least on Saturday Night Live  the wall-crawler is the one to blame for the continuing pandemic.

To kick off the first new SNL of 2022, James Austin Johnson returned in his recurring role as Biden for a news conference in which he told the nation that theres one simple thing you can do to make this whole virus go away: Stop seeing Spider-Man. 

Addressing the White House press corps in the shows opening sketch, Johnson said: This virus has disrupted our lives. Its cancelled holidays, weddings, quinceaneras, gender-reveal parties, wildfires that started as gender-reveal parties.

He went on to say: Now, think about it. When did Spider-Man come out? December 17. When did every single person get omicron? The week after December 17.

The last time SNL attempted a live episode, December 18, it was significantly disrupted by the pandemic. Hours before airtime, NBC announced that because of Covid concerns, the show would not use a live audience; the broadcast was missing most of the cast members, had no musical guest and consisted mostly of pretaped segments and sketches from past episodes.

SNL was not spared the intrusion of the coronavirus Saturday. On Wednesday, rapper Roddy Ricch, who was originally announced as the musical guest, said on his Instagram account that he would be unable to perform because of recent Covid exposure on my team and to keep everyone safe. Instead, pop band Bleachers took his place.

In the Biden sketch, Johnson explained that he was not asking people to avoid the movies altogether. I said, stop seeing Spider-Man,  he declared in reference to Spider-Man: No Way Home, which has shattered Covid-era box-office records.

See anything else, he continued. I saw the first half-hour of House of Gucci. Thats more than enough movie for anyone.

Questioned about the lack of available Covid testing, Johnsons Biden answered, You want to know if you have Covid? Look at your hand. Is it holding a ticket that says you recently went to see Spider-Man? If so, you have Covid.

As Johnson started to expound on the existence of the multiverse, he was visited by a shirtless, white-haired Pete Davidson, who explained that he was Joe Biden from the real universe and that this incarnation of reality had been created as a joke, starting in 2016 when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.

When Johnson asked him if he was the president in this real world, Davidson answered: Of course not. Did you really think you would lose four times and then finally win when you were 78?

Musical tribute to musicals of the Week

When youve got an SNL episode hosted by Ariana DeBose, a star of Steven Spielbergs West Side Story remake and a newly minted Golden Globe winner, you know youre going to have a couple of sketches that pay affectionate tribute to musical theatre.

The first of the night was DeBoses opening monologue, during which she was joined by Kate McKinnon, who professed that West Side Story was her favourite musical.

Did you like the movie? DeBose asked her. I didnt see it, McKinnon replied. I dont leave the house because of Covid and also because I dont leave the house. They gamely sang a medley of several West Side Story numbers together, including Tonight and I Feel Pretty, though McKinnon sat out the mambo dance break: They know I dance, she said.

Later in the night, the two reteamed for a Sound of Music parody in which McKinnon delivered a deft Julie Andrews impression. DeBose played another wayward woman from Marias convent who tries to teach a group of children to sing, with an updated version of Do-Re-Mi thats unexpectedly heavy on references to Queen Latifah. Eat your heart out, Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Biting the hand that feeds you of the week

Recently, when NBCs Peacock streaming service dropped the trailer for Bel-Air, a gritty, dramatic retelling of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, some viewers wondered if it was an SNL sketch.

It wasnt, but that didnt stop SNL from going forward with this satirical preview for an unnecessarily harsh reboot of another 90s-era sitcom, Family Matters. In this incarnation, Carl Winslow (Kenan Thompson) is a sadistic Chicago cop, and the lovably nerdy Steve Urkel (Chris Redd) now has an abusive, drunken mom and a violent temper. Youll never hear the catchphrase Did I do that? in quite the same way again.

Weekend update jokes of the week

Over at the Weekend Update desk, anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che continued to riff on Bidens stalled agenda.

Jost began:

"Just like everybody else, President Bidens New Years resolutions fell apart in the third week of January. The Supreme Court struck down his vaccine mandate. The voting rights bill got blocked. And his approval rating is so low, its gone into power-save mode. But I will point out, there was another president who had a disastrous start to his first term, yet he became an inspiration to generations of Republicans, even to this day. (The screen shows a picture of Ronald Reagan.) Im talking of course about Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. (The picture changes to one of Davis.)

And there are still statues of him in 10 different states, Jost continued:

"Which, come to think of it, probably explains why the voting rights stuff isnt working out. The bottom line is, I think Biden just needs more time. He might be more of an acquired taste. Unfortunately, most Americans recently lost their sense of taste."

Che picked up on the Biden thread:

"President Biden gave a speech in Atlanta where he called on the Senate to pass two voting rights bills, saying, I am tired of being quiet. And to prove it, he took a 20-minute standing nap."
The world's 10 wealthiest people more than doubled their fortunes to $1.5 trillion during the pandemic as poverty rates soared, according to a study released by a charity on Monday ahead of a high-profile World Economic Forum (WEF) event.

Heads of state will join chief executives and other prominent figures this week to discuss the planet's most pressing issues - from climate change to Covid-19 vaccine inequity - at the WEF's Davos Agenda 2022 conference.

Also read: PM Modi to address World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda on January 17

The online meeting will be a springboard for the WEF's annual summit, which normally sees the world's rich and powerful converge on the Swiss mountain resort of Davos each winter, but which has been moved to the summer due to the pandemic.

Here are some figures on global inequality:

- Billionaires have seen a record surge in their wealth during the pandemic, according to aid agency Oxfam.

- The 10 richest people have boosted their fortunes by $15,000 a second or $1.3 billion a day during the pandemic.

- They own more than the world's poorest 3.1 billion people combined.

- A new billionaire has been created every 26 hours since the pandemic began.

- More than 160 million people are estimated to have been pushed into poverty during the health crisis.

- Inequality between nations is expected to rise for the first time in a generation, and is also growing within countries.

- Wealthy nations are rebounding faster. Output in rich countries will likely return to pre-pandemic trends by 2023, but will be down 4% on average in developing countries, according to the World Bank.

- In 2023, per capita incomes are likely to remain below 2019 levels in 40 developing countries, the bank says.

- Inequality is contributing to the death of at least 21,300 people each day - one person every four seconds, according to Oxfam's report.

- An estimated 5.6 million people in poor countries die each year due to lack of access to healthcare, while hunger kills more than 2.1 million annually, the report said.

- The proportion of people with Covid-19 who die from the illness in developing countries has been estimated at roughly double that of rich countries.

- Just over 7% of people in low-income countries have received a vaccine dose compared with more than 75% in high-income countries.

- The wealthiest 1% of the world emits more than twice as much planet-warming carbon dioxide as the bottom 50%.

- If unchecked, climate change could push up to 132 million people into extreme poverty by 2030, according to World Bank estimates.

- The pandemic has set back global progress towards gender equality, too. It will take nearly 136 years for women to be on an equal footing with men - up from 99 years pre-pandemic.
By Craig Prescott for The Conversation

Following rapid developments in the sexual abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew, Buckingham Palace issued a statement announcing that Andrew will lose all his remaining patronages and military titles (such as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards). Additionally, he will no longer use his HRH (His Royal Highness) style.

This is an overdue step after Andrew effectively left public life following his disastrous Newsnight interview, where he unconvincingly attempted to address the allegations of sexual assault levelled against him by Virginia Giuffre.

In late 2019, some titles and duties were suspended for the forseeable future, creating the possibility that Andrew could return to public life in the future.

Read more: UK's Prince Andrew renounces royal patronages, military affiliations

Now that the lawsuit against him is proceeding to a trial (unless a settlement is reached out of court), the palace has decided to remove his titles altogether.

That Prince Andrew will never return to public life is implicit in the palace's statement, as all patronages and military positions will revert back to the Queen. Given the Queens age, she will likely redistribute them to other members of the royal family.

This decision is similar to the one reached with Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex in 2019, when they stepped back from their roles as senior royals. Then, the Queen announced that her grandson and his wife would no longer use the HRH title.

Andrew is now in the same position, though for quite different reasons. Formally, all three retain the HRH title, but will not use it in official capacity.

The difficulty for the Queen is that both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew are entitled to retain the title under Letters Patent issued by George V in 1917 (this is a legal document that effectively expresses the wishes of the monarch). It would take a further Letters Patent for a HRH title to be removed from someone.

In 1996 this happened with Diana, Princess of Wales, following her divorce with Prince Charles. This was enormously controversial at the time, but it shows that it is possible for someone to formally lose their HRH title.

The grand old Duke of York

Still, Andrew has not lost everything. He retains the title of prince from birth, and remains the Duke of York, which is a peerage. Under the law, both titles and peerages are forms of intangible property (incorporeal hereditaments).

A general principle of law is that property cannot simply be seized from someone without prior legal authorisation. He also remains in the line of succession for the throne.

Again, we have to go back to 1917, this time to consider the example of the Titles Deprivation Act. This allowed for peerages and the title of prince to be removed from those who have, during the present war, borne arms against His Majesty or His Allies, or who have adhered to His Majestys enemies.

The Duke of Albany, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, and Duke of Brunswick all lost their peerages because they were officers in the German Army during the first world war.

Similarly, for Andrews dukedom and title of prince to be removed, an act of parliament would be required. This is unlikely to be a priority for MPs at the moment.

Looking to the future, when Andrew dies, the dukedom will die with him, as he leaves no male heir. Traditionally, the peerage would go to the second eldest son of the monarch (the eldest son becomes Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cornwall). Perhaps when the time comes, Prince Louis may prefer another title to avoid any association with his great uncle.

Andrew also retains the position of Councillor of State. Should the Queen be unable to fulfil her formal legal duties due to illness, Councillors of State can fulfil those duties on her behalf.

This is provided for by the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953, which specify that the first four in the line of succession of full age (which in this case is 21 not 18), are appointed as Councillors.

That currently means Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew. Two are expected to act together, which if required, would be Prince Charles and Prince William. Again, for this to change, an act of parliament would be required.

There are other problems with the Regency Acts, making reform more likely in the near future, especially when Prince Charles becomes King. This would create the opportunity to more thoroughly address the position of both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew.

The dukedom and Andrews position as a Councillor of State mean that the separation of Prince Andrew from royal life is not entirely complete, but it is as far as the Queen can go for now. The rest is up to Parliament.

The author is Lecturer in Law, Bangor University

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US President Joe Biden will meet virtually on Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss the two nations' economies, security matters, climate change and other bilateral issues, the White House announced on Sunday.

"The meeting will highlight the strength of the US-Japan alliance, which is the cornerstone of peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific and around the world," the White House said in a statement.

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The man who held four people hostage at a synagogue in the US state of Texas before being shot dead by the FBI was 44-year-old British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, demanding the release of a jailed Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to the al-Qaeda terrorist group.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was aware of the death of a British man in Texas and are in contact with the local authorities".

Akram, who was identified by the FBI, demanded the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

The hostage-taker said that he wanted to speak to Siddiqui, who is being held at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, following her conviction in 2010. Siddiqui is currently serving an 86-year prison term in the US.

Witnesses claim that he referred to her as his sister, but John Floyd of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Siddiqui's brother was not involved.

"This assailant has nothing to do with Dr Aafia, her family, or the global campaign to get justice for Dr Aafia," he said.

Akram's brother Gulbar issued a statement carried by the Blackburn Muslim Community to confirm the death, saying he had been shot dead.

Also read: Biden calls Texas synagogue hostage situation 'act of terror'

He said he had liaised "with Faisal, the negotiators, FBI etc" during the siege but "there was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender".

"We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident," Gulbar said.

"We would also like to add that any attack on any human being be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim etc is wrong and should always be condemned," Gulbar said.

According to media reports, one hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville in Texas was released six hours into the 10-hour standoff, before an FBI SWAT team entered the building on Saturday night and the remaining hostages were freed unharmed.

Also read: A closer look at the case of Aafia Siddiqui, jailed in Texas

FBI Special Agent in-charge Matt DeSarno said earlier there was no immediate indication that the man had connections to any broader plan but that the agency's investigation "will have global reach".

US President Joe Biden told reporters on Sunday authorities "just don't have enough facts" to speculate why the man targeted the Texas synagogue, calling the standoff "an act of terror."

"I don't-- we don't have I don't think there is sufficient information to know about why he targeted that synagogue, why he insisted on the release of someone who's been in prison for over 10 years, why he was engaged, why he was using an anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli comments," Biden said.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss took to Twitter to condemn the "appalling act of terrorism and anti-semitism in Texas".

"We stand with US in defending the rights and freedoms of our citizens against those who spread hate."

Part of the attack was caught on a livestream of the morning shabbat service being broadcast on Facebook.

US media reports said that an angry man was heard shouting about religion, before the feed was cut out in the early hours of Sunday. It had been claimed that the suspect had a British accent.

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Two people were killed in Saudi Arabia in a projectile attack blamed on Yemen's Houthi rebels, while three died in Yemen in a Riyadh-led coalition air strike, officials said Saturday.

Saudi's civil defence said that two people, including a Saudi citizen and Yemeni national, were killed and seven were injured in a projectile attack on Jazan, a southern region of Saudi Arabia bordering Yemen.

Meanwhile, medics in Yemen said that three people died and six others were injured in Saudi-led coalition air strikes northwest of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

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The first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic saw incomes of 99 per cent of humanity fall and over 16 crore people were forced into poverty even as the world's ten richest men saw their fortune more than double to $1.5 trillion (over Rs 111 lakh crore) at a rate of $1.3 billion (Rs 9,000 crore) a day, a new study showed on Monday.

In its report titled 'Inequality Kills' released on the first day of the World Economic Forum's online Davos Agenda summit, Oxfam International further said inequality is contributing to the death of at least 21,000 people each day, or one person every four seconds.

This is a conservative finding based on deaths globally from lack of access to healthcare, gender-based violence, hunger, and climate breakdown, it added.

Also Read: India adds 40 billionaires even as Covid-19 worsens poverty, says Oxfam

The world's ten richest men saw their fortunes grow at a rate of $15,000 per second during the first two years of the pandemic and if these ten men were to lose 99.999 per cent of their wealth tomorrow, they would still be richer than 99 per cent of all the people on this planet.

"They now have six times more wealth than the poorest 3.1 billion people," said Oxfam International's Executive Director Gabriela Bucher.

"It has never been so important to start righting the violent wrongs of this obscene inequality by clawing back elites' power and extreme wealth including through taxation  getting that money back into the real economy and to save lives," she said.

According to Oxfam, billionaires' wealth has risen more since Covid-19 began than it has in the last 14 years. At $5 trillion, this is the biggest surge in billionaire wealth since records began.

A one-off 99 per cent tax on the ten richest men's pandemic windfalls, for example, could pay to make enough vaccines for the world; to provide universal healthcare and social protection, fund climate adaptation and reduce gender-based violence in over 80 countries; while still leaving these men $8 billion better off than they were before the pandemic.

"Billionaires have had a terrific pandemic. Central banks pumped trillions of dollars into financial markets to save the economy, yet much of that has ended up lining the pockets of billionaires riding a stock market boom. Vaccines were meant to end this pandemic, yet rich governments allowed pharma billionaires and monopolies to cut off the supply to billions of people," said Bucher.

Also Read: Super-rich thrive as Covid pushes millions into poverty

She alleged that the world's response to the pandemic has unleashed this economic violence particularly acutely across racialised, marginalised and gendered lines.

"As Covid-19 spikes this turns to surges of gender-based violence, even as yet more unpaid care is heaped upon women and girls," Bucher said.

The study showed that the pandemic has set gender parity back from 99 years to now 135 years.

Women collectively lost $800 billion in earnings in 2020, with 1.3 crore fewer women in work now than there were in 2019. 252 men have more wealth than all one billion women and girls in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean combined.

It further said that the pandemic has hit racialised groups hardest.

During the second wave of the pandemic in England, people of Bangladeshi origin were five times more likely to die of Covid-19 than the White British population. Black people in Brazil are 1.5 times more likely to die from Covid-19 than White people. In the US, 34 lakh Black Americans would be alive today if their life expectancy was the same as White people, according to Oxfam.

It said inequality between countries is expected to rise for the first time in a generation.

Developing countries, denied access to sufficient vaccines because of rich governments' protection of pharmaceutical monopolies, have been forced to slash social spending and now face the prospect of austerity measures. The proportion of people with Covid-19 who die from the virus in developing countries is roughly double that in rich countries, according to Oxfam.

Further, Oxfam said inequality also goes to the heart of the climate crisis, as the richest 1 per cent emit more than twice as much CO2 as the bottom 50 per cent of the world, driving climate change throughout 2020 and 2021 that has contributed to wildfires, floods, tornadoes, crop failures and hunger.

It suggested that the governments should urgently claw back the gains made by billionaires by taxing this huge new wealth made since the start of the pandemic through permanent wealth and capital taxes.

Oxfam also called for investing the trillions that could be raised by these taxes toward progressive spending on universal healthcare and social protection, climate change adaptation, and gender-based violence prevention and programming.

It further recommended tackling sexist and racist laws and ending laws that undermine the rights of workers to unionise and strike.

"Rich governments must immediately waive intellectual property rules over Covid-19 vaccine technologies to allow more countries to produce safe and effective vaccines to usher in the end of the pandemic," Oxfam said.

Asserting that there was no shortage of money but only a shortage of courage and imagination needed to break free from the failed, deadly straitjacket of extreme neoliberalism, Bucher said, "Governments would be wise to listen to the movements -- the young climate strikers, Black Lives Matter activists, #NiUnaMenos feminists, Indian farmers and others -- who are demanding justice and equality."

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People at Seoul Station watch a TV screen showing a news report about a North Korean missile launch, Monday. AP-Yonhap





By Kang Seung-woo







North Korea's long-awaited border opening is not likely to extend to Pyongyang accepting vaccine offers from South Korea or the United States, according to diplomatic observers, Monday.







Additionally, the border opening will not clear the ground for any possible progress in nuclear talks or improvement in inter-Korean ties, they added.







In the wake of China's COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019, the reclusive state quickly closed its borders to prevent the spread of the disease, but the move has been dealing a heavy economic blow to the country.







On Sunday, a North Korean freight train crossed the Yalu River railroad bridge from Sinuiju into China  the first time that the North open its land border with China in two years  and the same train is expected to return home with medical supplies and everyday necessities, probably as part of preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, raising speculation that Seoul and Washington may find an opportunity to send vaccines into the reclusive state.







Another North Korean freight train crossed a border bridge into the Chinese city of Dandong, Monday, according to diplomatic sources.







South Korea has repeatedly floated unrequited vaccine offers to its northern neighbor, amid relevant negotiations with the U.S as part of efforts to get the deadlocked inter-Korean relations back on track.







"I think that North Korea is likely to reject offers by South Korea or the U.S. to provide COVID-19 vaccines. Rather, it may be okay with vaccine provision from China as well as the global vaccine sharing program, COVAX," said Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification.







During the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee plenary late last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said emergency epidemic prevention work should be made a top priority of the state and it was the most important task to be powerfully conducted with no allowance given to even slight slackness or drawbacks.







Kim also pointed to "firmly preparing the material and technological foundation of the epidemic prevention sector" and "switching our epidemic prevention to an advanced and people-oriented one" as new directions in disease prevention.







"Considering his remarks, North Korea is focused on normalizing damaged trade with foreign countries by opening its borders, and to this end it is now working on acquiring vaccines and antiviral treatments in advance," Hong said.







The Kim regime still claims that no COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the isolated nation, meaning there is no immunity to the disease and therefore the country is highly vulnerable to mass infections when it fully opens its borders.







"Although North Korea needs vaccines and antiviral treatments, it could depend on the global vaccine distribution platform and China, lowering the possibility that South Korea and the U.S. could provide vaccines to the North," Hong said.







Currently, both nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea and inter-Korean ties have been stalled since February 2019 when former U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim failed to reach a nuclear deal at the Hanoi summit.







Some speculated the border opening could pave the way for North Korea to reach out to South Korea or the U.S. for fence-mending.







However, Hong said it had nothing to do with it.







"I think North Korea is separating anti-virus measures from improving ties with South Korea or the U.S.," he said.







"While North Korea is now seeking to earn the right to defend itself by developing tactical weapons, it is strategically unreasonable for it to extend an olive branch to the South or the U.S."







On Monday, North Korea fired two suspected short-range ballistic missiles eastward, which was the regime's fourth show of force in 2022.


Three students arrested in connection with a case pertaining to the 'Bulli Bai' app, which targeted Muslim women, deceptively used names belonging to the Sikh community for their social media accounts with an intention to breach the peace in the society and create animosity among religious groups, the Mumbai police told a local court on Monday.

The city police's cyber cell submitted its affidavit before the metropolitan magistrate in suburban Bandra opposing the bail pleas filed by the three accused in the case - Vishal Kumar Jha, Shweta Singh and Mayank Rawat. Singh (18) and Rawat (21) were arrested by the Mumbai police's cyber cell from Uttarakhand on January 5, while Jha was nabbed from Bengaluru on January 4.

Also Read: 'Bulli Bai': Sad deals and our collective failure

All three are currently in judicial custody with Jha and Rawat quarantined in a BMC-run facility after they tested positive for coronavirus.

The court heard the arguments put forth by the accused's advocates and posted the bail applications for further hearing on Tuesday. The police on Monday sought the court to reject their bail pleas, arguing the accused could flee or tamper with evidence in the case. The cyber cell added that a police team has been sent to the national capital to seek custody of two more persons  Niraj Bishnoi, arrested in another Bulli Bai app case lodged by the Delhi police, and one Omkareshwar Thakur, apprehended in the 'Sulli' deals app case.

According to the police's affidavit, Jha, Singh and Rawat were part of several social media groups operating with a specific mindset. The accused were highly active on social media and were posting material which could cause breach of peace in the society, it said. These accused falsely included names and words from the Sikh community in their Twitter handles and also while posting messages through these social media accounts with an intention to create animosity between two religions, the affidavit maintained.

The timely arrest of the accused persons has prevented a law-and-order situation, it said, adding the police were still on the look-out for other accused in the case. The accused persons have created the Bulli Bai app by impersonating as Sikh group followers and the intention behind this needs to be ascertained through further probe, the police said.

Also Read: Young, educated and hatemongers: Why apps like 'Bulli Bai/ Sulli Deals' get created

They added that further investigation was required to ascertain if any person was instigating the arrested accused to target women from a particular community. Probe is also on to see if there was any monetary gains by the accused for which bank statements (of the arrested accused) has to be looked into, the affidavit said. Preliminary probe has revealed that apart from the Bulli Bai app, the arrested accused were also active in the 'Sulli' deals app of July 2021 and further probe is required to be done with this regard, the police said.

The police's affidavit further said that all the three accused  Rawat, Singh and Jha - knew Bishnoi, an engineering student, arrested by the Delhi police. The Delhi police's special cell, which nabbed Bishnoi from Assam, has claimed he was the main creator of the Bulli Bai app.

The four accused were among those who created the Bulli Bai app, the Mumbai police affidavit said. It added that the three accused are students and have good knowledge of the cyber world. The accused tried to hide their location history while using their social media accounts by showing that they have logged in from other countries. Their accounts also hide their true identity, the police said. As per investigation carried out so far, the trio during their custodial interrogation have accepted that the Bulli Bai app was created by Twitter accounts @giyu84, @giyu44 and @giyu94. These three accounts used the GitHub platform to set up the app, the police said. These three accounts were operated by Bishnoi, police said. The police told the court that all the three accused were operating multiple social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Gmail.

The cyber cell further said that many of the accounts were deleted or suspended for posting defamatory content and information regarding the same is yet to be procured. The Mumbai police registered an FIR in the case following complaints made by several women, who were targeted by the 'Bulli Bai' app. The app made public the details of several Muslim women, allowing users to participate in their 'auction'.

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The Centre has told the Supreme Court that keeping the corpses exposed without burial or cremation will not be a permissible way of disposal of dead bodies of Covid positive patients.

The government maintained that appropriate handling of dead bodies of Covid positive patients, therefore, remained critical from public health perspective.

Responding to a plea for a traditional burial for the members of the Parsi community who died of Covid-19, the Centre's affidavit said, the dead bodies of such infectious patients are likely to get exposed to environment and animals, if not buried or cremated properly. The OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) has also observed that the people who are suspected or confirmed to be infected with the Covid-19 virus should minimise close direct contact with animals, including wildlife.

Read | No person can be forced to get vaccinated: Centre to SC

Senior advocate Fali S Nariman, representing the Surat Parsi Panchayat Board, had questioned the existing guidelines, which did not allow burial as per Parsi community tradition, that involved professional pall bearers and exposing the body to nature for decay.

The government said the OIE has also noted that there are valid concerns about the establishment of SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs in wild or domestic animals, which could pose a continued public health risk and lead to future spillover events to humans.

The virus introduction to a new animal species from a dead body might accelerate its evolution, which could potentially impact on surveillance and control strategies," the response said.

Read | Blame game will not eradicate Covid-19: Kejriwal

According to the Centre, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in consultation with Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), has issued guidelines for the disposal of dead bodies of Covid positive persons.

The basic element of guidelines is that the dead body will be fully covered and not exposed so that people who are handling the dead body, which may or may not include family members, must not come in contact with bodily fluids or secretions, it added.

Corona virus, according to scientific evidence emerged so far, can survive on a dead body, in bodily fluids, secretions and moist cells of the dead body for up to nine days. A dead body will be considered as an inanimate surface and secretions from orifices will carry infected cells and will remain smeared on the body surfaces after death," the affidavit said.

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The Centres decision to exclude West Bengals proposed tableau commemorating contributions of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army for Republic Day has upset the state, with Netaji's grand nephew urging the government not to politicise the freedom fighter.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to the Prime Minister expressing her shock over the decision. Netajis grand nephew Chandra Bose, a former vice president with state BJP, told Deccan Herald that a tableau jointly presented by the state and the Centre instead of outright rejection could have been the ideal solution.

I had written to the Prime Minister a week ago, with various proposals concerning celebrations. One was about a tableau on Republic Day. In the meantime, we heard about West Bengals proposal on the tableau. When this controversy broke out, I contacted officials concerned (at the Centre). I was told that the Centre is preparing a tableau depicting Netaji and INA, Chandra Bose told Deccan Herald.

"I feel that although Netaji was a political leader, a freedom fighter, a visionary, he is above politics. If Bengal was giving its proposal on tableau, this could have been jointly done, he said. For a national icon, the central government doing it is correct but at the same time, I would like to add that if the Bengal government had submitted a proposal, that should have also been considered and unitedly it could have been done, Bose said.

Chandra Bose is still a BJP member but minces no words when it comes to Netaji. He adds that it needs to be seen if the Bengal governments proposal had any political angle for which the exclusion was made. But if it was blocked (just) because it was sent by the Bengal government, then it isnt fair, he added.

The tableau proposed by Bengal was also to carry portraits of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Sri Aurobindo, Matangini Hazra, Nazrul, Birsa Munda, and others. Highlighting their contributions in the letter, Mamata has stated exclusion of the tableau amounts to belittling and undermining these freedom fighters.

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The Supreme Court on Monday expressed hope that the West Bengal Assembly Speaker will decide within two weeks a plea seeking disqualification of Mukul Roy, who defected to the TMC from the BJP after the state polls.

A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and B V Nagarathna adjourned the matter to the second week of February.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Assembly Speaker, urged the bench to post the matter for hearing in the third week of February as it would be impractical to put a tight deadline.

The apex court, however, adjourned the petition for hearing to the second week of February, and said that it expects a decision by that time.

"We will give them two weeks. List it for the second week of February. In the meanwhile please ensure it is completed, we are not saying that in the order," the bench observed.

The apex court was hearing two separate appeals filed by West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee and its Secretary and the Returning Officer against the Calcutta High Court's order.

The high court had asked Banerjee to take a decision on the petition for disqualification of Roy as a member of the House by October 7.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the Opposition, on June 17 had filed the petition before the Speaker seeking Roy's disqualification.

Ambika Roy, BJP MLA of the state, had moved the high court in July challenging Roy's election as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and prayed for nomination of an opposition member to the post as per tradition.

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India on Monday reported 2,58,089 new Covid-19 cases and 385 deaths, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The active Covid-19 cases now stand at 16,56,341, while the overall toll is 4,86,451. The active cases account for 4.43 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has decreased to 94.27 per cent, the ministry said.

In the last 24 hours, 1,51,740 persons recovered form the virus, taking the overall recovery to 35,237,461.

An increase of 1,05,964 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The daily positivity rate is up from 16.28 per cent to 19.65 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 14.41 per cent.

According to the ministry, 8,209 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected across 29 states and union territories so far, out of which 3,109 have recovered or migrated. Maharashtra recorded the maximum 1,738 cases of the Omicron variant, followed by West Bengal 1,672, Rajasthan 1,276, Delhi 549, Karnataka 548 and Kerala 536 cases.

According to experts, it is not possible to undertake genome sequencing of each and every sample but this current wave is largely being driven by Omicron.

The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 157.20 crore.

With the daily Covid-19 count showing a decline in Delhi and Mumbai, medical experts on Sunday said they were cautiously optimistic that the two metropolises may have reached the peak of the Omicron-driven third wave as the test positivity rate remained stable for Delhi and nosedived in Mumbai.

However, because of a drop in the number of tests due to a change in the government strategy, they said it would be better to wait for some time for a definite answer on the trend, which they described as positive that matched with a Covid-19 model forecast.

India's Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020; 30 lakh on August 23; 40 lakh on September 5; and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28; 70 lakh on October 11; 80 lakh on October 29; 90 lakh on November 20; and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of two crore infections on May 4 and three crore cases on June 23.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole landed in a big controversy after a viral news clip showed him saying that he could "hit Modi and abuse him, but the grand old party denied the comments and attempted to salvage their image.

The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee stated that Patole was not referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but a local goon.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis tweeted the viral clip and lashed out at the Congress. Whats happening in the Congress partyAt one point of time, it led the freedom struggle but for power, this?Congress claims to be democratic partybut it is spreading terror., he said.

After Hon PM @narendramodi jis security breach near Pakistan border in Punjab, Congress CM even refused to speak over the phone!

And now Maharashtra Congress President says He can beat Modi, hit, abuse Modi pic.twitter.com/93wW3fDn0P  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 17, 2022

However, Patole issued a video statement denying that he was referring to the prime minister. Let me clarify again that I was not talking about the Prime Minister, but about a local goon named Modi," Patole said.

MPCC spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil said: People of Maharashtra Congress president Nana patole jis constituency were complaining about a local goon who is known as Modiwhatever Patole ji said was about him and not about prime minister Narendra Modi ji.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that indulging in a blame game over the pandemic situation will not eradicate the Coronavirus and it should be eliminated from the entire country.

His remarks came in response to Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij's statement that "increasing Coronavirus cases in Delhi have affected the NCR (National Capital Region) and the infection rate has increased in Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat districts".

Also Read: What the dip in Covid cases in Delhi, Mumbai means

Asked about Vij's remarks, Kejriwal said, "I won't indulge in blame game. It's not going to eradicate the disease. Wherever there is Coronavirus in the country it should be eradicated."

He said the number of Covid-19 cases is reducing in Delhi and around 12,000-13,000 fresh cases are expected on Monday, down from over 18,000 cases recorded on Sunday.

The chief minister was speaking to reporters after flagging off the first electric bus of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) at its IP depot.

He said 300 more electric buses will arrive in Delhi by April. In the next few years, around 2,000 electric buses will join the public transport fleet in the national capital, he added.

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Four women from a border village in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district have become role models for aspiring entrepreneurs as their bakery, set up with the help of the Army, has not only made them self-reliant but also brought their historically significant village in focus.

Meenakshi Rani, Tarjinder Kaur, Priya Saini and Seema Devi are household names in Lam village courtesy of their delicately handcrafted cakes and cookies prepared at the 'Lam Bakery'.

Rani and Saini even travelled to Pune where they were felicitated by the Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane on December 22 last year for their contribution towards women empowerment in border villages, Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said.

Their endeavour is being supported by the Army and NGO Aseem foundation.

Lam, situated just four km from the Line of Control (LoC), is one of the remotest villages having seen military action in all the wars fought by India since Independence.

Despite the challenges of living in a border village, the local women have taken upon themselves to become self-employed. They have decided to take the bull by the horns and not let their situation pull them down; rather use it as a springboard to touch the sky, Lt Col Anand said.

He said the 'Lam Bakery' has become quite popular in nearby villages.

Rani and Kaur are married with children and they fulfil their responsibilities as pillars of their families besides working at the bakery, the officer said, adding that Devi and Saini are the young guns who are the driving force behind the endeavour with their never give up attitude and relentless energy.

This earnest endeavour and relentless strive by the women at a very young age is a silent reply to the odds faced by them at this border village and these women have become a role model in their village wherein many girls have been drawing encouragement from them, Lt Col Anand said.

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Harak Singh Rawat, the BJP leader who was sacked as Uttarakhand minister, said he will work for the Congress party and that talks are on with the party while he is camping in Delhi. Congress leaders, however, remained quiet on the development in the poll-bound state.

Speaking to the media on Monday, he said, "The wind is blowing in favour of Congress and I will work for the party that comes to power." He said the situation will be clear within days as the last date of nomination nears.

Rawat, a habitual party hopper, had left the Congress in 2017 to join the BJP. He says the circumstances were different at that time and he considers former CM Harish Rawat as his elder brother. But it is the former CM who had stalled his entry into the party for the past several months, sources said, as Harish Rawat had not forgotten the rebellion by the flock led by Harak Singh.

Also read: Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat expelled from BJP; likely to rejoin Congress

Harak Singh Rawat on Sunday was dropped from the Pushkar Singh Dhami government. Rawat was also expelled from the BJP for six years for indiscipline.

BJP sources said that Rawat was asking for tickets for three of his family members, including his wife, for the upcoming polls in the state. "He has been dropped from the Dhami Cabinet and expelled from the party for six years," sources said.

It is learnt that Rawat, currently in the national capital, is likely to join Congress on Monday. "Rawat is in touch with the Congress leadership and is likely to join the party. Rawat's daughter-in-law may also join the party with him on Monday," sources said.

Last month, Rawat had left a cabinet meeting and announced his resignation. He threatened to resign, demanding a budget for a medical college in his Assembly constituency, Kotdwar, and had said the Rs 5 crore sanctioned for the medical college was not enough.

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Noted environmentalist Prof M K Prasad, a prominent figure in the historic grassroot level movement to save the evergreen tropical rain forests in Kerala's Silent Valley from destruction, passed away on Monday morning, his colleagues said here.

He breathed his last at a private hospital here while undergoing treatment for Covid related complications, they said. Prasad, 89, is survived by his wife and two children.

His cremation was held at a crematorium in Ravipuram here.

An all-time source of energy for environmental activists, Prasad gave effective leadership to a progressive people's science movement called "Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishath" (KSSP). As the lead activist of KSSP, Prasad was a guiding force behind the national movement against the state government's move to set up a hydro-power project in Silent Valley in Palakkad district in the 1970s.

Under the leadership of Prasad, KSSP effectively worked on the ground and aroused public opinion on the requirement to save Silent Valley. Bowing to unrelenting pressure from ecologists, the government was forced to abandon the project. The struggle was called off in 1983 after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assured that Silent Valley forests will be protected.

The Silent Valley forests were declared as a national park by the Union Government on November 15, 1984.

Prasad, who held various academic positions in Kerala, including the post of Pro Vice Chancellor of Calicut University and Principal of Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, has also authored numerous books in Malayalam on environmental issues and popular science. He also chaired the All India People's Science Network (AIPSN), an all-India consortium of people's science movements.

Prasad also served on the United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Board for five years. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the demise of Prasad recalling his contributions as a leader of ecological movements. Former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan also condoled the demise of Prasad.

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Complaints have been mounting among owners of cafes and restaurants after the government decided Monday to keep its COVID-19 vaccine pass requirements for eateries, while suspending its enforcement at other multiuse facilities.



The government decided to halt vaccine pass requirements at department stores, supermarkets, cram schools and theaters nationwide starting Tuesday, after the Seoul Administrative Court ordered a suspension of these at such facilities in the capital.



Court officials said these facilities were where people rarely took off their protective face masks.





The vaccine pass system, which has been in effect since November, requires people to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result when entering restaurants, cafes and other multiuse facilities.



Some eatery owners in Seoul slammed the decision, calling for a uniform suspension of the program.



"It is inconsistent to only exempt supermarkets from the vaccine pass system. ... Markets are the same (as other facilities) that they are crowded, and people pick up and put down stuff," said Choi Eun-seong, a rice stew restaurant owner in the west of the capital.



A 59-year-old toast store owner also said small diners should be given exemptions from the vaccine pass, claiming they face a heavier financial burden in following antivirus rules as small merchants compared with big stores run by conglomerates.



"My store's daily average sales were 100,000 won ($84) before, but these days, I suffer a loss of 30,000 to 40,000 won every day, as I have to turn down customers due to vaccine pass restrictions," a 68-year-old owner of a street food restaurant, surnamed Kim, said.



Small merchants also called upon the government to ease the business hours curfew.



The government raised the private gathering size limit to six while keeping a 9 p.m. curfew on cafes and restaurants for three weeks starting Monday.



"I hope cafes will be allowed to open until at least 10 p.m. When the curfew was 10 p.m., some people were visiting to study or after dinner, but since the curfew was tightened to 9 p.m., nobody comes," a cafe owner in southern Seoul said.




The Maharashtra government has decided to protect as reserve forest another 25 hectares of mangroves at Dharavi, considered to be Asias largest slum in Mumbai, even as environmentalists have been raising their voice against destruction of mangroves and land grab.

A good beginning has been made now in accordance with the Bombay High Court order to protect the mangroves, but the government still has miles to go, NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar said in a statement.

The State Forest department has declared as protected forest about 53% of the 32,000-hectare mangroves.

About 16,000 hectares of mangroves has been categorised as private property which leaves about 3,000 hectares under government control that need to be declared as forest.

NatConnect has appealed to the government to take under its control even the so-called privately owned mangroves since the sea forest is natural heritage and must be protected to save the coastal areas from tidal water attacks. Mangroves also serve as rainforests, carbon sinks, and breeding grounds for a variety of aquatic life other than hoisting hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, reptiles and animals. For instance, the Mangrove Society of India has reported that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project will directly impact 177 species of resident and migratory birds, otters, turtles, fish, crabs, oysters, wild boar, monkeys, flying fox, fishing cats, civets, mongoose and wild cats.

Though there have been reports of increase in the density of mangroves, the actual cover in terms of area has been under tremendous pressure due to large scale destruction, particularly in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), said Kumar.

Meanwhile, activists Naresh Chandra Singh and Jyoti Nadkarni have brought the governments attention to the burial of mangroves and landfill on them at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. The mangroves, under the control of the city planner City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) are yet to be transferred to the Forest Department for conservation, they said.

State Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray last week instructed CIDCO, country's largest container port JNPT and government officials to expedite the transfer of mangroves to the Forest Department for protection and conservation. CIDCO has handed over just 219 hectares out of hundreds of hectares under its control and the delay is only encouraging land grabbers to destroy the sea forests, Uran-based traditional fishing community forum member Dilip Koli said.
The Maharashtra government on Monday asked the Supreme Court to recall of its order directing the State Election Commission (SEC) to renotify 27 per cent seats reserved for OBC in the local body polls, as general category only.

A bench presided over by Justice A M Khanwilkar agreed to examine the plea on Wednesday.

Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, representing the state government, asked the bench to hear the state governments application for recall of the court's order.

On December 15, the Supreme Court ordered the state election commission (SEC) and the state government to convert 27 % reserved seats for OBC into general category, for zila parishad and panchayat samitis, and issue fresh notification.

On December 6, the Supreme Court stayed the Maharashtra government decision to grant 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, which was brought by an ordinance, in the local body elections until further orders. It had said the OBC quota could not have been implemented without setting up a Commission and without collecting data regarding inadequacy of representation local government wise.

A batch of pleas have been filed in the top court challenging the state governments ordinance to provide 27 per cent reservation for OBCs.

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Elections are as sacred to India's democracy as ritual observance is to India's pious. Campaigns are super-spreader events, and so is the Gangasagar Mela, where tens of thousands of the devout travel from across the remotest locations to take a dip and wash away their sins.

Just as Sankranti cannot be postponed, neither can the elections. Both are sacred in their own ways. There may be no perfect solution to the problem of people gathering in large numbers for the public performance of piety or politics in pandemic times. Banning the public from political events, as the Election Commission has decided to do, is to curtail and therefore deny to the citizen the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

Using the pandemic as a reason to curb public meetings for fear that these have the potential to turn into super spreaders by increasing the rate of transmission and putting the imperfect healthcare system under greater stress is a high handed decision antithetical to the spirit of democracy and participation. That the Election Commission seems oblivious of the implications of its decisions, and political parties are willing to go along with exposes collusion between the political establishment and the institutions of State to chip away at the right of citizens to freely participate in the democratic and political process.

Those clamouring for postponement of elections, be they local government or state assembly polls, are making a judgment that effectively disregards the sanctity of the elected process. The process, once begun, is difficult to reverse for many reasons, not least of which is the paramount concern about the term of the government and the complications that would follow if that term were to be extended. The argument as it is framed in public debates seems to point to a consensus that elections are a necessary but not very important evil and can be put on hold till "things" are better.

Also read: Not reacting to Yogi's 80-20 rhetoric may make sense

The demand for a postponement was raised during the eight-phase West Bengal elections in May last year. It is being raised again in West Bengal as four municipalities head for elections. The seven-phase Uttar Pradesh elections are prompting calls for a rethink about the schedule. The Election Commission has put on hold public campaigning, and already complaints have been filed against the Samajwadi Party for its January 14, ostensibly virtual, but actually physical, meeting to celebrate the party's success in wooing OBC and Dalit heavyweights from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The pandemic has thrown up challenges, the solutions to which must be always imperfect. Elected governments, local to national, have a best before date and keeping to the timeline cannot become a political negotiation between incumbents and challengers, with the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commissions playing favourites in the expectation of rewards at a later point.

The call to defer the date of elections, once they have been announced, is like shouting to shut the gates after the horse has bolted. The process of holding elections in India has its own complexities and without taking these into account, calls for postponement sound like ill-considered irresponsible noise by people who should know better, especially as most of them, including the lawyers, tend to belong to the political class, anyway.

The announcement of every election in India comes with a condition - the Model Code of Conduct, under which the usual acts of government are suspended for the duration of the polls and other than routine administrative and police work, almost everything comes under scrutiny and supervision of the election authority. The code was put in place to prevent misuse of power. The code itself is powerful, and once it is invoked, revoking it is infinitely complicated.

Also read: Amit Shah or Yogi Adityanath? The race for 'Number 2' in BJP

Once elections are scheduled, the incumbent government effectively becomes an interim arrangement till the new government is elected and appointed. Halting the process would mean that the state government would be neither a full-fledged incumbent nor a caretaker. Political parties and influential persons with opinions that they freely air have a responsibility to think harder before proposing a measure that is fraught with difficulties.

In practical terms, the difficulties of putting off an election once it is announced seem far greater than getting the election over and installing a new government. If the elections in the five states heading for the polls in February-March are postponed, the first question that would demand an immediate answer would be what happens to the budgets for 2022-2023? In pandemic times, there is any number of urgent decisions that have to be taken to safeguard the public interest. How easy would it be for caretaker governments operating indefinitely under the Model Code of Conduct to do what it must?

At another level, the demand for postponement is both mischievous and dangerous. The political establishment and public opinion makers knew well in advance that the pandemic was not over. They also knew that a new variant that was highly transmissible was spreading rapidly across the globe. They also knew the approximate date for the announcement of the elections to the five states. If indeed the political class and public opinion makers were genuinely concerned about the effects of campaigning and polling in pandemic times, should they not have initiated a democratic debate on the scheduling of elections long before the Election Commission made the announcement?

There is a difference between faking concern and genuine concern. There is a difference between scoring politically and avoiding making mischief. The postponement of elections, before or after it is announced by the Election Commission, is not a demand that responsible political parties ought to ever raise. If at all such a decision has to be taken because of dire circumstances, then it is for the Election Commission to invite political parties to a discussion on it.

The implication of a postponement is that some other arrangement has to be put in place for the government of the state to continue to function. Under the Constitution, there is only one mechanism available, and that is the controversial and draconian provision under Article 356, otherwise known as President's Rule, whenever "a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution." The provision gives the president the power to govern. Since presidents do not govern, the power is appropriated by the Union Home Ministry.

Deferring an election mid-way through the process invites the danger of the government of the state being supplanted by the Centre. A deferment mid-way would set a precedent, and that would be infinitely more dangerous to the idea of democracy and elections. Stalling the process of free and fair choice through elections because political parties want to score points and skew the proceedings is not an option that should ever be considered as a means of containing a known and ongoing public health crisis.

Postponement is not the only foolproof means to safeguard citizens' right to life in pandemic times. The State is duty-bound to protect the citizen's life, but there is no foolproof method of doing so in Covid times. A postponed election is not a guarantee that elections will not trigger waves of infection in the future, so long as there is a pandemic raging. The best that the Election Commission can do is convince political parties to follow the rules and minimise the risk because there is no way in which risk can be eliminated.

The public performance of piety and the public performance of politics share the imperatives of all performances  an actor and an audience. Visibility as an essential in the performance of crowdsourcing is so crucial for communication even when social media and its multiple platforms almost instantly disseminate well and ill-considered content from political leaders that elections without the audiences are simply not an option.

Tampering with elections can never be an option in a democracy because elections are not a necessary evil but as fundamental a right of citizens as the right to life. Flawed as the election process may be, irrelevant as it is for those who do not vote out of cynical disregard, it is the only process that millions of Indians have to exercise the power of choice and hold power to account. The act of voting is as sacred as the Sankranti. If the state, in this instance, West Bengal, can arrange to reduce risks to pilgrims at Gangasagar, the Election Commission can find ways to reduce the risk to voters and hold elections on schedule without distracting and inappropriate discussions.

(Shikha Mukerjee is a journalist based in Kolkata)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
Lantana camara, popularly called Lantana, one of the most invasive species of shrubs of South American origin, has emerged as the biggest threat to flora and fauna in the country. Lantana, which was brought to India about 200 years ago as an ornamental plant, has over the years invaded the forests and now covers over 40% or 1.5 lakh sq km of tiger reserves. Known as the forest killer, it threatens the ecological food chain as it replaces the pastures of herbivores by hindering the growth of native vegetation. Animals also do not prefer to live in such areas as the dense, impregnable shrubs obstruct their free movement. While dried Lantana is often responsible for the quick spread of forest fires, the thick shrubbery also comes in the way of conservation activities as they hamper patrolling. It is thus heartening that the Karnataka government, undeterred by the unsuccessful attempts in the past, is once again attempting to remove the shrub from the forests of Bandipur, Biligiri Ranganathaswamy hills and Nagarahole, in a phased manner. Three companies have expressed interest in the project and the demonstration at Bandipur tiger reserve where 60% of the forest is covered with Lantana, has shown encouraging results. However, given that all previous experiments have gone largely in vain, the government should realise that only a sustained campaign and not a one-time effort will ensure the success of this initiative.

The fight against Lantana does not just involve removing them from the root but quickly replacing them with palatable grasses to prevent other invasive species like parthenium from taking their place. This is both a laborious and time-consuming exercise that also demands constant surveillance for at least three years. Some time ago, the government had introduced a bug and a beetle that feed on Lantana, though there were concerns that they may consume other edible plants too. Not much is known about the result of this experiment and if it was successful, the government should consider this option as well.

The government should also involve tribals in the area in all its conservation efforts particularly in ensuring that forests remain Lantana-free. In 2005, some local tribes were trained by the Himalaya Environment Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) to produce furniture and other products out of the Lantana stem which is an inexpensive alternative to bamboo. This should be scaled up, as a continuous source of income will serve as an incentive to the tribal population to complement the governments own efforts. Only when the government and the stakeholders of the forests join hands, will there be a lasting solution.
MLC and District Congress Committee President Harish Kumar and former MLA J R Lobo have condemned the move of the Centre to reject Keralas proposed tableau for the Republic Day parade themed on Narayana Guru and West Bengals proposed tableau themed on Netaji Subhash Chandra Boses contribution in the fight for freedom.

Harish Kumar urged the Centre to clarify on the rejection and review its decision and allow it to present the tableau on Narayana Guru. A memorandum has been submitted to the President of India through the Deputy Commissioner urging the government to review the decision.

Narayana Guru is one of the greatest social reformers of the country and his ideas and preachings are relevant to this day. When lower class people were prevented from entering inside the temples in Kerala, Narayana Guru constructed temples to allow people to enter the temples. The Kudroli Temple in Mangaluru was constructed by him. The decision of the jury to reject the proposal has hurt the followers of Narayana Guru.

He termed the rejection of the proposal themed Narayana Guru as a national insult and urged the Centre to apologise over it.

The Congress had respect for Narayana Guru and the Congress-led state government in Karnataka had announced that Narayana Guru Jayanthi will be celebrated as a government programme and is continued now. As a result of it, Narayana Guru Jayanthi is observed in all the districts and taluks in Karnataka through the government.

Former MLA Lobo said that the tableau on Narayana Guru would have given a message to the society that those who fought for the equality and welfare of downtrodden are remembered throughout.

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Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday asked the Centre to revisit the Interstate River Water Disputes Act saying the law creates more disputes than resolving them.

Bommai said this at the inaugural of the PM Gati Shakti southern zone conference chaired by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.

There are some legal interventions that are necessary. Our irrigation projects are delayed, bogged down by the Interstate Water Disputes Act. In fact, it creates more disputes than resolving them. Time has come to revisit this, Bommai, a former water resources minister, said.

Bommais argument comes at a time when Karnataka is pushing for clearances on the Mekedatu project that Tamil Nadu has opposed. The state is also locked horns with Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh when it comes to inter-state water disputes.

Read | 'Mekedatu or Mahadayi, it's just politics for parties'

Bommai called for removal of multifold levels of dispute resolution. ...especially on the basis of maximum utility of a river basin capacity and using technology, giving away all political considerations, a win-win situation for all riparian states can be the solution, he said.

The CM also told the Centre that a common set of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules should be formulated instead of each state with a coastline having its own. This is necessary for all-round development of Indias coastline.

Earlier, Bommai lamented that some basic impediments need to be removed, referring to problems caused during environmental and forest clearances. We also need to relax certain rules so that more investments can come through for infrastructure development, he said.

Further, Karnataka pitched for upgrading the Bengaluru-Mysuru-Hyderabad route into a high-speed rail line. 453 km can be upgraded and this will bring new economic activity between the two states, Bommai said.

Bommai told Gadkari that Karnataka will have regional airports at Ballari, Shivamogga, Vijayapura and Hassan. For tourism, heliports at Chikmagalur, Madikeri and Hampi are coming up, he said. Hampi, which is a Unicef site, Badami and Vijayapura can be one circuit. Mysuru, Shravanabelagola, Belur and others can be another circuit. These should be on the national tourism map, he said.

Raising the much-awaited suburban rail project for Bengaluru worth Rs 15,000 crore, Bommai said: Bengaluru is an international city that contributes 40% of our IT/BT exports. It needs better infrastructure. The suburban rail project needs impetus and speed.

On highway development, Bommai said Karnataka has proposed upgrading 6,433 km of SH to NH.

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Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka said Monday that experts are divided on whether or not Covid-19 curbs should be relaxed, even as he hinted that the government is in favour of giving citizens some leeway.

A decision will be taken on what more can be provided for citizens by taking precautions, Ashoka said ahead of a meeting Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has convened later today.

Bommai is scheduled to take stock of the Covid-19 situation with experts.

Karnataka turned into a 'ghost town' during weekend curfew; See pics!

There are two opinions among experts. Some say cases are decreasing. Others say we should wait and watch. Thats why weve called a meeting with experts, he said. We also want to relax curbs, but if things go wrong then none of the people seeking relaxation will take responsibility. It is the government that gets blamed, he said.

Ashoka pointed out that Covid-19 cases are coming down in some states. We also don't want a lockdown or curfews. But, protecting the lives of people is the government's responsibility. Whatever we decide is in the interest of people. It's not a question of government revenue. The more we open up the more revenue we get. But, to keep people safe, we have imposed the weekend curfew, night curfew and curbs on schools, he said.

To a question on Maharashtra not having a curfew despite a high caseload, Ashoka said: If cases are more in Maharashtra, can we also allow cases to increase here? Just for the sake of helping someone do business, we cant play with the lives of people.

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Police are appealing for information and witnesses following the report of an assault in Claragh Court area of Derry on the afternoon of Sunday, January 16.

Detective Sergeant Connolly said: It was reported at approximately 1.50pm that two males forced their way into a property by breaking a door.

One of the men was armed with a hammer. The male occupant of the property was assaulted before the two suspects left the scene.

Two men aged 24 and 32 have been subsequently been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm and remain in police custody at this time.

Our enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident or who may have CCTV footage to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 803 16/01/22.

A report can also be made using the online reporting form via: www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Statement at UNSC Briefing on Sudan & the International Criminal Court

Statement

Thank you Madam President, and thank you Prosecutor Khan for your briefing and report. I also welcome the representative of Sudan.

Since we last heard from your predecessor on the situation in Sudan, the democratic transition has received a significant setback following the military coup of 25 October. It is regrettable that this has interrupted the significant progress made up to that point in the Prosecutors investigations.

We remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur and have noted reports from UNITAMS, UNOCHA and UNHCR of attacks against civilians in West and North Darfur. Reports of civilian deaths, the rape of women and girls, forced displacement of thousands and the destruction of property are deeply worrying and include acts which may come within the jurisdiction of the Court.

Madam President, we deplore reports since the coup of alleged serious violations of IHL and the use of sexual violence and attacks on medical personnel and facilities as tools to intimidate and punish women and men for exercising their civil and political rights. We call on the Sudanese authorities to protect civilians, bring this violence to an end and ensure accountability for such incidents.

We welcome the new consultative initiative intended to address the constitutional crisis and hope it will lead to a roadmap for a reset of the democratic transition. It is imperative we do not lose the hard won gains since 2019, including as they relate to accountability and justice.

Madam President, we urge a return to the progress we saw in the Courts work prior to the events of October. This progress was exemplified by Prosecutor Khans visit to Khartoum, the conclusion of a further Memorandum of Understanding with the civilian-led transitional government and plans to deploy an investigative team based full-time in Sudan.

The allocation of additional resources to the Offices Darfur team is also positive, including increasing the number of team members and the focus on ensuring the team has the adequate skills.

We welcome the significant progress in Mr Abd-Al-Rahmans prosecution, the first confirmation of charges in a Security Council referral. His trial commences 17 years after the adoption of Resolution 1593, demonstrating the importance of the Council and the Courts continued focus on accountability in Sudan.

However, we note that four ICC arrest warrants remain outstanding. We urge Mr Banda to surrender to the Court and reiterate our call on the Sudanese authorities to cooperate fully with the ICC and surrender the three additional fugitives in Sudanese custody, in line with their obligations.

Cooperation remains key to the Courts continued work in Sudan. In this regard, we note there is ongoing engagement by the Sudanese authorities. However, we also support the Prosecutors request for access to evidence and witnesses in Sudan as well as full and safe access to the Sudanese territory.

We urge Sudan to nominate focal points to facilitate continued work with the Court and to ensure the safety of witnesses and their ability to testify.

As the Prosecutor has pointed out in his report, the violence we are witnessing in Darfur today reminds us why we need to break the cycle of impunity.

It is for this reason Ireland remains a strong advocate for the work of the Court and the Prosecutors Office in Sudan. As the Juba Peace Agreement acknowledged, justice and accountability are crucial for building peace in Sudan.

You can count on our continued support for your work and that of your Office.

Thank you Madam President.

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President Moon Jae-in puts on a mask after delivering a speech at an official ceremony at the Dubai Expo 2020, in the United Arab Emirates, Jan. 16. AP-Yonhap



The scheduled talks between President Moon Jae-in and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan were canceled due to an "unforeseen matter of state" involving the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a senior Seoul official said.



Moon, who is in Dubai for a three-day visit as part of his weeklong trip to the Middle East, had been scheduled to hold talks with the crown prince Monday, but the talks were called off as the UAE side "politely asked for understanding for an unforeseen and urgent matter of state," the official said on condition of anonymity, Sunday.



It was not immediately clear why the talks were canceled. Moon had planned to deliver a keynote address on carbon neutrality at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Monday, and hold talks with the crown prince on ways to deepen bilateral cooperation on climate change, national security and defense, and public health.



Asked whether the cancellation was related to the COVID-19 situation in the UAE, the official replied that no exact reason for the cancellation was given.






VodaIdea vests 35.8% ownership on govt in debt-equity swap

Vodafone Idea Ltd, the countrys third-largest mobile phone operator, will now be majority government owned, after its board approved conversion of dues into equity, vesting nearly 36 per cent of its ownership on government.

Accordingly, Vodafone Idea will convert interest related to its spectrum auction instalments and AGR dues to the department of telecommunications, with a net value of about Rs16,000 crore. into equity.

Vodafone Idea had earlier opted for the four-year moratorium on spectrum and AGR dues.

The Department of Telecommunications had in October 2021 presented Vodafone Idea and Airtel with various options to obtain from the telecom relief package announced in September.

This included deferment of spectrum and AGR dues for four years, and converting interest on the said amount to equity shares.

Vodafone Idea announced on Tuesday that it will accept the Indian governments proposal to convert its spectrum and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues to equity, making the government the largest shareholder of the company. And, the implied cost of this conversion is Rs10 a share, a 32 per cent discount on Mondays (10 January) closing price.

The shares may be held through the statutory undertaking of the Unit Trust of India (SUUTI) on behalf of the Government of India or by any trustee-type or other suitable arrangement, the company said in its filing with stock exchanges. SUUTI is a government investment arm that owns significant stakes in publicly listed companies like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, among others.

In fact, the average share price on the date (14 August 2021) was below par value (Rs10), the company noted in its filing.

This will result in dilution for all the existing shareholders of the company, including the founders, the debt-laden telco said in a stock exchange filing. Following the conversion of debt into equity, Vodafone Group Plc will own around 28.5 per cent and Aditya Birla Group will have about 17.8 per cent in the company, it said.

This is a big drop from the current shareholding of 44.39 per cent and 27.66 per cent, respectively.

This rescue plan was crucial for Vodafone Idea, a joint venture between the Vodafone Group and billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birlas conglomerate, which has been losing customers to bigger rivals. Its financial health deteriorated after Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd entered the telecom sector with ultra cheap data tariff plans and free voice calls.

According to an exchange filing by the company, the net present value of the interest owed by Vodafone Idea to the government currently stands at Rs16,000 crore. Vodafone Idea has debt obligations of more than Rs7,000 crore maturing in Q3-Q4 FY22.

As per the telecom departments estimates, Vodafone Idea had total AGR dues of Rs58,254 crore, of which the company paid Rs7,854 crore, leaving unpaid dues of Rs50,339 crore.

Against this, rival Bharti Airtel had AGR dues of Rs43,980 crore. The company paid Rs18,004 crore, leaving dues of Rs25,976 crore unpaid.

AGR is defined in the licence agreements entered between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the telecom operators. Under this revenue-sharing fee model telecom operators are required to share a part of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) with the government as annual licence fee and spectrum usage charges.
Former SC Judge Indu Malhotra heads panel to probe PM's security breach

The Supreme Court has appointed a five-member panel headed by retired judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Indu Malhotra, to inquire into the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Punjab on 5 January.

A Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli announces the constitution of the enquiry panel that also includes DG of NIA or his nominee not below the rank of IG, DGP of Chandigarh UT, DGP of Punjab and Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The court has asked HC Registrar General to submit all records and documents collected by him on orders of the SC to the inquiry panel. The panel has been asked to submit the inquiry report as early as possible.

The Supreme Court further said that the panel will inquire into the causes of the security breach, persons responsible for it and the measures to be taken in future for preventing such security breaches of VVIPs.

Earlier, on Monday, the apex court had asked both the central government and the Punjab government not go ahead with the inquiries by the committees constituted by them.

The prime minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozepur, Punjab earlier this month after some protestors blocked the road.

The Prime Minister was to visit Ferozepur and lay foundation stones of multiple development projects worth more than Rs42,750 crore. After the security lapse, he decided to head back to Bathinda Airport.

Union home ministry has sought a report from the Punjab government on the security breach during the prime ministers visit to Punjab calling it a major lapse in his security.
PM inaugurates 11 new medical colleges and a new campus of CICT in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 11 new medical colleges and a new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Tamil Nadu through video conference.

Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said that with the inauguration of 11 medical colleges and the inauguration of the new building of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil health of the society is being furthered and at the same time our connection with our culture is getting stronger.

The number of medical under graduate and post graduate seats have now gone up to around 1,48,000 seats, an increase of about 80 per cent from 82,000 seats in 2014

The future will belong to societies that invest in healthcare. The Government of India has brought many reforms in the sector. He said.

A support of over Rs3,000 crore would be provided to Tamil Nadu in the next five years. This will help in establishing/ urban health and wellness centres, district public health labs and critical care blocks across the state, he added.

The prime minister said the stablishment of new medical colleges across the country would help address the shortage of doctors in the country, which had remained an issue for a very long time, adding that his government made it a priority to address this critical gap.

In 2014, the country had 387 medical colleges and this number has gone up by 54 per cent to 596 in the last seven years alone.

Also, Modi pointed out that in 2014 there were only seven AIIMS in the country, which has now increased to 22. At the same time, various reforms have been undertaken to make the medical education sector more transparent, he said.

The prime minister pointed out that inaugurating 11 medical colleges in one go in Tamil Nadu is, in a way, a new record for him after he recently inaugurated nine medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh.

The new medical colleges are being established at an estimated cost of about Rs4,000 crore, out of which around Rs2,145 crore has been provided by the union government and the rest by the Tamil Nadu government. These colleges will be spread over the districts of Virudhunagar, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri.

Establishment of these medical colleges is in line with the prime minister's constant endeavour to promote affordable medical education and improve health infrastructure in all parts of the country. The new medical colleges, with cumulative capacity of 1,450 seats, are being established under the Centrally Sponsored scheme of Establishing of New Medical Colleges attached to existing district/referral hospital. Under the scheme, medical colleges are established in districts, which do not have either a government or private medical college.

The establishment of a new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Chennai is in line with the prime ministers vision to protect and preserve Indian heritage and promote classical languages. The new campus is fully funded by the union government and is built at a cost of Rs24 crore. CICT, which was operating from a rented building so far, will now operate from a new 3-storey campus. The new campus is equipped with a spacious library, an e-library, seminar halls and a multimedia hall.

An autonomous organisation under the union ministry of education, CICT is contributing to the promotion of classical Tamil by doing research activities so as to establish the ancientness and uniqueness of Tamil language. The institute library has a rich collection of over 45,000 ancient Tamil books. To promote classical Tamil and support its students, the institute engages in academic activities like holding seminars and training programmes, granting fellowship etc. It also aims to translate and publish Thirukkural in various Indian as well as 100 foreign languages. The new campus will provide an efficient working environment for the institute in its pursuit of promoting classical Tamil across the world.
India, UK launch free trade negotiations

India and the United Kingdom on Wednesday launched free trade negations aimed at finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries and thereby facilitating a doubling of bilateral trade by the year 2030. The goal was set by the prime ministers of both the nations, Narendra Modi and Boris Johnson, in May 2021.

Minister of commerce and industry, consumer affairs, food and public distribution and textiles Piyush Goyal along with UK secretary of state for international trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan launched the FTA negotiations in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Piyush Goyal said an FTA with UK is expected to provide certainty, predictability and transparency and create a more liberal, facilitative and competitive services regime.

He said the FTA negotiations with the UK is expected to increase Indias exports in leather, textile, jewellery and processed agri products. India is also expected to see a quantum jump in the export of marine products through the recognition of 56 marine units of India, he added.

The minister said that the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) on pharma could provide additional market access. There is also great potential for increasing exports in service sectors like IT/ITES, nursing, education, healthcare (including AYUSH) and audio-visual services. India would also be seeking special arrangements for movement of its people, he added.

The minister assured that subsequent to the unveiling of the FTA, the two nations would proactively and regularly engage with each other, for deliberating on the scope and coverage of the trade deal. Observing that UK was a major trade partner of India with substantial bilateral volume of trade in goods and services, Goyal said that the cooperation extended across areas like tourism, tech, startups, education, climate change, etc and that the two nations were looking forward to a mutually beneficial trade deal with balanced concessions and market access package in a wide range of sectors.

Calling for the enhancement of sectoral cooperation by addressing market access issues and removing trade restrictions, Goyal said that it would help generate direct and indirect employment in both nations.

The minister said that the India-UK FTA will also contribute in integrating value chains and help augment our mutual efforts to strengthen the resilience of supply chains. Reminding that the leaders of both nations had envisioned launching the FTA Negotiations in early 2022, Goyal expressed happiness at the successful conclusion of discussions in a timely manner to announce the launch of the FTA negotiations.

The minister said the two countries have also agreed to explore the possibility of an Interim Agreement to provide quick gains for benefitting businesses in both nations in the interim. Our endeavour is to deliver a comprehensive, balanced, fair and equitable FTA, to benefit our small, medium and micro-enterprises in both nations, he said.
US surgeons successfully transplant genetically modified pig's heart into human patient

Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Centre have, for the first time, succeeded in transplanting the heart of a genetically modified pig into the human body without immediate rejection.

Doctors transplanted the pig heart into a patient in a last-ditch effort to save his life and the hospital said on Monday that the patient was doing well three days after the highly experimental surgery.

While it's too soon to know if the operation really will work, it marks a step in the decades-long quest to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center say the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without immediate rejection.

The patient, David Bennett, a 57-year-old Maryland handyman, knew there was no guarantee the experiment would work but he was dying, ineligible for a human heart transplant and had no other option, The Associated Press quoted his son as saying.

It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice, Bennett said a day before the surgery, according to a statement provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

On Monday, Bennett was breathing on his own while still connected to a heart-lung machine to help his new heart. The next few weeks will be critical as Bennett recovers from the surgery and doctors carefully monitor how his heart is faring.

There's a huge shortage of human organs donated for transplant, driving scientists to try to figure out how to use animal organs instead. Last year, there were just over 3,800 heart transplants in the US, a record number, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees the nation's transplant system.

"If this works, there will be an endless supply of these organs for patients who are suffering, said Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, scientific director of the Maryland university's animal-to-human transplant programme.

Earlier attempts at such transplants or xenotransplantation have failed, largely because patients' bodies rapidly rejected the animal organ. Notably, in 1984, Baby Fae, a dying infant, lived 21 days with a baboon heart.

The difference this time: The Maryland surgeons harvested the heart from a genetically modified pig which was devoid of a sugar in its cells that's responsible for hyper-fast organ rejection. Several biotech companies are developing pig organs for human transplant; the one used for Friday's operation came from Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics.
Two teenagers have been arrested in Manchester after a British man flew to the US, bought a weapon and held people hostage in a 10-hour stand-off at a synagogue.

Malik Faisal Akram, originally from Blackburn in Lancashire, was shot dead when the FBI entered the building in Texas on Saturday night (January 15).

US President Joe Biden branded the incident an act of terror and UK police are working with authorities in America on the investigation.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced that officers from Counter Terror Policing North West had made two arrests in south Manchester on Sunday evening.

They said the teenagers, whose ages and genders they did not immediately confirm, remain in custody for questioning.

GMP said police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance.

#UPDATE | Counter Terrorism Policing North West update following the events in Texas: pic.twitter.com/Q3o08bc8Js  Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) January 16, 2022

The four hostages held at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, were unharmed.

Akrams family said they were absolutely devastated by what had happened and do not condone any of his actions, according to a statement which had been shared on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page.

The statement, attributed to Akrams brother Gulbar who said he had been involved in negotiating from the UK with his sibling during the ordeal, added that the hostage-taker was suffering from mental health issues.

US officials believe Akram had a visa, arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York around two weeks ago and bought a handgun used in the incident.

In an update to reporters yesterday, Mr Biden said while he did not have all the details it was believed Akram had got the weapons on the street, adding: He purchased them when he landed.

He said there were no bombs that we know of, and that Akram is thought to have spent the first night in a homeless shelter.

Condemning what had happened, the statement from Akrams family said: We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident.

Akram is said to have demanded the release of Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US army officers in Afghanistan, and is in prison in Texas.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, FBI special agent in charge Matt DeSarno said they believed the man was singularly focused on one issue and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community, and added they will continue to work to find motive.

My thoughts are with the Jewish community and all those affected by the appalling act in Texas. We condemn this act of terrorism and anti-semitism. We stand with US in defending the rights and freedoms of our citizens against those who spread hate. https://t.co/36Eb8lRQTV  Liz Truss (@trussliz) January 16, 2022

Confirming that the hostage-taker had died, he said there would be an independent investigation of the shooting incident.

He said the FBI had been in contact with their legal attache offices in London and Israel for an investigation with global reach.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemned the act of terrorism and anti-semitism, while the British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce said UK authorities are providing full support to Texas and US law enforcement agencies.
A further 6,329 cases of Covid-19 have been notified in Ireland.

The latest update came as hospitals remained busy on Monday morning with 1,006 Covid-positive patients, of whom 97 were in intensive care.

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan stressed the importance of changes to advice around the wearing of masks designed to limit the spread of the virus.

As we continue to adjust to the latest changes to the public health advice relating to isolation and restriction of movements for cases and close contacts, it is important to remember that the most important change relates to mask wearing.  Dr Tony Holohan (@CMOIreland) January 17, 2022

He said it is now recommended that medical grade or FFP2 masks are used by anyone 13 or over who is a confirmed case, close contact or who has symptoms, over 60s and vulnerable people as well as anyone visiting a healthcare setting or anyone vulnerable in any setting.

Masks can play a key role in reducing transmission of Covid-19 if made correctly, well fitted and worn properly, that is they cover the nose, mouth and chin, he said.

The best way to protect yourself against the most severe impacts of Covid-19 is to get your booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

Dr Holohan said evidence indicates that those who have received the booster vaccination are less susceptible to infection, and if infected, less infectious to others.

According to our Amarach research, 68% of those aged under 35 years, who have received a full, primary course of Covid-19 vaccination but are not yet boosted, said that they would receive a booster dose if they were offered it next week, he said.

It is important to remember that you dont need to wait for the HSE to contact you about your booster appointment.

You can book an appointment online on www.hse.ie, drop into your local pharmacy or contact your GP.

In the last week over 46,000 children aged 5-11 have been vaccinated in Ireland.

Vaccines are a very safe and effective way to protect children from the risk posed by Covid-19 infection.

The HSE are operating special child-friendly vaccine clinics.

He added: Continue to layer up on the basic public health measures, including vaccination, to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection.

Wear the appropriate mask recommended for you, practise social distancing and good hand hygiene, work from home unless necessary to attend in person, avoid crowds and ensure indoor spaces and public transport are ventilated by opening windows regularly.
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




Police have closed a probe into a suspected hit-and-run accident involving a U.S. diplomat after the diplomat exercised diplomatic immunity, officials said Monday.







The police earlier booked and tried to interrogate the second secretary, whose identity was withheld, on suspicions of rear-ending a taxi's bumper while changing lanes near the Namsan No. 3 tunnel in central Seoul in November.







The Yongsan Police Station in charge of the case was, however, informed via the foreign ministry on Friday the diplomat's decision "not to give up diplomatic immunity," according to police officials.







Upon the notification, the police closed its probe into the case, the officials said.







"We needed further investigations as to whether the driver was aware of the accident ... but decided to terminate the probe because of the exercise of diplomatic immunity," a police official said. (Yonhap)


Sinn Fein TD for Louth, Ruairi O Murchu has called on the government to act urgently to ensure carers are available for people who need home support, after new figures revealed shocking numbers of people have been left without much-needed carers.

Figures released to Sinn Fein by the HSE, have revealed that almost 5,000 people are waiting for a carer to be allocated to them, despite being approved.

Of these, 554 are living in CHO8, the HSE community care area which covers Louth.

Deputy O Murchu said: A total of 554 people have been approved for a carer in CHO8, which includes Louth, but despite this have not been allocated a carer due to severe shortages.

This is unacceptable. Sinn Fein has been warning for many years now of a looming crisis within the homecare system, as too many people who require homecare arent getting the hours that they need.

This crisis has spiralled during the pandemic, yet the government has consistently failed to properly plan and put contingencies in place.

The Dundalk TD said he had raised the issue a number of times in Leinster House with Minister Mary Butler, most recently last month.

While Minister Butler told him on that occasion that she has put in place a cross-departmental strategic workforce advisory committee, which has held its first meeting, Deputy O Murchu says far more needs to be done.

According to Deputy O Murchu, there are extreme difficulties in north Louth in getting carers at the weekend.

He said: I know that a lot of things are being considered. We must look at pay scales and any incentivisation we can provide.

We know of the difficulties of people, some of whom were contracted staff, who would state that they were not going to get paid expenses for travel. Every obstacle possible was being put in their way.

And we all know that the big issue is weekend support. Obviously, we need to look at the issue of the rates of pay.

He said he has a meeting scheduled later this week with Home and Community Care Ireland, the representative body of private home care providers and says he will continue to engage with all stakeholders in order to find solutions to this crisis which is affecting so many families.

It is, he said, a major issue for him and one which he will continue to raise with Minister Butler in Leinster House.
More must be done to tackle domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence in Ireland, campaigners have demanded in the wake of Ashling Murphys murder.

Gardai are still hunting for the killer of Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher who was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.

The murder has caused widespread anger and shock in Ireland and beyond, with tens of thousands of people attending vigils in recent days.

Mary McDermott, chief executive officer at Safe Ireland, which campaigns for women and childrens safety, said the country does not have a minister with full responsibility for gender-based and domestic violence, saying it is scattered across various Government departments.

She told RTE Morning Ireland: Refuge and support services are under (the department of) children and the rest of the responsibility, which we know requires a whole of Government response, is scattered across the rest of Government departments.

It needs a whole-level response but at the moment it is fragmented and scattered.

The Tanaiste (Leo Varadkar) said there is a need for a lead minister.

We hope it brings all the areas under one ministry to respond in a coherent and systematic and fully resourced way.

Domestic violence in this country is a large-scale social problem. It is not a matter of poor personal choice. While we welcome all targeted actions that address the individual, if it is not systemically responded to we will fail.

We think domestic violence is akin to climate change and call for a high-level unit to set out and consider this.

Over the weekend, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said a new Government strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be published by the start of March. It would, she said, take a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women.

It comes as Gardai identified a new person of interest  who is believed to be in hospital in the Dublin region receiving treatment  and are waiting to speak to him.

As their investigation continues, Gardai believe the development of DNA profiles will form an integral part of the search for Ms Murphys killer.

A complaint from another woman, who said she was followed on the same canal path hours before the murder, is still being investigated.

Ms Murphys funeral will take place tomorrow (January 18) at St Brigids Church, Mountbolus, in Co Offaly.

Unions including the Irish National Teachers Organisation, Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, and Teachers Union Ireland have urged schools and colleges across Ireland to observe a minutes silence at 11am the same day.

They said in a joint statement: We are encouraging schools to fall silent to remember a beloved primary school teacher, taken far too soon, and show our solidarity with her friends, family, colleagues and pupils as Ashling is laid to rest.

Meanwhile, MLAs gathered in front of Parliament Buildings at Stormont in Northern Ireland for a vigil.

Before the Northern Ireland Assembly resumed business following its recess, politicians from the main parties came together.

First Minister Paul Givan, deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood gathered in front of a portrait of Ms Murphy and flowers.

Addressing MLAs at Stormont, Ms ONeill said: There are simply no words to convey the cruelty and injustice of what happened to Ashling, nor the heartbreak and sorrow of her loss.

Our hearts go out to her family and all who loved her.

Regretfully the truth is violence against women and girls, the threat of violence against women and girls, the fear of violence against women and girls is all too common.

Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is an epidemic.
Claremont, NH (03743)

Today

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

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Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
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North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

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President Moon Jae-in speaks during a meeting with workers at Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a visit to commend Korean doctors and nurses there. The hospital has been run by staffers from Korea's Seoul National University Hospital since 2014 following a request from UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs. It was the first case of a Korean hospital managing a specialty hospital overseas. Yonhap
Update: Following an examination of the scene Gardai have established that the lorry was not involved in the collision and the motorbike collided with traffic management signage.

Read More Gardai appeal for witnesses to serious collision in Cork; man in critical condition

Yesterday: Gardai have appealed for witnesses following a serious collision in Cork city earlier today.

Investigations are underway following the road traffic collision that occurred on the M8 near the Dunkettle Interchange at around 5pm today.

A Garda spokesperson tonight stated that a male motorcyclist, aged 70, remains in a critical condition following the incident.

The male motorcyclist (70 years) collided with an artic lorry.

He was removed from the scene to Cork University Hospital and remains in a critical condition.

The male driver of the lorry was treated at the scene for non life threatening injuries.

The scene is currently preserved and Forensic Collision Investigators are conducting their investigation at this time.

The road is closed and local diversions are in place, the spokesperson said.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward and any road users with video footage, including dash cam, is asked to make this available to them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Road Garda Station (021) 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
THE Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has called for urgent action from the Government to tackle increasingly long waiting lists over the past 12 months, with a Cork hospital experiencing a 101% increase in its outpatient waiting list.

The IHCA has warned that the Government must not let another year pass by without addressing what the association has described as the twin deficits in Irish hospitals, namely, a shortage of consultants and a lack of sufficient public hospital capacity.

It comes as the latest data released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) showed that 879,277 people are now on some form of waiting list.

This is an increase of over 40,600 people in the past year, or around 114 people added to public hospital waiting lists every single day throughout 2021.

The IHCA said the latest NTPF figures reveal the hospitals which saw the highest increases in outpatient waiting lists in 2021, topped by Cork University Maternity Hospital which experienced a 101% increase.

Meanwhile, Cork University Hospital experienced a 24% increase in its outpatient waiting list in 2021, it said.

More people were waiting for hospital treatment at the end of 2021 than at the start of the year, despite a four-month action plan from Government to address the issue, said IHCA president Alan Irvine.

These waiting lists are not being brought under control quick enough and the lack of progress in the past year is really damning.

Unfortunately, with the recent increases in Covid cases, overcrowding in our emergency departments, and widespread cancellation of essential scheduled care and outpatient appointments, there is little prospect of the waiting list coming under control anytime soon, said Prof Irvine.

This is simply not good enough, irrespective of the pressures we are facing during this latest Covid wave.

He said that due to the pressures faced in the system, some of these people will be described erroneously as non-urgent cases and have their scheduled appointments cancelled.

Their conditions will only become more serious and difficult to treat the longer they are left waiting  often in pain, suffering, and facing the psychological distress of not knowing when they will be able to receive care, he added.






Value of Ireland's poultry exports dropped 15% in value in 2021



Concerns around outbreaks of bird flu have created uncertainty for poultry market prospects, according to Bord Bia, the state agency of Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.



The organisation's Performance and Prospects report 2021/2022 has shown that Irish poultry exports decreased by 15% to 128 million (US$146.1 million) last year.



The destinations of exports remained largely unchanged in 2021, with 58% sent to the United Kingdom, 15% to EU countries and 27% to other destinations around the world.



In terms of the value of exports, Bord Bia noted a further decline to the key UK market of 16% to 74 million (US$84.5 million). The impact of COVID-19 on the food service sector and increased trade complexities due to Brexit are blamed for the decline.



The report flagged that the proposed introduction of physical checks on food imports under the UK's EU withdrawal agreement could cause more difficulties for exporters.



Export value to the EU fell by 16% to 19 million (US$21.7 million), but there was a 25% increase in demand from France due to a faster rebound than expected from COVID-19 lockdowns.



Although Irish poultry numbers increased by 3% in the first nine months of 2021, Bord Bia said that production was impacted by higher feed and energy costs and a shortage of labour during the final quarter of the year.



The report noted that concerns around bird flu outbreaks "create further uncertainty" for the Irish poultry sector this year.



In recent months, six cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland: five in Co. Monaghan and one in Co. Cavan.



Bord Bia said that the South African market closed to Irish produce due to a case of bird flu in a commercial flock in December 2020, resulting in a drop of 63% in exports to 33 million (US$37.7 million).



The report said that market access to South Africa and other destinations "will play an important role in determining prospects for the sector in 2022."

Bord Bia also noted that if feed prices continue to remain high, it "will have a significant implication for global poultry production" this year.



- Agriland
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As it does every January, the Spanish government has just announced the legislative priorities for the year ahead and, oh, what a surprise, the planned amendment to the Penal Code to reduce sentences for sedition has been completely dropped from the legislative initiatives of the Pedro Sanchez executive, despite the commitment made to the Catalan pro-independence parties that they would do just this when they arrived at the government palace in early 2020. If, at the end of last summer, the executive excused itself from including it because the priorities at that time were economic reform and the legislative changes necessary to deal with Covid - a real misconception because none of this was done - now, the Spanish minister for the prime minister's department, Felix Bolanos, is even drier: he simply said that it is not on the agenda.

Thus, Spain will maintain its legal anachronism in comparison with the penal codes of its European neighbours, where an equivalent of "sedition without violence" is not found anywhere in the law. It is exactly this problem and nothing else that the Supreme Court has repeatedly butted up against when issuing extradition orders for the Catalan pro-independence leaders in different European countries and, in all of them, obtaining the same result, contrary to the interests of Spanish justice. On at least a couple of occasions, Comuns MP Jaume Asens managed to bring the Socialists to the verge of putting the legal change demand on the agenda, but in the end it fell off.

Partly, this is because European comparative law would not require a reduction of sedition sentences, but the striking out of the offence altogether if there has been no violence. And this is not to make a joke of a situation in which the PSOE is on the defensive, the Spanish right has a much stronger position with Spanish public opinion and the Catalan pro-independence forces are too distracted by their domestic battles and ineffective in maintaining the pressure on the Spanish government. The Council of Europe was forthright last summer when it called on Spain to amend the sedition law and called for the release of the prisoners convicted for the Catalan referendum through government pardons, which was eventually done.

With the elections in the autonomous community of Castilla y Leon called for next February, the possibility of a snap vote in Andalusia if the polls suit the PP leader Juan Manuel Moreno, and municipal elections across the Spanish state in May 2023, the probability of changes in the Spanish government's behaviour with respect to Catalonia is very small, if not zero. This is already seen with the so-called dialogue table, an instrument that is already past its expiry date when before the summer it was given a life expectancy of one or two years. No one believes that it will solve anything, least of all the political conflict between Spain and Catalonia, or that there might be an agreement on the amnesty, the referendum and the right to self-determination.

If that moment ever existed - and I do not believe it did - it is over. Now the PSOE is all about trying to prevent votes escaping to the right and managing the defeats it may have in order to reach the next Spanish general election alive. And those other things, in another legislature, we will see.
Argentinian judge Maria Servini tried to prosecute him for four counts of murder during Spain's post-Franco Transition, specifically cases in 1977 in Vitoria and in 1978 in Pamplona. But she did not succeed and the proceedings were revoked from above. Today, former Spanish deputy prime minister and interior minister Rodolfo Martin Villa has made a reappearance, and he had an air of satisfaction about him. The former UCD politician acknowledged that someone could come hold him politically and criminally "responsible" for those deaths. But in the same way, he also made it clear that he is quite realxed about the matter: "If I haven't lost a minute of sleep in all these years, I think I can handle it with peace of mind." Upon arrival at today's event, he was jeered by a group of relatives of victims of the Franco dictatorship.

The former minister, accused of crimes such as torture and homicide took part in a breakfast organized by Nueva Economia Forum, which served him perfectly as a re-presentation in public. The issue of the Argentinian complaint came up and Martin Villa stated ironically that he "could be held politically responsible, of course, and even criminally responsible for those deaths." He said: "It could even be possible that I, in a moment of madness, could have been the material perpetrator of those deaths." Having said all that, he denied being part of, as the Argentinian complaint says, a "government during the Spanish Transition that ordered a systematic, deliberate, and generalized plan to terrorize those Spaniards who were in favour of a democratic government."

Thus, the former interior minister described the Argentinian judiciary's attempt to prosecute him for crimes against humanity as a "Kafkaesque spectacle, organized from here [Spain]" and not a rigorous judicial procedure. And he wanted to make it clear that he had always put himself at the disposal of the Spanish judiciary, even though he was not obliged to. He complained of how the "presumption of guilt" prevailed, rather than the presumption of innocence.

Rodolfo Martin Villa defended the Spanish Transition, which he described as "one of the best periods in our history". And he retorted that his "public enemy" was "terrorism." In this context, he also railed against the current Spanish government's planned new law of democratic memory, which according to him, in some points, "is very similar to the accusations made in the Argentinian complaint." He asserted that it tries to "sum up the Transition by saying that it was a continuation of the dictatorship or even that there were plans with hateful intentions during the Transition."

All this comes a month after the Argentinian judiciary overturned the decision of judge Maria Servini to prosecute the former minister for alleged crimes against humanity during the latter days of the Franco regime. However, it considered the appropriate action was not to completely close the case yet. In a ruling by the Second Chamber of the Federal Criminal and Correctional Chamber of Argentina, the court noted that there is no "direct or indirect, indicative, miscellaneous, and/or unequivocal proof that is compatible."

In recent years, former Spanish PMs Felipe Gonzalez, Jose Maria Aznar, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Mariano Rajoy have all come out in his defence.
A student enters a building on Seoul National University's campus in Gwanak District, Seoul, Dec. 7, 2021. Newsis



By Lee Hyo-jin



Local universities are uncertain as to whether to begin the upcoming spring semester with in-person classes amid concerns over the increasing spread of the Omicron variant.



In October of last year, under the government's "Living with COVID-19" strategy, the Ministry of Education had planned a full resumption of offline lectures in colleges and universities from the first semester in 2022.



However, the plan was met with a setback after a surge of infections and the rise of the new variant which led to the government halting the phased return to normalcy in late November and instead bringing back more stringent social distancing measures.






Emporia, VA (23847)

Today

A few clouds with an isolated thunderstorm possible after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

A few clouds with an isolated thunderstorm possible after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Bird flu case confirmed on Isle of Man

A case of bird flu has been confirmed in the Isle of Man.

It is the first time the H5N1 virus, which is highly contagious amongst birds but not people, has been recorded on the Island. However, the UK is currently facing its largest ever outbreak, which has led to thousands of farmed birds being culled since November.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) responded on Friday after a bird keeper in Sulby found 11 of his geese dead near a pond on his property.

Samples were taken and sent to the UK for analysis, which have confirmed the geese died from the H5N1 strain.

In view of this, a Protection Zone of 1 km (0.6 miles) has been introduced around the affected site, in which keepers must house their birds and must not move them off their property.
UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man welcomes 300th Partner

The Manx Bat Group has become the 300th UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man partner after pledging to promote sustainability, conservation and education.

The scheme encourages organisations such as schools, charities and businesses to demonstrate their commitment to the key principles of a UNESCO Biosphere.

The local wildlife group promotes conservation of the Islands nine bat species through educational talks, activities such as guided walks and volunteer led surveys.

It also offers advice to property owners and developers and rescues and cares for sick and injured bats.

Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture and Vice-Chair of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, presented the groups chair Nick Pinder with a certificate to welcome their newest partner last week.
Cherry Lee Ward Yeager age 87 of Athens died Monday at Athens Limestone Hospital. Mrs. Yeager was born October 21, 1934 in Giles County Tennessee. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church Athens where she sang in the chrior, and was active in the WMU. Mrs. Yeager was a Red Cross vol
Last November, Amazon notified customers that it would stop accepting Visa credit cards in the UK as of January 19th, 2022, blaming the high fees Visa charges for credit card transactions. Now, the company has backtracked on that, telling customers via email that it will continue accepting Visa cards, at least for the time being.

"The expected change regarding the use of Visa credit cards on Amazon.co.uk will no longer take place on January 19," an Amazon spokesperson told Engadget. " We are working closely with Visa on a potential solution that will enable customers to continue using their Visa credit cards on Amazon.co.uk."

The dispute has been simmering for a while, with Amazon previously accusing Visa of charging high credit card transaction fees, and Visa saying that Amazon was "threatening to restrict consumer choice in the future." Both companies, global leaders of their respective industries, previously said that they were attempting to work towards a solution.

Amazon didn't elaborate further on its statement but also didn't set another deadline  so presumably UK buyers will be able to use their Visa cards for the foreseeable future.
Meta recently said that it would implement end-to-end encryption in Facebook Messenger and Instagram by 2023, despite strong opposition from governments in the UK and elsewhere. However, the UK Home Office is reportedly planning an ad campaign to mobilize public opinion against end-to-end encryption using what critics called "scaremongering" tactics, according to a report from Rolling Stone.

The UK government plans to team up with charities and law enforcement agencies on a public relations blitz created by M&C Saatchi advertising agency, the report states. The aim of the campaign is to relay a message that end-to-end encryption could hamper efforts to curb child exploitation online.

"We have engaged M&C Saatchi to bring together the many organizations who share our concerns about the impact end-to-end encryption would have on our ability to keep children safe," a Home Office spokesperson told Rolling Stone in a statement. The government has allocated 534,000 ($730,500) for the blitz, according to a letter sent from the Home Office in response to a freedom of information request.

The campaign may include elements designed to make the public "uneasy," according to a slideshow designed to help it recruit non-profit coalition partners. That includes a proposed stunt with adult and child actors placed in a glass box as it fades to black. It also involves a "social media activation where we ask parents to write to Mark [Zuckerberg] via their Facebook status."

One slide noted that "most of the public have never heard" of end-to-end encryption, meaning they can "be easily swayed" on the subject. It also states that the government "must not start a privacy vs safety debate."

Privacy advocates called the plans "scaremongering" and said that a lack of end-to-end encryption could have the opposite intended effect. "Without strong encryption, children are more vulnerable online than ever. Encryption protects personal safety and national security what the government is proposing puts everyone at risk," Internet Society's Robin Wilton told Rolling Stone.
The airline industry claims a catastrophic event could unfold on Wednesday when AT&T and Verizon activate their new C-Band 5G networks. In a letter obtained by Reuters , the CEOs of several prominent passenger and cargo airlines, including Delta, United and Southwest, warn interference from 5G cell towers could affect the sensitive safety equipment on their planes.

"Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded," they state in the letter, which was sent to the heads of the White House Economic Council, Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Commission, as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies."

The airlines have asked that AT&T and Verizon not offer 5G service within 2 miles of some of the countrys busiest and most vital airports. Theyre also urging the federal government to ensure 5G is deployed except when towers are too close to airport runways until the FAA can determine how that can be safely accomplished without catastrophic disruption." The agency established 5G buffer zones at 50 airports on January 7th.
The European Unions role in an anti-jihadist defense and security mission in the Sahel region is jeopardized as relations with the military government in Mali continue to decline over delayed elections and the presence of Russian mercenaries, EU officials conceded on Thursday (13 January). We want to stay engaged in Mali, we want to stay engaged in the Sahel, but that should not be done at any cost,  EUs chief diplomat Josep Borrell warned following a meeting of EU defense ministers. For now, we are continuing our mission to train and advise the Malian army and security forces, he said but added that the EU will also impose sanctions in line with the measures taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The risk that the situation in this country deteriorates is evident, Borrell told reporters and added that there was no sign of progress from the [Malian] authorities.

This came after the French pressure (12 January) on the EU to agree sanctions against the West African country in response to its military-dominated leaderships decision to shelve a timetable for elections. Malis junta government led by Colonel Assimi Goita says it wants a five-year transition period before new elections. But French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that Mali risked being suffocated unless Malis military junta lived up to its responsibilities and stopped seeking to fool the countrys partners. The EU measures are in line with the unprecedented sanctions the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) slapped on Mali on Sunday (9 January) over delayed elections following two coups. France and the United States underlined their support for the ECOWAS sanctions that are designed to increase pressure on the West African countrys junta. Leaders from the 15-nation West African regional bloc agreed to shutter borders with the Sahel state, imposed a trade embargo and halted financial aid to Mali and freeze its assets at the Central Bank of West African States.

Malis junta has condemned the ECOWAS sanctions and urged Malians to stage nationwide demonstrations against them on Friday (14 January). But France, Malis former colonial power, which also holds the EUs rotating presidency, backed the sanctions, with French president Emmanuel Macron declaring his countrys complete solidarity with the region and with this very courageous and clear stance. Also the earlier decision of Malis junta government to deploy mercenaries from the Wagner Group, triggered a major diplomatic backlash from France, the EU and the US, and risks the collapse of a French-led counterterrorism mission in the Sahel region. In late December, 15 Western countries condemned the deployment of Wagner fighters to Mali and accused Moscow, in a statement, of providing them with material backing. In response, France is moving to draw down forces deployed in Mali and the region to fight a jihadist insurgency in favor of a multinational force called Takuba including troops from EU states.
Gazprom PJSCs daily gas exports to its main markets shrank in the first 15 days of the new year to the lowest since 2015 while criticism is growing that its withholding supplies to Europe.

The Russian gas giant exported 5.4 billion cubic meters to its key markets, which include most of Europe, Turkey and China, the company said Monday. That equates to average daily flows of 360 million cubic meters and is almost 18% lower than last months average, according to Bloomberg calculations based on Gazprom statements.

Russian gas shipments to Europe have been closely watched as a shortage of the fuel -- and soaring prices -- hurt economies across the continent. European Union antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said last week shes eagerly awaiting answers from Gazprom about the scant supply. A day earlier, the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, blamed Russia for the regions energy crunch.

Neither Russia nor our main exporter Gazprom have anything to do with this, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told state television on Saturday. Russia has delivered significantly more gas to clients such as Germany and Turkey that had exhausted their contracted volumes, he said.

The company on Monday said it was delivering gas in line with requests from consumers and its contractual obligations.

Gazprom doesnt give an export breakdown for each country, making it difficult to assess deliveries to the EU -- the single-largest buyer of Russian gas, but said that flows to Turkey and China rose compared with the same period a year ago.

The companys daily shipments across EU borders have dropped to an average of 250.5 million cubic meters in the first half of the month, a little more than half of the volume a year ago, according to data on the producers website.

Russias Yamal-Europe pipeline has been sending gas in reverse mode -- from Germany to Poland -- for more than three weeks. And flows through a key route via Ukraine toward Slovakia are at only about a third of the usual level.

At the end of December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Gazprom was complying with long-term gas-supply deals, and that the absence of shipments via Yamal-Europe reflected a lack of requests from European clients.

Even higher deliveries to China didnt reverse the decline in Gazproms total exports. Since Jan. 1, the Russian producer has reached a new level of supplies, as envisioned in a long-term agreement, Chief Executive Officer Alexey Miller said earlier this month, without providing details. Deliveries in the first half of January were 1.5-fold higher compared with the same period a year ago, according to Gazproms statement.

Gazproms production in the first half of the month averaged 1.54 billion cubic meters a day, the highest since 2014, according to Bloomberg calculations.

Thats 1.1% higher than December levels. In the final third of that month, Gazproms deliveries to the domestic market, as well as its withdrawals from underground storage facilities in Russia, reached a 10-year high amid abnormally low temperatures.

Olga Tanas & Dina Khrennikova

: bloomberg.com
San Ramon, CAJudson Brandeis, MD, prominent Bay Area urologist, surgeon, educator and author, is seeking volunteers for a clinical trial penile enlargement research study. Conducted at the Brandeis MD facilities in Northern California, the P-Long Study is listed at NIH ClinicalTrials.gov. Educated at Brown University and Vanderbilt Medical School, with his surgical and urological residency done at UCLA, Dr. Brandeis is an expert in Male Sexual Wellness.

"Basically, our study focuses on a minimally invasive technique to grow your manhood in both length and girth. We employ a combo of platelet rich plasma growth factors, stretching, traction and Nitric Oxide boosting supplements, plus we don't use anything like silicone or other fillers," says Dr. Brandeis.

It is designed to stimulate a safe and natural growth of the penis over potential improvement in function. Participants, ages 20 to 55 with other requirements, must be able to travel to the Bay Area once a month for six months. Those interested are asked to email research@brandeismd.com or call 925-255-7867. See https://brandeismd.com/p-long/ for more details.

Watch a video about the clinical trial at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dESNpXYqrps&t=96s

Brandeis, whose new book The 21st Century Man won a 2021 International Impact Book Award, has decades of experience as a urologist, surgeon, researcher, educator and men's health specialist, Dr. Brandeis is intimately familiar with the challenges men face as they age. Brandeis reaffirmed a primary aspect of the book by noting, "It is up to us to take charge of our health. In the same way that preventative maintenance can extend the life of your car thousands of extra miles, managing your physical, mental, and emotional health can prevent a great many of the conditions and injuries that lead to poor performance and illness." For more information go to https://thetwentyfirstcenturyman.com/

"This is a mighty volumeeverything men should know about physical, mental, and psychological healthall delivered with authority, excellent support by specialist colleagues, caring and compassion. The book is medically and scientifically accurate, accessible, engaging, and inspirational." Grady Harp, MD, Amazon Top 50 Hall of Fame Reviewer, 5-Stars

"An encyclopedic guide to feeling good, living well and looking better for any 21st Century man." John Kelly, Detroit Free Press, 5-Stars

About Dr. Judson Brandeis is an award-winning urologist and sexual medicine expert, clinical researcher, physician educator, and a caring clinician and surgeon. A graduate of Brown University and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, with Urologic Surgery residency at UCLA and a post-doc fellowship at Harvard, today he specializes in the emerging field of sexual health and medicine.

Over the course of his 25-year career as a board-certified urologist he has performed thousands of surgeries and pioneered surgical robotics. In February of 2019, he opened BrandeisMD, a national leader in technology and sexual medicine innovations for men. BrandeisMD engages in ongoing clinical research to improve wellbeing and provide tools for men to live their best lives.

Dr. Brandeis is dedicated to helping his patients and men everywhere feel great, look good, and have better physical intimacy. He brings this wealth of expertise and care to this, his first book. A native New Yorker, Dr. Judson Brandeis now resides in Northern California.

Learn more about The 21st Century Man and Dr. Judson Brandeis at brandeismd.com or https://thetwentyfirstcenturyman.com/ (ISBN: 9781737379607). Available at Amazon.

Media Contact: For a review copy of The 21st Century Man or to arrange an interview with Dr. Judson Brandeis, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Reach Lorenz on twitter @abookpublicist.
By Bahk Eun-ji



Seoul's education authorities have issued warnings to a number of private Christian and mission schools in the capital for including worship services and religious events during regular school hours, in violation of the principle of freedom of religion.



An audit by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) found that several Christian private schools in the capital provided religious classes last year.





Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education /Korea Times file
The Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex filled with high-energy chatter from behind the curtains that would soon open to highlight designs and fashion from local artists and business owners in front of about 50 to 60 spectators early Sunday evening.

Aside from showcasing local talent, the event also raised funds through voluntary donations for El Progreso Memorial Library in Uvalde and for DreamWeek, which is celebrating its 10th year with more than 200 events that end Jan. 30. This years theme is Our Future.

DreamWeek focuses on tolerance, diversity and equality. But more importantly, it (offers) an environment for civil and civic engagement, founder Shokare Sho Nakpodia said at the event. The importance of DreamWeek is really discovering the genius of humanity ... We need to give everyone the opportunity to share their voices. And voices may be in the shape of a fashion show.

Robin Jerstad /Contributor

DreamWeek events kicked off last week across Downtown San Antonio, and fashion lovers from across the region gathered this week at the Brick to see a parade of garments reflecting the events title, Fashion Lifestyles: Past, Present, Future.

Lorena Auguste, also known as Lady Lyria, is the owner of Lady Lyrias Fashion Consulting and was the main organizer hosting and directing the event. It initially was planned to hold about 100 attendees, but due to the spread of the omicron variant, the number of attendees was scaled back to 50-60 in order to observe social distancing needs, Auguste said.

On ExpressNews.com: DreamWeek marks 10 years of celebrating San Antonios humanity and diversity

The purpose of DreamWeek merged seamlessly with the purpose of the fashion shows she has been organizing for years. The idea, Auguste said, is to promote social tolerance by understanding each other better and coming to terms with the fact that our differences are what make America so interesting.

Robin Jerstad /Contributor

Through her designs, Auguste, 38, aims to channel her roots and those of her parents, which trace back to Spain, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti and Africa.

I decided to pick fabrics that were synonymous to those cultures, Auguste said. This is going to be a reflection of so many lifestyles. We are American, yes, but we are not all the same ... thats what makes America so interesting.

Six local designers, business owners, and about 25 models joined the call, including designers Maya Ford  the youngest in the group at 15 years of age  Jeremy William, Delores Unique Designs and Pat Moore of N-V-US Fashion Boutique.

From classic styles inspired by My Fair Lady to modern and even futuristic leather looks, their designs featured bold ideas, patterns, colors, all representative and inspired by their background and the cultural richness of their history.

The night full of music, flashing lights, photos and art would conclude with a network and mixer that evening. But even beyond the night, the public was encouraged to follow their favorite designer and even donate to the cause in person or online.

Why cant fashion have a purpose? Auguste asked. The truth is, it can have a purpose  thats why nonprofit organizations and philanthropy work so well with the arts and creativity.

danya.perez@express-news.net | @DanyaPH
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Editor's Note: This story originally published in 2019.

It can be downright fun to strip down your inhibitions for the camera. And with Valentines Day just around the bedpost, its as great a time as any to strike a pose for some sexy boudoir photos.

That goes for all shapes, sizes and sensibilities. Too shy? Lose that fear and prepare to be empowered. Think youre not pretty enough? Your partner already adores you and knows youre the hottest thing on earth.

Were not kidding, either. Remember that viral story about a San Antonio husband who, after his wife gave him boudoir photos of herself, wrote a letter to the photographer bemoaning that her stretch marks and other bodily indicators of their life together has been Photoshopped out? Plenty of other ladies and gentlemen seconded that emotion with supportive comments of their own.

So see yourself in a whole new light, preferably one that accentuates those curves and come-hither eyes. Here are some tips for taking your own sexy photos at home, and what to look for when seeking a professional boudoir photographer.

Oscar McAnally /Vanity Boudoir Photography

Tips for doing it yourself

Think about lighting. Every photographer extols the virtues of proper lighting. Mary Talamantez of Miss Mary Boudoir Studio is no different. For indoor photos, she recommends positioning yourself near a window, which will provide natural and flattering light for an intimate yet illuminated image.

The direction of your light source matters, too. Angela Michelle, founder of Raven Red Photography in San Antonio, noted backlighting will silhouette the shape of your body as well as your nose, neck and eyelashes when you turn your face to the side. Front lighting can diminish skin texture to help hide imperfections, she said. And side-lighting best highlights those curves or muscles.

Have a clean photo backdrop. Stick with plain white bedsheets and other distraction-free minimalism in your photo setting.

You dont want anything embarrassing appearing in the background or anything messy, Talamantez said.

Strike the right pose for your body. Michelle advises you give yourself a thorough look in the mirror to see how your body changes shape with different poses. For pose ideas, scroll through Pinterest for models that match your body type and look through the online galleries of professional boudoir photographers.

Expect poses to feel uncomfortable. Professional models make every languid pose look natural, but the truth is they often must arch their backs and elongate their limbs to point of discomfort. That will go for you, too, especially if youre a woman pointing your toes to make your legs look longer or a guy flexing those muscles.

(Youre) going to be in some uncomfortable positions, and it may feel awkward, said Michelle, who advises stretching before your photo shoot. But it will look amazing in the photos.

Give good face. Your facial expression is the most important part of any boudoir photo, according to Vanity Boudoir Photography owner Oscar McAnally. Yes, even more important than the body itself.

McAnally said to relax your mouth to show the natural curvature of your lips. (A closed mouth is unnatural, he said.) Stretch your chin toward the camera to accentuate your jawline, and keep your shoulders back to perk up your face.

Focus on other body parts. Sexy photos arent just head-to-toe affairs. Michelle said detail photos such as the curve of the neck or just feet in heels can look just as beautiful for women, while guys may want to spotlight their back and shoulder muscles and glutes.

Angela Michelle /Raven Red Photography

Dont limit yourself to lingerie. Not the naughty nightie type? Michelle encourages alternatives to lingerie. Rock a favorite band T-shirt and panties, she said, or try a leather jacket with no bra and high-waist underwear. A bodysuit or just a sweater also work wonders without showing too much skin.

Or just make a strategically positioned bedsheet or blanket your costume.

It doesnt have to just be (underwear), Michelle said. If thats not your thing then dont force it.

Use a tripod with a remote. Skip the awkward, extended-arm selfies. Michelle recommends an inexpensive cellphone tripod with a remote, which you can set up to shoot with the push of an inconspicuous button. Amazon has plenty such tripods, with some that include extra lenses for even more creative shots.

Involve your partner. If youre shooting these pics for your significant other, why not include them in the process?

Its a chance for your partner to not just tell you but to show you the beauty they see in you, said Michelle, who stresses to focus on that connection and enjoy exploring each other with the camera.

That connection can be sensual as well as silly. While shooting photos, say what you love about your partners body or just make each other laugh.

Angela Michelle /Raven Red Photography

Tips for hiring a professional

Seek a real professional. Baring so much body and soul to any photographer can be unnerving to say the least. Thats why you want a boudoir photographer who specializes in the field, not some wannabe giving Valentines season a try between weddings and quinceaneras.

All boudoir photographers interviewed for this story are part of the Association of International Boudoir Photographers, which has strict standards and ethics for its members. Such guidelines include having boudoir-specific websites that feature at least three models or clients in a gallery and images that reflect consistent lighting and creative storytelling with no overdone post-processing.

You can search the organizations member directory at aibphotog.com. You also can seek referrals from lingerie stores as well as the Sexology Institute in San Antonio.

Get references. Michelle said a trustworthy boudoir photographer will provide client and model references. Ask those subjects about their experiences and any tips.

Get to know your photographer beyond email. All the boudoir photographers in this article insist on at least a phone call with a prospective client to put that person at ease. Michelle recommends an in-person consultation before the photo shoot as well.

Express yourself verbally as well as physically. Communication is key in boudoir photography. Be prepared to discuss candidly what you want and dont want in your photos so you look and feel your best.

If you have something in mind, or theres a vision that you have in mind, you want to work with your photographer to be able to build that vision together, Talamantez said.

Expect to spend a lot of time on a shoot. In addition to the photo shoot itself, factor in extra time you may need for hair and makeup as well as wardrobe changes. McAnally dedicates a whole day to a client so shell look and feel relaxed for her photo shoot, and takes fully clothed beauty shots of his subjects first to help them get in the mood for those more revealing photos later.

Expect to spend a lot of money, too. Boudoir photography is considered luxury photography, McAnally said, and runs more than your typical photo sittings. Michelle said the average cost for boudoir photos in the San Antonio market starts at around $1,000 to cover the photo shoot with several prints or other finished art. Hair and makeup often will run another $200.

Book now. Planning in advance is so important, said Talamantez, who recommends booking a boudoir photographer as soon as possible for those Valentines Day pics to account for availability and turnaround time.

Oscar McAnally /Vanity Boudoir Photography

On ExpressNews.com: Meet San Antonios leading fashion Instagram star, Shear Bear

Trust your gut. Safety always is important, Talamantez said. Even after you vet a photographers clients and credentials, youre always within your rights to cancel a shoot if you dont feel comfortable. You should never feel pressured or coerced into doing anything you dont want to do.

If youre a woman being photographed by a man, McAnally said its perfectly fine to have a girlfriend present, though he noted his wife is his assistant and always attends shoots.

Prepare to feel awesome. Talamantez has seen abuse victims leave a photo shoot feeling invincible, while McAnally has had preachers practically bless him for making their wives feel so beautiful. Boudoir photos can be a life-changing experience, McAnally said.

The real gift, Michelle said, is how you are going to see yourself.

And if theres anyone who should love the way look in a sexy photo, its that gorgeous person in the mirror.

rguzman@express-news.net | @reneguz
A Harris County deputy sheriff has died after sustaining a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Monday.

Gonzalez reported early Monday that the 33-year-old deputy may have shot herself and was in critical condition at a local hospital.

The sheriff followed up with a tweet shortly after 9:30 a.m.: It is with heavy hearts that we confirm the death of our deputy. Please keep her, her family, and our agency in your thoughts and prayers.

He identified the deputy as Amanda Crowder. Houston police were investigating the shooting, he said.

Metro Video reported that police responded to Houston Fire Station 6 at 3402 Washington Ave. at around 12:30 a.m. Monday and found the deputy suffering from a gunshot wound. Police said the incident arose from a domestic dispute and that her boyfriend, a Houston firefighter, transported her to the fire station for medical assistance, the news outlet reported.

The deputy was transported to the hospital where she died.
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed at least 20 candidates across Texas, throwing his political weight behind more primary hopefuls here than in any other state so far.

His endorsements have mostly been limited to incumbent GOP politicians in reliably red districts and are split about evenly between federal and state seats. Political experts say his involvement likely wont make a noticeable difference in the states primary elections because Trump tends to back candidates who would likely be successful anyway.

Still, the former presidents endorsements in Texas are the most hes made in any state, with Michigan next at 14, according to a tally kept by Ballotpedia, a nonpartisan politics tracker.

Trumps intense focus on Texas is likely linked to its political weight, experts say. Though 2022 is a midterm election year, Republicans success here will foreshadow the political tides ahead of the next presidential contest in 2024, when Trump might run again.

If the Republican Party doesnt have Texas, they are in deep, deep trouble for the presidency, because its the largest treasure trove of electoral votes, said Paul Brace, a political science professor at Rice University. Texas is the keystone to any Republicans path to the presidency. And so (Trumps) attention to Texas reflects that. Texas looms large in all Republican calculations for securing the presidency.

IN-DEPTH: In 2021, Texas politics took a sharp right turn

Plus, Texas Republicans are overwhelmingly aligned with Trump and have been willing to push his policies at all levels of government. Attorney General Ken Paxton, for example, led an unsuccessful lawsuit in 2020 to overturn presidential election results in several blue states.

And in the Legislature, state lawmakers have worked to pass Trump-backed bills that would mandate election audits in the future. Though the the measures did not pass last year, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the secretary of states office to conduct an audit of 2020 election results in Texas four largest counties.

Nod for Paxton

At the federal level, Trump has endorsed nine sitting members of Congress, many of them in North Texas. At the statewide level, hes backed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, one of his most ardent supporters, and Abbott, who faces primary challenges from the right but is widely favored to win his primary.

Trump, at least at the top of the ticket, is not really going very far out on a limb, with maybe one exception, Brace said. Down ballot, Trump is supporting Republican incumbents in Texas. News flash: Dog bites man. That is not really an audacious position for him to take.

That exception, potentially, is Paxton, a loyal but scandal-ridden follower of the former president. Paxton, who is under indictment on felony fraud charges and faces an FBI investigation into accusations that he accepted bribes and abused his power, faces three high-profile primary challengers: Land Commissioner George P. Bush, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert of Tyler and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman.

TRUMPS TEXAS PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS The former president has endorsed 20 Texas Republicans ahead of the 2022 primary elections. They are: Gov. Greg Abbott Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Attorney General Ken Paxton Land Commissioner candidate Dawn Buckingham Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess U.S. Rep. John Carter U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul U.S. Rep. August Pfluger U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne U.S. Rep. Roger Williams State Sen. Angela Paxton State Senate candidate Pete Flores State Senate candidate Mayes Middleton State Senate candidate Kevin Sparks State Rep. Ryan Guillen Tim O'Hare, candidate for Tarrant County Commissioners Court Judge See More Collapse

For two months, Trump teased an endorsement in the race but wouldnt commit. Bush groveled for his support, while Paxton said he was confident he would obtain it in the end.

Trump got behind Paxton in July, calling him a patriot. In that race, Trumps seal of approval likely will give Paxton the edge he needs against a conservative challenge within the Republican Party, Brace said.

Plus factor in GOP primary

For other candidates, Trumps support could provide extra content for fundraising, news releases or campaign ads, drawing in a few additional voters who already have a positive opinion of the former president.

Hes still popular among Republicans, said Richard Longoria, a political science professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. So theyre going to listen to what he says and take that for what it is.

Trump has endorsed Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who is seeking a third term and faces two primary challengers, including state Rep. James White, R-Hillister. And Trump has backed state Sen. Dawn Buckingham, a Lakeway Republican vying for the Republican nomination to succeed Bush as land commissioner.

Buckingham faces an eight-way primary and has used Trumps endorsement in campaign material, touting his support in November mailers and asking recipients to join President Trump and the many Texans already standing with me to defend Texas.

If you already like Trump, and then the candidate says, Well, Trump likes me, thats a reason for you to support their candidacy, Longoria said. So its basically another check on the list of plus factors for particular candidates.

In the statehouse, the former president has backed five candidates to date, including former state Sen. Pete Flores, who is making a comeback bid, and state Rep. Ryan Guillen, a South Texas Republican who converted from the Democratic Party just months ago.

Ninety-eight percent of Trump-backed candidates won their primary races in 2020. But for the most part, the candidates were incumbents or strong fundraisers who were already favored to win, Longoria added.

In some cases, Trumps approval could sway low-information voters  but those individuals dont tend to participate in primary elections, he said. In the end, the success rate only makes him look good.

The actual effect is probably negligible, Longoria said. If they were going to win with or without an endorsement, then it doesnt make much of a difference.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
It was a Boeing 747 that carried Aurelina Pena Prado from a life of poverty to a land of opportunity.

In January 1995, the 7-year-old sat close to her mother as the plane left their home in the Dominican Republic  they were on their way to a better life and a reunion with her father.

America offered opportunities her father, Lorenzo Pena, risked his life to attain.

When Prado was 1, her father made a makeshift raft, called a yola, and crossed the dangerous waters from the Dominican Republic, more than 70 miles away, to Puerto Rico. He became a naturalized American citizen, moved to Texas and worked as a welder in the oil and gas industry.

Hed applied for permanent residency for Prado and her mother, but he was unsuccessful because of the complex process.

Jerry Lara /Staff photographer

So when the 747 landed in Mexico City, Prado and her mother traveled on and off buses until they reached Monterrey on Jan. 31.

In Tamaulipas on Feb. 9, they met a man  a coyote or smuggler. Pena had paid the coyote to take them across the border into Texas. The fee per person was $5,500 from the Dominican Republic to Mexico and $2,000 from Mexico to the United States. That included a visa, trip and hotel stay in the Mexican capital.

They waited on a train to transport them to the border, but the locomotive never moved. But the smuggler had a backup plan  he drove them in a car to Matamoros. They left their suitcases and layered on clothes to keep warm. Then the group trekked by foot through the wilderness, evading Border Patrol agents until they reached the Rio Grande.

The men looked after Prado and her mother, who was battling cancer. They were the only females in the group as they soldiered on across the rocky terrain, thick with cactus, for two days and nights.

One of the men carried Prado most of the trip. When they crossed a shallow stretch of the Rio Grande, he ensured that she never touched the water.

Ive been very blessed on this journey, Prado said. It was very tough.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio window washer working to provide better days for family

She began honing survival skills once they crossed the Rio Grande that February. The group walked to a park, where men in a van picked them up and took them to a house in Harlingen. Prado said the coyotes allowed Prado and her mother to speak to her father so hed know they were OK. They were held until her father made another payment.

They own you until they are paid, Prado said. They tell you what to do. Youre literally in a hostage situation.

The smugglers made the switch that night at a gas station in Pasadena, southeast of Houston. Prado was outside the van when she saw a gold Lincoln Town Car. Standing by the car was her dad  it was the first time shed seen him in two years.

Her father said funding the endeavor was not an easy task. Her family encouraged her to be independent and self-sufficient.

About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. See More Collapse

Its your job to go to school and make something of yourself, Pena told his daughter.

Once she arrived in the U.S., Prado didnt squander the opportunities made possible by her parents sacrifices. In 2004, she became a naturalized United States citizen. Prado excelled in high school, worked two jobs through college and rose through the ranks in the aviation career field to become a senior supply chain manager for Boeing Global Services.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio community lifts spirits of former Santa Claus of Fredericksburg Road

A month after graduating at the top of her high school class, Prado studied at Spartan College of Avionics in Tulsa, Okla. She went to classes from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shed taken out her own loans; she couldnt fail tests, miss school or pay for additional classes.

Every minute counted, Prado said.

Monday through Thursday, she was a quality manager at a call center. Friday through Monday, she worked 36 hours overnight for Nordam Transparency, making aircraft cabin windows.

But her hectic schedule of school, two jobs and studying at breaks paid off. Prado graduated at the top of her class. She now has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a bachelors degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Boeing hired her as a flight mechanic in Seattle. The airplane was a 747, the same type of jet she first flew on as a child.

It was like a full turn, Prado said. Its manifested into my life now. Its definitely my favorite plane.

In 2010, Prado transferred to Boeing San Antonio, established in 1998.

Her promotions have included roles as an operations analyst, process engineer and operations manager. Currently, she supports supply chain execution for government programs across multiple states. Prado also serves as an airport advisory commissioner for the city of San Antonio.

Prado co-founded the Women in Aviation Alamo City Chapter to introduce girls to careers in aviation. The group has sponsored Girls in Aviation Day at Stinson Municipal Airport, with experts from different career fields and the aviation industry.

We have to make it socially acceptable for girls to be smart, Prado said, and for any female to have a strong role. Its our duty to show girls that they can have a family and a career.

Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark was impressed when she met Prado at a South Bexar County Against Annexation meeting six years ago. The pair have collaborated on projects, such as collecting prom dresses for teenage girls in Southside Independent School District.

She was so passionate and driven, Adame-Clark said. Shes a driving force for the next generation and a strong, upcoming community leader.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio war brides life woven with war, discrimination and love

Prado also is on the board of the Lemonade Circle, a nonprofit that exposes girls of color to different career fields. She said the organization will host 70 girls at the groups first STEM event in March.

Prado and her husband named their 3-year-old daughter Amelia Katherine for the famed pilot Amelia Earhart and Katherine Stinson, who trained Canadian pilots at a time when she wasnt allowed to be a pilot in the military. Prado plans to share a message with her daughter, just as she does with girls across San Antonio: The sky is no longer the limit, only your beginning.

vtdavis@express-news.net
A drive-thru COVID-19 testing site will open Tuesday morning at the Alamodome.

The City of San Antonio with support from the Texas Division of Emergency Management will open the federal drive-through testing site at 10 a.m. Tuesday, which is a change to information that was previously provided.

The test site will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week starting Wednesday until Feb. 4.

Appointments are required.

The site will be closed Jan. 22, 28, 29 and 30 due to previously scheduled events at the Alamodome.

The testing site will use shallow nasal PCR tests. Results will be returned within 48 hours, except for tests done on Sunday, which will be provided within 72 hours.

Metro Health encourages individuals to get vaccinated as soon as possible and get tested if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

The site will be located in Lot C at Cherry Street and Montana. .

To register for an appointment, visit:

https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/SanAntonio_TX_14602.html or call 1-800-635-8611.

claire.bryan@express-news.net
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, a member of the pathbreaking group of Black military aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen, died Sunday at his home in Bethesda, Md., at age 102.

McGee, who flew more than 400 combat missions in three wars, celebrated his birthday at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on Dec. 6.

I think hes probably the greatest torchbearer for the Tuskegee Airmen, said Rick Sinkfield, president of the Tuskegee Airmen chapter in San Antonio and the groups national public relations officer.

He brought along the idea that there was no quit among them and nobody was turning back. They were eager to show that these guys were capable, smart enough and willing to fight for their country, said Sinkfield, an Air Force veteran. He always made a big deal out of that.

On ExpressNews.com: Day before turning 102, Tuskegee airman gets red carpet at Randolph

In the segregated armed forces, the Tuskegee Airmen were forced to fight their fellow Americans, in civilian life and in the military, before they did battle in the air with the Nazis during World War II. Black servicemen were typically relegated to noncombat jobs  even in the war zone.

The all-African American 332nd Fighter Group became a striking exception. Composed of the 301st, 302nd, 99th and 100th fighter squadrons, the 332nd Fighter Group had as many as 14,000 airmen, about 1,000 of them pilots. It made history in the skies over war-torn Europe.

McGee was stationed in Italy with the 301st Fighter Squadron and flew his first mission Feb. 14, 1944. Six months later, on his way to logging 137 combat missions during the war, he downed a German Focke-Wulf 190 fighter over Czechoslovakia.

McGee went on to serve in Korea, flying P-51 Mustangs with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron after North Korea invaded the south in summer 1950. McGee piloted 100 missions in a variety of the early combat jets used in Korea. By then, President Harry S. Truman had ordered the armed forces desegregated.

McGee served in his third war as a lieutenant colonel in Vietnam, flying the RF-4, a photo-reconnaissance jet.

Robin Jerstad /Robin Jerstad

All told, he flew 409 combat missions and logged 6,308 flying hours over 30 years.

He retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1973.

All that made for a remarkable career, but Sinkfield said the role McGee and other Tuskegee Airmen played in breaking the color barrier was his greatest contribution.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio native becomes first African American to lead the Air Force

He always mentioned that and the fact that this was almost the first time there was a breakthrough, recalled Sinkfield, 72. He just mentioned these guys were fighting for a county that didnt necessarily appreciate them as a group, and yet they felt like it was worth fighting for.

McGees visit to JBSA-Randolph last month was a triumphant celebration of a long life and his contributions to the Air Force and his country. He arrived a day short of his 102nd birthday, but the event turned into a party anyway.

He wasnt walking well and was in pain, but he also was in high spirits as well-wishers celebrated his role in U.S. military history.

In a wheelchair, McGee replied, Happy holidays!

Dressed in his Air Force blue uniform, he visited the 99th Flying Training Squadron at Randolph, which traces its roots to the 332nd Fighter Group. Aircraft in the group, which escorted bombers during World War II, were known as the Red Tails.

McGee was given a tour of the squadron and its planes and took a simulator flight in a T-1A Jayhawk, a twin-engine training jet.

What a pleasure to be here and to be able to see whats taking place, McGee told the crowd. I can just say, another blessing in my life, certainly, to be here to celebrate with you  and also to have a better understanding of whats taking place now, when we look back at some of the pictures around the room and say, Look at what 80 years have done for us.

McGee was born in Cleveland. His father, Lewis Allen McGee, was a teacher, social worker and Methodist minister  jobs that led to frequent moves.

The younger McGee was an achiever, earning his Eagle Scout badge in 1940. He was an engineering major at the University of Illinois when he enlisted in the Army in 1942. He returned to earn his bachelors degree in 1978, at age 58.

McGee joined the Tuskegee Airmen and earned his wings June 30, 1943. Before his career was over, he had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 25 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, a Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Hellenic Republic World War II Commemorative Medal, along with related campaign and service ribbons.

In 2007, McGee and other Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the nations highest civilian honor. In a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, then-President George W. Bush told the airmen: I would like to offer a gesture to help atone for all the unreturned salutes and unforgivable indignities. And so, on behalf of the office I hold, and a country that honors you, I salute you for your service to the United States of America.

In a White House ceremony in 2019, President Donald Trump recognized McGees honorary promotion to brigadier general.

Larry Romo, a former national commander of the American GI Forum of the United States, announced McGees death on Facebook: May our hero rest in peace! Heaven has a new angel!

Sinkfield thought back to the celebration on the tarmac at Randolph that followed McGees tour of the squadrons offices, which are festooned with paintings of scenes of Tuskegee Airmen and their top leaders, including McGees old boss, Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

Out on the flight line at Randolph next to a T-1A with his name painted on the side, McGee was mobbed by well-wishers who posed for photographs with him. Wearing a Vietnam veterans cap and a winter coat that braced him against gusts from a cold front, he drank a Coca-Cola and at one point pretended to pour it over his head.

It was a light moment that alluded to an important piece of history.

Years earlier, in 1943, Lt. Charles B. Buster Hall became the first Black pilot in the U.S. military to shoot down an enemy aircraft, a German FW-190 hed encountered while piloting a P-40 Warhawk during the Allied invasion of Sicily. In celebration, the squadron gave Hall the last chilled bottle of Coke on the base.

Hall also was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and a commendation from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme Allied commander.

During McGees visit to Randolph, they gave him the Coca Cola that Charles B. Hall would have received when he shot down the first German fighter, Sinkfield said.

He probably shouldnt have had that Coke, he added with a chuckle, but he drank it.

sigc@express-news.net
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SOUTHEAST OF DEL RIO  Two Texas National Guard soldiers faced the sunset at the end of another long shift last week near the Rio Grande, as bitterly cold gusts kicked dust off U.S. 277.

Troops pulling duty in the brush country on the border mission ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott say they spend up to 14 hours a day in a usually fruitless search for IAs  illegal aliens. They might see one or two while doing without one of the basics  a toilet.

Its not the only thing these GIs resent. They said they have no clue when the mission will end. . Some have gone without pay.

The issues of pay shortages and hardships connected to service with Operation Lone Star, the guards sprawling border operation that is a response to a surge of migrants in spring 2021, have persisted despite assurances by the National Guard and state officials downplaying issues and saying they have been resolved.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

The guard works along the wall, or barrier, a hurricane fence with razor wire built on stretches of private land that gives Texas Department of Public Safety troopers a basis to arrest and jail migrants for trespassing. Some district attorneys have reduced their cooperation with prosecutions that have overwhelmed local jails and justice systems.

The guard has said the pay problem has been fixed, but one soldier manning his post last week said he still gets hundreds of dollars less per paycheck than he should. Several said two unpaid GIs have gone on strike, refusing to work and staying in their border area housing. The pair have not been punished, one soldier said.

Operation Lone Star is being reorganized, said Col. Rita Holton, the Texas Military Departments director of communications.

The mission will last as long as necessary to respond to Abbotts disaster declaration on the border, and all soldiers are being paid, Holton said. About 1,250 out of 1,330 pay problems reported in the past four months  mainly caused by human error during data entry  have been corrected, she said.

One officer, who spoke on background, said hes been toldabout 20 percent of those deployed are volunteers.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

That would be a stark contrast to past border operations in which GIs asked to be here. Soldiers said some personnel were yanked out of civilian jobs or had to quit college, and others have been turned down for the college tuition assistance they were promised when they joined the guard. (Holton said tuition assistance depends on a funding stream, separate from guard operations, that only the Legislature can make sufficient.)

Theres leadership issues, morale issues, a specialist said.

The mission has stayed the same, he continued. The way were doing it has changed. Thats why morale is really low.

Everybodys working hard

When the San Antonio Express-News got a rare but brief opportunity in January to embed with the guard on the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, a GI commented favorably about the mission with a public affairs officer standing nearby.

Spc. Robert Carrier, 35, of Boerne, an eight-year veteran, said he likes the camaraderie of the mission, supporting other agencies on the border and the idea of Texans helping Texans. He knows people who havent been paid, he said, adding, but eventually they fixed it. Everybodys working hard to get everybody paid correctly.

By Wednesday, with the presence of journalists known to commanders in the Del Rio and Eagle Pass areas, most troops declined comment. One soldier took a reporters phone number but pointedly noted that his bosses were just down the road.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

On ExpressNews.com: Abbotts border wall is a chain-link fence, built by soldiers in a community tired of political games

Benefits, costs

Operation Lone Star has

included deploying over 10,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers, erecting temporary barriers and a wall to deter crossings, and awarding more than $52 million to border communities for law enforcement and prosecution activities, said Nan Tolson, a spokeswoman for Abbott.

The operations encounters with more than 186,000 migrants have produced 10,000 arrests for border-related crimes and more than 208 million doses of fentanyl seized, she said.

On ExpressNews.com: Austin judge tosses migrants trespassing charge, a blow to Gov. Abbotts border enforcement plan

A few troops are posted along Vega Verde Road in Del Rio, standing a lonely watch along the river.

Abbotts tall fence runs for 3 miles on one side of the road, past run-down, abandoned homes and RVs, roaming dogs and some nicer residences. Where the barrier ends, rolled fencing and aluminum poles await installation.

The idea is to block a repeat of last Septembers mass movement of some 12,000 asylum-seekers into Del Rio.

That influx made national headlines, and though corralled by federal agents within weeks  with asylum claimants dispersed or forced back to Mexico to await the process  it became Abbotts basis for expanding the Texas Guards border operations.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Some soldiers say they believe Abbott is responsible for the accusations coming from his political rivals, both Republican and Democrat, that the missions goals and timing were designed to further the governors re-election bid this year.

One officer said Abbott apparently didnt ask the guards commander, Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, to develop a plan to help support the DPS and Border Patrol before launching the operation.

I think its 100 percent political from top to bottom, the officer said.

Giving the governor a political talking point is really all its good for, he said.

Tolson said Abbott had no choice but to step up and address this crisis in the wake of President Bidens inaction. .

Understandably angry

Not all the soldiers interviewed were sure the guard has fixed the pay problems. One said his most recent paycheck shorted what he was owed. Another said he was paid late, the money finally arriving the week before he spoke.

One GI said he knows a soldier who has massive pay issues and had to borrow money from his mother to meet his bills. Another got a loan from a friend. A third soldier said hes dipped into his savings and that when he asks his command what is happening with his paycheck, he is told, Theyre going to fix it.

A soldier standing next to him said, They always say that.

A sergeant said a fellow NCO is still waiting to be paid but that programs in the guard can help. The two soldiers who have refused to work have serious financial commitments, the sergeant said  one has a baby and must pay child support, and both have mortgages. They were angry, he said, adding, Understandably so.

On ExpressNews.com: Gov. Abbott signs $1.8B border security bill as Haitian migrant crisis escalates

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Sarcastic memes on Instagram have become an outlet for the real-world stress on the border force. As the largest of all 54 National Guard organizations, the Texas Guard recorded nine suicides in calendar year 2021, the most since 2018, with two of the GIs assigned to the Texas-Mexico border. The issue came up among a few soldiers interviewed last week.

In Eagle Pass, an officer discussing how he handles psychological issues with soldiers said GIs have a chain of command and fellow soldiers they work with. If a problem is uncovered, its often found by observant junior leaders at the unit level, the officer said.

We have a lot of focus on ensuring that the resources that are available are known about, from the chaplain to the behavioral health office to Army substance abuse programs to any type of issue that we think a soldier might acquire a resource, even financial, he said.

Asked how often morale issues arose among troops, the officer said that was hard to quantify.

I can say that theres not a greater incidence of morale issues in comparison with this current border duty than there was on my recent deployment to Africa or there was on the deployment to Iraq, the officer said.

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Featherston told Hearst Newspapers that 1st Sgt. John Kenny Crutcher committed suicide Nov. 12 after his temporary hardship waiver expired, requiring his return to duty as he cared for his wife after an emergency surgery and for her disabled brother.

I could not try to plan something more incompetent than this. Ive never seen an operation be so screwed up, he told the newspaper.

Featherston, a 20-year National Guard veteran, posted a video to his Twitter page that shows a dark, cramped trailer with 36 bunk beds packed together. Why do hundreds of #OperationLoneStar #Soldiers have #COVID19? he asked.

Some soldiers say there is no morale problem.

Others used single words to answer questions about their morale.

Irritated, one said.

Holton, the guard spokeswoman, said that our retention rates are the highest weve seen in more than a decade and that any attempt to predict the operations effect on retention was speculation.

The mission

A sergeant with a wife, kids and a life in his community was among some who wondered about the missions purpose.

Its supposed to be a crisis, and I just hope that our time is well spent out here and theres a legitimate reason we should be here, he said.

In the beginning, guardsmen saw some decent numbers of migrants crossing the border, the sergeant said. But lately, it has dwindled drastically, he said, adding, I dont know if we need this much manpower out here.

Iselin, the soldier from Burkburnett, saw it differently.

I feel like we have purpose down here. A lot of people, I think a majority of the United States, they read headlines about Gov. Abbott and activating us along the border, and I thought it was for political gain as well, when I first started, she said.

But being down here on these points and seeing the numbers, the influx of immigrants coming over every single day, having to call up all these crossings, it is a legitimate problem, Iselin said.

An NCO said he was disgusted that the guards work wasnt leading to more deportations and called the mission a misappropriation of funds.

Its catch and release, he said. If you go to the Stripes (gas station) in the middle of (Del Rio), youll see between two and 50 migrants a day. Were not doing anything out here.

Migrants gather at the convenience store after being processed by federal agencies, waiting for a bus to take them elsewhere.

Another soldier working near a long hurricane fence at an Eagle Pass pecan orchard said guardsmen there were buoyed by visits from locals, as well as the Border Patrol and DPS, who brought food during the holidays.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

He demurred when asked if he was familiar with the larger controversy surrounding the border mission, saying, For that, Im not following it or would have to refer you to the Texas Military Department.

sigc@express-news.net




The wife of main opposition presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol has suggested that #MeToo scandals occur because victims are not paid, according to a recording of a phone call aired Sunday.







Kim Keon-hee is heard making the remark to a reporter for liberal YouTube channel Voice of Seoul in one of 52 phone conversations they had between July and December last year.







The calls were recorded and parts of them broadcast by MBC TV after a court allowed them to air, albeit with parts omitted, despite an injunction request from Yoon's conservative People Power Party.







"Conservatives make sure they pay. They don't use people free of charge," Kim was heard saying. "That's why you don't see many #MeToo cases here. #MeToo happens when you don't pay your dues."







Kim appeared to be referring to a series of sex scandals involving prominent liberal politicians, including the disgraced former South Chungcheong Province Governor An Hee-jung.







"To be honest, I felt sorry for An Hee-jung," she said. "My husband and I are very much on An Hee-jung's side."







Kim also advised conservatives not to follow in the liberals' footsteps by not paying victims, saying one never knows when the incidents will come back to haunt them.







MBC said Kim sent in a written response to the broadcaster's requests for comment and apologized to the public for "inappropriate remarks" she made "in the process of criticizing certain liberal figures involved in sexual exploitation." (Yonhap)


21 Pro Video

San Antonio police continue to search for three males they say shot a man who was in the parking lot of Freetail Brewing Co. late Saturday night after demanding money from the victim.

The 36-year-old male had been taking photographs of his truck and murals on nearby building walls in the 2000 block of S. Presa St. when three unknown males approached him pointed guns, demanded money and his camera, according to a police report.
Two people are in custody after a man brought a gun into a service at a Catholic church on Sunday morning, according to the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Right before the end of the 8 a.m. mass at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1515 Saltillo, a young man, who was acting strangely, entered the foyer where an usher and an imaging company representative were standing, according to Father Juan Carlos Tejada.

The man made the sign of the cross and then gestured that he had a weapon, according to Tejada. The imaging representative, who was there because the company has partnered with the church to provide health screenings, entered the sanctuary and yelled to the priest and congregation that there was a man with a gun in the foyer.

Parishioners quickly exited the building. The suspect also fled at that time.

Before getting into a waiting van, which he had exited moments earlier, the unidentified man showed the weapon and pointed it briefly toward the church, according to the pastor.

A short time later, two people were arrested about two blocks from the church, according to the archdiocese.

The San Antonio Police Department did not respond to immediate comment on Sunday.

Security was present at St. Timothys 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. masses.

Gratitude and prayers are offered for the quick-thinking individuals and law enforcement that this situation was resolved in a peaceful manner with no harm, wrote the Archdiocese of San Antonio on its Facebook page. The security and safety of our parishioners and church personnel is paramount for the archdiocese.

claire.bryan@express-news.net
In the hours after a rabbi and three congregants were taken hostage at a synagogue in North Texas, Jewish leaders in Houston began planning a vigil.

They had wondered whether gathering virtually Saturday night was the right choice. At the time, they didnt know that the hostages at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville would be freed after a nearly 11-hour standoff. They only imagined that the attack could go through the night, said Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss, who was involved in the preparations. There were security measures to be considered, even for a Zoom meeting. Still, they wanted to offer comfort to their people.

The Congregation Beth Israel congregants being held captive were hundreds of miles away, but the reach of the assault was felt far and wide.

While what occurred Saturday in a small city near Fort Worth appears to have been an isolated incident, it was not a standalone occurrence, as Jewish Americans have been publicly targeted and terrorized with increased frequency in recent years.

They are us. Theres no distinction. Anywhere they are in danger, we are, Hausman-Weiss, the founding rabbi of the Congregation Shma Koleinu, said Sunday morning in an interview, describing the reverberations of attacks on Jewish communities.

On what is regularly observed as a day of rest and worship in Judaism, a man  since confirmed by authorities as a British national  took hostages during Saturday morning services at the synagogue. The hostages, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, made it out physically unharmed while the hostage-taker was killed after a rescue team breached the building.

Shortly after news emerged that the hostages were safe, hundreds of participants logged into the Houston Zoom meeting late Saturday night for what had turned into a gathering of prayer and thanks giving. Hausman-Weiss delivered a piece he hoped would uplift a community in pain.

We know that a broken heart can do horrific damage in the throes of seeking to be heard, Hausman-Weiss told those who had gathered. But we will not allow this to break us. We will not allow our resolve that strives to lift all human spirits to be deterred.

The hostage-taking is the latest in a series of antisemitic attacks and incidents around Texas and the United States. From October to December, there were at least 10 antisemitic incidents in the state, primarily in Central Texas, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which advocates for justice for Jewish people.

Last fall, officials investigated a fire that caused about $25,000 in damage to an Austin synagogue. That came after students vandalized an Austin high school with swastikas, homophobic language and anti-Black racist slurs. Around the same time, about a dozen people displayed a banner targeting Jewish people at a highway overpass in Austin. The banner included a link to a website for an antisemitic group that the Anti-Defamation League says includes neo-Nazis. Antisemitic flyers were also recently scattered in various cities and neighborhoods in Hays County, south of Austin.

Around the United States in 2021, Jews have been threatened and attacked and their houses of worship have been vandalized. In Los Angeles, a university is responding to a slew of antisemitic remarks made by students. In Tennessee, an assistant high school principal was removed from her job in August and reassigned after posting antisemitic messages online.

Even the halls of power have featured such hate in recent months  last October, the U.S. State Department found a swastika in one of its elevators.

Whats happening today is a whole other level, when human life is at risk, Renee Lafair, regional director for the Anti-Defamation League in Austin, said Saturday afternoon while the hostages were still held captive at Beth Israel. I think when you see a series of antisemitic incidents that grow in frequency and grow in scope and danger, for a lot of people in the Jewish community this brings fears of greater societal issues and harkens back to some of our history, so it makes people concerned and scared.

When antisemitism increases, its usually a sign of greater issues of hate and division going on in society.

Responses to the standoff in Colleyville on Saturday underscored how the sense of danger to other Jewish communities was not as isolated as the hostage-taking in Colleyville appeared to be.

Law enforcement in other Texas communities, including Fort Worth and Harris County, said they were increasing patrols around synagogues. Similar precautionary measures were taken in large cities like Los Angeles. Other Jewish leaders in Texas took to Facebook to alert congregants. Rabbi Mara Nathan of San Antonios Temple Beth-El wrote that while the hostage-taking in Colleyville appeared to be an isolated event perpetuated by a single actor, they would maintain a heightened sense of security.

Security conversations around places of worship have in recent years taken place in the shadow of deadly attacks, like the 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, in which an armed man shouting antisemitic slurs opened fired inside the synagogue and killed 11 congregants.

In a statement released Sunday afternoon, Cytron-Walker, the Colleyville rabbi, pointed to multiple security courses he and his congregation had received as the reason he and other hostages survived.

In the last hour of our hostage crisis, the gunman became increasingly belligerent and threatening, Cytron-Walker said. Without the instruction we received, we would not have been prepared to act and flee when the situation presented itself."

Local Dallas television station WFAA captured video showing people running out a door of the synagogue, followed by a man, who appears to be holding a gun, who opens the same door and then closes it.

News reports have indicated the hostage-taker demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is in federal prison in Texas after being convicted of attempting to kill U.S. soldiers, though an attorney for Siddiqui has since condemned any violence perpetrated in her name. FBI officials have said the hostage-taker was singularly focused on one issue and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community.

But the hostage-takers decision to choose a synagogue as the place to carry out his demands cannot be separated from antisemitism, Jewish leaders in Texas said on Sunday.

The expression wasnt antisemitic, but it was built on some concept of antisemitism, said Rabbi Joshua Fixler, an associate rabbi at Congregation Emanu El in Houston.

I do think that sometimes there can be a setting aside of antisemitism as not a serious of concern as other issues and other hatreds and that is one of the things that leads Jews to continue to be threatened by antisemitism, Fixler said.

On Sunday, President Joe Biden called the hostage situation in Colleyville an act of terror and denounced acts driven by antisemitism. Gov. Greg Abbott did not explicitly denounce antisemitism immediately following the attack, though he announced the escape of the hostages Saturday night in a post on Twitter, saying prayers were answered. On Sunday, Abbott also said on Twitter that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

On Sunday, Jewish leaders around Texas acknowledged that the fear renewed by the hostage situation could affect congregants willingness to return to in-person services. It would take time to understand the full impact on their congregations and communities and the work that would be needed to support them, they said.

This is a day of both gratitude and recognition of the layered feelings of fear, said Rabbi Kim Herzog Cohen of Temple Emanu-El Dallas. I think we have to continue to support each other and the incredible wisdom of our faith traditions to guide us in how to be able to give each other courage and speak the truth of our souls and our hearts to understand what are the systemic reasons [behind why] extremism and hatred can grow.

The reach of Saturdays hostage-taking has already stretched beyond Texas and even the United States.

"Once again, Jews have come under attack simply because they are Jews, Shimon Koffler Fogel, the CEO of the Canada-based Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said in a statement. While Texas feels like it is far from Canada, incidents like this have a serious impact on Jews around the world who will have emerged from the Sabbath this week with two thoughts. One of horror and concern for their fellow Jews; and one of relief that this week, it wasn't their synagogue that was targeted.

Mitchell Ferman contributed to this report.

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.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.


Croatia Airlines is in discussions with Boeing over the potential order of MAX family aircraft as part of its fleet renewal process. According to the AvioRadar portal, the two sides have been holding talks as the Croatian national carrier is due to select which aircraft type will form the core of its future fleet, following similar negotiations with Airbus and Embraer. Boeing is currently in talks with Croatia Airlines concerning the renewal of its single-aisle fleet. We strong believe that the 737 MAX family is the perfect choice for Croatia Airlines short and medium haul network. The 737 MAX offers unmatched performance for smaller markets with the possibility of increasing aircraft capacity within the same family of aircraft in order to meet increased demand, which we expect to occur on the Croatian market in the coming years, the US plane manufacturer said. Croatia Airlines is in discussions with Boeing over the potential order of MAX family aircraft as part of its fleet renewal process. According to the AvioRadar portal, the two sides have been holding talks as the Croatian national carrier is due to select which aircraft type will form the core of its future fleet, following similar negotiations with Airbus and Embraer. Boeing is currently in talks with Croatia Airlines concerning the renewal of its single-aisle fleet. We strong believe that the 737 MAX family is the perfect choice for Croatia Airlines short and medium haul network. The 737 MAX offers unmatched performance for smaller markets with the possibility of increasing aircraft capacity within the same family of aircraft in order to meet increased demand, which we expect to occur on the Croatian market in the coming years, the US plane manufacturer said.





Croatia Airlines plans to renew its fleet as part of its post-Covid strategy which could include the replacement of both its Airbus and Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Both Airbus, with its A220 jet, and Embraer, with its E2 family, have pitched their products to the Croatian carrier. The airline is now expected to make a final decision on the jet type before having its post-Covid strategy approved by its owner - the Croatian government. Croatia Airlines last operated Boeing aircraft in the late 1990s before making the switch to Airbus. The airlines fleet once primarily consisted of Boeing 737-200s and ATR turboprops.





The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the Boeing 737. The series is available in four variants, offering between 138 to 204 seats in typical two-class configuration. The 737 MAX 7, MAX 8 and MAX 9 are intended to replace the 737-700, -800, and -900 respectively, while a further-stretched 737 MAX 10 is also available on the market. If the Croatian carrier were to select MAX jets, it would likely opt for the MAX 7, which can seat between 153 and 172 passengers, depending on configuration. For its part, the national carrier said, The post-Covid strategy confirms that Croatia Airlines is to increase the efficiency of its business operations and competitiveness, and that, in the coming period, the company is to manage key operational and structural challenges that include fleet renewal, and flight network optimisation throughout the year.




GREENVILLE, Pa.  As Pennsylvanias firearms deer season opens, hunters have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the hungry by donating deer via Hunters Sharing the Harvest this season.

Since 1991, Hunters Sharing the Harvest has channeled hunters donations of venison to the food-insecure via an integrated network of participating meat processors, area coordinators and regional food banks. These donations have provided more than 10 million servings of lean, high-protein venison to food-insecure Pennsylvanians.

To donate a deer, the hunter legally harvests, tags and field dresses the deer before taking it to a participating processor. He or she then completes a simple donor receipt. The donor can keep the antlers and cape if desired. The venison is processed into ground burger and made available to regional food banks for pickup. There is no cost to the hunter to donate a deer.

Support

Hunters Sharing the Harvests nationally emulated operating model works because it ensures that participating processors are paid for their services. Most processors could not afford to donate their services due to the high costs of materials and manpower.

The funding for this reimbursement program comes from the support of individual and corporate donors and sponsors, public and private foundation support and budgetary allocations from key partner agencies like the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission provides significant funding support to the program as well and works as a resource partner in communicating and advocating the sharing of harvested deer.

With the availability of additional deer tags and the Deer Management Area Program, Pennsylvania hunters have a resource to share extra deer that their family cant consume in a year. This helps encourage more hunters to go afield more often and fill these extra tags where they might not have otherwise.

Those who ultimately benefit from the program are the food insecure. The average deer yields approximately 35-40 pounds of usable ground meat, which can provide more than 200 servings of lean, highly nutritious venison. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need across the state and demand remains extremely high for donated food, especially fresh red meat.

Seeking participation

The program is actively seeking participating butchers in many counties. The programs growing popularity and expanded hunter participation, coupled with a contraction of this highly skilled industry due to generational, cost and workforce factors, has created a need for more qualified processors.

These operations should be licensed or inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture or the United State Department of Agriculture. Participating deer processors are reimbursed at an agreed-upon rate per deer.

Once approved as a participating processor, they receive complete instructions, donor receipts, reimbursement forms, Hunters Sharing the Harvest-branded meat bags and material to promote their involvement with the program.

County coordinators are also needed in many counties without one presently. This key volunteer team represents the program within their respective counties, informing the public and corporate sponsors of the various ways they can support the program, and acting as a liaison between participating deer processors, hunters and food banks.

For more information, including the current list of participating processors in each county, ways to get involved as a deer processor, area coordinator, donor or sponsor, visit sharedeer.org, call 866-474-2141 (toll-free) or email info@sharedeer.org.
COLUMBUS  In the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C., politics, few issues hold the attention of politicians for long, but recently U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden have been taking a close look at the beef industry, according to Ethan Lane, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemens Beef Association.

Lane spoke to producers, in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 8, during the Ohio Cattlemens Association annual meeting and awards banquet.

Whether we like it or not, Capital Hill is paying attention to the cattle industry, he said. Lets make sure we give them really clear instructions.

A lot of attention

On Jan. 3, President Biden met with meat industry leaders to discuss the administrations plans for a fairer and more resilient meat and poultry supply chain, Lane said. Earlier, Biden issued an executive order on promoting competition in the American economy that included directives on meat packing and meat labeling.

Meanwhile, Congress has been holding hearings on the same issues.

This level of attention, for this long, on an issue set is pretty unprecedented, Lane said.

The Biden administration is in the process of developing rules on enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, Lane explained. He expects new rules related to the poultry grower tournament system will be completed first, because theyve been the focus of more discussion within the administration.

Progress on other proposed changes is coming slower.

I think theyre still trying to figure out where they want to go with the standard for harm to competition, he said. While its important for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to have oversight of the meat industry through the Packers and Stockyards Act, rules should level the playing field without removing competition in the market, Lane said.

We want to be really careful to not create a dynamic where the government is guaranteeing equality of outcome, he said. We dont want the federal government in the business of saying everyones cattle have to be worth the same or someone can sue.

As the new rules are being developed, producers need to be prepared to provide their input, Lane added. Initially, the administration had plans to hold producer input sessions around the country to gather ideas from various segments of the beef industry.

Im sure hopeful they dont skip that step, he said. Weve got to make sure that weve got true producer input coming into that process.

COOL opportunities

Meat labeling continues to be an issue of debate in Washington, although the focus is evolving, Lane said. World Trade Organization rulings have made it clear that the U.S. cant put in place a mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program without incurring $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico.

Instead of a mandatory labeling program, the meat industry is moving toward voluntary marketing labels that offer producers premiums for things retail customers want.

That isnt necessarily a USA label, Lane said, What consumers are saying they want is Ohio raised beef. They want Shenandoah Valley beef. They want those more regional products, and they want specific production practices.

At the same time, the current USA label rules need to be revised, Lane added.

Its an unverified label, and its not a label that actually speaks to origin, he said. Instead, the label indicates where the beef is processed.

Climate sustainability

The sustainability of the beef industry is also a topic of discussion in Washington, Lane said.

We put our industry climate sustainability goals out last summer, he said. The cattle industry in the U.S. is going to be able to demonstrate that were climate neutral by 2040.

That is an aggressive goal, he said, but he thinks data will show the industry is already close to meeting it.

The U.S. already has the most efficient beef production system in the world, Lane said. Unlike some other countries, the U.S. is not cutting down rain forests to produce beef.

Were using land in the way it was intended to be used to produce a quality product, he said. We have that efficiency and that low environmental footprint because of that.
The Ohio Cattlemens Association recognized industry leaders at its annual meeting, Jan. 8.

Outstanding County Association

The Outstanding County Association Award went to the Fayette County Cattle Feeders Association.

The group, led by president Gus Bonham, focuses on raising funds to help young beef producers at the county fair. The group also offers technical help to young producers and advocates for the beef industry in the local community.

Environmental Stewardship

Diven Springs Farm, of Highland County, Ohio received the Environmental Stewardship Award. Rick Kisling and his sons, Kyle and Brett, raise and sell show heifers, breeding stock and steers. They have worked with the local soil and water conservation district to improve their pastures with dry pads and sacrifice lots. They have also installed subsurface drainage and built waterways to control water runoff and reduce erosion.

Young Cattleman

Zane Gross, of Ashland, was named Young Cattleman of the Year. Zane and his wife, Courtney, run Buckeye Creek Angus, raising breeding bulls and replacement heifers. They use rotational grazing to improve grass production and have fenced cattle out of creeks to avoid water quality problems. Zane Gross also works off the farm as operations manager at E. R. Boliantz meat processing.

Commercial Producer

The Commercial Producer of the Year is Seibert Livestock, based near St. Marys, Ohio. Brothers Benjamin and Dan Seibert and their dad, Richard, feed out Holstein steers using grain grown on the familys nearby crop ground.

Seedstock Producer

The Seedstock Producer of the Year is Jones Show Cattle, of Harrod, Ohio. Troy Jones and his dad, Randy, raise and sell Angus, Simmental and Maine-Anjou bulls, show heifers and bred heifers. Their animals have been sold to 24 different states in the past year.

Industry Service

The Industry Service Award went to Todd Pugh, of Louisville, Ohio. He runs a small hobby farm raising Angus and Hereford show cattle and has been a long-time chairman of the Ohio Cattlemens Association BEST youth program. He spearheaded the organization of the Buckeye Breeder Series program, which recognizes Ohio-bred calves and their breeders at BEST shows.

Industry Excellence

John Grimes of Maplecrest Farms, near Hillsboro, Ohio was honored with the Industry Excellence Award. He has been involved with the beef industry through his career with Ohio State University Extension, as well as his family farm. He retired as Ohio State University Extension beef coordinator in 2019. His family has a diversified beef farm that includes production and sale of breeding stock, sales of freezer beef and partnership in a meat store in Hillsboro.

Scholarships awarded

The Ohio Cattlemens Foundation awarded 24 scholarships.

Recipients of the Cattlemens Gala Scholarships are: Hannah Cochran, Franklin County; Megan Garrison, Belmont County; Kiley Holbrook, Fairfield County; Luke Jennings, Clermont County; Ellie Kidwell, Knox County; Meredith Oglesby, Highland County; Libby Strine, Marion County; Abigail Tooill, Fairfield County; Victoria Waits, Fayette County; Quinton Waits, Fayette County; and Katelynn Wallace, Miami County.

Tagged for Greatness scholarships were awarded to: Josh Dickson, Licking County; Makayla Feldner, Noble County; Sydney Kleman, Putnam County; and Autumn Scheiderer, Madison County. Recipients of the Cattlemens Country Club Scholarships are: Brandon Barr, Greene County; Owen Brinker, Wood County; Lana Grover, Highland County; and Maria Mcintosh, Champaign County.

The Noah Cox Memorial Scholarship went to Erin Pop, Gallia County.

Saltwell Expo Scholarships were presented to: Shala Graham, Licking County and Luke Mckee, Knox County.

Winners of the Cattlewomens Association Scholarships are: Caitlin Koschnick, Crawford County and Shelby Morehead, Portage County.

2022 Ohio Cattlemen's Association Award Recipients 1 of 7
An on-farm pilot is tackling the key challenges of breeding, rearing and marketing bull calves as the clock ticks on changes to Red Tractor standards in 2023 which aim to strengthen the dairy sector's pledge to rear every calf with care.

Over 1.4 million calves are born to dairy cows in Great Britain alone each year, according to industry body Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W).

However, improving the outcome for around 60,000 dairy bull calves with no market to take them is a difficult but surmountable hurdle  one which could open new opportunities for the sector.

Gwyn Jones, vice chairman of RH&W, says the solution is to ensure all calves have a value, which is the focus of more than 40 organisations involved in the GB Dairy Calf Strategy 2020-2023.

RH&W's pilot project in South Wales involving farmers, breeding companies, processors and rearing specialists aims to link solutions together into a viable, sustainable and profitable system.

Mr Jones explains that breeding is the starting part of the strategy, with some block calving herds containing cross cows too small to produce calves for the beef industry.

We believe we need to look towards cows which are a minimum 470kg yet still profitable for milk solids production, and early results on this look positive, he explains.

We also need to ensure calf genetics are suited to the rearing system and end market, and sexed semen is used strategically so calves can be reared efficiently and profitably.

Another aspect is viable supply chains for rearing calves. This might involve making use of extra resources like labour and buildings from other sectors such as sheep, or positioning calf rearing as a way of new entrants getting into farming without land.

As part of this we need high quality rearing and stockmanship, and theres scope to reduce mortality and morbidity across the industry in the first 12 weeks so these calves dont just survive but thrive.

TB is also a barrier, and more could be done to facilitate movement of calves off farms under TB restrictions, especially in South West England and Wales, adds Mr Jones.

TB-restricted calves must be able to move quickly through the system  so this brings us back to farms in high-risk areas using sexed semen for replacements, and avoiding use of native breeds which are unsuitable for the intensive indoor production systems used in Approved Finishing Units (AFUs).

The last piece of the jigsaw is understanding whether calves can be marketed as high-welfare, high-quality, low carbon beef.

According to Mr Jones, this will go hand in hand with improving genetics and will provide a long-term solution to the lack of UK-bred beef products on the market.

The hope is that once we have the results later this year, the model could provide a template or at least a starting point for other parts of the country, he explains.

The UK dairy industry prides itself on being a pioneer in dairy cattle welfare. It is a top priority for the sector, and its important to the public as well.

"We know this project on sustainable dairy bull calves will offer wide-reaching opportunities to improve reputation as well as profitability.
John Deere has provided more information on its recently announced fully autonomous tractor, with the firm expecting only a limited number of deliveries to US farmers this year.

John Deere's autonomous machine was first unveiled on 4 January at the Las Vegas techology event CES 2022.

Since then, the firm has provided more information on the machine, which combines Deeres 8R tractor, TruSet-enabled chisel plow, GPS guidance system, as well as new technologies.

The 8R410 looks very similar in appearance to a conventional tractor of the series but is equipped with new technology for controlling and monitoring the tractor and mounted excavator.

The autonomous tractor has six pairs of stereo cameras, which enables 360-degree obstacle detection and the calculation of distance.

Images captured by the cameras are passed through a deep neural network that classifies each pixel in approximately 100 milliseconds.

This determines if the machine continues to move or stops, depending on if an obstacle is detected.

The tractor is also continuously checking its position relative to a geofence, ensuring it is operating where it is supposed to, and is within less than an inch of accuracy.

To use the tractor, farmers only need to transport it to a field and configure it for autonomous operation.

Using John Deere Operations Center Mobile, they can swipe from left to right to start the machine.

While the machine is working the farmer can leave the field to focus on other tasks, while monitoring the tractor's status from their mobile device.

The Operations Center Mobile provides access to live video, images, data and metrics, and allows a farmer to adjust speed, depth and more.

In the event of any job quality anomalies or machine health issues, farmers will be notified remotely and can make adjustments to optimise the performance of the machine.

Currently, the technology for the 8R410 is available in combination with a special John Deere chisel plow.

In the coming years, John Deere said it would work on the availability of the technology for further machines and attachments.

Looking at when the tractor will launch, John Deere said a limited number of machines will be delivered to North American customers this year.

The launch of the tractor in Europe is currently not planned, the firm said, as safety regulations currently do not allow the use of autonomous vehicles.

Instead, the machine will be made available only to North American farmers, later on in the year, John Deere added.
The NFU has raised concerns around any moves to introduce mandatory welfare or production labelling on food products.

The UK government recently consulted on new food labels and their role in promoting high standards and animal welfare.

The new post-Brexit label scheme would give shoppers better information and more informed choices about the food they eat, Defra explained.

This would help them to better identify and support high welfare standards or more easily choose to buy products from British farmers.

The department launched a call for evidence seeking public opinion on the labelling system, which closed for responses in early December.

The NFU has long called for clear labelling to help the public understand where products have come from and make informed decisions on the food they buy.

However, as part of its response to the consultation, the union said that it did not believe welfare or method-of-production labelling was enough to meet consumers' expectations on standards.

NFU food chain adviser Imogen English said: Moves to introduce such a system may over-simplify a complex area, cause confusion for the public and carry an unreasonable burden to food and farming businesses."

She said there was already information on welfare and production standards provided by existing schemes that the public knew and trust, such as the Red Tractor.

"There is an opportunity now to focus on improving awareness and understanding of these existing labels and logos," she added.

"We should also be looking to strengthen our country-of-origin labelling requirements to include meat and milk as an ingredient and see the same level of origin labelling on products found online.

It is anticipated there will be a wider review of food labelling as part of the governments Food Strategy White Paper, where there may be a need for public consultation this year.
Strategy remains effective amid outbreaks

08:25, January 17, 2022 By WANG XIAOYU ( China Daily

Epidemic control workers, using a gong and a loudspeaker, urge people to take nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 at a residential community in Tianjin's Nankai district on Jan 15, 2021. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Health officials believe China's dynamic zero-COVID-19 strategy remains effective in controlling coronavirus outbreaks, as Omicron infections surfaced in major cities including Beijing and Shanghai over the weekend.

However, they added that research on various COVID-19 variants, including Omicron, will be intensified, and risk evaluations done quickly to deal with mounting challenges.

Beijing reported its first locally transmitted Omicron case on Saturday. The patient lives in the capital's northwestern Haidian district and had no travel history outside the city in the past 14 days, according to the municipal government. Investigations are continuing, including genome sequencing and checking the infected woman's movements in Beijing.

Authorities have locked down the woman's residential compound and workplace. By Saturday evening they had traced 15 close contacts of the patient. As she had visited a number of public places such as shopping malls and restaurants, mass nucleic acid testing is underway, health authorities said over the weekend.

Beijing authorities have also tightened controls on inbound travelers. From Saturday, they will be required to take a nucleic acid test within 72 hours of arriving in the capital.

In Shanghai, three asymptomatic COVID-19 infections were reported on Saturday. Officials said that they were all linked to Omicron infections detected on Thursday, and all three tested positive during quarantine. In Guangdong province, Zhuhai and Zhongshan have registered 12 locally transmitted Omicron infections since Thursday, according to health authorities.

The locally transmitted Omicron cases have emerged as China prepares for mass travel during the Spring Festival holiday and ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which are due to start on Feb 4.

He Qinghua, an official at the National Health Commission's Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, said Omicron has spread to over 150 countries and regions worldwide.

"The risk of the strain being transmitted into our country via people or objects is getting larger," he said at a news conference on Saturday.

In China, 14 provincial-level regions have reported imported Omicron infections, He said. He added that the new strain also caused outbreaks in Tianjin and Henan province, which has been brought under control.

Despite the complicated situation, He said the epidemic situation in China is largely stable and the country's zero-COVID-19 strategy of eliminating new local outbreaks as soon as possible remains effective.

To prevent imported cases, He said China is implementing rigorous management of incoming passengers and high-risk workers who come into contact with travelers or items from overseas. He added that random sample taking as well as sanitizing of international aircraft, luggage and cargo has been stepped up.

To avert domestic flare-ups, He said monitoring and early warning systems targeting key groups and venues are in place. Meanwhile, mass vaccinations and campaigns to guide the public on personal protection against COVID-19 will continue to be rolled out.

As of Friday, China had fully vaccinated over 1.22 billion people, or nearly 86.6 percent of the total population, the commission said.

He added that the commission will keep a close eye on global transmission of different COVID-19 variants, including Omicron, and intensify research on their transmissibility and pathogenicity, as well as their effects on vaccines.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
By Nam Hyun-woo





Kim Young-sik, new presidential senior secretary for civil affairs / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae
NFU Cymru is on the lookout for a new cohort of enthusiastic young farmers to be part of its Next Generation group to drive forward key policy issues.

Farmers aged 40 and under, from all sectors, are being invited to apply to join the group and to represent the future of the Welsh farming industry.

They will work with the union's policy advisers and officeholders on key policy issues such as future food and farming policy.

NFU Cymru said the union was 'committed' to working with the younger members of the industry.

Farmers will also get the opportunity to meet with key figures within government and the agri-food supply chain.

Due to the pandemic, the current group has been in place since 2018 so this will be the third intake, which usually has a two-year term.

Member of the current Next Generation Group, Sian Davies said: I wanted to get involved with the group as I felt that the younger generation need to be part of the conversation at all levels of the industry.

"This group not only enables this but can lead to integration into other policy groups and will help develop and filter informed younger generation farmers into the wider union work and wider industry posts.

NFU Cymru President John Davies said future farm policy was a key issue at the moment and would significantly impact the next generation within the industry.

"Being part of NFU Cymrus Next Generation Group is a great opportunity to get your voice heard," Mr Davies said.

"We at NFU Cymru are keen to get younger members involved in the union, so if you are interested, please complete an application.

The group meets around four times a year to discuss key issues affecting young farmers. Speakers attend the meetings and discussions are held.

The deadline for applications is 27 February 2022, and is open for Welsh farmers under the age of 40.
New government plans looking to 'safeguard' national parks have been criticised by rural campaigners as being a 'missed opportunity' to level up the countryside.

The proposals, which will be subject to a 12-week consultation, were set out in the governments response to Julian Glovers independent Landscapes Review.

This looked at whether the protections for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are still fit for purpose.

The government's response sets out changes to increase access to nature and ensure protected landscapes can "deliver more for climate, nature, people and places for the next 70 years and beyond".

As part of its proposals, a new national landscapes partnership will be created to bring together those responsible for managing Englands National Parks and AONBs.

The partnership will spearhead collaboration to help rural stakeholders tackle common objectives such as nature recovery and improved public access.

Others proposals set out look at improving public access to protected landscapes, as well as measures to help drive nature recovery and nature-based solutions to tackle climate change.

But the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) warned that the proposals were a 'missed opportunity' for the countryside, highlighting how young people were leaving these areas due to "a lack of opportunity, taking their talents with them".

CLA President Mark Tufnell said: "By viewing the countryside purely through an environmental lens, government is missing out on significant economic and social opportunity  which flies in the face of its supposed Levelling Up agenda.

"Put simply, the countryside is not a museum and Whitehall should stop treating it as such."

Instead, Mr Tufnell said the government should show 'some ambition' for the countryside, including supporting businesses in designated areas.

"Allow us to protect its inherent beauty, but help us to create jobs, share prosperity and strengthen communities at the same time, he added.

Announcing the proposals on Saturday (15 January), Defra Secretary George Eustice said, however, that the reforms would help the UK 'build back greener'.

Our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are amongst our nations greatest and most cherished natural wonders," he said.

"The comprehensive set of measures set out today represents a new chapter in the story of our protected landscapes and we have worked closely with stakeholders to carefully form our response.

These reforms will play a pivotal role in meeting our international commitment to protect 30% of land for biodiversity by 2030 as we build back greener.
An emergency temporary authorisation for the use of a neonicotinoid seed treatment on the 2022 sugar beet crop in England has been authorised.

The government gave the green light on Monday for the use of Syngentas Cruiser SB due to the risk virus yellows poses to this year's crop.

Emerging sugar beet seedlings are vulnerable to predation by aphids which have the potential to spread the virus.

Defra explained that the sugar beet crop had been 'severely affected', with 2020 yields down by a quarter on previous years.

The department added that other pesticide and organic treatments were not sufficiently effective in controlling virus yellows.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the UKs sugar comes from domestic production of sugar beet, Defra said, which could be at risk if a significant amount of the national crop was infected.

The government said Cruiser SB's exceptional temporary use would be 'tightly controlled' and only permitted in very specific circumstances when strict requirements were met.

The maximum amount of treatment approved for use is 6% of the quantity of active substance applied on a range of crops in 2016 before neonicotinoids were prohibited.

Conditions of the authorisation include reduced application rate as well as a prohibition on any flowering crop being planted in the same field where the product has been used within 32 months of a treated sugar beet crop.

There will be an initial threshold for use, meaning that seed treatment will only be used if the predicted level of virus is at or above 19% of the national crop according to independent modelling.

If the virus threshold is not met then the neonicotinoid treated seed will not be used  as was the case at the start of 2021 when this step was last taken.

A Defra spokesperson said: "This decision has not been taken lightly and is based on robust scientific assessment.

"We evaluate the risks very carefully and only grant temporary emergency authorisations for restricted pesticides in special circumstances when strict requirements are met.

"Last year the threshold was not met so the authorisation was never exercised. Strict criteria remain in place meaning this authorisation will only be used if necessary."

Twelve EU countries - with significant sugar production - have granted emergency authorisations in the last three years for neonicotinoid seed treatments following the EU-wide ban - backed by the UK  coming into force.

The UKs approach to the use of emergency authorisations has not changed as a result of Brexit, and is in line with the approach taken across Europe.
Three men have been handed a prison sentence after stealing a quad bike from a farm in County Durham.

The trio were spotted making off on the farmers quad bike by a resident who notified the police of the suspicious activity.

The resident then followed the vehicle, giving police officers updates as they blue-lighted to the scene.

Jackson Lee Bainbridge, 20, Connor Dodds and Liam Robson, both 21, sped through Westgate and Stanhope before being seen abandoning the quad bike and jumping over a wall.

The trio were arrested after trying to hide in some bushes and under a van during the 4am incident.

All three appeared at court earlier this month, where they pleaded guilty to burglary.

They were sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, with Bainbridge receiving an additional six weeks for breaching a previous suspended sentence. They were also ordered to pay court costs.

The quad bike has since been returned to the farmer.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Hindmarsh, of Durham Constabulary, said: Thanks to the speedy report from the member of the public and the use of the rural WhatsApp group, officers were able to make sure these prolific offenders were caught and taken off the streets.

These close links with our rural communities are vital and we will continue to work with residents to keep them safe.

NFU Mutual's latest Rural Crime Report, released in August 2021, showed that the cost of rural crime in the UK hit 43.3m in 2020.

Highly-organised criminals continued to plague farmyards, the report said, stealing high-value farming GPS, quad bikes and ATVs.

The cost of agricultural vehicle theft reported to NFU Mutual remained at over 9m.
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North Korea should stop provocations, accept help



North Korea has shown signs of resuming long-stalled trade with China, with its freight train crossing the border into the neighboring country, Sunday. The train left the North Korean border town of Sinuiju and arrived in China's Dandong at around 9 a.m. after crossing the Yalu River, according to multiple sources. The train reportedly carried no freight into China, but contained food, medical goods and other emergency supplies when it returned to North Korea, Monday.



It was the first time that a North Korean train crossed the border into China since 2020, when the reclusive state locked down its borders due to COVID-19. This indicates a major shift in North Korea's quarantine policies which so far focused on restrictive measures to strictly prohibit contact with the outside world.



On the other hand, North Korea has continued its military provocations by firing projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, into the East Sea, Monday, marking the fourth missile test this year. Earlier, the North fired what it claimed to be hypersonic missiles on Jan. 5 and 11, followed by another testing of a ballistic missile on Jan. 14. This has prompted the United States to take retaliatory measures. Given the signs of growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, it is encouraging to see North Korea begin opening its border with China.



President Moon Jae-in is facing a growing setback in his bid to put forward an end-of-war declaration despite his relentless efforts in line with the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. Though the consultations between South Korea and the U.S. have purportedly entered the final stage, the prospects have remained dim ever since North Korea announced it would not take part in the Beijing Winter Olympics.



The United Nations conveyed its will to provide 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the North last October, via the North's U.N. envoy Kim Sung. Experts share the notion that Pyongyang has begun to seriously consider accepting the vaccines due to lingering quarantine anxiety despite the need to open trade with China. North Korea has been suffering from an extreme economic crunch and has remained the only country that has yet to begin vaccinations. The U.S. Joe Biden administration is also taking flak as it has made little effort to improve ties with the North in its first year, despite saying it was open to dialogue.



Now the international community should take more proactive steps by offering further humanitarian assistance to the North. Offering COVID-19 vaccines will help ease the security concerns resulting from the confrontation between the U.S. and the North. The Moon Jae-in administration should strengthen cooperation with the U.S. to create a mood for dialogue and expedite humanitarian assistance for the North. North Korea, for its part, should stop its military provocations and take more open policies and positively react to the international community's offers of humanitarian assistance.


Why not put these distinctively Korean sweets on your must-try list?

If youre a fan of K-Pop and K-Drama, heres something else to sink your teeth into. Korean food is one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, which makes it very popular globally. Korean desserts, on the other hand, are indulgent and must-try splurges. Here are five sweets to put on your list for your next trip to Seoul or Jeju, or to order from the Korean restaurant in your city.

Songpyeon



Half moon-shaped rice cakes, songpyeon are yummy bites made with a shell of rice flour dough and filled with red bean paste, honey, chestnut and sesame. Served during the celebration of chuseok (a Fall harvest festival), songpyeon come in different colours, and taste nutty, chewy and sweet. Because they are steamed in fresh pine needles, you also get a faint pine tree flavour.

Dasik

A traditional Korean dessert, a dasik is a delicate patterned cookie made with rice flour or soybean flour. In a range of natural flavours and colours, dasik are pressed into a mould that allow the cookies to have floral patterns or shapes and letters on them. The melt-in-the-mouth cookies are light and not very sweet, and are great teatime treats.



Chapssaltteok



Similar to the more famous Japanese mochi, chapssaltteok is a rice cake made with glutinous rice. Typically filled with red bean paste or fruit, this is a thick and chewy dessert to keep energy levels up, which is why it is usually given to students taking the university entrance exam.

Bungeoppang

Although the name translates to carp bread, bungeoppang is a vegetarian treat. A cross between a pancake and a waffle, the fish-shaped treat comes with fillings such as red bean paste, sweet potato, custard, and cheese. Crisp on the outside and soft inside, it is typically sold from street stalls in winter in Korea.

Hotteok

Hotteok are Korean sweet street pancakes filled with honey, cinnamon and nuts. Another winter favourite, these, too, are crisp outside and chewy, crunchy and syrupy inside.

Images: Shutterstock

Also see: A New International Dark Sky Destination To Put On Your List
The brainchild of Asha and Sukriti Jindal Khaitan, a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo, asa beauty offers luxury cosmetics that are clean and over 92 per cent natural. The brand turned one this month and plans to bring about a positive change in the Indian beauty industry thats still struggling with issues of packaging waste, unethical sourcing of ingredients, and low product quality. asa beauty offers premium products and its sustainable ethos runs through its DNA. Its aim is to build a community thats ready to lead the dialogue about safer beauty practices in India. With multi-purpose products and no-waste packaging, the brand also offers a Refillable Programme in order to minimise waste and carbon footprints. We speak to the co-founders on their plans for 2022.We launched in the midst of the pandemic and that itself changed our approach. As a brand, it was essential to adapt to the digital-only medium, taking our products online to make them available to the community. Mapping consumer behaviour, understanding ever-changing perceptions and catering to them became the centre of our strategy. When youre building a community, you have to listen to your people. Were trying to create a shift in consumer behaviour with sustainable luxury. Educating our consumers is a key learning for us. In terms of the market, the growth and learning lies in understanding dynamic and clean beauty as a whole. To match global standards, we are constantly on the wheel of product learning. Across the world, individuals believe that an Indian brand is unable to fully meet global standards of clean, luxury beauty  this is a perception we want to break.We want to take the brand to a global audience through various marketing strategies. We are looking to expand our portfolio as well; go out as a thought leader from India offering the solution of clean, luxury beauty.When we first introduced asa, our end goals were to build a place in the hearts and minds of our consumers. Now, we are a collective of like-minded individuals that is consciously working towards the common goal of sustainability and an expansive product range. We have achieved this and are now growing into more.Community building is a key objective  bringing brands and individuals together in the form of collaborations and exposure at events across the country. Also, building a global presence  finding sources to reach and awaken consumers and further amplify the Clean Awakening message.For us, the ultimate goal is to make clean beauty a norm for the industry. We strive to inspire people to commit to sustainability. Our philosophy is about making beauty more than just a gratifying experience. It is about following the ideals of sustainability in all our processes and paying close attention to our social impact. When we enable awakening through asas clean beauty, empower the global Indian woman, and give back to our planet, we will be successful.Compassion is the foremost positive thought. Compassion for our planet, the animals and even ourselves is important. We express compassion towards our planet by creating sustainable beauty solutions, towards animals by eliminating ingredients that are not cruelty-free, and towards ourselves by creating luxury products that add a look good-feel good factor.Currently, the beauty industry creates an unacceptable amount of waste, which is all non-biodegradable. We really hope to see this changing. At asa, we encourage everyone to pledge to move to a more purposeful life. We promote minimal waste with our green packaging made out of endlessly recyclable materials and our Refillable Programme.We really think multipurpose beauty products will be a massive trend for 2022. People are gravitating towards on-the-go products with multi-functional aspects. People in 2022 are looking to minimise the number of products they have to carry around.
From the Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu hails an extraordinary Grade 10 student Vinisha Umashankar, who is an artist, a public speaker, an innovator, and an environmentalist. Her adventures in the field of innovation and the environment began when she launched her solar ironing cart at the age of 12 in 2020.She has participated in numerous research projects and innovation competitions since then. She has also received numerous major accolades. She also made headlines when she spoke at the World Leaders Summit at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, alongside Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, an opportunity she earned through the Earthshot Prize, of which she was finalist.aAAaAAHer five-minute speech was to a crowd of over 3,000 people, among them a constellation of world leaders  Joe Biden, President of the United States; Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia. Also present were John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC); Michael Bloomberg, the Former Mayor of New York City; and Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft. Needless to say, she received a standing ovation from the leaders. Many named her as Indias Greta Thunberg, but she is our very own Vinisha Umashankar!It was amazing to meet so many people at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Their innovations, projects and solutions are making an appreciable impact on Earth by reducing pollution, offering clean energy, providing smart mobility, growing sustainable food crops, eliminating harmful chemicals, cultivating coral reefs, and so on. COP26 was critical because we have to plan actions for the next 10 years and execute them together for a better future. I am keen to take forward what I learned in 2021 to make 2022 better for all of us.I am planning to manufacture the solar ironing cart in 2022. Also, over these years, I have given over a 100 interviews, 40 innovation talks, and 40 motivation speeches to over 25,000 school and college students. I will continue to inspire young minds to create an environmentally-conscious society.I primarily focus on innovations that help our Earth, the environment, and the less privileged in society to make their lives comfortable and safe. I wish to continue the same in the years to come.I would like to learn a foreign language, either German or Spanish.Success is a journey, not a destination! The solar ironing cart has the potential to save trees, transform the lives ofaAA ironing vendors and halt climate change. I wish to manufacture it on a large scale. Ill be happy to see vendors in India using it with a big smile. Thats success to me!For years, we have been taking things for granted, as if every global issue is someone elses problem. Thats going to come to an end. Countries will get together, put their differences aside and work together to solve the issues to make the world a better place. It is a big positive thought for 2022.One change you want to see in your industry in 2022...Whats the point of planting trees and then cutting them to make charcoal?Over a period of time, it intensifies climate change and magnifies global warming. I want to eliminate the hazardous usage of charcoal. I want to see the active use of sustainable solutions.Renewable energy is the future. With advanced solar panels and lightweight batteries, the cost of manufacturing renewable energy-based products will come down. The industry will attract huge investment as many countries are showing an interest in reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. Thats my prediction and I hope it comes true!
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Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj, who was known for his expressive abhinaya, died at the age of 83 on Monday early morning. He popularized the dance form in the entire world and didnt limit it to India. Maharaj-Ji, as he was popularly known, was playing Antakshari with his family and disciples in his last times, informed his granddaughter Ragini Maharaj.

She said, He was with us when this happened. He had his dinner and we were playing antakshari because he loved old music. He was lying down and suddenly his breathing became uneven. We think it was cardiac arrest as he was also a heart patient.

This happened between 12.15 and 12.30 am. It must have been just a minute or so. We rushed to the hospital but unfortunately, we could not save him. He died before reaching the hospital, Ragini added.
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.
More efforts needed to nurture highly qualified workers



Global chip sales from Chinese companies will grow rapidly in the next few years, closing the gap with their South Korean rivals, according to a report from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) of the United States.



The report, released last week, said, "If China's semiconductor development continues its strong momentum, the Chinese semiconductor industry could generate $116 billion in annual revenue by 2024, capturing upwards of 17.4 percent of global market share." In contrast, Korea's global market share is forecast to remain at 20 percent through 2024, meaning that the gap in global market share between the two countries would narrow to 3 percentage points over the next three years.



China's rapid growth in semiconductor chip sales is attributed to government subsidies, procurement preferences and other preferential policies amid increasing U.S.-China tensions. In recent years, China has spent billions of dollars trying to catch up with the world's leading chipmakers. In fact, China has invested over $50 billion in two phases under the "Big Fund" project since 2014 to build a competitive chip ecosystem.



Of course, China's aggressive push for chips has often hit a snag. The Wall Street Journal reported recently that at least six new chip-building projects have failed in China over the past three years. However, there is no room for complacency on the part of our chipmakers, considering that China's semiconductor industry could be on the verge of overtaking them in 2024.



Developing the world's best technology is essential to keep the semiconductor industry competitive against foreign rivals. Companies should make bold investments and the government ought to support them actively. The most serious problem seems to be the shortage of highly qualified workers, given that the semiconductor industry needs some 10,000 new workers every three years while our major universities produce only one 10th of that number. The new administration to be launched in May should work on a blueprint to nurture professional personnel in the semiconductor industry.


Celebrating a new world with cutting-edge technologies that will shape our future in partnership with Dubai Internet City (DIC), the region's leading hub for tech companies and talent

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As we watch the world evolve and ponder our place in a new digital landscape, Step Conference will bring top experts to Dubai to explore and discuss a future with cutting-edge technologies, revolutionary artificial intelligence, and Web3.

We identified 5 things to look forward to at the conference this year:

This year's conference is unique because it is our 10th anniversary. Step will be celebrating the community of startups, investors, accelerators, corporates, and the government. During this decade, Step was a witness to a handful of billion-dollar startups, such as Careem, Souq, and Kitopi. The interest among the younger generation to be entrepreneurs in MENA is unprecedented, making this next decade extremely exciting. Web3 has been a hot topic throughout the second half of 2021 and is supposed to replace the internet as we know it. At this year's Step Conference in Dubai's Internet City, we will be looking into the transformative world of the Internet, the Metaverse and our new digital world. Topics that will be discussed this year will be eye opening and will assist all of us in understanding the new landscape and our place in it. In our discussions we will look into Web3 and Blockchain. They seem to be the same thing with different names. Blockchain is a database that is not managed by a single company. Instead, it's driven by multiple people making it a peer-to-peer database and thereby decentralized. Blockchain significantly affects how ownership and value are stored and transferred-everything from currencies and contracts to ownership of physical or digital items. So what does this mean for you? We will help answer these questions in February 2022 at our conference with internationally renowned speakers. We will also be looking into NFTs, a.k.a non-fungible token. This topic has been taking twitter and clubhouse by storm, but a lot of us do not understand how we can benefit and where to start. In brief, they are unique tokens linked to digital or physical benefits that provide proof of ownership. Non-fungible simply means that you can't trade the item with something else like you would with Bitcoin. Tokens are a form of smart contract stored on the blockchain that guarantee ownership. In summary, NFTs change the way we authenticate, value, own, and transfer digital (and sometimes physical) assets. We are all wondering where the world is going and discussions at Step 2022 is here to shed some light on these questions. As the Metaverse takes the news by storm we will also be exploring the core idea of AI systems. Yes, we are all well connected and use platforms that help make our daily life and business easier to manage and grow. It even helps us make the world a better place. We look at how AI can be integrated across sectors from daily corporate operations all the way to autonomous vehicles. The role of AI in setting stable grounds for any startup is important, and what's more important is knowing where to implement AI in your business and how to make the best use of the data generated. Discussing AI strategies to boost grown, scalability and success for startups will be a highlight of the conference. Last but not least, here's a taster of a few of our speakers:

- Paul Misener , Amazon

- Elie Habib, Anghami

- Michelle Arrazcaeta , Polaroid

- Robbie Douek , BLAST

- Madiha Naz , Team captain of the first all-female Middle East Esports team at Galaxy Racer

- Bei Wang , Straight Fire

Tickets for Step Conference 2022 in Dubai are on sale now and can be purchased from the Step website. For media registrations, please email pr@stepgroup.co.

About Step

Step is a new media company with a suite of virtual and in-person events, podcasts, and newsletters for the tech savvy cross-generational audience in MENA and emerging markets. Step is most known for hosting the largest tech and startup conference in Dubai and MENA.

Step has a decade of expertise and network building in MENA's tech and digital ecosystem.

Hosted more than 200 events and programs in the areas of tech, startups, and digital.

Step's landmark conference in Dubai attracts over 7,000 global attendees.

attracts over 7,000 global attendees. More than 2,000 startups from MENA and beyond have participated in a Step event or program in the last 10 years.

Many startups have launched at Step, made connections which led to follow-on meetings to pitch for investment, and graduated from the startup programs to become thought leaders in their space.

Over 10,000 facilitated connections through Step's investor meeting and mentorship programs.

About Dubai Internet City

Dubai Internet City (DIC), a member of TECOM Group, is a unique ICT hub and is the only specialised technology business community in the region, it is a place where innovators and entrepreneurs from all over the world work, connect and share their vision for a bold new tomorrow.

For more information, please contact us at pr@stepgroup.co or +971556479075.
DGAP-Ad-hoc: GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE: GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE and tado GmbH executed Letter of Intent and expect to sign Business Combination Agreement; PIPE marketing process to commence



17-Jan-2022 / 07:30 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.



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION OR FORWARDING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ARE APPLICABLE. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS PUBLICATION. Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation) GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE and tado GmbH executed Letter of Intent and expect to sign Business Combination Agreement; PIPE marketing process to commence Luxembourg, January 17, 2022 - GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE (the "Company"), a Luxembourg special purpose acquisition company, has entered into a non-binding letter of intent ("LoI") for a business combination agreement (the "BCA") with tado GmbH, Munich, Germany ("tado"). tado is a European market leader for smart indoor climate management solutions and energy-saving technologies. On the basis of the BCA, the combined group would become publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The transaction, as currently envisaged, will value tado with an enterprise value of approximately EUR 450 million. The Company and tado will now start marketing the PIPE investment (private investment in public equity). Subsequently, the parties plan to sign the BCA. In the context of the transaction, the existing shareholders of tado would transfer 100% of the outstanding equity and equity equivalents of tado to the Company in exchange for (i) new shares in the Company and (ii) a consideration in cash in an amount of up to EUR 25 million. The combined group will be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and will have a shareholder base comprised of (i) tado's existing shareholders, (ii) the Company's shareholders, and (iii) the PIPE investors. The targeted business combination will be subject to approval by the Company's shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other customary closing conditions. Contact:

Gisbert Ruhl

55, Avenue Pasteur

L-2311 Luxembourg

Luxembourg

info@gfj-esg.com Important Notice This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. This publication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") of GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, 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"). 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, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions. In the United Kingdom, this publication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of retained EU law in the United Kingdom as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) (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 to which this publication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. The Securities 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 Securities or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. Solely for the purpose of the product governance requirements contained within MiFID II, (ii) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 of 7 April 2016 supplementing MiFID II and (iii) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Requirements"), and disclaiming any and all liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Public Shares and Public Warrants have been subject to a product approval process. As a result, it has been determined 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. 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. We undertake no obligation, and do 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. We accept no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions. 17-Jan-2022 CET/CEST The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Credit Suisse Group (CS), said on Monday that its Chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio, resigned following an investigation commissioned by the Board. The company appointed Axel Lehmann as the new chairman. The Swiss lender also said, the Board will propose Horta-Osorio for election as Chairman at the annual general meeting, scheduled for April 29. Outgoing Chairman Horta-Osorio, commented: '.I am convinced that Credit Suisse is well positioned today and on the right track for the future. I regret that a number of my personal actions have led to difficulties for the bank and compromised my ability to represent the bank internally and externally. I therefore believe that my resignation is in the interest of the bank and its stakeholders at this crucial time.' Last year, Lehmann was elected as a member of the Board following an extraordinary general meeting and also became the Chair of the risk committee. He was formerly a member of the group executive board of UBS Group, initially as group chief operating officer and then as president personal & corporate banking and president of UBS Switzerland. 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.
Regulatory News:

TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) has signed an agreement to sell, jointly with Inpex, the company Angola Block 14 B.V. to the Angolan Company Somoil. The transaction is subject to the approval of the Angolan authorities.

Angola Block 14 B.V., owned by TotalEnergies Holdings International B.V. (50.01%) and Inpex Angola Block 14 Ltd (49.99%) holds a 20% interest in block 14 in Angola and a 10% interest in block 14K. The offshore blocks have been producing since 1999. Net production from Angola Block 14 B.V. was 9,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2021.

"By divesting this interest in mature fields, TotalEnergies is implementing its strategy to high-grade its oil portfolio, focusing on assets with low costs and low emissions" said Henri-Max Ndong-Nzue, Senior Vice President Africa of TotalEnergies Exploration Production. "TotalEnergies remains the number one energy player in Angola, through its leading operating position in deep-offshore, its interest in Angola LNG and in a first solar power plant project, Quilemba Solar, located in the southwest of the country."

TotalEnergies in Angola

TotalEnergies has been present in Angola since 1953, where it today employs around 1,600 people in the business segments of Exploration Production, Integrated Gas, Renewables Power, and Marketing Services. TotalEnergies' equity production in Angola averaged 212,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020 from operated blocks 17 and 32, from non-operated blocks 0, 14, 14K, and Angola LNG. TotalEnergies is the country's leading oil operator with close to 45% of Angola's operated oil production, 4 operated blocks in development phase, blocks 16, 17/06, 20/11 and 21/09, and 2 blocks in exploration phase, blocks 29 and 48. In the gas sector, TotalEnergies holds a stake in the 5.2 million ton per year Angola LNG liquefaction plant, currently supplied with associated gas from offshore oil fields, and in the New Gas Consortium, the first non-associated gas project to be developed in Angola. Finally, TotalEnergies is working closely with the Angolan authorities to develop renewable and solar projects in the country, in line with the Company's ambition.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

Twitter: @TotalEnergies LinkedIn: TotalEnergies Facebook: TotalEnergies Instagram: TotalEnergies

Cautionary Note

The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220117005148/en/

Contacts:

TotalEnergies

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com
Quarterly-released index ensures seafarers are paid on par with market standards

SINGAPORE, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seafaring as a career option has been significantly diluted by the ongoing pandemic. Global news coverage revolving around the crew change crisis and related issues resulted in many aspiring seafarers re-evaluate their decisions. As a first step to entice aspiring seafarers to reconsider their options, salaries are key. Candidates looking for employment would naturally expect to be paid on par with competition. However, the task of finding out can be challenging.

Companies spend substantially on employees' salaries and benefits combined. How an organisation compensates its most important asset has a huge impact on the overall team performance, as well as the industry at large. Marine Online's recruitment arm, Crewing Online, released a quarterly salary index to help employers stay on target to attract and retain the best talents.

Edmund Chik, Marine Online's Deputy Chief Operating Officer, remarked, "Compensations have an enormous impact on company performance. Hence, more focus should be invested in compensation strategies to remain on target to attract and retain the best talents. Our GSSI is a comprehensive data set that provides an understanding of prevailing pay rates and trends."

"To ensure authenticity and reliability, they are collated from both global seafarer agencies as well as seafarers' disclosure. Our quarterly-released GSSI will help shipowners, manning agencies and seafarers identify salary discrepancies to ensure all parties are updated on the salary trends. Above all, it helps rekindle seafarers' liking to their career option."

The company has recently assisted a Chinese shipowner assemble an Indonesian crew - taking care of all readying procedures including transportation. Crew customisation service is also available at Marine Online. As a one-stop platform, it is also able to assist clients in obtaining necessary certification, even from the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).

Marine Online is a long-term partner of the AMP, enabling shipowners to register their vessels and apply for crew endorsements through the platform. With everything carried out digitally, shipowners are exempted from the chore of physically heading to the Panama embassy in Singapore for administrative procedures. As a client-centric platform providing maritime professionals with value-add maritime solutions, Marine Online to date has transacted for clientele from Indonesia, China, Singapore, and Greece.

About Marine Online (Singapore) Pte Ltd



Marine Online is the world's first one-stop integrated platform specialising in maritime services for the global market. Launched in 2019, it has provided various maritime services through its revolutionary A.I and Big Data enabled platform to regional ship and cargo owners. With its suite of services, Marine Online shapes the future of maritime industry by using cutting edge technology to create business opportunities and connections. For more information, visit marineonline.com.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 17, 2022 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0)(OTCQX:CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce assay results received from three (3) holes completed at the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit ("Ashram Deposit") as part of the 2021 drill program. The field program, completed in July-August 2021 in support of the Ashram Project's Prefeasibility Study, included twelve (12) drill holes totalling 2,814 m focused on resource infill within the planned open-pit shell. Results for the first four (4) drill holes were announced December 22nd, 2021 (noted in Table 1 and Figure 1) with the results for an additional three (3) drill holes reported herein. Highlights include:

1.78% rare earth oxide ("REO") over 274.3 m (EC21-193), including, 2.09% over 110.4 m

1.83% REO over 300.1 m (EC21-184), including, 2.05% REO over 37.7 m , and 2.08% REO over 29.0 m

1.59% REO over 225.0 m (EC21-186), including, 2.07% over 35.0 m



The primary objective of the 2021 drill program at Ashram was to improve the confidence of the mineral resource (inferred -> indicated -> measured) in support of an updated mineral resource estimate to be completed as part of the ongoing Prefeasibility Study, which will also determine the initial mineral reserve estimate for the Ashram Project. Based on the drilling to date, the Company anticipates a large portion of Ashram's current inferred and indicated resources will be converted to indicated and measured resources.

All three (3) drill holes (EC21-184, 186, and 193) collared in and bottomed in mineralization starting at depths of 1.9 to 3.7 m (core length), consistent with previous drilling, remaining mineralized over their entire length.

The NdPr oxide distribution (i.e. % of Nd+Pr oxide of the total REO) continues to remain very strong compared to active global producers, and commonly ranges from 19 - 24+%, including a 22.2% NdPr oxide distribution in EC21-193's 274.3 m interval of 1.78% REO. The relatively high NdPr oxide distribution at Ashram is a result of the monazite dominate rare earth mineralogy and unique chemistry and equates to a relatively high-value end-product that Ashram could supply the market with over the long-term. Grade over width and corresponding NdPr oxide distributions are presented in Table 1, with drill hole highlights and locations presented in Figure 1.

Table 1: 2021 drill hole results for infill drill holes at the Ashram Deposit

Drill hole EC21-186 was completed as a vertical infill hole in the west-central area of the deposit. The hole collared in a zone rich in Nd-Pr, with an NdPr oxide distribution of 26% over 52.5 m at 1.16% REO, remaining mineralized over its entire length and ending in a higher-grade zone of 2.07% REO over 35.0 m at an NdPr oxide distribution of 20%.

Drill holes EC21-184 and 193, were part of a group of four (4) holes (EC21-183, 184, 187, and 193) which targeted the region beneath the shallow bay (<1.5 m water depth) on Centre Pond, in the north-central area of the deposit. These drill holes were completed at various orientations, resulting in the drill holes crossing the deposit at different oblique angles, and were primarily completed to help constrain the geological model. The drill holes continue to re-enforce the strong mineralization (and NdPr distribution) in this area of the deposit and is further highlighted by EC21-193 with 2.09% REO over 110.4 m at an NdPr oxide distribution of 21%.

As the Ashram Deposit is known to continue for more than 600 m in depth, and remains open, the 2021 drill holes were ended at pre-determined depths below the anticipated pit shell, and therefore, most holes completed as part of the infill drilling at Ashram ended in mineralization. Core sample assays for seven (7) out of twelve (12) drill holes from the 2021 drill program have now been reported with assays pending on the remaining five (5) drill holes.

The Company notes that it carried out its field programs while adhering to all federal, provincial, and regional restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company successfully navigated the process to obtain authorization to enter Nunavik, and no cases of COVID-19 were documented relating to its 2021 mineral exploration programs. Mineral exploration has been recognized as an essential service in Canada and the Province of Quebec.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC)

A quality assurance / quality control protocol following industry best practices was incorporated into the program and included systematic insertion of quartz blanks and certified reference materials into sample batches, as well as collection of quarter-core duplicates, at a rate of approximately 5%. Drill holes were sampled from top to bottom and shipped to Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, ON, for analysis.

Lab analysis included major oxides and multi-element, including the rare earth elements, by ICP-OES/MS following a lithium borate fusion (package 8-REE) and fluorine by Fusion Specific Ion Electrode-ISE (Code 4F-F). Standard drill core sample preparation was completed and comprised of crushing to 80% passing 10 mesh, followed by a 250 g riffle split and pulverizing to 95% passing 105  (package RX1).

Figure 1: 2021 drill assay highlights - Ashram Deposit



About the Ashram Deposit

The Ashram Deposit ranks as one of the largest REE (and fluorspar) deposits globally, consisting of a monazite dominated, single mineralized body outcropping at surface, and has a footprint approximately 600 m along strike, over 300 m across, and 600 m deep, remaining open in several directions. The deposit hosts a measured resource of 1.6 million tonnes (Mt) at 1.77% rare earth oxide (REO) and 3.8% F, an indicated resource of 27.7 Mt at 1.90% REO and 2.9% F, and an inferred resource of 219.8 Mt at 1.88% REO and 2.2% F, at a cut-off grade of 1.25% REO (Effective Date July 5th, 2012). Note, mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a Permit holder with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and 'Qualified Person' as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

About Commerce Resources Corp.

Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (>45% REO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (>70%) in line with active global producers. In addition to being one of the largest rare earth deposits globally, Ashram is also one of the largest fluorspar deposits globally and has the potential to be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at https://www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

" Chris Grove "

Chris Grove

President and Director

Tel: 604.484.2700

Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com

Web: https://www.commerceresources.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.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include that we expect to complete an updated mineral resource estimate and a prefeasibility study for the Ashram Project, that we anticipate that certain of Ashram's inferred and indicated resources will be converted to indicate and measured resources; that an open-pit shell is planned for the Ashram Project; and that the Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally. These forward-looking statements 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 information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include: that we may not be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Ashram Project; that even if we are able raise capital, costs for exploration activities may increase such that we may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the timing and content of any future work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful and even if such tests are successful, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the availability of labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities; the required permits to build and operate the envisaged open-pit shell may not be obtained in a timely or cost-effective manner, or at all; and despite the current expected viability of the Ashram Project, conditions changing such that even if metals or minerals are discovered on the Ashram Project, the project may not be commercially viable; The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683628/Commerce-Resources-Intersects-209-REO-over-1104-m-at-the-Ashram-Deposit-Quebec
VANCOUVER, BC and UTTENWEILER, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / January 17, 2022 / XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY)(OTCQB:XPHYF)(FSE:4XT) ("XPhyto" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Drahoslav Zdarek as the Company's Head of Sales, Europe. Mr. Zdarek will focus on building out distribution, sales and marketing of the Company's products, with high priority on the commercialization of Covid-ID Lab, the Company's German CE Mark approved rapid RT-PCR test registered within the European Union as a commercial in vitro diagnostic (CE-IVD) test.

Mr. Zdarek has over 25 years of European pharmaceutical sales and marketing success. His previous positions include over 13 years of marketing and sales for Teva Pharmaceutical focusing on the European market, Head of Business Development at CC Pharma GmbH and Head of Sales at Cell Pharma GmbH, a subsidiary of Stada Arzneimittel AG. Mr. Zdarek is a licensed pharmacist and a certified trainer for the Covid-ID Lab test.

"Mr. Zdarek is an important addition to the Company, joining at the right time. With his technical experience as well as sales skills he will help expand our European distribution and sales networks," said Prof. Dr. Thomas Beckert. "Today's announcement is further to the recent appointments of Mr. Roland Spleiss as the Director of Business Development and Dr. Heinrich Jehle as the Head of Diagnostic Research. Strengthening the leadership is essential as the Company focuses resources on new product commercialization and sales growth of Covid-ID Lab and its novel oral biosensors."

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. The RT-PCR sample process detects the SARS-CoV-2 virus on a test chip within 5 minutes, when SARS-CoV-2 is present, the result can be read visually immediately. The target customers are airports, cruise lines, pharmacies, medical clinics, and any industrial or education site that requires rapid, definitive results.

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/683669/XPhyto-Announces-Head-of-Sales-Europe
17 January 2022

Ashtead Group plc ("Ashtead")

Directorate Change

Ashtead Group plc ("Ashtead") today announces the appointment of Renata Ribeiro as a non-executive director with immediate effect. Renata has also been appointed as a member of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees.

Renata, who has dual Brazilian and US nationality, is currently Senior Vice President, Operations Strategy for Carnival Corporation & plc ("Carnival") where she has worked since 2008. During her time at Carnival Renata has held a number of senior executive roles and taken active leadership in Carnival's digital initiatives including its mobile app. Prior to Carnival Renata was the director of commercial innovation and international expansion for Natura & Co, Brazil's largest cosmetics company, having started her career working for ten years in strategic consulting in Brazil.

Paul Walker, Chair of Ashtead, commented:

"I am very pleased to welcome Renata to the Board of Ashtead. Renata brings a wealth of commercial and digital experience which will add strength to the Board."

Ashtead confirms that there are no further disclosures required under the Listing Rules in respect of Renata Ribeiro.

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group Will Shaw +44 (0) 20 7726 9700

Maitland James McFarlane +44 (0) 20 7379 5151
Stallergenes Greer, a global healthcare company specialising in allergen immunotherapy (AIT), today announced that the company has entered into a research collaboration on the discovery of biomarkers of AIT efficacy with Imperial College London, a global top ten university with a world-class reputation in science, engineering, business and medicine.

This long-term research collaboration, which combines the long-standing expertise of Stallergenes Greer in AIT with the prestigious research capabilities of Imperial College London, aims to push the boundaries of allergic patient care by identifying biomarkers of AIT efficacy and expanding the knowledge of the pathophysiology of allergic diseases and their treatment with AIT.

"We are thrilled about this collaboration with Imperial College London which will contribute to both deciphering the mode of action of AIT and identifying key markers that can be used in the routine practice of allergology for the benefit of patients and healthcare practitioners. Based on the understanding of specific phenotypes and the responses of patients with allergies, allergologists will be able to tailor treatment modalities with the right dosing at the right time for each individual. This underscores our commitment to advancing precision medicine for allergy sufferers", stated Amer Jaber, Executive VP Operations Europe and International and President of Stallergenes SAS.

"This research collaboration is a remarkable opportunity for a fruitful partnership between Imperial College London, a pioneer and world-leading university in the biomarker field, and Stallergenes Greer. It will build on the recent advances of biomarker research to further develop precision medicine in AIT for the benefit of patients with allergic diseases," said Dr Mohamed Shamji, Head of the Immunomodulation and Tolerance Group, Imperial College London

The results of this research collaboration will be shared in international congresses and peer review publications.

About Allergen Immunotherapy

Allergies are the most prevalent and fastest growing chronic diseases in the industrialised world, affecting over one billion people worldwide. Allergen immunotherapy uniquely alters the natural course of respiratory allergies. It is the only therapeutic class capable of modifying disease progression and potentially preventing the onset of the disease by inducing tolerance in the immune system.

About Stallergenes Greer

Headquartered in London (UK), Stallergenes Greer Ltd is a global healthcare company specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies through the development and commercialisation of allergen immunotherapy products and services. Stallergenes Greer Ltd is the parent company of Greer Laboratories, Inc. (whose registered office is in the United States) and Stallergenes SAS (whose registered office is in France).

For more information, visit: www.stallergenesgreer.com

About Imperial College London

Imperial College London is one of the world's leading universities. The College's 20,000 students and 8,000 staff are working to solve the biggest challenges in science, medicine, engineering, and business. Imperial is University of the Year 2022 in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. It is the world's fifth most international university, according to Times Higher Education, with academic ties to more than 150 countries. Reuters named the College as the UK's most innovative university because of its exceptional entrepreneurial culture and ties to industry.

Imperial staff, students and alumni are working round-the-clock to combat COVID-19. Imperial has nearly two thousand key workers, and is at the forefront of coronavirus epidemiology, virology, vaccine development and diagnostics. More than one thousand Imperial staff and students are volunteering to support the NHS.

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220117005222/en/

Contacts:

Stallergenes Greer

Catherine Kress

Head of communications

Tel: +33 (0)1 55 50 26 05

Email: catherine.kress@stallergenesgreer.com
By Deauwand Myers





Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, during the formal impeachment of then U.S. President Donald Trump, rehashed a famous quote of our founding fathers: "On the final day of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, when our Constitution was adopted, Americans gathered on the steps of Independence Hall...They (really it was the politically astute socialite Elizabeth Willing Powel of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) asked Benjamin Franklin, 'What do we have, a republic or a monarchy?' Franklin replied, 'A republic, if you can keep it.' Our responsibility is to keep it."



Franklin's "A republic, if you can keep it," burns in the minds of many pundits, historians, and academics ever since the attempted  albeit sloppily  coup of Jan. 6, 2021. I marinated on this during the early days of this cold, new year of 2022.



America touts itself as the oldest democracy in world history. This is technically true, but with huge caveats. Really, only wealthy, white men could vote until, briefly, the American Reconstruction, and then much later, women's suffrage, and finally, people of color after 1965 and the Voting Rights Act.



A multiracial, multicultural, areligious democracy is not an easy feat to pull off. We must be honest about a thing. Democracy is an aberration. For the vast scope of human history, monarchies (autocracies by any other name) have been the way in which humanity has been governed.



The Jan. 6 anniversary exposes American flaws in ways no other cataclysm could. White supremacy, if reduced to its bones, says anything not European is foul and unworthy and un-American. Thus, black and brown and Asian people's votes are inherently illegitimate. The election of President Biden is therefore unfair.



But using political violence against "the other" is not new to American history. The genocidal land theft of the Indigenous, slavery, Jim Crow, anti-Semitism, anti-Catholicism, homophobia, Islamophobia and on and on are all the forms of political violence.



In acts of financial envy, American, wealthy black towns in the early 1900s were burned by poor white folks, and its citizens were massacred with the imprimatur of the state, if not its direct involvement therein.



I'm not one to fetishize ex-President Trump as the second coming of evil, covering the world in a "second darkness." White nationalists, ethnostate-fascists, white supremacists and neo-Nazis have had a bit of a Mariah Carey comeback since President George H.W. Bush, and not just in America, but across swaths of Europe and even in liberal bastions like New Zealand, of all places (where, in Christchurch, in the spring of 2019, a young, white man (invariably) killed 51 Muslims in their mosques, while wounding 40, with the monstrous audacity of doing so while filming it on Facebook Live).



White supremacy is surely a pillar of a rise in far-right politics throughout Europe and elsewhere (Brazil, for example), but perhaps it's something more than that. I go back to Sylvia Plath: "Every woman adores a fascist." If I could rephrase: "Everyone adores a fascist." It may be that just as humanity is pre-programmed to believe in omnipotent, supernatural gods, it may be that humanity is hardwired to enjoy the boot in the face; the chain; the almighty Leader.



China is a cautionary tale in this regard. In China's modern era, the Chinese Communist Party ruled as a democracy of the few. Councils debated policies and voted on them. The presidents, after Mao Zedong, were technocrats, and did not attempt to control the granular behavior of Chinese citizens, like showing conspicuous consumption via the wealthy, or androgynous Chinese pop stars or writing freely on social media. In fact, China's governing elite considered liberalizing society.



Then came President Xi Jinping, who consolidated power masterfully in a matter of years, crushed all opposition and has forced behavior he deems inappropriate to be repressed. How, and why, did the governing elite allow Xi to become an emperor with no resistance, and moreover, changed the very constitution to be president for life?



How did Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan do about the same thing as Xi? In Russia, President Putin's power grab is more understandable, but no less startling in the speed and bloody accuracy in which he has maintained his power.



The shame of Jan. 6 is how pathetic American governmental institutions are at the highest levels. Ex-President Park Geun-hye was easily impeached and jailed for her crimes  this, when Korea has been a true democracy for less than 40 years. How has Korea been able to depose despotic presidents through democratic processes, while Trump, corrupt in so many ways I can't enumerate here, is not only free, but may run again for president in 2024?



President Biden, in his brilliant and fiery freedom speech, promises to fight for democracy. That's a tall order. Nice work, if you can get it.





Deauwand Myers (deauwand@hotmail.com) holds a master's degree in English literature and literary theory, and is an English professor outside of Seoul.


New support contract for French Mirage 2000s

Saint-Cloud, France, 17January 2022 - The French Ministry of the Armed Forces' Directorate of Aeronautical Maintenance (DMAe) recently awarded Dassault Aviation the new-generation contract to support the Mirage 2000 fleet of the French Air and Space Force (FASF).

Covering a period of 10 years, the BALZAC contract includes all maintenance activities for the French Mirage 2000s until their retirement. Engine maintenance and the services provided by the SIAe (Service Industriel de l'Aeronautique) are the subject of separate contracts.

"This contract is in line with the DMAe's strategy of verticalizing aeronautical maintenance, as called for by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, by assigning responsibilities for support to a single prime contractor", declared Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. "BALZAC follows on from the RAVEL maintenance contract for the Rafale, which was awarded in May 2019 for a period of 10 years, as well as the OCEAN maintenance contract for the Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft for 10 years too. Our expertise as an industrial architect and complex systems integrator enable us to take on contracts of this type. We are very honored by this new expression of trust by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces."

Dassault Aviation thus becomes responsible for maintenance of almost all the equipment on the B/C, -5 and D versions of the Mirage 2000 (including those which have undergone a mid-life update, previously covered by some 15 separate contracts, along the same lines as the Rafale and ATL2 verticalized maintenance contracts. The scope covers all electronic systems, in particular those produced by Thales. It also includes enhanced technical and logistics services, including a one-stop logistics center at Luxeuil and Nancy Air Bases, a Dassault Aviation presence in the AIA (Atelier industriel de l'aeronautique - aeronautical industrial workshop) in Clermont-Ferrand, out-sourcing of certain NTI2 workshops and end-of-life management of all equipment in order to optimize maintenance costs.

Concerning management of maintenance activities, all stakeholders will have access to a Mirage 2000 aircraft support management information system derived from the OPTIMAL IS being developed for the Rafale under the RAVEL contract. This digital continuity optimizes the consistency of reference documentation and the fluidity of exchanges, and enables the company to meet its aircraft availability commitments over the long term.

With BALZAC, Dassault Aviation is pursuing its long-term commitment and broadening its scope, with an availability guarantee, on a fixed-price basis, thus giving visibility to the French government and its industrial partners.

This contract will be implemented by an integrated team, which will bring together manufacturers and the Forces, building on the experience that has been developed over more than 40 years on the Mirage 2000 and which has helped to cement the strong bond of trust between Dassault Aviation and the FASF.

ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION:

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,500 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2020, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of 5.5 billion. The company has 12,440 employees.

dassault-aviation.com

PRESS CONTACTS:

Corporate Communications

Stephane Fort - Tel +33

Mathieu Durand - Tel +33

HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com

HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com

Attachment
MAS Gold Releases Greywacke North and North Lake 2021 Mineral Resource Updates, La Ronge, Saskatchewan

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - MAS Gold Corp. (TSXV: MAS) ("MAS Gold") and Comstock Metals Ltd. (TSXV: CSL) ("Comstock") are pleased to announce that, further to the news release dated December 14, 2021, they have signed a definitive agreement pursuant to which Comstock has agreed to sell 100% of its interest in its Preview SW Gold Project and property ("Preview SW Property") to MAS Gold in consideration of the issuance of 30,000,000 common shares in MAS Gold (the "Proposed Transaction").

Comstock's 843 hectare Preview SW Property is contiguous with MAS Gold's Preview-North Property in the La Ronge Gold Belt of northeastern Saskatchewan. The Preview SW Property and portions of MAS Gold's Preview-North property are located within the Mineral Exploration Zone of the Lac La Ronge Provincial Park. The Preview SW Property is an ideal addition to MAS Gold's current portfolio of Hub and Spoke properties, where the concept that the mineralized material from various satellite deposits (Spokes) could be co-mingled at a centrally located processing facility (Hub).

MAS Gold also announces the January 12, 2022 release of the Technical Report on the 2021 Mineral Resource Updates for North Lake and Greywacke North Gold Projects on SEDAR, principal author S. Godden, C.Eng., FIMMM.

Preview SW Property Acquisition

Upon the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Comstock will have the right to appoint one director to MAS Gold's board for a minimum of two years, and has agreed to appoint Steven Goldman, CEO of Comstock as its board representative on the MAS Gold board. Mr. Goldman was appointed as President and CEO of Comstock Metals in May, 2019 after serving as Interim President and CEO since May 15, 2018 and Director of Comstock since February 2016. He was a founder of the Toronto law firm of Goldman Hine LLP and remains counsel to the firm. Mr. Goldman is also a director of Select Sands Corp. (SNS.V). After graduating from Carleton University in 1976 (B.A., President's Medal), he earned a JD degree from Queen's University in 1980, and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1982. The Board of MAS Gold is privileged to welcome Mr. Goldman to its Board of Directors.

Comstock will also provide additional funding in the amount of $200,000, to be expended in Q1 2022 in conjunction with input from MAS Gold, advancing its Preview SW Property prior to closing of the Proposed Transaction. In connection with the signing of the definitive agreement it is anticipated that shareholders of Comstock holding an aggregate of at least 51% of the outstanding common shares in the capital of Comstock will enter into voting support agreements with Mas Gold and Comstock pursuant to which they will agree to vote their Comstock shares in favour of the Proposed Transaction. Closing is anticipated in the second half of March, 2022 after both companies hold their annual general meetings ("AGM"). MAS Gold anticipates holding its AGM on February 26, 2022. Comstock anticipates holding its AGM in early March, 2022.

Comstock engaged Red Cloud Klondike Strike Inc. as an advisor to this transaction and will pay advisory fees based on the Proposed Transaction's value equal to 5% of the first $2,000,000 and 3.5% thereafter (the "Advisory Fee"). The Company's CEO is also entitled to receive a 3% bonus based on the Proposed Transaction's value (the "Bonus"). It is anticipated that the Advisory Fee and Bonus will be paid using a portion of the MAS Gold shares received by Comstock.

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions including, but not limited to, TSX Venture Exchange acceptance and shareholder approval. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

In addition to the Comstock Agreement, a winter 2022 exploration program is planned for the near future that proposes 8000 meters of core drilling with focus on the Preview SW Project and MAS Gold's North Lake Gold Deposit and Point Gold Deposit targets. Further details of the proposed work program are forthcoming.

MAS Gold Technical Report on the Greywacke North and North Lake Mineral Resource Estimates

MAS Gold has released the Technical Report on the 2021 Mineral Resource Updates for North Lake and Greywacke North Gold Projects on SEDAR. The Technical Report was issued January 12, 2022, within 45 days of the December 6, 2021 news release about the Greywacke North Mineral Resource update. The Technical Report covers both the North Lake (issued December 9, 2021) and Greywacke North Mineral Resource updates. The principal author and qualified person ("QP") is Stephen Godden, C.Eng. FIMMM, an Independent Mining Consultant; both David Thomas, P. Geo., and David Tupper, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration of MAS Gold, are co-authors (each being a QP). All three QPs are responsible for the preparation of this news release; they have read and approved its technical aspects.

Please see MAS Gold news releases of December 6, 2021 and December 9, 2021 for details on the technical aspects regarding the Mineral Resource Updates for Greywacke North and North Lake gold projects, respectively.



About MAS Gold Corp.

MAS Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on gold exploration projects in the prospective La Ronge Gold Belt of Saskatchewan. MAS Gold operates four properties in the belt, including the Preview-North, Greywacke Lake, Elizabeth Lake and Henry Lake Properties that extend along segments totaling roughly 60 kilometres of the geologically prospective La Ronge, Kisseynew and Glennie Domains that make up the La Ronge Gold Belt (see Figure 1).

MAS Gold's current projects include the North Lake, Greywacke North, Bakos (Contact Lake) and Point gold deposits and the historically defined Elizabeth Lake copper-gold volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposit within four properties totalling 34,703.4 hectares (85,753.8 acres).

The North Lake deposit located at the Preview-North Property is estimated to contain an Inferred Mineral Resource of 18,100,000 t grading 0.85 g/t Au, hence 494,000 contained ounces of gold (Godden, S., Thomas, D., Tupper, D. Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Updates, North Lake and Greywacke North Gold Projects, La Ronge Gold Belt, Saskatchewan, Canada.; effective date December 1, 2021)*. The Technical Report about the updated Mineral Resource estimate was filed on SEDAR January, 12, 2022.

The Greywacke North deposit, which hosts multiple known stratabound, high-grade gold-bearing zones, has an updated, combined open pit and underground Indicated Mineral Resource of 645,000 t averaging 4.90 g/t Au for 101,000 insitu ounces of gold (600,000 t at 4.89 g/t Au, and 45,000t at 5.03 g/t Au, respectively), plus a combined open pit and underground Inferred Mineral Resource of 410,000 t averaging 4.12 g/t Au for 55,000 insitu ounces of gold (35,000 t at 1.97 g/t Au, and 375,000 t at 4.33 g/t Au, respectively). The Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources were estimated using open pit and underground cut-off grades of 0.65 g/t Au and 1.75 g/t Au, respectively (Godden, S, Thomas, D. Tupper, D. Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Updates, North Lake and Greywacke North Gold Projects, La Ronge Gold Belt, Saskatchewan, Canada.; effective date December 1, 2021)*. The Technical Report about the updated Mineral Resource estimate was filed on SEDAR January 12, 2022.

The Bakos deposit, located on the former Contact Lake Mine holding, was first identified by Saskatchewan Mining Development Corporation (SMDC; later Cameco Corporation) exploration field crews in 1984. Operations were conducted from December 1994 until closure in December 1998. Historical production and recovery values for the entire operation included 188,185 ounces gold produced from 1,006,673 tonnes processed with a head grade of 6.16 g/t Au at a recovery rate of 95% (Leniuk, G., B. Bharadwaj, G. Alderman & R. Wyka: Cameco Corporation Contact Lake Operation, Final Report, January, 1999). The mine was shut down during low metals prices, reportedly leaving undeveloped mineralized material in place (see MAS Gold news release dated September 13, 2021).

The Point deposit has been the subject of multiple drill campaigns dating to the 1980's when Saskatchewan Mining and Development Corporation (SMDC; later Cameco) drilled 43 core holes. MAS gold completed 13 additional holes in 2019, intersecting multiple high-grade intercepts including 7.0 metres grading 14.99 g/t Au from 20.0 to 27.0 metres (see MAS Gold news release dated June 25, 2019).

*The contained gold ounces are in situ. No assurance can be given that the estimated quantities will be produced. All figures have been rounded to reflect accuracy and to comply with securities' regulatory requirements.

Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. Estimates of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by gold price, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues.





About Comstock Metals Ltd.

Comstock Metals has been advancing the Preview SW Gold Project, a resource-stage gold project in the La Ronge district of Saskatchewan (see Figure 1). The Preview SW deposit hosts a historical Indicated Mineral Resource containing 158,300 ounces of gold (2.61 million tonnes grading 1.89 g/t Au) and a historical Inferred Mineral Resource containing 270,800 ounces of gold (5.70 million tonnes grading 1.48 g/t Au), both based on a 0.50 g/t Au cut-off grade (see Comstock news release dated December 14, 2021). During 2017 and 2018, Comstock completed diamond drilling campaigns targeting the Preview North zone and the Preview SW deposit comprising 24 holes totaling 4,700 metres. Several additional, relatively untested targets remain on the Property, including the A, B, C, and Clearwater zones (see Figure 2).

Comstock has filed on SEDAR the 43-101 Technical Report, Preview SW Gold Project, La Ronge, Saskatchewan, prepared for Comstock Metals Ltd. by Ronald G. Simpson, P.Geo., Geosim Services Inc. Effective date September 27, 2016.

Red Cloud Securities Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Comstock with Fogler, Rubinoff LLP acting as legal advisor.

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by David Tupper, P.Geo. (British Columbia), MAS Gold's VP Exploration and Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo.(British Columbia) Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, on behalf of Comstock Metals, both Qualified Persons (QP) within the context of Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

MAS Gold Corp.

Jim Engdahl

Director & CEO

Suite 420 - 789 West Pender Street

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1H2

t: 604-685-8592

www.masgoldcorp.com

For further information about MAS Gold please visit www.masgoldcorp.com or contact: Lubica Keighery, (778) 889-5476, lubica@masgoldcorp.com

Comstock Metals Ltd.

Steven H. Goldman

President, CEO & Director

T: 416-917-1533 Email: s.goldman@goldmanhine.com

For further information about Comstock Metals Ltd. visit www.comstock-metals.com.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information and Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. MAS Gold and Comstock caution that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: the failure to satisfy the conditions to completion of the Proposed Transaction set forth above, risks and uncertainties relating to MAS Gold's limited operating history, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, results of exploration programs on their projects and those risks and uncertainties identified in each of their annual and interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of MAS Gold and Comstock. As a result, MAS Gold and Comstock cannot guarantee that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on the terms and within the time disclosed herein or at all. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and MAS Gold and Comstock will only update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law, except as required under applicable securities legislation. MAS Gold undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

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 news release.





Figure 1: MAS Gold Corp. and Comstock Metals Ltd. claim holdings, La Ronge Gold Belt, Saskatchewan

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7078/110121_a2a34ae8349b9b15_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Comstock Metals Ltd. Preview SW Property Area Geology and Mineralized Zones

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7078/110121_a2a34ae8349b9b15_002full.jpg



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110121
THE HAGUE (dpa-AFX) - Shell China has published a scenario Sketch which sets out a potential pathway for China to achieve net-zero CO? emission from the production and use of energy by 2060. The scenario Sketch sets out a deep and rapid decarbonisation pathway which relies on electrifying as much of the economy as possible with low-carbon and no-carbon sources of power generation. As per the scenario Sketch, China needs to: accelerate clean technologies; support energy-efficient and low-carbon choices; and remove carbon emissions. Jason Wong, Executive Chairman of Shell Companies in China said: 'Shell's Powering Progress strategy - to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society - positions us well to provide the clean, sustainable energy solutions that China needs to fulfil its net-zero emissions pledge and vision of an ecological civilization.' Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) ("Goldshore" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce gold assay results from hole MMD-21-007, which continues to demonstrate gold mineralization from the Main Zone of the Moss Lake Gold Deposit in Northwest Ontario, Canada. Significantly, the results suggest a new parallel zone to the southeast that has not been previously tested.

Highlights:

Continued high grade structures intersected at Main Zone: high-grade mineralized structures occur within a larger envelope of +0.3 g/t Au mineralization and include:

36.75m @ 1.27 g/t Au from 37.5m

8.0m @ 3.51 g/t Au from 80.0m

11.0m @ 1.23 g/t Au from 242.0m and

37.0m @ 1.09 g/t Au from 268.0m

New parallel zone indicated: mineralization was intersected in a second altered diorite intrusion near the end of MMD-21-007, suggesting that the Main Zone is some 200 meters or 48% wider than the 420m width modelled in 2013. High-grade mineralized intercepts include:

12.0m @ 1.15 g/t Au from 695.0m and

32.0m @ 1.55 g/t Au from 769.0m

Step out drilling has begun: Drilling has begun testing step out targets aiming to expand the deposit beyond the strike of the current mineralization envelope. This drilling will run concurrently with the resource development drilling of the main deposit.

Brett Richards, President and Chief Executive Officer of Goldshore commented: "The intersection of several +1 g/t Au zones, essentially from surface, reaffirms our view that the Moss Lake Gold Project contains a significant volume of +1 g/t Au mineralization that can underpin a meaningful update to the historic 2013 preliminary economic assessment later this year. The fact that we are continuing to intersect gold mineralization outside of the volume modelled in 2013, also affirms our belief that the deposit is significantly larger than previously interpreted."

Technical Overview

Figure 1 shows the location of the project in Northwest Ontario. Figure 2 is the drill section for MMD-21-007. Table 1 summarizes the significant intercepts. Figure 3 and Table 2 show the drill hole location.





Figure 1: Location map showing Goldshore's Moss Lake Project relative to the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8051/110428_75764e84b457f8de_002full.jpg





Figure 2: Drill section through MMD-21-005 (in black; reported on December 8, 2021) and MMD-21-007 showing mineralized intercepts relative to the 2013 grade model and extending mineralization by approximately 200 meters to the southeast

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8051/110428_75764e84b457f8de_003full.jpg





Figure 3: Drill plan showing the 2021 drill holes relative to the 2013 resource model and historic drill hole location

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8051/110428_75764e84b457f8de_004full.jpg

Table 1: Significant downhole gold intercepts in MMD-21-007

HOLE ID FROM TO HOLE LENGTH (m) TRUE WIDTH (m) GRADE (g/t Au) MMD-21-007 15.15 74.25 59.10 29 0.94 including 37.50 74.25 36.75 18 1.27 80.00 94.00 14.00 6 0.95 including 80.00 88.00 8.00 4 1.35 112.00 141.00 29.00 13 0.52 including 131.00 134.00 3.00 1 1.34 170.00 255.00 85.00 39 0.41 including 193.00 195.00 2.00 1 2.17 and 242.00 253.00 11.00 5 1.23 268.00 305.00 37.00 17 1.09 including 274.00 294.50 20.50 9 1.65 318.00 326.00 8.00 4 0.33 348.00 355.00 7.00 3 0.31 385.00 402.00 17.00 8 0.39 435.00 438.00 3.00 1 0.33 482.30 485.00 2.70 1 2.43 516.00 518.00 2.00 1 0.37 589.80 592.50 2.70 1 0.45 606.00 622.00 16.00 7 0.37 including 609.00 612.00 3.00 1 1.18 631.75 647.25 15.50 7 0.47 694.00 708.35 14.35 7 1.05 including 695.00 707.00 12.00 5 1.15 769.00 801.00 32.00 15 1.55 including 770.00 801.00 31.00 14 1.58 Intersections calculated above a 0.3 g/t Au cut off with a top cut of 30 g/t Au and a maximum internal waste interval of 10 metres. Shaded intervals are intersections calculated above a 1.0 g/t Au cut off with a top cut of 30 g/t Au. Intervals in bold are those with a grade thickness factor exceeding 20-gram x metres / tonne gold. True widths are approximate and assume a subvertical body.

Table 2: Location of drill holes in this press release

HOLE EAST NORTH RL AZIMUTH DIP EOH MMD-21-007 668,928 5,379,143 430 155 -65 810.0m Approximate collar coordinates in NAD 83, Zone 15N

MMD-21-007 was drilled at -65 beneath MMD-21-005, which was reported by the Company on December 8, 2021. It drilled through a massive diorite intrusion emplaced within a NE-striking and steeply SE-dipping sequence of intermediate to mafic lavas and felsic to intermediate volcaniclastic rocks. The hole intercepted a second massive diorite intrusion at the end of the hole which it did not fully penetrate. This looks to be a previously untested parallel zone.

Later porphyritic and fine grained intermediate and mafic dikes cut the preceding rocks. These are variably foliated to massive, suggesting that the later intrusions post-date metamorphism. All, but these later intrusive phases, are variably altered with quartz-sericite, albite-sericite and chlorite-epidote assemblages. The limited drilling of the second diorite intrusion shows it to have a similar alteration assemblage as the first apart from containing a biotite-magnetite assemblage. Quartz-calcitechloritetourmaline veinlets occur as a weak stockwork in the more brittle-deformed rocks. Disseminated and veinlet pyrite is common throughout and there is occasional chalcopyrite and molybdenite mineralization.

MMD-21-007 intersected the underground workings from 74.25 to 80.0 meters. The void separates two high grade intercepts of 36.75m @ 1.75 g/t Au from 37.5m and 8.0m @ 1.35 g/t Au from 80.0m, suggesting that they are a single high-grade intercept that is 50.5 meters long downhole. The drill hole intersected a second high-grade zone with two parts, including 11.0m @ 1.23 g/t Au from 242.0m and 37.0m @ 1.09 g/t Au from 268.0m. These mineralized zones are predominantly associated within areas of pervasive moderate to strong sericite-silica alteration overprinted by weak hematite-chlorite-carbonate alteration within the main diorite body. These are often shouldered by less mineralized zones of weak to moderate epidote alteration and veining.

In addition to several narrow high-grade zones, MMD-21-007 intersected 32.0m @ 1.55 g/t Au from 769m associated with the newly recognized parallel body of altered diorite. This zone would extend up-dip beyond the end of MMD-21-005, suggesting that mineralization is potentially 200 meters (48%) wider than the modelled width of approximately 420 meters. It also shows that the mineralized structures extend much deeper than the modelled volume.

Goldshore note that MMD-21-006 was delayed by drilling problems. Results are expected for this hole, as well as MMD-21-008 and MQD-21-009 in the coming weeks.

Peter Flindell, VP Exploration commented: "Drilling of the Main Zone continues to prove up the large volume of mineralized diorite intrusion, likely within an anticlinal axis, that is cut by several higher-grade structures hosted our +1 g/t Au intercepts. The discovery of a second, parallel mineralized intrusion is encouraging and highlights the potential to expand the volume of mineralized material in the Moss Lake Gold Deposit."

Analytical and QA/QC Procedures

All samples were sent to ALS Geochemistry in Thunder Bay for preparation and analysis was performed in the ALS Vancouver analytical facility. ALS is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for the Accreditation of Mineral Analysis Testing Laboratories and CAN-P-4E ISO/IEC 17025. Samples were analyzed for gold via fire assay with an AA finish ("Au-AA23") and 48 pathfinder elements via ICP-MS after four-acid digestion ("ME-MS61"). Samples that assayed over 10 ppm Au were re-run via fire assay with a gravimetric finish ("Au-GRA21").

In addition to ALS quality assurance / quality control ("QA/QC") protocols, Goldshore has implemented a quality control program for all samples collected through the drilling program. The quality control program was designed by a qualified and independent third party, with a focus on the quality of analytical results for gold. Analytical results are received, imported to our secure on-line database and evaluated to meet our established guidelines to ensure that all sample batches pass industry best practice for analytical quality control. Certified reference materials are considered acceptable if values returned are within three standard deviations of the certified value reported by the manufacture of the material. In addition to the certified reference material, certified blank material is included in the sample stream to monitor contamination during sample preparation. Blank material results are assessed based on the returned gold result being less than ten times the quoted lower detection limit of the analytical method. The results of the on-going analytical quality control program are evaluated and reported to Goldshore by Orix Geoscience Inc.

About Goldshore

Goldshore is an emerging junior gold development company, and owns the Moss Lake Gold Project located in Ontario. Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. is currently a strategic shareholder of Goldshore with an approximate 26% equity position in the Company. Well-financed and supported by an industry-leading management group, board of directors and advisory board, Goldshore is positioned to advance the Moss Lake Gold Project through the next stages of exploration and development.

About the Moss Lake Gold Project

The Moss Lake Gold Project is located approximately 100 km west of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. It is accessed via Highway 11 which passes within 1 km of the property boundary to the north. The Moss Lake Gold Project covers 14,292 hectares and consists of 282 unpatented and patented mining claims.

Moss Lake hosts a number of gold and base metal rich deposits including the Moss Lake Deposit, the East Coldstream Deposit (Table 3), the historically producing North Coldstream Mine (Table 4), and the Hamlin Zone, all of which occur over a mineralized trend exceeding 20 km in length. A historical preliminary economic assessment was completed on Moss Lake in 2013 and published by Moss Lake Gold1. A historical mineral resource estimate was completed on the East Coldstream Deposit in 2011 by Foundation Resources Inc2,3. In addition to these zones, the Moss Lake Gold Project also hosts a number of under-explored mineral occurrences which are reported to exist both at surface and in historically drilled holes. The Moss Lake Deposit is a shear-hosted disseminated-style gold deposit which outcrops at surface. It has been drilled over a 2.5 km length and to depths of 300 m with 376 holes completed between 1983 and 2017. The last drilling program conducted in 2016 and 2017 by Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. ("Wesdome"), which consisted of widely spaced holes along the strike extension of the deposit was successful in expanding the mineralized footprint and hydrothermal system 1.6 km to the northeast. Additionally, the deposit remains largely open to depth. In 2017, Wesdome completed an induced polarization survey which traced the potential extensions of pyrite mineralization associated with the Moss Lake Deposit over a total strike length of 8 km and spanning the entire extent of the survey grids.

The East Coldstream Deposit is a shear-hosted disseminated-style gold deposit which locally outcrops at surface. It has been drilled over a 1.3 km length and to depths of 200 m with 138 holes completed between 1988 and 2017. The deposit remains largely open at depth and may have the potential for expansion along strike. Historic drill hole highlights from the East Coldstream Deposit include 4.86 g/t Au over 27.3 m in C-10-15.

The historically producing North Coldstream Mine is reported to have produced significant amounts of copper, gold and silver4 from mineralization with potential iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit style affinity. The exploration potential immediately surrounding the historic mining area is not currently well understood and historic data compilation is required.

The Hamlin Zone is a significant occurrence of copper and gold mineralization, and also of potential iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit style affinity. Between 2008 and 2011, Glencore tested Hamlin with 24 drill holes which successfully outlined a broad and intermittently mineralized zone over a strike length of 900 m. Historic drill hole highlights from the Hamlin Zone include 0.9 g/t Au and 0.35% Cu over 150.7 m in HAM-11-75.

The Moss Lake, East Coldstream and North Coldstream deposits sit on a mineral trend marked by a regionally significant deformation zone locally referred to as the Wawiag Fault Zone in the area of the Moss Lake Deposit. This deformation zone occurs over a length of approximately 20 km on the Moss Lake Gold Project and there is an area spanning approximately 7 km between the Moss Lake and East Coldstream deposits that is significantly underexplored.

Table 3: Historical Mineral Resources1,2,3

INDICATED INFERRED Deposit Tonnes Au g/t Au oz Tonnes Au g/t Au oz Moss Lake Deposit1 (2013 resource estimate) Open Pit Potential 39,795,000 1.1 1,377,300 48,904,000 1.0 1,616,300 Underground Potential - - - 1,461,100 2.9 135,400 Moss Lake Total 39,795,000 1.1 1,377,300 50,364,000 1.1 1,751,600

East Coldstream Deposit2 (2011 resource estimate) East Coldstream Total 3,516,700 0.85 96,400 30,533,000 0.78 763,276

Combined Total 43,311,700 1.08 1,473,700 80,897,000 0.98 2,514,876

Notes:

(1) Source: Poirier, S., Patrick, G.A., Richard, P.L., and Palich, J., 2013. Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Moss Lake Project, 43-101 technical report prepared for Moss Lake Gold Mines Ltd. Moss Lake Deposit resource estimate is based on 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade for open pit and 2.0 g/t Au cut-off grade for underground resources.

(2) Source: McCracken, T., 2011. Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Osmani Gold Deposit, Coldstream Property, Northwestern Ontario, 43-101 technical report prepared for Foundation Resources Inc. and Alto Ventures Ltd. East Coldstream Deposit resource estimate is based on a 0.4 g/t Au cut-off grade.

(3) The reader is cautioned that the above referenced "historical mineral resource" estimates are considered historical in nature and as such is based on prior data and reports prepared by previous property owners. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current resources and Goldshore is not treating the historical estimates as current resources. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before the historical estimate on the Moss Lake Gold Project can be classified as a current resource. There can be no assurance that any of the historical mineral resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. In addition, mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Even if classified as a current resource, there is no certainty as to whether further exploration will result in any inferred mineral resources being upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource category.

Table 4: Reported Historical Production from the North Coldstream Deposit4

Deposit Tonnes Cu % Au g/t Ag Cu lbs Au oz Ag oz Historical Production 2,700,0000 1.89 0.56 5.59 102,000,000 44,000 440,000

Note::

(4) Source: Schlanka, R., 1969. Copper, Nickel, Lead and Zinc Deposits of Ontario, Mineral Resources Circular No. 12, Ontario Geological Survey, pp. 314-316.

Peter Flindell, MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice President - Exploration of the Company, a qualified person under NI 43-101 has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For More Information - Please Contact:

Brett A. Richards

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Goldshore Resources Inc.

P. +1 604 288 4416 M. +1 905 449 1500

E. brichards@goldshoreresources.com

W. www.goldshoreresources.com

Facebook: GoldShoreRes |Twitter: GoldShoreRes | LinkedIn: goldshoreres

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Lake Gold Project, including planned drilling activities, an update to the historical preliminary economic assessment, and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance; and the impact of COVID-19.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110428
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - Palamina Corp. (TSXV: PA) (OTCQB: PLMNF) completed 4 diamond drill holes for a total of 1,704.50 metres ('m') in December 2021. All assay results from core intervals of interest have now been returned. The first 4 drill holes were completed in the Veta Zone which consists of multiple mineralized gold structures defined at surface over an 800 metre strike length. Drilling to date has tested 600 metres of strike length. Two additional holes designed to test the remaining 200 m of strike to the north-east have yet to be completed. The Veta Zone is on the northeastern end of a 2.6 km long northeast trending gold structure which includes the Cayos Zone.

"Palamina's maiden drill program at the Usicayos gold project confirmed the orogenic gold system identified at surface extends to depth to include a visible gold intercept assaying 3.09 g/t Au over 1.0 m and 0.5 g/t over 24 m. The Company has kept the drill at site with a view to resuming drilling after the rainy season in late April. Palamina continues to advance permitting to drill other mineralized gold zones within the 2.6 km mineralized gold trend," commented Andrew Thomson, President of Palamina.

Drill

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) Au

g/t VE-01-2021 147.00 155.00 8.00 0.44 VE-01-2021 193.50 199.50 6.00 0.33 VE-01-2021 213.50 214.50 1.00 0.33 VE-01-2021 229.00 231.00 2.00 0.36 VE-01-2021 261.00 263.00 2.00 0.44 VE-01-2021 300.00 302.00 2.00 0.45 VE-01-2021 312.00 314.00 2.00 0.41 VE-01-2021 316.00 320.00 4.00 0.41 VE-01-2021 324.00 326.00 2.00 0.78 VE-01-2021 334.00 342.00 8.00 0.35 VE-01-2021 452.00 454.00 2.00 0.37 VE-01-2021 469.00 470.00 1.00 0.46 VE-02-2021 185.00 186.00 1.00 3.09 VE-02-2021 266.00 268.00 2.00 0.57 VE-02-2021 278.00 282.00 4.00 0.38 VE-03-2021 268.00 270.00 2.00 0.30 VE-03-2021 272.00 275.00 3.00 0.47 VE-03-2021 288.00 312.00 24.00 0.50 VE-03-2021 323.00 324.00 1.00 0.30 VE-03-2021 328.00 329.00 1.00 0.46 VE-03-2021 339.00 340.00 1.00 0.46 VE-03-2021 364.00 365.00 1.00 0.31 VE-03-2021 382.00 386.00 4.00 0.30 VE-03-2021 390.00 392.00 2.00 0.61 VE-03-2021 404.00 408.00 4.00 0.40 VE-04-2021 180.00 191.00 11.00 0.82 Incl. 190.00 191.00 1.00 3.84 VE-04-2021 223.00 224.00 1.00 0.49 VE-04-2021 232.00 233.00 1.00 0.48 VE-04-2021 250.00 251.00 1.00 0.34 VE-04-2021 256.00 257.00 1.00 0.32 VE-04-2021 383.00 387.00 4.00 0.34

Usicayos Gold Project: Veta Zone

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/110461_1c8eda04e4b52b35_003full.jpg

A plan map and sections for all four holes completed to date may be viewed at: https://www.palamina.com/s/NR71CS.pdf

Initial indications from drilling in the Veta Zone would suggest that the intensity and concentration of veining and gold mineralization observed at surface does not extend to the depth targeted by the 2021 drilling or that the Veta Zone may have a plunge and a narrower profile than exhibited at surface. Palamina will re-examine surface outcrops in the Veta Zone to see if further geological data regarding plunge orientation, dilational or crosscutting features may guide new drilling. Further drilling at the Veta Zone is under review.

Palamina is also continuing a robust examination of additional anomalous gold zones along the Usicayos Trend to better understand the mineralogy and ultimately decide where further drilling is best warranted and will advance permitting to reach these targets particularly in the Cayos Zone where surface sampling has returned significant gold values.

Technical Information

Palamina drill core samples are being collected and logged in the field by Palamina staff and subsequently transported to Palamina's base of operations in Juliaca for cutting. One half of sawn core from sample intervals is being collected and transported by Palamina personnel to the Certimin S.A laboratory in Juliaca, Peru. Samples are processed by Certimin S.A in Juliaca and prepared sample splits are transported for assay to the CERTIMIN SA Laboratory in Lima, Peru. Samples are assayed for gold using a 50-gram fire assay charge with an AA finish. Samples are also analysed using a multi-element ICP-OES package. Prior to delivery of field exploration samples to the laboratory, Palamina staff insert coarse blank samples, field duplicates and certified gold analytical standards into the sample stream to provide controls over the quality of sampling and analytical procedures. No standards are inserted for the multi-element suite. All samples are returned to the Company and stored at a secure facility in Juliaca.

This press release was compiled and reviewed by Mr. William McGuinty, P. Geo., Palamina's VP Exploration. He is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has supervised the preparation of the technical contents of this press release.

About Palamina Corp.

Palamina has first mover advantage on 4 district scale gold projects in south eastern Peru in the Puno Orogenic Gold Belt (POGB). A maiden drill program is underway at its flagship Usicayos Gold Project. The Company also has rights to a silver-copper project in the Santa Lucia district and two copper-gold projects in Southern Peru. Palamina holds an 19.9% equity interest in Winshear Gold Corp. who are advancing the Gaban Gold Project to the drill discovery phase. Palamina has 65,284,836 shares outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PA and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol PLMNF.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:



Andrew Thomson, President

Phone: (416) 204-7536 or visit www.palamina.com

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are 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. 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. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in the Company's continuous disclosure filings, which are available under the company's profile at www.SEDAR.com and on the Palamina webpage.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110461
MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electronic System Design (ESD) industry revenue increased 17.1% year-over-year from $2,953.9 million to $3,458.1 million in Q3 2021, the ESD Alliance, a SEMI Technology Community, announced today in its latest Electronic Design Market Data (EDMD) report. The four-quarter moving average, which compares the most recent four quarters to the prior four, rose 16.1%.

"The industry reported double-digit year-over-year revenue growth for Q3 2021," said Walden C. Rhines, Executive Sponsor of the SEMI Electronic Design Market Data report. "Geographically, all regions reported double-digit growth, with product categories CAE, Printed Circuit Board and Multi-Chip Module, SIP, and Services also showing double-digit growth."

The companies tracked in the EDMD report employed 51,182 people globally in Q3 2021, an 8.7% increase over the Q3 2020 headcount of 47,087 and up 2.4% compared to Q2 2021.

The quarterly EDMD report contains detailed revenue information with the following category and geographic breakdowns.

Revenue by Product and Application Category - Year-Over-Year Change

CAE revenue increased 13.7% to $1,054.7 million . The four-quarter CAE moving average increased 11.8%.

revenue increased 13.7% to . The four-quarter CAE moving average increased 11.8%. IC Physical Design and Verification revenue increased 0.7% to $612.6 million . The four-quarter moving average for the category rose 16%.

revenue increased 0.7% to . The four-quarter moving average for the category rose 16%. Printed Circuit Board and Multi-Chip Module (PCB and MCM) revenue increased 14.5% to $298.3 million . The four-quarter moving average for PCB and MCM increased 10.9%.

revenue increased 14.5% to . The four-quarter moving average for PCB and MCM increased 10.9%. SIP revenue rose 30.6% to $1,373.3 million . The four-quarter SIP moving average grew 22.1%.

revenue rose 30.6% to . The four-quarter SIP moving average grew 22.1%. Services revenue increased 12.5% to $119.1 million . The four-quarter Services moving average increased 9.2%.

Revenue by Region - Year-Over-Year Change

The Americas , the largest reporting region by revenue, purchased $1,494.5 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2021, a 14.3% increase. The four-quarter moving average for the Americas rose 15.8%.

, the largest reporting region by revenue, purchased of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2021, a 14.3% increase. The four-quarter moving average for the Americas rose 15.8%. Europe , Middle East , and Africa (EMEA) revenue increased 22.6% to $451.7 million . The four-quarter moving average for EMEA grew 11.9%.

revenue increased 22.6% to . The four-quarter moving average for EMEA grew 11.9%. Japan revenue increased 11.8% to $259.8 million . The four-quarter moving average for Japan rose 3.3%.

revenue increased 11.8% to . The four-quarter moving average for rose 3.3%. Asia Pacific (APAC) revenue increased 19.7% to $1,252.1 million . The four-quarter moving average for APAC increased 21.3%.

About the EDMD Report

The ESD Alliance Electronic Design Market Data (formerly the Market Statistics Service) report presents EDA, SIP and services industry revenue data quarterly. Both public and private companies contribute data to the report available from SEMI. Each quarterly report is published approximately three months after quarter close. EDMD report data is segmented as follows:

Revenue by product category (CAE, IC Physical Design and Verification, Semiconductor IP, PCB/MCM Layout, and Services) including numerous detailed sub-categories

Revenue by geographic region (Americas, EMEA, Japan and APAC)

and APAC) Total employment at participating companies

For information about SEMI market research reports, visit the SEMI Market Research Reports and Databases Catalog.

About the Electronic System Design Alliance

The Electronic System Design (ESD) Alliance, a SEMI Technology Community, is the central voice to communicate and promote the value of the semiconductor design ecosystem as a vital component of the global electronics industry. As an international association of companies providing goods and services throughout the semiconductor design ecosystem, it is a forum to address technical, marketing, economic and legislative issues affecting the entire industry. For more information about the ESD Alliance, visit http://esd-alliance.org.

About SEMI

SEMI connects more than 2,400 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics design and manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Electronic System Design Alliance (ESD Alliance), FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA), the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) and SOI Consortium are SEMI Strategic Technology Communities. Visit www.semi.org to learn more, contact one of our worldwide offices, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter .

The information supplied by the ESD Alliance is believed to be accurate and reliable, but the ESD Alliance assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contacts

Paul Cohen

ESD Alliance

A SEMI Technology Community

978-769-2106

Jack Taylor

Siemens EDA PR

Siemens Digital Industries Software

512-560-7143

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/836033/SEMI___Electronic_System_Design_Alliance_Logo.jpg
Ananda Developments Plc - Exercise of Warrants

17 January 2022

ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC

("Ananda" or the "Company")

EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

Ananda announces that 198,531 ordinary shares of 0.2p each in the Company ("Ordinary Shares") have been issued following the exercise of warrants at 0.45p per share.

Application will be made for the new Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading on the Access segment of the AQSE Growth Market and admission is expected to become effective on Friday, 21 January 2022.

Following this issue, the Company has 797,778,121 Ordinary Shares in issue, each share carrying the right to one vote.

This figure of 797,778,121 Ordinary Shares may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

-Ends-

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC

Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Sturgess



Investor Relations

Jeremy Sturgess-Smith +44 (0) 7463 686 497

ir@anandadevelopments.com PETERHOUSE CAPITAL LIMITED

Corporate Finance

Mark Anwyl



Corporate Broking

Lucy Williams

Duncan Vasey +44 (0)20 7469 0930

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

About Ananda Developments

Ananda is an AQSE-listed medical cannabis company creating UK-based operations to grow and provide carbon neutral, consistent, medical cannabis for the UK and international markets.

The UK medical cannabis market is predicted to be worth 450m by 2025 and the European market is predicted to be worth USD4.2bn by 2027.

Ananda, through its 50% owned subsidiary, DJT Plants Limited, was granted a Home Office licence in May 2021 to grow >0.2% THC cannabis in a new research facility to breed and stabilise 65 strains.

For more information, please visit: https://anandadevelopments.com/
BEIJING, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Risks Report warned that economic stagnation is the most serious challenge persisting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, China is injecting confidence into the world economy with official data released on Monday showing its economy posted stable growth in 2021.

How did the world's second-largest economy realize growth despite challenges including sporadic epidemic resurgences and a complicated external environment?

Building an open world economy, embracing cooperation against the pandemic and revitalizing global development - the three aspects highlighted in Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the WEF virtual session on Monday - are clues to the answer, as well as the solutions to other major global challenges.

How to promote steady recovery of the world economy?

To promote steady and solid progress in global economic recovery, Xi said that countries should explore new drivers of economic growth, new modes of social life and new pathways for people-to-people exchange.

"We should remove barriers, not erect walls. We should open up, not close off. We should seek integration, not decoupling. This is the way to build an open world economy," he said.

Major economies should see the world as one community and increase policy transparency, major developed countries should adopt responsible economic policies and manage policy spillovers, and international economic and financial institutions should play their constructive role to prevent systemic risks, he added.

Xi also underlined making generally acceptable and effective rules for artificial intelligence and digital economy, and creating an open, just and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological innovation.

Regarding China's role and efforts during the process, he said that the country will keep pursuing high-quality development, stay committed to reform and opening-up, and welcome all types of capital to operate in China to play a positive role in the country's development.

"We have every confidence in the future of China's economy," he said, highlighting the strong resilience, enormous potential and long-term sustainability of the Chinese economy.

Meanwhile, he underlined that China will not grow its economy at the cost of resource depletion and environmental degradation, and will deliver on its word to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

How to defeat the pandemic?

"Strong confidence and cooperation represent the only right way to defeat the pandemic," he said, outlining the solution.

Countries need to cooperate on research and development of medicines, and "fully leverage vaccines as a powerful weapon," he said, stressing ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines, quickening vaccination and closing the global immunization gap.

China will provide another 1 billion doses to African countries, including 600 million doses as a donation, and donate 150 million doses to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he announced.

How to promote global development?

The Global Development Initiative is a public good open to the whole world, and China stands ready to work with other countries to jointly put the initiative into concrete actions, Xi said, calling for efforts to bridge the development divide and revitalize global development.

He proposed the initiative - which highlights steering global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth in the face of the severe shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic - in September 2021.

Protectionism, unilateralism, and the practices of hegemony and bullying "run counter to the tide of history," he warned.

"The right way forward for humanity is peaceful development and win-win cooperation," he said.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-01-17/President-Xi-addresses-World-Economic-Forum-2022-virtual-event-16TK0rt9vGM/index.html

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jt_iaWRxzg
Important clinical milestones are expected in 2022 in the Company's hemato-oncology and immuno-oncology programs.

MaaT013, the Company's lead Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy, is ready to enter Phase 3 in the treatment of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (aGvHD).

Clinical results are expected in H1 2022 for MaaT033, the company's oral capsule formulation designed to prevent complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

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, today provides business objectives and clinical milestones for 2022.

"Despite the ongoing pandemic, 2021 was a turning point in MaaT Pharma history, as we became the first microbiome therapeutic company to be listed on Euronext, we established a Phase 2 proof of concept with MaaT013 in acute Graft-vs-Host-Disease, and we expanded our hemato-oncology program with the initiation of a Phase 1b trial of MaaT033, our oral formulation," stated Herve Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma. "We expect new achievements in 2022, with 3 clinical programs either ongoing or starting. This year should see key clinical milestones in hemato-oncology with MaaT013 ready to enter Phase 3 and new clinical data for MaaT033 expected in the first half of 2022. Moreover, our immuno-oncology program leveraging a new generation of products, MaaT03X to address solid tumors, is currently in nonclinical validation. Since our creation, we have been pioneering the development of Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies to bring these innovations to millions of patients fighting cancer globally."

Expected milestones in 2022

Hemato-oncology- Clinical programs:

MaaT013 for the treatment of aGvHD (Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA and the EMA):

MaaT013 is a full-ecosystem, off-the-shelf, standardized, pooled-donor Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy for enema administration.

is a full-ecosystem, off-the-shelf, standardized, pooled-donor Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy for enema administration. MaaT013 is ready to start its pivotal Phase 3 in Europe . MaaT Pharma has already received regulatory authorization to start this trial in France and Germany. The Company will communicate upon the inclusion of the first patient (FPI).

. MaaT Pharma has already received regulatory authorization to start this trial in France and Germany. The Company will communicate upon the inclusion of the first patient (FPI). The initiation of the clinical trials for MaaT013 in the United States will depend on the outcome of ongoing exchanges with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to the August 2021 clinical hold letter regarding the IND for MaaT013 in the US.

MaaT013 has been successfully evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with steroid-resistant grade III-IV gastro-intestinal (GI) aGvHD as well as in an ongoing compassionate use program (EAP) in France in patients with Grade II-IV GI-aGvHD having failed previous therapies, with promising results.

in patients with steroid-resistant grade III-IV gastro-intestinal (GI) aGvHD as well as in an ongoing compassionate use program (EAP) in France in patients with Grade II-IV GI-aGvHD having failed previous therapies, with promising results. To date, more than 100 patients with aGvHD have been safely treated with MaaT013, including: 24 patients in the Phase 2 trial 96 patients in the Early Access Program in France (EAP). This program has also been an opportunity for the Company to strengthen its supply chain and manufacturing capacities to deliver MaaT013 regularly and safely to 18 hospital transplant centers as of today. Additionally, MaaT Pharma has recently honored two requests for compassionate use of MaaT013 originating from two other European countries.

have been safely treated with MaaT013, including:

MaaT033 for the prevention of complications due to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)

MaaT033 is a donor-derived, standardized, high-richness, high-diversity Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy for oral administration.

is a donor-derived, standardized, high-richness, high-diversity Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy for oral administration. MaaT033 is currently being evaluated to define dose regimen in a Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following intensive chemotherapy.

is currently being evaluated to define dose regimen in a with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following intensive chemotherapy. There have been 4 meetings of an independent safety review Board (DSMB) to date evaluating the safety of the trial and that concluded in support of the continuation of the study.

In Q1 2022, the Company will provide interim results of engraftment data for the Phase 1b clinical trial.

for the Phase 1b clinical trial. Complete results are expected in the first half of 2022 and a pivotal Phase 2/3 may be initiated at the end of 2022 to evaluate MaaT033 as a prophylactic treatment for blood cancer patients undergoing allo-HSCT.

Immuno-oncology Clinical and nonclinical programs

MaaT013 for the improvement of a patient's response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) -proof of concept clinical trial sponsored by AP-HP

MaaT013 is ready to enter a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2a trial to evaluate its effect on the efficacy of ICI treatment in patients with metastatic melanoma. AP-HP is the sponsor of this trial. MaaT Pharma will supply the drugs and perform the microbiome profiling of patients using its proprietary gutPrint platform.

French regulatory authorities have approved the trial and the Company will communicate upon inclusion of the first patient.

MaaT03X for the increase in the response rate to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in patients with solid tumors

MaaT03X is a fermented, high diversity, rationally designed Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy for oral administration. MaaT03X's design is based on clinical and microbiome data analyses from hundreds of patients.

is a fermented, high diversity, rationally designed Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy for oral administration. MaaT03X's design is based on clinical and microbiome data analyses from hundreds of patients. MaaT Pharma is leveraging its proprietary gutPrintcomputational biology platform and full ecosystem co-fermentation technology to develop this new generation of candidates.

co-fermentation technology to develop this new generation of candidates. The first MaaT03X candidate is currently in nonclinical testing and will aim to improve the anti-cancer efficacy of ICI in patients with an undisclosed solid tumor with a high unmet need. A first clinical study is expected to start in the first half of 2023.

and will aim to improve the anti-cancer efficacy of ICI in patients with an undisclosed solid tumor with a high unmet need. A first clinical study is expected to start in the first half of 2023. In 2021, the MaaT03X program received a 1.9M grantto support industrialization of the manufacturing process.

cGMP manufacturing facilities

MaaT Pharma has entered negotiations with a potential partner to secure the expansion of the Company's cGMP manufacturing capacities, as stated in a letter of intent signed in November 2021. A new cGMP manufacturing plant, entirely dedicated to the Company's high-diversity and high-richness Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies, would be built in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region allowing the Company to operate its own equipment and processes while benefitting from full associated cGMP services provided by the partner. Contracting is expected to take place in H1 2022.

Initiation of coverage of MaaT Pharma stock

To date, three brokerage firms have initiated coverage of MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT):

Dec. 2021 KBC Securities: research report "More than a Gut Feeling"

Dec. 2021 Kempen: research report "No Guts no Glory"

Jan 2022 Portzamparc Groupe BNP Paribas: research report "Echec et MaaT pour le cancer"

2022 Financial calendar

February 28, 2022 Revenues and Cash Position as of December 31st, 2021

April 15, 2022 Annual Results 2021

May 05, 2022 Revenues and Cash Position Quarter 1

May 23, 2022 General Meeting

July 28, 2022 Revenues and Cash Position Quarter 2

September 29, 2022 Half-year Results (April September)

November 08, 2022 Revenues and Cash Position Quarter 3

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).

Forward-looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220117005402/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
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 17, 2022 / Marvel Discovery Corp. (TSXV:MARV)(Frankfurt:O4T1), (OTCQB:MARVF); (the "Company") Further to the Company's news releases March 17, 2021 and April 23, 2021 the Company received final approval on the plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) involving Power-One Resources Corp. ("Power-One"). The Company received the required shareholder approval in connection with the arrangement at its special meeting of shareholders held April 23, 2021. As part of the transaction, Marvel shareholders received 16,000,000 common shares with Marvel receiving 5,000,000 common shares for transferring the Serpent River Pecors Project (Elliott Lake, Ontario), and the Wicheeda Project (Prince George, BC) to Power-One.

Marvel currently holds an equity stake in Power-One of approximately 26%.

Power-One (SPINCO) has arranged a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $800,000 by issuing flow-through and non-flow-through units. Power-One will close its private placement on or before February 1st, 2022.

Existing Marvel shareholders will have first right of refusal to participate in the offering.

Up to 6,000,000 non-flow-through units will be issued at a deemed price of 10 cents Each unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to subscribe for and purchase a non-flow-through common share at 30 cents for the first year and at a price of 50 cents until completion of the second year.

Up to 1,538,462 flow-through units will be issued at a deemed price of 13 cents, each unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to subscribe for and purchase one common share at a price of 30 cents for the first year and at a price of 50 cents until completion of the second year. The Company will be filing the listing application once all subscriptions have been received.

"We are thrilled to finally move ahead on the listing of Power-One. The Pecors and Wicheeda North projects have significant upside potential for a Tier 1 Discovery", Stated Chief Executive Officer, Karim Rayani. "Marvel has completed extensive modeling, completing VTEM, ZTEM surveys and drilling at Pecors supporting the magnetic signature of a 5.7 km long 4.2 km wide magnetic anomaly with promising PGM drill results. Combine this with a 20Mt historic resource of 0.037% U308, with significant rare earths makes the Pecors a dynamic property. The Wicheeda North, BC is an earlier stage project that is tied onto Defense Metals property which hosts an indicated resource of 4.89 Mt at 3.02% light rare earths oxides and 2.2 MT at 2.90 % Light Rare Earths."

Serpent River Pecors

The Serpent River Pecors Property is located 15kms east of Elliot Lake Ontario consists of 10 mining covering 1,840 hectares (Figure 1). Power-One (SPINCO) has a 100 % interest in the Property.

Figure 1. Power-One Resources Serpent River Pecors Property, East Bull Lake region, Elliot Lake.

Limited drilling by Rio Algom in 1974 at the Pecors East showing (MDI41J08NW00060) on the Property has reported a non-compliant 43-101 historic resource of 20M tons averaging 0.037% U3O8 (reference below *). Immediately west of the Serpent River Pecors Project is Pele Mountains Eco Ridge uranium-REE project. and In July 2011, Pele Mountain announced the positive results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment study outlining 34.6 Mt at grades of 0.040% U3O8 and 1,455 ppm TREO (reference below **). Contact style Ni-Cu +/- PGE mineralization on the property is supported by drilling in 2015 by Marvel Discovery in hole P15-23 which intersected 0.33 g/t Pd+Pt+Au and 0.11% Cu, 0.04% Ni over 12m. This style of mineralization was intersected in gabbroic rocks within the Pecors Anomaly.

The Pecors anomaly is a strong regional magnetic high that extends for 18km southeast-northwest and up to 4km wide. The anomaly is located 15km from the East Bull Intrusive Suite where recent drilling by Grid Metals Corp. (TSXV:GRDM) recently intersected 14.0m of 1.2 g/t palladium equivalent (Pd Eq) grade in hole EBL21-10 containing a 1.0m interval of 7.0 g/t Pd Eq (see Press release dated June 17, 2021. Canadian Palladiums (CSE:BULL) recent drilling results (see press release dated September 22, 2021) reported a 19m intersection grading 1.77 g/t Pd_Eq from its East Bull property. This result appears to be an extension to their 43-101 compliant inferred resource estimate of 11.1Mt grading 1.46 g/t Pd_Eq (https://canadianpalladium.com/project/bull-project/).

Wicheeda Project

The Wicheeda property is located approximately 80km northeast of the city of Prince George, and approximately 50km east of the community of Bear Lake, British Columbia. The property is readily accessible by all-weather gravel roads and is close to major infrastructure including power transmission lines, railway, and major highways. Geologically, the project is situated in the Foreland Belt and within the Rocky Mountain Trench, a major continental geologic feature. The Foreland belt contains part of a large alkaline igneous province stretching from the Canadian Cordillera to the southwestern United States and hosts several carbonatite and alkaline complexes among which the Aley (niobium), Rock Canyon (REE), and Wicheeda (REE) alkaline complexes contain the highest concentrations of Rare Earth Element minerals.

In 2010 an Airborne Geophysical Survey was conducted by Aeroquest, and soil geochemical sampling by Electric Metals on behalf of Montoro was completed over a portion of the Wicheeda claims. The airborne geophysical program consisted of 654-line kilometers of AeroTEM helicopter-borne, time domain electromagnetic plus radiometric surveying flown at high resolution 50-meter line spacing. The survey covered a 29.4 square kilometer area and was successful in mapping the magnetic and conductive properties of the geology. Within the assessment report from 2010, AR#32361, comments from key observations and notes from Intrepid Geophysics include, "The electromagnetic data suggests that there may be an un-mapped fault in the center of the block. The magnetic data shows a subtle feature in the center of the block, slightly offset from the interpreted fault. It is recommended that the airborne survey be followed up by a geochemical survey and property scale mapping."

Figure 2. Power-One Resources Serpent River Pecors Property, East Bull Lake region, Elliot Lake.

Qualified Person

Mr. Mike Kilbourne, P. Geo, an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company.

The QP and the Company has not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the Property comprising the Serpent River Pecors Project or Wicheeda Property, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work.

*Technical Report NI 43-101 on the Serpent River Property, Gaiashk Township. Elliot Lake Area, Ontario for Five Nines Ventures Ltd. by L.D.S. Winters, 2010.

**Technical Report on the Eco Ridge Mine Project, Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada for Pele Mountain Resources' dated June 20, 2012, and completed by qualified persons Jason J. Cox, P.Eng., Tudorel Ciuculescu, MSc., P.Geo., Kathleen Altman, P.E., and Leo Hwozdyk, P.Eng. of RPA.

About Marvel Discovery Corp.

Marvel, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange for over 25 years, is a Canadian based emerging resource company. The Company is systematically exploring its extensive property positions in:

Newfoundland (Slip, Gander North, Gander South, Victoria Lake, Baie Verte, and Hope Brook - Au Prospects )

) Atikokan, Ontario (BlackFly - Au Prospect )

) Elliot Lake, Ontario (East Bull - Ni-Cu-PGE Prospect)

Quebec (Duhamel - Ni-Cu-Co prospect & Titanium, Vanadium, and Chromium Prospect)

Prince George, British Columbia (Wicheeda North - Rare Earth Elements Prospect)

The Company's website is: https://marveldiscovery.ca/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Marvel Discovery Corp.

"Karim Rayani"

Karim Rayani

President/Chief Executive Officer, Director

Tel: 604 716 0551 email: k@r7.capital

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements which reflect the expectations of management. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: completion of the proposed Arrangement. Actual future results may differ materially. 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. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Marvel Discovery Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683770/Marvels-SPINCO-Power-One-Resources-NI-PGE-REEs-Uranium-Project-Moves-Forward-Finalizes-Financing-and-Listing-Process






Chung Mong-gyu, chairman of HDC Hyundai Development, leaves the press room at the company headquarters in Seoul, Jan. 17, after offering to resign over the partial collapse of its apartment building under construction in Gwangju last week. Yonhap
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 17, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of a new interviews with Rover Metals, Northstar, Baseload Energy, Stratabound Minerals, and CoinSmart on their latest news.

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.

Rover Metals (TSXV:ROVR) reports on the phase 2 exploration program at its Cabin Gold Project

Rover Metals (ROVR) has reported results from the phase 2 exploration program at its Cabin Gold Project in the Northwest Territories. The company began the Phase 2 program last summer. The goal was to discover and delineate new gold mineralized zones along the Bugow Iron Formation, the controlling structure for gold at the Cabin Gold Project. Judson Culter, CEO of Rover Metals sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the program's success.

For the full interview with Judson Culter and to learn more about Rover Metals' Cabin Gold Project, click here.

Northstar (CSE:NSG) makes new discoveries at Miller Gold Property

Northstar (NSG) has announced results from phase II.B drilling on the Miller Gold Property in Ontario. These results follow recently reported results from channel and grab samples collected from eight stripped areas on the Miller and Searless properties last year. CEO Brian Fowler joined Caroline Egan to discuss the latest developments on the property.

For the full interview with Brian Fowler and to learn more about Northstar's Miller Gold Property, click here.

Baselode Energy Corp. (TSXV:FIND) prepares for winter drilling program

Baselode Energy Corp. (FIND) has received a Temporary Work Camp permit from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. The permit is for the planned diamond drilling program on the ACKIO high-grade uranium discovery, Hook project in the Athabasca Basin area, northern Saskatchewan. James Sykes, CEO, President and Director of Baselode sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the preparations.

For the full interview with James Sykes and to learn more about Baseload Energy's winter drilling program, click here.

Stratabound Minerals (TSXV:SB) announces management changes and new technical advisory council

Following its acquisition of the Fremont Gold Project in California, Stratabound Minerals (SB) has announced management team and advisory board appointments. The team of mining and exploration professionals will help build and execute on a mine development plan. Mr. R. Kim Tyler, President and CEO sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the changes.

For the full interview with Kim Tyler and to learn more about Stratabound Minerals' management changes, click here.

CoinSmart (NEO:SMRT) reports record revenue in December

CoinSmart Financial (SMRT) has announced a record preliminary unaudited monthly revenue in December 2021 of approximately $2.15 million. This represents a 460 per cent increase in revenue compared to December 2020. CoinSmart CEO Justin Hartzman sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the company's success and plans moving forward.

For the full interview with Justin Hartzman and to learn more about CoinSmart's December revenue reports, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

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SOURCE: The Market Herald

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683817/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-Interviews-With-Rover-Metals-Northstar-Baseload-Energy-Stratabound-Minerals-and-CoinSmart
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) ("Big Ridge" or "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of James Maxwell to its Board of Directors.

James joins the Big Ridge Board of Directors as the appointee of First Mining Gold Corp. (TSX: FF) ("First Mining"). First Mining retains the right to appoint one board member as long as it holds at least 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Big Ridge. James joins Nick Tintor, Mike Bandrowski, Kristina Bates, Bill Williams and Rick Mazur. James is currently the Vice President, Exploration at First Mining.

James is a professional geoscientist with over 20 years of industry experience with a focus on exploration and development of orogenic gold discoveries, and as been part of the discovery teams responsible for five major gold discoveries in Nunavut and Red Lake, Ontario. James was previously with Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. as Director of Exploration where he helped establish a 6.0-million-ounce gold resource base from discovery to the feasibility study level. Prior to working Nunavut, James established an early career in the Birch-Uchi and Red Lake Greenstone belts where his team earned a Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association Discovery of the Year Award for the Rahill-Bonanza discovery. He is a long-standing member of the PDAC Health & Safety Committee and was a recent speaker for the 2019 Newgen Gold Conference held in Perth, Australia. James holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba with a focus on geological sciences and is registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario ("PGO") and the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists ("NAPEG").

The company also announced that Ken Engquist has resigned from the Board as the First Mining representative. The company thanks Ken for his efforts initiating the first meaningful exploration program in nearly a decade at the Hope Brook Gold Project and wishes him luck in his new endeavours.

Big Ridge Gold Corp. has agreed, subject to regulatory approval, to grant incentive stock options to Mr. Maxwell on 172,000 common shares at an exercise price of $0.345 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant.

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. Big Ridge is the operator of the Hope Brook Gold Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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 St. 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, including the closing of the Offering. 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/110541
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - SURENANO SCIENCE LTD. (CSE: SURE) (the "Company" or "SureNano") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Greenshoe Media Group Inc. to provide Media and Marketing Services (the "Agreement").

Pursuant to the Agreement the Company has agreed to grant Greenshoe Media Group Inc. 200,000 stock options (the "Options"), outside of the Company's stock option plan. The Options are subject to the below vesting schedule and may be exercised at a price of $0.30 per common share, expiring on February 15, 2023.

The Options will vest as follows:

50,000 on April 15, 2022;

50,000 on July 15, 2022;

50,000 on October 15, 2022; and,

50,000 on January 15, 2023.

Additional information can be found on the Company's website: www.surenano.com.

About SureNano Science Ltd.:

The business of SureNano Science Ltd. is the sale and distribution of the SureNano surfactant, which is a ready-to-mix food grade compound that provides the base for high performance nano-emulsions to create incredibly homogeneous and stable products while maximizing bioavailability, clarity, and taste. The Company has an exclusive license to distribute the SureNanoTM surfactant within Canada and Colorado, USA.

ON BEHALF OF SURENANO SCIENCE LTD.

(sgd.) Charles MaLette

CEO, President, Director & Secretary

T: 604-428-5171

E: info@surenano.com

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of SureNano. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of SureNano. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "will," "may," "would," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "could" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Although SureNano believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because SureNano can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110546
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - Pivotal Financial Corp. (TSXV: PIV.P) ("Pivotal" or the "Company"), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), is pleased to provide a status update on its previously announced business combination (the "Proposed Transaction") with Global Food and Ingredients Inc. ("GFI"). For additional details concerning the Proposed Transaction, please refer to the press release of Pivotal dated November 8, 2021.

In respect of the proposed business combination, Pivotal entered into a definitive Business Combination Agreement dated November 5, 2021 with GFI, a private corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act, and 13476669 Canada Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pivotal. The Proposed Transaction is intended to constitute Pivotal's "Qualifying Transaction" (as such term is defined under Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies of the Exchange) and, if completed, will result in a reverse takeover of Pivotal by GFI.

Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is the intention of the parties that the Company (as it will exist following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the "Resulting Issuer") will continue to carry on the business of GFI, being that of a company with operations in the plant-based food and agriculture industry.

GFI is a fast-growing Canadian owned and operated plant-based food and ingredients company, connecting the local farm to the global supply chain for peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas and other high protein specialty crop ingredients. GFI is organized into four primary business lines: Pea Protein Inputs, Plant-Based Ingredients, Plant-Based Pet Food Ingredients and Consumer Packaged Goods ("CPG").

GFI is in the process of adding three new product lines to its CPG division by acquiring existing branded products which are already available for sale through grocery and online channels in both Canada and the United States. These product lines include: (i) A unique line of plant-based dairy-alternative beverages with 10 grams of protein per serving; (ii) a selection of low-sugar nutritional bars and granola; and (iii) a range of nutritious plant based pastas. It is anticipated that these additions to GFI's CPG division will enhance shareholder value.

The parties have completed their respective due diligence investigations and are currently drafting required documentation for review by the Exchange, including a Filing Statement of Pivotal in the form prescribed by the Exchange describing in detail, among other things, the business and affairs of GFI and the Resulting Issuer.

It is currently anticipated that the Qualifying Transaction will be completed on or around the end of Pivotal's first fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2022.

As the Proposed Transaction is not a "Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction" (as such term is defined under Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies of the Exchange), approval of the shareholders of Pivotal is not required for the completion of the Proposed Transaction. However, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Proposed Transaction is conditional on the shareholders of Pivotal (the "Pivotal Shareholders") approving certain ancillary matters in connection with the Proposed Transaction, including: (i) the change of the name of Pivotal to "Global Food and Ingredients Ltd." (or such other name as acceptable to GFI and applicable regulatory authorities; (ii) the consolidation of the outstanding common shares of Pivotal on the basis of one (1) new Pivotal common share for each five (5) old Pivotal common shares; and (iii) approval of the directors to form the Board of Directors of the Resulting Issuer upon completion of the Proposed Transaction. All of these matters were approved by Pivotal Shareholders at a special meeting of the Company held on November 17, 2021 (the "Pivotal Meeting").

None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and any securities issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

About Pivotal

Pivotal is a capital pool company within the meaning of the policies of the Exchange that has not commenced commercial operations and has no assets other than cash. Except as specifically contemplated in the policies of the Exchange, until the completion of its Qualifying Transaction, Pivotal will not carry on business, other than the identification and evaluation of companies, business or assets with a view to completing a proposed Qualifying Transaction.

Additional Information

A copy of the Business Combination Agreement and the management information circular dated October 18, 2021 mailed to Pivotal Shareholders in connection with the Pivotal Meeting are available under Pivotal's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Additional information concerning the Proposed Transaction, Pivotal, GFI and the Resulting Issuer will be provided in subsequent news releases and in Pivotal's Filing Statement to be filed in connection with the Proposed Transaction, which will be available under Pivotal's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

For additional information, please contact:

Pivotal Financial Corp.

C. Fraser Elliott, President and CEO

Phone: 416-567-3276

Email: cfraserelliott@gmail.com

Global Food and Ingredients Inc.

Bill Murray, CFO

Phone: 416-840-6801

Email: bill.murray@gfiglobalfood.com

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and obtaining all required shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or Filing Statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

All information contained in this news release with respect to Pivotal, GFI, and the Resulting Issuer was supplied by the parties, respectively, for inclusion herein, and Pivotal and its directors and officers have relied on GFI for any information concerning such party.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the timing and completion of the Proposed Transaction and related transactions, the future operations of Pivotal, GFI, and the Resulting Issuer and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this release 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 Pivotal's and GFI's expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions to completion of the Proposed Transaction set forth above, the limited business history of GFI, general market and industry conditions, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by Pivotal, GFI, and the Resulting Issuer with securities regulators.

Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Pivotal, GFI, and the Resulting Issuer. As a result, Pivotal, GFI, and the Resulting Issuer cannot guarantee that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on the terms and within the time disclosed herein or at all. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Pivotal, GFI, and the Resulting Issuer will only update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110544
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - Gerber Injury Law recently launched a new YouTube channel, Law and Gerber, centered around auto injury law. Ken is the founder of Gerber Injury Law and a prominent auto injury compensation attorney with 2 offices in Phoenix, Arizona. Megan is the vice president of marketing and a former US Navy sailor.

Ken and Megan Gerber, Founders of Gerber Injury Law





Gerber Injury Law has over 25 years of experience in law and has successfully recovered over 100 million dollars in settlement compensation. Ken and Megan decided to launch their YouTube channel to educate people about injury law and common misperceptions. Co-hosted by both Ken and Megan, Law and Gerber can be found on YouTube with regular episodes being uploaded.

Show topics include Negligence, What to do After an Accident, and What's It Like Being an Injury Attorney?

In 2020, there were 98,778 auto accidents in Arizona, resulting in 41,350 people receiving injuries. Over 80,000 of these accidents involved more than one vehicle according to the Arizona Dept of Transportation.

"Law and Gerber is our way of helping accident victims properly educate themselves on what to do after an auto accident. There is confusion and stress; Megan and I want to guide people to a good outcome." - Ken Gerber

Law and Gerber can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzKmGDRJE2uxTnZxtTMFACQ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GerberInjuryLaw



LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gerber-injury-law/



Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerberinjurylaw



Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerberinjurylaw/?hl=en

Contact:

Contact Name: Ken Gerber

Business Name: Gerber Injury Law

Email: ken@gerberinjurylaw.com

Phone Number: (602) 313-5954

Website: https://gerberinjurylaw.com/

Source: Gerber Injury Law

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110497
Heat, a London, UK-based fashion mystery box startup, closed a $5m funding round.

Backers included Antler and LVMH Luxury Ventures, as well as a number of strategic angel investors including Stefano Rosso (OTB), the Hermes family, Michael Mitterlehner (L Catterton), Oliver Merkel (Flink) and Sven Ahrens (Spotify).

Founded in late 2019 led by the partnership of Joe Wilkinson (25) CEO and Founder and Co-founder and Director Mario Maher (26), Heat is a streetwear mystery box startup connecting shoppers globally with some of the worlds biggest brands. The company has already partnered with 60+ of the worlds leading luxury brands including Off-White, Palm Angels, Amiri, Billionaire Boys Club and Casablanca.

Since launch, Heat has sold over 20,000 luxury mystery boxes, and more than 100,000 individual units of stock. The company quickly opened a Sheffield based distribution hub and has expanded to include headquarters in London and distribution facilities in Milan. Heat currently has a team of 15 and plans to develop further distribution hubs in the EU and USA.

FinSMEs

17/01/2002
Pentera, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based Automated Security Validation (ASV) company, raised $150m in Series C funding.

The round, which brought Penteras valuation to $1 billion, was led by K1 Investment Management, with participation from Evolution Equity Partnersand Insight Partners. Additional investors include Awz Ventures, a Canadian-Israeli VC group, and Blackstone (NYSE: BX).

The company will use the new funding to grow its global operations, across all functions and regions, and product line.

Led by Amitai Ratzon, CEO, and Dr. Arik Liberzon, Co-Founder and CTO, Pentera provides an Automated Security Validation platform, allowing every organization to test the integrity of all cybersecurity layers, unfolding true, current security exposures at any moment, at any scale. Thousands of security professionals and service providers around the world use Pentera to guide remediation and close security gaps before they are exploited. Recent additions to the product portfolio include its RansomwareReady and Log4Shell validation modules.

FinSMEs

17/01/2022
In the last 15 years, technology has evolved and has transformed the world around us. In the financial services industry, Open Banking, which refers to the use of open APIs enabling third-party developers to build applications and services around a financial institution, is seeing rapid growth globally.

According to a recent study from Juniper Research*, the sector is set to grow by 2,800% in the next five years, with Western Europe accounting for the vast majority and the UK being the leader in this area.

Among other countries such as Finland and Netherlands, Sweden has built a mature open banking ecosystem. It is home of some companies which lead the growth of the sector with Klarna being one of the most advanced companies in the area. Founded in 2005 in Stockholm, Klarna makes it easier for people to shop online providing payment solutions for 90 million active consumers across 250,000 merchants in 17 countries. With its solutions, its consumers can shop now and pay later, so they can get what they need today. Klarnas offering to consumers and retailers include payments, social shopping, and personal finances. As the company acquired SOFORT in 2014, the Klarna Group was formed. It is backed by investors such as Sequoia Capital, Silver Lake, Bestseller Group, Dragoneer, Permira, Visa, Ant Group and Atomico.

Founded in 2008, Trustly is a global online banking payments leader which provides a digital account-to-account platform linking prominent merchants with consumers directly from their online banking accounts.

Led by Johan Tjarnberg, who was appointed as CEO in December 2021, Trustly can handle the entire payment journey, and currently serves 8,000 merchants, connecting them with 525 million consumers and 6,300 banks in over 30 countries. Trustly is especially popular on pay n play casinos.

The company, which has 600 employees across Europe, North America and Latin America, is a licensed Payment Institution under the second payment services directive (PSD2) and operate under the supervision of the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority in Europe. In the US, trustly is state regulated as required to serve target markets.

The company recently announced some meaningful partnerships. The first one, signed in November 2021 with IKEA, will enable IKEA customers to pay for their purchases directly from their online bank account. Trustly offers IKEA access to more than 30 countries through an API integration, initially in Austria and with a possibility to extend to other European countries in the future.

In addition, in December 2021, the company announced that its solution would have been added to brand checkouts across THG plc, the global technology platform company specialising in taking brands direct to consumers.

Shoppers across any of THGs brands, which include Myprotein and Lookfantastic, can pay directly from their bank account with Trustly. It initially launched in the UK, followed by Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

Founded in 2012 in Stockholm, Tink provides an open banking platform that enables banks, fintechs and startups to develop data-driven financial services. Through one API, the company allows customers to access aggregated financial data, initiate payments, enrich transactions, verify account ownership and build personal finance management tools. Tink connects to more than 3,400 banks that reach over 250 million bank customers across Europe. Its 500 employees serve more than 300 banks and fintechs in 18 European markets, out of offices in 13 countries.

In June 2021, Tink was acquired by Visa (NYSE: V) for a total financial consideration of 1.8 billion Euros.

Based in Stockholm, Brite is an Open Banking first company, with a platform specifically built to enable the most reliable and compliant way of doing account-to-account payments using the banks dedicated Open Banking APIs.

Instant deposits enable customers to make payments in real time straight from their bank account. They can pay for everything ranging from shopping to playing games, completely hassle-free.

*Open Banking: Key Opportunities, Vendor Strategies & Market Forecasts 2021-2026, Juniper Research
Urban Umbrella, a New York-based scaffolding design company, raised $6.5M in venture debt funding.

The round was led by Anthos Properties.



The company intends to use the funds to accelerate expansion of production capacity, growth in secondary markets, and deepening penetration in New York City.



Led by Benjamin Krall, Founder and CEO, Urban Umbrella provides a design substitute for traditional scaffolding, a white, cross-bracing-free sidewalk shed composed of high-strength steel, translucent plastic panels, LED lighting, and arching struts that combine the strength of a highway bridge and the beauty of a work of art.

The company won an International design competition with over 260 contestants and was proclaimed by the Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri as the new exemplar of scaffolding for NYC. The Urban Umbrella design was chosen to help improve quality of life, reduce construction impacts on businesses, increase pedestrian safety, and increase available space for pedestrians on sidewalks.

As of December 2021, the companys scaffolding was installed at 100 sites throughout New York City. Clients are some of New York Citys largest developers, building owners, and general contractors, including Savanna Fund, Sciame Construction, Gilbane Building Company, The Feil Organization, GFP Real Estate, Lendlease Group, Saks Fifth Avenue, RXR, The Palace Hotel, The Peninsula Hotel, The Plaza Hotel, RFR, and Hines.

FinSMEs

17/01/2022
Zowie, a Warszaw, Poland-based no-code customer service solution for ecommerce companies, raised $5M in seed funding.

The round was led by Gradient Ventures, Googles AI-focused investment fund, and 10x, with participation from Jack Altman (CEO at Lattice), Markus Giesswein (CEO at Giesswein), and returning investor Inovo Venture Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its product offering and grow their commercial team in the United States and across North America.

Founded in 2019 and led by CEO Maja Schaefer, Zowie enables online retailers to create personalized, intelligent customer service experiences for new and returning customers and to streamline the creation of automated workflows for requests specific to their products or brand.

Zowie automates ticket responses for merchants that use Zendesk, Shopify, Gorgias, and many other customer service platforms. E-commerce companies of all sizes, from LOreal to Missouri Star Quilt Company and UMZU, use it to prevent customer service agent burnout and improve customer experience.

FinSMEs

17/01/2022




HDC Hyundai Development Chairman Chung Mong-gyu bows in apology to take responsibility for a fatal accident that occurred at its construction site in Gwangju during a press conference held at the Yongsan IPark Mall, Monday. Yonhap





By Kim Hyun-bin







The head of one of Korea's largest builders stepped down from his post, Monday, taking responsibility for the fatal collapse of an apartment building in the southwestern city of Gwangju, which has left at least one construction worker dead and five others still missing.







"I feel the responsibility and will step down from the chairman post of HDC Hyundai Development," Chairman Chung Mong-gyu said at a press conference at Yongsan IPark Mall in Seoul, Monday.







This is the second fatal accident involving the builder in Gwangju, located about 330 kilometers south of Seoul. Chung said the accidents were a "great disappointment" and vowed to implement measures to restore trust.







The accidents linked to Korea's ninth-largest builder have dealt a huge blow to the company's image. Police and government officials launched probes into the builder over possible violations of safety regulations and other lax practices.







HDC is known for its signature residential apartment brand, "I-Park," but its popularity has been diminishing following the accidents.







"I bow my head and deeply apologize to the family members of the victims of the accident in Gwangju and to the public," he said. "We have caused great disappointment with the two recent accidents in Gwangju. We will establish and implement all measures to restore customer and public trust again."







The chairman stressed that an investigation into the latest accident will be conducted in a transparent manner, and when problems are found, the company will consider reconstructing the apartment complex.







"We will conduct a safety diagnosis by external experts and authorities, and if there is a problem, we will consider a complete demolition of the building and rebuild it," he added.







Last week, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-sup said he will find legal measures to restrict HDC from participating in building projects within the city and ordered the construction company to reconstruct the problematic building from scratch.







The collapsed Hwajeong IPark apartment building in Gwangju / Yonhap

Six construction workers went missing after the collapse of the building last week. One was found dead, Friday, while search operations continue for the remaining five.







Chung said, however, he will continue to "fulfill his duty" as the company's largest shareholder. He owns a 33.68 percent stake in HDC Holdings, which controls HDC Hyundai Development and other chemical and retail affiliates.







In the previous accident in June last year, a five-story building collapsed on a city bus, killing nine passengers and seriously injuring eight others. Hyundai Development was the main contractor of that project.







Industry experts believe it will be costly for the company to regain public trust as criticism mounts over HDC's safety and poor practices.







HDC Chairman Chung is the eldest son of Chung Se-yung, who is the third brother of Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung. He led Hyundai Motor Group for three years through 1998, but left the carmaker after his cousin, former Chairman Chung Mong-koo, took over the automobile business.


Geneva, NY (14456)

Today

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low near 55F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low near 55F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.




By Kim Jae-heun







LVMH Korea President Cho Hyun-ouk





An increasing number of consumers are criticizing French fashion brand Christian Dior over a controversial sales policy. The company has informed customers that they must now pay more for items they had already ordered but have yet to receive, following the brand's recent price increases, Tuesday.







Shoppers who are waiting to receive their pre-ordered merchandise have been directed to cancel their previous payments and reorder at the newly increased prices.







Dior is one of the luxury fashion brands owned by LVMH along with Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Celine and Givenchy.







Customers say that they were not told of the price hikes or anything about the refund policy before they made their purchases. But Dior said it is merely following the headquarters' decision and customers have to either pay more or cancel their orders.







"I really don't like the way Dior is treating its Korean customers. I don't understand why I have to pay more after the price hike, so I asked for a refund," one of the customers told a local media outlet.







Fueling customer dissatisfaction, Dior decided to offer refunds not in cash but in company credit, which buyers can only use to purchase other products at its boutiques. Some are even left without the option to pay extra for their purchases, and can only receive credit points as their pre-paid products are no longer sold in Korea.







It is not common for a fashion firm to enforce a new price policy without notifying customers of the policy prior to taking orders.







Chanel, another high-end French luxury brand, has been informing its customers that they will have to pay extra if the company raise prices while the order is being processed.







Customers on various online fashion communities are considering filing a lawsuit against Dior or even boycotting the brand.







"Dior thinks Korean customers are sitting ducks. We should report this case to the Korea Consumer Agency," one internet user said.







A legal expert also said Dior's policy could violate local law.







"Normally, customers receive their products upon purchase. However, in case of some luxury brands, they tend to settle payments first and order items that are out of stock at the stores. This can be seen as one type of pre-contract between a brand and its customers," lawyer Baek Gwang-hyeon of Barun Law said. "In the case of Dior, it is forcing a change to a closed deal with customers for inappropriate reasons. It can be seen as breach of contract."







When contacted by The Korea Times, Christian Dior's Korean branch refused to give any comment related to the issue and only said it is following orders from its headquarters.


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Fort Wayne, IN (46808)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.




By Kim Jae-heun







More and more consumers are visiting restaurants to pick up their online-ordered food due to soaring delivery fees.







The country's No. 2 food delivery platform Yogiyo said on Monday the number of people making pickup and takeout orders has skyrocketed by nearly 100 times year-on-year for the period of Jan. 1 to 11.







"We did promote a discount event for takeout services also, but such a high rise in the delivery fee has contributed mainly to the increasing number of customers visiting restaurants," a Yogiyo official said.







The No. 1 player Baedal Minjok (Baemin) also saw takeaway orders soar last year, from 3.5 percent in January to 12.6 percent in October.







A shortage of food ingredients has contributed to increased prices on local online platforms, but the soaring labor costs for delivery drivers have played the biggest role.







Most local agencies have raised delivery fees by 500 won to 1,000 won more as of this month. In the capital area, the average figure has jumped by 5,000 won to 6,000 won during the pandemic.







"Food delivery agencies here already raised their service fees twice in 2021. With another increase this month, consumers are feeling the delivery costs have increased too much, too quickly," an industry source said.





Food delivery fees increase during peak demand times such as lunch and dinner or when the weather turns bad. Restaurant owners are worried as more consumers are complaining of rising delivery prices.







This is leading local fast food franchises and restaurant owners to encourage customers to pick up their online orders.







Lotte GRS, operator of Lotteria, launched its "takeaway as you drive" service recently. A fast food worker will go outside to bring customers' orders to their car when they have registered their car information on the Lotte GRS mobile application Lotte Eats. They don't have to leave the car or find a parking spot.







U.S. multinational pizza chain Domino's Pizza introduced its own "driving pick-up" service in April 2019.


Local

top story centerpiece

Company shutters pop-up COVID-19 testing sites amid virus surge, complaints of unfair trade

Neil Johnson/njohnson@gazettextra.com A COVID-19 testing site run by the private Center for Covid Control at 320 N. Parker Drive in Janesville is shuttered Saturday afternoon after the company said it is suspending testing operations at its sites to add and train employees amid a surge in the spread of the COVID-19 omicron variant. Local and state governments and consumer advocates say the company is offering free COVID-19 testing but failing to deliver test results while overstepping some state and federal privacy rules.

JANESVILLE

A private COVID-19 testing company with pop-up locations across the U.S., including one near downtown Janesville, says it is shutting down its testing sites for a week to train workers amid a surge in COVID-19 infections and mounting complaints the company is using unfair trade practices.

In Janesville, the site of a defunct hot dog restaurant at 320 N. Parker Drive where a free COVID-19 testing site popped up late last year is now shuttered. The operator, the Center for Covid Control, appears to have suspended COVID-19 testing there and at its many other locations nationwide.

In a news release late last week, the Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based Center for Covid Control explained the site closures by blaming a surge in new COVID-19 infections because of the omicron variant and a growing glut of people coast to coast who are seeking testing for COVID-19.

A high patient demand has stressed staffing resources, as has been widely reported, in a subset of our locations, affecting our usual customer service standards and diagnostic goals, the company wrote in a statement.

The Center for Covid Control had posted a similar message on the window of its North Parker Drive location next to pop-up store banners that advertise Free COVID-19 Testing beneath a large, hand-lettered sign in the window that reads CLOSE.

The company said it intends to use a weeklong operational pause to get additional staff and work through some changes to customer service and communication practices in ways that ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines.

The company bills itself as the nations largest private COVID-19 testing center, founded to initially to help speed up testing processes and turnaround time.

Its statement and the weeklong closure of testing sitesthe company says its to bolster training and education of workerscomes after the Oregon state Department of Justice has launched a probe into the company after recent complaints in that state, Florida and Texas emerged alleging the company at some sites delivered fake testing results and failed to disclose testing data to state governments.

At first glance, the Center for Covid Controls name might appear to some as being synonymous with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the countrys main federal research agency on communicable diseases. Despite the similarity in name, the Center for Covid Control, a private entity, has no organizational ties to the CDC.

Federal, state and local officials for months have been warning residents only to book COVID-19 tests through agencies, health care groups and private pharmacies that are registered and listed on government websites as offering reliable and responsible medical testing.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services did not respond to earlier inquiries in late 2021 by a Gazette reporter on the Center for Covid Control and whether state or local government health authorities had knowledge or information on the companys practices, operations and track record as a COVID-19 testing company.

The Walworth County Public Health Department in a notice late last week announced that a Center for Covid Control had shuttered temporarily to retrain workers.

The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois reports it has given the Center for Covid Control an F rating, the lowest grade the consumer advocacy group gives to companies it monitors. The BBB also said it is now investigating possible unfair trade practices by the testing company.

The BBBs Chicago-area office said in a statement on its website that it has received numerous complaints locally and nationwide that the Center for Covid Control has failed to deliver customers COVID-19 test results and that it also has requested confidential, personal identifying information from customers who are receiving what the company bills as free COVID testing.

The BBB said the Center for Covid Control has been unresponsive to the BBB regarding the resolution of consumer complaints. The BBB says that residents with concerns should still file a complaint with the BBB or their states attorney generals office.

In the last few weeks, Americans have been facing longer wait times to book and get results of testing as the pace of infections with the omicron variant has continued to ramp up.

County public health officials said late last week that state health officials are battling a backlog in local testing data supplied to it from testing groups. That backlog then hampers state and county health departments efforts to deliver timely pandemic data.

Meanwhile, some local hospitals now report the heaviest load of COVID-19 inpatients since the start of the pandemic, and Gov. Tony Evers has said he will mobilize the states National Guard to help relieve overcrowded hospitals.

The Walworth County Public Health Department said in its alert that it recommends residents use the countys website to canvass for local COVID-19 testing sites.

At a Janesville City Council meeting last week, City Manager Mark Freitag urged residents to continue to visit the citys website to find an updated and comprehensive list of licensed and trusted COVID-19 testing sites in Rock County.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Cloudy with gusty winds. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 58F. Winds SE at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 39F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.






The explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, located in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga, Jan. 15, is seen in this handout satellite image made available by the Tonga Meteorological Services. EPA-Yonhap



Australia and New Zealand dispatched surveillance flights Monday to assess the damage in Tonga, isolated from the rest of the world due to the eruption of an underwater volcano that triggered a tsunami and blanketed the Pacific island with ash.



Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged to provide support for Tonga as early as possible but said the volcano ash had hampered relief efforts.



"There's been a lot of challenges there with the ash cloud and the disruption to communications and so we are working together to get as much support to Tonga as we possibly can," Morrison told radio station 2GB, Monday.



Australia's Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said initial reports suggested no mass casualties and that the airport "appears to be in relatively good condition" but there was "significant damage" to roads and bridges.



Seselja said Australia was liaising with the United States, New Zealand, France and other countries to coordinate responses.



An underwater volcano off Tonga erupted Saturday, triggering a tsunami on the shores of Tonga, and cutting off phone and internet lines for the entire island.



There are no official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga as yet but communications are still limited and outlying coastal areas remain cut off.



Satellite images show some of the outlying islands submerged in water.



A U.K. woman has reportedly gone missing after she was washed away, media reports said.



Angela Glover and her husband James, who own the Happy Sailor Tattoo in Nuku'alofa, had gone to get their dogs when the wave hit. James managed to hold onto a tree but his wife, who also runs a dog rescue facility on the island, and their dogs were washed away, New Zealand state broadcaster TVNZ reported. Several social media posts from family and friends said she has still not been found.



New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Sunday that the tsunami had a significant impact on infrastructure.



The Red Cross said it was mobilizing its regional network to respond to what it called the worst volcanic eruptions the Pacific has experienced in decades.



"The Red Cross currently has enough relief supplies in the country to support 1,200 households with essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits and hygiene kits," said Katie Greenwood, IFRC's Pacific Head of Delegation.



The agency said there were concerns that communities may not have access to safe drinking water as a result of saltwater inundation caused by the tsunami waves and falling ash.



Shelter is also a concern, particularly for those communities near the coastline, it added.



United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Twitter that the UN offices in the Pacific are on standby to provide support.





A Royal Australian Air Force P-8 Poseidon aircraft departs an airbase in Amberly, Australia, to assist the Tonga government after the eruption of an undersea volcano, Jan. 17, in this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force. AP-Yonhap
Jodi Nasch Decker published her grandmothers poetry, written about her experiences during her stay at a mental institution in the late 1920s and early 30s.
MIAMI, Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attendees of the North American Bitcoin Conference (TNABC) will have the unique opportunity to win a free trip to space. This spectacular giveaway is hosted by Astranaut and Space Perspective and includes pre-space-flight training and a post-space-flight reintegration program designed to extract powerful insights and create meaningful global impact through the space travel experience.

Both Astranaut and Space Perspective believe the visionaries, and innovators attending TANBC are the perfect audience for their offering. Their aligned missions are to help increase access for early adopters of space travel and to translate their experience into a vision for bettering the planet earth.

NASA Astronauts have long spoken out about the impact their view of the Earth had on their perspectives. Karen Nyberg, who made her first trip into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2008 said, "Every single part of the Earth reacts with every other part. It's one thing. Every little animal is important in that ecosystem. [Seeing the planet from above] makes you realize that, and makes you want to be a little more proactive in keeping it that way. If I could get every Earthling to do one circle of the Earth, I think things would run a little differently."

Jane Poynter, Founder and Co-CEO of Space Perspective says, "We're passionate about changing the way people access spaceboth to perform much-needed research to benefit life on Earth and to affect how we view and connect with our planet. Today, it is more crucial than ever to see Earth as an interconnected planet, a spaceship for all humanity and our global biosphere. This expanded view of our world is the life-transforming perspective astronauts speak of when they see earth in space."

Space Perspective launched its first testflight in June 2021. It took a similar path to the one its first tourists will enjoy beginning in late 2024. No rockets are involved. Instead, a balloon large enough to encapsulate the Statue of Liberty will lift passengers to the edge of space, giving them a rare view of the earth.

Astranaut Founder and CEO Shannon Graham says, "There is no more profound experience in the world than to see the blue line of your planet from an outside perspective. Space travel is the act of young species reaching beyond its home planet into the bright future."

This free ticket to space from Astranaut and Space Perspective is the quintessential astronaut experience, and is especially valuable since with over 500 seats reserved, all Space Perspective flights are booked through 2024. The only way to register for giveaway is by attending North American Bitcoin Conference in Miami, January 17-19, 2022 (https://www.btcmiami.com).

Learn more about Space Perspective and the voyage upon Spaceship Neptune by visiting https://www.spaceperspective.com. Find out what it takes to become an Astranaut by visiting https://astranaut.space.

Matthew Lutz

lutz@astranaut.space

https://astranaut.space

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Image 1: Astranaut









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People stage a protest against the COVID-19 vaccination Green Pass in Rome, Jan. 15. AP-Yonhap



Human rights group Amnesty International urged Italy to change tough anti-COVID restrictions to avoid discrimination against unvaccinated people.



In a recent decree Mario Draghi's government made vaccination mandatory for everyone over the age of 50 and for use of public transport and a range of other services, one of the very few countries to take similar steps, in an attempt to ease pressure on Italian health services and reduce fatalities.



Amnesty International asked for the provision of alternative measures, including the use of masks and COVID-19 testing, to allow the unvaccinated population to continue to go to work and to use public transport "without discrimination", the group said in a statement issued late Saturday.





A man shows his COVID-19 "Super Green Pass" before getting on a train at Termini Main Train Station in Rome, Jan. 10, the day Italy brought in tougher rules for the unvaccinated. Reuters-Yonhap
KAUNAS, Lithuania, Jan. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CODI Finance is announcing the listing of $CODI on the P2pb2b exchange to commemorate the new year. Given that the project only launched in September 2021, CODI has grown at an incredible pace. The CODI Ecosystem was rebranded in order to realize the project's vision for the entire DeFi industry. CODI has successfully scaled its features to meet the needs of its users while also revolutionizing the DeFi industry as a whole.



The platform has given its community the power to vote on new features, partnerships, and integrations by utilizing the DAO governance structure. In essence, users manage the fully decentralized Ecosystem.

Among the updates to the rebranded Ecosystem are:

COpad - Premier IDO Launchpad

CODIswap- Limit-Order based DEX

NFT Marketplace

The first product the CODI ecosystem plans to release is a powerful launchpad DEX built on the fast and scalable Solana Blockchain. The CODI community would be able to invest in the most promising new DeFi projects. At the same time, new DeFi projects will be able to raise funds from passionate CODI investors. CODI's IDO Launchpad, COpad, recognizes that there are numerous DeFi projects on the market today, but there is a "trust barrier" in determining which DeFi project to invest in. Many new DeFi projects prey on investors by posing as legitimate and trustworthy projects in order to steal their money. CODI has developed a vetting procedure for DeFi products before they are listed on the launchpad DEX.

$CODI listing on P2pb2b

Every protocol and feature on the CODI Ecosystem was designed to be compatible with the project's native token, $CODI. Every member of the community must obtain CODI tokens in order to take advantage of the many benefits that the Ecosystem has to offer.

$CODI listed on the p2pb2b exchange on January 15th at 11AM UTC. The upcoming listing of the CODI token demonstrates that the project is ambitious, which increases its chances of success. The CODI project also enables early investors to reap the benefits of early adopters by purchasing $CODI at this early stage.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c743d4d-f75b-4e8e-a422-888b431d8265

If you would like to learn more about this project, visit www.codi.finance

CEO Arvydas Kublickas

email address: arvydaskublickas@codi.finance

Bellow social media channels

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Codi_Finance

Discord: https://discord.gg/FaMtfa6s

Telegram: https://t.me/codi_finance_community
RADNOR, Pa., Jan. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Chegg, Inc. (Chegg) (NYSE: CHGG). The action charges Chegg with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the companys business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Cheggs materially misleading statements to the public, Chegg investors have suffered significant losses.



CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CHEGG LOSSES

LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: February 22, 2022

CLASS PERIOD: May 5, 2020 through November 1, 2021

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:

James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or Toll Free (844) 887-9500 or Email at info@ktmc.com

CHEGGS ALLEGED MISCONDUCT

Chegg operates a direct-to-student learning platform. Cheggs services include subscription services and required materials that comprise its print textbooks and eTextbooks.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, defendants touted that Chegg was in a unique position to impact the future of the higher education ecosystem and that the primary cause of Cheggs success was its strong brand and momentum which would allow Chegg to continue to grow and take advantage of the ever-expanding opportunities in the learner economy.

The truth was revealed on November 1, 2021, when Chegg reported its financial results revealing fewer-than-expected enrollments while failing to provide 2022 guidance. In addressing these concerns, CEO Dan Rosensweig stated, a combination of variants, increased employment opportunities and compensation, along with fatigue, have all led to significantly fewer enrollments than expected this semester. And those students who have enrolled are taking fewer and less rigorous classes and are receiving less graded assignments. Following this news, shares of Chegg plunged nearly 50% on November 2, 2021.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Chegg investors may, no later than February 22, 2022 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Chegg investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE

WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?

A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. At the end of the day, we have succeeded if the bad guys pay up, and if you recover your assets. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

James Maro, Jr., Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(844) 887-9500 (toll free)

info@ktmc.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a9a614bb-7f55-4b33-abf3-401bbcc9e75e
English Estonian

Hepsor U30 SIA, a subsidiary of Hepsor AS in Latvia, signed a loan agreement with Bigbank AS Latvian affiliate on 14 January 2022 for the amount of 2.65 million euros. The purpose of the loan is to finance the construction of stock-office in Riga, Ulbrokas 30. Total leasable area of 3,645 sqm is fully covered with lease agreements. The expected completion of construction is in third quarter 2022.

According to Henri Laks, member of the Management Board of Hepsor AS, the development of stock-office projects is one of the companys strategic focus areas in Latvian market. Besides Ulbrokas 30 stock-office development project Hepsor has another two stock-office projects in early stages in Riga. Approximately 8,000 sqm stock-office project in Riga at Ulbrokas 34 is expected to be completed in 2023. At the end of 2021 Hepsor signed contract under law of obligations to acquire a property at Ganibu Dambis 17a, Riga. Hepsor intends to use the property for developing a business complex with extensive opportunities such as offices, warehouses, and retail space. The total volume of the project is approximately 25,000 m2, the first part of which should be completed in 2024. The completion of the whole project is expected in 2025. Both projects are based on Hepsors concept of green thinking for commercial real estate using environmentally friendly innovative engineering solutions.

Anneli Simm

Head of Investor Relations

Phone: +372 5615 7170

e-mail: anneli@hepsor.ee

Hepsor AS (www.hepsor.ee) is one of the fastest growing residential and commercial real estate developers in Estonia and Latvia. Over the last ten years Hepsor has developed more than 1,300 homes and 15,000 m2 of commercial space. Hepsor has been the first real estate developer in the Baltic States to implement a number of innovative engineering solutions that make the buildings we construct more energy-efficient and thus more environmentally friendly. The company's portfolio is comprised of 26 development projects with a total sellable space of 186,000 m2.
PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A standard 4me integration with Stefanini's Sophie is now available from the 4me App Store. Sophie is a virtual agent with natural language capabilities for human-like user support. She provides 24/7 first-level support. Sophie can help end users navigate through voice interaction, open and consult tickets, look for relevant articles, or transfer them to human support agents. She is the latest addition to the rapidly growing 4me App Store.

Cor Winkler Prins, CEO at 4me: "As part of our endeavor to offer the best and most complete service management platform, we are very pleased to be able to add the Sophie integration to our App Store. Sophie is becoming increasingly popular, also among our customers, and it is only logical to include this sophisticated virtual agent in our offering of standard 4me integrations."

The world's first omnichannel virtual assistant

In the increasingly connected world, new business challenges have inspired innovative digital solutions. Omnichannel virtual assistant Sophie is one of these solutions. Sophie is based on cognitive computing and artificial intelligence, with a focus on self-adaptation and both interactive and contextual automationenabling her to have natural conversations with users who need assistance.

The AI assistant is easy to train and implement. Sophie can achieve the same results as other AI technologies, with 5% of the training required by other chatbots. Her design allows her to assist across different business scenarios and interact with various personas. With an omnichannel approach, she can also integrate with messaging platforms such as Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp to provide a tailored customer experience.

Sophie was recognized in the "ISG Provider Lens" report, won the "100 most innovative IT" in the digital industry category, and earned the "Bank Report" award in the self-service category.

Now available in the 4me App Store

Installing the Sophie app is easy: 4me administrators can click on the Sophie tile in the 4me App Store and specify the URI and Tenant provided by Sophie's vendor, Stefanini, to complete the setup. This makes the customizable Sophie button available at the bottom right of the 4me Self Service page.

About 4me - The Complete Service Management Platform

4me combines ITSM with ESM and SIAM capabilities, enabling all internal departments, such as IT, HR, and Facilities, as well as external managed service providers, to work seamlessly with each other. At the same time, 4me provides complete visibility and control of service cost and quality.

About Stefanini Group

Present in 41 countries, Stefanini Group (www.stefanini.com) is a Brazilian multinational with over 30 years of experience in the market, investing in a complete innovation ecosystem to meet the main verticals and assist customers in the process of digital transformation. With robust offerings aligned with market trends such as automation, cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) and user experience (UX), the company has been recognized with several awards in the area of innovation.

Press contact: gertje.bosma@4me.com

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Image 1: 4me Integration Sophie









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New York, Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Motor Monitoring Market by Offering, Monitoring Process, End-User Industry, Deployment and Region - Global Forecast to 2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05751088/?utm_source=GNW

Globally the offers lucrative opportunities for the motor monitoring market during the forecast period.



The cloud segment, by deployment type, is expected to be the fastest-growing market from 2021 to 2026

The deployment type segment is categorized as cloud and on-premise. The cloud segment of the motor monitoring market is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period, as cloud-based solutions offer various advantages, such as scalability, adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and low energy consumption, due to which their adoption rate is increasing at a significant rate across organizations.



The oil & gas segment, by End-User Industry, is expected to be the largest market from 2021 to 2026

The oil & gas segment held the largest share of the motor monitoring market as oil & gas companies are looking for new ways to meet the rising energy needs as well as to cut down their operating costs and improve efficiency.As a motor is one of the key components of the machinery in oil & gas plants, there is a need for an exclusive monitoring solution that can be implemented.



Moreover, as oil & gas companies are establishing their drilling operations in remote offshore locations, the implementation of proper monitoring solutions becomes necessary in this industry.



North America: The largest region in the motor monitoring market.



North America is expected to dominate the global motor monitoring market between 20212026.North America is at the forefront in deploying asset performance management and condition monitoring solutions, which are efficient in providing early warning notification with predictive analytics and diagnosis of equipment issues days, weeks, or months before failure.



In recent years, the development of various software and deployment of automation solutions in various industries have improved business operations and consequently fueled the growth of the motor monitoring market in North America.



Breakdown of Primaries:

In-depth interviews have been conducted with various key industry participants, subject-matter experts, C-level executives of key market players, and industry consultants, among other experts, to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information, as well as to assess future market prospects. The distribution of primary interviews is as follows:

 By Company Type: Tier 1- 65%, Tier 2- 24%, and Tier 3- 11%

 By Designation: C-Level- 30%, D-Level- 25%, and Others- 45%



By Region: North America- 10%, Europe- 25%, Asia Pacific- 50%, and South America-8%, Middle East & Africa- 7%



Note: Others include sales managers, engineers, and regional managers

The tiers of the companies are defined based on their total revenue as of 2019: Tier 1: >USD 1 billion, Tier 2: USD 500 million1 billion, and Tier 3:

The motor monitoring market is dominated by a few major players that have a wide regional presence.The leading players in the motor monitoring market are ABB (Switzerland), General Electric (US), Siemens (Germany), Honeywell (US), SKF (Sweden), WEG (Brazil), and Schneider Electric (France).



Some of the other major players include Banner Engineering (US), Mitsubishi Electric (Japan), National Instruments (US), Emerson (US), and Eaton (Republic of Ireland), and others.



Study Coverage:

The report defines, describes, and forecasts the motor monitoring market, by offerings, by monitoring process, by deployment type, end user, and geography.It also offers a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market.



The report provides a comprehensive review of the major market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. It also covers various important aspects of the market, which include the analysis of the competitive landscape, market dynamics, market estimates in terms of value, and future trends in the motor monitoring market.



Key Benefits of Buying the Report

1. The report identifies and addresses the key markets for motor monitoring operations and services, which would help motor monitoring providers review the growth in demand.

2. The report helps system providers understand the pulse of the market and provides insights into drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges.

3. The report will help key players understand the strategies of their competitors better and help them in making better strategic decisions.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05751088/?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.



__________________________
Dublin, Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Ultra-Low Alpha Metals Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (ULA Tin, ULA Tin Alloys, ULA Lead Alloys, ULA Lead-Free Alloys, and Others) and Application" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The ultra-low alpha metals market was valued at US$ 3,125.00 million in 2020 and is projected to reach US$ 5,461.78 million by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2021 to 2028.



Ultra-low alpha metals are majorly used in solder bumping in the electronics industry. The strict government regulations on the use of hazardous substances in electronic equipment drive the growth of the ultra-low alpha metals market. However, the volatility in the prices of the raw materials impedes market growth.



Based on application, the global ultra-low alpha metals market is segmented into electronics, automotive, medical, telecommunication, and others. The electronics segment led the market in 2020. It is imperative to deploy the use of alloys and metals that could hold an ultra-low alpha grade when engaged in electronic applications. The use of ultra-low alpha metals helps to dodge any malfunctioning caused due to soft errors in electronics devices. Additionally, the significant reduction in the size of devices, along with the installation of solder materials close to the sensitive locations in electronic devices, generates the need for ultra-low alpha metals. There is a rise in demand for ultra-low alpha metals in the production of consumer electronics.



By region, the ultra-low alpha metals market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South and Central America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2020, Asia Pacific contributed to the largest share in the global ultra-low alpha metals market. The market growth in the region is primarily attributed to the presence of strong industrial base with prominent manufactures. High demand for ultra-low alpha metals from applications such as electronics, automotive, and medical backed by the significantly growing end-use industrial bases is stimulating the growth of the ultra-low alpha metals market in the region.



A few of the key players operating in the global ultra-low alpha metals market are MITSUBISHI MATERIALS Corporation; Teck Resources Limited; Advanced Manufacturing Services (AMS) Ltd; Pure Technologies; Honeywell International Inc.; DUKSAN Hi-Metal Co., Ltd; and MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions.



Reasons to buy

Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.

The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the global ultra-low alpha metals market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long-term strategies.

Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.

Scrutinize in-depth the market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.

Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest `with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology

4. Ultra-Low Alpha Metals Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.2.3 Threat of Substitutes

4.2.4 Threat of New Entrants

4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

4.3 Ecosystem Analysis

4.4 Expert Opinion



5. Ultra-Low Alpha Metals Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Rise in Concerns Toward Soft Error Issue

5.1.2 Stringent Government Regulations on Use of Heavy and Hazardous Materials

5.2 Market Restraints

5.2.1 Fluctuating Prices of Raw Materials

5.3 Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Rising Demand for Ultra Low Alpha Metals from Diverse Application Bases

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Growing Demand for ULA Lead-Free Alloys from Automotive Industry

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints



6. Ultra-Low Alpha Metals - Global Market Analysis

6.1 Ultra-Low Alpha Metals Market Overview

6.2 Ultra-Low Alpha Metals Market -Revenue and Forecast To 2028 (US$ Million)

6.3 Market Positioning - Global Market Players



7. Global Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market Analysis - By Type

7.1 Overview

7.2 Global Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market Breakdown, by Type, 2020 & 2028

7.3 ULA Tin

7.3.1 Overview

7.3.2 ULA Tin: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.4 ULA Tin Alloys

7.4.1 Overview

7.4.2 ULA Tin Alloys: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.5 ULA Lead Alloys

7.5.1 Overview

7.5.2 ULA Lead Alloys: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.6 ULA Lead-free alloys and Others

7.6.1 Overview

7.6.2 ULA Lead-free alloys and Others: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



8. Global Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market Analysis - By Application

8.1 Overview

8.2 Global Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market Breakdown, by Application, 2020 & 2028

8.3 Electronics

8.3.1 Overview

8.3.2 Electronics: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.4 Automotive

8.4.1 Overview

8.4.2 Automotive: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.5 Medical

8.5.1 Overview

8.5.2 Medical: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.6 Telecommunication

8.6.1 Overview

8.6.2 Telecommunication: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.7 Others

8.7.1 Overview

8.7.2 Others: Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



9. Ultra-Low Alpha Metals Market- Geographic Analysis

10. Overview - Impact of COVID-19

10.1 List of Top 10 Economies Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic

10.2 Impact of COVID-19 on Ultra Low Alpha Metals Market

10.3 North America: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

10.4 Europe: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

10.5 Asia-Pacific: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

10.6 Middle East & Africa: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic

10.7 South and Central America: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic



11. Company Profiles

11.1 Mitsubishi Materials Corporation

11.1.1 Key Facts

11.1.2 Business Description

11.1.3 Products and Services

11.1.4 Financial Overview

11.1.5 SWOT Analysis

11.1.6 Key Developments

11.2 Teck Resources Limited

11.2.1 Key Facts

11.2.2 Business Description

11.2.3 Products and Services

11.2.4 Financial Overview

11.2.5 SWOT Analysis

11.2.6 Key Developments

11.3 Advanced Manufacturing Services (AMS) Ltd

11.3.1 Key Facts

11.3.2 Business Description

11.3.3 Products and Services

11.3.4 Financial Overview

11.3.5 SWOT Analysis

11.3.6 Key Developments

11.4 Pure Technologies

11.4.1 Key Facts

11.4.2 Business Description

11.4.3 Products and Services

11.4.4 Financial Overview

11.4.5 SWOT Analysis

11.4.6 Key Developments

11.5 Honeywell International Inc.

11.5.1 Key Facts

11.5.2 Business Description

11.5.3 Products and Services

11.5.4 Financial Overview

11.5.5 SWOT Analysis

11.5.6 Key Developments

11.6 DUKSAN Hi-Metal Co., Ltd

11.6.1 Key Facts

11.6.2 Business Description

11.6.3 Products and Services

11.6.4 Financial Overview

11.6.5 SWOT Analysis

11.6.6 Key Developments

11.7 MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions

11.7.1 Key Facts

11.7.2 Business Description

11.7.3 Products and Services

11.7.4 Financial Overview

11.7.5 SWOT Analysis

11.7.6 Key Developments



12. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jypp2w
Kelowna, Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) is pleased to announce business leader, Robert Louie, as the 2022 recipient of the annual Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award.

Louie, a former practicing lawyer, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the Justice Institute of B.C. in 2014, served as Chief of Westbank First Nation (WFN) for 24 years collectively, championed WFN to independence through self-governance and served as a chairman, director, or board member on over 30 corporate entities during his career. Currently, Louie is a business owner of Indigenous World Winery and Distillery, Kelowna West Manufacturing Home Park, and other business ventures. He continues to sit on six corporate boards.

CCABs Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a First Nations, Inuit, or Metis person whose business leadership has made a substantive contribution to the economic and social well-being of Indigenous people.

Robert Louie exemplifies the entrepreneurial and leadership characteristics at the heart of this award, said CCAB President and CEO, Tabatha Bull. His entrepreneurial spirit, work leading the Westbank First Nation as Chief, and advocacy for legislative change to effect economic growth through Indigenous land, have earned him a reputation as a role model, mentor, and deserving lifetime achievement recipient.

For decades, as a visionary for progress of Indigenous business, Louie championed social and economic growth and development for Indigenous Peoples. He recognized restrictive rules of the Indian Act that supressed timely business growth on First Nation land and joined other First Nations leaders across Canada to effect change. Louie created the Lands Advisory Board and was a catalyst in the development of the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management. He lobbied for legislative change to return power to First Nations over land, natural resources and environment. Through his efforts, the First Nations Land Management Act was brought into force in 1999 providing decision-making powers to First Nation communities. He continues to be Chairman of the Lands Advisory Board today.

In his final years as Chief of Westbank First Nation, he led and finalized self-governance for his community in 2005. Since that time, economic growth of Westbank reserve lands increased from 110 businesses on reserve to over 500 today and nearly $700M in revenue.

"I am honoured, grateful and appreciative to receive the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award, said Robert Louie. To serve, work with and support Indigenous people in economic and business ventures makes me so proud to be Indigenous. I salute all Indigenous peoples in business."

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented by ESS Support Services, a division of Compass Canada, to Indigenous business leaders who have built full and rich careers. It pays tribute to outstanding Indigenous businesspeople across the country who are well-advanced in their careers and have built a legacy that serves as an example of excellence.

ESS is proud to sponsor the Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award; I congratulate Robert Louie for his dedication in improving the social and economic well-being of his community and of Canada's other First Nations communities. He has worked industriously to foster opportunities for growth and development for Indigenous people, said Sanjay Gomes, president, ESS Support Services Worldwide. Robert, your achievements are a motivation to others and we honour your success.

CCAB is proud to present this award to Robert Louie during the Central Canada Business Forum on February 24, 2022.

-30-

About Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business:

CCAB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canadas economy. As a national, non-partisan association, its mission is to promote, strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and awareness. CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to its members to cultivate economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses across Canada. For more information, visit www.ccab.com.

Attachments
New York, Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Voice and Speech Recognition Technology Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p04246017/?utm_source=GNW

Growth in the global market is being driven by the expanding applications of voice and speech recognition technologies, with customer care, healthcare, and financial institutions emerging as major end-use markets for the technology. Rising demand for speech-based biometric systems for carrying out multifactor authentication is another major factor driving growth in the market. Increasing focus on combating fraud in major end-use verticals including enterprise, banking and healthcare sectors and the growing adoption of mobile banking services by banking institutions and e-commerce retailers are enhancing the need for more secure verification process, thereby driving implementations of voice recognition/authentication technologies. Sustained innovations in computing power and the growing adoption of cloud-based services are also boosting market prospects. Automatic speech recognition (ASR), text-to-speech (TTS) and speaker verification (SV) are few applications driving growth in the speech technology marketplace.



Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Voice and Speech Recognition Technology estimated at US$7.7 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$20.9 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 18.1% over the analysis period. Speech, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 16.1% CAGR to reach US$15.9 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Voice segment is readjusted to a revised 22.6% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 27.8% share of the global Voice and Speech Recognition Technology market. Speech recognition technology has been developed as an approach to allow individuals to interact easily with smartphones and its applications. Growth of the speech recognition market is being driven by the extensive adoption of mobile computing technology and increasing proliferation of smartphones. Voice recognition technology is capable of analyzing speaker`s identity, by studying behavioral patterns of people, such as accent, voice pitch, speaking style, among others. Advancements in machine learning and speech technology, constantly reducing costs, and growth in processing power are all driving growth in the voice recognition market.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $2.9 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $2.3 Billion by 2026



The Voice and Speech Recognition Technology market in the U.S. is estimated at US$2.9 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 33.2% share in the global market. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$2.3 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 21.6% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 16% and 16.4% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 17% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$2.8 Billion by the end of the analysis period. In developed markets, speech technology has become the mainstay in enterprise call centers and telecommunication devices. Further, there is a growing adoption of speech technology in automobiles and in-car systems with both the US-based and European automobile manufacturers exhibiting high level of interest in the technology. Also driving market growth is the increasing adoption of speech recognition solutions in BFSI and healthcare sectors for purposes such as time and attendance monitoring. The increasing awareness about speech and voice recognition technology and the reducing cost of biometric devices are fueling market growth in Asia-Pacific region, especially in countries such as China and India.





Select Competitors (Total 192 Featured)



[24]7.ai, Inc.

3M Company

Acapela Group

Advanced Voice Recognition Systems, Inc.

Apple, Inc.

Genesta

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.

Google, Inc.

Honeywell International, Inc.

IBM Corporation

LumenVox LLC

Microsoft Corporation

Nuance Communications, Inc.

Open Text Corporation

Sensory, Inc.

Sestek

Voxware, Inc.

Wizzard Speech LLC







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04246017/?utm_source=GNW



I. METHODOLOGY



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



1. MARKET OVERVIEW

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Looming Global Recession

2020 Marked as a Year of Disruption & Transformation

As the Race between the Virus & Vaccines Intensifies, Where is

the World Economy Headed in 2021

EXHIBIT 1: World Economic Growth Projections (Real GDP, Annual

% Change) for 2020 through 2022

Pandemic-Driven Need for Touchless Interactions Spurs Demand

for Voice-based Technologies

Amidst the Pandemic, Voice & Speech Technologies Hold Promise

for Healthcare Sector

MIT Researchers Use Speech Recordings to Detect Change in Voice

Quality

Lincoln Laboratory Conducts Research on Vocal Biomarkers

Touchless.ai: A Remarkable Innovation in Touchless Space

An Introduction to Voice and Speech Recognition Technology

Speech Recognition Technology

History of Speech Technology

Types of Speech Technology

Voice Recognition Technology

Voice and Speech Recognition Technology: Enabling Man-to-

Machine Communication

Global Market Prospects & Outlook

Consumer Market to Drive Gains in the Global Market

Speech Recognition Leads the Voice and Speech Recognition

Technology Market

Voice Recognition: Poised to Witness High Growth

Developed Markets Lead, Developing Regions to Spearhead Future

Growth

Factors Restraining Market Growth

Competition

EXHIBIT 2: Global Speech Recognition Software Market Breakdown

of Revenues (in %) by Leading Competitors: 2020

World Brands

Recent Market Activity



2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS



3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Proliferation of Multifunctional Mobile Devices & Smart

Speakers Drives Market Prospects

EXHIBIT 3: Smartphone Penetration Rate as Share of Total

Population: 2016-2021

EXHIBIT 4: Global Market for Smartphones (in Billion) for 2016 -

2021

EXHIBIT 5: Global Smart Speakers Market Size (in $ Billion) for

the Years 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025

Growing Potential for Voice & Speech Recognition in Healthcare

Sector

Medicare Care Networks Embrace Voice Recognition Software

Role of Voice Assistants in Healthcare Industry

Key Benefits of Voice Technology for Medical Services

Major Applications & Use Cases of Speech Recognition Technology

for Healthcare Sector

An Overview of Major Speech Recognition Applications for

Various Healthcare Services and Special Needs Assistance

EXHIBIT 6: Number of People with Disabling Hearing Loss

(in Million) for 2019, 2030, 2040 and 2050

Closed Captioning: Providing Hearing-Impaired Access to

Information

Automatic Captioning Systems Come to the Aid of Hearing Impaired

Intelligent Conversational Systems for Self-Care

Voice Technology for Command and Control

Increasing Adoption of Speech Technology in Radiology

Key Challenges Confronting Adoption of Voice & Speech

Technology in Healthcare

Banking and Financial Services Industry Embraces Voice and

Speech Recognition Technology

Risk Averse Financial Institutions Turn to Voice & Speech

Technology

Use Cases of Voice and Speech Recognition Technology in

Financial Services and Banking Sector

Methodical Approach to Implement Voice Technology: An Important

Consideration

Voice Bots: Enabling Natural Language Recognition

COVID-19 Pandemic Accelerates Shift towards Digital Banking,

Presenting Growth Opportunities

Banking Regulations Stress on Security Issues in Voice Technology

Voice Biometrics Continues to Gain Growth in BFSI Sector

Mobile Banking Applications Give Rise to Increased Demand for

Voice-based Authentication

EXHIBIT 7: Global Online Banking Market Size (in US$ Billion)

for the Years 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025

Virtual Assistants: Enabling a Range of Financial Services

Mobile Biometrics Emerge as a Critical Solution to Address

Security Challenges

Rising Importance of AI Technology for Enhancing Accuracy of

Voice & Speech Recognition Technology

Promising Future Ahead for AI-Enabled Voice Technology

AI-Driven Speech Recognition Offers Numerous Advantages for

Businesses

Speech-based Biometric Systems Finds Increasing Importance for

Multifactor Authentication

EXHIBIT 8: Financial Losses in the US Due to Internet Crime in

US$ Million: 2012-2020

Potential Role in Developing Voice & Speech Recognition

Software in Micro-Linguistics & Local Languages

Efforts to Create Multilingual Communication Platforms Gain

Momentum in India

Growth of Service Robotics Boosts Use of Speech & Voice

Recognition Technology

EXHIBIT 9: Global Service Robotics Market: Sales in US$ Million

by Geographic Region/Country for the Years 2020 and 2027

Technology Holds Prominence in Education for Disabled Students

Voiced-Enabled Technologies for Speech Impaired Individuals

AI-Powered Technologies for Universal Speech Recognition for

the Disabled

Advantages of Voice Assistants for People with Upper Limb

Disabilities

Growing Role of Speech & Voice Recognition Technology in Cars

Rising Relevance of Digital Voice Assistants in In-Vehicle

Control Systems

Key features of Voice Assistance Systems for Automobiles

A Glance at Select In-Car Speech Recognition Systems

Auto Production Trends to Influence Market Outlook

EXHIBIT 10: World Automobile Production in Million Units: 2008 -

2022

With Autonomous Cars Concept Gaining Strength, Role of Speech &

Voice Recognition to Find Increased Acceptance

Growing Role of Voice & Speech Recognition Technology in Retail

Sector

Voice Recognition-Supported Shopping to Make Strong Gains

Robust Growth of e-Commerce Industry: A Potential Market

Opportunity

EXHIBIT 11: Global E-Commerce Market as a % of Retail Sales for

the Period 2017, 2019, 2021 & 2023

Military Systems Look Towards Voice Recognition Technology for

Improved Access Control

U.S. Army?s ARL Develops JUDI

Consumer Electronics Emerges as a Key Market for Voice

Recognition Technology

EXHIBIT 12: Global Opportunity for Consumer Electronics (In US$

Million) for Years 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026 and 2028

Rising Popularity of Voice-Activated Speakers

Home Automation Trend Bodes Well for Voice & Speech Technology

Adoption in Consumer Electronics

EXHIBIT 13: Global Smart Home Penetration Rate (%): 2017-2025

EXHIBIT 14: Smart Home Penetration Rate (%) by Region/Country:

2020

Pre-Configured Voice Skill Sets for Home Automation

Voice Assistants Poised for High Growth Amidst the Home

Automation Trend

Data Security Concerns in Voice Activation Technology

Voice Assistant Technology for Enterprise: Promising Growth Ahead

Use Cases of Voice Technology in Enterprises

Integrating Voice Assistant into a Single System for Staff

Management

Constraints of Voice Assistants in an Enterprise

Key Voice & Speech Recognition Products for Businesses &

Enterprises

Globalization & Workforce Decentralization Spur Demand in the

Enterprise Sector

EXHIBIT 15: Global Workforce Population: Percentage Share

Breakdown of Employees by Nature of Work for 2009, 2017 & 2024

Legal Offices Look to Deploy Speech & Voice Recognition Market

Speech Recognition Applications in Legal Profession

Use of Dictation Machines and Beyond

Need for Legal Analytics: Historical Background and Present

Scenario

Use of Speech Recognition Technology by Law Enforcement Agencies

Automated Speech Recognition (ASR): The Widely Used Speech

Recognition Technology

Text-to-Speech Emerges as a Realistic, Natural Conversation Tool

Rising Importance of Speech Technology in the IoT Era

EXHIBIT 16: Global Number of IoT Connected Devices (In Billion

Units) for the Years 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 & 2025

Cloud-ba1sed Speech Technology Continues to Make Strong Progress

Speech Recognition and the Gaming Industry

Technology Trends Poised to Transform Voice Recognition Market

Notable Speech Recognition Technology Trends in 2021 & Beyond

Innovations & Advancements in Voice and Speech Recognition

Technology Market

Application of AI and Signal Processing in Diagnosing COVID-19

symptoms

Usage of Vocal Biomarkers in Diagnosis of a Disease

Usage of AI Based Asymptomatic Screening Tools

Determining the Spread of COVID-19 using AI Technology

Speech Recognition for COVID-19 Diagnosis Not Completely Reliable

Technological Advancements Enhance Accuracy

Advancements in Voice User Interface (VUI) Technology

Voice Assistants Usage in R&D Laboratories

Major Challenges Facing Market Growth

Limitations of Voice Assistant Technologies

Challenges Facing Speech Recognition Market



4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

Table 1: World Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Geographic Region - USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 2: World Historic Review for Voice and Speech Recognition

Technology by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 3: World 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Geographic Region - Percentage

Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 4: World Current & Future Analysis for Speech by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 5: World Historic Review for Speech by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 6: World 11-Year Perspective for Speech by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA,

Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 7: World Current & Future Analysis for Voice by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 8: World Historic Review for Voice by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 9: World 11-Year Perspective for Voice by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA,

Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 10: World Current & Future Analysis for Cloud by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 11: World Historic Review for Cloud by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 12: World 11-Year Perspective for Cloud by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA,

Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 13: World Current & Future Analysis for On-Premise by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 14: World Historic Review for On-Premise by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 15: World 11-Year Perspective for On-Premise by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 16: World Current & Future Analysis for Consumer by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 17: World Historic Review for Consumer by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 18: World 11-Year Perspective for Consumer by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA,

Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 19: World Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 20: World Historic Review for Healthcare by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 21: World 11-Year Perspective for Healthcare by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 22: World Current & Future Analysis for Automotive by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 23: World Historic Review for Automotive by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 24: World 11-Year Perspective for Automotive by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 25: World Current & Future Analysis for Retail by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 26: World Historic Review for Retail by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 27: World 11-Year Perspective for Retail by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA,

Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 28: World Current & Future Analysis for BFSI by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 29: World Historic Review for BFSI by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 30: World 11-Year Perspective for BFSI by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA,

Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 31: World Current & Future Analysis for Military by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 32: World Historic Review for Military by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 33: World 11-Year Perspective for Military by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA,

Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 34: World Current & Future Analysis for Legal by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 35: World Historic Review for Legal by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 36: World 11-Year Perspective for Legal by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA,

Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



Table 37: World Current & Future Analysis for Other End-Uses by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 38: World Historic Review for Other End-Uses by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 39: World 11-Year Perspective for Other End-Uses by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2016, 2021 & 2027



III. MARKET ANALYSIS



UNITED STATES

Speech Technology Market Remains Firm

Voice Recognition Market for Smartphones

Speech Recognition Technology: A Prominent Role in Healthcare

Sector

Growing Adoption of Speech Recognition Systems among Physicians

Advancements in Speech Recognition Technology Augur Well for

Healthcare Industry

Enterprise-Wide Deployment: Key to Success of Speech

Recognition Technology in Healthcare Sector

Nuance Leads Radiology Speech Recognition Market

Amid Growing Risks, Financial Sector Embraces Voice Biometrics

Rising Demand for Speech Analytics Technology in Insurance

Industry

Automotive Industry Looks to Voice Recognition Technology for

Improving Driver Safety

Speech Recognition Technology Making Way into Air Traffic Control

Market Analytics

Table 40: USA Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Speech and Voice -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 41: USA Historic Review for Voice and Speech Recognition

Technology by Technology - Speech and Voice Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 42: USA 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Speech and Voice for the Years 2016, 2021 &

2027



Table 43: USA Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Cloud and On-Premise -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 44: USA Historic Review for Voice and Speech Recognition

Technology by Deployment - Cloud and On-Premise Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 45: USA 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Cloud and On-Premise for the Years 2016,

2021 & 2027



Table 46: USA Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Consumer, Healthcare,

Automotive, Retail, BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 47: USA Historic Review for Voice and Speech Recognition

Technology by End-Use - Consumer, Healthcare, Automotive,

Retail, BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 48: USA 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Consumer, Healthcare, Automotive, Retail,

BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses for the Years 2016,

2021 & 2027



CANADA

Market Overview

Market Analytics

Table 49: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Speech and Voice -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 50: Canada Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Speech and Voice Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 51: Canada 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Speech and Voice for the Years 2016, 2021 &

2027



Table 52: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Cloud and On-Premise -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 53: Canada Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Cloud and On-Premise

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 54: Canada 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Cloud and On-Premise for the Years 2016,

2021 & 2027



Table 55: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Consumer, Healthcare,

Automotive, Retail, BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 56: Canada Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Consumer, Healthcare,

Automotive, Retail, BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 57: Canada 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Consumer, Healthcare, Automotive, Retail,

BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses for the Years 2016,

2021 & 2027



JAPAN

Table 58: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Speech and Voice -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 59: Japan Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Speech and Voice Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 60: Japan 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Speech and Voice for the Years 2016, 2021 &

2027



Table 61: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Cloud and On-Premise -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 62: Japan Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Cloud and On-Premise

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 63: Japan 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Cloud and On-Premise for the Years 2016,

2021 & 2027



Table 64: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Consumer, Healthcare,

Automotive, Retail, BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 65: Japan Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Consumer, Healthcare,

Automotive, Retail, BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 66: Japan 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Consumer, Healthcare, Automotive, Retail,

BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses for the Years 2016,

2021 & 2027



CHINA

China: Lucrative Market for Voice Technologies

iFlytek Strives to Solidify its Leadership in Voice Recognition

Market

Competition

EXHIBIT : Leading Players in the Chinese Speech Recognition

Market (2020): Percentage Breakdown of Revenues for Apple,

Baidu, iFlytek, Nuance and Others

Market Analytics

Table 67: China Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Speech and Voice -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 68: China Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Speech and Voice Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 69: China 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Technology - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Speech and Voice for the Years 2016, 2021 &

2027



Table 70: China Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Cloud and On-Premise -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 71: China Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Cloud and On-Premise

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 72: China 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by Deployment - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Revenues for Cloud and On-Premise for the Years 2016,

2021 & 2027



Table 73: China Current & Future Analysis for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Consumer, Healthcare,

Automotive, Retail, BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 74: China Historic Review for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Consumer, Healthcare,

Automotive, Retail, BFSI, Military, Legal and Other End-Uses

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2016 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 75: China 11-Year Perspective for Voice and Speech

Recognition Technology by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of



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HANOI, Vietnam, Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Funverse Capital announced its first $10 million-sized investment fund for blockchain-focused tech startups capable of driving profound impact on the fintech and gaming industry. The capital fund is backed by Funtap - the technology corporation formerly known as one among top 3 mobile game publishers in Vietnam.

In addition to capital funding ticket size of up to $1M for each qualified project, Funverse Capital offers mentorship and accelerator programs which take advantage of Funtaps leading position in Vietnams mobile gaming market such as the company's nearly a decade of market understanding and its 42 million worldwide customer network.

According to Funverse Capitals Managing Director - Phillips Dao: In the Southeast Asia market, the capital fund is now seeking startups working on blockchain-enabled applications in GameFi, DeFi and other potential projects. Phillips Dao is currently Funtaps VP of Game Business. The 39-year-old director has 15 years of experience in the gaming industry.

Vietnam's blockchain market has been booming recently since the huge success of Sky Mavis, the tech startup behind the well-known monster-combat NFT game Axie infinity. According to VOV, Vietnam now has at least 10 blockchain startups with market capitalization of over 100 million USD. Among the Worlds top 200 blockchain companies, there are 5 - 7 companies that have Vietnamese founders. Experts said that with the advantage of high-quality and market-sensitive human resources in technology and years of experience doing software outsourcing, Vietnam is a promising land for the thriving of blockchain-based products.

A good product is not enough for the startup to win in todays market. We recognize the opportunity for fledgling entrepreneurs to go "from vision to action" and are willing to assist them turn their ideas into reality by sharing the strength of a worldwide business network, the mutual advantages of the online ecosystem, and growth lessons in the typical Internet market, added Dao.

The official launch of Funverse Capital confirms Funtaps strong move-in blockchain industry, especially gaming fintech in coming years. The new venture capital plays a vital role in the whole group's plan to achieve its ultimate goal of becoming among the leading and respected technology companies in South East Asia in the next 5 years.

Blockchain and NFT are great motivations for the coming generation of Internet products and services. With our financial capital and other business resources committed via Funverse Capital, Funtap is now ready to contribute to the growth and acceleration of the emerging tech industry, - concluded Adam Bui, Founder & CEO of Funtap Corp.

About Funtap

Headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam, Funtap has grown from a zero-dollar firm in 2015 to a digital service ecosystem that includes games, digital content, payment, and finance solutions for more than 42 million users worldwide, placing it among the fastest-growing companies in the regions markets. The company embraces a sustainable business strategy that balances the benefits of corporate, communities, and customers.

Business types: Game publishing, Game development, Digital content and Media, Fintech

Game publishing, Game development, Digital content and Media, Fintech Company size: 600+ employees

600+ employees Number of customers: 42+ million worldwide



For more information please visit websites: https://funverse.capital, https://funtap.vn

Media Queries: info@funverse.capital

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1024082e-f814-4706-8c4d-cd0b126523a2
Potsdam, NY, Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Samples from breast milk may one day be used routinely to identify cancer, or even to detect cancer risk. Thats the goal of the work of researchers Kathleen Arcaro and Brian Pentecost of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Costel Darie of Clarkson University in New York.

Dr. Arcaro started studying breast milk to identify cancer risk and presence for a variety of reasons. According to Arcaro, few people know that pregnancy itself can increase the risk of breast cancer. She recently stated, pregnancy-associated [breast cancer] is a big problem it takes a huge societal toll. Arcaro also noted that prior to her research no one was studying the function of the breast in cancerwhich is to lactate. Were studying the breast at its functional point. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, about one in 3,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy.

Arcaro has spent over a decade identifying changes (known as methylation) in the DNA of cells taken from breast milk, to help identify cancer and cancer risk. A few years ago she teamed up with protein expert, Dr. Costel Darie of Clarkson University. Darie expanded the focus of the research to identify specific proteins, using a technique called mass spectrometry. Recently, the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute awarded a $443,330 grant to Darie to continue this research with Arcaro.

Darie is hopeful that one day this research collaboration will produce a routine screening tool that will aid in the treatment and prevention of cancer. We have already found several proteins that have great promise as biomarkers for cancer. We imagine that one day every woman could be screened for breast cancer using samples from milk or colostrum. Colostrum samples would not require that women decide to breastfeed, so every woman would be eligible, remarked Darie. Colostrum is a fluid produced in women who have given birth that appears right before milk.

Other research collaborators on the team include David Fenyo of New York University School of Medicine and Sumona Mondal of Clarkson University, Roshanak Aslebagh, a former graduate student in Darie Lab, and Danielle Whitham, a current graduate student in Darie Lab.

Women who are interested in helping this research by donating breast milk samples can visit http://breastmilkresearch.org.

Attachment
We Are China

DPRK fires unidentified projectile into eastern waters -- S. Korean military

Xinhua) 08:51, January 17, 2022

SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired an unidentified projectile into eastern waters, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on Monday without mentioning further details.

It marked the DPRK's fourth projectile launch this year.

The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said last week that the railway-borne missile regiment test-fired two tactical guided missiles on Friday.

The DPRK said it successfully test-launched a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 respectively.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Houthis supporters shout slogans during a vigil marking the second anniversary of the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a U.S. drone attack, at a mosque in Sanaa, Yemen, Jan. 3. EPA-Yonhap



A possible drone attack may have sparked an explosion that struck three oil tankers in Abu Dhabi and another fire at an extension of Abu Dhabi International Airport on Monday that killed three people and wounded six, police said.



Abu Dhabi police identified the dead as two Indian nationals and one Pakistani. It did not identify the wounded, who police said suffered minor or moderate wounds.



Police said an investigation was underway.



While Abu Dhabi police did not immediately offer any suspects for the possible assault, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack targeting the United Arab Emirates, without elaborating. The Iranian-backed Houthis have claimed several attacks that Emirati officials later denied took place.



The incident comes while Yemen's years-long war rages on and as an Emirati-flagged vessel found itself recently captured by the Houthis. That's as Abu Dhabi largely has withdrawn its national forces from the conflict tearing apart the Arab world's poorest nation while still supporting local militias there.



Abu Dhabi police said preliminary investigations indicated the detection of small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire. They said there was no significant damage from the incidents, without offering further details.



Police described the airport fire as "minor'' and said it took place at an extension of the international airport that is still under construction. For years, the airport home to Etihad Airways has been building its new Midfield Terminal, but it wasn't clear if that was where the fire took place.



The airport and Etihad did not immediately respond to requests for comment, however there were a series of flights delayed Monday morning.



Police said the other blast struck three petroleum transport tankers near a storage facility for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) in the Musaffah area. The neighborhood, 22 kilometers from the center of Abu Dhabi city, also has an oil pipeline network and 36 storage tanks, from which transport trucks carry fuel nationwide.



On Monday, Houthi military spokesman Yahia Sarei said the group launched an attack deep in the UAE. He did not provide further details, saying a statement would be released soon.



The location of the ADNOC storage facility where the tankers caught fire is approximately 1,800 kilometers northeast of Saada, the Houthis' stronghold in Yemen.



The UAE has been at war in Yemen since early 2015, and was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched attacks against the Iranian-backed Houthis after the group overran the capital of Yemen and ousted the internationally backed government from power.



Although the UAE has decreased the number of troops it has on the ground, it continues to be actively engaged in the war and supports key militias fighting the Houthis. It also cooperates closely with the United States in counter-terrorism operations in Yemen.



The Houthis have come under pressure in recent weeks and are suffering heavy losses as Yemeni forces, allied and backed by the UAE, have pushed back the rebel group in key southern and central provinces of the country.



Yemen's government-aligned forces, aided by the UAE-backed Giants Brigades and with help from Saudi airstrikes, reclaimed the entire southern province of Shabwa from the Houthis earlier this month and made advances in nearby Marib province.





President Moon Jae-in, left, and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum leave an event at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday. AP-Yonhap
TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) condemns the continued hoarding by the federal government of hydroxychloroquine, which it has kept in a stockpile while expensive new medications for Covid remain mostly unavailable.



The first 10 million doses of the new Pfizer medication Paxlovid ordered by the federal government will not be available until June. Only 250,000 courses of treatment will be accessible by the end of January, which is too little, too late.



Meanwhile, since early last year the federal government has hoarded more than 60 million doses of hydroxychloroquine donated by generous pharmaceutical companies trying to help stem the Covid-19 pandemic. Rather than release these to the public as intended by the donors, the federal government has wrongly withheld this medication, instead promoting vaccination as the only answer. AAPS unsuccessfully attempted to get government to release the stockpile in a lawsuit filed in June 2020.



Why has the government been touting a medication that is mostly unavailable, while withholding from the public a medication that was donated for use against Covid? asks Jane Orient, M.D., Executive Director of AAPS. No one is helped by promoting an expensive new treatment that patients cannot obtain, Dr. Orient added.



The State of New York received Paxlovid doses for treating only about 20,000 people. Its Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett observed that that is insufficient.



Mercks pill for Covid, molnupiravir, will be accessible sooner but reportedly might cause birth defects, and thus is not first among the governments recommendations. Why is the government recommending a new medication that may be unsafe for many? Dr. Orient asks. Hydroxychloroquine, in contrast, was FDA approved for safety in 1955 and has been safely used by hundreds of millions of people.



In addition, the government recently began to ration access to monoclonal antibodies. More than 2 years into the pandemic, hospitals report that they can treat many fewer patients with antibodies now compared with at the height of the pandemic last year.



The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943. Its motto is omnia pro aegroto (everything for the patient).
PERTH, Western Australia, Jan. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX: PRU) is pleased to provide details of exploration success at its Edikan Gold Mine in Ghana during the December 2021 quarter.

HIGHLIGHTS

Perseus has recorded further impressive drilling results at Nkosuo prospect on the Agyakusu Prospecting Licence, just seven kilometres from its Edikan Gold Mine in Ghana.

prospect on the Agyakusu Prospecting Licence, just seven kilometres from its in Ghana. Results continue to demonstrate strong potential for shallow, granite-hosted open-pitable gold resources, including:



NKS0034RC: 37m @ 1.49g/t Au from 3m NKS0050RD: 60m @ 1.28g/t from 6m NKS0037DD: 43m @ 1.79 g/t from 0m NKS0050RD: 24m @ 2.04g/t Au from 6m NKS0059RD: 37m @ 1.74 g/t Au from 8m NKS0060RC: 51m @ 2.09 g/t Au from 20m NKS0081RC: 46m @ 2.31g/t Au from 18m NKS0086RD: 13m @ 4.18g/t Au from 1m & 54m @ 1.63g/t Au from 54m NKS0091RD: 34m @ 1.3g/t Au from surface & 14m @ 2.17 g/t from 58m NKS0092RD: 38m @ 1.83g/t Au from 38m & 24m @ 1.65g/t Au from 90m NKS0102RD: 26m @ 1.55g/t Au from surface NKS0117RC: 22m @ 3.92 g/t from 8m NKS0120RC: 16m @ 4.17 g/t Au from 24m

Results confirm Nkosuo hosts near-surface, granite-hosted gold mineralisation similar in style to that mined in Edikans Fobinso and Abnabna (AG) pits.

Resource definition drilling is ongoing. Perseus expects to complete a maiden Mineral Resource estimate for Nkosuo early in the June 2022 quarter.

Nkosuo discovery has the potential to extend Edikans mine life beyond forecast end in FY2026-2027.

Perseuss Managing Director and CEO Jeff Quartermaine said:

As Perseus moves closer to achieving our goal of producing 500,000 ounces of gold per year, we have turned our sights to finding ways of sustaining this level of gold production to the end of the decade and beyond.

Our exploration programme at Nkosuo has returned impressive results that demonstrate this prospects potential to add to Edikans mine life, with further successful drilling. We are particularly encouraged by similarities between the Nkosuo deposit and the Fobinso and Abnabna deposits which weve already successfully developed, mined and processed at Edikan.

While we are working towards completing a maiden Mineral Resource estimate for Nkosuo in the first half of CY2022, we intend to continue exploring on the Agyakusu, Agyakusu-DML and Domenase exploration licence areas, all of which are under option to Perseus and all of which are located within trucking distance of our Edikan mill.

NKOSUO EXPLORATION DRILLING

Results from Perseuss recent exploration activities adjacent to its Edikan Gold Mine (Edikan) in Ghana continue to confirm the outstanding potential to grow its gold inventory at Edikan through further drilling success.

Perseus secured an option to acquire the 23.85km2 Agyakusu prospecting licence (Appendix 1 - Figure 1.1), currently held by Ghanaian company Adio-Mabas Ghana Ltd, in November 2019 (see ASX announcement 4 November 2019). Perseus subsequently conducted soil sampling and airborne geophysical surveys whilst negotiating access from farmers to drill the granite-hosted Nkosuo gold prospect. Perseus achieved access in June 2021, with drilling continuing uninterrupted since that date.

Perseus commenced exploration drilling at the Nkosuo prospect on the Agyakusu permit on 1 July 2021, with the first highly encouraging results being reported in our ASX release dated 13 October 2021. Since that date, Perseus had drilled a further 13,008 metres in 36 Reverse Circulation (RC), 5 diamond (DD) holes and 46 RC pre-collared diamond holes (RD). Drilling has been conducted on a nominal 80 x 80 metre grid to scope out the extent and overall geometry of the host granite and contained mineralisation, partially infilled to 40 x 40 metres and locally to 40 x 20 metres. Results have continued to provide strong support for the presence of a shallow open-pitable gold resource within trucking distance of the Edikan mill.

Mineralisation at Nkosuo is hosted by a NNE-trending granitic plug extending at least 1,200 metres in strike, with widths ranging from around 120 metres in the northern part to up to 160 metres in the southern part. The northern part of the intrusive body is dislocated by a roughly NW-SE fault that offsets the northern 400 metres of the body ~160 metres to the northwest (Appendix 1 - Figure 1.2).

The strongest mineralisation is focused in the offset northern part of the intrusion and the northern central section of the southern part of the intrusion, gradually waning to the southwest. The granite body dips at around 700 to the west in the northern part of the intrusion, steepening to near vertical towards the south. Mineralisation within the granite consists of variably intense quartz stockwork veining with associated quartz-carbonate-sericite alteration. The veining and alteration are accompanied by 1-2% disseminated and selvage pyrite and arsenopyrite, with better gold grades generally associated with higher concentrations of arsenopyrite. The granite remains open to the south, with indications from surface workings that mineralisation may strengthen within the southern apex of the intrusion, analogous to the situation in the northern apex. Drilling to test this hypothesis is planned for the coming quarter.

Overall, the Nkosuo mineralisation bears strong similarities in style and scale to the western granite-hosted deposits at Edikan such as Fobinso and Abnabna.

Better intercepts from the Nkosuo drilling received between 13 October 2021 and 8 January 2022 are shown below in Table 1 and on Appendix 1  Figure 2, with a complete summary included in Appendix 2 - Table 1. Representative sections are presented in Appendix 1  Figures 1.3 to 1.5.

Table 1: Intercepts from Agyakusu Prospecting Licence - Nkosuo Prospect

(Based on lower cut-off of 0.5 g/t Au with maximum 2m internal waste <0.5 g/t)

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Gold Intercept NKS0024RD 125 127 2m @ 7.2 g/t NKS0024RD 135 147 12m @ 0.91 g/t NKS0024RD 157 169 12m @ 1.53 g/t NKS0024RD 187 192 5m @ 1.29 g/t NKS0024RD 201 207 6m @ 1.11 g/t NKS0025RD 116 124 8m @ 1.15 g/t NKS0025RD 140 159.1 19.1m @ 0.72 g/t NKS0025RD 273 281.8 8.8m @ 1.07 g/t NKS0034RC 3 40 37 @ 1.49 g/t NKS0036RD 162 164 2m @ 6.27 g/t NKS0036RD 284 292.65 8.7m @ 1.21 g/t NKS0037DD 6.9 44 37.1m @ 2.05 g/t NKS0037DD 48.6 60.15 11.6m @ 1.83 g/t NKS0038DD 0 5.59 5.6m @ 1.26 g/t NKS0040DD 13.3 28.3 15m @ 0.97 g/t NKS0043RD 234.85 238.13 3.3m @ 3.15 g/t NKS0044RD 18 24 6m @ 1.95 g/t NKS0044RD 18 20 2m @ 4.06 g/t NKS0044RD 28 40 12m @ 0.82 g/t NKS0044RD 46 64 18m @ 0.65 g/t NKS0046DD 0 23.9 23.9m @ 0.66 g/t NKS0046DD 27.3 29.3 2m @ 3.29 g/t NKS0047RD 12 28 16m @ 1.16 g/t NKS0047RD 32 64 32m @ 0.89 g/t NKS0048RD 68 70 2m @ 8.35 g/t NKS0048RD 102 104 2m @ 3.58 g/t NKS0048RD 250.5 253 2.5m @ 87.30 g/t NKS0049RD 28 36 8m @ 1.31 g/t NKS0049RD 46 50 4m @ 1.35 g/t NKS0049RD 116 120 4m @ 2.05 g/t NKS0050RD 6 30 24m @ 2.04 g/t NKS0050RD 36 42 6m @ 1.51 g/t NKS0050RD 56 66 10m @ 1.15 g/t NKS0053RD 104 112 8m @ 1.07 g/t NKS0059RD 0 4 4m @ 2.47 g/t NKS0059RD 8 45 37m @ 1.74 g/t NKS0060RC 20 71 51m @ 2.09 g/t NKS0061RD 11 50 39m @ 0.98 g/t NKS0061RD 64 69 5m @ 4.36 g/t NKS0062RD 74 90 16m @ 1.08 g/t NKS0063RC 40 52 12m @ 1.74 g/t NKS0064RD 62 68 6m @ 2.40 g/t NKS0064RD 82 87 5m @ 2.44 g/t NKS0065RD 72 78 6m @ 1.62 g/t NKS0065RD 116 120 4m @ 1.92 g/t NKS0066RD 62 66 4m @ 2.62 g/t NKS0066RD 82 92 10m @ 0.81 g/t NKS0066RD 96 98 2m @ 4.64 g/t NKS0067RD 46 54 8m @ 3.51 g/t NKS0067RD 66 78 12m @ 1.31 g/t NKS0067RD 94 110 16m @ 2.45 g/t NKS0068RD 36 74 38m @ 0.8 g/t NKS0068RD 84 106 22m @ 1.76 g/t NKS0072RD 68 76 8m @ 1.68 g/t NKS0076RD 2 6 4m @ 1.50 g/t NKS0079DD 58 95.1 37m @ 0.89 g/t NKS0079DD 115.3 128.33 13m @ 1.23 g/t NKS0079DD 142.13 151.5 9.4m @ 2.93 g/t NKS0081RC 4 8 4m @ 2.01 g/t NKS0081RC 18 64 46m @ 2.31 g/t NKS0081RC 86 98 12m @ 0.79 g/t NKS0082RC 0 4 4m @ 25.8 g/t NKS0082RC 30 50 20m @ 0.88 g/t NKS0082RC 70 72 2m @ 3.77 g/t NKS0083RC 20 66 46m @ 1.2 g/t NKS0085RD 82 84 2m @ 5.28 g/t NKS0085RD 96 108 12m @ 2.39 g/t NKS0085RD 106 108 2m @ 5.4 g/t NKS0086RD 1 14 13m @ 4.18 g/t NKS0086RD 54 108 54m @ 1.63 g/t NKS0087RD 2 16 14m @ 1.15 g/t NKS0087RD 24 30 6m @ 1.87 g/t NKS0087RD 46 60 14m @ 1.21 g/t NKS0087RD 66 86 20m @ 0.63 g/t NKS0087RD 90 124 34m @ 0.96 g/t NKS0088RD 10 28 18m @ 0.75 g/t NKS0088RD 38 60 22m @ 0.89 g/t NKS0091RD 0 34 34m @ 1.3 g/t NKS0091RD 58 72 14m @ 2.17 g/t NKS0091RD 106 128 22m @ 1.01 g/t NKS0092RD 38 76 38m @ 1.83 g/t NKS0092RD 80 86 6m @ 1.11 g/t NKS0092RD 90 114 24m @ 1.65 g/t NKS0093RC 10 22 12m @ 1.69 g/t NKS0093RC 36 54 18m @ 1.64 g/t NKS0093RC 62 72 10m @ 3.78 g/t NKS0097RC 1 12 11m @ 1.23 g/t NKS0097RC 20 42 22m @ 1.21 g/t NKS0102RD 0 26 26m @ 1.55 g/t NKS0102RD 60 62 2m @ 8.82 g/t NKS0102RD 120 126 6m @ 2.49 g/t NKS0103RC 0 28 28m @ 0.95 g/t NKS0104RD 44 48 4m @ 5.51 g/t NKS0104RD 52 84 32m @ 1.28 g/t NKS0104RD 118 124 6m @ 1.69 g/t NKS0104RD 142 148 6m @ 1.76 g/t NKS0114RC 42 58 16m @ 0.77 g/t NKS0114RC 64 76 12m @ 2.22 g/t NKS0117RC 8 30 22m @ 3.92 g/t NKS0120RC 24 40 16m @ 4.17 g/t NKS0121RD 12 14 2m @ 6.99 g/t NKS0121RD 28 42 14m @ 1.69 g/t NKS0123RD 9 12 3m @ 6.97 g/t NKS0123RD 24 42 18m @ 1.96 g/t NKS0123RD 48 60 12m @ 2.42 g/t NKS0124RD 18 24 6m @ 2.0 g/t

Results available to date from the Nkosuo drilling confirm the previously declared potential for an Exploration Target of 10 to 15 Mt grading 0.9 to 1.1 g/t gold for 275 to 500koz contained gold (ASX release dated 13 October 2021). Current indications are that the bulk of this resource will be at depths shallower than 150 metres.

The Exploration Target is conceptual in nature and takes no account of geological complexity, possible mining method or metallurgical recovery factors. The Exploration Target was estimated to enable an early assessment of the discoverys potential to add to Edikans mine life

The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature and therefore is an approximation. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in estimation of a Mineral Resource. The Exploration Target has been prepared and reported in accordance with the 2012 edition of the JORC Code and NI 43-101.

The Exploration Target is defined by:

A wireframe of the host granite body used to limit the extent of interpreted mineralisation volume.

Drill sample intervals composited to uniform 2 metre down-hole lengths with composite gold grades capped at 10g/t.

Gold grades estimated by inverse distance squared weightings (IDW) into parent blocks with dimensions 20 metres east x 20 metres north x 10 metres elevation using a 50 metres east x 100 metres north x 100 metre elevation search ellipsoid with a minimum of four samples required to make an estimate.

Estimates informed only by samples within the granite.

Parent blocks sub-blocked against the granite wireframe and interpreted weathering surfaces using a minimum 5 metres east x 5 metres north x 2.5 metres elevation sub-block to reliably estimate the mineralisation volume.

Densities for weathered, transition and fresh rock assumed to be 1.8, 2.1 and 2.7 tonnes per cubic metre.

Sub-blocks grading greater than 0.4g/t gold and to a maximum vertical depth of approximately 170 metres.

NEXT STEPS

Drilling now underway at Nkosuo will focus on extending 80 x 80 metres coverage to the southern limits of the granite, completing the 40 x 40 metres infill coverage and commencing systematic infill to 40 x 20 metres to support a Mineral Resource estimate to be undertaken in the June 2022 quarter.

Metallurgical testwork has commenced and Perseus will complete geotechnical drilling to evaluate Ore Reserve potential early in the September Quarter of 2022.

In anticipation that this work will lead to a positive outcome, the Company is in the process of exercising its option over the Agyakusu permit and has completed some baseline studies to meet the requirements of the ESIA process.

Exploration more broadly at Edikan will investigate high-order prospects on the adjacent Agyakusu DML and Domenase permits where soil geochemical sampling has identified strong gold-in-soil anomalies associated with mineralised granites.

This announcement has been approved for release by Perseuss Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Quartermaine.

COMPETENT PERSON STATEMENT:

The information in this report and the attachments that relate to exploration drilling results and the Nkosuo Exploration Target on the Agyakusu permit is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by Dr Douglas Jones, a Competent Person who is a Chartered Professional Geologist. Dr Jones is the Group General Manager Exploration of the Company. Dr Jones has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves) and to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). Dr Jones consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION:

This report contains forward-looking information which is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made by the Company regarding, among other things: the price of gold, continuing commercial production at the Yaoure Gold Mine, Edikan Gold Mine and Sissingue Gold Mine without any major disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, the receipt of required governmental approvals, the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used by the Company. Although management believes that the assumptions made by the Company and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Companys ability to carry on its exploration and development activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Perseus does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

ASX/TSX CODE: PRU



REGISTERED OFFICE:



Level 2

437 Roberts Road

Subiaco WA 6008



Telephone: +61 8 6144 1700

Email: IR@perseusmining.com



ABN: 27 106 808 986



www.perseusmining.com CONTACTS:



Jeff Quartermaine



Managing Director & CEO

jeff.quartermaine@perseusmining.com



Nathan Ryan



Media Relations

+61 4 20 582 887

nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au



Claire Hall



Corporate Communications

claire.hall@perseusmining.com

APPENDIX 1 - FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Edikan Gold Project  Regional Geology, Tenements and Prospects is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b4ae3bf-5b48-4a13-ae43-39047a11f09f

Figure 1.2: Nkosuo Prospect  Drilling and Selected Results. Locations of Sections 1-3 shown is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/29afe602-c3e7-4e70-ba66-e246fc22d986

Figure 1.3: Nkosuo Prospect  Drill Section 1  20,160N Local Grid is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5fec9b50-112e-45ce-a598-a433aeb30b77

Figure 1.4: Nkosuo Prospect  Drill Section 2  20,080N Local Grid is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/008f9489-b48b-4684-b2c1-bd9822cae4e2

Figure 1.5: Nkosuo Prospect  Drill Section 3 - 19,920N Local Grid is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f954de10-4e10-4319-9afb-cc04ed4f0463

APPENDIX 2  SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS

Table 2.1: Nkosuo drill holes and significant assays

Hole ID East

(mE) North

(mN) Drill Type Azimuth

() Dip

() Depth

(m) No of

samples From

(m) To

(m) Width

(m) Grade

(g/t) NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 1 3 4 1 1.57 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 1 19 20 1 1.93 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 2 55 57 2 1.82 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 1 67.2 68 0.8 0.6 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 2 79 81 2 1.13 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 1 85 86 1 0.9 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 3 98.2 100 2.8 0.67 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 1 106 107 1 0.78 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 2 125 127 2 7.2 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 12 135 147 12 0.91 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 1 153.9 155 1.1 0.52 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 12 157 169 12 1.53 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 5 187 192 5 1.29 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 6 201 207 6 1.11 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 2 223 225 2 1.09 NKS0024RD 10878.43 20118.21 RD 119 -55 270.6 1 250.32 251.8 1.48 1.37 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 4 109 113 4 0.72 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 8 116 124 8 1.15 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 6 131 137 6 0.74 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 19 140 159.1 19.1 0.72 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 172 173 1 1.95 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 3 177 180.1 3.1 0.98 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 186 187 1 0.84 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 198 199 1 1.02 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 216 217.1 1.1 0.91 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 9 273 281.8 8.8 1.07 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 4 297.1 301 3.9 1.16 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 300 301 1 3.65 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 320 321 1 0.54 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 326 327 1 1.19 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 331 331.5 0.5 0.93 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 3 335 338 3 0.51 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 346 347 1 0.66 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 366 367 1 0.66 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 374.1 375.2 1.1 0.71 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 1 379 380.1 1.1 0.54 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 5 383.1 387.9 4.8 0.81 NKS0025RD 10921.06 19920.41 RD 119 -55 414.3 2 396 398.1 2.1 0.98 NKS0027RD 11033.98 19677.63 RD 119 -55 210.3 1 96 98 1 0.74 NKS0027RD 11033.98 19677.63 RD 119 -55 210.3 1 103 104 1 0.78 NKS0027RD 11033.98 19677.63 RD 119 -55 210.3 1 117 118 1 0.5 NKS0027RD 11033.98 19677.63 RD 119 -55 210.3 1 165 166.5 1.5 0.74 NKS0028RD 10915.46 19758.01 RD 119 -55 390.3 1 137 138.3 1.3 0.69 NKS0028RD 10915.46 19758.01 RD 119 -55 390.3 1 150 151.5 1.5 0.56 NKS0028RD 10915.46 19758.01 RD 119 -55 390.3 1 169 170.5 1.5 0.54 NKS0028RD 10915.46 19758.01 RD 119 -55 390.3 3 173.5 177.5 4 0.79 NKS0028RD 10915.46 19758.01 RD 119 -55 390.3 1 272 273 1 0.68 NKS0028RD 10915.46 19758.01 RD 119 -55 390.3 3 290 294 4 1.1 NKS0028RD 10915.46 19758.01 RD 119 -55 390.3 1 367 368 1 1.05 NKS0029RD 10999.04 19635.76 RD 119 -55 246.3 1 17 18 1 1.17 NKS0029RD 10999.04 19635.76 RD 119 -55 246.3 1 30 31 1 1.31 NKS0029RD 10999.04 19635.76 RD 119 -55 246.3 1 34 35 1 1.67 NKS0029RD 10999.04 19635.76 RD 119 -55 246.3 1 48 49 1 0.86 NKS0029RD 10999.04 19635.76 RD 119 -55 246.3 1 74 75 1 1.43 NKS0029RD 10999.04 19635.76 RD 119 -55 246.3 1 218.5 220 1.5 0.66 NKS0029RD 10999.04 19635.76 RD 119 -55 246.3 3 224.9 228 3.1 0.8 NKS0029RD 10999.04 19635.76 RD 119 -55 246.3 1 235 236 1 0.79 NKS0030RD 11035.32 19599.79 RD 119 -55 192.2 1 45 46 1 0.61 NKS0030RD 11035.32 19599.79 RD 119 -55 192.2 1 49 50 1 1.33 NKS0030RD 11035.32 19599.79 RD 119 -55 192.2 1 54 55 1 0.52 NKS0030RD 11035.32 19599.79 RD 119 -55 192.2 1 176.7 177.2 0.5 0.59 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 3 1 4 3 1.1 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 6 13 19 6 0.63 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 22 23 1 0.52 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 27 28 1 0.73 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 40 41 1 0.89 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 3 46 49 3 0.55 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 51 52 1 1 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 59 60 1 0.52 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 66 67 1 4.19 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 104.5 105.2 0.7 1.14 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 108.2 109.5 1.3 0.66 NKS0031RD 10997.39 19761.58 RD 119 -55 252.2 1 122.5 124 1.5 0.63 NKS0032RD 10998.27 19597.35 RC 119 -55 115 1 1 2 1 1.31 NKS0032RD 10998.27 19597.35 RC 119 -55 115 4 7 11 4 0.61 NKS0032RD 10998.27 19597.35 RC 119 -55 115 1 14 15 1 1.82 NKS0032RD 10998.27 19597.35 RC 119 -55 115 1 23 24 1 1.07 NKS0032RD 10998.27 19597.35 RC 119 -55 115 1 42 43 1 0.54 NKS0032RD 10998.27 19597.35 RC 119 -55 115 1 55 56 1 1.37 NKS0032RD 10998.27 19597.35 RC 119 -55 115 1 100 101 1 0.94 NKS0032RD 10998.27 19597.35 RC 119 -55 115 1 114 115 1 0.88 NKS0033RC 11113.34 19838.81 RC 119 -55 70 1 3 4 1 1.07 NKS0033RC 11113.34 19838.81 RC 119 -55 70 4 8 12 4 0.92 NKS0033RC 11113.34 19838.81 RC 119 -55 70 1 17 18 1 0.56 NKS0033RC 11113.34 19838.81 RC 119 -55 70 10 21 31 10 0.5 NKS0034RC 11115.02 19876.78 RC 119 -55 55 37 3 40 37 1.49 NKS0035RD 11075.02 19758.51 RD 119 -55 141.7 1 3 4 1 2.59 NKS0035RD 11075.02 19758.51 RD 119 -55 141.7 1 10 11 1 0.58 NKS0035RD 11075.02 19758.51 RD 119 -55 141.7 1 26 27 1 0.9 NKS0035RD 11075.02 19758.51 RD 119 -55 141.7 1 29 30 1 0.89 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 2 162 164 2 6.27 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 1 171 172 1 1 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 3 175 178 3 1.71 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 1 244 245 1 2.45 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 1 251 252.3 1.3 3.06 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 1 270 270.85 0.85 3.43 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 1 273 274 1 0.58 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 8 284 292.65 8.65 1.21 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 1 302.6 304 1.4 0.76 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 1 335.5 336.24 0.74 1.36 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 1 350 351 1 0.68 NKS0036RD 10842.27 19759.70 RD 119 -55 465 3 422 425 3 0.56 NKS0037DD 10959.31 20161.06 DD 119 -55 80.9 5 0 6 6 0.74 NKS0037DD 10959.31 20161.06 DD 119 -55 80.9 34 6.9 44 37.1 2.05 NKS0037DD 10959.31 20161.06 DD 119 -55 80.9 13 48.6 60.15 11.55 1.83 NKS0038DD 11012.27 20080.98 DD 119 -55 45.3 7 0 5.59 5.59 1.26 NKS0038DD 11012.27 20080.98 DD 119 -55 45.3 5 9.82 12.3 2.48 1.62 NKS0039DD 11037.19 20040.20 DD 119 -55 12.5 1 2.05 2.8 0.75 0.93 NKS0040DD 11020.69 20002.48 DD 119 -55 45 1 0 1.3 1.3 0.95 NKS0040DD 11020.69 20002.48 DD 119 -55 45 11 13.3 28.3 15 0.97 NKS0040DD 11020.69 20002.48 DD 119 -55 45 1 31.3 32.8 1.5 0.5 NKS0040DD 11020.69 20002.48 DD 119 -55 45 1 38.8 39.64 0.84 0.52 NKS0040DD 11020.69 20002.48 DD 119 -55 45 1 44 45 1 1.21 NKS0041DD 11035.62 19922.24 DD 119 -55 45.1 3 0 3.3 3.3 0.51 NKS0041DD 11035.62 19922.24 DD 119 -55 45.1 2 20.8 22.6 1.8 1.49 NKS0042RD 10835.13 19924.12 RD 119 -55 246.1 1 214.65 215.65 1 4.07 NKS0042RD 10835.13 19924.12 RD 119 -55 246.1 2 225 227 2 0.83 NKS0042RD 10835.13 19924.12 RD 119 -55 246.1 1 244 245 1 0.61 NKS0043RD 10959.8 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 1 2 4 2 0.87 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 1 34 36 2 0.59 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 1 46 48 2 0.57 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 3 70 76 6 0.58 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 1 135.6 136.3 0.7 0.59 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 1 141.3 142.3 1 0.59 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 4 228.2 231.84 3.64 0.61 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 3 234.85 238.13 3.28 3.15 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 1 253.1 254.27 1.17 0.57 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 1 265 266 1 1.27 NKS0043RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 330.6 1 314.77 315.6 0.83 2.09 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 3 18 24 6 1.95 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 1 18 20 2 4.06 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 6 28 40 12 0.82 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 9 46 64 18 0.65 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 2 72 76 4 0.57 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 1 80 82 2 0.72 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 1 92 93 1 0.5 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 1 98.5 99 0.5 0.5 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 1 101 102 1 0.69 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 1 133 134 1 0.77 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 1 136 137 1 1.53 NKS0044RD 11037.62 19756.27 RD 119 -55 198.2 1 191.25 192 0.75 0.62 NKS0045RD 10963.9 19601.62 RD 119 -55 234 1 8 10 2 0.5 NKS0045RD 10963.9 19601.62 RD 119 -55 234 1 30 32 2 0.55 NKS0045RD 10963.9 19601.62 RD 119 -55 234 2 36 40 4 0.62 NKS0045RD 10963.9 19601.62 RD 119 -55 234 1 140.15 141.5 1.35 0.56 NKS0045RD 10963.9 19601.62 RD 119 -55 234 2 144.5 146 1.5 0.51 NKS0045RD 10963.9 19601.62 RD 119 -55 234 1 183.45 184.5 1.05 0.89 NKS0045RD 10963.9 19601.62 RD 119 -55 234 3 203 206 3 0.65 NKS0046DD 11017.85 19840.31 DD 119 -55 45.3 18 0 23.9 23.9 0.66 NKS0046DD 11017.85 19840.31 DD 119 -55 45.3 2 27.3 29.3 2 3.29 NKS0046DD 11017.85 19840.31 DD 119 -55 45.3 1 42 45.3 3.3 0.55 NKS0047RD 11077.35 19798.05 RD 119 -55 125.3 3 2 8 6 0.62 NKS0047RD 11077.35 19798.05 RD 119 -55 125.3 8 12 28 16 1.16 NKS0047RD 11077.35 19798.05 RD 119 -55 125.3 16 32 64 32 0.89 NKS0047RD 11077.35 19798.05 RD 119 -55 125.3 1 68 69 1 0.57 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 68 70 2 8.35 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 102 104 2 3.58 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 3 114 120 6 0.94 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 131.32 132 0.68 0.59 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 147.1 147.6 0.5 0.66 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 183 184 1 0.72 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 6 209 214.9 5.9 1.01 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 226 227 1 1.46 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 229 229.6 0.6 6.18 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 233.5 234.5 1 1.66 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 236 237 1 0.64 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 244.7 245.2 0.5 0.72 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 3 250.5 253 2.5 87.3 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 257 257.5 0.5 0.56 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 260 260.7 0.7 0.99 NKS0048RD 10916.56 19679.64 RD 119 -55 378.3 1 353.5 355 1.5 1.18 NKS0049RD 10957.08 19838.30 RD 119 -55 323 4 28 36 8 1.31 NKS0049RD 10957.08 19838.30 RD 119 -55 323 2 46 50 4 1.35 NKS0049RD 10957.08 19838.30 RD 119 -55 323 1 60 62 2 0.53 NKS0049RD 10957.08 19838.30 RD 119 -55 323 1 104 106 2 0.98 NKS0049RD 10957.08 19838.30 RD 119 -55 323 2 116 120 4 2.05 NKS0049RD 10957.08 19838.30 RD 119 -55 323 1 126 128 2 0.88 NKS0049RD 10957.08 19838.30 RD 119 -55 323 1 132 134 2 1.21 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 12 6 30 24 2.04 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 3 36 42 6 1.51 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 2 46 50 4 0.75 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 5 56 66 10 1.15 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 5 72 77 5 0.96 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 1 83 84 1 2.4 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 1 90 90.6 0.6 1.6 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 1 102 103 1 1.04 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 2 111 113 2 1.42 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 1 123.6 124.1 0.5 6.1 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 1 132.25 133 0.75 0.54 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 4 158 162 4 0.95 NKS0050RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 180.1 1 166.45 167.4 0.95 0.54 NKS0051RD 10998.13 19677.42 RCDD 119 -55 249.2 NSI NKS0052RD# 11073.80 19676.61 RCDD 119 -55 159.1 1 100 102 2 0.62 NKS0053RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 312 2 56 60 4 0.88 NKS0053RD 11035.07 19836.95 RD 119 -55 312 1 70 72 2 1.87 NKS0053RD 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 312 4 104 112 8 1.07 NKS0053RD# 10959.88 19674.66 RD 119 -55 312 1 128 130 2 0.54 NKS0054RD 11036.39 19715.47 RD 119 -55 251.1 4 1 8 7 0.76 NKS0054RD 11036.39 19715.47 RD 119 -55 251.1 1 18 20 2 0.65 NKS0054RD 11036.39 19715.47 RD 119 -55 251.1 1 46 48 2 0.5 NKS0054RD# 11036.39 19715.47 RD 119 -55 251.1 1 66 68 2 0.62 NKS0055RD# 11032.26 19636.53 RD 119 -55 213 NSI NKS0057RD 10957.68 19635.74 RD 119 -55 273.2 1 20 22 2 1.42 NKS0057RD 10957.68 19635.74 RD 119 -55 273.2 2 30 34 4 0.65 NKS0057RD 10957.68 19635.74 RD 119 -55 273.2 1 42 44 2 0.77 NKS0057RD 10957.68 19635.74 RD 119 -55 273.2 1 48 50 2 0.53 NKS0057RD# 10957.68 19635.74 RD 119 -55 273.2 1 64 66 2 0.72 NKS0058RD 10955.28 19714.11 RD 119 -55 303.2 1 36 38 2 0.78 NKS0058RD 10955.28 19714.11 RD 119 -55 303.2 1 68 70 2 1.31 NKS0058RD# 10955.28 19714.11 RD 119 -55 303.2 1 90 91 1 2.52 NKS0059RD 10957.68 19635.74 RD 119 -55 48 1 0 4 4 2.47 NKS0059RD# 10957.68 19635.74 RD 119 -55 48 18 8 45 37 1.74 NKS0060RC 10936.75 20180.10 RC 119 -55 62 29 20 71 51 2.09 NKS0061RD 10893.36 20157.38 RD 119 -55 171.1 20 11 50 39 0.98 NKS0061RD* 10893.36 20157.38 RD 119 -55 171.1 3 64 69 5 4.36 NKS0062RD 10857.38 20157.94 RD 119 -55 231 1 20 24 4 0.78 NKS0062RD 10857.38 20157.94 RD 119 -55 231 1 30 31 1 0.73 NKS0062RD* 10857.38 20157.94 RD 119 -55 231 8 74 90 16 1.08 NKS0063RC 11112.01 19721.23 RC 119 -55 66 1 18 20 2 0.92 NKS0063RC 11112.01 19721.23 RC 119 -55 66 1 24 26 2 1.09 NKS0063RC 11112.01 19721.23 RC 119 -55 66 1 32 34 2 0.98 NKS0063RC 11112.01 19721.23 RC 119 -55 66 6 40 52 12 1.74 NKS0064RD 10874.77 20137.64 RD 119 -55 225.1 1 4 6 2 1.39 NKS0064RD 10874.77 20137.64 RD 119 -55 225.1 1 10 12 2 2 NKS0064RD 10874.77 20137.64 RD 119 -55 225.1 3 62 68 6 2.4 NKS0064RD* 10874.77 20137.64 RD 119 -55 225.1 3 82 87 5 2.44 NKS0065RD 10957.63 19796.73 RD 119 -55 309 1 0 4 4 0.6 NKS0065RD 10957.63 19796.73 RD 119 -55 309 1 62 64 2 0.68 NKS0065RD 10957.63 19796.73 RD 119 -55 309 3 72 78 6 1.62 NKS0065RD 10957.63 19796.73 RD 119 -55 309 1 84 86 2 1.59 NKS0065RD 10957.63 19796.73 RD 119 -55 309 1 90 92 2 0.94 NKS0065RD# 10957.63 19796.73 RD 119 -55 309 2 116 120 4 1.92 NKS0066RD 10995.92 19796.99 RD 119 -55 237.3 2 32 36 4 0.92 NKS0066RD 10995.92 19796.99 RD 119 -55 237.3 1 50 52 2 0.5 NKS0066RD 10995.92 19796.99 RD 119 -55 237.3 2 62 66 4 2.62 NKS0066RD 10995.92 19796.99 RD 119 -55 237.3 1 76 78 2 0.57 NKS0066RD 10995.92 19796.99 RD 119 -55 237.3 5 82 92 10 0.81 NKS0066RD# 10995.92 19796.99 RD 119 -55 237.3 1 96 98 2 4.64 NKS0067RD 10954.10 19875.91 RD 119 -55 329.9 1 36 38 2 1.9 NKS0067RD 10954.10 19875.91 RD 119 -55 329.9 4 46 54 8 3.51 NKS0067RD 10954.10 19875.91 RD 119 -55 329.9 6 66 78 12 1.31 NKS0067RD 10954.10 19875.91 RD 119 -55 329.9 1 82 84 2 1.64 NKS0067RD 10954.10 19875.91 RD 119 -55 329.9 8 94 110 16 2.45 NKS0067RD* 10954.10 19875.91 RD 119 -55 329.9 1 115 117 2 0.55 NKS0068RD 11037.15 19876.94 RD 119 -55 207.3 1 1 2 1 0.67 NKS0068RD 11037.15 19876.94 RD 119 -55 207.3 5 6 16 10 0.59 NKS0068RD 11037.15 19876.94 RD 119 -55 207.3 19 36 74 38 0.8 NKS0068RD 11037.15 19876.94 RD 119 -55 207.3 1 78 80 2 0.61 NKS0068RD# 11037.15 19876.94 RD 119 -55 207.3 11 84 106 22 1.76 NKS0069RD 10918.09 19713.76 RD 119 -55 393.2 3 86 92 6 0.97 NKS0069RD# 10918.09 19713.76 RD 119 -55 393.2 1 98 100 2 0.57 NKS0070RD# 10916.41 19880.39 RD 119 -55 448 NSI NKS0071RD# 10916.41 19880.39 RD 119 -55 363.5 1 40 44 4 1.02 NKS0072RD 11035.17 19914.27 RD 119 -55 231 5 42 52 10 0.81 NKS0072RD 11035.17 19914.27 RD 119 -55 231 2 58 62 4 0.76 NKS0072RD 11035.17 19914.27 RD 119 -55 231 4 68 76 8 1.68 NKS0072RD# 11035.17 19914.27 RD 119 -55 231 1 92 94 2 0.85 NKS0073RD 10916.41 19880.39 RD 119 -55 427.2 1 74 76 2 2.8 NKS0073RD# 10916.41 19880.39 RD 119 -55 427.2 1 88 90 2 2.06 NKS0074RD# 10879.52 19797.03 RD 119 -55 285.3 NSI NKS0075RD# 10837.12 19879.27 RD 119 -55 495.2 NSI NKS0076RD 10998.52 19714.18 RD 119 -55 273.1 2 2 6 4 1.5 NKS0076RD 10998.52 19714.18 RD 119 -55 273.1 2 12 16 4 0.69 NKS0076RD 10998.52 19714.18 RD 119 -55 273.1 1 24 26 2 0.76 NKS0076RD# 10998.52 19714.18 RD 119 -55 273.1 1 58 60 2 0.61 NKS0077RD 11030.35 19793.66 RD 119 -55 219.1 2 36 40 4 0.76 NKS0077RD 11030.35 19793.66 RD 119 -55 219.1 1 44 46 2 2.23 NKS0077RD 11030.35 19793.66 RD 119 -55 219.1 1 54 56 2 1.31 NKS0077RD 11030.35 19793.66 RD 119 -55 219.1 1 84 86 2 0.96 NKS0077RD 11030.35 19793.66 RD 119 -55 219.1 1 90 92 2 0.56 NKS0077RD 11030.35 19793.66 RD 119 -55 219.1 1 108 110 2 1.31 NKS0077RD# 11030.35 19793.66 RD 119 -55 219.1 2 114 118 4 0.74 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 1 0 1.2 1.2 0.57 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 6 11.3 16.6 5.3 0.88 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 1 24.1 24.39 0.29 1.97 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 1 27.1 27.6 0.5 0.62 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 2 36.6 37.91 1.31 0.96 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 4 50.28 54.9 4.62 1.3 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 36 58 95.1 37.1 0.89 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 13 115.3 128.33 13.03 1.23 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 3 133.1 137 3.9 0.66 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 8 142.13 151.5 9.37 2.93 NKS0079DD 11080.76 19911.51 DD 119 -55 168.3 1 154 155 1 0.84 NKS0081RC 11076.31 19874.16 RC 119 -55 114 2 4 8 4 2.01 NKS0081RC 11076.31 19874.16 RC 119 -55 114 1 12 14 2 0.72 NKS0081RC 11076.31 19874.16 RC 119 -55 114 16 18 64 46 2.31 NKS0081RC 11076.31 19874.16 RC 119 -55 114 2 78 82 4 0.87 NKS0081RC 11076.31 19874.16 RC 119 -55 114 6 86 98 12 0.79 NKS0081RC 11076.31 19874.16 RC 119 -55 114 1 102 106 4 0.7 NKS0082RC 11095.58 19855.67 RC 119 -55 78 2 0 4 4 25.8 NKS0082RC 11095.58 19855.67 RC 119 -55 78 2 10 14 4 0.7 NKS0082RC 11095.58 19855.67 RC 119 -55 78 10 30 50 20 0.88 NKS0082RC 11095.58 19855.67 RC 119 -55 78 4 60 68 8 0.83 NKS0082RC 11095.58 19855.67 RC 119 -55 78 1 70 72 2 3.77 NKS0083RC 11075.47 19856.28 RC 119 -55 108 4 3 11 8 0.91 NKS0083RC 11075.47 19856.28 RC 119 -55 108 23 20 66 46 1.2 NKS0083RC 11075.47 19856.28 RC 119 -55 108 1 86 88 2 0.51 NKS0083RC 11075.47 19856.28 RC 119 -55 108 1 94 96 2 0.56 NKS0084RD# 11054.32 19797.45 RD 119 -55 153.4 1 108 110 2 1.33 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 2 4 8 4 0.67 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 32 34 2 1.34 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 42 44 2 0.84 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 70 72 2 1.4 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 82 84 2 5.28 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 6 96 108 12 2.39 NKS0085RD# 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 106 108 2 5.4 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 7 1 14 13 4.18 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 4 18 26 8 0.83 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 27 32 36 4 0.66 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 2 40 44 4 1.13 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 2 48 50 2 0.73 NKS0086RD* 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 1 54 108 54 1.63 NKS0087RD 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 7 2 16 14 1.15 NKS0087RD 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 3 24 30 6 1.87 NKS0087RD 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 7 46 60 14 1.21 NKS0087RD 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 10 66 86 20 0.63 NKS0087RD* 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 17 90 124 34 0.96 NKS0088RD 11097.11 20000.10 RD 119 -55 127.1 3 0 6 6 0.93 NKS0088RD 11097.11 20000.10 RD 119 -55 127.1 9 10 28 18 0.75 NKS0088RD 11097.11 20000.10 RD 119 -55 127.1 1 32 34 2 0.95 NKS0088RD 11097.11 20000.10 RD 119 -55 127.1 11 38 60 22 0.89 NKS0090RC 11035.57 20017.78 RC 119 -55 36 1 8 10 2 1.58 NKS0091RD 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 17 0 34 34 1.3 NKS0091RD 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 1 44 46 2 1.04 NKS0091RD 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 1 50 52 2 1.14 NKS0091RD 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 7 58 72 14 2.17 NKS0091RD# 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 11 106 128 22 1.01 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 1 0 2 2 1.09 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 1 6 8 2 0.69 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 1 30 32 2 0.88 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 19 38 76 38 1.83 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 3 80 86 6 1.11 NKS0092RD# 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 12 90 114 24 1.65 NKS0093RC 10933.02 20077.71 RC 119 -55 78 6 10 22 12 1.69 NKS0093RC 10933.02 20077.71 RC 119 -55 78 9 36 54 18 1.64 NKS0093RC 10978.41 20099.35 RC 119 -55 78 7 62 72 10 3.78 NKS0095RD 10874.54 20075.53 RD 119 -55 213.1 1 12 14 2 1.01 NKS0095RD 10874.54 20075.53 RD 119 -55 213.1 2 30 34 4 0.63 NKS0095RD 10874.54 20075.53 RD 119 -55 213.1 1 44 46 2 0.72 NKS0095RD# 10874.54 20075.53 RD 119 -55 213.1 1 50 52 2 1.05 NKS0097RC 10995.09 19997.72 RC 299 -50 94 6 1 12 11 1.23 NKS0097RC 10995.09 19997.72 RC 299 -50 94 11 20 42 22 1.21 NKS0097RC 10995.09 19997.72 RC 299 -50 94 1 64 65 1 0.5 NKS0101RC 11074.49 19717.74 RC 119 -55 133 1 20 22 2 2.38 NKS0101RC 11074.49 19717.74 RC 119 -55 133 1 14 16 2 0.52 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 13 0 26 26 1.55 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 48 50 2 1.28 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 54 56 2 0.88 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 60 62 2 8.82 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 2 82 86 4 0.89 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 90 92 2 1.4 NKS0102RD# 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 102 104 2 0.75 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 3 120 126 6 2.49 NKS0103RC 11112.95 19915.23 RC 119 -55 97 14 0 28 28 0.95 NKS0103RC 11112.95 19915.23 RC 119 -55 97 4 32 40 8 0.71 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 2 44 48 4 5.51 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 16 52 84 32 1.28 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 1 88 90 2 1.03 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 2 98 102 4 0.67 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 3 118 124 6 1.69 NKS0104RD* 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 3 142 148 6 1.76 NKS0105RD# 11052.07 19755.88 RD 119 -55 183.1 NSI NKS0106RD 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 58 60 2 1.07 NKS0106RD 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 98 100 2 0.56 NKS0106RD 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 102 104 2 0.78 NKS0113RC 10918.56 20179.69 RC 28.5 -50 80 NSI NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 1 36 38 2 0.98 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 8 42 58 16 0.77 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 6 64 76 12 2.22 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 1 78 80 2 0.77 NKS0115RC 11158.99 20078.32 RC 208 -50 75 1 74 75 1 2.64 NKS0117RC 10898.72 20130.51 RC 28.5 -50 100 11 8 30 22 3.92 NKS0117RC 10898.72 20130.51 RC 28.5 -50 100 1 64 65 1 1.33 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 4 66 74 8 1.07 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 7 78 92 14 1 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 2 112 116 4 1.64 NKS0120RC 10918.25 20158.78 RC 28 -50 110 4 24 40 16 4.17 NKS0121RD 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 1 6 8 2 0.59 NKS0121RD 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 1 12 14 2 6.99 NKS0121RD 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 7 28 42 14 1.69 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 2 9 12 3 6.97 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 9 24 42 18 1.96 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 6 48 60 12 2.42 NKS0124RD 10854.04 20074.96 RD 119 -55 242.4 1 4 6 2 0.53 NKS0124RD 10854.04 20074.96 RD 119 -55 242.4 3 18 24 6 2 NKS0124RD 10854.04 20074.96 RD 119 -55 242.4 2 64 68 4 1.65 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 32 34 2 1.34 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 42 44 2 0.84 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 70 72 2 1.4 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 82 84 2 5.28 NKS0085RD 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 6 96 108 12 2.39 NKS0085RD# 10973.22 19797.97 RD 119 -55 288.2 1 106 108 2 5.4 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 7 1 14 13 4.18 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 4 18 26 8 0.83 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 27 32 36 4 0.66 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 2 40 44 4 1.13 NKS0086RD 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 2 48 50 2 0.73 NKS0086RD* 11078.04 19938.14 RD 119 -55 213.6 1 54 108 54 1.63 NKS0087RD 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 7 2 16 14 1.15 NKS0087RD 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 3 24 30 6 1.87 NKS0087RD 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 7 46 60 14 1.21 NKS0087RD 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 10 66 86 20 0.63 NKS0087RD* 11036.71 19894.57 RD 119 -55 216.3 17 90 124 34 0.96 NKS0088RD 11097.11 20000.10 RD 119 -55 127.1 3 0 6 6 0.93 NKS0088RD 11097.11 20000.10 RD 119 -55 127.1 9 10 28 18 0.75 NKS0088RD 11097.11 20000.10 RD 119 -55 127.1 1 32 34 2 0.95 NKS0088RD 11097.11 20000.10 RD 119 -55 127.1 11 38 60 22 0.89 NKS0090RC 11035.57 20017.78 RC 119 -55 36 1 8 10 2 1.58 NKS0091RD 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 17 0 34 34 1.3 NKS0091RD 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 1 44 46 2 1.04 NKS0091RD 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 1 50 52 2 1.14 NKS0091RD 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 7 58 72 14 2.17 NKS0091RD# 11013.63 19995.30 RD 119 -55 282.3 11 106 128 22 1.01 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 1 0 2 2 1.09 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 1 6 8 2 0.69 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 1 30 32 2 0.88 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 19 38 76 38 1.83 NKS0092RD 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 3 80 86 6 1.11 NKS0092RD# 10933.02 20077.71 RD 119 -55 131.6 12 90 114 24 1.65 NKS0093RC 10933.02 20077.71 RC 119 -55 78 6 10 22 12 1.69 NKS0093RC 10933.02 20077.71 RC 119 -55 78 9 36 54 18 1.64 NKS0093RC 10978.41 20099.35 RC 119 -55 78 7 62 72 10 3.78 NKS0095RD 10874.54 20075.53 RD 119 -55 213.1 1 12 14 2 1.01 NKS0095RD 10874.54 20075.53 RD 119 -55 213.1 2 30 34 4 0.63 NKS0095RD 10874.54 20075.53 RD 119 -55 213.1 1 44 46 2 0.72 NKS0095RD# 10874.54 20075.53 RD 119 -55 213.1 1 50 52 2 1.05 NKS0097RC 10995.09 19997.72 RC 299 -50 94 6 1 12 11 1.23 NKS0097RC 10995.09 19997.72 RC 299 -50 94 11 20 42 22 1.21 NKS0097RC 10995.09 19997.72 RC 299 -50 94 1 64 65 1 0.5 NKS0101RC 11074.49 19717.74 RC 119 -55 133 1 20 22 2 2.38 NKS0101RC 11074.49 19717.74 RC 119 -55 133 1 14 16 2 0.52 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 13 0 26 26 1.55 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 48 50 2 1.28 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 54 56 2 0.88 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 60 62 2 8.82 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 2 82 86 4 0.89 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 90 92 2 1.4 NKS0102RD# 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 102 104 2 0.75 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 3 120 126 6 2.49 NKS0103RC 11112.95 19915.23 RC 119 -55 97 14 0 28 28 0.95 NKS0103RC 11112.95 19915.23 RC 119 -55 97 4 32 40 8 0.71 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 2 44 48 4 5.51 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 16 52 84 32 1.28 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 1 88 90 2 1.03 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 2 98 102 4 0.67 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 3 118 124 6 1.69 NKS0104RD* 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 3 142 148 6 1.76 NKS0105RD# 11052.07 19755.88 RD 119 -55 183.1 NSI NKS0106RD 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 58 60 2 1.07 NKS0106RD 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 98 100 2 0.56 NKS0106RD 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 102 104 2 0.78 NKS0113RC 10918.56 20179.69 RC 28.5 -50 80 NSI NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 1 36 38 2 0.98 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 8 42 58 16 0.77 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 6 64 76 12 2.22 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 1 78 80 2 0.77 NKS0115RC 11158.99 20078.32 RC 208 -50 75 1 74 75 1 2.64 NKS0117RC 10898.72 20130.51 RC 28.5 -50 100 11 8 30 22 3.92 NKS0117RC 10898.72 20130.51 RC 28.5 -50 100 1 64 65 1 1.33 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 4 66 74 8 1.07 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 7 78 92 14 1 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 2 112 116 4 1.64 NKS0120RC 10918.25 20158.78 RC 28 -50 110 4 24 40 16 4.17 NKS0121RD 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 1 6 8 2 0.59 NKS0121RD 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 1 12 14 2 6.99 NKS0121RD 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 7 28 42 14 1.69 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 2 9 12 3 6.97 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 9 24 42 18 1.96 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 6 48 60 12 2.42 NKS0124RD 10854.04 20074.96 RD 119 -55 242.4 1 4 6 2 0.53 NKS0124RD 10854.04 20074.96 RD 119 -55 242.4 3 18 24 6 2 NKS0124RD 10854.04 20074.96 RD 119 -55 242.4 2 64 68 4 1.65 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 48 50 2 1.28 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 54 56 2 0.88 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 60 62 2 8.82 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 2 82 86 4 0.89 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 90 92 2 1.4 NKS0102RD# 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 1 102 104 2 0.75 NKS0102RD 10973.58 19837.31 RD 119 -55 294.2 3 120 126 6 2.49 NKS0103RC 11112.95 19915.23 RC 119 -55 97 14 0 28 28 0.95 NKS0103RC 11112.95 19915.23 RC 119 -55 97 4 32 40 8 0.71 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 2 44 48 4 5.51 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 16 52 84 32 1.28 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 1 88 90 2 1.03 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 2 98 102 4 0.67 NKS0104RD 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 3 118 124 6 1.69 NKS0104RD* 11052.99 19916.20 RD 119 -55 192.2 3 142 148 6 1.76 NKS0105RD# 11052.07 19755.88 RD 119 -55 183.1 NSI NKS0106RD 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 58 60 2 1.07 NKS0106RD 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 98 100 2 0.56 NKS0106RD# 10974.63 19760.15 RD 119 -55 275.8 1 102 104 2 0.78 NKS0113RC 10918.56 20179.69 RC 28.5 -50 80 NSI NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 1 36 38 2 0.98 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 8 42 58 16 0.77 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 6 64 76 12 2.22 NKS0114RC 11157.48 20036.38 RC 208 -50 80 1 78 80 2 0.77 NKS0115RC 11158.99 20078.32 RC 208 -50 75 1 74 75 1 2.64 NKS0117RC 10898.72 20130.51 RC 28.5 -50 100 11 8 30 22 3.92 NKS0117RC 10898.72 20130.51 RC 28.5 -50 100 1 64 65 1 1.33 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 4 66 74 8 1.07 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 7 78 92 14 1 NKS0118RC 11078.88 20075.19 RC 208 -50 120 2 112 116 4 1.64 NKS0120RC 10918.25 20158.78 RC 28 -50 110 4 24 40 16 4.17 NKS0121RD 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 1 6 8 2 0.59 NKS0121RD 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 1 12 14 2 6.99 NKS0121RD# 10892.72 20076.69 RD 119 -55 174.2 7 28 42 14 1.69 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 2 9 12 3 6.97 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 9 24 42 18 1.96 NKS0123RC 10956.18 20156.95 RC 119 -55 78 6 48 60 12 2.42

# Partial assays received RC portion only.

* RC chips ended in mineralisation; partial assays received for RC portion only.

APPENDIX 3: JORC TABLE 1  NKOSUO PROPERTY

JORC 2012 Table 1  Section 1 sampling techniques and data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections)

Criteria JORC Code Explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc.). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Other than for soil sampling and an airborne EM-magnetics-radiometrics survey conducted in 2020 there has been no previous mineral exploration at Nkosuo. The presence of gold mineralisation was first revealed by artisanal miners in 2019. Perseus commenced drilling in July 2021. Drilling completed 1 October 2021 to the end of 31 December 2021 is tabulated below.



Drilling Type No. Holes RC metres DD metres Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. RC 13 1,133.00 0.00 Pre-collared DD 26 2,665.30 3,451.80 DD from surface 8 0.00 551.00 Totals 47 3,798.30 4,002.80 Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where industry standard work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. RC drilling used face-sampling hammers with 136mm hole diameter. Samples were collected at one metre intervals and logged visually for recovery, sample condition (dry, damp, wet) and contamination. Sample recoveries were measured by weighing bulk recovered samples.



Diamond drilling utilised HQ triple-tube (61.1mm ) drilling in weathered materials and NQ2 (50.6mm ) diameter core in fresh rock. Diamond core recoveries were measured linearly per drill run. Core recoveries average 70% in weathered materials and 100% in fresh rock. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc.) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.). RC drilling used face-sampling hammers with 136mm hole diameter. Samples were collected at one metre intervals.



Diamond drilling utilised HQ triple-tube (61.1mm ) drilling in weathered materials and NQ2 (50.6mm ) diameter core in fresh rock. Core in fresh rock was oriented using a Reflex ACT II device. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. RC drill samples were logged visually for recovery, sample condition (dry, damp, wet) and contamination. Sample recoveries were measured by weighing bulk recovered samples. Preliminary evaluation indicates that RC sample recoveries have averaged 19.3kg in weathered material and 29.3kg in fresh rock. 64 samples (3%) have been logged as being wet



Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Diamond core recoveries were measured linearly per drill run. Core recoveries average 70% in weathered materials and 100% in fresh rock.



Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. The Competent Person considers that there are presently insufficient data available to permit a meaningful examination of potential relationships between sample recovery and gold grade. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Geological logs are available for the entire lengths of all drill holes. The logging is qualitative in nature. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc.) photography. Sieved samples of RC chips from each metre of drilling were logged for colour, rock type, alteration type and intensity, vein quartz content, sulphide mineralisation, weathering and oxidation. The chips are stored in plastic chip trays and the trays photographed.



The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Diamond drill core was logged for geology, structure and geotechnical characteristics. Geological logging included colour, lithology, weathering, oxidation, vein type and vein volume percentage, sulphide species and their estimated percentage, alteration and alteration intensity. Structural logging included fault, fold, cleavage and joint orientation, lithological contacts and vein orientations. Drill core was photographed prior to cutting. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. RC drill samples were collected at drill sites over one metre intervals and manually split using multi-stage riffle splitters to produce assay sub-samples averaging around 3kg. All RC holes have been assayed in entirety.



If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc. and whether sampled wet or dry. In weathered materials, diamond core was halved using spatulas or knives. In fresh rock, core was sawn in half using a diamond blade saw, with one half sent for assaying and the other half stored in core trays for reference. Samples were normally taken at 1 metre intervals. All diamond drill core has been assayed.



For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Preparation of core and RC samples followed a standard path of drying at 105 degrees C for at least 12 hours, crushing the entire sample to 85% passing -2mm and grinding a 1.5kg split to 85% passing 75 microns. 300g pulp subsamples are selected by multiple scoop passes.



Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Quality control measures adopted to confirm the representivity of samples from RC and diamond drilling include: Field re-splits of RC samples at an average frequency of around one duplicate per 20 primary samples respectively. Submission of coarse blanks at an average of around 1 blank per 20 primary samples Use of pressurised air between every sample in crushing and pulverising equipment and quartz wash/prep blank every 25th sample Screening of approximately 1:20 crushed and pulp samples to check grind size Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Sample preparation techniques are considered appropriate to the style of mineralisation. Available information indicates that sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. All RC and diamond core samples have been assayed by 50g fire assay with AAS determination by Intertek Testing Services Ghana at their Tarkwa assay laboratory. The technique is considered a total extraction technique.



For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc., the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Quality control procedures include submission of coarse blanks (1:20) and certified reference standards (1:20). Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. The available information indicates that the assaying of RC and core samples is free from any significant biases and is of acceptable accuracy. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. Numerous significant mineralised intersections have been checked against visual alteration and sulphide mineralisation in drill chips and core.



The use of twinned holes. No holes have been deliberately twinned.



Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Geology, structure and geotechnical logs are paper based. Sample intervals are recorded in pre-numbered sample ticket books. All logging, sample interval and survey data are manually entered to digital form on site and stored in an acQuire relational database. Data exports are normally in the form of MS Access files.



Discuss any adjustment to assay data.









































Data verification procedures include automated checks to:

prevent repetition of sample numbers





prevent overlap of from-to intervals in logging and sample interval data





ensure that total hole depths in collar, assay and geology tables match





ensure that drill collar coordinates are within the projects geographic limits Down-hole survey data are examined for large deviations in dip or azimuth that may represent erroneous data or data entry errors and corrected on a case-by-case basis including estimates of dips and azimuths where the original data appear to be in error.



Additional data checks include viewing drill hole traces, geological logging and assays in plan and section views.



The Competent Persons independent checks of database validity included: Comparison of assay values between nearby holes, checking for internal consistency between, and within database tables, comparisons between assay results from different sampling phases. Additional checking included comparing database assay entries with laboratory source files. These checks showed no significant discrepancies in the database used for resource estimation Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Drill hole collars have been surveyed by qualified mine surveyors using differential GPS equipment with coordinates recorded in UTM grid, WGS84 Zone 30N datum.



Specification of the grid system used. All RC and diamond core holes have been surveyed at 12m depth and at approximately 30m down-hole increments using digital compass instruments.



Quality and adequacy of topographic control. A topographic surface has been established by a drone photogrammetric survey conducted in 2020. The topographic surface is expected to be reliable to +/- 0.2m.



Topographic control is adequate for the current work being undertaken at Nkosuo. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. The Nkosuo prospect is delineated by regular drilling at 80m x 80m X-Y spacing in holes dipping at -55 degrees toward 160 degrees (UTM grid) azimuth. The drill pattern has been partially infilled to 40m x 80m in places. Drill coverage generally extends to about 150m vertical depth and to a maximum of about 280m depth.



Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.



The data spacing has established geological continuity of the host granite but has not defined the continuity of mineralisation sufficiently to permit reliable estimation of Mineral Resources. Whether sample compositing has been applied. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. Drill holes are oriented approximately orthogonal to the trend of the granite body that hosts mineralisation. The orientation of mineralised structures within the granite is presently unconfirmed but there is no indication that exploration results to date are affected by a significant bias due to orientation. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. RC and core samples were delivered to the secure core yard compound at Edikan mine by Perseus personnel. RC field sample splits and samples of half diamond core were placed in numbered bags and those bags, in turn, placed into polywoven sacks that were closed with plastic cable ties prior to transport to the assay laboratory by laboratory personnel. Security guards were employed at drilling sites and at the core yard compound on a 24 hour per day basis.



Results of field duplicates along with the general consistency of assay results between adjacent drill holes and drilling methods provide confidence in the general reliability of the assay data. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Nkosuo drill hole data have not been subject to any formal audit.



The Competent Person has reviewed the available sampling and assaying quality control data and found no errors or bias likely to significantly affect the reliability of the exploration data. These reviews included review of database consistency, comparisons between database records and laboratory source files, and review of QAQC information.



The Competent Person considers that the sample preparation, security and analytical procedures adopted for the Nkosuo drilling provide an adequate basis for the reporting of Exploration Results.

JORC 2012 Table 1  Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section)
Grand Haven, MI (49417)

Today

A shower or two possible this evening with partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 42F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A shower or two possible this evening with partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 42F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.






A medical worker wearing a protective suit swabs a child for a COVID-19 test in Huaxian County in central China's Henan Province, Jan. 14. AP-Yonhap





Mainland China's population increased by less than half a million in 2021, and the number of births also dropped for the fifth consecutive year, data released Monday showed.



China's overall population increased by about 480,000 people  to 1.4126 billion in 2021, from 1.412 billion a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed. The population includes China's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as servicemen, but excludes foreigners. It does not include Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.



Chinese mothers gave birth to 10.62 million babies last year, an 11.5 per cent drop from 12 million in 2020, the NBS noted. The national birthrate fell to a record low of 7.52 births for every 1,000 people in 2021, from 8.52 in 2020.



The death rate was 7.18 per 1,000 last year, putting the national growth rate at 0.34 per 1,000.



"The most shocking part of the data release today is that the natural growth of the population has dropped to 0.34 per thousand, the first time below 1.0 since data become available," said Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management. "The demographic challenge is well known, but the speed of population ageing is clearly faster than expected.



"This suggests China's total population may have reached its peak in 2020. It also indicates China's potential growth is likely slowing faster than expected."



Chen Wei, a professor with the Population Development Studies Centre at Renmin University, said: "In the next 10 to 20 years, China's natural population growth will not continue to decline, but will fluctuate around zero and see small drops, but there will not be rapid decreases."



Earlier this month, Henan Province, the country's third-most-populous administrative region, reported that its number of newborns fell to 920,000 in 2020  a 23.3 per cent decline from 2019  as the provincial birthrate dropped to 9.24 births per 1,000 people.



"The pandemic has caused some people to lose their jobs or suffer pay cuts," said He Yafu, an independent demographer. "A decrease in household income, in addition to the uncertainties that the pandemic has added to the future, has further lowered young people's willingness to give birth."



Experts have warned that a demographic turning point may be just around the corner in the world's most populous nation, and some say it threatens to erode the foundation of China's booming economic growth over the past 40 years.



Beijing has already taken steps to curb the trend, such as by allowing couples to have a third child and by trying to reduce abortions for "non-medical" purposes.



Dozens of provincial and municipal authorities have also introduced their own initiatives to bump up the birthrate. These include giving parents more days off work, or even financial support, for having a second or third child.





Commuters wearing face masks to help protect against COVID-19 walk along a street in the central business district of Beijing, Jan. 13. AP-Yonhap
Greensburg, IN (47240)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 51F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 51F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
GREENWICH  Dr. Shruti Gupta, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine, has been appointed the new medical director of neonatology at Greenwich Hospital.

Dr. Guptas experience and leadership will enhance our ability to care for our tiniest and most fragile patients, Greenwich Hospital president Diane Kelly said in making the announcement.

A neonatologist for 17 years, Gupta will be responsible for Greenwich Hospitals 15-bed, level 3B Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which provides specialized care to ill and premature infants 26 weeks and older.

The NICU staff includes neonatologists, advanced practice nurses and specially trained nurses. In addition, Greenwich Hospital has subspecialists from Yale Medicine  pediatric surgery, pediatric cardiology, pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric urology  who also help to care for newborns with complex diagnoses.

The appointment will further enhance its reputation as a premier institution for expectant mothers, the hospital said in a statement.

Board certified in pediatrics and neonatal perinatal medicine, Guptas experience spans both research and clinical.

After attending medical school at Kasturba Medical College in India, Gupta completed her residency at Flushing (N.Y.) Hospital Medical Center and a three-year fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Stony Brook University Hospital Medical Center on Long Island, N.Y.

Before joining Greenwich Hospital, Gupta was associate director of neonatology at Stamford Hospital and director of its Newborn Transition Care Program. She was also vice chair of pediatrics at St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University.

Gupta is a member of various professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Academy of Breast Feeding Medicine.

Greenwich Hospital, a member of Yale New Haven Health, is a 206-bed regional medical center serving lower Fairfield County and Westchester County, N.Y. and is a major academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine.

Founded in 1903, Greenwich Hospital has evolved into a progressive medical center and teaching institution representing all medical specialties and offering a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and wellness programs. Greenwich Hospital is recognized throughout the healthcare. Greenwich Hospital has the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nations highest honor of nursing excellence.
Contributed Photo / Courtesy of the Greenwich Alliance for Education /

Contributed Photo / Courtesy of the Greenwich Alliance for Education /

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Many college students from Greenwich earned honors from the University of Connecticut for their academic achievements in the fall 2021 semester.

These undergraduate students were all named to the fall Deans List, according to UConn.

At the end of each semester, the dean of each school and college at UConn names to the Deans List those students who were registered for at least 12 credits calculable for grade points; who received no grade below C; and who were ranked in at least the upper quartile of their school or college, according to UConn.

From the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, with a GPA of 3.8 or greater:

Emily Delepine of Cos Cob; Akash Molekudy of Greenwich; and Cristine Leto of Old Greenwich.

From the School of Fine Arts, with a GPA of 3.931 or greater:

Sophia Messerrly of Greenwich, and Ellie Fitzgerald of Old Greenwich.

From the School of Engineering, with a GPA of 3.813 or greater:

Daniel Gove and Noel Mullen, both of Cos Cob; Spencer Macri and Catherine Wasiyo, both of Greenwich; and Owen Bass, Kelvin Chung and Woojin Kwak, all of Old Greenwich.

From the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a GPA of 3.860 or greater:

Alessandro Portolano of Cos Cob; and Ellie Fitzgerald, Casey Jaycox and Sophia Ruelle, all of Old Greenwich.

Also, Lilly Adamo, Claudia Arrunategui Affon, Rachael Bohling, Eadaoin Clarke, Natali Fiscal Solano, Nicole Freitas and Brian Goldsmith, all of Greenwich.

Also, Dorothea Johnson Gabriella Mendoza, Veronica Paez-Deggeller, Abigail Pantoja Coyt, Cole Reynolds, Enzo Ribeiro, Chloe Sumampong and Michelle Wakim, all of Greenwich.

Also, Alec Becker, Vera Bici, Morgan Brog, Emma Kornberg, Rachel Korzendorfer and Mazaud Yves , all of Riverside.

From the School of Business, with a GPA of 3.88 or greater:

Angelo Santos of Cos Cob; Thomas Waurishuk Jr. of Riveside; and Jacob Bass, Simon Bass and Sophia Ruelle, all of Old Greenwich.

Also, Elizabeth Enriquez, Alexander Koushouris, Maxwell Pisacreta and Quinlan William, all of Greenwich.

From the Academic Center for Exploratory Students, with a GPA of 3.638 or greater:

Angelina Costanzo, Nikita Kikot, Sarah Mitchelson, Ciara Munnelly, Leticia Ribeiro, James Romero and Noemy Sigua, all from Greenwich.

From the Neag School of Education, with a GPA of 4.0:

Melissa Curran of Greenwich, and Grayson Muskus of Riverside.

Alliance for Education presents workshop at AVID conference

The Greenwich Alliance for Educations Executive Director Julie Faryniarz and AVID SUCCESS Coordinator Nancy Kail recently made two 75-minute presentations at the AVID National Conference in Dallas.

Faryniarz and Kail shared ideas and insights for enhancing the AVID program through partnerships and programming focused on money management, building skills through on-the-job training, networking and mentoring, and more.

We were incredibly honored to share our story and our insights at the national level, Faryniarz said. There is a strong sense of pride seeing the impact that these programs have on our local Greenwich students and families; and to have the chance to share our strategies so that others might create a similar experience in their own school districts was truly amazing.

AVID, or Advancement via Individual Determination, is a national college readiness system. It identifies students in the academic middle with potential who are in groups underrepresented on college campuses. AVID delivers a demanding college-prep curriculum and facilitates involvement in extracurricular activities. The goal is to raise expectations of students, who will rise to the challenge with the AVID support system.

The Alliance funded the implementation of AVID at Greenwich High School in 2008 and later funded its expansion to Central and Western Middle Schools. AVID at Greenwich High has grown from a class of 16 students to 170.

The Alliance has invested over $690,000 in AVID, and over 500 GPS students have benefited. A total of $607,000 in college scholarships has been awarded to 95 AVID alumni.

AVID SUCCESS, which is a new initiative, provides mentoring; college dorm supplies; college savings accounts at Members Credit Union; and Good Money Habits workshops to help AVID students develop financial literacy and save money for college

The Greenwich Alliance for Education was launched in 2006 to support students in the Greenwich Public Schools. Since its founding, the alliance has dedicated $3.8 million to funding innovation, expanding opportunities, and inspiring educators. For more information, visit greenwichalliance.org.

Its a boy: Hospital welcomes first baby of 2022

Greenwich Hospital welcomed its first baby born of the New Year less than two hours into 2022.

Danielle Cousins-Wedderburn and Chad Wedderburn of the Bronx, N.Y., welcomed Akhil Wedderburn at 1:27 a.m. Jan. 1, according an announcement from Greenwich Hospital. The baby boy weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces and joins 8-year-old sister Raine Redley.
With all the Samsung Galaxy S22 series leaks in the last couple of months, there's not much we don't already know ahead of trio's debut next month. But there's no harm in seeing another batch of images and re-cofirming some of the specs.

91mobiles is delivering just that. The detailed images the publication has shared confirm that the design won't be any different from the vanilla's model while the Ultra's looks remain unique to the series. There are also visible antenna lines on the frame, indicating it's made of metal, but that's hardly going to surprise anyone.



Samsung Galaxy S22+

The report also debunks the chipset rumor suggesting that Europe might be getting the Snapdragon iterations as the Exynos chip was allegedly plagued by manufacturing issues. It says that European units will certainly be getting the Exynos 2200 chipset.

The Plus model will feature a 50MP main camera on the back along with 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto snappers with support for 12-bit image capturing. The screen is rumored to reach 1,750 nits peak brightness and support an adaptive refresh rate.



Samsung Galaxy S22+

The phone will weigh around 195 grams with its 4,500mAh battery capable of 45W charging speeds.

Source
A new exhibit from the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency allows visitors to peer hundreds of years in the past while standing firmly in the present.

Traditional Blacksmith Exhibit, which opened in the Hagatna gallery Thursday, Jan. 13, invites visitors to get a close-up look at Guams traditional forging practices.

This exhibit was inspired by the passing of Francisco Corned Beef Lizama, (who) was our only living Master Blacksmith. And then coincidentally, his son had just produced a film that featured his father as well, said Sandy Flores, director of CAHA.

I really love that this exhibit is not only attached to art, but its attached to our culture. I thought that the film did a very good job of talking about that. How the tools not only connect us to the earth and to working with the land, but with our traditions and our values.

The film, Sean Lizamas   A Blacksmiths Song, was celebrated this year as the Best Made in the Marianas selection at the Guam International Film Festival.

It plays on a loop, projected on a wall in the exhibit. Video footage of Francisco Lizama and his sons working at their forge, and of the elder Lizama sharing his memories and insights, lends context to the wide array of tools on display.

That there are so many tools is something of a miracle. As written accounts throughout the exhibit explain, there was a time following World War II when the knowledge of how to make these items could have been lost.

Tun Jack

Every artisan featured in the exhibit owes their skill to Master Blacksmith Joaquin Flores Lujan, known as Tun Jack and Kin Bitud, who in the 1980s took on a set of apprentices so the craft might live on.

Those apprentices included Frank Cruz, Joseph C. San Nicolas and Francisco Lizama, who later took on apprentices of his own. The exhibit features not only the work of Francisco Lizama and his contemporary San Nicolas, but also of Master Carver Greg Pangelinan and blacksmith apprentices Sean Lizama, Justin Green, Natalie Pereda and James Aevermann.

Driving home the sense of lineage in the room is a machete forged by Lujans grandfather, Mariano Lujan, resting in a case alongside work from the apprentices of today.

Aevermann has earned the rank of journeyman blacksmith, and has lent his forge to the exhibit to give visitors a look into how these tools are made. Aevermann has taken on students of his own, contributing in his own way to the continuation of this legacy.

Its very much like a responsibility. I think that if you are serious about blacksmithing, its not just about learning it for yourself and learning how to make all of these things. I think a lot of it comes down to preserving the culture, preserving the art and making sure that it doesnt disappear. And thats recording everything so that someone one day can pick it up and watch it or listen to it, or see these pictures and try to replicate it  or, as were trying to do, is physically teach the students. Take students and show them the ropes, show them all the mistakes that weve made, so they get a little better starting point than we had, Aevermann said.

Hours of labor

The training process for blacksmith apprentices is time-intensive, and the pieces on display are the product of hundreds of hours of labor using traditional forging tools rather than relying on modern alternatives.

We had to work 200 hours to learn how to to maneuver, and we have to make the machete, we have to make the fusinos, we have to make a fisga, we have to make soso, the whole seven tools is the first 200 hours. The rest of the 600 hours are demonstrations, and continuously building and making the knives and the machete, San Nicolas said.

Then we started learning how to make our own style of knife. But during the 600 hours, we went off island, also to Australia in 1986. And we did the Festival of the Pacific Arts  I myself have gone to several Festival of Pacific Arts with Jack and some of the ones that were not available for Jack to go with us, myself and Frank Lizama and Greg Pangelinan. So those were all the number of hours that we have to work.

Legacy

For Aevermann, the balance in the exhibit between honoring the legacy of the craft and showcasing the variety of individual styles is particularly special.

Instead of just showing one artist, I think its very cool to show all the different artists that have participated, to show essentially the lineage starting from Tun Jack to Master Lizama, to myself, to Sean, to all these other people that the art has been spread to, Aevermann said.

And its cool also, because you can see all the different styles. Each blacksmith, were all making the same kinds of tools. Were all making machetes, were all making fusinos, were all making knives. But you can look at each one, and you can tell, Oh, that was made by Greg. That ones made by James. That ones made by si Corned Beef. So its really cool seeing everyones individual styles.

Traditional Blacksmith Exhibit captures generations in a single room. Each tool on display is made using the knowledge and techniques of those who have come before, and is imbued with the innovations and creative touches of each individual artisan.

And though we have yet to see if another master blacksmith will emerge from the community, looking at this body of work its clear that the art form is in skilled, capable and devoted hands.
The Serve Guam Commission and the AmeriCorps programs commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Jeromy Paul Newby Community and Youth Center in Talofofo on Monday.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social rights activist in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s.

He was a leader of the American civil rights movement and organized many peaceful protests as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, including the March on Washington in 1963 where he gave his famous I Have a Dream speech.

Though his actual birthday is on the 15th, it has become a federal holiday in the United States that is observed on the third Monday of January each year.

Hes done a lot for America. Hes helped a lot of Americans, especially black Americans, to thrive and have a better future and I really appreciate that of him, said Audrey Taylor, member of AmeriCorps Guahan Sustainable Culture. I really appreciate that of him because he really pushed the narrative we (black Americans) can be much more than what people thought were and I think we will always need that forever.

Taylor, who is both CHamoru and African American said that the accomplishments of King have helped her, her family and others in her life to be granted opportunities that didnt seem possible before.

I dont know where the Black community in America would be without him, Taylor said. I dont know if my dad would be in Guam, meet my mom and have the kind of life he did if it wasnt for Martin Luther King.

Additionally, she said shes happy to be a part of an organization that celebrates such a historic figure.

I love the work that he did when he was around, when he was talking and when the marches were going on. I always try to celebrate him, Taylor said. Going to school, we didnt celebrate him much for Martin Luther King Day, we never had an assembly for him, even for Black History Month but here at AmeriCorps, were really acknowledging him. Its great to me, its very important.

Personal experience

During the event, UOG President Thomas Krise spoke about his experience as a child during the death of King.

I was a six-year-old feeling that this was upsetting in a really serious way. My father then did a lot of work on race relations in the military, and the armed forces were desegregated just after World War II and it was the first big organization in American society to formally desegregate, Krise said. I think an important part of the military ethos is the idea that of equality and treating people equally has been very important, particularly in matters of race and ethnicity.

Krise also mentioned Kings success was his non-violent approaches to societal change.

We think of ourselves as having a democracy back in the 1770s but in real effect, it wasnt until the success of Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement that we developed a real democracy, he said. The persistence of demonstration of people showing what they care about and doing it peacefully is incredibly powerful.

Service

As Martin Luther King Day is also the day of volunteered service and giving back to the community, AmeriCorps also had a ground raising of the aquaponics systems at community and youth center.

Through the universitys Sea Grant Program, the system is intended to provide food for a family, group of families or a community according to UOG Sea Grant Specialist David Crisostomo.

Its based on a recirculating system to grow fish and attach to a hydroponics system, Crisostomo said. Im really glad the AmeriCorps Vet Corps group here in Talofofo came up to UOG and look at our system and were very interested in it. We had the opportunity to provide one in Talofofo and Im glad its here.
Former Gov. Carl T.C. Gutierrez is the president and CEO of Guam Visitors Bureau, permit czar and chairman of the Governors Economic Strategy Council. Send comments or questions to GVB at communityrelations@visitguam.org.




Haiti - Politic : What was discussed during the retreat of the Government





In a press release, the Primature recalls that the Government held a retreat at the Decameron hotel on the Cote des Arcadins. January 13 and 14. Prime Minister ai Ariel Henry, the Ministers, the Secretaries General of the Presidency, the Prime Minister's Office and the Council of Ministers, the Secretaries of State, the High Staff of the National Police and several executives of the public administration, met to find quick and effective solutions to the multifaceted crisis that the country is going through.



https://www.haitilibre.com/article-35711-haiti-politics-the-retired-government-with-a-view-to-exit-the-country-of-the-impasse.html



Four major areas dealing respectively with the organization, operation and reform of the State, the moralization of public life and tax citizenship were the focal points of these two days of discussions. The debates focused particularly on subjects relating to the implementation of the political agreement of September 11, the constitutional question, the proper functioning of the State, the government action plan, the execution of the budget and security governance.



Important topics were also discussed during these meetings: public procurement, the lifestyle of the State, the restoration of State authority, corruption. Several other themes were debated during this retreat, in particular the referendum for the adoption of the new Constitution, the elections for the choice of the future leaders of the country, as well as the fundamental problem of insecurity "Security is a passage obligatory. We will do everything we can to restore a safe, stable and conducive climate for investment and the organization of the next popular consultations," said Ariel Henry.



The second day enabled workshop work to be carried out on 5 major themes linked to the current situation and the major projects it involves. By this dynamic, the Prime Minister encouraged the members of the Government to a change of paradigm and posture in public governance, while encouraging them to a permanent and structured dialogue on all questions of national interest.



At the end of the retreat, an enlarged Governing Council was also held. Two items were on the agenda : "The international conference on financing the reconstruction of the Great South scheduled for Port-au-Prince on February 16, 2022 and the opportunity to organize this year's carnival in the context of the Covid-19. An ad hoc committee has been established to produce a reflection and recommendations on this issue https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35723-haiti-news-zapping.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - USA : Tribute to the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King jr.





Today, Lauture Jacques, Consul General of Haiti in New York pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Today, The Consulate of Haiti in New York honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King jr., an extraordinary American whose legacy as a civil rights leader serves as an inspiration. He showed us that peaceful protests can speak louder than armed violence co fight systemic changes.



Dr. King once said, "Life's most penistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?" He dreamed of a nation in which every person would be equal, and he devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice and economic opportunity for all.



Like the names the Haitian Revolution heroes-Toussaint Louverture and Jean Jacques Dessalines when it comes to Freedom, let Dr. King's name be a verb calling us to action anytime, anywhere and anyplace we see injustice or inequality in people's lives because his actions caught us chat it is not enough co speak out against injustice but it also requires we actually do something that ends it.



May God bless the soul of the man who sparked revolution with his words and non-violent actions.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Lake County currently has the second highest death toll since the start of the pandemic in the entire state, with a large increase in the past seven days, according to data from the Indiana Department of Health.

Preceding Lake County, Indianapolis currently the highest reported death toll, with 2,485 residents who have died from coronavirus since 2020.

Statistics updated Friday showed that there have been a total of 1,451 deaths in Lake County, 456 in Porter County, 306 in LaPorte County, 59 in Newton County and 113 in Jasper County.

On Jan. 8, data showed there were 1,394 deaths in Lake County, indicating that 57 more people have died from the virus in the county in a week's time.

Over the past seven days, Porter County recorded nine more deaths, LaPorte recorded 10, Newton County had one more death and Jasper County recorded five more deaths.

In total, COVID-19 has killed a total of 19,491 Hoosiers since the start of the pandemic, indicating an additional 532 deaths statewide in the last seven days, Friday data showed.

State health records show a total of 3,467 Hoosiers were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday, according to the Indiana Department of Health. Currently 37.9% of ICU beds are in use by coronavirus patients with only 9.2% of ICU beds in the state available.

The color-coded classifications for Indiana's 92 counties has 81 counties in the worst-possible red rating and only 11 in the orange designation, with none of the counties in the blue or yellow designations, showing a continuing increase of infections.

The worst-possible red rating indicates an uncontrolled spread of coronavirus, which is classified as 200 or more positive cases per every 100,000 residents.

Currently Lake County, Porter County, LaPorte County, Jasper County and Newton County are all in the red rating.

Across state lines, a total of 7,302 residents in Calumet City and 6,272 residents in Lansing have tested positive for the virus.

State health officials are urging Hoosiers age 5 and up to reduce their chances of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, or by getting a COVID-19 booster shot for those previously vaccinated, as soon as possible.

The free COVID-19 vaccine is available, in most cases without an appointment, at 1,488 locations across the state, including retail pharmacies, health clinics and hospitals.

Records show more than 3.59 million Hoosiers age 5 and up, or 59.8% of the state's eligible population, are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including 54.1% of eligible Lake County residents, 59.8% in Porter County, 54.7% in LaPorte County, 40.3% in Newton County and 45% in Jasper County.

So far, a total of 1,549,826 people have received a booster shot statewide.

A complete list of COVID-19 vaccine sites is available online at ourshot.in.gov.
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Reporter

Sophia Voight is a reporter for the Hastings Star Gazette. She is from Oshkosh, WI and graduated from the UW Oshkosh with a bachelor's degree in Multimedia Journalism in 2021. She can be reached with any news tips at svoight@orourkemediagroup.com

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Editor: Thank God our weekly conspiracy theorist is finally able to laugh. She pro
Numbers growing in region, state and nation

With COVID-19 numbers exploding in Montana, the number of new cases in this part of the state saw a major jump last Friday.

In its update released Friday evening, Hill County Health Department reported 63 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, the largest one-day increase to date, with one person hospitalized.

"Locally, we are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases that are associated with people who have attended social gatherings within the last two weeks," Health Department Director and Hill County Health Officer Kim Berg said in a release Friday. "Any size social gathering can provide a situation where COVID-19 and other illnesses could spread. We are advising our community members to watch for signs and symptoms of illness. If you do become symptomatic please call your primary care provider or any other testing location to schedule yourself a test. If you are not able to receive a test at this time for any reason, please stay home until you are 48 hours symptom free."

Berg's release included locations in Hill County where people can get tested, which are:

Northern Montana Healthcare Flu Clinic, 406-262-1570, or Family Medical Center, 406-265-5408;

Bullhook Community Health Center, 406-395-6941;

Gary and Leo's Pharmacy, 406-265-1229;

Montana State University-Northern, staff/students/household members only, 406-265-3599;

Havre Public Schools, staff/students/household members only, 406-390-2210;

St. Judes Thaddeus School, staff/students/household members only, 406-265-4613;

North Star Schools staff/students/household members only, for appointments at the junior/senior high school in Rudyard, 406-355-4460 or 406-355-4481, for appointments at the elementary school in Gildford, Call 406-376-3183, no appointments necessary Mondays from 7:30-9 a.m. in Rudyard only. Testing takes place outside the doors located near the locker rooms in the back of the building, and

Rocky Boy Health Center - Anyone who is eligible to receive services at Rocky Boy Health Center, or community members that live or work on the reservation, 406-355-4460 or 406-355-4481

Testing availability is dependent on supplies and staffing and may change as situations do.

Blaine County's release listed 16 new cases Friday.

Current numbers for Chouteau and Liberty counties were not posted.

And numbers are climbing in the state and in the nation, for hospitalizations and deaths as well as new cases.

In Montana, the seven-day average for number of new cases hit 1,316 Friday, up from 293 Dec. 31. The state saw 10 new deaths Friday, with a seven-day average of four a day, up from one Dec. 31.

The seven-day average for new cases in the nation Friday hit 798,335, up from 393, 977 Dec. 31, while new deaths hit 1,784 Friday, up from 1,151 Dec. 31.

Havre Public Schools also continues to see an increase in cases. A release issued by Superintendent Craig Mueller Friday said 17 new cases were reported in the district Friday, bringing the total for last week to 31 new cases.

Sunnyside Intermediate School went to online classes last week due to staffing shortages, although Mueller said the absences were due to a variety of reasons, not just COVID-19 cases.

St. Jude Thaddeus School also closed last week, with 40 percent of its students missing both Monday and Tuesday classes. Principal Katie Kopp also said the absences were due to a variety of illnesses and said Tuesday she had not received confirmation that any were due to COVID.

Hays-Lodge Pole Schools also closed classrooms last week,

Hays-Lodge Pole Schools website said that due to contact tracing all unvaccinated kindergarten, first, seventh and eighth graders were asked not to return to school until Jan. 24. People were asked to contact the school Tuesday morning.

The message from public health on the national-, state- and local-level has remained the same for the past year. Vaccination is the best way for people to protect themselves and their loved ones.

The vaccines for COVID-19 have remained effective at preventing hospitalization and death throughout the pandemic and the rollout of boosters for the vaccines provide an extra layer of protection that drastically reduces the chances of people getting seriously ill.

Aside from vaccination, much of the same procedures are still recommended to slow the spread of the virus, including omicron. Wearing masks while in public areas is still a key way to slow the spread of - and reduce the chance of contracting - the virus, with recommended masks still effective at reducing the spread of the variants of the virus, including omicron.

Avoiding being in large groups of people outside of a person's household when possible also will reduce the chance of contracting the virus, as will regular handwashing and people covering their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow.

In Hill County, vaccinations and booster shots are available through Bullhook Community Health Center, 406-395-4305; the Hill County Health Department, 406-400-2415; Northern Montana Health Care's Specialty Medical Center at 406-265-7831 or its Family Medical Center at 406-265-5408; Western Drug Pharmacy, 406-265-9601; Gary & Leo's Pharmacy, which takes walk-ins; Walmart; and the Rocky Boy Health Center 406-395-4486.

The Blaine County Health Department, 406-357-2345, and the Fort Belknap Health Center, public health nurse 406-353-3250 and pharmacy at 406-353-3104, can schedule vaccinations and booster shots.

Vaccine is available in Chouteau County at the Chouteau County Health Department, 406-622-3771, and Big Sandy Pharmacy at 406-378-5588.

People can call Liberty County Health Department at 406-759-5517 to schedule a vaccination.
The Damascus government is promoting so-called settlements or reconciliations in some areas, with the aim of extending its control over them. However, daily practical experience has proven that these settlements did not contribute to achieving security and stability in these areas.

The Damascus government repeated the scenario of "reconciliations" and reworked it again in north and east Syria in general and the city of Raqqa in particular, which was met with popular rejection by the sons, sheikhs and dignitaries of the Arab clans in Raqqa and its countryside.

In this regard, the head of the Modernity and Democracy Party for Syria, Firas Qassas, told our agency: "Settlements certainly hinder the solution of the Syrian crisis, because they give the regime additional weights that prevent it from proceeding with a political solution and increase the area of the circle of illusion that it does not want to exit from."

He added, "The Syrian regime's delusion that it has won and that it can turn back the clock to dedicate Assadism again, intensifying catastrophic values and monopolizing the fate and capabilities of the country, and violating the will of its people.

He added, "Therefore, these "mines" reconciliations must be rejected, in order to continue to provide prerequisites and factors for a solution in Syria, and to persevere in proceeding with the project of democratic Autonomous Administration supporting it and contributing to its criticism and correction until it achieves its full value ceilings and philosophical bets that solve the dilemma of political society. In the areas of the Autonomous Administration only, but also in all of Syria, and perhaps in its entire geostrategic surroundings.

'There is no guarantee that the regime provides to anyone'

When asked about the fate of those making reconciliations, al-Qassas said: "There is no guarantee that the regime offers to anyone and we can rely on it. We have experiences of assassination and liquidation for those who fell into the traps of its "reconciliation" and believed it."

Al-Qassas continued, "He arrested many, tortured many, and killed many without batting an eyelid. A regime that believes in power and dominance, and does not care about people's lives, but rather destroys and despises them whenever it sees the necessity of that for the continuation of its authority."

Al-Qassas wondered, "How can a regime like this fulfill what it promises, who says it is reconciling them? It simply nullifies their effectiveness. It seizes their spheres of influence and breaks the cohesion of their positions, and then no sooner erases their presence or marginalizes it and whistles it at best. No one can trust the system and bet on it." And then he wins, that's totally impossible."

Al-Qassas explained, "What the regime is doing in the region in reality is nothing but an attempt to return the situation there to what was before 2011. It is not possible objectively and semantically to use the term reconciliations on the regime's endeavor in this context. Equal in relation to the value of the right and the distance from it, they fell into a problematic struggle or strife, as the language of heritage likes to describe.

Al-Qassas continued, "This is not true at all, contradicts the truth and contradicts it. The party of the regime is a repressive dictatorship, immersed in its tyranny and tyranny; organized and ignited a revolution against an authority whose dominance buildings competed with the buildings of the state, a people who revolted for their dignity and freedom, and it is in its narrowest sense.

Al-Qassas believes that "the second semantic approach to reconciliation means a settlement based on an equal outcome between the two parties, not restoring the regime's hegemony and full authority over the region, as happened in previous regions, in many Syrian regions. strictness and utter inconsistency.

In conclusion, Al-Qassas said, "Certainly the regime will repeat the scenario of Daraa and change it. Its goal is one and clear, and it is not important to it that there is a difference in relation to the militants or not. It only cares about restoring its control over the fate of the country and the people and returning those who revolted against his tyranny to Al-Assad's farm in the worst forms." its interaction with public life in Syria.

A

ANHA
The No Surprises Act: New Protections from Surprise Billing

You may have heard stories from friends or in the news about balance bills or surprise bills from health care providers. Starting in 2022, a new federal law, The No Surprises Act, will protect you from many types of surprise bills. Here are the basics about the new protections.

What is Balance Billing?

To start, it will be helpful first to understand the term balance billing. When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isnt in your health plans network you may have to pay the entire bill. Out-of-network describes providers and facilities that havent signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called balance billing. This amount is likely more than in-network charges for the same service and might not count toward your annual out of pocket limit.

What is Surprise Billing?

Surprise billing is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you cant control who is involved in your carelike when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.

What are the new protections?

If you get health coverage through your employer or have an individual or family health plan, these new protections apply:

Surprise bills for emergency services are prohibited, even if you get them out-of-network and/or without approval beforehand.

Out-of-network cost-sharing (like out-of-network coinsurance or copayments) for all emergency and some non-emergency services is prohibited. You cant be charged more than in-network cost-sharing for these services.

Out-of-network charges and balance bills for supplemental care (like anesthesiology or radiology) by out-of-network providers who work at an in-network facility is prohibited.

Health care providers and facilities must give you an easy-to-understand notice explaining that getting care out-of-network could be more expensive and they must give you options to avoid balance bills. Youre not required to sign this notice or get care out-of-network.

Other protections in the new law require health plans to keep their provider directories updated. They also must limit your copays, coinsurance, or deductibles to in-network amounts if you rely on inaccurate information in a provider directory.

If you do not have insurance, you also have protections under the No Surprises Act. To learn more visit: CMS.gov

Complaints:

If youve received a surprise bill and you believe your health plan is not following the new law, you can file an appeal with your health plan or ask for an external review of its decision. You can also file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Health or The Minnesota Department of Commerce.

If you believe youve been wrongly billed by a medical provider or facility, you may file a complaint with the federal government at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or by calling 1-800-985-3059 For more information please visit: CMS.gov

Back to Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, email health.mcs@state.mn.us.
RESIDENTS of Benson are being asked for suggestions on how to spend more than 2 million.

The parish council will receive the money from developers as new housing is built in the parish.

The council said it expected developers to pay about 10 million via the Community Infrastructure Levy between 2018 and 2024 and the village would receive about a quarter of this.

The developers are:

 David Wilson Homes, which was granted planning permission for 240 homes at The Sands.

 Thomas Homes, which is to build 80 homes on land west of Hale Road.

 Cala Homes, which has a 241-home development north of Littleworth Road that was granted planning permission in 2016.

Councillor Phil Murray told a council meeting that the money would be received over a number of years and could only be spent on certain types of project.

The council has already spent or committed about 1million on different projects, including the 600,000 refurbishment of the parish hall in Sunnyside, which is currently taking place, and 250,000 on the Faye Elizabeth play park, which re-opened in August.

Now the council has started a consultation process in which villagers can suggest how the money should be spent as it arrives.

Chairman Bill Pattison said: There are only certain things we can do with CIL money and we want to make people aware of that.

Cllr Murray said the council would consider every suggestion.

He added: We aim to look at the number of projects that we have received from people in the village who have completed the questionnaire and we need to be able to respond.

We have a number of projects and its quite possible that not all of them will have CIL funding.

We wont get all the money when we want it but we also need to make sure we have projects ready to roll out as we get money.

My hope is that we can do the majority of the projects that we think the village needs. We should be able to do a fair number of them.

If we work hard as a community, we should be able to find other funding for projects that dont qualify for CIL  we need to explore funding from the district council.

We should never use CIL when the community has not been consulted; we shouldnt see it just as a convenient pot of money.

What we need to do is try to standardise the number of steps  we need to agree on a process.

The council agreed to assess the submitted projects according to five categories:

 Community benefit

 Costs and funding

 Deliverability

 Environmental impact

 Compliance with the villages neighbourhood plan, which is currently being revised.

Cllr Murray said each project should have a sponsor to present the idea to the council.

We would expect a person from a community group or a councillor, he said. We will ask them to come to one of our meetings and brief us and answer specific questions. They would be asked to present on why they feel the project is good and we should be looking at the number of benefits delivered and the number of people who would benefit.

We would discuss all this and end up providing a score.

We want to listen to the community; we want to give everyone a chance to do well with their project.

Councillor Ian Skeels said: We have got a lot of ideas from people in the village who cant be a sponsor  not everyone can be.

It could be intimidating for some people and we need to have a process that accepts and includes everyone.

Cllr Murray said: A councillor could also sponsor the project. If they cant do it, we as a council need to find a sponsor.

Cllr Pattison said: Im quite confident about this process and think it ticks all the boxes. We will revise it if it needs it but we have to start somewhere.

Councillor Mark Summer said: It might need a few tweaks but I think its great and gives people the opportunity to tell us what they want.

To submit your idea, complete the survey at https://bensonpc.org.uk/

survey
THE minibus service run by the Fish volunteer centre in Sonning Common has resumed its shopping trips.

On Mondays, January 17, 24 and 31, the bus will visit Tesco in Henley. There will also be a visit to Henley farmers market on Thursday, January 27.

The bus will pick up passengers from home at 9am. Each trip costs 4 or is free with a bus pass.

On Tuesday, January 25 there will be a trip to the Morrisons and Lidl in Reading with a pick-up time of 10am and a return time of 1.15pm. There will be a 6 trip to Ikea in Reading on Thursday, January 20 with a pick-up time of 12.30am and a return time of 3.30pm.

An 8 trip to Oxford city centre to see the museums and shops will take place on Wednesday, January 26 with a pick-up time of 10.15am from the village hall in Wood Lane and a return time of 3.30pm.

The trips are subject to weather conditions.

For more information and to book, call 0118 972 3986.
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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.

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Sharon Jean McCarthy, 83, of Greenville, passed away on April 11, 2022 in Greenville, Texas. A memorial service will be at Wesley United Methodist Church on April 30, 2022 at 9 a.m. Coker-Mathews Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. McCarthy was born Feb. 4, 1939 in St. Louis, Mi
Anderson, IN (46016)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 49F. WNW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 49F. WNW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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Miscreants have vandalised at least 35 Saraswati idols made for the upcoming Saraswati Puja in Boalkhali of Chattogram.

Similar to an act committed by demons, the idols were vandalised on Friday midnight at the pottery of local craftsman Basu Dev Pal located at Lalar Hat in East Shakpura.

Chattogram Superintendent of Police SM Rashidul Haque confirmed the news and said, We are looking into the incident.

Boalkhali police station Sub-Inspector (SI) Sumon Kanti Das said, Some small clay idols made on the occasion of Saraswati Puja were placed on the side of the road. Miscreants broke the heads and hands of the idols on Friday night.

He noted that it is still unclear why the act of vandalism took place. However, it did not appear to be done due to business animosity or religious reasons, added Sumon.

Potter Basu Dev Pal reportedly told police that no one has business animosity with him.

Shyamal Biswas, president of the Boalkhali Puja Celebration Council, said, Potter Haripada Pal and his son Basu Dev Pal have been making idols in the area since the Pakistan period. This has never happened before.

He also demanded justice for the incident.

Source : The Business Standard
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Where we rely on your consent to use your personal information, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This includes the right to ask us to stop using your personal information for direct marketing purposes or to be unsubscribed from our email list at any time. You also have the following rights:

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Moments from the Portuguese capital's vibrant centre, the new hotel marks the first Curio Collection by Hilton property in Lisbon.

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today celebrates the opening of The Emerald House Lisbon, Curio Collection by Hilton, marking the debut of Curio Collection by Hilton in the Portuguese capital. The 67-room property is nestled among the historic palaces and charming churches, with rooms giving way to breathtaking views of the River Tagus and city itself, perched across the seven hills that make up Lisbon.

The hotel is named after the street where it is situated, Rua das Janelas Verdes, which translates to "Street of Green Windows." Located in a restored building in a prime position, steeped in history and favoured by 18th century nobility, accents of the property's cultural heritage echo throughout the interiors. The ground floor, which was once a bakery, serves a variety of delicious breads and pastries. Several items that belonged to the previous residents of the building, such as an antique bathtub, tiles and a sink have been kept and used as unique pieces of decoration in the hotel. Art and antiques from the local area underpin a modern and elegant decor, creating a distinctive ambience perfect for those looking to discover authentic Lisbon.

When not exploring the best of the city, guests can sip and graze on contemporary Portuguese drinks and dishes at the hotel's restaurant, A Mesa, or unwind with a crisp glass of Vinho Verde at the Five O'Clock Bar. A 24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness centre is also on hand for those wanting to stay active.

The Emerald House Lisbon is located next to the National Museum of Ancient Art, where guests can learn about the cultural history that surrounds them. A short stroll will lead to the upmarket neighbouring areas of Chiado and Baixa where travellers can marvel at impressive palaces, browse independent boutiques and explore the vibrant restaurant scene. For those seeking a digestif, the iconic Cais Do Sodre - known as 'Pink Street' - due to the unusual and charming colour of its pavement - is a short walk from the hotel.

The Emerald House Lisbon, Curio Collection by Hilton is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's 18 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.

Hotel website
Sydney's busy southern corridor will boast a brand-new Travelodge Hotel today, the very first international hotel chain to open in Hurstville's bustling business district.

Developed by the Illawarra Catholic Club and operated by TFE Hotels, the 124-room Travelodge which sits adjacent to the club, features a new design direction for the interiors by Chada, complete with a natural colour palette and plenty of greenery; Above 8 - a rooftop bar and restaurant with a vergola and unobstructed views to Bowral, Botany and Mittagong; a ground floor St Marks Road Co. grab 'n go; and the largest corporate function space outside of Sydney's CBD.

TFE Hotels' Group Chief Operating Officer, Chris Sedgwick said Travelodge Hurstville would not only deliver great value accommodation options for locals and visitors alike but would also deliver long-term economic benefits to the Club and the community.

Sedgwick says the hotel will hold wide appeal to leisure travellers visiting the southern corridor, those with friends or relatives in hospital, or weekend warriors wanting to explore the nearby Royal National Park or eastern coastline.

The hotel's distinct architecture - likened to giant white shoeboxes stacked on each other - was conceived by Crawfords and is indicative of the urban regeneration underway in Hurstville at the moment.

And, as you'd expect from a Travelodge, the location is superb offering travellers easy access to the Royal National Park. Travelodge Hotel Hurstville is also close to the airport and to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. A nearby hospital precinct and Westfield Shopping Centre and Club Central offerings make this hotel equally desirable for leisure and business travellers.

Hotel website
TFE Hotels has appointed Travelodge Hotel specialist, Ansarina Flower, as pre-opening General Manager. Ansarina is not only a posterchild for brand "Travelodge", but also for being a full-time working mum at TFE. The super mum-of-four started her TFE career as Reservations Manager at Travelodge Wynyard, with a variety of management roles at Travelodge Sydney, Travelodge Blacktown, Bankstown, Newcastle, and Martin Place.
Adnan Ali Khan has been promoted to general manager of Ramada by Wyndham Dubai Barsha Heights. Previously hotel manager in charge at the hotel since 2020, he has proved himself as a "true leader" over the pandemic.

Under him, the hotel successfully transitioned from Auris Inn Al Muhanna Hotel to Ramada, and also boasted "remarkable results" over those two years, said the property.

Khan's responsibilities now include the smooth running of the operation, working closely with the HODs, up keeping the Ramada brand's culture and standards, ensuring our guest satisfaction and improvising profitability.

Khan started in hospitality back in 2004 as senior accountant followed by cluster chief accountant with the Emaar Hospitality Group. He went on to work with Cristal Hotels as assistant financial controller before joining now what is voco Bonnington JLT in the same role.
As UNWTO gets set to return to the FITUR tourism trade fair in Madrid (19-23 January), the United Nations specialized agency is drawing on the influence of its growing team of Ambassadors to highlight the role the sector will play in driving recovery and providing opportunity in 2022 and beyond.

Ahead of the official opening of FITUR, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with entrepreneur and hotelier Yavuz Selim Yukselir. Visiting the Organizations headquarters in Madrid, the Turkish national, who joined last year as UNWTO Tourism Ambassador, discussed opportunities for further collaboration, with a particular focus on hotels and tourism accommodation.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: I thank Yavuz Selim Yukselir for his enthusiastic support for UNWTO at the start of a year of great challenge and great opportunity for tourism. Now is the time for our esteemed Ambassadors for Sustainable Tourism to be the faces of our sector, using their status and influence to showcase its unique power to drive recovery and transform lives.

Reflecting the need for diverse voices, UNWTO counts on the generous support of its Ambassadors for Sustainable Tourism to amplify its messages and promote its work to audiences around the world. Yavuz Selim Yukselir serves as Chairman of the Board of Yukselir Group, which is active in 12 different sectors, most notably in tourism accommodation, aviation and innovation and technology, and has a presence in 24 countries. He was named a UNWTO Ambassador in January 2021, joining leading figures from the worlds of sport, entertainment, gastronomy, business and more.

About The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive and sustainable development. Working with its Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UNWTO also works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and a central pillar of recovery. As part of the wider UN system, UNWTO is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and preserve natural and cultural heritage.

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DALLAS, TX  NewcrestImage, an award winning hotel development company based in Dallas, announces it will transfer its existing hotel management agreement rights to Aimbridge Hospitality, a leading, global hospitality company, and the two companies have identified new growth opportunities together.

Specifically, NewcrestImage and Aimbridge will build on their respective strengths, with NewcrestImage developing and acquiring new hotels and Aimbridge further building on its value added services as one of the largest global hotel operators. NewcrestImage has acquired minority ownership in Aimbridge Hospitality.

We are excited to grow with NewcrestImage as they develop new properties with Aimbridge as their strategic operating partner, said Mike Deitemeyer, Aimbridge Hospitality President & CEO. I look forward to working closely on growth opportunities with Mehul Patel and his team at NewcrestImage who have built one of our industrys most respected hotel portfolios.

Starting with the sale of 27 distinctive properties, with Aimbridge gaining management responsibilities for those hotels, and with NewcrestImage gaining a minority stake in Aimbridge, each of these transactions is important and impressive on its own, said Mehul Patel, Chairman and CEO of Dallas-based NewcrestImage. This is a collaboration that will enable both companies to gain unmatched momentum and growth.

Mehul Patel will join the newly formed Aimbridge Hospitality CEO Advisory Board.

About NewcrestImage

NewcrestImage has become one of the leading hotel companies in America, having transacted over 185 hotels since its start in February of 2013. It is known and respected for unique properties and for repeatedly developing bold, award-winning projects that have transformed the hospitality industry. Among the companys notable properties are dual-brand hotels, innovatively converted historic buildings, and lifestyle hotel campuses, which create vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods. For more information, visit https://newcrestimage.com

Aimbridge Hospitality

Aimbridge Hospitality is a leading, global hospitality company offering best-in-class hotel management services across a broad spectrum of franchised branded full service, select service, luxury hotels, destination resorts, convention centers and lifestyle hotels. Aimbridge's premium portfolio represents approximately 1,500 properties in 49 states and 20 countries, inclusive of pipeline. With the most robust brand diversity in the industry, Aimbridge and its affiliates represent 84 lodging brands, in addition to more than 82 independent boutique/lifestyle hotels in the portfolio. As the world's largest third-party operator, Aimbridge is dedicated to its mission to leverage its scale to add value for owners and opportunities for associates better than any hospitality operator. Aligned with a concentrated focus, agility, and expertise for each vertical, Aimbridge drives market success for hotels and optimizes investment returns for owners. Aimbridge Hospitality's global headquarters is based in Plano, Texas, with additional corporate offices in Atlanta, Calgary, Fargo, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Evolution Hospitality, Aimbridge's Lifestyle Division, is based in San Clemente, Calif. Aimbridge's International Division, Interstate
The Hellertown Area Library 409 Constitution Ave, Hellertown. The Lower Saucon Township Council is contemplating withdrawing annual funding from the Hellertown Area Library. If a funding agreement isn't reached, residents of Lower Saucon Township could be left without a home library service in the future. (Monica Cabrera / The Morning Call)

Briana Rich has three young children, and her family, like many residents of Lower Saucon Township, benefits from the Hellertown Area Librarys services and programs.

She grew up in Saucon Valley School District, which comprises Hellertown as well as Lower Saucon, and would hate to lose benefits of the librarys educational resources, programs and opportunities for community socialization.

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But the librarys story recently has been playing out like a nonfiction tale of suspense, with residents fearing the township wants to cut its funding. That could deny Lower Saucon residents like Rich membership and services there, and leave them having to use a library farther away.

Lower Saucon council officials told concerned citizens at recent township meetings that no final decision about the library has been made, and that councils solicitor and library liaison are in talks with library leaders regarding its funding. The library agreement is expected to be discussed Wednesday at the Lower Saucon council meeting.

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Council authorized payment of $8,355 last month. That enabled the current pact, which expired Dec. 31, to run through January. The Dec. 1 and Jan. 3 council meetings included much discussion over the agreement.

At the Dec. 1 meeting, council postponed voting on the agreement after members expressed concerns about a lack of communication with councils solicitor and the librarys board of trustees, among other things.

Lower Saucon Township was formerly a part of the Bethlehem Area Public Library system, but left it to join the Hellertown library about eight years ago, following debate among some residents who wanted the convenience of a library closer to home and those who felt the Bethlehem library system provided better value.

Now, Lower Saucon officials want to review the most recent agreement, for which Hellertown officials voted in November, before deciding on staying with Hellertown.

I just want residents to know that were not looking to shop around, said Jennifer Zavacky, councils library liaison, who was sworn into office Jan. 3. It is making sure we are doing right and having proper agreements in place, when we are investing six figures on an annual basis.

Zavacky said council already budgeted the approximately $100,000 annually that Lower Saucon provides the library.

We want nothing more than to have local library services, she said, and Hellertown is what we think of when we think of that. She was hopeful that officials would be able to hammer out an agreement before councils meeting.

Meanwhile, residents such as Rich remain concerned. She started an online petition urging residents to attend council meetings to press members to keep the funding.

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Theyre [Lower Saucon officials] going to say theyre doing their due diligence to make sure that taxpayers are paying the proper amount, Rich said. But they could have done their due diligence months ago.

Zavacky said Lower Saucons attorney had not had sufficient time to review the agreement, which according to minutes from councils Dec. 1 meeting, would run five years.

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Noelle Kramer, the librarys director, was unavailable for comment.

Like many community libraries, Hellertown operates as a charitable organization and depends on a combination of municipal, state and private support, according to Christie Buker, the Pennsylvania Library Association executive director, the trade group that includes more than 450 libraries and their staffs.

Many times, residents think that libraries are funded 100% with taxpayer dollars, and they are not, Buker said. So its a challenge to serve communities.

In examining Hellertown librarys latest publicly filed financial document, also known as IRS Form 990 for nonprofits, Buker noted the library has building and land assets, and about seven months of cash reserves, more than $180,000. Its annual operating expense is just under $300,000, she said.

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But Hellertown and libraries in general continue to face financial challenges, Buker said, noting that during the pandemic, they have provided internet service and other digital access for people without it.

Its unfortunate anytime there is a threat of loss of funding, Buker said, adding libraries should be seen by all as a community asset, not merely an expense for a community.

Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com.
For the Houston area, energy transition in 2022 will come when Shell hands over the Deer Park refinery to its long-time partner, the Mexican national oil company, Pemex.

On December 21, a Treasury Department official informed Pemexs legal representative that there were no unresolved national security issues associated with the planned purchase of Shell Oils controlling interest. The next day, Mexicos president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (aka, AMLO) thanked President Biden for the approval of the deal, interpreting it as his trust in Pemexs ability to operate the refinery safely.

The Greater Houstons regional economic, environmental and public-safety outlook will be compromised by the deal. Shell is dumping the refinery in the lap of an unprepared and unqualified buyer.

Shell has insisted that the refinery will operate the same as before because refinery workers will continue in their jobs. But Shell managers wont. Theyll be moved to other jobs at Shell  which court documents confirm  leaving leadership posts to be filled by Pemex.

On HoustonChronicle.com: AMLOs game and the future of Mexicos energy reforms

But youll find little proof that Pemex is ready to run the refinery. Missing is evidence of multiyear preparations by Pemex and its workers to learn and understand the peculiarities of the American environmental, safety, and labor codes. Pemexs three decades as the limited partner in the refinery provided few learning opportunities; it was, by Shell policy, excluded from operational roles and denied access to Shell patents, trade secrets and technical know-how.

More Information . See More Collapse

Pemex cannot operate as a market-driven business when its de facto, activist chair is the president of Mexico. Once under AMLOs control, expect the executive and managerial staff of the Deer Park refinery to expand with new appointees from Mexico whose credentials are reducible to presidential loyalty.

AMLO appointees would have the opportunity to steer contracts to firms with invisible connections to the President. Consider the contracting for the new Dos Bocas refinery in the Mexican state of Tabasco. It is being done by private, restricted tenders to selected firms. The word you are looking for is cronyism.

Pemex will have little accountability should bad things happen. The legal buyer, P.M.I. Services North America, Inc, is a Delaware shell company that is two corporate layers removed from Pemex. If things go wrong, Pemex would likely be insulated from liability and costs of an environmental cleanup. Besides, as an arm of the Mexican state, Pemex might be untouchable in court, protected by the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act.

More: Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com

Pemex, meanwhile, is already burdened by more than $100 billion in debt, and the Deer Park refinery is unlikely to improve Pemexs financial capacity. Under Shells control, the Deer Park refinery has reported financial losses since 2018.

Bizarre lawsuit

On January 6, a hearing was held in federal court in Houston on a last-minute lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order against the sale and the expedited discovery of documents, to include the confidential Shell-Pemex agreement. The plaintiffs lawyers did not represent Deer Park homeowners who feared a loss of property values, but two laundromat operators in the state of New York.

Shells lawyers asked that the petition be dismissed, arguing lack of standing of the plaintiffs and lack of evidence of imminent harm. Further, two federal agencies had reviewed the acquisition without objections, the lawyers argued.

Delay, they added, would cause harm to Shell and Pemex, as a labor contract needed to be worked out prior to January 31st, when the current agreement expires, Shell argued. Judge Lee Rosenthal ruled in favor of the companies and rejected the temporary restraining order and request for expedited discovery. The case is still pending.

See no evil

The deal for Deer Park was negotiated in hermetic secrecy over eight months by a tiny group of presidential insiders. Pemexs refinery division was not consulted. Ditto, Energy Minister Rocio Nahle, a political rival of Pemex CEO Octavio Romero

When it became public, community, political and business leaders largely stayed quiet as the deal went through the regulatory process. Regardless, Pemex will never be a qualified buyer. Team Biden, city elders of Deer Park, and the Houston business community may come to regret their decisions to see no evil in the deal.

George Baker writes on energy, He is Houston editor of Mexico Energy Intelligence, an industry newsletter.

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Japanese engine-maker Yanmar perfected the first small diesel engine in 1933; this year, the conglomerate is showing off a hydrogen fuel cell for ocean-going boats.

Every day, one of the worlds biggest manufacturers announces a new clean energy technology, and many rely on hydrogen. Texas has an almost unequaled opportunity to lead the world in clean hydrogen, but only if our business and political leaders can see past oil and natural gas.

Texas starts out with some great advantages, said Brian Weeks, senior hydrogen development director at the Gas Technology Institute, a nonprofit that supports new technologies. Moving out of the old hydrogen industry into the new hydrogen, clean energy world has been a very long and slow process getting companies interested and government agencies involved.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Is Texas oil and gas entering its final boom cycle?

Texas is the nations largest hydrogen producer, and most of the gas goes to refine oil or make ammonia. The Gulf Coast region is home to half the nations hydrogen pipelines and enormous subterranean caverns that store gases.

Few places in the world do more with hydrogen  few clean fuels offer as much opportunity.

Yanmars hydrogen fuel cell technology creates a new market and addresses one of the most challenging industries to decarbonize, intercontinental shipping.

Texas researchers are developing new applications ranging from drone fuel to storing wind and solar power. So why is the nations largest green hydrogen hub going to Mississippi?

Were not that far along, Brett Perlman, CEO of Center for Houstons Future, acknowledged during a conference about the Future of Hydrogen in the Ontario and Texas Economies. Were just getting ready to launch our effort.

As Ive explained in past columns, hydrogen puts the hydro in hydrocarbons. The gas is the most common element in the universe and packs more energy per kilogram than any fuel other than nuclear fissile material.

Humans can generate pure hydrogen in two general ways. The traditional method heats natural gas with steam, releasing 9 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilo of hydrogen.

Electrolysis applies electricity to water, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen. If the electricity is generated by wind or solar facilities, the hydrogen is considered green. But hydrogen made from electrolysis typically costs $30 a kilogram, and it becomes economical only at $4 or less a kilo.

Hundreds of companies, though, think they can make clean hydrogen affordable. One way is to capture the carbon associated with the steam process, thus creating what the industry calls blue hydrogen. Others believe they can bring down the cost of making green hydrogen.

One of the worlds most ambitious hydrogen projects, located on the northwest border of England and Wales, will produce both colors. HyNet leverages existing natural gas production, offshore wind power, salt caverns and existing refineries to replace fossil fuels with hydrogen.

HyNet involves both the upgrade to existing infrastructure, as well as developing new infrastructure. This includes underground pipelines, hydrogen production plants and storage facilities, HyNets mission statement says. The project aims to lead the creation of a low carbon economy, protecting and creating local jobs to the North West and North Wales and across the U.K.

That sounds like something Texas should do. The Center for Houstons Future, the University of Texas, the Gas Technology Institute and a dozen private corporations are working on something similar, called H2@Scale Texas.

We have to start at the place where the existing asset base is, Perlman said, pointing to the oil and gas industry.

Texas generates 30 percent of the nations hydrogen, almost all of it produced with steam. The Houston H2 Hydrogen Hub would capture the carbon and sequester it in existing caverns to make it blue.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: How to fix the Texas power grid in 5 difficult steps

Perlman said electrolysis entrepreneurs are considering Texas because of existing hydrogen pipelines that run near natural gas power plants. Electricity generators can blend hydrogen with natural gas to reduce carbon emissions.

Electrolysis companies can also buy cheap electricity from Texas wind and solar plants when the grid doesnt need it. They effectively store the wind and solar energy as hydrogen for use later to back up the electric grid.

Texas petrochemical facilities can convert hydrogen into liquid ammonia, another way of storing renewable energy. With a bit of adaptation, ammonia can fuel diesel engines.

The state will need more pipelines, transmission lines, hydrogen storage and electrolysis equipment. But these things create jobs for oil and gas workers looking to escape a shrinking industry.

H2@Scale breaks ground in earnest next month and offers tremendous economic opportunity. If Texas wants to maintain its current leadership in the energy economy, we need to support this kind of innovation and stop living in the past.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
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A man and a woman were killed early Monday when a fight broke out at a Northside neighborhood apartment complex, according to police.

Officers responded around 5 a.m. to the 300 block of West Little York Road, near Interstate 45, and found a man dead of a gunshot wound in a apartment. A woman in the apartment was also shot and taken to a hospital, where she died. A baby inside the apartment was not hurt.
Houston ISD has announced that campuses and offices will remain closed on Tuesday, citing a rise in COVID-19 cases. Students and staff will return to schools on Wednesday.

The districts 2021-22 calendar had called for students to be off on Tuesday for what was to be a teacher workday. But the district on Friday told teachers and staff not to report to work on Tuesday unless requested by a supervisor.

The reason for this decision is due to the rise in COVID-19 cases throughout our community, HISD said in an announcement Friday. Last week, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo raised the COVID-19 threat level to red  the highest and most severe level.

HISD students were already off for MLK Day, a federal holiday.

At this time, we ask that you take this extra day to mitigate potential exposure and follow the recommendations of local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the district said.

MORE EDUCATION NEWS: Some Houston-area districts work to keep campuses open as COVID hits staff, students

HISD reiterated that students and staff should continue to avoid large events; wash hands often; wear a mask, test to prevent spread; and stay home if sick.

The district and the Houston Health Department have set up free-drive through mega-testing sites at Delmar and Butler stadiums and HISD is also offering testing at various campus locations.

Hidalgo on Jan. 10 moved Harris County again to its highest COVID-19 threat level.

Unfortunately, today we find ourselves crossing a threshold we dont want to cross, Hidalgo said at Booker Elementary School in Spring Independent School District. We are in the midst of another COVID-10 tsunami.

She cited an explosion of new COVID-19 cases and warned of the dangers of the omicron variant. She pointed out that virus hospitalizations are increasing at a higher rate than ever.

The Harris County Commissioners Court recently approved sending 110,000 antigen tests to county school districts.
Rabbis Gideon Estes and Barry Gelman planned a nighttime vigil from Houston, anticipating that they would lead prayers of safety and deliverance for the three people still being held hostage at a Colleyville synagogue Saturday.

Those prayers shifted to ones of joy and thanksgiving by the time they and 300 others gathered at 10 p.m. Saturday on Zoom, just after the hostages had left the temple physically unharmed. Then came a new day for Jewish community members in Texas  one of anxiety, sadness and recovery.

Were resilient and strong, and we will persist, Estes said. We have to call out hate when it comes.

The nation waited in horror Saturday after a man took four hostages, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, during a livestreamed service at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, outside Fort Worth. He released one hostage about 5 p.m. before FBI agents breached the building later in the evening and ended nearly 11 total hours of captivity for the remaining hostages.

The hostage-taker, identified Sunday as 44-year-old Malik Faisal Akram of the United Kingdom, was killed in a shooting, authorities said. Law enforcement officials did not immediately clarify whether he killed himself or was shot by responders, but witnesses said they heard a loud bang and gunfire before the incident resolved.

The horror quickly extended beyond the Dallas-Fort Worth Jewish community, affecting worshippers around the state and country. Debbie Karakowsky, 39, said she felt frightened and hyper-aware about the implications of the hostage situation.

Even though it wasnt happening in my community, it felt as if it were, said Karakowsky, of Bellaire.

Gathering as a community is a large part of what Judaism stands for, said Senior Associate Rabbi Adrienne Scott of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston. That makes attacks on synagogues even more personal.

You have a gut reaction of fear, said Scott, who knows Cytron-Walker from her time in seminary. And then to find its truly happening in your backyard with a friend and a colleague, it brings a whole new dimension of relatability and empathy.

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.

Abby Hemstreet, 44, added that she worried less about the immediate dangers she felt than about law enforcements hesitancy to initially call the act antisemitism. Matthew DeSarno, special agent in charge of the FBI Dallas field office, said Saturday night that we do believe that, from engaging with the subject, (the hostage-taker) was singularly focused on one issue and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community.

That was a targeted act, Hemstreet said. We need to continue taking more steps in securing funds for security efforts and encouraging our state, federal and local politicians to support those efforts.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston held a news conference Sunday decrying antisemitism and reiterating the right to live and worship peacefully. The Anti-Defamation League has tracked a rise in antisemitism in recent years, counting 2,024 antisemitic incidents throughout the United States in 2020.

Any time there is an attack on a place of worship, especially during active worship, that is an antisemitic act, said Renee Wizig-Barrios, the federations president and CEO. Its incredibly ironic that this synagogue was praying for peace and worshipping peacefully and welcoming anyone of course who chose to worship with them.  And they were attacked.

Many Jewish communities are already focused on security, and Houston is no different, Wizig-Barrios said. The group hosted active shooter training for Jewish institutions in July 2020, and it connected eight institutions to $1 million in Homeland Security Department grant funding to support building security measures.

Wizig-Barrios also announced Sunday a new community service initiative to hire a full-time director who can act as an expert security adviser, liaison and training coordinator for the local Jewish community. Made possible through $1 million of funding over three years, the director will be a local representative of the Secure Communities Network. The more comprehensive security measures were already being planned before the events in Colleyville.

Luis Gomar, 43, said it is an unfortunate reality that these types of measures are necessary.

Even though this is exactly what you want to avoid, I had concerns about taking my kids to Sunday school this morning at our synagogue in Houston, Gomar said. We hope that one day we wont worry about these things.

Authorities are investigating how and why Akram entered the Colleyville synagogue. Leaders of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization, said in a statement that the hostage-taker planned the attack by posing as a homeless man.

The synagogues livestream viewers  numbering more than 8,000  could hear an angry man ranting, at times talking about religion, before it was taken offline about 2 p.m., according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The four people who were taken hostage were running the service.

The hostage-taker asked for his sister to be released from prison  possibly a reference to a known terrorist, Aafia Siddiqui, who is housed at a womens prison in Fort Worth, a U.S. official briefed on the matter told ABC News. An attorney who previously represented a brother of Siddiqui said he was not the hostage-taker, according to the Star-Telegram.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the incident in a statement.

David Bent, 46, watched Estes prayer service Saturday night and said he was heartened by the interfaith support there.

That level of interfaith dialogue has reiterated to Bent the importance of remaining inclusive while the community heals, he said.

This is where you open your doors wider, said Bent, of Houston. You do it safe and smart, but you open your doors wider. This is the only way this type of thing goes away.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
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WASHINGTON  When U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee first got to Congress in 1995, Democratic leadership sent her straight to the high-profile House Judiciary Committee  a show of confidence in the freshman from a Houston district long represented by fierce civil rights advocates.

Among them was Barbara Jordan, the first Black Texan elected to Congress, who rose to national prominence from a seat on the committee.

There were few slots on that committee, Jackson Lee recalled. They just saw me, I guess through my profile, through Barbara Jordans work  This is the 18th congressional district, and this is where shes going.

I thought it was an honor because they assumed I was going to be the person they needed, she said.

Nearly three decades later, Jackson Lee has in many ways become just that. The 72-year-old congresswoman, one of the most senior and recognizable members of the Texas delegation, has become a go-to member for House Democrats on a slew of social justice issues, from policing reform to reparations for the descendants of slaves.

Long one of the most active members of the House, Jackson Lee has been busy as ever since Democrats took control of the chamber in 2020.

She understands that she inherited the district that was the district of Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland, both of whom were serious civil rights advocates, said Melanye Price, director of Prairie View A&M Universitys Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice. She has risen to the occasion to become part of the senior leadership, the sort of elder statesman of Congress.

Jackson Lee works as chief deputy to Majority Whip James Clyburn and serves on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, the House Budget Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee.

Clyburn called Jackson Lee an effective and unrelenting lawmaker.

She embodies what we, as a party, are trying to accomplish, which is to bring this country back toward the path of equality, equity and accessibility, the South Carolina Democrat said. From criminal justice reform and voting rights to her work addressing the energy crisis and protecting our homeland, she is a true stalwart fighting to preserve our safety, wellbeing, and our democracy.

Republicans show Jackson Lee respect, too, even as they strongly oppose some of the policies she advocates.

Sheila is no shrinking violet, said Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican with whom Jackson Lee has worked to advance legislation through the Senate. She always speaks up and has a point to make.

The reparations bill has drawn particular criticism from conservatives who say it is out of step with race relations in the country.

I believe she and some of the others are true believers in their view of the world thats rooted in the 1960s, said Carol Swain, a former Vanderbilt University professor and prominent Black Republican. They have not really progressed much beyond that, in terms of creative ways to address the problems of the poor.

I think thats unfortunate, because Sheila Jackson Lee and many other Black members of Congress are certainly very talented, and they have the resources, they have the platform, they can actually be doing more for the Black community than complaining about white people.

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Further along than anyone would ever imagine

When the House passed legislation in response to the killing of George Floyd, the bill was based largely on police reform legislation Jackson Lee had pushed for years. It would ban officers from using chokeholds to subdue people and forbid no-knock search warrants in drug cases, as well as bolstering the Justice Departments authority to crack down on misconduct and chipping away at some of officers legal protections when they are sued in civil court.

Jackson Lee led the first rewrite of the Violence Against Women Act in nearly a decade, with new protections for Native American women and provisions that would close the so-called boyfriend loophole that allows those with a history of dating violence to legally purchase firearms. Federal law currently prohibits abusers from having guns, but only if they were married, lived with or have children with the victim.

She also led legislation that made Juneteenth the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established in 1986. Jackson Lee inherited the effort to commemorate the day that the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston finally learned of their freedom, which Democrats had pushed since 1996, and worked with Cornyn in the Senate to get it passed and signed into law last year.

I couldnt for the life of me believe we would ever see this miracle come, which I really associated with in a historical reconciliation and recognition  Im using those terms  a sense of respect and knowledge for the fact that African Americans, now the descendants of enslaved Africans, were held in bondage for 246 years, longer than the country is old, Jackson Lee said.

And she successfully shepherded the bill to create a commission to study reparations through the Judiciary committee. The committee vote was a major milestone, marking the first time the decades-long effort had received a vote in Congress. The bill now has the support of 195 members and Jackson Lee says shes talking to leadership about getting a floor vote on it as soon as possible.

We are so much further along than anyone would ever imagine, Jackson Lee said.

Bipartisan wins on Juneteenth, Emancipation Trail

Cornyn and Jackson Lee have worked together repeatedly, most recently to get the Juneteenth bill through both chambers and to Bidens desk. The bipartisan pair also successfully pushed for a federal study for a 51-mile Emancipation Trail between Galveston and Houston, a necessary first step toward establishing a national landmark commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Galveston.

Those were important achievements, in part because of the history they acknowledge and can help teach  especially at a time of debate over how race is taught in schools, said Price at Prairie View A&M.

Were talking about book bans, were talking about discussions about critical race theories and what you can teach white children, Price said. Having the federal government step up and say, Well pay for some of the historical work that might be ignored in this political climate is huge.

Jackson Lee says she works to get Republicans to buy-in.

If you get issues that people are mutually concerned, or they agree with you or buy into your advocacy then youve got a partner, she said. The best thing to do is, to work with those who work with you and then it will start spreading.

But the bipartisan agreement has only gone so far, even for Cornyn and Jackson Lee. Like most Senate Republicans, the Texas senator is also opposed to many of Jackson Lees priorities. Much of the legislation she has championed in the House remains stalled in the evenly divided Senate.

Senate Republicans oppose the provision in Jackson Lees Violence Against Women Act rewrite that would close the boyfriend loophole  a portion of the bill Jackson Lee calls my heart. Cornyn has argued state law already prevents abusers from buying guns, though womens advocates in the state say Texas laws dont do enough.

Republicans also oppose portions of the policing bill, including measures that would end qualified immunity, which protects police officers from being individually sued over allegations they violated the constitutional rights of members of the public.

As for the reparations bill, the goal is to bring American society to a new reckoning with how our past affects the current conditions of African Americans and to make America a better place, Jackson Lee has said.

Were asking people to understand the pain, the violence, the brutality  of what we went through, Jackson Lee said during committee debate on the bill. And of course were asking for harmony, reconciliation, reason  to come together as Americans.

She says the forming of a reparations commission is not about blaming white Americans and to argue it is about money grossly misrepresents the commissions task, which is to study the lingering debasement of Black Americans from a long history of slavery and government-enforced segregation that followed.

Jackson Lee in a word: Relentless

Jackson Lee, however, says she doesnt want her work to be limited to social justice issues.

Now in her 14th term in Congress, she is seemingly in two places much of the time  in D.C. and in the central Houston neighborhoods she represents.

Its her life, said Glenn Rushing, who served as her chief of staff for 10 years and now works at the Peter Damon Group, a Washington-based lobbying firm. Shes relentless and she never stops.

Jackson Lee rarely misses votes in the House  or opportunities to speak on the floor. She has racked up the most appearances in Judiciary Committee hearings of any member on CSPANs archives, which date back to 1974.

She has served on the Homeland Security Committee since its inception, a position she says has allowed her to be a helper at the forefront of every hurricane we have had. Working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency through that post, she said, is one of my greatest joys.

Rushing said he typically left the office between midnight and 1 a.m. when he worked for Jackson Lee. The congresswoman was typically only there late at night, after a full day of committee hearings, floor votes and receptions, where she would make a point to show her face and let people know she understands the issue at hand, he said.

Rushing said Jackson Lee doesnt keep a schedule so much as a packed calendar with events stacked on top of each other. Shes often trying to make as many of them within the same hour as she can. And she rarely takes vacation, he said. When she does, shes still calling staff at one in the morning.

She is also a regular presence at food distribution drives and in emergency response meetings in Houston during disasters including Hurricane Harvey and the electric grid failures during the freeze in 2021. She helped stand up federal COVID testing and vaccination sites during the pandemic and in November, she delivered a eulogy at the funeral of a 16-year-old who was killed in the Astroworld festival crowd rush.

The relentless pace has at times earned her a reputation as a difficult boss, though her supporters say thats a label often attributed to effective female politicians. Her office regularly has among the highest turnover in Congress, a place known for churn.

But it appears to pay off. The Center for Effective Lawmaking at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University ranked her sixth most-effective in the House in 2021, a list on which she regularly lands near the top.

She also easily wins reelection every two years. In 2020, Jackson Lee faced six primary challengers and drew 77 percent of the vote. This year, she faces no primary challengers and one Republican, Carmen Maria Montiel, a Houston realtor and former TV news anchor. Montiel did not respond to a request for comment, but has called Jackson Lee a career politician who has given in to the far-left socialist Democrats and their radical agenda.

Rushing said the pace is what sets her apart from other politicians, especially longtime incumbents.

A lot of times people when they get in office, after so many years its not that theyre not working, it's just that they find their place, he said. She continues to work as if she's a freshman and still win over the voters.

ben.wermund@chron.com
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Chinese embassy in Ukraine sends Lunar New Year gifts to Chinese community

Xinhua) 09:32, January 17, 2022

KIEV, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Ukraine on Saturday began handing out Chinese new year packages to members of the Chinese community living in the country.

The packages, containing medical masks, spring festival couplets, paper cuttings, chocolate and a congratulatory letter from the embassy, were designed to provide the Chinese community a sense of the Lunar New Year amid the long-lasting COVID-19 pandemic.

The embassy plans to hand out 3,000 packages to members of the community, including expatriates and students in the country.

At the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Fan Xianrong said that last year pragmatic cooperation between China and Ukraine proved fruitful, adding that this year the two countries are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Wishing the Chinese community a happy festival, the ambassador also called on the community to uphold friendly cooperation between China and Ukraine.

Li Xuegang, head of the group Chinese Diaspora in Ukraine, expressed gratitude to the embassy for the gifts and caring they embody, saying that the overseas Chinese residing in Ukraine feel loved and are deeply proud of the achievements of their motherland.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
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Pennsylvania voters could face at least five ballot questions about changing the state constitution next year after House Republicans added four controversial revisions to a single proposal.

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Republican lawmakers have increasingly relied on constitutional amendments to pursue policy initiatives that Gov. Tom Wolf would otherwise reject and that most Democrats dont support. Bundling together several amendments represents an escalation of that tactic, as the combined measures eliminate the need to advance and pass separate proposals.

The resulting omnibus bill is packed with initiatives that Republicans hope to send directly to voters all at once as separate ballot questions.

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Its very partisan in nature and really reflects the attempt to advance an agenda that was unsuccessful through typical, ethical democratic means, said Khalif Ali, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a good-government organization. Its a process in place for a reason and to go around that erodes democracy.

The original bill, introduced by state Sen. David Argall, R-Schuylkill, seeks to modify the way Pennsylvania elects the lieutenant governor  an idea that has wide bipartisan support.

But in December, shortly before breaking for the holidays, GOP state representatives amended the bill to include four new constitutional revisions. Those alterations passed along party lines, before the House passed the entire bill the next day with nearly every Democrat voting against it.

Republicans in both the House and Senate have argued the constitutional amendment process ultimately gives voters the ability to set policy.

I believe that at the end of the day that people always have the right to decide how to be governed, House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said last year.

Democrats, meanwhile, have said the growing reliance on constitutional amendments circumvents established checks and balances. Per the Pennsylvania Constitution, the Legislature is able to overturn Wolfs vetoes with a two-thirds majority, which requires both Republicans and Democrats to be in agreement.

The House Republicans have taken this approach of amending the constitution as a way to govern, said Nicole Reigelman, a spokesperson for House Democrats.

Two of the proposed amendments would send voters ideas Wolf has already rejected and that Democrats and good-government groups have decried as unnecessary or potentially harmful to marginalized groups. One would require government-issued identification to vote, and another would require the state auditor general to review elections and voter rolls for accuracy.

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[The bill as amended] has very little if nothing to do with any factual issue that were facing as a state, Ali of Common Cause said.

Another proposed amendment would give a simple majority in the Legislature power to override executive orders and administrative regulations, a reaction to Wolfs actions during the pandemic as well as his announcement that Pennsylvania would join a coalition of states in regulating carbon emissions.

The Pennsylvania Constitution requires both the state House and Senate to pass proposed amendments in two concurrent sessions before they appear on the ballot.

Typically, lawmakers introduce proposed changes in separate resolutions, a system that gives each revision its own platform for legislators to debate, amend and consider. But as a bundle, lawmakers are forced to vote for all or none of them.

From a procedural point of view when you do this  when you throw a lot of amendments into one bill  you dont have hearings, you dont have discussion, no one knows theyre coming, said Marc Stier, director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, a progressive research group that studies the states economy and government.

While the timeline for amending the constitution is designed to be slow, Republicans, who control the legislature, have favored the process in recent years to circumvent Wolf and curtail executive power. The Democrat has vetoed more bills during his time in office than any Pennsylvania governor since Milton Shapp, who served 1971-79.

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Last year, voters approved two ballot measures that limit the governors power to declare and renew a state of emergency  advanced by Republicans angry over Wolfs response to the pandemic  as well as another that guarantees equal rights to residents regardless of race.

I would say that anytime that a branch of government circumvents the function of another branch of government, we have some real concerns about the constitutionality and legality of that move, Ali said.

Presenting a measure as a ballot question nearly guarantees it will be approved. Voters have rejected only six of 49 amendments dating to 1968, the year the current state constitution went into effect. The overwhelming majority were approved in off-year elections, when only a small fraction of eligible voters go to the polls.

The amendments curtailing Wolfs emergency powers were passed during the 2021 primary, when just over 25% of registered voters at the time cast a ballot.

The amendment omnibus is back in the state Senate for a vote on the changes. If it passes this year, the amendments would need to pass again in the 2023-24 session before appearing on the ballot as separate questions.

Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. >

Argall said Wolf refuses to negotiate with the Republican caucuses, making it necessary to use the constitutional amendment process.

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The governor has the worst relationship with the House and the Senate in generations, he said.

While Argall supports the individual measures now tacked onto his bill, he hopes his initial effort to update the lieutenant governor election process wont fail to pass the Legislature because of the other measures now attached to it.

Republicans in both chambers are pursuing a number of other amendments to Pennsylvanias constitution, including one that would end statewide elections for appellate judges in favor of races in districts drawn by the Legislature, and another that would give state lawmakers the final say over their own political boundaries in the redistricting process.

That bill, sponsored by state Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, was scheduled for a House floor vote just six days after Grove introduced it. But Democrats, mirroring their GOP colleagues actions before the holiday break, introduced dozens of amendments seeking changes to the constitution that would provide free college education, raise the minimum wage, eliminate property taxes and more.

The House, controlled by Republicans, adjourned Wednesday without bringing the previously fast-moving bill up for a vote.

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This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows the appearance of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. Submitted / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Cloudy with light rain developing after midnight. Low around 50F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy with light rain developing after midnight. Low around 50F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
SVHC Offers Tool for Sending Meals to Front-Line Staff

BENNINGTON, Vt.  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the community and front line clinical teams and employees at Southwestern Vermont Healthcare (SVHC), the SVHC Foundation has heard many requests from members of the public regarding how they can help.

In response to this outpouring of concern, the SVHC Foundation has redeployed the Meal Train as a way citizens can show their support. Interested supporters can visit https://mealtrain.com/v1w8yz to purchase a meal for as few as two staff members or as many as 30.

"This program was such a success when we launched it in the spring of 2020, and it had a tremendous impact on the morale of our staff," said Leslie Keefe, vice president for Corporate Development. "Today, our physicians, providers, nurses, and employees are working harder than ever and often under extreme conditions, so we wanted to once again make this program available as a way for the community to show their gratitude."

Numerous restaurants in the SVHC service area are participating. Visitors to the Meal Train website volunteer to purchase a meal for a particular department electronically and call the restaurant to order the food to be delivered.

The program is being marketed in part through a partnership with the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. All restaurants will make no-contact deliveries to the hospital and the COVID Resource Center in Bennington, and the regional campuses throughout the SVHC service area. A designated staff member will come outside to receive the delivery, so no restaurant personnel need enter the buildings. Donors of meals are not permitted to deliver meals to the recipient locations themselves. Instructions on the Meal Train site offer a list of participating restaurants but donors can choose restaurants that are not listed, especially for the regional campuses.

"Our healthcare professionals will be uplifted to witness how much the community appreciates them," Keefe said. "This program will have a tangible and meaningful impact while also supporting our local restaurants. On behalf of the SVHC family, we are deeply grateful for the support."
At least right now, Georgia is a blue state. That is right  the state where the Republican presidential nominee prevailed all but once from 1984 to 2016 was won by President Joe Biden in 2020 by 11,779 votes, or .2%.

The substantial increase in racial and ethnic diversity in Georgia was a major factor in Bidens victory and in the wins by both Democratic U.S. Senate candidates, according to the Pew Research Center.

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Believing that President Biden would hold to his word to strongly advocate on behalf of voting rights for people of color, Black voters turned out in historic numbers to vote for him, Rev. now-Sen. Raphael Warnock and his colleague, Sen. Jon Ossoff.

That was then, when the nation was grappling with a racial reckoning unlike any other that we have seen in modern times. Biden and Trump presented two vastly different ideas of the nation.

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That was when Joe Biden was trying to get elected and needed as many votes from Black people as possible. He is on record saying we have reached an inflection point on issues including fighting voting restrictions.

Last October at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, he added, I know that progress does not come fast enough, and protecting the right to vote was central to his administration.

G. Christopher Hunt (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

President Lyndon B. Johnson shakes the hand of Martin Luther King Jr. at an Aug. 6, 1965, event in Washington for the signing of the Voting Rights Act. (Yoichi Okamoto/LBJ Library)

Due to the advocacy of many, including Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed by President Lyndon Johnson, ending the legal separation of people by race in public places and making it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin in the workplace.

Dr. King and his colleagues also led activism toward passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that included federal measures to protect the rights of all U.S. citizens to vote. The law has been reauthorized five times, most recently by President George W. Bush in 2006.

Yet seven years later, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down crucial portions of the Voting Rights Act, and so new voting legislation has been recently introduced. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would replace those protections in the 1965 bill the Supreme Court vacated.

Candidate Joe Biden pledged he would devote his platform to COVID, the economy, and diversity, equity and inclusion  especially voting rights.

But regrettably, according to one analysis of the ways the president has used his platform to promote his agenda since being inaugurated, approximately 61 administration events have focused on COVID, 39 have promoted infrastructure legislation, and, including the presidents most recent speech in Georgia, a mere two talks on advancing voting rights.

Such a record as president does not appear a stellar example of keeping ones word to his constituents.

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The Biden teams focus on issues affecting Black voters during the MLK season in January and/or during Black History Month in February is unfortunate, predictable and demeaning. And the lack of follow-through from Biden should really come as no surprise, as his goal is ultimately to win a national election, so his willingness to appease different people is typical behavior.

Its no surprise the current administration might think, Its January  time to pay attention to MLK and Black people.

Can our society ever move to a more authentic place, where we acknowledge and honor the history of Black and other historically marginalized and oppressed people beyond horrific moments in time or specific birthdays or cultural months? Can we keep an eye toward equity and inclusion and make sure everyone has access regardless of their background?

And, if ones background presents historical barriers to access, can we do what is necessary to ensure their access  including new voting rights legislation?

The reality is that our society is truly more diverse than ever. As educators, we have a responsibility to prepare our students to not only understand their area of study, but also to work and live in a diverse, democratic society.

That means we must reflect on fundamental democratic issues such as protecting the right to vote and realize the historical legacy of voting in our society.

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Diversity, equity and inclusion were not principles on which our nation was founded, and neither was the right of all citizens to vote. Those achievements follow from the struggles and sacrifice of so many for so long.

Lets hope and pray that easy access to voting for all citizens can finally be our elected officials true honor and celebration of Dr. King.

G. Christopher Hunt is vice president and dean for equity and inclusion at Moravian University, Bethlehem.
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Al Jazeera Mubasher has widely covered protests against the military power takeover in Sudan; which were marred by major crackdown on protesters and media censorship.

According to pro-democracy medics, at least 64 protesters have been killed, while the IFJ has reported several media closed and arbitrary detentions of journalists.

In a statement, Al Jazeera said that the Ministry of Culture and Information revoked the accreditation of its journalists Mohammed Omar and Badawi Bashir, under the basis of the un-professional coverage of the Sudanese affairs and the reporting of incorrect information that damages the countrys interest and social fabric.

The Network views this as an attack on press freedom as a whole and calls on international human rights and media organisations to condemn this infringement of journalists safety, Al Jazeera said.

The revocation of Al Jazeera's licence means that the Qatar-based broadcaster will be banned from continuing their reporting on events in the country such as the pro-democracy demonstrations.

Al Jazeera chief bureau El Musalmi El Kabbashi, was arrested and the military forces raided his home earlier in November 2021 in response to the medias coverage of the emerging civil protests.



Sudanese authorities have routinely arrested media workers and prevented agencies from doing their work in Sudan, while several media outlets have been suspended. The latest incident of media crackdown by the Sudanese military happened last week, when Sudanese Security Forces stormed Alaraby Televisions Khartoum office and arrested four media workers.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: The IFJ stands in solidarity with Al Jazeera's media staff and all journalists who are facing a harsh crackdown by the Sudanese military for doing their job. The list of journalists arrested and media suspended has not stopped growing and we call on the international community to not turn a blind eye to whats happening in Sudan. All arrested media workers must be released immediately.
BPro, a brand new cryptocurrency token, is now ready to give Filipinos a new way to make money off their bitcoin.

All over the world, cryptocurrency has exploded in popularity in recent years and the Philippines has proved no exception to this phenomenon. Its estimated that roughly a third of Filipinos own crypto assets, while about 53% of the population say they intend on investing in cryptocurrencies at some point. A big part of the reason why Filipinos are attracted to cryptocurrency is that many see it as an additional way to earn money.

Yet even top cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, have remained incredibly volatile. Although the cryptocurrency doubled in value from the beginning to the end of 2021 (from 1 bitcoin equaling roughly $20,000 to roughly $40,000), the cryptocurrency also reached highs as much as $69,000 and as low as $30,000.

Bitcoins volatility is why new tokens such as BPro emerged as one of the most advanced tokens that bitcoin holders can handle in the cryptocurrency market. BPro has even historically outperformed Bitcoin by nearly 30%, thereby offering holders of the currency an extra avenue for income.

How BPro earns for its holders

BPro is enabled by the Money on Chain (MoC) protocol built by numerous bitcoin holders. The explicit purpose of BPro is to improve the performance of any bitcoin held while still giving holders full control over their private keys. Software company IOV Labs maintains the RSK network that houses all the collateral/smart contracts that allow BPro to run.

Because the MoC protocol is collateralized by bitcoin, BPro is able to offer holders free leverage. Thus, if the price of one bitcoin goes up, the price of BPro is expected to increase a bit more. This lets users make larger profits if the market continues to move upwards (such as a bull run).

BPro also allows holders to earn passive income through rBTC, the rewards token paid by traders doing BTC leveraged operations. rBTC is a cryptocurrency created by smart secure network RSK, usually generated through mining.

Users also earn part of the MOC protocol fees. For example, every time that a token like BPro is redeemed, 20% of the fees paid by every transaction go directly back to BPro, creating more value over time. Additionally, BPro pays 0.25% of its value on an annual basis back to the MoC protocol.

BPro holders can even join the MoC Liquidity Mining program, where mining tokens are given out automatically to anyone holding BPro. This way, holders are involved in MoCs governance process and MoC tokens can be staked to earn even more.

Why BPro is a great option for Filipinos

With many Filipinos looking to earn off of cryptocurrencies (especially as the pandemic prolongs), BPro is a great way for Filipinos to dip their toes into Bitcoin and maximize its earning potential.

Its worth noting that users can also hold the keys to their BPro in their own hardware wallets, meaning their funds are given the maximum protection against attackers or hackers (who usually opt to target centralized platforms).

With BPro, Filipinos now have a safer and more cost-efficient way to begin their journey into bitcoin.
While no one could have expected the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, experts had warned some global pandemic was coming. Even with the warnings, many companies weren't prepared. With all we've learned since 2020, how can we futureproof our businesses against the unknown?

What the Pandemic Taught Us

A company like mine, which is 100% remote, had an easier time than those with large workforces in the office.

In-person offices had to switch to virtual, sometimes in less than 24 hours. This left some without laptops, and others had to employ a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) strategy, with employees using personal devices for work.

The switch revealed several gaps in the way we do business. There were security holes like Zoom hacking incidents and legal challenges with contracts that secure servers and communication due to sensitive information. Questions arose like "how do you keep devices secure when not in the office or if the company doesn't own them?"

Internet connectivity and software issues are not something new, but with employees confined to their homes, it had workforces troubleshooting in isolation, leading to frustration and lost work time. IT leaders needed to find a way to empower employees, provide a smooth digital experience, see and fix problems before the user was aware of them--maximizing uptime, productivity, and business performance.

We learned our technology had holes, and without a sustained effort, we would lose touch with our most important asset--employees.

How to Prepare for the Future

Companies need to be agile and adaptable against a backdrop of uncertainty and a shifting workforce. We need to prepare for the future by plugging holes in:

Security: protecting against external agents and dealing with devices the company doesn't own

Software: allowing collaboration, learning, and optimization

Employee digital experience management: helping cultivate employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction

IT As Partner

Securing end-user devices, keeping them running smoothly, and administering department-specific software has brought IT out of its silo, resulting in IT becoming business partners for each department.

The best way businesses can empower this partnership is to supply systems data allowing IT to see how employees interact with technology - no matter where they work. Having a Digital Experience Management (DEM) platform is important, but not just any DEM will do. Platforms should gather:

A rich depth of data

Historical data

Data from across the entire estate-whether programs are up or down.

This kind of DEM enables IT to maximize employees' digital experience, increasing job satisfaction and organically resulting in better performance.

Beyond employee experience, enhanced DEM capabilities reveal vulnerabilities, like the recent Log4j. While major infosecurity software missed the Log4j vulnerability, Lakeside Software caught Log4j, and also helps illustrate a necessity of strong DEM: continuous data gathering. Many platforms only gather data periodically or while a program is running. It's important to choose DEM that will gather data continuously so that all vulnerabilities are caught and dealt with.

A successful DEM ensures employees have a seamless working experience. In an IDC study, 85% of employees said a better employee experience and higher engagement results in a better customer experience. And the visibility into computer activity that DEM platforms offer can be used to enhance employee experience in other ways as well, like ensuring that they are caring for their own needs. For instance, an alert can be programmed to pop up when the user is active for a few hours, reminding them to take a short break, stretch, or decompress.

The digital experience doesn't stop at optimizing functionality. It also plays a part in helping employees learn. Supporting employees remotely has proven a challenge for businesses used to building in-person relationships. One way to overcome this is to use tools that help employees upskill and grow in their roles. Using app integration is a key strategy ExpertusOne implements in their learning management system (LMS), enabling employers to reach their employees wherever they work. Centralizing important information and training in a cloud-based LMS allows everyone to share resources, collaborate, and learn, no matter the device capability.
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Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited (DCBL), a leading Indian cement major and a subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat Limited , announced the commencement of commercial production at its Murli Plant in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra and thereby adding 2.9 MnT cement capacity to the companys overall installed capacity.The companys installed cement capacity has now grown to 35.9 MnT. The company acquired the plant for Rs410cr and further committed to invest Rs929cr for the revival, modernisation, expansion, and installing green manufacturing equipment viz Waste Heat Recovery Systems, Solar Power, Green Fuel systems, and Robotic Labs for enhanced Quality monitoring.At around 9.43 am, Dalmia Bharat Limited was trading at Rs2019.95 per piece up Rs7.90 or 0.39% on the BSE.The company said in a filing on Saturday that ~Rs900cr is spent/committed out of a total of Rs1339cr. The Plant has been turned around in a record time of 15 months from its acquisition under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process.Earlier, Dalmia Bharat had unveiled its long-term growth and investment strategy to expand its installed cement capacity across the nation to 110-130 million tonnes per annum by 2031. The growth strategy is being executed through a mix of organic & inorganic opportunities with an inclination towards a more planned and cost-effective organic route.Commenting on the companys growth and expansion plans, Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director, Dalmia Bharat Limited, said, We have hit the road running this year by aggressively following through with our growth strategy nationally. For the western market, in particular, we continue to take our responsibility as a corporate leader seriously by creating a progressive and sustainable ecosystem. Moving forward, and in partnership with the great state of Maharashtra, we look forward to focusing on our ambitious business, social and sustainability goals.In line with its business philosophy - Clean and Green is profitable and sustainable  Dalmia Bharat was able to reduce its carbon footprint by 22 per cent in the last decade while growing three times to double its profitability. Today, the company is one of the lowest carbon footprints globally and committed to becoming carbon negative by 2040.Discussing Murli plants commercialization commencement, Hakimuddin Ali, Executive Director, DCBL, We are grateful to the state government and the people of Chandrapur for their continuous support and for enabling us to reinvigorate operations at the plant. This capacity addition will empower us to produce and meet growing demand for Indias biggest cement market, Maharashtra, especially in the Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh regions.While the development is in line with Dalmia Bharats commitment towards fostering sustainable growth and enhancing production, it also acts as a catalyst in creating job opportunities in the region. The additional capacity will ensure the company is able to offer a wider product range to meet increasing cement demand across the nation.
Jan 17: Green Wine Future International Conference, culmination of the earlier Climate Change & Wine and Wine Future conferences, being organised on 23-26 May and purporting to be the most important professional summit featuring sustainability and climate change for the international wine sector, has added Wine for the Planet (W4P) to its program to be broadcast simultaneously in 4 different languages from 8 countries in 5 Continents, writes Subhash Arora

Green Wine Future will share with wine professionals the valuable aspects of how their peers are addressing sustainability issues in creating solutions to problems in the vineyard, winery, supply and sales streams, says David Furer, host and co-organizer of the Summit.

It will be broadcast simultaneously in English, Spanish, French, Italian from 8 countries in 5 continents - USA, Chile, Portugal, Spain, France, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand on these dates, at convenient times in their respective time zone.

Wine for the Planet (W4P) will showcase wine industrys work in protecting areas of the Earth most sensitive to the climate crisis, including: Antarctica, Greenland, the Arctic, Coral reefs in different parts of our planet, the Amazon and other rainforests and countries already suffering from water shortages and flood (that includes India too!).

Based on documentaries recorded and presented by W4P founder Pancho Campo and his team from the above listed regions, W4P will stream free globally during regular breaks of Green Wine Future. Those interested, may watch the films through social media Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, where the team will highlight wine tastings in Greenland, Iceland, Antarctica, the Amazon, and the Great Coral Reef.

Also Read : Wine Future 2021: Well Curated International Virtual Conference

Wine for the Planet will demonstrate:

 The vital importance of protecting these sensitive areas from impacts of climate change

 That we are all interconnected throughout our planet

 That all industries must attend to these issues, regardless of their professional activity

Our first expedition will take us to Greenland, the Arctic and Island where we will record amazing footage of the impact of climate change on the Inuit and the local economy. We will also taste some wines as a gesture of the industry for protecting these extreme but very sensitive areas, says Pancho Campo, Director of Chrand Events and the Principal organizer of the Conference.

The Summit already has over 60 confirmed speakers representing all segments of the wine business -scientists, academics, media, and celebrities who will all add their individual perspectives. These industry luminaries will participate live and through recordings from their vineyards, supplementing the streaming documentaries premiering at the Green Wine Future 2022.

The event has the support of several key wine organizations including the Wine Institute of California, Napa Valley Vintners, Interprofesional del Vino de Espana, Barossa Valley Winegrowers, Wines of Chile, Wines of Portugal, the Porto Protocol and the United Nations, according to Pancho.

Also Read : Wine Future 2021: Wine Tourism Webinar with Michele Shah

Keeping in view the world Pandemic situation, the first edition of Green Wine Future, will be conducted in a totally new way for Speakers making their Presentation. A hands-on approach through video footage, documentaries, and live broadcasts will be used from vineyards. Innovative solutions to the climate crisis, interactive documentaries specially recorded for the event, are just a few highlights.

This virtual technology will allow wineries and wine companies to be present at the Virtual Expo, to showcase their wines, products and services. The innovative technology will also allow delegates, speakers, and exhibitors to connect virtually for a period of 2 weeks prior to the conference.

One reason for the virtual conference was also to make it as carbon efficient as possible. Virtual conferences and trade shows are one of the most environmentally friendly ways to organize events because it reduces considerably the carbon footprint of the organizers, speakers, delegates and sponsors but also it is much more cost effective, says Pancho. When you have around 100 Speakers at the Conference from five Continents, this method certainly affords an ideal solution, making a lot of sense.

The Project www.greenwinefuture.com was launched on 16 November 2021. The event will have Speakers like Miguel Torres, Riccardo Cotarella, Laura Catena, Gaia Gaja, Francis Ford Coppola, Essi Avellan MW and Trudie Styler.

Also Read : Winefuture Hong Kong Impresses in Parts

Chrand Events has created Green Wine Future to address critical topics of sustainability, climate crisis, biodiversity, wine tourism, regenerative viticulture, carbon footprint improvement, hydric resources, energy efficiency and truly green business opportunities, as the culmination of its Climate Change & Wine and Wine Future conferences after pioneering the worlds first international conference on Climate Change and Wine in 2006 followed by several conferences with Speakers that included world personalities like the US President Barack Obama, Nobel Laureate Al Gore and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The Information and video about The Wine for the Planet program, confirmed speakers, partners, and registrations are available at www.greenwinefuture.com . Registration charges are $124 for the Full 4-day Conference but if you book before 15 February, 2022, you pay only $68 as early bird charges. To register click here

Subhash Arora
















If there is any one case which brings the US under the radar of most criticism with regards to the freedom of expression or press it is Julian Assange case. Be it the Russian President Vladimir Putin asking, Why is Mr Assange in prison?.Is this democracy?", or the Brazilian President backing Assange or the Azerbaijan President reminding a western reporter of Assanges treatment.

AFP

Who Is Julian Assange?

Julian Assange is the founder of WikiLeaks, famous for releasing hundreds of classified documents, exposing numerous scandals and secrets. According to its official website, WikiLeaks, Is a multinational media organisation and associated library. It was founded by its publisher Julian Assange in 2006. WikiLeaks specialises in the analysis and publication of large datasets of censored or otherwise restricted official materials involving war, spying and corruption.

Assange and WikiLeaks were involved in famous leaks like the Baghdad airstrike Collateral Murder video, the Afghanistan war logs, the Iraq war logs, The United States diplomatic cables leak also known as Cablegate.

The Cablegate documents revealed US spying against the UN and other international leaders, disclosed conflicts between the US and its allies, and exposed corruption in countries around the world as documented by US diplomats, all of which to a great extent contributed to the Arab Spring.

WikiLeaks released secret Democratic Party emails during the 2016 election campaign, revealing that the party's national committee favoured Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders in the primaries.

AFP

Internal CIA documents describing tools used by the agency to hack devices such as mobile phones and routers were disclosed by WikiLeaks in 2017.

Shifting bases for asylum

While Assange was in the United Kingdom in November 2010, Sweden obtained an international arrest order for him based on allegations of sexual misbehaviour. The claims, according to Assange, are a pretext for his extradition from Sweden to the United States for his role in the disclosure of classified American secrets.

He breached bail and sought sanctuary in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in June 2012 after losing his appeal against extradition to Sweden. Ecuador granted him shelter in August 2012, citing political oppression as a reason.

Swedish prosecutors, on the other hand, terminated their investigation in 2019, claiming that their evidence had "much deteriorated due to the extended period of time since the events in question."

Following a series of disagreements with Ecuadorian officials, Assange's refuge was revoked on April 11, 2019. He was arrested after the police were let into the embassy. He was found guilty of violating the terms of his probation.

He was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison after being found guilty of violating the Bail Act. [17] In connection with the disclosures, the US government unveiled an indictment against Assange. T

he United States government accused Assange with breaching the 1917 Espionage Act on May 23, 2019. On January 4, 2021, a District Judge denied the US request to extradite him, stating that doing so would be "oppressive" due to his mental condition. On December 10, 2021, the Court of Appeal of the United Kingdom declared that Assange can be extradited to the United States to face the charges.

Understanding Julian Assange and his work through some of his interviews

Explaining the process of Wikileaks on TED Talks interview he said, These are as far as we can tell classical whistleblowers. And we have a number of ways for them to get information to us. We use (this) state of the art encryption to bounce off stuff around the internet, to hide trails, pass it through legal jurisdiction like Sweden Belgium to enact those legal protection. We get information in the mail, the regular postal mail encrypted or not. (We) vet it like a regular news organisation, format it, release it to the public and then defend ourselves against inevitable legal and political attacks.

Explaining what kind of information is leaked, Assange said in the same TED interview, There is a question as to what sort of information is important in the world, what sort of information can achieve reform. There is a lot of information that organisations are spending economic efforts into concealing. That's a really good signal, that when the information gets out there is a hope of it doing some good because the organisation that knows it best, knows it from inside out is spending work to conceal it.

About the possible loopholes in the Functioning of Wikileaks, Assange in an interview to 60 Minutes said,

We don't pretend that the process is absolutely perfect. We did hold back one in five documents for extra harm minimisation and we also improved our process so when Iraq came out there was not even one name that came out.

AFP

Clarifying that their agenda wasnt Anti-US, in the same interview he said, We dont go after a particular country or organisation, we just stick to our promise of publishing material that is likely to have a significant impact.

In the same interview while Talking about how their work was similar to other US publishers and yet the US was after him, he said We didn't go out to get the material, we operated just like any US publisher operates. There has been no precedent that I am aware of in the past 50 years of prosecuting a publisher for espionage.

Expressing his views about the whistleblowers he said to 60 Minutes, The only people who can police the system are those inside the system who are in a position to notice the abuse and blow the whistle.

Differentiating between other news outlets and Wikileaks he said (in the same interview) , While most reporters gather information and interpret it for the audience , WikiLeaks makes data available for the public and lets them decide.

Answering the question if (US) State department was allowed to keep secrets he said(to 60Minutes) We dont say that the State Department should not have secrets, rather we say if there are people in state department who say that there is some abuse going and there is no proper mechanism for internal and external accountability, then they must have a conduit to get it out to the public and we are a conduit.

AFP

In an another interview to Aljazeera, while Replying to criticism by some journalists regarding alleged irresponsible behaviour of WikiLeaks Assange said, Saying you are going to censor and not release a lot of the material thats a big problem. Its fine to have some kind of staggered release because you want to balance the supply and demand curve. But what I want to hear is that there is a transparent path to publish the vast majority of that data set because thats what is interesting from a historical and legal perspective.

"One of the fundamental missed lessons of the WikiLeaks experiences is about how to deal with the scale. One part of dealing with scale is to stitch together a big international collaboration and more eyeballs on the material. The other way of dealing with the scale is that scale is inherent in the material.

If Wikileaks was targeted because of technology it brought. Answering it in an interview to Aljazeera, Assange said WikiLeaks set an example and the example was a threat because the technology became over time more available to other people who could then follow the example.

At the TED Talks interview when asked about his core value, Assange replied capable generous men do not create victims they nurture victims.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.




Are we in the universe's equivalent of a tunnel? If researchers are to be believed, Earth is situated in a magnetised tunnel which surrounds our solar system.

In a new study set to be published in Astrophysical Journal and recently uploaded on arXiv, researchers from Canada may have found the most plausible explanation for the presence of two extremely magnetic and huge structures that resembles ropes in the Milky Way galaxy.

Researchers from the University of Toronto's Dunlap Institute, National Research Council Canada and from the University of British Columbia believe that these filaments are space tunnels.

How did they do this?

Scientists established a link between "The North Polar Spur" and the "Fan Region", two gas structures in the sky that are known for emitting bright radio waves in the sky since they were discovered in the 1960s.

Dr. Jennifer West from the Dunlap Institute told Vice Motherboard that with this newly-discovered link, they hope to better understand the Milky Way galaxy. These two space objects emit extremely strong magnetic radio waves which may not be seen by the human eye but are highly readable by a radio telescope.

NASA

Also read: Are Humans Lab Rats? Harvard Professor Says Aliens Created Universe In A Lab

With help from a computer model, the scientists mapped out the length and position of both the structures to reach the conclusion that these objects are actually not separate, but are actually connected by a single tunnel-like structure.

Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto

Most earlier study of these objects has assessed them both as individual and separate objects. How did they even think of this idea? According to West, scientists looked at the Milky Way differently. They simply redrew the maps with a new perspective, which made the connection between the NPS and Fan Region easier to notice.

Also read: Aliens Almost Started World War III Sixty Years Ago, Claims Ex-US Military Officer



NASA

Telescopes and computer models aided the realisation. Sure, it doesn't come close to physically experiencing the tunnel phenomenon, but we must make do with that as of now.

What do you think about this new discovery? Share with us in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

Citation

Carleton, A. (2021, October 18). The Earth Is Inside an Enormous Cosmic Tunnel, New Research Proposes. Vice.

West, et al. (2021). A Unified Model for the Fan Region and the North Polar Spur: A bundle of filaments in the Local Galaxy.


If youre a sensible person and dont find a town with a rude name amusing, then you should never have opened this story. Locals in a small Swedish town have formally applied to change its name after complaining about social media censorship.

Google Maps

The residents of the town named 'Fucke' started a petition to change its title to something less controversial after adverts online were taken down for obscenity, RT reported.



The authority to change the name lies with Sweden's National Land Survey. The body said residents could apply but would need a strong argument, as Fucke is a historic name dating back to 1547. So, there is a possibility that the request might even be denied.

Hump and Fucke in Sweden haven't changed their names. pic.twitter.com/qDsMHNMJ2S  Anders Danielson (@DanielsonAnders) November 27, 2020

But it hasn't discouraged the 11-household-strong village located on the banks of Fuckesjon (Fucke Lake) in the north of Sweden.

Its a very nice village. The residents are happy, no one wants to move but everyone wants to change the name of the village, one of the locals told SVT news channel.



Kusten/imagebank.sweden.se

He argued the current name makes it very difficult for posting adverts for summer rentals on social media, as Facebook algorithms take down swear words.



It means that it might take several months before Fucke residents will know the outcome of their application and there are no guarantees that they will succeed.



In 2007, the unlucky residents of Fjuckby village lost their bid to rename their area.

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A group that disrupted a vigil for murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy has been accused of "weaponsing prayer" when they drowned out women's distressed voices by loudly amplifying their 'men's rosary'.

The 'Mens Rosary' refused to turn down their PA system or move across the street, making so much noise that the vigil was forced to end early.

One woman who planned to speak at the rally allegedly left for fear of abuse and harassment.

Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan wrote on Twitter that the group raised the sound on the PA system every time anyone spoke at the vigil, despite being politely asked by organisers to move.

Former Solidarity councillor for Limerick, Mary Cahillane, asked the group to respect the vigil, but she said that she was ignored.

"There was a large crowd there for the vigil and only about 10 for the rosary. I explained that the vigil was going ahead, but they just ignored me and turned up the volume of their very loud PA system.

"The vigil only had megaphones, so the PA completely drowned us out.

The Irish Men's (!) Rosary set up on Bedford Row today instead of their usual spot on Thomas St as an extraordinary attempt to disrupt a Stand Out in solidarity with #AshlingMurphy and against gender violence today. pic.twitter.com/kobKzEIPzd  ROSA Limerick (@RosaLimerick) January 15, 2022

"Some people were very upset. At a time when men are supposed to be listening to women's fears about their safety, they just say the rosary to drown you out.

"It was really hurtful to women who wanted to speak about their concerns."

Ms Cahillane said the vigil had to wrap up early, because "people couldnt be heard".

It was very unfair and insensitive. They knew what the vigil was about. They were weaponising prayer.

"The rosary is supposed to be a contemplative prayer; their behaviour was even insulting to the prayer."

Labour councillor Conor Sheehan, who also attended the vigil, said on Twitter that the group's behaviour "was one of the most unchristian things I have ever witnessed". He said that the religious group came to Bedford Row, "specifically to disrupt this demo against gender violence".

"They tried to drown out each woman who stood up to speak," he wrote.

"No compassion or humanity, just misogyny. Disgusting!"

Event organiser and ROSA member, Stefanie Di Croce, said that although groups do gather at other locations to say the rosary in Limerick, she has never seen a rosary group on Bedford Row before. News had been released in advance that the vigil for Ms Murphy and against gender violence was advertised for that location, at that time.

As she read out a list of women's names who had died by femicide, she was shocked that their names were being drowned out by the rosary groups PA.

"As I read out their names, the PA seemed to be growing louder and louder. It was shocking. They showed no respect." Ms Murphy, 23, graduated from Limericks Mary Immaculate College last year.

She was murdered on Wednesday afternoon, when jogging at a usually populous canal walk just outside Tullamore.

The men's rosary group may have links to the far-right Irish Freedom Party, which held a rally at the same location, Bedford Row, earlier this month.

Death threats and homophobic slurs were shouted at counter-protesters and an IFP supporter tried to tear a Pride flag out of someone's hand at that rally, which was then shut down by gardai.

An attempt has been made to contact people identified at the Men's Rosary, and groups believed to be involved with it, for comment.
GAZA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of rival Palestinian parties and Algerian officials on Sunday started a meeting on resuming reconciliation dialogue between Palestinian factions in the Algerian capital Algiers, Palestinian officials said.

The officials said that leaders of the Fatah party and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) met with Algerian officials to prepare for a Palestinian national dialogue that will later include leaders of other factions.

Fayez Abu Eitta, Palestine's ambassador to Algeria, told the Palestinian official agency (WAFA) that the Fatah delegation was headed by Azzam al-Ahmad, a member of the Executive Committees of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Fatah Central Committee.

Meanwhile, Hamas movement in Gaza said in a press statement that its delegation included two members of its political bureau, Khalil al-Hayya, and Hussam Badran.

The two rival Palestinian factions were invited by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to visit Algiers.

The Palestinian division began in 2007 following Hamas's violent takeover of the besieged Gaza Strip, routed the security forces of President Mahmoud Abbas and cracked down on his Fatah Party.

The two movements have formerly engaged in numerous discussions with Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, in a bid to reach a comprehensive reconciliation agreement. However, all the mediation efforts have failed so far. 
Simon Coveney has ordered an investigation into a gathering of staff in his department during lockdown in June 2020.

A picture, shared on social media in the aftermath of Ireland winning a UN Security Council seat, showed officials drinking champagne in the offices of Iveagh House.

The investigation will be undertaken by the new Secretary-General in the department, Joe Hackett.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs told the Irish Examiner: "On January 13th Minister Coveney asked his current secretary general to report on the impromptu gathering in the department in June 2020 and has asked for that report by the end of the month.

Ireland was then in Phase Two of its reopening plan, with regulations stating that people could only meet up to six others from outside their household indoors.

It is understood the report should be completed by the end of the month.

Mr Coveney said last week he would be willing to go before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs committee to answer questions about the event.

"This was the 17 June 2020 and it was an evening when I, with the Taoiseach, was watching in the Department of the Taoiseach the vote in the UN that resulted in us gaining a seat on the Security Council after three or four years of campaigning to be there," Mr Coveney said.

"Unfortunately, in my Department, there were 20 or so officials who have been very much involved in that successful campaign and when the vote came true, they celebrated in a way that they shouldn't have.

They let their guard down.

"I have to say they're all mortified by what happened now and that shouldn't have happened and the Department has apologised for it."

Mr Coveney said that when he attended the office to congratulate staff, there was no party and people were back at work.

He was told the same evening about the social media post but did not think it warranted further investigation at the time.
On Saturday morning, we attended the vigil for Ashling Murphy in Cork. The sight of hundreds of people standing in solidarity was very moving and an urgent question hung in the shock and the silence: How can we stop this happening again?

The need for us all to speak up against all forms of gender discrimination is clearer than ever, and I would like to contribute to the discussion from the sector that I know best, the education system.

Of particular interest are changes that must be made across the entire system  ones that contextualise the experience of women, expose power relations, challenge unacceptable attitudes and behaviours, and develop students emotional literacy and communication skills. These, I feel, are necessary to have a significant impact on gender discrimination and violence.

Colm O'Connor is the principal of Cork Educate Together Secondary School and a member of the board of directors of Educate Together. He writes here in a personal capacity.

We need the curriculum to give greater recognition to the role of women and to the scale and breadth of their impact on our society. While doing so, we need to teach the social history of women honestly and comprehensively.

Currently, students could leave school not having learned about the legality of marital rape, financial dependence, the mother and child scheme, Magdalene laundries, symphysiotomy, forced adoptions, mother and baby homes, the Eighth Amendment, and illegal contraception.

Likewise, they may never have heard of Ann Lovett, or the X and C cases.

The new Leaving Cert subject of politics and society deals well with the issues of gender and patriarchy, but the subject is not compulsory and the topics are not sufficiently explicit in civic, social, and political education in the Junior Cycle, meaning that many students may leave school without an understanding of how power and gender interact.

The State must take full control of RSE We need to improve the delivery of social, personal, and health education and relationships and sexuality education (RSE), as the department has not done this to date. This means the creation of undergraduate courses, relevant teacher training modules, and regular in-services. This would systematically empower teachers with the knowledge and confidence to discuss sensitive issues with young people. We need to teach RSE comprehensively and in a way that is free from religious influence. The recently published Flourish programme for Catholic primaries highlights this need. It describes puberty as a gift from God and in a lesson on personal safety, encouraged junior infants students to say the Angel of God prayer. The State must take full control of RSE, and it should address issues such as consent, power, sexual orientation, reproductive rights, privilege, and gender-based violence in an age-appropriate manner. Education Minister Norma Foley should clarify that the new RSE course will not be coloured by religious influence.

We must finally end segregation in schools

We need more mixed schools. Ireland is an outlier in the developed world in having so many single-sex schools.

Just as it was in the 1940s, far too many children nowadays in Ireland are unable to hear each others' voices as equal human beings. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive

I firmly believe that having conversations on consent, body image, violence, and sexuality will have limited impact if students are segregated according to sex and cannot look each other in the eye or hear each others voices as equal human beings.

Schools are the best  in some cases, the only  place where a generation of young people can safely address their fears, concerns, and hopes together.

Ive worked in both single-sex and mixed systems for about a decade each, and there is no comparison. Others may disagree, but I believe that segregating students is dehumanising and prevents the development of empathy and shared understanding.

We must address certain forms of male culture We need to accept that certain forms of male culture need particular attention. The Exploring Masculinities programme piloted in 2000 aimed to do just that. The course sought to examine different experiences of masculinity, promote respect for diversity and gender equality, improve interpersonal skills, and raise awareness of a range of issues, including violence against women. However, the pilot was cancelled due to the sustained criticism of a small number of religious media commentators. A generation of boys were denied the space to gain greater self-awareness, knowledge, and emotional literacy. We need more male teachers. All students need daily, positive male role models and it is important that boys hear men speaking with emotional literacy about love, intimacy, and consent.

Inequality, and the atmosphere that sustains it

Finally, and crucially, we need to acknowledge that inequality in our society is reflected within and between our schools and if we accept this because it benefits us individually, we are nourishing the ground in which gender violence thrives.

The University of Albertas Pyramid of Sexual Violence shows how violence against women escalates when prejudices such as racism, colonialism, sexism, homophobia, and ableism exist. These ideologies create the atmosphere in which it becomes culturally acceptable to other, to demean, to control, and to harm.

When our schools deny enrolment to any child, whether they are trans, the wrong religion, or cannot afford fees, we are teaching children that it is acceptable to rank humans. When our schools dissuade migrants, Travellers, and students with additional needs from enrolling because it may affect their reputation or position on league tables, we teach students that power imbalances and exclusion are natural and inevitable.

When successive ministers legitimate this system, their ability to use the system to challenge discrimination, including gender discrimination and violence, is fatally compromised.

There are no quick fixes  we have a lot of work to do.

 Colm OConnor is the principal of Cork Educate Together Secondary School and a member of the Board of Directors of Educate Together. He writes here in a personal capacity.
Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko says he is returning to Ukraine to fight treason charges even though he views them as politically motivated, because he believes that fighting them is part of his defence of national unity.

Mr Poroshenko spoke at a news conference in Warsaw on Sunday, hours before he was due to fly on Monday from the Polish capital to the Ukranian capital Kyiv where he is to face the allegations in court.

A prosecutor has alleged that Mr Poroshenko was involved in the sale of large amounts of coal that helped finance Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014/15.

Mr Poroshenko insists that he is innocent and accuses prosecutors under his successor, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of seeking to harm him politically to distract from Ukraines widespread problems, including economic woes and rising numbers of deaths from Covid-19.

Mr Poroshenko is one of Ukraines richest people (Piotr Molecki/AP)

It is the latest in a string of accusations levelled against Mr Poroshenko since he was defeated by Mr Zelenskyy in 2019.

The allegations have generated concerns of undemocratic score-settling in Ukraine and also alarmed Ukraines allies. They come as Russia has built up troops along the Ukraine border and the United States has voiced concerns that Russian president Vladimir Putin might be planning an invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Poroshenko said he saw charges he faced as harmful for the country at such a time.

He said Ukraines leadership was responsible for unity in the country, and what Russia really is looking for is disintegration and conflict inside the country.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is waging a fight against oligarchs (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

I think this is a very irresponsible action of the current leadership to disintegrate the country and ruin the unity, he said.

I will fight for Ukraine, Mr Poroshenko said, adding that he considered a fight against the politically motivated charges to be part of his fight for the nation.

Mr Poroshenko, one of the countrys richest people, is owner of the Roshen confectionery empire. He has been outside Ukraine, meeting with leaders in Brussels, Warsaw and elsewhere.

The Kyiv court has already frozen Mr Poroshenkos assets as part of its investigation into the allegations of high treason.

For his part, Mr Zelenskyy says he is waging a fight against oligarchs that is aimed at reducing their influence in Ukraines political and economic life.
North Korea has fired at least one suspected ballistic missile into the sea in its fourth weapons launch this month, officials in South Korea and Japan said.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately say whether the projectile was ballistic or how far it flew. Japans Prime Ministers Office said it detected a possible ballistic missile launch from North Korea, but did not immediately provide more details.

Japans Coast Guard issued a statement urging vessels traveling around the Japanese coast to watch out for falling objects but no immediate damage to vessels or aircraft were reported.

The Monday launch came after the North conducted a pair of flight tests of a purported hypersonic missile on January 5 and January 11 and also test-fired ballistic missiles from a train on Friday in an apparent reprisal over fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration last week for its continuing test launches.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches what it says was a test launch of a hypersonic missile on January 11 (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korea has been ramping up tests in recent months of new missiles designed to overwhelm missile defences in the region.

Some experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is going back to a tried-and-true technique of pressuring the US and regional neighbours with missile launches and outrageous threats before offering negotiations meant to extract concessions.

A US-led diplomatic push aimed at convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program collapsed in 2019 after the Trump administration rejected the Norths demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

Mr Kim has since pledged to further expand a nuclear arsenal he clearly sees as his strongest guarantee of survival, despite the countrys economy suffering major setbacks amid pandemic-related border closures and persistent US-led sanctions.

His government has so far rejected the Biden administrations call to resume dialogue without preconditions, saying that Washington must first abandon its hostile policy, a term Pyongyang mainly uses to describe sanctions and combined US-South Korea military exercises.
Interview The Revolution Will Succeed if the Myanmar People Are United

Pale PDF leader Bo Nagar.

The Myanmar military raided Ohn Nauk Village in Sagaing Regions Pale Township from January 10-12, employing four helicopters in an attempt to capture Pale Peoples Defense Force (PDF) leader Bo Nagar dead or alive. Pale PDF has inflicted heavy casualties on junta troops under the leadership of Bo Nagar.

The PDF leader was elsewhere during the raid. Bo Nagar spoke recently to The Irrawaddy about the fighting in his town.

When did clashes break out between junta troops and local resistance fighters in Pale?

We have been fighting them since around the end of April.

Are you worried that the regime is employing large numbers of troops to capture you dead or alive?

Yes, I have concerns. But I am also prepared for it. I have left behind those who I was attached to. Now, I have only the people to love and rely on. I have chosen to live for the people over my own life as the country is suffering. I know that there are risks. But even before I risked my neck, I had to sacrifice a lot. I know that there will be more dangers ahead.

But I keep pushing ahead. Meanwhile, I have taught and nurtured young people as much as I can so that they can replace me if I die. So there are many people like me now even if I die. They are not yet a significant presence just because I am still here. But I want to say that there are many people like me now. I have concerns [about my safety]. Other people might also have concerns. But I try not to worry too much and I would like to urge the people not to worry.

Junta forces recently raided Ohn Nauk Village on a tip that you were there. They even used four helicopters in the raid. What do you say about that?

The military regime, after they have fought with us, knows how dangerous I am to them. And they also know through their military informants how much moral support I give to local people.

So perhaps they [the junta] view me as their worst enemy. But even if they kill me, there are already many people like me. They [the regime] might not know that there are many people who can replace me now.

Do you feel like the regime is attacking you personally?

They seem to think that resistance will die away if I am killed. But I have inspired many young people, not only in my township but also in other parts of the country, to continue fighting injustice. The junta may be able to defeat me alone. But they cannot prevent the rise of a new generation of brave revolutionaries.

The regime should understand that people loathe them as they are forced to bow down before them. So I urge the regime leaders and followers to surrender and apologize to the people for their sins. Although they are the villains of the country, they can still win the respect of the people in the end if they do apologize.

What are your concerns for civilians in Pale?

I have a lot of concerns for the people here. As I have built an organization that is concerned with all of Myanmar, I have to make many trips. Things happened in Pale during my first trip and, even though I was away, I was concerned about my town.

I am concerned that civilians will be killed and tortured and that resistance fighters will be harmed. I have trained them mentally and physically as much as I can. Although I have left my township, I didnt leave for my own safety. I went away to make preparations and to do what it takes to achieve liberty for our country.

What do you say to people who are concerned about your safety?

Dont worry about me. Just worry that our country remains under the rule of the evil.

What do you want to say about the resistance movement?

This revolution was born out of our witnessing violence and brutality. There will inevitably be pain and difficulties, as the revolution was born out of the sufferings people have endured for too long. Please stay strong at this moment. There will be hardship in this revolution as we are facing the most unscrupulous people.

Think about the hell-like consequences that we might have to face if this revolution fails. So please continue to take part in this revolution with bravery and dignity as citizens who are dutiful to their country and as parents who are dutiful to the younger generations.

Once we are united, this revolution will reach its goal smoothly. The military regime is in chaos even though only a few people are fighting. Bearing that in mind, the whole country should rise and take an active part in this revolution.

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Burma Girl, 7, Among Three Civilians Killed as Myanmar Junta Bombs Camp for War Displaced

A Myanmar military aircraft is seen bombing Monglon and other wards in Loikaw, Kayah State in the second week of January. / Free Burma Rangers-Karenni

The Myanmar juntas indiscriminate aerial bombing killed three civilians including a 7-year-old girl in a displacement camp in Kayah States Hpruso Township early on Monday.

The junta extended into northern Hpruso the air raids and artillery attacks it has been conducting against the Karenni Nationalities Defense Forcean armed group resisting the military juntain Demoso and the state capital Loikaw since early this month.

The three victimsa 7-year-old girl, an 18-year-old woman and a man in his 50swere killed when at least two helicopter gunships dropped four bombs at around 1:15 a.m. on Monday, according to a Hpruso resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

They were from Moso Village, where the charred bodies of at least 35 civilians were found on Dec. 24 after a raid by junta soldiers. Residents of Moso and nearby villages are taking shelter at the displacement camp, which hosts some 600 people.

The 7- and 18-year-olds were sisters. The girl suffered serious stomach wounds and the older sisters body was severed in two. The man was struck in the back by shrapnel that pierced his chest, said the resident.

He added that there was no fighting between the junta and resistance groups in Hprusos Ree Khee Buu Village, where the IDPs were taking shelter at the time of the airstrikes. Junta aircraft had been seen continuously hovering above the villages and towns in the area, he said, adding that more than likely the junta was capturing drone footage.

More civilians were displaced in the western part of Hpruso following the Moso incident and the continuous artillery attacks in nearby areas, with more than 6,000 locals having been forced to flee, according to the Hpruso resident.

The junta has intensified its airstrikes in Myanmars smallest state, where many of the some 300,000 population have taken up arms to fight against the military dictatorship, following the juntas lethal crackdown on peaceful anti-regime protesters in the wake of the Feb. 1 coup. More than half of Kayah States population has been internally displaced since May.

The junta attacked with aircraft in Loikaws Nanmekhon town and Monglon ward, following shootouts in Monglon on Sunday morning that inflicted heavy casualties on the junta troops, said the Demoso Townships Peoples Defense Force (PDF), which took part in the fight.

After more than a week of junta attacks from both air and ground, over half of Loikaws residents have fled their homes and are seeking refuge in nearby Shan State and in central Myanmar towns.

U Htay, a Loikaw resident, said, We have seen fighter jets firing into empty homes after [earlier] airstrikes on Jan. 8, Jan. 12 and Jan. 16, as many people have left the capital since last week. The aircraft circle above the town all the time, he said.

The military juntas Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services released a statement on Sunday stating that during their security operations, regime forces cracked down on local PDF groups with artillery and aircraft in Loikaws Monglon ward and Nanmekhon town on Sunday afternoon.

It said, The Tatmadaw [Myanmars military] attacked the terrorists with the air supporting fire and artillery fire, accusing the PDFs of taking refuge in homes in Mongla ward, distributing ammunition in Nanmekhon and recruiting people.

Residents were leaving despite the junta setting up many military checkpoints in Loikaw and strictly checking people in and out of the capital.

U Htay also planned to leave his home on Monday, as the artillery fire could be heard continuously. He was among those who stayed in the town until Monday hoping the conflict would cease. The junta has also cut off electricity and Internet communication in the capital, forcing him to flee and leave behind all his possessions.

The capital is now becoming a ghost town with no movement there. The situation is going back to the era where we had to fear everything, he added.



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Burma How Myanmars Coup Leader Got Hold of Residences on Yangons Inya Lake

Yangons Inya Lake and surrounding area. / Wikimedia Commons

Were Inya Lake an animate being, it could tell many stories about Myanmars politics. The famous lake in Yangon has witnessed the way Myanmars politics has been shaped by its residents, from the prestigious Yangon University, the birthplace of Myanmars independence struggle, to the residences of Myanmars dictatorial and democratic leaders.

From Myanmars first military dictator Ne Win to democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, their lakeside residences have been intertwined with Myanmars politics.

Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing is one of the landlords in the upmarket village neighborhood on Inya Lake. And he has two. Min Aung Hlaing did not have a house of his own in an affluent neighborhood in the commercial capital Yangon until he was handpicked by former dictator Senior General Than Shwe to become the military chief in 2011. But in the next five years, he managed to acquire two residences in the Inya Lake neighborhood worth billions of kyats (millions of US dollars).

One of his residences is known as 14 Inya, located at No. 14 Inya Road. Another is at 6  Mile, close to the Lotte International Hotel and not far from Kan Thar Yar Hospital, in which he has a financial interest.

Until 2014, the coup leader stayed at 14 Inya whenever he came to Yangon, but since 2015 he has preferred to stay at the 6  Mile residence, according to striking military personnel.

The 14 Inya residence used to be a military guesthouse, commonly known as the military intelligence guesthouse, where military leaders received foreign diplomats and ethnic armed organization leaders.

One of the prominent figures who visited the location was the late leader of the Karen National Union (KNU) General Saw Bo Mya, better known as Bo Mya. Military intelligence chief General Khin Nyunt received him at the guesthouse, according to a former military intelligence officer.

In his heyday as the military spy chief in the 1990s, Khin Nyunt would celebrate Thingyan, the water festival that marks Myanmars New Year, at the guesthouse together with military leaders and artists.

But since 2011, Min Aung Hlaing has made the guesthouse his own mansion.

When Senior General Than Shwe stepped down, he asked [then] General Min Aung Hlaing if he had a house in which to live in Yangon. [Min Aung Hlaing] said he did not, so that guesthouse was given [to him], a former lieutenant general from the previous military regime told The Irrawaddy.

The guesthouse was then sold to Min Aung Hlaing at a price much lower than the market rate at the time and transferred from military ownership to Min Aung Hlaings private ownership, said the former lieutenant general.

Today, the property is valued in the millions of US dollarssomething Min Aung Hlaing could not afford with his own official remuneration package.

Not content with the 14 Inya residence, Min Aung Hlaing had the residence at 6  Mile transferred to his private possession. It was created from three compounds previously owned by the military and used to house serving major generals dating back to the time of late military dictator Ne Win.

Before the militarys headquarters was moved to Naypyitaw, the last occupants of those three compounds were joint adjutant-generals Major General Maung Nyo and Major General Kyaw Win, and deputy air defense chief Major General Kyi Win.

The compounds were left vacant after the three moved to serve at Naypyitaw military headquarters. Following the relocation of the headquarters, some military-owned properties were sold or leased to businesses and individuals.

Min Aung Hlaing purchased the three compounds and started building a mansion there in 2014. It is not known how much he paid for the compounds. Real estate agents said a plot of land is worth millions of US dollars in that particular neighborhood.

The mansion was built by IGE Co. owned by U Nay Aung, the elder brother of Myanmars Navy chief Admiral Moe Aung, according to a striking government employee from Yangon.

Nay Aung and Moe Aung are the sons of U Aung Thaung, the former Industry Minister who was notorious as the most corrupt official in the former military regime. The military leased the land on which the Lotte Hotel now sits to IGE in 2012.



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Burma Progress Needed Before Engaging Myanmar Junta, Singapore PM Says

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong / AFP

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday expressed wariness over Cambodias bid to bring Myanmar back into the fold of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In a video call, he told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that the Myanmar junta leader should be shunned until he can show progress on peace plans he agreed with the bloc.

The conversation between the two leaders came one week after Hun Sens meeting with Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in the countrys capital Naypyitaw. The visit drew condemnation in Myanmar and abroad amid concerns it could be seen as regional recognition of the ruling junta, as Cambodia now holds the rotating chair of ASEAN, to which Myanmar belongs. Hun Sen became the first foreign head of government to meet the junta leader, who has killed more than 1,400 people for opposing his rule.

Min Aung Hlaing was excluded from the ASEAN summit last year after his failure to implement a peace plan known as the Five-Point Consensus, which calls for an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and constructive dialogue among all parties concerned, among other steps. So far, the coup leader hasnt honored any of them.

During Fridays video call, Lee thanked Hun Sen for briefing him on the Cambodian leaders recent visit to Myanmar. But he reminded Hun Sen that there had not been any significant progress by Myanmar on the implementation of the Five Point Consensus since its adoption in April last year.

According to Singapores Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said that until there was significant progress in implementing the consensus, ASEAN should stick by its decision not to invite Min Aung Hlaing to the blocs meetings.

Any discussion to revise the ASEAN Leaders decision had to be based on new facts, the ministry cited Lee as saying.

The Singaporean prime minister told Hun Sen there was a need for the ASEAN chair to engage all parties concerned in Myanmar, not only the military but also the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD). During his visit, the Cambodian prime minister only met with junta leaders.

His meeting with Min Aung Hlaing has borne little fruit so far. For all the coup leaders promises to implement a ceasefire with ethnic armed organizations 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.

Lee Hsien Loong pointed out that the junta has so far only proposed a ceasefire with ethnic armed groups, whereas the call for a cessation of violence in the Five-Point Consensus referred also, and indeed primarily, to violence against the Tatmadaws political opponents and civilians. The Tatmadaw is Myanmars military.

Just days after Hun Sens visit, there were further attacks by the junta against its political opponents, and additional prison sentences were imposed on Myanmars detained civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Lee noted.

Lee said he was unsure what role ASEAN or the ASEAN chairs special envoy on Myanmar could play in coordinating a ceasefire since we did not even have access to all parties, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, Singapore had no in-principle objections to such a mechanism if it could foster an end to violence, it added.

He agreed that the proposals raised by Cambodia should be further discussed among ASEAN foreign ministers and senior officials.

Prime Minister Lee hoped that Cambodia would consider his views and those of other ASEAN leaders, said the ministry.

Last week, Cambodia got off to a rough start as the current holder of ASEANs rotating chair when it was forced to postpone indefinitely a regional foreign ministerial meeting it had planned to host. It was to be the first high-level summit held under its chairmanship this year.

The two-day Foreign Ministers Retreat (AMM Retreat) was scheduled to be held in Siem Reap from Jan. 18. However, a spokesperson for Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said last week 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.



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Burma Suu Kyi to Face 164 Years Imprisonment as Myanmar Junta Adds Five More Charges

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in 2017. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars junta added five new corruption charges against the ousted civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday to the five she already faces.

With the new charges, the 76-year-old faces a potential combined prison term of 164 years

According to court sources in Naypyitaw, where she is being tried, Fridays charges relate to the rent and purchase of a helicopter for use in the management of natural disasters and official affairs by her government. Each corruption charge carries up to 15 years in prison.

The same five charges were also brought against President U Win Myint in his first corruption case.

The junta has barred all five of State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis lawyers from speaking to the media since October, so details of the court hearings and her whereabouts are unknown.

The junta-appointed anti-corruption commission in November accused Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint of breaching the Anti-Corruption Law. The commission alleged the two broke the law and wasted government funds when they granted permission to rent and buy the helicopter.

The Nobel peace laureate was detained during the Feb. 1 coup. She was sentenced to six years in prison under five criminal charges. Since last months verdicts, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has reportedly appeared in court wearing a prison uniform of a white top and brown longyi.

She is also accused of breaching the Official Secret Acts, which carries up to 14 years in prison.

The junta also announced plans to sue her for alleged voter fraud in the 2020 general election which brought another landslide victory for her National League for Democracy (NLD).

The junta claims the election was seriously flawed, pointing to alleged voter list errors.

International observers, including from the Carter Center, and domestic monitoring groups said the polls were free and fair. The Asian Network for Free Elections said the outcome of the vote was by and large, representative of the will of the people of Myanmar.



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Guest Column Victory is around the corner for Myanmar

Anti-regime protesters in Yangon December 5, 2021. / AFP

While people around the world celebrated the New Year of 2022 hoping to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the Myanmar people are battling twin crises: coronavirus and the militarys coup. Even on 4 January 2022, the 74th anniversary of Independence Day, the Myanmar people were unable to enjoy the taste of freedom, as Duwa Lashi La, Acting President of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG), put it in his Independence Day speech. Instead, they are in an epic battle for their independence with the fascist dictator and coup leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Murderer-in-Chief, and his minions, who have been described as among the worst and most ruthless of all time.

This terrorist organization no longer deserves the name military or Tatmadaw, as an honorable military is called in Burmese. The Myanmar military has become the enemy of the people. After many months of peaceful struggle despite the juntas brutal attacks, all the people of Myanmar have only one choice left at this time: to overthrow this fascist dictatorship by any means possible by joining hands together in a peoples resistance war. It is our peoples second fight for independence.

Thats right. Our people are in the midst of fighting a second war for independence. During World War II, the people of Myanmar fought and won their independence from the British and Japanese whose armies were far more powerful and sophisticated. We are now forced to launch a second war of independence to free our people from the yoke of the fascist military. The whole country and people from all ethnic groups are now united against this tyrannical regime and are united in their resolve to eradicate this monstrous institution called the Tatmadaw.

As the tables have turned unexpectedly against the military regime, the junta has started singing a different tune. It began a misinformation campaign against the National League for Democracy Party and announced that military officials are planning to meet with the leaders of the NUG in the Thai border town of Mae Sot. Meanwhile the juntas soldiers continue to burn people alive and raze entire villages. The junta tries to spin its brutal and violent attacks against unarmed citizens as peacekeeping, in a feeble attempt to justify the blood on the streets of Yangon, the ashes of the town of Thantlang in Chin State and the charred bodies of innocent civilians in Hpruso Township, Kayah State, to name just a few of the militarys massacres.

The juntas call for dialogue is clearly disingenuous. History has demonstrated that their promises and commitments cannot be trusted. Traditionally, calls for dialogue have been used by the military as a ploy to trick the international community. The junta are trying to escape their crimes, after realizing that their attempt to seize power has failed due to persistent nationwide opposition. After seeing the horrifying images of the militarys massive air strikes on ethnic Christian villages on Christmas Day, the Myanmar people are in no mood for dialogue without the junta leadership being held responsible for their crimes.

Acting NUG President Duwa Lashi La, in his Independence Day speech, stated that the dialogue table is not the right place for criminals with blood on their hands. In fact, criminal courts are where they belong. The NUG will always open its arms to soldiers who, despite being under the command of the junta, despise the terrorist acts of the institution, and who believe that the role of the military is to protect the nation and its people, not to be involved in politics.

The time has passed to sit at the same table and talk to a mass murderer like Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and his minions. The only option left is to bring these perpetrators to the International Court of Justice. Also, this fascist organization is in serious tatters after 10 months of the peoples uprising against military rule. The unprecedented number of soldiers defecting and being killed in action increases daily. Plagued by extremely low morale within the ranks and battle-fatigued from nonstop fighting across the country, the military has become an ineffective fighting force. They are losing every battle on the ground against the combined forces of the ethnic armed groups (EAOs) and the peoples defense forces (PDFs). The military is having to rely heavily on its air power at this moment. The combined forces of the EAOs and PDFs are quickly adapting to that and are able to neutralize the impact of the juntas airstrikes, just as they adapted successfully to fighting the militarys ground forces. At the same time, the junta continues to spin the facts of what is happening to mislead its dwindling group of supporters and to deceive the international community.

As noted by Acting President Duwa Lashi La, Within the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), a coalition of political forces for genuine federalism and democracy, the Federal Democratic Charter, which contains a political roadmap for the future of the Union of Myanmar, has been discussed and agreed. The NUG will adhere to this agreement and will work relentlessly to implement the political roadmap.

Everyone in Myanmar is truly united in their commitment to this roadmap. The NUCC-drafted Federal Democratic Charter is how the NUG will continue to walk with all the peoples of Myanmar. That leaves a choice for the handful who are sitting on the fence: will they choose the pro-people federal democratic union drafted by the people (inclusive of all minority groups) and join the fight? Or will they choose the way of short-term prosperity by collaborating with the fascist regime? The time has come for all people to show courage. From the wildly successful nationwide silent strike, to the returning sound of pots and pans being banged in defiance and the continuous flow of logistical and fiscal support to the EAOs and PDFs, we clearly know that the Myanmar people are amazingly united and more committed than ever. They all share the one and only goal, which is to end the era of military dictators once and for all in Myanmar. The final victory is just around the corner for the people of Myanmar.

Nay Phone Latt is a former lawmaker from Myanmars ousted National League for Democracy Party for Yangon Region 2016-2020.



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BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The possibility of Beijing's first locally transmitted Omicron case being contracted from international mail cannot be ruled out, a local health official said Monday.

The patient received an item of mail on Jan. 11 delivered from Canada to Beijing via the United States and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. She said that she touched the outside of the package and the first page of the document inside, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of Beijing's center for disease control and prevention, at a press conference.

Pang said they collected 22 environmental samples from the piece of international mail, and the nucleic acid tests all came back positive.

The patient had no travel history in other provinces or cities within 14 days before the onset of symptoms, nor did she have contact with risk groups.

So far, the results of nucleic acid tests of 69 close contacts and more than 810 environmental samples have come back negative except for those collected from her home and workplace, Pang said.

The new case was reported on Saturday and is confirmed to be caused by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has been classified as a member of Clade BA.1.

Gene sequencing found that it was not linked to the same transmission chain as the past infections in Beijing or Omicron variants that recently emerged in other areas of China. It showed high similarity to some virus strains isolated in North America and Singapore in December 2021. 
Meta, the company that was previously known as Facebook, has shared predictions from five leaders across the Reality Labs, Portal, Workplace, People and Business Messaging teams, focusing on what's next, the metaverse and more!

I received these predictions from Meta's PR agency late last year, but in the midst of the festive season, preparing for my CES 2022 trip, ominous Omicron infections and more, I didn't get a chance to publish these until now.

That said, it's still great content, with these predictions focusing on whats next for the future of work, and how the metaverse will bring consumers and employees closer together to change the way things are done in our personal and professional lives.

With Meta one of the biggest and most influential tech companies in the world, no matter what you do or don't think about Facebook and social media in general, the predictions are definitely worth reading and considering.

So, without further ado, besides the ad immediately below, please read on!

Prediction #1:

Brynn Harrington, VP of People Experience, Meta: 2022 will be a year of learning that will lay the groundwork for the next era of work:

After nearly two years of working from home, weve seen that good work can be done nearly anywhere, and people expect flexibility in how they work. But there is still so much we dont know about what it takes to make remote and hybrid work successful because, until companies start returning to offices at scale, we are still working from home during a pandemic.

Over the next year, as we establish new routines, we will begin to understand the opportunities and challenges this new era of work will bring. Setting up a distributed workforce for success isnt a quick change; the challenge is to design work in a way that is thoughtful and intentional, while also staying open to iteration.

At Meta, were focused on learning in several areas that we believe are key for what lies ahead - reducing friction in collaboration across distance, ensuring location isnt an advantage in terms of participation or opportunity, striving for people to have work/life balance, and leveling individual choice with the health of teams and organisations.

Leaders across industries are likely looking at these same areas as well. But we are just beginning to scratch the surface. 2022 will be a crucial year of learning across companies and industries and we should be fiercely supporting people and teams as we experiment, iterate, evolve, and hopefully, we can work to build a future together thats even brighter than the past.

Prediction #2:

Ryan Cairns, VP, Home and Work, Meta: Sophisticated home office technology is here to stay, so distributed teams can work smarter without sacrificing quality, even as some companies return to traditional office spaces:

According to a 2021 Gartner Hybrid Workplace survey, approximately 15 percent of employees want to return to an office full time.

With remote work becoming a long-term strategy, companies that dont invest in catering to every work style  including working remotely  will fall behind. Physical distance shouldnt limit our ability to connect with people. By investing in the right technology, distributed teams will benefit from feeling like theyre together in the same room without sacrificing tech quality or experience.

Companies need to continue investing in work technology and reimagine how devices are used  at home and in the office  to unlock opportunities for collaboration in the spaces where business gets done.

Prediction #3:

Ujjwal Singh, Head of Workplace, Meta: Frontline workers will be as important as the C-suite and their experiences will become a key competitive differentiator for companies:

The focus on employee experience has never been keener and equipping employees with the tech they need to do their jobs is a priority for many companies. This is especially important for frontline workers because, whether theyre doctors at a hospital or baristas at a coffee shop, they provide essential services for their customers  making these employees a vital part of companies that want to truly understand their customers needs and receive real-world, real-time feedback.

This is a priceless competitive differentiator for companies that often spend significant portions of their budgets on market research, and can use this frontline worker feedback loop to enhance and perfect their services. Yet, despite frontline workers playing such a critical  and strategic  role, many/some companies continue to ignore them, causing them to feel unappreciated, unheard, and disconnected.

We believe this is contributing to the so-called great resignation. In fact, according to the U.S. Labor Department, about 4.4 million people quit their jobs in September, a record high in 2021. This indicates that companies that dont invest in their frontline workers experience risk losing a large majority of their workforce, and now is the time to make that change before it is too late.

Companies that invest in their frontline workforce as much as they do in their leadership now will come out ahead in 2022.

Prediction #4:

Emile Litvak, VP of Business Messaging, Meta: Companies will increasingly shift customer service from phone and email support to messaging channels as a better way to get business done:

Over the past year and a half, youve undoubtedly had to call an airline to cancel a flight, a hotel to rebook a room, or the cable company to discuss your bill. And each call meant waiting endlessly on hold, getting transferred to multiple call agents and having to remember the name of your high school mascot three different times.

Needless to say, it was a frustrating experience. People dont want to spend hours listening to elevator music or have their email to the support@ address go into the ether  they want to send a message and get a quick and personal response. While business messaging is already commonplace across Latin America, India, and Asia, many companies in the U.S. and EU are still using legacy channels that are ineffective, inconvenient, and impersonal.

Expect that to change in 2022 as companies realize messaging is what their customers want  and its beneficial to their bottom lines as well. Not only is messaging more convenient, easier, and more natural for people, but it also gives businesses the opportunity to foster stronger customer relationships and serve multiple customers efficiently.

This will only lead to increased customer satisfaction and call agent productivity  and in the year ahead, thats just smart business.

Prediction #5:

Mark Rabkin, VP of VR, Meta: VR will become a more multi-functional tool making it easier for people to collaborate from afar, or simply get stuff done:

Remote work lets us work from nearly anywhere, but with that flexibility also comes new challenges. Some people struggle with feelings of isolation from co-workers, or difficulty focusing in distracting home environments.

Thats where VR has superpowers: It lets people feel like theyre really together so they can build vivid memories of sharing a space and conversation. Those conversations flow much more fluidly with all the important body language cues, and with audio that gives you a sense of direction when someone speaks. And without physical limitations, VR brings infinite space for displays, persistent whiteboards, and easily expandable rooms.

So whether its to brainstorm, work on a document, or just hang out and socialise with your team, VR will aid peoples ability to collaborate, communicate, and connect remotely. In 2022, VR devices will get even more comfortable for longer wear, offer advanced optics for increased text clarity, and will enable avatars to mirror your real expressions so you can be yourself at work.

This is also the year VR will begin to connect more seamlessly with your existing workflows, including commonly used business tools, 2D services, and peripheral devices like keyboards. It will be inevitable that companies begin to normalise VR in addition to tools like laptops, tablets and phones.

Its the best way to create a shared sense of space and connection among dispersed workforces.
MFA goes above and beyond traditional passwords and PINs and requires users to provide an additional authentication factor. This could be anything from a face scan or fingerprint to a security code sent by SMS or generated by a local device such as a mobile phone.

Taking this approach significantly enhances security because, for a cybercriminal to gain access to an account or a network, they will need more than just a password. The likelihood that the same criminal will also have access to the users SMS messages or mobile phone is significantly lower.

Different authentication factors

There are a large range of additional factors that can be part of an MFA mix, but all fall into one of three categories:

 Something you know (knowledge): The most common knowledge factor is a password, however others include PINs, passphrases, and security questions. Unfortunately, these factors have become less secure over time as users fall victim to phishing attacks, hackers steal or buy passwords on the dark web, and people openly share personal information on social media sites.

 Something you have (possession): This category includes physical devices such as mobile phones, tokens, key fobs, and smartcards.

 Something you are (inheritance): These factors, also known as biometrics, are the unique physical traits all humans possess. They include fingerprint scans, voice or facial recognition, retinal scans, and other methods such as monitoring a heartbeat to ensure the party trying to gain access is a living being rather than a bot.

The business benefits of deploying MFA

Organisations that opt to deploy an MFA infrastructure stand to enjoy some significant benefits as a result. The top eight benefits are:

1. Increased security: When users are required to provide multiple credentials before they can access accounts or networks, it makes it very unlikely that hackers will be able to achieve the same thing. A recent survey conducted by Ping Identity revealed that security and IT professionalsconsider multi-factor authentication to be the most effective security control to have in place for protecting on-premise and public cloud data.

2. Reduced risk from compromised passwords: While passwords are the most-used form of authentication, they are also the least secure. Many people use the same password in multiple places or have one that is readily guessable. A 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found that 61% of breaches in 2020 were executed using unauthorised credentials.

3. MFA is a highly customisable solution: Each authentication factor delivers multiple options and gives organisations the ability to customise the user experience. For example, users might have access to fingerprint scanners on their smartphones, but not retinal or voice recognition scanners. Two factors may be sufficient for some use cases, while others may require all three authentication factors.

4. MFA is compatible with Single Sign-On (SSO): MFA can be embedded into applications and integrated with a single sign-on tool. Users then no longer have to create multiple unique passwords or make the risky choice of reusing the same password for different applications when logging in. Together with SSO, MFA reduces friction while verifying a users identity.

5. Scalable for changing user bases: MFA can be readily adapted to suit an organisations particular requirements. When a single sign-on capability is added, MFA eliminates the need for multiple passwords, streamlines the login process, improves the user experience, and reduces the number of calls to IT departments for password assistance.

6. MFA improves regulatory compliance: As well as improving security and productivity, MFA may also help an organisation meet regulatory requirements. For example, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI- DSS) requires that MFA be implemented in some situations to prevent unauthorised users from accessing payment processing systems.

7. MFA enables enterprise mobility: The pandemic led to a significant rise in remote working and saw employees accessing centralised resources from outside the traditional corporate firewall. Using MFA to log into business applications, especially when integrated with SSO, provides the flexibility and 24/7 access employees need, while keeping networks and data protected.

8. MFA is adaptable for different use cases: Some situations call for greater security, such as high-value transactions and accessing sensitive data from unknown networks and devices. Adaptive MFA that uses contextual and behavioural data such as geolocation, IP address, and time since last authentication to assess risk can significantly improve security in these instances. If an IP address is considered risky or other red flags are raised, authentication factors can be added as needed to gain a higher level of assurance about a users identity.

MFA clearly has a lot to offer organisations of all sizes that are keen to improve their levels of security without bringing in overly onerous requirements for staff. Make 2022 the year you deploy MFA within your infrastructure.
We chose SugarCRM as it provides a full suite of capabilities that will give us a complete view of customer data that we can then translate into insights. We wanted a CRM that can integrate seamlessly with our ERP data for an instant view into sales performance metrics within business units for enhanced decision-making. Most importantly, our data will be stored locally in Australia, giving us the assurance that sensitive data can stay securely in our local environment. Prior to partnering with SugarCRM, we did not have a CRM in place, explains The Engenco Group project manager David Hodgman.

Seventy-eight percent of The Engenco Groups team now access SugarCRM on a regular basis and benefit from fast reporting, capitalising on real-time dashboards to improve customer intelligence and insights. Its executive team has visibility with in-flight opportunities across each of the business units in the group which is a key contributing factor in the revenue forecasting process.

We wanted a CRM that could be linked to email and diary planners for better organisation and a customer database that can consolidate with phone calls and notes from meetings. We also wanted a mobile CRM so our account managers can check on and update their sales pipeline opportunities, forecasts and leads while travelling around the country, says Hodgman.

SugarCRM is able to streamline our operations and deliver value from day one. Having a cloud deployment also meant that the process of rolling out SugarCRM to our European business unit and adapting it to their needs proved to be easy and was accomplished within a span of two weeks, claims Hodgman.

According to Hodgman, SugarCRM has consolidated customer data and improved data completeness and quality across the Drivetrain and Gemco Rail divisions of Engenco. Instant access to customer data from within Microsoft Outlook has improved communications, substantially saved time, and minimised application switching for users migrating from manual spreadsheets to SugarCRMs technology.

Sugar Connect has enabled The Engenco Group to ditch manual data entry and keep CRM, email, and calendar tools up-to-date. Engencos Office 365 account is integrated to enable rich insights to be automatically fed into the CRM as the team interacts with prospects and customers in real-time, comments SugarCRM senior vice president Asia Pacific Jason du Preez.

CRM Online Australia, SugarCRMs channel partner, worked with The Engenco Group throughout the implementation process to provide on the ground consulting and support.

The Engenco Group is currently onboarding new divisions onto SugarCRM and championing the power of the solution across more business units.

The Engenco Group provides a diverse range of engineering services and products around the world. It employs more than 500 people in over 20 locations across Australia, Europe and the US. Through the groups three business streamsRail and Road, Power and Propulsion and Workforce Solutionsthe Engenco businesses provide solutions across multiple industry sectors.
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.
Stacker compiled a list of the 100 best sci-fi movies of all time based on our own Stacker score, a weighted index split evenly between IMDb and Metacritic scores. To qualify, the film had to be listed as sci-fi on IMDb, have a Metascore, and have at least 5,000 votes. Click for more.
TOKYO, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The port city of Kobe in the western Japanese prefecture of Hyogo on Monday marked the 27th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake striking the region and claiming the lives of 6,434 people.

A moment of silence was observed at 5:46 a.m. local time on Monday morning, the time the 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the region in 1995.

Mourners lit around 5,000 lanterns made from bamboo and paper on the previous evening.

The lanterns formed the numbers "1.17" to signify the date of the deadly temblor. The lanterns also formed the kanji character for "forget", local media reported.

"Forget" in this instance is intended to be a message of hope and wishes for the quake and the calamity it brought to never be forgotten.

The memorial events and number of attendees this year in Kobe and its surrounding regions have been scaled down compared with past years as the current COVID-19 situation is gripping the nation, although the city and prefecture are keen for memories and lessons of the deadly earthquake to be passed down to younger generations. 




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Johnson City, TN (37604)

Today

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Staff Writer

Jonathan Roberts is a reporter and photographer for the Johnson City Press covering Jonesborough, healthcare and higher education. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and has been with the Press since 2019.
Johnson City, TN (37604)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Over the past few years, some U.S. politicians have been slandering China over such issues as Xinjiang, Hong Kong, human rights and COVID-19 origins tracing, trying to manipulate public opinion, mislead the world and preserve U.S. hegemony.

These are exactly the same tricks that they have been playing over the past century.

The United States has one of the earliest structural and government-led propaganda machines, which could be traced back to the Committee on Public Information under the Woodrow Wilson administration during World War I.

From the Office of War Information under Franklin Roosevelt's regime to Barack Obama's National Framework for Strategic Communication report, the U.S. propaganda machine has never stopped expanding its coverage and enlarging its toolbox, which now "boasts" a developed system of brainwashing and mind-control.

From Hollywood films to media outlets, from NGOs to online spammers, different parts of the U.S. propaganda chains are cooperating closely to indoctrinate people around the world with hollow and ideology-biased slogans and fallacies they have made up, aiming at distorting facts and fanning flames.

In December 2021, the U.S. government revived the Truman Doctrine by piecing together a so-called "Summit for Democracy" and creating a binary narrative of so-called "democracy vs autocracy" in an attempt to stoke new divisions and fuel ideological confrontations -- a political farce that resulted in a lot of criticism and doubts from both within and without the United States.

Washington also claimed it had ranked top in the world's efforts to fight the pandemic, citing a Bloomberg "Global Anti-epidemic Ranking" last year, in complete disregard of its world's highest caseload and death toll.

The U.S. playbook aiming at manipulating public opinion is actually an open secret.

Colin Powell is a case in point. The former U.S. secretary of state presented fake proof at the United Nations conference in 2003, lied to the world that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, and paved the way for the Iraq War.

Adrian Zenz is another example. Supported by the United States, the so-called "researcher" concocted Xinjiang-related rumors and lies for the United States' own ulterior political purposes, attempting to use fake news to grab attention and vilify China.

Julian Assange knows all about this. The founder of WikiLeaks and whistleblower could face life in prison -- even kidnapping or killing by the CIA, media reported -- for exposing U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The United States often tags its actions as "public diplomacy" or "strategic communication" in order to cover up and whitewash its dirty tricks. But the truth will finally come out. Washington can fool all the people part of the time, or fool some people all of the time, but it cannot fool all people all the time. 
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Kansas, including the following areas, Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford. Portions of Missouri, including the following areas, Barry, Barton, Benton, Camden, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Ozark, Polk, St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Vernon, Webster and Wright. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&
THERE are concerns over the rising number of divorces in Zimbabwe, with analysts saying the collapse of marriages could be fueled by Covid-19 related disruptions, infidelity, abuse and job losses.

Statistics from the High Court show that at least 1 351 divorce cases were handled in 2021, up from 1 117 in 2020.

While infidelity continues to dominate reasons why spouses go separate ways, family lawyers add that the global pandemic has given people more reasons to divorce.

Increased job losses, psychological effects including anxiety and depression and the fact that couples were forced into close proximity for extended periods of time during lockdown could explain the rise.

These however are a reflection of registered marriages and do not include a majority of customary and unregistered unions that have been crumbling since the onset of the global pandemic.

Family lawyer Mr Dumisani Dube said the marriage union has been slowly losing its value which gives people confidence to give up without thinking hard about the effects on children and the community at large.

We have noted that financial challenges often cause tension in marriages because there are a lot of annoyances that emerge when people are seated at home with no source of income.

Some spouses also allow the same challenges to drift them apart and eventually find their marriage broken down, said Mr Dube.

This global pandemic has wreaked a lot of havoc in families as well as many lost jobs and sources of income. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, people did not go to church and have those constant interactions with their pastors and fellow congregants who are an essential social support system.

He said even globally, divorce was becoming fashionable and as a result some countries have resolved to no longer punish adulterers.

The rampant use of social media has made it easy for people to indulge in extra marital affairs. The marriage institution has also lost its value, there is no respect for the institution anymore and that is sad, he added.

Mr Dube said it is in the best interest of children to grow up in stable homes with both parents.

He urged couples to find ways to resolve challenges and let divorce be the last option.

During a divorce spouses may act strong and all, but the whole process is draining mentally and financially.

Spouses also fail to provide adequately for their children when in separation than together hence the importance to groom emotionally secure adults by resolving issues amicably before rushing to divorce whenever they have conflicts, he added.

For local psychologist Ms Jacqueline Nkomo, divorce may be necessary where there is abuse and unhappiness, but it yields emotional wrecks, depressed and insecure children.

Divorce makes children lose identity; they grow up without a sense of belonging and that affects their social lives greatly.

Some blame themselves for the divorce and may struggle to have children in the future fearing they may fail as parents as they had no parental guidance.

Some children with divorced parents grow to be bad decision makers and cannot easily make emotional attachment.

Trust issues also emerge and sometimes they may go through depression trying to figure out what could have caused their parents to separate, she added.

Renowned marriage counsellor Dr Herbert Ndlovu said although divorces were on the increase, individuals should change their behaviour in marriages to avoid separating.

He said some divorces could be avoided by simply investing in marriage unions, which are essential to Ubuntu.

We are concerned that many marriages are crumbling in our community and it seems to be getting worse. Our divorce cases are fuelled by economic challenges which have created distance and separation amongst couples, especially during Covid-19, said Dr Ndlovu.

In cases where couples have to stay apart just to make ends meet, they should put in extra work to keep their marriage healthy. Couples are also engrossed in too much work these days and no longer set aside quality time to keep their love lives healthy and thriving and we are concerned.

Dr Ndlovu bemoaned the high rate of infidelity, especially amongst Christians, saying it was causing havoc in many homes.

It is shocking to note that most religious people are engaged in extra-marital affairs, its a bad example and not expected from us who profess to be Christians. These affairs both by women and men cause tensions, which lead to divorce and many unhappy homes.

He said both women and men should do their best to uphold their unions as happy marriages are a foundation to a prosperous country.

I encourage women to invest in their relationships and not deny their husbands conjugal rights. They should do all they can and even buy sexy lingerie for bed to keep things alight at home.

We have heard of women also denying their husbands sex as a weapon in disagreements and that is not healthy, said Dr Ndlovu.

Men on the other side are known to be helpful and kind to everyone else besides their wives and this brings tension and strife at home.

You may take it for granted, but we have grown and mature men who will not even say I love you to their wives when they are married forcing women to get that much needed attention elsewhere.

Men too should never take their work home and deny their women of sexual intercourse in the name of work pressure but use the time to shower their wives with love.

Mrs Sinenhlanhla Gumede, a cultural analyst, said customary marriages were also dissolving.

Unfortunately, we do not have statistics to prove that this side too people are separating. Covid-19 exposed a lot of hidden weaknesses and failures and we are not surprised to see people going their separate ways even if they blame the economy, she said.

We are not sure how this will be fixed, but we all long for that time when the family unit was important and divorce was not as common as nowadays. Chronicle
Reporter

Susan covers the towns of Somers and Enfield. She joined the JI in May 2021 and graduated from Skidmore College. She recently completed docent training for the Wadsworth Atheneum and hopes to start giving tours some time next year.
Opinion Columnist

Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018.
The author is Chief Global Strategist at Morgan Stanley Investment Management and author of Ten Rules for a Successful Nation

After their worst decade since the 1930s, emerging equities as a whole continue to underperform in 2021, deepening the isolation surrounding this massive asset class. So it will surprise many that 8 of the top 10 performers and 13 of the top 20 in 2021 are in developing countries.

How can this add up? Given its size, China dragged down emerging market indices.with Beijing blow Stocks in the country were hit hard by its big tech companies and self-isolation in the name of economic self-reliance. Last year, China was the second-worst performing market globally, ranking 58 out of 59 countries, behind Pakistan.

Every region lags the U.S. as investors pour money into U.S. tech giants. However, excluding China, emerging markets grew by 10%, in line with returns in the rest of the world outside the United States. This could herald a quiet comeback.

Money tends to flow into the fastest-growing economies, especially those that fall out of the group. At the peak of the boom in 2009, emerging economies grew more than 5 percentage points faster than advanced economies. In 2020, that lead has shrunk to 1 percentage point, which largely explains the bleak decade for emerging equities.

Last year, however, signs of a recovery outside China began to emerge, fueled by rising commodity prices, strong manufacturing in some countries, rapid growth in the digital economy and relative financial conservatism by emerging world leaders. Exporters have been boosted by the biggest annual rise in commodity prices in nearly half a century in 2021. Among the top 20 hottest markets, major oil majors include Saudi Arabia at No. 9 and Russia at No. 19, with 20% growth for the year.

Despite the global decline in manufacturing, it remains an important source of growth for a small number of emerging countries that are on the rise Factory leaves China Seek lower business costs. Among the top markets for 2021, manufacturing powerhouse Czech Republic ranks second, Vietnam ranks 15th, and Mexico ranks 18th.

In the 2010s, the era of deglobalization saw the flow of people, capital and trade slow, while data traffic continued to explode, with emerging countries growing fastest. Among the top 20 stock markets driven by the ongoing digital revolution, Taiwan ranks 13th and India ranks 14th.

Despite these signs of revival, Many commentators worry The central banks plan to slow the pace of monetary stimulus will trigger a retreat in risks, including in emerging markets, as happened during the 2013 taper tantrum. But today there is a big difference.

Global investors have pulled money out of emerging markets in most years since 2013, reducing the threat of capital flight now. During the same period, most large emerging markets have become more financially stable, not less. Currency prices are more competitive. Foreign exchange reserves are large. Most emerging powers avoided the main risk  borrowing heavily from foreigners. The current account balance, which reflects the countrys need to borrow abroad to finance its purchases, has turned into a surplus.

The focus now on emerging market vulnerabilities is the rise in average debt levels, but these averages again distort reality, distorted by China. After the 2008 financial crisis, China absorbed 70 percent of debt to the emerging world; during the pandemic, that proportion has risen to more than 80 percent.

In most other large emerging countries, households and businesses have barely added debt, and government debt accumulation is not as large as in its Chinese counterparts. Total debt, including government, corporate and household debt, has exceeded 24% of Chinas GDP since 2019, well above the emerging market median, be it India, Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt or South Africa.

Global media tends to focus on troubled cases like Turkey, but markets appear to be feeling a broader shift towards relative financial stability in many major emerging countries. While economists are often one step behind, they also expect emerging countries to start reasserting their growth leadership over developed countries in the coming years, according to consensus forecasts.

If the fundamentals driving commodities, manufacturing, data flows and economic reform remain intact, 2021 could be remembered as the year emerging markets began to recover, even if it wasnt widely recognized at the time.
U.S. District Chief Judge Margo K. Brodie of the Eastern District of New York on Friday announced that the trial of former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, who has been charged in connection with the multibillion-dollar scandal at Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB, will be delayed until February amid the ongoing spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant in New York.

Jury selection for Ngs trial, which was previously scheduled to start Jan. 18, is now set to begin Feb. 7. Opening statements are likely to take place the following week.
In the previous episode, Cheong Ya (Yoo In Na), also known as North Korean spy Moran Hill No. 1, bombed some of the spaces on the second floor to taunt the students, preventing them from escaping. In "Snowdrop" episode 10, things become blurry not only for Young Ro (BLACKPINK Jisoo) and the other hostages, but also for the North Korean spies.

'Snowdrop' Episode 10: Im Su Ho Protects Eun Young Ro, Dodges a Bullet For His Hostage

After the bombing, Eun Chang Soo (Heo Jun Ho), Young Ro's (BLACKPINK Jisoo) father, loses his temper and asks Su Ho to send Young Ro out immediately. This made Su Ho and Cheong Ya's relationship rocky.

Su Ho stated that their main priority is to calm Eun Chang Soo to buy more time for them to escape. Cheong Ya then instructed Gyuk Chan (Kim Min Gyu) to shoot Young Ro if she tries to reveal their identity to the South Koreans.

Staring outside the window, Young Ro begs his father to save them from the hostage crisis. Gyuk Chan, who is instructed by Cheong Ya, fires at Young Ro.

Su Ho, who is quick to his feet, embraces Young Ro to protect her, harming his life amid the rains of sniper bullets.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Snowdrop' Episode 9: Jung Hae In and Jisoo Face Unexpected Danger as Yoo In Na Bombs the Whole Dormitory

An enraged Cheong Ya slaps Young Ro in the cheek in the Hosoo Women's University dormitory basement, and holds her captive. She denies Young Ro freedom, access to food and even water.

A Dangerous Alliance Between the Hostage and the Hostage-Taker

The parents of the students who are held hostage gathered in front of the dormitory after the bomb exploded. Nam Tae Il (Park Sung Woong), one of the most powerful South Koreans, demands that the hostages must be released before the public gets even more livid.

On the other hand, Cheong Ya, who senses the change in Su Ho, sends Boon Ok (Kim Hye Yoon) to monitor the hostages in exchange for 10 years' worth of money and a gun.

Boon Ok then appears in a gorgeous red polka-dotted dress, and slaps Hye Ryung (Jung Shin Hye) and threatens the poor student with a gun.

Im Su Ho Finds Himself in Crossroads

The spies and hostage-takes continued to treat the hostages like objects without emotions or feelings.

Moreover, Nam Tae Il's resounding voice echoed in the dormitory as Su Ho took the recorder from Ha Na.

His plan was revealed, instructing his men to kill the North Korean spies and save all the hostages, which made Su Ho conflicted.

Su Ho thinks that his father, Rim Ji Rok (Jeong Moo Song), might have abandoned him while still holding the position of general manager.

Im Su Ho and Jang Seung Jo vs. Kang Cheong Ya

On the other hand, Cheong Ya takes everything in and clutches her heart as Su Ho and Kang Moo (Jang Seung Jo), two people like oil and water, join hands to oust Cheong Ya.

Kang Moo aims a gun at Cheong Ya's head, who is currently sitting pretty at the superintendent's office. Su Ho then takes the pistol from her waist, and realizes that Su Ho had betrayed him.

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KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
THE Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has warned that Tugwi Mukosi dam in Masvingo province could spill and cause floods at any moment due to rains throughout the country.

CPU unit director Nathan Nkomo yesterday told NewsDay that people in the area must be alert to the situation, adding that the organisation was ready to deal with any eventuality.

Nkomo said the CPU and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) were continuously monitoring the situation.

It is normal for a dam to spill but what is critical is for Zinwa to continuously monitor the situation. Downstream communities also need to be notified; even those in Mozambique should be alerted of a possible flooding (spillage) should the situation worsen, Nkomo said.

Zimbabwe has been found wanting in terms of dealing with disasters. The March 2019 Cyclone Idai, was a good example of the governments lack of preparedness in dealing with floods.

In Zimbabwe, Cyclone Idai left 341 people dead, affecting 270 000 people while about 17 600 families were left homeless.

The capacity to deal with the situation is there as we are working with Zinwa to manage it, Nkomo said.

In a statement yesterday, the Chiredzi district development coordinator, Lovemore Chisema warned that communities should avoid embarking on activities along Tugwi Mukosi and Runde rivers.

Please take note that Zinwa has issued a warning to the effect that Tugwi-Mukosi could overspill anytime from now, Chisema said.

To that end, may I appeal to our political leaders (MPs, councillors, senators), traditional (chiefs, headmen and village heads) and government leaders to take time to spread this message to our communities especially those that are directly affected.

Chisema said Zinwa would be releasing information about the dam, adding that if there are marooned people they must immediately get in touch with their leaders or any CPU committee members.

Last year, towards the end of January, Tugwi Mukosi, with a capacity of 1, 8 billion cubic metres reached 100% percent capacity for the first time since it was commissioned in May 2017.

However, no serious damage was reported that year. Newsday
Previously, Im Su Ho (Jung Hae In) showed his innate affection for Eun Young Ro (BLACKPINK Jisoo), and dodge a bullet by himself to keep the latter safe.

In "Snowdrop" episode 11, the two finally confessed the feelings they hid from each other and shared their first real kiss amid the chaos.

'Snowdrop' Episode 11: A Glimpse to Im Su Ho and Kang Cheong Ya's Past and Present

After Su Ho realizes that his father Rim Ji Rok (Jeong Moo Song) had abandoned him and that the North's orders were for the presidential campaign of the powerful South Koreans, he releases his hostages from being tied up.

Meanwhile, Su Ho and Cheong Ya (Yoo In Na) engage in a heated conversation as the latter feels betrayed by Su Ho's rash decisions. At this point, Su Ho doesn't believe any promises made by the North, which irritates Cheong Ya who doesn't doubt anything the North says.

In the past, Su Ho rescued Cheong Ya from hanging on the edge of a cliff during training, enduring the deadly cold by hugging one another. Because of this, Cheong Ya learns how to love Su Ho who saved her from taking her own life.

Cheong Ya, in return, promises to pay off her debt of gratitude when they meet again.

Kye Boon Ok Develops Feelings for Joo Gyuk Chan, Makes Rash Decisions

On the other hand, Boon Ok (Kim Hye Yoon) sees Gyuk Chan (Kim Min Gyu) being taken away by Su Ho, so in retaliation, she takes Young Ro hostage, too. She enters the superintendent's office and aims a gun at Young Ro, threatening to kill if Gyuk Chan isn't released.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Snowdrop' Episode 10: Bad Blood Forms Between Jung Hae In, Jang Seung Jo and Yoo In Na

When Boon Ok is accused of being a spy, she pulls the trigger out of anger. However, the gun didn't fire as the gun given by Cheong Ya is completely empty.

The Hostage-Takers' Plan B

To prevent the South from making another move crucial to their safety, and to stop the ruling party from winning the election, Su Ho and Kang Moo (Jang Seung Jo) decide to use Ha Na's (Jung Yoo Jin) idea to send a recording tape of Nam Tae Il's (Park Sung Woong) true colors to the journalists.

The tape reveals the truth behind the hostage-taking, which is a joint presidential campaign between the South and North.

Im Su Ho and Eun Young Ro Finally Confess Their Feelings for One Another

Amid the chaos, Young Ro brews coffee in the attic for Su Ho, who is suffering immensely from his comrades.

According to Young Ro, coffee erases all the bad memories. Su Ho then sips a little, and says, "I erased the memory of when I pointed a gun at your head."

Young Ro, who is sitting beside the North Korean, smiles and acknowledges her feelings as Su Ho surges forward to give her a sweet, light kiss on the lips.

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KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
The worst fires in New York City history have something in common: Immigrant victims
A security camera captured this image of a thief breaking into a Kelowna gallery at 1:58 a.m. Saturday. In four minutes, he and and an accomplice stole 11 sculptures worth almost $70,000.
People are shown cross country skiing next to the St. Lawerence River in Montreal, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, following a snowfall. Environment Canada is warning residents of southern Ontario and Quebec to brace for a winter storm. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
The return to school last week was short-lived for 7-year-old Alex Hook, of Silver Lake, whose ebb-and-flow of recovery and setback following a traumatic brain injury is being followed worldwide by those sympathetic to his plight.

It brought some normalcy to his life, said Michelle Koertgen, Alexs aunt who is serving as the familys spokeswoman. He missed his friends and teachers.

It was the first time Alex, the son of Kirbey and Caryn Hook, was able to attend school in person since September when, while outside for recess at Riverview Elementary in Silver Lake, a piece of rebar was ejected from a lawnmower cutting grass off school grounds, striking Alex.

Alex suffered a fractured skull and bleeding in his brain. He was flown to intensive care at Childrens Wisconsin Hospital in Wauwatosa, and has undergone multiple surgeries and at one point was put into a medically induced coma.

A step backward

When the swelling of fluid in his brain improved, surgeons were able to replace the missing piece of his skull with metal plate, which greatly improved Alexs quality of life and led to his ability to return to school.

On his fourth day back (Thursday, Jan. 13) the school called and said Alex wasnt feeling well, Koertgen said.

Within an hour of leaving school, Alexs fever spiked to 103 degrees and he was shaking uncontrollably. It was a telltale sign of infection  which doctors warned could happen weeks after surgery.

Sadly, they had to take the (section of scalp) back out, Koertgen said. Its like taking two steps forward and then a step backward. Its heart-wrenching.

Alex suffered significant blood loss during the surgery which caused his heart rate to elevate, Koertgen said. He was given a blood transfusion and now his heart rate is back to normal.

As of Monday, he was on a recovery floor and getting antibiotics to clear the staphylococcus aureus.

They are going to put a pic line in him so my sister can administer these antibiotics intravenously at home, Koertgen said.

Doctors have fitted Alex for a new helmet and at some point he will undergo another surgery to replace the plate.

A parent is able to sleep near him in the hospital room.

Its very traumatizing for him and its very painful for him, said Koertgen. For the most part, hes a trooper. He does wake up with nightmares and crying. Its just horrific.

Return to school on hold

Alex will not be able to return to school for quite some time, Koertgen said.

Once hes back out of the hospital, my sister will consult with the therapist and the school to see if there is something they can do to make sure hes not falling that far behind educationally, Koertgen said. He took some Zoom classes previously.

Fundraising efforts for Alexs medical expenses have raised around a quarter of a million dollars thus far. The family has received donations from every state in the U.S., as well from South Africa, Germany and Ireland.

Updates on his progress are available online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/6-year-olds-devistating-accident-during-recess .
Interview: Japanese young man hopes to contribute to cross-cultural communication between Japanese, Chinese teenagers

Xinhua) 09:48, January 17, 2022

TOKYO, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Daichi Nakashima, an editor at a Japanese publishing house, told Xinhua at a recent reading event in Tokyo that he hopes his novel can help more Japanese, especially Japanese teenagers, increase "their understanding of other cultures and contribute to the cross-cultural communication between Japanese and Chinese teenagers."

In 2019, Nakashima, who won the Panda Cup Japan Youth Essay Contest in Japan, wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping to send his greetings and best wishes and express his willingness to promote China-Japan friendship.

Xi wrote back to him, expressing his hope that the young people of the two countries would make positive contributions to creating a better future for bilateral relations.

Nakashima was greatly encouraged, saying he takes it as his mission to make positive contributions to creating a better future for bilateral ties.

The Japanese young man said so and did so. Since then, he has spent his spare time helping Chinese students apply for Japanese universities at an overseas study service agency, while volunteering to help students who have just arrived in Japan catch up on the Japanese language.

During this process, Nakashima gained a deeper understanding of the difficulties foreign students face in their study and life after coming to Japan, and their efforts to integrate into the Japanese society, which he recorded in his first novel, Polaris of the Border.

The main character, a Chinese girl who followed her mother to Japan as a child, tells the story of her struggle to assimilate into the Japanese society and find her identity while helping foreign students and befriending many foreigners.

The novel won the 61st Children's Literature Award for New Writers organized by Kodansha, a famous publishing house in Japan.

The novel combines elements including Chinese pop songs and popular foods, from which readers can learn about Chinese culture and people's living conditions. The Kodansha jury said it is "a work that crosses borders and thinks from the perspective of the earth."

"There is a lot of children's literature in Japan about Japanese children overcoming difficulties and achieving success, but there are very few works featuring foreign children, and there are very few novels about cross-cultural communication. Maybe that's why 'Polaris of the Border' stands out," Nakashima said.

Nakashima said he hopes people would communicate across cultures while keeping in mind their own cultural roots.

"Due to the epidemic, people from Japan and China have had fewer opportunities to meet and communicate in the past two years. I hope Japanese readers can feel the real and fresh side of other countries through my novel," Nakashima said.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. I hope my novel can be translated into Chinese in the future and contribute to the cross-cultural communication between the young people of the two countries," he said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
THE Matabeleland region has the least number of registered voters countrywide, a development that could eventually result in the loss of constituencies ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections if the trend doesnt change.

The public has been urged to take advantage of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec)s mobile registration exercises next month and in April to register.

Analysts have said participating in electoral processes has implications in the development of local communities, hence the need to register to vote.

In a public notice, Zec revealed that as of January 8, the country had 5.6 million registered voters countrywide.

Women constitute most of the registered voters with more than 3 million on the voters roll.

From the Zec statistics, Bulawayo has the lowest number of registered voters with 254 630 followed by Matabeleland South with 259 689 registered voters and Matabeleland North standing at 335 851.

Mashonaland Central has 527 505 registered voters, Masvingo 610 436, Mashonaland East 625 330 and Mashonaland West 647 768.

Harare has the highest number of registered voters with 891 024 followed by Midlands with 752 665, while Manicaland has 727 677 registered voters.

Zec chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said members of the public should take advantage of the coming mobile voter registration exercise to increase the number of eligible voters.

The first phase of Zecs mobile registration exercise starts on February 1 up to February 28, with the second phase running from April 11 to April 30.

When we roll out the kit deployment plan for the voter registration, all those areas that were said to be remote and difficult to access, we will be sending mobile kits into those areas during specified times and dates, which will be advised in advance and hopefully we will get registrants coming up in high numbers to register.

The solution to the problem is having more registrants coming up to register if they want to retain their seats, said Justice Chigumba.

She said the delimitation exercise that will be carried out in August will determine the number of constituencies each province will have.

Political parties and civil society organisations have rallied members of the public to register to vote, saying participating in electoral processes is directly linked to development.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland South political commissar Cde Washington Nkomo said the ruling party will soon embark on voter education programmes.

The statistics are worrying and as a new provincial executive, we will soon roll out a programme to encourage people to vote. We understand the implications of having few registered voters as a province, as it might result in us losing constituencies in future elections, said Cde Nkomo.

Losing constituencies will mean that as a province we have lesser representation in Parliament.

Parliament plays an oversight role on the Executive, so our legislators become our voices in Parliament. If we have few representatives compared to other provinces, it means that even on development issues we will miss out.

He said they are confident that when Zec rolls out its mobile registration blitz, more people will be registered.

Civil Society Organisations in the Matabeleland region have formed a coalition under the banner Ekhaya Vote to encourage the public to register to vote.

Ekhaya Vote spokesperson Mr Nkosikhona Dibiti said participating in the electoral process is key for the development of the Matabeleland region.

He said more people need to be educated about the need to participate in elections.

Some people dont even know why voting is necessary for them. To them its just about someone being elected. But this goes far beyond that as it speaks to the distribution of resources based on available demographic figures, he said.

So, we need to come up with a holistic approach and have to ask these questions; can we link voting to service delivery, can we link voting to resource distribution?

That is the kind of thinking we should be stuck with instead of just thinking about who won and who lost.

That will not bear much difference to the everyday lives of people. Let us link it to the development of constituencies and the region. Chronicle
Somerset Christian School students Manuel Catalan, left, and David Crubaugh, right, show off the robot they built, which they've named Legolas. (Photo by Carla Slavey, Commonwealth Journal)
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Since the first cases of COVID-19 started trickling into the U.S. in January 2020 (or December, depending on what sources you believe), leaders have made confident statements promising containment, to eradicate the virus, to provide resources for hospitals in need, to research and identify treatments that work, etc.

I think that we can agree that no matter what side of the aisle you are on, having a highly charged controversial presidential election amid the starting pandemic probably didnt help facilitate a unified response.

Drawing up fighting lines early on and allowing this health crisis to become so politically charged has left a gaping wound in the fabric of our society.

Online videos of doctors questioning the CDC guidance and downplaying the severity of the illness made the rounds through email and social media, while newsreels of semi-trucks being loaded with bodies from a New York City hospital painted a grim picture.

Doctors and leaders on one side swear by controversial treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. At the same time, state medical boards and groups from the ABMS have sent notices to physicians that there will be consequences potentially, including loss of board certification or even their medical license for supporting these medicines as reasonable treatments.

Advanced mRNA sequencing techniques have allowed for novel vaccine development in record time, while those opposing the jab have made it their mission to scare everyone away. I never imagined navigating this type of thing in my medical career.

While the first cases in the county where I practice in Southern Washington occurred early in March of 2020, many people living in the surrounding rural areas felt no immediate effect or threat of the pandemic.

Rather, they had months and months of seeing what confusion and chaos it was causing on the news and social media before they started to see friends and loved ones be hospitalized and, unfortunately for some, lose their lives.

What was the American public to think seeing one doctor with all the right letters after their name stating that this was a grand conspiracy, while doctors with the same letters after their name told everyone to mask, distance, and stay home?

What were they to think when the guidance from governmental agencies kept changing on a weekly basis? The spin cycle of data, facts, truth has hastened and enhanced the complete loss of trust that many once had in medical and political authorities. The lightning-fast information exchange via social media has not helped.

While I have found it sometimes tempting to be irritated with patients or acquaintances who have come to conclusions about the pandemic that seem extremely far-fetched, even crazy (i.e., If you get the vaccine, I cant be around you because you will emit nanoparticles that will infect me and erase the gene that allows me to love Jesus. No, seriously, someone really said this), I cant say that the non-medical public is to blame for our lop-sided, divided response to this sometimes asymptomatic, sometimes very deadly virus.

Every crisis is an opportunity for leaders to rise up and help everyone else find the way forward. True leaders know how to bring a team together. They lead by example. They exhibit courage and resolve. Pride is a leader killer, and it shows itself in many ways. Fear, reactionary emotionality, inability to trust those around them, and doing everything necessary to keep face, even if it means being dishonest.

The defensiveness, name-calling, lambasting, and criticism that has occurred among our political leaders and the medical community has hamstrung us.

It is as though everyone has expected iPhone speed answers to a problem that has continued to shine the light on the limitations of our human understanding. I think most of us believed that we should have answers and come to know all there is to know about COVID quickly. This is the 21st century, right? Unfortunately, this bug keeps proving: we still do not know much.

How do we admit to the people looking to us for answers that we dont know?

When was the last time you admitted to a patient that you made a mistake?

I believe I am a good doctor, and in general, I feel that my patients share this sentiment. However, I am not perfect. I have made my fair share of mistakes before and since finishing my training. I imagine most of us had at least one attending in our training tell us: You will kill someone. Its not a matter of if but when.' The fear of accidentally harming a patient should keep us sober-minded and conscientious. I am afraid that some of us have been gradually swayed by the bean counters that the more important thing is to avoid getting you or your institution in trouble for making a mistake.

One time, I had gotten through an in-depth conversation with a patient about their concerning lab results. And after ordering more labs and prescriptions, I realized I was looking at the wrong chart. So what do I do now?

Play it off, reorder labs and congratulate them when the repeat labs are all normal and say the initial labs were erroneous?

Tempting  but no. I got my ego ready to be slapped and said, Im so sorry, I made a huge mistake. These actually arent your labs. I was looking at the wrong chart. Not too surprisingly, the patient was very forgiving and mostly just relieved that they didnt have anything seriously wrong with them.

What happens if they find out I actually dont know as much as they think I do? Have you ever wondered that since getting into medicine? After finishing residency, it was a daily thought of mine. It took a year before it was no longer a daily occurrence.

It still happens to me plenty, though, now almost six years into practice.

And yet, through this pandemic, I have caught myself many times ridiculing under my breath the misinformed, the ones who seem to bend science to serve an agenda, the non-medical political leaders, the gynecologist posing as a virologist, etc.

I have seen extremely intelligent, well-meaning men and women descend to the exchange of verbal blows and emotional reactions. I have seen the best and brightest of our discipline, blind with bias and pride, unable to consider another viewpoint.

We tout our extensive high-powered studies only to be told months or years later, Oh, that was a crappy study because of  etc. This hasnt been happening just over the last two years. It is, dare I say, a medical tradition.

Do we approach the data honestly? How do we lay down our biases? The advancement of medicine has many times come through friction and disagreement. Can we maintain this rigor without demonizing each other in the face of the current pandemic?

We are always going to be asked to do more than we can in medicine.

Medicine will take all the time you give it  and then some. Burnout waits around the corner for us all.

How do we deal with division and discord? The too much information to stay on top of? The people who have come to radically different conclusions than we have?

Do we bury our heads in the sand?

Do we align ourselves with whatever tribal group agrees with most of our sentiments on the matter?

Do we make it our mission to quash all disinformation?

Whatever it is you decide to do, I would offer this suggestion: First, take a step back and remember that while we know so much about human science and the world in which we live, there is likely more in the category of: We dont know. Can we remember how to be wrong and how to do it graciously, not grasping so tightly to being right that we leave a trail of mayhem and relational discord?

I write this on the first day of 2022.

The year of The Great Resignation has come to a messy close. I dont pretend to know why all the people that left their jobs did. I have a hunch that the issues I am writing about played a part in some of the departures.

The way forward cannot be being right at all costs. We must choose honesty, humility and doing what we can to end division and support one another.

We are all on the same team. The words of my residency mentor continue to ring true.

Nathan C. Armerding is a family physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Martin Luther King once said, Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane. Sadly, this remains true today. Instead of simply providing the care one needs, access to care varies based on wealth, status, and the type of insurance product a person has.

I have been working as an emergency physician, health services researcher, and leader in health care for over 30 years. I have dedicated my entire career to providing care and helping others. Our current health care systems incentives and goals are neither what we as a country expect nor want. We expect and want a health care system that provides great and affordable care; the health care system we have expects and wants to make lots and lots of money.

People from both sides of the aisle cannot seem to agree on health care legislation and reform that will work for both the patient and the provider. Rather than propose a set plan or piece of legislation, I will instead describe an overriding set of guiding principles. I will describe three fundamental principles that we can use to guide the conversation and to set up a process for improvement and change. Health care should be:

Universal,

Simple, and

Accessible

Universal health care

When we say that health care is universal, does that mean Medicare for all, single-payer health insurance, socialized medicine? These slogans have become polarizing, and their use often keeps us from working together. Universal health care means health care that covers and cares for everyone. When we get sick or are injured, our care should be universal. The health care system should care for us in the hospital; it should care for us when we go home and care for us as we recover. The health care system should give us access to providers, home care services, and the medications we need. Federal legislation called EMTALA ensures that all who arrive at the emergency room doors will be seen and cared for. But who pays for that care when a person does not have insurance? The current health care system may try to help a person get insurance, but we all pick up the cost as charity care if they fail.

We can do better.

This great and wealthy nation needs to provide comprehensive low-cost health insurance to all. Anyone below the poverty level is eligible to receive state-based Medicaid, but should a person start working, Medicaid is automatically cut off. This is punitive  the wrong stick at the wrong time. I propose extending Medicaid to 400 percent of the poverty line to bridge new to the workforce or return to the workforce workers who need care, a proposal that would help workers and employers: employers would have workers with health insurance and workers would not have to worry about copays or deductibles.

Case in point: During the early days of the pandemic in Philadelphia, I diagnosed Miss W with COVID and recommended that she stay in the hospital for a few days to make sure that she improved before going home. She declined. She worked two jobs (caring for older adults), she had two school-aged kids to care for, and she had a deductible of $9,000 on her health plan that she purchased from Pennie (Pennsylvanias exchange). She simply could not afford to stay in the hospital. So, we devised a plan where she would receive daily text messages checking on her oxygen level, and I advised her to wear an N95 mask and social distance as much as possible. In so many ways, Miss W. was doing everything right. She worked hard, provided for her kids, and tried her best. Miss W should have Medicaid coverage with no deductible.

We can do better.

The current system also fails self-employed or contract workers. Those whose income is greater than 400 percent of the poverty line (over $80,000/year) should still have access to plans provided on the health care marketplace, and the cost of those plans should be pre-tax with no deductible or copays. Buyers should also be able to purchase state Medicaid plans across state lines.

Lets not forget that some people have great employer-based health insurance that covers everything, including the cost of prescription drugs. If a person likes their health insurance, they shouldnt have to change their coverage. They should be able to keep the doctors and hospital care they have.

But for older adults in our society, Medicare should be universal and all-inclusive. When a person turns 65, they should be covered completelyno supplemental costs, no copay, no prescription drug costs. The current Medicare system is complicated, not comprehensive, and the supplementals cost far too much. At least four hours per day of skilled and unskilled homecare should be included as part of standard Medicare benefits. These improvements to Medicare would improve the lives of patients and their families. They would also prepare for future expansion to cover people 55 and over.

The changes I have outlined above seek to meet the fundamental principle that if a person has health insurance it should cover all their health care costs; coverage is not Universal if it costs them additional money to get the care they need.

Simple health care

When people receive care, that care needs to be paid for, in full, without hassles or runarounds. I say no denials, no mediation or negotiations, no bills, no additional payments, phone calls, or endless waste-of-time-and-money fighting for something they already pay for every month! When they need care and support their family and their loved ones, they should get that care, and their insurance plan should pay for it. It is just that simple!

Case in point: I met a woman in Lycoming County after giving remarks at their Democratic Summer Picnic. She thanked me for advocating for services for people with dual diagnosis  mental health challenges and substance use disorder. She cried while talking about her struggles trying to get help for her 25-year-old daughter. The expenses, the denials of care, the endless phone calls, the bureaucracy, the bias, the lack of understanding (many people with mental health challenges also have some substance use history or ongoing needs)all shes ever wanted is care, housing (with social worker and certified recovery specialist (CRS) support) and love and understanding. Instead, the current system has given her denials, life on the street, and even incarceration.

We can do better.

Accessible health care

If any provider or hospital receives even a single dollar of Medicaid or Medicare funding, then they should be legally required to take, for full payment, any patients health insurance product. That seems like a simple concept, but getting it into law will be hard. The powerful and wealthy lobbies will fight against it, but that is OK, because it is the right thing to do. The principle must be that if a person needs care, (specialty, mental health, primary) that health care should be accessible in their community by a provider of their choice, period.

Case in point: When I think about access, I think about a story I was told about the mother of a woman I met in Dauphin County. Her mother had advanced kidney disease and needed dialysis. Her mother had insurance but was unable to find a specialist at her local hospital who would take that insurance. She ended up having to go to emergency rooms in order to get the dialysis treatments she needed three times per week.

We can do better.

Closing

These fundamentals are meant to be an outline, a bold starting place for discussions about how to make our health care system better for patients, for the people of this great nation. My hope is that we can get enough leaders on both sides of the aisle to openly and honestly discuss the principles of universal, simple, and accessible health care and drive towards solutions as we move forward as a Commonwealth and as a nation.

Kevin M. Baumlin is an emergency physician and candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Health officials at area hospitals said cases are about to go up even more before we hit an omicron peak.
A Zimbabwean woman based in South Africa has won R10 Million maintenance from the estate of her late partner with whom she was cohabitating for two years.

This is after that countrys Constitutional Court ruled that such relationships were a legitimate family structure, and deserved respect and recognition under the law.

Court documents show that Jane Bwanya met her late South African partner Anthony Ruch in 2014. He passed away on April 23, 2016, two months before he was scheduled to travel to Zimbabwe to pay lobola.

At the time of his death, the deceased was 57 years old and never been married.

He had a will but the heiress was his mother Lorna Ruch who passed away intestate in 2013. Anthony was his mothers sole heir having been the only child.

Bwanya made a claim for maintenance at the courts in that country where she sought an order declaring the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987 (ISA) and the Maintenance of Surviving Spouses Act 27 of 1990 (MOSSA) unconstitutional.

Under the ISA and MOSSA, Bwanya did not deserve any spousal maintenance from her deceased partner as they were not married, and did not have any children.

But Bwanya, represented by the Womens Legal Centre Trust and the Commission for Gender Equality argued that she deserved maintenance arguing Anthony had committed to a life-long relationship.

She kept a diary of Anthonys promises to wed her, and have her as a lifelong partner. The diary was produced in court as evidence.

Bwanya submitted that she and the deceased contemplated having a baby together. This aspect of her testimony was corroborated by an entry dated October 15, 2015 in the deceaseds diary about cementing their relationship with a baby, court papers read.

The ConCourt awarded Bwanya: a claim of R6 734 964-36 against the estate of the deceaseds mother, Mrs Ruch, in respect of the value of the immovable property commonly known as 60 Rottingdean Road, Camps Bay which had been sold by the Executor of the deceaseds estate.

A further claim of R2 570 000 in respect of the value of the Seaways Flat located at 31 Beach Road, Mouille Point which was sold prior to the deceaseds death but finalised after his death. The deceaseds various financial investments worth R1 million comprising, inter alia, a PSG Investment, an Old Mutual Investment and cash in an FNB Account.

The ConCourt gave the South African Parliament 18 months to make the necessary amendments to the ISA and MOSSA to ensure that surviving partners receive a share from their deceased lovers estates. Standard
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The mother of a Washington Heights man believes he was shot dead after chasing drug dealers out of the lobby of the familys apartment building.

Lamar Brown, 44, would often shoo away dealers who blocked the way of elderly tenants, said his mother, who asked not to be named because she feared for her safety.

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Lamar Brown (Obtained by Daily News)

I know that theyve come in the building, do their business and sell stuff. And he asked them not to be in front of my mothers door doing stuff like that, she said. They act like they dont wanna move.

The men that gathered there didnt appreciate Brown interfering with their business, according to his 64-year-old mother.

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People dont take lightly to you telling them what to do, she said.

NYPD records showed Brown had a criminal past that includes an arrest for attempted murder in 1994, as well as several arrests for drug possession and drug sales. He served prison time twice, once for drug sales and a second time for possession of a gun. Browns last arrest was in 2018, according to police.

The NYPD was unable to confirm if detectives were investigating any dealers around the building in connection with the murder.

His mother said she didnt believe the killing had any connection to his past.

That didnt have anything to do with it, she said.

Brown had recently delivered food for UberEats. Hed also taken to escorting his mother and other senior citizens past the men in the building entrance, up the elevator and to their apartments, his mom said.

He made sure I was safe in my building, she said. He would tell them, Thats my mother, she lives here and youre gonna respect her.

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She believes that a confrontation with the dealers over their constant presence in the lobby escalated.

Brown, the father of four children, was found unconscious in the lobby of W. 176th St. near Amsterdam just before 2 a.m. with a gunshot wound to the gut, police said. He was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia, where he was pronounced dead.

The mom was home asleep with Browns two younger children, ages 3 and 7, when her son was shot.

My son looked out for people in the building, period, especially the elderly, she said. He would tell them, You dont have to be scared, youre living here. Im not gonna let them do nothing to you.

She said that she warned her son that it was dangerous to confront the dealers.

I always used to tell him to be careful, because hes old school. These kids these days, they dont want to talk. Theyd rather shoot you. They dont care these days, she said.

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Brown was a doting father to his children, two of whom live with their mother. He would walk his 7-year-old son to school nearby.

He would take his kids different places and do things with them, Browns mother said. Hed take them to go-carts and stuff like that. They did a lot of activities together.

The boy took his fathers death hard.

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I told the 7-year-old and he just broke down., the woman said. The 3-year-old daughter is also struggling to process her fathers passing.

Browns mother said she now fears for her own life  and the lives of her grandchildren.

Now that my son is gone, theres nobody there to protect me, she said. Im in the house and I got my grandkids with me.

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The gunman, she said, deserves no mercy.

You didnt have to take my sons life, she said. I think he deserves life in prison.
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Friends and neighbors of charity activist and homeless advocate Michelle Alyssa Go agonized over her cruel slaying as doctors evaluated the subway vagrant accused of shoving her to her death beneath a moving train at a Times Square station.

Im saddened by it, this is hitting so close to home for a person that I know was a good person, Lamar Griffin, 59, who works at the front desk of Gos apartment building on the Upper West Side, said on Sunday. I didnt know her deeply, but the interactions we had for the last two years or so, she was a good person and it hurts talking about it.

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Go, 40, was waiting for an R train shortly after 9:30 a.m. Saturday when Simon Martial, 61, targeted her at random and shoved her into the path of a subway train, police said. She died on the scene.

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Martial surrendered to police and admitted what he did, police sources said.

NYPD officers and detectives investigate the death of a woman who was under a train at the Times Square station Saturday. (Barry Williams) (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

When asked by a group of reporters Saturday night if he pushed the woman  and why  he yelled, Yeah, because Im God, yes I did! Because Im God I can do it!

Martial on Sunday remained at at Bellevue Hospital, which often handles psychiatric evaluations of suspects in police custody. Police have charged him with murder.

Go earned a bachelors degree from the University of California, and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business, according to her LinkedIn.com profile. She worked in strategy and operations for Deloitte Consulting, according to her profile.

Go spent over 10 years volunteering with the New York Junior League, a women-led charity focused on educating and improving communities.

Michelle Alyssa Go

With a focus on strengthening family units, she (Go) served many women and children within our New York community, helping them enrich their lives through education on nutrition, New York Junior League president Dayna Barlow Cassidy said in a statement.

Over the decade she spent volunteering at the charity, Gos focus was on seniors, recovering homeless people, immigrants, under resourced elementary and middle school aged children struggling academically and their parents.

Go also worked with both adults and young adults to reach success, providing them with life skills such as resume writing, interviewing, personal finance and networking.

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Michelle will be missed by many friends, Barlow Cassidy said. We call upon the citys leadership to urgently address the lack of mental health and other supports for underserved communities.

Simon Martial, charged with murder, is escorted by detectives from the Midtown South Precinct on Saturday. (Jeff Bachner/New York Daily News) (Jeff Bachner/for New York Daily News)

She was really smart and really intelligent, said one former neighbor, who didnt give his name.

Griffin said Gos death reinforces his worries about the citys mentally ill homeless population.

I tell my girlfriend if youre going somewhere take a Uber or cab, dont take these buses or trains. Theres a lot of crazies out here and you never know what they going to do, he said. Theyve been talking about doing something forever but nothing is changing.

You dont know what somebody off their medication is going to do. You see them on the train station platform all the time, you dont know what they going to do. Like who expected that to happen? he added.

Natalie Kovach, who lives in the same building, echoed that nagging uncertainty and frustration.

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This can happen to anyone. Theres been a noticeable increase in homelessness and crime and its like no one Is doing anything about it, she said.
Kokomo, IN (46901)

Today

Windy with scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low 47F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Windy with scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low 47F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
The temperature threshold to open the emergency overnight warming center at the Wabash Station is set at 9 degrees.
People at Seoul Station, Monday, watch TV footage of a North Korean missile launch. North Korea fired two presumed short-range ballistic missiles, according to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



The National Security Council has expressed "strong regret" over North Korea's testing of two presumed short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), Monday, about an hour after the latest launch was detected by the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).



The North's latest SRBM launch came while President Moon Jae-in was on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates. Moon is on an eight-day trip of the Middle East from Jan. 15 to 22 to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.



President Moon ordered the NSC to make its utmost efforts to ensure the stable management of the situation, according to the presidential office.



The North's latest SRBM test marked the fifth and sixth projectiles fired off in the New Year, coming within only 13 days of three previous test events.



The South's National Security Adviser Suh Hoon presided over the NSC emergency meeting, attended by Moon's chief of staff You Young-min, Unification Minister Lee In-young, Defense Minister Suh Wook, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Park Jie-won and other top national security officials.



"The NSC had in-depth discussions over the background and repercussions of the very regretful situation that North Korea has had four missile launches this year," the NSC said in a press release.



"In addition, the standing members of the NSC emphasized that, above all else, it is essential to start dialogue as soon as possible so that the situation on the Korean Peninsula would not deteriorate to be more strained but become more stable. To this end, we will double our efforts for dialogue with related countries including North Korea."



While the NSC has been conveying messages of "deep regret" over North Korea's continued missile launches, the South's conservative opposition bloc has criticized the Moon government and the ruling party for not issuing stronger messages, while only making futile efforts to bring the North back to the negotiating table for denuclearization talks.



According to the JCS, North Korea fired two projectiles presumed to be SRBMs into the sea off its east coast from around Pyongyang Sunan International Airport at around 8:50 a.m. and 8:54 a.m. The JCS said the missiles flew about 380 kilometers at an apogee of 42 kilometers. It is reported that their maximum speeds reached around Mach 5 but the JCS has yet to officially announce any other details including the maximum speeds.



The JCS also said the latest test launches seem to be aimed at improving the reclusive nation's continuous launch capability and accuracy by conducting a test with a selected target in the East Sea. The South's military has reiterated that it had been on alert ahead of the missile launch after detecting signs of possible SRBM launches and is closely monitoring related situations and preparing for additional launches in close cooperation with the U.S. military. It also added that the South has secured a defense system capable of detecting and intercepting the North's SRBMs and the system is continuously being strengthened.


President Moon Jae-in and the UAE Prime Minister and the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, opposite to Moon, pose during the Cheongung-II missile system export contract exchange ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai Leadership Pavilion, Sunday. On the far left is Hanwha Systems CEO Eoh Sung-chul and on the far right is Tawazun Technology and Innovation CEO Muammar Abdulla Abushehab. Yonhap



Missile system export deal paves way for local defense firms to gain global standing



By Nam Hyun-woo



DUBAI  Korea will export its Cheongung-II mid-range surface-to-air missile system to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a deal reportedly worth 4 trillion won ($3.36 billion), marking the first sale of the domestically-developed multi-layered anti-missile system to a foreign country.





According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Sunday (local time), LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Defense each exchanged contracts on Cheongung-II with Tawazun Economic Council, which is the UAE's defense and security acquisitions authority.



They exchanged the contracts in the presence of President Moon Jae-in and the UAE Prime Minister and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Moon met the prime minister as part of his eight-day trip to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.



The deal came two months after the UAE's Ministry of Defense tweeted in November that it plans to acquire the missile system.



Minister of Defense Acquisition and DAPA chief Kang Eun-ho told reporters that the deal marks the single most lucrative weapons export contract in the history of Korea's defense industry. Until now, the single largest defense industry export deal, valued at about 1 trillion won, was for submarines sold to Indonesia.











Cheongung-II mid-range surface-to-air missile system/ Courtesy of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration
By Andrew Hammond





On Jan. 6 Japan and Australia signed a new security defense deal highlighting how Tokyo is of growing strategic importance as a partner in the emerging anti-China alliance.



The Reciprocal Access Agreement, which eases restrictions on the movement of weapons and supplies for joint training and disaster relief operations, is only the latest security pact aimed at countering China's military adventurism. The agreement, signed by Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida and Scott Morrison, is "a landmark instrument which will elevate security cooperation between the nations to new heights," the new Japanese leader said.



The deal, coming after last year's 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ Day) that brought closure to World War II, underlines how Tokyo's importance in the alliance is of key importance again. Not only is Japan a longstanding member of Western-dominated clubs such as the G7, plus the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). There is also growing policy speculation that it could be invited to join the so-called '5 Eyes' intelligence alliance.



A key part of the rationale for Japan's growing geopolitical importance is that, just like the start of the Cold War, it is perceived in the West as a key bulwark against the advance of China and potentially Russia into the Asia-Pacific region. Yet, while much emphasis is put on the security pillar of the Japanese-Western alliance, economics is important too.



Since the end of the World War II, the transformation of Japan's world role stemmed, in part, from its phenomenal post-war business success which led to growing calls for it to match its economic power with commitment to international political relations too. Today, it remains one of the world's largest three economies, and it will be critical to helping rejuvenate global growth after the shock of the coronavirus crisis.



Outside of the United States, many other Western countries, including in Europe, particularly welcome Japan's invigorated commitment to international trade. Not only did Tokyo sign last year a bilateral agreement with Washington, but it has committed recently too to an EU-Japan trade agreement covering around a third of global GDP and almost 650 million people.



Moreover, Tokyo was at the vanguard of the so-called Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which accounts for around 13 percent of global trade and a combined population of around 500 million.



Beyond these structural factors driving Japan's international policy, the previous Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe  the longest serving premier in the nation's history  proved personally very adept at consolidating relationships with some Western leaders. Those included Donald Trump, who during the 2016 election campaign had been very critical of Tokyo.



Abe was one of the few foreign leaders, for instance, to secure a trade deal with Trump. This deal helped neutralize Trump's previous criticism of what he characterized as Japan's unfair trade practices involving car imports and exports; and his accusations that Tokyo was using monetary policy to devalue its currency to boost exports.



Moreover, Trump during his presidency repeatedly highlighted the strong U.S. commitment to the security of Japan and said that the relationship is the "cornerstone of peace" in Asia-Pacific. Trump made these comments despite his 2016 assertions that the bilateral relationship had become too one-sided, with Japan needing to undertake more financial burden-sharing in international security.



Undoubtedly, the major driver in the increasing closeness of U.S.-Japan ties is China. Here, Tokyo has been reassured by Washington following earlier worries after the U.S. withdrawal from the Comprehensive and Progressive TransPacific Partnership, which had been originally intended by the Obama administration to lock the United States into deeper strategic partnerships in the region.



In this fluid geopolitical landscape, Abe sought to increase Japan's defense spending significantly, and overturn some of the remaining legal and political underpinnings of the country's post-1945 pacifist identity so that it could become more externally engaged. One big, specific measure Abe pushed for was the abolition of Article Nine  the clause in Japan's post-war constitution that constrains the country's military to a strictly defensive role rather than enabling a conventional army, and has meant that defense spending has remained below 1 percent of GDP for much of the period since 1945.



However, the two-thirds majority needed in both chambers of the Japanese legislature, and a simple majority in a national referendum, proved insuperable obstacles even for the long-standing prime minister. There remains a large body of Japanese public opinion which continues to value its post-war pacifism as the only country in the world to have ever been attacked with nuclear weapons, and this factor continues to be a check on Japan's foreign policy in the 2020s.





Andrew Hammond (andrewkorea@outlook.com) is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.


By Hippolyte Fofack





CAIRO  More than 20,000 Africans were killed in violent conflicts in 2020, an almost tenfold increase from a decade ago. Concurrently, and perhaps not coincidentally, Sino-American rivalry has escalated sharply. A new cold war, this time between the United States and China, along with other regional security threats, could be disastrous for Africa's economic development and green transition.



The dramatic increase in high-intensity conflicts in Africa has coincided with two major trends: the expansion of transnational terrorist networks, sustained by a glut of itinerant foreign fighters, and the proliferation of foreign military bases amid rising Sino-American geopolitical tensions. This global contest to project power has given rise to proxy conflicts raging across the region  including in Ethiopia, which hosts the headquarters of the African Union  as the U.S. and China vie for control of natural resources and strategic trade routes.



As of 2019, 13 foreign countries were carrying out military operations on African soil  more than in any other region  and most have several bases across the continent. Africa is home to at least 47 foreign outposts, with the U.S. controlling the largest number, followed by France. Both China and Japan established their first overseas military bases since World War II in Djibouti, which is the only country in the world to host both American and Chinese outposts.



A growing number of foreign countries are influencing the outcome of local conflicts, from Central Africa and the Sahel to the Horn and Northern Africa. The U.S. has invited many countries in the region to join an alliance aimed at curbing China's overseas ambitions.



Unveiling a new U.S.-Africa strategy in 2018, then-national security adviser John Bolton warned that African leaders who failed to support America diplomatically should not expect much U.S. aid in the future. Bolton's statement set the stage for a return to conditional development assistance, in which geopolitical considerations rather than investment returns largely determine rich countries' allocation of resources to capital-poor economies.



In the 1950s, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower called proxy wars "the cheapest insurance in the world," reflecting their limited political risks and human costs for sponsors. But these conflicts are tremendously costly for the countries in which they occur.



In Africa, besides causing huge loss of life, proxy wars are prolonging insecurity and locking countries into a downward spiral of intergenerational poverty. Moreover, they drain African countries' already limited foreign-exchange reserves and shrink their equally narrow fiscal space while reversing democratic gains, reflected in the recent resurgence of military coups.



Moreover, African governments' rising military spending is absorbing a growing share of African government budgets, in contrast to a general decline in other parts of the world, further heightening the macroeconomic management challenges.



According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, military spending in Africa exceeded $43 billion in 2020, up from $15 billion in the 1990s. Defense outlays accounted for an average of 8.2 percent of government spending across Africa in 2020, compared to an unweighted global average of 6.5 percent. The share is considerably higher in conflict-affected countries like Mali (18 percent) and Burkina Faso (12 percent).



And that is where the fastest increases in defense outlays have occurred. According to SIPRI, three of the five African countries where military spending is rising most sharply  Mali, up 339 percent over the past decade, Niger (288 percent), and Burkina Faso (238 percent)  are battling terrorist networks in the Sahel, a desperately poor region stretching aross the continent from Senegal to Sudan and Eritrea.



Even before the COVID-19 crisis erupted, most poor African countries already faced huge, persistent infrastructure financing gaps  and the increase in military spending has often come at the expense of investment in productive, climate-resilient projects. These shifts in government expenditure are undermining policymakers' ability to use robust public investment to crowd in private capital and thus keep Africa on the long-run growth trajectory required to ensure global income convergence.



Growing political and conflict-related risks are also deterring investment and raising borrowing costs. In February 2021, for example, Fitch Ratings downgraded Ethiopia's sovereign credit rating, citing among other factors the deterioration of the country's political and security environment following the outbreak of civil war and heightened regional tensions.



The scars of the Cold War  which claimed millions of African lives and was largely responsible for the lost decades that precipitated a widening income gap between Africa and the rest of the world  are still fresh, and the region cannot afford a sequel. In addition to its enormous human and economic costs, the Cold War exacerbated political fragmentation in Africa as countries aligned themselves with either the West or the Soviet bloc.



That division sustained market segmentation, reinforced colonial borders, and undermined cross-border trade and regional integration. A second cold war would likewise weaken ongoing efforts to deepen integration under the nascent African Continental Free Trade Area.



The subordination of growth and development objectives to security priorities can only worsen intergenerational poverty, fuel migration pressures, damage the environment, and impede climate-change mitigation and adaptation. These risks will increase further as policymakers are compelled to divert scarce resources away from the infrastructure investment needed to diversify African countries' sources of growth and accelerate their integration into the global economy.



For centuries, colonial powers, and then superpowers, viewed Africa exclusively through the prism of their economic, security, and geopolitical interests. This undermined long-term investment and regional integration, which sparked spectacular growth elsewhere the world.



Today, the same mentality, now fueled by U.S.-China tensions, is perpetuating and exacerbating insecurity, ensnaring countries across Africa, especially in the Sahel, in both a "conflict trap" and "poverty trap" that keeps them in a downward spiral.



As John Maynard Keynes said, "The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones." Transcending a cold-war mindset will not be easy, especially in a changing geopolitical environment where technology diffusion reduces the direct costs borne by the sponsors of proxy wars. But it is essential to foster Africa's future prosperity, alleviate migration pressures, combat climate change, and save innocent lives.





Hippolyte Fofack is chief economist and director of research at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org).


A newborn baby was improperly abandoned outside a Chicago fire station and left to die Saturday.

The infant was found dead in a snow-covered duffel bag around 5 a.m., but its unclear how long the child had been there, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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Investigators believe the babys parent was trying to use the states Safe Haven Law, which allows new parents to leave a newborn up to 30 days old at a hospital, emergency care facility, police station or staffed firehouse without questions or criminal prosecution.

But whoever dropped the baby off Saturday never alerted anyone inside.

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This is a building thats used for air maintenance and air supply, Larry Langford, a Chicago Fire Department spokesman, told the Tribune. This is not a regular-man firehouse, and often there is nobody there at all.

The Chicago Fire Department urged parents using the Safe Haven Law to directly hand infants to a firefighter or paramedic to help facilitate the safest outcome.

No questions asked and no judgment given, the department said in a statement.

A cause of death has not been announced and a spokesperson for the Cook County medical examiners office did not immediately return a request for comment from the Daily News Monday.
New results from a long-running public opinion survey show that about one in three Americans is now "alarmed" by global warming. Is it any wonder, given the horrific onslaught of fires, floods, heat waves and other climate disasters we've experienced in the last year alone?



The share of the U.S. adult population alarmed by global warming nearly doubled over the last five years from 18 percent to an all-time high of 33 percent, with about half of that increase occurring between December 2020 and September 2021, researchers with Yale University and George Mason University reported Wednesday as part of a twice-a-year nationwide survey. About 59 percent of Americans are either "alarmed" or "concerned" about climate change and overall are becoming more engaged and supportive of policies to reduce planet-warming pollution.



The shift in public opinion is surely being driven by experience. A recent Washington Post analysis found that more than 40 percent of Americans live in a county that was hit by climate-related disasters in 2021  extremes that will get worse as the greenhouse gas-fueled rise in temperatures continues.



But what should alarm us even more is how out of step our government remains with Americans' fast-evolving views on climate change, and how little state and federal leaders have done in the face of an escalating emergency. Instead of acting decisively to slash emissions, switch to renewable energy and phase out fossil fuel production, our government is still stuck in the mud, even as U.S. greenhouse gas emissions roar back after a pandemic-induced lull.



President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" bill includes $555 billion for renewable energy and clean transportation and would be the nation's biggest step ever to fight climate change, but it remains stalled in Congress. California, despite its reputation as an environmental champion, is not on track to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals, targets that are themselves inadequate and now lag behind other states and countries.



The state Legislature, meanwhile, has failed to advance ambitious and necessary climate legislation, including measures to set more stringent emissions reduction goals and begin phasing out oil drilling, a transition that will both help the planet and protect communities of color that are hit hardest by fossil fuel pollution and suffer outsize health damage.



Anthony Leiserowitz, who directs the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication that has been conducting the climate opinion survey for the last 14 years, said the "shockingly big jump" in respondents expressing alarm about global warming in recent months mirrors similarly sharp increases in the proportion of Americans who believe climate change is affecting weather, harming people and that they are personally experiencing the effects. That shift has coincided with a year of brutal climate disasters and media coverage that is increasingly connecting the dots between extreme weather and the warming climate.



Leiserowitz sees the emergence of "a fundamental shift in society" that could quickly spill over into political action, as with same-sex marriage and other fast-shifting issues before it. "You're beginning to see the coalescing of a powerful citizens' movement demanding that leaders act, both business leaders and government leaders."



Let's hope so. We are running out of time to avert catastrophic warming and we can't allow dawdling and weak-kneed politicians to jeopardize our future with inaction and half-measures that are increasingly at odds with public opinion and reality. Leaders must stop treating the destruction of the planet as one pet issue among many. It is the defining threat of our time, and they should be jolted into action.





This editorial was produced for the Los Angeles Times and distributed by Tribune Content Agency.
Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com.
Police stand in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. A man held hostages for more than 10 hours Saturday inside the temple. The hostages were able to escape and the hostage-taker was killed. FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said a team would investigate "the shooting incident." (Brandon Wade/AP)

After facing criticism for saying a man who took four people hostage inside a Texas synagogue was not targeting Jewish people, the FBI walked back the proclamation late Sunday night.

Instead, a new statement called Saturdays 11-hour ordeal a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted, and is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

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All of us at the FBI are relieved the hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas, was resolved without physical injury to those taken hostage, the FBI said.

We never lose sight of the threat extremists pose to the Jewish community and to other religious, racial, and ethnic groups. We have had a close and enduring relationship with the Jewish community for many years. We continue to work tirelessly with the Secure Community Network, the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Federation, and others to protect members of the Jewish community from all potential threats.

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[ Texas rabbi held hostage in synagogue for 11 hours grateful to be alive ]

Malik Faisal Akram (Handout)

President Biden also dubbed the attack an act of terror during an unrelated event Sunday and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called it an appalling...act of terrorism and anti-semitism.

Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British man, held four people, including the synagogues rabbi, hostage inside Congregation Beth Israel while he called for the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a 49-year-old Pakistani woman serving an 86-year sentence at Fort Worth prison for shooting at two FBI special agents, a U.S. Army warrant officer, an Army captain and military interpreters in 2008.

Akram referred to Siddiqui as his sister, but John Floyd, Siddiquis legal counsel, told the Daily News Sunday that Akram has no connection with the family whatsoever and he has also no connection to the Free Aafia movement inside the US.

Akrams family said Sunday that he was suffering from mental health issues.

[ This is the man who held four people hostage inside a Texas synagogue ]

All four hostages were released safely from the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue. (Brandon Wade/AP)

All four hostages were rescued alive from the synagogue and Akram was killed when agents cleared the building.

The FBI has said Akram acted alone, but British police announced Sunday that two teenagers in South Manchester had been taken into custody for questioning by counterterrorism officers. They have not been publicly identified and their connections to Akram are unclear.

Akram is from Blackburn, about an hour north of Manchester.
Are you planning to attend NH Pumpkin Festival this year? If not, what would make you attend?
A rabbi held hostage with two others in a Texas synagogue said Monday they managed to escape after throwing a chair at their captor and then making a run for it.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker shared his account of the harrowing ordeal at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, on CBS Mornings. The hostage-taker, Malik Faisal Akram, died, though authorities investigating the terrorism-related matter have not said whether he was shot or killed himself.

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Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker (Obtained by Daily News)

Towards the end of the 11-hour standoff, Akram, 44, became increasingly erratic, Cytron-Walker said.

Akram ranted on a livestream about seeking the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist and suspected Al Qaeda associate serving 86 years in a Fort Worth prison for shooting at U.S. military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

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Akram eventually seemed to realize he wasnt getting what he wanted, Cytron-Walker said.

It didnt look good, he said. It didnt sound good. We were terrified.

The rabbi and two other hostages had congregated near an exit, waiting for an opportunity to escape. Akram had released a fourth hostage unharmed earlier in the evening.

I told them to go, I threw a chair at the gunman and I headed for the door, Cytron-Walker said. And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired.

Another hostage, Jeffrey Cohen, wrote on Facebook that moments earlier, Akram had demanded the hostages get on their knees. Cohen recalled mouthing the word no moments before Cytron-Walker hurled the chair.

Malik Faisal Akram (Handout)

First of all, we escaped. We werent released or freed, Cohen wrote.

The confrontation began on Saturday at 11 a.m. when the rabbi welcomed the man who would become his captor into the synagogue and prayed with him.

When I took him in, I stayed with him, Cytron-Walker said. Making tea was an opportunity to talk with him. In that moment, I didnt hear anything suspicious.

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[ Texas rabbi held hostage in synagogue for 11 hours grateful to be alive ]

Then the rabbi heard a click.

It could have been anything, but turns out it was his gun, he said.

The rabbi credited training offered by law enforcement and the Anti-Defamation League for helping him figure out how to escape.

Four people were held hostage inside the Colleyville synagogue for 11 hours Saturday. (Brandon Wade/AP)

They really teach you in those moments that when your life is threatened, you need to do whatever you can to get to safety. You need to do whatever you can to get out, he said.

It was terrifying, it was overwhelming and were still processing, he added. Its been a lot. Its completely overwhelming.

[ FBI investigating Texas synagogue hostage situation as terrorism ]

The investigation into the hostage situation stretched into England, where British police announced Sunday that two teenagers had been arrested. The relationship between the suspects and Akram, a British national, was unclear.

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Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Supporters of Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist serving a lengthy prison sentence, said Akram had no connection to her or efforts to win her release. Siddiquis legal counsel, told the Daily News Sunday that Akram has no connection with the family whatsoever and he has also no connection to the Free Aafia movement inside the US.

FILE - In this undated file photo originally released by the FBI on April 23, 2003, Aafia Siddiqui is shown. (AP Photo)

The suspect was dead when law enforcement entered the building, but its unclear if he was killed by FBI agents or died by suicide.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 15 Police stand in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. A man held hostages for more than 10 hours Saturday inside the temple. The hostages were able to escape and the hostage-taker was killed. FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said a team would investigate "the shooting incident." (Brandon Wade/AP)

Akram was from Blackburn, an industrial city in northwest England, according to The Associated Press. His family said hed been suffering from mental health issues.

We would also like to add that any attack on any human being, be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim, etc. is wrong and should always be condemned, his brother, Gulbar Akram, wrote online.

President Biden had called the hostage-taking an act of terror. Speaking in Philadelphia on Sunday, he said Akram allegedly purchased a weapon on the streets.

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With News Wire Services
Updated with a quote from Bryan Steil:

The Racine Branch NAACP asked Gateway Technical College to uninvite U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil from Monday's 38th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration after Steil voted against S.2747, the Freedom to Vote Act, and H.R.4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

Gateway indicated it will not be doing so.

No Republicans in the House voted for the bills Thursday, while no Democrats voted against them. The bills are now before the Senate, where they are not expected to pass.

Steil, a Janesville Republican, represents all of Racine and Kenosha counties. His office did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

In an emailed statement, Gateway spokesperson Lee Colony: "Representative Bryan Steil and Senator Tammy Baldwin reached out to Gateway about the event, and the college provides the opportunity for our federal offices to participate in our Dr. King program."

In the same statement, Gateway President and CEO Bryan Albrecht said: Gateway is committed to the vision established by Dr. King. Our celebration on Monday is intended to bring our community together to reflect on our individual responsibilities to respect the rights of all citizens.

In a statement issued to The Journal Times after the initial publication of this article, Steil said I strongly support the need to secure our elections, including voter ID for voting. I agree with Gateway Technical Colleges statement, their annual event brings our community together and I am honored to be invited to this celebration. It is disappointing that the NAACP would launch a political attack like this over my support for common sense measures like photo ID to vote. Instead of trying to cancel voices they disagree with, I would encourage the NAACP to listen to all side of this debate.

The bills

The Democratic-authored bills would put more federal oversight in place for states and localities that may want to make changes to certain voting laws. They were proposed in the wake of moves made in some parts of the country that would reduce the number of polling places in communities that are largely populated by people of color and also in response to proposals in states, including Wisconsin, that would disallow ballot drop boxes and mail-in voting.

Some conservatives have raised concerns that those practices could be prone to abuse, although there is no evidence of absentee voting having led to increased voter fraud.

Also included in the bills Steil voted against would be requirements that a reduction in the number of polling places must receive federal approval before a state or municipality could enact it, and require attempts to make voter I.D. laws more stringent than they currently are to receive federal approval. Another requirement would be for there to be federal pre-approval before a state adds a reason to remove names from voter rolls.

On the House floor before Thursday's votes, Steil explained why he was opposed to the bills.

The Democrats are up to the same old tricks, he said, arguing that the bills would "gut key voter integrity provisions ... this bill guts voter ID laws ... this bill restricts states' ability to maintain their voter rolls, voter rolls that are essential, so we know who is eligible to vote.

Regarding the Freedom to Vote Act, Steil argued it would end up "delaying the final results (of elections). Delaying the final results does not instill confidence in our elections.

According to an analysis from the Brennan Center for Justice, a liberal nonprofit based at New York University Law School, the Freedom to Vote Act "would create a national standard permitting no-excuse vote by mail for every eligible voter. States would be required to permit voters to apply for absentee ballots online and prohibited from imposing onerous requirements like requiring mail ballots to be notarized. Apart from returning ballots by mail, the bill would allow voters to return mail ballots in person to a polling place or to a drop box ... Any mail ballot postmarked on Election Day that arrives within seven days would need to be counted, and ballots could not be discarded for minor errors, like failing to use an outer security envelope."

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., has backed the proposals since they were introduced. In October 2021, she issued a statement saying "This summer we celebrated the 56th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That historic step forward for our country is reminder that Congress does indeed have a role and responsibility at the federal level to stop voter suppression efforts and remove barriers to the constitutionally protected right to vote. Voting rights are the foundation of our democracy and our democracy works best when all our voices can be heard. That is why I will keep working to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act so that we strengthen our democracy and put power in the hands of the people."

NAACP

In a public statement issued Friday, the Racine Branch NAACP outlined its reasons for calling for Steil to be uninvited to Monday's event. "When we think about Dr. King, we know that he believed the right to vote was essential to bringing about equality. Dr. King fought for landmark legislation, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and organized voter registration drives like the Freedom Summer to codify our right to have a say in the halls of power and laws that govern our lives. We see now that backlash from Republican controlled legislature and the right-wing packed Supreme Court are working to undo his legacy and our freedom to vote.

"Unfortunately, Gateway has invited Representative Bryan Steil to this years MLK event. Looking at Rep. Steils voting record on elections and civil rights, this is not the time or place for him to be, even virtually. We would ask that Gateway rescind the invitation to Rep. Steil based on his No votes of the George Floyd Policing Act, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 and his recent No vote again on Thursday. The widespread voter suppression we are seeing today is the new Jim Crow, shutting out minorities and voters of color from participating in our democratic process. African Americans must have the right to vote in 2022 and moving forward.

"Rep. Steils No votes have shown us who he is, and his actions are not reflective of what Dr. King stood for."
Solar energy has its backers who believe that clean and low-cost energy should prevail over critics who say its not really that cheap, and that its appearance is a visually jarring presence in the rural landscape.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 17 (ANI/NewsVoir): BankBazaar.com, India's largest fintech co-branded credit card issuer and online platform for free credit score posted 80% year-on-year growth in credit card issuances between December 2020 and December 2021.

The growth was built on new credit card issuances via completely digital processes and a co-branded business model that currently accounts for 50% of the company's credit card issuances. This fits into the wider trend of rising credit card and digital payment adoption in India, fast-tracked by the pandemic. Parallelly, on the revenue front, BankBazaar tightly controlled EBITDA burn at 6% of revenue even as December 2021 revenue grew 68% over June 2021.

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This growth was supported by some crucial business changes. The company expanded its portfolio to include co-branded credit cards. The first of such partnerships is with YES Bank for the YES Bank-BankBazaar FinBooster co-branded credit card. The co-branded cards tackle the most important concern expressed by credit card customers in pandemic - managing credit prudently to keep credit score at its peak. They double-up as an advisor on credit health and management and provide accelerated reward points on digital spends. The company is looking to scale up to 1 million BankBazaar co-branded credit cards in force.

Adhil Shetty, Co-founder and CEO, BankBazaar.com, said, "For many, credit cards are the first preference as they help users handle several aspects of their financial life, from payments to credit to incentives. Small wonder that the number of outstanding credit cards in India rose to 67.6 million. As the first movers in enabling contactless digital KYC solutions especially during the pandemic, BankBazaar has been indispensable to both its 50 million registered customers as well as its bank and NBFC partners. As the demand grew, so did our ability to connect a larger number of customers and partners to enable safe, secure, and simplified access to credit."

Also Read | International Film Festival of Kerala Postponed Due to Huge Surge in Daily COVID-19 Cases.

The company is looking at 100% CAGR with EBITDA positivity in FY23 riding on the backs of their co-branded products. The company is focussed on profitability, which will pave BankBazaar's way for a public listing in the near future.

"This is a great time for the fintech space in India, with companies vying with each other to develop newer and better innovations that harness technology to solve complex problems and make finance simpler and easier to access. Bank Bazaar has made significant progress in its business model and is now close to profitability while growing quickly in an exciting market," said Shailesh Lakhani, MD, Sequoia India.

Andrew Kau, Managing Director, Walden International, concludes, "We are super excited about the progress that BankBazaar has made with its innovative fintech products, on the B2B2C side and now on the B2C side as well. The management team at BankBazaar has proven their grit, determination, and imagination during an incredibly tough two years of COVID-19. We look forward to a stellar 2022."

BankBazaar.com is India's largest fintech co-branded credit card issuer and online platform for free credit score, and has a captive base of 50Mn registered users.

Supported by global investors such as Experian, Eight Roads, Sequoia Capital India, WSV, and Amazon, BankBazaar has been at the forefront of democratising finance in India by providing end users with frictionless access to credit.

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi (Kerala) [India], January 17 (ANI): Kerala High Court has allowed the plea filed by the State Government in the Malayalam actress assault case, challenging the trial court's order seeking to re-examine three witnesses and summon five new witnesses.

Earlier the trial court had rejected the plea to re-examine witnesses.

Also Read | RIP Birju Maharaj: President Ram Nath Kovind, Amit Shah and Other Political Fraternity Members Pay Tribute to Kathak Legend.

Single Bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath observed while allowing the plea that "The entire exercise of adducing additional evidence as per this order shall be concluded in 10 days. The Director General of Prosecution shall see that a new Special Public Prosecutor is deputed or some other alternative arrangement is made to conduct the case on behalf of prosecution and ensure that the examination of the witnesses and production of the documents as allowed as per this order is done within a period of 10 days."

The Court also directed the witnesses to co-operate to complete additional evidence within this period.

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The State Government approached the trial court first and High Court then after the new revelations made by Malayalam film director Balachandra Kumar against actor Dileep. Dileep is the eighth accused in the actress assault case.

The Crime Branch of Kerala Police registered a new case against Malayalam movie actor Dileep and five others on January 9 for allegedly threatening the investigating officials in connection with the actress assault case.

They were booked under IPC sections 116 (abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment), 118 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life), 120B (party to criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (criminal act done by several people). Dileep is named as the first accused in the FIR. Anoop, who is Dileep's brother and Suraj, Dileep's brother-in-law are the second and third accused. Appu, Babu Chengamanad are the other accused. One more accused has not been identified yet.

The case was registered after some audio clips of Dileep and other accused surfaced in which Dileep and others allegedly threatened officials investigating the case.

At the same time, Balachandra Kumar, a film director also gave a statement against Dileep on this. After this, DySP Baiju Paulose, the investigating officer of the actress assault case filed a complaint with the Crime Branch against Dileep following which the Crime Branch registered a case against Dileep and five others.

The FIR submitted in the Court alleged that the actor had said that the investigating officers Baiju Paulose, Sudarshan, Sandhya, and Sojan are going to suffer.

The FIR also says that Dileep conspired to chop off the hand of Sudarshan and another investigating officer.

The case pertains that an actress who worked in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu films was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. (ANI)

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Karbi Anglong (Assam) [India], January 17 (ANI): Two persons have been held for possession of 1.6 kg of heroin worth around Rs 15 Crores at the Khatkhati area of Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Monday.

The Assam Police said, "Karbi Anglong Police has seized 1.6 kg of heroin, worth around Rs 15 Crores at Khatkhati earlier today and arrested two accused. A truck from Manipur was searched and the consignment, concealed in 115 soap boxes, was seized."

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Lauding the Karbi Anglong Police, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a tweet said, "Assam Against Drugs; Continuing Assam's war against drugs, Karbi Anglong police seized 1.6 kg of heroin at Khatkhati in the morning today. Also arrested two accused from a neighbouring state. Much appreciated Assam police." (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday condoled the death of Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj, saying his demise is a huge loss to the word of performing arts.

Birju Maharaj died at his home here in the early hours of Monday.

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"The world-renowned Kathak exponent with his unique style was an institution and an inspiration across the globe. His death is a huge loss to the world of performing arts," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted, quoting Naidu.

"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti," the vice president said.

Also Read | Equity Indices Open in Green, Sensex Up By 46 Points.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Aurangabad, Jan 17 (PTI) An MLC from Aurangabad has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray requesting him to rethink the closure of schools and colleges, which he claimed is forcing boys to work in fields while girls are being married off at an early age by their parents.

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In a letter, the MLC has urged the chief minister to allow the resumption of schools and colleges with a 50 per cent capacity.

In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases, schools in Maharashtra are shut till February 15 and classes are being conducted online.

The Marathwada Graduates' Constituency MLC Satish Chavan, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has claimed that the closure of schools and colleges is affecting the education of students.

The NCP is one of the constituents of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

He claimed in a release that due to a break in the education session, boys are going to work in fields while girls are being married off at an early age by their parents.

He stated that since schools and colleges remain closed, the move is negatively impacting the writing and reading skills of students and also their knowledge gaining skills.

The MLC said that questions are being raised over how malls, hotels, and cinema halls are being allowed to function with a 50% capacity in Maharashtra.

A day earlier, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had said that the demand for reopening of schools will be considered after the next 10-15 days as there is a low incidence of coronavirus infection in children and as students are suffering education loss.

He also said the final decision will be taken by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
One of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen has died.

Brig. Gen. Charles McGee was 102 when he died in his sleep Sunday morning, with his right hand over his heart in a final patriotic gesture, his family said.

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McGee battled fascism abroad and racism at home, both in the name of serving his country.

Tuskegee airman Charles McGee, 100, salutes as his great grandson Iain Lanphier, left, looks as President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

He was part of the group of Black aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps., a precursor of the U.S. Air Force. Collectively they flew more than 15,000 individual sorties in Europe and North Africa during World War 2.

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Our task was to keep the air clear of German pilots, McGee said in a 2020 Air Force video.

Their service earned them medals, and their performance paved the way for integration of the U.S. armed forces, according to History.com.

McGee was a cut above even that. He went on to fly for another 30 years as an Air Force pilot in the Korean and Vietnam wars, for a total of 409 aerial fighter missions  a record that still stands today.

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 general was as well known for his kindness and mentorship as he was for his patriotism, encouraging young pilots to fly, get an education and excel at whatever they chose, NBC News noted.

Perceive, Prepare, Perform and Persevere was his oft-quoted, lifelong, four-word mantra, his family said.

At the time of the war, the idea of an all African American flight squadron was radical and offensive to many, McGee wrote in an essay for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The prevailing opinion was that blacks did not possess the intelligence or courage to be military pilots. One general even wrote, The Negro type has not the proper reflexes to make a first-rate fighter pilot. The Tuskegee Airmen certainly proved men like him wrong.

Charles McGee is a remarkable person, the National Aviation Hall of Fame said in a statement of the man they inducted in 2011. A legendary pilot and humanitarian. He will be missed, and we are so very, very blessed to have called him friend. Godspeed, Sir. The world is better because of you.

Former President George W. Bush awarded McGee the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 and he was recognized at the 2020 State of the Union Address by thenPresident Donald Trump.

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Vice President Harris paid homage, posting a Twitter video of her phone call to this American hero last month on his 102nd birthday, thanking him for his service. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also recognized McGees departure.

Today, we lost an American hero, tweeted Austin. Charles McGee, Brigadier General and one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airman, passed at the age of 102. While I am saddened by his loss, Im also incredibly grateful for his sacrifice, his legacy, and his character. Rest in peace, General.
New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI): Centre on Monday sought time from the Delhi High Court to frame its stand on the issue relating to the criminalisation of marital rape.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Centre, urged a division bench of justices Rajiv Shakdher and C Hari Shankar, to grant some more time to formulate its stand on the issue.

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SG Mehta said that considering the fact that it is a 2015 matter, the govt needs a reasonable time as this is a matter which might need consultation. SG Mehta also stated that nothing imminent is going to happen in the coming weeks.

However, Justice Shakdher clarified that once the bench has started hearing the matter it would conclude it. SG Mehta insisted on a couple of weeks' time saying that it would not make a difference.

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Justice Shakdher said that the court would consider his request after the amicus curiae and other counsel finish their submissions.

Currently, senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, who is Amicus Curiae in the matter is assisting Court on the issues.

Advancing his argument, Amicus Rao said, "When an act violates her sexually, believe that you are raped but the law says it is not rape. He also submitted that the law also denied the ability to prosecute the husband for that act."

In a woman's mind, the only reaction would be that the law is sanctioning rape by her husband, the amicus argued.

Amicus will further continue his arguments on Tuesday.

The court was hearing a batch of petitions including by the NGOs RIT Foundation and All India Democratic Women's Association who have challenged an exception to section 375 and the Indian Penal Code. (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 (Goa) [India], January 17 (ANI): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who arrived at the Goa airport early on Monday after meeting BJP leaders in the national capital said that the final list of candidates for the assembly elections will be announced on January 19.

"I met party leaders to discuss the ensuing assembly elections. The final list of candidates will be announced on January 19," said the Goa Chief Minister.

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Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the party discussed the 40 seats for the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant, election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis, G Kishan Reddy along with organization ministers were present.

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Sources say that the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to contest 38 out of the 40 assembly seats in Goa this time. The party has decided not to field its candidates in 2 Christian majority 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)
New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 9:35 PM

Also Read | COVID-19 Treatment: Govt Issues Revised Clinical Guidelines on Use of Drugs, Therapies.

NATION

Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Additional Security Measures Put in Place for R-Day After IED Recovered in Delhi.

DEL81 LD TABLEAU

After Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM writes to PM Modi as Republic Day tableau row intensifies

New Delhi/Chennai: The controversy over the rejection of the Republic Day parade tableaux of some states intensified on Monday with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin joining his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's immediate intervention.

DEL78 WEF-MODI

India's growth in next 25 years will be clean, green, sustainable and reliable: Modi

New Delhi/Davos: Asserting that India is making its policies today while focussing on requirements for not just the present but also for the next 25 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said this period of growth would be 'green and clean' as well as 'sustainable and reliable'.

DEL55 WEF-2NDLD CHINA-XI

Joint efforts only way to fight pandemic; blame game will delay our response: Xi Jinping

New Delhi/Davos: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for joint efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring fair distribution of vaccines and expedited inoculation across the world, even as he warned against any blame game and the Cold War mentality in an apparent reference to the US.

DEL53 DEF-RDAY-LD FLYPAST

Largest flypast with 75 aircraft on Republic Day this year

New Delhi: The Republic Day parade at the Rajpath this year will see the "grandest and largest" flypast ever with the participation of 75 aircraft to mark the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav celebrations, an IAF official said on Monday.

DEL59 JK-2NDLD PRESS CLUB

JK admn takes back Kashmir Press Club premises, says it has ceased to exist'

Srinagar: The Kashmir Press Club has ceased to exist, the Jammu and Kashmir administration said on Monday as it took back the premises allotted to the largest journalists' body in the Valley following dissensions between two factions, one of which had tacit support from the government.

DEL58 WEF-COVID-EXPERTS

Unlikely that people will move around with masks on forever: Fauci on 'new normal'

New Delhi/Davos: Warning that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and Omicron would not be the last variant, global health experts on Monday said a lot would depend on transmissibility and severity of the next mutants of the deadly virus.

BOM8 MH-LD ND PATIL-DEAD

Veteran leader of working classes, ex-Maha minister N D Patil dead

Pune/Mumbai: Veteran Shetkari Kamgar Paksha leader and former Maharashtra minister Narayan Dyandeo Patil, popularly known as N D Patil, who fought for the cause of farmers and the marginalised sections of society, died due to age-related ailments in Kolhapur city on Monday, an official said.

CAL11 WB-LD TABLEAU-NETAJI-DAUGHTER

Netaji's legacy partly exploited for political reasons: Anita Bose-Pfaff

Kolkata: Amid a controversy over the rejection of West Bengal's tableau for the Republic Day parade themed on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army, his daughter Anita Bose Pfaff said on Monday the legendary freedom fighter's legacy has often been "partly exploited" for political reasons. By Pradipta Tapadar

MDS12 KL-VIKRANT-SEA-TRIAL

Aircraft carrier Vikrant completes third sea trials, returns to Kochi harbour

Kochi India's first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant has returned to Kochi harbour after completion of its third sea trials in high seas, a defence spokesperson said here on Monday.

LEGAL

LGD13 SC-SUPERTECH

SC directs Supertech to enter into contract within week with firm to demolish 40 storey twin-towers

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed real estate major Supertech Ltd to execute a contract within a week with a company to demolish its twin 40-storey towers in its Emerald Court project in Noida.

LGD18 SC-BUILDER

Concerned about middle-class home buyers, SC wants model builder-buyer agreement in place

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday once again emphasized the need for a model builder-buyer agreement to safeguard the interest of middle-class home buyers and asked the Centre to consider framing uniform rules under the provisions of RERA.

FOREIGN

FGN38 UAE-DRONE-EXPLOSION-LD INDIANS

2 Indians, 1 Pakistani killed in Abu Dhabi tankers fire caused by 'small flying objects'

Dubai: Two Indians and a Pakistani national were killed and six others injured on Monday after a fire caused by "small flying objects", possibly drones, triggered an explosion that hit three petroleum tankers in the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi, police said.

FGN37 CHINA-2NDLD ECONOMY

China's economy grows by 8.1 per cent in 2021 amidst challenges posed by pandemic

Beijing: China's economy grew by 8.1 per cent in 2021 to about USD 18 trillion, stated to be the best by the world's second largest economy in a decade, amidst challenges, including sporadic epidemic resurgences and a complicated external environment, the government said on Monday. By K J M Varma

FGN39 CHINA-LD POPULATION

China's population grows by less than half-a-million in 2021; birth rate falls for 5th consecutive year

Beijing: China's population grew by less than half a million-last year to 1.41 billion as the birth rates fell for the fifth consecutive year, stoking fears of a looming demographic crisis and its adverse impact on the world's 2nd largest economy. By K J M Varma.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Shalini Bhardwaj

New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI): The testing of Gennova Biopharmaceutical's mRNA vaccine for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is subject to regulatory approvals, the company's official spokesperson informed on Monday.

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The company spokesperson said, "Omicron specific variant of vaccine is under development and will be ready for human clinical trials, subject to regulatory approvals."

Meanwhile, the Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals has submitted phase 2 data of mRNA vaccine and has also completed the recruitment of phase 3 data.

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It is the country's first messenger mRNA vaccine and is expected to launch in February.

Drugs Controller General of India's (DCGI) Subject Expert Committee (SEC) is expected to review the phase -1 data soon, said official sources.

"Gennova Biopharmaceuticals had filed its phase 2 data with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Friday," a company spokesperson told ANI.

The company has said clearly it is not seeking an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the mRNA vaccine to be used a booster dose.

Earlier in the month of September 2021, Gennova issued a press statement and updated about the vaccines trials. The statement read: "The Drug Controller General of India, had approved Phase II and Phase III study protocols for HGCO19, India's first mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Limited ("Gennova") back in August.""Gennova had submitted the interim clinical data of the Phase I study to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the Government of India's National Regulatory Authority (NRA).The Vaccine Subject Expert Committee (SEC) had reviewed the interim Phase I data, and found that HGCO19 was safe, tolerable, and immunogenic in the participants of the study," it had said.The company also mentioned the number of trial sites and had said, "The study is being conducted in India at approximately 10-15 sites in Phase II and 22-27 sites in Phase III. Gennova is using the DBT-ICMR clinical trial network sites for this study."

mRNA vaccines belong to the category of nucleic acid vaccines which use genetic material from disease-causing virus or pathogen to trigger an immune response against it within the body. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI): The Congress seems to be backing Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in the sweepstakes for the chief ministerial candidate in poll-bound Punjab with the party officially tweeting a video in which actor Sonu Sood states that the "real chief minister is the one who does not have to tell he is the chief ministerial candidate".

The video has footage of the Chief Minister Channi taking part in various events and comes amid an apparent tussle between Channi and Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu for being declared the Chief Ministerial candidate ahead of Punjab assembly polls.

Also Read | COVID-19 Treatment: Govt Issues Revised Clinical Guidelines on Use of Drugs, Therapies.

Sidhu, who has been talking of changing "the system," is not seen in the campaign video.

Actor Sonu Sood, whose sister Malvika Sood, has been declared Congress candidate from Moga, says in the video that the "real chief minister, the real king is the one who has to be forcibly brought to the chair and who does not have to struggle for it."

Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Additional Security Measures Put in Place for R-Day After IED Recovered in Delhi.

'The real chief minister, the real king is the one who has to forcibly brought to the chair and who does not have to struggle for it and does not have to state that I am CM candidate, I deserve it. He should be such a backbencher, who is brought from behind and told that you deserve it. Such a chief minister can bring change in the country," Sood says in the video.

"Punjab is saying that now we are with hand (Congress poll symbol), we will strengthen it," the party said in the tweet.

The party has not declared a chief ministerial candidate.

Channi was picked up by Congress leadership after Capt Amarinder Singh resigned as Chief Minister in September last year and the parting of ways was bitter.

Amid seeming tussle in Punjab Congress over the declaration of chief ministerial candidate ahead of assembly polls, Sidhu had said on Thursday last that 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 in his tweets 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.

"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 had also said the system is being run by "mafias in connivance of mischievous politicians".

"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 tweets had come 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.

Channi had also said in an interview that the party should declare a 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 now go to the polls on Februray 20 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)
New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday directed real estate major Supertech Ltd to execute a contract within a week with a company to demolish its twin 40-storey towers in its Emerald Court project in Noida.

The NOIDA authority informed the bench that it has finalised the company Edifice Engineering for demolishing the twin towers in consultation with the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 12,527 New COVID-19 Cases, 24 Deaths in Past 24 Hours; Positivity Rate Drops to 27.87% from 30.64%.

The top court also directed Supertech Ltd to make the refund payments to the home buyers without prejudice to their rights and contentions.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant told senior advocate Parag Tripathi, appearing for Supertech Ltd., The contract (with a demolishing agency) shall be executed no later within a period of one week from today.

Also Read | Supreme Court Favours National Level Builder-Buyer Agreement, Says 'Can't Leave It to States'.

The bench noted in its order, Advocate Ravindra Kumar, appearing on behalf of Noida states that the agency which is to carry out the work of demolition has been finalised in consultation with CBRI. Parag Tripathi, senior counsel, appearing on behalf of Supertech Ltd. states that there are no objections to the agency, which has been finalised and the developer would be applying for all necessary NOCs within a period of one week. The application for NOCs shall also be marked to NOIDA authorities.

The top court refused to give more time to Supertech Ltd for entering into a contract with Edifice despite the repeated insistence of Tripathi saying that the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) can be obtained subsequently.

Tripathi submitted that the court can give one week for applying for NOC and Supertech will enter into the contract within two weeks.

I have already placed EOI which has terms of the contract. I just need the NOC, which the agency wants. It is the agency which has said that you please get the NOC. I have no difficulty in entering into contract, he said.

The bench said, No, you don't need two weeks to enter into a contract. You apply for the NOCs in the week thereafter. All authorities will grant you NOCs, it's a direct order from the Supreme Court. We will list it after two weeks for compliance.

At the outset, advocate Ravindra Kumar, appearing for Noida told the bench that subsequent to the last hearing, it has finalised an agency which is Edifice Engineering.

The CBRI has informed us and thereafter we wrote a letter to Supertech Ltd to finalise it. Now, Supertech has been informed by CBRI on January 14, it said.

Tripathi submitted, We have finalised the agency and placed the Expression of Interest (EOI) but there are certain NOCs which are required and we are applying for it with a copy to NOIDA authority. Because it is possible that their intervention will be needed for instance for storing of explosives etc. so we will be applying for it with a copy to NOIDA authority and to the concerned state authority.

Kumar said that the difficulty is that they have to sign a contract with the company (Edifice) because the time period will come into play, which will commence from the date of the contract.

Tripathi intervened and said that as far as the contract is concerned, the agency says that as soon as there are NOCs, they will do it, and hence Supertech is applying for NOCs.

Senior advocate S Ganesh, also appearing for Supertech said that they have sent the details of making the refund to the amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwal but he said that there is some difference in the calculations.

One of the counsel, appearing for home buyers, said that the court may permit them to take the amount, which the developer is giving without prejudice to the claimed amount.

Ganesh said that he has no problem with that and sought bank details saying the company will make the remittance by Tuesday morning.

The bench agreed that it should be without prejudice as the home buyers who are asking for larger amounts should not be kept out of all money, whatsoever.

It ordered, That the admitted amounts which are due and payable according to Supertech will be encashed by the flat buyers without prejudice to their rights and contentions in the contempt proceedings. The flat buyers may provide the RTGS details so as to facilitate the electronic transfer of funds".

On January 12, the top court pulled up the builder for not complying with its orders to demolish the twin 40-story towers in sector 93 of Noida and warned that its directors will be sent to jail for playing truant with the court".

It had also taken note of the deduction in payments to be made to the homebuyers as directed by it last year and asked the realty firm to put its house in order or face serious consequences.

On August 31 last year, the top court had ordered the demolition of Supertech Ltd's twin 40-storey towers under construction within three months for violation of building norms in "collusion with NOIDA officials, holding that illegal construction has to be dealt with strictly to ensure compliance with the rule of law.

The top court had directed that the entire amount of home buyers be refunded with 12 per cent interest from the time of the booking and the RWA of Emerald Court project be paid Rs 2 crore for the harassment caused due to the construction of the twin towers, which would have blocked sunlight and fresh air to the existing residents of the housing project adjoining the national capital.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was among the leaders who welcomed the postponement of polls (Photo/ANI)

Chandigarh [India], January 17 (ANI): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday was among the political leaders who expressed happiness at the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s decision to postpone the Punjab Assembly elections.

"Today, ECI has postponed the Punjab polls to February 20. All the parties in Punjab requested the commission to postpone the polls here because many people from the SC community from the state are likely to visit Varanasi in view of Guru Ravidas birth anniversary on February 16," the SAD chief told media persons here.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 12,527 New COVID-19 Cases, 24 Deaths in Past 24 Hours; Positivity Rate Drops to 27.87% from 30.64%.

He further said, "We are happy that ECI took this decision and postponed the elections here."

Meanwhile, Danjeet Singh Chima, the SAD leader also welcomed the EC's decision today.

Also Read | Supreme Court Favours National Level Builder-Buyer Agreement, Says 'Can't Leave It to States'.

"I thank the ECI for this decision because they have taken into consideration the religious beliefs of people," he added.

Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu also welcomed the decision and said, "When a huge number of people make a demand which is related to their religion and the Election Commission of India listens to them, it becomes a decision that respects and honours the voice of the people."

In addition, Anil Sarin, BJP leader said that all the parties in Punjab have written to ECI about postponing of polls here.

"We have written to ECI for postponing the Punjab polls. We welcome the decision. We are thankful that they understood the sentiments of people and considered our request," the BJP leader said.

He further said, "It is true that it will give us more time for campaigning in the state for polls, but considering the religious beliefs of devotees was more important."

Earlier today, the ECI decided to postpone the voting dates for the Punjab Assembly election to February 20. Earlier, the State was scheduled to go for polls on February 14.

This comes after several political parties, including Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh's party Punjab Lok Congress, requested the Commission to postpone the elections.

According to the statement issued by the ECI, the last date for filing the nomination for candidates is February 1, while the candidates can withdraw their nominations till February 2. The results will be announced on March 10. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, January 17: Terrorists Monday hurled a grenade towards the Police Control Room here but there was no damage done in the attack, police said. "At about 1945hrs, unknown terrorists hurled a grenade towards PCR Kashmir. However, in this terror incident no one was injured," a police spokesman said in a statement.

He said the area outside PCR Complex, which is located near the Civil Secretariat, has been cordoned off and a search operation was underway. Jammu and Kashmir Reports 2,827 New Cases.

"Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law and investigation is in progress. Officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime," he added.

(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 17 (PTI) Short-video platform Chingari on Monday said it has raised USD 15 million (about Rs 111.4 crore) in funding led by Republic Capital.

The extended Series A round also saw participation from Onmobile, JPIN Venture Catalysts, Hill Harbour, Angellist, Venture Collective, Makan Family, Cowa Ventures, MVC Friends, Protocol Labs and other HNI family offices, a statement said.

Also Read | India Records 2,58,089 New COVID-19 Cases, 385 Deaths; Positivity Rate at 19.65%.

The app will invest this new round of funds to enhance and integrate new in-app features, strengthen the backend technology team, as well as boost its marketing initiatives for 2022, it added.

Chingari had raised USD 19 million in crypto tokens from venture funds and individuals, including RepublicCrypto, Solana Capital and Kraken, a US-based cryptocurrency exchange in October last year.

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In April last year, Chingari had raised USD 13 million in a pre-Series A round led by OnMobile Global.

Major part of the fresh investment will be utilised to enhance the technology on the app, launch new features and augment the backend tech team by appointing the finest talent across artificial intelligence and machine learning with an aim to further enrich Chingari's user experience, it said.

Another important area of focus is to increase marketing initiatives to strengthen the brand's reach further into the roots of Bharat by making it a favourite among the tier III and IV audiences too, it added.

The app is planning to soon launch its Live-streaming, Socio-commerce and Audio chat features, which will help creators to boost their engagement rates with the viewers and also open the gates for top brands and companies to collaborate with the app and its creators, leading to the next big phase of creator economy, it said.

Chingari's $GARI (crypto token) is also set to make a debut by getting listed on six global exchange platforms - FTX, Huobi, Kucoin, OKEX, Gate.IO, MEXC Global.

"This new funding will further strengthen our position and help us deliver an immersive user experience for our community. It is very encouraging to have reputed new names backing us in the market, while our existing investors have also offered to increase their investments and help us reach newer heights," Chingari co-founder and CEO Sumit Ghosh said.

He added that with exponential growth in users over the last two years, the company believes it has the potential to become a household name in India, and is concentrating its technology and marketing efforts into achieving this goal.

With over 35 million monthly active users (MAUs) currently, the company is looking at further growing its user base to more than 200 million by the end of 2022.

Given the surge in demand for regional content in India, Chingari also plans to increase the local content portfolio by deploying more than 20 languages on the platform.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Jan 17 (PTI) Trade bodies in West Bengal are pressing for relaxation of the partial lockdown measures clamped by the government on the job intensive tourism sector and have demanded its relaxation.

Also Read | Uttarakhand Assembly Elections 2022: Harak Singh Rawat Expelled From BJP as He Mounted Pressure for Party Tickets to Kin, Says Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The travel restriction announced by the Mamata Banerjee government to contain the spread of the disease in the state has severely impacted the state's tourism industry, they said on Monday.

Also Read | India Records 2,58,089 New COVID-19 Cases, 385 Deaths; Positivity Rate at 19.65%.

This season sees high flow of visitors to the mountains in north Bengal, the Sundarbans, Santiniketan, in the sea resorts of Digha and Mandarmani and other tourist destinations in the state. The restrictions have pushed to the wall again the tourism sector which was recovering after the previous ones in 2020 and 2021, the spokesman of the trade bodies said.

The Travel Agents Association of Bengal (TAAB) said the government must consider reopening the sector with detailed safety protocol and appoint a committee with representatives from the government, trade bodies and other stakeholders to ensure it.

The Association of Tourism Service Providers in Bengal (ATSPB) had last week demonstrated in front of Victoria Memorial in the city and appealed to the state government for the same "leeway" for the travel sector as given to malls, restaurants, salons and theatre halls .

The demonstrators had carried placards with slogans 'Save Tourism, Save Lives' and 'Save Tourism, Save Bengal'.

Malls, restaurants, theatres and salons have been allowed by the government to operate with 50 per cent capacity and safety measures.

We appeal to Chief Minister to allow sightseeing everywhere in the state at 50 per cent capacity while observe complete COVID-19 norms. That will allow us to at least survive. Unless sightseeing is permitted, small and medium travel operators will be wiped out. It is impossible for them to find any alternative means of income to support their families  they may even be driven to suicide, ATSPB president Madan Agarwal said.

TAAB general secretary Amitava Sarkar said it is upto the government to take decision on the leeway but "Something is required to be done as the livelihood of lakhs of people are at stake".

Over 90 per cent of hotel bookings had been canceled due to the partial lockdown and ban at the tourist spots of the state, they claimed.

The travel organisations have claimed that the sector accounts for about 12 per cent of the state's GDP of Rs 13 lakh crore.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
A multi-day manhunt for a man accused of the attempted murder of three Georgia deputies ended Sunday.

Tyler Keith Henderson, 25, was arrested Sunday afternoon, five days after he went on the run after allegedly shooting two Thomas County Sheriffs Office deputies and aiming at a third.

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He will now be a resident of the Thomas County Jail and will be held accountable for trying to take the life of three of our deputies, the Thomas County Sheriffs Office wrote on Facebook.

Hendersons family turned him in to a U.S. Marshal, officials said.

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Tyler Keith Henderson (Thomas County Sheriffs Office)

Just after midnight Tuesday, deputies attempted to arrest Henderson for a probation violation in Ochlocknee, a small town about an hour north of Tallahassee.

Henderson allegedly put up a fight and grabbed one of the deputies gun from his holster, then began firing.

Two deputies were hit, one through his ballistic vest and the other in an unprotected area. Both were hospitalized and in stable condition. A third deputy at the scene was uninjured.

Our efforts will now shift to getting our deputies back to 100%, the sheriffs office said Sunday.

As well as the probation violation, Henderson is now facing charges for three counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer and three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
New Delhi/Davos, Jan 17 (PTI) Cities contribute nearly 80 per cent to the global economy but they also account for nearly three-fourths of greenhouse gas emissions and nearly half of the GDP in cities around the world or USD 31 trillion is at risk of disruption from nature loss, a new study showed on Monday.

In the report released on the first day of its online Davos Agenda 2022 summit, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said there is an urgent need to protect and add nature back into urban environments to stem this GDP loss.

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The good news is that nature-based solutions for infrastructure are 50 per cent cheaper than alternatives and deliver 28 per cent greater added value in terms of productivity, while they can also create much-needed jobs  nearly 60 million by 2030 if necessary investments are made.

Geneva-based WEF, which describes itself as an international organisation for public-private cooperation, said cities can take a leading role in unlocking economic opportunities with nature-based solutions.

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The Forum has been hosting its annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort town of Davos for 50 years every January as a congregation of leaders from across the world, but it had to be cancelled last year and has been deferred this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, the online Davos Agenda summit is being held for the second consecutive year during the scheduled week of the annual meeting. The virtual event will be held through January 21 and is being attended by leaders from across the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Integrating nature-positive solutions can help protect cities from growing risks associated with extreme weather while driving sustainable economic growth," it added.

The report has been published by the WEF's 'BiodiverCities by 2030 Initiative', in collaboration with the Alexander von Humboldt Institute and the Government of Colombia.

The WEF said the goal of its 2030 initiative is to reverse this existential global threat and move forward with a plan that will result in cities and nature co-existing in harmony by the end of the decade.

The report called for multistakeholder action to integrate nature as infrastructure into the built environment.

In making the economic case for BiodiverCities, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for infrastructure and land-sparing are found to be cost-effective ways for cities to innovate and meet current challenges.

Spending USD 583 billion on NbS for infrastructure and on interventions that release land to nature could create more than 59 million jobs by 2030, including 21 million livelihood-enhancing jobs dedicated to restoring and protecting natural ecosystems.

"In the conventional paradigm, urban development and environmental health are like oil and water, said Akanksha Khatri, Head of Nature and Biodiversity at WEF.

"This report shows that this does not have to be the case. Nature can be the backbone of urban development. By recognizing cities as living systems, we can support conditions for the health of people, planet and economy in urban areas," she added.

By incentivising investments in natural capital, cities can unlock the benefits of nature, as per the report.

"As cities think about building for the post-pandemic future, they have a priority to provide their citizens with a more equitable and prosperous quality of life by protecting their natural resources," said Mauricio Rodas, Co-Chair of the Global Commission on BiodiverCities by 2030 and former mayor of Quito, Ecuador.

Cities don't need to be concrete jungles in conflict with nature in and outside their boundaries, rather they should be places where all people and nature co-exist and thrive together, according to the report.

In a separate report, the WEF said 65 per cent of China's GDP or about USD 9 trillion is at risk from disruption from nature loss, but implementing nature positive solutions could create nearly USD 2 trillion in business opportunity and add 88 million jobs by 2030.

"Businesses can create a virtuous cycle between people, planet and profit. Investing in and living in harmony with nature will better secure sustained performance and prosperity. Chinese businesses can harness technologies and innovation, while adopting and promoting the UN Global Biodiversity Framework to collectively shape a more resilient and beautiful future for China," said Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director, WEF.

The report, prepared in collaboration with Golden Bee, shows how significant business opportunities can be created if new business practices are adopted across three socio-economic systems: food, land and ocean use; infrastructure and the built environment; and energy and extractives. These systems are interconnected and can unlock untapped economic potential.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kathmandu [Nepal], January 17 (ANI): Nepal is facing a shortage of chemical fertilizer due to the reluctance of China to supply the important agricultural component despite an agreement between the two sides.

Nepal is an agricultural country, where agriculture is a key sector in income and employment generation and accounts for nearly one-third of the national GDP.

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China's policy to tighten the export of chemical fertilizer has adversely affected Nepal's farmers, according to a report published in Nepal's media outlet Khabarhub.

The curb on the export of fertilizer has been placed on the pretext of "less production". This decision comes after China tightened exports of chemical fertilizers to Nepal by issuing a circular in October last year.

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The report in the Nepali outlet stated that country's farmers are facing an acute shortage of chemical fertilizers due to China's unilateral decision.

Reportedly, the farmers cultivating wheat and commercial vegetables are returning empty-handed even after waiting in line for hours at local cooperatives.

According to farmers, their issue would get resolved if Beijing ensured a steady supply of fertilizer as stipulated in the agreement.

Initially, public sector enterprise Agricultural Inputs Company Limited had tendered for 10,000 tons of urea.

The transportation company Silk Transport had won the bid to supply chemical fertilizer. But merely 1,465 tons of manure have entered Nepal from China in September 2021. China has yet to send the remaining 8,535 tons to Nepal, according to Khabarhub.

Nepal had reached an agreement with China's Qinghai Yantianhuan International Fertilizer Ltd. to supply fertilizer to Nepal. However, due to Beijing's latest policy, the imported goods of Silk Transport are stuck in various places in China.

Nepal's Agriculture Ministry has taken a diplomatic initiative after Nepali suppliers complained that even the excrement allotted for Nepal could not come out in the Chinese industry.

China has not yet responded to the matter. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
People gather to get themselves registered for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a vaccination centre in Karachi, Pakistan, (Photo Credit: REUTERS)

Islamabad [Pakistan], January 17 (ANI): An alarming rate of COVID-19 positivity rate in Pakistan's Karachi, reaching the 40 per cent mark on Sunday, has sent ripples through the medical fraternity in the country, a media report said on Monday.

This latest surge is believed to be caused by the fifth wave of COVID-19, which would touch peak in the middle of March this year, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Also Read | US President Joe Biden and Japan PM Fumio Kishida to Meet Virtually on January 21, to Discuss Quad.

This comes as Pakistan continues to register a record number of cases. On Monday, the country reported 4,340 new infections of COVID-19. Pakistan reported a positivity ratio of 8.7 per cent.

The health department said that the infection rate reached 39.39pc in Karachi during the last 24 hours. It said about 95pc of the reported cases were of the Omicron variant, according to Dawn.

Also Read | UK Considers Scrapping All COVID-19 Tests for Vaccinated Travellers.

The authorities have expressed concern over the number of growing infections among doctors, nurses, and paramedics.

"It would not be less than 500, I think," a senior official was quoted by Dawn. "There are doctors, paramedics and even administrative staff of different public and private hospitals. Most of them are at their homes. This all we have witnessed within a week or 10 days."

The Pakistani newspaper said the situation has compelled the medical fraternity to raise an alarm and make calls for immediate steps from the government and also from society.

Pakistan has so far recorded over 13 lakh confirmed infections of COVID-19. The south Asian country has also recorded 29,019 deaths due to the virus.

The provincial government in Sindh on Sunday announced pay cuts for government employees who refuse to wear a mask, Geo News reported.

The directive has been issued in view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the province. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Wilmington (US), Jan 17 (AP) Two days after the election on November 3, 2020, the Oath Keepers were already convinced that victory had been stolen from President Donald Trump and members of the far-right militia group were making plans to march on the U.S. Capitol.

We aren't getting through this without a civil war, the group's leader, Stewart Rhodes, wrote fellow members, according to court documents. Too late for that. Prepare your mind. body. spirit.

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Four days later, when The Associated Press and other news outlets declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner, the documents say Rhodes told Oath Keepers to refuse to accept it and march en-masse on the nation's Capitol.

The indictment last week of Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers, and 10 other members or associates was stunning in part because federal prosecutors, after a year of investigating the insurrection of January 6, 2021, charged them with seditious conspiracy, a rarely-used Civil War-era statute reserved for only the most serious of political criminals.

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But the documents also show how quickly Trump's most fervent and dangerous supporters mobilized to subvert the election results through force and violence, even though there was no widespread election fraud and Trump's Cabinet and local election officials said the vote had been free and fair.

Hundreds of people have been charged in the violent effort to stop the congressional certification of Biden's victory. Many were animated by Trump's speech at a rally near the White House, just before the riot, where he said: We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."

But for Rhodes and others, there was no need for Trump's words of encouragement. Action was already planned.

___

Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, 56, founded the Oath Keepers in 2009. He and some friends decided they would form an organization around the perception of imminent tyranny," concerned about federal overreach and a series of unrecognized threats, like the government was planning to attack its own citizens. He recruited current and former military, police and first responders.

Rhodes, out of high school, joined the Army and became a paratrooper, but was honorably discharged after he was injured during a night parachuting accident, according to a biography on the Southern Poverty Law Center's website on extremism.

He went to night school at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. His first job in politics was supervising interns for Ron Paul, who was then a Republican congressman from Texas. Rhodes later went to Yale Law School, graduating in 2004 and clerking for Arizona Supreme Court Justice Michael Ryan.

Rhodes moved to Montana and relocated his defense practice there but took a hard right turn away from politics the SPLC said, and launched the Oath Keepers.

He has said there were about 40,000 Oath Keepers at its peak; one extremism expert estimates the group's membership stands at about 3,000 nationally. Before long, Rhodes was neglecting his law practice to work on the Oath Keepers. He was disbarred in 2015.

Members pledge to fulfill the oath all military and police take to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,' and to defend the Constitution, according to its website.

Their motto: Not on our watch!"

The Oath Keepers engaged in a series of confrontations with the government during years of Barack Obama's presidency. The most notable was an armed standoff against the federal government at Bundy Ranch in Bunkerville, Nevada.

Then Trump was elected in 2016. While Rhodes insisted the Oath Keepers were nonpartisan, they came to the nation's capital in January 2017, when Trump took office, to protect peaceful American patriots from radical leftists."

During this time, Rhodes became increasingly conspiratorial, adopting and peddling a number of fringe right-wing conspiracy theories with the assistance of his friend Alex Jones, according to the book Oath Keepers: Patriotism and the Edge of Violence in a Right-Wing Antigovernment Group, by University at Albany assistant professor Sam Jackson. Jones is a conspiracy theorist and Infowars host.

When it looked like Trump was going to lose the 2020 presidential election to Biden, the Oath Keepers got to work, prosecutors said.

___

On Nov. 9, 2020, Rhodes instructed his followers during a GoToMeeting call to go to Washington to let Trump know that the people are behind him, and he expressed hope that Trump would call up the militia to help stay in power, authorities say.

It will be a bloody and desperate fight, Rhodes warned. We are going to have a fight. That can't be avoided.

The Oath Keepers worked as if they were going to war, discussing weapons and training. Days before the attack on the Capitol, one defendant suggested in a text message getting a boat to ferry weapons across the Potomac River to their waiting arms, prosecutors say.

On Dec. 14, 2020, as the electors in the states cast their votes, Rhodes published a letter on the Oath Keepers' website advocating for the use of force to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power, according to the documents.

As that transition in Washington drew close, Oath Keepers spoke of an arsenal they would keep just a few minutes away and grab if needed. Rhodes is accused of spending $15,500 on firearms and related equipment including a shotgun, AR-15, mounts, triggers, scopes and magazines, prosecutors said.

Others came prepared, too.

Everyone coming has their own technical equipment and knows how to use it, wrote Edward Vallejo, who also was charged in the conspiracy.

Oath Keepers staged the guns in hotels just outside of the District of Columbia. Rhodes said they were QRFs military-speak for quick reaction force, according to court papers.

___

On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Vallejo and others were on a podcast discussing the possibility of armed conflict. Members turned up wearing camouflaged combat attire and in helmets. They entered the Capitol with the large crowds of rioters who 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," a military term. 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.

Other Trump supporters were getting in the fray, too.

The building was breached. The congressional certification had stopped. Rumors circulated that the left-wing antifa had breached the seat of American democracy. Nope. I'm right here, these are Patriots, Rhodes wrote to his leadership group in a secure chat.

All I see Trump doing is complaining," Rhodes wrote, according to prosecutors. "I see no attempt by him to do anything. So the patriots are taking it in their own hands. They've had enough.

One of the stacks hunted for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., but could not find her. Members of Congress were cowering in fear and Pelosi had been sent to a secure location. The siege continued for hours, until law enforcement finally gained control.

We are acting like the founding fathers" one wrote in the throes of the melee. "Can't stand down.

___

An Oath Keeper was the first defendant to plead guilty in the Jan. 6 melee. Jon Ryan Schaffer also agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation and the Justice Department has promised to consider putting him in the witness security program, suggesting it saw him as a valuable cooperator in the probe.

Other cracks in the group are showing. Before his arrest, Rhodes sought to distance himself from those who have been arrested, insisting the members went rogue and there was never a plan to enter the Capitol.

Court documents show discord among the group as early as the night of the attack. Someone identified in the records only as Person Eleven blasted the group a huge fn joke and called Rhodes the dumba I heard you were, court documents say.

After the riot, the North Carolina Oath Keepers branch said it was splitting from Rhodes' group. Its president told The News Reporter newspaper it wouldn't be a part of anything that terrorizes anybody or goes against law enforcement.

A leader of an Arizona chapter also slammed Rhodes and those facing charges, saying on CBS' 60 Minutes that the attack goes against everything we've ever taught, everything we believe in.

The Oath Keepers are having money troubles, too. The group lost the ability to process credit card payments online after the company demanded that Rhodes disavow the arrested members and he refused, Rhodes said in a March interview for far-right website Gateway Pundit. People are instructed instead to mail in applications and dues.

___

For a long time it didn't look as though Rhodes would be charged. More than a dozen of his members were arrested on conspiracy accusations, and Rhodes was referred to in their indictments as Person One."

But as the months wore on it seemed increasingly unlikely anyone would face anything more serious like sedition  when two or more people in the United States. conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the government, or to levy war against it, or to oppose by force and try to prevent the execution of any law.

That's in part because such charges are rarely used and hard to win. The last time U.S. prosecutors brought 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. The last successful prosecution was in 1995 when an Egyptian cleric and nine followers were convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges in a plot to blow up the United Nations, the FBI's building, and two tunnels and a bridge linking New York and New Jersey.

The Jan 6 investigation has been long and tedious. The FBI is still looking for suspects and agents have combed through a mountain of evidence to link people with images from the day.

So far, more than 700 people have been charged. Most face lower-level crimes of entering a restricted building. About 150 people have been charged with assaulting police officers at the Capitol. And members of another far-right group the Proud Boys have been indicted on simple conspiracy charges that bring five years behind bars if convicted.

Rhodes was arrested Thursday and faced a judge on Friday who ordered him held in custody. After the hearing, his lawyers said he entered a not guilty plea and plans to fight the charges against him.

Jackson, the author of the Oath Keepers book, said Rhodes has been good at staying out of trouble in the past, but his public rhetoric became much more inflammatory leading up to Jan. 6 attack.

This is entirely speculation on my part, but perhaps Rhodes felt like he would no longer get the attention that he needed if he continued to be moderate and had to become more inflammatory in his rhetoric, he said. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Paris [France], January 17 (ANI/Xinhua): The French National Assembly, or the lower house of the Parliament, adopted on Sunday evening a law which will transform the health pass into a stricter vaccine pass in a bid to curb the country's surging COVID-19 cases.

The National Assembly adopted the law by a vote of 215 for and 58 against and after debates and discussions during the past two weeks.i

Also Read | US President Joe Biden and Japan PM Fumio Kishida to Meet Virtually on January 21, to Discuss Quad.

The French government hopes to adopt the law as soon as possible after the approval of the Constitutional Council, the country's highest constitutional authority.

Under the new law, negative COVID-19 tests will no longer be valid to gain access to public venues. Bars, restaurants and cafes are allowed to verify the identity of vaccine pass holders when in doubt.

Also Read | UK Considers Scrapping All COVID-19 Tests for Vaccinated Travellers.

The vaccine pass concerns people over the age of 16. Children between the ages of 12 to 15 are not obliged to have a vaccine pass but must present a health pass.

On Thursday, the French Ministry of Health announced that at least 600,000 people would lose their health pass on Jan. 15 as they have not received their booster shot.

France reported on Thursday 305,322 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (ANI/Xinhua)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo, Jan 17 (PTI) Sri Lanka will hold talks with the Indian Oil Corporation on Tuesday as part of a desperate measure to tide over the current fuel and energy crisis faced by the island nation, Power Minister Gamini Lokuge said on Monday.

Lokuge said that the talks with the Indian Oil Corporation's local entity would be held for a solution to the fuel crisis.

Also Read | Turkish Businessman Claims Former Girlfriend Stole His Sperm to Get Pregnant.

The Lanka IOC, the Sri Lankan subsidiary of India's oil major Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), has been in operation in Sri Lanka since 2002.

I have asked my officials to start talks with the LIOC tomorrow (Tuesday), I will join if necessary, the power minister said.

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He said that the continuous electricity supply could be assured until January 22. Previously, he said the supplies could be ensured until January 18.

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila had said that there was no point in discussing with the power ministry on continued supplies of diesel and furnace oil required to generate power.

They must find their own dollars to pay for the supplies and order their requirements well in advance, Gammanpila said.

He said that the country's national carrier, Srilankan Airlines, had found dollars on their own to pay for fuel supplies.

Sri Lanka is currently facing a severe foreign exchange crisis with falling reserves.

The country is grappling with a shortage of almost all essentials due to the lack of dollars to pay for the imports.

Additionally, power cuts are imposed at peak hours as the state power entity is unable to obtain fuel to run turbines.

The state fuel entity has stopped oil supplies as the electricity board has large unpaid bills. The only refinery was recently shut as it was unable to pay dollars for crude imports.

Early this week, the Indian government announced a billion dollar assistance package in addition to other balance of payment support to Sri Lanka.

The billion dollar loan credit facility is to be used to avert a food crisis while allowing for the import of items and medicines. Additionally, there will be USD 500 million for importing fuel from India.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sindh [Pakistan] January 17 (ANI): Defying all restrictions, a massive protest was organised by political activists and people of Sindh to mark the 118th birth anniversary of veteran Sindhi nationalist leader G.M. Syed at and around Syed's grave in Sann town of Pakistan's Sindh province.

The Sindhi nationalist parties raised pro-freedom slogans and condemned Pakistan and China for exploiting their resources.

Also Read | Turkish Businessman Claims Former Girlfriend Stole His Sperm to Get Pregnant.

The activists of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) carried banners asking the United Nations to fulfil their demand for freedom from Pakistan. The banners said, "United Nations - Pakistan is a terrorist state", "Sindhi Nation wants freedom of Sindhudesh" and "No China Go China".

The JSMM said, "The Sindhi nation considers China's presence in Sindh's territorial waters as China's aggression against Sindh".

Also Read | Abu Dhabi Airport Attack: 2 Indians, 1 Pakistani National Killed, Yemen-Based Iran-Backed Houthis Claim Drone Attack on Three Oil Tankers; Heres What We Know So Far.

Shafi Burfat, the chairman of JSMM said, "The Sindhi nation today had a big protest against the presence of China on the coast of Sindh and the construction of a naval base. The United Nations and the international community have been urged to immediately stop China from building any construction project on the coast of Sindh".

Burfat, who is now living in exile in Germany added, "The international community should put pressure on China to end its occupation of the Sindh coast".

Every year, the Sindhi nationalist parties organise massive events in Sann town on the birth anniversary of G.M. Syed. After the independence of Pakistan, he became the first political prisoner of the state in 1948.

Syed restated the political implementation of Sufi ideologies which advocated for Islamic principles, secularism, Sindhi nationalism and laid the basis for the Sindhudesh Movement. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], January 17 (ANI): Pakistan President Arif Alvi on Sunday apologised to a senior citizen over the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) administrative injustice and directed its chairman to take strict action against officers involved in the matter.

Expressing dismay over the treatment meted out to 82-year-old Abdul Hamid Khan, the president said that "their heads should hang in shame" for the inconvenience caused, reported Geo News.

Also Read | UK Considers Scrapping All COVID-19 Tests for Vaccinated Travellers.

FBR had refused to refund an ageing taxpayer a paltry sum of Rs 2,333 on frivolous grounds and dragged the citizen into unnecessary litigation spanning over a year.

"Punitive action must be taken along the entire line of decision-makers in this case and the FBR chairman should ensure that those responsible, in particular, and others, in general, go through courses to learn priorities and courtesy," he said.

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The president while rejecting FBR's appeal observed that it appeared that unlawful treatment was meted out "with a view to irritate and humiliate" the ageing pensioner, reported Geo News.

Khan had claimed a refund of Rs 2,333 on his income tax return for the year 2020 and submitted requisite documents of advance tax deduction of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited and cell phone company bills on October 19, 2020.

The FBR unit officer rejected his refund claim on January 29, 2021, on the grounds that the applicant had failed to furnish the original certificates required for authentication.

Khan then took up the matter with the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) to seek redressal of his complaint, reported Geo News.

The FTO investigated the matter and ordered FBR to revisit the impugned order and pass a fresh order after providing the complainant with the opportunity for a hearing as per the law.

The ombudsman further ordered the FBR to identify and initiate disciplinary proceedings against the official who passed the impugned order in derogation of the law and procedures and dragged the ageing taxpayer into unnecessary litigation as well as report compliance within 45 days, reported Geo News.

Consequently, the FBR filed a representation with the president against the original order of the FTO. Alvi rejected the representation of the FBR and upheld the FTO's decision.

The president termed the failure of the officer to verify the bills himself as shirking from responsibility and an act of maladministration. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], January 17 (ANI): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that four Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders are "hell-bent on removing Nawaz Sharif from the party," local media has reported.

Geo tv quoting Fawad reported that there is a "rat race going on among senior PML-N members as to who would lead the party next," adding that, "four top-most party leaders want to remove PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in a bid to take over the party's leadership."

Also Read | US President Joe Biden and Japan PM Fumio Kishida to Meet Virtually on January 21, to Discuss Quad.

According to the Pakistani outlet, the Minister even claimed that the four members he was referring to "even went out to meet someone and confessed that since Nawaz had treated the country in a bad manner, they should instead be given a chance to lead the party."

Speaking about the "lack of coordination and trust" among Opposition parties, Fawad said that there is "so much mistrust among the three Opposition parties -- PML-N, PPP, and JUI -- that they don't even blink an eye lest the other one should strike a deal," as per Geo tv.

Also Read | UK Considers Scrapping All COVID-19 Tests for Vaccinated Travellers.

In November 2019, Nawaz Sharif left Pakistan and went to London medical treatment following the Imran government's approval for the visit.

Following the recommendations of the medical board, the Pakistan government will decide the next course of action to bring back Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan and to initiate legal proceedings against Shahbaz Sharif as the guarantor of his brother.

Last year in December, Pakistan's Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar had said that Nawaz Sharif had been cornered in the UK as Islamabad was actively pursuing his extradition case. Akbar had also said that Sharif was a convict and was not even entitled to get a visit visa as per UK's immigration laws. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington [US], January 17 (ANI): Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist serving more than 80-years sentence in the US, has once again come to the limelight after her release was sought by the British hostage-taker at a Texas synagogue last week.

Malik Faisal Akram, 44, took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue, that was termed as an "act of terror" by US President Joe Biden. Akram was killed on Sunday after a tense standoff.

Also Read | US President Joe Biden and Japan PM Fumio Kishida to Meet Virtually on January 21, to Discuss Quad.

In light of this incident, an analysis by the American Enterprise Institute said Pakistan has once again emerged as a terror-sponsoring country after this hostage incident.

In Pakistan, Siddiqui became a cause celebre. Pakistan's president, prime minister, and foreign minister all brought up her case with their American counterparts, and the Pakistani senate called on the US to release her.

Also Read | UK Considers Scrapping All COVID-19 Tests for Vaccinated Travellers.

Siddiqui's case continues to draw attention ever since she was arrested in the eastern Afghan province of Ghazni in 2008 over plans to make "dirty bombs" and to attack US cities, according to the American broadcaster Voice of America (VOA). Her family and lawyers have denied the charges.

Most Americans are unaware of Siddiqui's case, but militant groups have been seeking her release and using the case to gain more recruits, the report said.

The conviction of Siddiqui in 2010 had sparked outrage in Pakistan. Later, the Pakistani Senate had passed a resolution in 2018, calling her "Daughter of the Nation" and urged the government to take "concrete steps" for her repatriation.

While the news of Siddiqui's arrest passed with little notice in the US, her conviction led to widespread demonstrations in Pakistan and to demands that Pakistani authorities suspend the delivery of supplies for the war effort in Afghanistan.

"Siddiqui isn't well known in the US, but in Pakistan, she's a big name -- many view her as an innocent victim. Also, at one point, ISIS had demanded that she be released in exchange for ISIS captives," Michael Kugelman, the deputy director of the Asia program at Washington's Wilson Center, wrote on Twitter.

Back in July last year, Siddiqui suffered serious injuries after an inmate attacked her.

According to VOA, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry took up the matter with US authorities through its embassy in Washington. The attack had also prompted protests by rights activists and religious groups in the US, calling for Siddiqui's repatriation to Pakistan. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
When Mayor Adams recently stated his intent to keep some form of punitive segregation, or solitary confinement, at Rikers Island and other jail complexes, I almost didnt believe my ears.

I was charged as an adult and sent to Rikers at age 16, where I stayed for more than a year. Later, still a teenager, I was re-incarcerated at a jail upstate, where I spent a total of 905 days in solitary confinement. I know all too well that the inhumane conditions in New Yorks jails directly undermine the goals of safety and rehabilitation  goals that the new mayor has rightly put at the center of his criminal justice agenda.

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If Adams truly wants to make our jails and streets safer, he should be working to improve conditions and opportunities for the incarcerated, not double down on practices like solitary confinement that have been shown to hurt the cause. This means, for one, expediting the closing of the complex at Rikers  a modern-day torture island where at least 15 people lost their lives in 2021  as fast as possible.

(Bebeto Matthews/HANDOUT)

But to truly improve the chances for rehabilitation statewide, lawmakers in Albany should address a more hidden, but no less consequential, practice in New Yorks prisons: forced labor. Due to an insidious loophole in the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery except as a punishment for crime, today involuntary servitude is permitted throughout our nations prisons and jails. Which means the 13th Amendment, with that small exception, did not in fact eliminate slavery in America, but rather cemented it into perpetuity.

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In New York State, many of the 30,000-plus people incarcerated  a population that is 50% Black and 22% Hispanic  are forced to work, producing upwards of $53 million in annual revenue for the state through Corcraft, a division of the Department of Corrections. Yet the average detainee in New York State prisons earns just $0.65 an hour, without access to any federal or state worker protections.

Others, including myself when I was incarcerated, make only $0.16 an hour, the minimum wage in New Yorks prisons, which hasnt increased since 1992 even as the prices of commissary items have skyrocketed. By contrast, the current minimum wage in New York State is $13.20, meaning that, assuming identical hours, someone incarcerated making 16 cents an hour would have to work more than six years to make what someone working at a typical minimum wage job makes in just one month.

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Incarcerated people are working for these wages while making products we all rely on: manufacturing license plates, answering calls to the DMV, even making the emergency hand sanitizer New Yorkers used to protect themselves at the peak of the pandemic. Imagine doing work critical to the health of communities, for 40 hours a week, on your feet all day, to only receive $5 in your account  enough money to buy toothpaste, a stamp to write a loved one, and two single ramen soups.

Is it all that surprising, then, that the recidivism rate in New York is 41% when we treat detainees as less than human, deprive them of any chance to accumulate savings, and provide limited quality education and training opportunities while incarcerated that will prepare them to transition to a job when released. If we care about safety and rehabilitation in our prisons, we must expand opportunities to people while they serve their time. Gov. Hochuls recent call to reverse the ban on financial aid to those incarcerated, among other proposed reforms, is a promising first step.

We also need to create humane working conditions for incarcerated workers, which is why this month, a coalition of criminal justice and civil rights groups are launching #FixThe13thNY. The campaign will pressure New York lawmakers to pass legislation to ensure that incarcerated people in New York arent compelled or coerced to work against their will, such as state Sen. Zellnor Myries Abolish Penal Servitude Act, and to raise the wages for detainees to $3 an hour consistent with a growing trend nationwide.

Raising wages and improving prison working conditions will help incarcerated people control their own future. Money earned while in prison can help the formerly incarcerated overcome the tremendous barriers to education, employment and housing they face upon release.

The vestiges of slavery can be seen in every facet of our criminal justice system. As the scholar Michelle Alexander has written, more Black men are behind bars or under the watch of the criminal justice system today than were enslaved in 1850.

In 2022, there is no excuse that actual slavery  in the form of forced prison labor, at close-to-nothing wages, under callous conditions  should be tolerated in the United States. New York lawmakers should affirm that such a practice is indefensible and not welcome in this state.

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Guzman is a policy entrepreneur at Next100, a think tank for a new generation of policy leaders, and founder of the #FixThe13thNY campaign.
London [UK], January 17 (ANI): Greater Manchester police on Sunday (local time) arrested two teenagers as part of the Texas synagogue attack probe.

"As part of the ongoing investigation into the attack that took place at a Synagogue in Texas on 15 January 2022, Officers from Counter Terror Policing North West have made two arrests in relation to the incident," read Greater Manchester police statement.

Also Read | UK Considers Scrapping All COVID-19 Tests for Vaccinated Travellers.

Two teenagers were detained in South Manchester this evening. They remain in custody for questioning.

Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) North West and CTP International operations continues to assist the investigation being led by the US authorities, and police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance, added the statement.

Also Read | Davos Agenda Summit 2022: PM Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping to Deliver Special Addresses Tomorrow.

Earlier, a 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram was killed on Sunday after a tense standoff.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Akram, who was demanding the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

At least four people were taken hostages, including a Rabbi by Akram at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville for more than ten hours on Saturday. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Actor Ali Fazal, who is currently busy with the shoot of his upcoming Hollywood film Kandahar, recently shared images on his social media where he can be seen standing next to co-stars Navid Negahban and Gerard Butler, with a rather quirky expression. The actor took to his Instagram and shared two images from an evening well spent. He wrote in the caption, "This one is for LOVE!! Christmas with the Kandahar gang!! Some here and some still on the dance floor.. and am sorry I have no freakkn clue why I am holding an ostrich egg in my hand!!! Or is it?? ( WELCOME TO JURASSIC PARK , T Afghan Rex ) (sic)." Richa Chadha Mad Proud of Ali Fazal in Death on the Nile; Shares Beaus Character Poster From Kenneth Branaghs Crime Thriller.

He added in the caption, "I am sorry Gerry Butler I am just tagging you now.. gona shake things up at your instagram station a little..!! Navid jan, you are all heart and I love you . Thats all. Bahador meet me soon. Vas I got the reservation!!!!!!! @gerardbutler @bahador_foladi @navidnegahban @vassilis_kookie (sic)." Ali Fazal Shares A New Still From Death On The Nile And Compliments Co-Star Gal Gadot.

Bankrolled by 'John Wick' fame Thunder Road Films and Capstone group, 'Kandahar' which commenced shooting in Saudi Arabia's Al-'Ula in December, is based on true incidents as it draws inspiration from the life of a former military intelligence officer's experiences at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Afghanistan.

Ali Fazal With Gerard Butler and Team on Kandahar Sets

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ali fazal (@alifazal9)

This film marks the first collaboration between Ali and director Ric Roman Waugh, who has previously worked with Butler in 'Greenland' and 'Angel Has Fallen'. On the work front, Ali is shooting for filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj's directorial 'Khufiya' and is awaiting the release of his next 'Death On The Nile' based on the book of same name by Agatha Christie. The film is slated for a worldwide release on February 11.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 17, 2022 02:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases worldwide caused by the Delta variant and the Omicron Variant, Governments have been making COVID-19 shots mandatory for health workers and other high-risk groups.

The Indian government on January 13, told the Supreme Court that it has not issued any guideline that urges vaccination without consent, or makes a vaccination certificate mandatory for any purpose. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that no person can be forced to be vaccinated against their wishes. In other words, India is not endorsing a vaccine mandate, which some countries are in favour of. India's First Homegrown mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine to Be Tested Amid Omicron Spike: Official Sources

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that it warns against vaccine mandates unless all other options have been exhausted.

But a growing number of countries are making shots compulsory for public servants and other workers. COVID-19 Vaccination for 12-14 Age Group Likely from March 2022, Says Top Govt Expert

Heres a look at some of the countries and their outlook towards vaccine mandates:

AUSTRIA: All aged over 18 must be vaccinated from February 2022; holdouts can be fined up to 3,600 euros every 3 months. Only pregnant women and those who cannot get the vaccines on medical grounds will be exempted.

France: The French parliament approved a law that will bar unvaccinated people from accessing bars and restaurants. Further Public officials or employees, including civil security pilots, flight personnel providing care for victims, soldiers permanently assigned to civil security missions, firefighter need to be vaccinated.

UK: Starting April 1, it will be mandatory for health and social care workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Italy: In January, the country made vaccines mandatory for individuals above 50 years. It is already mandatory for teachers and healthcare workers to be vaccinated.

Morocco: A vaccine certificate is required to access government buildings and visit places including bars, restaurants and hotels.

Germany: The country plans to make vaccines mandatory for all adults from February.

ECUADOR: The country has made covid vaccines obligatory except for people who have a relevant medical condition or incompatibility.

POLAND: Starting From March, vaccines will be mandatory for teachers, security personnel and uniformed services.

New Zealand: Vaccines are Mandatory for health and disability sector workers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 17, 2022 11:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Allu Arjun's Pushpa has been a huge pandemic hit especially the Hindi dubbed version of the film that did a lifetime collection of more than Rs 75 crore. Banking on Allu Arjun's star power, the makers of his Telugu hit Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo has decided to release its Hindi dubbed version in theatres on January 26.

Check Out the Tweet Below:

ALLU ARJUN: AFTER 'PUSHPA', NOW HINDI DUBBED VERSION OF 'ALA VAIKUNTHAPURRAMULOO' IN CINEMAS... After the historic success of #PushpaHindi, #AlluArjun's much-loved and hugely successful #Telugu film #AlaVaikunthapurramuloo has been dubbed in #Hindi and will release in *cinemas*. pic.twitter.com/1jqkcqCEzI  taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 17, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
After recovering from #COVID19, BJP president JP Nadda reached BJP headquarters. He will hold meetings related to Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand. pic.twitter.com/qKdkcLRPKE ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said that the Punjab chief ministerial candidate will be announced tomorrow at 12 pm. Last week, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal asked people to give suggestions as to who should be the party's CM face in the upcoming Punjab Assembly polls 2022. The Punjab polls are scheduled for February 14 and the result will be announced on March 10.

Check Tweet:

Punjab CM face will be announced tomorrow at 12pm: AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/4oX3NBAiZI  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Miep Gies, who played a pivotal role in introducing to the world the poignant diary of the young Anne Frank and in relating the Frank familys failed attempt to hide from the Nazis, has died. She was 100.

Gies died Monday after a short illness, according to an announcement on her website. No other details were provided.

The scattered papers Gies gathered up after Anne and her family were taken from their hiding place in Amsterdam to concentration camps were later compiled by Annes father into one of the most widely read nonfiction books of all time.

According to the Anne Frank Center USA in New York City, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl has been translated into more than 67 languages and tens of millions of copies have sold since its publication in 1947. For millions of young people, Annes story is their initial exposure to the Holocaust.

The famous words from Annes closing passage -- I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart -- have inspired hope and tolerance for the generations after World War II who have tried to grasp the horror of the annihilation of millions of Jews under Adolf Hitler.

Yet Annes story might never have surfaced had it not been for Gies, a Christian, who said in her 90s that she felt no fear when she risked her life to protect and bring provisions to the Frank family during the war.

Real strength is being able to carry on when times are hard, Gies told Oprah magazine in 2002. I had no time to occupy myself with fear. There was work to be done.

Modest fame

After the war, Gies enjoyed modest fame for her part in keeping Anne Frank and her family alive while they hid from the Nazis and for rescuing Annes writings in the hope of returning them to Anne after the war.

Anne, almost 16, and her sister Margot, 19, both died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp a few weeks before it was liberated

For the Dutch, Gies, who was the last survivor of the Franks five most important helpers, is very much the heroine of the Anne Frank story, since she represents the ideal, according to Carol Ann Lees 2003 book The Hidden Life of Otto Frank.

On what would have been Anne Franks 75th birthday, Gies, then 96, told People magazine: I have written many things about her. But, after all this time, it is still extremely painful that Anne didnt live -- that none of them did.

Miep Gies -- pronounced Meep Gees -- was born Hermine Santrouschitz in Vienna on Feb. 15, 1909, five years before World War I began in Europe. The war caused widespread food shortages and, like many, young Gies became sick from malnutrition.

At 11, Gies was sent to the Netherlands by her parents, who were concerned for her welfare. I was bundled up in whatever my parents could find and taken to the cavernous Vienna railway station, she said. She recalled thinking, What have I done to be so ill and abandoned?

Years later, she realized, it was this thought that surfaced when she saw what was happening to the Jews under Hitler.

Many other sickly children also were waiting with Gies for the train, all with the same cards hung about their necks. Hers had the name of people she had never met, who spoke Dutch, not German. She rarely saw her birth parents after that.

Her new family, who eventually moved from a small town in Holland to the bustling city of Amsterdam, gave her the Dutch nickname Miep.

In 1933, Gies took an office job with Otto Frank, whose firm specialized in pectin and spices. Frank had recently left Germany because of Hitlers anti-Jewish policies, and his family, including his youngest daughter, Anne, were soon to follow.

Over the years, Anne grew to idolize the older and more glamorous Gies, who had blond hair and blue eyes. When Gies married social worker Jan Gies in 1941, she said Anne treated us almost as though we were two movie stars.

The wedding was the last public celebration that Anne would attend.

In the months leading up to the Franks disappearance from the public eye, they listened to the radio with Gies and heard the increasingly bad news.

Dark days

On May 10, 1940, the Germans entered the Netherlands. Within four days, the country was in Hitlers hands, and things began a slow spiral into despair.

In the spring of 1942, Otto Frank confided to Gies that he and his wife and two daughters -- 14-year-old Anne and 16-year-old Margot -- were planning to go under -- to go into hiding upstairs at his offices at 263 Prinsengracht.

Miep, are you willing to take on the responsibility of taking care of us while we are in hiding? Frank asked Gies.

Of course, she replied.

After the war, when questioned about this almost casual response, she explained that she knew instantly that if she refused, she could foresee many sleepless nights because remorse and regret can be worse than losing your life.

That summer, on a rainy Monday, the Franks officially disappeared behind a bookcase into the upstairs rooms they would occupy for the next 25 months.

Gies was one of their first visitors. But, seeing their grief, she offered to go find some food, wanting to leave them alone.

They had simply closed the door of their lives and had vanished from Amsterdam, Gies said. Mrs. Franks face said it all. Quickly, I left them.

For the next two years, until the Franks and four others, who later went into hiding with them, were ultimately betrayed, Gies and her husband used pluck and illegal ration cards to provide food and other supplies to the upstairs prisoners.

Gies would visit in the morning before she reported for her office duties, and again in the evening after everyone had left. During the day, the family barely moved, fearful that the slightest sound would reveal their presence to the other workers downstairs.

A hunter

Because I was a lifeline, I felt myself to be a kind of hunter, Gies said, ever hunting for my always-hungry brood. Others quietly helped -- a butcher, a baker, a greengrocer.

During the familys confinement, Gies and the others were aware that Anne was writing in the red-orange checkered cloth-bound diary that her father had given her for her 13th birthday, a few weeks before they went into hiding.

Anne, who wanted to become a writer, had begun her diary with girlish entries. But after going into hiding she became a more serious writer.

Anne referred to Gies numerous times in her diary: Miep is just like a pack mule, she fetches and carries so much. Miep has made a lovely Christmas cake, on which she has written Peace 1944.  It seems as if we are never far from Mieps thoughts.

Meanwhile, the Gieses also took a young Jewish man into hiding in their apartment, stretching their rations even further.

After many months, there was good news on the war front in Europe, but the Netherlands was still in the grip of the Nazis. On Aug. 4, 1944 -- a Friday morning, as lunchtime approached -- a man showed up at the office and pointed a revolver at Gies and her fellow workers.

The secret hiding quarters had been betrayed and, as a grief-stricken Gies watched, the Franks were taken into custody by the Gestapo.

I could tell from their footsteps that they were coming down like beaten dogs, she said. But I could not go to them and say goodbye. 

Gies, who was suspected of hiding them, escaped arrest only because one of the officers was a fellow Viennese and he let her go. She later said she always felt guilty about that.

After the officers left with their prisoners, Gies and some others found the hiding place ransacked. Fearing that the officers would return looking for valuables, Gies scanned the chaos and spotted Annes diary on the floor.

I knew how precious [it] was to Anne, Gies wrote.

The diary and many other of Annes papers were quickly gathered up and dumped into Gies office drawer, unlocked. She intended to return them to Anne when she came back to Amsterdam.

Ten months later, the war was over. Otto Frank returned -- the only survivor of the camps among his family and his friends in hiding.

Annes mother, Edith, died at Auschwitz.

Voice from the past

The day Otto Frank heard the news about his daughters in a letter he received in his office, a shocked Gies reached into the drawer of her desk and took out Annes unread diary and papers.

Gies said, Here is your daughter Annes legacy to you. He touched it with his fingers.

When Frank could finally bring himself to read it, he began translating the diary into German for his mother to read.

Later, someone saw excerpts and asked for more. Eventually a publisher convinced a reluctant Frank to allow the book to be published. It was first titled Het Achterhuis, or The Annex, Annes nickname for the rooms they occupied.

Gies, still grieving for Anne and Annes mother and sister, was unable to read the diary until well into its second printing. She believed she would be invading Annes privacy and that it would be too painful. At Otto Franks urging, she sat down with it.

I read the whole diary without stopping. I heard Annes voice come back to speak to me from where she had gone.

But, she told the Washington Post years later, had she read it before she turned it over to Annes father, she probably would have burned it.

Anne had written [about] other people that were in hiding -- by name, she explained. The Nazis would have come for them.

After the war, Gies devoted herself to raising a son, who was born in 1950. Otto Frank lived with the Gieses for several years before moving to Switzerland. He died in 1980.

Though reluctant to take credit for helping the Franks while they were in hiding, Gies was glad that she could help fulfill Annes life ambition of being immortalized through her writing.

I could not save Annes life, she said. However, I did save her diary, and by that I could help her most important dreams to come true.

In 1996, Gies was knighted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

Jan Gies died in 1993. Gies is survived by her son and three grandchildren.

news.obits@latimes.com

Luther is a former Times staff writer.
When the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stepped out of his car on Aug. 5, 1966, in his usual dark suit and polished shoes, he was met by a line of police and a mob of angry white people. His struggle hadnt gotten easier.

As the 37-year-old civil rights leader strode toward several hundred supporters, a stone sailed through the air and struck King, sending him to one knee. Aides shielded the Nobel laureate from bricks and bottles hurled by the furious crowd.

King had faced violence before. But this time, he wasnt in the Jim Crow South. He was in Chicago.

Fifty years ago this January, King embarked on a less-remembered chapter from the final years of his life, a battle that ultimately went unfinished  a campaign against poverty and de facto segregation in the North that was met with institutional resistance, skepticism from other activists and open violence.

I have never seen, even in Mississippi and Alabama, mobs as hateful as Ive seen here in Chicago, King told reporters that day, stripping off his tie and vowing to continue demonstrating. Yes, its definitely a closed society. Were going to make it an open society.

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As the nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, many will hail signature moments from earlier in his career, such as the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott in 1955 and 1956, and the I Have a Dream speech in 1963.

Less likely to be celebrated: Kings battle against economic inequality, which historians say improved conditions for some black Chicagoans, but not all.

There has been and hasnt been change; it depends on how you look at it, said Timuel D. Black, a 97-year-old Chicago historian and activist who knew King and protested with him. For middle-class African Americans, it made desirable housing and schools more accessible and available.

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But, Black added, Those at the bottom are really no better off.

By 1966, Congress and the Supreme Court had struck blows against the legal regime of white supremacy upheld by the Bull Connors and George Wallaces of the South.

But King and fellow organizers with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference saw misery in the North as well. Southern blacks who had moved to Chicago in search of better jobs and better lives instead met firebombings and racist housing covenants that squeezed them into crowded slums on the citys South and West sides.

Here, King agreed, was the next great struggle.

Announcing on Jan. 7, 1966, the first significant Northern freedom movement ever attempted by major civil rights forces, King said Chicago would be the first front in a campaign for justice against the involuntary enslavement of blacks in Northern slums.

I have never seen, even in Mississippi and Alabama, mobs as hateful as Ive seen here in Chicago.  The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., in 1966

In Chicago, King said, the objective will be to bring about the unconditional surrender of forces dedicated to the creation and maintenance of slums and ultimately make slums a moral and financial liability upon the whole community.

Instead of focusing on narrow targets such as lunch counters or buses, the Chicago Freedom Movement would fight everything: slumlords, realtors and Mayor Richard J. Daleys Democratic machine.

There were people in Chicago who felt proud  both black and white, the activists  that he would come to Chicago, Black said of King recently.

But the going was tough. The civil rights movement had started to splinter. There were more militant activists who disagreed with Kings nonviolent tactics, even booing King at one meeting.

NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >>

On July 10, 1966, King spoke to tens of thousands of supporters at Chicagos Soldier Field and, urging a peaceful protest, vowed to fill up the jails of Chicago, if necessary, in order to end slums.

Demonstrators inspired by King advanced peacefully into white neighborhoods, where swastikas bloomed in Chicago parks like misbegotten weeds, King wrote later. Our marchers were met by a hailstorm of bricks, bottles and firecrackers.

An up-and-coming activist named Jesse Jackson made the boldest play yet: a threat to march into Cicero, a nearly 100% white suburb notorious for violent racism. In 1951, a Cicero mob had attacked an apartment building where a black family had moved; earlier in 1966, four whites had beaten a black teenager, Jerome Huey, to death.

Officials called the march suicidal and reached an agreement with activists to improve open housing and desegregation efforts.

King called off further marches, but a splinter group of a few hundred marchers, led by organizers from the Congress of Racial Equality, proceeded to Cicero anyway.

On Sept. 4, 700 police with billy clubs and 2,700 National Guard troops with rifles and bayonets shielded the singing and clapping marchers from hostile white protesters who had a chant of their own: Two, four, six, eight! We dont want to integrate!

Documentary footage showed men on both sides taunting one another through lines of riot police, and the Chicago Tribune reported that white protesters started throwing rocks and bottles at the black marchers, who began throwing items back.

We look back at 1966 as a year of beginnings and of transition, King later wrote. For those of us who came to Chicago from Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama ... we found ourselves confronted by the hard realities of a social system in many ways more resistant to change than the rural South.

Decades later, studies show that many U.S. cities are still largely informally segregated. An enormous wealth gap still separates black and white Americans, and recent protests over police treatment of African Americans have projected deep anger over racial inequality.

Despite reports that say Chicago is still one of the nations most segregated metropolitan areas, older black Chicagoans look around today and see a different city than the one King occupied.

I was born here and have seen the change, and Im amazed, said historian Christopher Reed, a 76-year-old professor emeritus at Roosevelt University.

Everywhere my wife and I travel in this city, we see black faces. Not just working everywhere  theyre living around the city, Reed said. You sure didnt see that when I was growing up in the 50s and 60s.

matt.pearce@latimes.com

Twitter: @MattDPearce

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Hewitt Emerson stuffed himself into a wetsuit, took a deep breath and plunged from a barge into the murky black waters of the Edisto River.

Emerson swam down to the muck of the river bottom more than a dozen feet below. On deck, his buddy Justin Herrington scanned the banks for alligators and monitored drooping live oak limbs for dangling water moccasins  his Ruger P35 pistol close at hand.

They were in search of treasure  hand-cut logs well over a century old, the forgotten legacy of milling operations that flourished along the river until after the Civil War. Emerson was trying to locate the butt end of a shapely longleaf pine hed spotted from the barge. The logs can command thousands of dollars for their intricately beautiful grains and long, straight cuts.

Across the coast of the Southeastern U.S., pine and cypress were harvested into the late 1800s. Most logs were lashed together with metal spike dogs and floated or towed downstream to mills.

Inevitably, many of the timbers broke loose and tumbled to river bottoms or became embedded in riverbanks. They are now perfectly preserved specimens prized for milling into tables, mantles, bed frames, flooring and bar surfaces.

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The special properties of the Edisto River turn old logs into sustained jewels. The Edisto is a black water river  the color of black tea because of tannins, or humic acid, released by rotting vegetation. The tannins preserve the wood, which spends generations in waters depleted of oxygen that would normally cause decay.

For the last three years, Emerson, 28, has steered his barge along rivers in South Carolina in pursuit of sinker wood, as the logs are known. With his unruly hair and shaggy beard, he looks like a laid-back nature child, but is actually a successful Charleston entrepreneur  with interests in Internet services, a restaurant and woodworking.

On this sunny day, he and Herrington were searching for logs to be sliced into slabs at Herringtons sawmill nearby. Herrington is 34, slender and cleanshaven, with curly black hair. Hes a self-described country boy woodworker who lives next door to the sawmill.

Young, active and physically fit, the men are drawn by the lure of the hunt for attractive artifacts they consider potential works of art.

Underwater, Emerson found the end of the pine and struggled to wrap the log with a steel cable. His find was a beauty  nearly 20 feet long, 15 inches in diameter.

Emerson fought the log for a long while, coming up for air several times. He finally got the cable around it and clamped a huge set of metal tongs on the wood.

Herrington cranked the electric winch. The log slowly emerged from the cloudy water like some sea beast, thick and massive, a mottled green and brown.

Oh, yeah  got it! Emerson shouted from the water. You can see the ax-cut on the end.

Herringtons yellow lab, Sinker, padded across the barge to sniff the funky-smelling specimen.

After considerable effort, the men lashed the log to the side of the barge.

Oh, thats a fine log, Herrington said, inspecting the prize. It has a giant heart  I can see that from here.

Known colloquially as a heart pine and commercially as hard pine, the logs core had matured and hardened in the water over the decades to a swirling, tightly packed grain.

Thats a beautiful piece, Emerson said. He shook his head briskly to expel river water from his hair and beard. The rings are tighter than I thought.

The log could be worth up to a couple of thousand dollars, Emerson figured, once it was cut and milled, then dried in a solar-powered kiln.

Herrington said he sold a cypress table for $7,500 and is asking $10,000 for a massive fish he carved from a cypress log. In his workshop, hes also using cypress to fashion an expensive 20-foot-long bar commissioned by a tavern owner.

The two men cut most recovered logs into long slabs that expose the grain. Slabs are what people want, Emerson said. An old tree is great, but a giant slab out of that tree is even better.

Despite the commercial value of sinker wood, few people in South Carolina expend the cost and effort to recover it, said William B. Barr, who owns a marine and terrestrial archaeology company in Leesville.

Its exceedingly dangerous work  not the easy money it might look like on TV, Barr said. If youve got a log on a winch and it slips off on top of you, youre dead.

Barr said he knows of only seven people who hunt sinker wood in the state besides Emerson and Herrington. Only a couple turn a profit.

Sinker wood is also gathered in North Carolina and Florida, said Jim Spirek, South Carolinas state underwater archaeologist.

I get calls from people interested in it  until they find out how much money you have to invest and how hard the work is, he said.

An annual South Carolina recovery permit costs $500 for in-state residents and $1,000 for others, Spirek said. But to legally recover sinker wood, one also must pay $8,000 to $10,000 for a submerged cultural resource survey to inspect and map a mile of river bottom for artifacts such as schooner wrecks, fossils, and man-made artifacts such as sinker wood.

Spirek said Emerson and Herrington were operating with expired annual permits and needed to renew them to avoid fines if they removed any logs from the water. Emerson said he discovered belatedly that the Edisto permit was three days out of date.

Cypress trees were harvested for use in boat hulls and boat decking because of their length and density. Longleaf pines were in such demand for their long, straight trunks that they often were designated kings trees during the colonial era and reserved for making ship masts, Barr said.

The pines were also tapped for rosin and turpentine. Many pine sinker logs recovered today still bear cat face cuts, or chevrons, where the trees were slashed to drain resin.

The standard log was cut 14 1/2 feet long, Barr said, though some logs exceed 16 feet and can weigh hundreds of pounds. Emerson said the biggest specimen hed recovered was a 30-foot cypress. Some trees, especially cypress, were well over a century old when felled.

To locate logs, Emerson often relies on sonar or studies old railroad maps to determine where logs were unloaded from the river. But on this day on the Edisto, he and Herrington used a more basic method  the naked eye.

They scanned the river for floaters  logs that had broken free from the river bottom or banks. They also looked for big naturals  trees that were never logged but tumbled into the water on their own. Those may be taken without a permit, Spirek said, as long as the root ball is left intact.

The men plunged into the water wearing wetsuits and flippers and swam down to search for logs.

Emerson and Herrington discovered several promising specimens and marked the locations on a hand-held GPS device for later retrieval.

Along the weedy riverbank, they stumbled across a massive, partially submerged cypress. Emerson went under and fought to get a cable around it but couldnt shoulder the log out of the muck. He marked the spot on the GPS.

Toward dusk, Herrington turned the barge back toward home. They chugged along the glassy, deserted river past abandoned rice plantations, lurking alligators, white egrets and turtles that slid off logs and plopped into the dark water.

At the landing, sweating and cursing, they managed to get the longleaf pine log tied up along the bank. Then they slogged onto dry land, wet and sunburned, one more sinker log closer to payday.

david.zucchino@latimes.com
In the shadows of Bangkoks glinting high-rises, the plazas of sprawling shopping malls and the cozy courtyards of simpler neighborhoods sit countless tiny monuments to Thais enduring belief in the supernatural.

These miniature shrines, perched on pedestals and topped with sloping roofs, are known as spirit houses. Government buildings have them. So do five-star hotels, apartment buildings, offices, cafes and beauty parlors across Thailands frenetic capital city.

Resembling elaborate dollhouses, they shelter the spirits that are thought to watch over that piece of land  a deity, guardian of the soil or the ghosts of former inhabitants.

More than 90% of Thais practice Buddhism, but the spiritual life of the nation is a rowdy mixture of organized religion and the occult. Astrology, ghosts, Hindu gods, Chinese mythology, magic, superstition and ancient animist beliefs all find a place in modern Thailand  and often side by side, their idols and emblems sharing space under sacred trees and in roadside shrines illuminated by candles and incense sticks.

Some spirit houses are intricate and stunning, carved out of rich teak that signals an owners wealth, and festooned with ribbons and garlands. More modest ones are fashioned from concrete but enlivened with bright paint  reds, yellows and blues that fade gently over time in the moist tropical air.

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A spirit house topped with a prang, or spire, (left) common in Southeast Asian temple architecture and a simple concrete spirit house in a working-class Bangkok neighborhood. (Shashank Bengali / Los Angeles Times)

Inside can be found figurines that personify residents ancestors, or statuettes of horses or elephants that symbolize good fortune. The faithful leave daily offerings of rice, bananas, glasses of water filled to the brim, booze and bottles of sugary soda with straws sticking out.

The drink of choice for spirits, it is said, is strawberry Fanta, because the red color provides a substitute for animal sacrifices, an ancient sign of respect that has fallen out of favor in the modern city.

The common belief is that good spirits, if sheltered and treated with care, will watch over the land and keep the bad spirits away.

If the spirits live happily, we live happily as well, said Kanokporn Puwasawatt, sitting cross-legged on her weather-beaten porch in west Bangkok, where her family builds some of the only wooden spirit houses still being made in the capital.

A genial 54-year-old dressed comfortably in a T-shirt and loose-fitting cotton trousers, Kanokporn lives and works in a simple, two-story house behind a sliding metal gate in a neighborhood of narrow, maze-like streets paved over with concrete.

Before World War II, when her great-grandfather built the house, the surrounding area was farmland and most of the residents worked for a sawmill. Employees took home scraps of wood and in their spare time built spirit houses to supplement their income, a cottage industry of artisans who each specialized in a particular part of the house, Kanokporn said.

Some built the sturdy pedestals that positioned the house at just the right height  enough to mark respect, but not so high that devotees couldnt leave offerings. Others carved the tower-like spires, known as prangs, that adorned more ornate houses or the patterned, multi-tiered roofs that are layered atop one another like sheets of phyllo pastry.

The sawmill closed during the war, and the craftspeoples children and grandchildren moved on to other professions. Bangkok boomed, and factories in other parts of Thailand began churning out spirit houses using younger, less sturdy wood, or cheaper concrete.

Before, 30 houses in this neighborhood used to be involved in this craft, Kanokporn said. Now its only one.

Read this 1985 Times story on Thailands Spirit of Superstition 

Her parents carried on the tradition, but her father, worried Kanokporn would become what we would today call a hipster, pushed her away from studying carving and into computer science. She was working as the manager of a computer company about 20 years ago when her father was stricken with cancer and died.

Kanokporn visited a fortune-teller, who told her she had to take over the family business.

I liked my job, she recalled. And I knew nothing about building spirit houses. But I knew I had to do this.

A few years later, her husband died of an illness. Her mother was slowed by age. But the Thai government began to promote her business at cultural fairs, and she landed custom orders from top businesses, diplomats and Thais living overseas.

Kanokporn Puwasawatt displays a spirit house built in her workshop in Bangkok, Thailand. (Shashank Bengali / Los Angeles Times)

One day she received a call from the head of one of Thailands largest conglomerates, who relayed the story of an English friend who had just completed a diving expedition to a centuries-old shipwreck off Sattahip, on the gulf coast south of Bangkok.

The Englishman said he had been visited in a dream by a ghost who instructed him to build a spirit house near that beach, inscribed with the names of the sailors who had died in the wreck.

The tycoon had determined that the apparition was Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, the 28th child of King Rama V, who ruled Thailand at the turn of the 20th century. The prince founded the modern Thai navy and acquired one of the kingdoms first naval vessels from England as well as designating royal land for a naval base in Sattahip, near the site of the shipwreck.

I got goosebumps, Kanokporn recalled.

The house she built still stands on the beach, one of her favorite creations. Two other favorite works sit next to each other behind an enclosure in a vast pedestrian plaza outside the MBK shopping center in central Bangkok: a large house standing on one leg and guarded by two elephant statues, and a slightly smaller house on four legs.

On a recent afternoon, as shoppers milled about, worshipers stopped in front of each house to light an incense stick or leave food, bowing their heads in a brief prayer.

The typical house takes Kanokporn a month to build and costs more than $1,000. As Thai families move into smaller residences, there is less space for spirit dwellings.

Kanokporn feared that the family trade, which spans four generations, might not see a fifth. Her two children are seeking careers in tech. She has long searched for an apprentice who might take on the business.

Kanokporns spirit house sits outside her home in west Bangkok. (Shashank Bengali / Los Angeles Times)

In front of the house she shares with her 80-year-old mother and sitting on a thick pillar in the shade of an overgrown tree was the familys spirit house, made from teak, with a severe triangular roof. Inside was Phra Chai Mongkol, an angel-like figurine that resembles a Hindu deity and protector, holding a sword in one hand and a bag of money in the other.

Thai spirit houses rest on pedestals and are typically adorned with garlands. (Shashank Bengali / Los Angeles Times)

Outside, Kanokporn had placed a bundle of incense sticks and small statues of horses and elephants, each presented over the years to Phra Chai Mongkol when the family needed a bit of extra luck.

I dont remember now what each of these animals represented, Kanokporn said with a smile and shrug. But the spirit has taken care of us.

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Snow leopards spotted in 10 counties, one district in Nagqu, Tibet

People's Daily Online) 10:34, January 17, 2022

A snow leopard is seen in Nagqu, southwest Chinas Tibet Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy of the Shan Shui Conservation Center)

Infrared cameras have captured images of snow leopards in 10 counties and one district in Nagqu city, southwest Chinas Tibet Autonomous Region, a special survey discovered.

The survey, jointly conducted by the forestry and grassland bureau of Nagqu and the Shan Shui Conservation Center, is the first one that has been carried out across Nagqu to learn about the distribution information of snow leopards. The survey also found that Nagqu is an important habitat for snow leopards, with the health status of all snow leopards inhabiting Nagqu being good. The snow leopard is under first-class national protection in China.

By December 2021, some 143 infrared cameras installed in snow leopards habitats in Nagqu had captured images of the animals more than 100 times over a combined 9,323 days that the cameras were in operation.

In addition to snow leopards, images of other animals that are also under first-class national protection in China, including jackals, Tibetan wild donkeys, alpine musk deer, red gorals and white-lipped deer, as well as 13 animals under second-class national protection in China, have also been captured.

Local herders took part in the survey activities by placing and managing the infrared cameras. Prior to the survey, they had received training on relevant skills, including learning about the habitats of snow leopards and using infrared cameras.

By involving local herders into the program, Nagqu is expected to establish a long-term stable monitoring network. After years of training, the herders are basically capable of carrying out monitoring activities, and they are expected to play a bigger role in this respect if they receive further training, said Zhao Xiang, head of the Shan Shui Conservation Center.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
As the second Black mayor of New York City, I draw daily inspiration from the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. He is more than a prophetic voice that echoes through history. He is a symbol of how to live, and what to live for.

In 1963 in Detroit, King famously said: If a man hasnt found something he will die for, he isnt fit to live. Nearly 60 years later, we must ask ourselves that very question: What are we willing to put on the line in the cause of righteousness?

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Injustice is all around us. We see it in our homeless New Yorkers sleeping in the cold, unsheltered and needing our support. We see it in the huddled families fearing eviction in the aftermath of the pandemics economic devastation. We see it in the attacks on our Asian brothers and sisters, wrongfully blamed for the pandemic itself.

We see it in the fortunes that were built on slavery, desperation and inequality. We see it in environmental racism that pumps out toxic air in communities of color and poisons the water people of color must drink. We see it in the street violence that entangles our young people, in the brutality that keeps them in the pipeline to prison. And we see it in the gun violence that knows no boundaries of color or community.

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The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks to peace marchers near the United Nations. (New York Daily News Archive/New York Daily News)

Racism is resurgent, flooding our social media channels and spilling into the streets as people are radicalized for profit. Voting rights are threatened in full view of every citizen by politicians who have contempt for the will of the people. Americans are frightened that our nation may be headed down the darkest of roads to another civil war. They wonder why they are working so hard, fighting so bravely, enduring so much, only to watch the guilty evade justice and wrongdoers go unpunished for even the most obvious of crimes.

Decades after the marches for civil rights, more Americans may be free  but we are also expendable.

We saw that during the pandemic, when so many essential workers were at risk  doctors, nurses, hospital workers, first responders, teachers, transit workers, delivery people. Two years into this crisis, faced with a loss of faith in our institutions, and growing social and political upheaval, we must ask ourselves what we can do to further the cause of justice, just as King would have.

We must challenge ourselves to take his place. To be King-like. To push through fear to do what is right. We must live out Kings dream in righteous deeds, not just words of praise.

What does being King-like mean in practice? It means supporting and uplifting the entire working class. Equal opportunity, fair pay and union power.

It means housing justice for all, working together as a society to keep people in their homes, in their city, with dignity and affordability.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 21 Civil rights activist and minister Martin Luther King Jr. was known for his leading role in the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, the 1963 March on Washington and many other nonviolent protests for civil rights. His life was tragically cut short on April 4, 1968, when he was assassinated. In honor of his life of activism, take a look back at his life in photos. (Handout)

It means health care for the people. Providing care and compassion wherever it is needed, to anyone who needs it.

It means working to end segregation in our schools  even if it is legal segregation. Separate can never be equal.

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It means protecting civil rights, human rights and the sacred right to vote. Every elected official standing in the way of voting rights legislation at this moment desecrates the memory of King as surely as if they defaced his gravesite.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

And, finally, being more King-like means coming together to end the gun violence that rips apart bodies, communities and our democracy.

A gunshot ended Kings life, but it did more than kill one man. It disrupted our entire society. As a child, I watched the riots, the rage of a people in shock and mourning. King preached nonviolence, but we have not heeded his call.

More than half a century has passed since Kings death. Future Kings are killed every day.

Kristal Bayron-Nieves, a 19-year-old girl working her job in East Harlem, was gunned down before she could ever live her dream. But we will not let Kristal go, just as we will not let King go. In her memory, in his memory, in the memory of all those who were killed by gun violence, racism, or hate over these many centuries of struggle. We must keep that dream of racial justice and freedom alive. It is our great moral and civic duty to fulfill that vision, to build it back stronger than ever.

That is why I call on all of us to mark this day not just with prayer and praise, but service. To make this dream real through acts of everyday kindness and years of unrelenting effort.

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We must ignite our spirit, renew our commitment, and rebuild this city on what King called the solid rock of brotherhood. Building is work, not words. And now is the time to get this done.

Adams is mayor of New York.
Former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on Sunday said the Biden administration had made a mistake in federalizing vaccine mandates "in ways" that they did not have to.

Gottlieb made his comments during an interview with CBS' "Face The Nation," where the former FDA commissioner talked about the Biden administration's COVID-19 response.

READ NEXT: Ex-Biden Task Force Head Predicts COVID to Become 'Endemic' by 2022 as U.S. Hospitals Record' Critical Staffing Shortage' Over Omicron Surge

Ex-FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on Federalizing Vaccine Mandates

During the interview, Scott Gottlieb was asked regarding the issue of the Biden administration "falling short" on its COVID-19 response.

Gottlieb said the Biden administration committed some mistakes at a "macro level." He noted that the first was blaming the Trump administration for problems involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies, The Hill reported.

I think the administration made some mistakes at a macro level. The first was buying into this prevailing narrative when they took office that a lot of the problems, if not all the problems, at CDC and from the federal public health agencies owed to the Trump administration and their mishandling of those agencies," Gottlieb pointed out.

"Now, notwithstanding what the Trump administration did, it didn't do to try to reform those agencies and interfere in their operations," he added.

Gottlieb said the reality was that the CDC and other federal health agencies had "deep flaws," and it made "it hard to reform the agencies once you bought into that- that macro narrative."

Second, Gottlieb said he also thinks that when the Biden administration federalized aspects of its COVID response, particularly concerning the vaccine mandates, "they owned it and created a perception that they alone could fix it."

Even though the former FDA commissioner pointed out the mishaps that the Biden administration made in their COVID-19 response, Gottlieb lauded some aspects which for him was "admirable."

"Look the administration [Biden], I think has done an admirable job with certain aspects of this response. They put a big emphasis on rolling out vaccines," Gottlieb said. The former FDA commissioner also credited the Biden administration for the 85 percent of American adults who received at least a dose of the vaccines.

U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Pres. Joe Biden's Vaccine Mandate

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Pres. Joe Biden's vaccine mandate, requiring workers from large companies to be vaccinated or masked and tested weekly.

According to the justices, the mandate exceeded the Biden administration's authority. Disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision, President Joe Biden called on the business leaders to "join" the other companies who instituted vaccine requirements among their workers.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump lauded the decision of the Supreme Court, saying they are "proud" of the high court for not "backing down." Trump said Biden's vaccine mandates would "further destroy" the U.S. economy.

Some Republican states and business groups earlier said that the Biden administration overstepped its authority with the vaccine mandates.

READ MORE: Anthony Fauci Says Taking Face Masks off on Airplanes Should Not Be Considered After Airline CEOs Say Masks 'Don't Add Much' Protection on Flights

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Supreme Court Blocks Biden's Vaccine Mandate for the Workplace - From Los Angeles Times
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy cautioned the public that the "next few weeks" would be tough as the COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant continue to surge.

According to Murthy, around 800,000 new cases are being reported across the country daily. But some regions, such as New York, have started to see a plateau in infections, New York Post reported.

Murthy told CNN's "State of the Union" that the challenge was that the entire country was not moving at the same pace. He noted that the Omicron wave began later in other parts of the country.

Murthy reminded the public to ramp up COVID precautions like getting vaccinated since one thing they learned during this surge was that the "vaccines are still working very well to keep people out of the hospital and to save their lives."

Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, also echoed the surgeon general's sentiments, saying the next several weeks could overwhelm hospitals and staff.

"Right now, we're at about 150,000 people in the hospital with COVID... That's more than we've ever had. I expect those numbers to get substantially higher," he told "Fox News Sunday."

Vivek Murthy said that COVID-19 infections driven by the Omicron variant will continue to increase in much of the country, and the "next few weeks will be tough."

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COVID Omicron Variant Continues to Spread in the U.S.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published report said the Omicron variant made up around 95.4 percent of new COVID cases at the beginning of the year. According to CBS News, New England and part of the Midwest have yet to reach 90 percent locally.

Vivek Murthy has disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision last week to reject President Joe Biden's vaccine-or-testing mandate for large employers amid the COVID variant's spread.

The vaccine-or-testing mandate would have applied to more than 80 million workers. Murthy said the rejection of that particular mandate was a setback for public health as the requirements were ultimately helpful, not just for protecting the community at large, but also workplaces for workers and customers, The New York Times reported.

Around 63 percent of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated. However, only 38 percent of those have received a booster shot. Some argued that it should be the new definition of full vaccination.

Biden Administration's COVID Vaccine Mandate

The Supreme Court has slammed the Biden administration's rule that requires larger businesses to ensure that workers are vaccinated against COVID or wear masks and get tested weekly.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the workplace mandate last fall, which would have covered around 80 million U.S. workers and saved over 6,500 lives, and prevented 250,000 hospitalizations in the next six months, NBC News reported.

Biden said he was disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision to block "common sense" life-saving mandates for employees at large businesses.

The president noted that they have to keep working together if they want to save lives, adding that they should keep people working and put the pandemic "behind us."

READ MORE: CDC Recommends Shorter COVID Isolation Period for Health Care Workers Amid Omicron Variant

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Discusses Omicron Variant and How to Combat Its Rapid Spread - From CBS Mornings






Prince Harry is taking legal action against the United Kingdom government over its decision to remove his police security when he and his family visit the U.K.

A statement issued on Harry's behalf said it was "unsafe" for the prince's family to return to the U.K. without it, and others who have left public office as Harry did two years ago have still received police protection.

"As widely known, others who have left public office and have an inherent threat risk receive police protection at no cost to them," the statement reads.

READ NEXT: Princess Diana Wanted to Move to California With Prince William, Prince Harry to Make Movies, Voice Coach Says

Prince Harry Willing to Pay for His Own Security

The Daily Mail revealed Sunday that Prince Harry's lawyers had written a "pre-action protocol" letter to the Home Office. They indicate that they will seek a judicial review if the Sussexes are not provided with continued security while the family is in Britain, which they make clear Harry will pay for it "as not to impose on the British taxpayer."

According to the statement, Harry has twice petitioned the U.K. government to allow him to pay for his own police security, including a request for a judicial review of the matter in September 2021. However, both times, his request was denied.

A representative for Harry said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex funded a "private security team for their family." However, the representative noted that the said security team could not "replicate" the needed security protection their family needs while in the U.K.

"Prince Harry a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented Neo-Nazi and extremist threats," the legal representative said.

The representative added that even though Harry's role in the institution changed, his "profile" as a member of the royal family and the threat his family faces have not.

According to reports, Queen Elizabeth was aware of Prince Harry's latest action. If the case proceeds, it would lead to a legal battle in the high court between Ministers and the Duke of Sussex.

It was the first time in history a member of the Royal Family has brought a legal case against Her Majesty's government.

Former Royal Protection Officer on Prince Harry's Demands

Former Royal Protection Officer Ken Wharfe said that it is unthinkable for The Queen and her government to abide by the request of the Duke of Sussex.

According to Wharfe, Prince Harry is now a "private citizen" that resides in a foreign country - by his choice."

"For him to now be threatening legal action against the Government, and by extension against the Queen herself, is completely unprecedented for any royal, even one has abdicated his official duties," Wharfe noted.

The former royal protection officer also discussed the implication of Harry's request when granted. Wharfe noted that every visiting Hollywood star and wealthy celebrity "may as well" expect the same privileges.

He further noted that Britain would face the humiliation of any "television narcissist" or high profile individuals who can hire their "highly trained armed forces" because they can pay the amount.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their Royal duties in 2020, making them lose privileges such as representing the Queen and receiving public funds.

In line with Prince Harry's renouncement to his royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also lost their taxpayer-funded police protection.

Buckingham Palace earlier confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would not use their HRH titles because they were no longer a working member of the Royal Family.

READ NEXT: Meghan Markle Writes a Letter to U.S. Congress Advocating Paid Parental Leave

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Prince Harry Seeks Right to Pay for U.K. Police Protection - From Reuters
Two people died in northern Peru as high waves smashed into some of its coastal areas following the eruption of an underwater volcano in Tonga on Saturday.

In a statement released on Sunday, Peru's National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci) said the two women drowned off a beach in the Lambayeque region on Saturday after two-meter waves hit their truck. They were found dead by officers from a Naylamp beach police station after the vehicle was dragged near the sea.

Reuters reported that the underwater volcano near the remote Pacific nation of Tonga erupted on Saturday. It triggered a 7.4-magnitude earthquake near Tonga and sent tsunami waves crashing into the island's coast. Huge waves also reportedly smashed into some of South America's islands and the U.S. West Coast.

Amid warnings that the volcano was causing abnormally high waves, Indeci said more than 20 Peruvian ports were temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.

TV images and footage on social media showed several homes and businesses in the coastal areas of northern and central Peru had been flooded by seawater.

According to the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the tsunami that hit Peru was up to 80 centimeters high. The Peruvian Navy did not issue a tsunami warning, but it monitored "abnormal waves" off its coast.

Shane Cronin, a professor from the University of Auckland and an expert in Tonga eruptions, wrote in The Conversation that this is one of the massive explosions "the volcano is capable of producing roughly every thousand years."

Cronin added: "We could be in for several weeks or even years of major volcanic unrest from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano."

Tsunami Waves Smash U.S. West Coast

In the U.S., more than four feet waves were recorded on the California coast on Saturday. Tsunami-effect waves were also recorded along the coast in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and British Columbia in Canada.

Daily Mail reported that despite the dire warnings, spectators still flock to the beaches to view the surging tsunami waves and some surfers even waited to catch the huge waves generated by the surge.

On Sunday, tsunami-hit Tonga remained largely uncontactable, with telephone and internet lines still down, leaving relatives in other parts of the world praying for their loved ones on the Pacific islands as fatality reports had yet to come in.

Tsunami advisories were issued for Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Pacific coast. Satellite images showed a huge eruption, with a plume of ash, gas, and steam rising above the sea. A thunderous roar was reportedly heard as far away as Alaska.

Reports said the eruption also created a new island in Tonga, which is the second time such an event had happened in Tonga in 10 years.

READ NEXT:Elon Musk Calls California's Solar Metering Rules 'Bizarre Anti-Environment Move;' Tesla CEO Points Out Consumers Stuck With Higher Energy Bills

New Zealand, Australia, U.S. Offer Assistance

Surveillance flights from New Zealand were unable to assess the amount of damage due to a huge ash cloud covering Tonga.

"The eruption was hugely concerning," said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, adding that authorities were still trying to establish communications with Tonga.

Tonga's strict quarantine measures designed to keep COVID-19 out of the country may complicate any international relief attempt. Tonga has managed to prevent any outbreaks of COVID-19.

But Ardern assured that New Zealand's military staff were all fully vaccinated and willing to follow any Tonga's COVID protocols. The Tonga government has asked the public to wear masks due to ash and smoke and use bottled water for now.

On Monday morning, Australia's P-8 plane arrived with crews checking for damage to critical infrastructure.

"They're part of our Pacific family, and like all of those island nations, we're always there to support and we certainly will be on this occasion," said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the country is ready to provide support to Tonga.

"Deeply concerned for the people of Tonga as they recover from the aftermath of a volcanic eruption and tsunami. The United States stands prepared to provide support to our Pacific neighbours," Blinken wrote on Twitter.

READ MORE: Texas Doctor Faces Criminal Charges After Allegedly Obtaining, Distributing Performance-Enhancing Drugs to Olympic Athletes Including a Famous Nigerian Sprinter

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Tonga Volcano Eruption Fills Sky With Black Ash Clouds - From the Independent
Former President Donald Trump blasted President Joe Biden's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and even tried to mimic the president's voice at his Arizona rally on Saturday.

During a "Save America" rally in Florence, Trump said that people knew that Biden "would be not so good, but few could have imagined that he would be such a disaster for this country," Business Insider reported.

Donald Trump Mimics Joe Biden At Arizona Rally

Donald Trump then noted that there are four times more COVID cases now. The former president went on, mimicking Biden's voice, and said: "Remember, I'm gonna get rid of COVID."

It seemed that Trump was referring to COVID cases heading into the Labor Day weekend last September, which were four times higher than the same time in 2020. Trump also moved his fist in a way that seemed to mimic Biden's gestures.

Newsweek reported that a clip of Trump's speech, which included the mimic, has been viewed more than 50,000 times since it was shared on Twitter by Newsmax.

Trump's attempt to mock the president had won approval from the crowd. Many rallygoers could be heard briefly laughing in response.

READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Avoided Naming Donald Trump in Speech Marking Capitol Riot Anniversary, Here's Why

Donald Trump's Arizona Rally

A former Arizona news anchor and gubernatorial candidate, Kari Lake, gave one of the opening speeches at Donald Trump's rally.

Trump opened the rally by saying, "The Big Lie is a lot of bulls***," the Independent reported. He talked about how he won the election and continued to claim that he won the 2020 presidential race.

"I ran twice and we won twice and we did better the second time. We did much better the second time," Trump noted.

Trump also dismissed concerns about the January 6 Capitol attack by a mob of his supporters. He repeated claims of impropriety and said that Democrats used measures during the pandemic to use the mail-in voting to steal the election.

"Why aren't they investigating November 3rd a Rigged and Stolen Election... The people are very angry. They got duped and they found out what happened," Trump noted.

The former president also promoted conspiracy theories regarding the election. He touted the conspiracy theory that Ray Epps was a government informant and pushed people to come into the Capitol. Epps was previously on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's most-wanted list.

Trump also expressed sympathy for some rioters who are currently imprisoned awaiting trial for their actions at the U.S. Capitol. He said that those people are currently "living in hell."

Trump added that the bathrooms are horrible and called on people to hold the imprisoned rioters if they think they are innocent.

The former president also showed sympathy for Ashli Babbitt, a rioter shot and killed by a Capitol police officer after she stormed the building.

Aside from Joe Biden, Donald Trump has also targeted New York state Attorney General Letitia James, who has shown a desire to go after Trump for longstanding accusations of fraud. James is currently involved in a case pursuing the Trump Organization for fraud claims.

According to Cyber Ninjas, a company Republicans hired to examine the voting in Arizona, Donald Trump lost the state by about 10,500 votes.

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: Trump Holds Rally in Florence for GOP Candidates in Arizona - From FOX 10 Phoenix






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On the surface, May 13, 1965, was an average Thursday afternoon at Queens College. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Almost 2,000 students were anxiously waiting in Colden Auditorium for the arrival of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., scheduled to deliver the inaugural President John F. Kennedy Lecture. More than 56 years later, I located QC alumni who attended his speech to find out how King was contacted, and what it was like to hear him speak on campus.

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Martin Luther King arriving at London Airport. (J. Wilds/Getty Images)

Ronald Pollack 65 was the Student Association president. He asked his close friend, future Congressman Allard Lowenstein, an ally of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  Kings organization  to invite the celebrated civil rights leader to Queens College. King accepted the student leaders invitation to speak at the alma mater of Andrew Goodman, who had been murdered with James Chaney and Michael Schwerner in Mississippi the previous summer while registering Black voters. The place was packed and Dr. King was as eloquent as usual, says Pollack. We probably were in the 10th or 15th row, recalls Noel Hankin 68, who attended with classmates. There was a lot of energy and excitement. Keep in mind there was a lot of turmoil in the country at that time.

Indeed, King held rallies throughout fall 1964 to promote the pursuit of the three civil rights workers killers and speak against invidious voter suppression. Fittingly, President Biden, the United States House of Representatives and the Senate have of late been grappling with the issue of voting rights. The future of the proposed John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 and the Freedom to Vote Act is in the hands of Congress.

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In his 1965 speech, King stated that 4,000,000 Negroes are unregistered in the South and that in all too many cases its more than internal apathy, its external resistance. Negroes still confront all types of conniving methods in the South and in the Black Belt counties of the South, to keep them from becoming registered voters. The words of King ring true today: Our nation will never rise to its full maturity and to its moral heights until every person in our country is guaranteed the right to vote and until every obstacle is removed. We know that these obstacles have not been removed, which means that there is much work to do.

According to alumnus Mike Wenger 65, a hunger strike by QC students in the summer of 1964 calling for U.S. Department of Justice action to find the killers drew national media attention. Freedom marchers in Selma, Ala., were brutalized in January 1965 in what became internationally known as Bloody Sunday. Malcolm X was murdered in New York City in February. Civil rights worker Viola Liuzzo was shot to death that March on her way to an Alabama airport. The bombing of North Vietnam had accelerated and the first U.S. combat troops arrived in that country in the spring. As Dr. King walked into Colden Auditorium, accompanied by comedian/activist Dick Gregory and SCLC official Andrew Young  who would become a legislator and then U.S. ambassador to the United Nations  the political temperature was palpably hot.

There was a crowd outside marching around at a picket line of the Young Americans for Freedom, the right-wing Republican group, reports Wayne Price 65. They probably gave out leaflets denouncing Dr. King.

King promptly told the large audience inside, I certainly stand here under the inspiration of the fact that it was Queens College that gave to America, and indeed to the world, Andy Goodman, whose creative witness will certainly live for generations yet to come. He, along with others, paid the supreme sacrifice for this struggle... Elliot Linzer, who attended Queens College from 1963-67 and returned for his masters in 1980, was friends with both Goodman and Schwerner. He said the killings were a major, major event in my life.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 21 Civil rights activist and minister Martin Luther King Jr. was known for his leading role in the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, the 1963 March on Washington and many other nonviolent protests for civil rights. His life was tragically cut short on April 4, 1968, when he was assassinated. In honor of his life of activism, take a look back at his life in photos. (Handout)

While King acknowledged the progress of the civil rights movements, he made it clear that he was not satisfied and warned, The guardians of the deadening status quo are always on hand with their oxygen tents to keep the old order alive. He cautioned, Weve come a long, long way in the quest to make freedom and human dignity a reality for all people of our nation, but we still have a long, long way to go.

A new video featuring the aforementioned Queens College alumni and portions of Dr. Kings speech can be found online. Delve into this history to see what the civil rights leader said in our backyard nearly 57 years ago.

Hershenson is vice president for communications and marketing at Queens College, CUNY.
106 new jobs were created across Laois in 2021 by 138 small businesses supported by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), according to Laois/Offaly TD, Charlie Flanagan.

An Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD, announced the annual results of the LEOs for 2021 which showed that LEO supported companies created 7,440 jobs around the country in 2021, with 85% of these jobs outside of Dublin.

Deputy Flanagan said: 106 new jobs were created last year in Laois, while the net jobs created by LEO supported clients across the county last year was 47.

During a very difficult year for many small businesses, this is hugely positive news for Laois and highlights the determination and hard work of business owners and workers across the county.

A total of 689 people employed in small businesses across Co Laois benefited from LEO support over the past year.

With a total of 138 clients, the Laois LEO provides vital support to many of our local businesses, offering advice, mentoring and training, and providing much needed financial backing with programmes such as the Trading Online Voucher, Lean for Micro and Green for Micro.

This support proved particularly valuable over the past almost two years as many businesses were forced to pivot their offerings online or adapt their services to make it through the pandemic. I want to pay tribute to these Laois businesses which have persevered through some of the most difficult times and continued to provide jobs and contribute to our local economy and community, said Deputy Flanagan.
A leading figure in the protection of Laois women against violence has urged Laois men to say no to sexism, in the wake of the murder of Ashling Murphy.

Marna Carroll is the co-ordinator of Laois Domestic Abuse Service, who offer services to help women and children living with violence daily in their homes.

She said that the young Offaly teacher brutally killed last week is in their constant thoughts, as is her heartbroken family.

We in the service and myself personally, all we have thought about since Wednesday is Ashling. We extend our most sincere condolences and sympathies to her family and friends. Its a big horror, everybodys worst nightmare. To see it happen so close to home, there is a realness and a rawness.

"I really hope that the murder is a turning point for Irish women and girls. I hope that in her memory, that this might be a catalyst for real change.

This is a call to ordinary men, not even men in power. They are incredibly powerful in creating real meaningful change. I feel that men need to be quite brave and set aside their fears of being ostracized in calling out sexism and misogyny. The seemingly low level stuff, a photo sent of a woman in a vulnerable position, essentially pornography, the seemingly innocuous messages and jokes that people receive. It is no longer acceptable to be passive. They have to start saying I dont want those, they are disgusting. So that misogynistic men no longer have allies.

Women more than ever dont feel safe. Where once you would try and be careful and conscious while going about your daily life or going for a run, women are just not going now. They just dont feel safe. I really hope this tragedy marks a turning point. We owe it to Ashling and her memory, that there is a new and better beginning for how women are treated," Ms Carroll said.

The lack of a refuge centre for Laois women and children living with domestic abuse is an issue for another day she said.

We should be thinking about Ashling every hour.

I hope for the women and children in Laois who live with violence every day that they will be afforded sanctuary. And that the men of Laois will stand up in a really clear way against the misogyny that underpins Ashlings murder and the abuse of women and children in our own county. This is not happening in a city or far away, we are talking about next door.

The Laois service received an extra 20,000 towards staff last November, after a study by the Department of Justice found that it was drastically underfunded given the amount of women it helps.

We were delighted to receive that resource. Laois is a very busy county for family law and domestic abuse applications. This allows us to provide a better service in 2022, it means that our part-time legal and criminal justice co-ordinator can be full-time. But that is not enough for 2023, we will need to source more funding to keep that service.

People sometimes think that there isnt anything they can do. But if you want to help or do something and you feel you can contribute, please ring us. We all have to work on ending violence against women and girls," the LDAS co-ordinator said.

The office is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 4pm. See their website here.
The location of the shops which sold two lotto players in Laois who won big in the 19 million must win lotto has been revealed by the Lotto and while the winners will be happy they could have won a lot more had the big prize not been won in Mayo.

Just over 1% of almost 5.5 million shared amongst players from 26 counties went to two players in Laois who picked the 5 + Bonus tickets worth 36,687 each.

But it could have been a lot more for the Laois players had the 19 million had not have been won on Saturday, January 15.

While a Mayo player officially took the title of biggest winner of the night in the must win 19 million Lotto jackpot draw, the national lotter 149 other players from all over the Republic shared the fund at the next tier down.

As the Lotto jackpot was capped at 19.06 million, it said the funds that would usually go to the jackpot flowed down to the next highest tier at which there was a winner and in last nights historic draw, this was the Match 5 + Bonus prize tier.

Each of the 149 winners claimed 36,687 each.

Dunnes Stores in Rathdowney sold one of the tickets while Martyn's Centra on Main St in Mountrath sold the second ticket.

More than a quarter of the Match 5 + Bonus prize wins went to players in Dublin.

While the Laois players will no doubt be delighted with their winnings they came oh so close to sharing out a lot more.

If there was no player who matched six numbers in the big draw, the Match 5+Bonus prize tier bonus would share the 19.06 as well as the additional funds that would usually go to the jackpot.

This would have meant they would have pocketed nearly 170,000 each.

However that was not to be as the winning jackpot was sold to a player who packed their numbers at an outlet in Castlebar Co Mayo.

In total, the National Lottery said over 866,000 players won prizes in the Lotto and Plus games.

The Lotto Jackpot of 19 million was won on the final possible night it could be won as a standalone prize. If no player had the winning numbers the jackpot would have been distributed to other players.

The 19 million had been sitting in the pot since last September when it was capped. The jackpot in the main draw had not been won since last summer.

The National Lottery has reportedly sought approval to amend its licence to avoid a repeat.
The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister has ordered an investigation into a gathering of his officials in June 2020.

The news follows weeks of controversy over the gathering of Department of Foreign Affairs staff, held in the aftermath of Ireland winning a seat on the UN Security Council.

Simon Coveney has denied attending the bash at Iveagh House, which was held while strict lockdown measures were still in place.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Mr Coveney had requested a report into the matter.

Mr Coveney has faced repeated questions about the controversy, which was ignited after his secretary general tweeted a photo of the event.

The photo showed around 20 officials at the department drinking Moet & Chandon champagne, not wearing masks or adhering to social distancing measures.

It is expected that the report will be completed by the end of the month.

Earlier this week, Mr Coveney said he would be happy to answer questions on the matter at the Oireachtas committee on foreign affairs if requested.
Recently released figures from a report have shown that Kildare job opportunities grew by over 50 per cent in 2021.

According to Irish recruitment company, FRS Recruitment (FRS), the county saw a 53 per cent rise in the number of job opportunities offered 2021.

The information was published in FRS Recruitments end of year report, Job Opportunities Abound.

FRS explained: "The recovery in employment was felt throughout the economy last year, but Kildare was one of the counties to experience the strongest increase."

"Nationally, FRS saw the total number of job postings handled grow by 12 per cent, reaching 81,528 in total for 2021."

'Far exceeded the national average'

Speaking about the report, Lynne McCormack, General Manager of FRS, said: "Last year was a very strong year for recruitment in Kildare."

"We recorded a 53 per cent jump in the number of roles handled locally, which far exceeded the national average and was amongst the strongest in the country."

She added that FRS expects to see further growth in job opportunities in Kildare over the coming year: "We are projecting a further 10 per cent rise in the total number of roles handled nationally and we would anticipate Kildare will share in that growth: there should be significant movement across the economy with employers looking very closely at their resourcing needs as they seek to grow and expand their organisations and address any current and projected staff shortages."

"While in 2021 it was a few months into the year and post the lockdown before the recovery in employment began in earnest, this year FRS Recruitment anticipates demand will be strong right from the outset.

"This will be particularly apparent in the manufacturing and engineering, construction and IT sectors, but increased demand is likely to be shared across most sections of the economy."

Ms McCormack: "In some sectors the need for experienced, skilled personnel is also becoming challenging, with employers finding it difficult to attract suitable candidates: this is likely to lead to pressure on salary packages as employers compete to attract the best personnel and retain their current teams.

"We also believe there is likely to be an increased focus on attracting foreign based qualified candidates to meet shortfalls in some sectors. However the trend is looking very positive in terms of job openings for the coming year and we believe that will be the experience in Kildare and most other parts of the country," Ms McCormack concluded.

INCREASES

The company specifically noted that, across the economy, the rise in openings was cross sectoral with significant growth experienced in the commercial, IT, healthcare, construction, life sciences and engineering, agricultural sectors, as well as temporary industrial and commercial positions.

Among the career areas where FRS Recruitment recorded the largest rises in activity during 2021 were: retail (up 117 per cent), transport and logistics (up 82 per cent), pharmacy  retail (up 69 per cent), professional services (up 68 per cent) and banking and financial services (up 58 per cent).

While nationally there was a broad increase in the number of roles handled, there were some significant regional variations experienced. In total 20 of the Republics 26 counties saw the number of job postings rise with the most significant increases coming in Longford (up 158 per cent ), Carlow (up 117 per cent ), Kilkenny (up 79 per cent), Meath (up 76 per cent ), Louth (up 72 per cent)and Cork (up 60 per cent).

Dublin also experienced strong growth (up 39 per cent) and accounted for the largest number of postings, 21 per cent of the national total.

Meanwhile, six counties also experienced a decline in opportunities, with the largest drops coming in Roscommon (down 45 per cent) and Donegal (down 30 per cent).

FRS is also forecasting further employment growth in 2022, with opportunities expected to rise by 10 per cent over the next 12 months.

This will be sustained by the ongoing recovery of the economy across most sectors, leading to the majority of employers seeking additional staff as they look to grow their businesses and address skills shortages.

Nationwide, FRS has once more said that it is forecasting strong demand in manufacturing and engineering, construction and IT roles this year.

FRS Recruitment have 10 offices nationwide, with locations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Offaly, Cavan and Roscommon.

Further information is available on www.frsrecruitment.com.
Hollywood's favorite "Golden Girl" Betty White died Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. The incredible actress had a career spanning more than 70 years, with notable performances in shows like "Golden Girls" and "Hot in Cleveland." In honor of the beloved icon, take a look back at the life and career of Betty White. (D Dipasupil/Filmmagic)

Its a golden tribute for Betty White.

Google commemorated the late Golden Girls actress birthday on Monday by displaying new graphics whenever someone searches her name.

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A Betty White search result on Google.com sees rose petals appear on the page. A graphic reading Thank You for Being a Friend also appears, referencing the theme song to Golden Girls.

Betty White in 2009. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

White died Dec. 31 at age 99. Monday would have been the beloved actress 100th birthday.

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The longtime star suffered a stroke a little less than a week before her death, according to TMZ, which obtained a death certificate listing her cause of death as a cerebrovascular accident.

Googles gesture is one of multiple tributes for White this month. Her hometown of Oak Park, Ill., declared Monday to be Betty White Day.

A message from Google commemorating Betty White's birthday. (Google)

Betty White, as a true optimist, made the choice every day to be happy, Vicki Scaman, the Oak Park village president, said earlier this month to the Daily News.

Embracing the memory of her amazing life and taking the time to honor her feels like a symbol of hope. She has given us so much to smile and laugh to, Scaman continued. We are proud to know and celebrate her connection to the Village of Oak Park.

A TV special titled Celebrating Betty White: Americas Golden Girl, meanwhile, is set to be broadcast by NBC on Jan. 31.
The Justice Minister has said that a zero-tolerance approach will be central to a new Government strategy tackling gender-based violence, as the investigation into the murder of Ashling Murphy continues.

Irish police are still hunting for the killer of Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher who was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.

The murder has caused widespread anger and shock in Ireland and beyond, with tens of thousands of people attending vigils in recent days to remember Ms Murphy.

The Garda said it had made significant progress in its investigation, but was not releasing details for operational reasons.

A photo of Ashling Murphy is displayed on the big screen during the Heineken Champions Cup match at The Sportsground in Galway (Brian Lawless/PA)

It is understood that gardai have identified a new person of interest, who is believed to be in hospital in the Dublin region, and are waiting to speak to him.

It comes amid reports that searches have been carried out in Tullamore and Dublin as part of the investigation.

On Sunday, Helen McEntee said that a new Government strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be published by the beginning of March.

It would, the Justice Minister said, take a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women.

She told Newstalk: I think what weve seen this week really is an outpouring of grief right across the country from women, men, children, all of whom have come together in solidarity with Ashlings family and her community.

But in particular, have come together to demand that there is zero tolerance for this.

I myself have often decided, well, Ill go out for a walk at this time of the day or Ill go to this area because it could be safer. That shouldnt be the case.

And what weve seen now is everybody in society coming together to say this should not be the case. We should not tolerate this.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee (Niall Carson/PA)

She said that the new strategy will build on the previous strategies produced by the Government.

Were building on the progress that has been made and we have made progress, but were looking at it slightly differently. We have set a clear goal  zero tolerance.

She said that all Government departments, state agencies and the gardai, as well as the wider community, needed to play a role in ensuring the strategy is a success.

Ms McEntee was asked about the cancellation of hundreds of emergency calls to gardai in 2019 and 2020, which last year led to a public apology from Commissioner Drew Harris, and whether victims could have confidence in a police response.

We have all committed collectively to make sure that that does not happen again. And that when somebody takes that difficult step to come forward, that they will be treated with the respect and the dignity and the support that they deserve, she said.

As vigils and memorials to Ms Murphy continue to be held, prayers were said at masses across the country on Sunday for the young teacher.

People hold a vigil outside the London Irish Centre in Camden for Ashling Murphy (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The funeral of Ms Murphy will take place on Tuesday at St Brigids Church, Mountbolus, in Co Offaly.

At a vigil in north London on Saturday, people held candles and stood in silent tribute outside the London Irish Centre.

Traditional music was played in honour of Ms Murphy, a talented fiddle player, while some of the crowd quietly sang or hummed along.

Anna Johnston, cultural officer at the London Irish Centre, said people had come together in solidarity with those who knew and loved Ms Murphy and all the women of Ireland and further afield who are angry, distressed and heartbroken.
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A LIMERICK fireman is encouraging people within the county to give blood in order to save lives.

Colin Gleeson, a former member of the Defence Forces, has been donating blood since 2014, following in the footsteps of his father and brothers.

The Caherdavin father-of three-said: Nobody knows what is around the corner. Sickness and cancers have become so commonplace now. Everyone knows someone that has it or is sick. Nobody knowns when they are going to need blood. For me, it is the easiest option you can choose to help someone.

An Irish Blood Transfusion Service spokesperson confirmed to the Limerick Leader blood donations in Limerick have declined since Covid-19 infections spiraled due to the Omicron variant.

Donor attendance and hospital demand are the two key determining factors, he said adding that any major disturbance will make people break their habits.

The latest variant has meant that anyone who has been infected, or is named a close contact, cannot donate blood for five days. In addition, newly jabbed individuals must wait a full 72 hours.

The IBTS spokesperson stressed that one in every four people will need a blood donation within their lifetime and that 70% of all blood and platelets donated are used to fight cancer.

Colin Gleeson, 38, gives blood at the Greenhills Hotel on the Ennis Road, which regularly hosts clinics. He has praised the staff there, describing them as absolutely outstanding for the way they look after people at the clinic.

Since the pandemic, a much more seamless system has been implemented, whereby a dedicated time slot means that there is no waiting around, something which was previously a deterrent for many people, Colin admitted.

Limerick is extremely fortunate in that it has a very committed donor base, stemming from a strong community focus, the IBTS spokesperson stated.

In spite of this, and with the continued uncertainty around Covid-19 and appointment cancellations, they are asking anyone in Limerick that is considering donating blood, to get in contact.

Donating an hour of your time to give a pint of blood, could be the difference in saving someones life, Colin concluded.
SCHOOLS in Limerick and across Ireland are set to observe a minute's silence in memory of Aisling Murphy, whose funeral takes place tomorrow.

As mourners sit down at St Brigid's Church Mountbolus near her native Tullamore, students in schools will pause for a minute on memory of the popular teacher, who was murdered in broad daylight last week.

Aisling, who will be laid to rest at Lowertown Cemetery, was educated at Mary Immaculate College, and the death of the 23-year-old has sparked an outpouring of grief across Ireland, including here in Limerick, where thousands were at Arthur's Quay park to pay their respects.

The call on students and fellow teachers to observe a minute of silence has come from the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, Forsa, and the Teachers Union of Ireland, which between them represent the bulk of school staff in this country.

The INTO's local press officer Laura Quirke, a teacher at Le Cheile National School in Roxboro, said Aisling's death has been a "terrible, devastating blow" for the profession.

"It took about a day to set in, the enormity of it. Teachers are always seen as the foundation of a lot of communities and we really appreciate the respect the role brings, but with this respect comes great responsibility and when you see a young teacher like that removed from her lives, and the life of her whole school community, it's a terrible, devastating blow for everyone. Everyone has experienced the influence a good teacher can have on your life, and your own self-confidence as a child, and it can influence your own choices as you grow up. It's difficult to imagine a promising young woman and a promising young teacher had her life taken away from her," she told the Limerick Leader.

"People have had enough of the violence against women which is occurring. It's devastating it has come to this, a woman going about a mundane typical daily activity like going for a run in broad daylight on a regularly frequented pathway. It's devastating," Ms Quirke added.

Also tomorrow, the bellringers at St Mary's Cathedral will ring the bells half-muffled in memory of the 23-year-old, at the same time her funeral takes place in the Midlands.

As a mark of respect and a way of expressing the city's condolences with the Murphy family's great loss, the cathedral ringers will ring the bells half-muffled tomorrow morning (18th) at 11:30am, the same time as Ashling's funeral. #AshlingMurphy #Limerick pic.twitter.com/7aUzD8Ag5H  Saint Mary's Cathedral, Limerick (@stmaryslimerick) January 17, 2022

Meanwhile, at this morning's metropolitan council meeting, members observed a minute of silence in memory of the popular teacher.

District leader, Cllr Catherine Slattery said: "A zero tolerance policy on violence against women needs to be initiated. That girl had her whole life ahead of her. My condolences go out to her poor boyfriend, her mam, dad, brothers and sisters. It's an awful loss. She was so accomplished - a musician, a teacher, she was a model citizen, and for this to happen in broad daylight, there is no words for it."
The majority of Leaving Certificate students want a hybrid State exam model this year, according to an online survey carried out by the Irish Second Level Student's Union (ISSU).

The current plan is for this year's Leaving Cert exams to return to their pre-pandemic format but 68% of students have said they want a hybrid model, as was done the past two years.

Students also voiced their concerns about absenteeism of both students and teachers in the classroom, missing classes, and the pressure the current situation is putting on their mental health.

It was announced at the beginning of the academic year, that adjustments were made in the exam papers and in curriculum to reflect the fact that this year's exam students missed school from January to the middle of March, as they were remote learning.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said the option of offering a hybrid Leaving cert was not ruled out and a decision will be made by the Government in the next few weeks.

Labour education spokesperson Aodhan O Riordain said the Minister and Department must commence planning to facilitate this.

Deputy O Riordain said the engagement from students, teachers and the wider education community on this issue shows there is an opportunity to rethink the old examination system for future generations.

I am calling on the Minister and Department to hear the concerns of students and commence preparations for a hybrid state examination model for 2022. We in the Labour Party have been campaigning on this issue for over a month and have received an overwhelming response from exam students.

These students have experienced a huge amount of disruption over the last two years, with rolling school closures and huge changes in how they are taught how they learn. The loss of in person teaching in fifth year combined with the interruptions since September due to teachers not being available and the impact of substitutions has had an effect that cannot be ignored.

Its clear that theres huge engagement from the wider education community on this issue, with many pointing to the successful roll out of the hybrid leaving cert in 2021 by the Department. Weve done it before and we can do it again. It would be wrong-headed for the Minister to go back to normal given that the education experience for students is still being negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Until a clear decision is made, this issue will rumble on and on. The Labour Party is committed to keeping the pressure on the Minister on behalf of students and bringing certainty sooner rather than later. None of us want to be in this position, but it is only fair to give students clarity now, and ensure that for the next few months there is a defined path in place for Leaving Cert students.

We continue to hear anecdotal evidence from higher education institutions that this years first years are performing much better than had been anticipated, given their experience of home studying. Institutions are highlighting the fundamental resilience of our young people to adapt to new ways of learning and engaging with material. In light of this, its time to have a conversation about our education system and reform how we assess our students.

We need an education system that works for our young people; one that develops skills and pathways to a range of options for graduates from apprentices to PLCs to university. We must be guided by our young people in this process.
Politicians in Northern Ireland have paid solemn tribute to murdered primary school teacher Ashling Murphy.

Assembly members from across the political spectrum gathered outside Parliament Buildings at Stormont to observe a silence in memory of the murdered Co Offaly woman.

A large framed picture of the talented 23-year-old musician was placed in front of the building, with a large bouquet of flowers placed on the ground beneath.

The vigil took place shortly before the murder was raised at the start of Assembly business, with MLAs highlighting the need for comprehensive action to tackle violence against women.

Stormont deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill told the chamber that domestic, sexual and gender-based violence had reached epidemic levels.

The Sinn Fein MLA read out the names of women who have been killed on the island of Ireland during the pandemic.

There are simply no words to convey the cruelty and injustice of what happened to Ashling, nor the heartbreak and sorrow of her loss, she said.

Our hearts go out to her family and all who loved her.

Regretfully the truth is violence against women and girls, the threat of violence against women and girls, the fear of violence against women and girls is all too common.

Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is an epidemic.

ONeill said there must be a zero-tolerance approach towards misogyny and sexism.

Since Ashlings murder, countless women and girls across this island  myself included  will have been reflecting on our own safety as we go about our daily lives, she added.

Sadly, Ashlings murder is not an isolated incident. But it must be a watershed moment.

How often do we hear that we are lucky we werent attacked? Because we had dared to walk a particular route, or be out at a certain time.

Well, we arent lucky. We are angry.

Because no woman or girl should ever have to face such disgusting attitudes, or the threat of abuse that destroys lives.

First Minister Paul Givan, who was joined by his DUP party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson at the vigil, said people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland had come together as one community to share in grief over the murder of Ms Murphy.

All of us have come together in the past number of days to show our revulsion for what has happened to Ashling Murphy and to stand in support of Ashling and her family, he said.

We are struck by the last words Ashling said to her mum, Mam, I love you, before she left.

As a father of three daughters I know last night when I was in Lisburn and we held a vigil, I was thinking about them.

I was thinking about the type of society that they are growing up in, and when they get to that age they should feel safe, they be respected, they should not be objectified.

They should not have to suffer the kind of bad behaviour which often is directed at women and girls.

We all must take personal responsibility to change our society.

Men need to step up and challenge this type of behaviour.

SDLP deputy leader Nichola Mallon, who was joined by SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood at the vigil, said the murder represented an attack on all women.

In this modern world, the fact that women are not safe is terrifying, she told the Assembly.

We must, as political leaders here across these islands, band together to end this violence.

As a mother my heart is breaking for Ashling Murphys family.

What makes this murder so frightening is the casual violence in broad daylight in an area busy with people out for exercise.

This could have been any woman. So it represents an attack on every woman. If a young girl cant go for a jog in the middle of the day in an area surrounded by people, then where can women feel safe?

A very moving vigil today at Stormont in memory of Ashling Murphy. As politicians, we must put stricter laws in place to protect women & girls, but all men in society must step up to stop violence against women from taking place at all. Misogyny does kill. @DavidYoungPA pic.twitter.com/ZmQgI1Hjtu  Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) January 17, 2022

Speaking outside after the vigil, Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said there was a need for societal change.

It was the most terrible murder, he said.

Sadly, this is all too often in our society today that our women and young girls no longer feel safe and theres a real danger out there and we must address this real danger.

Its wonderful to see the outpouring of grief in regards to this terrible murder but thats not good enough. Its simply not good enough that a young woman can go out jogging in the middle of the day and be murdered in such a brutal way and thats happening more and more. Maybe it doesnt end up in a murder, but its certainly ending up in other crimes against women and young girls.

We need to address this, society needs to address this, individuals need to address this and we dont need to have more vigils.

In fact, we need to have less vigils because if we have less vigils then theres less women being murdered in our society and thats what we need to address.

Fielding Assembly questions later in the day, Justice Minister and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long told MLAs a cross departmental approach was needed to protect women and girls in Northern Ireland.

I think, like everyone in this chamber, I was both sickened and horrified by the murder of Ashling Murphy, and I am thinking of those who loved her at this awful time, she said.

I am also thinking of the shockingly high number of women who have been murdered over the last 12 months in Northern Ireland, the latest being just before Christmas.

It should be clear to us that urgent and radical action is required. I am determined to do everything I can as Justice Minister, but it cannot only be for justice, we must move upstream and do the preventative work that is required to stop women becoming victims of this abuse.
FRUSTRATION is growing in a Limerick town over the delay in the implementation of a multi-million euro traffic management plan.

Plans to improve traffic management in Abbeyfeale were first announced in 2018 when local councillors were told that Transport Infrastructure Ireland would be funding the project.

However over two years after the plans were agreed and signed off on, ground has yet to be broken on the 4.8m plan.

One of the conditions of the deal was that Limerick City and County Council would purchase and demolish Riordans pub on the Main Street to make way for 24 off street parking spaces.

While the council have purchased the derelict building, it still stands and now councillors are asking why has the plan been delayed for so long.

The matter was raised at the monthly meeting of the Newcastle West Municipal District and Cllr Liam Galvin says he is bitterly disappointed that no further work has been done since the plan was agreed.

He said: "We were led to believe that funding was not a problem for the plan, so when is it going to be done?

"We have kept our side of the bargain, we were told Riordan's would have to be bought and demolished before it went forward. But nothing has happened, it is an eyesore in the centre of the town and I find it hard to stand over. We as the local authority have the biggest derelict property in the town," he said.

"The TII have asked for clarity on a number of issues and I want to know has the council responded to them. I have called for a meeting with the TII to see if the plans can be moved forward," added Cllr Galvin.

The plans originally caused some consternation and dismay with locals and businesses however Cllr Galvin said the majority now support the plan.

He asked that the plan is treated as a priority by the council as frustration grows in the town over the lack of progress.

Cllr Galvin also asked for clarity on if there are any other works that need to be taken out in the area before the plan progresses.
A surge in luxury-car sales and the shifting of scarce semiconductors to the most profitable vehicles helped many auto makers achieve robust profits last year, even as sales of mainstream vehicles lagged behind and supply-chain disruptions crippled car production.

Confronted with the double blow from the pandemic and a shortage of chips and other components, most auto manufacturers had to cut production throughout the year. Given generally robust demand, many opted to shift available resources toward their most expensiveand most profitablevehicles in an effort to protect their margins.

Other types of manufacturers have also gave priority to big-ticket products for similar reasons, making it harder for consumers to find cheaper alternatives. But car makers have also benefited from a bump in demand for the more expensive models.

The most luxurious brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Porsche and BMW have reported record sales. With international travel stalled during the pandemic and many avenues of flashy spending closed to them, a young generation of luxury-car consumers went on a shopping spree last year.

We are hardly affected by the chip shortage," Alain Favey, sales chief at Bentley Motors Ltd., which is owned by German auto maker Volkswagen AG, told The Wall Street Journal.

The process in the VW group is very centralized. One of the elements to decide on allocation is the margin of profitability. From that perspective we are prioritized, so we managed to get all of the chips we needed," Mr. Favey said.

Bentley sold 14,659 cars last year, an increase of 31% from the year before and a record for the company. Porsche, also owned by VW, sold 301,915 cars, an increase of 11% world-wide. Both brands posted growth in the U.S., Europe, and China.

By comparison, VWs namesake brand, its biggest business by unit sales, struggled throughout the year to keep its factories operating because of the chip shortage. The main plant in Wolfsburg worked under capacity and had to scrap shifts throughout the year.

As a result, sales took a hit, falling 8.1% to 4.9 million vehicles world-wide. Sales in China, the brands largest single market, dropped 14.8%.

VWs mixed performance reflects that of other mass-market manufacturers: While conventional sedans, hatchbacks and station wagons languished, sport-utility vehicles and new electric vehicles made big gains.

In the U.S., BMW grew sales by 21% as the top-selling luxury brand for the third year in a row, selling 336,644 vehicles. Toyota Motor Corp.s Lexus came in second, selling 304,476 vehicles, or 11% more than the previous year.

Tesla Inc. was able to sidestep some of the chip shortages impacts, and a full year of sales for its most recent Model Y SUV helped to increase global deliveries by 87%. In the U.S., Tesla outsold Mercedes-Benz, which reported U.S. sales of 276,102 vehicles in 2021. Tesla doesnt break out its sales by region, but Wards Intelligence, a consulting firm, estimates that Tesla sold around 299,000 vehicles in the U.S. last year.

Rolls-Royce, owned by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, whose tailor-made superluxury cars have starting prices of more than $300,000, sold a record 5,586 cars last year, up 49% from the year before.

Martin Fritsches, president of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas, told the Journal that buyers of superluxury cars like Rolls-Royce are younger today. The average age of a customer is about 43 years old, which means many of their clientele are in their 30s.

In part, Mr. Fritsches said, Rolls-Royces wealthy customers have been sheltered from the hardships felt by many during the pandemic. They benefited more from the economic recovery, the cryptocurrency boom and soaring stock prices. And many of the buyers are first-time Rolls owners, he said, including young entrepreneurs who got rich on the stock market and cryptocurrencies.

New electric vehicles were another driver of growth. BMW, which fared better than many of its rivals in the chip squeeze, sold 2.5 million vehicles last year, an increase of 8.4%. Of the total, the company sold 103,855 fully electric vehicles.

Our target for 2022 is to more than double the sales of fully electric vehicles," Pieter Nota, BMWs sales chief, told the Journal. He said BMW was well supplied with chips throughout 2021 and through new direct relationships with chip makers he expected to get through 2022.

Mr. Nota said the effects of the chip shortage would likely continue to be felt in the first half of this year, but added that BMWs efforts to mitigate the crisis through orders and direct relationships with chip suppliers should help ease the impact again this year.

Porsche said its electric sporty sedan, the Taycan, outsold the companys iconic 911 sports car last year, marking a symbolic shift as even Porsche customers begin to embrace electric cars.

IHS Markit, a global industry consultant, is forecasting new light vehicle sales will rise 3.7% this year to 82.4 million vehicles, up from 2.9% in 2021 when growth was constrained by supply-chain disruptions. It expects new light vehicle sales in the U.S. will increase about 2.6% this year to 15.5 million vehicles.

With the onset of the pandemic and widespread factory shutdowns in 2020, auto production dropped about 16% from 2019 to 74.6 million vehicles, according to Wards Intelligence and LMC Automotive, consulting firm groups. They said the auto industry clawed back some of this last year, with global output rising about 2% to 76.2 million vehicles. They forecast that global output will rebound 13% to 85.8 million vehicles this year, still below pre-pandemic levels.

Despite record sales, Mr. Fritsches said that Rolls-Royce will remain a small, intimate luxury brand focused on creating experiences for its customers. To appeal to younger customers, Rolls-Royce is connecting owners through an app called Whispers, which you can only access if you actually own a Rolls-Royce.

Our customers look for the bespoke experience," Mr. Fritsches said. I can guarantee you that volume is not and will never be a focus topic for us."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text
India's benchmark 10-year bond yield hit a two-year high on Monday, tracking an uptick in U.S. yields and a continued rise in global crude oil prices which has raised expectations of rate increases by the Reserve Bank of India.

U.S. Treasury yields rose on Friday and stayed higher in Asia trade as a batch of soft consumer and manufacturing activity data was seen as not enough to derail the Federal Reserve's path of tightening policy.

"Looks like markets have prepared themselves for hikes now. Reverse repo hike in February and April onwards repo too," said Harish Agarwal, a fixed income trader at First Rand Bank.

India's benchmark 10-year bond yield rose 6 basis points from Friday's close to 6.64%, its highest since Jan. 22, 2020.

The RBI has held its key repo rate at a record low since mid-2020 but has started scaling back secondary market bond purchases and withdrawing liquidity through short-term reverse repurchase auctions as it begins policy normalisation.

Oil prices edged up on Monday as investors bet supply will remain tight amid restrained output by major producers with global demand unperturbed by the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The RBI has projected inflation to stay high in the near term but a sustained rise in global crude prices threatens to keep retail prices higher for much longer and drive inflation above its mandated 2%-6% range.

The central bank's discomfort with rising yields is evident but traders doubt the RBI will target any particular level or aggressively intervene to stop yields from heading up.

"In the last nine weeks, the RBI has cumulatively sold bonds worth 210 billion rupees. This along with devolvement (forcing underwriters at auctions to buy the debt) in recent auctions suggest that the RBI is trying to cap yields," HDFC Bank wrote in its weekly note.

Traders will now wait for details of this week's 240 billion rupee ($3.23 billion) debt sale and results of a 100-billion-rupee debt switch auction later today for near-term clues.

"I think the next resistance is at 6.65%, don't think it should go higher from here," Agarwal said. ($1 = 74.2690 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Swati Bhat Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
Thieves smashed the master-bedroom window of the home of actress Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli and made off with $1 million in jewelry.

The theft occurred in the late morning on Jan. 3 and was discovered by a housekeeper, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office told the Daily News.

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In this April 3, 2019, file photo, actress Lori Loughlin, front, and her husband, clothing designer Mossimo Giannulli, left, depart federal court in Boston after facing charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. (Steven Senne/AP)

It was determined that the point of entry was the master bedroom upstairs at the rear of the house, Deputy Eva Jimenez said. They went to the closet and apparently took a lot of jewelry  high-end jewelry  and estimated lost property was about a million dollars.

TMZ, which first reported the theft, said police suspect the Los Angelesarea home was the latest to be hit by a South American crew that smashes, grabs, and leaves the country with the loot. It was not known whether the marauders knew whom they were robbing.

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Surveillance footage showed the burglars dressed in black, clad in masks. They grabbed Loughlins jewelry box full of super-expensive bling, TMZ reported.

I can confirm that the burglary did happen and fortunately, that no one was home, Loughlins rep, Elizabeth Much, told The News. I am not privy to the value of the items that were stolen.

The break-in occurred just days before Loughlins beloved co-star on Full House, Bob Saget, was found dead in his Florida hotel room during a stand-up comedy tour. A rep for the actress told People after the funeral that the burglary was put in perspective by Sagets untimely death at age 65.

Loughlin, 57, served two months in prison in 2020 for her role in the college admissions cheating scandal in which she, her husband and a slew of other celebrities and high-profile officials paid bribes to get their children  in Loughlins case her two daughters  into college using fake credentials. She and Giannulli paid $500,000 in bribes to get . His sentence was five months; Loughlin also had to complete 100 hours of community service and undergo two years of supervised release.
Italian culture is the amalgamation of thousands of years of heritage and tradition, tracing its roots back to the Ancient Roman Empire and beyond. Italian culture is steeped in the arts, family, architecture, music and food. Home of the Roman Empire and its legendary figures such as Julius Caesa r and Nero , it was also a major center of the Renaissance and the birthplace of fascism under Benito Mussolini. Culture on the Italian peninsula has flourished for centuries. Here is a brief overview of Italian customs and traditions as we know them today.

Population of Italy

According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics , Italy is home to approximately 59.6 million individuals as of 1 January 2020. About 96 percent of the population of Italy are ethnic Italians according to Jen Green, author of " Focus On Italy " (Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2007), though there are many other ethnicities that live in this country. North African Arab, Italo-Albanian, Albanian, German, Austrian and some other European groups fill out the remainder of the population. Bordering countries of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia to the north have influenced Italian culture, as have the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Sicily and Sardinia.

Of the 59.6 million people living in Italy as of 1 January 2020, 48.7 percent are men, 51.3 percent are women. 13 percent are children aged up to 15, 63.8 percent are believed to be aged 15  64 and 23.2 percent are 65 or older. 14,804 are 100 years old or older. The largest percentage of the population, 26.8, lives in the North West of Italy. The largest city by population is Rome with over 2.8 million residents, while the smallest municipality is Morterone with a population of just 30 people.

Languages of Italy

The official language of the country is Italian. About 93 percent of the Italian population speaks Italian as native language, according to the BBC. There are a number of dialects of the language spoken in the country, including Sardinian, Friulian, Neapolitan, Sicilian, Ligurian, Piedmontese, Venetian and Calabrian. Milanese is also spoken in Milan. Other languages spoken by native Italians include Albanian, Bavarian, Catalan, Cimbrian, Corsican, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Slovenian and Walser.

Family life in Italy

"Family is an extremely important value within the Italian culture," Talia Wagner, a Los Angeles-based marriage and family therapist, told Live Science. Their family solidarity is focused on extended family rather than the West's idea of "the nuclear family," of just a mom, dad and kids, Wagner explained.

Italians have frequent family gatherings and enjoy spending time with those in their family. "Children are reared to remain close to the family upon adulthood and incorporate their future family into the larger network," said Wagner.

The family structure has changed somewhat over the last 60 years. Gian Carlo Blangiardo, professor of Statistics and Quantitative Methods at the University of Milano-Bicocca and Stefania Rimoldi, researcher in demography at the University of Milano-Bicocca, explained in " Portraits of the Italian Family: Past, Present and Future " for the "Journal of Comparative Family Studies Vol. 45" (University of Toronto Press, 2014)that the mean age of a marriage is now 31 for women and 34 for men, seven years older than it was in 1975. This has been linked to an increase in cohabitation before marriage and an overall decline in the number of marriages.

Pope Francis addresses a crowd in St. Peters square from the balcony of the apostolic palace in August 2021. (Image credit: ALBERTO PIZZOLI / Contributor via Getty Images)

Religion in Italy

The major religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism. This is not surprising, as Vatican City, located in the heart of Rome, is the hub of Roman Catholicism and where the Pope resides. Roman Catholics and other Christians make up 80 percent of the population, though only one-third of those are practicing Catholics. The country also has a growing Muslim immigrant community, according to the University of Michigan. Muslim, agnostic and atheist make up the other 20 percent of the population, according to the Central Intelligence Agency .

The number of Italians who attend religious services at least once a week has declined substantially from 2006 to 2020, according to Statista . A little over 18 million Italians aged six and older attended weekly services in 2006, down to 12 million by 2020.

Art and architecture in Italy

Italy has given rise to a number of architectural styles, including classical Roman, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. Italy is home to some of the most famous structures in the world, including the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa . The concept of a basilica  which was originally used to describe an open public court building and evolved to mean a Catholic pilgrimage site  was born in Italy. The word, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is derived from Latin and meant "royal palace." The word is also from the Greek basilike, which is the feminine of basilikos which means "royal" or basileus, which means "king."

Italy is also home to many castles, such as the Valle d'Aosta Fort Bard, the Verres Castle and the Ussel Castle.

Florence, Venice and Rome are home to many museums, but art can be viewed in churches and public buildings. Most notable is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican, painted by Michelangelo sometime between 1508 and 1512.

Italy has a "centuries-long operatic tradition," according to Carolyn Abbate and Roger Parker in " A History of Opera: The Last Four Hundred Years " (W. W. Norton & Company, 2015). Opera has its roots in Italy and many famous operas  including "Aida" and "La Traviata," both by Giuseppe Verdi, and "Pagliacci" by Ruggero Leoncavallo  were written in Italian and are still performed in the native language. More recently, Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti made opera more accessible to the masses as a soloist and as part of the Three Tenors.

Pizza, one of the most popular dishes in the world, has its origins in central Italy. (Image credit: d3sign via Getty Images)

Italian food

Italian cuisine has influenced food culture around the world and is viewed as a form of art by many. Wine, cheese and pasta are important parts of Italian meals. Pasta comes in a wide range of shapes, widths and lengths, including common forms such as penne, spaghetti, linguine, fusilli and lasagna.

For Italians, food isn't just nourishment, it is life. "Family gatherings are frequent and often centered around food and the extended networks of families," said Wagner.

"The etymologies of the Italian words for taste (sapore) and knowledge (sapere) suggest why we should, as scholars of Italy and Italian culture, attend to food," wrote Peter Naccarato, Zachary Nowak and Elgin K. Eckert in their book " Representing Italy Through Food " (Bloomsbury Academic, 2018)

No one area of Italy eats the same things as the next. Each region has its own spin on "Italian food," according to CNN. For example, most of the foods that Americans view as Italian, such as spaghetti and pizza, come from central Italy. In the North of Italy, fish, potatoes, rice, sausages, pork and different types of cheeses are the most common ingredients. Pasta dishes with tomatoes are popular, as are many kinds of stuffed pasta, polenta and risotto. In the South, tomatoes dominate dishes, and they are either served fresh or cooked into sauce. Southern cuisine also includes capers, peppers, olives and olive oil, garlic, artichokes, eggplant and ricotta cheese.

Wine is also a big part of Italian culture, and the country is home to some of the world's most famous vineyards. The oldest traces of Italian wine were discovered in a cave near Sicily's southwest coast. "The archaeological implications of this new data are enormous, especially considering that the identification of wine [is] the first and earliest-attested presence of such a product in an archaeological context in Sicily," researchers wrote in the study, published online August 2017 in the Microchemical Journal.

Italian fashion

Italy is home to a number of world-renowned fashion houses, including Armani, Gucci, Benetton, Versace and Prada and is a nation that takes dress very seriously. "In Sicily, they say 'Eat and drink according to your taste, dress according to other peoples tastes'," Emanuela Scarpellini, professor of modern history at the University of Milan wrote in her book " Italian Fashion since 1945 " (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019).

"As well-known as are the designers of Italian automobiles and household furnishings, they have not surpassed such designers of clothing and accessories as Gucci, Fendi, Kirzia, Ferragamo, Pucci, Valentino, Prada, Armani, Versace, Ferre, and Dolce and Gabbana," wrote Charles L. Killinger, author of " Culture and Customs of Italy " (Greenwood, 2005). He pinpointed the last decades of the 20th century as being the boom period for ready-to-wear fashion. This capped off a general trend of improvement for the fashion industry as it was bolstered by post-war funding from America.

Doing business in Italy

Italy's official currency is the euro. Italians are known for their family-centric culture, and there are a number of small and mid-sized businesses. Even many of the larger companies such as Fiat and Benetton are still primarily controlled by single families. "Many families that immigrated from Italy are traditionalists by nature, with the parents holding traditional gender roles. This has become challenging for the younger generations, as gender roles have morphed in the American culture and today stand at odds with the father being the primary breadwinner and the undisputed head of the household and the mother being the primary caretaker of the home and children," said Wagner.

Meetings are typically less formal than in countries such as Germany and Russia, and the familial structure can give way to a bit of chaos and animated exchanges. Italian business people tend to view information from outsiders with a bit of wariness, and prefer verbal exchanges with people that they know well.

Italian holidays

Italians celebrate most Christian holidays. The celebration of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, is much like Christmas. Belfana, an old lady who flies on her broomstick, delivers presents and goodies to good children, according to legend.

Pasquetta, on the Monday after Easter, typically involves family picnics to mark the beginning of springtime.

November 1 commemorates Saints Day, a religious holiday during which Italians typically decorate the graves of deceased relatives with flowers.

Many Italian towns and villages celebrate the feast day of their patron saint. September 19, for example, is the feast of San Gennaro, the patron saint of Napoli.

April 25 is the Liberation Day, marking the 1945 liberation ending World War II in Italy in 1945.

Additional reporting by Alina Bradford, Live Science Contributor

Additional resources and reading

Before the Romans it was the Etruscans who appear to have dominated the Italian peninsula. Learn more by finding out how scientists solved the mystery of the Etruscans' origins .

More recently, Italy was at the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic, but how early was the coronavirus really circulating in Italy? Find out in this report.

Bibliography

Italian Tourism Official Website

Discover Italy: The celebration of the Epiphany

Lonely Planet: Italy

Delish: Italian Food by Region

Italian National Institute of Statistics

" Focus On Italy " by Jen Green (Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2007)

"Languages Across Europe" BBC

" Portraits of the Italian Family: Past, Present and Future " by Gian Carlo Blangiardo and Stefania Rimoldi for the "Journal of Comparative Family Studies Vol. 45" (University of Toronto Press, 2014)

" A History of Opera: The Last Four Hundred Years " by Carolyn Abbate and Roger Parker (W. W. Norton & Company, 2015)

" Representing Italy Through Food " by Peter Naccarato, Zachary Nowak and Elgin K. Eckert (Bloomsbury Academic, 2018)

" Italian Fashion since 1945 " by Emanuela Scarpellini (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019)
Two men attempted entering the country using counterfeit documents in unrelated cases, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The first case unfolded on Jan. 14 at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge. Jesus Torres-Rodriguez, of Acambaro, Guanajuato, Mexico arrived in a private vehicle as a passenger at about 7:04 p.m.

Torres-Rodriguez, 47, claimed to be a legal permanent resident and presented a legal permanent resident card bearing his name and photo to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Torres-Rodriguez also stated he was returning to his home in Georgia.

The CBP officer referred him to secondary inspection after suspecting that the document was counterfeit. In secondary, Torres-Rodriguez identified himself as an undocumented citizen from Mexico.

Defendant admitted paying a known individual 100,000 Mexican pesos (or about $5,000) for the document and knew that misrepresenting himself as a (U.S.) lawful permanent resident is illegal, states the affidavit.

A second case occurred at about 1:21 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge. Efrain Herrera-Rodriguez, 24, of San Alto, Zacatecas, Mexico arrived at the bridge as a passenger in a vehicle.

He presented his Mexican passport containing a Lincoln Tourist Visa and I-94 travel permit bearing his name and photograph to a CBP officer. He added that the document belonged to him and that he had intentions of traveling to Madisonville, Texas.

The CBP officer queried the document in the CBP database system resulting in negative findings, according to court documents. Herrera-Rodriguez was referred to secondary, where he admitted to purchasing the counterfeit visa from a friend of his for 20,000 Mexican pesos, or about $1,000. He added that a woman gave him the travel permit, states the affidavit.

Both are now facing federal charges.
A man affiliated with the Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos prison gang has been arrested in relation to the kidnapping of two migrants in 2019, according to authorities.

Angel Guerrero, 22, had a warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on the kidnapping case. He had been on the lam since Feb. 4, 2021, until his arrest on Jan. 10 by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Guerrero had been indicted on two counts of aggravated kidnapping for ransom/reward on Aug. 5, 2020.
Prince Harry is seeking a royal resolution.

The Duke of Sussex says he has safety concerns about bringing his family to visit the United Kingdom but was previously denied the option of paying local police to defend them.

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In a new court filing Saturday, Harry asked for the situation to be reviewed.

The goal for Prince Harry has been simple  to ensure the safety of himself and his family while in the UK so his children can know his home country, said a representative for Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.

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The UK will always be Prince Harrys home and a country he wants his wife and children to be safe in.

Prince Harry in January 2020. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)

Harry and Meghan stepped down from their senior roles with the British palace in 2020 and have since moved to Southern California, where they are raising their two kids.

The U.K. no longer funds protection for Harry and Meghan since they left their roles. Harry claims he asked in 2020 to pay for their own protection during trips to the U.K. but was denied.

Last year, Harry and Meghan described not feeling supported by British officials and detailed facing intense media scrutiny before leaving the U.K. during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the U.K., the couples representative said in the new statement.

In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home.
Lockport, NY (14094)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low near 50F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low near 50F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Longford County Council has welcomed the announcement that almost 1.4 million (1,394,250) is to be invested into the heart of Granard.

The funding allocation of 1.11 million (1,115,400), announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD under the Our Rural Future policy, will be supplemented by a further 278,850 from Longford County Council for the Granard Destination Town project.

The allocation is part of 21.5 million being made available under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) to 27 landmark regeneration projects in town centres nationwide.

This national round of funding is particularly directed towards the design and planning of projects to bring them to shovel-ready stage. The aim is to support rejuvenation of town centres, drive economic growth and footfall, combat dereliction, develop user friendly pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces, and boost visitor numbers to rural Ireland.

Here in Longford, the allocation will support the acquisition of key sites for the Granard Destination Project and the completion of design and planning work on the development of a multi-use open space and parkland. It will also be used to design and plan for the enhancement of public areas, which will increase connectivity and reduce congestion in the town centre.

Delighted with the news, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Peggy Nolan said this type of investment in Granard is a long time coming.

This is wonderful news for the thriving town of Granard and something that my colleagues, the elected representatives for Granard Municipal District, have long fought for. Ultimately, it will serve to increase the quality of life and the experience of Granard itself for local families and visitors alike.

Chief Executive Paddy Mahon agreed, Longford County Council is committed to supporting the development of our rural towns and villages. This project is the start of a transformational work plan to increase the vibrancy of the town of Granard and create a lasting difference that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

The aim of the Granard Destination Town project is to address issues in Granard like parking and connectivity and to optimise opportunities for economic development. It also works towards enhancing the attractiveness and quality of the public realm as well as the built and natural environs of the town.
More must be done to tackle domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence in Ireland, campaigners have demanded in the wake of Ashling Murphys murder.

Gardai are still hunting for the killer of Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old teacher who was found dead after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore.

Opinion: Bring projects to fruition and ensure Lanesboro isnt forgotten As I write this piece it is exactly one year since the ESB closed the Lough Ree Power Station bringing to an end over 60 years of the creation of electricity in Lanesboro.

The murder has caused widespread anger and shock in Ireland and beyond, with tens of thousands of people attending vigils in recent days.

Mary McDermott, chief executive officer at Safe Ireland, which campaigns for women and childrens safety, said the country does not have a minister with full responsibility for gender-based and domestic violence, saying it is scattered across various Government departments.

She told RTE Morning Ireland: Refuge and support services are under (the department of) children and the rest of the responsibility, which we know requires a whole of Government response, is scattered across the rest of Government departments.

It needs a whole-level response but at the moment it is fragmented and scattered.

The Tanaiste (Leo Varadkar) said there is a need for a lead minister.

We hope it brings all the areas under one ministry to respond in a coherent and systematic and fully resourced way.

Domestic violence in this country is a large-scale social problem. It is not a matter of poor personal choice. While we welcome all targeted actions that address the individual, if it is not systemically responded to we will fail.

We think domestic violence is akin to climate change and call for a high-level unit to set out and consider this.

Over the weekend, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said a new Government strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be published by the start of March. It would, she said, take a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women.

It comes as Gardai identified a new person of interest  who is believed to be in hospital in the Dublin region receiving treatment  and are waiting to speak to him.

As their investigation continues, Gardai believe the development of DNA profiles will form an integral part of the search for Ms Murphys killer.

A complaint from another woman, who said she was followed on the same canal path hours before the murder, is still being investigated.

Ms Murphys funeral will take place tomorrow (January 18) at St Brigids Church, Mountbolus, in Co Offaly.

Unions including the Irish National Teachers Organisation, Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, and Teachers Union Ireland have urged schools and colleges across Ireland to observe a minutes silence at 11am the same day.

They said in a joint statement: We are encouraging schools to fall silent to remember a beloved primary school teacher, taken far too soon, and show our solidarity with her friends, family, colleagues and pupils as Ashling is laid to rest.

Meanwhile, MLAs gathered in front of Parliament Buildings at Stormont in Northern Ireland for a vigil.

Before the Northern Ireland Assembly resumed business following its recess, politicians from the main parties came together.

First Minister Paul Givan, deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood gathered in front of a portrait of Ms Murphy and flowers.

Addressing MLAs at Stormont, Ms ONeill said: There are simply no words to convey the cruelty and injustice of what happened to Ashling, nor the heartbreak and sorrow of her loss.

Our hearts go out to her family and all who loved her.

Regretfully the truth is violence against women and girls, the threat of violence against women and girls, the fear of violence against women and girls is all too common.

Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is an epidemic.
Goods imports from Britain have dropped by more than a fifth since Brexit, figures show.

The latest numbers from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the value of goods imports from Britain fell by almost 3.3 billion (2.75 billion) from January to November in 2021.

Meanwhile, goods exports to Britain in the first 11 months of last year was 13.4 billion (11.2 billion), an increase of more than 20%.

The main changes were increases in the exports of chemicals and related products and machinery and transport equipment, with a decrease in the exports of food and live animals.

Exports to Britain accounted for 11% of total exports in November 2021.

Imports from Britain were 16% of the value of total imports in November 2021.

The drop in imports comes as cross-border trade continues to rise.

Imports from Northern Ireland to the Republic jumped by more than 64%, while exports to north of the border also rose by more than 50%.

The figures come amid ongoing negotiations between the UK Government and the European Union over the future of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Unionists argue that the post-Brexit trade arrangements damage the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain by placing a border in the Irish Sea.

Those trade arrangements have created economic barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with the aim being to avoid the creation of a hard border on the island of Ireland.

It has achieved that by effectively keeping Northern Ireland within the EUs single market for goods, an arrangement which has led to the checks on products crossing the Irish Sea from Britain.

Jarlath OKeefe, from Grant Thornton Ireland, said: The CSO figures for November confirmed that there has been a significant increase in cross border trade on the island of Ireland in 2021 following Brexit.

This is due in part to businesses adjusting their supply chains to avoid the administrative burden associated with importing goods from Britain.

Exports to Northern Ireland were 3,305 million (2.8 billion) in the period January to November 2021, an increase of 1,078 million (900 million) on the same period in 2020.

Meanwhile, the value of goods exports for the period January to November 2021 was 151.7 billion (126.7 billion), an increase of more than one per cent compared to the previous year.

Exports of electrical machinery, appliances and parts was the main driver, while exports of organic chemicals increased by more than 16%.

Exports of food and live animals increased by more than 15%.

Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products decreased by one billion euro (835 million).
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 17 2022

Matthew Mummaw, 34, pleaded guilty before Judge Meryl Berkowitz to charges of manslaughter in the second degree (a C felony).

Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce A. Smith announced that a utility worker from Jacksonville, Florida was sentenced today to 3-1/2 years to 10 years in prison for operating a utility truck while high on multiple drugs and striking and killing a bicyclist in Uniondale in August 2020.

Matthew Mummaw, 34, pleaded guilty before Judge Meryl Berkowitz to charges of manslaughter in the second degree (a C felony), vehicular manslaughter in the second degree (a D felony), leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death (a D felony), assault in the second degree (a D violent felony), two counts of assault in the third degree (an A misdemeanor), driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs (an unclassified misdemeanor) and leaving the scene of an incident resulting in property damage (a violation).

The NCDA recommended a sentence of five to twelve years in prison. Judge Berkowitz sentenced the defendant to three and one-third to ten years in prison.

High on a combination of meth, amphetamines, and fentanyl, this defendant got behind the wheel of a utility truck and left in his wake a trail of death and destruction, crashing into multiple vehicles, injuring drivers and tragically killing 38-year-old Erik Canales as he rode home from work on his bicycle, said Acting DA Smith. People should be able to trust that when they are on our sidewalks and our roadways that they will make it home again. By taking reckless, dangerous drivers like Mummaw off the roads and holding them accountable for their crimes, we can keep Nassau Countys roads safe for all who travel them.

In August 2020, Matthew Mummaw was in Nassau County as an employee of Heart Utilities of Jacksonville. He was being paid to repair power lines that were impacted by Hurricane Isaias. On August 14, 2020, Mummaw met other members of his utility crew at the Dave and Busters parking lot in Westbury, waiting to see if they had work for the day.

The defendant, high on a combination of drugs, drove his utility truck out of the Dave and Busters parking lot and onto Merchants Concourse. As he approached the intersection of Merchants Concourse and Corporate Drive, the light at the intersection was red. Mummaw then drove through multiple vehicles stopped at the light, between lanes of travel and through the intersection while the light was still red, striking five separate vehicles and causing property damage.

Mummaw left the scene of those collisions and continued to drive on Merchants Concourse where he veered out of his lane and mounted the sidewalk near the overpass for the Meadowbrook State Parkway, striking 38-year-old Erik Canales who was riding his bicycle home from work. Canales was pronounced deceased at the scene.

After striking Canales, the defendant left the scene of the collision and continued driving erratically, crashing head-on into a delivery truck and pickup truck on Stewart Avenue.

Mummaw then exited his vehicle and began physically assaulting the driver of the delivery truck, punching him in the head and body until the defendant was removed by police and civilians. Both the drivers of the pickup and delivery trucks sustained injuries from the crash.

The investigation found Mummaw was high on drugs including meth, amphetamines, and fentanyl at the time of the crash.

The defendant was arrested by Nassau County Police on August 14, 2020.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Katie Zizza and Assistant District Attorney Kally Konstantinidis of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. The defendant is represented by Steven Epstein, Esq.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Monday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Sage Group PLC - Newcastle Upon Tyne-based accounting software - Completes acquisition of retail management system specialist Brightpearl for USD299 million. Bristol-based Brightpearl provides a retail operating system allowing retailers and wholesalers to automate their back office to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The acquisition of Brightpearl, first announced on December 20, in which Sage already had a 17% minority stake, was funded from Sage's existing cash reserves. Company says move accelerates its growth strategy, broadening its value proposition for mid-sized businesses and expanding its digital network.

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Record PLC - Windsor, Berkshire-based currency and derivatives manager - Launches new private debt fund, EDS Universal KOMMUNALIS+ Liquiditat Short Term, investing primarily in municipal loans. Company will be acting as asset manager, in partnership with technology investment specialists European Debt Solutions and European fund service provider, Universal-Investments Group. "The new technologically-enabled alternative investment fund aims at achieving returns of 60 basis points over Euribor, with two-month liquidity, by investing in short-term loans to European Municipalities and adding short-term receivables from investment grade EU corporates," company says. The fund is an open ended special AIF, registered in Luxembourg.

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Edge Performance VCT PLC - London-based venture capital trust - Shareholders reject all proposals at requisitioned general meeting, in line with board's recommendation. In early December, a group of shareholders called for removal of all directors. At time, company said GM was "unwarranted act by small group of I class shareholders". On Monday, says: "Shareholders voted for the continued management of the VCT by the current board, in favour of the board's strategy, and plans and for the continued management of the company by its investment manager, Edge Investments Ltd. Your board is now focussed on securing the High Court's approval for the cancellation of the entire balance standing to the credit of the company's capital redemption reserve and the entire balance standing to the credit of the company's share premium account. This approval is expected by the middle of March 2022."

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Digital 9 Infrastructure PLC - London-based digital infrastructure investor - Starts consultation process with shareholders over potential change to existing investment policy. Notes existing policy restricts company's ability to invest more than 20% of gross asset value in any single asset or investee company. Company wants to increase restriction to 25%, and also amend threshold to "adjusted" gross asset value, which will include any third party debt drawn by or available.

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Spinnaker Acquisitions PLC - London-listed acquisition vehicle - In "advanced stages" of application process with the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange over proposal to be renamed as Ondo InsurTech PLC after completion of reverse takeover of HomeServe Labs Ltd deal from home repairs and improvements firm Homeserve PLC. "Whilst the terms of the proposed transaction have been agreed, the acquisition remains subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Accordingly, there is no certainty that the proposed transaction will proceed," company says.

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Prime People PLC - London-based recruitment company - Will return GBP2.0 million from oversubscribed tender offer of 2.7 million shares, which represent 22% of issued share capital. Buys back 2.3 million shares after application of scale-back mechanism. Also notes previously announced general meeting to propose the delisting will go ahead on January 12. Has 9.9 million shares in issue after tender offer. Proposition to cancel listing on London's AIM due to the poor performance of the company's share price, material financial costs to keep the listing and low liquidity issues.

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Blackbird PLC - London-based cloud video editing platform - Achieves Amazon Web Services Technology Partner status and completed the Foundational Technical Review of Blackbird Edge to "accelerate AWS engagement". Company adds: "The AWS FTR enables AWS Partners to identify and remediate risks in their products or solutions." Chief Executive Ian McDonough says company is "happy" to win the designation. He continues: "This milestone is significant as fast-tracked progress through the AWS Partner Network will allow us to scale much more flexibly for our customers which is key, whilst opening up the addressable market for Blackbird significantly."

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Leeds Group PLC - Leeds-based fabrics importer - Swings to pretax loss of GBP487,000 for the six months that ended November 30 from profit of GBP735,000 a year before. Revenue falls to GBP15.6 million from GBP20.0 million. Says pandemic hit performance in period. "The prolonged nature of the pandemic, exacerbated by the emergence of the Omicron variant in late November 2021, has impacted consumer confidence and caused many our customers to become overstocked and reduce demand while they correct that position," Leeds Group says.

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Enwell Energy PLC - oil and gas explorer in Ukraine - Notes Ukrainian government has issued decrees to impose temporary and partial gas price regulation in order to support the production of certain food products through the supply of gas at regulated prices. Companies will be forced to up to 20% of natural gas production for the period until April 30, 2022 at a price set at the cost of sales of the relevant gas producer. Expects scheme to be a temporary measure. "The regulation of gas prices through this mechanism, does present some serious inconsistencies between the market rules established at the time of deregulation of the gas supply market in Ukraine in 2015, as well as the commitments given to the international community at that time in relation to the functioning of the gas supply market in Ukraine," company says. CEO Sergii Glazunov says scheme is "very concerning".

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Mosman Oil & Gas Ltd - Exploration, development and production company with projects in Australia and the US - At Falcon-1 well, in which Mosman holds 75% working interest, an additional Frio sand zone has been perforated at a depth 7,457 to 7,460 feet. Plans to periodically increase the choke size and monitor wellhead pressures. Current production rate is up 23% on the average reported for the quarter to September 30. The Falcon project is part of the Champion project in east Texas in the US.

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Kavango Resources PLC - mineral explorer in Botswana - Restarts drill operations on Hole KSZDD002. The hole has been designed to intercept the B1 Conductor, a geophysical anomaly that the company believes is a prospective target for possible massive sulphide nickel or copper mineralisation. Drilling first started on KSZDD002 on November 19, 2022, with an expected target intercept depth of between 525 metres and 575 metres for the B1 Conductor. Drilling was paused for a Christmas break at 350 metres.

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Union Jack Oil PLC - UK-focused onshore hydrocarbon production, development and exploration company - "Pleased" with analysis carried out by RPS Group for its West Newton extended well test programme. Study indicates initial production rates of 35.6 million cubic feet of gas per day. The RPS review concluded that the Kirkham Abbey reservoir is likely to deliver substantially higher production rates from horizontal wells compared to vertical wells. Executive Chair David Bramhill says: "We are encouraged by the RPS review which continues to underline West Newton's potential as a material hydrocarbon producer. This initial analysis confirms the significance of the in-place resource and crucially, has de-risked the project by indicating the potential recovery of what we can now confirm to be high quality light oil, in addition to good quality gas."

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By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Louisiana... Mississippi River At Red River Landing affecting West Feliciana, East Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee Parishes. For the Lower Mississippi River...including Red River Landing... Minor flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/lix. Click on the Rivers and Lakes menu for forecasts and observations. The next statement will be issued when updates are needed. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL SATURDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Mississippi River At Red River Landing. * WHEN...Until Saturday evening. * IMPACTS...At 48.0 feet, Access roads will be inundated and evacuation of all river islands must be complete. Protection of people and property in the river bottom land on the river side of the levees must be complete. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 12:00 PM CDT Tuesday the stage was 50.0 feet. - Forecast...The river will is expected to fall below flood stage Saturday afternoon. - Flood stage is 48.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 48.8 feet on 04/22/2014. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Rising rapper Wavy Navy Pooh, whose most popular song was M.I.A.M.I. (Murder is a Major Issue), died Friday in a drive-by shooting in Miami, police said.

The 27-year-old artist was declared dead by authorities who responded to the scene, CBS Miami reported, citing local officials.

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The victim, in this case, was at the intersection of 152 Street and 127th Avenue getting ready to make a right to go eastbound on 152 Street, the Miami-Dade Police Department said. When an unknown vehicle, a Lexus approached him from the drivers side and opened fire and then fled westbound.

Wavy Navy Pooh in July 2021 in Atlanta. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Three other people in the rappers car, which included 1- and 5-year-old children, werent injured in the shooting, which occurred near Zoo Miami, officials said.

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Authorities have not named a suspect, nor have they released a potential motive.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 33 Naomi Judd, the Kentucky-born matriarch of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds and mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd, has died, her family announced Saturday, April 30, 2022. She was 76. (Josh Anderson/AP)

Wavy Navy Pooh was from Miami. His real name was Shandler Antoine Beaubien.

It is with great sadness & a heavy heart that we announce the loss of one of our beloved artist[s], Wavy Navy Pooh, record label Quality Control Music said in an Instagram tribute. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family at this time.
Dear Sir,

How fed up can one get with the losing Remainers and non residents who spout on about the fact the UK didnt know what it was voting for in the referendum or that the Leave politicians lied to them. Even now they think a second referendum should be held to be sure we really meant what we said and to give Boris a bloody nose. My wife and I didnt vote to Leave because we were in Mallorca and administrators lost our postal vote but we would have definitely voted Leave given the chance. Let me point out, a lot of people didnt believe that any politician told the total truth in the campaign, except possibly Marmite Nigel Farage who was as close as any. The endless debates to derail the vote for years afterwards was painful and using May to do anything proved a pointless waste of time.

Why did most of the UK population vote to leave? By far and away the main reason was the amount of uncontrollable immigration and the consequential scale of decline in social services, pressure on housing and depressed incomes for smaller businesses. This was meanly described as xenophobic and racist but as most Europeans look identical to British inhabitants that simply can not be true.

The second key issue was bureaucracy and cost. How many people are aware the hundreds of politicians claim untold expenses but have to pay any costs in cash with no receipts essential so there is no audit trail. We have the Supreme Court, House of Lords, House of Commons, County Councils, Borough and other local authorities, the police force and numerous useless quangos or talking shops that merely cost money. We have so many strata of governance why on earth do we need another that plays no part in our defense, appoints figureheads to govern us without any democratic recourse, makes the rich members pay for the poor with no recourse, allows different counties to levy taxes at whatever level they want and dishes out grants, like paying Italian farmers to count olive trees, with red tape in every sentence.

Importantly the UK was the second largest budget contributor to the EU before we left. France wrote the rules and somehow got away with paying far less for a larger, wealthy, more populated country. The UK had the same voting rights as little Estonia or Malta. The UK is the 5th largest economy in the whole world and the EU structure doesnt work for us in the way it has gone from a trading nation to an erstwhile political body that we never voted for.

Only one country benefits massively from the EU and that is Germany. They directly benefit from a very weak currency subsidizing their exports because there are so many weak economies who have adopted, and pulled down the value of, this failing currency. They pay slightly more contributions than the UK who arent in the  and has no wish to join it so has none of these indirect benefits. A rebate from Thatchers days keeps being brought up but that has gone up but the gross contributions have exploded making the rebate comparatively irrelevant Th original rebate was partly given away by Blair anyway. Neither do we want a penpusher to tell us if we can call a Cornish Pasty, Cornish. In the Olympics and Paralympics the UK and NI were Fourth and Third respectively in the whole world league table. So what, the EU will tell all EU countries to enter as EU in future and they will come fourth as well. Is that before or after athletes are conscripted to the EU Army speaking only in the French Language as France is proposing? I am not joking.

Not many people in the UK care about trade in goods as they are less than 10% of our economy and only 7% of companies actually trade with the EU in any case after decades of expensive membership. Duty Free is of much greater interest but this is lost on the Remainer Brigade. Services are 90% of the UK economy but most businesses are at least part American owned and not part of the EU and certainly will not be controlled in any way by them. The EU has totally failed to attract people from one of the leading economic capitals; that being London. Tokyo/Singapore, New York and London are here to stay satisfying the whole worlds economy. China my join them but the EU will not. Computer trading in securities in Holland has been very successful in  denoted trades post referendum with direct EU interference but Amsterdam was overtaken in December 2021 in this substantial but focused market sector by London, where few people moved to Holland just machines apparently. The UK economy has just hit pre-covid levels despite this pandemic and Brexit.

Our inoculation programme puts the EU to shame. They banned a British/Swedish vaccine and then sued the same company for not supplying sufficient quantities of it but because they hadnt signed a valid contract one is told. What a shambles. Our unemployment has reduced but the EU has grown to 7.5%. We have over one million vacancies and minimum wages have been statutorily increased. Brexit has been a failure? Your readers can decide. The weather is still lousy, I give you, but we have legally committed ourselves to an omissions target. Where is the EU Target I havent seen one?

I can understand why members of the EU are bitter about Brexit, as are the UK Press. There is a realization that the UK have fortuitously got off a gravy chain and contributions from remaining countries will spiral upwards and beneficiaries will start losing out big time.

There isnt any way the hopes of EU politicians can come true I believe but more inevitable is the reality all countries may end up as net contributors. We love Europeans. We love holidaying in Europe. We love the many differences and customs and even driving on the right. We dont trust any country to protect us and the EU have shown how many teeth they have. None.

Whilst we love so many things, we just dont want to be ruled by anybody and we arent coming back.

Sincerely

Ricky
The second story of an apartment building near campus collapsed around 1 p.m. today after the fire was put out by first responders.
Hip-hop star Vic Mensa is facing the music after reportedly arriving at an airport with what authorities suspected were psychedelic mushrooms.

Authorities are now running tests to determine whether Mensa was carrying psilocybin mushrooms when he arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport following a trip from Ghana, TMZ reported.

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The 28-year-old rapper, whose full name is Victor Kwesi Mensah, was reportedly arrested for felony narcotics possession on Saturday.

A representative for Mensa didnt immediately respond to a Daily News request for comment.

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Vic Mensa at 40 / 40 Club in New York City in August 2021. (Dimitrios Kambouris /Getty Images)

Mensa, who released his debut studio album in 2017, is known for songs such as U Mad and Reverse.

In an image shared to Mensas Instagram page last week, hes seen meeting with fellow artist Chance the Rapper and the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mensa posted numerous photos from the country in December and January. A post on Dec. 18 showed the rapper standing in front of a Ghana map with the caption and we back.
Craft beer connoisseurs 21+ are invited to hop(s) in for an evening of brews, food and science while supporting a good cause. (Roberto Gonzalez Photography / Courtesy photo)

You know what pairs well with Orlando-local craft beer? Science!

Its whats on tap at the Orlando Science Centers first in-person fundraiser in two years, one that looks at the processes behind one of the worlds most popular adult beverages.

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Science on Tap, taking place on Jan. 29, will feature more than 30 Central Florida breweries as attendees sip, sample and stroll around Loch Haven Park during this 21+ beer-stravaganza.

Why beer?

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Why not?! jokes Jeff Stanford, vice president of marketing for the Orlando Science Center, but the events actually been in development for a couple of years.

Weve always had success  not just in fundraising, but events and exhibits, too  when we can connect science to things that people are interested in and excited about.

Fans of past beer events will enjoy joining Orlando Science Center outdoors in Loch Haven Park to sample over 150 brews from local breweries on Jan. 29. (Roberto Gonzalez Photography / Courtesy photo)

Indeed, OSCs Science of Wine event has been a hit for more than a decade, bringing in folks who enjoy tasting but also casually learning about the science behind wine growing and making.

And for some time, weve gotten feedback from guests who say, You know, I like wine. But I really like beer!

Beer-related activities at OSCs 21+ Science Night Live events tested those waters, bringing in local brewers for sampling and science programming.

Those events sold out and gave us the confidence to move forward with a fundraiser focusing on dozens of breweries in a much larger scope, says Stanford.

Participants will include Ivanhoe Park Brewing, Ten 10 Brewing, Sanford Brewing, Wops Hops and a host of other Central Florida brewers with sampling opportunities numbering more than 150 beers. Additional fun will come in the form of live music from the Brown Bag Brass Band, games, food trucks and more  plus interactive science demos.

Inside a spacious Science on Tap tent, pros from Orlando Home Brew Supplies will be talking with guests about the brewing process, doing demos and explaining how those interested can start brewing beer, mead and kombucha at home.

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There is a lot of science behind beer. Fermentation alone is a lesson in chemistry, Stanford says, stressing the added importance of OSCs ongoing partnerships.

Persimmon Hollow Brewing is among the roster of breweries participating. (Persimmon Hollow Brewing / Courtesy photo)

Weve been here since 1955, and in addition to being a place to learn and grow and have fun exploring science, we want to support our community. Were very proud of Orlando  and want to promote the things that are really special here  and that includes our craft beer scene.

More info

This event is 21+ and outdoors with a limited capacity of 1,500. Beer samples are included with the price of admission. Proceeds will support STEM education programs in all sectors of the Orlando community.

Tickets for Science on Tap are available at osc.org/visit/events/science-on-tap/

General admission: $60, 5 p.m. entry

VIP: $90, 3 p.m. entry  includes two full pours and discounts at participating food trucks

OSC Members: $50, 4 p.m. entry

Designated drivers: $30

Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com.
Meadville, PA (16335)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely late. Low 54F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely late. Low 54F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Its been more than seven years to the release of Kriti Sanons debut film Heropanti. When she entered the industry, she came as an outsider who had no clue as to how things will pan out for her in the future. When she was trying to fit in the industry, she was rejected in the auditions and replaced by star kids or already established actors in the movies she gave auditions for.

Having known her personally, I can totally vouch for the fact that she has never given up and has battled all the odds, criticism and negativity that came her way. For Kriti, success or acceptance in Bollywood did not come as easy as it would have been for someone who already had roots in the film industry. Cut to 2022, Kriti is one of the busiest actresses in Bollywood today. Her upcoming films include Bachchan Pandey with Akshay Kumar, Adipurush with Prabhas and Ganapath with Tiger Shroff, among others.

As a female actor, you are always under a strict screening as people would judge you for your looks and have ample things to say to you. Kriti too had to face criticism as people told her that she had a gummy smile and she should do something with her lips.

In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Kriti said, There have been times when I was told to line my lips to (make it) look fuller. It didnt make sense to me. I did try it once (she laughs). I was also told that my nostrils flare up a little bit when I smile. So, yes there will be criticism from everywhere. When I smile or laugh, sometimes they do but thats normal na. I am not a plastic doll." She added that she "just never felt the need to change anything."

Heres her full interview with Bollywood Bubble:

She went on to add, People told me You have a gummy smile. That I am born with, I cant do anything about it. These are little little things that people dont say directly ki yeh change karo (change this). I feel like those things everyone hears. Someone was telling me now its not the pressure, but I think the pressure is increasing with all these Instagram filters and everything coming, everyone wants to be perfect all the time. So, I have gone through that, and heard things. Someone asked me to make my waist a little more in. Sometimes random people also say things. You have to make sure that you are not listening to just everybody."

We are glad that Kriti battled all the negativity and is doing a great job at the acting front.

Source: Bollywood Bubble
Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal married each other on December 9, 2021, in Rajasthan and are now enjoying marital bliss. The newlyweds, who recently celebrated their first Lohri in Indore, are yet to feature together in a film. However, did you know that they almost starred together in a movie that later went to Fawad Khan and eventually got shelved? Yes, you read that right!

According to a Mid-Day report, Vicky was Dhar's first choice for Raat Baaki Hai but the Raazi actor couldn't do the film due to date issues. Reportedly, Fawad Khan was later signed on to do the project.

In an interview, the actor had even confirmed that he was supposed to be a part of Raat Baaki Hai. He said, "[Director] Aditya [Dhar] was going to make a film called Raat Baaki Hai, with [Pakistani star] Fawad [Khan], and Katrina [Kaif], where I had a character that I couldn't do, because of date-issues. That film itself got shelved 20 days before the shoot, because of the attacks".

For the unversed, Raat Baaki Hai was supposed to be Dhar's directorial debut. The shooting for the romantic drama was set to begin in September 2016, however, the terrorist attacks took place in Uri post which the Indian government retaliated with the surgical strikes. Later, the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) had banned Pakistani actors from working in India.

Due to this development, Raat Baaki Hai with Fawad got shelved and Dhar started his research about the Uri attacks. In 2019, he finally directed Uri: The Surgical Strike with Vicky Kaushal in the lead. It turned out to be the actor's biggest hit and he even got the National Award in the Best Actor category for his performance in the film, while Katrina is yet to team up with Vicky as well as Dhar.

As per recent reports, Aditya Dhar is reviving Raat Baaki Hai as a producer. Reportedly, the film will now feature his actress-wife Yami Gautam alongside Pratik Gandhi (Scam 1992 fame). However, an official announcement is still awaited.

Source: Mid Day
Law enforcement officials in Apopka and Volusia County are investigating unrelated shootings that occurred over the three-day weekend.

Steven Jackson, 26, died at a nearby hospital after a fatal shooting Friday afternoon on South Central Avenue in Apopka, according to the Apopka police. His death has triggered a homicide investigation but no further details were released by officials.

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Meanwhile, Volusia County sheriffs detectives are investigating a pair of shooting incidents that occurred Sunday morning that left four teenagers whose names were not released with minor injuries.

Deputies responded to a call shortly after midnight Sunday that three males ages 18 to 20 arrived at the AdventHealth hospital in DeLand. Two had wounds from a bullet grazing their heads and the other had a gunshot wound to his forearm.

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The victims said they left a party in DeLand and were driving to a party in Daytona Beach when another vehicle pulled alongside them on U.S. Highway 92 and someone started shooting, according to a sheriffs report. No arrests have been made as an investigation continues, the report states.

Also after midnight Sunday, deputies responded to an unrelated shooting at a house on Lake Helen Osteen Road in Deltona where a 20-year-old male suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. An investigation is ongoing.
Some very famous and commercially successful movies have not seen the light of the day in theaters in India because of censorship issues. Sometimes the Censor board banned these movies and other times they were banned in several states over religious uproar. However, with the magic of the internet, everything is now accessible. Here are 5 banned movies which can be viewed online:

1. 50 Shades Darker

The entire trilogy of this erotic film series starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson had to face heat in terms of censorship and while this steamy movie was banned in India over issues pertaining to a lot of nudity and intense sex scenes, you can view it on Netflix now.

2. The Da Vinci Code

This movie stirred up a storm of controversy and was banned in over 7 states in India after it was accused of showing Christian community in a bad light and there were reservations about how Jesus Christ was described in the film. It is available on Netflix now.

3. Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom

Back in 1984, the sequel to the famous Raiders Of The Lost Ark caused a major uproar in the country. The depiction of Indian villages, the people and the fictitious outlook of the Hindu mythology naturally angered the people here and hence it was not allowed to be released. You can watch it on YouTube now.

4. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

This dark movie is a big hit overseas but after the Censor board asked a few love making, torture and rape scenes to be cut, director David Fincher refused to oblige and as a result, the movie was banned in the country. It can be streamed and rented on YouTube now.

5. Water

Deepa Mehtas controversial film starring John Abraham which was set against the backdrop of the rising colonial power in Varanasi, was banned in the country for hurting religious sentiments with its explicit sexual content. The movie shows a widow who is finding love again and back in 2005, it was still a subject of controversy. It is available on YouTube.




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
In summer 2020, The New York Times coordinated a nationwide project to document the lives of Americans out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved collaborating with 11 other local newsrooms around the U.S. The Messenger-Inquirer was the only newspaper from Kentucky in the collaboration. The resulting collection of stories was published Oct. 23, 2020, in the New York Times print edition and at nytimes.com/outofwork. The following list is the Messenger-Inquirer's local unemployment coverage from that time period; read more by clicking the "New York Times Project" header. Click on "Out Of Work In America" to go to the full
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Paducah, KY (42003)

Today

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 50F. NW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 50F. NW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 10, 2022

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. - Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated its K-12 school quarantine and isolation guidance to reflect recent updates made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that modifies or shortens the quarantine and isolation periods to as short as five days in some circumstances.

Changes include language on isolation guidance that allow students, teachers and staff to return to school sooner after infection, under certain circumstances. Quarantine guidance is also updated, allowing students, as well as staff and teachers, to return to school sooner after a school-based exposure.

The state is committed to ensuring Michigan students and educators are as safe as possible in the classroom. When layered prevention strategies such as vaccination, masking, distancing, testing, isolation and quarantine are applied consistently, school-associated transmission of COVID-19 is significantly reduced. MDHHS continues to recommend universal masking in K-12 settings. This guidance will help K-12 schools maintain in-person learning by outlining mitigation strategies when students, teachers and staff are exposed to a COVID-19 case in a school setting.

"We always advocate for preventative measures that keep our children safe," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. "Children of school age - ages 5 and up - are now eligible to get vaccinated, and children ages 12 and up are eligible to get boosted. In addition to masking and testing, we feel confident that schools can remain as safe as possible for our children."

Quarantine and isolation are determined by the local health department and are used as important tools to prevent the spread of disease.

You isolate ?when you are already infected with COVID-19 and have tested positive, even if you do not have symptoms. Isolation is used to separate people who are infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected.

?when you are already infected with COVID-19 and have tested positive, even if you do not have symptoms. Isolation is used to separate people who are infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. You quarantine when you might have been exposed to COVID-19. This is because you might become infected with COVID-19 and could spread COVID-19 to others.

Overview of COVID-19 Isolation Guidance for K-12 Schools

Students, teachers & staff who test positive for COVID-19 and/or display COVID-19 symptoms should isolate regardless of vaccination status:

If positive with no symptoms, monitor for symptoms from day of exposure through day 10 of isolation; and

Isolate at home for 5 days (day "0" is day symptoms begin or day test was taken for students, teachers & staff who do not have symptoms); and

If symptoms have improved or you continue to have no symptoms, return to school, while wearing a well-fitted mask, for days 6 -10; or

Stay home for 10 days if unwilling/unable to wear a mask.

If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever free for a period of 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Overview of COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance for K-12 Schools

Close contacts of a COVID-19 case do not need to quarantine at home if they:

Had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days; and/or

Are up to date on all recommended COVID-19 vaccines for which they are eligible

These contacts should still monitor their symptoms and "Mask to Stay" for 10 days from the date of last exposure.

Close contacts of a COVID-19 case who do not meet the criteria above need to quarantine or may test to stay and/or mask to stay. Exposed individuals may:

Home quarantine for days 1-5, if feasible test on day 5, AND "Mask to Stay" for days 6-10; or

"Test to Stay" for days 1-6 AND "Mask to Stay" for days 1-10; or

Home quarantine for days 1-10 if unable/unwilling to mask

Students, teachers & staff should monitor for symptoms throughout quarantine period (days 1 through 10). Day "0" is day of last close contact with any COVID-19 positive student, teacher or staff. If symptoms develop, get tested.

Symptom Monitoring

During days 0-10 following exposure:

Watch for symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 symptoms.

If symptoms develop, get tested immediately and isolate until receiving test results. If test is positive, then follow isolation recommendations.

If symptoms do not develop, get tested at least five days after last exposed.

If possible, stay away from others in the home, especially people who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

For the full 10 days after last exposure, avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings

Test to Stay: test every other day for 6 days following the exposure and consistent and correct use of a well-fitted mask.

Mask to Stay: is the consistent and correct use of a well-fitted mask when around others and in school and public settings.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

To find a vaccine, visit VaccineFinder.org.

###
On May 18, 1927, a man named Andrew Kehoe murdered 43 people  including 38 children  and injured 58 others in an eruption of violence in Bath Township, Michigan.

Kehoe, bitter about his loss in a township election and financial difficulties, woke up on the morning of May 18 and proceeded to bludgeon his wife to death before detonating explosives on his property.

He then drove his truck, laden with explosives, to the Bath Consolidated School, where he had secretly stockpiled explosives in the buildings basement. He set off the explosives in the basement with an alarm clock, collapsing the north wing of the school and killing scores of elementary school students.

After the explosion that destroyed a large section of the school, Kehoe detonated the dynamite in his truck, which was filled with shrapnel, killing himself and three other people.

The violence in Bath almost 100 years ago marked the arrival of the American mass murderer. Though the phenomenon has spread throughout the world, the United States has been plagued by mass killings over the past 60 years.

Kenneth Wolf has spent much of his professional life teaching businesses and organizations how to prevent incidents of mass violence and how to respond if such incidents should occur.

Wolf, chief executive officer of Incident Management Team Inc., consults on threat management, protective intelligence and crisis response strategies. He was a responder to the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks and has served as an analyst for ABC News and NBC News following disasters and mass shootings.

Wolf has also consulted with businesses and organizations like the Michigan Education Association, the Big Three automakers, the Michigan State Police, World Bank, the U.S. Army and the Securities and Exchange Commission. He helps these organizations develop plans to assess risks and how to manage those risks once they are identified.

Where Mass Shootings Happen Of the 277 active shooter incidents in the United States between 2000-2018:  43.7% (121) occurred in commercial settings - 26.7% (74) in businesses open to pedestrian traffic, 13.4% (37) in businesses closed to pedestrian traffic, 3.6% (10) in shopping malls  20.6% (57) in educational settings - 15.2% (42) in schools Pre-K to 12, 5.4% in institutions of higher learning  13.4% (37) in open space  9.4% (26) in governmental settings - 6.9% (19) in governmental properties, 2.5% (7) in military settings  4.3% (12) in private residences  4.3% (12) in health care facilities  4% (11) in houses of worship  0.4% (1) in other location Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation See More Collapse

Wolf, who recently spent a day with Thumb educators, business owners and others sharing his expertise and offering suggestions on what they can do to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of violent incidents in their schools and facilities, said there are simple steps the average person can take to protect themselves and others in the unlikely event an active shooter is in the vicinity.

Run

The first recommended course of action for those who find themselves in the midst of an active shooting is to evacuate. Wolf urges individuals to learn to recognize danger  dont mistake gunshots for fireworks  and maintain a situational awareness no matter where they may be.

Chaos and confusion will be inevitable, he added, so try to keep a clear head and turn the fear you will be feeling into action.

People should always take note of accessible exits and keep an escape route and plan in mind. Dont wait for others to follow, and leave your belongings behind. Help others escape, if possible, and prevent others from entering areas where the active shooter may be.

You should also keep your hands visible and follow any instructions given by responding law enforcement officers. Call 911 when you are safe.

Hide

If you are unable to flee, find a hiding place where the shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should be out of view and provide protection if shots are fired in your direction, such as an office with a closed and locked door. Blockade the door, if necessary.

Make sure you are not trapped in your hiding place, and dont restrict your options for movement.

If the shooter is close by, lock any doors leading to your hiding place and silence any cell phones, pagers or computers. Turn off any source of noise, like a TV or radio, hide behind large items like file cabinets or desks and remain quiet.

If you cant hide or evacuate, remain calm. Dial 911 to alert law enforcement to the shooters location. If you cant speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.

Fight

As a last resort, and only if your life is in immediate danger, should you attempt to disrupt, engage or incapacitate an active shooter. Wolf said his firm cannot recommend such a course of action but understands it may be someones final option.

If forced to confront a shooter, people should weaponize themselves with anything that may be close by  a telephone, canned food, scissors  and attack in groups. Set up an ambush, if possible. Attack when the shooter stops to reload or turns his back to you.

Wolf mentioned the group of passengers on Flight 93 who rushed the cockpit of the plane hijacked on Sept. 11 as an example. Be committed to your chosen course of action, and act as aggressively as possible. Screaming and yelling can be effective in such situations, he said.

Pretend your (loved ones) are behind you, Wolf said.

You survived. Now what?

If you managed to survive an active shooting, Wolf warned the danger may not be over. Law enforcement officers will arrive on the scene and may not recognize you as an innocent bystander.

Dont pick up any weapons the shooter may have dropped, and put down any items you may be holding. Immediately raise your hands, keeping them visible at all times, and spread your fingers.

Responding officers often arrive in teams of four, Wolf said, and may be wearing regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets or other tactical equipment. They may be armed with rifles, shotguns or handguns and may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation. They may also shout commands and push individuals to the ground for their safety. The first officers on the scene will not stop to help the injured, Wolf said.

Avoid making quick or sudden movements, such as holding on to officers for safety, and refrain from pointing, screaming or yelling. Dont stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating  just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises. Once outside in a secure area, be prepared to give the location of the shooter (if still active), the number of shooters (if more than one), a physical description of the shooter and their weapons and the number of potential victims.

As Rudyard Kipling wrote, If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, youll disarm the active shooter of what may be his most potent weapon: fear.
By TRACI L. WEISENBACH

Tribune Staff Writer

SEBEWAING  Its quite a sad day in Sebewaing.

Sami Khoury shared this sentiment as he and fellow Sebewaing Village Council member Don Beers watched large demolition machinery tear down a historic building thats been in the village at 249 N. Center Street for 70 to 80 years  the former Sebewaing Industries/Tower Automotive/Lapeer Metal Stamping building. It has been vacant since Lapeer Metal Stamping closed its doors in 2008.

Demolition started late last week, causing many jaws to drop as they walk or drive by the site.

Recently, Huntington Machinery, based in Troy, purchased the building in a private sale. The company is taking the building apart and will be selling the scrap material, said Jim Hewes, of Huntington Machinery.

Gentry Demolition, LLC, of Indiana, also is helping with the demolition project.

Hewes said the front part of the building  the office area  will not be torn down. That area, which is the oldest part of the building, will be saved for possible use as a machine shop, he said. While its not for certain this will happen, Hewes said if it does, it will mean some local job openings. At this time, hes not sure how many.

The remainder of the factory building will be down as of late next week, Hewes said.

Huntington Machinery does this type of project all over the country, he said. He said its too early to tell how much money the company will receive from the scrap material from the Sebewaing building.

According to Carl Osentoski, Huron County Economic Development Corp. executive director, the building takes up 6.8 acres (including the front office area that will be saved).

Once the demolition is done, Hewes said its up in the air what will happen with the property. He said the company may sell it, but thats not for certain.

Hewes said Huntington Machinery acquired all the necessary permits from the village to do the demolition project.

We had a couple of meetings, and everything went well, he said. The village treated us well. Theyre very good people to work with.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will be doing periodic tests for ground contamination. If any is found, though, Huntington Machinery will not be responsible for it, Hewes said.

The cement on the property will be kept intact, Beers said, per state law. The cement will help prevent any contamination from flowing into the nearby bay. Without the cement, rain and snow would soak into the ground and wash any contamination into the bay, Beers said.

That cement is 12 inches thick, he said.

As for the demolition of the longtime building in which thousands of people worked over the years, Beers said it was tough to watch.

I think its terrible. I wouldve loved to see a business come in here  but nothing came of it, he said.

Beers and Khoury said Huntington Machinery first approached the village about its plans in October, so things have moved quickly.

I couldnt believe it at first, Khoury said. I didnt think anyone would want to do this.

Khoury and Beers said granting the permits for the demolition project was a tough decision for the village to make.

Nothing was taken lightly, Beers said.

Hopefully, the new owner will get the site cleaned up (well), Khoury said.

Hewes said as demolition crews have been working, some people have been driving by, yelling and screaming about the company taking jobs away from local people.

Were not the grim reaper  were not the ones that shut the factory down, he said.

Hewes said he believes the building would no longer be a viable site for a manufacturing company, despite the fact that thats how the building was used for decades.

Its not suitable for manufacturers today - its too obsolete, he said. Manufacturing buildings need to be streamlined and efficient, and this building is not efficient. Its too cut up. You have a 50-foot section here, a 30-foot section there, and different ceiling levels.

He said a streamlined manufacturing building would be more rectangular and wouldnt have multiple-sized sections.

Hewes noted Huntington Machinery is not receiving any grants or other government funding for the demolition project.

Its self funded, he said.

Traci L. Weisenbach  (989) 269-6461  tweisenbach@hearstnp.com
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MIDDLETOWN  A very special lady who turned 100 on Tuesday was feted with a birthday party during which the mayor proclaimed Saturday as Ethel Peltz Day in the city.

Peltz, 100, spent her entire life living in both Portland and Middletown. She celebrated her milestone at The Village at South Farms on Saybrook Road Friday with family, friends and some of the areas elected officials.

It is really incredible, state Sen. Matt Lesser said about the centenarians age. He presented Peltz with an official citation from the states General Assembly recognizing her.

Congratulations, and lets continue to celebrate, Lesser said.

Mayor Ben Florsheim presented a proclamation, declaring Saturday as Ethel Peltz Day in the city. Thank you to Ethel not just for giving us an occasion to celebrate, but for all youve done in those 100 years, he said.

Peltz called it an honor. Im enjoying every minute.

The party included desserts and a live band, whose members serenaded her with songs from throughout her life, beginning with Al Jolsons April Showers, one of the top hits in 1922, the year Peltz was born.

She grew up in Portland, where her family owned and operated a general store on Marlborough Street for many years. She eventually served Middletowns parochial schools by performing dental work for students.

Shes given so much to this community, Florsheim said.

If it werent for the number 100 being written on all the balloons and cupcakes in the room, Peltz said she wouldnt believe she was that old. I dont feel any different, she said on Friday. I still feel 16.

When asked what her secret was for such a long life, Peltz admitted that she has good genes, saying her mother lived to nearly 100 herself.

Her daughter Lois Peltz traveled from her home in New York for the occasion. She said it was nice to see her mother honored. Shes a very special lady  but I always knew that.
DPRK fires 2 short-range projectiles eastward -- S.Korea's JCS

Xinhua) 11:22, January 17, 2022

SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two short-range projectiles into eastern waters, the fourth launch in less than two weeks, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Monday.

The JCS said in a statement that the South Korean military detected two projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles which were launched northeastward to the Eastern coast from the DPRK's Sunan airfield in Pyongyang at about 8:50 a.m. and 8:54 a.m. local time each.

The projectiles traveled some 380 km at an altitude of around 42 km. The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States were precisely analyzing further details on them, according to the JCS.

The JCS noted that the South Korean military was monitoring the situation and maintaining readiness posture to prepare for the possibly additional launch by the DPRK.

It marked the DPRK's fourth projectile launch this year. The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said last week that the railway-borne missile regiment test-fired two tactical guided missiles on Friday.

The DPRK said it successfully test-launched a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 respectively.

South Korea's presidential National Security Council (NSC) held an emergency meeting, emphasizing the importance for the rapid resumption of dialogue in order to stabilize situations on the Korean Peninsula.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Elected officials, school children and social activists across Connecticut paid tribute to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, the federal holiday that marks his birthday.

The titan of the Black civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s would have turned 93 over the weekend, had he not been killed by an assassins bullet in 1968. Students from Norwalk, Danbury and Middletown participated in one of the events, mostly remote, held in towns from Stamford to Branford.

I remember watching videos of him and others marching and being hit in the head with rocks and all kinds of stuff that they had to endure, and him being a voice for the people and for the movement, said Chris Wilson, an entrepreneur and artist who headlined Branfords 37th annual MLK event.

Wilson authored a book documenting his rise from a hard upbringing in Baltimore, and spoke during Mondays event of how his mothers sexual assault at the hands of his stepfather, a police officer, led him to spiral onto a path that would see him sentenced to life in prison. Released after 16 years, he recalled how learning about the civil rights movement while working towards a sociology degree inspired him.

I honestly felt ashamed of myself that our people had been through so much and here I was in prison and wasting my life, Wilson recalled during the event, held over Zoom. I went from feeling just ashamed of myself to being motivated to pick up the torch and finish the work.

Gov. Ned Lamont paid tribute to King in a pre-recorded video

When it comes to speaking truth to power, I hope thats one of the things we remember about Martin Luther King, the governor said. He stood up to those forces every day, and Id like to think some of those values he got during his summer here in Connecticut right down the street in Simsbury.

King was among a group of Morehouse College students who worked the tobacco fields at a farm in the town. He later recalled the experience of being able to eat in Hartfords restaurants without fear of discrimination in a letter to his mother.

But others who marked the day pointed to the nations continuing divide over race and issues of social justice.

We dont have segregation in the physical form, said state Rep. Bobby Gibson, a Democrat whose district includes Bloomfield and Windsor. But do we have segregation in the economic or in the form in which we are all living as equals and we have equality and we have equity? he asked, speaking during a virtual event commemorating the day hosted by the state legislatures Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity. This was Dr. Kings dream that we would have these things. But how do we live up to his legacy?

Students who spoke during the event shared quotes from King and talked about what his words meant in their own lives.

Terrence Lamont Jackson Jr., a senior at Middletown High School, drew parallels between Kings words and marches and protests in 2020 following the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.

I was already feeling the mental effects of remote learning, but I remember feeling scared and helpless for the first time in my life, all because of the color of my skin, Jackson said. After Arberys death, Jacksons mother forbade the teen from going for a run not because it was too cold, but because she was now scared for me to run in our own neighborhood.

Jackson said he lost his fear after his mother spoke at a protest for George Floyds death and watching the movement of protests grow. Martin Luther King didnt let anyone or anything stop him from speaking, marching or protesting, Jackson said. If you think about all he went through on that bloody Sunday in Selma, because of his legacy, we didnt let the virus stop us from protesting for what was right, he said.
MIDDLETOWN  This week, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Middlesex County and throughout our great country.

MLK Day is a special day, one that celebrates not only his birthday, but the huge impact that the civil rights leader had on the United States of America.

There are many celebrations around Middlesex County this week that will honor Dr. Kings life and legacy. I am proud that chamber Workforce Development Director Lorenzo Marshall will represent our organization at the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Committee of Greater Middletown event Monday, which will be virtual this year.

The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce also has a longtime and enduring partnership with the Middlesex County Chapter of the NAACP, which is led by President Faith Jackson.

I would like to take a moment to recognize all of those who volunteer their time in the service of others. We are all in this together, and it is in that spirit that we honor Dr. Kings legacy, not just on Monday, but every day of the year.

Chamber calendar

This week is another busy one for the chamber team as it features a number of important meetings and community events. On Wednesday afternoon, the chambers Affordable Housing Committee, led by Chairman Bob Fusari, will host a special presentation which will focus on the affordable housing landscape in Connecticut as we enter 2022.

Presenters include state Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Dawn Parker, director of UniteCT; Greg Ugalde, who formerly served as chairman of the National Association of Home Builders; and RiverCOG Executive Director Sam Gold.

We look forward to this important discussion, which will include everything from available incentives and tax credits from the state level, landlord and tenant relations, national issues impacting Connecticut, such as supply chain and labor issues, and an update on the regional plan of conservation and development.

On the chamber meeting front, this week will feature virtual meetings of our Human Resource Council Steering Committee, Killingworth Division, Recovery Employment Program Steering Committee, Board of Directors, Legislative Committee, and Cruise Night on Main Committee.

Our Board of Directors meeting, scheduled for Thursday at 11:30 a.m., will feature reports from chamber committee chairs and key staff on the many important ways in which we work to support the business community in Middlesex County.

In addition to these important updates, the meeting will feature remarks from Patrick Flaherty, director of research and information for the Connecticut Department of Labors Office of Research. We look forward to hearing from Patrick on the current health of the states economy as we embark on what we hope is a full year of positive economic news.

Finally, in addition to these meetings that are specific to our chamber, I also look forward to attending a virtual meeting of the Workforce Alliance Racial Equity & Accountability Initiative on Friday.

As you can see, the chamber continues to be on the move.

Grand opening

On the business development front, I look forward to joining Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim and other local dignitaries for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration in honor of Fresh Greens & Proteins on Main Street.

Fresh Greens and Proteins mission is to create healthy options so you can eat better, which allows you to feel better, so you can live better.

I would like to wish AJ Cooney, Mack Cianciolo, Zakary Cianciolo and the entire team great success on Main Street, and we look forward to supporting their business moving forward.

Public policy agenda

Before closing, I would like to thank the chambers Executive Committee, which formally adopted our 2022 public policy agenda at its meeting Jan. 3. This year, the chamber is once again urging the General Assembly to focus its efforts on providing meaningful support to the businesses in the state, and helping them as they work to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

Legislative breakfast

The chambers 2022 legislative event series kicks off Feb. 4, when we welcome Speaker of the House Matt Ritter to a special meeting at the Inn at Middletown, and continues Feb. 25 with our annual legislative breakfast at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell.

I will have much more to share on these important events as we approach the legislative session, which begins Feb. 9.

Lighting Barn of Durham

I am afraid I must close this weeks column on a sad note after the recent passing of Carolyn Adams, a well-known and well-respected local businesswoman, and friend to many in the Middlesex County community. Carolyn opened the Lighting Barn of Durham, which later became Carolyn Adams Country Barn, in the mid 1970s.

She operated this local staple for over 40 years until her retirement in 2017. Carolyn Adams Country Barn offered couches, chairs, tables, home decor items, seasonal decorations and much more. She served her customers with a personal touch that made a lasting impression, and the business was a key part of Main Street in Durham for decades.

Carolyn was kind, generous and loyal, and is someone who will be missed dearly by all who knew her. I am grateful for her many years of chamber membership and her support of many community-based causes. Our thoughts and prayers are with her entire family who adored her, and for good reason.

Carolyn Adams made quite an impact, and she will certainly be missed.

Larry McHugh is president of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce in Middletown.
A top specimen ruby crystal from Luc Yen, Vietnam. This is a stunning stand alone single crystal, double terminated. This is about as good as it gets from this Vietnamese location. Featuring wonderful glassy luster, great ruby crystal shape, this crystal just speaks quality. The size is outstanding!! We acquired this on our last trip to Vietnam 20 months ago, this was the only crystal of this size we saw, among hundreds viewed. Obviously we had to pay a high price for this piece even at the mine. It has very sharp faces, and deep, pinkish-red color. It is translucent. A wonderful crystal, weighing an impressive 80cts plus!!! This is a floater crystal with a small amount of mica associated, the seller suggested it was clinohumite associated ,but Im not really sure this is correct. Please remember our prices are in Australian dollars. Please compare our prices.

LUC YEN, YEN BEI, VIETNAM.

36 x 18 x 14MM.






ASEPA Executive Director Mensah Thompson

16.01.2022 LISTEN

There was no malice in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) withdrawal of four military bodyguards of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin on last Friday.

This is according to findings made by Alliance for Social Equity And Public Accountability (ASEPA) after the Ghana Armed Forces informed the Speaker of the intention to withdraw WOI Jafaru Buniwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, S/Sgt Agbley Prosper, and Sgt Bonney Prince from his security detail.

Made a few checks at the Speakers Office a while agothis is only a formal protocol being followed by the military.

The Officers have only been withdrawn only to regularize them and NOT out of any malice or any attempt to endanger the Speakers personal safety.

Kindly ignore the spin being put on it, ASEPA Executive Director Mensah Thompson said in a Facebook post.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the military bodyguards of the Speaker had to be withdrawn because they were attached to him without the proper procedure.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to regularize the attachment of the recalled military personnel.
16.01.2022 LISTEN

The Office of the National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress, NDC has condemned what it said was the withdrawal of four military officers stationed to offer protection to the leader of the legislature.

Reacting to the news this morning, the National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress, Joshua Hamidu Akamba bemoaned that all attempts by the government of Nana Addo to strip the Speaker off security protection because he was against the LGBTQ+ and E- Levy is unconstitutional and a threat to the security of the state.

The known strategic National Organizer of the NDC, comrade Joshua Hamidu Akamba who warned the government to reinstate the security personnel assigned to protect the right Honourable speaker professed that the National Democratic Congress in the coming days will consider empowering the internal party security to protect the leader of the 8th parliament if the government fails to bring back the military personnel.

A letter dated 11 January and signed by the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Major General N. P. Andoh said four military men had been deployed as part of the security of the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin without proper procedure.

It is harshly requested that the personnel is withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularise their attachment, the letter stated.

However, the decision by the military hierarchy has exasperated the National Democratic Congress as a party and millions of Ghanaians.

This has made the angry National Organizer of the opposition NDC to add that, the economic conditions of the Ghanaian people are deteriorating in alarming proportions and citizens cannot pay hospital bills, citizens cannot pay light bills, citizens cannot pay water bills and above all citizens cannot pay for their Ward's school fees, drivers cannot survive the hardship, teachers, and nurses cannot survive it yet the only thing the Nana/ Bawumia led NPP can think of is stripping off security covers on the speaker.

Indeed, citizens are helpless and hopeless in hands of this Nana/ Bawumia led NPP government, He added.

The National Democratic Congress will be forced to have the power to provide for calling forth their internal security crew to protect the 1992 constitution of Ghana and the speaker of the 8th Parliament to suppress the planned Insurrections and repel Invasions against the right honorable speaker, Alban Sumana Bagbin, the furious National Organizer of the NDC stated.
Two students of Asankragwa Nursing and Midwifery Training College in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region died on the spot when a tricycle they were travelling crashed into a grader machine.

The deceased were final and second-year students.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Hajia Abiba Salifu, Asankragwa Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) Commander, confirmed the incident to Ghana News Agency (GNA).

She said on Saturday, January 15, around 1730 hours, the Police received a distress call that an accident had occurred around the National Health Insurance (NHI) office area in Asankragwa.

She said the directorate quickly dispatched some MTTD personnel to the scene to help save lives and ensure the free flow of traffic.

ASP Salifu said the information they had at the scene was that the final year student, who had some family members around the NHI office, went home with the second-year student, who happened to be her school daughter.

The MTTD Commander said while the two were returning to school, they boarded a rickshaw, which was rammed into by a grader, leading to the crash with another rickshaw.

The two students lost their lives in the process while one of the riders, who saw the accident from afar escaped but the other sustained injuries and was rushed to the Asankragwa Catholic hospital for treatment, ASP Salifu added.

She said the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the Asankragwa Catholic hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

"What caused the accident is not yet known but we have started our investigations to establish the fact," The MTTD Commander said.

ASP said the grader driver was detained to assist in investigations.

GNA
The Ministry of Finance says the Ghanaian economy is still robust as seen in its rapid rebound post-COVID-19, showing a healthy Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 6.6 per cent for the third quarter alone and an average of 5.2 per cent for the first three quarters of 2021.

The Ministry said while the end year growth targets for 2021 had been revised to 4.4 per cent, the high-frequency indicators suggested a continued strong momentum in economic activities.

A statement by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry said in response to a Bloomberg article on Ghana's debt that the country's economy remained strong despite the global challenges on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in emerging markets with risks such as financial stress and sluggish progress on vaccination as recently cited by the World Bank.

The Ministry, therefore, reassured, its investors that Ghana's fundamentals remain strong as attested to by our growth in December the Ghana Revenue Authority exceeding its target in 2021 and our strong reserves position.

It said: Ghana will continue to show leadership in this difficult post COVID era to build a sustainable, entrepreneurial nation while ensuring that growth, job creation and fiscal consolidation are not compromised, in line with the President's vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid.

The Ministry described the article as factually inaccurate as the country's provisional nominal debt to GDP, as at the end of November 2021 was 78.4 per cent, which was the latest data available.

December revenue collections are seasonally the latest for any year, it is unlikely that the country's financial requirements in December will result in us exceeding 80 per cent debt to GDP by December 2021, the statement said.

It said Ghana's debt to GDP figures a decade ago was 39.67 per cent and 47.80 per cent for 2011 and 2012 respectively and not 31.4 per cent as stated in the publication.

Additionally, the statement noted that, for the period before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana experienced an average debt-to-GDP ratio of 56.4 per cent from 2015 to 2019, and said in 2020, the country's GDP contracted by 0.4 per cent because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

The Finance Ministry said, financing of the additional COVID-19 related expenditures, in addition to revised revenue targets, due to the impact of the pandemic, led to an increase in debt-to-GDP from 62.4 per cent in 2019 to 76.1 per cent in 2020.

According to the statement, the current 78.4 per cent debt-to-GDP ratio as at the end of November 2021 indicates a reduction in the rate of debt accumulation (declined by a half to 18 per cent as at November 2021 from 34 per cent in 2020.

This, it said, attested to an improvement in the country's debt and liability management, contrary to what the Bloomberg article suggested, adding that with a positive primary balance target for 2022  one of the key fiscal anchors in 2022  the country should see improved stability and reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio in 2022 and through the medium term.

The Ministry said a healthy debate in Parliament should be seen as a critical part of Ghana's growing democratic credentials and not to be deemed as a fiscal risk, assuring that government was certain that when Parliament resumed sitting, the E-Levy Bill would be passed.

The statement said: Government is on track to meet its non-oil Tax Revenue targets for 2021 of GH57.05bn (13.16 of GDP). The 2022 non-oil Tax Revenue target of GH80.3bn moves us to tax revenue to GDP of approximately 16 per cent, which is still below our medium revenue target of 18-20 per cent of GDP.

It further assured that the country could meet the 2022 revenue target and that the E-Levy would help to accomplish that, adding that the Ministry would continue to monitor and adjust expenditures accordingly as had been done in the past using commitment control tools at its disposal.

GNA
The Bolgatanga District Court in the Upper East Region, has granted bail to eighteen (18) Nigeria girls busted for allegedly engaging in prostitution.

They were arrested at the Midnight Drinking Spot (Akolbila Bar) in Atulibabisi, a suburb of Bolgatanga.

They were arrested on January 6, 2022, and charged with illegal entry into Ghana without permit, and also for engaging in prostitution for a living.

Owners and managers of the Midnight Drinking Spot, Mr. Akolbila Mercy, aged 32, and Akolbila Aminah, aged 39, were charged with abetment of crime and for keeping a brothel.

Norbert Anamzoya, aged 34, was also charged for promoting the trade of prostitution.

The suspects were subsequently arraigned before the Bolga District Court, where they pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Lead counsel for the suspects, Richard Adazabra, prayed the court for bail but the Presiding judge, His Worship, Mawukoenya Nutekpor, remanded them into one-week police custody following the prosecution's plea.

However, on January 13, 2022, Counsel, Richard Adazabra, argued that, the offences brought against the suspects were misdemeanors which did not warrant lengthy periods of remand adding that, granting bail to the suspects will allow for a speedy trial.

Presiding Judge, H/W Mawukoenya Nutekpor, granted a bail of GHC10,000 and GHC6,000 respectively, with two sureties each to Akolbila Mercy, Akolbila Aminah, Norbert Anamzoya and the 18 Nigerian girls.

Speaking to Citi News, lead counsel for the suspects, Richard Adazabra, said they were satisfied with the courts decision.

As at now, on the brief facts of the case we have not seen much that implicates them in the said charges so the police have been ordered to bring in witness statements and other documents in discovery to assist in the prosecution of this case that's if the accused persons maintain their unanimous not guilty plea.

Until evidence is led to prove that a particular individual is actually guilty of the practice, we cant say theyre guilty. We don't endorse the practice of prostitution, it dehumanizes these girls who could be doing something more useful, but we are yet awaiting any proof that, they are actually involved in the practice.

The suspects are to reappear in court on February 18, 2022.
The UN's new Western Sahara envoy met Sunday with the leader of the pro-independence Polisario Front in neighbouring Algeria, state media reported, as part of his first official regional tour.

Staffan de Mistura, a former UN envoy to Syria, met the Polisario's Brahim Ghali in a camp for Sahrawi refugees outside the desert town of Tindouf, Algeria's official APS news agency said.

The Polisario chief told the envoy that his organisation sought "a just and fair solution" that "guarantees the Sahrawi people their right to self-determination and full national independence", APS reported.

The Polisario Front, which took up arms in the 1970s to seek independence in the disputed Western Sahara, demands an independence referendum on the basis of a 1991 deal that included a ceasefire.

Morocco sees the former Spanish colony, with access to lucrative phosphate resources and rich Atlantic fisheries, as its sovereign territory.

It has offered limited autonomy but rejected calls for independence.

Neighbouring Algeria backs the Polisario.

The last UN-led talks, under De Mistura's predecessor Horst Kohler, were held in Switzerland in 2019, in a roundtable format including Morocco, the Polisario, Algeria and Mauritania.

Algiers has since refused to take part in further roundtable discussions.

De Mistura met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat on Thursday.

Moroccan officials reiterated the kingdom's "commitment to the resumption of the political process conducted under the exclusive auspices of the UN to achieve a political solution" based on a Moroccan plan for autonomy, the official MAP agency reported.

Map of northern Africa locating Algeria and Morocco.. By AFP

The Polisario in late 2020 declared the decades-old ceasefire null and void, after Moroccan forces entered no man's land to break a Sahrawi blockade of a highway linking Moroccan-controlled territory with Mauritania.

Shortly after, the US administration of then-president Donald Trump recognised Morocco's sovereignty over the territory in a quid pro quo for Rabat's normalising ties with Israel.

De Mistura's trip follows months of heightened tensions between Morocco and Algeria.

Algiers broke off diplomatic ties with Rabat in August, citing "hostile" actions by Morocco, which the kingdom denies.

De Mistura is due to finish his tour in Mauritania on Wednesday.
Two political assassinations that have changed the political landscape of Ghana, yet remain unsolved are the murders of J.B. Danquah-Adu, an NPP politician, and Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a Ghanaian journalist.

Political imprisonment, assassination, or removing someone considered as a threat from power, is very common in many African countries, including Ghana.

Unfortunately, many political murder cases remain unsolved because those in power occupying high positions have the authority to control the investigation.

We need to find out why political assassination often occurs. Power in Africa means greed and is always accompanied by corruption and money laundering.

Therefore, many African leaders who consider others a threat and wouldnt like to be exposed or to prevent the uncovering of scandals will do everything to stop that from happening.

Most African leaders consider political murder necessary to interrupt someone's political activity, prevent any political consequences, someone from entering power, or prevent a scandalous investigation.

Corrupt political leaders who deprive the common people of a better life wouldnt like to be criticized, let alone to be investigated.

They, therefore, target political opponents and journalists to be killed. Till today, the brutal murder cases of Ahmed Hussein-Suale and J.B. Danquah-Adu remain unsolved.

This has made me believe that political assassinations take place by the orders of leaders occupying high positions and since investigations will expose them, such cases are left to remain cold.

One can see how power can change the mind of greedy corrupt politicians to commit serious crimes with impunity.

Taking into account all the subsequent events with the murders of political figures, journalists and opposition leaders, you need to admit that Ghana has become a dangerous country to those that are not scared to criticize a politician or the president.

To many African politicians, the only way to prevent criticisms and possibly corruption exposure is to call for an assassination.

Victims of political assassinations in Ghana left, J.B. Danquah-Adu, an NPP politician, and Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a Ghanaian journalist.

These are some of the reasons silence and fear have fallen on many Ghanaian journalists, however, if everyone fears to die who will save our fast deteriorating country?

Political assassinations are simply heinous crimes that sometimes change the fate of the entire nation and people. The sad part of it is that those who prepare these planned political eliminations often erect a whole system of protection.

There is no doubt that are criminals or people in Ghana, who know those responsible for the murders of journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale and the NPP politician, J.B. Danquah-Adu but have refused to investigate the cases because of the high positions involved.

Human life is a fundamental social value, one of the reasons in the law of all countries murder is recognized as the most serious crime.

I cant solve murder cases in Ghana but I will continue to write about the fragile unhealthy state of Ghana and the destruction of the lives of the families of the victims.

If no one is above the law, then IGP Dampare must seek the truth and identify all the perpetrators. This is not going to be my last article seeking justice for the families of the victims.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Ghana Police Service have commenced investigations into a fire outbreak that killed a family of seven at Gomoa Buduburam in the Central Region.

While the Fire Service is investigating the cause of fire, the Police are looking into a possible criminal element of the incident.

The family, including Robert Assan Donkor, a head-teacher, his wife, and five children, were burnt beyond recognition at his bungalow at Big Apple, Friday dawn.

The remains of the sexagenarian and his family have since been deposited at the Trauma and Special Hospital Morgue at Winneba.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, DOIII Abdul Wasiu Hudu, the Central Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, said his outfit was yet to unravel the cause of the fire.

Without stating any specific timelines, he said: "We are still investigating the cause of the fire. We have not found the cause yet but we are on it."

GNA
The Minority in Parliament has condemned the withdrawal of the military guards assigned to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin.

In a statement signed by the Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, it says it believes the decision by the Ghana Armed Forces is politically motivated and just a plot to diminish the confidence of the Speaker.

The Minority in Parliament is saddened and strongly denounce the withdrawal by President Akufo-Addos government of the military detail attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin with effect from the 14th January, 2022.

The minority is certain that the action of the military high command relative to the withdrawal of Mr. Speakers security detail is politically motivated and calculated to diminish his confidence in his bid to impartially and independently steer the affairs of the legislative arm of government, the Minority statement allege in parts.

Not taking the situation lightly, the Minority stresses that it will hold government accountable should the withdrawal of the military guards bring about any problem associated with the Speakers security.

In the circumstances, the minority shall hold the government of President Akufo Addo responsible should the security of Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin, the speaker of Parliament be compromised in any way, the Minority statement adds.

Last Friday, January 14, 2022, four military guards assigned to the Speaker were withdrawn by the Ghana Armed Forces.

In a letter to the Speaker informing him of the withdrawal, the Ghana Armed Forces explained their attachment was done without proper procedure.

It said the necessary processes will now be followed and the guards will be reassigned to the Speaker once completed.
A Medical Practitioner, Dr. Banda A, Khalifa, has rejected the petition filed by some of his colleagues against the covid-19 vaccine rollout.

In his view, the petition is full of unscientific assertions by his colleagues.

Dr Khalifa indicated that petitioners failed to cite a single reference that qualifies as high-level evidence.

Most of their sources were, at best, non-peer-reviewed publications, opinions, commentaries and websites of known conspiracy theorists. I was particularly concerned that my fellow colleagues will use information from known conspiracy theorists.

The same website published an article in the early stages of the pandemic claiming that the pandemic was a hoax. In 2016, the same website claimed that Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis vaccine (DTap) caused a medical condition in children called microcephaly (babys head is much smaller than expected).

This website cited by the petitioners has been fact-checked multiple times. It is rather unfortunate that my colleagues will resort to a website long known to be spreading misinformation about vaccines. The motive of the petitioners is very clear when they rely on information from a perennial conspiracy theory-laden website, he said in a statement.

Some 11 doctors have written to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo to issue a directive for the nationwide vaccine rollout in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic to be paused.

The doctors say the risks associated with these vaccines, per the data studied so far, outweigh the potential benefits, if any.

In their petition dated Monday, January 10, 2022, the doctors, who call themselves as Concerned Ghanaian Doctors, cited how the UK and Israel are still battling with the virus despite a high vaccination rate of their respective populations.

These countries have very high vaccination rates, currently deploying booster programmes, yet they are struggling to get the virus under control especially with these new variants, the doctors observed in the jointly-signed petition.

Assuming as a country we are to vaccinate more than 50% of our population, are we going to continue with perpetual boosters every 3 to 6 months in an attempt to maintain vaccine induced immunity for this disease?

Where then is the end point when these vaccines do not stop infection or the spread of Covid-19? Is this financially feasible for us as a nation?

They contended that the case fatality rate is not as high as anticipated especially given the fact that not many citizens are testing.

For them, the vaccines becoming a mandate is only a ploy by some pharmaceutical companies to rake in profits.

If there is safe, effective, affordable, freely available early treatment for Covid-19, vaccines are no longer a priority.

It doesn't take a genius to recognise the financial benefit of pharmaceutical companies in demonising potential early, effective treatments.

If these medications do work, that's wonderful in the human race's fight against Covid-19. However, they are practicably placebos if they don't work. Why the suppression and demonising of these early treatments then, if the concern is health.

Considering all these, wouldn't it be prudent to pause and ask ourselves whether these novel vaccines are necessary in the first place, they quizzed.

For them, Ghana, and for that matter Africa, must lead the way in the fight against Covid-19.

All the relevant metrics show that Ghana and Africa at large have done better than most of the world with respect to the pandemic even before the advent of these vaccines.

It is possible the rest of the world are rather to learn from us.

The doctors are Dr Timothy Oblijah Armah, Dr Bismark Opoku-Asare, Dr Faisal Adjei, Dr William Ghunney and Dr Bernard Boateng Adjei.

The others are Dr Doreen Oye Agyei, Dr Michael Agyemang-Wiredu, Dr Richard Fayah and Dr Sedem Cyril Klinogoh.The rest are Dr Phil Dowuona and Dr Emmanuel Awuttey.

But Dr khalifa said I tried to stay away from the issue of vaccine mandates and instead stick to the unscientific component of their petition. No one ever said that vaccination alone is the way out of this pandemic.

The emergence of variants and the subsequent waning of immunity emphasizes the need for measures like masking, social distancing, and personal hygiene to fight against this pandemic. The recommendation made by the petitioners to the president to quit the vaccination roll-out is not based on any high-quality evidence, but rather its based on personal beliefs.

Meanwhile the Ghana Medical Association has also dismissed their claims.

The GMA in a statement issued on Wednesday January 12 said among other things that The GMA finds the contents of the petition misleading, unfortunate and not based on available local and international scientific data.

Below is his full article

Concerned or misinformed doctors: My response to the unscientific petition by my colleagues to the president of Ghana.

I have resisted the urge to react to the lackluster petition put forward by the 11 concerned doctors to the president of Ghana asking the first gentleman of the land to stop the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out. However, as a doctor and public health researcher, I am perturbed by the damaging effect and the likely consequences of the misrepresentation and the selective use of data by these concerned doctors. Their write-up is full of inaccurate data reporting. Most of their sources do not pass the litmus test of full scientific rigor. The issue of COVID-19 and vaccinations are easily tied to peoples doctrines and moralistic views. Psychologists define motivated reasoning as the potential for people to accept evidence that aligns with their existing beliefs. Even renowned scientists are not immune from falling into the pitfalls of faith vs. science. This apparent conflict is demonstrated in the write-up by my colleagues. However, they failed to declare the other commonality between them but hid behind their professional title to propagate their agenda.

At first glance, I hoped the petitioners would stick to vaccine mandates ethical and legal framework. However, they completely veered off into arguments made by hardcore anti-vaxxers (Continue reading). Our individual biases are the reason why there are mechanisms to ensure there is minimal impact on the scientific process. Faith leaders effectively encourage vaccinations and have the potential to also lead people astray. Unfortunately, vulnerable people and politicians will use the petitioners unscientific write-up to justify their erroneous stance on the COVID-19 vaccine.

I will not pretend to be an expert in the field of vaccinology or even public health policy. However, as a medical doctor with little training in public health, epidemiological research , and pharmacoepidemiology has compelled me to respond to the contents of the petition. I am by this medium addressing some of the conspicuously unscientific misrepresentations in their write-up and not the ethical and legal aspects of vaccine mandates.

Main Red Flag

References/Sources used by the Petitioners  Evidence-based practice is the cornerstone for contemporary medicine and public health. The hierarchical system of evidence classification was described in 1979 and has since been a critical component of clinical, public health, and health policy recommendations. The strongest form of evidence upon which therapeutic and policy-making decisions can be made is a systematic review of randomized control trials. At the far end of the spectrum, the weakest level of evidence is expert opinions, ideas, and anecdotal (based on stories of people's experiences) evidence. In between are cross-sectional studies and other observational studies.

The peer-review process is a quality control mechanism that ensures that scientific discoveries are sound, original, valid, and devoid of personal beliefs as much as possible. Discoveries in science have implications for society as such peer-reviewed publications are scrutinized by other independent researchers before they are accepted as scientifically sound.

Worrying observation: The petitioners failed to cite a single reference that qualifies as high-level evidence. Most of their sources were, at best, non-peer-reviewed publications, opinions, commentaries and websites of known conspiracy theorists . I was particularly concerned that my fellow colleagues will use information from known conspiracy theorists. The same website published an article in the early stages of the pandemic claiming that the pandemic was a hoax. In 2016, the same website claimed that Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis vaccine (DTap) caused a medical condition in children called microcephaly (babys head is much smaller than expected). This website cited by the petitioners has been fact-checked multiple times. It is rather unfortunate that my colleagues will resort to a website long known to be spreading misinformation about vaccines. The motive of the petitioners is very clear when they rely on information from a perennial conspiracy theory-laden website.

The most striking reference that got me disturbed is from ChildHealthdefense.org . An organization chaired by the famous c onspiracy theorists , who claimed the COVID-19 vaccine is the deadliest ever made. The activist group is known for its anti-vaccine activities. It has been identified as one of the main sources of misinformation on vaccines. The group has been fighting against proven public health interventions such as childhood immunizations and even fluoridation of drinking water 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 . Watch this How a Kennedy built an anti-vaccine juggernaut amid COVID-19

Rich FuryGetty Images

Now let's look at the issues they raised

The necessity of the vaccine:

The petitioners suggest that the COVID19 vaccine is unnecessary because the case fatality rate is low. They further introduced the issue of Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin as alternatives to the vaccine.

My response: The case fatality ratio (CFR) measures the likelihood of death from a particular disease. It is highly dependent on the number of confirmed cases and confirmed mortality from COVID-19. In the case of COVID-19, the case fatality ratio may not reflect the risk of death because it may likely overestimate or underestimate the probability of death. Not everyone who needs a test gets tested, and not all Covid-19 mortalities are recorded, especially in our setting. So, it will be erroneous to recommend the stoppage of a therapeutic intervention based on the CFR . Another consideration is that in an ongoing outbreak, those who are currently sick and are counted as cases may eventually die from the disease. So, in the early stages of an outbreak, CFR will likely be underestimated but increases as the disease take its course.

Another erroneous impression is that the petitioners suggest that the burden of COVID-19 infection is depicted by case fatalities/death alone. However, the impact of covid-19 goes beyond disease mortality . Increased hospitalizations, ICU bed exhaustion, loss of productivity, and long-term consequences from covid-19 infection are among the reasons why the covid-19 vaccine is necessary. The Korle-bu Teaching Hospital and other hospitals in the country had to close their doors to the public because of COVID-19. Additionally, the impact of nation-wide stay at home orders, effects on children education, and the mental health problems created by COVID-19 has been documented in a recent report by UNICEF . The collateral damage caused by covid-19 makes it imperative to utilize all the scientific measures in tackling COVID-19.

Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin: I sincerely hoped we had gone past this, especially among health professionals who are supposed to know better. The petitioners went back to the argument common among conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers about using unproven therapies in the treatment against COVID-19. However, their write-up failed to provide a single reference that claims these medications offer therapeutic benefits. Many systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials which are the pre-requisites in making therapeutic recommendations, has shown that Hydroxychloroquine showed no clinical benefit as pre or post-exposure prophylaxis or treatment. Similarly, high-level evidence studies have shown that Ivermectin did not significantly improve COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial showed that patients who received Ivermectin required mechanical ventilatory support earlier in their treatment

Efficacy

In a bid to justify their stance against the covid-19 vaccine, the petitioners stated that the vaccine had not achieved its intended purpose of preventing transmission and spread. The petitioners falsely refute the fact that vaccines reduce hospitalization and death. They buttressed these assertions by misinterpreting data reported by known anti-vaxxers.

My response: As a reminder, no vaccine is 100% effective. This means that even if you are fully vaccinated, you can still get infected. A breakthrough infection does not mean that vaccines are not effective. The primary endpoint of the COVID-19 vaccine trial was never to prevent infection transmission or spread. Instead, it was meant to mainly reduce the incidence of symptomatic disease , hospitalization, and death. see mRNA , AstraZeneca , J & J . Multiple results from real-world evidence have shown that the Covid-19 vaccine is highly effective against the development of severe disease , hospitalizations , and death

The petitioners further reference an article vermonchronicles indicating that 76% of the 33 patients who died from COVID-19 were vaccinated. However, they failed to put this number into the specific context of the populations and their vaccination rate. They deliberately ignored the fact that the majority of those that died (19/33) were elderly and among the first vaccinated (waning immunity). Additionally, 88% of the population were fully vaccinated, so infections will likely include those vaccinated. The health department spokesperson stressed that the findings indicate that the vaccines are highly effective. Boosters have become necessary over time due to declining immunity and the emergence of different variants. Boosters have equally been shown to be effective against variants.

Safety

Finally, the petitioners indicated that the vaccines were unsafe because of adverse effects. The harm of vaccination outweighs the potential benefits.

My response:  The bottom line is that the covid-19 vaccine has been demonstrated to be safe. Every therapeutic intervention has side effects, including paracetamol. Because everyone is built differently, it is expected that our body's reaction to the vaccine or any medication for that matter will be different. While some people never develop any reaction after the vaccine, some may develop severe adverse events. Common side effects like headaches, tiredness, and muscle pains are expected. Serious adverse events are rare. The petitioners consistently misrepresent the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) data. However, there are clear limitations on how that information can be used to make scientific arguments because reporting is voluntary and subject to biases. Additionally, Individual reports to the VAERS may be merely coincidental and not necessarily causal. This is a typical case of association is not causation.

Serious adverse events like anaphylaxis, blood clots, Myocarditis are infrequent. Fifty-seven people out of more than 17.7 million doses of J & J were confirmed to have gotten blood clots. Three cases of blood clots have been reported to VAERS after nearly 496 million doses of the mRNA vaccine were administered. The rest of the rare adverse events show similar trends in terms of incidence/occurrence. Considerable evidence has shown that the vaccines are safe , contrary to what the petitioners are reporting.

Conclusion:

I tried to stay away from the issue of vaccine mandates and instead stick to the unscientific component of their petition. No one ever said that vaccination alone is the way out of this pandemic. The emergence of variants and the subsequent waning of immunity emphasizes the need for measures like masking, social distancing, and personal hygiene to fight against this pandemic. The recommendation made by the petitioners to the president to quit the vaccination roll-out is not based on any high-quality evidence, but rather its based on personal beliefs.

Dr. Banda A, Khalifa

Hopkins MPH & MBA

Website | LinkedIn

3news.com
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has raised concerns about the state of security under the Akufo-Addo-led administration.

This follows the Ghana Armed Forces withdrawal of some four military personnel detailed to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin.

A letter from the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), NP Andoh, addressed to the Speaker said the four officers did not go through the right processes before being attached to the Speakers office.

Reacting to the withdrawal of the military personnel from Speaker Bagbins office, the North Tongu legislator raised concerns over how long it took for the GAF to realise that the four personnel were deployed without going through the right process.

According to the North Tongu lawmaker, such flaw on the part of the Armed Forces raises doubts about the countrys security under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

In a Facebook post on Monday, 17 January 2022, Mr Ablakwa said: If it takes a whole year for Ghanas military high command to discover that their personnel have been deployed without 'proper procedure' to the Speakers office, what does that say about the state of security and integrity of leadership under Commander-in-Chief Akufo-Addo?

He further quizzed: Is the Rt. Hon. Speaker not better off without this kind of protection? adding that Ultimately, the best form of protection can only be guaranteed by the people we serve and the Lord Almighty.

The withdrawn military personnel from the office of the Speaker of Parliament include WO1 Jafaru Bunwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, S/Sgt Agbley Prosper and Sgt. Bonney Prince.

They had been protecting the Speaker since January 2021.

The letter to Mr Bagbin said: It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularise their attachment.

classfmonline.com
A baby who was trapped in a red Toyota Corolla vehicle snatched by gunmen from its mother at Santasi in the Ashanti Region has been rescued by the police.

The police, according to the Public Relationd Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Police, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Godwin Ahianyo retrieved the vehicle at Dakwa-Dwom (market place), after abandoned by the snatchers over a hot chase by the police.

The suspects abandoned the car at Dakwa-Dwom and run away after sensing the danger of police approach.

"We found the baby safe in the car and had since reunited with the mother, ASP Ahianyo told the press on Sunday, after retrieving the car.

Meanwhile, the vehicle is at the Regional Police Headquarters, to aid police in their investigation.

The police have assured that, they would pursue the suspects until they arrest them but called for citizens support by helping police with information.

DGN online
The Asankragwa Division of the Ghana Police Service in the Western Region has declared Pastor Kenneth Mensah, the Head pastor of the Mega Word Chapel International in Enchi wanted.

The pastor is wanted for allegedly duping a nurse at Kwasibokro of her GHS40,000.

He is said to have also tried to burn the woman alive.

According to Asankragwa, Divisional Police Commander Chief Superintendent Nana Kumi, the victim went to see the Pastor for help to travel to the United Kingdom.

The victim is a nurse in Dubai and has been in the country for the past two years. She came back to Ghana on October 8, 2021 to spend holidays with the family. She was then introduced to Pastor Kenneth Mensah, Head pastor of the Mega Word International Chapel by her sisters brother.

The victim told the pastor about her intention to travel again. In the course of their several discussions, the pastor told her that there are evil spirits in her house. So, her next travel can only be successful after a spiritual cleansing, Chief Superintendent Nana Kumi told the Ahobraseye FM.

The Asankragwa Divisional Police Commander continued, On January 5, 2022, the pastor came to Asankragwa and lodged at the Royal Hotel. At about 2:00am January 6, 2022, the pastor went to the room of the victim to perform the said cleansing. He collected the money, put it in an envelope, wrapped it with cello tape and asked her to place it under her bed and sleep on it. Before that and according to the victim, the pastor asked her to bring salt and sugar. He asked the victim to look toward the window and recite certain words 24 times while he mixes the salt and sugar for her to drink.

After, he gave the mixture to the victim to drink. Immediately she took it she felt dizzy and fell asleep. According to the victim, in her sleep she started having a nasty burning sensation only to wake up to see her room engulfed in smoke and on fire. She reached out for the envelope containing the money. To her utter surprise, the envelope this time contained papers some of which had burnt. She screamed for help and her brother who is a carpenter broke her door and rescued her. Immediately she came out she fell unconscious and was rushed to the hospital.

The family of the woman is said to have sold family properties to raise the GHS40,000 to help the victim travel.

They are now financially troubled but are grateful their daughter was not burnt to death.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Mr. Senyo Hosi

17.01.2022 LISTEN

Economic policy analyst, Mr. Senyo Hosi wants the depoliticisation of all security services in his call for reforms to save the 1992 Constitution from its impending death.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) said any nomination by the President for positions in the security agencies should be subject to a two thirds approval from parliament.

This, according to him, is a sure way of curbing potential partisan activism by officers and will cure the age-old culture of protocol recruitment.

Similar to the above process, the presidents nominees should be subject to a two thirds approval from parliament. This too shall significantly mitigate potential partisan activism by the respective officers and culture of protocol placements, Mr. Senyo Hosi said while delivering a Constitution Day Lecture on Friday, January 14, 2022, at UPSA.

He continued, The Finite and secure tenures of say four years, may also be required to ward off executive interferences to their allegiance to the constitution. Their tenor should straddle two administrations.

Some may argue that the security services are too sensitive and must be left to the President alone. I can relate to that concern, but allegiance is sworn to the constitution and commitment must be to the people of Ghana and none other. We need systems to urgently curb the growing political polarization of our security services.

Besides the call to depoliticize Ghanas security services, Mr. Senyo Hosi is advocating for six other reforms to the 1992 Constitution."I recommend what I term a 7D reform of the Constitution  some of which are covered in various forms in the Constitutional Review Commission report of 2011."

Check below:

Deepen the separation of powers of the three arms of government

Depoliticize our governance and democratic institutions

Depoliticize our security services

Depoliticize our accountability institutions

Depoliticize all state agencies, including SOEs, regulatory bodies and agencies.

Democratize our Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

Democracy Funding

Read More: Constitution Day Public Lecture Delivered By Senyo K. Hosi On 14th January 2022 Topic: Avoiding The Impending Death Of The 1992 Constitution
The government of Cote dIvoire has declared its commitment to hosting a successful Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in 2023, this has been affirmed by H.E Tiemoko Moriko, Ambassador of the Republic of Cote dIvoire in Ghana and Togo.

On Friday, January 14, 2022, organisers of ITAF, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat held a media launch of the 2023 edition of the event at the AfCFTA secretariat in Accra.

With the honour to lead the official launch, H.E Tiemoko Moriko, Ambassador of the Republic of Cote dIvoire in Ghana and Togo assured that his country will do everything in its power to be ready for the fair.

I want to assure that the Ivorian state is ready and committed to put in place everything to prepare for IATF 2023.

My dear country will take all necessary steps to make the trade fair a success so that the objectives of the IATF will be reached. There will be a well-planned atmosphere for this event. Exhibition points, accommodation, security, everything will be well coordinated, H.E Tiemoko Moriko said at the conference.

He said for his country Cote dIvoire, the opportunity to host the 2023 IATF is a very important milestone and they will draw success inspirations from countries that have hosted the past events to make the upcoming fair the very best.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Kanayo Awani who is Managing Director, Intra-African Trade Initiative at Afreximbank stressed that there remains a lot of potential on the continent, noting that it is what the IATF 2023 is seeking to give to businesses.

There remain a great potential for Africa to continue as we move to the 3rd edition. We will very soon announce the date after taking into consideration that calendar of all partners, Mrs. Kanayo Awani shared.

For the 2023 IATF, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) wants to see a bigger fair where Africans trade amongst themselves with ease to the satisfaction and benefit of all parties.

This is according to AfCFTA Secretary General H.E Wamkele Mene. Speaking at the press conference, he said his outfit aims to reduce the barrier to trade and investments by ensuring all 39 countries onboard will follow through with obligations and requirements.

The first of the Intra-African Trade Fair was held in Egypt in 2018 and exceeded its target. Subsequently in 2021, the second edition was hosted by South Africa with the city of Durban exposing African businesses to over 1.2 billion people including investors and buyers.

More about the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF)

The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

IATF provides a platform to promote trade under the AfCFTA by bringing together continental and global buyers and sellers, and enabling stakeholders to share trade, investment and market information as well as trade finance and trade facilitation solutions designed to support intra-African trade and the economic integration of the continent.

In addition to establishing business-to-business and business-to-government exchange platforms for business deals and advisory services, IATF also operates Virtual, an interactive online platform that replicates the physical event.

IATF focuses on Africas creative economy as well as the automotive industry with dedicated programmes.

A conference runs alongside the exhibition and features high-profile speakers and panellists addressing topical issues relating to trade, trade finance, payments, trade facilitation, trade-enabling infrastructure, trade standards, industrialisation, regional value chains and investment.
The hero of "Hotel Rwanda" failed to appear in a Kigali court on Monday as state prosecutors sought to increase his sentence on terrorism charges from 25 years to life.

A judge adjourned proceedings until Tuesday after Paul Rusesabagina, an outspoken government critic whose actions during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda inspired the Hollywood blockbuster film, refused to attend the hearing.

Rusesabagina, 67, and 20 co-defendants were convicted and sentenced in September for backing an armed rebel group in a trial that rights groups and his supporters had branded a sham.

But prosecutors sought a life sentence and filed an appeal, considering the punishment too lenient for the former hotel manager, who used his international profile to rail against Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

His co-accused all appeared in court on Monday clad in the pink uniforms worn by Rwandan prisoners.

One of their lawyers, Jean Rugeyo, argued that procedures had been incorrectly followed and the hearing should be adjourned for all the defendants.

"This is why we request that today's appeal hearing is suspended until Paul Rusesabagina is formally notified in a way that follows the law," he said.

But state prosecutor Bonaventure Ruberwa argued that Rusesabagina -- who has been held behind bars since his arrest in August 2020 -- had been lawfully summoned to appear in court.

"He intentionally refused to sign the letter and also refused to attend the hearing. This should not delay the hearing," he said.

Judge Francois Regis Rukundakuvuga said a decision would be made on Tuesday about whether to proceed with the appeal in Rusesabagina's absence.

'Not a legal process'

His family said last week that Rusesabagina would not participate "in a staged appeal of a political prisoner" and urged the international community to pressure Rwanda to free their father.

"It continues to show that this is not a legal process, but rather an ongoing political process to embarrass and defame a human rights critic of the regime," the family said in a statement on Friday.

Rusesabagina became the most famous Rwandan internationally after American actor Don Cheadle dramatised his deeds during the genocide in the 2004 hit film "Hotel Rwanda".

But he later used his fame to denounce rebel leader turned president Kagame as a dictator, and left Rwanda in 1996, living in Belgium and then the United States.

Both countries have both voiced concern that Rusesabagina had been denied a fair trial, and his family insists their ailing father has been mistreated in prison and denied proper legal services.

He was arrested when a plane he believed was bound for Burundi landed instead in Kigali in an incident his family has described as a kidnapping.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised concern about the state of security and integrity of leadership under the Akufo-Addo-led administration.

This follows the Ghana Armed Forces withdrawal of some four military personnel detailed to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin.

A letter from the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), NP Andoh, addressed to the Speaker, said the four officers did not go through the right processes before being attached to the Speakers office.

Reacting to the withdrawal of the military personnel, the North Tongu legislator raised concerns over how long it took for GAF to realise that the four personnel were deployed without going through the right process.

According to the opposition lawmaker, such flaws on the part of the Armed Forces raises doubts about the countrys security under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

In a Facebook post on Monday, 17 January 2022, Mr Ablakwa said: If it takes a whole year for Ghanas military high command to discover that their personnel have been deployed without 'proper procedure' to the Speakers office, what does that say about the state of security and integrity of leadership under Commander-in-Chief Akufo-Addo?

He further quizzed: Is the Rt. Hon. Speaker not better off without this kind of protection? adding: Ultimately, the best form of protection can only be guaranteed by the people we serve and the Lord Almighty.

The withdrawn military personnel are WO1 Jafaru Bunwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, S/Sgt Agbley Prosper and Sgt. Bonney Prince.

They had been protecting the Speaker since January 2021.

The letter to Mr Bagbin said: It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularise their attachment.

---classfmonline.com
Thousands rallied again on Monday in Sudan to oppose a military coup which occurred nearly three months ago but security forces quickly fired tear gas towards them, an AFP correspondent said.

The latest protests came with US envoy to the Horn of Africa David Satterfield and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee expected in Khartoum early this week to push a message of "justice" for the Sudanese.

Demonstrators carrying the Sudanese flag gathered in central Khartoum as well as Wad Madani, a city to the south.

Security officers who deployed in large numbers fired volleys of tear gas -- a regular tactic -- at the Khartoum protesters heading toward the presidential palace, an AFP correspondent said.

Sawsan Salah, from the capital's twin city of Omdurman, said protesters burnt car tyres and carried photos of people killed during other demonstrations since the October 25 coup.

In Wad Madani, "around 2,000 people took to the streets as they called for civilian rule," said Emad Mohammed, a witness there.

Protesters -- sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands -- have regularly taken to the streets despite a deadly security clampdown and periodic cuts to communications since the putsch led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The military takeover triggered wide international condemnation and derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following the April 2019 ouster of longtime autocratic president Omar al-Bashir.

The crackdown has so far killed at least 64 people, and left hundreds wounded, according to an independent group of medics.

On Thursday, Sudanese authorities said protesters stabbed to death a police general, the first fatality among security forces.

Authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting demonstrators and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during protests that have often "deviated from peacefulness".

Diplomatic efforts

Starting Monday in Riyadh, Satterfield and Phee were to meet the Friends of Sudan, a group calling for the restoration of the country's transitional government.

The meeting aims to "marshal international support" for the UN mission to "facilitate a renewed civilian-led transition to democracy" in Sudan, according to a State Department announcement.

The diplomats then travel to Khartoum for meetings with pro-democracy activists, civic groups, military and political figures.

"Their message will be clear: the United States is committed to freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people," the State Department said.

The United Nations last week said it will launch talks involving political, military and social actors to help resolve the crisis.

The mainstream civilian faction of the Forces for Freedom and Change, the leading civilian pro-democracy group, has said it would accept the UN offer for talks if it were to revive the transition to civilian rule.

Proposed talks have been welcomed by the ruling Sovereign Council -- formed by Burhan following the coup with himself as chairman.

Burhan has insisted that the military takeover "was not a coup" but only meant to "rectify the course of the Sudanese transition.

Earlier this month, Sudan's civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned saying the country was now at a "dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival".
17.01.2022 LISTEN

As it is very obvious about the proud son of Kumawu/Asiampa soil, the defender of the defenceless and the sharer of personal views for the collective benefit, safety and protection of people, especially Ghanaians, he is here today with important message for all Ghanaians residing abroad.

The urgent message in this publication is for the attention of all Ghanaian burgers, thus, Ghanaians residing outside Ghana, especially, in the white mans land. You and I know that we are called burgers when we visit home (Ghana) for holidays or relocate permanently for a reason or the other. If you are a burger, this message may concern you. It is for your own good, so please, hear ye me!

Two recent videos out of many such stories that have come to my attention via my WhatsApp platform demand that I come out to throw a bit of caution to my fellow Ghanaian burgers. The videos are about recent deaths that have occurred to two Ghanaian burgers, one female returned home on a short visit from London (United Kingdom) and one male from the United States of America (USA). Both bodies are in the morgue as I speak.

From the information gathered, the female who was, or is, from Juaben in the Ashanti region, my maternal ancestral place of birth, attended the 50thanniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Nana Otuo Serebour II as Juaben paramount chief. She took the opportunity to throw a party for the opening of her newly constructed house in Juaben while at attendance of the anniversary.

Similar to the situation of the seeds of the womb of my own adorable but deceased mother, the woman who was said to have been born and lived in her fathers town somewhere in the Asante Akyem with her siblings, decided to relocate to her maternal place of birth, thus Juaben, after the passing of her father. Therefore, my dear sister, Penaman, as the deceased is said to be called, decided to demolish and reconstruct their nearly-dilapidated ancestral family house in Juaben. She did so out of her own volition, having had mercy upon the probably poor relatives living in the house, concluding from the state the house was found in and her wealth allowing.

Initially, she encountered opposition. The relatives were not enthused about demolishing the house but in the end, the house was demolished and a more beautiful one reconstructed in its place. The new house became possible due to the personal intervention by a more powerful and highly respected traditional chief in Juaben. The chief prevailed upon the relatives to accept the demolition of their old house and the construction of the new one.

She did not see the newly constructed house as her own but the relatives since it was the replacement for the demolished family house. She never sought to make it her own.

The long and short of the story is that the woman was found dead in her sleep the next morning after retiring to bed the previous night when the party came to an end.

Many are those that have the suspicion that she was poisoned at the party. I cannot agree or disagree with them since I dont have any proof to confirm or refute their allegation or suspicion.

Sudden death comes upon a person in many ways and has many causes. Could it be a massive stroke? Could it be a cardiac arrest? Could be low blood sugar resulting in diabetic coma and final sudden death? Could it be an unknown person poisoning your food or drink?

The actual cause of the death of my Juaben compatriot could only be determined or established by autopsy. However, most people are currently of the belief or opinion that she was poisoned, concluding from their previous knowledge of Ghanaian burgers being poisoned by their friends, relatives or enemies.

Again, there was this handsome, well-built Ghanaian young man from USA. He returned to Ghana on holiday. He organized a get together party for his friends and relatives. He died at the party.

When his body was being bundled into the body bag or cadaver pouch with his mouth and eyes wide open and the paramedic or ambulance personnel zipping up the bag, you will become teary.

It is believed he was poisoned. But who could have callously done that? A person dancing heartily a moment ago, was no more a few minutes later.

Yes, there are numerously known suspected instances where burgers had been attacked by armed robbers, killed or poisoned by the arrangements of their own friends or household members. What could be the reasons behind such heinous attacks on burgers by those very close to them, or by their enemies?

How I wish I could attach the videos on the above two deceased burgers to this publication. I declined to do so out of respect for them and their grieving families. However, I shall publish them one day, after the decedents have been buried and their families pain of their loss a bit abated or subsided.

To conclude, I shall advise fellow burgers to be very careful about where, how and when they eat or drink and with whom. Dont trust anyone to cook for you or buy you food or drink. Prepare your own food if your wife, children, parents or God-fearing and fully trusted siblings are not around to prepare food for you.

Dont shop very close to where you live to avoid one arranging with such shoppers to poison you. Shop from outside your close vicinity. Buy your own water and drinks without sending anyone to get such edible items for you.

Watch the cups you drink from. Watch the spoons you eat with. Watch the bowls and plates you eat from. Watch how you eat and if you do that, no one can poison you!

My condolences to the bereaved families of these two individuals suspected to have been dispatched to their early graves by certain unknown malevolent persons for reasons only best known to the authors of their death.

Due, due, due ne amanehunu to the two deceased burgers.

Rockson Adofo

Monday, 17 January 2022
A memorial service is scheduled for tomorrow at the Nantoma Presbyterian Church at Kanda in Accra in honour of Mr Joshua Kyeremeh, a former National Security Coordinator who passed on a year ago in Accra.

In his tribute to the late security and intelligence chief, President Akufo-Addo described him as A conscientious public servant, a Ghanaian patriot and excellent citizenJoshua Kyeremeh, 'Pastor', as I called himwill be sorely missed by all those who had the privilege to know him. May his soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Almighty until the last day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again. Amen.

Mr Joshua Kyeremeh, who was a native of Asuotiano in the Bono Region of Ghana, was a long-serving security intelligence chief who earned the trust of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to hold the high office of the National Security Coordinator from 2017 to 2021. His areas of expertise included national security, risk management, security intelligence operations, negotiations, sensitive investigations and security governance. He had extensive experience in counter-intelligence and national security operations. Under the Kufuor Administration, Mr Kyeremeh served as the Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), now renamed National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) from 2005 to 2009 and carved a niche for himself as a patriot and a gentleman.

In a career spanning more than three decades, Kyeremeh had trained with various foreign intelligence and law enforcement organisations, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency, Scotland Yard, MI5 and MI6.

He was a member of the presidential transitional team (Sub-Committee on National Security, Interior and Public Safety), in 2016, and 2020 and also of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), 2005-2009. Kyeremeh attended several high-profile courses including the former Bulgarian Intelligence Service, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Refresher Course, 2007; Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Refresher Course Washington, USA, 2007; MI5, M16 and Scotland Yard, London, UK, 2006; Advanced Counter-Intelligence (CI) Course, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1987; and Counter- Intelligence (CI) Course, Accra, Ghana, 2004.

On Friday, May 28, 2021, the mortal remains of Mr Kyeremeh were laid to rest at the Military Cemetery in Accra after a solemn funeral service held at the forecourt of the State House and was attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, the Speaker of Parliament, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, security and intelligence chiefs, family, staff of the Ministry of National Security and a host of others.

He is survived by Mrs Rita Afua Appiah Kyeremeh and three children: Joshua Nhyira Kyeremeh, Samuel Aseda Kyeremeh and Joelle Maame Takyiwaa Kyeremeh.
Having pulled himself by the bootstraps to become one of Africas most successful businessmen, Angolan Business mogul, Bartolommeu Domingos has reached a decision to invest in Liberia as a demonstration of his trust in the West African nations safety and conducive investment climate.

On his second investment visit to Liberia, the BD Group owner said years ago, Liberia was known for the civil war. That scared people including potential investors from coming to the country.

Even now when I tell someone lets go to Liberia, they would wonder why I am coming to Liberia. I would tell them Liberia is a peaceful country with a warm people. Even my son who came with me has expressed his love for the friendly nature of the people, he told an investment dinner held in his honor in Monrovia on the weekend of January 15, 2022.

I would love to stay here. This is the first I am traveling with one of my sons. I am a father eight children: six boys and two girls. This is the third boy. I have trust in this country, Mr. Domingos stated.

The Angolan Business mogul emphasized that he brought his third son as a testament of his trust in the safety of Liberia -the first African country he had traveled to.

He noted that BD Group has 22 companies with assets estimated at around USD 400 million, in various sectors: Civil Aviation, Industry, Civil Construction, Hospitality and Tourism, Real Estate, IT, Transport, Logistics, Private Security, agriculture, mining and Trading.

He averred I started business when I was 21 years old in 1988. In 1992, I was the youngest to own the biggest business in my country, Angola. We want to share our experience with our partners here including the banks and business community. We can bring in more business men. I dont want to do this alone, Mr. Bartolomeu Dias Domingos pointed out.

The Angolan investor indicated that he cannot respond to Liberias investment needs.

He is optimistic that some investors would use his companys presence here as a guarantee for trust. Someone could say if Dias is investing in Liberia then I can do the same. Mayor Koijee and the City Government of Liberia, we are here to support you and I will support you.

Speaking earlier, the President of International Bank (IB Liberia) Henry Saamoi informed the audience of investors that the climate for investment in this country is right. The banks are here to support any investors.

According to him, loan portfolio of all the nine banks combined, is currently in excess of US$300 million that is out there and it is growing.

Mr. Saamoi disclosed that the banks are here and ready to work with any investor. There is no law that restricts the repatriation of capital, he said.

So, the International Bank President intimated that if an investor comes in with a US$100 million investment and after three years he or she wants to repatriate that capital, there is no restriction. There are no capital controls in this market. This is a very flexible market and it is a US dollars driven market.

Mr. Saamoi reminded the Angolan investor that one of sectors that have not picked up yet is the manufacturing sector even though that sector is very key to growing this economy because it adds so much value and creates jobs for the young people.

For his part, Mayor Jefferson Tamba Koijee said Mr. Bartolomeu Dias Domingos is not one of those investors who will put you on the plane and take you to expensive hotels in Europe or America. He is a man of action. He came with a technical team to begin the ball rolling.

In addition to your intention, Mayor Koijee mentioned we thought it was good to have an interactive session with you as a compass of proficiency and integrity. We want you to see Monrovia and Liberia at large as a home. We want you to become an ambassador by your presence here to bring your friends to invest as well.
17.01.2022 LISTEN

On Thursday, 13th January 2022, the attention of the Ministry was drawn to a widely circulated Bloomberg article captioned  Ghana Debt Moves Deeper into Distress as Investors lose Patience.

There are some serious factual errors in the article, which may give investors some cause for concern, if not corrected. For example, Bloomberg stated 81.5% as end of year debt to GDP ratio. This is incorrect. Our provisional nominal debt to GDP, as at the end of November 2021 was 78.4%, which is the latest data available. Decembers revenue collections are seasonally the largest for any year, it is unlikely that our financing requirements in December will result in us exceeding 80% debt to GDP by December 2021.

The Bloomberg article gave wrong historical debt to GDP figures. It is essential we make the correction that Ghana's debt to GDP figures a decade ago were 39.67% and 47.80% for 2011 and 2012, respectively, and not 31.4% as stated in the Bloomberg publication. Again, it is important to note that for the period prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Ghana experienced an average debt-to-GDP ratio of 56.4% from 2015 to 2019. In 2020, Ghanas GDP grew by 0.4% because of the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the economy. Financing of the additional Covid-19 related expenditures, in addition to revised revenue targets, due to the impact of the pandemic, led to an increase in debt-to-GDP from 62.4% in 2019 to 76.1% in 2020.

The current 78.4% debt-to-GDP ratio as at the end of November 2021 indicates rather a reduction in the rate of debt accumulation (i.e. declined by a half to 18% as at November 2021 from 34% in 2020). This attests to an improvement in our debt and liability management, contrary to what the article seeks to suggest. Furthermore, with the positive Primary balance target for 2022  one of the key fiscal anchors in 2022  Ghana should see improved stability and reduction in the debt to GDP ratio in 2022 and through the medium term.

It is most unfortunate to note that foreign investors and market participants are on edge following the impasse in Parliament, in relation to the passage of the E-levy Bill. The market seems to now be pricing into our bonds the perceived risks of having a slim majority in Parliament and the consequences thereof. The markets also seem to be concerned that this might impact Government's ability to successfully pass and implement some of its major revenue policy measures as presented in the 2022 Budget. The Ministry would like to state that a healthy debate in a vibrant Parliament is a critical part of Ghana's growing democratic credentials and by no means should it be deemed to be a fiscal risk. Government is confident that when Parliament resumes sitting this month, the E-Levy Bill, which has already been discussed and approved by the Finance Committee of Parliament, will be passed.

The Ministry also wishes to state that the Government is on track to meet its non-oil Tax Revenue target for 2021 of GHS 57.05bn (13.16% of GDP). The 2022 non-oil Tax Revenue target of GHS 80.3bn moves us to a tax revenue to GDP of approximately 16%, which is still below our medium revenue target of 18-20% of GDP. We are, however, confident that we can meet the 2022 revenue target and that the E-Levy will help us accomplish this. The Ministry will continue to monitor and adjust expenditures accordingly, as has been done successfully in the past, using the commitment control (including the quarterly allotment mechanism) tools at our disposal.

Ghana does not face any imminent external imbalances or reserves shortfall. The reserves, at over 5x import cover, is well above our internal target of 4 months and better than the average over the previous two decades. Foreign Financing of the 2022 Budget, of US$1.5 billion is also bolstered by the balance of SDR's of approximately US$700 million.

The balance can be financed through the use of alternate instruments including term loans, bilateral and multilateral loan facilities and a tap-in of our domestic dollar bonds, amongst others. In December 2021, the Ministry of Finance issued a 5-year domestic dollar bond at 6%. These bonds are currently trading at a yield of ~5.5% on the local market.

Like all emerging market countries with foreign investor participation in our domestic debt, Ghana is susceptible to a tighter US Monetary Policy stance. However, Ghana has healthy reserves of over 5 months of import cover amidst reduced levels of foreign investor participation in our domestic market. As at November 2021, our data indicates that only 16.55% of our domestic debt is held by non-residents investors as compared to 38.44% and 30.01% in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Whereas we acknowledge that the current trading levels of our Eurobonds have widened, we do not believe that it is warranted nor do we believe that it reflects the strong underlying fundamentals of the Ghanaian economy and our rapid rebound post the Covid-19 pandemic as evidenced by the healthy GDP growth of 6.6% for the third quarter alone and an average of 5.2% for the first three quarters of 2021. While the end year growth targets for 2021 has been revised to 4.4%, high frequency indicators suggest a continued strong momentum in economic activity in Q4.

Despite the global challenges that exists on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic and especially in emerging markets, with risks such as financial stress and sluggish progress on vaccination as recently cited by the World Bank, the Ministry would like to reassure all its investors that Ghana's fundamentals remain strong as attested to by: our growth in Q3-2021; the Ghana Revenue Authority exceeding its target in 2021; and our strong reserves position. Ghana will continue to show leadership in this difficult post-Covid era to build a sustainable, entrepreneurial nation while ensuring that growth, job creation and fiscal consolidation are not compromised, in line with the President's vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid.
The Suame Municipal Director of Education, Pastor Dr Anthony Anyamesem-Poku has urged Junior High School (JHS) teachers to abreast themselves with the new curriculum recently introduced by the Ghana Education Service (GES).

According to him, the successful implementation of the new educational policy depends partly on the teachers and therefore needed to acquire adequate knowledge in the new curriculum.

Pastor Dr Anyamesem-Poku was addressing a section of the media after the closing ceremony of a 3-day training on the Common Core Programme (CCP) for Junior High School teachers at Breman in the Suame Municipality.

The Director commended government for providing adequate textbooks for JHS 1 students to commence the implementation of the new educational policy.

According to him, teachers should seriously study the content of the teachers guide and textbooks to understand the content and pedagogical framework of the policy.

He advised teachers to be punctual and regular to school to ensure effective teaching and learning.
This coming Monday (Jan. 17), Americans will observe a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most civic and honorable leaders in America's history.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, traveled to West Africa in March 1957 to attend Ghana's independence ceremony, with a focus on liberating the people from British colonial domination. A visit that inspired MLK to campaign more against the oppressive system in the US.

Today in Nigeria, as we have not seen before in naked terms, society is at its boiling point of entrenched fear, persecution, repression, oppression, bigotry, and severe rights violations.

I believe MLK Day is an excellent opportunity for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a faithful Muslim, to reflect upon Islam's support for fair play, equality, and justice.

Here is a notable statement with which President Buhari began his presidency on May 29, 2015: "I Belong To Everybody And I Belong To Nobody."

As one with an interest in religious psychology, I once observed in the Quran, in one of its chapters, saying, "O mankind, we have created you... into nations and tribes that you may come to know one another [and not deny one another]." (49:13).

Indeed, the Almighty says that mankind is not only destined to exist as diverse peoples, but that we, as humans, should welcome this and keenly try to understand people who are different from ourselves. This message of diversity within Islam bears a remarkable resemblance to the themes of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

In many ways, MLK reminds us that if we truly want harmony in our time, we must act with justice. We must value impartiality and fairness. We must take up the rights of others with the same passion and determination that we pursue our own rights. We should widen our horizons and look at what is right for the world rather than just for us. These are the elements of justice in our times.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stated, "All of you are equal. All men, whatever nation or tribe they belong to, and whatever station in life they may hold, are equal. An Arab possesses no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab over an Arab.

The Holy Qur'an also stated, "And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors" (30:23).

In the Christian tradition, we are reminded of the following: "But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors" (James 2:9).

King once said, "A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few."

Buhari is certainly not the first Nigerian leader to show inclinations towards entrenched partiality, systemic tribalism, and cyclical nepotism, but by all accounts, Buhari has turned the psychology of equality and opportunity upside down, and he is doing this publicly, boldly, and brazenly.

It is apparent that in the past, southern presidents and heads of state have engaged in nepotistic and tribalistic appointments. To an extent, I agree that the North has been somewhat neglected, resulting in the norths economic and intellectual backwardness, and Buhari could be right in trying to make up for lost time, but he is overdoing it.

Buhari's apparent embrace of tribalism, ethnocentrism, localism, nepotism, narrow-mindedness, favoritism, religious bigotry, and anti-intellectualism is causing self-sabotage, and everyone is paying the price in the form of increasing helplessness, uprisings, unrests, violence, and insecurity.

These fatalistic thought patterns are, in fact, causing national security concerns, as those who feel victimized, and paranoid make life more difficult for his regime.

What Buhari needs to realize is that reactive or non-reactive violence is not always about the use of guns, knives, or bombs.

Coretta Scott King, wife of MLK, once said, "I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discrimination against a working man is violence. Ghetto housing is violence. Ignoring medical needs is violence. Contempt for poverty is violence. " So, I will say this to Buhari: todays forms of tribalism, ethnocentrism, nepotism, narrow-mindedness, favoritism, and religious bigotry are different forms of violence, and these elements combine to make Nigeria insecure and almost unmanageable.

As such, we see thuggishness and violence towards others. Buhari's apparent spirit of domination and extraordinary power now encourages some of his ethnic and religious people to feel somehow exempt from mainstream norms of behavior.

Buharis Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, once said in 2019, for reasons best known to him, that Buhari's appointments of Fulani/Hausa Muslim allies and indigenes, especially into top positions, were to reward them for their huge contribution to the presidents victory in 2015; in other words, the appointments are not essentially based on merit. As Buhari has said, "I Appointed Those I Could Trust." Now even liberal northern Muslims are asking Buhari to embrace fairness wholeheartedly.

International, national, and local reports show that Buhari has deeply baked in tribalism, religionism, and regionalism into key sensitive institutions and strategic ministries. They are too many to count, but I will mention a few like the police, prisons and corrections, immigration, national security, civil defense, communications, accounting, information, customs, aviation, intelligence, judiciary, fire service, national park service, and national youth service corps. Buhari, in his own way, has assigned non-national security and academic-like positions to non-Muslim northerners, such as in education, auditing, health, and labor.

I smiled when Buhari recently said we need prayers in addition to guns to reduce the raging national security complications, but what he is not understanding are the infuriating psychological thorns like feelings of geographic rejection, emotions of regional marginalization, pains of ethnic fragility, and markers of leadership imbalance. These irritants culminate into emotional weapons and defensive pains, and certainly, they are not helpful ways to increase national devotedness and public faith.

In Buharis reign, ethnic, tribal, and religious lines of hierarchy have undercut highly revered values like equality and justice, and that is not how to push for national security and unity.

We know Buhari takes joy in sending good wishes to people and nations in celebratory moods. Well, in his message of good wishes to Americans, as they celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, he should understand more about the celebration.

Buhari needs to know that this unique American celebration is mixed with joy and sorrow, as it is a continuance of the struggle for justice, equality, and equity. I hope Buhari is shaken up by these thoughts and practices regarding fair play. I hope all these lessons make him more of a bridge-builder.

With only 17 months until he leaves office, I hope he begins to treat others, particularly easterners, with kindness and fairness. Long live President Buhari. Continue to rest in peace and power. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

John Egbeazien Oshodi who was born in Uromi, Edo State in Nigeria, is an American based Police/Prison Scientist and Forensic/Clinical/Legal Psychologist. A government Consultant on matters of forensic-clinical adult/child psychological services in the USA; Chief Educator and Clinician at the Transatlantic Enrichment and Refresher Institute, an Online Lifelong Center for Personal, Professional and Career Development. A former Interim Associate Dean/Assistant Professor at the Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African settings. In 2011, he introduced the State-of-the-Art Forensic Psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C and the Nasarawa State University where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. A Virtual behavioral Leadership Professor at the ISCOM University, Republic of Benin. Founder of the Proposed Transatlantic Egbeazien Open University (TEU) of Values and Ethics, a digital project of Truth, Ethics, Openness. Author of over forty academic publications/creations, at least 200 public opinion writeups on African issues, and various books. He specializes in psycho-prescriptive writings regarding African institutional and governance issues.

Prof Oshodi wrote in via [email protected]
PNC National Communications Secretary Awudu Ishaq

17.01.2022 LISTEN

The People's National Convention (PNC) has condemned the withdrawal of military bodyguards from the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin.

On Friday, January 14, 2022, a letter from the Ghana Armed Forces addressed to the Speaker informed him that four military officers assigned to him were being recalled.

The statement explained that the decision had become necessary because the personnel were attached to his security detail without the proper procedure.

Not accepting that explanation, the PNC in a statement has said the pettiness and pedestrianism by the Executive is becoming nauseating and sickening.

While questioning the government on what it will gain from the withdrawal of the Speakers military guards, the PNC has warned that the consequences could be dire for Parliament.

This attitude by the government and by extension the Executive is in bad faith and does not support the clarion calls for consensus building in our hung Parliament for the smooth conduct of government business.

Deliberately targeting the Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin employing such draconian measures will only polarise and deepen the gaping cracks in the August House of Parliament to further stall government business, a PNC statement signed by National Communications Secretary Awudu Ishaq has said.

The PNC stresses that as a matter of urgency, the appropriate institutions and individuals such as the military, Minister for Defence and the Minister for Interior should expedite action to beef up the Rt. Hon Speaker's personal security for him to discharge the mandate conferred on him by the people of Ghana through their representatives in Parliament.

Read the full PNC statement below:

WITHDRAWING THE RIGHT HON SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT'S MILITARY ATTACHMENT JEOPARDISES HIS SAFETY AND SECURITY, RECTIFY THE ANOMALY NOW.

The pettiness and pedestrianism by the Executive is becoming nauseating and sickening. What does the government intend to achieve by withdrawing the military attache' in the security detail of the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament?

Is this still part of the grand scheme and orchestration to intimidate and possibly cower him into submission to pave way for the Majority Group to have its way in Parliament?

The safety and security of the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament is very critical and crucial as far as the discharge of his mandate is concerned. To unilaterally and arbitrarily temper with and alter his security arrangement without any proven and justified reason only exposes him and make him vulnerable.

The Military Command, Ministry of Defence and the Interior Ministry must brace themselves to accept any liability in the unfortunate event that anything untoward or disastrous happens to the Number Three Gentleman of the land.

This attitude by the government and by extension the Executive is in bad faith and does not support the clarion calls for consensus building in our hung Parliament for the smooth conduct of government business.

Deliberately targeting the Rt Hon Alban Bagbin employing such draconian measures will only polarise and deepen the gaping cracks in the August House of Parliament to further stall government business.

As a matter of urgency, the appropriate institutions and individuals such as the military, Minister for Defence and the Minister for Interior should expedite action to beef up the Rt Hon Speaker's personal security for him to discharge the mandate conferred on him by the people of Ghana through their representatives in the August House of Parliament.

By Awudu Ishaq

Nat Communications Secretary

PNC

15/01/22
Security forces shot and killed three protesters Monday during rallies against last year's military coup, medics said, ahead of a visit by US diplomats seeking to revive a transition to civilian rule.

The protesters "were killed by live bullets" by "militias of the putschist military council", anti-coup medics said on the Facebook page of Khartoum state's health ministry.

The killings bring to 67 the death toll of protesters killed since the October 25 coup led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The military takeover triggered wide international condemnation and derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following the April 2019 ouster of longtime autocratic president Omar al-Bashir.

The latest rallies, in Khartoum and Wad Madani to the south, came as US envoy to the Horn of Africa David Satterfield and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee are expected in the capital this week.

Security officers who deployed in large numbers fired volleys of tear gas at protesters heading toward the presidential palace, an AFP correspondent said.

Several people were seen suffering breathing difficulties and others bleeding due to wounds by tear gas canisters, the correspondent said.

Sawsan Salah, from the capital's twin city of Omdurman, said protesters burnt car tyres and carried photos of people killed during other demonstrations since the October 25 coup.

In Wad Madani, "around 2,000 people took to the streets as they called for civilian rule," said Emad Mohammed, a witness there.

Thousands of protesters demanded that the military return to their barracks and chanted in favour of civilian rule in North Khartoum, witnesses said.

Protesters -- sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands -- have regularly taken to the streets despite a deadly security clampdown and periodic cuts to communications since the coup.

On Thursday, Sudanese authorities said protesters stabbed to death a police general, the first fatality among security forces.

Authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting demonstrators and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during protests that have often "deviated from peacefulness".

Diplomatic push

Starting Monday in Riyadh, Satterfield and Phee were to meet the Friends of Sudan, a group calling for the restoration of the country's transitional government.

The meeting aims to "marshal international support" for the UN mission to "facilitate a renewed civilian-led transition to democracy" in Sudan, the US State Department said.

Sudanese security forces fired tear gas at the protesters. By Ebrahim HAMID AFP

The diplomats then travel to Khartoum for meetings with pro-democracy activists, civic groups, military and political figures.

"Their message will be clear: the United States is committed to freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people," the State Department said.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that a new charges d'affaire Lucy Tamlyn will head the embassy in Khartoum to serve "during this critical juncture in Sudan's democratic transition."

The United Nations last week said it will launch talks involving political, military and social actors to help resolve the crisis.

The mainstream civilian faction of the Forces for Freedom and Change, the leading civilian pro-democracy group, has said it would accept the UN offer for talks if revives the transition to civilian rule.

Proposed talks have been welcomed by the ruling Sovereign Council, which Burhan re-staffed following the coup with himself as chairman.

Burhan has insisted that the military takeover "was not a coup" but only meant to "rectify" the course of the post-Bashir transition.

Earlier this month, Sudan's civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned saying the country was now at a "dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival".
17.01.2022 LISTEN

MOGADISHU: SOMALIA. The white house announced this week that Hamza Warfaa will join the Biden administration, making him the first Somali-American presidential appointee in US history.

The federal government of Somalia, academics, Islamic scholars, politicians, technocrats and intellectuals hailed US president Joe Biden on Wednesday for appointing Hamza Warfa, a Somali-American, refugee, Muslim, black, Immigrant being appointed as a senior consultant to the US state department, despite systemic and institutionalized racism in the US.

" We are extremely jubilant, euphoric and welcome the appointment of Warfa by US president. We extend our congratulatory message to him and the Somali people" Somali government spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moallimu told the me dia, while Somali women organizations came together a brief ceremony to celebrate the appointment of Warfa and few women were seen applauding and ululating for the victory that Hamza has achieved . Moallimu said warfa's appointment is an indication that Somali are very active, dynamic, resilient and have entrepreneurship mindset, prowess and experience wherever they live..

Warfa was born in Mogadishu, Somalia his family fled from the Somali civil strife and move to neighbouring Kenya, where they live various refugee camps for several years before they received a resettlement opportunity advocated and sponsored by the UNCHR, he later relocated to the US accompanied by his family.

He said after arriving in the United state as a teenager in 1994 alongside his family, he received a bachelor degree in political science from SanDiego state University in California and his Master's in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College in the same city. He moved to Minnesota in 2012 after he was recruited by the State's largest philanthropic foundation. Margaret. A. Cargill philanthropies, he elucidated.

The 2016 electioneering season inspired Warfa to became more active in civic engagement. The strong anti-immigrant and anti- Muslim policy and actions, Motivated me to organize and mobilize and get more involved at the State level Warfa siad.Some of Minnesota gubernatorial candidates, talked about shutting down the refugee program and it coincided with former US president Donald Trump issued an executive order banning refugees and asylum seekers from seven Muslim majority countries to set their foot in the US soil and also suspended .(DACA) Program .deferred act for childhood arrivals also known as dreamers.it is a legal act that offers unaccompanied minor to remain in the US and those accompanied for their parents.and in some cases created pervasive fear and trepidation about refugees in Minnesota anxious about their future destiny and fate, especially about Minnesota's Muslims, Somali community.

Warfa's list of accomplishments and lifetime achievements also include being the co-founder of BanQu Inc.a blockchain service created to broaden economic opportunities for low-income people across the globe, as well as the recipient of 2016 Bush fellowship for social entrepreneurs.

" When we talk about democracy and human rights, there are plethora of downtrodden, oppressed, disenfranchised, alienated and marginalized people seeking desperately for Justice, I want to make sure we talk about inclusive democracy " he told US media outlets.

" I want to bring my both lived and professional experience to help the administration expand access to those affected by government policies and actions. I want to see America live through its ideals in building multethnic, multiracial and multireligious democracy that protects everyone " he added. " I hope people see in my example from refugee camp to representing America--- hope for democracy and value of everyone's voice and vote"

He has been serving as the deputy Commissioner for workforce development at Minnesota department of employment and economic development. (DEED) Warfa who had held the position since april 2019, has been the highest- ranking African immigrant in the state government. " We congratulate Warfa it is a fantastic opportunity for a young, well-educated Somali-origin lad" Said Abdirahman Sheikh Azhari, Director of the center for analysis and strategic studies, a Somali based Think-tank...

"He said it is not easy to be appointed to the role in an administration like that Biden- Harris with the eyes and the attention of the world on it. Specifically for a black Muslim Immigrant from the Horn of Africa.

It is a golden opportunity for the Somali diaspora as a community across the world, the US and Hamze particularly to serve the US" highest office in which he can influence the policies towards Africa and Muslim world.

He said the appointment shows exactly how well-integrated immigrants and refugees can contribute to a large nation like the US. If the Somali communities continue to pursue their dreams, integrate, settle, and contribute to the western world. They will produce more successful leaders who can be a role models to young Somali's inside Somali and beyond.

This appointment deserves to be celebrated and commended. Azhari said.

Prof. Hassan Sheikh Ali nour, lecturer of political science and international relations at Somali national University and Dr. Badawi the dean faculty of political science and public administration at Mogadishu University had unanimously concurred and said Warfa's nomination for senior adviser on democracy and human rights by President Biden is a historic milestone in race and religious recognition in the United states of America's political participation and citizenship.

Warfa said in a tweet that he is excited and elated and so ready to get to work along with incredible public servants in the Biden- Harris administration. According to the reports Warfa became the first Somali-American presidential appointee in history, another Somali Immigrant, Ilhan Omar made historical achievement in 2018 when she became the first Somali-American to be elected to the US congress and Deko Dhalac who was elected as a mayor of South Portland in Maine which is the most populated white state in the US.

Somali-American civil and political leaders are now active in US politics in all levels of government whether it is local, state and national or federal level. Hamza Warfa will help, advocate, promote and advance president's democracy and human rights agenda both in the US and overseas.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MOHAMED HUSSEIN MENTALIST. Author, blogger, prominent researcher, Horn of Africa Affairs analyst and senior lecturer at Mogadishu University.

AUTHOR..Holds BA in English Language and literature at Mogadishu University and BA in Business administration at Simad University. Master of arts in applied Linguistics at Kisii University in Nairobi as well as Master of peace and conflict studies at Uppsala University in Sweden.
Outbreak of the Avian Influenza has hit the Bono Region, infecting more than 9,470 birds since last Thursday January 13.

Dr Donald Joachim Darko, the Bono Regional Director of the Veterinary Services told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani, the outbreak was detected in only two farms, saying 780 crates of eggs were also affected and destroyed.

He said the affected farms had been barricaded to ward-off people, and called on the public to remain calm as measures were put in place to control further spread.

We have barricaded these farms from encroachment to prevent further spread and destroyed all the affected birds and eggs as well, Dr Darko stated.

He said the infection could be transported from the Ashanti region or imported from the Ashanti region or neighbouring Cote D'Ivoire, and advised poultry farmers in the region to be watchful and report any abnormalities in their farms to the service.

Dr Darko said his outfit had also intensified public education on the influenza, and advised the public to also remain watchful as well.

GNA
The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) has called on government to immediately reconsider its decision to indefinitely suspend the review of the 50 per cent benchmark reduction policy.

The Association said it heard the threats and false claims of the importers that consumers would face astronomical price increases after the review of the policy, which would bring hardship to Ghanaians.

A statement issued and signed by Mr Selorm Quame, the Executive Secretary, OPDAG, said such claims were false as the arithmetic did not prove so.

Goverment, through the Ghana Revenue Authority, announced an indefinite suspension of the review of the benchmark reduction policy with agitation from GUTA.

It said prices of good manufactured in Ghana would not see such price as had been portrayed by the Public Relations machinery of the importers to incite the people against this critical decision that faced the nation.

The statement said it was rather unfortunate and ironic for government to invest so much resources into the promotion of the ideals of industrialization of the Economy, only for government to mplement such a counter productive policy such as the 50 per cent benchmark reduction policy.

It said initiatives such as Planting for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development were all initiatives that would not thrive under this strategy that subsidized imports while maintaining stiffer conditions under which local industry must operate of which the oil palm sector of Ghana was not an exception.

"It is important to note that what faces us now is a big choice between the source of your livelihood of over 24,000 persons who depend on the productivity of the entire value chain of the oil palm sector of Ghana from the plantations to edible oil refineries for their livelihood and the profits of the few importers of edible oil products into Ghana," it said.

It said the oil palm sector faced a calamitous situation currently and thousands of jobs would be lost if this suspension lingered on into this new year.

The Association indicated that it found the proposed government engagement with stakeholders worrying and intriguing.

It said this was because for two years government had been engaging with all relevant stakeholders consistently and had made their case on numerous occasions over the past two years.

"We have been heard by the President, the Economic Management Team and all the relevant government agencies such as the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Finance the Ghana International Trade Commission but unfortunately the status quo has remained," the statement said.

It said some Oil Palm manufacturing orgnisations such as the refineries had been through very challenging times with employee numbers due to low productivity occasioned by the influx of cheap imported finished oil palm products.

Over 500 temporary jobs have already been lost and further downsizing the staff numbers remains the only short term option to save the plants.

The statement said closures were imminent in a few months from now, if the situation of a takeover by imports remained the same.

"We are sad to inform you that the two major oil refineries Wilmar Africa and Avnash Industries have currently shut down their refineries due to low demand. It a matter of weeks, the impact of this situation will hit our member companies in the plantation and oil mill subsector of the chain," it added.

It said these large refineries have only survived the past two years due to exports opportunities they developed within the ECOWAS region.

These opportunities however are all lost now as these destination countries have also taken steps to empower local production of oil palm products to create jobs and reduce imports to save their economies.

It said since the introduction of the policy, their plea and advice to government had always been to exempt oil palm products from the policy because local processing capacity outweighed local demand by 10 per cent; a situation that offered Ghana the opportunity to produce oil palm products for exports to earn foreign exchange.

The statement said the Association faced huge job losses and hardships to employees and entrepreneurs in the palm oil sector if the Government did not reconsider the implementation of the review of this Benchmark Reduction Policy.

It called on Ghanaians and stakeholder groups such as the Employers Association of Ghana, the Ministry of Labour and Employment Relations, the TUC, GAWU, ICU and GUTA to support their call to save the sector from collapse.

"Indeed, industrialization is a difficult path to choose in developing our economy as it remains a long term goal but we ought to pay the price now to save our economy and create the much needed jobs for the growing youthful population of Ghanaians," it added.

GNA
The world is experiencing an environmental crisis coupled with rapid urbanisation. This affects city ecosystems, which are a combination of the built environment, planned green spaces and natural biodiversity. They include streets, roofs, parks, trees, rivers and other urban features.

Ecosystems provide services like regulating air, water and soil quality. In cities, their role in regulating the climate is particularly important. Cities are generally warmer than surrounding rural areas . Greenery and vegetation mitigate this by providing shade and filtering air. They also absorb greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

But ecosystem services are under threat everywhere in the world . Urban development and expansion causes ecological degradation, pollution and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions . This affects ecosystems' ability to sustainably provide the services that people need for their physical and mental well-being .

In South Africa, these ecosystem services  like wetlands, green spaces and street trees  are grossly under-protected. They are at risk of being damaged irreparably. Intervention is necessary. Regulation in terms of law is one form of intervention.

South African law

South Africa has many environmental laws. These draw on a constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to health and well-being. People have the right to protection of this environment through legislative and other measures .

The High Court has already found that local governments are in the best position to know, understand, and deal with issues involving the environment at the local level. But do these governments have the tools they need? To find out, we conducted a study to see whether South African law is suitable for protecting microclimate regulation in cities.

The main finding was that there are sufficient options in law to achieve this. But many of the legal instruments are underused; they also vary in their effectiveness. Innovative local governance is urgently needed. South African municipalities can and should experiment with a combination of instruments to achieve maximum results in protecting urban ecosystem services.

Instruments in law

The combination of national environmental law, local government law and spatial planning law in South Africa has many environmental governance instruments for municipalities to use. These include instruments for strategic and spatial planning and integrated environmental management. Some examples are municipal plans, land use schemes and environmental management plans. Others include environmental impact assessments and by-laws.

Cities can also use directives, compliance notices, incentives and agreements; one example is environmental management cooperation agreements between municipalities and the private sector. Then there are municipal advisory or ward committees. These instruments are all created in terms of local government and environmental laws promulgated by parliament since 1996.

But it's the task of every municipality to adopt these instruments and to ensure they are suitable for local conditions. This is what the eThekwini Metro (Durban on South Africa's east coast) did with its revised town planning scheme . The scheme looks to protect biodiversity and associated ecosystems.

Our study showed that environmental governance instruments vary in their ability to protect urban ecosystem services. Many are underexplored. We found that spatial planning and municipal by-laws are two potentially useful instruments.

Take the example of the Ekurhuleni Municipality in the east of Johannesburg. It used by-laws to establish consequences and penalties for damage to or removal of trees. Cape Town and Tshwane municipalities have bioregional plans that provide specifically for climate adaptation measures and ecosystem services.

Beyond the 2021 local government elections

The manifestos of the political parties that participated in the 2021 local government elections focused on local economic development and basic services. Environmental conservation and ecosystem protection were mostly overlooked. That's an oversight: the benefits of these are critical to most other municipal activities.

Ecosystem services protection may not be part of annual municipal audits, but the entire government is obliged to comply with the constitutional environmental right. Everyone has a duty (legal and otherwise) to help address the impact of urbanisation on ecosystem integrity.

The elections ushered in a new start for municipalities. Most cities' by-laws do not adequately regulate behaviour that may have a negative impact on ecosystem services. Innovative local governance is urgently needed. Municipalities are not bound to use only the legally prescribed instruments or use only a single instrument such as the well-known municipal integrated development plan. They are encouraged to try combinations that take local needs, local knowledge and community involvement into account. Municipalities should also compare short-term costs with long-term environmental and societal benefits.

Conclusion

Urban ecosystem services sustain life, but aren't well protected. Newly elected councils should use the available legal tools. The skills, acumen and commitment of municipal administrations are equally important.

It is also up to local communities, scientists and community-based organisations to keep their municipalities to account. They can all contribute to the design and implementation of urban ecosystem protection measures - by complying with the law, for a start.

Anel du Plessis receives funding from the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant number 115581). All errors and viewpoints are the authors' own. The author is affiliated with the North-West University, Faculty of Law and is the Chairholder of the NRF SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability.

Angela van der Berg has received funding from the National Research Foundation (Grant number 102352) and from the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law (Strategic Grant for Early Career Researchers). All errors and viewpoints are the authors' own. The author is affiliated with the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Faculty of Law, and is the Acting Director of the Global Environmental Law Centre (UWC).

Maricelle Botes receives funding from the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant number 115581), the NWU and the Faculty of Law. All errors and viewpoints are the authors' own. The author is affiliated with the North-West University, Faculty of Law and is a PhD Researcher at the NRF SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability.

By Anel du Plessis, Professor of Law & NRF South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability, North-West University And

Angela van der Berg, Acting Director of the Global Environmental Law Centre, University of the Western Cape And

Maricelle Botes, PhD Researcher at the South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES), North-West University
17.01.2022 LISTEN

The Ghana Police Service has earned applause from the public yet again following the rescue of a kidnapped baby in the Ashanti Region from some car thieves.

A carjacking incident that occurred at Santasi, a suburb of Kumasi over the weekend went from bad to worse for the owner when his wife reported that the perpatrators drove off with the baby in the backseat.

With the Police alerted and officers informed to be on the lookout for the snatched car [Red Toyota Corolla], the owners can now not jubilate the rescue of the baby but the return of the car as well.

In a press release signed by the Ashanti Regional Commands Public Relations Officer (PRO), ASP Godwin Ahianyo, the Police says a tip off led to the rescue of the kidnapped baby.

The police upon receipt of the information swiftly set out all patrol vehicles and motorbikes within the metropolis in search of the said vehicle and its occupants (suspects).

Sensing danger on the approach of a police vehicle and a taxi cab. The suspects abandoned the vehicle around Dakwadwom and fled into a nearby bush, the Police statement has said.

The Command confirms that the retrieved vehicle has been driven to the Regional Police Headquarters and the child reunited with the mother.

Meanwhile the Patrol vehicles are pursuing the suspects and all other operational unit has been activated to assist in that regard.

The general public is urged to be forthcoming with information to help the Police to do their job to protect everyone.
Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has described the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as the tallest and steepest Ghana has ever experienced since the outbreak of the virus.

This has been a very gradual steep, we normally have little minor waves before the major wave, but for the first time there was no minor wave, over 1,200 cases were recorded in a day, he noted.

Dr Kuma-Aboagye told the Ghana News Agency that the spike in COVID-19 infections in the last four weeks were recorded in 89 districts.

He said generally, most of the cases recorded in the last four weeks were imported cases as some airlines brought in persons who tested positive to the virus, with a larger number coming in from the United Arabs Emirates.

The Director General said presently, a lot of people had been exposed to the virus and that the GHS was considering revising the days for de-isolation; how long a person exposed to the virus would be discharge after treatment from 14 days to a new number of days, which would be announced later.

He said this year, the GHS would continue encouraging people to get vaccinated while it explored ways to make more people get vaccinated under the mandatory vaccination policy.

As of now, 14 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, 33 per cent of the population is expected to be vaccinated or have at least received a jab, in the month of December nearly 3 million doses of vaccines were administered, he said.

He said the vaccines offered a high level of protection and that the GHS had observed that most people who contracted the virus, fell ill, got hospitalised and died, were unvaccinated.

Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the GHS would this year mainstream the management of COVID-19 in all health facilities and at all levelsm and explore the use of tele-medicine to administer care.

Ghana has so far received about 24 million doses of varied COVID-19 vaccines with most of them being AstraZeneca.

About 10 million of the vaccines are in stock.

He said the Service had not recorded any major adverse event due to the vaccination.

GNA
Mr Opoku Agyeman Prempeh, Executive Director of the Centre for Moral Education and Development (CEMED) has stressed the need for the country to take a second look at the Article 71 of the 1992 constitution.

He said the Article 71, which provided for the remuneration of politicians and other government appointees needed to be reviewed to promote industrial peace and harmony in the country.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on the recent spate of strike actions by some union members in government employment, he said the country at this point of its development, needed a vibrant public sector workforce to support the transformation agenda of the government.

This could be achieved when government employees worked in the right frame of mind accompanied by an appropriate remuneration which could support him and his family throughout the month.

Mr Prempeh said even though the government could not use all its resources to pay a small number of people who were in its employment at the expense of the provision of other social amenities for the benefit of the majority of Ghanaians, there was the need for equity and fairness in public compensation.

He said while few politicians were taking huge sums of money and ex-gratia at the end of every four years, majority of Ghanaian workers such as teachers, nurses, doctors, civil servants and others who had worked for more than twenty to thirty years, were given meagre salaries and an end of service benefits which could best be described as an insult.

Mr Prempeh however, appealed to those who have had the opportunity to work in government employment to exercise restraint in their demands considering the current state of the country's economy.

He said the government needed to do a lot of things to improve the living conditions and the socio-economic lives of all the people in the country.

Mr Prempeh called for greater transparency to ensure that government workers understood the present challenges facing the nation.

There have been agitations and strike actions by some public sector workers demanding an increase in salaries and better conditions of service.

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) have currently laid down their tools demanding improved conditions of service.

GNA
Posted by Liam on at 09:03 AM CST

Hey there,fans! This week on the site were looking at the ending of the Skywalker saga inwith the epic battle on the planet of Exogol. Today well be looking at how the ending to three trilogies relates to the larger saga, but stay tuned throughout the week for more articles, insights, merchandising content, and videos.The opening crawl of The Rise of Skywalker teases that the dead speak! Ashad depicted nearly three decades prior, Emperor Palpatine had in fact managed to survive being thrown down the chute of Death Star II by Darth Vader and transported his essence to a series of clones. Palpatines fascination with immortality had long been explored, and he was finally able to achieve the secret that had tormented his master Darth Plagueis.Of course, Palpatine also assembles a threat that is intended to restore his galactic dominance alongside his body. The Final Order sent out a command to remaining Imperial vessels following the destruction of Death Star II to start creating a massive fleet of ships, armies, and superweapons. The First Order had kept the Imperial sentiments alive long enough to prepare for Palpatines resurgence.Not only did Palpatine brew in the background and watch Snoke prey upon the galaxy until he could return in prominence, but the returning Emperor once again set his sights on the Skywalker bloodline. Kylo Ren had been in a fragile state since slaying his own master and failing to turn Rey to the Dark side, and once again fell under the influence of a Sith master.made the revelation that Rey is in fact Palpatines granddaughter, and that her parents hid her away on the planet Jakku in order to escape him. The controversial plot twist came as a sharp rewrite of, in which Kylo Ren had revealed to Rey that her parents were only junk dealers with no greater heritage. Personally, Im not a fan of howhandled it. The idea that Rey was left to determine her own destiny felt like an exciting revelation that allowed her future to go in a new and exciting direction, and the scene inis awkwardly handled by Kylo Ren just explaining it.However, Palpatine once again fails to convince Skywalker not to switch sides, as Kylo Ren rejects his Sith training and joins Rey in her fight against her grandfather. As she blocks Palpatines electricity, Rey hears the voices of generations of Jedi that before her, including Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ashoka Tano, Qui-Gon Jinn, and of course Luke Skywalker. Palpatine holds the power of generations of ancient Sith lords.Ultimately, the force that comes to match the Final Order is a fleet of both Resistance ships and various people from across the galaxy who are against the Imperial presence. In classicfashion, it is a motley group of everyday heroes that respond to the call to combat evil.What do you think,fans? What are some of your favorite moments in the Exegol battle? What do you think of Palpatines return? Let us know in the forums , and as always, may the Force be with you!
Sudanese forces opened fire killing seven protesters Monday in one of the deadliest recent mass rallies against a military coup, with UN Security Council members urging Khartoum to excercise the "utmost restraint".

The latest violence, which took place in the capital as well as in other major cities, comes ahead of a key visit by US diplomats, as Washington seeks to broker an end to the months-long crisis in the northeast African nation.

UN special representative Volker Perthes condemned the "continued use of live ammunition" to put down the protests, confirming at least seven people killed and "scores injured", while the US embassy in Khartoum criticised "the violent tactics of Sudanese security forces".

Nine UN Security Council members including Britain and France urged all parties to "refrain from the use of violence", stressing the importance of "peaceful assembly and freedom of expression."

The seven deaths on Monday brings to 71 the number of protesters killed since the army's October 25 takeover led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Protesters -- sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands -- have regularly taken to the streets despite the security clampdown and periodic cuts to communications since the coup. By - AFP

The military power grab triggered international condemnation, and derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following the April 2019 ouster of longtime autocratic president Omar al-Bashir.

Protesters -- sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands -- have regularly taken to the streets despite the security clampdown and periodic cuts to communications since the coup.

'Massacre'

Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By AFP

On Monday, anti-coup medics said three protesters were shot dead by "militias of the putschist military council", while later, the independent Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported four more were killed during a "massacre by the coup authorities."

Medics reported multiple were wounded by "live rounds".

Sudan's mainstream civilian bloc, the Forces for Freedom and Change, called for "civil disobedience" following what they also dubbed a "massacre".

In protests in Khartoum, as well as its North Khartoum suburb and twin city Omdurman across the Nile, security officers deployed in large numbers, firing volleys of tear gas at protesters.

Several people were seen suffering breathing difficulties and others bleeding due to wounds by tear gas canisters, an AFP correspondent said.

Demonstrators used rocks and burning tyres to create roadblocks, demanding the soldiers go back to their barracks, and chanting slogans in favour of civilian rule, witnesses said.

Sudanese security forces fired tear gas at the protesters. By Ebrahim HAMID AFP

At nightfall, hundreds of protesters remained on the streets in several parts of Khartoum, while pro-democracy activists led online calls to keep up the demonstrations.

Burhan held an emergency meeting with security chiefs on Monday, who blamed the "chaos" on protesters who "deviated from legitimate peaceful demonstration", and vowed to hold to account those involved in "violations" during protests, according to a statement by Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council.

The authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting demonstrators, and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during protests, including a police general stabbed to death last week.

Diplomatic push

Earlier this month, Sudan's civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned saying the country was now at a "dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival".

Sudanese rally south of the capital Khartoum on January 17, the latest in a series of protests against a military coup. By - AFP

The US envoy to the Horn of Africa David Satterfield and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee are expected in Sudan in coming days, in a bid to "facilitate a renewed civilian-led transition to democracy", the US State Department said.

Washington's push comes after the United Nations said last week it will launch talks involving key figures to help resolve the crisis.

"Their message will be clear: the United States is committed to freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people," the State Department said.

Proposed talks have been welcomed by the ruling Sovereign Council, which Burhan re-staffed following the coup with himself as chairman.

Burhan has insisted that the military takeover "was not a coup" but only meant to "rectify" the course of the post-Bashir transition.
Britain and France were among nine UN Security Council members to urge all parties in Sudan Monday to "exercise the utmost restraint" amid deadly violence during demonstrations against military rule.

The call came as Sudanese security forces killed seven protesters among thousands rallying against last year's military coup, medics said.

"We express our serious concern about the military coup in Sudan on October 25, 2021", said the text, which was also signed by Mexico, Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, Ireland and Norway.

The statement, released after a meeting of the 15-member council, also urged all parties to "refrain from the use of violence and emphasize the importance of full respect for human rights, including the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression."

The meeting involved Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"We are also concerned that political instability impacts the security situation in Darfur and call upon Sudan to offer its full support and cooperation with the office of the prosecutor," the statement added.

The latest fatalities bring to 71 the number of protesters killed since the October 25 coup led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
17.01.2022 LISTEN

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has warned that there will be serious implications if the Ghana Education Service (GES) goes ahead with plans to permanently change the education calendar from trimester to semester.

The Deputy Director-General of GES, Mr. Kwabena Bempah Tandoh on Monday, January 17, 2022, told Citi FM that stakeholders have been consulted and all have agreed to make this years school academic calendar a semester system.

Reacting to the claim on the same platform during Eyewitness News, National President of NAGRAT, Mr. Eric Agbe Carbonu said his outfit was not engaged.

According to him, NAGRAT only recently learnt of the decision and believes its implications on teachers and students will be dire.

There are implications. Very serious implications. And our position is that when the nation is changing from a trimester to a semester we needed a wider stakeholder consultation and discussions. The implications also have to be negotiated with the unions and then we take a common decision. All these things have not been done and we have serious problems with the fact that now we are hearing that the semester system is a permanent feature, he told Citi News.

The NAGRAT National President proposes that a broader consultation should be done to take the views of teacher unions, parents, CSOs, and the general public before such a crucial decision is taken to make the semester system permanent.

There are labour implications in the shift from trimester to semester, we also have issues to do with instruction, teacher-learner instructions taking the ages of the children, taking the level of the children, whether a semester system is more beneficial than a trimester, all these things we have to sit [and discuss]. That is why we say wider stakeholder consultations, Mr. Eric Agbe Carbonu noted.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has also urged the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service to change the 2022 calendar from semester to trimester.
Nigeria's northern Zamfara state reopened schools on Monday four months after they were shut due to mass kidnappings of students by criminal gangs, the local government said.

Schools in Zamfara were closed in September following the kidnap of 80 students from a secondary school in Kaya village in one of a string of mass abductions from schools across northwestern Nigeria.

"This is to inform all principals, head teachers of schools below tertiary level... that were categorised as green and yellow to reopen tomorrow Monday... for resumption (of) normal lessons," said a statement from the state's education ministry, referring to the security colour-coding system.

A total of 115 school were ordered to resume classes while 85 others designated as "red" were to remain closed "until when the security situation improves," said the statement.

Northwest and central Nigeria have been plagued by heavily armed criminal gangs, called bandits locally, who carry out deadly raids on villages, kidnapping residents and burning homes after looting them.

The gangs have increasingly been attacking schools for mass abductions of schoolchildren to squeeze ransom from parents and communities.

Around 1,500 schoolchildren were seized last year in 20 mass kidnappings in schools across the region, with 16 students losing their lives, according to the UN children welfare agency UNICEF.

Most of the hostages were released after negotiations but some are still in captivity in bandit forest hideouts.

The mass kidnappings prompted the closure of hundreds of schools in six states -- Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Sokoto and Jigawa -- in a bid to save children.

The abductions frightened communities in the north, which was already grappling with low school enrolment, stopping at least one million children from returning to school, according to UNICEF.

There are an estimated 10 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, most of them in the north and Experts worry the kidnappings may bolster those numbers.

Houses burned

Several measures including amnesty and military operations have failed to end the violence by bandits whose activities the Nigerian government recently said constitute "acts of terrorism".

In one of the latest attacks, 16 people, including three security personnel, were killed at the weekend when bandits attacked Dankade village in northwestern Kebbi state, according a police spokesman.

"We recovered the bodies of 13 residents and those of a policeman and two soldiers from the village after the attack," Nafiu Abubakar, Kebbi state police spokesman told AFP on Monday.

Several residents were kidnapped while many houses were burnt by the motorcycle-riding gunmen who launched the attack from neighbouring Zamfara state, Abubakar said.

Communities in Kebbi state on the border with Zamfara are periodically attacked by bandits from Zamfara state where they maintain their camps.

In one of the worst attacks last June, 80 villagers were killed by bandits in raids on several villages in Danko-Wasagu district, a week after more than 100 students were abducted from a boarding high school in the state.

On Saturday 30 more of the kidnapped students along with their teacher were freed by their captors. Their colleagues were earlier released in several groups, according to officials.
The UN mission in Mali has suspended all but medical evacuation flights in the war-torn country pending negotiations with Malian authorities, a United Nations spokesman said Monday.

The move follows the implementation of new procedures that coincide with operations with the Malian army, a source close to the MINUSMA mission told AFP on condition of anonymity.

In New York, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the world body was "currently in discussions with our Malian partners, on the new procedures they've put in place to approve UN flights."

"We are confident that a solution can be found as soon as possible which will allow us to resume the normal functioning of our services in accordance with our mandate," he said.

"In the meantime we've had to adjust to the new situation. This particularly concerns our regularly scheduled flights which have been temporarily suspended," Dujarric added.

The junta that seized power in Mali in a 2020 coup closed the borders to its neighbouring ECOWAS countries after the regional bloc shuttered its borders on January 9 as part of economic and diplomatic sanctions.

ECOWAS imposed the sanctions in response to Mali's junta refusing to hold promised elections next month, the military leaders instead saying they could remain in power for up to five years before returning civilian rule.

Since the borders slammed shut, questions have lingered about the movement of military aircraft entering or exiting the country from the West African nations.

MINUSMA as well as France regularly fly over the region as part of efforts to fight a grinding jihadist insurgency that has spread from Mali to several other Sahel countries.
Teacher Unions in the basic education sector have kicked against governments change of the trimester-based academic calendar to a semester-based one.

The unions; GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU, and CCT-GH in a joint statement said they are disappointed that for such a major decision, the government did not consult or engage them.

We state emphatically that at no point in time were the Unions in Education consulted on such a major policy decisionPer our Collective Agreement with regard to our working conditions, major policies such as this should come for discussion and negotiation, they said in the statement.

The unions said, among other things that, such a move will lead to a long school calendar and will have a negative effect on the health of pupils and education workers.

They consequently called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to immediately withdraw the plan or risk having them fiercely resist it.

We, therefore, call on the GES to immediately withdraw the policy, pending full consultations with the Unions in Education and other major stakeholders and do serve notice, that failure to do so would be resisted fiercely, they said.

The Ghana Education Service last week announced the introduction of a semester-based academic calendar for public Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior High Schools.

Among other things, GES said, the new system will help ease pressure on teachers, decongest the various schools, and help align academic calendars.

Some stakeholders and civil society organisations have already kicked against the move, saying that it is unrealistic and will be mentally draining.

Others insisted that the government failed to consult them, but the Deputy Director-General for Quality and Access of the Ghana Education Service, Dr. Kwabena Tandoh , in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show, said all stakeholders were consulted and duly agreed with the plan before its announcement.

Citi97.3  Understanding Ghanas new educational structure with Dr K B. Tandoh

Basic school calendar

Second and third-year students in second-cycle schools will be heading back to school on February 7, 2022.

According to a Ghana Education Service release, the first years have a tentative reopening date of April 4, 2022.

All students in basic schools will return to school on January 18.

---citinewsroom
The funeral rites of the former Mayor of Accra, Nat Nuno-Amarteifio, has been slated for January 21, 2022, the family has said.

The Head of the Amarteifio family, Retired Major Amarkai Amarteifio, on Wednesday, told a delegation led by the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Madam Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, that: "The late Nuno-Amarteifio will be interred on Friday, January 21 and the body will be laid in state for filing past at the Lashibi Funeral Home."

He said an interdenominational church service would be held after interment at the Ridge Church on January 23, 2022, at 7 am.

Mrs Sackey was accompanied by the former mayor of Accra and MP for Ablekuma South Constituency, Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije and Chief Executive of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib.

The delegation also included some Assembly Members as well as Heads of Departments of the AMA.

Mrs Sackey eulogised the late former Mayor and expressed her condolence to the bereaved family and pledged support for a befitting burial.

A giant has fallen, a mighty man is gone, oh my Uncle, my Daddy, my friend, my counsellor, so soon you have left us, well God knows why, and we cannot question Him... Daddy Rest in Peace," she wrote in a book of condolence.

The late Nat Nuno-Amarteifio was an architectural historian and a writer.

He worked in the United States of America, Canada before returning to Ghana as an architect and consultant.

He served as the Mayor of Accra between 1994 and 1998 under the erstwhile late Jerry John Rawlings administration and passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021, in Accra after a short illness.

GNA
17.01.2022 LISTEN

Dr Isaac Bampoe Addo, the Executive Secretary of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), says the Association can no longer hold on for government for better conditions of service.

He said the Association was worried about the undue delay in finalising negotiations on the conditions of Service for its members and said they (members) would soon embark on industrial action.

Dr Bampoe Addo said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency that the call for the strike had been necessitated by government's silence on the conditions of service for its members.

The Association in a press release on December 22, 2021, stated its intent to embark on a nationwide strike from Thursday, January 20, this year, to press home demands for better conditions of service for its members.

Dr Bampoe Addo said members of the Association had been patient enough, saying, ''the time has come to receive what is due us.''

He said from Thursday, January 20th, members of the Association would be home until they received a response from Government on better conditions of service.

Dr Bampoe Addo said CLOGSAG had presented a proposal on conditions of service of members accepted by the Civil Service Council and the Local Government Council at a joint meeting and later presented to the then Senior Minister now Advisor to the President as directed by Cabinet.

The Executive Director said it had been decided at a Committee meeting that the proposal be officially sent to the Ministry of Finance for a response.

He alleged that the Minister of Finance had since refused to respond to the proposal.

''For almost two years now, the Ministry Of Finance is yet to give comments on our proposal,'' he alleged.

A driver at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MLER), pledged support to CLOGSAG's impending strike.

''I need enough money to pay my children's school fees,'' he said and appealed to Government to address their concerns.

A staff at the Ministry of Works and Housing said they had been served with notices of an industrial action by CLOGSAG and that they would abide by the notice.

However, Mr Henry Baafi, a Civil Servant, said it would have been appropriate if they had the strike in the middle of the year, saying it was too early in the year for industrial actions.

He urged the Association to engage Government a bit more.

CLOGSAG, a registered trade union and the mouthpiece of the Civil and Local Government staff has about 55,000 members nationwide.

GNA
While 84% of households in the country suffered a decline in their income in a year marked by the tremendous loss of life and livelihoods, the number of Indian billionaires grew to 142 from 102, shows the latest briefing Inequality Kills by Oxfam India. More than 4.6 crore Indians meanwhile are estimated to have fallen into extreme poverty in 2020, which is nearly half of the global new poor, according to the United Nations (UN). The stark wealth inequality in India results from an economic system rigged in favour of the super-rich over the poor and marginalised, the briefing published ahead of the World Economic Forums Davos agenda says.

The briefing indicates that the collective wealth of Indias 100 wealthiest people hit a record high of Rs57.3 lakh crore or about US$775bn (billion) in 2021. In its briefing, the non-government organisation (NGO) also advocates a 1% surcharge on the wealthiest 10% of the Indian population to fund inequality-combating measures such as higher investments in school education, universal healthcare, and social security benefits like maternity leave, paid leave and pension for all Indians. The briefing indicates that the collective wealth of Indias 100 wealthiest people hit a record high of Rs57.3 lakh crore or about US$775bn (billion) in 2021. In its briefing, the non-government organisation (NGO) also advocates a 1% surcharge on the wealthiest 10% of the Indian population to fund inequality-combating measures such as higher investments in school education, universal healthcare, and social security benefits like maternity leave, paid leave and pension for all Indians.

According to the briefing, in India, during the pandemic from March 2020 to 30 November 2021, the wealth of billionaires increased to Rs53.16 lakh crore or US$719bn from Rs23.14 lakh crore or US$313bn.

In the briefing, the NGO recommended specific steps to recognise inequality is real and agree to measure it, redistribute Indias wealth from the super-rich to generate resources for the majority, generate revenues to invest in the education and health of future generations, enact and enforce statutory social security provisions for workers from the informal sector and to change rules and to shift power in the economy and society.

Oxfam India says, A temporary 1% surcharge on the richest 10% population could help raise an additional Rs8.7 lakh crore, which could be utilised to increase the education and health budget. The primary outcome of the pandemic must be a quality, publicly funded and publicly delivered healthcare system that works for all and not just the rich. A secondary outcome should be an education system which addresses the needs of everyone, not just those privileged to attend elite private schools or have access to digital technology.

Historically, India has always been dependent more on indirect taxes. In 2000, the percentage of indirect taxation in the total tax revenue was 63.69%. Sadly, Oxfam India says, even during the pandemic, this trend continued as the government revenue remained highly dependent on the indirect taxesespecially the tax levied on the sale and manufacture of goods and services that ordinary Indians depend upon.

The Oxfam India briefing shows the trend that indirect tax, as a share of the Union government revenues, has been increasing when there is a decline in the proportion of corporate tax for the same in the past four years. It points out that the additional tax imposed on fuel has risen 33% in the first six months of 2020-21 compared to last year and is 79% more than pre-COVID levels.

At the same time, it says, the wealth tax for the super-rich was abolished in 2016. Corporate taxes were lowered to 22% from 30% to attract investment last year, resulting in a loss of Rs1.5 lakh crore, which has contributed to the increase in Indias fiscal deficit. These trends show that the poor, marginalised and the middle class paid high taxes despite going through the raging pandemic while the rich made more money without paying their fair share, the briefing says.

According to the NGO, privatisation of basic services is detrimental to equality. It says the policy push for privatisation of healthcare and education in India further acts as enablers of inequality in India.

In a 2021 survey by Oxfam India, 52% of the parents who send their children to private schools reported paying hiked fees for the assessment year (AY) 21-22. About 35% of children were prevented from accessing education due to non-payment of fees, while 38% of parents had to pay illegal charges as capitation fees at the time of admission, and 57% of parents had to pay additional charges that were not part of the declared official break-up of fees.

Moreover, the survey shows that parents spend a substantial portion of their household income on private school fees, about 15% and above. Oxfam India says that the growing privatisation of school education disproportionately affects the countrys poor and marginalised people, particularly women and girls.

The Inequality Kills briefing shows how deeply unequal our economic system is and how it fuels not only inequality but poverty as well, Amitabh Behar, chief executive officer (CEO) of Oxfam India says, adding, We urge the government of India to commit to an economic system which creates a more equal and sustainable nation. India can show the world that democratic systems are capable of wealth redistribution and inclusive growth where no one is left behind. Indias fight against inequality and poverty must be supported by the billionaires who made record profits in the country during the pandemic.

Apart from the failure of generating equitable revenue, Oxfam Indias briefing shows the de-prioritisation of education and health in the Union government budget when these two services were needed the most. Apart from the failure of generating equitable revenue, Oxfam Indias briefing shows the de-prioritisation of education and health in the Union government budget when these two services were needed the most.

Allocation towards health in 2021-22 saw a decline of 10% in the Union governments budget, while the funding towards education in 2021-22 saw an increase of 10% from the previous year. Health spending as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) has remained abysmally low at 1.2% to 1.6% and increased only 0.09% over the last 22 years. Similarly, Education spending as a percentage of GDP has remained low at 3% and increased only 0.07%% over the last 18 years, the briefing from Oxfam India shows.

There is also an urgent need to improve medical infrastructure by implementing Indias patent rights charter (PRC), standardising diagnostic procedures, building rural clinics, and developing streamlined health information technology (IT) systems in tandem with adopting a family-health approach, making greater investments in healthcare and training and paying frontline healthcare workers adequately, it added.

According to the NGO, Indias expenditure on social security schemes for workers, under the ministry of labour and employment, and the Centrally sponsored scheme of the National Social Assistance Programme, is abysmally low at 0.6% of total expenditure in 2021-22, a decline from 1.5% of the total expenditure from the previous year.

With 93% of the nations workforce comprising of informal employment, there has been little success in bringing them under the ambit of formal employment, which would give them various benefits like paid leaves, health insurance, paid maternity leaves and pension, it says.

The briefing by Oxfam India also highlights gender parity witnessed during the pandemic. Oxfams global briefing points to the stark reality of inequality contributing to the death of at least 21,000 people each day, or one person every four seconds. The pandemic has set gender parity back from 99 years to now 135 years. Women collectively lost Rs59.11 lakh crore or around $800 billion in earnings in 2020, with 1.3 crore fewer women in work now than in 2019. It has never been so important to start righting the wrongs of this obscene inequality by targeting extreme wealth through taxation and getting that money back into the real economy to save lives, says Mr Behar from Oxfam India.

Politicians, governments, civil society, academicians, and bureaucrats across the country are repeatedly stressing the need to address high wealth inequality and its ill effects in the past few years. This includes Nobel laureate and economist Abhijit Banerjee, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghs (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, Keralas chief minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan and Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Reddy.

It is clear from the voices across the political spectrum that India needs to address extreme inequality right now. But we need to move from mere words to taking concrete steps to end the cycle of inequality and poverty. And this is possible if the government of India taxes the wealthy, which will generate much-needed resources to fund the recovery from the pandemic, Mr Behar from Oxfam India says.
Raising serious questions on the valuation of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for its initial public offering (IPO), EAS Sarma, former secretary to the Indian government, has asked the ministry of finance (MoF) to put on hold the entire process of disinvestment of LIC and other Central public sector enterprises (CPSEs).

Mr Sarma, in a letter to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, says, I do not think that your ministry can rush through with the LIC IPO based on a perfunctory valuation exercise, merely to derive limited, illusory fiscal resources. I refer to the disinvestment proceeds as illusory because they come from the same pool of domestic savings from which the government also borrows.

If you get one rupee of disinvestment proceeds, you will be losing that one rupee which you could readily borrow from the savings pool on much more cost-effective terms, as government borrowings are backed by an implicit sovereign guarantee. The only difference that arises when the LIC is handed over to a few investors is that the government would then have dismantled an excellent institution like the LIC in the name of getting such illusory proceeds! I request your ministry and all others in the government who are concerned about this to ponder over the questions I have raised, he says.

The former secretary to the Union government further says, as he understands the MoF has appointed a private consultant to undertake the valuation of the LIC and according to the latest reports , the estimated value of the public issue is Rs15 lakh crore, and the so-called embedded value (the statistical measure of investors interest in an insurance company) of the corporation is Rs4 lakh crore.

Mr Sarma adds, The methodology of valuation, the assumptions that have gone into it and the factual information considered by the valuer have not been divulged in the public domain. It is unfortunate that the policyholders of the LIC and the public at large should get information on this, only through rumours and gossip. If your ministry proposes to keep the public in the dark about such information, I am afraid that the entire LIC disinvestment process will stand vitiated, as it violates the letter and the spirit of Article 19 of the Constitution, which provides for transparency in governance.

Prima facie, it appears to me that the value of the corporation at Rs15 lakh crore and its embedded value of Rs4 lakh crore is a gross underestimate, considering the vast, highly valuable land assets that the LIC possesses today across the length and the breadth of the country, the enormous public trust and the goodwill it enjoys as a public sector institution that truly belongs to the millions of its policyholders and its preeminent role in funding infrastructure, housing and the other social sector projects of crucial importance for the society at large, the former bureaucrat says.

Mr Sarma also feels that the divestment of Central Electronics Ltd (CEL) was miserably mishandled by the ministry. In November last year, he sent a letter to the ministry but said he has not received any reply so far.

In his latest letter, he says, Please recall how your ministry had grossly undervalued such a highly competent, valuable CPSE as the CEL, at a rate several orders of magnitude less than its intrinsic value and how your ministry had almost sold the company away to a private company of questionable antecedents, till CELs employees, eminent scientists and a civil society group, the Peoples Commission, raised their voices against it.

It is equally unfortunate that your ministry should nonchalantly handle such an important matter as the disinvestment of a strategic CPSE so casually and that it should get exposed only when the civil society had expressed its shock and dismay! I get the feeling even at this stage that, by ordering an internal, departmental enquiry into the CEL matter, the Union government is only trying to obfuscate the contentious issues that revolve around it and delude the public, he added.

Having burnt its hands thus in the case of the CEL, Mr Sarma says the MoF should be far more cautious in embarking on yet another questionable adventure of selling a treasured institution, this time, an insurance behemoth such as the LIC, of critical socio-economic importance, in a casual and indiscreet manner.

The former bureaucrat and environmental activist also warns about serious public concerns of the LIC IPO. He says, In case your ministry insists on rushing through with the sale of the LIC equity as a prelude to its further disinvestment, I am sure there will be serious public concerns about how your ministry has determined the embedded value of the LIC and why it is ignoring the policy holders stake in it, with the narrow intention of handing it over to a few profit-driven investors.

Mr Sarma says, in the erstwhile planning commission, in which he had the privilege of working at one time, there used to be a project appraisal division (PAD) that had built a professional capability to carry out a social-cost-social-benefit appraisal of public investments, an exercise that now assumes relevance to valuing the LIC.

Unfortunately, he says, the successor to the planning commission, the present-day Niti Aayog, has neither the time nor the inclination, nor the wherewithal, to consider the societal dimension of public investments and public institutions. I wish that the erstwhile PADs services are available today to examine the value of the LIC critically, he points out.

According to the former secretary, there is an important conceptual issue regarding the valuation of the LIC, and from whose perspective it should be valued.

He says, Should it be from the point of view of the society at large (social value based on social cost or social benefit analysis and the income distribution implications)? Should it be from the point of view of a handful of domestic and foreign investors, who wish to maximise their short-term profits, without caring to value the enormous societal value of the corporation?

Should it be from the point of view of the government (both the Union and the states) who have used the LIC as an instrumentality of the state to realise several social objectives, rightly so? Should it be from the narrow point of view of the finance ministry that often uses the LIC to leverage the capital market, to bail out other CPSEs in times of stock market volatility and even to discipline the markets at the cost of the policyholders?

I am afraid that the LIC IPO will turn out to be as contentious as the sale of the CEL, the only difference being that the controversy that will arise in the case of the LIC would be far more serious and far more questionable, as the LICs role is a multi-dimensional one and its resources enormous, he says.

Mr Sarma sent a copy of the letter to the comptroller & auditor general of India (CAG). He says CAG should look at the proposed LIC disinvestment and all other cases of CPSE disinvestment and report to the Parliament.

The so-called equity created by your ministry to hand over the public sector insurance giant to a few profit-seeking investors does not strictly stand to reason. In my view, it is nothing but a fictitious idea. It does not reflect the policy holders contribution to the LIC. Request you to be highly circumspect in this matter and take a conscious decision to put the LIC IPO on hold, the former bureaucrat says.
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More than a million government-approved loans ended up being cancelled, including some that would have gone to people who needed the loans and applied just as they were told.

In May 2021, Terry Kilcrease thought he saw a lifeline. He was out of work, living in a hotel in Lewisville, Texas, when he ran across a promising ad on Facebook. People who worked for themselves, it said, could still get loans from the governments then-13-month-old pandemic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Kilcrease had just started selling credit card processing systems to small businesses in early 2020 before the pandemic killed much of the need for cash registers. He hadnt thought he was eligible for the $800 billion program. But the ad, posted by a company called Blueacorn, convinced him it was worth a try.

Weve created a 60-second quiz that can tell you if you qualify and how much you can get, one ad promised . So Kilcrease registered on the Blueacorn site and answered a few basic questions about his business.

With a few clicks of a mouse, I had applied, Kilcrease said. It was so quick, he doesnt recall many details. Blueacorn checked for all required documents before passing along Kilcreases approved application to a lender, Prestamos.

Soon after, Kilcrease received loan documents from the Small Business Administration saying he'd been approved for a $4,790 forgivable loan, which he signed electronically and returned. The money would arrive in his bank account within ten business days, Blueacorn estimated.

Kilcrease was relieved.

It was everything I needed to get going, he said. Just that little bitty bit.

But the money never made it to Kilcrease. And it never appeared for hundreds of thousands of other applicants, either.

ProPublica has been tracking PPP loans since the government first posted millions of them in July 2020. We kept updating our interactive database as the SBA disclosed more loan information. When the last round of the PPP closed, in May 2021, we noticed something strange: The number of loans the government said it had made kept shrinking with every new release.

By the time the SBA posted its latest update in late November, about 575,000 loans had disappeared, subtracted from an original total of 11.8 million. Most of them came through non-bank online lenders or banks that worked with web platforms such as Blueacorn, which solicited and processed huge volumes of applications for small-dollar loans in the final months of the program.

When we checked with the SBA, they told us the total number of cancelled loans actually topped 1 million. A sizeable number of those were likely applied for by people who were attempting to defraud the program and didnt make it through additional screening  its unclear how many, since the lenders we talked to declined to specify.

But plenty of would-be borrowers were acting in good faith. Scores of them wrote in to our tip lines, perplexed that they had been listed as loan recipients, since they had applied but never received any money.

Their situations sounded a lot like Kilcreases: a quick approval in spring 2021, followed by some kind of snafu, and then a monthslong runaround from companies like Blueacorn, eventually resulting in no money after the lender the companies worked with withdrew its initial approval.

The phenomenon prompted the law firm Bailey Glasser to file a pair of lawsuits late last year against Prestamos and another Blueacorn client called Capital Plus Financial on behalf of people who had similar experiences.

Prestamos has denied wrongdoing, and Capital Plus Financial declined to comment on pending litigation except to say that the plaintiff was ineligible for a loan.
MONTANA - After recent heavy snow and ice led to multiple closures on I-90 from an avalanche and crashes, crews are continuing to work to keep roads maintained.

Montana Department of Transportation shared how they're working to keep highways open throughout future storms.

First, they're constantly monitoring forecasts and rely heavily on observations from field crews on slope conditions.

On top of that, Missoula Maintenance Chief Steve Felix said they work with avalanche experts, and at times will close roads proactively or when they start to see sliding.

He explained what else they can do to avoid more long term closures.

Some mitigation efforts weve done in the past if weve seen some slopes that we're afraid may slide is we work with avalanche experts and do some explosive charges on them to get some of that stuff to come down," Felix said. "If we see that in the future with heavy snow events, we may do that if we have to, but thats sort of a last resort thing."

How often does something like that happen?

In his nine years with MDT, Felix said it's happened twice.

It's too soon to say if it'll be needed this year, it'll all depend on future weather, he added.

MDT was expecting a went winter weather, and so far that's proven to be true.

Felix encourages travelers to be mindful of those weather advisories and warning because they're put in place for a reason. If one is issued, expect tough travel conditions.

So far this season, 15 snow plows have been hit, which based on data from 2020, averages $3000 each in repairs and slowing down snow removal.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Farmers and ranchers got some good news at the start of 2022 after the white house released a plan to create a fairer, more competitive, and more resilient meat and poultry supply chain.

We spoke with Montana Farmers Union and break down what farmers and ranchers are getting paid and how this is aiming to change that.

The beef prices in the grocery store started going up and the producers, the cattle ranchers, the feeders, were getting paid less. These four corporate monopolies were price gouging the consumers and the producers," said Walter Schweitzer, president of Montana Farmers Union.

Right now, there are 4 large meat packing companies that control 85% of the beef market.

In poultry, the top 4 processing firms control 54% of the market

And in pork, the top 4 processing firms control about 70% of the market.

Small independent farmers and ranchers are being driven out of business. Sometimes business that have been around for generations. It strikes at their dignity and their respect and the family legacies so many of them carried for generation after generation," said president Joe Biden.

According to the white house, 50 years ago ranchers would get over $0.60 of every dollar a consumer spent on beef, compared to about $0.39 today.

Similarly, hog farmers would get $0.40-0.60 on each dollar spent 50 years ago and it's down to roughly $0.19 today.

From my neighbors in Big Sandy to the White House, there is bipartisan consensus that consolidation by the corporate meat packers is putting family ranchers out of business, hurting consumers, and jeopardizing our nations food security," said Senator Jon Tester in a statement.

How do we compete when theyre not playing by the rules and their misleading the consumers," said Schweitzer.

After years of fighting over this issue, the white house has come up with an action plan that just might turn things around for Montana's family farmers and ranchers.

It includes 4 core strategies and will utilize $1 billion dollars in American Rescue Plan Funds for expansion of independent processing capacity.

Specifically, it will:

Expand independent processing capacity, and support workers and the independent processor industry. Increase transparency in cattle markets, so ranchers can get a fair price for their work. Issue new, stronger rules under the packers and stockyards actthe law designed to combat abuses by the meatpackers and processors. Issue new product of usa labeling rules so that consumers can better understand where their meat comes from.

It means I get a better price for my cattle. It means I might be able to hand my farm and ranch off to my daughter instead of losing it. You know what else it means? That my neighbors pay less for their beef at the grocery store," said Schweitzer.

I'm also very hopeful that this is going to be regional processing. That they're going to invest in our local butchers and processing plants so we can expand back to what we had 30/40/50 years ago. Where Montana produced and processed 70% of our own food," said Schweitzer.

Senator Steve Daines describes the action as a positive step with more action needed.

Montana ranchers must be able to compete on a level playing field... While this is a welcome step forward from the Administration, we must continue to fight to ensure ranchers are treated fairly in the marketplace and that packers are held accountable Montana ranchers produce the best beef in the world, they deserve to be recognized for it, and I will continue to work to ensure they can compete fairly, said Daines, in part, in a statement.

Farmers Union has been asking for this for decades To take on these corporate monopolies and make them play fairly, this is huge for the cattle ranchers in Montana," said Schweitzer.
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Dave Faries here, reflecting on two speeches I didnt hear until much later and a day in my life that has been plundered by time until only a few torn shreds of it remain in my memory.

The day was April 4, 1968. We were in Chicago, where my dad was attending a convention, presumably of the Illinois Speech and Theater Associationhe was a professor of rhetoric. One of the two speeches was delivered that day, not too far away in Indianapolis by presidential candidate Bobby Kennedy.

I have bad news for you, for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world, he began after asking the crowd to put down their signs. And that is that Martin Luther King was shot and killed tonight.

Martin Luther King dedicated his life to love and to justice for his fellow human beings, and he died because of that effort, Kennedy continued after a moan from an audience that had been waiting for some time and had not yet learned of Kings assassination.

Earlier in the day, my mom had taken us on a field trip to some of the citys museums, although I was just 6 and my brother 4perhaps it was to keep us from tearing through the hotel, which was our habit. At the end of the days outing, however, we found it impossible to get back to the downtown hotel.

White employees at the last museum were anxious to rush home. They kicked us out before closing time and didnt even allow my mom to make a quick call. Fortunately there was a phone booth nearby, but that wasnt helpful.

A Black cab driver was fearful of carting a white family under the circumstances. A backlash to the shootingconsidering the evidence there evidently is that there were white people who were responsible, Kennedy informed his audiencewas breaking out in many cities, including Chicago.

Thirty-nine people died across the country during the Holy Week Uprising and some 21,000 were arrested. But there was no such unrest in Indianapolis.

Many historians attribute the peaceful mourning to Kennedys addresswhich was improvised on the spotbut the reason is likely more complicated. Still, the words struck home. Anger in the wake of the assassination was not missplaced, he said, adding an empathetic personal note. I can only say that I feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling, Kennedy assured them. I had a member of my family killed, but he was killed by a white man.

The night before, King spoke to an audience in Memphis, hoping to rally the community behind a strike by the citys sanitation workersa blue-collar cause graced by the lofty Mountaintop speech.

Many can recite Kings rousing conclusion with its promise and premonition of not only his own death, but also just how easy it is to falter in the long campaign toward a better America. Kennedys speech captured the day. Kings speech was for us to draw inspiration and guidance from, for however long the struggle for justice and equal opportunity will take.

I see God working in this period of the 20th century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding, King told listeners. Something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up.

You make our work happen. The article youre about to read is from our reporters doing their important work  investigating, researching, and writing their stories. We want to provide informative and inspirational stories that connect you to the people, issues and opportunities within our community. Journalism takes a lot of resources. Today, our business model has been interrupted by the pandemic; the vast majority of our advertisers businesses have been impacted. Thats why the Weekly is now turning to you for financial support. Learn more about our new Insiders program here. Thank you. JOIN NOW

Weve got to see it through.

I feel that weve let King and the others who suffered the brunt of hatred during this first push for justice and equal opportunity down. Like so many on the front lines, King had been stabbed, beaten, showered with projectiles, blasted with fire hoses, snapped at by police dogs, jailed. They persevered through it all.

King got us started toward the nation we should be, but we relaxed, let our guards down. The progress so far is certaingains in rights and opportunities for women, people of color, those with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants without citizenship. Resistance remains, howevernot just solidly entrenched, but actively working to reduce those gains and deny access to equal rights.

Weve allowed those who openly stand for injustice and white supremacy to shape our laws in Congress, to again occupy the Oval Office, to dominate sources of news and information.

What King said on April 3, 1968 resonates today. He observed that the nation was sick, in need of mending then. That remains the case now. He said we existed in the right moment. In the second half of the 20th century we could bring change. We also exist in the right moment today. The opportunity for the majority who favor a just nation to bring positive change about remains before us.

He challenged us to act without violence and to keep it up for the sake of others, and for our salvation. Both King and Kennedy on those two momentous days urged us to play a part, for Americas sake. Neither would live through 1968, but their words still carry the same power.

We eventually made it back to the hotel. Some time later, my dadwho idolized King and would have grudgingly voted for Kennedy (too conservative, but he would get us out of Vietnam)added those words to a course he taught on great speeches.

These are the words of a great American, words to remember today and the next and each day of our lives.

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Read the full newsletter here.
January 17, 2022

Yemen's Houthi Tell Abu Dhabi To Pull Back Its Forces

Since 2015 Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are fighting against the Houthi movement in Yemen.

The two countries are different aims. Saudi Arabia wants to destroy the Houthi movement and install a Yemeni government that it can control. The UAE wants to control the ports of Yemen and the seaways around it. For this purpose it has build its own proxy force of southern Yemeni tribes.

The Houthi have hit back at Saudi Arabia by attacking its airports, cities, and oil installations with missiles and drones. They have pushed out Saudi controlled troops from various Yemeni provinces. Recently they were on the verge of taking the the Saudi controlled city of Marib and the rich oil fields around it.

In contrast the Houthi had so far not attacked the UAE. Two years ago the UAE had pulled its troops from Yemen and mostly stopped fighting the Houthis. Their proxies kept control of the harbor cities and the islands the UAE desired to control.

Early this year the Houthi had again warned that they intend to liberate all of Yemen, including the UAE controlled areas. They also captured a UAE owned 'hospital ship' which carried military trucks and weapons.

Meanwhile the Saudis had great difficulties to stop the Houthi attacks on Marib. Despite the loss of some support from the U.S. they resorted to an extensive bombing campaign:

Yemen Data Project @YemenData - 10:06 UTC  Jan 17, 2022 Saudi Coalition Bombings Surge in Yemen Following End of U.N. War Crimes Investigations - link 2021 ended with 224% month-on-month increase in civilian casualties in bombings. Airstrikes killed 32 civilians and injured 62 in December, more than in the 11 previous months of 2021 combined. Following GEE dissolution, air raids increased 43%, civilian casualties at 2.5yr high. Almost half of all air raids in 2021 hit Marib. 884 air raids, up to 5,322 individual airstrikes targeted Marib up 21% from 2020. Hudaydah was the worst place for civilians in the air war in 2021 - the highest rate of air raids & civilian casualties since 2018 Stockholm Agreement.

Despite the intense bombing campaign the Houthi were still advancing.

That changed last week when suddenly the UAE came back:

Yemeni forces backed by the United Arab Emirates have joined coalition troops fighting the Houthi movement around the central city of Marib in a renewed push to secure the prize of an energy-producing region.

...

The Saudi-led coalition this week announced a new operation aimed at turning the tide after newly deployed UAE-backed Giants Brigade forces, supported by air strikes, expelled Houthi forces from oil-producing Shabwa reopening access to Marib. The Brigades - mostly based along the western coast which has been relatively quiet over the past three years - entered Marib on Monday and have since seized large parts of Huraib district, local military sources said. "The Giants Brigades are better armed and trained (than other Yemeni coalition forces) and fresh to the fight ... The Houthis will put up fierce resistance, but in general their ranks are exhausted," said Maysaa Shuja Al-Deen, a fellow at the Sanaa Centre for Strategic Studies.

...

The conflict is a multifaceted one with several Yemeni factions vying for power. The UAE largely ended its military presence on the ground in 2019 amid a military stalemate but continues to hold sway via Yemeni forces it armed and trained.

The Houthi could not leave that without a response. Today they gave a very public warning to the UAE by attacking it on its own ground:

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group attacked the United Arab Emirates using drones on Monday, setting off explosions in three fuel trucks and causing a fire near the airport of Abu Dhabi, capital of the region's commercial and tourism hub.

...

The UAE, a member of the coalition, has armed and trained local Yemeni forces that recently joined fighting against the Houthis in Yemen's energy-producing Shabwa and Marib regions.

...

Three people were killed and six wounded when three fuel tanker trucks exploded in the industrial Musaffah area near storage facilities of oil firm ADNOC, state news agency WAM said. It said those killed were two Indians and a Pakistani.

...

The Houthi's military spokesman said the group launched a military operation "deep in the UAE". Its chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, whom Houthi-run media said was currently visiting Tehran, warned the UAE against "tampering in Yemen".

Life and business in the glitzy high-rises of Abu Dhabi will be become much less comfortable should the city come under sustained drone attacks.

The UAE's foreign ministry condemned the attack and said that "it will not pass without punishment."

But what can the UAE do that has not yet been done by the Saudi siege on Yemen and the permanent bombing attacks?

The UAE will have to pull back its proxy forces in Yemen or it will be hit at the core of its wealth.

Dubai, the UAE's central airport, is the world's busiest one by international passenger traffic. A few missile or drone hits on planes parked there would have immediate consequences on global passenger traffic as well as on the tourism profits the UAE gains from it.

Today's drones were a warning. If the UAE tries to ignore it it will be in for some serious hurt.

Posted by b on January 17, 2022 at 18:00 UTC | Permalink

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Moultrie, GA (31768)

Today

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Myrtle Beach is the No. 17 growth city in America based on U-Haul truck moves throughout 2021, according to transactional data compiled for the annual U-Haul Growth Index.

People coming to Myrtle Beach in one-way U-Haul trucks rose nearly 32% year-over-year, while departures rose 30% from 2020.

Arriving customers accounted for 52.4% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in Myrtle Beach during 2021 to make it a leading city for netting do-it-yourself movers. Myrtle Beach, a longtime tourist draw and beach destination on the Atlantic Coast, was last ranked among the top 25 U.S. growth cities in 2018  when it was 18th.

There has been a lot of residential and apartment development in Myrtle Beach, said Matthew McCoy, U-Haul Company of Southern Atlantic Coast president. Theres always been seasonal moving here. We see a lot of people coming down from Canada. But more and more people are deciding to stay. Myrtle Beach is expanding upward and outward. It is now an up-and-coming city. With mild winters and great beaches, its no wonder people are moving to Myrtle Beach.

The Kissimmee-St. Cloud (Fla.) corridor is the leading growth city of 2021. The markets of Raleigh-Durham (N.C.), Palm Bay-Melbourne (Fla.), North Port (Fla.) and Madison (Wis.) round out the top five.

Florida boasts 10 markets among the top 25 growth cities on the U-Haul chart. Texas has five cities on the list, while North Carolina, Wisconsin and California have two apiece.

Growth cities are calculated by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks entering a city versus leaving that city in a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from well over 2 million one-way U-Haul truck customer transactions that occur annually. Neighboring cities in U-Haul markets are often packaged together for migration trends purposes.

While U-Haul migration trends do not correlate directly to population or economic growth, the U-Haul Growth Index is an effective gauge of how well cities are both attracting and maintaining residents.
Amid speculation that he was likely to rejoin the Congress, Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat was on Sunday sacked from the government and expelled from the BJP for "anti-party activities" for six years.

BJP sources said that Rawat was asking for tickets for three of his family members including his wife in the assembly polls, but had been told that the party had made it a rule that only one member of a family would be fielded.

"He has been dropped from the Dhami cabinet and expelled from the party for six years," a source said.

The development came barely a month before the Assembly election in the hill state, slated for February 14.

It is learnt that Rawat, present in the national capital, is likely to join Congress on Monday. "Rawat is in touch with the Congress leadership and is likely to join the party. His daughter-in-law may also join the party with him on Monday," sources said.

Rawat had switched over from the Congress to the BJP before the 2017 Assembly polls.

Rawat was said to be nursing a grouse against the BJP leadership for quite some time, and even expressing his resentment publicly.

He had skipped the party meeting to select candidates in Dehradun on Saturday. As he met a senior Congress leader on Sunday and indicated that he would join the party on Monday, the BJP took action against him.

Similarly, last month, Rawat had left a cabinet meeting and announced his resignation. He threatened to resign demanding a budget for a medical college in assembly constituency Kotdwar and said that Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for the medical college but with that fund,only the boundary can be constructed.

Two days later, after a dinner meeting between Dhami and Rawat, the Uttarakhand BJP had claimed the crisis created after the latter's threat to resign from the state cabinet had been resolved.

After the meeting, Rawat had said that Dhami is like his "younger brother" and they had a "long relationship."
Sonora, CA  The rise in the number of COVID-19 cases because of the Omicron variant is impacting many schools in Tuolumne County.

It is becoming more common that individual classrooms are temporarily closing due to a breakout.

Interim Public Health Officer, Dr. Eric Sergienko says, Every school in the county pretty much has cases at this point and some to the point where we have discussed with them going beyond the closing of classes.

Dr. Sergienko says the two reasons classrooms close temporarily are because of operational challenges (staff members out with COVID and limited substitutes available) or there is enough illness in a classroom where they can assume everyone is a close contact.

Tuolumne County had its highest number of COVID cases in a single day, 218, this past Wednesday. 44 of which were under the age of 18. The following day there were 27 infections under the age of 18.

Schools have shifted, under the direction of the California Department of Public Health, to a quarantine period that could be as short as five days based on symptoms and negative test results.

In addition, fully vaccinated students, and those who tested positive for COVID within the last 90 days, are not required to test or quarantine if they are a close contact, but need to stay home if they have symptoms.

Of a related note, Sonora Elementary announced to parents over the weekend that school will be closed this Tuesday and Wednesday due to COVID-related issues with vital staff.
It seems that the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos virtual summit has already set an agenda for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is scheduled to deliver his special address on Monday evening at 8.30 p.m.

From Covid-19 putting pressure on the Indian healthcare system to India's struggle with climate change, specially mentioning the Mumbai floods, Covid's impact of Indian school children from the rural areas to new emerging mental health problems among the public, the WEF has already mentioned all in its India-centric reports.

"India recently announced the establishment of a National Hydrogen Mission. India's ambitious five-part Panchamrit pledge to reach net zero by 2070 was one of the most important announcements at Glasgow," read one recent WEF report on India, just three days before PM Modi's 'State of the World' special address in Davos.

Nearly 40 per cent of the students in underprivileged households in India have not been studying during school closures, according to a new report.

Only 1-in-4 children in India have access to a digital device, and nearly half of the children in rural India have no means to study online.

As a result, India is experiencing a significant drop in literacy levels.

It's feared that this could cause more children to drop out, says 'This is how Covid-19 lockdowns affected India's school children' WEF referring to a report. which explained the impact of lockdown on the underprivileged school children.

On gender inequality, the WEF has already raised serious questions about the Indian government's claims, saying the government and industry are bringing think-tanks, civil society, and community networks to support women merchants in India.

For example, affordable mobile data, public digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurial innovations are all measures which have increased the amount of digital payments, but there are still several barriers which are specific to women and one of the most important challenges to overcome is trust.

Citing an example of grocery stores in India, WEF says the 12 million kirana stores employ 45 million people and account for 95 per cent of the country's Rs 35 trillion market for food and groceries. However, only 2 per cent of the kirana stores have been digitized so far. The rate is much lower for women and rural merchants.

The Davos Agenda 2022 is bringing together world leaders to address the 'state of the world'.

Starting Monday, the week-long virtual event will feature heads of state and government, CEOs and other leaders discussing the critical challenges facing the world today and presenting their ideas on how to address them.

In addition to PM Modi, the world leaders delivering "State of the World" special addresses will include Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, US Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, and Nigeria's Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
Yves here. The Germans probably have a word for theory overreach. I imagine readers will enjoy deploying their intellectual surgical tools on Professor McCoys thesis. While using struggles over what the author calls Eurasia could be a litmus test for imperial ambitions, the visualization of the governance of Europe and the Western parts of Asia show that that aspiring regimes only at best achieved partial control.

Some quick examples of Professor McCoy pushing his thesis too far:

In the early 1950s, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong forged a Sino-Soviet alliance that threatened to dominate the continent. Um, the main object on paper was to fortify China against Japan; the terms specifically carved out Soviet aid in case of an attack. Stalin no doubt had already gotten the message loud and clear as to how much the capitalist West loathed his Communist state. Soviet Russia sought to form a defensive alliance with just about anyone against Germany during its pre-WWII militarization period. It formed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact as a next best, where the two nations pledged in 1939 not to attack each other for 10 years (Germany wanted Russia to stand pat when it invaded Poland and gave it a chunk as a bribe). We know how that movie ended. Wikipedia delineates how the Sino-Soviet alliance, which lasted only 6 years, was under considerable stress shortly after being sealed. Washington admitted Beijing to the World Trade Organization .bizarrely confident that a compliant Chinawould somehow join the global economy without changing the balance of power. While the summary is accurate, the supporting argument off. The widely stated rationale at the time was that trade promoted peace, that countries that did a lot of business with each other did not go to war. A second amounted to overconfidence that the West would undermine Chinas communism; some commentators more or less asserted that free trade promoted democracy. Third was the hunger of Corporate America, who saw both manufacturing and eventual consumer opportunities as vast. Possible a better rationale, but not much stated, was that the rise of China was inevitable and the US ought to be a position to profit from it and influence it. That amounted to overconfidence that Western multinational would have influence on government and social values.

By Alfred McCoy. Originally published at TomDispatch

Throughout 2021, Americans were absorbed in arguments over mask mandates, school closings, and the meaning of the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Meanwhile, geopolitical hot spots were erupting across Eurasia, forming a veritable ring of fire around that vast land mass.

Lets circle that continent to visit just a few of those flashpoints, each one suffused with significance for the future of U.S. global power.

On the border with Ukraine, 100,000 Russian troops were massing with tanks and rocket launchers, ready for a possible invasion. Meanwhile, Beijing signed a $400 billion agreement with Tehran to swap infrastructure-building for Iranian oil. Such an exchange might help make that country the future rail hub of Central Asia, while projecting Chinas military power into the Persian Gulf. Just across the Iranian border in Afghanistan, Taliban guerrillas swept into Kabul ending a 20-year American occupation in a frantic flurry of shuttle flights for more than 100,000 defeated Afghan allies.

Farther east, high in the Himalayas, Indian Army engineers were digging tunnels and positioning artillery to fend off future clashes with China. In the Bay of Bengal, a dozen ships from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, led by the supercarrier USS Carl Vinson, were conducting live gunnery drills, practice for a possible future war with China.

Meanwhile, a succession of American naval vessels continually passed through the South China Sea, skirting Chinese island bases there and announcing that no protests from Beijing will deter us. Just to the north, U.S. destroyers, denounced by China, regularly sailed through the Strait of Taiwan; while some 80 Chinese jet fighters swarmed into that disputed islands air security zone, a development Washington condemned as provocative military activity.

Around the coast of Japan, a flotilla of 10 Chinese and Russian warships steamed aggressively across waters once virtually owned by the U.S. Seventh Fleet. And in frigid Arctic oceans way to the north, thanks to the radical warming of the planet and receding sea ice, an expanding fleet of Chinese icebreakers maneuvered with their Russian counterparts to open a polar silk road, thereby possibly taking possession of the roof of the world.

While you could have read about almost all of this in the American media, sometimes in great detail, nobody here has tried to connect such transcontinental dots to uncover their deeper significance. Our nations leaders have visibly not done much better and theres a reason for this. As I explain in my recent book, To Govern the Globe, both liberal and conservative political elites in the New YorkWashington corridor of power have been on top of the world for so long that they cant remember how they got there.

During the late 1940s, following a catastrophic world war that left some 70 million dead, Washington built a potent apparatus for global power, thanks significantly to its encirclement of Eurasia via both military bases and global trade. The U.S. also formed a new system of global governance, exemplified by the United Nations, that would not only assure its hegemony but also  or so the hope was then  foster an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity.

Three generations later, however, as populism, nationalism, and anti-globalism roiled public discourse, surprisingly few in Washington bothered to defend their world order in a meaningful way. And fewer of them still had any real grasp of the geopolitics  that slippery mix of armaments, occupied lands, subordinated rulers, and logistics  that has been every imperial leaders essential toolkit for the effective exercise of global power.

So, lets do what our countrys foreign policy experts, in and out of government, havent and examine the latest developments in Eurasia through the prism of geopolitics and history. Do that and youll grasp just how they, and the deeper forces they represent, are harbingers of an epochal decline in American global power.

Eurasia as the Epicenter of Power on Planet Earth

In the 500 years since European exploration first brought the continents into continuous contact, the rise of every global hegemon has required one thing above all: dominance over Eurasia. Similarly, their decline has invariably been accompanied by a loss of control over that vast landmass. During the sixteenth century, the Iberian powers, Portugal and Spain, waged a joint struggle to control Eurasias maritime commerce by battling the powerful Ottoman empire, whose leader was then the caliph of Islam. In 1509, off the coast of northeast India, skilled Portuguese gunners destroyed a Muslim fleet with lethal broadsides, establishing that countrys century-long dominance over the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, the Spanish used the silver they had extracted from their new colonies in the Americas for a costly campaign to check Muslim expansion in the Mediterranean Sea. Its culmination: the destruction in 1571 of an Ottoman fleet of 278 ships at the epic Battle of Lepanto.

Next in line, Great Britains dominion over the oceans began with an historic naval triumph over a combined French-Spanish fleet off Spains Cape Trafalgar in 1805 and only ended when, in 1942, a British garrison of 80,000 men surrendered their seemingly impregnable naval bastion at Singapore to the Japanese  a defeat Winston Churchill called the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history.

Like all past imperial hegemons, U.S. global power has similarly rested on geopolitical dominance over Eurasia, now home to 70% of the worlds population and productivity. After the Axis alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan failed to conquer that vast land mass, the Allied victory in World War II allowed Washington, as historian John Darwin put it, to build its colossal imperium on an unprecedented scale, becoming the first power in history to control the strategic axial points at both ends of Eurasia.

In the early 1950s, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong forged a Sino-Soviet alliance that threatened to dominate the continent. Washington, however, countered with a deft geopolitical gambit that, for the next 40 years, succeeded in containing those two powers behind an Iron Curtain stretching 5,000 miles across the vast Eurasian land mass.

As a critical first step, the U.S. formed the NATO alliance in 1949, establishing major military installations in Germany and naval bases in Italy to ensure control of the western side of Eurasia. After its defeat of Japan, as the new overlord of the worlds largest ocean, the Pacific, Washington dictated the terms of four key mutual-defense pacts in the region with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia and so acquired a vast range of military bases along the Pacific littoral that would secure the eastern end of Eurasia. To tie the two axial ends of that vast land mass into a strategic perimeter, Washington ringed the continents southern rim with successive chains of steel, including three navy fleets, hundreds of combat aircraft, and most recently, a string of 60 drone bases stretching from Sicily to the Pacific island of Guam.

With the communist bloc bottled up behind the Iron Curtain, Washington then sat back and waited for its Cold War enemies to self-destruct  which they did. First, the Sino-Soviet split in the 1960s shattered their hold on the Eurasian heartland. Then, the disastrous Soviet intervention in Afghanistan in the 1980s ravaged the Red Army and precipitated the break-up of the Soviet Union.

After those oh-so-strategic initial steps to capture the axial ends of Eurasia, however, Washington itself essentially stumbled through much of the rest of the Cold War with blunders like the Bay of Pigs catastrophe in Cuba and the disastrous Vietnam War in Southeast Asia. Nonetheless, by the Cold Wars end in 1991, the U.S. military had become a global behemoth with 800 overseas bases, an air force of 1,763 jet fighters, more than a thousand ballistic missiles, and a navy of nearly 600 ships, including 15 nuclear carrier battle groups  all linked by the worlds only global system of communications satellites. For the next 20 years, Washington would enjoy what Trump-era Defense Secretary James Mattis called uncontested or dominant superiority in every operating domain. We could generally deploy our forces when we wanted, assemble them where we wanted, operate how we wanted.

The Three Pillars of U.S. Global Power

In the late 1990s, at the absolute apex of U.S. global hegemony, President Jimmy Carters National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, far more astute as an armchair analyst than an actual practitioner of geopolitics, issued a stern warning about the three pillars of power necessary to preserve Washingtons global control. First, the U.S. must avoid the loss of its strategic European perch on the Western periphery of Eurasia. Next, it must block the rise of an assertive single entity across the continents massive middle space of Central Asia. And finally, it must prevent the expulsion of America from its offshore bases along the Pacific littoral.

Drunk on the heady elixir of limitless global power following the implosion of the Soviet Union in 1991, Washingtons foreign-policy elites made increasingly dubious decisions that led to a rapid decline in their countrys dominance. In an act of supreme imperial hubris, born of the belief that they were triumphantly at the all-American end of history, Republican neoconservatives in President George W. Bushs administration invaded and occupied first Afghanistan and then Iraq, convinced that they could remake the entire Greater Middle East, the cradle of Islamic civilization, in Americas secular, free-market image (with oil as their repayment). After an expenditure of nearly $2 trillion on operations in Iraq alone and nearly 4,598 American military deaths, all Washington left behind was the rubble of ruined cities, more than 200,000 Iraqi dead, and a government in Baghdad beholden to Iran. The official U.S. Army history of that war concluded that an emboldened and expansionist Iran appears to be the only victor.

Meanwhile, China spent those same decades building industries that would make it the workshop of the world. In a major strategic miscalculation, Washington admitted Beijing to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, bizarrely confident that a compliant China, home to nearly 20% of humanity and historically the worlds most powerful nation, would somehow join the global economy without changing the balance of power. Across the ideological spectrum, as two former Obama administration officials later wrote, we in the U.S. foreign policy community shared the underlying belief that U.S. power and hegemony could readily mold China to the United States liking. A bit more bluntly, former national security adviser H.R. McMaster concluded that Washington had empowered a nation whose leaders were determined not only to displace the United States in Asia, but also to promote a rival economic and governance model globally.

During the 15 years after it joined the WTO, Beijings exports to the U.S. grew nearly fivefold to $462 billion while, by 2014, its foreign currency reserves surged from just $200 billion to an unprecedented $4 trillion, a vast treasure it used to launch its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at uniting Eurasia economically through newly built infrastructure. In the process, Beijing began a systematic demolition of Brzezinskis three pillars of U.S. geopolitical power.

The First Pillar  Europe

Beijing has scored its most surprising success so far in Europe, long a key bastion of American global power. As part of a chain of 40 commercial ports its been building or rebuilding around Eurasia and Africa, Beijing has purchased major port facilities in Europe, including outright ownership of the Greek port of Piraeus and significant shares in those of Zeebrugge in Belgium, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and Hamburg, Germany.

After a state visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019, Italy became the first G-7 member to officially join the BRI agreement, subsequently signing over a portion of its ports at Genoa and Trieste. Despite Washingtons strenuous objections, in 2020, the European Union and China also concluded a draft financial services agreement that, when finalized in 2023, will more fully integrate their banking systems.

While China is building ports, rails, roads, and powerplants across the continent, its Russian ally continues to dominate Europes energy market and is now just months away from opening its controversial Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline beneath the Baltic Sea, guaranteed to increase Moscows economic influence. As the massive pipeline project moved to completion last December, Russian President Putin intensified pressures on NATO with a roster of extravagant demands, including a formal guarantee that Ukraine not be admitted to the alliance, removal of all the military infrastructure installed in Eastern Europe since 1997, and a prohibition against future military activity in Central Asia.

In a power play not seen since Stalin and Mao joined forces in the 1950s, the alliance between Putins raw military force and Xis relentless economic pressure may indeed slowly be pulling Europe away from America. Complicating the U.S. position, Britains exit from the European Union cost Washington its most forceful advocate inside Brussels labyrinthine corridors of power.

And as Brussels and Washington grow apart, Beijing and Moscow only come closer. Through joint energy ventures, military maneuvers, and periodic summits, Putin and Xi are reprising the Stalin-Mao alliance, a strategic partnership at the heart of Eurasia that could, in the end, break Washingtons steel chains that have long stretched from Eastern Europe to the Pacific.

The Second Pillar  Central Asia

Under its bold BRI scheme to fuse Europe and Asia into a unitary Eurasian economic bloc, Beijing has crisscrossed Central Asia with a steel-ribbed cats cradle of railroads and oil pipelines, effectively toppling Brzezinskis second pillar of geopolitical power  that the U.S. must block the rise of an assertive single entity in the continents vast middle space. When President Xi first announced the Belt and Road Initiative at Kazakhstans Nazarbayev University in September 2013, he spoke expansively about connecting the Pacific and the Baltic Sea, while building the biggest market in the world with unparalleled potential.

In the decade since, Beijing has put in place a bold design for transcending the vast distances that historically separated Asia and Europe. Starting in 2008, the China National Petroleum Corporation collaborated with Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to launch a Central Asia-China gas pipeline that will eventually extend more than 4,000 miles. By 2025, in fact, there should be an integrated inland energy network, including Russias extensive grid of gas pipelines, reaching 6,000 miles from the Baltic to the Pacific.

The only real barrier to Chinas bid to capture Eurasias vast middle space was the now-ended U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. To join Central Asias gas fields to the energy-hungry markets of South Asia, the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline was announced in 2018, but progress though the critical Afghan sector was slowed by the war there. In the months before it captured Kabul, however, Taliban diplomats turned up in Turkmenistan and China to offer assurances about the projects future. Since then, the scheme has been revived, opening the way for Chinese investment that could complete its capture of Central Asia.

The Third Pillar  the Pacific Littoral

The most volatile flashpoint In Beijings grand strategy for breaking Washingtons geopolitical grip over Eurasia lies in the contested waters between Chinas coast and the Pacific littoral, which the Chinese call the first island chain. By building a half-dozen island bases of its own in the South China Sea since 2014, swarming Taiwan and the East China Sea with repeated fighter plane forays, and staging joint maneuvers with Russias navy, Beijing has been conducting a relentless campaign to begin what Brzezinski called the expulsion of America from its offshore bases along that Pacific littoral.

As Chinas economy grows larger and its naval forces do, too, the end of Washingtons decades-long dominion over that vast ocean expanse may be just over the horizon. For one thing, China may at some point achieve supremacy in certain critical military technologies, including super-secure quantum entanglement satellite communications and hypersonic missiles. Last October, the chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs, General Mark Milley, called Chinas recent launch of a hypersonic missile very close to a Sputnik moment. While U.S. tests of such weapons, which can fly faster than 4,000 m.p.h., have repeatedly failed, China successfully orbited a prototype whose speed and stealth trajectory suddenly make U.S. aircraft carriers significantly more difficult to defend.

But Chinas clear advantage in any struggle over that first Pacific island chain is simply distance. A battle fleet of two U.S. supercarriers operating 5,000 miles from Pearl Harbor could deploy, at best, 150 jet fighters. In any conflict within 200 miles of Chinas coast, Beijing could use up to 2,200 combat aircraft as well as DF-21D carrier-killer missiles whose 900-mile range makes them, according to U.S. Navy sources, a severe threat to the operations of U.S. and allied navies in the western Pacific.

The tyranny of distance, in other words, means that the U.S. loss of that first island chain, along with its axial anchor on Eurasias Pacific littoral, should only be a matter of time.

In the years to come, as more such incidents erupt around Eurasias ring of fire, readers can insert them into their own geopolitical model  a useful, even essential, means for understanding a fast-changing world. And as you do that, just remember that history has never ended, while the U.S. position in it is being remade before our eyes.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

President Biden gave another speech on Covid on January 13: Remarks by President Biden at Virtual Meeting on Military Deployments Supporting Hospitals for the COVID-19 Response. I promised Id pull on my yellow waders and go through it; and here you are!

The speech is 12 minutes long; I have helpfully numbered each of the very short paragraphs, and annotated them. There are clearly places in the speech where Biden is stuttering; I have not marked them. But there are also places where Biden has clearly lost his train of thought; I have highlighted the false starts and the flubs in yellow, thus.

If I occasionally betray a little irritation, please forgive me. Its been a long pandemic. I have added some commentary at the end.

(0) [Introductory material omitted.]

(1) But before we begin, I want to provide an update on our fight against COVID-19 and announce new steps[1].

[1] One would have expected new steps to generate some coverage, or, more precisely, to be calibrated to generate some coverage. These steps were and did not. Anybody whos been paying attention  which, however fitfully, does include the press  can see that there is nothing here that couldnt have been done a year ago, and should have been. That is the story, although it has not yet congealed into conventional wisdom beyond mistakes were made.

(2) First, the update. I know were[1] all frustrated[2] as we enter this new year. The Omicron variant is causing[3] millions of cases and record hospitalizations.

[3] No, it isnt. The policy response to previous variants is causing the deaths and hospitalizations. Decisions taken and not taken a year ago are playing out now.

[2] Many are angry rather than frustrated, though reasons for anger different over the field of play.

(3) Ive been  Ive been saying that, as we remain in this pandemic, this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated[1]. And I mean by this[2]: Right now, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are testing positive, but what happens after that could not be more different.

[1] Not without parsing of words:  CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or dont have symptoms.

(4) If vaccinated people test positive, they overwhelmingly have either no symptoms at all or they have mild symptoms.

(5) And if theyre  if youre unvaccinated  if they test positive  there are  you are 17 times more likely[1] to get hospitalized.

(6) As a result, theyre crowding[1] 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.

[1] Which wouldnt be so bad if capacity hadnt been optimized away, often by private equity.

(8) But heres the deal: Because weve fully vaccinated nearly 210 million Americans, the majority[1] of the country is safe from severe COVID-19 consequences.

[1] Mediocre by world standards; in fact, the United States is well on its way to become a variant sink for the forseeable future.

(9) Thats why, even as the number of cases among the vaccinated Americans go up, deaths are down dramatically[1] from last winter.

[1] Biden is directionally correct compared to our biggest peak, but dramatically is doing a lot of work. It would be more correct to say that we have successfully normalized a death rate that would have been  and was  considered horrific when the pandemic began.

(10) For example, before its vaccination requirement, the United States  excuse me  United Airlines was averaging one employee dying a week from COVID-19. After implementing its requirement, it has led to 99 percent of its employees being vaccinated. United had 3,600 employees test positive, but zero hospitalizations, zero deaths in over 8 weeks.

[1] True , if you accept the word of the CEO.

(11) But as long as we have tens of millions of people who will not get vaccinated, were going to have full hospitals and needless deaths.

[1] As we saw in (3)-(6) completely reframing the issue and, giving credit, the new frame is better than the old one. However, here again, the Biden administration is pitifully slow. After all, the argument that the vaccines dont prevent transmission, but they do prevent hospitalization and death has been around ever since Biden and Walenksy had to back track on You are protected.

(12) So, the single most important thing to determine your[1] outcome in this pandemic is getting vaccinated[2]. If youre not vaccinated, join[3] the nearly 210 million American people who are vaccinated.

[2] FWIW, I dont think its a coincidence that the vaccines were never tested for effects on the reproductive system, that the vaccines are known to have vascular effects, and that many workers who have refused to get vaccinated in both health care and education are women (to whom, I am reminded, we should listen). What Bidens Vax-only strategy prevents him from saying is If you cannot or will not get vaccinated, here is what you can do to help, at which point he could list non-pharmaceutical interventions.

(13) And if you are vaccinated, join the nearly 80 million Americans who have gotten the booster shot, with the strongest protection possible[1].

[1] Possible is doing a lot of work; Omicron came on so fast theres been no time for RCTs or anything like that. This Imperial College modeling paper concludes: Our analyses demonstrate the importance of delivering booster doses as part of the wider public health response to restore vaccine efficacy against the Omicron variant. But from the Abstract, for later: In all scenarios it is likely that health systems will be stretched. It may be essential, therefore, to maintain and/or reintroduce NPIs to mitigate the worst impacts of the Omicron variant as it replaces the Delta variant.

(14) Vaccines are safe, theyre free[1], and theyre widely available. So, do it today, please, for your sake, the sake of your kids, and the sake of the country[2].

[1] Only if you can afford time off from work to get them, and more time off if there are ill effects. [2] Here Biden abandons decreased hospitalization and death justification so carefully developed in (3)-(6) and (10) (unless you identify the country with hospitals). Who gave this thing the final read-through?

(15) Now, I dont like to, you know, outline the next steps were taking against  Id like to outline the next steps were taking against Omi-  the Omicron variant.

(16) Vaccinations are obviously the most important thing we are doing, but they are not the only important thing[1].

[1] After a whole year, Biden shifts to a layered strategy. Kinda.

(17) First, masking. Masking. Masking is an important tool to control the spread of COVID-19. And when youre indoors in public places, you should wear the mask. And youre  there are a lot  you know, there are lots of different kinds of masks out there. And the Center for  the Center for Disease Control and Prevention  the CDC  says that wearing a well-fitting mask of  any of them is certainly better than not wearing a mask, if its well-fitting  well-fit-  over your nose.[2],[3]

[1] Terrible guidance from CDC. They should be recommending the most protective mask, and then teaching people to wear them. Go on GMA, ffs. How hard is this? [2]Yeah, sheesh, cover your nose, it drives me nuts. lambert [3] Clearly, Biden is not well-versed in these talking points; hed been fluent before, and now he copme

(18) And  but its about one third  one third of Americans report they dont wear a mask at all.[1]

[1] If one third dont, two-thirds do. So how about giving the great majority of Americans a pat on the back for acting like they live in a society and are doing the right thing to protect themselves and their neighbors?

(19) As Ive said in the last two years: Please wear a mask. If youre in a  you know, I think it is part of your patriotic duty[1]. Its not that comfortable. Its a pain in the neck[1]. But Ive taken every action I can as President to require people to wear masks in federal buildings and on airplanes and trains, because theyre inter-  they cross state lines.

[1] A good speechwriter would have expanded on this, and woven it together with not overloading hospitals. [2] What a weak-ass, pissant sales job. Cant Biden at least try to fake it? Its not that comfortable sounds like its what he really believes.

(20) Ive made sure that our doctors and nurses and first responders have the masks they need[1]. Never again are we going to have our nurses using homemade masks and garbage bags[2] over their clothing for hospitals because they dont have the gowns.

[1] All N95s? Apparently not. [2] Subtext: Unlike with the former guy.

(21) Weve more than tripled our stockpile of the most protective, specialized N95 masks since coming into office. This is going to[1] make sure that there will be an ample supply of [for] healthcare workers and first responders.

[1] If this were done in 2021, it wouldnt be going to be done in 2022.

(22) We have also helped make sure that high-quality masks are widely available, in ample supply, at affordable prices, sold online and in stores. But I know that for some Americans, a mask is not always affordable or convenient to get[1].

[1] The first sentence was purely aspirational, then?

(23) So, next week[1] well announce  well announce how we are making high-quality masks available to American people  the American people for free.

[1] Snould have been next week on Inauguration Day, 2021. [1] I think that Psaki sneering at the idea of mailing out masks to every American for free was a turning point with the press; whatever else the press may be, theyre cosmopolitan, and they know the material reality is that other countries can do this.

(24) I  you know, I know we all wish that we could finally be done with wearing masks[1]. I get it[2]. But there is  theyre a really important tool to stop the spread, especially of a highly transmittable Omicron variant.

[1] Im happy and proud to wear the goddamned mask as long as need be. Its not a big deal. Billions of Asians do it. Stop whinging. I get that you dont like them. Suck it up and be a President ffs. [2] Why, again, cater to the 33%  most of whom are not going to vote for you  and never give props to the 66%? For those of you who have been doing your patriotic duty and masking up, I thank you. Your family thanks you. Your neighbors thank you. The nation thanks you. There. How hard is this?

(25) So, please, please wear the[1] mask.

[1] The. How about your?

(26) Second: testing. Were seeing real improvement in testing. When I got here, we were doing fewer than 2 million tests a day.

(27) Now  and its changed. None of these tests were at-home or rapid tests. This month, its estimated that we will hit approximately 15 million tests a day and well have over 375 million at-home rapid tests in January alone. Thats a huge leap.

[1] Biden is correct theres been a large increase. Of course, with the at-home and rapid tests we have no data, but then with the rest of our data so bad, maybe that doesnt matter. (Better data collection is another thing that should have been initiated on Inauguration Day, 2021.

(28) Weve taken a number of steps, including invoking the Defense Production Act as early as last February[1] to ramp up production.

(29) You know  and were on track. Were on track to roll out a website next week[1] where you can order free tests shipped to your home[2].

[1] One more thing that should have been initiated on Inauguration Day. [2] To launch this Wednesday. Lets just hope it goes better than the ObamaCare launch.

(30) And, in addition to the 500 million  half a billion tests that are in the process of being acquired to ship to you  homes for free, today Im directing my team to procure an additional half a billion  an additional 500 million more tests to distribute for free[1].

[1] Maybe  hear me out  we could generalize this idea somehow.

(31) That will mean a billion tests in total to meet future demand. And well continue to work with the retailers and online ru-  and online retailers to increase availability.[1]

[1] One more thing that should have been initiated on Inauguration Day.

(32) And for those who want an immediate test, we continue to add FEMA testing sites so that there are more than  more free, in-person testing sites.[1]

[1] One more thing that should have been initiated on Inauguration Day.

(33) For those of you with insurance, you can get reimbursed for eight tests a month[1].

[1] Why add the complexity? Do liberal Democrats like filling out forms?

(34) For those without insurance, we have over 20,000 free testing sites all around the country.[1]

[1] One more thing that should have been initiated on Inauguration Day.

(35) You can find the nearest testing sites for you by Googling COVID test near me. Google COVID test near me.

[1] Oh, come on. I am sure this gentlemans experience is not out of the ordinary:

Hey man I did this and the only one is a pharmacy that is charging 250 a test, credit card only, no insurance accepted. What do I do next https://t.co/2NWuJLW5gg  Joseph Fink, healthcare is a human right (@PlanetofFinks) January 5, 2022

Leaving aside the question of why Biden didnt say this: Type COVID test near me into your favorite search engine, so he wasnt treating a ginormous crooked monopoly as if it were a benign public utility.

(36) And to help lead our federal testing program, Ive talked  Ive ta-  excuse me, Ive tapped Dr. Tom In-  I hope Im pronouncing Ings-  Ingles-  Inglesby.

(37) Correct? Is that right, Jeff?

(38) (Jeff Zients[1] makes a thumbs-up gesture.)

[1] I didnt know lizards had thumbs. MR SUBLIMINAL Bad Lambert! Bad! Bad!

(39) And he is one of the worlds leading infectious disease experts, and Im grateful for his willingness to help tackle this challenge[1].

[1] Backgound on Inglesby. Hes the Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, and came up through biodefense and bioweaponry, a field I regard as murky.

(40) Third thing: Today, well discuss our hospital response efforts.

(41) Just Thanks[1]-  just since  just since Thanksgiving, over 800[2] military and other federal emergency personnel have been deployed to 24 states, Tribes, and territories, including over 350 military doctors, nurses, and medics helping staff the hospitals who are in short supply.

[1] Not to the 66% of the population helping out with non-pharmaceutical interventions! [2] Thats a large number?

(42) This is on top of the more than 14,000 National Guard members that are active  activated in 49 states[1].

[1] Again, one must question why theres no slack in the system.

(43) These deployments, at my direction and thanks to the American Rescue Plan, are fully paid for by the federal government.

(44) Weve shipped over 5.5 million pieces of protect-  of personal protective equipment  gloves, gowns, masks[1]  to protect frontline healthcare workers.

[1] What kind?

(45) Were shipping more treatments of COVID-19, which includes antiviral pills, than at any point during this pandemic[1].

[1] Good, but at any point is doing a lot of work. And why not an Operation Warp Speed for treatments on Inauguration Day? The business model was there.

(46) In addition, Ive directed FEMA to work with every state, territory, and the District of Columbia to make sure they have enough hospital bed capacity[1].

[1] One more thing that should have been initiated on Inauguration Day.

(47) Today, Im announcing our next deployment of six additional federal medical teams, a total of more than 120[1] military medical personnel, to six hard-hit states: Michigan, [New Mexico], New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island.

[1] This is a large number?

(48) Now let me close with this: Its been a long road, but whats clear is that we get through this when everybody does their part[1]. No matter where you live, no matter your political party, weve got to fight this together[2].

[1] The beauty of the layered approach (Swiss Cheese model) is that everybody really could do their part, because there are so many parts to play. But Vax-only destroyed that. [2] Naturally, no mention whatever of ventilation.

(49) Unfortunately, while our military is stepping up, as they always do, there are others sitting on the sidelines and, worse, standing in the way[1].

[1] I thought the blame cannons had fallen silent. How wrong I was!

(50) If youve havent gotten vaccinated, do it.

(51) Personal choice impacts us all  our hospitals, our country.[1]

[1] Biden is right. Why then, never thank or even mention the two-thirds of the country who made the right personal choice?

(52) I make a special appeal to social media companies and media outlets: Please deal with the misinformation and disinformation thats on your shows. It has to stop.

[1] I think social media is filling a vacuum left by the complete collapse of CDCs ability to message or even perform science, and the larger collapse of the PMCs desire or even ability to govern. And maybe start with CDC and WHO? Their misinformation on masking and aerosols cost many lives, presumably accidentally.

(53) COVID-19 is one of the most formidable enemies America has ever faced. Weve got to work together, not against each other[1].

[1] One of the best examples of people literally working together is people volunteering to build Corsi boxes in the schools. But that would imply that ventilation is a concern, so Biden cant go there. Oh well.

(54) Were America. We can do this.

[1] Of course, if Biden had started all this on Inauguration Day, he could be saying We did this. Oh well.

(55) To the military medical teams on the ground: Thank you[1] for all and everything youre doing.

[1] Again, no thanks at all to the 66% of the American people who did the right thing and masked up. Why cant Biden say this? Its bizarre.

(56) And Ill stop here so we can get to  the briefing started. But thank you for taking the time.

Conclusion

Three comments at a high level:

First, the Administration remains without a theory of transmission. For whatever reason, Biden cannot or will not say Covid is airbornel. but nor can he say Covid is spread by coughing and spitting but nor can he fuzz over the issue with Covid is spread by close contact (note that close contact is not a method of transmission; theres no mechanism). Hence Biden is reduced to making requests (Please wear a mask) without giving people an overarching framework to fit the request into. Here at NC were pretty active in working out transmission issues and figuring out strategies to deal with them; this is a function the administration should be performing, but is not, preferring exhortations and blaming.

Second, the Administration remains without a theory of politics. Biden proffers various justifications for getting vaccinated: Not to overload hospitals; to protect yourself; to perform your patriotic duty. These justifications are all very well, but again, they do not give people an over-arching framework (for example, civic republicanism). Rather, Bidens justifications feel very much like throw it against the wall and see if it sticks, run it up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes. Very West Wing brain.

Third, Biden presented his Winter Plan on December 2 (yellow wader version here). Theres nothing in this speech, a mere 46 days later, that could not have been initiated in that speech (or, as I keep saying, on Inauguration day). Some plan!

In any case, the speech got virtually no coverage; tweet after tweet after tweet of this Daily Mail story is all that I saw, immediately following the speech:

Biden dodges questions on COVID after rambling Omicron speech https://t.co/rKVHeyux96 #SmartNews  STEVE THOMAS (@Hafasteve) January 17, 2022

As far as the politics of the speech go, here is a handy chart:

If for the sake of the argument we admit that today were seeing a peak  highlighted  there are 47 days from December 1, the date the first case of Omicron was reported. 47 days from today is March 5, dovetailing neatly with Bidens (rawther delayed) State of the Union speech on March 1, where presumably he will declare victory. I have my doubts. The political class may be done with Covid, but I am not sure Covid is done with us.

NOTES

1 Freedom is how a libertarian says [family blog] you!
]The State of Texas and fifteen other states plus Puerto Rico have filed a suit against Google for antitrust abuses in the online ad market. Late last week, the Southern District of New York unsealed the complaint, which at this point is the third amended complaint. Weve embedded the document at the end of the post.

As well discuss, the complaint paints a damning picture of how Google has monopolized all of the critical informational choke points in the online ad business between publishers and advertisers; as one employee put it, its as if Google owned a bank and the New York Stock Exchange, only more so.

Google shamelessly engages in fraud; in fact, the abuses are so bad that one wonders why the attorneys general are not separately pursuing those charges. Let us crib from the Wall Street Journals summary of one of Googles scams:

The newly unredacted details provide more information about a series of programs that Google ran named Project Bernanke, Reserve Price Optimization and Dynamic Revenue Share. The Bernanke program has been previously reported on, but the newly unredacted complaint reveals that it had three versions between 2010 and 2019. In the first version, Google misled publishers and advertisers to believe they were participating in a second-price auction, where the winner pays the price of the second-highest bid, when using its advertising exchange, AdX, according to allegations from the complaint. However, under Googles Bernanke program, AdX would at times knock out the second-highest bid, allowing the third-highest bid to win, thus depriving the publisher of revenue, according to the complaint. At the same time, Google would charge advertisers the price of the second-highest bid and pocket the difference, the complaint said. Google pooled the advertisers overpayments and used the money to manipulate auctions on its systems, at times boosting bids from advertisers bidding through its ad-buying tools to ensure it would win an auction it otherwise wouldnt have, the complaint said.

Another explanation of Project Bernanke:

The extra $9 between the two bids, Google put into a pool that it would use to secretly raise the bids by advertisers using its tools to ensure they would always win out over advertisers using non-Google tools. pic.twitter.com/gE5O8Yvvbv  Leah AntiTrustButVer1fy Nylen  (@leah_nylen) January 14, 2022

Mind you, I am not able to judge the merits of this suit, since antitrust enforcement has become so weak and precedents have also shifted to favor the big boys. One of the usual ways to successfully muddy the waters in an antitrust suit is to argue over the definition of the relevant market, as in to argue that the competitive space is bigger and the evil prospective monopolist doesnt have a dominant share if you define its market properly. Platform Law set the context upon the release of an earlier version of this complaint, unredacted in late October:

The original complaint filed in December 2020, echoes the findings of numerous competition authorities, including the UK Competition and Markets Authority, the French Autorite de la concurrence, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (more on this later), all of which have found that Google has used its market power across the ad tech supply chain to engage in a variety of leveraging tactics that have distorted competition. In the meantime, the US Department of Justice is reportedly preparing to file its own lawsuit against Google, while the European Commission is also probing the latter over its ad tech practices.

By way of reminder, ever since its acquisition of DoubleClick, Google has become the largest ad tech vendor across each step of the value chain, with market shares as high as 90-100%, while also a major publisher itself (selling inventory on its owned and operated properties like YouTube). While most of this was more or less known, the Texas complaint made headlines for claiming that when faced with the prospect of Facebook supporting a disruptive technology known as Header Bidding, which Google viewed as an existential threat, Google struck a deal with Facebook. According to the so-called Jedi Blue agreement, Facebook would curtail its Header Bidding initiatives in return for special privileges when bidding in Googles auctions.

While originally a significant portion in the complaint was redacted, we now have access to the full lawsuit thanks to the order of the US District Court. Most of the previously redacted passages are (rather juicy) quotes from internal Google and Facebook documents, as well as information on Googles fees. As such, the unredacted complaint does not include anything new in terms of the claims made against Google, or the theories of harm advanced by the US States. Even so, the unredacted lawsuit shows that these theories of harm are supported by a fairly wide range of damning internal documents. Internal evidence is important, as it makes it much harder for the target of the complaint to raise arguments that are directly contradicted by its own views as expressed internally in tempore non suspecto.

You need only to read the section headers of the filing to get the essence of the argument. For instance:

The enumeration of bad acts goes from A to H. This is only A to C:

AdExchanger describes the sordid revelations in the October and January unsealings of complaints:

In October, a judge in New York unsealed the suit, which revealed quite a few juicy details, including Googles AdX take rate (which is between double to quadruple its nearest competitors), Googles penchant for purposely slowing the load times of non-AMP ads and more info on Jedi Blue, the secret program to partner with Facebook as part of an effort to kill header bidding The new complaint also claims that Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Facebook (fine! Meta) CEO Mark Zuckerberg approved the 2018 Jedi Blue pact whereby Facebook agreed not to create its own header bidding product in exchange for Google giving Facebook information as well as speed and other advantages in auctions. The rise of header bidding around 2015 was a big threat to Google because it gave rival exchanges the ability to compete with Google on a more equal footing. The previously unredacted suit references an email sent by an unnamed Google executive who wrote that header bidding had the potential to lower Googles profit margins to around 5% from 20%, thereby threatening Googles ability to justify its fees. Google then allegedly hatched a plan to squash header bidding by striking partnerships and developing software to protect its position, including Open Bidding, which allowed publishers to route their inventory to multiple exchanges at the same time. The purpose of the overall Jedi program, so named because Google was playing a Jedi mind trick on the industry, was to get publishers to stop using header bidding on their own.

Platform Law saw Googles conduct with header bidding as one of its biggest areas of vulnerability, along with the ad exchange issues discussed above (where the new complaint presented more dirt) and its hypocrisy about privacy. On header bidding:

Indeed, if there is a common theme running across the various internal documents cited in the unredacted lawsuit, this is the inconsistency, or even stark contradiction, between Googles public position on a variety of issues and the views of its own employees and executives While publicly stating that it did not see Header Bidding as a threat to its business, internal documents show that Google viewed Header Bidding as nothing short of an existential threat. By way of background, Header Bidding was invented by publishers and rival ad tech vendors in reaction to Googles favoritism towards its own ad exchange, which costed publishers real money, as internally admitted by Google employees. As Header Bidding rose to prominence, Google employees discussed in October 2016 options for mitigating growth of header bidding infrastructure. When one Google employee proposed the nuclear option of reducing Google exchange fees down to zero, another responded that the problem with competing on price is that it simply doesnt kill HB [header bidding]. In response, Google developed its own Header Bidding-like solution now called Open Bidding (code-named Jedi), whose success it measured not by financial targets or output increases, but by how much it stopped publishers from using header bidding. However, one senior Google employee commented that Jedi generates suboptimal yields for publishers and serious risks of negative media coverage if exposed externally. Meanwhile, Google was alert to the risk of large entrants supporting Header Bidding. In response to Facebook signalling its support for Header Bidding, a Google executive impressed in a company deck the Need to fight off the existential threat posed by Header Bidding and FAN. This is my personal #1 priority. If we do nothing else, this need[s] to [be] an all hand[s] on deck approach. Google eventually invited Facebook to the negotiating table. According to the lawsuit Google promised Facebook a series of advantages when bidding on Open Bidding (where Google would still retain control and charge rivals a fee), in return for Facebook curtailing its Header Bidding initiatives. These special terms included speed advantages and assistance in identifying users (which is crucial for online ad auctions). In an internal document Google memorialized that FAN requires special deal terms, but it is worth it to cement our value. (Meanwhile, in its web support manager Google states that all auction participants compete equally). Any doubt as to the understanding of Google and Facebook when entering into the Jedi Blue agreement (signed by top executives Philipp Schindler of Google and Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook), is dispelled by the internal evidence cited in the complaint. In internal communications, Facebook executives noted that They [Google] want this deal to kill header bidding.

Honestly, I am not surprised. Online ads are a cesspool and make gig economy platforms look good. When Uber is caught out cheating by showing drivers a lower gross fare than what passengers actually paid, it goes Mumble mumble and narrowly corrects the bad practice. By contrast, as a small publisher, I have no way of verifying anything my ad service tells me because I have no audit rights. I have no idea how much they are skimming on top of what Ive agreed to pay them.

So Id love this areas to be cleaned up but I am not holding my breath.
(Natural News) An obscure Washington, D.C.-based entity called the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) has been tasked by the Biden regime with compiling lists of Americans who refuse Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination on religious grounds.

Some believe this Orwellian tracking move will create a model for the entire U.S. government to collect the names and personal religious information of all federal employees who make religious accommodation requests for religious exception from the federally mandated vaccination requirement.

The primary purpose of the secured electronic file repository is to collect, maintain, use, and  to the extent appropriate and necessary  disseminate employee religious exception request information collected by the Agency in the context of the federally mandated COVID-19 vaccination requirement, reads the Federal Register.

The Biden regime has not yet indicated why it suddenly needs lists of religious people who refuse to get injected for the Fauci Flu. The fact that it has started the process with the PSA, which almost nobody knows even exists, is highly suspect in terms of its implications.

Could it be that Biden et al. are targeting Christians for eradication with this new protocol? Will it later be expanded to include not just federal workers but also the general public?

Biden hires mostly-black government agency to track down the unvaccinated

Interestingly, the PSA has a majority-black staff that is both more religious and less vaccinated than other demographics. Is this the Biden regimes version of racial equality?

It would appear as though Bidens use of this obscure agency is for testing purposes to see how it goes on a smaller scale. If successful, it will likely be expanded across the entire U.S. government.

There is almost no need to do this, though, as the federal government at large is barely even honoring religious exemptions anymore. (Related: Sen. Tex Cruz of Texas says that Bidens jab mandates are illegal.)

The Department of Defense (DoD), for instance, has failed to grant even a single religious exemption on behalf of any service members who have requested one. This prompted a lawsuit by a group of Navy SEALS who successfully argued in a federal lawsuit that Bidens edict violates the conscience rights afforded under the First Amendment to the Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

Another hint that Biden is intent upon eradicating Christians has to do with the fact that he and his regime have been pushing the so-called Equality Act since before he was even installed into the White House.

If passed and signed into law, the Equality Act would gut the RFRA whenever it intersects with the special privileges that have been afforded to the Cult of LGBTQ.

Upon his installation, one of the first things Biden did was swiftly revoke the Mexico City policy, which at the time had been reinstated by President Donald Trump.

The Mexico City policy ensured that religious Americans would never be forced to pay for overseas abortions with their tax dollars. Biden reversed this, and now that taxpayer money is once again flowing overseas to fund abortions.

This is what I would do if I was running a genocide program or a purge, wrote one Zero Hedge commenter about how this all appears.

Now all they need to do is link the killbots to the database, added another.

We have angered The Biden, joked another. And now The Biden will punish us.

Yet another pointed out that what Biden is now doing here in the United States is the same thing that was done in Rwanda right before their infamous genocide.

The latest news about the Fauci Virus can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Jamie Dimon, the current head of finance giant JPMorgan Chase, is livid that not all employees at his company are vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19). And in a fit of media rage, Dimon is now threatening to fire them all.

Dimon publicly stated that his companys Morgan Health venture is centered around producing better health outcomes, which apparently requires that unvaccinated workers no longer be paid to work from home. They must either get jabbed and come into the office, or else get fired.

To go to the office, you have to be vaxxed. And if you arent going to get vaxxed, you wont be able to work in that office, Dimon fumed. And were not going to pay you not to work in the office.

This loudmouthed tyrant has been a staunch advocate for in-person work all throughout the plandemic, as have other finance heads who want to keep close tabs on their employees at all times.

Using New York Citys jab mandate as an excuse, Dimon proclaimed that unvaccinated workers will no longer be allowed to work from home because it is not good for business. They must all get jabbed and show up in-person at the office in order to remain employed.

Dimon claims that forcing his employees to do this is good for daily mentorship, and that at-home work just does not work for younger people.

It doesnt work for those who want to hustle, Dimon contended, pretending to care about the well-being of his employees. It doesnt work in terms of spontaneous idea generation.

We believe that going to work is a good thing, that people deal with each other [in-person] for innovation and creativity.

JPMorgan should have failed in 2008 but was bailed out by taxpayers, deemed too big to fail

To be clear, Dimons edict only applies to his companys New York-based workers, at least for now. Other states where JPMorgan Chase offices are located do not necessarily have jab mandates in place, and thus Dimon cannot get away with forcing them there.

He certainly wants to, though, as evidenced by his rhetoric. Dimon has made it abundantly clear from the beginning that he loves covid vaccine fascism and wants it to be the norm at JPMorgan Chase.

Were not trying to be consistent because as you pointed out, there are different laws and different requirements and cities and states and schools and so here were adjusting locally, Dimon added.

JPMorgan, by the way, is a highly corrupt financial institution that would have failed during the last recession had the company not been bailed out by the government (taxpayers) after being deemed too big to fail.

Right now, 97 percent of Dimons employees based out of the main headquarters in Manhattan are fully vaccinated. This is not enough to meet Dimons own personal demand for 100 percent, which is apparently herd immunity in his mind.

Competitor Citigroup, the fourth-largest bank in the United States, is likewise forcing its employees to get jabbed right away or else risk immediate termination. Though those with qualifying religious beliefs or medical conditions will be exempt.

Complying with the requirement means either submitting proof of vaccination by the January 14 deadline or receiving an approved medical or religious accommodation or state-permitted exemption, a source with knowledge of the banks policies told CBS MoneyWatch.

Facebook parent company Meta, based out of Menlo Park, Calif., as well as the Metropolitan Opera of New York City are also joining in on the fun with employee-targeted jab mandates as a condition of returning back to the office or attending indoor performances.

The latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) tyranny can be found at Fascism.news.

Sources for this article include:

MSN.com

CBSnews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Political, social and cultural leftists are a cancer on a democratic republic like the United States, but if there is any good news, its that the movement these counter-revolutionaries created is beginning to collapse on itself, and not a moment too soon.

This was demonstrated again recently when one deranged leftist claimed to be something she wasnt just so she could qualify under woke policy constructs in order to get accepted into a prestigious university.

According to the UKs Daily Mail, Mackenzie Fierceton, 24, described herself as a queer, first-generation, low income student in order to attend the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania ahead of being named a Rhodes Scholar and awarded a coveted scholarship to Oxford University in England, which is believed to have been in continuous operation since 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Fierceton, from Missouri, also claimed that she was abused as a child but overcame it, only to grow up in a foster home  but it all turns out to have been a lie.

[A]fter a November 2020 Philadelphia Inquirer news article about the scholarshiplauded her as a first-generation student who has been low-income throughout her life, and grew up in foster care, an anonymous tipster contacted the Rhodes Trust and UPenn to report her for being blatantly dishonest.'

Turns out that Fierceton, whose previous name was MacKenzie Morrison, actually attended the Whitfield private school in St. Louis, which costs $30,000 per year. Her hobbies at the school were listed as horseback riding, white-water rafting and skydiving.

Also, her mother, Dr. Carrie Morrison, is a radiologist who earns hundreds of thousands per year.

In reality, Fierceton spent less than a year in foster care after she told police that her mother pushed her down some stairs in 2014, which she said left her caked in blood. At the time, Carrie Morrison was arrested but the charges were eventually dropped due to a lack of evidence  all information that Fierceton did not put in her admission essays.

Now, after being outed as an apparent fraud, she has been forced to withdraw from the Rhodes program and the University of Pennsylvania is holding up her masters degree as the school continues to investigate.

The Daily Mail adds:

According to an investigation by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the only portion of her story which appeared to be true was that she had at one time been in foster care.

In 2014, A 17-year-old Mackenzie told police that her mother pushed her down stairs and struck her at their four bedroom, $750,000 suburban home.

Dr. Morrison was arrested at the time but the case was dropped by prosecutors who said they could never prove Mackenzies claims.

Morrison told officers that her daughter asked her to extract some gum from her hair as she stood at the top of a staircase, and as she tried to, Fierceton jerked, fell down two steps, and then sat down.

What happened next is not clear, but DailyMail.com notes that Fierceton spent 22 days in a hospital and was discharged into foster care for less than a year before her mother was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing.

She went on to continue attending Whitfield, though it is also unclear who paid the expensive tuition, eventually graduating shortly before her 19th birthday in 2016.

In her application essay to UPenn, she claimed that her mother pushed her downstairs, threw her on a metal table and then beat her. She said she woke up the following day, drove to school and then collapsed in front of a teacher, waking up in a hospital caked in blood.

She also claimed that her facial features were so distorted and swollen that I cannot tell them apart, and that it took an army of nurses and braces stabilizing most of her body just to go to the bathroom.

She changed her name to Fierceton while in foster care.

A statement from Dr. Morrison after the Rhodes scholarship was revoked notes: Mackenzie is deeply loved by her mom and family. Our greatest desire is that Mackenzie chooses to live a happy, healthy, honest, and productive life, using her extraordinary gifts for the highest good.

The left has created an alternate society that requires its minions to generate alter-egos and realities just so they can fit in. Incredible.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

CampusInsanity.com
Virtually delivering the 'State of the World' special address to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Davos Agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday underlined the role played by India in handling the Covid-triggered crisis and managing the vaccination drive, while touching upon the need to reshape and restructure international organisations.

Armed with data, figure and facts on the Covid-19 pandemic, Modi presented India as not only a future technology and economic powerhouse of the world, but also showcased the country as an indispensable member of the world community.

Without naming the UN, he also demanded restructuring and reforms in international organisations.

"We have not just set a record of administering 1.6 billion Covid vaccine shots, but also stood with the countries which were in need during the pandemic. India always follows the vision of 'One Earth, One Health', and supplied Covid vaccines to more than 150 nations along with life-saving drugs," the Prime Minister said.

"India's health professionals, who are always regarded for their sensitivity, went on to win the hearts of the people. Our 5-million software professionals did not let the world stop digitally by working day and night tirelessly," Modi said in his speech.

Presenting India as one of the world's future tech and economic powerhouse, Modi elaborated the economic and tech reforms taking place in the country, saying that gone are the days when India's business space was badly disrupted by government control, as the present government has removed more than 25,000 such hurdles to start a business in India.

"Today, India is the land of more than 60,000 registered startups, 80 unicorns, country of more than 4 billion UPI transactions, and a nation with 6 lakh villages connected digitally and spending about $1.3 trillion on connectivity," Modi said.

The Prime Minister also came up with a suggestion for the world in dealing with challenges like climate change, saying that time has come for the world to start thinking about its life-style, which is damaging the global environment, whereas the Indian culture still banks on its age-old traditions of preserving the nature.

The Prime Minister underlined that India always advocates growth, which should be green, clean, sustainable and reliable.

"Through the International Solar Alliance and COP21, the world witnessed India's commitments towards saving the Earth," he said.

Without naming the UN, he said when such organisations were formed, the world was different, but now over the years, things have changed and "it is the call of the day that all the democratic countries should come together and make the changes for a better tomorrow".

Beside PM Modi, the Davos summit is also being attended by Japan PM Kishida Fumio, Australian PM Scott Morrison, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, Israel PM Naftali Bennett, China's President Xi Jin Ping and EU Commission chief Ursua von der leyen, along with top industry leaders, international organisations and civil society groups.
Monday, January 17, 2022 by: News Editors Tags: Antarctica , covid19 , Delta , immunization , omicron , outbreak , pandemic , propaganda , vaccine , vaccines This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) While the globalists continue to utter their mantra to the vaccine cult, get vaccinated, wear masks, social distance, a new story out of the Antarctica is the perfect example proving theyre babbling nonsense.

(Article republished from AllNewsPipeline.com)

With a COVID outbreak ongoing at the bottom of the Earth, Antarctica, a location where vaxxes are mandatory and theyre practically sealed off from the rest of the world, how will the vaccine mandates being pushed by Joe Biden and the globalists do any good at all? They wont, all of this is more proof this entire episode in US and world history was designed to help them usher in tyranny!

This ANP story will combine several different stories/threads about something very strange going on in Antarctica. First, via Steve MacDonald of the Blue State Conservative.

Im waiting for the number of kids with COVID to skyrocket as the numbers of the Jabbed increase, making them more susceptible to the virus to which they were once more naturally immune. Until then, weve got this story.

A Belgian scientific research station in Antarctica has been hit with an outbreak of Covid-19, despite workers being fully vaccinated and based in one of the worlds remotest regions.

Since 14 December, 11 workers at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station have caught the virus.

All have now recovered.

The situation isnt dramatic, Joseph Cheek, a project manager for the International Polar Foundation, told the BBC. While it has been an inconvenience to have to quarantine certain members of the staff who caught the virus, it hasnt significantly affected our work at the station overall, Mr Cheek said.

The IPF said that the first positive test was recorded on the 15 December, among a team that had arrived a few days earlier from Cape Town in South Africa. Eleven people in total tested positive, according to the IPF. Three left the station in December while eight remain there  at present there are 30 members of staff at the station.

All residents at the base are required to be vaccinated before arriving and undergo several PCR tests.

Princess Elisabeth station is operated by the International Polar Foundation and went into service in 2009.

It isnt the first time research stations in Antarctica have been affected by a coronavirus outbreak. Last year, a number of Chilean military personnel based at Bernardo OHiggins research station were infected after sailors on a supply ship tested positive for the virus.

Those pesky mRNA Viruses. They dont just have an arms-length list of potential adverse side effects (including death). These still unapproved experimental injections unflatten the curve.

Next, this very interesting thread about the photographs and tweets seen above and below in which we learn that numerous globalists, including Great Reset proponent Klaus Schwab, allegedly recently hinted of a very important meeting going on in the Antarctic of which one attendee tweeted: Antarctica? This will change everything. Everything.

QUESTION: On July 13, did European Central Bank President Christine Legarde tweet? Important meeting in Antarctica in December.

QUESTION: On Nov-30, did World Economic Forum boss and Great Reset pusher Klaus Schwab tweet? Next stop Antarctica.

FACT: There is a Rothschild Island in Antarctica.

FACT: There is a Delta Island in Antarctica.

FACT: There is an Omicron Island in Antarctica.

FACT: There is a Coronation Island near Antarctica.

Just a very strange coincidence that those pushing a great reset and a new world order were highly enthusiastic of an Antarctica meeting right before a COVID outbreak happened at one of their bases? And we have to ask, what of the Delta, Omicron and Rothschild Islands?

Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com
(Natural News) Blame President Joe Biden for the United States losing control of the southwest border, which experienced record highs in illegal migrants and flow of illegal drugs into the American soil. Mark Morgan, former acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), described the situation in the southwest border during Bidens first year in office as utter catastrophe.

Morgan told the Epoch Times that Bidens policy resulted in agents being pulled off the frontlines, leaving large swaths of the border separating the U.S. and Mexico unpatrolled.

We have lost control of the southwest border, Morgan said. According to the CBP, Border Patrol agents apprehended close to two million illegal immigrants from 150 countries in 2021. (Related: Illegal immigration skyrockets under Biden to third-highest level in 97 years.)

While the number of illegals caught is huge, the agents also failed to catch 600,000 illegal crossers dubbed as gotaways.

Thats about the [population] size of the state of Vermont, he said. Think about the bad people that are in that 600,000 that got away.

Mexican nationals accounted for 28 percent of encounters in 2021, their lowest percentage on record, according to the CBP. Illegals from the so-called North Triangle nations  composed of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador  rose to 44 percent, which is twice the previous mark. Also with a high number of illegals are Ecuador, Brazil, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Haiti and Cuba.

Removing or expelling the illegals are very hard and time-consuming for the CBP because the Department of Homeland Security does not have agreements to electronically verify nationality with their countries of origin.

Knowing the predicaments of the CBP and Homeland Security, illegals threw away passports, visas and identification papers on the Mexico side of the border. Illegal aliens are very much aware that its harder to be deported from the U.S. without papers.

Invasion of illegal aliens

Morgan branded the situation as an invasion, and because of Bidens decision to dismantle key border security initiatives, he expects the situation to worsen this year.

This is not a surge. This is a a catastrophic amount of illegal aliens trying to break into our country, said Morgan.

Biden halted the border wall construction ordered by the Trump administration, as well as the Remain in Mexico Program that resulted in an 80 percent drop in catch and release as asylum-seekers are required to wait in Mexico while waiting for the court ruling.

Without this rule, Mexican illegals remain in the U.S. while their cases are being heard. This, of course, will take years before court dates can be set.

By opening the borders, the United States faces various threats, according to Morgan. These include health, public safety and national security concerns.

When you open your borders up to one threat, one crisis, its not mutually exclusive from the others  youre opening your borders up to the vast set of complex threats that we face, Morgan said. Theres no end in sight. Theres none. And this administration, every single day, everything theyre doing is just to get better at releasing people. Theyre not trying to stop the flow.

Illegals carry infectious diseases into communities

The problems in the border happened with the pandemic wreaking havoc on the American economy through job losses, work-from-home orders, school closures and other new normal activities. (Related: Link emerging between illegal immigration and infectious disease outbreaks across America.)

Illegal immigrants who were not tested for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) were released into the communities, causing irreparable harm. The city of Laredo, among the deeply affected areas, filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration for allowing the illegals intrusion into their lives.

Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of Homeland Security, said he is working toward building a safe, orderly and humane immigration system. He also denied that Bidens policies were responsible for the exodus of 15,000 Haitian illegal immigrants who are gathered under the Paso del Norte International Bridge in El Paso, Texas.

Morgan said Mayorkas is guilty of creating a sanctuary for illegal immigrants by allowing them to come in and shielding them from deportation. He said Mayorkas is trying to demolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and make illegal immigration legal.

Watch the video below about the flood of illegal aliens at the U.S. border.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

ThePostMillennial.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., have announced that Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines will now be required in order to enter bars and restaurants that offer in-person service.

Jacob Frey of Minneapolis and Melvin Carter of St. Paul say the new edict will come into effect on Jan. 19. Starting that day, everyone wishing to go to the bar or eat out will have to show proof of injection or a negative test taken within 72 hours of entry.

For ticketed events, Carter added, the mandate will come into effect on Jan. 26 in his community.

Frey, by the way, infamously made it illegal to pump gas after dark following the George Floyd psy-op, just because.

Minnesotas bar industry is not pleased with the new Minneapolis and St. Paul vaccine-or-negative test rules, tweeted Theo Keith, a reporter at FOX 9.

A statement from Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak said that this vaccine mandate is hard to understand and both unjustified and unscientific.

It targets just one specific industry after zero science or data driving the decision, and zero caring about our dedicated front-line workers who will now add enforcement agent to their plates.

The only scientific thing we know is that it has devastated the hospitality industry in other cities with these same mandates.

Chesak went on to say that the whole were all in this together mantra is bogus when only certain industries are being targeted with these onerous mandates.

They say were in this together  but this mandate shows that the hospitality industry is clearly targeted alone, he says.

We know both vaccinated and unvaccinated people spread the virus. And it happens at schools, work-out facilities, other retailers, sporting events, and more.

According to Erik Hansen, director of economic policy and development for the City of Minneapolis, it was either this selective jab mandate or a full-scale lockdown for everyone (for some unknown reason).

This regulation we believe helps protect the health of business owners and patrons alike, while still keeping these businesses open, Hansen said.

At the current time, fully vaccinated in both cities only means getting the first two (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) mRNA (messenger RNA) injections or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) injection.

The intent is not go in with a heavy hand, but allow our businesses to stay open, Frey added as attempted justification for this tyrannical move. As far as enforcement goes and how it will function, generally it will be complaint based.

Hansen warned that failure to comply could eventually mean a misdemeanor charge, though this writer would love to see how that would hold up in court. None of this is legitimate law, it turns out, and all of it is unconstitutional.

To make things as difficult as possible for unvaccinated Minnesotans and visitors to the two cities, the new edict also prohibits the use of at-home tests in lieu of proof of injection cards.

There is really no way if youre taking a rapid test at home to be able to match up the results with the actual person taking the test, said Heidi Ritchie, the interim health commissioner of Minneapolis.

Its very easy to take a picture of the strip that is your testing results and share it with other people and put it on Facebook or whatnot.

Also, there are no medical or religious exemptions built into the edict. And the rules do not make any sense for young children, which experts are already saying will deter families from going to restaurants in either of the two cities.

WuFlu tyranny is spreading like a virus. To keep up with the latest, visit Fascism.news.

Sources for this article include:

WND.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) We are being crushed by a vertically-integrated, synchronized cascade of crimes on a scale that is hard to fathom. Its been so destabilizing and traumatic, that we may have lost sight of the numerous capital, criminal, civil and international laws that have been and are, at this very moment being outrageously violated by the malefactors of the COVID War, worldwide.

(Article by Alexandra Bruce republished from ForbiddenKnowledgeTV.net)

So its both comforting and empowering to let Dr David Martin give us a historical and legal perspective and to have him break down the specific laws that are being violated, as someone whos been watching this crime unfold since all the way back 1999.

As he says, If we are going to plead our case in any position, whether its in a court room, whether its in a city council, whether its a school board, we need to be correct, we need to be precise, and we need to stipulate the laws that have been violated

Im showing you these things, People, because they werent taught to you in history lessons in school and you werent taught them, so you would be victims of this perpetrated crime!

Ladies and Gentlemen, call it what it is: Its premeditated murder. Stop dancing on the side of this thing and jump in the pool!

And on our watch, we should not let a single attorney general or US attorney; we should not let a single elected official, we should not let a single public health officer get away with any public statement that does not confirm that this is a bioweapons program meant to destroy, maim and kill the Citizens of the United States and the people of the world.

This is a crime and we need to start treating it like a crime, instead of watching a bank robber walk out of the bank and calling the Uber for them. This is about getting Anthony Fauci cuffed and perp-walked. Thats what this is about!

Weve got to set a single goal: Anthony Fauci in chains and in jail. Thats our goal, because that endsthe Emergency Use Authorization and what that does, is it puts the liability for every injury and death back on the companies, because the minute we get a felony conviction, the entire EUA has been pierced. If we get a single felony  one felony  there is no shield of immunity, because the 86 act and the PREP Act say that you get immunity unless. Unless 

This electrifying talk at a recent event produced by Clay Clarks Reawaken America Tour is an advanced dissertation on what is the most important legal case in human history, as it affects us all now and future generations.

DAVID MARTIN CATEGORICALLY STATES

1). There is no SARS-CoV-2. There is a bioweapon, that in 1999 was paid for by Anthony Fauci, was patented by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2002. It was the Recombinant Coronavirus that was actually the bioweapon created by NIAID for this very moment. That bioweapon was an infectious replication-defective clone of coronavirus.

He says, This bioweapon was engineered to destroy humanity. And if we started talking about a bioweapon and not a vaccine or a virus, wed get a lot of progress.

2). There is no COVID-19. There is influenza-like illness. When the World Health Organization invented the notion of COVID-19, it was the first disease in human history to have no clinical diagnostics. It was diagnosed by committee and symptom  and then they made up the term asymptomatic carrier, which does not exist.

3). There is no vaccine. Theres a bioweapon thats being injected, which was engineered to generate tons of money for Big Pharma.

ARCHITECTS OF THE PLANDEMIC

David says that Peter Daszak of EcoHealth Alliance and Anthony Fauci were the architects of the pandemic and of the plan to profit on the forced-vaxxination of everybody on the planet, which goes back to at least 2016 in a document titled Developing Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) for Coronavirus, which is part of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Daszak wrote to Fauci, We need to increase the public understanding of the need for medical countermeasure, such as a pan-coronavirus vaccine. A key driver is the media and the economics will follow the hype. We need to use that hype to our advantage to get to the real issues. Investors will respond when they see profit at the end of the process.

David says the above statement is An admission of 5 felonies in the United Statesand not a single governor, not a single Department of Justice member, not a single US attorney, not a single attorney general, not a single elected official in this country will actually allow this quote to go into the public record.

So guess what? Its on you to do it. This is the quote you need to send to every elected representative, every single appointed representative, every school board. This is an admission of a felony criminal conspiracy to kill and maim Americans[That document] is when the criminal conspiracy was made public.

A HARD TRUTH

And this is one thats going to be awkward for many of you to embrace, but I dont care, because sometimes, we have to embrace a hard truth: On September 18, 2019the World Health Organization, in their Global Preparedness Monitoring Board gathering, got together and said that we need to create a global simulation of the release of a respiratory pathogen, which was going to go from September of 2019 to September of 2020. A global campaign.

The day after that document was published, President Donald Trump signed this Executive Order [13887] and I want you to read whats in this Executive Order. These vaccine platform technologies include DNA, mRNA, virus-like S-particles, vector-based and self-assembling nanoparticle vaccines.

The day after the Chinese, the NIAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in criminal conspiracy, in interlocking directorates, in racketeering, declaredwar on the world, Donald Trump signed an executive order actually mandating that the toxin be released on the public. Right there it is, in his Executive Order.

Now, listen to what I have to say: Did he premeditate that Executive Order? No. But we must be careful, People, because it doesnt matter which one among us stands in positions of authority. We must embrace the reality that if we are not accountable for every word that we say, every action we take, we open up ourselves to compromise and if we are going to win the campaign for the hearts and minds and livelihood and soul of this country, we must commit ourselves to absolute integrity. No exceptions. Zero exceptions.

Now, this is the slide Clay warned you about. [Slide shows the laws violated by the COVID criminals]:

THE COVID TREASONOUS ACTS

Criminal

Civil

35 USC 206  Disclosure of government interest

35 USC 101  Patenting nature

21 CFR 50.24 et seq.  It is unlawful to conduct medical research (even in the case of emergency) without an independent institutional review board approved protocol including informed consent free of coercion.

15 USC 45 5(a)  Unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.

David continues, This is the one to take pictures of. This is the one you dont want to let go, because on the left hand side [Criminal] are felonies punishable by 99 years in prison and up to $100 million per incident fine.

Anybody think that Anthony Fauci should be 99 years in prison and a $100 million fine for every violation hes committed? I do, too but lets go through them:

18 USC 2339C, funding and conspiring acts of terror. Ladies and gentlemen, since he took his position as the highest-paid Federal Employee in our country, Anthony Fauci has had $191 billion that have passed through his fingers  $191 billion of your money has gone through his fingers to build and finance terrordead to rights, hes done it.

18 USC 2331 and following, acts of domestic terrorism resulting in the death of American citizens. Ladies and gentlemen, Section 802 of the Patriot Act makes it abundantly clear that you cannot legally compel a population to do anything out of fear or coercion.

Anything. That includes losing your job, that includes not going to school, that includes not going to your churches, that includes not being the leadership of churches that is blackmailed into saying that its OK to take a bioweapon, because God said it was OK and what would Jesus do? You cannot do that!

Conspiring to commit acts of terror includes people who allegedly claim ignorance. You know that you cannot claim, in a Federal Criminal Case, I didnt know what I was doing. You know what? You DID know what you were doing and you are liable for what you did.

MONETIZING AN ACT OF TERROR

18 USC 1001  Lying to Congress. Hey People, if you do one thing from this meeting, please do the following: Do NOT donate another dollar to Rand Paul and Ill tell you why. Rand Paul has, on three occasions had the criminal evidence against Fauci in his possession. I know, because we had it delivered to him. Thats how I know he has it.

And three times, he has actually cross-examined Anthony Fauci. He has actually gotten Anthony Fauci to lie to Congress  and not one time has Rand Paul delivered a knock-out blow, by presenting the felony evidence and getting the Capitol Police and the FBI to cuff Fauci and walk him out of the Congress.

Guess what? Rand Paul is using his faux fight with Fauci as a way to raise money for his campaign. Thats monetizing an act of terror. Thats not being a Patriot.

And if you want to get really clear on this, send the Rand Paul Campaign a little not that saying, Happy to donate when you deliver the knock-out blow.

Little side note on 18 USC 1001  and this is an important one: In October of 2020, while we were all talking about masks or social distancing, whether or not a vaccine would ever be developed and all of that kind of nonsense, while we were being distracted, the Department of Health and Human Services was required by Congress to send a report to Congress, in which NIH was supposed to disclose all of their financial interests in COVID-19 patents. For those of you who are listening, there are over 4,000.

Listen, over 4,000 patents derive from US Government-funded research and under the Bayh-Dole Act, those patents have margin rights for the US Government and financial interest to the agencies that gave those grants. Got it? In October of 2020, when that report was delivered to Congress.

Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci lied to Congress in a written report failing to disclose  not some  failing to disclose 100% of their financial interests in COVID-19.

They lied to Congress and you know what no one did? Nobody held them accountable! Guess what you can do? You can actually encourage every one of your elected- and appointed representatives, you can encourage everyone you know to either act  or keep harassing them until they DO act, because this information is your responsibility, now, because now you know it. You cannot plead ignorance, either.

15 USC 1-3  Conspiring to criminal commercial activity. This is where it gets a little deep but stay with me. 125 years ago, we were worried about names like Rockefeller and Carnegie and all these other names. We were worried about them. because it turns out that 70 peopleran over 80% of the businesses in America. We said that this wasnt OK.

And we developed two very important laws: the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act. Anti-trust laws. We used those laws, by the way to go after organized crime in the 1920s, along with the Internal Revenue Laws we also used to go after organized crime.

But 15 USC 1-3  Conspiring to criminal commercial activity; that since 1999, Anthony Fauci, Ralph Baric and Peter Daszak have all been engaged in this. They can be arrested tomorrow, if any single member of law enforcement actually is paying attention to their sworn oath and their duty to uphold the Constitution.

MODERNA: DARWINIAN CHEMICAL SYSTEMS TO RE-WRITE POST-EXTINCTION HUMAN DNA

15 USC 8  Market manipulation and allocation. Does anybody remember in April of 2020, when Anthony Fauci sat in the Presidents Oval Office and talked about Moderna was going to be the mysterious savior of the world, despite the fact that Moderna had never produced a safe commercial product in its entire operating history. Anybody? Do you remember that?

What you dont remember was in 2010, when Moderna was started, it was the tenth anniversary of the funding that actually started Moderna  and you dont know what the funding that started Moderna is, because nobody talks about it. Because the funding that started Moderna was the National Science Foundation grant called  and Im willing to deliver the bad news to you  Darwinian Chemical Systems. Thats where Moderna comes from!

Lets go back and take a little time machine journey 22 years in the past. Lets jump into that grant application and lets ask the question: Darwinian Chemical Systems. Hey Dave, why would someone want to invent Darwinian Chemical Systems? Well, lets read it, shall we?

If we open up the grant and we read the grant, it says that, In a post-extinction event  anybody comfortable? You guys all good with post-extinction events?

In a post-extinction event, we want to see if we can get mRNA to write into DNA the code to start human evolution again. Thats the ten-year grant that started Moderna!

So every fact-checker at Politifact and Reuters and USA Today and any fact-checker anywhere in the world overlooks a very inconvenient reality. The inconvenient reality is Darwinian Chemical Systems was to use RNA to write into the DNA of life!

And now, youre told, Oh, no, no, no, Dave, that cannot happen! The thing we inject doesnt write into life. Except for the fact that the 20-year funding record at the company thats actually doing it proved that thats what happened.

Is anybody uncomfortable with a bioweapon thats known to write-in to life an extinction event of life? That feels uncomfortable to me!

And I think if we actually went into every vaccine location, and actually put up [a sign that says] This is actually not a vaccine, this is a bioweapon, and added, By the way, this is a bioweapon formed for a post-extinction re-write of the human genome, I think a few people would actually pause for a second and go, Oh, I didnt know that. I thought I was doing my patriotic duty, getting my flu shot!

Youre not! Youre actually getting a bioweapon engineered by and for post-extinction humanity!

Im all about not post-extinction humanity! I cant get an Amen cause Im not a preacher but I think theres a time for an Amen and this would be one of those! We are not in post-extinction conversations. Were in pre-forget-about-extinction. Were in today.

And lets do the last one. 15 USC 19  Interlocking directorates. This is one that says you are not allowed to get companies that actually have competing interests to get together and fix prices. Thats racketeering. Its all those nasty things and guess what we have? We have Pfizer and Moderna and Anthony Fauci, all of them, financial interests in.

We have Justin Trudeau. Oh, Dave, youre not going to be mean to a Canadian!Well, yeah, I am going to be mean to a Canadian, cause here we go: Justin Trudeau, who actually failed to disclose to any Canadian that the Canadian government gets a kickback for every one of the Pfizer and Moderna shots, because Acuitas and Arbutus pharmaceuticals, both out of British Columbia are the ones that invented the lipid nanoparticle that is licensed to inject the pathogen into everybody.

Canada wins every time theres a shot. Which may explain why Justin Trudeau ordered 10 times more vaccine than there are Canadians  including the moose. Why would we need ten times more doses than the sum total of all of Canada, plus the moose?

Well, it turns out, thats racketeering, because, if Im getting a kickback for every dollar I spend, guess what I get to do? I get to pocket a whole lot of money from all over the world, which is exactly what happened

21 CFR 50.24  Ladies and gentlemen, you cannot give consent if you are coerced. Did you hear what I said? You cannot give consent if you are coercedYou cant do that, because its illegal to do it. So even if you did try to do it, youd be breaking the law.

And it is illegal to coerce any form of consent, because last time I checked, coerced consent is rape. If we called it what it is. If we said that United Airlines is the pro-rape airline. If we said that Costco, Walmart or Amazon were pro-rape companies, you know how many minutes wed actually have people supporting that?

Thats why I told you to stop using the term, vaccine. Its a bioweapon, call it what it is. And the act of injecting anything into a human being without their consent is violation of bodily integrity and its rape. Call it what it is!

JACOBSON VS. MASSACHUSETTS AND HOME BUILDINGS & LOAN VS. BLAISDELL

You have all been told that Jacobson allegedly is the Supreme Court case that we all need to listen to, because Jacobson said its legal to immunize the population. Now, thats convenient if youre CNN and youre Sanjay Gupta and your head is so far up your posterior that you actually cant even breathe, but if you actually were a sentient air-breathing human being, youd realize that Jacobson never said that anybody has an obligation  or even a right  to vaccinate anybody

Jacobson said If you dont do it, you pay a $5 fine. I got an idea. Lets crowdsource everybodys $5 Jacobson premiumLets just say, Guess what? Were going to plead Jacobson!

What if we stopped being anti-vaxx and started being branded as pro-Jacobson! We reserve the right to pay a $5 fine and take your vaxxine and stuff it up your own orifice! I think we could crowdsource that!

And I think Americans would love the option  supported under Jacobson  is you could pay a $5 fine and not get the vaxx. Thats what the Jacobson case actually says  and it never has and it never will say that you can be forced to be vaxxinated.

But this is the case we should look at even more, which is the Supreme Court case that nobody talks about from 1934, Home Building & Loan Association vs. Blaisdell.

And what makes this case important is the text, which is why I wanted to highlight it:

Emergency does not create power. Emergency does not increase granted power or remove or diminish the restrictions imposed upon power granted or reserved

Remember, that the Supreme Court, in this decision was saying, Hey, you know what? Emergency Powers are important but the Constitution was actually written during an emergency. Little-known fact. There was a war going on.

So to pretend, somehow or another that the Framers of the Constitution were all sitting, sipping French wine in Monticello, while everything was just peaches and cream, down in Boston or Philadelphia or Charleston South Carolina. They werent! It was in the middle of an active war. Important little fact.

And look at what the Supreme Court exactly said: And they are not altered by an emergency.

No governors declaration, no statement that has ever been made to coerce or cajole or manipulate your behavior, whatsoever has even a foundational argument in the Supreme Court precedent, that no one is talking about.

Guess what we should start talking about, People! That!

THE FOUR INTOLERABLE ACTS OF THE COVID CAMPAIGN OF TERROR

In 1774, King George committed what were called the Four Intolerable Acts. Ive decided to give you the Four Intolerable Acts of the COVID Campaign of Terror and Im giving you that, because its important that we realize that if we are going to plead our case in any position, whether its in a court room, whether its in a city council, whether its a school board, we need to be correct, we need to be precise, and we need to stipulate the laws that have been violated.

Amendment I  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, Guess what? Congress has weasled their way into the Department of Labor and the Commerce Clause to do their dirty work for them. Your First Amendment was violated by the Commerce Clause. Your First Amendment was violated by the way the Department of Labor currently operates.

Because, it turns out that Congress didnt pass a law that says you had to get vaxxinated, but I can tell you that theres a deafening silence, isnt there?

Do you remember the executive order that the Commander-in-Chief, the bumbling Joe Biden actually said we were going to have; that mandate, that everybody was going to have to be vaxxinated? Remember that statement? And do you remember that he instructed the Department of Labor to come up with a rule that would actually force employers of over 100 people to all vaxxinate their employees? And have you noticed the stunning silence of that mandate seems to never be forthcoming from the Department of Labor? Does anybody notice that? Despite the fact that theyre already claiming victory for the mandate that doesnt exist!

Because, they have established a law that in fact, the establishment of a religion. And heres the religion they believe in: The Doctrine of Fauci.

The Doctrine of Fauci is very simple: You are asymptomatic carriers. You are a disease. There is only but one savior and that is NIAID-funded vaxxine. You didnt take enough of it when we had influenza, so were going to manufacture the illusion of a pathogen. Were going to create a domestic terrorism campaign so that you embrace the loving arms of that beautiful vaxxine.

Ladies and gentlemen, there is no mandate, because there will be no mandate. They are playing on your fears, they are not playing on the law, because they know this law and they know that they are violating the Supreme Court rulings and the First Amendment in our Bill of Rights, if they even do it.

While Congress didnt restrict speech, assembly or right to petition, it made no effort to uphold and defend these rights. Further, it stood by as these rights were abused by every Emergency Declaration in violation of Supreme Court rulings. By allowing Federal Contractors to disregard the Constitution, theyve violated this amendment.

Second COVID Intolerable Act. Amendment IV of our beautiful Constitution:

Amendment IV  The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects  You know what we never talk about? We never talk about the Fourth Amendment. But guess whats been violated by every single decree that every single governor and every single public health officer has done over the last 22 months? That!

We are not secure in our homes, we are not secure in our businesses, were not secure in our properties, were not secure in our churches. Were not secure anywhere and guess what? That doesnt say, Except in case of an emergency. It says: You are secure. Period. Thats it. And it gets a little better!

If youre not secure, you know whose burden of proof it is to prove that youve done something wrong? Not yours! Theirs!

Listen, People. I love to hear people talk about how rah-rah patriotic they are and theyre out there doing their things  but were letting them do it!

Stop! Stop reciting their doctrine of COVID and coronavirus. Stop reciting their doctrine of vaxxines. Start using the language: Campaign of Terror. Bioweapon. Start using those languages and then actually show them  are you ready for this  something tiny, like the Bill of Rights.

By declaring every person a probable asymptomatic carrier, the Federal Government (CDC, FDA and HHS) violated this Amendment and enable the reckless abuse that harmed countless individuals. Loss of life, liberty and livelihood have been a direct result.

Now, Amendment V  you think the Fifth Amendment is I dont have to incriminate myself but the Fifth Amendment does a little bit more. Can we look at that bottom phrase that we never talk about?

Nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

How many of you small business owners have gotten just compensation for your business closures? Anybody? How many physicians have gotten just compensation for lost revenue?

How many people have been maligned, like me and so many of the speakers who are coming today and tomorrow? How many of us have gotten just compensation for the seizure of our property in the form of our means of communication, our networks, our social media, our everything else? The way in which we communicate? How many of us have gotten any just compensation for that?

Weve not just not gotten just compensation, Ladies and Gentlemen, weve been deprived of our liberties and weve been deprived the rights granted under this document and it is absolutely critical that we see that they knew they were doing it, because they actually changed their own definitions of words, like vaccine and public health and emergency to accommodate their acts of terror.

There has been no due process as the courts have unilaterally stipulated the epidemic or pandemic without a single effort to demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt that there is either. Further, while changing the definition of vaccine to include gene therapy the courts have inappropriate applied Jacobson.

Amendment VI  Due Process! Anybody think that weve had any due process over the last 22 months?

Hey, listen, Im showing you these things, People, because they werent taught to you in history lessons in school and you werent taught them, so you wold be victims of this perpetrated crime!

No judicial standard has been applied to validate the false claims of SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19. Therefore, every derivative prosecution is in violation of the Sixth Amendment. No court has been willing to sit and consider the voluminous evidence of anti-trust, coercion and domestic terrorism and racketeering charges against FDA, CDC, NIAID, Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and other accomplices.

If you dont know the laws that are being broken, guess what? You get your information from sources like media, you get your sources from Twitter feeds, you get your sources from crazy things, rather than actually going back and going, Oh, you mean we actually have a law and its been actually violated?

Yes, Sir! We have had a law and its been violated. But if we go through the Amendment 6, its not only important that we have speedy trials but informed of the nature and the cause of the accusation. Lets unpack that for a minute.

How many of you think thered be a successful prosecution in this country if the following information was presented by every single person charged with any violation of any public health order? Lets go through em really quick.

THE CRIMELINE

A bioweapon was created for infectious replication-defective, targeting the human lung epithelium in 1999 by Anthony Fauci. In 2003, the CDC patented the genome  the entire genome. The nature genome. The illegal patent granted to CDC in 2007, after being thrice rejected by the patent office as illegal.

You heard me say that. The CDC three times had to fight to get an illegal patent granted and when, in 2007, they got that patent granted, they actually controlled the provenance of anything that had to do with SARS Coronavirus from that day forward. We the People sat and did nothing.

How about in 2012 and 2013, when mysteriously, six viral models were uploaded, in violation of biological and chemical weapons laws in this country. Uploaded to a server from China, because they were collected from six miners in China.

They were uploaded to a server, in violation of our domestic terrorism- and our bioweapons laws here, in the United States and we had by written confirmation from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 2015, we have Ralph Baric in his own writing stating that he uploaded the bioweapon information that came from China and started manufacturing it here, in the United States.

Did you hear what I just said? At this point, its really important to point out I havent done a lot of research, Ive been following this particular crime, as it has unfolded since 1999. You are looking at the face of the guy who was investigating anthrax in September of 2001. Thats when I started this. Ive been at this game longer than most people even knew there was a game to be at and certainly longer than anybody whos actually said that they are really deep into COVID.

Well, guess what? This is deep and the point of this presentation is to be sure that each one of you is equipped. Because this is not about getting you excited. This is about getting you armed with information, because we have a war that has not started. The war that has not started is for the soul of this country and the weapon that is being used is a genetic chimeric altered bioweapon called the S-1 spike protein synthesis compound that is being delivered in a toxin that we know has killed every animal trial that has ever gotten off the ground.

STRAIGHT-TO-HUMANS PROTOCOL = PRE-MEDITATED MURDER

So, to quote the actual Associate Vice-Provost of one of the leading medical institutions here, in America, she was told when the institutional review board at her institution in California was asked to review the protocol for this particular vaxxine and she asked, Where are the animal data? she was told, and I quote: This is a straight-to-humans protocol.

Did you hear what I just said? Its killed every animal study its ever gone into. Its killed every animal trial thats ever been done and this is a straight-to-humans protocol.

Ladies and Gentlemen, call it what it is: Its premeditated murder. Stop dancing on the side of this thing and jump in the pool!

And on our watch, we should not let a single attorney general or US attorney; we should not let a single elected official, we should not let a single public health officer get away with any public statement that does not confirm that this is a bioweapons program meant to destroy, maim and kill the Citizens of the United States and the people of the world.

This is a crime and we need to start treating it like a crime, instead of watching a bank robber walk out of the bank and calling the Uber for them. This is about getting Anthony Fauci cuffed and perp-walked. Thats what this is about!

THE ANSWER

I just want to end with the answer. The answer is, lets stop diagnosing the problem. Until Anthony Fauci is cuffed, until Ralph Baric is cuffed and until Francis Collins is cuffed, were not done!

Weve got to set a single goal: Anthony Fauci in chains and in jail. Thats our goal, because that endsthe Emergency Use Authorization and what that does, is it puts the liability for every injury and death back on the companies, because the minute we get a felony conviction, the entire EUA has been pierced. If we get a single felony  one felony  there is no shield of immunity, because the 86 act and the PREP Act say that you get immunity unless  unless 

And theres only one silver bullet, Ladies and Gentlemen and guess what? I just gave it to you. So, lets load this gun of information and lets actually go hunting

If you go online, to COVIDcon21 you can actually electronically sign the new Declaration of Universal Human Independence.

It is by Nature that we re provisioned for life, liberty, livelihood and we are unrestricted from provisioning. We are at liberty to peacefully assemble, speak, disagree, express, believe and choose. We have freedom of inquiry and this is the most important one: With assurance of veracity and provenance, we need to make illegal propaganda in this country. It was legalized in 1946, it was re-upped in 2012 and we need to end that. No more propaganda, no more message control and no more misinformation. And if you do, youre in jail, because its an act of domestic terror. We are at liberty to exchange value and commerce with transparency. We are afforded access to all of the derivatives of public goods, meaning that no one gets to control internet switches, internet distribution, nobody gets to control telephone signals, nobody gets to control what we already paid for, because what we own is ours to use. Thats what we stand for! And finally, we are organically undefiled from birth to death. And that is, by the way not just what you shoot in the arm or not just what you dont put in your mouth, it goes to one more and probably the most important thing: its time t purify what goes in our minds.

Its time that we realize that we have allowed the infection of fear to be used as an agency of destruction against us and its time that we, the people actually accept responsibility. If we want pure thoughts, pure actions and pure deeds, we need to start putting them in here (points to head)

Let us stand, united as humanity and let us not take another breath giving them a single ounce of quarter until we have seen justice restored and holiness in this land. Thank you very much. God Bless you.

Read more at: ForbiddenKnowledgeTV.net
(Natural News) The American deep state, in cahoots with globalists the world over, decided at the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak to use the pandemic to advance their tyrannical agendas, and they have been marching towards them with alarming speed ever since.

One of the objectives has always been gaining complete control over the U.S. healthcare system, a process that began in 2009 when then-President Barack Obama and majority Democrats introduced the misnamed Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, which was literally an attempt to federalize nearly all medical care in the country and give bureaucrats the authority to make life-or-death decisions regarding Americans health.

Obamacare survived several legal challenges and was literally declared constitutional by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who invented language in the law to claim the individual mandate was a tax when even Obama said that it wasnt. The individual mandate was repealed during Donald Trumps first year in office after it was inserted into a major tax reform bill.

Nevertheless, the march to control U.S. health care continues, and again, the powers that be are using COVID as the platform, now even moving to militarize how we receive our care, as Reuters is reporting:

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.

The number one request continues to be staffing, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell told propaganda outlet CNN, while going on to say that additional states will also need military and federal medical reinforcements in order to deal with the pandemic as the omicron variant, which is far less serious, by the way, continues to spread.

The Biden regime has been deploying federal surge teams since July, ostensibly to help local hospitals battle COVID illnesses. In December, Biden ordered Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to prepare a thousand more medical forces and to send them to Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont and Wisconsin.

In reality, all Biden has to do is exempt medical personnel from his illegal vaccine mandate, and hospitals will instantly have enough staff to deal with whatever influx of patients there is. But he wont because the objective is the federalization, and militarization, of our healthcare system.

How do we know this is unnecessary? Because if you recall throughout the first year of the pandemic when there werent any COVID vaccines, then-President Trump and the federal government as a whole praised and honored our frontline medical workers for remaining on the job and providing care as the virus spread. Trump provided them with as much support as he could but he did not impose mandates and requirements on hospitals that led to a shortage of experienced healthcare personnel as Biden has done.

Thats because Bidens party is the counter-revolutionary party, the destroy America party, and the objective is to take over American society in its entirety.

Everyone needs healthcare at some point; it only makes sense, then, to the warped left that they must control a vital service in order to control every person living in the U.S.

Natural News founder and editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, noted further that following last weeks divided Supreme Court rulings, Americans medical freedom took a major hit:

If you arent allowed to control your own body, then you dont own it. Who owns it? The government owns it, according to SCOTUS, and all they need is to grant themselves sufficient legal authorization to forcibly inject you with absolutely anything they want, even if they have to change the definition of a vaccine in order to do it (which is exactly what they already did).

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

News.Trust.org
(Natural News) The world has always been a dangerous place, but geopolitically speaking, it has become much more unstable under the leadership of Joe Biden, a president who proves daily he is incapable of being commander-in-chief because he can barely speak and function.

When Donald Trump was president, sure, he sent out mean tweets, but he also quite obviously commanded respect from our enemies and near-peer competitors. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not threaten their neighbors like they are now threatening Ukraine and Taiwan, respectively; North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with Trump and did not advance his nuclear weapons program, but has since resumed it. Ditto Iran; Bidens strategy, in fact, is to blame Trump.

In fact, the Biden regime is so bad at geopolitics and foreign policy that America is now facing a Cuban Missile Crisis 2.0.

For weeks, Russia has deployed tens of thousands of troops around the northern and eastern perimeter of Ukraine. The hapless Biden regime led by a secretary of state no one takes seriously, Antony Blinken, has been conducting ham-fisted negotiations with Putin who, at the moment, is holding all the cards and knows it. On Thursday, Putins much abler diplomats essentially told the Biden White House to go pound sand, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov even suggesting that Moscow could deploy troops and new hypersonic missiles to Cuba and Venezuela, both well within Americas historic sphere of influence, if the U.S. and NATO do not halt military activities of their own that Putin says threatens his country.

In quotes reported by The Wall Street Journal, Ryabkov indicated that Moscow could not exclude sending military infrastructure to either of those countries if tensions with the U.S. continue to escalate as they have over the past several weeks, with some analysts even suggesting that chances of war in Europe are now higher than they have been in decades.

I dont want to confirm anything, I will not rule out anythingDepends on the actions of our American colleagues, Ryabkov told privately-owned Russian-language TV network RTVi in an interview Thursday in Moscow.

Putin has repeatedly spoken out, including on this topic, about what could be the measures taken by the Russian navy if things go completely in the direction of provoking Russia and further increasing military pressure on us, Rybakov said, noting further that Russia doesnt want to see that outcome, but the diplomats must come to an agreement.

And last month, the Russian diplomat said that his country could not discount the possibility that relations between Moscow and Washington could wind up at a point similar to what existed during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, a warning that means Russia would consider putting missiles in Cuba again, and they would likely be the newest hypersonic weapons that are also believed to be nuclear-capable.

In 1962, Russian intermediate-range ballistic missiles could strike with around 5 minutes warning; hypersonic missiles are three to four times faster.

Ryabkov also said that at this point, he does not see a need for fresh talks with the U.S. and the West, adding that if NATO continues to expand towards Russia, this would be to a certain extent, a dead-end or a difference in approaches.

I see no reason to sit down in the coming days, to gather again and start these same discussions, he added.

At the same time, Russias delegate to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Alexander Lukashevic, said this weeks talks with the U.S. and NATO have been really disappointing, though Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov appeared to leave the door open for further discussions.

Meanwhile, a number of Western military analysts told The Economic Times that they dont believe Putin has the financial ability to keep nearly 100,000 troops deployed around Ukraine indefinitely, which could mean he will strike sooner rather than later if he sees an opportunity.

We are again living in very dangerous times, thanks to the anemic Biden regime.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

EconomicTimes.com
(Natural News) Quebec may soon tax its adult residents if they continue to refuse to get vaccinated for non-medical reasons. Prime Minister Francois Legault said that even though there had only been 10 percent of adults that remain unvaccinated, they still account for half of the COVID hospitalizations in intensive care units, putting immense pressure on the health care system.

Therefore, we are considering the issue of imposing health tax that will be paid by all adults who refuse vaccination for non-medical reasons, he said. (Related: Austrian bureaucrat wants to financially punish unvaccinated citizens for non-compliance.)

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%, Legault said.

However, advocates working with Black and Indigenous communities say that a proposal to make unvaccinated adults pay a financial penalty further entrenches inequities in the pandemic response and that it adds another burden for the marginalized groups.

It could pose a problem for people who have been hesitant to receive the vaccine because of historic and present-day injustices as they face systemic barriers in accessing the vaccine.

Black Health Alliance executive director Paul Bailey said that in parts of the country, such as Toronto and Montreal, there are populations that have a high COVID burden and lower COVID vaccination.

These populations, such as the Black, racialized and low- to very low-income are already living in poverty and many other inequities, whether it be food insecurity or housing insecurity. For this specific population, applying a tax to them only further entrenches those inequalities, he said.

Governments around the world have imposed different restrictions on the unvaccinated, but sweeping tax is a rare and controversial one. Citing the financial burden that unvaccinated people are already putting on the system, Legault said that the tax would likely be up to CA$100, or around $80. However, this will not apply to those who cant get vaccinated for medical reasons.

Provinces in Canada have been experiencing exponential surges in COVID-19 cases because of the arrival of the omicron variant, and Quebec is among the worst hit by the strain. Last month, the province said that it had no choice but to allow essential workers to continue working despite testing positive for the virus to prevent staff shortages and from stopping healthcare services altogether.

However, this will remain to be seen, as a tax on the unvaccinated would be challenged in court, and its approval will depend on the details.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the federal government has already secured enough vaccine doses for all eligible Canadians to receive booster shots, and even a fourth dose, if necessary.

Tax move follows resignation of senior health official

This move follows the abrupt resignation of a senior health official in the province amidst mounting anger on lockdowns and the slow rollout of vaccine boosters. The official, Dr. Horacio Arruda, served his role for 12 years and was reappointed to another three-year term in June 2020, but faced mounting criticism in recent weeks.

Arruda, face condemnation for allowing care home staff to move between sites in the first wave of the pandemic, a decision that played a significant role in the spread of the virus and contributed to over 4,000 deaths.

Arruda was also faulted for his dismissal of the benefits of using N95 masks when he said that they were not necessary for teachers or healthcare workers. Quebecs worker safety board agreed with his stance and recently ordered healthcare workers to be provided with the more effective masks.

New lockdown measures and government-ordered curfews forced Quebecers to deal with the fact that their province is again one of the worst-hit regions in the country. Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease specialist at the McGill University health center said, Im not going to mince words: things are bad right now when it comes to hospitalizations. Every time theres a ceiling, in terms of hospital capacity, the hospitalization rate breaks through that ceiling.

Quebec is already in hot water when it made headlines last week for requiring cannabis shops and liquor stores to card their customers for proof of vaccination, leading to a surge in bookings.

The health minister estimated last week that hospitals were down 20,000 healthcare workers in the past week due to COVID-19 infections, and around 50,000 are on leave due to burnout.

The virus is going to continue to propagate here until we get it under control, and wishful thinking isnt how were going to fight it, Vinh said.

Watch the video below to learn more about the tax proposal.

This video is from the Lumiere channel on Brighteon.com.

Get more news and updates about how governments are handling COVID-19 at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

CP24.com

Sports.Yahoo.com

TheGuardian.com
(Natural News) InfoWars host Owen Shroyer touched on a tweet by a mainstream publication that promoted pedophilia with Dan Lyman of InfoWars Europe.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, mainstream media outlet USA Today Life was forced to delete several tweets that purportedly normalized pedophilia. The tweets were in relation to an article written by staff writer Alia Dastagir claiming that the disorder as the most misunderstood.

Dastagir wroter in her article: When most of the public thinks of pedophilia, they assume its synonymous with child sexual abuse, a pervasive social problem that has exploded to crisis levels online. Researchers who study pedophilia say the term describes an attraction, not an action, and using it interchangeably with abuse fuels misperceptions.

The USA Today Life article alleged that based on scientific research, pedophilia is determined in the womb. It continued that environmental factors may affect a pedophiles urge to act on their attractions.

Scientists have  in recent decades  improved their understanding of pedophilias causes, prenatal and early childhood risk factors as well as pedophiles can better control impulses.

The article quoted Royal Ottawa Health Care Group forensic research director Michael Seto, whose specialty revolves around sexual offenses. He said of pedophilia: Weve accepted the idea that this is not something that people choose.

According to Seto, male pedophiles have a much higher incidence of head injuries sustained in early childhood. He also mentioned a study on diagnosed pedophiles, which said they are more likely to report their mothers receiving psychiatric treatment. Seto adds that this study suggests possible genetic factors influencing pedophilia.

Seto furthermore said that based on evidence, men are more likely to have pedophilic tendencies and commit criminal acts than women. This aligned with research that showed men being more likely to engage in other sexual deviancies such as exhibitionism, sadism and voyeurism. (Related: TED talks promote pedophilia, but ban any discussion critical of GMOs.)

USA Today Life faced backlash for its tweets

Shroyer read part of a tweet from the series of posts made by USA Today Life, before asking Lyman about his comments on the matter. A pedophile is an adult who is sexually attracted to children. But not all pedophiles abuse kids, and some people who sexually abused kids are not pedophiles.

Lyman said: If this is an indicator as to how far society has fallen, then I dont know what is. One of the most respected publications in mainstream media, [which] has been around [for] a long time, [is] now spouting the same talking point that pedophilia is not so bad as long as you dont act on it.

These people belong in Arctic labor camps for putting out this propaganda, and I mean it, the InfoWars Europe reporter added.

Shroyer agreed, saying: Its just unbelievable, [and] it should make people wonder. Why would you even think something like that, let alone publish something like that? And here they are, doing it publicly. (Related: Mainstream media: Pedophilia isnt a crime, but being unvaccinated is.)

The two InfoWars journalists were not the only ones who publicly denounced the pro-pedophilia USA Today Life piece. Other personalities in the conservative sphere took to social media to express their disdain.

Donald Trump Jr. tweeted: To me, and probably anyone who has been watching, this is nothing more than the first step of trying to normalize this kind of behavior. He also called out the outlet for trying to revise the articles original title of What the public keeps getting wrong about pedophilia, saying that the internet is forever.

NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck slammed USA Today Life in a series of tweets for trying to normalize pedophilia. Quoting the tweet Shroyer read, Houck said that the mainstream media outlet was arguing that pedophilia shouldnt be seen as something thats a scarlet letter, especially if youre attracted to little kids but you havent acted on your impulses.

Jeremiah Poff of the Washington Examiner also put in his two cents, focusing on a tweet by USA Today Life about pedophilia being determined in the womb. He said the outlet is hardly the first to attempt to normalize pedophilia and wont be the last.

Watch the video below of the conversation between Shroyer and Lyman.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

Journalism.news has more about mainstream media outlets promoting the normalization of pedophilia.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

DailyMail.co.uk

USAToday.com

Twitter.com 1

Twitter.com 2

Twitter.com 3
(Natural News) One of the first local district attorneys supported by Marxist billionaire disrupter George Soros who was also backed by now-Vice President Kamala Harris has been indicted on federal corruption charges, proving once again that the left always backs leaders who prey upon our society.

Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on four charges in connection with a home she bought in the free state of Florida.

According to federal prosecutors, Mosby lied to fraudulently obtain a withdrawal from her savings account in relation to a policy regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, prosecutors say she falsified a mortgage application regarding the home purchase.

The indictment says that investigators subpoenaed financial records from the states attorney and her husband, Nick Mosby, president of the Baltimore City Council, in March.

Mosley, who is running for a third term in June as Baltimores states attorney, has denied the allegations in previous statements regarding the federal probe.

Prosecutors allege that Mosby sought a withdrawal of $40,000 from her city retirement account due to what she claimed was a financial hardship related to the pandemic. But in contrast to that claim, prosecutors noted that, at the time, her salary had actually increased by $10,000 to $248,000.

But because Mosby is black, then, of course, her attorney is alleging that the charges are racist in nature.

We will fight these charges vigorously, and I remain confident that once all the evidence is presented, that she will prevail against these bogus charges  charges that are rooted in personal, political and racial animus five months from her election, A. Scott Bolden said in a statement.

If convicted of all counts, Mosby faces up to five years in prison for each of the two perjury counts, as well as up to 30 years behind bars for each count of making a false statement.

In addition to having her campaigns financially supported by a group funded by Soros, Mosby has also been hailed and promoted by then-Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

When we march and we shout about what we need to do to reform the criminal justice system, we better understand that we gotta march and shout with our paychecks  and all of the work that we can do to actually make sure that somebody like Marilyn Mosby gets reelected into that office, to not only get convictions but have convictions, Harris said at a fundraiser in Los Angeles in 2017.

There are a lot of people who are highly critical of her because she heard the voices of the people and said, Even if I cant win Im going to do the right thing. Its going to be rough. Its going to be tough.  She cannot fail and I know she will not fail, Harris added.

But Mosby has failed  big time  even if the voters of Baltimore continue to reward her with reelection.

As Human Events editor Jack Prosobiec pointed out, Mosby grossly mishandled an incident involving the death of a black man named Freddie Gray, who died in police custody. Mosby charged several Baltimore police officers with his murder, but all of them were found not guilty by juries.

Marilyn Mosby should have been behind bars for years after she incited the Freddie Gray riots https://t.co/82mLcEURrZ  Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) January 14, 2022

Before their trials, however, Baltimore underwent race-fueled riots  precursors to the summer of BLM rioting following the George Floyd murder  that caused death, mayhem and destruction.

Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while he was being transported in the back of a police van by the officers. His death led to riots that took place the day of his funeral. None of the six officers that were charged with his death were convicted, BizPac Review reported.

Soros and the left are destroying our country one city, one political candidate at a time.

Sources include:

BizPacReview.com

TheBlaze.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Nonprofit group America First Legal (AFL) threatened to sue the health departments of two states for their racist policies on Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) treatments. The group accused the health agencies of Minnesota and Utah of considering race and ethnicity to determine if patients are eligible for treatment.

Led by former members of the Trump administration, AFL issued the threat on Jan. 12 in two separate letters. The letters accused the two states health departments of issuing blatantly racist, unconstitutional policies that direct the ration of medicine based on race and self-selected ethnicity.

The Utah Department of Healths policy subjects COVID-19 patients to a scoring system to determine who is most at risk and eligible to receive treatment. Two points are assigned to the racial/ethnic category. Persons 71 to 80 years old would receive four points, while those 16 to 20 years old would only receive one point.

Patients with the highest-risk comorbidities such as diabetes, obesity and an immunocompromised immune system receive two points. An additional one point is granted to those with other high-risk comorbidities, such as hypertension, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Department of Health reiterated the role of ethnicity and race for monoclonal antibody treatment eligibility in a Jan. 12 document. Citing guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it said that race and ethnicity alone, apart from other underlying health conditions, may be considered in determining a patients eligibility.

The FDA has acknowledged that in addition to certain underlying health conditions, race and ethnicity may also place individual patients at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19,' it added.

AFLs letters to the health departments of Minnesota and Utah said: Using a patients skin color or ethnicity  as a basis for deciding who should obtain lifesaving medical treatment is appalling. Directing medical professionals to provide or deny medical care based on immutable characteristics like skin color, without regard to the particular health conditions of the individual patients who are seeking these life-saving treatments, is nothing more than an attempt to establish a racial hierarchy in the provision of life-saving medicine. (Related: Utah, Minnesota face legal action for factoring race, ethnicity in administering COVID-19 drugs.)

Other states also have racist policies for medical treatments

AFL President Stephen Miller said the racist health policies for COVID-19 treatments decide questions of life and death based on skin color and must be rescinded immediately. He added: They radically violate federal law, the U.S. Constitution and the sacred principle of equal justice for all. No right is safe if the government can award or deny medical care based on race.

Meanwhile, AFL Vice President and General Counsel Gene Hamilton denounced the policies as antithetical to everything we stand for as Americans.

While the allocation of medical treatment based on skin color is not something any American would expect to see in 2022, the American people should understand that this is just another example of the application of equity by the woke and radical left, Hamilton said. These policies are rooted in Marxist principles and social justice, and demand the use of government power to distribute and redistribute resources not based on equal rights  but based on equity.'

Prior to its threat of legal action against Minnesota and Utah, AFL threatened to sue the health department of New York state for similar racist policies. In a Jan. 3 letter addressed to acting Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett, the group demanded that the policy directing the rationing of medicine based on race and self-selected ethnicity be rescinded.

According to AFL, the New York State Department of Health prioritizes patients who identify as non-white or Hispanic/Latino ethnicity when it comes to COVID-19 treatments. Such a policy denies life-saving treatment to constituents who do not fall under these racist requirements, the group added. (Related: Now New York is refusing monoclonal antibodies for white people.)

New York has recently decided that equity directives will be used to decide who lives and who dies: To determine who receives life-saving medical care based on the color of ones skin or the nationality of ones ancestors. This should appall the conscience of all who claim to care about human rights, Miller said.

Watch the video below of American Journal host Harrison Smith sharing his experience being subjected to racist medical policies.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

MedicalFascism.news has more about hospitals considering race and ethnicity as factors in administering COVID-19 treatments.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

AFLegal.org 1

Health.State.MN.us [PDF]

WordPress.AFLegal.org 1 [PDF]

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Brighteon.com
56-year-old security guard inspires many with commitment to, passion for calligraphy

People's Daily Online) 14:47, January 17, 2022

56-year-old Zhao Shoubei, a security guard from northwest Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has been practicing calligraphy since he was 10 years old, and despite all the difficulties he encountered over the course of several decades.

Zhao Shoubei practices calligraphy. (Photo/Li Feilong)

In order to support his family, Zhao dropped out of school when he was 19 years old, becoming a construction worker. However, he didnt give up on his hobby. No matter how exhausted he became after a days work, Zhao always managed to stick to the routine of practicing calligraphy at night. Because he couldnt afford to buy any writing materials, Zhao built a writing desk with a piece of wood and wrote Chinese characters using an iron bar.

Ive never thought about giving up my hobby. Calligraphy brings me inner peace, which I enjoy very much, Zhao said.

In July 2020, Zhao became a security guard at Ningxia Normal University. One day, when he walked into the teaching building for the school of fine arts, he was impressed by the calligraphy and fine art works that were hung on the wall. Zhao, who was then in charge of security and guarding services at the school of music, promptly asked his company to assign him to work for the school of fine arts so that he could move closer to something he truly loves.

After coming to learn that I was practicing calligraphy every day, the teachers at the school of fine arts gave me writing brushes and paper. They also invited me to join the calligraphy training classes held by the school, Zhao expressed.

I had thought that my calligraphy skills were not bad, but the more I learned the art systemically, the more I came to realize that I was not as good at it as I had thought, Zhao said.

To improve his skills, Zhao practiced even harder than before, spending most of his spare time on calligraphy. Thanks to these efforts, Zhao eventually excelled in the skill, as some of his calligraphy works nowadays can be seen on the walls for students in the school of fine arts to admire.

Zhao Shoubei showcases a piece of calligraphy he completed. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

The perseverance, commitment and diligence Zhao has demonstrated in pursing his hobby has motivated students and teachers at the school of fine arts. It is inspiring that Zhao, a man in his 50s, still learns calligraphy so hard. He has set a very good example for students at our school by being committed to something he really loves, said Feng Chao, director of the school of fine arts at Ningxia Normal University.

The ambitious Zhao said that after retirement, he wants to open a calligraphy training class to teach the craft to the younger generation.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Displaced families living in a camp in the capital city of Balkh province of Afghanistan have sold their children and their kidneys for funds to survive, Tolo News reported.

The displaced families escaped heavy conflict between the Islamic Emirate and former government forces before the fall of the republican government in the northern provinces of Balkh, Sar-e-Pul, Faryab and Jawzjan.

A charity committee is helping displaced families with food and cash aid in order to dissuade them from selling their children and kidneys.

The price of a child is between 100,000 to 150,000 Afs and the price of one kidney is 150,000 to 220,000 Afs, the report said. The families are living in a camp in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province.

The families said that they were forced to make such decisions due to poverty, the economic problems in the country as well Covid-19's outbreak.

"We are overwhelmed with problems. No one pays attention to us. We are in deep trouble," said a displaced person. Every family has around two to seven children.

Dilbar is a war-displaced person whose family is struggling with starvation. Dilbar said she had no choice but to sell her kidney to take care of her children.

"I was rescued by my operation. My child was sick. I took her to the hospital for treatment but the doctors told me her treatment would not be done," she said, the report added.

These families were helped by a charity committee to stop them from selling the kids and kidneys.

The charity committee provided cash aid and food for thousands displaced and vulnerable people in Mazar-e-Sharif.

The head of the charity committee, Mohammad Sadiq Hashimi, called on national business people to boost efforts to help the people in need across the country.

"There were some sisters who were ready to sell their kidneys --some of them have already sold their kidneys. I saw some families who were selling their children. We were able to help them," he said.
(Natural News) For most of the past decade, the state of Virginia, which produced so many of our countrys earlier leaders including George Washington and James Madison, took an increasingly left-wing turn, going from red, to purple, to blue.

After 2017, the transformation was complete: Democrats who hate our republic as founded had completed a sweep of government throughout the state, taking over the governors mansion, the state assembly and other elected offices.

And as Democrats do, they immediately began implementing one left-wing, Marxist, woke policy after another, until 2021, when Virginians had had enough: Following last falls election, voters swept Republicans back into power to fix the social and cultural damage Democrats had done to the Old Dominion State, and as requested by voters, newly inaugurated Republicans are wasting little time reimposing sane policies while cutting the lunatics loose.

Case in point: Virginias new GOP attorney general, Jason Miyares, has fired some 30 staff members, including 17 attorneys, as he points the office back in the direction of actually enforcing state laws.

On his first day, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has eliminated the Office of Civil Rights. Miyares also announced he will prosecute criminal cases in jurisdictions where Soros DAs decline to prosecute, and he has already opened investigations into Loudon County Public Schools, Citizen Free Press reported.

As a candidate, I promised to investigate the scandals at the Virginia Parole Board and Loudoun County Schools. As Attorney General, I am proud to say that the process has begun and the investigations are officially open. pic.twitter.com/02wvO85wbI  Jason Miyares (@JasonMiyaresVA) January 15, 2022

During the campaign, it was made clear that now-Attorney General-elect Miyares and Attorney General Herring have very different visions for the office. We are restructuring the office, as every incoming AG has done in the past, his spokesperson, Victoria LaCivita, noted in an email, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Just because personnel changes have been made does not mean their work will not be picked up. As the Attorney General-elect has said, when he gets into his office, he and his team will look at every lawsuit, investigation and opinion with a fresh perspective, she added.

Miyares previously announced plans to seek legislative approval from the state AGs office to intervene in cases where local leftists soft on crime refuse to pursue.

Im thinking specifically of some of the so-called social justice commonwealths attorneys that have been elected particularly in Northern Virginia, he said shortly after the November election. We are obviously aware of some pretty horrific cases where they failed to do their job.

One of the reasons Virginians get so fed up with government is the lack of transparency  and thats a big issue here. The Virginia Parole Board broke the law when they let out murders, rapists, and cop killers early on their sentences without notifying the victims. Loudoun Country Public Schools covered up a sexual assault on school grounds for political gain, leading to an additional assault of a young girl, Miyares asserted in a statement.

In addition, newly-inaugurated GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin also hit the ground running, signing more than a dozen executive orders aimed at keeping campaign promises to push back on highly divisive critical race theory and to hold officials with the Loudoun County Public School District accountable for a criminal act they attempted to cover up because the offender was a transgender student.

Miyares addressed the school crime, as well as other issues that present legal challenges for his office, thanks to his Democratic predecessors.

According to Fox News, Youngkins executive actions include these issues:

To restore excellence in education by ending the use of divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory, in public education.

To empower Virginia parents in their childrens education and upbringing by allowing parents to make decisions on whether their child wears a mask in school.

To restore integrity and confidence in the Parole Board of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

To investigate wrongdoing in Loudoun County.

To make government work for Virginians by creating the Commonwealth Chief Transformation Officer.

To declare Virginia open for business.

To combat and prevent human trafficking and provide support to survivors.

To establish a commission to combat antisemitism.

To withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

BizPacReview.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: A dog sits in a car in heavy traffic on Hwy 50 as people evacuate ahead of the Caldor Fire on August 30, 2021 in South Lake Tahoe, California. The fire continues to advance towards South Lake Tahoe and a red flag warning has been issued as high winds begin to kick up. The fire has burned over 175,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of homes and is currently 14 percent contained. (Photo : Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

During December, a canine that had been gone for months was rescued in Lake Tahoe by two ladies, who had to snowboard into the isolated location and pull the shivering dog back the steep hillside.

Missing Dog, Rescued in Lake Tahoe

The puppy was in the bitter cold, evidently reluctant to relocate, and was barking at the folks," said Tahoe PAWS Blog entry.

El Dorado District State Wildlife Agent Kyle Shumaker was alerted, but has been unable to explore the content due to the 5-foot snowfall.

"One among my emergency responders seated on the snowmobile and retained the dog so he would not even crash down or swoop, and to keep him comfortable they covered him in bottom outerwear," Remarked Wendy Jones.

"It was a perilous journey down since the winter weather was just so profound and the snowmobile struggled to tumble over, so they were very cold and wet when they reached the bottom."

The women turned the freezing canine over to local animal control authorities stationed at the snowcapped foot after a two-hour walk back down the hill by night.

"I glanced up with my headlight and saw this black blob in the ice up against a tree trunk, and I said to myself, it's the canine, and he's no longer living."

Given the fact that it was approaching midnight, wildlife hunters Leona Allen and Elsa Gaule donned on snow boots and commenced the walk up the steep mountain to where they anticipated to bring the dog.

Allen, 61, told the San Francisco Chronicle that when she reached the dog, a dangerous dog hybrid, she thought it was lifeless.

Also read: Hungry Badger Accidentally Unearths Roman-Era Coins Treasure While Hunting for Food

Missing Dog Finally Goes Home to Its Owner





It ended up taking detective work, but they were eligible to pinpoint a tracking chip in the canine and help locate his operator, who dwells in Riverside County, over 400 miles to the south.

Prior to actually carrying the canine onto a snowmobile they had pulled up to the summit, the ladies devoted considerable hours with him, building his affection.

When notified, TLC 4 Furry Friends representatives stated that the owner was overjoyed to discover that his canine was intact.

"It was an evening intervention, we had 5 feet of current, snowfall that they had to compete with to snowboard up a steep hill to get where they assumed the animal will be," Jones clarified.

Wendy Jones encourages pet owners to have their animals digitized and have ID labels on their leashes.

Russ had mysteriously disappeared in August when his mistress was out on a foreign medical assignment during Caldor Incident.

The canine was brought to the doctor, who found that the chilly and fatigued little man was in decent shape. In additament to the snowfall, conditions in the Lake Tahoe region had reached a low of 6  c on December 16, and the lows on the nights beforehand and following are not much better, according to meteorological data.

The owner declared Russ gone and put-up fliers, but as the wildfire raged over the foothills into South Lake Tahoe, the owner was compelled to escape along with hundreds of others, leaving Russ behind.

Also read: Year 2021 Featured Record-Breaking Storms Across the US
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 28: The sun rises at Bondi Beach ahead of a hot day on November 28, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast heatwave conditions in NSW this weekend, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees across the state. (Photo : Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

The mercury levels in the tiny village of Onslow have reached over 50.7 degrees Celsius or equal to 23.3 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the two separate other locations also eventually achieve heat stress.

Australia has compared its hottest consistently documented ambient temperature, with 50.7C transcribed at Onslow aerodrome terminal, and the distant West Australian neighborhood of Onslow, which peak was achieved shortly before 2.30 p.m. regional clock.

Hottest Day on Western Australia

Period leading up to Thursday, the 50C threshold had only been tried to cross multiple times at a systematic and standardized meteorological station.

In which would include two back-to-back nights in earlier start of year 1960.

As per the Department of Atmospheric science statistics dates back at least to 1910, the 50.7C measurement on 2nd January year 1960 has remained unrivaled as Australia's warmest heating rate for 62 years, with the next day almost just as hot at 50.3C.

On Thursday, Onslow was accompanied by at least one of the following additional WA locations in exceeding 50C, with both Adopted different approaches airfield and Mardie reaching 50.5 degrees.

Mardie had only been there previously, on February 19, 1998, Australia's only other 50-degree-plus day of the four. The severe conditions occurred at the end of a scorching hot summer that had been sweeping throughout north-western WA in lately.

The progress of major hurricane Tiffany over northern Australia has contributed to the formation of scorching hot temperatures from Australia's red core.

Tiffany, now an ex-tropical hailstorm, poured massive quantities of rain across northern Queensland and the Northwest Territories, and might end up directing severe rain towards eastern and central Australia in the following days.

Also read: 2021 was the Hottest on Record for the World's Oceans for Three Consecutive Years

Western Australia Reached 50.7C Temperature

Some of those other WA communities were almost certain to already have established global temperatures in January or even at the at any particular period of the year.

Karratha, another iron-ore exporting center on WA's north-west main island, hit 48.4C (119.1F), breaking its earlier record of 48.2C.

Previous season was the globe's fifth-warmest year on history, as per the early estimates, and was probably the warmest documented year with a La Nina episode in the Pacific.

La Nina years are marked by the equatorial Pacific Ocean accumulating more energy than in a normal season.

The blazing temperature was anticipated to diminish in Roebourne and Karratha on Friday, but yet another 49-degree day was predicted for Onslow farther down the east coast. Readings were already in the 40s in portions of the Strong attraction and Gascoyne districts, while Perth had a pleasant 26-degree day.

Simultaneously, a dangerous weather written notice has been allowed to release for sections of the far northern Kimberley district, encompassing Kununurra and Wyndham.

The government has said that the ex-tropical hurricane had reduced to a strong seasonal depression that was scheduled to travel all over the demarcation line from either the Northern Territory, delivering torrential downpours and probable flash floods.

Detrimental gale force winds up to 100km/h were forecast starting Thursday afternoon.

Also read: Year 2021 Featured Record-Breaking Storms Across the US
According to a warning from Australia's Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, a second large eruption was detected at the Hunga Tonga volcano on Monday.

After a massive volcanic explosion created a tsunami, New Zealand has deployed a plane to Tonga to survey the damage.

In addition to covering the islands in ash, the eruption cut off power and communications.

A Significantly Huge Disaster

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), 80,000 individuals might be affected.

The tsunami caused "substantial damage," according to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. No deaths have been recorded as of writing.

However, information remains scant, and New Zealand and Australia are sending surveillance planes to evaluate the extent of the damage.

According to the New Zealand Defense Force, an aircraft had gone to "help in an early damage assessment of the region and low-lying islands" according to the New Zealand Defence Force.

Related Article: Tsunami Alert Raised as Underwater Volcanic Eruptions Sent Giant Waves to Tonga



In Need of Help

Help is desperately needed, according to Katie Greenwood of the IFRC in Fiji.

"We believe the eruption, or the tsunami wave and inundation as a result of the eruption, might harm up to 80,000 people throughout Tonga," she added.

"People were shocked; therefore, we're concerned about those distant islands, and we'd want to hear from them."

Volcanic Eruption

On Saturday, the undersea volcano erupted, spewing ash into the sky and causing warnings of 1.2m (4ft) waves reaching Tonga. In New Zealand, 2,383 kilometers (1,481 miles) from Tonga, the eruption was so strong that it could be heard.

After being blanketed with a coating of volcanic ash, New Zealand's Acting High Commissioner in Tonga, Peter Lund, claimed the island country appears "like a moonscape."

Ms. Ardern warned on Sunday that the dust was polluting water sources and making fresh water a critical requirement.

According to humanitarian organizations, authorities have been telling people to drink bottled water and use face masks to protect their lungs.

Videos showed traffic congestion as residents evacuated low-lying regions by automobile as the sky darkened with ash. Tonga's internet and phone connections fell hours later, rendering the island's 105,000 citizens virtually unavailable.

The volcano has been erupting for many days before the major eruption. According to the Tonga Meteorological Agency, sulfur and ammonia odors were recorded in several regions.

Response

Ms. Ardern said electricity was being restored in some sections of the island, and cell phones were slowly starting to operate again. However, the state of affairs in several coastal communities remained a mystery.

Many Tongans in Australia and New Zealand have been afraid for their safety after communicating with their friends and relatives.

Fatima claimed she had not heard from her colleague, a beachside restaurant in Nuku'alofa, Tonga's capital.

She told the BBC, "It's all unfortunate, and we're praying for the best." "This will be difficult for them since they've been on lockdown for a long time with no tourists, and now this."

According to satellite photographs, some outlying islands appear to have been inundated by the ocean.

One of the Worst in Recent Years

According to experts, the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano's eruption is one of the most severe in decades in the region.

It made authorities declare tsunami warnings in multiple countries, including Japan and the United States, where floods ravaged sections of California and Alaska's coastal areas.

The situation in Tonga is "shocking," according to UK Foreign Office minister Zac Goldsmith, who said the UK was "ready to help and support our Commonwealth friend and partner in any way we can."

When the EU's Sentinel-1A satellite flew overhead on Saturday, scientists received their first view at Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai after the eruption.

This spacecraft is a radar platform that can see the surface below despite cloud and ash concealing it.

It was evident that most of the crater rim above the ocean waves had been demolished, demonstrating the blast's power.

Researchers will be interested in determining the source of a tsunami that caused waves on neighboring islands and beaches throughout the Pacific Ocean.

What role did the explosion play in the explosion? Pressure waves can cause "meteotsunamis," as they're known. Perhaps the water displacement was caused by an unobserved collapse of a section of the volcano beneath the ocean's surface.

Also Read: Long Valley Supervolcano: World's Most Dangerous Volcano Shows Signs of 'Imminent Eruption'

For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
As a massive winter storm pounded the eastern United States, millions of Americans bunkered down, with heavy snow and ice knocking out power to an estimated 130,000 people as of early Monday.

Strong Winter Storm

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the storm was bringing a nasty combination of heavy snow, freezing rain, and high winds to the southeast and coastal mid-Atlantic before moving up to New England and southern Canada, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

In the upper Ohio Valley and north to the lower Great Lakes region, more than a foot (30 cm) of snow may fall Monday.

According to US media, more than 80 million individuals were affected by the winter weather advisories.

According to the website PowerOutage.US, some 235,000 people were without power Sunday, but by early Monday, that number had dropped to roughly 130,000 throughout the east coast and Kentucky as supplies were restored.

In Florida, the storm caused destructive tornadoes and floods along the coast, while freezing weather and gusty winds in the Carolinas and up into the Appalachians aroused worries.

Related ARticle: Snowstorm Alert: Particularly Strong Winter Storm Will Cover the Midwest in Snow



Canceled Flights

Thousands of flights were canceled, and a stretch of the critical interstate route I-95 in North Carolina was blocked.

The cancellations on Sunday affected more than 3,000 flights inside, into, or out of the United States.

According to the FlightAware website, Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina was the worst hit, with 95 percent of its planes halted. Early Monday, another 1,200 flights were canceled.

Icy Roads

From Arkansas in the south to Maine on the Canadian border, drivers were cautioned of dangerous road conditions and considerable travel hassles.

On Friday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp proclaimed a state of emergency, and snowplows were on the job clearing the roads by noon.

States of emergency have also been proclaimed in Virginia and North Carolina.

According to a tweet, on Sunday, Virginia State Police attended to almost 1,000 collisions and damaged cars. The force stated, "Mostly car damage, no recorded traffic deaths."

A "multi-vehicle backup," as well as minor collisions, had already halted traffic on a key highway in the state's southern section.

Up to a foot of snow had fallen in some regions by lunchtime, and "substantial ice is causing difficulty in the Central portion of the state," North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper wrote on Twitter, reminding residents to remain inside and avoid driving if possible.

Hunkered Down

According to a local ABC news station, students in North Carolina were scared up after the storm forced the roof of a college resident hall to fall, albeit no one was wounded.

Melody Ferguson, a sophomore at Brevard College, told the station, "Very alarming." "To this day, I'm still shaking."

The National Weather Service even recorded light snow flakes in Pensacola, Florida, while Atlanta, Georgia, generally warm, also experienced snow.

The storm is likely to create coastal flooding, and the National Weather Service has warned that gusts on the Atlantic coast might reach hurricane strength.

Pandemonium

Snow unrest erupted in the northeastern United States earlier this month. Hundreds of vehicles were detained for more than 24 hours on the main route linked to Washington as a blizzard covered the northeast.

Also Read: Texas Freeze Survivor Uses Tiktok to Help Others Prepare for Intense Winter

For more news about the environment , don't forget to follow Nature World News!
A full moon, also known as the "Harvest Moon" is seen over the Hanoi skyline at dawn on September 21, 2021 (Photo : Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)

On Monday, 17th of January 2020, the first full moon of year will begin at 6:48 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.

This day also marks Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday in the U. S.

The Mark of First Full Moon on Year 2022

As per Space agency, the Wolf Moon, as the Rancher's Manuscript refers to it, will be visible to the human eye for 3 days, beginning Sunday, 16th of January, evening to early Wednesday, 19th of January.

Even with all the heavy snow that the United States has experienced, the title Ice Moon is quite appropriate.

The full moon in January is renowned as the Ice Moon, which is relevant of year. It is sometimes referred to as the moon after Yule in Europe, an allusion to the pre-Christian celebration of Yule, that emerged with Germanic tribes in the 5th century.

According to the Chinese astrology, the full moon in January will usher in the closing days of the Year of the Ox, while another New Moon on February 1 will introduce in the Year of the Tiger.

As every once in a in a blue moon, we get to see our first full ice moon. Fortunately for observatories and room enthusiasts, this year's full Wolf Moon will be completely transparent on January 17 at 6:48 p.m.

A very unique circumstance is also taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The night sky also signaled the culmination of the Hindu period's Shakambari Festive season, which honors the deity Shakambari, who symbolizes sustenance.

Whilst, for Tamil Hindus, the lunar eclipse signifies the beginning of the Thaipusam celebration, which commemorates the Hindu demigod defeating the monster Soorapadman.

This supermoon also approaches the moon's apex, the premise on its fractionally ellipse where it is rather far from Planet.

Apogee happened at 4:27 a.m., as per NASA. On January 14, 2022, at 12:00 a.m. EST. The moon is approximately 251,655 miles away from Land at apogee.

Heading outdoors may seem evident, and yet it is the first big advance. There are many a couple extra approaches you ought to be aware of in order to obtain the best possible angle.

Also read: Year 2021 Featured Record-Breaking Storms Across the US

Best Hour To See The Full Moon

Forbes also shared, the ideal time to view the Wolf Moon which are at dawn and dusk. Whenever the moon is near to the frontier, this causes it to appear orange.

The sunniest periods in main cities are 4:32 P.M. on Monday in New York City, while 4:58 P.M. in Los Angeles, California and 3:32 P.M. in London on Monday, January 17.

With the passing of the briefest day ever, the cold season, the periods are now extending, however there are chances to see the full moon sparkle.

Nighttime twilight will finish at 6:14 p.m. the day that the full moon soars. Thus, according NASA, the moon will rise at 6:00 a.m. EST, paving the way for a spectacular new moon a half-hour afterward.

Somewhere in the full moon, the star cluster Pollux, which is piece of the celestial sphere Gemini, will be observable.

North American stargazers will also be apt to see Jupiter just above southwest frontier, and they may capture a small flash of Saturn, which will hardly even soar over the surface to the right of Jupiter for about 15 minutes as moonlight ends.

Also read: Temperature on Western Australia Town Broke its Warmest Day in History
AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures will plummet well below zero this week as a result of multiple blasts of very cold air moving across the Midwest and Eastern Seaboard.

Following this past weekend's massive snowstorm, the Midwest and a greater portion of the East are expecting a brutally cold blast of Arctic air this week. Experts predict it's going to be the longest run of chilly air so far this season.

Areas to Receive Cold, Frigid Air

Storms in the eastern United States were hit by the same "Saskatchewan Screamer" that dumped over a foot of snow in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday into Saturday. However, two consecutive blasts of cold air will sustain the wintry frost as the storm dissipates.

A break in the jet stream pattern will allow chilly, icy air to pour into the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast early in the week.

This week and into late January, AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring a more forceful blast of Arctic air that will be permitted to drift south from Canada into the north-central United States.

On Monday, a blast of chilly air will blow over the mid-Atlantic region, bringing highs in the 30s and 40s to the Tennessee and Mississippi valleys. On Monday, highs in the Upper Midwest will barely rise above the mid-twenties in areas further north and west, according to Accuweather.

Also Read: Snowmageddon 2022: Multiple Winter Weather Alerts Raised All Over US Due to Arctic Blast

Clipper Storm Expected to Drop Across the Midwest

Cold weather pattern had an unintended consequence. Disturbances continue active over the northern Pacific, and these will move onshore over western Canada. This type of storm is known as an Alberta clipper because it originates from Alberta in Canada and moves quickly through the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States.

As of Tuesday, AccuWeather meteorologists have been tracking a clipper storm that will drop across the Midwest and move into the Northeast by Wednesday evening. This storm could bring snow to parts of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Northeast.

On Tuesday, a clipper-like storm will sweep across the Canadian Prairies, dumping 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 cm) of rain on some areas as far north as Minnesota.

From Thunder Bay to just north of Ottawa, Ontario where the AccuWeather Local StormMaxTM of 15 inches (38 cm) could fall, the fast-moving storm will travel over the upper Great Lakes and into northern New England late Tuesday into Wednesday evening.

Gusty Conditions Across Parts of the Midwest

On Wednesday, bitter cold and high pressure will bring low temperatures to the north-central United States, where International Falls, Minnesota, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, will only achieve a high of -4 and 5 degrees, respectively.

AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures may fall far below zero at times over northern Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota, as well as northward to the Canadian border, due to gusty conditions across parts of the Midwest.

AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures are expected to plunge to -15 degrees in Minneapolis and -32 degrees in Fargo, North Dakota, on Wednesday morning and afternoon.

Temperatures are expected to drop from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon in the centre of the country as Arctic air descends from the north.

Even Dallas, which is in the southern part of Texas, could witness a 10- to 20-degree dip in temperature over the course of a day. Residents of Iowa, eastern South Dakota, and Minnesota, which are further north, may expect a 30- to 40-degree drop in temperature in the next day or two.

Related Article: Deep Freeze Grips Upper Midwest and Northeast as Tornado Touches Down Alabama

For more news, updates about low temperatures and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Six new studies have revealed that the climate catastrophe is harming the health of unborn children around the world. In newborns, rapid weight gain has been found to be connected with higher temperatures, increasing the risk of obesity in later life.

Premature birth, which can have long-term health consequences, and an increase in the number of young children admitted to the hospital were linked to higher temperatures.

Higher Temperatures Linked to Early Birth

Studies have found that even low amounts of pollution from fossil fuel burning, such as smoke from wildfires, boosts the chance of serious birth defects.

Researchers from all around the world including the United States, Denmark, Israel, and Australia compiled their findings in a special issue of the journal Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.

This is a global issue that affect everyone. These extreme weather events will become more frequent and more severe as a result of sustained climate change, as shown by this study, which highlights the importance of preparing for them now, rather than waiting until the future.

In the first year of life, scientists in Israel discovered an connection between heat and rapid weight increase.

In a study of 200,000 births, researchers discovered that infants who were exposed to the 20 percent of nighttime temperatures that were the warmest had a 5 percent higher risk of rapidly gaining weight than other infants, according to The Guardian.

Also Read: Rising Global Temperatures Linked to Alarming Rise of Preterm Birth Cases

Effects of Being Exposed to Wildfires During Pregnancy

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem stated their findings have significant implications for both climate change and the obesity epidemic. 18% of children worldwide are now classified as overweight or obese.

When the temperature rises, less fat is burned to keep the body at a constant temperature. This may explain why infants gain weight so quickly.

As wildfires burn in California, pregnant women are more at risk for a birth condition called gastroschisis, where the baby's digestive system protrudes from his or her body through an opening in the skin.

More than a third of the babies were born to moms who lived within 15 miles of a wildfire, and the researchers found that this proximity was associated with higher rates of preterm deliveries and lower birth weights for the babies. Mothers who were pregnant at the time of the study had a 28% increased risk of having a child with this birth condition.

The incidence of foetal gastroschisis in the United States is approximately 2,000 cases per year. However, the number of instances is increasing all over the world.

In the future decades, Human exposure to wildfires is expected to rise, according to California State University's Bo Young Park. Consequently, a full understanding of the health consequences of wildfires is essential.

Further Research on Global Heating and Premature Birth

Premature birth was found to be linked to high temperatures in two new research projects. From 2005 to 2014, researchers in New South Wales, Australia, examined nearly one million pregnant women, finding that 3% of them gave birth before 37 weeks.

Premature birth was 16 percent more likely in individuals who lived in the state's hottest area. This was the first study to find a similar effect in a more temperate part of Australia, as opposed to Brisbane, which is located in a warmer subtropical climate.

In light of projected rises in global temperatures and heatwaves, experts led by University of Sydney's Edward Jegasothy say, the probability of premature birth is going to grow.

Related Article: Exposure to Polluted Air Contributed to Six Million Preterm Births Around the World in 2019

For more news, updates about global heating and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
The former chief of militant outfit Islamic State-Khurasan (IS-K), Aslam Farooqi, was killed during a shootout in northern Afghanistan, Express Tribune reported.

There are conflicting reports about the death of the militant commander on Sunday.

Reportedly, the militant leader, who hailed from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Orakzai district, was killed during an investigation against organised kidnappers and criminal mafia. The investigation resulted in a clash and Farooqi, along with his aides, was killed as a result, the report said.

However, sources suggest that the IS-K leader was killed as a result of an internal dispute within the militant organisation also known as Daesh.

A senior IS-K official from Orakzai said the body of the militant commander will be shifted to his hometown by Tuesday.

Farooqi had made a deal with the Afghan forces during the government of then President Ashraf Ghani after the fall of the IS-K in Nangarhar in 2020. He was later replaced as the head of IS-K and Shahab Mahajer took over the militant faction.

This is the second high-profile militant commander getting killed during this month.

A week earlier, Muhammad Khurassani, the operational commander and spokesperson for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was killed in Nangarhar province.

Aged between 48 and 50, Khorasani's real name was Khalid Balti. At the time of his killing, he was not just the TTP's operational commander, but also its spokesperson.

Hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khurassani received his initial education from his native town. In 2007, he joined the Tehreek Nifaze Shariat Muhammadi in Swat.
New Castle, PA (16103)

Today

Showers and thundershowers this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Low 57F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Low 57F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early then periods of showers late. Low 43F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early then periods of showers late. Low 43F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities.
Obviously, Government of India is doing whatever it can to boost industrial and economic growth, inspite of several constraints . Of course, some investors and industry houses seem to think that even more proactive steps are required , particularly with regard to taxation measures and extending protection for Indian companies from global competitors in India.

by N.S.Venkataraman

Many industry observers, policy planners and economists , both in India and abroad , often wonder as to why the Indian industries are not forging ahead to the level of its potentials.

Considering the land area of India , large coastal belt, mineral deposits, variety of soil conditions and climate that the country has as well as the huge manpower strength in the form of engineers, technologists as well as skilled personnel, many people think that there is no reason as to why Indian industries should not grow faster than the present pace.

In recent times, to give a big push for industrial growth and improve the investment climate , Government of India has introduced an innovative PLI (production linked incentive ) scheme, hoping that it would encourage more industries and service oriented units to be set up, speed up the technology development and expand the manufacturing base and the production level in the country. Of course, this innovative scheme of the Government of India has caught the imagination of industrialists and investors and some positive response has already been seen in the country. Certainly, the climate of growth has been strengthened to some extent by the PLI scheme.

The other innovative scheme introduced by Government of India is the start up initiative, to encourage the new entrepreneurs to set up projects in industrial , services and other sector, which too has received reasonably good initial response so far. The level of commitment of the Government of India to this start up scheme is more than evident from the fact that the Prime Minister has declared 16 th January as the National Start Up Day to be celebrated every year.

Obviously, Government of India is doing whatever it can to boost industrial and economic growth, inspite of several constraints . Of course, some investors and industry houses seem to think that even more proactive steps are required , particularly with regard to taxation measures and extending protection for Indian companies from global competitors in India.

While the above scenario is continuously being evolved , modified and fine tuned , it is high time that the industry houses and project promoters in India should also carefully analyse, examine and evaluate whether they have played their own role adequately well in fast tracking the growth of industrial and services sector in the country.

One of the issues in Indian industry and services sector and in commercial business establishments is that most of the project promoters , while taking policy decisions, often balance between the interests of their families and the interests of the industries and establishments which they promote and manage. This sort of family and dynastic culture ( like the dynastic politics that is now becoming a matter of concern in India ), has become a hurdle in the rapid progress of the industries and services sector.

This ,obviously , means that professionalization of management practice in India still have a long way to go and the family love of the project promoters often block the way of professionalization of management . This is not a healthy sign.

In the case of several medium and large scale industries and commercial establishments in private sector that have reasonably good track record, we often find the sons , daughters, nephews or nieces or close relatives of the project promoters are suddenly entrusted with the responsibility and authority by being posted as top executives even if they are in the age group of late twenties or early thirties, as succession management practice.

In such circumstances, senior professionals and technocrats with several decades of experience and valuable expertise gained over a long period by serving in challenging assignments , are forced to report to those inexperienced top executives who form part of the family tree. In other words, the senior professionals face the embarrassing experience of having to explain the problems and suggest solutions and provide guidance to the inexperienced top executives ,who happen to be the top executives only due to the fact that they happen to be the son, daughter , nephew or niece or other relatives of project promoters.

In such developments where the family members are imposed on the industries and establishments , it is often seen that costly mistakes happen in decision taking process and sometimes, even the companies lose the sense of direction due to the whims and fancies of the young and inexperienced top executives.

Another disturbing aspect is that companies are often split by the project promoters amongst the siblings to accommodate each one of them . In the process, several companies are formed from one company and investment capability and technology expertise of the newly formed companies by splitting suffer enormously. The net result is that the growth of the industries and establishments suffer . Many examples can be cited to highlight how the companies are split by the project promoters only with the sole purpose of accommodating the siblings and perhaps, even to prevent the family quarrels.

One example that is known to everybody is that of Reliance Industries. After Dhirubhai Ambani , his two sons split the enterprise between themselves. Now, these sons want to split the enterprise further to accommodate their own sons and daughters. Perhaps, the chain will go on endlessly in future by several more split ups!

Because of the concept of family hierarchy , it is also very well known about sons and daughters quarreling with their father ( project promoter ) due to family claims and finally ending up in courts where the cases prolong for very long time. In the process, the companies suffer and consequently the progress of the country is impacted.

It appears that adequate research studies on the extent to which the control of industries and business by families have retarded the progress and growth of Indian industries and economy are yet to be taken up with the seriousness that it deserves.
HARTFORD  City and federal law enforcement have arrested a man accused of fatally shooting 36-year-old Desmond Ray in the citys north side last July.

Gregory Hopkins was charged on a warrant with murder and criminal possession of a firearm, Hartford police said Monday.

The 34-year-old was taken into custody in Manchester, Conn. last Friday by members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force and Hartford police with the departments Violent Crime Unit, the department said through a press release. Police said the arrest was made without incident.

The charges stem from Wrays fatal shooting on July, 29, 2021. Hartford police said just after 11:30 a.m. that morning, they were notified of gunfire near the intersection of Greenfield and Enfield streets by the citys ShotSpotter system.

Patrol officers responded and located a crime scene at 20 Greenfield Street, the release said. Minutes later a car accident was reported in the area of Greenfield Street and Oakland Terrace.

Behind the wheel was Wray, with apparent gunshot wounds, police said.

Wray was taken to St. Francis Hospital for treatment where he later died from his injuries, police said.

Hartford police took over the investigation into his death and through the investigate efforts of detectives, obtained a warrant for Hopkins arrest. It was not immediately clear what led police to identify him as a suspect in the fatal shooting.

Police said Hopkins remains in custody on $2.5 million bond.
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Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e838947c00)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838909a00)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e838947c00)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838909a00)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e838921330)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838909a00)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838909a00)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e3133d0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e8389e7320)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e8389e7320)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
Pikeville, KY (41501)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 63F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 63F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Danville-born astronaut Joe Tanner on the 'eerie' experience of flying through the Aurora Australis on shuttle Atlantis: "I guess I had seen too many Star Trek episodes because I immediately called Houston to make sure they were still there and we hadnt been warped to some other time.
Kristian Philpotts, 29, of Chicago, right, became the latest victim of gun violence in Champaign-Urbana when he was fatally shot Wednesday night while driving for a ride-hailing service in what authorities said was a robbery gone bad.
Longview, TX (75601)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948

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/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e838433828)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e3155f0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e838433828)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e3155f0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e83841fea8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e3155f0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e3155f0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e315500)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e82e319140)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e82e319140)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
A novel coronavirus, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first reported in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The subsequent rapid global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 was declared a pandemic, by the World Health Organization (WHO), in March 2020. This pandemic is popularly known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Study: Surveillance of Rodent Pests for SARS-CoV-2 and Other Coronaviruses, Hong Kong. Image Credit: Erni / Shutterstock

Background

Researchers characterized SARS-CoV-2 as a highly virulent and transmissible RNA virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae. Even though the zoonotic origin of this virus remains unclear, researchers have determined animals that are susceptible to reverse-zoonotic transmission, i.e., the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected humans to animals. Some animals vulnerable to reverse-zoonotic transmission are cats, minks, deers, and dogs. Minks maintain a high viral load among these animals and could be a potential source for future spillback to humans. In addition, scientists revealed that urban wildlife and domestic animals are at an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection as they are highly exposed to viruses shed within urban environments.

The spike (S) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor of the host to establish infection. Therefore, scientists have analyzed the presence and frequency of ACE2 receptors across diverse vertebrates, which could positively help identify mammals that are prone to COVID-19 infection and, thereby, could pose a threat of future spillback to humans.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved due to mutations. The newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants have been classified as variants of concern (VOCs) and variants of interest (VOIs). Among the VOCs, the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1) variants contain N501Y, i.e., an amino acid residue changes in the receptor-binding domain (RBS) of the S protein. Interestingly, a similar mutation has been observed in BALB/c mice. This observation was further confirmed by recent in vitro and in vivo experiments that revealed that VOCs could infect laboratory rats and mice. Researchers stated that these evolutionary changes enhance the possible risk of reverse-zoonotic transmission of VOCs into urban rodents.

Surveillance of rodents for SARS-COV-2 conducted FebruaryMay 2021 in Hong Kong. A) Sampling sites, with the number of rodents sampled and sewage testing positive for SARS-COV-2. Each circle represents a sampling location, color-coded by district and sized proportionally to the number of captured rodents. Blue crosses represent locations where sewage was reported positive for SARS-COV-2during January 19March 30, 2021. B) Number of sampled rodents, by collection dates and district. SARS-COV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

A New Study

A new study published in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Emerging Infectious Diseases journal has hypothesized that locations with positive SARS-CoV-2 in sewage could be used as potential surveillance targets to analyze if pestiferous urban rodents shed SARS-CoV-2 into the environment. In this study, scientists performed sewage surveillance in Hong Kong to detect hidden infections. In addition, they localized COVID-19 outbreaks during the fourth wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Hongkong. This study was conducted between February 3 and May 12, 2021.

Scientists sampled a total of 217 rodents (Rattus spp.), among which 193 were live-trapped rodents, and 24 were found dead near collection sites. Although samples were collected from eight districts, the majority were collected from Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong, and Kowloon City, where SARS-CoV-2 positive sewage has been reported. These samples represented 189 Rattus norvegicus and 28 Rattus tanezumirats.

Main Findings

1,702 swabs and tissues from the rodents were analyzed using real-time (RT)-PCR, which revealed the presence of murine alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses. The ELISA test revealed that 1 out of 213 rodent serum samples (R. norvegicus rat collected in Yau Ma Tei) were seropositive to SARS-CoV-2. Eleven samples remained inconclusive, and three showed borderline absorbance. One rat showed SARS-CoV-2 positivity unambiguously. Among the eleven inconclusive samples (by ELISA method), all were later confirmed to be negative using the surrogate virus neutralization testing (sVNT) method. Rodent samples collected in 2008, as a part of a biological control test for cross-reactivity, were subjected to an ELISA test and none of the samples was unambiguously SARS-CoV-2 positive.

The authors believe that viral RNA was not detected during the rodent surveillance in Hong Kong due to the small sample size or prevalence of active infection being low. They further revealed that seropositivity in rodents to SARS-CoV-2 or other related viruses might not be linked to past infection to murine alphacoronaviruses or betacoronaviruses.

Conclusion

The authors revealed that before December 2020, SARS-CoV-2 had lower infectivity among rodents which changed as the pandemic progressed and more new variants emerged. They found that VOCs containing 501Y mutations can infect mice. The imported COVID-19 cases, which might be present near quarantine hotels, present the risk of spillover into urban rodent populations. Thereby, biosecurity must be increased to prevent reverse-zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to rodents and other susceptible animals. Scientists believe that early detection would prevent the establishment of new viral reservoirs.
A pioneering test which reliably predicts the spread or return of the most deadly form of skin cancer has been developed by a team of Newcastle scientists and clinicians.

The technological advance came as they made a scientific breakthrough in understanding the mechanism of skin cancer growth.

Led by Professor Penny Lovat at Newcastle University, UK, in association with the University spin out company AMLo Biosciences, the test offers reassurance for patients diagnosed with an early stage melanoma.

By applying the test - called AMBLor - to the standard biopsy of the primary melanoma on its removal, patients who are at low risk of the disease reoccurring or spreading can be identified.

With the support of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to develop the provision and working with AMLo Biosciences, a referral service is now available where sections from a patient's melanoma can be posted to a lab for analysis.

The test identifies a patient's true risk of disease progression and provides anyone diagnosed with a non-ulcerated early stage melanoma - accounting for around 75% of all new diagnoses - more accurate information about the risk of the disease spreading.

Now the scientists have demonstrated the mechanism in the skin which underpins the test, publishing the research in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Melanoma growth

Melanoma is increasing worldwide and every year more than 16,000 people in the UK and 96,000 people in the US are diagnosed with the cancer.

In the new research, the authors explain how early stage melanomas at risk of spreading secrete a growth factor, TGF2 which causes the reduction, or downregulation, of the proteins AMBRA1 and Loricrin - both of which are found in the skin overlaying the tumour. The growth factor TGF2 also causes the loss of claudin-1 leading to loss of the integrity of the skin and facilitating ulceration.

Senior author Professor Penny Lovat, Professor of Cellular Dermatology and Oncology at Newcastle University and Chief Scientific Officer at AMLo Biosciences explains: "Like mortar and bricks holding together a wall, AMBRA1, Loricrin and Claudin 1 are all proteins key to maintaining the integrity of the upper layer of the skin. When these proteins are lost gaps develop  like the mortar crumbling away in the wall. This allows the tumour to spread and ultimately ulcerate which we know is a process associated with higher risk tumours.

"Our new understanding of this biological mechanism underpins the test we have available."

Cory Inglis, 49, lives on the South Coast and AMBLoris about to be used on his standard biopsy after a diagnosis of a melanoma on his back. He explained: "When you sit down with a dermatologist after the initial excision, you hear that it wasn't a mole, it was a melanoma. You are in a state of fear. It's overwhelming. At that moment a lot of the information that is provided is in very impenetrable, technical language. You ask yourself, what does it mean for me? To be able to have a test like this which provides you with result of the melanoma being low or at risk can help your medical team communicate the information in a way that is comprehensible, and importantly to help them to make the right subsequent decisions for you.

"A test, like AMBLor which tells you that your tumour is genuinely low risk helps significantly with the anxiety of an already very stressful situation.

"Patients will understand what a low risk result means. If the result is at risk, it completely justifies the significant number of interactions that you will have with the dermatology team over a five year period. I don't see any downside in providing the dermatology team with more information about your melanoma."

Our test offers a personalised prognosis as it more accurately predicts if your skin cancer is unlikely to spread. This test will aid clinicians to identify genuinely low risk patients diagnosed with an early stage melanoma and to reduce the number of follow up appointments for those identified as low risk, saving NHS time and money." Penny Lovat, Professor, Newcastle University

Phil Brady, Chief Operating Officer, British Skin Foundation said: "The British Skin Foundation is proud to support Prof Penny Lovat's ground-breaking melanoma research. The development of the AMBLor test can alleviate stress and anxiety for patients caused by this potentially deadly skin cancer, whilst increasing efficiency and reducing costs to the NHS."

Professor Nick Levell, Consultant Dermatologist & British Skin Foundation spokesperson who has not been involved in the research said: "This is excellent news. This new test for melanoma will help many people with skin cancer. People at low risk can be reassured and will not have to attend hospital so often for check-ups. This British Skin Foundation co-funded research is an important step forward in making care after melanoma more personal."

Currently, primary tumours are removed by surgery and pathologists study the biopsy under the microscope to determine the stage the skin cancer is at and the risk of it spreading (metastasis). Even if defined as low risk, the patient is followed up in clinic for as long as five years  and it is these patients that the test is able to identify.

The AMBRA1 and loricrin test is accredited by UKAS and is already available through a private referral service from the spin out company, AMBLo Biosciences. The test involves tissue sections from the standard biopsy being sent in the post to the lab for analysis. The Newcastle team have also submitted an application for the test to be made available on the NHS.
In a large prospective study of just over 1,000 patients ages 17 and younger who were seen at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH) testing site during a seven-month period last year, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine and collaborating institutions report that a rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2  the virus that causes COVID-19  proved highly accurate when compared to the established standard virus detection method: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The study researchers feel this suggests that rapid antigen testing can be confidently used to screen for children and adolescents who are infected but not showing symptoms. Such screening, they believe, could help keep classrooms safer when students attend in person.

The findings were first posted online Jan. 6, 2022, on the preprint website MedRxiv, where scientists and clinicians have been sharing urgent COVID-19 research before peer-reviewed journal publication.

Quick, accurate and accessible diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric populations is critical to keeping children in classrooms, especially given the contagiousness of the newer virus variants, including delta and omicron. Our research  conducted when the delta variant predominated  provides a timelier measure of the rapid antigen test's accuracy in children than studies done before the more transmissible variants became prevalent." Zishan Siddiqui, M.D., study senior author, assistant professor of medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Siddiqui says the study showed that the rapid antigen test was high in sensitivity (ability to identify people for whom the PCR test would detect a SARS-CoV-2 infection) at 92.7% for all participants and specificity (ability to identify people for whom the PCR test would not detect a SARS-CoV-2 infection) at 98% for all participants.

The sensitivity was similar for symptomatic (92.3%) and asymptomatic (92.6%) cases.

The study also determined, Siddiqui says, that the negative predictive value (NPV  the probability that a person who tests negative has not been infected with SARS-CoV-2, as PCR would show) was high for both symptomatic (99.2%) and asymptomatic (99.7) young people.

These are significant findings, Siddiqui explains, because the rapid test offers advantages over the PCR test, including time savings (both during sampling and processing), cost savings and most importantly, ease of distribution and application  which can be done basically anywhere, including schools. This can help overcome COVID testing disparities for children and adolescents in medically underserved communities.

"Our findings of near 100% NPVs for both symptomatic and asymptomatic children and adolescents should pave the way for parents and school administrators to place more trust in the rapid antigen test results," says study co-lead author Mary Jane Vaeth, a clinical assistant at the BCCFH.

"In turn, we hope that these results can inform educators in developing appropriate testing procedures to keep children in school," adds study co-lead author Kristie Sun, a medical student at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and public health graduate from The Johns Hopkins University.

The first step for both the PCR and rapid antigen tests is obtaining a patient sample, either from a nasal swab or a bit of saliva. The difference lies in how the sample is processed and analyzed. A PCR test takes a tiny bit of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material from a sample and reproduces it thousands of times so it can be more easily detected. A rapid antigen test uses laboratory-produced antibodies to seek out and latch onto proteins on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 particles in the sample.

The PCR test requires a skilled laboratory technician, special equipment and up to an hour or more to process. Often, results are not available until one or two days after the test. Additionally, testing on a massive scale can only be conducted at a large, centralized facility, such as a hospital laboratory.

On the other hand, rapid antigen testing uses a pre-made kit with a reagent that contains antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2. The test can be conducted by anyone after brief training, can be administered anywhere and provides results in approximately 15 minutes.

In an earlier study at the BCCFH, Siddiqui and colleagues determined that while the PCR test may be better from a clinical perspective  it's basically 100% accurate at detecting SARS-CoV-2  the rapid antigen test appears to be better from a public health standpoint because of its ease of use, and because it proved to have sufficient accuracy, specificity and reliability for detecting the virus in a high-volume setting.

The researchers conducting the latest study wanted to see if the same was true for younger people.

As described in the preprint, the researchers administered both the rapid antigen and PCR detection methods for 1,054 children and adolescents age 17 and younger who came to the Baltimore field hospital for testing from May 7, 2021, to Dec. 6, 2021. Participants were screened before their tests for possible exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and for COVID-19 symptoms. Staff members were trained equivalently on test procedures and were monitored during administration to ensure quality control and reliable results.

Siddiqui says his team reported a high accuracy for rapid antigen tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 in children and adolescents. He believes that could play an important role in allowing students to limit their absences from school and other activities while in quarantine or awaiting confirming PCR test results.

"Our finding also provides support for the use of rapid tests in implementing 'test-to-stay' strategies, where exposed schoolchildren are enabled to continue uninterrupted in-person learning while being tested frequently after exposure," he explains.

However, Siddiqui cautions that a negative rapid antigen test in children and adolescents should not be taken as a license to abandon other COVID-19 safety measures such as physical distancing, masking, frequent hand-washing and maintaining good ventilation.

"The rapid test should be considered another important layer of safety in keeping our children safer," he says. "Based on our study findings  which did show a 30% false positive rate for the rapid test  a PCR test, when available, is recommended to confirm a positive rapid test result."

Operated since April 2020 as a collaboration among Johns Hopkins Medicine, the University of Maryland Medical System and the Maryland Department of Health, the BCCFH provides SARS-CoV-2 testing and COVID-19 in-patient care, monoclonal antibody infusion therapy and vaccinations for Baltimore area residents, including those in medically underserved communities.

In a future study, the researchers plan to assess the accuracy of rapid antigen tests being marketed for home use.

Along with Siddiqui and Sun, the members of the study team from Johns Hopkins Medicine are James Ficke, Ishaan Gupta, Melinda Kantsiper, Charles Locke, Yukari Manabe and Matthew Robinson. Other study co-authors are Vaeth, Maisha Foyez, Asia Mitchell, Ria Peralta and Sophia Purekal from the BCCFH; Charles Callahan (who served as co-director of the BCCFH), James Campbell, Adrianne Hammershaimb and Kristie Johnson from the University of Maryland School of Medicine; and Maryam Elhabashy from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Members of the CONQUER COVID Consortium also participated.

The rapid antigen test used in this study  and provided by the Maryland Department of Health to the research team at no charge  is the BinaxNOW test manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.

Manabe reports support from institutional grants given to Johns Hopkins Medicine from the National Institutes of Health; Becton, Dickinson and Co.; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and the Baltimore City Health Department. She also reports equipment, drugs, medical writing, gifts or other services given to Johns Hopkins Medicine from Hologic; Becton, Dickinson and Co.; Roche; Cepheid and Chembio Diagnostics.

Robinson reports support from institutional grants given to Johns Hopkins Medicine from the National Institutes of Health; Becton, Dickinson and Co.; and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well equipment, drugs and materials given to Johns Hopkins Medicine from Becton, Dickinson and Co.
In a recent study published on the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers observe changes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related deaths during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Town, the western province of South Africa.

Study: Change in Profile of COVID-19 Deaths in the Western Cape during the Fourth Wave. Image Credit: Darryl Fonseka / Shutterstock.com

Background

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative pathogen of COVID-19. Several new SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged as a result of mutations in the viral genome and are classified as variants of concern (VOC), variants of interest (VOI), or variants under monitoring (VUM). To date, five SARS-CoV-2 VOCs have been identified, including the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants.

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is the most recent VOC to be identified and was first detected in November 2021 in South Africa. The Omicron variant has caused a significant surge in COVID-19 cases across the globe and is currently a major concern for health care systems.

Studies have revealed a staggering number of mutations within the spike protein of the Omicron variant that could be driving its high transmissibility and immune escape properties. However, the elevated numbers of COVID-19 cases have not translated into an increase in hospitalizations, which is likely due to the protection offered by prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination.

About the study

In the present study, researchers carried out a descriptive cross-sectional analysis of COVID-19 deaths in Cape Town. The team assessed the first 50 patients admitted to public hospitals in Cape Town during the third wave from June 15, 2021, that recorded five admissions per million, and after the onset of the fourth COVID-19 wave from December 6, 2021.

The patients who had a fatal COVID-19 outcome in the hospital or within 14 days of discharge from the hospital were included in this investigation. Each deceased case was independently analyzed by two clinicians who reviewed the available data on lab tests, medications, electronic clinical records, and ICD-10 coding by using the single patient viewer (SPV).

Study findings

The authors stratified patient deaths as follows:

COVID-19-associated deaths as severe COVID-19 with evidence for COVID-19 pneumonia

No COVID-19 pneumonia with two sub-strata: No evidence of COVID-19 pneumonia but death due to comorbidities such as diabetes, ketoacidosis, stroke, and malignancies or coinfections such as tuberculosis Asymptomatic cases where death is not due to COVID-19

Insufficient data or where other pathologies cannot be ruled out as the primary cause of death

During the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, deaths occurred within five days. Comparatively, during the fourth wave, deaths occurred within an average of 12 days.

About 50% of deaths during the fourth wave were due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia, which is lower than 78% during the third wave. COVID-19-associated deaths stood at 2% and 24% in the third and fourth waves 3, respectively, with malignancy (10%) and tuberculosis (8%) being the most common diagnoses in the fourth wave.

No incidental death was observed during the third wave; however, 6% of deaths were noted in the fourth wave. Indeterminate deaths were 10% and 20% in the third and fourth waves, respectively.

Bar graph showing percentage of COVID-19 deaths in each category in wave 3 compared to wave 4, with pie charts below showing the breakdown per wave.

Conclusions

The present study observed a decline in the proportion of deaths due to COVID-19 pneumonia in the fourth COVID-19 wave. However, notably, an increase in deaths of patients who classified as COVID-19-associated and incidental, where patients had no evidence of pneumonia, was also observed during the fourth wave.

The findings of this study are consistent with the anecdotal clinician reports that are further substantiated by the evidence of lower consumption of oxygen by hospitals in Cape Town in December 2021. While deaths among all SARS-CoV-2-positive patients are usually reported as COVID-19 deaths that are included in the official tally, the observations of this study make it imperative to interpret and classify deaths appropriately during the pandemic.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
New research posted to the medRxiv* preprint server suggests the Omicron variant produces less severe COVID-19 symptoms than earlier severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants.

There was a 74% reduced risk of ICU admission, a 91% reduced risk of death, and no patients with Omicron infections needed mechanical ventilation. In addition, patients infected with Omicron recovered faster and were discharged sooner than patients with Delta infections.

While Omicron may be less severe than other variants, the surge in COVID-19 cases is devastating hospitals and causing severe burnout in frontline workers. An overload of COVID-19 hospitalization may lead to delays in medical care and potentially preventable deaths. The research team advises practicing multiple COVID strategies  wearing masks, isolating when infected, and getting vaccinated  to limit community transmission of Omicron and relieve an overwhelmed healthcare system.

Study: Clinical outcomes among patients infected with Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variant in southern California. Image Credit: anushkaniroshan/Shutterstock

Increasing rate of Omicron infections in late 2021

The researchers collected and analyzed data on positive COVID-19 cases in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Healthcare system from November 30, 2021, to January 1, 2022.

A total of 88,576 positive COVID-19 cases were reported in outpatients from November 30, 2021, to January 1, 2022. In hospitalized patients, about 26.6% tested positive.

People with Omicron cases were more likely to be in their 20s or 30s than Delta cases. Additionally, Delta infections mostly came from lower-income neighborhoods, people who identify as white, and a high risk of comorbidities.

Omicron cases made up 75.5% of COVID-19 cases, including another 51.4% that tested in inpatients settings.

Trend-wise, the number of COVID-19 cases related to Omicron increased weekly. The only exception was the week of Christmas, in which the holiday break lagged the processing of tests.

Analyses showed that repeated infections were more likely with Omicron than Delta. People who had a COVID-19 infection 90 or more days since their current infection were 4.45-fold higher among Omicron cases than Delta cases. Moreover, vaccinated people were more likely to get infected with Omicron than with Delta.

When the researchers collected samples from 1,477 infected patients for sequencing, 100% of SARS-CoV-2 isolates detected through S gene target failure belonged to Omicron.

Of the 288,534 people who were outpatients and followed up and later tested positive, 88 were infected with Omicron and required hospitalization. There were 189 hospitalizations for Delta-related infections.

Attributes of cases with SGTF and non-SGTF samples detected. Panels include (A) test dates for all cases analyzed (truncated at 29 December 2022 to accommodate 1 day jittering); (B) age distribution of all cases analyzed; (C) exposure history (prior documented infection and vaccination) among all cases analyzed; (D) dates of symptomatic hospital admission (truncated at 29 December 2022 to accommodate 1 day jittering); (E) age distribution of cases with symptomatic hospitalizations; and (F) exposure history (prior documented infection and vaccination) among cases with symptomatic hospitalizations. Pink and grey bars correspond to detections with and without SGTF (interpreted as a proxy for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection; Table S1), respectively. Totals correspond to samples processed on RT-PCR TaqPath COVID-19 High-Throughput Combo Kit and do not reflect all cases at KPSC.

Severity of disease in hospitalized patients infected with Omicron versus Delta

Out of the 88 admitted Omicron-infected patients, 95.5% presented with symptoms. Similarly, 98.9% of Delta-infected patients were admitted with symptomatic infection.

About 7 patients infected with the Omicron variant required intensive care, including five who were first identified in outpatient settings. One person died. None received mechanical ventilation.

Compared to people admitted with infections from the Delta variant, 23 were admitted to the ICU, 14 patients died, and 11 patients required ventilation.

The daily risk of needing mechanical ventilation was significantly higher among patients with Delta infections than patients with Omicron infections.

About 79.7% of Omicron infections reported acute respiratory symptoms before hospitalization compared to the 80% reported with Delta infections. Once hospitalized, approximately 9.4% of Omicron cases developed respiratory problems. Almost 16% of Delta infections developed respiratory symptoms upon hospitalization.

Times to severe outcomes among cases with SGTF and non-SGTF infections first detected in outpatient settings. Panels include (A) symptomatic hospital admissions; (B) ICU admissions; (C) initiations of mechanical ventilation; and (D) mortality. Inset plots within each panel illustrate cumulative probabilities on the same y-axis scale as panel A. Shaded regions denote 95% confidence intervals. Green and violet correspond to detections with and without SGTF (interpreted as a proxy for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection), respectively.

Omicron cases showed greater rates of recovery after hospitalization than Delta

Approximately 83.5% of hospitalizations for Omicron cases were complete by January 1, 2022, compared to 77.8% of hospitalizations for Delta.

All patients hospitalized for an Omicron infection were discharged to home or home-based care. Only 92.9% of Delta cases were discharged from the hospital.

People with Omicron infections had nearly 70% shorter hospital stays than Delta infections. The average hospital stay for symptomatic Omicron infections was 1.5 days and 90% of patients were expected to recover within 3 days.

The average hospital stay for Delta infections was almost 5 days.

Study limitations

There was limited time for researchers to follow up on all COVID-19 cases and their rate of hospital discharge. Data on discharge was available for 84% of Omicron cases and for 78% of Delta cases. Additionally, follow-up data for Omicron infections were shorter since they occurred towards the end of the study period.

Because there is a possibility that COVID-19 testing among the Kaiser Permanente Southern California healthcare system is different than testing in the general population, the rate of Omicron versus non-Omicron infections and hospitalizations may differ at a population level.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Five million of these doses are being offered to the COVAX Facility to ensure equitable, global access to COVID-19 vaccines. Through the COVAX Facility, the much-needed vaccines will urgently be distributed to lower-income countries, including Uganda, via an equitable allocation system, which prioritizes timely delivery to people who most need them. Another four million doses will be shared directly with countries in need.

As part of this, Uganda received 299,520 doses of the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, made by Oxford Biomedica in Oxford and packaged in Wrexham, North Wales in August 2021.

This is the first tranche of the 100 million vaccines the Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged the UK would share within the next year at last month's G7 in Cornwall, with 30 million due to be sent by the end of the year. At least 80 million of the 100 million doses will go to COVAX, with the rest going to countries directly. The donations follow the pledge that G7 leaders made to vaccinate the world and end the pandemic in 2022.

The deployment helped meet the urgent need for vaccines from countries around the world, including in Africa, which continues to experience high levels of COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

Former Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

The UK is sending nine million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, the first batch of the 100 million doses we've pledged, to get the most vulnerable parts of the world vaccinated as a matter of urgency. We're doing this to help the most vulnerable, but also because we know we won't be safe until everyone is safe."

The UK has been at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19, including through investing 90 million to support the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Over half a billion doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have been delivered at a non-profit price globally, with two-thirds going to lower and middle-income countries.

The UK also kickstarted efforts to establish COVAX in 2020, providing a total of 548 million to fund vaccines for lower income countries. The scheme has delivered more than 152 million vaccine doses to over 137 countries and territories, including in 83 lower-middle income countries. 65% of the initial vaccine doses have been Oxford-AstraZeneca. COVAX aims to deliver 1.8 billion vaccines to lower-income countries around the world by early 2022.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said:

This is a global pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect people and prevent the emergence of new variants. We want to make sure developing countries can build a wall of defence against the virus as we have in the UK through our vaccine rollout. The UK is one of the largest donors to COVAX and this donation is part of our pledge to send 100 million vaccines to some of the world's least developed countries.. The government has secured enough doses for all UK residents, crown dependencies and overseas territories to support our ongoing vaccination programme and booster programme."

Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which is co-leading COVAX alongside the World Health Organization and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, said:

The UK has been a steadfast supporter of COVAX since its inception and this announcement comes at an important time. Global vaccine demand is far outstripping supply, leaving millions of the most vulnerable unprotected, while higher vaccine coverage worldwide is one of our best shields against new variants. In this pandemic nobody is safe until everyone is safe."

Sir Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, said:

Each day we're making progress in our mission to change the course of this pandemic by providing broad and equitable access to AstraZeneca's vaccine. We are proud that over 80% of countries across the world have received doses of our vaccine, with two thirds supplied to lower middle income and low income countries. The close collaboration between UK Government and our academic and industry partners is critical to ensure we deliver vaccines at speed and protect as many people as possible against this deadly virus."

Kate Airey, The British High Commissioner to Uganda said:

I'm delighted that the UK has been able to send a further 299,520 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Uganda to help the most vulnerable and key workers to receive protection through the COVID vaccine. The additional 299,520 doses from the UK will be used to give a second dose to high priority groups and the most vulnerable, including teachers, those 50 years and over and those 18 years and older with underlying health risks. To date, Uganda has received 1,725,280 vaccines through the COVAX scheme. The UK will continue to support the COVID response in Uganda and other countries, contributing over 100m doses globally in the coming months, and advocating globally for fairer distribution of vaccines, helping us all to reduce COVID risk."

Dr. Munir Safieldin, UNICEF Representative in Uganda said:

UNICEF Uganda Office appreciates the 299,520 AZ vaccines dose-sharing by the UK. The arrival of this shipment in Uganda is very timely as the demand for vaccination is currently exceeding the available supply of vaccines. I urge other countries to share more vaccines with middle- and low-income countries. No one is safe until everyone is safe. Thank you, UK for this contribution."

We need to work together to end the pandemic; only a truly global response can protect health services and the people children rely on. In this race against time to end the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccinate people, it is critical that as many safe and effective vaccines as possible are available to as many people as possible as quickly as possible.
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* pre-print server, a team of researchers surveyed the prevalence of mental health disorders in intensive care unit (ICU) workers from England from November 2020 to April 2021.

The winter of 2020-2021 witnessed an unprecedented surge of critically ill COVID-19 patients in all the 56 ICUs of National Health Services (NHS), England. During this time, all the surveyed ICU units exceeded 100% of their baseline capacity, thus showing healthcare workers, particularly junior nursing staff, were most impacted due to this public health emergency.

As the ongoing pandemic situation and the backlog of care are still exerting pressures on ICU resources, it is crucial to identify risk factors to help ensure that appropriate support is made available for them and to inform future pandemic planning.

About the study

In the present study, an anonymized web-based survey was designed and run in 56 NHS ICUs to probe the prevalence of the following mental health disorders in the ICU staff - probable depression, probable PTSD, probable general anxiety disorder (GAD), and problem drinking. All the staff working in ICUs, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, were eligible to participate, and they received the survey through departmental email and messaging groups.

The 56 NHS hospitals provided data for the study, including demographic details, such as age, gender, job role, and seniority, to help researchers explore their demographic and professional predictors. The data collection occurred across three-time points - 19 November to 17 December 2020, 26 January to 17 February 2021, and from 14 April to 24 May 2021.

Any mental disorder (AMD) was the primary variable, which referred to those meeting the threshold criteria for at least one of the probable mental disorders: moderate or severe anxiety or depression, problem drinking, or PTSD.

Following questionnaires with binary outcomes were set to indicate a case: the 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) with a score of >9 indicating probable moderate depression and >19 probable severe depression; the 6-item post-traumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-6) with a score of >17 indicating the presence of probable PTSD; audit-C with a score of >7 indicated problem drinking; the 7-item GAD scale with a score >9 indicated a probable moderate anxiety disorder and >15 indicated probable severe anxiety disorder.

A work and social adjustment scale (WSAS) added to the survey identified how a problem in ICU staff's life affected their work. It consisted of five items evaluated on an 8-point Likert scale, and a score of >20 indicated severe psychopathology-related functional impairment, and a score of >10 indicated moderate functional impairment.

Findings

At the peak of the 2020-2021 COVID-19 patient surge, close to two thirds and over half of the sampled ICU staff met the threshold criteria for at least one of the surveyed probable mental health disorders and functional impairment, the impact of which further deteriorated their mental health due to the presence of probable PTSD, anxiety or depression. These results suggested a potential association between poorer mental health and patient outcomes.

Consistent with previous findings showing that younger adults of the general population are more likely to report poor mental wellbeing, the likelihood of reporting AMD was higher in junior nurses. This study, thus, showed a relationship between seniority and mental health among ICU staff.

At all three time points of the study, a substantial number of ICU workers met or exceeded the threshold for probable PTSD. In the absence of any pre-pandemic data to draw any inference from, authors found these rates comparable with that seen in British military veterans deployed during the war in Afghanistan.

Conclusions

The association between functional impairment and patient safety outcomes demonstrated by the current study is highly concerning. Future research should explore these relationships in further detail to ensure patient safety and collect identifiable information for linking cases over time for a more refined statistical analysis. Additionally, the WSAC results could help in a detailed analysis of functional impairment.

The authors recognized the exceptional nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extraordinary pressure it exerted on the NHS, England. Based on the study findings, the authors emphasized ensuring psychologically healthy workplaces for patient safety. They recommended providing adequate support, especially for the junior nursing staff, efficient resourcing, and staffing of intensive care units so that individuals reporting high levels of stress could be rested or temporarily rotated away from higher intensity clinical roles. More importantly, they recommended decreasing workload intensity to reverse the adverse effects on the mental health of ICU staff.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
UK schools have received more than 300,000 CO2 monitors as part of a government initiative to reduce COVID-19 spread in classrooms.

Scientists from Cambridge, Surrey and Imperial College London are supporting the rollout of portable monitors to UK schools as part of project CO-TRACE. The researchers behind the collaboration have produced materials to help teachers use the monitors, which have been rolled out to schools nationwide.

The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a closed space is a good indicator of air quality and can signpost the need for ventilation. As the virus that causes COVID-19 is airborne, ensuring the air is properly refreshed using ventilation is crucial for reducing its spread. The device displays levels of CO2 and color coding to indicate good, normal, or poor ventilation. Well ventilated spaces should have CO2 levels consistently below 800 parts per million (ppm), with readings above 1500ppm indicating poor ventilation or over-crowding.

"CO2 monitors allow teachers to assess the ventilation in their classrooms for the first time," said Imperial's Dr Henry Burridge, co-investigator on the project. "This is especially important during colder months when ventilation is typically lower due to colder outdoor temperatures, causing COVID-19 and other airborne diseases like the common cold and flu to linger and spread more easily."

The monitors mean teachers can see CO2 levels change in real-time as windows are opened and air is refreshed, allowing them to balance ventilation and warmth. Teachers can also use the monitors to know when it is safe to close windows slightly, which could help them keep classrooms more comfortable. As well as being a good 'proxy' for ventilation, lower CO2 levels have been linked to improved learning outcomes and better cogitative performance.

The team behind the CO-TRACE project uses experimental modeling, numerical simulations, full-scale observations, and infection risk modeling to understand how the potential for COVID-19 spread changes with indoor air flows, ventilation levels, and the number of people in a space. In 2021, the researchers used monitored CO2 to indicate how much exhaled breath was present within classrooms, and their models found that seasonal variation in classroom ventilation levels could lead to airborne infection risks in winter being roughly double those in summer. This highlights that monitoring excess CO2 could be of significant benefit in mitigating airborne infection risk.

The portability of the CO2 monitors, supplied by the Department for Education (DfE), means schools can move them around to test different areas, starting with those they suspect may be poorly ventilated.

The monitors empower teachers to strike a balance between good ventilation and warmth during winter. We are pleased that the government is taking evidence-based action to address air quality and COVID-19 spread in schools." Paul Linden, Professor, Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, co-investigator on the program

The monitors are accompanied by advice from the project which guides appropriate actions from teacher based on the CO2 readings in classrooms. Recommendations include opening higher windows before lower ones, and closing windows slowly when ventilation is good.

Schools with areas that are consistently low in air quality despite ventilation should consider using air cleaners. For such schools, the DfE is distributing between 7,000 and 8,000 air cleaning units.

When the project was announced in 2021, then-Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Providing all schools with CO2 monitors will help them make sure they have the right balance of measures in place, minimizing any potential disruption to education and allowing them to focus on world-class lessons and catch up for the children who need it. By keeping up simple measures such as ventilation and testing, young people can now enjoy more freedom at school and college."

The project is funded by the EPSRC, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
In a week when the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has admitted to breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules, a new study has found that impartial, transparent and truthful government communications are fundamental for achieving and maintaining government trust during public health emergencies.

The research, led by the University of Portsmouth, found that in public health emergencies, governments must be accountable, act quickly, and establish frank and timely dialogue with the public to encourage trust and cooperation, and alleviate fear.

Professor Jia Liu from Portsmouth Business School, Dr Yasir Shahab from Xijing University, and Hafiz Hoque from The University of York explored how well the public trusted government to take appropriate measures to combat public health emergencies, and how this trust might impact them in preventing the spread of Covid-19.

The study, published by the British Journal of Management, analysed global data from the International Coronavirus Survey made up of 111,196 respondents across 178 countries between 20 March and 8 April 2020. This research provides the first global evidence that integrated government response policies in conjunction with containment health measures and economic relief are crucial to winning public trust and support.

The researchers found that the effectiveness of these measures and restrictions depended on cooperation from individuals, founded in public trust.

Trust has been researched extensively, in different settings from diverse perspectives, however government measures and how they impact public trust have not been studied on a global scale, nor in the context of a public health emergency." Jia Liu, Professor, University of Portsmouth

"We investigated what factors determined public trust when governments undertook counteractive measures at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, providing vital insights for managing the crisis and its aftermath.

"We found that individuals are positively influenced by the fairness, effectiveness and accountability of government agencies, plus public information campaigns. Honest communications keep citizens informed, help them to understand the pandemic, prevent scepticism and strengthen trust in government."

Policies introduced to contain outbreaks including restrictions, testing, and contact tracing, mitigated the perceived threat of the virus and reduced the public's sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. Economic support for employees and businesses also increased public trust, relieving fears that individuals would be unable to survive financially during the pandemic. These measures demonstrated a commitment from governments to meet citizens' expectations to safeguard their health and economic wellbeing.

Researchers found that containment of the disease was hugely impactful on public trust in government. Countries that enforced strict restrictions, including China, were found to have an increased sense of public trust, as they enabled effective containment of the virus from the outset. However in places that did not strictly enforce lockdowns and restrictions, such as Sweden, public trust was seen to decrease. The government's hands off approach, suspension of contact tracing and delays in government responses all contributed to this shared distrust.

While restrictions initially increased public trust, the more they went on the further they impacted people's social freedoms causing stress, anxiety and even resentment, provoking rebellious behavior, and sparking a distrust in the government.

Countries who have experienced previous public health emergencies including SARS and Swine Flu, were found to be far more compliant in the effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Government and the public had learnt from previous crises, reconfigured their welfare systems, and become more equipped to counter pandemics, including making citizens aware of the need to have severe restrictions placed upon them in times of crisis.

Professor Jia Liu said: "To overcome the global nature of the crisis and stimulate economic recovery, nations must work together openly and honestly with politicians, indicating unprecedented levels of mutual trust.

"The 'we are all in this together' mantra must never be forgotten and the spirit of communitarianism this invokes must become the coordinated international responses to pandemic.

"The creation of such a global alliance will empower countries in struggles against all future public emergencies, including threats to mankind posed by global warming."
The Government announced today that from January 19, it will accept COVID-19 jab records from Colombia as recognised vaccination records for Hong Kong residents returning from Group A specified places.

According to the Government's stringent inbound prevention and control measures for travellers from overseas places, those who have stayed in Group A specified places on the day of boarding or 21 days before that day can only board a flight for Hong Kong if they are residents who are fully vaccinated and hold recognised vaccination records.
DGAP-Ad-hoc: GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE: GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE and tado GmbH executed Letter of Intent and expect to sign Business Combination Agreement; PIPE marketing process to commence



17-Jan-2022 / 07:30 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.





NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION OR FORWARDING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ARE APPLICABLE. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS PUBLICATION.

Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation)

GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE and tado GmbH executed Letter of Intent and expect to sign Business Combination Agreement; PIPE marketing process to commence

Luxembourg, January 17, 2022 - GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE (the "Company"), a Luxembourg special purpose acquisition company, has entered into a non-binding letter of intent ("LoI") for a business combination agreement (the "BCA") with tado GmbH, Munich, Germany ("tado"). tado is a European market leader for smart indoor climate management solutions and energy-saving technologies. On the basis of the BCA, the combined group would become publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The transaction, as currently envisaged, will value tado with an enterprise value of approximately EUR 450 million.

The Company and tado will now start marketing the PIPE investment (private investment in public equity). Subsequently, the parties plan to sign the BCA.

In the context of the transaction, the existing shareholders of tado would transfer 100% of the outstanding equity and equity equivalents of tado to the Company in exchange for (i) new shares in the Company and (ii) a consideration in cash in an amount of up to EUR 25 million. The combined group will be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and will have a shareholder base comprised of (i) tado's existing shareholders, (ii) the Company's shareholders, and (iii) the PIPE investors.

The targeted business combination will be subject to approval by the Company's shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other customary closing conditions.

Contact:

Gisbert Ruhl

55, Avenue Pasteur

L-2311 Luxembourg

Luxembourg

info@gfj-esg.com

Important Notice

This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. This publication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") of GFJ ESG Acquisition I SE (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, 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"). 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, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions.

In the United Kingdom, this publication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of retained EU law in the United Kingdom as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) (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 to which this publication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.

The Securities 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 Securities or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Solely for the purpose of the product governance requirements contained within MiFID II, (ii) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 of 7 April 2016 supplementing MiFID II and (iii) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Requirements"), and disclaiming any and all liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Public Shares and Public Warrants have been subject to a product approval process. As a result, it has been determined 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.

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. We undertake no obligation, and do 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. We accept no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions.
(Newser)  The man who held four people hostage at a Texas synagogue for 10 hours Saturday has been identified as a 44-year-old British national. Malik Faisal Akram arrived in the US, via New York, on a tourist visa about two weeks before the standoff, the BBC reports. He was fatally shot after all the hostages had been released unharmed and an FBI SWAT team entered the building, though it's not yet clear who fired the shot, the AP reports. Akram had demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist with suspected ties to al-Qaeda serving 86 years in a US prison after being convicted of trying to kill US military officers in Afghanistan, but while he was heard referring to her as his "sister," authorities say the two are not actually related.

It's not clear whether Akram was on any terrorism watch lists, but his brother released a statement apologizing for Akram's actions and claiming he suffered from "mental health issues." Authorities initially said there was no indication anyone else was involved in the situation, but late Sunday, police in Manchester, England, said counterterrorism officers had arrested two teens in connection with the Texas standoff. Their alleged link to the hostage situation is not yet clear, nor is it clear whether they face charges. The rabbi who was held hostage says Akram became "increasingly belligerent and threatening" in the last hour of the standoff, and says security training his congregation has received in the past proved invaluable, the Guardian reports. Without it, "we would not have been prepared to act and flee when the situation presented itself." (Read more Texas stories.)
(Newser)  Charles McGee, a Tuskegee Airman who flew 409 fighter combat missions over three wars and later helped to bring attention to the Black pilots who had battled racism at home to fight for freedom abroad, died Sunday. He was 102, the AP reports. McGee died in his sleep at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, said son Ron McGee. After the US entry into World War II, McGee left the University of Illinois to join an experimental program for Black soldiers seeking to train as pilots after the Army Air Corps was forced to admit African Americans. In October 1942 he was sent to the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama for flight training, according to his biography on the website of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

You could say that one of the things we were fighting for was equality, he told the AP in a 1995 interview. Equality of opportunity. We knew we had the same skills, or better. McGee graduated from flight school in June 1943 and in early 1944 joined the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Red Tails. He flew 136 missions as the group accompanied bombers over Europe. More than 900 men trained at Tuskegee from 1940 to 1946. About 450 deployed overseas and 150 lost their lives in training or combat. In recent years the Tuskegee Airmen have been the subject of books, movies, and documentaries highlighting their courage in the air and the doubts they faced on the ground because of their race.

In 2007 a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award from Congress, was issued to recognize their unique military record that inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces. McGee remained in the Army Air Corps, later the US Air Force, and served for 30 years. He flew low-level bombing and strafing missions during the Korean War and returned to combat again during the Vietnam War. The National Aviation Hall of Fame says his 409 aerial fighter combat missions in three wars remains a record. He retired as a colonel in the Air Force in 1973, then earned a college degree in business administration and worked as a business executive. He was accorded an honorary commission promoting him to the one-star rank of brigadier general as he turned 100. (Much more about his life here.)
(Newser)  Update: North Korea said Tuesday it had conducted a test-firing of tactical guided missiles, a day after South Koreas military detected the North launching two ballistic missiles into the sea. Mondays test was North Koreas fourth round of missile launches this month and the second since its Foreign Ministry warned of stronger and more explicit action after the Biden administration last week imposed fresh sanctions over the North's continued weapons displays. North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said the test was aimed to evaluate the missiles that were already being manufactured and deployed, the AP reports. KCNA said missiles precisely struck a sea target to confirm the systems accuracy, security and efficiency. The report didnt specify what the missiles were. Our original story from Monday follows:

North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea Monday in its fourth weapons launch this month, South Koreas military said, with the apparent goal of demonstrating its military might amid paused diplomacy with the United States and pandemic border closures. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North likely fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area in Sunan, the location of Pyongyangs international airport, the AP reports. The missiles were launched four minutes apart Monday morning and flew around 236 miles on a maximum altitude of 26 miles before landing in waters off the countrys northeastern coast, it said.

The US Indo-Pacific Command said the missiles did not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to its allies, but highlighted the destabilizing impact of the Norths illicit weapons program. Japans Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said the missiles landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone, and the chief cabinet secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, condemned North Koreas actions as threats to peace. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who is visiting the United Arab Emirates, instructed officials to make utmost efforts to ensure stability on the Korean Peninsula, his office said. It also said members of the presidential National Security Council stressed the need to revive nuclear diplomacy with Pyongyang.

North Korea had conducted a pair of flight tests of a purported hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 and also test-fired ballistic missiles from a train Friday in an apparent reprisal over fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration last week for its continuing test launches. North Korea has been ramping up tests in recent months of new, potentially nuclear-capable missiles designed to be maneuverable and fly at low altitudes, which potentially improve their chances of evading and defeating missile defenses in the region. Some experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is going back to a tried-and-true tactic of pressuring his neighbors and the US with missile launches and outrageous threats before offering negotiations meant to extract concessions.

(Read more North Korea stories.)
(Newser)  Passengers at 42 American airports, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Miami International Airport, might have noticed smoother landings in 2021. The Federal Aviation Administration has altered how planes land at those airports and it plans to bring the change to other airports, including New York's LaGuardia, in 2022. The agency has introduced more Optimized Profile Descents, in which aircraft glide down from cruising altitudes instead of using the "stair-step" procedure, in which aircraft level off at different steps, burning more fuel at each step. "If you just think about what takes more energy, walking down the stairs or sliding down a slide, that's basically what the plane is doing," FAA spokesman Matthew Lehner tells ABC.

"There's less fuel burn as you're sliding down toward the approach to the airport," Lehner says. "It also means with less fuel burning you get less emissions in the air." The FAA says switching to OPDs saves an average of 2 million gallons of fuel and prevents 40 million pounds of emissions per airport. "These new efficient descent procedures both save fuel and dramatically reduce emissions, moving us closer to our goal of net-zero aviation emissions by 2050," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. The FAA says the new procedure will also reduce the workload of air traffic controllers and reduce noise for people living near airports. (Read more aviation stories.)
(Newser)  Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker is being praised for his calm handling of the situation at the Texas synagogue where he was taken hostage along with three other people Saturdayand the rabbi credits his training. Cytron-Walker told CBS Monday that he waited until the gunman "wasn't in a position" and made sure that the two remaining hostages were near the exit and ready to run. "I told them to go, I threw a chair at the gunman and I headed for the door," he said. "And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired." After the rabbi and the other two men escaped, the building was raided by an FBI hostage rescue team, reports Reuters. The gunman, later identified as British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, was killed. Authorities haven't disclosed whether he was shot by law enforcement or took his own life.

Cytron-Walker said he drew on training he had received over the years from the FBI, local police in Colleyville, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Secure Communities Network. "They really teach you in those moments that when your life is threatened, you need to do whatever you can to get to safety," the rabbi said. "You need to do whatever you can to get out." One hostage was released six hours into the 10-hour ordeal. Cytron-Walker said he and the other two men were "terrified" during the last hour of the standoff, because Akram, who had called for the release of jailed terrorist Aafia Siddiqui, "wasn't getting what he wanted." Authorities believe Akram targeted the Fort Worth-area synagogue because of its proximity to the federal prison where Siddiqui, a former MIT student, is being held.

The rabbi told CBS that when Akram knocked on the synagogue door Saturday morning, he thought the man was homeless and brought him in for a cup of tea. He said he didn't realize the man's intentions until he pulled out the gun during prayer service. "I heard a click, and it could have been anything. And it turned out that it was his gun," Cytron-Walker said. He said his rabbinical training also turned out to be very useful during the ordeal. "We talk a lot about being a calm non-anxious presence, the rabbi said, per the Dallas Morning News. "We do that in hospital rooms, we do that during the most difficult of individual moments and I did the best that I could to do that throughout the standoff." Two teenagers arrested in the UK in connection with the standoff have been identified as Akram's children. (Read more Texas stories.)
(Newser)  A rare attack in the United Arab Emirates killed at least three people Monday and the commander of American forces at a nearby base says they are ready to assist UAE authorities if needed. Authorities say that in a drone attack claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels, three tanker trucks carrying fuel at an oil facility in Abu Dhabi exploded, killing two Indian nationals and one Pakistani man, CNN reports. Police said six people were injured in an explosion at another site and two others were injured when a blast caused a fire at Abu Dhabi's international airport. Houthi spokesperson Brigadier Gen. Yahya Saree said five missiles and "a large number of drones" were used in an operation the rebel group called "Operation Hurricane Yemen."

The attack follows gains by UAE and Saudi Arabia-supported Yemeni militias who have been fighting the Houthis for years, the AP reports. The spokesman warned that "UAE is an unsafe state as long as its aggressive escalation against Yemen continues." The rebelswhose closest stronghold is more than 1,000 miles away from Abu Dhabihave suffered heavy losses and been pushed back in key provinces in recent weeks. Iran supports the Houthis, and the attack is certain to raise tensions as talks on restarting Tehran's nuclear deal continue, reports the Guardian.

(Read more Abu Dhabi stories.)
(Newser)  Beijing reported its first case of the omicron variant over the weekend and snap lockdowns soon followed. An office building was locked down with employees still inside after the 26-year-old woman tested positive, CNN reports. The residential complex where the woman lives has also been sealed off and a list of locations the woman visited over the last two weeks has been published in state media. The woman didn't leave Beijing in the weeks before she tested positive. There is an omicron outbreak in Tianjin, less than 30 miles away by train, but Beijing authorities say they believe there was no community transmission and the woman may instead have been infected by a letter or parcel she received from Canada earlier this month, reports the BBC.

Authorities say traces of the virus were found on the outside of the mail and on a sealed letter inside. They said it was mailed from Toronto on Jan. 7 and arrived in Beijing on Jan. 11 after passing through the US and Hong Kong. They have urged people to avoid getting deliveries from overseas. Authorities in Canada. however, say claims the virus survived on paper during the journey from Canada are "ludicrous" and "bewildering." "I would ask whether the 'officials' who claimed this have ruled out all other more plausible exposures to omicron," University of Saskatchewan epidemiologist Dr. Nazeem Muhajarine tells CTV.

With the Winter Olympics just three weeks away, authorities in Beijing tightened controls even further after the case was detected. Travel to the city was already tightly restricted, with dozens of flights suspended, the New York Times reports. Local transmission of omicron has now been detected in at least five of China's 34 provinces and administrative divisions, including Shanghai. Olympic organizers said Monday that to create a "pleasant environment" and control the pandemic, "the original plan of offering tickets to the general public has been altered toward spectators from selected groups," the AP reports. (Read more China stories.)
SUNRISE  A veteran police sergeant is on desk duty and under investigation after wrapping his hand around the throat of a junior officer and pushing her up against a police cruiser after she tried to deescalate a situation involving the sergeant and a suspect at a crime scene. Sunrise Police Sgt. Christopher Pulleases actions in November were captured on video originally obtained and released by WSVN Ch.-7

Sunrise Police Chief Anthony Rosa called Pulleases actions disgusting, according to the TV station.

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Gordon Weekes, Broward Countys Public Defender, sent the chief a letter Friday questioning why Pullease has not been arrested on a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer.

The chief did not respond to Weekes letter, Weekes told the South Florida Sun Sentinel Monday. Weekes told the paper he is considering bringing the matter to the State Attorneys Office for review should Sunrise fail to take action.

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[ Sheriff fires two jail administrators after inmate gave birth in cell ]

As you noted, the facts speak for itself. The facts in this matter are uncontroverted and clearly captured on video. Yet this incident occurred on November, 19 2021. Some fifty-six (56) days later and the officer has not been held to account.

I respect and understand the complexities of a criminal investigation. However I do not understand why that same deliberate and considerate process that causes Sgt. Pullease to remain on desk duty and not be arrested for his actions, is not afforded to everyone else in the community, Weekes wrote to the chief.

The video shows Pullease arriving at the scene of an alleged crime on Nov. 19 as other officers are putting a handcuffed suspect into a police car. The audio in the video is muted, but it appears that there is an argument between Pullease and the suspect. Pullease pulls out pepper spray and points it at the handcuffed suspect.

At this point, a female officer is seen on body-worn camera footage pulling the 46-year-old sergeant away from the suspect.

[ RELATED: Police officer runs over and critically injures man lying in parking lot ]

Pullease, a 21-year veteran of the force, turns around and suddenly and aggressively puts his hand on the throat of the 28-year-old officer. He then pushes her by the shoulder into the side of a police car.

The younger officer has not been publicly identified. She has been with the department two years, the department told WSVN 7.

The faces of all officers at the scene, other than Pulleases, are blurred, and the audio is muted. Police said this was due to the ongoing investigation.

A Sunrise Police sgt is on desk duty during an IA. Body cam vid shows him grabbing the throat of a young officer after she pulled him back from a cuffed arrestee.



I find this behavior to be disgusting.- Chief Rosa



w/@KarenHenselTV @wsvn Watch full: https://t.co/XoDyqryBEp pic.twitter.com/MCxOOJ2KvW  Daniel Cohen (@DCohenNEWS) January 14, 2022

Rosa declined to divulge what Pullease said in the video, but he praised the young officer.

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I am very proud of the officer involved in this incident and believe that the actions taken were definitive and demonstrative of good leadership during a tense situation, he said.

The men and women of the Sunrise Police Department are expected to de-escalate emotionally charged situations and intervene immediately if it appears that a fellow officer is losing control of themselves or displaying inappropriate conduct while engaged with the public, Rosa told the TV station.

[ RELATED: Family of teen who drowned in canal takes first step toward suing police ]

Law enforcement expert Michael DAngelo, of Secure Direction Consulting, told NBC Ch. 6 that the young officer demonstrated what policing should look like in 2022.

Shes from what I would call the new era of law enforcement training where interpersonal skills and de-escalation techniques are paramount, DAngelo told NBC6.

Weekes said the lack of an arrest shows there are clearly two systems of justice.

I am compelled to bring this sobering data to your attention to illustrate the two systems of justice that exist in our community, Weekes continued in his letter to the chief. It appears as if law enforcement officers engaged in wrongdoing get different treatment as opposed to everyone else. This must not be the case.

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I urge you to continue to stand tall against misconduct that tarnishes the work of good law enforcement professionals. But I also encourage you to move more expeditiously when holding officers accountable for their transgressions and give that same deliberate process to all others. I compel you to bring parity between law enforcement officers misdeeds and the act and those for whom they serve.

In the past, Pullease has been investigated and cleared of two accusations of excessive force by his department, according to WSVN-7, but details of those incidents or investigations were not immediately available.

Through a police union representative, Pullease declined to comment, WSVN reported.

Weekes Letter by Robin Webb on Scribd

Austen Erblat can be reached at aerblat@sunsentinel.com, 954-599-8709 or on Twitter @AustenErblat.
The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The rise in COVID-19 cases has adversely affected the functioning of many cleaning services companies in Bahrain.

Sources said all major cleaning companies have been forced to temporarily close many sites owing to COVID-19 cases among the staff.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, a manager with a cleaning company, who doesnt want to be named, said: Once a staff tests positive for COVID-19 all contacts would have to go for self-isolation.

And this is making it very difficult to allocate staff to different sites.

He said there is heavy demand for cleaning services across Bahrain, but on the contrary, sending staff to sites have become difficult.

Cleaning companies generally offer commercial and residential cleaning along with disinfecting and sanitising services. Our services are highly required at this point of time to tackle COVID-19 spread.

Sanitising indoor areas have been proved to be of the highest effectiveness in curbing the infection.

Cleaning companies have played a vital role in Bahrains battle against the virus as disinfection operations were carried across Bahrain during the beginning of the pandemic season.

Many advanced methods along with new measures were adopted by the cleaning companies to contain the virus.

Bahrain saw 1,694 new cases yesterday while the total number of active cases stood at 11,061.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

The search to find a 14-year-old Bahraini girl, who went missing from her home in Isa Town on Friday, continued throughout yesterday without yielding many positive results. The girl reportedly was last seen when the family were getting ready to go out for a picnic on Friday morning. The girls mother said they were devastated after coming to know that their daughter had gone missing. The family then made a vain attempt to search for her.

We searched the neighbourhood and other places she could go but could not find her, the mother told our sister paper Al Ayam. The family has made a desperate plea to the public to help find the young teenage girl, who is now missing for almost two days.

Meanwhile, the Southern Governorate Police Directorate said in a statement issued that the girl left the home of her free will following a dispute within the family and she is still in the Kingdom. The police added that the investigation is progressing at a rapid pace.

Yesterday all social media platforms were flooded with a post about a businessman/businesswoman rewarding those who could give information about the missing girl. However, The Daily Tribune could not verify the accuracy of this social media post. If you have any information about the missing person, contact the girls family on 66610106.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander, Major General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, patronised yesterday a ceremony for the third meeting of the Middle East graduates.

The celebration was organised by Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) at the Shaikh Isa Royal Military College.

The ceremony was attended by the Commandant of the Shaikh Isa Royal Military College, Major General Abdulrahman Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Military Training Director, Major General Salah Rashid Al Saad, BDF graduates from the participating military colleges and senior BDF officers.

Upon arrival at the ceremony venue, HH Shaikh Nasser was welcomed by the Royal Guard Special Force Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and invitees from Commandants of land, air and naval military colleges and academies of the GCC and UK armed forces.

HH Shaikh Nasser delivered a speech in which he welcomed the attendees and conveyed to them the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his best wishes of every success to the international meeting
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

A Pakistani family is seeking help from Bahrains authorities and the public to find their member, who, according to them, has gone missing for over 40 days now.

Pakistani national Muhammad Shahbaz, 41, came to Bahrain nearly six months ago and was regularly in contact with the family members in his home country.

All of a sudden, phone calls stopped and our repeated attempts to contact him did not yield any results, Muhammad Sajjad, Shahbazs brother, told The Daily Tribune in a phone conversation from Pakistan.

We are from a low-income family and Shahbaz came to Bahrain thinking he would be able to support the family better, but what has happened now is something we never thought of.

Shahbazs family hails from Faisalabad City in Pakistan.

He is married to Noorian Beevi and the couple has two children  seven-year-old son Mohammed Ayam and four-year-old daughter Anam.

I dont know anyone in Bahrain.

I am not even educated enough to contact officials in Bahrain, Sajjad said.

I spoke to a friend of Shahbaz, who said someone saw him on the streets of Manama, around ten days ago.

I am really worried for him. A friend of Shahbaz, also a Pakistani national, who doesnt want to be named in the report, said he has contacted Shahbazs sponsor, who is planning to file a missing complaint with the police.

Shahbaz was suffering from slight mental health issues and we wanted him to leave home safely. But unfortunately, he has gone missing.

We have informed the sponsor, who has agreed to file a police complaint, the friend said.

When contacted, a Pakistan Embassy official promised absolute support to the family of Shahbaz in their attempts to search and find him out.

The family can contact us and we will offer every possible help.

We are responsible for every Pakistani national living in the Kingdom, the official pointed out.

The Daily Tribune could not obtain a comment on the matter from Shahbazs employer.

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) profile of Shahbaz shows that his residency permit in Bahrain has expired.
The U.S. economy has never worked fairly for Black Americans  or, really, for any American of color, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a speech delivered Monday, one of many by national leaders acknowledging unmet needs for racial equality on Martin Luther King Day.

Major events for the holiday also included the annual Martin Luther King Jr. service at the slain civil rights leaders Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, whose senior pastor, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, was hosting Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and other politicians.

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Flowers lay in front of the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Jan. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. service is set to be held at his old congregation in Atlanta. (Branden Camp/AP)

Saturday would have been the 93rd birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who was just 39 when he was assassinated in 1968 while helping sanitation workers strike for better pay and workplace safety in Memphis, Tennessee.

King, who delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech while leading the 1963 March on Washington and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, remains one of the worlds most beloved figures. He considered racial equality inseparable from alleviating poverty and stopping war. His insistence on nonviolent protest continues to influence activists pushing for civil rights and social change.

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Yellen referred to Kings famous speech in remarks she recorded for delivery at the Rev. Al Sharptons National Action Network breakfast in Washington, noting the financial metaphor he used when describing the founding fathers promises of equality.

King said on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. He called it a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds. But we refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt!

It is compelling rhetoric, but I also think Dr. King knew it was a more than a metaphor. He knew that economic injustice was bound up in the larger injustice he fought against. From Reconstruction, to Jim Crow, to the present day, our economy has never worked fairly for Black Americans  or, really, for any American of color, Yellen said.

She said the administration of President Joe Biden has sought to ensure that no economic institution fails to work for people of color. Equity was built into the American Rescue Plan so that communities of color would get pandemic relief, and Treasury is injecting $9 billion into Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions traditionally poorly served by the financial sector.

There is still much more work Treasury needs to do to narrow the racial wealth divide, she said.

The King Center said the 10 a.m. EST service, featuring a keynote by the Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, would be broadcast live on Atlantas Fox TV affiliate and on Facebook, YouTube and thekingcenter.org. Atlantas planned events also included a march, a rally and a voter registration drive by the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda and Youth Service America.

On this King Holiday, I call us up to shift our priorities to reflect a commitment to true peace and an awareness of our interconnectedness, interdependence, and interrelatedness, King Center CEO Bernice King said in a statement. This will lead us to a greater understanding of our responsibilities to and for each other, which is crucial for learning to live together, achieving true peace, and creating the Beloved Community.
DT News: Does the ministry have any plans to benefit from or recycle the excavated rainwater? Eng. Khalaf: The storm water is usually discharged in the sea and other areas. We had attempted to inject it in the under- ground water in a couple of sites across the Kingdom. But recycling also is only done if strict rules are followed. The Supreme Council for the Environment had some environ- mental reservations in regards to this process as they had some concerns over water pollution suspicions, hence the processes were stopped and further discussions are in progress. But, we utilise it in irrigation purposes. We have more work and effort to be implemented in the field of rainwater drainage and recycling. Yet, we have managed to considerably reduce the negative effects of this issue on the public by taking the necessary precautionary measures and procedures ahead of the rainy season. The ministry has offered more tenders to provide tanks and containers to excavate the excessive water from roads and public areas. We have also upgraded the vacuum tankers and provided them with additional pumps to accelerate the process of excavating the water, thats in addition to installing pumps at vital areas and roads to move the water to open areas and ensure that the daily life isnt affected. DT News: What are the main challenges the ministry is facing in tackling the rainwater flooding issue? Eng. Khalaf: One of the biggest challenges we face during the rainy seasons is the uncivil behaviour of some people who remove the covers of sewage manholes and allow the rainwa- ter to enter and mix with the sewerage network. This is a grave matter as such behaviour disrupts and dam- ages the networks. The rainwater, with all its sediments, damages the pumps and other equipment of the sewerage network. This results in the rebound of the sewerage inside homes and other facilities. Such cases were reported recently, as the pumps were damaged and unable to move the sewer- age to the treatment plant. We repeatedly warn the public of the dangerous effects of such behaviours by raising more awareness on the matter through different platforms. Its noteworthy that we have also fulfilled all the requests that were received by municipal councils from citizens this year to install rainwater roof coatings to prevent any leakages inside homes, especially those belonging to the limited and medium income citizens.

DT News: What are the efforts taken to reduce the increasing traffic congestions on the Kingdoms roads? Eng. Khalaf: The infrastructure and urban growth is notice- ably expanding in the country. The growing economy and the numbers of construction permits being issued is also rising. Of course all of these factors increase the pace of transporta- tion, reflected in the growing numbers of vehicles on the roads. In Bahrain, we have an annual growth in traffic movement of five to seven percent. The ministry is working on developing a network of strategic roads and a number of big projects are underway. Theyre mostly funded either through the state budget or the GCC Marshall Plan. The in-hand projects are worth around USD1.2 billion, but they require time to be completed. For this reason, as directed by the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the ministry has adopted a plan to implement smaller projects that have a visible impact on the alleviation of the traffic congestions issue. We have commenced executing these projects on several stages. The first stage includes 11 projects to open new entries, exits and intersections. Eight of them were recently completed in all four governorates. This plan received a positive interac- tion from motorists as it effectively contributed to the reduc- tion of traffic jams. The second stage of the plan will include 16 projects that will be soon announced. DT News: As we speak about traffic jams, what is the work progress of the much-anticipated fourth bridge connecting Manama and Muharraq? Eng. Khalaf: This is one of the most prominent projects being currently implemented by the ministry and is financed by the GCC Marshall Plan. It is part of the Muharraq Ring Road project and connects the northern parts of the Capital, Bahrain Bay and Busaiteen reaching to Diyar Al Muharraq. We have set a budget of USD250 million for the project. Tenders have been offered for the reclamation process and its currently in the evaluation phase. We are hoping that the tender for the construction process would be offered by the first half of 2018. A state-of-the-art design has been approved by the Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The project would be ready by the year 2020.

The evening themed Yaadein: A Walk Down The Memory Lane, was a grand show in which students of Class XI presented a variety of cultural programmes along with interesting games. The Grade XII students shared their anecdotes of the time spent in school with the juniors and their beloved teachers. It was a nostalgic moment, the memories of which will be cherished for a lifetime.

















Winners will compete for a total prize money of Rs 300,000.

EXEED understands the personalized needs of consumers in the new era. Taking advantage of human wisdom and embracing the concept of cloud co-creation, the brand has launched a co-creation programme. The programme brings together Stellar owners, motor enthusiasts and cross-border professionals to build cars in the hope of gathering everyones wisdom and strength to create smarter models for the market. The programme will create a better future both for EXEED and for the owners. Relying on Cherys 24-year R & D efforts, five global R & D centres and its supplier system comprised of Fortune 500 companies, EXEED will adhere to the domestic innovation to meet the expectations of users for independent high-end brands. Based on the deep insights into the future travel trends, EXEED boasts the 4F product development concept, which includes free hand, free range, free space, and free life. Stellar, the first model built based on this concept, represents EXEEDs understanding and vision of smart travel in the future. Born for the future Created based on 4F concept for product development, Stellar will realize peoples thoughts of intelligent mobility. It is named Yao Guang in Chinese after the first star of the Big Dipper in ancient China, which helped people distinguish directions and determine seasons.

The Chinese name represents that EXEED will stick with the spirit of the Big Dipper and keep moving forward fearlessly. The design of Stellar is inspired by the links of constellations in the universe. The links between constellations are considered a great breakthrough made by human beings in the effort to observe and explore the starry sky. The imaginary links display romantic aesthetics as well as the spirit of exploration.

The new design will also set the trend of future EXEED products. In addition to the new design, Stellar features high efficiency and low fuel consumption as a result of its GDI engine and super four-wheel drive. The model boasts Level 4 automatic driving and supports FOTA updates for various modules, such as DMC and EMS, allowing for vehicle customization. Furthermore, users can switch between various driving modes freely, such as meeting, entertainment, and gaming. Stellar can be regarded as the first step EXEED has taken in aiming for the future travel market, representing the brands judgment and thinking on future automotive technologies.
Hillsborough, NC (27278)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
As Japan's Mercari pursues its ambition to become a global online marketplace, it must first turn around flagging operations in the U.S., where players big and small are waging a cutthroat competition.

Mindful of the company's U.S. conundrum, CEO Shintaro Yamada pledged to step up investment in a blog post published early in the new year.

"There are plenty of opportunities including overseas development, so I want to spend big both defensively and offensively, to maximize not short-term profit, but medium- and long-term future profit," Yamada wrote.

The scale of Mercari's U.S. operations has gradually expanded since its 2014 launch, but the company now looks to step on the gas, something it can afford to do because it is now turning a steady profit at home.

Mercari's parent-only earnings, which cover just the Japanese secondhand market business -- its U.S. operations and Merpay cashless payments system are handled by subsidiaries -- have been rising steadily, offsetting losses elsewhere. Operating profit came to 15.6 billion yen ($136 million) for the year through June, 3.5 times the result four years earlier.

Things have not gone so smoothly in the U.S. Mercari set a goal in August of 20% annual growth in gross merchandise volume there. Shortly thereafter, results for the third quarter of 2021 showed a 6% year-on-year decline.

The company had logged a 72% jump in U.S. GMV to $1.17 billion for the preceding fiscal year. It chalked up the drop-off for that quarter to "the high hurdle of the previous year," which saw a jump in demand from consumers stuck at home amid the pandemic.
Japan's government is set to allow in a few dozen foreign students now barred from entry. But tens of thousands of others remain in limbo.

The government has instituted a near total ban on the new entry of foreigners.

The anti-Omicron measures will be in place through February.

But later this month it plans to start allowing in 87 foreign students with Japanese government scholarships.

Officials say it's a special case. The students need to attend classes in person to meet deadlines for completing their courses. They will need to follow quarantine rules.

The government says it has no plans to change its current, strict border rules.
The Japanese government has decided to declare a quasi-state of emergency for 13 additional prefectures, including Tokyo, over a surge in coronavirus infections. The declaration will be in place from Friday through February 13.

The 13 prefectures are: Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Gunma, Niigata, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Kagawa, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Miyazaki.

The latest move will expand the areas under the declaration to 16 prefectures. Intensive measures are already in place in Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima prefectures, where cases increased earlier.

The government has also decided to temporarily suspend, in principle, a program using COVID-19 vaccination records or negative test results to relax social restrictions. This is because there is concern that fully vaccinated people could still become infected.

But the government will also allow each governor to utilize the program according to the local situation.

Details of the quasi-emergency measures that some of the 13 prefectures plan to implement are as follows:

Tokyo:

The metropolitan government is set to ask pubs and restaurants in Tokyo to cut business hours starting on Friday through February 13.

Eating and drinking establishments that have been certified as taking anti-virus measures will be able to choose their operating hours with or without serving alcohol: those serving alcohol can remain open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., including 9 hours of serving alcohol until 8 p.m. Those not serving alcohol should close at 8 p.m.

People who eat or drink together will be limited to four per group. But more than five will be allowed if all of them provide negative test results.

Non-certified establishments will be asked to close at 8 p.m. without serving alcohol. The number of customers will be limited to four per group.

Establishments that serve alcohol and close by 9 p.m. will be paid 25,000 to 200,000 yen a day.

Those that close by 8 p.m. without serving alcohol will be paid 30,000 to 200,000 yen per a day.

Facilities other than eateries will not be requested to shorten hours, but will be asked to follow the guidelines set for each industry.

Tokyo residents will be asked to refrain from non-essential outings or to avoid crowded places and crowded times when they go out. They will be also asked not to frequently go to eateries that don't shorten their hours.

Saitama Prefecture:

A quasi-emergency measure will be applied to the entire prefecture. Pubs and restaurants, both certified and non-certified, will be asked to close by 8 p.m. and not to serve alcohol.

Establishments will be allowed to open until 9 p.m. if they have pre-registered for the government's program.

No restrictions on the number of customers will be imposed for those establishments if they confirm customers' vaccination records or negative test results.

The eateries will be able to serve alcohol between 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Chiba Prefecture:

The prefecture will not ask certified restaurants and pubs to stop serving alcohol, but they will be urged to close at 9 p.m.

Those that comply with the request will be eligible for financial support.

Non-certified establishments will be asked not to serve alcohol and to close by 8 p.m. They won't be paid any compensation even if they comply with the requests.

People who eat or drink together will be limited to four per group. But for wedding receptions, more than five people will be allowed per table if negative test results are confirmed. The prefecture is calling for advance notification of such events.

Kanagawa Prefecture:

The prefecture will apply a quasi-emergency measure to the entire region.

It will allow certified eating and drinking establishments to choose from two options. One is to close by 9 p.m. and stop serving alcohol by 8 p.m. The other is to stay open until 8 p.m. without serving alcohol.

Uncertified establishments will be asked to close by 8 p.m. and not to serve alcohol.

Establishments that comply with the requests will be paid compensation. If they stay open until 9 p.m., they will be paid 25,000 yen to 75,000 yen, according to their sales. If they stay open until 8 p.m., they will be given 30,000 yen to 100,000 yen.

For wedding receptions at certified establishments, no cap will be imposed on the number of participants if they all test negative on the day of the ceremonies.

The upper limit for large-scale events is set at 20,000 people. But the cap will be lifted if attendees test negative on the day of the events.

Niigata Prefecture:

While the quasi-emergency measures are in place, all eating and drinking establishments in the prefecture are expected to be asked to shorten their operating hours.

Certified establishments will likely be able to either serve alcohol until 8:00 p.m., one hour before closing, or to stay open until 8:00 p.m. without serving any alcohol.

Non-certified places are expected to be asked to close at 8:00 p.m. without serving any alcohol.

Aichi Prefecture:

Anti-infection measures will be applied in 52 municipalities, excluding Toei Town and Toyone Village.

Eating and drinking establishments that have been certified as taking anti-virus measures will be able to choose whether to remain open until 8:00 p.m. without serving alcohol, or to serve alcohol until 8:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.

Larger subsidies will be available for establishments that do not serve alcohol.

Non-certified establishments will be asked to close at 8:00 p.m. without serving alcohol.

People who eat or drink together will be limited to four per table.

For large-scale events, including sporting events, up to 20,000 spectators will be allowed if their organizers' anti-infection plans are confirmed by the prefectural government. The attendance cap will be set at 5,000 for other events.

Schools will be asked to consider staggering hours or having students attend classes on alternate days or hours, as well as providing lessons online.

For extracurricular activities, schools will be asked to refrain from holding practice matches and going on training camps.

They will be urged to take precautions for other events outside school, including school excursions, by closely checking the situation of the destinations.

Gifu Prefecture:

The prefecture is to ask local pubs and restaurants, both certified and non-certified establishments in all municipalities, to close by 8 p.m. and not to serve alcohol.

Eating and drinking establishments that comply with the request will be paid 30,000 to 200,000 yen a day.

The prefecture will not follow the government's program using COVID-19 vaccination records or negative test results to relax social restrictions.

Kagawa Prefecture:

The prefecture will take anti-infection measures targeting seven cities, including its capital Takamatsu, and four towns.

Restaurants and pubs that are not certified by the municipalities will be asked to close by 8 p.m. and not to serve alcohol.

Certified establishments will be given two options. They can serve alcoholic drinks up to 8 p.m. and stay open until 9 p.m., or open until 8 p.m. without serving alcohol.

The prefecture will adopt the central government's plan to temporarily suspend a program to utilize proof of vaccinations or negative test results in relaxing anti-virus restrictions.

It will not limit the number of people eating together if all of them have taken PCR tests.

Nagasaki Prefecture:

The prefecture has decided to apply the quasi-emergency measures to the cities of Nagasaki and Sasebo. Eating and drinking establishments in these cities have been asked to close at 8:00 p.m. and refrain from serving alcohol throughout the day.

Small and mid-sized establishments that comply with the request will be paid 30,000 to 100,000 yen a day. Large establishments will be paid 40 percent of the losses they incur for abiding by the request. There will be a ceiling of 200,000 yen per day.

The Nagasaki governor has called on residents to refrain from non-essential travel outside the prefecture. Residents of Nagasaki and Sasebo cities are being asked to refrain from non-essential outings. If they dine out, they are requested to use certified establishments with a limit of four people who are often together and with a time limit of less than two hours.

Miyazaki Prefecture:

The prefecture will take anti-infection measures targeting Miyakonojo City and Mimata Town, where coronavirus infections are surging.

The prefecture has already asked eating and drinking establishments in the two municipalities to close at 8:00 p.m. and to refrain from serving alcohol throughout the day, starting January 16.

The establishments that comply with the request are now eligible for daily payments of 20,000 yen from the prefecture. The prefecture plans to offer subsidies of 30,000 to 200,000 yen per day using funds from the central government.

The prefecture will not ask residents to refrain from going out. But it is asking residents of two target areas, as well as the cities of Miyazaki and Nobeoka where infections are surging, to stay in their municipalities unless they are going out for essential reasons, including work or school.

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afr.com - Apr 29

The governor of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa says Australian Defence Force personnel are not welcome on the 150 islands he administers, as fears grow that rising tensions between China and US allies will lead to conflict in the region.
The 17-year-old boy who slashed three people outside a university entrance examination venue in Tokyo on Saturday has told police that he had failed in his attempt to spread liquid on a subway train and set fire to it, investigative sources said Monday.

The Metropolitan Police Department turned over the boy to public prosecutors on Monday on suspicion of attempted murder over the knife attack.

With the suspect also telling police that he planned to kill himself after committing a murder, the police suspect that he attempted to entangle other passengers of the train in an arson incident, the sources said.

According to the police and Tokyo Metro Co., Akabane-iwabuchi Station of the subway operators Nanboku Line received a passenger report around 8:30 a.m. Saturday that liquid was leaking from a backpack abandoned in a train car. Subsequent analysis found that the liquid was combustible.

The teenage suspect, a high school student from Nagoya, is believed to have left the backpack.

Surveillance camera footage showed a male thought to be the teen setting fire to what appeared to be an ignition agent and throwing it near the ticket gate at the Nanboku Lines Todaimae Station, soon before the knife attack.

At the station, traces of small fires were detected in at least eight locations, as well as the boys wallet, which included Y20,000 in cash.
A Bronx community gathered Sunday to pay its final respects to perished loved ones, a week after a fire filled a high-rise apartment building with thick, suffocating smoke that killed 17 people, including eight children.

The mass funeral capped a week of prayers and mourning within a close-knit community hailing from West Africa, most with connections to the tiny country of Gambia.

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Amid the mourning, there was also frustration and anger as family, friends and neighbors of the dead tried to make sense of the tragedy.

This is a sad situation. But everything comes from God. Tragedies always happen, we just thank Allah that we can all come together, said Haji Dukuray, the uncle of Haja Dukuray, who died with three of her children and her husband.

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The dead ranged in age from 2 to 50. Entire families were killed, including a family of five. Others would leave behind orphaned children.

There were 15 caskets in all that lined the front of the prayer hall. They ranged in size  some no bigger than small coffee tables, containing the bodies of the youngest souls who died.

One week they were with us ... now theyre gone, said Musa Kabba, the imam at the Masjid-Ur-Rahmah mosque, where many of the deceased had prayed.

Earlier in the week, burial services were held for two children at a mosque in Harlem.

After Sundays services in New York City, 11 caskets were to be transported to a cemetery in New Jersey for burial. Four of the victims were expected to be repatriated to Gambia, as requested by their families, a Gambian government official attending the service said.

All week, family members had been anxious to lay their loved ones to rest to honor Islamic tradition, which calls for burial as soon after death as possible. But complications over identifying the victims delayed their release to funeral homes.

All of the dead collapsed and died after being overcome by smoke while trying to descend down the stairway, which acted as a flue for the heavy smoke.

The funeral was held at the Islamic Cultural Center, 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the 19-story apartment building where New York Citys deadliest fire in three decades unfolded.

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Parts of the service was delivered in Soninke, a language spoken in Gambia and other parts of West Africa.

Hundreds filled the mosque and many hundreds more filled tents outside or huddled in the cold to pay their respects. The services were beamed onto jumbo screens outside and in other rooms of the mosque.

Because of the magnitude of the tragedy, funeral organizers insisted on a public funeral to bring attention to the plight of immigrant families across New York City.

Theres outcry. Theres injustice. Theres neglect, said Sheikh Musa Drammeh, who was among those leading the response to the tragedy,

Officials blamed a faulty space heater in a third-floor apartment for the blaze, which spewed plumes of suffocating smoke that quickly rose through the stairwell of the 19-story building.

Some residents said space heaters were sometimes needed to supplement the buildings heat and that repairs werent always timely.

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We want the world to know that they died because they lived in the Bronx, Drammeh asserted. If they lived in midtown Manhattan, they would not have died. Why? Because they wouldnt need to use space heaters. This is a public outcry. Therefore, there has to be responsibility from the elected officials to change the conditions that causes death every single day.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, as well as two officials representing the Gambian government, attended the funeral services.

When tragedies occur, we come together, Schumer said.

I am here to express the pain all New Yorkers are experiencing, Adams later added.

New York Attorney General Letitia James vowed to investigate, saying there were conditions in that building that should have been corrected.

The investigation into the fire is ongoing.

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Much of the focus centers on the catastrophic spread of the smoke from the apartment. The fire itself was contained to one unit and an adjoining hallway, but investigators said the door to the apartment and a stairway door many floors up had been left open, creating a flue that allowed smoke to quickly spread throughout the building.

New York City fire codes generally require apartment doors at larger apartment developments to be spring-loaded and slam shut automatically.

In the wake of the deaths, a coalition of officials, including federal, state and city lawmakers announced a legislative agenda they hoped would stiffen fire codes and building standards to prevent similar tragedies from happening.

The proposals range from requiring space heaters to automatically shut off and mandating that federally funded apartment projects install self-closing doors on units and stairwells that would have to be inspected on a monthly basis.

As families bid farewell to their loved ones, others remained in hospitals, some in serious condition, because of smoke inhalation.

Fundraisers have collected nearly $400,000 thus far. The Mayors Fund, Bank of America and other groups said 118 families displaced by the fire would each get $2,250 in aid.
DANBURY - There were the nine members of the citys Zoning Board, perilously close to a no vote for a new public school at the Summit, and none of them knowing quite how to get themselves off the ropes.

Veteran Zoning Commission member Robert Melillo had just made a motion to approve the latest changes to the master plan of the 1.2 million-square-foot Summit - the citys largest commercial redevelopment project that includes a $99 million public school for 1,400 upper-grade students.

The problem was that three commission members wanted a site visit to inform their vote. Chairman Theodore Haddad Jr. backed them up.

Melillo insisted that a site visit was useful but not necessary to approve a deal City Hall and the school district had worked so diligently to reach with the Summit - reducing the 360 proposed apartments to make room for the 200,000-square-foot Danbury Career Academy.

That set up a showdown that no one expected.

Let me ask you this, Mr. Melillo, said Haddad at the commission meeting on Tuesday. If four out of the nine that will be voting tonight indicated they do not want to vote and they want to do an onsite visit, if your motion to approve does not carry, what does that do to this petition?

We deny this petition, Melillo answered.

Are you willing to take that risk? Haddad asked. Are you willing to keep your motion on the floor when you have four people right off the bat who want to do an onsite?

What followed was a 10 second pause - the longest pause of the 2-hour and 40-minute meeting.

Are you asking me to withdraw the motion, or table it until our next meeting? Asked Melillo.

Im not telling anybody here what to do, Haddad responded. Im just saying youre walking a tightrope  because youre running the risk as the motion-maker that this whole thing could dissolve tonight when all someone is asking for is two weeks to do an onsite.

The short version of what happened next is that it took some crafty parliamentary maneuvering by Melillo - the commissions expert on the rules of procedure - for the members to get out of their deadlock.

The convoluted process that followed saw the commission work backwards to undo its previous vote and reverse its decision, voting to keep the public hearing about the Summits master plan amendments open until members have a chance to visit the sprawling commercial site.

The result is not expected to delay the Zoning Commissions vote for more than several weeks on the most anticipated mixed-use redevelopment and school construction project in Danbury.

Meanwhile City Hall and the Summit are yet to finalize the part of the deal that would turn over three pods that the city would renovate and operate as the new west side high school and middle school.

The Career Academy project depends to a large degree on the state of Connecticuts commitment for reimbursement of construction costs, said Thomas Beecher, an attorney representing the Summit, at the public hearing on Tuesday. That aspect of things has not yet been finalized.

As a result, Beecher said, if for some strange reason funding falls through for the new school, the developer wants the right to fill the 200,000-square-feet reserved for the school with apartments.

Among the city officials urging the Zoning Commission to approve the new plans for the Summit were newly elected Mayor Dean Esposito.

This change in the (Summit) master plan will give us the ability to build the academy on the west wide, Esposito said. The reduction of the apartments required gives us the space for that construction. I hope you can support this petition.

It was not immediately clear how soon the Zoning Commission would take up a discussion and vote.

The citys Planning Commission has already given its unanimous backing for the Summits master plan changes.

Danburys top planner, Sharon Calitro, told the Zoning Commission that the Summits latest blueprints were consistent with the purpose for which the site was rezoned and  provide flexibility while maintaining a mixed-use development.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 17, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), the Ministry of Tourism, Destination Quebec cite, the City of Quebec, the City of Levis, and the Quebec City Convention Centre are delighted that Air France, one of the world's largest airlines, has decided to come to Quebec City next summer. As of May 17, 2022, Air France will connect the Capitale-Nationale area to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

With this new Quebec CityParis route, people in the region will have access to more than 1,000 destinations in 170 countries thanks to the impressive networks of Air France-KLM Group and the SkyTeam Alliance. This new route will also allow numerous international visitors to discover our great region in the coming years.

The French airline's announcement was celebrated by members of the region's tourism industry, who have joined forces to achieve a common goal: develop Quebec City's air service.

"Welcoming Air France, one of the world's largest airlines, to YQB is a boon to the socio-economic development of the greater Quebec City area. We have made a commitment to the public to develop new air routes. Today's announcement aligns with that goal of offering more options to local travellers and being a direct gateway for tourists to enter the amazing Quebec City area. While our industry and operations were severely impacted by the global pandemic, we have continued to work with the region to recover and expand our flight options. We pooled our resources and our energies, and now we're reaping the rewards of this extraordinary collaboration."

Stephane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB

"Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport has a strategic role to play in making not just the Capitale-Nationale region, but Quebec as a whole, more attractive and growing their capacity. For that reason, your government is proud to support the Airport in its mission to increase the number of routes, which will eventually benefit the entire tourism industry in the capital and surrounding areas. I would like to congratulate the teams at Jean Lesage International Airport and Air France, as well as all the partners involved in the creation of this new route."

Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudiere and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions

"The new Quebec CityParis route this summer is excellent news for the recovery of our tourism industry. The region's tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and the lack of international tourists in recent months, and that has had a significant ripple effect for local businesses. France is Quebec City's fourth-largest tourist market, so this new route is a breath of fresh air, but it also opens the door to a whole European market."

Robert Mercure, General Manager of Destination Quebec cite

"This is a great day for the airport and for Quebec City, which is now one of just four cities in Canada to have a direct connection with Air France. In addition to giving the people of Quebec unprecedented access to the old continent, this agreement will bring major economic benefits to the city. The thousands of additional tourists that will visit the capital over the next few years will be a breath of fresh air for our businesses, restaurants, and hotels. As for our entrepreneurs, for whom France is the main export market, this agreement between Air France and YQB will give rise to a multitude of possibilities. Really, we couldn't have hoped for more during our economic recovery."

Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Quebec City

"The new ParisQuebec City route is excellent news for the people of central and eastern Quebec. Now more than ever, Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport is a key factor in the growth and influence of the booming Capitale-Nationale and Chaudiere-Appalaches regions. We are proud of the solidarity of all our regional partners, who work hard every day to give us a strong position on the international scene."

Gilles Lehouillier, Mayor of Levis

About Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)

YQB is managed by Aeroport de Quebec Inc., a private corporation responsible for the airport's management, operation, maintenance, and development since November 1, 2000. Around a dozen carriers offer flights from YQB to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.

SOURCE Aeroport de Quebec

For further information: Source: Laurianne Lapierre, Director, Communications, Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport, Phone: 418-640-2700, ext. 2624, [email protected]
The IED discovered in the Ghazipur flower market on Friday was part of a 24-bomb consignment sent to local terrorists by the Pakistani deep state, either by land or by water, from over the border. Other devices recently discovered in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab are likely to be part of the same cargo, and some may have been smuggled into Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

The Ghazipur device was a tiffin bomb, according to senior Delhi Police detectives, with three kilos of RDX as the primary charge and ammonium nitrate as a secondary charge. The weapon, which was placed in a steel tiffin with nails and ball bearings could be detonated remotely. According to sources, these IEDs were carried across the border to established sleeper modules as well as certain criminal gangs in India. This IED discovery has been related to a terror plot busted by Delhi Police in September 2021, which resulted in arrests in Mumbai, Lucknow, Allahabad, and Delhi. The IED cargo, according to Delhi Police investigators, landed in India around the time of the countrys independence. While the Delhi Police and security agencies continue to gather more IEDs from the cargo, Hindustan Times has established that a few of these explosives have also found their way into Gujarat by sea and into Uttar Pradesh by land.

The latest Ludhiana explosive bomb is thought to be part of the same cargo, and more devices might have been sent through sleeper cell networks in Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Gujarat as part of the broader plan. Meanwhile, on the same morning, the Amritsar STF found 5kg of RDX from Attaris village, Dhanoa Kala. The explosive was defused on the spot by the Bomb Disposal Squad. The troops also discovered six AK 47 rifle rounds, two grenades, three UBGL, seven detonators, three fuses, a bag, and a pouch, in addition to the RDX.

In the matter, a senior security official who did not want to be identified said that it appears that radicalized elements in India are being tasked from across the border to plant devices on pre-arranged targets or use local criminal elements to accomplish the task. He went on to say that a nationwide alert has been issued to prevent a terrorist attack.
A dramatic turn of events started taking place in Uttarakhand politics after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami sacked Rawat from the Cabinet and the BJP expelled him for six years ahead of assembly polls.

Ahead of assembly polls, Harak Singh Rawat, who was dismissed from the Uttarakhand cabinet and expelled from the BJP for six years, is likely to join the Congress on Monday. Rawat and his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain have already left for Delhi on Sunday and both are likely to join the Congress on Monday.

A dramatic turn of events started taking place in Uttarakhand politics after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami sacked Rawat from the Cabinet and the BJP expelled him for six years ahead of assembly polls.

Harak Singh Rawat and his daughter-in-law have left for Delhi. Rawat is angry because his daughter-in-law is not getting a ticket, a close aide of the cabinet minister told ANI.

When asked whether Rawat and his daughter-in-law had gone to Delhi join Congress, the very close aide of the minister clearly said that they can join Congress if his daughter-in-law does not get a ticket from BJP.

According to sources, Harak Singh Rawat is in touch with the Congress and talks are on to get him in along with two other BJP MLAs.

The only hurdle for Harak Singh Rawats entry to the party is Harish Rawat, who has reservations from him. A few days back when Harish Rawat was asked about reports of Harak Singh Rawat joining Congress he had replied, There is no issue if Harak openly admits his mistake and say he did a wrong thing with the party and Uttrakhand, then the doors are open.

According to sources, on Sunday there was an internal meeting scheduled in the Congress War Room of Uttrakhand leaders which were first postponed then it was cancelled.

The Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting of Congress was held on Saturday to finalise the candidates for Uttrakhand Assembly Polls but a list of candidates has not been announced by the party it seems there is some space has left for the entries.

If sources are to be believed, the Congress party is busy convincing Harish Rawat on Harak Singh Rawat joining the party and if the party is successful in doing so, then Harak Singh Rawat will be on the Congress side on Monday.

Interestingly, Harak Singh Rawat led a rebellion against the then Harish Rawat government in 2016 when nine rebel MLAs including Harak Singh Rawat left the Congress and joined the BJP.

Harak Singh Rawat was seeking a ticket from the Lansdowne assembly seat for his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain.

In Uttarakhand, Congress has taken back Yashpal Arya, who was also BJP MLA, and his son, and are ready to secure Congress tickets in the first list.

In 2016, both Harak Singh Rawat and Yashpal Arya were among ten MLAs who had rebelled against Congress leader and former chief minister Harish Rawat and crossed over to the BJP.

In the last Assembly election, BJP secured the win on 57 seats out of 70 Assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand.

Polls to elect the 70-member State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified more than twelve individuals related to Sikhs For Justice leader Jaswinder Singh Multani, according to sources. On December 27, he was detained in Germany at Indias request. Multanis suspected contacts with a smuggling network sponsored by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence have also been exposed, as per ISI officials.

According to claims, the allegations have spurred German authorities to launch an independent investigation into Multanis and his accomplices behavior. Multani is accused by the NIA of gathering cash to provide weaponry and explosives through a smuggling network in Punjab. Officials further stated he was actively utilizing social media channels to spread SFJs beliefs.

Among those named by the NIA are Khalistani Zindabad Forces Jagdish Singh Bhura, its deputy chief and SFJ associate Gurmeet Singh, Khalistan Tiger Forces Ranjeet Singh Pakhoke, Paramjit Singh Pamma, and Ranjeet Singh Neeta, and Babbar Khalsa Internationals Sukhdev Singh Heran and Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Under the recently modified UAPA, everyone but Bhura, Pakhoke, and Heran have been branded as individual terrorists.

As per NIA, the ISI-backed Rana Taseems smuggling syndicate is driving SFJs attempts to resurrect militancy in Punjab. In the matter, a government official claimed that the SFJ, which is banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967, is attempting to gain support among criminals and radicals in Punjab. It speaks to a growing tendency of criminals and terrorist groups working together. He went on to say that these thugs are involved in gun trafficking and narcotics cartel operations.

According to a Union home ministry official, a team of NIA investigators would shortly visit Germany in connection with the case. Nijjar, a Canadian resident, was recently accused by the agency for allegedly transferring payments to India using different money transfer service schemes and hawala routes in order to build a network of sympathizers for state terrorism in Punjab. Subsequently, as per the charge sheet issued by the NIA against pro-Khalistan elements the SFJ have been attempting to inspire Sikhs to vote for secession, agitate against India, and carry out violent acts via different postings and audio messages.
As China readies to host Beijing Winter Olympics from February 4, Beijing has reported its first case of the highly infectious Omicron variant. While China has maintained a stoic silence over the spread of Omicron in Chinese cities, videos of the Chinese authorities locking up residents in metal boxes has flooded the Internet.

Now days before the athletes start coming to Beijing, Beijing has imposed fresh curbs to control the spread of the virus. Beijing will now require travellers to get a Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in the Chinese capital. Effective from Saturday to the end of March, the new rule is aimed to help with early detection of Omicron, which is surging globally, and the control of epidemic risks, said Beijing Daily, a Chinese mouthpiece.

As per Taipei Times, another Chinese daily, the Omicron variant in Beijing has been detected in a person who had visited multiple malls and restaurants in the previous 14 days but had not left the city since the start of this year.

Meanwhile, the Chinese mainland has reported 163 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Monday. Out of the latest local cases, 80 were reported in Tianjin, 68 in Henan, nine in Guangdong, five in Shaanxi, and one in Guangxi. 60 new cases were recorded in 11 provincial-level regions and four new suspected cases arriving from outside the mainland were reported in Shanghai, and no new deaths from COVID-19 were reported on the day.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to examine the federal response to COVID-19 and new emerging variants, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP) (Greg Nash/Pool/AP)

Recommendations from the Biden administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seem to change weekly regarding coronavirus precautions. Americans are justifiably confused and are at risk of tuning out. For a Democratic administration struggling to create the appearance of command authority during an ongoing national crisis, the mixed messaging feeds the Republican narrative that Democrats are incompetent.

Americans should, first of all, remember the pandemic response under the previous administration. Former President Donald Trump proposed on national TV the consumption of cleaning fluid as a coronavirus remedy. He directly contradicted his own experts. He refused to wear a mask in public, becoming infected and requiring emergency treatment. But to Trumps credit, he spearheaded the crash development of vaccines that, today, are keeping people alive.

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President Joe Biden in some senses had to build Americas pandemic-response network from zero because of Trumps obstinacy and cultivation of a political environment that encouraged millions of Americans to reject masks and vaccines. Their refusal is the primary force behind new, record-high infection rates that are pushing health care resources to the breaking point. Such obstinacy also helps extend the life of the virus so it can continue mutating into more infectious variants such as the current omicron wave.

To convince the public that experts know what theyre talking about, and that their advice should be followed, the administrations message must be delivered with greater clarity and consistency.

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The pre-Omicron quarantine period for people exposed to the virus used to be 10 days. Now its five days, according to CDC guidance, or not at all unless the person shows symptoms. Asymptomatic people can still be contagious, so they should stay at home. Or maybe just wear a mask. But forget about cloth masks; make sure its an N95. Should students return to remote learning or stay in classrooms? Who knows?

Nationally, courts have flip-flopped on whether employers must comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules. The Supreme Court Thursday blocked an administration rule requiring employees either to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing and wear masks. Large companies that had just implemented the OSHA rules now could have to change course, adding to the confusion.

The CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, says the viruss constantly changing nature creates a moving target. You know, this is hard, to come up with a consistent and clear message, she told Fox News.

But the fundamentals havent changed and bear repeating: The safest way to avoid infection is to avoid large groups and wear a properly fitting mask. Fully vaccinated and boosted people are still vulnerable to infection but tend to have milder symptoms, whereas unvaccinated people are the ones currently overwhelming hospitals.

Why should exasperated members of the public not start tuning out? Because they could be the next ones seeking emergency hospital treatment. Given current wait times, its far smarter to be overly cautious than throw caution to the wind.

This editorial originally appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
In the last 3 weeks alone, India has extended help to Sri Lanka on 6 different occasions.

As Sri Lanka finds itself amid severe debt and foreign exchange crisis, India has stepped up to extend help, sending out a strong message that it is an all weather friend, unlike the Chinese. On Saturday, India and Sri Lanka reviews the progress in extending loans worth Rs $1.5 billion for emergency purchases of food, medicines and fuel.

In the last 3 weeks, India has extended help to Sri Lanka on 6 different occasions. India has proved that it is the island nations friend in need, be it in terms of investment, economic support, infrastructure or cultural ties.

India and Sri Lanka signed the Trincomalee Oil tank deal, a USD $900 million aid was extended to Sri Lanka by RBI, Indian credit facility of USD $1 billion was given for importing food and other essentials, 1000 houses were handed on Pongal to Indian-origin beneficiaries and Sri Lanka launched luxury train services with Indias assistance. Along with this, a Hindi language course has also been introduced for Sri Lankan police.

On the other hand, China has taken advance of Sri Lankans on multiple occasions. It used the Belt & Road garb to gain firm foothold in Sri Lanka, laid Hambantota port debt trap into leasing the post for 99 years, nabbed 269 hectares of land at Columbo seafront as part of Colombo port city project and laid $12 million solar energy plot for expanding footprint in North Sri Lanka with infrastructure projects trying to woo ethnic Tamil community.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Akram, who was demanding the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

Greater Manchester police on Sunday (local time) arrested two teenagers as part of the Texas synagogue attack probe. As part of the ongoing investigation into the attack that took place at a Synagogue in Texas on 15 January 2022, Officers from Counter Terror Policing North West have made two arrests in relation to the incident, read Greater Manchester police statement.

Two teenagers were detained in South Manchester this evening. They remain in custody for questioning.

Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) North West and CTP International operations continues to assist the investigation being led by the US authorities, and police forces in the region are liaising with local communities to put in place any measures to provide further reassurance, added the statement.

Earlier, a 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram was killed on Sunday after a tense standoff.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Akram, who was demanding the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

At least four people were taken hostages, including a Rabbi by Akram at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville for more than ten hours on Saturday.
Pakistan has once again emerged as a terror-sponsoring country after reports of the man who took hostages of four people at a synagogue in the town of Colleyville, Dallas, linked to the Pakistani Scientist Aafia Siddiqui who was serving sentence in US prison, came to light, according to an analysis by American Enterprise Institute.

In Pakistan, Siddiqui became a cause celebre. Pakistans president, prime minister, and foreign minister all brought up her case with their American counterparts, and the Pakistani senate called on the US to release her. While the news of Aafia Siddiquis arrest passed with little notice in the US, her conviction led to widespread anti-American demonstrations in Pakistan and to demands that Pakistani authorities suspend the delivery of supplies for the war effort in Afghanistan. Her incarceration occupied headlines in Pakistan for months, according to the AEIs analysis.

With Muhammad Siddiqui attack on the Beth Israel synagogue, the prominence of her case will increase. While groups like Al Qaeda or the Islamic State are filled with citizens of other countries whose governments denounce them, Aafia Siddiqui is different: Pakistani officials at all levels of government endorse her and treat her like a hero. Inevitably, many on the Pakistani street will now celebrate her brother or, at the very least, excuse his actions writes Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow AEI.

Meanwhile, Pakistans embrace of Aafia is just the tip of the iceberg. The Pakistani government continues to let those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacksterrorist attacks which killed Americansto roam free. Pakistans intelligence service knowingly provided Al Qaeda leader Usama Bin Laden with safe haven, according to AEIs analysis.

Earlier, the Biden administration discusses the Taliban taking over of Afghanistan as if it occurred in a vacuum, the reality is that the Talibans rampage through Afghanistan last August was effectively a Pakistani invasion, writes Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow AEI.

Meanwhile, the suspect who took hostages at the synagogue in the town of Colleyville, Dallas, demanding the release of a Pakistan scientist convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan, is dead.

The The suspect is deceased, Colleyville Police Chief Michael Miller said during a press conference on late Saturday (local time), explaining that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) rescue team had entered the synagogue in Colleyville and that all the three remaining hostages were rescued unharmed, according to Sputnik News Agency.

Earlier, Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted that all hostages had been released from the synagogue and were alive and safe.

In the matter, US President Joe Biden on Sunday termed synagogue hostage-taking incident as an act of terror.

This was an act of terror, and not only was he (44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram) related to someone who had been arrested, I might add, 15 years ago and had been in jail for 10 years, said Biden. The president further said that he had spoken to Attorney General Merrick Garland about the hostage crisis. Regarding Texas and the synagogue, I spoke this morning with the Attorney General, and we got a rundown. He said there was overwhelming cooperation with the local authorities and FBI, and they did one hell of a job. Biden applauded FBI and local authorities and reiterated that the US has the capacity to deal with such assaults. He went on to say that there was not sufficient information on why the gunman had targeted the synagogue.
As ever-younger people have become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, the hesitancy to get the shot has grown greater.

Since Nov. 2, 2021, when children age 5 to 11 were able to get the vaccine, health professionals, schools and community leaders have been ramping up efforts to encourage parents and guardians to get their children the shots.

So far, only 22 percent of that age group in Connecticut has been fully vaccinated, according to Dr. Brita Roy, director of population health for Yale Medicine. On Thursday, the state reported that 39 percent had gotten at least one shot, a number that has risen over time.

Every time theres a new group of people eligible, our clinics fill up, people are scrambling to get in and then it tapers off, Roy said.

She continued, Twenty-two percent is really low, and schools are open, so especially with the omicron variant, which is highly infectious and spreads very quickly, were seeing really high rates of infections, and we have more children that are hospitalized for COVID than weve ever had before, including that very first wave.

While children tend to have milder cases and hospital stays have gotten shorter, Dr. Thomas Balcezak, chief clinical officer for Yale New Haven Health, reported last week there were 16 patients in Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital, with five in intensive care. He said half of the cases were children under 5 who are not eligible for the vaccine.

He also said 54 children were admitted in the previous 10 days compared with 20 in the previous six months. So weve seen a real uptick in childrens cases, Balcezak said. And thats not just us. Weve had other folks across the country tell us that their childrens hospitals are experiencing a similar uptick.

Its also important to get as many people immunized in order to reach herd, or community, immunity, Roy said. In order for COVID not to spread like wildfire, we need at least 75 to 80 percent of the population vaccinated, including children, she said.

There have been 2 million cases of COVID nationally among the 28 million children between 5 and 11 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been 8,300 hospitalizations and almost 100 deaths, with the disease ranking as one of the top 10 causes of death in that age group, the CDC said. Besides COVID, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and long-term effects are risks.

Dr. Ajay Kumar, chief clinical officer for Hartford HealthCare, said of vaccine hesitancy in general, its really difficult for clinicians to persuade people to get vaccinated.

Our role is to educate people, provide information ... and folks will make their own personal decision about what to do at this time, he said. We want to meet where the people are. We dont want to judge.

Health systems and community partners are holding clinics and putting out the word through fact sheets, biweekly webinars and even an animated video aimed at young children, created by Clara Liao, a third-year graduate student in neuroscience.

I just want to do what I can to help, and people seem to like my animation style, Liao said. Its not as well produced as other videos. Maybe thats the draw.

Bernard Macklin, outreach coordinator with the Community Alliance for Research and Engagement, is helping to put together the biweekly webinars, which will be shown on CAREs Facebook page. CARE is a joint program of Southern Connecticut State University and the Yale School of Public Health.

Macklin said the intent is meeting parents where they are at and making sure were putting information in the community that they can attach to. Its difficult persuading people to have their children vaccinated because people are at a place where they have doubts getting themselves vaccinated, he said.

Its not that the information is not present, he said. A lot of these parents are at a place where they feel people are taking away their rights. How do you get people from being fearful? If we dont look at the statistics, were in trouble.

While many believe the omicron variant causes milder cases and raise doubts when people who are vaccinated come down with COVID, Macklin said, the likelihood of hospitalization and death is limited and probably not going to happen, if a person is vaccinated.

He said its also true that the delta variant, which causes more serious illness, still is in the community.

The webinar and other materials are a collaboration with the New Haven Health Department, Griffin and Yale New Haven hospitals, Cornell Scott Hill Health Center and the Fair Haven Community Healthcare.

We want the community to know we are working collaboratively and collectively together, Macklin said. The New Haven Health Department is directly connected to the schools.  They are going to ensure that the schools get this information and give it to their kids so they can bring it home.

The Rev. Leroy Perry, pastor of St. Stephens AME Zion Church in Branford, is a member of the cultural ambassadors program at the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, which has held clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the only one so far authorized for the 5-11 age group.

The hesitancy, I believe, is related to the fear and the fear is related to misinformation about the vaccine, so what we are trying to do is put out the message with our face with it, saying we dont fear the vaccine, but we fear people who are not getting the vaccine, Perry said.

He said people need to know their actions affect what he called those tender spots, schools, families where people may feel vulnerable. Teachers are afraid to go to school. Bus drivers are afraid to go to work, he said. Perry said adults need to know how that affects our kids going back to a state of normalcy. Were at that part of the puzzle now where we know this is where we have to put our efforts.

Besides sending out the message through the pulpit and community groups. Were getting ready to do a spot on the radio with a pediatrician who can answer questions live, Perry said.

Aimee Apatow of Stratford said her son was excited to get it. He doesnt have a problem wearing a mask, but he was excited to be able to not have to wear a mask in a public place. This was before the rise in cases made wearing masks more widespread again. Masks are required in school, whether vaccinated or not.

At the very beginning when I first got vaccinated, I wasnt so sure with the kids. But after weve seen so much, I didnt have any hesitancy because it was a smaller dose, she said. Pfizer calls for 0.2 milliliters per dose for 5- to 11-year-olds, and 0.3 milliliters for those 12 and older. Apatow asked that her sons name not be used.

The kids, even at 8 years old, they understand that life is different, Apatow said. They remember pre-pandemic so its not been a struggle.

Frank Zocco of Newington said, both of my kids have been vaccinated since Day 1. Molly already had COVID so had natural antibodies, but we believe in the science, we talked to our pediatrician.

Zocco said Molly, 10, had COVID at Christmas 2020 and she breezed right through it. She had a sniffle and a headache, very minor. But of the vaccine, she was excited to get it, to be able to do things and really have some normalcy in her life, he said.

Sali Zhao of New Haven wanted her children to get vaccinated, but was concerned because her son, Mengzhou Han, 10, has food allergies, so I did a lot of research online and asked the doctor. Everyone told me theres no reaction.

Mengzhou, whose sister, Manxi Han, 14, also is vaccinated, had no negative reaction, Zhao said. He wants to get vaccinated. He wants to protect himself, she said.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382
BRANFORD  A storefront that will showcase only locally made products, serve coffee and baked goods and host outdoor events when the weather allows. That is Jonathan Hunts vision for his new Branford-based business, Grey Goat Farmtique, which he hopes to open on North Branford Road this spring.

If visitors are lucky, they may even get to combine their shopping trips with a farm animal visit  Hunt hopes to keep goats on the property, assuming he can obtain the necessary permits.

A new business owner, Hunts inspiration came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he started making his own bracelets.

He was working as an operations officer for a mental health company when the virus hit, he said. Like so many others, he was stuck at home.

I remember I was lying in bed one night surfing the internet ads, as we all do, and I had a bracelet in my check out, and it was $95, he said.

Hunt thought, I could probably make this myself.

Thats how Hunt, an East Haven resident, started making his own jewelry.

The staff at John & Marias Pizzeria, where Hunt was a customer, let him display his bracelets at the bar.

He started doing these bracelets and I loved them, said Heidi Peterson, who tends bar at the restaurant. So we started displaying them and it took off.

Lena Valentino, who said she is part owner of John & Marias Pizzeria, saw the effort as helping someone else, you know, get started, she said.

We just like to support local, she said. Weve been here a long time and basically we like to help each other out.

If the staff at John & Marias had not been enthusiastic about his proposal, Hunt said, he might have given up on the idea. Instead, the support helped push him toward a career change as he also started doing craft shows and meeting incredible people.

There was an East Haven woman who made pet biscuits in her free time, for example, and a Colchester couple with a candle-making side hustle.

I thought, you know, this would be such a good thing to put in one location, Hunt said. It just has such a feel to it when its something thats made locally, and youre helping support somebodys dream.

Meanwhile, he found other local businesses willing to help spread the word about his bracelet-making venture, J Beads, and those relationships gave Hunt the confidence to start the Grey Goat Farmtique, he said.

It made me realize how much of a support there was out there in the small business community, Hunt said. It was a really welcoming experience.

And so, after 15 years in the human services industry, Hunt said, he left his job in November.

With the help of a friend in real estate, Hunt found the property where he plans to set up shop. Situated on Route 139 near the Route 1 intersection, the parcel used to house a bar called Libbys Excuse Room.

Now, Hunt hopes to bring something new to the cozy brick house on the lot.

Grey Goat Farmtique will feature a retail space rather than a marketplace with booths, Hunt said. But he plans to work solely with local vendors, he said.

Id like to rotate them about probably quarterly to have showcases of different items, he said.

Products may include home decor, local metal and woodwork, handmade jewelry, pet items, candles and baked goods, he said.

Sometimes you dont have time to go to pick up maybe the special candle that they sell in another town, Valentino said of the benefits to Hunts business model. I think its just gonna be a neat store, you know. Hes got a lotta passion.

Hes just gonna put his heart and soul into it, said Peterson.

Hunt currently is accepting vendor applications. The forms can be found online at https://www.greygoatct.com/.

While he will begin with Connecticut-based vendors, Hunt said, he is open to expanding to neighboring states. He will sell coffee at the store thanks to a partnership with One World Coffee Roasters, an East Haven-based business.

In the warmer months I do wanna open up the outdoors to have a vendor space, Hunt said.

Hunt also envisions occasionally hosting live music and demonstrations by local artisans. He wants Grey Goat Farmtique to be a destination that people wanna go to when theyre in the area, he said.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Rain likely. Low 49F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 49F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Zero accountability behind America's million-COVID tragedy

16:53, January 17, 2022 By Qing Ming ( People's Daily Online

Illustration/People's Daily Online

Another year, another surge. Facing a fresh wave of the highly contagious Omicron variant, countries are grappling to safeguard their citizens against infectioneach in their own way. There are nations that have stuck to the Zero-COVID strategy in a bid to minimize transmission. There are countries that have rushed to boost their public with a view to reaching an optimal state of herd immunity.

Then there is the American strategy, a hotchpotch of inaction and counteraction that has plunged the nation into a public health anarchy. The COVID-19 map says it all. Zooming in on any coronavirus hot spot graphics, and you will find that, for most of the past two years, the American part dyed in ominous burgundy. With an appalling daily tally of some 800 thousand cases (nearly 140,000 COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized every single day), the US is marching at an alarming pace toward establishing its own model of herd immunitynot by vaccination but through mass infection.

America's COVID-19 fiasco, a slow-motion tragedy where everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, has been jointly inflicted by its incompetent and irresolute politicians, the divided and centrifugal states, as well as the misleading and conflicting media and so-called pundits.

It is a self-fulfilling prophecy when dereliction of duty goes unchecked and apathy to human life and science is tolerated or even applauded.

Back in early 2020, former US President Donald Trump eagerly dismissed the infectious disease as a hoax hatched by the Democrats and a "Kung Flu," having opted instead to throw more energy behind his own reelection bid than to urge the public to wear masks and get vaccinated. Under his watch, the US lost over 400,000 lives to the disease, of which at least 130,000 people died unnecessarily, according to Deborah Birx, Trump's former coronavirus response coordinator.

But has former US President Trump been held to account for his mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis? Not in the slightest. He was in fact been impeached twice and is still in the crosshairs for his role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Yet he escaped scot-free from the public health disaster he left behind.

The former New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, has also taken his spot in the long line of politicians who have not been held accountable for their negligence in bungling the COVID-19 response. Last year, the star governor resigned in disgrace. His undoing? Harassment allegations, rather than the fact that he ordered nursing homes to take back infected residents, letting the virus loose in those most vulnerable places in his state. Unlike Trump, he was subject to an investigation for his role in the state's nursing home horror. But the result that came out earlier this month found that he was not liable for any criminal charges.

Also, the same goes for Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who himself was infected with the virus last August and yet has still spared in no effort to block every vaccine or mask mandate. Not to mention Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who let almost a million rapid COVID-19 tests expire as they sat idly in a warehouse. And congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who recently received what has been her only dose of punishmentpermanently suspension from Twitterafter waging her misinformation frenzy on the social media platform (including concocting a falsehood that there has been "extremely high amounts" of COVID-vaccine-related deaths)

Do these politicians really have grave doubts over vaccine efficacy? Clearly not. Greg Abbott received his booster and Ron DeSantis has gotten at least two shots (he refused to clarify whether he is boosted). Yet they would rather shirk their responsibility to nudge the public to follow suit, which will have ZERO consequences, other than offending anti-vaccination voters, which would otherwise taint their political future.

People wait for COVID-19 test in the Queens borough of New York, United States, Dec. 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

When politicians refuse or fail to devise and implement a clear roadmap, then chances are that baffled and worn-out citizens will make selfish decisions in the name of freedom. Meanwhile, the media will feed the furor and profit from this costly freedom under the banner of "freedom of speech"when no one, in the end, is to be held responsible for spewing out misinformation.

Just take a look at the star-struck Fox News channel, a petri dish of COVID-related "alternative facts," where masks, vaccine mandates, social distancing rules, and school closures taken as preemptive measures are often the subject of censuring in shows hosted by celebrity anchors. For Fox News hosts, facts appear to matter far less than political grandstanding. When they constantly churn out conspiracy theories or anti-science rhetoric that clearly go against CDC guidelines and even common sense, their staunch viewers ultimately bear the brunta Kaiser Family Foundation study has found 36% of surveyed Fox News views either believed in or were unsure about four or more false statements, one of the highest. Still, there is zero accountability.

Voters and viewers take sides, but the virus respects no party affiliations. It feeds on misinformation and it flourishes when politicians are unaccountable and the media and so-called pundits trade in science-based facts for ratings. When politicians and celebrity hosts have nothing to lose, they of course won't prioritize people's lives in the first place.

On January 3, the US logged a horrific record of one million cases, an astronomical number compared to most countries' case counts. As of January 16, over 850,000 lives have been lost to COVID-19 in America. It's tragic, it's alarming and it's above all sickening. With the US keen on slamming China's Zero-COVID strategy, why not save some energy to reexamine its own laissez-faire and zero-accountability approach first?

(Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji)
HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Motiva Enterprises today announced the recipients of its inaugural Motiva First Responder Grant Program, awarding nearly $130,000 to 17 emergency response organizations in communities that host Motiva's assets across six states.
Four European clubs, Watford, Rangers, Leicester City and Sparta Rotterdam have commended the Super Eagles for qualifying for the next rou...

Four European clubs, Watford, Rangers, Leicester City and Sparta Rotterdam have commended the Super Eagles for qualifying for the next round of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Super Eagles had qualified for the knockout stages of the ongoing 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon after topping Group D.

Augustine Eguavoens side had defeated Egypt 1-0 last Tuesday and defeated Sudan 3-1 at the weekend to top the group with 6 points from two games ahead of their final group fixture against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday.

Against the Sudanese on Saturday, goals from Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon gave the three-time champions a three-goal lead.

Although Sudan pulled one back through a penalty, it was merely a consolation goal.

Reacting to Super Eagles qualification, Watford, in a tweet on Twitter, wrote: Into the AFCON2021 knockouts! Congrats to William Troost-Ekong and @OkoyeMaduka on their 3-1 win over Sudan with TeamNigeria.

Similarly, Rangers wrote: A 3-1 victory for @J_Aribo19 and TeamNigeria today to book their spot in the last 16.

Also, Leicester City wrote: lcfcs @Ndidi25 and @67Kelechi starred for Nigeria in a 3-1 win over Sudan as the Super Eagles soar into the last-16 at AFCON2021.

Similarly, Sparta Rotterdam wrote: Another win, games, points TeamNigeria @OkoyeMaduka.
Bello Matawalle, Zamfara State Governor, has said bandit attacks in his state has turned into a lucrative venture owing to the influence o...

Bello Matawalle, Zamfara State Governor, has said bandit attacks in his state has turned into a lucrative venture owing to the influence of politicians.

The Governor gave this assertion after he met President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, to brief him on the security situation in his state.

Matawalle who crossed to the ruling All Progressive Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party, a platform on which he clinched the position, said the security situation was bound to improve in the coming days because the President has given a directive to the military to quell the crisis.

The President is now determined as a result of the briefing he got from me to strengthen security activities and this will bring changes in the situation by this Wednesday, he told State House Correspondents.

He debunked reports that over 200 persons were killed in the recent attacks in Bukuyyum and Anka area of the state, saying just 58 persons fell victims.

The Governor buttressed his position, insisting that he personally visited the scenes of the attacks and got first-hand information from the emirs.

He blamed those he referred to as political bandits as being behind the bandying of unverified figures.

Commenting on possible solutions to the insecurity in Zamfara, he said: Well, you know when I assumed duty as a governor I used so many options to bring this insecurity to a minimal level. First of all, I initiated dialogue and reconciliation between the herders and farmers and during that dialogue, we spent more than nine months without any crisis in Zamfara State. It worked.

But unfortunately, people use politics, because they have collaborators, of course. So, they went back to those bandits, telling them that the government is not serious about this dialogue, that we did not give them anything.

So, the bandits decided to go back to their normal businesses. Thats why I backed out from the reconciliation programme. But definitely, it worked for over nine months. But because this is something that I inherited, that has been going on for almost eight years, you dont expect it to end within just two years of my administration. Because it is supposed to be an ongoing process.

So, after I realized that some of them had backed out of this dialogue, then I cut off the programme. I then initiated the cutting off communications, and some logistics that used to go to the bandits from August 2011 to December 2011. And it worked too.

But sometimes those collaborators who are usually happy with what is happening, who are even jubilating if people are being killed, they went back and started again, saying that the government is not serious and instigating some of the public. In fact, they even dragged me to court.

So you see with the kind of people we have in Zamfara State, I dont think this issue of banditry will end very soon because, already, some people are behind it. Some people are using it.

Recall that beyond Zamfara, other states like Katsina, Sokoto and Niger have become hotbeds for terrorism, a development that prompted President Buhari to order a massive onslaught on the attackers.
Salihu Lukman, director-general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), has resigned from his position. His resignation is coming ...

Salihu Lukman, director-general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), has resigned from his position.

His resignation is coming on the heels of the controversy surrounding the planned convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Some of the governors of the ruling party had called for his resignation during a meeting at the federal capital territory (FCT) on Sunday night.

After the meeting, Atiku Bagudu, Jigawa governor, told reporters that the partys convention would be held in February.

Bagudu said the national caretaker committee of the party led by Mai Mala Buni, Yobe governor, is the appropriate organ to announce the date for the convention.

We are one group of stakeholders in the party and our party respects institutions, he said.

The appropriate organ of the party that will announce a date for the national convention is the CECPC.

We discussed our upcoming convention which you may recall I had cause to address the press after we visited President Buhari in November 2021 where the president and the party agreed that the convention would take place in February.

Lukman has insisted that the Buni-led panel must not stay beyond February.
Youths drawn from the 19 northern states and Abuja, under the Arewa Youth Assembly, have asked the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to appoint...

Youths drawn from the 19 northern states and Abuja, under the Arewa Youth Assembly, have asked the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to appoint more Nigerian youths into his cabinet.

They stated this while appraising the one year anniversary of the appointment of the 40-year-old Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa.

The President appointed Bawa as the Chairman of the nations anti-graft agency on February 24, 2021.

The youths said so far they were excited by the performance of the 40-year-old Bawa, thereby urging the president to put more youths in positions of authority under his regime.

The group also noted that under one year of the EFCC chairman, a lot had changed as looters are being forced to surrender their loot as they no longer have a place to hide.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Publicity Secretary of the AYA, Aliyu Sani while reading from a text jointly signed by Mohammed Danlami, who is also the Speaker of the Assembly, noted that the Commission headed by their peer had taken a giant stride, saying that the EFCC chairman had redeemed the image of Nigeria youths.

According to him, in under one year, Bawa has become the nightmare for internet fraudsters, corrupt politicians, and banks chiefs, among others.

Showering more encomiums on the EFCC boss, the youth leader added, Bawa had become a nightmare for internet fraudsters, corrupt politicians, and bank chiefs, among others.

Bawa has reinvigorated and collaborated with schools mostly tertiary institutions by extending culture reorientation in the younger Nigerians to shun corruption and do the right thing always.

Bawa also revived the engagement with our religious leaders through the inter-faith dialogue and development of corresponding manuals to facilitate conscious teaching of their followers for effective behaviour modification.

Against this backdrop, the youth, according to Sani, are appealing to the President to make room for more youth to be saddled with responsibility in his regime.

This kind of action, sincerity, hard work, commitment and dedication is what you get when you have a vibrant youth, who is educated, whose education is coupled with experience and application of knowledge.

Bawa is standing tall as an icon for a new Nigeria free of corruption, a symbol of hope for other youths.

As a matter of national development, the Arewa Youths Assembly are pleading with the president to make room for more youths in his cabinet and in such strategic positions, so as to fight and together restore the lost glory of our fatherland, we need more of AbdulRasheed Bawa in Nigeria and in doing that, indeed, we will have the dawn of a new Nigeria, Sani added.
Super Eagles interim manager, Austine Eguavoen, has declared that his team is missing the expertise of Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen in ...

Super Eagles interim manager, Austine Eguavoen, has declared that his team is missing the expertise of Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen in front of goal at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cameroon.

Eguavoen said this ahead of Nigerias final Group D fixture against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday.

Ighalo was denied the chance to represent Nigeria at the 2021 AFCON after the former Manchester United star was not released by his club, Al Shabab.

Osimhen, on the other hand, was replaced in Nigerias squad for the 2021 AFCON by Slavia Pragues Peter Olayinka after failing to recover in time from a facial injury.

In the absence of both strikers, Taiwo Awoniyi has led the attack line for Eguavoens men against Egypt and Sudan, but the Union Berlin attacker is yet to make much impact in the competition.

The Super Eagles missed a number of good chances in their two AFCON wins against Egypt and Sudan, but Eguavoen admitted things would have been different with Ighalo and Osimhen at his disposal.

They [Ighalo and Osimhen] are two different players who can actually score two goals out of three chances. Awoniyi and Sadiq are two different types of players too, Eguavoen said after the teams training session on Sunday in Garoua.

That is not to say they cant score goals. Awoniyi has been scoring goals in the German league and Sadiq as well.

The good thing is that we are not giving the responsibility to the strikers alone. Other players, too, can score goals for us.

We have given Aribo the chance to move up the field and he has done that very well. He could have scored one or two goals against Sudan. Anybody can score in our team.

However, Ighalo and Osimhen are two different players from what weve now, that is why we are trying to play to our strengths.
Nollywood actor, Frederick Leonard warned that no one should preach the importance of acquiring the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to him. ...

Nollywood actor, Frederick Leonard warned that no one should preach the importance of acquiring the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to him.

He stated this on Sunday via his social media page.

According to him, there is no absolute use for new PVCs since he acquired his three or seven years ago.

Did I just hear get your PVC again? Please what happened to the ones we get seven years ago and very recently three years ago? he wrote.

Chai, my darling Naija. May we open our eyes, mind and sense to see what the problem is, and call it what it is.

Lastly, he added, please no brainwashed person should preach PVC to me.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 52F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 52F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
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A few hundred television fans and pet owners rambled through the French Quarter on Sunday, paying tribute to beloved actress Betty White who died on Dec. 31. White, whose career began in the pioneering days of television, was best known for her comedic rolls on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls sitcoms. A banner bearing an image of her dimpled face, haloed by her curly platinum hair, led the procession.

The Betty White Memorial and 100th Birthday Parade began with a blaring brass band rendition of Happy Birthday at the corner of Bourbon Street and Iberville Streets at 4 p.m. Though the skies had previously been cloudy, the sun shone during the nine-block trek. The parade concluded at the front of St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, with the singing of Thank You for Being a Friend.

Though it was a memorial parade, the tone was anything but somber. In New Orleans fashion, the participants danced and sang in tribute to White, whod died at age 99, less than a month from the century mark.

The NOLA Bombshells dance troupe added a whisper of burlesque to the proceedings and Mardi Gras-style beads bearing White portrait dangled from the necks of many participants. Co-organizer Santa T. Claus rode in a pedicab, dressed as a tropical version of the yuletide character.

Marchers were encouraged to bring dogs, in honor of Whites devotion to animals. Several costumed pooches participated in the parade or watched from the curb.

Whites parade is one of several celebrity memorial parades that have popped up in recent years. Michael Jackson, Prince, David Bowie and Carrie Fisher have been similarly celebrated. The memorial parade was originally scheduled for Whites birthday, Jan. 17, was held one day earlier in deference to Martin Luther King Day, which takes place on the 17th.
In this series, Lagniappe presents a different work each week from the collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art, with commentary from a curator.

Judy Chicago is an early pioneer of feminist art. Her paintings, installations and performances seek to expose cultural biases and shine a light on gender-based discrimination.

Chicagos paintings of the 1970s explicitly critiqued the exclusion of women from art history. In "Heaven Is for White Men Only," bright pink bands of color radiate across the canvas, overlaying a sprayed acrylic sky that, as the title explains, represents the spaces of culture often dominated by White men.

Pushing the sky into the background, Chicagos composition makes more room in the heavens.

Often composed of abstract, mandalalike patterns that evoke cycles of birth and creation, Chicagos paintings encouraged female artists to find their own voice and platform.

As Chicago once wrote, Feminist art is all the stages of a woman giving birth to herself.

One of the New Orleans Museum of Art's paintings most frequently requested for loan in the past few years, "Heaven is for White Men Only" was featured in the artists 2021-22 retrospective organized by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco at the de Young, a show at the BALTIC Center for Contemporary Art in the UK in 2019, and "Judy Chicago: A Reckoning" at the ICA Miami in 2018-19.

+2 Video installation turns NOMA gallery into a planetarium, with 'Mary' floating through space In this series, Lagniappe presents a different work each week from the collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art, with commentary from a cur

+2 Grief and loss, healing and hope explored in sound and light work at NOMA In this series, Lagniappe presents a different work each week from the collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art, with commentary from a curator.
Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has signed a partnership deal with UAE-based Diamond Developers to set up the first Sustainable City in the sultanate at an investment of AED3.7 billion ($1 billion) within Phase One of its mega Yiti Tourism masterplan.

The executive arm of the sultanate for tourism development, Omran had last year launched the Yiti, a

master-planned development that sets a new model for urbanisation connecting and extending the city of Muscat, enriching its offerings and possibilities, through a multi-phased expansion approach.

Spanning over 11 million sq m, the Yiti Development is a massive venture, strategically located overlooking the Sea of Oman. It will be spread over four phases, offering a plethora of opportunities for domestic and foreign direct investments alike.

Phase One covers 900,000 sq m area and will focus on constructing a fully sustainable mixed-use project, the sultanate's first-of-its-kind community that promotes sustainable living.

The Sustainable City brand, the first fully operational sustainable community in the Middle East, is all set to make it foray within the first phase of the Yiti project. To develop the project, Omran and Daimond Developers are setting up a new joint venture, Sustainable Development Investment Company.

The project will include green public spaces, residences, tourism, commercial, and educational facilities, all with well-balanced and integrated components.

Visitors and residents alike will enjoy a variety of unique lifestyle experiences, including restaurants, cafes, shops, and an equestrian centre, a farm along with other distinctive components that create a meaningful green-living environment.

The two sides announced that full details of the project will be revealed at the official launch ceremony later this year.

Announcing the key partnership, Omran CEO Hashil Bin Obaid Al Mahrouqi said: "This marks a major milestone in Yiti Development as we together begin the first phase of this integrated urban destination in Muscat."

The signing further attests to Omran's strategic vision in expanding the nations tourism sector and continuing to play a pivotal role as a catalyst and enabler of multi-fold, lucrative investment opportunities in the country in line with Oman Investment Authoritys directions in realising the ambitious goals of Oman Vision 2040 and supporting the delivery of the National Tourism Strategy, he added.

Diamond Developers Chairman Faris Saeed said: "We are very excited to join hands with Omran to execute our first project in Oman, and to work together on preserving the sultanates rich natural environmental resources in accordance with the best global green practices."

"Over the past decade, we have gained and harnessed invaluable knowledge from our working proof-of-concept, which we are leveraging to set new standards for building sustainable and resilient cities with the highest sustainable standards to achieve a carbon-neutral future that also suits the local culture, environment, and economy," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The port-a-potties have been in high demand at Haydels Bakery, though not for the usual reasons.

These are thimble-sized yellow porcelain port-a-potties, the latest in a series of collectible trinkets that accompany the king cakes at Haydels each Carnival season.

They were delayed this year, though that has finally been relieved.

Their saga provides one small, vivid example of the supply chain issues that have beset so many parts of the economy during the pandemic. Not even the local king cake tradition is immune.

Bakers across the area are once again stocking their shelves and shipping king cakes across the country. But many report difficulties securing enough of their more prosaic staple ingredients, and they're paying higher prices to get them.

Haydels has made its porcelain collectibles for three decades, introducing them each year on Jan. 6, Kings Day, the kick off to Carnival season.

For 2022, Haydels has two designs. One represents Gallier Hall, where many Mardi Gras parades stop for a ceremonial toast; the other depicts a portable toilet, an unglamorous but indisputably essential part of the outdoor celebrations.

Last years Mardi Gras was so crappy, we just thought wed celebrate it a bit, said proprietor David Haydel. You have to laugh at it.

Anticipating a tricky year this time around, Haydel ordered his 2022 trinkets months earlier than usual. Alas, even that did no good.

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The shipment made it from a factory in China all the way across the Pacific Ocean, only to hit a backlog at the Los Angeles port. After a month idled just offshore, the ship finally docked only to encounter another delay for workers to unload it. Then the shipment was delayed again waiting for trucking to bring it across the country to Louisiana.

+56 Ian McNulty: A year of New Orleans dining in 52 dishes, and a few drinks There are many ways to sum up a year in the New Orleans dining scene. Below, I'm giving you 52 of them, snapshot style, with tastes that contr

Now Haydels is finally well-stocked with many thousands of the collectibles.

The bakery alternates which design it includes in its king cakes by week. Next week, beginning Jan. 17, the port-o-potties are included. The alternate design is always available for separate purchase, without the cake, for $5.

The supply chain snag brought some renewed attention to the tradition here, and Haydel reports that theyve heard particular interest from employees at local sanitation companies, the port-o-potty suppliers.

"One of them told me 'this means we really made it,' Haydel said with a chuckle.

Haydel's Bakery

4037 Jefferson Hwy., (504) 837-0190

+3 Most of this company's restaurants have been closed since Ida. Heres the plan to reopen. The local restaurant group New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. has locations spread broadly around the metro area. But that did little to 

+7 Oak Street restaurant Cowbell latest to close amid pandemic, Hurricane Ida woes When Brack May and Krista Pendergraft-May opened their art-filled, chef-led cafe in late 2010 it was part of a wave of better-burger concepts 
Oliver Thomas defeated Cyndi Nguyen for the District E seat representing New Orleans East and the 9th Ward. He previously served on City Council from 1994 to 2007, resigning after pleading guilty to bribery, for which he was sentenced to 37 months in prison. He will chair two committees, the Criminal Justice Committee and the Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee.

Gambit: Coming in, what is your top priority right now?

Oliver Thomas: If you can't be safe, you can't be anything. There is such a feeling of fear in this town, and that's a harsh word to use. Cities in urban corridors have dealt with crime for quite some time. When I go back to the late '80s and early '90s, especially urban America with crack cocaine, drug gangs and some of the indiscriminate violence, this is the first time, I've sensed that level of fear from people really ...

It's crazy because my conversation this morning with community people and members of the business community are about the fear of crime  And definitely now being with the family for 7-year-old who was murdered, looking at the body of a 12-year-old found on the side of the road, who was obviously murdered, and those are just two cases ... The public has to feel like they have a reasonable chance to come out their homes.

Gambit: Its different this time from the 80s because in the 80s there was crack. Does that create a space maybe to do things other than throw cops at it?

Thomas: Bingo. August Wilson, the late playwright, talked about the duality of life is like two trains running ... I actually think as horrible and as challenging as the time is now, it offers us the chance to do both because we knew the law enforcement piece didn't work. Maxine Waters apologized, Bill Clinton and Hillary have apologized. The statistics show that the tough-on-crime model and the war on drugs didn't do anything but create more disparity, more broken homes and more broken communities.

That other part of my life is what I've always done: mentoring programs ... I used to tell the principals, Send me the kids that you want to put out. All I need is 45 minutes, an hour a week. And we were able to impact their lives and I've been doing that for years. I still do. So I think it's a perfect chance right now to say, hey, look, we could be frightened into knocking heads and stop and frisk, but here's an opportunity, especially with the rest of that money coming into town, to do both.

The Gambit Interview: Council Member Eugene Green, District D Green spoke with Gambit about using mentorship programs to help address crime, blight reduction in District D and chairing the Transportation and Airport Committee.

Gambit: There seem to be a lot of problems to fix right now. There are a lot of people who will say this is just how it goes. You've been inside the bowels of government in the city. Can it be done differently?

Thomas: This shit ain't new. I wrote a piece years ago that said American citizens are going to need a passport to get to D.C. That's how far they've moved  When 30% of the people vote, 15% of the people vote ... I had this conversation with Mitch Landrieu several years ago, he was talking about winning with mandates. In my conversation, I said, Well, I am glad you got the 60% but if everybody who didn't vote voted against everybody who's in politics, none of them would be there. So you can't be happy with it.

There are a group of people who are opting out. They're saying, I don't give a shit. Oliver Thomas, Peter Rabbit, one of the Avengers, ain't nobody gonna change that shit. But then isn't that why it's important: that whichever of us are there that we show them that we can? ... They're talking about people not voting because they don't want to vote. No, people are not voting because many of them are saying, It doesn't matter. And that's scary, and that's something that the political players and our business class ought to take personally. Because either you're inspiring your fellow brothers and sisters or you're not.

Gambit: What do you think about the city announcing its going to start cracking down on unlicensed pop-ups?

Thomas: I'm offended by it. I'm a Lower 9th Ward boy. I grew up on pop-up culture, on pop-up economics  the frozen cup lady, the lady who sold the candy out of her house who had her own little corner store. I grew up on the hustle economy in this town because that's what they gave us. That's a low hanging fruit. First of all, and this is real talk here, to focus on that group because of how much money we think we can collect is fucking crazy. You ain't gonna get enough money from that group to do nothing but maybe hire a NORD supervisor.

When you talk about economic scales, we need to be focusing on bigger shit. How are we gonna create an environment where people can sign up to open up a business one day and if everything is right, they open it up the next day? How are we gonna create an environment where people feel so safe that they don't want to pass through this city, but they want to move their business and stay in the city? If you want to hurry up and collect enough money to increase this budget, you ain't gonna do it by focusing on pop-ups. Why don't we pop up with some protection? Why don't we pop up with some resources? Why don't we pop up with a permit that says hey, I know you're a pop-up but you can keep popping up because we want to help you pop up the right way?

We ain't gonna save New Orleans by focusing on the frozen cup lady or the barbecue guy at the second line or somebody setting up on a corner hustling  That's where I get my oysters and some of my knockoff sweatsuits. So blame me, because I'm going to keep patronizing.

Crime, infrastructure and economic development top Helena Morenos council agenda The Council President is more upbeat about what the newly constituted City Council can achieve on key issues.

Gambit: What are some projects you want to make happen in your district?

Thomas: A major project is we have to make sure that Lincoln Beach and the Bayou Phoenix/Six Flags project, we have to fight day and night to make sure those happen. Those people out there need some wins. And to me, you have two of the most powerful waterways, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Industrial Canal. Given what's happening with the Panama and distribution of resources and supplies throughout the world, we're uniquely positioned to take advantage of that, especially given some of the challenges other folk have and our access to waterways that fuel most of middle America and eastern America. How do we reposition to take advantage of that? Then we have NASA ... How do we use that as an asset?

I think too often in the city, all we ever talk about is how we're hurting, not those things that have allowed us to survive in spite of our pain. And it's been reflected in how we govern and how we invest  It ain't rocket science. I think it's hiding in plain sight. I think the question is who we are and what we do first. Is our budget more important than Miss Jane's budget? Is it more important for her to fund her family just for us to grow our budget? Is it more important for that pop-up for us to allow them to do business and teach them how to stay in business than to cite her for how she does business? I think we need to take a look at our priorities.

Gambit: What do you see as the relationship between the mayor and the new council?

Thomas: I think we have some talented new members whose interests have been spurred by the public ... There won't be any passthroughs. People used to talk about the debate with [Council members] Peggy [Wilson] and Dorothy [Mae Taylor] and some of the interaction that used to happen with [Johnny] Jackson, Lambert [Boissiere Jr.] and [Bryan] Wagner and lastly, the Morial administration. If you track that period of time into the early 2000s, it was actually a period of mitigating extreme crime and growth. So the debate was actually healthy. A strong mayor should want a strong council, a strong council should want a strong mayor, and a strong city should want both.
Last falls election swept a slate of new characters onto New Orleans City Council, ranging from electoral neophyte Lesli Harris to veteran political hand Oliver Thomas. Unlike in her first term, Mayor LaToya Cantrell doesnt have clear allies on the council at this point, and it is expected to be more aggressive in its oversight of the executive branch than in past years.

Gambit staff recently sat down with all seven members of the council in order to find out where their priorities are as the new term begins, whats on tap in the various committees and what they see as the biggest issues facing the city. In doing so, we hope to create a baseline from which to judge them individually and as a group over the next several years. Those interviews appear below.

Gambit also asked Mayor Cantrell for an interview to discuss her priorities, agenda items and what she views as the major issues facing our community. She declined.

The New Crew

The Gambit Interview: Council Member Lesli Harris, District B Harris spoke with Gambit about chairing the Quality of Life Committee, the dynamic of the new City Council and fostering women's leadership.

The Gambit Interview: Council Member Freddie King III, District C King spoke with Gambit about addressing crime, economic development in Algiers and focusing on youth with the Community Development Committee.

The Gambit Interview: Council Member Eugene Green, District D Green spoke with Gambit about using mentorship programs to help address crime, blight reduction in District D and chairing the Transportation and Airport Committee.

The Gambit Interview: Council Member Oliver Thomas, District E Thomas spoke with Gambit about approaching crime differently, the absurdity of cracking down on pop-ups, using his district's assets and the need for both a strong mayor and a strong council.

Council Elders

Crime, infrastructure and economic development top Helena Morenos council agenda The Council President is more upbeat about what the newly constituted City Council can achieve on key issues.
Joe Giarrusso is in his second term as the council member representing District A. A lifelong resident of the district, Giarrusso graduated from Jesuit High School, and has been a lawyer for 17 years. This year he takes over the council's powerful Budget Committee.

Gambit: The Budget Committee and the budget work is a space that the council hasn't necessarily used in an aggressive enough way in the past. And everybody seems to think that that's something that you're looking to do.

Joe Giarrusso: Well, I think the answer is yes. I think some of it is even mild procedural things. One of the things I would like to do is, instead of starting the meetings with all the ordinances that have to be passed first, and then doing the revenue reports at the very end, let's start with the revenue reports first. That's what I care about: Where's the money coming? Where's it going? Is there anybody who's in the red?

How do we get that information discussed at the top of the hour and not sort of when everybody's asleep from sort of systematically hitting Yes. That's number one.

Number two is, we've had a tendency to wait till October to start talking budget with the administration and that's collectively  I'm not blaming either side, but that's what's happened. I think we should be getting to that process much earlier.

One of the things I want to do specifically, with my district council members, obviously with our at-larges, is sit down in May and say, All right, look, give me on the operational and the capital budget side your three needs, your three wants, and your three luxury items and lets go see.

I feel like it does two things. One is just candidly, it builds rapport with everybody on the council. [For example] I'm going to go try and see what I can do to help Algiers with this. And we do it citywide and help each other.

And then the other thing too, is, we don't get to November then and start saying, All right, these are the these are the things that are important.

I think we need to space that out  The last thing, is there are some departments that have just done a fantastic job being responsive to us. So, I don't want this to be an indictment writ large. But there's others that don't answer questions. How do you deal with that in a different way when we are the conduit of what our constituents are telling us?

Gambit: Are there mechanisms that could be used to create a bit more of a stick through the budget?

Giarrusso: I think the Council has multiple moves.

This is just some off the top of my head but  one thing that you can do is hold back certain spending ordinances, as well and just say, we're deferring it until we get the type of action that everybody is agreeable to. I think though, those sticks require either supermajority or council unanimity to make sure it happens  The other thing I would just say and in complete fairness is, you need to be careful in how you use that. because if you reappropriate, a public safety agency  and I use that term very broadly  then we're going to be accused of not helping Safety and Permits or NOPD, or Code Enforcement. And you need to be thoughtful about how you send a message.

Gambit: Can you guys write budgets where you're saying, OK, we want money to go to hiring, let's say, 10 new STR inspectors, and be very specific about it. Is that possible?

Giarrusso: I'm not sure if that exactly is possible, but I think what we can do is say, alright, well, STR falls under the [Office of Business and External Services] and I'm going to withhold this amount of money from OBES until we see those 10 STR officers hired.

To me, it's how does it fit sort of on a chessboard and how do you move the pieces around to get what you want? We may not be able to directly make that a specific ask  because remember, we allocate, and then the administration spends, that's how it works.

But what allocations you are given, you can also take back, and so that, to me, is what the real issue is:

Well, we've now given you, the administration, the budget for 2022. And if you reach certain inflection points where you're not seeing what you want, on issues like STRs, then how do you pull back from another piece of the budget to make sure that another piece is being pushed away that should be.

Gambit: Going back to basics, as chairman of the committee, what are your three priorities for the committee this year?

Giarrusso: My first one is what I sort of led with, which is how do we work as a group to get the things that collectively and individually we think our districts and the city as a whole are entitled to.

I don't want to hear from a colleague, My priority was repaving this street or getting a catch basin in this part of my district, and it was the top of my list and nothing happened.

I think that needs to change, and then make sure that as a group, on those asks, that we have money for, it being funded.

Number two, I'll always be on the how do we make sure that we are getting deliverables from the money that's being spent too? One of the constant arguments we circle ourselves around with is well, we're funding X amount to some agency, what are we getting in return for that?

JP [Morrell] always says, the city shouldnt be this hard to live in. I say it a little bit more positively, which is government's job should be public safety first and then secondly, government should make things easier for citizens. And so it's: how are we making sure money is used well, and make sure the trash is being picked up? How is it being used to make sure there's not, you know, 19 car jackings, in the space of a month? How do we make sure that there's STR enforcement with the lawyers that you're looking for?

I think those are kind of the areas where we want to use the budget, and I think if you're talking to other council members, what they're also telling you is look, we can raise our voices about departmental issues or things that the executive branch does, but in fairness, thats why the mayor is elected.

She is the CEO of the city, but we have the appropriation power and that's where I think the council can exercise its responsibility and separation of powers obligation: to try and make sure that the executive branch and the legislative branch are in balance.

Gambit: So the budget as oversight.

Giarrusso: Yeah, yes.

Gambit: I'm not telling you anything new, but oversight is something that everybody feels has been lacking over the last few years.

Giarrusso: I think when you have new people who assume office and chairmanships, they're going to bring their own ideas about how they want to do things. I'm candidly going to sit down with the administration in short order and say, This is how I want meetings operate. This is how I'd like us to get materials in advance of the meeting. I'm going to try and give you kind of a two-or-three-month window into what I'm looking for. Well talk about crime at probably one of our first meetings and then I would like to start discussing what is the infrastructure outlook like in February, and then how do we go from there?

And then just making sure along the way, that there's really clear communication about what's important and what expectations are, and then not waiting till right before a meeting or right before the budget process to start soliciting anything.

Its our responsibility, as well. It's our job also, to have a voice and say, These are the things that we want to commit to, and how do we start having those conversations as early as possible?

Crime, infrastructure and economic development top Helena Morenos council agenda The Council President is more upbeat about what the newly constituted City Council can achieve on key issues.

Gambit: Is there any hope of starting the budget process earlier in the year, so the council doesnt end up being forced into essentially rubber stamping what the administration proposes.

Giarrusso Yeah, I think the earlier you start having the conversations, the better  and I think it has to be within a framework, too. I mean, I don't think it's fair to say, I want to carve out $30 million for certain things and then come back a month later be like, Oh, it's $100 million. I think it's about managing expectations on both sides. I also think obviously, there needs to be some flexibility because there's always some added sprinkles on top of the budget as we get toward the very end. And you have to have that flexibility too.

I would hope that we could get to a point where the budget is released earlier, or there's a less dire approach than like changing the charter, which is getting access to behind the numbers a little bit earlier than it's an internal program where the budget staff and the Council staff can look behind what's being presented and look at the numbers.

We had access to that a couple years ago and getting access to that even earlier would be helpful.

The other thing too is, smart department heads start talking to the budget committee before budget hearings. And they start approaching us and saying, this is my ask; this is what I need. We want to see things early, and people want to be able to digest them. What are some of the low-hanging fruit things we can get out of the way? And then how do we dig in on the points that are important?

Gambit: Last thing is, you were the chairman of the Quality of Life committee  A friend of mine the other day described the feeling that people have about the city now, as this: If you imagine New Orleans as being this party, traditionally, for decades, forever, it was a party for us: the people who live here. Other people could come here and could become part of that party, and have fun at the party, but the party was always our party.

But the feeling in the city increasingly is that as far as the government is concerned, the party is not for us anymore. We just work here. We're serving the drinks of the party, but the party's actually for somebody else.

That goes into kind of every issue, whether it's roads or whether it's the pop-up stuff, whether it's how they plan Mardi Gras, every aspect of life seems to increasingly be geared toward making New Orleans good for other people that don't live here.

Giarrusso: I hope other people talk about this. Our job as New Orleans elected officials is to make things easier for our residents.

[Government should be] responsive to you. Not a tourist who's coming here for a convention, but rather that you know that that your pothole is going to be fixed in front of your house.

You mentioned the pop-ups. What can we do to streamline that process? And make it so its much easier?  We've prepared a Zoning 101 that we're going to take on a roadshow to all of our neighborhood groups with this is what you need to know about zoning. This is how it works. This is where you can access information.

I mean, there's a ton of stuff the city has available that even when I was a neighborhood president I had no clue about. So some of it, to me, is also like a balancing act of putting information in peoples hands and making sure they know what their rights are.

And then the second part is delivery of the service too. When people feel like the Sewerage & Water Board bill is bad, my street is in bad shape, I have somebody who got car jacked, my trash isn't being picked up  they feel like it's not working for them. Like, I'm giving you all of my capital, and I'm eating my vegetables, but I'm not getting to have the fruits of what I enjoy. I think it's about making sure people know how the system can work for them, simplifying how the system works for them and then delivering on that for them, too.
For Prospect.5, New Orleans international art triennial that closes Sunday, Jan. 23, organizers chose the exhibition title Yesterday we said tomorrow.

It was really about understanding and processing and having conversations about how the past informs the present, co-artistic director Naima J. Keith told Gambit on the eve of Prospect.5 opening in October.

The title was inspired by Chief Christian Scott aTunde Adjuahs 2010 album, Yesterday You Said Tomorrow. On the record, the New Orleans-born trumpeter and composer confronted social justice and political issues. The album opener, K.K.P.D. or Klu Klux Police Department, for instance, was written after being harassed by New Orleans police one night  and those issues are still as prevalent today, if not more so. Adjuah says it was a beautiful experience when he talked with Prospect.5 organizers about the name.

I think more often than not, when we think of Prospect [New Orleans], its sort of more seen as coming from a visual arts space, Adjuah says. When they reached out to us, the things they intimated were  for a lack of a better way of putting it  heartwarming, just to see that they found so much synergy in what we were trying to communicate on that document. We all do have this opportunity to create a better moment for each other as a collective.

The phrase was one Adjuahs grandfather, Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr., would tell him all the time as a child.

He would always make sure that you got your work done and that you were embracing your opportunities that you got by waking up that day, Adjuah says. So for [Prospect] to decide that this was going to be the name for the year, in that energy, I was honored by it.

On Saturday, Jan. 22, Adjuah will headline the Prospect.5 Gala at StudioBE, the Bywater arts space created by Brandan BMike Odums. The gala will celebrate the closing of Prospect.5 with art, food and music, as well as honor art historian Kellie Jones; UTA Fine Arts & UTA Artist Space creative director Arthur Lewis; photographers Keith Calhoun and Chandra McCormick; and New Orleans organizations Antenna, The Front, Good Children, Level Artist Collective and Staple Goods.

The gala  a major fundraiser for Prospect New Orleans  was postponed from October to January due to Hurricane Ida.

Prospect.5 exhibitions continue through Jan. 23, and a number of events are planned this week, including a discussion with artistic directors Keith and Diana Nawi and Prospect.3s Franklin Sirmans at 11 a.m. Friday at the Ogden Museum. At 5:30 p.m. Friday, multi-instrumentalist and composer Nicholas Payton will lead a group of musicians in a final performance of Josh Kuns project Over and Over the Waves at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Artist Simone Leigh will unveil a public sculpture, Sentinel (Mami Wata) at 10 a.m. Saturday (location to be announced).

At Saturdays gala, Adjuah will perform with his new group, The Sound Carved from Legend. The lineup includes several musicians from Adjuahs normal touring sextet  the Stretch Music Collective Band, he says, referencing his style of stretching, blurring and breaking genre conventions  but this particular cohort of musicians is more percussion heavy.

The music is more of a hybrid of traditional Louisiana Maroons or Black Indian music, Adjuah says, traditional Louisiana blues music mixed with the music that actually seeded those forms  traditional Songhai, Ouassalou music, Mande music from places like Mali and Senegal, Gambia and the Ivory Coast.

Part of what it is that were doing, he adds, is trying to retether the connections of the root music that seeded all of these things that grew in the 20th century, everything from blues to jazz to rhythm and blues to rock and roll.

During the Covid shutdowns, Adjuah spent time developing a new instrument, the Adjuah Bow, for this musical exploration. The double-sided harp is modeled after the ngoni and kora, traditional stringed instruments used by storytellers and musicians in West African cultures  but with some electric modifications.

I wanted to create an instrument that had those methodologies built into it, but to build an instrument that also made sense in the 21st century context, Adjuah says. So its plugged in  I can make it sound like anything from a Thom Yorke, Radiohead record to a Jimi Hendrix, Band of Gypsies record. But the exhibition is happening over rhythms that are wholly rooted in West Africa and the transatlantic experience.

Adjuah is working on recordings based on The Sound Carved from Legend to be released later this year. Hes also building out plans to manufacture more Adjuah Bows for wider use, with the hope of introducing the instrument to students to promote more music education based in rhythm.

Its been almost 12 years since Adjuah released Yesterday You Said Tomorrow. When asked about the work that still remains around the issues he channeled on the record, Adjuah recognizes its frustrating and thinks of his grandmother, Herreast Harrison, who ran nursery schools in the 9th Ward for more than 30 years.

One of the things that we learned from her and one of the things I learned from the women in my family is that when you want a younger person to learn or someone that hasnt developed a certain type of understanding yet or doesnt have a context for things yet, you have to continue to repeat yourself, Adjuah says. You dont repeat yourself in anger. You repeat yourself with love. Because at the end of the day, at some point theyll hear. That has to be the hope.

Tickets and information about the Prospect.5 gala can be found at prospect5.org. Find Adjuahs music at chiefadjuah.com.
Attorney and political newcomer Lesli Harris is stepping in to lead District B after defeating incumbent Jay Banks. Harris is a former Chief of Staff at Loyola University, and she ran on a platform of violent crime reduction, fixing infrastructure and securing more affordable housing, as well as mitigating the effects of climate change in a vulnerable city. She has also pledged to focus on womens issues alongside City Council President Helena Moreno, who has authored and supported several laws to protect women and children.

Gambit: How is your first week on the job going so far?

Lesli Harris: Its good; its super busy, Ive had meetings back-to-back.

Gambit: Can you share some of your vision for the committees youre working with?

Harris: I will be chairing the Quality of Life Committee, which is great because I ran on a platform of quality of life. It encompasses everything, from potholes to affordable housing. Im on seven total. I kept [community engagement liaison for City Council] Matt Schoenberger from Jay [Banks]s office, and hes really responsive.

I want to focus on affordable housing, including making repairs to homes owned by low-income people. Thats something I ran on, having grants available to people, so they can repair their homes. I want to repurpose city-owned properties.

Im also serving on the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee. I think we have a real opportunity to become a beacon in greening our infrastructure and stormwater management. That, in turn, can create jobs.

For the Public Works Committee, I want to focus on potholes and fixing traffic lights.

For the Criminal Justice Committee, we have to focus on violent crime. Thatll involve working with the district attorneys office, and I have a call with [Police Superintendent] Shaun Ferguson later today  I want to make sure our officers and other first responders are supported. Thats something Im going to be laser-focused on. Im excited to chair the Quality of Life Committee because I can bring all the committees to that.

Council Budget Chairman Joe Giarrusso looks to flex committees oversight muscle Giarrusso spoke with Gambit about the city's budget, priorities for the powerful Budget Committee and making the system work for New Orleanians again.

Gambit: What is the dynamic like with the new council? Did you have previous relationships or know the other members before you took office?

Harris: Helena [Moreno] was friends of friends, and she endorsed me. I really like her vision for the city. Having another woman, when theres only two of us  thats something she and I can vibe on. I think its important that she and I have a focus on womens leadership.

I knew JP [Morrell] from law school at Tulane, so he and I are friends. And Joe [Giarrusso], I was in law school with his wife. So I have some prior relationships. I think Oliver Thomas will be a statesman and someone we can look to for guidance. And I served on the Industrial Development Board with Eugene Green, and Freddie [King], I watched his campaign  he ran a really good campaign.

Gambit: You and Helena both wore suffragette white to inauguration.

Harris: Yes, it was very empowering to wear white. She and I will be focusing on fostering womens leadership at the high school and college levels. When I was at Loyola, [university president] Tania Tetlow and I put together the womens leadership academy, and I think we can do something like that at the city level and focus on bringing up the next generation of leaders.

The Gambit Interview: Council Member Freddie King III, District C King spoke with Gambit about addressing crime, economic development in Algiers and focusing on youth with the Community Development Committee.

Gambit: Who have been some of your strongest mentors?

Harris: Tania Tetlow [president of Loyola University]. I had two mentors at Stone Pigman [law firm]: Wayne Lee; and Mary Dumestre, a retired partner there. I have a strong group of friends including Sharonda Williams [General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs at Loyola]. We grew up together and became leaders together, so its also been important to me to maintain those friendships. Gambit: Have you read anything good lately? Harris: My friend gave me a fantasy book about elves by Sarah Maas, it was such trash [laughs], but I was like, let me read this to get out of campaign mode. Gambit: What are some of your favorite spots to hang out at in District B? Harris: One of my favorites is Steins Deli. I get the turkey Reuben on seeded bread. Mais Arepas is owned by two of my friends and the street corn is amazing; I eat there at least twice a month. Ive also been hanging out at Cafe Reconcile and supporting the kids over there and their efforts. And I will always grab the orbit bowl at the Daily Beet to try and be healthy. Gambit: Is there anything else you want our readers to know? Harris: I ran on accountability and getting things done, so if I am not getting things done, I need the citizens of District B to call me out on it. Theres so much to do and I think we can really make some progress. I think this council will be a powerhouse and help move New Orleans in the right direction.
At a wreath-laying ceremony to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other city officials issued a call to fight for voting rights and social justice, but also decried the increase in gun violence and armed robberies plaguing the city.

"My heart is feeling heavy as I call upon all residents of our community to show that love that Dr. King said can drive out darkness wherever it exists," Cantrell said. "Right now darkness does exist in our community, in our neighborhoods, and throughout our city."

She said it isn't enough to put more city resources behind the effort, or to leave it only to the New Orleans Police Department, but that ordinary citizens have to help in both solving crimes and preventing violence.

Cantrell and several City Council members also evoked MLK in calling for continued work on social justice and voting rights at the ceremony, which was held at the memorial to King at South Claiborne Avenue, at the junction with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Cantrell noted in particular the several dozen people who held placards at the ceremony in support of the residents of the Gordon Plaza subdivision, who have been pushing for city funding to move them from the former toxic landfill site.

City Council President Helena Moreno referenced the difficulties Democrats are having getting a national voting rights law passed to counteract restrictive measures going on in Republican statehouses across the country.

"It is so important that we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to vote, everyone," Moreno said. "We see what is happening in Washington D.C. and what I say is do not be discouraged. We just have to push harder."

There was no march preceding the wreath-laying this year and the gathering was sparsely attended as the surge in the omicron coronavirus variant has truncated events to mark the holiday.

Jefferson Parish holds a yearly banquet in honor of the national holiday, and school groups and residents carried banners and placards during the procession to downtown Covington on the north shore.

A major theme of the afternoon was the spate of recent carjackings, armed robberies and homicides, which have spiked during the pandemic and plagued communities of color.

NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson, in a separate press conference after the wreath laying, noted that suspects believed to have been involved in the weekend's spree of carjackings  specifically five that occurred around the Tulane and Loyola universities' Uptown campuses  had been apprehended.

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He said the investigation into the weekend's surge of violent vehicle robberies  11 from Friday through Sunday, according to NOPD reports  was conducted by the Violent Crime Abatement Investigation Team, the unit formed just over a year ago that includes the FBI and Louisiana State Police to track repeat violent offenders.

But he said a lenient criminal justice system and laws decriminalizing low-level crimes have hampered the NOPD's ability to deal with the crime spike.

"We can make all of the arrests we want but until the back portion of this criminal justice system does its part in insuring accountability and insuring consequences to their actions, we're going to continue to spin our wheels," Ferguson said.

"We'll continue to make the arrests but it doesn't mean a thing if there are no consequences to their actions," he added.

Moreno issued a press release after the ceremony confirming that Chief Ferguson will address a special council meeting called this Thursday, Jan. 20, to address the crime spike. She said District Attorney Jason Williams and unnamed criminal and juvenile court judges will address the council on Monday, Jan. 24.

"I don't believe that the 'lock-up everyone' approach is effective, but those committing egregious violent crimes must be caught and held accountable," Moreno said in a press release.

Newly-elected City Council Members at the event who echoed the call for action on crime included Lesli Harris, JP Morrell, Eugene Green, Freddie King III, and Oliver Thomas.

Williams has since taking office offloaded hundreds of cases that he described as "fat" and "bloat," but he and the NOPD have said they were putting together a cooperation plan to provide a "laser focus" on violent crimes in the city.

Ferguson noted that carjacking was up only 1% in 2021 until the sudden surge in December and January.

However, the increase last year was on top of a surge in the first year of the pandemic that saw carjacking spike 64.4%, murders up 31.6%, and auto thefts up 21.4%.

The murder rate last year was the highest it has been since before Hurricane Katrina. Among the most heartbreaking were those of more than a dozen children, including most recently 12-year-old Derrick Cash and 7-year-old Dillan Burton. They attended the same school, Thurgood Marshall, and were murdered within 10 days of each other in separate incidents.
The suspect in the slaying of a woman whose dismembered remains were found in a freezer inside a bus at their shared New Orleans house is now accused of threatening to cut a former spouse into pieces while invoking the name of a fictional serial killer.

The latest allegations against Benjamin Beale, 34, surfaced as police linked Beale to the deadly beating, strangulation and dismemberment of 36-year-old Julia Dardar, whose corpse was discovered Jan. 11. News coverage of the case prompted a woman whom Beale briefly married in early March 2021 to speak with police about threats Beale  who uses non-binary pronouns  allegedly made against her in the summer of last year, after she had left them, according to records that investigators filed Saturday in criminal court.

The woman said she split from Beale less than a month after their wedding because they hovered over her, yelled at her and intimidated, leaving her in fear for her safety, police wrote in the court records.

By the beginning of August of last year, Beale had contacted the woman and asked her to come clean Beales home, which she refused, police said, citing her recollections. Beale later allegedly arrived at her home wielding a 5-foot-long tree branch that the woman described as a staff which he used to bang on her back door.

While they spoke through a back storm door, the woman alleged, Beale yelled, I will cut you up into pieces. Beale left but then returned the following day to speak to her again, this time saying, I will cut you up into pieces using my Dexter table, investigators asserted in court records.

Dexter is a reference to the fictional television show about a vigilante who kills and dismembers people he considers to be bad. A widely circulated photo on a social media account under a pseudonym of Beale contained a photo of Beale with a filter paying tribute to the show.

Beale's former spouse alleged that Beale would become violent while abusing illegal drugs. She also reported that Beale was becoming increasingly violent as "people were finding out that he abused women," police said in court records.

Beale has been in the custody of New Orleans jail since the day police found Dardars dismembered remains in a freezer on a bus outside Beales home, which investigators allege doubled as a meth lab.

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They initially booked him on counts of obstruction of justice and operating a lab producing meth, the illegal, highly addictive drug. After the remains were confirmed to belong to Dardar, and an autopsy showed that she had been strangled and beaten to death, police on Friday booked Beale on an additional count of second-degree murder, resulting in his bail being increased from $400,000 to $1.4 million.

Police on Saturday then rebooked Beale on a count of misdemeanor simple assault in connection with the alleged threats in August against the other woman. His bond amount then went up another $5,000, records show.

Dardar, a mother of two teenaged daughters, moved in with Beale amid a divorce from her husband in 2021. Her estranged husband reported her missing Dec. 23, some days after a friend said the husband saw Beale driving her car without her.

Police went to question Beale twice over the coming days. They said Beale told them Dardar was trying to move out of the house, and that she might have taken her own life or overdosed on illegal substances.

Officers said they doubted the story because many of Dardars belongings were still at Beales, so they obtained a search warrant and returned on Jan. 11 at midday to Beales property in the 2300 block of Pauline Street in the Florida neighborhood.

Inside a deep freezer, in a bus that was parked in the backyard, they found a womans headless torso, along with other body parts. The freezer was connected to the electricity in the house, which contained ingredients and equipment to manufacture meth, police alleged. Nearby was a power saw, goggles, plastic garbage bags and a face shield, all of which convinced police to arrest Beale.

The most serious count that Beale faces is murder, which carries mandatory life imprisonment upon conviction.

Dardars survivors include girls ages 13 and 17. Loved ones remembered her as an artistic person who loved working on cars as a mechanic and doting on her daughters, before a meth addiction left her vulnerable to allegedly be preyed upon by Beale.
Police reported seven people had their cars stolen at gunpoint during the 15 hours between noon Saturday and early Sunday morning, the latest in a wave of carjackings and vehicle thefts that began during the pandemic.

Five of the vehicle thefts were classified by the New Orleans Police Department as carjackings, with most occurring Uptown near Loyola and Tulane universities, but others were reported near St. Roch and New Orleans East. In one instance, the vehicle has been recovered.

NOPD issued a statement late Sunday saying it had arrested four people the night before on unrelated counts but said those suspects "may also be connected to carjacking incidents that occurred in other districts around the city on Saturday" and that investigators "are working to bring additional charges related to the Second District incidents in the coming days."

The Second District includes the areas around the Uptown universities, which was alerted to the carjackings Saturday by Tulane police.

"It is believed that the same subjects are responsible for all five incidents," the Tulane police alert said, describing the assailants as "males, dressed in dark hoodies with light colored pants, armed with a black and silver handgun." No injuries were reported.

As of Jan. 11, there had been 17 carjackings in 2022 and two attempts, an average of about 1 per day, though police announced some arrests related to recent vehicle thefts in the Central Business District, Central City, Hollygrove and Little Woods.

The first of the weekend carjackings occurred at 11:50 a.m. Friday in the 1200 block of Adams Street, near Tulane's campus, when a woman was approached by five assailants who brandished a weapon and forced her out of her vehicle. NOPD said it has no further details on that incident.

On Saturday, at 12:43 p.m., a man in the 1600 block of St. Roch Avenue was approached by two males who produced a handgun and demanded his keys and wallet. They fled in the victims black 2017 Nissan Maxima.

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Then at 1:29 p.m. in the 2000 block of Audubon Street, on the Broadmoor side of South Claiborne Avenue, a woman was approached by two men who produced a gun and ordered her out of her vehicle, which was later recovered near Calhoun and South Johnson streets.

Just a few minutes later, at 1:34 p.m. in the 2000 block of Palmer Avenue near the Loyola campus, a 21-year-old woman was approached by two males while she was walking to her residence. The assailants pointed a gun at her and demanded her keys. They then jumped in the vehicle and fled down Palmer Street toward the river, according to NOPD.

At 4:23 p.m. in the 300 block of State Street, four blocks from Audubon Park, a woman was approached by a man who ordered her out of her vehicle at gunpoint. She threw her purse on the seat and exited. The man got in her vehicle and fled riverbound on State Street.

At 7:04 p.m. in the 1600 block of Franklin Avenue in the St. Claude area, a woman was approached by a man while sitting in the backseat of her car. The man jumped into the driver's seat, and when the victim saw he had a weapon, she exited. The man fled in the victim's dark blue Ford Edge with Texas license plate MXJ4802.

At 3:18 a.m. Sunday, a 50-year-old man was carjacked on Lake Forest Boulevard near the Interstate 510 exit in in New Orleans East. The carjacker fled down Lake Forest Boulevard toward Bullard Avenue in the victim's red Chevy Corvette with Georgia license plate XHU328.

NOPD reported two other armed robberies occurred Saturday.

At 4:19 p.m. in the 300 block of Audubon Street, two victims  one of whom was described as female  were robbed by two men who took the woman's cellphone and fled in an SUV.

Then at 5:58 p.m. in the Algiers area, a man was robbed in the 4000 block of Maple Leaf Drive. The male assailant armed with a handgun struck the victim in the back of the head then took money from his pockets before fleeing in a black Nissan Altima.
Newly sworn-in New Orleans City Councilmember Oliver Thomas is set to resume a familiar gig on Tuesday: his morning talk show on WBOK-AM.

Thomas will juggle the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekday slot with his job as District E councilmember for New Orleans East and the Lower 9th Ward. Thomas said it was humbling that the stations owners asked him to return to air.

I agreed for a trial basis, to see, because I would like to help them, Thomas said. I enjoy the conversation. I think it helped during the campaign. I was so much more understanding of the issues.

Thomas began hosting the show half a decade ago, but he gave up his drive-time mix of politics and current affairs when he began his successful campaign for the District E seat in July.

Veteran broadcaster Sally-Ann Roberts took over the morning show, but Jeff Thomas, one of the stations owners (who is not related to Oliver) said it was always the plan for Oliver Thomas to resume hosting duties.

He is an incredible talk-show host and has a wealth of knowledge that the citizens of New Orleans are going to benefit from, said Jeff Thomas. Sally-Ann did us a great favor by filling in, but win or lose, we knew that Oliver wanted to come back.

Other elected officials in Louisiana have straddled, or in some cases crossed over, the line between media and politics in recent years. Gov. John Bel Edwards has an unpaid monthly call-in radio show where he fields questions from Louisianans about state government. In 2017, Newell Normand left his high-profile position as Jefferson Parish sheriff to become a radio host on WWL-AM.

WBOK asked the Louisiana Ethics Board on Dec. 29 for an advisory opinion on whether Thomass return could run afoul of any ethics rules. Jeff Thomas said the station has received "preliminary" word that it won't, but the formal request is pending.

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The board has a March 4 hearing on the question, according to Kathleen Allen, the state ethics administrator.

"It would be premature for me to give any sort of answer given the question pending before the board," said Allen. "There are other, similar-type opinions. The board will look at the sections of law that are referenced in those to see if it applies."

Oliver Thomas said an unfavorable opinion would mark the end of his time as a host. Neither City Hall, nor any other topics, will be off-limits when the councilman gets back behind the mic, Jeff Thomas said.

+9 New Orleans East, facing carjacking epidemic, has city's slowest police response times Sharon Varnado left her Little Woods neighborhood in New Orleans East three years ago, and she hasn't looked back.

He's free to talk freely, and we encourage him to be open and transparent, he said.

The morning drive-time slot is one of the most coveted in talk radio. Oliver Thomas was one of the few holdovers when the venerable AM station, known as Louisiana's oldest Black-owned outlet, was acquired in 2020 by a group including actor Wendell Pierce and local businessmen.

City Council members are allowed to hold outside employment and several have supplemented their $93,504 annual salary by doing so in recent years.

District A Councilmember Joe Giarrusso draws income from his outside work for a law firm.

Former at-large Councilmember Jason Williams was a criminal defense attorney while he chaired the councils criminal justice committee.
Aster is opening a 200-bed multispecialty quaternary care hospital, Aster Royal located next to Aster Al Raffah hospital in Ghubra in Oman.

The name and logo of the new hospital has been unveiled by the Indian ambassador to the Sultanate to Oman, Amit Narang in Muscat.

The upcoming quaternary care hospital with permission from Ministry of Health Oman will aim to conduct complex treatment including transplant which will help the residents and citizens of Oman from travel to other countries for these procedures, Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman & MD Aster DM healthcare conveyed through a Digital video Message.

Through the services of Senior Omani Consultants & consultants from India, Robotic Surgeries, 24hrs Emergency and intensive care, the team will ensure that each patient would receive royal services in this hospital, he added.

To take forward the theme Care is just an Aster away of Aster DM healthcares 35th foundation day, two additional services  [email protected]  and Aster-Dilse were inaugurated by Narang.

I congratulate Aster hospitals for launching this multispeciality facility for NRIs who are here in Oman. Aster hospitals are very popular in Oman for their quality and service, not only to the Indian community but also to the local Omani community. My best wishes to the Aster management on this endeavour, said Narang while happily accepting the first registration of Aster-Dilse services.

Once Aster Royal hospital is commissioned, citizens and residents of Oman will no longer need for going out of the country for medical services. Along with the expert Omani consultants, senior doctors working in Aster DM Healthcare-India will also be made available in Oman, said Farhan Yasin, Regional Director for Aster Kerala and Oman Clusters.

The new building will be one of its kind state-of-the-art facility in terms of medical services and facilities. Our new doctors are specialists and equipped for any major operation or complication. We have been in Oman for the last 12 years and it has been an incredible journey, said Dr Ashik Sainu Mohiyadeen, Medical Director of Aster Oman said.

With [email protected] services we will be able to provide our medical expertise to more people of Oman both digitally and physically who are unable to travel to our hospitals due to Covid, old age or other medical issues at Muscat, Sohar and Ibri, said Dr Ashendu Pandey CEO Aster Oman.

"At Aster Royal hospital we will ensure that everybody gets the best patient care experience. As a part of adapting to new technologies, an Artificial Intelligence enabled Whatsapp booking system (+968 9855 0066) has already been ruled out which makes appointment booking, lab reports and patient care services very easy," said Dr Shinoop Raj, COO Aster Muscat region.-- TradeArabia News Service
The text of a Supreme Court opinion and even the justices votes can change, sometimes dramatically, between the time they take a first vote on the case during a private conference following oral arguments and when the decision is announced. That happened in the 1992 abortion case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which reaffirmed the right to abortion. Initially, as Evan Thomas recounted in his biography of Justice Sandra Day OConnor, it seemed there were five justices willing to overrule Roe v. Wade. But that May, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote to Justice Harry Blackmun that there had been some developments. Kennedy and OConnor and Justice David Souter had been meeting secretly to save a womans right to abortion, Thomas wrote.
Baltimore, Md.  Last week, a groundbreaking medical operation made headlines across the globe: a pig-to-human heart transplant. The global medical achievement leads back to northcentral Pa., as the lead surgeon is a Bucknell University alumni.

Dr. Bartley Griffith, who graduated from Bucknell University in 1970 as a biology major, played a key role in establishing the university's biomedical engineering program in the 1990s. Years later, Bartley put his educational background to use by performing the first-of-its-kind surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

The seven-hour surgery was the culmination of decades of scientific research seeking to use animal organs for human transplants. The pig heart had undergone gene editing to make it less likely to be rejected by the human host's immune system.

"This was a breakthrough surgery and brings us one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis. There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients," said Griffith.

The pig heart recipient, 57-year-old David Bennet, has terminal heart disease and was deemed ineligible for a standard organ transplant by multiple medical centers. Bennet knew the potential risks of the surgery, but he was running out of options and time.

"It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark but it's my last choice," said Bennet, the day prior to his surgery. "I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover."

As of Jan. 10, Bennet is breathing on his own but is still connected to a heart-lung machine to support his blood circulation, according to a statement from the University of Maryland Medical Center. The next few days will be crucial for Bennet's recovery.

About 110,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and more than 6,000 patients die each year before getting one, according to the federal government's organdonor.gov. The landmark surgery could offer hope to the many individuals who are on the organ transplant waiting lists.

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Williamsport -- The James V. Brown Library has announced that the Days of Remembrance essay contest is now open for students in grades 7-12.

Applicants must live in Pennsylvania in Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, or Union County. Students related to anyone affiliated with the essay contest cannot win an award. Applications must be submitted online at daysofremembrance.org/essay-submission by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, March 12, 2022.

Awards include:

First-place: $500 checks will be awarded to one high school student and one middle school student.

Second-place: $250 checks will be awarded to one high school student and one middle school student.

Multiple honorable-mention $100 checks will be awarded.

The 2021-2022 essay topic for both high school and middle school students should focus on the following:

The Holocaust was the systematic murder of more than six million Jews, which was initiated prior to World War II and continued throughout the war. The Holocaust is a prime example of how hatred can cause horrific crimes and threaten society's values and security.

The Nazis and their collaborators also killed millions of others they considered inferior or undesirable, such as Roma and Sinti, homosexuals, Jehovahs Witnesses, and people with disabilities. The Holocaust cannot be solely blamed on Adolf Hitler. Nazis, Germans, and people from other countries actively participated in the Holocaust.

Discuss at least one way in which people were conditioned to accept extermination as a reasonable solution to Europes problems. Discuss at least one lesson that you can take away from the Holocaust that is applicable to todays world.

Essays must be between 400 and 850 words of content, not including the title page and bibliography. References should follow the MLA style guidelines or a citation style with which you are familiar.

Entries must be typed and double-spaced. Do not display your name, class, teacher, or any identifying information anywhere in your essay. Only display the essay title and word count on the essay title page.

Days of Remembrance is a member of the Association of Holocaust Organizations. A nationwide tradition was established on Oct. 7, 1980, with the 96th Congress' passage of Public Law 96-388, which established the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Annually in school and military communities, Days of Remembrance programs are created to recognize this historic event. In the Susquehanna Valley, veteran and inter-faith religious leaders sponsor this essay contest. Days of Remembrance is a registered nonprofit corporation in Pennsylvania.

Military organizations, religious organizations, and businesses sponsor the essay contest. Local sponsors include:

Fairfield Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram of Muncy

Lewisburg Sunrise Rotary

Otto Bookstore

Shikellamy High School JROTC

Susquehanna Valley Marine Corps League

For more information, visit daysofremembrance.org.

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Harrisburg -- January is National Radon Action Month, and the Department of Environmental Protection is reminding Pennsylvanians to test their homes if they haven't already. Radon is a natural, invisible, radioactive gas that enters homes from the ground. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer, making it the second leading cause (smoking is first).

High levels of radon have been found in every county in Pennsylvania. Since you cant see or smell radon, doing a simple test is the only way to find out if youre breathing in high levels and take action to keep your home a healthy place, said Executive Deputy Secretary Ziadeh.

Radon gas is created when uranium in the ground breaks down. The gas can enter homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings. Pennsylvania's geology gives it some of the highest radon gas levels in the United States, and nearly all Pennsylvania homes have at least some trace of the gas. An estimated 40 percent of homes in Pennsylvania have more radon than the federally-recommended limit.

According to the Lung Associations State of Lung Cancer Report, an estimated 39.1% of Pennsylvania radon test results equal or exceed the EPA Action level of 4 pCi/L. Nationally, only 21.8% of homes are at or above the action level, making Pennsylvania residents at greater risk than those of most other states.

Even if your neighbors homes have tested low for radon, you should test your own home. Radon levels can and do vary from home to home, said Executive Deputy Secretary Ziadeh.

Radon tests are available at most hardware stores for about $20. To use a radon test, open the cannister and place it in the lowest livable level of the home (typically a basement). Homes on a slab or over a crawl space should have their test placed on the first floor. Leave the test cannister in place for a few days before mailing it to the lab for analysis.

Video instructions are available here.

You can also hire a certified radon tester if you would rather not conduct a test yourself.

Regardless of how you choose to test, winter is an ideal time to perform a radon test because doors and windows are usually closed.

If your home's radon level is high, a radon reduction system with a pipe and exhaust fan can be professionally installed in your home to vent the gas outside. The cost is generally in line with that of other home improvements like replacing a water heater. Though it is an expense, a radon reduction system can make a home easier to sell in the future.

A list of DEP-certified professional radon testers, mitigators, and laboratories is available here.

Here are 5 important things to know about radon, according to the American Lung Association:

Radon-related lung cancers are responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the United States. Smoking and radon exposure can separately increase the risk of lung cancer. If you smoke, exposure to both tobacco and radon enhances the risk of lung cancer even further The only way to detect radon in your home is to test the air. EPA urges anyone with radon levels above 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) take action to fix their homes. Both the EPA and the American Lung Association recommend that mitigation be considered if levels are greater than 2 pCi/L. After high levels are detected, a radon mitigation system should be installed by a radon professional. Radon testing should always be done when you buy a home and after building a new home. Many states now require radon results (if known) to be disclosed during a real estate transaction. Some states require testing in priority buildings like schools and daycares. When high levels of radon are detected, professional radon mitigation should be a priority. Do-it-yourself radon mitigation is typically not an effective long-term solution. Some state health departments offer financial assistance or low interest loans for radon mitigation.

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Updated 11 a.m.

PennDOT has lifted the speed limit and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions that were in place on several roadways in the region.

PennDOT has lifted the speed limit and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions on all roadways in the region.

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PennDOT has lifted the temporary restriction on certain vehicles from traveling on Interstate 180 and Interstate 80 in north central Pennsylvania.

Due to the winter storm impacting the region, PennDOT temporarily restricted certain vehicles from using the interstates earlier today to help ensure that the interstates remained open during the most challenging conditions of the winter storm.

The following changes are now in effect:

Tier 4 restrictions have been lifted for the entirety of I-99. A 45 mph speed reduction and commercial vehicles in right lane only remains in effect.

Tier 2 restrictions have been lifted on I-80 from the 161/Bellefonte interchange through Clinton County. A 45 mph speed reduction and commercial vehicles in right lane only remains in effect.

The 45 mph speed reduction has been lifted on Route 322/22 from Centre County to Dauphin County.

Vehicle restrictions reflecting Tier 4 of the commonwealths weather event vehicle restriction plan remain in effect on the following roadways:

I-80 from the Clarion County line to the 161/Bellefonte interchange in Centre County.

The vehicle restrictions reflected Level 2 of the commonwealths weather event vehicle restriction plan.

Tier 2 restrictions are Tractors without trailer. Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers. Tractors towing loaded tandem trailer unless there are chains or another approved Alternate Traction Device on board.

Speed limits remain restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles, and commercial vehicles not affected by other roadway restrictions must move to the right lane.

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Submitted January 13, 2022

Martin Luther King, Jr. described poverty as one of the most urgent items on the agenda of modern life, along with racial injustice and war. In his 1964 Nobel Lecture: The Quest for Peace and Justice, he said, We cannot be content to see men hungry, to see men victimized with starvation and ill health when we have the means to help them. He was talking about the social and economic gulf between the haves and the have nots of the world.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank addresses hunger by appealing to the haves in our community to share with the have nots. We leverage the generosity of central Pennsylvanians to buy, collect, and distribute millions of pounds of food to our neighbors needing a helping hand. We are truly thankful for the generosity of the donors, volunteers, and partners making this mission possible.

While emergency food assistance is important and necessary; we believe it is not enough to provide a temporary fix. We cannot be content to see men and women merely fed when we as a society have the means to change the reasons why they are hungry.

Racial injustice and poverty are intertwined. Nationwide in 2020, food insecurity among Black, non-Hispanic households was more than three-times as high as food insecurity among white, non-Hispanic households  21.7% compared to 7.1%. Food insecurity among Hispanic households was 17.2%. Black households are much more likely to fall into the very low food security category at 8.0%, compared to 3.0% of white households. (USDA).

The Drexel University Center for Hunger-Free Communities found people with experiences of discrimination in school, hiring, at work, in public settings and in interactions with law enforcement show statistically significant associations with household food insecurity. These experiences can have a big impact on opportunities for economic security. Never was this more apparent then during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We believe if the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is going to achieve our Bold Goal to provide access to enough nutritious food for everyone struggling with hunger in each of the 27 counties we serve, then we must acknowledge and help to address the underlying inequalities caused by the longstanding economic and social disadvantages of systemic racism. To do that, we must first learn more about our neighbors who have these experiences, empathize with them, respect and humanize them, and ensure we are providing the food resources they need to be productive members of our society.

As a proud citizen and as a leader, I love the USA, and I believe that to continue to honor the call in our Constitution to form a more perfect union, we must face some hard truths about racism.

We must recognize the existence and harmful impact of white supremacy culture. As a white man enjoying his 59th winter in comfort, I must personally bear witness to my own privilege. Although I grew up in coal country in a family of modest means with plenty of challenges, I did not face obstacles due to the color of my skin or my gender.

When I applied for jobs, my English-sounding name did not raise alarms, and my resume at least made it to the maybe stack. When my wife and I married 36 years ago, no law stood in our way. Whenever I sat in job or loan interviews, the person across the desk almost always looked something like I do now. When my white children began to drive, I worried about their skills, but never that they would be profiled or mistreated by law enforcement. My privilege is evident to me now, even if it wasnt just a few short years ago.

As I reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how much more needs to be done to achieve his dream, I am thankful to work with an amazing Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and EDI Team as we prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion in our Food Banks mission. We are not issuing boilerplate policies and checking boxes; we are doing hard cultural work. We have pledged to fight racism as a mission imperative. I personally pledge to use my privilege in this necessary fight.

--

The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed in this letter to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of NorthcentralPa.com.

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Danville, Pa.  A Danville man told State Police it was only a matter of time after they asked if he understood he would go to jail if he contacted a juvenile.

According to State Police, an investigation into Joseph Andrew Kriner, 18, uncovered a relationship with a 13-year-old that culminated with two meetings in which sexual intercourse allegedly took place.

State Police wrote in a sworn affidavit that Kriner was arrested Oct. 14 for similar charges and was told to have no contact with the minor. At the time, Kriner was a juvenile. According to the report, Kriner turned 18 on Nov. 15, 2021, the same month he allegedly started to see the juvenile again.

(name redacted) related that she started to have a romantic relationship with Kriner on 11/21 after he had turned 18 years of age, Trooper Tyler Watson wrote.

State Police spoke with a witness on Jan. 6, who observed Kriner climbing out a window at the accusers residence early in the morning. Kriner was allegedly seen being handed a backpack from the juvenile as he left.

Troopers took Kriner into custody later in the night when they located him at 24 Kriner Street in Danville.

After agreeing to speak with police, Kriner allegedly admitted to contact with the juvenile that included digitally penetrating, performing oral sex, and engaging in sexual intercourse while the accuser was asleep.

According to state police, Kriner went to the accusers home on Jan. 2 and engaged in sexual intercourse seven times. After allegedly lying with the accuser until she was sleeping, Kriner told them he hit it while she were sleeping.

State Police said Kriner admitted he brought beer to the residence on Jan. 6 and had sexual intercourse with the accuser five times.

State Police were provided the victims cellphone during a forensic interview. A search of the phone uncovered a pictured of Kriners penis sent to the accuser along with several explicit text messages.

I dont wan (SIC) to get locked up, Kriner wrote in a text message to the accuser.

Court records show Kriner was charged with 12 counts each of second-degree felony statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, third-degree felony corruption of minors, first-degree felony unlawful contact with a minor, and second-degree misdemeanor indecent assault on a person less than 16 years old.

Court records show Kriner was also charged with first-degree felony rape of an unconscious victim, rape of a substantially impaired person, second-degree aggravated indecent assault, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault person impair complainant, and third-degree child pornography. Krinter was also charged with two first-degree misdemeanors in indecent assault of a person unconscious and indecent assault of a person substantially impaired.

Kriner is being held at the Montour County Prison on $150,000 monetary bail. On Jan. 20, Kriner will face Judge Marin Shrawder for a preliminary hearing.

Docket sheet

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Muncy Creek Twp., Pa. -- Police are asking the public for information about the whereabouts of Jesse Greiner, 32, of Dallas, Pa.

Greiner is described as a white male, 6'0", 140 lbs with blue eyes.

Police said Greiner has been declared missing since Nov. 14, 2021. He was last seen in the Muncy area, according to a press release.

If you have information on his whereabouts, contact PSP Montoursville at 570-368-5700 and reference incident #PA2022-61777.

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Lewisburg, Pa.  A brand-new 2021 Ford Bronco was stolen from a local car dealership and later discovered in Ohio, according to a release from State Police in Milton.

The perpetrator, who is only listed as known in the release, allegedly drove a stolen vehicle into the front doors of Blaise Alexander Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep of Lewisburg, on Jan. 5, causing extensive damage.

The suspect then abandoned that vehicle at the scene of the crash and left in a stolen Bronco after locating keys.

The person allegedly forced their way through a window at the 1st National Bank on Ziegler Road. While inside, State Police said they stole cash.

Law enforcement in Ohio located the stolen Bronco after it was entered into the CLEAN/NIC as stolen. According to the release, police stopped the vehicle after it was reported for erratic driving.

Authorities said the person responsible was taken into custody in Ohio and criminally charged. The person will be charged in Union County, according to State Police.

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Gerrys dnata, Pakistans leading ground services provider, has obtained Maintenance Organization Approval from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority to provide aircraft line maintenance services to airline customers.



It now offers a one-stop-shop of ground handling, cargo and technical services at the airports of Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB).



Gerrys dnatas team of professionals can provide full line maintenance support and are trained on customers company procedures, providing a seamless service to both passenger and cargo airlines.



The launch customer is flydubai, which Gerrys dnata already serves at four airports in Pakistan providing a range of ramp and passenger handling services to the airline and its customers.



Syed Haris Raza, Vice President of Gerrys dnata, said: As Pakistans leading ground handler, we constantly enhance our offering to best meet the needs of our customers. We are confident that our airline partners will welcome the expansion of our portfolio and take advantage of getting quality and safe ground handling and technical services from a single provider. Our team of highly trained, seasoned professionals will deliver world-class quality and safety for our valued customers.



Mick Hills, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance at flydubai, said: We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with Gerrys dnata to include line maintenance services in Pakistan. Having a single, local provider to oversee our line maintenance, as well as ground handling, will add more efficiencies to our fleet management and ensure a quicker turnaround of our aircraft.



Gerrys dnatas quality of service helped it win or retain over 20 contracts over the past year with key accounts across its network. The company also achieved prestigious industry certifications, including GDP and IATAs ISAGO accreditation, which validate its capabilities and place the business in a market leading position.



Gerrys dnata serves more than 20 airline customers at seven Pakistani airports. The companys team consists of over 2,500 dedicated aviation professionals who assist more than seven million passengers and handle 150,000 tons of cargo annually.  TradeArabia News Service
Crawford Township, Pa.  A man was charged after State Police said he struck a woman in the head with an rtic tumbler cup.

State Police in Lamar started an investigation on Jan. 14 when they observed a woman with a four-inch laceration on her forehead. Officers said the womans face was covered in blood as they spoke with her.

Christopher Eck, 31, of Jersey Shore was charged with misdemeanor second-degree simple assault after authorities learned he struck the accuser with a tumbler cup. Eck was released on from custody on Jan. 14 after he posted $7,500 monetary bail through a professional bondsman.

Eck will appear before Judge John Maggs on Feb. 1 for a preliminary hearing.

Docket sheet

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Lifestyles

Zoo Atlanta mourns passing of western lowland gorilla Choomba

Special Photo: Zoo Atlanta/TownNews.com Content Exchange Zoo Atlanta announced last week the passing of Choomba, a 59-year-old female western lowland gorilla.

ATLANTA  Zoo Atlanta announced last week the passing of Choomba, a 59-year-old female western lowland gorilla. The second-oldest gorilla at Zoo Atlanta, Choomba was also the fourth-oldest gorilla in the world.

The Animal Care and Veterinary Teams had been monitoring Choomba closely in recent days following a marked decline in her physical condition due to advanced arthritis and other age-related complications. Given her poor prognosis and with concern for her comfort and quality of life, the teams made the difficult decision to euthanize her on Thursday.

Choomba was one of the founding members of the gorilla population at Zoo Atlanta, having arrived at the Zoo in the 1980s at the time of the opening of the landmark Ford African Rain Forest.

She is perhaps best remembered by long-time Atlantans as the mother of Kudzoo, the first offspring of the legendary late Willie B.

The matriarch of four generations of gorillas, Choomba was the mother of Machi, Kudzoo, and Sukari, as well as the grandmother of Willie B. Jr., Merry Leigh, Anaka, and Mijadala, all of whom live at Zoo Atlanta. In addition to these individuals, her descendants include grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild living at accredited zoos around the U.S.

This is an extremely difficult day for Zoo Atlanta and most particularly for Choombas care team, who knew her intimately and saw and cared for her daily with the greatest dedication, Vice President of Collections and Conservation for Zoo Atlanta Jennifer Mickelberg said in a news release. We commend the truly valiant efforts of our Gorilla Care Team and veterinary teams to help Choomba, from supportive care and laser therapy for her arthritis, to forward-thinking updates to the spaces used by our geriatric gorillas. Choomba leaves a tremendous legacy at Zoo Atlanta, in the zoological gorilla population in North America, and in the hearts of those who knew her best.

Gorillas are considered geriatric after the age of about 40. In recent years, Choomba had been living in a senior social group with Ozzie, who at age 61 is the worlds oldest living male gorilla; daughter Machi, 45; and female Kuchi, 37. As part of the care of these individuals, Zoo Atlanta has risen to leadership in the care of geriatric gorillas, and members of the Zoos Gorilla Care Team are regularly sought out and shadowed by animal care professionals at other organizations for their advancements in positive reinforcement training and for their innovations in habitat and space accommodations for senior gorillas.

In addition to her many contributions as a companion, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother, Choomba was an invaluable ambassador for her species, which over the course of her lifetime became critically endangered. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, over a 25-year period, the combined threats of poaching, illegal hunting for the bushmeat trade, habitat loss and emerging diseases have reduced western lowland gorilla populations by 60 percent, with declines of as much as 90 percent in some parts of their range in western Africa. Populations living within North American zoos are overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Gorilla Species Survival Plan, which seeks to maintain a self-sustaining, genetically diverse gorilla population for future generations.

Twenty-four gorillas have been born at Zoo Atlanta. Research by zoo staff has influenced industrywide improvements in the care of gorillas in zoos, as well as enhanced understanding of gorilla biology, with more than 100 published papers on maternal care, reproduction, social behavior and cognition.

Zoo Atlanta supports the AZA Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Program, which focuses expertise within accredited zoos. For more than 20 years, the zoo has supported its long-time partner in gorilla conservation, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, by providing pro-bono headquarters space, information technology support and financial resources. The zoo and the Fossey Fund were among the organizations to host the first-ever World Gorilla Day in 2017.

A necropsy, or the non-human equivalent of an autopsy, will be performed through the zoos partnership with the University of Georgia Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Preliminary results should be available in several weeks.
Napoleon, OH (43545)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Netflix has introduced higher costs for its streaming service for customers in the US and Canada. Netflix explained that the price hikes are necessary to compete in a crowded streaming market and is spending billions of dollars in content programming. The company has still managed to see growth in the number of subscribers even though monthly rates were increased in the past.

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Netflix has revealed price increases to its streaming service for subscribers in the US and Canada. The company claimed that the rise in costs is required to better compete with other streaming platforms. New subscribers will have to pay the new prices, which are already in effect, while current subscribers will see the price increase in the weeks to come.

Other streaming platforms such as Disney, Amazon and Apple are investing billions into new content to bring in customers. Thus, Netflix is facing the most competition in its history. Netflix stated that it has allocated US$17 billion for programming in 2021. The price increases should help the company in offsetting these massive investments.

The cost of the monthly standard plan rose from US$13.99 to US$15.49 in the US and from C$14.99 to C$16.49 in Canada. This makes Netflixs standard subscription more expensive than its rivals. The price of the premium plans have also increased by two dollars for both US and Canada to US$19.99 and C$20.99, respectively. The price increases in the US and Canada are understandable given that the region has the highest proportion of Netflix subscribers (74 million) and revenue (44 percent).

According to Evercore ISI analyst, Mark Mahaney, it seems that customers are fine with paying these price hikes since Netflix managed to gain new subscribers even after previous increases. Netflix has also seen a subscriber boom during the early pandemic and after the release of Squid Game.

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Omans Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion handed over the Investor Residency Programme cards to 42 investors of different citizenship, including 17 10-year residency cards and 25 5-year residency cards.



Asilah Salim Al Samsami, the Ministrys Undersecretary for Investment Promotion handed over the third batch of residency cards which entitle foreign investors and retirees a right for long stay in Oman, reported Oman News Agency (ONA).



The number of investors who received the residency cards since the programmes launch in October 2021 reached 75.
Ryan Homes has started another section of townhouses on Williams Street in the Cedar Spring subdivision off John Marshall Highway in Strasburg.
AT A GLANCE:

What: Books at the Museum: Readings on Winter Nights

Who: Jim Schaap, emeritus professor of English at Dordt University in Sioux Center, and Keith Fynaardt, professor of English at Northwestern College in Orange City.

Where: Dutch-American Heritage Museum, 120 Third St. SW, Orange City

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25; Feb. 22; and March 22

Registration: Attendance requires preregistration of $75 for the three-month program of readings. To register, e-mail Jim Schaap at jschaap@dordt.edu by Friday, Jan. 21. After registering, information will be provided on where to purchase or access the books.

Online: Find the Dutch-American Heritage Museum on Facebook.
LaPorte County farmers Jacob and Jill Smoker won the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Atlanta.

The national award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have exhibited leadership and excelled at farming. It recognizes growth, financial progress and Farm Bureau leadership. The Smokers won a Ford vehicle and paid registration to the upcoming American Farm Bureau Federation in Louisville, Kentucky.

Were still processing the fact that weve been selected for all of this, Jill Smoker said.

The Smokers just won the Indiana Farm Bureau Achievement Award at the annual Indiana Farm Bureau State Convention in December, affording them the opportunity to compete for the national honor.

Weve had learning sessions the past couple of days with all the contestants for the Achievement Award, and theres an incredible number of qualified candidates throughout this country, Jacob Smoke said. It was great to network with them and learn about their operations, as well.

They operate Smoker Farms, which raises corn, soybeans and cattle on 1,400 acres of farmland on U.S. 30 by Wanatah. Jacob Smoker serves as vice-president of the board for the Indiana Farm Bureau branch in LaPorte County.

Thank you to Indiana Farm Bureau for all the trust they put in us, Jacob Smoker said. Were grateful to the county leadership and state leadership that allowed us to compete at this level. Its something well never forget.

It's the first time Indiana Farmers have won the national Achievement Award since 2008.

Indiana Farm Bureau is so proud of what Jake and Jill Smoker have accomplished, Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Kron said. Their dedication to Indiana agriculture and the hard work theyve put into their application sets a great example for other young farmers in our state.

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Indiana University Northwest will stage a play about "The Harlem of the Midwest" as part of its Black History Month celebration.

The Price of Progress: The Indiana Avenue/IUPUI Story will be performed at the IU Northwest Arts & Science Building theater at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19.

It's by playwright Vernon A. Williams, a longtime Gary resident and Gary Roosevelt High School alum. He writes a column for The Chicago Crusader, was an on-air personality on WLTH and managed WGVE.

'The Price of Progress: The Indiana Avenue/IUPUI Story' is a stage play that offers an engaging, entertaining glimpse into the intriguing story of an Indianapolis district once dubbed, 'The Harlem of the Midwest,' before and after its decline prompted by suburban migration, gentrification, urban decay, interstate development, and campus displacement," Indiana University Northwest said in a press release. "The riveting two-act play is filled with energetic, colorfully costumed choreography, a live jazz band, amazing vocal solos, the drama and comedy of an ensemble cast of professional actors, and historic video that visually transports theater attendees from the 1920s to the present day."

Williams' play explores the history of one of Indiana's foremost African American cultural hubs.

'The Avenue' was the nucleus for jazz musicians through the 1960s; surpassing Kansas City, Chicago or even New Orleans. Jazz greats with Indiana Avenue influence included Wes Montgomery, Pookie Johnson, Hoagy Carmichael, David Baker, Jimmy Coe, Freddie Hubbard, J.J. Johnson, Slide Hampton, Reginald DuValle, the Ink Spots, Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake," IUN said in a press release.

The Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse Executive Director McKenya Dilworth, a Gary native and educator, will direct the two-act play.

"The play candidly ascribes perceived and actual complicity on the part of IUPUI, but also addresses healing measures assumed by campus leadership in more recent years," IUN said in a press release. 'The Price of Progress' celebrates the impactful first 50 years of IUPUIone of the nations leading urban research campuseschronicled through entertaining drama, comedy, music, dance, and historical video."

It's free and open to the public. Masks are required and will be available by the door.

People can pick up tickets before showtime or register in advance at go.iu.edu/4goK or go.iu.edu/4goL.

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana have received a $4 million grant from the second round of Indianas Student Learning Recovery Grant Program.

This round awarded funds to 123 organizations across the state of Indiana worth more than $35 million total.

Its more important now than ever that our communities, families and schools come together to accelerate student learning, Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a news release from the Indiana Department of Education. This important work requires unparalleled collaboration, and Im thankful that so many partners across the state have stepped up to the plate to deliver these extended learning opportunities for our students.

The Student Learning Recovery Grant Program was created last year through House Enrolled Act 1008 and has provided $150 to support accelerated learning plans.

The grant in Northwest Indiana will help fund The Boys & Girls Clubs' reLEARN program (Literacy, Education, Activity, Readiness and Nutrition) and its Career Academy.

This is a huge grant for us, Ryan Smiley, president and CEO of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, said. This has the opportunity to be transformational for the kids, schools and families in those communities that we serve.

The reLEARN program will target students who are testing at or below their grade level. Students will take part in two-hour sessions in academics, healthy lifestyles and social emotional development for a total of 12 to 15 hours a week.

Educators across the state are working strategically to help close learning gaps and reduce the significant academic impact weve seen from pandemic-related school disruptions. This is an enormous responsibility  and it requires all of us, Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education, said in a news release.

Programming may include tutoring, group sessions, one-on-one counseling and other activities. The exact plans are still being decided.

The Career Academy will target middle and high school students to help them determine their post-graduation options. The Boys & Girls Clubs will partner with corporations, provide the opportunity for college tours and train students on soft skills such as interviewing and creating a resume.

Smiley said the Career Academy is fundamental to the Boys & Girls Clubs, as it has lost a significant percentage of its teen population due to the pandemic.

In addition to providing support for the new programming, the grant will fund several new positions such as a director of education, education coordinators, youth and teen service coordinators and two full time social workers. These positions are currently open and interested individuals can apply on Boys & Girls Clubs' website.

It will also help with professional development and training for staff. The Boys & Girls Clubs will also contribute some of the grant money to buses to transport students to their club locations.

The reLEARN program and Career Academy will help the club scale back up to normal numbers. Smiley said they are focusing on program quality and mental health as well. Currently, the club is at 65% of its pre-pandemic attendance.

In addition, the club is opening a new $9 million facility in Valparaiso in June 2022.

With consideration to the impact COVID has had on kids, we have a real opportunity and obligation to assist in their academic recovery of learning loss, Smiley said.

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From civil unrest over police violence to nationally televised trials of vigilantes and police officers, recent events have shown racial equality and unity  principles central to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings  are more relevant than ever, local leaders said.

The killing of George Floyd in May 2020 by a Minneapolis police officer has caused police departments across the country to take a hard look at their policies and procedures to ensure they're following best practices, several Region law enforcement leaders said.

At the end of the day, police officers are human beings who make mistakes, St. John Police Chief Steve Flores said.

In some cases, those mistakes can be fatal, because officers often have only a split second to make decisions in extremely stressful situations, he said.

Lake County is a diverse community, and most officers do "a tremendous job" of interacting with residents from all walks of life on a daily basis, he said.

But there has been a shift in Americans' views of policing, and law enforcement professionals must learn from it and do their best to improve, Flores said.

"Ultimately, to improve and make things better, we cannot do it alone," Flores said. "Police need help and support from their communities as we all do our part to improve the lives of every citizen of our country together. I'm sure Martin Luther King would agree, and that's what he would want: unity."

'We are evolving'

Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance said, "Reflection and admiration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s pursuit of racial equality through nonviolent protests and interracial unity is especially relevant today."

"Police leaders throughout the nation have been challenged directly and indirectly by the public for the past and current injustices of the criminal justice system, and, as a profession, we are evolving," he said.

Sgt. Rob Maynard, a spokesman for Portage police, said Indiana enacted a justice reform bill in 2020, which made it easier to decertify a police officer for misconduct, banned the use of chokeholds, required all officers to receive annual training in deescalation techniques and removed liability for sharing employment records between police agencies.

The Portage Police Department supported all of the changes, he said.

Maynard and other police leaders said their agencies had recommitted  even before the civil unrest of 2020  to improve community engagement, increasing transparency, modernizing policies and practices, and expanding recruitment efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive police force.

"When the protests began shortly after the death of George Floyd, I think we all realized we were watching history in the making," Maynard said. "Although we felt like we had a good relationship with our community, the amount of violence being witnessed nationally, and to a smaller degree even here regionally, did cause concern, but we also saw hope that these protests would result in changes that some communities needed."

Wesley Scully, president of the NAACP LaPorte County Branch 3061, said he believes the high-profile cases around the country involving race and policing have made a difference, but it's bittersweet.

"(We) shouldn't have to celebrate justice," he said, referring to cases such as the conviction of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd.

"It was justice served," Scully said. "It should be like that all the way across the board."

Scully said his hometown of Michigan City is doing well with diversity in terms of public representation.

Three-quarters of City Council members are African American.

"I see it as a reflection of the community," he said.

Police: Reforms under way

Gary Police Chief Brian Evans said his department has been at the forefront of diversity and reform efforts for years.

The Police Department, in partnership with the Gary for Life initiative, began offering judicial prejudice training to officers four years ago.

During three eight-hour sessions, officers learn about the community's perception of them and how they might make residents feel, how to deescalate situations, and how to create a sense of inclusion by listening to the community, Evans said.

"Our officers teach that class at the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for every officer," he said.

The Gary Police Department is among the most diverse in Northwest Indiana, counting multiple female officers and police from various minority and different ethnic backgrounds among its ranks.

"Additionally, the department is very committed to equality," Evans said. "We want to make sure that we treat our employees and our citizens fairly, no matter who they are, no matter their sexual orientation, no matter their gender identification, no matter their religious orientation, no matter what they look like."

Mayor Jerome Price created the Gary Police Reform Commission in 2020, which recently released its recommendations.

"The reforms that came out of the police reform committee were nothing new," Evans said. "We're getting body cameras. That's one of the things we're in the process of doing right now."

The commission also recommended Tasers as a less lethal option for officers. What commission members didn't know was that the department already was in the process of updating its Tasers, he said.

Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy said his city made inclusion and diversity priorities well before the social unrest of 2020.

"In fact, our own Valparaiso Police Chief Jeff Balon was recognized in 2019 by the Northwest Indiana African American Alliance for his efforts toward diversity and inclusion in the community," he said.

Balon has worked with the organization to foster conversations and encourage positive interactions between police and community members, such as the Unity in the Park program, he said.

The organization also cosponsored the Valparaiso Fraternal Order of Police 76 back-to-school shopping event, which is a mentoring program that brings police and children of color together, Murphy said.

Balon also has made diversity in recruitment a priority for the Police Department.

"Under his leadership, the VPD has added more officers of color as well as women and continues to market job opportunities to diverse audiences," the mayor said.

Michigan City Police Chief Dion Campbell said the relationship between the community and police is complex, and reactions locally can be triggered by events elsewhere in the country.

"The unrest over the past few years has caused everyone to take a deep look at themselves and assess the effectiveness of modern-day policing," he said. "I think the public found it refreshing when multiple police departments nationwide openly denounced the incident involving George Floyd. It sent a strong message that wrong actions would not be tolerated amongst the ranks of police."

However, the swing toward a more negative public opinion of police has affected the "psyche" of officers, Campbell said.

"We have seen a dramatic increase in experienced officers leaving the law enforcement profession for other fields," he said. "Less people are applying and looking to start a career in law enforcement, and departments around the area are all competing for the same recruits."

Michigan City police have lost 22 officers since the start of 2020 to the private sector or other higher-paying agencies.

"Our department has always fully embraced community policing as seen in our award-winning Youth Leadership Academy, Citizens Academy and multiple outreach programs," Campbell said. "Our challenge is to develop and require a community-oriented police culture that has sight of the future of policing. This means building more in-depth relationships, seeking more public input and being more transparent."

Will the movement continue?

Porter County-based attorney Ivan Bodensteiner, who has a long history in civil rights work, said he believes there is now a greater awareness around the issue of race and policing.

However, he remains uncertain whether it will manifest in change or simply die out, he said.

The awareness is that law enforcement has a lot of power and that police are often in contact with people when they are at their worst.

"Law enforcement is tough work, I don't question that," he said. "I think we can do better."

A starting point is taking a look at equality and the benefit of police departments diversifying to better represent the makeup of the communities they serve.

"I think it makes a difference," he said.

It's not that all white police officers are racist, but a more diverse department gives a better impression and more credibility, which lead to success.

"It's not a quick fix," Bodensteiner said.

Thaddeus Jones is living proof of the advances in racial equality championed by King.

Last year, Jones was sworn in as the first black mayor in the 129-year history of Calumet City  a municipality that was 74.4% African American according to 2020 census data.

"We are going through our modern-day civil rights movement," said Jones, who also is a state representative.

Jones was heartened to see a new generation of activists rise up in the wake of the slayings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and the trials that led to the convictions of their killers.

"Right now, young people are fighting to attain the same things as Dr. King," Jones said. "I'm proud of the young people that got involved with the movement, Black Lives Matter."

But Jones also was disappointed that some of the momentum seemed to be lost after the trials of Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin for Floyd's killing and the three Georgia men involved in Arbery's slaying.

"After all that was over, it all went away," Jones said.

One young activist who isn't going away is Cameron Sanchez.

The 2021 Thornton Fractional South graduate founded the We Are Lansing nonprofit and helped to organize a Black Lives Matter event in Lansing soon after Floyd's death.

Sanchez believes his energy is better spent on trying to help his fellow Lansing residents through food and clothing drives, among other activities, than in trying to change closed minds.

"The way America is set up, there's going to be those racial injustices and racial indifference," he said. "There's nothing new under the sun.  Stop looking for approval from someone who doesn't want to give approval."

Better to focus on economic empowerment  another of King's points of emphasis  Sanchez believes.

"I would like to go to (Chicago neighborhoods) Lincoln Park and Roseland and not see a big difference," he said.

Improving police practices

While the protest organized by Sanchez was peaceful, there was looting elsewhere in Lansing and further north in Calumet City along the Torrence Avenue commercial corridor in 2020.

Jones and Lansing police Chief Al Phillips said policing has evolved and will continue to do so in light of the events of the past two years.

Making the Calumet City Police Department more diverse is a goal for Jones, who noted the recent hiring of two Hispanic officers and two female officers. Mental health and community policing certifications for officers also has been emphasized.

Phillips took over as Lansing's police chief in June, more than two decades after joining the department.

He said he's building on the legacy of the department's previous leaders, including former Chief Dennis Murrin Jr., who retired in January 2021.

At the same time, the events of 2020 led to some changes.

"With the civil unrest, it's caused us to be a lot more prepared," Phillips said. "We put some different procedures into play. We haven't had to do riot training in years. We've got a few more tools we've purchased to help us out."

Lansing is one of the south suburbs' more integrated municipalities, with a population that is 43.3% black, 37.2% white and 16.7% Hispanic, according to 2020 census data.

"We're a diverse community, we're trying to diversify our police department," Phillips said.

One path to that goal is the Lansing Police Department diversity scholarship program Phillips is launching.

The goal is to encourage more students at TF South, the town's public high school, to pursue a career in law enforcement.

"I love our community," Phillips said. "I'm following through what previous chiefs have done."

Porter County Sheriff Dave Reynolds said King made the ultimate sacrifice for equality in the U.S.

"We understand there is still ground to be made and will continue to strive to serve our citizens equally without discrimination," he said.

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said people have been justifiably horrified by some of the violent images of law enforcement using excessive force.

"These incidents have caused all of us, including police officers, to reflect on how we can create an environment where everyone feels safe, including those in police custody," he said.

Before the civil unrest of 2020, Martinez implemented training for sheriff's officers to teach deescalation procedures, mental health sensitivity, and alternatives to some of the techniques used to subdue people that have caused unnecessary death elsewhere, he said.

Martinez also started the Police Assisted Recovery Initiative, or P.A.R.I.+, which includes a team of professional mental health counselors who can help individuals and families in crisis before situations escalate to the need for an arrest.

"Our officers can contact this team to help with situations involving mental health, addiction and a host of other social service needs," the sheriff said. "We want to go beyond simply placing handcuffs on people and help them along their path to becoming healthier, more productive members of our community."

Use of body cameras grows

Lake County sheriff's police, along with a growing number of other agencies through the Region, now use body cameras.

The cameras improve police accountability and transparency, but they also can protect officers from false accusations, Martinez said.

Lansing has had police body cameras for some time, and Phillips is glad of it.

"We love them," he said. "I think we're a top-notch police department anyhow. Our officers have been doing the right thing for years. The body cameras support us."

St. John police recently received a grant to equip its officers with body cameras, Flores said.

"It's a great took, but even those don't always capture the true picture of what the officer is seeing," he said. "So, we have to be careful not to judge what happened solely on what is visible to the camera."

While many in the local law enforcement community have embraced body cameras, but the use of such technology comes at a great expense, Mance said.

Some police departments  including Griffith and Hobart  have tried another approach and hired social workers in an effort to enhance public safety.

"Through this incorporation of the disciplines of law enforcement and social work, law enforcement agencies are breaking down silos to better identify and more effectively address social issues, especially those issues found within our marginalized populations," Mance said. "By addressing these issues proactively through social services, we are reducing crime and preventing people from entering the criminal justice system."

It's no secret that policing is one of the most dangerous professions in the world, Flores said.

A recent shooting in Bradley, Illinois, that left one police officer dead and another wounded is an example, he said.

"That call for service started as a simple barking dog call," Flores said. "We respond to hundreds of those a year. Never would anyone expect that call to end the way it did."

Flores said he hopes and prays his department never has to deal with such a situation, but it's an example of why agencies "must do everything we can to give our officers the tools, training and sufficient manpower they need to help prevent tragic events like this."

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Sarah Reese Lake County Courts and Social Justice Reporter Sarah covers crime, courts and public safety. She began her career at The Times in 2004. Contact her at sarah.reese@nwi.com or 219-933-3351. Follow Sarah Reese 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

Bob Kasarda Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident. Follow Bob Kasarda Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
WINFIELD  The Winfield Plan Commission has set in motion plans for a new 189-lot residential subdivision and an auto parts store.

Planners set a Feb. 10 public hearing for Grand Ridge, a proposed residential subdivision off Grand Boulevard, and set a public hearing for primary plat approval for O'Reilly Auto Parts off Randolph and 109th Avenue.

In addition, a public hearing was also set for Banter Acres, a two-lot subdivision at 11426 Benton St. and a public hearing was set for Koehler Acres, a two-lot subdivision off State Street.

Proposed plans for the Grand Ridge subdivision include building 189 homes on 87 acres at 10319 Grand Blvd., Doug Ehens, vice president of Providence Real Estate, said.

Plans are to build 134 traditional homes in the 2,000-3,000 square-foot range and 55 villa lots in the 1,600-2,000 square-foot range, Ehens said.

The smaller homes would be maintenance free.

Plans for the subdivision, which would be built in phases, will also include walking paths, a park, play equipment for youngsters, gazebos and places for people to gather.

In addition, Providence will donate 18.4 acres to the homeowners' association for open space.

The Plan Commission also heard plans for an O'Reilly Auto Parts store from Rob Horton, of Red Cedar Partners.

Horton said the O'Reilly Auto Parts store would be built southeast of the 109th Avenue/Randolph intersection at 11001 Randolph St.

Planners agreed to set a public hearing for the two-lot subdivision's plat approval on Feb. 10 and said Horton would have to come back to that meeting to set another hearing for the commercial development plan approval request.

In other business, the Plan Commission set two public hearings for petitioner Paul Banter. Banter is seeking to demolish one home and build a new one on 34 acres at 11426 Benton St.

The one public hearing request is for primary plat approval of a two-lot subdivision and the second is for a zone change from agriculture to residential for Lot 2 of Banter Acres.

The Plan Commission also set two public hearings for Walter and Sandy Koehler who want to subdivide 10 acres at 11177 State St.

The Koehlers want to rezone from agriculture to residential Lot 2 of Koehler Acres and then build a new home on the smaller of the two lots.

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I think the best thing about Dr. King and his message is that it continues to inspire and offer guidance for us today.

One thing we constantly learn is that unity and understanding is critical when youre looking to bring change.

We know that finding common ground, especially with those with different backgrounds and differing viewpoints, is how we build a society that works for all of us.

So when we talk about realizing Dr. Kings dream today and we think about how we can do that in the current social climate, I think thats what we have to talk about.

We have to remember that Martin Luther King reached out and spoke to communities and people from all walks of life in his mission to fight for civil rights and equality.

He made it his mission to embrace unity even when it was difficult. Even when he had to reach people who didnt agree with his vision about a nation where every person was equal.

Dr. King understood the limitations of division and disunity and stressed mutual compassion, especially when it was hard. He urged us to look for all that we have in common rather than all that separates us; and he was persistent with that message.

To realize Dr. Kings dream today, we have the responsibility to follow that wisdom. We have a responsibility to choose our collective betterment over culture wars and partisan mindsets, even when we get pulled into those moments of disagreement.

One thing Ive learned as a state legislator is that we essentially all want the same things in life. When I hear testimonies from people who come down to speak on bills, when members of my community reach out and when Im talking to my fellow legislators in committee and on the floor, I realize that every one of us are seeking the same things.

We want to be able to take care of our families, cover our basic needs, and live in a state that supports us. We want to be treated fairly and know that we live in a community where we have access to the things we need, like jobs, good schools and quality medical care. We want to know theres justice and equality in our country, and that our next generation will have it better than us.

I think recognizing those shared desires that we all have is where we find that common ground in this political climate. Thats where weve always found it. And its what I do everyday as a legislator at the Statehouse  look for the opportunity to find a shared vision and see where our interests align.

Its easy to focus on the legislation at the Statehouse that causes long hours of discussion and contention, but the reality is that 95% of the proposals that pass in the General Assembly are bipartisan bills. Most of the time, were coming together unanimously to advance legislation that improves Indiana for every resident.

I think thats the beginning of realizing Dr. Kings dream and taking it with us every day in life, especially in this climate. Its taking that first step in realizing we do have a shared vision about our communities and society and starting from there.

But we also have to build on it. We have to continue having those conversations and reaching out to make those connections. Sometimes it wont be easy, and finding that common understanding on an issue will take longer.

We may come to an issue and find we have different ideas and solutions on how to address it. But when we come up against those moments, that foundation of unity is what we have to lean into.

Thats when we have to try to follow Dr. Kings message. Thats when we have to remember that even if we dont agree with a perspective, we cant just dismiss it and move on. We have to do what Dr. King did and have those conversations.

And even when we cant find common ground on an issue, we can at least find a way to respect that we want the same thing. We can recognize that were coming from that same place of wanting to provide a solution to tough situations.

Theres one of Dr. Kings most famous quotes that I think is at the heart of everything he taught and believed. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

In everything he did, he continuously sought to drive out darkness and hatred with light and with understanding. He approached differences in thought and beliefs with compassion and thoughtfulness.

So the way we realize Dr. Kings dream is by consciously grabbing hold of those lessons he taught and taking them with us when we approach difficult situations and when we encounter division.

We realize Dr. Kings dream by choosing to reject darkness and instead embrace light and understanding.

Eddie Melton is the state senator for Indiana's 3rd District. The opinions are the writer's.

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Oman Air, the national airline of Oman, has been granted Airline Retailing Maturity status under IATAs ARM Index Programme.

The certification recognises that Oman Air uses Shop/Order capabilities compliant with the standard Enhanced and Simplified Distribution message schema, version 18.2 and the ARM index Capabilities Verification Guidance.

Commenting on the certification, Umesh Chhiber, Senior Vice President Revenue Management, Pricing and Distribution at Oman Air, said: Receiving this status is a proud moment for Oman Air as we now join the first few airlines to have attained the ARM Index certification. Airline retailing has been one of the biggest industry disruptors in recent years and Oman Air is working towards developing additional enhanced retailing capabilities on our NDC channel. These new capabilities, once developed and verified by IATA, will be published in our ARM Index Registry.

Oman Airs new strategy is focused on becoming an omni-channel airline that gives its customers the freedom to choose when and how they interact with the airline.

As a customer-centric airline, Oman Air is committed to providing greater freedom of choice to our customers, Chhiber added. This is irrespective of whether or not they choose traditional GDS distribution channels, OTAs, aggregators or the cost-optimal NDC Channel, which will help Oman Air reduce its distribution costs significantly. I commend IATA and other airlines who alongside Oman Air are fully committed to the NDC journey by offering more freedom of choice to the customer.-- TradeArabia News Service
As we begin a new year and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we acknowledge his life commitment to the nonviolent struggle for civil rights in the United States of America. We are blessed due to the sacrifices that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and others made with their blood, sweat, and tears.

As I reflect on the recent senseless shooting death of 4th District School Board Member Norman Bailey, we have come a long way, but we have so far to go in honoring the legacy of our ancestors who fought and died for our civil rights. We know Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as a civil rights leader, but he was also the senior pastor in his local church.

The only way to continue changing our country, communities, and individuals for the positive is through consistent prayer and living by the word of God through our lord and savior Jesus the Christ.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior, who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth, 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

Black Lives Matter, but while pointing the finger at others we must also acknowledge, point out and eradicate the sin in our own communities. Personal responsibility to abide by the law and live by the word of God is essential to building strong communities and honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the many others who fought so we could have a better today. Norman Bailey did not get killed by law enforcement, he was killed by someone in our community who has a total disregard for life and the law.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit, Galatians 5: 16-25

Every year we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with prayer breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and panel discussions. Let us all respect his legacy by honoring God with living by the word of God.

Thank you, Norman Bailey, for your service to the Gary Community School Corporation, and our community. Rest in peace.

Darren Washington is chairman of the Calumet Township Trustees Office board of directors. The opinions are the writers.

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There arent many people in the world who have not heard of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

While countless people fought and died for our nations civil rights, Dr. Kings name has long been synonymous with the American civil rights movement. MLK means as much in the Deep South as it does in Chicago or Philadelphia.

The words I have a dream will be embedded in all of our minds forever. He had a vision of a hopeful future based on the tenants of the American Declaration of Independence, a document that had been crafted almost 200 years prior. To be clear, Dr. King chastised our countrys failure to live up to its founding principles even as he called on all of us to embrace them.

In one of his famous speeches, he stated that One day, this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. For many, the uncertainty of how to fulfill his vision today still remains. While significant progress has been made, in many ways we fall short of the vision of equality for all. How do we acknowledge and yet look beyond the present day injustices to ensure that Dr. Kings vision is realized?

Over a half century after the death of Dr. King, it remains for us to continue his vision. Every government official, every business owner, every corporate CEO and every citizen should commit themselves to upholding our inalienable rights and the true meaning of equality for all. The best way to do this is to teach what this really means. Teach it at the primary, secondary and higher education levels. And, of course, we must teach it to our children in our homes. Then, we must demonstrate it through our actions.

Another aspect of Dr. Kings vision was that of service. On Feb. 4th, 1968, two months to the day before he was slain on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. King delivered the Drum Major speech, an epic and eternal teaching on the value of service.

In that speech, Dr. King said:

Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You dont have to have a college degree to serve. You dont have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

We serve our communities when we help our neighbors. We serve each other when we lend someone a helping hand or try to uplift someone else. You dont have to lead a march of thousands to serve, but when we serve someone, we can have the effect of one thousand marches.

Service can mean joining others to help clean up your block or joining a group to make care packages for homeless people. It may be doing a few chores for an elderly neighbor or donating time at a food pantry. Service can also be realized by being a voice for those who are unable to be heard.

Every day, and in difficult conditions, hundreds of men and women serve Gary in various capacities. Some do so by wearing police and fire uniforms to protect our community, and the vast majority of them do so honorably and with great valor. I am thankful to each of them for their selflessness.

In late May 2020, the torture and murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked thousands of Americans to serve via organized demonstrations that brought attention to that atrocity. On a blazing June day, those protests came to Gary.

Yes, handfuls of people tried to pervert the true intentions of the protests nationwide and here, but I believe the vast majority of protesters marched for much needed improvements in our country, and, I believe, in their own ways, they were serving us all.

Although I believe the vast majority of men and women of the Gary Police Department are absolute professionals who try to do their best every single day, as we strive to uphold the vision and concept of equality for all, we must continuously reexamine ourselves to ensure that we are truly aligned with what we say we believe.

In the summer of 2020, I became the first mayor in the state of Indiana to call for a Police Reform Commission to conduct a thorough examination of our police departments policies and practices.

The commission members were attorneys and law enforcement professionals, members of the clergy, a college professor, a member of the Black Lives Matter movement and an experienced mental health expert.

They all were volunteers who worked through very difficult conversations to provide their recommendations, and I accepted each one they made.

From funding body cameras on police uniforms to training on dealing with people experiencing a mental health crisis, from use of force and deescalation techniques to increasing positive community engagement, these commission members covered a tremendous amount of ground.

I will always be grateful for their service, especially to Joy Holliday, the executive director of Gary4Life and Thrive Gary!, for admirably chairing the commission and taking on such an enormous task.

We began working on many of the improvements months ago. We already have made progress, but we have a great deal of work left to do.

Nobody and no department can be perfect, but well continue to try.

Please help us make our community stronger. Remember Dr. King and the countless other civil rights warriors on this holiday by safely going out into your community, embracing and acting on a single word: service.

Jerome Prince is the mayor of Gary. The opinions are the writer's.

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Funeral services were held on Sunday to commemorate 17 lives lost a week ago when New York Citys deadliest fire in decades tore through an apartment building in the Bronx. All the victims were of West African origin, from Gambia, Mali and Guinea. Half of them were children; the youngest was 2.

Fifteen caskets arrived at the Islamic Cultural Center on Sunday morning, at around the same time of day that the tragedy had occurred a week earlier, when a space heater caught fire. (A separate service had been held on Wednesday for the other two victims, from Mali.)

Many residents had complained about insufficient heating, and many of the families in the building owned space heaters.

The leader of the Islamic center, Sheikh Musa Drammeh, used the occasion to denounce the living conditions that allowed the fire to occur, directing his words to elected officials who had arrived to pay their respects, including Mayor Eric Adams, Senator Chuck Schumer and Attorney General Letitia James.
Flying Republic P-47 Thunderbolts at first, and later the 440-m.p.h. North-American P-51 Mustang, all with the distinctive red tails and trim that identified their unit, the Tuskegee Airmen intercepted and fought swarms of Luftwaffe defenders, mostly Focke-Wulf Fw 190s. (A 2012 feature film about the group was titled Red Tails.)

On Aug. 24, 1944, while escorting B-17s over Czechoslovakia, Mr. McGee, by then a captain, had peeled off to engage a Luftwaffe squadron and, after a dogfight, shot down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190. On the forward fuselage of his P-51, his wifes nickname, Kitten, had been inscribed.

When not escorting bombers, Captain McGees group flew target-of-opportunity missions, bombing and strafing enemy airfields, rail yards, factories and other installations. Of the 992 Black pilots trained at Tuskegee during the war, 355 were deployed overseas, 84 were killed in action, a dozen died on training and noncombat missions, and 32 were taken prisoner after being shot down.

The Tuskegee Airmens record of protecting bombers was excellent, losing only 27 bombers on seven of its 179 escort missions, compared to an average of 46 bomber losses among all other 15th Air Force P-51 escort groups. The Tuskegee Airmen also destroyed 112 enemy aircraft in the air and 150 on the ground, as well as 600 rail cars, 350 trucks and other vehicles, and 40 boats and barges.

Captain McGee flew more than 130 combat missions in World War II. He returned to the United States in December 1944 to become an instructor for another unit of Tuskegee Airmen, the 477th Bomb Group, flying B-25 Mitchell bombers out of stateside bases. That group never got into the war. Mr. McGee served at Tuskegee Field until 1946, when the base was closed.

He decided to remain in the Air Force. President Harry S. Truman officially ended segregation in the armed forces in 1948. The order hardly ended discrimination in the services, but the captain loved flying and saw his best opportunities for the future as a career officer in the jet age.
Mr. Trumps aides also have tried to tamp down questions about the former presidents frustrations, so as not to elevate Mr. DeSantis.

Still, Mr. Trump has made no secret of his preparations for a third run for the White House. And while Mr. DeSantis, who is up for re-election this year, has not declared his plans, he is widely believed to be eyeing the presidency.

Mr. Trump and his aides are mindful of Republicans increasingly public fatigue with the drama that trails Mr. Trump. The former presidents false claims about fraud in the 2020 election  which Mr. DeSantis has not challenged  and his role in the events leading to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol have some Republicans looking for a fresh start.

Mr. DeSantis is often the first name Republicans cite as a possible Trump-style contender not named Trump.

DeSantis would be a formidable 2024 candidate in the Trump lane should Trump not run, said Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor. Hes Trump but a little smarter, more disciplined and brusque without being too brusque.

Notably, Mr. Trump, a longtime student of charisma and mass appeal, as well as an avid reader of polling, has refrained so far from publicly attacking Mr. DeSantis, who is a distant but potent second to him in polls on the 2024 G.O.P. field. His restraint is a break from the mockery and bullying he often uses to attack Republicans he perceives as vulnerable. Mr. Trump made no reference to the governor at a rally in Arizona on Saturday.

Mr. DeSantis has $70 million in the bank for his re-election, a war chest he stocked with help from the Republican rank-and-file and donor class, alike. He has raised his profile in the same spaces Mr. Trump once dominated. The governor is ubiquitous on Fox News, where he is routinely met with the sort of softballs that once arced toward Mr. Trump. And he frequently mixes with the well-tanned Republican donor community near the former presidents winter home in South Florida.
Officials in Beijing have reported the citys first case of the Omicron variant, prompting authorities to order an immediate lockdown and mass testing in one neighborhood just three weeks before the opening of the Winter Olympics in the capital city.

Speaking at a news briefing on Saturday night, an official from the high-tech Haidian District in western Beijing said that the authorities had temporarily cordoned off the infected persons residential compound and workplace. Health officials collected 2,430 samples for testing from people linked to the two locations.

The detection of the highly-transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant in Beijing comes as China has been racing to stamp out a series of concurrent outbreaks around the country as part of a broader effort to adhere to the governments policy of zero tolerance for the coronavirus.

Authorities in Beijing in particular have been on heightened alert. The city is Chinas political center and home to the countrys top leaders. It is also now gearing up for the arrival of thousands of Olympic athletes, officials and journalists who will stay in a tightly-restricted bubble in the city without having to do the mandatory quarantine that is required of most inbound travelers to China. The Olympics are set to start on Feb. 4.
The authorities closed several beaches in Peru on Sunday and warned about abnormal wave activity.

The deaths in Peru were reminiscent of the aftermath of the powerful tsunami set off by an undersea earthquake off Indonesia in December 2004 that killed more than 250,000 people. A dozen of the dead then were hit by waves on the eastern coast of Africa, in Kenya and Tanzania.

In Tonga on Sunday, many residents lost not only communication ties but power. Up to 80,000 people there could be affected, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies told the BBC.

One immediate need was clear: potable water.

The ash cloud has, as you can imagine, caused contamination, said Ms. Ardern, the New Zealand prime minister. Thats on top of already a challenging environment, in terms of water supply.

New Zealand and other nations in the region pledged to give Tonga aid to recover. So did the United States. But with heavy concentrations of airborne ash making flights impossible, it was difficult even to know what was needed.

Ms. Ardern said flights over Tonga were planned for Monday or Tuesday, depending on ash conditions. New Zealands navy was also preparing a backup plan, should the ash remain heavy, she said.
Sullivan, a poet and the prizewinning author of books including Stalins Daughter and Villa Air-Bel, about a safe house in Marseille during World War II, is amply qualified to resituate readers in reality. She is riding tandem here with Thijs Bayens, a filmmaker, and Pieter van Twisk, a journalist and researcher whom Sullivan describes as having the cragginess of all bibliophiles. In 2016, Bayens and van Twisk, both of whom are Dutch, hired Vince Pankoke, a retired F.B.I. agent in Florida who still seems to be living undercover, a mild, anonymous man in a guayabera shirt. They assembled an international cold case team of criminologists; behavioral, data, forensic and social scientists; psychologists; a handwriting expert; a rabbi; and many others, among them a young student who wondered, in one of the narratives few lighter moments, Whats a telephone book? Theyre eager for any information you might have, too.

Image Rosemary Sullivan, the author of The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation. Credit... Michael Rafelson

The team has used modern big-data techniques and an artificial intelligence program developed by Microsoft, as well as old-fashioned shoe-leather reporting, conducting scores of interviews and combing through private and public archives. The team has the receipts, as the young student might say  often actual receipts, thanks to the diligent record-keeping of German bounty hunters. Shaped like a procedural or a whodunit, The Betrayal of Anne Frank nonetheless hums with living history, human warmth and indignation. It agilely shifts the idea of collaboration over eight decades and nearly 400 pages, from dark and insidious crime to noble quest with algorithmic transparency.

Bayens and company were shocked to discover what Sullivan dryly calls the degree of acrimony among the various stakeholders of the Anne Frank legacy. Her title also seems to be a nose-thumbing to the Anne Frank Fonds in Basel, Switzerland  one of two charitable organizations started by Otto Frank  which has long aggressively protected its portion of the diaries complicated international copyright and would not cooperate with the cold case team; one trustee even thundered in an early meeting that the investigators couldnt use Annes name. The other, the Anne Frank Foundation in Amsterdam, which has turned Prinsengracht 263 into a well-trafficked museum, was much more helpful, Sullivan writes.

Possible informants, according to various theories: a suspiciously inquisitive warehouse manager, Willem van Maaren; Lena Hartog, his assistants purportedly gossipy wife; Job Jansen, a former employee who called Otto Frank treasonous for daring to imply during a casual sidewalk encounter that the Third Reich might lose the war; and a shady character and cocky opportunist named Anton Ahlers. Still other candidates: a Jewish V-Frau named Ans van Dijk  v stood for vertrouwens, the Dutch word for trust  who turned in fellow Jews to avoid being deported herself; and Nelly Voskuijl, who was the sister of a woman who helped to conceal the Franks, and who consorted with the enemy and suffered from fainting spells.

At least one historian has suggested that there was no informant  that the police came to the warehouse to search for counterfeit ration cards or labor violations and happened upon the secret annex hidden behind a moving bookshelf, perhaps noticing marks it had left on the floor. Sullivan circles all of these possibilities like Agatha Christie with Zoom and a time machine. The mingled mundanity and terror of the town square is all too present in details such as what would happen when a moving company, run by Abraham Puls, came to pick up deportees possessions; gawking neighbors called this being gepulst (pulsed).
LONDON  The company behind Advil, ChapStick and Tums is the target of the first big multibillion-dollar takeover fight of 2022.

Unilever said on Monday that it remained interested in buying the maker of those products, a joint venture of GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, after its previous takeover bids had been rejected.

GSK Consumer Health would be a strong strategic fit, Unilever said in a statement, adding that a deal would also deliver value and certainty for the shareholders of GSK and Pfizer.

Mondays announcement was effectively a signal of intent that Unilever was willing to pursue one of the costliest takeover fights in the consumer health business in recent years. On Saturday, GlaxoSmithKline said it had rejected Unilevers three previous takeover bids  the most recent of which was 50 billion pounds, or $68 billion  for fundamentally undervaluing the business.
Europeans bought more electric cars than diesels in December, a stunning illustration of the growing popularity of battery power and the decline of diesel, which was once the most popular engine option in Europe.

More than 20 percent of new cars sold in Europe and Britain in December were powered solely by electricity, according to data compiled by Matthias Schmidt, an analyst in Berlin who tracks electric vehicles sales. Sales of diesel vehicles, which as recently as 2015 accounted for more than half of the new cars in the European Union, slipped below 19 percent.

The December figures illustrate how electric vehicles are fast becoming mainstream. Sales of battery-powered cars soared in Europe, the United States and China last year while sales of conventional vehicles stagnated. Government incentives have made electric vehicles more affordable, the variety of electric cars to choose from has grown and buyers have become more conscious of the environmental cost of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.

The growth of electric vehicles was all the more remarkable considering that the overall car market is in crisis. Sales of all new cars in the European Union fell more than 20 percent in November as a shortage of semiconductors strangled production, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.
New Delhi, Jan 17 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday spoke with his counterparts from Sweden and Hungary and with the EU foreign policy chief, during which they reviewed bilateral trade ties among other issues.

In a series of tweets, the EAM mentioned about his separate telephonic interactions with the three top officials.

During his conversation with Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto, the two discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education, mobility and health.

A good discussion with FM Peter Szijjarto of Hungary.

Discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education, mobility and health.

Confident that the positive momentum of 2021 will grow further in 2022.

Look forward to welcoming him in India soon, he posted.

On his talk with Swedish FM Ann Linde, he said the two discussed the Covid situation, on Nordic cooperation, and green transition

Nice to speak to FM @AnnLinde of Sweden.

Conversation covered the Covid situation, green transition and Nordic cooperation.

Our bilateral relationship continues to advance steadily.

He also spoke with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell Fontelles. They reviewed trade and investment, connectivity, and strategic facets of India-EU cooperation, as well as Afghanistan and Myanmar.

A warm conversation with EU HRVP @JosepBorrellF ,our first this year.

Reviewed trade & investment, connectivity, climate action and strategic facets of India-EU cooperation.

Discussed global hotspots, especially Afghanistan and Myanmar.

UNI/RN
The sun rises on a weekday in New York City, and at a Queens subway station the daily grind resembles its old self: Thousands of people pile onto an open-air platform above a bustling neighborhood, waiting in the cold to crowd onto rush-hour trains toward work, school and other essential appointments.

Hours later, as darkness falls, another rush hour begins. But this one, at a formerly hectic subway station in Lower Manhattan, feels jarringly different. In a neighborhood lined with office buildings, a once-reliable stream of white-collar commuters has thinned to a trickle. As trains arrive, finding a seat is not hard.

Nearly two years after the coronavirus engulfed New York, causing a virtual abandonment of the countrys largest transportation network, riders have slowly returned to the subway in an uneven pattern that underscores the economic divide at the heart of the citys fitful recovery.

Stations in lower-income areas in Brooklyn, Queens and Upper Manhattan, where residents are less likely to be able to work from home and typically depend more on public transit, have rebounded far faster than stations in office-heavy sections of Manhattan, including some that were once the busiest in the system, where many workers are still able to work remotely.
Which brings us to December and the glorious defeat finally met by the most hideous monument to Nathan Bedford Forrest in all the land. You dont have to take my word for this. Its The Worst Confederate Statue Weve Ever Seen, according to Mother Jones. New York magazine called it Americas Ugliest Confederate Statue. The Washington Post noted that the statues eyes have an axe-murderer vibe.

The malformed Confederate figure seated atop a malformed rearing horse was erected on private land in 1998 and surrounded by Confederate battle flags. Visible to anyone entering Nashville on I-65, the eyesore was a frequent target of vandalism. When someone splashed pink paint all over it in 2017, the owner, Bill Dorris, opted not to repair it because the new coat of paint, he said, would bring the statue even more attention.

Mr. Dorris died in late 2020. He left $5 million to his dog. He also left a small building and the flag display to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Everything else, including the Forrest statue, goes to the Battle of Nashville Trust, a historic preservation group. Last month, the statue was removed unexpectedly. According to a statement from the trust, it was ugly and a blight on Nashville and detracted from the trusts mission.

The glee at its fall was instant and widespread. This has been a national embarrassment, State Senator Heidi Campbell, a Democrat from Nashville, told The Tennessean. Im so excited. This is great news. Its just so hurtful to people, not to mention its heinously ugly.

Taking down offensive memorials isnt the only way to begin to correct public representations of our heinous past. Some communities have responded to defenders of Confederate monuments by erecting competing memorials to those who fought to preserve the Union or to make it more just, especially during the civil rights era. In Nashville, the Metro Council voted last month to name the plaza in front of Historic Nashville Courthouse after the civil rights activist Diane Nash. A month earlier the school board voted to name a new high school after the Rev. James Lawson, a key organizer of nonviolent resistance in Nashville.
To the Editor:

Sparing a Thought for Absent Mothers, by Amanda Hess (Critics Notebook, Jan. 15), was brilliant and heartfelt and let us in to her own challenges as a mother. Bravo.

Heres my problem with The Lost Daughter and the other stories cited in her article. Its all about upper-middle-class, privileged, usually white women who have the money, the space and the support to get lost. For most mothers who do not have nannies, housekeepers and husbands willing to take up the slack, this is a fantasy that is annoying in its exclusivity.

I was a single parent, with reduced lunch coupons, limited after-school care and some family support, and this article fills me with revulsion. Motherhood is a blessing, a gift, sometimes a curse  often fatiguing and maddening, but a job we do because of love, obligation and the ability to submerge our own egos for the sake of raising children who feel loved.
How we got here is a story about parents engaging with schools as consumers who want to extract the most school resources for their children. Mothers are the ones societally tasked with doing that extraction. A good mom gets the best learning plan, best teacher, best school, best activities and all-around best school experience for her kid. And a mom with the privilege of race and class gets to define the terms of what counts as best. That is a historical process that ramped up after Brown v. Board of Education was decided in 1954. In her cultural history Racial Taxation: Schools, Segregation, and Taxpayer Citizenship, 1869-1973, Camille Walsh calls this the encroachment of taxpayer citizenship. I think of taxpayer citizenship as a case of consumer citizenship localized to public goods, like public education. It is a quasi-legal identity that construes rights as those conditioned on ones ability to pay taxes. That identity has always been about exclusion.

Walsh says that taxpaying became conflated with deservingness when white Americans felt that their citizenship was compromised by the inclusion of racial minorities in the social contract. At the same time, Black citizens often framed their right to attend quality public schools in terms of their own taxpayer citizenship. The conflict was set up as a war of who is included in the grand American We the people and on what terms. Nowhere is this more evident than in the matter of public education. School integration became ground zero for white resistance to multiracial democracy, a resistance that spawned all kinds of movements: neighborhood schools, charter schools, private academies, school tracking and home-schooling.

Jennifer Berkshires A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door is a good overview of the connection between todays pre-Covid school debates and that historical resistance. Berkshire has also been really smart on how Covid school-opening talk is not organic. Parents rights has long been used by the G.O.P. to prioritize wealthy white parents desires at the expense of everyone else. She argues that debates on pandemic school closings, teaching race in schools and other contentious topics are about not just what schools teach and how theyre run but whose voice really matters in those decisions.

All of this shows that the citizen-consumer model does not happen independently of other big social processes. It is part of how those social processes get enacted and gain power. And ultimately, citizen consumerism is a public problem for civic well-being. We talk a lot about whether or not a multiethnic society can be governed. It is just as important to think about whether a nation of consumer experts is governable. In the coming weeks, I will be talking with some people I would like to hear from about that question.

I came across a couple of interesting reads this week. A timeline of the Biden administrations Covid response by Justin Feldman is a good primer. I do not know about you, but I feel the news is overwhelming on this topic. This series helps me keep informed without pushing me into opining purgatory. Feldman points out something critical about who we are talking about when we now talk about the unvaccinated. There are the willfully resistant, operating from a place of political identity and fear. Then there are the children, elderly, poor and isolated. From Feldman:

Who remained unvaccinated by late 2021? While the media often highlights the notable partisan divide in vaccination rates, its also notable that half of unvaccinated adults didnt vote for Trump  many did not vote at all. The unvaccinated are largely low-income, uninsured, pregnant, incarcerated and children (including those under 5, for whom vaccination has not been authorized). While vaccination rates are high for people ages 65 and up, those in their late 70s and older have lower vaccination rates than younger seniors, suggesting a lack of autonomy (i.e., needing to rely on others to access health care) may play a role. And while racial gaps in vaccination rates have narrowed considerably, huge inequalities in Covid death rates remain. By my own calculations, age-adjusted Covid mortality rates in the U.S. between Aug. 1, 2021, and Dec. 4, 2021, were 30 percent higher for Black and Latino people, 100 percent higher for American Indians/Alaska Natives and 340 percent higher for Pacific Islanders compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Those are interlocking problems that cannot be addressed with the same policies.

At The New Republic, Gabriel N. Rosenberg and Jan Dutkiewicz do a deep dive on problems with the Department of Agriculture. They outline a series of institutional failures that echo those found across a lot of the institutions we trust to help make our informed decisions mean something. Frankly, it is scary.

Derek Major, writing for Black Enterprise, points to polling data on racial and sexual minorities investment in cryptocurrency. A lot of readers have sent me articles about how crypto is the new social justice movement. Most of those readers want me to debunk that narrative. I am not there just yet. But I am generally skeptical of any new tool that promises to solve centuries of systematic marginalization through loosely regulated consumer tools.

Tressie McMillan Cottom (@tressiemcphd) is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science, the author of Thick: And Other Essays and a 2020 MacArthur fellow.
California should do more to incentivize clean energy in lower-income areas. And the state should be promoting the installation of a million batteries to store the energy that the solar panels capture. Thats how we can truly democratize energy. But adding a tax and removing incentives will hurt the solar market, and making solar more expensive for everyone does nothing to help our most vulnerable.

California has been hit hard in recent years by the changing climate, with record droughts and catastrophic wildfires. Thats another reason this proposal makes no sense; we should be pulling out all the stops to slow global warming. California is already so far behind on meeting its 2030 climate goals that the state isnt projected to hit them until 2063. And our 2050 goals? We are on track to reach them by 2111.

Now California is about to take a big step backward by setting up huge barriers for consumers to adopt solar power. Installing panels on roofs is one of the fastest ways to produce renewable energy. They can be installed without complicated permitting or land fights, and they produce immediate reductions in dirty and dangerous emissions.

Rooftop solar also helps protect open space by generating electricity in places that are already built up. Every home, apartment building, school, farm and business that installs solar panels makes the air cleaner, reduces the need for costly investments in the grid and helps communities keep the lights on in the face of wildfires and blackouts. It also gives people a sense of self-sufficiency and independence from the grid. Is it any surprise that the big utilities want to take that away?

PG&E and other utilities want us to rely on their grids. But how much can Californians really depend on them? In the case of PG&E, we are talking about a company that pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of 84 Californians because it failed to maintain a transmission line that ignited the deadly Camp fire in 2018.

This is just another case of the big guys  the investor-owned utilities  fighting for themselves and hurting people who have invested or want to invest in solar panels.

Incentives matter when creating a new energy infrastructure. In Nevada, for instance, the states rooftop solar adoption rate plummeted 47 percent in the year after the states public utilities commission made solar more expensive for consumers by adding higher fixed costs on net-metering customers and reducing the price paid to customers for the excess energy they generate. A public outcry compelled the Nevada Legislature to reverse the changes, and more people started putting solar panels on their rooftops again. Its common sense.
Neither Montana nor the other states have paid much heed to Mr. Shollys concerns. Idahos new law could lead to the reduction of its wolf population by up to 90 percent. In Montana the governor, Greg Gianforte, is among the elected officials who have led the charge. Last February he trapped and killed a wolf near Yellowstone, though he had not taken a legally required trapper education course. He has signed laws making it much easier to kill wolves in his state.

The methods allowed in these states are utterly at odds with the principles of ethical hunting as laid out by the Boone and Crockett Club, a hunting and conservation group. That approach is to pursue game animals in a way that does not give the hunter an improper or unfair advantage.

Ranchers whose livelihoods the state legislators cite as endangered by wolves are now complaining that elk are eating too much of their grass and raiding their haystacks  too many elk, in the middle of wolf country! The hunting seasons for elk actually are being extended.

Wolf depredation on livestock has been minimal. In 2015, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming had 1,602,100 cattle in counties where both cattle and wolves were present; there were 1,904 wolves. They killed 148 cattle: about 0.01 percent, or approximately one out of every 10,000 cows. All three states compensate livestock owners for proven losses to wolves.

The ecological consequences of the wolfs return have been complex. The subsequent reduction and redistribution of elk herds have allowed overbrowsed aspen groves to recover. Is that why the beaver population has increased? Maybe. Nesting songbirds? Probably. The changes ramify throughout the food chain. There can be no doubt that the restoration of one of Yellowstones apex predators has been a net benefit. It is now one of the most intact large wild ecosystems in the temperate zones of the planet.

When the gray wolf in the Northern Rockies was removed from the list of species classified as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, authority over their well-being was placed with the states, on their promises that their management would be sound. Those promises ring rather hollow now.

The only way to stop this killing is to restore federal protection to the gray wolf of the Northern Rockies through the Endangered Species Act, which can be done overnight on an emergency basis.
The Holocaust, the St. Louis, he says. I dont know if this is my thing. I dont know if we need to talk about it now. I dont.

When I watched Witness on my laptop Friday night, that bit of fretful grousing had a very different feel than it surely would the next day, when a man in Texas took four hostages during a service at a synagogue, and a nearly 11-hour standoff with state and federal law enforcement officers ensued. Suddenly, once again, the urgency of discussing antisemitism was palpable, and not just to people who feel the menace of that bigotry all the time.

Written by Nana Grinstein, with Blair Cadden and Golyak, Witness is part variety show, pitting passengers against one another for an unnamed fabulous prize. The contest results are decided by the audience members, who vote on their screens after each act. The winner, the night I saw it, was the remarkably graceful Skating on Glass, set to voice-over memories of Kristallnacht.

With scenography and costumes by Anna Fedorova, virtual design by Daniel Cormino and excellent sound by Viktor Semenov, Witness often has the digitally buffed surreality of a video game, which might sound like an insult but is not. Like a lot of online theater, it also has a slight trying-too-hard feel.

Before the show starts, audience members are urged repeatedly to allow their computers camera to show them onscreen with the rest of the crowd during the performance. (There is no hint that acquiescing is optional, but it is.) When the wall of viewers periodically appeared, though, it often looked like people were reading something on their screens  which they might have been, since Witness offers chances to click for more historical context. As a visual, it didnt exactly foster a feeling of connection.
The downtown of Sunnyvale, Calif., has been bustling since the coronavirus pandemic started. More than a thousand visitors have enjoyed a night on the town practically every evening for almost two years.

But they do not come to slurp ramen or drink beer at the gastro pub. They eat whatever scraps they can find outside. Then they defecate all over the sidewalks.

They are the unwelcome guests nobody invited: crows. And now the city is turning to an unlikely weapon to disperse them: lasers.

The city authorities have struggled to get rid of the birds for at least the past five years, but the situation became dire during the pandemic, when the crow population mushroomed, said Larry Klein, the mayor of Sunnyvale.
Without getting into that old cliche about womans place is in the home, Chief Justice Warren E. Burger asked, why shouldnt states be allowed to decide that mothers of small children belong at home, not serving on juries?

Ms. Ginsburg gently suggested that men can take care of children, too.

There are several states, she said, that have exemptions for persons primarily responsible for the care of young children.

The point seemed to dawn on the chief justice. So thatd be husbands or wives then, he said.

Speaking slowly, as if to a dim student, she replied: It could be husband or wife, yes.

Years later, she reflected on the approach she used in the six cases she argued before the Supreme Court.

I did see myself as kind of a kindergarten teacher in those days, because the judges didnt think sex discrimination existed, she said in the documentary R.B.G. One of the things I tried to plant in their minds was, Think about how you would like the world to be for your daughters and granddaughters.

More than 40 years later, progress has been halting, said Michael R. Dreeben, a former deputy solicitor general who has argued more than 100 cases before the Supreme Court and who examined the Duren case in an article in Criminal Justice, a magazine published by the American Bar Association.

She accomplished this enormous legal victory, and she really transformed the way gender and the law are perceived, and she broke molds, he said. Yet the underlying stereotypical patterns have a much longer persistence in both law and practice.
Mitchell D. Silber, the executive director of the community security initiative at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, said that there was a palpable fear that copycat attacks could occur in the coming weeks.

More and more, the Jewish community has accepted that unfortunately what it means to be a Jew in the United States in 2022 is that your institution needs to have guards, checkpoints and security, Mr. Silber said.

The training in Colleyville helped the hostages escape.

Mr. Cohen, who is identified on the synagogues website as its vice president, said in a Facebook post on Monday that the training from the Secure Community Network saved our lives  I am not speaking in hyperbole here.

He described a series of subtle strategies that set up the hostages with the opportunity to make an escape. When he was instructed to sit down, he chose a row with clear access to an exit. When he had an opportunity to rub a fellow hostages shoulders, he whispered to him about the exit door. And when pizza was delivered, he suggested another hostage retrieve it from the door. Eventually all the hostages were within 20 feet of the exit.

At another point, Mr. Cohen used his feet to slowly move chairs in front of himself to potentially divert bullets or shrapnel.

In the beginning, there were four hostages, Rabbi Cytron-Walker said, and they were able to build enough good will with the gunman that one of them was released around 5 p.m. The other three remained as night fell, but conversations with law enforcement were not going well.

There was a lot more yelling, a lot more threatening, Rabbi Cytron-Walker said.

By around 9 p.m., the three men were near enough to an exit and were poised to run if the opportunity arose, he said. There was a real immediacy.
New Delhi, Jan 17 (UNI) Opposition parties on Monday slammed the government for the economic situation in the country, after a report said income of 84 per cent of households in the country declined in 2021, but at the same time the number of Indian billionaires grew from 102 to 142.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making his "friends" rich.

"The PM is making his friends rich and people are being weakened by unemployment and high taxes. Would the World Economic Forum discuss these statistics as well? They should," he said in a tweet.

An Oxfam report titled Inequality Kills, released on Sunday ahead of the World Economic Forums Davos Agenda, said in 2021, the collective wealth of Indias 100 richest people hit a record high of Rs 57.3 lakh crore (USD 775 billion). In the same year, the share of the bottom 50 per cent of the population in national wealth was a mere six per cent.

"As per the Oxfam report, the income of 84 per cent of households in the country declined in 2021, but at the same time, the number of Indian billionaires grew from 102 to 142 (39 per cent growth). The richest 98 Indians own the same wealth as the bottom 55.2 Crore Indians," Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said.

"Continuous Increase in Indirect Taxes (GST) as a share of Central Government, constant increase in additional tax imposed on fuel are responsible for this. Lowering of corporate taxes from 30 per cent to 22 per cent resulted in a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, contributing to India's fiscal deficit. These trends show that the poor, marginalized, and the middle class paid high taxes despite going through the raging pandemic while the rich made more money," Vallabh said.





"More than 4.6 crore Indians are estimated to have fallen into extreme poverty in 2020, nearly half of the global new poor according to the United Nations," he said.



Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury meanwhile said, "This is ominous. More unemployment, misery & poverty is in store. Modi government must be forced to give unemployment allowance immediately. Direct cash transfers of Rs 7.5K per month & free food kits to all families outside tax bracket," he said.

UNI AO SY 1832
China announced on Monday that its birthrate plummeted for a fifth straight year in 2021, moving the worlds most populous country closer to the potentially seismic moment when its population will begin to shrink, and hastening a demographic crisis that could undermine its economy and even its political stability.

The falling birthrate, coupled with the increased life expectancy that has accompanied Chinas economic transformation over the last four decades, means the number of people of working age, relative to the growing number of people too old to work, has continued to decline. That could result in labor shortages, which could hamper economic growth, and reduce the tax revenue needed to support an aging society.

The situation is creating a huge political problem for Beijing, which is already facing economic headwinds. Along with the demographic data, the country reported on Monday that growth in the last quarter of the year slowed to 4 percent.

Chinas ruling Communist Party has taken steps to address the birthrate decline, by relaxing its notorious one child policy, first allowing two children in 2016 and as many as three since last year. It is also offering incentives to young families and promising improvement in workplace rules and early education.
MANILA  The Philippines Commission on Elections on Monday threw out a petition to disqualify Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from the May presidential election, one of several efforts to keep the son of the former dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos off the ballot.

The petitioners claimed that the younger Mr. Marcos was not fit to run for president because he was convicted by a local court for failing to file his tax returns in the 1980s. But the election officials ruled that past convictions did not keep him perpetually barred from seeking office.

According to various surveys, Mr. Marcos is leading in the race despite several groups seeking to quash his candidacy. He is campaigning with Sara Duterte, daughter of the current president, Rodrigo Duterte, as his de facto running mate.

Mr. Marcos, 64, popularly known as Bongbong, has previously been a governor, a congressman and a senator in the Philippines. In 2016, he ran unsuccessfully for vice president.
SEOUL  North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Monday, in its fourth weapons test in a month.

The missiles, fired from near the Suan Airport outside Pyongyang, the Norths capital, flew 236 miles to the northeast before landing off the east coast, the South Korean military said.

North Korea on Tuesday said that the tactical guided missiles hit targets on an island off the countrys east coast. The weapons looked similar to KN-24, one of the solid-fuel ballistic missiles the North tested several times in 2019 and 2020, according to a photo released in the Norths state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun.

The test came after the country fired two ballistic missiles from train cars on Friday, hours after it warned of stronger and certain reaction if the United States helped impose more sanctions in response to the Norths recent series of missile tests.
The Philippines is grappling with a Covid-19 surge that has accelerated at a pace not seen since the start of the pandemic. But fewer people are severely ill than in previous waves, an encouraging sign for countries bracing for a similar rise in cases.

The government said last week there was a very high likelihood that the Omicron variant had fueled the latest outbreak, which began after the Christmas and New Year holiday period, though sequencing results have also shown that the Delta variant is still spreading in the country.

What is clear is that infections appear different. Hospitals are not yet overwhelmed. Patients are showing up at health care facilities with other illnesses and then learning they have the coronavirus. People are recovering faster.

The outbreak in the Philippines adds to a growing body of evidence worldwide that the Omicron variant may not be as deadly as feared, especially among the vaccinated. Still, experts are urging caution.
About half were ferried to the park on the barges, and another half transported by trucks. River beds were widened, and trains had to stop to make way for them, which Georgians seized on as evidence of his continuing ability to move officials with the same impunity he does trees. At least five trees died in the process, according to local reports.

Opened to the public in the summer of 2020, Mr. Ivanishvilis park is a rare public manifestation of his opaque but overwhelming presence in Georgia.

He has no official role in government, but his critics say Mr. Ivanishvili, 65, still has outsize sway behind the scenes.

The power is concentrated in the hands of one man, and of course it is Bidzina, said a former ally, Giorgi Gakharia, who resigned as prime minister in February, saying that the billionaires control had become too suffocating.
PARIS  Eric Zemmour, the anti-immigrant far-right pundit who is running in Frances presidential elections, was convicted on Monday on charges of inciting racial hatred and making racially insulting comments after saying on television in 2020 that unaccompanied child migrants were thieves, rapists, and murderers.

Mr. Zemmour, who had stood by his comments and said courts should not police political speech, was fined 10,000 euros, or $11,400, by a criminal court in Paris.

The verdict represented the third conviction and fine for Mr. Zemmour, who has a long history of incendiary comments, mostly about immigration, over the past decade, though he has been acquitted on other occasions.

Mr. Zemmour has repeatedly run afoul of French laws that punish defamation or acts provoking hatred or violence on the basis of race, religion and other factors over the past decade, and he still faces several trials on similar charges.
Mr. Poroshenko retains a base of support in Ukrainian nationalist politics, particularly in the countrys western regions, which want closer ties with Europe. He has clashed with Mr. Zelensky over the direction of Ukraines future, and has criticized him for what he claims is giving ground in peace negotiations with Russia to resolve the war in eastern Ukraine.

His appearance in the capital where he once governed comes after a week of mostly futile negotiations between Russia and the West seeking a solution to tense disagreements over the security of Eastern Europe, which has led to new fears that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia could soon order a military offensive.

In an interview before his return to Ukraine, Mr. Poroshenko said that his arrest might help Mr. Zelensky sideline a rival but that the political instability would play into Mr. Putins hands.

He wants to undermine the stability in Ukraine, Mr. Poroshenko said of Mr. Putin. He analyzes two versions: One version is a military aggression through the Ukrainian-Russian or Ukrainian-Belarusian border. The second is just to undermine the stability inside Ukraine, and in this way just stop Ukraine from our future membership in NATO and in the E.U.

In Kyiv, opinions differed on whether the threat of an arrest was just another maneuver in Ukraines typically byzantine politics at home, or something more ominous related to the Russian threat. Polls have consistently shown Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Poroshenko to be Ukraines most popular politicians.

Some analysts suggested that Mr. Zelensky might be seizing on the distraction of the Russian military buildup on the Ukrainian border to sideline an opponent, or that he hoped to tamp down possible opposition protests if he is forced to make unpopular concessions to Moscow to avoid an invasion.

Maybe he thinks that with forces on the border, Ukrainians wont protest an arrest of the opposition leader, said Volodymyr Yermolenko, editor in chief of Ukraine World, a journal covering politics. If so, he said, it is a risky move.
KARACHI, Pakistan  The tabloids called her Lady Qaeda. A neuroscientist who was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she was accused of trying to kill American soldiers and plotting to blow up the Statue of Liberty. Since then, Aafia Siddiqui has spent almost 12 years in a federal prison in Texas.

Now, investigators are looking into whether her story may have motivated the British attacker who took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue on Saturday. Since Ms. Siddiquis conviction in 2010 for terroristic events in Afghanistan, her name has become a rallying cry among Islamists in her native Pakistan, and her defiance in the face of arrest has made her a hero to jihadist militants worldwide, experts said.

Her rejection of mainstream life makes her an empowering example for the jihadi groups who exploit her victimhood, said Abdul Basit, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

The F.B.I. said on Sunday that the attacker, Malik Faisal Akram, spoke of Ms. Siddiquis case, which has been used as a pretext for previous terrorist attacks and has also garnered renewed focus since American forces withdrew from Afghanistan last summer. In October, hundreds of people marched to the U.S. Consulate in the port city of Karachi to demand that the Biden administration order her release.
PM invites Danish companies to invest in green technologies 03 May 2022 | 11:08 PM New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited Danish companies to take advantage of India's enormous opportunities in areas like "green technologies, cold chains, waste to wealth, shipping and ports, among others."

He jointly participated with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, and Crown Prince Frederik in the India-Denmark Business Forum at the Confederation of Danish Industry. see more..

TB Alliance lauds Pretomanid's inclusion in WHO's new treatment guidelines for DR-TB 03 May 2022 | 10:30 PM New Delhi, India, May 3 (UNI) TB Alliance on Tuesday applauded the World Health Organization for releasing a new guidelines for treating the drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). see more..

India's achievements in every sphere benefit the world: PM Modi 03 May 2022 | 10:29 PM Copenhagen/New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Indias achievements in every sphere  whether it be welfare measures for its people, its vaccination drive, free healthcare, housing and sanitation  are achievements not just for the country but for one fifth of humanity, which impact the world positively. see more..

Centre's INSACOG confirms one case of XE variant in India 03 May 2022 | 10:23 PM New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) Weeks after unconfirmed cases about XE variant of Covid-19 were reported from Maharashtra and Gujarat, the Indian SARS-COV2 Genomics Sequencing Consortium (INSACOG) on Tuesday confirmed the first case of Omicron sub-variant. see more..
On the Scene: Trumps Latest Rally Jack Healy Reporting from Florence, Ariz.

Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times

At the first Trump rally since President Biden accused his predecessor of holding a dagger at the throat of America, the conservative outrage at the current president was palpable.

Heres what I saw on the festival grounds in Arizona this weekend 
As Doi enters Tenmo, a tempura restaurant established in 1885, a delightful sizzle and savory aroma greets the senses, stirring an appetite for dinner. The secret to the sounds and smells  and the crispness of the tempura  resides in the sesame seed oil the shop has been using since chef Shusuke Okudas grandfathers day. Tempura made in Tokyos Edomae tradition uses sesame oil pressed from roasted seeds that produce a richer aroma and darker hue. Chatting with Doi behind the counter, Okuda explains that roasting prevents oxidation even at high frying temperatures, bringing a lightness that prevents an oily-stomach feel (while trapping in the freshness of ingredients such as shrimp and conger eel).

For Doi, Tenmos tempura evokes one of the beauties of Japans food culture: keen appreciation of the changing seasons. With natures cycles, diners encounter new delights to look forward to. Summer at Tenmo is a time to appreciate abalone, for example, while in winter one finds kuwai, a bittersweet tuber.



We experience great joy in the hatsumono  the first catch or produce of the season, says Doi. The appreciation of seasonal ingredients that spring up, reach their maturity then fade away brings us closer to nature.



At Tenmo, this enjoyment of passing seasons is experienced in true Edomae fashion  as Okuda carries on a tradition of serving up the freshest catch from Tokyo Bay. (Edomae is made up of the words Edo and mae  or in front of  denoting fish from waters in front of Edo.)



Okuda can carry on this Edomae tradition thanks to the dramatic progress Tokyo has made cleaning up the bay  bringing back fish once thought lost forever  since the beginning of the new millennium.



The Edomae tradition is enjoying revival, says Doi, as Tokyo Bay comes back to life.



With natures renewal, Tokyos gastronomic traditions also find fresh vigor, as chefs in the purest Edomae style pass on the torch of a unique sustainable culture to the next generations of food masters.


Stillwater, OK (74078)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 66F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 49F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Two LAPD police officers ended up losing their jobs after ignoring calls about a robbery so they could drive around hunting pokemon in the augmented reality mobile game Pokemon Go.

Last week, Californias court of appeals upheld a previous decision according to which officers Louis Lozano and Eric Mitchell were rightfully terminated from the Los Angeles Police Department almost five years ago. Court documents showed that in April 2017 the two men were driving in their patrol car and discussing Pokemon Go, when they were asked to respond to a robbery in progress with multiple suspects at a Macys in southwest LA. The officers chose to ignore the call, with Mitchell reportedly saying Aw, screw it, choosing to hunt for a nearby pokemon called a Snorlax instead.

Photo: Unsplash/Matt Popovich

The video system in the two officers car revealed that Michell managed to capture the Snorlax before the pair drove to another location where the Togetic pokemon had been spotted. Both Lozano and Mitchell managed to capture Togetic.

After Mitchell apparently caught the Snorlax  exclaiming, Got em  petitioners agreed to go get the Togetic and drove off, the court heard. When their car stopped again, the [digital in-car video system] recorded Mitchell saying, Dont run away. Dont run away, while Lozano described how he buried it and ultra-balled the Togetic before announcing, Got him.'

Mitchell advised he was [s]till trying to catch it, adding, Holy crap, man. This thing is fighting the crap out of me. Eventually, Mitchell exclaimed, Holy Crap. Finally, apparently in reference to capturing the Togetic.

The [] guys are going to be so jealous, the video system recorded Mitchell saying.

Louis Lozano and Eric Mitchell initially denied ignoring the calls about a nearby robbery, claiming that they hadnt heard them. However, their patrol supervisor, Sergeant Jose Gomez, wasnt convinced and checked their cars DICVS video system. Imagine the shocked expression on his face when he realized the two were hunting virtual pokemon instead of doing their job.

Eventually, the pair admitted to having left the area to hunt Pokemon Go because of a social media event. They were charged with six counts of on-duty misconduct, including failing to respond to a robbery-in-progress call, playing Pokemon Go while on patrol, and lying during the investigation.



Lozano and Mitchell were fired from the LAPD in 2017, but appealed the decision, arguing that their cars recordings were private and could not be used against them in court. However, Californias court of appeals recently upheld the original decisions, which reportedly left the two former officers disappointed.
Kate Hartley

Should a brand get involved with supporting a social movement? Were asked this question more than any other when brands approach us for crisis simulations and training.

Big social movements define an age. The 1960s conjures up images regarding the civil rights movement. The 70s brought womens rights, gay rights and the Vietnam protests. The 80s saw AIDS activism. Today, the big issues were dealing with as a society include climate change, racial justice and trans rights.

Increasingly, organizations are expected to have an opinion on these complex and important issues. But theyre worried about getting it wrong.

Brands expressing a view on the big issues of the day feels like a new thingin the past, so many organizations steered clear of getting involved in anything they perceived to be politicalbut in fact, brands have always had the power, if not always the inclination, to bring about change.

This article is featured in O'Dwyer's Jan. '22 Crisis Communications & PR Buyer's Guide Magazine

(view PDF version)

A few years ago, I found myself in the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. I read a story there that made me realize brand activism, as we call it now, is nothing new.

In 1964, the year segregation officially ended in the U.S., Martin Luther King won the Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against racial injustice, and the city of AtlantaKings hometownthrew a gala dinner to celebrate it. The city invited important business leaders to buy tickets to the dinner, but King was, at that time, still seen as a controversial figure, racism was rife and none of the citys elite would attend.

The team organizing the dinner contacted Coca-Cola, which wasand still isbased in Atlanta.

Cokes then-president was a man named J Paul Austin, who was originally from Georgia. Hed spent time in South Africa where he had seen first-hand the negative effects of apartheid not just on society, but on the economy. He agreed to intervene, and his letter to Atlanta is held in the museum. He said: It is embarrassing for Coca-Cola to be located in a city that refuses to honor its Nobel Prize winner ... We are an international business. The Coca-Cola Company does not need Atlanta. You all need to decide whether Atlanta needs the Coca-Cola Company.

The dinner sold out.

This was a significant moment. Coca-Cola obviously was a big employer in Atlanta. But more than that, it was part of a soft drink industry that was politically charged. Soda fountains had been segregated and had been the subject and location of protests, including by King himself.

This created a connection between Coca-Cola and the civil rights movement in Atlanta: The Civil Rights Museum is now located on land that was donated by Coca-Cola.

Now, we can argue about whether this was a moral decision for Coca-Cola, or whether it was motivated by future profit. Perhaps the brand could see how the world was changing and wanted to be on the right side of history. Whatever the motivation, it was the right thing to do.

It shows that getting involved in politics is nothing new for brands. They can make significant and positive contributions to society. Those contributions can make good business sense. And, like Coke, it can mean landing up on the right side of history.

Increasingly, organizations are expected to get involved. Research from Kantar Media shows that peopleespecially younger generations, such as Millennials and Gen Zexpect brands to take a stand on social issues. Sometimes, not expressing a view can feel like complicity, or a failure to do the right thing. Last year, Netflix tweeted To be silent is to be complicit in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. What does it say about an organization that doesnt express support for racial justice, human rights or tackling climate change?

It sounds simple. But, as weve seen during the Black Lives Matter movement, organizations will face a backlash if they express support for a social movement when their own actions and track record dont stack up.

Kantars research also shows that while consumers want brands to get involved and help bring about change, they want meaningful action, not lip service. Findings from Edelmans Empowered Employee research show that employees also want meaningful action and increasingly are choosing their jobs based on personal beliefs, values and purpose.

So, brands are taking a stand on the things that matter to their customers and to their employees. If consumers are becoming more conscious about how they spend their money, and employees are being more conscious about the brands they work for, this isnt just an ethical issue for brands. Its a financial issue and a talent issue.

You have to walk the talk. Communication should come second to action. And when youre deciding whether to take a stand on a social issue, it comes down to two critical things:

Do you have permission to comment? If youre going to take a stand, you should be taking demonstrable action on the issue youre talking about, not simply paying lip service. Behavior must align with your message. You must have earned the right to speak out and not trivialize the issue. Are you adding value to the debate or simply adding to the noise?

Does the stand youre taking align with your values and can you prove that over time? The reason Nikes support of Colin Kaepernick worked for the brand was due to the fact that it was in line with past behavior and in line with the brands stated values. If a few people protested against Nikes support, it wouldnt ultimately hurt the brand.

Above all, your position must be authentic, it must be faithful to the brands behavior and values and it must be in line with what people expect from you.

***

Kate Hartley is co-Founder of crisis simulation company Polpeo, and author of Communicate in a Crisis (Kogan Page, 2019).
What the papers say

Liverpool face competition for the signature of Raphinha, according to the Express. The Reds have been scouting the Brazil winger, 25, who has impressed at Leeds with eight goals in 16 league appearances. But the paper says Chelsea now want to sign Raphinha in the summer, if he is not first snapped up in the transfer window.

Evertons loss could reportedly become Newcastles gain. Lucas Digne is understood to be in line for the chop at Goodison and the left-back is being considered at St James Park, reports the Sun. The only fairly significant stumbling block is his 25million valuation would eat up half of the Magpies budget for bringing in talent.

Franck Kessie has played his entire club career thus far in Italy (Niall Carson/PA)

Tottenham will soon move on AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, reports the Express. The 25-year-olds contract at San Siro concludes at seasons end and he is understood to have told the club he will be leaving. The paper says Arsenal and Manchester United have been watching the Ivory Coast international but Spurs have already contacted his management.

The Mirror, which cites Spanish outlet Sport, reports Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho has moved closer to joining Arsenal. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has approved pursuing the 29-year-old, who has been blighted by injuries since joining Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018.

Social media round-up

Ralf Rangnick looking at four German wonderkids as he decides Man Utd transfer shortlisthttps://t.co/AQkseSyByt pic.twitter.com/HxYtwtJcSr  Daily Star Sport (@DailyStar_Sport) December 28, 2021

Marcelo Brozovic set to snub Premier League trio and sign new Inter Milan dealhttps://t.co/Dr9miGrllb pic.twitter.com/7zoNh6MTVl  Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 27, 2021

Players to watch

Erling Haaland: El Nacional says signing the 21-year-old Norway striker from Borussia Dortmund in the summer remains Real Madrids priority, but the Spanish side are also interested in Fiorentinas Dusan Vlahovic as an alternative.

Callum Hudson-Odoi: Napoli are keeping tabs on Chelseas England winger, 21, according to Tuttosport.
Gardai could interview a person of interest as part of the investigation into the murder of Ashling Murphy today.

School teacher Ashling was murdered on Wednesday afternoon last while out for a run in broad daylight on the Grand Canal outside Tullamore.

The man presented is currently in hospital in Dublin being treated for injuries after he presented himself on Thursday with a number of media outlets reporting that he could be interviewed today if he is medically cleared.

Houses in Tullamore and Dublin have been searched while a distinctive bike that gardai were looking for as part of the investigation has also been recovered.

Reports from a number of news outlets this morning state that DNA will be a crucial part of the investigation.

There has been an unprecedented outpouring of grief across the county, the country and across the world in the wake of Ashling's murder.

Ashling is reposing at her home with her funeral set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday) in Mountbolus.
Offaly saw a 30% rise in the number of job opportunities offered 2021 and further growth is expected in the coming year, according to new figures released by leading Irish recruitment company, FRS Recruitment.

The recovery in employment was felt throughout the economy last year and Offaly was one of the counties to experience a strong increase. Nationally FRS Recruitment saw the total number of job postings handled grow by 12%, reaching 81,528 in total for 2021.

The 2021 figures are tempered by the fact that much of 2020 was disrupted as a result of Covid-19 lockdowns, hindering businesses and therefore job numbers.

Across the economy, the rise in openings was cross-sectoral with significant growth experienced in the commercial, IT, healthcare, construction, life sciences and engineering, agricultural sectors as well as temporary industrial and commercial positions.

Among the career areas where FRS Recruitment recorded the largest rises in activity during 2021 were retail (up 117%), transport and logistics (up 82%), pharmacy  retail (up 69%), professional services (up 68%) and banking and financial services (up 58%).

While nationally there was a broad increase in the number of roles handled, there were some significant regional variations experienced. In total 20 of the Republics 26 counties saw the number of job postings rise with the most significant increases coming in Longford (up 158%), Carlow (up 117%), Kilkenny (up 79%), Meath (up 76%), Louth (up 72%) and Cork (up 60%). Dublin also experienced strong growth (up 39%) and accounted for by the largest number of postings, 21% of the national total.

Six counties also experienced a decline in opportunities, with the largest drops coming in Roscommon (down 45%) and Donegal (down 30%).

FRS Recruitment is also forecasting further employment growth in 2022, with opportunities expected to rise by 10% over the next 12 months. This will be buoyed by the ongoing recovery of the economy across most sectors, leading to the majority of employers seeking additional staff as they look to grow their businesses and address skills shortages. In particular FRS Recruitment is forecasting strong demand in manufacturing and engineering, construction and IT roles this year.

The information was published in FRS Recruitments end of year report, Job Opportunities Abound.

Speaking about the report Lynne McCormack, General Manager of FRS Recruitment said, Last year was a very strong year for recruitment in Offaly. We recorded a 30% jump in the number of roles handled locally, which is well above the national average.

FRS Recruitment also expects to see further growth in job opportunities in Offaly over the coming year. We are projecting a further 10% rise in the total number of roles handled nationally and we would anticipate Offaly will share in that growth. There should be significant movement across the economy with employers looking very closely at their resourcing needs as they seek to grow and expand their organisations and address any current and projected staff shortages.

While in 2021 it was a few months into the year and post the lockdown before the recovery in employment began in earnest, this year FRS Recruitment anticipates demand will be strong right from the outset. This will be particularly apparent in the manufacturing and engineering, construction and IT sectors, but increased demand is likely to be shared across most sections of the economy.

In some sectors the need for experienced, skilled personnel is also becoming challenging, with employers finding it difficult to attract suitable candidates. This is likely to lead to pressure on salary packages as employers compete to attract the best personnel and retain their current teams. We also believe there is likely to be an increased focus on attracting foreign based qualified candidates to meet shortfalls in some sectors. However the trend is looking very positive in terms of job openings for the coming year and we believe that will be the experience in Offaly and most other parts of the country, Ms. McCormack concluded.

FRS Recruitment is one of the leading recruitment businesses operating in Ireland. They have 10 offices nationwide, with locations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Offaly, Cavan and Roscommon. A 100% Irish business, FRS Recruitment is part of the FRS Network  the social enterprise co-operative. Further information is available on www.frsrecruitment.com
Hong Kong: CS meets House Committee leaders

Chief Secretary John Lee had the first meeting in the current term of the Legislative Council with House Committee Chairman Starry Lee and Deputy Chairman Ma Fung-kwok this afternoon. They will have regular weekly meetings to maintain liaison and communication.

At the meeting, Mr Lee first congratulated Ms Lee and Mr Ma on their re-election as House Committee Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

The Chief Secretary said the Government attaches great importance to the relationship between the executive and the legislature, and will make every effort to co-operate with LegCo to perform its duties, including scrutiny of bills, funding proposals, questions and motion debates.

Mr Lee also said he will lead the secretaries of departments and directors of bureaus to proactively liaise with LegCo and seek an early opportunity to exchange views with the members through different forums during the policy formulation process.

He noted that under the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong, the current-term LegCo members shoulder the important responsibility of governing Hong Kong together with the Government.

The Government will work closely with LegCo members in enhancing the relationship between the executive and the legislature to serve the interest of the Hong Kong people, Mr Lee added.

The Chief Secretary also spoke about the Government's legislative programme, the proposal of reorganising the government structure and LegCo business in the coming two months as well as exchanged views with members on various issues.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Tianjin Omicron outbreak could be controlled before 2022 Chinese new year: expert

CGTN) 17:08, January 17, 2022

If no new confirmed cases are reported before January 20, we can confidently say that the outbreak in Tianjin could be basically under control before the 2022 Spring Festival (which falls on February 1), the lunar Chinese New Year, professor Zhang Boli of the Chinese Academy of Engineering told CMG on Thursday.

Zhang pointed out that with results of two rounds of citywide mass testing in Tianjin, the patients are mainly confined in the southern part of Tianjin and the pandemic seems to have hit a turning-point now.

Based on past experiences, the number of confirmed cases will gradually decrease after the turning-point occurs. Zhang hopes Tianjin can achieve two goals in the following days to ease the pandemic. First is to have no new infections outside the isolation areas, and the second is to have no new positive test results as well as confirmed cases inside the isolation areas.

If these goals can be achieved around January 20, Zhang is confident that the Tianjin Omicron outbreak can be effectively controlled before the approaching Chinese new year.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Jinniah Dowdye, owner of SeaShell Experiences, works from a picnic table at Crown Bay Marina on St. Thomas as she plans a visitors St. Thomas vacation. Page 3
A man who pleaded guilty to theft was sentenced to four months at the Midlands Prison when he appeared by video link from prison at Tullamore district court.

On September 8, 2021, Brendan Sherlock (28) Clonmore House, Arden Road, Tullamore, approached a man in Tullamore town park. He asked him for money. The man who has an intellectual disability handed him 100. On September 9 2021 at Durrow Lane, Tullamore, Mr Sherlock approached the same man and this time he handed him 25.

On July 30, 2021 Mr Sherlock entered Regatta Great Outdoors store in Tullamore and stole a jacket worth 60.

Mr Sherlock is already serving a sentence for a previous conviction from Longford court on November 29 2021, where he was sentenced to two months for theft to run concurrent with another conviction for theft from the same court.

Solicitor Donal Farrelly for Mr Sherlock said the offences had been committed when the defendant was homeless and in difficult circumstances. He got off heroin while he was in jail, Mr Farrelly said.

Judge Catherine Staines asked if the money had been returned to the man. Sgt James OSullivan said it had not been recovered.

Judge Staines imposed 4 months in the Midlands Prison. She fixed recognisance if he wished to appeal the sentence.
Edenderry has been suggested as a pilot project aimed at improving and bringing vacant homes back into use.

Edenderry councillor Noel Cribbin, Fine Gael, is highlighting the potential of vacant homes in Edenderry in solving the towns housing crisis following coverage of the issue at a national level in the weekends Sunday Independent.

Cllr Cribbin outlined how he has been in communication with Richard Bruton, TD, in regard to the issue.

Cllr Cribbin said: The vacant homes issue in Edenderry is a bugbear of mine and one that I have constantly raised at both local Municipal District meetings and at Offaly County Council meetings. Prior to Christmas, Deputy Richard Bruton wrote to me that the vacant home issue is one that Fine Gael is committed to pursuing in 2022.

"I have been in contact with Deputy Bruton explaining how bad it is in Edenderry and that I would do a review with photographic evidence. I also put forward the suggestion that Edenderry could act as a pilot project for what could be done to improve vacant homes in towns and villages throughout Ireland.

Cllr Cribbin undertook an ad hoc review of the vacant housing in the town recently and was shocked to discover 60 empty and derelict homes.

"What shocked me most is that there are so many people in Edenderry unable to access housing due to lack of availability and high house prices. On the other side of it, I would estimate that none of these properties in their current state would be worth less than 120,000 to 125,000. There are not many of us who could say no to a lump sum of that size.

He outlined that help is already available.

Offaly County Council offers loans of up to 60,000 for refurbishment on the condition that the houses can be rented by the Council to home people on their housing list.

Cllr Cribbin added: In addition, there is also help with retrofitting old property either through the SEAI or through the Edenderry Carbon Footprint Challenge which is a project we in Edenderry Tidy Towns are currently undertaking, where we will help homeowners to get the best grants and costs to retrofit their properties.

Cllr Cribbin urged the owners of these homes to come forward. He said, I urge families to come forward, dont leave it to next year or to another family member to start the process, as I say there is plenty of help out there. It is important that these property owners are aware of the help that is available to them. In the last two years, work has taken place on a small number of similar properties in the town with one cottage selling for 250,000 after significant refurbishments.

While Cllr Cribbin fully supports the Governments Housing for All plan, he is dedicated to ensuring that the many vacant houses in Edenderry and surrounding areas will not be forgotten in solving the housing crisis.

I intend to use my voice to exert pressure at a senior Government level to drive incentives to encourage family owners and young couples to invest in these homes, to accelerate legislation that makes Banks return houses to the markets rather than leaving them vacant for years, and to give local councils more powers that they can make compulsory purchases of vacant houses and get them back into use.

"I will be making my feelings for more urgent actions known to my FG colleagues and if I can be of assistance to anyone who owns such houses in Edenderry, I would be happy to discuss their options with them. I can be contacted on 087 9073804 or at noelcribb56@gmail.com and confidentiality is guaranteed, Cllr Cribbin concluded.
Designing a common European business law

17/01/2022

17/01/2022 CodeEuropeenDesAffaires.eu

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Philippe Dupichot

Professor at the Sorbonne Law School (University of Paris 1)

https://geopolitique.eu/en/articles/designing-a-common-european-business-law

It is apparent for anyone who cares to look that, in the legal sphere, European integration is far from being complete 1. There are indeed multiple areas where the effort to craft a common body of European law must be improved, or even deepened, so that one day the rules governing the conduct of business are truly uniform within the single market or, at least, within the euro zone 2.

Aiming to test the relevance of this intuition, the Association Henri Capitant 3 set out to draw up an inventory of the acquis communautaire in business law. The resulting trilingual inventory, published under the title La construction europeenne en droit des affaires : acquis et perspectives (Lextenso, 2016), provided a deliberately synthetic assessment of the European Union's contribution in twelve fundamental areas of business law: internal market law, e-commerce law, corporate law, secured transactions, enforcement procedures, insolvency law, banking law, insurance law, financial markets law, intellectual property law, labor law and tax law. Curiously, no one seems to have undertaken such a project before. Its main lesson is simple: insofar as European business law is concerned, everything remains to be built. The project has certainty given rise to stimulating criticism 4, but its diagnosis does not appear to have been seriously contested.

Hence, an (inevitable) shift in the analysis towards an initiative met with great support from lawyers hailing from various horizons: a project for a European Business Code 5. In a way, this project is but the latest instance in a long history, which clearly suggests that the crafting of a common commercial law contributes to the structuring of the business exchanges as well as of the political community itself. In the past, the fairs of the Middle Ages played an important role in fostering the emergence of a Europe of traders: we still find their traces in the law governing payment instruments, in the severity of the old insolvency procedures, and the importance of the pacta sunt servanda principle with respect to the trade of goods. Moreover, as Reiner Schulze pointed out in 2016, to take just a few examples: [i]n Germany, the codification of commercial law during the 19th century largely preceded the birth of the Civil Code - by almost four decades in the case of the German Commercial Code. In Spain, the Commercial Code even came into being sixty years earlier. At the moment when these national markets were emerging, a Commercial Code was perceived as a compelling necessity, to facilitate trade and strengthen the economy. Traders and businesses needed a Commercial Code to be able to overcome the old borders within the new national internal market of the time. 6

This article will strive to contribute to this project, by first setting forth the arguments in favor of a European Business Code (I), explaining the way in which the idea was received in political circles (II), and addressing some of the questions arising in connection to its practical implementation (III).

I - The reasons

A European Business Code would be extremely useful. Indeed, there are multiple arguments in favor of such a project, be they of a legal (A), economic (B) or political (C) nature.

A. Legal reasons

What can be called European business law clearly suffers from a major lack of accessibility and intelligibility. There is no better proof than the attempt to consult the Eur-Lex website 7 - whose very aim is to ensure that European Union law is accessible - a difficult and frustrating experience for anyone wishing to get a grasp of European business law. The summaries of EU legislation, intended for a non-specialized public, are classified in 32 fields of action (sic!). 8 However, these fields of action are deeply fragmented, with more than half of them falling under the ambit of business law. In particular, the entry Business is all but useless, since it merely refers incompletely to other fields of action (Internal market, Competition, Foreign trade, Taxation, Customs). This situation is all the more regrettable since the accessibility and intelligibility of the law is, at least in the eyes of the French lawyer, an objective of constitutional value 9.

The European Union seems to be becoming aware of these shortcomings. On April 13, 2016, an inter-institutional agreement was concluded between the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, under the title Better Law Making, which aims to improve the way the EU legislates and to ensure that EU legislation better serves citizens and businesses. It should make the EU legislative process more transparent, more open to stakeholder input and easier to understand. It will also help to assess the impact of EU legislation on small and medium-sized enterprises, local industry and the general public. The spirit of the agreement is also reflected in the European Commission's Better Regulation initiative, which aims, among other things, to enhance the quality of European legislation 10. However, these agreements and programs tend in particular to limit the number of new regulations and directives, rather than to order the existing ones in a logical manner; as such, they often highlight the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality 11.

Indeed, the perimeter and scope of the European legal integration have always depended on the distribution of competences pursuant to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Thus, the acquis communautaire is naturally stronger in the area of competition law - which falls within the exclusive competence of the Union - than in areas where competence is shared and subject to the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality (the internal market, for example) or, a fortiori, in the area of taxation, which is still subject to the unanimity rule.

This fragmentation of competences has been a powerful brake on the adoption of uniform substantive rules; therefore, the project of a common business law achieved profoundly heterogeneous results in various areas: it is rich in some (the market, electronic commerce, industrial property, companies, etc.), but patchy in others (securities, enforcement, banking operations, taxation, etc.).

B. Economic reasons

More than sixty-three years after the signing of the Treaty of Rome, it becomes stranger every day that the 27 Member States trade with each other under the empire of fragmented business laws all while using, for 19 of them, a common currency.

The well-known term common market is ill-suited to describe a trading area in which there are still significant disparities between national business laws. To give just two well-known examples, corporate tax rates vary by a factor of three between Member States, and there is no denying that social legislation differs greatly. As a result, Member States sometimes compete with each other - rather than presenting a united front to other countries - and law shopping is encouraged.

But, understood in a broad sense, business law sets the rules of the commercial game. As President Giscard d'Estaing has rightly pointed out: [b]usiness law is a powerful vector of economic, fiscal and social convergence. This convergence is essential to the consolidation of the Euro, which is today the backbone of the European construction. (...) this law, which governs the daily life of businesses, has not been sufficiently taken into account by European leaders. 12 Indeed, these hundreds of thousands of small, medium and large companies are the driving forces of the European economies, and their interests underpin the need for a higher European wide convergence. They are the primary source of wealth creation, growth and employment and must evolve in a harmonized legal, tax and social environment, insofar as they operate within a unified monetary area, with free movement of goods, services, capital and labor.

For this reason, it is high time for the single currency to be coupled with a unified core of business law. The latter could help Member States gain valuable economic growth, and be a vector of wealth for European companies. It would greatly facilitate the development of intra-community trade by encouraging small and medium-sized businesses to trade across borders with greater security and confidence. It bears noting that, compared to trade between federated states of the United States of America, trade between Member States of the Union is still very weak 13.

A quick look around suggests indeed that there is hardly any large trading area without a corresponding uniform legal framework. In this respect, the European Union is unfortunately far from being a leader in this respect. Linguistic and cultural barriers do not explain everything; so, a unified base of business law would greatly contribute to improving the functioning of the internal market within the meaning of article 26 TFEU.

C. Political reasons

Europe is in the grip of doubt these days: shaken by the Brexit, shaken by migration and by the health crisis, it is the victim of the economic awakening of China and is bowing to the technological superiority of the US. The role of the Big Five in the global economy both paralyzes and fascinates it... Unless one nurtures an anti-European feeling for other reasons, it is apparent that the European project badly needs a new source of meaning and inspiration.

Within the borders of the EU, it is important to show that Europe is interested in its entrepreneurs and businesses. Indeed, with the notable exception of the rules concerning competition, electronic commerce and industrial property, the European integration of business law has not paid sufficient attention to the daily practice of EU traders and businesses (VSEs and SMEs) and, more generally, of those who are neither bankers, nor insurers, nor consumers 14. If the latter are indeed fundamental, their recurrence and omnipresence on EU's legislative agenda dangerously lends credence to the image - dear to Europhobes and the extremes - of a legal system that is far removed from the concerns of very small and medium-sized businesses, and therefore more financial than truly commercial.

It is most welcome in this respect that the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, seems to aim to reorient EU policy. He stated in a major daily newspaper 15 that industrial policy in Europe can no longer be conducted with the sole aim of reducing prices for the consumer. Our businesses, which are the basis of our jobs, our progress and our sovereignty, must be put back at the heart of our policies (...) there will be a before and an after to the von der Leyen Commission. It is therefore important to put the EU back at the service of citizens and entrepreneurs, so that it is once again seen as an area of freedom, and not of constraint.

Outside of the European borders, the law of the Union must tend to become a model, a source of inspiration for foreign legislators, of reflection for lawyers of all countries, and of legal predictability for investors. Only on this condition will the EU and its legal system shine and wield worldwide influence. This is undoubtedly a civilizational issue: a law is the incarnation of concepts and values that are the product of a culture and a way of life. Because there is a European civilization, there must be an accessible and intelligible European business law. And yet, although the EU was built through law and based on law, it is hardly a beacon of European civilization in the field of economic exchanges.

II - Reception

As a simple initiative of a learned society, the project of a European Business Code appeared to be purely utopian when it was launched 16. This is no longer the case today: the idea that Europe needs an integrated and codified business law is spreading further with each day. This idea is increasingly accepted in political circles, not only within the Franco-German couple (A) but also beyond (B).

A. The Franco-German couple

Rooted in a French initiative, the objective of unifying European business law was met favorably within the Franco-German couple, whose importance for the future of Europe cannot be questioned. In his speech on Europe delivered at the Sorbonne on September 26, 2017, President Emmanuel Macron aimed to rely on this Franco-German engine to call for the integration of business law: [t]o those who say it is too hard, I say: think of Robert Schuman, five years after a war whose victims' blood was barely dry. On all the subjects I have mentioned, we can give a decisive and concrete Franco-German impulse (...). Why not set the goal of fully integrating our markets by 2024, applying the same rules to our companies, from business law to insolvency law? The statement was important: the impetus will be Franco-German or there will be none 17.

Then, on January 22, 2018, the Bundestag and the French National Assembly adopted a joint resolution advocating for the completion of a Franco-German economic area with harmonized rules, in particular with regard to corporate law and the supervision of corporate insolvencies. More recently, a parliamentary report of November 29, 2018, written by deputies Christophe Naegelen and Sylvain Waserman, on the Future of the Eurozone, took up - among four proposals to strengthen the Eurozone - The European Business Code project carried by the Henri Capitant Association 18, recommending that it be given a Franco-German basis.

In the wake of this report, an important Franco-German Treaty on Franco-German Cooperation and Integration was signed in Aix-la-Chapelle on January 22, 2019, which reserves an important role to the integration of business law. Article 20  1 states: (1) The two States shall deepen the integration of their economies in order to establish a Franco-German economic area with common rules. The Franco-German Economic and Financial Council shall promote the bilateral harmonization of their legislation, in particular in the field of business law, and shall regularly coordinate economic policies between the French Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany in order to promote the convergence between the two States and improve the competitiveness of their economies. This Treaty was ratified by Law No. 2019-1066 of October 21, 2019 and replaces the Elysee Treaty of January 22, 1963.

The new Franco-German parliamentary assembly, composed of 50 French and 50 German deputies, adopted at its third meeting on February 6, 2020, a Deliberation establishing a working group on the harmonization of French and German business and bankruptcy law. It has also set itself the concrete objective of drawing up a legally binding Franco-German business code, which is a considerable achievement.

A few weeks after the adoption of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, a decree dated February 13, 2019 issued by the Prime Minister Edouard Philippe entrusted Valerie Gomez Bassac, a French academic and member of Parliament, with a temporary parliamentary mission whose purpose is to develop a European Business Code. After nearly 46 hearings in France and 32 conducted in five major European capitals (Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Dublin, Rome), Valerie Gomez-Bassac delivered her report on July 8, 2019. In light of the research conducted by the Henri Capitant Association, she notes that Brexit, as well as the renewal in the European Parliament and in the European Commission offer ample opportunity to move quickly towards the creation of a European Business Code that is legible, demanding and adapted to all types of businesses, and that reflects a real expectation of economic actors throughout Europe; (...) Europe must be an opportunity for all, and the European market cannot be an opportunity only for large groups. To foster the European free trade, everyone must be able to develop their business, regardless of their size. 19.

B. Beyond the Franco-German couple

The current reflections described above are fortunately spreading beyond the Franco-German couple.

In its White Paper on the future of Europe, published on March 1, 2017, the Juncker Commission identified, by 2025, a 3rd scenario among 5 possible scenarios (entitled Those who want more do more), consisting of a group of countries working together and agreeing on a common business law code unifying corporate law, commercial law and related areas, which helps companies of all sizes to operate easily across borders. And the Commission recalls that it is open to Member States who wish to do so to move forward together in specific areas around coalitions of the willing agreeing on specific legal modalities of cooperation. This refers primarily to the possibility of resorting to the enhanced cooperation mechanism, which has been made more flexible by the Lisbon Treaty 20. Involving the participation of at least nine Member States, enhanced cooperation can be instituted in all areas of European action, provided that it does not concern an exclusive competence of the EU - as in the case of competition law -, that it makes it possible to strengthen the process of integration of the Union and that it is authorized by the Council of Ministers.

But one could also think of an adoption at the level of the EU itself, at the request of the European Council and therefore of the governments, even if it means facing the unanimity rule. In this respect, it would be mortifying for the Union if the Franco-German impetus did not serve the objective of integrating the business laws of all the Member States that so desire. France and Germany are only strong when they open a new path, open to other countries, without the risk of appearing to their neighbors as a closed club of two members. It is therefore most welcome that the aforementioned deliberation of the Franco-German Assembly of February 6, 2020 mentions, beyond the concrete ambition of drafting a Franco-German business code, the objective of codifying the entire European business law in the longer term. In any event, the coming years will be decisive.

III - Drafting

How should such a European Business Code be drafted? It will be up to the governments of the Member States of the Union to decide, if necessary, in favor of such a project and, if so, to decide on the drafting process 21. We will therefore limit ourselves here to presenting the proposal for a European Code prepared by the Association Henri Capitant in partnership with the Fondation pour le droit continental. The elaboration of this project within the Association Henri Capitant is based on codification (A) and is part of a vision 22 of what could be a more integrated European business law (B).

A. Codification

The choice of codification is due to its intrinsic qualities, described in depth by Michel Grimaldi, who notes that continental law - unlike the common law - is not part of a culture of litigation, and its codification greatly facilitates both material and intellectual accessibility: material, because it is easier to grasp when it is contained in a statute or in a code rather than when it must be extracted from a set of decisions; intellectual, because it is easier to understand when it is formulated in general and abstract terms rather than when it is wrapped up in the facts of a particular case 23.

The codification exercise relies on the drafting of a predictable law, which can be known without any court involvement, and whose application is therefore unexpensive, because it prevents litigation. It is the guarantee of an accessible and intelligible law, responding to a democratic imperative. And it is the vector of a balanced law, that takes into consideration economic efficiency, but knowing how to introduce a reasoned dimension of protection of the weak parties.

It is sometimes said that codification is a French specificity that should not be brought to the level of the Union (at the risk of awakening the demon of Napoleonic conquests, which exported the Civil Code by force of bayonets?). This criticism is surprising, to say the least.

On the one hand, the vast majority of Member States belong to the civil law tradition. Indeed, since the departure of the UK, only three out of 27 belong to the common law tradition: Cyprus, Ireland and Malta, which have only 6.5 million inhabitants out of a post-Brexit total of 446 million 24. There can therefore be no serious concern that the prospect of adopting a Business Law Code within the Union would disregard the different legal systems and traditions of the Member States (Article 67 TFEU). On the contrary, codification could be a marker of a European legal culture, of a way of thinking and writing the law, to give it a rational structure and systematicity that it badly lacks.

On the other hand, the advantages of a codification of business law are so great that the world's leading economic power, albeit a common law power, has codified its commercial law via the UCC: while an eminent French comparatist has doubted that this is a code in the strict sense 25, a US jurist readily sees in it the triumph of a Romanist technique of codification, inspired by France, the virtues of which he doesn't fail to emphasize! 26

This is to say that it is permissible to dream of the adoption, one day, of a blue and gold Code whose aim will be to increase the legibility of EU law and to give it a new meaning it in the eyes of the EU businesses.

B. The vision

The vision of the Association Henri Capitant is that of a Code, i.e. all the legal provisions relating to a special subject or collected by the legislator 27 or, according to the French Legal Vocabulary, the coherent set of rules governing a subject (...) (generally according to a systematic plan). 28 The project might appear at first sight to be impossible to carry out, or to be too time-consuming; it must be, however, a general direction, an objective to be reached, which should inspire the European legislator in its quest towards Better Lawmaking.

The choice is that of embracing the perspective of a European entrepreneur wishing to trade in the EU, in a defragmented internal market, with other businesses. Its scope covers general commercial law, 29 market law, e-commerce law, corporate law, secured transactions, enforcement procedures, insolvency law, banking law, insurance law, financial market law, intellectual property law, labor law and tax law.

The scope of the project might evolve depending to the constraints and priorities of the European legislator 30, provided that an overall coherence is preserved.

While the nature and content of the work on the project will inevitably differ according to the subject matter, given the heterogeneity of the acquis communautaire and the distribution of competences between the Member States and the Union, it is apparent that the areas that have been neglected by the EU up to now (secured transactions, insurance contracts, etc.) would not require simply a rational consolidation, but a truly creative endeavor. The effort of codification-compilation is certainly useful to respond to the lack of accessibility of the law, but it would not be sufficient for the emergence of a truly European market. In particular, it will be necessary to propose new contractual instruments that meet the needs of EU businesses: the need for an adapted corporate form could be met by a new European Simplified Corporation (ESC) 31; financing needs could be met by a new type of European loan, which could be secured through a Euro-mortgage, a Euro-pledge or a Euro-guarantee; insurance needs could be met through a European insurance instruments, etc.

The work of the Association aims at the elaboration of uniform substantive rules (of regulations and not of simple directives) likely to wield an influence even beyond the Euro zone. Ideally, such a Code would be fully general, completely replacing national laws and interpreted uniformly by the ECJ 32. In practice, the form will differ from subject to subject. In the area of anti-competitive practices, and since this is an exclusive competence of the EU, it will be particularly important for the Code to replace national laws, in order to remedy the current overlap of legal regimes. In banking, corporate or secured transactions law, on the other hand, the Codes will not aim to suppress national laws but rather to enrich them with new instruments. It will therefore be necessary, on a case-by-case basis, to consider this articulation of legal systems in order to limit their overlap: having recourse to certain guiding principles (derived from national laws and/or the acquis without being substituted for them) could then be a median and realistic path. The permeability of the various provisions of a European Code to contractual freedom will also vary. The actors will often have to accept the imperatives of competition law or tax law. But they will have the freedom to choose or not to choose a new European instrument and thus, if necessary, to put these new tools in competition with those provided for by national law: the ESC will thus not drive out the SAS, the SARL, the GmbH or the BV, but it may overshadow them.

***

The adventure will readily seem impossible. But did Seneca not say that it is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, but because we do not dare that they are difficult? France and the States that share the genius of codification have a responsibility to give this precious gift to Europe, to help it triumph over the shocks that are shaking it. Designing a common European business law and ordering it in a coherent and systematic manner would, finally, give a new meaning and direction to the EU as a whole.

Notes

1 This article is a revised version of the author's contribution in french to the Melanges en l'honneur du Professeur Michel Grimaldi, Lextenso, p 373 and following.

2 Professor at the Sorbonne Law School (Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University), President of the Association Henri Capitant des amis de la culture juridique francaise.

3 Editor's note: the Association Henri Capitant is a scholarly organization aiming to contribute to the promotion and modernization of the legal systems falling in the civil law tradition. It was established in 1935 by a group of legal scholars from several francophone countries, and now counts more than 55 countries around the world, making it the leading international network of legal scholars from civil law countries. The Association is also the editor of the first international and bi-lingual journal devoted to civil law legal systems (www.henricapitantlawreview.org).

4 See, in particular, L. d'Avout, L'etonnante initiative en faveur d'un code europeen des affaires, JCP G, 2019, 559; L. d'Avout, La France et l'Allemagne en quete d'un droit des affaires commun, JCP E, 2019, 1276.

5 See, P. Dupichot, Du Brexit au Code europeen des affaires, Dr et patr., 2016, n 262; Vom Brexit zum Europaischen Wirtschaftsgesetzbuch, ZEuP, 2017, n 2, p. 245 et s.; L. Belanger, Un code europeen des affaires, le droit au cur de la consolidation de l'Europe, JCP, 2017, 790.

6 See, R. Schulze, Initiative pour un code europeen des affaires, speech at the CNB, 1 July 2016.

7 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html.

8 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/browse/summaries.html.

9 See, Cons. const., 16 Dec. 1999, DC, n 99-421 - Cons. const., 27 July 2006, DC n 2006-540.

10 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-making-process/planning-and-proposing-law/better-regulation-why-and-how_en.

11 See for example, the communication of the Junker's Commission, Ameliorer la reglementation : de meilleurs resultats pour une Union plus forte, 14 septembre 2016, COM/2016/0615.

12 See, V. Giscard d'Estaing, foreword to La construction europeenne en droit des affaires : acquis et perspectives, Lextenso, 2016.

13 See, K. Head and T. Mayer (2002), Non-Europe: The Magnitude and Causes of Market Fragmentation in the EU, Review of World Economics, 2(136): 285-314

14 However, the following useful achievements should be mentioned: European Economic Interest Grouping, European Company, European Enforcement Order, European Attachment of Bank Accounts, European Trademark, European Designs, Financial Guarantee Law, VAT base, etc.

15 See, Thierry Breton, Le Figaro, 2 March 2020, https://www.lefigaro.fr/conjoncture/thierry-breton-l-ue-ne-doit-plus-avoir-pour-seul-but-de-reduire-les-prix-pour-le-consommateur-20200302.

16 The work leading up to the inventory was conducted from mid-2015 to October 2016; work on a draft Code was initiated in March 2017.

17 See, R. Kruse and F. Riester, Pour un code europeen des affaires , Le Monde, 5 May 2018.

18 See, Ch. Naegelen and S. Waserman, Rapport d'information AN, 29 Nov. 2018, n 1453, L'avenir de la zone euro, p. 85 to 91.

19 See, V. Gomez Bassac, Rapport sur l'elaboration d'un Code europeen des affaires, 8 juillet 2019, and the related press realease.

20 Art. 20 TEU and art. 326 and f. TFEU.

21 Even with regard to the draft Franco-German code, the principle of which has been noted (see above, no. 14), the precise modalities for the organization of the work of the Harmonization of French and German Business and Bankruptcy Law working group are, to date, unknown.

22 See M. Lehmann, Braucht Europa ein Handelsgesetzbuch?, ZHR, 181 (2017) 9-42; M. Lehmann,  Das Europaische Wirtschaftsgesetzbuch - Eine Projektskizze, GPR 6/2017, p. 262 et s.; M. Lehmann, J. Schmidt et R. Schulze, Das Projekt eines Europaischen Wirtschaftsgesetzbuchs, Zeitschricht fur Rechtspolitik, 2017, n 8, p. 225 et seq.; Le projet d'un Code europeen des affaires, 7es Journees franco-allemandes de l'Association Henri Capitant, vol. 34, ed. SLC, 2020.

23 See, M. Grimaldi, Le droit continental face a la mondialisation, Etudes a la memoire de Bruno Oppetit, Litec, 2009, p. 293 et seq.

24 See previously, on this question, the reflections of M. Bussani, Faut-il se passer du common law (europeen)? Reflexions sur un Code civil continental dans le droit mondialise, RIDC, Jan. 2010, p. 7 et seq. Comp. the figures of the University of Ottawa study in Etude du Conseil d'Etat, L'influence internationale du droit francais, La Documentation francaise, 2001, p. 21 and 22: civil law was then, in its pure state, the system of almost 24% of the world's population, while only 6.5% of this population lived under a pure common law system.

25 See, D. Tallon, Le Code de commerce uniforme des Etats-Unis, RIDC, 1971, p. 617 et seq., according to whom the UCC is not a code and even less a Commercial Code because, rather than a systematic overhaul of the entire law or a rebirth of commercial law in a common law country, it would reflect an abdication of lawyers before practice and a putting together of a series of often pre-existing uniform acts.

26 See, William D. Hawkland, The Uniform Commercial Code and the Civil Codes, Louisiana Law Review, volume 56, Number 1, Fall 1995. Comp. M. Franklin, On the legal method of the uniform commercial code, 16 Law & Contemp. Prob., 330, 333 (1951), citing the work of the Julliot de la Morandiere Commission.

27 See, Dictionnaire d'E. Littre, 3rd entry.

28 See, Vocabulaire Juridique de l'Association Henri Capitant, ed. PUF, Quadrige, 13th ed., 2020, See entry Code.

29 The sales contract has not yet been incorporated into the scope of the project.

30 In particular, the inclusion of social and tax law will not fail to provoke passionate debate. It is nonetheless fundamental to the advent of a single market.

31 Name chosen by the corporate law working group (see our editorial BJS, 118q8, June 2018, p 1), in preference to European SAS.

32 See the penetrating remarks of R. Cabrillac, Un Code europeen des affaires, une chance pour la construction europeenne, D., June 13, 2019, No. 15, advocating for a non-optional Code, thus substituting for national laws and whose content could be subject to a preliminary reference for interpretation before the ECJ (art. 267 TFEU).
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Adrienne Pan, a journalist who had hosted CBC Edmonton's afternoon radio show since 2018, died on Saturday morning after battling a serious illness for months. She was 43.
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Marking MLK Day, U.S. President Joe Biden said Monday that Americans must commit to the unfinished work of Martin Luther King Jr.'s work and protect "the sacred right to vote," while Vice-President Kamala Harris and the King family urged the U.S. Senate to pass a law to protect voters from racial discrimination.
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ELDON [mdash] A graveside memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Eldon Cemetery in Eldon, IA for Charles and Irene Stribling. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
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La Paz County Sheriff Will Ponce (left) presented plaques of appreciation to Tammy Hiatt (center) and Christel Merritt at the Jan. 3 Board of Supervisors. Ponce praised them for their longtime involvement in the departments Childrens Christmas Program.
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MONDAY, Jan. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Astronauts can develop a condition called space anemia because their bodies destroy more red blood cells than normal when in space, a groundbreaking study shows.

Assessments of 14 astronauts over six months between space missions found that 54% more blood cells were destroyed while they were in space than when they were on Earth, according to findings published Jan. 14 in Nature Medicine.

"Space anemia has consistently been reported when astronauts returned to Earth since the first space missions, but we didn't know why," said lead author Dr. Guy Trudel of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada. "Our study shows that upon arriving in space, more red blood cells are destroyed, and this continues for the entire duration of the astronauts' mission."

Before this study, it was believed that space anemia was due to fluid shifting into an astronaut's upper body upon arrival in space.

Astronauts lose 10% of the liquid in their blood vessels this way. It was thought that their bodies rapidly destroyed 10% of their red blood cells to restore the balance, and that red blood cell control returned to normal after 10 days in space.

But this study found that red blood cell destruction is a primary effect of being in space, not just the result of fluid shifts.

On Earth, our bodies create and destroy 2 million red blood cells every second. But the astronauts in this study -- both male and female -- destroyed 3 million every second while in space.

Five of 13 astronauts in the study were clinically anemic when they returned to Earth. One of the 14 did not have blood drawn on landing.

The researchers also found that space anemia is reversible, with red blood cells levels progressively returning to normal three to four months after astronauts returned from space.

"Thankfully, having fewer red blood cells in space isnt a problem when your body is weightless," Trudel said in a hospital news release. "But when landing on Earth and potentially on other planets or moons, anemia affecting your energy, endurance and strength can threaten mission objectives. The effects of anemia are only felt once you land, and must deal with gravity again."

The findings could be prove useful for patients who develop anemia after long illnesses that require bed rest. Bed rest has been shown to cause anemia, but how it does so is unknown.

The mechanism may be like what occurs in space anemia, according to Trudel, who plans to investigate this theory in future research.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on anemia.

SOURCE: The Ottawa Hospital, news release, Jan. 14, 2022
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) will soon start administering COVID-19 booster shots to stem the spread of the disease in the country.



Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General, GHS, told the Ghana News Agency, that the Service had arrived at a booster policy, which would soon be made known to the public.



He said the policy would indicate the category of persons who qualified to receive boosters and the type of boosters to be administered.



We have gone through and completed the needed processes for giving boosters and we will soon announce this. It may cover children within a particular age group, certain categories of people and that may also include pregnant women and the type of vaccines they can take, he said.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye said a booster policy and system had been developed to serve as a guide for people who were eligible to receive boosters.



The purpose of a COVID-19 booster is to give people an added level of protection from COVID-19 if their existing protection has waned over time.



The booster would enhance their immune system to protect them from infection, hospitalizations, and death, which is the purpose of the vaccine.



The country, per an update by the GHS COVID-19 website as of January 10, 2022, has recorded a total of 153,514 confirmed cases, 9,020 active cases and 1,343 deaths.

GNA

Source: GNA









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Medical drone delivery giant, Zipline, has announced the delivery of over 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines to dosing centres, mostly within hard-to-reach areas around all four of its distribution centres in Ghana. This has come at a time when, several countries within the sub-region are struggling to decentralize the even rollout of these vaccines.



The use of aerial unmanned drones to efficiently deliver medical commodities, including Covid-19, positions Ghana as a nation on a sustainable path to achieving vaccination for almost a half of the countrys population.



Since 2019, Ghana has relied on Ziplines cold chain storage system and instant logistic vehicle to push the radical vaccination of its citizenry through an elaborate vaccination roll out programme. The Ministry of Health - Zipline collaboration has seen the country front delivery infrastructure to speed up the vaccine rollout plan, attracting praise from many stakeholders.



We remain honoured to be working with the government of Ghana on a mission that seeks to eradicate all barriers that prevents the efficient rollout of these vaccines to all parts of the country. Our technology is a tried and tested one, having delivered over three-million programmed vaccines to over a thousand health facilities in several hard-to-reach areas of Ghana, Naa Adorkor Yawson, General Manager of Zipline.



Today, we are able to deliver medical products and vaccines to areas such as Afram Plains within forty-five minutes, a distance that could take close to six hours by road, from our closest distribution hub.



Elsewhere in other African countries, the report card on vaccine rollout remains a huge challenge. In March 2021, South Sudan had to destroy 59,000 covid vaccines out of 200,000 received. In April same year, the Democratic Republic of Congo returned 1.3 million doses of vaccines to COVAX, UNICEF citing challenges of a lack of storage system. Similar concerns in Malawi saw the burning of 20,000 expired covid vaccine doses. Over the course of time, nearly 450,000 doses of vaccines have been destroyed by African countries largely due to storage and distribution challenges. The case seems different in Ghana; thanks to the efficient roll-out by the government of Ghana with support from the Zipline technology.



For years, Ghana has been working to adapt its supply chain to be more agile and equitable, first, in an effort to eradicate diseases like polio, and more recently to combat COVID-19. To date, Zipline has distributed nearly 3.8 million vaccines, including routine immunizations vaccines requiring sensitive cold-storage handling.



The reliable cold chain storage systems Zipline has, has been able to fly past the challenges experienced in other African countries and is delivering results for Ghana. The distribution centres located in strategic positions of the country is expected to continue to supply vaccines to areas that need them and demonstrate to people the role of instant logistics in the global campaign against COVID-19 to help strengthen health systems more broadly.



Ghana is among the fastest African countries to administer COVID-19 doses and it is projected that at the end of the year, the figure of 500,000 vaccine deliveries by Zipline will double as publicity firms up for more people to be vaccinated.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural resources, in charge of Lands and Forestry, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio ( MP) has announced that government through the Ministry will henceforth approach the combat against illegal logging and Chainsaw operations in the same measure as galamsey is being dealt with.



Hon. Owusu-Bio told the media when he led a team on a fact finding Mission on Thursday, 13th January, 2022 to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of claims of illegal mining and logging ongoing in some forest reserves in Sefwi Wiawso of the Western North Region.



Hon. Benito accompanied by some officers and Board Members of the Forestry Commission and the Sefwi Wiawso Omanhene, visited a number of these reserves in Tanoso Shen, Asanti Nkae and Kokooso to see for himself the extent of illegalities in the area.



On arrival to some three illegal sawmill set ups close to the forest reserves and owned by the operators, the Deputy Minister ordered for the immediate demolishing of the structures and seizure of all movable equipments at the grounds.



Having witnessed the gravity of the illegal logging and Chainsaw operations, he believes that they cannot solve such a canker in just one visit and gave the assurance that his outfit and the Board will make arrangements to visit the region again to ensure that they alay the fears of the Forestry officials and send out a stern warning to these illegal operators.



"We are going to put together strategies and we will be back again and this time it will not be only to Sefwi but to Ahafo and all the other places where these illegal loggers hide, we will burn all these if we have to, just to ensure that we bring their operations to the bearest minimum"



Speaking to the media, the minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Atwima-Nwabiagya North constituency, applauded the officials expecially the Youth In Afforestation team for their efforts and support to the Commission so far.



He further disclosed that Government has given the clearance to employ more officials to help in the fight and soon they will have more forest guards and rangers to join the combat.



He further appealed to the forestry officials in the area and farm owners to guard and prevent the reserves from wildfires in this dry season.



" We are in the dry season and therefore we must beware of Bush fires. To the farmers, be sure not to set fires whatsoever because they can turn into bigger fires putting our reserves in danger."



The District Manager of the Sefwi Wiawso Forestry Commission, Mr. Raymond Obeng Boamah, on his part disclosed that there are three main illegal activities happening in the reserves, which include illegal logging, illegal Chainsawing, and illegal farming.



He explained that the illegal operators are dangerous, armed to the teeth and operate with impunity.



"These guys who operate in the reserves are armed with all sort of weapons, being guns, machetes and all other means that they use to perpetuate their crime."



"Anytime our officals confiscated any of their machines, they go to the extent of beating them up and kidnapping them to use as ransom to get back their equipments," he added.





Mr. Obeng said their activities is really degrading the forest reserves and if something is not done immediately, it will soon deplete the entire reserve.



He also mentioned that their pressing request is for safety and pleaded with the Board and Deputy Minister to bring in the assistance of the police and the military and also beef up their guards and rangers.



The manager again disclosed that there has recently been a struggle among these illegal operators which led to the death of one of the illegal loggers whose name and Identity is not known.



Due to the bloodshed around the reserves, the Omanhene who was on the trip ordered for a purification rights to be performed before the team entered the reserve for the inspections.



The Sefwi Wiawso District Forest Reserve has an area of 8,442 Hectors with a total perimeter of 49.5 Kilometres in the Western North Region.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sege, Mr. Christian Corletey Otuteye, has condemned an attack on Radio Ada, a community radio station in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region.



In a press statement from the office of the MP, he bemoaned the rate at which media houses were being attacked and called on the Inspector General of Police to launch an immediate investigation into the case and prosecute all persons involved.



"I strongly condemn this barbaric, primitive and lawless act, and call on the Inspector General of Police and the Police Services in the Ada enclave for an immediate investigation and prosecution of all persons involved, " he said.



On Thursday 13th January 2022, around 11:30 am, the community radio station which has been in operation for almost 24 years, was attacked by 10 unknown masked and well-built men.



These men according to a statement issued by the management of the radio station, brutalized a presenter on duty, Korle Ajaotor Songortse and vandalized the station's console, microphones and other equipment.



The presenter and the receptionist were hospitalized and discharged.



Mr. Otuteye who termed the attack as "barbaric" urged the people of Ada and Sege constituencies to stand firm in unity and resist any act of intimidation and lawlessness.





Source: GNA









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Ambassador Michael Aaron Oquaye Jnr, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), was honoured as the Enterprising C.E.O of the Yearat the Corporate Ghana Awards. The event held at Movenpick Ambassador Hotelon Sunday 26th December, 2021 was organized by Big Events Ghana.



Ghanas former High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Michael Aaron Oquaye Jnr who has been called to both the Bar of Ghana and the Bar of England and Wales is currently blazing an undeniable path of innovation at the GFZA, whilst existing as an impeccable role model for the youth.



Ambassador Michael Aaron Oquaye Jnr upon receiving his award intimated, Ghana is on the verge of becoming the centre of the African trade boost and we need you all to join us make this a reality. We at the Ghana Free Zones Authority are doing our best but we cannot do it alone; we need all hands-on deck, including yours.



Additionally, the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) under the leadership of Ambassador Michael Oquaye Jnr, emerged as the Trade and Investment Company of the Year.



The Authority was established on August 31, 1995 by the Free Zone Act (Act 504) to promote economic development and regulate activities in free zones and for related purposes in Ghana. Since its inception, the Authority has adopted innovative and efficient means to meet their statutory obligations.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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As part of his State visit to Ghana, the President of Hungary, H.E. Janos Ader, on Saturday toured the Kumasi Wastewater Treatment Plant (KWTP) at Adagya in the Ashanti Region.



President Ader was in the company of his wife, the First Lady of Hungary, Her Excellency, Anita Herzcheq.



The Hungarian President and his delegation who also included the Hungarian Ambassador to Ghana, Tamas Endre Feher, and the Managing Director (MD) of Pureco Kft, Mr Balint, were conducted around the facility by Dr Siaw Agyepong, together with the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei Mensah.



The 1,000 cubic per day KWTP, a collaboration between Pureco Kft, a Hungarian private sector wastewater technology leader, and JGC, was commissioned in 2021.



The plant has the capacity to serve over two (2) million people in the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area in the Ashanti Region.



It equally has the capacity to receive and treat 150 cesspit tanks of liquid waste trucks on a daily basis.



Significantly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between JGC and Pureco Kft, as part of plans to replicate the wastewater treatment facility across the country.



The Executive Chairman of JGC, Dr Siaw Agyepong, signed for his group, while the MD of Pureco Kft, Mr Balint, initialled for his company, which was witnessed by Mrs Dapaah and Hungary's Ambassador to Ghana.



In his welcome address, Dr Siaw Agyepong described the Hungarian President's visit to the plant as historic.



"Today marks a great milestone in Ghana-Hungary relationship as the Jospong Group of Companies has an opportunity, to welcome, His Excellency the President of Hungary, Mr. Janos Ader, who is on a State visit to Ghana, accompanied by his wife and an official delegation to the Kumasi Waste Water Treatment Plant", he gladly expressed.



According to him, the strengthened business relationship between Ghana and Hungary has brought loads of benefits to the private sector of both countries, "especially after the visit to Ghana in 2017 by the Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of Hungary, Mr. Peter Szijjarto."



"The Jospong Group of Companies took advantage of the new investment opportunity, opened between Ghana and Hungary, after Mr. Peter Szijjartos visit, to initiate a number of private sector business consultations with Hungarian Private Sector companies. In the course of our deliberations, we established key partnerships with Pureco Kft, ANY Security Printing Plc and the Hungarian Exim Bank", he indicated.



That, he added, was with the view of creating business opportunities that will help improve the lives of the Ghanaians.



"Mr. President, the outcome of one such technical consultation was the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between Pureco Kft and Zoomlion Ghana Limited for the construction of the Kumasi Waste Water Treatment Plant. The plant, which Your Excellency is visiting today, was constructed by Pureco-Unit Consortium, a Hungarian private sector water and waste water technology leader. It is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa", he said.



Dr Siaw Agyepong gave the assurance that his outfit and its partners will ensure the remaining regions benefit from the project, adding that JGC has already commenced discussions to conclude an MoU with Pureco.



"This is to enable the remaining 13 regions of Ghana, which have no access to waste water treatment plants, also to benefit from similar projects under Pureco-Jospong collaboration", he stressed.



While heaping praise on the Akufo-Addo government for creating an enabling environment for players in the waste management space, Dr Siaw Agyepong commended President Ader for deepening Hungary's relationship with Ghana.



"Your Excellency President Janos Ader, permit me to seize this opportunity to also thank you personally and your Hungarian Government for making available to the Jospong Group of Companies a Hungarian Government Exim facility to construct the plants", he said.



Earlier, the President of Hungary paid a courtesy call on Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at his Manhyia .

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The 2022 Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) Leadership Conference has opened with a call on management and staff to work hard to bring about operational excellence.



Addressing participants at the opening of the conference at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Accra on Monday (January 17, 2022,) the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies and Zoomlion, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, explained that operational excellence goes beyond just making little changes to the current way of doing things.



Rather, operational excellence requires a considered and intentional look at your business processes, followed by drastic and instant action to set it apart positively from others, he said.



He urged management staff to understand the groups businesses and bring innovative ways to make subsidiaries in JGC to continue to excel.



Operational excellence, he added, could also be better achieved through constant monitoring and re-evaluation of operations.



Dr. Siaw Agyepng advised that though the JGC has chalked some successes in the past years and even in the midst of Covid, that was not a reason for workers to rest on their oars, adding that We need to fine-tune and perfect our operations.



We are not in a race with anyone but to fulfil our destiny as God has mandated us to do. We can only be a better version of ourselves, he noted.



Amid Covid, he urged management staff to prioritise the safety of every employee.



We must wear our nose masks at all times. We must continue the education on the safety measures, he emphasised.

He assured all staff members of JGC and Zoomlion that management will not leave them out of the digital space.



9th JGC Conference & Speakers



This years conference the ninth of such annual conferences is being held both in-person and virtual at over 2000 various centres set up across the nation for management staff of JGC and Zoomlion, and it is dubbed, Sustaining Business Gains through Operational Excellence.



Guest speakers who are expected to address the staff include Rev. Samuel Adeyemi, an international conference speaker; Mr Ebenezer Twum Asante, Vice President, MTN Group; Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, the Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), and Mrs Florence Larbi, the Chief Operating Officer, Environment and Sanitation, Jospong Group



Others are Mrs Gloria Anti, the Managing Director of Zoomlion;, Dr Abena Antwi, and Prof. Amponsah Tawiah.

Appreciation.



Dr. Agyepong once again used the platform to express his profound gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and in particular the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, for their efforts to ensure that private sector waste management companies contribute to improve the sanitation situation in the country.

I would also like to thank the management and staff including our ever-hardworking District Managers (DMs and Operation Assistants (OAs), Team Leaders for working tirelessly last year.



To the entire staff of the Jospong Group and Zoomlion, we are proud of you and I say thank you for the hard work, Keep it up. May the Lord continue to bless you, he expressed.



Capacity building



According to him, one area that the Zoomlion and JGC have taken seriously was capacity building.

This, he said, was predicated on the groups belief that our human capital is the bedrock of our success without which nothing can be accomplished.



Buttressing his point, he said last year, the group embarked on various capacity building drivers to ensure that its staff members were are given the opportunity to learn new technologies and current market trends.



He disclosed that under the Jospong Academy programme 11 courses have been organised involving 473 participants drawn from over 32 subsidiaries.



These courses, he indicated, cut across management & leadership, basic IT, customer service, administration efficiency, occupational health & safety, team building and business process optimisation. Adding that these programmes were facilitated by University of Ghana, KNUST and training consultants.



24 Executives and Managers were selected to participate in the Global Leadership Summit



..18 engineers from 14 subsidiaries were sent to Austria for a 10-day waste engineering course. These participants have been tasked to develop a course to be rolled out in 2022. In addition to that, they will form the technical core team to support the operations of the regional IRECOPs, he revealed.



Projects for 2022



Dr Agyepong stated that this year his outfit will continue with the implementation of the One Million Waste Bin project.

We will, therefore, need the support of management and all staff of Jospong/Zoomlion as well as the MMDAs and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that every household in Ghana has one waste bin to store its solid waste, he urged

We will also continue to lend our support to the Church of Pentecosts Environmental Care Campaign to ensure its success as we have done last year, he firmly assured.



GAF collaboration with JGC & Zoomlion



The Guest of Honour, the Commandant, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Rear Admiral Beick-Baffour, encouraged the workers to bring new strategies to overcome new challenges in the business space.



He said the role of JGC in the countrys development cannot be overemphasised, assuring that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will continue to collaborate with Jopsong.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) are undertaking the first-ever actual corruption survey to provide the right information on the levels of corruption in the country.



Currently, the two institutions are evaluating about 250,000 households, using the methodology of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), a United Nations corruption agency, for the survey.



Data collection officials are currently on the field across the country to obtain information to produce a report that will shape how Ghana fights corruption, going forward.

When completed, the survey will take the fight of corruption to another level, where corruption will not be based on perception but the reality on the ground.



Corruption prevalence



In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra last Friday, the Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr Joseph Whittal, said the survey would not only expose how corruption manifested in households and the regional prevalence but also serve as a baseline to deploy effective measures better than what the corruption perception index offered.



He said the work would, therefore, provide the country the opportunity to define the level of corruption with data of real cases, instead of the corruption perception index, to support the fight against the menace.





Over the years, Ghanas score and ranking on corruption has been measured by Transparency International (TI), through its local chapter, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), as an index of peoples perception.



Survey



"We are currently in the field and hoping to do an evaluation of 250,000 households, out of which, when the report comes out in June, we hope the baseline, in terms of where we stand on actual corruption, will give us the basis to see what we need to do annually to improve the fight against corruption, he said.



It is not about perception but based on the reality of Ghanaians who have, one way or another, been made to get a service either by giving money or doing something corrupt, he explained.



Although Ghana had improved on its fight against corruption over the years through various institutions, it could not continue to rely on perception to deal with issues of corruption, he indicated.



"The whole issue of corruption is based on perception," Mr Whittal said, adding that with corruption perception index, it was not clear who fed the perception, who gave the details and who was interviewed.



We don't know because it is done by TI, using businesses and others which may not necessarily be available for anybody to question, he explained.



Novel initiative



CHRAJ, Mr Whittal said, had the mandate to protect and promote administrative justice to ensure that the government and its officers were accountable and transparent.



As a novel initiative, he said, recommendations of the survey could lead to certain law reforms and changes in certain attitudes.



The survey would again help CHRAJ, as an investigating body, to act and use the information for advocacy work in terms of getting people to know what they ought to do and not do when it came to issues of corruption, he added.



Corruption fight



An assessment by Transparency International shows that the country has made significant strides in the fight against corruption.



The drivers include the introduction of anti-corruption legislation with respect to financial administration, public procurement, internal audit and whistleblowing.



Parliament has also improved its watch-dog status with its Public Accounts Committee holding public sittings to expose issues of corruption.



The establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor to tackle corruption without fear or favour by prosecuting corruption cases has boosted the confidence of the citizenry that corrupt practices in the public sector would be reduced.



The Mr Whittal expressed the hope that erasing the perception and providing factual evidence of corruption would put Ghana in a better position to deal with the menace, which affected its development.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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John Ghio Appointed CEO/Captain of the Port

HM Government of Gibraltar has confirmed the appointment of Mr John Ghio as the new CEO/Captain of the Port, following the retirement of Mr Manuel Tirado from the post.

Mr Ghio started working in the bunkering industry in 1998 when he joined Aegean Bunkering (Gibraltar) Ltd (now Minerva Bunkering) when they first set up in Gibraltar. He then joined the Gibraltar Port Authority in 2011 as Bunkering Superintendent. He was promoted to the role of Senior Port Officer in 2015 and to the role of Marine Officer in January 2017.

Minister for the Port, the Hon Vijay Daryanani MP, said: I would like to thank Manolo Tirado for the excellent service he has given to the Port since 1983 and as Captain for the last three years. Since I was appointed Minister for the Port 16 months ago, he has provided me with sound advice and I am grateful to him for that. I wish him an enjoyable and well deserved retirement.

At the same time, I am delighted at Johns appointment as Captain of the Port. I have enjoyed working with him and now look forward to working with him even closer as we enter a new Brexit and post COVID-19 era. He is in agreement with my ambitious vision for the Port. His experience in the private sector will assist us as we work towards marketing our services worldwide and as we look to bring new business to Gibraltar. I wish John the best of luck in his new post
Soya bean is a non-staple crop in Ghana and is predominantly used as livestock feed.

Soya production is gradually attaining commercial status as more producers are becoming aware of the availability of market for the product.



With the introduction of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) in 2017, yields began rising to 1.7 and 1.8 mt/ha.



This remains below what the Ministry of Food and Agriculture believes are achievable yields of 3.0 mt/ha given the needed attention.



The implementation of the PFJ programme targeted upscaling the production of soya bean.



The efforts by government resulted in a substantial increase in yields and production of the crop.



The production of soya is currently being subsidised by government to ensure its availability for processing and use as animal feed by the domestic livestock and poultry industry at a cheaper cost to boost local production in terms of the Rearing for Food and Jobs module (RFJ).



In Ghana, about 90 per cent soya is mainly produced in the northern part of the country and transported to southern Ghana for processing. (Marty et al. 2020).



Market



There is a growing market for soya bean in the country, with an increase in domestic demand consistently exceeding domestic supply.



Both the agriculture and aquaculture sectors in Ghana are major consumers of soya bean meal, a key ingredient in animal feed.



The poultry industry alone demands about 75 per cent of the total soya bean annually in Ghana (Gage et al. 2012).



A soya bean farm.



According to Andam et al. 2019; Gage et al. 2012, with increased awareness of healthy eating habits, people are increasingly consuming poultry and poultry products, meat, fish, as well vegetable oils.



These factors are contributing to the indirect increase demand for soya bean.



Challenge



Data gathered indicate that there has been a tremendous increase in the export of soya from Ghana.



The competition for the crop as an export product has created shortage of the commodity for use by the livestock, aquaculture and poultry industry and has resulted in price hikes.



This defeats the purpose for which soya bean is being promoted in the country.



The high cost of feed in the poultry and aquaculture sectors is a major constraint to production. Feed costs are estimated to contribute over 60 per cent of production costs in Ghana.



As part of the efforts to resolve the situation, the Parliament of Ghana passed a new legislation Export and Import- restriction of Soya Bean Regulation 2020 (L.I 2432) on October 15, 2020 to regulate the export of soya bean from the country. The legislation came into force on December 22, 2020.



The purpose of the regulation is to provide licensing systems for the exportation of soya bean for commercial purposes out of the country and also regulate the exportation of soya bean from the country as well as ensure the availability of soya bean for domestic use to meet local processing requirements for animal production.



It is envisaged by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture that, with the anticipated increase in production in the coming seasons, surpluses realised can be exported through the proper process to earn the country huge foreign exchange.



The export legislation required that a committee be set up to implement the regulations in the legislation. Accordingly, a seven-member Soya Bean Export Permit Committee was jointly inaugurated by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Accra.



The committee is chaired by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), Mr Patrick Yaw Nimo, with the members being the Director of the Plant Protection & Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), the Director of Projects at the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Mr Alexander Dadzawa.



The rest are a Chief Revenue Officer at the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Gabriel Kwame Asamoah; the Head of the Food Division of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mr Roderick Daddey-Adjei; the National Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association, Mr Victor Oppong Adjei, and a farmer and member of Soya Bean Producers, who is also the National Best farmer-2021, Alhaji Mashud Mohammed.



Mandate of committee



In response to concerns about the unfair trade practices by players in the industry, the government initiated steps to restrict the export of soya bean to foreign markets.



The seven-member committee has been charged with the responsibility to efficiently manage and regulate the export of soya bean with the imposition of an export permit regime in the country.



The committee is, however, advised to be mindful of all international trade protocols, particularly in the West African sub-region, in order not to stampede the country's import and export regimes.



The committee has since started working out modalities to ensure an effective implementation of the Export and Import- restriction of Soya Bean Regulation 2020 (L.I 2432).

Source: graphiconline.com









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Ghana is one of the pacesetters of democratic rule on the continent of Africa. After military disruptions of the first, second and third republics, the Fourth Republic has been sustained for 30 years.

The attainment of this feat did not come easy.



One of the democratically elected governments that was short-lived was that of the Progress Party (PP) led by Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, which was overthrown on January 13, 1972.



Thursday, January 13, 2022, marked the golden jubilee of the overthrow of Dr Busia, a stalwart of Ghanas democratic dispensation.



Election/Overthrow



The PP, led by Dr Busia in 1969, won the elections that was conducted with 105 of the 140 parliamentary seats, enabling him to become the Prime Minister of the Second Republic.



The Second Republic was inaugurated at the Black Star Square on October 1, 1969 with Dr Busia as the Prime Minister and Mr Edward Akufo-Addo as the ceremonial President.



Mr Edward Akufo-Addo (deceased) is the father of Ghanas current President, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



However, the government of Dr Busia was short-lived as it stayed in office for just 27 months and was overthrown through a coup detat led by the then Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.



Dr Busia had gone to Britain for a medical check-up when his government was overthrown on January 13, 1972. He remained in Britain where he died in August 1978.



Achievements



Although Dr Busia could not serve his full term of office, he is credited with his rural development policy that saw the provision of water, electricity and health facilities for rural communities. By 1972, more than 30 projects had been executed, one of them being the provision of potable water for some villages in Apam and its environs.



There was a water project at Kwanyako, near Agona Swedru, that was to serve more than 44,000 inhabitants in 22 villages and towns in the Gomoa Akyempim area. Other areas which enjoyed the supply of pipe-borne water were Avoeme, Papase, Prampram, Danfa and Pantang.



The Barekese Dam was started to supply water for over one million people in the Greater Kumasi area and over 72 sub-urban towns and villages within 20 miles radius of Kumasi.



Under the Rural Electrification Scheme, a total of 50 towns and villages were connected to the national grid. Some of the towns which now enjoy power from Akosombo were Nsuta, Biriwa, Kade, Suhum and Somanya.



The health needs of the rural folks were of prime importance to Busia so he sought to improve the health sector.



In 1970, the Danfa Project to train traditional midwives in hygienic delivery was established.



Also 96,873.05 was devoted to agriculture in the Volta Region.



The breakdown was: 48,000 for a Farm Mechanisation School at Ohawu; 3,500 for an office building and Fumigation chamber at Aflao and 23,025.00 for stores of the irrigation project.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ministry of National Security has refuted the allegation of the withdrawal of security detail provided to the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament has his security detail intact as required by the constitution of the republic of Ghana.



In a press statement dated Saturday 15th January 2022, the Ministry noted, there has been a wild social media outcry over a withdrawal of the Speakers Military personnel assigned to the office of the Speaker of Parliament which has no iota of truth.



The ministry further stated, this allegation was a s a result of a leaked correspondence between the Chief of Staff, of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Office of the Speaker of Parliament whose content has been misinterpreted.



The Ministry of National Security would like to place on record that, contrary to the aforesaid misinterpretation, all requisite resources including logistics logistics and personnel required for the full protection of the Speaker has been provided  the statement pointed out.



The Ministry has therefore appealed to the Ghanaian populace to disregard any such publications misleading and misinterpreting the said correspondence to the Speaker.



Finally, the Ministry of National Security retreated There has neither been a withdrawal of security detail nor reduction in the security strength of Parliament







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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EU Commission Technical Visit

This week there will be a technical visit from officials of the European Commission to Gibraltar. They will also visit the Spanish side.

This visit has come about as a consequence of the ongoing negotiations for the future relationship of Gibraltar with the European Union. It is hoped that experiencing the area at first hand will provide a better understanding of its unique nature to all concerned.

The visit will also provide the opportunity for the United Kingdom and Gibraltar to continue their internal discussions before the next negotiating round as well as for subsequent engagement with Spain which is ongoing and at different levels.

The Government says it remains fully committed to an agreement on the future relationship based on framework agreed together with the UK and Spain on 31 December 2020.
Huang Denies Miscikowski WSOPC Online Winter Series Main Event Title

January 16, 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

Jifeng "Snakey" Huang is a World Series of Poker Circuit champion. The Hong Kong-based grinder came out on top in the $525 WSOP Winter Online Circuit Series Main Event at GGPoker on January 16. Huangs victory came with a mightily impressive $664,725 payday, and denied David Misickowski a WSOPC ring to go with his bracelet.

WSOP Winter Online Circuit Series Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Jifeng "Snakey" Huang Hong Kong $664,725 2 David Miscikowski Mexico $498,472 3 Rodrigo "SePico77" Presutti Uruguay $373,801 4 Georgi Sandev Poland $280,311 5 hamzes Austria $210,203 6 Giriri7 Japan $157,630 7 Chunyang "NanaPS" Hao China $118,206 8 Vu "Taicu" Tai Vietnam $88,642 9 Nikita "FatGerry" Kupchin Russia $66,472

The tournament drew in a massive crowd of 14,235 players over the course of several starting flights. This bumper crowd ensured the $5 million guarantee was not just hit but was blown out of the water. Some $7,117,500 was paid out, with almost $2.5 million of that princely sum going to the nine players who navigated their way to the final table.

Seven of those nine finalists saw a six-figure sum wing its way to their GGPoker account. Russian pro Nikita "FatGerry" Kupchin was the first player out of the door despite sitting down in third-place. Kupchin headed into the night with a $66,472 score to keep him company.

WSOP Winter Circuit 2021 Stats

Total prize money awarded: $145,961,564

Total number of tournament entries: 978,639

The largest tournament field: #14: $100 MILLION$ Mini Main Event (25,625)

The biggest prize pool: #18: $525 Main Event ($7,118,000)

Eighth-place and $88,642 went to Vu "Taicu" Tai of Vietnam. Tai was the shortest stack when the final table commenced, so laddering up a payout spot could be seen as a decent result.

Everyone else was now guaranteed at least $118,206 for their efforts, and the pay jumps grew more substantial. Chinyang "NanaPS" Hao bowed out in seventh-place before Japanese player "Giriri7" fell by the wayside, albeit with $157,630 reasons to be delighted with their performance.

David Miscikowski fell at the final hurdle

Austrias "hamzes" has every right to be happy with their fifth-place finish. They were the second-shortest stack at the restart, but managed to battle their way to a fifth-place finish worth a cool $210,203.

Georgi Sandev came up short in his quest for glory when his tournament ended abruptly in fourth place. No doubt the $280,311 Sandev collected for his fourth-place went some way to soothe the pain of not becoming a WSOP champion.

Heads-up was set when Rodrigo "SePico77" Presutti bowed out in third. Third-place came with $373,801 in addition to heaps of kudos from the Uruguayan's fellow poker players.

The one-on-one battle pitted David Miscikowski against Huang in what was essentially a heads-up sit & go with $166,253 difference in prize money plus, of course, the coveted WSOP Circuit ring.

Miscikowski won a WSOP bracelet in 2014 when he triumphed in a $5,000 No-Limit Holdem event, a victory worth $719,707. However, the Mexico-based Californian had to make do with the $498,472 runner-up prize in this particular event. When the dust settled at the final table, more than 14,000 lay in Huangs wake, and he became the worthy recipient of a gold WSOP Circuit ring plus a career-best cash of $664,725.
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Second Baptist Church's food bank saw plenty of hustle and bustle Saturday morning, as dozens of volunteers provided food for many customers.

Thousands of pounds of food was handed off in bags to folks who stopped by, with the dry goods including spaghetti noodles, pinto beans, potato flakes and more.

In addition to the dry goods, there was also some meat included.

The giveaway was held at the church's old location at 425 Hampton Avenue. Bernard McConnell, an 11-year member of the church, has been the chair of the food ministry for seven years and said it has grown tremendously over that time.

When McConnell first took over as chair, he estimates they were the second-smallest food bank in the area. Now, he says, they're the third-largest and give away 2.5 tons of food each month.

"We love what we do," McConnell said. "We worked and prayed for (help) and God has given it to us every time."

Of the volunteers who help out each month, McConnell said many of them have been working with the ministry for decades. The Aiken NAACP Youth Council also sends people over to help. While many of the volunteers wore masks, smiles could be seen on almost every face and in the eyes of those who helped.

"People tend to just glance and look at people who they know are in need when God tells us that we are our brothers keeper," McConnell said, speaking of the people who come to the ministry for food. "We really take it to heart that this is a ministry that serves outside of the walls of our church. Its not just for us. We take pride in the fact that God has gifted us and given us the strength to do what it is we do."

Besides food, there was also a clothing closet to peruse for those who need it.

In closing, McConnell said this ministry is a blessing and "a great thing to be a part of."

"Were spiritually grounded, were faithfully grounded and our hearts are in the right place in what it is that we do."
A new study shows 76,000 households in the Charleston area are considered to be paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing.

That comes out to about 22 percent of all households in the metro area that are deemed "cost-burdened" in the study conducted by Chicago-based Anderson Economic Group for the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.

"We need a prosperous business environment in Charleston," said Scott Barhight, senior vice president of government relations at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. "That can't happen without adequate housing."

The study used figures from 2019 that show 33 percent of owner-occupied homes and 43 percent of rental households pay more than the generally accepted amount of 30 percent of income for housing costs in Charleston.

The figures are not as high as the 93,000 households in 2010 in the aftermath of the deep recession of 2008, but they are higher than in 2000 when 46,000 households were considered cost-burdened.

Middle-income residents, those earning $20,000 to $75,000, became more cost-burdened on a percentage basis in the second half of the past decade than low- or high-income wage earners as home and rent prices began to accelerate throughout the Charleston region, according to Anderson Economic Group consultant Andrew Miller.

"Rates of housing cost burden are highest in North Charleston and the Charleston peninsula, where 45 percent and 44 percent of households, respectively, spent more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs in 2019," the study found.

The report also noted that areas with fewer cost-burdened households do not necessarily have lower housing costs.

"Housing-cost burden is a function of income as well as housing costs," the study said. "Areas with relatively steep housing costs may not have high rates of housing cost burden if household incomes there are also relatively high."

The study also showed home prices rose 12.5 percent during the first six months of 2021 while rents jumped 14 percent during the same time span. For the year, median home prices soared 17 percent to $350,000. Rental rates skyrocketed 19.6 percent in the Charleston region.

The report pointed out many middle-income earners could not afford many of the homes sold throughout the Charleston region, and borrower's loan-to-income ratio jumped 15 percent from 2.85 in 2010 to 3.27 in 2020.

"This increase suggests that Charleston metro area homebuyers are taking on more debt to finance their home purchase," the report said.

It also pointed out the housing supply is down to less than one month and has declined gradually from 2015 when the supply was at six months and held prices in check. Low inventory continues to drive prices higher and keep some would-be buyers on the sidelines.

The Charleston region needs to add about 13,700 homes to its housing inventory to reach six months of supply, the report said. Currently, it has less than 1,500 homes listed as "active" for sale.

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"We need to be serious about addressing the housing shortages in our region, across a wide scope of price points," said Jon Stroud, newly installed president of the Charleston Realtors group. "If we werent facing such serious supply constraints, (sales) figures would be much higher."

The report also noted the region has a "missing middle" of housing alternatives. That includes multifamily developments of two to four units. Until 1939, they made up 20 percent of the area's housing stock. Their numbers plummeted during World War II and have made up just 2 percent of Charleston's housing inventory since 2000.

The study also observed the region has 15,000 fewer rental units that are affordable to households earning 60 percent of area median income than it would need to eliminate renter housing cost burdens.

To alleviate the Lowcountry's housing affordability problem, the report suggested several regulatory changes.

They include expanding the use of accessory dwelling units, increasing funding for affordable housing and changing land-use regulations to allow for greater housing density.

Among the changes could be allowing more affordable housing close to the proposed Lowcountry Rapid Transit system that will run along the peninsula's spine and into North Charleston.

"Creating compact, mixed-use communities near transit stations will enable residents easy access to jobs and services," Miller said.

Josh Dix with the Realtors group said the cost to rent has gone up about 50 percent in recent years while wages have only risen 37 percent.

"We many not be able to address wages, but getting people closer to the transit line will help them get to work," Dix said.

"It's impossible to imagine a solution without rapid transit," Barhight said.

Streamlining the permitting process, creating land banks and adding a short-term rental tax also would help provide affordable housing opportunities, the report recommended.

University of South Carolina economist Joey Von Nessen suggested fast-tracking workforce housing development to get it through bureaucracy faster.

"It's important that local governments work together," said Kendra Stewart of the College of Charleston.

The report pointed out there are high barriers to implementing some of the changes because of the many local governments in the Charleston area, but it also found that the changes could lead to up to 2,950 new market-rate units and as many as 5,850 new affordable units over the next five years.
The Coastal Community Foundations Reimagine Schools proposal has sparked controversy across Charleston County since it was introduced on Dec. 13.

The proposal, which has not yet been approved by the Charleston County School Board, would dedicate $31.6 million toward improving academics at 21 low-performing schools in the district. But members of the public worry the proposal is the foundations attempt to privatize schools.

Here is a breakdown of the controversy.

More Coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Couriers Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab.

What is the Reimagine Schools proposal?

At its core, Reimagine Schools aims to improve low-performing schools by involving community input. If the districts school board were to approve the proposal, the Coastal Community Foundation would facilitate the creation of three community-led commissions that would serve constituent districts with schools in North Charleston, downtown Charleston, Johns Island, Hollywood and Ravenel. The foundation is a nine-county organization that helps nonprofits and other community groups raise funds to complete initiatives.

The commissions would include a county school board member; a member of the areas constituent school board; administrators for each school; and up to 10 community members, including teachers, parents, faith and business leaders, and other key stakeholders. The commissions would also involve the chairs of School Improvement Councils, which are groups of parents and teachers who advise principals on various initiatives.

Once formed, the commissions would be tasked with identifying and implementing school improvement plans that address the unique needs of students within the context of the communities in which they reside, according to the proposal.

What were really trying to push is community and parent engagement and having parents at the table with their administrators, with the school community, identifying whats in the best interests of their children, and then supporting that, said Darrin Goss, the foundations president and CEO.

The commissions will have the freedom to create whatever initiatives they feel would improve performance at schools and close achievement gaps, but the proposal does specifically highlight the potential for schools to use the S.C. Schools of Innovation law.

The law, which went from a budget rule to an official state statute in April, allows school districts to open more than one public-private partnership school with nonprofits, who provide millions in additional funding. The law opened the doors for CCSD to open Meeting Street Elementary School at Burns in addition to the already existing Meeting Street School at Brentwood.

The proposal refers to the nonprofits at innovation management organizations. They would be in charge of providing school administration, recruiting and training staff members, and providing funding. Reimagine Schools doesnt require or incentivize schools to partner with an innovation management organization, and the Coastal Community Foundation doesnt aim to become an innovation management organization with any school.

We would support something like that in a community capacity if, in fact, at the conclusion of this process, schools want to be assigned to such an organization, Goss said.

Although the foundation doesnt plan to be involved as an innovation management organization, many in the community worry that it will influence the privatization of more schools.

Which schools are included in the proposal?

Twenty-one of the districts 88 schools are listed in the Reimagine Schools proposal. Theyre siphoned off by constituent districts, including districts 4, 9, 20 and 23. Each of the three commissions will serve one of the districts, with one commission serving both districts 9 and 23. The proposal includes a handful of schools in each of the districts.

In district 4, which serves North Charleston, the proposal names Chicora and North Charleston elementary schools; Morningside and Jerry Zucker middle schools; and North Charleston and Stall high schools.

In district 20, which serves downtown Charleston, the proposal names Sanders Clyde, James Simons and Mitchell elementary schools; Charleston Progressive Academy; Simmons Pinckney Middle School; and Burke High School.

In districts 9 and 23, which covers Johns Island, Hollywood and Ravenel, the proposal names Angel Oak, Frierson, Mt. Zion, Jane Edwards, Ellington and Minnie Hughes elementary schools; Haut Gap Middle School; and St. Johns and Baptist Hill high schools.

Goss said the schools were chosen based on performance and feeder patterns. Six of the 21 schools  North Charleston Elementary, North Charleston High, Stall, St. Johns, Morningside and Chicora  are on the S.C. Department of Education's list of Comprehensive Support and Improvement schools. The distinction means they are among the schools where at least 40 percent of the student population comes from low-income families and they perform in the bottom 5 percent of those schools.

Nearly all of the schools, except for Angel Oak, are majority students of color. All of them have over 50 percent of students living in poverty. Less than 10 percent of students at some of the elementary schools, like Chicora, Mitchell and Ellington, met standards for the SC Ready 2020-21 English/language arts exam.

None of the schools had more than 50 percent of students meeting or exceeding expectations on SC Ready math and English/language arts or Algebra I and English I end of course exams for high schoolers.

If the proposal were approved, the foundation or the district may choose to include more schools and more areas.

Why are people upset?

As far as the public is concerned, the Reimagine Schools proposal came out of nowhere. It was added to the boards agenda for the Dec. 13 meeting with much of the public unaware of what it was, where the $31.6 million would come from and, most importantly, what it would mean for them.

At the meeting, two people spoke at public comment against the proposal, citing concerns about its lack of specifics and the amount of money dedicated to it. Another two people from the parent advocacy group Charleston RISE spoke in favor, saying the opportunity to include parent voice in school decisions is invaluable.

The board ultimately decided to delay its vote on the proposal until the Jan. 10 meeting. At the time, the majority of board members appeared to be in support of the proposal but wanted to give the public more time to digest the initiative and get used to it. Other board members, like Kristen French, were openly against the proposal, saying it was too much money for the district to commit to a policy without details.

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Frankly, this proposal is very vague in terms of exactly how you expect us to spend any money, and this is a huge ask, French said at the Dec. 13 meeting.

In the almost four weeks in between the meetings, more members of the public became aware of the proposal and started to get frustrated. The first major concern was a lack of transparency.

We find out about it then its time to vote on it. There hasnt been any planning or preparation, said Chris Collins, a former CCSD board member and a current member of the District 4 constituent board in North Charleston.

Goss said the proposal has been months in the making since Schools of Innovation became law last year. The foundation was a major proponent of the Schools of Innovation bill, working with the S.C. Senate Education Subcommittee and various lawmakers to see it passed.

Goss said its not up to the foundation when the proposal would be presented to the school board, so he couldnt comment on why the public only heard about it last month.

In the week following the Dec. 13 meeting, a group called Stand As One South Carolina created a Change.org petition and Facebook group to rally members of the public against the proposal. Stand As Ones main concern was that the proposal would lead to privatization of schools.

CCF has ZERO experience in education so why should they have any say in our kids education? the group wrote on its petition, which has gathered over 2,200 signatures.

When asked about the backlash, Goss said the proposal doesnt require or incentivize any school to partner with an outside organization. If schools wanted to do so, they already have that ability through the S.C. law. The proposal instead creates a process for another public-private partnership at one of the 21 schools if the commissions feel it's needed, he said.

The problem is theres nothing in writing, theres no guarantee that parents or teachers will have real input, Collins said. What theyre scheduling is public meetings where theres no contract agreement that says the Coastal Community Foundation will have to adhere to the advice of the parents.

Just hours before the Jan. 10 meeting, when the board was set to vote on it again, state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, D-Charleston, held a news conference to declare that he would file legislation to remove North Charleston-area schools from the school district if the board approved the proposal.

Pendarvis said he believes the district shouldnt have to work with outside organizations like CCF to improve its schools. Instead, it should dedicate funds directly to classrooms.

We have not asked for nor do we need another layer of meetings, consultants or studies to duplicate what our PTSAs, booster clubs and school improvement councils have already done, Pendarvis said at a news conference.

How is it funded?

The $31.6 million included in the Reimagine Schools proposal would all come from the school district.

The district could use the $163.2 million it received in COVID-19 federal relief dollars to fund the program, or the money could come from district fund balances. Those decisions would have to be made after the board approves the proposal.

Of the $31.6 million dedicated to the proposal, $31.1 million would be set aside to directly benefit schools, supporting the initiatives identified by the commissions.

Another $580,000 would go toward staff to help see the initiatives become a reality. That includes $300,000 to pay for a technical advisor, who would track data, provide policy review and analysis, and advise commissions on the best models for each school involved in the proposal.

Another $120,000 would go to nonprofit community hosts, who would be tasked with ensuring that the voices of parents, school, faith, civic and business communities are represented in every step of the process. The proposal also sets aside $110,000 for a convener, who would act as the organizer and administrator of the initiative. The remaining $50,000 would support travel, events and communications for the commissions.

The Coastal Community Foundation wouldnt profit from any of those funds, Goss said.

People, parents, teachers and administrators want that money set aside, Goss said. We completely agree.

Whats happening now?

When, or if, Reimagine Schools will become a reality can't be predicted.

At the Jan. 10 meeting, board members decided to remove the proposal from the agenda with the intention of hosting more community information sessions before its voted on again.

Itll be up to the board as to when the proposal will be considered again. In the meantime, Goss said CCF is going to work to have more community interest sessions so that the public can have a better understanding of the proposal.

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ANDERSON  Angela Williams said she lives a purpose-driven life and thanks her parents for that.

During Williams' childhood in Anderson, the Reverend J.C. and Eleather Williams instilled in her that she should devote her time and talents to others when possible. She has followed those principles from childhood to today as the newest CEO of United Way Worldwide.

While female leadership has dotted facets of the organization's history, Williams is the first woman and Black person to helm United Way Worldwide.

Long before that, though, she was a young girl in South Carolina, coming of age during the 1960s and '70s.

As a son and daughter of South Carolina, my parents and me, have always stayed connected to the friends  really we call them family  that we developed in Anderson, South Carolina, Williams said. They have always been a part of our journey,

She was born in 1963 in Anderson during the height of the Civil Rights movement. Eleather was from the town of Plum Branch in McCormick County, and J.C. grew up in Columbia. The two were active in the movement and the NAACP of South Carolina.

J.C. graduated from Benedict College and its seminary in Columbia. He became a pastor at Royal Baptist Church on East Hampton Street in Anderson. As a Baptist minister, J.C. worked along with other ministers of various Christian denominations to try to integrate Anderson.

J.C. then joined the Navy as a chaplain, which Williams said changed the status and trajectory of my life and that of my brother and sister.

The family packed up their light blue Ford Fairlane and drove from the Upstate across the country to San Diego  J.C.s first duty station. She remembers her parents putting wooden planks in the backseat to bridge the gap so she and her brother could have a place to lay down on the three-day trip.

Moving to California was like coming from a sort of a cocoon, small environment, not as integrated at that moment in time, to a different world, she said.

San Diego caused the family to become more cross-cultural, Williams remembered. After San Diego, the family moved around every few years, 13 to 15 times in total.

Even after the family left South Carolina, they always managed to get back. Every summer, Eleather would pack the familys wood-paneled station wagon with food and blankets, and they would drive to South Carolina to visit with relatives.

Williams attended the University of Virginia in 1981 to study American government and had an Air Force ROTC scholarship. She graduated and was commissioned as an officer in 1985.

The Air Force granted her non-active duty status so she could attend University of Texas School of Law, graduating in 1988. Committed to serving in the military, she joined active duty as an Air Force assistant judge advocate after law school until 1995.

In the early 2000s, she received a masters of divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. After being ordained, her hometown church, Royal Baptist, invited her to preach.

That was really special because the families that knew me from birth were still there, and are still there, Williams said.

Before moving to United Way Worldwide, she was the president and CEO of Easterseals, a nonprofit helping children and adults with disabilities. Other organizations decorating her resume include the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund and the YMCA of the USA. In 2021, Forbes named her one of its Women Over 50 Creating Social Change at Scale.

United Way Worldwide has branches in around 95 percent of U.S. communities and in 40 countries and territories, all acting as advocates for health, education and financial stability. The organization has more than 7.7 million donors and 45,000 corporate partners, according to a company release.

On Oct. 15, Williams became the leader of United Way Worldwide, succeeding the last CEO who resigned amid a scandal. In November 2020, Huffpost reported that three former female United Way Worldwide executives faced retaliation from their own organization after reporting sexual harassment.

United Way Worldwide hired a law firm to investigate the claims, and the firm found that the complaints were handled properly, according to The Associated Press. The former CEO, Brian A. Gallagher, still resigned from the organization on Feb. 9.

Williams called her position as the first woman and Black person to lead United Way Worldwide an awesome experience and that being a barrier breaker is also an awesome responsibility.

I'm pleased to have had this opportunity, but I also know that I am casting a vision for generations behind me to see themselves operating in a role like this and at this level, she said.

In her new role, she said it is most important that United Way Worldwide continues having the impact it does in the communities it serves.

There can never be enough impact, Williams said. So, I'm not satisfied. We should never be satisfied with where we are. We should always be striving to do even more.

While she is now settled in Chicago with her husband, her ties to the Palmetto State remain.

Every year since we've moved, I've been back in South Carolina at least once a year  if not now, lately, multiple times a year, Williams said. When we talk about: Are you coming home? Home is South Carolina.
South Carolina ranks 13th in the nation in terms of its higher-than-average COVID-19 death rate, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And while the state's low vaccination rate has clearly contributed to the COVID death rate, pre-existing conditions are also partly to blame, experts say.

South Carolina is part of a region of the country known as the "Stroke Belt," an 11-state swath of the U.S. where studies show the risk of stroke is 34 percent higher for residents than it is in other parts of the country. Other states in the Stroke Belt include North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.

According to researchers from the Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Center, increased rates of obesity, cigarette smoking and high blood pressure account for the increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in the Stroke Belt.

"Mortality rates in general are kind of higher in this swath of the Southeast," said Michael Sweat, director of the MUSC Center for Global Health.

Data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control shows cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma were the top three frequently reported comorbidities for COVID-19 cases in December 2021. Cardiovascular disease accounted for over half of the frequently reported comorbidities for hospitalization.

"All of these can amplify the impacts of COVID-19," Sweat said.

Since the start of the pandemic, South Carolina has recorded an average 287 COVID-related deaths per 100,000 residents. Approaching the second anniversary of the first coronavirus cases detected in the state, barely half of all eligible residents are considered fully vaccinated.

Vermont and Alabama have the lowest and highest death rates per 100,000 residents in the nation, ranging from 84 deaths in Vermont and 339 deaths per 100,000 residents in Alabama.

Health experts agree that vaccinations are the best way to prevent severe COVID infections, hospitalizations and death. But they're not foolproof. While some fully vaccinated patients have been recently hospitalized with COVID, most, if not all of them are considered immunocompromised and are dealing with conditions that are exacerbated by a COVID-19 infection.

"However, individuals we see that succumb to the illness rather quickly and eventually die are still overwhelmingly unvaccinated," said Dr. Andrew Goodwin, pulmonologist at the Medical University of South Carolina. "The difference between severity of illness between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals is still very overt."

Goodwin said fully vaccinated individuals who are critically ill with the virus almost always have some sort of underlying condition. They include transplant recipients, patients undergoing various cancer treatments and older patients with less robust immune systems.

While the omicron variant seemingly causes less severe disease in people who are fully vaccinated, health experts are urging residents facing these common comorbidities for COVID-19 to find ways to properly manage their conditions and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"Getting better control of your comorbidities will improve your health in general, and most likely will enable your ability to survive should you get COVID," said Goodwin. "However, vaccinations and continuing to wear masks are the most important and effective ways to stay safe right now."

Other ways to get better control of your health if you are immunocompromised include maintaining regular check-ups with your primary care physician and continuing to use medications as prescribed by your physician.

State health officials and health care workers remain steadfast in the fight against COVID-19, continuing to encourage residents to get vaccinated, practice social distancing and mask wearing to reduce the risk of hospitalization from the virus.

While that risk is inherently high for individuals dealing with a range of comorbidities prone to states within the Stroke Belt, health officials report that if managed properly, comorbidities can remain a non-factor in a person chances of surviving a COVID-19 infection.

"What we're seeing reflected in South Carolina certainly are the highest case numbers that we've ever seen in this pandemic," said Dr. Brannon Traxler, public health director of the state health agency. "And while hospitalizations are increasing, they are not increasing at the same rate that positive cases are."

For Goodwin, the rising yet comparatively low hospitalization numbers are signs of a public health victory rather than a failure.

"If you look around, breakthrough cases in vaccinated people are really mild," said Goodwin. "That is not a vaccine failure, that's a vaccine success."
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
BATON ROUGE, La. - Coronavirus cases continue on a sky-high trajectory in Louisiana, even as scientists are seeing signs of a plateau in the omicron wave in some parts of the U.S., state officials said Thursday.

We're setting all-time records right now on a near-daily basis, Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a news conference. There's an awful lot of COVID out there, all across the state of Louisiana in every single community. The disease burden is higher than it's ever been.

After setting a pandemic record this week with 17,592 cases reported on Wednesday alone, officials have said there aren't solid signs yet that the omicron surge is slowing, though they hinted that might come in the next few weeks. The sheer number of people infected with this variant  and likely many more going undetected or captured only through at-home tests  has made it difficult to gauge when the wave will crest.

The numbers we're seeing now are in a different league from anything that we've seen before, said Dr. Joe Kanter, the state health officer and an emergency medicine physician. We just don't have any confidence in any model.

However, Kanter and others who closely track the pandemics path have hope a peak in infections might not be far off for a few reasons.

Cases among the 18- to 29-year-old age group, which has typically driven infections, have stopped increasing. Children under 18 now lead infections, said Kanter, a pattern which has preceded downturns in the past.

Emergency departments are also seeing fewer patients with COVID-like illnesses, a measure health officials use to judge how much the virus is circulating. Those types of visits dropped to 12.5% of all emergency department visits this week from a high of 16.7% the week before. But its hard to tell if thats because health officials have urged people to avoid emergency rooms unless they truly need hospital care, said Kanter.

Epidemiologists who track the path of COVID are also hesitant to make a call on omicrons peak.

Typically, Louisiana might look to other states who were hit by omicron first to gauge how the state might fare. But because omicron began circulating in Louisiana after the delta peak had subsided, it's difficult to make comparisons to the Northeast, where omicron and delta were simultaneously infecting people, said Susan Hassig, an epidemiologist at Tulane University.

Because Louisiana has so many infections, though, Hassig predicted that a peak in daily case counts cant be far off  the virus will simply run out of people to infect.

My gut is telling me that the peak is not far off  whether its a week, 10 days, I dont know, said Hassig.

I'm hoping that by the time we hit Chewbacchus, we're going to be on a downward slide, she added, referring to the popular walking parade in New Orleans on Feb. 5 this year, about three weeks before Fat Tuesday.

But getting into the more active weeks of Carnival season may also prolong recovery from this surge, health experts said.

In South Africa, where the omicron variant was first identified, the wave came down as quickly as it shot up. Louisiana has a different population, said Robert Garry, a virologist at Tulane University. Models dont account for things like Mardi Gras balls, float riders standing shoulder to shoulder and an influx of visitors from other parts of the country.

I think were gonna have a lot of cases when the parades start to roll, Garry said. Will that accelerate it, or will things start to come down by then? We just dont know.

In 2020, Garry was part of a group of researchers that analyzed the path of the early version of the virus across the south. They found that Mardi Gras that year likely seeded most of the states 50,000 infections in the first wave.

Things are different now  there are vaccines, better treatments and masks  but people who were most at risk then are still most at risk, Garry said, advising that older people and those with conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease watch the revelry from afar and others do their part to limit spread.

You need to be vaccinated and boosted and come in there wearing a mask under your mask, that kind of thing, said Garry.

Edwards said Thursday he won't issue a statewide mask mandate, even as he warned that more children than ever are hospitalized and that the surge in cases is putting a "real strain" on the health care system.

Louisiana on Tuesday also reported 2,384 new reinfections. Over the course of the pandemic, the state has recorded 35,819 reinfections, counting instances in which an individual tests positive 90 days after their initial positive test.

The Department of Health is analyzing data on reinfections to determine how many cases occurred in unvaccinated people, but Edwards said research from Washington state shows that 60% of reinfections from September to December were among the unvaccinated.

You cant rely on the natural immunity conferred by a previous bout with COVID-19 in order to continue to protect you over time, Edwards said, adding that those who are vaccinated and boosted are 10 times less likely to contract the virus, 17 times less likely to end up in the hospital and 20 times less likely to die than those who arent.

Even as infections begin to fall, hospitalizations may continue to rise, said Dr. David Mushatt, chief of infectious diseases at Tulane University.

Hospitalizations are always a little bit delayed, said Mushatt. The cases come first and then you see the hospitalizations go up, and then you see the deaths go up, in that order.

Despite omicron causing severe disease in a smaller percentage of infected people, hospitalizations rose by 82 on Thursday, to a total of 2,081 statewide. The last time hospitalizations reached that point was Sept. 4, 2021, about two and a half weeks after the states all-time high of 3,022 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The use of ventilators increased by 18 patients on Wednesday with a total of 129 people  or about 6% of hospitalized patients  requiring the intervention. That rate is far lower than previous waves when the intervention was needed for 15-20% of patients.

Edwards said he will continue to watch hospitalization data to determine whether he needs to change course and implement new mitigation measures.

I am looking at all the data, every single day to try to see that sign that we are at the peak, and quite frankly, you dont really know until you get there, and you start seeing the reduced numbers coming down the backside. Edwards said. Were hopeful, were prayerful that that happens very, very soon.
COLUMBIA  Soldiers, veterans, family members and special guests at Fort Jackson got a special preview of a new film starring Michael B. Jordan after the actor visited the base last year to do research for the movie.

The film "A Journal For Jordan" is being released by Sony pictures and is directed by actor Denzel Washington. It's an adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dana Canedys bestselling 2008 book telling of Canedys romance with First Sgt. Charles Monroe King, who kept a journal of life lessons for their newborn son while he was deployed overseas.

Her lover was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq on Oct. 14, 2006. Jordan, a former People magazines Sexiest Man Alive, plays the role of King, who was a drill sergeant at Fort Jackson during his career.

"I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to share our movie with the world," Canedy wrote in The New York Times on Dec. 22. "And while parts of it are painful to watch, others are funny and uplifting. In the end, I was reminded that even the most difficult moments in life can come with blessings."

To prepare for the role, the renowned actor from blockbuster hits such as Creed and Black Panther visited the base before Christmas 2020.

Jordan stayed at the base for three days to get first-hand experience with Army Basic Combat Training and the role drill sergeants play in the transformation from civilian to soldier, the Army said in a release.

When Jordan was on base, Fort Jackson shared pictures of the celebrity on the Army posts social media accounts. He was seen receiving a challenge coin from base leaders, sitting in on meetings and talking to Brig. Gen. Milford Beagle Jr., who was serving as the commanding general of one of the largest basic training bases in the United States at the time.

The role this actor is playing is the father of a now 14-year-old kid named Jordan, and his father passed away and was killed in action in Iraq, Beagle said during the visit. Jordan had no ability to know his father. That soldier happened to be a drill sergeant at Fort Jackson here.

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It does not appear that any of the scenes in the film were shot at Fort Jackson, according to the S.C. Film Commission's database, but staff members on the film praised the Army base's leadership for inspiring the actor and director.

The leaders and soldiers that you have here really helped Denzel Washington and Michael B. Jordan make this movie, Mark Jones, the veteran and military liaison for the movie, said in a statement. You guys are incredible. Thank you for what you do and continue to do.

Dan Rogers, project manager for the S.C. Film Commission, said its not uncommon to have actors swing by federal training facilities and military bases to learn more about their roles.

Theyll want to assimilate and learn as much about as they can to get in the right headspace, Rogers told The Post and Courier. Weve had past actors do stuff like this before.

Rogers said one example is the Disney movie That Darn Cat! a remake of a 1965 family comedy shot in Edgefield. Some actors on the production visited the FBI offices in Columbia to learn more about their roles.

The only movie shot at Fort Jackson is the 1994 film Renaissance Man which starred Danny Devito as a teacher in the Army and Mark Wahlberg in his breakout role as a young private in training.

The Fort Jackson Exchange worked with Sony to receive an early copy of the film to premiere at the base. The movie is available to the public as of Dec. 24.
NORTH CHARLESTON  An unidentified person was shot and killed by police early Jan. 16.

Officers from the North Charleston Police Department responded to a car break-in at 4 a.m. off of Crossroads Drive, which is near Northwoods Mall, said Harve Jacobs, police spokesman.

There, police found a person fitting the suspects description, who fled from officers.

Shots were fired while attempting to apprehend the individual, resulting in death of the armed suspect, Jacobs wrote in a news release.

The Charleston County Coroners Office has yet to identify the person. It is unclear whether the suspect was shooting at police. Police did not confirm whether the suspect was the person involved in the vehicle break-in that morning.

North Charleston police reported the incident to the State Law Enforcement Division, which is investigating the case. Standard protocol is that officers involved in a shooting are put on paid administrative leave while SLED investigates.

Jacobs would not release details on how many North Charleston officers were involved and whether any are on leave in connection with the shooting. Police also would not make clear the gender and age of the suspect who was shot. Jacobs said all inquiries on the case would be deferred to SLED.

SLED also would not answer questions about the shooting death.

"No additional information is available from SLED at this time while agents continue to investigate," Ryan Alphin, SLED spokesman, wrote in a statement.

SLED has reported one other shooting by an officer this year, which took place in Florence County on Jan. 5. There were 40 officer-involved shootings in South Carolina in 2021.
For several decades, South Carolina has been spending extra money on students who cost more to educate: students who are hearing-impaired or who have learning disabilities or who live in poverty. Thats because those children need specialized services, which usually means extra, specialized teachers, and that costs more money. The state also provides extra money for gifted and talented students.

But only a small portion of state funding gets allocated that way, so were not spending the same amount of money to educate that hearing-impaired child in Greenville County as we are in Charleston County. Were not spending the same to educate a child with learning disabilities in Aiken County as in Darlington County. Were not even spending the same to educate a poor child in Dorchester 2 as in Dorchester 4.

Most of the differences hurt kids in poorer districts, but because of the convoluted way we allocate our state's half-dozen school funding streams, it doesnt always work that way. However it works out, its wrong. We shouldnt spend the same amount on every student, since some students are easier to educate than others, but we should spend the same amount on similar students: students who need the same type and amount of specialized attention in order to succeed.

Gov. Henry McMasters budget proposal takes a first step toward doing that, by using a new funding formula that was developed just before the pandemic by the states Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.

The office calculated that the average teacher in South Carolina has a masters degree and 12 years experience. Mr. McMasters plan would set the pay for that statistically average teacher at $50,604 and provide for one such teacher for every 11.7 students. Children who need extra attention would count as more than one student for the purpose of that calculation. For instance, children who need speech therapy would count as 1.15 students, children with intellectual disabilities as 2.5, gifted and talented children as 1.15 and children living in poverty as 1.5.

The governors plan would reallocate $3.1 billion in state education funds using that formula and add another $100 million to make sure theres enough state funding for all the districts to meet that goal. In a bow to political realities, it would add another $20 million so districts that already receive enough state funding to meet the goal dont get any less than they do now.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that the governors plan continues to distribute more than $1 billion in state education funding under other formulas  including the $660 million that makes up for the funding districts used to collect from residential property taxes. And that formula is the biggest driver of funding inequities. The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Offices model shows, for instance, that in 2019 Dillon 3 got $809 for each student from this so-called Act 388 money while McCormick County schools got $4,951. Wealthier districts such as Lexington 5, Beaufort and Charleston received more than twice as much per student as poorer districts such as Clarendon 3 and Dillon 4.

Just changing the distribution of $3.2 billion would be an improvement, but we hope legislators will one-up the governor by using the new funding formula for all school funding.

The worse news is that Mr. McMaster's plan also shortchanges the schools.

The governor proposes to increase public school funding by about $200 million. But most of that is either one-time funding or increasing revenue collections from the EIA penny tax, which by law must be spent on public education. In a year when the state has an additional $987 million in recurring funding, the governor proposes to give only $80 million of that  8%  to schools.

Our state currently spends 37% of its recurring funding on the schools. Because the governor is using such a tiny part of new recurring revenue on schools, total school spending would drop to 35% in his budget.

Thats why when the governor says hes raising the states minimum teacher pay by $2,000, all he really means is that hes providing enough money to cover that higher pay in districts that arent already subsidizing salaries by at least $2,000.

Thats helpful for the teachers who are being paid only the states minimum, but since it wouldnt pay for a raise for most teachers, it wouldnt do much to help us attract and keep more teachers in the classroom amid a worsening state and national teacher shortage. Addressing that problem means doing the same thing you do to address any supply-and-demand problem: In the short term, you pay more for the commodity in demand; in the long term, you find a way to increase the supply.

In order to keep school funding at 37% of state general fund spending, the Legislature would need to use $365 million of the nearly $1 billion in new recurring revenue on schools  or $285 million more than the governor is proposing. That would be more than enough to provide $2,000 raises to all teachers, and demonstrate to current and would-be teachers that lawmakers mean it when they say theyre committed to getting salaries to the national average.

They should come up with $200 million of that simply by ignoring Mr. McMaster's annual request to further cut state taxes.
COLUMBIA  Months after a newspaper investigation exposed how dozens of political officials across South Carolina get away with refusing to pay their ethics fines, state lawmakers appear to be taking action.

A Senate committee will soon debate a proposal to ban such officials from seeking reelection unless they pay their penalties, an effort to make politicians take the states ethics laws  and the watchdog that enforces them  more seriously.

That proposal, S. 188, is one of more than two dozen good-government bills that lawmakers could consider as they begin their 2022 session at the Statehouse this month.

Several, like S. 188, address problems that were exposed over the past year by Uncovered, an investigative partnership between The Post and Courier and 17 local newspapers that seeks to expose corruption, conflicts of interest, abuses of power and holes in oversight in every corner of the state.

The project has drawn new attention to questionable conduct within city councils, school districts, fire departments, natural gas authorities, state agencies and the government watchdogs who are tasked with keeping them in line.

Political leaders have responded to some of the scandals, but whether 2022 will become a year for ethics reform at the Statehouse remains to be seen.

Last week, Gov. Henry McMaster urged lawmakers to nearly double the budgets of the Inspector General's Office and State Ethics Commission, giving them more money to hire investigators and uncover misconduct. The Columbia Republican also called for greater ethics training for the states scandal-scarred sheriffs and proposed requiring special interests that lobby local governments to register with the state and disclose their efforts. The governor is expected to tout his ethics plan at his Jan. 19 State of the State address.

One of his top challengers in the 2022 governors race, Charleston Democrat Joe Cunningham, has released his own anti-corruption agenda. The former congressmans plan includes term limits, strengthening the Ethics Commission and limiting special interests ability to influence the General Assembly.

Other lawmakers have proposed their own piecemeal reforms  everything from closing ethics loopholes for utility officials to expanding the states Freedom of Information Act to enacting greater restrictions on lobbying.

But even with the heightened attention on ethics, pushing these proposals through the Legislature will be no easy task.

Having worked very hard for ethics reform many years and having seen many great proposals die, I cant say Im wildly optimistic about getting everything, said Lynn Teague, vice president of the League of Women Voters.

Indeed, there is much work to do.

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Stiff-arming the Ethics Commission

One of the most realistic proposals is S. 188  state Sen. Greg Hembrees bill to ban ethics debtors from seeking reelection until they pay their fines.

The Little River Republican initially filed the bill in December 2020, before the Legislature even began its two-year session. But it got no attention, languishing for more than a year without so much as a subcommittee debate.

Thats changing now, Hembree told The Post and Courier.

As part of its Uncovered series, the newspaper revealed in August that no fewer than 50 public officials were holding office in South Carolina despite being listed on the State Ethics Commissions debtors list. That 28-page chart lists 370 politicians, lobbyists and political groups who have run afoul of ethics laws but refused to pay their fines.

The story showed how the Ethics Commission is able to recoup just a sliver of the $2.9 million those debtors owe to taxpayers each year. Meanwhile, the officials on the list  mayors, county council members, even state lawmakers  continue to seek and win reelection.

Hembrees bill would incentivize those officials to pay up  and perhaps cause them to take ethics laws seriously  by threatening their ability to hold public office.

Most bills that are filed at the Statehouse fade into obscurity without ever getting a hearing. But Hembree appears to have overcome that hurdle. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, has pledged to have a subcommittee take up and vet S. 188, a critical first step toward serious debate and passage.

Were going to take a look at it, and hopefully were going to get some action on it, Hembree said.

Expanding a watchdog's authority

Lawmakers will also take a serious look at spending more than $3 million to bolster the funding of the State Ethics Commission and Inspector Generals Office, two agencies that together employ about a dozen investigators.

Gov. McMaster has called on legislators to more than double the funding of each agency, empowering them to hire more sleuths and probe allegations of waste, fraud, abuse and other types of misconduct by public officials.

In a recent budget hearing, Inspector General Brian Lamkin told lawmakers the new money would help him hire nine more investigators, increasing his eight-member staff to 19.

Lawmakers will also consider a proposal to expand Lamkins jurisdiction, currently limited to state agencies. A proposal by Hembree, S. 202, would empower the inspector general to also investigate school districts. McMaster wants to expand the bill even more, allowing investigations into cities, counties and nonprofits that get state money.

Lamkin said on Jan. 12 that his office has had to pull the plug on investigations in the past because of his offices limited jurisdiction. But local governments and school districts are sure to oppose any effort to let the inspector general crawl through their finances.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said lawmakers would consider those ideas, but he worries about spreading the Inspector Generals Office too thin by expanding its potential workload. He said both the Ethics Commission and Inspector Generals Office will need to explain what they could do with the extra money and authority.

If you give it too much (to do), its going to be less effective in the areas where you need it to be effective, the Aiken Republican said.

An uphill battle

Other ethics proposals are less realistic as the General Assembly enters the second of a two-year session.

Legislators spent large chunks of their 2021 calendar mired in debates over abortion, guns and COVID-19 issues, such as mask mandates at K-12 schools.

This year, they must navigate a highly contentious redistricting debate and determine how to divvy up the largest spending package in South Carolina history, fueled by mounds of federal aid and a state economy that performed better than expected during the pandemic.

That could leave little time for proposals that arent sexy, face opposition or lack grassroots momentum.

For example, a bill filed last February by a trio of senators  and backed by the governor  that aimed to close ethics loopholes for big-spending natural gas utilities has gone nowhere. S. 548 was proposed days after an Uncovered story revealed how commissioners at the states five public gas authorities secretly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to send themselves to luxurious retreats in recent years.

But the bill still hasnt received a hearing from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Another bill, H. 3622, would apply the Palmetto States Freedom of Information Act to legislators, who have long guarded their emails and official records from prying eyes. But that proposal, which also has the governors support, is likely a nonstarter for the legislators who write the law.

At one point last spring, Greenville-area legislators were talking about creating a task force to study possible reforms for the areas little-scrutinized special purpose districts. That came after an Uncovered investigation found that top officials at one of those districts, Clear Spring Fire and Rescue in Simpsonville, were accused of stealing public money, promoting a commissioners spouse, showering themselves with perks and retaliating against underlings who questioned them.

But that task force never materialized. Instead, state Rep. Bobby Cox said, legislators had informal talks with special district leaders about what can be done to ensure the problems at Clear Spring dont happen somewhere else.

As a result of the scandal, the Greer Republican said, Greenville legislators have spent more time and effort screening potential commissioners before appointing them to lead special districts.

Its never been done before, Cox said. It was always a rubber stamp.

Cox said he also would push to require more ethics training for public officials at all levels of government. Such training is currently voluntary, often offered when a politician first takes office.

Reasons for hope?

Legislators could face outside pressure to take action on ethics in 2022, especially since it's an election year.

Perhaps with a finger to the political winds, both Gov. McMaster and one of his Democratic challengers, Cunningham, have publicly released their plans to restore South Carolinians faith in government.

In fact, Cunningham made his anti-corruption plan the first policy rollout of his gubernatorial campaign. It includes term limits for all legislators, a ban on campaign fundraising during the legislative session, giving the State Ethics Commission sole jurisdiction to investigate and punish misconduct by legislators, and stopping dark money groups from anonymously influencing elections.

People are fed up with corrupt politics, and South Carolina is rampant with them, Cunningham said in a recent interview.

Especially in an election year, lawmakers would do well to try to position themselves on the right side of any ethics debates, former S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges suggested.

I wouldnt be surprised if some ambitious legislators see promoting that as good for their political careers, Hodges, a Democrat, said. I wouldnt downplay the importance of that. I think youll find there are legislators who have paid close attention to that and see this as an issue they can take on as their own.

But passing ethics reform could also require grassroots activists and voters to contact their legislators and demand change. And building that momentum has been a struggle, said Teague, the League of Women Voters official.

When her group urges residents to call their lawmakers, they often respond that it wont do any good because government is broken beyond repair, Teague said.

Teague said government leaders "should be ashamed they've given the people of South Carolina reason to be cynical."

Perhaps 2022 will be the year to change their minds.
Ive written a few posts about common-good/national conservatism and its challenge to the mainstream conservative movement as it has existed since the 1960s. Two of these posts are basically summaries of presentations in a forum hosted by The New Criterion. Among other things, my posts summarized the lead, anti-common-good conservatism piece by Kim Holmes and a rebuttal by Josh Hammer.

Peter Berkowitz covers this ground in an article called The Debate Over Common-Good Conservatism.' Peter is better equipped to write astutely about that debate than I am, so Im glad his main conclusions are similar to mine.

One of the grounds presented by some common-good conservatives for rejecting the traditional conservative approach is that the contemporary, neo Marxist left poses a new kind of challenge to America. Traditional conservatism, though adequate for combatting Soviet communism, is said to be unable to cope with the threat of militant wokeism. (See the address by David Hazony at the end of this post, for example.)

I question whether that is so. There is nothing I can think of in the woke program  whether its men competing against or sharing restrooms with women, restrictions on religious freedom, divvying up benefits and burdens by race, or teaching that Americas history is predominantly evil  that traditional conservatives wouldnt and dont vigorously oppose.

Maybe its a question of how far to go in opposing these things. My view of traditional conservatives is that they would fight like hell to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory in high school, for example, but would not try to prohibit elective courses in colleges and law schools that teach CRT.

Would common-good conservatives try to ban such courses from being taught at that level? If so, Im with the traditional conservatives on this one.
In a briefing about the terrorism at a synagogue in Texas, an FBI spokesman said the demands of the hostage taker, Malik Faisal Akram, were specifically focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community. There is a sense in which this is true. The issue the terrorist specifically focused on was the imprisonment of a jihadist, Aafia Siddiqui. He demanded her release.

That issue obviously has implications for the Jewish community, especially given the blatant anti-Semitism of Aafia Siddiqui, but it arguably is not specifically or directly a Jewish issue. The imprisoned jihadist is a threat to Jews and non-Jews. Her conviction was for trying to murder American soldiers and officials in Afghanistan

The FBIs statement has been attacked as an attempt to portray the terrorism at a synagogue as not targeted at the Jewish community  as not specifically or directly anti-Semitic. Lindsey Graham construes it to mean the FBI does not believe the hostage takers demands had anything to do with the Jewish faith.

The FBI might have been trying to say something along those lines. But its statement actually conveyed, at least to me, is quite the opposite.

That a terrorist would select a synagogue as the target of an attack not specifically focused on an issue directly connected to [Jews] demonstrates anti-Semitism of the most free-floating, virulent, and dangerous kind. And it precludes the frequent dodge that the terrorists quarrel is with Israelis and Zionists, rather than Jews.

A jihadist demanding, say, an end of U.S. support for Israel would naturally pick a Jewish target. A jihadist demanding the release of a prisoner could take any sort of hostages to use in a trade.

That this jihadist selected Jewish hostages makes the case, if anything, all the more disturbing for Jews. And, of course, it reaffirms the link between jihadism and anti-Semitism that the FBI may have been trying to obscure.

The FBI has now acknowledged the obvious  that, whatever the focus of the terrorists demands, the Jewish community was targeted. It would have been well advised to do so at the outset.
When Martin Luther King, Jr., brought his nonviolent campaign against segregation to Bull Connors Birmingham, he laid siege to the bastion of Jim Crow. In Birmingham between 1957 and 1962, black homes and churches had been subjected to a series of horrific bombings intended to terrorize the community. In April 1963 King answered the call to bring his campaign to Birmingham. When King landed in jail on Good Friday for violating an injunction prohibiting demonstrations, he took the opportunity to meditate on the counsel of prudence with which Birminghams white ministers had greeted his campaign.

Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail was the result. Reading the Letter fifty years later is a humbling experience. Perhaps most striking is Kings seething anger over the indignities of segregation:

I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say, Wait. But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate filled policemen curse, kick, brutalize and even kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity; when you see the vast majority of your twenty million Negro brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society; when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she cant go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see the depressing clouds of inferiority begin to form in her little mental sky, and see her begin to distort her little personality by unconsciously developing a bitterness toward white people; when you have to concoct an answer for a five-year-old son asking in agonizing pathos: Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?; when you take a cross-country drive and find it necessary to sleep night after night in the uncomfortable corners of your automobile because no motel will accept you; when you are humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading white and colored; when your first name becomes nigger, your middle name becomes boy (however old you are) and your last name becomes John, and your wife and mother are never given the respected title Mrs.; when you are harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are a Negro, living constantly at tip-toe stance never quite knowing what to expect next, and plagued with inner fears and outer resentments; when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of nobodiness; then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into an abyss of despair. I hope, sirs, you can understand our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.

In addition to Kings witness, Kings prophetic call permeates the Letter. Why did King presume to come from Atlanta to Birmingham? King writes:

I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the eighth century prophets left their little villages and carried their thus saith the Lord far beyond the boundaries of their home towns; and just as the Apostle Paul left his little village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to practically every hamlet and city of the Graeco-Roman world, I too am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.

Kings prophetic call must have been both a source of strength and of concern. His strength was manifest; he rarely let his concern show. Perfection is not a condition of the prophets call, and King was both imperfect and aware of his imperfections. His unbending strength is all the more remarkable.

It is difficult to comprehend that King was only 39 years old at the time of his assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968, or that the prospect of his death weighed so heavily on his mind. He seems too young to have accomplished so much, or to have maintained his judgment under such trying circumstances. The magnitude of his own trials must have had a deep impact on him.

In the speech he gave in Memphis the day before his assassination, he movingly recalled his first confrontation with death:

You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, Are you Martin Luther King? And I was looking down writing, and I said yes. And the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I had been stabbed by this demented woman. I was rushed to Harlem Hospital. It was a dark Saturday afternoon. And that blade had gone through, and the X-rays revealed that the tip of the blade was on the edge of my aorta, the main artery. And once thats punctured, you drown in your own blood  thats the end of you. It came out in the New York Times the next morning, that if I had sneezed, I would have died. Well, about four days later, they allowed me, after the operation, after my chest had been opened, and the blade had been taken out, to move around in the wheel chair in the hospital. They allowed me to read some of the mail that came in, and from all over the states, and the world, kind letters came in. I read a few, but one of them I will never forget. I had received one from the President and the Vice-President. Ive forgotten what those telegrams said. Id received a visit and a letter from the Governor of New York, but Ive forgotten what the letter said. But there was another letter that came from a little girl, a young girl who was a student at the White Plains High School. And I looked at that letter, and Ill never forget it. It said simply, Dear Dr. King: I am a ninth-grade student at the White Plains High School. She said, While it should not matter, I would like to mention that I am a white girl. I read in the paper of your misfortune, and of your suffering. And I read that if you had sneezed, you would have died. And Im simply writing you to say that Im so happy that you didnt sneeze.

Here he paused to look back on what he had achieved with the time he had been granted:

And I want to say tonight, I want to say that I am happy that I didnt sneeze. Because if I had sneezed, I wouldnt have been around here in 1960, when students all over the South started sitting-in at lunch counters. And I knew that as they were sitting in, they were really standing up for the best in the American dream. And taking the whole nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. If I had sneezed, I wouldnt have been around in 1962, when Negroes in Albany, Georgia, decided to straighten their backs up. And whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man cant ride your back unless it is bent. If I had sneezed, I wouldnt have been here in 1963, when the black people of Birmingham, Alabama, aroused the conscience of this nation, and brought into being the Civil Rights Bill. If I had sneezed, I wouldnt have had a chance later that year, in August, to try to tell America about a dream that I had had. If I had sneezed, I wouldnt have been down in Selma, Alabama, been in Memphis to see the community rally around those brothers and sisters who are suffering. Im so happy that I didnt sneeze.

Looking beyond his accomplishments, he likened himself to Moses, the prophet par excellence, and testified to the source of the prophets voice:

Well, I dont know what will happen now. Weve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesnt matter with me now. Because Ive been to the mountaintop. And I dont mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But Im not concerned about that now. I just want to do Gods will. And Hes allowed me to go up to the mountain. And Ive looked over. And Ive seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And Im happy, tonight. Im not worried about anything. Im not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

(First posted on Martin Luther King Day 2005.)

UPDATE 2011: Dr. Art Fougner writes from Forest Hills to note: Recently, our Medical Society of the County of Queens honored Dr. John W. Cordice with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Cordice was a young surgeon on duty at Harlem Hospital when Dr. King was brought in with his near fatal injury and was one of the team that saved his life. Thought youd appreciate the circles being completed. Dr. Fougner is past president of the society.
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January 17, 2018, is a date Nollywood would not forget in a hurry.

Exactly four years ago today, a celebrated Nigerian filmmaker, Chukwuka Emelionwu, popularly called Kasvid, died at 39.

On his way to his village in Anambra State, Mr Emelionwu was involved in a fatal accident along Oraukwu.

Reports said he, however, came out of the accident alive but was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while attempting to cross to the other side of the road.

On February 22, 2018, he was buried in Ezinenin village in Neni Anaocha, Anambra state.

Kasvid is famed for producing some of Nollywood biggest hit movies like Last Burial, Aki na Ukwa, Mr Ibu in London and discovering numerous talents like Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze of Aki and Pawpaw fame, Charles Inojie, John Okafor aka Mr Ibu, among others.

Some of his works are now classics and a trademark of the late, much-loved filmmaker and founder of Kas-Vid Pictures famous film production house.

He evaded the media and rarely granted any interviews as he was an extremely private filmmaker in his lifetime.

He is survived by his wife, children, and other family members.

Although he is dead, his contributions in Nollywood cannot be overemphasised as one of his biggest movies, Aki na Ukwa (2002), was remade in 2021 with a new title, Aki and Pawpaw.

In his honour, we revisit six of his memorable movies.

Last Burial 1& 2 (2000)

Last Burial is one of Nollywoods most classic supernatural films of all time.

The movie tells a story of a man who had financial difficulties. As a result of his predicament, he was introduced to an occult group by his friends, which led him to make some human sacrifices. For years, the man enjoyed a good life, then it was time for him to die. When he died, his burial created many problems for his family.

The film was based on the real-life happenings surrounding the death of Ogbuefi Nnamani, a wealthy man in eastern Nigeria at the time.

Clement Ohameze, Eucharia Anunobi, Sam Dede, Chika Anyanwu, Larry Koldsweat, Amaechi Muonagor, Tony Njemanze, Chiwetalu Agu, Andy Chukwu and many others starred in the film.

Emelionwu wrote and produced the film.

Issakaba 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (2000)

Issakaba is another classic movie inspired by true-life events of community vigilante boys called Bakassi Boys fighting against crimes like armed robbery and murder cases that put fear and panic in the community.

The movie tells the story of the Issakaba boys led by Ebube, who had to fight against armed robbers who terrorised their society. The armed robbers possessed certain mystical powers in their robbery activities. Because of this, Ebube and his team of Issakaba boys also acquired capabilities that enabled them to fight against robbery. The movie is full of action, horror, and drama.

The movie featured Sam Dede, Chiwetalu Agu, Pete Eneh, Amaechi Muonagor, Susan Obi, Mike Ogundu, John Okafor, Andy Chukwu, Zulu Adigwe, Diewait Ikpechukwu, Remmy Ohajianya,Emeka Nwafor, Tom Njemanze, Uche Odoputa and Emeka Ani.

Aki na Ukwa (2002)

Aki na Ukwa is Nigerias all-time favourite family comedy film which Amayo Uzo Philips directed. The film stars Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly called Aki and Pawpaw.

The Kasvid production became the movie that launched the acting careers of the diminutive actors, and this film marked their maiden collaboration. Emelionwu, the films producer, is celebrated for discovering and creating the Aki and PawPaw characters.

The movie also starred Oby Kechere, Amaechi Muonagor, and Frances Nsokwu.

Mr Ibu in London (2004)

Another epic movie from the late veteran filmmaker is Mr Ibu in London. The movie explores the hilarious character of John Okafor on the shores of London.

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The movie, which Adim Williams directed, featured some actors and actresses like John Okafor, Kareem Adepoju, Marian Davies, Lanre Falana.

August meeting (2012)

One unique feature about Kasvid movies is that he draws his inspiration from real-life examples, and August meeting is a typical example of such a film.

The movie features a powerful female cast that includes Eucharia Anunobi, Ngozi Ezeonu, Chinwe Owoh, and Rita Edochie a quartet who put up sterling performances perfectly suited to their personas.

The Last Kidnap (2018)

The Last Kidnap was Kasvids last production.

It was a movie directed by Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi and featured Nollywood stars like Yul Edoche, Bob Manuel, Fedrick Leonard, Ameachi Muonagor, and Chigozie Atuanya.

The movie took the filmmaker six years to complete because of funds. Little did he know it would be his last movie and contribution to the Nigerian creative industry. However, in his honour, the film was eventually completed and premiered on December 7, 2018. The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Ebelechukwu Obiano, took up the role of the executive producing the film after funding it.
On Monday, Nigerias total fatality from the coronavirus infection rose to 3,103 from 3,095 reported 24 hours earlier.

The latest statistics by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows that Lagos State, the countrys epicentre of the disease, contributed to the rise in fatalities with a backlog of eight cases.

The disease centre disclosed this on its Facebook page on Monday morning, noting that 301 new infections were recorded across nine states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

While the NCDC failed to disclose the specific date of the backlog of deaths from Lagos State, it added that the commercial city reported a backlog of 175 infections of the 301 cases, for January 1 to 5, 2022.

The disease centre said the latest figure of confirmed cases has increased Nigerias infection toll to 250,929.

It added that a total of 224,052 people have been successfully treated and discharged nationwide.

Breakdown

Apart from Lagos State, which topped the infection chart, Ondo and Osun states in the South-west followed with 42 and 23 cases respectively, to rank second and third on the log.

Rivers State in the South-south reported 21 cases, followed by Nasarawa and Oyo states with 16 and eight cases respectively.

While Gombe and Kaduna States reported seven cases each, the FCT and Kano State recorded a single case each.

The NCDC also noted that four states: Abia, Bauchi, Plateau, and Sokoto reported that they recorded no case on Sunday.
Governors elected on the platform of Nigerias ruling party, APC, met Sunday night and resolved that the partys convention must hold in February.

The APC has been unable to hold a convention and elect new national leaders since its former leadership, led by Adams Oshiomhole, was sacked in 2020. The party has since been led by an interim management committee led by the Yobe State Governor, Mala Buni.

At their meeting Sunday, the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), an umbrella body of APC governors gave assurance that the partys national convention will hold in February.

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Chairman of the PGF gave the assurance while speaking with journalists at the end of a closed-door meeting on Sunday night in Abuja.

Mr Bagudu, who did not give a specific date for the event, said the February date as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari was sacrosanct and still feasible for the conduct of the event.

He added that the APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), as an organ of the party, was in the best position to announce the specific date for the convention.

We are one group of stakeholders in the party and our party respects institutions. The appropriate organ of the party that will announce a date for the national convention is the CECPC, he said.

Mr Bagudu said the meeting passed a vote of confidence on the Buni-led CECPC and two other governors, Governor Muhammed Bello of Niger and Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun.

He noted that the governors had done an incredible job of running the party successfully and had mobilised people into the party fold, saying that the PGF was very happy with their conduct.

We discussed our upcoming convention which you may recall I had cause to address the press after we visited President Buhari in November 2021 where the president and the party agreed that the convention would take place in February.

We took inputs about the reviews and we noted all the misrepresentations in the press that we seek to correct that the PGF is one united body as you can see evidently from the attendance, Mr Bagudu said.

He explained that the forums decision was unanimous, adding that it was united behind the president and the partys caretaker committee.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that there has been immense pressure on the APC Buni-led CECPC to fix a specific date for the partys national convention following Mr Buharis approval that the event be held in February.

Some of the partys critical stakeholders had in the last few weeks engaged the caretaker committee over the delay to announce the venue and exact date for the convention.

Salihu Lukman, the PGF director-general, recently called on members of the committee to resign their positions if they would not be able to conduct the partys national convention in February.

New members of the partys National Working Committee (NWC) are expected to be elected at the convention to manage its affairs which are currently being managed by the CECPC.

Those in attendance at the meeting included the governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum; Jigawa, Mohammad Abubakar; Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu; Niger, Abubakar Bello; Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi; and Kogi, Yahaya Bello.

Others were the governors of Cross River, Ogun, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Osun, Lagos State, Imo, Plateau, Kano State and Nasarawa.

Significance of Convention

The APC convention is significant for the party and Nigeria as those elected at the convention will largely determine the direction the party will go in the 2023 general election.

The party has been in one form of crisis or the other since it assumed power in 2015, defeating the then incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP.

However, with President Muhammadu Buhari concluding his second term in office, the party now has to choose a different presidential candidate, a factor that is believed to be at the heart of the partys inability to hold its convention.
In 2021, Nigeria lost no fewer than 3,604 persons to Cholera, says the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the countrys infectious disease agency.

The data, which was published on Sunday by the disease centre for Week 52, spanning December 27 till January 2, indicated that Nigeria in 2021 experienced one of the worst cholera outbreaks in many years.

According to the report which ended the epidemiological cycle for 2021, Nigeria, in the year. recorded a total of 111,662 suspected cases of Cholera.

The figure of fatalities from the diarrheal disease in the year is more than the 3,103 deaths recorded from the coronavirus pandemic since its outbreak in Nigeria in February, 2020.

Statistics have shown that Cholera is endemic in Nigeria, with outbreaks reported as far back as the 1970s.

But the 2021 cholera outbreak, with a higher case fatality rate (3.2 per cent) than the previous four years, is worsened by the attention focused on the coronavirus by the government and the neglect suffered by other diseases including Lassa Fever.

Statistics breakdown

While 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory were ravaged by cholera in 2021, only three states did not report suspected cases, the NCDC data showed.

These three states are Anambra, Edo and Imo.

About 435 local governments were affected across the country.

States in Nigerias north where flooding and poor sanitation increase the risk of transmission are the hardest hit. The 19 states in the north account for over 90 per cent of the suspected cases.

Four states  Bauchi (19,558 cases), Jigawa (15,141 cases), Kano (12,116 cases) and Zamfara (11,931 cases)  accounted for 53 per cent of all cumulative cases, the NCDC data revealed.

Eleven LGAs across five states of Bauchi (four), Zamfara (four), Kano (one), Katsina (one) and Borno (one) reported more than 1,000 cases each in the year.

Cholera disease

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacillus.

The disease spreads through contaminated food and water, reappearing periodically in countries unable to secure access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation like Nigeria.

It is a preventable and treatable epidemic-prone disease. The number of cholera cases tends to increase with the onset of the rainy season.

The risk of death from cholera is higher when treatment is delayed. It is very important to visit a health facility if you have symptoms such as watery diarrhoea and vomiting.

Cholera is endemic and seasonal in Nigeria, where only 14 per cent of the population of an estimated 206 million have access to safely managed drinking water supply services, according to government data from 2020.

Amid the fight against COVID-19 and Cholera, Nigeria also continues to see regular outbreaks of yellow fever, Lassa fever, measles and other infectious diseases.

In terms of challenges it encountered in fighting cholera in 2021, the NCDC said; Difficulty in accessing some communities due to security concerns; open defecation in affected communities; lack of potable drinking water in some rural areas and urban slums; inadequate vaccines to cover all LGAs, wards and settlements with cholera outbreaks; inadequate health facility infrastructure and cholera commodities for management of patients (Ringers lactate and ORS); inadequate trained personnel in states for case management; and poor and inconsistent reporting from states.
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on the National Assembly members to hasten their decision on the controversial Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021.

With the renewed discussions around the bill by Nigerians at different fora, the governors, in a communique issued after their meeting in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, said the lawmakers are left with the options of overriding Mr Presidents veto or deleting areas of complaints.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had in December, declined assent to the bill, citing the direct primary clause and its cost implications on the country as his reasons for not signing the bill.

The National Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday with the discussion on the bill expected to top its agenda.

They had proceeded on Christmas/New Year break a day after Mr Buhari informed of his decline to assent the bill.

Given different reasons, Mr Buhari had previously rejected the Electoral Bill three times but none of those rejections has met such a stream of oppositions as the latest one.

The governors, under the aegis of PDP Governors Forum, in their resolution advised the NASS to explore the option of sustaining Mr Buharis veto so as to caution the President from making similar moves in the future.

The meeting advised that the option of sustaining Mr Presidents veto would lead to a quicker resolution and would deny Mr President the opportunity to once again truncate a reformed Electoral jurisprudence for Nigeria. An early concluded Electoral Act is vital for credible elections, they said in the communique read by the Forums Chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

Also in their usual tone, the governors heaped the blame of the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria on the central government highlighting the latters refusal to approve state policing as a major reason for the growth of insurgencies and banditary.

The president, in a recent interview with Channels Television, restated his stance against state policing, a struggle the governors has been launching to win for over a year now.

The meeting expressed regrets that Mr President is unwilling, from his recent comments discountenancing the proposals for state policing, to participate in reviewing the structural problems of tackling insecurity in Nigeria and urges Mr President to reconsider his position and consider decentralisation and restructuring of the security architecture as the most viable solution, together with proper arming, funding and training requirements for Security Agencies, the governors again noted in the communique.

They also berated the APC-led government dictatorial disposition by banning Twitter for seven months, thereby causing more harm to Nigerian youth who use the platform as a business tool amidst the countrys biting unemployment rate.

Of the 13 governors under the PDP auspices, only 10 governors attended the meeting hosted by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

The governors in attendance include Mr Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Douye Diri of Bayelsa State; Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

Others are the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Oluseyi Makinde of Oyo State; Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Darius Ishaku of Taraba State and the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
The Zamfara State Government on Sunday announced the reopening of some primary and secondary schools from Monday, January 17.

The announcement is contained in a statement issued by Shehu Ibrahim, Acting Director, Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education.

The statement said public and private schools that were categorised as green and yellow by the ministry should resume normal academic activities.

However, schools that were in the red category remain closed until when the security situation improves, Mr Ibrahim said in the statement.

The schools are resuming in the aftermath of the total shutdown of all schools on September 1, 2021, when bandits abducted 80 students and three teachers from the Government Day Secondary School, Kaya, in Maradun Local Government Area (LGA).

Five of the students later escaped a few days after their abduction while the rest 75 students and their teachers were eventually rescued later.

The bandits had earlier abducted 279 female students of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, Talata Marafa LGA.

All the girls were released by the bandits on March 2, 2021, after several negotiations by the government.

Officials from the Ministry of Education and zonal directors will go round to see the level of compliance, the statement said. (NAN)
Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the former president of Mali, has died at the age of 76, his family told AFP.

Mr Keita died on Sunday in Bamako.

The cause of his death was not stated.

Mr Keita led Mali from 2013 until he was ousted in a coup in 2020.

He was two years into his second five-year term when in 2020 he faced widespread street protests against his government and was toppled by the military which is now under regional sanctions for failing to restore civilian rule.

According to AFP, in the weeks before the 2020 coup, he had been struggling with protests fuelled by his handling of a jihadist insurgency and failure to turn around Malis floundering economy.

Snail-paced political reforms, decrepit public services and schools, and a widely shared perception of government corruption also fed anti-Keita sentiment, driving tens of thousands of protesters into the streets.

Mr Keita was forced out of office on August 18, 2020, by young military officers who staged an uprising at a base near Bamako before heading into the city, where they seized him and other leaders.

Under pressure from the West African bloc ECOWAS, the junta that emerged from the rebellion released Mr Keita on August 27 and returned him to his residence in Bamako, under surveillance.

He suffered a mini-stroke the following month and was sent to the United Arab Emirates for treatment.
Attahiru Jega, a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said the use of direct primaries by political parties might not work out well for now.

This, he said, is because many members of some political parties are not properly registered.

Mr Jega made the statement during a town hall meeting on the Electoral Amendment Bill, organised by Yiaga Africa on Sunday.

The event was aimed at re-echoing calls for the speedy passage of the bill by the National Assembly as well as to address the drafting issues cited in the legislation.

In the bill, passed by the National Assembly in 2021, Clause 87 allows political parties to adopt only a direct mode of primaries in selecting candidates for elective offices.

In December of the same year, President Muhammadu Buhari rejected the bill citing insecurity, the cost of conducting direct primaries and infringement on the rights of Nigerians to participate in governance as his reasons for declining assent.

However, in a recent interview, the president assured that if changes are made to the clause, to include the addition of consensus candidates and indirect primary options to the mode of selecting a candidate for an election, he would sign the bill.

Similarly, Mr Jega believes direct primaries will not be feasible at the moment because of loopholes in the system even though he said the nation needs new electoral laws ahead of the general elections.

He alleged that the clause was inserted in the bill to help solve personal issues the lawmakers have with their governors. He said they perceive or know for a fact that governors manipulate indirect primaries, and are looking for a way to liberate the primaries.

Some people believe that governors do influence the outcome of indirect primaries and some feel direct primaries is a way out of this, but the question is, how many parties have a credible register of members?

Give INEC the law to begin preparations for the 2023 elections. Any governor that manipulates direct primaries under this present condition will also have the capacity to manipulate indirect primaries. Which of the parties have a clear register of members. Any governor that has the capacity to manipulate direct primaries has the capacity to do so for indirect primaries.

The challenge is how do you ensure that members of parties are properly registered. Governors can only manipulate the delegate list but with a faulty register there will be room for manipulation even in direct primaries, he said.

For the former INEC boss, the passage of the bill will go a long way in improving the integrity of Nigerias elections.

This country will be better off if we go into the next election with a new electoral law which will enhance the integrity of the preparations and conduct of the elections.

What we are saying is that you cannot throw the baby away with the bath water. Lets think more carefully. The good things in the bill should be signed into law immediately so that INEC can start serious work for the 2023 elections,  Mr Jega said.

With the legislation now back to the National Assembly, the lawmakers have to either amend the bill and send it back to the president for assent or override his decision.

For now, many Nigerians just want the bill signed so that new electoral reforms can be in place before the 2023 elections.
People from Nahuche in Zamfara State on Sunday besieged the Government House, Gusau, to seek Governor Bello Matawalles intervention in the release of 13 members of the community recently abducted by bandits.

The leader of the protesters, Musa Abdullahi, who addressed journalists, said they were at the Government House to solicit governments intervention to rescue the abductees.

Mr Abdullahi said the community had suffered more than 13 attacks, lost more than 50 persons and have so far spent over N200 million in the last two years as ransom and for settling vigilante groups, but all to no avail.

The situation has remained the same, despite spending over N200 million on ransoms and settling vigilantes, he said.

Mr Abdullahi, a former Chairman of the Bungudu local council, said five of the abductees had been held by the bandits for the past 33 days.

According to him, a five million naira ransom was paid as demanded by the bandits but they declined to release the victims as they made fresh demands for two Boxer Motorcycles, which were yet to be met.

While working to meet the fresh demand for the motorcycles, the bandits, again, stormed the community and kidnapped another eight persons.

They are yet to communicate or make another demand from the community; we are waiting, he said.

The former Chairman said the community of over 300,000 people was about to be deserted as the gunmen attacked the village frequently, killing people at will.

We have acknowledged the efforts of both state and federal governments in tackling the security challenges. However, Nahuche community needs urgent intervention to prevent the town from being deserted, he said.

He urged the federal and the state governments to deploy the military to the area to help their situation, before the bandits cleared their villages.

NAN recalls that at the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day on Saturday, Governor Matawalle said the state governments and the security forces, so far, had rescued more than 1,800 abductees from bandits.(NAN)
Despite the obvious errors and gaps noticed recently in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 by a coalition of civil society organisations, the spokesperson of the Senate, Ajibola Bashiru, says no such errors exist in the copy of the bill transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Bashiru stated this during the Citizen Town Hall Meeting held on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Buhari had in December declined assent to the bill because of the direct primary clause in it.

The president cited insecurity, cost implications of conducting direct primaries and infringement on the rights of Nigerians to participate in governance as his reasons for declining assent.

Noted errors, gaps

Shortly after the president rejected the bill, the coalition led by Yiaga Africa, called the attention of the National Assembly to the drafting errors and cross-referencing gaps in the document.

In a memo to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other relevant officers of both chambers, the civil groups identified at least 16 errors and called for their correction before sending the bill back to Mr Buhari.

The errors highlighted in the December 29, 2021 memo include grammatical errors as seen in Section 107 (3) and Paragraph 10 (2); improper cross referencing found in Sections 24 (4), 64 (7) and (8), 50(2), 91(2), Paragraph 14(2); repetitions in Section 137 and 138, Paragraphs 4 (5), (6), (7) and (8); and contradictory provision as seen in Paragraph 16 (3).

The groups thereby urged lawmakers to correct these errors and gaps in the bill before re-submitting for assent so as to eliminate any form of ambiguity or legal complications in the application of the bill when it is enacted.

Any further delay in concluding the process of enacting the Electoral Bill 2021 will directly impact INECs preparations for the 2023 General Election, the memo reads in part.

We dont have such errors  Senate

However, Mr Bashiru, who represents Osun Central Senatorial District, stunned the meeting, which had in attendance election experts, that there were no such errors and gaps.

I totally disagree that there is an error. In the copy of the bill with the National Assembly, there is no such error.

Which version are you using, is it the version of Yiaga or the version that is with the National Assembly? There must be a reference copy. You cant come on national television and undermine the institution of the National Assembly without facts and figures.

Which copy are you using? Is it a file copy or the copy of an NGO? Mr Bashiru said fuming as he constantly interrupted the programme anchor.

The Osun senator, a lawyer, who joined the meeting virtually, threatened to take the matter up with those who challenge his authority as well as that of his colleagues in upper and lower chambers.

It is not a public document. Who issued it to be a public document? This is a serious matter and I will have to take it up, Mr Bashiru said, as some of the participants laughed.

However, contrary to Mr Bashirus position, the spokesperson for the House of Representative, Benjamin Kalu, who also joined the meeting virtually, admitted that there were indeed errors in the bill.

He said the responsibility of scrutinising the bill falls on the Legal Service Department of the National Assembly and not on the lawmakers whom he said may not be as thorough as expected by Nigerians.

Let me speak about the errors. I must commend the civil society organisations who have been making an effort to make sure that we see things from their own direction.

On the 29th of December, I received a letter from Yiaga regarding some of the errors  Im talking about Clause 24(sub 4), Clause 8 Clause 64 (7) and (8), Clause 91(2), Clause 107(3), Clause 137 and 138 and subheads. Paragraphs 4, 5, 6, Paragraph 10 (sub 2), paragraph 14(2), paragraph 16(3) and all the rest of them.

We are partners in this project and what we have done is to immediately send it to the Speaker to look at, Mr Kalu said.

A Peoples Democratic Partys lawmaker at the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, present at the Citizen Town Hall Meeting, disclosed that there is a plan by his colleagues not to attend Tuesdays plenary session if there is no discussion around the Electoral Bill.

At the end, the meeting asked the National Assembly, which reconvenes on Tuesday after the Christmas break, to expunge the direct primary clause from the bill and re-transmit it to the president for assent.
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Friday launched the enhancement of the civil aviation safety oversight systems project financed by the Chinese government for 1 million U.S. dollars grant.

The Chinese government through its South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund (SSCAF) provided the grant to finance the project to be implemented for one year by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through its Technical Cooperation Bureau.

Launching the project in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, the Deputy Minister for Works and Transport, Godfrey Kasekenya, said the aviation industry must assure that safety and reliability compliance remained robust and ambitious so that air transport's core value offerings are duly safeguarded.

"Aviation is a major contributor to global economic prosperity," said Kasekenya, adding that through providing the only safest rapid worldwide transportation network, aviation is essential for global business, and generates economic growth, creates jobs, and facilitates international trade and tourism.

Hamza Johari, the director general of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), said the main purpose of the project is to provide technical assistance to Tanzania to enhance its aviation safety oversight system.

Barry Kashambo, the ICAO regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa, thanked China for its donation to the ICAO through its South-South Cooperation funding mechanism.

He said out of the 4 million U.S. dollars initially donated by China to ICAO, 1 million U.S. dollars has been allocated to Tanzania for the technical assistance project, 2 million U.S. dollars was allocated for the development and conduct of training courses for civil aviation senior and middle managers program that has been completed, and 1 million U.S. dollars will be supporting ICAO efforts to provide capacity-building assistance in the Republic of Congo.

Xu Chen, the Minister Counselor in the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, said through this project, China hoped to help Tanzania strengthen capacity building in civil aviation safety oversight, promote the integration of Tanzania's civil aviation industry with the international standards.

Xu added that the project will also train more outstanding aviation professionals for Tanzania and make contribution to the development of Tanzanian civil aviation industry.

He said China is willing to support Tanzania in developing its civil aviation industry and promoting its connectivity with other African countries as well as the world, including China. 
The speaker of Nigerias House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has advocated the review of the countrys existing law which pegs the minimum educational qualification for aspirants to the presidency and other elective positions at senior secondary school certificate or its equivalent.

Mr Gbajabiamila, who spoke on Monday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, as the universitys 52nd convocation lecturer, said Section 131 (d) of the 1999 constitution, which speaks to the minimum educational requirement for presidency, does not align with the current realities and needs of the modern times.

He spoke on the theme; Building Back Better: Creating a New Framework for Tertiary Education in Nigeria in the 21st Century.

I also sincerely believe that the National Assembly needs to look into section 131 (d) of the 1999 constitution with a view to increasing the minimum educational qualification for persons aspiring to be future Presidents of Nigeria and other top offices including the National Assembly as against the current minimum requirement of a Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent.

As we have reduced the age for eligibility to contest those offices, so also, we should increase the minimum educational requirement. It will be another step in reforming our electoral system and providing strong leadership for the country, he said.

Noting that Nigeria is faced with another election come 2023, Mr Gbajabiamila said prior to the 2019 elections, the national assembly succeeded in amending the Constitution to effect the Not Too Young to Run demand of the youth and ensure the eligibility of young people to aspire to high offices in the land by reducing the eligible age for political offices.

A member of the 1983 set of the universitys faculty of Law, the speaker, added that the foundations of Nigerias educational system are still rooted in a different age and designed to meet the social, economic and labour demands of a different societal and economic model.

On education funding

The guest lecturer also spoke on the challenges of funding education in Nigeria, insisting that the current model that allows institutions to live on subventions from the government is not sustainable.

He said the National Assembly is currently looking into a new model of tertiary education funding that will grant loans to brilliant but indigent students and how such interest-free loans could be repaid.

And then, there is the issue of how we finance tertiary education in Nigeria. This is an area of much controversy, which is understandable in a country such as ours. However, two things remain true.

The first is that building the kind of institutions we need and desire will require significant investments. Secondly, the current approach is neither adequate nor sustainable as it heavily depends on subventions from the federal and state governments.

Therefore, we must agree to use the instruments of policy and legislation to advance a new framework for funding tertiary education in our country.

Ideally, this new system should provide funding for all students who qualify so that the burden of school fees and living expenses can be deferred and paid over a period. It must also ensure that the institutions themselves get paid for their services so that resources are available to operate effectively.

Mr Gbajabiamila explained how the House of Representatives hopes to intervene through a legislative framework for funding tertiary education through student loans.

We will continue in that effort until we successfully design a system that suitably addresses our concerns and meets our needs. As a politician, one of the most frequent requests I receive is for funding for tertiary education of otherwise bright students who cannot further their education due to (the) lack of funds. One way this can be addressed is through a well-structured student loan policy as is seen in many countries of the world, he said.

He said the draft legislation, which he noted is titled Access to Higher Education Bill, and being personally sponsored by him, sets out to provide interest-free loans to students, saying the repayment of these loans shall commence two years after completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

He, therefore, sought the understanding and support of the public on the bill, adding that public support for any such system will depend significantly on the tertiary institutions themselves.

The lecture is one of the major activities that have been lined up to mark the universitys 52nd convocation ceremonies which kicked off last week with a press conference addressed by the vice-chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

The lecture, which was chaired by a justice of Nigerias supreme court, Amina Augie, while the chairman of the universitys governing council, Lanre Tejuosho, was among the many dignitaries that graced the occasion.
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, has said he does not see banditry ending soon in his state due to the activities of the traitors.

This is even as the governor vowed to fish out the collaborators because we know the people that are pushing them to do so.

Backstory

Zamfara State has witnessed renewed attacks in recent weeks most notably with the recent killing of over 200 persons in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of the state.

The killings drew condemnation from both President Muhammadu Buhari and the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

Bandits have for over a decade been active in the North-west region of Nigeria where banditry is the code word for organised crimes like kidnapping, cattle rustling, killing, rape, abduction and even armed robbery.

What started as a communal rivalry between farmers and herders over land use snowballed into a deadly act of terrorism with bandits shooting down an air force jet and kidnapping more than 1000 in 2021 alone.

According to an American Security Project Report (2021), 200,000 people fled their communities last year, with 77,000 of them leaving the country in search of safer places.

Attacks have continued despite efforts by security agents and vigilante members to check the bandits.

The outlaws have been killing, kidnapping, looting, burning down shops, houses and vehicles, raping women and forcing people to flee their ancestral towns.

Aside from the killing, kidnapping and displacement of innocent residents, farmers have also been forced to stay away from their farms with those who braved the odds to work on their farms losing the produce to the bandits.

Matawalle speaks

Speaking to State House reporters Monday afternoon after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Matawalle said some people have been making things difficult for the administration, a reason he said would make the fight against banditry very hard to end soon.

So, you see, with the kind of people we have in Zamfara State, I dont think this issue of banditry will end very soon. Because already some people are behind it. Some people are using it. And all they need is at least to show Nigerians that both the federal and Zamfara State governments are not serious on the issue of insecurity, despite the fact that some of them are involved in the crisis of this insecurity. But were doing our best, he said.

Speaking more on bandits collaborators, the governor said residents of some communities were beingpushed to spread lies against him.

He faulted a claim on Sunday by protesters from Nahuche in Bungudu local government area that they paid N200,000,000 to rescue their people.

He said, It is not true. As I said, they have collaborators, and we are working to fish out those collaborators and the law will take its course. Okay, the whole people of Nahuche to say they have given N200 million, how can you believe that? Your Chairman (of State House correspondents) is from Zamfara State. He is from Chafe local government area. He can testify to that.

So we know people are just saying that in order blackmail government and the security agencies. But it is not true. We know the people that are pushing them to do so, and we are going to push them out and I assure you that they will be fished out and dealt with accordingly.

While reiterating that the state and federal governments would continue to work hard to tackle the situation, Mr Matawalle said people of the state would start witnessing a change in the security situation after his discussion with the president.

You know I do initiate some actions to be taken. And if I initiate some actions, I do inform Mr President, and I have been getting support from him. So, now, I initiated another option, which I informed him that you know, some issues of security is not something that someone should be talking about on the screen of television or pages of newspapers.

But I assure the people Zamfara State that they will see changes very soon and Mr President is committed to bringing down this issue of insecurity to the barest level and I assure people that we have all it takes to fight these people, and he has motivated me and when we go back on Wednesday, the people will see changes between now and Wednesday because I know what we discussed and I know what is going to happen within this period.

So, my people would be happy with the action that the federal government is going to take on the issue of insecurity very soon, inshallah.
the story of our failure as a country is this infatuation with ideas that we have tested time and again, but which continue to fail us. Unfortunately, we are witnesses to the same ideas tested and successfully dropped (China after 1979 is the poster child for this transition). The prevalence of this ideological narcolepsy is the main reason why I will not be contesting any election in this country.

It is official. Unlike a good number of my compatriots, I will not be contesting the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the general elections scheduled for next year. This is not because I am not qualified to contest. Beyond the constitutional requirements for throwing ones hat in that mix, there is really no consensus on what our ideal president should look, feel, or sound like. On this side of the conversation, I am probably in breach of softer, non-regulatory criteria. For example, did God reveal himself to me on this matter? No. I fear the burden of blasphemy too much to claim otherwise. Did my people call me? Unlikely. Even if they (whomsoever they are) recognise me as belonging to them, I doubt that they are acquainted with my address.

Nor is my decision not to run a consequence of my not being smart enough. Grey matter never was a requirement for being president of Nigeria. This has nothing to do with the quality of persons who have recently occupied that office. Indeed, I recall even now with nausea the response, several years ago, of a candidate for that office to a question on how he would manage the economy. The would-be president clearly hadnt a clue about what the main issues with the economy were. And he squared the circle by promising, once in office, to employ the best economists to advise him on the matter.

His plaudits (it was a live telecast, and they were many) evidently were not familiar with the long running joke about the profession of economics. They were not aware, in other words, that If you were to ask two economists for an opinion, youd get three responses. And since just about every aspect of the Nigerian economy is not working, any one who makes it to that office next year would have a lot of questions to respond to. What sectors of the economy to reform (and by how much) in order to attract foreign direct investment? How much such inflows are required to boost domestic productivity? By how much would we need to grow productivity if we are to dent unemployment? Etc. My disgust, then, was because I felt that a candidate for office of president with no sense of where the economy ought to be, the direction in which it should be headed, and the pace at which it should be going, would waste advice, no matter how rich his team on the economy is.

Along with reforming revenue sources, we must also fix government spending. Would that involve moving monies away from subsidies on the nairas exchange rate, the pump-gate price of fuel, cost of money, etc. and towards improved spending on health and education? Without any doubt. Can we afford to continue to play fast and loose with property rights, while still expecting inward foreign investment? I dont think so.

Largely, though, I will not be contesting for the office of president next year, because I do not believe in a lot of the tosh that large sections of our echo chambers (and hence the Nigerian electorate) currently revel in. I still think there is much to be said in favour of the Washington Consensus. Increasingly, I am told that the local vote might be in favour of the Buenos Aires Consensus. Whatever the latter entails, I am so still in favour of governments at all levels maintaining fiscal discipline. No matter how well-intended our politicians are, we must deal with the question of improving government revenue. And we wont get traction on this without fixing our tax arrangements.

Along with reforming revenue sources, we must also fix government spending. Would that involve moving monies away from subsidies on the nairas exchange rate, the pump-gate price of fuel, cost of money, etc. and towards improved spending on health and education? Without any doubt. Can we afford to continue to play fast and loose with property rights, while still expecting inward foreign investment? I dont think so. Without removing impediments to the entry and exit of suppliers (local or otherwise) in the respective sectors of our domestic markets, we can only continue to pretend to privatise state-owned companies. Nor can we continue to erect monopolies around private businesses and still think that we can take advantage of liberalised trade agreements.

In fact, in our current environment, it would be hard to glean much advantage from pursuing a competitive exchange rate regime. And where did we learn that the solution to a large, uneducated, young population is to return to rain-fed subsistence farming? The whole point of redirecting public expenditure toward improved health and education outcomes, while structuring the domestic economy in support of private supply responses is to hasten the transition from an agrarian to an industrial base in record time. Nor do I believe that out there are some interests in the developed economies hell bent on holding Nigeria down. And that the most appropriate response to this conspiracy against us is to trial home-grown responses to our economic challenges.

one could argue that the main problem with politics and economics in Nigeria  of course, this ignores prebendal motives and the instincts in favour of primitive accumulation  is that despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and Chinas late 1970s pivot from Maoism, large swathes of the country remain on the left.

In this sense, one could argue that the main problem with politics and economics in Nigeria  of course, this ignores prebendal motives and the instincts in favour of primitive accumulation  is that despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and Chinas late 1970s pivot from Maoism, large swathes of the country remain on the left. Still, this would be but a partial description of our main constraint. Of far more import is the hoary incoherence of the body of opinions that have consistently masqueraded as anti-capitalist in this country.

Because of these, weve been down these paths innumerable times. And the story of our failure as a country is this infatuation with ideas that we have tested time and again, but which continue to fail us. Unfortunately, we are witnesses to the same ideas tested and successfully dropped (China after 1979 is the poster child for this transition). The prevalence of this ideological narcolepsy is the main reason why I will not be contesting any election in this country.

Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State on Monday announced the arrest of three men with a truckload of suspected psychotropic substances valued at millions of naira.

Buba Wakawa, the state commander of the agency, disclosed this in Benin during a media briefing.

Mr Wakawa said the arrest was made last Friday at Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

He said the truck loaded in Onitsha, Anambra State, was headed to Kebbi, before it was intercepted by personnel of the agency.

The commander said the substances comprising 394,480 capsules and 3,000 tablets weighed 441.027 Kilogrammes.

He said the substances included tramadol weighing 83.707 kilogrammes; 647,500 tablets of Exol-5 weighing 203.315 kilogrammes and 12,500 tablets of diazepam weighing 2.05 kilogrammes.

Also in the truck were 1,500 tablets of suspected bromazepam, weighing 0.45 kilogrammes; and 999 bottles of suspected codeine-based syrup, weighing 134.865 kilogrammes.

The state commander further said 4,000 ampoules of suspected pentazocine injection weighing 16.64 kilogrammes were also found in the truck.

Mr Wakawa noted that the seizure was one of the biggest made on psychotropic substances in the history of the command.

He stressed that the agency was concerned about the effect of the substances on the health of their consumers.

I have always said that there is a strong correlation between drug abuse and crimes.

We are very worried about the destination of these substances seized, because of insecurity in the country, particularly banditry in the North-west.

Here you have these substances going to Kebbi State, one of the states engulfed by banditry.

You can imagine what will happen when these substances get there and are consumed per adventure by bandits, he said.

He appealed to the media to join hands with the agency in the campaign against drug abuse, adding that collectively the tide could be stemmed.

(NAN)
Masked gunmen suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Monday, attacked Obollo-Afor town in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigerias South-east, and dispersed residents who opened their shops for business.

The Nation newspaper reported that the gunmen, who came into the commercial town on motorcycles, destroyed a Sienna vehicle belonging to a vigilante group, the Udenu Central Neighbourhood Watch.

The vigilantes, too, ran away on sighting the gunmen.

The gunmen set ablaze a tricycle after discharging its passengers and pushing away the owner, the paper said.

They had guns, knives and whips with which they dispersed people. They didnt shoot at anybody.

Their faces were covered. I am still shaking from the shock. I thought they would attack me since my shop was open at the time they passed.

Later on, I heard they were beating some people and asking others to go back home, the paper quoted a panic-stricken trader as saying.

Normalcy was said to have returned to the community after a team of soldiers, mounting a checkpoint along the road, arrived in the town.

In a related development, gunmen were said to have attacked two people in Amauke and Ogrute communities in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local government Area, Enugu State.

A resident of the area, Emeka Peter told PREMIUM TIMES the gunmen snatched a motorcycle from an unidentified cyclist at Amauke and broke the head of a resident at Ogrute in the community.

Mr Peter said the villagers believe the same group carried out the separate attacks.

They collected somebodys bike in Amauke; in Ogrute, they broke somebodys head there. It was an attack. So, they broke the guys head. They were armed with guns, he said.

In Enugu metropolis, residents shunned the streets. Major markets did not open for business in compliance with the Monday sit-at-home.

However, there was no report of shooting or attack by gunmen as of the time of filing this report.

IPOB had suspended the Monday sit-at-home order across the South-east in September, in preference to locking down the region any day the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu appears in court for his trial for alleged treason.

Despite the suspension, the Monday sit-at-home order has continued to be obeyed by residents in the region, mostly out of fear.

IPOB has been linked to deadly attacks in the South-east and the South-south.
Plattsburgh, NY (12901)

Today

Rain. Low near 50F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain. Low near 50F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
A courier arranges parcels to be delivered to residents at a residential compound in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 16, 2022. Beijing reported one new locally-transmitted COVID-19 case Saturday, local health authority said. The community where the comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows the view of a residential compound under close-off management in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China. Beijing reported one new locally-transmitted COVID-19 case Saturday, local health authority said. The community where the comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Community workers checks information of residents at a residential compound in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 16, 2022. Beijing reported one new locally-transmitted COVID-19 case Saturday, local health authority said. The community where the comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

A staff member disinfects parcels to be delivered to residents at a residential area in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 16, 2022. Beijing reported one new locally-transmitted COVID-19 case Saturday, local health authority said. The community where the comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

A community worker delivers daily necessities ordered by residents at a residential compound in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 16, 2022. Beijing reported one new locally-transmitted COVID-19 case Saturday, local health authority said. The community where the comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
- Increasing entry of domestic and foreign oil & gas companies to tap into the vast oil & gas reserves in Malaysia underscores growth of the chemical and petrochemical market in the country

- Rapid industrialization and urbanization that depend on capital-intensive and export-oriented industries funded by foreign capital and supported by subsidies favorable to the growth of chemical and petrochemical market in Malaysia

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysts at TMR estimate the Malaysia chemical and petrochemical market to expand at a CAGR of 4.2% for the forecast period from 2021 to 2025. The incessant demand for chemicals and petrochemicals in several end-use industries such as food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, and automotive propels the Malaysia chemical and petrochemical market.

The vast oil & gas reserves in Malaysia account for a significant revenue to the chemical and petrochemical market in the country. This is attracting new companies to establish refinery facilities that would produce a range of chemical and petrochemical products. New players are entering into partnerships with large petroleum companies in the country to gain from their foothold in the chemical and petrochemical market in Malaysia.

Moreover, chemicals and petrochemicals are an integral part of the chemical industry due to their substantial use in the manufacture of synthetic materials.

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse impact on the Malaysia chemical and petrochemical market. An estimated 5% to 15% decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) has compelled stakeholders to focus on positive or limited negative impact industries. Furthermore, companies are undertaking initiatives to redesign their workflow processes at manufacturing plants to lessen the challenges of the pandemic. This is anticipated to revive growth of the chemical and petrochemical market in Malaysia.

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Malaysia Chemical and Petrochemical Market  Key Findings of Report

Dependence on capital-intensive and export-oriented industries for the undergoing rapid economic development in Malaysia boosts the chemical and petrochemical market in the country

boosts the chemical and petrochemical market in the country Proposition of the Government of Malaysia to position the country as the main oil & gas hub in Asia Pacific over the next few years to garner extensive revenues for the chemical and petrochemical market

to position the country as the main oil & gas hub in over the next few years to garner extensive revenues for the chemical and petrochemical market Demand for petrochemicals from the chemical industry that contributes substantial revenue to the economy of Malaysia spells growth in the chemical and petrochemical market of the country

spells growth in the chemical and petrochemical market of the country Incessant demand for petrochemicals from various industries, including consumer goods, energy, automotive, and healthcare spurs growth curve of the Malaysia chemical and petrochemical market

chemical and petrochemical market Refining product segment held the leading share of the chemical and petrochemical market in Malaysia in 2020

in 2020 Companies in the Malaysia chemical and petrochemical market seek to diversify production into biofuels and natural gas in a bid to shift to cleaner fuels for the rising demand for diesel in the manufacture of construction equipment

chemical and petrochemical market seek to diversify production into biofuels and natural gas in a bid to shift to cleaner fuels for the rising demand for diesel in the manufacture of construction equipment Palm oil emerges as a feasible feedstock in the production of 1,3-propanediol and bio-lubricants. Availability of palm oil in abundance in Malaysia is favorable for the development of bio-based chemicals and thus benefit the chemical and petrochemical market.

is favorable for the development of bio-based chemicals and thus benefit the chemical and petrochemical market. Demand curve of the Malaysia chemical and petrochemical market gains from rising use of petrochemical polymers

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Malaysia Chemical and Petrochemical Market  Growth Drivers

Large oil & gas reserves in Malaysia to derive petrochemicals such as propylene, ethylene, and benzene that are exported to different parts of the world drives the chemical and petrochemical market in Malaysia

to derive petrochemicals such as propylene, ethylene, and benzene that are exported to different parts of the world drives the chemical and petrochemical market in Substantial contribution of the chemical industry to the economy of Malaysia fuels the growth of Malaysia chemical and petrochemical market

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Malaysia Chemical and Petrochemical Market  Key Players

Petronas

Malaysia Hengyuan International Ltd

Vito

Petron

BASF Malaysia

Suka Chemicals

ConocoPhilip

Kemaman Bitumen Company

Pengerang Energy

San Miguel

Eastman Malaysia

Mapei Malaysia

The Malaysia chemical and petrochemical market is segmented as follows;

Malaysia Chemical and Petrochemical Market, by Product

Refining Products

Crude Oil



Gasoline



Diesel



Kerosene



Marine Oil



Asphalt



LPG



Propane



Butane



Sulfur



Sulfuric Acid

Chemical Products

Benzene



Styrene



HDPE



LLDPE



PP



Butene-1



Butadiene



MTBE



PO



Acetic Acid



Methanol



EVA

Coal

Coal Chemicals

Methane



Carbon Monoxide



Hydrogen



Ammonia



Hydrogen Sulfide



Others

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Surge in construction activities across various regions such as Europe & Asia-Pacific and rise in demand for high appealing designs for buildings drive the growth of the global exterior wall systems market

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Exterior Wall Systems Market by Material (Glass and Fiberglass, Metal, Ceramic, Cement and Others), End User (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), and Type (Ventilated, Non-Ventilated, and Curtain Wall): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report, the global exterior wall systems industry was estimated at $125.86 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to hit $221.97 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.6% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities-

Surge in construction activities across various regions such as Europe & Asia-Pacific and rise in demand for high appealing designs for buildings drive the growth of the global exterior wall systems market. On the other hand, high cost of production, initial capital investment, and escalating prices of raw materials restrain the growth to some extent. However, rise in construction of green buildings is anticipated to create lucrative opportunities in the industry.

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COVID-19 scenario-

The outbreak of the pandemic led to either delays or postponements of construction activities across the world, which in turn impacted the global exterior wall systems market negatively, especially during the initial phase.

However, as the global situation gets better, the market is projected to revive soon.

The glass and fiberglass segment to dominate by 2030-

Based on material, the glass and fiberglass segment accounted for more than two-fifths of the global exterior wall systems market share in 2020, and is anticipated to rule the roost by 2030. This is due to the benefits associated with composite materials such as high durability, chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, design flexibility, and high performance at elevated temperatures. The metal segment, however, would cite the fastest CAGR of 6.3% throughout the forecast period.

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The curtain wall segment to maintain the dominant share-

Based on type, the curtail wall segment held more than two-fifths of the global exterior wall systems market revenue in 2020, and is expected to lead the trail by 2030. This is again attributed to the benefits associated with curtain wall systems products such as aesthetic look, robust architecture solutions, and lightweight. The same segment would also manifest the fastest CAGR of 6.1% from 2020 to 2030.

Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, garnered the major share in 2020-

Based on region, Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the major share in 2020, generating nearly half of the global exterior wall systems market. At the same time, the market across LAMEA would grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.7% by 2030.

Key players in the industry-

SCG

Alcoa Corporation

AGC Inc.

Cornerstone Building Brands

Louisiana Pacific Corporation

Schweiter Technologies AG

Nichiha Corporation

Etex Group

CRH

CSR LTD.

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Founded more than 20 years ago, MECCA has redefined the Australian and New Zealand beauty landscape, offering from around 200 brands including signature lines MECCA Cosmetica and MECCA MAX. The products on offer include cosmetics, skin care, hair care, fragrance and body care, as well as accessories, both in-store and online in Australia and New Zealand, and via their TMALL store in China.

With rapid growth in the beauty and wellness market, constantly changing consumer trends and the expansion of product portfolios, MECCA saw a need to enhance and improve automation for existing processes involving compliance and traceability. Seeking a solution with an integrated quality management system to streamline processes and centralize ingredient, product claims and certification data in a secure environment, MECCA chose to implement Centric PLM for Cosmetics and Personal Care.

"We're operating in such a high pace environment that it's important we can rely on our back-end systems, like Centric PLM, to help set our business up to meet our customers' needs today and well into the future. Centric PLM will provide us with a comprehensive end-to-end solution to help us handle large volumes of product launches, while making sure we meet strict compliance regulations," said David Cumberland, Head of Finance at MECCA.

With Centric PLM, MECCA aims to streamline regulatory compliance for products and their raw materials, systematize processes around labelling and the verification of product claims, and automate the collation and storage of certifications.

"We are very happy to welcome MECCA on board," says Chris Groves, President and CEO of Centric Software. "MECCA recognizes the strength of Centric's single, actionable source of truth approach, particularly for managing compliance, and we are looking forward to working with MECCA to expand the scope of PLM across their business in the long-term." Read the full press release.

Learn more about Centric Cosmetics and Personal Care PLM

Request a Demo

Media Contacts:

EMEA: Kristen Salaun-Batby, ksalaun-batby@centricsoftware.com

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Rise in prevalence of oral cancer and surge in government expenditure on healthcare drive the growth of the global oral cancer treatment market

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Oral Cancer Treatment Market by Treatment (Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, and Targeted Therapy), Age Group (30-49, 50-69 and 70<), and End User (Hospital Pharmacies, Drug Stores & Retail Pharmacies, and Online Store): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report, the global oral cancer treatment market was valued at $1.71 billion 2020, and is expected to reach $2.72 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2030.

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Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Rise in prevalence of oral cancer and surge in government expenditure on healthcare drive the growth of the global oral cancer treatment market. However, adverse effects regarding usage of cancer drugs hinder the market growth. On the other hand, rise in number of pipeline drugs and untapped potential in emerging countries create new opportunities in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

Dentists play a crucial role in detection of oral cancer through screening of oral cavities. The closure of dental clinics during the lockdown led to reduced detection activities, which in turn, impacted the treatment measures.

There has been postponement of elective surgeries during the pandemic to prevent cross-contamination. Surgeries were conducted only for malignant or potentially malignant lesions only. Else, surgeries were postponed.

The chemotherapy segment to continue its leadership status during the forecast period

Based on drug type, the chemotherapy segment accounted for the highest share in 2020, contributing to around two-thirds of the global oral cancer treatment market, and is estimated to continue its leadership status during the forecast period. This type of treatment is provided every day for the course of six weeks according to the size of the cancer and its spread. This results in the highest revenue generation. However, the targeted therapy segment is expected to witness the largest CAGR of 5.5% from 2021 to 2030.

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The hospital pharmacies segment to continue its dominance during the forecast period

Based on end user, the hospital pharmacies segment held the highest share in 2020, accounting for more than half of the global oral cancer treatment market, and is projected to continue its dominance in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2030. As patients are admitted to hospitals for chemotherapy and other treatments, it becomes easier for them to get the medicines prescribed from hospital pharmacies as compared to other stores. This leads to the highest revenue generation. The research also analyzes the segments including drug stores & retail pharmacies and online stores.

North America to maintain its lead position by 2030

Based on region, North America contributed to the highest market share in 2020, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global oral cancer treatment market, and is expected to maintain its lead position by 2030. This is due to rise in healthcare investments and prevalence of oral cancer in the region. However, LAMEA is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period.

Leading market players

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Cipla Inc.

Eli-Lilly

F. Hoffmann-La Roche

Fresenius Kabi AG

Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Merck & Co., Inc.

Sanofi

Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.

Viatris Inc.

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"We have also published few syndicated market studies in the similar area that might be of your interest. Below are the report title for your reference, considering Impact of Covid-19 Over This Market which will help you to assess aftereffects of pandemic on short-term and long-term growth trends of this market."

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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PARIS, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After its first acquisition in 2021 in the Dutch market, the SOCOTEC Group, a trusted third party and a leading company in building and infrastructure risk management, announces the acquisition of Inpijn Blokpoel, a major player in the Dutch ground investigation and geotechnical market.

With the acquisition of Inpijn Blokpoel Engineers, SOCOTEC is strengthening its position as a key player in the Dutch construction and infrastructure TIC market and is expanding its service portfolio to better serve its customers. The ambition of the group is to become the leading company in testing, inspection and certification services in the construction and infrastructure sectors, alongside the lifecycle of any built environment.

Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Son, close to Eindhoven, Inpijn Blokpoel Engineers, employs more than 100 people and has a turnover of over 12 million euros. With three main locations around the country (Son, Waddinxveen and Groningen), it is a key player in geotechnics, geophysics and environmental services, some of the core services of the SOCOTEC Group whose global ambition is to meet the growing challenges of environmental, energy, regulatory and digital transitions in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Inpijn Blokpoel Engineers is a specialist in the field of geotechnical and environmental consultancy services using the most modern ground investigation equipment and a cutting-edge laboratory. Consultancy services are provided in the areas of building foundations, construction pits, drainage, wind turbines, logistics centers, structural damage analysis, geophysics, dykes etc. During construction phase, full geotechnical supervision and monitoring can be supplied. Inpijn Blokpoel's clients are contractors, property developers, structural engineers, large engineering companies but also private individuals and of course most Dutch water boards, given its specific know-how in the field of dykes.

Inpijn Blokpoel Engineers' core expertise in geotechnics is highly complementary to Hanselman Group acquired by the SOCOTEC Group last August 2021, as the company offers technical expertise for claim management, construction site nuisances management and monitoring services as well as technical inspection in the real estate market.

Herve Montjotin, CEO of the SOCOTEC Group, says: "We are thrilled to have Inpijn Blokpoel as part of our group. Inpijn Blokpoel's brand reputation in the Netherlands and entrepreneurial culture fit extremely well with our organisation and internationalisation strategy. Also, Inpijn Blokpoel broadens our service offering following the acquisition of Hanselman Group. Even if they will remain independent, both companies will be much stronger together and will support the development of the SOCOTEC brand in Europe. With a 25.0m of combined turnover in the Netherlands, SOCOTEC is now a key player in the country and the only one able to offer such a range of services to the Dutch construction and infrastructure markets. Finally, Inpijn Blokpoel complements our existing network of pan-European experts in geotechnics and monitoring across France, the UK, Germany and Italy, from which I expect great technical synergies as well as commercial benefits."

Erik Geurtjens, Managing Director of Inpijn Blokpoel Engineers added: "Joining the SOCOTEC Group is a great opportunity for our organisation, our people and our customers. With the support of SOCOTEC and its technical expertise, we will be in an even better position to accomplish what we have been striving for as a team, over the last 45 years: to minimise the geotechnical and environmental risks for our clients when developing projects in the construction and infrastructure sectors, always looking for the most economical and sustainable options. In the near future, we will be able to expand our market further, serving our customers throughout the entire life cycle of a project."

Press Contact : TADDEO

Nicolas Escoulan - Tel. +33 (0)6 42 19 14 74  nicolas.escoulan@taddeo.fr

ABOUT THE SOCOTEC GROUP

At the service of companies for almost 70 years, the SOCOTEC Group, chaired by Herve Montjotin, has built its reputation as a trusted third party in the fields of risk management, compliance, safety, health and environment in the Construction, Infrastructure and Industry sectors.

As a guarantor of the integrity and performance of assets as well as the safety of people, SOCOTEC develops a range of services in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) for companies in the public and private sectors for their buildings, equipment, infrastructures or constructions. SOCOTEC contributes to the optimisation of their performance by controlling the risks inherent to their activity. Its expertise enables SOCOTEC to support its clients throughout the life cycle of their projects and assets, resulting in a long-term partner position.

N1 in construction inspection in France, and a major player in TIC services in the Construction and Infrastructure sectors in Europe and the United States, the SOCOTEC group will achieve a consolidated turnover of 1bn in 2021 (50% of which was generated outside France) with 200,000 clients. With a presence in 23 countries and 9,700 employees, it has more than 250 external accreditations, enabling SOCOTEC to act as a trusted third party in many projects. In France, it has more than 150 locations throughout the country, including 32 training centers.

More information on www.socotec.com

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SOURCE SOCOTEC Group
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bascom Group, LLC ("Bascom") has acquired a two-property, 140-unit multifamily portfolio located in the Northridge neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles. The properties, NMS Northridge and NMS Superior, boast large floorplans consisting of mostly two- and three-bedrooms with each unit receiving a private 2-car garage or two spaces of structured parking. The properties are centrally-located within the San Fernando Valley and sit adjacent to California State University  Northridge ("CSUN"). CSUN has an enrollment of 38,000 students and provides significant resident demand. Bascom purchased the 140-unit property for $52,500,000, or $375,000 per unit. Brightspire Capital (fka Colony Capital) provided the debt financing for the acquisition and was arranged by Mark Strauss and Rob Quarton of Walker Dunlop Capital Markets. Apartment Management Consultants (AMC) will provide property management services.

NMS Northridge - Superior

Bascom Sr. Principal, Chad Sanderson, states, "NMS Northridge and NMS Superior represent compelling acquisitions in a high-barrier-to-entry market. Market occupancies have been exceptionally high over the last decade and only a limited amount of new supply is currently under construction. Despite the pandemic-related challenges for many universities and the communities serving them over the past two years, we believe the Northridge submarket will see strong fundamental growth over the next several years driven by limited new housing supply and continued population growth."

The properties are located adjacent to California State University  Northridge, a 38,000-student university within California State University system. Although the properties' residents are not all students or university affiliates, the properties' proximity to the university provides consistent demand from a highly educated resident base of students, faculty, and other university affiliates and non-affiliates. Bascom's Senior Vice President of Operations, Julie Schoenbachler, adds, "The properties are just a short walk across the street from the CSUN student recreation center, which will be an incredible complement to our planned amenity upgrades on the properties. Other property upgrades will include unit interior renovations and a rebrand to appeal to a younger, tech-savvy resident base."

Joe Ferguson, Acquisitions Manager for Bascom, states, "We are excited to kick off the new year with the acquisition of NMS Northridge and NMS Superior. The properties' large floorplans and collegial neighborhood provide residents a unique community experience complete with an abundance of amenities and services serving the Northridge submarket and CSUN community. The properties have been very well-maintained and stand to benefit from a targeted renovation program, including washer dryer additions to most units, as well as the implementation of institutional property management."

The Bascom Group has been one of the most active apartment buyers in Southern California since its inception in 1996, partnering with institutional and private capital. To date, Bascom has acquired 95 multifamily properties and 15,808 units in Southern California, with 39 of those properties and 5,952 units located in Los Angeles County. Over the past year, Bascom has completed over $1.85 billion in multifamily transactions.

About Bascom: Bascom is a private equity firm specializing in value-added multifamily, commercial, and non-performing loans and real estate related investments and operating companies. Bascom sources value-added and distressed properties including many through foreclosure, bankruptcy, or short sales and repositions them by adding extensive capital improvements, improving revenue, and reducing expenses by realizing operational efficiencies through implementation of institutional-quality property management. Bascom, founded by principals Jerry Fink, David Kim, and Derek Chen, is one of the most active and seasoned buyers and operators of apartment communities in the U.S. Since 1996, Bascom has completed over $20.5 billion in multifamily value-added transactions encompassing 349 multifamily properties and over 90,000 units. Bascom has ranked among the top 50 multifamily owners in the U.S. Bascom's subsidiaries and joint ventures include the Bascom Value Added Apartment Investors, Shubin Nadal Associates, Spirit Bascom Ventures, REDA Bascom Ventures, Bascom Northwest Ventures, Bascom Arizona Ventures, Harbor Associates, Village Partners Ventures, and Realm Group. Bascom's subsidiaries also include Premier Workspaces, one of the largest privately held executive suite, coworking and shared workspace companies in the U.S. For additional information, please visit www.bascomgroup.com.

Contact: Chad Sanderson or Joe Ferguson

Tel: 949-955-0888 ext. 123 and 120

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE The Bascom Group
Effective December 31, 2021, Celgard and Farasis entered into an agreement that settles the U.S. patent infringement litigation and the global disputes between the two companies. In the agreement, Celgard will supply product to Farasis and Farasis agreed to assist Celgard in the protection of its patents and trade secrets. The other terms of the settlement are confidential.

Celgard to supply product to Farasis and Farasis agreed to assist Celgard protect its patents and trade secrets.

In the public NDCA litigation filings on January 7, 2022:

Celgard voluntarily dismissed all claims against the Farasis defendants asserted in its Fourth Amended Complaint in the NDCA patent case. The Farasis defendants voluntarily dismissed all counterclaims against Celgard asserted in their Answer to The Fourth Amended Complaint and Counterclaim. Celgard filed a Fifth Amended Complaint that added Senior-China back in as a defendant in Celgard's '520 and '867 patent case and moved the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (WDNC) trade secret case back to the NDCA court.

Celgard also alleges brazen theft of Celgard's trade secrets, proprietary information, and confidential information by defendants Senior-China, Senior-California, Sun Town, Global Venture, and Dr. Steven Zhang (the "Trade Secret Defendants")  which includes a competitor and an ex-employee who changed his name to conceal the Trade Secret Defendants' unlawful conduct  and who Celgard believes conspired together to hijack Celgard's confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information, copy Celgard's products, and take business from Celgard. This lawsuit also concerns defendant Dr. Steven Zhang's breach of his nondisclosure agreement with Celgard, and Senior's inducement of that breach.

Celgard has active cases in both the UK and U.S. against Senior-China and/or one or more of its subsidiaries or related companies. Celgard intends to fully pursue its trade secret case against Senior in the UK and in the U.S.

The UK Court of Appeal win ( See Release ), the UK High Court interim injunction ( See Release ), and the successful outcome of the Targray ( See Release ), MTI ( See Release ) and Farasis cases further solidifies the integrity of Celgard's intellectual property (IP) regarding coated and uncoated separators for lithium-ion batteries. Celgard will continue to prevent the unfair exploitation of its technology and IP to safeguard its assets and customers.

About Celgard and Polypore

Celgard specializes in coated and uncoated dry-process microporous membranes used as separators that are a major component of lithium-ion batteries. Celgard's battery separator technology is important to the performance of lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles, energy storage systems and other applications.

Celgard, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polypore International, LP, an Asahi Kasei Company.

Polypore is a global company with facilities in nine countries specializing in microporous membranes used in electric and nonelectric vehicles, energy storage systems and specialty applications. Visit www.celgard.com and www.polypore.com.

###

SOURCE Polypore International, LP
ASHBURN, Va., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CIS Secure, the world leader in secure collaboration solutions, today announced the industry's first TSG-certified Video Telepresence Conferencing (VTC) platform, based on Cisco's Webex DX80. The CIS Secure DX80 is a highly versatile, all-in-one desktop collaboration endpoint featuring HD video, unified communications and a 23" display for a laptop or desktop with content sharing capabilities.

CIS Secure is the first company to receive approval from the National Telecommunications Security Working Group (NTSWG) for the DX80, validating compliance with the Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) 5000 Annex K providing guidance on VTC security. The TSG-compliant modifications to the DX80 provide the additional audio and video security measures to protect sensitive communications. In addition to the DX80's TSG-certification, it has also been engineered to protect against electromagnetic emissions providing a robust security platform for securing the communications channel.

"Video is a key part of the modern communications environment and the DX80 seamlessly blends it into an intuitive, always-on, multi-faceted desktop platform that allows for secure collaboration." said William Hargreaves, Chief Technology Officer of CIS Secure. "As a TSG-certified device, the DX80 offers our clients the confidence to leverage the full range of collaborative capabilities from a secure endpoint. CIS Secure understands how to deploy a wide range of integrated security solutions, from mobile phones to laptops to collaboration devices, and CIS Secure's DX80 reflects the company's skill in design, innovation and technical performance. The DX80 is part of CIS Secure's strategic approach to expanding our portfolio with a focus on secure collaboration solutions."

CIS Secure enables civilian and defense clients to collaborate by securing the mission and the DX80 is part of an enhanced, growing secure collaboration portfolio. The DX80 registers to Cisco VCS and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based call controls, Cisco Unified Communications Manager, the Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) and to Cisco Webex. The DX80 is designed for use in secure, indoor office environments. Click here for additional information.

About CIS Secure

CIS is the world's leading provider of secure communications and computing solutions for government and commercial customers. CIS designs and manufactures a wide range of products and IT equipment to support stringent government security requirements. Our customers include organizations and communities throughout global defense, intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security whose missions depend heavily on their ability to communicate and securely exchange information while operating in challenging physical environments.

CIS Secure is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer, and CIS Labs is an NSA Certified TEMPEST Manufacturer and Test facility. For additional information, visit our website: https://www.cissecure.com/.

SOURCE CIS Secure Computing, Inc.
China's outstanding yuan funds for forex rise in December

Xinhua) 19:07, January 17, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's outstanding yuan funds for foreign exchange expanded month on month at the end of December 2021, the central bank data showed on Monday.

The funds stood at nearly 21.29 trillion yuan (about 3.35 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of December, up 25.78 billion yuan from the previous month, according to the People's Bank of China.

The outstanding yuan funds increased by 155.91 billion yuan for the whole of 2021, the data showed.

As the Chinese yuan is not freely convertible under the capital account, the central bank has to purchase foreign currency generated by a trade surplus and foreign investment in the country, adding funds to the money market. Such funds are an important indicator of cross-border foreign capital flows and domestic yuan liquidity.

China's forex holdings amounted to 3.2502 trillion U.S. dollars at the end of December, up 27.78 billion dollars, or 0.86 percent from a month earlier, according to data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
Security members work at the site of a suicide car bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Jan. 16, 2022. A Somali government spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu was injured in the suicide car bombing here on Sunday, said a police source. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)

MOGADISHU, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Somali government spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu was injured in a suicide car bombing in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Sunday, said a police source.

Police spokesman Abdifitah Aden said that a suicide bomber blew himself up at Moalimu's vehicle at a busy Dabka intersection in Mogadishu.

"The government spokesman is currently hospitalized in Mogadishu," Aden told journalists and promised to provide more details once the ongoing investigations are completed.

Witnesses said the former journalist escaped with slight injuries and is out of danger.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack in the restive city but the militant group, al-Shabab, frequently stages such attacks in the capital and elsewhere in Somalia. 

People gather at the site of a suicide car bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Jan. 16, 2022. A Somali government spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu was injured in the suicide car bombing here on Sunday, said a police source. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Getinge appoints Patricia Fitch as President North America Region. Patricia succeeds Eric Honroth who has been appointed President Life Science at Getinge.

Patricia Fitch joined Getinge in March 2021 as Vice President US Sales covering the Acute Care Therapies division. Patricia has more than 30 years of medical device experience, having held leadership roles in sales, marketing and operations with multi-national corporations such as Johnson & Johnson, Abiomed, St. Jude Medical and 3M.

Eric Honroth has been appointed President Life Science and member of the Getinge Executive team. Eric joined Getinge 2018 and will succeed Harald Castler, who after a long and successful career in Getinge has decided to retire.

All changes are effective as of April 1, 2022.

Media contact

Anna Appelqvist, VP Corporate Communications

Phone: +46 734 244 527

Email: [email protected]

About Getinge

With a firm belief that every person and community should have access to the best possible care, Getinge provides hospitals and life science institutions with products and solutions aiming to improve clinical results and optimize workflows. The offering includes products and solutions for intensive care, cardiovascular procedures, operating rooms, sterile reprocessing and life science. Getinge employs over 10,000 people worldwide and the products are sold in more than 135 countries.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/getinge/r/getinge-appoints-patricia-fitch-as-president-north-america-region,c3487396

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/942/3487396/1521281.pdf Getinge appoints Patricia Fitch as President North America Region https://news.cision.com/getinge/i/patricia-fitch,c3000666 Patricia Fitch

SOURCE Cision AB
LONDON, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma), the multinational pharmaceutical company, today announces that it has agreed to acquire the Canadian assets of Teligent Inc. (Teligent) for $45.75 million. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2022.

The acquisition marks Hikma's expansion into Canada and includes a portfolio of 25 sterile injectable products, three in-licenced ophthalmic products and a pipeline of seven additional products, four of which are approved by Health Canada.

Riad Mishlawi, President of Hikma Injectables, commented, "This acquisition further expands our portfolio of essential sterile injectable medicines and gives Hikma an entry into the highly attractive Canadian injectables market. The combination of our sales and marketing expertise and this portfolio of exciting products will enable us to expand our North American business and develop a solid position in this important market."

In October 2021, Teligent filed for voluntary protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. As part of this process, Teligent initiated a sale of its core assets, following which Hikma has agreed to acquire Teligent's Canadian assets.

Enquiries:





Hikma (Investors):

Susan Ringdal EVP, Strategic Planning and Global Affairs +44 (0)20 7399 2760/ +44 (0)7776 477050 Guy Featherstone Senior Investor Relations Manager +44 (0)20 3892 4389/ +44 (0)7795 896738 Layan Kalisse Investor Relations Analyst +44 (0)20 7399 2788/ +44 (0)7970 709912



Teneo (Press):

Charles Armitstead +44 (0)7703 330 269



US Media

Steven Weiss/David Belian +1 732 788 8279/ +1 848 254 4875

About Hikma

(LSE: HIK) (NASDAQ Dubai: HIK) (OTC: HKMPY) (rated BBB-/stable S&P and BBB-/stable Fitch) Hikma helps put better health within reach every day for millions of people around the world. For more than 40 years, we've been creating high-quality medicines and making them accessible to the people who need them. Headquartered in the UK, we are a global company with a local presence across the United States (US), the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Europe, and we use our unique insight and expertise to transform cutting-edge science into innovative solutions that transform people's lives. We're committed to our customers, and the people they care for, and by thinking creatively and acting practically, we provide them with a broad range of branded and non-branded generic medicines. Together, our 8,600 colleagues are helping to shape a healthier world that enriches all our communities. We are a leading licensing partner, and through our venture capital arm, are helping bring innovative health technologies to people around the world. For more information, please visit: www.hikma.com

SOURCE Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a nationwide organization that advances MLK's dream of equality through life-changing programs, resources and mentorship, and serving 54% young people of color. With the help of highly trained and innovative staff and trusted partners, the organization can offer consistent and quality programming that gives access to different experiences and opportunities, enabling and empowering young people to reach their full potential.

Chief Executive Officer for NMG, Geoffroy van Raemdonck, says, "NMG is a very proud and storied partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I am so thankful to our loyal customers and associates who have helped us get to our $1 million mark, and am proud to help share with them the work and mission of the Boys & Girls Club of America. On behalf of the Company, we are thrilled to be able to offer funds that provide crucial resources to young people all over the country. To be able to contribute and help enrich young lives in a significant way is a cherished milestone for us as an organization."

NMG has also ignited the spirit of giving back throughout the holiday season into MLK Weekend, raising funds through a combination of grants and point-of-sale fundraising, like NMG's annual Holiday Giving campaign, and store associates supporting local Boys & Girls Clubs by participating in toy drives and gift donations. Chief People Officer of Neiman Marcus Group, Eric Severson, was able to celebrate reaching our $1 million donation amount with a check presentation on behalf of The Company to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Neiman Marcus Group is proud to be able to partner with the non-profit, which is one of the Company's largest grant recipients that receives funds from NMG's corporate donations, point-of-sale fundraising, and cause-marketing efforts. NMG is thrilled to be able to contribute this amount, which equates to 1,000,000 healthy after-school snacks or 100,000 hours of homework help for Clubs in NMG communities across the country.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of America believes that every young person deserves a safe place where they feel like they belong," said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We are honored to celebrate this milestone in our partnership with Neiman Marcus and look forward to continued success in helping youth to achieve great futures."

Neiman Marcus Group has also partnered with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to be a presenting sponsor for the performance of Lyric of Strings, written by George Walker, the first African American composer to win the Pulitzer Price for Music. The Company sponsored tickets for representatives of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, who attended the concert over the weekend.

NMG plans to expand the success of point-of-sale fundraising with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and other non-profits. The Company will continue to lead with love in all current and future partnerships by cultivating a culture of belonging and supporting causes that are close to the Company's and its customers' hearts.

ABOUT THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, LLC

Neiman Marcus Group is a relationship business that leads with love in everything we do. Our culture of Belonging guides our roadmap for Revolutionizing Luxury Experiences. With the world's most desirable brand partners, we're delivering exceptional products and intelligent services, enabled by our investments in data and technology. Through the expertise of our 9,000+ associates, we deliver and scale a personalized luxury experience across in-store, eCommerce, and remote selling. Our NMG|Way culture, powered by our people, combines individual talents into a collective strength to make life extraordinary. Our brands include Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus Last Call, and Horchow.

SOURCE Neiman Marcus Holding Company, Inc.
Tony Chachere's easy and convenient mixes give people who love the robust flavors of Tony's seasonings that satisfying warm and hearty taste in their chili, perfect for a chilly winter evening, a weekend tailgate, or a get together with family and friends. As part of its 50 th Anniversary celebration, Tony's introduces its authentic Cajun/Creole-Style Chili Mixes in two flavors  Original and Mild. The new Original Chili Seasoning Mix has a little more kick than the mild and is similar to using Tony's BOLD Creole Seasoning. The new Mild Chili Seasoning Mix packs less heat for those who are so inclined and is similar to using Tony's More Spice Seasoning. Each box mix is designed to be used with two pounds of ground beef or venison, for that perfect pot of chili.

"For years people have been using Tony's products in their chili to help boost the flavor, so we knew it was time to simplify the process and give the people what they want," said Celeste Chachere, Director of Marketing for Tony Chachere's. "Our new Original and Mild Chili Mixes bring the best of our seasoning flavors to this classic dish for a unique spin on an old favorite."

Tony's new Original Chili Seasoning Mix and Mild Chili Seasoning Mix are currently rolling out to grocery stores and retail partners like Brookshire Grocer, SuperValu, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Valu Merchandisers, AG Baton Rouge, Piggly Wiggly and AWG. They are also available at tonychachere.com. Treat yourself to Tony's entire line of seasonings, rice dinner mixes, injectable and pourable marinades, salad dressings and more.

About Tony Chachere's:

Tony Chachere's Famous Creole Cuisine is celebrating its 50th Anniversary! Founded in 1972 by Tony Chachere, the "Ole Master" of Creole cooking, Tony Chachere's continues to be family-owned-and-operated in Opelousas, Louisiana. The Louisiana family has carried on the tradition of authenticity and flavor through its line of seasonings, marinades, dinner mixes, salad dressings and more for both pantry and table.

tonychachere.com

#PassAGoodTime

@tonychacheres

SOURCE Tony Chachere's
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global agricultural adjuvants market size is anticipated to reach USD 4.8 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2021 to 2028. The market is predominantly driven by the increasing demand for crop protection products in the agricultural field across the globe.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

The activator adjuvant type segment accounted for 70.0% of the global revenue share in 2020 owing to its increasing usage along with pesticides for cereals and grains. Non-ionic surfactants (activator adjuvant) are extensively used for cereals and grains along with agrochemicals. The increasing consumption of cereals and grains globally is driving the demand for activator adjuvants

The herbicides segment dominated the market in 2020. Herbicides are the most extensively used pesticides in the world and they are mainly used to control weed formation in the agricultural cropland. According to the FAO, in 2019, the total consumption of herbicides was more than 2 million tones, more than 2 folds compared to insecticides

In Asia Pacific , the market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.2% from 2021 to 2028 on account of increasing demand for improved varieties of crops. Moreover, the region has the majority of the global population and countries with vast arable lands. The region's per capita income is majorly dependent on the agricultural sector. The total arable land is shrinking due to urbanization and industrialization in India , China , South Korea , and Japan thus, agriculturists opt for agrochemicals that help in increasing productivity and yield

The cereals and grains segment is expected to have the majority of the revenue share in the market. Herbicides utilize the majority of the adjuvant and it is majorly used for cereals and grains in the Asia Pacific and North America owing to the high cultivation of wheat and corn in the countries such as China and the U.S

The key market players are adopting different strategies such as acquisitions, mergers, geographical expansion, and product portfolio expansion to enhance their market position and to increase their customer base. For instance, in 2017, Huntsman announced the new distribution partnership with Palmer Holland , Inc. for its agrichemical specialty products distribution in the U.S. Through this partnership Huntsman is expected to strengthen its agrochemical products brands such as TERMIX tank mix adjuvants, TERSPERSE dispersants

Read 100 page market research report, "Agricultural Adjuvants Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Activator Adjuvants, Utility Adjuvants), By Application (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides), By Crop, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

Agricultural adjuvants manufacturing companies are majorly focusing on the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly products. For instance, in 2017, Solvay launched AgRHO S-Boost. This product works like a magnet for moisture and nutrients around the seed. AgRHO S-Boost is bio-based, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable for both humans and plants while reducing water, fertilizer, and pesticide use.

Innovation and new cost-effective product developments in the market are attracting agriculturists which are expected to augment market growth. Manufacturers are focusing on developing multifunctional agricultural adjuvants for cost-effectiveness. In February 2020, Ingevity launched a new bio-based multifunctional adjuvant product line for crop protection named AltaHance. This product line provides customers an eco-friendly adjuvant with several performance benefits in a single product.

The market witnessed an increase in the price of agricultural adjuvants in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Supply chain disruptions and restrictions related to transportation resulted in an immediate price spike of various agricultural additives. The majority of the raw materials used in agrochemicals production are imported from China. Due to the trade restrictions from China, the agrochemical producers of various nations found difficulties in maintaining the inventory which caused the major price fluctuations.

Market Segmentation:

Grand View Research has segmented the global agricultural adjuvants market on the basis of type, application, crop, and region:

Agricultural Adjuvants Type Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Activator Adjuvants



Surfactants





Oil-based Adjuvants



Utility Adjuvants



Compatibility Agents





Drift Control Agents





Buffering Agents





Water Condition Agents





Others

Agricultural Adjuvants Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Herbicides



Insecticides



Fungicides



Others

Agricultural Adjuvants Crop Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Cereal & Grains



Oilseeds & Pulses



Fruits & Vegetables



Others

Agricultural Adjuvants Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





France





U.K.





Italy



Asia Pacific



China





Japan





India





Australia



Central & South America



Brazil





Argentina





Colombia



Middle East & Africa

&

Saudi Arabia





UAE





South Africa

List of Key Players of Agricultural Adjuvants Market

Clariant AG

Solvay

Corteva Agriscience

The Dow Chemical Company

Huntsman International LLC.

Evonik Industries AG

Ingevity

Nufarm Limited

Croda International PLC

BASF SE

Miller Chemical & Fertilizer, LLC.

Helena Chemical Company

WinField United

Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC

Stepan Company

Check out more studies related to agricultural equipment and technology, published by Grand View Research:

Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market  The global artificial intelligence in agriculture market size was valued at USD 608.9 million in 2018 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 25.4% from 2019 to 2025. Artificial intelligence techniques for farming help increase productivity and yield.

 The global artificial intelligence in agriculture market size was valued at in 2018 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 25.4% from 2019 to 2025. Artificial intelligence techniques for farming help increase productivity and yield. Smart Agriculture Market  The global smart agriculture market size was valued at USD 13.15 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing automation of commercial greenhouses and growing implementation of the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) concept in greenhouses, in a bid to obtain higher yield and maintain optimum growing conditions, are the key factors driving the demand.

 The global smart agriculture market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing automation of commercial greenhouses and growing implementation of the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) concept in greenhouses, in a bid to obtain higher yield and maintain optimum growing conditions, are the key factors driving the demand. Agriculture Equipment Market  The global agriculture equipment market size was valued at USD 139.0 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2019 to 2025. Adoption of modern technologies by farmers to increase farm yield and meet the soaring demand for food is expected to be a key factor driving the market.

Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Agrochemicals & Fertilizers Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Diverse Home Solutions-Nevada is the development entity for Luxury Real Estate Advisors. Diverse Home Solutions-Nevada's primary objective is to work with local municipalities and partner Boxabl to build 50-residence micro-communities on unused or underutilized land parcels in a city's urban core.

Diverse Home Solutions-Nevada communities will create affordable housing options while reducing blight from closed/boarded-up businesses or vacant land, which must be re-imagined.

For more information, visit Diverse Home Solutions-Nevada

About Luxury Real Estate Advisors

Luxury Real Estate Advisors is the preeminent provider of sales, management, and advisory services to the Las Vegas Strip luxury condo segment. Luxury Real Estate Advisors Principle is a partner of Street Dogz, providing food, clothing, and medical care to homeless people's pets.

https://www.luxrealestateadvisors.com/

About Luxury Cares

Luxury Cares partners will local animal cause group Street Dogzs provide food, clothing, and vaccinations to pets in the homeless community.

https://luxurycares.com/

About Lux Development | Diverse Home Solutions-Nevada

Diverse Home Solutions-Nevada is the development entity for Luxury Real Estate Advisors. Diverse Home Solutions-Nevada primary objective is to work with local municipalities and partner Boxabl to build 50-residence micro-communities on unused or underutilized land parcels throughout a city's urban core.

Contact:

Anthony Phillips

President | Realtor

The Luxury Companies

Advisors | Management | Charities

3960 Howard Hughes Pkwy Suite 500

Las Vegas, NV 89169

Phone: 702.482.8885

Email: [email protected]

www.LuxRealEstateAdvisors.com

License # S.0168880

SOURCE Luxury Real Estate Advisors
LONDON, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market is valued at USD 7338.5 Million in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 22584.1 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 17.42% over the forecast period. Increasing government investments for synthetic biology & genome projects and soaring need for oligo products are some of the major factors driving the growth of the Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market By Brandessence Market Research & Consulting Pvt ltd.

The Brandessence research team has thoroughly observed the impact of Covid-19 on the global oligonucleotide synthesis market, and it is perceived that the demand for oligonucleotide synthesis has augmented throughout the pandemic time. To control the overwhelming spread of Covid-19, numerous countries throughout the globe have enforced severe lockdown norms, which have hindered many kinds of business activities. However, there has also been a constructive effect and outpouring in demand for several medical services, comprising oligonucleotide products. The many players of the oligonucleotide synthesis market are stepping frontward to contribute to worldwide research efforts by offering oligo products for developing treatments, test kits, and vaccines.

Get Sample Copy of This Premium [email protected] https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/1816

Scope of Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Report:

Oligonucleotides are short RNA or DNA molecules, oligomers that are used as probes for noticing precise sequences that are complementary to the oligonucleotides. Oligonucleotides have an extensive range of applications in research, genetic testing, and forensics. Oligonucleotide synthesis is the synthesis of moderately small fragments of nucleic acids performed chemically with a defined chemical structure (sequence). This technique delivers speedy and inexpensive access to custom-made oligonucleotides of the preferred sequence. Oligonucleotide synthesis is also useful for carrying out the molecular diagnosis in numerous diseases, counting detection of infectious diseases, such as SARS-COV2, hepatitis, as well as for diagnosis of cancer. These are generally used in laboratories in various applications such as diagnostics, therapeutic, academic, as well as industrial. These are used from early research and screening over to target validation and drug manufacture. Nowadays, number of improvements in oligonucleotide synthesis, automation, and amplification have totally revolutionized biological research. It is also possible to do the customizations and get the desired sequence online effortlessly and at the obligatory time. In the initial 1950s, Alexander Todd's group established H-phosphonate and phosphate triester approaches of oligonucleotide synthesis.

Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Dynamics:

The surge in demand for oligo products for the treatment of Covid-19 is one of the major factors enhancing the growth of the oligonucleotide synthesis market. The outbreak of Covid-19 has disrupted workflows in the healthcare segment throughout the world. Nevertheless, there has also been an optimistic effect and increase in demand for many medical services, containing oligonucleotide products. The oligo products are majorly used for improving the treatments, test kits, and vaccines which target the novel Coronavirus infection. In addition, with the increase in the cases of coronavirus disease, new generations of oligonucleotide drugs, including mRNA and DNA vaccines, are currently under development. Besides, with the intensification in cases of coronavirus disease and the urgency for a prospective treatment, new generations of oligonucleotide drugs, containing mRNA and DNA vaccines, are presently under progress. For instance; in April 2020, for Covid-19 vaccine progress, TriLink BioTechnologies signed a partnership with Imperial College London for the manufacturing of self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) and also brought ready-to-use cocktail mixes such as the SARS-CoV-2 N2 Oligo Mix, the SARS-CoV-2 N1 Oligo Mix, and the Human RNase P (RP) Oligo Mix for Covid-19 research.

Furthermore, governments in numerous countries have made noteworthy investments in projects associated with the field of synthetic biology and genomics. These government investments have played a chief role in the enlargement of innovative technologies. Oligos play a vital role in these technologies, and thus, the rising funding & improvements in these fields is also fostering the market growth. For example; the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) originated the "Genome India Project" in January 2020. This scheme purposes to gather around 10,000 genetic samples from citizens through India to build a reference genome. In addition to this, in the UK, the Centre for Process Innovation launched a project in the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre in February 2021. This scheme targets to revolutionize the engineering of oligonucleotides over collaboration with Novartis, AstraZeneca, Exactmer, and the UK Research & Innovation. Such ongoing government-sponsored projects will lead to enhancements in genomic technologies, precisely in DNA sequencing, DNA amplification, NGS, and gene expression. Consequently, this factor is playing the main role in the growth of the oligonucleotide synthesis market.

Some of the key players for global Oligonucleotide Synthesis are:

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Biogen Inc.

Danaher Corporation

Eurofins Scientific

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Kaneka Corporation

LGC Limited

Merck KGAA

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Others are also Contributing on Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market

News: Biotage Acquired DNA Synthesis and Purification Company ATDBio

On October 20th, 2021- Biotage, a Swedish analytics and drug discovery company, arrived into an agreement to acquire shares in UK based ATDBio Limited (ATDBio), for a total price of roughly 45 million. ATDBio enhances significant platform solutions to Biotage within DNA and RNA oligonucleotide synthesis and purification. The acquisition is projected to strengthen Biotage as a prominent life science tool and impact tech service provider.

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Oligonucleotide Synthesis Key Segmentation Analysis:

By product:

Oligonucleotide-based Drugs

Synthesized Oligonucleotides

Reagents

Equipment

By Applications:

Therapeutic Applications

Research Applications

Diagnostic Applications

By End-users:

Hospitals

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

Diagnostic Laboratories

CROs and CMOs

Academic Research Institutes

By Disease Type:

Neurological Disorders

Infectious Diseases

Other Diseases

Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Regional Analysis:

Geographically, North America is expected to account for the largest share in the global oligonucleotide synthesis market within the forecast period attributed to the increasing R&D in life sciences, rising focus on improving the safety & quality of healthcare, and many other factors. The presence of numerous global players in this region is the leading key factor contributing to this market segment. Danaher Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Maravai Life Sciences, and many more players are pouring millions into the oligonucleotide synthesis market. Apart from these, the number of small and mid-sized players are also leveraging in this market. For example; on July 29th, 2019; Twist Bioscience Corporation announced the launch of its long oligonucleotides. Withal, Biotage Company acquired UK-based Oligo Maker ATDBio for 45M in Cash, Stock on October 20th, 2021. Many other companies which are not even from the U.S. have a huge presence in the U.S. Similarly, many players from the oligonucleotide synthesis market have largely expanded their business in this region. So, this is intensively boosting the market growth of oligonucleotide synthesis.

Also, Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the oligonucleotide synthesis market owing to an upsurge in cases of chronic disorders such as Covid-19, coronary disease, cancer, and others. For example; in accordance with World Cancer Research Fund; the highest cancer rate in South Korea for men and women together was 313.5 people per 100,000. Furthermore, according to Worlometer, on January 10, 2022, Asia pacific reported more than 86,888,347 total cases of Covid-19 of which nearly 1,263,870 cause death. As the prevalence of the number of chronic diseases is growing day by day, the need for treatment is significantly enhancing with it. Significantly, the oligonucleotide is an emerging therapeutic modality for several common diseases like Covid-19, coronary disease. Therefore, the market value for oligonucleotide synthesis is booming in this region and making the Asia Pacific the fastest growing region all over the globe.

On Special Requirement Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Report is also available for below region:

North America

U.S, Canada

Europe

Germany, France,U.K., Italy, Spain, Sweden, Netherland, Turkey, Switzerland, Belgium, Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

South Korea, Japan, China, India, Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Rest Of APAC,

Latin America

Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Rest of Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia , UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest Of MEA

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The beer market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors should strengthen their position in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

The report also covers the following areas:

Beer Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Distribution Channel

On-trade



Off-trade

By geography, the on-trade segment will have significant market share growth during the forecast period. The expansion of bars, pubs, and restaurants is driving the sales of beer through on-trade distribution channels.

Geography

APAC



Europe



North America



South America



MEA

For more information about the contribution of each segment, View Our Free Sample

Beer Market 2021-2025: Vendor Analysis and Scope

The increasing demand for premium beers is likely to emerge as one of the primary drivers of the market. However, factors such as the presence of stringent regulations and a high rate of taxes on alcoholic beverages may challenge market growth.

To help businesses improve their market position, Technavio's report provides a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the market. Some of the major vendors of the beer market include Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Carlsberg Breweries AS, Diageo Plc, Heineken NV, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., Molson Coors Beverage Co., Royal Unibrew AS, Sapporo Holdings Ltd., and The Boston Beer Co. Inc. The key offerings of some of these vendors are listed below:

Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV - The company offers beer through global brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, Castle Lager Hoegaarden, and Corona.

The company offers beer through global brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, Castle Lager Hoegaarden, and Corona. Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - The company offers beer brands like Asahi Super Dry .

The company offers beer brands like . Carlsberg Breweries AS - The company offers beer through different brands. International brands include Amstel, Desperados, Sol, Tiger, Tecate, and Red Stripe.

The company offers beer through different brands. International brands include Amstel, Desperados, Sol, Tiger, Tecate, and Red Stripe. Diageo Plc - The company offers beer through global brands such as Apatinsko, Barmen, Black Horse. It also includes low alcoholic beers such as Ozujsko Fresh, Jelen Fresh , and Kamenitza Fresh.

The company offers beer through global brands such as Apatinsko, Barmen, Black Horse. It also includes low alcoholic beers such as Ozujsko Fresh, , and Kamenitza Fresh. Heineken NV - The company offers beer through different brands. International brands include Amstel, Desperados, Sol, Tiger, Tecate, and Red Stripe. Craft & Variety is the growing international premium beer segment that includes Affligem, Lagunitas, and More Subite. The third category comprises the Cider brands that include Strongbow Apple Ciders, Orchard Thieves, and Stassen.

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Beer Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist beer market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the beer market size and its contribution to the parent market

Forecast of upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the beer market

Analysis of the competitive landscape of the market and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of beer market vendors

Related Reports:

Black Beer Market by Distribution Channel and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The black beer market share is expected to increase by USD 489.59 million from 2020 to 2025, at a CAGR of 2.54%. Download Free Sample Report

The black beer market share is expected to increase by from 2020 to 2025, at a CAGR of 2.54%. Dark Beer Market by Distribution Channel and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The dark beer market has the potential to grow by USD 23.47 billion from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 11.15%. Download Free Sample Report

Beer Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.45% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 88.70 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 2.07 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution APAC at 40% Key consumer countries China, US, Russian Federation, Brazil, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Carlsberg Breweries AS, Diageo Plc, Heineken NV, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., Molson Coors Beverage Co., Royal Unibrew AS, Sapporo Holdings Ltd., and The Boston Beer Co. Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Download Latest Free Sample Report for more valuable insights into the beer market

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
MILAN, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Berlin Packaging, the world's largest hybrid packaging supplier, announced today it has completed its acquisition of the Le Parfait business and brands from O-I France SAS. The acquisition strengthens Berlin Packaging's position as a leading supplier of high-quality glass containers in the business-to-business (B2B) market while simultaneously gaining share in the business-to-consumer (B2C) market.

Le Parfait is known for its iconic glass jars and lids manufactured by O-I France SAS and its affiliates. The beloved French brand is steeped in the tradition of homemade food preservation for jams, preserves, honeys, and terrines. The easily identifiable, durable glass jars feature natural and recycled rubber seals, providing a sustainable packaging solution.

"Today, we completed the acquisition of the Le Parfait brand, further reinforcing our leadership in the B2B premium glass packaging market and bringing exciting new opportunities in the consumer market," says Paolo Recrosio, CEO of Berlin Packaging EMEA.

"Throughout our rapid expansion in Europe, we have strategically focused on partnerships that bring value to our customers, our suppliers, and our people. As we grow the business, we intend to continue the proud 'Made in France' tradition of the Le Parfait brand," said Bill Hayes, Global CEO and President of Berlin Packaging.

Le Parfait glass jars and lids are manufactured at plants in Puy-Guillaume, France, and Sevilla, Spain. O-I France and its affiliates will continue to manufacture the Le Parfait glass jars and lids under a long-term supply agreement with Berlin Packaging France, ensuring continuity of supply for this product.

About Berlin Packaging

Berlin Packaging is the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures. The company supplies billions of items annually along with package design, financing, consulting, warehousing, and logistics services for customers across all industries. Berlin Packaging brings together the best of manufacturing, distribution, and income-adding service providers. Its mission is to increase the net income of its customers through packaging products and services.

For more information:

Press Office  Omnicom PR Group Italy

Barbara Papini, [email protected], +39 335 6113555

Ilaria Sala, [email protected], +39 335 8112968

Berlin Packaging

Elena Franzetti, [email protected], +39 02 48436611, +39 3401204145 per EMEA

Celeste Osborne, [email protected], +1 708 272 7046 per North America

BerlinPackaging.com

Berlin Packaging.eu

SOURCE Berlin Packaging
Building an open world economy, embracing cooperation against the pandemic and revitalizing global development  the three aspects highlighted in Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the WEF virtual session on Monday  are clues to the answer, as well as the solutions to other major global challenges.

How to promote steady recovery of the world economy?

To promote steady and solid progress in global economic recovery, Xi said that countries should explore new drivers of economic growth, new modes of social life and new pathways for people-to-people exchange.

"We should remove barriers, not erect walls. We should open up, not close off. We should seek integration, not decoupling. This is the way to build an open world economy," he said.

Major economies should see the world as one community and increase policy transparency, major developed countries should adopt responsible economic policies and manage policy spillovers, and international economic and financial institutions should play their constructive role to prevent systemic risks, he added.

Xi also underlined making generally acceptable and effective rules for artificial intelligence and digital economy, and creating an open, just and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological innovation.

Regarding China's role and efforts during the process, he said that the country will keep pursuing high-quality development, stay committed to reform and opening-up, and welcome all types of capital to operate in China to play a positive role in the country's development.

"We have every confidence in the future of China's economy," he said, highlighting the strong resilience, enormous potential and long-term sustainability of the Chinese economy.

Meanwhile, he underlined that China will not grow its economy at the cost of resource depletion and environmental degradation, and will deliver on its word to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

How to defeat the pandemic?

"Strong confidence and cooperation represent the only right way to defeat the pandemic," he said, outlining the solution.

Countries need to cooperate on research and development of medicines, and "fully leverage vaccines as a powerful weapon," he said, stressing ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines, quickening vaccination and closing the global immunization gap.

China will provide another 1 billion doses to African countries, including 600 million doses as a donation, and donate 150 million doses to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he announced.

How to promote global development?

The Global Development Initiative is a public good open to the whole world, and China stands ready to work with other countries to jointly put the initiative into concrete actions, Xi said, calling for efforts to bridge the development divide and revitalize global development.

He proposed the initiative  which highlights steering global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth in the face of the severe shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic  in September 2021.

Protectionism, unilateralism, and the practices of hegemony and bullying "run counter to the tide of history," he warned.

"The right way forward for humanity is peaceful development and win-win cooperation," he said.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-01-17/President-Xi-addresses-World-Economic-Forum-2022-virtual-event-16TK0rt9vGM/index.html

SOURCE CGTN
Dimitar Kovachevski, the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), gives honor statement with members of the new cabinet in Skopje, North Macedonia, Jan. 16, 2022. The Parliament of North Macedonia approved late Sunday the formation of the country's new government to be led by Kovachevski, the new prime minister. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)

SKOPJE, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Parliament of North Macedonia approved late Sunday the formation of the country's new government to be led by the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) Dimitar Kovachevski.

The new cabinet has 21 ministers, one more minister than the previous one led by Zoran Zaev. The SDSM has 12 ministerial posts, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) six and the Democratic Alternative Party three ministerial posts.

North Macedonia's new prime minister, Kovachevski, 47, is replacing Zaev, who stepped down following the poor results of the local elections last October.

Speaking in front of lawmakers on the program of the new government, Kovachevski announced that North Macedonia will continue its good neighborly politics and strengthen cooperation with all neighboring countries by initiating new programs and projects to connect citizens through initiatives such as Open Balkans. 

Dimitar Kovachevski (C, front), the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), poses for a group photo with members of the new cabinet in Skopje, North Macedonia, Jan. 16, 2022. The Parliament of North Macedonia approved late Sunday the formation of the country's new government to be led by Kovachevski, the new prime minister. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)

Dimitar Kovachevski (front), the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), gives honor statement with members of the new cabinet in Skopje, North Macedonia, Jan. 16, 2022. The Parliament of North Macedonia approved late Sunday the formation of the country's new government to be led by Kovachevski, the new prime minister. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)
DAPHNE, Ala., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles W. Anders is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Distinguished Name in Maritime Security Services for his excellent work for over 35 years.

During this period, Mr. Anders has distinguished himself in this industry by offering professional security and transportation services on the rivers, waterways, and Gulf Coast ports. Following hurricane Katrina, Mr. Anders formed U.S. Maritime Services in 2010, in Daphne, AL. Previously he provided security to vessels in the Port of New Orleans. During his career, he developed a client base of national and international shipping agencies.



Mr. Anders has dedicated his career to maintaining a safe environment for visiting vessels and crew members by following restrictions and guidelines established by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other government agencies.



These restrictions can be placed on visiting vessels needing additional security measures to ensure the integrity of the ports. U.S. Maritime Services offers services including transportation, guards, medical repatriations, national and international repatriations, and consultations. During his career, he has served thousands of vessels and has provided repatriation services to over two thousand stowaways and crew members.



At seventy years old, Ms. Anders continues to expand his market and is always seeking new opportunities. He attributes his success to being in the right place at the right time and developing a strong team of dedicated associates that demonstrate his commitment to quality services. He serves the Gulf Coast area from Panama City, FL, to the Texas Gulf region.



On a personal note, Mr. Anders volunteers at his local church in an armed safety capacity. Mr. Anders and his wife Margaret were also featured in the MOBILEBAY magazine for their hydroponic facility. Focusing on growing products in a soil-less environment, it was one of the first such farms in the region.



For more information, visit https://www.maritime.dot.gov/.



Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who
Key Cloud Computing Market Report Highlights:

Market growth 2020-2025: USD 287.03 billion YoY growth (%): 20.37% Performing market contribution: North America at 40% Key consumer countries: US, Germany , China , Japan , and UK

Want more data and information that is not included in this report? Reach out to our analysts and get this report can be personalized according to your needs. Speak to an Analyst.

Regional Market Analysis

40% of the market's growth will originate from North America during the forecast period. The US is one of the key markets for cloud computing in North America. Market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in other regions.

The rising adoption of cloud solutions from various end-user industries will facilitate the cloud computing market growth in North America over the forecast period.

For Additional Information about the regional market: Request for a free sample report .

Key Vendors and Strategies

Adobe Inc., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Salesforce.com Inc., and SAP SE are a few of the key vendors in the Cloud Computing Market.

The market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as product development to compete in the market.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP - In March 2021 , HPE launched a new portfolio of AMD EPYC processor-based offerings and claimed #1 position in performance, energy efficiency, database analytic workloads, and Java applications.

In , HPE launched a new portfolio of AMD EPYC processor-based offerings and claimed #1 position in performance, energy efficiency, database analytic workloads, and Java applications. International Business Machines Corp - In March 2021 , IBM announced a collaboration with the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) to provide skills-based training courses on the National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) 2.0 platform.

In , IBM announced a collaboration with the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) to provide skills-based training courses on the National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) 2.0 platform. Oracle Corp - In October 2020 , the company launched Oracle Cloud Observability and Management platform, which is a suite of services to enable better visibility and insight across both cloud-native and traditional technologies, whether deployed in multicloud or on-premises environments

Download our free sample report to get a brief understanding about various other vendors and the vendors strategies.

Key Market Drivers

Our analysts have extensively outlined the information on the key market drivers and their impact on the Cloud Computing Market.

Increased inclination towards cloud computing for cost-cutting:

SMEs have started opting for public solutions to scale up or scale down the hardware and resources. Apart from CAPEX reduction, cloud computing solutions can facilitate faster storage, processing, and communication lines. Clouds also enable the deployment of applications without the need for provisioning hosting capabilities. Cloud services provide security, facilitate optimum use of resources, and provide the reliability of a normal dedicated server and cloud resources. The above-mentioned factors are increasing revenue generation for vendors, contributing to the growth of the cloud computing market size. The increased inclination toward cloud computing for cost-cutting is one of the significant factors driving the market growth.

To know about a few other market drivers, trends, and challenges.

Download our free sample report

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Data Center Liquid Immersion Cooling Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The data center liquid immersion cooling market share is expected to increase by USD 222.35 million from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 14.46%. To get extensive research insights: Download FREE sample report

Email Hosting Services Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The email hosting services market share is expected to increase by USD 30.98 billion from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 18.84%. To get extensive research insights: Download FREE sample report

Cloud Computing Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 17% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 287.03 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 20.37 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution North America at 40% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Germany, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Adobe Inc., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Salesforce.com Inc., and SAP SE Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SAN DIEGO , Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cymbiotika , a leading nutritional supplement brand known for creating pure, clinically-backed supplements, today announced the launch of its new Australian website along with a fulfillment center in Victoria. The website will provide consumers with an Australia-specific user experience and access to Cymbiotika's popular line of natural supplements in just days instead of weeks.

The new website will provide detailed product information, user-friendly blogs and recipes, an interactive health quiz, and more, curated by Cymbiotika's extensive bench of doctors and scientists. Website visitors can utilize Cymbiotika's Bundle & Save options and Rewards program to maximize optimal health benefits, while saving long-term. Additionally, users will experience reduced shipping times and costs, no customs fees and free shipping over $150 ($207.38 AUD).

"At Cymbiotika, our goal is to continue to grow internationally in an effort to empower more people around the world to reclaim their health all while providing an exceptional customer experience." said Cymbiotika's CEO/Managing Partner, Shahab Elmi. "This exciting expansion into the Australian market is a key milestone in our global strategy. With our significant 7000%, growth in the last three years we look forward to further international expansion in the near future."

Australian web users can now easily explore Cymbiotika's wide array of supplements to boost whole body health. From metabolism and recovery to immunity and brain health, Cymbiotika has a holistic solution for various needs and health goals. Additional offerings include probiotics, stress reducers, beauty boosting and anti-aging formulations, and products designed with kids in mind.

Driven by passion and intentional design and creation, Cymbiotika never uses synthetics, GMOS, fillers, chemicals, preservatives, additives, or sugars in its products. For more information, visit www.cymbiotika.com.au

About Cymbiotika

Cymbiotika is an innovative wellness brand based in San Diego. With the motto, "Your mind and body deserve the best", Cymbiotika is driven by the higher purpose of inspiring everyday people to achieve their optimal health. Founded in 2017, Cymbiotika uses the most advanced bioavailable absorption technology and sources only the highest quality plant-based nutrients to resolve specific nutritional deficiencies and support healthy aging, detoxification and longevity.

SOURCE Cymbiotika
TSX.V: DME

U.S. OTC: DMEHF

Frankfurt: QM01

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: DME) (U.S. OTC: DMEHF) (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company.

The Company has reserved 1,000,000 stock options aggregated to officers, directors and certain consultants. The options are subject to approval by regulatory agencies and are exercisable for a period of five years at a price of $2.50 which was a premium to the close of market on 01/11/22.

ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded resource company primarily focused on exploration, development and production of helium, hydrogen and noble gases. The Company is primarily looking for elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries.

We seek safe harbor

"Robert Rohlfing"

Robert Rohlfing

Exec Chairman & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in the future the planned exploration activities, receipt of positive results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing and results of various activities.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks due to helium prices, operating or technical difficulties in exploration and development activities; risks and hazards and the speculative nature of resource exploration and related development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Company's exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend to, and nor does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Desert Mountain Energy Corp.
GURUGRAM, India, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

Increased awareness on health and hygiene in the post COVID-19 scenario has acted as a catalyst for the demand of private vehicles, which contributes to the aftermarket services industry.

Rapid urbanization couple with fast growing middle class section is another major growth driver in the market as it has led to higher disposable income and in turn shift in preference from two wheelers to four wheelers.

Low localization rate and increased dependency on imports for components and spare parts acts as a challenge in the aftermarket industry

Increasing Car Ownership and Reduction of Import Tax: Vietnamese government has proposed various regulations since FY'18 to improve the ecosystem of the automotive industry and making it to convenient for the consumers to purchase private vehicles by reducing the import tax to 0% for cars imported from ASEAN region, which brings down the price of the final product. Government initiatives to strengthen Vietnam's road infrastructure along with the increased awareness on health and hygiene brought about by the advent of COVID-19 is expected to increase the prospect of vehicle ownership in the future. There has been a gradual surge in vehicle parcs in recent times, expanding at a CAGR of ~25.7% in between FY'15 and FY'20. Growth of car ownership in Vietnam stood at ~10.5% in FY'20, which was comparatively higher than its South East Asian counterparts. Increasing car ownership acts as catalyst for the aftermarket services industry which is expected to grow at a significant rate in coming years.

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Rapid Urbanization and Fast Growing Middle Class: Rapid urbanization over the years is contributing to the growth of automotive market in Vietnam, as more and more consumers are migrating to urban cities. It is estimated that in FY'20, the urbanization rate stood at ~37.3% of its overall population compared to ~36.6% rate in FY'19. Urbanization serves as one of the growth drivers for the aftermarket service industry as consumers migrate for better payment opportunity in the cities, it allows them to have the financial means to avail private transport thereby increasing the prospect of aftermarket services. To curb excessive traffic jams in the cities, Hanoi, a major city in the Northern Region of Vietnam has proposed to ban motorcycles by 2030, thereby enhancing the opportunity of passenger vehicle sales for the country's fast growing middle class in coming years.

Enhancing Online Ecosystem: Aftermarket service companies in Vietnam has not been able to adapt to the growing significance of the online ecosystem over the years. However, the advent of COVID-19 has changed the perception of consumers towards the utilization of online space. More consumers are utilizing digital medium for buying and selling products as well as booking services through online medium. Similarly, there exist a shift in aftermarket service industry wherein consumers are preferring to book slots for their vehicle services online. Therefore, the automotive aftermarket service and spare parts companies are expanding their presence in the online space for better visibility among consumers and compete on the basis of brand integration. Servicing companies have initiated the process of online booking to enhance customer's convenience. This also helps the servicing companies to maintain COVID protocols such as curb in overcrowding in public places as set by the Vietnamese government.

Increased Awareness on Health and Hygiene: With the advent of COVID-19, consumers were witnessed to be more concerned on maintaining personal health and hygiene. Therefore they are preferring the option of private transportation rather than availing public transport system. The change in consumer's behavior and preference is expected to act as an opportunity for the automotive aftermarket service industry in Vietnam. As more and more consumers prefer availing private transportation medium, the demand for new cars would surge in the coming years. With the surge in the vehicle parc, consumers would also require to periodically maintain their vehicle every 18 months as prescribed by the government of Vietnam, thereby the demand for aftermarket services would enhance. Therefore the future prospect of the industry looks strong wherein OEM and multi brand workshops in the market could utilize this opportunity to integrate the domain.

Integration of Electric Vehicles: In order to curb the rising impact of climate change, governments all over the world have pledged to reach zero net carbon emissions by 2050. Hence, there is a greater deliberation of replacing fuel operated vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs) to minimise pollution. "National Automobile Development Strategy by 2025" adopted by the Vietnamese government aims to stimulate manufacturing and increase the volume of use of EVs in the coming years. With the integration of EVs in the market, vehicle service companies will have to update their equipment's and train their mechanics for servicing electric cars which would require huge investment by these companies thus, impacting their business financials. Unorganized workshops will face challenge in servicing EVs as they operate on lower budget than required to cater to the demand of EV ecosystem.

Lack of Technological Adoption and Dependence on Imports: Domestic automotive and aftermarket services industry has not been able to invest in core and high end technology products such as transmission system. Localized parts required for vehicle servicing and production are mostly of low technology products such as tires, mirrors, glasses, batteries and plastic products. Therefore, aftermarket services industry in Vietnam remains largely dependent on imported components and spare parts, which increases their cost of operating their business.

The report titled "Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket: OEM, Multi-brand Outlet Services and the Spare Parts Market - Outlook to 2025: Driven by Rapid Urbanization and Growth of Vehicle Sales; fueled by Fast Growing Middle Class population and the growing preference for private vehicles in the post-COVID scenario" by Ken Research suggested that the automotive aftermarket service industry in Vietnam is expected to grow further in the near future, with the surge in vehicle parc due to increased awareness on health and hygiene followed by the aftermath of COVID-19, thus showcasing a change in consumer preference from availing public transport to private transportation medium. As more consumers shift from availing motorbikes which has historically been the dominant form of transportation in Vietnam to availing four wheeler vehicles, the demand for aftermarket services would increase in coming years. Rapid urbanization coupled with fast growing middle class would act as major growth drivers for the aftermarket service industry in Vietnam. The market is expected to register a positive CAGR of 8% in terms of revenue during the forecast period of FY'20-FY'25E.

Key Segments Covered in Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry:-

By Type of Workshop

OEM/Authorized

Large Multi Brand

Small/Unorganized

By Type of Vehicle Serviced

Sedan

SUV

Hatchback

Compact SUV

MPV

By Age of Car

0-3 years

3-6 years

6-9 years

9 years & above

By Region

North

Central

South

By Booking Mode

Online

Offline (including telephonic as well as Physical Booking)

By Service Split

Maintenance

Car Care

Accident Repair

Vietnam Spare Parts Aftermarket Segmentation

By Type of Spare Parts

Tires

Battery

Shocks & Struts

Oil & Lubricants

Drain Plug Gasket

Alternator & Starter

Others

Key Target Audience:-

Automotive Companies

OEM Vehicle Service Companies

Multi Brand Vehicle Service Companies

Automotive Spare Parts Companies

Government Bodies

Automotive Associations

Time Period Captured in the Report:-

Historical Period: 2015-2020

Forecast Period: 2020-2025

Automotive Aftermarket Service Companies in Vietnam:-

OEM/Authorized Vehicle Service Companies

Hyundai Vietnam

Toyota Motors Vietnam

Honda Vietnam

Mitsubishi Vietnam

Ford Vietnam

Suzuki Vietnam

Vinfast

Lexus

THACO

Multi Brand Vehicle Service Companies

Vietnam Car Care

Thanh Phong Auto

Vuong Phat Auto

Garage Doanh Workshop

Thanh Tam Auto

Vu Khoi Garage

Pham Vu

Ngyuen Khoi

Liem Gia Phat

Spare Part Suppliers

Denso

Yazaki

Sumitomo Electric

Toyota Boshoku

Harada

Hanoi Plastics

Casumina

Kumho Tires

Estec

Pinaco

Tam Hop

Key Topics Covered in the Report:-

Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry Overview

Value Chain Analysis of Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry

Ecosystem of Major Entities of Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry

Market Size of Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry on the basis of Revenue and Number of Vehicles Serviced, FY'15-FY'20

Passenger Vehicle Sales in Vietnam, FY'15-FY'20

Vehicle Parc in Vietnam, FY'15-FY'20

Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry Segmentation, FY'20

Competitive Analysis of Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket

Competition in Vietnam OEM Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry

Competition in Vietnam Multi Brand Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry

Company Profiles of Hyundai, Toyoto Motors, Vinfast, Mitsubishi Motors, Honda, Vietnam Car Care, Thanh Phong Auto, Vuong Phat Auto, Garage Doanh Workshop and Thanh Tam Auto

Pricing of Major OEM Automotive Service Companies

Pricing of Major Multi Brand Automotive Service Companies

Trends and Developments in Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry

Issues and Challenges in Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry

Porter 5 Forces Analysis of Vietnam's Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry

Government Regulations in Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry

Key Decision Making Parameters for Automobile Servicing: OEM and Multi Brand Vehicle Servicing Companies

Technology Platforms used by OEM and Multi Brand Vehicle Service Companies

Analysis of Multi Brand and OEM Workshops in Vietnam

Operating Model of Multi Brand Workshops in Vietnam

Operating Model of OEM Workshops in Vietnam

Pain Points in the OEM and Multi Brand Aftermarket Industry

Opportunities in the OEM and Multi Brand Aftermarket Industry

Spare Parts Landscape in Vietnam

Market Size of Spare Parts Aftermarket Industry and Classification by Different Type of Spare Parts

Ecosystem by Different Type of Spare Parts and Consumables Market in Vietnam

Impact of COVID in the Vietnam Automotive and Aftermarket Industry

Future Market Size of Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry on the basis of Revenue and Number of Vehicles Serviced, FY'20-FY'25E

Future Outlook and Segmentations for Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry, FY'20-FY'25E

Analyst Recommendation

For More Information on the research report, refer to below link:-

Vietnam Automotive Aftermarket Service Market

Related Reports:-

Indonesia Automotive Aftermarket Service Market Outlook to 2026: Influx of new players and car variants from abroad are contributing to the growth of automotive aftermarket service industry in Indonesia

Indonesia's automotive aftermarket service industry revenue stood at USD ~ billion in 2021 and recorded a CAGR of 5.4% during 2015-2021. The multi-brand workshops dominate the Indonesian automotive aftermarket service industry due to their cheaper service fee and generalized service offerings. ~% of the after-sales care service market is captured by the multi-brand service centers owing to its low service & spare parts cost and high preference by post warranty car owners. OEM car service centers in Indonesia witness the majority of the pre-warranty cars visiting their centers. High-quality service, genuine spare parts and more reliability on the OEM service centers are other reasons why a customer prefers the OEM service centers in Indonesia.

Malaysia Automotive Aftermarket Service Market Outlook to 2025: Surging Used Car Sales contributing to the Growth of Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry in Malaysia

Malaysia automotive aftermarket service industry revenue stood at USD ~ Bn in 2020 and recorded a CAGR of 2.9% during 2015-2020. Multi-brand car service centers are majorly preferred by the users with out-of-warranty cars. Lower cost of multi-brand service centers & Availability of quality spares from reputed suppliers is leading to the growth of multi-brand car service centers in Malaysia. OEM car service centers in Malaysia witness the majority of the pre-warranty cars visiting their centers. High-quality service, genuine spare parts, and more reliability of the OEM service centers are other reasons why a customer prefers the OEM service centers in Malaysia.

Saudi Arabia Automotive & Spare Parts Logistics Market Outlook To 2025: Lifting Of Ban On Female Drivers And Growing Aftermarket For Spare Parts To Influence Market Growth

The report also covers the trade scenario, trends and developments, issues and challenges, SWOT analysis, regulatory landscape, end user analysis, value chain analysis, PESTLE analysis, COVID-19 impact on automotive & spare parts transportation industry, decision making process, snapshot on control tower market, snapshot on pre-delivery inspection market, COVID-19 impact on automotive & spare parts warehousing industry, technological advancements & innovations, comparative landscape including cross comparison of major players operating in KSA automotive & spare parts logistics market and cross comparison of major players operating in KSA automotive market. The report concludes with future market projections on the basis of overall logistics and automotive & spare parts logistics revenue, by service mix and analyst recommendations highlighting the major opportunities and cautions.

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan Automotive (Light Vehicle, Heavy Vehicle, Two Wheelers, Taxi, Earth Moving Equipment, Power Tiller, Medium Vehicles, Heavy Buses, Tractor, Medium Buses, Electric Vehicle) Industry Outlook to 2025

Covid-19 pandemic has drastically affected the supply chain in automotive sector and dampened the consumer spending in these countries, resulting in reduced sales. The growth over the years in these countries has been gradual. In Bhutan, the CAGR over the years has been positive which expounds the expansion of automotive sector in the country. Although, government in Bhutan is trying to discourage the use of private vehicles in order to meet its sustainability goals and preserve the rich environment of country by increasing the taxes. Whereas, in Bangladesh government has heavily incentivized the sector by reducing taxes; the result has been a healthy growth of the sector.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today said it is on track to restore nearly all customers who lost power during the weekend winter storm in the Carolinas by late tonight, though many will be restored sooner.

Repair crews have restored power to more than 250,000 customers in the two-state region so far.

As of 3 p.m. today, 24,000 customers  16,000 in North Carolina, 8,000 in South Carolina  remained without power.

Power will not be restored to some customers in parts of North Carolina's hard-hit mountain and Southern Pines regions until late Tuesday due to extensive  and, in some cases, remote and isolated  damage to power lines. All other customers in those two regions will be restored sooner.

Duke Energy dispatched additional workers and equipment to both regions to supplement existing repair crews.

"We were ready for this storm, and thankfully it was much less severe than anticipated," said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy Carolinas storm director. "We greatly appreciate the ongoing patience of our customers who lost power, especially given the cold temperatures across the region. Our crews are working to safely restore power to all impacted customers as soon as possible."

Duke Energy will communicate estimated power restoration times directly to all remaining impacted customers later today.

The company also is providing estimated power restoration times for specific counties at duke-energy.com/outages/current-outages.

Estimated power restoration times indicate the latest time that the company expects to restore power in a given area. However, power for many customers in that area will be restored sooner.

The company will keep impacted customers informed as power restoration work progresses.

Counties with largest number of remaining power outages

North Carolina  Hoke , Jackson , Lee , Macon , Moore and Richmond .

South Carolina  Chester , Darlington , Greenwood , Lancaster , Laurens , Oconee and Pickens .

Text 'OUT' to 57801 to report power outages

Customers can report power outages by texting "OUT" to 57801.

Find the most up-to-date information on the company's outage map.

The company also will provide regular updates to customers and communities through emails, text messages, outbound phone calls, social media and its website, which includes power outage maps.

Duke Energy working closely with state officials

Duke Energy is working closely with state officials in both North Carolina and South Carolina . Both states provide emergency information  North Carolina , South Carolina .

Duke Energy serves 4.3 million customers in the Carolinas  3.5 million in North Carolina ; 800,000 in South Carolina .

Duke Energy's power restoration process

More information about how crews restore power after a major storm  restoration process.

Important safety information for customers

Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging, and keep children and pets away, as well. Consider all power lines energized, as well as trees or branches touching those power lines. Report downed power lines to Duke Energy or local emergency services.

If you're driving and encounter emergency responders or other roadside work crews, remember to safely MOVE OVER.

If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

If you use a backup generator due to a power outage, follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe operation. Operate your generator outside only. Never operate it inside a building or garage, as these devices emit carbon monoxide.

Don't use grills or other outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices also emit carbon monoxide.

More tips on what to do before, during and after a storm  duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety.

Shelter information

If you lose power and need to move to a shelter, North Carolina and South Carolina state websites provide emergency shelter information  North Carolina, South Carolina.

In addition, the Red Cross maintains an update-to-date list of open shelter locations  https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html.

How to protect refrigerated food during power outages

For customers who lose power and have full refrigerators and freezers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the following:

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.

A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened. If the power will be out for more than four hours, use coolers to keep refrigerated food cold.

A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

The FDA offers additional tips for proper food handling and storage before, during and after a power outage at www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-and-water-safety-during-power-outages-and-floods.

Avoid customer scams

Customers should be alert to scammers who might call them  impersonating Duke Energy representatives and threatening to cut off customers' power before or during the storm unless customers make an immediate payment for late bills or other charges.

Duke Energy never makes such calls.

Below are tips for customers to avoid such scams:

If it's a recorded voice, often referred to as a "robocall," be extra cautious.

Do not provide any personal information.

Duke Energy's actual recorded calls to customers are informative only. The company's calls never threaten to cut off power and never request personal information.

If a caller  recorded or live  specifically asks you to pay using a prepaid debit card, that's a red flag. Prepaid debit cards are like cash and the transactions cannot be reversed.

If the caller pressures you to make an immediate payment of any type  or provide personal information of any kind, such as a bank account number or social security number  hang up the phone.

Sign up for outage alerts

Customers can receive the most up-to-date information about power restoration efforts by enrolling in Outage Alerts.

How to report power outages

Customers who experience a power outage can report the outage using Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting systems for their respective utility:

Customers can report an outage by texting "OUT" to 57801, and also report an outage or view current outages on the Duke Energy mobile app or at www.duke-energy.com/outages.

Duke Energy Carolinas: 1.800.POWERON (1.800.769.3766)

Duke Energy Progress: 1.800.419.6356

Duke Energy also will provide updates on its social media channels to keep customers informed if significant outages occur:

Duke Energy on Twitter: twitter.com/DukeEnergy

Duke Energy on Facebook: facebook.com/DukeEnergy

View B-roll of storm preparations and winter storm power restoration efforts

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities  with goals of at least a 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S. renewable energy provider, on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy
The SAP program provides partnering advocacy organizations, medical associations, and veterinary schools with international and national reach and visibility. Through the SAP program, dvm360 fosters collaboration and open exchange of information among trusted veterinary professionals for the benefit of the profession. dvm360 works with affiliated partners to share information and highlight the diverse veterinary communities they support.

"Advancing our profession requires collaboration, innovation and leadership. We are honored to have ACVPM as the first professional specialty organization joining our SAP program and look forward to working together," says Dr. Adam Christman, dvm360's Chief Veterinary Officer.

Current ACVPM President, Dr. Rick Hill says, "ACVPM may be one of the oldest veterinary specialties, but we are not afraid of change and adaptation. We are very excited to collaborate with a trusted voice in veterinary medicine to continue to promote the principles of veterinary preventive medicine."

Thanks to this novel partnership, dvm360 subscribers can look forward to interesting articles, columns and other information from ACVPM diplomates to support their relentless efforts to provide better care to their patients and to better serve clients everywhere.

For a full list of dvm360 SAP partners, click here.

About the ACVPM

ACVPM is an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization that offers board certification in preventive medicine, with the option of a specialty in epidemiology. Joining ACVPM leads to the opportunity to join some of the most renowned veterinary professionals in preventive medicine and public health, at both the national and international levels.

With various Continuing Education (CE) opportunities, the mission of ACVPM is to further develop a deep understanding of animal health and the impacts it has on human welfare and the environment. Through their training programs and webinars, ACVPM provides unique learning opportunities for veterinarians.

About dvm360

The leading media-content provider in the veterinary market, dvm360 has been in operation for more than 50 years. It provides readers with top-of-the-line digital and print content that focuses on every aspect of a veterinary professional's life. In addition, dvm360 hosts continuing education (CE) conferences that provide a 360-degree educational engagement experience for veterinary professionals. dvm360 is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America. MJH Life Sciences dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

dvm360 Media Contact

Alyssa Scarpaci, 609-716-7777

[email protected]

ACVPM Media Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE dvm360
RICHLAND, Wash., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eduardo Smith Singares, MD, FACS, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Trauma Surgeon for his excellent work in the Medical field and in recognition of his work at Kadlec Medical Center.

Eduardo Smith Singares MD FACS

In his work as a Trauma Surgeon, Dr. Smith Singares helps patients who have had traumatic accidents or injuries, gunshot wounds, or auto accident victims. He tries to always make them feel comfortable and listened to, and has empathy for their situation. Dr. Smith Singares is the current Medical Director for Trauma and Emergency Surgical Services at the Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, WA, and has been practicing medicine for over 26 years.



Aside from his work in clinical practice, Dr. Smith Singares is a Clinical Professor at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, where he is teaching the next generation of medical professionals. He has previously taught as an Adjunct Professor of Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, and got his start in teaching in 2007 as an Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center.



Dr. Smith Singares is the former Director of the Surgical ICU at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, and the former Chief of the Division of Surgical Critical Care and Director of the SCIU at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In another previous role, he worked as an Attending Surgeon in the Advocate Health Care System from 2007 - 2018, attending three different hospitals in the greater Chicago area.



Dr. Smith Singares is highly educated in his field of expertise. He began his college education with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Collegio Javier in Panama. He then earned his Medical degree at the University of Panama in 1994, followed by a general internship and surgical residency at the Hospital for Social Security in Panama. Dr. Smith Singares then completed a residency in general surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and then a Fellowship in advanced gastrointestinal surgery (2001) and minimally invasive surgery (2004) at Robert Wood Johnson Memorial Hospital. He continued on to SUNY Stony Brook, graduating from a Fellowship in surgical and critical care in 2005.



During his studies, he wrote 29 articles, with a range of topics such as abdominal vascular injuries, inferior vena cava injuries, emergency trauma laparotomies, and more. Dr. Smith Singares is board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care, and will be testing to become board certified in neurocritical care very soon.



To stay aware of developments in the field, Dr. Smith Singares is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the Chicago Surgical Society. He is also a member of the Association for Academic Surgery, the American Society for Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgery, and the Society for Critical Care Medicine.



On a personal note, Dr. Smith Singares is a Knight of the Order of Malta (Maltese International). He enjoys doing local community events and charity work. He speaks English and Spanish.



Dr. Smith Singares would like to dedicate this honorable recognition to his wife of 23 years, Mrs. Izaskun Eglesias, MD, MBA, and their three children.



For more information, visit https://www.kadlec.org/.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who
Global footwear brands and retailers are leveraging Tecsys' Elite and Omni software platforms to unlock omnichannel distribution and fulfillment capabilities like inventory virtualization, dynamic routing and order consolidation.

NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tecsys Inc. (TSX: TCS), an industry-leading supply chain management software company, is pleased to announce its growing leadership position in the footwear industry across its Omni and Elite software platforms and its capacity to meet the specific requirements involved in omnichannel distribution and retail processes as they shift to hybrid retail models.

The Tecsys platform serves as the central supply chain execution cog in several footwear organizations across retail, distribution and DTC markets, orchestrating logistics activities across channels and optimizing complex inventory management and fulfillment processes while upholding streamlined customer experiences.

The footwear industry is particularly suitable to network-wide virtualized inventory and dynamic fulfillment because of the complexity involved in inventory management that results from the intersection of size variations and seasonality. Factoring in half-sizes, consider the number of SKUs for one pair of shoes in sizes 7 to 13, and in three colors, black, brown and tan; that is 39 unique products with unique demand levels for each pair.

Tecsys' distributed order management system, Omni OMS, enables footwear retailers and direct-to-consumer brands to carry distributed inventory across fulfillment locations, eliminating the need to stock products with the lowest demand at every site. This allows for more strategic inventory management that provides reasonable access to SKUs while forward positioning the fastest moving SKUs. The Elite product line enables enterprise-level complex and converging markets to operate world-class warehousing, delivery and fulfillment operations in order to gain control over customers' service levels, throughput volumes, order turnaround times, as well as warehousing costs, growth and profitability.

"It is no surprise that footwear companies are investing in this kind of technology because they have historically been hit pretty hard with end-of-line challenges where sizes or colors known to be less popular are stockpiled because they wanted to make sure that outlier customers are still accommodated. Tecsys software is a pragmatic solution to that problem," says Guy Courtin, vice president and industry principal for Retail at Tecsys. "By allocating product according to demand and virtualizing slower moving inventory while reducing buffers, retailers are able to satisfy consumer expectations without swallowing enormous losses at the end of every season  all the while hedging against customer disappointment because their size is unavailable online or at a certain store."

One such example is Aetrex Worldwide Inc., one of the fastest growing companies in the footwear industry and widely recognized as the global leader in comfort and wellness footwear products. Tecsys' Elite WMS has enabled Aetrex to grow rapidly and achieve its strategic sales and customer services goals, such as increased volume by 80% without additional staff, increased inventory accuracy by 70% and reduced cost by 24%.

"[Tecsys] has enabled us to grow at a very aggressive rate, and without it we would have not been able to achieve our strategic sales and customer service goals, says John Mattessich, director of distribution at Aetrex Worldwide Inc. "We went from paper-based to RF technology in a VERY short period of time; this leap has enabled us to increase our productivity, our volume and be able to manage our distribution and sales commitments, with a minimal increase in staff."

Staying at the forefront of unified commerce is a strategic imperative for Tecsys customer Red Wing Shoes. The company's brands are distributed to more than 110 countries in an immersive multichannel environment of 525+ Red Wing retail stores, third-party partners, and owned e-commerce platforms.

"We turned to Tecsys to help us modernize our omnichannel infrastructure, and the results have been very positive," says Dennis Keane, CIO at Red Wing Shoes. "From selection through to implementation and execution, the Tecsys team helped us chart a course for more resilient and more profitable retail fulfillment operations. Not only does the Tecsys platform enable us to fulfill orders more economically through consolidation and dynamic routing, but we are also able to cater to a new segment of digital consumer by providing more channels, more flexibility, and better access to inventory. We are agile in our online order fulfillment capabilities, and we know that we are in good hands with the team at Tecsys."

Richard Sejean, director of e-commerce at Browns Shoes, North America's leading independent footwear chain, adds, "This implementation will enable us to stay at the forefront of omnichannel retail for years to come [and] ensures that we are able to provide our shoppers with exceptional experiences regardless of how they choose to shop with us."

Stay up to date with the latest news from Tecsys on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

About Tecsys

Tecsys is a global provider of supply chain solutions that equip the borderless enterprise for growth. Organizations thrive when they have the software, technology and expertise to drive operational greatness and deliver on their brand promise. Spanning healthcare, retail, service parts, third-party logistics, and general wholesale high-volume distribution industries, Tecsys delivers dynamic and powerful solutions for warehouse management, distribution and transportation management, supply management at point of use, retail order management, as well as complete financial management and analytics solutions. Tecsys' shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TCS. For more information on Tecsys, visit www.tecsys.com.

Copyright  Tecsys Inc. 2022. All names, trademarks, products, and services mentioned are registered or unregistered trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Tecsys Inc.
SALINAS, Calif., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gary Thelander is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Attorney for his professional excellence in the legal field and his unwavering dedication to serving the legal community with Thelander Law.

Gary Thelander

Proudly serving Salinas, Santa Cruz, and San Benito, Thelander Law, takes pride in providing services that will exceed expectations. Thelander Law, a well-respected firm in Salinas, California, includes a team of skilled paralegals, investigators, and local bail bondsmen, and more, specializing in all facets of criminal law. Thelander Law continuously demonstrates the highest standard of professionalism, honesty, and integrity so that every client can make the right decisions under challenging circumstances.



Seasoned Criminal Law Attorney Gary Thelander has garnered 25 years of vast knowledge and experience in his field, working on thousands of cases and helping countless clients. He is the founder of Thelander Law, where he is devoted to providing a haven where even the most difficult conversations are had without judgment or criticism.



In his 25 years of practice, Mr. Thelander has personally participated in the defense or prosecution of the following types of cases: domestic violence, murder charges, weapons charges, gang-related charges, drug-related charges, theft-related charges, and more. He works with his team of highly trained investigators in case assessment, analysis, and presentation. In addition, Mr. Thelander served the community as a public prosecutor, both as an Assistant Deputy District Attorney in Santa Cruz County and Deputy District Attorney in Monterey County.



Mr. Thelander worked for 16 years as a Deputy District Attorney, during which he prosecuted child sexual assault, murder, embezzlement, drunk driving, robbery, burglary, and other types of criminal cases. He has spent much of his career prosecuting DUI and DWI cases. His experience as a Deputy District Attorney aids him in his current work, as he gladly offers his vast knowledge to those he represents. He believes that "People deserve a second chance," and will not hesitate to take on difficult or complex cases in order to give his clients their best chance for their legal representation. He enjoys giving his clients peace of mind to know that his reputation, integrity, and skilled trial practices will be assets in every case.



In light of his academic achievements, Mr. Thelander obtained his Associate of Arts degree from Cabrillo College in 1991 and his Juris Doctor degree at the Monterey College of Law. He remains abreast of the latest legal developments in criminal law by maintaining active memberships with the California Bar Association, Monterey County Bar Association, California Lawyers Association, Criminal Law Section, and Monterey School of Law Alumni Association.



As a testament to his longstanding professional excellence, Mr. Thelander was honored with the Outstanding Achievement award from the Constitutional Rights Foundation in 1997 and recognized as an Elite Lawyer in 2020. He has had featured profiles on prnewswire.com, announce.today.com, and whoswhopr.com, among others.



To learn more, please visit https://www.salinascalawyer.com/.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who
Epidemic prevention staff members prepare for disinfection at a railway station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 16, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows bullet trains at a train depot in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows bullet trains at a train depot in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

A staff member carries out a hygienic check on a train in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 16, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Passengers wait to board trains at Shenzhen North Railway Station in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 17, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. The 2022 Spring Festival travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

A bullet train passes by the Yongdingmen (Gate of Perpetual Peace) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. The 2022 Spring Festival travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

A raillway locomotive passes by the Yongdingmen (Gate of Perpetual Peace) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. The 2022 Spring Festival travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows bullet trains at a train depot in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. The 2022 Spring Festival travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)

A passenger checks train information at Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. The 2022 Spring Festival travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

A disinfection robot is at work at Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. The 2022 Spring Festival travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Passengers get off the trains at Guiyang Railway Station in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 17, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. The 2022 Spring Festival travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Tao Liang)

Passengers queue up to have their tickets checked at Hangzhou East Railway Station in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 17, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. The 2022 Spring Festival travel rush will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

Passengers buy goods sold by local villagers on train No. 4318 in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Passengers wait to check in at Harbin Railway Station in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

Passengers queue up to buy bus tickets at Langdong Bus Station in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Zhou Hua)

Passengers prepare to board a train in Harbin Railway Station in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

A kid interacts with a robot at Shijiazhuang Railway Station in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Yue Wenting)

Calligraphers give New Year gifts of Chinese character "Fu", meaning good luck in English, to passengers at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Staff members give New Year gifts to passengers at Guiyang Railway Station in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Tao Liang)

A paper-cutting artwork is pasted on a window of the train G6737 at Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Passengers queue up to board the train G868 at Ruian Railway Station in Ruian, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Photo by Sun Lin/Xinhua)

A puppet is hung on the train G6737 at Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

A staff member (1st R) guides a passenger to show health QR code at an entrance of Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

A railway policewoman checks luggage on the train D3956 from Beihai in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to Dali in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

A kid poses for a photo at Hohhot East Railway Station in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Wenzhe)

Passengers wait to check in at Harbin Railway Station in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 17, 2022 shows bullet trains at a train depot in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Photo by Yang Suping/Xinhua)

Passengers wait to board a train at Yantai Railway Station in Yantai, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Photo by Tang Ke/Xinhua)

A passenger walks at Changzhou Railway Station in east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Photo by Shi Kang/Xinhua)

A volunteer helps take care of a kid at Changsha Railway Station in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

People walk at the square of the Hengyang Railway Station in Hengyang, central China's Hunan Province, Jan. 17, 2022.

China's 2022 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see 1.18 billion passenger trips, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than that of 2020, the Ministry of Transport has said.

The 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, kicked off Monday and many people will travel to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 1 this year. (Photo by Wang Pulin/Xinhua)
TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gen4 Dental Partners, the next generation of Dental Service Organization (DSO)s based in Tempe, Ariz., announced today the acquisition of Harris Dental, a nationally recognized leader in cosmetic dentistry based in Phoenix, Ariz.

The new partnership fits the Gen4 model of joining forces with the best and brightest dentists while investing in Harris Dental's success.

"Harris Dental exemplifies the perfect fit for the type of practices we seek to partner with, support and grow," said Gen4 Dental Partners Chief Executive Officer, Lamonte Jensen. "Its culture of excellent patient care is exactly what we want to amplify while giving our new partner-dentists true autonomy and greater financial freedom."

Harris Dental's renown for cosmetic dentistry draws patients from around the country. The multi-dentist practice is also known throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area for exceptional and compassionate dental care, sedation dentistry and dental implants.

"This is a great day for everyone at Harris Dental, from our Doctors and amazing team members to our patients we have been serving for the last 43 years. Our focus at Harris Dental has always been quality dentistry and exceptional customer service. Joining the Gen4 team will give us the support we need to continue to do that for many years to come while securing our future at the same time," said Dr. Brian Harris, one of the most respected cosmetic dentists in the U.S."

About Harris Dental

For more than 40 years, Harris Dental has been living its purpose to do good, treat people with respect, and provide patients with what matters most to them. Its culture of clinical excellence stems from a teamwide belief that everyone deserves a confident smile. The practice has grown beyond the boundaries of the Phoenix community to include patients from around the nation seeking the very best in cosmetic dentistry. Harris Dental also offers virtual smile consultations so patients know what to expect even before coming to their modern office.

About Gen4 Dental Partners

Gen4 Dental Partners is the fourth generation and next big leap in Dental Service Organizations that combines business expertise and dental excellence to create an exceptional culture for its partner-dentists, team members and, most importantly, patients. Based in Tempe, Ariz., Gen4 Dental Partners fosters and promotes excellence at all levels: community, education and financial success. The group's drive for continual improvement creates wealth and security while allowing dentists to keep their independence.

SOURCE Gen4 Dental Partners
DUBLIN, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Graphene Market Research Report: By Form, Application - Global Industry Analysis and Revenue Estimation to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global graphene market revenue is predicted to witness a 30.2% CAGR between 2020 and 2030, to reach $1,188.8 million by 2030 from $84.7 million in 2020.



The demand for this form of carbon is booming due to:

Rising Consumption in Electrical & Electronics Sector: The high strength and good electrical conductivity of graphene make it ideal for printed circuits, transistors, and microchips. Further, graphene is used in flexible electronics as it allows such devices to be folded and rolled. Hence, with the growing electrical & electronics industry owing to people's rising purchasing power, the consumption of graphene will boom.

New Applications in Medical Sector: The growing medical sector is another key reason for the advance of the graphene market as many new healthcare-related applications for this material have been developed in recent years. Due to its high strength and low thickness, graphene is increasingly being used to manufacture bioelectric sensors, such as those that monitor the hemoglobin, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Other emerging applications of this material in the medical sector include dental implants, prostheses, therapeutic tools, and even oncology.

The COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat boosted the graphene market because of the usage of this material in the coating of facemasks, the sales of which skyrocketed last year and still continue to be high. Further, graphene nanomaterials are being experimented upon for usage in combination with medications, nano-adjuvants, vaccine carriers, and other molecules, to improve the biocompatibility of such materials. Hence, with the rising production of vaccines during the pandemic, the demand for graphene has surged.



The fastest growth in the graphene market, based on form, will be seen in the powder category in the coming years. Powdered graphene is widely consumed during the production of storage batteries and sensors and in printing technologies. Further, the material is easier to handle as a powder than as flakes or dispersion, which makes this form popular.



The electrical & electronics category dominated the application segment of the graphene market in the past. On account of its high mechanical strength and appreciable electrical conductivity, graphene is being used for flexible displays, touchscreen coatings, precise sensors, and many other products.



Asia-Pacific (APAC) is the largest graphene market presently, and it will also witness the highest CAGR in the coming years. China accounts for a high-volume consumption of this carbon form, especially in its electrical & electronics, energy, and medical sectors. Further, graphene is finding application in the main body frames of lightweight aircraft and automobiles, majorly in China and India.



Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Research Background



Chapter 2. Research Methodology



Chapter 3. Executive Summary



Chapter 4. Introduction

4.1 Definition of Market Segments

4.1.1 By Form

4.1.1.1 Powder

4.1.1.2 Dispersion

4.1.1.3 Others

4.1.2 By Application

4.1.2.1 Electrical & electronics

4.1.2.2 Composites

4.1.2.3 Energy

4.1.2.4 Biomedical

4.1.2.5 Others

4.2 Manufacturing Process of Graphene

4.3 Various Applications of Graphene

4.4 Market Dynamics

4.4.1 Trends

4.4.1.1 Commercialization of graphene

4.4.2 Drivers

4.4.2.1 Rapidly increasing demand for graphene for electrical & electronics applications

4.4.2.2 Rising new applications of graphene in medical sector

4.4.2.3 Impact analysis of drivers on market forecast

4.4.3 Restraints

4.4.3.1 Significantly high cost of production

4.4.3.2 Difficulty in mass production

4.4.3.3 Impact analysis of restraint on market forecast

4.4.4 Opportunities

4.4.4.1 Rise in R&D activities for new applications

4.5 Impact of COVID-19 on Graphene Market



Chapter 5. Global Market Size and Forecast

5.1 By Form

5.2 By Application

5.3 By Region



Chapter 6. North America Market Size and Forecast

6.1 By Form

6.2 By Application

6.3 By Country



Chapter 7. Europe Market Size and Forecast

7.1 By Form

7.2 By Application

7.3 By Country



Chapter 8. APAC Market Size and Forecast

8.1 By Form

8.2 By Application

8.3 By Country



Chapter 9. RoW Market Size and Forecast

9.1 By Form

9.2 By Application

9.3 By Country



Chapter 10. Major Markets

10.1 U.S.

10.2 China

10.3 India

10.4 Germany

10.5 U.K.



Chapter 11. Competitive Landscape

11.1 Market Share Analysis of Key Players

11.2 Competitive Benchmarking of Key Players

11.3 List of Other Players

11.4 Strategic Developments

11.4.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Joint Ventures

11.4.2 Product Launches

11.4.3 Others



Chapter 12. Company Profiles

12.1 The Sixth Element (Changzhou) Materials Technology Co. Ltd.

12.2 Angstron Materials Inc.

12.3 Deyangene Carbon Technology Co. Ltd.

12.4 Ningbo Moxi Technology Co. Ltd.

12.5 Xiamen Knano Graphene Technology Co. Ltd.

12.6 XG Sciences Inc.

12.7 Applied Graphene Materials plc

12.8 2-DTech Graphene

12.9 Graphenea S.A.

12.10 ACS Material LLC

12.11 NanoXplore Inc.

12.12 Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd.

12.13 Vorbeck Materials



Chapter 13. Company Profiles of Other Players

13.1 2D Carbon Graphene Material Co. Ltd.

13.2 Ad-Nano Technologies Private Limited

13.3 AMO GmbH

13.4 First Graphene Ltd.

13.5 G6 Materials Corp.

13.6 Graphene Leaders Canada Inc.

13.7 Graphene-XT

13.8 Haydale Graphene Industries plc

13.9 Nanjing XFNANO Materials Tech Co. Ltd.

13.10 Talga Resources Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1j32r7

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
SHANGHAI, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 13, 2022, Green Valley (Shanghai) Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. received the letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the global multi-center phase-II clinical trial of Oligomannate (marketed as "GV-971"), the company's innovative drug for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). The letter indicated the "Study May Proceed" with the proposed clinical investigation in the treatment of patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). The IND effective date is December 16, 2021.

As the second most common neurodegenerative disease after AD, although the pathogenesis of PD is not exactly known, it is generally believed that the disease is associated with -synuclein aggregation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In recent years, increasing body of evidence has demonstrated that the gut microbiota is highly correlated with PD's occurrence and development.

Being the world's first AD drug that targets the gut-brain axis, GV-971 reduces peripheral and central inflammation1 by reconditioning the gut microbiota and inhibiting the abnormal balance of gut microbiota-derived metabolites. Based on such findings, the research team at Green Valley Research Institute carried out preclinical research on GV-971's effect on PD based on the common pathological mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases, and found that the drug is able to regulate gut microbiota dysbiosis, suppress -synuclein aggregation in both the gut and the brain, reduce neuroinflammation, protect dopaminergic neurons, and improve motor and non-motor symptoms.

The global multi-center phase-II clinical trial will be a 36-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, followed by a 36-week open-label extension period. The trial plans to enroll 300 patients with early-stage PD, and will be conducted at 30 clinical centers in North America and Asia Pacific region to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GV-971 in the treatment of early-stage PD.

On November 2, 2019, China's National Medical Products Administration approved GV-971 for the "treatment of mild-to-moderate AD and improving cognitive function", after fast-track review for the drug. The phase-III trial of GV-971 in China was conducted in 34 Tier-1 hospitals across the country in 818 patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Results of the 36-week trial demonstrated that GV-971 had significantly improved cognitive function in mild-to-moderate AD patients, and was safe and well tolerated with side effects comparable to the placebo1.

In April 2020, the application for the global multi-center phase-III clinical trial of GV-971 was approved by the U.S. FDA. The global trial has been subsequently approved by regulatory agencies in 10 countries and regions, including , Canada, China, Australia, France, Czech and others. Currently, 154 clinical centers in these countries have been activated, with 949 patients screened and 292 patients randomized. The trial is scheduled for completion by 2025, followed by global submission of new drug application.

Since its launch, GV-971 has been successively included in China's authoritative clinical guidelines for disease treatment. These include Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (2020 Edition)2 published by the National Health Commission General office which recommends GV-971 for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD, Expert Consensus on the Management of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment 20213, Expert Consensus on the Nutritional Intervention for Brain Health in Alzheimer's Disease4, Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders (2020 Edition)5, White Paper on the Standardized Construction of Diagnosis and Treatment Centers for Cognitive Disorders6, and Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Elderly Dementia published by the Chinese Society of Neurology under the Chinese Medical Association in December 2021, which list GV-971 as a Class-A recommended drug with Level-1 evidence for treating AD. On December 3, 2021, GV-971 was officially included on China's National Reimbursement Drug List for the first time.

As a neurodegenerative disease, PD's main clinical manifestations include resting tremor, bradykinesia, myotonia and postural gait disturbance, which may be accompanied by non-motor symptoms such as depression, constipation and sleep disorder. Together, they negatively impact patients' quality of life and daily functioning. Statistics show that there are about 10 millions PD patients in the world9, including 3 millions in China, and the prevalence rate among people over 65 years old is 1.7%10 . While thegrowing global population is aging, the number of PD patients will continue to grow.

References: 1. Xiao, S., Chan, P., Wang, T., Hong, Z., Wang, S., Kuang, W., ... & Zhang, Z. (2021). A 36-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 clinical trial of sodium oligomannate for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's dementia. Alzheimer's research & therapy, 13(1), 1-11. 2. National Health Commission General Office. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (2020 Edition). Retrieved from: http://www.abiggp.com/management/Common/KindEditor/attached/file/20210315/20210315140159_5317.pdf 3. Chinese Stroke Society Vascular Cognitive Impairment Branch, Wang, K., Dong, Q., etc. Expert Consensus on the Management of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment 2021 [J]. Chinese Journal of Stroke, 2021, 16(4):14. 4. Shi, H., Xu, J. Expert Consensus on the Nutritional Intervention for Brain Health in Alzheimer's Disease [J]. Scientia Sinica Vitae, 2021. 5. National Health Commission General Office. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders (2020 Edition). Retrieved from: http://www.nhc.gov.cn/yzygj/s7653p/202012/a1c4397dbf504e1393b3d2f6c263d782/files/763f4289c2304524a429b79370cb56f3.pdf 6. Chinese Society of Neurology. White Paper on the Standardized Construction of Diagnosis and Treatment Centers for Cognitive Disorders (R). 2021. 7. Chinese Society of Neurology. Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Elderly Dementia [M]. People's Medical Publishing House, 2021. 8. Economic Daily. New Drugs Included in National Reimbursement Drug List Set to Benefit More. Retrieved from: http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2021-12/05/content_5655909.htm 9. Prasad, E. M., & Hung, S. Y. (2021). Current therapies in clinical trials of Parkinson's disease: a 2021 update. Pharmaceuticals, 14(8), 717. 10. Chen, S., Chan, P., Sun, S., Chen, H., Zhang, B., Le, W., ... & Xiao, Q. (2016). The recommendations of Chinese Parkinson's disease and movement disorder society consensus on therapeutic management of Parkinson's disease. Translational neurodegeneration, 5(1), 1-12.

SOURCE Green Valley Pharmaceuticals
HONG KONG, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), a fully-fledged ICT service provider and network operator with extensive global coverage, and Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific), a next-generation broadband satellite operator that provides affordable, high-speed broadband access to Asia Pacific, have collaborated to boost critical connectivity across emerging markets in the Philippines, providing high standards of connectivity service delivery and quality.

Working together, the two providers will offer faster, safer, and more reliable critical infrastructure benefiting the Philippines' enterprise users as well as an array of industries including mining, government, banks, financial institutions, schools, health clinics, telemedicine, and remote healthcare which may enter the market for the first time.

With a population exceeding 110 million, the Philippines is rapidly digitizing with a high internet penetration expected to reach 82% by 2022.

Kacific's geostationary Ka-band satellite, Kacific1, was launched in December 2019 to provide high-speed, reliable broadband connectivity to the underserved rural and suburban communities at prices and equipment that are affordable and easily accessible. Now, the operator is deploying innovation breakthroughs on the ground with a new line of high-performance and cost-effective broadband terminals.

HGC has been selected as a partner of choice to host Kacific's IT infrastructure and critical business applications speeding up deployments and upgrades, as well as improving network latency and accelerating times to market-leading standards and upping security systems.

HGC will provide the international IP routes to Kacific that subsequently will use this to give internet access across remote, internet deprived areas through Satellite technology where there is a lack of fibre.

By utilizing HGC's flagship ultra-low latency Eyeball-as-a-ServiceTM (EaaS) Solution, Kacific will be able to noticeably reduce latency times and further deploy innovation breakthroughs on the ground with a new line of high-performance and cost-effective broadband terminals.

HGC EaaS has been created to take into consideration regional routing and IP related services, bringing on route diversity that not only achieves ultra-low-latency times of less than 10 milliseconds* and a more robust bandwidth but also offers disaster redundancy preventing profit-hitting downtime.

Ravindran Mahalingam, HGC's Senior Vice President, International Business, said: "The Philippines is undergoing a tremendous shift as its economy converts to digital, and the need for critical digital infrastructure has never been greater than right now. From enterprises to OTTs providing virtual banking, streaming services and more, this is a turning point in the faciliating business' digitalization."

Cliff Tam, HGC's Senior Vice President, Global Data Strategy of International Business, said: "This project is not only remarkable from a technical standpoint from Earth to space and back, but it also has a tremendous philanthropist side to it because we are helping to connect the unconnected across swathes of Southeast Asia that are full of talent but that until now lacked the digital tools to shine."

"We look forward to continuing working with Kacific as well as all the enterprise/OTT users and other verticals to help them take the first step towards modernizing their operations."

Cyril Annarella, Chief Operations Officer at Kacific, said: "Our focus has always been to work in partnership with major international carriers and with strong local partners to complement our satellite assets and advance the global broadband infrastructure."

"HGC is highly regarded in Asia and the global markets, and is a well-known pioneer in the telecommunication arena. The skills and expertise HGC brings to this project allows us to continuously deliver a world class service to our markets and make a rapid and lasting difference to the people of Southeast Asia.

Contact us to learn more: [email protected]

HGC Eyeball-as-a-Service Solution: https://www.hgc-intl.com/products-and-services/ott-edge-solutions/edge-solution/

*HGC Eyeball-as-a-Service Peering Platform Internal Testing Result within the Philippines region.

About HGC

HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international telecom operator and ICT solution provider. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. HGC has 23 overseas offices, with business over 5 continents. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporate and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, five cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong's largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies.

To learn more, please visit HGC's website at: www.hgc.com.hk

About Kacific

Kacific Broadband Satellites is a next-generation broadband satellite operator, headquartered in Singapore. Kacific's high-throughput Ka-band satellite, Kacific1, delivers affordable, high-speed broadband access to the Pacific and Southeast Asia, with a focus on underserved rural and suburban areas.

Kacific uses the latest multi-beam space communications and ground technology to provide quality service to businesses, governments, and communities. Kacific's services foster greater internet usage, fueling economic growth and improvements in service delivery across covered regions.

Since the launch of the Kacific1 satellite in December 2019, Kacific's operations have scaled rapidly across Asia Pacific. Kacific currently helps address a market of more than 100 million people in 25 countries around the Pacific and Southeast Asia who are unconnected or under-connected to the internet.

Kacific's awards include Best Digital Inclusion (Pacific ICT Awards, 2019), Satellite Executive of the Year: Christian Patouraux (APSCC, 2019) and Better World Satellite Award (SSPI, 2018).

SOURCE HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC)
HCF will support Hyundai Motor France, Kia France and their dealer network  spread across nearly 400 sites in France  in lease and loan financing for new vehicles and used vehicles in addition to serving as a sales agent for relevant insurance policy products. The company will benefit from the support of Societe Generale Group and operate under the Hyundai Finance and Kia Finance brands within their respective networks and with dedicated teams.

"France is a strategically significant market for Hyundai Motor Group and we are very glad to form a joint venture with Societe Generale Group in this regard," said Kim Hyun Joo, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Business Division at Hyundai Capital. "Hyundai Capital, as a captive finance provider, aims to support Hyundai Motor Group's meaningful expansion in France with tailored products and services."

"We are very proud of this new chapter with the Hyundai Motor Group, which is the recognition of a long-term partnership. It will enable CGI Finance to continue to grow and support Hyundai Motor France, Kia France and their dealers network while offering services for a more sustainable mobility to consumers," said Ludovic Van De Voorde, CEO of CGI Finance.

A major sales destination for Hyundai and Kia vehicles in Europe, France is one of the most important markets for the Hyundai Motor Group. The Group has opted for the strategy of setting up a captive finance company to further support vehicle sales in the European market by providing tailored financial services for customers and dealers.

HCF is the 10th overseas financial entity of Hyundai Capital and 17th when consulting entities and branches are taken into account. Within Europe, it is the fifth entity after the ones in Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia and Italy. With the establishment of Hyundai Capital Bank Europe in Germany in 2016, Hyundai Capital vowed to enter into additional countries in Europe. Before France, the company opened a branch in Italy in 2021.

Hyundai Capital

Hyundai Capital, a leading consumer finance company founded in 1993, has been offering financial services tailored to meet the needs of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands globally. Spearheading the globalization of Korea's finance sector, Hyundai Capital, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is now active in 13 countries in the Americas, China and Europe and plans further expansion. As part of moves to diversify business models, the company has developed new mobility-exclusive products and set up an automobile leasing company overseas.

CGI Finance

Founded in 1951, CGI Finance, a financial institution and subsidiary of the Societe Generale Group, offers innovative financing solutions to the automobile and nautical distribution sectors and helps thousands of French people every year in their lives as motorists, boaters or in managing their budgets.

The company, a leader in used car leasing and an expert in the automotive market, runs 19 car and boat sales offices in France.

Contact

Hyundai Capital

PR Team Senior Manager

Seo Ji-eun

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Hyundai Capital
"Connie has been an integral part of the IBCC leadership team for 31 years and we're excited for Mr. Vera to continue her legacy as he steps into this new role," said IBCC Board Chairwoman, Monica Jaikaran. "Under Mr. Vera's stewardship, we look to a new chapter of our organization with excitement as we build upon high-quality patient-centered care delivered to our local communities that we serve in the South Bay."

"I'm excited about my new role at IBCC and leading this dedicated team of professionals  my focus is to build a culture of trust, collaboration and an unparalleled commitment to quality and a patient-centered approach where patients receive the care they need and the service they deserve," said Santos.

Santos brings extensive experience in leading large community health centers and academic systems to his role at IBCC. He will oversee the strategic direction and ensure a "patient first" philosophy of health care is delivered to every patient IBCC serves.

Santos brings over 25 years of mission-driven experience to the IBCC team, with notable expertise in managing the operations of safety-net health centers and improving the public health system. Prior to joining IBCC, he served as the executive vice president for Avenue 360 Health and Wellness in Houston, Texas, where he led the planning and execution of services in urban and rural communities across the third largest county in the U.S. Previously, in California, Santos served as the executive director for Solana County Medical Services, a large academic safety-net Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), overseeing the day-to-day operations of the health system.

"Health Center Partners welcomes Santos Vera to our family of companies," said Henry Tuttle, president and CEO of Health Center Partners of Southern California. "We look forward to continuing to partner with IBCC, supporting their vision to help ensure all residents in the South Bay region have access to high-quality primary care and health education."

About Imperial Beach Community Clinic

Imperial Beach Community Clinic (IBCC) is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing high-quality, comprehensive health care services to culturally diverse patient populations in the southwest San Diego County since 1971. IBCC provides adult primary care, pediatrics, dentistry, women's health, behavioral health as well as other specialty medical services including community support services: outreach, screening, testing, education, and wellness and prevention. For more information, visit www.ibclinic.org.

About Health Center Partners

A premier consortium of primary health care organizations, Health Center Partners (HCP) is the voice and advocate for its members who serve the health needs of communities throughout southern California. The organization serves as a catalyst for transforming and enhancing primary care by helping our members deliver quality health care to the safety net population in Southern California, through innovative programs, resources, and advocacy. A family of companies, HCP includes a 17-membership organization of Federally Qualified Health Centers, Indian Health Services Organizations, both urban and sovereign, and Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, collectively serving 966,000+ patients each year, for 3.7 million patient visits each year, at 160 practice sites across San Diego, Riverside, Imperial counties, with the seventh largest provider group in the region. For more information, visit https://hcpsocal.org/, become a fan on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE Health Center Partners of Southern California
ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency Market Research, New York: As per the report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global cotton clips market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period, from 2021 to 2031.

The rising use of cotton clips for domestic applications is estimated to fuel sales in the market. Moreover, increase in the use of carpets, mops, rugs, and carpet tiles is boosting the sales of cotton clips. People around the globe are increasingly using environment-friendly carpets and contemporary area rugs, which, in turn, is boosting the market growth.

The growth in the popularity of functional and decorative household products, including lamp lightings, greeting cards, and photo frames is opening up revenue streams in the global cotton clips market. Flowerpots, wall hangings, and greeting cards are some of the popular products manufactured using cotton clips such as wool fibers, wipes, and waste cotton rags. Hence, increase in sales of these products is creating revenue-generation opportunities in the cotton clips market.

The Asia Pacific cotton clips market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period, owing to rise in the use of cotton clips in the production of different cleaning and household products and companies engaged in apparel & garment manufacturing and cotton clothing. China and India are important nations contributing to market growth. Moreover, several developing nations, including Bangladesh and India are increasing the cultivation of cotton, which, in turn, is supporting market expansion in Asia Pacific.

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Cotton Clips Market: Key Findings

With increase in awareness about impact on environment due to products manufactured using materials such as elastic and lightweight synthetic fibers, the demand for cotton clips is increasing across the globe

Rise in sales of functional products such as guest books, book holders, tea coasters, and penholders is bolstering the growth of the cotton clips market

Surge in the use of cotton clips in the manufacturing of stuff toys is also fueling market growth. Moreover, cotton clips are in high demand in different industrial settings for wiper and polishing cloths. Cotton is also utilized in seat stuffing and automotive & home insulation. All these applications of cotton clips are fueling the sales prospects in the global market.

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Cotton Clips Market: Growth Boosters

Increase in use of cotton clips for the manufacturing of products used for cleaning purposes, including wipers and mops, is offering growth opportunities in the market

Cotton clips are used in the development of household products, including rugs and mats. Hence, rise in the demand for these products is estimated to fuel the sales of cotton clips during the forecast period.

Rising urbanization and improving spending power of consumers across the globe are resulting in increased sales of different household products, which, in turn, is strengthening the global cotton clips market

Growing popularity of circular economy model around the world is boosting business prospects in the global market

Cotton Clips Market: Competition Landscape

Several leading companies in the global cotton clips market are investing heavily in R&D projects in order to discover techniques useful in the reuse of cotton clips

Market players are adopting strategies such as joint ventures, collaborations, and mergers to stay ahead of the competition

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Cotton Clips Market: Key Players

Some of the key players profiled in the report are:

Dalieco Limited

RIGHT Trade International

KARATSIALISBROS&SIAO.E.

Prarona Enterprise

Sandeep International

Sami Rags Enterprises

H & Z Design

Ahmed Global Merchandise

Bin Ali Trading Est.

Panaraas

Cotton Clips Market Segmentation

Application

Mops & Wipers

Mats

Quilts

Rugs & Carpets

Bags

Toys

Others (Recycled Cotton Fibers and Decorative Items)

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

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Chemicals & Materials Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals & Materials Market:

Mercerized Cotton Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/mercerized-cotton-market.html

Fire Resistant Cotton Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/fire-resistant-cotton-market.html

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyse information.



Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

For More Research Insights on Leading Industries, Visit our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8e-z-g23-TdDMuODiL8BKQ

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
DUBLIN, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Veterinary Care Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Type Of Care (Regular, Critical), by Animal Type (Companion, Production), by Region (North America, APAC), and Segment Forecasts, 2021-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global veterinary care market size is expected to reach USD 114.4 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 5.4% over the forecast period. Increasing number of government initiatives to safeguard food security is likely to boost the adoption of better veterinary care worldwide. A significant increase in pet adoption and humanization worldwide is mostly responsible for the high need for veterinary care, which is boosting the market growth.



Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased adoption of pets. In June 2020, at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, pet adoptions were double their normal rate, with almost 10 or 13 adoptions a day. Furthermore, a waiting list had formed for certain types of canines and puppies, as so few were left. Increasing awareness among pet owners for regular check-ups of their pets is further boosting the market.



The demand for animal protein is growing across the globe owing to higher per capita income. According to the article OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2020-2029, growth in consumption of meat in the next decade is expected to increase by 12% by 2029.

As the demand for meat continues to increase, the demand for veterinary care is anticipated to grow rapidly. Key companies in the market are collaborating with animal welfare organizations to encourage awareness and advance veterinary healthcare, which is further bolstering the market growth.



Veterinary Care Market Report Highlights

Companion animals held the dominant share in the animal type segment owing to increasing pet healthcare expenditure and increasing pet adoption

The production animals segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to increasing government initiatives to improve livestock health

Moreover, rising domestic production, consumption, and export of bovine meat is boosting the segment growth

Regular care type, for both production & companion animals, dominated the global market in 2020 due to the increased pet ownership, government initiatives to prevent various animal diseases, and a high number of veterinary hospitals & clinics

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2. Executive Summary



Chapter 3. Market Variables, Trends & Scope

3.1. Market Lineage Outlook

3.1.1. Parent Market Outlook

3.1.2. Related/Ancillary Market Outlook

3.2. Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping

3.3. Veterinary Care Market Dynamics

3.3.1. Market Driver Analysis

3.3.2. Market Restraint Analysis

3.3.3. Market Opportunity Analysis

3.3.4. Market Challenges Analysis

3.4. Veterinary Care Industry Analysis - Porter's

3.4.1. Supplier Power

3.4.2. Buyer Power

3.4.3. Substitution Threat

3.4.4. Threat of New Entrants

3.4.5. Competitive Rivalry

3.5. Veterinary Care Industry Analysis - PEST

3.5.1. Political & Legal Landscape

3.5.2. Economic Landscape

3.5.3. Social Landscape

3.5.4. Technology Landscape

3.6. Regulatory Framework



Chapter 4. Impact of COVID-19 on Veterinary Care Market

4.1. Disease Prevalence Analysis

4.2. Covid-19 Impact and Future Scenario

4.3. Regulatory Changes Due to Covid-19

4.3.1. Strategies Implemented by Companies



Chapter 5. Veterinary Care Market: Animal Type Estimates & Trend Analysis

5.1. Animal Type Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2020 & 2028

5.2. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analysis, 2016 to 2028 for the following:

5.2.1. Companion Animal

5.2.1.1 Dogs

5.2.1.2 Cats

5.2.1.3 Equine

5.2.1.4 Others

5.2.2. Production Animal



Chapter 6. Veterinary Care Market: Type of Care Estimates & Trend Analysis

6.1. Type of Care Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2020 & 2028

6.2. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analysis, 2016 to 2028 for the following:

6.2.1 Companion Animal

6.2.1.1 Regular

6.2.1.2. Emergency

6.2.1.3. Critical

6.2.1.4. Specialty Services

6.2.2 Production Animal

6.2.2.1 Regular

6.2.2.2. Emergency

6.2.2.3. Critical

6.2.2.4. Specialty Services



Chapter 7. Veterinary Care Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis

7.1. Regional Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2020 & 2028

7.2. Market Share Analysis, by Region (North America, Europe, Rest of the World)

7.3. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analysis, 2016 to 2028 for the following:

7.3.1. North America

7.3.1.1. U.S.

7.3.1.2. Canada

7.3.2. Europe

7.3.2.1. U.K.

7.3.2.2. Germany

7.3.2.3. France

7.3.2.4. Italy

7.3.2.5. Spain

7.3.3. Asia Pacific

7.3.3.1. Japan

7.3.3.2. China

7.3.3.3. India

7.3.4. Latin America

7.3.4.1. Brazil

7.3.4.2. Mexico

7.3.5. Middle East & Africa

7.3.5.1. South Africa



Chapter 8. Competitive Analysis

8.1. Market Participation Categorization

8.2. Competitive Dashboard Analysis

8.3. Public Companies

8.3.1. Company Market Share/Position Analysis

8.3.2. Heat Map Analysis

8.4. Private Companies

8.4.1. List of Key Companies



Chapter 9. Competitive Landscape

9.1. Company Profiles

9.1.1. Merck Animal Health

9.1.1.1. Company Overview

9.1.1.2. Financial Performance

9.1.1.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.1.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.2. Ceva Sante Animale

9.1.2.1. Company Overview

9.1.2.2. Financial Performance

9.1.2.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.2.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.3. Zoetis

9.1.3.1. Company Overview

9.1.3.2. Financial Performance

9.1.3.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.3.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.4. Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH

9.1.4.1. Company Overview

9.1.4.2. Financial Performance

9.1.4.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.4.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.5. Elanco

9.1.5.1. Company Overview

9.1.5.2. Financial Performance

9.1.5.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.5.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.6. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

9.1.6.1. Company Overview

9.1.6.2. Financial Performance

9.1.6.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.6.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.7. Heska Corporation

9.1.7.1. Company Overview

9.1.7.2. Financial Performance

9.1.7.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.7.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.8. Virbac

9.1.8.1. Company Overview

9.1.8.2. Financial Performance

9.1.8.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.8.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.9. Vetoquinol S.A.

9.1.9.1. Company Overview

9.1.9.2. Financial Performance

9.1.9.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.9.4. Strategic Initiatives

9.1.10. Indian Immunologicals Ltd.

9.1.10.1. Company Overview

9.1.10.2. Financial Performance

9.1.10.3. Product Benchmarking

9.1.10.4. Strategic Initiatives



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1fw6rz

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Intracom Telecom, a global telecommunication systems and solutions vendor, announced today new products for its mmWave FWA portfolio, introducing the WiBAS G5 dual-BS and the WiBAS G5 smart-BS hub radios for Ultra Broadband service. The new mmWave systems will be demonstrated at the MWC Barcelona, on 28 February -03 March 2022, at Company's stand, 7B44 in hall 7.

Having spent the two years since the announcement of the revolutionary WIBAS G5 evo-BS in 2019, Intracom Telecom developed new techniques to enhance the density of subscribers and the speed of connection, for its WiBAS mmWave FWA portfolio. The technological innovations are being introduced on the 28GHz FDD hub radio WIBAS G5 dual-BS and on the 24/26/27/28GHz TDD hub radio WIBAS G5 smart-BS. The subscriber density reaches 240 per hub and the available capacity goes up to 3.2Gbps using wide channels of 100MHz and 112MHz, by activating 2 or 4 data streams on each hub radio. The advanced modem technology of WiBAS system enables the operation of the system at a maximum 1024 modulation scheme, therefore terminals can achieve total throughput of 1Gbps. The signature feature of the WiBAS portfolio has always been the extended range, and this is reconfirmed for the WIBAS G5 dual-BS as well as for the WIBAS G5 smart-BS, and ranges up to 11km can be considered along with all the other parameters which are accounted for when designing and deploying for radio service coverage.

The WiBAS G5 dual-BS and WIBAS G5 smart-BS are fully compatible with operating networks and their software-defined architecture enable future-proof deployments and feature enhancements through software licensing. Service Providers can instantly increase the total network capacity of an existing WiBAS deployment by operating the new hubs alongside the WiBAS OSDR and WiBAS G5 evo-BS hubs. The WIBAS G5 smart-BS operates at 5G mmWave frequencies alongside 5G NR networks. The WiBAS G5 dual-BS and WIBAS G5 smart-BS, just like any product of the company's FWA ecosystem, are SDR (Software Defined Radios) having the capability to be upgraded with software for new functionalities in the future.

Jimmy Yu, VP of the Microwave Transmission and Mobile Backhaul Transport market research in Dell'Oro Group, commented: "The growing demand for microwave transmission equipment is expected to be largely driven by applications such as FWA because fiber deployment is not economical everywhere. One of the reasons that it is not economical is the long distance between homes and buildings, especially in rural areas, creating a need for mmWave solutions that can both deliver the high capacity as well as meet the longer distance requirements of rural and suburban locations."

Dimitris Pantelopoulos, Intracom Telecom R&D Director, said: "This is a milestone for Intracom Telecom's wireless solutions portfolio reaffirming company's goal to lead in the FWA domain by providing first the most advanced mmWave FWA technology available in the market today. The commercial availability of the radio comes at a perfect timing where business and residential subscribers seek connectivity today, demanding 5G speeds everywhere even at places where fiber technologies cannot be deployed."

About Intracom Telecom

Intracom Telecom is a global telecommunication systems and solutions vendor operating for over 40 years in the market. The company has become the benchmark in fixed wireless access and it successfully innovates in the 5G/4G wireless RAN transport and small-cell SON backhaul international arena. Intracom Telecom offers a comprehensive revenue-generating software solutions portfolio and a complete range of ICT services, focusing on IoT, SDN/NFV, Big Data analytics & data-driven intelligence, and Smart City solutions. Moreover, it addresses the Energy & Utilities industry, emphasizing on smart metering and end-to-end IT solutions. Intracom Telecom is also active in the defense sector providing security integrated systems for critical infrastructure protection and border surveillance. The company has extensive know-how and a proven track record in the market, serving fixed and mobile telecom operators, public authorities and large public and private enterprises. Intracom Telecom maintains its own R&D and production facilities, and operates subsidiaries worldwide. For more information please visit: www.intracom-telecom.com

SOURCE Intracom Telecom
BROKEN ARROW, Okla., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jean-Maria C. Langley, DO, AOCOHNS, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Distinguished Otolaryngologist for her exceptional work in the field and in acknowledgment of her work at Utica Park Clinic.

As an Otolaryngologist, also known as an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor, she has over 14 years of experience in the field. Dr. Langley is a highly-respected doctor who specializes in sinus and sleep apnea surgeries. She is currently one of only three physicians in Oklahoma who are able to perform these types of surgical procedures.



Jean-Maria C. Langley DO AOCOHNS

To achieve her long-standing career, Dr. Langley started by attending Washington State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry, along with a secondary education certificate. She then graduated from Drake University with a Master of Science degree in Biology (Cardiac Physiology). Dr. Langley then completed a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, an internship, and a residency in Otolaryngology at Oklahoma State University Medical Center in 2007. She is a board-certified Otolaryngologist through the American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AOCOO-HNS). AOCOO-HNS provides board certification to doctors who meet strict criteria for medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, and throat. Dr. Langley is certified to practice medicine in Oklahoma.



Dr. Langley previously taught high school, and also served as an adjunct professor with Des Moines Community College. In her current role, she welcomes patients of all ages to her Utica Park Clinic. Dr. Langley prides herself on her sincerity, honesty, and compassion in all aspects of her work.



Common reasons patients seek ENT services are for hearing issues, earaches, ear infections, nasal congestion, sleep apnea, and sinus issues. Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common medical complaints in the United States, affecting about 35 million adults each year. Dr. Langely's specialties are sleep apnea and sinus surgeries, and managing disorders of the nose and sinus.



She has been providing top-quality patient care at Utica Park Clinic for nine years. The clinic accepts most insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. Utica Park Clinic offers numerous health services for all age groups and genders. They provide virtual care and telehealth options, and have over 250 providers in over 20 specialties. Dr. Langley provides patient care at the Utica Park Clinic, located at 9001 S. 101st East Ave., Suite 280, in Tulsa, OK. She also sees patients at Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center, and Oklahoma State University Center.



To stay alert to new advances in the field, she is a Fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; and a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, American Osteopathic Association, Auxiliary of the Tulsa Osteopathic Medical Society, and American Rhinology Society.



Awards for her exceptional accomplishments include the Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2013, 2014, 2015), Patients' Choice Award (2013-2018), Top 10 Doctor  State (2014), On-Time Doctor Award (2015-2018), and Patients' Choice 5th Anniversary Award (2017, 2018).



On a personal note, Dr. Langley has been married to Dan Langley for 22 years, and they have one child together. She enjoys volunteering as Department Chair of the Otolaryngology Department at Oklahoma State University. Her hobbies include exercising, reading, and cooking.



She would like to dedicate this honorable recognition to her mentors, Tom Nunn, DO, and Tom Hamilton, DO.



For more information, visit www.uticaparkclinic.com.



For more information, visit www.uticaparkclinic.com.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]



SOURCE Continental Who's Who
Israeli soldiers are seen at the scene where a knife-wielding Palestinian man was shot dead at the Gush Etzion Junction to the north of the West Bank city of Hebron, on Jan. 17, 2022. An Israeli soldier shot dead a knife-wielding Palestinian who attempted to stab him in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Israeli military said. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli soldier shot dead a knife-wielding Palestinian who attempted to stab him in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Israeli military said.

The incident took place at the Gush Etzion Junction, a major crossroad near a Jewish settlement bloc in the central West Bank.

"The soldier fired toward the assailant and neutralized him," said an Israeli army spokesperson in a statement, noting no Israelis were injured.

Israeli forces launched searches to locate the vehicle that brought the suspect to the crossroad, setting up roadblocks in the area.

The incident came amid a rise in the Palestinian violence against Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank and the settlers' attacks against Palestinian farmers and villagers. 

Israeli soldiers are seen at the scene where a knife-wielding Palestinian man was shot dead at the Gush Etzion Junction to the north of the West Bank city of Hebron, on Jan. 17, 2022. An Israeli soldier shot dead a knife-wielding Palestinian who attempted to stab him in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Israeli military said. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)
TORONTO, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As students return to school after a lengthy COVID-19-related layoff, many parents are wondering if it is safe for kids to return to school during this ongoing pandemic. In an era where it can sometimes be hard to separate fact from fiction, it's important to let the experts weigh in on significant matters like this.

Let Kids Be Kids: Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

On Wednesday, January 19, tune in to Let Kids Be Kids where medical experts will address COVID-19 matters that are top of mind for healthcare professionals as they care for their pediatric patients and offer guidance to parents. The panel will also speak to the concerns being had by those in the general public.

Furthermore, discussions will be had regarding how restrictions like an inability to participate in extracurricular activities; grandparent visitations; and events with friends can harm a child's mental and emotional state.

Separate sessions will be held for *healthcare professionals (2pm to 3:30pm ET) and the general public (4pm to 5:30pm ET). They will both feature interactive Q&A opportunities.

Participating medical experts include:

Dr. Martha Fulford (Infectious Diseases Physician and Associate Professor at McMaster University )

(Infectious Diseases Physician and Associate Professor at Dr. Khrista Boylan (Pediatric Psychiatrist and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University )

(Pediatric Psychiatrist and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at ) Dr. Richard Tytus (Family Doctor; Associate Clinical Professor, Family Medicine at McMaster University )

(Family Doctor; Associate Clinical Professor, Family Medicine at ) Dr. Dennis DiValentino (Family Doctor; Assistant Clinical Professor, Family Medicine at McMaster University )

"Parents are frequently asking me whether or not it is safe to send their child back to school as COVID-19 persists," offers Dr. Richard Tytus. "That question is not a quick or easy one to answer. The goal of this Let Kids Be Kids live online event is to help healthcare professionals best answer such a question, and to help parents make an informed decision about how to guide their children through this pandemic."

Register for free at https://banty.com/covid .

*Let Kids Be Kids is an unaccredited educational event.

About Banty CME

The Banty CME service provides Continuing Medical Education (CME) to medical professionals. Each CME session is brought to life using Banty's high-end technological prowess, studio solutions, equipment, and other facilities.

Dr. Martha Fulford

Dr. Fulford is an associate professor at McMaster University. Dr. Fulford provides infectious disease consultations for both the pediatric and adult patient populations.

Dr. Khrista Boylan

Dr. Boylan is a clinician researcher whose aim is to identify developmental and clinical processes which contribute to persistent depression in adolescents. She also studies the epidemiology of oppositional behaviour and irritability in children and adolescents. She leads or participates in several studies with clinical and community participants. Dr. Boylan is also a faculty member of the Oxford Centre for Child Studies.

Dr. Richard Tytus

Dr. Tytus is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, and Co-Founder of Virtual Medicine solution, Banty Inc. He is currently on the National Virtual Medicine Task Force for clinical practice guidelines.

Dr. Dennis DiValentino

Dr. Dennis DiValentino is a family physician in Hamilton, ON and an Assistant Clinical Professor, Family Medicine at McMaster University. In 2017, he received a Joule Innovation grant for his social innovation, Ramcare, to help provide care to marginalized individuals using mobile tele-medical units.

Media Contact:

Scott Wilson

289-259-8059

[email protected]

SOURCE Banty Inc.
Founded more than 20 years ago, MECCA has redefined the Australian and New Zealand beauty landscape, offering from around 200 brands including signature lines MECCA Cosmetica and MECCA MAX. The products on offer include cosmetics, skin care, hair care, fragrance and body care, as well as accessories, both in-store and online in Australia and New Zealand, and via their TMALL store in China.

Centric PLM will provide us with a comprehensive end-to-end solution to help us handle large volumes of product launches

With rapid growth in the beauty and wellness market, constantly changing consumer trends and the expansion of product portfolios, MECCA saw a need to enhance and improve automation for existing processes involving compliance and traceability. Seeking a solution with an integrated quality management system to streamline processes and centralize ingredient, product claims and certification data in a secure environment, MECCA chose to implement Centric PLM for Cosmetics and Personal Care.

"We're operating in such a high pace environment that it's important we can rely on our back-end systems, like Centric PLM, to help set our business up to meet our customers' needs today and well into the future. Centric PLM will provide us with a comprehensive end-to-end solution to help us handle large volumes of product launches, while making sure we meet strict compliance regulations," said David Cumberland, Head of Finance at MECCA.

With Centric PLM, MECCA aims to streamline regulatory compliance for products and their raw materials, systematize processes around labelling and the verification of product claims, and automate the collation and storage of certifications.

"We are very happy to welcome MECCA on board," says Chris Groves, President and CEO of Centric Software. "MECCA recognizes the strength of Centric's single, actionable source of truth approach, particularly for managing compliance, and we are looking forward to working with MECCA to expand the scope of PLM across their business in the long-term."

Learn more about Centric Cosmetics and Personal Care PLM

Visiting NRF? Check out Centric Software Retail Solutions at booth #227.

Request a Demo

MECCA Brands (https://www.mecca.com.au/)

Since opening its doors in Melbourne in 1997, MECCA has completely redefined the Australian beauty landscape, championing retail innovation and delivering the ultimate beauty experience to customers. Founded by Jo Horgan, the powerhouse retailer presents the best in global beauty across over 100 Australian and New Zealand stores, six unique beauty concepts: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima, MECCA, mecca.com.au and meccabeauty.co.nz, and in China on mecca.tmall.hk.

Centric Software (www.centricsoftware.com)

From its headquarters in Silicon Valley, Centric Software provides a Product Concept to Consumer Digital Transformation Platform for fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor, consumer electronics and consumer goods including cosmetics and personal care and food and beverage. Centric's flagship Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform, Centric PLM, delivers enterprise-class merchandise planning, product development, sourcing, quality and product portfolio optimization innovations specifically for fast-moving consumer industries. Centric Visual Innovation Platform (CVIP) offers highly visual digital board experiences for collaboration and decision-making. Centric Retail Planning is an innovative, cloud-native solution powered by Armonica Retail S.R.L., that delivers an end-to-end retail planning process designed to maximize retail business performance. Centric Software pioneered mobility, introducing the first mobile apps for PLM, and is widely known for connectivity to dozens of other enterprise systems including ERP, DAM, PIM, e-com, planning and more as well as creative tools such as Adobe Illustrator and a host of 3D CAD connectors. Centric's innovations are 100% market-driven with the highest user adoption rate and fastest time to value in the industry. All Centric innovations shorten time to market, boost product innovation and reduce costs.

Centric Software is majority-owned by Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the world leader in 3D design software, 3D digital mock-up and PLM solutions.

Centric Software has received multiple industry awards and recognition, including being named by Red Herring to its Top 100 Global list in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Centric also received various excellence awards from Frost & Sullivan in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2021.

Centric Software is a registered trademark of Centric Software Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Centric Software
NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION  Mendix , a Siemens business and global leader in enterprise application development, will showcase ShiftSwap, a new low-code solution targeting the retail industry, developed in partnership with Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. The ShiftSwap app will be introduced at National Retail Federation (NRF) 2022: Retail's Big Show (booth #4061) taking place at the Javits Center in New York City, Jan. 16 - 18, 2022.

Wipro collaborated with Mendix to develop ShiftSwap, a scheduling and shift management solution built on the Mendix low-code platform, as part of Mendix's Global Systems Integrators (GSI) program. The solution is designed to bring retailers new levels of efficiencies and improve the in-store employee experience.

Increasingly, in-store associates want simplified work routines, constant engagement and support, a quick way to search relevant information, as well as easier scheduling and task management. ShiftSwap will address these challenges by allowing retailers to create custom applications tailored to their unique needs at speeds 10x faster than performing scratch development.

"ShiftSwap empowers retail organizations to accelerate application modernization and innovation by rapidly extending core systems, enabling business and IT collaboration and building reusable components to facilitate agile business processes," said Terri Blake, global system integrator marketing at Mendix. "Whether you need to unify employee and customer experiences, automate manual processes, or undergo enterprise-wide modernization, Mendix is your answer for a scalable solution."

Mendix in Action at NRF 2022: Retail's Big Show

ShiftSwap can optimize personnel resources and shift utilization, while improving the productivity of associates and supervisors. This is an important capability as supervisors tend to lack real-time information about employee availability, shifts, and skill sets. Typically, they rely on spreadsheets and manual processes such as calls or texts to communicate ad-hoc changes.

"Wipro has been working with leading retailers worldwide to accelerate their digital business transformations and drive more value using the latest tech innovations," said Blake. "At the NRF conference, retailers will be able to see how they can quickly and easily improve customer and employee experiences using low-code  up to 10 times faster than traditional manual coding."

The ShiftSwap demonstration will show retailers several capabilities that are easy to leverage such as creating new shifts, publishing them on a marketplace, and providing self-service shift assignments based on the open shifts in a marketplace. Attendees will also learn how they can ensure shift swaps between people who have similar skill sets and learn about the types of real-time notifications associates and supervisors receive.

In addition, Mendix will also showcase how easy it is to add new capabilities to an existing application and how an application, like ShiftSwap, can be included as part of a comprehensive application suite.

Meet Mendix at NRF

Interested parties should visit Mendix at booth #4061.

Expo only passes are available free of charge .

Connect with Mendix

Follow @Mendix on Twitter

Connect with Mendix on LinkedIn

About Mendix GSI program

Mendix's GSI program extends the firm's global footprint and accelerates enterprise adoption. Conversely, the GSIs gain early access to Mendix's product enhancements and a hands-on experience with the platform's emerging capabilities so they can help their clients build new value-generating apps.

About Mendix

Mendix, a Siemens business and global leader in enterprise application development, is fundamentally reinventing the way applications are built in the digital enterprise. With the Mendix platform, enterprises can 'Make with More,' by broadening an enterprise's development capability to conquer the software development bottleneck; 'Make it Smart,' by making apps with rich native experiences that are intelligent, proactive, and contextual; and 'Make at Scale,' to modernize core systems and build large app portfolios to keep pace with business growth. The Mendix platform is built to promote intense collaboration between business and IT teams and dramatically accelerate application development cycles, while maintaining the highest standards of security, quality, and governance  in short, to help enterprises confidently leap into their digital futures. Mendix's 'Go Make It' platform has been adopted by more than 4,000 leading companies around the world.

Press Inquiries

Sara Black

[email protected]

(213) 618-1501

Dan Berkowitz

Senior Director Global Communications

Mendix

[email protected]

(415) 518-7870

SOURCE Siemens Industry Software Inc DBA Mendix
KUWAIT CITY, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meysan Partners ("Meysan") and Arkan Legal Consultants Group ("Arkan"), two Kuwait-based highly recognized law firms, will join forces as of January 1, 2022, to give clients the combined benefit of two first class, client-focused law firms, representing one of the largest law firm mergers in the Middle East's legal market in the past decade. The combined firm will operate under the name Meysan Partners.

"We are delighted to announce this merger with Arkan, by joining forces, our clients will benefit from the collective talent and resources of two market-leading firms, which will in turn help Meysan expand its services and confirm its position as the leading law firm in Kuwait," said Waleed Al Tattan, Chairman and Partner of Meysan Partners.

"It is all about meeting growing client demands, lawyers from both firms complement each other in practice areas, vision and culture," he added.

"For Arkan, the merger greatly expands our presence in Kuwait, where Meysan has a strong client base, and we gain a larger geographical footprint and a broader network that will enable us to expand services provided to our clients," commented Hussein Al-Abdullah, Arkan managing partner.

Meysan will continue to offer significant breadth and depth of experience in practice areas that include Mergers & Acquisitions, Capital Markets, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Private Clients, and Dispute Resolution.

All members of the Arkan and their staff will be working from Meysan Partners' offices and will continue to provide the same high-quality services that all clients have come to rely upon.

About Meysan Partners

Established in 2015, Meysan Partners is a modern, progressive law firm seeks to set itself apart by offering high quality, innovative legal advice delivered by a team of highly experienced multilingual lawyers. The firm has advised clients across a range of industry sectors on some of the most noteworthy and complex transactions and disputes in the region.

About Arkan

Arkan Legal Consultants Group was established in 2010 by a group of Kuwaiti lawyers and is currently one of the fastest growing and expanding legal Groups in Kuwait.

SOURCE Meysan Partners
DUBLIN, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Military Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global military vertical take-off and landing aircraft market grew at a CAGR of around 4% during 2015-2020.

Military vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft operates, takes off and lands from the same place, small pad or unprepared site without the requirement of a long runway. It contains lightweight and efficient turbofans and can perform more maneuvers compared to conventional aircraft. It is widely utilized to transport troops quickly, easily and safely from a base location or aircraft carriers to battlefronts. It is also used for providing essential supplies to victims of natural calamities during rescue missions. Presently, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as drones, that use electric motors are gaining widespread adoption in the defense and military sector worldwide as they are more energy-efficient than jet engines.



With rising international border disputes, governing agencies of several counties are procuring and replacing existing aircraft with next-generation military equipment and weapons. This represents one of the major factors propelling the market growth. Moreover, as VTOL UAVs can land in difficult and compact areas, they are used in counterterrorism to provide surveillance and tracking terrorism activities in remote areas.

Apart from this, the rising demand for military aircraft that can operate from austere bases and in the front-line combat zone is influencing the market growth positively. Their demand is also increasing in natural disaster vulnerable areas to mitigate the damage. Furthermore, due to the rising environmental concerns, manufacturers are using different technologies and production strategies to develop hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft with effective aerodynamic forces and reduced operating costs. Looking forward, the publisher expects the global military vertical take-off and landing aircraft market to exhibit moderate growth during the next five years.



The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global military vertical take-off and landing aircraft market report, along with forecasts for growth at the global, regional and country level from 2021-2026. The report has categorized the market based on region, aircraft type, application and end user.



Breakup by Aircraft Type:

Rotorcraft

Powered-Lift

Breakup by Application:

Combat Operations

Agriculture and Mining

Border Management

Battle Damage Management

Others

Breakup by End User:

Military

Civil and Commercial

Homeland Security

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being AeroVironment Inc., Airbus SE (Airbus Group), BAE Systems Plc, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Neva Aerospace Ltd., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Saab AB, Textron Inc. and The Boeing Company.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global military vertical take-off and landing aircraft market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global military vertical take-off and landing aircraft market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the aircraft type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global military vertical take-off and landing aircraft market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Companies Mentioned

AeroVironment Inc.

Airbus SE (Airbus Group)

BAE Systems Plc

Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Neva Aerospace Ltd.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Saab AB

Textron Inc.

The Boeing Company

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pv3pcf

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

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SOURCE Research and Markets
A key new program the NAVC is launching within the initiative is a national consumer veterinary nurse/technician awareness and education campaign sponsored by VCA Animal Hospitals, with support from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). The campaign will create greater consumer awareness and understanding of the important role and significant educational requirements of veterinary nurses/technicians with the goal of changing perceptions and attitudes among pet parents so they feel more confident and accepting of having a qualified, certified veterinary nurse/technician care for their loved ones.

"Veterinary nurses and technicians play a vital role in veterinary medicine and are essential members of the veterinary practice team. They are not just helpers and assistants. They are phlebotomists, anesthetists, ultrasonographers, surgical technicians, dental hygienists and more, who are highly educated and skilled. Yet NAVC's own research shows they use less than one-third of the competencies they are trained to perform," said Gene O'Neill, NAVC CEO. "By elevating this critical position and helping veterinary nurses and technicians reach their full potential, we will help improve the performance of our veterinary healthcare teams and the health of animals everywhere."

The goals of the Veterinary Nurse/Technician Empowerment Initiative are to achieve improved access to care, better patient outcomes and client satisfaction, improved overall well-being of the veterinary nurse/technician and to encourage more people to go into veterinary careers.

New Resources, Tools and Forums

The new programs provide a wide range of resources and support for veterinary nurses/credentialed technicians including career development and growth, scholarships for continued learning and new intensive hands-on courses specifically designed for nurses/technicians at the NAVC Institute to further advance their expertise, and a new webinar series that brings together industry leaders to address key issues facing the veterinary nurse/credentialed technician profession. Today's Veterinary Nurse is launching the "Clinic Champions" series to recognize the positive impact veterinary nurses/technicians make, and a mentorship program that will help the next generation of veterinary nurses and technicians succeed.

National Consumer Education and Awareness Campaign

In early 2022, the NAVC will launch a year-long national consumer awareness and education campaign with VCA and NAVTA to elevate the critical role veterinary nurses/credentialed technicians play. The campaign will focus on the extensive education that veterinary nurses and credentialed technicians pursue as well as the highly-skilled procedures they perform, including 16 specialty certifications such as Emergency and Critical Care, Anesthesia and Analgesia, Surgery, Ophthalmology and others. The campaign will address the issues identified in a national survey conducted by Atomik Research on behalf of the NAVC which found that many pet owners are not aware of nor understand the role and education requirements of veterinary nurses/technicians.

"As one of the largest networks of hometown animal hospitals, VCA is focused on providing world-class medicine and caring for the future of veterinary medicine. That future is only possible with the expert support that smart, purpose-driven credentialed technicians and trained assistants provide," said Marie Kerl, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVECC and Chief Medical Officer for VCA Animal Hospitals. "Credentialed veterinary technicians and assistants play a critical role in delivering care to our patients and clients at all levels of veterinary medicine. Through this program, we look forward to celebrating and recognizing the important role they play as key members of the veterinary care team."

The survey findings reveal that:

Many pet owners are unaware of the broad range of services veterinary nurses and credentialed technicians perform. Nearly one in two (47%) do not think the role of a veterinary nurse/technician involves performing medical tasks and procedures. A majority (62%) are unaware that veterinary nurses/technicians can monitor and manage anesthetics during surgery, dispense medication and perform diagnostic imaging.

Most pet owners do not fully understand the extensive educational requirements, credentials and professional training that are required to become a veterinary nurse/credentialed technician. Sixty-three percent do not know that credentialed veterinary nurses/technicians are the animal healthcare equivalent of registered nurses (RNs). One in five (20%) think a veterinary nurse/technician has less than two years of post-secondary education.

Nearly three-fourths (69%) percent of pet owners in the U.S. report that after learning about veterinary nurses/credentialed technicians and their required level of education and expertise, they feel more confident and comfortable with the level of care these members of the veterinary practice provide their pets.

"A more informed and educated consumer  and a more informed veterinarian and practice manager  will not only benefit veterinary nurses and technicians, but will also benefit the practices where they work. The ultimate result being the delivery of better care for animals," said NAVTA President, Ed Carlson, CVT, VTS (Nutrition). "Once this is accomplished, consumers will be as comfortable with a veterinary technician caring for their pet, as they are with an RN caring for their loved one in a hospital."

The Veterinary Nurse/Technician Empowerment Initiative builds on NAVC's long history of supporting veterinary nurses and credentialed technicians through its industry-leading publication Today's Veterinary Nurse which includes peer-reviewed articles and free continuing education in every issue; dedicated online resources for veterinary nurses/technicians on VetFolio; the annual Earl Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarship; and hundreds of hours of CE and sessions dedicated to veterinary nurses and credentialed technicians at VMX each year.

The Veterinary Nurse/Technician Empowerment Initiative program was announced at a press conference today at the 39th annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo, VMX 2022 , the veterinary industry's largest and most comprehensive global veterinary conference, presented by the NAVC each year at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

For full program details visit us here .

To view the video tribute to nurses shown at the press conference, https://youtu.be/YXNBiah54QY .

About the NAVC

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. The world's leading provider of veterinary continuing education, the NAVC delivers essential training, tools and resources for veterinary professionals to stay abreast of advances in animal medicine and provide the best medical care for animals everywhere. Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, the NAVC has developed a diverse portfolio of products and services, including: educational events, headlined by VMX, the world's largest, most comprehensive continuing education conference and launchpad for new products and innovations within the veterinary industry; a robust digital platform for virtual learning and engagement; the veterinary industry's largest and award-winning portfolio of trade publications; and an advocacy arm which unites the veterinary community and pet lovers. The NAVC was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL. Since 2017, the NAVC has been recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces by the Orlando Sentinel. To learn more about the NAVC's products and brands, visit https://navc.com/ . To see our schedule of upcoming events, visit https://navc.com/calendar/ .

About NAVTA

NAVTA is a US-based not-for-profit membership community of more than 8,000 Credentialed Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and other veterinary support staff involved in veterinary care. NAVTA advances the profession of veterinary technology and veterinary nursing through its advocacy and awareness programs, and by providing continuing professional development opportunities. NAVTA supports the veterinary technology and veterinary nursing profession with a host of programs and benefits, available at https://www.navta.net/membership/

About VCA Animal Hospitals

VCA Animal Hospitals operates more than 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The hospitals are staffed by more than 4,500 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians to give pets the very best in medical care, of which over 600 are board certified specialists who are experts in areas such as internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, emergency and critical care, and surgery for animals. VCA Animal Hospitals provides a full range of general practice services to keep pets well and specialized treatments when pets are ill. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, VCA is committed to the Mars Petcare purposeA Better World for Pets www.vcahospitals.com

SOURCE North American Veterinary Community
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neoss Group is excited to announce the signing of an asset purchase agreement of Legend Life Tech, the current distribution partner for Neoss in China.

The new Neoss subsidiary located in Shanghai, China will be established through the current success of Legend Life Tech and leverage its strengths in product registration, logistics, marketing, and sales to better serve customers in China.

"The establishment of Neoss China through the acquisition of Legend Life Tech marks an important milestone in the history of Neoss. We are proud to build on the success of our partnership with Zhou Xin and Legend Life Tech. This investment in the China market demonstrates our commitment to our continued support of patient care around the world. Thanks to our lead shareholder, CareCapital, we are able to capitalize on such opportunities."



Dr. Robert Gottlander, CEO and President of Neoss Group.

With about five million implants placed every year, China is one of the largest markets in the world and is seeing increased growth from dentists and patients requiring quality dental solutions. With this investment in the Chinese market, Neoss will now better meet the diversified needs of Chinese doctors and patients.

"As the Chinese distribution partner for Neoss, Legend Life Tech has made outstanding contributions and inroads in both marketing and services in the past five years. We appreciate the recognition and collaborative support from Neoss and CareCapital. In the future, we plan to gradually transit our services and employees to Neoss China and continue to work with Neoss to develop the Chinese market and increase the brand awareness."



Zhou Xin, Chairman of Legend Life Tech

With this acquisition, Neoss China will have a new board of directors with Robert Gottlander as the Chairman, and Zhou Xin as the Director.

About Neoss

Neoss offers intelligent solutions that are intuitively easy to use. Our products allow dental professionals to provide reliable and cost-effective treatments to their patients with predictable long-term results. Leading the market with ingenuity and integrity, we strive to set new standards. In developing smart treatment solutions and working closely with each practice, Neoss makes the complex less complicated. We call that Intelligent Simplicity. Headquartered in Harrogate, UK, with research and development based in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company has established a global footprint with a long-standing presence in key markets. To find out more visit https://www.neoss.com

SOURCE Neoss
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Orea Mining Corp. ("Orea") (TSX: OREA) (OTCQX: OREAF) (FSE: 3CG) provides an update on the request for a final appeal filed by the French Government on the renewal of the 5-million-ounce Montagne d'Or Gold Deposit mining titles, located in French Guiana, France, owned 44.99% by Orea and 55.01% by Nord Gold plc (the "JV").

As announced on October 7, 2021, the French Government filed a request before the Supreme Court of France (Conseil d'Etat) to hear a final appeal on the renewal of the Montagne d'Or project mining titles, which are renewable for a term of up to 25 years. Two French courts previously ruled in favor of the JV and ordered the renewal of the mining titles.

The Supreme Court is to decide on whether to admit and hear the appeal. In principle, an appeal before the Supreme Court has no suspensive effect, therefore the initial court rulings to renew the mining titles should, in theory, be upheld and implemented, even if a final appeal is allowed.

Orea and the JV believe that a decision by the Supreme Court could be expected sometime after the French Presidential election. The second and final round of voting to select the next President of France is scheduled for April 24, 2022.

Furthermore, the JV filed additional pleadings before the Court of Appeal in Bordeaux to issue an injunction ordering the French Government to pay a fine of 20,000 Euro (~US$23,000) per day to the JV, retroactive to the date of the initial court ruling of December 24, 2020.

If the mining titles are renewed, Montagne d'Or will be subject to various regulatory requirements prior to proceeding with the construction and operation of a mine, which include but are not limited to, the grant of mining and environmental authorizations and construction permits by the State.

Additional updates will be provided by Orea when available.

About Montagne d'Or

Montagne d'Or is a permitting-stage open pit gold deposit that hosts Measured Mineral Resources of 10.3 Mt at 1.804 g/t gold (600,000 oz), Indicated Mineral Resources of 74.8 Mt at 1.350 g/t gold (3.25 Moz) and additional Inferred Mineral Resources of 20.2 Mt at 1.48 g/t gold (960,000 oz), prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Mineral Resources are confined within a pit shell defined by a gold price of US$1,300/oz and a cut-off grade of 0.4 g/t gold. Mineral Reserves have also been defined with Proven Mineral Reserves of 8.25 Mt at 1.99 g/t gold (530,000 oz) and Probable Mineral Reserves of 45.87 Mt at 1.50 g/t gold (2.2 Moz). The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves were estimated using a gold price of US$1,200 per ounce at varied cut-off grades from 0.552 to 0.665 g/t gold, dependent on lithological rock types, economics and estimated metallurgical recovery. Montagne d'Or ore can be readily processed to recover the contained gold and silver values using unit operations considered standard to the industry. For more information, see Orea's news release titled "Columbus Gold Announces Positive Bankable Feasibility Study for Montagne d'Or Gold Project, French Guiana" dated March 20, 2017 and filed on SEDAR and the technical report prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Bankable Feasibility Study - Montagne d'Or Project, French Guiana" by SRK Consulting for Columbus Gold (now Orea Mining) and Nordgold with an Effective Date of March 6, 2017, and a report date of April 28, 2017, which was filed on SEDAR on April 28, 2017.

Qualified Person

Rock Lefrancois, President & Chief Executive Officer of Orea and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed this news release and is responsible for the technical information reported herein, including verification of the data disclosed.

About Orea Mining Corp.

Orea is a leading gold exploration and development company operating in a prospective and underexplored segment of the Guiana Shield, South America. Its mission is to develop gold deposits with a reduced environmental footprint using innovative technologies, upholding the highest international standards for responsible mining. In French Guiana, Orea holds a major interest in the world-class Montagne d'Or mine development project and is also advancing the Maripa and Suriname gold exploration projects.

For more about Orea visit the company's website at www.oreamining.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:

Rock Lefrancois

President & CEO

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Company's beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "could", "should", "expect", "seek", "may", "intend", "likely", "budget", "plan", "estimate", continue", "forecast", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "would", "might", "will", and similar words, expressions or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. These include, but are not limited to, statements and information regarding: the Company's plans to construct and develop the Montagne d'Or project, including anticipated timing thereof; the timing, processes, outcome and other matters related to the renewal of the Montagne d'Or concessions, including the appeal from the French Government; the satisfaction of regulatory requirements in respect of the permitting, construction and operation of the Montagne d'Or project, including but not limited to, the submission and processing of mine permit applications, the timing thereof and the timing of completion of environmental and engineering studies; the Company's ability to renew the concessions for the Montagne d'Or project and to comply with the conditions thereof; economic analysis for the Montagne d'Or project and related exploration objectives and plans; the conversion of mineral resources into mineral reserves and the conversion of inferred mineral resources into higher resource classification categories; the Company's objective of become an emerging gold producer; the acquisition of exploration projects including terms of acquisition, exploration or development plans, intentions to acquire additional exploration or development interests and the implications thereof; the production capacity and potential of future plant and equipment; future exploration and mine plans, objectives and expectations and corporate planning of the Company, future studies and environmental impact statements and the timetable for completion and content thereof and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the matters and activities contemplated in this news release.

Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such assumptions and analyses are made by the Company's management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances. All assumptions and analyses are those of the Company's. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including compliance by the Company with regulatory and permitting requirements applicable in French Guiana, the sufficiency of Company's working capital; the Company's ability to secure additional funding for the continued exploration and development of its properties; the price of gold and other metals; and the Company's ability to retain key personnel. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, political and economic risks in France, political and economic risks in French Guiana, risks related to the renewal applications for the Concessions and the possible outcomes thereof; possible negative outcomes of any appeals from the decision of the Administrative Court of Cayenne in French Guiana; regulatory risk including but not limited to unforeseen changes in regulatory requirements, the Company's ability to enforce its contractual and other legal rights to explore and exploit its properties, risks related to exploration and development, permitting and licensing risk, the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves and related interpretations and assumptions, future profitability of the Company, the ability to obtain additional financing on a timely basis, the price of gold and marketability thereof, government regulations including with respect to taxes, royalties, land tenure and land use, title to the Company's properties, currency exchange rates and fluctuations, environmental risks, dilution resulting from the issuance of additional securities of the Company, joint venture risks, reliance on Nord Gold SE as operator of the Montagne d'Or project, the availability of equipment, conflicts of interest, competition in the mining industry, uninsured risks, market fluctuations, global financial conditions, credit risk and risks arising from pandemics and epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are included in the "Risk Factors" section in Company's annual information form dated December 11, 2020 for the year ended September 30, 2020 ("AIF").

Readers are further cautioned that the list of factors enumerated in the "Risk Factors" section of the AIF that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements and information contained herein are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements and information contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Orea Mining Corp.
For both organizations, the acquisition means that clients will have access to more support, experience and expertise than ever before.

"For 25 years, OST has walked alongside clients to architect, build and manage how and where technology runs," said OST President and CEO Meredith Bronk. "The acquisition of Stratum Technology is a reflection of rapid acceleration in this space and ensures that OST continues to drive meaningful and valuable outcomes for our clients."

In addition to expanding cloud services, this acquisition pairs two of the nation's leading experts in Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare. This reinforces OST's position as a premier partner for Epic cloud implementations in the United States.

This acquisition also comes on the heels of last year's integration of the well-known Minneapolis-based design firm, Azul Seven, one of several bold moves to target growth opportunities that allow OST to help leading companies accelerate their digital business models.

OST continues to seek new partnerships that not only enhance OST's capabilities but also promote OST's company culture. As a business that honors employees above all else, OST puts cultural compatibility at the top of the list when evaluating acquisitions. And acquiring Stratum is a perfect example of this approach.

"Stratum has been a market leader in cloud integration and managed services for the last six years," said Stratum CEO and Co-Founder Ryan Trimberger. "Our customers had an appetite for other services that were outside of our core business, and we found OST to be the perfect fit both technically and culturally for our employees and customers. This acquisition with OST is a strategic move to better serve our customers as demand grows for cloud, IoT, healthcare-focused cloud deployments and managed services."

About OST

OST is an integrated, cross-functional business technology firm bringing together strategy & insights, digital experiences, connected products, data center transformation and enterprise managed services as we work alongside clients to optimize and grow their businesses. With offices located in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Minneapolis, and London, OST engages in ways that make the most sense and yield the best results for global Fortune 2000 companies to funded startups. This is all wrapped in a friendly, flexible, people-centered culture. OST has been recognized in Inc. Magazine's 5,000's Fastest-Growing Private Companies, CRN's Tech Elite 250, and as a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For.

SOURCE OST
Technavio offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. Download Free Sample Report

Polysomnography Market: Increasing prevalence of sleep apnea, especially OSA

OSA is one of the highly prevalent types of sleep apnea. In 2018, the condition affected about 930-940 million people globally. The condition causes serious sleep disruption among individuals. It obstructs breathing during sleep and lowers the oxygen levels in the blood, causing the buildup of carbon dioxide. The condition is more prevalent in individuals who are obese and aged over 60 years. Considering the rapid growth in the global geriatric population, the prevalence of the condition is expected to increase significantly over the forecast period. This will increase the demand for polysomnography and related devices and hence drive the growth of the market.

To know about other market drivers, trends, and challenges, Download our free sample report

Regional Market Analysis

With 41% of the growth originating from North America, the region will record a faster growth rate during 2020-2025.

The growth of the polysomnography market in North America is majorly driven by the rising incidence of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea among individuals in the US. The region is home to several leading vendors of polysomnography devices, such as Natus Medical Inc. (Natus Medical), Cadwell Industries, ResMed, Neurovirtual, Cleveland Medical Devices Inc. (Cleveland Medical Devices), and Vyaire Medical Inc. (Vyaire Medical). In addition, the increasing geriatric population, especially in the US will significantly contribute to the growth of the regional market during the forecast period.

For Additional Information about the regional market: Request for a free sample report

Polysomnography Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the polysomnography market by application (hospitals, sleep clinics and diagnostic laboratories, ASCs, and homecare).

The demand for polysomnography devices was significant from the hospitals segment in 2021. Hospitals are sufficiently equipped with all the latest and most advanced machines compared to other healthcare facilities. Moreover, the availability of specialized technicians and equipment for the treatment of patients with sleep disorders and other serious health issues such as obstructive respiratory issues, cardiac issues, or obesity are driving the growth of the segment.

Know more about the segmentation insights that assist global businesses to obtain growth opportunities. Download Free sample report

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Polysomnography Devices Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.71% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 136.42 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.15 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW Performing market contribution North America at 41% Key consumer countries US, Germany, UK, China, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Cleveland Medical Devices Inc., Compumedics Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Natus Medical Inc., Neurosoft, Neurovirtual USA, Nihon Kohden Corp., ResMed Inc., SOMNOmedics GmbH, and Vyaire Medical Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Market ChallengesSome of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Drivers

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Competitive scenario

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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SOURCE Technavio
BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in his telephone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday that the Chinese side is ready to work with the German side to push for a steady and long-term development of bilateral ties.

Congratulating Scholz once again on his inauguration as German chancellor, Li said China and Germany are both major economies and responsible countries in the world, as well as supporters of multilateralism and practitioners of free trade, adding that their cooperation not only benefits the two countries, but is also in the interests of China and Europe as well as those of the whole world.

Noting that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Germany, Li said that Chinese President Xi Jinping recently held a telephone conversation with Scholz to jointly push forward bilateral relations.

China is ready to work with Germany to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year as an opportunity to further consolidate political mutual trust, step up dialogue and exchanges, and uphold two-way opening-up so as to better achieve mutually beneficial and win-win results, and push forward the steady and long-term development of China-Germany relations, Li said.

He also said that the practical cooperation between the two countries, which has been expanding in both depth and breadth, has been a "ballast stone" for bilateral relations and is bringing benefits to the people in both countries.

China is ready to hold a new round of China-Germany intergovernmental consultations at an early date and let the "super engine" of bilateral practical cooperation promote the upgrading of bilateral cooperation, Li said.

He expressed hope that the two sides could tap cooperation potential in advanced manufacturing, service trade, digital economy and climate change, and foster new growth points for China-Germany cooperation.

Calling the more than 2,000 Chinese companies in Germany and the more than 7,000 German firms in China as dynamic forces in bilateral cooperation, Li said the Chinese and German governments need to stay committed to creating a fair and non-discriminatory environment for these companies to invest and do business.

Li also said that he hoped the German side can treat Chinese firms with a more open mind, adding that the Chinese side is willing to work with Germany to continue to make good use of the "fast track" for personnel of the two countries so as to better facilitate personnel exchanges between the two sides on the basis of effective pandemic prevention and control.

Pointing out that China and Europe are two important forces on the world stage who share extensive common interests, Li urged the two sides to approach bilateral relations from a long-term and broader perspective, uphold dialogue and cooperation as the dominant aspect, respect each other and treat each other as equals, and promote the steady and sound development of China-Europe relations.

He also said that Germany is an important member of the European Union (EU), adding that China hopes that Germany will continue to play a positive role in promoting China-EU cooperation and relations.

For his part, Scholz said Germany attaches great importance to Germany-China relations and adheres to the one-China policy, expressing the hope to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Germany and China as an opportunity to promote the further development of bilateral relations.

Germany, he said, is ready to work with China to make good preparations for a new round of consultations between the two governments, further deepen cooperation on economy and trade, climate change and pandemic prevention and control, and make full use of the "fast track" for personnel exchanges.

He also said that Germany has been and will always be committed to promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations, adding he hopes that the EU-China investment treaty can come into effect at an early date.

The two leaders also exchanged views on strengthening China-Germany cooperation in multilateral dimensions as well as on international and regional issues of common concern. 
ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysts at TMR estimate the post operative pain therapeutics market to expand at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2031. Factors such as high incidence and severity of post-operative pain, increase in the number of invasive and non-invasive surgeries, and high rate of adoption of pain management techniques are likely to fuel growth of the post-operative pain therapeutics market.

Extensive clinical trials and investments to develop drugs and medications required for post-operative pain relief are creating significant opportunities in the post-operative pain therapeutics market. The increasing use of the next-gen technology such as AI in drug discovery platforms is boosting the post-operative pain therapeutics market.

Exponential rise in the number of cancer and cardiovascular surgeries, and advancements in follow-up treatments for surgical procedures are leading to the elevated demand for post-operative pain therapies. This led to initiatives undertaken by pharmaceutical companies to introduce a wide spectrum of pain relief drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and local anesthetics.

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North America and Europe are key regions in the post-operative pain therapeutics market and are anticipated to acquire increased market share by the end of the forecast period in 2027. This can be attributed to increasing number of inpatient and outpatient surgeries, and advanced healthcare infrastructure in these regions.

Asia Pacific post-operative pain therapeutics market is anticipated to expand rapidly on the back of improving healthcare infrastructure and increase in private & public investments in life sciences research in countries such as China and India. Furthermore, growing burden of chronic diseases and economic growth are providing impetus to the post-operative pain therapeutics market in the region.

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Post-operative Pain Therapeutics Market  Key Findings of Report

High incidence of chronic post-operative pain that impacts the quality of life is driving adoption of post-operative pain therapies. For instance, phantom pain is one of the common post-operative conditions associated with limb amputation, breast surgery, inguinal hernia repair, thoracotomy, cesarean section, and inguinal hernia repair.

Opioids display the leading demand to treat moderate to severe chronic pain, among other drugs in the post-operative pain therapeutics market

Sales projections in the post-operative pain therapeutics market to be influenced by advancements in non-opioid alternatives and adjuncts to control postoperative pain. For instance, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and liposomal bupivacaine are some drugs that have gained recognition to control post-operative pain.

Hospital pharmacies distribution channel segment is projected to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period

Prospects of continued demand for oral route of administration to account for its leading share of the post-operative pain therapeutics market

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Post-operative Pain Therapeutics Market  Growth Drivers

Rising adoption of pain relief therapies to subside the discomfort associated with invasive and non-invasive surgeries propels the post-operative pain therapeutics market

Innovations in pain management and development of new drugs supported by AI-driven drug discovery platforms stimulate growth of the post-operative pain therapeutics market

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Postoperative Pain Therapeutics Market  Key Players

Some of the key players operating in the postoperative pain therapeutics market are;

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

Trevena Inc.

Heron Therapeutics

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Camarus

Bayer AG

Pacira BioSciences Inc.

Pfizer Inc.

Novartis AG

Eli Lilly & Company

The postoperative pain therapeutics market is segmented as follows;

Global Postoperative Pain Therapeutics Market by Drug Class

Opioids

NSAIDS

Local Anesthetics

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Antiepileptic Drugs

Others

Global Postoperative Pain Therapeutics Market by Route of Administration

Oral

Intramuscular

Intravenous

Others

Global Postoperative Pain Therapeutics Market by Distribution Channel

Hospital Pharmacies

Retail Pharmacies

Online Pharmacies

Others

Global Postoperative Pain Therapeutics Market by Region

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

U.K.



Germany



France



Italy



Spain



Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China



India



Japan



Australia & New Zealand

&

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

& GCC



South Africa



Rest of Middle East & Africa

Modernization of healthcare in terms of both infrastructure and services have pushed the healthcare industry to new heights, Stay Updated with Latest Healthcare Industry Research Reports by Transparency Market Research:

Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market: The global oligonucleotide synthesis market for the historical period 20172018 and forecast period 20192027, Increasing use of synthesized oligonucleotides in diagnostics and research applications, and Technological advancements in synthetic chemistry are projected to drive the global oligonucleotide synthesis market during the forecast period.

Pain Management Therapeutics Market: The global pain management therapeutics market for the historical period 20172018 and forecast period 20192027, high incidence of chronic pain disorders, easy and effective medications, and higher demand of pain management products are projected to drive the global pain management therapeutics market during the forecast period.

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CHICAGO, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With wristwear heading to ~$100 Bn sales revenue and emerging companies leaning towards Direct-to-Consumer strategies, a potential revenue opportunity worth $250 Bn is expected to be created in the wearables space.

The global wearable technology market is projected to be valued at $265 Bn by 2026, more than half of this growth is contributed by the consumer electronics segment. This growth is attributed to the demanding lifestyle in developed and developing countries as well as increasing advancements in wearable products such as smart goggles, wristbands, and smart shoes.

Adjacent markets hold a potential of over $125 Bn in wearable technology, majority of which will be contributed by wearable payment devices and wearable healthcare devices.

According to MarketsandMarkets analysis,

$250 Bn of potential opportunity is opening up as wearables to $100 Bn sales revenue, of which AI-based virtual assistance was one of the most talked-about trends in 2021.

of potential opportunity is opening up as wearables to sales revenue, of which AI-based virtual assistance was one of the most talked-about trends in 2021. Wearable technology market is estimated to grow at a healthy CAGR of 18-20% in the coming 5 years, driven by rising popularity of IoT and connected devices and growing consumer preference for sleek and compact devices in fitness and healthcare applications.

We are witnessing increasing adoption of AI, IoT, contactless payments, health tracking etc., which can disrupt the demand for wearable devices, in turn impacting the growth of the market.

It is predicted that by 2026, there will be 1.2 billion wearable products shipped worldwide.

Currently, businesses have low access to primary intelligence to clarify some unknowns and adjacencies in these opportunity areas 

Adoption levels of automation in wearables is low. Currently, it ranges between 30-40% globally, however, in developed countries it is approaching 50%. As automation reduces TAT and helps in minimization of errors and provides reproducible results, it is largely used in consumer electronics and healthcare applications

Increasing focus on personalized health tracking drive the wearables market

Markets such as wearables in healthcare, wearables in automotive, and wearables in manufacturing provide immense growth opportunities, owing to rising popularity of IoT and connected devices

In target enrichment, developed countries use compact devices are mostly preferred

Some of the growth problems encountered by wearables companies are:

Customer prioritization and assessing unmet needs:

What are the disruptions in our clients' businesses? How can we support them for our own growth?

Who are the most potential customers going forward? Should we prioritize consumer electronics, healthcare, enterprise & industrial applications, or aerospace & defense companies?

What are the key unmet needs of customers? Who are the key stakeholders in different settings? Do vendor selection criteria differ by settings? Which new product features should be added to the existing products?

Where to play:

Which applications and technologies should we focus on? Should it be AR/VR, smartwatches, smart bands, or any other?

Which regions should we place our bets on? Should we continue with developed countries or do developing countries offer more growth opportunities?

Building a compelling Right-to-Win (RTW):

For M&A, which are the right targets for us? Should we target AR/VR companies or smartwatches, smart bands companies? Should we enter new markets directly or through partners?

How can we differentiate from top players? What is their right-to-win vs ours?

Key uncertainties/perspectives which industry leaders seek answers to:

For Wearable companies:

Which wearable technology will be relevant and redundant in the next 5 years?

Can wearable devices become affordable?

How can companies optimize the manufacturing processes to be more agile and efficient to achieve a more features which higher efficiency?

What regulatory policies can help strategize and achieve higher sales?

What can be done to increase the awareness of wearable devices in healthcare applications?

For Companies in Adjacent markets:

What are the regulations surrounding data privacy and security?

Which machine learning approaches can be used to address data limitations so that AI models do not lead to misleading insights or faulty predictions?

How are companies handling machine bias?

When can a 100% AI integration into wearable devices be expected?

What will be the impact of automation on wearables market?

Therefore, MarketsandMarkets research and analysis focuses on high-growth markets and emerging technologies, which will become ~80% of the revenues of wearable players from the ecosystem in the next 510 years. It helps find blind spots in clients' revenue decisions because of interconnections and unknowns that impacting clients and their client's clients.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/practices/pdfdownload.asp?p=wearables

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
Book with Confidence is now extended to summer 2022 sailings, including all cruises departing through September 30, 2022, for all bookings made by March 2, 2022. The flexible program allows guests to make summer travel plans with confidence knowing that if plans change, their cruise vacation is protected. The program allows guests the flexibility to change their vacation plans up to 30 days prior to the day of departure, receiving cancellation fees as a future cruise credit to then book another voyage when the time is right.

"Planning a vacation gives us something to look forward to and so many of us have an inherent desire to explore the world and experience sought-after destinations," said Deanna Austin, Princess Cruises chief commercial officer. "With the extension of our Book with Confidence program, we're giving cruisers the confidence to book a summer vacation now, knowing they have flexibility in case they need to alter their plans."

Additionally, Princess Cruises will continue to operate vaccinated cruises, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14-days prior to the sailing day and have proof of vaccination.

Princess Medallion Class summer cruise vacations sail to incredible destinations including Alaska, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, British Isles, Scandinavia and Canada & New England.

Within the Book with Confidence policy, the COVID-19 Protection Program provides reassurance if cruisers are within 30 days of sailing, all the way through to disembarking from their cruise. It's designed to assist booked guests if, as a result of being suspected of having or testing positive for COVID-19, or as a result of government travel restrictions put in place within 30 days of embarkation, they may be unable to travel to the cruise embarkation port, may be denied boarding, may be quarantined on board or disembarked early.

For full Book with Confidence and COVID-19 Protection Program guidelines, visit www.princess.com/bookwithconfidence.

For even greater piece of mind, Princess also offers Princess Vacation Protection that will provide full vacation protection in the form of a future cruise credit or a reimbursement of the normally non-refundable cancellation fees, depending on the reason for changed plans. This program also covers guests during their cruise, including lost or damaged luggage protection, emergency excess medical expenses and emergency evacuation, and trip interruption coverage which provides pro-rated refund if illness interrupts the cruise and extra costs associated with trip delays or interruptions.

For the latest Princess COVID-19 health protocols, please visit https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

About Princess Cruises :

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the world's leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 14 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries." In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the Medallion device, the vacation industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to an effortless personalized vacation giving guests more time to do the things they love most. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

In line with the latest advice from health officials about COVID-19, Princess Cruises is currently enhancing health and safety protocols with input from medical experts and government bodies and assessing how they may impact future itineraries. Actual offerings may vary from what is displayed in marketing materials. Click on the following links to stay updated on current Cruise Updates and Health & Safety protocols.

SOURCE Princess Cruises
KRAKOW, Poland, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryvu Therapeutics (WSE: RVU), a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focusing on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology, today announced the appointment of Hendrik Nogai, M.D. to the role of Chief Medical Officer effective February 1st, 2022. Dr. Nogai will lead medical, clinical, and regulatory functions to support and guide the development of the company's pipeline.

"We are delighted to welcome Hendrik to Ryvu as our Chief Medical Officer," said Pawel Przewiezlikowski, Chief Executive Officer at Ryvu Therapeutics. "Hendrik brings strong industry and clinical leadership and arrives at an important time for Ryvu, as we continue to expand our preclinical and clinical programs. His depth of experience in hematology and solid tumors will be valuable to our company, and will help us advance and fully explore the potential of our lead compound, RVU120."

"I am truly honored to join the incredible team at Ryvu during such a high growth time  it is an exciting opportunity to advance Ryvu's clinical pipeline and to propel an already productive discovery platform to generate important new therapeutics for the treatment of cancer", commented Dr. Hendrik Nogai.

Dr. Nogai is a board-certified medical doctor in Hematology/Oncology as well as in Internal Medicine, with almost 10 years of experience in patient care and basic research in different academic settings, including Charite  University Medicine Berlin, University Hospital Grosshadern in Munich, and Zentralklinikum Augsburg. Besides his clinical expertise, Dr. Nogai brings 17 years of industry experience including business consulting at Mercer Management Consulting/ Oliver Wyman, Medical Advisor role at Nordic Biotech Capital ApS, and positions of increasing responsibility at Bayer AG, with his most recent role of Vice President, Global Development Leader NTRK program.

Dr. Nogai completed his Medical Studies at Charite  University Medicine Berlin (Germany), Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich (Germany), and Harvard Medical School in Boston (USA). He holds a doctoral degree awarded by the Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) for his research on cell biology conducted at the DRFZ in Berlin.

About Ryvu Therapeutics

Ryvu Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focused on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology. Internally discovered pipeline candidates make use of diverse therapeutic mechanisms driven by emerging knowledge of cancer biology, including small molecules directed at kinase, synthetic lethality, and immuno-oncology targets. Ryvu's most advanced programs are: RVU120 - a selective CDK8/CDK19 kinase inhibitor with potential for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors currently in Phase I clinical development for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, and Phase I/II for the treatment of r/r metastatic or advanced solid tumors and SEL24 (MEN1703) - dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor licensed to the Menarini Group, currently in Phase II clinical studies in acute myeloid leukemia.

The Company was founded in 2007, and is headquartered in Krakow, Poland. Ryvu is listed on the main market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and is a component of sWIG80 index. For more information, please see www.ryvu.com.

SOURCE Ryvu Therapeutics
ODESSA, Texas, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Saulsbury was recently awarded the EPC contract for the design and installation of two cryogenic processing facilities in the Midland Basin. The facilities, designed with a base-rated capacity of 200 MMSCFD each, mark Saulsbury's 61st and 62nd cryogenic processing facility projects since 2006, representing nearly 11 BCFD of processing capacity, and its 23rd and 24th cryogenic processing facility in the West Texas region.

Saulsbury will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction of the processing facilities that will include amine treating, molecular sieve dehydration, cryogenic gas processing, residue gas compression, nitrogen rejection, slug catching, condensate stabilization, and all balance of plant equipment, utilities, electrical, instrumentation, and controls infrastructure. Work on this facility started in December with a phased commissioning starting in late 2022.

"This important project will continue to showcase Saulsbury's position as a premier EPC contractor for delivering high-quality, speed-to-market solutions for the midstream gas processing space," said Sean Trotter, Saulsbury VP EPC Engineering/Major Projects. "Our continued practice of implementing project-specific design innovations and optimization will further strengthen our commitment to delivering one of the Midland Basin's premier facilities for our client."

For Saulsbury, this award further solidifies the company's reputation and longstanding history as an industry leader in the oil and gas industry for self-performing the full engineering and construction of cryogenic gas processing facilities. Saulsbury is well known in this industry for its successful project execution and world-class safety performance.

About Saulsbury Industries

Saulsbury Industries is a full-service engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction company that specializes in building the infrastructure necessary to fuel the future. Saulsbury serves its clients in heavy industrial markets by designing and building safe, well executed, capital-efficient projects nationwide. Headquartered in Odessa, Texas, the company's national office footprint includes Dallas, Houston, Port Arthur, Henderson, Abilene, Pecos, and Corpus Christi, TX; Carlsbad, NM; Tulsa, OK; and Bismarck, ND. For more information, please visit www.saulsbury.com and follow Saulsbury on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

SOURCE Saulsbury Industries
Technavio offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. Download Free Sample Report

Security Assurance Market: Growing need to improve security

The use of outdated technologies among several organizations is leading to an increase in the number of cyber security attacks worldwide. For instance, in 2019, approximately 300,000 banking malware were detected in APAC. In addition, the increasing complexity of cyberattacks is compelling many organizations to take various steps to safeguard confidential data. This is encouraging vendors in the market to offer a wide range of services that cater to the emerging demands in the market. For instance, in June 2021, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. expanded the capabilities of its unified cloud-native security platform to deliver application-first workload protection with checkpoint cloud guard workload protection. This solution empowers security teams with tools to automate security across applications, application programming interfaces (APIs), and microservices from development to runtime through a single interface. All these factors are driving the growth of the global security assurance market.

To know about other market drivers, trends, and challenges, Download our free sample report

Regional Market Analysis

With 35% of the growth originating from North America, the region will record a faster growth rate during 2022-2026.

The increasing number of targeted attacks by hackers on enterprise-critical data is expected to boost the growth of the security assurance market in North America. In addition, governments across countries such as Canada and the US are imposing stricter regulations owing to the increasing prevalence of cyberattacks on hosted servers. Moreover, enterprises operating in the region are becoming more proactive in adopting security solutions.

For Additional Information about the regional market: Request for a free sample report

Security Assurance Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the security assurance market by deployment (on-premises and cloud-based) and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America).

By deployment, the on-premise segment currently holds the largest share of the global security assurance market. On-premise solutions reduce the instance of security breaches compared to cloud-based solutions. They are also feature-rich and flexible and configurable than cloud-based systems. Moreover, on-premise solutions provide users the control over product upgrades. Many such benefits are increasing the adoption of on-premise security assurance solutions, which is driving the growth of the segment.

Know more about the segmentation insights that assist global businesses to obtain growth opportunities. Download Free sample report

Related Reports:

Privileged Access Management Solutions Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Server Storage Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Security Assurance Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.78% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 3.14 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 10.24 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 35% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Germany, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Accenture Plc, Aura Information Security, Avaya Holdings Corp., Capgemini SE, Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Micro Focus International Plc, Microsoft Corp., NetScout Systems Inc., and SAS Institute Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Challenges

Market Drivers

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Competitive scenario

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Technavio offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. Download Free Sample Report

Smart City ICT Infrastructure Market: Growing investments in smart cities

The increase in industrialization and urbanization has led to a rise in the migration of people from rural areas to cities. This is increasing concerns about waste management, air pollution, health risks, and aging infrastructure. To overcome such challenges, governments across the world are making significant investments in smart city solutions. For instance, in 2021 the Indian government announced its plans to invest USD 28.31 billion in smart city projects. Similarly, in June 2020, Huawei signed an agreement with a Saudi investment firm, Batic Investments and Logistics Company to work together to provide smart city platform solutions and services across Saudi Arabia. Many such investments are expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Know about other market drivers, trends, and challenges: Download our free sample report

Regional Market Analysis

With 39% of the growth originating from Europe, this region will record a slower growth rate during 2021-2026.

The rising adoption of connected cars and the increasing adoption of sensors in the automotive industry are expected to boost the growth of the smart city ICT infrastructure market in Europe. The increasing adoption of smart education and healthcare solutions will further accelerate the growth of the regional market.

For Additional Information about the regional market: Request for a free sample report.

Smart City ICT Infrastructure Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the smart city ICT infrastructure market by component (smart utilities, smart transport, smart home and building, and others).

By component, the smart utilities segment led the smart city ICT infrastructure market in 2021, followed by smart transport, smart home and building, and others. The segment is driven by the growing focus on energy conservation, increased consumption of energy, and government policies and incentives favoring the deployment of smart grids worldwide. Also, the benefits offered by smart grids such as enhanced cyber security and efficient management of various electricity sources are driving the adoption of smart utilities, which is fueling the segment growth.

Know more about the segmentation insights that assist global businesses to obtain growth opportunities. Download Free sample report

Related Reports:

Smart City Platform Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Smart City Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Smart City ICT Infrastructure Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 15.40% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 55.89 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 16.43 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 39% Key consumer countries US, UK, Germany, Spain, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled AT and T Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Hitachi Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Huawei Investment and Holding Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., Oracle Corp., Siemens AG, and Verizon Communications Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Challenges

Market Drivers

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Competitive scenario

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
WALLED LAKE, Mich., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- It's the worst blood and plasma shortage in more than 10 years throughout the state of Michigan and the rest of the United States. The American Red Cross and the Michigan Association of Blood Banks are pleading for help by way of people donating blood and plasma. Greenhouse of Walled Lake and UBaked Cannabis Edibles of Burton is responding. Beginning Tuesday, January 18th , the two companies have collaborated to give free pre-rolled joints to anyone over 21 years of age who comes in with any sort of proof that they have donated blood or plasma. A sticker, a band aid on your arm, etc. is all that recipients will need. There is no purchase necessary.

It was just one year ago that Greenhouse of Walled Lake debuted their worldwide acclaimed "Pot for Shots" promotion where they gave away more than 30,000 pre-rolls to anyone who showed proof of Covid vaccination.

Greenhouse of Walled Lake founder and owner, Jerry Millen stated, "Our state and our country continues to be in crisis, and we are asking people to go out an donate their blood or plasma at a convenient site. Their generous donations may allow someone to have a surgery or even save their life. "POT FOR PLASMA" is our way of rewarding our old customers and new customers for giving back to the community. In fact, I will be donating my blood and plasma as well"

Media is welcome to visit the Greenhouse of Walled Lake and Jerry Millen as well as Robert Dodge, owner of UBaked, are available for interviews.

The Greenhouse of Walled Lake is Oakland County's first fully licensed Medical and Recreational Marijuana Dispensary. Dedicated to ensuring that customers and patients receive qualified counseling and guidance when it comes to selecting the right products for them whether for a health condition, relaxation or just plain fun. The Greenhouse of Walled Lake is located at 103 East Walled Lake Drive in Walled Lake, Michigan. Hours are Monday through Sunday, 9am to 9pm.

Please visit greenhousemi.com for more information.

MEDIA CONTACTS: GROW CANNABIS MARKETING

MORT MEISNER, 248-613-0948 OR WENDY FAYNE, 248-842-3889

SOURCE Grow Cannabis Marketing
The third-party logistics (3PL) market in Brazil is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

The third-party logistics (3PL) market in Brazil report covers the following areas:

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market in Brazil 2021-2025: Segmentation

End-user

Consumer Goods



Manufacturing



Automotive



Others

By end-user, the consumer goods segment will have significant market share growth during the forecast period. As the demand for consumer goods in Brazil is seasonal and uncertain, most companies prefer 3PL services for storing and transporting goods across the country.

Service

Warehousing And Distribution



Transportation



Others

By service, the warehousing and distribution segment will have significant market share growth during the forecast period. Warehousing refers to activities associated with the storage of raw materials, finished goods, and semi-finished goods.

Download a Free Sample to learn about the contribution of each segment of the market

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market in Brazil 2021-2025: Scope

The soaring e-commerce sector in Brazil is driving the growth of the market. E-commerce companies prefer 3PL to manage their supply chain efficiently by reaching end-users across regions. Therefore, the growth in the e-commerce sector will positively impact the 3PL market in the concerned region. Such growth will increase the demand for 3PL for both long-distance transportation and last-mile delivery across the country.

Rise in cargo theft may impede the market growth. This has propelled the need for precautionary safety requirements, such as insurance, which raises the overall cost of the service. Moreover, due to rising cargo theft, companies in the country are hesitant to expand their presence, despite the increase in demand. Such factors reduce the demand for 3PL in Brazil and are expected to hinder the growth of the 3PL market in Brazil.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market in Brazil 2021-2025: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market in Brazil, including C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., CEVA Logistics AG, DHL International GmbH, DSV Panalpina AS, Kintetsu World Express Inc., Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Nippon Express Co. Ltd., Sankyu Inc., Schenker AG, and Sinotrans Ltd. are some of the major market participants.

Subscribe to our "Lite Plan" billed annually at USD 3000 that enables you to download 3 reports/year and view 3 reports/month.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market in Brazil 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist third-party logistics (3PL) market in brazil growth during the next five years

Estimation of the third-party logistics (3PL) market in brazil size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the third-party logistics (3PL) market in brazil

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of third-party logistics (3PL) market in brazil vendors

Related Reports:

Dry Bulk Shipping Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The dry bulk shipping market share is expected to increase by USD 930.41 million from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 3.59%. Download Free Sample Report

The dry bulk shipping market share is expected to increase by from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 3.59%. Spare Parts Logistics Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The spare parts logistics market share is expected to increase by USD 25.36 billion from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 7.00%. Download Free Sample Report

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market In Brazil Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 5.22 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.33 Regional analysis South America and Brazil Performing market contribution Brazil at 100% Key consumer countries Brazil Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., CEVA Logistics AG, DHL International GmbH, DSV Panalpina AS, Kintetsu World Express Inc., Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Nippon Express Co. Ltd., Sankyu Inc., Schenker AG, and Sinotrans Ltd. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Major Butter Trends in the Butter Procurement Market

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the moderate bargaining power of suppliers. This makes it extremely important to get the pricing and pricing model right. Buyers should align their preferred pricing models for Butter with the wider industry and identify the cost-saving potential.

The most widely adopted Pricing Models in the Butter Market

in the Butter Market Cost plus pricing



Volume based pricing

Download Our FREE Sample Report to Know More About the Latest Butter Trends and Various Pricing Models

Will there be an Increase in the Spend Growth for Butter Procurement?

The Butter market will register an incremental spend of about USD 6.27 Billion during the forecast period. Only a few regions will drive the majority of this growth. On the supply side, North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and APAC will have the maximum influence owing to the supplier base.

The drivers and inhibitors that influence these global and regional outlooks are also elaborated in detail. Our in-depth growth decomposition analysis covers details on:

Factors driving the growth (or lack of it) in individual geographies

Regions that hold the most rewarding opportunities for buyers and suppliers

Is the spend growth cyclical and when will the growth curve peak?

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This procurement report answers help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their Butter Market requirements following questions:

Am I engaging with the right suppliers?

Which KPIs should I use to evaluate my incumbent suppliers?

Which supplier selection criteria are relevant for?

What are the workplace computing devices category essentials in terms of SLAs and RFx?

Get the Details That You Are Looking for:

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Changing market landscape with yearly forecast till 2025.

Analyze the market's competitive and vendor landscape.

How much marketing budget to set aside for geographical market expansion?

Understanding the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries.

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About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contact

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
DOVER, Del., Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A virtual event showcasing school choices statewide will bring Delaware families the chance to better understand their K-12 educational options on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Hundreds of community members are expected to attend the virtual event, which will take place at the peak of School Choice Week nationwide.

The informational event will feature panelists representing the many educational options Delaware families can choose from and will explore what makes each school choice a vital addition to the state's education landscape. Keynote speakers include Dr. Bradley Layfield, head principal at Sussex Central High School, and Levy Court Commissioner Eric Buckson, retired educator at Polytech High School.

Families can register for the free event at: docs.google.com/forms/d/12bvtbw6M-5GIxvIM_T3lAfPm1agzsNtNU7nhEA_Oyks/edit

This event is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week 2022, which will feature more than 26,000 school choice events across all 50 states. In conjunction with the Week, large school fairs will take place in well over a dozen major cities, including Las Vegas, Colorado Springs, and Jersey City.

"Picking the best educational option for families can be a difficult and daunting task," said Britney Mumford, executive director at DelawareCAN. "By bringing together a variety of voices, we hope to shed light on the options offered in Delaware. It is imperative that we provide families the information they need to make the choice that is right for them and ensure that every student in Delaware has access to a high quality education. It is only through transparency and the protection of school choice that we can keep that promise."

This event is organized by DelawareCAN and the Delaware Charter School Network. DelawareCAN is a nonprofit education advocacy organization to empower, mobilize and collaborate with everyday Delawareans to advocate for a high-quality education system. The Delaware Charter Schools Network, a charter support non-profit organization, works with more than 17,000 children in 23 charter schools throughout the state.

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children, focusing equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of celebrations  such as school fairs and open houses to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. School Choice Week also develops resources and guides to K-12 education for families. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation. For more information visit schoolchoiceweek.com.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
CORK, Ireland, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the advent of Bitcoin and the ever-evolving landscape that is cryptocurrency, people the world over have been focused on making money, and fast! Stories of millionaires and billionaires, day after day. And of course, coins like SHIBA INU, SAFEMOON, ELONGATE, DOGECOIN AND MORE are providing investors with huge returns which can completely secure your financial future in relatively short periods of time. These opportunities are hard to find and all too often people only notice them when it's too late. Had you bought just $100 worth of SHIBA INU on 1st Jan 2021, it would have been worth a staggering $47M in Oct 2021.

So as everyone is racing to unearth the next big mover, VOYCEToken is being hailed as one of the most exciting projects to emerge in this space. Every transaction in VOYCE is taxed and used to fund progressive features like adding to auto liquidity in decentralized exchanges and manual buyback and not to mention charitable donations worldwide, NFT collections and its own blockchain. It is these attributes combined with a vastly experienced team of both technical and commercial entrepreneurs which ensure VOYCEToken is destined for success and growth.

VOYCEToken Advanced Features:

4% Charitable Donation: 4% of transaction is automatically redistributed to a charity wallet. A voting platform, VOYCEVote has been developed to allow VOYCEToken holders to nominate and vote for which global charities receive donations each month. To date, 9 donations have been made by the project to charities around the world.

3% Automatic Liquidity: 3% of every transaction is sent to PancakeSwap for Liquidity. Pancakeswap is a Binance Smart Chain based decentralized exchange that resolves the low liquidity problems of DEXs through a principle known as the liquidity pool. The smart contract deposits 3% from every transaction as $BNB into the liquidity pool to facilitate ongoing trades.

2% Marketing & Technical Development: Working with professional marketing agencies and influencers across the social media spectrum, VOYCEToken is tackling their marketing with a very strategic approach. Already they have been interviewed by NBC Radio and have featured in many top tier news agency sites. The 2% used from transactional tax has also allowed the team to begin development on many features from their tech roadmap including their NFT Marketplace, VOYCEMarket.

Anti-Whale: As much as whales (large investors) can boost a token price, they can also wreak havoc when they sell. To act as a deterrent, the VOYCEToken team have wisely implemented an Anti-Whale feature within the smart contract. This ensures that wallet holders cannot sell amounts higher than 1% of the circulating supply in one transaction.

To increase the Token utility, VOYCEToken has documented one of the most comprehensive tech roadmaps on the market. It's not surprising considering the depth of knowledge and experience in the team. Their CEO is the former Head of Blockchain at one of Irelands largest tech research centres. The COO has over 30 years international commercial experience and the CMO has already been involved in the successful launch of another charity crypto bringing it to a multi-million dollar market cap. Their plans are truly inspiring, and if successful no doubt will ensure VOYCE TOKEN as a stable crypto in the space for many years.

The team are building their own blockchain, called VOYCEChain, to drive an entire eco-system, not only to support crypto transactions but also allowing industry to adapt and integrate their blockchain requirements on VOYCEChain.

VOYCEVote: A voting platform for all VOYCEToken holders to nominate and vote for which global charities receive donations each month ensuring full transparency of raised funds. (https://voycevote.com)

VOYCEMarket: An NFT marketplace which will use VOYCEToken as the transactional currency. (https://voycemarket.com)

VOYCEWallet: Store and trade all your favourite cryptos including VOYCEToken.

VOYCEXchange: An AMM exchange allowing trade of all major currencies along with a host of alt coins. Transaction fees will be limited to 0.05%, one of the lowest on the global market.

VOYCEPay: Spend your VOYCEToken in any retail store globally and withdraw FIAT currency from any ATM.

The entire product spec is designed to co-exist. VOYCEChain will allow other 'genuine' charity cryptos to launch. VOYCEXchange will provide some of the lowest fees in the industry. VOYCEMarket will promote all the latest and greatest NFTs while using VOYCEToken as the transactional currency and sitting on VOYCEChain. And then there's VOYCEPay. Bringing absolute utility to VOYCEToken.

VOYCEToken was founded with 4 core values. CHARITY, COMMUNITY, TRANSPARENCY, LONGEVITY. So if you're looking for a quality project to take your portfolio to the next level, then look no further. VOYCEToken needs to be top of your list!

Media Contact:

Company: VOYCE TOKEN TECH

Website: https://voycetoken.com

Email: [email protected]

Telegram: https://t.me/voycetoken

SOURCE VOYCE TOKEN TECH
SEATTLE, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a stunning tribute to the legacy of MLK Jr, author and performance poet, J Mase III has released a poem we all need to hear. Aided by a haunting animation from the design team at Creative Devs , that is gorgeous and grotesque, he tells the story of what happens when we reinvent figures like MLK Jr. Part personal testimony, and part chilling allegory for the current political landscape this piece feels vital. An adaptation of his poem The Non-Violent Zombie Apocalypse, originally published in the book White Folks Be Trippin', this poem packs a lot into 1 minute. Check it out on TikTok and Instagram .

The Non-Violent Zombie Apocalypse Photo of J Mase III by Ajamu X

J Mase III is a Black Trans poet, author, filmmaker & educator. As an educator, Mase has worked with community members in the US, UK, and Canada on the needs of LGBTQIA+ folks and racial justice in spaces such as K-12 schools, universities, faith communities, and restricted care facilities. He is author of And Then I Got Fired: One Transqueer's Reflections on Grief, Unemployment & Inappropriate Jokes About Death as well as White Folks Be Trippin': An Ethnography Through Poetry & Prose. He is head writer for the theatrical production Black Bois.

Winner of a Lambda Literary Award for Transgender Non-Fiction and a Creative Capital Award, he is co-director of the forthcoming documentary, the Black Trans Prayer Book and is finishing his latest solo work Is Your God a Violent God? Finding a Theology for Survivors.

Find out more about his work at www.jmaseiii.com

Contact:

Kofi Johnson

7608560568

[email protected]

SOURCE J Mase III
BANGALORE, India, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wood-Pellets Market is Segmented by Type (White Pellet, Black Pellet), Application (Power Generation, Industrial Furnace, Civil Use, Others). The report covers global opportunity analysis and industry forecasts from 2022 to 2022.

The global Wood-Pellets market size is estimated to be worth USD 6269.1 Million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 8943.2 Million by 2028 with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.1% during the forecast period.

Major Factors Driving The Growth Of The Wood-Pellets Market Are:

The expansion of the wood-pellet market is fueled by rising interest in and preference for renewable and sustainable energy sources. Wood pallets are utilized in industry for power generation as well as in civil applications such as home heating and pellet stoves.

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Trends Influencing The Growth Of The Wood-Pellets Market:

Wood pellets are one of the most eco-friendly solid wood fuels available. They emit nearly no ash when burned and are infinitely renewable (supplied from sustainable forestry). Wood pellets are deemed carbon neutral since the amount of CO2 burned is equal to the amount absorbed by the tree throughout its growth. Furthermore, they emit significantly less CO2 than vehicles driven by oil. Due to their low moisture level, wood pellets have a high energy content, equivalent to high-quality coal. Only little energy losses occur when the moisture is burned off. The market for wood pellets is predicted to increase as a result of these causes.

The increasing use of wood pallets for electricity generation is likely to propel the wood pallets market forward. Pallets made of wood can be used totally or partially with coal (co-firing). Approximately half of the pellets are used in power plants that have switched from coal to pellets or are partially replacing coal (co-firing). The remaining half of pellet usage is used to heat homes (through pellet stoves or pellet boilers), as well as to heat residential blocks, public or commercial buildings, and industrial steam needs. Pellets have the flexibility to be employed at nearly any scale of demand, from small domestic appliances with a few kW of output to enormous power plants with hundreds of MW of capacity, which is one of their biggest advantages.

Wood pellets are mostly used in the home for meals, cooking, and grilling, as well as supplying heat to homes. Pellets are a more cost-effective choice than other fuels because their price has been lower for a long time, addressing a major concern in the residential and commercial sectors. This factor is expected to further increase the growth of the wood pellets market.

Browse the Table of Contents and List of figures at: https://reports.valuates.com/reports/QYRE-Auto-6F9495/wood-pellets

Wood-Pellets Market Share Analysis:

Based on the Application, the Power generation segment is expected to hold the largest market share of about 61%. The use of pellets as a fuel in coal-fired power plants has the advantage of requiring relatively minor changes to the power plant. This enables a plant to produce large amounts of renewable electricity at a low cost of capital. Converted plants typically use pulverized coal as a fuel and are equipped for co-firing. Pellets are processed into wood powder, which is subsequently burned alone or in combination with coal dust.

Based on type, the White pellet is expected to hold the largest market share of about 97% during the forecast period.

Based on region, Europe is expected to hold the largest market share of about 57% of the global market, while North America and China held about 21%, 8% respectively.

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Leading Players in the Wood-Pellets

Enviva

Pinnacle

Vyborgskaya Cellulose

Rentech

Innogy

Graanul Invest Group

Zilkha Biomass Energy

Canfor

General Biofuels

Pacific BioEnergy

Protocol Energy

PFEIFER

Biomass Secure Power

Viridis Energy

Westervelt

BTH Quitman Hickory

Energex

Lignetics

Equustock

Fram Renewable Fuels

RusForest

Neova

Drax Biomass International

Enova Energy Group

Aoke Ruifeng

DEVOTION

Dalin Biological

Senon Renewable Energy

Xirui New Energy

Weige Bio -tech Energy

-tech Energy Others

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SIMILAR REPORTS

- The global Black Pellets market was valued at USD 71 Million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 182 Million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14.1% during 2021-2027.

- In 2020, the global Biomass Pellets market size was USD 8231.5 Million and it is expected to reach USD 13650 Million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 7.5% during 2021-2027.

- In 2020, the global Briquette market size was USD 919.1 Million and it is expected to reach USD 1544.7 Million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 7.7% during 2021-2027

- The global renewable energy market was valued at USD 881.7 Billion in 2020, and is projected to reach USD 1,977.6 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2021 to 2030

- In 2020, the global Biomass Briquette Fuel market size was USD 8357 Million and it is expected to reach USD 14270 Million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 8.0% during 2021-2027.

- The global Black Particles market was valued at USD 82 Million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 211.8 Million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14.1% during 2021-2027.

- The global Pellet Heating Stoves market was valued at USD 603.4 Million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 708.4 Million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 2.3% during 2021-2027

- The global energy as a service market size was valued at USD 54.4 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 112.7 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.6% from 2021 to 2030

- Global and Japan Advanced Wood Pellets Market Insights, Forecast to 2027

- Global Biomass Fuel Pellets Market Research Report 2021

- Global Wood Pellet Boilers Market Outlook 2022

- Global BBQ Wood Pellets Sales Market Report 2021

To see the full list of related reports on the Wood-Pellets

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Corazon Mining Ltd (ASX:CZN) has kicked off the 2022 exploration program at its wholly-owned Lynn Lake Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Sulphide Project in Manitoba province, Canada with a detailed aerial gravity survey underway.

CZN will translate the results of the survey into new drill targets for the project, hoping to define zones of massive nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide deposits that are typical within the Lynn Lake Mining Centre.

The company is particularly interested in identifying discrete, dense bodies within the eye of the Fraser Lake Complex (FLC), located some 5 kilometres from the Lynn Lake Mining Centre hub.

The Fraser Lake Complex

Exploration undertaken in 2021 identified a mineralised conduit feeding into an area of high-density within the FLC, possibly indicating ultramafic lithologies prospective for massive sulphide deposits in an area so far untested by drilling and only recently identified as prospective.

CZNs focus has been on the Matrix Trend, an induced polarisation (IP) chargeability defined by geophysical surveys in 2016 and 2018.

This trend is interpreted to be an exposed part of a sulphide-rich magma conduit that punched into the older and more fractionated Fraser Lake gabbroic complex.

The intrusive conduit can be traced laterally over 3.5 kilometres, from the 'South Pipe' intrusion to the southwest of the FLC.

Modelling of geophysical datasets indicates the conduit system plunges into the FLC and into an area of higher density, which is indicative of ultramafic lithologies.

Ultramafics (peridotites) have yet to be identified in outcrop or drilling within the FLC but have so far had a very strong spatial and timing association with the massive nickel sulphide orebodies within the Lynn Lake Mining Centre.

The presence of peridotites within the FLC would be extremely encouraging for CZN, enhancing the possibility for the discovery of a Lynn Lake-style mineralised system.

About Corazon Mining

Corazon Mining is focused on the Lynn Lake Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Sulphide Project in Manitoba, Canada, and the Mt Gilmore Cobalt-Copper-Gold Project in NSW, Australia

In Canada, Corazon has consolidated the entire historical Lynn Lake Nickel Copper Cobalt Mining Centre and is the first company to have control of this vast asset since mine closure in 1976.

The company owns an 80% interest in the Mt Gilmore Copper-Cobalt-Gold Sulphide Project in NSW, which is host to the rare, cobalt dominant sulphide Cobalt Ridge deposit  one of Australia's highest-grade cobalt deposits.
Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) has confirmed that it had a bid for GlaxoSmithKlines consumer healthcare business rebuffed.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC (LSE:GSK) (GSK) revealed yesterday that it knocked back three approaches late last year from Unilever for its up for sale consumer healthcare business, with the last bid pitched at 41.7bn plus 8.3bn in shares.

In a stock market announcement this morning, Unilever said its pursuit of the blockbuster deal heralds a change of direction for the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant.

Following an extensive strategic review, the plan is to reposition Unilever's portfolio into higher growth categories, with a particular emphasis on Health, Beauty and Hygiene.

GSK Consumer Healthcare is a leader in the attractive consumer health space and would be a strong strategic fit as Unilever continues to reshape its portfolio, Unilever said in a statement on Sunday.

Unilever noted that 45% of GSK Consumer Healthcare is in oral care and vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS); these are categories in which Unilever already has presence and substantial capabilities, Unilever added.

Over the counter (OTC) products would be an attractive adjacent category, with the ability to combine Unilever's consumer and branding expertise with GSK Consumer Health's technical OTC capabilities. The acquisition would create scale and a growth platform for the combined portfolio in the US, China, and India, with further opportunities in other emerging markets, Unilever said, suggesting to most observers that it has not yet given up on acquiring GSKs Consumer Healthcare Business.

On Monday, the company, which counts Marmite, Dove and Ben & Jerrys among its brands, signalled its intent to make major acquisitions in the health, beauty and hygiene sectors while offloading businesses and brands that are intrinsically lower growth.

To allay concerns that it might be biting off more than it can chew, Unilever said that following any acquisition, the company would target a return to current levels of gearing over the short to medium term.

As well as addressing its long-term strategic direction, the Unilever board revealed it has been focused on accelerating growth within the existing business. A series of initiatives have been implemented to enhance operating performance. These include increased focus on operational excellence to improve market competitiveness, and aligning resources to five clear strategic choices.

Later this month it will announce a major initiative to enhance the groups performance that will entail moving away from its existing structure to an operating model that it says will drive greater agility, improve category focus, and strengthen accountability.

The board of Unilever is under pressure to improve performance after the City backed it in repelling the unwelcome interests of Kraft Heinz, the US company that controversially gobbled up confectionery company, Cadbury.

Since hitting a nadir of 5,191 on 14 March 2020 as the market was rattled by the Covid-19 pandemic, the FTSE 100 has recovered to 7,543  a gain of 45%. Over the same period, the share price of Unilever has fallen 5%, so the pressure is on.

GSK, meanwhile, intends to stick to the plan, agreed with its Consumer Healthcare partner Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE), to demerge the business and float the company as an independent unit.

It releases results on 9 February, the day before Unilever releases its full-year results.
Xpediator PLC today said unit Delamode International Logistics Ltd signed a 10-year lease for a new purpose-built 180,000 square feet (35,000 pallet spaces) storage and distribution warehouse in Roosendaal, Netherlands.

The freight management services provider for the UK and Central and Eastern Europe will occupy the site from March 2023.

The decision to take a long lease on this warehouse reflects demand and the post-Brexit strategies of our clients to hold stock in both the UK and mainland Europe and follows on from the recent opening of our new 200,000 sqft warehouse extension in Southampton, said chief executive Wim Pauwels.

The company will take a 6,500-pallet space warehouse in Roosendaal for 12 months from March this year to meet current customer demand, with an option to increase to 15,000 pallet spaces.

"We are a growing business, so this extension together with investments we are making across the business is all part of maximising our organic growth potential, Pauwels added.

Several customers believe splitting stock between the UK and mainland Europe is the best option to bring products to the market in the quickest possible time, the statement said.

Roosendaal is situated near major roads and ports for transport to the rest of continental Europe.

2021 full-year results will be published at the end of January, it said.
Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1, OTCQB:HLOGF) (Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1, OTCQB:HLOGF), Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1, OTCQB:HLOGF)) chief executive David Minchin has announced multiple surface helium anomalies identified at Rukwa, Eyasi and Balangida project areas.

These have been located in Tanzania, via a multispectral satellite spectroscopy study.

Minchin explain why these anomalies, across the three basins, are encouraging because they indicate the potential size of the discovery and it's a 'cost effective' way of operating.
BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- With imported outbreaks of the Delta and Omicron strains unfolding, China faces grim challenges when it comes to maintaining a safe and orderly Spring Festival travel rush as the annual migration is beginning.

Even so, China is capable of ensuring the safety of the travel rush as a raft of anti-virus measures and its social organization and mobilization mechanisms are working efficiently to tackle problems in a timely manner.

This year's Spring Festival travel rush lasts from January 17 to February 25, with the number of passenger trips expected to reach 1.18 billion, up 35.6 percent from a year ago, according to figures released by the Ministry of Transport.

The consistent COVID-19 outbreaks have posed grave challenges for China to keep a safe and orderly Spring Festival travel rush. About 10 provincial regions have reported imported cases of the Omicron variant including Tianjin and Henan. The northwest Chinese city of Xi'an is still battling against one of the worst COVID-19 epidemics in the country since 2020.

This year has seen the third Spring Festival travel rush since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. The Chinese authorities have become more experienced in applying stringent anti-virus measures in areas that see high traffic due to the Spring Festival.

Requirements on the sterilization of public venues, body-temperature checks and wearing face masks have been strictly implemented at train stations, airports and bus stations. The transportation of daily necessities and materials is guaranteed, and contingency plans have been prepared to promptly tackle emergencies.

Railway and aviation authorities have vowed to stop or reduce passenger train and air services in epidemic-related areas and strictly control the flow of risky personnel to prevent the epidemic from spreading. Free refund measures will be introduced in a timely manner to avoid economic losses for passengers.

China's people-centered philosophy is apparent in the organization of the Spring Festival travel rush. The transportation authorities are making efforts to ensure the travel needs of rural migrant workers, students, the old, young, sick, disabled and pregnant are met. Special care is given to frontline workers during the Spring Festival travel rush to help them solve difficulties.

The Chinese government has also become more experienced in balancing prevention measures and social development. It has stressed the need for scientific and precise prevention and control of COVID-19 to mitigate the negative impact on people's lives.

To prevent local governments from taking excessive actions to curb the flow of travel, the authorities called for efforts to ensure orderly travel based on COVID-19 risk levels during the travel season.

Although the world is facing dark times in battling the pandemic, with more advanced vaccines and drugs developed, human beings are equipped with more powerful weapons in this war with the virus.

For the Chinese, Spring Festival is a time for family reunion and making wishes for the coming year. It is hoped the world could walk out of the shadow of the pandemic as soon as possible, and more families could get together without the fear of the virus. 
Has there ever been a time in the last 50 years when investors and Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) management alike were not concerned about sluggish growth?

With brands such as (deep breath) Hellmanns, Vaseline, Ben & Jerrys, Knorr, Magnum, Walls, Cif, Domestos, Dove, Lifebuoy, Lux, Omo and Sunsilk, the company specialises in everyday products  and if you dont think Ben & Jerrys is an everyday product then you should meet my wife.

As such, it is difficult for any one brand to achieve explosive growth except by entering new markets. Mostly, growth is achieved by grinding away with incessant marketing to expand the size of the market and/or steal share from competitors.

For the last three years or so, the companys mantra has been about improving operational excellence and reshaping its portfolio to focus on sectors perceived as being faster growing.

A central plank of its plan to improve operational excellence was simplifying the Anglo-Dutch groups parent company structure from two legal entities, the Dutch one (NV) and the UK one (PLC), into a single holding company, incorporated in the Netherlands.

So, more of a Dutch-Anglo group than an Anglo-Dutch one.

That idea quickly bit the dust after British shareholders, alarmed at the prospect of Unilever losing its place in the FTSE 100 (thereby sparking a mass sell-off by index-tracking funds) protested forcibly.

Coincidentally or not, the companys Dutch chief executive officer, Paul Polmann, resigned a month later to be replaced by Alan Jope at the beginning of 2020.

Jope rhymes with hope

One of Jopes first big tasks was to navigate the company through the pandemic and it made a good start, announcing on 24 March it would contribute 100mln to help the fight against the pandemic through donations of soap, sanitiser, bleach and food.

It also said it would offer 500mln of cash flow relief to help its suppliers and small-scale retail customers.





The fact remains, however, that while the FTSE 100 has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, the Unilever share price has slumped to 3,667p from around 4,300p at the beginning of 2020 and investors are beginning to lose patience.

As well as pitching in to combat the pandemic, the group has been keen to stress its commitment to sustainable growth.

We want to do more good for our planet and our society  not just less harm. We want to act on the social and environmental issues facing the world and we want to enhance peoples lives with our products, Unilever says on its website.

Weve been pioneers, innovators and future-makers for over 120 years  we plan to continue doing that and we plan to do it sustainably, it added.

All very good but star fund manager Terry Smith, for one, would prefer management to concentrate on turning around the business rather than burnishing its green credentials.

"Unilever seems to be labouring under the weight of a management that is obsessed with publicly displaying sustainability credentials at the expense of focusing on the fundamentals of the business," he said in his annual letter to shareholders.

He highlighted the companys decision to stop selling Ben & Jerrys ice cream in the West Bank and Gaza last year as an example of misdirected focus, although it is worth noting that Ben & Jerrys, with its pseudo-hippy ethos, is allowed to operate as a semi-autonomous unit.

Nonetheless, Smith said there were also other "far more ludicrous examples" to illustrate the issue.

"A company which feels it has to define the purpose of Hellmanns mayonnaise has in our view clearly lost the plot. The Hellmanns brand has existed since 1913 so we would guess that by now consumers have figured out its purpose (spoiler alert  salads and sandwiches)," Smith quipped.

"Hope you enjoy our new direction" - This is Spinal Tap

All of which sets the background for todays announcement of a big strategic shift in the works. It is clear from Unilevers stock market announcement that the weekend press reports of its three approaches  all rebuffed  to buy the consumer healthcare business of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Pfizer (GSK owns 68% of GSK Consumer Healthcare and Pfizer the rest) prompted the group to go public with its plans for a new strategic direction earlier than expected.

We'll get the full-blown details later this month but the Footsie giant has already dropped a few hints of its new direction.

The decision to reshape its portfolio will not come as a surprise. The sale of its tea business, including brands such as Lipton and PG Tips in November 2021 was, according to broker Jefferies, an important first step in the groups portfolio rationalisation journey.

The intention to focus on the Health, Beauty, and Hygiene sectors may be more of an eyebrow-raiser. Unilever believes these categories offer higher rates of sustainable market growth.

Given that even GlaxoSmithKline, keen to talk up the value of the business it is offloading, is only talking about accelerating growth in its Consumer Healthcare businessto 4-6% (on a constant exchange rates basis) over the medium term, were not exactly talking explosive growth here.

Furthermore, over the period 2019-2021 the Consumer Healthcare business delivered a compounded annualised growth rate of 4% on a like-for-like basis, so GSKs projections require whoever ends up managing the business to succeed in accelerating growth.

Can anyone see Unilever succeeding in doing that?

Unilever is not renowned for accelerating growth so although Unilevers 50bn bid by most accounts does not factor in the so-called bid premium required to persuade GSK to abandon its plans to float the Consumer Healthcare division off as an independent company, it may be a realistic valuation applied by Unilever based on the Anglo-Dutch groups track record of galvanising acquired companies.
Stock pickers could be richly rewarded in the oil and gas sector  thats the view of analysts at Berenberg.

Exploration and production shares, on average, are set for some 10% upside to their current levels, the investment bank said, whilst certain opportunities are seen to have much more potential.

The upbeat view is based on a US$75 per barrel Brent crude price (current price: US$86).

Strong oil prices equate to free cash flow, with Berenberg seeing the average yield at around 13% and across the sector leverage is seen at around 2%.

It adds up to Berenbergs view that theres confidence that the worst of the sectors recent balance sheet challenges are in the past.

Six of the 11 companies we cover pay or will soon initiate a dividend with an average yield of circa 5%, analyst James Carmichael said in a note.

Stock selection remains key, but we believe there are opportunities for good returns to be made in the E&P space.

Beyond the improving economics, Berenberg anticipates an uptick in mergers and acquisitions this year.

Several companies in our coverage are expected to try and grow through acquisition in the near term, Carmichael added.

On the operations and explorations front, the analyst highlighted small-cap firms Chariot Ltd (AIM:CHAR, OTC:OIGLF) and Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd (AIM:ECO, TSX-V:EOG) for the formers project offshore Morocco, and the latters assets in Guyana and South Africa.

Chariot shares are up around 55% in the past month, driven up during the drill programme for the Anchois-2 well offshore Morocco which beat expectations when results were released last week.

Anchois-2 well was drilled to a total depth of 2,512 metres and encountered significant gas accumulations in its appraisal target plus three additional exploration targets, spanning some 250 metres of gross pay.

It opens up a field development opportunity and is described as being transformational for Chariot.

Looking to Eco, Berenberg sees a company that has also been transformed in recent weeks, through its acquisition of acreage in South Africa.

The deal added a well-drilling opportunity in South Africas Orange basin, the Gazania-1 well, which is slated for the second half of 2022.

The well will test two targets (Gazania and Namaqualand) with combined resource potential of c350mmboe, in water depths of less than 200 metres, the Berenberg analyst noted.

Encouragingly the well is updip of an existing light oil discovery (AJ-1) made in 1988.

Berenbergs top picks were meanwhile singled out as Europe and Mediterranean firms Kistos PLC (AIM:KIST) and Energean PLC (LSE:ENOG), each with buy ratings - with targets set at 530p (current: 495p) and 1,030p (917p) respectively.

Elsewhere, the bank upgraded its view on north Iraq oiler Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited (LSE:GKP) to buy from hold with a target of 280p (210p).
Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) has updated the market on its activities, including plans to spin off its diamond assets comprising its East Kimberley project and a collection of other projects in Australia and potentially overseas, via an initial public offering (IPO) on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Further, the company is in talks with Pediment Gold LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nevada Exploration Inc, for a potential strategic alliance, to work together to identify, review and advance epithermal gold targets in Nevada.

Planning is also progressing for the drill program to update the Jack Track resource, which sits within the companys Governor Broome Mineral Sands project in WA.

The company has also been approached by third parties in relation to funding, joint-venture opportunities and the possible sale of the Governor Broome Project.

Astro Resources has also been granted a trading halt today pending the release of an announcement.

Diamond project spin-off

The board believes that the spin-off into a special purpose vehicle dedicated to diamonds, with a clear focus and its own management team, is in the best interests of Astros shareholders.

It is envisaged that the spin-off will occur via Astros recently incorporated subsidiary, Argyle Resources Ltd.

Astro shareholders would be provided a priority allocation in the IPO while the company would retain a minority shareholding in Argyle, based on the value of its East Kimberley project.

The company plans to complete and finalise the IPO, including a fund-raising process by the end of the second quarter/early third quarter of 2022.

This IPO is subject to Argyle meeting the conditions of admission set by the ASX.

The company will provide further particulars on the assets to form part of the IPO as plans for the proposed spin-off progress.

Nevada investment opportunities

Talks with Pediment Gold are likely to involve Astro contributing around US$1.5 million or A$2.0 million over a two-year period to earn a 70% interest in a special joint venture company (SPV), and Pediment holding the balance 30% interest in return for contributing one or more of its current or future epithermal gold targets.

The SPV would be expected to hold a 90% (Pediment would own the other 10%) to 100% interest in projects advanced under the alliance.

Present discussions involve Pediments gold project in Slumbering Hills, Humboldt County, Nevada, but no project has been agreed.

At the end of the two-year period, Astro would be able to review its position in the SPV, with one of the options available to Astro being to terminate.

Alternatively, it is anticipated that Astro may remain in the SPV but elect not to participate in future funding of the joint venture and thereby dilute its interest in the SPV, or Astro may elect to continue to provide some level of funding having regard to the exploration results achieved by the end of the two-year period and the business plan and funding requirements of the SPV having regard to those results (as determined by SPV board).

The decision of whether or not to terminate, remain in the SPV, or participate in future funding of the SPV (including, if applicable, the funding level) will be at the absolute discretion of the Astro board.

Astro is expected to have board control of the SPV during the two-year period, while Pediment will provide the operational and project generation support for the SPV as the main operator of the SPV's projects.

Pediment has an experienced technical team located in Reno, Nevada, which Astro believes could help support the companys work at Needles.

The proposed alliance and investment in the SPV is expected to be complementary to the Needles Project.

An investment of A$2.0 million in the SPV is not expected to result in a significant change in the nature or scale of the companys activities for the purposes of Chapter 11 of the ASX Listing Rules.

Negotiations remain incomplete and are subject to:

Due diligence and final board approval;

Legal documentation; and

Regulatory approval, including compliance with Chapter 11 of the Listing Rules.

Further updates, including the expected time frame for its completion, will be provided as and when available.

Governor Broome Mineral Sands Project

Astro has been continuing its drill planning work for the proposed resource upgrade in the Jack Track deposit, which included obtaining land access agreements and other permits.

The company has also been completing certain aspects of the transaction, including the payment of the Western Australian stamp duty on the acquisition of the Jack Track deposit.

Astro also noted that it has had a number of approaches over its Governor Broome Project and that these discussions are in all a very early stage, with parties in an exploratory stage of dialogue.

It will provide further updates as and when available.

Cash balance

As at December 31, 2021, the company had a cash balance of $869,901, with all payments to third parties largely up to date, except for work done on drill hole number 2 in the Needles Project.

The existing cash reserves are considered to be sufficient in meeting the balance outstanding for the Needles Project drill campaign.

Further funding

Based on a high-level review of its cash requirements, including the Nevada Project drill campaign, the board considers that further funding will be required for the forthcoming Jack Track drilling campaign.

Accordingly, it will be engaging with interested parties with respect of a future placement of shares to further fund its activities.

Further details of any proposed capital raising will be communicated to shareholders, as and when they are confirmed.

Trading halt

At the request of the company, its shares have been placed in a trading halt pending an announcement.

The reason for the trading halt is the pending release of an announcement of a proposed capital raising.

Shares will remain in trading halt until either the commencement of normal trading on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, or when the announcement is released.
Havilah Resources Ltd (ASX:HAV) has doubled down on a shallow copper-cobalt sulphide lode during the latest spate of resource extension drilling at the Mutooroo Project Area (MPA) close to South Australia's border with NSW.

The campaign, designed to extend the Mutooroo copper-cobalt deposits open-pit resource as part of a pre-feasibility study, encountered relatively high grades of multi-element mineralisation.

Highlights include:

5 metres at 1.7% copper, 0.18% cobalt and 0.13 g/t gold, including 2 metres at 2.13% copper, 0.22% cobalt and 0.19 g/t gold; and

5 metres at 1.01% copper, 0.12% cobalt and 0.09 g/t gold, including 3 metres at 1.67% copper, 0.19% cobalt and 0.12 g/t gold.

Looking ahead, the field team at Mutooroo plans to resume drilling at some of Mutooroos shallow resource extensions.

Activity should kick off sometime next month when a more powerful compressor hits the deck at the copper-cobalt deposit.

Boosting potential resources along strike

Speaking to the results to date, Havilah Resources technical director Dr Chris Giles said: These drill holes specifically targeted the sulphide zone at depths accessible to a conceptual open pit, with the objective of boosting potential open-pit copper-cobalt resources along strike from the established Mutooroo JORC mineral resource.

A trend of increasing grade-thickness with depth in one drill section and discovery of a new hangingwall lode on another drill section are encouraging signs for material additional mineralisation.

We plan to continue with the Mutooroo PFS open pit resource extension drilling program during February 2022, upon delivery and commissioning of a new more powerful compressor for the drilling rig operated by Havilah.

Copper-cobalt assays

The latest round of reverse circulation drill holes were executed at the Mutooroo deposit under the pre-feasibility studys open-pit resource extension program.

This campaign is designed to test for shallow, open-pit copper-cobalt sulphide resources along strike from the existing Mutooroo resource and conceptual open pit design, as well as below the shallow oxidised copper ore that was exploited via several historical mine shafts.

Previous Havilah drill holes encountered shallow oxidised copper mineralisation, which is expected to add materially to the near-surface open-pit resources in this area.

Earlier results of note included:

16 metres at 1.54% copper from 11 metres downhole;

13 metres at 1.11% copper, 0.2% cobalt and 0.07 g/t gold from 1-metre downhole;

7 metres of 0.72% copper, 0.035% cobalt and 0.44 g/t gold from 1-metre downhole; and

18 metres at 0.33% copper from 4 metres downhole.

During the latest round of drilling, exploration confirmed the presence of 1-to-5-metre thicknesses of copper-cobalt massive sulphide lode at Mutooroo.

Promisingly, this is consistent with historical records on the sulphide lodes, situated in cross-cuts within the mine workings in the vicinity.

Specifically, two drill holes pinpointed a trend of increasing grade-thickness within the copper-cobalt sulphide lode.

Havilah considers this encouraging because elsewhere at Mutooroo such trends have pointed to more than 15-metre thicknesses of sulphide mineralisation at depth.

Moving ahead, further deeper drilling beneath drill hole MTRC233 will be required to test this case.

Turning the soil at Mutooroo

Mutooroo is Havilahs second advanced stage copper-cobalt project located within commuting distance of the mining centre of Broken Hill.

It contains 195,000 tonnes of copper, 20,200 tonnes of cobalt and 82,100 ounces of gold in a massive sulphide lode.

As such, Mutooroo is one of the largest and highest grade sulphide cobalt deposits associated with copper in Australia.

Cobalt is deemed a critical mineral and is used in high-performance lithium batteries to enhance charging characteristics.

Presently, much of the global cobalt production comes from the high sovereign risk Democratic Republic of the Congo, which does not have the same rigorous environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations that are enforced in Australia.

Havilah is undertaking a PFS on the Mutooroo project as a proposed 1-million-tonne per annum throughput copper and cobalt producer, based on current JORC measured resources, initially from an open cut mine that transitions to a longer-term underground mining operation.

The present drilling campaign is designed to boost open pit resources to sustain an initial 5-year, open-pit mining operation.

About the Mutooroo Project Area

The Mutooroo copper-cobalt deposits surrounding project area is highly prospective for lode style copper-cobalt-gold mineralisation.

The companys exploration strategy is to discover copper-cobalt-gold resources in the MPA that can support a central mining and processing operation centred on the Mutooroo deposit.

Havilah aims to systematically explore the MPA, with an experienced exploration geologist currently dedicated to this task.

Drilling at the Cockburn and Mutooroo West prospects was the first step towards executing this strategy and Havilah plans to drill several further promising prospects during 2022, including the Mingary Mine, Fallout and Green & Gold targets.
KGL Resources Ltd (ASX:KGL), which is developing the Jervois Copper Project in the Northern Territory, has previously flown under the radar with investors, according to Ord Minnett, and presents a straightforward investment prospect for 2022.

The broker has placed a Speculative Buy recommendation on its stocks, with a target price of around A$0.80 per share. Shares today are trading at $0.635.

A simple copper story

Jervois is a brownfield development project 275 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs that promises rich exploration potential.

Ord Minnett says it hosts a 23 mega tonne resource and boasts high copper grades of 2.0%  including the Rockface underground, with 3.3% copper  and simple metallurgy, producing a copper concentrate with cameo appearances from silver and gold.

Mine content has been extensively tested over the years, with multiple composite samples from drill core. The orebody is 95% sulphides and 5% oxides, which simplifies the complexity and cost of operations.

All primary deposits are open at depth, and DHEM provides good indicators of further extensions.

Valuation

Ord Minnett opened coverage with a Speculative Buy recommendation, targeting A$0.80 per share, stating: Our valuation is based on a sum of these parts  discounted cash flow with 8% weighted average cost of capital, US$3 per-pound copper price and AUD of $0.70.

KGL has cash of $18 million, no debt and 392 million shares on issue, Ord Minnett said. Key risks include funding, delays, low free float (around 55%), delays, project execution, costs and valuation.

But it added: Upcoming catalysts include resource updates at Rockface and Bellbird, a definitive feasibility study (expected in mid-2022), offtake agreement and ongoing exploration.

The project is unique and under-explored, and we see considerable upside for both grade and mine life," the report said. Historically, KGL appears to have escaped investor attention. We expect the stock to re-rate during 2022 as exploration news trickles in and the new executive team progresses toward FID.

To generate around $100 million a year

Ord Minette estimates a net smelter return (NSR) ore value at A$160 per tonne at an all-in cost of A$100 per tonne, implying a high margin of 38% compared to peers at around 25%, modelling a conservative development scenario that assumes construction starts in 2023 at an initial cost of A$330 millon.

Once it is ramped up to its annual 1.6 mega-tonne capacity by 2026, it is expected that copper in concentrate will average around 30 kilo-tonnes per annum over an initial 10-year life.

Attractive aspects

All key approvals and permits to commence mining are in place, including an environmental impact statement, mining management plan, Native Title land use agreement with the Central Land Council and water licences.

Along with the permits, Ord Minnett cited the Tier 1 location of the project as a promising sign for investors. According to the Frazer Institute's annual Mining Survey, Australia consistently ranks as the world's premier mining investment location.

The Northern Territory, in particular, ranks in the top 20 jurisdictions across three categories: Investment Attractiveness, Policy Perception, Best Practice.

Project economics

The project economics are robust, generating $100 million in cash annually, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 20% and a post-tax net present value (NPV) of A$240 million or A$0.61 per share.

We see several opportunities to enhance the economics, including selling concentrate to Mt Isa, bringing forward high-grade underground, adding mine life and building a lead/zinc circuit," the report said.
88 Energy Ltd (AIM:88E, ASX:88E, OTC:EEENF) said it is on track for a February spud at the Merlin-2 well on Alaskas Nort Slope.

Commissioning of the Arctic Fox drill rig is underway prior to mobilisaton and construction works for the ice road have begun.

Permitting and planning is largely complete and the remaining permit to drill is in the final stages of review by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is expected to be awarded in time for the mobilisation.

The company also said it is aware of media reports that a protest group, the Center for Biological Diversity, has had communications with the BLM in relation to the permit to drill.

Nevertheless, it added: With the current status of the review of the Permit to Drill by the BLM, as well as numerous other related approvals and permits from various government agencies, 88 Energy is nearing completion of permitting and the well remains on track to spud in February 2022.

The well is targeting some 652mln barrels across the N18, N19 and N20 targets which were encountered in the Merlin-1 well, drilled last March.

Oil was seen all three targets in multiple stacked sequences within the Brookian Nanushuk Formation.
ANGLE PLC (AIM:AGL, OTCQX:ANPCY) said its liquid biopsy system could offer an alternative to traditional tissue biopsy to assess the spread and mutation of metastatic breast cancer.

The company described research by the University of Southern California Norris Cancer Center that compared the two approaches as ground-breaking.

Not only did they find a concordance, or consistency between blood and tissue samples taken from patients when analysed, the scientists were also able to glean additional crucial detail from circulating tumour cells harvested using ANGLEs Parsortix system.

Specifically, Parsortix enabled longitudinal analysis of the cancer cells as they metastasised (spread from the original site) and mutated. Dr Julie Lang and her team at USC were even able to detect the changes that lead to resistance to anti-cancer therapies.

This is important as it could help optimise the treatment given to women with metastatic breast cancer.

Only 50% of people with the advanced form of the disease have successful tissue biopsies as they are either too ill to undergo the invasive procedure or the tissue site is inaccessible.

A simple, repeatable liquid biopsy alternative using the Parsortix system could resolve the issues with metastatic tissue biopsies and, as the study finds, provide real-time information on the cancer evolution to guide treatment options, the statement said.

Mid-morning, the shares were trading 3.4% higher at 125.05p each.

---adds share price movement---
Bam Bam's flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold district, which sits 156 miles from Reno, Nevada

Bam Bam Resources (CSE:BBR) Corp said it has secured a core drill rig from Falcon Drilling to advance its flagship Majuba Hill porphyry copper project in Nevada, USA.

Drilling early this year is aimed at following up on surface geophysical and geochemical signatures that appear to be related to the "copper porphyry alteration drilled in the diorite intrusive, that was discovered in the copper-gold target area", the firm noted.

David Greenway, CEO of Bam Bam told investors he was pleased to be working with contractor Falcon.

"Their previous work and experience drilling on our programs will help us to quickly expand the emerging porphyry copper district at Majuba Hill," he said in a statement.

In 2021, Bam Bam noted it sunk 16 holes for 4,539.5 metres (m) (14,893.5 feet) focused on three areas:

Majuba known copper-oxide

DeSoto copper-oxide target

Copper-gold target (new porphyry discovery)

Bam Bam's flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold district, which sits 156 miles from Reno, Nevada.

The company is focused on later-stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets in response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change.

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
CO2 GRO Inc (TSX-V:GROW, OTCQB:BLONF) announced the resignation of Matt Julius as Chief Science Officer. CO2 GRO's management and board thanked Julius for his exceptional expertise, advice and scientific research work, helping CO2 GRO advance its CO2 Delivery Solutions technology through exhaustive scientific trials to commercialization. GROW CEO John Archibald commented "We are very thankful for Matt's contributions to our commercial success. He has helped design and oversee scientific data gathering and analysis for our patent filings, and assisted us with customer projects. We wish him well in 2022 and beyond."

Revive Therapeutics Ltd (CSE:RVV, OTCQB:RVVTF) has issued a progress update on its psilocybin pharmaceutical programs ahead of the first clinical study on psilocybin for methamphetamine use disorder. The company is evaluating the psychedelic substance as a potential treatment for methamphetamine use disorder in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The study will be conducted at the university and provide proprietary information to support future US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical studies. Revive is building a specialty psilocybin-based product pipeline to treat mental illness, substance abuse and neurological disorders, the Toronto-based company said in a statement.

Goldshore Resources Inc (TSX-V:GSHR, OTCQB:GSHRF) has announced gold assay results from the Main Zone of the Moss Lake Deposit in Northwest Ontario, Canada. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based exploration company said that the results suggest a new parallel zone to the southeast that has not been previously tested. "The intersection of several +1 grams per ton (g/t) gold (Au) zones, essentially from surface, reaffirms our view that the Moss Lake Gold Project contains a significant volume of +1 g/t Au mineralization that can underpin a meaningful update to the historic 2013 preliminary economic assessment later this year, said Brett Richards, CEO of Goldshore in a statement. He added: The fact that we are continuing to intersect gold mineralization outside of the volume modeled in 2013, also affirms our belief that the deposit is significantly larger than previously interpreted."

Else Nutrition Holdings Inc (OTCQX:BABYF, TSX-V:BABY) has announced that Sprouts Farmers Market is adding two additional products to its range following the successful launch and better than expected performance of Else Toddler Nutrition at the retailer. The additions include Else Plant-Based Kids Shakes, in chocolate and vanilla flavors, the company added. In the 10 months of sales since the February 2021 launch of Else Toddler Nutrition product at Sprouts Farmers Market, it said sales velocity grew steadily to 1.2 UPSPW (units per store per week), surpassing the category average. It expects the addition of the new Kids products to accelerate overall sales growth at Sprouts.

GR Silver Mining (TSX-V:GRSL) Ltd has reported positive drill results from the Plomosas project in Mexico, which has extended mineralization below the San Marcial resource. The assays come from three holes of an eight-hole program, the first underground drilling undertaken at San Marcial, and confirmed extensions of high-grade silver at "attractive widths and grades" along strike and up to 170 metres (m) down-dip. Highlight drill results from the San Marcial Breccia included 1,792 grams per ton (g/t) silver over 5.6m from 184.5 m downhole in one hole and 773 g/t of silver over a width 18.5m from 179.4m depth. "The first drill results from our resource expansion program at San Marcial have proven the consistency and continuity of the Ag-rich San Marcial Breccia mineralization, along strike and down dip," said GR Silver Mining (TSX-V:GRSL)'s CEO Marcio Fonseca in a statement.

KetamineOne Capital announced that it has entered into a one-year agreement with Victoria Wellness Mental Health Residential and Addiction Treatment Centre (VW) to be its exclusive ketamine treatment provider. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company said it and the centre have launched a first-class, best practice-based, six-week inpatient Ketamine Integrated Therapy Experience (KITE) program. The first three weeks of the KITE program is being structured to offer clients a unique opportunity to benefit from fast-acting, evidence-based and medically supervised ketamine administration to help combat long-standing and prescription resistant mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the company added.

Endeavour Mining Corporation said it added three million measured and indicated ounces of gold to its resource inventory in 2021, exceeding a target of 2.5mln ounces. An additional 900,000 was added in the inferred category, mainly at the Ity project. Discovery costs were US$16 per ounce, a somewhat nebulous measure in the industry, but nevertheless interesting to set against the current gold price of over US$1,800 per ounce.

CULT Food Science Corp announced that it has been listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) and has begun trading under the ticker symbol CULT. The Vancouver-based company also said that its portfolio company, MeliBio Inc has provided a commercial update, highlighting its sales, research and development (R&D) pipeline, fundraising, and public relations efforts. "The listing of CULT's common shares on the CSE is a great milestone for the company and our shareholders," said Dorian Banks, CEO of CULT in a statement. As a public issuer, CULT stands to offer investors a democratized opportunity that is the first of its kind on the capital markets, which is to participate in the important, rapidly growing, and global cellular agriculture space that is expected to materially reduce the large and negative impact that the global food supply chain currently makes on the planet every day," he added.

MAS Gold Corp (TSX-V:MAS, OTCQB:MSGCF) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Comstock to acquire 100% of its interest in the Preview SW gold project and property in return for 30 million common MAS Gold shares. The company noted that Comstock's 843-hectare Preview SW property is contiguous with its Preview North property in the La Ronge Gold Belt of northeastern Saskatchewan. The Preview SW property and portions of the Preview North property are located within the Mineral Exploration Zone of Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, it added. The Preview SW property is an ideal addition to MAS Gold's current portfolio of Hub and Spoke properties, where the concept that the mineralized material from various satellite deposits (Spokes) could be co-mingled at a centrally located processing facility (Hub), MAS Gold said in a statement.

Aurion Resources (TSX-V:AU) Ltd said that new drill results from the Aamurusko prospect on its Risti project has expanded the gold mineralized envelope on the Finland-located property. Results from 11 of the 17 holes drilled at Aamurusko included 70.1 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 0.70 metres (m) and 11.99 g/t over 2.6m, and 27.6 g/t gold over 0.70m. Multiple broad zones of gold mineralization at the northwest (NW) and Gap zones expanded the mineralized envelope, Aurion told shareholders.

Evergold Corp (TSX-V:EVER, OTC:EVGUF) announced that initial 3D geological modeling of the GL1 Main Zone, located on its Golden Lion property in British Columbia (BC), has highlighted the location of the first high-grade domain drilled on the property, which was intersected by the company in the final three holes of its 2021 drill program. Evergold said this high-grade domain, which comes to surface and returned the highest grades of precious and base metals yet seen in drilling at Golden Lion, will be the focus of follow-up drilling in the 2022 field season. Last years program demonstrated that the GL1 Main Zone is host to high grades over underground-style widths, Evergold CEO Kevin Keough said in a statement.

Empress Royalty Corp (TSX-V:EMPR, OTCQB:EMPYF) announced that it has increased its total royalty on the Manica gold project in Mozambique with a payment of US$1 million. The Vancouver-based royalty and streaming company said it increased its royalty to 3.375% from 2.25% on January 17, 2022, with the additional payment under the previously executed Royalty Purchase Agreement. The royalty is on gold sales from the Manica project operated by Mutapa Mining & Processing LDA (MMP), up to a total of 95,000 ounces of gold. After that, the royalty percentage will be reduced to 1.125% and will continue into perpetuity, the company added.

Altiplano Metals Inc (TSX-V:APN, OTC:ALTPF) has reported improved grade and record revenue from its Farellon Copper-Gold mine near La Serena in Chile for November 2021. The company said a total of approximately 3,965 tonnes of mineralized copper-gold material was extracted at Farellon, and 2,980 tonnes were sent for processing, representing a 30% improvement over the 2,285 tonnes processed in October. Grade in November improved to 1.94% for the month compared to the October grade of 1.44%. The company attributed the grade improvements to accessing higher grade material in the northeast sections of the mine in the 376 metre (m) and 368m levels, with overall grade control and waste management also being contributors.

Vanstar Mining Resources Inc (TSX-V:VSR, OTCQX:VMNGF) has reported that its joint venture partner IAMGOLD is set to resume drilling at the Nelligan project in Quebec this week with a minimum of 5,000 metres (m) focused on expansion and infill work. In a statement reviewing last year's highlights and plans for 2022, the junior resource group added that more drill assays from last year's campaign at Nelligan, which targeted the Western extension, were expected in the first quarter, while IAMGOLD is also eyeing an updated resource combining additional drilling from 2020 to 2022. Vanstar owns a 25% stake in the project, while major IAMGOLD owns the remaining 75%. In November, Vanstar inked a letter of intent (LOI) with IAMGOLD to acquire 75% interest in the Bousquet-Odyno property - an acquisition which is expected to close in coming weeks with a 4,000m drill campaign expected to commence as soon as possible, added Vanstar.

Bam Bam Resources (CSE:BBR) Corp said it has secured a core drill rig from Falcon Drilling to advance its flagship Majuba Hill porphyry copper project in Nevada, USA. Drilling early this year is aimed at following up on surface geophysical and geochemical signatures that appear to be related to the "copper porphyry alteration drilled in the diorite intrusive, that was discovered in the copper-gold target area", the firm noted. David Greenway, CEO of Bam Bam told investors he was pleased to be working with contractor Falcon. "Their previous work and experience drilling on our programs will help us to quickly expand the emerging porphyry copper district at Majuba Hill," he said in a statement.

Ready Set Gold Corp has announced the appointment of Alexander McAulay as the companys new interim CEO following the resignation of CEO Christian Scovenna, effective immediately. Ready Set Gold said McAulay has resigned as the company's chief financial officer (CFO), but will remain as the company's corporate secretary. Phillip Ellard will replace McAulay as the companys new interim CFO.

PowerTap Hydrogen Capital Corp has announced the appointment of Channce Fuller as president and chief executive officer of its 49% owned subsidiary AES-100 Inc. The company noted that Fuller brings diverse experience in executive leadership, operations, marketing/sales, and business development. Most recently, he was vice president, Western Canada for Terrapure Environmental (a subsidiary of GFL Environmental) where he was directly accountable for the planning and performance of day-to-day operations with leadership accountability for developing multi-year strategies, business plans and the achievement of financial goals/objectives while driving improvements in EH&S and other supporting functional areas. Prior to this, Fuller worked in the Agriculture and Chemicals industry at Nutrien, the worlds largest fertilizer producer and crop retailer. During his tenure at Nutrien, he worked in technical engineering, process safety, corporate development and global strategy development.

Dore Copper Mining Corp said it has hired Sylvain Lepine as its vice-president (VP) of exploration with immediate effect. Lepine has over 15 years' experience in the mining industry, mainly in gold and base metals in Quebec, and was president of the Rouyn-Noranda chapter of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) from 2013 to 2019. He joined Yorbeau Resources Inc in 2015 and was appointed VP Exploration in 2020. He had the same role at Cogitore Resources Inc from 2013 to 2015. "We welcome Sylvain to Dore Copper to the newly created position of Vice President Exploration," Ernest Mast, CEO of Dore Copper told investors in a statement. "His extensive experience in the Chibougamau area and the Abitibi region of Quebec will be instrumental to our strategy of advancing the Corporations assets."

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp has announced the appointment of Drahoslav Zdarek as the company's head of sales, Europe. The company said Zdarek will focus on building out distribution, sales and marketing of the company's products, with high priority on the commercialization of Covid-ID Lab, its German CE Mark approved rapid RT-PCR test registered within the European Union as a commercial in vitro diagnostic (CE-IVD) test. XPhyto noted that Zdarek has over 25 years of European pharmaceutical sales and marketing success. His previous positions include over 13 years of marketing and sales for Teva Pharmaceutical focusing on the European market, Head of Business Development at CC Pharma GmbH and Head of Sales at Cell Pharma GmbH, a subsidiary of Stada Arzneimittel AG. He is a licensed pharmacist and a certified trainer for the Covid-ID Lab test. "Mr Zdarek is an important addition to the Company, joining at the right time. With his technical experience as well as sales skills he will help expand our European distribution and sales networks," said Professor Dr Thomas Beckert, head of XPhyto's diagnostics and drug formulation business in a statement.

Pathfinder Ventures (TSX-V:RV) Inc said it has engaged Simone Capital Corp to support the company with Investor Relations and Corporate Communications. Simone Capital Corp, located in Ontario and principally owned and operated by Anthony Simone and Matthew Benedetto, will leverage its proprietary database to engage with retail brokers, portfolio managers, analysts, and individual investors for an initial term of three months, extendable by mutual consent. In consideration for the services, Simone Capital Corp. will be paid $5,000 per month. Simone Capital owns less than 1% of outstanding common shares in Pathfinder Ventures (TSX-V:RV). "Simone Capital is very pleased to be working with the experienced management team at Pathfinder Ventures (TSX-V:RV) Inc. We believe Pathfinder Ventures (TSX-V:RV) is well-positioned to capture market share in the rapidly growing RV and Campground industry across North America," commented Anthony Simone, president at Simone Capital.

Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) Inc has announced that certain company insiders' (as defined by the TSX Venture Exchange) have voluntarily agreed to extend the release dates under the lock-up agreements they entered into in connection with the company's Qualifying Transaction' which closed on April 15, 2021. Insiders holding approximately 33% of the issued and outstanding shares of the company have agreed to extend the lock-up to be effective until October 31, 2022. Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) Founder and CEO Robert Kaul commented: "The board and management of Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) are proud of the progress made by our team in 2021 and we are excited about recently announced new contracts, as well as the overall pipeline of new technologies developed by Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) we expect to bring to market in the coming quarters. Virtual care is here to stay, and Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) has been recognized as a leader in delivering high-quality virtual care services many times recently."

Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp (TSX-V:LIT, OTCQB:PNXLF) said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing an exploration and purchase option agreement dated January 3, 2022, between the company's subsidiary, Argentina Litio & Energia S.A., and Rodrigo Martin Castaneda Nordmann, whereby the company has been granted an option to purchase a 100% interest in the El Pidio GIII lithium mining property, located in Salar de Pocitos, Salta province, Argentina. The aggregate consideration over a three-year period is US$165,000 and 258,334 common shares.

Thor Explorations Ltd (TSX-V:THX, AIM:THX, OTC:THXPF) has announced the exercise of share options for a total of 9,539,000 common shares without par value at prices of 12.0 and 14.5 Canadian Dollar cents per common share. The options have been exercised by Directors and Persons Discharging Managerial Responsibilities (PDMR) for an aggregate consideration of C$1,151,905. Adrian Coates, the company's non-executive chairman, had previously exercised options over 500,000 new Common Shares at a price of C$0.12 each in the company as announced on December 15, 2021. Following the Admission, Thor Explorations' issued share capital will consist of 641,897,009 common shares and the directors and PDMRs will hold a 9.58% interest in the company.

Eric Sprott has announced that on January 16, 2022, 10,000,000 common share purchase warrants of Scottie Resources Corp, held by 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation he beneficially owns, expired unexercised representing a decrease in holdings of approximately 4.0% of the outstanding common shares on a partially diluted basis since the date of the last early warning report. Prior to the expiry of these warrants, Sprott beneficially owned and controlled 18,888,889 Scottie shares and 18,888,889 warrants representing approximately 9.3% of the outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 17.1% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of such warrants. As a result of the warrant expiry, Sprott now beneficially owns and controls 18,888,889 shares and 8,888,889 warrants representing approximately 9.3% of the outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 13.1% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of such warrants. The securities are held for investment purposes. Sprott has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional securities including on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell the securities including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.
Dore Copper Mining Corp wants to be the next copper producer in Quebec with a production target of over 50 million pounds of copper equivalent annually

Dore Copper Mining Corp said it has hired Sylvain Lepine as its vice-president (VP) of exploration with immediate effect.

Lepine has over 15 years' experience in the mining industry, mainly in gold and base metals in Quebec, and was president of the Rouyn-Noranda chapter of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) from 2013 to 2019.

He joined Yorbeau Resources Inc in 2015 and was appointed VP Exploration in 2020. He had the same role at Cogitore Resources Inc from 2013 to 2015.

"We welcome Sylvain to Dore Copper to the newly created position of Vice President Exploration," Ernest Mast, CEO of Dore Copper told investors in a statement. "His extensive experience in the Chibougamau area and the Abitibi region of Quebec will be instrumental to our strategy of advancing the Corporations assets."

Dore wants to be the next copper producer in Quebec with a production target of over 50 million pounds (Mlbs) of copper equivalent annually by implementing a hub-and spoke operation model with multiple high-grade copper-gold assets feeding its centralized 2,700 tonnes per day mill.

It expects to deliver a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) by the end of the first quarter of 2022 and then initiate a feasibility study and permit applications

The company boasts a large land package in the prolific Lac Dore/Chibougamau and Joe Mann mining camps that has produced 1.6 billion pounds of copper and 4.4 million ounces of gold. The package includes 13 former producing mines, deposits and resource target areas within a 60-kilometre radius of the firm's Copper Rand Mill.

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- China is closely watching the volcanic eruptions and ensuing disasters including tsunami and volcanic ash in Tonga, and stands ready to provide every possible support and assistance at Tonga's request, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the Chinese Embassy in Tonga immediately activated emergency response mechanism and learned about the situation of Chinese citizens after the disaster through various channels. "So far, no casualties of Chinese citizens have been reported," he said.

Noting China and Tonga are comprehensive strategic partners, Wang said China extends deep sympathies to the government and people of Tonga, and stands ready to provide every possible support and assistance at Tonga's request. 
CULT Food Science is an innovative investment platform with an exclusive focus on clean, lab-grown food that is advancing the development of novel technologies

CULT Food Science Corp announced that it has been listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) and has begun trading under the ticker symbol CULT.

The Vancouver-based company also said that its portfolio company, MeliBio Inc has provided a commercial update, highlighting its sales, research and development (R&D) pipeline, fundraising, and public relations efforts.

"The listing of CULT's common shares on the CSE is a great milestone for the company and our shareholders," said Dorian Banks, CEO of CULT in a statement.

As a public issuer, CULT stands to offer investors a democratized opportunity that is the first of its kind on the capital markets, which is to participate in the important, rapidly growing, and global cellular agriculture space that is expected to materially reduce the large and negative impact that the global food supply chain currently makes on the planet every day," he added.

With the listing on the CSE complete, the company said that it will be pursuing options for increased liquidity for its shareholders in Europe and the United States.

In a separate statement, the company said that MeliBio continues to demonstrate growth in commercializing its novel cell-based honey and expanding restaurant distribution.

"Honey made without bees is an important innovation for the global food industry as it alleviates some of the pressure on its fragile supply chain and on the environment," said Banks in that statement. "MeliBio's multi-faceted investor update shows that it is gaining traction on multiple fronts, all of which are strengthening its competitive strategy, brand equity, and ultimate value for the benefit of shareholders, stakeholders, and consumers."

In the third quarter of 2021, MeliBio had its bee-free honey placed on the menu of several plant-based restaurants in New York City and elsewhere in New York. Its honey is being used in such innovative menu items as vegan baklava crepes and roasted honey garlic Brussels sprouts.

MeliBio has attracted over US$2 million as part of a rolling capital raise as of the current date, based on a present US$25 million post-money valuation, the company said. It continues to conduct various diligence conversations to close the US$5 million seed round of financing.

In September 2021, CULT completed an investment in MeliBio by way of SAFE at a valuation cap of US$6M. The recent up-round by MeliBio demonstrates accelerated mark to market returns for the company in just over a quarter's time, further validating its cell-based investment thesis, the company noted.

MeliBio revealed that it has identified a co-manufacturer to produce its first commercial run of plant-based honey in Colorado; is interviewing food scientists and other key professionals to develop new flavours of plant-based honey; and gained access to a new space in Oakland, California that will become an R&D kitchen.

MeliBio also announced that it has received the JUST Food Magazine Excellence Award in the category of Innovation and was one of the three winners of a global food-tech pitch competition named FoodHack that resulted in MeliBio receiving an investment from the syndicate and exposure to the European food-tech investor community. The company was also included by TIME in the 2021 edition of its annual 'Top 100 Inventions of The Year' issue.

CULT Food Science is an innovative investment platform with an exclusive focus on clean, lab-grown food that is advancing the development of novel technologies to provide a sustainable, environmental, and ethical solution to the global factory farming crisis.

Contact Ritika at ritika@proactiveinvestors.com
The Moss Lake Gold Project is located approximately 100 kilometers west of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario

Goldshore Resources Inc (TSX-V:GSHR, OTCQB:GSHRF) has announced gold assay results from the Main Zone of the Moss Lake Deposit in Northwest Ontario, Canada.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based exploration company said that the results suggest a new parallel zone to the southeast that has not been previously tested.

"The intersection of several +1 grams per ton (g/t) gold (Au) zones, essentially from surface, reaffirms our view that the Moss Lake Gold Project contains a significant volume of +1 g/t Au mineralization that can underpin a meaningful update to the historic 2013 preliminary economic assessment later this year, said Brett Richards, CEO of Goldshore in a statement.

He added: The fact that we are continuing to intersect gold mineralization outside of the volume modeled in 2013, also affirms our belief that the deposit is significantly larger than previously interpreted."

The high-grade mineralized structures intersected at Main Zone occur within a larger envelope of +0.3 g/t Au mineralization. The highlights included 36.75 meters (m) at 1.27 g/t Au from 37.5m, 8m at 3.51 g/t Au from 80m, 11m at 1.23 g/t Au from 242 m, and 37m at 1.09 g/t Au from 268m.

The new parallel zone mineralization, which was intersected in a second altered diorite intrusion, suggest that the Main Zone is 200 meters or 48% wider than the 420m width modeled in 2013.

High-grade mineralized intercepts include 12m at 1.15 g/t Au from 695m and 32m at 1.55 g/t Au from 769m.

Goldshore noted that step-out drilling has begun testing targets aiming to expand the deposit beyond the strike of the current mineralization envelope. This drilling will run concurrently with the resource development drilling of the main deposit.

"Drilling of the Main Zone continues to prove up the large volume of mineralized diorite intrusion, likely within an anticlinal axis, that is cut by several higher-grade structures hosted our +1 g/t Au intercepts, said Peter Flindell, Goldshore vice president, Exploration. The discovery of a second, parallel mineralized intrusion is encouraging and highlights the potential to expand the volume of mineralized material in the Moss Lake Gold Deposit."

The Moss Lake Gold Project is located approximately 100 kilometers (km) west of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. It is accessed via Highway 11 which passes within 1 km of the property boundary to the north. The Moss Lake Gold Project covers 14,292 hectares and consists of 282 unpatented and patented mining claims.

Contact Ritika at ritika@proactiveinvestors.com
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Moscow, Jan 17 : Russia will station troops on its own territory near the Ukrainian border due to tensions with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

"We find it necessary to keep those troops due to a very tense situation and very unfriendly environment," Xinhua news agency quoted Peskov as saying.

Russia has to take measures of precaution in response to NATO military build-up, drills and frequent flights of fighter jets and reconnaissance planes near the Russian borders, he said.

However, Russia is not considering a military action even if negotiations with the United States and NATO on security guarantees fail, Peskov stressed.

Nevertheless, Russia is "ready to take countermeasures" if both sides cannot reach a consensus, he said.

Earlier this week, Russian diplomats held talks with the US in Geneva, with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna, and then with NATO in Brussels. They all ended without any breakthrough.

Peskov told a leading US based media outlet that NATO is reluctant to promise that it will not grant Ukraine membership or deploy offensive weapons on the Ukrainian territory, which are part of Russia's red lines.
Seoul, Jan 17 : North Korea fired an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea on Monday, South Korea's military said, in the recalcitrant regime's fourth show of force this year.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced the launch in a text message sent to reporters. It did not elaborate, Yonhap news agency reported.

The latest launch came just three days after the North launched two suspected short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea that it later claimed to be guided missiles fired by a railway-borne regiment during a firing drill.

Last week, the North warned of a "stronger and certain reaction" to the US' recent imposition of fresh sanctions on six North Koreans involved in the regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

The North also test-fired its self-proclaimed hypersonic missile on January 5 and on Tuesday last week, ratcheting up tensions amid an impasse in nuclear negotiations with the US.
Khartoum, Jan 17 : The United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) has decided to resume operations in western Sudan's North Darfur State after around two weeks of suspension.

WFP Country Director Eddie Rowe has announced the resumption of food distribution in different localities of North Darfur, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a report by the state-run SUNA news agency.

Rowe condemned the recent looting and attacks on the agency's warehouses in the state's capital El Fasher, stressing the need to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

On December 31, 2021, the WFP announced the suspension of its operations in North Darfur, two days after the attacks by unknown armed groups. Over 5,000 metric tons of food were estimated to have been taken away.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : It is not about their meetings, their conversations, the long rehearsal sessions. It is a love letter to what need not be said. To what can be conveyed just with a glance. It is also about friendships sans reminders about bonds, about gazing into the abyss together, drowning and allowing magic to happen -- be willing partners to find otherworldly rhythms. It is about an actor who never ceases to be human, and was therefore superhuman in his craft. It is also not just about Irrfan, but also filmmaker Anup Singh, the writer -- someone who observes, the one who refuses to instantly interpret but leave spaces. Someone who wants to dive into the many layers of the actors method, never divorcing the man from his craft or vice-versa.

Anup Singh's book 'Irrfan: Dialogues with the Wind' (Copper Coin) starts with his landing in Mumbai to meet Irrfan and cast him as the protagonist in the critically acclaimed film 'Qissa'. But then, that is just the start. A lot happens between Singh casting him for 'Qissa' and 'The Song of the Scorpions'.

Irrfan would always startle the filmmaker by returning to some vague conversation that they might have had months ago. The late actor would sometimes think anew about whatever they had been discussing and would excitedly begin the conversation again as though there had never been all these months in between. "And, then, his phone calls. At all times of day or night. He wanted to share a piece of music or a line in a poem or had thought of a new way of doing a scene. I miss those calls unbearably. And his voice as he said, 'Anup sahib, why are you still awake? Anyway, yeh aap suniye...'," the filmmaker tells IANS from Switzerland.

The book announced recently on the actor's 54th birthday will be officially released on February 14. Amitabh Bachchan has written the foreward.

The filmmaker says while writing it, he allowed every moment between them to unfold to its fullest. Adding that his attempt in the book has not been simply to give flesh and bone to memories, but just as importantly to evoke the spirit, the vigorous a?rmation of life that was Irrfan's. "At no point did I feel that Irrfan might not want to share this or that. Quite the opposite, actually." Stressing that one of the joys of working with Irrfan, of spending time with him, was the thrill of never really knowing what his exuberant curiosity might be tinkering and playing with on any particular day, he adds that he could start with a gesture and wonder about the bone and muscle, and flare of nerves that are only some of the elements that drive that gesture. "And soon, he might be mulling about the force and gentleness of gestures suggested in the 'Tibetan Book of the Dead' as the soul makes its journey to a new state of being." Singh recalls that at one moment while writing, he suddenly realised that he seemed to be writing an elegy, a lament, as it was grief that was shaping his memories. But he stopped immediately. While melancholy, even desolation on occasion took possession of Irrfan near the end, he would still compel himself to keep his imagination alive, to keep fantasizing, to keep his faith in possibilities as long as he was breathing.

"I told myself to keep that in mind. Keep in mind that while working together, both Irrfan and I understood that it was necessary to be relentlessly on our guard against emotional responses that only hold half-truths. Emotions that lock us into but just one aspect of our experience," Singh says.

Reminding himself of Irrfan's belief that the rhythm with which one walks or raises one's head or lets it sink, links us to the larger rhythms of our world, that attention to the breath and pulse of our being helps us to shape for ourselves the inchoate experience of our community as well as the rest of humanity, Singh realised that he needed to nuance his sense of loss by not forgetting the lively, expansive aspect of Irrfan: his exhilaration in life.

"With that vital, zestful rhythm thrumming within me now, I could return to writing what for me is a more comprehensive portrait of Irrfan. At the end of reading the book, I hope the reader will carry a little bit of this lilt into their lives too," he adds.

At many places in the book, it is evident that Singh wants the actor to get into a certain rhythm and tone of the lead character in 'Qissa'. However, he says that 'drowning' himself in a character would not have been Irrfan's way. "For him, a rhythm was made not of what there is - for example, words - but of pauses, hesitation, the uncertainty between the words. And, for me, that's what makes his play in Qissa so exquisite.

At one moment you think he's full of malignance and the very next you see a fragile, vulnerable man. With this kind of performance, you don't get a 'character'. What you get is an alive, vibrant spirit, seeking to find his 'character' but, instead, constantly finding a new aspect of himself. Such a performance is as much a surprise for the audience as it's for the actor. What emerges, I believe, is a human being. Someone eternally changing, someone always a mystery." Even though at one point Irrfan refused to be part of 'Qissa'. Singh says he cannot imagine the film with anyone else.

For both the film they worked on, the attempt was to rehearse hard, and improvisation then was not simply doing what felt right at the moment. "It meant we could choose to make that moment wrong because we could imagine how it would change a performance, a story, a film when we finally hit the right note sometimes much later in the process," the filmmaker says.

Singh says that once he started jotting down just about everything that he remembered, the pain of his loss lessened. "It was as though we were working together again. It was only much later, that I started putting all these memory notes into some kind of structure, which is finally how the book took its shape." Ask him if the book gave him a 'closure', and he feels that the word is paradoxical. "Of course, the writing of the book has made me accept that Irrfan and I will no longer make any new films together. But that acceptance has also, in some strange way, fired my imagination. I have already completed one script after his death. This one was to be our next film. I wrote it quickly, feverishly, because in the writing I could see how he might turn at the doorway or how he might hold and then release a certain dialogue. While writing it, I felt we were working together again. I have now started writing another one. Again, this is based on a story we had discussed ardently. Irrfan and I are hard at work together again! What will happen with these scripts? Well, I await an actor whose one gesture will not remind me of Irrfan, but give me a sense that this is that one gesture that would have filled Irrfan with joy."
Paris, Jan 17 : The French National Assembly, or the lower house of the Parliament, has adopted a law which will transform the health pass into a stricter vaccine pass in a bid to curb the country's surging Covid-19 cases.

The National Assembly on Sunday evening adopted the law by a vote of 215 for and 58 against and after debates and discussions during the past two weeks, Xinhua news agency reported.

The French government hopes to adopt the law as soon as possible after the approval of the Constitutional Council, the country's highest constitutional authority.

Under the new law, negative Covid-19 tests will no longer be valid to gain access to public venues. Bars, restaurants and cafes are allowed to verify the identity of vaccine pass holders when in doubt.

The vaccine pass concerns people over the age of 16. Children between the ages of 12 to 15 are not obliged to have a vaccine pass but must present a health pass.

On Thursday, the French Ministry of Health announced that at least 600,000 people would lose their health pass on Jan. 15 as they have not received their booster shot.

France reported on Thursday 305,322 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Congress on Monday alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Trinamool Congress were contesting in Goa to split the opposition vote and help the BJP.

Congress Senior observer of Goa, P.Chidambaram, said the people are voting either for the BJP or for the regime change.

Chidambaram in a statement said, "My assessment that the AAP (and the TMC) will only fracture the non-BJP vote in Goa has been confirmed by Mr Arvind Kejriwal. The contest in Goa is between Congress and BJP".

"Those who want a regime change (after 10 years of misrule) will vote for the Congress. Those who want the regime to continue will vote for the BJP. The choice before the voter in Goa is stark and clear. Do you want a regime change or not? I appeal to the voters of Goa to vote for a regime change and vote Congress," he added.

The Congress is facing a tough battle in Goa while trying to be ahead of the BJP as the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are spoiling the grand old party's game in the state.

The Congress is trying to put up a strong face and has denied any alliance talks with the Trinamool despite speculations in the political circles. Jittered by the Congress stance, the Trinamool has launched an offensive against the Congress.

"The Trinamool has been saying that they are open to alliances, but Congress is not willing to accept and behaving like an emperor," Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra said, adding: "Need of hour in Goa is to defeat BJP - no one should be on their high horse. AITC will not, repeat not, shy away from walking the last mile." Speculation of an alliance between the two parties was triggered after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar told reporters that his party is in talks with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress for a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming elections in Goa.
Dubai, Jan 17 : The scheduled talks between visiting South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan were cancelled due to an "unforeseen matter of state" of the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a senior Seoul official said.

Moon, who is in Dubai for a three-day visit as part of his week-long trip to the Middle East, had been scheduled to hold talks with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince on Monday, but the talks were called off as the UAE side "politely asked for understanding for an unforeseen and urgent matter of state", Yonhap News Agency quoted the official as saying.

It was not immediately clear why the talks were cancelled.

Moon had planned to deliver a keynote address on carbon neutrality at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi on Monday and hold talks with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince on ways to deepen bilateral cooperation over climate change, national security and defence, and public health.

Asked whether the cancellation was related to the Covid-19 situation in the UAE, the official replied that the latter side did not give the exact reason for the cancellation.

On Sunday, South Korea signed a preliminary deal with the UAE to sell Seoul's midrange surface-to-air missiles to the Gulf nation, in the latest sign of deepening defence cooperation between the two nations.

The deal was signed after Moon held talks with UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai, Seoul's presidential office said without providing further details, including the value of the memorandum of understanding.

The UAE is the first leg of Moon's three-nation trip to the Middle East that will also take him to Saudi Arabia, as well as Egypt.

Moon will visit Riyadh on Tuesday and hold talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Passengers buy goods sold by local villagers on train No. 4318 in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Villagers display their goods for sale on train No. 4318 in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Photo taken on Jan. 15, 2022 shows train No. 4318 arriving at Shicheng Station in Fengcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Villagers carrying their goods board a "slow train" at Shicheng Station in Fengcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A rooster for sale on a "slow train" is seen at Shicheng Station in Fengcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Photo taken on Jan. 15, 2022 shows passengers waiting for train No. 4318 at Shicheng Station in Fengcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A villager weighs a piece of meat on train No. 4318 in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Passengers buy goods on train No. 4318 in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Villagers carrying their goods prepare to board a "slow train" at Shicheng Station in Fengcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Aerial photo shows train No. 4318 arriving at Shicheng Station in Fengcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A villager prepares to sell homemade sugar-coated haws on a "slow train" at Shicheng Station in Fengcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 15, 2022. Trains No. 4317 and 4318 are "slow trains" operating between Tonghua of Jilin Province and Dandong of Liaoning Province in northeast China. In the run-up to the Lunar New Year, the local railway authorities have been organizing onboard markets which allow villagers living along the trains' route to sell goods to passengers without leaving the train cars. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Seoul, Jan 17 : A North Korean freight train crossed a border bridge into the Chinese city of Dandong on Monday, sources said, following another train's return to Pyongyang apparently with daily necessities and emergency relief items aboard.

The empty second train arrived in the Chinese border city earlier in the day, shortly after the first train departed the city at around 7 a.m. to return to the North's Sinuiju, Yonhap News Agency.

The first train had arrived in Dandong on Sunday, marking the first such train operation in one and a half years after the North shut down its borders to stave off the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was not immediately clear what the train carried home, but the sources said daily necessities, medical supplies and other emergency relief items seem to have been on board, with the train consisting of at least 15 cars.

The train services came ahead of such key events as the Lunar New Year, which falls on February 1 this year, the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4 and the February 16 birth anniversary of Kim Jong-il, the late father of the current leader, Kim Jong-un.

South Korean sources said the North could continue shipping necessary materials from China via land routes starting with the latest train operation.
Lucknow, Jan 17 : The announcement of candidates by the various political parties for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections is leading to protests by respective party workers.

Soon after the declaration of the BJP candidates on Saturday, protests erupted in Nauganva Sadat seat in Amroha, where sitting MLA Sangeeta Chauhan, wife of late UP cabinet minister Chetan Chauhan, was replaced by Devender Nagpal.

Effigies were burnt and slogans were raised against Nagpal and the BJP in general.

A Samajwadi Party worker was detained on Sunday evening after he allegedly tried to self-immolate himself outside the party office in Lucknow, claiming that he had been denied a ticket to contest the Assembly polls.

"I have spent my entire youth working for the party. I have worked for the party in Aligarh for the last 5 years. I want justice," said Thakur Aditya, the SP worker.

Similarly, in Shamli, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) workers were upset over the announcement of BJP turncoat Prasann Chaudhary as its candidate.

In a recently-held panchayat, senior RLD leader Arvind Pawar said, "Prasann Chaudhary is the same person who distributed sweets when RLD supremo Ajit Singh was defeated in Muzaffarnagar in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. At the same time those workers who had been with the RLD in difficult times have been side-lined. We do not support this move." Sunil Rohta, RLD spokesperson, explained, "Politics is about compulsions and adjustments. In the prevailing circumstances, senior leaders have taken a decision which is in the interest of the party. We will explain this situation to those dejected. They will come around." Similarly, effigies were burnt across Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat a night before the BJP was to release its first list of 107 candidates. The protests were against former MLC Prashant Gurjar, who has been named a candidate.

The BJP workers too burnt effigies of Yogesh Dhama in Baghpat.

Both candidates are there on the list of 107 candidates released by the BJP on Saturday.

"Ours is a disciplined party with a disciplined cadre. This is the opposition's gameplan to give an impression that BJP workers are not happy. Our investigation has revealed that in some places like Baghpat, it was RLD workers who burned effigies of Yogesh Dhama. Other regions too have the similar situation," said UP west vice president of BJP Manoj Poswal.

The Congress has been facing protests in Meerut, Lakhimpur and several other constituencies, including Sarojini Nagar in Lucknow over ticket distribution.
Puducherry, Jan 17 : The Puducherry health department said that 30 health officials, including doctors, have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past week.

In a statement on Sunday, the department's Director, G. Sriramalu said: "In the last one week, 30 health officials including 12 doctors tested positive in the union territory. They are undergoing treatment." The department also said that the Government Hospital For Chest Disease in Puducherry has been converted into a Covid care centre and 180 beds are arranged for the exclusive treatment of infected patients.

Forty-three beds were occupied by patients on Sunday.

On Sunday, 1,160 new Covid cases were in the union territory, which took the active caseload to 1,28,021.

The number of deaths has increased to 1,187.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 17 : One of the first Bollywood personalities to tweet his personal tribute to Pandit Birju Maharaj was the veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai.

Remembering the days when he was organising a college festival where Maharaj ji was performing, Ghai remembered how he "expressed a romantic conversation" between Lord Krishna and Radha with his eyes doing the talking.

"I learnt 'DANCE' means the body but the soul is in the eyes. That's why he was a Jagat Guru in Kathak," tweeted Ghai, who's back in the news for making his debut as music composer for the upcoming film '36 Farmhouse'.

Among the cultural personalities who mourned the passing away of Maharaj ji was the sarod maestro, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Saheb, who tweeted that it marked the end of an era for Indian dance and Kathak.

"For me it's been a personal loss," Khan Saheb wrote. "He was loved immensely by my family and his memories live in our hearts forever. The heavens will dance for him today and everyday!" Along with his tweet, he carried a rare picture of a young Birju Maharaj playing the tabla to his sarod. Besides being a renowned dancer, Maharaj ji was a talented percussionist and was also well-known for being a Hindustani classical vocalist.

Maharaj ji, in fact, composed the music and sang for the two period dance pieces in Satyajit Ray's historical drama 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', starring Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffery and Amjad Ali Khan.

Describing Maharaj ji as "a true legend" and "Kathak exponent par excellence", the Bollywood veteran and Lok Sabha MP from Mathura, Hema Malini, tweeted: "His ghungroos were on his ankles till he breathed his last. I always admired and respected him as a giant of the medium of Kathak and will miss his presence on the firmament of dance." Maharaj ji was closely associated with the world of cinema. He choreographed the 'Kaahe Chhed Mohe' track picturised on Madhur Dixit in the 2002 version of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Devdas'.

And he won the National Award for choreographing 'Unnai Kaanadhu Naan' in the Kamal Haasan multi-lingual megahit 'Vishwaroopam' and the Filmfare Awards for the Bajirao Mastani number 'Mohe Rang Do Laal'.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 17 : In a gruesome incident, a 19-year-old youth was killed by a criminal who then carried his body and dumped it in front of the Kottayam East Police station, early Monday morning.

Soon, the police took him into custody. According to reports, the criminal Josemon, a ganja and liqour addict, was recently behind bars under Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAPA).

Late on Sunday night, Josemon had come in an auto-rickshaw and forcefully taken Shan Babu from his residence.

After midnight, Babu's mother lodged a complaint about his son missing with the Kottayam East Police station.

Josemon had recently got out of jail and according to his bail conditions, he was supposed to present himself before the local police once a week.

Local legislator and also a former Home Minister- Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said it's unfortunate that no serious steps are being taken to end the goon menace.

"The police are not doing its job in the way it should be doing it. Had they done their job cleanly, Josemon would not have got bail," said Radhakrishnan.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 17 : In a startling revelation by the Kerala Police CCSE (Countering Child Sexual Exploitation) Team, functioning under Cyberdome, it has been found that in many cases online crimes are related to mental addictions that require treatment.

Manoj Abraham, Additional Director General of Police and Nodal Officer, Cyberdome, who did the detailed analysis after understanding the gravity of the problem with relation to increasing online crimes against children. He has for the last four years done sustained digital analysis of the virtual trends, particularly during the pandemic and after identifying the culprits a special operation titled P-hunt was launched, which has been highly successful.

The study revealed that the basic trends which can be derived from the behaviour of internet users, in Kerala, is that there has been a lot of deterrent effect due to the hyper active work of the CCSE cell and due to the arrests and registration of cases.

"But in many cases these crimes are related to mental addictions that require treatment, in the absence of which, there are trends of repetition of offences or the accused coming back to the crime, more prepared, with better tools of anonymity. So after every two months, we again see the trend going up and a spike in such cases against children," the study revealed.

The study done over a period of nine operations by the Kerala Police probe team starting from 2017, reveals that there were 2,280 searches conducted leading to registering of 1,235 cases.

This operation led to the seizure of 1,693 electronic devices and 258 people were arrested.

The feature of the cases reveal that there has been a huge spike during the pandemic as the figures reveal that of the 2,280 searches conducted, 2,199 was done since the pandemic began which accounted for 2,199 cases.

The report also points out that a familiar trend is found in porn groups operating over WhatsApp and Telegram and number of such groups have increased drastically during this period.

"Due to the police action through P hunt drives, the accused now watches the video and deletes it using specialised software to evade detection. They also have started formatting their phone every three days. Use of malwares to activate the webcams of the victim and to steal information of children has also been reported in certain cases. In a few cases we have seen online live sex sessions involving children that are available on payment over restricted links," the report said.

Elaborating on one such special drive of CCSE Cell titled P-Hunt 2022.1, around 410 such locations were identified throughout the state and the covert operation was planned to bring the culprits to book.

The information was then collated and passed on to 280 teams under the District Police Chiefs, having members of cyber cells, technical experts and women component.

Under the operational supervision of the District SPs, simultaneous raids were conducted throughout the state, on Sunday, January 16, from early morning onwards.

He added that the raids were highly successful and as a part of the operation, the teams seized 186 devices in 161 registered cases which included mobile phones, modems, hard disks, memory cards, laptops, computers with graphic and illegal videos and pictures of children.

"The distressing part of the same is that many of the videos/pictures appear to be of local children, between the age group of 5 to 16 years. Based on the recovery of the devices with the CSAM material, 10 arrests were made and this includes youth working in good professional jobs and most of them IT savvy, which is the reason why they were using all kinds of encrypted handles to upload and download the material.

Some are also suspected to be involved in the trafficking of children as there are many chats to this effect in their devices. The details of rest of the people involved in circulating these images and videos are being further collected. Strong action will be taken against all the individuals involved in this racket, continuing our policy of zero tolerance in these matters," Abraham said.

Apart from the police special team, the India Child Protection Fund (ICPF) also provided technical expertise and resources, required to detect these online crimes and worked with the team with a common objective of protecting children from abuse.

As per the current law, viewing, distributing or storing of any child pornographic content is a criminal offense and can result in, up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh.

Urging support from the community, informing the cyber cells if any member of the public comes across any such channels or groups that spread child sex-related content, he said: "child security is the responsibility of every member of the society."
New Delhi, Jan 17 : After months of waiting, Delhi will get its first of the 300 proposed electric buses with women and differently-abled-friendly features on Monday.

"Happy to share that Hon'ble CM @ArvindKejriwal will flag off the 1st Electric Bus on Delhi roads today at 12 Noon from DTC IP Depot," Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot tweeted this morning.

According to the Delhi government, as the name suggests, these buses will be environment friendly as they would emit zero per cent smoke and run fully on electricity. These 12-meter-low floor AC, E-buses will have CCTV cameras, panic buttons enabled to ensure women safety as well as pink seats. Besides having GPS and live-tracking, these buses will have kneeling ramps for the differently-abled population.

"The first prototype of the electric bus has already reached Delhi and will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday (January 17). Fifty e-buses will be inducted into DTC's fleet by the second week of February and the target to admit 300 e-buses is likely to be achieved till April," Gahlot had said Friday while inaugurating 100 new AC CNG buses in the presence of the Chief Minister at Rajghat.

Besides being differently-abled friendly, the newly inducted low-floor CNG AC buses, launched on January 14, are fully compliant with BS-VI emission standards and are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities like a real-time passenger information system, CCTVs, panic buttons and GPS, among others.

The induction of these 100 buses took Delhi Transport Corporation's (DTC) fleet to an all-time high of 6,900. Prior to this, Delhi saw 6,000 buses in the fleet of Delhi Transport Department during the Commonwealth Games, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said Friday. In the month of November, the Delhi cabinet had approved the induction of 190 low-floor AC CNG buses -- 100 of which have already been launched, under its cluster scheme.

The Cabinet had further said that 300 electric buses will also be inducted into the DTC fleet by the start of 2022 -- a target which is likely to get completed in April.
Imphal, Jan 17 : The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which wrested power in Manipur for the first time in 2017 in alliance with two political parties and supported by independent MLAs, this time most probably fight alone, party leaders indicated.

Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik and Assam Minister Ashok Singhal, BJP's in-charges for the Manipur elections, separately indicated that the saffron party is keen to contest the elections on its own this time.

However, both Bhowmik and Singhal did not completely rule out the pre-poll alliance with the like-minded parties.

"We are in talks for a pre-poll alliance with the like-minded parties and allies," Singhal said in Guwahati without disclosing any details of the possible alliance.

Both the ministers however, claimed that the BJP on its own would secure the absolute majority.

While talking to IANS, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Bhowmik said that this time BJP due to its good governance and excellent performance would get majority on its own.

"Our central leaders would soon announce the party candidates for the Manipur elections. Party leaders and workers in Manipur are very active in all respects to secure the BJP's victory in the forthcoming polls," said Bhowmik, a BJP leader from Tripura, who is holding a series of indoor organisational meetings every day in different districts.

After 15 years, the Congress was ousted by the BJP-led alliance in the 2017 Assembly polls, despite emerging as the single-largest party with 28 seats.

But the saffron party, which had bagged 21 seats, stitched together a coalition government with the support of four National People's Party (NPP) MLAs, four Naga People's Front (NPF) members, the lone Trinamool Congress MLA and an Independent member.

The NPP headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, however, already announced to contest the elections on its own this time and would field candidates in at least 40 seats.

The NPP, a national political party, which has political bases in different northeastern states, had contested nine seats in 2017 and won four.

Another ally of the BJP-led government, the Naga People's Front (NPF), is still undecided on a pre-poll alliance in Manipur.

NPF Manipur state unit president Awangbow Newmai claimed that NPF and BJP have good relations but no pre-poll alliance has been finalised yet between the two parties.

The party has received applications from 40 prospective candidates, Newmai said.

The elections to the 60-member Manipur assembly would be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10.
Kochi, Jan 17 : In a further setback to actor Dileep, an accused on bail in the actress abduction case, the Kerala High Court on Monday allowed to re-examine three and summon 5 new witnesses in the ongoing trial.

The plea to this effect was filed by the state against the trial court's order rejecting its request to re-examine witnesses after film director Balachandra Kumar made fresh statements related to the case, early this month.

The court on Monday asked to see that the entire exercise of adducing additional evidence be concluded in 10 days.

Besides, it also directed the Director General of Prosecution to see that a new Special Public Prosecutor is deputed or some other alternative arrangement is made to conduct the case on behalf of prosecution and ensure that the examination of the witnesses and production of the documents is done within a period of 10 days.

Incidentally, the trial in the case suffered a jolt when the special public prosecutor relinquished his post and this was the second time that such a thing has happened and now with a fresh order, a new counsel is expected to take over.

Things when it appeared to go smoothly for Dileep in the trial, turned topsy turvy when Kumar made an appearance and spilled the beans when he said that Dileep soon after being released on bail saw the visuals which showed the beleaguered actress who was kidnapped being physically attacked by her tormentors, while she was abducted.

Until this time it was only the trial court which had seen this and by now Kumar who made this and more disclosures has testified before the police and also a magistrate.

And based on these disclosures, the police probe team registered a fresh case and Dileep sensing that he might be arrested sought anticipatory bail, which will be heard on Tuesday and the state informed the court last week, that until this is heard, they will not arrest the actor.

Dileep was arrested in 2017 and lodged in prison in a case related to a gang sexually assaulting a frontline heroine of South Indian movies and filming the scenes.

After two months in jail, he was released on bail.
Kanpur, Jan 17 : Bikru, the sleepy hamlet that woke up to the massacre of eight policemen on July 3, 2020 and then was blinded by the media spotlight that trailed the movement of every resident, is now returning to normal.

Bikru is going to get its first taste of democracy in the upcoming Assembly elections.

"For 25 years, it was gangster Vikas Dubey who decided the outcome of the elections here. Last year in the panchayat elections, we could elect a representative of our choice but now we are preparing for a full-fledged election," says Bikha Lal, a local resident.

Dubey, the noted gangster accused of the July 3 massacre, was shot dead in an encounter on July 10 the same year.

The village, located about 30 km from Kanpur, was living under the shadow of fear when Dubey's writ ran large.

His death demolished his empire-both financial and criminal, and his family has also not visited Bikru after the incident.

Last week, as the paramilitary forces marched through Bikru streets to instil a sense of confidence in the local residents, the villagers welcomed them with sweets and put 'tilak' on their forehead.

The newly-elected village head, Madhu Kamal, along with other residents welcomed them.

However, stories, tales and anecdotes about Dubey are now a part of Bikru folklore.

Each resident has a story that could be different from the one that another has and mediapersons are now welcomed with open arms.
BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China in 2022 will roll out and implement plans for archaeological work in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), said an official at a national conference held Monday.

Li Qun, head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, made the announcement at the conference, which was attended by heads of cultural heritage administrations across the country.

The conference summarized some of the results of archaeological work in 2021. According to the conference, 1,388 archaeological projects were conducted in the country last year to protect historical remains involved in construction and development projects.

In addition, the conference named several of the most prominent achievements of the year, including new findings at the Sanxingdui Ruins site in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The discovery of the site in October was listed as one of the country's top 100 archaeology findings of the past century. 
Doha, Jan 17 : A three-week-old baby has died from Covid-19 in Qatar, the second child death due to the infection in the country.

According to the ministry of public health statement, on Sunday, the baby had no other known medical or hereditary conditions, New York Times reported.

The ministry added that this was the second child in the country to have died from the disease during the pandemic.

"This is a stark reminder that people of all ages are at risk of being infected by Covid-19," the authorities said in the statement.

While Covid has generally been mild in children, it has contributed to rare infant deaths around the globe.

The health officials said that during Qatar's current wave of Covid, a greater number of children were being infected and requiring medical care.

"This is not because Omicron is more severe for children than previous variants; it is because Omicron is more contagious and infecting higher numbers of people," the statement said.

Among the 3.5 million global deaths from the coronavirus, just 0.4 per cent of those have occurred in people under the age of 20, according to data from Unicef. Less than half of those deaths were in children 9 years old or younger.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in the US, by early January about 259 deaths among children aged 4 years old or younger had been linked to Covid.

Further, CDC data and a recent study published in the British Medical Journal showed that the Omicron variant, which is extremely contagious and has the capacity to dodge vaccines, has also caused a surge in hospitalisation in young children, the report said.

The rise may be partly explained by the surge of Omicron cases, which affects all populations, and the spread of other respiratory infections.

But the data do not show a similar steep rise in coronavirus infections among the hospitalised children of other ages, and federal health officials were considering the possibility that Omicron may not be as mild in young children as it is in the older children,the report said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, Jan 17 : A family at Pallavaram in Chennai has lodged a complaint with the Tambaram commissionerate of police after a group of encroachers blocked the cremation of a 64-year-old woman on Sunday in a corporation crematorium.

The deceased woman Kannamal was later cremated at a nearby facility and the family lodged a complaint with the police that the encroachers created a ruckus against cremation at Pallavaram crematorium of the Tambaram corporation which was used by a Hindu community with 5,000 members for the past several decades.

K.Balakrishnan, a relative of Kannamal, said that the encroachers were trying to use the crematorium land ever since the lockdown and were trying to take it over by preventing cremation. The encroachers, according to the complainants behaved like 'thugs'.

Tambaram corporation commissioner M. Elangovan passed on the complaint to the police who arrived in large numbers but the encroachers were adamant not allowing cremation at the Tambaram corporation crematorium at Pallavaram citing smoke that emanates during cremation.

Police, according to the complainant, requested the family to conduct the last rites at another crematorium near the area to prevent law and order situation.

S. Jayanthi, who was maintaining the crematorium, said that the encroachers were trying to usurp the land ever since the lockdown began and wanted to prevent cremations so that they could occupy the land at a later stage.

Tambaram police commissioner, M. Ravi said that he would hold a meeting with all the concerned parties and will restore the rights of the affected persons.
Patna, Jan 17 : Three persons, including a woman, died after a speeding truck hit a bike in Patna on Monday morning.

The deceased were identified as Rita Devi (55), Pankaj Raut (25) and Sudama Raut (15). All of them were returning on the bike from Gaurichak to their native place in Fatuha. The victims had gone to Gaurichak on Sunday evening to fix the marriage of Rita's son.

The accident took place due to low visibility in the Aman Bigha village under Shahjahanpur located on state highway 78. The impact of the accident was such that the bike tossed in the air and fell around 30 meters away from the spot.

"We have sent the dead bodies for the postmortem in Nalanda Medical College and Hospital. The errant driver managed to escape from the spot. We are making efforts to arrest the accused," said an official of the Shahjahanpur police station.

Following the incident, local villagers blocked the road for two hours, which led to huge traffic snarls on state highway 78.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : In a setback to Devas Multimedia, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which in September last year dismissed a petition filed by Devas Multimedia against the order of the NCLT to wind up the company.

The NCLT's direction had come on a petition filed by Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Devas has been fighting a decade-long legal battle against Antrix.

Today, a bench comprising Justices Hemant Gupta and V. Ramasubramanian dismissed the plea filed by Devas challenging the NCLAT order. The detailed judgment will be uploaded on the top court's website later in the day.

The Bengaluru bench of NCLT, on May 25 last year, directed winding up of Devas Multimedia and appointed a provisional liquidator for the purpose. The NCLAT upheld this order saying that it has come to a conclusion that the company's appeal is not maintainable in law. The NCLAT further added that the agreement by Devas with Antrix was "through fraud, misrepresentation or suppression".

The NCLT had noted that Devas was incorporated with a fraudulent motive to collude with the then officials of Antrix Corporation to get bandwidth from it by entering into an agreement in 2005. The Central government later cancelled the agreement. Devas Multimedia was incorporated on December 17, 2004.
Mumbai, Jan 17 : A postgraduate student of IIT Bombay in Powai jumped off the 7th floor terrace of his hostel and ended his life, officials said here on Monday.

The victim, identified as Darshan Malviya from Madhya Pradesh was said to be battling depression for long and was under treatment.

In a purported suicide message penned on a board in his fourth-floor hostel room, he said nobody should be blamed for his act before jumping off the terrace around 4.30 a.m.

A security personnel on duty heard the loud thud and ran to investigate and found Malviya lying there in a pool of blood, and alerted the concerned hostel authorities and co-students.

They immediately rushed him to the government-run Rajawadi Hospital where he was pronounced dead and informed the Powai Police who lodged an accidental death report.

As per preliminary investigations, Malviya was suffering from depression prior to getting admission in IIT-B in mid-2021 and had been under treatment from inhouse and external experts and doctors.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : In a lengthy tribute to Pandit Birju Maharaj on Twitter, dance guru and Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh mourned the passing away of a colossus whom she described as "a complete artist and Icon of Kathak dance".

The acclaimed exponent of the Odissi and Bharatanatyam dance forms said in her tweet: "With his passing away curtain falls on an era of great art. Words fall short to describe his multi-faceted personality, his absolute passion for performing, teaching, painting, singing and creating new works is unparalleled." Mansingh concluded by saying: "There never was or will be another like him. It's a personal loss to me. I shall cherish his deep affection and friendship of which he gave unstintingly. May his legacy continue to illuminate the world of Art." Pandit Birju Maharaj, who had been diagnosed with kidney disease a month ago and put on dialysis, died at his home in Delhi late on Sunday. He was 83.
Dhaka, Jan 17 : In the wake of an ongoing Covid-19 resurgence, private and public testing facilities in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka are now witnessing an unprecedented influx of patients.

Long queues were seen on Sunday at one of the largest testing centers in Dhaka, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where tests are conducted at a nominal fee, reports Xinhua news agency.

In the past week, queues also got longer outside many other private and public facilities, which share RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) results within 12 hours.

A total of 29,305 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh at the private and government facilities, after 24,028 on Saturday, the official data showed.

Bangladesh reported 5,222 new Covid-19 cases and eight new fatalities on Sunday, bringing the infection tally to 1,617,711 and death toll to 28,144, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said.

The cases have been rising remarkably in Bangladesh since the beginning of this month with offices, businesses and transport services in the country staying open.

Bangladeshi authorities on January 13 started to impose stringent rules to combat a fresh spike in Covid-19 infections.

In parts of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, mobile courts initiated drives and fined those violating the restrictions.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged unvaccinated people to get jabbed to protect themselves the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

According to the official data, the Covid-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh is now 1.74 per cent and the current recovery rate is 95.99 per cent.

The total number of recovered patients in the country stood at 1,552,893 including 293 new recoveries, said the DGHS.

Bangladesh recorded the highest daily new cases of 16,230 on July 28, 2021 and the highest number of 264 deaths twice on August 5 and 10, 2021.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, Jan 17 : Kamal Haasan on Monday paid a heart-warming tribute to one of India's greatest dance legends, Pandit Birju Maharaj, who passed away late on Sunday at the age of 83.

Taking to Twitter, the actor posted a picture of Maharaj ji training him and actress Andrea for 'Unnai Kaanaadhu...', the famous song from 'Vishwaroopam', the first line of which when translated, reads, "I am not myself today as a result of being unable to see you." The dance sequence won Maharaj the National Film Award for choreography in 2012.

Switching over to Tamil, Kamal wrote in his tweet: "The incomparable dance legend Pandit Birju Maharaj has passed away. Like an Ekalavya, I learnt a lot from him by observing him from a distance for many years. I learnt a lot from close quarters for 'Vishwaroopam'." The actor concluded his tweet with the lines of the song for which he trained under Maharaj ji, saying: "A legend who dedicated his life to music and dance, 'I am not myself today as a result of being unable to see you'." The actor, in one of his speeches earlier, too had talked about the experience of training under Pandit Birju Maharaj.

He had then said, "My experience was exhilarating. Andrea dances with me in the song and she knows what a great teacher Birju Maharaj saab is."
Melbourne, Jan 17 : Japan's world No. 14 Naomi Osaka kicked off her Australian Open title defence with a straight-sets victory over Camila Osorio of Colombia, while Greece's Maria Sakkari became the first top-10 seed to advance here beating Tatjana Maria of Germany at the Melbourne Park on Monday.

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Switzerland's Belinda Bencic, American Amanda Anisimova, and Italy's Camila Giorgi also earned early first-round wins on Monday.

Osaka, seeded No. 13 here, defeated Osorio 6-3, 6-3 on the Rod Laver Arena. The former world No.1, who also won the Australian Open in 2019, took 68 minutes to overcome the challenge of 20-year-old Osorio, ranked world No.50.

"I thought it was really amazing to play against (Osorio)," said Osaka. "She was loud, she was fighting. I think that's something special. I really commended her for that. I thought she had a great return. She was really bold. She kind of stepped in really close to the line," the 24-year-old Japanese player said.

"I think I was pretty solid. I think I was up 5-0 and had a little dip, but I was fortunate enough to close it out. I think that's something that I hope I'm not in that position in my next match. If I am, I already did it this time around, so I guess I'll learn from it." Osorio was one of the top movers of last year, having won her first WTA singles title in 2021 on home soil in Bogota. But in their first meeting, Osaka powered her way to victory, as she improved to 17-1 in her last 18 matches at the year's first Grand Slam event. Osaka is also now 19-2 in Grand Slam first-round matches throughout her career.

World No.8, and No.5 seed here, Sakkari was the first top-10 player to move into the second round, with the 26-year-old Greek defeating Tatjana Maria of Germany 6-4, 7-6(2). Seeded in the top-10 at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, Sakkari took one hour and 46 minutes to fend off Maria, a former top-50 player, who played the Australian Open on a protected ranking of No.100.

"I didn't feel great out there, but I found a solution, found a way to win," Sakkari said. "She (Maria) has a tricky game that sometimes it makes you feel uncomfortable inside the court. Yeah, it was a decent match. I kind of, like, survived." Sakkari will meet Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen in the second round after the 19-year-old defeated Melbourne Summer Set 2 runner-up Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(5).

No.15 seed Svitolina also advanced into the second round, besting Fiona Ferro of France, 6-1, 7-6(4) in an hour and 32 minutes. The Ukrainian, a two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist in 2018 and 2019, will play Frenchwoman Harmony Tan, who knocked out Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-3.

Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Bencic also won her opening-round clash with the No.22 seed defeating France's Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 6-3. Bencic will next face Anisimova of the US. Anisimova battled past Dutch qualifier Arianne Hartono 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Last year's WTA 1000 champion in Canada, No.30-seed Camila Giorgi of Italy thrashed Anastasia Potapova of Russia 6-4, 6-0. "I think it was a great match because it was (my) first one of the year, so I think it's very important to get the rhythm," Giorgi said,
Jerusalem, Jan 17 : Israel's three major airlines will receive $100 million from the government to deal with the Omicron crisis, the country's Finance and Transport Ministries said in a joint statement.

Under the plan, the Israeli government will offer El Al, Israir and Arkia airlines convertible bonds, which can be exchanged into shares, for three years without interest, at a total of $85 million, reports Xinhua news agency.

The government will also fund in advance for 20 years excess fuel and maintenance expenses related to the air defense systems installed on the planes, at a total of $15 million for all three airlines.

Israel has witnessed a surge of Covid-19 cases caused by the outbreak of the Omicron variant.
Let sunshine of hope light up future of humanity: Xi

Xinhua) 19:09, January 17, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on the world to do everything necessary to clear the shadow of the pandemic and boost economic and social recovery and development, so that the sunshine of hope may light up the future of humanity.

Xi made the remarks while delivering a special address at the 2022 World Economic Forum virtual session.

In two weeks' time, China will celebrate the advent of spring in the lunar new year, the Year of the Tiger, Xi said, noting that in Chinese culture, tiger symbolizes bravery and strength, as the Chinese people often refer to spirited dragon and dynamic tiger, or soaring dragon and leaping tiger.

"To meet the severe challenges facing humanity, we must 'add wings to the tiger' and act with the courage and strength of the tiger to overcome all obstacles on our way forward," Xi said.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft prepares to leave for Tonga from Auckland, New Zealand, Jan. 17, 2022. (New Zealand Ministry of Defense/Handout via Xinhua)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft left Base Auckland on Monday morning for tsunami-hit Tonga to assist in an initial impact assessment of the area and low-lying islands.

"We are working hard to see how we can assist our Pacific neighbors after the volcanic eruption near Tonga," said a statement of the New Zealand Defense Force.

Tsunami waves hit Tonga on Saturday. The tsunami followed a series of violent eruptions from underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, 65 km north of the country's main island Tongatapu.

The Orion aircraft to provide aerial surveillance was on stand-by on Sunday to wait for good atmospheric conditions and avoid hazards including ash fall.

"Our thoughts are with those who have been affected at this time," the statement said.

The National Emergency Management Agency has issued a national advisory to cancel a warning on tsunami activity in New Zealand issued on Saturday following the large eruption at Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'pai in Tonga.

The advice, based on ocean observations, is that the beach and marine threat has now passed for all areas, the agency said.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for up to another 24 hours in some locations around the entire country. People should remain vigilant and take extra precautions with regards to beach and ocean activities, it said.

New Zealand has pledged to provide support for Tonga following a volcanic eruption that sent tsunami waves crashing onto the Pacific Island.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters at a Sunday media conference that the New Zealand government has made an initial sum of 500,000 New Zealand dollars (340,000 U.S. dollars) available to provide assistance to Tonga.

The tsunami had a significant impact on part of the foreshore of Tonga, with boats and large boulders washed ashore and shops along the coast damaged, said Ardern.

There has been no official report of injuries or deaths yet. However, communications were interrupted and limited. The main undersea communications cable has been impacted, said Ardern.

Along with the Orion aircraft flight, New Zealand was considering the deployment of a naval ship should it being needed, she said, adding the New Zealand government was waiting to hear from the Tongan authorities about what was needed.

Ardern said one of the first requests from Tonga was for water supply, which could be severely affected in the fallout from the eruption. 

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft prepares to leave for Tonga from Auckland, New Zealand, Jan. 17, 2022. A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft left Base Auckland on Monday morning for tsunami-hit Tonga to assist in an initial impact assessment of the area and low-lying islands. (New Zealand Ministry of Defense/Handout via Xinhua)
Seoul, Jan 17 : A South Korean man is in serious condition after setting himself on fire out of anger over a feud with an international marriage agency that refused to arrange a spouse for him, officials said on Monday.

The 64-year-old man set himself ablaze at the office of the marriage agency on the southern island of Jeju at around 12.56 p.m. a on Sunday, according to police and fire authorities on the island.

During talks with the head of the agency, the man suddenly poured a bottle of gasoline over himself and set fire with a lighter, reports Yonhap News Agency.

The agency chief threw water on him and put out the fire, but the man sustained first- to third-degree burns and remains unconscious at a hospital.

According to an initial police probe, the man was upset about the agency's refusal to arrange an international marriage for him on grounds that he is legally unqualified.

Under immigration rules, a South Korean national cannot qualify for a new marriage visa a foreign spouse for five years after the previous invitation of a foreigner to the country for marital purposes.

Police officials said under the rules, the man was ineligible since his previous international marriage was in 2017, adding a further probe will be conducted as soon as he regains consciousness.
With the untimely death of Achhan Maharaj, over were the days of childhood fun and frolic, kites, cinemas and so on. The only priority for Maharajji now was to look for work, to earn money. It had become difficult to meet their everyday needs and his mother Ammaji was extremely concerned about his career and well-being.

She escorted him to all possible places where there was scope for meaningful work and a respectable income. They stayed in Kanpur for four-and-a-half years with the support of Maharajji's eldest sister, Vidyavatiji, and he studied privately with the help of Sitaram Baglaji, an older friend. Baglaji used to teach him English while Maharajji taught him dance.

Maharajji took up two dance tuitions of twenty-five rupees each. Often he walked long distances and requested passersby to help him cross the graveyard as he was afraid to do so alone. At times his mother skipped meals as there was not enough for both and when he asked her she would say she was fine in order not to bother the child. There were days when they slept almost half-starved.

As for school, it was proving to be a big luxury for Maharajji. There was a decision by the Education Board to make vocal and instrumental music two separate subjects at the Intermediate level. At this stage Ammaji forced him to clear his school-leaving exams. When the results were declared, he excelled in both vocal and tabla. However, owing to his poor performance in English, he failed miserably on the whole.

When Maharajji was about 12 years old, he and his mother travelled to Nepal to participate in the celebrations of the marriage of the King's nephew. Those were times when travel was not easy. Several other artistes also joined them in the hope that their works would be rewarded handsomely.

Pandit Hanuman Prasadji, Pandit Kishan Maharajji, Tara Deviji (Sitaraji's sister) and Shri Hari Shankarji were among them. They walked for days and nights on foot, crossing several mountains-Chandragarhi, Sisagarhi, Ekdanta and Dodanta-stopping in tents for a few hours at night.

They hired a stove and a small kerosene lamp as Ammaji usually cooked 'khichdi'. It was a life of struggle and determination that finally led to Maharajji dancing in the royal courts as well as for the women in the interiors of the palace. They loved his dance and he managed to collect a fair amount of money as well as gifts from this trip.

Around the age of 13, Maharajji, along with his mother, his Sutto Jeeya and brother-in-law, went to stay with his uncle, Lachhu Maharajji, in Mumbai. They lived with him for less than a year in Dadar. It was here that Maharajji learnt from his uncle the intricacies of his lyrical style.

His uncle also arranged for private tuitions for him in English, though it certainly was not his favourite subject. The lady who came to teach him was helpless as he wrote dance bols (rhythmic words) in place of his homework.

During his stay in Mumbai, Maharajji also enjoyed meeting cinema artistes such as Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Jeevan, Sheikh Mukhtar, Motilal, Dilip Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar. Once, Maharajji was listening to a music recording at Bombay Talkies with his uncle, when he saw a young man rehearsing some lines in the adjoining room.

Maharajji found this rather funny as the man was repeating the words very fast and was acting weird. Ashok Kumar suddenly appeared and introduced the man as Kishore, his younger brother. That was probably the legendary Kishore Kumarji's earliest audition with Shri S.K. Ojha. Even though Mumbai was good fun, the search for a proper means of earning a livelihood was bothering Maharajji.

Around 1953, Kapila Vatsyayanji, who had learnt under Achhan Maharajji and remembered young Birju, called him to Delhi to work at Sangeet Bharati -- the same place where his father had taught. The job was a temporary one as he had been taken on a trial basis. The young boy was extremely excited and promised to work hard to prove his talent; it was a big boon but very challenging for him.

Along with Ammaji, they rented a small 'barsati' (attic) in Daryaganj from where he commuted by bus. Later they moved to Minto Road Railway Quarters, then stayed at Raja Bazar for a while, and finally shifted to a place near Hanuman Mandir. From here he walked to school at five every morning. Maharajji had his first coffee at Madras Hotel, where one of the waiters was his favourite as he showed an interest in playing the tabla.

Maharajji narrates how he once was in a hurry and forgot to carry his wallet, which he realised after drinking his coffee. He felt awkward, so he made a quick plan. He removed his jacket and threw it over his shoulders, stooped a little, squinted his eyes and made a weird face. Then slowly he moved out of the room limping on his left leg. No one really noticed. The next morning he went to the cash counter almost imitating himself from the previous day and paid the money.

(Excerpted from 'Birju Maharaj -- The Master Through My Eyes' with the permission of the publisher, Niyogi Books, Vidushi Saswati Sen is a renowned student of Maharajji.)
Mumbai, Jan 17 : British actress-producer Gemma Arterton, who essays the character of Polly, the nanny of Harris Dickinson's Conradin the recently released spy action comedy 'The King's Man', describes her character as an alpha that heads the household.

Talking about her character, the actress says, "She is Conrad's nanny, so she's taken care of him. But she's sort of the boss of everyone, including Oxford. She's very tough. She doesn't take any crap. She's the cleverest person in the room. She's very, very smart. But also very funny. A wise-cracker." She continues, "And because she's a servant and part of the staff, she is from a different social background. She's working class. So she isn't posh. There are a lot of gentlemen in the film, and high society, and she's a bit more practical." Commenting on her preparations, Arterton decided that the character should hail from the North of England. "We decided that Harrogate was the perfect accent, because it's a soft Yorkshire accent, but it's quite muscular." She adds, "We wanted it to sound like a period of the time, but I like it because it gives her a bit of sass. She sounds different to everybody else in the film. A little bit cheeky. A bit sassy." Producer Karl Gajdusek refers to her as a "crackshot nanny," explaining, "She's one thing in front of the world and another thing behind closed doors, or with a gun in her hand." Matthew Vaughn, director of the movie adds, "Gemma is an incredible actor. She's funny, she can do any accent, she's good at action. She's the whole package. So we were extremely lucky that she said yes to this."
Mumbai, Jan 17 : In a massive setback, the Bombay High Court on Monday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nitesh Rane, son of Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane - in an attempt to murder case.

Kept in reserve last week as Nitesh Rane was granted continued interim protection from arrest, the much-anticipated order was pronounced by Justice C.V. Bhadang.

However, on the court's request, the prosecution assured it will continue its earlier commitment and refrain from any coercive steps against Nitesh Rane till Jan 27.

Among other things, Nitesh Rane, 39, has been accused as the key conspirator behind an attempt to murder case against a ruling Shiv Sena leader Santosh Parab - which allegedly took place on Dec 18 (2021) - in Kankavli town of Sindhudurg district, considered the political bastion of the Rane family.

On Dec 30, the Principal Judge of Sindhudurg District & Sessions Court Shirishkumar V. Hande had rejected the legislator's anticipatory bail plea which was challenged by Rane on Jan 4 in the Bombay High Court.

The Kankavli Police lodged an FIR against Rane Jr following a complaint by Parab, but the BJP legislator claimed that he was being targeted for allegedly mocking Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray and to prevent his participation in the Sindhudurg District Cooperative Bank elections held on Dec 30.

Nitesh Rane's lawyer, Nitin Pradhan contended before the court that his client had been cooperating with the investigators and had been questioned for four hours last month.

The Special Prosecutor Sudeep Pasbola said that they needed Nitesh Rane's custodial interrogation to corroborate the circumstantial evidence collected in the case, various transactions like who had paid and how much for the attempted contract killing, plus the forensic reports of the confiscated phones of the accused.

Meanwhile, BJP Leader of Opposition (Council) Pravin Darekar slammed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government for allegedly misusing the official machinery and pursuing vendetta against Rane Jr, but said they respect the court verdict.

The Shiv Sena has demanded that now with the Sindhudurg District & Sessions Court and Bombay High Court have rejected the anticipatory bail plea, Nitesh Rane - who was 'incommunicado' for several weeks - should gracefully go and surrender before the police.
Wellington, Jan 17 : A New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules departed for Tonga on Monday to airdrop fresh water and other essential supplies, as the Pacific island country suffered from a serious tsunami following a major volcanic eruption.

The plane loaded with provisions to Tonga is requested by the Tongan authorities which said water supply had been severely affected in the fallout from the eruption, according to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

The C-130 Hercules is the second New Zealand aircraft leaving for Tonga after a P-3K Orion aircraft left Base Auckland on Monday morning to assist in an initial impact assessment of the area and low-lying islands, reports Xinhua news agency.

New Zealand Defence Minister Peeni Henare said: "There is still no time frame for the reconnection of communications with Tonga," as communications are being repaired after the main undersea cable had been impacted.

"We are working hard to see how we can assist our Pacific neighbours after the volcanic eruption near Tonga," said a statement of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Tsunami waves hit Tonga on January 15. The tsunami followed a series of violent eruptions from underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, 65 km north of the country's main island Tongatapu.

The New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency has issued a national advisory to cancel a warning on tsunami activity in the country.

The advice, based on ocean observations, is that the beach and marine threat has now passed for all areas, the agency said.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for up to another 24 hours in some locations around the entire country.

People should remain vigilant and take extra precautions with regards to beach and ocean activities, it said.

New Zealand has pledged to provide support for Tonga following the volcanic eruption that sent tsunami waves crashing onto the Pacific Island.

Ardern told reportes that her government has made an initial sum of NZ$500,000 ($340,000) available to provide assistance to Tonga.

The tsunami had a significant impact on part of the foreshore of Tonga, with boats and large boulders washed ashore and shops along the coast damaged, said Ardern.

Along with the two aircraft dispatched, New Zealand was considering the deployment of a naval ship should it being needed, she said, adding the government was waiting to hear from the Tongan authorities about what was needed.

Meanwhile, an Australian Air Force P8 Poseidon aircraft also reached Tonga on Monday.
New Delhi, Jan 17: France and Japan--the two regional powers in Asia and Europe, plan to hold virtual ministerial security talks in mid-January to discuss rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific over North Korea's missile race and China's territorial disputes.

Japanese news agency Kyodo quoted Japanese government sources as saying that the two nations will also release documents after talks between the foreign and defence ministers--Yoshimasa Hayashi and Nobuo Kishi with their French counterparts Jean-Yves Le Drian and Florence Parly respectively.

In the past many months, the North Korean regime has steadfastly carried on with testing of advanced missiles and building nuclear weapons, upsetting Tokyo. China too has upped the pressure on Japan, and in the region, through a show of force by sending its naval vessels close to territories held by Japan and other south-east Asian nations nations.

Reporting on the developments in Tokyo, Kyodo said: "The two countries are likely to discuss ways to boost response capability against military threats in the Indo-Pacific, especially after North Korea on Friday carried out what became the third launch of apparent ballistic missiles in 10 days".

The two countries will discuss a response to China's territorial and maritime threats, assert their support to a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and strengthen cooperation in defence matters.

Besides China's assertion in the East and the South China Sea, which has rattled Japan and its neighbours, many American allies have been left uncomfortable after the signing of the trilateral AUKUS pact between the US, the UK and Australia which seeks to arm Canberra with nuclear submarines. France has been feeling left out in the cold as Australia cancelled a lucrative submarine deal with Paris.

In the aftermath of the AUKUS deal, France not only shared its bitterness with the US and Australia but actively began to build up its own relations with countries like Japan and India. France and India have been strengthening defence cooperation as New Delhi too faces the heat from China on its northern and eastern borders.

Experts say, Paris has hardened its stance against China because of the 'wolf warrior attacks', undiplomatic remarks about the French government as well as Beijing's overall hostile demeanor. Public opinion in France too is largely unfavourable against the communist nation even as friction has crept in EU-China relations.

Japan also is traversing a similar territory regarding China.

Even though Japan is linked to the US through the four-member Quad that has India, Australia, Japan and the US, Tokyo is nevertheless strengthening its relations with other powers.

Japan and India are cooperating in Asia to balance Chinese interests in countries like Myanmar and Sri Lanka through development assistance and economic cooperation.

Japan and Australia recently signed a defence cooperation pact--Reciprocal Access Agreement, which relates to the transportation of weapons and supplies. France too wants to sign a similar agreement with Japan.

With discomfort due to North Korean weapon-development programme and China's military assertion in the region, Japan has been proactively drawing the attention of the US and European nations over the likelihood of a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan.

In recent months, naval vessels from Germany, the UK and France have made port calls and held maritime exercises with the Japanese Navy in a counter-response to the Chinese.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Jan 17: In a special audit report submitted to the government and tabled in Parliament, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed massive irregularities in the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP) fund during Mehbooba Mufti's government in Jammu and Kashmir. CAG has asked the Jammu and Government to recover the money worth crores of rupees which has been distributed among a number of the State's billionaires and big business houses not entitled to the relief announced for victims of the September-2014 flood.

CAG has passed serious strictures on Mehbooba-led PDP-BJP government for diverting the Central financial support to her State government's commitment not covered under PMDP. Mehbooba's government had announced the Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) for relief to the small businesses having turnover of less than Rs 10 lakh in a financial year. CAG has called for recovery of all the benefits extended to ineligible persons in violation of guidelines of the scheme.

In partial response to the Omar Abdullah government's demand of Rs 44,000 crore for relief to the flood victims, the BJP government at the Centre had sanctioned Rs 800 crore in November 2015. It was for restoration of industrial and business enterprises affected by the floods of September 2014. Subsequently, ISS was sanctioned in April 2016 by the Government of India under the PMDP.

As per the scheme guidelines, interest subvention was to be restricted only to those units availing credit facility from the banks for business purposes which were affected by the floods of September 2014.

"A total of 50,081 small traders/business, having annual turnover up to Rs 10 lakh, identified by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on recommendations of the concerned Deputy Commissioners, were to be provided financial assistance to the extent of 50 percent of actual losses suffered by them. The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited (JKBL) was convener of JKSLBC (State Level Bankers Committee) while the scheme was implemented by the Principal Secretary Finance Department through JKSLBC, JKBL, the Chief Minister's Secretariat and the Deputy Commissioners of eight districts in the Kashmir division," the CAG audit report has pointed out.

With reference to the Chief Minister's Business Interest Relief Scheme (CMBIRS), the CAG report says the J&K Government's Finance Department released Rs 200 crore, including Rs 180 crore of PMDP funds, to JKSLBC. Out of this, an amount of Rs 199.96 crore was remitted to 15 banks for the interest subvention. The major share of Rs 190.20 crore went to J&K Bank Ltd.

"An amount of Rs 180 crore received from the Government of India was paid to beneficiaries under CMBIRS which was a commitment of the J & K Government made during the budget session of 2018-19. The payment was not as per guidelines of the Interest Subvention Scheme of the PMDP. Further, out of Rs 190.20 crore to JKBL, Rs 41.32 crore were provided to only 19 borrowers," the CAG observed. It pointed out that out of the 19 beneficiaries, as many as 10 borrowers, who were given Rs 21.02 crore, were not eligible as none of them was affected by the September-2014 flood.

Interestingly the accounts of these beneficiaries were restructured under a special rehabilitation package only after the street turbulence of the year 2016, created after the Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani's death in an encounter.

Joint Director (Resources), Finance Department, according to the CAG report, confirmed that sanction to the allocation was accorded in March 2018. It confirmed that funds released by the Government of India were diverted by the Government of J&K for its own commitment and not for payment under the interest subvention scheme.

According to the CAG report, a private trust operated by a former Congress leader's family received an amount of Rs 55 lakh even as no private trust was entitled to the relief under ISS. One particular businessman Baldev Singh Raina, dealing in automobile business and operating 5 companies, is shown to have received around Rs 13 crore on account of interest subvention without being eligible. A number of companies run by two leading business houses, related to each other, is shown to have taken Rs 12 crore without being eligible.

CAG has noticed that the accounts of nine borrowers, which were sub-standard even prior to the floods of September 2014, were subsequently included in the list of the 11,449 accounts prepared by JKBL. They were provided interest subvention of 50 percent of the interest charged during September 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015 amounting to Rs 16.49 lakh. Further interest subvention of Rs 36.62 lakh was also provided to the same ineligible borrowers.

"Thus, interest subvention to the extent of Rs 74.57 lakh was provided to 107 accounts of two Banks which were sub-standard prior to floods of September 2014 and were, therefore, ineligible as per the scheme guidelines," CAG has pointed out.

JKBL has, however, stated that the interest subvention of Rs 20 lakh, released in favour of M/s Jhelum Roller Flour Mill, would be recovered and refunded to the Government through JKSLBC. The bank has, nevertheless maintained that eight other accounts were standard as on 31st August 2014 and thus eligible for rehabilitation under the scheme.

"Reply of the JKBL management is not acceptable as nine accounts which were sub-standard as on 30th June 2014 were irregularly included in the list of 11,449 restructured accounts by the JKBL and provided interest subvention," the CAG report observed. It noted that the Finance Department in January 2018 released Rs 1.47 crore to the Tourism Department for waiver of loans in respect of 19 houseboat owners whose accounts had been previously restructured as 'one-time settlement' after running in default.

"The Director Tourism Kashmir in March 2018 disbursed Rs 1.47 crore to nine banks for settlement of these loans which were not eligible to be covered under the scheme," the CAG report has observed. According to it, the beneficiary houseboat owners were not affected in the September-2014 flood and their waiver of loans was in violation of the scheme guidelines. The JD Finance has put much of the blame for Mehbooba's Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu.

Further, the JKBL disbursed an amount of Rs 26 crore as interest subvention among 36,891 artisan beneficiaries from July 2016 to February 2017 under PMDP for settlement of outstanding balance of interest on Artisan Credit Cards (ACC). It, however, stated that the ACC scheme existed prior to the announcement of the PMDP and was not eligible for assistance under the ISS. Moreover, specific linkage to losses occurred due to flood had not been done.

"The Joint Director Resources stated that a policy decision was taken in a meeting on July 2016 held under the chairmanship of the then Finance Minister (Haseeb Drabu) that Rs 26 crore outstanding on account of interest subvention be provided as one time relief to the artisan community as this class was badly affected by September 2014 floods. "The reply confirmed the audit observation that funds released by the Government of India for the scheme were diverted towards commitment of the Government of J&K for payment of interest subsidy to artisans under the ACC scheme which was not admissible," the CAG observed.

The Government of J&K also released funds to the tune of Rs 244.78 crore between July 2016 and June 2017 to JKSLBC for disbursement to the banks operating the Kissan Credit Card (KCC) scheme in J&K. Audit observed that sanction of funds by the then J&K Government was in violation of interest subvention scheme guidelines and resulted in diversion of funds worth Rs 244.10 crore as the scheme was not extendable to agricultural production loans.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Jan 17: The Philippines has emerged as the maiden buyer of BrahMos supersonic missile systems, jointly produced by India and Russia, amid China's aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea (SCS) region. Both sides were in an advanced stage of negotiations for a number of years and would have struck the deal earlier had not the Covid-19 pandemic intervened and hit the Philippines exchequer. Manila has now agreed to buy BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles from India for US $375-million to shore up its defences in the disputed SCS.

The acquisition is the newest of a number of similar capacity enhancements for the Philippine Army unveiled in contemporary weeks. In December, Philippine Protection Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made public the acquisition of six patrol ships from Austal for $600 million and two corvettes from Hyundai Heavy Industries for $550 million.

The acquisition of the BrahMos, said to be the world's fastest cruise missile, "marks a breakthrough in efforts to upgrade the Philippines defense arsenal," to quote a Filipino analyst.

The BrahMos has a top speed in the range of Mach 3, a surface-launch range of about 160 nm and a payload of about 440 pounds of explosives. It is designed with naval warfare in mind, can fly just 30 feet off the surface and carry out evasive manoeuvres to evade air defences. This universal missile can be launched from ships, mobile launchers, submarines and aircraft. It has network-centric architecture, multiple trajectories, way-point capability, and is capable of engaging any kind of land or naval targets beyond the horizon in a minimum deployment time. It is the only supersonic cruise missile in the world that flies at three times the speed of sound.

It appears from reports in the Filipino press that Manila is primarily interested in the shore-battery version, which would give its forces coverage of the majority of the Spratly Islands from bases on Palawan. Competing maritime claims in the Spratlys are an area of constant friction between China and the Philippines, with defence implications for the Philippine-aligned United States. BrahMos will upload substantial confirmed capacity to the Philippines (according to the Manila website Manilanews.ph) coastal defences, and it compares favourably with anti-ship missiles in use with different navies.

It's some distance quicker than the US Army's Tomahawk or the Chinese army's YJ-18. Emerging hypersonic anti-ship missile technology is beginning to outcompete "slow" supersonic designs, but only Russia and China currently deploy unclassified hypersonic weapons, and only with a limited number of specialized units.

On Friday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana released a document via social media showing that Manila had approved the acquisition of the land-based missile system for the Philippine Navy from India's BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd. "As head of procuring entity (HOPE), I recently signed the Notice of Award for the Philippine Navy Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile Acquisition Project," Lorenzana said on Facebook. "Negotiated with the government of India, it includes the delivery of three batteries, training for operators and maintainers as well as the necessary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package." Export orders by the Philippines are likely to be placed soon and Manila is expected to purchase BrahMos missiles under a "government-to-government deal". Earlier this year, both sides signed a defence arrangement that would enable export of defence equipment to Manila from India.

The timing of the Filipino announcement for purchase of the missiles is significant, as earlier last week, India said it had successfully test-fired a naval variant of the BrahMos missile from an Indian Navy ship. "Advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile was tested from INS Visakhapatnam today," India's Defense Research and Development Organization said in a tweet, adding that the missile hit the designated target ship precisely.

BrahMos Sale to Manila marks a breakthrough While the BrahMos sale is a major breakthrough in New Delhi's attempt to emerge as a supplier of weapons to Southeast Asia, it has to be considered within the broader context of India's growing relationship with the countries of the region, including the Philippines, under the banner of its Act East Policy (AEP). India's ties with the Philippines have been upgraded over the past few years with the two countries expanding their defence partnership and negotiating a PTA (Preferential Trading Arrangement).

Indian Navy and coast guard ships regularly visit the Philippines and hold consultations with their counterparts. The participation of officers of the armed forces of both countries in various specialised training courses in each other's countries has intensified. Earlier, India extended a $100-million defence-related LoC to Manila. The Philippines, a US ally for decades, has been keen to diversify sources of its defence hardware including from India. In 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence and Logistics was signed. An MOU on Sharing of White Shipping Information - non-military/non-government shipping vessel information - was inked last year.

Experts in the region take note of the Development Experts from Southeast Asia and from the US have already taken note of the development. Collin Koh, a Singaporean analyst from the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, pointed out that India is only the second new entrant into the Southeast Asia supersonic anti-ship missile game after Russia. As for the Philippines, it becomes only the third Southeast Asian country after Indonesia and Vietnam, which can boast of an anti-ship supersonic cruise-missile capability, he added. "I'll say it's more than a breakthrough - it's practically a leapfrog," Koh said via Twitter.

This is the first export order for BrahMos, to quote Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst at the RAND Corp., a US think-tank, who said via Twitter: "China won't be pleased! It's official, the Philippines is getting India's BrahMos." Besides Koh and Grossman, many other experts see the BrahMos acquisition as a value-for-money option for a developing country with limited cash for defence spending. "It's a cost-effective solution for the navy to have a sea-denial capability," retired navy admiral Rommel Jude Ong, now with the Ateneo School of Government in Manila, who told Benar News from Malaysia in March 2021, when the Philippines and India signed an initial agreement for the deal. "The BrahMos, with a 290-km range, will provide a defensive buffer across a certain extent of the EEZ. It gives the navy a 'mission-kill' option in case of conflict," he said at the time, referring to Manila's EEZ in the South China Sea.

Back at that time, tensions were running high between Manila and Beijing over the presence of some 200 fishing boats within the EEZ believed to be manned by Chinese militias. The diplomatic standoff went on for months, and although the situation has de-escalated, Philippine officials say that unauthorized Chinese vessels remain a constant presence in Philippine-claimed waters of the SCS. Manila, meanwhile, has been in a race to upgrade and modernize its navy, which until recently had to make do with a fleet of legacy vessels, many of which date back to World War II.

Over the last three years, as we have pointed out earlier, Manila has acquired its first missile-capable warships, a repurposed corvette from the South Korean navy, and two brand new South Korean-made frigates. Last month, Manila signed on to acquire two new corvettes from South Korean-maker Hyundai Heavy Industries for $554 million. Like the earlier corvette and frigates, these will have anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities.

Can Manila stand up to the Chinese Bully? With the BrahMos in possession, will Manila be able to stand up to China's threat in case of a real conflict with Beijing? Experts, by and large, are pessimistic in their assessment and believe the Philippines is both outclassed and outnumbered militarily by China when it comes to asserting its territorial rights in the South China Sea. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte had accepted the same last year when he had said it was better for the Philippines to pursue "diplomatic endeavours" with China over the SCS dispute because "China has the arms" and Manila did not.

Lorenzana also had admitted that the Philippines was "not yet 25 per cent" of the way to achieving minimum credible defence capability. Some experts are critical of Manila's decision to go for the BrahMos because the country doesn't have the required infrastructure to ensure that purchases are maintained and manpower is trained to maintain the systems. Some even go to the extent of suggesting that the country doesn't have a budget to configure the ships to launch them. Leaving aside the sceptics, the procurement of the BrahMos will surely boost the morale of the Philippines Navy to deal with China in future over its possessions in their EEZ. More importantly, once countries like Indonesia and Vietnam also eventually go for the BrahMos, it will be a game changer and embolden all of them to look Beijing in the eye.

(Baladas Ghosal is a former Professor and Chair in Southeast Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University &Secretary General, Society for Indian Ocean Studies) (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The farmers' agitation against the three contentious farm laws, which were later revoked, will not impact BJP's victory in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections as the peasants of western part of the state will vote in favour of the party, a veteran BJP leader said.

Talking to IANS, he said: "The story of BJP's victory in Uttar Pradesh will start from the first phase on February 10, and will continue till the seventh and final phase." In the first phase on February 10, polling will be held for a total of 58 seats and in the second phase for 55 seats on February 14. The Braj region is said to be the stronghold of farmers. National spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rakesh Tikait also hails from this region and it is being believed that the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance has also weakened the chances of BJP's win.

However, contrary to the claims of SP president Akhilesh Yadav and RLD chief Jayant Choudhary, the BJP veteran claimed that the farmers' agitation will have no effect in the first two phases of elections and the party will win equal or more seats than it did in 2017.

In the first two phases, a total of 113 seats will be up for grabs. Of this, the BJP has announced its candidature in 105 seats and will declare the candidates for the remaining 8 seats soon.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a skilled election strategist of the BJP, will be in Uttar Pradesh again from January 23. It is being said that Shah has plans to tour the entire state, including the west and the Braj region, to woo the farmers back.

As part of the election campaign, Shah is also likely to meet leaders of the Jat community in the western part of the state. Moreover, the party is also expecting a huge public support in Braj on the issue of Mathura.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 17: German frigate Bayern arrived in Sri Lanka on a three-day visit on Saturday. The submarine hunter vessel will remain docked at the Colombo Port till 18 January.

The ship was received by German Ambassador Holger Seubert and senior officials of the Sri Lankan Navy.

Bayern's visit to Sri Lanka means that the two navies will carry out joint exercises on sea for the first time. With the spread of the Omicron strain, the navies will adhere to Covid guidelines, reports the Sri Lankan media.

India Narrative had reported earlier how Germany was responding to the Chinese show of force in the Indo-Pacific region by sending the Bayern to the region.

Bayern was on deployment in the Indo-Pacific region for the last six months where it participated in patrols and training missions with other navies. The Indo-Pacific waters have become contested with China laying claims to vast areas in the South China Sea (SCS) and in territorial disputes with most countries in south-east Asia and the Pacific.

The frigate had left German shores in August 2021 and is on its way back home by February end.

German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Holger Seubert said: "The fact that a German frigate dropped anchor at Colombo port testifies the outstandingly high quality of Germany's bilateral relations with Sri Lanka. The visit gives expression to Germany's determination to broaden its footprint in the Indo-Pacific region." The ambassador added: "I contend that Sri Lanka shares our desire to preserve the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, including the freedom of navigation." Bayern has over 200 sailors and two on-board helicopters besides an array of weapons.

With far-reaching developments happening in the Indo-Pacific region, Germany was one of the first countries to frame an Indo-Pacific and China-related policy - Policy Guidelines for the Indo-Pacific. The European Union (EU) also developed its police regarding the region, as did other European nations.

The European nations have aligned with the US to proactively work on select issues in the vast region to balance out China. They have identified issues like alternate supply chains, battling the coronavirus pandemic, improving trade, working on regional security issues, protecting the climate and also ensuring the freedom of navigation and rule of law.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- A court in central China's Henan Province passed a default judgment on Red Notice fugitive Cheng Sanchang for the charge of embezzlement Monday.

It was the country's first embezzlement case involving a fugitive defendant tried in absentia.

Cheng, former chief of the Luohe municipal committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of a state-owned company, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined 500,000 yuan (about 78,618 U.S. dollars). The illicit gains involved in his case were mandated to be recovered, ordered the Zhengzhou Intermediate People's Court.

In December 2000, Cheng took advantage of his position as chairman of a state-owned company to misappropriate over 3.08 million yuan in public funds, and fled overseas in February 2001, said the court.

Due to Cheng's absence from the proceeding, Cheng's close relatives entrusted lawyers to represent him.

During its hearing of Cheng's case, the court fully guaranteed the defendant's rights in judicial proceedings and passed the mentioned judgment under the law. 
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Smartphone brand Vivo on Monday announced that it will donate 100 smartphones worth Rs 10 lakhs and a cash scholarship worth Rs 1.5 lakhs to support education of 100 underprivileged kids.

Vivo has collaborated with Protean (formerly known as NSDL) to announced a fresh phase of the 'Vivo For Education' initiative.

"Driven by the purpose to create a world of joy through superior yet simplified technology and experiences, the brand's offerings help users capture joyful moments and have made it a leader in the Indian market," the company said in a statement.

Aligned with government of India's objective to support education, the programme aims to bridge the social and fiscal divide and support students from low-income families to continue their education.

The activity will equip children with a smartphone that can help them achieve an enriching learning experience even through online distance learning amid challenging times.

Under this leg of the initiative, students who are studying in class 11 presently will be provided with a Vivo smartphone and a cash scholarship.

Earlier, Vivo supported the education of 100 underprivileged students by providing vivo smartphones for their online education.

Additionally, the brand also provided cash scholarship worth Rs 8 lakhs to over 65 students as part of aVivo For Education' initiative.
Chennai, Jan 17 : Complacency among the tribal population in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu to inoculate themselves has affected the vaccine drive in the district. Sources in the district health administration told IANS that the reason for the lack of inoculation among the tribal population is not due to lack of awareness but mainly due to complacency and vaccine hesitancy.

About 60 per cent of the tribal population in the district are yet to inoculate themselves with the first dose of vaccine and the health department is trying to launch awareness programmes among the tribal colonies of the district.

K.R. Rajashekharan, social activist and leader of the left progressive movement of Dharmapuri told IANS, "The government health department has held several camps, around 455 vaccination camps in the district every week. However, 60 per cent of the tribal population not inoculated with even the first dose of the vaccine is a serious matter and the focus of the health department must now be among this population and to complete vaccination among them as early as possible." He said that the district collector of Dharmapuri has already called a meeting of the tribal leaders and that of 'Oorukootams' to create awareness among them and to overcome their vaccine hesitancy.

In Vathalmalai and Sitheri tribal colonies of the district, only 30 per cent of the population have vaccinated themselves after 445 vaccination camps and 100 random mobile vaccine clinics were set up.

The district administration along with the health and social welfare department is planning a door-to-door survey of the tribal hamlets of Vathalmalai, Sitheri, Alakattu, and Eriyur to get first-hand knowledge on the exact number of tribal people who are vaccinated. To remove the vaccine hesitancy, educated youths from nearby colonies are being roped in to talk to the tribal leaders to make sure that they take at least the first dose of vaccine as early as possible.

A senior doctor with the district health department told IANS, "The situation is grave among the tribal population of this district as more than 60 per cent of the population are yet to take the vaccine and Covid-19 is on a rampage in the state. We have to accelerate the vaccine drive among the tribals and focused action is necessary to inoculate the entire population in a short span of time at least with the first dose."
Lucknow, Jan 17 : Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on Monday, said that when his party comes to power, he would ensure minimum support price for all crops for farmers.

He said that he would create a farmers' revolving fund to ensure payment of cane dues besides making adequate arrangements for ensuring free irrigation, loan, pension and insurance for them. He also said that he would withdraw all cases lodged against farmers and the families of those who had died during the agitation would be given Rs 25 lakhs each.

Yadav said that all this would be included in the Samajwadi manifesto which would be released after the BJP released its manifesto.

Farmer leader Tajinder Virk, who was among those injured in the October 3, 2021 Lakhimpur incident, administered a pledge with fistful of wheat and rice to defeat 'those who had heaped atrocities on farmers.' Comparing the Lakhimpur incident with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Akhilesh Yadav said that by mowing down innocent farmers, the BJP had committed an unpardonable crime.

He said that it was the unity of farmers that had forced the BJP to take back the farm laws.

The SP president further said that the BJP and its leaders had been openly violating the model code of conduct. He said that he would soon lodge a formal complaint with the Election Commission and hoped that they would take action accordingly.

Replying to a question on failure of alliance talks with Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar, Akhilesh Yadav said that he had offered two seats but does not know why the same was turned down.

"Chandra Shekhar should know that Dr Ambedkar and Dr Lohia worked together and he should also work together in a positive spirit with us and as a brother," he said.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The number of Indian billionaires grew from 102 to 142, while 84 per cent of households in the country suffered a decline in their income in 2021, which was also a year marked by tremendous loss of life and livelihoods, according to non profit Oxfam India's latest report published on Monday.

The report 'Inequality Kills' comes ahead of the World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda.

It indicates that the collective wealth of India's 100 richest people hit a record high of Rs 57.3 lakh crore in 2021.

In India, during the pandemic (since March 2020, through to November 30th, 2021) the wealth of billionaires increased from Rs 23.14 lakh crore to Rs 53.16 lakh crore.

More than 4.6 crore Indians, meanwhile, are estimated to have fallen into extreme poverty in 2020 (nearly half of the global new poor according to the United Nations).

The stark wealth inequality in India is a result of an economic system rigged in favour of the super-rich over the poor and marginalised, the report said It advocates a one per cent surcharge on the richest 10 per cent of the Indian population to fund inequality combating measures such as higher investments in school education, universal healthcare, and social security benefits like maternity leaves, paid leaves and pension for all Indians.

"The 'Inequality Kills' briefing shows how deeply unequal our economic system is and how it fuels not only inequality but poverty as well. We urge the Government of India to commit to an economic system which creates a more equal and sustainable nation," Amitabh Behar, CEO, Oxfam India said in a statement.

Further, Behar said that Oxfam's global briefing points to the stark reality of inequality contributing to the death of at least 21,000 people each day, or one person every four seconds.

Moreover, the pandemic set gender parity back from 99 years to now 135 years. Women collectively lost Rs 59.11 lakh crore in earnings in 2020, with 1.3 crore fewer women in work now than in 2019, the report showed.

"It has never been so important to start righting the wrongs of this obscene inequality by targeting extreme wealth through taxation and getting that money back into the real economy to save lives," Behar said.

"India can show the world that democratic systems are capable of wealth redistribution and inclusive growth where no one is left behind. India's fight against inequality and poverty must be supported by the billionaires who made record profits in the country during the pandemic," he suggested.
Canberra, Jan 17 : Life expectancy of Australians has increased to a record high during the Covid-19 pandemic, a new study published on Monday revealed.

In the study, researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) found that life expectancy for both Australian males and females increased by 0.7 years between 2019 and the first year of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, reports Xinhua news agency.

The increase far outstripped the average growth of between 0.09 and 0.14 years recorded in Australia between 2015 and 2019, according to the Canberra Times.

By comparison, life expectancy in the US fell by 1.7 years for women and 2.2 years for men in 2020.

Vladimir Canudas-Romo, co-author of the study from ANU's School of Demography, said the significant difference could be attributed to Australia's quick response to the pandemic.

"Australia was in a unique position to be able to close borders to the rest of the world. Now with the strong compliance on vaccinations, we are likely to be one of the safest places in the world," he was quoted as saying by the Canberra Times.

The ANU researchers found that Covid-19 containment measures introduced in 2020 caused a "sharp decline in the spread of other infectious diseases", with deaths from pneumonia and influenza falling 20 per cent.

A sharp decline in social mobility due to lockdowns and travel restrictions also caused a significant decline in the number of road deaths.

"Coronavirus was among the few causes of death that really increased from 2019 to 2020 in the case of the US there was an extreme case of Covid strongly declining life expectancy," Canudas-Romo said.

"In Australia even when mortality increased due to Covid, we still had so much decline in infectious diseases, accidents, heart attacks and strokes, that our life expectancy increased by three-quarters of a year," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sydney, Jan 17 : Authorities of Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state warned on Monday that the number of Covid-19 deaths is "likely to be high" over the coming days due to the ongoing surge in community transmission.

The state health department reported 29,504 new Covid-19 cases and 17 deaths in the last 24 hours, reports Xinhua news agency.

Hospitalisation numbers also continue to rise, with 2,776, including 203 in ICU.

Health officials warned that there will be a high number of Covid-19 deaths, as around half of the eligible people in NSW haven't received their booster dose.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said only one of the 17 people that died had taken their booster shots.

The state's Premier Dominic Perrottet added that among Monday's figures, half of the people in ICU were unvaccinated.

"The evidence is clear, and that's why I continue to ask people right across our state, if you haven't received that booster shot, please go out and do it," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Geneva, Jan 17 : The Davos Agenda 2022 kicking off on Monday will provide an opportunity for world leaders to reflect on the "State of the World" and shape solutions for critical challenges in the year ahead, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Two years since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the five-day online event "will focus on driving concerted action among key global stakeholders", Xinhua news agency quoted the WEF as saying in a statement.

Key sessions of the event will cover such issues as the pandemic, the fourth industrial revolution, energy transition, the climate crisis, sustainable development and the global economic outlook, according to the WEF.

Participants will also share their views on climate change, the social contract and vaccine equity, among others, said the WEF.

"Everyone hopes that in 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the crises that accompanied it, will finally begin to recede. But major global challenges await us, from climate change to rebuilding trust and social cohesion. To address them, leaders will need to adopt new models, look long term, renew cooperation and act systemically," said Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the WEF.

Last month, the WEF announced that due to continued concerns over the Omicron variant, it will defer its annual meeting, which is usually held in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.

Initially scheduled to take place between January 17-21, it is now planned for early summer.

Instead, participants joins the virtual Davos Agenda 2022 from January 17-21, bringing together global leaders to find solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.
Tumakuru : Jan 17 (IANS) The act of Karnataka Superintendent of Police, sending his own official car with the complainant to investigate a crime, has won hearts.

Local police sub-inspector Shivalingaiah in Tumakuru district of Karnataka had asked the complainant to arrange a car to probe his complaint.

Nagendrappa, a resident of Kodihalli village was attacked by Shivaprakash and Chandan. An attempt to murder case in was lodged in the Dandinashivara police station of Turuvekere taluk of Tumakuru district against the two but no action was being taken.

Nagendrappa had requested the police take action against the accuse but they paied no heed to him.

The local police then asked him to arrange for a car to travel to the spot if he wanted them to catch the accused. Nagendrappa, unable to arrange the car, approached the Superintendent of Police. On learning about his helplessness, the SP sent his own car to the Dandinashivara police station along with the complainant.

According to police sources, action was not initiated against the accused as they were relatives of the policemen at Dandinashivara police station.

The SP has directed the police to take the accused into custody using his car, the sources said.

The people are appreciating the act of SP Rahul Kumar for teaching the slack police a lesson. The photos and videos of SP Rahul Kumar's car being sent have also gone viral on social media.
Chennai, Jan 17 : Looking to put the massive reach of director Sukumar's blockbuster film 'Pushpa: The Rise', featuring Allu Arjun in the lead, to good use, the Hyderabad Traffic Police recently chose to use a picture of Allu Arjun from the film to create awareness among the public on the need to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers.

The movie, starring Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, continues to have a strong run even after a month in theatres.

In the poster put out by the police department, the superstar is seen wearing a checked shirt (from the movie) and riding a bike with a helmet on. The post emphasized how helmets save lives of people and urged citizens to wear them while riding two-wheelers.

After taking the box-office by storm with a record collection of over Rs 300 crore and its Hindi version nearing Rs 90 crore, 'Pushpa: The Rise' is bulldozing its way to record books.

After extending its theatrical run and getting an amazing response at the BO, the Hindi version of the movie had marked its OTT debut on Prime Video last week.

Interestingly, the superstar's Telugu action drama 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo' (2020) is scheduled to release its dubbed Hindi version in cinemas on January 26.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Bhopal, Jan 17 : After over a month long battle over the OBC reservation issue, now the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh have sharpened their attack on each other over the compensation for the damaged crops of farmers due to the unprecedented rain and hailstorm in the state.

Over the last two weeks, the Congress led by former Chief Minister Kamal Nath has been targeting the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government over its failure to provide compensation to the farmers whose crops were damaged due to the hailstorm and heavy rain. The Congress leadership has been highlighting the farmers' grievances, especially the damaged crops and demanding immediate action from the government.

"Crops on over one lakh hectares have been damaged due to heavy rain and hailstorm, directly affecting their livelihood. Even after over a week, they are still looking at the government with hopeful eyes for relief and compensation and in return they are getting only false assurances," Nath said.

Veteran Congress leader and two-time Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh also accused the state government of not taking an appropriate decision on the compensation to the farmers whose crops got damaged. Singh on Sunday wrote a letter to Chouhan to apprise him about crop damage and sought 20 minutes time to discuss the issue with the Chief Minister.

Digvijaya Singh also threatened that if Chouhan does not meet him by January 20, he will sit on protest at the Chief Minister's office.

On the other hand, BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Chouhan have been visiting different areas to inspect the damage to the crops and assuring farmers of compensation. In some cases, Chouhan has handed over cheques to the farmers during his visit.

Last week, Chouhan directed the district administrations to launch an inspection drive in the areas where the crops were damaged and prepare an assessment report as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, state home minister Narottam Mishra, who is also the spokesperson of the Madhya Pradesh government, alleged that the Congress leaders always do politics sitting at their homes, instead of visiting the people during natural calamities.

"Kamal Nath is the first such leader of opposition who does not go to the public at the time of natural calamity, and he only keeps doing politics on social media," Mishra added.
RAMALLAH, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- A total of 700 Omicron infections has been reported in the Palestinian territories in less than two months, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

Kamal al-Shakhra, a spokesman for the ministry, told reporters that the rapid increase in Omicron cases "is worrying."

Noting that the coronavirus positivity rate in the West Bank rose to 30 percent, al-Shakhra said the Omicron variant "is very dangerous for those who still haven't received proper vaccinations."

The spokesman warned of another surge in COVID-19 cases in the coming days, urging the public to get vaccines as soon as possible and abide by protective measures of wearing masks and social distancing.

On Sunday, the Health Ministry said in a statement that it recorded three deaths and 642 new COVID-19 cases in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours. 
Mysuru, Jan 17 : Karnataka police have arrested six persons for allegedly assaulting five members of a Dalit family, including a woman, for eating 'panipuri at Arasinakere village in Mysuru district, the police said on Monday.

According to the police, the accused barged inside the residence of the victims and assaulted them. The injured persons, including Soubhagya, Dileep, Chandan, Madhukar and Prasanna, have been admitted to a local hospital.

The arrested persons have been identified as Murthy, Sachin, Naveen, Mahadevaswamy, Chandan and Santhosh.

According to the complaint, Dileep, Prasanna and Madhukar had gone to eat 'panipuri' in a locality with majority upper caste population.

The accused had objected to it and Murthy and Sachin had assaulted the victims. The elders of the village held a panchayat and brokered peace between them. However, the accused later barged into the residence of the victims and attacked Dileep, Prasanna and Madhukar. Soubhagya and Chandan, who were at home and came to the rescue of victims, were also beaten up, the police said.

The victims filed a complaint alleging atrocity, abuse and life threat at the Jayapura police station.

The police went to the village and spoke to the victims and assured them of security. They also warned that such incidents should not be repeated in the village.
Geneva, Jan 17 : Nearly $9 trillion, two-thirds of China's total GDP, is at risk of disruption from nature loss. Making China's economy 'nature-positive' could generate $1.9 trillion in additional annual revenue and create 88 million jobs by 2030.

These are the findings of the latest report by the World Economic Forum: Seizing Business Opportunities in China's Transition Towards a Nature-positive Economy.

"Businesses can create a virtuous cycle between people, planet and profit. Investing in and living in harmony with nature will better secure sustained performance and prosperity. Chinese businesses can harness technologies and innovation, while adopting and promoting the UN Global Biodiversity Framework to collectively shape a more resilient and beautiful future for China," said Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director, World Economic Forum.

The new report, in collaboration with Golden Bee, shows how significant business opportunities can be created if new business practices are adopted across three socio-economic systems: food, land and ocean use; infrastructure and the built environment; and energy and extractives. These systems are interconnected and can unlock untapped economic potential.

The report highlights progress to date, provides case studies and offers recommendations to accelerate new growth across these three systems.

Food, land and ocean use: Six transitions can generate almost $565 billion in additional annual revenue and create 34 million new jobs by 2030. One of transitions identified would be -- eco-tourism, projected to create some $53 billion of additional revenue in China -- providing the largest business opportunity in accelerated ecosystem restoration and avoided land and ocean over-exploitation.

Infrastructure and built environment: Five transitions to transform this system could add roughly $590 billion in annual revenue and create 30 million new jobs by 2030. An example of a key opportunity in this system's transformation is promoting the use of smart parking -- a market worth $94 billion in 2020 but expected to grow to around $219 billion by 2025.

Energy and extractives: Four transitions could create almost $740 billion in additional revenue per year and 23 million new jobs by 2030. Improving how resources are used or reused throughout the vehicle lifecycle could create roughly $122 billion of commercial value and over 3.7 million jobs by 2030 in China.

"Nature is critical to China's continued prosperity and social development. It is also at the heart of its 'ecological civilization' vision and intrinsically linked to its climate agenda. While our economy is currently facing non-negligible risk from nature loss, this report shows that taking bold action to 'put nature first' can secure our economic, social and climate ambitions while creating substantial business value," said Justin Lin Yifu, Dean, Institute of New Structural Economics, Peking University, Beijing.

The report also sets out how China is well-placed to lead the transition to a carbon-neutral and nature-positive economy by delivering its "ecological civilization" vision and implementing its new national biodiversity conservation strategy.

The potential gains for China in transforming its economy represent nearly 20 per cent of global business opportunities and jobs creation. As the world enters a decisive decade for action on nature and climate, Chinese government and businesses need to work closely to raise global ambition on biodiversity commitments, drive policy and regulatory changes, lead technological innovations, and mobilize investment.

"China is uniquely positioned to lead a global movement towards a nature-positive, carbon-neutral future. As the president and host of the Convention on Biological Diversity's COP 15, it provides leadership in setting forth an integrated agenda which builds societal, economic and ecological resilience." said Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Kolhapur : , Jan 17 (IANS) Veteran political leader of Peasants & Workers Party (PWP), an ex-cabinet minister and a four-time legislator, Prof Narayan Dnyandeo Patil - the brother-in-law of Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar - passed away following a brief illness, party leaders said here on Monday.

Battling from a recent brain haemorrhage, he breathed his last at a private hospital here early on Monday, aged 93. He is survived by his wife Saroj - who is the sister of Sharad Pawar and Pratap Pawar.

Earlier, the fiery leader - considered the progressive and rational face of state politics in over seven decades of public life - was infected by Covid-19 and had recovered from it despite his advanced age.

He dedicated his life to the cause of farmers, peasants, mill-workers, casual labourers, the deprived and downtrodden in society and served as Maharashtra Member of Legislative Council for four terms.

Prof Patil served as Cooperation minister from 1978-1990 in the Progressive Democratic Front government headed by Pawar when he became Chief Minister for the first time, as the PWP was an ally.

Top leaders including Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Jayant Patil, Nawab Malik, Ashok Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, and other dignitaries mourned the passing of Prof Patil.

Besides the Pawar family, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, State Congress president Nana Patole, All India Kisan Sabha's Prof Ashok Dhawale, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana's Raju Shetti, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of opposition Devendra Fadnavis (Assembly) and Pravin Darekar (Council) and other prominent personalities paid tributes to Prof Patil.

An associate and Shiv Sena farmer leader Kishore Tiwari said he fought for farmers' rights and compensation till his last breath, particularly as the cause was dearest to his heart for decades.

However, despite close family connections with the powerful Pawar clan, Prof Patil maintained his independent identity, never compromised on his principles and charted his own path with political convictions, said a close colleague, Dr Vaishali Patil.

Born on July 15, 1929 in a peasant family in the small Dhavali village in Sangli, Patil completed his matriculation and then joined the Rajaram College in Kolhapur for his graduation.

Later he joined Willingdon College in Sangli for his MA in Economics and acquired an LLB degree from Pune University before serving as a professor at Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Satara, and then became the Principal of KBP College in Islampur, Sangli.

While serving the Shivaji University Kolhapur (SUK), Prof Patil served as a Dean and Senate Member.

Much before his academic career, in 1948, he joined the PWP, to which he belonged till the end, became an MLC for four terms, served as the General Secretary and later as Convener (1999-2002) of the Democratic Front Government of Congress-Nationalist Congress Party which ruled the state for 15 years from 1999-2014.

Prof Patil was appointed head of the legal committee of the Maharashtra government to examine the border dispute with Karnataka in mid-2000s.

Outspoken, intelligent and a good orator from his early youth, Prof Patil first joined the Shetkari Kamgar Party - which was founded barely two weeks before India won Independence - for rights and justice to farmers and labourers.

The idealist, who idolised legends like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil, Karl Marx, envisioned an 'exploitation-free and equitable progressive society without distinction between the haves and have-nots'.
Melbourne, Jan 17 : World No. 1 and top seed, Ashleigh Barty, began her quest for a maiden Australian Open title in emphatic manner, dropping just one game on way to beating Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine in the first round of the year's first Grand Slam at the Melbourne Park on Monday.

Also, in late-evening matches on Monday, Madison Keys upset former champion Sofia Kenin in an all-American contest, while Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Jessica Pegula of the US too came through tough three-setters on the opening day.

No.1 seed Barty's quest for a first Australian Open title got off to a perfect start with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of qualifier Lesia Tsurenko in 54 minutes. Two years ago, the Australian had been given a scare by the Ukrainian at the same stage of her home major, eventually pulling through 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

But the rematch was more akin to her 2021 opener, in which she double-bageled Danka Kovinic of Montenegro in 44 minutes.

The Wimbledon champion raced through the first 11 games, facing game points in only one of them. Barty struck 14 winners, including five aces, to 17 unforced errors, and maintained a 58 per cent first serve percentage.

Barty was in control of almost every exchange, dragging the world No. 119 Tsurenko around the court in all directions with slices and heavy forehands.

Madison Keys slammed 31 winners, including 15 aces, to win her 43rd WTA-level match against a fellow American out of 63 to date. No.26 seed Jelena Ostapenko and No.21 seed Jessica Pegula both delivered fine performances to survive determined opponents in their openers.

Ostapenko recovered after losing a first set in which she had held five set points to beat Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-1 in 2 hours and 15 minutes, while Pegula triumphed 4-6, 7-6(1), 7-5 over Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine in 2 hours and 52 minutes -- the longest match of Day 1.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The India State of Forest Report 2021 has vindicated what activists, lawyers and academicians have been saying all along - Arunachal Pradesh, which is the second largest forested state in India, is losing its primary forests and that too at a large scale every passing year.

As per the ISFR 2021 -- brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and released on January 13 -- Arunachal Pradesh that has a geographical area (GA) of 83,743 sq kms with its 16 hill districts, (total number 25, the recently bifurcated not shown separately in the report) has witnessed a loss of 257 sq kms of forest cover compared to the 2019 assessment.

As per ISFR 2021, the total forest cover (within and outside the recorded forest area) is 66,430.67 sq kms (79.33 per cent of GA). Of that, very dense forest is 21,058.37 sq kms (25.15 per cent), moderate dense forest is 30,175.56 sq kms (36.03 per cent), open forest is 15,196.74 sq kms (18.15 per cent). Scrub, not counted in total, is spread over 796.98 sq kms (0.95 per cent).

Arunachal Pradesh is considered as one of the forest rich states in eastern Himalayas. The state has about 20 per cent species of the country's fauna, about 4,500 species of flowering plants, 400 species of pteridophytes, 23 species of conifers, 35 species of bamboos, 20 species of cane, 52 species of Rhododendron and more than 500 species of orchids. Two National Parks and 11 Wildlife Sanctuaries constitute the Protected Area network of the state covering 11.68 per cent of its geographical area. Large areas fall under community forests.

Being an entirely tribal state, forests have been the mainstay for livelihood of local people dependent on forest resources. However, over the years, developmental activities, and practises such as jhuming have increased the pressure on forests consistently.

As per the ISFR-2019, the forest cover was 66,687.78 sq kms (79.63 per cent); the ISFR-2017 said the total forest cover was 66,964 sq kms (79.96 per cent) while the ISFR-2015 said the total forest cover was 67,248 sq kms (81.21 per cent).

The only reason mentioned for the negative change detected in the 2017 assessment was: "A decrease of 190 sq kms observed in the forest cover of the state can be attributed to shifting cultivation and developmental activities." A December 2021 report by Arunachal Pradesh's Department of Environment and Forests submitted to the National Green Tribunal in the 2019 case filed by an anti-logging activist Jorjo Tana Tara in connection with illegal forest felling mentioned that during 2009-2019, there has been a decrease of 934.97 sq kms in moderately dense forest in the whole of Arunachal Pradesh, while there has been an increase of 115.81 sq kms of area under scrub forest, 29.61 sq kms of area under open forest and 244.09 sq kms in very dense forest.

This report also mentioned that the main reasons for the negative change in forest cover are shifting cultivation and diversion of forest land for developmental purposes. A total of 221.11 sq kms of area has been diverted for non-forestry activities after clearance under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in these ten years, the report submitted to the NGT said.

Environmental lawyer Ritwick Dutta, who represents Jorjo Tana Tara in the NGT at the Principal Bench, said, "The report claims that the government is taking action/s, but we have challenged that." Worst show by eastern districts:

Of the 16, only five districts showed positive change while the rest others showed negative change in the ISFR 2021. Of these, the Lower Dibang Valley, Dibang Valley, Lohit and Anjaw have seen the worst negative trend.

For Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley district, 69.69 per cent of the 13,029 sq kms area are under total forest cover. Of that, 1,688.91 sq kms is very dense forest (VDF), 4,806.97 sq kms is moderately dense forest (MDF) and 2,5383.83 sq kms is open forest (OF) totalling to 9,079.71 sq kms, which is 128.19 sq kms less compared to total cover in 2019 assessment.

Similarly, for Lohit and Anjaw districts, 64.64 per cent of the 11,402 sq kms are under total forest cover. Of that, VDF is 2,016.68 sq kms, MDF is 3,805.80 sq kms and OF is 1,547.55 sq kms totalling to 7,370.03 sq kms, which is 217.57 sq kms less compared to the total forest cover in 2019 assessment.

A major developmental project in Dibang Valley is of road construction from Roing, the headquarters of Lower Dibang Valley district, to Anini, the headquarters of Dibang Valley going on for the last few years. Lohit and Anjaw too have had their share of new roads and especially, Anjaw still has a major highway going on. Many of these are necessary as they connect the plains to the last border points.

But in Anjaw, the reasons go beyond roads. Explained C R Krong, a resident of Anjaw district, there is not just one reason why people are wiping out the pristine jungles.

"In last few years, as the weather conditions are suitable here, people have taken to growing large cardamom in large areas in Anjaw district and along with it, people also grow illegal opium, called Kani by local people," Krong said.

The easy availability of chainsaw has made matters worse, he said adding, "Earlier, people felled trees with their hands but now, the chainsaw makes it easier with people indulging in selling timber illegally to contractors/mafia." Another thing that is increasing in Arunachal Pradesh is dumping of muck and road building debris on the slopes by the contractors. Not just in the area where Krong lives but in other districts too.

Agreed Dr R Sukumar who is a National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) member and veteran scientist at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. He had recently visited Arunachal Pradesh as part of a NBWL team.

Stating that the roads leading to the border areas are a necessity in view of national security, he said, "With road construction in hill areas, the problem is not just that large number of trees are cut, but it is the manner in which the roads are cut, and the muck and debris are dumped on the slopes that leads to more loss of trees." Large scale horticulture activities too are replacing forests, Sukumar said - a point validating what Krong from Anjaw district said - and added that he has already conveyed his observations to the NBWL.

In fact, the Eastern Zone of the National Green Tribunal is already hearing since September 2021 a case against National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDC) among others in connection with improper manner of earth/mountain cutting and dumping of stones/boulders and muck into the river in Dibang Valley district.

Arunachal Pradesh government's PCCF and Principal Secretary, Department of Environment and Forests, R K Singh agreed that Dibang Valley district has witnessed road building activities. But he, in fact, expressed surprise at the ISFR 2021 report and said, "We are going to take this up with the FSI as our records do not show the kind of negative change mentioned for these eastern districts." He also said, "We have been taking action against those guilty of illegal tree/forest felling. We have initiated the process to recruit more people and also taken up with the state government to create more posts for the Forest Department." (Nivedita Khandekar can be reached at nivedita.k@ians.in )
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Many stray animals are trying to survive as the temperature in the capital continues to drop. Many strays lose this battle trying to find food and warmth under a scrap of clothing or caged up in the corner of streets. The Perroayuda Welfare Foundation (PWF), a Delhi-based animal welfare organisation, recently held a Mega Stray Feeding Drive in Lajpat Nagar with the goal of feeding all of the area's stray animals. These wonderful Samaritans come from all around Delhi-NCR with one goal in mind: to rescue, feed, and adopt all animals in need.

PWF has previously staged feeding drives in Netaji Subhash Place, Connaught Place, North Campus, Delhi University, and other locations throughout the city. A group of 70 volunteers fed over 100 stray dogs in the vicinity and provided water in earthen bowls. To raise awareness about the issue of stray animals, volunteers talked with businesses, local authorities, customers, and hawkers. The actions of this group of young animal advocates were recognised and supported.

"Donations come in from all around the world." To save strays and pay for their treatment, we rely completely on donations. "Every day, our organisation feeds roughly 1000 stray dogs," says Arpit Mathur, the organisation's founder. "Throughout the day, we receive SOS calls. We can only accomplish so much with our limited staff and resources. We hope that more young people, like us, would join us in this cause." In Rohini, the NGO also maintains a recovery centre. Currently, the recovery centre accommodates roughly 40 animals, including cats, dogs, monkeys, and a few unusual birds.

PWF seeks to discover and feed all stray animals in need, as well as provide them with food, care, affection, and medical treatment, and organise Mega Stray Feeding Drives to raise awareness and adoption. "We discover stray animals, pet them, and feed them - no one deserves to be hungry," Mathur adds.
Chennai, Jan 17 : Two Sub Inspectors of police and a constable were suspended in connection with an alleged custodial death of a physically disabled person in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu.

Prabhakaran (45) and his wife Hamsala (32) of Karappur were arrested along with four others by the Senthamangalam police in connection with a theft case on January 12. They were lodged in Namakkal sub-jail and Prabhakaran complained of uneasiness and was brought to the Salem district hospital from where he breathed his last on Sunday.

The family of Prabhakaran, along with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), blocked the road and conducted agitation stating that the disabled Dalit man was subjected to third-degree torture by the Senthamangalam police before he was produced before the magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.

They refused to accept the body of Prabhakaran and demanded immediate action against the police officers who had subjected him to third-degree torture.

Namakkal Superintendent of Police, Saroj Kumar Thakur held discussions with the relatives of Prabhakaran and the VCK leaders who demanded compensation and a government job for one of Prabhakaran's close family member.

Saroj Kumar Thakur assured them of timely action but the VCK leaders and the relatives of the deceased Prabhakaran did not relent and accept his body unless the police personal are suspended.

The SP conducted an inquiry on the police action at the Senthamangalam police station and recommended suspension of the three police officers following which the relatives and VCK leaders accepted the body of Prabhakaran.

The DIG of Police (Salem range) Praveen Kumar Abinapur placed them under suspension.

Sub Inspectors Poongudi and Chandira and Constable Kulandhaivel all attached to the Senthamangalam police station were suspended.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : It seems that the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos virtual summit has already set an agenda for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is scheduled to deliver his special address on Monday evening at 8.30 p.m.

From Covid-19 putting pressure on the Indian healthcare system to India's struggle with climate change, specially mentioning the Mumbai floods, Covid's impact of Indian school children from the rural areas to new emerging mental health problems among the public, the WEF has already mentioned all in its India-centric reports.

"India recently announced the establishment of a National Hydrogen Mission. India's ambitious five-part Panchamrit pledge to reach net zero by 2070 was one of the most important announcements at Glasgow," read one recent WEF report on India, just three days before PM Modi's 'State of the World' special address in Davos.

Nearly 40 per cent of the students in underprivileged households in India have not been studying during school closures, according to a new report.

Only 1-in-4 children in India have access to a digital device, and nearly half of the children in rural India have no means to study online.

As a result, India is experiencing a significant drop in literacy levels.

It's feared that this could cause more children to drop out, says 'This is how Covid-19 lockdowns affected India's school children' WEF referring to a report. which explained the impact of lockdown on the underprivileged school children.

On gender inequality, the WEF has already raised serious questions about the Indian government's claims, saying the government and industry are bringing think-tanks, civil society, and community networks to support women merchants in India.

For example, affordable mobile data, public digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurial innovations are all measures which have increased the amount of digital payments, but there are still several barriers which are specific to women and one of the most important challenges to overcome is trust.

Citing an example of grocery stores in India, WEF says the 12 million kirana stores employ 45 million people and account for 95 per cent of the country's Rs 35 trillion market for food and groceries. However, only 2 per cent of the kirana stores have been digitized so far. The rate is much lower for women and rural merchants.

The Davos Agenda 2022 is bringing together world leaders to address the 'state of the world'.

Starting Monday, the week-long virtual event will feature heads of state and government, CEOs and other leaders discussing the critical challenges facing the world today and presenting their ideas on how to address them.

In addition to PM Modi, the world leaders delivering "State of the World" special addresses will include Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, US Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, and Nigeria's Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Paarl, Jan 17 : Jasprit Bumrah, India's vice-captain in the ODI series against South Africa, on Monday revealed that Virat Kohli had informed the team in a meeting after the Cape Town Test about his decision of leaving the captaincy.

"We have been very close as a team unit. He told us in a meeting that he will be stepping down from the Test captaincy. He informed us of this as a team and we respect his decision and value his leadership a lot.

"We congratulated him as a team for his contribution to the Test team as a leader and wished him all the best. This was the conversation we had with him," said Bumrah in the virtual press conference.

Bumrah further said that former skipper Kohli will always be a leader in the group.

His comments come after Kohli announced on Saturday that he will step down from the Test captaincy with immediate effect. The upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting from Wednesday in Paarl, will be his first white-ball series as a player.

"See, I am not here to give a judgement about his decision. But yes, it's a personal decision and we respect his decision. He knows how his body is reacting and what frame of mind he is in. We respect that and it's been an immense pleasure to play under his leadership as I made my Test debut. As I have spoken before, he brings a lot of energy to the side. He will always be a leader in the group and his contribution has been immense and will be immense going further as well," added Bumrah.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Global logistics and distribution company DHL, Microsoft, and WhatsApp are the topmost brands being frequently imitated by cyber-criminals in their attempts to steal individuals' personal information or payment credentials, a new report showed on Monday.

In the October-December period (Q4) of 2021, global logistics and distribution company DHL ended Microsoft's long-standing reign as the brand most frequently imitated by cybercriminals in attempts to steal credentials or deploy malware via sophisticated phishing techniques Twenty-three percent of all brand phishing attempts were related to DHL, up from just 9 per cent in the previous quarter, according to Check Point Research's 'Brand Phishing Report'.

The Microsoft brand, meanwhile, accounted for 20 per cent of all phishing attempts in Q4 versus 29 per cent in Q3.

FedEx also appeared in the top 10 list for the first time in Q4 2021.

"Our latest Q4 report also reinforced the continued imitation of social media brands in phishing scams, with WhatsApp coming third behind DHL and Microsoft in a global list of top targeted brands," said the report.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), moved from sixth position to third, representing 11 per cent of all phishing attempts worldwide.

In a brand phishing attack, criminals try to imitate the official website of a well-known brand by using a similar domain name or URL and web-page design to the genuine site.

The link to the fake website can be sent to targeted individuals by email or text message, a user can be redirected during web browsing, or it may be triggered from a fraudulent mobile application.

The fake website often contains a form intended to steal users' credentials, payment details or other personal information.

Other brands in the top 10 list by Check Point Research are Google, LinkedIn, Amazon, Roblox, Paypal, and Apple.
BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Just after Lei Yun checked in at the Shenzhen Railway Station for a train leaving at noon, he sent a text message to his family living some 800 km away in the eastern Chinese city of Nanchang informing them that he would be home for dinner.

"With the newly opened Ganzhou-Shenzhen high-speed railway, the journey home only takes a third of the time it did in the past," he said.

Monday marks the beginning of China's Spring Festival travel rush, known as the Chunyun. About 1.18 billion passenger trips are expected to be made during the 40-day travel season, up 35.6 percent year on year, but 20.3 percent lower than in 2020, the Ministry of Transport said.

Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb. 1 this year. Like Lei, hundreds of millions of Chinese will return to their hometowns for family reunions to celebrate China's most important traditional holiday.

HIGH-SPEED JOURNEY HOME

For decades, the Spring Festival travel rush was associated with crowded railway stations and hard-to-get tickets.

In recent years, with the completion of several high-speed railway lines one after another and the continuous increase in railway capacity, people's Spring Festival travel experiences have greatly improved.

The new railway lines make for faster and more convenient journeys back home for passengers across the country.

Dai Hongmei and her husband, who live in the city of Jishou in central China's Hunan Province, bought tickets for the G687 high-speed train with a view to visiting the city of Wuhan in neighboring Hubei Province for a Spring Festival family reunion.

"With better living conditions, now you can take the high-speed train literally from your doorstep. The trip used to take almost a day, but now it only takes four hours," Dai said.

In 2021, more than 2,000 km of new high-speed railway lines were put into operation in China. The addition brings the total length of the country's high-speed railway lines in operation to over 40,000 km, more than any other country.

The newly opened high-speed railway lines have shortened the "distance" between different regions and made the Spring Festival journey more comfortable and convenient for people along the lines, said Xiao Yongqing, an official with the China Academy of Railway Sciences Corp., Ltd.

With the opening of more high-speed railway lines in 2022, the railway network will become denser, and more people will experience safe and convenient high-speed train travel, Xiao added.

A total of 280 million railway passenger trips are expected during the annual travel rush, up 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

IMPROVED PROTECTION

Despite the recent local resurgence of coronavirus in some areas, many Chinese people are traveling home to celebrate their most important festival.

Multiple train stations across China have offered self-service ticket verification and nucleic acid testing services, to speed up both health checks and passengers' passage through the gates.

Peng Xiang, an engineer with China Railway Guangzhou Group, said the group has increased the number of self-service ticket verification machines to 1,270 and the technical capabilities have greatly improved.

"It takes an average of only 1.2 seconds for the passengers to pass through the gate, down from 3 seconds previously," Peng said.

At the Guangzhou South Railway Station, a free nucleic acid testing service is offered to passengers in need, while passengers from medium- and high-risk areas for COVID-19 are required to undergo testing.

Beijing South Railway Station has also set up a testing facility that can churn out results in just four hours. The station has also deployed robots that can spray disinfectants in public areas. 
Mumbai, Jan 17 : 'Iss Mod Se Jaate Hain' actress Akshita Mudgal speaks about the challenges she faced while shooting for the wedding track in the show, where her bridal lehenga weighs almost 28 kg.

Talking about her look, Akshita said: "Believe me when I say I have to literally push my lehenga forward to move my feet. I can't even hold it for more than ten seconds because my fingers would start paining. It is a very heavy piece and on top of that, the Kundan ornaments that I am wearing for the scenes are no less. But of course, it feels nice to have a beautiful look like this, and a woman looks the prettiest in her wedding attire." The actress will be seen dressed in a lehenga that has shades of pink and mustard yellow, with intricate maroon work, and teamed with a bright golden Kundan set. She has to carry this for nearly 14 hours a day.

She adds: "Moreover, this particular lehenga drew my attention the moment I saw it because it didn't have a common maroon colour, but had shades of pink, yellow and maroon. This isn't my first bridal look, as I've had such looks in the past for the other shows, but this is the most unique one where I even got the chance to add on my own lip shade to the look." 'Iss Mod Se Jaate Hain' airs on Zee TV.
Varanasi, Jan 17 : When the lockdown was first imposed in 2020, studies came to an abrupt halt for 12-year-old Sakshi Shukla, a sixth-grader in a government English-medium primary school in Durawal Khurd village of Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district. There was only one smartphone in her family, which belonged to her father. And he carried it wherever he went, meaning the phone was never available for her online classes.

Most of her classmates did not have even the one phone. The village, whose residents are primarily engaged in farming or work as labourers, also has very low internet connectivity.

So for 11-year-old Suraj Chauhan, the lockdown and school closures left him feeling completely disconnected from his studies. No one in his family had a smartphone and there was no one around to teach him.

Initially, Suraj tried to study by himself with the textbooks he had. "But I began losing interest in my studies. I missed school where I used to study and play with my friends," said Suraj, who is now in 6th grade.

Suraj's father, Suresh (34), is a daily wage labourer and lives in a kutcha house with his family of four children, his wife and his parents. He earns around Rs 4,000 a month. "It's a village. We don't get work every day. It is tough to run a house with so little money, but I don't have a choice. How can I afford a smartphone and internet recharges monthly?" questioned Suresh.

The primary school of Durawal Khurd has about 150 students. "We had only 30 parents on our parents and teachers WhatsApp group. This shows the availability of smartphones and internet connectivity in the village," said Raj Kumar Singh, the headmaster of the school.

He explained that it was tough for them to teach the students online when the students had no way of attending online classes.

"We could have left the students disconnected from their studies, stating the reason that their families had no smartphones or internet connectivity. But, we as teachers have the responsibility to provide education to our students and help make life better for them. That is why we came up with an idea called mohalla classes," said the headmaster.

These are classes conducted with the help of a few educated volunteers in the village who have smartphones, and who can be guided by the teachers.

Your friendly neighbourhood school These classes have been hugely successful in keeping the students engaged in studies during the pandemic and the government has replicated this initiative throughout the state. With apps like Diksha and Read Along, students are now learning with ease. "The apps were launched by the government but the teachers and volunteers taught us how to use them for studies, which was very helpful. Now we learn various stories, poems and other things from the apps," said a happy Sakshi.

For the mohalla classes, the teachers of the school found a few educated people from the village who had smartphones and internet connectivity. The primary school teachers trained 10 such volunteers, including women, from the village. Kamlesh Kumar, who is a teacher in the school said that the volunteers, also known as Prerna Sathi or 'inspiration partner', have all at least passed their intermediate exams. The teachers trained them to teach the students and also guided them to follow Covid safety protocols. The teachers also created nine locations or centres where the students and the mohalla class teachers gathered for studies.

"We would share online study materials to these trained volunteers and they, in turn, taught the students for at least one hour every day, in the mohalla classes. We made sure that social distancing was followed, masks were worn and sanitiser use was practised during the mohalla classes. Even the school teachers would visit the village's mohalla class centres to teach the students," explained Singh.

Overcoming reluctance Initially, when the volunteers tried to convince students to join a mohalla class, there was reluctance. "The idea was not appreciated as something special or unique. Moreover, parents were scared that the children could get infected by the coronavirus. But when they soon saw students gathering one by one, all the students began taking it seriously and enjoyed the mohalla class sessions," said Seekha Shukla, a 32-year-old Bachelor of Arts graduate and a mother of two who is one of the mohalla class volunteers.

Initially, even the volunteers were scared of infections. "But if we would not come forward, who would teach the children from families that did not have smartphones? Moreover, we were following all Covid safety protocols," said Shukla.

"Disconnection from education, even if it is for three to four months, can make children forget what they have learnt. Imagine how much they would have lagged behind if they were not engaged in education through any means," said Rajesh Kumar (30), a mohalla class volunteer who moved back to his village from Maharashtra before the first lockdown was imposed.

The teachers of the primary school stay far away from the school and the village. But they would often visit the mohalla classes to meet the students and guide the volunteers. "It was risky because all our teachers stay more than 10 kilometres away from the village. We would always be worried that the students, who are between five and 12 years of age, would get infected by the coronavirus because of us. But education disconnection is also risky for the children's future. We chose to risk our health, but it was a mindful and conscious risk," stated Anil Kumar Singh, a teacher.

A success story The unique initiative of mohalla classes ensured that the students continued their education during the several months that the school was shut. The students and parents alike are elated at the success of the initiative and extremely thankful to the teachers and volunteers for it.

Singh believes that the initiative has been a saviour for students during the lockdown. "Although it was not as effective as school classrooms because we would have less time in mohalla classes, we are happy that the students are as versed as they were before the lockdown was imposed," he said.

Singh said that if the mohalla classes were not conducted, parents may have engaged their girls in other home chores. "It is the village people's mentality that boys are given more importance in education than girls. This could have ruined girls' education during the lockdown but mohalla classes came to their rescue. The mohalla classes saved many girls from discontinuing their education," he stressed.

"Our children were not away from education and hence they did not forget what they have learnt. The teachers could have shrugged their shoulders as we had no smartphones and internet, but they fulfilled their responsibility. I am very grateful for this to the teachers," said Ratneshwari Devi (33), a parent of one of the students of the primary school.

When the officials noticed the benefits of the mohalla class initiative, it was launched officially across the state. "We are thankful to the officials for noticing our work and launching our model across the state. This shows how successful and beneficial our mohalla classes were for the students, especially for those who had no smartphones and internet connectivity," exclaimed Singh with pride.

Safeena Husain, Founder of Educate Girls, highlights, "Mohalla classes, also called community-based learning, not only helped children stay in touch with education but also helped maintain their social connections during the lockdown. It has definitely helped in curbing incidences of domestic abuse and violence against children to a certain extent." She added, "These marginalised children have also learnt to safeguard themselves with proper sanitisation practices, which has been another learning for them." (The author is a Jharkhand-based freelance journalist and a member of 101reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Informing that the vaccination process in Delhi is running smoothly, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said that so far, 2 crore 85 lakh vaccine doses have been administered in Delhi.

"Out of all eligible people, 100 per cent have received their first dose, around 80 per cent have received their second dose, and 1 lakh 27 thousand have received their booster dose," Jain said." Jain congratulated the healthcare workers and front-line workers on completion of a year-long vaccination drive.

"About 35,000 of these 1 lakh 27 thousand people are over 60 years old, 32,000 are healthcare workers, and the remaining 60,000 are frontline workers," he said adding, "Those who are eligible must get their second dose of vaccination, as well as the booster dose, as soon as possible." The cases in Delhi have been declining for the past four days," he said, providing the details on the city's Covid situation.

On January 14, Delhi recorded approximately 24,383 positive cases, while on January 15, the city recorded 20,178 new cases, and on January 16, it recorded 18,286 positive cases. "Today, we can expect far fewer cases than the previous tally. Weekend curfews have played a significant role in this decline. However, this trend indicates that the number of cases in Delhi is decreasing, but the government is still keeping a close eye on Covid cases, and it will take some time to understand the trend forward."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chandigarh, Jan 17 : Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya on Monday flagged off two trucks containing 4,000 hygiene kits prepared by the Indian Red Cross Society for 22 districts to check the spread of Coronavirus.

Each kit contains items like soap, oil, toothpaste, toothbrush, napkin etc. Each district will get 150 to 200 kits.

Dattatraya said the use of masks, social distancing and cleanliness are very important to prevent the spread of the virus. He said the kits would reach the poorest of the poor in all the districts so that they also become aware of the best practices to check the spread of Coronavirus.

He said the workers of the Red Cross Society have done a commendable job by being among the public during the pandemic and helping them in more ways than one. A total of 6,000 volunteers of the Indian Red Cross Society are working for spreading awareness about vaccination to check the third wave of the pandemic.

Dattatraya said 500 oxygen concentrators have also been made available in the districts by the Indian Red Cross Society.

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New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Supreme Court on Monday told Supertech to execute the agreement with a building demolition firm, finalised by Noida, within a week, to pull down its two 40-storey towers.

In August last year, the top court had ordered the demolition of Supertech twin towers in Noida.

Senior advocate Ravindra Kumar, representing the authority, submitted before a bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant that demolition agency, Edifice Engineering, has been finalised to carry out the demolition of towers.

Senior advocate Parag Tripathi, representing Supertech, submitted his client would require additional two weeks to obtain the mandatory no-objection certificates (NOC) in connection with the demolition process, for example NOC from the Fire Department to store explosives to pull down the structures.

Opposing Tripathi, Ravindra Kumar said the real estate firm can sign the agreement with demolition agency, and the process to obtain NoCs can carry on. He said one week is sufficient to sign the agreement.

Tripathi insisted that the demolition firm will seek NOCs of different agencies and urged the top court to grant two weeks to sign the agreement with the demolition agency. However, the bench pointed to the last year order directing demolition of the towers and told the counsel that obtaining NOCs would not be an uphill task.

After a brief hearing in the matter, the top court told Supertech counsel to sign the agreement within a week and scheduled the matter for further hearing after two weeks.

Another counsel, representing Supertech, informed the top court that the real estate firm has worked out the money which is to be given to each home buyer. Counsel asked the home buyers to give it their RTGS particulars and the transfer of the money will be done within a day.

As advocate Sumit Agarwal, appearing for nine home buyers, submitted that Supertech is only paying to those home buyers who have filed a contempt petition in the top court, the bench said it will take up this matter on Friday.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court warned Supertech of "consequences" over the non-payment of refund to home buyers, who had paid for flats in two 40-storey towers and also not make any deductions, which had not been ordered by the top court.

The bench said it will send the directors of the real estate firm to jail, as interest cannot be charged on return of investment. "You are looking for all sorts of reasons to not comply with the order of the court... ensure payments are made by Monday," it said.

In its August 31 judgment, the Supreme Court besides ordering demolition of Supertech twin towers in Noida and refund for the flat purchasers, ordered prosecution of errant NOIDA and real estate company officials under Section 49 of Uttar Pradesh Urban Development (UPUD) Act for their "nefarious complicity", which resulted in the construction of towers.
Hyderabad, Jan 17 : The Covid-19 situation in Telangana is under control and the state health department is ready to deal with any situation, Health Minister T. Harish Rao said.

The state Cabinet at its meeting presided over by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao discussed the Covid-19 situation in the state.

The Health Minister briefed the Cabinet on the situation with all the facts and figures. He said that the situation is in control and that the medical and health department is fully geared to tackle any situation.

Harish Rao said the state has so far administered five crore doses of Covid vaccines.

The health department will soon administer vaccines to the remaining eligible citizens.

The minister directed the officials to complete the vaccination programme at the earliest with the help of municipal and Panchayat Raj departments.

The chief minister wanted the ministers to hold meetings in all districts with district collectors and other officials to complete vaccination programme.

The health minister urged people to be self-discipline to help curb spread of Covid. He said people should avoid gatherings so that the virus spread can be checked.

The Cabinet also took stock of the paddy procurement. It noted that the procurement has already completed but due to unseasonal rains procurement centres were continuing in some districts.

The Cabinet decided that the procurement centres will function till the entire paddy is procured.

It was also decided that the chief minister will visit undivided Warangal district where unseasonal rains have damaged crops.

Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao will visit Warangal district on Tuesday. He will be accompanied by agriculture minister Niranjan Reddy, chief secretary Somesh Kumar and other officials.

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New Delhi, Jan 17 : Yemen's Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for a "qualitative military operation" that struck areas deep inside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in which three people were feared killed including two Indians.

Another person who died in the attack may be a Pakistani.

"An important statement will be announced in the upcoming hours to reveal details on the strategic operation deep inside the UAE," said the group's spokesman Yahya Saree in a brief press statement.

The Houthis' claim just after three petroleum tankers exploded in a fire near the storage facilities of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the UAE captial's Musaffah industrial district, the official WAM news agency reported, citing an announcement of the Abu Dhabi police.

A minor fire also broke out in the new construction area of Abu Dhabi International Airport, according to the WAM.

Initial investigations show the fires and explosion were possibly caused by unidentified drones in the area, WAM said.

The UAE is an active member of the Saudi-led coalition which has been fighting a large-scale war against the Houthi rebel militia in various areas of Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in 2015 to support the Yemeni internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Iran-backed Houthi militia forced him out of the capital Sanaa.

The Houthi militia has recently intensified cross-border drone and missile attacks against different Saudi cities. In February 2021, the Houthi militia launched a major offensive against the government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib in central Yemen.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has urged the Centre to reduce GST on two-wheelers to boost sales volume.

As part of its pre-Budget recommendations, the association sought GST rates at 18 per cent.

"It is noteworthy that two-wheeler is used not as a luxury, but as a necessity to travel distances by lower class and rural segments for their daily working needs. Hence the rationale of 28 per cent GST plus 2 per cent cess which is for luxury or 'sin products' does not hold good for the two-wheeler category," the federation said.

According to FADA, reduction in GST rate will somewhat counter the continuous price hike in the two-wheeler segment and create fresh demand.

For the used car segment, the federation urged the Centre to reduce GST rate to flat 5 per cent from the present 12 per cent and 18 per cent for two different categories of vehicles.

"Reduction in GST will help the industry shift from unorganised segment to organised segment, thus bringing in more business under the ambit of GST helping in putting brake on tax leakages," it added.

Besides, the association seeks reduction in corporate tax to 25 per cent for 'LLP', proprietary and partnership firms in line with private limited companies.

"This (reduction) will help boost morale and sentiment of the traders which employ five million people, out of which 2.5 million employees are in direct employment," it said.

Further, FADA asked the Centre to introduce benefits of claiming depreciation on vehicles for individuals paying income tax.

"The vehicles depreciates for both corporates as well as individuals, and it would hence be judicial that the salaried class should also get the same benefit," it said.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : India has signed a strategic partnership agreement with International Renewable Energy Agency(IRENA) to further strengthen its collaboration with the energy body in the field of Renewable Energy.

The agreement was signed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Secretary, Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi and IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera during the 12th IRENA Assembly.

"India is a renewable energy powerhouse and a country whose energy transition actions speak louder than their words," said Francesco La Camera.

"As a key global actor in the shift to renewables and a founding member of IRENA, India has played a major role in international energy cooperation. This partnership represents a new chapter in an already strong relationship as the country looks to advance its transition and capitalise on emerging new technologies." India installed 13 gigawatts (GW) of renewables in 2021 and has grown its capacity by over 53 GW in the last five years, positioning it as one of the fastest growing renewable energy adopters in the world. With massive renewable energy potential, India has an aim to become a major producer of green hydrogen to support the decarbonisation of its industrial economy.

According to IRENA, hydrogen will account for around 12 per cent of total energy supply in a 1.5AoC world by 2050.
New Delhi, Jan 17: The Taliban interim government has scoffed at Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khans offer to send Pakistani professionals to fill the "vacuum" in Afghanistan.

"There is no dearth of professionals in Afghanistan and we do not need Pakistani manpower," said Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi addressing Khan's proposal. In his statement, he said that there is not any kind of vacuum, "Afghanistan doesn't need anyone from around the world to come and work here." On Friday, Khan had instructed his officials to send professionals to run the Taliban government. He directed his officials to extend cooperation in the fields of Finance, IT, minerals, pharmaceuticals, and media to help Afghanistan's rehabilitation and development as the Taliban leaders have not been well versed in running the affairs of the country.

In the meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan Khan "observed" that the Taliban leadership is grappling with the challenges of governance. They promised to retain civil servants and prioritise ethnic diversity for top government roles. But instead, they have filled positions at all management levels with fighters who " are graduates of Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa." He claimed that the top leaders of the Taliban approached him for help.

But the Taliban have denied that they had asked for the help other than humanitarian aid.

Taking a jibe against Pakistani Prime Minister, one spokesperson of the Taliban, Mufti Abdul Hakim told TOLO news that "Imran Khan wants to provoke nationalist Afghans against Taliban govt by sending Pakistani professionals. We know how professional Pakistanis are." Afghan watchers believe that the Taliban 2.0 is different from the previous one and they are not in mood to follow the "directives" given by the Pakistani government. They have given all indications that now they are not dependent solely on Pakistan. There are many who are willing to collaborate with the interim government.

"We have professional, trained and up-to-date young cadres, there is no need to ask anyone in this regard," said Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesperson of the Taliban.

According to the sources, all is not well between Pakistan and the Taliban. Pakistani generals believe that the Taliban has been deliberately rejecting Pakistan's concerns. Last week Pakistani officials had warned the Taliban that if they want recognition, they must fulfil their demands. The Taliban leadership was told that Pakistan was observing "maximum restraint" to avoid any escalation in tensions but there would be a limit to its patience.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China has unveiled a plan to specify key tasks for protecting the marine environment in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) on Monday.

The plan, jointly issued by the MEE and five other departments, outlines five areas for marine-environment protection.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), China saw an overall improvement in its marine environment, said the MEE, but more protection efforts should be made, given that problems such as pollution and ecological degradation remain prominent, and governance systems and capacities still need to be strengthened.

The country will carry out targeted pollution treatment with a focus on nearshore bays and estuaries, while paying more attention to overall protection and systematic restoration.

China will build up its capacity for coping with emergencies and ecological disasters in the ocean, according to the plan.

Efforts will be made to coordinate climate response and marine-environment protection during the period, fully leverage the role of the oceans in carbon sequestration and enhance their resilience to climate change. 
New Delhi, Jan 17: Former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen, now the opposition leader, has been given a compensation of MVR 2.4 million for the two years that he spent in prison.

Yameen was acquitted unanimously by a three-justice bench of the Supreme Court on 30 November 2021. He had been sentenced to five years in jail over bribery and corruption charges related to the leasing of Gaafu Alifu Vodamulla.

The Times of Addu reported that the Ministry of Finance has confirmed the issue of MVR 2.4 million to the former president.

After his acquittal by the Supreme Court, Yameen's defence team requested that he should be paid allowances under the Presidents' Protection and Benefit Act. His lawyers said that the former President had not received the allowance of MVR 100,000 given to former presidents to run offices and sought the amount for 24 months which he spent in prison.

In November 2019, a criminal court had found Yameen guilty of laundering US $1 million over the lease of Gaafu Alifu Vodamulla and had sentenced him to five years imprisonment. The Maldivian High court had in January 2021 upheld the verdict of the criminal court.

However, the case was overturned by the Supreme Court in November 2021 after which he was released from prison.

His release in the corruption cases is being contested by the ruling party. Abdulla Riyaz, a leader of the Maldives National Party (MNP) said that Yameen was freed by the court not because he did not steal but because of technical errors in the trial.

Despite the overturning of the case against him, Yameen is not out of the woods yet. He faces two more cases of a similar nature related to taking bribes and laundering money.

He is currently facing charges over accepting a bribe of $1 million for leasing out Aarah island of Vaavu atoll for the development of a resort while being President. Aarah island was leased to a foreign company for developing it as a resort.

The second case relates to illegalities over the leasing of Fuggiri island in the Raa atoll. The hearings in these cases will come up in January itself.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Maharashtra government has moved the Supreme Court seeking recall of its order directing the State Election Commission (SEC) to renotify 27 per cent seats reserved for OBCs in the local body polls, as general category seats.

A bench, headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, agreed to examine the plea on Wednesday this week. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, representing the state government, asked the bench to hear the state government's application for recall of the court's order.

On December 15, the Supreme Court ordered the SEC and the state government to convert 27 per cent seats in zila parishads and panchayat samitis reserved for OBC into general category, and issue fresh notification. On December 6, the Supreme Court stayed the Maharashtra government decision to grant 27 per cent reservation for the OBC, which was brought by an ordinance, in the local body elections until further orders.

A batch of pleas had been filed in the top court challenging the state government's ordinance to provide 27 per cent reservation for OBCs.

A bench headed by Justice Khanwilkar had directed the SEC to renotify the OBC seats as general category, so that polls for those seats can take place as per law along with elections for remaining 73 per cent and the results for both polls can be declared simultaneously.

On December 6, the top court had observed that 27 per cent OBC reservation could not be implemented without setting up a commission and also without collating data for inadequacy of representation in local government.

"Without setting up the Commission and collating contemporaneous empirical data to ascertain the extent of reservation required to be provided local body-wise, it is not open for the State Election Commission to provide reservation for OBC category despite the statutory provision in that regard," it said in its order.
Islamabad, Jan 17 : The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the central bank of the nation, has refused to abide by the request of the ruling government under Prime Minister Imran Khan to open an account for 'Afghanistan Relief Fund amid fear of sanctions by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The Pakistan government recently announced that it would be opening an account titled Afghanistan Relief Fund to keep a record of donations from Pakistan and abroad to help the people of Afghanistan meet their humanitarian needs.

Following the announcement, the Finance Ministry had directed the State Bank of Pakistan to open the account with immediate effect for the Afghanistan Relief Fund.

However, the SBP has now refused to open the account, requesting the government to review its decision. As per sources, the SBP has expressed fear of getting sanctioned by the FATF if the Afghanistan Relief Fund account is opened.

"The central bank has returned the government's request to open the relief fund with the advice that the decision might be reviewed in light of Pakistan's commitments under international covenant and the FATF action plan," a source revealed.

"The issue of opening the Afghanistan Relief Fund account is being examined to ensure that Pakistan fully complies with its international commitments," said Finance Secretary Hamid Yaqoob.

The refusal by the central bank to cater to the federal government's instruction has raised many questions over the authority the government has over its own central bank, especially in light of the criticism by opposition political parties, who now call the SBP a Pakistani branch of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), accusing the government of making the country's finances dependent on the dictations of the IMF.

The issue has also put forward a challenge to the country's foreign office, as it works towards getting commitments from the international community to tackle the foreseen devastations due to humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Imran Khan, while talking about the situation in Afghanistan, stated, "Unless action is taken immediately, Afghanistan is heading to chaos." While the situation in Afghanistan continues to move towards a humanitarian disaster, the international community is still not ready to recognise the Taliban-led government in the country. However, Pakistan has vowed to come forward with its contribution in humanitarian aid, aimed at preventing the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Pakistan has worked up its relevance in the future development and humanitarian aid through extended engagements with regional neighbours and global powers.

However, with SBP's refusal to comply with the federal government's request, serious concerns are raised over Islamabad's capacity to play part in Afghanistan's development and aid, due to its struggle to complete the action plan of FATF and also for being under the IMF programme.

Pertinent to mention that Pakistan remains on the FATF grey list since January 2019. The FATF, during the last plenary meeting, stated that Pakistan did not meet the strategically important list of terror outfits and persons.

Pakistan currently has completed 26 out of the 27-point action plan given by the FATF. Islamabad hopes to complete the last point of the plan before the next plenary meeting of the FATF, scheduled to be held in February.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : While Omicron is known to cause Covid re-infection, there is no strong evidence yet in the favour of a person being affected with the vaccine dodging strain again, said Indian health experts here on Monday.

However, they also did not rule out such a possibility.

An individual's immunity which has been primed by prior infection or vaccination has the memory of the parent virus.

But because Omicron is a deviant, meaning it has deviated quite a lot from its parent Covid strain, it has many dissimilarities.

As a result, "our immune system fails to recognise the virus as the original virus and hence the chance of re-infection. Along with the above the waning immunity of naturally infected individuals with passage of time will also contribute to the re-infection", Dr. Dipu T.S, Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told IANS.

Although re-infections are there, "there is not yet strong evidence in favour" of Omicron recurring in an individual, added Dr. Ashok Mahashur, Consultant Chest Physician at P.D Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim, Mumbai.

A recent study led by the UK's Imperial College London has showed that the risk of re-infection with the Omicron variant is 5.4 times greater than that of the Delta variant.

"This implies that the protection against re-infection by Omicron afforded by past infection may be as low as 19 per cent," said the researchers.

Dr. Rahul Pandit Director, Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai, said: "Omicron causes re-infection because it has an 'immune escape phenomenon' - that means that people who had acquired infection before and had antibodies, because of that or who are vaccinated and have antibodies, or have both, which is known as 'hybrid immunity'".

Omicron has more than 30 mutations on its spike proteins, helping it to escape immunity. That is why it is infecting people who were previously having antibodies as well.

"However, there is no understanding if Omicron infection would happen again in these people, or not; that remains to be studied and seen," Pandit, who is also a member of National and Maharashtra's Covid-19 Taskforce, told IANS.

"We should not be speculating if such re-infection would happen or not. I haven't seen any case as such of a patient with Omicron getting re-infected with another Omicron infection, neither has been reported anywhere in the medical journals and medical literature yet," he said.

But, some western experts have argued that Omicron can reoccur.

"Yes, you can get Omicron twice," Stanley Weiss, Professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School was quoted as saying in a media report.

While, "the data regarding Omicron specifically is just coming out, but there's no reason to think that Omicron in this regard is any different than the previous variants", added William Schaffner, Professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, in the report.

However, Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin said it was "too early" for people infected with the virus and then caught again. The picture may be clear in six months' time, Mills was quoted as saying to Financial Times.

Mahashur said that in India, cases of Covid re-infection have been reported and especially among those with low immunity.

"The best way to prevent this is by following a Covid appropriate behaviour. Because there is no way to know whether the virus is there or not. The virus may be there, but the patient may be asymptomatic, so the best way to prevent it is by taking vaccines, wearing masks, washing hands properly, and avoiding crowded places," Mahashur told IANS.

(Rachel V. Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Every evening, the Delhi government releases data on fresh Covid cases detected in the last 24 hours. What is the procedure that it follows? As per the health officials, the data is collected one day before from all the 11 districts in the city which are then compiled to present the fresh picture of the Covid situation in the national capital.

Sample collection starts at around 9 am every day.

"Sample collection starts at various facilities and in the containment zones and Covid hotspots at around 9 am and goes on till 2-3 pm," said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

All the samples are preserved in the cold chain and are transported to the designated labs the same day. In the labs, the positive cases are calculated to find the exact Covid numbers for that particular day.

The sample collection is done by trained healthcare workers following standard safety measures. At the time of sample collection, the person undergoing the test needs to share complete details like name, age, sex, residential address and documentary proof for that address along with mobile numbers.

As per the DGHS, a person has to give throat and nasal swabs, which are technically called Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal swabs, collected separately at the same time.

As per Delhi government's prescribed norms, any suspect case can visit government healthcare facilities as well as private centres.

A private hospital approached by a person takes the sample and sends it to the empanelled /designated Covid lab or it may arrange sample collection and processing by the designated lab itself.

As per the government order, the national capital has three official labs -- LNJP, ILBS and NCDC -- for genome sequencing.

However, Delhi has seen an increase in the number of private labs since the second Covid wave last year.

Seeing the high transmissibility of new Covid variant Omicron, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced two weeks ago that Delhi is ready to conduct 3 lakh tests a day if needed.

Meanwhile, a total of 65,621 new tests -- 54,141 RT-PCR and 11,480 Rapid Antigen -- were conducted in the last 24 hours, as per Sunday's health bulletin, which pushed the total number of tests conducted in the city to 3,40,60,063 so far.

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Chandigarh, Jan 17 : Hours after quitting as the Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Ferozepur (Rural) constituency in Punjab on Monday, Ashu Bangar was inducted into the Congress by party Chief Minister Charanjit Channi.

Channi in Chandigarh announced that Bangar would be party's candidate from the Ferozepur (Rural) seat as he is young with dreams to serve society.

Earlier, poll debutant Bangar told the media in Ferozepur that he was being "humiliated and pressurised" by the AAP leadership to spend more on electioneering.

He alleged AAP is being run like a private company by leaders from Delhi. "Candidates are pressurised with threats that their ticket would be cancelled, so no one speaks up." He said AAP was functioning like a private company under state in-charge Raghav Chadha, "who was behaving like a dictator and mentally torturing AAP volunteers". "All decisions are being taken from Delhi without taking local Punjabis taken into confidence." He also took objection to the AAP's charge that Balbir Singh Rajewal-led Samyukt Samaj Morcha is in league with the BJP.

He said people were angry with Chadha over his remarks against farmers when they refused to support the AAP.

Responding to Bangar's allegations against AAP, Congress spokesperson Alka Lamba, in a video message, said: "History repeats itself once again. In 2017, similar allegations were made against AAP and Punjabis never forgave them. It shows that only faces have changed but their modus operandi remains the same." Refuting Bangar's allegations, Chadha said: "There is a conspiracy to hurt the AAP and I'm told that a senior leader of the Congress had called up the Ferozepur candidate and put pressure on him to quit the party." Punjab will go to the polls in a single phase for the 117-member assembly on February 20.
Jaipur, Jan 17 : Dr Pooja Mukul, an eminent Rehabilitation Physician from Jaipur has been featured in an international documentary -- 'The Price of Cheap', in the recently-held Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF).

This documentary, directed by Toronto filmmaker and screenwriter, Barry Stevens, tells the stories of modern slaves hidden in fashion supply chains.

Poverty and debt compel parents to send away their young children to work in factories and textile mills where they are practically held hostage.

The film follows activists on raids to rescue children from unsafe factories and the survivors trying to rebuild their lives. The film has won 17 awards in International Film Festivals across the globe.

Ajay was one such modern-day slave.

At the age of 15 years, while working at a cotton mill, his right hand got crushed in a machine and had to be amputated from close to the shoulder.

Ajay and his family were devastated, the future seemed bleak. Three and a half years after the amputation, Ajay was brought to Dr Pooja Mukul in Jaipur for his rehabilitation at the Jaipur Foot Rehabilitation Center.

He was fitted with an advanced Myoelectric artificial hand. After two days of training, he learned to operate the artificial hand. The transformation was dramatic, Ajay was a new person, confident, complete and happy.

He returned to Jaipur for follow up in December 2021. Presently, he runs his own flour mill in Phutela village near Udaipur in Rajasthan, and financially supports his parents and siblings.

Dr Pooja, says, "The impact of an artificial limb goes way beyond restoring the person's functional independence. It makes him financially productive, restores his dignity and encourages social inclusion." About the film, she further adds: "The documentary is thought-provoking. It aims to make us think about the clothes we buy. There is a need to look past styles and brands, to pay attention to where the clothes come from, the people who make them and how our choices affect their lives."
Bhopal, Jan 17 : A day after the alleged brutal gang rape of a 32-year-old woman came to light in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district, the state police on Monday claimed to have demolished the illegal farmhouse of the main accused in the case.

The main accused is the victim's husband, who along with four associates allegedly sexually abused the woman and brutalised her private parts.

The victim in her complaint to the police has claimed that she was brutalised by her husband and his friends who performed unnatural sex. She claimed that her husband forced her at knife point to perform unnatural sex with his friends.

The victim, who is a teacher by profession and hails from the neighbouring state of Chhattisgarh, told the police that she got married to the accused through a matrimonial site. However, later it emerged that he was already married.

After marriage he took her to a hotel for a few days and later shifted her to his farmhouse. The complainant claimed that after shifting to the farmhouse, her husband forced her to perform unnatural sex and recorded it on his mobile phone. But, it was not the end and the husband forced her to perform unnatural sex with his friends also.

The victim told the police that she somehow managed to escape from the farmhouse and went to her parents house in Chhattisgarh. But her husband sent one of his friends to her parents home. That person asked her to come back to Indore, otherwise her video and photographs will go viral on social media. However, she refused to return with him and instead went to the police station and lodged a complaint.

The police on Sunday claimed to have arrested five accused in the case, including her husband, who is an Indore based property dealer.

During the investigation it emerged that the farmhouse was illegally constructed, which was demolished on the direction of the district collector on Monday, said the Indore district police in an official statement on Monday.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Malik Faisal Akram, the British terrorist shot dead in a hostage situation in a Texas synagogue, stayed in various homeless shelters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and bought his guns 'on the street' just before the attack, the Daily Mail reported.

In a live Facebook feed, he was heard shouting at the congregation in a strong northern British accent: "If anyone tries to enter this building - everyone will die." He added: "I'm gunned up. I'm ammo-ed up. Guess what, I will die. I am going to die, so don't cry for me," before hurling anti-Semitic insults, the report said.

The extent of his criminal record is not yet clear, but it may be that some of his offences may have been too petty or too old to stop him being turned away from the United States' border.

As the police in the US and the UK scramble to find if he was part of a wider terror cell, it has emerged that Akram, 44, from Blackburn, Lancashire, was branded a 'menace' for expressing his desire to be onboard one of the planes that destroyed the World Trade Centre in 2001.

It is also possible that his 9/11 rants and other crimes may not have been picked up if he lied about not being a criminal, because the US authorities do not routinely have access to Britain's criminal record information database, the report said.

Akram had apparently flown to America two weeks ago, lived in homeless shelters and bought a gun 'on the street', according to US President Joe Biden.

Akram's links to Pakistan are also being probed, having been a regular visitor to the country where his father was born. He was reportedly a supporter of the conservative Tablighi Jamaat group, set up to 'purify' Islam. While it denies being a terror group, its members are banned in Saudi Arabia after the organisation was branded 'one of the gates of terrorism' by the Gulf state.

Akram was banned from the Blackburn Magistrates' Court in September 2001 and was described as a 'menace' after officials complained that he was persistently causing trouble inside the magistrates' court even when he was not appearing before the bench.

The ban followed a series of incidents, which culminated with Akram abusing court ushers over the New York attacks.

Under the order, Akram was warned that if he entered the court complex, he could be detained under the Contempt of Court Act and face a possible prison sentence or 2,500-pound fine, the report said.

The rare Exclusion Order was made against him under Section 12 of the Contempt of Court Act and had only ever been used once before at the Blackburn Magistrates' Court.

A letter sent to Akram, known by his middle name Faisal, confirming the ban stated: "Once again you were threatening and abusing court staff. In a clear reference to the terrorist attack on New York, the previous day you said on more than one occasion to one of my court ushers 'you should have been on the f***ing plane'." FBI special agent Matthew DeSarno told reporters in Colleyville, Texas, after the standoff that the investigation would 'have global reach'.

He said the suspect's demands were "focused on one issue that was not specifically threatening to the Jewish community".
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Yemen's Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for a "qualitative military operation" that struck areas deep inside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in which three persons including two Indians were killed.

As per the Abu Dhabi police, three persons -- two Indians and one Pakistani, were killed. Besides, six others were injured.

"An important statement will be announced in the upcoming hours to reveal details on the strategic operation deep inside the UAE," said the Houthi rebel group's spokesman Yahya Saree in a brief press statement on Monday.

The Houthis' claim surfaced just after three petroleum tankers exploded in a fire near the storage facilities of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the UAE captial's Musaffah industrial district, the official WAM news agency reported, citing an announcement of the Abu Dhabi police.

A minor fire also broke out in the new construction area of Abu Dhabi International Airport, according to the WAM.

Initial investigations show the fires and explosion were possibly caused by unidentified drones in the area.

The fire at both places has been brought under control and air traffic was not affected, officials told the media.

The UAE is an active member of the Saudi-led coalition which has been fighting a large-scale war against the Houthi rebel militia in various areas of Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in 2015 to support the Yemeni internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Iran-backed Houthi militia forced him out of the capital Sanaa.

The Houthi militia has recently intensified cross-border drone and missile attacks against different Saudi cities. In February 2021, the Houthi militia launched a major offensive against the government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib in central Yemen.

The Houthi group is on the radar of investigative agencies as they announced a terror attack plan against the UAE.

It is said that the Houthis are not happy with the UAE government, and recently hijacked a UAE vessel 'Rawabee', claiming it was carrying weapons, supposed to be used against them.

The UAE government raised the issue in the UN, supported by the Indian government. The Rawabee ship also had seven Indian nationals in the crew.
TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that agreements have been reached to a large extent in the talks in Vienna on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, and what remains are key issues that require political decisions by the United States.

Many of the tables and their columns have been prepared in the negotiations and part of the parentheses have been cleared, the ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said during a weekly press conference, according to official news agency IRNA.

Washington has to announce its decision about the remaining important issues and the removal of the sanctions, he noted.

"If this takes place after chief negotiators return to Vienna, it can be said we are moving at a good pace toward a reliable and lasting agreement," Khatibzadeh said.

Chief negotiators of different delegations had returned to their capitals for a break for more consultations while the expert meetings continued in the Austrian capital, the spokesman added.

Commenting on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks on Thursday of "a few weeks left" to save the Iran nuclear deal, and that Washington is ready to look at "other options" if the negotiations fail, Khatibzadeh suggested Blinken "undertake all his efforts and initiatives, if any, to make the plan A deliver results."

"A plan B is not appealing enough to any country. Mr. Blinken knows better than anybody else that each country has a plan B for itself. Perhaps, Iran's plan B is not very attractive to them," he explained.

The nuclear deal signed in July 2015, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), eased the previous U.S. sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbing its nuclear program, which the West has suspected as an attempt to create nuclear weapons despite Iran's insistence on the program's peacefulness.

Since April 2021, Iran and the five remaining JCPOA signatories, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, have been holding talks in Vienna to restore the nuclear deal. Washington abandoned the deal in 2018 under former President Donald Trump and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran.

The United States has been indirectly taking part in the Vienna talks. 
New Delhi, Jan 17 : If the government does not prohibit Indians from dealing in cryptocurrencies, it could introduce a regressive tax regime for cryptocurrencies, according to Taxmann.

Taxmann said in a note that a Bill was expected to be presented during the Winter Session of Parliament to regulate cryptocurrencies. However, it was not introduced, and it is now expected that the government may take up this Bill in the upcoming Budget Session.

Considering the size of the market, the amount involved, and the risk coupled with cryptocurrencies, some changes may be brought in the taxation of cryptocurrencies in the Union Budget 2022-23, Taxmann said.

Among the TDS/TCS provisions, both sale and purchase of cryptocurrencies above the threshold limit should be brought within the ambit of TDS/TCS provisions. This will help the government get the footprints of the investors, Taxmann said.

It could lead to reporting in Statement of Financial Transactions (SFT). Both sale and purchase of cryptocurrencies could be brought within the ambit of reporting in the SFT. The trading companies already do similar reporting of sale and purchase of shares and units of mutual funds.

It could also lead to higher tax rates. Similar to winnings from lottery, game shows, puzzle etc., a higher tax rate of 30 per cent is expected to be levied on the income arising from the sale of cryptocurrency.

The losses from the sale of cryptocurrency may not be allowed to be adjusted from other income and should also not be allowed to be carried forward, Taxmann said.

Among other measures, as per the provisions of Section 201(1A) of the Income Tax Act, in case of failure to deduct TDS, interest is to be paid at the rate of 1.5 per cent from the date of deduction to the date of payment. Any part of the month shall be considered as one full month. So, the understanding should be that if TDS is deducted on April 23, 2017 and payment is made on May 8, 2017, interest should be paid for one month.

However, the I-T Department calculates interest for two months because it considers April and May as two separate calendar months. So, the scenario is that even if the TDS is late by one day, interest is calculated for two months which seems to be absurd, Taxmann said.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in the case of Bank of Baroda vs DCIT [2017] also held that interest was to be levied only for actual period of delay, i.e., from the date on which tax was deducted and till the date on which tax was deposited. If such a period exceeds one month, then the full month's interest is leviable.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
Hyderabad, Jan 17 : Telangana Minister for Industry and Information Technology, K.T. Rama Rao, on Monday urged the Central government to support 'progressive states like Telangana.

He said that despite being a performing state, Telangana is not getting enough support from the Union government, adding that performing states need to be incentivised.

The minister was participating in the PM Gati Shakti South Zone virtual conference on Monday. The conference was chaired by Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari.

KTR, as the minister is popularly known, highlighted the achievements of Telangana in the areas of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, handlooms and textiles, power, coal and other sectors. The minister also highlighted that 35 per cent of global vaccine production takes place in Hyderabad.

"Telangana, the youngest state in the country, is blessed with natural advantages in geographical resources, a world-class skill base, and existing manufacturing practices and expertise, which have opened new opportunities for investments," KTR said.

He stated that Hyderabad has several decades' history of having strong a defence-related ecosystem. But the Union government has given the defence corridor to Bundelkhand where no ecosystem exists and neither the firms, he claimed.

The minister once again made a strong pitch for a defence corridor for Telangana. He said that the state is a major hub for defence institutions such as DRDO, DRDL, DMRL, RSI, and ANURAG, and in the recent past, many private defence companies have made Hyderabad their base.

"We submit that we are an automatic candidate for any defence corridor being considered as the state has a very conducive ecosystem in place," he said.

KTR said that Telangana is a landlocked state which is considered by few businesses as a hindrance for the free movement of goods. He highlighted the need for providing an exclusive cargo rail network to different ports with increased frequency. If additional financial incentives are sanctioned for creation of logistic infrastructure, the state will set up dry ports, integrated and multi model logistics parks, he said.

He also highlighted the need for better road, rail and air network connectivity. He explained that the frequency of trains to the ports is a major problem which is being faced in spite of Hyderabad being well-connected by train with all the ports. He urged the Union government to consider increasing the frequency of trains for faster movement of goods.

The minister informed that the running trains are often cancelled owing to lesser load, often with little notice, creating uncertainty in the minds of exporters, who are being forced to use trucks as the mode of transport, which is leading to significant increase in logistic costs.

KTR stated that the North-South Freight Corridor passes through Telangana without touching the Hyderabad region. As most of the logistic facilities and industrial clusters are in and around Hyderabad, it would be a win-win situation for all if the freight corridor passes through Hyderabad to unlock the increased possibilities and multimodal last mile transport, he added.

KTR said that the ongoing flagship mission 'Make in India' has become an 'Assembly in India' programme. The electronics as well as IT/ITeS sector have to be given a big push as not even a single chip is manufactured in India. The state has a clear candidature for any electronic manufacturing cluster, and would definitely be able to host a plug and play facility, he said.

"If states like Telangana are encouraged, it would benefit entire India's growth rate, and can contribute significantly to meeting India's export target," he added.
Chennai, Jan 17 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday transferred the case of the custodial death of a disabled person at Senthamangalam police station in Namakkal district to the CB-CID. He also announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased's family from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.

Three police officers including two sub-inspectors and one constable were suspended from service after protests by the relatives of the deceased and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi before the Salem district collector's office.

The police had arrested Kumar of Kottapati village in Namakkal district on charges of stealing gold ornaments at Senthamangalam. Subsequently, a disabled person Prabhakaran and his wife Hema were also taken into custody.

Prabhakaran who was taken into custody on January 11, was produced in the judicial magistrate's court who remanded him. On January 12 he complained of uneasiness and was admitted to the Namakkal government hospital from where he was taken to Salem district hospital. He passed away at the Salem district hospital on January 12 itself. The family and relatives complained that he was subjected to custodial torture by the police leading to his death.

The DIG of police, Salem range, Praveen Kumar Anibapur suspended two sub-inspectors and one constable following the demand of the family and VCK leaders. The three policemen are Sub-Inspectors Poongudi and Chandira, and constable Kulandhaivel.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : A Supreme Court lawyer on Monday once again received a threatening call warning the judges to refrain from hearing the Prime Minister's security breach case. "Today I once again received a threatening call on the same pattern as it was earlier received but this time the caller also took the name of Retired SC judge Justice Indu Malhotra," Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Jain told IANS.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli had constituted an inquiry committee headed by former judge Justice Malhotra to probe the PM's security breach in Punjab on January 5. The other members on the committee are Director-General or his nominee not below the rank of Inspector General of Police of the National Investigation Agency; Director General of Police, Union Territory of Chandigarh; Additional Director General of Police (Security), State of Punjab; and Registrar General, Punjab and Haryana High Court-Member cum Coordinator.

Advocate Vishnu said that he has informed the officials of the Special Cell of the Delhi Police about this latest development.

Earlier on January 12, based on Advocate Vishnu's complaint, the Delhi Police had registered an FIR with regard to the threatening calls that were received by the lawyers of the Supreme Court. The FIR was registered by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police under sections 153, 153-A, 506 of the Indian Penal Code read with sections 13, 16, 18, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). On January 10, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record (SCAORA) Association had written to the secretary-general of the Supreme Court seeking action against the anonymous callers, who took responsibility for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab.

The caller warned the top court judges to refrain from hearing the PIL seeking a 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. The plea had sought an independent probe into the PM's security breach in Punjab. It sought a direction to the District Judge Bathinda to collect, preserve and present all material pertaining to the movement and deployment of the Punjab Police in connection with the visit of the Prime Minister, and fix the responsibility of the DGP and the Chief Secretary of Punjab.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Income Tax Department on Monday said that they conducted search and seizure operations at the premises of a diversified business group across Haryana and Punjab's Mohali and detected unaccounted cash around Rs 550 crore.

The IT team has also recovered incriminating documents during the raid on the group which deals with manufacturing of plywood, MDF boards, inverters, and vehicle batteries, and in the refining of lead.

An IT official said that more than 30 premises across the cities of Yamuna Nagar, Ambala, Karnal, and Mohali were covered in the search operation.

The search action has resulted in seizure of unaccounted cash of more than Rs 6.60 crore and jewellery valued to the tune of Rs 2.10 crore. A total of 22 bank lockers have been kept under restraint.

"During the search operation, various incriminating documents and digital evidences have been found and seized in relation to entities of plywood business. These include a parallel set of books of account recording the entries of cash transactions of purchase, sale, payment of wages, and other expenses of group entities, in addition to transactions of investment in immovable properties," an IT official said.

The official said that these evidences have clearly revealed the modus operandi of the group, that it is involved in the generation of cash by suppression of sales to the extent of about 40 per cent of the actual sales.

The preliminary analysis of incriminating evidence indicates that this group has suppressed sales to the tune of Rs 400 crore in the last three years.

In case of a battery manufacturing concern, the search team unearthed incriminating evidence regarding payment of wages and purchase of raw materials in cash aggregating to Rs 110 crore which has not been recorded in the books of account.

In the case of battery manufacturing as well as lead refining concerns and its related entities, suspicious purchases exceeding Rs 40 crore from non-existent concerns have also been identified.

The correlation of this evidence has also revealed that unaccounted cash so generated is systematically invested in the acquisition of immovable properties of key persons of plywood and lead refining businesses.

Further investigations are in progress.
Bengaluru, Jan 17 : Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant on Monday issued prohibitory orders till January 31 in the city due to the surge in the number of Covid cases.

As per the orders, weekend as well as night curfew will continue till the end of the month, protests and rallies will be prohibited and violators would be booked under Section 188 of the IPC as well as the Disaster Management Act.

Meanwhile, Pant himself tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday. His condition is stable and presently he is under home isolation.

Pant has asked pregnant police officers to remain at home, stating that so far, 738 police personnel have tested positive for Coronavirus.

Seven persons coming from high-risk countries tested positive for Coronavirus at the KempeGowda International Airport (KIAL) in Bengaluru on Monday. Among them, two came from the US, four from the UK and one from Sweden. All of them have been sent to a quarantine facility and their samples have been sent to genome sequencing.

Meanwhile, in the Maddur taluk office in Mandya district, as many as 14 staff members have tested positive for Covid-19.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is holding a high-level meeting on the prevailing Covid situation in the state and major decisions on weekend curfew and night curfew are being discussed.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, Jan 17 : Senior AIADMK leaders K. Palaniswamy and O. Panneerselvam paid floral tributes to party founder and late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late M.G. Ramachandran on his 105th birth anniversary on Monday.

The two former Chief Ministers, along with a host of AIADMK supporters and leaders paid floral tributes at the party headquarters.

AIADMK leaders also paid tributes to the statue of former Chief Minister and AIADMK leader late J. Jayalalithaa also at the party headquarters.

State Health Minister Ma Subramanian paid floral tributes to late Chief Minister at the Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Guindy on Monday.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Central government on Monday came out strongly against the criticism by state governments over the non-inclusion of their tableaux in the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations.

The Centre said this is a wrong precedent adopted by the Chief Ministers to portray an outcome of an objective process as a flashpoint between the Central and states governments.

The Centre claimed that this goes a long way in harming the country's federal structure.

"We have recently seen letters being written by chief ministers of some states about the exclusion of their state's tableaux in the Republic Day Parade. This is unmistakably linked to regional pride and projected as an insult to the people of the state by the Central Government. This script also plays out almost every year. Perhaps the Chief Ministers have no positive agenda of their own when they have to resort to the same old trick using misinformation year after year," government sources said.

Talking about the tableaux selection process, sources pointed out that "first of all, it is not the Narendra Modi government which decides on the tableaux".

"The tableaux proposals received from various states and central ministries are evaluated in a series of meetings of the Expert Committee consisting of eminent people in the field of art, culture, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, etc. The Expert Committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and visual impact before making its recommendations," they said.

Government sources explained that due to time constraints, only some of the proposals can be accepted.

For example, for this year's Republic Day Parade, a total of 56 proposals were received from states and central ministries.

Out of these 56, 21 proposals have been shortlisted. "It is natural for more proposals to be rejected than those accepted given the paucity of time," a source said.

"The proposals of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal were rejected by the Subject Expert Committee after due process and due deliberations. It should be noted, however, that the tableaux proposals of Kerala were accepted through the same process and system under the same Modi-led government in 2018 and 2021," a government source said.

The sources further mentioned that similarly, the tableaux proposals of Tamil Nadu were accepted through the same process and system under the same Modi Government in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

"It should be also noted that the tableaux proposals of West Bengal were accepted through the same process and system under the same Modi Government in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021. Furthermore, this year's tableau of CPWD includes Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, so the question of his insult does not even arise," sources added.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : UK hate preacher Anjem Choudhary urged his supporters to free a notorious Islamist fanatic dubbed 'Lady Al Qaeda', months before a British terrorist demanded her release while besieging a Texas synagogue on Saturday, the Daily Mail reported.

Choudhary called on his supporters to release Aafia Siddiqui 'physically or by ransom' in a Telegram post in September last year, the report said.

The 54-year-old has been able to openly carry out social media campaigns again after licence conditions barring him from public speaking expired in 2021, three years after he was released from prison following a conviction for supporting ISIS, the report said.

"The obligation upon us is to either free her physically or to ransom her or to exchange her," Choudary wrote on his Telegram handle, the Washington Post reported.

"However, until such time as we can fulfil one of these obligations, the minimum that we can do is to use all that we have to raise awareness about her case, to keep her name in the hearts and in the minds of Muslims," he added.

Briton Malik Faisal Akram died in a hail of bullets after a 10-hour stand-off on Saturday in which four people were held hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, 27 miles from Dallas, the report said.

Police sources said one of the 44-year-old's demands was for Siddiqui to be released from the federal prison 30 miles from where the hostage standoff took place.

Choudary is believed to have influenced around 100 British jihadis through his hate-filled lectures and videos, including Lee Rigby's killers and one of the London Bridge attackers.

Siddiqui was arrested in Afghanistan in 2008 by local forces who found her with 2 kg of sodium cyanide and plans for chemical attacks on New York's Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building.

The Pakistani-born neuroscientist had bragged to her student friends at the age of just 21 that she would be proud to be on the FBI's 'Most Wanted' list.
Chennai, Jan 17 : 'Ponniyin Selvan', the dream project of Tamil movie star and former Chief Minister late M.G. Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, is all set to be made as a movie and web series on a big scale by filmmaker Ajay Pratheeb.

The official announcement about the project was made on Monday, MGR's birth anniversary. As a mark of tribute to the former Chief Minister, three posters were also released.

In a bid to fulfil MGR's wish, the posters feature MGR in the two roles - Arulmozhivarman and Vanthiyathevan - which he wanted to portray in his dream project 'Ponniyin Selvan'.

The project is also being dedicated to late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, the master script writer of Tamil cinema, since the director considers the two legends - MGR and Karunanidhi - as his mentors.

Pratheeb, a graduate from the Film Institute, is the son of Omana who acted as heroine in the movie 'Genova' starring MGR. Pratheeb's father Krishnan is one of the most celebrated photographers in these parts.

A former associate of legendary cinematographer K.S. Prasad, Pratheeb has directed numerous ad films and many documentaries for the government and other sectors.

The movie produced by Srinidhi Ajaiy will be presented by Eternitee Motion Krafte Hub Pvt Ltd and Eterneity Star.

Leading actors from different languages will be playing prominent roles in the movie and web series. The pan-Indian project will be released in five languages.

Pratheeb said the webseries will have 153 episodes in 12 seasons. The film will be released in three parts in a span of two years. It will be dubbed in foreign languages too.

Music maestro Ilayaraja is composing the music, while art direction and production design are by Sabu Cyril and editing by Antony. 'Baahubali' fame Viswanath Sundaram and Shanmugavel are the visual development directors.

'Ponniyin Selvan' is the story of a young Chola King who later became famous as Raja Raja Chola. The novel was penned by Kalki Krishnamurthy in 1955. Director Maniratnam is also making a movie on the same topic.
BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's procuratorial organs prosecuted 19,000 suspects involving duty-related crimes in 2021, up 11.2 percent year on year.

The figure was unveiled at a national conference of procurator-generals held by the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) on Monday, showing China's consistent crackdown on corruption.

The SPP also provided some other facts and figures, as follows, highlighting the country's progress in procuratorial work over the past year.

-- A total of 21,000 people were charged with organized-crime activities in 2021, the first year of a campaign to combat organized and gang-related crimes on a regular basis.

-- Over 280,000 people were prosecuted over crimes committed by means of telecommunications and the internet, almost doubling the number of the previous year.

-- Procuratorial organs filed lawsuits against 49,000 suspects over criminal cases involving the ecological environment and natural resources, and handled 88,000 public interest litigations in this field.

-- Over 1,200 people were indicted on money-laundering charges.

-- Procuratorial agencies across the country received 895,000 petition letters from the public in 2021, of which over 98 percent received feedback within three months.

-- More than 612 million yuan (about 96 million U.S. dollars) of judicial relief was granted to 47,500 people with financial difficulties, registering an increase of 47 percent and nearly 50 percent, respectively.

At the Monday conference, Zhang Jun, procurator-general of the SPP, asked procuratorial organs to have both the courage and competence to fulfill their duty of oversight, thus improving the quality and efficacy of legal supervision. 
Amaravati, Jan 17 : In a shocking incident, a man cut the throat of another person instead of a goat he was supposed to slaughter.

The incident occurred in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district during Sankranti celebrations on Sunday.

According to police, a man who was in an inebriated condition and holding a knife to slaughter a goat cut the throat of one of the persons holding the animal.

A profusely bleeding Suresh (35) was rushed to government hospital at Madanapalle where he succumbed to his injuries.

This happened when a group of people were sacrificing the animal as part of the tradition at Valasapalle in Madanapalle rural mandal.

People in the village every year sacrifice the animals and offer them at the local Yellamma temple during Sankranti celebrations.

Police arrested the accused identified as Chalapati, who was drunk. A police officer said they were conducting further investigation.
Srinagar, Jan 17 : Militants hurled a grenade on Monday at the police control room (PCR) in Srinagar city but it exploded without causing any damage.

Police sources said militants hurled a grenade at the 6th India Reserve Battalion at the PCR in Batmaloo area of Srinagar.

"The grenade exploded without causing any damage. The area has been surrounded for searches," a source said.

On Sunday, a civilian and a policeman were injured when militants hurled a grenade at a party of the security forces in Safa Kadal area of Srinagar.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel to get the 'precautionary dose of Covid vaccine before joining poll duty for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur, officials said.

The MHA directive came after rising number of Covid-19 cases in the third wave, which has spread across the country, infecting paramilitary personnel as well.

The Director Generals of CRPF, BSF, SSB and ITBP have been asked to arrange the precaution doses for the force personnel and majority of them have already been inoculated, officials in the forces said.

Around 650 companies of paramilitary forces have been designated for poll duty in the five poll-bound states.

The officials also said that during the electioneering process, these personnel will play a vital role by providing security cover to the polling booths and counting centres as well as the strong rooms where EVMs will be kept after polling. If any person gets infected by Covid-19, the whole unit will be isolated, which may affect the poll process.

The forces have also been asked to carry masks and sanitisers in adequate numbers and quantity during their deputation in the states.

The officials, quoting the ministry's direction, said that administrations in the poll-bound states have been asked to arrange specious accommodation for the stay of the central security forces as per the Covid protocol.

Normally, the state government or district administration arranges premises like schools or government facilities, but this time they have directed specifically to arrange specious accommodation so that social distancing and other norms could be followed easily by the force personnel.

The troops will take care of sanitation and other precautionary measures and if needed, the local administration will assist them.

The Home Ministry has asked the paramilitary forces to appoint a 'nodal officer' in each force to coordinate with the state government/district administration regarding their movement from one place to another, a senior official said.

He also said that owing to the Covid factor, movement of the troops from one place to another has been discouraged, barring in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur which have multi-phase elections.

According to the EC, Uttar Pradesh (403 seats) will vote in seven phases from February 10 to March 7, Uttarakhand (70 seats) and Goa (40 seats) will have single-day voting on February 14, Punjab (117 seats) will vote on February 20, while Manipur (60 seats) will go to the polls two phases on February 27 and Mach 3.

The counting of votes will be taken up on March 10.

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New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested two wanted criminals in two separate operations during a special drive to upgrade the overall security situation in the national capital in view of the upcoming Republic Day, an official said here on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Ganpat, a resident of district Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh and Arif alias Bugga, a resident of Mewat in Haryana.

According to the official, accused Ganpat was carrying reward of Rs 1 lakh on his arrest while Bugga had jumped the bail in the murder case of a Delhi Police Head Constable.

Sharing details about the first operation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah said on November 24, 2014, two accused persons namely Dharam Raj and Chander Shekhar were arrested while supplying 1.50 gram heroin and subsequently a case under sections 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act was registered in this regard.

During further investigation, two more people were arrested in the same year, of which one disclosed the involvement of accused Ganpat as the mastermind of the cartel.

Later, in 2015, the accused Ganpat was arrested by Special Cell. After the completion of the investigation, a chargesheet was also filed by the police, however, during trial of the case, accused Ganpat was granted interim bail in December, 2018 and thereafter, he never appeared before the trial Court, the DCP said.

"In 2019, a trial court declared him as Proclaimed Offender and later, a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh was declared by Delhi Police Commissioner on his arrest. Since then, the accused Ganpat was evading his arrest," the official said.

Furnishing details about the second operation, the DCP said Arif alias Bugga had committed the murder of Head Constable Yashpal as he was stopped from committing a cattle theft in 2012. He was later arrested, however, released on bail in 2014.

"Thereafter, he again started committing cattle theft and jumped bail in 2019. Accordingly, he was declared a proclaimed offender and was evading his arrest since then," the official said.

On January 15, a tip-off was received about the presence of accused Arif near Shiv Hanuman Mandir, Faridabad Road, Kalindi Kunj, Delhi for conducting recee of the area for theft of stray cattle. Acting on this information, a Special cell team laid a trap and nabbed the accused.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Cold to severe cold day conditions would prevail over northwest and central India during next 24 hours and gradually abate thereafter, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday even as minimum temperatures remained normal over most parts of northwest India and above normal over Madhya Pradesh.

The IMD bulletin said that there were cold day conditions in many parts with severe cold day conditions in isolated pockets over west Madhya Pradesh and east Rajasthan, cold day to severe cold day conditions in some parts of Uttar Pradesh and east Madhya Pradesh, and also in isolated pockets over Punjab and northwest Rajasthan, while cold day conditions were observed in some parts of Haryana and Delhi.

On the one hand, a cyclonic circulation lies over Kerala and neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels while on the other, a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect Western Himalayan region from January 18 night. A fresh active Western Disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from January 21 onwards. An induced cyclonic circulation is very likely to form over southwest Rajasthan on January 22.

The IMD forecast said that there will be isolated lightmoderate rainfall over north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, interior Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Mahe during next 2-3 days, and light to moderate rainfall at a few places with isolated heavy rainfall likely over north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 24 hours.

Scattered to fairly widespread light/moderate rainfall is expected over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura during January 20 and 21. Isolated light precipitation is expected over Western Himalayan Region during January 17 to 20. Scattered to widespread rainfall/snowfall is likely over Western Himalayan Region from January 21 to 23.

Scattered to fairly widespread rainfall is likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan during January 21 to 23 with maximum intensity on January 22.

Isolated hailstorm activity is also likely over east Rajasthan and eest Madhya Pradesh on January 21 night and 22.

Minimum temperatures are likely to rise by 2-4 degrees Celsius over northwest India during the next five days.

Dense to very dense fog in isolated parts in night/morning hours is very likely over Rajasthan, east Uttar Pradesh, west Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal during next two days.

Cold day to severe cold day conditions in some/isolated pockets is very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan during next two days and abate thereafter.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : A former leader of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in Texas is facing multiple charges and allegations of sexual abuse of a minor boy from the community over two years, Samaa TV reported.

The alleged crimes took place between March 2018 and March 2020 while the accused, Muneeb Ur Rehman Ahmad, 38, was working on an assignment from the religious body to oversee boys aged seven to 15 at the Ahmadi Bait-ul-Ikram Mosque in Dallas city, according to a report compiled by FACE, a US-based non-profit with a mission "to foster safe community environments by holding abusive religious and community leadership accountable".

Ahmad was earlier arrested on March 11, 2020, and was later released on bail after furnishing a $100,000 surety bond. He faces at least six charges, including three charges of sexual assault of a child and three charges of indecency with a child by sexual contact, the report said.

These charges are in two different counties -- Denton and Collin. There are two other allegations of the same nature against Ahmad in Harris County. His trial is yet to conclude.

Ahmad is from Canada but due to the confiscation of his passport by the court, he cannot leave the US.

According to the FACE report, the accused groomed the 14-year-old boy under his care. Over the course of at least 11 documented encounters, the accused was reported to have sexually abused the boy at his apartment, in his car, and during community events and on youth group trips they both attended.

During the sex abuse interaction, the victim was appointed as Nazim Atfal (head of boys aged seven to 15) on July 21, 2019. The identity of the victim and his family were not disclosed over his request, Samaa TV reported.
Mumbai, Jan 17 : Maharashtra notched a significant drop in Covid-19 cases but Omicron infections again shot above the 100-mark and deaths remained in double-digits, health officials said here on Monday.

After a record high of 46,723 on January 12, the number of daily Covid infectees fell for the fourth day, from 41,327 on Sunday to 31,111 on Monday.

However, the fatalities increased from 29 a day earlier to 24.

After notching a peak of 238 Omicron cases on January 14, the state infections of the variant went down to 122 for the day, but a huge spike compared with 8 on Sunday.

The government is continuing the intensive surveillance of passengers arriving at the three international airports - Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur - since December 1.

A total of 289,893 travellers have landed here, including 44,494 from the "high risk" countries from where 548 have tested positive and another 639 from other countries, with all their reports sent for genomic sequencing to confirm if they are afflicted by Omicron.

Another staggering 4,986 positive samples from field surveys conducted since November 1 have been sent for genomic sequencing with the results of 67 are awaited, the officials said.

Omicron has spread extensively across several districts in the state, and out of the 1,860 cases till date, 959 have recovered.

Pune district led the state with 742 cases of the variant, followed by 656 in Mumbai, 130 in Thane, 116 in Nagpur, 59 in Sangli, 25 in Amravati, 19 each in Kolhapur and Aurangabad, 18 in Raigad, 14 in Satara, 11 each in Osmanabad and Akola, six each in Palghar and Buldhana, four in Ahmednagar, three each in Nanded, Latur, Nashik, Jalna, and Gondiya, two each in Solapur, Gadchiroli, and Nandurbar, and one each in Jalna, Bhandara, and Wardha.

Of the 31,111 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, Mumbai Metropolitan Region showed a sharp drop from 17,384 a day earlier to 12,885, while Mumbai city came down from 7,895 to 5,956.

The next is Pune circle's 8,707 infectees, Nashik circle's 3,136, Nagpur circle's 2,857, Kolhapur circle's 1,177, Latur circle' 1,049, Aurangabad circle's 709 and Akola circle's 591.

The number of people sent to home quarantine shot up hugely - from 21,98,414 on Sunday to 22,64,217 now, and another 2,994 have been shunted to institutional quarantine.

Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Raigad and Palghar remain at the top with the highest number of active cases currently in the state, with the afflictions shooting up from 265,346 a day before to 267,334, with the recovery rate remaining steady at 94.03 percent.

The state's cumulative figures of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 now stands at 72,42,921 cases and 141,832 deaths, while a total of 68,29,992 patients have fully recovered till date.

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Guwahati, Jan 17 : The Assam Police on Monday arrested two drug peddlers, seized a goods-laden truck from Manipur and recovered 1.6 kg of heroin valued at Rs 15 crore, the police said.

According to the police, Monday's drug seizure is the second such major capture of narcotics smuggled from Myanmar within a week.

Acting on a tip-off, an Assam police team intercepted a goods laden truck coming from Manipur at Khatkhati in Karbi Anglong district and arrested two drug peddlers. The police team recovered 1.6 kg of heroin concealed in 115 soap boxes inside the vehicle.

Police said that one of the drug peddlers complained of uneasiness and tried to escape from police custody before the police personnel fired at his leg.

The injured drug smuggler has been admitted to Diphu Medical College and Hospital and his condition was stated to be stable.

Lauding the police, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: "Continuing Assam's war against drugs, Karbi Anglong police seized 1.6 kg of heroin at Khatkhati. Also arrested two accused from a neighbouring state. Much appreciated Assam police." On January 11, over 1.5 kg of heroin, valued at Rs 10 crore in the international market, was seized from a goods truck in Karbi Anglong district and the driver of the vehicle was arrested.

Varied drugs, especially heroin, highly-addictive methamphetamine tablets, also commonly known as 'Yaba' or 'party tablets', poppy seeds, opium, ganja (marijuana), morphine, bottles of cough syrup and various other contraband as well as arms and ammunition were often smuggled from Myanmar which shares a 1,643 km of unfenced border with the states of Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, Bhupender Yadav on Monday said that the forest officers, as the voice of the voiceless, need to work with an approach that is earnestly humane and sensitive to the aspirations and needs of the local community.

Virtually addressing the 64 Indian Forest Service (IFoS) probationer trainees of the 2020 batch at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, he said that India is aspiring for transformative advancement on all fronts of development while simultaneously dealing with challenges and crisis on different environmental frontiers and their manifestations viz. climate change, land degradation, pollution, and biodiversity loss. "Hence your role in the present era becomes even more important in taking forward and practicing sustainable development," he said.

The Environment Minister highlighted the commitments and targets for carbon sequestration, zero-carbon emission dateline, proportion of solar power and other environmentally efficient sources in energy mix, conservation of biodiversity, combating desertification and restoration of degraded land etc. and asked the officers to come forward with creative and innovative ideas to achieve them, a Ministry release said.

He reiterated, that as empowered, capable, and competent workforce of the government system, the young IFoS officers have also to be pro-actively community-centric/citizen oriented and facilitator in approach in dealing with the community in forest landscapes in their jurisdiction, and also other citizens.

The probationers were also addressed by Minister of State Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who said that there are many areas of interaction with the community residing in forest landscapes and other people, where an empathetic, responsive, facilitation approach has to be mainstay of the conduct and functional discharge of duties. "This whole process requires utmost sincerity and citizen centric approach with a humane approach," Choubey said.

The probationers were also given best wishes by Secretary, Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Leela Nandan and DG, Forest and Special Secretary, C.P. Goyal.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal order, passed in September last year, directing for winding up of Devas Multimedia, which made it a first case of winding up a company on ground of fraud.

A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and V. Ramasubramanian drew out a comparison between The Companies Act, 1956 and The Companies Act, 2013, to examine fraud as a ground for winding up a company.

It said though Section 433 of the 1956 Act did not include fraud as one of the circumstances in which a company may be wound up, there was still an indirect reference to fraud. The bench noted that Clause (a) of Section 243 of the 1956 Act, enabled the Central government to authorise any person to present a petition for the winding up of a company, not directly on the ground of fraud but actually on the ground that it is just and equitable that the company should be wound up.

The bench observed that the mandate of Section 243 (a) of the Companies Act, 1956 to take recourse, in cases of fraud, to just and equitable ground, was little incongruous. It elaborated that this is due to the reason that under Section 443(2), the court may refuse to make an order of winding up, on just and equitable ground, if some other remedy was available to the persons seeking winding up.

"The main departure of the 2013 Act from the statutory regime of the 1956 Act, is the specific inclusion of fraud, directly as one of the circumstances in which a company could be wound up. Section 271 of the 2013 Act lists out the circumstances in which a company may be wound up," it said.

"In other words, fraud has now directly become (under the 2013 regime), one of the circumstances in which a company could be wound up, though it also continues to be a ground indirectly, under section 224(2) read with section 213 (as it was under Section 439(1) (f) read with sections 243 and 237(b) of the 1956 Act)." The bench said: "What is common to both Section 439(1) of the 1956 Act and Section 272(1) of the 2013 Act, is that a petition for winding up may be filed by: (i) the company, (ii) any contributory, (iii) the Registrar, and (iv) any person authorised by the Central government in that behalf." In May last year, the Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) ordered the winding up of Devas, at the instance of Antrix. It also appointed a provisional liquidator, saying Devas was incorporated with a fraudulent motive to collude with the then officials of Antrix Corporation, to get bandwidth from it by entering into an agreement in 2005. In September last year, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal upheld the NCLT's order.

Justice Ramasubramanian, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said: "If the seeds of the commercial relationship between Antrix and Devas were a product of fraud perpetrated by Devas, every part of the plant that grew out of those seeds, such as the agreement, the disputes, arbitral awards etc., are all infected with the poison of fraud. A product of fraud is in conflict with the public policy of any country including India." The bench emphasised that the basic notions of morality and justice are always in conflict with fraud and hence, the motive behind the action brought by the victim of fraud can never stand as an impediment. Dismissing Devas' appeal against its winding up, the bench said: "We find all the grounds of attack to the concurrent orders of the NCLT and NCLAT to be unsustainable."
An Iranian flag is pictured at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Jan. 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran is ready to reopen its embassy in Saudi Arabia, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Remarking at a weekly press conference, Saeed Khatibzadeh said the decision still depends on the Saudi side and the practical measures it takes, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Khatibzadeh added that Iran is now focusing on the resumption of activities by its mission to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian revealed earlier in an interview with Al Jazeera English-language news channel that Iran has held four rounds of positive and constructive talks with Saudi officials in Iraq.

"What we have stated as our official position is that relations between the two countries would return to normal whenever the Saudi side wishes. Iran is ready and welcomes the reopening of the embassies and consulates," Abdollahian said.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in protest against the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following the Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric.
Hyderabad, Jan 17 : AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday denied receiving a letter from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) about Uttar Pradesh elections and said that the Board has nothing to do with politics.

The Hyderabad MP told reporters that AIMPLB has not written a letter to him. He said the Board's Constitution is clear that it does not involve itself in politics.

"The Board has nothing to do with politics and it is not their position," said Owaisi, who is also a member of the apex body of Indian Muslims.

AIMPLB working committee member Moulana Sajjad Naomani had last week written a letter to Owaisi, urging him to minimise the division of votes against communal forces in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

The eminent cleric urged the AIMIM leader to field candidates only in those constituencies where winning is certain.

Owaisi, however, did not react to the letter by Sajjad Naomani.

To another query, Owaisi said he will have to face throughout his life the allegation of dividing the so-called secular votes. "I want to ask those who are making this allegation. Why BJP won in Uttar Pradesh in 2014, 2017 and 2019. The truth is the so-called secular parties failed to defeat the BJP. In 2019, MIM contested only three Lok Sabha seats, how BJP won 306 seats," he said.

"They are frustrated. They have no ideological and intellectual strength to defeat BJP and that is why they are blaming MIM," he added.

Owaisi said that his party is geared up to contest the UP elections as per the plans of its state unit to contest 100 seats. The party on Sunday released its first list of nine candidates. He said there would be more lists for the second phase and subsequent phases.

"Only time will tell. As of now we are completely geared up and prepared to contest the polls," Owaisi said when asked about the possibility of alliance with other parties.

The Lok Sabha member said AIMIM was preparing to contest the polls following Covid guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India. "Since meetings are not allowed, we will organise virtual meetings. We will use modern technology tools as per the Election Commission guidelines. We will increase social and digital media presence," he said.

The AIMIM chief hoped that the 60 meetings he addressed in UP during the last 4-5 months will have an impact and help the party.

To a query about the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) asking the Uttar Pradesh government to probe Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband's website for allegedly publishing "unlawful and misleading" fatwas, Owaisi said NCPCR should know that fatwa is mere legal opinion and it does not have any legal significance.

"Fatwa is an opinion given by the Ulema or religious scholars. Despite knowing this, if they (NCPCR) are indulging in this behaviour, they may have vested interests in this," he added.
Guwahati, Jan 17 : Assam witnessed a 158 per cent increase in Covid positive cases in the past 24 hours as the northeastern state celebrated harvest festival 'Bhogali Bihu', also called 'Magh Bihu'.

An analysis by IANS of Assam's National Health Mission (NHM) reports said that the daily positivity rate of 7.87 per cent on Thursday, a day before the Bihu festivity, rose to 10.75 per cent on Monday night while it was only 0.77 per cent on January 1.

According to the NHM reports, the active Covid cases stood at 918 on January 1 and rose to 13,785 on Thursday last week, and further to 23,948 on Monday night.

As many as 6,982 fresh Covid cases were reported on Monday night against 2,709 on Sunday - the biggest single-day spike since the pandemic began in 2020, raising the tally of positive cases to 6,53,717 with 6,217 deaths.

Assam has been witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the new year with nearly 25,000 fresh cases in the past fortnight.

Of its 34 districts, Kamrup (Metro) district, where the state capital Dispur and northeastern region's main commercial hub Guwahati falls, registered highest Covid positive cases of 1,491 on Monday followed by Dibrugarh (489), Tinsukia (407) and Cachar district (372).

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while urging the people to maintain utmost alertness to prevent the spread of the infectious virus, told the media that the state government is not considering imposing a lockdown in the state at the moment. The Assam government earlier this month while imposing various restrictions including closure of elementary standard classes of schools and rotational classes for non-elementary classes, advanced the night curfew to 10 p.m. from 11.30 p.m., and it would continue till 6 a.m.

As part of the colourful Bihu festival, lakhs of men, women and children took part in the 'Uruka', the night of feast and merriment which is celebrated a day before the Bhogali Bihu, while people assembling around 'Mejis' (makeshift houses made of straw and bamboo) and lighting them, seeking the blessings of the elders.

People of all ages, mostly women and children, throw 'pithas' (rice cakes) and areca nuts after setting fire to the 'Mejis' and then offer prayers as part of the festivity.

The traditional community feasts in the open grounds and even in paddy fields is the main event of the 'Bhogali Bihu'.

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New Delhi, Jan 17 : The commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy recently said that the ruling royal family members in Saudi Arabia were actually Jewish, and that their conflict with Iran harkens back to the seventh century battles between Muslim and Jewish tribes, Jerusalem Post reported.

The speech made on January was aired on Iran's Bushehr TV and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

"We cannot bear to see injustice in a Muslim country that is perpetrated by the Zionists and the seed of the Jews," the commander, General Alireza Tangsiri, could be heard saying in a video recording of the speech, the report said.

"[We cannot bear to see] that Muslims are being slaughtered by people who call themselves Christians but are not," he added, seeming to refer to the US' assassination of former IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, the report said.

"These are the very same Jews -- and I'd better say Zionists -- whose hearts have never aligned with Islam, and even with the Prophet in his time," he said, probably in reference to Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem Post reported.

The Iranian leadership is Shia, as opposed to that of Saudi Arabia, which is Sunni, the report said.

Tangsiri then mentioned other battles in which early Muslims fought local Jewish tribes, who were only Muslim "by name".

"Are the Saud clan really Muslims? They are the same Jews who were in Arabia back then," he concluded.

The House of Saud is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia since 1744, comprising the descendants of Muhammad bin Saud and his brothers.

Iranian rhetoric against the US and Israel has been more fiery than usual in recent weeks due in part to the two-year anniversary of the January 3, 2020 killing of Soleimani by a US drone strike in Iraq.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday said it has handed over two Bangladeshi nationals to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Sunday as a goodwill gesture.

According to the officials of the North Bengal Frontier, on January 16, troops of border outpost deployed on India-Bangladesh border in Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal apprehended two Bangladeshi nationals -- Md Rifat Hassan (13) and Md Ruhal Amin (14) -- both from Aliahat village in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh.

During questioning, it was learnt that they had inadvertently crossed the International Border.

Later, the BSF contacted the Border Guard Bangladesh and handed over the apprehended Bangladeshi Nationals to them in a Flag Meeting as a goodwill gesture.

The officials of the troops of battalions under North Bengal Frontier BSF deployed on India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal are not only maintaining alertness of highest order along the international border and thwarting every possible attempt of miscreants to execute their nefarious design of smuggling and infiltrations but also making efforts to maintain good relations with the neighbouring country.

They said that during the last one year, a total of 29 Bangladeshi nationals inadvertently crossed the international border from different bordering areas of North Bengal Frontier and all of them were handed over to BGB as a goodwill gesture.
Patna, Jan 17 : While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is facing huge criticism over Nalanda liquor tragedy, former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, now a Rajya Sabha member, on Monday made an indirect "attack" on some of his own BJP-ruled states over deaths due to spurious liquor.

A liquor ban and deaths due to poisonous liquor are two different things and connected with each other, Modi said, citing some incidents that happened in BJP-ruled states.

"In 2015, 102 persons died in Maharashtra when BJP was ruling the state and Devendra Fadnavis was the Chief Minister of state. In 2019, 108 people lost their lives in different places in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In both the states, BJP is ruling," he said.

His statement came at a time when Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are going for Assembly polls in the next few weeks.

Sushil Modi, who is considered very close to Nitish Kumar, pointed out the speedy trial and conviction of 13 accused responsible for the liquor tragedy in Gopalganj in Bihar in 2016. However, at that time, the JD-U and the RJD were in power. 9 accused were given death penalty and 4 others had given life term.

His statement is seen as relieving the pressure on Nitish Kumar as the BJP is the one which is strongly raising the Nalanda liquor tragedy that has claimed 13 lives. State BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal has being blaming "loopholes" of liquor ban implementation ever since Nitish Kumar came in power for the fourth time in Bihar in 2020.

Jaiswal has levelled serious allegations against the Nitish Kumar government over implementation of the liquor ban, claiming that a nexus of senior bureaucrats, police officials and mafias are responsible for liquor operations in Bihar. Without breaking this nexus, liquor ban law cannot be successful in Bihar, he said.

Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary, Liquor Prohibition, K.K. Pathak, said that the department has constituted a dedicated team to investigate the incident.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice urging lawyers to avoid joining virtual hearing through a mobile phone, and instead use a laptop or desktop with a stable Internet connection.

The notice said: "All advocates and party-in-person are requested to join the cisco webex application for joining the court hearings through video conference (VC) via a desktop /laptop with a stable internet connectivity, preferably wired, to avoid any disruption in the court proceedings and inconvenience to the judges. Please avoid joining the VC hearings through a mobile phone." The notice issued urged the lawyers to join the VC through a single device, laptop or desktop, and they should use a headset-enabled microphone and audio system.

Earlier during the day, a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana had expressed unhappiness at lawyers appearing for virtual hearings through their mobile phones - where they were either barely audible or not visible.

The bench, also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hima Kohli, had to adjourn the hearings in as many as 10 cases listed due to disruptions from lawyers' end.

The bench queried a lawyer: "Mr. counsel, you are now practising in the Supreme Court and appear regularly.... Can't you afford a desktop to argue." During the hearing in another matter, the bench expressed its discontent on poor internet connectivity at the lawyer's end. It remarked: "We have no energy to hear cases like this... Please devise a system by which we can hear you."
Patna, Jan 17 : A circle officer in Patna has been booked on charges of raping a woman for the last four years, an official said here on Monday.

The woman alleged that she came in contact with Raghuveer Prasad four years ago when he was posted in Bettiah.

"Prasad initially established himself as a father figure and came close to me. Then he established physical relationship with me. He also made videos of the sexual acts and was blackmailing me," the victim said.

"He also promised marriage and verbally gave me the status of wife," she said.

"On Saturday, he called me to Bakhtiyarpur in Patna where he is currently posted. Prasad then took me shopping in a mall where he snatched my mobile phone, wallet and other valuables. He also beat me," she alleged.

Meanwhile, Prasad alleged that she set his official vehicle on fire outside the mall. The victim, however, denied the charges.

As the government vehicle was burnt, Chandrashekher Singh, the District Magistrate of Patna, directed the officials for a thorough probe into the matter.

The SHO of Bhaktiyarpur said: "An FIR has been registered against Raghuveer Prasad. We have also registered a cross FIR against a woman on the charge of setting a government vehicle on fire. The complaint was lodged by Prasad. Further investigation is on."
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter to express his grief over the demise of noted social worker and Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi.

Shanti Devi, also known as Lugdi Devi, passed away on Saturday night at her residence in Gunupur in Odisha's Rayagada district at the age of 88.

"Shanti Devi Ji will be remembered as a voice of the poor and underprivileged. She worked selflessly to remove suffering and create a healthier as well as just society. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," the Prime Minister tweeted.

In 2021, she was felicitated with the Padma Shri Award by President Ram Nath Kovind.

In Odisha, Shanti Devi had founded the Seva Samaj Ashram from where she ran her movement of providing education to tribal girls so that they could have a secured future.

"Her lifelong efforts to help the needy and tribal have always been inspiring. Her contribution to social work is invaluable," Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted.

--IANS atk/arm

PM mourns social worker Shanti Devi's demise

Shanti Devi, also known as Lugdi Devi, passed away on Saturday night at her residence in Gunupur in Odisha's Rayagada district at the age of 88.

"Shanti Devi Ji will be remembered as a voice of the poor and underprivileged. She worked selflessly to remove suffering and create a healthier as well as just society. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," the Prime Minister tweeted.

In 2021, she was felicitated with the Padma Shri Award by President Ram Nath Kovind.

In Odisha, Shanti Devi had founded the Seva Samaj Ashram from where she ran her movement of providing education to tribal girls so that they could have a secured future.

"Her lifelong efforts to help the needy and tribal have always been inspiring. Her contribution to social work is invaluable," Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted.

--IANS atk/arm

Shanti Devi, also known as Lugdi Devi, passed away on Saturday night at her residence in Gunupur in Odisha's Rayagada district at the age of 88.

"Shanti Devi Ji will be remembered as a voice of the poor and underprivileged. She worked selflessly to remove suffering and create a healthier as well as just society. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," the Prime Minister tweeted.

In 2021, she was felicitated with the Padma Shri Award by President Ram Nath Kovind.

In Odisha, Shanti Devi had founded the Seva Samaj Ashram from where she ran her movement of providing education to tribal girls so that they could have a secured future.

"Her lifelong efforts to help the needy and tribal have always been inspiring. Her contribution to social work is invaluable," Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : The CBI on Monday got six day custodial remand of GAIL's Director, Marketing, E.S. Ranganathan, who was arrested on Sunday in a corruption case.

On Saturday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested five other persons in this connection. They were identified as Pawan Gaur, Ramakrishnan Nair, Rajesh Kumar, Saurabh Gupta, and Aditya Bansal. A court had said Ranganathan and two others to one day remand and the other three to six days custody of the agency.

On Monday, the CBI produced Ranganathan before the court after the expiry of his one day custody and sought more time to interrogate him and others. After hearing their arguments, the court allowed their plea and granted them six days remand.

"The GAIL official was arrested by us for allegedly taking bribe from businessmen for issuing discount order on purchasing of petro products. Five persons were arrested on Saturday. The court today granted six days police custody of Ranganathan, Gupta and Bansal," said a CBI official.

Gaur, Nair, and Rajesh Kumar were sent to six days custoday.

The CBI had on Saturday conducted raids at the residence of Ranganathan and several NCR-based locations in connection with the alleged bribe case.

Cash of Rs 1.29 crore, gold jewellery worth Rs 1.3 crore and other valuables were recovered during the searches at the premises of the accused.

A CBI official said that a case was lodged in this respect on Friday after it got information that Ranganathan was indulging in corrupt and illegal activities in criminal conspiracy with Gaur and Rajesh Kumar.

These two persons were allegedly acting as his middlemen, by obtaining bribes from the private companies buying petro chemical products marketed by GAIL.

"We were informed that at the direction of Rajesh, Pawan had asked Ranganathan for allowing some discount to the buyers on petrochemical products being marketed by GAIL in lieu of illegal gratification. They met at Noida several times," said a CBI source.

In order to collect bribe amount, Rajesh Kumar had further contacted other dealers, who could be the prospective beneficiaries of the discount.

In December, Rajesh Kumar collected the demanded bribe amount from beneficiary parties and delivered it to Pawan for Ranganathan.

"On the direction of Ranganathan, Gurugram-based businessman N.Ramakrishnan Nair collected the Rs 40 lakh from Gaur.

Rajesh Kumar also entered into negotiations with two more prospective beneficiary dealers, namely Gupta and Bansal, and convinced them to pay the bribe in exchange for the favourable orders from GAIL, an official said.

The CBI official said that Rajesh Kumar requested Gupta for fulfilling his commitment for issuance of the discount order by GAIL and also informed that Ranganathan had demanded Rs 15 lakh but agreed to take Rs 12 lakh.

Gaur also asked Gupta to pay the amount at the earliest.

Gupta had already given Rs 3 lakh to Rajesh Kumar and decided to pay the rest of the amount through hawala channel.

On January 14, Bansal also gave a bribe to Rajesh Kumar for Ranganathan.

"Ranganathan, on the request of Gaur and Rajesh Kumar, got some checks conducted in the month of November, in the premises of some authorised stockists of GAIL. However, before the said surprise check, Ranganathan had also cautioned some of his favoured parties. Thus they committed huge fraud and we lodged a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act," said the CBI official.

Further investigations are in progress, the official said
Patna, Jan 17 : A polytechnic student was stabbed 17 times in Bihar's Rohtas district on Monday morning, even as he was talking on the phone with his father, police said.

Prince Kumar Singh was alone in the house located in Karbala road locality under the moffusil police station when attackers forcibly entered the house and stabbed him.

The police said that he was talking with his father Mukesh Singh on phone when attackers barged into the house and shouted for help.

"Mukesh is a farmer and he was in his field. Prince called him for some work when attackers barged into the house. When he was being stabbed, Prince asked his father to save him. Mukesh, at a time of accident, was around 10 km away from him," said R.C. Prasad, an investigating officer of moffusil police station.

Mukesh requested the attackers to leave Prince but they paid him no heed. He also called neighbours to save him but no one came forward.

"Mukesh has given some names of attackers. They are at large now," he said.

"We have registered FIR under section of murder. Hunt is on to nab the accused," he said.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for diplomatic talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and all parties concerned toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, said his spokesman on Monday.

The DPRK reportedly fired two short-range projectiles into eastern waters on Monday, the fourth launch in less than two weeks.

"There haven't been that many periods, I think, in recent time where we have seen so many launches from the DPRK," said Stephane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesman. "And for us, it is just another reminder of the need for the DPRK and all the parties engaged to involve themselves, engage themselves in diplomatic talks so we can get what the United Nations would like to see, which is a very verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and, in the more immediate term, a lowering of tensions."

Asked whether Guterres should reach out to Pyongyang, the spokesman suggested the existing mechanisms be used.

"I think there are existing mechanisms and existing lines of communications. And I think, at this point, these should be used, and the secretary-general is very supportive of those diplomatic frameworks that already exist. But they need to be used," said Dujarric.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that the South Korean military detected two projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, which were launched from the DPRK's Sunan airfield in Pyongyang.

The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said last week that the country's railway-borne missile regiment test-fired two tactical guided missiles on Friday. Pyongyang said it successfully test-launched a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and a missile of the same kind on Jan. 11. 
New Delhi, Jan 18 : Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal on Monday lauded measures taken by the Delhi Police to prevent crime against women through its projects like 'Safe City', 'Abhaya' and 'Sashakti' programe.

Baijal was reviewing the status of measures taken to tackle "Crime against women" with Commissioner of Delhi Police, Rakesh Asthana and Additional Chief Secretary Praveen Kumar Gupta along with other senior officials on Monday.

"Appreciated various measures taken by Delhi police to prevent crime against women including SAFE CITY project, Project ABHAYA and SASHAKTI program of imparting self defence training & awareness initiatives like Nazuk and Nirbhik," he tweeted.

"Emphasis was laid on timely completion of investigation of cases pertaining to crime against women and children and enhancing the conviction rate to create exemplary and deterrent effect of law," it added.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released in September, last year, the rate of crime, occurring per 1,00,000 population, against women last year is 129.1, making Delhi the most unsafe city for women.

Nearly 10,000 cases of crimes against women were registered in the national capital last year.
Patna, Jan 18 : A day after Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi raised the issue of liquor ban review, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislator Sanjiv Kumar on Monday said that he and his party would not take Jitan Ram Manjhi seriously in Bihar.

"Manjhi used to give statements on various issues to attract the attention of the media. He used abusive words for Brahmins, raised questions over the relevance of Lord Rama and Ramayana and liquor ban of Bihar. Neither I, nor my party would take him seriously," Kumar said.

"Liquor ban law is implemented in Bihar. Our chief minister (Nitish Kumar) has taken the decision of liquor ban law in Bihar and it will remain here. There could be a possibility that loopholes led to deaths of poor people of the state. We are making efforts to rectify it but liquor ban law will not be withdrawn," Kumar said.

Manjhi, a former chief minister, is also a coalition partner in the Nitish Kumar government.

Sanjiv Kumar's statement came at a time when Jitan Ram Manjhi asked Nitish Kumar to review the liquor ban law in Bihar.

He said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi could withdraw the three farm laws, Nitish Kumar could also do the same by withdrawing liquor ban in the state.

Meanwhile, HAM leader Danish Rizwan, reacting sharply to Sanjiv Kumar's statement, said: "Some leaders of JD-U like Sanjiv Kumar are not much 'senior'. The BJP leaders are rightly pointing out the status of JD-U everyday. Jitan Ram Manjhi is a stalwart leader and commenting on him could backfire on JD-U.

"I would like to ask the JD-U top leadership to put brakes on them. Avoid commenting on him or you could pay the price in future."
Dhaka, Jan 18 : Awami League (AL), the Bangladesh's ruling party, has called for taking necessary steps to ensure that the voters at all levels, including the minorities, can cast their votes in elections without any hindrance.

The party leaders on Monday proposed enacting a new law on reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC). They also proposed strengthening the EC and using technologies like electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections to make them free, fair and credible.

The proposal was made during the President M. Abdul Hamid's dialogue with political parties at Bangabhaban to discuss the EC reconstitution.

The Prime Minister and the President of the ruling party Sheikh Hasina led a 10-member AL delegation at the dialogues.

"As there's no specific law, the President has no obligation to follow any other rule, except the Constitution, for appointing the CEC and other EC members under article 118. But, it's necessary to enact a law to specify the eligibility and disqualifications of an individual while being appointed as the CEC and commissioners to uphold the spirit of the Constitution," said the proposal.

A new law in accordance with article 118 of the Constitution, may be enacted for appointing the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners, according to one of the four proposals placed by AL before the President.

"....two election commissions were formed in 2012 and 2016. On both occasions, all political parties and civil society members participated in the talks. Following the previous experiences, the law can be enacted under article 118," added the proposal.

AL delegation proposed that the President would appoint the CEC and other commissioners in accordance with article 118 of the Constitution. In the process of making these appointments, the President will appoint those whom he deems suitable and fit, it added.

Members of the delegation included, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Advisory Council members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, and Presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the President for taking the initiative to hold talks with the political parties on the formation of the EC.

She said her party and the government are ready to work together to ensure that the elections will be free and fair, and that the people could exercise their voting right freely.

Meanwhile, hours before the dialogue, the Cabinet at its weekly meeting approved a draft law on the EC formation.

The Prime Minister said in the cabinet meeting, the law has been approved to form the Election Commission in accordance with Article 117 of the Constitution. Other processes to enact the law would be completed soon, she added.

The President has thanked Sheikh Hasina for giving the final approval to the law styled 'Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner Appointment Act, 2022' in reconstituting the EC.
Yangon, Jan 18 : Myanmar reported 42 more Covid-19 cases of the Omicron variant on Monday, bringing the tally to 118, according to a release from the Ministry of Health.

The release said the Omicron variant was found in 36 Myanmar nationals and six foreigners who recently arrived in Myanmar by relief flights, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the ministry's figures on Monday, the number of Covid-19 infections has risen to 533,245 in Myanmar after 101 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours.

With two more deaths, the death toll has increased to 19,304 as of Monday. A total of 511,333 patients have been discharged from hospitals.

Myanmar detected its first two Covid-19 positive cases in March 2020.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
iPower Energy logo The CPUCs proposal puts over 60,000 jobs at risk and would deal a major blow to the California solar and battery storage market.

iPower Energy Group, an energy service provider of home solar, battery backup storage, and a progressive advocate of clean energy, announced today that the company is calling on Governor Newsom to save California solar. #SaveSolar

According to the Solar Rights Alliance, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is proposing to make rooftop solar and battery backup storage more expensive with a $57 per month solar penalty fee. The company is urging Governor Newsom to take action, step in and do the right thing for solar jobs and solar customers in California. #SaveSolar

The more solar panels, the larger the fee, says Jule Hall, CEO of iPower Energy. The proposal introduces the largest solar-only fee in America and would dramatically slow the deployment of clean energy in California and put rooftop solar and battery storage out of reach for many families. #SaveSolar

California has long been a solar energy leader, showing the rest of the world what forward-thinking progress looks like. The CPUCs proposal puts over 60,000 jobs at risk and would deal a major blow to the California solar and battery storage market.

Hall continued, This is a utility profit grab. This proposal only benefits the investor owned utilities. If Governor Newsom wants to maintain his position as a clean energy leader, the governor needs to step in before these changes are finalized on January 27th and go into effect this spring.

The sun belongs to everyone. Take action! Visit http://www.solarrights.org/SaveCaliforniaSolar to sign the petition to Governor Newsom.

For more information on iPower Energy Group, please visit http://www.ipowerenergygroup.com or call 866-235-5718

About iPower Energy Group, LLC

The iPower Energy Group, LLC is committed to adding value to every homeowner's solar power system. From high-efficient solar panels to best in class battery energy storage and energy management solutions, homeowners rely on the iPower Energy network to deliver quality work backed by industry leading warranties. The company strives to over deliver on every solar power installation which is why 90% of its customers have solar in under 30 days, and 70% in under 25 days. Please visit http://www.ipowerenergygroup.com

About Solar Rights Alliance

Solar Rights Alliance is a nonprofit association of California solar users. The organization believes that you have the right to make energy from the sun on your property without unreasonable interference, discrimination or red tape from the utilities or the government. The Solar Rights Alliance also believes that your solar energy is a valuable community resource, and you should be credited as such when you share it with the grid. For more information on the Solar Rights Alliance, please visit http://www.solarrights.org
President Lasso on the Galapagos Legend from Go Galapagos - Klein Tours The new decree expands the protected marine areas of the Galapagos by 60,000 square kilometers.

Today, the President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, signed an executive decree formalizing the expansion of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR). President Lasso signed the order during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Puerto Ayora. A celebratory lunch hosted by the Presidency of Ecuador and the Ministry of Environment followed aboard the Galapagos Legend, the flagship of Go Galapagos - Kleintours, anchored just off Santa Cruz Island, in the heart of the Galapagos archipelago. Marking the significance of the occasion, the ceremony was also attended by Colombian President Ivan Duque, and former US president Bill Clinton, among other dignitaries.

The new decree expands the protected marine areas of the Galapagos by 60,000 square kilometers, adding to the existing reserve of 138,000 square kilometers. Establishing a maritime migratory corridor between the Galapagos and the Costa Rican Isla del Coco, the decree creates a safe swim way where important endangered migratory species, such as sharks, whales, turtles, and manta rays, can safely travel. This expansion will allow the Galapagos Islands to remain one of the most important marine reserves in the world.

The Galapagos Islands are a unique habitat with incredible biodiversity. The territory is home to over 3,000 species, of which about 600 can only be found here. This expansion will help secure one of the worlds most critical migratory highways for marine wildlife. This means that there is now more space than ever before available to protect these amazing creatures. said Emil Klein, CEO of Go Galapagos - Kleintours and host of the event. Now we can continue to responsibly share this pristine natural environment with visitors from all over the world.

Go Galapagos - Kleintours is dedicated to eco-tourism and sharing the pristine nature of the Galapagos Islands with visitors from around the world. The company works hand-in-hand with the Galapagos National Park Service to ensure environmentally responsible visits to the Galapagos Islands. Every detail on board our ships is designed to minimize ecological impact, states Alexis Alvarez, Head of International Sales. Our vessels are certified to the highest national and international standards of good environmental practice. And all our vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art technology in key areas such as waste management, water treatment, and energy consumption.

The expanded GMR is a victory for marine conservation advocates and the species that call the territory in and around the Galapagos Islands home. It is also an important win for tour operators who promote environmentally friendly tourism to the islands. Ensuring the survival of endangered migratory species through the expanded GMR means we can continue to responsibly share the magic of Galapagos Islands with visitors for years to come, says Go Galapagos - Kleintours CEO Klein.

Go Galapagos - Kleintours, owners, and operators of the Galapagos Legend, has been leading journeys to Earths most pristine natural environment for over 30 years. We pair local expertise with world-class amenities to provide eco-luxury tours to the Galapagos Islands and other destinations within Ecuador and Peru. Dedicated to environmentally responsible tourism, we have the ships, itineraries, and knowledge to make your Galapagos journey effortless and amazing. To experience the natural wonders of the Galapagos, please visit http://www.gogalapagos.com.
ESQ, an industry leader in delivering enterprise-class business transaction management solutions, is pleased to announce that SHAZAM, Inc. has procured its flagship ATM/self-service monitoring and management platform, OperationsBridge.

A software already utilized by numerous reputable organizations, OperationsBridge will now empower SHAZAM to offer its vast customer base enhanced ATM fleet management services.

The decision to implement OperationsBridge was a result of Adobe announcing that Flash would no longer be supported at the end of 2020. This situation created a problem for many organizations across the world, including SHAZAM, given its ATM management solution at the time relied on this software. Alongside this challenge, the previous solution was also Out of date and did not provide the functionality customers were looking for, according to Stephan Thomasee, SHAZAMs Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer.

SHAZAM pivoted to OperationsBridge for several key reasons including the platforms proven multi-tenancy focus, innovative functionalities, and the fact ESQ was willing to meet the aggressive four-month implementation timeline. ESQ was with us the whole time, mentioned Thomasee. They set expectations and delivered on them with unparalleled commitment to reaching our mutual objectives.

This significant win is another example of how ESQ is committed to meeting customers needs while continuously offering the industry best-in-class solutions. SHAZAM is a top ATM switch and payment processor and were extremely honored to bring another world-class customer onboard, highlighted Dominic DiBlasio, Head of Sales for USA and Canada at ESQ. At the end of the day, the fact SHAZAM selected OperationsBridge as their go-to ATM/self-service monitoring and management platform confirms the confidence and trust they have in our technologies. That alone speaks volumes to what we have to offer.

For more information, ESQ has released a customer case study that offers an inside look at exactly how SHAZAM pivoted from their previous solution and found new success with OperationsBridge. Please visit http://www.esq.com to access this case study.

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About SHAZAM:

SHAZAM pioneered the PIN-debit point-of-sale transaction, still used worldwide today. Were the only nationwide independent, member-owned debit network and processor supporting community financial institutions. Since we dont answer to shareholders, we can reinvest profits in technologies our clients need as they serve the next generation of consumers. SHAZAM ensures our clients have the products and services they demand and expect in a cost-effective way. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Iowa, were a leader in payments and financial technology, with a simple mission: Strengthening community financial institutions. Visit us today at shazam.net.

About ESQ:

For over 25 years, ESQ has been one of the top trusted providers of business transaction monitoring and management solutions. These solutions assist banks, credit unions, retailers, and services providers in proactively monitoring and managing their business-critical payment infrastructures. Through a forward-thinking mindset, ESQ leverages the insight of its vast customer base and continues to offer new solutions that are sought out in the industry. ESQ is a global company with headquarters located in Silicon Valley and additional offices in North America, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and India.
Amplify Surgical, Inc., a medical device company focused on innovative minimally invasive surgery for the lumbar spine, will be holding its Inaugural Endoscopic Spine Symposium with Cadaver Workshop  featuring dualX and dualPortal System, in Long Beach, California on February 5, 2022.

Amplify Surgical is partnering with expert surgeons from South Korea and the US to demonstrate one of the latest advancements in minimally invasive spine surgery, the dualPortal approach  a novel two-portal endoscopic technique. Surgeons are given two options to attend the symposium free of charge, either virtually or in-person.

The agenda will include both a didactic portion focused on dualPortal endoscopic spine surgery including lumbar fusion, as well as a hands-on lab portion for all attendees. There will be presentations and interactive sessions covering clinical outcomes of dualPortal and dualX. In the lab, faculty will showcase the power and versatility of the dualPortal endoscopic approach with dualX TLIF (dualLIF).

The symposium marks a major milestone not only with Amplify Surgical, but in minimally invasive spine and endoscopic spine surgery alike, with expected attendance from surgeons all over the world. For registration information, please visit amplifysurgical.com/amplifysymposium.

The dualPortal technique is a novel two-portal endoscopic approach to the spine that allows surgeons to easily learn and perform a wider array of lumbar spine procedures than the conventional one-portal technique. It also provides flexibility to perform endoscopic lumbar fusions with conventional expandable cages or dualX.

The dualX technology is comprised of a family of titanium expandable interbody devices designed to expand in both width and height, implanted in lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) spinal procedures. The dualX portfolio contains varying footprints, heights and degrees of lordosis with post-expansion bone grafting to provide a customized anatomical fit for a clinically successful fusion environment.

To learn more about Amplify Surgicals Endoscopic Spine Symposium, dualX and dualPortal solutions, please visit our website at amplifysurgical.com/amplifysymposium or call us at 765-AMPLIFY (267-5439).

About Amplify Surgical, Inc.

Amplify Surgical is a privately held spinal device company located in Irvine, CA. The Company focuses on developing and commercializing innovative and minimally invasive technologies for spine surgery. Amplify Surgical is a portfolio company of IntuitiveX, a life science innovation incubator.
Chidi Ezeobi, a Nigerian-born writer who immigrated to the United States in 1996, has completed his new book Maidservant: a spellbinding story that keeps the pages turning until its heartwarming conclusion.

Once bitten twice shy. If minor mistakes could get me in trouble, what if I make a major mistake? One may run away from temptation but may not hide from it, Ngozi cautioned.

But that was the night she succumbed to temptation. Then came the beating: dum, dum, dum, tim, tim . . . Ngozi couldnt protect her face anymore. She cried out in pain, Sorry, sorry, I swear I will never dance again in my life. O heaven help me! Please! Please! Mma and Jon beat Ngozi for hours until she gave up her dream.

A maids patience could be compared to the patience of a farmer, one who plants and patiently waits for harvest.

Published by Page Publishing, Chidi Ezeobis engrossing book is an excellent choice for avid modern fiction readers.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Maidservant at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Denise Harper, Founder of Brick Street Realty When I started my career in real estate, I set out to make a difference in my community and make meaningful connections with clients

Brick Street Realty today announced its partnership with Side, the only real estate technology company that exclusively partners with high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to transform them into market-leading boutique brands and businesses. The collaboration will ensure that Brick Street Realty, committed to continuing its mission to strengthen client loyalty and retention, is powered by the industry's most advanced platform.

Brick Street Realty is led by longtime Texan Denise Harper. Harper began selling real estate in 1999 and has since been awarded many professional honors, including being chosen as one of the best real estate agents in Navarro County. In addition to having served on the Navarro County Board of REALTORS, Harper is also actively involved in her community and volunteers with many local nonprofit organizations.

Brick Street Realty has experience helping clients buy and sell in the Navarro County area. The company works with a diverse range of buyers and sellers, including those seeking or selling rural and ranch properties. Brick Street Realty is a community-minded company that donates a portion of its proceeds from every transaction to a charity organization of the client's choice.

Partnering with Side will ensure Brick Street Realty remains on the cutting edge of the evolving real estate market while continuing to deliver premium services to its clients. Side works behind the scenes, supporting Brick Street Realty with a one-of-a-kind brokerage platform that includes proprietary technology, transaction management, branding and marketing services, public relations, legal support, lead generation, vendor management, infrastructure solutions, and more. Additionally, Brick Street Realty will join an exclusive group of Side partners, tapping into an expansive network from coast to coast.

"When I started my career in real estate, I set out to make a difference in my community and make meaningful connections with clients," Harper said. "With Side, I'll be able to continue this mission and build a team that can help even more people realize their real estate dreams."

Side is led by experienced industry professionals and world-class engineers who develop technology designed to improve agent productivity and enhance the client experience. Based on its belief that homeownership is a fundamental human right, Side is on a mission to improve the public good by providing top-performing real estate agents, teams, and indie brokerages with the best system, support, service, experience, and results.

About Brick Street Realty

Brick Street Realty is a Corsicana, Texas, based real estate company focused on growing and retaining its client base through high-quality, personalized service, integrity, and the latest technology. Its team has an impressive knowledge of the local market, and the firm partners with buyers and sellers throughout Texas. To learn more, visit http://www.brickstreetrealtygroup.com.

About Side

Side transforms high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages into successful businesses and boutique brands that are 100% agent-owned. Side exclusively partners with the best agents, empowering them with proprietary technology and a premier support team so they can be more productive, grow their business, and focus on serving their clients. Side is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.sideinc.com.
SANAA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen announced that it fired five ballistic missiles and several explosive-laden drones in its multiple attacks early on Monday on airports and oil refinery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"The attacks targeted the international airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as the oil refinery in Abu Dhabi," Houthi military Spokesman Yehya Sarea said in a statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"We vow to hit more vital targets in the UAE if it continues military escalation in Yemen," the spokesman added.

The UAE state media reported earlier in the day that three oil tankers in the industrial area in Abu Dhabi were exploded after being hit by small drones. It also reported fire in the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The UAE said it reserved rights to respond to the Houthi threat.

The attacks was widely condemned by Arab and foreign countries.

This attack came nearly one week after the Houthis hijacked and captured a UAE-flagged commercial ship off the Houthi-held Red Sea city of Hodeidah.

The UN Security Council has called on the Houthi group to release the ship and crew members. The call was rejected by the Houthi group.

The UAE is part of a Saudi-led Arab coalition supporting the Yemeni internationally recognized government against the Houthi militia.

Last week, the coalition-backed Yemeni government army recaptured four strategic districts in the oil-rich provinces of Shabwa and Marib from the militia.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa. 
Enrique Ocampo, a poet from San Diego, has completed his new book Powerful Healing Words from God: a reflective compendium of poems fueled with positivity, hope, and wisdom where one will find the strength to stand against challenges. With this book comes a light that will guide one in moments of darkness.

Ocampo shares, This book is about strengthening your relationship with God and helping encourage your life to find the blessings of God. It helps develop a spiritual relationship with God when you use your faith.

This book is meant to help you heal yourself from any situation with the use of your faith.

These poems for God are meant to help motivate positivity within people who read this book.

Not to worry about anything impossible, this is for us to leave it up to God. Everything is possible for him with the use of your faith.

Published by Page Publishing, Enrique Ocampos manuscript weaves everyone an avenue for healing in times of struggle and pain from lifes daily battles. It carries a reminder of Gods saving power and glory that never fails to redeem ones soul from the pits of darkness.

Readers who wish to experience this illuminating work can purchase Powerful Healing Words from God at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Plain and simple, Itascas Inventory Intelligence Platform will allow us to better serve our customers.

HAC, Inc., an employee-owned regional grocer headquartered here, will implement Itasca Retails Magic Computer Generated Ordering chain-wide.

The retailer operates 80 stores under the Homeland, United, Cash Saver, Food World, and Piggly Wiggly banners, with locations in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Georgia.

Itasca Inventory Intelligence enables retailers to automate historically manual processes around ordering, inventory forecasting and DSD receiving, with increased speed and accuracy, to ensure they continue to provide exceptional shopping experiences and significantly reduce waste and labor. The system combines sophisticated algorithms and machine learning along with deep understanding of the North American grocery replenishment process to generate impressive gains in sales and productivity, while concurrently reducing inventory, shrink, product-handling and vendor credits.

Plain and simple, Itascas Inventory Intelligence Platform will allow us to better serve our customers, said Chris Smith, VP of IT at HAC Inc. After a careful review of the marketplace, we saw Itasca as the industry leader. We look forward to leveraging Itasca Magic to strategically improve our inventory management practices which will have a positive impact on the organization.

He added, With the labor challenges the industry faces now, having a tool that can take that workload on will make us a better operator.

Jeff Kennedy, President of Itasca Retail said, HAC, Inc. and their entire team is embarking on the same path to increased profitability and improved customer service our current customers experience. Choosing Magic will prove to be an excellent decision for an extended period of time. We are truly pleased to help Homeland advance its approach to inventory with Inventory Intelligence and we welcome them to the Itasca family of customers.

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About Itasca Retail:

Itasca Retail is a leading provider of inventory intelligence technology that enables grocers to better compete in the modern retail economy. More than 85,000 workers, at more than 3,000 stores, use the worlds first open inventory intelligence platform to manage great industry and economic changes including consumer shopping habits, labor shortages, and shifting supply-chain trends. Once the domain of industry giants, openly available Inventory Intelligence levels the playing field for grocers of all sizes. Itascas customers include Wegmans, PriceChopper/Market32, Tops Markets, The Fresh Market, Raleys, Weis Markets, Lunds & Byerlys, Cardenas Markets, and Brookshire Brothers.

For more information, visit us at https://www.itasca-retail.com or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/itasca-retail

About HAC, Inc.:

HAC, Inc. grocery chain is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. HAC operates 80 grocery stores in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Georgia. HAC operates under multiple banners including Homeland, United, Cash Saver, Food World and Piggly Wiggly. Homeland is HACs largest banner as well as Oklahomas largest locally-owned grocery store chain with 34 locations statewide. Homeland has been 100 percent employee owned since 2011. The company traces its roots back to 1916 when the first United Supermarket was opened. http://hacretail.com/

Media Contacts:

Itasca Retail

Jason Wirl

West Des Moines, IA

jwirl@itasca-retail.com

208-863-2603

James Tenser

jtenser@vsnstrategies.com

520-390-3751
KOAMTAC Inc., a leading manufacturer of Bluetooth companion barcode scanners, RFID Sleds, mPOS solutions, and enterprise charging solutions, has created data collecting and charging solutions for the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5.

The SKX5 is a compact and powerful SmartSled scanning solution specifically engineered for the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5. With fast and reliable barcode scanning abilities, companion and accessory availability, a rugged IP65 design, and excellent development tools, the SKX5 is the perfect tool for all data collecting needs.

Utilizing the same modular platform as the trusted SKXPro SmartSled, the SKX5 provides the best barcode scanning experience for your XCover 5. The SKX5 features a fully integrated case that houses a Honeywell N3601 2D imager scan engine that reads all major barcode symbologies. Barcode scanning is quickly triggered by pressing either of the conveniently placed scan buttons on each side of the device. The XCover 5 is held securely in place by the case and data is seamlessly transferred to the Galaxy XCover 5 via OTG.

KOAMTAC offers charging cradles to quickly charge your teams devices. The 1-Slot and 5-Slot Charging Cradles support 15W fast charging and deliver power via pogo pins, allowing the user to charge the XCover 5 without removing it from the SKX5 sled. KOAMTAC SKX5 Charging Cradles simultaneously charge Galaxy XCover 5 smartphones and 2,000MAH Extended Batteries, in 1-slot or 5-slot configurations. Other SKX Cradles are available for 1.0W UHF and Pistol Grip SmartSled companions.

When you combine Samsungs Galaxy XCover 5 with the SKX5, you receive powerful performance at a reasonable price that cannot be matched. KOAMTAC brings barcode, RFID, mPOS, and charging technologies to the table, enabling the user to get the most out of their XCover 5 smartphone, said Dr. Hanjin Lee, President of KOAMTAC.

The SKX5 can be outfitted with the same powerful SmartSled companions as the SKXPro. Add RFID reading capabilities with the 0.5W or 1.0W UHF Reader companions. Extend your phones battery capacity with the 2,000mAh Extended Battery companion or Pistol Grip companion with optional 6,000mAh battery. Lastly, process mag stripe or IC cards with the SLED-MSRIC companion or PCI/EMV payment cards with the Sled-mPOS companion.

KOAMTAC also offers individual and enterprise-level charging solutions for power on-the-go. The XCover 5 Charging Cradles will safely charge any size fleet of mobile phones and include slots for charging spare XCover 5 batteries. The cradles also support 15W Adaptive Fast Charging and are equipped with a time-out feature to protect the battery lifes longevity.

Dedicated XCover 5 battery charging stations are also available in 4-slot or 20-slot configurations.

KOAMTAC will demonstrate the SKX5 at NRF 2022: Retails Big Show in New York City, January 16-18, at booths 3231 and 3249. Because the XCover 5 was not released in the United States, the SKX5 is only available in select markets where the XCover 5 is sold. Participants who would like to schedule a demo ahead of time may contact the team at info@koamtac.com or via phone at 609-256-4700.

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ABOUT KOAMTAC

KOAMTAC, Inc., headquartered in Princeton, NJ, is focused on empowering data capture in the mobile world of warehousing, healthcare, retail/ecommerce, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and other industries. With solutions for barcode scanning, RFID reading, mobile point of sale, and enterprise charging made for both Android and iOS, KOAMTAC is the most versatile solution partner. For more information, visit http://www.koamtac.com, email the team at info@koamtac.com, or call +1.609.256.4700. Join in on the conversation on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KoamTac/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/koamtac), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/koamtac/), and YouTube (http://youtube.com/koamtac) to stay updated on the latest products and announcements.
Christianity and the Problem of Evil: a potent discussion that will leave readers with a considerable amount to consider. Christianity and the Problem of Evil is the creation of published author Larry Lacy, who graduated with a BA degree from Rhodes College in 1959. Lacy did graduate work in philosophy at the University of Virginia, receiving his PhD in philosophy in 1963. Lacy returned to Rhodes College in the fall of 1962 and taught philosophy until retiring in the spring of 2001.

Lacy shares, This book deals with the problem of evil that the Christian faith faces. Is the Christian faith (which affirms that there exists a God who is omniscient, omnipotent, and perfectly good) improbable, given the horrendous evils encountered by some in this life; and is the Christian faith improbable, given the evils the Christian faith affirms for some in the age to comeeternal judgment and eternal punishment? Some reflective persons see the problem of these eschatological evils as the most serious challenge to the reasonableness of the Christian faith. I argue that once we become clear about what the New Testament teaches about each of these eschatological evils, a way is opened up to show that it is not improbable for us that each of these teachings of the New Testament is fully consistent with the perfect goodness of God. I then argue that the doctrines of eternal judgment and eternal punishment, properly understood, open up an important resource for dealing with the problem that the grave evils of this life create for the Christian doctrine of the omniscience, omnipotence, and perfect goodness of God.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Larry Lacys new book will challenge and encourage believers both old and new.

Lacys considerable background in the field of philosophy is apparent within the pages of this thought-provoking work.

Consumers can purchase Christianity and the Problem of Evil at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Christianity and the Problem of Evil, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
"Our communitys health and wellbeing is important to us, and we hope our guests can discover new businesses and resources through this event. - Sharon Montanez, VP of Sales at Maggie's Farm.

Colorados original all-natural craft cannabis dispensary, Maggies Farm, is partnering with local Colorado-based practitioners and organizations to introduce a new monthly health and wellness driven event for its guests. The re-occurring event, Wellness Wednesday debuts at all Maggies Farm locations on Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be held on the second Wednesday of every month through the end of the year.

The event features a collective of local organizations that encompass health and wellness in a variety of industries including organic food farmers, massage therapists, glass blowers and more. Each month, new vendors will be featured at the event.

Local practitioners and small businesses attending the Feb. 9 event include:



Maggies Farm Medical Flower (Everywhere)  Sun-grown, pesticide-free pre-rolls. Available in 1g single servings in over 40 different strains.

Luna Float Spa (Manitou Springs)  Wellness Day spa offering flotation therapy, infrared saunas (dry heat), halotherapy, massage therapy and energy work.

Springs Spirituality (Colorado Springs North)  Handmade wellness goods such as healing crystals, teas, and smoking blends.

Bear Earth Essentials (Pueblo East)  Naturally and sustainably made candles, bath salts, and hemp jewelry.

Pure Blaze Pre-Rolls (Everywhere)  Clean, full-flower pre-rolls available in a variety of weights and multipacks.

We are very excited to be partnering with a wide variety of local vendors for this new event, said Sharon Montanez, VP of Sales at Maggies Farm. We love connecting with and supporting like-minded small businesses in our communities who focus on clean and natural products or lifestyles. Our communitys health and wellbeing is important to us, and we hope our guests can discover new businesses and resources through this event.

The new event comes on the heels of a new high-quality, organic product launch  Pure Blaze Pre-Rolls, organic, pesticide-free pre-rolled joints made with premium outdoor bud available in Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid strains. As a single-use product available in multi-packs, two-packs, and singles, these pre-rolls dont require users to share spit or snuff it out unfinished, making them perfect for individual use or a socially distanced outdoor gathering.

Maggies Farm continues its commitment to provide guests with high-quality, clean and natural cannabis products. Now, with the addition of the monthly Wellness Wednesday event, Maggies Farm is providing guests with local health and wellness resources beyond cannabis. For upcoming information about Wellness Wednesday's, please go to https://maggiesfarmmarijuana.com/.

About Maggies Farm

Maggies Farm is Colorados number one source of farm-to-bowl, pesticide-free recreational and medicinal marijuana. Their flower is grown outdoors, slow-cured and hand-trimmed, with no added growth hormones. In recognition of their premium products, Maggies Farm is Clean Green Certified by the USDA. Maggies Farm dispensaries are in eight different locations across Colorado: Canon City, Colorado Springs North, Colorado Springs South, Las Animas, Manitou Springs, Pueblo East, Pueblo North, and Pueblo West. To find out more information about Maggies Farm and Wellness Wednesdays, visit https://maggiesfarmmarijuana.com/.


The Identification Systems Group (ISG), the nationwide network of local identification system integrators, announced that it has donated over $47,000 to Able to Serve, a faith-based, community-funded nonprofit organization that believes every person, regardless of their abilities deserves the dignity of a fulfilling life. The funds were raised at the ISGs Annual Fall Meeting where Members and Partners made cash and check donations, as well as purchasing items in a charity silent auction.

We are honored to help this important community organization provide training and opportunity in a supportive environment, says David Lee, Executive Director of the ISG. Able to Serve not only provides the life skill training that many need, but also gives them opportunities to give back to their community. By teaching them leadership skills, Able to Serve affirms their dignity through their service to others. We also want to give a special thanks to our Partner, Identiv, for donating $10,000 of the total through their sales promotion.

About Able to Serve

Able to Serve is a faith-based, community-funded nonprofit organization that believes every person, regardless of their abilities, is created by God to live a full life. Their core service is a day program that provides adults with disabilities with a supportive environment where they can reach their full potential as an integral part of Gods creation. Their focus is on equipping them with life skills to be more independent and connecting them with opportunities to use their abilities to serve others in our community. For more information, visit their website at abletoserve.org.

About the ISG

The Identification Systems Group (ISG) is a nationwide network of local identification card system integrators, providing high quality, cost-effective solutions backed by the local support and strength of its Professional Services Certification program. Each company works together to provide seamless nationwide support in the USA and Canada.
New York City, NY (11385)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 51F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 51F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Building on the insights from a number of DPP members, Business to Business Metadata Exchange aims to reduce friction in the media supply chain at the points of content interchange, specifically around the exchange of metadata.

DPP CTO Rowan de Pomerai commented: While the interchange of content itself is well understood, the landscape for metadata is significantly more varied. A huge range of different formats are used - many of them bespoke - leading to significant inefficiencies in the supply chain.

In the document, the DPP recommends that most media organisations are best served by implementing MovieLabs Digital Distribution Framework (MDDF), a suite of compatible standards and specifications for interchange, and it outlines a phased approach for adoption into the critical path of the supply chain.

To help smooth the process of integration for those already using metadata detailed in the AS-11 UK DPP HD specification for the delivery of air-ready masters, the DPP also includes a mapping between these metadata fields and the schemas that comprise MDDF.

Jim Helman, CTO at MovieLabs, said: The MovieLabs Digital Distribution Framework is the result of years of industry collaboration to improve the automation of content delivery to online video distributors. We appreciate the DPP's endorsement of MDDF and their valuable contribution of a bridge from the AS-11 broadcast standard.

The DPP works directly with member companies to assist their implementation of DPP008 and other DPP technical Recommendations where required. And as a participant in the Digital Supply Chain Alliance, along with MovieLabs, the DEG, and OTT.X, the DPP will act on behalf of its member companies to contribute as necessary to the MDDF suite going forwards.

The main document can be downloaded here, and the accompanying appendix, detailing the AS-11 metadata translation, here.
Making the announcement regarding the Licence Fee by Twitter UK culture secretary Nadine Dorries said: This Licence Fee announcement will be the last. The days of the elderly being threatened with prison sentences and bailiffs knocking on doors, are over. Time now to discuss and debate new ways of funding, supporting and selling great British content.The 159 a year Licence Fee covers a bundle of vastly popular TV and radio channels, the BBC.co.uk web site and services such as the BBC iPlayer . Yet the BBC has been an object of ire over perceived political and cultural bias by the UKs governing Conservative party since being elected in 2010. Fringe right wing politicians have often called for freezes and abolition of the licence fee.Analyses made over the year have yet to find a viable alternative to the Licence Fee In April 2020, research firm Ampere Analysis examined a number of potential alternatives to the Licence Fee and found them all wanting.In one of the key findings looking at the subscription model, Ampere noted that fundamentally it was unrealistic for the BBC to match current income levels through a subscription fee as which is used by the liked of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It said the BBC would need to sign up nearly 24 million households for a whole year, each paying 13 per month, to mimic current funding levels. Current market leaders Sky and Netflix have less than half this number of subscribers apiece. Indeed, Amperes analysis indicated that the leading alternative models, with the exception of an income tax, would struggle to generate sufficient income to cover BBC activities, necessitating a scaling-back of output or quality.In March 2021, the UK government was slammed by a parliamentary committee for its failure to enable a viable and alternative form of funding. The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) Committee, The Future Of Public Service Broadcasting report concluded that the failure meant that the BBC would be forced to rely on the TV Licence Fee for the term of the next BBC Charter that will lay down the terms of how the corporation operates from 2028-2038. This said the committe raised a real risk that the BBC will struggle even more to compete with digital services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on Dec. 2, 2020. (JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israel's former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pursuing a plea deal in his corruption trial, Israeli media reported on Monday.

Netanyahu told his defense team to continue negotiations with Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit to reach a deal before the end of Mandelblit's term at the end of January, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported.

Mandelblit's office and the Justice Ministry have not immediately confirmed the move.

People chant slogans and hold placards as they take part in a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, on May 30, 2019. (Xinhua/Muammar Awad)

A deal could see Netanyahu plead guilty to reduced charges in exchange for receiving community service instead of a prison sentence in his criminal trial.

According to Kan, there are still major differences between Netanyahu's lawyers and Mandelblit's office, mainly over the former leader's demand to avoid a conviction carrying a "moral turpitude," which under Israeli law will force him to quit politics for seven years.

Netanyahu, 72, was ousted in June, 2021 by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's cross-partisan coalition government after 12 consecutive years in power. He is now the opposition leader and the chairman of the right-wing Likud party.

He faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases.

He denies all the allegations and claims the trial is part of "a witch hunt." 
Athens, GA (30605)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
People gathered in Harmony Parking lot in Brattleboro on Friday, April 22nd for a street festival and parade in celebration of Earth Day. According to Nancy Braus of 350 Brattleboro, the goal was to celebrate the ways in which the community is working towards climate justice and to empower 
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and its agencies are readying relief efforts for the remote South Pacific island nation of Tonga following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, a UN spokesman said on Monday.

"Our humanitarian colleagues and the government report significant infrastructural damage around Tongatapu (the main island) and no contact from the Ha'apai group of islands," said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "We are particularly concerned about two small islands, Mango and Fonoi, following surveillance flights confirming substantial property damage."

Australia and New Zealand carried out the flights over the weekend.

While there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries following Saturday's massive eruption, two people were reported missing, Dujarric said.

He said the World Food Programme is mapping efforts to deploy relief supplies and staff. The agency is sending its emergency communications cluster to help restore communications lines in Tonga.

The spokesman said the UN Children's Fund awaits government confirmation before transporting prepositioned emergency supplies from Fiji and Brisbane, Australia, warehouses. Included are essential water, sanitation and hygiene kits, water containers and buckets and water-field test kits, tarps, recreational kits for children and tents.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the tsunami that occurred in the aftermath of the massive eruption has brought extensive damage on the western beaches of Tongatapu, with several resorts and houses destroyed or badly damaged.

Other UN agencies working on relief include the UN Population Fund, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Organization for Migration and the World Health Organization, the office said. The agencies work closely with relevant authorities in Tonga, humanitarian partners and donor countries.

The New Zealand and Australian governments announced emergency funding for the immediate aid response, and Australia is preparing a vessel to sail to Tonga with relief supplies, OCHA said.

The Red Cross offered assistance and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community is providing technical support on the impact of the eruption and ashfall, the office said. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is an international development organization comprising 22 Pacific island countries and territories.

Tonga's National Emergency Management Office is leading assessments and government response. The Tonga Red Cross Society and OCHA provide communication support.

The humanitarian office said there was no serious impact on Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands besides limited flooding. 
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
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Liz Medina is the Executive Director of the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Vermonts federation of labor unions. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

State Rep. Mike Mrowicki, D, serves the Windham 4 District towns of Putney, Dummerston and Westminster. He serves on the Government Operations Committee. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
EAST HAVEN  Three security guards have begun working at two schools in the district after being hired due to security issues.

The security guards  two at Joseph Melillo Middle School and one at East Haven High School  began work last week.

They have hit the ground running, Richard Caponera, chief of operations and oversight, said at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday. Our administration is very pleased with having them on board.

One of new security guards previously was a lieutenant judicial marshal who retired after 30 years. Another was a chief judicial marshal and instructor at the academy who retired after 32 years. The third new security guard was a corrections officer who retired after 21 years and then became a lead security guard at another local high school.

Caponera said all three have extensive experience with children and have taken part in training, policy writing and implementation of current technologies and methods.

The district plans on giving the guards time to acclimate to the schools before consulting them about moving forward with further security plans.

Board member Dominic Milano sat in on the interviews of the two candidates with the marshal background, stating they made a great fit.

The hiring of the new security guards comes after concerns regarding security and safety of buildings, primarily the middle and high schools.

In November, videos of fights were taken at the middle and high schools and shared on social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram, officials said.

Fights included an altercation at East Haven High School in which school staff and the school resource officer broke up the fight, Patch reported. Another fight, at the middle school, involved a student being assaulted by multiple others against a locker.

East Haven police Capt. Joseph Murgo said Friday that despite videos showing a chaotic scene, the incident was handled quickly, appropriately and in accordance with Board of Education policy.

We were called to the school after everything was under control and enforcement action was taken against several students who were involved. Nobody was seriously injured during that incident, Murgo said.

There were six main students involved in the fight and six arrests were made in the form of juvenile summonses, Murgo said.

For weeks following the incident, police maintained a presence in and around the schools.

Other safety concerns include recent nationwide trends such as the TikTok challenges and other social media threats that have been popping up in school districts around the country, according to Murgo.

Murgo clarified that the increase in staffing is not directly related to the November fight.

These fights led to parents and some staff attending a Nov. 16 Board of Education meeting to voice concerns about both students and staff in the buildings.

Cindy Giammatti, union president for the districts paraprofessionals, said the fight was disturbing and scary for adults at the middle school.

If the staff member did not intervene in that attack, that child would have been taken out in an ambulance, probably sitting in a hospital today, Giammatti said at the Nov. 16 meeting.

Giammatti added that having a school resource officer in the building is beneficial but not a deterrent.

The SRO program was revitalized this year after not being in East Haven schools since 2011, according to Murgo.

Other parents said their children are afraid of attending school due to fights and threats, with some asking for increased police presence, metal detectors, bag checks and limited entrances/exits.

After the meeting, board Chairwoman Michele DeLucia sent an email to administrators regarding the safety concerns and to let the administration know they have the boards support.

At a Dec. 7 special board meeting, Superintendent of Schools Erica Forti made a statement about the concerns, saying any behaviors that disrupt the educational process, endanger people or property or violate the districts policies are not allowed, and that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken.

The safety and security of our students and staff remains our number one priority, Forti said. Rules and policies have been established to create a safe and educationally sound environment for learning.

Forti added that the district would continue working with SROs, the Police Department, social workers, school behavioral health centers and the security team to ensure safety in the district.

Forti did not return a message left with the districts central office Friday.

At the Dec. 14 meeting, the board again discussed security in an executive session before DeLucia made a motion to hire three security guards.

The board was also looking into prices of metal detectors and gates, DeLucia said.

As of Jan. 11, the board did have prices for these materials but planned to wait for the input of the new security guards before making purchases.

christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com
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WEST HAVEN  After announcing the biannual bulk trash pickup schedule for 2022, city officials have received a bulk of opinions from residents.

Dozens of residents reported to the Register that they feel the schedule  which dictates that residents can discard large trash such as couches, chairs, tables, carpeting, padding and fencing during the weeks of April 25-29 and September 12-16  is not frequent enough.

Two is not enough. Four would probably be sufficient, said resident Joseph Cole.

Over the years, the number of bulk pickups has decreased, from monthly to six per year to four and now two.

Cole said he believes the overall cleanliness of the city would improve with more frequent bulk trash pickup and also would benefit the citys economic development efforts.

Businesses want to come to clean and well-maintained communities, he said. And creating a cleaner and better-kept environment helps psychologically with encouraging residents to be better.

It is primarily for that reason, Public Works Commissioner Tom McCarthy said, that the city has opted for two weeks of the year to be designated for bulk trash pickup.

When we offered bulk pickup every month, we had a city that was never clean, he said. People would start putting stuff out a week before and in some cases wed fight people for the stuff they put out for a week afterwards. A monthly bulk pickup could have a three-week life cycle and you have bulk trash on the streets of the city year-round.

McCarthy said he believes the city could potentially play around with its schedule to find the sweet spot, but the cost to the city from the number of pickups is negligible while the impact to the citys overall cleanliness from fewer pickups is obvious to him and his department.

McCarthy said the city is charged for tonnage when it drops off bulk items in Bridgeport through a regional agreement, so the only difference in cost is running trucks more or less frequently; however, he said the hours and effort associated with biannual pickup when people have more trash stored is roughly the same as when crews make more frequent but less substantial trips through neighborhoods.

A representative of Affordable Waste Systems LLC of East Haven, the city's private contractor for waste pickup, declined to comment.

Mayor Nancy Rossi said that even with the two pickup dates, which have been consistent throughout her mayoralty that began in 2017, the city still finds bulk trash put on curbs prematurely.

They start putting stuff out early and it blows around the street if its windy or if its a snowstorm it gets buried, she said.

Residents keeping lids open on toters containing bulk trash is a concern, McCarthy said, because something like a comforter weighs more if it becomes damp in a rainstorm and therefore costs the city more to discard at its Bridgeport site.

Rich Fowler, a city resident, said he would support a city dump or refuse center to mitigate residents stress over bulk pickup.

We could charge people from other towns like Orange and Hamden does and make revenue from it, he said.

Fowler said its a big pain for residents to keep items piled up in the basement for months, so eliminating that need would be a plus. He said he had a full set of old furniture from his sons bedroom that he held onto for two months in the past, as there was nowhere else to take it.

McCarthy said his department has identified a piece of property for a transfer station, but its future is up in the air. Rossi said she believes a transfer station is something we should explore, but she wants the city to have a chance to think it through first.

You dont want to do something thats worse for the city, so you have to vet it and check with other municipalities, she said.

Michele Gregorio, a former mayoral candidate, rents out units in the three-family home she lives in.

As a landlord I know I have a lot more trash to deal with when people move in and out of an apartment. We need at least one more pickup, she said.

Gregorio said that over 17 years, a majority of tenants have been great but some have left large items behind that subsequently became her responsibility to dispose of, she said. She said she did a deep cleaning of her home and possessions last year and she expects others may want to do the same, so infrequent bulk trash pickup can be limiting. However, she complimented the citys department.

I have to say Public Works is very responsive when there is an issue, she said.

Resident Frank Romano said he supports limited bulk pickups so that the service is not exploited by out-of-towners. He said he thinks it might be appropriate for the city to look into one annual bulk trash pickup.

Contractors, people doing home renovations, and out-of-towners continue to add to the expense of disposal, which is in turn, borne by the taxpayers. Why should the taxpayers make it easy for these people to do what they should be paying for themselves? he said. We have a great weekly trash collection service. A basic question should be asked: How much bulky trash does a normal household generate in a year? If somebody is generating a pile of trash big enough to take up the entire street frontage in front of their house every three months, what are they doing to create that?

McCarthy said his department is aware anecdotally of landlords who own property in West Haven as well as other municipalities putting bulk trash in front of their West Haven properties during bulk pickup weeks.

If the out-of-town landlords know there are 12 bulk pickup opportunities within the city of West Haven, I assure you there will be certain residences that will put out a years worth of bulk 12 times, he said.

Rossi said she drives the citys streets during bulk trash pickup weeks and observes that some properties seem to regularly dispose of a lot of trash each time, whereas others do not.

Were not the bulk trash police, but in some way, shape or form the taxpayers have to pay for it, she said.

However, city police have responded to illegal dumping, McCarthy said.

We have somebody every morning who drives and checks several locations (popular for illegal dumping) and we get hit in one of those spots every night, he said. Spring Street is our biggest concern if they dump their materials into the watercourse.

McCarthy said West Haven police have a two-man unit working on quality-of-life concerns in collaboration with his department.

Weve arrested some local folks and had them pay restitution, he said. Its a direct result of nuisance dumping.

Residents looking to dispose of tires are asked to bring those tires to Town Fair Tire at 63 Boston Post Road in Orange for a fee of $2.75 per tire. Dry mattresses can be disposed of for free at the citys maintenance garage at 1 Collis St.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid said Monday that the massive volcano eruption in Tonga and the ensuing tsunami demonstrate the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to natural disasters.

The usual response options, when it comes to SIDS, are limited. There is limited higher ground. The groundwater is easily contaminated, and almost all infrastructure is located near the shoreline, Shahid was quoted as saying by his spokesperson Paulina Kubiak.

"What we need is efforts to enhance resilience as outlined in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and further specified in the 2030 Agenda," said the spokeswoman.

This is an instance where international solidarity is needed in crisis response and reconstruction, she said.

Shahid is following closely the developments in the region. The president is relieved that there have so far not been any confirmed reports of deaths or major injuries. But he notes that communications remain down and details are coming in slowly. The president is aware that losses are difficult to assess, said the spokeswoman. 
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is to impose the ruling Chinese Communist Party's patriotic education program on all students starting in the fall of 2022, a source told RFA.



Newly revised core curriculum requirements will ensure that no student who doesn't complete the one-credit course titled "Understanding China " will be allowed to graduate, the source said.



In response to RFA's questions, the university confirmed that it would be bringing in courses under its requirement to offer "national security education," mandatory in all educational establishments from kindergarten up, after Beijing imposed a national security law from , 2020, ushering in a crackdown on public dissent and political opposition.



"In accordance with Article 10 of the Hong Kong national security law, [we are required] to implement national security education through classroom teaching and other means to enhance national security awareness and promote law-abiding behavior by Hong Kong residents," the university said.



The program will include a special lecture on "national security" as part of student orientation, and training those conducting orientation activities in the same, it said.



The announcement follows similar moves at Hong Kong's Polytechnic University, Baptist University, Lingnan University and Education University.



The University of Hong Kong, University of Science and Technology and City University have yet to make public the details of their programs.



The move came as a number of outspoken academics announced their retirement from Hong Kong universities, citing their lack of comfort with the new regime in the city's education system.



Flowers, candles and a portrait of the Goddess of Democracy statue are placed at its site after it was removed from the Chinese University of Hong Kong , Dec. 24, 2021. Credit: AFP Early retirement

Former CUHK politics lecturer Ivan Choy, 56, said he recently took early retirement for the same reason.



"The reasons I retired are even more depressing that the broader changes happening [in Hong Kong], and people no longer recognize the culture at CUHK," Choy told RFA in a recent interview.



"During the past year, they have disbanded the student union and removed the Goddess of Democracy statues," Choy said. "All of this made me very sad, and I felt it was time to retire early."



"I wanted to retire early and find something else to do, to feel good about myself," he said.



Choy had already discontinued a regular column in the Ming Pao newspaper, which was recently denounced in the CCP's Ta Kung Pao newspaper, sparking fears that the paper could meet with the same fate as the Apple Daily, and a series of other pro-democracy media outlets that have folded or relocated in recent months.



The Ta Kung Pao accused the Ming Pao of wanting to "take over Apple Dailys role by inciting others," after it published an op-ed piece on the removal of the Goddess of Democracy, the Pillar of Shame and other statues marking the 1989 Tiananmen massacre from university campuses across Hong Kong.



Choy said the new climate means that academics like himself are far less likely to comment on social or political matters in future.



"Academics, especially the younger ones, may fear for their careers or their personal safety," he said. "Also, there is far greater self-censorship in the media, which means fewer commentators."



A recent report in the pro-CCP Sing Tao Daily said more than half of University of Hong Kong faculty chiefs are planning to leave, if they haven't already, including Keiji Fukuda, dean of the school of public health, whose contract wasn't renewed at the end of 2021.



'National security education'

In , the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) said its president Wei Shyy, who called for an inquiry into the death of HKUST student Chow Tsz-lok during the 2019 protest movement, will step down next year.



In an announcement published the day after the anniversary of Chow's death, the university said Shyy had notified it that he would resign with effect from Oct. 19, 2022, one year ahead of his five-year term.



Soon afterwards, City University announced that its president Way Kuo would step down in 2023, without explaining the move.



After the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed a draconian national security law on Hong Kong from , 2020, Shyy told reporters he had "no need" to support it, as it was already law, and would have to be obeyed.



The law ushered in a city-wide crackdown on public dissent and peaceful protest, including peaceful actions deemed "subversive" or otherwise undermining of the authorities, that has left dozens of opposition politicians, rights activists and journalists behind bars, and led to the shuttering of prominent unions, civil society organizations and the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper.



"National security education" -- which is being tailored to all age-groups from kindergarten to university -- is also mandatory under the law, while student unions and other civil society groups have disbanded, with some of their leaders arrested in recent months.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The community dates to the 14th century, when merchants from Nepal, China, and Kashmir began settling in Tibet.

Sakina Batt, a young Tibetan Muslim who now lives in Kathmandu, has had an audience with the Dalai Lama.

When Sakina Batt, a young Tibetan Muslim from Nepal, wrapped up a four-year job working with the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala, India, she received a rare honor: an audience with the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Tibetans.

I completely broke down when I entered the room, she said. The environment was such and the vibe was such that even though it was just a virtual audience, I felt so special.

Just because Im a minority, just because Im a Tibetan Muslim who worked at the administration, I was given that opportunity, added Batt.

Most people dont know about the existence of the Tibetan Muslims, she told RFAs Tibetan Servce.

Religion, of course, is the only difference between devout Muslims and Tibetan Buddhists, she told RFA. Other than that, everything is the same. We have the same culture, we have the same traditions and language, what we eat is the same, and what we wear is the same.

Batt, 30, hails from a community whose origins date at least to the 14th century, when Muslim merchants from Nepal, China, Kashmir and Ladakh began settling in Tibet, according to information on the website of Tibet House U.S., a Tibetan cultural institution based in New York.

Sakina Batt, who worked for the Central Tibetan Authority for four years, met Sikyong Penpa Tsering last year.

The migrants intermarried with Tibetan Buddhist women, who then converted to Islam, while adopting Tibetan language and customs.

By the 16th century, these Tibetan Muslims, now known as Khache, formed an integral part of Tibets golden age, according to David Atwill, a history professor at Pennsylvania State University who wrote about Tibetan Muslims in his 2018 book Islamic Shangri-La: Inter-Asian Relations and Lhasa's Muslim Communities, 1600 to 1960.

In the [Tibet Autonomous Region], most of the Khache have, when forced to choose their officially designated ethnicity  have identified themselves as Tibetan even as they continue to believe in Islam and attend daily prayers at the local mosques, Atwill wrote in an email.

After China took over Tibet in 1950 and the Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala nine years later, many Tibetan Muslims left the region for neighboring areas to preserve the religion and identity they felt were threatened in communist China.

Their biggest community lives in Kashmir, but smaller pockets can also be found in Darjeeling and Kalimpong in the Himalayan foothills of Indias West Bengal state, and in Kathmandu, Nepal, where 120 Tibetan Muslim families live, according to a May 2018 article in the Nepali Times.

They were granted citizenship by India due to the Kashmiri roots. Today, Tibetan Muslims form a very small minority in Tibet.

The Muslim communitys origins in Tibet date at least to the 14th century, when Muslim merchants from Nepal, China, Kashmir and Ladakh in present-day India began settling in Tibet, according to Tibet House U.S. (Courtesy of Siddiq Wahid)

In the Tibet Autonomous Region, Muslims worship at least five mosques in the capital Lhasa area and exist peacefully with Buddhists, Atwill said.

Like their Buddhist Tibetan brethren, the Tibetan Muslims face an array challenges to maintaining their Tibetan identity, maintaining fluency in the Tibetan language with the younger generation and identifying ways to promote their Tibetan identity in politically difficult times, he wrote.

While in the TAR, they continue to struggle to straddle the ethno-religious divide between being Tibetan and Muslim, when being Muslim is equally assumed to be Hui (not Tibetan), he said.

Atwill said the Chinese likely chose to treat Tibetan Muslims differently than Uyghurs out of cautious convenience and a desire to not drive the Khache into a common allegiance with the ethnic Tibetan majority, many of whom want independence from China.

That said, the Khache, like Muslims across China, remain vigilant and concerned about the stark anti-religious turn of recent policies, he said.

Under leader X Jinping, China has mounted a campaign to Sinicize religion and make adherents place their loyalty in the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

To Tibets north in Xinjiang, an estimated 1.8 million predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities have been incarcerated in an extensive network of internment camps where they are subject to violence and forced labor.

The current Dalai Lama visited the Tibetan Muslim community in Srinagar, Kashmir, in 2012, regularly receives their representatives, and has participated in inter-religious events, said Jose Cabezon, the Dalai Lama professor of Tibetan Buddhism and Cultural Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The Dalai Lama considers Tibetan Muslims an integral part of the Tibetan people, and has tremendous respect for their history and culture, said Cabezon.

Journalist Lowell Thomas visits a Muslim shop in Lhasa, 1949. (Courtesy of the James A. Cannavino Library, Marist College)

Reported by RFA's Tibetan Service and Roseanne Gerin. Translated by Tenzin Dickey. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
MINSK -- Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said that joint military maneuvers will be held with Russia in February close to the borders with Ukraine as well as eastern NATO member states.

Speaking during a meeting with Belarusian military officials on January 17, Lukashenka said that the exact dates of the drills had not been determined yet. He did not specify how many troops would be involved.

The secretary of the Belarusian Security Council, Alyaksandr Volfavich, later told the BelTA news agency that Russian military forces and hardware had begun arriving in the country.

The announcement comes as tensions between the West and Moscow have been growing in recent months over the security of Ukraine, a Western ally that borders both Belarus and Russia.

Kyiv has been battling Kremlin-backed separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 13,200 people since April 2014.

Russia has deployed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Ukraine in what Kyiv and its Western allies fear could be preparations for a potential invasion, something Moscow has denied.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued to back ally Lukashenka in his standoff with the West over a disputed presidential election in August 2020 that handed the Belarusian leader a sixth consecutive term in office.

The official election results triggered a wave of protests, with Lukashenka responding with a brutal crackdown on dissent that has seen thousands detained and most opposition politicians leaving the country fearing for their safety.

Lukashenka said on January 17 that next month's military exercises with Russia should focus on a scenario in which his country's military is forced to "resist forces coming from the West."

Without giving evidence, he justified the drills by claiming there was a buildup of troops along Belarus's border with Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic states.

Poland and the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are both EU and NATO member states.

Last week, the United States and its NATO allies held negotiations with Russia aimed at easing tensions over Ukraine, but the talks failed to make significant progress.

Putin has issued a series of demands for security guarantees in Europe, including NATO not accepting new members like Ukraine and Georgia and limits on allied deployments in Eastern European NATO members.

Western officials say Russia's combative rhetoric and troop buildup near Ukraine is an attempt to pressure the United States and European allies into bending on the Kremlin's wish list.

Moscow insists its military deployment is a response to what it sees as the growing presence of NATO in its sphere of influence and denies it plans to invade Ukraine.

With reporting by BelTA
A civil activist and niece of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was arrested last week, her brother and activists say, after she praised a member of Iran's former royalty.

Agents of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry arrested Farideh Moradkhani on January 14, while some of her personal belongings were confiscated in a raid on her home, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a U.S.-based news outlet that covers news in Iran.

The agency said on January 16 that Moradkhani had been transferred to Tehrans Evin prison.

"We are very worried, we did not have news...we now know she is in Evin prison" and under the control of the Intelligence Ministry, her brother Mahmud Moradkhani, who lives in France, told the London-based Iran International Persian-language satellite news channel.

Moradkhani, a daughter of Khamenei's sister, is known in Iran for her activism against the death penalty and for civil freedoms in the country.

Her reported arrest came after a video posted on social media showed her praising Farah Diba, the widow of the last Shah, during an online event marking the former queens 83rd birthday. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ruled Iran until the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Farah is now based in France.

Moradkhanis father is anti-Islamic Republic dissident Sheikh Ali Tehrani, who spent 10 years in prison in Iran.

With reporting by HRANA, AFP, and Iran International
ALMATY, Kazakhstan --Noted Kazakh civil rights activist Kenzhebek Abishev has died at the age of 55, three months after he was released from prison.

Abishev's wife, Gulmira Abisheva, told RFE/RL that her husband died early on the morning of January 17 in what ambulance workers described as a heart attack.

Abishev was sentenced to seven years in prison in December 2018 after he and two other activists were found guilty of planning a "holy war" because they were spreading the ideas of the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement. His prison term was later cut by eight months.

The activist, who rejected all the charges against him and was declared a political prisoner by domestic human rights groups, was granted early release in October 2021.

In April last year, Abishev was rushed from prison to the Qapshaghai City Hospital as his condition worsened due to a hunger strike he had started to protest against his imprisonment and prison conditions in general.

Physicians then diagnosed him with coronary heart disease.

Human rights groups have criticized Kazakh authorities for years for stifling dissent and persecuting independent journalists.
NUR-SULTAN -- Two more close relatives of Nursultan Nazarbaev have lost their posts in the latest indication that the Kazakh government was moving to purge or squeeze members of the former presidents extended family in the wake of unprecedented political turmoil.

On January 17, Kazakhstan's National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Atameken, announced the resignation of its chairman, Timur Kulibaev, a son-in-law of Nazarbaev.

Kulibaev, one of the richest people in the oil-rich former Soviet republic, is the husband of Nazarbaev's second daughter, Dinara.

The same day, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev issued a decree to dismiss Nazarbaev's nephew Samat Abish from the post of deputy chairman of the Committee for National Security (KNB).

The moves came after two other sons-in-law of Nazarbaev were pushed out of top jobs at two major state energy companies.

Earlier, one of Nazarbaev's closest associates, KNB Chairman Karim Masimov, and his two deputies were arrested on high-treason charges.

Parts of Kazakhstan remain under a state of emergency imposed following deadly anti-government protests in early January.

Kazakh officials said over the weekend that at least 225 people, including 19 law enforcement officers, were killed during the unrest.

On January 17, journalists Asem Zhapisheva and Bella Orynbetova called on the authorities to publish the names of those killed, amid claims by some human rights activists that many of the victims were passersby who had nothing to do with the protests.

Without giving any details, Toqaev has claimed that thousands of "foreign terrorists" attacked the Central Asian nation's commercial capital, Almaty, and used that claim to justify his order to shoot to kill and his decision to invite troops to the country from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russian-led military alliance.

The troops started leaving Kazakhstan last week after spending less than a week there.
BISHKEK -- The head of Kyrgyzstan's State Customs Service, Adilet Kubanychbekov, has been arrested on accusations of corruption.

The State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said on January 17 that Kubanychbekov and his subordinates were suspected of receiving bribes to illegally create advantages for some import firms.

Kubanychbekov was appointed to the post in October 2021.

Last month, he told RFE/RL that all corruption in the Customs Service had been eradicated.

The Central Asian state's Customs Service has been criticized for widespread corruption for years.

In 2019, an investigation by RFE/RL, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and Kloop implicated former deputy chief of the customs service Raimbek Matraimov in a corruption scheme involving the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars out of Kyrgyzstan by Chinese-born Uyghur businessman Aierken Saimaiti, who was subsequently assassinated in Istanbul in November 2019.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the estimated $700 million scheme involved a company controlled by Matraimov bribing officials to skirt customs fees and regulations, as well as engaging in money laundering, "allowing for maximum profits."
Aleksei Navalny says he has no regrets and has called on his supporters not to be "afraid," a year to the day the opposition politician was detained after returning to Russia from Germany where he was recovering from a near-fatal poisoning.

"I sided with those honest people who do not want to be, or cannot be, scared any more. I did it, I don't regret it for a second, and I will continue doing it," Navalny, who is serving time in an old embezzlement case that is widely considered as being politically motivated, said in a post on Instagram on January 17.

"Having served my first year in prison, I want to tell everyone exactly what I shouted to those gathered outside the court when a convoy led me to a police van: Don't be afraid of anything," the vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin said.

"This is our country and we have no other," Navalny wrote, also posting a photo of himself wearing an inmate's uniform, with his arm around his wife, Yulia.

Amnesty International marked the first anniversary of Navalny's arrest by urging the international community and people across the world to join their voices to call for his release, and put an end to their "unprecedented campaign of repression and reprisals" against his supporters.

Navalny, 45, was detained in Moscows Sheremetyevo airport on January 17, 2021 upon his arrival from Berlin, where he had been recovering after being poisoned in Siberia in August 2020.

A Moscow court ruled two weeks later that, while in Germany, he had violated the terms of parole imposed from a widely criticized 2014 embezzlement case.

Navalny's 3 1/2-year suspended sentence from the case was converted to a jail term, though the court said he will serve 2 1/2 years in prison given time he had been held in detention.

The opposition politician has claimed his near-fatal poisoning with a Novichok-type nerve agent was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has denied any role in Navalny's poisoning.

In his Instagram post on January 17, Navalny said he didn't know when his imprisonment "will end and whether it will end at all."

Speaking in a phone interview with Current Time, a lawyer for Navalny said that "everything is being done...so that he is kept in prison as long as possible."

"And I think that this period may be indefinite, given the huge number of criminal cases that have been initiated against him and are being investigated," Olga Mikhailova said.

In the year since Navalny's detention, the Kremlin critic, his supporters, and Russian civil society organizations "have suffered a relentless onslaught of repression," Marie Struthers, Amnesty International's Eastern Europe and Central Asia director, said in a statement on January 17.

"Dozens of Navalnys associates and supporters are facing prosecutions on bogus charges, while a growing number of them are already in prison," Struthers said, while the Russian authorities "have labelled his organizations as 'extremist' and blocked their websites."

Some of Navalny's associates have fled the country fearing political persecution, "yet they now fear their relatives in Russia will suffer a similar fate of unfounded prosecution and imprisonment," she said. "On the anniversary of his detention, Navalny and the political activists associated with him are in a living hell."

In June 2021, two organizations founded by Navalny-- the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and the Citizens Rights Defense Foundation (FZPG) -- were officially labelled as extremist and banned. Their activities have since been criminalized.

In September 2021, a criminal case was opened against Navalny and his associates under the charge of creating an "extremist association," while the opposition politician also faces up to 15 additional years in prison if convicted on charges that include fraud and money laundering in relation to alleged misappropriation of donations to his nongovernmental organizations.

On January 14 this year, two associates of Navalny -- Leonid Volkov and Ivan Zhdanov -- were added to a Russian list of "extremists and terrorists," and their assets in the country are now blocked.

Zhdanov's father was handed a suspended prison sentence last year in a corruption case that critics say is politically motivated.

"The callous actions of the Kremlin, who remain hellbent on silencing and vilifying Aleksei Navalny and his supporters, must end now," Struthers said, adding that the people of Russia should not have to suffer from the relentless suppression of their human rights.

According to Struthers, more than 360,000 people around the world have signed a petition launched by Amnesty International that calls for the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Navalny.

On January 17, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, called on the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release of Lilia Chanysheva, the former head of Navalny's office in the city of Ufa, in Bashkortostan.

Chanysheva was ordered last month to remain in pretrial detention until April 9.

Thousands of Russians were detained during nationwide protests in January 2021 calling for his release.

Navalny's imprisonment and poisoning also sparked an international outcry, with the European Union, Britain, and other countries imposing further sanctions on Russian officials.

European lawmakers chose Navalny as the recipient of the annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on October 20, saying he "has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putin's regime."
Former President Petro Poroshenko has returned to Ukraine to fight treason charges he rejects as politically motivated, setting the stage for a divisive political storm as the government seeks the support of its Western partners amid heightened tensions with Russia.



At Kyiv airport, where he arrived on a flight from Warsaw on January 17, Poroshenko was greeted by several thousand supporters. Some held banners reading, "We need democracy" and "Stop repressions."



From the airport Poroshenko went to court, which will decide whether to remand him in custody during the investigation and trial. Prosecutors requested bail of 1 billion hryvnyas ($37 million) and the wearing of an electronic tracking bracelet as a condition for the release of the 56-year-old Poroshenko, one of Ukraine's richest businessmen.

After hours of proceedings, the court adjourned until January 19.



The accusations against Poroshenko are linked to an alleged sale of coal that helped finance Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014-15, while Poroshenko was in office.

Poroshenko, who is now a lawmaker and the leader of the opposition European Solidarity party, accuses his successor, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, of political persecution.

The former president and his allies also accuse Zelenskiy of promoting political division at a time Ukraine needs unity in the face of a Russian troop buildup near its borders that has spawned fears of a possible attack.

"We're here not to defend Poroshenko, we're here to join forces and defend Ukraine," Poroshenko told supporters at Kyiv's airport after being out of the country since December. "United Ukraine is strong, and a strong Ukraine is capable of pushing back against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin."



The billionaire businessman has already had his assets frozen as part of the investigation. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and began supporting separatist fighters in an ongoing war in eastern Ukraine that broke out the same year and has claimed more than 13,200 lives.



The allegations against Poroshenko have caused international concern that Zelenskiy and his allies are settling scores at a time attention needs to be focused on the Russian troop buildup.



"All political leaders in Ukraine need to unite against Russian aggression right now. So important at this time not to lose sight of this or be distracted by polarizing domestic politics," Melinda Simmons, the British ambassador to Ukraine, said in a tweet on January 17.



During a visit by a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation to Kyiv on January 17, Senator Rob Portman (Republican-Ohio) urged a fair process and encouraged unity among Ukrainians.



"We have to be sure that the rule of law is followed," Portman told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service after a press briefing. "I hope that the message of unification will be the strongest message."



Poroshenko was elected as head of a pro-Western government after the 2014 popular protests ousted Russia-backed former President Viktor Yanukovich.



Zelenskiy crushed Poroshenko in the 2019 election on a campaign to fight corruption and curb the influence of oligarchs.

With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters
LUSAKA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday said there was no vindictiveness or selectiveness in the fight against corruption as alleged by leaders of the former government.

Hichilema, who emerged winner of last August's general elections and has placed the fight against corruption top on his agenda, said the fight was not targeted against people from certain regions or tribes but was for any person involved in stealing public resources.

In remarks delivered when he swore in Mary Chirwa, the new head of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the country's anti-drugs agency which also deals with money laundering, the Zambian president said it was unfortunate that people currently being investigated on corruption charges have started crying of being victimized.

"They have now started fighting back and they have started crying. They have even started employing the media to generate stories to divert our attention," he said.

He said no amount of intimidation will deter the government from pursuing people who siphoned public resources, adding that the fight against corruption will be relentless.

According to him, it was unfortunate that money meant to provide social services to people was diverted into private pockets and that the country may plunge into more economic turmoil if the fight against corruption was relaxed.

Leaders of the former regime have cried foul that the fight against corruption by the current government was vindictive and targeting people from certain regions.

A number of senior officials from the previous government have had their homes searched and some have appeared before investigative wings for questioning.

The government has set up a joint investigative wing to investigate corruption activities. 
Jailed Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has never had the chance to hold a TV debate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who refuses to even speak his name in public. But in the year since Navalny's arrest and jailing, the two men have both commented on the key issues of the day. This is their remote debate: Putin speaks from the Kremlin, Navalny from a prison cell where he is being held on what is widely regarded as a trumped-up, politically motivated conviction.
U.S. and British officials have pledged support and new weapons to Ukraine as Germany issued further calls for diplomacy and warnings to Moscow amid a troop buildup in western Russia.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on January 17 that Britain was providing Ukraine with new "defensive weapons systems," and announced a fresh diplomatic overture toward Moscow.

"We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light anti-armor, defensive weapon systems," Wallace told Parliament.

He added: "They are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia. They are to use in self-defense."

Wallace also said he was inviting Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to London for talks in the coming weeks to help defuse the crisis.

Kyiv and its Western backers say Russia has deployed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Ukraine in recent weeks in what could be preparations for a potential invasion, something Moscow has denied.

A U.S. Congressional delegation that arrived in Kyiv on January 17 to "help deter further Russian aggression," meanwhile, underscored Western resolve in the face of the Russian threat.

"I think [Russian President] Vladimir Putin has made the biggest mistake of his career in underestimating how courageously the people of Ukraine will fight him if he invades," Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat-Connecticut) told journalists after the delegation met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

"And we will impose crippling economic sanctions, but more important we will give the people of Ukraine the arms, lethal arms, they need to defend their lives and livelihoods," Blumenthal added.

He said such weapons could include Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger missiles, small arms, and boats.

"And so our message is: There will be consequences if he chooses to violate the sanctity of this democracy," Senator Amy Klobuchar (Democrat-Minnesota) said.

Senator Chris Murphy (Democrat-Connecticut) told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service of U.S. military aid that Washington wants "to make sure that Ukraine gets equipment to defend itself which is not offensive in nature."

Senator Rob Portman (Republican-Ohio) told RFE/RL that U.S. officials were "very concerned with what we see" and were also "talking about additional sanctions" against Russia.

The U.S. Congressional delegation also included Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat-New Hampshire) and Roger Wicker (Republican-Mississippi).

Earlier on January 17, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told Ukrainians during a visit to Kyiv that diplomacy was "the only way" to resolve the tense standoff between Moscow and the West over Ukraine. She repeated warnings that Russia would pay a "high price" if it launched an attack on its neighbor.

"We will do our all to guarantee Ukraine's security. We will do our all to guarantee Europe's security," Baerbock told a joint press conference in Kyiv with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

"Each further aggressive act will have a high price for Russia, economically, strategically, politically," said Baerbock, a day before she is due to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

In 2014, Russia seized Crimea and began supporting separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine in an ongoing war that has claimed more than 13,200 lives.

Kyiv and its Western backers say Russia has deployed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Ukraine in recent weeks in what could be preparations for a potential invasion, something Moscow has denied.

Talks between Moscow and Western countries on Russia's military buildup ended with no breakthrough last week.

A cyberattack that disabled Ukraine's government websites has further inflamed tensions, with Kyiv accusing Russia of being behind it. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.

Addressing the press briefing on January 17, Kuleba said Ukraine and Germany were united in pushing to revive four-way talks on putting an end to the fighting in eastern Ukraine in the so-called "Normandy" format, which includes Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly sought reassurances from the West that no decisions will be made about the future of their country without Kyiv's involvement and assent.

"It is important for us now that neither Berlin nor Paris makes any decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, and does not play any game behind our backs in relations with Russia," said Kuleba, who thanked Baerbock "for taking such a principled position."

Kyiv fiercely opposes the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project aimed at shipping Russian natural gas to Germany, bypassing Ukrainian territory.

Baerbock noted that the project was now on hold and should fully comply with European energy regulations.

In a statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry said the project's certification should not be "artificially delayed and politicized" by German regulators and the European Commission.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, TASS, and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was defiant as he landed in Kyiv on January 17 to fight charges of treason that he rejects as politically motivated. The 56-year-old is accused of selling coal that helped finance Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine while he was in office. A court was expected to rule on whether Poroshenko will be detained pending an investigation and trial.
U.S. senators visiting Kyiv have reaffirmed bipartisan support for Ukraine. Speaking to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on January 17, Senator Rob Portman warned about "devastating sanctions" should the Russians "make a terrible mistake and proceed with the use of troops" against Ukraine. Senator Chris Murphy added that it should be up to the Ukrainians as to how they structure their political and security alliances. The visit comes as Russia has massed troops along the border in recent weeks, prompting concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be planning to attack Ukraine, something Moscow has denied.
Last week saw the most consequential European security negotiations in years, as diplomats from Russia, NATO, and the United States tried to find agreement on Moscow's sweeping demands -- demands undergirded by around 100,000 troops deployed to Ukraine's borders. So what comes next? Are we about to see new war in Ukraine? Kadri Liik, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Sam Greene, director of the Russia Institute at King's College London, join host Mike Eckel to discuss.
BAKU -- Prosecutors in Azerbaijan have refused to launch a probe into the severe beating of leading opposition politician Tofiq Yaqublu while in detention last month.

The prosecutor's office in Baku's Sabail district ruled on January 17 that Yaqublu "suffered from self-inflicted injuries."

According to investigator Araz Akbarov, the politician hit a police car door with his head while he was being detained during unsanctioned rallies in the capital on December 1, and later punched himself in the police station he had been taken to.

Yaqublu, a member of the Coordination Center of Azerbaijan's Democratic Forces' National Council and a leading member of the opposition Musavat Party, told RFE/RL that he will appeal the decision.

On December 1, he was rushed to a hospital after being released from custody with deep bruises on his face and body.

At the time, Interior Ministry spokesman Elsad Haciyev called Yaqublu's claim that he was beaten by the police "groundless."

Human Rights Watch called on the Azerbaijani authorities to conduct a "prompt, impartial, and thorough" investigation into the "horrific mistreatment" of the government critic.

Opponents of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Western countries, and international human rights groups say the government has persistently persecuted critics, political foes, independent media, and civic activists.

Aliyev, who has ruled the country of almost 10 million people since shortly before the death of his father and predecessor, Heydar Aliyev, in 2003, has shrugged off the criticism.
TRIPOLI, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Senior diplomats from Libya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday vowed to boost economic cooperation between the two countries, and collaborate in areas such as renewable energy and investment.

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush and the newly-appointed UAE Ambassador to Libya Mohamed Al Shamsi discussed issues of mutual cooperation during a meeting here on Monday, according to a statement provided by Libya's Foreign Ministry.

"During the meeting, (the two officials) stressed the importance of promoting economic cooperation, renewable energies, investment, activating the joint committee between the two countries, and leveraging UAE's development and rebuilding expertise," reads the statement.

Mohamed Al Shamsi pledged to support the Libyan government's efforts to achieve stability in the country, as well as his country's willingness to expand bilateral collaboration, according to the statement.

The two diplomats agreed to allow Libyan nationals to apply for UAE visas electronically, the statement added.

Most foreign embassies and missions in Libya had to evacuate the country due to years of war and instability.

Libya's Government of National Unity was formed in March of last year, bringing the north African country's years of political turmoil to an end. 
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in's approval rating fell 2.2 percentage points over the week to 40.3 percent last week, a weekly poll showed Monday.

The negative assessment on Moon's conduct of state affairs gained 3.1 percentage points to 56.7 percent, according to the Realmeter survey.

Support for Moon's ruling Democratic Party slipped 2.3 percentage points to 31.3 percent last week.

The main conservative opposition People Power Party won 39.0 percent of support last week, up 4.4 percentage points from the previous week.

The minor center-right People's Party garnered 9.3 percent of approval score, trailed by the minor center-left Open Democratic Party with 4.8 percent and the minor progressive Justice Party with 3.4 percent.

As for the approval rating of presidential candidates, support for the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung shrank 3.4 percentage points over the week to 36.7 percent last week.

Support for the People Power Party's Yoon Suk-yeol advanced 6.5 percentage points to 40.6 percent last week.

The country's presidential election is scheduled for March 9.

The results were based on a poll of 3,031 voters conducted from last Sunday to Friday. It had plus and minus 1.8 percentage points in margin of error with a 95-percent confidence level. 
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SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two short-range projectiles eastward, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Monday.

The JCS said in a statement that the South Korean military detected two projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles which were launched eastward from the Sunan airport in Pyongyang on Monday morning.

The JCS noted that the South Korean military was monitoring relevant situation and maintaining readiness posture to prepare for the possibly additional launch by the DPRK.

It marked the DPRK's fourth projectile launch this year. The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said last week that the railway-borne missile regiment test-fired two tactical guided missiles on Friday.

The DPRK said it successfully test-launched a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 respectively. 
WELLINGTON, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand reported 16 new cases of COVID-19 in the community on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country's current community outbreak to 11,322.

Among the new infections, seven were recorded in the largest city of Auckland, six in the Lakes district, one in Hawke's Bay, one in Wairarapa and one in West Coast, according to the country's Ministry of Health.

A total of 30 cases are being treated in hospitals, including two in intensive care units or high dependency units, a ministry statement said.

The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand stands at 14,752, according to the health ministry.

To date, about 93 percent of the eligible people in New Zealand are double-dosed or fully vaccinated, it said, adding that from Monday, people over the age of 18 are able to book online to have their booster shot four months since their last vaccine dose.

The child Pfizer vaccine is now available for 5-11 year-olds at centers throughout New Zealand. More than 120,000 doses of the child vaccine have been delivered to around 500 vaccination sites around the country, and these health care providers are well prepared for the start of the vaccine rollout to children, according to the ministry. 
JAKARTA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has seized 218.46 kg crystal methamphetamine and 16,586 ecstasy pills, and arrested 11 suspects in three provinces over recent days, said the head of the BNN, Commissioner General Petrus Reinhard Golose on Monday.

Golose said the first case involved narcotics shipments from Pontianak city in West Kalimantan province to Balikpapan city in East Kalimantan province.

"Officers on Jan. 7 seized 10.57 kg of methamphetamine in a double cabin car driven by two suspects ... at a port in Balikpapan and arrested them, and also apprehended a suspect ... in a parking lot of a hospital in Balikpapan," Golose said.

The second case occurred in Dumai city in Riau province on Indonesia's western island of Sumatra, where the BNN seized 10.56 kg of crystal methamphetamine and arrested two suspects.

The officers also seized 36.87 kg crystal methamphetamine and 16,586 ecstasy pills from two other people.

In addition, the BNN arrested a person carrying 128.83 kg crystal methamphetamine in Dumai city on Jan. 10.

On Jan. 14 in the third case, the officers arrested three suspects in a housing estate in Pontianak and seized 31.63 kg crystal methamphetamine. 
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Sometimes the Department of Licensing has a larger imagination than the typical driver.

And some drivers just try to get away with something.

Washington drivers who want a personalized license plate only have to follow a few rules. They can't have a special number and letter combination that could conflict with other special plates, they can't use special characters (no hashtags!) and they can't use anything that could be construed as sexual, offensive or a racial or ethnic slur.

As for the latter, that's up to the department to decide. Other residents can also file complaints against certain plates they might find offensive -- meaning, probably, that any plate can be interpreted as offensive when paired with the right (or wrong) imagination.

People who request the supposedly offensive plates or who are the subject of a plate complaint have the chance to appeal the Department of Licensing's decree.

The gallery above features plates the state Department of Licensing rejected or received complaints about from 2010 through January 2017 based on public records obtained from the agency. Some rejections or complaints are obvious, while others might be reaching.

What's your vanity plate? What's the best or most ridiculous one you've seen?

This article was first published on June 25, 2015.

Lynsi Burton can be reached at lynsiburton@seattlepi.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LynsiBurton_PI.
YANGON, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar reported 42 more COVID-19 cases of the Omicron variant on Monday, bringing the tally to 118, according to a release from the Ministry of Health.

The release said the Omicron variant was found in 36 Myanmar nationals and six foreigners who recently arrived in Myanmar by relief flights.

According to the ministry's figures on Monday, the number of COVID-19 infections has risen to 533,245 in Myanmar after 101 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours.

With two more deaths, the death toll has increased to 19,304 as of Monday. A total of 511,333 patients have been discharged from hospitals.

Myanmar detected its first two COVID-19 positive cases in March 2020. 
London, KY (40741)

Today

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 57F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 57F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
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SIERRA FOOTHILLS  Striding through a field of shin-high, yellow grass under a glaring September sun, the tall and energetic federal judge looked toward a cluster of oaks and made a prediction.

If the fire came through here, William Alsup declared, it would scorch the bottom of that tree. But it wouldnt kill it. The tree would be fine.

So would the rest of Alsups 40-acre ranch in the picturesque Sierra Nevada foothills, the 76-year-old Bay Area jurist hopes, thanks to his countless hours of manual labor.

When Alsup bought the remote property where his second home is located in the 1990s, much of it was a jungle of overgrown brush that provided easy kindling for wildfires. Now, after years of clearing flammable vegetation, Alsups ranch looks more like a well-maintained park, with groves of green trees spaced comfortably apart and wide open expanses containing little more than grass.

Fire is familiar to the ranch and its owner. Almost 15 years ago, a blaze burned one-third of Alsups land and came within about 30 feet of his house. In more recent times, the judge has seen flames and firefighting aircraft a few miles away. His goal is to deprive the next big fire of the fuel it would need to spread uncontrollably.

Im very proud of it, Alsup said of the ranch. I take good care of my land.

California wildfires are also a professional concern for the judge.

From his San Francisco seat at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Alsup has been overseeing the five-year probation of Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the long-beleaguered utility whose aging power lines have ignited some of the states worst wildfires on record.

The probation term began in 2017, arising from PG&Es responsibility for a deadly 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno. But since late 2018, Alsup has been laser-focused on PG&Es culpability for a seemingly endless list of major fires, sometimes directing sharp criticism at its executives and expressing frustration with the pace of progress.

While a corporation like PG&E cant go to prison, probation has put Alsup in the position to supervise the companys wildfire-prevention work, push for changes and demand accountability. His efforts have been aided by a court-appointed federal monitor, Mark Filip, whose team has closely examined PG&Es efforts to stop causing fires and reform its troubled natural gas division.

At home on the ranch, Alsup is relatively assured about his work preventing wildfire destruction. In court, however, as PG&Es probation approaches its conclusion next week, the judge is far more pessimistic.

I believe I have been a total failure in this job with respect to PG&E, Alsup said at a public hearing this month. Its killing people year after year with wildfires. I would have thought, in five years, I could bring it under control, but I have failed.

A Chronicle reporter and photographer visited Alsups ranch in September under the condition that the newspaper not identify the community in which its located because of security concerns. Alsup would not talk specifically about PG&E because the probation has not ended. But in a series of interviews, combined with his public statements and actions in court, the picture that emerged is one of a man singularly positioned at the heart of an existential threat to contemporary California.

To Alsup, the effects of intensifying western wildfires are not theoretical concepts or distant events. They are apparent in his San Francisco docket and his Sierra backyard.

Since being nominated to the federal bench by then-President Bill Clinton in 1999, Alsup has established himself as a detail-oriented judge with a knack for incisive courtroom commentary. On the District Court, he has waded into some of the marquee matters facing the state and the nation, from technology to climate change.

In 2012, during a dispute between Oracle and Google, Alsup revealed that he knew how to do some coding, experience that allowed him to cast a skeptical eye on lawyers technical claims. Alsup presided over another high-profile dispute about self-driving car technology between Waymo and Uber before the case was settled.

He studied climate change closely in 2018, when he considered arguments by San Francisco and Oakland that some of the worlds major oil companies should be held accountable for their products role in global warming. In a rare move, Alsup ordered both the governments and the companies to answer questions at an hours-long tutorial hearing that served as a kind of crash course in climate science. His questions in advance of the hearing covered basics such as the cause of ice ages and the consequences of combusting fossil fuels.

I admire him for trying to educate himself on some pretty complicated issues, said Gary Griggs, an Earth and planetary sciences professor at UC Santa Cruz who participated in the tutorial. He was a really good listener. He had some very probing questions.

Now Alsup, a Mississippi native who moved to California in the 1970s to be closer to his wifes relatives, has learned just how much fossil fuels are upending the climate.

I do believe that California is getting warmer on account of man-induced climate change, he told The Chronicle during a walk around San Franciscos Civic Center Plaza last year. I have lived long enough to have seen many heat waves in California, but I believe that climate change has made it hotter  and also that climate change has exacerbated our weather patterns.

Months after Alsups tutorial in the oil case, his work forced him to confront the hotter climate in an even more direct way.

In November 2018, a neglected, century-old PG&E transmission line sparked the horrific Camp Fire that killed 84 people and destroyed most of the Butte County town of Paradise. PG&Es shoddy maintenance caused the fire, but its devastating sprint was accelerated by a remarkably long stretch of arid weather likely worsened by rising global temperatures.

Alsup had assumed oversight of PG&Es probation in 2017 after the judge who imposed it, Thelton Henderson, retired. But less than three weeks after PG&E admitted that its equipment may have been to blame for the Camp Fire  the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history  Alsup demanded answers. He ordered PG&E to provide an accurate and complete statement explaining its connection to the fire, trying to determine if the company had violated the terms of its probation.

The order kicked off more than three years of federal judicial scrutiny over PG&Es role in Northern California wildfires. In each of those years, PG&E power lines continued to wreak havoc on the state, causing the 2019 Kincade Fire in Wine Country, the 2020 Zogg Fire in Shasta County and the 2021 Dixie Fire in the northern Sierra, Californias second-largest wildfire on record. Earlier, the company was also blamed for many of the devastating 2017 wildfires in Sonoma and Napa counties.

Alsup has tried to hold PG&E accountable by forcing the company to provide voluminous detail on its infrastructure and maintenance work, all while pressing for more aggressive efforts to prevent fires and repeatedly chastising PG&E lawyers.

He has called PG&E a terror, T-E-R-R-O-R, to the people of the state of California. And though he has acknowledged the role of the changing climate in elevating the threat of wildfires, he has emphasized that its not a get-out-of-jail-free card for PG&E.

Weve had a long time to adapt and to organize ourselves to be able to deal with the problem of climate change, which definitely makes the wildfires worse, Alsup said at a 2021 court hearing. But climate change doesnt start the wildfire. PG&E starts the wildfire. Then its worse than it would have been maybe, but PG&E is the one thats starting the wildfires.

All along, he has been tending to his ranch, trying to ensure it was protected.

Alsup sees preparing his land to withstand wildfire as a kind of art  and its one he taught himself.

His strategy is tried and true: If the brush is more than 3 feet tall, he ties a rope around its base, about 18 inches off the ground, and attaches it to the back of a truck. Having secured just enough leverage, he or a friend will then drive the truck to liberate the shrub from the ground. Other, smaller vegetation he removes with tools and old-fashioned elbow grease.

Alsup arranges the shrubs, downed trees and limbs hes severed into piles that he safely incinerates before fire season. He keeps water in thick plastic jugs stashed around the property, just in case a burn pile gets out of control.

I feel like Im the steward of this land, Alsup said.

One of the people who has assisted Alsup on the ranch is his friend Vern Winters, a retired patent lawyer.

Winters Oakland home is about a mile away from Alsups. After they became friends several years ago, Winters started traveling to Alsups ranch on occasion. Winters said he would wake up before sunrise and journey to the Sierra foothills, where Alsup would provide him a good breakfast of eggs and bacon or chicken sausage. Then theyd get to work removing brush and building burn piles.

Winters, about 15 years Alsups junior, has been struck by the judges dedication to the ranch.

I would say the judge considers the ranch one of his children and a legacy of his, Winters said. He has a deep spiritual connection to that land.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Alsups attempts to rein in PG&E have ranged from creative to highly technical.

In 2019, as punishment for PG&E having violated its probation terms, Alsup told company executives and board members to tour Paradise, which was at the time still in ruins because of the Camp Fire. When company leaders completed the visit the next month, Alsup went with them.

Later the same year, he ordered PG&E to respond paragraph by paragraph to a Wall Street Journal investigation that said the company knew parts of its electric system, including the power line that caused the Camp Fire, were outdated and didnt fix them.

At other moments in the case, Alsup has pushed PG&E to reform its power line inspections, tree-trimming program and record-keeping. He has compelled the company to provide a wide range of details about its connection to various fires and the status of its poles and wires. In September, he personally interrogated the PG&E employee who first spotted what became the Dixie Fire spreading near a tree that had fallen on a power line in the Feather River Canyon.

PG&E attorneys, in a final report that Alsup directed them to submit, have characterized the courts work as having made the company better. In the years since Alsup began scrutinizing PG&Es role in wildfires, its electric grid has become fundamentally safer, the company said. But PG&E also admitted that it has more work to do to meet the extraordinary challenges facing the company even though there are no fast or fail-proof options to respond to the continuing change in climate that has occurred in Northern California.

A separate review of the probation term issued by PG&Es court-appointed monitor found that, while the company had improved on a number of fronts, progress regarding wildfire mitigation obviously has been inadequate.

Alsup said at a hearing this month that, as the probation wound to a close, he still felt like PG&E is continuing to be a menace to society.

Every year youre killing people, burning up thousands of acres of land, he told lawyers for the company. Its true that improvements have been made in the system, but why does it continue? Why is it that PG&E is unwilling to admit error, unwilling to accept responsibility for what was done?

Alsup said he was willing to consider extending PG&Es probation  even though doing so would wade into murky legal territory. But he would only weigh that option if it was requested by federal prosecutors. The U.S. Attorneys Office then said it would not to seek an extension, based on the unique history and circumstances of this case  while acknowledging that there appears to be no binding case law on point.

That doesnt mean PG&E is done facing legal consequences for its role in wildfires.

District attorneys in Sonoma and Shasta counties have filed criminal charges against the company over the Kincade and Zogg fires, respectively. And the company revealed that it received a subpoena from federal prosecutors for documents related to the Dixie Fire, suggesting a federal criminal investigation over that fire is under way  a probe that could, in theory, result in PG&E being placed on probation again.

Catherine Sandoval, a former state regulator of PG&E who has represented some utility customers urging Alsup to crack down on the company, said she was disappointed that the probation would not continue. But overall, her critiques were more with the federal prosecutors and the company than with Alsup.

Hes been very tough on PG&E, Sandoval said of the judge. Hes been willing to call them out. Hes been very detailed. Hes been very amenable to suggestions that help to understand what happened and what is driving these problems.

Back in the foothills, Alsups ranch has not been threatened by a major wildfire sparked by a PG&E power line. Still, the Sierra, like the state as a whole, remains at risk as the climate continues to warm and the elevated risk of extreme fires  no matter the cause  persists.

When fire season picks up in the summer and early autumn, Alsup said, youre always worried when the wind hits the right way. Or the wrong way.

Thats why Alsup is so invested in fire safety on his ranch, a place beloved even by his 9-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Jack. The dogs tail starts wagging every time he and Alsup approach the property.

If youre living in that area, you have a responsibility to make your property as fire safe as you can, Alsup told The Chronicle. You have an obligation to make the land defensible.

In January of last year, Alsup transitioned to senior status on the federal bench, which means he has a reduced caseload. The shift gives him more time to spend with his wife at their primary home in Oakland, or enjoying the peaceful seclusion of their foothills ranch. Alsup, who has two adult children, also enjoys hiking in the Sierra, playing the guitar and communicating on ham radio, among other interests.

But hes not thinking about retiring anytime soon. He plans to remain an active judge for the foreseeable future.

He feels the same way about the ranch. For as long and as often as he can, hell be there, working to make it safer from fire.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris
San Francisco is taking advantage of a new state law to join other large American cities in lowering speed limits on some local streets to 20 mph.

The downshift is beginning with seven busy commercial arteries, including Haight and Fillmore streets. The goal is twofold  to reduce the number of incidents where cars hit pedestrians or bicyclists and, if such encounters occur, lower the chance that the victim will be seriously injured or killed.

Lower speeds mean fewer crashes, said Tom Maguire, who heads the Streets Division at the citys Municipal Transportation Agency. But also, for more vulnerable people such as elderly residents or children, a crash is much less likely to cause serious injuries.

The new requirement is part of a larger San Francisco campaign dubbed Vision Zero, which started by City Hall in 2014 to try to eliminate fatal traffic-related fatalities in the city by 2024. Progress is mixed at best: The 27 deaths recorded in 2021 are only four fewer than in 2014, and well above the 20 people who died in 2017.

Until this year, California required speed limits of at least 25 mph on most commercial or business streets, except in certain locations, such as near schools. But a bill signed last fall by Gov. Gavin Newsom allows cities to lower speed limits to consider the safety of vulnerable pedestrian groups.

San Francisco wasted little time in trying to tamp down on speeds in key places.

San Francisco is committed to making city streets safer, and quickly implementing the changes allowed under Assembly Bill 43, which became law this month, Mayor London Breed said in a statement last week when the city began rolling out slower speeds for some streets. Lowering speeds is essential for meeting our citys Vision Zero goals and advancing safety for all of our residents.

The first batch of streets where speeds are newly lower are commercial strips where high numbers of injuries tend to occur. These seven streets include Polk Street between Filbert and Sutter streets; Ocean Avenue from 19th Avenue east to Junipero Serra Boulevard; and Valencia Street between Market and Cesar Chavez streets.

Haight Street also will see lower speeds required on the tourist-heavy blocks east of Golden Gate Park, as will lively stretches of Fillmore.

Also affected will be San Bruno Avenues commercial strip between Paul and Silver avenues, and portions of 24th Street in Noe Valley.

Signs with the new speed limits began to be posted last week, the city said, and should largely be in place by spring. Other commercial areas are likely to follow this summer and fall, Maguire said, along with driver education campaigns.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Local leeway will get another boost in 2024, when the new bill will allow California cities to trim 5 mph off the speed limits on any street designated as a safety corridor.

With the effort now under way, San Francisco joins large cities such as Boston, Minneapolis and Seattle that in recent years have trimmed back speed limits on local streets to 20 mph.

The one experience San Francisco has with lower limits is in the Tenderloin, where the top speed was reduced to 20 mph last year on a trial basis.

Since then we have a decrease in (typical) driving speeds in the neighborhood, and an increase in drivers yielding to pedestrians, Maguire said. Those are positive signs.

John King is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron
Health officials believe China's dynamic zero-COVID-19 strategy remains effective in controlling coronavirus outbreaks, as Omicron infections surfaced in major cities including Beijing and Shanghai over the weekend. However, they added that research on various COVID-19 variants, including Omicron, will be intensified, and risk evaluations done quickly to deal with mounting challenges. Beijing reported its first locally transmitted Omicron case on Saturday. The patient lives in the capital's northwestern Haidian district and had no travel history outside the city in the past 14 days, according to the municipal government. Investigations are continuing, including genome sequencing and checking the infected woman's movements in Beijing. Authorities have locked down the woman's residential compound and workplace. By Saturday evening they had traced 15 close contacts of the patient. As she had visited a number of public places such as shopping malls and restaurants, mass nucleic acid testing is underway, health authorities said over the weekend. Beijing authorities have also tightened controls on inbound travelers. From Saturday, they will be required to take a nucleic acid test within 72 hours of arriving in the capital. In Shanghai, three asymptomatic COVID-19 infections were reported on Saturday. Officials said that they were all linked to Omicron infections detected on Thursday, and all three tested positive during quarantine. In Guangdong province, Zhuhai and Zhongshan have registered 12 locally transmitted Omicron infections since Thursday, according to health authorities. The locally transmitted Omicron cases have emerged as China prepares for mass travel during the Spring Festival holiday and ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which are due to start on Feb 4. He Qinghua, an official at the National Health Commission's Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, said Omicron has spread to over 150 countries and regions worldwide. "The risk of the strain being transmitted into our country via people or objects is getting larger," he said at a news conference on Saturday. In China, 14 provincial-level regions have reported imported Omicron infections, He said. He added that the new strain also caused outbreaks in Tianjin and Henan province, which has been brought under control. Despite the complicated situation, He said the epidemic situation in China is largely stable and the country's zero-COVID-19 strategy of eliminating new local outbreaks as soon as possible remains effective. To prevent imported cases, He said China is implementing rigorous management of incoming passengers and high-risk workers who come into contact with travelers or items from overseas. He added that random sample taking as well as sanitizing of international aircraft, luggage and cargo has been stepped up. To avert domestic flare-ups, He said monitoring and early warning systems targeting key groups and venues are in place. Meanwhile, mass vaccinations and campaigns to guide the public on personal protection against COVID-19 will continue to be rolled out. As of Friday, China had fully vaccinated over 1.22 billion people, or nearly 86.6 percent of the total population, the commission said. He added that the commission will keep a close eye on global transmission of different COVID-19 variants, including Omicron, and intensify research on their transmissibility and pathogenicity, as well as their effects on vaccines.


MUMBAI, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Indian quality standard regulator Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said Monday that it has confiscated a huge number of uncertified toys from the Hamleys store in Mumbai.

The Hamleys store, owned and operated by Reliance Brands Ltd, was found selling electronic and non-electronic toys without the BIS Standard Mark, violating the quality control orders on toys issued by the Indian government.

The move marked the second such raid by the regulator which confiscated uncertified toys from an outlet of the international wholesaler Metro Cash and Carry in Mumbai on Sunday.

In India, violation of government quality standard regulations is punishable for imprisonment up to two years or a minimum of 2,696 U.S. dollars in fine or both according to the law.

India has notified that all toys sold in the country shall mandatorily be certified by the BIS for their safety and shall bear the BIS standard mark on them. 
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They were all piled in Dick Beahrs' dad's big yellow Pontiac, like a bunch of kids going to a drive-in movie.

UC Berkeley undergrad Terry Myers was behind the wheel during the May 17, 1967, journey from San Francisco to the Cal campus. Another student sat wedged in the middle of the bench-style front seat, with three others in back. In the passenger seat was Martin Luther King Jr.

"My memory was that he spoke in person as he preached, and that his answers were long and thoughtful," said Myers, who doesn't recall the topics covered. "I was more concerned about finding our way from the hotel to the Bay Bridge."

Forty-seven years ago Saturday, King made his last large-scale public address in the Bay Area, an antiwar speech in front of 7,000 in Sproul Plaza at UC Berkeley. The mainstream media paid little attention to the May 17, 1967, event - San Francisco Chronicle coverage amounted to just a few paragraphs on Page 8.

But photo negatives found in the Chronicle archives, untouched for decades, tell a much bigger story. Students sat shoulder to shoulder in the large open space and perched on rooflike overhangs that rimmed the plaza. The audience was rapt, with all eyes fixed on the speaker. And there's a mystery: In dozens of photos where hundreds of faces are visible, there are almost no African Americans. In the audience near the podium, just one black person appears - likely an aide or friend who came with King.

Using crowdsourcing techniques and social media, The Chronicle tracked down several of the students who appear in the 1967 photos. What emerged is a story that reflects the volatile times and shows how King's legacy continued in the people he touched.

The process of booking King was remarkably informal. School administrators weren't involved, and a fee never came up.

Beahrs was president of the Interfraternity Council, which had sponsored a civil rights speaker series that included Robert F. Kennedy and Stokely Carmichael. Beahrs said important help came from Thelton Henderson, a Boalt Hall law school graduate who knew King from his days as a Justice Department attorney.

Henderson wrote a 1966 letter to King urging him to visit Berkeley. Beahrs and Myers approached the leader's staff in February 1967, after he spoke and had brunch at the Macedonia Baptist Church in San Francisco.

"With all the speeches we had, we never gave a penny to anybody. I don't think we gave a plane ticket," said Beahrs, now a retired television media executive. "To my recollection, the only one who asked (for compensation) was Barry Goldwater."

Students drove King to and from the speech, with Daily Californian editorial page editor Karlyn Barker interviewing King on the way to Berkeley. Beahrs and his new girlfriend (and future wife), Carolyn, drove King back to San Francisco. Both ways, King had a single chaperone.

"It was incredibly informal. That was the thing that was wildly striking," Beahrs said. "There was no security of any kind. We drove in my car. He was very easy to talk to - there was no pretense or preconceptions."

After pulling up to Sproul Plaza, the images captured by Chronicle photographer Art Frisch show King walking through a grove of trees, smiling broadly on the way to the podium on the Sproul Hall steps. It was a sunny 76 degrees - many students wore sunglasses and short-sleeved shirts.

The Summer of Love was just 35 days away, but the crowd was remarkably clean-cut. Beahrs and other campus leaders seated near King wore suits and conservative haircuts. The hairstyles in the audience ranged from military cuts to "Sgt. Pepper"-era Ringo Starr.

Jeff and Tina Kroot, both captured by The Chronicle, had been married a year when King came to Berkeley. Jeff was directly to the left of the podium, taking photos. Speaking about the event now during an interview at his San Anselmo architecture studio, where both work, the couple finish each other's sentences.

Jeff: "One thing that I think is so interesting about that picture is how straight and manicured everyone is ..."

Tina: "... we looked so sweet. Everybody said, 'Those awful Berkeley students.' The students ..."

Jeff. "... the students were demonized. But to be there you had to work really hard at school. You were studying all the time ..."

UC Berkeley hosted many memorable rallies around that time, including a 1966 Robert F. Kennedy speech at the Greek Theatre. Sproul Plaza had been the site of contentious free speech movement demonstrations. But the scene at King's address was remarkable even by 1960s Berkeley standards.

Students sat on the roofs, feet dangling over the sides. Closer to the stage, more than a hundred students carried homemade "King Spock '68" signs, optimistically hoping for a presidential ticket with pediatrician and antiwar activist Benjamin Spock.

"I remember being struck by the massive crowd," Beahrs said. "And the students sitting up there on all the perches."

The speech came a month after King had shifted his focus to an antiwar stance. In addition to conservatives, King also received heavy criticism from the left-leaning side of his base. The NAACP released a statement a month before the Berkeley speech, calling King's attempts to merge the civil rights and peace movements a "serious tactical mistake."

King was unwavering, telling the Berkeley crowd Vietnam was "a mad adventure" and a "tragic, unjust and evil war."

"It costs $500,000 to kill every enemy soldier while we spend only $53 a year for every poor person," King told the crowd. "We seem more concerned with winning an unwinnable war in Vietnam than in winning the war against poverty right here at home."

Missing King's oratory were most if not all of the 200 or so black students enrolled at UC Berkeley. The Afro-American Student Union had quietly boycotted the speech.

Before King headed back to San Francisco, he had one more stop to make. The Nobel Prize winner weaved through the crowd, his head often disappearing in the sea of bodies.

A large group of African American students was waiting for King in the Alumni House. Johnathan Rodgers, who was there, recalls there were two issues that led to the boycott.

One was the feeling that black students were left out of campus politics and had no role in the recruitment of King as a speaker. They were also rankled by King's apparent shift from a civil rights focus to poverty and the war - seen by some as abandoning the "dream" before integration was complete.

Rodgers said the leader listened to their concerns, and the students respected King.

"Kids say stuff, young people say and do stuff to call attention to themselves. But clearly the honor was still there. We essentially were holding our breath and saying 'Notice us. We mean something,' " said Rodgers, a television executive who later helped start TV One. "And it was a true blessing on both the administration's part to arrange the meeting, and his part to come and just be as gracious as he was."

Rodgers pauses.

"And our part for accepting that and not just being aggressive for the point of being aggressive." Beahrs remembers King, who during his speech had called Berkeley "the conscience of the academic community in the nation," left that room shaken.

"King came out of the meeting with the black students upset. Very upset," Beahrs said. "He felt like they were polarized. Like they didn't have an investment in the university."

King's schedule was too tight to speak with Barker on the sidewalk after the San Francisco speech, so he surprised the reporter with an invitation to squeeze into the car headed to Berkeley. Barker's story the next day shows King displaying a personal side around the young students. An excerpt: "Speaking gravely of his dual commitment to the causes of peace and civil rights, King showed the strain of his busy schedule. 'It's never just a couple of weeks,' he lamented. 'It's every week. If I could just get a little break.'

'Every year I put something on the calendar called a vacation,' the Negro leader confided wishfully, 'and every year I never get to take it.' "

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

King sat up front in the car, with Barker sitting behind Myers. Barker recalls a Harper's Magazine writer was in the car as well. She set the goal of asking a question good enough to make the Harper's reporter pull out his notebook and write down the response. (He did.)

"I remember one more thing clearly," said Barker, who later had a career at the Washington Post. "We got there, and King got out of the car. When he crossed the street, he almost got hit by a car. It was scary ..."

Barker's interview was one of three articles about the speech in the Daily Californian; of the other local papers, only the Berkeley Gazette put a King article on the front page. The Chronicle, prone to sensational headlines during the era of editor Scott Newhall, led the front page with a salacious story about life in a hippie commune. The bulk of the Page 8 King story covered his Commonwealth Club appearance earlier in the day.

The boycott by the Afro-American Student Union went unmentioned, referenced only in a Daily Californian letter to the editor a week later, from a white student complaining that he was asked to leave the meeting. King returned to the Bay Area at least one more time, in August 1967, speaking in San Francisco to a much smaller group of black real estate professionals.

When King was killed on April 4, 1968, protests and memorials emerged all over the Bay Area, including almost every campus. But the Sproul Plaza gathering that day was remarkable. Classes were suspended at 11 a.m., and a reported 4,000 students listened as the Campanile chimes played hymns.

A silent vigil was interrupted at the 45-minute mark, when a black student shouted "I'm going to break this silence. ... Black students must arm!"

After a few protests from the crowd, another young black man wordlessly approached the dissenter, put his arm on his shoulder, and they walked off. "And at the end," the Chronicle article reported, "while the throng sang 'We Shall Overcome,' a student placed a white floral wreath at the spot on the steps where Dr. King had stood last spring."

Most of the students interviewed said the times, if not King's appearance at Berkeley, changed them profoundly. Dick Beahrs said the speech solidified what had been a wavering stance on the Vietnam War.

"I'll never forget King's speech - it knocked me off the fence completely," he says. "That had never happened before. I came from a conservative background."

All of the former students interviewed went on to careers and lives that included innovation or service.

Barker went on to become editor of the Daily Californian and had a long career at the Post. Rodgers became an influential figure in cable television, working for CBS and Discovery Networks before overseeing the launch of cable channel TV One, which aims for a heavy black demographic.

Jeff Kroot, who also took historic photos of activist San Jose State track stars Tommie Smith and John Carlos, has served several terms on the San Anselmo City Council.

Myers worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Kenya, East Pakistan and other countries, and teaches at the National War College.

Dick Beahrs, who was elected student body president later that year and was a longtime media executive at Time Warner, became interested in global resources during a trip to Africa with wife Carolyn in 1971. They later funded the Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program and are actively involved with UC Berkeley's College of Natural Resources.

The Beahrses were visiting Myers in Senegal in 1991, and they all ran into Coretta Scott King at the Dakar airport.

"We had our four children," Dick Beahrs said. "We went up and introduced ourselves to her. We told her how much the speech meant to us."

Quotes from King's speech at Berkeley appear etched in the wall of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. The speech is still a topic among alumni, always good for a rich discussion when it's brought up on social media and message boards.

Jeff Kroot says many Berkeley students were still in a period of transition, being raised in conservative families who supported the Vietnam War. Just three years earlier, Kroot had campaigned for Lyndon Johnson. For that generation of students, King was the right voice at the right time. "He was talking almost about a higher morality. It was a powerful thing," said Kroot, who still has the photos he took of King. "On a deep level, I would respond to him. I viewed him as a great leader and a grown-up that was speaking the truth."
Volcanologists say the Pacific eruption that triggered tsunami warnings along the West Coast over the weekend appears to be sputtering out  but that doesnt mean that any one of many submarine volcanoes around the Pacific wont produce a similar threat in the future.

Bay Area residents were among those waking up Saturday to news that a volcano had erupted near the Pacific island nation of Tonga, and the tsunami waves triggered by the blast were heading to the California coast. By Sunday morning, the tsunami warning had been lifted for California, but not until after it had led to closure of beaches, some precautionary evacuations and localized flooding.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano eruption appeared to be one of the most powerful eruptions in recent history. California is more accustomed to the threat of tsunamis triggered by ocean earthquakes, but its not out of the question another volcano-generated one could hit the West Coast at some point, experts say.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano appears near the end of this eruption, but that doesnt mean to say there arent other volcanoes out there that could produce similar type events, said James Day, a professor and volcanologist at UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Pacific is littered with oceanic volcanoes.

This is a good sort of case study for us and how to prepare for these types of events, he added.

From a historical perspective, volcano-generated tsunamis occur about 5% of the time, compared with 87% of the time for earthquake-generated tsunamis, Laura Kong, director of the International Tsunami Information Center in Honolulu, said Sunday. What we can learn is that for very large eruption, we might expect tsunamis waves to travel very far, and so we should be monitoring the ocean.

Volcano experts weighed in Sunday on other key questions:

Is there still a risk of another eruption from the volcano soon?

Day said it is very difficult to predict volcanic eruptions.

The Hunga Tonga volcano has erupted six times in the past 110 years, with the one in 2014 lasting about a month. Day said that would mean that the volcano is coming to the end of its eruption cycle that began on Dec. 20. But he added that we cant be completely sure.

Added Wendy Stovall, volcanologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, There is not a whole lot of monitoring equipment there, and thus its hard to know if there is a disturbance underneath the ground, so there is always the possibility it would erupt again in the near future.

Day said the Hunga Tonga volcano is a major active volcano that has been on the radar of volcanologists for a while. He said its unlikely that its going to produce a large tsunami on our coastlines in the near future, but added that because of its frequent eruptions, its certainly a volcano we want to watch very carefully.

Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle

Why did the eruption come as a surprise?

Day said the eruption has been ongoing since Dec. 20 and the volcano remained active until local authorities declared it dormant on Jan. 11.

Tonga Geological Services would be the ones to have made the call that the Hunga Tonga was done with its eruption, said Stovall of the USGS.

The volcano has been active for many years, with on and off pulses of different types of activity, Stovall said. They must have made the call because there was just no sign of any eruption occurring since the most recent pulse of activity.

Stovall said volcanoes can go back to sleep and wake up suddenly. She explained that the Hunga Tonga volcano is in a remote area with two islands that are surface expressions of the volcano, with the eruption probably coming from between the two islands.

Noted Kong, A dormant volcano could erupt at any time.

Monitoring a volcano requires instruments including seismometers, GPS receivers and volcanic gas sniffers that are installed very close around the volcano, a difficult task with an underwater volcano, Stovall said. Because the Hunga Tonga volcano didnt have any monitoring, the only way they would have known it was erupting is an eyewitness, she said.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Day said seismometers can be placed on the ocean floor, but they dont last very long.

How rare is this occurrence?

The eruption triggered ocean waves that traveled 5,000 miles to the Bay Area coast. Stovall said this is the first time in her career she has known of an underwater volcanic eruption producing a tsunami that traveled all though the Pacific Ocean basin.

Tsunamis caused by volcanic eruptions are quite rare.

In 2018, a tsunami in Indonesia killed more than 400 people in Java and Sumatra after a piece of the Anak Krakatau volcano collapsed into the ocean. The volcano is known for an 1883 explosion that remains one of the deadliest and most violent in history.

For the Bay Area, the closest tsunami threats would be driven by earthquake activity from the Cascadia subduction zone of the Pacific Northwest, Kong said Sunday, or possibly submarine landslides off the coast where there are steep slopes.

The risk of tsunamis from earthquakes is much greater since earthquake-generated tsunamis are much more common she added. And as volcanoes have a much smaller footprint ... compared to earthquakes, the impact from volcano-generated tsunamis would be less.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
With the Bay Areas Tongan community still waiting to learn the extent of damage to the Pacific nation two days after a massive undersea volcano erupted and cut off communication, a logistics company that ships from the Bay Area to Tonga is gathering relief supplies to deliver to the archipelago.

As of Monday, people in the Bay Area with family and friends in Tonga said they still had received no word since the eruption Saturday, and continued to anxiously monitor news reports.

Kuinini Manumua, a 21-year-old business student at San Francisco State who represented Tonga in the 2020 summer Olympics, said she had not yet heard from her grandparents, who live on one of Tongas islands. She said some people in the Tongan community have posted updates to Facebook, reporting that the island where her grandparents live is safe.

Its kind of a relief, but still a lot of uncertainty, she said.

In Oakland, logistics company S.F. Enterprises & Logistics on Monday said it was attempting to reach its staff in Tonga and planned to send donated supplies to those in need.

S.F. Enterprises & Logistics ships exclusively to the South Pacific, with 80% of its cargo going to Tonga, said Sesilia Pahulu, the companys operations manager.

The company lost all communication with its 20 staffers in Tonga Friday night Pacific time, which was Saturday evening in Tonga, Pahulu said.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano exploded Saturday in what appeared to be one of the worlds most powerful eruptions in recent times. It triggered tsunami surges around the Pacific Rim, including the Bay Area, where beaches were temporarily closed and dock areas evacuated Saturday morning.

In Tonga, all internet and phone services were cut off when the eruption severed its single underwater fiber-optic cable. The company that owns it says repairs could take weeks.

New Zealand and Australia on Monday were able to send military surveillance flights to assess the damage, the Associated Press reported, but details were still scarce.

Everyone that works here has family in Tonga, [and] no one is able to get a hold of anyone, said Pahulu.

At this point it is hard to gauge what the immediate need is, she said. Still, the company plans to send supplies including masks, non-perishable food and water this week and over the next few months.

Typically, Bay Area residents send food, clothing and other basic necessities to their family members because things are so expensive in Tonga, said Pahulu.

She said the company is accepting donations and will ship them to Tongas National Emergency Management Office, which Pahulu said she is still trying to contact.

Heres how people in the Bay Area can help Tongans:

Take relief supplies for S.F. Enterprises to deliver

Pahulu said the company is accepting donations for two ships that are set to sail soon from the Port of Oakland  one Friday and the other on Feb. 5.

The last day to donate items for the ship sailing Friday is Tuesday by 4 p.m. The last day to donate for the February voyage is Feb. 2 by 4 p.m.

Pahulu said the company is accepting water, masks, medical supplies, and dry and non-perishable foods.

She said what the company doesnt want is its office to be a dumping ground for things like secondhand clothes.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Its got to be something that is uniform and can be distributed to all types of people of all the villages affected, she said.

Donations can be dropped off at 2525 Mandela Parkway Suite 1 in Oakland from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.

For more information, email Pahulu at sesilia@sfenterprises.net or call 510-251-2773.

Donate to a GoFundMe fundraiser

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for Tongan relief by Pita Taufatofua, the flag bearer for Tonga in the 2016 Olympics.

As of Monday, the campaign had collected more than $300,000 toward its $1 million goal.

Those wishing to donate can contribute here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
With omicron cases in classrooms now a given, some Bay Area school districts are discontinuing contact tracing and individualized close-contact notification in cases of potential exposure. Positive coronavirus cases among teenagers are outpacing the San Franciscos overall case rate, likely due to factors including high testing rates and socializing over winter break. Some Bay Area companies are urging, but not requiring, COVID-19 boosters as omicron surges.

Latest updates:

3,900 Bay Area Kaiser patients reportedly underdosed with Pfizer vaccine: Kaiser Permanente has told 3,900 patients who received the Pfizer COVID vaccine at its Walnut Creek Medical Center last fall they may have received less than a full dose. The Mercury News reported Monday that Kaiser is offering those patients a repeat dose, but that experts and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines indicate that the light doses should not lower immunity significantly. Those who got Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots are not affected.

White House website for free COVID tests launches this week: Starting Wednesday, Americans can order free at-home rapid COVID tests through a federal website. The new program follows a federal requirement that took effect Saturday under which private insurers must reimburse people for up to eight rapid home tests per month. Heres what you need to know about how to get the free COVID tests and insurance reimbursement for purchases.

Omicron may have peaked in parts of the Bay Area, data shows: For the first time in a month, average daily coronavirus cases have dipped week over week across the Bay Area, suggesting that much of the region may be near  or possibly past  the peak of the winter omicron surge. Mondays case reports from the California Department of Public Health  including total cases from Friday to Sunday  drove the seven-day average down about 4% for the Bay Area compared to Jan. 9. Statewide, average daily cases were up 6% week over week, but that was a far less striking uptick than the doubling or tripling reported in previous weeks. Read the full story.

Unvaccinated Greeks 60 and older face fines: Greece on Monday began enforcing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for people 60 and older as rising infections strain Greek hospitals, where most seriously ill patients are in that age group. Under the rules, which were announced late last year and took effect Monday, those who fail to get vaccinated face fines starting at 50 euros ($57) this month, followed by a monthly fine of 100 euros ($114) after that, the Associated Press reported.

Joints Chiefs chairman, Marine Corps commandant test positive: Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and Marine Corps commandant Gen. David Berger have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Associated Press reported Monday. Milley, who has received the vaccine and a booster shot, tested positive Sunday and is experiencing very minor symptoms, Joint Chiefs spokesperson Col. Dave Butler said in a statement. Milley is self-isolating and performing all his duties remotely, Butler said. A statement from the Marine Corps said Bergers ability to work is not affected; no further details were provided. According to Butler, other Joint Chiefs of Staff members tested negative.

Djokovic may also be barred from French Open over vaccination status : Tennis star Novak Djokovic, who returned to his native Serbia on Monday after being deported from Australia because he is unvaccinated for COVID-19, could be barred from playing in the French Open. The world No. 1-ranked Djokovic was denied his chance at a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open because of his refusal to get vaccinated. The next Grand Slam tournament, the French Open, is scheduled for May 22 in Paris, and Frances Sports Ministry on Monday said no exemptions would be granted from the countrys vaccine pass law, ESPN reported. Approved Sunday by Parliament, the law requires a certificate of vaccination to enter public places including sports venues.

COVID death rate hits 10-month high in L.A. County: Los Angeles County during the past week saw its highest average rate of coronavirus deaths in nearly 10 months, an average of 40 per day. According to an analysis by the Los Angeles Times, the daily death rate doubled in one week, reaching a level not seen since the seven-day period ending March 28 of last year. As deaths often lag behind surges in cases and hospitalizations, sadly, the increase in deaths does not come as a surprise, and tragically, we are prepared for (an) even higher number of deaths in the coming weeks, said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

Hayward students to return to in-person learning: Classrooms in the Hayward Unified School District will reopen Tuesday after staffing and COVID-19 testing shortages from the omicron surge prompted a weeklong shift to virtual learning. The school board decided 3-2 at a special meeting Friday night that students and staffers would return to in-person instruction after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past five days or are symptomatic and have not yet tested. According to officials, additional safety measures include more testing resources and support staff at school sites, and the district has provided KN95 masks for all staff and will make surgical masks available to all students. Elementary students will be on a minimum day schedule and secondary students will be on a block schedule for the week to limit movement between classes.

In-school transmission hard to track: More coronavirus infection is happening with children back in classrooms, but the inability to track individual cases has left districts and counties unable to count in-school transmissions. Under previous strains of the virus, few cases of in-school transmission occurred, reinforcing that in-person instruction presented a relatively low risk of catching the virus. Now with the omicron variant spreadking, Bay Area counties cant say whether there are more cases coming from exposure inside classrooms than before or whether students and staff are getting the coronavirus in the community. Read more here.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Next few weeks will be tough, Murthy says: The omicron surge has yet to peak in the U.S., and the next few weeks will be tough, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. While cases are plateauing and dropping in parts of the Northeast, he said the omicron surge is not moving at the same pace around the U.S., and the national peak is still weeks away. Meanwhile, hospitalizations and deaths are still expected to rise in many parts of the country.

Chinese city lifts some COVID lockdown restrictions: After more than three weeks of lockdown to try to quell a local outbreak before the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, the city of Xian, China, has slowly begun lifting coronavirus restrictions, the Associated Press reported. Some counties and development zones have started restoring production in the city, state-owner broadcaster CCTV reported Sunday, with people in lower-risk communities allowed to leave their homes for limited periods. The strict lockdown was imposed Dec. 22 after an outbreak officials said was caused by the delta variant, with some part of the southern province of Guangdong as well as Beijing recently reporting cases of the more contagious omicron variant. The Beijing Olympics are set to start Feb. 4.

California booster rate is below 40% in most counties: Even as the omicron variant batters the state, only 38% of Californians vaccinated against COVID-19 have gotten a booster shot. As with initial vaccinations, acceptance of the booster shot has varied throughout California, with the Bay Area boasting the highest rate, at 55%, and counties in the far north and rural areas seeing lower numbers. Read the full story.

PPE left outside in San Mateo County, damaged by storms: Roughly $7 million of personal protective equipment purchased by San Mateo County last year was left outdoors and forgotten about for months. Now, much of that batch has been damaged by rain, officials said. Most of the items are individually wrapped, and county crews are working on assessing and cleaning the supplies in order to donate undamaged items to a non-profit. Read the full story.

Bay Area zero-waste stores thrive after wave of pandemic pollution: Many refill and zero-waste stores have opened in the Bay Area in recent years, appealing to customers who see avoiding plastic as vital to addressing ocean pollution and climate change. Some momentum was lost during the pandemic shelter-in-place, when rules forbade the use of reusable cups and shopping bags as well as bulk-bin shopping. But once it became clear that surfaces were not the main vector for the coronavirus, owners of refill businesses say sales began to soar. Read the full story.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein must speak out for federal voting rights legislation and endorse filibuster reform. While those representing far fewer constituents boast their bold opposition, where is our senators voice?

Feinstein represents a state with model ballot access and election integrity. Yet, an over-represented Senate minority blocks model protections from becoming federal law. The Senates failure devalues our democracy with unchecked voter suppression in our sister states.

Last summer, Feinstein urged passage of voting rights protections, but dodged the question of how to prevent a filibuster blockade. She can evade this question no longer. Its time, Senator! Your president, your party and your constituents need your full-throated support for an unobstructed Senate vote on voting rights.

Through seven re-elections we raised our voice to support you. Now, you must lift your voice to advance a Senate vote so all legitimate American votes count, and all Californians get fair treatment in federal elections.

Michelle Famula, Davis

Help others in need

On several occasions in my life, I have been in between homes. It is difficult to convey the impact of my situation, but I can state that hopelessness and isolation nearly drove me insane. I know what it feels like to disappoint every associate who once looked up to me, because if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.

I am now in temporary housing at Leland House. I wanted to express my gratitude on how I was able to turn my life around, so I have taken a homeless man under my wing. Naysayers have told me that by helping my friend out, I am actually enabling his homelessness.

I have assisted in finding temporary housing, getting his ID, food stamps, general assistance and Social Security for my adoptee, but I will require official help if my friend will ever get permanently housed. This is where I ask all who are concerned to take my lead and adopt a friend. To ignore this problem wont make the problem go away.

Gary Wong, San Francisco

Tule elk herds are too big

Regarding Groups sue Park Service, say ranches bad for Marin coast (Bay Area, Jan. 13): Those who would like to put an end to cattle ranching in Point Reyes National Seashore, preferring that the land be occupied only by tule elk, tend to overlook one important point: the elk have no natural predators. They will reproduce endlessly, until they have exhausted the forage. Then there will be lingering deaths. Is it humane to create such a situation?

In 1978, the National Park Service introduced 10 elk to the area. By 1990 the herd was larger than the 140-animal carrying capacity. No one anticipated that some of the elk would swim across Tomales Bay and establish a new herd at Drakes Beach.

Non-venison eaters were horrified in 1992 when the National Park Service sought to shoot some. Since then, the herd size has been uncontrolled, resulting in elk malnutrition and deaths.

While policies on controlling water pollution due to cattle ranching may need to be improved, the majority of Californians do consume beef and dairy products. Point Reyes is a source of high quality local foods for the Bay Area. Unless the elk lovers are willing to reintroduce grizzly bears to control the size of elk herds, their reintroduction should be viewed as a failed experiment.

Amelia Marshall, Oakland

Cut Point Reyes ranches

Regarding Groups sue Park Service, say ranches bad for Marin coast (Bay Area, Jan. 13): The story about environmental groups suing the National Park Service over its abject failure to complete the agreed upon removal of the ranches from Point Reyes National Seashore was fine, but left out several important details.

First, during the 1970s, the feds paid the parks ranching families a fair market value for their properties. The ranchers agreed to vacate within 25 years. The intent was to phase out ranching and allow native flora and fauna to regenerate. But, instead of leaving by the millennium as theyd agreed to, some ranchers formed the Point Reyes Seashore Ranchers Association. The group has lobbied legislators and the Park Service to keep the cheap rents in perpetuity and to extirpate the parks free-ranging tule elk, effectively signing their death sentence.

Second, the presence of the ranches, and the toxic effluent they emit, has resulted in the Point Reyes peninsula and surrounding waters to be some of the most polluted on the California coastline for decades.

Third, while the ranches are indeed part of the areas human history and culture, theyve destroyed much of its natural history and culture, which predated the ranches.
Regarding Biden: Kill filibuster to boost voting rights (Nation, Jan. 12): At this tense moment in our national history, theres a need for perspective in all sides.

I agree we should make voting as easily available as possible. But its important to recall that modalities like mail-in voting without special need, advance voting before election day, drop boxes, etc., are all new in the past several years. Not long ago, it was accepted voters had to make it to polling places to vote on election day. There was no widespread talk that this placed democracy in doubt.

States have always controlled election rules locally within broad limits like the Voting Rights Act. Implying democracy lives or dies based on whether every state allows everyone to vote by mail or vote early senselessly exacerbates tension and drives the country toward civil unrest and worse. Democrats as well as Republicans need to cool the verbal fireworks and work within the democracy we still do have.

Steve Koppman, Oakland

Prioritize transit

Regarding Governor would use surplus to combat homelessness, pandemic (Front Page, Jan. 11): I was unsettled to read in that Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes a one-year gas tax holiday, saving drivers $523 million. What about a transit fare holiday? I am not against the gas tax holiday, but transit riders, many who have no other option, deserve equal treatment.

They say that budgets are statements of priorities, and Newsoms latest budget is a clear indication that, yet again, drivers who use gas to power their vehicles, are prioritized over transit riders.

I hope that Newsom prioritizes transit in his budget. Not only is transit an equity and climate issue, but it is one of the few antidotes we have to heal our divided society. I cant think of a better way to come together as a country, than for all of us to get out of our cars and talk to a neighbor also waiting at the bus stop.

Daniel Levy, Oakland

Try new ways to teach

Regarding Schools near breaking point  (Front Page, Jan. 12): What is clear from the article and, indeed, the past couple of years, is that everything the schools have tried has been a version of the current classic classroom, either virtually or in person.

Has anyone tried small tutorial classes? Or a shortened classroom day with workbooks for the early grades, assignments and available computers for higher levels? Breakout rooms with someone in attendance (a parent, a volunteer, a librarian?) when help needed? Has anyone tried mixed grades (like the old one-room schoolhouse) for the limited-contact pods of a few family groups recommended early on in the pandemic? For those at higher risk?

Has anyone even considered anything but the classic mass classroom method?

When schools initially went virtual, did anyone contact Australia for what they learned from their education programs for isolated outback homes?

My children graduated from San Francisco public schools. One thing I, and other parents learned early, is that if something is not working, try something else. I am sure many parents would welcome the chance for their child to try a different school model for the rest of this year if it were offered.

Miriam Mueller, San Francisco

In-laws face obstacles

Regarding ADUs havent been a housing cure-all (Front Page, Jan. 13): The article about the construction of accessory dwelling units in San Francisco leaves out several important possible reasons why so few are built in the less affluent neighborhoods.

Many of the homes and apartment buildings in these areas already have illegal in-law apartments in place, so no new construction is needed. Owners of single-family dwellings are unwilling to build an ADU, only to be thrown under the rent control bus. If an owner wants to convert an illegal unit into a legal apartment, they would probably have to evict the current tenant during construction, which would cost enormous amounts of money and time, as well as providing fodder for the next article about evictions.

Roger Drosd, San Francisco

You get what you pay for

President Biden announced that Americans can order free at-home coronavirus tests starting on Jan. 19. They will take 12 days to be delivered to you, so if you believe you have COVID symptoms, forget about it. You will be over it by the time you tests arrive.
ELECTION UPDATE: San Franciscans overwhelmingly voted to recall the three school board members.

This week, San Franciscans will begin receiving mail-in ballots for next months special municipal election, in which three San Francisco Board of Education commissioners are up for recall.

Supporters say the recall of the three commissioners  Alison Collins, Gabriela Lopez and Faauuga Moliga  is motivated by frustrations around the school boards priorities during the pandemic.

Last year, recall organizers collected over 75,000 signatures  far more than the 51,000 needed to qualify for the special election. They have also raised over $1.3 million so far from contributions to Recall School Board Members Lopez, Collins, and Moliga and Concerned Parents Supporting the Recall of Collins, Lopez, and Moliga, as of Jan. 14.

Support for the recall, however, is concentrated in certain parts of the city. Data on signatures and monetary contributions by ZIP code largely shows support coming from areas that are wealthier and have higher shares of children and Asian residents.

The ZIP code 94127 had the highest share of signatures out of registered voters (21%). Located southwest of Twin Peaks, it is one of the wealthiest ZIP codes in the city  the median household income is roughly $173,000  and has a high percentage of children  20% of its residents are 18 years old or younger, according to 2019 census estimates.

In contrast, the ZIP code 94124 in Bayview-Hunters Point has an equally high percentage of children (23%) but had just 12% of registered voters signing recall petitions. The median income for households in this ZIP code is roughly $63,000  just over one-third that of the high-income ZIP code.

The Chinese and Asian American community has been crucial to getting the recall on the ballot, according to recall organizer Siva Raj. He says roughly a third of their signatures came from Chinese or Asian Americans, in large part due to the Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking volunteers who helped gather signatures.

When we compared census demographic estimates with signature data, we found similar results. In ZIP codes where at least 40% of residents identify as Asian, an estimated 14% of the population signed the recall petition, while only 11% signed in ZIP codes with fewer Asians. And although there are outliers, like Bayview- Hunters Point, there was also a strong overall correlation between the share of children under 18 living in a ZIP code and the share of signatures from registered voters.

At a campaign event on Jan. 14, Asian parents spoke out in support of the recall. As their primary reasons for backing the recall, they cited the delayed reopening of schools, the elimination of the academic-based admissions system at Lowell High School and Alison Collins 2016 tweets in which she wrote that some Asian Americans used white supremacist thinking to assimilate and get ahead.

They said they believed that these actions particularly hurt Asian American students, who make up 39% of the student population in the San Francisco Unified School District.

By playing politics instead of helping students, mismanaging district finances and in general, prioritizing everything else other than education, the current school board has proven itself unfit to govern, said Laurence Lee, a member of the Chinese/API Voter Outreach Taskforce.

The Chinese community has also contributed monetarily. The Chinese American Democratic Club, a San Francisco political organization, is among the top donors to the pro-recall campaigns, having contributed $10,000.

Among the other top donors are entrepreneur David Sacks ($74,500), Neighbors for a Better San Francisco Advocacy ($238,800) and Silicon Valley investor Arthur Rock, who has donated nearly $400,000.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Contributions from local organizations and residents make up the majority of donations  nearly $900,000, or about two-thirds of the total. And similar to the distribution of signatures, wealthier areas are more likely to have larger contribution totals.

Some local elected officials have endorsed the recall, including Mayor London Breed and state Sen. Scott Wiener. Supervisor Matt Haney supports recalling Collins, and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman thinks Collins and Lopez should be removed from office.

Opponents of the recall call the effort a moderate/conservative power grab  a way for moderates and conservatives to get representation on the school board, which they historically have not been able to do through elections. Others say that the removal of the three members, all of whom are people of color, will hurt the districts most marginalized and vulnerable students and that the boards decision to keep schools closed overall benefited students of color.

The two anti-recall campaigns have raised only $28,000 so far. One of the campaigns, which supports all three members, has raised $5,000. The other committee, specifically in support of Commissioner Moliga, has collected $23,000.

The Feb. 15 ballot will include a separate recall question for each of the three school board members. Voters may elect to recall one, two or all three commissioners. If a majority decide to recall any of them, Mayor London Breed will appoint a replacement.

Nami Sumida is a San Francisco Chronicle data visualization developer. Email: nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @namisumida
A humongous space rock, Asteroid 7482, is set to safely zoom by Earth on Tuesday.

While people won't be able to catch a glimpse of the asteroid with the naked eye, scientists at the Chabot Science Center in Oakland are looking to capture images and video, if skies are clear.

Gerald McKeegan, an adjunct astronomer at the science center, said he hopes Chabot can post images and video on social media. Amateur astronomers can spot the asteroid with a backyard telescope hours after the close approach in the evening (get tips from Earth Sky).

The asteroid will make its closest approach at approximately 1:51 p.m. PST, coming within 1.23 million miles of Earth, according to a table from the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), managed by NASA at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. That's slightly more than five times the distance to the Moon. The asteroid will be moving at a speed of nearly 12 miles per second

Asteroid 7482 is approximately 3,470 feet wide  which is more three times the height of San Francisco's Salesforce building. By comparison, the asteroid that is believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs was over 32,000 feet wide, McKeegan said.

You don't need to worry about facing the scenario presented in the new Netflix comedy "Don't Look Up," featuring two astronomers who discover that a comet is headed straight for Earth. Although 7482 is still large and will come close to Earth, McKeegan said that "there is no risk of impact on this or any future close approaches for at least 200 years."

Astronomer Robert McNaught, of the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, first discovered Asteroid 7482, originally designated 1994 PC1, in August 1994.

"It is believed to be composed mostly of silicate rocks," McKeegan said, "and may have originally come from the inner part of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter."

In the event an Earth-threatening asteroid is discovered in the future, NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission is expected to deliberately crash into a near-Earth asteroid in September to test technology for deflecting asteroids out of orbit. DART's test target isn't a threat to Earth, NASA said.
BERLIN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Germany recorded a new record high in its seven-day COVID-19 incidence rate which rose to 528.2 new infections per 100,000 people, from 375.7 last week, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said on Monday.

The RKI registered 34,145 infections in the last 24 hours, around 8,900 more than last week. Last Friday, daily COVID-19 infections in Germany exceeded 90,000 for the first time since the pandemic began.

Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach warned against the Omicron wave. "We are facing very difficult weeks in Germany," he told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag. "A high level of endemic infection means that hundreds of thousands will become seriously ill and we will have to mourn many thousands of coronavirus deaths again."

German virologist Christian Drosten, on the other hand, considered the Omicron variant a "chance" to get into the endemic state. "We cannot keep immunizing the entire population every few months via booster vaccination in perpetuity," he told the newspaper Tagesspiegel on Sunday.

As of Sunday, 72.7 percent of the country's population had been fully vaccinated, with at least 39.2 million booster shots administered, according to official figures. However, 20.7 million people in Germany are still unvaccinated.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed via Twitter that the "best protection against severe COVID-19 infection is and remains vaccination." Germany had reached an "important milestone" by vaccinating 75 percent of its population at least once. "Next, we should aim for the 80 percent mark," Scholz wrote on Sunday. 
BERLIN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- German chemicals group Covestro has struck a long-term deal on the supply of green hydrogen with Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) in Australia.

FFI will supply Covestro with the equivalent of up to 100,000 metric tons of green hydrogen (GH2) per year, according to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreed between the two companies, which was announced on Monday.

The deliveries are planned for production sites in Asia, North America and Europe, and could begin as early as 2024.

"Green hydrogen and its derivatives play a key role for the chemical industry, both as an alternative feedstock and a source of clean energy," said Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro.

Thanks to the new deal with FFI, he said, Covestro will be able to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 900,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. 
OSIGO, Italy - After many rounds of rules targeting the unvaccinated, the chamber musician's new life is unrecognizable from the old. Claudio Ronco once performed all over Europe, but now he can't even board a plane. He can't check into a hotel, eat at restaurant or get a coffee at a bar. Most important, he can't use the water taxis needed to get around Venice, his home for 30 years - a loss of mobility that recently prompted him to gather up two of his prized cellos, lock up his Venetian apartment and retreat with his wife to a home owned by his in-laws one hour away in the hills.

"Isolation," Ronco called it, on the fourth day in a row that he hadn't left the house.

At this complicated stage of the pandemic, the lives of unvaccinated people are in major flux, at the mercy of decisions made everywhere from courts to workplaces. But their lives are changing most dramatically in a handful of countries in Western Europe, including Italy, where governments are systematically reducing their liberties, while beginning to return the rest of society to a state of normalcy. And while regular testing, until recently, was permitted as an alternative to vaccination, even that option has now been largely removed as countries harden their mandates. For people like Ronco, the choice is to get inoculated or face exclusion.

Ronco, 66, knows some people who have relented, including a fellow musician with three kids and a mortgage. He knows others who are scrambling for hard-to-get medical exemptions. But Ronco - an Orthodox Jew and a specialist in 18th-century music who tends to distrust the trends of the masses - figures this is an instance when he can try to withstand the mounting pressure. His savings are thinning, but not gone. His children are grown. His wife, Emanuela Vozza, a fellow cellist, also unvaccinated, feels as he does. So day after day, his resistance has continued: A musician who once played at Milan's famed La Scala has been instead working alongside Vozza, editing recordings they've made in their countryside living room, unable for the foreseeable future to perform for a crowd.

"Even in a public square, it would be impossible," he said, because he and the audience would still need the Green Pass, the European digital vaccination card.

He gestured at the forest beyond his in-laws' home. He has found himself in recent days dreaming of putting on a concert in a clearing in the woods.

"I could put out a call on Facebook and hope nobody comes to break it up," Ronco said.

Some of the unvaccinated people Ronco knows keep a low profile. Ronco understands why: Their decisions have been criticized vehemently by politicians, by virologists, even by Pope Francis. Days ago, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said the unvaccinated are responsible for "most of the problems we have today," disproportionately occupying intensive care beds.

"We're flat-earthers," Ronco said, describing the view of people like himself that has taken hold. "With total disrespect for the system and humanity itself."

But Ronco says leaders are overlooking how their moves are cleaving society into two groups, one accepted and one not. As Italy, over months, built up its Green Pass rules - first for indoor dining, then for workplaces, then for public transit and much more - Ronco turned his Facebook page into a mix of Torah passages, cello movements and fiery claims about government overreach. He re-shared the testimony of various vaccine skeptics and in the process lost roughly 1,500 of his 5,000 followers, only to find new friend requests pouring in - presumably from people who were more like-minded.

Most of that churn didn't matter to him. But one consequence struck a painful chord. He'd been close friends with an expert Italian stringmaker - "we were like brothers," Ronco said. When Ronco visited the string factory several months ago, his friend had enforced masking and distancing and temperature checks. But the visit, Ronco felt, had been warm.

Then, a few days ago, the stringmaker unfriended Ronco on social media.

To Ronco, it was one more form of isolation setting in.

"This is somebody I've known for 30 years," he said quietly. "There is no bridge from one side to the other."

- - -

More than an hour away, in Ronco's old Venetian neighborhood, the little local bars were filled with people drinking cheap cocktails and snacking on cicchetti - all after showing the Green Pass. This is the city where Ronco raised two children from an earlier marriage. It is the city that came to feel like home, far more than even Turin, where he grew up. But on this evening, Ronco's apartment was dark, and the lights were coming instead from a 16th-century rowhouse belonging to his neighbor, Claudio Ambrosini, vaccinated three times.

Ambrosini, a composer of contemporary music, said he considers Ronco a "courageous" musician, creative and willing to buck trends. In past years, Ronco played the cello at Ambrosini's dinner parties. But when they last saw one another, on the street in Venice, Ambrosini asked Ronco whether he'd finally gotten vaccinated - and was disappointed with the response. Ambrosini told Ronco he was making the wrong choice.

For Ambrosini, 73, the decision about vaccination is clear-cut. He spent the pandemic's first year scared of getting severely sick, while planning for concerts only to see them canceled. Vaccination brought personal relief. But he also sees getting inoculated as part of the social contract. He says the new Green Pass rules are benevolent, not dystopian. The rules have helped to convince some holdouts, and are among the factors in Italy's vaccination rate being one of the highest in Europe.

Ambrosini is required to present his Green Pass to take the four-hour train ride to Rome for concerts. He uses the pass three times a week to enter an indoor swimming pool. He doesn't yet feel completely secure; he still wears a double mask. But the Green Pass has made his life in Venice tenable.

In his neighborhood, the rosy brick buildings have endured for centuries, and at night, the reflections of those buildings ripple in the water, ever changing. Ambrosini said the contrasts of the environment - hard and soft, permanent and fleeting - have seeped into his music. He said he considers Venice the ideal city for a musician.

The sun was setting, and Ambrosini craned his neck for a look outside, toward the canal and a nearby wooden bridge.

"Claudio's apartment is just over that way," the composer said. "You can practically see it from here."

- - -

Ronco is an irrepressible storyteller, folding history and religion into even the most direct questions. Asked what year his cello was built, he first answered succinctly: "1745." But the story was only beginning. He described the heyday of string instrument craftsmanship in 18th-century Italy. He described how the instrument made its way from one country and the next, until it was apprehended by Nazi soldiers and transported to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where Jewish prisoners were forced to perform. He described how it was repaired after wartime damage and how, even after he obtained it, he briefly felt uncertain about conjuring the sounds of a haunted place.

When he finished his account, he took out his bow. Soon, in the empty living room, Ronco's right arm was dancing, and rosin dust floated through the sunlight.

So began the fifth consecutive day in which he didn't leave the house.

Faced with the direct question of why he is unvaccinated, Ronco again has stories - many of them. Over hours, he talked about potential medical consequences of the jab and alternative methods for boosting the immune system. He touted Vladimir Zelenko, a New York doctor tending to a Hasidic Jewish community, who became world famous for devising an experimental treatment that included hydroxychloroquine. He raged about the new divisions in society and even invoked the Nazi-era Aryan passport document.

But Ronco also made it clear that his resistance comes naturally. It fits with the story he's set for his own life: as an unconventional performer.

As a teenager, he paused his studies at Turin's elite music conservatory, moved to India and spent several years living with a teacher who taught him the sitar and non-Western music. He applied his against-the-grain philosophies not just in music, but in health. After a pair of 2007 heart attacks, he said, doctors recommended a daily regimen of 19 pills that he'd need to take for the rest of his life. But Ronco said he "rebelled" and stopped with the pills cold turkey, even fearful that the decision might kill him. Instead, his body regained its equilibrium.

"They wanted me to be on a bench for the rest of my life feeding pigeons," Ronco said. "I wasn't ready for that."

Ronco said he is committed to his resistance, and it has consumed enough of his identity that it's almost impossible to imagine reversing course. He said that even if he got infected - the lone scenario that would allow an unvaccinated person to get a Green Pass - he wouldn't use the pass.

"It can't go on like this," Ronco said after he finished playing, where Vozza had joined in.

"[The government] is pushing so hard on us," Vozza said. "We committed no crime. But we are not free - not completely free."

The constraints are about to get even tighter. In coming weeks, Italy will also mandate its Green Pass at banks, stores and the post office, where Ronco and Vozza sometimes send their CDs to fans. (In those places - unlike restaurants, bars and transit - Italy will still accept a negative test.) Starting in mid-February, Italy will also impose a 100-euro fine on anybody older than 50 who isn't vaccinated. Ronco said he'll pay.

There's a chance, Ronco surmised, that the Italian coronavirus rules are fleeting: that the virus becomes accepted as endemic and the Green Pass rules are reeled back in. But he isn't sure. The virus keeps changing. The state of emergency keeps getting extended. He and his wife could be holed up for months, or years. Recently, Ronco started thinking about the possibility of moving elsewhere - to a country that didn't have rules for the unvaccinated.

It was just a down-the-road possibility, Ronco said.

But if it happened, he could already picture the first leg: They'd have to leave Italy by car.
BERLIN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- A wind farm off the east coast of Scotland is to be built by German energy company EnBW and Britain's BP, the companies announced on Monday.

BP and EnBW have won a lease covering an area of around 860 square kilometers, where an offshore wind project with a total generating capacity of around 2.9 gigawatts (GW) will be built. Located 60km off the coast of Aberdeen, the turbine will be able to power around 3 million homes.

"This investment will be a cornerstone in our strategy to become CO2 neutral by 2035," said EnBW's CEO Frank Mastiaux.

BP and EnBW put forward 85.9 million pounds (117.2 million U.S. dollars) for the project, according to Crown Estate Scotland.

The project in Scotland is the second joint project for EnBW and BP. In early 2021, the companies were awarded a contract for a 3 GW area offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea. 
DAMASCUS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The so-called "Summit for Democracy," a virtual conference hosted by the United States in December 2021, is not based on the rules of international legitimacy, Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Bashar al-Jaafari told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The Syrian official criticized the way Washington dictates its own version of democracy to other countries, particularly the most recent attempt through the "summit" with an ostensible goal of renewing "democracy" at home and confronting "autocracies" abroad.

Such "conferences do not achieve the purpose for which they were held because they are unable to gather the international community," he said.

Such an attempt by the United States does not constitute an international consensus on Washington's version of democracy, he said, noting that each country has its distinct characteristics and thus its own understanding and vision of democracy.

The Syrian official also criticized Washington for imposing its own visions on other countries and turns hostile to those refused to abide by.

"Just saying no to the United States means that you are going to war with it," he said. "The United States does not have intellectual flexibility and is not willing to recognize the characteristics of others, and that is why disagreement with the Americans means, for them, a big problem."

"They should not come to other people and tell them 'your democracy model is bad and we will export the American model to you,'" he added.

Al-Jaafari further slammed the United States for lacking a true understanding of democracy, saying that they understand it to mean using power to eradicate the cultures of other nations.

"There is a fundamental and structural defect and failure in the U.S. understanding of democracy ... because the American political school of thought is based on investing surplus power in eradicating the culture of others," he noted. 
The University of Michigan's governing board has fired the school's president after an investigation into an alleged sexual affair between him and a female subordinate found evidence that he engaged in inappropriate interactions with the employee.

The board announced the immediate removal of Mark S. Schlissel in a statement Saturday evening. Mary Sue Coleman, Schlissel's predecessor, was named interim president.

On Dec. 8, the board said in a statement that it received an anonymous complaint that Schlissel may have been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a university employee. "After an investigation, we learned that Dr. Schlissel, over a period of years, used his University email account to communicate with that subordinate in a manner inconsistent with the dignity and reputation of the University," the board said.

The university also released a letter from the board to Schlissel including excerpts from emails the investigation uncovered.

"On July 1, 2021, you exchanged emails with the subordinate using your University of Michigan email," the board's letter said. "In this exchange, she states that her 'heart hurts' to which you respond 'i know. mine too.' You state that 'this is my fault' and that you are 'in pain too.' You finish with 'I still wish I were strong enough to find a way.'"

Schlissel declined to comment on Sunday to The Washington Post. He had served as president of Michigan since 2014. In October, he announced that he planned to step down from the presidency in June 2023.

The public university, with more than 47,000 students on its Ann Arbor campus and thousands more on campuses in Dearborn and Flint, is one of the most highly regarded in the nation. It maintained that stature throughout Schlissel's tenure.

But the university was beset by controversies in recent years over its response to the coronavirus pandemic and sexual misconduct allegations leveled at one of Schlissel's top lieutenants, former provost Martin Philbert.

In August 2020, after an independent review of the allegations against Philbert, Schlissel was contrite in a statement to the Michigan community. "The university has fallen far short of creating a culture that rejects harassment and misconduct and ensures that no one in our community fears retaliation for reporting," Schlissel wrote. "What kept coming through to me was how many people were badly hurt by Philbert's behavior, but also how afraid they were about coming forward."

Regarding the pandemic, critics charged in September 2020 that the university was not taking adequate steps to protect public health as it operated with many classes online and some in person. Schlissel disputed those contentions.

That month, the faculty senate narrowly approved a resolution of no confidence in Schlissel's leadership. At the time, Michigan's governing board stood by the president.

But the board quickly reached a breaking point after looking into Schlissel's behavior during the past several weeks. It released dozens of redacted emails and text messages that it said illustrated his inappropriate conduct.

One flirtatious exchange occurred on Oct. 5, 2020.

"i didn't know you went to HBS," Schlissel emailed the person, according to the board-released documents. The initials appear to refer to Harvard Business School.

"I'm smarter than I look," the person replied.

"you look smart," Schlissel wrote.

"That's the look I was going for," the person replied.

In a later exchange, the board said Schlissel received an email from the subordinate in which she had written "Oh yes!" On Jan. 9, 2021, Schlissel wrote her in response: "Love it when you say that."

The board said it could name a successor as soon as this summer.

Coleman, the interim president, said in a statement Sunday: "While saddened by the circumstances, I am honored to be asked to again serve the University of Michigan."

In 2015, a year after he took office, Schlissel wrote a piece for The Washington Post about sexual misconduct on college campuses. "I am a university president, a physician-scientist, an educator and a father," he wrote. "The issue of sexual misconduct at the University of Michigan, and at all of our nation's campuses, keeps me awake at night. I feel personally responsible for the safety of all students at U-M."
For months, former President Donald Trump has been grumbling quietly to friends and visitors to his Palm Beach mansion about a rival Republican power center in another Florida mansion, some 400 miles to the north.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, a man Trump believes he put on the map, has been acting far less like an acolyte and more like a future competitor, Trump complains. With his stock rising fast in the party, the governor has conspicuously refrained from saying he would stand aside if Trump runs for the Republican nomination for president in 2024.

The magic words, Trump has said to several associates and advisers.

That long-stewing resentment burst into public view recently in a dispute over a seemingly unrelated topic: COVID policies. After DeSantis refused to reveal his full COVID vaccination history, the former president publicly acknowledged he had received a booster. Last week, he seemed to swipe at DeSantis by blasting as gutless politicians who dodge the question out of fear of blowback from vaccine skeptics.

DeSantis shot back Friday, criticizing Trumps early handling of the pandemic and saying he regretted not being more vocal in his complaints.

The back and forth exposed how far Republicans have shifted to the right on coronavirus politics. The doubts Trump amplified about public health expertise have only spiraled since he left office. Now his defense of the vaccines  even if often subdued and almost always with the caveat in the same breath that he opposes mandates  has put him uncharacteristically out of step with the hard-line elements of his partys base and provided an opening for a rival.

But that it was DeSantis  a once-loyal member of the Trump court  wielding the knife made the tension about much more.

At its core, the dispute amounts to a stand-in for the broader challenge confronting Republicans at the outset of midterm elections. They are led by a defeated former president who demands total fealty, brooks no criticism and is determined to sniff out, and then snuff out, any threat to his control of the party.

That includes the 43-year-old DeSantis, who has told friends he believes Trumps expectation that he bend the knee is asking too much. That refusal has set up a generational clash and a test of loyalty in the de facto capital of todays GOP, one watched by Republicans elsewhere who have ridden to power on Trumps coattails.

Already, party figures are attempting to calm matters.

Theyre the two most important leaders in the Republican Party, said Brian Ballard, a longtime Florida lobbyist with connections to both men, predicting Trump and DeSantis will be personal and political friends for the rest of their careers.

Trumps aides also have tried to tamp down questions about the former presidents frustrations, so as not to elevate DeSantis.

Still, Trump has made no secret of his preparations for a third run for the White House. And while DeSantis, who is up for reelection this year, has not declared his plans, he is widely believed to be eyeing the presidency.

Trump and his aides are mindful of Republicans increasingly public fatigue with the drama that trails Trump. The former presidents false claims about fraud in the 2020 election  which DeSantis has not challenged  and his role in the events leading to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol have some Republicans looking for a fresh start.

OCTAVIO JONES/TNS

DeSantis is often the first name Republicans cite as a possible Trump-style contender not named Trump.

DeSantis would be a formidable 2024 candidate in the Trump lane should Trump not run, said Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor. Hes Trump but a little smarter, more disciplined and brusque without being too brusque.

Notably, Trump, a longtime student of charisma and mass appeal, as well as an avid reader of polling, has refrained from publicly attacking DeSantis, who is a distant but potent second to him in polls on the 2024 GOP field. His restraint is a break from the mockery and bullying he often uses to attack Republicans he perceives as vulnerable. Trump made no reference to the governor at a rally in Arizona on Saturday.

DeSantis has $70 million in the bank for his reelection, a war chest he stocked with help from the Republican rank-and-file and donor class, alike. He has raised his profile in the same spaces Trump once dominated. The governor is ubiquitous on Fox News, where he is routinely met with the sort of softballs that once arced toward Trump. And he frequently mixes with the well-tanned Republican donor community near the former presidents winter home in South Florida.

It was not always this way.

DeSantis was a little-known Florida congressman in 2017 when Trump, who was then the president, spotted him on television and took keen interest. DeSantis, an Ivy League-educated military veteran and smooth-talking defender of the new president, was exactly what Trump liked in a politician.

It wasnt long before Trump blessed DeSantis bid for governor and sent in staff to help him, lifting the lawmaker to a victory over a better-known rival for the partys nomination.

DeSantis survived the general election and has often governed in a style that mirrors his patron, slashing at the left and scrapping with the news media. But that alone doesnt placate Trump. As with other Republicans he has endorsed, the former president appears to take a kind of ownership interest in DeSantis  and to believe that he is owed dividends and deference.

Look, I helped Ron DeSantis at a level that nobodys ever seen before, Trump said in an interview for a forthcoming book, Insurgency, on the rightward shift of the Republican Party, by The New York Times reporter Jeremy W. Peters. Trump said he believed DeSantis didnt have a chance of winning without his help.

The former presidents expectation of deference from DeSantis is a reminder to other Republicans that a Trump endorsement comes with a price, a demand that could prove particularly consequential should he run again and have a stable of Republican lawmakers in his debt.

At times, Trump has sought to kindle his relationship with DeSantis. He has suggested the governor would be a strong choice for vice president. Similar courtship has helped win deference from other potential rivals. But DeSantis has not relented.

I wonder why the guy wont say he wont run against me, Trump has said to several associates and advisers, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

Trump began the recent contretemps by attacking the governors refusal to acknowledge whether he had received a COVID-19 booster shot.

The answer is Yes, but they dont want to say it, because theyre gutless, Trump said in a television interview this month, referring only to politicians but clearly alluding to DeSantis. You got to say it  whether you had it or not, say it.

DeSantis response came Friday in an interview on the conservative podcast Ruthless. Speaking in front of an in-person audience in St. Petersburg, Florida, the governor said one of his biggest regrets was not forcefully opposing Trumps calls for lockdowns when the coronavirus first began to spread in the spring of 2020.

Knowing now what I know then, if that was a threat earlier, I would have been much louder, DeSantis said. The governor said he had been telling Trump stop the flights from China  but argued he never thought in early March 2020 that the virus would lead to locking down the country.

DeSantis then moved quickly to place blame on Dr. Anthony Fauci, who advised Trump on the countrys COVID response, a much safer target with conservatives.

The former president did not immediately respond. Without a Twitter account, his hair-trigger retorts have become less frequent. A spokesperson for Trump also did not respond to requests for comment. An adviser to DeSantis declined to comment.

DeSantis, however, has touched on a delicate issue, one of the few on which Trump is to the left of his partys hard-liners: the efficacy of the vaccine and deference to public health experts advice on how to curb the spread of the virus.

Trump has begun blasting warning shots at DeSantis and other aspiring Republicans, signaling he intends to defend the vaccines his administration helped develop. In an interview with Candace Owens, a right-wing media personality, the former president said the vaccine worked and dismissed conspiracy theories. People arent dying when they take the vaccine, he said.

DeSantis, though, has been much more eager to focus on his resistance to COVID-19 restrictions, past and present, than to make a robust case for vaccination and booster shots.

Notably, at his rally Saturday, Trump did not promote vaccines and criticized so-called COVID lockdowns.

Trumps loudest antagonists are likely to continue to stoke the tension between the two men. Ann Coulter, the conservative commentator who has fallen out with the former president, delighted in the dust-up last week.

Trump is demanding to know Ron DeSantiss booster status, and I can now reveal it, Coulter wrote on Twitter. He was a loyal booster when Trump ran in 2016, but then he learned our president was a liar and con man whose grift was permanent.

In an email, Coulter, herself a part-time Florida resident, put a finer point on what makes DeSantis rise unsettling for the former president. Trump is done, she wrote. You guys should stop obsessing over him.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Gregoire restaurant is best known for two things: high-end takeout and crispy, round potato puffs. Lots and lots of potato puffs.

People are addicted to those. They can't go, they just can't, chef-owner Gregoire Jacquet jokes. I think someone would stab me in the back.

With their golden crust and soft, fluffy interior, the potato puffs have been a hit since the tiny French restaurant opened 20 years ago, right around the corner from Chez Panisse in Berkeley. Jacquet estimates that he makes thousands each month  but thats about as far as the chef is willing to talk about them. He guards the recipe, and even the inspiration, so closely that employees sign a non-disclosure agreement before making them.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

For two decades now, the hole-in-the-wall has been handing out take-out containers of fried chicken sandwiches to Berkeley students and long-time residents alike, who all angle for a seat at two picnic tables out front. It may not sound like a fancy spot, but dont be fooled: The place has fine dining in its soul.

Jacquet, an exacting man with a proletariat streak, opened Gregoire after a long career making elegant meals at fine dining restaurants. He spent five years working under legendary chef Jacky Roberts now-shuttered Amelio's, and then seven at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco.

His bosses attitudes toward takeout were clear: My food, you eat it at a table because it's perfect and it's ready to eat and you have to eat it now, he recalls. They always thought their food should never be put in a box.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Jacquet had very different plans for his restaurant. Like Chez Panisse around the corner, he wanted a rotating seasonal menu, taking advantage of everything California has to offer. And  most importantly  it had to be accessible to the people.

A gregarious man by nature, Jacquet wanted to open a small-scale restaurant where he could interact with his customers. So, he and his wife Tara pulled their life savings and opened the tiny 500 square-foot restaurant. To make sure the food stayed good on the move, he designed his very own cardboard takeout boxes, complete with vents to help keep the steam out. He even patented the now-iconic octagon containers.

As the face of the restaurant, Jacquet holds everything to the highest standard (in addition to naming it after himself, he literally adorned the boxes with a picture of his face).

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

I have preparatory recipes, everything comes from me, Jacquet says. But the rotating menu keeps the food feeling fresh and exciting. My mind is always working.

Even before the pandemic, customers would wait in long lines to receive their meals, watching skillful cooks breeze through grilling and prep through the large storefront window. The restaurant gets all kinds of customers, from students to seasoned locals. Jacquet even recalls when one of Chez Panisses longtime chefs stopped by to observe the business in its early days.

Jean-Pierre Moulle lived up the street on Walnut and he used to walk every day in front of the restaurant to go to work. One day he stopped and said, You know what Gregoire? I wish I had that idea before you, Jacquet says with a laugh. That was a nice thing to say.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

When the pandemic hit, Jacquet says it took his team a couple of weeks to figure out their next move. But they were much better situated than other restaurants, and already had a deal with restaurant app Caviar to handle takeout orders and delivery. While Gregoire lost its catering business, it ended up with 10% more customers overall.

In the time hes owned the takeout restaurant, Jacquet has also kept busy with other projects, including in 2006, when he opened the short-lived Socca Oven, a chickpea flour pizza joint. When it closed after a few months over conflict with his business partner, that didnt slow him down; he soon opened a second, much larger Gregoire in Oakland. Jacquet says he wanted to see if he could operate two businesses with different menus at once. He succeeded for over a decade, but in 2017, burned out from splitting his days, he made the tough decision to close the Oakland outpost.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

I was tired, He said. It became way too busy for me by myself and I had to let one go, Jacquet says. I didn't have that business sense of [knowing] you don't have to do everything by yourself.

Now, on the cusp of his 20th anniversary, hes gearing up to grow once again  this time as a franchise.

I started thinking about franchising for a long, long time because the concept is so awesome, Jacquet said. It's 20 years in the making.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Jacquet says he hopes to start with a location in San Francisco and later expand to other Bay Area cities. Eventually, hed like to have his name on restaurants around the country, maybe Los Angeles or New York. But for the local stores, hes not quite ready to turn the reins over to someone else. His plan is to start with a central kitchen, where he and a team can prepare food and deliver it to the new locations. His goal is a seamless system where he can ensure the new locations meet his standards for quality and consistency.

I've been working on the franchise for every second of the day, Jacquet said. Organizing a franchise system is no small potatoes.


In 1991, San Francisco clothing brand Esprit sent a note to 200,000 young people with a simple question: What would you do to make the world better?

They turned the responses into a controversial ad campaign that ran on MTV and 11 other channels, giving teens the thrill of being heard and scandalizing their parents.

Give back the land stolen from Native Americans, one ad demanded. I would distribute condoms in every high school in America, read another. Id keep a womans right to choose, unless George Bush is free to babysit.

In a country still grappling with the AIDS crisis, the Rodney King riots and the Gulf War, the What Would You Do campaign (featuring a young Gwyneth Paltrow) would turn out to be the brands biggest and most remembered, pushing boundaries and bringing San Francisco cool to the masses.

Esprit appealed to the youth with a message of lefty, post-racial harmony. Wild prints, bright colors and baggy silhouettes reigned. Their tote bags and T-shirts hung from all the coolest shoulders, adorning fashion plates with the legendary Esprit logo. With the logos omnipresence at the time, it may as well have been Supreme for the teens of the late 80s and early 90s.

The brands idiosyncratic, publicly forward-thinking co-owners, Susie and Doug Tompkins, were at least as vital to the brands image as the clothes and the ads. The couple seemed to personify the Esprit ethos: Susie would later become a prominent Democratic donor and activist, while Doug would go on to be one of the greatest environmental stewards of all time.

But underneath the splashy magazine profiles and heavy-handed political messaging lies another tale. Its one of San Francisco corporate excess and office trampolines. By the mid-90s, mirroring the rest of Boomer culture, the Bay Area hippies had fully transformed into take-no-prisoners capitalists, complete with brutal corporate takeovers and tumultuous divorces.

What began as a humble dress shop founded by two women operating out of a Broadway showroom ballooned into a multinational conglomerate worth $800 million at its height, before the decades to come hollowed out the brand  leaving its place in America as a relic in vintage shops and the imaginations of Gen X kids.

Plain janes in name only

San Francisco Chronicle / Archival

The story of Esprit began with San Franciscos Summer of Love in the rearview, when two 20-something friends decided to make dresses they actually wanted to wear. In 1968, Susie Tompkins and Jane Tise called their new company Plain Jane and began selling dresses to local boutiques out of the back of a Volkswagen Bus.

Soon, Tompkins husband, Doug, joined the venture, using $50,000 from the sale of their outdoor apparel shop  a little place called The North Face  to cover a garment factory producing their designs in lots of 100.

The Plain Jane operation was spare. Susie Tompkins and Tise were in charge of packaging, and Doug Tompkins ran the business side of the company. Even when they convinced department stores like Joseph Magnin to stock their goods in-store and host pop-ups, they kept the company, hiring just two more people: Allen Schwartz for sales and Duncan Dwelle for operations. Both would later become key company shareholders.

Their dresses were cute and trendy  as an early ad said, plain janes in name only. Their style drew both from San Franciscos stoned, nonchalant hippie culture as it did from the everyday fashions of the 1930s and 1940s, with lots of florals and what San Francisco Examiner fashion critic Maureen Kirby called LOL, or little old lady, prints.

San Francisco Examiner / Archival

The simplicity of their designs went against the ethos of many other dress designers of the era, such as Oscar de la Renta and Leo Narducci, who were playing with the same Depression-era nostalgia but refracted it through the lens of maximalism, with splendorous bell sleeves and lots of taffeta and silk.

That same aversion to largesse was reflected by the tiny showroom they went on to open, which stood in between two topless sideshows, Kirby said at the time.

We dont want to be a giant company, the pair told Kirby in an interview just months after the brand launched. We want to contain our size, and just grow a little with each collection.

A very aggressive individual

San Francisco Examiner / Archival

Despite the aversion to excess, by 1970, Plain Jane was raking in a healthy amount of money  about $2 million in sales  allowing them to move their headquarters to the rapidly gentrifying Potrero Hill neighborhood. With this move came a new name, Esprit de Corp, which consolidated the many brands they were manufacturing under at the time.

Doug had spent four to six months a year in the late 60s and early 70s kayaking and trekking around the great outdoors, but now he became actively involved in the company, including commissioning the nearby Jung Sai garment factory to make clothes exclusively for Esprit de Corp.

Conditions in the factory were a far cry from the utopian ideals of the hippie founders. In 1974, factory workers struck, alleging poor working conditions, including delayed pay and racist treatment. Among one of the more obscene restrictions Doug had imposed was forcing its 135 workers to ration toilet paper at a rate of two rolls a day, according to Harvey Dong, an Asian American studies lecturer at UC Berkeley.

On the strike lines in front of the main Esprit de Corp plant east of Potrero Hill, White female models, dressed stylishly in the latest fashions, walked through the picket lines of immigrant Chinese women production workers, Dong wrote in the San Francisco historical anthology Ten Years That Shook the City.

Unable to just ignore the unionization efforts, Doug Tompkins responded by locking the workers out of the factory. He repeatedly got police to arrest workers. But the pressure, instead, intensified the strike, becoming one of the first major union strikes by Chinese immigrant women in San Francisco and in the country.

Freelance researcher and historian Bud Theisen told SFGATE that Tompkins and other executives repeatedly stumbled while bargaining with the union, including telling the union that he planned to move his sewing work to Hong Kong for better prices, which is a major mistake, as that's illegal when dealing with a union, Theisen wrote in an email.

In December 1975, the Department of Labor forced Tompkins to pay back wages to their laborers. But the victory was brief; months of striking had demoralized the workers, and a faulty union contract guaranteed that Tompkins came out on top.

No detail is small

Corbis/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Disaster struck on the evening of Jan. 31, 1976, when a fire decimated the Esprit de Corp headquarters.

Firefighters combating the blaze told the San Francisco Chronicle that thats not the way buildings normally burn, implying the fire was arson.

According to Jonathan Franklins biography of Doug Tompkins, A Wild Idea, Doug responded by weeping for an hour. Then he moved on.

John Casado, the designer responsible for Esprits iconic logo, described Doug as a very aggressive individual in an interview with SFGATE. He was going to challenge you on everything you did, if he, if he didn't know you, let me put it that way, Casado said, calling from his home in SoMa.

Tompkins was as exacting and single-minded at home as he was at work, Franklin wrote, to the point where Franklin wrote that Tompkins decorated [his daughters] rooms the way he wanted their rooms to be  all gray and white.

A sign posted in the Esprit offices exemplified this vision clearly: No detail is small.

Casado described his relationship with Doug as intense, perhaps even confrontational.

You could ask other people, and 50% of them would say, I did not like working with Doug, and the other 50% of the people  would say, I loved working with Doug. And that really defined what your personality was.

Shortly after the fire, around 1977 or 1978, Doug Tompkins staged what Thiesen effectively described as a coup, ousting Tise, Schwartz and Dwelle  the founding members of Esprit, who had worked so closely together in that little Broadway showroom  by buying out all their company shares.

(Tise stayed on as a designer for a few more years, despite selling her shares to Tompkins. In 1985, Susie Tompkins told the Examiner that she and Doug were still on good terms with her, though shes done little press since then.)

In the wake of the takeover, the Tompkinses dropped the de Corp from Esprit, the beginning of its ascent to the juggernaut years.

The biggest trend in teen fashion

Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Who deserves credit for Esprits success depends on your tolerance for the narrative of the male genius.

Oliviero Toscani, the boundary-pushing photographer largely responsible for reinventing Esprits public image, dismissed Susie Tompkins clothing in an interview with brand consultant Bertrand Pellegrin from 2017.

She would just go to Europe and copy [designs], he told Pellegrin.

It was Toscani, Casado and Doug who revolutionized the brand and brought it to new heights, Pellegrin argued.

Toscani spearheaded the brands new whimsical and racially diverse ad campaigns. In something of a precursor to the Instagram and TikTok fashion influencers peddling false reality, the ads professed to feature real people, who just happened to be slim and beautiful. (Toscani also designed the colorful, post-racial aesthetic of early 90s Benetton ads.)

Esprit opened new stores with a plasticine, elegantly juvenile look created by the legendary Memphis Group designer Ettore Sottsass. The company even redesigned the offices, adorning an open floor plan space with artisan furniture and handcrafted Amish quilts. Office workers were treated to perks and amenities that would make a techie blush, including a company gym, a supply of organic fruits and juices and in-office talks from Gloria Steinem and other intellectual luminaries. They even had a company trampoline.

Employees have gone white-water rafting in India, down the Zambezi in a kayak, and on a river expedition to Peru, read one Universal Press Syndicate article from 1984.

But the creatives behind the brand had little respect for the products they were selling. Toscani despised the clothes. Even Casado told SFGATE that his inspiration for the sparse, thin-lined logo was based on his perception that Esprit de Corp sold inexpensive, throwaway kind of stuff.

It gave me the impression of things being made in China, very inexpensively, disposable, etc., he told SFGATE. (By removing the backbone of the E, he reasoned, the logo looked like it would be stenciled on a box thats going to be shipped overseas.)

But none of that mattered. The simple days of Plain Jane were long gone. In its wake was a brand channeling playful excess with a side of youth-obsessed California chic.

Esprit fashions are probably the biggest trend in teen fashion, wrote one 17-year-old in a 1984 article for the San Francisco Examiner, who documented her purchases at the time  a white corduroy mini-skirt  a red three-quarter length fur blend sweater  and a white striped canvas purse.

By 1989, at its peak commercial presence in the U.S., Esprit had 80 stores and outlet shops nationwide, not to mention the countless department stores where Esprit was sold.

From the outside, everything was on the upswing. But on the inside, the company was at war with itself.

A challenge for us

San Francisco Examiner / Archival

Esprit posted its first-ever losses in 1987, a stressor that would break the already-fracturing relationship between Doug and Susie Tompkins. By this point, a nearly two-decade run of nonstop growth had stalled. The two blamed each other; outsiders blamed the two of them.

The two very publicly fought over who would take the company over. Three new directors, one after another, came in to try and quell these tensions. For a while, it seemed that Doug would helm Esprit for good, with Goldman Sachs investors offering up Susies shares for $350 million. They divorced in 1988, splitting their Amish quilts equally.

At some points, the tension would veer into the absurd; sometimes Doug and Susie would even shoot competing ads, according to Esprits Europe branch head Peter Buckley.

With no one stable at the helm, cracks began to show. The quality of the goods went to the gutter. Even when the fashion cycle moved on to off-duty model chic and Kurt Cobain and hip-hop, Esprit kept churning out print-heavy, neon-glow clothes.

But in 1990, when Goldman Sachs backed out, Susie emerged as the victor. (She was something of a sore winner, according to Franklin, who claimed Susie called Doug a malignant narcissist with an army of yes-men surrounding him.)

Susie tried to resuscitate the bloated brand with a 1992 collection called Ecollection, an environmentally-minded line with organic cotton and wool. It flopped with their primary demographic of teenyboppers. Her next effort, the Susie Tompkins Signature Line, flopped too, with critics calling it drab, muddled, a far cry from their playful roots.

The line was such a shock to everybody, one New York fashion analyst told SF Weekly. There were dowdy housedresses, dark colors.

Even the $8 million What Would You Do? campaign didnt move the needle for sales. A revolving door of CEOs came and went. The media stopped covering it as a bohemian brand from San Francisco. It became just another fading clothing monolith.

San Francisco Examiner / Archival

CEO Jay Margolis was appointed in 1996, moved the headquarters to Los Angeles and banned every member of the Tompkins family from the building  including Susie.

Its still a challenge for us every day to get back to what Esprit is, to fine-tune that, Margolis told the Los Angeles Times in 1997.

'I outgrew Doug, he outgrew me'

Despite the unceremonious ousting, Susie did just fine for herself, marrying real estate mogul Mark Buell and becoming a major Democratic donor. A 1997 profile in SF Weekly revealed that she was interviewed by the FBI over White House campaign solicitations, because she and then-President Bill Clinton had gotten dinner just a few weeks before.

I outgrew Doug, he outgrew me, Buell told SF Weekly in 1997. It just was a time that we needed to get on with our lives.

As for Doug, he abandoned all pretenses of remaining in the business world and instead became an ecological hero. He bought nearly 800,000 acres of land in Chile, and with former Patagonia CEO Kristine McDivitt, whom he married in 1993, transformed the acreage into the nature preserve Pumalin Park, which he eventually gifted to the country itself.

He died of hypothermia in 2015, following a kayaking accident in Chile.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

These days, Esprit is a shadow of its former self, operating primarily in Europe and Asia. And yet the brand left a deep mark on American fashion. Boundary-testing designers such as Opening Ceremonys Humberto Leon and Carol Lim cite Esprit as an inspiration, a brand they proclaimed to be at the vanguard of mainstream American fashion in the 80s and 90s. Opening Ceremony even launched a capsule collection with Esprit in 2017, the retro stylings melded with late-2010s trends.

They were doing things no other brands were doing at the time, but have become the norm today, Opening Ceremony co-founder Lim told Harper's Bazaar. ... Esprit had a point of view and people wanted to be a part of that, so you were proud to wear the sweatshirt or carry the tote.

Nostalgia has a funny way of obscuring flaws. Sure, the Esprit that we remember now is all 80s California youth and vibrancy, but the reality is contradictory, imperfect and far more compelling  with environmentalists becoming tycoons and then back again, their socially conscious exterior belying the stifling of unionization efforts.

In the end, Doug Tompkins may have been right. The lasting impact of Esprit was not the clothes or the controversies, but the image that it sold.
One year later, there are still no clues in the mysterious disappearance of young brothers Orrin and Orson West.

The small community of California City, a desert town in Kern County, was rocked shortly before Christmas 2020 when the little boys went missing from the home of their adoptive parents. In the 12 months since, police have uncovered little by way of clues.

"It's been a year. Three hundred and sixty-five days. Imagine going missing for a day," cousin Rosanna Wills told 23ABC.

Who are Orrin and Orson West?

The West brothers are the adopted sons of Trezell and Jacqueline West. When they went missing, Orrin was 4 and Orson was 3. The couple say they began fostering Orrin and Orson in 2018 and officially completed the adoption process in 2019. They also have four other children, two of whom are adopted and two more that are biological, who were taken into protective custody after the boys disappearance.

At the time of their disappearance, both boys were about 3 feet tall and weighed about 40 pounds. They were last seen wearing black sweaters and dark-colored sweatpants.

When did they go missing?

The boys were reported missing by the Wests on the evening of Dec. 21, 2020.

According to Trezell West, Orrin and Orson were playing outside their home at 10717 Aspen Ave., where they had moved from Bakersfield in September. Jacqueline was inside wrapping Christmas presents, and Trezell said he was outside collecting firewood.

I realized that I left the back gate open and I panicked and came inside the house, searched the house, me and my wife, Trezell West told 23ABC. Once that didnt pan out, I got in the van, I looked down the street in both directions, it was getting dark, getting cold."

West says he then drove around the neighborhood looking for the boys until the sun began to set. At that point, he says Jacqueline decided it was time to call the police and report the boys missing.

What did police find at the scene?

In short, nothing. Police K-9s caught the boys scent inside the house but not outside. Searches of the home and the Wests vehicle yielded nothing of note.

Weve looked everywhere possible in a house we could possibly look, California City police Chief Jon Walker told KGET at the time. We brought in search dogs, cadaver dogs, any dog you can think of has been in that house and has not had any kids anywhere in the house.

Walker said a canvass of the neighborhood turned up an odd detail: No neighbor could ever recall seeing the boys outside the West home. After repeated searches of the property, including digging up the backyard, Walker told reporters shortly after their disappearance that foul play cannot be ruled out in the boys disappearance. The home is now boarded up and vacant.

Are there any persons of interests or suspects in the case?

Police so far have not confirmed whether anyone is a suspect. Walker said the adoptive parents were asked to take a lie detector test, but he did not say whether they actually ended up taking the test. Police said the Wests have been cooperative. They have since relocated back to Bakersfield, which is also where the West boys biological mother lives. She has assisted in the search.

Due to the adopted family having lived in Bakersfield prior to moving to California City, as well as Bakersfield being the biological families residence, we are assisting with conducting follow-up interviews, pursuing tips and other investigative avenues, Bakersfield police Sgt. Robert Pair said in a statement to SFGATE. We have conducted numerous interviews, search warrants and explored other investigate routes to assist California City Police with the ongoing search for the boys.

Last April, Bakersfield police said they served 44 search warrants, interviewed dozens of people and seized nearly 200 items in evidence. As of this week, there are no named persons of interest in the case.

Whats next in the case?

California City and Bakersfield police, along with the FBI, are still actively investigating.

Someone out there knows something, Walker said in a 2021 TV interview. They know where these boys are, whats happened to these boys.

Bakersfield police took over the investigation in March 2021. Anyone with tips is asked to contact them through their anonymous form online.
Sharon, PA (16146)

Today

Showers and thundershowers early, then overcast overnight with occasional rain. Low around 55F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers early, then overcast overnight with occasional rain. Low around 55F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
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Global logistics and distribution company DHL, Microsoft, and WhatsApp are the topmost brands being frequently imitated by cyber-criminals in their attempts to steal individuals' personal information or payment credentials, a new report showed on Monday.

In the October-December period (Q4) of 2021, global logistics and distribution company DHL ended Microsoft's long-standing reign as the brand most frequently imitated by cybercriminals in attempts to steal credentials or deploy malware via sophisticated phishing techniques

Twenty-three percent of all brand phishing attempts were related to DHL, up from just 9 per cent in the previous quarter, according to Check Point Research's 'Brand Phishing Report'.

The Microsoft brand, meanwhile, accounted for 20 per cent of all phishing attempts in Q4 versus 29 per cent in Q3.

FedEx also appeared in the top 10 list for the first time in Q4 2021.

"Our latest Q4 report also reinforced the continued imitation of social media brands in phishing scams, with WhatsApp coming third behind DHL and Microsoft in a global list of top targeted brands," said the report.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), moved from sixth position to third, representing 11 per cent of all phishing attempts worldwide.

In a brand phishing attack, criminals try to imitate the official website of a well-known brand by using a similar domain name or URL and web-page design to the genuine site.

The link to the fake website can be sent to targeted individuals by email or text message, a user can be redirected during web browsing, or it may be triggered from a fraudulent mobile application.

The fake website often contains a form intended to steal users' credentials, payment details or other personal information.

Other brands in the top 10 list by Check Point Research are Google, LinkedIn, Amazon, Roblox, Paypal, and Apple.
ZingHR has secured $10 million (Rs 74.3 crore) from Tata Capital Growth Fund, the Mumbai-based HR-tech startups founder said. With this investment, Tata Capitals private equity arm will own a 33% stake in the company.

The company will use the capital for expansion into more global markets, upgrade technology and to beef up its talent pool, Prasad Rajappan, who is also its chief executive, said.

ZingHRs other backers are Accel Partners, serial entrepreneur Bhavin Turakhia, Mumbai Angels Network and investment firm Triton. With this round, the startup has so far raised $12 million.

The Microsoft-accelerated startup has been profitable for the last 12 months and has an annualised revenue run rate of $10 million, Rajappan said.

Our target is to grow the revenues 10x over the next 12-18 months, he said.

As per Rajappan, the company has a presence in markets such as Australia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East and will now look at expanding to Europe, more countries in the Middle East, North Africa and the US. We just have to now scale up our efforts in global markets and with the new fund raise, we are going to aggressively pursue these markets, he added.

Founded in 2014 by Rajappan, ZingHR offers tech-driven solutions in the HR domain that help organisations align their automation transitions with business outcomes while enhancing employee experience. The company serves over 700 enterprises with a million employee records with vertical specific solutions for BFSI, retail, services, IT-ITeS, staffing, pharma & healthcare, and manufacturing, Rajappan said. It offers the solutions using artificial intelligence, machine and deep learning algorithms.

We believe adoption of SaaS-based processes will decide future winners as businesses go digital. Zing HRs SaaS solution is robust, nimble and adopted by marquee customers, said Akhil Awasthi, managing partner  Tata Capital Growth Fund.

This funding will be critical in taking further our expansion plans, said Rajappan.
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Finding a rapid antigen test has become like a game of snap for millions of Australians who spend hours searching pharmacies and supermarkets before supplies are sold out within minutes of hitting shelves.

But some forward-thinking businesses secured supplies months ago, knowing the tests would hold the key to helping keep them afloat.

Harvey Norman executive chairman Gerry Harvey. Credit:Ben Rushton

Gerry Harvey started putting in orders for tens of thousands of RAT kits in September and now supplies them to most Harvey Norman staff nationally.

We are probably doing this as well as or better than anyone, he says.
Scream 

MA, 114 minutes

At the peak of Hollywoods mid-90s craze for self-awareness, Wes Cravens metafictional horror-comedy Scream managed to be ironic even about its own irony. The characters could crack wise all they liked about slasher movie conventions, but that did nothing to stop a masked killer picking them off one by one.

Jenna Ortega confronts the masked killer in the fifth instalment in the Scream franchise. Credit:AP

A similar dilemma looms for the makers of the new Scream, the fifth in the series and the first not directed by Craven, who died in 2015. In the unfortunate town of Woodsboro, California, yet another killer is on the loose, prompting the inevitable jokes about how this is just rehashing a tired formula. But is this, in fact, just rehashing a tired formula?

To an impressive extent, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not) and their team succeed in squaring this circle, a trick they accomplish partly by turning their film into a symposium on what a new Scream ought to look like.
A sound like thunder, then the line went dead. The last time Sikahema Aholelei spoke to his family in Tonga was on Saturday night when the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano erupted.

Now every time the phone rings hes hoping it's his brothers or sisters on the line.

Sikahema Aholelei, President of the Tongan Association Canberra and Queanbeyan, at his home in the nations capital on Monday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

We keep trying and seeing if we can contact them by phone, WhatsApp, or Facebook, he said. But maybe they havent been able to charge their phones.

The underwater volcano rose to 100 metres above the sea, 50 kilometres north of Tongas main island Tongatapu, where the capital Nukualofa is. The eruption is thought to be the biggest since Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991.
Schools JobKeeper profit teaches a very poor lesson It is mind-boggling that the government still has not taken action on the profit-making corporations that rorted JobKeeper out of $20billion of our money. Then we read of the schools (Private school profits match JobKeeper pay , January 17) that also benefited by millions from the scheme, while making big profits. What a great example to set their students. Or is it an economics lesson? Then with the governments blind-eye treatment of such rorts, extortionists buy up and on-sell rapid antigen tests at a great profit. Were all in this together, the PM says. Seems many are in this for what they can get out of it. When is the election? Kathleen Hollins, Northmead Jesus, as relayed in Matthew 25:29, foretells the treatment of private schools by the JobKeeper program in the parable in which the rich master says: Those who have much shall receive more, and they will have more than they need. As for those who dont have much, even the little bit they have will be taken away from them. John Payne, Kelso These profits raise the sound argument that the private schools, as socially responsible corporations, should repay the subsidy. As the ATO advice says: The JobKeeper payment scheme is a subsidy for businesses significantly affected by coronavirus. Not doing so is contrary to their teaching about being fair and socially responsible. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood The greedy JobKeeper windfall continues. Ill live in hope that the 33 private school communities will insist on returning the funding, but Im guessing theyll be congratulating school management instead. Just appalling. Sharon McGuinness, Thirroul

If so-called private schools are not for profit, then they should be required to redirect their surpluses to repaying their handouts. David McMaster, Mosman Im going to guess few, if any, jobs were put on hold or lost at the private schools that accepted JobKeeper. School carried on, so staff wouldve had things to do. Furthermore, Im going to guess theres some flash firm of ambulance-chasing accountants advising them how to work this. Tim Egan, Mosman Taxpayers largesse to elite private schools certainly seems far greater than that for public universities. Graeme Finn, Summer Hill How did private schools demonstrate an entitlement to JobKeeper payments? I dont suppose they offered fee-paying parents a discount or that many parents withdrew their children. Ken Ryan, Clovelly Schools a pandemic Petri dish

I, like Terry Moriarty and Helen Cassidy (Plan to enlist retired staff too dangerous , January 17), am a recently retired school teacher. While I always intended to do some casual teaching when I retired, the number of hoops I had to jump through made it too difficult. E ven if the Department of Education were to relax some of the requirements to entice retired teachers back into the classroom, there is no way I would entertain of doing so in a pandemic. Retirees are at an age vulnerable to COVID-19 and many would have older parents who would be more at risk. Not too many weeks ago, I knew no one who had COVID-19, but now I know at least 20 people. Nearly every adult among them caught it from their children. With school going back in a few weeks to hot and stuffy classrooms filled with children who may not be vaccinated, the likelihood of a teacher contracting the virus is even higher. Thank you, Mr Perrottet and Ms Mitchell for the offer, but I respectively decline. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury Welcome to country The consensus of your correspondents (Letters, January 17) seems to be for minimal change and a parliamentary republic, and I concur. However, there is perhaps room for a ceremonial head of state appointed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It would be more authentically Australian if visiting heads of state and royalty were greeted with a welcome to country smoking ceremony and didgeridoos, rather than European soldiers on parade accompanied by brass bands. John Grinter, Katoomba Great solar swindle The Morrison government spending millions on an advertising campaign promoting rooftop solar is galling enough from a government that fundamentally hates renewables, but the graphic in its Herald print ads shows just how little it cares about accurate messaging. You dont build rooftop solar with two different types of PV panel, as shown in the ad; you never build a system with panels extending above the roof-line, nor do you install panels on top of each other. Further, in most parts of Sydney, its illegal to put panels on the street-facing roof of a heritage house like the one in the ad. Gavin Gilchrist, Inner West Community Energy, Annandale

The federal government has no shame. In its ads, it claims that solar panels on homes are part of its fight against climate change. It did nothing to achieve this; homeowners paid to install them.

On top of this, the government allowed the power regulator to charge homeowners if they transferred solar power to the network. So much for the governments advertisement. Barry OConnell, Old Toongabbie Power to SA South Australias 100 per cent net dependency on renewable energy power for almost one week is an achievement that merits widespread acknowledgment (SA runs on renewable energy for record-breaking week, January 17). NSW, especially with an abundance of pumped hydro storage options, could also achieve this and, in the process, provide fuel for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Roger Epps, Armidale Just bin it, please The news that a harbour cave full of polystyrene rubbish (The surprising art show that came from a polluted harbour cave, January 17) has provided enough material for a two-room exhibition at the old Quarantine Station highlights, yet again, that the problem with ocean pollution has less to do with the material than it does with the human beings who dispose of it so mindlessly. Government programs to phase out many synthetic materials are fine, but there is no legislative magic wand that can control the careless litterbug. Phil Rodwell, Redfern

Disastrous response The report on disaster funding indicates what is wrong with the governments response to many things (Disaster funds go to fix, not readiness, January 17). It throws money at a problem after it has occurred (and often gets kudos in the process) but refuses to do anything to prevent it in the first place. The response to COVID-19 infection is a case in point. When infections rise, the government might do something about it (if it cant blame somebody else), claiming that it was inevitable and couldnt be foreseen, but it wont do anything such as mandating masks, securing vaccines or increasing the availability of tests to reduce the level of infections. So much for protecting us from disaster. David Rush, Lawson Letter of the year What a marvellous mission statement from Meredith Williams (Letters, January 17): common good, co-operation, sustainability and simplicity rather than the mantra echoing from all neo-liberals of personal gain, competition, profit and acquisition. There is no political party espousing anything like Ms Williams statement, so how about it? I would vote for you, for sure. Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi As a (very) longtime student of the Letters page, may I congratulate Meredith Williams on her gem of a letter? I nominate it for Letter of the Year and will vote for her as our first president. Such clear thinking, such a rich vocabulary, and so blindingly rational. Jim Lavis, New Lambton

Thank you, Meredith Williams. Its so rare and so rewarding to have the current Australian situation so clearly, succinctly and correctly described. What a shame so many are blinded by ideology and greed. Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky Top bloke Your correspondent (Letters, January 17) mentions our great Ash Barty, but not Australias other number-one player: Dylan Alcott. As with Barty, hes a role model on and off the court.

Mary Haire, Annandale Devil you know As a counter to the discussion on the letters page (January 17), the people will soon decide whether Scott Morrison is the devil incarnate or someone doing his utmost in a devil of a job. George Fishman, Vaucluse
He asked people to continue following restrictions  including isolation for cases and close contacts and uploading the results of rapid antigen tests to the Service NSW app  and thanked healthcare workers for their hard work and residents for making COVID-safe choices, such as socialising outside. That sustained sacrifice that people have made has ensured that we keep our communities safe and ensures that, as we move to this next phase, we will come out stronger on the other side. He repeated his commitment to reopening schools on the first day of term one, and said a plan for returning to school would be released after they were presented to national cabinet on Thursday. As a parent, I appreciate that many parents across the state are anxious about kids going back to school, he said. We are working day and night with our health teams and education teams here in NSW to ensure that we have a safe environment for parents, teachers and for students.

Dr Chant said of the 22 men and 14 women who died, 33 were vaccinated, although those who were vaccinated had generally not received a booster shot. Three were aged under 65  including one in their 40s  and two of these were not vaccinated. All three had underlying serious health conditions, Dr Chant said. I really want the community to have a sense of urgency in going and getting boosted, she said. Having said that, were still trying to slow the transmission in the community because we want to give time for people to get those boosters. NSW Health Deputy Secretary Susan Pearce said it was not too late for people to get a first dose. While obviously we are talking a lot about boosters at the moment, please dont think that its too late for you to be vaccinated, she said. We are ready, willing and able to assist you. Students would be asked to take rapid antigen tests at home twice a week before class under the NSW governments preferred strategy for controlling the spread of COVID-19 when school resumes this month.

Loading Education Minister Sarah Mitchell confirmed the department was deploying hundreds of thousands of free rapid antigen tests across the state. That started last week and will continue over the next couple of weeks in the lead-up to the return of school, she told 2GB radio on Tuesday morning. It is quite a logistical effort to get them out, starting with the regions and then distributing across Sydney. Ms Mitchell said principals and parents would be told later in the week how the tests would be distributed and used. The tests would be provided free to all schools, including private and Catholic institutions.

Loading Infectious disease physician Sanjaya Senanayake said similar models had been successful in keeping children at school in the US and Britain. So if weve got enough rapid antigen tests, and the parents are on board, everyones on board, then it should work, he told Channel Nine on Tuesday morning. Its clearly obvious now that rapid antigen tests are key to keeping our society functioning. So however they can get it, if the government can get enough tests, then I think it is worthwhile using it in the school model.
Vulnerable women with steady but low incomes could have a path to home ownership under a new model of property development backed by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation.

The concept is a twist on build to rent, where the developer becomes the landlord and manages the property rather than selling the apartments to owner-occupiers and investors. Instead, it is dubbed as build to rent to buy because the women will also have the right to purchase their homes.

Karen was a working professional until she was made redundant in her 40s and fell into homelessness. Credit:Nick Moir

The corporations chief executive, Nathan Dal Bon, said the proposed pilot study was in Canberra, but he hoped to replicate it nationally.

With the model, the idea is to translate and scale it across the country, Mr Dal Bon said. Theres still a bit of work to do, but were in dialogue with other stakeholders across other jurisdictions who are also looking to pilot housing initiatives for vulnerable women, so my hope is therell be more initiatives next year.
Unions have warned that employees will go on strike if their bosses do not provide enough protection from the fast-spreading Omicron variant as tensions mount over the response to the virus.

But the national employer association has accused the unions of inflaming the situation, saying business could not afford limitless tests and threats of work stoppages were not appropriate when employers were already struggling to preserve jobs.

Union boss Sally McManus has threatened stoppages if bosses fail to provide safe workplaces. Credit:Paul Jeffers

The union movement is demanding urgent Omicron risk assessments, free rapid antigen tests and N95 masks, and upgraded safety protections as COVID-19 continues playing havoc with supply chains of essential items including food.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said unions would write to all employers reminding them of their obligations to take all reasonable steps to keep workers safe.
Prominent bikie Toby Mitchell has lost a court bid to allow him the right to go to licensed premises that serve alcohol after police rejected his request to attend the Australian Open.

Mitchell is currently on bail while he appeals a two-month jail term for twice striking a patron in the face at the American Hotel in Echuca, in Victorias north, on November 28 after he got into a verbal argument.

Mitchell pleaded guilty to two charges  common assault and failing to give police access to his mobile phone  and was sentenced Credit:Simon Schluter

Mitchell, a senior Mongol bikie, was granted bail in December last year as he prepared to lodge an appeal, with one of the conditions of his release being that he cannot attend any premises that serve alcohol. He asked the court to change his bail conditions after police told him that includes the Australian Open.

However, County Court judge Kate Hawkins rejected Mitchells bid, saying two other violent altercations from 2020 indicated he would pose a risk to the public if he was allowed at pubs, clubs, restaurants and licensed events, even though he promised not to drink.
Victoria recorded 20,180 COVID-19 cases and 22 deaths on Tuesday as the state declared a code brown for the hospital system and coronavirus vaccine boosters became available to severely immunocompromised children.

Under the code brown alert  normally reserved for shorter-term emergencies like bushfires  hospitals can cancel the leave of healthcare workers to plug staff shortages. It will apply to all metropolitan hospitals and six regional hospitals.

Responding to the code brown announcement, Health Minister Greg Hunt said the federal government has activated the private hospitals agreement, which was struck in early 2020 to ensure private hospital resources were available to support the public sector during times of peak demand.

Mr Hunt said activating the agreement will see up to 57,000 nurses and over 100,000 staff made available to Omicron-affected areas around the country.
GPs are warning they may have to increase fees to keep practices viable without a boost to Medicare as they demand higher rebates for longer consultations to treat chronically ill patients.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President Karen Price said many GPs who charged private fees opted to bulk-bill vulnerable patients, but practices had to pass on rising costs to those who could afford to pay.

RACGP President Dr Karen Price. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Its called cross subsidisation, Dr Price said. Often the patients who need the most complex care, and particularly the longer care are those who are the least able to afford it.

In a pre-election statement to be published on Tuesday, the RACGP will demand a 10 per cent increase to the Medicare rebate for consultations longer than 20 minutes, as well as a new $200 rebate for consultations of one hour or more.
The initial idea had been to ensure every country had enough shots to protect the most vulnerable segment of their society, such as medics and the elderly. Covax vaccine doses have been delivered to 144 countries across the world - including much of Africa, South East Asia and South America. Just four low-income countries are yet to receive doses - Burundi, Eritrea, Myanmar and North Korea - for various technical reasons. A health worker injects a person with a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that was donated through the COVAX initiative at Saint Damien Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Credit:AP Surprisingly richer countries such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand have also received doses via Covax. Around 80 self-financing nations were part of the scheme - which was seen as a way to guarantee access to a broader vaccine portfolio, and encouraging equitable distribution of vaccines. But many, especially in Europe, never claimed any shots. The Ivory Coast was meant to be the first country to administer a jab but it was pipped to the post by Ghana, whose president Nana Akufo-Addo was the first to social media, announcing on Instagram that he had been vaccinated at 9am on Monday March 1 2021, after a shipment arrived in the country on February 24.

Loading A senior official from Ivory Coast, Patrick Achi, followed soon after, and urged the countrys 200,000 workers to get vaccinated. Vaccination gives us hope to return to normal - to hug our friends, to go back to work, to live like we once did. To enjoy the human warmth we all know and miss, he said. Covax is responsible for purchasing and distributing vaccines, but once they reach a country its up to governments to get the shots into arms. Transport by boat, bike - and snow dogs

Its an intense logistical challenge to reach every corner of the globe. To reach remote villages in Nepal people have strapped vaccine boxes to their back and trekked through mountains, while healthcare workers in the Amazon travel via boat. Loading Motorbikes and bicycles are also used to transport the precious cargo - but so are snow dogs, camels, donkeys, drones, sleighs and even elephants, according to Unicef. Some 33 different vaccines have been approved for use across the world, with Covax delivering AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Sinopharm and Sinovac doses. Covax has also signed agreements with the manufacturer of the Russian Sputnik jab - but this cannot be delivered until it has received emergency approval from the World Health Organisation - and is due to start delivering the Novavax vaccine.

AstraZeneca has made up the biggest share - 280m doses delivered - followed by Pfizer at 260m. Indias months long export ban hit Covax hard The Serum Institute of India (SII) was set to be one of the biggest suppliers of Covax jabs until India imposed a vaccine export ban last March, which remained in effect for roughly nine months. The SII was forecast to produce 240m AstraZeneca shots, but so far just 46m have gone to Covax. Bhutan rolled out jabs at record-breaking speed

The tiny kingdom of Bhutan had one of the fastest vaccine roll-outs in the world in April when it delivered a first vaccine dose to half its population in a single week. US donates four times more than others Its tiny population size - around three quarters of a million people living in the mountain kingdom - was certainly a factor in its success but its army of citizen volunteers played a crucial role. The country was a beneficiary of vaccine diplomacy and was gifted 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca jab by India in a bid to counter growing Chinese influence in the region. But it has also received 500,000 doses of the Moderna jab via Covax. The US has pledged the largest number of shots to Covax: 857million, compared to Germanys 175 million, Frances 120m and the UKs 100m. However, the actual donations to Covax have not yet matched the pledges.

The US has donated just over 318m shots already, more than four times greater than the 79m given by Germany. The UK has donated just 18m doses - placing it sixth on the league table of donors. Some 588m doses have been donated in total. 100m doses rejected in December alone According to data released by Unicef - one of the partners in Covax - some 100 million doses donated were rejected by lower income countries in December alone because they had short expiry dates. It was not possible to redirect 15.5m of these vaccines before they expired, which meant they had to be destroyed. Much of this is due last-minute donations from wealthy countries, which makes it logistically more difficult for countries to get shots into arms. Last northern summer, for instance, the bulk of nine million shots donated by the UK were set to expire within four to six weeks.

After a slower start than hoped, Covax shifted into fifth gear in autumn as supply constraints eased and donations finally started to arrive from wealthy countries with plenty of surplus shots. In the month ending December 12, 395m doses were delivered - smashing the previous record of 125m in October. By contrast, the year began with just 1.3m vaccines shipped in February. But theres still a long way to go for the initiative, and mounting concerns that the drive to distribute booster shots in wealthy countries could undermine efforts to expand access elsewhere. Overnight, a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines to Rwanda included the billionth dose supplied via Covax, said Joanna Rea, director of advocacy at Unicef UK. This is a remarkable milestone in the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. Yet, with so many people still waiting to be offered a single dose, more needs to be done urgently. The need for a predictable and steady supply of vaccines remains, as well as the vital funds to deliver vaccines into the arms of the people who need them the most, she said.
London: Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew may have dated, friends have said, as the pair had an easy warmth around each other.

Banker Euan Rellie, who befriended Maxwell during their university years, socialised with the heiress, her disgraced ex-boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein, and Andrew, the Duke of York.

Prince Andrew pictured with Virginia Giuffre, at the home of recently convicted sex-trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell (right) in London in 2001. Credit:

Rellie, who went to Eton before going on to study at Cambridge University, recalled being invited to a dinner party in Epsteins New York townhouse by Maxwell, which she said was for my friend Prince Andrew.

She described Andrew as being her friend, not Jeffreys, Rellie told a new British documentary.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the United St. Maarten Party (USP) on Sunday said it is astounded by the governments lackadaisical approach towards what is happening at the hospital project, and questioned the status and security of the contract signed for the hospital project with INSO, now FINSO. The many financial setbacks reported at the project should be raising alarms within government, President of the USP Cecil Nicholas said.

The now confirmed reports about contractors and sub-contractors not being paid as well as the report of the recent resignation (forced or otherwise) of a financial executive attached to the project, is very concerning to our party in particular after the people of St. Maarten was assured a project with air-tight financial management and control, Nicholas said.

Nicholas pointed out that Minister of Public Health Omar Ottleys simplified response to the ongoing saga at SMMC does not speak to previously mentioned assurances made by the former Director of the SMMC Kleen Klarenbeek in 2019, which assured SZV, the pension fund, and the people of St. Maarten of secured investment.

Difficulties in opening a bank account cannot and should not be the order of the day, but beyond that promises made on the floor of Parliament with regards to safeguarding the peoples patrimony has to be accounted for. This project, like PJIA reconstruction, is simply taking too long and has too many questions hovering over it which government continuously dismisses as trivial, Nicholas said.

In 2019 during the period when concerns were raised about INSO's financial stability and ability to guarantee the completion of SMMC's vision of expansion, Klarenbeek expressed willingness to work with INSO under strict, strict conditions.

The USP board further questioned the strength of the signed contract. Why have the strict conditions not been enforced? Did the specific clause allowing SMMC to pay contractors directly make it to the final draft of the contract? If not, why not? If it was included why hasnt it been executed? Nicholas questioned.

On June 1st, 2021 INSO was acquired by Fincantieri Infrastructure, (FINSO). The original contract signed at the time for the construction/expansion of SMMC with embattled INSO was supposed to include securities to prevent the kind of scenarios taking place right now. In addition to an on-demand performance bond and payment bond, SMMC supposedly enter into direct agreements with critical subcontractors in case INSO was structurally unable to pay outstanding subcontractors.

INSO has been a topic of negative discussion from the inception of construction talks at SMMC, the people were assured that all the warning signs and red flags associated with this company could be negated through strong contractual agreements. The government should at the least conduct an inquiry to determine that the country isnt getting a six for a nine once again, Nicholas concluded.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The students and teachers of the Milton Peters College (MPC) are now better equipped for online learning thanks to an upgraded internet connection from leading telecoms provider, Flow.

With the schools recent decision to move to online learning, the upgraded speed is a welcome enhancement. Following the upgrade, streamed classes are possible with minimal disruption; allowing learning to continue as close to normal as possible, while also protecting the health of students and teachers

Previously the school already enjoyed the highest business package available on Flow Fibre internet. Considering the size of the student population the school management and its IT team needed to re-evaluate the connectivity needs of the islands largest school campus.

They concluded that an upgraded connection was needed after the onset of the pandemic and with the increasing use of digital tools in instruction. To meet this need they engaged the Flow team to design an upgraded, customized package achieving the enhanced connectivity experienced by students and teachers today.

Its important to keep our young people connected to their virtual classrooms by providing the critical pathways to their online classes, said Rauf Engels, Acting Country Manager, Flow Dutch Caribbean.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have focused our efforts on optimizing our networks to keep our communities and economies going. Education is a vital part of that so we also developed a policy based on which we can offer schools support with the reliable connectivity they need to keep education going. Especially under these challenging circumstances, our support specifically to education is important to us. Based on the size of the student population weve defined support packages for schools interested in connecting to Flow internet. Engels continued.

Managing Director of MPC, Jacqueline Horsford-Duggins stated that the first move to virtual teaching in 2020 had been a difficult transition for the staff, students, and their families. Creating the same structure and engagement in a virtual classroom was difficult but our teaching team has learned and grown a lot since then. With this upgrade we can equip our teachers and students with the best tools for success, she said.

Flows focus on supporting education also carries through to supporting families as they return to online learning. To this end, the company has temporarily waived the installation fees on Flow home internet service. This allows families to connect the household for online learning and working, removing the standard installation fee, which reflects savings of up to $287 per household. The free installation offer will continue throughout the month of January 2022. Further information on Flow internet is available at www.discoverflow.co.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Minister of Justice Hon. Ana Richardson visited the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian Schools on Friday, January 14.

After receiving an email and invitation on Thursday, January 13th, from the Executive Assistant at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian Schools to witness an alarming practice that the school is seeking assistance with, I opted not to delay the visit and made it there this morning (Friday).

The remnants of Hurricane Irma are still visible throughout the island with what at times may appear as minute factors but carrying great significance for the safety and security of our daily lives.

I am referring to traffic signs. It is evident that many of these no longer exist in the vicinity of the school. Signs that say, School Zone, No Entrance, and Slow Zone all appear to be signs that once stood there but now its just a severed poll. Even the large zebra crossing has since faded or rather the harsh forces eroded the paint from lining out clearness that its a pedestrian (student/child) crossing.

Though this is the Hillside school I visited today, I have no doubt that other schools are also experiencing similar issues.

Of course, I will communicate with my colleagues and relevant departments to have this matter receive the attention needed. In this COVID-19 era, however, and with our current active cases being high, many departments are affected and as such, the turn-around time is expected to be a slow one. As such, Im asking for unity in the community. Share this post as we ask all parents to not only think of the safety of their child but that of all children.

Please drive slow in the school zone!!! Be mindful when reversing from parking spaces that a little one could possibly be walking behind your vehicle. Use your turn signals to indicate your next move. Please, please, please do not enter roads you know are one-way streets and use the opposite intended direction.

Thank you in advance to all who read this post and will join in the unity drive as a community to share it with others. We seek for all motorists to be aware of our young ones who are using the public roads to commute to and from school.
Terrestrial planets are Earth-like planets made up of rocks or metals with a hard surface. Terrestrial planets also have a molten heavy-metal core, few moons and topological features such as valleys, volcanoes and craters.

In our solar system, there are four terrestrial planets, which also happen to be the four closest to the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.

During the formation of the solar system, there were likely more terrestrial planetoids, but they either merged with each other or were destroyed.

The definition of "planet" from the International Astronomical Union is controversial. The IAU defines a planet as a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun, has a nearly round shape, and has mostly cleared its orbital neighborhood of debris. Scientists are divided in particular on the third point, with some saying that it's hard to define how much clearing a planet does, while others saying a world like Pluto would clear less than a world like Earth. This means that some astronomers argue that the dwarf planet Pluto should be classified as a planet, along with various other dwarf planets scattered throughout the solar system.

Mercury

The first image of Mercury captured by the space probe Mariner 10 in 1974. (Image credit: NASA/JPL/USGS)

Mercury is the smallest terrestrial planet in the solar system, about a third the size of Earth. It has a thin atmosphere, which causes it to swing between burning and freezing temperatures. Mercury is also a dense planet, composed mostly of iron and nickel with an iron core. Its magnetic field is only about 1 percent that of Earth's, and the planet has no known moons. The surface of Mercury has many deep craters and is covered by a thin layer of tiny particle silicates.

In 2012, scientists found extensive evidence of organics  the building blocks of life  as well as water ice in craters shaded from the sun. Mercury's thin atmosphere and close proximity to the sun mean it's impossible for the planet to host life as we know it.

Venus

This view of the Earth-sized planet Venus, was created using images captured by the Mariner 10 space probe. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Venus, which is about the same size as Earth, has a thick, toxic carbon-monoxide-dominated atmosphere that traps heat, making it the hottest planet in the solar system. Venus has no known moons. Much of the planet's surface is marked with volcanoes and deep canyons.

The biggest canyon on Venus stretches across the surface for 4,000 miles (nearly 6,500 kilometers). And it's possible that at least some of the planet's volcanoes are still active. Few spacecraft have ever penetrated Venus' thick atmosphere and survived. And it's not just spacecraft that have trouble getting through the atmosphere  there are fewer crater impacts on Venus than other planets because only the largest meteors can make it. The planet is hostile to life as we know it.

Earth

A highly detailed photograph of Earth taken by the Suomi NPP satellite. (Image credit: NASA)

Of the four terrestrial planets, Earth is the largest, and the only one with extensive regions of liquid water. Water is necessary for life as we know it, and life is abundant on Earth  from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains. Like the other terrestrial planets, Earth has a rocky surface with mountains and canyons, and a heavy-metal core. Earth's atmosphere contains water vapor, which helps to moderate daily temperatures.

The planet has regular seasons for much of its surface; regions closer to the equator tend to stay warm, while spots closer to the poles are cooler and in the winter, icy. The Earth's climate, however, is warming up due to climate change associated with human-generated greenhouse gases, which act as a trap for escaping heat. Earth has a northern magnetic pole that is wandering considerably, by dozens of miles a year; some scientists suggest it might be an early sign of the north and south magnetic poles flipping. The last major flip was 780,000 years ago. Earth has one large moon that astronauts visited in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mars

This view of Mars was created by assembling images taken in 2003 by the Mars Global Surveyor Orbiter. (Image credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems)

Mars has the largest mountain in the solar system, rising 78,000 feet (nearly 24 km) above the surface. Much of the surface is very old and filled with craters, but there are geologically newer areas of the planet as well. At the Martian poles are polar ice caps that shrink in size during the Martian spring and summer. Mars is less dense than Earth and has a smaller magnetic field, which is indicative of a solid core, rather than a liquid one.

While scientists have found no evidence of life yet, Mars is known to have water ice and organics  some of the ingredients for living things. Evidence of methane has also been found in some parts of the surface. Methane is produced from both living and non-living processes. Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos. The Red Planet is also a popular destination for spacecraft, given that the planet may have been habitable in the ancient past.

Beyond the solar system

During its lifetime, NASA's Kepler space observatory discovered more than 2,300 confirmed alien planets  and thousands more possibilities  as of January 2019. Kepler ran out of fuel in 2018, but many of its possible planet discoveries still need to be confirmed with follow-up observations from other telescopes. Using the data from the telescope, scientists calculated that there may be billions of Earth-like planets in the Milky Way galaxy.

In 2017 another telescope  The Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST)  discovered a system of Earth-like planets orbiting a star more than 39 light-years away. Within the system are 7 planets, thought to be terrestrial  4 of which are super-Earth sized. This exoplanet system is known as the TRAPPIST-1.

A 2021 study published in the Planetary Science Journal suggests that all the planets in this system share a similar density. This could mean they share the same ratio of materials  such as iron, silicon and oxygen  commonly found on rocky planets.

There are 3 planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system that sit in the habitable zone of its central star  TRAPPIST-1 e, f and g. The habitable zone is the distance from the star whereby liquid water could exist on the planet's surface. Planets in this region of a solar system are potentially capable of hosting life.

A successor mission to Kepler, called TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), began operations in 2018. The spacecraft is designed to look for Earth-size planets that are only a few light-years away from our planet, allowing for quick observations by other telescopes on Earth. As of early 2019, TESS has already discovered a handful of planets; its first confirmed find was in September 2018.

Non-terrestrial planets

Not all planets are terrestrial. In our solar system, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are gas giants, also known as Jovian planets. It's unclear what the dividing line is between a rocky planet and a terrestrial planet; some super-Earths may have a liquid surface, for example. In our solar system, gas giants are much bigger than terrestrial planets, and they have thick atmospheres full of hydrogen and helium. On Jupiter and Saturn, hydrogen and helium make up most of the planet, while on Uranus and Neptune, the elements make up just the outer envelope. These planets are also inhospitable to life as we know it, although this region of the solar system has icy moons that could have habitable oceans.

Additional resources

For an in-depth look into our solar system, check out NASA's interactive Solar System Exploration webpage. The Planets: The Definitive Visual Guide to Our Solar System by DK, is also an excellent illustrative guide to all things planets.

Bibliography

Courtney Dressing et al, "The mass of Kepler-93b and the composition of terrestrial planets," The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 800, February 2015.

Simon Grimm et al, "The nature of the TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets", Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 813, May 2019, https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201732233.

George Ricker et al, "Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)," American Astronomical Society, Volume 42, January 2010.

NASA, "Mercury: Solar System Exploration," January 2022.

NASA, "Venus: Solar System Exploration," January 2022.

NASA, "Mars: Solar System Exploration," January 2022.

NASA, "Earth: Solar System Exploration," January 2022.
Smara (Sahrawi refugee camps), 17 January 2022 (SPS) - "Full national independence" was the main demand of Members of the Sahrawi Consultative Council in their meeting with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, stressing that "the referendum remains an acceptable alternative."



During a meeting with Staffan de Mistura upon his arrival in the Smara refugee camps, officials reaffirmed to De Mistura the main demand of the Sahrawi people, namely full national independence, stressing that the Sahrawis do not seek war but rather the Moroccan occupier who wants it.



In this regard, they recalled the UN Envoy of the Moroccan aggression targeting unarmed Sahrawi civilians in El-Guerguerat on November 13, 2020, causing the violation of the ceasefire agreement.



The UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara was welcomed by Sahrawi refugees who were carrying Sahrawi flags and held up placards calling for full national independence.



The Sahrawis further chanted slogans denouncing the violation by Morocco of the ceasefire agreement signed by the Polisario Front and Morocco in 1991.



De Mistura arrived Saturday at Tindouf airport, where he was welcomed by representative of the Polisario Front to the United Nations and coordinator with MINURSO, Sidi Mohamed Omar, and then went to the Smara camps where he met with the governor of Smara, Mariam Salek Ahmada, and members of the Sahrawi consultative council where he visited several structures and institutions.



De Mistura also met, on Sunday, with Sahrawi President and Secretary-General of the Polisario, Brahim Ghali, with whom he held official talks.



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-- As the first country to propose the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good and to advocate global vaccine cooperation, China has provided over 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and organizations by the end of 2021. -- Amid the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, China has been advancing economic globalization with openness as a hallmark and shared prosperity as a vision. -- Since 1990, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions. Now it is the second largest funding contributor to UN peacekeeping operations. BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Some 25 km away from Belarus' capital of Minsk is where the "Great Stone," a Chinese-Belarusian industrial park, is situated. Since the two countries signed an agreement on the construction of the park in 2011, it has grown into a modern facility with the operation of more than 80 enterprises from 10-plus countries. Its industrial production maintained an upward trend even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That is just one of the many examples of how the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping was turned into reality. Today, in a world affected by combined major changes and a pandemic unseen in a century, the flagship vision not only embodies the common values of mankind and conforms to the trend of the times, but also carries far-reaching influence for the prosperity and progress of mankind.

Photo taken on Oct. 19, 2021 shows the "Great Stone", a Chinese-Belarusian industrial park 25 km away from Minsk, capital of Belarus. (Industrial Park Development Company CJSC/Handout via Xinhua) VISION TO ACTION Xi first presented the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind to the world during his visit to Russia in 2013. Since then, he has expounded the idea on multiple occasions. During his speech at the UN Office in Geneva in 2017, Xi placed priority on partnership, security, growth, inter-civilization exchanges and a sound ecosystem in building such a community. "The fact that President Xi Jinping came out with such a vision is to be greeted and saluted because it is a very positive attitude towards the future and towards multilateralism and cooperation" said Jean-Jacques de Dardel, former Swiss ambassador to China who had accompanied Xi during his visit to Switzerland five years ago told Xinhua recently in a virtual interview. Reflecting the hope of people from all countries for a better world, the notion has been enriched to include building a shared future with neighboring countries, with Asia-Pacific partners, with African and Latin American countries, and building a maritime shared future, a shared future in cyberspace and a community of common health for mankind.

The first China-Europe freight train bound for Tilburg from Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, arrives in Tilburg, the Netherlands, June 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) "Today, the concept has developed into a comprehensive system of scientific theories, which constitutes an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy," Zhang Qingmin, professor and chair of the Department of Diplomacy at Peking University, said recently. Through contributing to the global COVID-19 response among others, China has been transforming the concept into action.

Photo taken on March 6, 2021 shows a container of COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese company Sinovac at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia. (Colombian Presidential Office/Handout via Xinhua) As the first country to propose the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good and to advocate global vaccine cooperation, China has provided over 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and organizations by the end of 2021, demonstrating its sense of responsibility as a major country. China, alongside more than 30 countries, also launched an Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on COVID-19 Vaccines Cooperation, to promote the fair distribution of vaccines and enhance vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.

Photo taken on Sept. 6, 2021 shows COVID-19 vaccines on the production line of a factory of the Egyptian Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) in Giza, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) In the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, China set the example of how a major country can lead in the building of a better world for all mankind, said Herman Tiu Laurel, founder of Philippine BRICS Strategic Studies. COMMON DEVELOPMENT The past year marked the 20th anniversary of China's entry into the World Trade Organization, the 30th anniversary of China's joining the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, a manifestation of China's integration into the global economy. Amid the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, China has been advancing economic globalization with openness as a hallmark and shared prosperity as a vision.

Aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2019 shows the COSCO Shipping Pisces approaching Piraeus port, Greece. (Xinhua/Wu Lu) As the only major economy to register positive growth in foreign trade in goods in 2020, China has made important contributions to keeping global industrial and supply chains stable and boosting world economic recovery. Over the years, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a popular international public product and the world's largest international cooperation platform, with 141 countries and 32 international organizations having signed relevant cooperation documents with China. From the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to China-Laos Railway, from the China-Europe freight train service to the Port of Piraeus, from the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway to the Chinese-Belarusian industrial park, progress has been made in an array of key projects that stretch across continents and brought substantial benefits to local people.

The Lane Xang electric multiple unit train passes by the China-Laos borderline inside a tunnel, Oct. 15, 2021. The 1,035-km China-Laos Railway started operation on Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Cao Anning/Xinhua) By 2020, China's trade with BRI partner countries exceeded 9.2 trillion U.S. dollars, and its aggregated direct investment in these countries reached nearly 140 billion dollars. "China has, by far, the most experience in designing and building infrastructure in recent decades and its commitment to work with the developing world is a major step in redressing deep global imbalances," Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a public intellectual and chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, told Xinhua. To facilitate more balanced and sustainable post-pandemic global development, China has put forward the Global Development Initiative, which has won the endorsement and support of multiple international organizations including UN agencies and nearly 100 countries.

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2021 shows the Lahore converter station of the 660kV Matiari-Lahore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan's eastern Punjab Province. (SGCC/Handout via Xinhua) Besides, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership's entry into force on Jan. 1, a historic step forward in economic globalization, will allow the region and the whole world to better share China's development opportunities. "We must take a people-centered approach and make global development more equitable, effective and inclusive, so that no country will be left behind," Xi stressed at 16th G20 Leaders' Summit via video link in October 2021. UPHOLDING MULTILATERISM Shortly after Xi's 2017 speech, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind was incorporated into a number of UN resolutions. Committed to a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Xi has called on all countries to uphold the authority and standing of the United Nations, and work together to practice true multilateralism. Since 1990, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions. Now it is the second largest funding contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

Chinese peacekeepers clear the ruins of the port explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 30, 2020. (Photo by Zhao Wenhuan/Xinhua) Ever since China's restoration of its lawful seat in the United Nations, "it has championed multilateralism in all aspects and in its dealing with all regions of the world," said Laurel. Such multilateral approach has helped China achieve cooperation towards commonly beneficial goals and projects, he added. A firm believer in honoring its words with actions, China has also been promoting international cooperation against such major threats as climate change and pledged to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

A sub-forum themed "Towards a Carbon Neutral Future: Synergy between Climate Change and Biodiversity" is held during the Ecological Civilization Forum of the first part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) It has also announced the launch of a 1.5 billion yuan (233 million dollars) fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries, a commitment which builds hope for "living in harmony with nature." "China has clearly moved from a production and consumption country to an innovation country. President Xi's global vision of green and low carbon development will complete the progress into a sustainable country. More importantly, the commitment will continue in our efforts to balance humanity with nature," said Lawrence Loh, director of the Center for Governance and Sustainability at National University of Singapore.


HARTFORD  Mayor Luke Bronin vowed that the police department would hold those responsible accountable after a 13-year-old boy died following a fentanyl overdose last week inside a city school.

City police said Saturday that the boy, a seventh-grade student at The Sport and Medical Sciences Academy had died in the hospital.

We still have much to learn about the circumstances of this tragedy, and about how a child had access to such a shocking quantity of such deadly drugs, and our police (department) will continue their investigation and seek to hold accountable the adults who ultimately are responsible for this childs death, Bronin said in a statement. In the meantime, our prayers are with everyone touched by this loss, and we will do everything we can to support the SMSA community.

Hartford police officers were called to the school Thursday after receiving reports that a boy was unconscious and there was evidence of drugs nearby.

Two other boys complained of dizziness and were also transported to Connecticut Childrens Medical Center for evaluation, police said. They were later released from the hospital.

It is believed that the three juveniles came into contact with the fentanyl at the same time, police said.

In response, the school entered a Code Yellow which is a shelter in place order for the students, police said.

With the help of several responding agencies, multiple drug detecting canines were deployed into the school to do a safety sweep for the presence of additional narcotics prior to the dismissal of the students.

This investigation remains active. On Sunday, John Fergus,director of communications & marketing at Hartford Public Schools, said the focus of the schools is on supporting all students, families, and staff through this tragedy.

In a letter Saturday to parents, School Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez said she extends her heart and offers her deepest condolences to the seventh-graders family, friends, and loved ones for their loss.

I ask that everyone keep the family, friends, and the entire school community at SMSA in their thoughts and prayers, she wrote.

She added, in response to the loss, the school and districts crisis intervention team has been assembled and will continue to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel.

The letter said school social workers were available Sunday and will also be available Monday for students, families, and staff, both in-person and virtually.

Additionally, clinical psychologists from Connecticut Childrens Medical Center mobile psychiatric crisis services for children will also be available Monday by phone to offer emotional health support.

As a community, we will continue to provide additional support and care to students, families, and staff who need it. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Welcome Center on Tuesday at 860-695-8400, Torres-Rodriguez said.

She asked everyone to keep the family, friends, and the entire school community in their hearts as we support each other through this incredible tragedy.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the departments tip line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).
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The town of Norfolk contains just over 1,600 residents, but one of its former residents designed at least 45 sites in the small town, most of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Now, the designers Norfolk home is up for sale.

Listed for $1.745 million, the Swiss chateau-style home on 205 Litchfield Road was designed by local architect Alfredo Taylor. Taylor attended Harvard College and later the School of Architecture at Columbia University and Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris following his marriage to Amelia Scranton in 1896.

When Taylor and Scranton returned to the U.S. in 1902, they landed as summer visitors in Norfolk, which was one of few small towns at the time with electricity, phone service and water and sewer systems. It was also considered a popular getaway destination for New York residents because of its mountain views. After Taylor formed an architectural firm with partner Julian Levi in 1907, he brought his design skills to Norfolk and crafted many of the towns buildings, including the Royal Arcanum building on Main Street.

Taylors private summer home was constructed in 1904, according to the listing, and combines the Swiss Chateau style with the symmetry of Tuscan and Tudor architecture. Listing agent Tom McGowan with Elyse Harney Real Estate noted in an email that the property also incorporates Spanish and French styles throughout.

Anne Day Photography / Contributed Photo Anne Day Photography / Contributed Photo Anne Day Photography / Contributed Photos

Known as Rubly, after Mount Rubly in the Swiss Alps, the home contains six bedrooms and five full bathrooms in its 11,477 square feet of living space. According to broker Elyse Harney Morris, the one-of-a-kind home offers buyers a chance to be part of its unique story.

Rubly has a romance about it, she said in an email. It was built with love for the renowned architect Alfredo Taylors wife.

Inside the home, theres a center hall with a two-story triple window flanked by the living room and dining room, the listing notes. The original kitchen in the home was converted to become vintage car storage, according to the listing, and the current kitchen features a copper stove hood, breakfast room and summer dining porch.

The second floor features two suite-style bedrooms with stone fireplaces, the listing notes, as well as a library that were built with 12-foot ceilings. Theres also a meditation room on the third floor of the home.

Rublys 40-acre grounds are situated near the Great Mountain Forest, according to broker Elyse Harney, and have a pond and southwestern sunset view.
Milton, PA (17847)

Today

Rain likely. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
An update on Niagara Bottling was among the topics the CAN DO board of directors heard Tuesday afternoon.

The California-based beverage manufacturer began hiring last month for its more than 1 million square foot facility in Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazle Twp., said Jocelyn Sterenchock, director of Economic Development.

When we talk about recruiting companies to the area that will bring family-sustaining jobs, Niagara is one of them, she said.

The company is paying more than $20 an hour for unskilled jobs, while maintenance technicians can earn more than $30 an hour, Sterenchock said. They are looking for 40 to 50 people initially and upward of 400 in three to five years, she said.

The company wants to be creative and innovative in attracting and investing in its workforce and is looking for partnerships in the community to accomplish that goal, Sterenchock said.

Our job, as far as workforce is concerned, is facilitating those connections, she said, noting that all industries are clamoring for workers right now.

CAN DO President Joe Lettiere agreed, saying Niagara is one of the industries willing to work with them to solve a common problem and possibly bring others to the table.

Many jobs are unskilled positions, but companies such as Niagara also bring in jobs for those with college degrees and the range of positions run the gambit, he said.

More jobs will come with the agencys development of a site for an international manufacturer in its Corporate Center in Butler Twp. The company will bring 50 jobs in the next three years, and 100 within five years, said Mark Minnig, director of business development.

He also pointed to a manufacturer in Hazleton that continues to hire for some 100 jobs with starting wages between $19 and $24 an hour, depending on experience. Minnig noted there are three new businesses coming, and more manufacturers in the coming weeks.

So when the notion comes that there arent good paying jobs in Hazleton, its just not true, he said. Greater Hazletons, as a region, annual wage is growing faster than Pennsylvanias and is right on par with the United States.

Incubators

Sterenchock provided an update on the CAN BE Innovation Center, which is at 91% occupancy, including newest tenant Shared Roots, an organic seed square business started by Krista Schneider.

The agency hopes to be at 100% occupancy at the innovation center again, and there is 800 square feet of light manufacturing space available, Sterenchock said.

The kitchen incubator at the Hayden Family Center for the Arts is also taking off as predicted, she said, noting that they have four licensed users, two active users and six users in the pipeline. The incubator received 15 inquiries in the last year, she said.

The 200-square-foot commercially licensed kitchen is nearing capacity, which would require scheduling adjustments, Sterenchock said. The program gives budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their businesses, gaining knowledge of business models, customers and pricing, she said.

L&B Sweet Treats is the latest kitchen incubator and provided treats for a recent fundraiser at the center in December.
Ashtabula, OH (44004)

Today

Showers and thundershowers this evening giving way to periods of light rain late. Low 48F. S winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers this evening giving way to periods of light rain late. Low 48F. S winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
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Saint Antipas of Calapodesti was honoured at the Cathedral in Roman with an all-night vigil and Divine Liturgy. This year marked the 140th anniversary of the blessed repose of Saint Antipas, the patron saint of a chapel of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Roman, Neamt County, basilica.ro reports.

Saint Antipas is also present and honoured in the synaxaria of other Orthodox Churches, such as the Churches of Russia and Serbia, which means that this holy hesychast is celebrated by universal Orthodoxy. Therefore, we could say that a Romanian is present in the list of the great venerable and hesychast saints, the intercessors who acquired the pure prayer and partook of the Tabor light, Archbishop Ioachim said.

The Archbishop of Roman and Bacau spoke about the significance and importance of the Commemorative Year 2022 in the Romanian Patriarchate, dedicated to the Hesychast Saints Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisius of Neamt.

They have appeared in the fresco of history at a distance of 300 years from each other, which means that God, from time to time, wants the spiritual renewal of the faithful and the monastic life, Archbishop Ioachim said.

This saint, born in the southern region of Bacau county, in Dealul Morii commune, Calapodesti village, is a protector of our diocese and a result of the renewal of the monastic life of the 19th century.

The festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Monday, January 10, 2022, by the Very Rev. Archimandrite Pimen Costea, diocesan vicar.

In his sermon, the archimandrite referred to the saints years of asceticism on Mount Athos, where he acquired the gift of tears, prayer, and foresight.

He amazed everyone not so much by his spiritual performances as he learned in the school of Athonite prayer, but by his early age, the dedication with which he engaged in this spiritual work being quite and utterly special.

His soul and heart were burning with longing for prayer, for God, and heaven. His heart was a living flame, which for the love of God would have sacrificed anything, the vicar added.

The Venerable Antipas of Calapodesti is one of the Patron Saints of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacau. He was born in the south of Bacau county, in Calapodesti village, where a monastery was built in his honour.
Although, for the most part, public events were affected by the pandemic, the agenda of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel was busy in 2021. He made fewer trips last year than before, but significant events took place under possible conditions. There were also official meetings and visits and resonant messages in various social contexts, basilica.ro reports.

Visit to Putna Monastery

Last year, the most significant visit of the Patriarch of Romania was to Putna Monastery on August 14-16, on the occasion of the Putna Celebration  150. Continuity of an ideal.

Representatives of the Romanian youth associations, the Romanian cultural and spiritual environment conceived the event. It took place exactly 150 years after the First celebration of Romanians everywhere, an initiative that had Mihai Eminescu among the organizers.

Patriarch Daniel also paid several visits to the Archdiocese of Bucharest at Cernica, Samurcasesti, Snagov Monasteries and the Village Museum on the Day of the Romanian Village. In addition, he performed the consecration of the church of Brancusi Parish in the Capital and blessed St Stylianos Childrens Day Centre in Urlati.

Events

A significant event for the Romanian Church, and not only was the 70th anniversary of Patriarch Daniel on July 22, 2021. As usual, a festive moment was organized on the Patriarchates Hill, with prayers of thanksgiving at its core.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis, and President Klaus Iohannis were among the most famous personalities who sent congratulations on this occasion.

In addition, the President of Romania awarded Patriarch Daniel the National Order of the Star of Romania in the rank of Collar, the highest distinction of the Romanian state.

The noteworthy events attended by Patriarch Daniel in 2021 include the opening of the Exhibition Voronet Monastery, 533 years since its establishment, 30 years since its reopening at the Library of the Romanian Academy, the solemn sitting of the Parliament dedicated to Romanias National Day, and other theological and cultural events organized at the Palace of the Patriarchate.

Meetings

In 2021, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel had official meetings with the President of Romania on February 16 and with the ambassadors of Greece, Serbia, and Germany.

To these is added the meeting with the ASCOR presidents gathered in Bucharest for a national assembly. The meetings with several groups of young people and children who sang Christmas carols to the Patriarch of Romania are also worth mentioning.

Memorable messages

Patriarch Daniels message on the Sunday of the Romanian migrants (August 22) was one of his most publicized texts.

The Patriarch conveyed three urges to Romanians living far from the country: to stay in constant contact with their loved ones, cherish the family, and educate the young generation as Christians.

Another memorable message was the call for responsible freedom in the pandemic, addressed on the feast of St. Demetrius the New (October 27). The greatest gifts are health and salvation, Patriarch Daniel said from the outer altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral.

To these can be added the Call for an End to the Armed Conflict between Jews and Palestinians in the Holy Land or the Message of Compassion and Solidarity with the Greek People Deeply Affected by Vegetation Fires.

As recommended to all Christians, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel ended the year with prayer. At the service held on the night at the turn of the year  a bridge of gratitude and hope, His Beatitude urged us to have complete confidence in the power of prayer:

Let us pray more to God for the speedy end of the current pandemic so that we can live and work naturally and freely. May we have full confidence in the power of prayer and much responsibility for our own health and that of our neighbours. Let us pray to God to bless the crown of the year we have entered and to give to the Romanian people in the country, in the vicinity of its borders, and in the Romanian diaspora strong faith, peace and joy, the abundance of the fruits of the earth and much help in all good deeds, Patriarch Daniel wished.

To complete the picture of 2021 with Patriarch Daniel, we mention the numerous services of His Beatitude at the Patriarchal Cathedral, the chairmanship of several administrative meetings and the Holy Synod sessions.
Carmaker Dacia sold 537,095 vehicles in 2021, up 3.1% from 2020, and in Europe it reached a market share of 6.2% in terms of sales to private customers, becoming for the first time the third best-selling brand in that category, according to a Dacia press statement released on Monday.

Apart from Romania, Dacia is the best-selling brand to private customers in France and is in the top 5 rankings in nine other European countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Croatia), while in Germany it is in the top 10 rankings. Dacia is also a market leader in Morocco, with its performance being supported by the success of the Sandero and Duster models.Thus, out of the total number of units sold in 2021, Dacia Sandero made up 226,805 units, of which almost 90% were the third generation of the model. In 2021, for the fifth year in a row, Sandero was the best-selling model in Europe to individual customers, and in some countries it was even the best-selling model to all categories of customers. Given the developments, the model ended 2021 on the second place in the ranking of the best-selling models in Europe.At the same time, a similar trend was recorded for Dacia Duster, which has been the best-selling SUV in Europe to private customers since 2018. With 186,001 units sold in 2021 in all markets, the Duster has surpassed two million items since its launch in 2010.On the green segment, the Spring model launched last spring was sold in 27,876 units and over 46,000 business orders were reported for it at the end of 2021. Dacia management says that 80% of those who bought a Spring vehicle were not customers of the Dacia brand prior to their purchases.In Romania, Dacia sold 38,120 vehicles in 2021, inlcduing 13,482 Logans; 9,045 Dusters; 8,227 Sanderos, and 3,068 Springs.In terms of 2022 prospects, the Jogger will join the models in the Dacia range, a new family vehicle with up to seven seats designed to meet the demands for comfort, space and modularity of a wide range of customers.Founded in 1966, Dacia is the most important car manufacturer in Romania and the most important exporter, with a significant contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product and a structuring effect on the national economy through an extensive network of suppliers.A Renault Group brand since 1999, Dacia is operating in 44 countries on four continents, offering robust, reliable vehicles adjusted for the needs and lifestyles of a wide range of customers.
The National Defense Ministry's Secretary of State for Defense Policy, Planning and International Relations Simona Cojocaru was presented on Monday with the knighthood insignia of the French National Order of Merit. French ambassador Laurence Auer handed her the honor in a ceremony held at the French Embassy, with Defense Minister Vasile Dincu and Chief of the Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu also attending.

The French ambassador praised the engagement of the Romanian Secretary of State in furthering bilateral dialogue as well as ties under the umbrella of international bodies.

You are one of the representatives of the Romanian authorities who, for years, has been very much engaged in favor of the strategic dialogue between our countries, during the Romanian EU Presidency, of the bilateral dialogue between the French and Romanian Defense Ministries and within international bodies. Thanks to your responsibilities in designing the defense and security policy, to your knowledge of the dimensions of multilateralism, you were able to establish the connection between Romania's policy within NATO and the development of the European foreign and security policy. For all this France is grateful to you and today I express to you the French Government's gratitude, said ambassador Auer.

In her turn, Defense Secretary of State Simona Cojocaru underlined the excellent French-Romanian defense cooperation, declaring herself honored by the distinction awarded to her, the cited release states.
The Finance Ministry raised on Monday RON 1.202 million from banks through two benchmark bond issues with a residual maturity of 153 and 69 months, respectively, the National Bank of Romania announced.

Thus, the Finance Ministry borrowed RON 676.5 million through an issue maturing on October 25, 2027 with the face value of RON 500 million, at an average yield of 5.09 pct per annum; banks submitted bids worth over RON 1.149 billion.

Another RON 526 million were drawn through a bond issue maturing on October 11, 2034, at an average yield of 5.51 ppa. The face value of the issue was RON 300 million, and the participating banks subscribed RON 913 million.

Two additional bidding sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, through which the Finance Ministry intends to borrow another RON 75 million and RON 45 million, respectively, for the yields set today.

The Public Finance Ministry intends to borrow this January RON 4.4 billion from commercial banks, of which RON 300 million through an issue of discount T-bills, and RON 4.1 billion through ten bond issues. Another RON 615 million could add to this amount through additional non-competitive bids related to the bond auctions.

The total amount of RON 5.015 billion is by RON 1.595 billion higher than the RON 3.42 billion planned for December 2021, and will be used to refinance public debt and cover the state budget deficit.
Romania celebrates National Culture Day on January 15, the date of birth of the National Poet, Mihai Eminescu. The Romanian Parliament adopted the law in 2010 and the day has been marked since 2011. Recently speaking of Mihai Eminescu, Acad. Ioan-Aurel Pop, current President of the Romanian Academy, and Acad. Ana Blandiana said that what is deeply national is also European, respectively universal, basilica.ro reports.

The National Culture Day, marked on Mihai Eminescus birthday, was the initiative of Acad. Eugen Simion, former President of the Romanian Academy. He wanted to institutionalize a day for paying homage to the emblematic personality of Romanias National Poet.

Mihai Eminescus birthday has also been voted as National Culture Day in the Republic of Moldova, where more than 80% of inhabitants speak the Romanian language and were once part of the Romanian state.

The day was marked on Friday at the Romanian Academy, when Acad. Ioan-Aurel Pop affirmed that Mihai Eminescu is European exactly because he expresses the essence of the Romanian spirit. At the same time, he said, he is the most representative Romanian creator for having created within the European common cultural framework.

Poetess and Corresponding Member of the Romanian Academy Ana Blandiana considers that Eminescu was universal by being deeply national, since universality is the world concert of national identities.

Eminescu assumed, more than any other poet, our suffering, our hopes and even our guilt; he accepted to carry the heavyweight of our collective destiny, which weighed down on his battling wings, said the poetess last year, at the Eminescu si Putna Symposium held at Putna Monastery.

Eminescu got so deeply connected to our Romanian fate  such a close connection that it was like a life sentence  and thus he has kept us with him in eternity. There was a moment when I realized that being a Romanian poet  in any place and at any time in the future  means not forgetting the prototype. Not forgetting that he is the prototype, added Ana Blandiana.

Romanian 20th-century poet Lucian Blaga wrote in 1936 about The Idea of Eminescu: It is a vector for us, for our people. I do not know to what degree we are able to make it a vector. For our spiritual growth, for our spiritual becoming, it is an essential idea.
A minor and two young men from Afghanistan were found by Giurgiu border guards while trying to enter Romania illegally, through the Giurgiu border crossing point, hiding in the semi-trailer of a truck transporting metal subassemblies from Turkey to Romania.

"At the Giurgiu border crossing point, a 31-year-old Turkish citizen who was driving a truck presented himself for border formalities. The driver was transporting metal subassemblies from Turkey for a Romanian company, according to the documents accompanying the goods. Following the preliminary inspection of the means of transport, the border guards found that the insurance cord was sectioned and glued, which is why they carried out a thorough inspection of the truck. Three young people have been found hidden, in its semi-trailer," reads a press release issued of the Giurgiu Inspectorate for the Border Police on Monday.

During the investigation, the authorities established that the persons are Afghan citizens, aged 16, 27 and 28, respectively.

They told police that they boarded a vehicle while on Turkish territory without the driver's knowledge and intended to reach Germany.

In this context, the border guards interrupted the journey of the persons, and according to the Romanian-Bulgarian protocol, the three Afghan citizens, the driver and the means of transport were taken over by the Bulgarian authorities, in order to continue the legal investigations, Agerpres informs.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca stated, on Monday, that, at the level of the Government, several proposals for mitigating the impact of rising energy prices have been analysed, and they will be discussed on Monday evening in the governing coalition meeting, mentioning that the main purpose is to protect the vulnerable consumer and essential institutions, and for the economy to function.

"The main purpose is to protect the vulnerable consumer, to protect essential institutions, schools and hospitals and, also, to take measures so that the Romanian economy can function and not be as affected by the impact of increases in the prices of energy and gas," answered Ciuca, when asked, before the governing coalition, about the Social Democratic Party's (PSD) proposals to reduce the ceilings for electricity and natural gas.

He added that measures were taken so that state institutions verify all the companies that provide electricity and gas and which have not respected the Vulnerable consumer law. The Prime Minister emphasized the checks will continue "firmly and correctly".
PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday that the package of measures on electricity and gas prices is ready, and these measures will be discussed in the coalition meeting at 5.00 pm.

"We have completed the package of measures, on all three components, so as to stop this escalation of prices, to reduce the bills for both the population and the economy and, last but not least, to try to compensate from the state budget, as much as possible, so that it does not affect the investment area and what we have proposed for this year. We have these measures that we are going to discuss again at 10.00 am, with the members of the Government from PSD, with the National Standing Bureau and also, at 5.00 pm, at the coalition level. I discussed the matter with the Prime Minister and with PNL (National Liberal Party) leader Citu yesterday, and it went well so far," Ciolacu said at the PSD headquarters, before the meeting of the party's National Standing Bureau.He added that the reduction of VAT from 19pct to 5pct on electricity and gas "is bearable by the state budget" and that he maintains that this measure should be applied starting February 1."There are many options, including seeing what happened in France with the price cap, with the cap on energy prices at state-owned companies, at the largest state-owned company, and this is a measure that we could take. (...) There are more measures and they are coherent with each other. The Minister of Energy and the representatives of ANRE and ANPC are also invited to the coalition meeting," he said.Ciolacu also said that the whole of Europe is affected by the increase in energy prices and does not consider it important now to find a culprit for this in Romania.
Romania has expanded the contribution to the EUFOR Althea mission through the participation, starting Monday, of a detachment of 30 servicemen from the Romanati 22nd Infantry Battalion of Caracal, which is subordinated to the Southeast Multinational Brigade headquartered in Craiova, the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) informed in a release sent to AGERPRES.

According to the quoted source, the infantrymen from Oltenia will join the 39 servicemen currently serving mainly in general staff activities within the command structures of the EUFOR Althea mission deployed to Camp Butmir, Sarajevo.

MApN shows that the maneuver platoon is outfitted with armored vehicles - Piranha III C, is under the operational command of the Joint Forces Command of the Defence General Staff and will be integrated in the Multinational Battalion of the EUFOR Althea mission. The Romanian servicemen will execute, for six months, missions supporting local authorities with the purpose of maintaining a climate of security and stability, and, at the same time, develop and instruct the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The decision to expand Romania's contribution to the EUFOR Althea Operation was taken to improve the force protection level during the execution of missions in this theater of operations.

The expansion of forces is within the ceiling approved by the Supreme Council for the Country's Defence regarding the forces and means of the Romanian Army which can be made available for participation in missions and operations outside the national territory in 2022.

MApN mentions that Romania's participation in the EUFOR Althea operation reflects both the solid commitment assumed within the European Union, as well as the NATO-EU partnership, representing, at the same time, an element of maintaining security and stability in the region.
Romanias Ambassador to Bulgaria, Brandusa Predescu, met on Tuesday with His Beatitude Patriarch Neophyte at the headquarters of the Orthodox Metropolis in Sofia, the Bulgarian Patriarchate announced, basilica.ro reports.

The meeting was also attended by Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Secretary of the Holy Synod, Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik, Vicar of the Metropolis of Sofia, and Father Nelutu Oprea, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate in Bulgaria.

Ambassador Brandsa Predescu thanked the Bulgarian Patriarch for the reception and emphasized the excellent relations between Bulgaria and Romania. According to Her Excellency, the Danube River does not separate but unites the two peoples.

The Romanian Ambassador to Bulgaria thanked Patriarch Neophyte and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for their friendship, as well as for their spiritual care for the Romanian community in Bulgaria.

Her Excellency noted the fraternal attitude of Patriarch Neophyte towards the representative of the Patriarch of Romania in Bulgaria.

Honoured and touched to meet with His Holiness Neophit, the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The centuries-old, brotherly understanding btw the ????????&???????? Orthodox churches, similar beliefs& traditions contribute to the closeness btw our nations.@MAERomania @BasilicaNews pic.twitter.com/udyAphPR0V  Brandusa Predescu (@B_Predescu) January 11, 2022

His Beatitude Patriarch Neophyte thanked the Ambassador for the meeting and expressed his joy for the ministry of Fr. Nelutu Oprea in Bulgaria.

Ambassador Predescu invited Patriarch Neophyte to participate next year in the festivities marking the 100th anniversary of the construction and consecration of the Holy Trinity Romanian Church in Sofia.

Father Nelutu Oprea conveyed to Patriarch Neophyte and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Church the best wishes from Patriarch Daniel on the Nativity of the Lord and the New Year 2022.
The second semester of the school year 2021 - 2022 is starting today and ends in June.

The first semester ended on January 14.From today, in pre-university/related schools there will be in-person instruction in all counties where the county-wide occupancy rate of COVID-19 hospital beds is at most 75%. If the rate is higher than 75%, classes move online. The resumption of in-person classes will occur when the same rate drops below 70%.Middle and high school students, as well as those in vocational and post-secondary education resumed classes after the winter holiday on January 3.Pre-schoolers and primary school students returned to school a week later, on January 10.The second semester ends on June 10.The next holiday, the Easter break, will run Friday, April 15 through Sunday, May 1.
His Grace Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal met with Monsignor Bernardito Cleopas Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra, basilica.ro reports.

During the meeting on January 4, the two discussed several issues of common interest for the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church and society as a whole. Among the topics covered was the teaching of Religion in public schools.

In Spain, legally recognized denominations can organize one hour of Religious Education per week. Students who do not attend must take a course in the History and Culture of Religions. Teachers who attend a training course, not just theology graduates, can also teach in primary school.

Given the denominational structure of Spanish society, the vast majority of Religion classes are taught by Roman Catholic teachers, appointed by the local church authority and paid for by the state. The state also approves the worship program.
Four employers' confederations and five union confederations have requested the head of Government, on Monday, to cap electricity and gas prices to their value of December 2020, for a period of at least one year, according to a press release sent by the National Council of Small and Medium Private Enterprises of Romania (CNIPMMR), one of the employers' organizations that signed the appeal.

"We are requesting for an emergency procedure, in accordance with Competition Law (Law 21/1996, art. 4) to limit electricity and gas prices to the value of December 2020, for at least one year (Law states possibility of extending to up to three years)," the open letter to the PM mentions.

The document is signed on behalf of employers, by the National Council of Small and Medium Private Enterprises of Romania (CNIPMMR), the Employers Confederation in Industry, Agriculture and Services in Romania (CONPIROM), the Romanian National Employers' Association, the General Union of Industrialists in Romania, and from the unions, by the "Cartel Alfa" National Union Confederation, the National Confederation of Romanian Free Unions - Fratia, the Confederation of Democratic Unions in Romania (CSDR), the Meridian National Union Confederation and the National Trade Union Bloc (BNS).

According to the press release, the signing organizations are highlighting that the price increases in Romania are exceeding global energy prices by a lot.

The signing organizations consider that the situation is because of the following factors: liberalization of energy markets (gas and electricity) in Romania at the same time with the problems generated by the pandemic crisis, which in turn generated an international energy crisis; the lack of all pieces of legislation of regulating liberalization, for both the citizens, and for the economic environment; the lack of preventively-enforced control mechanisms.

"We are also requesting the creation of a national Task Force which will come with medium- and long-term solutions within a month at most, to ensure Romania's energy security, and these solutions to materialize in a pact assumed by all political forces and social partners!" the press release reads.
The new year brought a changing of the guard at the St. Louis regions electricity utility.

Marty Lyons officially took the reins as CEO of Ameren Corp. on Jan. 1. He replaces Warner Baxter, who had served as the monopolys chairman, president and CEO since 2014. Baxter will continue working for Ameren as its executive chairman.

The change in company leadership comes amid a transition period for much of the electric grid itself, as coal and fossil fuels give way to renewable energy  a trend poised to accelerate. Ameren now predominantly relies on coal for power generation, but aims to pour billions of dollars into renewable energy projects over the next two decades, with the goal of carbon emissions reaching net zero by 2050.

The Post-Dispatch recently interviewed Lyons and Baxter about their roles at Ameren, about short- and long-term changes they anticipate for the company, and about the future of energy.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Question  The Rush Island power plant is facing early retirement. Ameren had been resisting that tooth-and-nail for about a decade before saying closure is the best economic and environmental outcome. What changed?

Marty Lyons  Whats really changed in the past several months is in August, the U.S. Court of Appeals required us to install desulfurization equipment, otherwise known as scrubbers, on the plant. As a result of that, we were really faced with the decision, do we make investments in scrubbers? Or do we shut the plant down? Scrubbers cost hundreds of millions or up to a billion dollars on a plant. Ultimately, we determined that it was in the customers best interest that we not make that investment in that coal-fired energy center, and instead, move towards a closure. Now were in the process of determining when exactly that plant will be closed.

Q  Do we have the capacity to take that plant offline without any issues? Or will there be an immediate need for replacement power of some kind?

Lyons  Its an excellent question. We do believe that when Rush Island shuts down, well have adequate generation capacity to serve our customers. Theres a difference between having the energy capacity to serve our customers and having reliability of the transmission system. We need to make sure that we can safely shut down both the Meramec Energy Center (at the end of this year) and Rush Island and preserve reliability for our customers in intense periods. Longer term, well have to determine what change in our resource mix is needed.

Q  As renewables ramp up, at what point does reliability become a legitimate concern?

Lyons  Theoretically, yes, theres a point at which your intermittent resources are so great that they need to be backed up by what we call baseload generation or quickly dispatchable generation. We believe that our plan, which over time has us bringing in 1,200 additional megawatts of renewables by 2025, another 1,200 by 2030, another 2,300 by 2040  that gradual progression allows us to assess the reliability of the system and determine more specifically when we would need additional baseload. The plan we filed in 2019, youll recall, did allow us to rely on the baseload generation provided by our coal fleet as well as the (nuclear-powered) Callaway Energy Center while we transition in the renewables.

Warner Baxter  None of this can be done in a vacuum. We see what we can see, and others have the ability to look upon a much broader footprint and see how the system is holding together. And this is why part of the transition isnt just about generation. Its about the energy grid and transmission. Theres got to be significant levels of transmission investments in the future, to make sure that we can transport those intermittent resources from various parts of the country reliably, safely, and cost effectively.

Q  Do you see that as the biggest challenge facing the company?

Baxter  I think the good news is that we have obviously done these large, regional transmission projects. Is it a challenge? Yes. Is it something we can absolutely address as a company, and as a country? Yes. Must we? Yes. We see it as an important aspect of the clean energy transition, and one that can be addressed.

Lyons  Our goal is to get as clean as we can, as fast as we can. But there are a number of challenges associated with that: The pace at which we can build out the transmission system. The intermittency of renewable resources, such as wind and solar. The speed with which we can get those renewable resources constructed and acquired. So, there are broad challenges, which is why we have advocated for a pace of change we think is prudent.

Q  Weve seen things like the Grain Belt Express saga. Does that create concern about a transmission bottleneck or approval challenges that could hinder this renewable energy expansion? And is a federal push going to ultimately be needed to allow that transmission build-out?

Lyons  Well, today we operate more than 5,000 miles of transmission assets across Illinois and Missouri. And over the past 10 years, weve constructed some major transmission corridors. So, we have a strong track record, we believe, of working to build out the transmission system as needed to serve our customers. Ultimately, we believe well be able to get that done in and around our service territory.

Baxter  You asked, sort of, Do you see the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission playing a bigger role in all this? And I think the simple answer to that is yes. Now how far down they go remains to be seen. I dont think what youll see is the federal government taking over all transmission, because the state has some very specific rights. But you will see the industry  Ameren  playing a role there to try and facilitate the siting and, ultimately, development of transmission. No doubt.

Q  Marty, congrats on your appointment as CEO. Are there some overarching ambitions that youve got your eye on?

Lyons  Were going to continue to work on improving customer satisfaction, and we do think thats going to require even more investment in a smarter, more reliable, more resilient grid. We also know that weve got to continue on this clean energy path. We still have a long way to go, there. And so that will be a big focus of mine, is continuing that clean energy transition, and working with my team to ensure that we preserve reliability and affordability.

Q  How would you guys describe the significance of securitization?

Lyons  What securitization allows you to do is, as youve made a decision to retire a coal asset, is to be able to refinance that investment thats been made, and redeploy that capital into renewables. So, its a great tool that Missouri now has, that will be helpful as we make those decisions over time to pivot away from our coal-fired assets towards more renewables.

Q  Does Ameren see its role more as a localized or regional grid manager, as opposed to just purely an energy provider?

Lyons  Yes, we really do see ourselves broadly as a grid manager. Weve invested a lot over the past few years in our digital technologies and capabilities, to effectively manage the grid going forward. Were going to have to have a more sophisticated digital backbone, if you will. Our customers usage patterns are going to change, too. Theyre going to be using resources in different ways, like charging their cars. As we electrify transportation, they very well may have the ability to then utilize that stored energy for their own needs, or perhaps to put back onto the grid. That kind of a more transactive distribution grid is something that certainly we see in the future, and something that were poised to enable.

Q  Anything else that wasnt touched on yet?

Baxter  Were both excited and honored to take our new roles on, and itll be an exciting time. Fasten your seat belts.

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Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger 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

Virvus Jones was giving me a master lesson in voting rights.

We were meeting for coffee in the fall of 2012. I had asked for the meeting so Jones, a longtime veteran of St. Louis politics, could help me better understand the Black-white divide in local elections and why, from my perspective, the chasm seemed so deep and wide.

The timing was interesting. My son and I were reading a book together about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., focused on the civil rights movement. Jones, who is 75, shares a birthday  Jan. 15  with King. He doesnt have to read about the civil rights movement. He lived it.

Jones daughter, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, is a few years younger than me. We are roughly of the same generation. I was born in 1966, the year after the Voting Rights Act was passed.

In my mind, as I was reading with my son about King and teaching him about the civil rights movement, 1965 seemed so long ago. Not so, Jones told me. His daughter was among the first generation of Black people in St. Louis to grow up with the benefits of the Voting Rights Act, which put an end to Jim Crow-era rules put in place in some jurisdictions to keep Black people from voting. The law also, until the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 diluted the act, required the federal Department of Justice to preapprove changes to voting laws in states where discrimination against Blacks and other minorities had been rampant.

At the time, just a year after my meeting with Jones, Chief Justice John Roberts had determined that America was living in a post-racial reality, that the discrimination of the past was old news. Roberts wrote that the 40-year-old facts that led Congress to pass the sweeping voting protections have no logical relation to the present day.

Roberts was wrong, of course, as has been made exceedingly obvious in the past several months, as Republicans in mostly the same Southern states that were subject to the Voting Rights Acts preclearance requirements are working overtime to pass sweeping changes to state voting laws that will make it harder for Black people to vote and, worse, will allow partisan bad actors in state legislatures to overturn the results of elections they dont like.

When the Roberts court issued that fateful ruling in the Shelby County v. Holder case, I remember thinking back to my meeting with Jones. One of the reasons St. Louis continues to be divided by race, he told me, was because the voters of his generation, and even the one older than him, folks closer to Kings age, remember what it was like to vote without the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. And those younger voters, the ones who elected his daughter as the first Black female mayor in the citys history, want to make sure those rights arent diminished.

But thats whats happening, more than four decades after Kings death, as Georgia and Texas and Florida and more than a dozen other states have passed laws that make it harder to vote. Missouri could be next, and make no mistake, many of the provisions of these laws, such as reducing polling places or getting rid of drop boxes or limiting voting hours, will have a direct and negative impact on Black voters, just as they are intended.

Its not an accident that former President Donald Trumps Big Lie, his attempt to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election he lost to President Joe Biden, focused on voters in Philadelphia, Detroit and Atlanta. Each city has large Black populations.

Jones taught me that from the Black perspective, 1965 was a hell of a lot closer in the past than I thought it was, and today, as we celebrate Kings memory, that evidence is made clearer by the inability to pass new versions of the Voting Rights Act through Congress, trying to undo the damage done by the Supreme Court nearly a decade ago, and by Republican-led legislatures in real time.

King taught us that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. In 2022, as it relates to voting rights for Black people, thats sadly not true.

From City Hall to the Capitol, metro columnist Tony Messenger shines light on what public officials are doing, tells stories of the disaffected, and brings voice to the issues that matter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
ST. LOUIS  Annie Malone Children and Family Services is relying on one of its former clients to help lead the agency through a rough patch.

I am going to do whatever it takes to keep it going, said Keisha Lee, 37, recently named interim executive director of the north St. Louis nonprofit organization that dates to 1888.

Lee grew up dancing and cheering in Annie Malones annual May Day parade.

Also, she said, my family had some hardships.

As a child, Lee said, she spent a brief time at Annie Malones crisis center, which helps families get on track. As an adult, she circled back to the agency, first serving on the board of directors in 2017, then in upper management.

She cares so much because she grew up in the neighborhood and has been affiliated with the agency since childhood, said Tom Pollihan, vice chairman of the board.

The board promoted Lee to interim executive director after Executive Director Sarah Lahman announced in late 2021 that she was retiring from social service. The board is sticking with Lee to lead at least on an interim basis.

We have too many things to do right now, said Board Chairman Gary Hickman. We cant worry about somebody else at the helm. We just have to get through this interim period.

Annie Malone, one of the longest serving social service agencies in north St. Louis, has undergone a lot of leadership changes in recent decades, both on its board and in management. Funding has been part of the challenge, as it mainly relies on donations and government contracts.

While COVID-19 has dealt a major blow, Annie Malone previously ran deficits between 2013 and 2018, including a $1 million deficit in 2016.

Lahman came to Annie Malone in 2018 from Webster Groves-based Great Circle. Revamping the residential treatment program at 5355 Page Boulevard was part of her strategy to generate more revenue and serve more children and families. By 2019, revenue climbed over $3 million and the agency was back in the black, according to the most recent tax filings available.

But the residential treatment facility, serving children in the state foster care system, had staffing challenges and other problems. Early last year, the Missouri Department of Social Services Childrens Division issued a corrective action plan over concerns related to the ratio of staff to clients, lack of supervision within those ratios and lack of safe crisis management training for direct care staff.

Then, on April 19, Missouri officials suspended intake at the facility, right after an Annie Malone youth specialist was accused of raping a 16-year-old female resident during the overnight shift. Darryl Hill, 60, of University City, was later charged with statutory rape.

Annie Malones residential treatment program is now closed. The agencys K-12 school, which contracts with school districts to provide therapeutic educational services, relocated to the Page Boulevard address. Formerly called Emerson Academy, it is now HW Kia Academy.

Board Chairman Hickman said Annie Malone is going to focus on serving families through its crisis center, school and other programs.

We have a passion for trying to help the community, he said.

Look Back: Who was Annie Malone? She made a fortune manufacturing and selling hair products in the early years of the 20th century.

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LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Looming US interest rate hike sees cautious close

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - 17:17

It was a mixed start to a shorter week for stocks in London on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 creeping into the green after the bank holiday weekend as traders pondered a bounce-back for stocks in New York overnight and sharp losses in Europe on Monday.

The mood was cautious heading into Wednesday's US Federal Reserve decision.

We currently expect 50 bp rate hikes at both the May and June FOMC meetings, before returning to a 25 bp rate hike per meeting pace of normalization...Altogether, the odds of adding more 50 bp rate hikes than we currently expect have risen in favor of extending the string of 50 bp hikes from a couple to three, or perhaps more, said economists at UBS.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 16.78 points, or 0.2%, at 7,561.33 on Tuesday. The FTSE 250 ended down 187.95 points, or 0.9%, at 20,520.76, and the AIM All-Share closed down 8.74 points, or 0.9%, at 1,013.52.

The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 751.59, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 0.7% at 18,145.74, and the Cboe Small Companies ended down 0.1% at 15,127.37.

Stocks in London finished Tuesday's session mixed with traders squarely focused on Wednesday's US interest rate decision.

Markets have a 50 basis point hike 99% priced in.

The Federal Reserve is scrambling to tighten policy amid soaring US inflation. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed consumer prices soared 8.5% in March on an annual basis, stepping up from the 7.9% increase seen in February.

Expectations of a chunky 50 basis point hike firmed up after Fed Chair Jerome Powell last month said such a move was on the table for May.

It is appropriate, in my view, to be moving a little more quickly. And I also think there's something in the idea of front-end loading whatever accommodation one thinks is appropriate, Powell said during a debate on the global economy hosted by the International Monetary Fund on the sidelines of its spring meetings.

The dollar was firm heading into Wednesday's decision. The pound was quoted at $1.2511 at the London equities close Tuesday, down compared to $1.2568 at the close on Friday.

The euro stood at $1.0535 at the European equities close Tuesday, down against $1.0547 at the same time on Friday. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP129.97, up compared to JP129.68 late Friday.

Gold was quoted at $1,873.30 an ounce at the London equities close Tuesday, down against $1,906.75 at the close on Friday.

Stocks in New York were higher at the London equities close, with the DJIA up 0.6%, the S&P 500 index up 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite up 0.5%.

In European equities on Tuesday, the CAC 40 in Paris ended up 0.6%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt ended up 0.7%.

Keeping the large-cap index in the green was oil major BP, which closed up 5.8% after reporting a surge in underlying profit and launching a $2.5 billion share buyback.

For the three months that ended March 31, BP swung to an attributable loss of $20.38 billion from a $4.67 billion profit in the first quarter last year. BP said the reported result included pretax adjusted items of $30.8 billion.

The London-based firm attributed the loss to its decision to exit its 19.75% shareholding in state-owned Russian oil firm Rosneft. BP said that, in the first quarter, the total post-tax charge for this was $25.5 billion.

However, on an underlying replacement cost basis, BP reported a profit of $6.25 billion, up 54% from $4.07 billion in the fourth quarter of last year and more than doubled from $2.63 billion a year ago.

Brent oil was quoted at $106.12 a barrel at the London equities close Tuesday, down from $110.30 late Friday. However, the price of the North Sea benchmark remains 36% higher in the year-to-date.

Turning to shareholder returns, BP raised its first-quarter dividend by 4.0% to 5.46 cents from 5.25 cents the year before. It also announced a further share buyback. BP said it plans to execute a $2.5 billion share buyback before announcing its second-quarter results.

Peer Shell, which reports its own first quarter results on Thursday, advanced 2.0%.

This was helping to offset Segro's drag at the bottom of the FTSE 100 index, the stock shedding 10% after Kepler Cheuvreux downgraded the warehouse property investor to 'hold' from 'reduce'.

Avast tumbled 5.7% after posting lower revenue for the quarter that ended March 31, due to the sale of its Family Safety business a year ago and ahead of its proposed takeover by US peer NortonLifeLock.

Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell by 4.3% to $127.9 million from $133.7 million. The adjusted Ebitda margin was 54.5%, Avast said.

Avast guided that its adjusted Ebitda margin for the full year will narrow to slightly below 50%. This reflects 10 months with zero sales in Russia, the firm explained.

In the FTSE 250, Auction Technology rose 8.0% after JPMorgan raised the online auction operator to 'overweight' from 'neutral'.

Energean was the second-best mid-cap performer, closing up 7.6%. Subsidiary Energean Israel signed a gas sales agreement with the East Hagit Power Plant Ltd Partnership.

Under the agreement, Energean will supply gas to East Hagit for a term of 15 years, with a total contract quantity of up to 12 billion cubic feet. Energean said the agreement has the potential to generate revenue of up to $2 billion over the offtake period.

Wednesday's UK corporate calendar has full-year results from online clothing retail boohoo and trading statements from pub chain operator JD Wetherspoon and lender OSB Group. First quarter results are due from luxury car maker Aston Martin and Paddy Power owner Flutter Entertainment.

Headlining Wednesday's economic calendar is the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision at 1900 BST. Also in focus will be a raft of PMIs, due from Germany at 0855 BST, the eurozone at 0900 BST and the US at 1445 BST. The German trade balance is out at 0700 BST.

Financial markets in Japan and mainland China will remain shut on Wednesday.

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Over the last two decades the Israeli armed forces suffered morale problems while recruiting more haredi (ultra-orthodox and extremely conservative and traditional) men and trying to accommodate the lifestyle needs of ultraorthodox Jews in the military. Politics and legal complications also presented problems. Despite all that Israel has been able to convince more haredi to join and, in a growing number of cases, make the military a career or at least become officers and very active in the reserves. The most recent development has been exceptional haredi recruits joining elite units and undergoing more intense training and accepting the possibility of close contact with women while carrying out their special operations. There are also combat units entirely composed of haredi. Finally, the conscription exemptions haredi men long enjoyed are, for all practical purposes, gone.

What motivated this change in attitude was a new generation of haredi men who paid more attention to the terrorist threats, especially attacks on places sacred to all Jews, like the Wailing Wall at the base of the hill that used to feature the last Jewish temple until it was replaced by a mosque over a thousand years ago. Most haredi men still wanted to devote most of their time to religious studies, but saw mandatory service as more of an obligation than an assault on haredi religious traditions.

Although haredi are only 12 percent of the population, and even a smaller portion of voters because haredi have a higher birth rate and a higher percentage of haredi are children, haredi tend to vote as their rabbis ordered them. This meant there were small, but disciplined haredi political parties that were often essential for the formation of a coalition government. There was a price; that the government must support key haredi requests. This included continued exemption from military service.

Non-haredi Jews, both male and female, are subject to conscription. This means Jewish men and women who reach 18 are subject to 30 months of military service for men and 24 months for women. About 30 percent of potential recruits are exempt from service, most because they are haredi. About a third of those ineligibles are because of medical problems, criminal records or living abroad. Those who complete military service must serve in the active reserve for two decades or more. That means periodic periods of active service for training or dealing with national emergencies. This is a similar system to what Switzerland and Sweden use.

Haredi are very poor because most men spend the bulk of their time in religious studies. Haredi believe their religious laws trump secular ones, and this increasingly brought them into violent conflict with the police and their secular neighbors. Most haredi men do not serve in the military, and some haredi sects believe that Israel should not even exist. The largely secular government thought encouraging haredi men to do military service which, as religious students, they have long been exempt from, would help make haredi more accepting of non-religious Jews. This did not work initially and the government had a lot of unhappy non-haredi soldiers to deal with.

There is another problem. Israeli Arabs make up 20 percent of the population and also suffer from less education and more unemployment. The haredi and Arabs make up over a third of the population and they are the least productive third. Most haredi and Arabs do not serve in the military or pay much, if any, taxes. These two groups are causing a skilled labor shortage, since so many of their children do not study technical or business subjects but tend to concentrate on religious studies, or simply leave school as soon as they can. This labor shortage, and the rising cost of benefits for poor haredi and Arab families, is causing political problems because the educated majority of Israelis are tired of the constantly rising taxes they have to pay. Then there is the problem of who serves in the military. Israeli Arabs can volunteer for military service do so, but still face much criticism in the Arab community.

There have been some haredi men in the military for decades and without problems. Until 2000 only a relatively small number of haredi men voluntarily served. Israel exempted haredi soldiers from many of the military lifestyle rules. For example, until a decade ago, it was common for ultra-orthodox recruits to be trained by female instructors, a practice that is common in Israel, where women are subject to conscription. But in the last two decades haredi rabbis (clerics) increasingly insisted that the military change to accommodate haredi recruits, and not the other way around. For example, haredi are not supposed to have any contact with a woman unless they are closely related to them. After 2000 pressure from haredi rabbis got haredi politicians to force the government to change military regulations so that a haredi soldier could request a male instructor, if his group was being taught by a woman. There were many rules like this that were quietly slipped into the military regulations. Haredi troops increasingly called for these rules to be enforced. The other 99 percent of the troops began suffering a morale hit as they were increasingly harassed by assertive haredi troops. When commanders complained to politicians, even ones they voted for, they were told to favor the haredi troops whenever possible. Most troops became aware of this and were not happy and expressed their anger when they voted. All this caused more popular opposition to the haredi refusal to aid in the defense of all Israelis.

To add to the torment there have been increasing instances where haredi troops were caught collaborating with Israeli religious extremist groups, in order to foil police or army efforts to keep the peace. In these cases, some haredi became untrustworthy as well as annoying.

It's not just a military thing. The haredi were becoming a serious problem outside the military. Violence by religious extremists is becoming more common. The most conservative religious Jews have increasingly used violence in the neighborhoods where they are becoming a majority. For example, they oppose the government allowing cars to park near Haredi neighborhoods on Saturday (the Sabbath). They also oppose billboard ads that feature women anywhere near where Haredi live and segregate women on buses in their neighborhoods. They wanted to segregate the military as well and that has aroused a lot of public opposition. Most Israeli soldiers are happy with the attention because for a decade they have been ordered to keep quiet about all the pro-haredi regulations. An increasing number of commanders refused to be politically correct and proceeded to punish haredi soldiers who disobeyed orders by claiming they were doing so for religious reasons.

After 2010 non-Israeli voters elected more politicians who supported efforts to limit or end haredi exemption from conscription and special treatment in the military. The first such law was passed in 2014, where the haredi went to courts invoking laws and rules implemented when Israel was founded to give the then small haredi community exemptions that allowed haredi men to concentrate on torah (religious) scriptures. Because of a higher birth rate, the haredi percentage of the Jewish population grew from one percent in 1948 to 12 percent now and is headed for 15 percent or more in the next decade. Israeli courts initially agreed with the haredi military exemptions but new laws were passed to address court objections and exemption-ban laws modified until they could withstand court challenges. As of 2021 unfavorable court decisions became less of a problem and now haredi are facing mandatory conscription, at least for men. Problems still exist, but the haredi military-exemption laws do not.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: MGM) (OTCQB: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G) ("Maple Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the resumption of drilling at the Company's Douay Gold Project ("Douay") in Quebec, Canada. Douay is held by a 50/50 joint venture (the "JV") between the Company and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. Drill crews are currently completing holes DO-21-314 and DO-21-319 at the Nika and 531 Zones, respectively (see news from December 14, 2021). One of the two available drill rigs will then be mobilized to commence a planned 4,000-5,000 metre ("m") Phase I drilling program at the Company's 100%-controlled Eagle Mine Property ("Eagle").

Matthew Hornor, President and CEO of Maple Gold, stated: "This is an exciting time for the Company as we ramp up our 2022 drilling program with two rigs currently turning at site while we await assay results from the multiple batches of samples from Fall 2021 drilling at Douay. After thoroughly compiling and studying our 3D model at Eagle (see news from October 7, 2021), we look forward to drill testing new target concepts and completing the first diamond drilling since 2015 along this past-producing, high-grade gold trend."

Targeting and Phased Drilling Approach at Eagle

Phase I drilling at Eagle is designed to extend mineralization beyond the mined-out stopes and along sub-parallel target trends that were never mined nor adequately tested, focusing initially on areas with significant grade and volume potential. The locations of proposed Phase I drill holes (see Figure 1) were determined using the Company's recently completed 3D geological and structural model along the entire past-producing, high-grade Eagle-Telbel mine trend.

This first phase of drilling will primarily target a proposed satellite mineralization trend or "shoot" to the northwest of the previously mined-out portion of the Eagle Main Shoot (see Figure 2 for locations of main and satellite shoots and planned drill hole pierce points). Given the historical production from the Eagle Main Shoot, drilling success in this area would help validate the potential for near-mine extensions and generate new target concepts. Two subsequent phases of drilling at Eagle, which will test potential mineralization extensions at depth as well as new targets identified by a regional airborne geophysical survey that is currently underway, are planned for 2022 along with success-based follow-up drilling.

A key target area that will be tested during Phase I is highlighted by two historical intercepts that returned 10.2 g/t Au over 10.2 m (hole AE-90-30) and 9.3 g/t Au over 5.2 m (hole 7-29). Phase I drill holes in this area will begin testing a 400 m wide target concept that has little to no historical drilling and therefore represents significant grade and volume potential.

Mineralization extensions to the northwest of the mined-out stopes will also be tested at shallower depths in an area that historically had limited drill density but returned notable intercepts closer to surface, including 2.6 g/t Au over 22.9 m in hole AE-90-7 and 2.8 g/t Au over 17.5 m in hole AE-90-5, which were not followed up on historically.







Figure 1: Plan view of proposed Phase I drill holes at Eagle. Eight holes are planned to test proposed near-mine extensions as well as sub-parallel target trends.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/110297_dcad36476408b830_001full.jpg

Additional Phase I work at Eagle will include further relogging of historical core from 2008-2015, including geochemical and petrophysical characterization, as well as detailed review of existing logs in all areas of interest. Through the Company's evaluation of historical drill logs and available drill core, it has been observed that gold mineralization does extend beyond the known mine horizon into adjacent stratigraphic units. As such, the proposed Phase I drill holes will extend well beyond the main mine horizon.

The JV is also nearing completion of its regional high-resolution airborne magnetic and electromagnetic ("Mag-EM") survey to support exploration drill targeting across 266 km of JV-controlled ground (see news from October 19, 2021). Results from the new Mag-EM survey will cover the entire Joutel property, including the Eagle-Telbel mine trend, and are expected to provide valuable information that will help the Company vector in on targets within the interpreted parallel trends to the north and south of the main mine trend.







Figure 2: Oblique view of proposed Phase I drill hole pierce points at Eagle. Note locations of Eagle Main Shoot and a proposed sub-parallel secondary shoot.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/110297_dcad36476408b830_002full.jpg

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical data contained in this press release was reviewed and prepared under the supervision of Fred Speidel, M. Sc., P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration of Maple Gold. Mr. Speidel is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Speidel has verified the data related to the exploration information disclosed in this press release through his direct participation in the work.

About Maple Gold

Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a Canadian advanced exploration company in a 50/50 joint venture with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited to jointly advance the district-scale Douay and Joutel gold projects located in Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. The projects benefit from exceptional infrastructure access and boast ~400 km2 of highly prospective ground including an established gold resource at Douay (RPA 2019) that holds significant expansion potential as well as the past-producing Eagle, Telbel and Eagle West mines at Joutel. In addition, the Company holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine Property.

The district-scale property package also hosts a significant number of regional exploration targets along a 55 km strike length of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone that have yet to be tested through drilling, making the project ripe for new gold and polymetallic discoveries. The Company is well capitalized and is currently focused on carrying out exploration and drill programs to grow resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi. For more information, please visit www.maplegoldmines.com.

ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD.

"Matthew Hornor"

B. Matthew Hornor, President & CEO

For Further Information Please Contact:

Mr. Joness Lang

Executive Vice-President

Cell: 778.686.6836

Email: [email protected]

Mr. Kiran Patankar

SVP, Growth Strategy

Cell: 604.935.9577

Email: [email protected]

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 PRESS RELEASE.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada, including statements about exploration work and results from current and future work programs. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Maple Gold Mines Ltd.'s filings with Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.maplegoldmines.com. The Company does not intend, 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 required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110297
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2022) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, effective January 31, 2022, Carmelo Marelli will be appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company.

"On behalf of the Board I wish to welcome Carmelo to the Prismo Metals' team," said Craig Gibson, President and CEO of the Company. "I also want to recognize the work from our current Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Salvador Miranda. Salvador has been with us since the founding of the Company, and he played a key role in completing our 2020 going public transaction. Salvador had been wanting to dedicate more time to personal endeavours at some point and we understand his decision."

Mr. Marrelli is the principal of the Marrelli Group, comprising of Marrelli Support Services Inc., DSA Corporate Services Inc., DSA Filing Services Limited, Marrelli Press Release Services Limited, Marrelli Escrow Services Inc. and Marrelli Trust Company Limited. The Marrelli Group has delivered accounting, corporate secretarial and regulatory compliance services to listed companies on various exchanges for over twenty years. Mr. Marrelli is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA, CGA), and a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, a professional body that certifies corporate secretaries. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. Mr. Marrelli acts as the chief financial officer to several issuers on the TSX, TSX Venture Exchange and CSE, as well as non-listed companies, and as a director of select issuers.

About Prismo

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is junior mining company focused on precious metal exploration in Mexico.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Craig Gibson, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6

Contact Information:

Salvador Miranda, CFO

[email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains 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, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110419
Six hunters hopped in a boat to embark on a duck hunting quest but found themselves stranded and in distress on a freezing day in Massachusetts.

When local emergency crews couldnt reach them, the Coast Guard flew in on a helicopter, a dramatic video of the rescue on Jan. 15 shows.

The hunters went out in a marsh near Barnstable Harbor in Cape Cod but their boat was left high and dry after the tide turned, the Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod wrote in a Facebook post that same day.

Fearing the extreme cold and knowing the next high tide wouldnt happen until later that night, the hunters phoned for help, the post said.

After calling 911 around 11:15 a.m., according to a news release, fire department crews tried rescuing them but then called the Coast Guard after encountering rough seas, low tides and mechanical issues, the Coast Guard noted.

A Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter swooped in and zeroed in on the marsh to hoist each of the hunters up inside to safety, the video shows. One Coast Guard member wearing a bright orange suit is seen pulling the hunters in the helicopter one at a time.

The hunters were then checked by EMS, the Facebook post said.

On Jan. 15, the high temperature was 20 degrees and the low was 11 degrees in Barnstable, according to the Weather Channel.

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(Tribune News Service)  Five service members with the Ohio National Guard are serving as support staff at Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center to allow the hospitals caregivers to focus on delivering quality care to patients.

Gov. Mike DeWine recently ordered the mobilization of an additional 1,250 members of the Ohio Nation Guard to support hospitals with the most critical needs across the state.

The mobilization is a response to Ohio setting all-time highs for the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations during the pandemic.

We appreciate the efforts of Governor DeWine to deploy Ohio National Guard members across Ohio to assist hospitals including Southeastern Med, said Wendy Elliott, Guernsey Health System president and CEO.

Though our hospital has remained stable throughout the pandemic and continues to provide safe and high-quality care for our community, our associates are feeling the strain of this present surge. The support of the Ohio National Guard will provide a welcome relief and were very grateful to accept this resource.

As of Jan. 12, the Cambridge-Guernsey County Health Department had reported 8,493 COVID-19 cases in the county including 623 hospitalizations and 111 deaths.

Noble County health officials reported 2,635 coronavirus cases with an additional 164 hospitalizations, many of which occurred at Southeastern Med, and 51 deaths.

COVID-19 case totals in counties surrounding Guernsey and Noble include 20,445 in Muskingum; 17,916 in Tuscarawas; 12,602 in Belmont; 9,976 in Washington; 6,593 in Coshocton; 2,832 in Monroe; 2,629 in Harrison; and 2,605 in Morgan.

Cases in those eight counties have resulted in 4,104 hospitalizations at various facilities in those areas and 1,382 deaths, according to the Ohio Department of Health website.

According to Guernsey Health System, the guard members will not provide direct patient care, but will providing non-clinical support to care teams in various areas at the hospital.

None of the National Guard members are clinical workers, so they will not be providing direct care of the patients, said Teratia Welch, marketing and communications manager at Southeastern Med.

They will help with stocking and delivering supplies, assisting with patient needs to include sitting with patients in their rooms, answering telephones and other duties, as needed.

The National Guard members arrived at the hospital Tuesday for orientation and started working with staff and patients on Wednesday.

Guard members are slated to assist at Southeastern Med for one month, however, assignments will be continually evaluated during that time and shortened or lengthened as needed, said Elliott.

Statewide, National Guard members are also offering support at testing locations being operated in partnership with hospitals and health care networks. The goal is to divert testing traffic from hospital emergency rooms as the demand for testing is high.

President Joe Biden recently announced plans to send military medical personnel to hospitals in Ohio and five other states.

Starting this week, 1,000 medics with the US military will arrive at hospitals struggling to cover staffing shortages amid surges in the COVID-19 pandemic currently led by the Omicron variant.

Authorities on Thursday identified Cleveland Clinic as a location in Ohio that will receive help from the military medics.

Ohio is experiencing its highest COVID-19 admission rates since the start of the pandemic and many of those hospitalizations have been reported in the northern region of the state.

Biden has also announced plans to increase the number of rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to be distributed to Americans to 1 billion. The distribution will also include N95 masks to help fight the spike in cases.

The president continues to encourage Americans to get vaccinated, saying Thursday this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated.

While Biden and health officials acknowledge both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are testing positive for COVID-19, those vaccinated are experiencing, for the most part, less severe symptoms, hospitalizations and death.

(c)2022 The Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio

Visit The Daily Jeffersonian at www.daily-jeff.com
Langen, Germany, August 1957: Three boys walk down a forest path at Schloss Wolfsgarten, the home of Prince Ludwig and Princess Margaret of Hesse. The boys were among 20 disabled children from around Germany who were spending three weeks at the estate in a program that was assisted by seven American high school students from the Frankfurt area serving as Junior Red Cross aides.
North Korea launched two suspected short-range ballistic missiles Monday morning off its eastern coast, according to the South Korean military.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a series of messages to reporters, said the projectiles were fired at 8:50 a.m. and 8:54 a.m. from Sunan airport in Pyongyang. They reached a peak altitude of 26 miles and flew over 236 miles.

The launches come three days after the North test-fired what is thought to be a pair of short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea/Sea of Japan. Pyongyang claimed on Saturday that those projectiles had been launched from a train.

Days earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present when his country test-fired a hypersonic ballistic missile off the eastern coast, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

That missile, launched at 7:27 a.m. Tuesday, reached speeds of Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound, and was more advanced than one test-fired Jan. 5, South Koreas Defense Ministry said.

Tuesdays missile reached a peak altitude of 37 miles and flew over 435 miles.

President Joe Bidens administration sanctioned five North Korean officials in response to those launches. The Treasury Department announced Wednesday it was penalizing the officials for helping to obtain equipment and technology for Pyongyangs missile programs.

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NAPLES, Italy  Navy medical personnel in southern Europe have injected more than 10,000 COVID-19 boosters to eligible adults and teens and vaccinated hundreds of children under the age of 12 in recent months since the shots were made available in the fall.

Bases in Spain, Italy and Greece reported strong turnout for COVID-19 boosters and pediatric doses of the vaccines with many base medical facilities offering multiple shot clinics in addition to scheduled or walk-in appointments.

There has been a steady demand for COVID-19 boosters within our community since boosters were made available, U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella in Sicily said in a statement.

About 65% of shots given to adults 18 and older at southern Europe naval bases Nov. 1 through mid-January were of the Moderna vaccine followed by Pfizer at 34%, medical officials reported. Johnson & Johnson accounted for about 1% percent of booster shots, which are urged by the Navy but not yet mandated.

Sigonella has given nearly 1,700 booster shots to adults 18 and older since Nov. 1 and administered 255 doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine to children ages 5-11, the hospital reported.

Officials did not offer details on the numbers of vaccinations or booster shots given to children ages 12-17.

But in a Jan. 4 Facebook post Sigonella said booster shots were available for 16- and 17-year-olds and that it would later announce when younger teens could get them.

At Naval Station Rota in Spain, more than 4,100 adults 18 and older received a booster shot over the same period. Another 200 booster shots were given to 16- and 17-year-olds, the bases hospital said.

Nearly 500 doses of the pediatric vaccine were given to children ages 5-11 . About 400 vaccinations were given to 12- to 17-year-olds, the data show.

Rota officials said it was hard to tell if a recent Navy directive urging sailors, their dependents and Defense Department civilians to get booster shots was influencing vaccination trends because the communitys vaccination rates already were high.

Just more than 3,700 booster shots were given to adults since Nov. 1 at Naval Support Activity Naples, medical officials there said. Forty-two booster doses were given to eligible 16- and 17-year-olds since U.S. Naval Hospital Naples began offering them Dec. 15.

Nearly 1,000 pediatric doses were administered to children ages 5-11 since Nov. 16, the hospital reported. Some 700 vaccinations were given to children ages 12-17 as of Jan. 11.

In Greece, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay reported that 342 booster vaccinations were given to adults 18 and older. The dependent restricted base gave just one booster dose to a teen and was scheduled to begin offering pediatric vaccinations to 5-11 year olds last week. Twenty vaccinations were administered to children ages 12-17, officials said

By the numbers

Booster vaccinations by vaccine type given to adults ages 18 and older at U.S. Naval hospitals in southern Europe since Nov. 1:
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is in Ukraine to show solidarity with the Eastern European country as it faces ongoing tension with Russia.

The seven U.S. senators held a series of meetings in Kyiv on Monday with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top officials in his government. The visit comes as Russia has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near portions of its border with Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis have faltered.

Our bipartisan congressional delegation sends a clear message to the global community: The United States stands in unwavering support of our Ukrainian partners to defend their sovereignty and in the face of persistent Russian aggression, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., one of the lawmakers leading the congressional delegation.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, also part of the delegation, said in a statement that as Ukraine continues to defend its territorial integrity against an increasingly aggressive Russia, while also striving to enact critical domestic reforms to solidify its democracy - it is more important than ever that the U.S. support Ukraine in its efforts.

The others who traveled to Kyiv are Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

The Biden administration and lawmakers from both political parties have become increasingly concerned in recent weeks that Russia may be preparing to invade Ukraine.

Senate Democrats, with the backing of the President Joe Biden, unveiled legislation last week that would impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other top Russian military and government officials and key banking institutions, if Moscow engages in hostilities against Ukraine.

A proposal from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to sanction entities involved in Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline, an effort to pressure Russia not to move on Ukraine, was voted down Thursday. The White House opposed Cruzs bill, saying it would undermine unity among European allies at a sensitive time.

Biden administration officials have warned that the Russian government has sent operatives into eastern Ukraine in preparation for potential sabotage efforts that could serve as a pretext for a renewed Russian invasion. The operatives are trained in urban warfare and in using explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russias own proxy-forces, a U.S. official said Friday, referring to Russian-backed separatists who have been waging a war against Ukrainian forces in Ukraines eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called Washingtons claims total disinformation.

For months, top Russian officials have been warning that Ukraine is preparing an attempt to retake the separatist regions in its east. Top Ukrainian and U.S. officials have denied having any such plans and described the Russian comments as an effort to cast Kyiv falsely as an aggressor and lay the groundwork for a new invasion.

The Kremlin has sought formal assurances that the United States and NATO will halt the alliances eastward expansion and dial back its military presence in Eastern Europe, demands that U.S. and NATO officials rejected during a series of talks with their Russian counterparts last week.

The Washington Posts Isabelle Khurshudyan in Moscow contributed to this report.
(Tribune News Service)  The Taliban are seeking Chinas assistance in getting its Islamic Emirate government officially recognized by the international community, a crucial step that could help Afghanistan access some $9 billion in frozen reserves held overseas.

All of the conditions of the international community required for recognition are already fulfilled, Bilal Karimi, a deputy spokesman of the Taliban, said by phone Monday. The Islamic Emirate wants China to take the lead to help the current government achieve international recognition.

The U.S., its allies and even Russia and China have yet to recognize the Taliban government due to concerns over continued links with terrorism as well as human rights abuses and banning girls education. Some of the Talibans cabinet members are blacklisted under U.S. and U.N. sanctions.

Since taking power in August, the Taliban have insisted they have made progress with pledges to let women study and work, preventing the country from being used for terror activities and forming an inclusive government. Meeting these conditions could have helped the group get closer to getting international recognition although in reality it has been difficult to achieve.

The sidestepping of the Talibans efforts to secure international recognition has made it difficult for the Afghan government to gain access to the reserves, which could have helped alleviate a cash crunch in Afghanistan. The United Nations has warned that more than half of the countrys population faces acute hunger and almost all Afghans could be living in poverty by mid-2022.

The Talibans acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani met with Chinas ambassador Wang Yu over the weekend, asking for Chinas support in gaining official recognition. Both officials pointed the finger at the U.S. for blocking the Talibans access to the reserves held in American and European banks.

The United States should not seek revenge against Afghans through economic sanctions, Wang told Haqqani, according to a series of tweets posted by Taliban deputy spokesman Inamullah Samangani. Wang added that the U.S. should not use the issues of inclusive government, human rights and freedom of expression as a tool or pretext to pressure the Taliban.

Haqqani, who remains on the FBIs most wanted list, thanked China for its direct and continued humanitarian assistance to the Taliban government and urged Beijing to cooperate with Afghanistan in recognizing it. Wang said in a tweet after the meeting that China respected the Taliban for pursuing its own government based on cultural and religious values, without making commitments.

The U.S. said last month it would bypass the Taliban and expand the ways humanitarian aid groups can help ease a rapidly worsening food crisis. The plan was to directly inject cash into Afghanistans economy while circumventing Taliban-controlled government ministries.

The move came before the U.N. made its latest funding plea of a record $5 billion in aid that would reach more than half of the Afghanistans 40 million people to address immediate and catastrophic levels of need. The U.S. too had planned to give $308 million in aid to the country.

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(Tribune News Service)  The moon is a powerful celestial body  influencing our oceans tides through its gravitational pull  and its mysteries have often been a subject in folklore and fantasy.

While its impacts on the tide are known, the moons many phases might also influence the creatures that swim within such as sharks, according to new research.

These ocean predators may attack more during fuller moon phases , including a full moon, a study conducted by Louisiana State University and the University of Florida suggests. Researchers analyzed international shark attack data gathered over decades, according to LSUs Jan. 11 news release.

More shark attacks than average occur during periods of higher lunar illumination and fewer attacks than average occur during periods of lower illumination, the study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, found.

Although researchers say they cant pin down why phases of the moon might be related to an increase in shark attacks, they point out this is the first global study to report an effect of lunar illumination on shark attacks.

While its rare for a shark to attack a human , according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there were 57 unprovoked shark bites and 10 unprovoked fatal shark attacks in 2020 worldwide, according to the International Shark Attack File, which is the database analyzed in the study. The ISAF is based at the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida.

The studys findings

Researchers say all the instances of more shark attacks than expected occurred when the lunar illumination was greater than 50%  meaning during a lunar phase when the moon had more light  and all the instances of fewer shark attacks than expected occurred at lunar illumination of less than 50%, researchers wrote.

They say theres 100% illumination during a full moon, but no light at all during a new moon.

Its not a matter of more light at night for sharks to see. Most shark attacks occur in the daylight, Steve Midway, one of the studys authors and an associate professor at LSU, said in a statement.

However, the moon can exert other forces on Earth and its oceans in ways that are much more subtle  for example, the gravitation pull that we see affect the tides.

The study took a look at confirmed unprovoked shark attacks from 1970-2016 documented by the ISAF and available data on moon phases from the U.S. Naval Observatorys Astronomical Applications Department. Researchers also sought to evaluate the co-factors of geography, shark species, and outcome of attack (fatal or non-fatal), they wrote.

Although our study finds statistical evidence for greater-than-expected numbers of shark attacks during lunar phases closer to the full moon, we cannot confirm a mechanism for this relationship, authors say.

However, they say that the moons effect on tides or electromagnetic fields could influence the frequency of shark attacks during certain lunar phases and that the moons effect on shark attacks may not be causative.

They conclude that although this is not firm evidence of shark attacks preferentially occurring during periods of greater lunar illumination, it warrants further investigation.

Does the moon affect other animals?

The research on shark attacks says animal behavior has been linked to the phases of the moon before.

The moons activity can affect the circadian rhythm of both humans and animals, according to a study on the lunar cycle published in 2006.

Oysters and zooplankton are among other sea creatures that may also be affected by lunar phases, National Geographic reported.

Moon phase is a well-established influence on animal behaviors, especially those in marine environments, researchers from LSU and UF say.

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People are being issued a biking challenge next month as part of the annual Bike Month.

Bike Month celebrates cycling in February with a jam-packed calendar full of free cycling activities across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.

The Bike Month calendar presented by Travel Safe features opportunities that cater for all, including non-riders wanting to learn, people looking to gain confidence on the road, and experienced cyclists of all ages.

Travel Safe Team Leader Sonia Lynds says riding a bike is fantastic for fun, fitness, and friendship.

People ride bikes for a multitude of reasons and cycling has many benefits. Its healthy, environmentally friendly, and brings people a lot of happiness. Its also an awesome way to get to work or school, and an ideal activity for the whole family to enjoy together.

Adult Cycling Educator Buddy Meyer will be leading the urban rides again this year and says Bike Month presents a perfect opportunity to explore some new areas of Tauranga in a safe and supportive environment.

Tauranga has a significant network of off-road and shared paths that connect suburbs, neighbourhoods and key destinations. They are just perfect for cycling, and events like the guided urban rides and guided historic rides offer a chance for riders of all abilities to check out some new areas and meet some new people.

The calendar also includes historic guided rides, safety and skills focused activities, events for families and children, and even bike maintenance workshops.

All events are suitable for both traditional bikes as well as ebikes.

The annual Go By Bike Day is on Wednesday, February 16, and people are encouraged to leave the car at home, strap on a helmet, and ride to work or school; stopping by one of the pitstops across Tauranga for a free treat.

Go By Bike Day is also complemented this year by the launch of the Wednesday Challenge  a new initiative challenging Tauranga to choose alternative travel options, including by bike, on Wednesdays.

Another big annual February focus is the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, where workplace rivalry reigns and there are prizes to win.

Individuals and organisations across New Zealand will compete to see who can get the most people riding a bike.

Visit www.mytauranga.co.nz/bikemonth to check out all the events and to register, or contact our Cycling Coordinator, Buddy Meyer if you have any questions.
Hundreds of unvaccinated firefighters can no longer respond to emergency calls, and those gaps will have to be plugged from elsewhere, fire service figures say.

A government mandate required all firefighters to be vaccinated by Friday last week, after being pushed back from November 15.

By Friday, Fire and Emergency New Zealand says almost 95 per cent of paid staff and 90 per cent of volunteers had received two doses of the vaccine.

FENZ acting national commander Ron Devlin says "we are confident the vast majority of communities will not be impacted".

United Fire Brigades Association chairman Peter Dunne told Morning Report firefighting ability won't be affected because where numbers are low, FENZ will provide coverage from other areas when needed.

Out of about 11,500 volunteer firefighters nationwide, he says there are "probably a few hundred" now unavailable to respond to fires. Where possible, they would be transferred to "non-frontline" roles.

In November, the NZ Professional Firefighters Union says the mandate would create "chaos" as some crews already had difficulty staffing their rosters, especially in Auckland and Wellington.

The same month, FENZ confirmed they were seeking fully vaccinated recruits to fill gaps left by those who chose not to get vaccinated, but the training could take months.

And that fire crews for Matakana Island in Western Bay of Plenty and Inangahua on the West Coast are unable to respond to calls due to not enough firefighters being vaccinated.

The impact of losing the unvaccinated firefighters comes down to the overall numbers available in each area, Dunne says.

"It depends where they are, in some areas there won't be a problem because there'll be enough other volunteers available to make coverage possible, in some places it may well be that there's a bit of a challenge."

However, it is FENZ's responsibility to make sure enough firefighters are available from wider afield to cover all areas; "which they carry out pretty thoroughly", Dunne says.

"I'm not worried. I think we need to be vigilant, but on the whole we'll see that fire coverage is maintained. It will mean that a good standard of fire cover can be maintained around the country."

Dunne is not aware of any other volunteer fire crews that were unable to respond to fires because they didn't have enough vaccinated crew, and says the Matakana Island and Inangahua crews collectively respond to less than 10 fires a year, so the loss is not dramatic.

All firefighters have been asked to get as much information as possible about the vaccine, to help encourage them to get vaccinated, he says.

"We represent volunteers, which means we can't actually tell the volunteers what to do... we merely encourage them to make the right call.

"FENZ and the UFBA have done everything we can to get that message across to our members. It's a matter of more knowledge, more awareness, and general education.

"I think [the numbers vaccinated] are pretty equivalent to the general population. Obviously you'd like to have 100 per cent, but clearly in this environment that's always not going to be possible... this is really the story of the general population, it's not specific to firefighters."

Ministry of Health data shows 92 per cent of New Zealand's population had received two vaccines by Friday.

In a statement, FENZ says they are confident in their ability to respond and keep communities safe.

"As an emergency response organisation we always have contingency plans in place so we can respond... on any given day we could get multiple incidents occurring at the same time, that's what we plan for.

"As always, we ask the community to be vigilant with fire safety, make sure your smoke alarms are working and you have an escape plan."

The police service also faces a vaccine deadline, with all constabulary, authorised officers and recruits required to be vaccinated by today.

By the end of last week, 98 per cent of the 10,500 staff in this group within police had received at least one Covid-19 vaccination, leaving more than 200 unvaccinated, with some expected to be stood down.

-RNZ.
New Delhi, Jan (IANS) The commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy recently said that the ruling royal family members in Saudi Arabia were actually Jewish, and that their conflict with Iran harkens back to the seventh century battles between Muslim and Jewish tribes, Jerusalem Post reported.



The speech made on January was aired on Iran's Bushehr TV and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).



"We cannot bear to see injustice in a Muslim country that is perpetrated by the Zionists and the seed of the Jews," the commander, General Alireza Tangsiri, could be heard saying in a video recording of the speech, the report said.



"[We cannot bear to see] that Muslims are being slaughtered by people who call themselves Christians but are not," he added, seeming to refer to the US' assassination of former IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, the report said.



"These are the very same Jews -- and I'd better say Zionists -- whose hearts have never aligned with Islam, and even with the Prophet in his time," he said, probably in reference to Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem Post reported.



The Iranian leadership is Shia, as opposed to that of Saudi Arabia, which is Sunni, the report said.



Tangsiri then mentioned other battles in which early Muslims fought local Jewish tribes, who were only Muslim "by name".



"Are the Saud clan really Muslims? They are the same Jews who were in Arabia back then," he concluded.



The House of Saud is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia since 1744, comprising the descendants of Muhammad bin Saud and his brothers.



Iranian rhetoric against the US and Israel has been more fiery than usual in recent weeks due in part to the two-year anniversary of the January 3, 2020 killing of Soleimani by a US drone strike in Iraq.
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Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of Arkansas and Oklahoma, including the following counties, in Arkansas, Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Madison, Sebastian and Washington AR. In Oklahoma, Adair, Cherokee, Choctaw, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Haskell, Latimer, Le Flore, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pittsburg, Pushmataha, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington OK. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff will likely result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, especially in areas that have already received heavy rainfall over the past few days. Several main-stem rivers could go into flood. A few locations could see significant flash flooding. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A slowly moving upper low will move across the area Wednesday into early Thursday. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are likely with the potential for very heavy rainfall. Widespread 2 to 3 inches of rain is expected with locally higher amounts of 5 to 6 inches. The heavier rain will begin to shift east of far southeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas early Thursday afternoon. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&
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A shower or two possible this evening with partly cloudy skies overnight. Thunder possible. Low near 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

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A shower or two possible this evening with partly cloudy skies overnight. Thunder possible. Low near 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
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Staff Writer

My name is Cameron Rhinehardt, and I am a second-year studying communications with minors in journalism and English. I joined Technician as a correspondent in the fall of 2021. I plan to graduate in the spring of 2023.
Why it matters: Nvidia gave us little more than a glimpse of its upcoming RTX 3090 Ti at virtual CES earlier this month, but it appears that the first pre-sale listings for custom versions have appeared on a European retailer's website. Unfortunately, but not unsurprisingly, the prices are high. Very high.

Two RTX 3090 Ti cards from MSI have been spotted on the somewhat ironically named Swiss site Top Preise. The MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Gaming X Trio and the MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Suprim X are listed at CHF 3,595, the equivalent of around $3,932, and CHF 3,678 (~$4,022), respectively.

In normal times, those numbers would be considered placeholder prices. But these are far from normal times. If they are accurate, it means these RTX 3090 Ti models will sell for 40% to 66% more than what their RTX 3090 equivalents sell for on the site, which is a big difference considering the former isn't expected to offer a massive performance boost over the latter.

Nvidia said it would reveal more details about the RTX 3090 Ti later this month. Company SVP Jeff Fisher said the card would offer 40 shader teraflops, 78 RT teraflops, and 320 tensor teraflops of performance, outpacing the vanilla RTX 3090's 36 shader teraflops, 69 RT teraflops, and 285 tensor teraflops. The new flagship will also have 24GB of GDDR6X memory running at 21Gb/s, up from 19.5Gb/s on the 3090

The potential price reveal comes a couple of days after rumors that Nvidia requested all its board partners temporarily halt their production of custom RTX 3090 Ti products due to hardware and firmware issues with the cards. Moreover, Nvidia has reportedly pushed back a complete reveal embargo set for last week, and it has not provided a new date.

In related news, Nvidia last week said (again) that it expects to increase the supply of its graphics cards in the second half of this year, likely to coincide with the release of the RTX 4000 'Lovelace' series. Just how much that will help overall prices and availability remains to be seen.

h/t: VideoCardz, Tom's Hardware
(Photo : Mourizal Zativa via Unsplash)

A few months ago, WhatsApp introduced a way to help iPhone users move their WhatsApp chats and media to an Android phone. Although it looked possible in theory, the practical application of this official method had numerous drawbacks. Truth be told, even the theoretical version put so many limitations on the process that it was like jumping through hoops just to figure out if your devices were eligible for this method! Moreover, the process itself is a nightmare for anyone who has little or no experience with data transfers or how operating systems work. And that's most of us. But the worst of it is that there is still no official way to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone.

Why Is There No Official Android to iPhone WhatsApp Transfer Method Yet?

The biggest problem with the announcement is that it promised a method for WhatsApp transfer from Android to iPhone devices "in the coming months" but has failed to deliver on that promise:

"Transferring your chat history cross platform is currently only available when moving from an iPhone iOS device to Samsung Android device, but we will make it available to users of both Android and iOS in the coming months."

What's the Hold-Up?

The delay in releasing an official WhatsApp Android to iPhone transfer or even a way to transfer WhatsApp from iOS to non-Samsung Android brands is understandable. After all, iOS and Android aren't exactly compatible with each other. However, with each one setting its own standards for handling file transfers, the conflict for WhatsApp is almost unresolvable.

Challenge #1 - Incompatibility

The first challenge is the way cloud backups are taken and what format they're stored in. On an Apple device, WhatsApp cloud backups are taken to iCloud and saved in a particular format that only works with iOS devices. Similarly, Android devices backup WhatsApp to Google Drive, which also saves it in a format that only works on other Android devices. These two formats are incompatible with any non-native operating system so you cannot restore a Google Drive backup to an iOS device and or an iCloud backup to an Android device.

Challenge #2 - Number-based Accounts

The second problem is that WhatsApp accounts are locked to a particular phone number. While this makes it easy when switching to a device with the same OS, it makes it virtually impossible to retain the same number when moving to a different OS. That's why the official iPhone to Samsung WhatsApp transfer method requires you to put the new SIM into the iPhone and officially change your linked number in the WhatsApp iOS app before moving it back to the Samsung device and restoring it there. At best, this is an inconvenient workaround.

2 Brilliant Solutions to a Very Perplexing Problem for WhatsApp Users

Now here's the showstopper - There are already two efficient tools to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone or between any two devices running any combination of iOS and Android! Yes, and each of these methods utilizes a different way to hook up the devices to each other - one with a PC and one with just a Lightning to USB-C cable. So you can pick and choose the best way for you. Let's look at both methods in more detail because they're actually two different versions of the same application.

Tool #1: Desktop Solution - MobileTrans WhatsApp Transfer for Mac and PC

This desktop solution uses your computer to act as an intermediary device so a backup can be taken from WhatsApp for Android, modified for compatibility, and then restored to WhatsApp for iOS on an iPhone. The heavy lifting happens in the background, so all you see as a user is the magical way in which it can transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone in just seconds - and without losing any of your WhatsApp data or leaving it behind on the iPhone.

Install MobileTrans WhatsApp Transfer from the official Wondershare website and launch the app on your computer - select WhatsApp Transfer from the home screen options

Select WhatsApp from the new options on your screen, then connect the devices to the computer using their respective charge cables

On your screen, you'll see both devices. Check and see if the source device is on the left side - in this case, that should be the Android phone - click Flip if it's on the right

Click the Start button to begin the WhatsApp transfer, and unplug the phones once you see the success message on your screen

Why MobileTrans for Desktops?

Using a desktop solution to do WhatsApp Transfer gives you several key advantages:

Easily create backups that are OS-independent

Restore backups to any iOS or Android device

Fully transfer WhatsApp from one OS to another or between the same OS

Transfer all phone data (ideal when switching to another phone)

Export WhatsApp data as HTML or PDF from your desktop

Tool #2: Mobile App Solution - MobileTrans WhatsApp Transfer for Mobile

This tool requires an iPhone to Android connector cable or adapter to work; in other words, a Lightning to USB-C cable or an OTG adapter that's compatible with both devices. You will also need to install MobileTrans for Mobile on both devices from the respective app stores. Once you've done these preparatory steps, you can dive straight into the process of transferring your WhatsApp data from an Android smartphone to an iPhone.

On the Android phone, launch the MobileTrans app and choose Android to iPhone as your transfer option

On the same device, login to WhatsApp as the next step and tap Next

Now, connect the devices to each other with the cable or adapter and authorize the connection on the iPhone

The data transfer process begins automatically; wait for it to finish and keep the devices connected throughout the transfer

That's it! You'll now see all your transferred WhatsApp chats, media, etc. on the target iPhone.

Why MobileTrans Mobile Apps?

No PC required - just a connector cable or adapter

Simple interface with clear on-screen instructions

No data loss

Works for: full phone data transfers and messaging apps data transfers

So What about an Official 'Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone' Method?

We don't know when WhatsApp plans to roll out the transfer process for Android to iPhone; or, for that matter, when they'll announce that transferring WhatsApp from iPhone to any Android phone is available. It's not likely to be soon because the current process piggy-backs on the SmartSwitch app from Samsung and it forces you to change your phone number. But until that day comes, you can confidently rely on MobileTrans for all your chat messaging app data transfer needs.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Coinweb continues its mission in delivering blockchain technology to traditional businesses with the global real estate brand Coldwell Banker. Development has already begun on the platform, with a product release in beta planned for Q3 2022.

READ ALSO: Why Web Scraping is Transforming the Real Estate Industry

The project will see Coinweb develop and support cross-chain token issuance pertaining to both luxury residential and high-end commercial property portfolios of Coldwell Banker's significant customer base, launching in Thailand in the first instance as a pilot.

Coinweb will issue cross-chain governance tokens that map down to the underlying asset's income, enabling stakeholder voting rights on distribution and, furthermore, cross-chain security tokens mapping down to asset ownership. This will deliver a lower barrier to entry to a wider pool of investors seeking returns from luxury properties with higher yields. Stage 2 of the project will see the implementation of parallel smart contracts being executed in the Coinweb layer, streamlining compliance checks, and automating aspects of corporate action management.

Coldwell Banker's tokens will be publicly tradable and retain cross-chain characteristics to maintain stability in mitigating risks of fluctuating gas fees and other scaling issues such as network speed. Once the pilot in Thailand has been proved, Coinweb will be introduced to the property group's other territories around the world, where the regulatory framework supports the project.

Though still at its nascent stage, real-estate tokenisation has been regarded as a major step in unlocking liquidity, along with increasing data transparency, automating substantial manual conveyancing and document notarization that will deliver higher efficiency and fewer errors--with an ultimate aim of reducing settlement times, hefty processing fees and providing better security.

According to Ms. Napatkan Chaiwichit, Managing Director of Coldwell Banker Thailand, "We see real-estate tokenisation as the pivotal point for next-generation wealth-management, hence our initiative in working towards this direction with Coinweb's layer 2 blockchain infrastructure. We envisage significant opportunities arising from enabling fractional investment and ownership, driving demand in both the primary and the secondary market, which is crucial in unlocking liquidity that real estate has always been associated with, especially in the luxury property arena. The potential to explore and fully leverage blockchain technology is real and very promising. We expect real estate investment to be invigorated by allowing access for new investors to buy into yielding quality assets."

"The real estate space has always remained a high-value sector yet with legacy processes, high fees and illiquidity. Our partnership with Coldwell Banker aims to solve these pain points." Coinweb CEO Toby Gilbert commented. "After Thailand, and once the project is proven, it will be introduced to the different territories where Coldwell Banker maintains a presence around the world. Our team is ready and super excited to deliver on real-world blockchain use in partnership with a global brand."

RELATED ARTICLE: Real Estate Blockchain: The Changes Ahead

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 lineup series leaks online, including the first-ever "Ultra" top-of-the-line variant tablet, along with the mid-range S8 Plus and the Tab S8.

As per the news story by The Verge, another website, WinFuture, reportedly obtained the leaked comprehensive specs and the alleged official images of the upcoming tablet lineup of Samsung.

On top of that, the said website also shared its prediction of the introduction date of the whole Galaxy Tab S8 series next month, but more on that later.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Lineup Leaks Design

First, let us dive into the potential design of the next-generation tablets of the South Korean tech giant behind the sought-after foldable smartphone nowadays.

Interestingly, the first-ever Ultra model of the tablet lineup of Samsung is reportedly bringing the notch to the Galaxy S8, wherein it will be housing two 12-megapixel front-facing cameras.

What's more, the flagship model of the tablet lineup of the South Korea-based firm is sporting a massive 14.6-inch display.

The screen of the Ultra features a Super AMOLED display that has a resolution of up to 2960 x 1848. Not to mention that the massive screen provides a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which would be best for action-packed gaming.

On the other hand, the mid-range Tab S8 Plus carries a smaller 12.7 inches AMOLED display of up to 2800 x 1752 px resolution.

Meanwhile, the Tab S8, the base model of the next-gen Samsung tablets, gets the smaller display among the rest of the series, with only an 11-inch LCD screen, which carries a resolution of up to 2560 x 1600 px.

WinFuture noted in the same report that the Tab S8 Plus and the Tab S8 are both getting a notch-less design. That said, the notch would only be found on the Ultra variant of the tablet series.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Lineup Specs

The leaked specs by WinFuture further showed that all of the tablets in the upcoming lineup of Samsung are getting the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, along with the Adreno 730 GPU.

On top of that, according to the report by Engadget, the leak also revealed that all of these tablets are getting Dolby-Atmos quad speakers. For its connectivity, the whole series will release with an optional 5G variant, along with the WiFi-only option.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra 14.6-inch tablethttps://t.co/gcluUpJ1qk



Unfortunately Samsung has decided to equip the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with a Notch. 



3D product renders created by @TechnizoConcept #Samsung #SamsungGalaxyTabS8Ultra #GalaxyTabS8Ultra #SamsungTabS8Ultra pic.twitter.com/TZIExaoM6C  LetsGoDigital - Mark Peters (@letsgodigitalNL) January 15, 2022

As for the battery specs of the upcoming tablets, the Ultra is featuring a massive 11,200 mAh, while the Tab S8 Plus is getting a 10,090 battery, whereas the base model only carries an 8,000 mAh.

Read Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Shoots in Sales in 2021 | Foldable Phones Predicted to Grow 'Tenfold' by 2023

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Release

The Galaxy Tab S8 series is likely to see the light of day on Feb. 8, during the Unpacked event of Samsung, wherein its flagship smartphone, the S22, is reportedly debuting as well.

Related Article: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Pre-Order: Get $100 Amazon Gift Card | 120Gz Refresh Rate, Bigger Battery, and More

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
CryptoWatch's monitoring is also here to look into the top coins of 2022, especially those highly susceptible to hacks that contribute to its loss from the owner and platform. It is highly known that cryptocurrency crime in 2021 reached an all-time high value of $14 billion, which is a massive hole in the decentralized industry and alt coins' security.

Top Coins of 2022: To Get Hacked by Threat Actors Now?

The top coins of 2022 are also known as the top ten in the list of cryptocurrency platforms now. According to CoinMarketCap (as of Sunday, January 16), Bitcoin and Ethereum still lead the list.

Bitcoin - $815 billion Ethereum - $398 billion BNB - $82 billion Tether - $72 billion Cardano - $47 billion Solana - $46 billion USD Coin - $45 billion XRP - $37 billion Terra - $31 billion Polkadot - $27 billion

The list above shows the cryptocurrency and its standings in the list, alongside the market cap it has on the current circulation in public.

The top two cryptos in the list, Bitcoin and Ethereum, are two of the top targets of cybercriminals in their hacks and access. It is known that the Ethereum blockchain is one of the most used in the industry (even on NFTs), hence its susceptibility to threats more.

Read Also: WTF Token Airdrop: Bots Reportedly Drained $180,000 From ETH Users

2021's Cryptocurrency Crime Value Reaches All-Time Record

On the other hand, last week's report by Reuters showed a massive record reached by cybercrime and crypto hackers. In 2021, crypto hacks stole $14 billion, which is a record for the crimes behind the digital currency.

Investigations are still ongoing for these crimes and are not left unsolved.

Cryptocurrency Crime: Will it Prevail this 2022? What About Security?

Crimes against cryptocurrency are a massive thing now, especially as hackers get it quickly because the altcoins are digitalized and do not have any paper trails. However, reports have claimed that it will not be a massive case this year, significantly, as the world of crypto tightens up and is known for the mark it leaves online.

Every transaction of the coins is known, and despite being taken away from the owner, the cryptocurrency's use will leave traces in the digital world and lead straight to the hacker. The only challenge now is law enforcement to keep up with the trail and outsmart hackers who do their best to cover their transactions.

Early this year, North Korean hackers made a massive breach to seven institutions, and it ended up stealing $395 million worth of crypto.

Despite the many early hacks right at 2022's start, people are optimistic that cryptocurrency will prevail and upgrade its security in terms of platforms and the coins themselves. Top coins are always the most targeted as they have high volumes of exchange and growth, something that will always be the target of criminals.

Related Article: SnatchCrypto Hacking Campaign Can Empty Your Crypto Wallet! Targeting Blockchain, DeFi Companies

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Motorola is hiding a new flagship smartphone under its development says leaks, and this device is under the codename of "Frontier." The upcoming project smartphone of the company will feature Qualcomm's top chip now, alongside the many top specs rumors are currently circulating about the device.

The Frontier will soon rival flagships from Samsung, Apple, and more.

Motorola's 'Frontier' Project is a Flagship Smartphone Says Leaks

The last flagship from Motorola is the Edge+, released in 2020 and after that release, the company developed starting and mid-range devices. However, that changes in 2022 as a project called "Frontier" is now making noise in the reports and rumors circulating the matter for the smartphone's soon arrival.

According to a German website called Technik News, the Chicago-based company is working on something new, which will be massive. The new device speculates a lot like the flagship smartphone of Motorola, under the codename "Frontier" that the company did not yet reveal to the public.

Nevertheless, the leak says it is to feature the 200MP sensor from Samsung and a top-of-the-line smartphone chip from Qualcomm, making it one promising tech as early as now.

Read Also: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Lineup Leaks | AMOLED Display, Notch, Snapdragon 8, and MORE

Motorola's Frontier: Specs and What to Expect

According to Android Central, Motorola made its name in the recent emergence of its smartphones to have promising specs and massive performance for a relatively more affordable price. The rates are compared with flagships from Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and more.

It could have a three or four rear camera lens setup, alongside an OLED Full HD Screen, 120+W of wired charging, and a massive battery. The device also rumors a 12GB memory.

Motorola: 2022 Smartphones Lineup

Motorola is a part of the change to Android 11, and this only means that the company is growing to bring the latest operating system from Google for smartphones. However, it does not stop there as it would also get future releases from the company, aiming to bring its new devices for everyone to see.

A new Motorola Razr is also coming to feature a flip phone with touch screen capabilities, which rivals that of Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip. However, that is not the only smartphone that Motorola faces for a rivalry in the market as speaking of flagships; there is still Apple's iPhone 14, Samsung's Galaxy S22, Xiaomi's 12, and more.

The tech landscape of 2022 is growing, and it is a massive rival, despite the many new and promising devices available now. However, that does not put Motorola's spirit down, especially as they are debuting a device that brings an absolute top-notch in terms of specs and performance in its current leak, soon revealing the Frontier.

Related Article: Motorola Razr 3 Leaks: Next Smartphone Coming This 2022, Says Lenovo GM-Why are They Trying Again?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The worst TikTok health trends out there are only a Google search away. They could, however, vary in terms of how dangerous they can really be.

But if you want to know which ones are the absolute worst, then this list is a good place to be. Read on about the specific "health" trends on the massively social media platform that you should avoid at all costs.

'Benadryl Challenge'

Let's start off with something gruesome enough to have claimed one person's life, according to HealthDigest.

Back in 2020, the so-called "Benadryl Challenge" made the rounds on TikTok. It asked users to take at least a dozen doses of the popular antihistamine drug Benadryl, in order to induce a "trip" (aka hallucination). A teen girl from Oklahoma participated and died of a subsequent overdose afterwards.

While some may consider antihistamines as relatively mild drugs, taking too much of it can be as fatal. Experts say that large doses of Benadryl can be potent enough to cause seizures and heart problems. It will generally cause arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), which will then lead to the organ not pumping blood effectively throughout the body.

Just don't do it for your sake.

Garlic Cloves Up Your Nostrils To Clear Your Sinuses

FoodNetwork mentioned another specific "health" trend on TikTok that had people jam garlic cloves up their nostrils. The reason? It could apparently clear a stuffy nose, with some people even claiming that it is a completely safe thing to do. It is not, and not even by a longshot.

This is due to garlic's natural oils that can irritate the sensitive skin around your nose. Furthermore, a small-enough clove can get lodged up in there, causing a major nasal blockage and a trip to the emergency room. Stick to using garlic in your food.

Read Also: TikTok's Health Impacts Should Be Studied In Full, According To Researchers

At-Home Mole Removal

In just another dangerous TikTok health trend, people are attempting to remove their moles at home using a variety of substances and items. One method involves using chemicals like eyelash glue, which they say would help remove the mole.

Speaking to the BBC, British Skin Foundation spokesperson Dr. Adil Sheraz stated that eyelash glue's main ingredient, cyanoacrylate, is classified as a "contact allergen." Using this to remove a mole will likely cause a "plumping effect" that can leave you permanently scarred or even disfigured.

If you want to remove a mole, only consult with an accredited dermatologist.

Drinking Water Laced With Chlorophyll

This particular trend apparently got so big, even celebrities were into it. TikTokers were reportedly swearing by it because it "stimulates" the immune system and could even detoxify your blood or prevent cancer. Of course, this is hogwash with very little scientific basis.

Putting drops of chlorophyll into your drinking water can, in the long-term, cause dermatitis, stomach aches, and even light sensitivity, writes FoodNetwork. The dangers are also even more pronounced if you're pregnant and breastfeeding.

Why Are A Lot Of TikTok Health Trends So Bad?

TikTok health trends can be started by literally anyone. That's the appeal of TikTok as a whole in the first place. You don't have to be an actual health expert to claim that you have a "health hack," because one way or another, the social media platform's algorithm will make your video popular enough to be shared millions of times.

Unless you know that the tip comes from a reputable, actual health professional, just don't follow it. That's the simplest way of avoiding any trouble.

Related Article: Tiktok Trend: Women Share Videos of Them Removing IUDs, But is it Safe?

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Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
What could be the name for the upcoming Apple goggles? Some actually say it could be called "Apple Vision."

Apple Rumored to Create Its Virtual Headset with AR Capabilities

As of press time, Apple is strongly rumored to be creating its own virtual reality (VR) headset with AR capabilities. Despite the rumors, however, nothing solid has surfaced aside from its potential internal codenames.

This, however, did not stop one of the most quoted Apple leakers from thinking about the naming strategy. It has been quite clear that Apple puts a lot of thought into every aspect of its own products and poor naming can cause major problems for both its launch and its future.

What Happened with the Apple HomePod?

It can be said that most of the Apple products are successful, though there have been notable exceptions like the HomePod. Apple aimed for the high-end market while launching late against other established smart speakers from Google and Amazon.

The larger and also better-sounding HomePod, however, was still lacking when it came to certain smart home functionalities. According to the story by ScreenRant, the product should have been named Apple Audio.

Apple AR/VR Headset Name Possiblities

As of the moment, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the most quoted Apple leaker, does not even know the name of Apple's AR/VR headset but ran through a list of different possible strategies. Some of the unlikely choices include "Apple Goggles."

Appending VR, AR, XR, MR, or SR are equally unlikely due to it locking the product into a particular tech angle. The acronyms, however, stand for well-known augmented and virtual reality as well as less used extended, mixed, and even simulated reality terms.

Most Possible Name is 'Apple Vision'

Apple also favored SR in patents and, although it is a technical term, it is not really something used in marketing a product.

It has been rumored that the most likely choice as of the moment is "Apple Vision."

Apple Vision was Mark Gurman's pick and, per ScreenRant, Gurman's speculation has to be respected. Vision would reportedly imply that the tech is made for a new visual medium.

Apple iSight Webcam

Apple Reality is borrowing from the name of the tech while also avoiding picking a certain variety and would align with a number of rumored rOS or reality operating systems that are currently in development.

Other potential names include Apple Sight or even iSight. Apple, however, made a webcam in the past called iSight so it could be reusing an old name should this be the company's choice.

Read Also: Walmart Trademark Filings Show Planned NFTs and Cryptocurrencies

Apple Lens Not an Option?

Apple Lens was also mentioned but this would make the product's name similar to Microsoft's HoloLens and Google Lens. Although Apple's Macintosh computer was previously named after a popular variety of apple, the strategy has not been used since.

Gurman, however, might not have the pulse of Apple's naming in the case since Apple View was unmentioned. Apple View, however, could be a good alternative for Apple's AR/VR headset.

Related Article: Xiaomi Cleared from Censorship Allegations by German Federal Agency | No Built-in Censorship?

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Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla is now turning to Mozambique to get key components for its batteries. Analysts believe this to be the first-of-its kind deal that is designed to reduce total dependence on China for graphite.

Tesla Plans to Buy 80% of What the Plant Produces

According to the story by CNBC, Elon Musk's company has just recently signed an agreement with the Syrah Resources company from Australia. Syrah Resources currently operates one of the world's largest graphite mines located in the Mozambique.

The popular Austin, Texas-based EV automaker plans to buy up a whopping 80% of what the plant produces, which is 8,000 tons of graphite a year. Per the agreement, the deal is expected to take place starting 2025.

Deal is a Unique Partner Between EV Manufacturers and Producers

The deal is a unique partnership between the EV manufacturer as well as a producer of the mineral critical for the production of lithium-ion batteries. To add, the value of the deal has not yet been disclosed, as also reported by Electrek.

Tesla is buying up the material from the company's processing plant located in Vidalia, Louisiana, which is sourcing graphite from its mine located in Balama, Mozambique. However, Syrah has to prove the material meets the standards of Tesla.

Company Plans to Ramp Up Battery Capabilities

The deal is reportedly part of Tesla's plan to ramp up its own capability to make its very own batteries in order to reduce its total dependence on China. This is according to Simon Moores of the United Kingdom-based battery materials data and intelligence provider, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

As of press time, China dominates the global graphite markets.

US Wants to Build Enough Capacity to Domestically Build Lithium-Ion Batteries

Moores stated that the United States wants to build enough capacity to be able to domestically build lithium-ion batteries within the country. In connection, Tesla's deal will allow the company to source out graphite independent of China.

Moores noted that the batteries produced within the US will reduce a number of the questions that the company is facing regarding its ties to China. As of press time, mines in China have a couple of environmental concerns.

Read Also: Tesla Accident Data From NHTSA Shows Fewer Crashes During Q4 2021 | Elon Musk Responds

Short Supply of Graphite Impacts the Whole Battery Industry

Tesla has also set up its showroom in the region of Xinjiang. This is where Chinese officials are accused of forced labor as well as other human rights abuses, according to reports.

The whole battery industry has actually been confronted with a short supply of graphite in the course of the recent months, according to Moores. Graphite currently stores lithium inside a battery until it is needed to be able to generate electricity through splitting into charged electrons and ions.

The news comes at a time where every major automaker is now racing to get into EVs amidst concerns regarding climate change.

Related Article: Tesla FSD Beta: No Accidents Since Launch, Elon Musk Verifies Info; Is This True?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tehachapi, CA (93561)

Today

Plenty of sunshine. High around 65F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low 41F. WNW winds shifting to NE at 10 to 15 mph.
Zhang Changer, chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, delivers a work report on behalf of the standing committee of the 12th Anhui Provincial Committee of the CPPCC. (Photo by Liu Yucai)



The 5th Session of the 12th Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened on Sunday, in Hefei, capital of East Chinas Anhui province.

Nearly 700 political advisers from around the province attended the session.

Zheng Shanjie, Party chief of Anhui province and governor Wang Qingxian were present at the session.

Zhang Changer, chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, delivered a work report from the standing committee covering the past year.

Xia Tao, vice chairman of the CPPCC Anhui Provincial Committee, delivered a report on how proposals from political advisers were handled after the previous session.

Deng Xiangyang, vice chairman of the committee, chaired the opening ceremony of the annual session.

The agenda of the four-day session includes hearing and deliberating the work report of the standing committee of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the CPPCC and the report about how proposals put forward at the last session have been handled by the standing committee.

Members of the CPPCC Anhui Provincial Committee will be also present at the 5th Session of the 13th Anhui Provincial Peoples Congress to hear and discuss the work report of the provincial government and other related reports.

Deng Xiangyang, vice chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, chairs the opening ceremony. (Photo by Liu Yucai)



Xia Tao, vice chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, delivers a report on how proposals from political advisers are handled after the previous session. (Photo by Liu Yucai)



The 5th Session of the 12th Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opens on January 16, 2022 in Hefei, capital of East Chinas Anhui province. (Photo by Liu Yucai)



Members of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the CPPCC listen to a report. (Photo by Liu Yucai)






A driver involved in a five-vehicle crash on I-10 near Whiskey Bay on Sunday morning is asking for the public's help in finding his dog, which ran away in all the confusion.

Nicki Garcia said her son, George Yanas, was driving from Texas to Florida, with his Blue Pit Bull male dog, Fenny, when his car hit the guardrail on I-10 and was disabled.

Safety cones were out and a wrecker and law enforcement officers were there to assist, when a FedEx truck crashed into the scene, causing a chain reaction of crashes, the Iberville sheriff said. Two people were injured, one severely.

Truck smashes into scene of previous wreck on I-10; driver arrested, sheriff says A Fed-Ex truck driver was arrested after he plowed into the scene of a previous crash, smashing multiple cars and causing one person to be air

Garcia said that when her son, a member of the military, went to give aid to the two injured people, his dog ran away.

Garcia said she has also shared information about the missing dog with the Louisiana State Police and the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office.

Fenny is wearing a blue, pink and yellow polka dot collar. If he's found, the number to call to get him back to his owner is 1-830-481-8507.
The new attorney for a Baton Rouge woman charged in her boyfriend's fatal 2015 poisoning  and suspected in her husband's suspicious death nine months later  is accusing detectives of "intentionally" misleading a court commissioner in order to obtain search warrants in the case.

James Manasseh, who recently took over the defense of Meshell Hale, argues law enforcement acted with a "reckless disregard for the truth" in convincing the commissioner to sign search warrants for the homes and vehicles of Hale and her family. He's seeking to have the warrants voided and all evidence obtained through them suppressed.

Those searches turned up evidence that prosecutors have said incriminates Hale in not only the June 2015 killing of her live-in boyfriend, Damian Skipper, in Baton Rouge but also the March 2016 death of her husband, Arthur Noflin Jr. His charred body was found inside his burned truck in New Orleans.

Hale, 54, is charged with first-degree murder in Skipper's poisoning death. Her trial is set for June 27. She faces life in prison if convicted as charged. She has not been charged in Noflin's death.

A state appeals court, however, has ruled that prosecutors can present evidence at Hale's murder trial about the suspicious death of Noflin, even though she hasn't been charged in his death.

Hale was married to Noflin at the time of Skipper's death. The cause of Skipper's death was determined to be barium poisoning after his body was exhumed following Noflin's suspicious death.

Hale's suppression motion centers on a 2016 Jeep Patriot that, according to authorities, was caught on a license plate reader on Interstate 10 East in LaPlace following Noflin's truck  less than two hours before the pickup was found torched in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward.

The Patriot, traveling two seconds behind Noflin's truck, was rented by Nina Alexander, who was in a domestic relationship with Hale's daughter, Dominique Hale, according to previously filed court documents.

Investigators have been looking into whether Dominique Hale and Alexander had anything to do with the possible dumping of Noflins body and truck, court records show.

New information revealed in Hale's suppression motion indicates that 19th Judicial District Commissioner Nicole Robinson signed a search warrant for the Patriot in early April 2016, and that a K-9 "hit" on, or detected, an accelerant on the rear tire cover near the rear hatch back door. A sample of the cargo area carpet was collected for testing.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab completed its analysis on April 27, 2016, finding "no common ignitable liquid residue was detected," the motion states.

Nearly two weeks later, on May 9, 2016, search warrant applications for the homes and vehicles of Hale and her family referenced the K-9 hit  but not include the negative test results, the motion alleges.

Manasseh contends that either New Orleans police Detective Debra Normand, East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's Detective Chiquita Broussard, "or both in concert, acted with a reckless disregard for the truth when applications for search warrants were submitted, citing a K-9 hit for accelerant, knowing that subsequent scientific testing had found no accelerant present."

"Any argument that these results had been back for two weeks but neither NOPD nor EBRSO had been made aware of them strains credulity," he claims.

Manasseh believes law enforcement made the "intentional, willful decision" to include in the May 2016 search warrants "evidence" that had already been undermined by its own investigation.

"Had the K-9 hit for accelerant not been included, these warrants would not have met the standard for probable cause to search the private homes and vehicles of Ms. Meshell Hale and her family," he argues.

Manasseh wants to question all relevant witnesses at a hearing. A hearing is scheduled March 2.

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East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said Friday his office will fully respond to the defense motion as soon as time permits, and added that "we look forward to litigating the motion on March 2."

Hale has been held without bail since June 2018, when she was arrested in Skipper's death. Manasseh has filed a separate motion to reinstate her previously set $150,000 bond.

He says one of the factors the state relied heavily on to push for no bail was that New Orleans police would be arresting Hale imminently on a second murder charge.

"It (is) now becoming clear that the New Orleans Police Department has no intention of arresting Ms. Hale for anything whatsoever," Manasseh says in the motion to reinstate bond.

+2 Prosecutors can attempt to link deaths of Baton Rouge woman's boyfriend, husband, appeals court says A Baton Rouge woman awaiting trial in the fatal 2015 poisoning of her live-in boyfriend lost another round Wednesday in her bid to prevent jur

The cause and manner of Noflin's death remain unclassified. An autopsy showed no signs of trauma and determined he did not inhale any smoke, indicating Noflin was dead before his body was burned.

East Baton Rouge prosecutors have claimed in court documents that they have compelling evidence that Hale fatally poisoned Noflin.

Normand testified at a hearing in 2020 that Hale bought barium acetate twice in 2015 before Skipper died, and once in 2016 before Noflin's death.

+2 In boyfriend's fatal poisoning, Baton Rouge woman won't face death penalty if convicted A Baton Rouge woman accused of fatally poisoning her live-in boyfriend for life insurance money in 2015 won't face the death penalty if she's 

Prosecutors have said Hale researched barium acetate on her computer. The week prior to his death, Noflin was hospitalized twice with the same symptoms Skipper had, according to prosecutors.

Skipper, 41, died after being treated for extreme abdominal pain and related symptoms the week prior to his death. It was believed he died of a heart attack, and he was buried without an autopsy.

Noflin, 42, was found dead in his truck on the floorboard behind the first row of seats.

Prosecutor Dana Cummings has alleged that the motive for "each of the murders" was financial gain.

A lawsuit that aims to determine who is entitled to Noflin's $750,000 life insurance policy remains on hold until criminal proceedings against Hale have run their course, a judge decided last year.

Hale renounced her claim in September to those proceeds. But her granddaughter, Joy Hale, claims she is the rightful beneficiary to Noflin's insurance money.

Cummings has said in court that recorded jail phone calls indicate Joy Hale planned to use the money to pay for Meshell Hale's criminal defense. The prosecutor called that arrangement "unjust and offensive."

+4 In Baton Rouge man's suspicious death in New Orleans, $750K insurance case still on hold A lawsuit that aims to determine who is entitled to a deceased Baton Rouge man's $750,000 life insurance policy will remain on hold until crim

After Skipper died, Meshell Hale claimed she and Skipper were married and she ultimately collected $10,000 in life insurance proceeds, prosecutors have said. Three weeks after Skipper's death, Noflin made Meshell Hale sole primary beneficiary of his $750,000 life insurance policy. The document also made Joy Hale the sole successor beneficiary.
A new redistricting dispute is brewing amid a push by civil rights groups to add another minority seat to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Jim Garvey, the president of BESE, said he and others on the 11-member board are generally content with the current boundaries, which have been in effect for the past decade.

But critics say BESE's makeup needs changes, in part because Black students make up nearly half of the state's public school population but just 27% of BESE members.

Linda Johnson, who was president of the board in 2010, said she tried then to get the number of minority seats expanded but her effort never gained traction. "It just seems as if it would have been nice to have elected BESE members that would represent more of the minority population in the state of Louisiana," said Johnson, who lives in Plaquemine.

The board, which oversees public schools statewide, consists of eight elected members and three named by the governor.

The current lineup includes two majority-minority districts, which means a district in which Black residents, who make up a minority of the state's population, comprise a majority of the BESE district.

They are District 8, which is held by Preston Castille, of Baton Rouge, and District 2, which is held by Kira Orange Jones, of New Orleans.

One of BESE's three appointed members is a minority, which means 27% of the board is represented by Black officials.

Black residents make up about 31% of Louisiana's population, and 48% of students attending public schools.

"Right now communities of color are very underrepresented on BESE," said Michael Pernick, a New York City attorney who is redistricting counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

Defining fairness is tough part about redrawing congressional districts The legislative road tour has been hearing conflicting ideas about how to redraw Louisianas six U.S. House districts to best fit the states 

Pernick's group and 14 others submitted their request to add a third minority seat on BESE to the House and Senate committees overseeing redistricting.

Others behind the push include the NAACP Louisiana State Conference, Urban League of Louisiana, League of Women Voters of Louisiana, ACLU of Louisiana and the state branch of The Education Trust, a national, non-profit group that works on behalf of minority and low-income students.

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Senate Education Committee Chairman Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge, both Democrats, have also voiced support for a third minority district.

A special session to redraw lines for the state's congressional delegation, the Legislature, BESE and the Public Service Commission is scheduled for Feb. 1-20.

Any controversy over BESE is in addition to a separate push to add a second minority seat to Louisiana's six-person House delegation.

Gov. John Bel Edwards says 'fair' congressional maps would include another majority-Black district With one-third of Louisiana's population identifying as Black, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Thursday it's only fair that two of the state's six 

The letter from the 15 groups says the failure to add a third minority seat to the eight elected slots would likely run afoul of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

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It says Black and Latino communities in north Louisiana have been dispersed in such a way to deny minority voters the right to elect candidates of their choice in the two districts.

District 4, which is in northwest Louisiana, is represented by Republican Michael Melerine, a Shreveport attorney who works with fellow attorney and state Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport. White residents make up 54% of the district.

District 5, which is in northeast Louisiana, is held by Republican Ashley Ellis. White residents make up 59% of that district.

Melerine and Ellis are White board members.

The groups said the imbalance is especially egregious as BESE debates issues like COVID-19 rules, how the nation's racial history is taught and academic accountability rules that they say are unfair to Black and Latino students, who make up 2% of the public school population.

"BESE will consider significant issues that are deeply important to communities of color," Pernick said.

Before once-in-a-decade redistricting can begin in Louisiana, lawmakers set this minimum criteria Lawmakers in Louisiana laid the groundwork Wednesday for its once-in-a-decade redistricting process by adopting minimum criteria for drawing b

Garvey said BESE members months ago were asked for their input from House and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman John Stefanski, R-Crowley.

The House panel is one of the Legislature's two redistricting committees.

"My understanding is most of the members accepted the invitation but didn't really have much to say other than 'We like our districts and to the extent you could keep them pretty much as they are that would be great,'" said Garvey, a Metairie attorney.

Castille said he had a good conversation with Stefanski and likes the ideas of a third minority seat.

"If it is possible it certainly would be more relative to the state's population," he said.

The 15 groups submitted two proposed maps that would produce a third minority seat among elected BESE members.

Under one scenario, that new majority-minority lineup would include District 2, Kira Orange Jones, District 5, Ashley Ellis and District 7 in southwest Louisiana, which is held by Holly Boffy.

Ellis' district would go from 59% White residents to nearly 51% minority; Boffy's from nearly 71% White residents to 55% Black and Latino residents.

Ellis is in her first term and Orange Jones and Boffy are serving their final terms.

The other proposed three-minority setup would be the Orange Jones and Ellis districts and Castille's District 8.
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell removes her coronavirus mask as she gets ready to take the oath of office for a second term. Her father-in-law, retired Judge Harry Cantrell, left, did the swearing in as Cantrell stands next to her daughter, RayAnn, on Monday, January 10, 2022. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
I regret that a number of my personal actions have led to difficulties for the bank and compromised my ability to represent the bank internally and externally, Horta-Osorio said in the statement. I therefore believe that my resignation is in the interest of the bank and its stakeholders at this crucial time.

Horta-Osorio joined Credit Suisse in April. The bankers supporters have included major Credit Suisse shareholders such as David Herro of Harris Associates. I am very, very gratified that the person at the top of the organisation is extremely capable and has a good understanding of risk, Herro told Bloomberg TV in October. Herro had also been a supporter of former CEO Tidjane Thiam before his ouster over a spying scandal.

At the same time, Credit Suisses stock has languished under Horta-Osorio and his leadership style has grated with some. In one example from the summer of 2021, he told a meeting of bankers that the firm had a great wealth management business with ancillary services, according to several people who heard the remarks. For several top dealmakers and traders, those words were perceived as a blow given the investment bank delivered more revenue than any other division at the firm.

This is about personal responsibility in the professional context. Thinking that the chairman is above the law would have sent a wrong signal throughout the bank. Sven Feldmann, associate dean at the Melbourne Business School.

In turning to Lehmann, the bank is appointing a Swiss insider who spent almost two decades at Zurich Insurance Group and is well versed in risk management as Credit Suisse seeks to shore up its defences after the $US5 billion hit from Archegos. He was elected to the banks board in October, having formerly served as Chief Operating Officer at UBS Group AG and head of the banks Swiss division. Like Horta-Osorio, he has retail and corporate banking experience while having had less exposure to investment banking.
Chevron, which estimated it would pay more than 20 per cent of the levy, said in a Senate submission that NOGA was obviously lacking the appropriate technical and financial capability and Chevron and others were forced to subsidise the failings of companies that benefited from the Northern Endeavour. To avoid more Northern Endeavour-like debacles, in December 2020 Resources Minister Keith Pitt tightened checks on the financial strength of buyers of offshore facilities and introduced trailing liabilities that make sellers liable for decommissioning if the new owners cannot pay. Woodsides sale complied with the law at the time but under the new regime it either would have been prevented from selling the Northern Endeavour or been forced to pay the bill when the buyer folded. The changes were a rare case of the fossil fuel industry not getting its way with the federal Coalition government, and have halted a rush by major oil and gas companies to exit ageing Australian assets. ExxonMobil put its half-share of its Bass Strait operation up for sale in 2019 but canned the process a year later after Mr Pitt told it of the coming legislative changes. Italian firm ENI stopped trying to sell its assets shortly afterwards. Chevrons stake in the giant North West Shelf project in WA has been shopped around since 2020 without success.

Companies that cannot sell out of Australia are also finding continued delay to decommissioning expenditure difficult. Loading In 2021, offshore regulator NOPSEMA started issuing directions with fixed deadlines for wells to be made safe and equipment removed. In the future, all wells must be made safe within three years of the end of production with another two years allowed to remove all equipment from the ocean. BHP was ordered to finish cleaning up the Griffin field off WA that ceased production more than a decade ago. ExxonMobil must plug 180 wells and dismantle 10 platforms at its Bass Strait operation near Gippsland that it owns with BHP. With selling and delaying becoming more difficult, the industrys last chance to reduce its $56 billion decommissioning bill is to justify leaving equipment in the ocean forever.

On this issue, the board that advises NOPSEMA thinks the industry is not facing up to its obligations. While it has been a legal obligation to fully remove equipment since the 1960s, industry appears to not have had this as the default consideration in their planning, nor have assets been valued on the basis of full removal, said the minutes of a 2020 board meeting obtained via a freedom of information request. Loading Woodside has had two recent setbacks to its plans for in-situ decommissioning, the industry term for leaving stuff in the ocean. In April 2020, Woodside proposed to NOPSEMA that 23 kilometres of pipeline and a parallel cable called an umbilical at its Echo Yodel field off WA, that together contained 400 tonnes of plastic, remain on the seabed forever.

Woodside argued that environmental damage from the plastic that could take centuries to break down would be outweighed by the benefit from providing a structure on the seabed for a reef. It appears Woodsides reasoning was not accepted and the company now plans to remove both the pipeline and the umbilical, according to a consultation paper it released in November 2021. The cost to remove this tiny part of Woodsides offshore infrastructure could be as high as $150 million, according to plans lodged with the regulator. Woodside also wanted to dump an 83 metre-long piece of equipment on the seabed near WAs Ningaloo Marine Park as part of an artificial reef. Its original plan to tow it to shore to be dismantled had been made impossible due to its poor maintenance of the structure. The dumping application was withdrawn in October 2021. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment told a Senate committee it had formed a preliminary view that the plan violated an international convention on marine pollution.

In December, NOPSEMA reminded the industry it is only allowed to leave equipment in the ocean indefinitely if it results in a better environmental outcome than full removal. Demonstrating this is a high hurdle for companies to justify not fully reflecting the cost of removal on their balance sheets. Loading If Woodside succeeds in buying BHPs petroleum division it will likely be heavily impacted by the new more robust approach to regulating decommissioning. The report by Advisian that estimated the coming surge of decommissioning work to cost $US40.5 billion identified two areas where 74 per cent of the spend will occur: the North Carnarvon Basin off WAs Pilbara coast and the Gippsland Basin off Victoria.
Queensland authorities say there are no plans to close aged-care facilities to visitors amid what the Chief Health Officer described as the very different situation posed by Omicron compared with previous years of the pandemic.

The state reported seven COVID deaths and 15,122 new known infections on Monday in what is the states deadliest day of the pandemic.

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard braced people for further deaths among the infected.

Asked if any of the seven deaths were among people in aged care, he said there had been quite a few as expected, owing to the nature of even typical flu seasons.
Teachers unions are pushing back against plans to allow school staff who have been in close contact with a COVID case to skip isolation and keep working on-site, warning the looming change will increase the risk of the coronavirus spreading through school communities.

Principals are already bracing for a potentially severe staff shortage in term one that threatens to disrupt plans for a statewide resumption of face-to-face learning.

School and early learning staff will be exempted from COVID-19 isolation rules requiring close contacts to isolate at home for seven days. Credit:Eddie Jim

But unions for the government and non-government school sectors are warning the planned relaxation of isolation rules risks increasing the number of COVID-19 cases, particularly among unvaccinated schoolchildren.

School and early learning staff have been placed on a list of essential workers who from Wednesday will be exempted from COVID-19 isolation rules requiring close contacts to isolate at home for seven days.
WA Premier Mark McGowan is raising the alarm that COVID-19 is likely circulating in the community undetected as a cluster linked to a massage spa in Applecross grows, and WAs active Omicron cases rise to 81.

We need everyone in Perth and Peel to take this situation very seriously, he said.

We now have some community spread of Omicron in Perth. We know it spreads fast and easily. In the past seven days weve now recorded a total of 18 local cases. From Midland to Northbridge. From Victoria Park to West Swan, Cannington to Applecross and Mount Lawley to Jandakot.

Mr McGowan called on the community to again follow public health advice after several cases of Omicron were found to be infectious in the community since January 6.
Perths COVID-19 vaccination rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is the worst out of all capital cities in Australia but West Australian Premier Mark McGowan says the state government has done about all it can to get Indigenous people to get jabbed before the borders open.

Only 57.28 per cent of the 27,059 Indigenous people who are on the countrys immunisation register in Perth have had two doses of vaccine as of last Wednesday.

The worst place for vaccination rates of Indigenous people in Australian capital cities is Perth. Credit:Justin McManus

About 40 per cent of WAs Indigenous population lives in the city, but the rest of the state has also lagged with its regional vaccination rate at 53 per cent for two doses.

The vaccination rollout started in February with Indigenous people among the first cohorts to be eligible but first-dose rates were only around 20 per cent as late as September across WA.
Seoul: North Korea has fired two suspected short-range ballistic missiles from an airport in its capital city of Pyongyang, South Koreas military reported, the fourth test this month to demonstrate its expanding missile arsenal.

Japan also reported the Monday launch, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno condemning it as a threat to peace and security.

In less than two weeks, nuclear-armed North Korea has conducted three other missile tests, an unusually rapid series of launches. It said two of them involved single hypersonic missiles capable of high speed and manoeuvring after launch, while a test on Friday involved a pair of short-range ballistic missiles fired from train cars.

North Korea conducted a missile test from a train in North Pyongan Province on January 14. Credit:KCNA/AP

The latest launch appeared to involve two SRBMs fired east from Sunan Airfield in Pyongyang, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. The missiles fired travelled about 380 kilometres to a maximum altitude of 42km.
For a figure as important, influential, and eloquent as the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it should come as no surprise that he has been memorialized many times over the years onstage. Most recently on Broadway, he was seen in both of Robert Schenkkan's docudramas about Lyndon Johnson's presidency, All the Way (2014) and The Great Society (2019), and in Katori Hall's imagining of Dr. King's last night in The Mountaintop (2011).

But long before he was interpreted in the words of other artists, Dr. King could be found onstage in an evening composed almost entirely of his own words, less than a decade after he was assassinated. In I Have a Dream, which played in Washington, DC, Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia before reaching Broadway in 1976, Billy Dee Williams played Dr. King in a production constructed from his speeches and sermons, interspersed with musical interludes by a small ensemble. The show was conceived and directed by Robert Greenwald and adapted by Josh Greenfeld.

Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett starred in Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, directed by Kenny Leon, at Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

( Joan Marcus)

Taking on such an iconic character only eight years after his death was surely a daunting challenge, but I Have a Dream had the support of Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King. During an early preview of the show at Ford's Theatre, she took to the stage during the curtain call and led the audience in singing "We Shall Overcome." The Associated Press reported that Mrs. King planned to see the production again with her family when it played Atlanta following the Washington engagement. At Ford's Theatre, she sat with US Representative Andrew Young.

While Williams was still a few years away from his galactic adventures as Lando Calrissian in The Empire Strikes Back, he was already a major star, following his roles in Brian's Song, Lady Sings the Blues, and Mahagony, among others, declared to be "the Black Clark Gable" by the mid-1970s. The pre-Broadway tour overlapped with the release of the film The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, in which he played the title role alongside James Earl Jones and Richard Pryor.

Speaking to the Associated Press in 1976, Williams talked about his preparation of watching films of Dr. King, until it became too much for him. "As I read his words," said Williams, "I invited him to enter my mind and body so I could understand in the most intimate way how he lived and dreamed. Suddenly I felt the strangest sensation, as though some outside force were taking charge of me. It was frightening, and I quickly shook it off." He went on to say, "Finally I stopped looking at the films because I didn't want to be intimidated by them. I had to reach the characterization in an honest, natural way. I had to fall into my own interpretation of Martin Luther King, not merely an imitation."

Billy Dee Williams played Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in I Have a Dream.

( Gage Skidmore)

A United Press International review said of the show, "This is a must-see production for those who took part in the civil rights movement and marches; tears abound among the spectators reliving the experience of the late '50s and '60s." The Associated Press review by William Glover concluded with, "The events being recalled are vivid part of every spectator's past. That, with Mr. Williams' skilled and infinitely detailed performance are the theatrical essence of I Have a Dream.'"

The New York Times wrote, "It is an evening for memory, recognition and gratitude. It could have been better put togetherbut the time for a genuine play on Martin Luther King is not yet. We are too close to the events, and the real actors are still alive in the newsreels of our memories."

I Have a Dream played a total of eight previews and 88 performances on Broadway, with Moses Gunn succeeding Williams late in the run. It was filmed for television, during its Philadelphia run, but Greenwald has said he does not believe it was ever broadcast or released. Some (but hardly all) of the other plays that would portray Dr. King in subsequent years, as both a leading and supporting character, include The Man in Room 306 by Craig Allen Edwards, Smoldering Fires by Kermit Frazier, Appomattox by Christopher Hampton, The Great Society by Alexander Harrington, The Conscientious Objector by Michael Murphy, I Am a Man by OyamO, The Meeting by Jeff Stetson, and Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin by Michael Benjamin Washington. Dr. King was also portrayed in Richard Allen and Taran Gray's Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. addresses the 1957 Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom from the Lincoln Memorial.

( Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files)

That last production was not the first time the character of Dr. King has appeared in a musical, but an early effort proved very troubled, to say the least. In 1990, King: A Musical Testimony, employed a series of creative talents on its way to a short run in London's West End. The British composer was Richard Blackford, while at various times Ron Milner and Richard Nelson were bookwriters, with Lonne Elder III receiving the final credit. The succession of directors began with Gotz Friedrich, then Graham Vick, and it opened under the direction Clarke Peters, a member of the show's cast of more than three dozen actors; John Caird was an adviser throughout the musical's development.

King's lyrics were by Maya Angelou; however, Angelou's dissatisfaction with the project led her to speak out against it, saying, "None of the power of King's personality or faith comes across. It makes him look a small man, not very great and not even very bright." Angelou would be succeeded by Alistair Beaton. Coretta withdrew her support as well, and the King estate let it be known publicly that it was considering legal action against the show, though Mrs. King's endorsement was subsequently reinstated before the show's opening. The production ran less than two months, including previews.

His presence onstage is only a small part of Martin Luther King's legacy. But with the majority of the examples above coming in the last 20 years, it would seem that as we gain ever more perspective, he proves ever more fascinating. May Dr. King's legacy be celebrated on our stages for years to come.
Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear speaks to the press at the Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.
Work crews work repair damage Nov. 10 that had caused the closure of the Sunshine Bridge in October.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee gives his annual State of the State address, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash.
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BAINBRIDGE - Zilphia "Zippy" Tobey Furman, 86, passed into heaven following a brief illness with her family by her side. She was born on Jan. 4, 1936. Zippy graduated from Bainbridge High School and lived in Bainbridge for most of her life. She retired from Amphenol Corporation. Zippy enjoye
Police officers wear face masks as they patrol the city centre in Manchester, England, on Oct. 20, 2020. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

2 Arrested in UK in Connection With Texas Synagogue Hostage-Taker

Two teenagers have been arrested in the United Kingdom, in connection with a British national who took four hostages at a Texas Synagogue on Saturday, police have said.

As part of the ongoing investigation into the attack that took place at a Synagogue in Texas on 15 January 2022, Officers from the Counter Terror Policing North West have made two arrests in relation to the incident, a counter-terrorism police unit of the Greater Manchester Police said on Sunday.

Two teenagers were detained in South Manchester this evening, the police added in the statement posted on Twitter. They remain in custody for questioning.

#UPDATE | Counter Terrorism Policing North West update following the events in Texas: pic.twitter.com/Q3o08bc8Js  Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) January 16, 2022

The FBI identified British national Malik Faisal Akram, 44, from the industrial town of Blackburn in the north of England, as the hostage-taker on Sunday.

Akram, who was killed by an FBI SWAT team at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, near Forth Worth, had been heard demanding the release of female Pakistani-born neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui as he held the hostages for a 10-hour standoff.

All hostages, one of whom was the rabbi of the synagogue, survived the ordeal uninjured. The rabbi had been performing Sabbath services at the time of the siege.

Siddiqui was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan and is serving an 86-year sentence at Carswell Air Force Base about 15 miles away from the synagogue after being sentenced in 2010 by a New York federal court.

Akrams brother, Gulbar, posted on the Blackburn Muslim Communitys Facebook page that Akram suffered from mental illness and said the family had spent all night at the local police station liaising with Faisal [Akram], the negotiators, FBI etc.

They managed to convince Akram to release one of the hostages unharmed after six hours of negotiations.

Law enforcement officials gather at Colleyville Elementary School near the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

But Gulbar wrote, There was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender.

He said the FBI was due to fly into the United Kingdom later today, saying that the family, as a result, could say little more.

We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologize wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident, the brother wrote.

He added that the family suffered the death of a younger sibling barely three months ago, said that the familys priority now is to have Akrams body returned to the United Kingdom for his Funeral prayers, although we have been warned it could take weeks.

It is not clear whether Akram took his own life or was slain by members of the FBI hostage rescue team.

Reuters contributed to this article.
Three men who escaped the Barkly Work Camp on Saturday, Jan.15, 2022. (Photo by NTPFES)

3 Men Escape Correctional Facility in Australias Northern Territory

Northern Territory Police have stepped up their search for three men who escaped from the Barkly Work Camp in Tennant Creek on Saturday night at around 11:30 p.m.

According to an NT Police media release, the trio, Ezra Austral (23 years), Richard Henwood (37), and Maximus Cutta (20), fled the facility after removing their electronic monitoring devices.

They are believed to be heading towards Darwin in either a silver 1996 Nissan Navara two-door tray back ute, NT registration CD95HC, or a white 2005 Holden Rodeo dual-cab utility with WA plates.

All three men were wearing prison-issued clothing at the time of their escape, two dressed in yellow shirts, one in a green shirt, and all wearing blue shorts.

Territory Duty Superintendent Mark Malogorski said that the Territory Response Group, Crime Command, and general duties officers are all involved in the search for the escapees, with roadblocks having been set up north and south of Tennant Creek and in the Katherine region.

We ask the community to be on the lookout for the three men and the vehicles they are believed to be travelling in. Any sightings or other information should be reported immediately on 131 444. The men should not be approached.

The Epoch Times contacted NT Police on Monday morning and were informed that the men are still at large, with no further updates on their potential whereabouts.

The Barkly Work Camp is a low-security correctional facility two kilometres from Tenant Creek town centre, which aims to educate and rehabilitate prisoners through training, education, employment, and work programs.

It holds open-security prisoners, so no sex offenders or prisoners of public interest are placed at the camp.

Prisoners must follow a strict regime that involves giving back to the community through working on community enhancements, maintenance and beautification projects.

The news of the breakout comes after the Northern Territory government closed one of its youth detention centres after four inmates at an Alice Springs prison were diagnosed with COVID-19.

Territory Families, Housing and Communities, said the four, who are are being held on remand or have been sentenced to custody, are asymptomatic and are being kept medically isolated to avoid spreading the virus to other prisoners.

A doctor attends the (facility) morning (and) afternoon each day to assess and monitor the health of the young people, a spokeswoman said in a statement provided to AAP on Friday.

The NT has also suspended the intake of detainees to the correctional facility.

In line with COVID management plans, young people are being transferred to Don Dale Youth Detention Centre (near Darwin), the spokeswoman said.
Loudoun County mother Shawntel Cooper (Top 3rd L) experienced an emotional moment in the State Capitol as the new Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (C) signed an executive order to ban the teaching of critical race theory in public education on Jan. 15, 2022. (Courtesy of Brandon Jarvis of Virginia Scope)

A Very Strong Start: Virginia Parents Applaud New Governors Focus on CRT, Education

A lot was at stake for parents in Virginia as their new governor Glenn Youngkin took office on Jan. 15. They worked hard to get the Republican votes, and parental rights were the decisive issue for his narrow victory in the gubernatorial election.

So far, parents dont seem to be disappointed.

On his first day in office, Youngkin signed three executive orders relating to education: banning Critical Race Theory (CRT) in public education, ending the mask mandate in school, and authorizing an investigation of Loudoun County Public Schools regarding the alleged mishandling of two sexual assault cases on school grounds.

Inherently divisive concepts, like Critical Race Theory and its progeny, instruct students to only view life through the lens of race and presumes that some students are consciously or unconsciously racist, sexist, or oppressive, and that other students are victims, stated Youngkins first executive order.

Shawntel Cooper, a mother from northern Virginias Loudoun County whose speech against CRT at a school board meeting last year put a national spotlight on parents concern about the issue, attended the signing of the executive orders in the governors office in Richmond.

I tried not to cry, but I couldnt hold it in, Cooper told The Epoch Times. Its a win for kids, family, and freedomknocking down the barrier that one size suits all. It was really emotional for me to have my daughter be there and watch the signatures happening. It was so empowering, and I was honored.

Our leaders really did what they said they were going to do on day one.

Shawntel Coopers daughter Khloe with Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin in Youngkins office in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Courtesy of Shawntel Cooper)

Cooper and other parents across the state and country have protested the transmission of CRT ideas in the public school system, through administration policies, training to teachers, and instruction to students. CRT is a quasi-Marxist analysis that breaks down society into oppressor and oppressed groups based on race.

Scott Mineo, the founder of the Loudoun-based advocacy group Parent against Critical Theory, also expressed appreciation for the measures.

It was a very strong start into a very strong day one, Mineo told The Epoch Times.

Previously, Mineo had been skeptical of Youngkins campaign promise of banning CRT. In Mineos view, CRT is a framework that keeps changing its manifestations in public schools, such as under banners like inclusivity and social-emotional learning. Without understanding the core of CRT as a lens to frame all issues by race, a leader wouldnt be able to ban it effectively, he said. In other words, banning CRT without banning its tenets wouldnt go anywhere.

But, Youngkin addressed exactly the concern in a Fox News interview on Sunday. We actually went at the tenets of CRT. We went at the tenets of racially divisive concepts because thats exactly where the underpinning of CRT is embedded in our schools in Virginia, the governor said. Youngkin added that a course titled critical race theory was not the issue.

Loudoun County Public Schools, like other school administrators around the country, deny that CRT is being taught to students.

Meanwhile, legislative efforts have also been initiated to tackle this issue. First-term Republican delegate Wren Wiliams introduced a bill on Jan. 12, the first day of the General Assembly session, to hold educators accountable for teaching divisive concepts by making it a criminal offense. It would allow affected parents to tap into public fundings to transfer their child to a different school or for home schooling.

The bill also proposes that Virginia students be required to learn the founding documents of the United Statesthe Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, etc.

My goal in carrying this legislation is to stand for Martin Luther King Jrs visionan America where our kids are NOT judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, Williams said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, adding that he wanted to end Critical Race Theory at its very root, in all its forms.

Sexual Assaults in Loudoun Schools

Following Youngkins executive order, Virginias new Attorney General Jason Miyares announced on Jan. 15 that the investigation into an alleged cover-up of sexual assaults in Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) was officially open.

The assaults refer to two incidents last year involving the same teenage boy offender.

On Jan. 12, the 15-year-old boy was sentenced to probation in a locked residential facility until his 18th birthday and ordered to register as a sex offender.

The boy was found guilty on in October on accounts of forcible sodomy and forcible fellatio inside a bathroom at Stone Bridge High School on May 28. In November, he pleaded no contest to felony abduction and misdemeanor sexual battery charges for another assault that occurred in a Broad Run High School classroom on Oct. 6. On Jan. 12, a Loudoun judge ruled him guilty on all four charges.

LCPS was accused of missteps in allowing the boy to attend another high school while awaiting trial for the first assault. Superintendent Scott Ziegler has also drawn harsh criticism for allegedly concealing his knowledge of the May 28 sexual assault at a school board meeting in June. The public outcry prompted to county to hire a law firm to conduct an investigation into its handling of the assaults.

We are thankful for our Governor Glenn Youngkin, Jessica and Scott Smith, parents of the victim in the May incident, told The Epoch Times. Finally, sanity and transparency is returning to government.

A day before the new governors inauguration, the Loudoun County School Board announced that LCPS had appointed a new interim Title IX coordinator. Going forward, it said it would employ a full-time Title IX coordinator and additional investigation staff to conduct a review of all harassment complaints reported in the past 12 months.

In response, the Smiths said that the steps were too little, too late to help our child, and are little more than cosmetic in nature in an effort to save their own skin.

In the same statement, the school board said it would not release the report by the law firm that had conducted the independent investigation because the privacy of the families involved must be protected.

The school boards statement continued, The national interest in this investigation would preclude any chance of allowing the families to heal in private and to move forward with dignity.

It added that the report was also withheld because it fell under protections of the attorney-client privilege.

The Smiths disagreed with LCPS decision. They told The Epoch Times on Jan. 14: How can an outside independent investigation, funded by the taxpayers, not be released and is instead kept secret from the public? Quite simply, the school system cant have it both ways, and their actions are completely unacceptable.

We believe that once again LCPS continues to engage in an active cover-up and are attempting to avoid being accountable to the victims and their families, they added.

Jessica Mendez, board member of Fight for Schools, a Loudoun County advocacy group for parents, applauded the investigation by the new attorney general.

We feel validated in a way and that our concerns are real and genuine, and that something needs to happen. People need to be held accountable, Mendez told The Epoch Times.

Having the support of the leadership in Richmond is critical, she said, referring to the states capital. Mendez said that Fight for Schools would continue driving changes in schools while leveraging Richmonds support as air cover.

LCPS hasnt responded to Epoch Times inquiry regarding its response to the state investigation.
Austria Tweaks Vaccine Mandate Plan, to Come in Next Month

BERLINThe Austrian government on Sunday presented revised plans for its proposed COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which it said will now apply to all residents age 18 and over, rather than 14 as originally intended. Officials said that a phased introduction will give people plenty of opportunity to comply.

The government announced nearly two months ago that it would implement a general vaccine mandate early this year. In early December, it produced a first draft, calling for the measure to be introduced in February and foreseeing fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,100) for people who flout it.

Key aspects of the plan remain in the final version, which the government aims to have parliament approve on Thursday, but officials said consultations with two opposition parties and others showed the need for significant changes to details. Chancellor Karl Nehammer said there had been concern about teenagers being punished, hence the change in the age limit.

The bill is conceived in such a way that it responds to the flexibility of the virus, Nehammer told reporters in Vienna.

The plan is for the vaccine mandate to become law at the beginning of February. In the first phase, authorities will write to every household to inform them of the new rules. Pregnant women and people who for medical reasons cant be vaccinated will be exempted; so will people who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the past six months.

From mid-March, police will start checking peoples vaccination status during routine checks; people who cant produce proof of vaccination will be asked in writing to do so, and will be fined up to 600 euros ($685) if they dont.

If authorities judge vaccination progress still to be insufficient, they would then send reminders to people who remain unvaccinated, Nehammer said. If that still doesnt work, people would be sent a vaccination appointment and fined if they dont keep it. Officials hope they wont need to use the last measure. Fines could reach 3,600 euros if people contest their punishment and full proceedings are opened.

Karoline Edtstadler, the Cabinet minister responsible for constitutional issues, said individuals could be fined a maximum four times per year and there is no provision for them to serve jail time instead of paying up.

A commission containing at least two medical and two legal experts will report to the government and parliament every three months on vaccination progress. Parts of the legislation could be suspended by the health minister, with approval from a parliamentary committee, if for example future variants are milder or the experts say vaccination is no longer the way forward, Edtstadler said.

The plan was drawn up at the same time as a now-lifted lockdown was imposed in November, amid concern that Austrias vaccination rate is comparatively low for Western Europe. As of Sunday, 71.6 percent of the population of 8.9 million was considered fully vaccinated.

Without obligatory vaccination, we will always lag behind, Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein said. He said the current omicron variant wont be the last and its unclear how stable immunity after an infection with omicron is.

All experts believe that we will need high overall immunity in the population next fall as well, Mueckstein said. With this vaccine mandate, we will succeed in achieving these important additional percentage points in the vaccination rate.

By Geir Moulson
Authorities Step Up Patrols of Southern California Synagogues

LOS ANGELESLos Angeles-area law enforcement authorities are monitoring local Jewish houses of worship following a 12-hour standoff with a suspect at a synagogue in suburban Dallas who held four people hostage before he was shot and killed.

All of the hostages, including a rabbi, were released unharmed, Texas authorities said late on Jan. 15.

They did not disclose whether the suspect was killed by law enforcement officers or a self-inflicted gunshot.

Grateful the hostages are safe, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tweeted. @LAPDHQ has worked to communicate with our local Jewish & Muslim community leaders thru out the day and augmented patrols. We remain in close contact with our Federal Intel partners for any potential connection to LA.

No threats were reported in Southern California.

The armed suspect entered Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, outside the Dallas/Fort Worth area, shortly after 10:30 am Saturday while services were being livestreamed on Facebook.

The incident sparked concern within the Los Angeles-area Jewish community and prompted the stepped-up response from local law enforcement agencies.

Were closely following a hostage situation that is taking place at a synagogue in Colleyville, TX, the Los Angeles Police Department tweeted Saturday afternoon. Were working with our federal partners, increasing patrols around synagogues in LA as a precautionary measure, and conducting community outreach to ensure the safety of Angelenos.

Police in Beverly Hills took similar action.

Due to the ongoing hostage situation at a synagogue in Texas and out of an abundance of caution, the Beverly Hills Police Department will be increasing patrols around our Jewish houses of worship, the Beverly Hills Police Department tweeted. There is no threat to public safety in our community.

Still, local Jewish religious leaders vowed to remain vigilant.

Once again synagogues and Jewish schools must elevate their defensive measures, not only against neo-Nazis, but Islamist terrorism and violent hate, Rabbi Marvin Hier, CEO and Founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Abraham Cooper, an associate dean at the center and director of Global Social Action said in a joint statement.

As we pray for the safety of the hostages, it is up to all Americans committed to the safety of our nation to ensure that all houses of worship will be safe from future attacks.

Rabbi Noah Farkas, president & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, called the hostage takers action a sobering reminder of the threats of antisemitism that continue to face Jewish communities both across the United States and here in Los Angeles. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles mission is to keep our beloved Jewish community as safe and secure as possible and we are coordinating with local law enforcement and our own Community Security Initiative (CSI).

Let us also remember that we are not defined by antisemitism. Antisemitism is a consequence not a cause. To be a Jew is to love life, redemption, peace and justice.
Planning for a photoshoot, mom Sara Clark, 26, bought a pair of miniature, identical wooden cribs made of rustic wood for her twin boys. In one would lie her lively son Owen, wrapped in a cozy blanket; the other crib would remain empty. Online, she ordered a pair of tiny angel wingsto fill the place of Parker, Owens twin brother in heaven.

After a precarious pregnancy and premature birth, the mom from Morrisville, North Carolina, knew that Owens coming home from the hospital was an occasion worth celebrating. From a Facebook parent support group, she got an idea for a photoshoot worth cherishing forever but wanted to somehow include Parker, the sibling who didnt survive.

It was very emotional for both our family and our photographer. She did an amazing job, Sara told The Epoch Times. Our photoshoot was about a week or two after Owen came home.

Owen, who is now thriving, traversed a perilous road to recovery.

Last May, Sara and her husband, Bronson, 28, learned they were having twin boys. Sitting together in a hospital room, they joked about how crazy it would be to have twins when the doctor returned to complete the ultrasound.

We were absolutely floored. We couldnt believe it but we were ecstatic, she said. We both laughed so hard in disbelief when we saw two little babies on the screen.

These two precious bundles were to complete the young family. Sara, a medical sales rep, and Bronson, a chaplain assistant in the Army Reserve, also have two healthy, strapping toddlers, Brooks and McKenzie.

However, at around five months into her pregnancy, amniotic fluid in the sac surrounding one of the babies, Parker, began increasing at an unhealthy rate. Saras doctor became concerned.

Saras pregnancy journey with Parker and Owen started out similar to her previous pregnancies, she said. She had morning sickness, but other than that, she felt great. Then, at around 25 weeks, things started to change.

I was getting bigger by, what felt like, the minute, she said. My doctor asked me to stop traveling for work, and working out. I was constantly contracting at this point, throughout the day.

At 27 weeks, she went into preterm labor, which doctors succeeded in halting, giving the babies steroids to help in the event they did come early. But over the next few weeks, concern grew that the boys were experiencing twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, or TTTS.

A rare condition that occurs when blood moves from one twin to another while in the womb, TTTS causes multiple complications. After three weeks of constant close monitoring, Saras waters broke. She was just 30 weeks.

Efforts made to stop labor were to no avail, and medics elected to do an emergency C-section.

At this point, both boys appeared to be perfectly healthy on ultrasounds and their heart rate monitors, said Sara. I remember shaking because I was so nervous. Although I was nervous, I thought the boys were going to be perfectly healthy.

It was while doctors struggled to administer an epidural that Saras instincts strongly kicked in.

All of a sudden, I had an uneasy feeling that something was wrong, she said.

The procedure began, and twin A, Parker, came out first.

No one showed him to me or said anything, the mom added. Then Owen came out and they showed him to us over the curtain. I immediately began to worry.

An NICU doctor told the desperate couple that they were performing CPR, but Parker was not responding.

It didnt look like he was going to make it, she said. He told my husband that he should come see him if he wanted to see him in his last few moments alive.

My husband was hesitant to leave me, but I insisted our son should not die in a room full of strangers. I was devastated. I was crying and praying out loud to God to please save my son.

A few moments later, the same doctor came back and told Sara that Parker was alive.

His vitals jumped the moment my husband walked in the room, Sara said. The doctor and nurses all talked about this being a miracle. I was so relieved.

Baby Owen also had health complications, but was placed on a ventilator and was stable. It was only later in the day that one of the doctors returned to Sara and Bronson to tell them Parker wasnt going to make it, and he was not sure how much time he had left.

We immediately ran to Parkers bedside, she said. It was earth shattering. It felt like someone tore my heart out of my chest.

When they knew it was not going to be long, they allowed me to hold Parker for the very first time. His vitals were quickly going down.

My husband and I sat there holding him for hours. I did not want to let go.

After Parkers passing, the couple wanted to hold a memorial service straightaway, but opted to wait on account of the pandemic.

When Owen finally came home after a three-month hospital stay, Sara arranged for a treasured family friend to take the poignant pictures.

The photoshoot meant the world to me Sara said. I will cherish those photos forever.

Sara describes Owen as the sweetest little boy who loves being held and cuddled, adding, There were times that we were worried he wouldnt make it, but he was so strong. He is our little fighter.

The family is planning to hold a memorial service for Parker on the first anniversary of his passing.

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Beyond K-12: Experts Explain How Woke Culture is Also Destroying Academia, Corporations, and the Military

Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier: 'It really came on strongly after the death of George Floyd'

On Jan. 2, The Epoch Times reported how lower expectations and the shift in focus from academic excellence in K-12 education toward the implementation of social constructs like critical race theory equals fewer literate graduates. Beyond K-12, four experts explain how woke culture is also destroying academia, corporations, and the military.

Our Universities and the Student Population

Based on his 50 years of experience, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry Jon Zubieta at Syracuse Universitys College of Arts and Sciences believes the most decisive defeat for common sense in our universities has been the introduction of offices for diversity, inclusiveness, and equity.

As an educator, I spend much of my day in contact with students, Zubieta told The Epoch Times. In my experience, the student population has undergone a sea change in attitude and general knowledge. Until fairly recently, these young scholars were inquisitive, ambitious and somewhat rebellious, and iconoclastic, as young people should be. These characteristics have been replaced by conformity to the woke orthodoxy, and heaven help you if you deviate. This docility is reinforced with what seems total ignorance of economics, civics, and the Western cultural heritage that provides the foundation for our society. In fact, it goes well beyond ignorance as it is manifested in antagonism toward the glories of western culture and civilization. We are a society that has become unmoored from its past; a society that has lost cultural confidence; in fact, a society that is now busily destroying its own cultural heritage.

It was only ten years ago or so that I began to notice the encroachments of critical race theory-driven demands into the sciences, he said, adding that the most obvious intrusion of the new wokeism was the mandatory diversity statement in proposals for NSF funding. Back when I started my career, such a waste of proposal space would not have been tolerated. Now, an unsatisfactory diversity statement can get your proposal triaged without further review.

Screenshot from Syracuse University website of Professor Jon Zubietas profile page shortly after he was placed on administrative leave for using the terms Wuhan Flue and Chinese Communist Party Virus in his syllabus. (Photo Credit The College Fix)

Zubieta knows first-hand how an unsatisfactory statement can affect a career. In August 2020, Zubieta was placed on administrative leave following student complaints about his use of the terms Wuhan Flu and Chinese Communist Party Virus in his syllabus. He has since been reinstated.

Screenshot of August 25, 2020 post on Twitter by @casatino of Professor Jon Zubietas syllabus. (Twitter)

The message is clear: toe the line or cancel your career, Zibieta asserted. These all-powerful bureaucracies are totally obsessed with race and gender. They are the proverbial hammer, so everything is a nail. Their raison detre is to ferret out bias, so they find bias everywhere. The most trivial incident can destroy a career. These bureaucratic drones are so desperate for instances of bias that they have discovered or manufactured the existence of microaggressions.

Wokeism Is Affecting Academia Because Academia Is Where it Starts

Professor of Law Emeritus at the Cleveland State University David Barnhizer. (Courtesy of David Barnhizer)

Professor David Barnhizer is incredibly concerned about whats happening in the schools. Barnhizer is Professor of Law Emeritus at the Cleveland State University. He received law degrees from the Ohio State University where he graduated summa cum laude and from Harvard University where he was a Ford Foundation Urban Law Fellow, a Clinical Teaching Fellow, and earned a Master of Laws degree before going into teaching law. He has taught classes on The Economics of Poverty at the University of Colorado, on human rights in St. Petersburg, Russia, and at the University of Westminster in London.

Wokeism is affecting academia because academia is where it starts, Barnhizer told The Epoch Times. While he was once supportive of Affirmative Action in hiring, he now sees how universities have hired so many people who are woke and part of the diversity, equity, and inclusion mindset that they are now pretty much in charge of the universities and the coddled, illiterate students graduating high school go on to universities where the low expectations continue. That a lot of todays K-12 teachers are disciples of what they learned in universities, Barnhizer sees them passing on their wokeness to this generation, which has become more radical and violent.

Book cover of Defending K-12 Education Against the New Racism, written by David Barnhizer. (Courtesy of David Barnhizer)

Barnhizer, who has now retired from teaching, lamented the aggressive nature of todays woke students and how they thrive on threats, bullying, and confrontation. He cited how Zubieta was attacked on social media by students. In his book Defending K-12 Education Against the New Racism, Barnhizer talks about how even Johnny Lydonthe Sex Pistols punk rock frontman otherwise known as Johnny Rottenblamed wokeness and cancel culture for the horribly tempestuous spoilt children coming out of colleges and universities with [expletive] for brains.

I could not teach them, Barnhizer confessed. I cared about teaching my students to think. But to think you have to have something up there to think with. You have to be able to think properly because thinking leads to conclusions, and the woke dont want anything to get in the way of undermining their own conclusions.

Its a new religion, Barnhizer insisted. If you deviate from that youre a heretic. Youre committing blasphemy and they will ostracize you from society. They have the truth, and anyone who doesnt share that truth is a bad person and they feel entitled to do whatever they need to do to shut you up or hurt you, and if you dont share their views, youre an extremist and they will figure out how to get rid of you.

Companies Are Hiring on the Basis of Surface Characteristics Rather Than Merit

National Center for Public Policy Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the National Centers Free Enterprise Project, Scott Shepard. (Courtesy of Scott Shepard)

Scott Shepard, a fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research, deputy director of the National Centers Free Enterprise Project, and speaker for Stop Corporate Tyranny, believes the same woke teaching that is destroying K-12 education and the academic standards in our nations colleges and universities is also wreaking havoc on corporate America.

The Black Lives Matter culture says asking students to give the right answer and getting the right solutions is racist. This is the bigotry of racism on steroids, Scott told The Epoch Times. Then its racist or discriminatory not to give jobs to people who simply arent qualified for them and when we give jobs to people who arent qualified, nothing is going to work anymore. These people are not going to be able to compete. You cant deny reality forever and expect people who dont know any math to build bridges.

Scott also noted how some companies have explicitly said theyre hiring on the basis of surface characteristics rather than merit. The airlines have started saying theyre going to have minimum quotas for pilots. Youd think if theres some place in the world where you would only hire only the ability to fly a plane, that would be it.

In April, United Airlines announced its 10-year plan to have half of its pilots be women and people of color.

Its insane, Scott insisted. If all the wokesters were really serious about all of this, we could have some real-world experiments. We could test the proposition with all this infrastructure money. We could build two highway bridges side by sideone built by people picked only on the basis of merit and one picked from woke academia based on surface characteristics without regard to whether they can do mathand warn people as they come up and see which bridge they take. Nobodys going to go over the bridge based on woke or critical race theory teaching criteria. Nobody is going to do that and yet they want to deny the importance of knowledge, hard work, and merit and then saddle companies with people who wont work. Notice the diversity these companies want; theyre not looking for diversity of viewpoint so there are new ideas in the room. They want absolute agreement about politics and want everyone to be hard left and have the same vision of the future. What they want is surface characteristic diversity. But that proves theyre just playing quota games rather than really being interested in the long-term benefit of the corporations.

The Highly Politicized Military

Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier (Courtesy of Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier)

According to Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Lohmeier, the destruction caused by diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives isnt limited to K-12, higher academia, and corporate America. Lohmeier, a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, saw first-hand how the woke culture is undermining the military. After writing his book, Irresistible Revolution: Marxisms Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military, Lohmeier was removed from command because he denounced Marxism and critical race theory.

Irresistible Revolution, by Matthew Lohmeier (Courtesy of Matthew Lohmeier)

In August, Lohmeier shared his story with Epoch Times Senior Editor Jan Jekielek. During an interview on Jekieleks American Thought Leaders program, Lohmeier revealed his last day in the service would be Sept. 1. While his request for early retirement was denied, officials granted separation. He has also lost his military pension. To offset the financial loss, Lohmeier books speaking engagements and added a Donate option to his website.

Sara and Mtthew Lohmeier (Photo courtesy of Matthew Lohmeier)

According to Lohmeier, the planning for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the Defense Department began during the Obama-Biden administration. At a Congressional forum held in March 2012co-hosted by Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and the three Democratic Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucusan assessment (pdf) conducted by former Chairman of the Military Leadership Diversity Commission General Lester Lyles, concluded (pdf) that the military failed to fully implement 14 of 19 recommendations made by the Commission in 2011.

Most service members had no clue that was taking place unless they were directly involved in those planning efforts in the halls of the Pentagon, Lohmeier told The Epoch Times.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the last year of the Trump administration, Lohmeier said there was an extreme push for diversity equity and inclusion initiatives within all federal agencies, including the uniformed services.

It really came on strongly after the death of George Floyd, Lohmeier explained. At the same time, you had a renewed energy of Black Lives Matter and other critical social justice initiatives throughout the country that were actively taking to the streets and actively taking to social media.

Simultaneously, Lohmeier said senior military leaders within the defense department were pushing obvious, apparent left-wing political talking points from their social media accounts and that was being parroted by young service members within all branches of the military.

Even our chief of naval operations, Admiral Michael Gilday ended up having to defend some of his own statements before the Senate Armed Services Committee (pdf) and the House Armed Services Committee (pdf) because he was advocating for his sailors to read Ibram Kendis How to Be an Antiracist, amidst all of this commotion, which advocated for combatting past discrimination with present discrimination. Its a book that demonized the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and our founders and youve got a service chief, someone who sits on the joint chiefs, was advocating that our service members needed to read this.

As this extreme left-wing radicalism began sweeping across the military, Lohmeier said a pushback immediately ensued from various corners of the military. That pushback sparked accusations of racism.

There were instantly insinuations of racism or claims of white supremacy or white nationalism, Lohmeier explained, which really created a climate of fear for our service members, and they became far less willing to speak out against that politicization of our armed forces. The military culture and workplace environment became highly politicized. Certain talking points that tended to be left-leaning in nature became a mainstay of military discourse and to speak up against it and say you disagreed with the politicization of our work environment was to be labeled something that was evil like a racist or a white supremacist. Thats how that began and unfolded throughout 2020 and on into 2021. But it rapidly accelerated under the Biden administration after the election had settled and he appointed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. In fact, on day one of Bidens administration, by executive order, he had undone an executive order of President Trump that had banned the use of Marxist-rooted critical race theory vocabulary in our military as part of our training sessions. Then there was a Secretary of Defense directed Stand Down Day.

According to the Feb. 5, 2021 Department of Defense press release, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed a memo directing commanding officers and supervisors at all levels to select a date within the next 60 days to conduct a one-day stand-down to discuss extremism in the ranks with their personnel.

It was an extremism stand down, which meant everyone was to take a knee from their training or from whatever missions they were performing to discuss radicalism and what was meant by that was right-wing, white supremacist extremism within the ranks, which was a purported problem we were facing, said Lohmeier, who was still in command of a unit at the time. Instantly there began to be a cynicism, a politicization that arose within the armed forces and a loss of trust and confidence in the senior military leaders that I recognized as a commander that was unfolding within the lowest ranks of the tactical level. People were wondering why we were talking about this stuff because it wasnt something that was part of their day-to-day operational mission. As far as I can see, that hasnt gone away. Its only gotten worse now that theres COVID vaccine mandates that have become such a sticking point for senior military leaders and the secretary of defense that theyre now willing to purge the roughly five percent of our service members who arent willing to comply with those mandates against their conscience.

Reports show the purge has already begun.

This Cant Work

Asked what the future holds for academia, corporations, and the military if the course of wokeism continues, all four experts predict the same failure suffered in K-12 education.

The new role of the academic seems to be to sanctify whatever attitudes students bring with them, a sort of obeisance to the tropes of wokeness, Zubieta said. We really must get back to a social theory based on cooperation for attaining just goals. We certainly will not instill such attitudes by encouraging aggressive self-righteousness.

Where do we go from here? Zubieta asked rhetorically. A first step would be to rid academia of diversity offices and return the power to make such decision to the faculty, where it belongs. Since this is unlikely to happen, I am not feeling very optimistic about the future of academia. The raucous, good-naturedly combative, and iconoclastic faculty of the late twentieth century is being replaced by a generation of much more docile and woke young academics. Since the current state of academics is unsustainable, it will not be sustained over time. The question is whether incremental reform is possible or if the whole system must be razed and rebuilt anew.

Barnhizer believes the single most important factor in stemming the tide of wokeism, critical race theory, and Social and Emotional Learning in schools is the rapid rise of parental awareness and the creation of parental organizations committed to resisting the development.

The movement they represent is not only growing but is stimulating a significant political base that transcends political divides because parents see their childrens futures at stake, Barnhizer explained. This parental movement is gaining a range of political allies in local, state, and national contexts and if it continues to develop can provide hope that the tide of one-sided brainwashing being implemented by the Woke and the Crits can be withstood.

What can be done depends on having a clear understanding of where we are and what is being done by the Woke and Crits to capture our educational systems, Barnhizer said further, explaining that a significant part of the strategy involves capturing systemic elements far beyond the educational dimension, including corporations, governmental entities, journalists, social media, the American military, and correcting general discourse.

As for corporate wokeism, Scott believes its going to spin out.

This cant work. Its not a functional model and its also not a legal model, Scott said. You cant explicitly discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or ethnicity. Thats the Fourteenth Amendment and you cant dress up the new racism by calling it anti-racism. Its clearly racism. Its clearly discriminatory. If youre hiring on the basis of anything other than merit, youre going to have a less successful organization. The corporations will work less well, make less money, make worse products have worse outcomes.

Because of the sharp, left-hand turn their military leaders have taken toward wokeness, Lohmeier predicts that, as the active-duty service status of military personnel expires, were going to see further retention issues across all critical career fields within every branch of the military.

There continues to be a degradation of trust. There continues to be a breakdown of good order and discipline and morale and its leading to recruiting and retention issues for all branches of the armed services, Lohmeier said. You have to love what youre doing. You have to believe in the cause youre fighting for. On the one hand, its tough enough to sign up year after year to stay in the service, and on the other these young people who hear about this stuff who are anticipating joining the service are repulsed by the politicization of the armed forces.

Cathy He, Eva Fu, Zachary Stieber, and Jan Jekielek contributed to this report.
The eruption of an underwater volcano off Tonga, which triggered a tsunami warning for several South Pacific island nations, is seen in an image from the NOAA GOES-West satellite taken at 05:00 GMT on Jan. 15, 2022. (CIRA/NOAA/Handout via Reuters)

British Woman Swept Away in Tonga Tsunami While Attempting to Rescue Dogs

Fears are mounting for the safety of a 50-year-old British woman who has been reported missing after being swept away by a 1.2-meter (3.9-foot) tsunami in Tonga on Saturday.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano eruption had caused tsunami waves to hit and flood parts of Tongas capital, Nukualofa. No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported as a result of the tsunami so far.

Angela Glover and her husband were reportedly swept away by the tsunami while attempting to rescue their dogs. Her husband, James, was able to cling to a tree, but Angela was washed away along with her dogs, according to reports.

Angela runs an animal welfare society in Tonga and owns a tattoo shop with her husband.

Her brother, Nick Eleini, who lives in Sydney, Australia, said the couple were house-sitting on the west coast of Tongatapu when the incident happened.

He claimed that one of the dogs had been found, but Angelas whereabouts remain unknown.

James went back to their proper house on the South Coast of the island, but Angela didnt turn up, Eleini told The Guardian, expressing concern for his sisters safety.

He noted that James reported Angelas disappearance to the police and contacted the British embassy in Tonga, where he was provided with a satellite phone to contact her family in the United Kingdom.

Tongas communication lines had been completely cut off due to the tsunami, and were only restored to some parts of the country on Monday. The Australian and New Zealand governments dispatched surveillance flights to the Pacific island on Monday to help restore communications and assess the damage.

Friends and family have also taken to social media seeking information about Angelas whereabouts.

We are still waiting for news and we are hoping, like everyone, that she is found safe and well soon, South Pacific Animal Welfare said on Facebook.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano ejected a plume of ash, gas, and steam at least 20 kilometers (12 miles) into the atmosphere around 5:10 p.m. local time on Saturday in a one-in-1,000-year event, and then again around 5:26 p.m., followed by tsunami waves.

The volcano has been erupting regularly over the past few decades, but the rare atom-bomb-scale eruption on Saturday was felt as far away as Fiji, New Zealand, the United States, and Japan. Tsunami warnings and evacuation orders were also issued in many Pacific countries.

Two people drowned off a beach in Northern Peru due to high waves caused by the tsunami.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Bye, Bye Vaccine Mandate

Commentary

In attempting to impose a vaccine mandate not merely on the federal government but throughout the private sectoron all companies with 100 or more employeesthe Biden administration recognized it faced a constitutional obstacle. Where does the Constitution grant the president or his executive branch the authority to do this?

Bidens chief of staff, Ron Klain, believed there might be a way to dodge this obstacle. He called it a workaround to the Constitution. The administration settled on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), charged with regulating health and safety in the workplace, as the instrument for carrying out this workaround.

It was an ingenious plot, and had it worked, it would have had massive reverberations throughout the country. More than 80 million Americans would have been forced to vaccinate or be subjected to a regular regimen of testing. If they refused, they faced suspensions and firing. Companies faced severe financial penalties for refusing to comply. More broadly, the government would have greatly expanded its power over the lives of citizens.

Fortunately, from my point of view, the plot failed. This isnt an argument about the efficacy of vaccines. Ive never said a public word criticizing the vaccine. Rather, this is about the compulsory power of a regulatory agency of the government. The Supreme Court ruled 63 that no such power has been granted to OSHA either by the Congress or by the Constitution. The Constitution was not written to permit workarounds.

The core of the Courts decision is that, in a democratic society, Congress is the institution that makes laws. The people elect members of Congress and grant them the authority to enact laws on behalf of the people. The role of the executive branch is to carry out or execute those laws. Congress can set up agencies, such as OSHA, with delegated powers to administer particular areas of the law, but those agencies must operate within the parameters of this assigned authority.

The Supreme Court ruled (pdf) that Congress authorized OSHA to set workplace standards, not broad public health measures. OSHAs focus is the health and safety of Americans on the job, not anyplace else. When OSHA was set up a half-century ago, the Court sardonically observed, it didnt seem to have had COVID in mind. OSHA isnt even the primary agency dealing with public health.

Moreover, the Court observed, even on the job, COVID-19 poses different levels of risk depending on the nature of the job. The Biden administrations vaccine mandate operates as a blunt instrument. It draws no distinctions based on industry or risk of exposure. Lifeguards who work outdoors would be subject to it no less than meatpackers who work indoors while pressed closely together. The mandate, in other words, isnt thoughtfully calibrated to mitigate health risk.

If administrative agencies seek to regulate the daily lives and liberties of millions of Americans  they must at least be able to trace that power to a clear grant of authority from Congress, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in his concurring opinion.

Congress, the Court noted, has passed several laws pertaining to COVID-19, including multiple COVID relief packages. Congress clearly could have chosen to legislate a nationwide mandate. But it didnt.

The question before us is not how to respond to the pandemic, Gorsuch wrote, but who holds the power to do so. Quoting a note by former Justice Antonin Scalia, Gorsuch raised the specter of government by bureaucracy supplanting government by the people. Its worth noting the irony here of the Supreme Court, our one unelected branch of government, coming down squarely on the side of democracy and rule by the peoplenot rule by self-styled experts.

The Courts decision drew a sharp warning from legal scholar Kimberly Wehle. She said, Agencies make rules and regulations affecting stock markets, consumer-product safety, the use and trafficking of firearms, environmental protection, workplace discrimination, agriculture, aviation, radio and television communications, financial institutions, federal elections, natural gas and electricity, the construction and maintenance of highways, imports and exports, human and veterinary drugs, and even the licensing and inspection of nuclear-power plants.

True. But the Courts point isnt that we dont need experts, but rather that we need experts who operate within the ambit of their delegated congressional authority. Interestingly, in a minor though related case, the Supreme Court upheld vaccine mandates for health workers in federally funded facilities (pdf). Two conservative justicesJohn Roberts and Brett Kavanaughjoined the three progressives in a 54 decision that basically said the Department of Health and Human Services does have delegated authority to regulate health centers that receive government money.

But even here, four justices dissented, with Justice Clarence Thomas noting the harshness of the rule: It requires millions of healthcare workers to choose between losing their livelihoods and acquiescing to a vaccine they have rejected. Thomas noted that traditionally such powers are left to the states, not the federal government. Moreover, If Congress had wanted to grant  authority to impose a nationwide mandate, and consequently alter the state-federal balance, it would have said so clearly. It did not.

Reading these two decisions, Im impressed by the close reasoning and prudential wisdom of the Court as a whole. One doesnt get from the justices, not even the progressive justices, the sense of craziness and fanaticism that seems to emanate from the Biden administration. The Court was established as a guardian of the Constitution, and through it, of our civil liberties, and also as a check on the excesses of government. In this case, its refreshing to see the Court do its job with such diligence and aplomb.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk introduces one of the first Model 3 cars off the Fremont factory's production line during an event at the company's facilities in Fremont, California, U.S., July 28, 2017. (Reuters/Alexandria Sage)

Canada Opens Probe Into Teslas Heating System Following Consumer Complaints

San FranciscoCanadas auto safety regulator said on Thursday it has opened an investigation into the heating system of Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles following 16 consumer complaints about its performance during cold weather.

Transport Canada said it is concerned that a malfunctioning heating and air-conditioning system may affect windshield defogging/defrosting and therefore driver visibility.

A company is required to notify Transport Canada and all current owners when they become aware of a defect that could affect the safety of a person.  These notices are commonly referred to as safety recalls, it said.

The regulator said it has informed Tesla of the investigation.

Tesla did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. In 2020, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted, Model Y heat pump is some of the best engineering Ive seen in a while.

A number of Tesla owners complained that the heat pumps are failing in extreme cold temperatures, according to Drive Tesla Canada, a Tesla news provider. The report said the heating problems happened even after Tesla early last year replaced faulty sensors in heat pumps in some 2020-2021 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to address the issue.

The U.S. safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, did not have an immediate comment on the issue.

By Hyunjoo Jin
Chinas Birth Rate Fell to Record Low in 2021

Chinas birth rate dropped for a fifth consecutive year to the lowest level since the communist regime took control of the mainland, official data showed on Jan. 17.

The rapidly shrinking birth rate underscores authorities continuing challenges in boosting its population as it grapples with an aging population and an impending shortage of workers. In 2016, it scrapped the nearly five-decade-old one-child policy in a bid to jumpstart population growth, although the high cost of urban living has deterred couples from having more children.

Analysts have warned that Chinas shrinking population could constrain economic growth prospects and interfere with Beijings ambitions.

Last year, 10.62 million babies were born, as the birth rate fell to a fresh low of 7.52 per 1,000 people, the lowest level since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took control of the country in 1949, when the National Statistics Bureau (NBS) began collecting the data.

The natural growth rate of Chinas population, which excludes migration, was only 0.034 percent for 2021, according to the NBS data released on Jan. 17. The figure marks the lowest since 1960, when the great famine caused by the CCPs Great Leap Forward campaign killed an estimated tens of millions.

The demographic challenge is well known but the speed of population aging is clearly faster than expected, said Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management. Zhang suggested that Chinas population may have reached its peak in 2021.

Another expert said the countrys population may already have started to shrink.

A newborn baby in a private obstetric hospital in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on Feb. 21, 2020. (Getty Images)

NBS data shows there were 10.14 million deaths in 2021, slightly lower than the 10.62 million births, pushing the total population downward to 1.43 billion.

In addition to a decline in birth rates, the population aged rapidly. The recent data show as many as 267.36 million were over 60 years old, accounting for nearly 19 percent of the countrys population. The working-age population, between the ages of 16 to 59, accounts for 62.5 percent of the countrys population.

Chinas population has largely been shaped by the one-child policy that the communist regime introduced in 1979.

The notorious policy strictly limited couples to having only one baby. Families that violated the rule faced fines, job loss, forced sterilizations, and even forced abortions. The birth restrictions also led to a gender imbalance, due to the cultural predisposition to having boys. The new data shows that men outnumber women by 33.62 million.

Now, the regime wants couples to have three children. In August 2021, the communist regime announced the three-child policy, and some local governments introduced supportive measures as part of the regimes efforts to change Chinas population structure.

But these policies are struggling to find traction, with an increasing number of young people shirking the traditional path of forming a family. Marriage registrations dropped for a seventh consecutive year in 2020, official data show.

The exorbitant costs of raising a child and high property prices are the main reasons dissuading young people from marriage, according to a recent survey conducted by the Communist Youth League, an affiliate of the CCP.

Prominent Chinese economist Ren Zeping, in a recent article posted on Twitter-like Weibo, suggested that authorities spend $314 billion each year to boost the fertility rate. Rens social media account was blocked after the article went viral.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A photo of Xie Yang in 2021. Xie Yang, one of the lawyers victimized during the 709 Crackdowns, was recently abducted by the Chinese state security. (Provided by Chen Guiqiu)

Chinese State Security Has Detained Rights Lawyer Xie Yang: Insider

Chinese human rights lawyer Xie Yang was reported missing on Jan. 11. An insider called for the attention of the international community, believing that he was taken by state security in Changsha city.

Xie was one of the victims of the 709 Crackdown when more than 300 lawyers and human rights defenders were detained, interrogated, and imprisoned by the regime on July 9, 2015.

On Jan. 13, his wife Chen Guiqiu told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times that she just learned that Xie Yang was taken away by staff from state security on the 11th. The last time I talked to Xie Yang was on the morning of the 10th, Beijing time. I would normally call him and pray for him in the mornings. On the 11th, the phone couldnt get through.

She tried again on the 13th, but only got the voicemail. She believed that state security had confiscated his phone.

When asked if she knew which state security, Chen replied, I dont know, they are simply robbers.

Chen and their two daughters are now in exile in the United States.

A Fighter for Human Rights

Xies last tweet was seen on Jan. 7, when he condemned the suppression of the outspoken economics professor, Yang Shaozheng, with a comment This is inhumane!

A recent tweet posted by CHRD (Chinese Human Rights Defenders) gives details about Yang Shaozhengs condition. According to the post, Shaozheng went into a coma multiple times because he was routinely beaten and mentally abused during residential surveillance, as revealed by the lawyer.

Shaozheng was formerly a professor at Guizhou University, suspended in November 2017 and fired in August 2018 for his politically sensitive academic writings. He was arrested by the Procuratorate on Oct. 5, 2021, with unknown charges. Prior to the arrest, he was put under residential surveillance for 18 months at an unknown place. The lawyer was not permitted to visit him until Jan. 6 and 7.

Li Tiantian is another victim who Xie was concerned about. Earlier, Xie went to Hunan Province with the hope to help Li Tiantian, a pregnant elementary school teacher who was abducted to a mental hospital on Dec. 18, 2021, after exercising her freedom of expression online.

Xie tweeted: In the wind and snow, we can only persevere!

Lawyer Xie Yang pulls a banner in front of the Public Security Bureau of Yongshun County, Hunan Province, on Dec. 25, 2021. The banner reads: Bring teacher Li Tiantian and her baby home. (Provided by Chen Guiqiu)

Its not clear if Xies disappearance is related to his trip to Hunan, but his wife has tried to call the state security, but no one answered the call.

An insider believes the regime was only manipulating Li Tiantians incident as an excuse. The intention was to retaliate for his human rights activities. Hes abducted by the staff of state security in Changsha city, said the insider.

Qin Yongpei is another lawyer whos been charged and tried on the crime of incitement to subversion. In a recent court hearing, Xie was also present to show his support of Qin.

Insufficient Evidence for the Arrest: Insider

The insider told The Epoch Times that the arrest was done unannounced because theres not enough evidence and they just wanted to keep him quiet.

The insider said, They think Xie has caused troubles for the regime, its embarrassing to them.

Another insider told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times that Xies family was warned not to accept interviews from the media.

According to this insider, because there are fewer courageous human rights fighters in China today, people like Xie give many who are suppressed hope and confidence. Thats what frightens the regime.

He said, We must cherish a person like him who always brings hope to people.

Xies wife hopes that the international community will pay attention to Xies incident.

Lin Cenxin and Hong Ning contributed to this article.
Committee Probing China Ties to Return, Says Tory MP

A Conservative MP says his party aims to bring back the special Canada-China Relations Committee, which it originally put aside citing other priorities and resources issues.

Tory MP Garnett Genuis, who was a member of the special committee in the last parliament, said on Twitter on Jan. 17 that after much reflection he decided to speak with The Globe and Mail last week to advocate for the return of the committee.

Since that interview, Ive been told that Conservatives will now work to bring the committee back. This is good news. It will hopefully allow us to pick up where we left off, Genuis wrote.

The Canada-China Relations committee played a key role highlighting emerging human rights and security issues. Events in Hong Kong, the Olympics, and fears of election interference highlight the need for it to resume asap.

In that Globe article relating to Genuis comments, Conservative MP and foreign affairs critic Michael Chong was quoted as saying his party would try to bring back the committee later this year.

We were always going to bring back the special committee on Canada-China relations  the question was when, he said in a statement obtained by The Globe.

Just weeks ago there was no such certainty among the China watchers and activists who wanted Ottawa to take a stronger stance against Beijing.

Chong told The Globe in December his party was resource-strapped after the creation of two new committeesthe new Special Committee on Afghanistan, a Conservative initiative, and the Liberals new Standing Committee on Science and Researchand that it wanted to concentrate on examining Canadas withdrawal from Afghanistan and its immediate fall to the Taliban.

While Chong said at the time his partys stance on China had not changed, Genuis told The Globe he thought his party was dropping the committee out of fear that criticism of the Chinese Communist Party was hurting the Conservatives at the polls.

According to the Globe, along with Genuis, four other Conservative MPs are pressuring party leader Erin OToole to reinstate the committee. Those MPs are Pierre Paul-Hus, John Williamson, Chris Warkentin and Michael Cooper.

Another Tory MP, Mark Strahl, also added his voice via Twitter on Jan. 17, saying We should fight to have it reinstated ASAP.

OToole told The Epoch Times in a Jan. 13 interview preceding the latest developments that the committee would likely return.

We may bring that special committee back, particularly after the work on Afghanistan is complete, he said. The House of Commons voted to create a special committee on Afghanistan in early December to evaluate Canadas involvement and response to the withdrawal debacle.

Special committees are not permanent and must be voted on when a new Parliament opens.

Bloc Quebecois MP and foreign affairs critic Stephane Bergeron, who was a member of the previous Canada-China committee, told The Epoch Times in an email his party was always favourable to reviving the committee, and was greatly disappointed when the Conservatives chose to focus on Afghanistan.

We are pleased to finally see them understand that the CACN [Canada-China] committee is even more relevant now, with the weight of the illegal detention of the two Michaels [Spavor and Kovrig] and the extradition request of Meng Wangzhou now lifted, at a time when Canada-China relations are at a crossroad, Bergeron said.

News that the committee focused on probing relations with China outside the permanent Foreign Affairs Committee was welcomed by Beijing critics such as Canadas former ambassador to China David Mulroney.

With the appointment of a new [ambassador], the Huawei decision and the release of a promised China strategy all in the works, the committee is more important than ever for holding govt accountable, Mulroney wrote on Twitter, also thanking Genuis for speaking out.

Human rights advocates like the Canada Tibet Committee also commented on the news.

Amidst the growing attacks on the religious freedom of Tibetan people by the Chinese government, the revival of the Canada-China Relations committee is all the more critical. It has been a rare platform to make our concerns heard, it said on Twitter.
Destroying Taiwan

Originally published by Gatestone Institute

Commentary

The United States can save Taiwan from Chinese invasion by promising to destroy it, or at least its chipmaking capability, according to an article in Parameters, the U.S. Army War Colleges quarterly. In Broken Nest: Deterring China from Invading Taiwan, Air Universitys Jared McKinney and Colorado State Universitys Peter Harris argued that Taipei and Washington should make the island unwantable.

The United States and Taiwan should lay plans for a targeted scorched-earth strategy that would render Taiwan not just unattractive if ever seized by force, but positively costly to maintain, they wrote in the U.S. Army War Colleges most-downloaded paper of 2021. This could be done most effectively by threatening to destroy facilities belonging to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the most important chipmaker in the world and Chinas most important supplier.

McKinney and Harris explain the title of the article by citing a Chinese proverb: Beneath a broken nest, how can there be any whole eggs?

Americans design the worlds fastest chips, but make none of themTaiwan does.

The island is by far the worlds leader in the manufacture of semiconductors. One firm, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), makes more than half of the planets made-to-order chips and about 90 percent of its advanced processors. TSMC and Samsung Electronics are the only two companies that can produce 5-nanometer chips, the most advanced chips anywhere.

Today, if you control access to microchips then you can control the world, Bob Anderson wrote on the Federalist site.

Taiwan is so important that people there talk about their semiconductor industry providing a silicon shield against a Chinese invasion.

The shield argument, whether its being made by Taiwan or the United States, is wishful thinking. Yes, Beijing has spectacularly failed to develop its own semiconductor industry, and yes, China is critically reliant on Taiwans chips. Yet Chinese ruler Xi Jinping isnt going to be deterred by the prospect of losing TSMC or, for that matter, all of Taiwans semiconductor industry. Hell take the island even if he has to turn it into a radioactive slab thats uninhabitable for a thousand years.

Early in his rule, Xi based his legitimacy on taking Taiwan.

Looking further ahead, the issue of political disagreements that exist between the two sides must reach a final resolution, step by step, and these issues cannot be passed on from generation to generation, he declared in October 2013.

China wanted Taiwan long before TSMC was churning out chips, and would want it even if TSMC had never existed, Michael Turton, a long-term Taiwan resident and Taipei Times columnist, pointed out this month in a rebuttal to Broken Nest. It wants Taiwan because, like Nazi Germany, it is an expansionist power driven by racist ideologies and racist history.

Moreover, McKinney and Harris are wrong on another fundamental point. They argue that it would be hard to slow down Xi with conventional deterrence strategies.

Theyre wrong because, among other things, Chinas regime is extraordinarily casualty-averse. Xi knows that an invasion of the island would be unpopular among most Chinese citizens, especially if their sons or daughters were killed or maimed in the effort. Unless under extreme duress, he isnt about to do anything that could lead to the end of communist party rule in China.

Therefore, McKinney and Harris totally miss the mark when they argue that an arms race with China would be counterproductive.

Richard Fisher, a China military analyst with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, told Gatestone that its possible for the United States to win such a contest with China. Fisher is correct. The Chinese military is arms-racing not just with the United States, but with much of the region, especially Japan and Australia.

McKinney and Harris, although arriving at the wrong conclusions, at least deserve credit for tackling one sensitive issue.

To be clear, there is no conceivable way that Taiwan or the U.S. could respond to a Chinese invasion without imposing costs and risks upon the people of Taiwan, they wrote on the Taiwan News website. This is an inescapable reality.

It is. The people of Taiwan must start thinking about the unthinkable.

So must Americans. What is now unthinkable to them?

That would be Taiwan being in Beijings hands. For more than a century, the United States has drawn its western defense perimeter off Chinas coast, and Taiwan is smack dab in the middle of that critical line, where the South China and East China seas meet. Taiwan also protects the southern flank of the U.S. cornerstone ally in East Asia, Japan.

At a time when Chinas Communist Party is attacking democracies, Washington cant allow Beijing to absorb any one of them, even the ones that arent the home to the worlds leading chipmakers.

Destroying Taiwans democracy is essential to giving Chinas Communist Party license to destroy all other democracies, Fisher said. Killing Taiwan is the first but most necessary step toward hegemony.

If the United States came to the rescue of Taiwan, it wouldnt be defending just the island: It would be defending itself.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Gordon G. Chang Follow Gordon G. Chang is a distinguished senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, a member of its Advisory Board, and the author of The Coming Collapse of China. Website
A man shows his coronavirus disease "Super Green Pass" before getting on a train on the day Italy brings in tougher rules for the unvaccinated, at Termini main train station in Rome, Italy, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)

Dont Discriminate Against the Unvaccinated, Amnesty International Tells Italy

MILANHuman rights group Amnesty International urged Italy to change tough anti-COVID-19 restrictions to avoid discrimination against unvaccinated people.

In a recent decree Mario Draghis government made vaccination mandatory for everyone over the age of 50 and for use of public transport and a range of other services, one of very few countries to take similar steps.

Amnesty International asked for the provision of alternative measures, including the use of masks and COVID-19 testing, to allow the unvaccinated population to continue to go to work and to use public transport without discrimination, the group said in a statement issued late on Saturday.

Under current rules, which will run until June 15, wearing a mask and having a negative COVID-19 test is not sufficient to access public transportation or, for people over the age of 50, to their workplaces.

Amnesty International Italia, the local chapter of the human rights group, said that mandatory vaccination could be justified but needed to be limited in time and proportionate to a legitimate aim of public health protection.

The government must continue to ensure that the entire population can enjoy its fundamental rights, such as the right to education, work, and medial treatment, with particular regard to non-COVID patients who need urgent surgery, it said.
People are shown cross country skiing next to the St. Lawerence River in Montreal, Jan. 9, 2022. (The Canadian PressS/Graham Hughes)

Environment Canada Warns Winter Storms Headed for Southern Ontario and Quebec

OTTAWAEnvironment Canada is warning residents of southern Ontario and Quebec to brace for a winter storm, prompting some school boards to revisit their plans to reopen classrooms Monday.

The federal forecaster says a low-pressure system around the Great Lakes could dump snow on parts of Ontario starting Sunday night, while a storm brewing in the United States is making its way to southern Quebec.

Snowfall and storm warnings are in effect across much of Ontario, with regions including Niagara, Kingston and Ottawa told to expect as much as 40 centimetres between Sunday night and Monday evening.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board told parents Sunday night that students would continue to learn remotely Monday because of the weather, instead of resuming in-person classes as scheduled.

The provincial government temporarily moved schools online after the winter holiday because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and had said classrooms would reopen on Monday.

The Toronto District School Board is also warning that a snow day is possible Monday, and says that if that happens, students should plan to attend classes remotely.

The weather agency says the Greater Toronto Area should prepare for up to 20 centimetres of snow along with wind gusts as strong as 60 kilometres per hour, and commuters should expect dicey roads on Monday morning.

Quebec, meanwhile, can expect to see up to 35 centimetres of snow in some regions, including the Laurentians.

Snow is expected to start falling in the province overnight Sunday and early Monday.
Ghislaine Maxwell sits as the jurors are sworn in at the start of her trial on charges of sex trafficking, in a courtroom sketch in New York City on Nov. 29, 2021. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters)

Epstein Associate Ghislaine Maxwell Stops Fighting to Keep Names of John Does Secret

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell has ended her effort to keep the names of people linked to her in a civil case shielded from the public.

After reviewing objections to the unsealing made by the John Does, Maxwells lawyer Laura Menninger informed U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska, a George H.W. Bush nominee, in a recent letter that Maxwell does not wish to further address those objections.

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, Menninger added.

The identities in question are parties connected to a civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell in 2015 accusing her of facilitating the sexual abuse of Giuffre and making defamatory statements about her. The suit was settled in 2017, but Giuffre has been trying since then, along with the Miami Herald and other parties, to convince the court to unseal the identities of people named in filings in the case.

The late U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet described at one point the sealed documents in the case as including a range of allegations of sexual acts involving Plaintiff and non-parties to this litigation, some famous, some not; the identities of non-parties who either allegedly engaged in sexual acts with Plaintiff or who allegedly facilitated such acts.

Maxwell and her attorneys had repeatedly urged the judge not to unseal the identities, arguing in part that some of them testified because they were promised confidentiality and that making the names public would compromise her right to a fair trial.

Maxwell was convicted last month of sex trafficking charges in a separate, criminal case, though she may be headed to a fresh trial.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who has accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, speaks in New York on Aug. 27, 2019. (Bebeto Matthews/AP Photo)

Maxwells deposition, taken in 2016 for the Giuffre case, was unsealed last year, but many of the materials have remained shielded under orders from Preska and Sweet.

Sixteen of the John Does have also objected to making their identities public in filings entered by their attorneys, while others havent responded.

On behalf of one of the persons, lawyers noted the intense media interest in the Epstein and Maxwell cases and argued that unsealing the identities would throw those non-parties into the middle of this frenzy, and unfairly do irreparable harm to their privacy and reputational interests.

In a separate filing, attorneys for a Doe asserted Giuffres agreeing to a settlement left the matter moot.

Giuffre and her lawyers have said that because Maxwells trial is over, her main argument no longer applies. The desire of John Does to avoid unwanted media attention doesnt warrant keeping their identities sealed, they also say.

Upon review of the objections of those Does, 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 the face of extensive prior briefing on objections just like these, the Courts 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 notwithstanding generalized concerns about annoyance or embarrassment, Giuffres lawyers wrote in a recent filing.

Epstein and Maxwell, according to prosecutors, operated a sex trafficking ring that targeted minor girls.

Their known associates include Microsoft founder Bill Gates, former President Bill Clinton, and the UKs Prince Andrew, though many of the associates have not been charged with crimes related to the pair.
FBI Investigating Texas Synagogue Attack as Terrorism-Related Matter

The FBI said late on Jan. 16 that it is investigating the taking of hostages at a Texas synagogue a day prior as a terrorism-related matter.

This is a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted, and is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the bureau said.

Malik Faisal Akram, 44, a British national, interrupted services inside Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, and took four hostages, authorities have said.

On a livestream, he was heard demanding the release of Pakistani-born Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist who is serving an 86-year prison sentence after being convicted for attempting to murder and assault Americans in Afghanistan.

Speaking to reporters on Jan. 15, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said the suspect was singularly focused on one issue, and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community.

Other than what you heard on the livestream, Im not ready to add any more about the demands. They were specifically focused on one issue that was not specifically threatening to the Jewish community, he said.

That was all the FBI said until some 24 hours later, when it said the crime did target the Jewish community and confirmed that the suspect, during negotiations with law enforcement, spoke repeatedly about a convicted terrorist who is serving an 86-year prison sentence in the United States on terrorism charges.

All of us at the FBI are relieved the hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas, was resolved without physical injury to those taken hostage. We never lose sight of the threat extremists pose to the Jewish community and to other religious, racial, and ethnic groups. We have had a close and enduring relationship with the Jewish community for many years. We continue to work tirelessly with the Secure Community Network, the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Federation, and others to protect members of the Jewish community from all potential threats, the bureau also said.

Preventing acts of terrorism and violence is the No. 1 priority of the FBI. Due to the continuing investigation, we are unable to provide more details at this time.

Law enforcement process the scene in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 16, 2022. (Brandon Wade/AP Photo)

President Joe Biden told reporters in Philadelphia earlier on Jan. 16 that what happened was an act of terror.

The president said he instructed Attorney General Merrick Garland to make sure we got the word out to synagogues and places of worship that were not going to tolerate this, that we have this capacity to deal with the assaults on particularly the antisemitism that has grown up.

The gun the suspect carried was purchased on the street, and Akram, who only recently arrived in the country, spent his first night in the United States in a homeless shelter, according to Biden.

I dont think there is sufficient information to know about why he targeted that synagogue or why he insisted on the release of someone whos been in prison for over 10 years, why he was engagedwhy he was using anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli comments, Biden said.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other Muslim groups have for years called for the release of Siddiqui, alleging she didnt commit any crimes. An event was held by CAIR in support of her in Plano, Texas, last month and an online fundraiser took place a month before that.

A lawyer for Akram and CAIRs Dallas-Fort Worth chapter issued a joint statement over the weekend condemning the hostage-taking and calling for all hostages to be released.

Whoever the assailant is, we want him to know that his actions are condemned by Dr. Aafia and her family. His actions are heinous and wrong. Her case must be addressed through the courts of law. Dr. Aafia and her family are praying for this situation to resolve peacefully. We implore you to immediately release the hostages and turn yourself in, they said.

Law enforcement officials told reporters that the incident, which lasted nearly the entire day, ended when an elite FBI hostage rescue team that flew down from Washington breached the synagogue around 9 p.m. local time and rescued the three hostages, who didnt require medical care.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, one of those taken hostage, told news outlets in a statement that security courses he took from various organizations helped during the crisis.

He said on CBS on Jan. 17 that in the last hour of the crisis, he and the two others with him became increasingly concerned as the hostage-taker grew irritated over not getting what he wanted.

The rabbi spotted an opportunity where the gunman wasnt in a good position and talked quietly with the other hostages.

I told them to go, I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door. And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired, he said.

One hostage had been released earlier in the day.

The suspect died, authorities said. How that happened wasnt entirely clear.

An investigation was planned into the shooting incident, FBI official DeSarno said.
FBIs Silence on Jan. 6 Used by Whitmer Kidnapping Defendant to Buttress Case for Dismissal

A defendant in the Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping case has moved to introduce evidence related to the use of federal informants in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill breach, arguing that the FBIs refusal to answer basic questions about such activities demonstrates a consciousness of guilt by the government.

The Jan. 14 motion from Kaleb Franks comes as he and four other defendants seek to have their charges dismissed on entrapment grounds. With their trial set for March 8, an attorney for Franks has made numerous motions related to the FBIs use of at least 12 informants in the Whitmer investigationincluding to introduce evidence related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, as well as to provide FBI informants and agents with immunity to testify about their actions.

The Jan. 6, 2021-related evidence that attorney Scott Graham seeks to admit is the refusal by top Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI officials to discuss the use of informants in the U.S. Capitol breach. According to Graham, the FBIs lack of transparency demonstrates its consciousness of guilta term, typically reserved for defendants, to describe when someone conceals evidence, intimidates witnesses, or does something else that makes him or her look guilty.

The FBI has certainly concealed the details of its use of informants and undercover agents in relation to the January 6 events and regarding its policies on their use generally, Graham said. Under the jury instructions reasoning, and the [courts] analysis, the agency has exhibited consciousness of guilt.

Graham said he can appreciate the sensitivity of the matter, but argued that the seriousness of the Capitol breach necessitated some transparency on the issue.

It seems fair to expect some sort of answer from the [FBI], given the gravity of the January 6 events and the national concern about law-enforcement overreaching, he said.

As to how Jan. 6, 2021-related evidence would build his clients case, Graham said it would help him reach the threshold of objective entrapmentwhen the governments actions are so egregious that charges are dismissed, regardless of the defendants conduct.

If national leaders are expressing concern about FBI overreaching in the realm of informant use and deployment of undercover agents, this latter idea of objective entrapment must assume a greater jurisprudential role, he said. Mr. Franks asks the Court to allow him to present to the jury evidence related to these national inquiries.

Graham also made six other motions on Jan. 14, including motions to compel or exclude certain evidence, as well as one to grant immunity to the FBI agents and informants involved in the case.

The motion for immunity follows the dismissal of one FBI agent in the Whitmer case for beating his wife. Another agent has been accused of perjury in a separate case, and a third was pulled from testifying in the trial after it was revealed that he was operating a private intelligence business while investigating the defendants.

Along with the agents, at least one informant faces unrelated criminal charges in another matter after the FBI allegedly caught him acting as a double agent on behalf of the Whitmer plotters.

Normally, these people would testify at trial and would answer relevant questions posed by both sides to the case.  This case, however, is different from most. It is now apparent that a number of both the agents and sources have reason to refuse to testify by invoking their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, Graham said.

The testimony of the people in both groups is crucial to the presentation of a defense in this case. Mr. Franks therefore asks for an order compelling the government to obtain orders for use immunity for its agents and sources.

A motion hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18, followed by a final pretrial conference on Feb. 18 before the March 8 trial.
A Ford logo on the grill of a car on display at the Pittsburgh Auto Show on Feb. 15, 2018. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Ford and Online Payment Service Stripe Sign 5-Year Deal for E-Commerce Drive

Ford Motor Company and online payment processor Stripe announced that they have signed a five-year deal aimed at bolstering the auto giants e-commerce capabilities.

Ford will use Stripe to facilitate transactions for vehicle orders and reservations, handle financing options for Fords commercial customers, and route a customers payments to the correct local Ford or Lincoln dealer.

The joint venture is one of the biggest client wins yet for Stripe, and is part of Fords turnaround plan under CEO Jim Farley.

As part of the Ford+ plan for growth and value creation, we are making strategic decisions about where to bring in providers with robust expertise and where to build the differentiated, always-on experiences our customers will value, said Marion Harris, CEO of Fords financial services arm, Ford Motor Credit Company.

Stripe has developed strong expertise in user experiences that will help provide easy, intuitive and secure payment processes for our customers.

Ford plans to begin rolling out Stripes technology in the second half of 2022, first in North America and later in Europe.

Stripe, one of the most promising new tech start-ups, with a valuation of $95 billion, recently raised $600 million that it would use to expand in Europe.

The company provides an online service that makes it simple for businesses of all kinds to accept payments over the internet.

During the pandemic, people got comfortable paying online for groceries, health care, even home haircut advice from barbers, said Mike Clayville, Stripes chief revenue officer.

Now, they expect to be able to buy anything and everything online.

Stripe, like its other competitors in financial tech services, Adyen and Checkout.com, makes money by taking a small cut on each transaction it processes.

The online payment processor currently serves clients such as Shopify, Salesforce, and Deliveroo.

The Ford+ restructuring plan, an electrification and growth strategy into which the company plans to invest $30 billion by 2025, will be assisted by the venture between the two companies.

Fords market capitalization hit $100 billion last week for the first time, as investors appeared highly supportive of the car manufacturers electric vehicle strategy and its Ford+ restructuring plan.

The automaker was the best-performing auto stock in 2021, beating Tesla, General Motors, and even new hot startup Rivian.

Ford expects Stripe to be a key part of its product and service tech stack and it should help create more efficiency in a range of e-commerce payments, including charging services.

A robust digital payment platform is essential for operating its new onboard services.

Ford and Lincoln will be gearing up to add a number of subscription services in its vehicles, like Amazons Fire TV.

Stripe, meanwhile, is still privately held, with much speculation about if or when the company will go public.

John Collison, Stripes president and co-founder, told CNBC that the company is very happy staying private.
Fourth Shot of COVID-19 Vaccine Cant Prevent Omicron Infection: Israeli Study

A second booster shot of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine induced antibodies but likely not at a level high enough to protect recipients against infection from the Omicron virus variant, Israeli researchers said Monday.

Sheba Medical Center has been studying 150 health care workers who received a second booster, or a fourth shot.

Two weeks after administering the fourth vaccine, we see a good increase in the antibodies, higher than after the third dose, but not high enough against Omicron, lead researcher Prof. Gili Regev-Yochay told reporters in an online briefing.

Omicron is a variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19.

Omicron has proven better at evading antibodies induced by COVID-19 vaccines than earlier strains and has infected millions of vaccinated people around the world in recent weeks, sparking a renewed effort to get people boosted.

Israel, one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, has seen case rates skyrocket after the emergence of Omicron.

Early data indicated that the first booster restored some of the lost protection against infection, but that the protection again dropped after just a few weeks. Similar results have come in for the second booster, according to preliminary results from the Sheba study, which have not yet been published.

We see an increase in antibodies, higher than after the third dose. However, we see many infected with Omicron who received the fourth dose. Granted, a bit less than in the control group, but still a lot of infections, Regev-Yochay told reporters.

While the vaccine protected well against the Alpha and Delta variants, for Omicron its not good enough, she added.

Pfizer didnt immediately return an inquiry.

Researchers later published the study as a preprint on medRxiv.

Israel early this month started offering a fourth dose of Pfizers vaccine to the elderly and health care workers, despite little data on how a second booster would affect recipients.

Naftali Bennett, Israels prime minister, had promoted earlier preliminary results from the Sheba study that showed a high level of antibodies a week after workers received a fourth dose.

We have news, big news. A week into the fourth dose we know at a high degree of certainty that the fourth dose is safe. Thats the first piece of news. The second piece of news, we know that a week after the administration of the fourth dose, we see a five-fold increase in the number of antibodies in the vaccinated person. This most likely means a significant increase in the protection, he told reporters at the medical center on Jan. 4.

Other countries have also begun offering fourth doses to certain populations, including Denmark and the United States.

Regev-Yochay said the move to offer a second booster to vulnerable populations is probably correct, adding, it may give a little bit benefit, but probably not enough to support a decision to give all of the population.
The logo for Google is seen at their office in Manhattan, New York City, N.Y., on Nov. 17, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Google Mandates US Workers Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Tests, Surgical Masks

Google has mandated weekly COVID-19 tests and surgical masks for employees at its facilities as Omicron infections rise, accounting for more than 98 percent of cases in the United States.

To help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 during this period of heightened risk, were implementing new temporary health and safety measures for anyone accessing our sites in the U.S., a Google spokesperson said, according to Reuters.

For remote workers, Google is offering free at-home test kits for all members of their households. Full-time workers will have access to kits that give instant results from Cue Health, while contractors will get the mail-in BioIQ tests, according to a series of critical Twitter posts from the Alphabet Workers Union.

Omicron has spread quickly across the country, but the highly transmissible variant is characteristic of mild symptoms requiring significantly fewer hospitalizations than the Delta variant.

Several prominent organizations and doctors have suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic would turn endemic, and the disease could be treated on a seasonal basis like the common cold, with Omicron signaling the beginning of the transition.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently came out in support of this argument.

In the United States, cases increased more than 568 percent from Dec. 14, 2021, when the seven-day average was 119,379, to 798,335 on Jan. 14. However, the number of deaths recorded a much smaller change from an average of 1,148 on Dec. 14, 2021, to 1,784 on Jan. 14.

Google is one of the strictest among Big Tech corporations in enforcing the mandates. Last month, the company required all employees to get inoculated or face losing pay. Failure to comply would result in getting fired. Just a few months prior, the company stated that it wouldnt enforce mandates.

Unlike other tech companies that have moved fully remote, Google has shown faith in offices as the company recently invested around $1 billion to buy a building in central London where its currently a tenant.

Google representatives didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.
Nikki Fried, Florida's agriculture commissioner, speaks with others in Washington on July 20, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Group Calls on Florida Democrat to Resign Over Comparison of DeSantis to Hitler

A Florida Democrat challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis should resign after comparing the governor to Adolf Hitler, the head of a pro-Israel group says.

This is insane, absurd, demented, sick, Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, which describes itself as the oldest pro-Israel group in the United States, having been founded in 1897, told The Epoch Times.

State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried told a local radio station last week that DeSantis is doing what dictators do before calling herself a student of history who saw the rise of Hitler.

In a lot of ways, yes, she added when asked if she was comparing the governor to Hitler, who launched a vicious campaign against Jews while head of Germany that resulted in the killing of some 6 million.

Klein, who is calling on Fried to resign, said the commissioner is free to criticize the governor, but her comparison just diminishes the reality of the horrors of the holocaust.

It shows she has both emotional and intellectual problems and she has no business being at a place of public trust, where decisions impact the public, he added.

Frieds campaign and spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment and she has not directly addressed the criticism shes faced since the recent interview.

Fried posted on Twitter on Sunday that the governor and his anti-democratic demagoguery is a danger to our state, our country, and yes, the world. [delete]

Choose your own historical example if you want, but its the damn truth, she wrote.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference at the Shul of Bal Harbour in Surfside, Fla., on June 14, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, a Republican, responded to Frieds comments by calling attention to DeSantiss accomplishments pertaining to Jews and Israel, including dedicating funding to Jewish day schools.

Christina Pushaw, press secretary for DeSantis, urged Fried to visit the Holocaust Museum and reflect on how offensive her remarks were.

Gabriel Groisman, mayor of Bal Harbour, said any comparison of COVID policies to Hitler or Nazi Germany is asinine, offensive, and has no place in our society.

Republican Governors Association spokesperson in a statement Monday said Florida Democrats should condemn Fried.

To invoke murderers like Hitler and Fidel Castro as a comparison to any elected official is disgusting and out of line, she said. Florida Democrats up and down the ballot should condemn her rhetoric and call on Fried to do better and stop disgracing her office.

DeSantis, in his first term, is running unopposed in the Republican primary for governor. Fried faces several opponents in the Democratic primary, including Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.).
Heavy Snow Slams Parts of Ontario and Quebec, Delays In-person Classes

Some students return to in-person learning was delayed on Jan. 17 due to heavy snow and blizzards that slammed parts of Ontario and Quebec.

Environment Canada issued weather alerts for blizzards and strong winter storms in parts of the two provinces on Jan. 17, hitting major cities in Ontario like Toronto, Hamilton, and the Peel region with up to 40 to 60 centimetres of snow.

The storms left many Ontario school boards scrambling to adjust their plans to have students return to school, with the Toronto, York, Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, and Ottawa-Carleton district school boards cancelling their planned return on Jan. 17, as the heavy snowfall forced a halt to school bus services.

The Toronto, York, and Ottawa-Carleton boards were still offering the option of remote learning, while the Hamilton-Wentworth and Halton District boards were not.

Parents and caregivers across southern and eastern Ontario are advised to check for online postings from their local school boards regarding closures and the availability of remote learning.

In Quebec, thousands of students were also planning on returning to school on Jan. 17 as the province lifts some of its COVID-19 measures. But several schools announced over the weekend they would not open their doors today due to the winter storm.

Some regions in Quebec were also impacted by heavy snow, with the blizzard in Gatineau expected to produce up to 50 cm of snow, with winds gusting up to 60 km/hr.

Meanwhile, a powerful winter storm that blew through parts of the Maritimes left thousands of residents in Nova Scotia without power over the weekend. Nova Scotia Power says it has 500 staff deployed in the field while bracing for another storm to hit the province this afternoon. The outages were scattered across the province, with the majority in Lunenburg County on the south shore.

A few areas in southeastern New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island were also dealing with some scattered outages on the morning of Jan. 16.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article
How the Supreme Court Rewrote the Constitution: 19371944

Part I: A government small and frugal

Commentary

The Constitution created a relatively small federal government, with powers limited to certain listed subjects. It was a frugal institution, designed to preserve the blessings of Liberty and to bring out the best in human beings.

So how did it happen that federal functionaries now regulate nearly every aspect of our lives? How did a government designed to protect freedom become arbitrary and authoritarian? When did it start to incentivize bad behavior, both among officials and the people at large? Why does it run deficits every year, and why do those deficits keep getting bigger?

Major changes always have multiple causes. This series focuses on a central causeperhaps the central cause: the conscious abdication of responsibility by a handful of Supreme Court justices, primarily between the years 1937 and 1944.

The change occurred against the backdrop of economic depression and world war. But America previously had undergone similar crises without altering her form of government. This time, the outcome was different, largely because the Supreme Court refused to defend the Constitution.

As many scholars have recognized, the justices dereliction of duty essentially amended the Constitution without following amendment procedures. Other than the nine justices, no one voted on this change. The most that can be said is that people voted for candidates, some of whom sought the change. The crises of economic depression and world war probably would have induced Americans to support some constitutional alterations if they had been asked.

But we will never know what they would have supported, because they never were asked.

During this period, Americans became less secure in their right to govern themselves locally. They lost their incomes and the freedom to pursue their livelihoods. Thousands were imprisoned without habeas corpus or trial by jury, and at least one was secretly executed.

Eventually, the court began to correct itself. Some justices recognized they had gone too far. But the fundamental damage had been done: Much of the original Constitution was lost and has never been recovered.

This series of essays explains how that happened.

A Limited Federal Government in a Free America

My father was born in 1911 and grew up in the slums of Brooklyn, New York. When he was a teenager during the years following World War I, the federal government was recognizably the same institution it had been after the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791.

Yes, there had been some changes. Slavery was gone, and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments had given Congress power to protect minorities. The Sixteenth Amendment facilitated a small income tax that affected only a few. The Seventeenth allowed the people to elect U.S. senators directly, and the Nineteenth assured women the right to vote.

But as I have pointed out in previous essays, these changes didnt have the revolutionary effects some people claim for them. There also was a new Federal Reserve System, but that was just a national bank, and wed had national banks from time to time from the founding of the republic.

A more important change was Prohibition, authorized by the Eighteenth Amendment. Every second man in my fathers Jewish community had become a rabbithe better to obtain sacramental wine. (Other religious communities had similar dodges.) But Prohibition was doomed and was soon gone.

In other respects, the federal government was as it always had been: It produced the currency. It ran the post office, the patent office, and the military. But to most people, most of the time, it was unfelt and unseen.

Peacetime federal spending averaged well under 5 percent of gross domestic product. Peacetime budgets usually were balanced or in surplus. Schools and nearly all other institutions were controlled and funded by localities and states. There were no massive federal entitlement or welfare programs. But the poor and disabled didnt die in the streets: State and local governments maintained a social safety net, supplemented by a web of religious congregations, private charities, and mutual benefit societies.

Today, we hear much about wrongs imposed on minorities. For most people, however, most of the time, the decentralized American system worked extraordinarily well. Decentralization tends to foster innovation, prosperity, and growth. Our decentralized nation had enjoyed innovation, prosperity, and growth as no country ever had. Thats why so many immigrantsincluding all four of my grandparentsleft their homelands to come here. Being part of a despised ethnic minority in America was better than mainstream life almost anywhere else.

Defending Limited Government

During the first 140 years after the American Founding, two institutions helped to keep the federal sphere small and the sphere of individual freedom large. One was the U.S. Constitution. It restricted federal powers to those enumerated (listed) in the document. The other was the Supreme Court.

The American Founders respected the professionalism and independence of the English judiciary, and they expected American judges to meet the same standards. One job American judges would have was judicial reviewrefusing to enforce government actions in excess of constitutional authority.

The principle of judicial review had been established at the state level before the Constitution was written. Leading Founders explained that it would apply at the federal level as well. Among them were Alexander Hamilton (in The Federalist Nos. 16, 78, and 81) and a young Virginia lawyer named John Marshall, speaking at his states ratifying convention.

In 1803, Marshall, then chief justice, wrote for a unanimous court in Marbury v. Madison, which voided part of a federal law as unconstitutional. Sixteen years later, Marshall again wrote for a unanimous court, this time in McCulloch v. Maryland:

Should Congress, in the execution of its powers, adopt measures that are prohibited by the constitution; or should Congress, under the pretext of executing its powers, pass laws for the accomplishment of objects not intrusted [sic] to the government; it would become the painful duty of this tribunal, should a case requiring such a decision come before it, to say, that such an act was not the law of the land.

In subsequent years, the Supreme Court sometimes made mistakes. But its interventions were frequent enough and proper enough to keep the federal government limited. During the 1930s and 1940s, this was to change.

Robert G. Natelson, a former constitutional law professor who is senior fellow in constitutional jurisprudence at the Independence Institute in Denver, authored The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3rd ed., 2015).

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Is Microsofts Stock Overvalued or Undervalued?

Microsoft Corporation shares have outperformed the S&P 500 in the past year, generating a total return of 42 percent.

Microsoft is still putting up impressive growth numbers. But with a $2.31 trillion market cap, some investors are wondering if theres any value left in Microsoft stock.

Earnings

A price-to-earnings ratio (PE) is one of the most basic fundamental metrics for gauging a stocks value. The lower the PE, the higher the value. For comparison, the S&P 500s PE is currently at about 29.5, nearly double its long-term average of 15.6.

Microsofts PE is currently 34.0, slightly higher than the S&P 500 average as a whole. Microsofts PE is also up 30.3 percent over the past five years, suggesting its earnings multiple is on the high end of its historical range.

Growth

Looking ahead to the next four quarters, the S&P 500s forward PE ratio looks much more reasonable at just 20.9. Unfortunately, Microsofts forward earnings ratio of 28.8 doesnt make the stock undervalued at its current price. In fact, it appears to be slightly overvalued compared to technology sector peers that are currently averaging a 27.9 forward earnings multiple.

However, when it comes to evaluating a stock, earnings arent everything.

Growth rate is also critical for companies that are rapidly building their bottom lines. The price-to-earnings-to-growth ratio (PEG) is a good way to incorporate growth rates into the evaluation process. The S&P 500s overall PEG is currently about 1; Microsofts PEG is 2.0, a potential red flag that the stock has become overheated.

Price-to-sales ratio is another important valuation metric, particularly for unprofitable companies and growth stocks. The S&P 500s PS ratio is currently 3.21, nearly twice its long-term average of 1.63. Microsofts PS ratio is 12.98, definitely not what a value investor is looking for.

Finally, Wall Street analysts see decent gains for Microsoft shares over the next 12 months. The average analyst price target among the 36 analysts covering Microsoft is $370, suggesting about 20.4 percent upside from current levels.

Verdict

At its current valuation, Microsoft stock is showing a couple of warning signs of being overvalued, so investors should proceed with caution.

By Wayne Duggan

 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Japan-Taiwan-US Trilateral Defense Against Chinas Threats

News Analysis

Japan now sees the defense of Taiwan as integral to the security of Japan and is intensifying its security engagement with Taiwan through its U.S. alliance.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Jan. 6 met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, and Japanese Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo to discuss collaboration on emerging defense-related issues. The meeting report said that China had continued to violate international norms, provoking and raising tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

We consider Taiwan a very important partner with which we share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and rule of law, Japanese Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura stated at a news conference on Sept. 24.

A recent poll found that 80 percent of Japanese identified China, rather than North Korea, as the countrys biggest security threat. The challenge to Japan comes not only in the Senkaku Islands, but increasingly, Tokyo equates current threats to Taiwan as future threats to Japan. The Japanese government regards supporting Taiwan as necessary to protect Japans interests from Chinas strategic intentions.

Japans Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso said that if Taiwan was to come under severe threat, it would not be too much to say that it could relate to a survival-threatening situation for Japan. Japanese netizens are similarly saying, Resist China and assist Taiwan.

Taiwan and Japan are geographically in the same operational theater as the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Japan and the United States in April 2021 issued a joint statement, opposing the Chinese regimes aggressive actions that are inconsistent with the international rules-based order, including exercising unlawful maritime claims and engaging in economic and military coercion. Additionally, the two countries wish to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight, in keeping with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The U.S.-Japan Alliance for a free and open Indo-Pacific supports sovereignty and territorial integrity in the region.

The three primary threats in the region are Beijings claims to the Senkaku Islands, loss of freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait, and the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) plan to take Taiwan. Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security applies to the Senkaku Islands, obligating the United States to come to Japans aid if the islands are attacked.

On the preservation of the Taiwan Strait, which is crucial to global shipping, Japanese State Minister of Defense Yasuhide Nakayama said that Japan and its allies must counter incursions by China and Russia in local waters. Japan is also fortifying its own national defense capabilities, including nuclear. Additionally, the Japanese government has prioritized the completion of the Futenma Replacement Facility at Henoko, which will serve as a U.S. Marine Corps Air Station.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Feb. 4, 2021. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/U.S. 7th Fleet)

Supporting Taiwan

Increasingly, Japanese foreign policy has been addressing the Chinese regimes alienation of Taiwan.

After Beijing imposed import tariffs on Taiwan pineapples, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu launched a Freedom Pineapple campaign to oppose Chinas unfair trade practices. President Tsai Ing-wen encouraged the public to buy Taiwan pineapples in a bid to stand against CCP bullying.

Japan joined in, with the Fuji News Network (FNN) running the headline, Lets Eat Taiwan Pineapples. Japanese netizens also encouraged the public to support Taiwan and oppose the CCP by eating Taiwan pineapples. As a result of increased demand, Japan purchased over 6,000 tons of pineapples.

Japan supported Taiwans inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Taiwans application elicited anger from the CCP, as it attempted to prevent the island nation from participating in the international community. Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Lo Chih-cheng responded, saying that Taiwan, as a sovereign and independent country, has the right to promote bilateral and multilateral ties with all countries. Aso expressed skepticism about Chinas membership, seeing its state-owned enterprises as a violation of group norms.

In addition to supporting Taiwans membership in the CPTPP, Japan joined the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), which was founded by the United States and Taiwan in 2015, and now has 100 members.

Nakayama called for Japan to wake up to Beijings aggressive actions, saying that Japan should protect Taiwan as a sovereign country. He went so far as to question whether countries like Japan and the United States should continue to abide by the one-China policy. Japans 2021 defense white paper mentions Taiwan over 185 times, saying that the security and stability of Taiwan is important for Japan.

Last year, Taiwans DPP and Japans Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held a virtual meeting to discuss the growing Chinese threat and mutual cooperation on defense. A hindrance in the Japan-Taiwan alliance is that, as a result of switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, Japan can no longer have very direct and meaningful defense cooperation with the island nation.

Japan does not even have a defense attache in Taipei. Consequently, Japan must work through the United States in order to have defense cooperation with Taiwan, through the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). The TRA obligates the United States to help Taiwan with its defense capabilities, making America the largest, most powerful country that maintains close ties with Taiwan, including increasing defense cooperation.

When former President Donald Trump declassified the U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific, it was discovered that the plan included both Taiwan and Japan. It stated, Devise and implement a defense strategy capable of defending the first-island-chain nations, including Taiwan.

The U.S.-Japan Global Partnership statement, while stressing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, does not actually obligate Japan to fight for Taiwanbut it is a step closer. A few months after signing the statement, Aso said that Japan would have to defend Taiwan.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio had been moderate on China when he was foreign minister in the Abe administration. As prime minister, however, he has transformed into a China hawk, pledging to coordinate with other like-minded nations to stand against Chinese expansionism under CCP leader Xi Jinping. After previously rejecting warnings by Japans defense ministry, Fumio now agrees that the defense of Taiwan is crucial to Japans own security.

The United States, Japan, and Taiwan realize that maintaining freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait is predicated on keeping Taiwan free. As a result, the three countries are increasing their defense cooperation to stand against CCP aggression.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
President Trump supporter Petra Partello says Trump "absolutely" is the right person to become president in 2024, at a Trump rally in Florence, Ariz., on Jan. 22, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Whens He Going Back to Washington?: Loyal Trump Supporters at Arizona Rally Look Ahead to 2024

FLORENCE, Ariz.From all parts of the country, they arrived in cars, in campers, on motorcycles, and even in a few dune buggies to hear President Donald Trump deliver his 2022 message of hope for America.

To be sure, the kick-off Save America rally on Jan. 15 was no less yuge than the former presidents previous political gatherings. Some estimates place the overall attendance at 50,000 or more, while hundreds were turned away due to a lack of parking.

Even before the gates opened at 2 p.m., the Country Thunder festival grounds in Florence, Arizona, were filling up with loyal Trump supporters eager to get a front-row seat.

Im just in awe to be here, said Tammy Mann of Tucson, Arizona, who arrived in a large recreational vehicle plastered with pro-Trump signs, including a flag bearing a not-so-flattering message for President Joe Biden.

Camper owner Christine Miller of Tucson said the signs drew a lot of attention on the way up from Tucson.

We got quite a few honks. People pulled over and showed us their flags. I really just wanted to come up and be with fellow patriots, Miller told The Epoch Times.

Tammy Mann, Christine Miller, Bobbi Bart, Tim Grubaugh, and Nancy Grubaugh of Tucson, Ariz., drove up in a camper van covered in anti-Joe Biden signs for the kick-off rally of President Donald Trump in Florence, Ariz., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Mann said she hopes to see Trump run for president in 2024 to correct the mistakes of the 2020 election.

She said she was especially eager to hear his remarks on the Jan. 6, 2021, political protest in Washington, though she wasnt sure the former president would talk about COVID-19 vaccines, whose use he supports.

I know that he has mentioned the vaccine. I am not vaccinated. I dont know if hes going to mention anything about it, said Mann, whos also concerned about unvaccinated migrants crossing Arizonas southern border.

The policy of the current administration is come on in, she told The Epoch Times. Were suffering because of it. Its very frustrating.

Bobbi Bart of Tucson, who also arrived with Miller and Mann in the camper, said she has no doubt Trump is the right candidate for president in 2024.

Whens hes going back to Washington? Bart said. I think hes got it. I know theyre going to have to do something because people have no faith in the system.

As for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis?

Thatd be the only other [presidential candidate] Id be happy with. Trump or DeSantis, Bart told The Epoch Times.

Like Mann, she, too, is concerned about uncontrolled immigration and the drain on the states resources.

Any kind of medical need they have, there they are getting it for free, Bart said.

Sitting on the grass waiting for the start of Trumps speech, Petra Partello, wearing an American flag cowgirl hat, said the message from Trump is that he gives us a lot of hope, and to keep on fighting.

Absolutely, hes our president. Theres no doubt, Partello said.

A group of teens show their support for President Donald Trump in 2024 during a rally in Florence, Ariz., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

State Rep. Mark Finchem (R) asked the crowd to look behind them to the west at the radiant orange sunset, which he described as a gift from God for the rally.

Is that not a beautiful Arizona sky? he said to cheering and applause.

Finchem then dove into the issue of widespread irregularities in the 2020 election, calling it a suspicious election that has since been proven to be irremediably compromised.

Ladies and gentleman, they know it, and we know itDonald Trump won, he said.

Trump later carried the theme of electoral theft, an inept Biden administration, political persecution of Jan. 6 protesters, and a rapidly failing economy as reasons for a conservative sweep in 2022.

Weve had more destruction than five presidents put together in the last year, Trump said.

On top of it all, people are being persecuted for using freedom of speech to talk about the election, but more and more information is coming out, and its coming out far worse than anyone ever thought it could be.

Donald Trump supporters wearing MAGA hats applaud a guest speaker at a 2022 Save America rally in Florence, Ariz., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm takes questions during a media briefing at the White House in Washington, on Nov. 23, 2021. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

Mexico Says US Energy Secretary to Visit, Power Market Concerns Eyed

MEXICO CITYU.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will travel to Mexico this week for talks, with the governments planned overhaul of the Mexican electricity market potentially on the agenda, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday.

The United States has voiced concerns about an initiative championed by Lopez Obrador which aims to strengthen state control of the power market at the expense of private companies.

Lopez Obrador said no topic will be off the table, and highlighted possible talks on his proposed power industry changes during the visit in which Granholm will meet him as well as the Mexican foreign and energy ministers.

The leftist nationalist leader said he would be happy to inform about the reforms if necessary, or if she wants to know my opinion, I will be happy to give it to her.

The initiative due to be debated in Mexicos Congress in coming weeks has alarmed private investors, and the U.S. ambassador has said Washington had serious concerns about it.

Lopez Obrador argues that previous Mexican governments rigged the energy sector in favor of private capital to the detriment of consumers and Mexicos state-run energy companies.

The Mexican president said he would also thank Granholm for the United States approving the takeover of Royal Dutch Shells Texas-based Deer Park refinery by Mexican state oil company (Petroleos Mexicanos) Pemex.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich., on March 2, 2021. (Michigan Office of the Governor via AP)

Michigan Undercounted COVID-19 Nursing Home Deaths by 30 Percent, Auditor Finds

The administration of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer underreported the number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 by 30 percent, according to a report by the states auditor general.

Auditor General Doug Ringler has been haggling with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for months over the numbers and how to count them. His final report was made public on Jan. 17.

At the start of the pandemic, Whitmer, a Democrat, issued an emergency executive order to place infected senior citizens in extended care facilities that had the ability to isolate them in a designated wing. As the infection spread, many residents and care workers died.

The audit found that 8,061 elderly Michiganders died of the disease in the states nursing homes between March 2020 and July 2, 2021. The officially posted death toll is 5,675, as self-reported by the states extended care facilities, which is required by law.

On the face of it, that appears to be an undercount of 42 percent. The audit provides 13 pages of explanation of why the real undercount is only 30 percent.

The auditors finding prompted Republican state Rep. Steven Johnson, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, to call for hearings.

The states Department of Health acknowledged in a letter that a previous total of COVID-19 long-term care facility deaths is 30 percent lower than what the Auditor General found, Johnson, who asked for the audit, said in a Jan. 13 statement. This is a large discrepancy.  There is frankly a lot to answer for, and our legislative panel will be working to get those answers.

A week before the auditors findings were made public, the Whitmer administration was already putting out its side of the story.

In a Jan. 9, 2021, letter to Ringler, Elizabeth Hertel, director of the states Department of Health and Human Services and a Whitmer appointee, explained that the additional deaths found by the investigation were due to differences in counting procedures and not an intentional undercount.

Hertel wrote that the audits numbers combine COVID-19 deaths in facilities that were required to report [to the state] and those that were not required to report, creating the impression of a larger undercount by long-term care facilities than is warranted.

Hertel said she had serious concerns that the audits methodology could lead to the official state count being misinterpreted, and could call into question the work and integrity of long-term care facilities, local health departments, coroners, and other frontline workers who we rely on to report data.

The [audits] data table is misleading and appears to suggest that there was a 30 percent underreporting when almost half of this difference can be attributed to facilities not subject to reporting requirements, she wrote. An additional 1,036 deaths were identified when your team looked across all long-term care facilities, rather than limiting the scope to facilities subject to state and/or federal reporting requirements.

Hertel also cited problems with different definitions. She said, long-term care facilities were only required to report COVID-19 deaths within the definition provided by the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention].

Hertel also criticized the auditors reliance on data from the Michigan Disease Surveillance System, which she said was not an appropriate source for determining if a COVID-19 case resulting in death should be counted as a death in a long-term care facility.

She called the system an outdated, clunky platform that weve continued to utilize  because we have been unable to upgrade or replace it.

Whitmers office didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

State health officials in New York are also under fire for allegedly undercounting the number of COVID-19 deaths among the states nursing home population.

On March 25, 2020, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, issued an emergency directive barring nursing homes from turning away admissions or readmissions of COVID-positive individuals.

After investigating a sample of 62 of the states nursing homes in the late spring of 2020, New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, concluded, COVID-19 deaths associated with nursing homes in New York state appear to be undercounted by the Department of Health by approximately 50 percent.
Migrants who are part of a caravan hoping to reach the United States, wait in a line as they wait to have their documents checked by police in Corinto, Honduras, on Jan. 15, 2022. (Delmer Martinez/AP Photo)

Migrant Caravan From Honduras Intercepted by Guatemalan Authorities

'We are protecting our borders,' says Guatemalan Migration Institute

SAN PEDRO SULA, HondurasSeveral hundred migrants who had departed from the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula Saturday in hopes of reaching the United States entered Guatemalan territory where they were intercepted by authorities who began talks on returning them to their homelands.

Some 300 migrants, mainly Hondurans and Nicaraguans, arrived in Corinto, Honduras Saturday afternoon, and crossed into the Guatemalan border province of Izabal, where they were met by hundreds of anti-riot agents from the national police and army.

The Guatemalan Migration Institute said it was in talks with the migrants on returning them to their countries of origin. Those who wish to remain in Guatemala must present their personal identification document, vaccination card, and a negative test for COVID-19.

People are being returned, everything in order, humanely, said institute general director Carlos Emilio Morales. We are protecting our borders; we are protecting the health of all Guatemalans.

Guatemalas government said 36 people were deported to Honduras because they did not meet the requirements and a group of 10 who met immigration and health requirements were allowed to continue.

The migrants had begun their journey toward the United States from San Pedro Sula shortly after dawn Saturday, walking to the Guatemalan border in hopes that traveling in a group would be safer or cheaper than trying to hire smugglers or trying on their own. They were joined by a second smaller group.

The caravan, which is the first to be registered this year, originally had about 600 members but divided into several groups to try to evade the control of the Guatemalan authorities, and go through the different border crossings, and illegal routes.

Members of a migrant caravan hold a Honduran national flag in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on Jan. 15, 2022. (Delmer Martinez/AP Photo)

Large numbers of migrants, many from Central America and Haiti, have reached the U.S. border over the past year.

The U.S. Border Patrol has said it had more than 1.6 million encounters with migrants along the Mexican border between September 2020 and the same month in 2021more than four times the total of the previous fiscal year.

Biden has backed proposals for $7 billion in aid to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras in hopes improved economic conditions will slow migration.

At the end of last year, the U.S. government reactivated an immigration policy that forced asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their hearings. Mexicos foreign ministry confirmed the reactivation of the U.S. program and said it would temporarily not return migrants to their countries of origin for humanitarian reasons.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the media during a news conference in Berlin, Germany, on Dec. 17, 2020. (Michael Sohn/Pool via Reuters)

No New Coal Plants Should Be Built: UN Secretary-General to World Economic Forum

In a special address to the World Economic Forums Davos Agenda 2022, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that no new coal plants should be built.

This must be a priority for us allto phase-out coal, he said.

Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal who also previously led the Socialist International, has served as secretary-general of the UN since 2017.

His remarks come just months after the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland. The final COP26 decision text asked parties to [accelerate] efforts towards the phase-out of unabated coal power and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, recognizing the need for support towards a just transitiona significant change from a parallel passage in the texts first draft, which calls upon parties to accelerate the phasing-out of coal and subsidies for fossil fuels, without mentioning any need for support.

Other countries face enormous structural obstacles. They have an energy mix that relies on heavy dependence on coal, and that stands in the way of progress for all. So, they need assistance. Lets not go into blame and shame. Lets assisthelpthe emerging economies to accelerate the transition, Guterres said.

We have had the U.S. and China making an agreement that I hope will provide China with more adequate technologies in order to accelerate the transition from coal.

Guterres was referring to a joint declaration between the United States and China at COP26.

A coal-fired power plant in Hanchuan, Hubei Province, China, on Nov. 11, 2021. (Getty Images)

In that agreement, the parties pledged to accelerate climate technology innovation and to coordinate on deployment and application of technology such as CCUS and direct air capture. China pledged to phase down coal consumption during the 15th Five Year Plan and make best efforts to accelerate this work.

U.S. State Department officials didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for clarification on the specific technologies China will receive from the United States as part of the Glasgow agreement, as well as what the United States could expect to receive in exchange.

U.N. officials didnt respond by press time to a request for comment about Chinas status as an emerging economy.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), an institution in the U.N. system, defines China as an emerging market as of 2021, according to an analysis from the IMFs Francisco Arizala and Di Yang on its website.

Chinas pledges on coal come as the country builds numerous additional coal-fired plants.

As of February 2021, the country was in the midst of developing 247 gigawatts of new coal power, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, equivalent to more than 20 percent of the United States 1,200-gigawatt generating capacity.

A report from climate think tank Ember found that China alone was responsible for 53 percent of coal-fired electricity in the world as of 2021. In 2015, it accounted for only 44 percent of global coal power.

In the United States, meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently walked back an approval from the Trump administration regarding Unit 2 of the Jim Bridger coal plant in Wyoming. The EPAs disapproval, if finalized, could shutter the unit, potentially costing hundreds of jobs.

U.S. coal stockpiles have also rapidly declined, reaching a historic low in September 2021, last seen in 1978, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The Epoch Times has reached out to the EIA for the latest statistics on the countrys total coal stockpiles.

At COP26, U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry told a Bloomberg reporter that by the end of this decade, the United States wont have coal.

Davos Agenda 2022 began with a special address from Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who was introduced by WEF President Klaus Schwab.

Chinas leader Xi Jinping (R) greets Klaus Schwab (L), founder and executive chairperson of the World Economic Forum, prior to delivering a speech during the first day of the WEF, on Jan. 17, 2017, in Davos, Switzerland. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Developed economies should take the lead in honoring their emissions reduction responsibilities, deliver on their commitment of financial and technological support, and create the necessary conditions for developing countries to address climate change and achieve sustainable development, Xi said during his remarks.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) defines China, admitted to the organization in 2001, as a developing country.

Other speakers on the first day of the virtual event included Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an address as well.

In his special address, Guterres also commented on the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that if we fail to vaccinate every person, we give rise to new variants that spread across borders and bring daily life and economies to a grinding halt.

We must prepare for the next pandemic through commonsense investments in monitoring, early detection, and rapid response plans in every country, and by stressing the authority of the World Health Organization, he said.

The World Health Organization, which falls under the aegis of the U.N., was met with widespread criticism for its early response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an April 2020 Argument, Foreign Policy described the organization as Chinas coronavirus accomplice. In a May 2020 op-ed for Newsweek, John Yoo and Robert Delahunty described WHO as not salvageable, citing its role in amplifying what they called Chinese disinformation about the novel coronavirus at an early, critical stage in the emergence of a global pandemic.
The North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 9, 2017. (Edgar Su/Reuters)

North Korea Fires Another 2 Missiles, Say Observers

Another two missiles have been fired by the North Korean regime, according to observers, marking the fourth test so far this month.

The South Korean military said that two suspected short-range ballistic missiles had been fired from Sunan Airfield in Pyongyang into the East Sea.

North Korea used the same airport to test fire the Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) in 2017.

Local media reported that the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed the missile launch on Monday morning, just three days after observing the regime fire another two suspected short-range ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, Japan also said they believed the tests were of ballistic missiles.

Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said the weapons travelled an estimated 300 kilometers before landing in the ocean between North Korea and Japan.

It is self-evident that the aim of North Koreas frequent missile launches is to improve their missile technology, he told reporters, noting that they are in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban North Korea from all ballistic missile development.

Japanese chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno also condemned the missile tests as a threat to regional peace and security.

Earlier, Pyongyang claimed that two of its tests, one on Jan. 5 and another on Jan. 11, were hypersonic missiles that are capable of high speeds and maneuvering after theyre launched.

The series of launches prompted U.S. President Joe Bidens administration to impose its first sanctions against Pyongyang on Jan. 12, and to call on the U.N. Security Council to blacklist several North Korean individuals and entities.

Meanwhile, a North Korean train was reported to have pulled into a Chinese border town on Sunday just before the missile teststhe first such crossing since anti-coronavirus lockdowns began in 2020.

This timing suggests Beijing is more than complicit with Pyongyangs provocations; China is supporting North Korea economically and coordinating with it militarily, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Crude oil storage tanks are seen in an aerial photograph at the Cushing oil hub in Cushing, Okla., on April 21, 2020. (Drone Base/Reuters)

Oil Edges Higher on Tight Supply, Limited Omicron Impact

Oil prices edged up on Monday as investors bet supply will remain tight amid restrained output by major producers with global demand unperturbed by the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Brent crude futures gained 9 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $86.15 a barrel by 0539 GMT. Earlier in the session, the contract touched its highest since Oct. 3, 2018, at $86.71.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 29 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $84.11 a barrel, after hitting $84.78, the highest since Nov. 10, 2021, earlier in the session.

The gains followed a rally last week when Brent rose more than 5 percent and WTI climbed over 6 percent.

Frantic oil buying, driven by supply outages and signs the Omicron variant will not be as disruptive as feared for fuel demand, has pushed some crude grades to multi-year highs, suggesting the rally in Brent futures could be sustained a while longer, traders said.

The bullish sentiment is continuing as (producer group) OPEC+ is not providing enough supply to meet strong global demand, said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co. Ltd.

If (investment) funds increase allocation weight for crude, prices could reach their highs of 2014, he said.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia, and their allies, together known as OPEC+, are gradually relaxing output cuts implemented when demand collapsed in 2020.

But many smaller producers cannot raise supply and others have been wary of pumping too much oil in case of renewed COVID-19 setbacks.

What comes in view next is the summer demand bump, especially in Europe and the U.S., which could be bigger than last years, if the growing hope around the Omicron finally turning COVID from pandemic to endemic proves right, said Vandana Hari, energy analyst at Vanda Insights.

Festering geopolitical threats to supply are also supporting bullish sentiment, Hari said.

U.S. officials voiced fears on Friday that Russia was preparing to attack Ukraine if diplomacy failed. Russia, which has amassed 100,000 troops on Ukraines border, released pictures of its forces on the move.

U.S. crude oil stockpiles, meanwhile, fell more than expected to their lowest since October 2018, but gasoline inventories surged due to weak demand, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

By Yuka Obayashi and Roslan Khasawneh
Our Shared Humanity Already Makes Us Equal, No Need for Odious Perplexities

Commentary

I have just read an article by an illustrious academic fellow stating that, when it comes to guest speakers at our colonial-sodden universities, the university should ask permission if that man or woman may speak. In his view, a university should be required to seek permission from the local indigenous communities.

If permission is given, fine; if not, the speaker in question should not have their moment on the podium. That is, we give our power of free speech over to the First Nations. Though this may seem completely ludicrous to ordinary Canadians, it should not surprise those of us who have seen the wonderful benefits of an academic education at such places as Western University, where this academic teaches and does research.

Still, we have been told so very often by exceptional people that we are such racists and colonialists, perhaps we cannot see how beneficial this will be to our forging a new and better relationship.

We are, as this academic suggests, simply foreign occupants on indigenous lands, uninvited guests and foreign denizens. How meaningful that must be for this gentleman to spout. And the treaties, so many with Britain, not with Canada, provide us with ample evidence of our continuous callous disregard. For you see we shouldnt, he suggests, be thinking of ourselves as Canadians at all but as interlopers.

Besides, some of us who havent yet completely submitted to the notion that whatever we thought and said in the past, or about the past, is a terrible colonial lie, may think that freedom of speech cannot exist under such a sanctimonious and arrogant subjugation. Nonsense. We should examine this.

All men and women will be free to speak but some will simply be freer than others. We have largely gotten rid of the invention that any white persons have suffered in any degree through history, and given up the appalling concept that individual integrity, no matter who one might be, matters within the framework of a compassionate human intercourse. For the grander ideal now in fashion and held up by mimicry is that certain identities have more right than others to express their suffering. We have given up the idea that the only thing that makes people equal is ones distinct soul and our shared common humanity, for the same kind of deplorable systemic racism some speciously believe they are trying to rid our country of.

But all of this seems completely fine to me. That is if, for instance, anybody wishes to give a talk on William Faulkners The Bear and the university would ask the chief of the nearest reserve to make his or her decision (although I really think few professors would invite anyone to give a talk on this topic anymore, given the storys relationship to the end of the Old South and what was once noble and not so noble about it). The chief may not have read The Bear, and perhaps wouldnt want to sit up at night and read it. It is Faulkners greatest storythe only thing of Faulkner that Hemingway applaudedbut it is ponderous and does digress.

Perhaps the chief, because of his or her own innate humanity, would feel ashamed that anybody required him or her to hold direction over the speaker. Perhaps the chief would have the gentle notionlike dozens of First Nations men and women I grew up withthat peoples main responsibility is to direct themselves.

Still, by some new law, we would all have to await the chiefs opinion on the matter.

The gentleman who proposed this (and the rent one must pay to live in Canada nowfor what does Canada matter to a professor like him), co-wrote a book called Winning and Keeping Power in Canadian Politics.

There is not one demigod from history who wouldnt agree with this odious perplexity as a fine starting point. And there are always enough mimics in the crowd to applaud.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Albert Bourla, chief executive officer of Pfizer pharmaceutical company, at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City on Jan. 17, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Pfizer CEO Predicts Return to Normal by Spring but Expects COVID-19 to Circulate for Years

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told French news outlets in recent interviews that, while he expects COVID-19 to continue to circulate for many years, he thinks future waves wont be beset by major restrictions while predicting life will return to normal around springtime.

Bourla told French news outlet Le Figaro in an interview published Jan. 16 that he expects a return to normal life at some point in spring of this year, with the caveat that the dynamics of COVID-19 mutations and spread cloud the accuracy of any predictions.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2.

The Pfizer chief credited developments in COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and therapeutics for his optimistic outlook, telling BFM TV in a separate interview that he expects the current Omicron-driven wave to be the last with so many restrictions.

At the same time, Bourla predicted that COVID-19 would continue to circulate for many years to come.

This is a virus that has spread all over the world so it is very difficult to get rid of, Bourla told BFM TV.

Bourla also said Pfizer was planning to invest over half a billion dollars in France over the next five years to boost global production of its COVID-19 pill Paxlovid, which obtained emergency approval in the United States in December.

The investment will pertain to the production of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for Paxlovid at a plant run by French pharmaceutical group Novasep, which announced on Jan. 17 it had signed a letter of intent with Pfizer to bolster the drugmakers global supply chain of the pill.

We are honored by this renewed proof of confidence, Pfizer being a long-time customer of Novasep and we are of course proud to contribute to the manufacturing of this medicine which has shown in clinical trials to have a positive impact on hospitalization among at-risk COVID-19 patients, Novasep CEO Dr. Michel Spagnol said in a statement.

Clinical trials have shown Paxlovid to be nearly 90 percent effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in patients at high risk of severe illness.

Novasep said it expects its facility in Mourenx, France, will be incorporated into Pfizers growing manufacturing network of suppliers by the third quarter of 2022, bringing the total global supply of Paxlovid up to 120 million patient packets by the end of the year.

Other sites in Ireland and Italy are part of Pfizers manufacturing network for the pill.
Cleveland police officer Shane Bartek, 25, who was shot and killed during a carjacking in Cleveland on Dec. 31, 2021. (Courtesy of Cleveland Police Department)

Pointing Fingers: Did Juvenile Court Judges Fail Officer Shane Bartek and His Family?

Questions are being asked about judges in Ohios Lorain County and Cuyahoga County juvenile court systems and whether they failed to perform their duties in the case of accused killer Tamara Unique McLoyd.

McLoyds offensesassault, aggravated menacing, unauthorized use of a vehicle, complicity in the commission of a robbery, armed robbery, and now murderescalated over time, according to court records. She was classified as a serious youth offender (SYO) in Lorain County Juvenile Court in 2020.

If McLoyd, 18, had been incarcerated at that time, then-Cleveland police officer Shane Bartek would still be alive, many people close to the case say.

On Jan. 13, prosecutors from the Lorain County Juvenile Courts pointed at county Domestic Relations Court Judge Frank Janik. The prosecutors office stated that Jennifer Goodall, one of the assistant prosecutors, recommended that McLoyd be placed in a juvenile detention center on a 2020 robbery-related offense until she was 21, according to a statement from Assistant Chief Prosecuting Attorney Nick Celebrezze.

McLoyd has admitted to police and prosecutors that she shot Bartek, 25, twice in the back about 6 p.m. local time on New Years Eve during a carjacking in the parking lot of an apartment complex on the west side of Cleveland.

Bartek, who was off duty, was shot during a struggle when he tried to get her gun away from her. He died later at nearby Fairview Hospital.

Why he [Janik] didnt place her in a juvenile detention center, we dont know, Celebrezze said. We could only speculate.

Tamara Unique McLoyd, 18, of Garfield Heights near Cleveland, has been charged in the Dec. 31 shooting death of Cleveland police officer Shane Bartek. (Courtesy of Cleveland Police Department)

Janik couldnt be reached for comment; David Nehr, a bailiff in his office, told The Epoch Times on Jan. 14 that the judge wouldnt comment on a pending case.

McLoyd is due back in Janiks courtroom, at a date yet to be scheduled, over the commission of a 2020 robbery in Kipton, Ohio, for which she received five years probation on Nov. 2.

She now has violated that probation, according to prosecutors.

The judge will make a comment in the courtroom during her sentencing on that case when that happens, Nehr said. We hope to have her back in our courtroom soon.

According to information received by The Epoch Times from Cuyahoga and Lorain juvenile courts, McLoyds crimes have been going on at least since 2017, when she was 13 years old, but nothing that judges considered serious enough to put her in a detention center or issue a warrant for her arrest.

Most recently, McLoyd failed to show up for a September 2021 phone hearing for driving without a license a month earlier, according to information from Cuyahogas juvenile court.

Judge Patrick Corrigan had that case in his courtroom and no warrant for her arrest was issued after she failed to appear.

While McLoyd was committing some of her crimes as a juvenile throughout the Greater Cleveland area, she was considered a dangerous person. Classified as a serious offender by Lorain County, she was placed on five years probation after changing her robbery charges plea to guilty from not guilty.

If she violated the probation, she would face a lengthy jail sentence, Celebrezze said.

Lorain Countys Janik tried to transfer McLoyds probation supervision to Cuyahoga because she lived in that county. But Cuyahoga refused to accept jurisdiction because she had no pending cases there and informed Janik of that in a letter dated Dec. 5, 2021.

The courts took no further action in the matter.

Bartek was the first of three police officers killed across the United States in the past two weeks, including two on Jan. 10. All three were in their 20s.

On the evening of Jan. 10, Los Angeles police officer Fernando Arroyos, 27, was shot and killed while house hunting with his girlfriend. He was off duty at the time.

Four gang members have been arrested in connection with his death, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

The sheriffs department requested that federal authorities prosecute the case instead of Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, a Democrat, because it believes him too lenient to prosecute Arroyoss murder.

Los Angeles police officer Fernando Arroyos, 27, was shot and killed on Jan. 10 while off duty and housing hunting with his wife. Four gang members have been charged in his death. (Courtesy of Los Angeles Police Department)

If convicted on federal charges, the suspects could face the death penalty.

Gascons reputation as a liberal and lenient law enforcement officer precedes him.

Soon after Gascon was hired as police chief in Mesa, Arizona, he publicly complained that officers were using their guns too much.

He often was at odds with then-Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio when Arpaios sheriffs conducted raids at businesses believed to be employing illegal immigrants.

When Gascon became the district attorney in San Francisco, he was quick to note that he believed many criminal cases were not prosecuted properly and was prepared to release many dangerous offenders back on the streets.

He also implemented sentencing reforms that would help reduce the prison population.

Also on Jan. 10, Montgomery, Alabama, police Detective Tanisha Pughsley, 27, was shot and killed in an apparent domestic-violence-related incident inside her home in Montgomery. A 24-year-old man, believed to be Pughsleys ex-boyfriend, is facing capital charges in connection with her death; Pughsley had filed a protective order against him earlier this year.

Det. Tanisha Pughsley, 27, was shot and killed inside her home on Jan. 10, 2021. A 24-year-old man reported to be her ex-boyfriend she had a restraining order against, is facing capital charges in her death. (Courtesy of Montgomery Police Department).

The hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of slain Cleveland police officer Shane Bartek, 25, is escorted by motorcycle officers on Jan. 11, 2021. (Photo Michael Sakal/The Epoch Times)

In 2021, 62 officers were killed by gunfire, according to Jack Hall, a candidate for Lorain County, Ohio, sheriff. Seven of those deaths were law enforcement officers in Ohio, Hall said.

COVID-19 claimed the lives of 330 others.
Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Dutch government's COVID-19 restrictions, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Jan. 16, 2022. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters)

Thousands Protest in Netherlands Against COVID-19 Restrictions

AMSTERDAMThousands of protesters packed Amsterdams streets on Sunday in opposition to the government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions.

Authorities were granted stop and search powers at several locations across the city and scores of riot police vans patrolled neighborhoods where the demonstrators marched with banners and yellow umbrellas.

Regular anti-lockdown protests are held across the country and Sundays large gathering was joined by farmers who drove to the capital and parked tractors along the central Museum Square.

The crowd played music, chanted slogans, and then marched along thoroughfares, blocking traffic.

Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Dutch governments COVID-19 restrictions, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Jan. 16, 2022. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters)

The Netherlands had one of Europes toughest lockdowns for a month through the end-of-year holidays.

Amid growing public opposition, Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Friday announced the reopening of stores, hairdressers, and gyms, partially lifting a lockdown.

Ruttes government ordered the lockdown in mid-December.

Non-essential stores, hairdressers, beauty salons, and other service providers were allowed to reopen on Saturday under strict conditions.

Bars, restaurants, and cultural venues have been instructed to remain closed until at least Jan. 25 due to uncertainty about how the Omicron variant will impact hospital capacity.
Aftermath of the deadly explosion at Eastway Tank Pump & Meter Ltd. in Nepean, Ottawa. (Ottawa Police)

Remains of Four People Found at Site of Ottawa Truck Plant Explosion

Investigators say they have now located four sets of human remains in the rubble of last weeks explosion at an industrial complex in Ottawa on Jan. 13. However, they are still working on recovering the bodies.

Regional supervising coroner Louise McNaughton-Filion says trying to access the remains is still unsafe, as it could pose a safety threat to rescue personnel, but investigators will recover the remains and analyze them to identify the victims and determine the cause of death as soon as its safe to do so.

Ottawa Police Insp. Frank DAoust says the explosion at Eastway Tank, Pump and Meter Ltd., and the subsequent fire caused the factory roof to collapse and destroy part of the building.

The structure is being dismantled and searched, he said, adding that this is a long, methodical process that could take several more days to complete. Given the extent of damage to the building, there are many, many layers of debris and we have to be careful, he added.

Deputy Fire Marshall Tim Beckett noted that it will also take time before authorities can determine the cause of the explosion.

The Ottawa Police Service, along with the Ontario Fire Marshal, and the Office of the Chief Coroner, issued a joint press release on Jan. 16, stating that they will continue their respective investigations into the tragic incident.

We continue to support the families of all those involved. Our thoughts are also with the victim who remains in hospital, said the statement.

In the joint statement, DAoust also acknowledged the urgent need to locate all of the victims and find answers.

The Ottawa Police Service and partners are moving as carefully and quickly as possible to provide meticulous investigative evidence and the utmost respect for the victims and their families, he said.

So far, four of the victims have been publicly identified by their families as Kayla Ferguson, Rick Bastien, Danny Beale, and Etienne Mabiala.

GoFundMe pages have already been set up for at least two of the victimsEtienne Mabiala and Kayla Ferguson. The latter page, in part, states: We are asking for your generosity to help lessen the load  and support [our] family during such heartbreaking times.

Neil Greene, the owner and president of Eastway Tank, said in a statement on Jan. 14 that he was completely devastated by the tragedy.

My heart goes out to their families, loved ones and to all of our employees who are reeling from this deep loss, he said.

We remain in close contact with investigators, and we will cooperate with authorities on all ensuing investigations. We want to get to the bottom of what happened.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
Ruben and Elsie Ramos at the Jan. 15 matinee of Shen Yun at the Detroit Opera House. (Julia Song/The Epoch Times)

DETROIT, Mich.Pharmacist student Elsie Ramos and dentist Ruben Ramos came to Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time without knowing what to expect but came away with a deep feeling of recognition. They attended the Jan. 15 evening show at the Detroit Opera House.

I never experienced anything with Chinese culture so the dances and everything was something very new and it was very niceunexpected, Mr. Ramos said.

The Ramos couple were born in Cuba, where, like in China, religion has been under attack by the communist regime. Shen Yun brings back the traditional spiritual culture of China for audiences to enjoy. The mission of the New York-based company is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese heritage before communism when faith was the backbone of society.

Were Catholic ourselves and the show had a big focus on heaven, and like getting people on earth back to heaven and it was refreshing to see that in todays world, said Mr. Ramos. It makes me feel good. Its a connection between all people around the world, of going back to heaven.

Especially with religion, that were not allowed to believe in anything, against, anything thats different than communism. So it was very touching for us, added Ms. Ramos.

Asked how they would describe Shen Yun to their family and friends, Mr. Ramos said:

Were going to explain to them that not all Chinese people are in support of the government over there, that they have their own culture and theyre trying to fight for it, as communism is trying to destroy their traditions. Very similar to ours, our story.

Ms. Ramos added that the experience of seeing Shen Yun gave her a sense of solidaritythat we are not alone, that other countries are actually experiencing everything, she said.

A Visual Feast

Ariana Daglian, a graphic designer, came back to Shen Yun for the second time since she first saw the show in 2009.

I felt the same thing this timeI felt uplifted, she said. I feel more clear, less absent-minded, possibly purified.  I feel more like myself.

Graphic designer Ariana Daglian at the Jan. 15 evening performance of Shen Yun at the Detroit Opera House. (Teng Dongyu/The Epoch Times)

As a graphic designer, she found the use of color in the costuming and set especially inspiring.

Its a complete visual feast, she said. And I really liked the way they used very strong accent colors with the muted colors, but it worked together. I feel renewed.

Shen Yuns performers are mostly practitioners of Falun Dafa, a spiritual discipline centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Part of the program sheds light on the persecution of Falun Dafa in China by the communist regime.

Im kind of devoted to Shen Yun because I know what Falun Dafa does, said Ms. Daglian. And I just feel waves of it coming out of the stage, from the performance.  Im here to bathe in this and so hopefully take it and transfer it to others is my goal. I dont want only to keep to myself.

They had open hearts and they were generously giving of themselves to us.  Ariana Daglian

Of the performers, she said: They had open hearts and they were generously giving of themselves to us. I felt that.

Reporting by Julia Song and Teng Dongyu.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Shorter Isolation Period Takes Effect in England as Minister Hints at Lifting Restrictions

People who test positive for COVID-19 in England may now end isolation after five full days if testing negative twice on day five and day six.

The new rule came into effect on Monday as ministers hinted that more restrictions could be removed after Jan. 26.

Without tests, the default length of self-isolation remains 10 days.

The government has said that modeling suggested 7 percent of people who end isolation on day six after two negative lateral flow tests may still be infectious. Therefore, those who are released early by test results are strongly advised to wear face coverings and limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. They are also told to work from home if possible and to minimise contact with people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Self-isolation rules for close contacts of COVID-19 cases have not changed, meaning unvaccinated adults are required to isolate for 10 days if one of their close contacts test positive for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Vaccinated contacts are not required to self-isolate, but are encouraged to take daily tests.

Ministers had been under pressure to reduce the isolation periodwhich was previously one day longerto help address staff shortages across the economy and public services by allowing people to return to work earlier.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said hes confident that England will be in a much better place so other restrictions may be lifted on Jan. 26, when ministers are due to review the current restrictions.

The government brought in its Plan B restrictions after the arrival of the Omicron CCP virus variant, including compulsory face coverings in indoor public spaces and COVID Passes for nightclubs and large events.

It also told secondary school pupils to wear masks during lessons. The rule is facing a legal challenge from UsForThem, a group of parents campaigning against CCP virus restrictions, and a number of Conservative lawmakers have backed the challenge.

Zahawi said on Monday that new hospitalisations involving the CCP virus appear to have peaked.

If you look at infection rates, they remain high, hospitalisations are still high, touching 20,000 people in hospital, but it feels like theyre plateauing, he told BBC Breakfast.

The good news is the number of people in ICU has been coming down, certainly in London, which was the epicentre, the level of staff absence in education has remained pretty flat. It was 8 percent before Christmas, its at about 8.5 percent at the moment.

The former vaccines minister hinted that Plan B restrictions may be lifted after next week.

Im confident that when we review this on Jan. 26, as we said we would do, then well be in a much better place to lift some of these restrictions, Zahawi said, adding that England now has the most open economy in Europe because ministers stuck to Plan B.

Downing Street also said there were encouraging signs in the data.

The prime ministers official spokesman said the maximum amount of time possible would be given to prepare for any changes in the rules.

In terms of the data, there are some encouraging signs that infections are falling across the country, he said, adding that the ministers will also want to see the trend reflated in the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

There are also some signs of fallsor at least plateauingin admissions and occupancy in hospital, which is good to see, he said.

But it still remains the case that our NHS is under significant pressure, there are over 16,000 COVID patients in hospital in England alone.

The spokesman said the Cabinet is keeping a very close eye on the data and believes the governments CCP virus policies are offering massive protection to the public.

The latest data from NHS England showed that almost 45 percent of people in acute NHS trusts on Jan. 11 were primarily treated for other things.

PA contributed to this report.
The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea, on Aug. 23, 2016. (Courtesy of Ken Scar/U.S. Army/Handout via Reuters)

South Koreans Rank the US Highest in Trustworthiness, China Lowest

A recent survey in South Korea showed that when it comes to trustworthiness, people put the United States at the top of the list and China at the bottom, indicating that most South Koreans want the countys foreign policy to be centered around the United States instead of China.

This year marks the 30th year since South Korea and China formally established diplomatic relations. Since then, China has become South Koreas largest trading partner in both imports and exports. South Korea relies on China for over 25 percent of overall trade.

However, despite the heavy reliance on Chinese trade, South Koreans negative perception of China has grown stronger in recent years, according to polls.

In December 2021, the Seoul National University Asia Center (SNUAC) conducted a survey of 1,031 individuals in South Korea about their preferences towards 20 countries including the United States, China, Japan, Australia, France, and Germany.

The results showed that 71.6 percent of the respondents picked the United States as the most trustworthy country while only 6.8 percent chose China, ranking it last among the 20 countries.

When asked about South Koreas most suitable partner for cooperation, 69.2 percent picked the United States while only 6.9 percent and 6.5 percent picked China and North Korea, and Japan was at the bottom with 1.1 percent.

In regard to countries that South Korea should maintain friendly relations with, 68.2 percent chose the United States, and only 9.6 percent chose China. When asked which country has a positive influence on South Korea, 67 percent chose the United States, 8.4 percent chose China.

Additionally, the SNUAC asked the respondents to pick a temperature of affection ranging between 0 and 100 degrees Celsius representing their preference toward each of the 20 countries. The United States scored the warmest temperature of 65.9 degrees, while China scored 35.8 degrees, ranking it third from the bottom.

When asked who will win the strategic competition between the United States and China, 53.7 percent of respondents chose the United States, and 11.5 percent chose China.

On the other hand, when asked whether China would contribute to peace and prosperity if it led the Asian order, 78.5 percent answered No.

In various hot topics such as the South China Sea, Taiwan, semiconductors, new technologies, trade, and human rights, 67.5 percent to 95.8 percent of the respondents preferred to cooperate with the United States.

The survey findings indicate that the overwhelming majority of South Koreans believe the United States to be the most trustworthy country while having the strongest distrust towards China. These results may have significant implications on South Koreas foreign policies as the poll shows that the public wishes to pursue more cooperation with the United States on major issues currently facing the country.

Anti-CCP Sentiment At Historic High

In June 2021, the Korean weekly current affairs magazine Sisa IN and the pollster Hankook Research conducted an online survey on why and how much Koreans dislike China (the CCP). The results showed that 75.9 percent of respondents think negatively about the CCP, surpassing previous poll responses that indicated 71.9 percent of those polled had a negative opinion toward Japan. In the survey, 58.1 percent of the respondents believe the CCP is close to evil, while only 4.5 percent think the CCP is close to good.

According to the research, the air pollution from China, the CCP virus pandemic, illegal fishing by Chinese boats in South Korean waters, and the CCPs retaliation over South Koreas deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) were among the major causes of South Koreans growing anti-CCP sentiment.

THAAD is a U.S.-designed and manufactured anti-missile system installed in South Korea between 2016 and 2017 to defend against North Koreas nuclear missile threats. However, Beijing insisted that the deployment of THAAD affects Chinas security and has since adopted a series of countermeasures against South Korea.

In addition to South Korea, a Pew Research Center poll released last June showed unfavorable views of China at near historic highs in most of the 17 advanced economies surveyed. Among them, 69 percent of respondents had a negative view of the CCP. While in 15 of the 17 countries surveyed, 80 percent or more believe that the CCP does not respect the personal freedoms of its people.

The survey showed that 90 percent of U.S. respondents believe that Beijing does not respect individual liberties. Similarly, the same opinion was indicated by 95 percent in Sweden, 92 percent in South Korea, 91 percent in Australia and the Netherlands, 90 percent in Japan, and 83 percent in Taiwan.
Tens of Thousands Left Without Power Across North, South Carolina After Winter Storm Hits Parts of East Coast

Tens of thousands of people across the Carolinas were left without power on Sunday after a winter storm swept across parts of the East Coast before spawning tornadoes in Florida.

The dangerous winter storm system combining high winds and ice has caused freezing rain, inches of snow, and ice to fall across much of the South East, knocking out power, disrupting transport, and causing hazardous driving conditions for locals.

In a statement on Sunday, Duke Energy, which serves 4.3 million customers in the Carolinas, said 67,000 of its own customers in both North and South Carolina had been left without power, noting that some outages could potentially last up to several days.

As of 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, 27,000 customers in North Carolina and 40,000 in South Carolina had no power, the company said while warning that further power outages were expected on Monday.

Customers in North Carolinas Gaston, Jackson, Macon, and Swain were the hardest hit by the outages, along with those in South Carolinas Anderson, Darlington, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Sumter, the company said.

By late Sunday evening, 43,823 customers in both North and South Carolina have no power, 28,167 of which were located in the North and 15,656 in the South.

Pedestrians cross a street as motorists drive through the snow on Jan.16, 2022, in Greenville, S.C. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Duke Energy said it had stationed more than 11,000 of its workers, including power line technicians, damage assessors, and vegetation workers, across the two states ahead of the storm to help with power restoration but warned that ongoing hazardous weather and dangerous road conditions will slow repairs.

I thank our customers, in advance, for their patience and understanding during what could be a multi-day power-restoration process, given the expected widespread damage to our electric distribution system across both states, said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy Carolinas storm director.

Our crews are ready to begin power restoration as soon as weather conditions safely allow, but ongoing hazardous weather and dangerous road conditions initially will slow our ability to assess damage, make repairs and estimate power restoration times, Hollifield said.

According to poweroutage.us 33,033 people in South Carolina and 32,181 in North Carolina had no electricity late Sunday. In Virginia, 29,427 people were left without power, while 29,186 in Georgia had no electricity. Another 22,331 were left without power in Maryland.

In South Carolina, The National Guard has been activated to assist with the storm and keep major roads clear.

At the direction of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, the South Carolina National Guard has activated approximately 120 service members to be available to support our state partners in response to the winter weather impacting areas of the state, said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, the adjutant general of South Carolina, said in a Sunday news release.

The South Carolina National Guard is prepared with teams of service members working with civil authorities to ensure the major roadways remain clear during the inclement weather conditions and after the storm has passed.

A snowplow clears Main St. in Greenville, S.C. on Jan.16, 2022. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

The storm system also spawned two tornados in Florida, the National Weather Service said. An EF-2 tornado with maximum winds of 118 mph hit near Fort Myers, Lee County, and caused widespread power outages and at least three injuries, per the NWS. There were no reports of deaths, local officials said. An EF-1 tornado with winds of 110 mph also struck near Placida, Charlotte County.

And the stormy weather and hazardous conditions are not going to be over any time soon.

Heavy snow and ice accumulations from the winter storm are likely to produce hazardous travel, downed trees, and power outages through Monday for portions of the eastern U.S. as per the National Weather Service. Some parts of the United States can expect to see up to a foot of snow through Monday.

Meanwhile, the states of Delaware, Florida, Maine, North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Virginia, and the island of Puerto Rico, could see strong winds and flooding, NWS said.
Tesla Inks Deal to Get Key Battery Component Outside China

LONDONTesla is turning to Mozambique for a key component in its electric car batteries in what analysts believe is a first-of-its-kind deal designed to reduce its dependence on China for graphite.

Elon Musks company signed an agreement last month with Australias Syrah Resources, which operates one of the worlds largest graphite mines in the southern African country. Its a unique partnership between an electric vehicle manufacturer and a producer of the mineral that is critical for lithium-ion batteries. The value of the deal hasnt been released.

Tesla will buy the material from the companys processing plant in Vidalia, Louisiana, which sources graphite from its mine in Balama, Mozambique. The Austin, Texas-based electric automaker plans to buy up 80 percent of what the plant produces8,000 tons of graphite per yearstarting in 2025, according to the agreement. Syrah must prove the material meets Teslas standards.

A Tesla charges at a station in Topeka, Kan., on April 5, 2021. (Orlin Wagner/AP Photo)

The deal is part of Teslas plan to ramp up its capacity to make its own batteries so it can reduce its dependence on China, which dominates global graphite markets, said Simon Moores of United Kingdom-based battery materials data and intelligence provider, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

It starts at the top with geopolitics, Moores said. The U.S. wants to build enough capacity domestically to be able to build (lithium-ion batteries) within the USA. And this deal will permit Tesla to source graphite independent from China.

Moores said producing the batteries in the United States will reduce some of the questions Tesla is facing about its ties to China, where there are environmental concerns at some mines. The automaker also has set up a showroom in the region of Xinjiang, where Chinese officials are accused of forced labor and other human rights abuses against Uyghur and other ethnic minorities.

A message was left seeking comment from Tesla, which has disbanded its media relations department.

The battery industry has been confronted with a short supply of graphite in recent months, Moores said. Graphite stores lithium inside a battery until its needed to generate electricity by splitting into charged ions and electrons.

Tesla is making almost a million electric cars per year, and sourcing enough batteries is its biggest constraint, he said.

Theyve upped their own battery manufacturing capacity, Moores said, but still they cant get enough batteries.

A new battery factory that the company is building in its new hometown of Austin, Texas, will allow it to get closer to self-sufficiency, but Moores said it is still buying batteries from other manufacturers, and that wont change this decade.

For instance, Tesla has a deal with Panasonic to make battery cells at the automakers battery factory near Reno, Nevada.

The deal with Syrah is part of a broader effort by automakers to secure relatively scarce raw materials for batteries as demand for electric vehicles is expected to grow, said Sam Abuelsamid, principal e-mobility analyst for Guidehouse Insights.

The deal also brings the graphite processed in Louisiana much closer to Teslas U.S. factories.

The pandemic pointed out to us that weve got these long, long, long supply chains, and it doesnt take much to disrupt a supply chain, said Donald Sadoway, a professor of materials chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Somebody could all of the sudden say, Were going to jack up the prices, or Were going to refuse to ship it.'

For the Australian mining firm, the deal is crucial because it has a non-Chinese purchaser for its graphite product, Moores said.

Syrahs graphite mine in Mozambiques northernmost province, Cabo Delgado, is one of the worlds largest, with an ability to produce 350,000 tons of flake graphite a year.

Cabo Delgado has faced violence in recent years by Islamic extremists, an insurgency that has recently extended inland from coastal areas toward the neighboring Niassa province.

The mine is on the main road connecting the Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces, a thoroughfare that has been recently upgraded by a Chinese contractor. At a ceremony to reopen the road in December, President Filipe Nyusi called for vigilance so the road isnt used by insurgents.
An aerial view of police standing in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 16, 2022. (Brandon Wade/AP Photo)

Texas Rabbi: Captor Grew Increasingly Belligerent in Standoff

COLLEYVILLE, TexasA rabbi who was among four people held hostage at a Texas synagogue said Sunday that their armed captor grew increasingly belligerent and threatening toward the end of the 10-hour standoff, which ended with an FBI SWAT team rushing into the building and the captors death.

Authorities identified the hostage-taker as a 44-year-old British national, Malik Faisal Akram, who was killed Saturday night after the last hostages ran out of Congregation Beth Israel around 9 p.m. The FBI said there was no indication that anyone else was involved.

The investigation stretched to England, where late Sunday police in Manchester announced that two teenagers were in custody in connection with the standoff. Greater Manchester Police tweeted that counter-terrorism officers had made the arrests but did not say whether the pair faced any charges.

Katie Chaumont, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Dallas, referred questions to police in Manchester.

President Joe Biden called the episode an act of terror. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker credited security training that his suburban Fort Worth congregation has received over the years for getting him and the other three hostages through the ordeal, which he described as traumatic.

In the last hour of our hostage crisis, the gunman became increasingly belligerent and threatening, Cytron-Walker said in a statement. Without the instruction we received, we would not have been prepared to act and flee when the situation presented itself.

Akram could be heard ranting on a Facebook livestream of the services and demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaida who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said the issue was not directly connected to the Jewish community. It wasnt clear why Akram chose the synagogue, though the prison where Saddiqui is serving her sentence is nearby in Fort Worth.

Michael Finfer, the president of the congregation, said in a statement there was a one in a million chance that the gunman picked our congregation.

Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Sunday, Biden said Akram allegedly purchased a weapon on the streets.

Federal investigators believe Akram purchased the handgun used in the hostage taking in a private sale, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Akram arrived in the U.S. at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York about two weeks ago, a law enforcement official said.

Video from Dallas TV station WFAA showed people running out a door of the synagogue, and then a man holding a gun opening the same door just seconds later before he turned around and closed it. Moments later, several shots and then an explosion could be heard.

Rest assured, we are focused, Biden said. The attorney general is focused and making sure that we deal with these kinds of acts.

Authorities have declined to say who shot Akram, saying it was still under investigation.

Authorities said police were first called to the synagogue around 11 a.m. and people were evacuated from the surrounding neighborhood soon afterward.

Saturdays services were being livestreamed on the synagogues Facebook page for a time. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that an angry man could be heard ranting and talking about religion at times during the livestream, which didnt show what was happening inside the synagogue.

Shortly before 2 p.m., the man said, You got to do something. I dont want to see this guy dead. Moments later, the feed cut out. A spokesperson for Meta Platforms Inc., the corporate successor to Facebook Inc., later confirmed that Facebook had removed the video.

Multiple people heard the hostage-taker refer to Siddiqui as his sister on the livestream. But John Floyd, board chair for the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relationsthe nations largest Muslim advocacy groupsaid that Akram isnt isnt Siddiquis biological brother.

We want the assailant to know that his actions are wicked and directly undermine those of us who are seeking justice for Dr. Aafia, said Floyd, who also is legal counsel for Mohammad Siddiqui.

Texas resident Victoria Francis, who said she watched about an hour of the livestream, said she heard the man rant against America and claim he had a bomb. Biden said there were apparently no explosives, despite the threats.

He was just all over the map. He was pretty irritated and the more irritated he got, hed make more threats, like Im the guy with the bomb. If you make a mistake, this is all on you. And hed laugh at that, Francis said. He was clearly in extreme distress.

Colleyville, a community of about 26,000 people, is about 15 miles northeast of Fort Worth. By Sunday morning, the police perimeter around the synagogue had shrunk to half a block in either direction and FBI agents could be seen going in and out of the building. A sign saying Lovewith the o replaced with a Star of Davidwas planted in a neighbors lawn.

Reached outside his home Sunday, Cytron-Walker declined to speak at length about the episode. Its a little overwhelming as your can imagine. It was not fun yesterday, he told the AP.

Andrew Marc Paley, a Dallas rabbi who was called to the scene to help families and hostages upon their release, said Cytron-Walker acted as a calm and comforting presence. The first hostage was released shortly after 5 p.m. That was around the time food was delivered to those inside the synagogue, but Paley said he did not know if it was part of the negotiations.

He appeared a little unfazed, actually, but I dont know if that was sort of shock or just the moment, Paley said of the first hostage who was released.

Cytron-Walker said his congregation had received training from local authorities and the Secure Community Network, which was founded in 2004 by a coalition of Jewish organizations and describes itself as the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America. Michael Masters, the CEO of the organization, said the congregation had provided security training in August and had not been previously aware of Akram.

The standoff led authorities to tighten security in other places, including New York City, where police said that they increased their presence at key Jewish institutions out of an abundance of caution.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Twitter that this event is a stark reminder that antisemitism is still alive and we must continue to fight it worldwide.
There are many reasons for an entrepreneur to create new enterprises or retool an older business for todays competitive environment. Sometimes, it becomes a balancing act between family and your startup.

The Balancing Act Between Family and Startup

The list for why entrepreneurs feel compelled to create new enterprises is a long and interesting one. Here are two of the major reasons, as demonstrated in the history of business in the last one hundred years:

Money

Who doesnt like money? Who doesnt want more of it? Who is there among us who couldnt help more of our fellow planet dwellers with more money on hand? Even billionaires enjoy the feeling of adding a few more measly millions to their bank accounts.

For many, money translates into power. Power to be independent. Power to order others around, or the power of choice to do or not to do. Of course, the power to purchase unlimited quantities of everything from toilet paper to Rolex watches. But maybe even morethe power to do better for the humans and the environment around us?

Money means the power to do good. To succor the homeless and disenfranchised of a community, of a country, of the world. The charities of former moneybags like Rockefeller and Carnegie are renowned for the results they have accomplished with the use of the supposed, filthy lucre. And, just because many called it sothose who have gone before have done incredible good for all of us.

Ego

Nobody is ever really surprised when a successful entrepreneur names new buildings, new parks, or a new country, after themselves. The ego of your common everyday entrepreneur is no larger or smaller than that of the average Joe Six-pack.

However, some feel that what a successful enterprise does to the pride of an entrepreneur is similar to what a lit match does do a can of petrol. In other words, if the entrepreneur is not carefulthe ego can explode. And who can blame the entrepreneur? After all, most successful entrepreneurs put in an inordinate amount of blood, sweat, and tearsand untold time into their baby (infant enterprise).

In fact, lets grow that analogy to completeness: most entrepreneurs love and take great pride in their creations just like a mother does with her infant.

Naturally, there are as many reasons that could be listed here as there are holes in Swiss cheese. But lets move on to practical tips on how the obsessive entrepreneur can successfully perform the balancing act between family and startup.

Deputize

The first thing to learn as an entrepreneur is that you cant do it all yourself. The poet said, no man is an island. And while poets are not noted for their business acumen, they know human nature better than most. In this case, what an entrepreneur should get from this poetic gem is that a DIY philosophy is not the best idea when you have to divide your time between family and business.

So learn to delegate. If you look at the lives of Thomas Edison, Charles Schwab, or Sam Walton, its noticeable that they all learned to delegate parts of their job to others. (Although many of them never did learn to share much of their fame and fortune with their subordinates, most did with their families.)

And with todays user-friendly apps its a breeze to communicate to others what you want them to do and how you want them to do it. Then set your tracking apps to keep track of their performance and forget about itsome that are deputized at the drop of the ball. Some entrepreneurs and employees will exceed your expectations. Its trial and error, true enough, but it wont be long until you find out who can take on responsibility and who cannot.

Knowing who you can depend on will be a godsend to founders who realize that the homewrecker in their relationship is likely their own business.

Stick to a Routine

Keeping all your ducks in a row may sound like a moth-eaten cliche, but those ordered ducks really work.

Sticking to a routine doesnt mean that you have to adhere rigidly to a preordained schedule whether created by yourself or someone else, but it does mean that you should have a schedule that is written down somewhere so you can always access it. If nothing else, write an abbreviated schedule in lipstick or shaving cream on the bathroom mirror.

Stock photo of a weekly planner. (Tara Winstead/Pexels)

Dont Be Afraid to Be Flexible

Although a standardized routine is going to help you balance family and business, youve got to learn to be flexible. When the baby gets diaper rash at the same time you are scheduled for an important finance meeting, dont let your schedule get in the way of your concerning parenthood. To put it another way, no parent ever alienated their children by spending too much time with them.

Dont forget as stated above that you can delegate almost anything to a business associate you trust, so you can go to a school play, take your spouse to a movie, or play hooky from work with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the park with family.

The Balancing Act Takes Commonsense

Following commonsense advice may seem too simplebut look around. Thankfully nowadays there is more advice about how to balance your work, your life. losing your balance between family and startup.

By Brad Anderson
Tornado Rips Through Florida Trailer Parks, Destroying More Than 30 Homes and Causing Minor Injuries

A tornado driven by a powerful winter storm moving across South Carolina ripped through trailer parks in Fort Myers and the surrounding communities in Florida on Sunday, destroying homes and causing minor injuries.

The tornado blew 118 mph (190 kph) winds and was on the ground for almost two miles (three kilometers) with a maximum path width of 125 yards (115 meters), according to the National Weather Service.

Local news outlets reported that 31 mobile homes were destroyed and 51 more had sustained serious damage, while some residents suffered minor injuries, as per the Sun Sentinel.

Iona in Lee County was one of the worst affected areas. Lee County officials said Sunday that 26 homes were destroyed and at least 62 homes are not livable, although officials were still working to confirm the exact number of homes affected by the weather incident.

Video footage shared on Twitter showed the severe damage caused at Tropicana RV Resort in Fort Myers, where dozens of homes were completely destroyed and a huge pile of debris could be seen spread across the entire park.

Edward Murray, 81, who lives in a mobile home at Windcrest and Point Breeze in Cottage Point Trailer Park, Fort Myers, told Naples Daily that he had been inside his home when the tornado picked it up and threw it on top of his neighbors home.

Thats my house thats turned upside down, he said. The tornado took me off my feet, blew me toward the east wall, and buried me under the sink, refrigerator, kitchen chairs, and everything else.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that a large tornado crossed Interstate 75 near Naples, causing a semi-truck to overturn. Thankfully only a minor injury to semi-truck driver! the patrol wrote.

In the Village of Holiday Lakes in Port Charlotte, Charlotte County, several homes sustained damage and several residents have been displaced, the Charlotte County government said in a Twitter post. No one was injured, it said.

Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass told reporters on Sunday that displaced residents were offered temporary shelter as power companies worked to restore power to 7,000 affected residents.

A message on the Lee County website says that 200 people have been displaced. The county has opened a shelter at Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center to help those displaced by the storm and the Red Cross is providing extra help. Residents at the temporary shelter are receiving food and water along with PPE supplies, the message reads.

The tornadoes were driven by a powerful winter storm that touched down across parts of the East Coast of the United States over the weekend, leaving thousands without power and disrupting transport, while causing hazardous driving conditions for locals.

The dangerous winter storm system combined high winds and ice which caused freezing rain, inches of snow, and ice to fall across much of the South East, with more extreme winter weather set to come on Monday.

According to poweroutage.us 33,760 people in South Carolina and 32,854 in North Carolina had no electricity early Monday. In West Virginia, 19,405 people were left without power, while 25,011 in Georgia had no electricity.

Gale force wind warnings remain in effect for all of east-central Florida as of Sunday evening, as per NWS.
A person carries items collected from the train tracks as a Union Pacific locomotive passes through a section of Union Pacific train tracks littered with thousands of opened boxes and packages stolen from cargo shipping containers, targeted by thieves as the trains stop in downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Train Burglaries Cause Union Pacific, Shipping Companies to Consider Avoiding LA

Instead of making train burglars think twice by threatening jail time, Los Angeles County has made the nations largest rail freight company reconsider sending goods through the area, according to a letter from the company.

Union Pacific (UP) sent a letter to Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon stating that train burglaries in his jurisdiction increased by 356 percent from October 2020 to October 2021.

Burglary losses have been so high that the company is considering ceasing traffic through the county. FedEx and UPS also are trying to divert railroad shipping away from the area, according to the letter.

We do not take this effort lightly, particularly during the supply chain crisis, as this drastic change to our operations will create significant impacts and strains throughout the local, state, and national supply chain systems, the letter reads.

But slower shipping still beats shipping that gets stolen.

On train tracks in Los Angeles, a carpet of ripped-open packages and plastic stretches as far as the eye can see. At one point, packages on the tracks piled up so much that they derailed a train.

One reporter at the scene where such burglaries regularly take place estimated that 1 in every 5 train cars was torn open and looted. In its letter, UP said that in the past three months, thieves have broken into 90 train containers every day. Often, they carried weapons and assaulted train employees.

Thieves have taken a grand total of $5 million from the railroad, according to the letter.

In response, UP has deployed drones, fencing, and high-tech trespasser detection systems and has paid for additional law enforcement to help prevent theft. The results have been underwhelming, but not because UP has failed to catch criminals.

Even with these expanded resources and closer partnerships with local law enforcement, we find ourselves coming back to the same results with the Los Angeles County criminal justice system, the letter reads.

According to UP, the local district attorneys office allows the criminals it captures to walk free.

Without any judicial deterrence or consequence, it is no surprise that over the past year UP has witnessed the significant increase in criminal rail theft described above, the letter reads.

After more than 100 arrests of train robbers, UP said that it hasnt been contacted once regarding court proceedings; many of these arrests were made by UPs own hired security.

A railroad worker inspects a track as he repairs a section of Union Pacific train tracks following a derailment in Los Angeles on Jan. 16, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Instead of charging thieves with felonies, the district attorneys office has sent them to local courts, reduced their charges to misdemeanors or petty offenses, and released them after they paid a small fine, according to UP. The whole process takes about one day.

Criminals boast to our officers that charges will be pled down to simple trespassingwhich bears no serious consequence, the letter reads.

UP suggested that the lenient sentences were motivated by social justice.

While we understand the well-intended social justice goals of the policy, we need our justice system to support our partnership efforts with local law enforcement, hold these criminals accountable, and most important, help protect our employees and the critical local and national rail network, the letter reads.

Los Angeles Countys decision to allow the tracks to become too dangerous for trains will likely have nationwide consequences; the county is one of the most important U.S. transportation hubs.

The county is the site of the two largest U.S. ports, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, which together receive more than 9 million containers yearly.

At the Port of Los Angeles, freight trains carry about a third of this never-ending river of containers to their eventual destinations across the United States.

Currently, UP runs three of the ports five main railyards. The Port of Long Beach also depends on UP for railroad shipping. Without Union Pacific, the ports would have to find a new way to export containers.

UP told the district attorney that it would strongly urge him to reconsider his policies.

We stand ready to meet with you and other stakeholders to help implement needed and immediate actions. We look forward to that necessary collaboration to restore public safety and order, the letter reads.
An undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga, on Jan. 15, 2022. (Japan Meteorology Agency via AP)

Tsunami-Hit Tonga in Need of Immediate Assistance, Official Says

Tongas government has called for immediate assistance after a massive eruption by a nearby undersea volcano on Saturday, which was followed by a destructive tsunami, an official has said via satellite phone.

The Australian and New Zealand governments dispatched surveillance flights to the Pacific island on Monday to help restore communications and assess the damage.

Parliament Speaker Lord Fakafanua said via satellite phone early Monday that the COVID-19-free but ash-covered nation is in need of COVID-safe support to ensure enough fresh drinking water and food, and that internet remains down due to damage to an undersea cable.

Many areas were affected by substantial volcanic ashfall. Communications remain down and the full extent of the harm to lives and property is currently unknown, Fakafanua said in a statement shared by Tonga-based reporter John Pulu on social media.

He said that details about Tongas official disaster relief fund would be announced soon, and that all relief funds will need to be verified to ensure the help kindly offered reaches those in need.

Later Monday, telephone lines had mostly been restored.

Australias Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said that surveillance showed no mass casualties from the tsunami, and that Tongas airport appears to be in relatively good condition, although there has been significant damage to roads and bridges.

There are hopes that the undersea cable will be restored by next week.

One-in-1,000-Year Event

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano ejected a plume of ash, gas, and steam at least 20 kilometers into the atmosphere around 5:10 p.m. local time on Saturday in a one-in-1,000-year event, and then again around 5:26 p.m., followed by tsunami waves, which hit and flooded parts of the island, including its capital Nukualofa.

The volcano has been erupting regularly over the past few decades, but the rare atom-bomb scale eruption on Saturday was felt as far away as Fiji, New Zealand, the United States, and Japan. Tsunami warnings and evacuation orders were also issued in many Pacific countries. Two people drowned off a beach in Northern Peru due to high waves caused by the tsunami.

Early data suggests the eruption was the biggest blast since Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines 30 years ago, New Zealand-based volcanologist Shane Cronin told Radio New Zealand.

This is an eruption best witnessed from space, Cronin said.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged to provide support to Tonga.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also offered help, saying on Facebook that her country will prepare navy vessels to help assess the damage and send Hercules C-130 to deliver essential supplies.

To help on the ground, weve made half a million dollars available for immediate needs, but this is very preliminary. We know more will be needed and we stand ready to support our friends and family in Toga, she added.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers a speech after being sworn into office, in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

2 Counties Signal Defiance of New Virginia Governors Ban on School Mask Mandates

Two counties indicated they plan to defy the school mask mandate ban announced by new Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on his first day in office.

Youngkins executive order requires schools to let parents decide whether their children should wear masks and for how long.

Youngkin, a Republican, said mask requirements have proven ineffective and impractical and inflicted harm, including inhibiting the ability of children to communicate and breathe.

He ordered schools and school-based early child care and educational programs to let children remain unmasked, depending on what their parents choose. The order (pdf) says parents dont have to provide a reason for their decision.

The order takes effect on Jan. 24.

Officials in Arlington and Fairfax counties, both in northern Virginia, quickly signaled they wouldnt comply, at least for now.

Arlington Public Schools will continue to require all staff and students to wear masks inside on school grounds and on buses, as part of our layered approach to safety. Universal mask use has proven effective in keeping COVID-19 transmission rates low in our schools and ensuring schools remain safe and open, Arlington Public Schools said in a statement.

State law, Senate Bill 1303, which lets districts implement mitigation measures, provides the authority to defy Youngkins order, Arlington officials said.

We are governed by the Virginia code, State Delegate Patrick Hope, a Democrat who represents part of the county, said on WTOP radio. And the Virginia code states very clearly that school districts should adhere by the CDCs recommendations.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) also said it would keep mask requirements in place.

As we return to school after the holiday weekend, we want to let you know that FCPS will continue universal masking for all students and staff, Scott Brabrand, the districts superintendent, told parents.

He said the district was aware of the order and was reviewing it.

Additionally, Alexandria City Public Schools stated it wouldnt follow Youngkins order that reverses the statewide school mask mandate imposed by then-Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat.

Youngkin told reporters over the weekend that the order doesnt take effect until later this month.

It is time to listen to parents, he said. Over the course of this week, I hope they will listen to parents, because we will use every resource within the governors authority to explore what we can and will do to ensure parents rights are protected.
Home Secretary Priti Patel speaking in the House of Commons, London, on March 15, 2021. (House of Commons/PA)

UK to Legislate Against Foreign Interference After Chinese Spy Found Operating in Parliament

The British government will introduce new legislation to counter foreign interference, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has said after a Chinese communist spy was found operating in Parliament.

The UKs MI5 security agency took the unusual step of sending an alert to Parliament on Jan. 12 warning that an individual named Christine Ching Kui Lee has been knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The alert states that Lee had been facilitating financial donations to UK political parties and politicians and that anyone contacted by her should be mindful of her affiliation with the Chinese state and remit to advance the CCPs agenda in UK politics.

Making a statement in the House of Commons on Jan. 17, Patel said she was utterly appalled that an individual who has knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party for a number of years targeted members of this Parliament.

She said the aim of such influence activity was to make the UK political landscape more favourable to the Chinese authorities agenda and to challenge those who raise concerns about the Chinese authorities activities on very pressing issues such as human rights.

She said similar security alerts will become more commonplace as intelligence agencies have adapted to counter these new and emerging threats.

The UK government is developing new national security legislation to make it even harder for a malign state to conduct such activities, Patel said, adding that such legislation will provide the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to disrupt the full range of state threats.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of the Conservative Party, said it was shocking that any member of this House should allow themselves to be used by a foreign power.

The governments got to get tougher even still, he said. It is time to change our position and call China the threat that it really is to us.

Bob Seely, another Conservative MP, said similar scandals are just going to carry on until we update our espionage laws, until we update our domestic lobbying laws, and until we bring in a foreign lobbying law.

Opposition parties have also called for measures to be taken to boost the UKs defence against Chinese interference.

Labours Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the information contained in the MI5 security alert was obviously extremely serious and we condemn in the strongest terms the attempts by China to interfere in Britains democratic process.

Labour MP Chris Bryant stressed that MPs needed to have our eyes wide open about possible infiltration of British politics.

He also called for a series of Chinese officials to be sanctioned, including Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam and four Xinjiang officials, as they have been undermining human rights both in Hong Kong and in China.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Understanding the Differences Between Hiring Freelancers, Contractors, and Employees

Hiring the right help for your business can be confusing and intimidating

Very often, entrepreneurship starts as a solo venture or a partnership. But as the business expands, keeping up with client demands can be too much for any business owner to take on themselves. This is actually a good problem to have. Unfortunately, not everyone knows when its time to bring in extra help. The simple answer? If you are losing business, you need to make a change. Depending on your situation, however, hanging a now hiring sign may not be necessary. While hiring employees can certainly help, are they the right kind of help? With an evaluation of your needs, you can decide if hiring a freelancer, contractor or employee is right for you.

Fundamentally speaking, the major differences between freelancers, contractors, and employees lie in their relationship with the business owner. Freelancers and contractors are self-employed individuals, while employees are hired by the company. Freelancers and contractors typically set their schedules based on the needs of their clients and work out a payment schedule (typically upon completion of a job). Employees, however, work the schedule established by the company and receive a regular paycheck on a schedule set by the company. As a business owner, you are responsible for tax reporting on any payroll employees you have. But since freelancers and contractors are considered self-employed, they are responsible for reporting their taxes.

Sometimes people will use the terms freelancer and contractor interchangeably, but there is a difference in the type of professional you are hiring. Freelancers usually work on smaller, short-term projects, while contractors work on larger, more long-term projects.

When Should You Hire a Freelancer?

Before deciding if hiring a freelancer is a viable option for your business, its important to understand exactly what a freelancer is. Freelancers are people the IRS considers to be self-employed, meaning there is no need to onboard them as official employees. They are responsible for reporting their earnings and taxes. Since they are not payroll employees, there is no expectation for benefits.

Freelancers are typically the best in their field and passionate about what they do. Depending on the work you need to be done, freelancers can give your business a boost, and potentially save you money. Freelancers are a great option for your business when all you need is short-term help. Consider a relationship with a freelancer if you have the following needs:

You have work that a remote employee can carry out successfully. This saves money on providing office space.

Your current staff lacks the expertise to fulfill a new requirement. For example, a freelance digital marketer is highly skilled at maintaining a strong social media presence.

Your needs are short-term. Freelancers are used to working on quick projects with their clients and moving on to their next project. Employees would expect you to continually provide them with a working relationship.

You are not financially ready to hire employees. Hiring employees comes with the expectation that you will also offer certain perks as part of their employment. If you arent ready to take that step in your business, a freelance relationship may be a better option to get the help you need.

Related: Here Are the Benefits of Working as a Freelancer

When Should You Hire a Contractor?

Freelancers and contractors share many similarities, but they serve entirely different purposes. While you may hire freelancers for small projects, contractors take on more heavy lifting. If your business needs services for advertising beyond maintenance of social media accounts, for example, contracting a marketing company to handle the job is your best bet. They come with a team of expert professionals who can get you the exposure you need.

Stock photo of a man working at his desktop. (RODNAE Productions/Pexels)

Contractors also handle specialized projects, such as IT, remodels, design and consulting. As your business grows, financial consultants can keep you on track with your financial goals. Hiring a contractor will help your business in the following areas:

The contractor takes your vision and oversees the project for you. This takes the burden off of your shoulders.

If you need highly specialized work done that requires a team, contracting a company to do it for you will ensure the job gets done right.

If the job you need to complete is not ongoing, theres no need to hire an employee to take on the task. A contractor will draw up an agreement, including the expected timeframe for how long the project should last.

Related: Hiring an Independent Contractor

When Should You Hire an Employee?

Not every company needs employees or a large number of employees. Depending on the type of business you run, this is an important question to ask yourself. Is all of your business conducted remotely with little collaboration? Freelancers can be an invaluable resource. However, if you hold frequent meetings, rent an office space or interact with customers, you will want reliable employees to help support the business.

Remember, its important to find the right people. Just because someone looks good on paper doesnt mean they are a good fit for your business. They must fit into your companys culture. Here are some important considerations when hiring employees:

If youre stretched thin, bringing on additional help can help boost your business. With the extra support, you can free yourself up to focus on your companys next phase.

Since you are in full control over an employees workload and schedule, they will want some kind of perks. This can be difficult in the early stages of entrepreneurship, so talk with your advisor about employee retention.

Having the right kind of help keeps customers, vendors and staff happy. So, determine if you need help on an ongoing basis and if hiring an employee is right for you.

Related: Ready to Hire Your First Employee? Prep With These 6 Steps

Final Thoughts

The IRS has its own definition and classification for freelancers, contractors, and employees. This gives each individualand the business owner hiring themspecific responsibilities with tax reporting. Talk to an advisor to make sure you understand your responsibilities as a business owner when working with each classified individual.
A railroad workers inspects a track as they repair a section of Union Pacific train tracks after a train derailed from the tracks, which are littered with thousands of opened boxes and packages stolen from cargo shipping containers, in Los Angeles on January 16, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Union Pacific Train Derails in Los Angeles, 17 Cars Off Track

LOS ANGELESUnion Pacific crews worked to clear tracks after a train derailment on Jan. 15 in Lincoln Heights, near an area where thousands of empty boxes were left behind by cargo thieves.

At this time, there is no estimated time for completion, and the cause remains under investigation, Union Pacific spokeswoman Robynn Tysver told City News Service. No one was injured.

The derailment occurred around 4 p.m. on Jan. 15 at the intersection of San Pablo Street and Valley Boulevard, which was blocked indefinitely, according to USC, which has its Health Science Campus nearby.

Railroad workers repair a section of Union Pacific train tracks after a train derailed from the tracks, which are littered with thousands of opened boxes and packages stolen from cargo shipping containers, in Los Angeles on Jan. 16, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

A total of 17 cars derailed, Union Pacific told KTLA.

The area has been plagued by cargo thefts in recent days, and video from the scene showed the ground littered with empty boxes from companies such as UPS and Amazon.

Union Pacific has asked the LA County District Attorneys Office to prosecute anyone arrested for the crimes.

A person carries items collected from the train tracks as a Union Pacific locomotive passes through a section of Union Pacific train tracks littered with thousands of opened boxes and packages stolen from cargo shipping containers, in Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Some cases presented to our office by Union Pacific have been filed, such as burglary and grand theft, while others have been declined due to insufficient evidence, the DAs Office said in a statement provided to ABC7.

We make charging decisions based on the evidence. Our office takes Union Pacifics concerns seriously and hopes to discuss this issue more in the coming weeks.
Parishioners pray during the 'Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost' service with Father James Collins at St Paul's Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 25, 2020. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Unions Criticize Religious Bills Statement of Belief For Increasing Stress and Discrimination to Workforce

A representative of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has attacked the government over its timing of the Religious Discrimination Bill arguing that if we were going to have a debate about a divisive bill, it could not have come at a worse moment.

Liam OBrien, Assistant Secretary of the ACTU, argued that the Australian Coalition has had three years to introduce a conventional anti-discriminatory bill to protect people of faith from religious discrimination and therefore criticised the currently proposed bill for being confusing and complex.

He argued that frontline workers were already stressed during the Omicron crisis, and the bills introduction with the provisioning that a statement of belief should not be considered discriminatory during this time will only introduce more discrimination and distress as it potentially overrides other discrimination laws.

Currently, on the bill, statements of belief are not constituted as discrimination, giving people of faith a level of protection.

Statements of beliefs can be a religious belief held by a person in good faith and made according to the religions doctrines, beliefs, or teachings.

For someone who does not hold a religious belief, their statement of belief must be made in good faith and is something someone who has no religious faith can relate to.

However, this excludes statements that would, or is likely to, harass, threaten, seriously intimidate or vilify another person or group of persons and are therefore not protected under statements of good faith.

The ACTU argued that the exclusions were a high bar, saying that these statements could come in many forms, such as pamphlets or posters. Therefore the implications in the workforce could be unpredictable as compared to a conventional anti-discriminatory bill similar to other laws for sexual orientation, age and disability.

Lori-Anne Sharp, Federal Assistant Secretary and representative for Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), concurred with OBrien that the provisioning of statement of beliefs as not discriminatory could increase stress within the healthcare workforce.

It is just going to add so much more distress, confusion and lack of confidence in the public and the clinicians, she said to the joint committee.

Sharp argued that nurses and midwives must adhere to a code of conduct that stays with them when the shift has ceased and was concerned that statements of belief may disrupt the trust patients have with their clinicians.

She raised the example that clinicians or health care workers that are anti-vaxxed based on any religious belief can have dire consequences implying non-religious patients may be unable to trust religious clinicians on their judgement and that governing bodies may not be able to take disciplinary action due to the protection statements of beliefs offered.

The bill will impact health service delivery and particularly undermine public health confidence, Sharp said.

Sharp also raised the concern that the bill may allow the termination of employees from religious organisations based on the staffs religious or non-religious beliefs. Currently, many carers of the union work in religious-based aged care, and Sharp said she was concerned that certain employees might be discriminated against due to their beliefs within the workplace and miss opportunities.

At present, the bill allows an override of state and territory discrimination laws only in the matter for schools to hire employees based on how they identify with the schools teachings and ethos. Currently, all other religious organisations do not have this provision.

However, lawyer and executive director of the Institute for Civil Society, Mark Sneddon, argued that the bill coverage did not go far enough and said that only allowing religious schools the provision to preference was too timid. In addition, Sneddon argued that it was important for all religious organisations to have a preference in hiring.

Sneddon argued that having a preference was not religious discrimination and that it was the same as political parties preferring to hire people that identified with the philosophy of the party.

He also contested the unions argument that statements of belief would cause further discrimination and stress within the workforce, stating that the clause has attracted a mass amount of misinformation and criticism.

It has been widely said that this provision protects statements of belief in all sorts of ways.

However, he reasoned that the provision only protected statements of belief from discrimination and anti-discrimination laws and other provisioned laws in regards to discrimination.

Sneddon argued that those who were arguing against the clause had forgotten that employer sanctions, breach of employment contract, breach of employers code of conduct, breach of regulations by professional bodies would still apply.

He also argued that exclusions and the necessity for statements to be made in good faith serve as a second limitation.

Some of the objections out there like; for a nurse to say to a patient with HIV that AIDS is a punishment from God, or a disability worker saying to a girl with a disability that disabilities are by the devil is just wrong.

Such statements are very unlikely to pass the gauntlet of being in good faith; not malicious, not harassing, not threatening, not intimidating, not vilifying, he said.

He reasoned that even if the statement did not fall into any of the categories, it would only make it protected from a discrimination complaint but would not protect from a complaint to employers for a breach of code of conduct nor protected from a breach of contract, all of which applies in the workforce.

The idea that these statements would be made without consequences or sanction by the people who make them is fanciful, and I would be delighted if the people who keep making those assertions would stop doing that, he concluded.

The public inquiries into the religious discrimination bill ended on Friday, Jan. 14 and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights is expected to hand in their report on the religious discrimination bill following the inquiry by Feb. 4.
University of Michigan Fires President After Learning of Alleged Inappropriate Relationship With Employee

The University of Michigan on Saturday announced it has fired its president, Mark Schlissel, after learning via an anonymous complaint last month that he may have been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a University employee.

It is with great disappointment that we announce that the University of Michigan Board of Regents has removed Dr. Mark Schlissel as President of the University of Michigan, effective immediately, members of the University of Michigan Board of Regents said in a statement.

On Dec. 8, 2021, via an anonymous complaint, we learned that Dr. Schlissel may have been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a University employee, the statement continued. After an investigation, we learned that Dr. Schlissel, over a period of years, used his University email account to communicate with that subordinate in a manner inconsistent with the dignity and reputation of the University.

The university also released almost 120 pages of redacted email communications (pdf) allegedly between Schlissel and the unnamed university employee who is referred to as Individual 1 in the interest of full public disclosure.

All this information is available on the Universitys website. Our community and our state deserve as complete an understanding of this situation as possible, the university said.

As per the redacted email communications, the former president and the unnamed university employee appear to have been speaking in a consensual manner between 2019 to 2021. The correspondence shows multiple messages pertaining to planned travel and dinner and drinks arrangements between the two.

One of the emails included a 2019 New Yorker article titled Sexual Fantasies of Everyday New Yorkers. Schlissel indicated in the subject box it was an article you couldnt download.

Another shows that Schlissel wrote, What if we miss our connection and get stuck in Paris along with a flight confirmation email to India.

In a July 1, 2021 exchange, the university employee wrote that her heart hurts, to which Schlissel responded: I know. mine too. He continued, This is my fault.

He later followed the message up with: Just wanted to apologize for my response to your heart hearting. I should have left it with Im sorry since this is my fault and although I am in pain as well, its not the same at all. I still wish I were strong enough to find a way.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Schlissel for comment.

According to the universitys policy on supervisor-employee relationships, which was introduced last July, a supervisor may not, implicitly or explicitly, initiate or attempt to initiate an Intimate Relationship with a Supervisee over whom they exercise supervisory authority.

In addressing Intimate Relationships in the work environment, the University is guided by its core values and principles. Most importantly, the University will maintain a workplace that is inclusive and free from abuse of power, coercion, sexually harassing conduct, and favoritism. Such conduct will not be tolerated, the policy reads.

On Saturday, the University Board named former University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman as interim president, adding that it has full confidence that she will provide the leadership our University community needs during this critical time of transition. Coleman is expected to serve in the position until a new president is named, which the university said will likely be this summer.
US Should Provide Philippines With Ballistic Missiles to Defend Against China

Keep allies American and stop Russias export of cheap missiles

News Analysis

Russia is making inroads against democracies and traditional U.S. allies like the Philippines, India, and Turkey, with its supply of cheap but unreliable defense exports.

The latest export win for Moscow came on Jan. 14, when Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana communicated that Manila approved an acquisition of the BrahMos supersonic missile system from an Indian-Russian joint venture.

The BrahMos land-based PJ-10 cruise missile, which will be used by the Philippine Marines in an anti-ship capacity, is being sold by the group for just $375 million. The Philippines will acquire three batteries of missiles, consisting in total of six missile launchers, three radars, and three command and control centers. Each road-mobile launcher has three missile tubes.

Deepening Manila-Beijing Ties

The Philippine purchase is at least partly positive as a departure from Manilas deepening relationship with Beijing. But the U.S. pullback from the Philippines that started in the early 1990s has opened the country for exploitation by both Russia and China.

The Philippines essentially defected to Beijing a few years ago, but the free world can always trust Chinese leaders to poison new friendships, noted Gordon G. Chang in an emailed comment on the BrahMos purchase.

Rick Fisher, a senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, responded in an email about the purchase, Americas decision to end its active military presence in the Philippines will be viewed historically as one of its greatest mistakes that paved the way to global hegemony under the Chinese Communist Party.

He said that China not only was actively involved in helping Philippine Senators to decide not to approve a new treaty for the continued U.S. presence, China was ready to exploit the power vacuum that resulted from the U.S. withdrawal.

Fisher said that the American decision proved to the CCP that American leaders did not have determination to win over the long term, that China could use many stratagems to weaken the United States well before [Beijing] achieved nuclear and conventional military superiority.

The BrahMos Agreement and Moscow

The recent agreement to acquire BrahMos missiles was signed in March, when 200 Chinese maritime militia boats anchored in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and refused to leave for months. Chinese fishing boats continuously steal fish in Philippine waters, with little resistance from the U.S. and Philippine governments. Beijing has sought to compromise both governments through million-dollar business deals, targeting the families and associates of the Philippine and American presidents, as well as the congressional leadership in both capitals.

The Vladimir Rusanov, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker ship, is seen following its arrival at the LNG terminal in Nantong city, eastern Chinas Jiangsu Province on July 19, 2018. The LNG/icebreaker tanker arrived in Nantong with its shipment of gas produced at the $27 billion Yamal LNG plant in the Siberian Arctic. (AFP via Getty Images)

Beijing exerts influence over not only Manila and Washington, but Moscow as well, due to Chinas massive imports of Russian oil and gas and far larger economy. Therefore, India and the Philippines purchase of Russian systems could be built on a foundation of sand.

Russia might have designed malfunction or a kill switch into its exported defense systems. In an emergency, Russia might stop the supply of critical weapons components and spare parts. It is difficult for India, the Philippines, and other nations that buy cheap Russian military hardware to know whether it is truly reliable. This trust deficit with Moscow puts the users of Russian systems, including countries heads of state and diplomats, at a disadvantage in their negotiations with Beijing.

BrahMos Missiles Not Enough

Even if the BrahMos missiles work perfectly, they are not enough. There are two major vulnerabilities in the Philippine defense of its West Philippines Sea. First, even after the purchase, China can occupy features, build artificial islands, fish, and drill for oil and gas outside the range of the missiles but within the at-minimum 200 nautical mile (nm) EEZ of the Philippines. The missiles have a speed of Mach 2.8, but a range of just 156 nm, according to an Indian official quoted in the Wall Street Journal.

The BrahMos can launch from ships, as was proven in a test by Indias Ministry of Defense on Jan. 11. But the missiles bound for the Philippines will only be shore-based.

And the Philippines needs better air defenses. In 2016 the Philippines won its South China Sea EEZ back, de jure, in the Philippines v. China case. But the Chinese air force sent an H-6K nuclear capable bomber over Scarborough Shoal to signal its rejection of the ruling. The shoal is well within the Philippines EEZ and far from the shores of China.

The international arbitral tribunal in the Hague validated most of the Philippines EEZ, but wrongly shared fishing rights over the shoal with Chinese fishers, increasing confusion and giving Beijing an excuse to militarize what has historically been an almost exclusively Philippine fishing ground.

To protect the Philippine EEZ, and avoid problems between democracies and U.S. alliance members in the future, the United States and Europe should offer for export a new line of military hardware that is reliable, yet inexpensive enough to compete and win in bidding wars against cheap Russian and Chinese defense exports. If necessary, the U.S. and European exports should be subsidized in order to improve the coherence of Western alliance systems.

Such inexpensive U.S. and allied defense exports could completely drive out unreliable Russian systems that risk disaggregating U.S. alliance systems and turning them into satellites of Moscow, or worse, Beijing.

Fisher wrote that an effective deterrent against China could be created with a new Philippine president and prodigious numbers of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.

Washington could base or gift to Manila a force of two hundred 500km range PrSM short range ballistic missiles and 100 or so 1,500 to 2,000km range Typhon medium range ballistic missiles, both soon to begin production, wrote Fisher. These would be enough to put Chinese bases in the [Spratlys] out of commission and pose a deadly threat to Chinas nuclear submarines and aircraft [carrier] bases at Hainan.

Without effective U.S.-Philippine military cooperation, continued Fisher, the Philippines may be neutralized for generations to come, a major Chinese goal as it fights for hegemony in Asia and then globally.

Chang agrees, and argues that the United States, India, and the Philippines should grow closer. He believes that The growing cooperation among Chinas victims means Xi Jinping cannot accomplish his regimes historic goals.

Xi, according to Chang, has squandered good will and built an anti-Beijing coalition. He can no longer intimidate. Manila is not just buying a missile; it is entering a powerful pact.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Virginias Loudoun County Pulls Sexually Explicit Book From School Libraries

Facing pressure from concerned parents, Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia has announced that it will remove copies of a graphic novel containing explicit sexual scenes.

The book in question, Gender Queer: A Memoir, was created by California cartoonist Maia Kobabe. It sparked controversy in Virginia and several other states after parents complained about the books graphic depiction of adolescent sexual acts.

In a statement to The Washington Post, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Superintendent Scott Ziegler said that while he disagrees with the practice of pulling books from library shelves, he did find Gender Queer to be inappropriate for school and decided to remove it.

The pictorial depictions in this book ran counter to what is appropriate in school, Ziegler said. I read every book that is submitted for my review in its entirety. I am not generally in favor of removing books from the library.

In October 2021, Virginia-based conservative advocacy group Independent Womens Voice (IWV) tried to run a 30-second TV ad featuring a graphic scene in Gender Queer. Local Virginia TV stations, including ABC, CBS, and NBC, reportedly refused to air the ad, citing federal law prohibiting the airing of pornographic images.

Its shocking that images, and even some words, that federal law prohibits TV stations to share with adults are the same images being shared with Virginia students with no accountability, said Victoria Coley, vice president of communications at IWV.

Meanwhile, the neighboring Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) announced in November 2021 that it would restore Gender Queer to its libraries, two months after the school district agreed to remove the book alongside Lawn Boy, a young adult novel by Jonathan Evison, following complaints about sexually explicit content.

A semi-autobiography of its non-binary author, Gender Queer contains illustrations of sexual acts, masturbation, and sex toys. Lawn Boy involves an adult man reflecting on sexual encounters he had with another boy when they were in the fourth grade. Both books were winners of the American Library Associations Alex Awards, which are given every year to 10 books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults ages 12 through 18.

FCPS officials said in a statement that the decision to reinstate the books reaffirmed the districts ongoing commitment to provide diverse reading materials that reflect our student population, allowing every child an opportunity to see themselves reflected in literary characters.

Both reviews concluded that the books were valuable in their potential to reach marginalized youth who may struggle to find relatable literary characters that reflect their personal journeys, the statement reads.

Stacy Langton, a parent in the Fairfax County school system, said that when she read out sexually explicit excerpts from Gender Queer and Lawn Boy at the public comment session of a school board meeting, the board chair cut her off, ironically reminding her that there were children in the audience.

What I did at the school board meeting was literally one of the most humiliating things Ive ever done in my life. That was awful, Langton told The Epoch Times. Who wants to go and say what I said in a room full of strangers? So that was not enjoyable. But it was necessary.

Terri Wu of The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
West Australian Govt Grants Gas Projects Big Tax Breaks: Think Tank

A think tank has revealed that residents in Western Australia (WA) paid two times more for registering their motor vehicles than the royalties of all gas export projects combined in 2020-21.

A report by the Australia Institute thinktank, titled Gas-fired Robbery, has outlined that two-thirds of gas export projects paid virtually no tax or royalties despite earning billions of dollars for international corporations such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, and Woodside.

Ordinary people paying their car registration fees are contributing more to the WA budget than royalties from oil and gas companiestheres no doubt West Australians are getting ripped off, said Mark Ogge, principal advisor at the Australia Institutes climate and energy program.

Around 90 percent of gas produced in WA is exported, with more than half of the gas remaining in the state to be used in the mining industry. Out of $27 billion worth of exports last year, approximately $425 millionor 1.6 percentwent to the state government in taxes and royalties.

And of the five key gas operations in WA, the report states that no tax or royalties were paid for three of these, namely Woodsides Pluto, Chevrons Wheatstone, and Shells Prelude projects.

Woodsides Goodyn A offshore gas production platform in the North West Shelf gas project off the northwest coast of Australia on Jan. 1, 2001. (-/AFP via Getty Images)

Ninety-nine percent of the revenue instead came from only one of these, the North West Shelf operated by Woodside.

The authors of the report noted that if the same royalty arrangements for the North West Shelf were to be applied to other projects in 2019-20, WA would have seen an extra $1 billion in revenue in its state budget, with a further $500 million in the coffers of the federal government.

Importantly, the report highlighted that this outcome was not directly due to unlawful practices by the oil and gas giants but rather was facilitated by the WA government.

However, the oil and gas peak body of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration (APPEA) argued against the report stating that the industry brought a substantial amount of jobs and wealth to the state.

Western Australians know that natural gas creates local jobs and is essential to our community, no matter what this east coast outfit suggests, APPEA WA Director Claire Wilkinson told The Epoch Times in an email.

Natural gas creates thousands of direct jobs and reliably powers our homes, businesses, mines and hospitals. Critically, mining and minerals processing, a key generator of royalties for WA, is a big user of natural gas to power their activities.

According to a report (pdf) by Ernst and Young commissioned by APPEA, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry paid $53 billion over the last decade, as well as employing on average 57,000 workers.

The report also estimates that industry brought $220 billion to the WA economy over the same period, with much of the domestic gas used in mining and minerals processing and electricity generation.

A 450 megawatt combined cycle gas-fired power station under construction at Citic Pacific Minings Sino Iron magnetite iron ore project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia on Mar. 5, 2010. (Photo credit should read AMY COOPES/AFP via Getty Images)

But Ogge said he believed West Australians deserved to see a larger share of the money generated by the states billion-dollar gas industry and stated that the returns provided to the state were negligible.

Oil and gas companies like Woodside and Chevron are being given this valuable and finite resource virtually for free, making huge profits from its sale, creating few jobs and returning almost nothing to everyday West Australians, Ogge said.

With more comprehensive reform, fairer royalty arrangements could gain far more revenue that would benefit all West Australians.

Ogge also accused the WA government of being overly influenced by gas corporations through the use of political donations.

The WA Government and Opposition are too close to the oil and gas industry. Unfortunately, both accept political donations from industry, and both have been involved in virtually giving the resource away, he said.

Ogge told The Epoch Times that the Australia Institute did not have the exact donation figures but that political lobbying by oil and gas organisations had previously been exposed by 350, a group that seeks to end the use of fossil fuels over concerns of man-made climate change.

A 2020 report by 350 alleged a number of sources of influence between government and the gas industry, including the regular meetings and political donations between government ministers and gas companies.

The Epoch Times reached out to the WA government for comment but did not receive a reply in time for publication.
By Wu Changwei

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 17 -- On January 14, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh awarded the 16th Chinese military medical expert team to Cambodia at the Ministry of National Defense in Phnom Phnoh, in recognition of the team's contribution to assisting the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in the fight against COVID-19.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian and deputy military attache of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia Zhu Shuaifei attended the event.

According to Gen. Tea Banh, the Chinese military has sent 16 batches of medical expert teams to help improve the diagnosis and treatment capabilities of the Preah Ket Mealea Hospital, known as the general hospital of the Cambodian armed forces. In this regard, the Cambodian side expressed its heartfelt thanks.

He said that since arriving in Cambodia, the 16th batch of medical experts has got involved in the vaccination work in front-line grassroots units, where they proactively shared the experience of the Chinese military in fighting the pandemic, playing an important role in the successful fight against the pandemic by the Cambodian Royal Armed Forces.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese and Cambodian militaries have looked out for each other and pulled together as one, with the Chinese military medical expert team as an epitome of practical cooperation between the two countries and two militaries.

The ambassador added that Gen. Tea Banh awarded honors to the 16th batch of experts in person, which not only reflected the recognition of the Cambodian Ministry of Defense for the team's contribution in pandemic prevention and control, but also served as a symbol of the deep friendship between the two countries and the two militaries.

He also stressed that China will, as always, be ready to work together with Cambodia to continuously consolidate the friendship between the two countries and the two militaries.
What Happens If China Hits 5 Percent Growth?

News Analysis

As China prepares for the muted Lunar New Year celebrations due to Omicron, it faces its largest challenges to economic growth.

With 2022 the Communist Party version of an election yeara time when growth is typically boosted and credit loosenedChina faces some of the deepest challenges to growth it has faced in some time. With 2021 growth forecast to come in around 5 percent, serious questions exist over how China will reach that level of growth in such a challenging environment.

Despite the public talk of shifting China to a consumer-based economy, shoppers seem less willing to comply. Burdened with rapidly rising household debt level that now surpasses the United States and most other developed countries relative to income, consumers simply do not have the ability to increase spending that Beijing would like them to have. After accounting for the base effect from the pandemic-induced drop in retail spending in early 2020, November 2021 consumer spending grew at a paltry 3.9 percent. With tight household finances carrying over into 2022, the consumer seems an unlikely source of growth.

China seems unlikely to find enough external demand to power growth in 2022. Due to strong external demand, China is likely to run a trade balance in 2021 in excess of $600 billionlikely up for the entire year by more than 25 percent. This makes depending on a burgeoning trade balance to drive growth tenuous for 2022. Even with the trade balance growing likely more than 25 percent for all of 2021, that represents a boost of official growth of less than 0.8 percent. While it is not negligible that rate of growth is highly unlikely to replicate itself in 2022, and with official GDP expanding rapidly, the surplus contributes less to realized growth.

The fundamentals of growth in China are extremely weak. Studies have regularly found that productivity growth remains weak if positive for a supposedly rapidly growing economy. With demographic pressures in the labor force reducing growth and natural age boosts to growth, China will fall back on increasing capital inputs to boost growth. However, there are significant risks and headwinds here.

China is already a highly indebted country by any standardeven when compared to advanced economies. When compared to other middle-income countries with similar per capita GDP, Chinas debt level is an extreme outlier even when broken out by public, private, and household.

China faces a bleak 2022. Its real estate sector is teetering on the brink, developers are in default, and local governments are starved for revenue from land salesa sector responsible for approximately 30 percent of the economy. To combat a slowing real estate and construction sector is going to require significant boost in debt well in excess of GDP growth, which would further exacerbate Chinas already burdensome debt load.

Though real estate sales were up strongly for most of the year, up more than 23 percent for the year to date in July, sales have collapsed as worries about Evergrande have spread and lending slowed. A total yearly growth of only 3.8 percent through November indicates falling sales through the later half of the year, with a weak outlook heading into 2022.

To counter the economic headwinds, Beijing has announced plans to speed up bond issuance and lending to state-owned real estate developers to purchase projects from weaker firms. This is not exactly a solution in promoting growth, but it does keep things moving along.

To hit that 5 percent growth mark, this will necessitate growth likely upwards of 10 percent. The no base effect from the pandemic year means Beijing will be propping up over indebted firms and households by piling on more debt. Steel, coal, and developers are going to get a lot more funding to build a lot more in 2022 to have any hope of hitting growth targets. It may help with a short-term target; however, it does nothing but make the inevitable adjustment that much more painful.

China watchers are filled with trite cliches to describe the country. One of the most common is that Chinese leaders focus on the long term and that speed with which the Chinese economy changes. The reality is much more mundane. The structure of the Chinese economy has changed only a little, because making reforms targeting longer term health and stability would require significant short-term pain and slowdown in economic growth. Beijing is unwilling to make those changesso the more that the Chinese economy changes, the more it stays the same.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A friend of mine decided to shake the dust of the city off his feet last year and migrate to a more rural area. Reflecting on the move, he seemed surprised at how much hes enjoying the change. My takeaway from our conversation was that his life was fresh and new now that he had left the problems of the city.

Having a community of reasonable people to live among wasnt so bad either.

My friend isnt the only one who made such a change in the past year or so; Minnesota Public Radio highlighted the trend in a recent story titled Ready for a change: Couples go all in on small-town life. The article describes how James and Katrina Ball uprooted their children from the Cayman Islands to settle in the small Minnesota town of Battle Lake at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic so they could be near Katrinas parents.

Not intending to stay for the long haul, they find themselves still living thereand not only surviving but thriving in their new community.

While it once was the norm for small communities to empty out as their young people moved to the cities for bigger opportunities, it seems a reverse flight is beginning to take placeslowly, perhaps, but definite nonetheless. While some may see this as regression, it actually is progress, since a return to the rural, local community will eventually bring restored freedom and virtue to Americas citizens.

Those who move say they love the connected feeling that a small community brings. Mentioning a fall festival that Katrina helped organize, the Balls expressed their surprise at how helpful and participatory everyone was.

I just went and walked down to the businesses and everyone was like, Yeah, well support you. What do you need?' Katrina said.

James has been amazed at how much work volunteers put into the community; he says in a small town, it can be easier to get things done because you see city officials at the coffee shop, and it seems everyone in town is connected.

Its just so much more approachable. And it feels like in a small town, you can do anything, if youve got the stamina, really, he said.

In other words, the couple appreciates the freedom, support, tight-knit nature, and comfort of life in a small town. And while the Balls might not realize it, its these very things that are the roots of a healthy society.

Robert Nisbet noted this in his classic work, Quest for Community.

The family, religious association, and local community, these, the conservatives insisted, cannot be regarded as the external products of mans thought and behavior; they are essentially prior to the individual and are the indispensable supports of belief and conduct, he wrote.

When such supports are gone, we shouldnt be surprised to see individuals believe only in their own truth and behave in any depraved way they choose. Nisbet elaborates:

Release man from the contexts of community and you get not freedom and rights but intolerable aloneness and subjection to demonic fears and passions. Society, Burke wrote in a celebrated line, is a partnership of the dead, the living, and the unborn. Mutilate the roots of society and tradition, and the result must inevitably be the isolation of a generation from its heritage, the isolation of individuals from their fellow men, and the creation of the sprawling, faceless masses.

Americans are lost, lonely, and adrift. Almost all of us can sense that without even looking at statistics.

But is it possible that such a problem could be reversed by more Americans fleeing the cities and settling in small communities? Here, people cant blend into the background as much; theyre a name instead of a faceless being, carried along with the crowd of good, upright folks striving to follow God, work hard, raise their family right, and support those around them with care and encouragement.

America wont survive without turning away from the rootless and toward the rooted. If were serious about helping that about-face happen, perhaps its time to find a small community, settle down, and start the process of becoming more than a lonely automaton in a massive urban arena.

This article was originally published on Intellectual Takeout.
A 14-member ad hoc committee recommended to Phoenix City Council a broad range of initiatives for moving the city toward more electric vehicle use, urging the construction of 500 charging stations, buying 200 EVs for city use and even developing a ride-sharing plan to give low-income people 
Anthony Fauci said recently that most people can expect to be infected with the coronavirus eventually.

"I think, in many respects, omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will, ultimately, find just about everybody," the chief medical advisor to the president told the Center for Strategic & International Studies.

That pervasive belief  that despite two years of efforts to flatten the curve, the virus is ultimately inescapable  has led, according to experts, to a reduction in mask wearing, a stagnation in vaccination and booster rates and a general complacency, despite near-record COVID hospitalizations.

I think many people have given up. Not all, but many have, said Art Caplan, a Connecticut resident and founder of the New York University Langones division of bioethics. Theyre completely exhausted, theyre tired of it.

People have heard or dont believe that the virus can be contained, Caplan said, and a part of that problem is messaging.

We messaged so hard that vaccination was about spread, he said. But the vaccines, while effective in preventing severe disease and death, particularly if a patient is boosted, have not put much of a dent in COVID transmission, particularly since omicron began circulating.

Its purpose is to turn a deadly disease into a common cold, Hartford HealthCares Ulysses Wu said.

So people have started to feel that if the vaccine doesn't prevent me from getting it, then it's pointless, Caplan said.

There are good reasons to lighten up a bit, according to Caplan. There is some evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, that the omicron variant is resulting in shorter hospital stays and less mortality.

Theres a belief, he said, that, If I get it, its mild, and vaccination has acted as a buffer for many patients formerly considered vulnerable.

The vulnerable group has shrunk, Caplan said.

For example, a slightly overweight, pre-diabetic person with a history of asthma is absolutely at lower risk now than they were in spring 2020, particularly if they are boosted, according to Scott Roberts, associate director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital.

While that patient, Like many other people, can have some risk factors for severe disease, the fact that they are boosted means your risk of being hospitalized, or dying of COVID, is exceedingly low, he said.

Wu said the issue is one of personal choice versus societal consequence.

I don't know if people have given up per se, but I will say that people are getting into their minds deciding what they want to do and what they don't want to do, and that all revolves around personal choice, he said.

Personal choices in the midst of a pandemic, however, affect other people. Wu said the choice to not wear a seat belt affects yourself. The choice to not wear a mask affects everyone around you.

The problem with COVID is that, even with personal choice, there is a societal consequence, he said. And we do have to remember that it's not the same as just not wearing your seat belt, or not washing your own hands before you eat.

But Caplan said the implications of those personal choices are often hidden from view.

The overwhelmed hospital is not something that people see, it's not something the media does a good job personalizing, he said. Its not commanding sympathy or empathy.

Letting the firehouses burn down

It's as if we were willing to let the firehouses burn down because we don't really want to deal with the problem of fires anymore, said Dr Eric Schneider, senior vice president for policy and research at the Commonwealth Fund. It's really startling.

Schneider attributes the problem to fatigue: I do get the sense that people have basically decided they just can't cope anymore. They're just going to do whatever they used to do normally.

It's been two years. I feel it, too. People really are ready to be done with this, he said.

Schneider, like many, has noticed crowded restaurants filled with maskless patrons and lagging booster rates, all while there are nearly more COVID-positive patients in hospitals than ever before.

People are gathering in restaurants without masks on, he said. And it's unfortunate, because this is actually the exact moment when masking, distancing, booster shots really can make a huge difference, as omicron is spreading.

There is a cognitive dissonance, Schneider agreed, a sort of disconnect between what is happening in emergency rooms and what is happening in restaurants, bars, schools and stores. Theyre all overcrowded.

If people could see what's going on in emergency rooms and in hospitals, just the tremendous devastation and burnout that's happening for health care workers, because this isn't just about COVID, he said. This is about every emergency someone might have, and not even emergencies, urgent need for health care for other conditions.

There have been 837,274 COVID-related deaths in the United States, an average of about 1,600 every day. On Thursday, the state reported there had been 9,442 total COVID deaths in Connecticut since the start of the pandemic.

It's hard to imagine that we would have gotten to the point where we kind of shrug our shoulders at that much death, Schneider said.

Three-year events

Yale New Haven Health director of infection prevention Rick Martinello noted that only one virus, smallpox, has been effectively eradicated in all of human history.

We always lose, he said. At best, we reach a detente with the virus.

That detente, as Martinello called it, will be more clear in time. Its likely the coronavirus will never disappear, but will cease to be as much of a concern.

We know that other viruses we've achieved that status with, some of them aren't significant pathogens anymore, but they still circulate routinely, he said.

Though Martinello agreed theres no talk of flattening the curve anymore, he said while it was a valuable and accurate goal, it was not paired with the reality of past pandemics.

It wasn't paired with, that pandemics usually last two to three years, he said.

The message should have been short, medium and long term, Martinello said.

This is what we need to do today and tomorrow. This is what we want to achieve in the short term, but we know this is going to be a long-term problem. That was not part of those original communications, he said.

Dr. Jim O'Dea, vice president for Hartford Health Cares Behavioral Health Network, said the choice to not wear a mask or socially distance is to some degree an effort to preserve some mental health stability in the midst of an extended pandemic.

This has been a devastating time in this country and the length of this pandemic, and all of the disruption it has put into our personal lives, has been devastating, he said.

The social isolation, in particular, has been very difficult, ODea said.

I think actually, we will see, for several years, a mental health pandemic after this pandemic, because we're illuminating issues that are stress and turmoil. It's resulted in sleep disturbance and appetite disturbance and levels of depression, he said.

Going out to crowded bars, even while emergency rooms are full of COVID patients, might be a way to manage that sense of isolation, to fight that depression.

I think we have to really focus on combating social isolation, but in new and different ways, ODea said.
Hearst file photo

EDWARDSVILLE  If the full city council approves the team Tuesday, the city will spend $19,000 on a sole source resolution for a Chicago-area communications group to recommend options for a public relations strategy.



First, the group may recommend that it assume all of the citys communications efforts  press releases, creating a style guide, e-newsletters, photos, crisis communications, press conferences, etc. Second, the company may declare that the city would be better off hiring a dedicated, full-time staff person to assume these duties. Finally, the consulting company may say that its simply a matter of improving the efforts made by the various department heads who handle communications efforts now.



The company, Vicarious Multimedia (VM), is based in Arlington Heights, a Chicago suburb. They are a six-person team led by President Melanie Santostefano. This would be VMs first potential downstate client. Current clients include the villages of Buffalo Grove, Glencoe, Hoffman Estates, Long Grove and River Forest along with Elk Grove and Wheeling townships.



If the city council approves, Santostefano would schedule four days for herself or one of her employees to visit Edwardsville and spend time with city staff members and elected officials to gain a feel for the city and its communications needs. After most of the training and work, she or her staff would spend two additional days in town reviewing the plan with everyone and answering any questions before going live. The fee noted above is not a retainer amount for services.



Through these meetings, VM would identify target audiences; define key messages to communicate; develop context for when and what to say; and more. VM would also train staff and members and elected officials in media relations, press releases, social media and more.



City Administrator Kevin Head said it is sole source because VM specializes in dealing with municipalities, whereas most communications firms deal with individuals or companies.



Santostefano outlined her work history and how she came to be where she works now.



Alderwoman Elizabeth Grant asked if VM would take the place of having a dedicated staff member handle the citys communications. Head said there are advantages and disadvantages to each path, but they dont know which one is best yet.



Finance Director Jeanne Wojcieszak said she came across VM when she attended an Illinois Municipal Treasurers conference, where Stanostefano delivered a presentation about the necessity of PR and the advantages it can offer municipalities.



Wojcieszak took VM's contact information back to city hall, where she and Head set up an initial call with Santostefano in early December, just days before a tornado hit an Amazon facility in the warehouse district. Wojcieszak said Santostefano called on Dec. 11 to see if there was anything they needed she and her team to do for them, pro bono, in the wake of the disaster.



The challenges we have now [are] that we dont have a process, we dont have a plan, we dont have a policy, Wojcieszak said. We dont have anything for our department heads right to follow to guide us to what and how to do things. She added, besides Facebook, what other social media platforms should the city use? Twitter? TikTok? Instagram?



The next city council meeting is Tuesday at 7 p.m. If the resolution is approved, Head and Wojcieszak will contact Santostefano to set things up. She said the entire study could be completed in three to four months after council approval.



By Memorial Day, the city should know which one of the three public relations paths it will take.
Photo: Clinton Street, 2018/Mike Rucker.

Some of the stories that made news on the Lower East Side in the past week:

Community Board 3s transportation committee heard a proposal from the citys Department of Transportation to potentially alleviate the traffic bottleneck at the intersection of Clinton and Grand streets. The city wants to prohibit right-hand turns from westbound Grand Street onto Clinton, diverting traffic headed for the Williamsburg Bridge to Norfolk Street. It also wants to create a protected bike lane between Pitt Street and Clinton Street and make it more difficult for trucks and other vehicles to use the Clinton Street bike lane as a loading zone. There will be more discussion and a vote on a resolution next month. [YouTube, Presentation]

City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera talks with Brian Lehrer about a range of topics, including the reconstruction of East River Park and making the citys Covid-era open streets permanent. [WNYC]

The mayor vetoes legislation that would have levied steep fines on non-artist Soho loft-dwellers. Meanwhile, the larger Soho/Noho rezoning remains intact. [Gothamist]

Youve seen numerous local storefronts taken over by those venture capital-backed online grocery delivery businesses. Elected officials joined community activists on the Lower East Side to sound the alarm about the threat they pose to independently operated neighborhood bodegas. [AM New York]

Remembering Rabbi Sy Dresner, who was born on the Lower East Side and became a close ally and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [JTA]

The Boston bar legend, Brother Cleve, is part of the team opening Lullaby, a new cocktail spot in the former Nightcap space on Rivington Street. [The New York Times]

 Is it a sequel? A ripoff? A replacement? A family feud? Inquiring food bloggers want to know whats going on with New Spicy Village on Eldridge Street, which offers almost the exact same menu as the celebrated hole-in-the-wall on Forsyth Street. [Gothamist]

Rachel Uffner has made it through the Great Recession and the pandemic on the Lower East Side, but keeping her gallery alive through all of the twists and turns has not been easy. [Artnet]

The little shop on East Houston Street, Amy & Navy Bags, is still plugging along, in part thanks to an unlikely social media campaign. [NY1]
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Partly cloudy and windy. High 72F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 37F. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
Sevierville, TN (37876)

Today

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. WSW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. WSW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
This coming Monday (Jan. 17), Americans will observe a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most civic and honorable leaders in America's history.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, traveled to West Africa in March 1957 to attend Ghana's independence ceremony, with a focus on liberating the people from British colonial domination. A visit that inspired MLK to campaign more against the oppressive system in the US.

Today in Nigeria, as we have not seen before in naked terms, society is at its boiling point of entrenched fear, persecution, repression, oppression, bigotry, and severe rights violations.

I believe MLK Day is an excellent opportunity for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a faithful Muslim, to reflect upon Islam's support for fair play, equality, and justice.

Here is a notable statement with which President Buhari began his presidency on May 29, 2015: "I Belong To Everybody And I Belong To Nobody."

As one with an interest in religious psychology, I once observed in the Quran, in one of its chapters, saying, "O mankind, we have created you... into nations and tribes that you may come to know one another [and not deny one another]." (49:13).

Indeed, the Almighty says that mankind is not only destined to exist as diverse peoples, but that we, as humans, should welcome this and keenly try to understand people who are different from ourselves. This message of diversity within Islam bears a remarkable resemblance to the themes of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

In many ways, MLK reminds us that if we truly want harmony in our time, we must act with justice. We must value impartiality and fairness. We must take up the rights of others with the same passion and determination that we pursue our own rights. We should widen our horizons and look at what is right for the world rather than just for us. These are the elements of justice in our times.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stated, "All of you are equal. All men, whatever nation or tribe they belong to, and whatever station in life they may hold, are equal. An Arab possesses no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab over an Arab.

The Holy Qur'an also stated, "And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors" (30:23).

In the Christian tradition, we are reminded of the following: "But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors" (James 2:9).

King once said, "A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few."

Buhari is certainly not the first Nigerian leader to show inclinations towards entrenched partiality, systemic tribalism, and cyclical nepotism, but by all accounts, Buhari has turned the psychology of equality and opportunity upside down, and he is doing this publicly, boldly, and brazenly.

It is apparent that in the past, southern presidents and heads of state have engaged in nepotistic and tribalistic appointments. To an extent, I agree that the North has been somewhat neglected, resulting in the norths economic and intellectual backwardness, and Buhari could be right in trying to make up for lost time, but he is overdoing it.

Buhari's apparent embrace of tribalism, ethnocentrism, localism, nepotism, narrow-mindedness, favoritism, religious bigotry, and anti-intellectualism is causing self-sabotage, and everyone is paying the price in the form of increasing helplessness, uprisings, unrests, violence, and insecurity.

These fatalistic thought patterns are, in fact, causing national security concerns, as those who feel victimized, and paranoid make life more difficult for his regime.

What Buhari needs to realize is that reactive or non-reactive violence is not always about the use of guns, knives, or bombs.

Coretta Scott King, wife of MLK, once said, "I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discrimination against a working man is violence. Ghetto housing is violence. Ignoring medical needs is violence. Contempt for poverty is violence. " So, I will say this to Buhari: todays forms of tribalism, ethnocentrism, nepotism, narrow-mindedness, favoritism, and religious bigotry are different forms of violence, and these elements combine to make Nigeria insecure and almost unmanageable.

As such, we see thuggishness and violence towards others. Buhari's apparent spirit of domination and extraordinary power now encourages some of his ethnic and religious people to feel somehow exempt from mainstream norms of behavior.

Buharis Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, once said in 2019, for reasons best known to him, that Buhari's appointments of Fulani/Hausa Muslim allies and indigenes, especially into top positions, were to reward them for their huge contribution to the presidents victory in 2015; in other words, the appointments are not essentially based on merit. As Buhari has said, "I Appointed Those I Could Trust." Now even liberal northern Muslims are asking Buhari to embrace fairness wholeheartedly.

International, national, and local reports show that Buhari has deeply baked in tribalism, religionism, and regionalism into key sensitive institutions and strategic ministries. They are too many to count, but I will mention a few like the police, prisons and corrections, immigration, national security, civil defense, communications, accounting, information, customs, aviation, intelligence, judiciary, fire service, national park service, and national youth service corps. Buhari, in his own way, has assigned non-national security and academic-like positions to non-Muslim northerners, such as in education, auditing, health, and labor.

I smiled when Buhari recently said we need prayers in addition to guns to reduce the raging national security complications, but what he is not understanding are the infuriating psychological thorns like feelings of geographic rejection, emotions of regional marginalization, pains of ethnic fragility, and markers of leadership imbalance. These irritants culminate into emotional weapons and defensive pains, and certainly, they are not helpful ways to increase national devotedness and public faith.

In Buharis reign, ethnic, tribal, and religious lines of hierarchy have undercut highly revered values like equality and justice, and that is not how to push for national security and unity.

We know Buhari takes joy in sending good wishes to people and nations in celebratory moods. Well, in his message of good wishes to Americans, as they celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, he should understand more about the celebration.

Buhari needs to know that this unique American celebration is mixed with joy and sorrow, as it is a continuance of the struggle for justice, equality, and equity. I hope Buhari is shaken up by these thoughts and practices regarding fair play. I hope all these lessons make him more of a bridge-builder.

With only 17 months until he leaves office, I hope he begins to treat others, particularly easterners, with kindness and fairness. Long live President Buhari. Continue to rest in peace and power. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prof. John Egbeazien Oshodi

John Egbeazien Oshodi who was born in Uromi, Edo State in Nigeria, is an American based Police/Prison Scientist and Forensic/Clinical/Legal Psychologist. A government Consultant on matters of forensic-clinical adult/child psychological services in the USA; Chief Educator and Clinician at the Transatlantic Enrichment and Refresher Institute, an Online Lifelong Center for Personal, Professional and Career Development. A former Interim Associate Dean/Assistant Professor at the Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African settings. In 2011, he introduced the State-of-the-Art Forensic Psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C and the Nasarawa State University where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. A Virtual behavioral Leadership Professor at the ISCOM University, Republic of Benin. Founder of the Proposed Transatlantic Egbeazien Open University (TEU) of Values and Ethics, a digital project of Truth, Ethics, Openness. Author of over forty academic publications/creations, at least 200 public opinion writeups on African issues, and various books. He specializes in psycho-prescriptive writings regarding African institutional and governance issues.

Prof Oshodi wrote in via [email protected]
People may find this strange, but pound for pound, by my own reckoning, the greatest Nigerian President of all time was the late Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, (UMYA), a Fulani. His Achilles heel was his failing health which allowed the Fulani clique around him to seize power for selfish reasons.

His greatest achievement? Without making noise about fighting corruption, he implemented almost to the letter the Obasanjo Administration's blueprint for public procurement, which Obasanjo the Formulator could not implement for reasons of lack of time or search for a third term or lack of political will.

One might ask, why is fighting corruption so important as to secure for UMYA the number one ranking among all of Nigerias past and present presidents? In my own reckoning, the number one problem of Nigeria which has kept it from developing or truly progressing, is an abject disdain for merit in all facets of national life.

This manifests itself in cheating to win elections, cheating to secure appointments and positions, cheating in service delivery, cheating to defraud others. Cheating to advance personal interests or the interests of your tribe, village, family, or friends. Everywhere you go in Nigeria, left or right, front or back, one is surrounded by stupendous cheating.

If merit had been allowed to thrive, Nigeria would have become an economic powerhouse by now. I know this at first hand, because a civil engineering consultancy company that I owned and directly managed, was a beneficiary on pure merit alone, assessed competitively on both technical and commercial basis, and with absolutely zero connections, of UMYA's quiet revolution.

Greedy politicians and covetous civil servants incrementally subverted this merit revolution probably because UMYA took ill. It was completely dismantled by the Goodluck Jonathan's Administration, under who corruption was very rife and festering.

Olusegun Obasanjo, easily the most gifted of Nigeria's Presidents, missed the mark of best President because of his personal shortcomings. He comes second in my reckoning. A man of incredible stamina, strategic and management vision, only matched in long-term vision by Ibrahim Babangida, Obasanjo's Achilles heel was his stupendous ego and love of power. He pared down or paid back Nigerias debt to manageable levels. He also knew how to surround himself with talent as much and perhaps even more than Ibrahim Babangida and Goodluck Jonathan did.

The latter also knew how to surround himself with talent, but Goodluck Jonathan who seemed to suffer from some sort of inferiority complex, pandered too much to the elites, especially northern elites, and lacked the will power to curb corruption in his immediate and extended circles. Almost all the gains of his first-class management team was frittered away through frivolous, mind-boggling expenditures. Despite all, however Goodluck Jonathans Administration grew Nigerias economy at an incredible pace making it the largest economy in Africa. To his credit and as a fierce critic of him back in his days, I always took notice, and never failed to mention in my criticisms, that he was a man of peace who did not spill innocent blood. This makes him the third greatest Nigerian President in my reckoning. He cemented his position by handing over power peacefully after he lost an election, something hitherto unheard of in Nigeria.

The fourth ranking Nigerian President is a straight tossup between Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. The former was the most strategic and cunning of Nigeria's leaders, initiating bold moves some of which worked while many others did not. But corruption festered under him. The latter who ties with the worst Nigerian President for brutality, was however a very shrewd manager of resources. He allegedly stole public money. A lot of it in fact, but he made sure no one else had the temerity to steal public funds. He spilled blood, but it was the blood of the elites who dared to challenge him. An extremely stingy man to every other person but himself and immediate family, Abacha was very frugal in his management of Nigerias economy. He may not have grown it like Goodluck Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida did, but he closed all loopholes for leakages other than those to himself and immediate family, making the Nigerian economy stable, even if not growing by much.

The recently deceased Ernest Shonekan ties for joint sixth with the late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, the late General JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi, General Yakubu Gowon, late General Murtala Muhammed, late Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar. The honest and modest Tafawa Balewa was too weak, pandering to Ahmadu Bello, Premier of the Northern Region and completely oblivious of corrupt elements in his cabinet. The short tenured late General Ironsi and long tenured General Gowon were too naive, to manage a complex entity like Nigeria. General Murtala Muhammeds tenure was too short but long enough to destroy Nigerias Civil Service through the purging of its brightest and best by its worst elements. Corruption festered under late Shehu Shagari. The late Ernest Shonekans tenure was too short for any critical assessment. General Abubakar's short tenure was uneventful but nevertheless inflicted a flawed Constitution on the nation.

The least ranking and very easily the worst of all Nigerian Presidents and Heads of State, dead or alive, is the current incumbent Muhammadu Buhari. A primitive man of two eyes for an eye, all teeth for a tooth and tons of blood for a pint of blood, his sole mission in power was and remains to loot the ancestral lands of Indigenous Nigerians for the permanent benefit of his immigrant Fulani ethnicity. Under the direct watch of his expansionist policy, tons of innocent blood of the least powerful in society have been spilled needlessly, mostly by Fulani criminal terrorists inspired by and some would say instigated by him. Let us not even venture to discuss his disastrous nepotistic inclinations or accumulation of gargantuan debt. Under his legendary and unparalleled misrule, Nigeria has become the world capital of poverty and kidnapping for ransom. As well as an emerging world capital of Islamic and criminal terrorism. That alone says it all.

Some ignorant persons would say he built so and so kilometers of roads, bridges, and railways, but fall silent when asked at what cost and for whose benefit are those roads and bridges? If the intended beneficiaries cannot safely ply the roads and bridges for fear of kidnapping and murder by Federal Government instigated and supported Fulani criminal- and herdsmen-terrorists, of what use are they? Meanwhile the interest charges incurred for their construction is mounting daily.

Some of his supporters would say Muhammadu Buhari is not personally corrupt. That naive retort conceals the fact that a President who surrounds himself with a corrupt inner circle must be equally corrupt. Only a fool would expect a man who has survived to rise to the position of President of Nigeria to be ignorant of how to protect himself from exposure to charges of corruption by perfecting the art of corruption-by-proxy.

Indeed, not one single former Nigerian President has ever been officially indicted for corruption, yet everyone suspects with tremendous collateral empirical evidence that many of them were indeed corrupt. Going by the joint actions of the Heads of State and Presidents with their inner circles and cabinet, I and I can only declare the short-tenured Presidents like late General JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi, late General Murtala Muhammed and late Ernest Shonekan of not being corrupt. Others without question, would have eyebrows of voluntary or involuntary corruption-by-proxy raised against them, going by the activities of their close associates.

If all long-serving Nigerian Presidents or Heads of State are guilty of voluntary or involuntary treasury looting-by-proxy, only one Nigerian President is guilty of voluntary land looting-by-policy. That dubious honor goes to Nigerias current President Muhammadu Buharis Maladministration. It has earned him a place of dishonor in the ranking of Nigerias Presidents.

But he simply does not care provided he has his way in seizing and nationalizing the ancestral lands of Indigenous Nigerians for the benefit of his immigrant Fulani ethnicity, under the dubious policy of One Nigeria. So, we have the strange and curious situation where the prime beneficiaries of all the best things and choice assets One Nigeria has to offer are immigrants, while Indigenous Nigerians bear the violence and the brunt.

President Muhammadu Buhari will not give a single hoot about his ranking in the list of Nigerian Presidents, provided he is able to seize and nationalize the ancestral lands of Indigenous Nigerians for the benefit of his immigrant, Fulani ethnicity. Nigerians owe it a sacred duty to themselves, their descendants, and the dead souls they have lost to Muhammadu Buharis deadly Fulani expansionism policy, to deny Muhammadu Buhari that singular satisfaction, even if doing so marks the end of the one-time British contraption, now commonly known and addressed as One Nigeria.

We are watching.

Anthony Chuka Konwea, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, MNSE, FNIStructE, MNICE.
Again, the Ebonyi State Government has cautioned its residents against obeying the stay-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ahead of Nnamdi Kanus trial on Tuesday.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Nwachukwu Eze, commissioner for markets and parks, who said: markets are open for businesses on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

All markets and parks leaderships in Ebonyi are by this announcement directed to ensure that markets are open for businesses on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The state is not in any way part of the sit-at-home order by IPOB. Please note that strict compliance to this directive is very important as failure to do so will attract severe punishment, the statement reads.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful in a statement, said, Following our leaders upcoming court proceedings on the 18th, 19th and 20th of January 2022 next week, we wish to remind Biafrans that there will be only sit-at-home on 18th of January, and not 19th and 20th of January. In keeping with our avowed solidarity with our Leader, the entire Biafra land will be on lockdown only on January 18 for obvious reason.
Igbo Think Tank, Nzuko Umunna has again called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho from detention.

The Think Tank urged Buhari to explore the opportunities provided by the intervention of South-East Governors, South East NASS Caucus, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pa Mbazulike Amaechi and some groups in the Southeast to release Nnamdi Kanu and resolve his matter politically.

Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group seeking self-determination, has been in detention for several months after he was abducted in Kenya and 'bundled' to Nigeria.

The call for Kanu's release comes as an Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia is set to deliver judgment this Wednesday being the 19th of January 2022 on a human rights suit brought before it by the IPOB leader.

Kanu had challenged what he called a violation of his human rights and the 2017 military invasion of his family home. The suit, which was filed by Kanus lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had asked the court to declare as illegal, the action of the Nigerian government in the abduction of the IPOB leader in Kenya and his rendition to Nigeria to be allegedly tortured and dehumanized.

IPOB had, in a statement, insisted there would not be sit-at-home in Southeast on that day but urged all members to storm the court.

Nzuko Umunna in a statement signed by Ngozi Odumuko, the executive secretary of Nzuko Umunna, in seeking immediate and political resolution, cited the earlier requests made by Igbo Traditional Rulers, Representatives of Igbo Archbishops, Bishops and other Igbo leaders in that regard.

It noted that the "public opinion and sentiments show that Nigerians want Mr President to deploy the political solution and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu."

Commending Barrister Ejimakor and Nnamdi Kanu's legal team for exploring all legal options for his release, the Nzuko Umunna urged the Federal Government to constructively engage with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and all Self-determination leaders, including Chief Sunday Igboho, and save the country from undue distractions.

The group said that "a political solution will lead to permanent peace and a sense of nationhood, as the country will only experience true progress in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.
President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow, 18 January 2022, unveil one million bags of rice paddy stacked as pyramids in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The rice pyramids were built with 1 million bags of rice paddy planted and harvested from States across the country under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).

Considered to be the largest of its type in Africa, the pyramids are located on the grounds of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) on Airport Road where the event will take place tomorrow.

His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari as the special guest of honour will be supported by the Presidents of Benin Republic, Niger, Tchad and Cameroon, Executive Governors of Ebonyi, Cross River, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Ekiti.

Also present to support in the unveiling are the Senate President, the Honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly, amongst others.

The Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Minister will play Chief Host and Governor of the Central Bank as the Chairman of the occasion under whose leadership and support the success was recorded, with bank directors and other dignitaries will join in the unveiling ceremony.

Source:NIPC


This is about reality today not about Slave Trade in the past centuries. Africa is still bleeding, losing lives, wasting real earned incomes, exporting talents; and as usual natural resources by sacrificing this precious life. Most Africans are well aware of money laundering today and loss of natural resources yesterday. Any of these would attract jail or death sentences for drugs outside. Yet, huge foreign profits break the backs of our local miners just to survive.

Africa's most valuable talents in Sciences and Arts are being drained today to fight Covid-19 and the most dangerous jobs as frontline workers abroad. Britain, United States and Canada have temporary Visas for Healthcare workers that have no choice but specifically to be deployed to the most dangerous settings where Covid-19 has become life takers.

Doctors, nurses and health aides in hospitals, nursing homes, homecare; classroom teachers in and service workers are quitting their jobs in large numbers to preserve their precious lives. They are willing to stay home or work from home while Africans are recruited from their countries to replace them temporarily, until situations return to normalcy.

When the statistics of higher casualties in these settings started coming out of Britain, Asian Healthcare workers protested asking for more protection as if they had a choice. The same statistics are now coming out of North America. You do not expect senior workers to go to the Frontline when there are willing migrants from Africa and Asia willing to risk their lives for less money and worse working conditions these elites reject in their countries.

It is not that these talented Africans have no choice or are unemployed in their countries. Indeed, the same poor working conditions they rejected in their countries are embraced with low pay abroad. But when the low pay that cannot provide the type of comfort they dream of abroad, are converted to African devalued currencies, they see themselves as African virtual millionaires in local currencies.

This is apart from Investor Visas that encourage looted funds from poor countries to gain residence permit in rich countries. Each of these incentives to impoverish Africa is enough to kill most poor countries, a combination of all is nothing short of a death sentence to the Continent. Yet, Africans prefer temporary wages where they are debased abroad than stay on average income at home where they can make a difference.

This is why most African leaders should be incarcerated in the same Prison to cure their kleptomaniac tendencies at Robbens Island near Cape Town, South Africa. They need to be purged of their mentality to enrich foreigners, not their own people. Locking these leaders up in the same Prison will send the message as a deterrent to future leaders. They shop for the best personal goods, services and medical treatments while Africans wallow in abject poverty.

Who can believe that some African Youths do not know their Continent is the greatest creator of wealth for the richest countries? Foreigners including a former President of the United States have been told the best place to go and make money is Africa, more so in Nigeria. Africans have been told the same by those wondering why they are running away from home. Its dirty but as long as you can hold your nose, you will make money in Africa, foreigners say.

Accomplices for any other grievous crimes in those richest countries, could have been arrested and charged for treason. This is the reason Africans are slammed for money laundering and their money forfeited if the right foreign partners and lawyers could not navigate the loot, fail or do not get their lion share. They have never benefited the future of African countries in the wealthiest countries.

Indeed, economic slavery is not different from physical slavery. If anything, loans like credit cards in the hands of prodigals are tailored to keep you paying back forever. The difference here is that the negotiators of African loans mortgage their people for life while they spend the money lavishly on themselves, families and cronies. Chinese loans for sovereignty is the latest just as Russian Ajaokuta Steel in Nigeria was one of the biggest scams of all time.

The mentality of normalizing the looting of Africa for Europeans, Americans and Asians with impunity cannot stop unless Africans get the cooperation of the people of goodwill worldwide. As the Europeans exchange gold for mirrors, the Americans took slaves for vanities and the Asians seized our infrastructure or running law enforcement in exchange for odious loans; Africans are backing into the Dark Ages.

Technology transfer has been oversold as intellectual property by those that stole the same from Egypt and Sudan when the Romans that came to learn in Africa called the Northern Europeans Barbarians. The same intellectual properties are guided and monopolized today for maximum profits. Francois Mitterrand said of France: Without Africa, France will have no history in the 21st century. Former French President, Jacques Chirac, in March 2008, put it best: Without Africa, France will slide down into the rank of twenty-third power.

"We drained Africa for 4 and a half centuries. Next, we plundered its raw materials. After that, we said: they (Africans) are good for nothing. In the name of religion, we destroyed their culture and now, as we have to act with elegance, we are picking their brains with scholarships. Thereupon, we are claiming that the unfortunate Africa is not in a brilliant condition, and is not making elites. Having enriched on its back, we are now lecturing".

Some African Youths still think these are fairy tales by the moonlight. They had to hear or read directly from two Presidents of France and the Prime Minister of Italy. Some of them still turned deaf ears and thumbed their noses at Africans teaching them how Europe impoverished Africa. They emulate their leaders and members of their families that behave like children in a candy store when overseas.

Farouk Martins Aresa @oomoaresa


Phuket internet connections straining under work from home

PHUKET: Phuket internet connections have been straining from an increase of as much as 25% in internet usage following the work from home mandate being issued.

Monday 17 January 2022, 06:00PM

Internet connection speeds across Phuket have slowed noticeably over recent weeks, with dropped connections and very slow loading times for web pages.

The news was confirmed by a staffer at the Phuket office of National Telecom PLC, the newly formed merger of the TOT Thailand and CAT Telecom public companies that came into operation last year.

Internet connection speeds across Phuket have slowed noticeably over recent weeks, with dropped connections and very slow loading times for web pages.

The slowdowns started as the Work From Home policy came into effect, and as schools were closed, forcing children to move to online classes. (Most schools in Phuket resumed on-site classes today, Jan 16).

Attempts by The Phuket News to confirm the status of internet connection speeds from the Phuket office of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) proved unsuccessful.

The main telephone number to the Phuket office (076-379111) is out of service. The Phuket News managed to contact a person at the national DEPA headquarters in Bangkok, who directed to call the main number of DEPA Phuket 081-9560951, which directed The Phuket News to call Nuttaphong Sutsadeedet of the DEPA Phuket office on his personal number.

Mr Nuttaphong, however, said that DEPA Phuket does not have information on internet connection speeds in Phuket as DEPA is not an internet provider that provides internet to people.

Asked whether the DEPA is the actual agency responsible for promoting Phuket as an IT Hub and Smart City, Mr Nuttaphong replied, Yes, DEPA is responsible for them [those projects] and most DEPA projects are to stimulate the economy, but not for internet connection speeds.

Asked what does DEPA tell potential investors about connection speeds in Phuket, Mr Nuttaphong said, Please ask NT [National Telecom] or an internet provider.

A staffer at the Phuket National Telecom office was able to confirm that Phuket internet connection speeds have been suffering following a recent surge in internet usage.

The staffer, who declined to give his name, also declined to provide any actual data reports confirming the surge in internet usage, but he said he was not permitted to release the data.

It has increased a lot, by about 25%, he said.

The staffer did advise users to check their internet connection inside their house before lodging any complaints.

People were urged to check the routers, cable connections and Wi-Fi devices to make sure they were working properly.

The staffer also noted that slower connection speeds were most common during the peak hours between 7pm and 9pm on the cheaper packages provided by internet providers.

He made no mention of connection speeds affecting businesses during the daytime.
Southern peace talks held in Phuket

PHUKET: Leading members of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN) were in Phuket over the weekend for talks with the a Southern Border Provinces Peace Dialogue Panel led by National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Gen Wanlop Raksanoh

violencereligionpolitics

By The Phuket News

Monday 17 January 2022, 02:05PM

The talks were held at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, south of Patong, on Saturday (Jan 15). Photo: PR Phuket

The talks were held at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, south of Patong, on Saturday (Jan 15). Photo: PR Phuket

The talks were held at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, south of Patong, on Saturday (Jan 15). Photo: PR Phuket

The talks were held at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, south of Patong, on Saturday (Jan 15). Joining the talks was Commander of the 4th Army Region, Lt Gen Kriangkrai Srirak.

The peace talks in Phuket follow a two-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 11-12, the first peace talks held since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Thailand two years ago.

Gen Wanlop said that the talks with the BRN, led by Anas Abdulrahman, went well.

We were friendly towards each other, he said.

"Since the COVID-19 epidemic, which has caused problems with cross-border travel, the meeting has been halted. But due to the commitment of both sides to see the talks continue to progress, we continued to move forward the discussion process, both online and through various channels, until being able to hold actual talks in person on Jan 11-12," he added.

Gen Wanlop noted that three main topics were discussed on Saturday.

The first was the three essential issues  reducing violence, consultation with local people and seeking a political solution in accordance with the intentions and needs of the people in the area, he said.

Both parties want to see the southern border provinces to be a peaceful place, the participation of the people, as well as the solution to the fundamental cause of the problem, which will lead to a permanent solution to the problem, he explained.

Talks on these issues will continue, he assured.

The second topic was that both parties have proposed creating a framework to guide the discussion on the three main concerns (noted above), Gen Wanlop said.

To reduce violence and enhance consultation in the area, a coordinator and a joint working group of both parties in each case were discussed, he noted.

Due to the problems complexity and specificity, political solutions are arranged in the form of a Joys Start Group. The group will be semi-formal and will be able to discuss directly with one another to eliminate flaws due to the difficulty of holding formal meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak, Gen Wanlop explained.

The third topic, raised by the Thai representatives, was that both sides ought to endeavour to eliminate violent acts by doing so willingly, Gen Wanlop said.

"We raised these issues to be discussed because we want to build a supportive environment for the next meeting and we want people in the area to be aware of the benefits of talks that bring peace and order to the area," he added.

The group and the 4th Army Region were already making some preparations in this regard, Gen Wanlop said.

Further in-person meetings were hoped to continue and to be held in the near future, Gen Wanlop noted.

The talks panel has carried out the governments objective of driving the dialogue process as a means of achieving long-term peace in the area, taking into account the participation of all parties, including non-BRN parties and the public, he said.

To discover solutions together, we need cooperation from all sectors [of the community], Gen Wanlop added.

Muslim separatist activity has existed in Thailand for decades but the insurgency turned increasingly violent beginning in 2004 and has since claimed at least 7,000 lives, noted Malaysian state news agency Bernama.

The talks provide a ray of hope in ending the bloodshed in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla, where the Muslims make up the majority, a report by Kyodo News noted.

The latest round of peace talks followed an increase in southern violence including multiple bomb explosions in Yala on Dec 31. According to Yala police, the BRN claimed responsibility, reports the Bangkok Post.

Regardless, Gen Wanlop refuted claims that three Thais suspected to be insurgents handed over by the Malaysian government to Thai authorities last Wednesday (Jan 12) was linked to the peace talks being held.

The three with criminal records were detained near Durian Burung, in Kedah state, last month.

Gen Wanlop said the handover is due to the cooperation in extradition between the two countries, and had nothing to do with the peace dialogue held in Kuala Lumpur last week.

The three suspects with various criminal records and links with militant groups in the south were in the wanted list in Thailand, said a report by Bernama.
Suu Kyi hit with five new charges

MYANMAR: A Myanmar junta court has hit ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi with five new corruption charges related to the alleged hiring and purchase of a helicopter, sources close to the case told AFP.

Myanmarpolitics

By AFP

Monday 17 January 2022, 10:12AM

In this file photo taken on Sept 5, 2015, National League for Democracy chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech during a voter education campaign at the Hsiseng township in Shan State. Photo: AFP

The Nobel laureate, 76, has been detained since the Feb 1 coup last year which triggered mass protests and a bloody crackdown on dissent with more than 1,400 civilians killed, according to a local monitoring group.

Suu Kyi is facing a raft of criminal and corruption charges - including violating the countrys official secrets laws - and if convicted of all of them could face sentences tallying more than 100 years of prison.

The charges were levelled against Suu Kyi on Friday afternoon (Jan 14) and related to the hire, maintenance and purchase of a helicopter, the sources said.

Former Myanmar president U Win Myint was also hit with the same charges, they said.

In December, state newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar said the pair would be prosecuted for not following financial regulations and causing a loss to the state over the rent and purchase of a helicopter for former government minister Win Myat Aye.

He rented the helicopter from 2019 to 2021 and used it for only 84.95 hours out of 720 rental hours, the paper said.

He is now in hiding, along with other former lawmakers.

A Myanmar court last Monday convicted Suu Kyi of three criminal charges related to illegally importing and owning walkie talkies and breaking COVID-19 rules.

She was sentenced to four years in prison.

In December, she also received a two-year jail sentence for incitement against the military and for other coronavirus violations.

The six years of jail time will likely prevent Suu Kyi from participating in fresh elections that the military junta has vowed to hold by August 2023.

Suu Kyi is expected to remain under house arrest as the other legal cases progress.

Journalists have been barred from attending the special court hearings in Naypyidaw and her lawyers were recently banned from speaking to the media.

The daughter of an independence hero, Suu Kyi spent nearly two decades enduring long stretches of house arrest under the former military regime.

Her time in office was marred by her governments handling of the Rohingya refugee crisis in which hundreds of thousands escaped to Bangladesh in 2017 as they faced rapes, arson and extrajudicial killings at the hands of the Myanmar military.

Before the coup, Suu Kyi was on the cusp of beginning another five-year term as the countrys de facto leader after the National League for Democracy won a landslide in November 2020 polls.

Philippines says Suu Kyi indispensable to democracy

Meanwhile, Aung San Suu Kyi was indispensable to restoring democracy to the country, the Philippines foreign minister said yesterday, echoing condemnation of her recent sentencing by the junta court.

While several Western countries, including the United States and Norway, have slammed the latest sentencing, Southeast Asian leaders have been largely silent.

Philippines Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin broke ranks yesterday, tweeting he had adopted as my own a statement by his Norwegian counterpart Anniken Huitfeldt that condemned the sentencing.

Suu Kyi is indispensable in a democratic restoration that will pose no threat of anarchy, dissolution, and civil conflict, Locsin said, adding Myanmars armed forces have nothing to fear.

Locsin also backed the recent visit to Myanmar by Cambodias strongman ruler Hun Sen - the first by a foreign leader since the coup - highlighting regional tensions over how to deal with the crisis-hit nation.

Critics said the visit by Hun Sen, whose country holds the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), risked legitimising the junta and undermining efforts to isolate the generals.

But Locsin said Hun Sen achieved headways and deserves wholehearted support.

ASEAN has sought to help Myanmar, agreeing to a five-point consensus last year aimed at defusing the crisis, but the generals have shown little sign of changing course.

More than 1,400 civilians have been killed as the military cracks down on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

In October, the bloc took the highly unusual step of excluding junta chief Min Aung Hlaing from a summit in response to an ASEAN envoy being denied a meeting with Suu Kyi.

But Hun Sen met the military leader during his visit, and has insisted the trip could have a positive impact.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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Clearfield, PA (16830)

Today

Rain likely. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. High near 55F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

Tomorrow

A shower or two around the area in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 63F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
In the Press Corps of the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis, in an office lovingly called "the Shack," the journalism majors of Franklin College's Pulliam School of Journalism work alongside the best reporters in the state, digging into the behind-the-scenes stories of Indiana politics. We're a student newsroom, but our work doesn't sit on a professor's desk. We create content five days a week for this website and 35 professional media partners around the state.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 19C. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 11C. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering commodities and environmental, social and governance issues. Previously, she was an associate editor for Reuters Breakingviews, and editor and correspondent for Reuters in Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia.
ALTON  The NAACP Alton Branch held its second annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Motorcade and Commemoration on Sunday afternoon.

The theme of the event was Moving forward for change: when we fight, we win. The event celebrated not only Dr. King and his legacy, but also the steps the community and country has taken to fulfill his dream.

Alton Mayor David Goins gave a proclamation declaring Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 as Dr. Martin Luther King Day in Alton, recognizing it as a day of service throughout the city and encouraging citizens to take part in service to benefit communities and neighborhoods in memorial.

Before the proclamation, Goins shared his memory of learning of Dr. Kings assassination. He was 7 years old and watching television with his father when the program was interrupted to deliver the news. Goins shared that he had only seen his father cry once before that day, at his mothers funeral, but the news made his father weep.

To be able to read this proclamation concerning Dr. Martin Luther King and how much he has meant for the advancement of African Americans as well as all people, and to be able to say that Im the first African American mayor in the city of Alton, what an honor, what a privilege, Goins said. Just being here is so special and just means the world to me.

Alton Branch NAACP 2nd Vice President Alderwoman Rosetta Brown facilitated the event. President Andy Hightower and 1st Vice President Michael Holliday Sr. were both unable to attend. Brown said, because of the pandemic, the motorcade and outdoor ceremony seemed like the best way to celebrate.

And it turned out very well, Brown said. A beautiful motorcade despite the weather. Alton Illinois has not ever missed a day of celebration. Be it snow, sleet or whatever, we just look forward to celebrating Dr. King.

I think it was a nice turnout considering the snow and the cold, said Kimberly Shepherd, We had a lot of representation from, not just community members, but leaders in our community. That was a blessing to see us all be able to come together and have a moment to celebrate Dr. King and his legacy; not just his image, but his legacy and all the work that hes done that he left as an example for us.

Ive been coming to this since I was a kid, said Sarah Goins, one of the more than 50 audience members in James Killion Park as the temperature hovered around 15 degrees. She came out to celebrate Dr. King and to support her father, Mayor Goins.

Equality and justice, its important to me, she said. Its something that I love to talk about. Its something that I care about. And I want to partake in my community and be here to make a difference.

Tyler Wingert from Alton also braved the cold to commemorate the impact Dr. King has had in his life.

Im here today with a growing awareness that I wouldnt be able to have the friends I have and one of my beloved nieces if it werent for the actions that Martin Luther King did in his lifetime and the change that he sparked, Wingert said. Im grateful for that, and thats why Im here.

State Rep. Amy Elik joined Sundays crowd in James Killion Park.

Im excited to be here to help celebrate the Alton NAACPs celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she said. His words, his legacy, his spirit lives on always, and its really important to keep celebrating every year so we teach the youth exactly what his mission was about.

The Rev. Mark and Marqueta Goins provided music for the ceremony, inviting the audience to join in singing Lift Every Voice and Sing, You Made a Way and We Shall Overcome. In honor of Dr. King, the performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing will be available on YouTube, iTunes and other digital platforms.

Its a beautiful and amazing thing that what were seeing today: white and black, men and women and everyone in between can now stand together, have relationships worship together  there was a time when that wasnt able to happen, Rev. Goins said.

Look at the diversity of this crowd, this just tells us that we are moving forward, Brown said. We are unifying.

Phil Green, a member of the executive board of the Alton Branch NAACP, highlighted the vision and mission of the NAACP during the ceremony. The vision is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without racial hatred or racial discrimination. The mission is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality rights of all people.

Recently around the country we have seen progress, Green said. The killers of Ahmaud Arbery received life sentences in prison. Confederate monuments are coming down and being legally destroyed or being placed in museums where people can view them in private but not in public.

Locally, Green announced that Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido and Mayor Goins had secured funding for body cameras for the Alton Police Department. He thanked both of them for their part for the community.

Body cameras, when turned on, protect both the police and the public, and that is the way it should be, Green said. This is progress, my friends, but we cannot become complacent, we cannot be satisfied, Green said. Our vision and mission is clear. If we become satisfied with the current status quo, then collectively we become complacent.

Pastor Dr. Don Sanford of the Greater St. James Baptist Church in Alton spoke at Sundays ceremony. Before speaking on Dr. King, he looked locally and took a moment to commemorate James Killion for serving as a pioneer and activist in Alton.

Today we celebrate a legacy of a man who believed barriers could and will be broken, Sanford said. A man who showed us that a person has not started living until they rise above the circumstances and confines of their individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. We can live together when people learn to work together.

Sanford went on to say that people must have the courage to put an end to suffering by willingly suffering themselves rather than inflicting suffering on other people. He quoted King saying lives begin to end the day people become silent about the things that matter.

Some of these things that must change in this lifetime for future generations to survive. Some of the things we need to put behind, and put an end to, is the constant infliction of systematic, systemic injustices, discrimination, racism, just to end a few, Sanford said. The biggest one of all is the disparity of treatment of all people. All lives matter. But unfortunately, some of our lives are being treated as if we are not human. This cannot be overlooked by any of us.

We are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of our lord, so until we begin to work together, live together and pray together and what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood, fought, and died for, the dream will die, Sanford said.

He stressed the importance of carrying on the dream by telling the story to youth and sharing it with generations to come.

He ended with Dr. Kings familiar words about letting freedom ring from his I Have a Dream speech, which several members of the audience joined in reciting.

During the ceremony, the Alton Branch NAACP awarded the 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Religious Award to Pastor Dr. Gregory Harrison of the Deliverance Temple Church of God in Christ.

Harrison currently oversees four churches and is Chairman of District Superintendents, Chairman of the Church Extension in Southern Illinois Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church of God and Christ and treasurer and a founding member of Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Alton.

Harrison was praised as a man devoted to bringing Gods word to his community as well as showing Christs compassion for others. Harrison opens the Deliverance Temple to community members for those needing to hold funeral services for loved ones and welcoming those who have no home to stay overnight and receive a hot meal. His service to Alton and willingness to help however he can when there is a need earned him the reward.

Its all done in the spirit of Christ and love, Harrison said. It is time for us to move on and up. Let us stick together, and let us reach out to our fellow man. Dr. Martin Luther King fought for the equality of all man, not just the black man, but unfortunately, many areas affected us more especially.
CARROLLTON  Details have been released on recent Greene County arrests.

Greene County Sheriff's Office

 Jamie R. Brown, 53, of Loami was booked into Greene County Jail at 2:41 a.m. Jan. 6 on charges of driving under the influence and driving while license is revoked.

 Bruce W. Benson, 27, of Roodhouse was booked into Greene County Jail at 9:38 a.m. Jan. 5 on a bail bond violation.

 Hunter W. Edelen, 18, of Brighton was booked into Greene County Jail at 1:38 a.m. Jan. 1 on charges of driving under the influence and an alcohol transportation violation.

Carrollton Police

 Brian K. Kieffer, 40, of Brussels was booked into Greene County Jail at 2:18 p.m. Jan. 5 on a Greene County arrest warrant accusing him of theft, forgery and residential burglary and on a Calhoun County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

Greenfield Police

 Alvin I. Colon Ortiz, 37, of Boynton Beach, Florida, was booked into Greene County Jail at 1:36 a.m. Dec. 29 on an aggravated battery charge.

Roodhouse Police

 Clifford D. Maxon Jr., 33, of White Hall was booked into Greene County Jail at 12:38 a.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Nathaniel M. Thornton, 30, of Roodhouse was booked into Greene County Jail at 2:17 p.m. Jan. 8 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

 Carrie D. Yaste, 38, of Tennessee was booked into Greene County Jail at 8:44 a.m. Jan. 8 on charges of driving while license is revoked or suspended, improper lane use and possession of methamphetamine.

 Michael B. Johnson, 27, of St. Ann, Missouri, was booked into Greene County Jail at 7:07 p.m. Dec. 31 on a charge of driving while license is suspended and on warrants from Greene and Macoupin counties accusing him of failing to appear in court.

White Hall Police

 Jared G. Pinkerton, 27, of White Hall was booked into Greene County Jail at 11:55 a.m. Wednesday on charges of disorderly conduct and battery.

 Bryon L. Harris, 27, of White Hall was booked into Greene County Jail at 2:24 p.m. Jan. 7 on a Greene County arrest warrant accusing him of burglary and retail theft with a prior conviction.
We rang in the new year recently and with it came new laws for the new year. By some accounts there were thousands. Hundreds even.

Just think how far weve evolved with some laws. For example, a couple of years ago you could be arrested for entering a bank wearing a mask. In the COVID age, you can be arrested entering a bank if you dont wear a mask.

There were lots of new tax laws predictably. And most didnt make them go down by the way. However, in Georgia low income earners will now be able to save a whopping $3.58 per month and a whole $5.25 a month if they claim married on their state income tax returns.

My advice to Georgians? Dont spend it all in one place!

In some states new laws took effect banning discrimination based on physical characteristics, such as hairstyle. Bald people are not sure if they are covered by this or not. Can you claim you have a hairstyle if you have no hair? You can you claim a lifestyle if you have no life, so why not?

In New Hampshire it will now be a felony to steal someone elses dog, but only on the second offense. I guess you get a pass if you do it once, but after that youll be in the doghouse.

Some states implemented higher minimum limits on coverage for motor vehicle liability insurance. However, this only applies to those responsible enough to actually carry it in the first place. The rest (I think the majority) who drive without insurance, can just ignore this one.

A year from now Id like to write about laws Id like to see enacted.

In Texas U-turns should be changed to Yall turns. And rubber-necking should be a federal crime with a minimum sentence of one month in prison. It should be more frankly. If you cant drive by an automobile accident without slowing down to gape as if youve never seen one in your entire life, you should be in jail.

You should no longer be allowed to engage in online gambling, create a website, or take a COVID test while driving on a freeway in California. Right turns will probably be outlawed in blue states. And you should get one minute to exit your parking space after getting into your car at the supermarket or you forfeit all your groceries. How long does it take to get in, start the car, and pull out anyway?

Id like to see new laws protecting travelers. If an airline loses your luggage, they need to compensate you with a new designer Gucci bag or the latest Super Mario Brothers video game, unless they can figure out which state they were flying over when they lost it. They should really make sure the cargo doors are locked more tightly.

Emotional support pet rocks should be allowed in the main cabin on airlines if they weigh less than 200 pounds. And you should have the right to clock someone on an airplane for Facetiming too loudly without earbuds. The same goes if someone steals your seat on one of those bargain airlines with unassigned seating while you are in the restroom.

If some of these new laws have you scratching your head, take solace in the fact that youre not alone. After all, its no coincidence that the word lawful contains the word awful.
HARDIN  Three people have pleaded guilty to 2020 vehicle burglaries in Calhoun County.

On Dec. 1, 2020, the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office received multiple reports of vehicle burglaries as well as a motor vehicle theft in Hardin. Throughout the following week, the sheriffs office conducted extra patrols in an attempt to thwart any future crimes.

At 1:52 a.m. on Dec. 7, 2020, Deputy Zach Hardin with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on Childs Street near Park Street in Hardin on a gold-colored 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe with Missouri registration. Subsequent to an investigation the driver, Kristen Marie Zinselmeier, 32, of St. Peters, Missouri, was arrested for driving while license revoked, 0perating an uninsured motor vehicle and improper use of registration.

Two passengers in the vehicle, Jacob Daniel Young, 25, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Samantha Louise Rachels, 26, of St. Louis, Missouri, were arrested for obstructing justice.

A search of the vehicle found a stolen police badge, vehicle keys, a firearm, other stolen property and methamphetamine. Zinselmeier, Young and Rachels were further charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and obstructing justice. Young also was charged with armed violence, a Class X felony.

The Calhoun County Sheriffs Office said the guilty pleas were the result of an extensive investigation which uncovered an auto-theft ring operating out of St. Louis. The investigation also assisted in the arrest of numerous other involved individuals in neighboring counties.

On May 11, 2021, Zinselmeier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was sentenced to 30 months of probation. Sjhe also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was likewise sentenced to 30 months of probation.

On July 6, 2021, Rachels pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was sentenced to five years in prison. She also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

On Dec. 14, 2021, Young pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was sentenced to five years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Young faces additional charges in Madison and Jersey counties for felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated fleeing and eluding a peace officer, possession of stolen vehicle and possession of methamphetamine.
As the Russians menace Ukraine by amassing at least 100,000 troops at the border, it is time to ask what Russian President Vladimir Putin is really after.

Yes, he wants to ensure Ukraine doesnt join NATO, to keep that country within his sphere of influence. Yes, he wants to expand the boundaries of Mother Russia, just as he did when his forces invaded Crimea in 2014 and annexed it. And yes, he wants to regain popularity at home, just as he did after the Crimean invasion, by being a strong leader.

Yet, the question is this  whats really going on and what is Putin really after?

Since 2014, Russia has continually eroded the borders of an area of Ukraine, not with troops but with Russian operatives who have sowed public chaos and demanded Russian sovereignty for the Russians living there. The region is called Donbas, and its in the southeastern part of the country, bordering Russia. Donbas has ethnic Russians, but not like Crimea. The majority of Donbas is Ukrainian, not Russian. So Putin cannot make the claim that hes returning Russians to Russia.

I have just returned from a fact-finding mission to the Donbas region. For the past six years, Russian operatives have taken control of the region and created a living hell for the Ukrainians there. More than 14,000 people have died as a result of the Russian occupation, and more are killed every day. The place is now described as gray, just like the old Soviet Union (the main city in the region is now called the Peoples Republic of Donetsk), with everyone afraid they will be purged next.

While traveling through this province, I met and talked to people who are in utter despair. One even said, Everything is gray, except for the blood. While the world worries about whether Russia will invade Ukraine, the real objective  Donbas  goes unnoticed.

Donbas is miserable. The freezing, starving, critically ill and war-torn wounded wander the streets, just trying to feed themselves. The money given by a few governments rarely gets to the shelters, hospitals or institutions of aid. Maybe as much as $750 million has been stolen while the people suffer.

That being said, the current standoff now being played out with Russia might actually create an opportunity for Ukraine to act.

The solution is to demand that Russian forces leave Donbas and return the region to Ukraine. It is theirs, after all. Diplomats should use this standoff to create leverage for Donbas and the Ukrainian government. Ukraine should use its power to take control of Donbas.

With the world backing it diplomatically, Ukraine could see that through. Russia has not massed an army to invade, but to keep Ukraine from moving back into Donbas. So, call out Putin at his own game, and win back sovereignty for the citizens living there.

Now is the perfect time for Ukraine to turn the tables on the Russians. The president of Ukraine needs to reveal the real issue here: Donbas. The U.S. and the European Union need to demonstrate and clearly outline their support for Ukraines right to recover its own territory. And the U.S. and the European Union, along with the rest of the world, must demand immediate and lasting diplomatic resolution.

Putins demands are misplaced. Its time for Ukraine to demand the entirety of its country back, for the world to back it up, and for the killing and misery to stop.
To the Editor,

Illinois's population declined by a record 113,776 residents from July 2020 to July 2021, according to estimates released Dec. 21 by the U S Census Bureau.

This marks the eighth consecutive year of population decline. The only state that's population has been in decline longer is West Vitginia which currently is suffering its ninth consecutive year of population decline.

Then how can Gov. J.B. Pritzer say the state is going in the right direction?

Don Williams

Alton


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Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 47F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 47F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Kwasi Kwarteng is under pressure to launch a full-blown investigation into the private equity takeover of Ultra Electronics.

The Business Secretary will be handed a report today that outlines whether the controversial 2.6billion deal will threaten national security.

Kwarteng, who ordered the review last August, will decide whether to wave it through as it stands, approve it with conditions attached, or refer it to a deeper phase two probe.

Security fears: Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured) is under pressure to launch a full-blown investigation into the 2.6bn private equity takeover of Ultra Electronics

The proposed takeover of a major British defence group by US buyout firm Advent International has provoked uproar among military figures, politicians and analysts.

Whitehall sources said the decision will hinge entirely on the contents of todays report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Phase two interventions are rare. But the Business Secretary is facing calls to step up scrutiny of the deal because of Ultras role making highly sensitive naval kit  including enemy submarine-hunting sonobuoys.

Last night the former head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Lord West, said: I think it should be referred to a phase two investigation.

He believes it is absolutely critical for the security of us and Nato that we dont lose the edge with anti-submarine warfare.

Critics of the deal say losing Ultra to a US private equity firm could put Britain at a disadvantage as submarine warfare becomes a more important theatre of conflict.

Advent is conducting the deal through Cobham, a British firm it bought for 4billion in 2019.

Advents reputation took a hit after it chopped up and sold more than half of Cobham within 18 months of buying the business, despite promising to be a long-term investor.

Defence analyst Francis Tusa said: I really think it should be referred. Its not being bought by a British firm. It is being bought by an American firm that skinned the Cobham pelt and put it on to look British.

If it was American it would not be allowed to go through.

Today is the deadline for the CMA report. It will be published online at some point in the coming months.

Laws came into force early this month that will automatically trigger Government investigations into takeovers or asset sales in 17 strategic industries, including defence, nuclear and artificial intelligence.

But, because the review was kicked off last year, the 3500p per share deal for Ultra is being evaluated under the Enterprise Act of 2002.

If the takeover is allowed under the Enterprise Act, it could still be called in at a later date to be reviewed under the National Security and Investment Act, which can be used retrospectively.

A Government spokesman said: While the Government welcomes foreign investment, it is right that we fully consider the national security implications of this transaction.
Unilever was forced onto the defensive after its plans to buy GlaxoSmithKlines consumer healthcare division sent shares tumbling 7 per cent.

In a hastily convened press conference yesterday morning, the consumer groups boss Alan Jope said the GSK business would be a strong strategic fit his firm.

He also insisted a deal would be attractive to shareholders having seen three bids turned down by the pharmaceuticals giant, including the most recent offer of 50billion.

In a hastily convened press conference, Unilever chief executive Alan Jope (pictured) said the GSK business 'would be a strong strategic fit' for Unilever

But Unilever shares fell 274.5p to 3662p, wiping 7billion off the 100billion company to leave it worth 93billion.

GSKs consumer brands include Aquafresh, Sensodyne, Advil, Panadol, Chapstick and Centrum while Unilever owns Dove, Domestos, Marmite, Ben & Jerrys and Hellmanns.

Dismissing Unilevers latest 50billion approach over the weekend, GSK said it fundamentally undervalued the business, which is 32 per cent owned by Pfizer.

Analysts believe that Unilever will have to raise its bid to 60billion to secure a deal  a price tag many fear is too high.

Jobs at risk in shake-up Unilever will announce a major initiative to streamline the business this month - raising fears over jobs. Chief executive Alan Jope said he will scrap the companys clunky operating model and make it more simple and agile to boost growth. He did not rule out job losses when asked about the restructuring, saying only that the changes were focused on growth, not cost. An analyst said the changes would be an opportunity to reduce headcount but would not necessarily mean staff would be cut. The analyst said: The idea is for them to be more agile and more relevant to local consumers and trends. It could also be an opportunity to reduce headcount, but not necessarily. Jope said: This is not driven by cost. We are going to announce later this month a simple model, which is designed for speed and agility. Unilever has 149,000 staff worldwide. Ends

The market has given a thumbs down, said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

The negative share price reaction probably reflects investors fears that Unilever is going to come back with a higher offer and potentially pay too much.

Such a takeover would be one of the biggest completed in London, and the biggest in the world since the outbreak of Covid.

But it would likely push Unilevers debt pile from the current level of 19billion to well over 55billion.

Jope said attempts to buy GSKs consumer arm were part of his strategy to pivot away from food and instead focus on faster-growing health, beauty and hygiene brands.

This will see Unilever get rid of poor performing food brands and could see Marmite sold.

Unilever could even offload its whole food and refreshments arm, though Jope stressed brands such as Hellmanns and Ben & Jerrys were growing well in a sign they could remain part of the companys future.

The money from sales will be used to fund takeovers of health, hygiene and beauty brands which Unilever hopes will help turn around years of slow sales growth.

The strategy comes after recent moves by Unilever to slim down its 400-plus brand portfolio into a smaller group of market leaders.

In December 2017 it sold its spreads business which included Flora butter, and in November last year it sold its tea business including PG Tips.

But critics have called on Unilever to fix its own business rather than take over others.

The company was last week slammed by leading investor Terry Smith who said it has lost the plot over its focus on social issues.

Laying out his plans, Jope said GSK was not the only option and if a deal does not go through he would pursue other consumer healthcare brands.

He said he would only pursue takeovers which are value creating and they would come on top of improving the performance of Unilevers existing business.

But his defence of Unilevers interest in GSK failed to win over doubters in the City.

Bruno Monteyne, senior analyst at Bernstein, said it was mind-blowing that Unilever thought such a big deal would benefit shareholders.

Monteyne also said the fact Unilever is planning further deals if it does not buy GSK consumer health is really worrying.

He said: They have lost touch with reality with what investors think is credible and what the industry has known to work and not work.

Even of people who like Unilever shares, not a single one thinks this kind of deal the size of GSK makes any sense. Its way too big.

There is plenty of academic research and anecdotal evidence that mega big deals extremely rarely work, why does Unilever think with their track record in the industry they will buck the trends?
Cumberland, MD (21502)

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Showers and thundershowers this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Low 59F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

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Barre, VT (05641)

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About the Sullivan County Jail expansion project

The expansion will add 560 new beds to the county jail.

The countys current jail has been under scrutiny by the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) since 2014, when the jail nearly lost its certification due to overcrowding and other deficiencies found during an inspection by the TCI.

The jail has retained its certification under plan of action status, which means county officials are able to show progress toward solving the problem.

Current jail facilities are built to hold about 620 inmates, but they typically have held 800 to 900 or more in recent years.

The countys main jail was built in the 1980s. An annex opened later in an attempt to ease overcrowding.

The expansion will connect to the current jail at the Blountville Justice Center.

A portion of current jail space will be retained for housing inmates, while other portions will be renovated for other uses.

Construction could begin in late February or sometime in March.

JA Streets bid promised completion within 1,050 days.
Kingsport, TN (37660)

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Kingsport, TN (37660)

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Scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Webster Groves, MO (63119)

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Mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..

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These custom wood pieces will either be given away to donors or raffled, according to Steve Musial, an organizer of the Webster Afghanistan Foundation.
Three fuel trucks exploded, killing three people, and a fire broke out near Abu Dhabi airport on Monday in what Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi group said was an attack deep inside the United Arab Emirates, the regions commercial and tourism hub.

If confirmed, a Houthi drone strike on the UAE capital would take the war between the group and a Saudi-led coalition to a new level, and may hinder efforts to contain regional tensions as Washington and Tehran work to rescue a nuclear deal.

The UAE, a member of the coalition, has armed and trained local Yemeni forces that recently joined fighting against the Houthis in Yemens energy-producing Shabwa and Marib regions.

With (nuclear) negotiators running out of time, the risk of a deterioration in the regions security climate is rising, said Torbjorn Soltvedt, Principal MENA Analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

The Houthi movement has frequently launched cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, but has claimed few such attacks on the UAE, mostly denied by Emirati authorities.

Three people were killed and six wounded when three fuel tanker trucks exploded in the industrial Musaffah area near storage facilities of oil firm ADNOC, state news agency WAM said. It said those killed were two Indians and a Pakistani.

ADNOC later said an incident at its Mussafah Fuel Depot at 10:00 am local time had resulted in a fire and that it was working with authorities to determine the exact cause.

ADNOC is deeply saddened to confirm that three colleagues have died. A further six colleagues were injured and received immediate specialist medical care, it said in a statement.

Police closed the road leading to the area, where unverified footage on social media had shown thick black smoke.

Initial investigations found parts of a small plane that could possibly be a drone at both sites that could have caused the explosion and the fire, Abu Dhabi police said.

An Etihad Airways spokesperson said a small number of flights were briefly disrupted at Abu Dhabi airport due to precautionary measures, but normal operations quickly resumed.

The Houthis military spokesman said the group launched a military operation deep in the UAE. Its chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, whom Houthi-run media said was currently visiting Tehran, warned the UAE against tampering in Yemen.

If confirmed, a Houthi strike could potentially derail UAE and wider Gulf dialogue with Iran, said UAE political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla.

The UAE is not going to take this very lightly, he said, adding it was still too early to assess Abu Dhabis response.

PROXY FIGHT

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi had moved to engage directly with Iran in recent months to avoid any wider conflict that could hurt regional economic ambitions. The Yemen war is seen as a proxy fight between Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran.

The Abu Dhabi stock market index ended 0.1% lower after the news. The index had gained as much as 0.3% in early trade.

The incidents coincided with a visit to the UAE by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. A Blue House official said a summit between Moon and Abu Dhabis crown prince was cancelled due to an unforeseen and urgent matter of state.

Given the range of Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia it was not technically surprising the group would be able to hit UAE targets, said Jean-Loup Samaan, senior research fellow at National University of Singapores Middle East Institute.

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain condemned what they described as a cowardly, terrorist attack. There was no immediate comment from Iranian officials, but Irans Tasnim news agency reported it as an important operation.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Local residents in the Town of Wawarsing will now get a chance to weigh in on a new major marijuana facility proposed in their Ulster County town during a public hearing set for Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Cresco Labs in August proposed taking over the former Schrade Knife and Avnet Channel Master facilities in Wawarsing to create a marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution plant on the 91-acre lot that has sat empty for 17 years. Of that total footprint, 6.6 acres fall within the Village of Ellenville. Because the geographic split heavily favors the Town of Wawarsing, it will oversee the project.

We are very supportive of it, said Village of Ellenville Mayor Jeff Kaplan of the new facility. We feel it will bring good jobs to the area, and that area in particular which has always been in an industrial site.

Town passed resolutions to opt out on dispensaries, lounges

While local leaders have expressed excitement around the proposed marijuana manufacturing facility, the town itself has not laid out the welcome mat for cannabis businesses there. The Town of Wawarsing last year opted out of allowing marijuana retail dispensaries and on-site consumption lounges within its borders.

The Village of Ellenville, on the other hand, is all in, saying yes to both cannabis dispensaries and businesses. Kaplan said the village decided not to prohibit pot in Ellenville since its legal on the state level.

In all of my conversations with [Wawarsing] town officials  the town is cautious as they should be about getting too far ahead of themselves on a project, but is supportive and optimistic about it, said Tim Weidemann, Director of Economic Development at Ulster County. I think their decision about recreational retail sales and on-site consumption reflect what most communities are struggling with right now: trying to understand the dynamics of this new law and balance their desires to protect public health and transition safely and responsibly around a new regime around cannabis.

The Town of Wawarsing did not respond with comments by the time of press.

The applicant for the marijuana facility in Wawarsing is Valley Agriceuticals, LLC, which currently operates a medical marijuana manufacturing facility in the Town of Wallkill and four medical marijuana dispensaries across the state. Its parent company is Chicago-based Cresco Labs, which operates in 10 states nationwide where medical marijuana is legal.

Cresco originally suggested the processing plant would create 300 to 400 jobs with the addition of the approximately 380,000-square-foot cultivation facility. But the latest submitted proposal suggests a workforce increase of up to 679 employees in the future. The parking and traffic assessments were done using this number, which estimates 510 parked vehicles could be on site during the busiest shift.

They are optimistic that if the market takes off in the way folks expect it to, they will expand from there in the coming years, said Weidemann.

But will it smell like weed?

Michael Colella, who last fall unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Town Council in Wawarsing, said at the time of the Cresco announcement that hed rather see a different company move to town.

We could use our available commercial property to bring in an industry that would be better for our community and society as a whole, Colella said via email, suggesting that the town should seek to attract a company in a different industry, like battery technology, electric cars or aerospace.

Downtime is the best time Make the most of your Hudson Valley weekend, every week with our newsletter.

One question nearby residents had for this facility is whether the cannabis facility will emit a strong odor. According to the latest proposal submission, the plant will use carbon filtration systems to help reduce smelly emissions, which is consistent with industry standards. The facility plans to also have a dedicated local employee to respond to phone calls received about odor complaints. In another effort to block odors from escaping outside, the proposal indicates the installation of air curtains at significant external doorways, which use forced air to create a pressurized barrier between interior and exterior air.

Ellenville High School is located 1,000 feet south of the facility site, and the nearest residential properties are 300 feet away to the southwest.

Updated plans were submitted on Dec. 29. According to the plans, construction could be completed within 12 to 18 months of approvals. Once built, the plant would operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays.

Were just really excited about the opportunity to bring high-quality jobs in a sector that is poised for significant growth to a site thats been dormant for way too long in a community that can really use an economic boost, said Weidemann.

The Town of Wawarsing has a population of 12,580, with a median household income of $48,743; 17.9 percent of residents live in poverty, an amount that is 25 percent higher than the average rate in New York, according to U.S. census data. A large employer in the area is the maximum-security prison Eastern Correction Facility, one of the oldest prison facilities in the state, located just down the road in Naponach.

This is one of the biggest economic opportunities we have had in Ellenville in decades, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said in a press release in August. Cresco will turn a site that once represented the beating heart of this economy back into the economic engine that it can and should be  providing good-paying jobs for local residents and putting Ulster County at the leading edge of the rapidly growing cannabis industry.

Cresco Labs isnt the first new development of its kind proposed in the Hudson Valley. In Orange County, Green Thumb Industries plans to build a growing and distribution facility at the Warwick Technology Park at the site of the former Mid-Orange Correctional Facility.
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As cases of coronavirus start to peak in parts of the northeast and New York, local health officials say downstate trends signal the Capital Regions top level of the current surge is likely underway now, with hospitalizations and deaths expected to crest soon.

It appears to be peaking now, said Dr. Steven Hanks of St. Peters Health Partners, who predicted the recent surge of cases fueled by the extremely contagious omicron variant will recede as quickly as it came. February could look relatively COVID-free here in the Capital Region.

Boosted population immunity as a result of this last surge has many speculating whether the pandemic is shifting into a new endemic phase  which occurs when a disease becomes relatively manageable like the flu. But public health experts say record case numbers belie that logic and warn inequitable vaccination coverage worldwide provides fertile ground for new and unpredictable variants to emerge.

Still, the lessened severity of omicron and rapid-fire pace at which it spread across the globe has fueled hope that the pandemic is entering a more manageable phase  since pathogens have a tendency to become more contagious but less severe over time.

"I have learned not to make predictions, Albany County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen told the Times Union. Certainly we are at a stage in which vaccine uptake is pretty good in our adult population, we have seen a significant percentage of the county that has already had clinical infection, and we are learning that the omicron variant may be less clinically severe. These are good signs, but we are still very much in the woods.

The current concern, she said, is the increased transmissibility of omicron and rise in pediatric hospitalizations.

Due to the sheer number of people infected there is a concern that our health care systems are challenged, said Whalen, whose county is averaging almost 1,000 cases a day. We are seeing that now. We need to get past this wave.

Whalen said public health professionals are certainly discussing how and when COVID-19 will become endemic, meaning a disease that is regularly found in the population (like seasonal flu), she said.

This may mean updates to vaccine periodically, and people modifying behavior (such as using mitigation strategies) in times of increased spread, she said.

White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci last week warned omicrons transmissibility means its likely to find just about everybody, though he added that data continue to show vaccinated and boosted Americans are far less likely to wind up hospitalized or dead. On Monday, Fauci said its an open question whether the current surge spells the end of the pandemic.

"I would hope that thats the case, he said. But that would only be the case if we dont get another variant that eludes the immune response of the prior variant.

Omicrons impact

While many have sought reassurance in omicrons relative mildness compared to the delta variant, its extreme contagiousness helped to fuel record positivity rates across the Capital Region and New York.

Nearly one out of every four tests in the state came back positive at the height of the omicron surge, which occurred Jan. 2 when the seven-day positivity rate clocked in at 23.2 percent, state data show. That number has since declined, dropping to 15.7 percent as of Sunday's data.

In the Capital Region, nearly one out of every five tests performed on residents of the eight-county area came back positive at the height of the omicron surge, which appears to have occurred Jan. 7 when the seven-day positivity rate hit 19.8 percent. That number had dropped to 17.1 percent as of Sunday.

Albany County was hit particularly hard due to its larger population and on Friday saw its highest number of daily COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, with 1,586 new infections among residents.

"We are currently seeing the highest number of cases we have had to date, due to the highly transmissible omicron variant, Whalen said. We remain in a period of very high transmission in Albany County.

The high positivity rates have occurred despite the widespread availability of vaccines and boosters this winter  further illustrating omicrons contagiousness. Last winter, before either was widely available and the variant had yet to emerge, the regional positivity rate surged and peaked at just 10.2 percent.

And while widespread sickness seemed to impact hospitals and urgent care centers much more this time around, that wasnt due to patient numbers so much as historic staffing shortages that worsened over the past year due to burnout, sickness and vaccine mandates. Unprecedented demand for rapid, at-home antigen tests also hit health care facilities hard this winter as people began seeking them out at urgent care centers and even emergency rooms, prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul to urge New Yorkers to stop clogging ERs for tests.

Indeed, far more people were hospitalized last winter due to COVID-19 than have been this winter  despite many more people testing positive this time around. A record 553 residents of the Capital Region were hospitalized with the disease on Jan. 19, 2021, state data show. So far this winter, a high of just 412 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the eight-county area.

The vaccine is definitely working

While breakthrough cases of the virus are not uncommon and vaccinated individuals have been hospitalized and even died, hospital leaders say the majority of hospitalized patients continue to be the unvaccinated.

Some 68 percent of people being treated at 12 area hospitals for COVID-19 last Thursday were unvaccinated, said Dr. Dennis McKenna, president and CEO of Albany Medical Center, who cited data shared over a phone call that morning by area hospital leaders.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Hospital leaders are also now reporting the number of people seeking hospital care for COVID-19 versus those who wind up in the hospital for other things but happen to test positive for the disease. That data show that about one-third of all COVID-19 patients in area hospitals tested positive incidentally.

Its a pretty significant number that are walking around without knowing it, said Dr. Alan Boulos, interim dean of Albany Medical College.

Reduced severity of the omicron variant can be seen in intensive care and mechanical ventilation rates, said Hanks, chief clinical officer for the St. Peters Health Partners system in Albany.

Just over 15 percent of Capital Region residents hospitalized with COVID-19 during the omicron wave have required transfer to ICUs, he said, and 6.1 percent have required mechanical ventilation.

Thats the lowest of the pandemic to date, according to his data, which was collected from a dozen area hospitals including Albany Medical Center, St. Peters Hospital in Albany, Samaritan Hospital in Troy, Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, Albany Stratton VA, Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital, among others.

The alpha variant, which was first identified in the United Kingdom and hit New York last winter, sent 15.5 percent of area patients to ICUs and 7.6 percent required ventilation, the data show. The delta variant, which was first identified in India and spread across New York through the latter half of 2021  sent 19.8 percent of people to area ICUs and 8 percent required ventilation. ICU and ventilation rates among local COVID-19 patients were highest by far during the first wave of the pandemic in the spring of 2020  52 percent and 48 percent, respectively.

Part of the reason for that is the development of better treatment and therapeutics, hospital officials say.

Now, the only caveat with that is were still early in omicron and mechanical ventilation is kind of like the last step as far as patients who are in the hospital and aren't getting better, Hanks said Thursday. So well keep an eye on that number. It may trend up, but right now we believe that it's probably going to be a little bit lower than it was with delta.

The omicron variant features over 30 mutations to the spike protein of the coronavirus, which the messenger RNA vaccines targeted.

"As a result, the vaccines are not as effective, McKenna said. But also as a result of that, the virus itself is not as severe.

Despite a rise in breakthrough cases, the vaccine is still effective at preventing severe disease and death, he said. Deaths during the omicron wave continue to disproportionately impact the unvaccinated, he said.

The vaccine is definitely working... these (deaths) are people who sadly continue to be primarily unvaccinated, but often are older and have those underlying medical conditions, he said.
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JOHNSTOWN  Authorities said they made a gruesome discovery at a Johnstown funeral home last week after its owner is accused of dodging family members of a deceased relative seeking an update about cremation services.

Officials discovered an unspecified number of decomposing human remains at the Ehle-Barnett Funeral Home and at least two bodies in the garage, where the remains were stored alongside trash and furniture, officials said.

Owner Brian M. Barnett had also been operating under a suspended license since last November, according to the state Department of Health, who said his license was suspended on Nov. 30, 2021 for operating an unregistered firm after having been previously sanctioned by public health officials for the same violation.

Barnett also denied the department's requests to inspect funeral firm records, which the state agency is authorized to inspect, a state health spokesperson said Sunday. His license was listed as active on the state Health Department's online accounting of funeral directors. The state spokeswoman said his name will be removed.

The state Health Department says it received a complaint about Ehle-Barnett Funeral Home in May, and is still investigating it.

Police said they also located over a dozen containers that had cremated remains, including several open urns without identification tags, prompting authorities to launch a search to identify them.

The investigation is still ongoing and charges are pending, police said in a statement. The Daily Gazette first reported the story.

Barnett didnt return a phone call seeking comment on Sunday, nor did anyone answer the door at the Ehle-Barnett Funeral Home. The business voicemail said the location would be closed due to state coronavirus regulations and unforeseen health issues until Jan. 11.

Google lists the business as permanently closed.

The Ehle-Barnett Funeral Home is centrally located in downtown Johnstown on North Williams Street between the Johnstown Historical Society and the muncipal offices hosting the county court offices.

The municipal parking lot abuts the funeral home's main historic brick building and runs alongside the separate garage. The pavement located closest to the structure contains the designated parking spots for court officials, including the district attorney, whose slot is located within feet of the garage's entrance where the bodies were found.

Its insane and my mind is blown, said Sixto Santamaria, a homeowner whose backyard garage backs up against the funeral home garage.

Santamaria said he was irritated that he wasnt informed of the grisly discovery by local officials.

Upon executing a search warrant, investigators said they found the bodies in an advanced state of decomposition due to the remains not being stored in a temperature-controlled location or being cared for "in any manner."

The remains, officials said, had been there for a "substantial" amount of time.

Detectives also learned of another deceased person who had been retrieved by Barnett in late 2021. While records indicated the person had been cremated, the crematorium listed on the death certificate had no record of a cremation being completed, officials said.

Thankfully, Santamaria said, the cold weather likely held off the smell of decomposition.

I have three kids who play outside, he said. I have no words.

Johnstown police executed a search warrant on Jan. 14 after receiving a complaint from a family who had entered into an agreement for cremation services.

For several weeks, the family had been attempting to contact Barnett, who allegedly didnt respond to their inquiries. The Johnstown Police Department was also unsuccessful.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Officials learned from state regulators that Barnetts license to practice had been suspended, resulting in the business being stripped of its ability to store or handle any human remains and conduct funeral services.

Barnett later contacted detectives and told them human remains were on site and no services had been completed in several weeks.

The funeral home is not listed as the service provider in any published obituaries since Nov. 2. However, the funeral home shared on its Facebook page the obituary of a Johnstown man who died in late December, and that it was handling the remains until a service in the spring could be organized.

The funeral home posted on its page that Barnett took over as owner in 2014. Daniel Vernon Ehle, the previous owner, was on as a consultant, but it's unclear how long that arrangement lasted.

Despite customers and authorities having a hard time getting in touch with Barnett, he was active on his personal Facebook page throughout January. His last post Jan. 12 referenced a previous post that showed passages from the King James Bible and noting, "Be Kind and help someone out of a pit instead of tossing dirt in when theyre not looking."

All remains found by authorities at the funeral home were turned over to A.G. Cole Funeral Home for proper services.

Johnstown police on Sunday declined to specify the total number of remains retrieved, citing the ongoing investigation.

"The (state Department of Health) takes the oversight of funeral homes very seriously and anyone found to have been unlawfully operating a facility will be investigated and is subject to license suspension or revocation," a spokeswoman told the Times Union on Sunday.

The Fulton County Coroners Office is working to identify the remains in conjunction with the New York State Polices Forensic Investigation Unit. Local officials will reach out to the families of those recovered as theyre formally identified, police said.

If families have services with Ehle-Barnett Funeral Home and have not retrieved the remains, they can contact the coroners office or Johnstown police. Family members are asked to have the date, time, and location when their decedent died.

Family members are also encouraged to email JPD@cityofjohnstown.ny.gov with any questions.

Lauren Stanforth contributed to this report.
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ALBANY  Diane Metz knew it was time to make a change when she received a panicked call from her mother, Eleanor, in the middle of the night. Eleanor was convinced that her house was flooding and needed Metz to help her. The first problem was that Metz lived an hour away in Albany. The second was that there was no flood, Eleanor was just confused.

Since losing her husband of 65 years two years ago, 89-year-old Eleanor was becoming more forgetful each day. After packing up 45-years worth of memories in her parents home, Metz moved Eleanor in with her, her spouse Chris, and their foster cat, Autumn.

A few months later in January 2021, Metz, 57, reluctantly resigned from her job as a program manager at The Albany Damien Center when she realized that her mother needed more supervision than expected.

I anticipated once I got my mom here under my roof it would be easier, Metz said. I thought it would be all perfect and normal. It wasnt.

Metz is among 4.1 million New Yorkers who take care of an elderly or disabled family member, according to state Office for the Aging. These individuals provide essential, unpaid care to their elderly relatives to keep them out of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Activists are pushing for Gov. Kathy Hochul to include legislation that will provide financial relief to caregivers in her first draft of the budget.

As baby boomers continue to age into needing full-time care, the demand for family caregivers will increase. New Yorkers like Metz are providing free labor, and without economic support, theyre struggling to provide for themselves and their families.

More people are aging into poverty, so this is a long-life issue, said Bobbie Sackman, a leader of NY Caring Majority, a campaign that advocates for caregivers.

On average, a family caregiver will spend up to 20 percent of their income on providing care to their loved one, according to AARP. Expenses can include home improvements for safety measures, crucial respite services and medicine.

Medicare doesnt cover diapers, wipes, gloves and other essentials, according to Raquel Perlman, the caregiver program director at Heights and Hills, a nonprofit that supports older adults and caregivers in Brooklyn. For caregivers without an income, these necessary expenses can be significant.

After nearly a year of living with her mother, Metz considered getting a part-time job last month to relieve the growing financial strain on her family. That option, it turned out, wasnt feasible.

Now is not the time to go back to work, Metz said. I have a lot of restrictions when I can work because of my moms schedule. I can only work in the late afternoons during the week and no weekends.

Family caregivers in New York provide around 2.6 billion hours of unpaid care a year, according to the Office for the Aging. This amounts to thirty or forty hours of free care per week, which can make scheduling work challenging.

Advocacy groups like AARP and NY Caring Majority are pushing legislation at the state level to help caregivers like Metz who left the workforce.

One bill pending in the Senate would provide family caregivers in New York a $3,500 tax credit for care expenses. To qualify for the tax credit, an individual or family must meet an income threshold and be financially burdened by their caregiving responsibility. To prevent fraud, the state would enforce a rigorous application process, according to the proposed bill.

Beth Finkel, director of AARP-NY, said that there should be support across political parties for the legislation because taxpayers will benefit from a caregiver credit. By keeping more older adults at home and out of nursing homes, caregivers save the state $31 billion a year, according to AARP.

NY Caring Majority has their focus on another Senate bill, also known as Fair Pay for Homecare. That bill would establish a minimum wage for homecare workers that is at least 150 percent of the state's minimum wage. Homecare workers in New York earn around $22,000 a year, according to a March report from the City University of New York.

Both the tax credit and Fair Pay for Homecare have been introduced this year by Sen. Rachel May, D-Syracuse.

Magdalena Ornstein, 43, has been a caregiver for her mother, Janet, for 25 years after Janet suffered from a brain aneurysm. Along with caring for her mother, Ornstein is a part-time professor of environmental psychology at Sarah Lawrence College in Westchester County. When she is not with her mother or teaching, Ornstein advocates for people in similar situations as her own.

Theres a notion that people will take advantage of a system that financially compensates caregivers, said Ornstein. But were the ones being taken advantage of.

Of the 4.1 million family caregivers in New York, 56 percent are women, according to an AARP study. Christian Gonzalez-Rivera, director of strategic policy initiatives at the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging in New York City, is concerned that if more women leave the workforce, the gender wage gap will increase, setting back womens progress in the workforce.

Women are putting their own retirement and savings in danger, Gonzalez-Rivera said. More women are going to leave the economy because of the demographic pressures of caregiving.

For Metz, resigning from her job at The Albany Damien Center where she worked with people diagnosed with AIDS and HIV meant that she wasnt just losing her income, she was also losing her identity.

I had the coolest ... job ever, Metz said. I worked there for 11 years. I miss my people a lot.

Ornstein-Sloan believes now is the time for advocates to organize and really push for change at the state level.

Everyone will either be a caregiver or will need care at some point, Ornstein-Sloan said. We need to make caregiver support a priority before its too late.

Nellie Given is a reporter at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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ALBANY  Gov. Kathy Hochul recalled the story of her grandfather coming from Ireland to South Dakota, where he found a job as migrant farmworker in 1919. Her grandmother, a domestic worker in Chicago, and grandfather would move to New York. They heard "there were great jobs" at a steel plant in Buffalo, she said.

"What really transformed my family was the fact that my father was able to get a college degree  at night, while working by day at the same steel plant as his father," Hochul said in her State of the State address earlier this month.

At the time, the nation had begun to shift in its approach to workers rights.

Most employees became entitled to a minimum wage and a 40-hour work week by 1938, after the passage of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. It gave those employees time for other activities, including attending college after work.

Farmworkers and domestic workers were excluded from the New Deal Era legislation, as part of a political compromise and pressure from the agricultural industry; it has had lasting effects in shaping the farming industry today. New York farm workers now have a minimum wage and a 60-hour work week.

Hochul's vision for the rights of farmworkers began to be revealed in her State of the State, in which she laid out a proposal for a tax credit for overtime labor at New York's farms that may hint at her desire to lower the overtime threshold. More than 80 years later, the issue of a 40-hour work week for farmworkers remains controversial and fiercely opposed by the New York Farm Bureau.

Hochul offered a long list of agricultural-focused initiatives in her State of the State. The New York Farm Bureau "applaud her for making agriculture a focus of her agenda" that included "sweeping investments."

Hochul's policy plan also included a proposal for a permanent refundable tax credit on overtime hours for farms of any size in the state, which is intended to offset increasing costs to farmers. It was the first sign that she may be in favor of lowering the overtime threshold, but not without a subsidy for farms.

The details of her proposal are unknown, although they may be illuminated when Hochul's executive budget is to delivered Tuesday morning. That information could also be vital in the final public hearings that the state's Farm Laborers Wage Board is scheduled to hold, Tuesday and Thursday, which come after more than a year without a meeting.

The board is tasked with recommending to the state Department of Labor whether to lower the overtime threshold for farmworkers from 60 to 40 hours.

The Farm Bureau's closely associated advocacy coalition, Grow NY Farms Coaltion, which lobbies against lowering the overtime threshold, is weary of the tax credit.

It is also concerned that the proposal could shift the decision on the overtime threshold by the three-member board, which includes two members from opposing sides of the industry and a chair who acts as the swing vote.

"That decision should not be influenced by promises or possibilities outside of the scope of what theyve been charged with," Grow NY Farms Coalition said in a statement.

The coalition said that a tax credit covering overtime hours would cause "additional and undue financial stress on farm businesses" because of the "unpredictable legislative process."

"Farmers are concerned that even if a tax credit passes, it would remain part of the annual budget debate and would take many steps over a long period of time to get reimbursed  which for some, that may be too late," the coalition said in its statement.

Advocates of the lowered overtime threshold say that the tax credit could be useful and a win for both workers and owners, as long as it has a phase out period.

"I'm generally weary of giving subsidies to business," said David D. Kallick, director of the Immigration Research Initiative. "But it seems to me that working conditions are so far out of line in farming that it makes sense to me to give some help to farm owners and time to adjust."

From the beginning, Kallick said, there should be a sunset period on the tax credit subsidy for farmers.

Using a two-year-old industry report from Farm Credit East that estimated the industry's cost of the 40-hour work week at $120 million, he said he could see the cost to the state for the tax credit be at about $240 million over a possible four-year phase out.

"If it were a complete subsidy, it would destroy the incentive power to overtime pay to incentivize more reasonable, shorter work weeks," said Paul Sonn, state policy program director for the National Employment Law Project. "Otherwise it won't do anything to help reduce the dangerous work schedules that many (farm) workers face."

The details in the budget may provide more information on how much Hochul wants to subsidize the industry, and whether she does hope to signal to the board with the tax credit that she supports lowering the overtime threshold.
Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
A new online platform that provides free access to education and training courses for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in County Tipperary and throughout Ireland has been launched.

SaorEd is a collaborative initiative between three Irish non-profit organisations; Doras, New Horizon and Dignity Partnership. It is built on the Kiron online learning platform, which has been designed specifically for refugees and underserved communities and is already widely used in the Middle East and Europe.

SaorEd, available at www.saored.com, aims to provide free access to a range of entry-level and advanced courses. Initial offerings include English language courses, information technology (IT) skills, healthcare and career preparation courses. The courses on offer are mostly in English, with some in Arabic. Navigation interfaces are available in Arabic and Farsi and those behind the venture hope to expand the range of courses and languages on offer.

SaorEd is intended to fill the gaps in existing education and training programmes. While free English language classes are provided by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and others, for example, places on these are often difficult to obtain. Yet, language skills are essential for the integration and wellbeing of protection applicants and refugees.

John Lannon, Doras CEO said It is difficult for people living in remote areas, particularly Direct Provision centres, to access regular transport to attend in-person training. SaorEd can provide pathways to further education and employment for them.

"The platform is also of value to parents of young children who may not be able to access mainstream education during the day. It is also accessible to people who face financial barriers to education, who may not be entitled to the Back to Education Allowance, for example.

Many of the SaorEd study programmes are offered exclusively to international protection applicants, with certificates provided to learners on completion. By providing open access to online learning opportunities, it ensures that free education is available at any time, in any place to underserved communities.

For more see www.saored.com
Like it or not, many conservatives and right-wing pundits continue to effectively leverage tech and the Internets to their advantage against traditional dead-tree media outlets.

And this is despite an effort to crackdown on social media conversations.



Special thanks to KICK-ASS TKC READERS for finding yet another example . . .



Here's a clip sent our way just now . . .



For those unfamiliar with their work, here's a bit of smarty Sunday background reading . . . Because we shouldn't take anything at face value:



Project Veritas battles for journalism, and against it Early on the morning of November 6 last year, FBI agents armed with a search warrant raided the Mamaroneck, New York, apartment of James O'Keefe, the right-wing provocateur who founded the website Project Veritas. While O'Keefe stood handcuffed in his underwear, agents seized two cellphones as part of a grand jury investigation related to the [...]

Even better, here's more reading on the current slap fight regarding the COVID origin story . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .

Project Veritas founder on Fauci's alleged Wuhan research funding: 'A lot of questions' are unanswered Project Veritas founder James O'Keefe joined "Sunday Morning Futures" to discuss the documents that garnered national attention during a Senate committee hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci earlier this week, alleging his agency approved funding for gain-of-function research in Wuhan.

You decide . . .
The latest local killing occurred overnight and it starts this day dedicated to a man of peace.

Here's the report and a glimpse at KCPD working into the freezing night and asking the public for help and more info on this case . . .

Suspicious death 5500 block of Saida

This evening just before 11pm, officers were called to the 5500 block of Saida on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they located the victim, an adult male, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound inside a residence. EMS responded to the scene and declared the victim deceased.

This case is being investigated as a suspicious death at this time. Detectives have responded to the scene as well as crime scene personnel. They will be processing the scene and canvassing for witnesses.

If you have any information, please contact detectives at 816-234-5043. Or you can call the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

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Developing . . .
Yet another instance of violence targeting a faith community might elicit memories of tragic killing near a local community center not so long ago.

The Overland Park Jewish Community Center shooting is a touchstone event which reminds locals that tragedy can often target unsuspecting and innocent people.

Even worse . . .

The culture war angle of the latest attack might spark serious questions about immigration, politics and/or the tragic need for greater security at places of worship and community centers.

Here are headlines worth a peek on the topic . . .

The FBI has identified the British man they say took hostages at a Texas synagogue The man who took hostages at a Texas synagogue on Saturday and died after a stand-off with police was 44-year-old British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, the FBI said in a statement on Sunday. There was "no indication" that other individuals were involved in the incident, the bureau added.

'Corrupt' FBI should be 'eliminated' for statement on Texas synagogue hostage taker': Critics The FBI is facing backlash on social media after an official said that the Texas synagogue hostage taker's demands were "not specifically related to the Jewish community." "The FBI is now an organization solely focused on destroying the domestic enemies of the Democratic Party," conservative talk radio show Jesse Kelly tweeted Sunday morning.

'It's part of a larger pattern': Texas synagogue hostage standoff and rising anti-Semitism in the U.S. Bobby Ghosh, opinion columnist for Bloomberg, and Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, join Aaron Gilchrist to discuss the implications of the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas and whether it was motivated by anti-Semitism.

Biden says Texas synagogue hostage crisis was an 'act of terror' President Joe Biden was asked about the incident during an impromptu visit to a Philadelphia food bank He and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden packed carrots and apples at Philabundance to honor the memory of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Muslim group condemns hostage taking at Texas Synagogue The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemns the hostage taking at a Texas synagogue, amid criticism over its past statements on US synagogues. "No cause can justify or excuse this antisemitic crime. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community," the group says on Twitter.

'We Muslims in America undeniably have an increasing anti-Semitism problem': Duke Professor says Texas synagogue terror attack should inspire Muslims to confront growing Jew-hatred and slams Ilhan Omar's 'all about the Benjamins' comment Duke University Professor Abdullah T. Antepli is calling on fellow Muslims to confront the 'increasing anti-Semitism problem' within their community His remarks came in response to Saturday's Texas synagogue terror attack 'We need to honestly discuss the increasing anti-Semitism within various Muslim communities,' he wrote Antepli said North American Muslims need to have the 'tough conversations' about the issue and leaders who further the problem He also took aim at Rep.

Rep. McCaul: TX hostage standoff shows anti-Semitism 'alive and well' in US Texas Rep. Michael McCaul tells CNN's Jake Tapper that authorities are investigating whether the hours-long standoff at a synagogue in his state has any connection to international terrorism.

Developing . . .
Brevard, NC (28712)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. SW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. SW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.
Johnstown, PA (15901)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 59F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 59F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Major Chen Hongjun,who was commander of a PLA Army battalion stationed in the border defense frontline in deep Karakoram Range, laid down his life in a fight defending Chinas border in June 2020.The Central Military Commission conferred posthumously Chen Hongjun the honorary title of "border-defending hero" in February 2021. At the early days of January 2022, his wife received a gift from Chens battaliona special "family portrait". In the photo, Chen Hongjun smiles brightly, matching well with the smiles of his wife and son.



The "family portrait" of Chen Hongjun, his wife Xiao Qianwen and their son. (Courtesy of XiaoQianwen)

This is a special gift prepared by the comrades-in-arms of Chen 's battalion for his family. In the dead of night on January 3, in the camp of a border defense regiment in the Karakoram plateau, Lieutenant Guo Shuai and Sergeant Chen Wei were busy looking for photos of Chen Hongjun. They wanted to make a "family portrait" for him with the aid of the computer.

An hour and a half ago, Guo Shuai received a call from Guo Ziwei, deputy commander of a certain company of Chen Hongjun's battalion. "I just came back from a business trip in Commander Chen's hometown. His wife told me that she has a New Year's resolution, wishing to make a 'family portrait' with the help of the computer. I have the digital photo of his wife holding his son. May I bother you to do this? "

Upon hearing the news, Guo Shuai and Chen Wei wasted no time searching the company's database overnight for the information of Chen Hongjun. As the hours ticked away, they flipped through the photos and files recorded one by one with great care. Chen Hongjun didn't like taking pictures during his lifetime and it was a little bit difficult for them to find photos of him in the database, but they believed there would be one appropriate.

At 3:30 a.m., Guo Shuai ultimately found a photo suitable in a file, in which Chen Hongjun has a bright smile on his face, perfectly fitting he digital photo of his wife and son.

In early 2020, Chen Hongjun's wife, Xiao Qianwen, was pregnant. Chen was overjoyed when hearing the news. "That day, we were in field training. Commander Chen's voice was markedly higher than usual when giving orders, reflecting his joy from the bottom of his heart" said Chen Wei.

However, when there were still four months before the child was born, Chen Hongjun sacrificed his 33-year young life in the frontline of safeguarding Chinas border.

At 4:50 a.m., watching the "family portrait" that was about to be finished, Guo Shuai "reported" to his former battalion commander Chen: "Commander, everything is all right for both your wife and son, 'Little Hongjun'. Your wife has seldom bothered us. This time, she wished for having a "family portrait', and we will try our best to make it..."

At 6 a.m., Guo Shuai contacted Xiao Qianwen via WeChat and sent her the "family portrait".

At noon, Guo Shuai received a call from Xiao Qianwen, saying: "Thank you very much for the 'family portrait' that you sent me. This is the most precious gift for me. Although my husband has passed away, our son will get the appearance of his father in military uniforms engraved in his mind with the 'family portrait'. He will feel that Dad has always been 'with' him."

Before hanging up, Xiao Qianwen told Guo Shuai: "Our son and his father look very much alike, especially his eyes, as bright and intelligent as his father. " Chen Hongjuns son was born on October 25, 2020, and the day happened to be the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers Participation in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. "I believe this is an inheritance of blood in the unseen world," Xiao Qianwen said.
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Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire once over the past 24 hours, on Sunday, while a Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action.

This was reported on Facebook by the press service of the Joint Forces Operation Command, Ukrinform reports.

Toward Katerynivka, Russian occupation forces opened fire using automatic and easel-mounted anti-tank grenade launchers, as well as small arms.

As a result of the attack, a soldier with the Joint Forces sustained a combat wound. He was swiftly evacuated to a medical facility where he is undergoing treatment in satisfactory condition.

As of 7:00 Kyiv time on Monday, January 17, no new ceasefire breaches were reported.

im
The commands of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the British Armed Forces agreed on a response to existing military threats.

Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev held a working meeting with Chief of Staff of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters of the British Armed Forces Brigadier Jo Butterfill, the Joint Forces Command posted on Facebook.

Nayev informed his British counterpart about the security situation in Ukraine and around its state borders.

The parties agreed on the exchange of information on the situation in the areas of Ukraine under threat, as well as a joint response to existing military threats.

"In order to gain full operational capabilities, we need your advisory and expert assistance on the work of the Joint Operations Center during the JFO, as well as on planning the fire strike against the enemy within the operation and the peculiarities of its conduct in the British Armed Forces and the NATO Member States," Nayev stressed.

According to him, the command of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces highly appreciates the strategic relations with Great Britain and comprehensive assistance in counteracting Russian aggression.

In turn, Butterfill stated the readiness of the British side to expand practical assistance in training the operational staff of the Joint Forces Command.

"We are determined to further develop our cooperation in this context, as well as to share the experience gained in the course of hostilities," he said.

According to Nayev, Ukraine and the United Kingdom face difficult tasks and challenges.

"But the relations between Ukraine and Great Britain have proven many times that we are able to achieve amazing results when we stand together," said the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As reported, UKs Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stated that Russia was conducting a disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing the situation and justifying a further invasion of Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary also stressed that Russia must stop its aggression, start de-escalation, and embark on meaningful talks.

Photo credit: Joint Forces Command, Facebook

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Coal reserves during the ongoing heating season for the first time exceeded last year's figures.

Thats according to Andriy Herus, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Utilities, Andriy Herus, Ukrinform reported referring to his Telegram channel.

"On Friday, January 14, coal stocks in the warehouses of TPPs and CHPPs for the first time during this autumn-winter period exceeded coal stocks reported on the same date last year. As of January 14, 2022, there was 734,100 tonnes in the warehouses against 711,100 tonnes last year," the report says.

Herus noted that, since winter-start, coal reserves in the warehouses of thermal power plants and combined heat and power plants have increased by 51%, or 248,000 tonnes.

He stressed that "one of the main factors in this trend was coal imports, including maritime: as of January 14, the DTEK operator received seven vessels and Centrenergo  four vessels carrying thermal coal; as well as power imports and higher generation by Energoatom (nuclear operator - ed.), which allowed to save coal."

As of Friday, 14 of the 15 power units at Ukrainian nuclear power plants were in operation, carrying a load of 12,045 MW. A year ago, it was nine of 15 NPP units with a load of 9,650 MW.

As reported, in late December 2021, the Office of the National Security and Defense Council was instructed to monitor the process of coal purchases for TPPs.

The energy ministry says as of December 13, none of Ukraines TPPs met the minimum requirements in terms of coal reserves

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It is Russia's responsibility to reduce tensions in Ukraine and avoid further escalation of conflict, but it is still possible to continue the dialogue with Moscow.

Thats according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who spoke with Canadas public broadcaster CBC, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

The aggressor is Russia. To expect that the victim of aggression should de-escalate is to really put the whole thing in a bit of [a] strange, upside-down way, Stoltenberg said.

At the same time, he added that NATO remains willing to sit down again and listen to Moscow's concerns. According to Stoltenberg, who had settled with Russia on border demarcation issues in the far north during his Norwegian premiership, it is still possible to reach a deal with Moscow.

I think the most important thing I learned was that there's no contradiction between ... defense, strength and dialogue. As long as we are strong, as long as we are united, we can engage in dialogue and discuss many issues with Russia. Dialogue, talks, negotiation is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength, the Secretary General stressed.

At the same time, he noted that a further invasion of the Ukrainian territory would be a "big strategic mistake" by Russia, with a high cost in blood.

The Ukrainian armed forces are much more well trained, well equipped, well prepared now than they were in 2014, when Russia went in the first time, he said. And then, of course, we will always also be ready to do what it takes to protect and defend all NATO allies.

As reported, according to Ukrainian and Western intelligence, about 100,000 Russian troops have been amassed near the border with Ukraine.

On January 11, in the Western Military District of Russia, live-fire drills kicked off, involving nearly 3,000 servicemen and about 300 armored vehicles, t the training grounds in Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Smolensk regions.

On January 12, more than 10,000 servicemen of the motorized infantry units of the Southern Military District and units of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla were deployed for "field training" at the military ranges in Russia, Armenia, and the seized regions of Georgia (Abkhazia and South Ossetia), as well as the occupied Crimea.

On January 14, a snap combat readiness check was launched for the troops in Russias Eastern Military District.

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Denmark will allocate additional EUR 22 million for strengthening Ukraines security sector.

Thank you, dear friend Jeppe Kofod, for your timely visit proving Denmarks solidarity with Ukraine in the time of Russias unprovoked and unacceptable threats. The decision to allocate additional 22 mln for strengthening Ukraines security sector is an act of true friendship, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba posted on Twitter on January 16.

As reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark Jeppe Kofod made a visit to Ukraine on January 15-16 at the invitation of Dmytro Kuleba.

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Ukraine works with Greece towards expanding mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.

"Today marks the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Greece. We work towards expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between our friendly peoples," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine posted on Facebook on January 15, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries.

As Ambassador of Ukraine to Greece Sergii Shutenko wrote on Twitter, Ukraine values partnership with Greece in many spheres and exceptional people-to-people ties based on cultural and historical grounds. "We are confident that UkraineGreece partnership will further thrive!" the diplomat noted.

Greece recognized the independence of Ukraine on December 31, 1991. The countries established diplomatic relations on January 15, 1992. Greece opened an embassy in Kyiv in 1993. Moreover, the consulates general operate in Mariupol and Odesa.

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In a phone call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the situation around Ukraine against the background of Russian aggression.

This is laid down in a statement by U.S. State Department Spokesman Ned Price, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Voice of America.

The head of American diplomacy discussed with his interlocutor the United States firm commitment to respond swiftly and strongly to any further Russian invasion of Ukraine," the statement said.

It is also noted that the parties discussed efforts "to promote the democratic process in Libya."

As reported, according to Ukrainian and Western intelligence agencies, Russia has built up on the border with Ukraine nearly 100,000 troops. On January 11, live-fire exercises kicked off in Russias Western Military District, involving some 3,000 servicemen and 300 armored vehicles.

On January 12, more than 10,000 servicemen of the motorized infantry units of the Southern Military District and units of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla were deployed for "field training" at the military ranges in Russia, Armenia, and the seized regions of Georgia (Abkhazia and South Ossetia), as well as the occupied Crimea.

On January 14, a snap combat readiness check was launched for the troops in Russias Eastern Military District.

Photo: The Ukrainian Presidents Office

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British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons has called on political leaders in Ukraine to unite against Russian aggression and not to be distracted by polarizing domestic politics.

She stated this on her Twitter account, Ukrinform reports.

"All political leaders in Ukraine need to unite against Russian aggression right now. So important at this time not to lose sight of this or be distracted by polarizing domestic politics," Simmons said.

European Solidarity party leader and former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko arrived in Kyiv early on January 17 from a business trip abroad. He was accompanied by his wife, Maryna Poroshenko, MPs from the European Solidarity party and lawyers.

On December 20, Acting Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko signed a notice of suspicion for Poroshenko in the case of coal supplies from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

According to Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation, Poroshenko is suspected of "aiding the activities of the terrorist organizations 'LPR' and 'DPR' by acting in collusion with a group of individuals, including representatives of the top leadership of the Russian Federation." The politician was called in for questioning on December 23, but he did not arrive as he was on a business trip abroad.

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Germany and Europe are ready to seek compromises in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, but they are not ready to compromise on core security principles, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said.

She said this before her visit to Kyiv on January 17 and to Moscow on January 18, Ukrinform reports.

"We are ready for a serious dialogue on mutual agreements and steps that will bring more security to everyone in Europe, including Russia. But we cannot and are not going to compromise on the fundamental principles of the Helsinki Final Act, which has saved Europe from the nightmare of the Great War for the last 50 years. These include territorial integrity, free choice of unions and the rejection of the threat of violence as a political tool. And we are determined to react should Russia choose to escalate instead," Baerbock said.

She said she wanted to find out on the ground whether there was a willingness to seek a solution through diplomatic channels, and, above all, to "breathe life" into the Normandy process and finally make progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

In Kyiv, Baerbock intends to make clear that Europe and Germany are not negotiating about Ukraine behind Ukraine's back, that the new federal government will continue to be involved and fulfill its commitments, and that the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries is a "good opportunity for renewal." "For me, this primarily means strengthening Ukraine's potential," Baerbock said, adding that she plans to talk in Kyiv about initiatives for the sustainable modernization of the Ukrainian energy market, the development of the green hydrogen market and proposals to support cyber defense.

Baerbock said her task during the talks in Moscow was to prove the position of the new federal government that wants "stable" relations with Russia. But the list of "conflict issues" to talk about is long, she added. Recently, these issues have been casting a "darker shadow" on the possibility of cooperation between the two countries in many areas.

Baerbock noted that an essential condition for diplomacy is to understand the other side's point of view, "even if you sometimes have completely opposite views." She added that she would listen carefully to her interlocutors in Moscow and Kyiv, but at the same time, she will clearly prove the common position of the EU, the G7 and the transatlantic alliance.

Baerbock's visit to Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany.

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has met with representatives of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission as part of her visit to Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform, the German Embassy in Ukraine announced this on Twitter.

"Annalena Baerbock, welcome to Ukraine! The first meeting scheduled for today took place with the OSCE SMM, which has been operating since 2014, monitoring the situation around the clock, providing regular reports and promoting dialogue between all parties to the conflict," the statement said.

On January 17, Baerbock pays her first visit to Ukraine since her appointment as Germany's federal foreign minister.

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Ukraine has never planned and does not plan any offensive operations in eastern Ukraine. Instead, together with its partners in the Normandy format, Kyiv has consistently sought ways to resolve the crisis through political and diplomatic means.

Thats according to Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, who addressed the issue via Twitter.

Kuleba reiterated the statement in a comment for the French newspaper Le Figaro.

"Ukraine has never planned and does not plan to launch offensive military operations in the Donbas. On the contrary, with France & Germany as mediators, we have spent 2021 seeking political & diplomatic solutions based on the Minsk agreements, the tweet reads.

As reported earlier, Russian Presidents Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said yesterday that Russia would retain increased military presence near Ukraine's borders as a "response to tensions and a hostile atmosphere" and in connection with "NATO infrastructure advancing" toward Russia's borders.

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Germany has not changed its stance on the issue of providing Ukraine with defensive weapons, and will try to prove their point to the Ukrainian side during a visit to Kyiv by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

This was stated by German Foreign Ministrys Spokeswoman Andrea Sasse, who spoke at a briefing on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The spokesperson noted that the Ministry was aware of statements by Ukrainian Ambassador Melnyk, circulated in the media, who demanded that the newly-appointed German government provide Ukraine with weapons for the country to defend itself against Russian aggression.

"There is nothing new in them for us as the Ukrainian government has clearly declared this position in recent weeks," Sasse said. S

he added that "this position" is, of course, one of the topics Minister Baerbock is discussing in Kyiv. However, the German Foreign Minister recently made it clear in Washington that the federal government's stance on arms control is of a restrictive nature, Sasse said.

At the same time, the diplomat noted, Germany helps Ukraine in other military-related areas, including treating the wounded Ukrainian military, helping the country build a military hospital, as well as delivering medical supplies, and more.

Federal government Spokesman Wolfgang Buchner praised the fact that various talks have been held in a number formats recently, including today's visit of the German Foreign Minister to Kyiv. He also noted that Germany had long been trying to revive the Normandy format. Buchner mentioned the "preparatory talks" between the German and French political advisers with the Ukrainian and Russian negotiators, and expressed hope that the talks would move on before "high-level negotiations in the Normandy format could be held soon."

As reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock is in Kyiv on January 17, before flying to Moscow January 18. These are her first visits to the two capitals in the capacity of the countrys top diplomat.

Photo: dpa

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The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) and Ukraine signed on January 17, 2022 a renewed Memorandum of Agreement to continue their work together on technology-related projects, according to a statement posted on NATO's website.

"We have successfully worked with Ukraine for several years, delivering key capabilities and exchanging knowledge. Under this renewed agreement, we will deepen our collaboration with Ukraine to support them in modernizing their information technology and communications services, while identifying areas where training may be required for their personnel. Our experts stand ready to continue this critical partnership," said NCI Agency General Manager Ludwig Decamps, who signed the document.

The Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO, Ambassador Nataliia Galibarenko, signed the renewed agreement on behalf of Ukraine.

"The Memorandum signed today continues our cooperation established in 2015. With NATO's support we plan to further introduce modern information technologies and services into the command and control system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the Ukrainian diplomat said.

According to the statement, projects include an effort to deliver secure communications equipment to Ukraine in December 2018, which are still in use today.

The NATO-Ukraine Regional Airspace Security Program (RASP) was also developed under this agreement, to provide early notification and coordination on airspace threats. The system includes an integrated IP phone system, and offers tools to operators to help them interact with each other, such as chat, geographical pointers and highlighting of an aircraft track. The units are connected through a dedicated network separate from the Internet.

RASP allows the sharing of air pictures from radars and direct operator-to-operator coordination. The system includes an integrated IP phone system, and offers tools to operators to help them interact with each other, such as chat, geographical pointers and highlighting of an aircraft track. The units are connected through a dedicated network separate from the Internet.

Work with Ukraine also includes a Knowledge Sharing Initiative where Agency subject matter experts share their knowledge of NATO practices in developing capabilities in the Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) domain.

Relations between NATO and Ukraine date back to the early 1990s. Cooperation has deepened over time and is mutually beneficial, with Ukraine actively contributing to NATO-led operations and missions.

Since the NCI Agency's Supervisory Board approved the first agreement in 2015, the Agency has consistently supported Ukraine on technology matters, primarily through the NATO-Ukraine Command, Control, Communication and Computers (C4) Trust Fund.

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At a forthcoming meeting in Kyiv, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, France, and Germany plan to assess the prospects of restoring the Normandy format at the level of foreign ministers.

"Another visit will take place soon. Our French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian will arrive in Ukraine with Annalena Baerbock, and we will have a trilateral meeting. We will discuss in detail the prospects for a meeting of all four foreign ministers of the Normandy format," Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

It is important for the Ukrainian side that "neither Berlin nor Paris makes any decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine and plays any games behind our back in relations with Russia," he noted.

"This is crucial now ... When the three of us meet, we will assess the prospects of restoring the Normandy format at the level of foreign ministers," Kuleba said.

Commenting on reports of preparations for a meeting of political advisers to the Normandy format leaders in the coming weeks, Kuleba said that they had resumed work this year. In this context, he recalled that advisers to the leaders of France and Germany had recently visited Moscow and Kyiv.

That is, certain processes are already taking place. There will be certain contacts but it is too early to talk about specific dates," Kuleba added.

According to Russian media, political advisers to the Normandy format leaders may meet again in late January  early February. The venue of the meeting has not been approved yet.

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Ukraine and Germany are committed to the diplomatic settlement of the armed conflict in the east of Ukraine and see a common goal in holding a summit of the leaders of the Normandy Four countries.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this at a joint press conference with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv on Monday, January 17, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

Kuleba said that the main part of his talks with the German foreign minister was devoted to Russian aggression.

"We discussed the dynamics of the diplomatic settlement of the conflict [in eastern Ukraine]. Our common goal is the effective work of the Normandy format, the holding of the summit of the leaders of the Normandy format. Ukraine, together with Germany, is committed to the diplomatic settlement of this conflict," Kuleba said.

He thanked the new German government for its very active position and efforts to bring Russia back to the negotiating table.

Kuleba also noted that he was glad to welcome Baerbock to Kyiv on January 17, because diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Germany were restored exactly 30 years ago.

According to Russian media, political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy Four countries may meet again in late January or early February. The venue of the meeting has not been approved yet.

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Holding the Normandy format summit requires that Russia fulfills its part of the commitments made during the Paris summit as Ukraine did.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said this at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Kuleba noted that Ukraine and Russia had undertaken certain commitments at the Paris Summit in 2019 to facilitate the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

If you take this document and analyze what has been done, you will see that Ukraine fulfilled its part, while Russia did not When it is asked what needs to be done to hold the Normandy format summit, then, in fact all we need is Russia's readiness to work in good faith both in the Normandy format and in the Trilateral Contact Group," Kuleba said.

He assured that Ukraine was ready to move further on all the tracks of the Minsk agreements in the Trilateral Contact Group.

At the same time, the chief Ukrainian diplomat stated that the Trilateral Contact Group, where Ukraine and Russia are engaged in the technical implementation of the Minsk agreements with the mediation of the OSCE, was blocked by the Russian side.

"Meetings are taking place, but Russia has withdrawn from the dialogue, even on the political track, and actually block the efforts," he said.

Kuleba stressed that Ukraine "has done more than necessary" for the Normandy format talks to advance.

"We take a very constructive position in this regard but, unfortunately, Russia does not reciprocate our constructive approach," he said.

According to Russian media, political advisers to the Normandy format leaders may meet again in late January  early February. The venue of the meeting has not been approved yet.

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Lambda stands in his compound in Tougouri, Burkina Faso, where he has hosted over a hundred people since November 2019.  UNHCR/Barry YN Maxime

Lambda*, 85, recalls how saddened he was when he first saw groups of displaced people streaming into his hometown of Tougouri in Burkina Fasos Centre-North region. He had heard of armed attacks in the region and stories of whole villages destroyed.

The retired civil servant and father of seven did what he believed anyone would have done  he opened his home to them.

They are human beings just like me, and what they are going through can happen to me too, says the widower. I couldn't bear to see them sleeping outside at the mercy of the cold and dust.

Since November 2019, the generous host has welcomed more than 100 of his compatriots who fled their homes into his compound, offering them shelter, food and even money to buy supplies.

His gesture is reflective of the extraordinary solidarity that Burkina Fasos host communities have shown towards those displaced during a decade of turmoil in the Sahel region, where armed groups have staged attacks, destroyed property, and forced people from their homes.

By the end of 2021, there were over 1.5 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in Burkina Faso, with the countrys Centre-North and Sahel regions the worst aected. Overall, forced displacement in the Central Sahel region  which also includes Mali and Niger  has increased tenfold over the past decade from 217,000 to over 2.5 million, including some 410,000 refugees  mostly from Mali  in addition to 2.1 million IDPs.

Lambda has seen the population in Tougouri rise rapidly with the intensification of attacks in the area. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Demographics, more than a third of the 115,000 people currently living here are internally displaced. The rising numbers have increased pressure on already scarce resources such as land, water and social services.

But this has not deterred Lambda from helping as many people as he can, especially displaced children.

I often help the little children with food or money, but I must admit that it's hardly enough, he explains.

About 80 per cent of Burkina Fasos population relies on subsistence farming, with cotton being the main cash crop. The deteriorating security situation, coupled with limited access to certain regions, has hindered access to markets and fields and severely impacted livelihoods and agricultural activities.

Lambda and two of his granddaughters pump water for displaced families living in their compound.  UNHCR/Barry YN Maxime

Lambdas generosity is exemplary. We need to support him and other host community members who have shown extraordinary solidarity, says Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, UNHCRs Representative in Burkina Faso.

He adds that UNHCR, together with other agencies, is supporting authorities to protect and assist displaced families, including through the strengthening of infrastructure and services in areas affected by population movements.

Raogo and his family of 18 fled their home after armed groups attacked their village in Pensa. They now live on land that Lamda provided.

I really appreciate his humility and kindness as it is difficult to find such benevolent people nowadays, said Raogo. He considers us his brothers and shares the few things he has with us.

Limited space means that Raogo and a hundred of IDPs living in Lambdas compound dont have land to cultivate, but they are grateful for the fact that they have a place to call home for now.

"I made the right choice to welcome them into my home."

Given the increasingly protracted nature of Burkina Fasos displacement crisis, UNHCR also works with the authorities and development actors to pursue long-term solutions for IDPs, aimed at ensuring their socio-economic inclusion in the communities that host them.

Many of the families currently staying on Lambdas property have been there for more than two years, and he is grateful for the close relationships they have formed.

The fact that we have lived together without any major incidents is very comforting and reassures me that I made the right choice to welcome them into my home, he says.

Lambda explains that for as long as the situation remains volatile, he will continue supporting them.

"Their gratitude gives me feelings and emotions that money cant buy. One thing is for sure, I will continue to support people in need because that's what gives meaning to my life.

*Name changed for protection reasons.
Monday is the 36th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday established in 1986 for celebrating the life and the dreams of this civil rights leader and all he represented.

In the Walla Walla Valley, the tradition of honoring King and his work began well before the federal government set aside the third Monday of January each year as a holiday in his name. Students in Walla Walla rallied through downtown and held a memorial service on April 8, 1968, just four days after King was shot and killed by an assassin in Tennessee.

Through the years, the Union-Bulletin has followed many stories about King and about others celebrating the ideals he fought for as they happened throughout the year but most especially on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

From the Vault: 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service at Whitman College Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service in Cordiner Hall at Whitman College, and the walk from there to the Alder Street side of the Court House lawn for an assembly, April 8, 1968.

In my foray through the U-Bs archives this week, I was on the lookout for stories about King himself and ways the Valley has celebrated the holiday over the years.

I was hoping to find the cover for Aug. 29, 1963, the day I assume we would have printed something on Kings famous I Have a Dream speech given on the marble steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the March on Washington. But the U-Bs digital archives are missing from Jan. 1 through Oct. 31 of that year.

I was, however, able to find Page A1 for April 5, 1968, the day Kings assassination was reported. LBJ plans address on racial problems, one headline reads. President Johnson canceled his plans to fly to Hawaii to begin plans for peace talks with the North Vietnamese. Instead he planned to address a joint session of Congress to deal with the problems stemming from the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, The Associated Press reported.

Johnson said the fiber and the fabric of America were being tested and he planned to give new recommendations and suggestions for easing the plight of Black Americans.

In his statement, Johnson said: The dream of Martin Luther King has not died with him. Men who are white  men who are Black  must and will join together now as never in the past to let the forces of division know that America shall not be ruled by the bullet but by the ballot of free and just men.

In the Walla Walla Valley, community members have been coming together for many years to recognize King and to continue his work.

A U-B story that ran on Monday, Jan. 20, 1986, which was the first time Americans celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, interviewed locals on their opinion of the day of recognition. King admirers say holiday must be more than day off, the headline by reporter Kathleen Knutson read.

Most people think of Martin Luther King as a Black leader, a catalyst for the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Many people also consider him a high-minded thinker whose philosophy of non-violence, teaching and dream are in league with that of Mahatma Gandhi, Knutson wrote.

In more recent times, students and staff at Whitman College, Walla Walla Community College and Walla Walla University have, along with many community members, honored Kings legacy with awareness programs, local rallies, speeches and more.

On Jan. 18, 2010, U-B reporter Alfred Diaz wrote about one of these events, a five-day community awareness program sponsored by Whitman, WWU and WWCC to raise awareness on the plight of women and girls who are forced into slavery. Award-winning actress Anne Archer took part in the programs to help raise participation numbers, and money collected was to be used for a Helpline womens shelter in Walla Walla.

It was also the first time all three local colleges had worked together to bring light to the issue of modern-day slavery and to raise money for the local womens shelter, Diaz reported.
By Adrian Guerrero, general director-Public Affairs

A spike in cargo thefts from Union Pacific trains in Los Angeles County, California, has intensified actions to address the serious situation.

The thefts involve criminals trespassing on Union Pacific property, climbing aboard trains and breaking into customers containers loaded with cargo, packages and merchandise destined to warehouse facilities around the country.

Union Pacific has 1,600 employees covering 275 miles of track at its nine rail facilities throughout Los Angeles County. The railroad mobilized an aggressive response, increasing the number of police assigned to protecting the targeted areas in Los Angeles County, as well as leveraging technology, such as drone surveillance, specialized fencing and trespass-detection systems.

Union Pacific agents have made hundreds of arrests, but less than half are booked and some are released in less than 24 hours.

In addition to Union Pacific efforts, partnership with local and state law enforcement and elected public officials is essential. Over the past year, rail thefts have increased by 160% in Los Angeles County and have spiked in the past three months during the holiday peak season. In October 2021 alone, thefts from Union Pacific trains increased 356% compared to October 2020.

Thefts over the past two weeks left Union Pacific rail property littered with debris, as reported by numerous media outlets.

Union Pacific underscored concerns in a letter sent to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, on Dec. 20, 2021. It asked for help ensuring there are consequences for those who prevent the railroad from safely moving customer goods.

Criminals are caught and arrested, turned over to local authorities for booking, arraigned before the local courts, charges are reduced to a misdemeanor or petty offense, and the criminal is released after paying a nominal fine, said the letter. These individuals are generally caught and released back onto the streets in less than 24 hours. Even with all the arrests made, the no-cash bail policy and extended timeframe for suspects to appear in court is causing re-victimization to Union Pacific by these same criminals.

The letter goes on to say criminals are boasting to Union Pacific officers that charges will be pled down to simple trespassing  which bears no serious consequence.

The letter urged the District Attorney to reconsider the policy applied to these cases: While we understand the well-intended social justice goals of the policy, we need our justice system to support our partnership efforts with local law enforcement, hold these criminals accountable, and most important, help protect our employees and the critical local and national rail network.

In the meantime, Union Pacific continues its partnership and engagement with elected leaders and government agencies, including the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom in an effort to spur needed action to curb the criminal activity. It is only through a coordinated effort with local law enforcement agencies and the court system that the situation can get under control.

The Los Angeles District Attorney agreed. Our office is committed to working with law enforcement to ensure collective safety across Los Angeles Countys sprawling infrastructure, whether its at our ports or on railroad tracks, the DA said in a public statement. Our office takes Union Pacifics concerns seriously and hopes to discuss this issue more in the coming weeks. Union Pacific is hopeful and eager to begin that productive dialogue to implement short and long-term solutions.
Ukraine's ex-president Petro Poroshenko returned to Kyiv from Europe on Monday despite the risk of arrest, vowing to help protect the ex-Soviet country from a possible Russian invasion

Kyiv, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jan, 2022 ) :Ukraine's ex-president Petro Poroshenko returned to Kyiv from Europe on Monday despite the risk of arrest, vowing to help protect the ex-Soviet country from a possible Russian invasion.

Poroshenko, who served as president from 2014 to 2019, was placed under investigation for high treason and left Ukraine in December.

He returned to Kyiv early on Monday on a flight from Warsaw and passed through passport control amid chaotic scenes, saying later that border guards had tried to prevent him from entering the country.

A court in Kyiv was to decide later Monday whether to place Poroshenko in pre-trial detention.

Thousands of his supporters gathered near the airport to meet Poroshenko.

He told them he had returned to help Ukraine face the "growing threat of Russian invasion" and accused his successor, President Volodymyr Zelensky, of "betrayal" of the country.

Tensions are at an all-time high between the West and Russia, which Ukraine accuses of having massed troops on its border ahead of a possible attack.

On Friday, Washington accused Moscow of sending saboteurs trained in explosives to stage an incident that could be a pretext to invade the pro-Western neighbour.

"We are here to unite and defend Ukraine," Poroshenko told the crowd, which held up posters reading "We Need Democracy" and "Hands off Poroshenko".

"Now I'm heading to the court where we'll give them a fight," he said.

Poroshenko, 56, is one of the country's richest men. He was elected president after Russia annexed the peninsula of Crimea and as fighting escalated between Kyiv's troops and Moscow-backed separatists in the industrial east of the country.

In 2019, he was trounced in a presidential election by Zelensky, a comedian with no previous political experience at the time.

Poroshenko is now a member of parliament and leader of an opposition party, European Solidarity.
Russia said Monday that Facebook had restored access to Moscow's official page for arms control talks in Vienna, after Russia's media regulator accused the US tech giant of censorship

Moscow, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jan, 2022 ) :Russia said Monday that Facebook had restored access to Moscow's official page for arms control talks in Vienna, after Russia's media regulator accused the US tech giant of censorship.

The Facebook page, which is affiliated to Russia's foreign ministry, was taken down on Friday for publishing "illegal content", according to delegation head Konstantin Gavrilov.

Russia's media watchdog Roskomnadzor said over the weekend that it has sent a letter to Meta, Facebook's parent company, demanding it lift restrictions and explain why they had been introduced, describing the block as an "act of censorship".

Gavrilov on Twitter also appealed to the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to intervene.

Later on Monday, he told the state-run TASS news agency that access had been restored.

"We hope there will be no more of these silly escapades on the part of Facebook," he said, according to the news agency.

TASS earlier reported that the delegation's Twitter account was briefly blocked in February 2021.

Russia has repeatedly fined US tech giants, including Meta, for ignoring content moderation requests as the country ramps up efforts to control internet platforms.

In December, Meta was slapped with its largest fine yet -- the equivalent of $27 million -- for repeatedly failing to delete illegal content, such as pornographic material or posts condoning drugs and suicide.

On Monday, a Moscow court fined Google 4 million rubles ($52,000, 45,000 Euros) on the same charges.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization published on Monday a comprehensive space policy, confirming its commitment to apply the alliance's collective defense principle, enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, to the domain of outer space

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th January, 2022) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization published on Monday a comprehensive space policy, confirming its commitment to apply the alliance's collective defense principle, enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, to the domain of outer space.

In 2019, the organization adopted a space strategy, calling space a new operational domain. During the 2021 Summit in Brussels, NATO leaders stated that space-related attacks may trigger Article 5, according to which an attack on a NATO member in Europe and North America will be considered an attack on the military bloc as a whole.

"At the 2021 Brussels Summit, Allies agreed that attacks to, from, or within space present a clear challenge to the security of the Alliance, the impact of which could threaten national and Euro-Atlantic prosperity, security, and stability, and could be as harmful to modern societies as a conventional attack. Such attacks could lead to the invocation of Article 5," the policy read.

The organization added that a decision regarding invocation of Article 5 will be made separately in each case. At the same, NATO will adhere to international law, including the UN Charter, in its space activities.

"NATO is not aiming to become an autonomous space actor. NATO will seek to complement and add value to the work of Allies and to engage with other relevant international organisations, as appropriate, avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort," the alliance said.

NATO also pledged to better integrate space in its exercises, as the alliance should be " prepared to operate when space support in operations is degraded, denied or disrupted."

In November, NATO criticized Russia's tests of an anti-satellite system, saying such actions allegedly undermine the peaceful use of space. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the test was not directed at anyone and was carried out in accordance with international law, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Monday that confrontation between major powers could have "catastrophic consequences" in a speech to world leaders at an all-virtual Davos forum

Beijing, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jan, 2022 ) :Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Monday that confrontation between major powers could have "catastrophic consequences" in a speech to world leaders at an all-virtual Davos forum.

For the second year in a row the face-to-face gathering of political and corporate power players in the Swiss Alps has had to go online thanks to a coronavirus pandemic that shows no sign of abating.

Xi opened proceedings with a speech much like the one he delivered virtually last year.

He touted China -- where the coronavirus first emerged in late 2019 -- as a rare pandemic success story and the only major economy to continue posting strong growth.

He presented himself as the defender of multilateralism and also gave sober warnings for the future as relations between major powers plunge.

"Our world today is far from the tranquil, rhetoric that stokes hatred and prejudice abound," he said, according to an official translation of the speech which was streamed online.

"History has proved time and again that confrontation does not solve problems, it only invites catastrophic consequences," he added.

China stuck to a strict policy of targeting zero Covid cases once it stamped out its initial outbreak.

Its borders remain largely closed to outsiders but it has remained the world's vital manufacturing base throughout the pandemic.

In his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Xi said the world had fought a "tenacious battle" against the "once in a century pandemic".

But he said the pandemic was "proving a protracted one" with new variants spreading faster than before, deepening challenges for the global economy.

"The global industrial supply chains have been disrupted," Xi warned. "Commodity prices continue to rise, energy supply remains tight." He added that China was keen "for people-to-people exchange in a bid to facilitate cross border trade, keep the industrial supply chain secure and smooth, and promote steady and solid progress in global economic recovery".

But there were no announcements in the speech on when or whether Beijing might relax its tight border controls.

China has remained comparatively free of the coronavirus but is currently battling a spate of local outbreaks in multiple provinces and key cities just weeks before it hosts the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Xi is also moving to secure a third term at a major gathering of the Communist Party this autumn and has made clear stability must remain a priority.
Japan on Monday commemorated the 27th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake which killed 6,434 people in 1995

ISTANBUL, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jan, 2022 ) :Japan on Monday commemorated the 27th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake which killed 6,434 people in 1995.

A massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the western Japanese city of Kobe bringing disaster in the region with lives and properties lost.

Three people still remain missing from the disaster while around 10,000 others were severely injured and some 640,000 buildings were affected.

Early Monday, the victims' families and natives observed a moment of silence at 5:46 a.m. (2046GMT Sunday) in the city.

It was this time on Jan. 17, 1995, that the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck the port city in Hyogo province and neighboring areas, Tokyo-based Kyodo news reported.The COVID-19, however, has restricted the number of people and events to mark national days in Japan.

People prayed at the memorial event at a park in Kobe and laid flowers in memory of the victims.

They also lit about 3,000 bamboo lanterns.Relatives recalled memories of their loved ones who lost their lives in the disaster.

Chizu Takai, 60, who lost her son in the quake, said: "I would like to live life to the full. That would make my son happy, I believe." "We will continue to deal with the issue of how to pass on experiences and lessons from the earthquake to the next generation without losing them to time as the number of citizens who did not experience the disaster is increasing," said Kobe Mayor Kizo Hisamoto.

Hisamoto said Kobe's experiences of post-quake reconstruction will contribute to the know-how of other regions of the country.

"The city will continue contributing to risk reduction and disaster management, health and safety in other municipalities and regions.

"We will learn from experiences from the quake and advance preparations for disasters to come," he added.
NATO on Monday inked a deal to bolster its cyber support for Ukraine, after a sweeping hacking attack against Kyiv heightened tensions amid fears that Russia could be plotting an invasion

Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jan, 2022 ) :NATO on Monday inked a deal to bolster its cyber support for Ukraine, after a sweeping hacking attack against Kyiv heightened tensions amid fears that Russia could be plotting an invasion.

Ukraine said on Sunday that it had evidence Moscow was behind the attack last week that knocked out government websites -- but the Kremlin has denied any involvement.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that experts from NATO and its members were already on the ground, working with Ukraine to tackle the latest cyber attack.

He said the new agreement would involve "enhanced cyber cooperation, including Ukrainian access to NATO's malware information sharing platform." "We have successfully worked with Ukraine for several years, delivering key capabilities and exchanging knowledge," Ludwig Decamps, the head of the NATO Communications and Information Agency, said on Monday.

"Under this renewed agreement, we will deepen our collaboration with Ukraine to support them in modernising their information technology and communications services, while identifying areas where training may be required for their personnel.

" Ukraine's ambassador to NATO, Natalia Galibarenko, said "with NATO's support we plan to further introduce modern information technologies and services into the command and control system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine".

The cyberattack on Ukraine last week came as tensions have soared between Moscow and the West over allegations the Kremlin could be plotting a fresh incursion into its neighbour after massing some 100,000 troops at the border.

Western allies have warned that any land invasion could be presaged by a hacking attack designed to knock out key infrastructure in Ukraine.

US software giant microsoft warned Sunday that the cyberattack last week could prove destructive and affect more organisations than initially feared.

Microsoft said it was continuing to analyse the malware and warned it could render government digital infrastructure inoperable.

Moscow and NATO allies failed to make a breakthrough to ease tensions over Ukraine at high-stakes talks last week.

The Kremlin has laid down a series of demands to NATO and the United States, including ruling out granting Ukraine membership in the alliance.

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NUR-SULTAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th January, 2022) SULTAN, January 17 (Sputnik) - Samat Abish, the nephew of the first Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, has been relieved of the post of first deputy head of the Kazakh National Security Committee, according to the relevant presidential decree signed on Monday.

"By order of the head of state, Abish Samat ... was relieved of the post of first deputy chairman of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the decree read, as quoted on the website of the Kazakh leader.
Thousands rallied again on Monday in Sudan to oppose a military coup which occurred nearly three months ago but security forces quickly fired tear gas towards them, an AFP correspondent said

Khartoum, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jan, 2022 ) :Thousands rallied again on Monday in Sudan to oppose a military coup which occurred nearly three months ago but security forces quickly fired tear gas towards them, an AFP correspondent said.

The latest protests came with US envoy to the Horn of Africa David Satterfield and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee expected in Khartoum early this week to push a message of "justice" for the Sudanese.

Demonstrators carrying the Sudanese flag gathered in central Khartoum as well as Wad Madani, a city to the south.

Security officers who deployed in large numbers fired volleys of tear gas -- a regular tactic -- at the Khartoum protesters heading toward the presidential palace, an AFP correspondent said.

Sawsan Salah, from the capital's twin city of Omdurman, said protesters burnt car tyres and carried photos of people killed during other demonstrations since the October 25 coup.

In Wad Madani, "around 2,000 people took to the streets as they called for civilian rule," said Emad Mohammed, a witness there.

Protesters -- sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands -- have regularly taken to the streets despite a deadly security clampdown and periodic cuts to communications since the putsch led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The military takeover triggered wide international condemnation and derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following the April 2019 ouster of longtime autocratic president Omar al-Bashir.

The crackdown has so far killed at least 64 people, and left hundreds wounded, according to an independent group of medics.

On Thursday, Sudanese authorities said protesters stabbed to death a police general, the first fatality among security forces.

Authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting demonstrators and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during protests that have often "deviated from peacefulness".
The United States called on North Korea Monday to "cease its unlawful and destabilizing activities," after Pyongyang fired two suspected ballistic missiles in its fourth weapons test this month, a State Department spokesman said

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jan, 2022 ) :The United States called on North Korea Monday to "cease its unlawful and destabilizing activities," after Pyongyang fired two suspected ballistic missiles in its fourth weapons test this month, a State Department spokesman said.

In a call with South Korean and Japanese officials, the US special representative on North Korea, Sung Kim "expressed concern" about the missile launches and urged Pyongyang to return to dialogue "without preconditions," the statement from spokesman Ned price said.

He also "reaffirmed the US commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as well as its ironclad commitment to the defense of its allies," South Korea and Japan.
USM, Hattiesburg hosting Mississippi Historical Society Meeting March 10-11

Wed, 01/12/2022 - 13:29pm | By: David Tisdale

The Mississippi Historical Society (MHS) will take in the hospitality of Hattiesburg and The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) when the city and school host the organizations annual spring meeting March 10-11.



The meetings programming will feature sessions on religion, womens leadership, the role of journalism in activism, civil rights, innovative digital history and archival projects, and preserving and commemorating local African American history. Local tours include the African American Military History Museum, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby, the Freedom Summer Trail, and historic sites in downtown Hattiesburg.

We hope a number of local people from USM and the Hattiesburg area who enjoy Mississippi history will attend, said Brother Rogers, MHS secretary-treasurer.

The conference will begin Thursday, March 10 at noon in the Trent Lott Center, with Dr. Patricia Boyett, a USM history Ph.D. alumna and director of the Womens Resource Center at Loyola University in New Orleans, delivering the conferences opening address. Dr. Boyett will be followed by two scholarly panels, one of which will feature USM History program Professor Dr. Susannah Ural and USM history graduate student James Jarrell discussing their important work through USMs new Digital Humanities Center to make Mississippi archival holdings available globally, among other important projects.

The first days programming will conclude with a keynote address at the MHS banquet featuring Dr. Christian Pinnen, another USM history Ph.D. alumnus, who will be presented the MHSs award for best book on Mississippi history for Complexion of Empire in Natchez, Race and Slavery in the Mississippi Borderlands. Fridays conference will continue at Hattiesburgs historic Eureka School, located at 410 E. Sixth St. in downtown Hattiesburg, and include an awards luncheon and programming that will feature tours of sites focused on local African American history, among other points of interest throughout the city.

USM Associate Professor of History Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, an MHS board member and local arrangements and program chair of this year's annual meeting, says shes excited to welcome not only USM students, faculty, staff, and alumni to the events programming, but also local teachers and history buffs.

We have a tremendous lineup that will highlight notable alumni, faculty, and students from Southern Miss as well as community members, Dr. Tuuri said. We will have not only traditional academic panels that explore religion, race, gender, and activism in the state but also significant digital history projects from across Mississippi. Finally, we spotlight the powerful work of local individuals and organizations to preserve Hattiesburg's African American history.

The MHS is a volunteer organization that works closely with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to promote understanding of the states history. Its publications include the Journal of Mississippi History and the Mississippi History Now website, https://www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov/. The society supports Mississippi History Day, a state contest for individual and group history projects in grades 6-12. Anyone can join at https://www.mississippihistory.org/.

The USM history program has a longstanding association with the Mississippi Historical Society. USM President Emeritus Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas is a former president of the society. Melissa Jones, a current USM history graduate student and director of paralegal studies at Mississippi College, serves on the board with Dr. Tuuri. Dr. Ural is a recent past president of the society, and their History program colleague Dr. Deanne Stephens is a former board member.

Our faculty and alumni have served as MHS presidents and board members, and as authors for the societys journal, Dr. Ural said. Its wonderful to see that historical relationship continue as Southern Miss hosts the MHS annual meeting this spring.

MHS Board Member and USM alumnus Ryan Schilling, an instructor of history at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and a Hattiesburg resident, says hes thrilled to have the organizations annual meeting in the Hub City this year.

Our annual meeting offers incredible learning opportunities, filled with lively panel discussions on topics about our states rich and often complex past, Schilling continued. With this years event providing wonderful tour options highlighting our citys significant contributions to Mississippi history, I encourage members of Hattiesburgs college communities and local residents alike to participate.

Early registration for the conference is $50 for MHS members and $85 for non-members. Registration after Friday, Feb. 25 is $75 for MHS members and $110 for non-members. Students can attend for free, though MHS requests they register early. More information about the annual meeting and complete details of its schedule of programming can be found at https://www.mississippihistory.org/annual-meeting-march-10-11-2022.
Pope Francis urges the journalists of The Holy Land Review to tell the world the story of fraternity among Christians and among all the children of Abraham.

By Devin Watkins

A group of around 50 journalists from The Holy Land Review, accompanied by Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, the Custos of the Holy Land, met the Pope for a private audience on Monday morning.

The publication of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and offers news, information, and insights on life in the land of Jesus.

Pope Francis thanked the entire media groupwhich includes staff from the Christian Media Center and the Custodys website and social mediafor their dedication to the Churchs mission.

The service you carry out today is in line with the communicative intuition which guided the Custos Ferdinando Diotallevi, and consistsas he wrote in the first edition of the reviewin making better known the Holy Land, the Land of God, the cradle of Christianity, the venerable shrines where the Redemption of the human race was fulfilled.

Listen to our report

Promoting fraternity among all

The Pope said the mission of telling the story of the Holy Land means sharing the Fifth Gospel, which is the historical and geographical environment in which the Word of God was revealed and took on flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, for us and for our salvation.

It also means telling the story of those who live there now, including Christians of various Churches and denominations, as well as Jews and Muslims.

He added that the journalists overall goal should be to help build a fraternal society in the difficult and complex social context of the Middle East.

Communication, said the Pope, must help build community and fraternity.

I encourage you to tell the story of fraternity that is possible: the fraternity between Christians of Churches and confessions that are unfortunately still separated, but which in the Holy Land are often already close to unity Tell of the fraternity that is possible among all the children of Abraham: Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Tell of the ecclesial fraternity that is open to migrants, displaced persons, and refugees, in order to restore to them the dignity of which they were deprived when they had to leave their homeland in search of a future for themselves and their children.

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Telling stories well

Pope Francis went on to thank the staff of The Holy Land Review for encountering people where and how they are.

He noted that the journalists show courage by publishing news about suffering and difficult parts of the Middle Eastlike Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Gaza.

Their work, said the Pope, highlights the good being done and active resistance to the evils of war, along with stories of reconciliation, restored dignity, and the hopes and tragedies of refugees.

Thank you, because to do your work well you have not hesitated to wear out the soles of your shoes, and I know that you will not hesitate to do the same in the future, in order to tell of all this.

Communicating the message of salvation

The Pope pointed out that first-hand, lived experience is essential to effectively communicate the place where the Word of God manifested His message of salvation.

He said the journalists are called to tell about the Holy Land where the history and geography of salvation meet and allow us to offer a new reading of the Biblical text, especially the Gospels.

The Pasqual mystery enlightens and gives meaning to today and the journey of the peoples who now live in that Land, one which is unfortunately marred by wounds and conflict, but which the grace of God always opens to the hope of fraternity and peace.

Enriching the faith of Christians around the world

Finally, Pope Francis renewed his encouragement for the staff of The Holy Land Review.

He urged them to take wholeheartedly to all forms of media and social media to enrich the faith of many people, even of those who lack the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the holy places.

This is precious for believers around the world, and at the same time it goes to support the Christians who live in the Land of Jesus, concluded the Pope. And I would like to take this opportunity to express to them my closeness. I remember them always in prayer.
Pope Francis welcomes an ecumenical delegation from Finland to the Vatican, on the eve of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis began his address to the Ecumenical Delegation from Finland with a reflection on the Magi, the Wise Men of the Gospel who found the Child Jesus and worshipped Him.

The Magi reached the goal because they sought it, the Pope said. Yet they sought it because the Lord, by the sign of the star, had first set out in search of them. Like the Magi, we too are sought by God, and our response must surely be like that of the Magi: a journey together.

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Journeying together

The Holy Father insisted, Those who are touched by Gods grace cannot turn in on themselves and live only for themselves; they are always on the march, always driven to go forward  and to go forward together.

Again, like the Magi, whom tradition represents as representatives of diverse cultures and peoples, Christians today are challenged to take our brothers and sisters by the hand and move forward together. Pope Francis encouraged Christians to help one another advance ever closer to God.

In this journey together, the Pope noted that some stages are easier, allowing us to advance rapidly with perseverance. He gave the example of works of charity, which draw us closer not only to the poor and needy but also to one another.

On the other hand, the journey toward full unity is sometimes more difficult, which can lead to a certain weariness and temptation to discouragement.

The Pope encouraged Christians to remind themselves that we are making this journey not as those who already possess God, but as those who continue to seek Him. He called for courage and patience along the way, in order to encourage and support one another.

Pope Francis with the Ecumenical Delegation from Finland

Two important moments

Pope Francis pointed to two upcoming anniversaries as important moments in the ongoing journey towards Christian unity: the 1700th anniversary, in 2025, of the Council of Nicea; and the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Augsburg confession.

The Pope noted that the Trinitarian and Christological confession of Nicea unites all the baptized, and he encouraged all Christians to renew their enthusiasm for following Christ. For it is Christ, the Pope said, whom the men and women of every time, including our own, are seeking, however unconsciously.

The Augsburg Confession, on the other hand, was produced at a time when Christians were about to set out on different paths during the time known as the Protestant Reformation.

The Confession was an attempt to preserve unity, the Pope noted, although it did not succeed in preventing division. However, he said, the upcoming anniversary can serve as a fruitful occasion to encourage and confirm us on our journey of communion, so that we can become more docile to Gods will, and less beholden to human strategies; more disposed to follow the route pointed out by Heaven than to pursue worldly aims.

Dreams for indigenous peoples

Pope Francis also thanked Bishop Jukka Keskitalo, of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, for having taken up his dream for Amazonia in relation to the indigenous peoples of Finland.

It occurs to me, the Pope said, that a pastor must be concrete with concrete people, but that he must not allow himself to stop dreaming. Thank you for dreaming.

When will we achieve unity

Finally, the Holy Father asked, When will unity be achieved? He recalled the remark of a great Orthodox theologian who said that Unity will be in the eschaton  that is, not until the final consummation of time.

Nonetheless, the Pope insisted, the path to unity is important. While the work of theologians and specialists is necessary and good, he said, it is also good that we, Gods faithful people, go on the journey together.

Pope Francis invited Christians to continue to journey together in seeking God boldly and in concrete ways and to keep our gaze ever fixed on Christ, while remaining close to one another in prayer. The Pope concluded his address by leading those present in praying together the Our Father.

Keeping our gaze fixed on Christ

Finally, Pope Francis invited Christians to continue to journey together in seeking God boldly and in concrete ways and to keep our gaze ever fixed on Christ, while remaining close to one another in prayer.

The Pope concluded his address by leading those present in praying together the Our Father.
The Netherlands government has only partially lifted Europe's toughest coronavirus lockdown, prompting protests with bars and other businesses reopening despite prohibitions.

By Stefan J. Bos

Dutch Liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte said non-essential stores, sex workers, hairdressers, beauty salons, and others can reopen under strict conditions until 5 p.m. local time.

That's for the first time since mid-December.

But, bars, restaurants, and cultural venues such as theatres have to remain closed until at least January 25. "There is immense pressure from all sides to ease restrictions. But there are significant uncertainties," Prime Minister Rutte said. "That's why not everything can open at the same time. So I hope there's an understanding of this policy."

However, it prompted an angry reaction with owners of bars, restaurants, and cultural venues threatening to reopen anyway.

Listen to Stefan Bos' report

Over the weekend, locals flocked to eat and drink at outdoor tables of restaurants in the main street of the southern city of Valkenburg in open defiance of a lockdown in the Netherlands.

Mayor Daan Prevoo says the tourist town, devastated by flooding last year, did not enforce coronavirus restrictions as he understands the frustrations. "This is a demonstration. And it is a fundamental right to express how you think about things. And as a mayor of this city, I allow this as a demonstration," he said in a busy shopping street.

"It's crowdy, but I see happy faces," he added.

Students wearing masks

Prime Minister Rutte also said that universities and vocational schools would reopen, but only under the condition that students and teachers wear masks.

That has prompted critical experts to question this policy's mental and physical impact on youngsters.

Health officials have acknowledged that suicide rates increased in the Netherlands by 15 percent over the past year compared to previous years, especially among young people below 30.
Victoria, TX (77901)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 74F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 74F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther Kings birthday this Monday, let us reflect and remember what it was that made him one of the greatest inspirational heroes of our nation. King himself was inspired by Gandhi; he always advocated for non-violent action, and love over hate. He was a Christian minister who relied on faith and a moral conscience to guide him. Combining these characteristics with the fact that he was a well-educated and powerful speaker gave him the ability to lead and shape history.

Background

King was born on Jan. 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA, where he attended public primary school and high school. He was recognized for his exceptional intellect, and skipped both ninth and eleventh grades, entering Morehouse College at the age of 15. Like his father, he intended to become a minister. After attaining a sociology degree at Morehouse, he attended Crozer Theological Seminary, and then Boston University, earning three different college degrees.

Upon completing his education, he became a minister at a Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. His admiration for lawyer and renowned nonviolent social-activist Mahatma Gandhi took him India where he studied his work. He emulated Gandhi in his work against racism and segregation in the southern United States through non-violent protests.

In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

King never strayed from his spiritual foundation. Like his close friend and leading Jewish theologian of the time, a Polish-born American rabbi named Joshua Heschel, he believed that every part of society must be guided by ethics and morals determined by God. Far from the divisiveness we often see today, Dr. King sought to go beyond race, so that people would be judged by their character rather than their color.

Civil rights activism

Nonviolent protest, in the form of civil disobedience, was Kings modus operandi. King became involved in the African American civil rights movement beginning with the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. This boycott was initiated on Dec. 5, with the arrest of Rosa Parks, an African-American woman who refused to give her seat to a white passenger; and ended on Dec. 20. Ultimately the US Supreme Court ruled that Alabamas bus segregation laws were unconstitutional.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott spurred the establishment of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, which Dr. King led, drawing on the support of black churches throughout the south to coordinate protest groups and activities.

Photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. being arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for loitering in 1958. (Image: Associated Press via .Wikimedia Commmons Public domain)

In early 1963, the SCLC organized the Birmingham Campaign, which focused on combating the widespread segregation in the city. Students of all ages were trained in nonviolent protest and employed in a peaceful walk to City Hall. The Commissioner of Public Safety used high-pressure water hoses and attack dogs against them; and over one thousand protesters were arrested, including Martin Luther King Junior, who was held for eight days. The campaign brought worldwide attention to the issue of segregation in the south.

On Aug. 28 that same year, which also marked the 100th anniversary of Lincolns signing the Emancipation Proclamation, Dr. King was instrumental in inspiring an estimated 250,000 people to March on Washington, advocating for civil and economic rights for African Americans. On August 28, he delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial, calling for an end to racism.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed the following year.

Moral philosophy

Martin Luther King Junior unflinchingly defended moral justice. He possessed great integrity and stood by his Christian belief that our laws should reflect Gods law and moral standards, as suggested by St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.

In his wisdom, King was not only a civil rights leader, but also a champion of traditional values. He strove to hold law to its foundational moral code, and inspired a national consciousness.

King was arrested 29 times for crimes defined by laws that he did not believe in, because they did not reflect Gods Law. According to St. Augustine, An unjust law is no law at all, and Dr. King felt no obligation to obey such laws.

When he was arrested in Birmingham, he wrote from the jail cell, A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is out of harmony with the moral law, signifying that he was unwilling to follow an immoral law that strayed from Gods will.

Inspirational words

Martin Luther King was a gifted orator whose words continue to inspire today. He expressed timeless ideas that are widely applicable and moving. The following words of wisdom are all attributed to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they dont know each other; they dont know each other because they have not communicated with each other.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.

Faith is taking the first step even when you dont see the whole staircase.

Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles.

Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You dont have to have a college degree to serve. You dont have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.

We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.

As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation  either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.

Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial located in West Potomac Park in Washington D.C. (Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0)

Recognition

Dr. King died on April 4,1968, after being shot on the balcony of his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis Tennessee, where he had just given a speech. His short life was dedicated to serving others and affecting positive change without violence or hatred.

In 1957 the nations oldest civil rights organization gave King its highest award, the NAACP Spingarn Medal for highest or noblest achievement by an African American in the preceding year or years.

In 1964 Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent efforts to end racial inequality at the age of 35, making him the youngest recipient of this prestigious award at the time.

The American Jewish Committee honored him in 1965 with their American Liberties Medallion, an award given to men and not to movements. It signifies our awareness that every noble movement is an expression of nobility in certain individuals.

President Jimmy Carter awarded King a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977. This award recognizes those who have made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

In 1994 he and his wife Coretta were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, Congresss highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions.
Upper-Austria, a province in Austria that borders the Czech Republic and Germany, is reportedly hiring former police officers up to the age of 70 with the aim of using them to strengthen the enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions in the region.

In late December, Governor Thomas Stelzer instructed the local police department to write a letter to 700 ex-officers, requesting that they come back for active duty.

We have received feedback from 37 police officers who have been contacted, and they are now receiving their documents Nobody has signed it yet, and admissions interviews have to be held, the governors office told a local media outlet.

The ex-officers who join the government enforcement program will not be given police uniforms despite being considered to be in active service. They will be deployed for 39 hours per week. Retired state officials are also being contacted, with the local administration wanting some of them stationed as COVID-19 rule inspectors in the province.

Austrias lockdown restrictions are one of the most stringent in the world. People who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are barred from accessing a variety of amenities. Last week, the rules were even more tightened, with the government mandating every citizen entering a shop to be checked for proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19.

Spot checks are being carried out by undercover police officers. FFP2 masks are now mandatory in outdoor areas where social distancing cannot be maintained.

On Jan. 16, the government presented a revised COVID-19 vaccine mandate that will be applicable to all citizens aged 18 and above. The government had announced the potential vaccine mandate around two months back.

Intended to come into effect by February, people who do not comply with the vaccination requirement could be fined up to 3,600 euros ($4,100).

The mandate will be implemented in multiple phases. In the first phase, authorities will inform every household about the mandate. Exemptions will apply for those who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the past six months, have medical complications, or are pregnant.

Starting around the middle of March, police will begin checking people for proof of vaccination. If a person cannot provide such a proof, the police can charge a fine of up to 600 euros ($685). The unvaccinated individual can be subject to further pressure, which includes fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4106).

According to Karoline Edtstadler, the cabinet minister responsible for constitutional issues, individuals could be subject to such fines up to four times per year.

In an interview with ABC News, Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein insisted that Austria will lag behind if it does not make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory. All experts believe that we will need high overall immunity in the population next fall as well With this vaccine mandate, we will succeed in achieving these important additional percentage points in the vaccination rate, Mueckstein said. He warned that the omicron variant wont be the last.

On Jan.8, thousands took to the streets of the Austrian capital to protest against the governments plans for making vaccinations compulsory. At one rally in Vienna, protestors chanted the slogan, The government must go.

In a protest march on Jan. 15, over 200,000 Austrians took to the streets. During a public consultation regarding the bill, the government received over 100,000 comments, most of which were in clear opposition to the vaccine mandate.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Chancellor Karl Nehammer argued for the mandatory vaccination plan. I know there was a lot of speculation that this would be a half-hearted quasi-solution The controls will have consequences [Those who dont comply] will face high fines, Nehammer said.
At the end of 2021, around 35 civilians in Myanmar, including women and children, were reported to have been killed in a single attack by junta forces. In response, a United Nations (UN) official called for the government to investigate the matter.

Two humanitarian workers were also reported to have died in the same attack, deepening the tragedy in the Southeast Asian country.

UN findings

On Christmas Day 2021, photos that emerged online were believed to have shown a pair of torched trucks and a car in the Hpruso township in the state of Kayah. In those vehicles, several burnt bodies were found.

When word got out that the military stopped several vehicles in that area, the self-proclaimed Peoples Defense Forces (PDF), a local resistance movement that has been fighting the military government, found the vehicles on Christmas morning, a member of the PDF claimed.

When we went to check in the area this morning, we found dead bodies burnt in two trucks. We found 27 dead bodies, an anonymous member told AFP.

We found 27 skulls, said another anonymous source, who added that there were probably more bodies that they could not find.

Currently, the PDF and the military have engaged in several armed confrontations as the former rose up to challenge the junta, culminating in a bloody stalemate.

According to the military, seven cars were stopped after driving in a suspicious way on Christmas Eve, before they were ambushed in an attack in Hpruso, killing a number of terrorists with weapons, the state media reported.

In an interview with AFP, spokesman Zaw Min Tun stated that the soldiers killed a number of people in the following clash.

The Myanmar Witness monitor group said that local media and eyewitness accounts, from local fighters, saw that 35 people, including women and children, were murdered by the military on Friday, Dec. 24, in Hpruso. The incident was backed up by satellite imagery of a fire in the area on the same day.

Humanitarian workers shot down

Amidst the tragic discovery, two humanitarian workers of the Save the Children organization, previously declared missing, were confirmed to have been killed in the massacre.

According to the London-based organization, which has operated since 1995, the two staff members were heading back to their office when their private vehicle was attacked.

Save the Children stated that they were horrified of the atrocities against innocent civilians and their staff, and are planning their own investigation into the situation.

The events of last week are just par for the armys inhumanity and immorality, Michael Isherwood, chair of the Burma Humanitarian Mission, said.

Isherwood also went on to describe the military as one that randomly shoots unarmed men, women and children, steals livestock and burns homes down, and even commits rape.

The workers were aged 32 and 28 at the time of their deaths. For security reasons, their names have been withheld.

An anonymous humanitarian worker believes that the attack was deliberately conducted to oppress through fear. For her, the attack was not just a new senseless act of violence, but a completely normal tactic.

Myanmars chaos

Upon the discovery of the deaths, UN official Martin Griffiths shared his horror of the event online, stating, I condemn this grievous incident and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international human law. He also requested the Myanmar government investigate the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Moreover, I call upon the Myanmar Armed Forces and all armed groups in Myanmar to take all measures to protect civilians from harm, he added.

Since the coup in February 2021 that saw the removal of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has seen the deaths of more than 1,300 people as part of a crackdown by the military junta, according to a monitoring group.

On Dec. 7, a young farmhand told AFP that about 50 soldiers captured and killed 10 people in the village of Done Taw, including five teenagers  one of whom was only 14. A photo of the burnt remains of a victim was taken by his friend, suggesting that the victim was burned alive.

I am very upset, it is unacceptable, he said. Like many others, the farmhand asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.

Another village called Mo So, home to the Karenni minority, also became a site of brutal killings, with at least 35 civilians reported dead and their bodies also burned.

The process has continued to be repeated across multiple villages and towns, representing a pattern of death and destruction to Myanmars own populace.

Still, long before the junta rose to power, the countrys military was already widely panned for the genocide committed against the Rohingya Muslim population in 2017, where thousands were killed.

A special envoy from the UN called for support from other Southeast Asian countries to engage all sides in the crisis in Myanmar.

Though Cambodia, another country with similar cases of human rights abuses, has been made the new chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the recent meeting between Prime Minister Hun Sen and Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing could risk legitimizing the juntas actions, rights groups said.
On Jan. 15, a massive undersea volcanic eruption took place near Tonga, a Polynesian nation comprising of over 170 islands that is home to around 100,000 people. The eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano, which sits underwater at around 2,000 meters above the seafloor, resulted in multiple tsunami warnings being issued across the world. Tonga is located about 1,500 miles from New Zealand and 500 miles from Fiji.

The volcanos most recent eruption began in December last year, with ash plumes, steam, and gas rising up to 7.5 miles in the air. On Jan. 14, the volcano erupted once again, and the next day, a massive eruption took place, sending shock waves around the world. Interestingly, the volcano has been active since Dec. 20 but was declared dormant on Jan. 11, just three days before the Jan.14 eruption.

Huge volcanic eruption near Tonga. Reports of tsunami there and it's gone pitch black. Lots of lightning too. #tonga pic.twitter.com/Eia4fidPRc  Rick Threlfall (@RickThrelfall) January 15, 2022

According to Emily Lane, a scientist at New Zealands National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, the volcanic eruption was a very significant one, with the shock wave from the blast clearly visible in satellite imagery. People in faraway places like New Zealand are said to have heard the sound of the eruption. A sonic boom was heard in Alaska as well.

Professor Shane Cronin from the School of Environment at the University of Auckland believes the current eruption could last for several weeks or months based on the volcanos past eruptions.

The eruption is likely to result in significant ash fall (up to 10 centimeters) in Tongatapu as well as the Haapai group of islands Help will be needed to restore drinking water supplies. People of Tonga must also remain vigilant for further eruptions and especially tsunami with short notice and should avoid low-lying areas, Cronin told the New Zealand Science Media Center.

The volcanic eruption has severed the internet connection to Tonga, cutting off the island from the outside world. Citizens of Tonga were left unable to contact family or friends.

Communications largely remained shut down for around 48 hours. A 50-year-old UK woman who used to run a tattoo parlor in Tonga was reported missing after being swept away by the resulting tsunami.

I can't fathom seeing the #tonga Volcanic eruption in real-time from boat. This is insane.pic.twitter.com/1dXRa0lX25  Doc V (@MJVentrice) January 15, 2022

In a Facebook video, a woman from Tonga, who was hiding at her familys home, said that she was keeping herself safe from the tiny rock pieces that continuously fell from the sky and the volcanic ash which turned the sky pitch black.

People who were outside were carrying umbrellas for protection. Its really bad. They told us to stay indoors and cover our doors and windows because its dangerous I felt sorry for the people. Everyone just froze when the explosion happened. We rushed home, she said in a video.

Both Australia and New Zealand have sent surveillance flights to Tonga to assess the damage. Though no mass casualties have been reported, officials have cautioned not to be too optimistic about it as the communications systems were hit and the full situation remains to be known. New Zealand sent an Orion aircraft to assist in the initial impact assessment of the region.

Australias P-8 surveillance flight has departed to Tonga this morning to assess the situation on the ground. Australia stands ready to provide every possible support to the people of Tonga following the devastating tsunami, Zed Seselja, Australias minister for the Pacific, tweeted on Jan. 17.

In addition to Tonga, tsunami alerts were issued for Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Pacific Coast. In the United States, the tsunami advisory was initially issued in the states of Alaska, California, Washington, and Oregon.

These advisories were lifted by Sunday morning. The highest waves were seen in port San Luis, California at 4.3 feet, followed by King Cove in Alaska at 3.7 feet and Crescent city California at 3.7 feet.
Unresolved differences about engagement with Myanmar's military rulers are causing discord among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), diplomats and government officials say, as a ministers' meeting set for this week was pushed back.

The friction follows a tumultuous final few months of 2021 after ASEAN took the unprecedented step of sidelining Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing from its leaders' summit in the wake of a military coup and use of deadly force against protesters.

The thorny issue of Myanmar attending ASEAN events remains unresolved, said Indonesian foreign ministry official Abdul Kadir Jailani.

"It must be admitted that time is still needed to unite views," Jailani, the ministry's director-general for Asian, Pacific and African affairs, told reporters.

However, Cambodia's postponement of this week's opening meeting of its term as chairman of the regional grouping was understandable, he added, since the Omicron variant of coronavirus remains a threat.

Cambodia had cited travel difficulties that prevented the attendance of some foreign ministers when it postponed the meeting last week.

Cambodia has indicated it wants to engage the junta and had invited its foreign minister, retired colonel Wunna Maung Lwin, to the ASEAN opening meet, two diplomatic sources told Reuters.

In recent days, Malaysia's foreign minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have opposed the idea of inviting back the junta, as it had made no progress on an agreed five-point ASEAN "consensus" on resolving the Myanmar crisis.

On Friday, Lee told ASEAN chair and Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen that any change in its Myanmar policy "had to be based on new facts."

The disagreement indicates a challenging year ahead for ASEAN, threatening more exposure of its internal fissures and endangering the grouping's credibility as its internationally-backed Myanmar peace effort falters.

UNWELCOME INVITATION

Cambodia's foreign ministry spokesperson Kuy Kuong declined to elaborate on why ministers could not attend. Myanmar's military government could not be reached and has made no comment on the meeting or its postponement.

The decision came just days after Hun Sen traveled to Myanmar to meet Min Aung Hlaing, prompting concern within and outside ASEAN that his visit might legitimize the junta.

Min Aung Hlaing, who was excluded from the ASEAN leaders' meeting, later thanked Hun Sen for "standing with Myanmar."

Cambodia's invitation to the junta's top diplomat, Wunna Maung Lwin, was a bone of contention, said a diplomatic source familiar with the matter, adding that several members objected to recent developments.

"The main issue was disagreement over the invitation sent to Wunna by Cambodia," said the source, who speaks with regional partners.

"Indonesia and Malaysia were not happy with the outcome of Hun Sen's visit, especially the linkage of ASEAN's five-point consensus on Myanmar and the junta's five-point roadmap."

The roadmap, which the generals have been touting since their coup, differs significantly from the ASEAN agreement.

Philippine foreign minister Teodoro Locsin has stressed that ASEAN's consensus "must not be tied to any roadmap." He also praised Hun Sen for making headway during his Myanmar trip.

Another diplomatic source said their understanding was that both the Omicron risk and disagreements over Myanmar, and specifically, Wunna Maung Lwin's invitation, had played a role in the postponement.

There had been a "hardening of the position of some on this particular issue," the source said, adding that Cambodia had proposed holding some of the scheduled events online.

On Thursday, Malaysia's Saifuddin said scheduling factors had led to the postponement of the meeting, among them a state wedding, travel curbs that kept one minister from attending, and an important session of the Malaysian parliament.

However, Saifuddin acknowledged that ahead of the postponement there were differing opinions within ASEAN about Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar, adding that he "could have probably consulted the other ASEAN leaders and sought our views."
Double fault for Djokovic in Australia. U.N. emergency fund is deployed. A flurry of North Korea launches. Efforts to keep Russia out of Ukraine. Remembering a civil rights leader. Progress in space. Jim Stevenson hosts VOA Asia.
Greek artist Alekos Fassianos, whose work drew on his country's mythology and folklore, died Sunday at the age of 86, his daughter Viktoria told AFP.

Described by some admirers as a modern-day Matisse and by others as the Greek Picasso, his works, which included paintings, lithographs, ceramics and tapestries, have been shown around the world.

While he resisted comparison with Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, he admired both artists, but insisted he had drawn on many different influences.

Fassianos, who had been bedridden at his home in the suburbs of Athens for several months, died in his sleep, Viktoria Fassianou said.

Ill health had forced the artist to put down his paintbrushes in 2019.

"All the work of Fassianos, the colors that filled his canvases, the multidimensional forms that dominated his paintings, exude Greece," Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid tribute to Fassianos as a painter who "always balanced between realism and abstraction.

Fassianos, he added, "leaves us a precious heritage.

The artist split his time between Greece and France, where he studied lithography at the National School of Fine Arts in Paris.

The website devoted to his work says his style was forged in the 1960s and that his main themes have always been man, nature and the environment.

From Paris to Munich, Tokyo to Sao Paolo, Fassianos's works were shown around the world. Examples of his work can be found in the Museum of Modern Art in Paris and in the Pinacotheque in Athens.

"Greekness has always been his inspiration, from mythology to contemporary Greece," the artist's wife, Mariza Fassianou, told AFP during a visit to his home last year. "He has always believed that an artist should create with what they know."

Her husband would work on the floor or even scratch the corner of a table, she said. "He destroyed what he didn't like."

An Athens museum devoted to his work will open in autumn 2022 and display some of the works that currently adorn his home.

His friend, architect Kyriakos Krokos, entirely redesigned the central Athens museum that will showcase his work, collaborating with Fassianos himself.

France has bestowed upon him some of its top awards, including the Legion of Honor (Arts and Letters) and he is also an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Atlantas mayor, Georgias governor and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock are scheduled to attend the annual Martin Luther King Jr. service at Kings old congregation, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

The service at Ebenezer and other events surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorate what would have been Kings 93rd birthday.

In a news release, the King Center in Atlanta said the 10 a.m. Monday service will be broadcast live on Atlantas Fox TV affiliate and on Facebook, YouTube and thekingcenter.org.

The Rev. Natosha Reid Rice and Pastor Sam Collier will preside over the service. This years keynote speaker is the Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church.

Musical performances are also planned, including Keke Wyatt, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Pastor Mike Jr., LeAndria Johnson, and Emanne Beasha.

This years theme, It Starts with Me: Shifting Priorities to Create the Beloved Community, reflects our belief that it is critical, and necessary for the survival of both humanity and Earth, that we shift our priorities for a strategic quest to create a just, humane, equitable and peaceful world, King Center CEO Bernice King said in a statement.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday March and Rally is also planned for Monday afternoon in downtown Atlanta. The march is scheduled to end on Auburn Avenue in front of The King Center, where a rally is planned. The King Center is also working with the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda and Youth Service America on a voter registration drive Monday in Atlanta.

On this King Holiday, I call us up to shift our priorities to reflect a commitment to true peace and an awareness of our interconnectedness, interdependence, and interrelatedness. This will lead us to a greater understanding of our responsibilities to and for each other, which is crucial for learning to live together, achieving true peace, and creating the Beloved Community, Bernice King said in announcing the events.

Martin Luther King Jr.  pastor, civil rights leader, one of the most beloved figures in the world  dedicated his life to achieving racial equality, a goal he said was inseparable from alleviating poverty and stopping war.

King delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech while leading the 1963 March on Washington, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis while assisting a strike by underpaid sanitation workers. He was 39.

Kings example, and his insistence on nonviolent protest, continues to influence many activists pushing for civil rights and social change.
Australia and New Zealand sent military surveillance flights to the isolated Pacific island nation of Tonga Monday to assess the damage caused by a strong undersea volcanic eruption Saturday.

The eruption sent a huge cloud of ash over the island and triggered a tsunami that swept over Tongas shoreline. Officials in Australia and New Zealand say they have received reports of significant damage to shops and houses along the shoreline from Tongans using satellite phone service.

Saturdays eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano severely damaged the single undersea fiber-optic cable that provides phone and Internet service to the island. Repairs to the cable could take anywhere from one to three weeks.

Tongan authorities say the volcanic ash has turned the air toxic and contaminated the islands fresh drinking water supplies, and are urging residents to wear masks and drink bottled water.

Authorities have also raised concerns about relief workers bringing COVID-19 into the island, which has so far avoided the disease.

The only confirmed apparent casualty in Tonga from Saturdays disaster is a British woman who was swept out to sea by the tsunami.

The eruption triggered tsunami warnings along much of the western United States coastline. Two people in Peru drowned due to high waves triggered by the tsunami.

Some information for this report came from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.
Australia and New Zealand dispatched surveillance flights on Monday to assess the damage in Tonga, isolated from the rest of the world due to the eruption of an underwater volcano that triggered a tsunami and blanketed the Pacific island with ash.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged to provide support for Tonga as early as possible but said the volcano ash had hampered relief efforts.

"There's been a lot of challenges there with the ash cloud and the disruption to communications and so we are working together to get as much support to Tonga as we possibly can," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology told Reuters in an emailed statement on Monday there was "no current volcanic activity, and the volcano is not spewing ash." It said ash that had reached the Australian state of Queensland was from a previous eruption.

Australia's Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said initial reports suggested no mass casualties and that Tonga's airport "appears to be in relatively good condition" but there were "significant damage" to roads and bridges.

Seselja said Australia was liaising with the United States, New Zealand, France and other countries to coordinate responses.

Some power restored

New Zealand's Defense Minister Peeni Henare said at a news conference in Auckland that power had been restored in large parts of Nuku'alofa and some communications are back up.

A New Zealand Hercules C-130 would perform drops of essentials after the requirements are assessed and the navy will also be deployed.

An underwater volcano off Tonga erupted on Saturday, triggering a tsunami on the shores of Tonga and cutting off phone and internet lines for the entire island.

There are no official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga as yet but communications are still limited and outlying coastal areas remain cut off.

Satellite images show some of the outlying islands submerged.

A U.K. woman has reportedly gone missing after she was washed away, media reports said.

Angela Glover and her husband James, who own the Happy Sailor Tattoo in Nuku'alofa, had gone to get their dogs when the wave hit. James managed to hold onto a tree but his wife, who also runs a dog rescue on the island, and their dogs were washed away, New Zealand state broadcaster TVNZ reported. Several social media posts from family and friends said she has still not been found.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Sunday that the tsunami had a significant impact on infrastructure.

Red Cross said it was mobilizing its regional network to respond to what it called the worst volcanic eruptions the Pacific has experienced in decades.

Red Cross has enough relief supplies to support 1,200 households with essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits and hygiene kits, said Katie Greenwood, IFRCs Pacific Head of Delegation told Reuters.

Greenwood said the agency is expecting up to 80,000 people to be affected by the tsunami.

"That is what we are planning for as a worst-case scenario until we can get further confirmation from the people on the ground," she said.

The agency said there were concerns that communities may not have access to safe drinking water as a result of saltwater inundation caused by the tsunami waves and ashfall.

Massive blast

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano has erupted regularly over the past few decades, but the impact of Saturday's eruption was felt was far away as Fiji, New Zealand, the United States and Japan. Two people drowned off a beach in Northern Peru due to high waves caused by the tsunami.

About 26 hours since the eruption, nations thousands of kilometers to the west have volcanic ash clouds over them, New Zealand forecaster WeatherWatch said in a statement.

Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are affected and the ash cloud is expected to fan out towards eastern Australia on Monday, it said.

Early data suggests the volcanic eruption was the biggest blast since Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines 30 years ago, New Zealand-based volcanologist Shane Cronin told Radio New Zealand.

"This is an eruption best witnessed from space," Cronin said.

"The large and explosive lateral spread of the eruption suggests that it was probably the biggest one since about the 1991 eruption of Pinatubo," Cronin said.
Authorities in Cameroon are blaming anglophone separatists for the abduction of eight rubber plantation workers Friday in the country's volatile Southwest region. The countrys Agricultural Workers Trade Union is pleading for the workers safe release.



A man speaks in pidgin English as he presents eight men and women as enemies of separatist groups fighting to carve out an independent, English-speaking state in western Cameroon.

In the audio, extracted from a video widely circulated on social media, the man says fighters abducted the civilians for collaborating with Cameroonian government troops.

The video also appears to show the men and women holding rifles. The speaker in the video says separatists expect the civilians to use the rifles to fight the government.

The civilians are also forced to sing a song the speaker in the video calls the national anthem of Ambazonia. Ambazonia is the name of the state separatists say they are fighting to create.

Cameroon's military says people seen in the video are rubber plantation workers abducted Friday from the town of Tiko.

Bernard Okalia Bilai, governor of the Southwest region where Tiko is located, says the eight abductees are employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation.

Gabriel Nbene Vefonge, president of Cameroon Agriculture and Allied Workers Trade Union, called for the workers release.

"We are appealing to who so ever group of persons that is keeping these workers, to kindly release them. Workers have nothing to do with the armed conflict. They should leave workers alone," he said.



Speaking over a messaging app from Tiko, Vefonge said a breastfeeding mother is among the abducted workers.

Adamu Chinda, who works at the Tiko rubber plantation, says workers took the womans three-month-old daughter to the Tiko hospital Monday.

"I am going there now to see how we can raise money and buy the essential things that she [the baby] needs. Let them even release that breastfeeding mother so that she can take care of the child rather than the child dying because of lack of care," he said.



This is not the first time Cameroon Development Corporation workers have been attacked. In 2020 officials of the agro-industrial complex said that more than 6,000 of its 20,000 workers had fled attacks, killings and kidnappings.

Cameroons separatist conflict began in 2016, after teachers and lawyers in the North- and Southwest regions, where English is the predominant language, protested alleged discrimination from the countrys French-speaking majority.

The conflict has killed an estimated 4,000 people and displaced more than three quarters of a million.
A six-year cold case investigation into the betrayal of Anne Frank has identified a surprising suspect in the mystery of how the Nazis found the hiding place of the famous diarist in 1944.

Anne and seven other Jews were discovered by the Nazis on Aug. 4 of that year, after they had hid for nearly two years in a secret annex above a canal-side warehouse in Amsterdam. All were deported and Anne died in the Bergen Belsen camp at age 15.

A team that included retired U.S. FBI agent Vincent Pankoke and around 20 historians, criminologists and data specialists identified a relatively unknown figure, Jewish notary Arnold van den Bergh, as a leading suspect in revealing the hideout.

Some other experts emphasized that the evidence against him was not conclusive.

Investigating team member Pieter van Twisk said the crucial piece of new evidence was an unsigned note to Anne's father Otto found in an old post-war investigation dossier, specifically naming Van den Bergh and alleging he passed on the information.

The note said Van den Bergh had access to addresses where Jews were hiding as a member of Amsterdam's wartime Jewish Council and had passed lists of such addresses to the Nazis to save his own family.

Twisk said only four out of initial 32 names remained following the research, with Van den Bergh the lead suspect.

Investigators confirmed that Otto, the only member of the family to survive the war, was aware of the note but chose never to speak of it publicly.

Van Twisk speculated that Frank's reasons to remain silent about the allegation were likely that he could not be sure it was true, that he would not want information to become public that could feed further anti-Semitism, and that he would not want Van den Bergh's three daughters to be blamed for something their father might have done.

Otto "had been in Auschwitz," Van Twisk said. "He knew that people in difficult situations sometimes do things that cannot be morally justified."

While other members of the Jewish Council were deported in 1943, Van den

Bergh was able to remain in the Netherlands. He died in 1950.

Historian Erik Somers of the Dutch NIOD institute for war, holocaust and genocide studies praised the extensive investigation, but was skeptical of its conclusion.

He questioned the centrality of the anonymous note in the arguments for Van den Bergh's responsibility and said the team made assumptions about wartime Amsterdam Jewish institutions that are not supported by other historical research.

According to Somers there are many possible reasons Van den Bergh was never deported as "he was a very influential man."

Miep Gies, one of the familys helpers, kept Annes diary safe until Otto returned and first published it in 1947. It has since been translated into 60 languages and captured the imagination of millions of readers worldwide.

The Anne Frank House Foundation was not involved in the cold case investigation but shared information from its archives to assist.

Director Ronald Leopold said the research had "generated important new information and a fascinating hypothesis that merits further research."

Using modern research techniques, a master database was compiled with lists of Dutch collaborators, informants, historic documents, police records and prior research to uncover new leads.

Dozens of scenarios and locations of suspects were visualized on a map to identify a betrayer, based on knowledge of the hiding place, motive and opportunity.

The findings of the new research will be published in a book by Canadian author Rosemary Sullivan, "The Betrayal of Anne Frank," which will be released on Tuesday.

The director of Dutch Jewish organization CIDI which combats anti-Semitism told Reuters she hoped the book would provide insight into the war-time circumstances of Amsterdam's Jewish population.

"If this turns into 'the Jews did it' that would be unfortunate. The Nazis were ultimately responsible," Hanna Luden of CIDI said.
The death toll from an earthquake that struck western Afghanistan on Monday has risen to at least 26 people.

The epicenter of the magnitude 5.3 quake was about 40 kilometers east of Qala-e-Naw, the capital of Badghis province, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Afghan official Bakhtar News Agency quoted local authorities as saying that women and children were among the victims.

Most of the casualties and damage occurred in Qadis district, where the roofs of many residential houses collapsed.

Poverty-stricken Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

The South Asian nation is already in the grip of humanitarian crisis stemming from years of war, natural disasters and a prolonged drought. The crisis has deteriorated since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August on the heels of the withdrawal of U.S.-led international forces after 20 years.

Some information in this report came from Agence France-Press.
Scientists are struggling to monitor an active volcano that erupted off the South Pacific island of Tonga at the weekend, after the explosion destroyed its sea-level crater and drowned its mass, obscuring it from satellites.

The eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano, which sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean and was heard some 2,300 kms (1,430 miles) away in New Zealand.

"The concern at the moment is how little information we have and that's scary," said Janine Krippner, a New Zealand-based volcanologist with the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. "When the vent is below water, nothing can tell us what will happen next."

Krippner said on-site instruments were likely destroyed in the eruption and the volcanology community was pooling together the best available data and expertise to review the explosion and predict anticipated future activity.

Saturday's eruption was so powerful that space satellites captured not only huge clouds of ash but also an atmospheric shockwave that radiated out from the volcano at close to the speed of sound.

Photographs and videos showed grey ash clouds billowing over the South Pacific and meter-high waves surging onto the coast of Tonga.

There are no official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga yet, but internet and telephone communications are extremely limited and outlying coastal areas remain cut off.



Experts said the volcano, which last erupted in 2014, had been puffing away for about a month before rising magma, superheated to around 1,000 degrees Celsius, met with 20-degree seawater on Saturday, causing an instantaneous and massive explosion.

The unusual "astounding" speed and force of the eruption indicated a greater force at play than simply magma meeting water, scientists said.

As the superheated magma rose quickly and met the cool seawater, so did a huge volume of volcanic gases, intensifying the explosion, said Raymond Cas, a professor of volcanology at Australia's Monash University.

Some volcanologists are likening the eruption to the 1991 Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines, the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, which killed around 800 people.

The Tonga Geological Services agency, which was monitoring the volcano, was unreachable on Monday. Most communications to Tonga have been cut after the main undersea communications cable lost power.

Lightning strikes

American meteorologist, Chris Vagasky, studied lightning around the volcano and found it increasing to about 30,000 strikes in the days leading up to the eruption. On the day of the eruption, he detected 400,000 lightning events in just three hours, which comes down to 100 lightning events per second.

That compared with 8,000 strikes per hour during the Anak Krakatau eruption in 2018, caused part of the crater to collapse into the Sunda Strait and send a tsunami crashing into western Java, which killed hundreds of people.



Cas said it is difficult to predict follow-up activity and that the volcano's vents could continue to release gases and other material for weeks or months.

"It wouldn't be unusual to get a few more eruptions, though maybe not as big as Saturday," he said. "Once the volcano is de-gassed, it will settle down."
The first death from a massive underwater volcanic blast near the Pacific island nation of Tonga has been confirmed, as the extent of the damage remained unknown Monday.

Tonga remained virtually cut off from the rest of the world, after the eruption crippled communications and stalled emergency relief efforts.

It is two days since the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano exploded, cloaking Tonga in a film of ash, triggering a Pacific-wide tsunami and releasing shock waves that wrapped around the entire Earth.

But with phone lines still down and an undersea internet cable cut  and not expected to be repaired for weeks  the true toll of the dual eruption-tsunami disaster is not yet known.

The first known death in Tonga itself was confirmed: that of a British woman swept away by the tsunami. She was identified as Angela Glover, 50, who lived in the Tonga capital with her husband, James, Glover's brother Nick Eleini told British media.

Two women also drowned Saturday in northern Peru in big waves recorded after the volcanic blast, authorities there said.

Only fragments of information have filtered out via a handful of satellite phones on the islands, home to just over 100,000 people.



In one of the few communications with the outside world, two stranded Mexican marine biologists made a plea for help from their government, using a satellite phone provided by the British Embassy to call their family.

"They said they were sheltering in a hotel near the airport, and they asked us for help to leave the island," Amelia Nava, the sister of 34-year-old Leslie Nava, told AFP in Mexico.

Tonga's worried neighbors are still scrambling to grasp the scale of the damage, which New Zealand's leader Jacinda Ardern said was believed to be "significant."

Both Wellington and Canberra scrambled reconnaissance planes Monday in an attempt to get a sense of the damage from the air.

And both have put C-130 military transport aircraft on standby to drop emergency supplies or to land if runways are deemed operational and ash clouds allow.

There are initial reports that areas of Tonga's west coast may have been badly hit.

Australia's international development minister Zed Seselja said a small contingent of Australian police stationed in Tonga had delivered a "pretty concerning" initial evaluation.

They were "able to do an assessment of some of the Western beaches area, and there was some pretty significant damage to things like roads and some houses," Seselja said.



"One of the good pieces of news is that I understand the airport has not suffered any significant damage," he added.

"That will be very, very important as the ash cloud clears and we are able to have flights coming into Tonga for humanitarian purposes."

Major aid agencies, who would usually rush in to provide emergency humanitarian relief, said they were stuck in a holding pattern, unable to contact local staff.

"From what little updates we have, the scale of the devastation could be immense, especially for outlying islands," said Katie Greenwood, IFRC's Pacific Head of Delegation.

Even when relief efforts get under way, they may be complicated by COVID-19 entry restrictions. Tonga only recently reported its first-ever coronavirus case.

France, which has territories in the South Pacific, pledged to help the people of Tonga.

"France is willing to respond to the population's most urgent needs," the Foreign Ministry said. This assistance would be provided through a humanitarian aid mechanism with Australia and New Zealand that is known as FRANZ, the ministry added.

What is known is that Saturday's volcanic blast was one the largest recorded in decades, erupting 30 kilometers into the air and depositing ash, gas and acid rain across a swath of the Pacific.

The eruption was recorded around the world and heard as far away as Alaska, triggering a tsunami that flooded Pacific coastlines from Japan to the United States.

The Tongan capital, Nuku'alofa, was estimated to be cloaked in 1-2 centimeters of ash, potentially poisoning water supplies and causing breathing difficulties.

"We know water is an immediate need," Ardern told reporters.

After speaking to the New Zealand Embassy in Tonga, she described how boats and "large boulders" washed ashore.

Wellington's defense minister said he understood the island nation had managed to restore power in "large parts" of the city.

But communications were still cut. The eruption severed an undersea communications cable between Tonga and Fiji that operators said would take weeks to repair.

"We're getting sketchy information, but it looks like the cable has been cut," Southern Cross Cable Network's networks director Dean Veverka told Agence France-Presse.

"It could take up to two weeks to get it repaired. The nearest cable-laying vessel is in Port Moresby," he added, referring to the Papua New Guinea capital more than 4,000 kilometers from Tonga.

Tonga was isolated for two weeks in 2019 when a ship's anchor cut the cable. A small, locally operated satellite service was set up to allow minimal contact with the outside world until the cable could be repaired.


Indian authorities have charged a Hindu monk with inciting religious violence after he called for the "genocide" of India's Muslims at a meeting of right-wing supporters, police said Monday.

Senior police officer Swatantra Kumar said Yati Narsinghanand Giri, an outspoken supporter of far-right nationalists who also heads a Hindu monastery, was initially arrested on Saturday on allegations that he made derogatory remarks against women. He appeared the following day in a court in the town of Haridwar, where he was sent into 14 days of custody for hate speech against Muslims and calling for violence against them.

Kumar said the monk Giri, whom he described as a "repeat offender," was formally charged Monday for promoting "enmity between different groups on grounds of religion." The charge can carry a jail term of five years.

In December, Giri and other religious leaders called on Hindus to arm themselves for "a genocide" against Muslims during a meeting in Haridwar, a northern holy town in Uttarakhand, according to a police complaint. He is the second person to be arrested in the case after India's Supreme Court intervened last week.

Uttarakhand state is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata. The political party's rise to power in 2014, and landslide reelection in 2019, has led to a spike in attacks against Muslims and other minorities.

Muslims comprise nearly 14% of India's 1.4 billion people, a largely Hindu country that has long proclaimed its multicultural character.

The three-day conference that the monk Giri helped to organized was called the "Dharam Sansad" or "Religious Parliament" and followed on years of rising anti-Muslim hate speech. The closed-door meetings witnessed some of the most explicit calls for violence yet.

Videos from the conference showed multiple Hindu monks, some of whom have close ties to Modi's ruling party, saying Hindus should kill Muslims.

"If 100 of us are ready to kill two million of them, then we will win and make India a Hindu nation," said Pooja Shakun Pandey, a Hindu nationalist leader, referring to the country's Muslim population. Her calls for such a massacre were met with applause from the audience.

Pandey is being investigated by police for insulting religious beliefs.

During the congregation, Hindu monks and other supporters, including Giri, took an oath calling for the killing of those who were perceived to be enemies of the Hindu religion.

The calls for violence were met with public outrage and drew sharp criticism from former military chiefs, retired judges, and rights activists. Many questioned the Modi government's silence, warning hate speech against Muslims will only grow as several Indian states, including Uttarakhand, head to the polls in February.

Last week, students and faculty at the Indian Institute of Management  one of India's most prestigious business schools  submitted a letter to Modi in which they wrote his silence "emboldens" hate and "threatens the unity and integrity of our country."

Modi's ruling party has faced fierce criticism over rising attacks against Muslims in recent years.

Opposition leaders and rights groups have accused it of encouraging violence by hardline Hindu nationalists against Muslims and other minorities. The party denies the allegation.
A spokesman for Yemen's Houthi rebels says the group attacked targets in the United Arab Emirates Monday in retaliation for the UAEs role in a military offensive in Yemen last week. Abu Dhabi police say that three people were killed in attacks on three oil tanker trucks and a target at Abu Dhabi airport.

Saudi coalition forces fired on Houthi militia fighters in Yemens Marib province Monday, as the Houthis launched what they say were retaliatory drone and missile attacks on parts of the UAE's economic hub of Abu Dhabi.

Houthi sources in Yemens capital, Sanaa, told Arab media that they fired eight drones and 10 missiles.

Arab media showed video of smoke rising over the Abu Dhabi skyline, and photos of fires at Abu Dhabi Airport and the UAE's Adnoc oil refinery.

Abu Dhabi police say it appears drones attacked three tanker trucks at the oil refinery and the Abu Dhabi Airport.

Authorities say three people were killed  all said to be Indian or Pakistani nationals. Six others wounded.

Fahmy al Yousifi, Deputy Information Minister of the Houthi government administration that controls Sanaa, told Arab media that the Houthi forces would "continue to retaliate against the United Arab Emirates so long as it remains involved in supporting combatants inside Yemen."

Mohammed Bakhiti, another Houthi advisor in Sanaa, told Qatar's al Jazeera TV that the group had "abstained from attacking the UAE for a long time because it appeared that Abu Dhabi was in the process of pulling its forces out of Yemen."

"Now, the situation has changed, again," he added, after the Saudi-led coalition, of which the UAE is a part, recaptured Yemens Shabwa province from the Houthis last week.

Middle East analyst Paul Sullivan of the Atlantic Council tells VOA that the Monday attacks on Abu Dhabi were a bad sign for regional security and stability.

"This sort of escalation will come back to bite the Houthis badly. One has to wonder how the drones, if that is what happened, got through (UAE air defenses). This is worrisome for the UAE and the region," he said.

Washington-based Gulf analyst Theodore Karasik tells VOA that the Houthi attacks come at a bad time, given "the desire to lower tensions in the Gulf at this key juncture."

He said drone attacks are a revolution in military affairs, as they are being used to make political points.

The attacks could backfire on the Houthis, he added, "because of the killing and injuries to South Asian expats, who make up a large part of the UAE labor force."

Yemeni military analyst Col. Mohammed Qameim told Saudi-owned al Arabiya TV that "Iran is using Yemen as a platform to attack Arab Gulf states." Iran, and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah support the Houthis militarily.
Sudanese forces killed seven anti-coup protesters Monday in one of the deadliest days of recent rallies against a military takeover, medics said, as security chiefs vowed to hold to account those they accused of causing "chaos."

The latest violence comes ahead of a visit by U.S. diplomats, as Washington seeks to broker an end to the monthslong crisis in the northeast African nation.

The deaths Monday bring to 71 the number of protesters killed since the army's October 25 takeover led by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan.

The military power grab triggered international condemnation and derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following the April 2019 ouster of longtime autocratic president Omar al-Bashir.

On Monday, three protesters "were killed by live bullets" by "militias of the putschist military council," anti-coup medics said on the Facebook page of Khartoum state's health ministry.

Later, four more demonstrators were killed "during the massacre by the coup authorities who were seeking to disperse the protests," according to the independent Central Committee of Sudan Doctors.

Medics also counted multiple wounds by "live rounds."

Government responds

Burhan on Monday held an emergency meeting with security chiefs and agreed to form a counterterrorism force "to confront possible threats," according to a statement by Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council.

The statement said the officials blamed the "chaos" on protesters who "deviated from legitimate peaceful demonstration" and vowed to hold to account those involved in "violations" during protests.

Authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting demonstrators and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during protests.

On Thursday, Sudanese authorities said protesters stabbed to death a police general, the first fatality among security forces.

Protesters  sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands  have regularly taken to the streets despite the security clampdown and periodic cuts to communications since the coup.

On Monday, security officers in Khartoum deployed in large numbers, firing volleys of tear gas at protesters heading toward the presidential palace, an AFP correspondent said.

Several people appeared to have difficulty breathing, and others bled from wounds caused by tear gas canisters, the correspondent said.

Sawsan Salah, from the capital's twin city of Omdurman, said protesters burned car tires and carried photos of people killed during other demonstrations since the coup.

In Wad Madani, "around 2,000 people took to the streets as they called for civilian rule," said Emad Mohammed, a witness there.

In North Khartoum, thousands of protesters demanded that troops return to their barracks and chanted in favor of civilian rule, witnesses said.

U.S. officials to visit

U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee are expected in Sudan in coming days.

Washington's push comes after the United Nations said last week it would launch talks involving political, military and social actors to help resolve the crisis.

On Monday, the U.S. diplomats were expected to meet in Saudi Arabia with the Friends of Sudan, a group calling for the restoration of the country's transitional government.

The meeting aims to "marshal international support" for the U.N. mission to "facilitate a renewed civilian-led transition to democracy" in Sudan, the U.S. State Department said.

The diplomats then travel to Khartoum for meetings with pro-democracy activists, civic groups, and military and political leaders.

"Their message will be clear: the United States is committed to freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people," the State Department said.

The mainstream civilian faction of the Forces of Freedom and Change, the leading civilian pro-democracy group, has said it will accept the U.N. offer for talks if it revives the transition to civilian rule.

Proposed talks have been welcomed by the ruling Sovereign Council, which Burhan restaffed following the coup with himself as chairman.

Burhan has insisted that the military takeover "was not a coup" but only meant to "rectify" the course of the transition after al-Bashir's deposal.

Earlier this month, Sudan's civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned, saying the country was now at a "dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival."
Millions of Americans hunkered down as a major winter storm hit the eastern United States with heavy snow and ice knocking power out for an estimated 130,000 customers as of early Monday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said the storm was bringing a miserable combination of heavy snow, freezing rain and high winds, impacting the southeast and coastal mid-Atlantic before moving up to New England and southern Canada.

A swath from the upper Ohio Valley north to the lower Great Lakes region could expect more than 30 centimeters of snow Monday, it warned.

In all, more than 80 million people fell under the winter weather alerts, US media reported.

About 235,000 were without power Sunday but by early Monday that had fallen to around 130,000 along the east coast and Kentucky as supplies were restored, according to the website PowerOutage.US.

The storm spawned damaging tornadoes in Florida and flooding in coastal areas, while in the Carolinas and up through the Appalachians icy conditions and blustery winds raised concerns.

Transport was seriously disrupted, with thousands of flights canceled, and a portion of busy interstate highway I-95 closed in North Carolina.

More than 3,000 flights within, into or out of the United States were canceled Sunday.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina was the worst-affected with 95 percent of its flights grounded, according to the FlightAware website. A further 1,200 flights had been canceled early Monday.

State of emergency

Drivers were warned of hazardous road conditions and major travel headaches from Arkansas in the south all the way up to Maine, on the Canadian border.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp had declared a state of emergency on Friday, and snowplows were at work before noon to clear the roads.

Virginia and North Carolina also declared states of emergency.

Virginia State Police said on Twitter they had responded to almost 1,000 crashes and disabled vehicles on Sunday. "Mostly vehicle damage. No reported traffic deaths," the force said.

A "multi-vehicle backup," along with minor crashes, had earlier stopped traffic on a major interstate in the southern part of the state.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said on Twitter that up to a foot of snow had fallen in some areas by midday, and that "significant icing is causing trouble in the Central part of the state" as he reminded people to stay inside and avoid travel if possible.

Also in North Carolina, students were shaken up after the storm caused the roof of a college residence hall to collapse, according to a local ABC news station, though no one was hurt.

"Very scary," Brevard College sophomore Melody Ferguson told the station. "I'm still shaking to this moment."

The NWS even reported some snow flurries in Pensacola, Florida, while usually mild Atlanta, Georgia also saw snow.

The storm is expected to cause some coastal flooding, and the NWS warned that winds could near hurricane force on the Atlantic coast.

The northeastern United States already experienced snow chaos earlier this month. When a storm blanketed the northeast, hundreds of motorists were stuck for more than 24 hours on a major highway linking to the capital Washington.
The North Macedonia's parliament late Sunday elected Social Democrat technocrat Dimitar Kovacevski as prime minister after more than two months of political turmoil in the country.

Kovacevski, a former deputy finance minister, succeeds Zoran Zaev, who stepped down last month following his party's heavy defeat in municipal elections.

The new coalition Cabinet, led by Kovacevski's Social Democrats (SDSM), was backed by 62 MPs of those present in the 120-seat parliament. Forty-six lawmakers voted against.

Presenting his agenda to the parliament on Saturday, Kovacevski had said a key goal of his government would be "higher and sustainable economic growth."

He also promised to address the country's energy crisis and to try to bring it closer to the European Union.

Kovacevski, 47, assumed leadership of the SDSM helm last month.

He takes over as prime minister after the previous government, also SDSM-led, survived a no-confidence vote in November after weeks of negotiations with smaller parties.

Ever since however, the opposition has accused the government of lacking legitimacy and has called for early elections. Kovacevski insists the elections will be held as scheduled in 2024.

As deputy finance minister Kovacevski, who holds a PhD in economics, kept a low profile.

Political analysts have questioned whether he will be able to negotiate the challenges the nation faces.

At home, they say, he will have to face the complex relations within the ruling coalition and the corruption crippling the country's economy.

His biggest foreign policy challenge is thought to be getting progress on EU membership talks, which are stalled because of the opposition of Bulgaria.

In 2019, the country added the geographical qualifier "North" to its official name to distinguish it from the Greek province of Macedonia.

The change enabled North Macedonia to join NATO and was a precondition for paving the way for its possible EU membership.

But Bulgaria stands in the country's path to EU membership because of a dispute over historical issues and the origin of the Macedonian language.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said Monday three oil tankers exploded at an extension of Dhabi International Airport in a possible drone attack.

The state-run WAM news agency said the explosion killed at least three people and wounded six others. The dead included two Indian nationals and a Pakistani.

Police said initial investigations of the incident indicated a drone could have caused the explosion and a nearby fire.

Yemens Houthi rebels said Monday the group launched an attack deep inside the UAE but offered little information. UAE officials have denied previous claims of Houthi attacks.

UAE forces have been a part of a Saudi-led coalition fighting against the Houthis since 2015, shortly after the group seized Yemens capital.

Some information for this report came from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Rights activists in India are outraged after members of two right-wing Hindu groups put up posters around the ghats of the Ganges River in Varanasi, asking non-Hindus to stay away from the bank of the river in the north Indian city.

With the posters, members of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) or World Hindu Council and its youth wing Bajrang Dal (BD) tried to whip up anti-minority passion and polarize the society on a communal line, activists said.

VHP leaders said that some activists from the organization put up the posters without knowledge of the groups leaders. We have suspended from our organization two activists who were involved in the Varanasi ghat case, the national spokesperson of VHP, Vinod Bansal, told VOA.

Hindus view the Ganges as a holy river, and every year, millions of Hindu pilgrims from India and other countries visit the ghats of the Ganges and the nearby temples of Varanasi, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The centuries-old ghats  steps leading down to the river -- are also very popular among foreign tourists who are largely Christian and Buddhist.

This is a warning, not a request

The posters that the VHP and BD activists put up around the ghats of the Ganges in Varanasi on January 6 and 7 had Entry Prohibited for Non-Hindus written on top.

The ghats and temples along the bank of Mother Ganga are symbols of the Sanatan Dharma [Hindu religion], Indian culture and faith. Those who follow the Sanatan Dharma are welcome here. Others should note, its not a picnic spot, read one of the posters in Hindi. This is a warning, not a request, a highlighted line of the poster read.

Local leaders of the VHP and BD appeared in separate videos warning non-Hindus to stay away. Both were arrested and released on personal bonds.

VHP spokesperson Bansal said the posters reflect feelings of the Hindu activists who are angry with what he called the anti-Hindu activities of the jihadis.

However, the activists in Varanasi did this without taking consent from the central authority of our organization. We disapprove of their postersThis is not the policy of VHP to boycott any religious community or stop it from entering any public place, Bansal said.

Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His Hindu nationalist party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), happens to be the ruling party of Uttar Pradesh, where crucial state elections will be held in seven phases between February 10 and March 7.

Strategy to humiliate Indias minorities

The right-wing Hindu activists, whose ideology is known as Hindutva, released the posters in Varanasi with a plan to polarize the society along communal lines and help the BJP win more votes in the upcoming state elections, Dhananjay Tripathi, a local school teacher and social activist told VOA.

Varanasi has a history of all religious communities living together peacefully for generations. With the posters the VHP and Bajrang Dal activists threaten to destroy the legacy of the citys communal harmony, Tripathi said.

Many are of the view that since Modi became prime minister in 2014, Muslim and Christian minorities have found themselves marginalized, attacked by right-wing Hindu groups and subjected to many discriminatory practices as his party pursues a Hindu nationalist agenda.

The posters at the Ghats of Varanasi manifest the continuation of their strategy to humiliate Indias minorities, particularly Muslims, by openly infringing upon their fundamental human rights, Professor Ashok Swain, head of the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University in Sweden, told VOA.

The overall strategy of Hindutva forces is to reduce Indias minorities as second-class citizens of the country in all spheres of life, he said.

Hindus make up an estimated three-fourths of Indias 1.4 billion people.

Zafarul-Islam Khan, former chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission, said that the Hindu right-wing activists operate as foot soldiers of the BJP.

In recent years, the spike in cases like those of forcing Muslims to chant Hindu slogans, beating up Muslims on trumped-up charges, lynching them, framing them in false love jihad cases shows that the perpetrators, who are the Hindutva groups, enjoy impunity, Khan told VOA.

Love jihad is a controversial term used by Hindu nationalists who say that Muslim men marry non-Muslim women to spread Islam.

Professor Apoorvanand, who teaches at Delhi University and uses one name, agrees that impunity helps Hindutva groups in their campaign to marginalize the non-Hindu minorities.

The ideology of Hindutva claims that Hindus have the first claim over all the natural and cultural resources of India. For the last decade or so, non-Hindus, mostly Muslims, are being pushed out of economic activities and common public spaces and they find it increasingly difficult to buy houses or land in Hindu-dominated areas. The idea is to create a segregated India making its large parts free of Muslims, Apoorvanand told VOA.
As the U.S. approaches the federal holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., modern-day civil rights advocates are facing the reality that despite years of increasing public focus on racial injustice, they appear likely to fall short of their goal of improving minorities access to the vote.

Last week Kings family requested that celebrations of civil rights leaders legacy be suspended this year, unless Congress passes legislation to expand voting rights in America.

Democrats have championed legislation that would give Washington a stronger say in how federal elections are administered in each of the 50 U.S. states. While the federal government does not control state-level elections, new federal requirements could affect them, because they are often conducted in tandem. Among other provisions, the two Democratic-sponsored bills, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, aim to undo laws passed by Republican-led states that limit methods and opportunities to cast ballots.

Democrats and many civil rights activists say the state laws will disadvantage minority voters, and they accuse Republicans of thinly veiled voter suppression. Republicans reject the charge, insisting their goal is to protect the integrity of elections and prevent voter fraud.

Stalled in the U.S. Senate for months, hopes for passing the Freedom to Vote Act appeared to be extinguished last week. Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, both Democrats, said that even though they support reforming election laws, they will not vote to change Senate rules in order to pass those reforms with Democrat-only backing.

A change in Senate rules would be necessary because no Republicans support the voting law bill. Under the chambers rules, Republicans can block most legislation even if a Democratic majority supports it.

On Friday, during a livestreamed interview with The Washington Post, Martin Luther King III bitterly criticized Sinemas and Manchins position.

History is not going to be judging  them in the way that perhaps they would want to be remembered. History is looking [them] dead in the face to say, When it was time to make sure the democracy was preserved, what did you do? he said.

How did we get here?

Voting rights did not return to the top of the Democratic priority list overnight. The journey of civil rights issues to the forefront of public discourse in the U.S. has been years in the making.

The rise of the Black Lives Matter movement after multiple highly publicized police killings of unarmed Black men between 2014 and 2019 galvanized many Americans behind the idea that the U.S. still had a long way to go to reach racial equality.

At the same time, the release of The New York Times 1619 Project, an effort to retell the history of the U.S. with more of a focus on the role of slavery, highlighted centuries-old racial inequalities in the U.S. So did a movement to tear down many monuments to the Confederacy, which fought to preserve slavery during the U.S. Civil War of 1861-65.

Pushback, sometimes violent

The increasing focus on racial justice in the U.S. has not come without a virulent reaction. White supremacist groups have become more active and vocal across the country. In 2017, a group of white supremacists marched through Charlottesville, Virginia. During related protests, one white supremacist activist drove a car into a group of counter-protesters, killing a young woman.

It was also difficult for many to disentangle the presidency of Donald Trump from the battle over racial inequality. Trump came to political power by pushing the falsehood that President Barack Obama, the first Black president, was not an American by birth, and that his presidency was therefore illegitimate. (By law, the president must be a natural-born U.S. citizen.)

Watch related video by Laurel Bowman:

Trump also called for the violent suppression of the Black Lives Matter movement, at one point sending in federal agents to break up a peaceful but boisterous protest near the White House. He also reportedly demeaned African and Black-led countries, asserting that the U.S. should not accept immigrants from them.

At the same time, a movement arose on the political right to restrict the teaching of racially sensitive topics in public schools. The themes protesters object to were short-handed as critical race theory, even though that subject is a relatively obscure area of legal scholarship that is never taught in elementary or high schools.

2020 election

The focus on voting rights has always been a major element of the Civil Rights movement in the United States, but it became especially acute in 2021, after minority voters played a major role in electing Joe Biden as president in the 2020 election and helped give Democrats control of the House and Senate.

Across the country, minority voters turned out in record numbers. This was especially true in states like Georgia, a Republican stronghold, where a campaign to register new minority voters and get them to the polls resulted in the state voting for a Democrat for president for the first time since 1992, and sent two Democrats to the Senate for the first time in a generation, giving the party control of that chamber.

After the election, the defeated President Trump insisted the election had been rigged, a falsehood that he has continued to repeat, and which many of his supporters, including many state legislators, have echoed.

In the months that followed, many Republican-controlled states passed restrictive new voting legislation that will make it more difficult for minority groups, including the non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities, to vote in future elections than it was in 2020, when measures to ease voting during the coronavirus pandemic helped drive record turnout.

In some cases, states did more than roll back pandemic-related voting accommodations. Some created new provisions allowing state legislatures to intervene in the certification of vote counts, established new rules allowing poll watchers to challenge individual voters, and put volunteer poll workers in danger of criminal prosecution for providing what, in years past, would have been routine voter assistance.

A common reaction

According to Carol Anderson, a historian and professor of African American Studies at Emory University, there is a long history in the United States of laws being changed after Black Americans exercise their freedom in a way that challenges power structures.

What is happening is what always happens in America, Anderson, the author of the New York Times bestselling White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, told VOA. When we look at the 2020 election, where you had black folk coming out and voting, willing to stand in line for 11 hours to vote to fight for this democracy, the result of that was that Trump got removed from the White House and the Senate flipped. The response to that was a white rage policy of a series of voter suppression laws, and a series of laws that were about how to handle certification of elections.

Not so, according to Republicans, who say they are fighting against federal overreach and accuse Democrats of attempting to tip the electoral scales in their favor.

This effort by liberal Democrats to take power away from states to run elections is not about enfranchising voters  it's about shifting power to the advantage of the liberal Democratic agenda, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina recently tweeted.

Amid the acrimony and on the eve of what seems sure to be a more somber Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, Anderson said she is sure the fight for voting rights  and civil rights more broadly  will continue.

We have an incredibly engaged civil society that is fighting for this democracy, she said. We have folks who are litigating against these voter suppression laws. We have folks who are registering folks to vote jumping through all of the hurdles. We have folks who are providing citizenship training school.  It is that civil society that has been just absolutely instrumental in fighting for American democracy.
South African university students are fighting mandates that require they be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to the classroom on February 14. Even students who are vaccinated, and want others to get inoculated, are against the policy and the students' union is threatening protests across the country. Linda Givetash reports from Johannesburg. Camera - Zaheer Cassim. Video editors - Zaheer Cassim and Marcus Harton.
A group of United Nations human rights experts Monday alleged Afghanistans Islamist Taliban government was attempting to steadily erase women and girls from public life.



Taliban leaders are institutionalizing large scale and systematic gender-based discrimination and violence against women, the experts said in a statement issued by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.



The experts reiterated their alarm at a series of restrictive measures, particularly those concerning women and girls, that the Taliban have introduced since seizing power last August. Taken together, these policies constitute a collective punishment of women and girls, grounded on gender-based bias and harmful practices, the experts said.



The Taliban have barred most Afghan women from returning to their jobs, ordered taxi drivers to offer rides only to those female passengers wearing hijabs, required a male relative to accompany women traveling further than 72 kilometers, and imposed a strict dress code on women and girls.



In addition to severely limiting their freedom of movement, expression and association, and their participation in public and political affairs, these policies have also affected the ability of women to work and to make a living, pushing them further into poverty, the experts said.



The majority of girls secondary schools remain closed across Afghanistan.

Taliban leaders have said they hope to be able to allow all girls to go back to school following the Afghan new year, which starts in early March. They say challenges such as paying salaries to teachers and ensuring a safe environment for female students in line with Islamic teachings are causing the delay.



We respect womens rights but require them to observe hijab, Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban permanent representative-designate to the U.N., told VOA.

Critics continue to question the integrity of Taliban pledges concerning girls and schools.



We are also deeply troubled by the harsh manner with which the de facto authorities have responded to Afghan women and girls claiming their fundamental rights, with reports of peaceful protesters having been often beaten, ill-treated, threatened, and in confirmed instances detained arbitrarily, the experts said.



Women have routinely taken to the streets in Kabul and other cities to protest Taliban rollbacks of their rights. Taliban forces at times have used violence to disperse these protests and banned unsanctioned demonstrations.



On Sunday, Taliban police fired pepper spray at a group of about 20 women who protested in the Afghan capital, decrying restrictions on their rights, including the mandatory hijab, participants alleged. During the rally, protesters set fire to a burqa or veil the Talibans ministry for Islamic guidance has mandated for women.



The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice responded by warning that the Islamic holy book, the Quran, has ordered Muslim women to wear the hijab.



Opposing hijab is in fact opposing the Quranic commandment and the Prophet's teachings. We request our Muslim sisters to not be influenced by foreigners and to not encourage the opposition of hijab, the ministry asserted in a tweeted statement, referring to the Prophet Muhammad.



Critics such as Heather Barr at Human Rights Watch questioned the Taliban assertions.



The obsession with how women dress has often been the least of their concerns, but it is indicative of the Talibans desire to dictate and restrict every aspect of womens lives, Barr told VOA.



The Taliban seem to believe they are the only people on the planet who fully understand and respect Islam, she said.



The fundamentalist group's oppression of women during their previous hold on power in Afghanistan in the 1990s is one of the main reasons the global community has refused to recognize the new government in Kabul and blocked its access to Afghan foreign cash reserves, largely held in the United States.



The financial restrictions and continued sanctions on Taliban leaders have led to the collapse of the Afghan economy and worsened humanitarian upheavals in the conflict-torn country.



The U.N. experts called on the global community to step up urgently needed humanitarian aid for Afghans. They stressed the need to pressure Taliban authorities to ensure that restrictions on the fundamental rights of women and girls are removed immediately.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission to Mali, or MINUSMA, has temporarily suspended all flights after West African and EU states imposed sanctions that disrupted air and land transport.

MINUSMA flights were abruptly grounded Sunday night in what an email to staff said was a temporary suspension.

The email reviewed by VOA said MINUSMA has to temporarily suspend all flights and that staff would be informed as soon as the Mission receives clearance from the government authorities to resume flights.

Several regional airlines have suspended service to Mali due to sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States that stopped air and land transport between countries in the regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, and Mali.

After France backed the ECOWAS sanctions, which were imposed following a special summit in Accra, Ghana on January 9, national carrier Air France also suspended service to Mali.

MINUSMA normally operates flights within Mali in between Bamako and Malis central and northern cities, where there are several MINUSMA bases.

During a U.N. Security Council meeting on January 11, Russia and China blocked U.N.s support for the ECOWAS sanctions.

A MINUSMA spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
Robert Lee Stier, age 86 of Alexandria, died on Sunday, May 1st. A visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 4th from 5 to 8 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and then continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. A Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 5th at 1 
Photo: Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic

Mercury is in retrograde, so of course the girlies are fighting. Ye said Kim didnt invite him to Chicagos birthday party. He also beefed with PETA for featuring a skinned monkey on his latest singles album art. And the Spears sisters are clashing over Jamie Lynns book. But one infamous feud has finally come to a close: Jonah Hill and Grogu the Baby Yoda are no longer beefing. Speaking to W magazine earlier this week, Hill said that he didnt give a fuck about Baby Yoda, and speculative fiction in general. I used to have a rule: If it didnt happen or it couldnt happen, then I just wasnt interested, because I would lose focus, he said. Leo[nardo DiCaprio] made me watch The Mandalorian when we were making Dont Look Up, and it was like, Baby Yoda was so cute, but I just didnt give a fuck because I didnt know anything that it was about. Grogu, staying classy, stayed off social media for the most part. The Mandalorian Twitter account stayed on message promoting The Book of Boba Fett. But the little guy had to be hurting.

Hill finally cleared the air Saturday night. Posting on Instagram, the actor wrote, Im getting ahead of it. I wanna say this once on the record officially: Baby Yoda and I are dear friends and text at least once a week. We may not be text every day type of friends and yes Covid put a strain on our friendship, but we are all good. And thats all I will say on this matter ! Now please respect our privacy at this time.
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In cyberwarfare, the toughest question to answer definitively is Who did it? Its no surprise then that Microsoft Corp. avoided the attribution on everyone elses lips in its analysis of last weeks cyberattacks on Ukraine. That would be Russia. But several clues suggest they not only came from the Kremlin but will follow a pattern of spilling into other countries in Europe and the U.S., too. That ratchets up geopolitical tension across the world: Ukraine is currently bracing for potential military action from Moscow; Russian President Vladimir Putin has 100,000 troops at the border; and Moscows security talks with the U.S. and NATO have broken down.

Theres a lot of circumstantial evidence for a Russian hand in the latest cyberattacks, which affected around 70 government agencies in Ukraine, the worst in the country in four years. They resemble a devastating series that was widely attributed to Moscow, which began in 2015, continued into 2017 and swamped Ukraines banks, media and electric utilities with malware targeting Windows-based systems. If so, the wider world outside of Ukraine had better start taking precautions.

Microsofts Threat Intelligence Center on Saturday said the latest assault had a similar profile to the 2015 attacks: appearing to be ransomware, residing in file directories, and executing when a computer is switched off. The researchers at the Center say it then overwrites a critical part of a computers hard drive with the following ransom note:

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Your hard drive has been corrupted.

In case you want to recover all hard drives of your organization, You should pay us $10k via bitcoin wallet 1AVNM68gj6PGPFcJuftKATa4WLnzg8fpfv and send message via tox ID 8BEDC411012A33BA34F49130D0F186993C6A32DAD8976F6A5D82C1ED23054C057ECED5496F65 with your organization name.

We will contact you to give further instructions.

Except, that isnt what a ransom note is usually like. Ransomware attackers often customize different messages for different victims; the attackers in Ukraine last week used the same note for multiple victims. And instead of just encrypting files that could later be deciphered after payment, the perpetrators were far more destructive, completely overwriting data with no possibility of recovery, according to the Microsoft researchers.

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Thats reminiscent of the malware attacks against a range of Ukrainian organizations back in 2015 and 2016. Hackers with Russias GRU intelligence agency also planted fake ransomware messages to try and confuse investigators, according to the book Sandworm by Wired reporter Andy Greenberg. It culminated in the release of a devastating computer worm called NotPetya in June 2017. NotPetya, which purports to be ransomware but cant actually undo the changes it makes, caused an estimated $10 billion of damage globally after spreading from machine to machine, prompting the White House to promise international consequences against Russia.

One victim was Chicago-based Mondelez International Inc., maker of Oreos and Triscuits. The food company found its email and logistics systems were disrupted for weeks. After it suffered permanent damage to 1,700 servers and 24,000 laptops, Mondelez filed a claim for costs of more than $100 million with its insurer, Zurich Insurance Group AG. Zurich denied the claim on the grounds that it didnt cover damages caused by war, interpreting the harm as a consequence of Russias shadow war in the Ukraine that included the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The case, which could have far-reaching ramifications for insurers, remains undecided.

As warfare becomes more digital, it is getting harder to dismiss geopolitical conflicts as distant and isolated. Only around 75% of NotPetyas damage took place in Ukraine, according to a 2017 analysis by cybersecurity firm ESET. Germany was the second-hardest hit with around 9%. Companies and organizations across Europe and the U.S. also fell victim.

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No wonder the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has publicly encouraged organizations to review Microsofts blog post, as well as its own advisory on protecting critical U.S. infrastructure from cyberattacks. Warnings about imminent cyber threat can appear paranoid  until theyre not. For now, you may not want to turn off your computer for the night.

More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Web3 Just Had Its Emperors-New-Clothes Moment: Parmy Olson

 Beware the Chinese Ransomware Attack With No Ransom: Tim Culpan

 The Fragile Internet Is a Threat to the Economy: Tae Kim

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. She previously reported for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes and is the author of We Are Anonymous.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shown no interest in resuming talks with the U.S. after agreeing in 2018 to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Instead, he has been busy making his nuclear-equipped arsenal bigger, deadlier and better able to strike South Korea, Japan, American forces in Asia -- and the U.S. mainland.

1. What is Kim working on?

An array of ballistic missiles of various ranges as well as cruise missiles said to be able to hit Japan. (Ballistic missiles fly in an arched trajectory and are unpowered on descent. Cruise missiles can fly at low altitudes and are maneuverable, making them harder to detect and intercept.)

 Kim has rolled out new solid-fuel ballistic missiles that are easier to move, hide and fire than many liquid-fuel versions. Hes launched more than two dozen since May 2019, including nuclear-capable, super-fast KN-23 missiles that can strike all of South Korea -- and U.S. forces stationed there -- within a matter of minutes. He has also launched KN-25 short-range missiles designed to be fired in rapid succession from a single launcher to overwhelm interceptors.

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 The new ballistic Pukguksong-3 missile -- the biggest of the bunch tested in the past two years -- is designed to be fired from a submarine and has an estimated range of 1,900 kilometers, or 1,200 miles. It appeared to have test-fired a short-range, submarine-launched ballistic missile in October 2021 for the first time in two years. (As of late 2021, North Korea had deployed one submarine that is capable of firing missiles. A second one has been under construction for more than a year.)

 It tested hypersonic missiles in September 2021 and again in January 2022, which are designed to deploy a high-speed glide vehicle that can carry a warhead and maneuver past interceptors.

 The country also showed off last year, and again in January, what it said was a new delivery system to fire missiles off a train, making them harder for prying eyes to track.

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2. Could Kim really hit the U.S.?

He appears to have acquired that capability after successfully testing an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. But one test may not be enough to ensure the reliability of the ICBM known as the Hwasong-15. A new ICBM -- displayed at a military parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers Party in October 2020 -- is bigger and likely boasts more powerful engines. Weapons experts say its likely purpose is to deliver a multiple nuclear warhead payload that could overwhelm U.S. defenses, or a single, high-yield weapon. North Korea is also said to be developing an ICBM that uses solid-fuel technology, potentially giving the U.S. less warning of an imminent launch. Still, its unclear whether the countrys ICBMs could beat antimissile systems and are refined enough to strike their intended targets, as well as whether the warheads could survive reentry into the atmosphere.

3. How many nuclear devices does North Korea have?

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Experts estimate that North Korea has assembled 30 to 40 nuclear warheads, the fewest among the nine nations with nuclear weapons. The country has conducted six atomic tests, with Kim responsible for the last four. The first detonation in 2006 measured less than one kiloton, leaving experts wondering whether it had been a partial failure. (A kiloton is equal to the force of 1,000 metric tons [1,102 tons] of TNT). In the most recent test, in September 2017, the estimated yield of 120 to 250 kilotons dwarfed the 15 to 20 kiloton U.S. bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. North Korea probably has developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into its ballistic missile warheads, according to the assessment of several countries cited in a 2020 United Nations report.

4. Where does Kims military get its fissile material?

It has been self-sufficient for decades in fissile material, the main ingredient to create a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. The program today relies largely on enriched uranium and, according to weapons experts, produces enough annually for about six bombs. The consensus among experts is that the country probably has enough already for as many as 60 nuclear devices, although one estimate, from a 2021 study by the RAND Corp. and Asan Institute, put the number as high as 116. In addition, North Korea appeared in mid-2021 to have resumed plutonium-producing operations -- another means of creating fissile material -- at a nuclear reactor in its antiquated Yongbyon complex.

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5. What other surprises might be out there?

North Korea may be working on ICBMs that carry multiple warheads and in-flight countermeasures to throw interceptors off the trail, according to Datayo, an open-source weapons research site. Kim has pushed to develop his fleet of submarines and is looking to deploy a new vessel soon that experts say could fire missiles. He may even try to revive the countrys satellite program, arguing that North Korea has the right as a sovereign state to develop a space program. Weapons experts say satellite launches could be used by North Korea to advance missile technology.

6. How can the country afford all this?

The money needed is not huge in global terms. North Korea spent around $4 billion annually on its military, including one of the worlds largest armies, between 2007 and 2017, according to a 2019 CIA assessment. Thats roughly equivalent to two days U.S. military spending. Since North Korea is one of the worlds poorest countries, the outlay of around 23% of gross domestic product ranks among the highest globally, if not the most. Although international sanctions have hit the economy hard, North Korea evades some through methods such as clandestine transfers at sea of banned goods such as oil, and it generates cash by means that include ransomware attacks. Kims decade-old regime has already taken in as much as $2.3 billion through cybercrimes and is geared to rake in even more, U.S. and United Nations investigators have said.

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7. Wasnt Trump going to fix this?

Former President Donald Trumps talks with Kim, beginning with Singapore in June 2018, turned the duo from insult-throwing enemies into dialogue partners. But their three meetings didnt produce any noticeable change, and North Korea has become what three decades of diplomacy had tried to prevent -- a state capable of developing, projecting and detonating atomic bombs. Tensions continue to yoyo.

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As the warmth of the holiday season ebbs, Americans are taking a cold look at their Christmas gifts. Many dont like what they see. One in four Americans expects to return at least one holiday gift by next weekend, according to a report by UPS. Thats at least 60 million packages in a single returns season for the worlds largest package shipper alone, and a 10% increase over 2020 holiday returns. As the costs of shipping and handling those returns increases, retailers and consumers are facing an expensive and unsustainable shopping future.

For generations, savvy retailers adopted lenient return policies as a way to project reliability and retain customers. They knew perfectly well that unscrupulous customers could exploit no-questions-asked or receipt-optional refund policies. But the success of retailers like Nordstrom Inc. and Target Corp., both of whom have famously permissive return policies and loyal customers, highlighted the countervailing benefits. In a recent survey of apparel companies, 86% of respondents agreed that returns are a necessary evil.

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Online retailers recognized the necessity early, adopting lenient return policies and free return shipping to build trust and loyalty with consumers new to e-commerce. Perhaps the most aggressive proponent was Zappos, the online shoe retailer now owned by Amazon.com Inc. Early on, the company encouraged customers to order shoes in multiple sizes and then return the ones that dont fit  and paid for the shipping. As far back as 2010, Zappos was happily telling reporters that its best customers are the ones who return the most products.

Its an expensive way to gain market share. In 2020, U.S. consumers returned around $428.6 billion in merchandise, or 10.6% of total retail sales. Now online retailers, buffeted by picky Covid-era consumers, face return rates between 15% and 30%.

Refunds are just the start of a retailers costs. According to a recent analysis from companies involved in the returns industry, it costs $33 for retailers to process a $50 return item in 2021, a 59% increase over the previous year.

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Several familiar factors figure into those rising costs during the Covid era, especially for e-commerce retailers. Rising transportation costs have made it more expensive to move returned goods to specialized processing centers and then to their final destinations. Rising labor costs have pressured retailers in need of employees to open, assess and route returned products.

But the biggest costs, by far, are related to write-downs and liquidation of returns (on average, between $6.50 and $35.25 per $50 product). Few returned products are rerouted back into a retailers inventory. The flood of returns is so heavy (and growing) that its simply impossible for retailers to assess whether each individual pair of jeans, porch furniture combo or Lego set is in resellable condition.

To manage the volume, retailers rely on a byzantine network of brokers, resellers, liquidators and - sometimes - themselves to wring value out of returns. For example, Home Depot Inc. hosts online liquidation auctions of returned products with lot descriptions like Truckload (18 pallets) of Outdoor Power Equipment, Vanities & More. Winners sort and - hopefully - resell the products. But theres no guarantee that everything will work (its a return, after all), and thus the reseller also takes on the burden of disposal.

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That can be a heavy burden. In 2020, retail returns produced nearly 6 billion pounds of waste. Some of that is packaging. But much of it is returned product that cant be resold. In those cases, resellers and retailers, faced with an unmanageable flood of returns, are known to incinerate returned inventory or dump it in landfills. Retailers who fail to address the problem not only bear responsibility for the waste, but risk alienating customers.

The financial burdens are just as serious. Last month, the U.K. online fashion retailer boohoo Group PLC cut its sales forecast due, in part, to a ruinous 12.5% surge in returns over December 2020.

Theyre not alone. In recent years, venerable retailers, including Nordstrom, have tightened up their once-liberal return policies in the face of rising costs. So-called free returns are being scaled back and consumers are being encouraged to deliver unwanted products to brick-and-mortar locations.

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Solutions that avoid alienating consumers accustomed to free returns remain scarce. For example, many online apparel retailers have invested in virtual fitting rooms to assist online shoppers in purchasing right-fitting clothes. So far, the fitting rooms dont seem to have had much of an impact on returns.

A better approach might be a retail-industry campaign that outlines the environmental and financial costs associated with product returns. At a time when consumers and retailers are keen to burnish their sustainability credentials, an honest acknowledgement of what happens when consumers buy more than they need (or want) could benefit everyone.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Retailers Should Brace for a Tidal Wave of Returns: Sarah Halzack

 Mark It Down  January Promises Big Discounts: Tara Lachapelle

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 Panicky Holiday Shopping Is Dumb and Self-Defeating: Alexis Leondis

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Adam Minter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is the author of Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade and Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale.

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Shortly before the 2014 election that made him prime minister, Narendra Modi came up with the idea that Indias young population, constitutional checks on arbitrary political power and large domestic market would bring prosperity over a decade. He even coined a slogan, calling it the nations 3D advantage  demographics, democracy and demand. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Indias democratic institutions, such as the judiciary and a free press, have frayed under Modi. With just over 40% of the labor force engaged in the economy  among the worst rates of worker participation anywhere in the world  the youth-bulge narrative has also lost its sheen. What remains of the 2014 mantra is demand. But how big an advantage is the domestic Indian economy? Can an inward-looking growth strategy create enough jobs and attract the capital thats fleeing China?

In a Foreign Affairs article, economist Arvind Subramanian, an adviser to the Modi administration until 2018, and Josh Felman, a former International Monetary Fund representative in New Delhi, have attempted to answer these questions. Team Modi has done a decent job providing physical and digital infrastructure as well as basic services like cheap housing, electricity, water, cooking gas and bank accounts; but this boosting of the hardware of the economy, the authors argue, has been accompanied by a weakening of its software, including the centerpiece of the governments growth framework  its industrial policy.

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The chest-thumping nationalism of the last eight years has led to a repudiation of the gradual opening up of the previous three decades. More than 3,000 tariff increases have affected 70% of imports. India entered 11 trade agreements in the 10 years under previous Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. On Modis watch, it hasnt signed even one. Although the country is starting negotiations with post-Brexit Britain and Australia, and claims to be close to a pact with the United Arab Emirates, bilateral deals wont compensate for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free-trade accord linking Asias exporting powerhouses. New Delhi turned its back on RCEP in 2019.

This protectionist drift springs from the belief that an economy of 1.4 billion consumers is large enough to be powered by internal demand. But, as Subramanians previous work with Pennsylvania State University economist Shoumitro Chatterjee has shown, even before Covid-19, no more than 1%-to-2% of the population could be described as middle class, compared with 25% in China. Such a tiny font of purchasing power could at best drive $500 billion in spending. World trade, meanwhile, is a $28 trillion opportunity, with much smaller countries like Vietnam making a determined play to win market share.

Will self-reliant India work? Subramanian and Felman are skeptical. India has seen this movie before, they say. Indeed, the current leitmotif is reminiscent of the pre-1991 license raj, in which the state controlled capacity in the private sector, but shielded it from global competition by erecting high tariff walls. The lynchpin of the new system is subsidies, with New Delhi promising 2 trillion rupees ($27 billion) to investors for making their widgets in India. The idea is to dangle fiscal sops in front of a company like Tesla Inc. and win a large electric-vehicle factory. (Elon Musk, however, is proving to be a hard catch.)

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India is parched for capital expenditure, and its trade deficits are ballooning, particularly with China. Every new investment is a victory of sorts for policymakers. Still, a subsidy raj carries all the risks of the old license regime: It is hard to enforce, is driven by arbitrary decision-making, and creates a system of entitlements from which it will be difficult to exit, according to Subramanian and Felman.

Its impossible to become a factory to the world by coaxing firms to substitute imports with domestic production. Take mobile phones. Two years of tariff increases on camera modules, display and touch panels, printed circuit boards, and parts used in chargers have pushed up the cost of assembly in India by 8%. Thats about 6% of a phones ex-factory price and fully negates the 5% subsidy on offer, according to a study by the countrys Cellular & Electronics Association. The net benefit for Make in India is zero.

Contrast this with Vietnam, which is copying the winning formula of East Asian Tiger economies: free and frictionless trade. Out of 120 tariff lines of relevance to the handset industry, 59 are duty-free in Vietnam, compared with only 32 in India. And while India imposes import duties of 15% or more on 28 items, Vietnams tariffs are that high only for 16 components. These, too, are mostly sourced from countries with which Vietnam has free-trade deals. So theyre effectively zero-duty imports as well.

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Indias inward turn has coincided with a rise in economic concentration. Just two conglomerates, led by billionaire tycoons Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, have amassed vast influence across sectors. The danger of depending on a small coterie of national champions is that it wont build widespread public support for market-based reforms. In fact, it already has turned many Indians against them, Subramanian and Felman say, citing the yearlong farmers protests that forced Modi to drop his plan of a market-oriented makeover of agriculture.

The pandemic has hollowed out Indias middle class by destroying 10 million manufacturing jobs. Industrial output in November was slightly lower than two years ago. And yet, by skipping out on large free-trade areas and putting up protectionist obstacles, New Delhi is crimping the countrys chances in labor-intensive industries like textiles and footwear  just as China is vacating the space because it has run out of cheap labor. For a second time in Indias history, self-reliance might prove to be a costly mistake.

More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion:

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 Indias Tek Fog Shrouds an Escalating Political War: Andy Mukherjee and Tim Culpan

 Indias Leaders Shouldnt Keep Playing With Fire: Mihir Sharma

 Indias Political Parties Rally On Despite Omicron: Ruth Pollard

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services. He previously was a columnist for Reuters Breakingviews. He has also worked for the Straits Times, ET NOW and Bloomberg News.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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As the nuclear negotiations between the world powers and Iran approach a denouement, the Biden administration is turning up the heat on Donald Trump!? Facing a Republican clamor against reviving the 2015 deal, the White House is keen to reframe the discussion in Washington about the talks in Vienna by blaming the previous president for having ill-advisedly pulled out of the agreement.

Twice last week, State Department and White House spokespeople deflected journalists questions about the negotiations to whale on Trumps 2018 withdrawal from the accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Jen Psaki, the administrations press secretary, portrayed it as the root of all the Islamic Republics malign activities: None of the things were looking at now  Irans increased capability and capacity, the aggressive actions that they have taken through proxy wars around the world  would be happening if the former president had not recklessly pulled out of the nuclear deal with no thought as to what might come next.

As a Beltway political tactic, this is shrewd: It gives President Biden a readymade excuse for the two likeliest outcomes of the talks. If the administration makes significant concessions in order to revive the JCPOA  such as agreeing to lift some economic sanctions before Iran has returned to full compliance with its terms  then the White House can claim Trumps hasty pullout left it with no good options. If, as seems more likely, the talks fail and the Islamic Republic continues to enrich uranium toward weapons-grade levels, then it was Trumps fault for removing the restraints imposed by the original deal.

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But as a foreign-policy strategy, it is too clever by half: It gives the Iranians a readymade excuse  Donald Trump  for their increasingly dangerous breaches of the JCPOA and their aggressive behavior in the Middle East. To American allies in the region, it signals that the administration has a blinkered view of the threat they face from Tehran.

There is certainly an argument that the regime might not have ratcheted up its nuclear program  not openly, anyway  had the 2015 deal still been in force. But as Israeli and the Arab states of the Levant and the Persian Gulf know from painful experience, the Iranian threat long predates Irans nuclear capabilities.

The proxy wars referenced by Psaki have been raging since the creation of the Islamic Republic in 1979, when the new theocratic regime in Tehran began to support armed groups across the Middle East. Over the next three decades, it built a vast network of proxies and partners, ranging from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza to the Houthis in Yemen and several militias in Iraq. These were used as fifth columns to foment conflict within Arab societies as well as to menace Israel.

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Even before the JCPOA was signed, a Houthi-instigated civil war in Yemen had drawn in a Saudi-led Arab coalition, Hezbollah and Iranian troops were slaughtering Syrian civilians to prop up the Syrian regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad, Hamas was at daggers permanently drawn with Israel and Irans proxies in Iraq had killed hundreds of American troops.

At home, meanwhile, the regime in Tehran was developing ballistic-missile technology as well as bulking up its military and paramilitary forces.

The 2015 agreement pursued by the administration of President Barack Obama was confined to one element of the Iranian threat: A nuclear program that Tehran claimed was entirely peaceful. The deal was meant to prevent the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons for a couple of decades, in exchange for a lifting of sanctions imposed by the U.N. and the U.S. But it didnt require Iran to renounce its destabilizing activities.

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Critics of the deal worried that an unshackled Islamic Republic would grow more aggressive and assertive. They were right: In the two years that the JCPOA was in effect, Iran ramped up military spending at home, especially on its missile program, and increased support for its proxies.

Trumps critics are right to point out that his reckless abrogation of the deal didnt end these activities, but the reimposition of sanctions certainly curtailed Irans access to money and munitions. It isnt hard to imagine how much more harm Hezbollah or the Houthis would have done, or be capable of doing, if they had more cash and advanced weaponry from Tehran.

In any event, it is absurd to suggest that Trumps withdrawal from the JCPOA increased Irans aggression, much less caused it. While the Biden administrations new messaging might work in Washington, it wont wash in the Middle East.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:



The Death of the Iran Nuclear Deal: Bobby Ghosh



Irans Economic Resilience Is Mostly a Mirage: Bobby Ghosh

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and Africa.

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North Korea's borders remain so tightly sealed to the outside that even the country's own ambassador to China has been unable to return after his tour ended.

Ji Jae-ryong remains in the embassy in Beijing together with his successor Ri Ryong-nam, a former vice premier, who arrived in February.

The new Chinese ambassador to Pyongyang, Wang Yajun, has also been waiting to replace Li Jinjun in Pyongyang while the borders remain sealed.

All flights and trains between China and the North were stopped a year-and-a-half ago, though some ships still carry vital cargo like fertilizer to the impoverished country.

North Korean students who are stranded in China after finishing their courses have been put up in university dormitories. And North Korean restaurant workers, who should have been repatriated months ago under UN sanctions, are instead being bounced around various North Korean restaurants that remain open.

Many of them have already been inoculated with Chinese coronavirus vaccines, but that seems to make no difference to the North Korean regime.


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Please have more babies. Thats Chinas message for couples after decades of limiting most families to just one child. Why the turnabout? China is aging. Chinas working-age population has been shrinking, and projections show that one quarter of the population will be 60 or older by 2030. This threatens an economic boom thats been built on a vast labor supply, and there may not be enough able-bodied people to take care of all those seniors. Policy makers are increasingly concerned that drastic action is needed to face a quickly graying society.

1. Whats been done?

The Politburo decided last year to allow all couples to have a third child, five years after changing its one-child policy to allow women to have two. (Family-planning policies were totally stricken from a new Civil Code, leaving room for the government to scrap birth limits altogether.) The change to allow two kids worked at first: The number of newborns in 2016 was 17.9 million, a jump of more than 1 million from the year before. However, births dropped each year after that, to 10.6 million in 2021, the lowest since 1950. The fertility rate, or average number of lifetime births per woman, fell to 1.3 in 2020, far below the 2.1 needed for a steady population, excluding migration.

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2. Is the population still growing?

Yes, but only slightly and its basically peaked. The government expects the population to continue at around 1.4 billion people for some time, according to the head of the statistics bureau. The share of the working-age population -- those ages 15 to 59 -- slumped to 62.5% in 2021 from more than 70% a decade ago. Chinas annual population growth rate averaged 0.53% between 2010 and 2020, the slowest since 1953. It rose 0.03% last year.

3. Where did the one-child policy come from?

After the creation of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949 and the end of the civil war, the government trained tens of thousands of barefoot doctors to bring health care to poor and rural areas. The mortality rate plummeted and the population growth rate rose from 16 per thousand in 1949 to 25 per thousand just five years later. This prompted the first attempts to encourage family planning in 1953. Still, total population expanded to over 800 million in the late 1960s. By the 1970s, China was facing food and housing shortages. In 1979, its leader, Deng Xiaoping, decided to limit most couples to just one child. (There were exceptions for rural farmers, ethnic minorities and certain situations, like when a first child was handicapped.) It worked.

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4. How was it enforced?

According to Human Rights Watch, China forced women to have abortions. Children born outside the state plan werent allowed to have their hukou -- a government registration needed to access some benefits. The one-child years left social scars. The traditional preference among Chinese parents for sons caused many parents to abort female fetuses, and the male-to-female ratio reached 120-to-100 in some provinces. The sex ratio for births has stabilized at around 105 in recent years, but in some regions such as Guangdong and the tropical island of Hainan, the ratio remains elevated at above 110.

5. Whats the solution?

Time and financial concerns mean that many couples feel they can only afford to have one child -- if any. Last year, the central government moved to relieve that burden, including trying to make education cheaper by wiping out the for-profit, after-school tutoring industry. It issued a guideline to reduce abortions while providing more support to women to raise children, and even began work on overhauling a decades-old law to better protect the rights of working women. Many view multiple childbirths and successful career as fundamentally incompatible, according to a study by Yun Zhou at Brown University. A commission created by the U.S. Congress found working women face severe discrimination from employers, especially surrounding pregnancy and maternity benefits. While allowing more than two children could increase the fertility rate, officials might need to build up medical services and schools and work out tax breaks for families first. At least 20 provinces had their own measures to boost fertility last year, according to the official Xinhua News Agency, from extending maternity and paternal leave to offering subsidies and providing baby loans.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

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Regular folks and history buffs who believe Maryland leaned strongly toward the Confederacy during the Civil War era have never lacked evidence for the claim. It was a Marylander, after all, on the U.S. Supreme Court who wrote the opinion in the infamous 1857 Dred Scott case, which found that Black people were not citizens  a ruling that helped spark the fighting. And Marylanders voted for a Southern sympathizer, not Abraham Lincoln, for president in the election of 1860. Then, some 20,000 Marylanders took up arms for the Confederacy.

But such facts can be deceiving if looked at in a vacuum  or so say the scholars behind a critically acclaimed new book that aims to explode long-standing myths about the period.

In The Civil War in Maryland Reconsidered, a collection of 13 essays assembled and edited by Baltimore historians Charles W. Mitchell and Jean H. Baker, are independent thinkers from as far away as California and England and as close as Johns Hopkins University. They point out, among other things, that contrary to popular belief, Maryland judges refused to put the Dred Scott decision into effect; that more Marylanders voted, in total, for the three presidential candidates who backed the Union than they did for John C. Breckinridge, the Southern Democrat who carried the state in 1860, and that four times as many Old Line State men fought for the Union than for the South.

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Maryland, in short, was less sympathetic to the Confederate cause, and more behind the Union, than generations of historians have implied, says Mitchell, a self-taught Civil War expert, author and editor who got the sprawling essay project rolling four years ago.

History, he says, is framed by the values of those who pass it along. In the case of Marylands antebellum and Civil War history, the men and women who shaped it first were people who held to the notion that the Southern cause  far from being a bloody campaign to preserve slavery  was a matter of states rights. They viewed it as a noble crusade that failed only because the Union side was better equipped and funded.

The earliest chroniclers, he says, were Confederate veterans. The generations of historians who succeeded them wrote at a time when powerful Democrats, North and South, were still working to deny African Americans full enjoyment of their freedoms.

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The same Confederate sympathizers who had lost the war worked hard to win it in the history books, and for many years, they succeeded, Mitchell says, including in textbooks used in Maryland well into the 20th century.

It wasnt until the last 20 years or so, Mitchell adds, that younger scholars began training their focus on the kinds of period documents their forebears ignored.

By diving into court and estate records, schedules of enslaved people, letters written by ordinary citizens, articles in the Black press and more, those scholars, including several represented in the book, began to put together a more comprehensive history  one that weakens Marylands Lost Cause narrative.

Mitchell and Baker, a former history professor at Goucher College and the author of multiple award-winning books, conceived The Civil War in Maryland Reconsidered as an entry in that new vein. Early reviewers say theyve struck a blow for a more accurate, fuller telling of the states story.

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The deeply researched and tightly written essays in this volume provide new information and insights on the role of a crucial border state in the Civil War, writes James McPherson, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era, in his blurb on the essay collections book jacket.

And William W. Freehling, another leading Civil War scholar, adds that multiple generations perspectives yield exciting insights on a state as torn as the nation itself: No student of the American Unions fall and rebirth can afford to miss the revelations.

For years, the editors say, the Southernizing of Maryland history meant omitting important realities inconvenient to the prevailing narrative, including how African Americans lived before, during and after the war. Three of the books authors help to fill that void.

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University of Maryland history professor Richard Bell, author of the award-winning 2019 book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, focuses on how a black market network of human traffickers functioned in the slave state of Maryland.

His essay, Border Wars, describes how those who ran this reverse Underground Railroad kidnapped African Americans in the free commonwealth of Pennsylvania, took them to Baltimore, and kept them in pens before selling them into enslavement in the Deep South.

Another author, Jessica Millward of the University of California at Irvine, brings to life individuals such as Charity Folks, a woman who was born into slavery in Anne Arundel County in the mid-1700s and was later freed. By describing how she gave birth to both free and enslaved children, Millward illustrates how such factors as gender could complicate the supposedly clear distinction between slavery and freedom in Maryland.

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And its Johns Hopkins professor Martha Jones, a prominent scholar of African American history, who combs old court records to show that the Dred Scott ruling had little practical impact locally. Though it portended catastrophe for the states 87,000 free Blacks, Jones demonstrates that Maryland judges overwhelmingly defaulted to state laws that kept the groups essential rights intact.

Mitchell himself adds twists to a topic that has long held his attention. In his 2007 book, Maryland Voices of the Civil War, he drew on personal letters and other original source documents to argue that his home state never seriously considered secession.

In his essay, Maryland Is This Day True to the Union, Mitchell draws on petitions, pamphlets, voting statistics and public meeting records. They show that even though Breckinridge, the Southern sympathizer, carried the state in the 1860 presidential election, his 45 percent of the state vote was dwarfed by the 54 percent who went for the three pro-Union candidates (including Lincoln, who finished fourth).

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Mitchell reiterated the point in a conversation from his home, a rustic 1800s-era farmhouse where Civil War memorabilia is on display. It includes the Union discharge papers of the great-grandfather of his wife, Betsy.

During the so-called secession winter of 1860, it was actually Union voices that predominated in this state, he says, adding that his research shows that sentiment remained through the war.

The Louisiana State University Press published The Civil War in Maryland Reconsidered late last year. It includes contributions from other prominent historians, who focus on such matters as womens organizations that supported the Union, the horrors that Union soldiers discovered when they arrived at Antietam after that battle ended and the successful recruitment of Union soldiers in Baltimore.

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The book is the 13th written or edited by Baker, including a biography of Abraham Lincolns wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and several influential works on the American suffragist movement.

Its the third for Mitchell, whose interest in the Civil War was awakened years ago when Betsy inherited a box of memorabilia. The Parkton, Md., man works full time as alumni director for his alma mater, St. Pauls School.

The new book is unlikely to hit the bestseller lists, he concedes, but he hopes it will add to the unfolding history of the war in his state, helping his fellow Marylanders better grasp who they were and are.

As a historian, you always look for original source materials that can help you tell a new story or put something you think you know in a new light, he says. Theres always something new.

 Baltimore Sun

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Microsoft has discovered destructive malware on dozens of Ukrainian government and private-sector computers, raising the risk that government agencies could find it difficult to operate in a crisis. The malware masquerades as ransomware, but rather than encrypting data, the malware  if triggered  wipes computers of data and renders them inoperable, Microsofts threat intelligence team said in a blog post late Saturday.

Microsoft said it does not know who was behind the malware, but the threat comes as Russia masses troops on Ukraines border.

The discovery of the malware coincided with a hack that defaced Ukrainian government agencies and other organizations websites Friday with the ominous message: Be afraid and expect the worst. At least one Ukrainian government agency has said it suspects Russia of being behind that hack.

The aggressive cyber activity comes as Russia prepares for what the United States has warned could be an imminent invasion of Ukraine despite diplomatic efforts to avert the crisis.

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The organizations that received the malware include government agencies that provide critical executive branch or emergency response functions, Tom Burt, Microsofts vice president for customer security and trust, said in a separate blog post Saturday.

So far, no critical infrastructure, such as energy grids or military command and control systems, has been affected, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue.

Microsofts threat team said the attackers intent was not known, but the malwares deployment represents an elevated risk to any government agency, non-profit or enterprise in Ukraine.

Microsoft observed the malware in systems belonging to several Ukrainian government agencies, as well as organizations that work closely with the Ukrainian government, Burt said. One of the victims was an information technology company that manages websites for public- and private-sector clients, including government agencies whose websites were recently defaced, Burt said.

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The malware came with what appeared to be a ransomware note telling victims that your hard drive has been corrupted and that to recover data, you should pay us $10k via bitcoin wallet. Then an address was listed.

There are several reasons the ransomware note was a ruse, Microsoft said. In ransomware attacks, the malware that actually encrypts the data  known as the payload  is typically customized to each victim. In this case, the same payload was observed on multiple victims computers. Virtually all ransomware encrypts the contents of computers files, which can then be decrypted with a key. The malware in this case overwrites the master boot record, or the portion of the hard drive without which the operating system will not work. If that is lost, its virtually impossible to recover.

Explicit payment amounts and cryptocurrency wallet addresses are rarely specified in ransom notes, as was done here.

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On Sunday, Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation issued a statement on the Web defacements.

To date, it can be said that all the evidence points to Russia being behind the cyberattack, the statement said. Moscow continues to wage a hybrid war and is actively building up its forces in the information and cyberspace.

The ministry said: Russian cyber troops are working against the United States and Ukraine, trying to shake the political situation with the help of technology. The latest cyber attack is one of the manifestations of Russias hybrid war against Ukraine, which has been going on since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and launched a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine that continues today.

Burt said the companys threat analysts discovered the malware on Thursday.

He said Microsoft has already deployed protections against this malware into Microsoft products wherever they are in use. We see no indication so far that these attacks utilize any vulnerability in Microsoft products and services, he said.

David L. Stern in Kyiv and Alice Crites in Washington contributed to this report.

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Seoul: N. Korea fires 2 suspected missiles Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight North Korea fired two suspected short-range ballistic missiles from an airport in its capital city of Pyongyang on Monday, South Koreas military reported, in the fourth test this month. Japans government also reported the launch, with chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno condemning the launches as a threat to the regions peace and security.

In less than two weeks, nuclear-armed North Korea has conducted three other missile tests, an unusual frequency of launches. Two of those involved single hypersonic missiles capable of high speeds and maneuvering after launch. The last, on Friday, involved a pair of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) fired from train cars.

Mondays launch appeared to involved two SRBMs fired east from Sunan Airfield in Pyongyang, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

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 Reuters

Pandemic measures secure final approval

Frances Parliament gave final approval on Sunday to the governments latest measures to tackle the coronavirus, including a vaccine pass protested by some.

Lawmakers in the lower house of Parliament voted 215 in favor to 58 against, paving the way for the law to enter into force in the coming days.

The new law will require people to have a certificate of vaccination to enter public places like restaurants, cinemas and long-distance trains.

Currently, unvaccinated people can enter such places with the results of a recent negative coronavirus test. Nearly 78 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the Health Ministry on Saturday.

France is in the grips of its fifth coronavirus wave, with daily new cases regularly hitting record levels topping 300,000. Nonetheless, the number of serious cases putting people in ICU wards is much lower than the first wave.

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 Reuters

More than 50 reported killed in village attack

Dozens of gunmen on motorcycles ransacked a village and killed more than 50 people in northwestern Nigeria, residents said Sunday.

Gangs have terrorized areas of Nigerias northwest in recent years, forcing thousands to flee and gaining global notoriety through mass kidnappings at schools for ransom.

Local elder Abdullahi Karman Unashi said the men entered Dankade village in Kebbi state on Friday night and exchanged gunfire with soldiers and police.

The violence occurred a week after armed men killed about 200 people in Zamfara state.

Kebbi shares a border with Zamfara, where the government in September started a military offensive and imposed a telecommunications blackout to rid the state of gangs it calls terrorists. Violent crime has compounded the challenges in Nigerias northern states, which are typically poorer than those in the south.

 Reuters

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It is such a shame that the Western nations cannot confront the realization that Ukraine is to Russia what Cuba is to the United States. We objected to the Soviet Union trying to move armament into Cuba. Russia is doing the same with Ukraine. Moving NATO into Ukraine does not need to happen for the West to play a major part in Ukraines independence.
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Rabbi Charlie had spoken just the previous Saturday about how hard it is now. Life seemed overwhelming, he said in his last sermon before the man came into the synagogue and changed everything. We are living through a challenging time, Charles Cytron-Walker told members of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Tex. We dont always know how to cope. . . . Theres a lot of fear and theres a lot of uncertainty.

But the Jewish people had been here before, the rabbi said, and had always endured.

Theyve been enslaved and they are watching plague after plague, he said. Imagine . . . watching the world get turned upside down time and time again. It would have been amazing to experience  and terrifying.

On Saturday, the call came into Colleyville police at 10:41 a.m. Emergency at the synagogue. A man came into the sanctuary during Sabbath services and took hostages.

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The terror was broadcast to worshipers at the Reform Jewish synagogue in a suburb of 26,000 people, northeast of Fort Worth, and to anyone else around the world live on Facebook. And as the intruder lashed out at Jews and Israel and America, in Colleyville and Dallas and Washington, the American machinery of counterterror switched from Ready to Go.

Police swarmed the area, cordoned off the neighborhood, evacuated people from nearby homes, and set up a command center to coordinate more than 200 law enforcement officers who arrived from nearby cities, from around Texas, and, with startling speed, from Quantico, Va. The FBIs Hostage Rescue Team scrambled and put more than 60 people on the ground in Colleyville in a few hours.

There werent many people inside the synagogue when the man, identified Sunday by the FBI as Malik Faisal Akram, 44, a resident of Great Britain, walked in and turned life upside down. Most congregants were in their own homes on Zoom, prevented by the pandemic from gathering in one room and embracing each other and their traditions of worship.

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Those who came to the building  now Akrams four hostages  included an elderly man in fragile health, two other congregants and their leader, Cytron-Walker, whom the temple had hired in 2006, two years after it opened its own building, seven years after a group of 25 families who had tired of traveling half an hour or more to the nearest synagogue decided to build their own community.

And now, one more person in the building, this stranger, threatening violence, and, according to law enforcement officials, brandishing a gun and what he said were explosives.

Akram entered Beth Israel by knocking on a glass door and pretending to be looking for shelter, he said on the live stream of the morning service.

Akram said he liked Rabbi Charlie. I can see theyre good guys, he said on the live stream, apparently speaking with negotiators. They let me in. I didnt look nice. They let me in. I said, Is this a night shelter? and they let me in. And they gave me a cup of tea. So I do feel bad.

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The rabbi opened the door, Akram said: Its a glass door. I made a knock on it. He let me in. And I go, Oh, my word. Because I did pray. Before everything, I did pray, I said God . . . I dont want to shoot anyone to get in.

Akram had come from across the ocean, arriving at New Yorks John F. Kennedy airport on Dec. 29, according to law enforcement officials, and he said he had spent 16 hours somewhere in the synagogues area, walking around with what I have in my bag, and with my ammo. If hed been confronted by a police officer, he said, he was gonna die. . . . He would have gotten shot in the head, straight away.

Akram chose this place, according to people who heard him on the live stream, because it appeared to be the closest assemblage of Jews to a federal facility in Fort Worth where an American-educated Pakistani convicted terrorist is serving an 86-year sentence for shooting at U.S. soldiers and FBI agents.

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Akram wanted Aafia Siddiqui released. He wanted to see her, after which, he said, he and she  my sister, he called her, though her relatives say they were not related  would rise together to Jannah, the Muslim paradise where the faithful are taken after Judgment Day.

People being held hostage at a Colleyville, Tex., synagogue were freed and unharmed on Jan. 15. Authorities said the suspect died. (Video: Reuters)

In Colleyville and beyond, word of the standoff spread instantly. In Dallas, the man who had worked to secure Beth Israel against attack received a phone call. In Cincinnati, the teacher who had trained Rabbi Cytron-Walker recalled his own trip to Prague, where the heavy security around a synagogue seemed like something foreign to American Jewish life. And all around the suburbs of Dallas and Fort Worth, Jews rushed to connect with each other  worried (who were the hostages?), sickened (this, again?), scared to death.

TERROR at my synagogue, Beth Israel member Stacey Silverman posted on Facebook. The hostage-taker is holding my beloved Rabbi and congregants hostage. He says he will shoot unless his sister is released. Ranting about Jews and Israel. He says he doesnt care if he dies a martyr.

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For American Jews, the Beth Israel attack was less a watershed event than one more wearying, numbing reminder that they are targets. Not long ago, Jews could walk into synagogues without thinking about security. But after a torrent of threats and attacks  and especially after the 2018 massacre at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue, where a gunman opened fire, killing 11 Jews  houses of worship became forbidding gauntlets of protective measures: armed guards, searches, identity checks, questioning.

At 11:32 a.m., Anna Salton Eisen, one of Beth Israels founders, was at home when she received a text message from another member: Rabbi Charlie is being held hostage in CBI right now.

Eisen logged on to the live stream, heard the intruder and had a sinking realization: This was really happening. She had helped her father write a memoir about his harrowing experiences in 10 Nazi concentration camps. Now she had to tell her mother, who also survived the Holocaust and will turn 100 on Saturday, what was happening at their temple in Texas.

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Her mothers eyes filled with tears.

She didnt think that after the Holocaust she would have an experience like this so close to our lives, Eisen said.

On the Zoom, the prayer service ended abruptly, replaced by snatches of conversation between the attacker and the rabbi, the attacker and the police negotiator who had him on the phone, the attacker and whomever else was in the sanctuary or on the phone. The feed captured the sounds of terror  at times chilling, yet at times calm, conversational, even trusting.

Akram could sound incoherent, but also self-aware. He fixated on one goal, the release of Siddiqui.

Akram told the assembled that he chose to attack a synagogue because America only cares about Jewish lives, according to Silverman, who attended the Shabbat service online.

Akram knew what he was doing was extreme, maybe even irrational. Either theres something wrong with me or theres something wrong with America, he said at one point.

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At another juncture, he insisted that Im not a sociopath. I have feeling. I have emotion. Im human. I bleed.

On social media, on TV, millions followed the thin reports, clicking on bits of audio from the Facebook feed, listening to security experts speculate about what negotiators might be doing to win release of the hostages, trying to make sense of what was happening in an unseen sanctuary.

On the Zoom screen, the rabbi had posted a prayer: My God, guard my speech from evil and my lips from deception. Before those who slander me, I will hold my tongue; I will practice humility.

At the bottom of the screen, captions transcribed the words of the heavily accented intruder as he rocked back and forth between conciliatory and catastrophic:

We have no casualties, he told a negotiator. I am really happy with that. He repeatedly said he didnt want to shoot anyone.

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Then he warned: If anyone tries toward this building, everyone, everyone . . . He let them imagine the rest of the sentence.

He swung between fatalistic and agitated, rushing through his words. Im sorry, bro, he told the negotiator. Im pumped up. Im armed up. Guess what? I will die. I will die. . . . Are you listening?

At other points, he babbled about disaster industrial facilities, mentioned filmmaker Oliver Stone, and repeatedly promised to release the hostages, after which he said he would go out into the yard and then, theyre going to take me, all right? . . . I am going to die. Okay, so dont cry over me.

No one was crying at Colleyville Middle School, two blocks from the synagogue, where law enforcement set up shop, negotiating by phone with Akram even as officials prepared for a menu of outcomes, ranging from a SWAT team assault to a quiet surrender.

Two blocks in the other direction from Beth Israel, at Good Shepherd Catholic Community, Cheryl Drazin, a Dallas-based vice president of the Anti-Defamation Leagues regional division, and other local faith leaders set up their own command center, where representatives from the Israeli consulate in Houston and relatives of the hostages gathered.

Drazin saw Catholic priests and Chabad rabbis, in their long beards and black suits, sitting in a waiting area comforting each other.

Bob Roberts, an evangelical pastor at Northwood Church in Keller, five miles from Beth Israel, was eating lunch with his wife at an Italian restaurant around noon when they started getting texts about the hostage situation. He called Muslim leaders and they gathered at Good Shepherd, where Roberts spent the afternoon with the Cytron-Walkers wife and daughter.

Were all people of faith, Roberts said. We have disagreements. The reality is we believe in God. And so we prayed.

At one point, the wife of Shahid Shafi, a prominent Muslim figure in the county and a former city council member in Southlake, came into the room. She and the rabbis wife embraced.

It was just profound, Roberts said. I just remember thinking to myself: People could use this [situation] as a tool to do more antisemitic and Islamophobic-type things. But this is the reality. A Muslim and a Jewish lady, embracing. This is how its done.

As the afternoon wore on, Akram seemed driven by one purpose: to somehow win the release of Siddiqui, widely known as Lady al-Qaeda, who was tried and convicted in 2010 of attempted murder in New York. She had fired on U.S. soldiers and FBI agents who were interviewing her in Afghanistan following her capture there.

At Beth Israel, Akram spoke with disdain about Israel and Jews and engaged in detailed negotiations with the FBI and with the rabbi. The clergyman and his captor seemed to reach an understanding.

No one is harmed, Cytron-Walker told negotiators at one point. When [one hostages] blood sugar was low, he allowed us to get fruit.

Akram jumped in: Rabbi, I need you to tell him that you trust me that I will let you out. Youve got to take my word for it.

We do trust that, the rabbi replied. Again, I want to acknowledge, my word doesnt mean much in this situation, but  I do believe that he would let us out.

Akram appeared to offer to let the hostage with low blood sugar out if the authorities let Akram talk to Siddiqui on the phone.

You get my sister on the phone, Ill let [the hostage] out. . . . His sugar levels are dropping. His hearts beating. And Ill let him go. . . . Thats a good gesture. . . . Thatll show Ive got compassion for you.

A few minutes later, Akram told the hostage that pizza would be delivered to help with his low sugar.

Twice during the negotiations, Akram pushed Cytron-Walker to phone a rabbi at New Yorks Central Synagogue to convey his demand that Siddiqui be freed. That rabbi, Angela Buchdahl, said she called police. Federal and local authorities provided security for her and her synagogue as a precaution, according to law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.

Inside Beth Israel, the talks were primarily between Akram and Cytron-Walker, who was keenly aware of the threat that his and all American Jewish institutions faced. Synagogues are targets and their leaders now routinely train for the worst.

We know that some people just dont like us, Cytron-Walker said in his final sermon of 2021. Antisemitic attacks over the past couple weeks include a terrorist attack in Jerusalem, a hateful attack on a Hanukkah party bus in London, and multiple cases of vandalism worldwide. We know that antisemitism is out there.

Cytron-Walker had emphasized building relationships with other faiths throughout his 16 years at Beth Israel, Eisen said. Every year, he helped organize Peace Together, an interfaith walk with churches and mosques.

As welcoming as he was, Cytron-Walker made security very much a part of the congregational culture at Beth Israel, Drazin said. The rabbi did not start meetings without announcing where the exits were, she said, and synagogue leaders had gone through active-shooter training.

On Aug. 22, security experts from the Secure Community Network, a nonprofit that works with Jewish congregations to prepare for attacks, visited Beth Israel and met with Cytron-Walker, inspecting the buildings perimeter, reviewing safety measures and practicing drills on how to behave in the event of a shooting.

During that training, Stuart Frisch taught the rabbi and about 25 Beth Israel members how to identify behavioral cues that could lead to violence. It was the third course the Secure Community Network had led at the synagogue in the past year.

Now, the negotiations inched forward and lurched backward again, and Akram grew frustrated.

Im giving you a deal on the plate, he said. Im being kind. Whos going to give you a deal like this?

Akram railed against the negotiators and then exploded: What the f--- is wrong with America?

The rabbi appeared to try to placate his captor: Theres something wrong with us.

Akram replied: Either theres something wrong with me or theres something wrong with America.

On Sunday, Akrams brother Gulbar said in a statement posted on Facebook that Akram was suffering from mental health issues, but that the family, which the FBI had put in contact with Akram during the negotiations, had always been confident that he would not harm the hostages.

Akram seemed to address his mother directly at one point in the live stream: What are you crying for? . . . Mother, dont cry on the f---ing phone with me. . . . I left six beautiful kids. I didnt cry. . . . What are you crying for?

Two hours into the live stream, Facebook cut off the feed and removed the recording from its site.

With her window onto the terror in the sanctuary closed off, Eisen grew more alarmed. She and other Beth Israel members texted continuously while they waited for news.

At 3:07 p.m., a Facebook message popped up from someone in Pittsburgh.

Hi Anna  I just saw your post and wanted to reach out and let you know that I am praying, the message read. I am a long time member of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and just wanted you to know we are thinking of you in Pittsburgh today!

The message from someone who had lived through the 2018 massacre was really a shocking wake-up call, Eisen said.

At Beth Israel, just after 5 p.m., police escorted an elderly man wearing a robe and a black yarmulke out of the synagogue.

Azhar Azeez, former president of the Islamic Society of North America, was at Good Shepherd, the Catholic church, waiting with Cytron-Walkers wife and other faith leaders when the news of the first release arrived.

The assembled  evangelical pastor, rabbi, priest, imam  joined in a group prayer, eyes closed, heads down.

Though some seek to build walls and divide us, Azeez said, we are not going to budge. We are all together.

But at the synagogue, things were not going well. In the last hour of our hostage crisis, the gunman became increasingly belligerent and threatening, Cytron-Walker said in a statement released late Sunday. He credited the training hed had for helping him know how to act and when to flee.

Shortly after 9 p.m., the remaining three hostages emerged from the building.

At 9:15 p.m., a side fire door at Beth Israel opened, and under the harsh white lights that police had trained on the building, a man poked his head out, his handgun preceding him out the door.

As a dog barked, several men in camouflage crept closer to the building. Shots rang out, then a big blast. At the security perimeter, police shouted to reporters to hit the ground.

At Beth Israel, there was a lull, then more shots. Then silence. And after a minute, an armored police vehicle began to pull back from the house of worship.

Akram was dead.

There was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender, his brother Gulbar wrote in a statement.

At 9:33 p.m., Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) tweeted, Prayers answered. All hostages are out alive and safe.

Less than an hour later, Eisen, the congregations co-founder, watched the law enforcement news conference on TV and finally exhaled.

Go home, she thought. Go to sleep in your beds. Have the day end as it was supposed to.

Overnight, police collected and examined evidence. At 2 a.m., they warned neighbors that FBI Bomb Techs are going to be disposing of some ordinances on the scene. . . . There is no need for concern.

Law enforcement officials did not say what explosive devices Akram may have had. A follow-up alert declared it was now safe for residents who were evacuated to return to their residences. We know this has been a huge inconvenience. . . .

At 5 a.m. Sunday, Cytron-Walker posted a brief statement on Facebook, expressing gratitude for vigils and prayers and for law enforcements efforts. I am grateful that we made it out, he said.

Later, the rabbi praised the training hed had from police, the FBI, the ADL and other Jewish groups: We are alive today because of that education.

In that last sermon a week ago, Cytron-Walker recognized that some people now find it hard to summon hope.

What can we do? he asked. The answer is  quite a lot! . . . In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, God asked the Israelites to face their fears and do something. . . . We are living in the midst of a different kind of chaos and uncertainty and its our turn to do something. . . . All we need to do is act.

Gahan reported from Colleyville, Tex. Devlin Barrett, Meryl Kornfield and Maria Paul contributed to this report.

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Turbo, an 18-inch-tall Patagonian penguin with a white belly and black-banded chest, has been a bachelor for all his adult life. Climate change has complicated his search for a mate. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Female juvenile penguins have been dying in larger numbers than males because they tend to be smaller and are more vulnerable when food becomes scarce, said P. Dee Boersma, a conservation biologist at the University of Washington, who has observed Turbo for 14 years.

That is just one of the many findings Boersma has made about how the lives of the Magellanic penguins she has been studying for four decades are changing. In her most recent study about the largest breeding colony of these penguins, in Punta Tombo, Argentina, she and a co-author report in Ecology that chicks are spending less time in the nest.

Female penguins are arriving later in the September-October period to lay eggs  possibly because there is less food or because they are having to swim farther to find fish to eat. So chicks are born later but still must leave the nest at the same time of year to catch fish before nutrient-rich tidal fronts dissipate.

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Penguins are the classic canary in the coal mine, said Doug Morris, a biologist emeritus at Lakehead University who was not involved in the study. They give us a window into seeing changes in marine environments that we might not otherwise be able to see.

Those changes include climate change, which is causing rising ocean temperatures and acidification, and changing wind patterns  shifts that, along with increased commercial fishing, are probably contributing to the penguins struggle to find food.

This latest study found that younger chicks  those with smaller bills, flippers or feet  are more likely to perish at sea. With shortened time in the nest, chicks are having to do all of their growing to reach a size and maturity where they can have some chance of surviving in the ocean faster than they did 30 to 35 years ago, said research scientist Ginger Rebstock, who was not involved in the study.

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Boersma started studying the penguins in 1983 and has watched their numbers fall from about 400,000 breeding pairs to 170,000. Food scarcity is just one of the emerging threats.

Increased rainfall and extreme heat also have taken their toll.

Heavier rain kills chicks when their down becomes soaked and their body temperature plummets. Hotter days bring increased danger, as well. In 2019, researchers recorded a temperature of 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in the shade at Punta Tombo  one of an increasing number of abnormally hot days. They watched 264 adult penguins and 90 chicks die in a single day.

Boersma recounted all this from the Indianapolis Zoo, where she had been honored as a 2021 Indianapolis Prize finalist for her conservation efforts. She paused during the conversation to listen to a male lion roaring at a female lion.

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Weve banded probably 60,000 penguins over the last 37 years, she said. Climate change is an important factor in their survival and their success. Boersma stopped again to listen to a walrus call.

The finding that chicks are leaving the nest earlier is from data collected between 1983 and 2017. Boersma and research students regularly checked the nests of banded Magellanic penguins for chicks. Like hospital midwives, they marked the newborns with temporary identifying bands, and then with stainless-steel tags on the outer webbing of the penguins feet. They measured the chicks wing and bill length with a ruler and calipers.

Boersma and her colleague Caroline Cappello found that over those decades, hatch dates shifted 10 days later. Yet the chicks still typically went into the ocean in late January to early February, despite being generally younger and smaller. They also found that over this period of 34 years, only 46 of 542 banded fledglings returned as juveniles the following year  that is, 8.5 percent.

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A surprising finding was that in more recent years, younger chicks were heavier and in better condition when they first left the nest. The study offered two possible reasons for this. With the shortened period in the nest, it is possible that only the best quality chicks are surviving. Also, with the significantly reduced population, each individual penguin chick may now be slightly better fed. The study calls for further research into this phenomenon. The overall picture remains bleak.

The main reason the colony is declining is that its no longer as ideally situated for foraging as it was when it first got established, said Gordon Orians, a biologist emeritus at the University of Washington who was not involved in the study. The fact that they have to go farther for food now and are having more trouble is almost certainly related to some degree to climate change.

Previous research has linked climate change to some  but not all  shifts in key life-history events of animals and plants. By observing Magellanic penguins for so many decades, Boersma and her collaborators have been able to observe changes occurring in various life events in a single species.

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The overall study is an unbelievably long-term record of a colony, Orians said. Its a treasure trove. There are very few long-term studies that can match that.

To many observers, the disappearing penguins presage worrying changes to marine ecosystems. Magellanic penguins face multiple threats, such as overfishing, which reduces food supply and traps penguins in nets, oil pollution and plastics.

Penguins dont eat anything on land  all of their prey comes from the ocean, Rebstock said. If theyre not doing well, we know that somethings wrong with the ocean.

Some scientists argue that as climate change accelerates, people need to do more to help species such as penguins fight these multiple other threats to their survival.

This study fits into a broadening understanding of both climate change and its effects, Morris said. But also the more serious problem . . . of global extinction of biodiversity.

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The worlds attention seems to be related to can we keep global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius or less, he said. But meanwhile, every day we are learning about . . . thousands of species imperiled and going extinct.

If our emphasis was on preserving the Earths biodiversity, we wouldnt have a climate problem, he said. But if we solve the climate problem, were still going to have problems with biodiversity.

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Yemens rebel Houthi movement said Monday it had carried out a military attack on the United Arab Emirates as authorities in Abu Dhabi, the capital, announced suspected drone strikes targeted an industrial area and the airport, killing three people and wounding six others. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The UAEs state news agency quoted Abu Dhabi police as saying that a Pakistani and two Indians were killed in the incident.

Police in Abu Dhabi said three petroleum tanker trucks exploded in an area close to the citys port, near storage facilities used by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. Separately, a minor fire occurred in a construction area at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the statement said, adding that a preliminary investigation found objects that were possibly drones in the two locations.

Later Monday, the Houthis official website claimed airstrikes had hit Yemens capital, Sanaa, killing nine and injuring others.

The Houthi rebels are supported by Iran and have frequently carried out drone attacks during Yemens years-long civil war, which has pitted them against an array of local factions, including the countrys Saudi Arabian-backed government.

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The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks beyond Yemens border, mostly targeting areas in Saudi Arabia but also the UAE  claims that were previously denied by the Emirati authorities.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan condemned the Houthi attack in a statement.

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for this attack, and we will work with the UAE and international partners to hold them accountable, he said. Our commitment to the security of the UAE is unwavering and we stand beside our Emirati partners against all threats to their territory.

Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati diplomat, condemned what he called the sinful Houthi attack in a message Monday on Twitter, in a rare Emirati acknowledgment of a Houthi attack on the country.

Three people were killed on Jan. 17 after suspected drone strikes targeted an industrial area and airport in Abu Dhabi. (Video: Reuters)

In September 2019, drone strikes claimed by the Houthis badly damaged Saudi oil facilities, knocking out half the kingdoms output for days. A Saudi-led military coalition said Monday that it had intercepted several drones launched toward Saudi Arabia after the attacks on the UAE.

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The attacks Monday  carried out nearly 800 miles from Houthi-controlled territory  were the latest sign of the ways in which the war, which has killed tens of thousands of people since it began seven years ago and sparked one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises, continues to destabilize the Persian Gulf region. It also showed the Houthis increasing mastery of armed drones, believed to be supplied by Iran.

Yemens conflict started in 2014 after the Houthis captured the capital and ousted the government, and violence worsened after the Saudi-led coalition, which included the UAE, intervened in the fighting. The war has taken on elements of a proxy battle between Tehran and its adversaries in the gulf, reflecting long-running geopolitical and sectarian tensions between Iran, a Shiite Muslim theocracy, and the Sunni Muslim monarchies to its west. In the past few months, though, Iran has tried to mend relations with regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, raising questions about whether it approved of Mondays attack.

Nasraddin Amer, the deputy minister of information in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, confirmed that the rebel forces had carried out an attack and said it was launched in response to the UAEs escalation in Shabwa and Marib, two contested provinces in Yemen. The UAE has backed anti-Houthi factions in the war.

For the past year, fighting has been largely focused in Yemens central Marib province, home to key oil and gas infrastructure that is controlled by the internationally recognized government. The Houthi advance on Marib has caused a displacement crisis and hampered international efforts to put an end to the war.

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More recently, fighting has picked up in nearby Shabwa province. Last week, the Giants Brigade, a Yemeni force backed by the UAE, reportedly announced that it had wrested control of Shabwa from the Houthis.

The attack amounts to a signal, or a negotiating statement, from the Houthis, said Abdulghani al-Iryani, a senior researcher at the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies.

How the Emiratis react will determine whether it results in a major escalation in the war, he said. But there was little doubt, he added, that the Emirati response will include fierce airstrikes in Sanaa.

That is for public consumption, he said, referring to the possible retaliatory airstrikes. The real response is what they will do with the forces the UAE backs in Yemen, he said.

Fahim reported from Istanbul and OGrady from Cairo. Ali Al-Mujahed in Sanaa contributed to this report.

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Prospective buyers at an open house in Star, Idaho, in June 2021. (Kyle Green for The Post)

As the Fed raises interest rates, experts say there are some signs the market is responding. But theres a long way to go.
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BAGHDAD  Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was in Baghdad on Monday on his first state visit to Iraq since his election six years ago, shoring up political and trade relations as part of Tehrans growing clout in the region. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Rouhani, a relative moderate, used the start of his three-day trip to criticize the United States, which has sought to isolate Iran on the international stage. Iraq is a key battleground for rising tensions between Iran and the United States in the Middle East, and the visit is expected to emphasize economic ties to help offset U.S. sanctions on Iran.

The United States always seeks to create division, Rouhani said from the Iranian capital, Tehran, before his departure, the Tasnim news agency reported.

In Baghdad, at a news conference with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Rouhani said Iran and Iraqs shared cultural and religious ties could not be easily undermined.

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I feel like I am in my second homeland, he said. We have had deep relations for thousands of years  religious, historical, cultural  and we are not planning to let that go.

Iraq, which shares a 900-mile border with Iran, relies on its eastern neighbor for electricity, military assistance in its battle against Islamic State militants and more. Irans political, military and economic power far exceeds that of Iraq, which also has a majority-Shiite population.

The two countries fought an eight-year war in the 1980s, when Iraqi President Saddam Husseins forces invaded Iran. But since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which ousted Hussein, Iran has bolstered its influence in the neighboring country, much to the chagrin of the United States.

In recent months, U.S. officials have urged Iraqi leaders to abandon or at least downgrade relations with Iran. The United States reimposed its near-total trade embargo on Iran in the fall, after President Trump pulled the United States from a 2015 nuclear accord that curbed Irans atomic energy program in exchange for major sanctions relief.

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The Trump administration has struggled to define its Iraq policy, an effort complicated by the recent departure of key U.S. diplomats with significant experience in the region. The administration has also provided relatively little funding for reconstruction and stabilization activities in cities destroyed in battles between the Islamic State and Iraqi forces backed by U.S. warplanes and advisers.

Trump himself has twice angered Iraqi politicians by suggesting that U.S. troops stay in Iraq either to respond to Islamic State activity in Syria or to watch Iran.

Some Iraqi lawmakers said the proposals would violate their nations sovereignty and pledged to introduce a bill that would eject the roughly 5,200 U.S. troops in Iraq.

Rouhani said before leaving for Baghdad that he expects to increase trade between the two sides from $12 billion to $20 billion annually.

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Even with a sluggish economy at home, Iran has managed to expand its commercial foothold in Iraq. And Iranian products are sold in Iraqi supermarkets, showrooms and pharmacies.

Iraq is an important Islamic and Arab country and has a major role in the region, Rouhani said Monday.

He said that Irans mutual interests with Iraq included investment, trade, tourism, finance, water, oil and electricity.

Cunningham reported from Istanbul, and El-Ghobashy from Toronto.

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Crown Resorts suitor Blackstone may have to grapple with onerous new regulations imposed on the casino giants flagship Melbourne property, including that it operates independently of any parent company, if the Victorian government acts on findings from its damning royal commission into the group.

The New York-based Blackstone is finalising due diligence on an $8.9 billion takeover of the ASX-listed Crown, with the casino groups board saying last week it will support a sale if the private equity outfit puts forward a binding offer.

Victorias royal commission into Crown called for its Melbourne Casino to be run independently of any parent company. Credit:Joe Armao

But it remains unclear how Blackstone would operate Crown Melbourne if Victoria implements all the findings from last years royal commission into the company.

Commissioner Ray Finkelstein, QC, found in October that Crown, which also owns properties in Perth and Sydney, was unfit to run its Melbourne casino after he uncovered a disgraceful litany of legal and ethical breaches, and gave it two years to reform itself.
Sarah Bloom Raskins nomination as the Federal Reserves vice chair for supervision puts a final  and decidedly progressive stamp on the Biden administrations Wall Street oversight team.

A Duke University law professor and Washington insider who has previously held high-level jobs at the Treasury and the Fed, Raskin was pushed by liberal Democrats as a champion of tighter regulation for the biggest banks. She is also poised to lead efforts on developing financial regulatory policies for cryptocurrencies and fighting climate change, a top priority of the White House.

Sarah Bloom Raskin faces a tricky road ahead. Credit:AP

Because the Fed is charged with monitoring Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and other massive firms, the vice chair post is seen as the most powerful bank regulator in Washington. In addition to setting rules in arcane areas that go right to lenders bottom lines like balance-sheet liquidity and capital levels, Raskin would oversee closely-watched annual stress tests that review bank safety.

Though Raskin easily won Senate confirmation to serve as Fed governor and then deputy Treasury secretary under President Barack Obama, shell face a more difficult path this year. With the increasing partisan rancour on Capitol Hill and some lawmakers scepticism of Bidens climate agenda, she is likely to win few, if any, Republican votes in the 50-50 split Senate.
The brilliant, cosmopolitan Australian painter John Wardell Power, who joined Pariss avant-garde scene in the 1930s, was long ago consigned to obscurity. Abandoning a medical career for life as an artist, he studied under Modernist pioneer Fernand Leger and exhibited in Europe and the United States yet his achievements were ignored at home.

Decades after his death in 1943, little has changed. No major art institution in the country has held a significant exhibition of his work. The first and only Power show outside the confines of his alma mater, Sydney University, was held at the National Library seven years ago.

Curator Ann Stephen with a work from Light & Darkness. Credit:Brook Mitchell

I think expatriates get lost from national histories, said Ann Stephen, senior curator at the university, which holds more than 1000 works by the artist and is presenting a Power double act at its gleaming new Chau Chak Wing Museum. He was working in a Cubist cum increasingly abstract form, which wouldve been anathema to what was going on in Australia, where the predominant mode of painting was landscape painting.

But Power was also a man of immense inherited wealth who left a great legacy to the arts. On the death of his wife, Edith, in 1962, as directed in his will, the bulk of his estate was bequeathed to the university to bring the people of Australia in more direct touch with the latest art developments in other countries. Its estimated value at the time was 2 million, a princely sum that funded the establishment of the universitys fine arts department as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art, the JW Power Collection and the Ramingining Collection of Aboriginal Art.
Come to my home, and you can set your clock to it. Just before dinner, as Im laying down cheap cutlery in the blissful haze of a Gin Blossoms super-mix (my cooking music of choice), my five-year-old comes to the table, commandeers my phone and Spotify account, and the refrain hits again.

Seven-foot frame, rats along his back! he belts dramatically, circling the table with a rockers sneer across his face.

Mirabel, voiced by Stephanie Beatriz, and Bruno, voiced by John Leguizamo, in a scene from Encanto. Credit:Disney

Anyone with a young child at home, and even some without, will be familiar with the line, burned into our brains after endless replays over the past month or so. Its from We Dont Talk About Bruno, the breakout tune from Disneys Encanto, about the magical Madrigal familys outcast uncle (John Leguizamo) whos shunned due to his inconvenient prophecies.

Theres something comforting, amusing even, in knowing this isnt just happening to me.
Weve just had so many people coming here to live now, both renting and buying, said Nathan Wilson of Elders Real Estate Crescent Head. Its been crazy. Many of those people have been coming here for their holidays for years or have just discovered it. A lot of them have realised they can work remotely, so they can live here in a beautiful place with eateries and the kind of facilities a small town has. Fortunately for the locals, who often rent for years at a time, property-owners have tended to honour their commitments and havent put their rents up to market prices. BROULEE, NSW: Median rent $750; Annual rise 50.0 per cent On the south coast, between Batemans Bay and Moruya in the Eurobodalla region, 300km from Sydney, this is a favourite spot for those who love outdoor life and a favourite holiday destination for Canberrans. Broulee is a favourite holiday spot for Canberrans. Credit:Getty

Its a really magic area with a beautiful beach and its close to the ACT for visitors, Dr Powell said. With such extreme rates of rental growth, though, you have to ask whether locals will still be able to afford to live there. But then the question has to be asked, how much of this is permanent growth? There have been reports of people in the cities going back to the cities, and it might just be that this growth happens during the period when the pandemic hits the hardest. MOUNT COOLUM, QUEENSLAND: Median rent $750; Annual rise 47.1 per cent A Sunshine Coast favourite, Mount Coolum encompasses many distinct areas, and the staggering rental growth has mostly been driven by a smaller sub-sector, locals say. Its high tide at Mount Coolum when it comes to rental prices.

The exciting part is right on the beach, which the locals call The Boardwalk, and rent growth there is driving increases for the whole area, said James Henley of Richardson & Wrench, Coolum. Weve definitely had so many people moving here from elsewhere in Queensland, and a lot of inter-staters from Melbourne and Sydney, that prices have risen. I think it reminds Sydneysiders of their northern beaches, but with a much more relaxed lifestyle, and its close to Noosa and Maroochydore, but more affordable. SOUTH HEDLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Median rent $588; Annual rise 47.0 per cent Resources prices are still rising, so people continue to be keen to move to the Pilbaras South Hedland, a suburb of Port Hedland, to work for the iron ore industry. Whether you rent or buy in South Headland, its costly. Credit:

With borders snapping closed for a long time, it means theres no fly-in-fly-out workforce, so everyone has either had to buy properties or rent them. This has in turn put unprecedented pressure on rental prices. Resources areas are generally showing a significant rise in rents as a result of mining doing so well, Dr Powell said. VAUCLUSE, SYDNEY: Median rent $2900; Annual rise 45.0 per cent With the COVID-19 lockdowns making everyone realise how important lifestyle is, there are still some who prefer to stay in Sydney but, if they can afford it, live in some of the most salubrious areas. Vaucluse, in the eastern suburbs, is one of those.

It also has its own little beach, so its a good compromise rather than going to the coast, said Dion Markovics of Raine & Horne Double Bay. Its always a very lovely place to live, and theres been a lot more demand than supply. DOUBLE BAY, SYDNEY: Median rent $2000; Annual rise 42.9 per cent Also in Sydneys east, and also with its own beach, Double Bay is also going through something of a renaissance. Theres been a fair amount of property development taking place and parts of the shopping strip are undergoing renewal as a result. Expect to double pay if you want to live in Double Bay. Credit:Getty

Its also very close to the beaches at Bondi, Coogee and Clovelly. People are really looking for lifestyle and fresh air, Mr Markovics said. The changes in the infrastructure in Double Bay mean its now appealing to a younger demographic too, which is creating a lot of supply for both rental property and homes to buy, pushing up the prices of both. QUEENSTOWN, TASMANIA: Median rent $250; Annual rise 42.9 per cent The largest town in Tasmanias west, Queenstown was once the worlds richest mining town. Now there are studies to see if it might be worth reopening the copper mine, with resource prices soaring so high.

But a strong tourism sector is growing to replace the mining income and, with the recent opening of a number of mountain bike trails, the town is becoming much better known to outsiders looking for a place to escape the cities  and the pandemic. Prices have really continued to rise, with people wanting to go to smaller areas and get away from coronavirus, said Rodney Triffett of Harcourts West Coast. People have had enough of lockdown in the cities and, until our border opened, we were coronavirus-free. Weve had so much demand for properties and very low stock, which has been pushing rents higher and higher. Queenstown is the king of rent rises at the moment. Credit:Getty PORT HEDLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Median rent $851; Annual rise 41.6 per cent

Port Hedland, like its suburb South Hedland, and the home of the countrys biggest bulk export port servicing the iron ore mines inland, continues to experience rents rising rapidly as a result of surging iron ore prices. The industry has proved pretty impervious to the COVID slump, and rents have risen sharply accordingly. In the previous September quarter, house rents skyrocketed by 45.4 per cent. Loading WEST GLADSTONE, QUEENSLAND (units): Median rent $250; Annual rise 38.9 per cent Often described as the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef  think Heron Island and Lady Musgrave Island among others  West Gladstone is an area with a proud industrial history but also a tourist favourite.

Unit rents have risen sharply with an influx of other Queensland and inter-state renters coming to a place thats a very pleasant escape and offers work. SOUTH HEDLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (units): Median rent $451; Annual rise 38.8 per cent With house rents shooting up by 47 per cent, it was inevitable that unit rents would rise, with many families who cant afford houses having to consider apartment-living instead. Theres also a dire shortage of units in the town, and consistently high demand. BUNDALL, QUEENSLAND: Median rent $895; Annual rise 37.7 per cent A suburb on the Gold Coast, on the Nerang River, just behind Southport, Bundall is considered by many to be a picturesque and relaxed place to live, with a network of canals creating waterfront homes, and the beach, cafes and shops nearby.
Renters are facing a double whammy of rising rents and soaring house prices, combining to make it harder to get a foot on the property ladder.

It now costs $50 a week more than it did a year ago to rent the median house in Sydney, Domain figures released last week show, while apartment rents rose $20 a week.

Sarah Kings rent increased by $100 a week, making it harder to save for a home deposit. Credit:Wolter Peeters

Sarah King was saving hard to buy a home and then her rent shot up by about $100 a week.

My husband and I had a really serious savings plan, the 40-year-old said. Weve had to reduce it the last few months since weve moved, because of increasing costs.
The National Internet Gateway is merely centralising what has been a decentralised system of control over Cambodias internet, he said. The outcome will be to crush what little remains of freedom of expression online. The authorities have defended the decree as essential for peace and security, dismissing allegations of censorship or any notion that freedom of speech is under threat. There is a free press in Cambodia and freedom on the internet, said Phay Siphan, chief government spokesperson. We encourage people to use the internet, up until it becomes incitement. Supporters of Kak Sovann Chhay, the 16-year-old son of an opposition politician, and his mother, Prum Chantha, right, wait for his release from prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Credit:Cindy Liu/The New York Times Phay Siphan accused rights groups of spreading paranoia. He said he felt sorry for the young people who had been arrested because they were not speaking for themselves. With freedom comes responsibility, he said. We warn them. We lecture them, make them sign documents, then the next week they post the same things, without taking the responsibility to maintain peace and stability.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985 and has shown great zeal when publicly condemning his political rivals, appears eager to transfer his opprobrium to the digital era. When a former monk and activist posted a disparaging poem about the loss of the nations forests on the Prime Ministers Facebook page, Hun Sen described the act as extremist and ordered the police to hunt the man down. He was arrested in October. Cambodias Hun Sen Zoom-bombed an opposition meeting to prove he has eyes everywhere. Credit:AP In August, a former agriculture professor was sentenced to 18 months in prison for making jokes on Facebook about requiring chickens to wear anti-COVID masks. He was charged with incitement and with defaming the Prime minister, as well as the minister of agriculture. Weeks later, a farmer, frustrated by the governments failed promise to subsidise longan crops while the pandemic kept borders closed to exports, posted a video of tons of his annual harvest going to rot. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Of more than 30 arrests made over digital content since 2020, the most publicised one involved an autistic 16-year-old who was released in November. The teenager, Kak Sovann Chhay, had been jailed for comments he made in a chat group on Telegram, a private messaging app. Prum Chantha, the mother of Kak Sovann Chhay, the 16-year-old son of an opposition politician, celebrates his release from prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November. Credit:Cindy Liu/The New York Times His father, a senior member of the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party, which has been outlawed, was in prison at the same time. He had been jailed in 2020 for criticising Hun Sen on Facebook. Internet service providers have asked the authorities to provide more clarity about the gateway. Meta, Facebooks parent company, said in a statement it had joined with other stakeholders in sharing our feedback on this new law with the Cambodian government, and expressing our strong support for a free and open internet. Were 35 days away from D-Day, and no status update has been delivered by relevant authorities or the private sector itself. That said, we werent expecting any public transparency as to the implementation of this, Naly Pilorge, director of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights, said this month.

In the past, the government has tried to block content by requesting private-sector ISPs to remove it, with mixed success, she said. But the National Internet Gateway gives them a much more powerful tool to crack down on free expression and dissent. Loading In a bizarre move in September, the Prime Minister Zoom-bombed an online meeting for members of the banned Cambodian National Rescue Party. He took to Facebook to explain the intrusion: This entry was just to give a warning message to the rebel group to be aware that Mr Hun Sens people are everywhere. San Mala, a senior advocacy officer with the Cambodian Youth Network, said activists and rights groups were already using coded language to communicate across online messaging platforms. As a civil society organisation, we are concerned about this internet gateway law because we fear that our work will be subjected to surveillance or our conversations will be eavesdropped on or they will be able to attend online meetings with us without invitation or permission, said San Mala, 28.

Sopheap Chak, executive director of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the timing of the new law was unsettling, given upcoming elections. Loading There is a real risk that the National Internet Gateway will be used to block and censor dissenting opinions online, she said. This will hinder Cambodian citizens ability to make an informed decision on which candidate they deem to be the fittest to rule the country. Kea Sokun, the rapper, was released in October after serving 12 months in prison. Six months of his original 18-month sentence were suspended to keep him in line, he said, a reminder that he is not legally free yet. Khmer Land, one of the songs that got him arrested, now has more than 4.4 million views on YouTube, and Kea Sokun is already working on his next album.
It has been a long 24 hours for those with family, friends, and connections in Tonga. The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano on Saturday evening, was followed by a tsunami and then a communications blackout.

As messages started to come through from those who had access to satellite phones, a partial picture emerged of what happened and what now faces the Tongan people in terms of response and recovery.

A major ash fall has contaminated water sources, roads have been chewed up by the tsunami surge, boats have been thrown about in harbours. So far, there have been no reports of casualties, but many parts of the country are still incommunicado. It appears that the undersea telecommunications cable that connects Tonga to the world is out of action.

This was not a Tonga-only event. The sonic boom from the explosion was heard across the region. From Vanuatu, came reports that on Tanna people thought that it was their volcano, Mt Yasur, that they could hear and were astonished to learn that the noise was coming from some 1700 kilometres away. There has been coastal flooding in Vanuatu and Fiji. Tsunami warnings were issued in Australia and New Zealand.
Salisbury, MD (21801)

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Showers early with isolated thunderstorms arriving overnight. Low 54F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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Sam Draut is an award winning journalist from Louisville, Ky. with honors from SPJ and KPA. Prior to his time at WDRB, he served as editor of The Oldham Era. He graduated from the University of Louisville's College of Business School.
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Hundreds of cultural, arts and humanities organizations will be able to accomplish various goals or projects as part of the recent round of grants from Connecticut Humanities.

The money, totaling $16 million, was awarded to 624 nonprofit museums and organizations, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. Fairfield Country groups and places received about $4.5 million combined.

The Connecticut Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants are part of $30 million allocated over the next two years by the General Assembly and approved by Gov. Ned Lamont.

About a dozen of those receiving groups are in Westport and Weston alone.

Our local arts and educational organizations play vital roles in expanding the worlds and minds of so many, said state Sen. Will Haskell, D-Westport. I'm incredibly encouraged to see these important groups receive key funding that will ensure they continue benefiting our communities for years to come.

Connecticut Humanities partnered with the Connecticut Office of the Arts to prioritize the equitable distribution of this funding to organizations statewide so that all residents can access rich cultural experience, according to a news release.

Westport Country Playhouse was among the recipients, getting $80,900.

We are beyond grateful to CT Humanities for this grant, which will enable us to deepen the Playhouse's accountability around diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice through the hiring of a Director of EDI, said Michael Barker, Westport Country Playhouses managing director. This award from CT Humanities recognizes that the work to create inclusive spaces for audiences and artists is one of the most important projects of the 21st century.

The Weston Historical Society received $10,200, which will be used to hire a re-branding and design consultant to help the society create an implementation plan and a marketing plan as it looks to expand its reach beyond Weston.

Currently, we pull the majority of our visitors from Weston and the immediate surrounding towns, said Samantha Kulish-Fargione, executive director. With the proper marketing and re-branding assistance, we hope to draw people from all over Connecticut as well as New York. An increase in audience and awareness would help the Weston Historical Society financially sustain, as well as grow exhibits and programming.

Heres what was presented to other groups in the Bridgeport and Norwalk areas:

Ansonia

Derby Historical Society - $9,900

Valley Arts Council - $5,600

Bridgeport

Barnum Museum - $17,200

Bridgeport Arts and Cultural Council - $14,200

Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District - $22,300

City Lights and Company - $15,400

Beardsley Zoo - $37,600

Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County/URSA Gallery - $6,500

Discovery Museum and Planetarium - $5,000

Downtown Cabaret Theatre Company of Bridgeport - $97,500

Greater Bridgeport Symphony - $30,200

Housatonic Museum of Art - $5,000

Kids Empowered By Your Support - $43,500

Klein Memorial Auditorium Foundation - $59,000

Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County - $47,100

The Mary and Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community - $11,900

WPKN - $24,700

Darien

Darien Arts Center - $43,500

Darien Historical Society - $16,400

The Mather Homestead - $16,100

Easton

Easton Arts Council - $5,300

Fairfield

Connecticut Dance School - $21,000

Fairfield Center Stage - $14,800

Fairfield County Childrens Choir - $21,100

Fairfield Museum and History Center - $79,300

Fairfield Theatre Company Inc - $161,700

Fairfield University Art Museum - $5,000

Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras - $27,700

Pequot Library - $79,500

Milford

The Milford Historical Society - $8,000

Monroe

Monroe Historical Society - $6,600

New Canaan

Carriage Barn Arts Center - $15,600

National Trust for Historic Preservation/The Glass House - $5,000

New Canaan Museum & Historical Society - $36,700

New England Dance Theater - $10,800

Shakespeare on the Sound - $24,000

Silvermine Arts Center - $116,500

Summer Theatre of New Canaan - $38,800

Town Players of New Canaan - $8,700

Norwalk

American Chamber Orchestra - $6,300

Center for Contemporary Printmaking - $31,200

Creative Connections - $28,500

Crystal Theatre - $18,100

Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County/The Norwalk Art Space - $10,800

East Coast Contemporary Ballet Company - $7,700

Historic Rowayton - $8,900

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum - $33,600

Music Theatre of CT - $42,100

Norwalk Historical Society - $12,100

Norwalk International Cultural Exchange - $8,500

Norwalk Preservation Trust - $5,600

Norwalk Seaport Association - $55,300

Norwalk Symphony Orchestra - $24,500

Rowayton Arts Center - $20,200

Southern Connecticut Camerata - $5,700

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk - $355,200

The Norwalk Youth Symphony - $21,200

Thomas/Ortiz Dance - $6,000

Wall Street Theater - $39,900

Stepping Stones Museum for Children - $5,000

Seymour

Arts Council of Greater New Haven / Celebrate Shelton - $7,100

Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps - $12,100

Seymour Historical Society - $6,600

Shelton

cARTie - $5,900

Center Stage Theatre - $30,900

Shelton History Center - $9,700

Valley Shakespeare Festival - $8,400

Trumbull

Connecticut Chamber Choir - $6,100

Trumbull Historical Society - $6,100

Weston

Weston Historical Society - $10,200

Westport

Artists Collective of Westport - $5,600

Beechwood Arts & Innovation - $8,800

Earthplace the Nature Discovery Center - $168,700

Friends of Westport Public Art Collections - $5,900

Levitt Pavilion - $38,500

MoCA Westport - $65,600

Play With Your Food - $13,000

Remarkable Theater Remarkable Drive-In - $12,500

Westport Community Theatre - $7,700

Westport Country Playhouse - $80,900

Westport Historical Society - $26,900

Westport School of Music - $21,800
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The much-discussed dance stage production of cult classic TV series Peaky Blinders will have its world premiere in Birmingham later this year.

Loosely based on the first series of the BBC show, the piece will have its world premiere on 27 September 2022 at the Hippodrome, and after that will transfer to the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in north London, where it runs from 12 October to 6 November.

Directed and choreographed by Rambert's artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby will feature the 20 permanent Rambert dance company on stage, and a live band playing specially commissioned music. Further details are to be revealed.

Steven Knight said "Peaky Blinders has always had music and movement at its heart and now the beating heart of the show will be transferred to the stage, an interpretation of Tommy's story performed by Rambert, one of the leading dance companies in the world. This is dance for people who don't usually watch dance and what I've written has been transformed into something startling by consummate dancers and choreographers. If the concept of a Peaky Blinders dance seems strange, reserve judgement and reserve a ticket."

After its London run, the show will tour to Norwich Theatre Royal (17 to 21 January 2023), Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (25 to 28 January), Hull New Theatre (31 January to 4 February), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (7 to 11 February), Royal and Derngate, Northampton (21 to 25 February), Festival Theatre Edinburgh (28 February to 4 March), The Lowry, Salford (14 to 18 March), Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff (21 to 25 March) and Theatre Royal Plymouth (28 March to 1 April).

Swan Pouffer added: "Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is something on a scale we've never done before, and I couldn't be more ready for the challenge  it's such an exciting opportunity as a choreographer to tell these stories and recreate these characters through dance.

"It is also a great collaborative opportunity to have been working closely with Steven Knight on this original production. What you're going to get as a result will be an inspiring and uplifting dance show, but so much more than a dance show. There is of course a strong narrative, that of Tommy and the Peaky Blinders so it is dance, and it is also theatre. And with such iconic music from a live-onstage band, it is more again. I can't wait to bring these hugely popular characters to the stage here in Birmingham, then on tour to audiences around the country."
Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

Rain early. A slight risk of a thunderstorm overnight. Low 56F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain early. A slight risk of a thunderstorm overnight. Low 56F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
DALLAS (AP)  The tight-knit congregation at a Texas synagogue where four people were held hostage by an armed captor during a 10-hour standoff over the weekend traces its roots back to a gathering organized over 20 years ago by a handful of families who were new to the area.

Law enforcement process the scene in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. A man held hostages for more than 10 hours Saturday inside the temple. The hostages were able to escape and the hostage taker was killed. FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said a team would investigate "the shooting incident." (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

DALLAS (AP)  The tight-knit congregation at a Texas synagogue where four people were held hostage by an armed captor during a 10-hour standoff over the weekend traces its roots back to a gathering organized over 20 years ago by a handful of families who were new to the area.

It was a Jewish holiday and we were just feeling kind of isolated and unsure who else was living here that was Jewish, Anna Salton Eisen, a founder and former president of Congregation Beth Israel, said Sunday.

Since that start in 1998, the congregation in the Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville has grown to about 140 families, built its own synagogue and hired a rabbi known throughout the area for building bridges with other faiths.

Eisen said she has been bowled over by the intensity of the support the congregants have gotten during the hostage ordeal, but that she also has gotten a painful awakening that our history is now going to be changed.

Eisen, who noted security at their synagogue has been taken very seriously, very seriously for a long time, said a message of support from a member the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, where 11 worshippers were killed in a 2018 attack, made her realize this is part of who we are and how we move forward and respond to this is something we have to think about.

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life, who survived the massacre there, Americas deadliest antisemitic attack, said in a statement that alongside the relief that the Texas hostages were safe, my heart is heavy.

While everyone is physically safe, they are also forever changed, Myers said. My own community knows too well the pain, trauma and lost sense of security that comes when violence forces its way in, especially into our sacred spaces.

The standoff in Texas ended around 9 p.m. Saturday when the last three hostages, who included Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, escaped from the gunman and an FBI SWAT team rushed in. The captor, Malik Faisal Akram, 44, was killed. A fourth hostage was released earlier.

An aerial view of police standing in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. A man held hostages for more than 10 hours Saturday inside the temple. The hostages were able to escape and the hostage taker was killed. FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said a team would investigate "the shooting incident." (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Cytron-Walker told CBS Mornings that he threw a chair at his captor and they rushed out. He credited past security training for getting them out safely.

Cytron-Walker said returning to the synagogue "wont necessarily be an easy thing but its a really important thing.

At a service held Monday evening at a nearby Methodist church, Cytron-Walker said the amount of well-wishes and kindness and compassion has been been overwhelming.

While very few of us are doing OK right now, well get through this, he said.

Andrew Marc Paley, a Dallas rabbi who was called to the scene to help families and hostages upon their release, said that by all accounts, Cytron-Walker was a calm and comforting presence during the ordeal.

He made every effort to those who were with him to sort of remain calm and to, you know, diffuse the situation to the best they can, he said.

Jawaid Alam, president of the Islamic Center of Southlake, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that Cytron-Walker is a personal friend who has promoted peace and cooperation across faiths.

He is a peace-loving person, a Rabbi and Jewish leader, but a true friend of the Muslim community, Alam said.

The rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, the synagogue in East Lansing, Michigan, that Cytron-Walker attended while growing up said in a message to congregants there that she was with his mother on Saturday as the ordeal unfolded.

Rabbi Amy Bigman wrote in the message that while it was difficult to see another instance of antisemitism, they have taken comfort in the outpouring of prayers and good wishes. She wrote that while she knew the events in Texas raised our sense of alarm, she hoped her congregants would not stay away and noted security had been greatly increased over the years.

Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, also grew up attending Congregation Shaarey Zedek and remembered Cytron-Walker's leadership as a student in the youth group.

From everything I can tell, hes very similar today to what he was like then, which is someone who is driven by a sense of deeply rooted Jewish values and activism and belief that were all equal and efforts to build ties and care for others, Soifer said.

Cytron-Walker has been the Texas synagogue's first full-time rabbi since 2006. The synagogue's website says the married father of two loves welcoming everyone from interfaith families to LGBT individuals and families to those seeking to find a spiritual home in Judaism, along with all others.

We have newcomers, we have people who have been here a longtime and have seen each others children grow up and have been together through all the ups and downs  the joys and hardships of life, Eisen said. Were tight-knit, were not a very large congregation.

Eisen said she knew they were welcome in the community, but didn't quite realize how much until the outpouring came as the ordeal unfolded.

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Now I really feel welcome here. It was a life-changing thing, she said.

Eisen, who has been cautious about going out during the pandemic to protect her mother, a Holocaust survivor who turns 100 on Saturday, said she started watching the Facebook livestream of the hostage-taking during the services when alerted by another member.

It felt impossible to watch and impossible not to watch, she said.

It was especially hard, she said, to tell her mother what had happened. It was so difficult for me, because she thought this cant happen here, Eisen said.

___

Associated Press writers Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas, Peter Smith in Pittsburgh and David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan, contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  A dangerous winter storm brought significant snowfall, strong thunderstorms and blustery winds to the northeastern U.S. on a holiday Monday.

A pedestrian uses an umbrella as they cross Liberty Avenue, in downtown Pittsburgh, as snow begins to fall during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

NEW YORK (AP)  A dangerous winter storm brought significant snowfall, strong thunderstorms and blustery winds to the northeastern U.S. on a holiday Monday.

The storm system dropped a foot (30 centimeters) or more of snow in parts of New York state, Ohio and Pennsylvania Sunday night through Monday morning after pummeling parts of the Southeast on Sunday.

We've had a very strong area of low pressure thats kind of moved up the coast, with pretty heavy snowfall accumulations from Tennessee, North Carolina all the way into the northeast, said meteorologist Marc Chenard at the weather services headquarters in College Park, Maryland.

Forecasters in Buffalo, New York, said almost 18 inches (45 centimeters) of snow fell by 1 p.m. Monday. The city advised people not to travel if they didnt need to on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while some surrounding towns instituted a travel ban.

WOW! (Latest) snow measurement at 1 AM was 4.6 inches in the last hour at the Buffalo Airport! the National Weather Service in Buffalo tweeted overnight. And tack on another 4 inches in the last hour ending at 2 AM! Total so far since late Sun evening - 10.2 inches.

A snowplow truck makes its way down Butler Street as snow falls during a winter storm that will impact the region on Sunday night, Jan. 16, 2022, in Lawrenceville a neighborhood in Pittsburgh. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

Weather service meteorologist Alexa Maines said 15 inches (38 centimeters) or more of snow were reported in Cleveland, Ohio, and 25 inches (63 centimeters) in parts of Ashtabula County in the northeast corner of the state.

Power outages affected tens of thousands of customers in the northeast, and hundreds of flights were canceled. Many COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites had to close down.

New York City got less than an inch of snow, which was washed away by rain overnight. The weather service said spotty showers and snow showers might continue through Monday night.

Colin Queen clears the sidewalk along Fifth Street during a winter storm on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Winston-Salem, N.C. A winter storm brought a mix of snow, sleet and wind with accumulations totaling 2-3 inches in the Triad region. (Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP)

Forecasters said wind gusts in New York City could top out around 45 mph (72 kph), and around 60 mph (97 kph) on Long Island.

Sleet and rain were the main threats for much of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Periods of snowfall transitioned to rain overnight. NWS meteorologists in Boston said wind gusts could reach 70 mph (113 kph).

The howling winds spread a fire that destroyed a motel and two other structures in coastal Salisbury, Massachusetts, early Monday.

The U.S. Capitol is seen behind the frozen reflecting pool after a winter storm delivered a wintery mix, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The storm brought similar conditions Sunday to the Southeast, where thousands were still without power Monday.

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Multiple states reported heavy snowfall, and two people died Sunday in North Carolina when their car drove off the road. The roof of a dormitory partially collapsed in the state at Brevard College, with officials saying it broke under the weight of snow. There were no injuries.

Severe thunderstorms in Florida spun up a tornado with 118 mph (190 kph) winds, destroying 30 mobile homes and majorly damaging 51 more. Three minor injuries were reported.

Wet roadways in the South were expected to refreeze Monday, creating icy conditions for motorists.

Plow trucks were scattered along roads and highways up the East Coast, working to clear the way for travelers. Some crashes were reported in the early morning hours, including an ambulance involved in a wreck on Interstate 279 in Pittsburgh, KDKA-TV reported. It was unclear whether anyone was injured.

___

Associated Press writer Denise Lavoie contributed from Richmond, Virginia.
Many people practise mindfulness with the hopes of becoming more present, more focused and less judgmental. Research shows that mindfulness practices give us greater control over our emotions, and help regulate emotional responses and reduce anxiety, which can increase our capacity to be empathetic, think clearly and act with purpose.

Many people practise mindfulness with the hopes of becoming more present, more focused and less judgmental. Research shows that mindfulness practices give us greater control over our emotions, and help regulate emotional responses and reduce anxiety, which can increase our capacity to be empathetic, think clearly and act with purpose.

In essence, mindfulness is any exercise that encourages you to focus on your sensations and thoughts in the present moment. It was popularized and became more mainstream in the West in the 1970s and 80s.

Studies show mindfulness and related practices can also help with raising awareness and even assist in minimizing bias. While research is ongoing, this all suggests mindfulness and compassion practices can serve as important resources in addressing systemic change.

Michael Yellow Bird, dean of the faculty of social work at the University of Manitoba, has worked extensively in mindfulness, introducing it to Indigenous programs and teaching it to Indigenous communities and organizations.

He has been practising mindfulness and meditation since the 70s when he was an undergraduate student in North Dakota.

"I first started doing a more Western form of mindfulness meditation as an undergrad in school. One of the first benefits of mindfulness is to stop what youre doing and let everything go for a few minutes, focus on how youre feeling and check in with yourself," he says. "Once you stop and begin to assess whats going on, you get an idea of how youre feeling."

Now, Yellow Birds research focuses on the effects of colonization and methods of ancestral health, Indigenous mindfulness and decolonization. Decolonization, Yellow Bird says, involves "activities that weaken the effects of colonialism and create opportunities to promote traditional practices." The approach is used to restore balance, harmony and resilience to the mind, with hopes of healthy outcomes.

We can decolonize our brain by going into traditional practices and stripping away the harmful and invasive thoughts, practices, beliefs, values and traditions.  Michael Yellow Bird

"Decolonization and mindfulness are an important aspect of the work I do with Indigenous communities. In particular, I share the science of how healing from trauma is possible using contemplative practices such as mindfulness," he says.

"We can decolonize our brain by going into traditional practices and stripping away the harmful and invasive thoughts, practices, beliefs, values and traditions."

Yellow Bird is a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara nations in North Dakota and, prior to his most recent academic appointment in Manitoba, Yellow Bird was a professor of sociology and director of Indigenous tribal studies at North Dakota State University.

"I grew up in a contemplative Indigenous community and mindfulness was a big part of a lot of spiritual ceremonies, spiritual rituals and our daily life, learning how to focus, be aware and have compassion for the world around you," he says.

Yellow Bird is known for his work in "neurodecolonization," which he describes as "decolonizing the mind and body." Neurodecolonization focuses on understanding what happens to both the brain and body from a colonial context as well as the traumatic effects colonialism has on both the brains structure and function. It involves combining mindfulness approaches with traditional and contemporary practices to remould neural pathways in our brain, replacing pathways laid by trauma with ones of healing.

Neural pathways are created in the brain based on our habits and behaviours. When you participate in new activities, youre training your brain to create new neural pathways  these pathways can get stronger with repetition until the behaviour is the new normal.

Mindfulness, Yellow Bird says, can help people remove the constraints of residual colonialism  such as racism, hate and fear  from the brain.

He uses neuroscience research to examine how mindfulness approaches and traditional Indigenous practices can positively impact both the brains structure and function.

Yellow Bird serves as a consultant to several BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) mindfulness groups and organizations who are looking to incorporate decolonized mindfulness practices in order to address systemic racism and engage in structural change.

Traditionally, he says, mainstream (Western) mindfulness has been much more about healing the individual rather than healing society as a whole. And while traditional mindfulness serves a purpose, it also has limitations.

Mindfulness has been colonized by the corporate world and marketed heavily. Dont get me wrong, thats good stuff for a lot of people, but it doesnt get people to the next level of changing these structural or systemic problems that bring on anxiety or depression.  Michael Yellow Bird

"When we live in uncertainty or depression for long periods of time, it begins to take hold biologically in the body. Thats one of the drawbacks of mindfulness. While it helps treat anxiety and depression, it doesnt address the root cause of the problem," he says. "Mindfulness has been colonized by the corporate world and marketed heavily. Dont get me wrong, thats good stuff for a lot of people, but it doesnt get people to the next level of changing these structural or systemic problems that bring on anxiety or depression."

Teaching mindfulness with a focus on supporting individual well-being is meaningful but Yellow Bird says it can go farther  its also important to teach decolonizing mindfulness practices that can lead to collective actions to bring structural change.

"(Western) mindfulness can make you feel better but people stop there, basically," he says. "These further practices help people understand the colonization of the world and the situation of systemic issues. They can then begin to recognize the root causes, sensations and feelings."

One of the problems with western mindfulness, he says, is that many mindfulness teachers  not all  come from privileged backgrounds and dont have an understanding of people from communities or situations that are challenged.

"Its privilege thats been taught from people that have economic and social class privilege, that live in communities where they have demanding jobs but they dont live in poverty," he says, "Theyre not racially profiled every day, theyre not incarcerated in disproportionate numbers, theyre not looking for their next dollar to pay for their next meal. Its very different in that sense."

Mindfulness has several benefits and could be an important public health initiative but there are some drawbacks in the way its taught.

One of the criticisms is that western mindfulness is a colonized practice, he says.

"It doesnt really induce change and it gets people to cope better with hardship. Thats one of the issues of teaching mindfulness in communities where theres a lot of oppression," he says. "And people are doing a good job of helping people gain a sense of balance but its not doing anything to change the situation. The criticism is its just getting them to cope with the oppression better."

Yellow Bird has spent years working in social work, examining health and well-being among Indigenous people, particularly through the lens of colonization and decolonization. He focuses on practising mindfulness to engage in reflection while exploring how to heal from trauma and contribute to systemic change. Yellow Bird has taught mindfulness practices to Indigenous students, teachers, health professionals, incarcerated populations, homeless youth and is helping introduce it to Manitoba communities.

Compassion is something you learn. It can be taught and has to be integrated into not only your neural networks but also your behaviour and biology.  Michael Yellow Bird

"Im involved with a team from the Faculty of Social Work who are helping to introduce mindfulness at Brokenhead," he says. "Ive (also) had conversations with some tribal health care and social service providers and leadership from Island Lake to introduce the concept and practices of mindfulness."

Typically, mainstream mindfulness is a very individualized approach. Yellow Bird stresses that decolonized mindfulness is about spreading the work and practices to other people and communities.

"(Western) mindfulness is used to lower your stress and anxiety and make you feel happy. Thats good stuff  but thats where it ends," Yellow Bird says. "These (decolonized mindfulness) practices get people more deeply into it, extending beyond yourself with the purpose to go out and do your part to make a change."

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Hes also working on a Centre for Mindful Decolonization and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba, which will bring together Indigenous and settler populations.

"Thats where Ill be working on some of these practices as well as the healing and reconciliation between settlers and Indigenous people to create (alliances) through mindfulness approaches, which I think is unique," he says.

By creating a better understanding and awareness of decolonization, Yellow Bird is helping people recognize its a healing journey. He stresses the importance of compassion and how the use of decolonized mindfulness practices to engage in reflection can help both heal and contribute to systemic change and facilitate growth, learning and action.

"Compassion is something you learn. It can be taught and has to be integrated into not only your neural networks but also your behaviour and biology."

sabrinacarnevale@gmail.com

@SabrinaCsays
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  A drone attack claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting a key oil facility in Abu Dhabi killed three people on Monday and sparked a fire at Abu Dhabi's international airport.

In a satellite photo by Planet Labs PBC, Abu Dhabi International Airport is seen Dec. 8, 2021. A suspected drone attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting a key oil facility in Abu Dhabi killed three people and sparked a separate fire at Abu Dhabi's international airport on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, police said. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  A drone attack claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting a key oil facility in Abu Dhabi killed three people on Monday and sparked a fire at Abu Dhabi's international airport.

Emirati police identified the dead as two Indian nationals and one Pakistani. Six people were also wounded at an industrial area where Abu Dhabi's state-owned energy company runs a pipeline network and an oil tanker storage facility.

Senior Emirati diplomat Anwar Gargash blamed the Houthis for the attack, saying on Twitter that Emirati authorities were handling the rebel group's vicious attack on some civilian facilities" in the United Arab Emirates' capital with transparency and responsibility.

The tampering of the region's security by terrorist militias is too weak to affect the stability and safety in which we live," he said.

Three transport tankers caught fire at the oil facility, while another fire was sparked at an extension of Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Police said preliminary findings indicate there were small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire. They said there was no significant damage from the incidents, without offering further details.

Yemens Iranian-backed Houthi rebels claimed they were behind an attack targeting sensitive Emirati facilities." In a press conference late Monday, military spokesman Yehia Sarea said, without offering evidence, that the Houthis targeted the airports of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as an oil refinery and other sites in the UAE with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones.

Although the UAE has largely withdrawn its own forces from Yemen, it is still actively engaged in the conflict and supports Yemeni militias fighting the Houthis.

The incident comes as the Houthis face pressure and are suffering heavy losses. Yemeni government forces, allied and backed by the UAE, have pushed back the rebels in key provinces. Aided by the Emirati-backed Giants Brigades, the government forces took back the province of Shabwa earlier this month in a blow to Houthi efforts to complete their control of the entire northern half of Yemen.

Condemnations of the attack on the UAE poured in from across the world.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the United States would work with the UAE and international partners to hold the Houthis accountable, saying we stand beside our Emirati partners against all threats to their territory.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the assault as prohibited by international law and urged all sides to prevent any escalation amid heightened tensions in the region, said spokesman Stephane Dujarric. The U.N. special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg was headed to Riyadh for meetings with Saudi and Yemeni officials on the recent military uptick" in Yemen, Dujarric added.

Saudi Arabia and a host of other Arab states decried the assault as a cowardly terrorist attack." The kingdom, as well as the U.S., U.N. experts and others have accused Iran of supplying arms to the Houthis.

The UAE was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that has waged war against the Houthis since 2015, trying to restore to power the internationally backed government, ousted by the rebels the previous year.

While Emirati troops have been killed over the course of the conflict, now in its eight year, the war has not directly affected daily life in the wider UAE, a country with a vast foreign workforce that is also home to Dubai, a glitzy city of skyscrapers and five-star hotels.

The airport fire in Abu Dhabi was described by police as minor and took place at an extension of the international airport that is still under construction. For years, the airport home to Etihad Airways has been building its new Midfield Terminal, but it was not clear if that was where the fire took place.

Etihad Airways said precautionary measures resulted in a short disruption for a small number of flights and that airport operations have returned to normal. Abu Dhabi Airports did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The other blast struck three petroleum transport tankers near a complex for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. in the Musaffah industrial area. The company describes it as a pipeline and terminal facility located some 22 kilometers (13 miles) from the center of the city of Abu Dhabi, where 36 storage tanks also supply transport trucks carrying fuel.

It is also a short distance from Al-Dhafra Air Base, a military installation that hosts U.S. and French forces. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Andrew Clark, the Al-Dhafra Air Base commander for American forces, said in a statement to The Associated Press that no incidents affected the base amid the attack.

U.S. forces are ready and available to assist and support their Emirati partners if requested, he said.

The location of the ADNOC facility where the tankers caught fire is approximately 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) northeast of Saada, the Houthis stronghold in Yemen.

The incident comes as South Koreas President Moon Jae-in is visiting the UAE. The two countries reportedly reached a preliminary deal valued at some $3.5 billion sell mid-range South Korean surface-to-air missiles to the UAE during his trip.

At an event attended by the South Korean president earlier in the day, Emirati Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei declined to comment on the attack but told the AP that investigations were ongoing.

The Houthis have used bomb-laden drones to launch crude and imprecise attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The group has also launched missiles at Saudi airports, oil facilities and pipelines, and used booby-trapped boats for attacks in key shipping routes.

Earlier this month, the Houthis seized an Emirati-flagged ship in the Red Sea, a crucial route for international trade and energy shipments.

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Though there have been civilian deaths in Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks, there had been no deaths previously reported in the UAE.

The overwhelming number of civilian deaths in the conflict have been in Yemen. The war has killed 130,000 people in Yemen  both civilians and fighters  and has exacerbated hunger and famine across the impoverished country.

Torbjorn Soltvedt, an analyst at the risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, noted that while the Houthis have claimed responsibility for an attack on the UAE, Iraqi-based militias have also threatened the UAE in response to alleged Emirati interference in Iraqi politics.

He said the attack highlights the missile and drone threat faced by the UAE and the regions other main oil producers. Without a solution to diffuse wider regional tensions, Gulf Arab states will remain vulnerable to attacks," he added.

___

Associated Press writers Isabel DeBre and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, Samy Magdy in Cairo, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.
LONDON (AP)  Anti-poverty organization Oxfam called Monday for governments to impose a one-time 99% tax on the world's billionaires and use the money to fund expanded production of vaccines for the poor  part of an effort to combat global inequality widened by the coronavirus pandemic.

File---File picture taken Jan.24, 2022 shows a police security guard on the roof of a hotel ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber,file)

LONDON (AP)  Anti-poverty organization Oxfam called Monday for governments to impose a one-time 99% tax on the world's billionaires and use the money to fund expanded production of vaccines for the poor  part of an effort to combat global inequality widened by the coronavirus pandemic.

The ranks of the super-rich have swelled during the pandemic thanks to ample financial stimulus that pumped up stocks, the group said. Meanwhile, poor countries have suffered more than their share from COVID-19 because of unequal access to vaccines, which have mostly gone to rich nations, Oxfam said in a report aimed at informing discussions at the World Economic Forums online gathering of political and business leaders this week.

"The pandemic has been a billionaire bonanza," Oxfam International Executive Director Gabriela Bucher said in an interview. "When governments did the rescue packages and pumped trillions into the economy and to financial markets in order to support the economy for all, what happened is a lot of it went into the pockets of the billionaires."

Vaccine development has been one of the pandemic's success stories but Bucher said they've been "hoarded by the rich countries" seeking to protect pharmaceutical monopolies.

Since the pandemic erupted in March 2020, a new billionaire has been minted almost every day. The fortunes of the world's 10 richest men  including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates  more than doubled to $1.5 trillion, making them six times more wealthy than the world's poorest 3.1 billion people, Oxfam said.

Meanwhile, 160 million more people have been forced into poverty during the pandemic, Oxfam said, citing numbers from the Forbes 2021 Billionaires List, Credit Suisse's Global Wealth Databook and the World Bank.

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Oxfam called for rich countries to waive intellectual property rules on COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to expand their production.

A one-off 99% tax on the 10 richest mens pandemic windfalls could earn more than $800 billion and be used to fund that effort and other progressive social spending, the group said.

The money "would be able to pay for vaccines for the whole world, have health systems for everyone," Bucher said. "We would also be able to compensate for the damage of climate change and have policies that address gender-based violence," while still leaving the 10 billionaires $8 billion richer than they were at the start of the pandemic, she added.

It's not all doom and gloom. The group noted that the U.S. and China, the world's two biggest economies, are starting to consider policies aimed at countering inequality, such as raising tax rates on the rich and taking action against corporate monopolies.

"The point is extreme inequality is not inevitable and this is why it brings us hope," Bucher said.

Oxfam has long sought to inspire debate at the annual gathering of business and political elites typically held in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. The pandemic forced organizers to put off the event for a second year, instead holding virtual sessions where political leaders will be joined by business executives and campaigning groups such as Oxfam.
The year 2022 begins much the same as 2021 did for the local commercial real estate industry: with a strong outlook for the industrial sector and an uncertain future for the office world.

The year 2022 begins much the same as 2021 did for the local commercial real estate industry: with a strong outlook for the industrial sector and an uncertain future for the office world.

According to real estate firm CBREs Q4 report, the two market segments are experiencing vastly different scenarios that will likely be magnified by the continued influence and demands of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Rendering shows the new headquarters of Wawanesa Insurance, at True North Square, which is expected to open in 2023. (Supplied)

On the industrial side, the availability rate dropped by years end to 3.2 per cent, a level that hasnt been reached since 2018 that signals very high demand for industrial space. Meanwhile, CBREs figures state that annual net absorption reached 752,000 square-feet in 2021, a higher amount than in any of the past five years.

"I think our industrial market is in many ways in line with what were seeing across the country," said CBRE Winnipeg vice-president Paul Kornelsen, who said the increased demand is due to an ever-adapting supply chain thats shifted a greater amount of attention to distribution and warehousing.

The high levels of positive absorption, which measures how much square footage was leased as opposed to put up for lease, shows "resiliency," he said. And Winnipegs market is a competitive area for industrial tenants because of "next generation" spaces coming to market, which has triggered what Kornelsen calls a "flight to quality."

Those newer buildings, both in business parks like CentrePort and at standalone properties, tend to have greater amenities and higher rent, but unlike in other jurisdictions, theyre available: Kornelsen said at least a few businesses which originally sought space in the tight B.C. market were forced to look eastward, and have found what theyre looking for here, as well as in Saskatchewan and Alberta, for less.

However, with demand so strong and the availability rate declining, Kornelsen said there is added pressure on rental rates, which figure on the industrial side to climb higher as more prospective tenants flood the market. It also means that those prospective tenants may have fewer opportunities for short-term deals, as landlords take advantage of a competitive market to shore up long-term stability. With that being said, CBREs report notes that even the rapid pace of new development "is not sufficient to meet current demand.

"In a market that is hesitant to build on speculation, Winnipeg will likely continue to experience tight availability rates, high net rental rates, and aggressive deal terms until demand begins to stabilize," the report predicted.

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And although on the national stage the Canadian office market experienced its first quarter of positive net absorption since the beginning of the pandemic, Winnipegs office market recorded four consecutive quarters of negative absorption in 2021, while the downtown vacancy rate climbed to 15.3 per cent.

Kornelsen said the same conditions that are driving growth on the industrial side have yet to produce an overtly positive impact on the office market; with the spread of the Omicron variant, employers and office tenants are preparing for a third consecutive year of unpredictability.

There are some positive developments, CBREs report notes: construction on a 300,000-square-foot Class A office tower at True North Square has commenced and is expected to be complete by 2023. Its the first Class A office tower built downtown in four years, and has the benefit of being 100 per cent pre-leased to Wawanesa Insurance.

However, Kornelsen said that in its wake, the companys move will leave a large chunk of its former real estate back on the market, and it will be interesting to see where the local office sector is by that point in time.

In other cities, including Calgary, vacant office buildings have been repurposed into hotels or apartment buildings, he said. Could that be the case in Winnipeg?

ben.waldman@winnipegfreepress.com
We may think spending money on ourselves will make us happier than spending it on someone else. That belief can make it hard to carve money out of our budgets to give to good causes.

We may think spending money on ourselves will make us happier than spending it on someone else. That belief can make it hard to carve money out of our budgets to give to good causes.

But research shows that spending money on others is more likely to make us happy. This seems to be a worldwide phenomenon, and one that applies whether we have a lot of money or only a little.

Generosity and happiness are pretty clearly linked in the research, says Kristy Archuleta, a professor of financial planning at the University of Georgia. When we are generous of our time, our talents, giving to others in whatever kind of capacity we can, we tend to be happier.

Some generous acts create more positive feelings than others, however. Heres what to consider if you want to maximize your happiness while helping others.

MAKE IT SOCIAL

Canadian social psychologist Lara Aknin says shes been interested in the emotional benefits of financial generosity since she was about 8 and daydreaming ways she could help other people.

I remember thinking if I save $10, I could give it to my parents and they could go out for dinner, she laughs. I clearly had no concept of money (because) I thought $10 would give them an evening out on the town.

As a graduate student, Aknin investigated ways money could improve well-being and found that prosocial spending  spending on others  was a source of happiness. In subsequent research, Aknin  now a distinguished associate professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia  determined that giving was most rewarding when it offered a social connection . Instead of sending someone a gift card to a restaurant, for example, well feel happier if we take them out to dinner, Aknin says.

Volunteering can connect us with others, as can organizing or attending a fundraiser. Giving a group gift or donation is another way to up the social factor, Aknin says.

INVESTIGATE YOUR IMPACT

We also want to know that our giving matters. Being able to see or envision the change our contributions will make tends to increase our happiness, Aknin says.

In a 2013 study led by Aknin , participants were given a choice to donate to one of two charities dedicated to improving childrens health in impoverished areas: UNICEF and Spread the Net . Spread the Net offered a concrete example of a donations impact by specifying that every $10 given would buy a lifesaving mosquito net. UNICEF did not provide such details. Participants who donated to Spread the Net felt happier after their contribution, but those who gave to UNICEF did not, researchers found.

The more information we have about the positive impact of our gifts, the greater the emotional rewards, Aknin says.

This doesnt mean you shouldnt give money to UNICEF, of course. But you may get more satisfaction from your donation if you read stories about the organizations impact or peruse its annual report .

EMPHASIZE CHOICE

Want to take the joy out of giving? Make it an obligation, Aknin says. For maximum happiness, people need to have a choice about whether to give, to whom and how much.

If people feel caught or forced or obliged, these emotional rewards sometimes disappear or can be severely dampened, she says.

You can increase your sense of autonomy by planning your charitable giving, says Archuleta, a certified financial therapist and co-founder of the Financial Therapy Association . Think about what you value, investigate nonprofits that support those values and consider making recurring contributions part of your budget, she suggests.

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If youre trying to encourage your children to be charitable, consider letting them choose the cause and how much to donate. (You can offer guidelines, such as giving away a nickel, a dime or a quarter of every dollar they receive.) Find ways to demonstrate their impact: $20 might buy a flock of chickens for a family through Heifer International , for example, or feed a shelter pet for a few weeks. And encourage them to make social connections by volunteering or fundraising with friends.

Giving in the more rewarding ways is important, not only because you feel good in the moment, but that warm glow will be one factor that encourages you to give again, Aknin says.

_________________________________

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and the author of Your Credit Score. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.

RELATED LINK:

NerdWallet: Budgeting 101: How to budget money https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-how-to-budget-money
OTTAWA - A claim by Chinese health authorities that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was introduced to a resident of Beijing through a piece of regular mail from Canada was dismissed Monday as being ludicrous and comical.

The Canada Post logo is seen on the outside the company's Pacific Processing Centre, in Richmond, B.C., on June 1, 2017. A claim by Chinese health authorities that the Omicron variant was introduced to a resident of Beijing through a piece of regular mail from Canada is being dismissed as ludicrous. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

OTTAWA - A claim by Chinese health authorities that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was introduced to a resident of Beijing through a piece of regular mail from Canada was dismissed Monday as being ludicrous and comical.

A Chinese state-controlled news outlet first reported that the Jan. 7 infection of a Beijing resident was the result of receiving a letter or parcel from Canada that passed through Hong Kong.

The Chinese report attributed that scenario to the deputy director of the Beijing Centre for Disease Control in a briefing, even though organizations such as the World Health Organization and Canada Post say the risk of contracting coronavirus from a piece of mail is low.

Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a China expert at the University of Ottawa who spent more than three decades in the federal public service working on China issues, said Chinese officials need to familiarize themselves with the latest scientific material on the spread of COVID-19.

"Unlike the early days, scientists have clarified that it does not stay on surfaces. To suggest that it would be on mail that came over days from Canada is ludicrous," she said.

Canada Post says that the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada have said the risks associated with handling mail, including international mail is low.

"According to the PHAC, there is no known risk of coronaviruses entering Canada on parcels or packages. In general, because of poor survivability of coronaviruses on surfaces, there is a low risk of spread from products or packaging shipped over a period of days or weeks," says a statement by Canada Post.

"Currently, there is no evidence of COVID-19 being transmitted by imported goods or packages."

McCuaig-Johnston said the Chinese allegation shows that its leadership is still angry at Canada after its long-running dispute over the arrest of high-tech executive Meng Wanzhou in 2018, an extradition case that was dropped last year, which allowed her to return to China.

Meng was arrested in Vancouver in December 2018 on an American extradition warrant for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. Nine days later, China arrested two Canadian men, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, and accused them of being spies  allegations Canada and dozens of Western allies dismissed as baseless retaliation.

The matter plunged Canada-China relations to an all-time low. The U.S. dropped its extradition case against Meng in September, and she was allowed to go free and return to China. Kovrig and Spavor were repatriated to Canada simultaneously.

It is not clear whether Canada-China relations have begun any kind of meaningful rebound since that major issue between them was resolved.

McCuaig-Johnston said Chinese President Xi Jinping was personally angered by Meng's arrest and is likely choosing to target Canada whenever it suits him. She said that could explain this latest innuendo around the Canadian postal system.

"Canada is the country that is targeted, suggesting that we're still in Beijing's crosshairs," she said.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos appeared not to be aware of the controversy when asked about it at a press conference Monday.

He said that while he may have his own opinion of why China was making that claim, he deferred to experts on how COVID-19 can be spread.

"We'll check with officials and our partners around the world," Duclos said.

"I think this is something not only new, but intriguing and certainly not in accordance with what we have done both internationally and domestically."

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole called the Chinese claim "comical" and said it was a reminder that news reports emanating from China can't be trusted.

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O'Toole reiterated his party's criticism of the government for not conducting a comprehensive national security review of the proposed purchase of a lithium mining development company by a Chinese firm. O'Toole said Canada needs to protect its access to lithium because it is a key ingredient in the batteries for electric vehicles.

"Canada must safeguard our supply and access to critical minerals like lithium to protect our economy and our competitive advantage," said O'Toole.

A statement from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada said all potential acquisitions involving critical minerals are subject to a review by the Canadian security and intelligence community before deciding whether a full-scale national security review is warranted.

The department said it was bound by commercial confidentiality and could not comment on the current case. But in general, it said it can assess individual cases based on the "nature of the mineral deposits" and whether a company has full-scale operations in Canada or is "principally domiciled here for regulatory or other reasons with few local staff or assets."

The company is question operates a mine that is under exploration in Argentina and is registered in Toronto.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2022.
OTTAWA - Parents and teachers in four provinces are bracing for students to return to the classroom Monday as the Omicron variant-fuelled wave of COVID-19 continues to spread and questions remain about how prepared schools really are for a full-scale return.

Parents pick up their children as they are dismissed from Dixie Public School during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississauga, Ont., on November 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

OTTAWA - Parents and teachers in four provinces are bracing for students to return to the classroom Monday as the Omicron variant-fuelled wave of COVID-19 continues to spread and questions remain about how prepared schools really are for a full-scale return.

Kids in Ontario and Quebec, Canada's largest provinces, are to resume in-person learning after their governments delayed their return in the face of record-setting case numbers over the holidays.

While public health experts, parents and officials agree that in-person learning is best for children, school boards, families and unions say they're preparing for an increase in staff absences because of the virus, with some worried that the contingency plans touted by provincial governments may not be enough to keep schools operating safely.

In a letter to members over the weekend, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario President Karen Brown said educators from across the province have expressed a range of emotions about heading back to class during this fifth wave of the pandemic, driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19.

"Some members are enthusiastic and feel safe, others are cautiously optimistic, and some are anxious," reads the letter to the union's roughly 83,000 members.

Ontario reported there were 3,595 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Sunday, with 579 in intensive care.

The latest figures represent a drop from the day before, but Health Minister Christine Elliott noted that not all hospitals report their COVID-19 numbers over the weekend.

Quebec, meanwhile, said hospitalizations rose by 105 over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of patients to 3,300.

Manitoba and Nova Scotia will also send kids back to the classroom on Monday, with Nova Scotia being the only province in the Atlantic region to do so.

That province reported 68 people were admitted to hospital because of COVID-19 on Sunday, 10 more than the previous day, with 10 receiving intensive care.

In neighbouring New Brunswick, where schools won't return until Jan. 31 and residents are back under a 16-day lockdown, officials reported there were 113 patients hospitalized because of COVID-19. Officials in Newfoundland and Labrador, meanwhile, logged 384 new infections and one additional virus-related death.

Nova Scotia Teachers Union President Paul Wozney cast doubt on whether schools will be able to stay open for the week, pointing out that kids had to be sent home earlier than hoped for before the Christmas break because of staffing levels  and that was when caseloads were lower than they are today.

"The pressure that Omicron presents hasn't lessened, it's gotten worse."

Rather than send students back to school on Monday, Wozney suggested the province should have taken a more cautious approach as its neighbours have done until COVID-19 case levels become more manageable.

One of the problems, he says, is the dwindling list of available substitute teachers, which is even more of an issue in rural areas than in the provincial capital of Halifax.

"We do not have the people to sustain in-person learning for any prolonged period of time," he said. "We've made that abundantly clear to the (education) department."

School boards in Ontario have also warned parents to expect possible returns to remote learning as they try to manage both infection and staffing levels in classrooms.

To keep schools open, Ontario and Nova Scotia plan to supply students with rapid antigen tests. The move comes at a time when Ottawa tries to ensure the 140 million it promised to send provinces this month arrive on schedule, as it works with 14 different suppliers and battles supply issues as demand for the tests have soared.

Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government also plans to rely on rapid testing to keep students in school and says it's still working on ventilation upgrades at many buildings.

Improved air quality and access to better masks were chief among the concerns parents, educators and doctors wanted governments to address before kids went back to class.

In Quebec, for example  where updated guidelines say schools won't need to shut down in the event of an outbreak but can move online if more than 60 per cent of students are isolating  some parents have denounced the fact N95 masks are being reserved for "specialized schools."

"We know surgical masks arent as protective, so ... by magic, the children will be protected here in Quebec and arent going to get COVID?" said Cheryl Cooperman, a Montreal mother of two who penned an open letter decrying what it calls inconsistencies in Quebec's approach.

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Contact tracing also remains an issue. In Manitoba, those infected in schools will not be able to count on officials to notify their close contacts. Dr. Brent Roussin, the province's top doctor, said at a briefing last week that the virus is simply spreading too fast.

He also stated the risk of children becoming severely ill from the Omicron variant is low.

The mass return to in-person learning comes after Health Canada reported less than four per cent of children in the country aged 5-11 were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday, with nearly 50 per cent having received at least one dose.

At the same time, the country boasts that nearly 90 per cent of people 12 and older are fully vaccinated while provinces race to get booster shots into as many arms as possible to battle the current surge.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2022.

-With files from Keith Doucette in Halifax and Virginie Ann in Montreal.
MONTREAL - Thousands of elementary and high school students are set to return to in-person learning across Quebec on Monday, but parents say they're concerned the province hasn't done enough to ensure classrooms safety amid COVID-19's virulent fifth wave.

People are shown outside a COVID-19 testing site in Montreal, Saturday, January 15, 2022, as the pandemic continues in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL - Thousands of elementary and high school students are set to return to in-person learning across Quebec on Monday, but parents say they're concerned the province hasn't done enough to ensure classrooms safety amid COVID-19's virulent fifth wave.

Premier Francois Legault announced last week he would proceed with a plan to reopen schools to in-person learning on Jan. 17 even as pandemic-related infection rates and hospitalizations continue to mount provincewide.

The government promised a suite of protective measures to ensure a safe return  such as mandatory masking indoors and 7.2 million rapid tests to be deployed in elementary schools  but several parents say they are not reassured.

Among them is Cheryl Cooperman, a Montreal psychologist and mother of two, whose eight and 11-year-old children won't be returning to a physical classroom on Monday.

She says the situation is too critical for the children to be back in schools without additional measures, and will at least wait until her kids are adequately vaccinated.

"I dont know why Quebec always has to reinvent the wheel," Cooperman said on Sunday. "We know surgical masks arent as protective, so its what? By magic? By magic, the children will be protected here in Quebec and arent going to get COVID?"

Cooperman co-wrote and co-signed an open letter to the provincial government on Saturday in which she denounced what she described as inconsistent public health measures.

The letter questions the logic behind closing schools in December, when cases had not reached their peak, only to reopen them now as infection rates continue to soar. The province reported 5,946 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, along with 21 more deaths related to the virus.

The letter also criticizes Quebec's reluctance to widely deploy air purifiers and N95 masks, saying the government missed a chance to adequately protect classrooms.

Public Health Director Luc Boileau said last week that N95 masks were reserved for 'specialized schools' and were 'not necessary in all facilities.

Adam Allouba shares Cooperman's concerns.

The father of two, who also co-authored the letter, said he's anxious after watching the COVID-19 situation deteriorate in recent weeks.

"We should have done everything we could to secure the schools, but that's not the approach that was taken," he said. "It's not enough."

Allouba and Cooperman say they're also worried about the updated guidelines to manage outbreaks. Quebec says schools are now no longer required to shut down in the event of an outbreak, but can transition to online teaching if more than 60 per cent of the students are in isolation.

"We keep saying that schools are safe, that we can send our children back  my god, I wish I could believe it," Allouba said.

For Josee Scalabrini, president of the Federation des syndicats de l'enseignement which represents more than 65,000 teachers in Quebec, the government's approach is incoherent.

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"We are told that we are at a peak, that our health-care system is no longer able to take it, but we are bringing everyone back to our schools," Scalabrini said.

Quebec reported yet another jump in COVID-19-related hospitalizations on Sunday, saying the figure climbed by 105 in the past 24 hours and now stands at 3,300.

The provincial health department said 282 patients are currently in intensive care, an increase of seven from the previous day. Authorities said 81,564 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the past 24 hours, including 71,724 third doses.

It also said 13.1 per cent of the 39,806 COVID-19 tests processed in the last 24 hours came back positive.

-With files from Frederic Lacroix-Couture

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2022.
Writer and award-winning producer Kim Wheeler has spent much of her career passionately sharing stories and giving voice to relevant issues of the day.

Writer and award-winning producer Kim Wheeler has spent much of her career passionately sharing stories and giving voice to relevant issues of the day.

Now, shes focused on giving others a voice and an opportunity to share their stories.

Auntie Up! is a new 10-part podcast, described as a celebration of Indigenous women talking about important stuff. Launched in November, the series brings Indigenous voices to the masses at a time when reconciliation has taken a more prominent role in many news stories. The programming offers a space for building connections, learning and understanding.

As one of the three creators of the project, Wheelers lived experience makes her an ideal contributor. The producer and journalist is Anishinaabe, Mohawk, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation, and a Sixties Scoop survivor.

The podcast grew of out of the time she and collaborators Jolene Banning and Tanya Talaga spent working together on another project.

"I had never worked with them," said Wheeler. "Wed been in mainstream media for 20 to 25-plus years. We really hit it off.

"We needed to create a platform for Indigenous womens voices. Thats how we started it, to have stories told by Indigenous women. We have a lot of very important things to say and weve not had the platform before without editing, with an Indigenous lens," she said.

"I think storytelling comes into it, for sure; there are women who share very personal stories, share traditional knowledge, storytellers who are guests or hosts. They are individuals committed to lifting Indigenous womens voices."

Episodes ranging in length from 36 minutes to an hour explore a number of topics. The first featured land defenders and water protectors.

"Mother Earth is so incredibly important to everybody who lives on this planet. Our women are on the front lines and doing this work. Its important to hear their perspective, its been their lifes work for so long," Wheeler said.

"When we hear those voices, theyre a 30-second sound bite on the news. We wanted to give them a space where they would have more of a voice, what it really looks like, instead of the two-minute segment. The whole premise is to be able to give them the space to tell their stories."

Another episode explores cultivating the business landscape, and includes talks with entrepreneurs who strategically employ Indigenous women and make space for people who may not traditionally be able to work a 9-to-5 job.

For an opportunity to learn about how tradition, personal stories, and food are connected with culture, the "From Bannock to Boujee" episode looks at how traditional food has evolved to being served in high-end restaurants across the country.

From beading as a political statement, climate change, to lateral violence versus lateral kindness, Auntie Up! offers thought-provoking discussions with women whove made it their lifes work to champion Indigenous issues. Created to encourage thinking, discussion and ultimately social action, the podcasts tone affords non-Indigenous listeners the opportunity to hear things not often portrayed in media.

"Instead of having a curated seven-minute conversation, we have open and honest conversation. Its like visiting with your auntie around the kitchen table. We say that Auntie Up! is by, for and about listeners, and others who want to get a window into our world view," Wheeler said.

Auntie Up! will be back for a second season, with a rotating cast of guest hosts.

"We wanted to give space to other Indigenous women to have an opportunity. Some of them have more expertise on different subjects. We will be doing the same thing in the second season," Wheeler said.

"Its been really exciting There are moments of humour in all of them. As Indigenous, we deal with our heaviness with levity and with humour, so even though we may have a heavy topic, theres always gonna be someone who throws in a zinger, everybody laughs, we can breathe, it breaks the tension," she said.

"We did an episode where we paid tribute to (poet and author) Lee Maracle, with host Rosanna Deerchild, to discuss Lees influence. We still found the beauty and laughter in her legacy, and I think she would have wanted it that way, laugh and feel joy."

Wheeler hosts her own show on SiriusXM Radio Channel 167, Indigiverse, airing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Kim Wheeler Show presents conversations with artists, newsmakers and tastemakers from across Turtle Island.

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"Aunties," a term of endearment and respect, can be counted on to tell it like it is, sharing truths without mincing words. Indigenous women have often been overlooked in mainstream media but Auntie Up! shines a bright light on their intelligence, drive and wisdom to bring insightful and real conversation about what is important to Indigenous women.

"We have partnered with Antica Productions on some of the productions and distribution and Know History is one of our sponsors who invested financially. We were so incredibly grateful," Wheeler said.

Auntie Up! is looking for sponsors for Season 2 and encouraging those interested to be in contact.

"I know that there are people out there who on this road to reconciliation want to partner with people to help drive that conversation. Lets have that conversation."

Episodes can be streamed wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also find Auntie Up! on Facebook and Instagram.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
Manitoba animal rescue agencies are thanking Betty White for being a friend.

Organizations across the province have seen an up-tick in donations since the Golden Girls death at 99 on Dec. 31.

And they are expecting more today  what would have been Whites 100th birthday  as part of the Betty White Challenge. The North American social media campaign is encouraging animal lovers to donate a minimum of $5 to their local rescue organization in the beloved TV stars name.

"We are getting $5 donations and some as high as $50," said Carla Irvine, executive director of the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. "It is very, very nice  it is very welcome, too. And we will give tax receipts for all of the donations, even the $5 ones.

"It will all go to the animals we see and who are in our care. Were seeing lots of incidents of frostbite right now. There are lots of dogs and cats suffering right now."

White, a lifelong animal rights activist, supported zoos in Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio, and even wrote a book about her passion for animals.

"This campaign is so nice," said Irvine. "She was just so loved by everybody. You could almost see the kindness coming from her. And animals know an animal lover."

Lenore Hume, of the Winnipeg Humane Society, said it has already received a few hundred dollars in donations  and its expecting more, thanks to the former Mary Tyler Moore star.

"It has been amazing," Hume said. "This campaign has definitely travelled from the U.S. to Canada. We are expecting Monday to be a little bit busy with donations on challenge day itself.

"Were happy whenever anyone makes a donation."

Jenn Taplin, a director of Manitoba Mutts, said the organization has received a few donations so far, but expect more today.

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"We think its an amazing initiative to honour such a wonderful animal advocate," said Taplin.

"Out of the sadness of her death, awareness about rescues, shelters and ultimately responsible pet ownership is getting out there and its fantastic. We hope that rescues and shelters around the world are inundated with funds to continue to help animals in Bettys name."

Lynn Scott, of Craig Street Cats, said theyve received a few donations already to help her organization look after the 100 cats they have at their adoption centre, the 100 in foster care, and the 500 felines they care for on the street.

"It would be great if Whites birthday became an annual giving event to animal welfare agencies, much like Giving Tuesday has gone annual," said Scott. "Wouldnt that just be wonderful?

"What a tribute to Betty White that would be."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Stress management was the informal lesson of the day Monday, as schools across the province reopened for face-to-face learning in spite of a steady incline in highly infectious COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations.

Stress management was the informal lesson of the day Monday, as schools across the province reopened for face-to-face learning in spite of a steady incline in highly infectious COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations.

This week marks the return of in-class learning in 2022 for the majority of Manitoba children and youth, who are coming off an extended winter break and week-long remote learning period.

James Atem drops off his kids at Carpathia School, three attend the school while a fourth goes to daycare at another location. Both James and is wife work during the day, so, remote learning is very difficult for them. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Before the morning bell rang at Carpathia School in Winnipeg, James Atem, a father of four, expressed hesitancy about his drop-off decision. "I dont think its safe," Atem said. "But I have no choice."

With Omicron cases continuing to surge amid the pandemics fourth wave, the province has mandated the use of medical masks among education workers and downgraded K-12 buildings to restricted (code orange) on its pandemic response system, in turn promoting stricter physical distancing in schools.

I need them to participate in the school, personally. It is hard to let them stay at home. English is our second language, so its very hard to teach the kids. Its hard for me to support them."  James Atem

Sports tournaments and overnight trips have been cancelled, although extracurricular activities are still allowed.

Families of students in Grade 6 or below  a cohort not yet eligible for a follow-up dose of COVID-19 vaccine without informed consent  have also been supplied with optional rapid antigen test kits through their schools.

The new precautions do not ease Atems fears about sending his youngest to daycare and three school-aged children to Carpathia, an elementary building in the Sir John Franklin neighbourhood.

However, both he and his wife work full-time outside of their home.

"I need them to participate in the school, personally. It is hard to let them stay at home. English is our second language, so its very hard to teach the kids. Its hard for me to support them," said Atem, whose native tongue is Dinka, a Nilotic language spoken in South Sudan.

The father said all he can do now is hope his children do not contract the novel coronavirus at school.

I just want people to be safe. Our ICUs are already full and 20 people died this weekend from COVID in Manitoba. That shouldnt be normalized."  Piper Lockhart

Citing the limited new safety protocols and inability to register for ongoing e-learning, teenagers participated in simultaneous protests across the province before lunchtime Monday to make their concerns known.

The student organizers behind the MB Student Walkout for COVID Safety 2022 initiative want the province to provide schools with ample supplies of N95 masks and rapid antigen tests for staff members and students of all ages. They have also called on the government to allow any student to opt-in to remote learning indefinitely to reduce in-person class sizes.

Piper Lockhart, a high school student at College Louis Riel, after walking out of classes on Monday to protest the return to school as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Walkouts were scheduled to take place at more than 95 schools located across Manitoba  from Selkirk to Brandon, Winkler to St. Boniface.

At exactly 11:30 a.m., Piper Lockharts phone alarm went off and the device began to buzz in the Grade 11 students pocket. The 16-year-old packed up her things and walked out of French class.

"I just want people to be safe. Our ICUs are already full and 20 people died this weekend from COVID in Manitoba. That shouldnt be normalized," said Piper, who organized the walkout at College Louis-Riel in Winnipeg.

I dont want to make a bad situation worse, but theres a lot of very, very worried, concerned members out there. They would really like to have heard some details about how schools are safer today than they couldve been a week ago and (how safe) they were in December.  James Bedford, president of the Manitoba Teachers Society

Piper said she participated in the event in solidarity with front-line teachers (her mother included) and because she wants to be able to do remote learning during this period of widespread community transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

"I dont want to make a bad situation worse, but theres a lot of very, very worried, concerned members out there," said James Bedford, president of the Manitoba Teachers Society. "They would really like to have heard some details about how schools are safer today than they couldve been a week ago and (how safe) they were in December."

Tiffany Munro puts on a mask for her son Maverick, 5, as he heads to school Monday morning. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Bedford, who represents upwards of 16,000 public school educators, said the language around moving to code orange  in particular, the requirement students be distanced by two metres "where possible"  has been mixed and frustrating.

School leaders have been reconfiguring buildings since they returned from winter break to reorganize furniture, move desks into multiple rooms, and convert music rooms, gymnasiums and libraries into classrooms.

One high school band teacher in Winnipeg, who spoke to the Free Press on the condition of anonymity, has moved into a gymnasium so more distancing can take place. The educator has purchased his own N95 masks and a CO2 monitor, as well as two portable air filtration units  a $700 expense he is optimistic he will be reimbursed for  in the hopes they will protect his classes.

"Im boosted and I wear an N95 and I dont take it off I even go outside to drink water," the teacher said.

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Despite all these steps, he has "a moral quandary" about indoor wind instrument playing, because he is worried about anyone getting sick or bringing the virus home. To work in a school during a pandemic requires a "one-day-at-a-time" mindset, he added.

Tiffany Munro adjusted her five-year-olds mask before watching him enter Carpathia School for a long-awaited reunion with peers and teachers Monday morning. Donning a mask for a full day of kindergarten, an unthinkable act just two years ago, has become second nature for Maverick, according to his mom.

The mother of two said she is confident in both of her early years sons abilities to mask and physical distance, as well as the precautions in place at their school.

"We did the COVID test a couple days ago to make sure they were OK to come back," Munro added, noting negative results solidified their return.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
I spent the weekend saying goodbye to my parents  for a month or so anyway.

Opinion

I spent the weekend saying goodbye to my parents  for a month or so anyway.

Its especially sad because its my dads 72nd birthday next week.

Thats how I accepted that my daughter will get COVID-19.

She starts in-person school Monday, where shell be exposed more than ever to the virus.

Like most parents, Ive spent almost two years trying to shield her from the coronavirus, but this week I expect her to get it.

At least its predictable, thanks to Premier Heather Stefanson.

"Its up to Manitobans to look after themselves," Stefanson told reporters Wednesday. "We must learn to live with this virus."

The problem with this argument is that many Manitobans will not live with COVID-19  in fact, 1,443 of our relatives have died so far.

The majority, of course, are seniors. Of the 14 deaths on Thursday and Friday last week, one was over the age of 50 and the rest were 60 years old and older.

It doesnt matter what measures schools took during their oneweek phased opening. Schools cant fix issues of ventilation, cramped buildings, and kids eating in hallways, cafeterias and gyms in a week.

In other words, my parents.

The past few months though has seen more and more young people infected and hospitalized. Luckily  and I use this word intentionally  most recover quickly.

Anyone who knows someone with COVID-19 though knows that its not just the sickness itself but the way the virus affects ones breathing, heart, and circulation in the long term.

I caught the Omicron variant weeks ago and have a slight cough and trouble breathing.

If youre in poverty, First Nations, or health compromised, you are more affected by the coronavirus, too.

With the opening of schools, its not a question of if, but when my daughter will get the virus.

It doesnt matter what measures schools took during their one-week "phased opening." Schools cant fix issues of ventilation, cramped buildings, and kids eating in hallways, cafeterias and gyms in a week.

My daughter is smart but the Omicron variant is relentless, unconcerned about who you are, and is spreading fast and effectively. This is not the fault of vaccines or science but simply proof that life finds a way.

This week my daughter and I talked  and planned  for the fact she is likely going to be infected.

That was a hard conversation.

The cost of this decision is likely a month, maybe more, of not seeing your loved ones. That and watching children, teachers, and administrators take turns rolling the dice with COVID19.

Best case scenario, shes asymptomic or gets slightly sick. She watched me go through it and knows its likely manageable because she is double-vaccinated and in good health.

Worst case scenario is unfathomable.

Truthfully, I dont know whats going to happen. I can only hope.

Speaking of hope, its been disheartening to watch the Manitoba government give up the fight against COVID-19.

This past week has seen a widescale collapse of will to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

Manitobans have all watched over recent weeks as testing and reporting has basically fallen apart. This week though has featured news of mask shortages, a lack of rapid tests, and the devastating effects of the last-second remote learning announcement on teachers, students, and parents.

Then came news that more than half of Manitobas children aged five to eleven have not had one vaccine dose. I cant imagine being a parent of one of those children right now.

On Wednesday, Stefanson then announced that she is "taking advice from public health, but well be taking advice from other Manitobans going forward."

In case you dont know who she means by "other Manitobans," its those who want casinos, bars, and other non-essential services left open. You know, those places spreading Omicron like wildfire for over a month.

Im not against those businesses, by the way, but I pick children and parents over drinking and gambling.

Those "other Manitobans" and some parents  I get it, remote learning is hard  want schools open.

So, here we are.

The cost of this decision is likely a month, maybe more, of not seeing your loved ones. That and watching children, teachers, and administrators take turns rolling the dice with COVID-19.

Theres that luck again.

Parents wont be immune of course. In Quebec, the provincial government has asked parents to be prepared to be "parent supervisors" when an expected widescale shortage of teachers occurs.

One contingency plan suggests teachers could instruct from home while parent volunteers supervise students in classrooms.

Think online learning with your own child in a living room was hard? Try that.

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The Manitoba government has adopted the "everyone will get it so theres no point in stopping it" approach. The problem is they are experimenting with Manitobas more vulnerable populations.

The apathy is overwhelming.

At least with Brian Pallister, citizens got tears once in a while and a wagging finger telling us all to stay home.

With Heather Stefanson, Manitobans are told its every person for themselves and we all must live with a virus that can kill our loved ones.

Theres no luck in that.

niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
A Manitoba municipality with one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination uptakes in the province has rejected a vaccine mandate for its staff.

A Manitoba municipality with one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination uptakes in the province has rejected a vaccine mandate for its staff.

Stan Toews, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Hanover, said such an order would cause too much division and likely result in the RM losing employees.

"Even some of the vaccinated would be upset, because youre taking away choice," Toews said Friday. "I dont think it would go over well anywhere, because it splits your demographic."

He doesnt view it as a missed opportunity to set an example or boost uptake in Hanover.

"I dont think you would gain a whole lot of people that way," Toews said. "Everybody has to make their own mind. I think its a great idea (getting vaccinated)."

Hanovers finance and administration committee recommended the RM not mandate vaccinations against COVID-19 after reviewing an Association of Manitoba Municipalities policy template.

Toews and six councillors unanimously accepted the recommendation at Wednesdays regular meeting, though they havent closed the door on the issue entirely.

Chief administrative officer Luc Lahaie confirmed Hanover could introduce a vaccine mandate if the COVID-19 situation gets worse. Future job candidates could be asked to show proof of vaccination.

About six of the RMs 40 employees  or 15 per cent  are unvaccinated, said Lahaie, adding most who havent received COVID-19 shots are in the public works department.

"They have jobs where they dont need to be with the general public," he said, adding the entire council has been vaccinated.

Hanovers 75 firefighters are not included in the tally because they are volunteers.

The RM hasnt asked staff to disclose their vaccination status. Unvaccinated employees have voluntarily disclosed their status in conversations with each other, said Lahaie.

"We do understand there are religious beliefs," he said. "We just want to make sure everybody gets along."

Toews said the case rate among staff has remained low. He and Lahaie credited precautions such as working from home where possible, face mask and social distancing requirements, and virtual meetings.

"Weve had low absenteeism and low cases, so what weve been doing is working," said Toews.

Lahaie estimated about five employees have tested positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Hanover (its northern border sits less than 30 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg) was Manitobas most populated RM as of the 2016 census, with more than 15,700 residents.

Hanover had the third lowest vaccination uptake in Manitoba, as of Friday, according to the provinces online dashboard. Just under 47 per cent of its residents had received two doses.

At 21.5 per cent, the RM of Stanley had the lowest uptake, followed by the city of Winkler at 41 per cent.

All three municipalities are in the Southern Health region.

Winnipeg and Brandon have introduced mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and testing policies for staff, as have the federal and provincial governments. About 31 of 137 municipalities have followed suit, according to a survey by the AMM.

"We strongly believe municipal councils are best positioned to make those decisions," said AMM executive director Denys Volkov.

In December, the RM of Victoria Beach council agreed to develop a vaccine mandate and bar unvaccinated people from municipal buildings, though it has not set a start date for either policy.

Local councillor Steve Axworthy said many RMs are reluctant to introduce mandates because they are worried about losing or alienating staff.

"For most municipalities, losing even one of their staff could be a major problem," he said.

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Axworthy believes most RMs would be on board if the province issued a standardized policy they could implement together, rather than having to go it alone.

"Municipalities are autonomous and have been encouraged to apply measures for front-line services that reflect what the province has done," a government spokesperson said on the issue.

Last year, the Manitoba Municipal Administrators Association held a webinar explaining how to develop a vaccine mandate.

"For some municipalities, its not a cookie cutter policy," said executive director Adrienne Bestland. "Its a very divisive subject."

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching
WINNIPEG - Manitoba studentsare to return to classrooms today for the first time since the holiday break.

Students board a school bus as they return to classes near Cremona, Alta., on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Manitoba students are heading back to school today for the first time since the Christmas break.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

WINNIPEG - Manitoba studentsare to return to classrooms today for the first time since the holiday break.

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Classes were shifted to remote learning last week to give schools more time to beef up safety measures to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Those measures include having more rapid tests and masks available, and physical distancing as much as possible.

The Progressive Conservative government says some improvements, including ventilation upgrades at many schools, are still being worked on.

The government says the Omicron variant is spreading so rapidly that health officials will no longer notify close contacts of infected people in schools, but will monitor outbreaks and absenteeism.

In its update on Friday, the province said the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 was still rising.

The total number of people in intensive care, including non-COVID cases, was 102  30 above normal pre-pandemic capacity.
At Minnesota State College Southeast, given our mission to provide education for employment, skill enhancement, retraining and transfer to meet the needs of learners and our communities, I have been following the news from a different viewpoint in a new role as Dean of Faculty and Academic Operations.

In many news headlines the past few months, 2021 was labeled the Year of The Great Resignation. Even more dramatically, a Forbes magazine article this past July described the pattern of people leaving their jobs as The Big Quit. Microsofts 2021 Work Trend Index reported last March more than 40% of the global workforce were considering leaving their current employment, only one of the unprecedented statistics of what a CNN story this past week termed a labor market revolution. But much of this rhetoric seems to me to be marked by extreme negativity, seeking to assign blame for this phenomenon instead of understanding it.

As a former professor of communication studies who loves examining rhetoric, I would like to suggest we reframe these discussions so they sound more like the ones many of us are having among our friends and colleagues  and call this the time of The Great Reconsidering. Of course, very real and troubling social and economic issues are part of this phenomenon; layoffs, health insecurity, pandemic child care needs, employee unhappiness, and mental health issues are certainly some of the reasons for these changes. But isnt there something more?

The changes we have undergone in the ways we do work have disconnected us in some ways, but reconnected us in others. We have become more open to sharing our sorrows, our screens (with cats and children!), and our vulnerability. And, in the same story mentioned earlier, CNN also reported the vast majority of the people who have left the workforce in the past two years are older Americans accelerating their retirement and reconsidering their work/life balance. I also believe some people are not retiring permanently but are simply stepping out of the overwhelming currents of their careers to think about how life could be different. About how they could be different.

For many educators, this has the potential to be both exciting and transformational. We live to serve. We live to help guide others. We live to mentor learners to find what means most to them, and discover the paths that will bring them to a place in life where they are centered, happy, fulfilled and joyful.

Yes, this is exciting, transformational  and exhausting.

In guiding those who seek our help during The Great Reconsidering, the challenges will be considerable. We will need to rethink what we do, why we do it, and for whom we do it. We will need to work closely with our K-12 colleagues to create guided, equitable, inclusive pathways for learning that open many different doors to higher education. We will need to talk with employers in many fields to determine how we can help their long-term employees gain new skills and competencies to find rewards and make progress in their work rather than simply walk away.

We will need to reach out to those who have already walked away from their previous careers and offer them opportunities to explore new possibilities. And we will need to balance the needs of learners across up to five generations (traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers) as we design the delivery of the education we are going to provide in response to these emerging conversations.

We will, as always, be short of the ideal resources we need to do the work. We will counsel, console, create, and collaborate until we reach the breaking point of compassion fatigue  not just once, but again and again. But, to quote Hadley Richardson Hemingway (who inspired much of her husband Ernests early work), Who are we, anyway? We are teachers. We prepare people for a future we will never see, for jobs that dont yet exist, and for a lifetime of learning.

So, as we enter this new year and what it brings us to reconsider  new opportunities, new connections, new possibilities, new ways to do the job we have  I think of the words writer Erica Jong gave her venturesome heroine Isadora Wing  How nice. I get to keep starting my life over and over. During The Great Reconsidering, I am hopeful we can find innovative, meaningful ways to help those who are considering doing the same.

Dr. Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest is Dean of Faculty and Academic Operations at Minnesota State Southeast.

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Trempealeau County is in crisis, the county health department said in a news release Monday, noting the countys number of weekly cases have almost tripled in a matter of two weeks.

As of 2 pm on January 14, 2022, our 7-day rolling case rate was 202.4 and we currently have 530 active lab confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in Trempealeau County. Those numbers do not include test results we havent received yet, antigen positive results, or at home positive results, so the disease activity in Trempealeau County is actually higher than the numbers depict, the department said in the release.

The state of Wisconsin, and Trempealeau County, are seeing the highest numbers of cases in the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public health operations have changed due to this surge in cases, and we are working under crisis standards of practice, the department said. This means we are unable to call all positive cases or their close contacts.

Due to the surge in cases, we are asking all people who test positive to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Start by staying home and isolating yourself from others in your household. Then, identify your close contacts during your infectious period. We are asking that you call them to let them know. All close contacts should follow guidance from the CDC in regards to quarantine following last date of close contact to the positive person.

Receiving your COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot when eligible remains the best practice to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19, the department said. Other mitigation strategies that remain important include physical distancing of at least 6 feet, avoid in person gatherings when physical distancing cannot be maintained, wear a well-fitted mask when around others whom you do not live with, stay home if you are sick.

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Beaver Dam Fire Department experienced a year of change in 2021 but continues to respond to emergencies in the community as it fills leadership posts and seeks additional staff.

Former Police Chief Alan Mannel retired in April after 12 years of service with the BDFD. He was a strong proponent of a second fire station and more personnel.

In his last six months at the post, he saw Beaver Dam voters overwhelmingly approve a November 2020 referendum to raise the tax levy and fund six new full-time firefighter/paramedic positions in the fire department.

Acting Chief Matt Christian, who started as a paid-on-call firefighter in 1993, retired at the end of May. Coming from the Rhinelander Fire Department, Mike Wesle was named Beaver Dam Fire Chief in July.

Capt. Paul Hartl retired Jan. 6 after more than 26 years of public service to the community of Beaver Dam.

Chief Wesle said the fire department currently consists of 25 sworn personnel, one administrative assistant and 17 paid-on-call members. It also has an active explorers program for teenagers who want learn about firefighting and EMS practices.

Wesle expects the vacancy due to Hartls retirement will be filled in the next six to eight weeks. He said full-time hiring can prove to be difficult as there are few candidates compared to 10 years ago.

Theres not a lot out there that have the requirements of paramedic, thats the real big issue because its a one-year commitment to get a paramedic license as opposed to an EMT basic license, he said. I think youll find thats a very common problem with many departments out there.

Two members of the BDFD were promoted last week, Lt. Wesley Jahnke to the rank of captain and firefighter/medic Matthew Weidler to the rank of lieutenant.

Capt. Jahnke was hired as a career firefighter/medic with Beaver Dam in 2015, and promoted to lieutenant in 2019. He has been tasked with leading the Technical Rescue Team and plays a key role in the departments training program.

Weidler was hired as a career firefighter/medic in 2016. He will continue to be responsible for the departments communications program and take on responsibilities associated to the emergency medical services program.

Both Jahnke and Weidler began their fire service careers as paid-on-call firefighters. Wesle said most full-time fire personnel start that way.

On the paid-on-call side of things, as long as youre 18 years of age, have a drivers license and can pass a background check, were willing to work with people, he said.

Wesle said candidates are sent to basic firefighter training which involves taking coursework in Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2 and CPR. They are then trained in-house.

Were always looking for people that are interested in becoming part of the organization and a great way to do that is to become a paid-on-call firefighter, he said.

Discussions about adding a Northside fire station are not actively taking place, but Wesle said he thinks it is something that should be explored in the future.

The fire department has budgeted $2.18 million for wages this year, which is up from $1.74 million in 2020 after the department pursued six new full-time hires following the referendum. No capital improvements requests were made that would be paid through borrowing. The city approved allotting $275,000 for a replacement ambulance in 2022.

Follow Kelly Simon on Twitter @KSchmidSimon or contact her at 920-356-6757.

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Get the popcorn ready. Here's a roundup of notable releases coming out  in theaters and in your living room  between now and the end of the August.
Students positively rate Wits career services

Wits students who participated in a national survey are happy with initiatives aimed at boosting their success in the world of work.

The survey conducted annually by Universum, broadly covered themes including university and brand perception, career services and communication, career and employer preferences. Over 6000 Wits students completed the survey which drew approximately 93 000 students nationwide. Participants rated their respective institutions.

To recognise the Universitys performance, in particular the Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU) which is responsible for supporting students with their professional aspirations and readiness for the world of work, has been awarded a certificate of recognition for outstanding reputation, institutional offering, culture and environment.

The certificates are designed to reward and acknowledge the work done by the University to ensure that the student experience is of the highest calibre.

Wits career development services team leader, Raj Naran says that the CCDU have for several years now collaborated with Universum in conducting the survey covering student perceptions of employers as well as important information about student perceptions of Wits.

This information has been useful in helping us understand student needs and adapting our services to meet these needs. This award provides a positive picture of student perceptions of Wits, he adds.

Universum spokesperson Kelebogile Motsa says the purpose of the survey is to help institutions understand student expectations and preferences of career services; compare between institutions and remedy areas of improvement.

The feedback not only allows institutions to see what the students perceive but also gives a clear idea of what they expect from their university. Knowing what they expect for their careers also helps university career service departments in their efforts to prepare students for their successful professional lives, she adds.

Universum say that they hope that this annual survey will serve as an ongoing reminder of the significance of student experience and satisfaction to universities.

Certificates of recognition are only presented to Universums official university partners who have met the minimum respondent and attribute threshold requirements.

Related article:

Wits graduates snapped-up by industry
City of Cape Town's involvement in the murder of Dumisani Joxo

We join the call for accountability following the killing of Dumisani Joxo by police in the City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Towns unchecked and escalating levels of violence towards street-based people came to a head on Sunday 9 January 2022 when a member of the Citys Law Enforcement unit shot and killed Dumisani Joxo in Rondebosch.

Dumisani, who lived in a tent on Chester Street, stepped outside his tent to relieve himself when he was shot in the mouth and killed by City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officer Luvolwethu Kati. Kati, who was part of the Law Enforcement team doing their regular morning check up on the community, saw an open fire made by one of the community members and requested the fire to be extinguished. At this stage the officer had already armed his firearm. The person refused to extinguish the fire and said that they needed the fire to cook breakfast. The Law Enforcement officer is alleged to have kicked over the pot intended to cook the pap when a scuffle broke out, ending with Dumisanis death by Kati.

It has been brought to our attention that the new Learner Law Enforcement Officers in terms of the Citys LEAP programme will be equipped with firearms but will only undergo training for six weeks with the firearm training being a mere three weeks. This brings into question whether Kati had been trained to deploy alternative means instead of using his firearm and opening fire. It further brings into question whether the Safety and Security Directorate provides trauma-informed training before deploying their officers to work with people living on the streets.

Four days prior to this incident, Dumisani was brutally assaulted by members of the South African Police Service for no apparent reason. He had a broken rib at the time of his death.

At the time of publishing, this statement was endorsed by the following individuals:

Colleen Brocker

Ivan Turok

Keren Ben-Zeev

Jens Horber

Caitlin Turok

Roberta Fox

Megan Tennant

Paul Crawford

Kirsten Bowman

Suraya Scheba

Andries du Toit

Roshila Nair

Kelly Gillespie

Tauriq Jenkins

Natasha Himmelman

This is at least the third murder committed by the City of Cape Towns Law Enforcement Unit in the last two years. Law Enforcement officer Morne Horn was found guilty in November 2021 for the murder of two people. The Law Enforcement Unit operates separately from the South African Police Force and the Metro Police, both of whom operate within the boundaries of the South African Police Service Act No. 68 of 1995. Law Enforcements apparent lack of legislative basis, regulation, and oversight body is an issue which has been challenged by the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele. Cele, who has called the Citys Law Enforcement a rogue unit questioned their legitimacy in 2020, and was reported by GroundUp as saying:

If you have a structure that is armed, the law tells you how it is established [...] If the structure was legitimate, the premier would have given me the documents [...]

Outraged members of the Chester Street community are demanding justice for Dumisani and requesting that the City:

Hold the Law Enforcement Officer accountable by effecting his immediate suspension and doing a thorough investigation into the incident;

Hold the Law Enforcement Officer accountable by effecting his immediate suspension and doing a thorough investigation into the incident; Conduct a comprehensive investigation into the Law Enforcement Unit in relation to its legislative basis, the training of its officers, and the existence of an oversight mechanism;

Conduct a comprehensive investigation into the Law Enforcement Unit in relation to its legislative basis, the training of its officers, and the existence of an oversight mechanism; Arrange and pay for Dumisanis memorial and burial; and

Arrange and pay for Dumisanis memorial and burial; and Ensure that Dumisanis body be taken to his family in the Eastern Cape where he will be laid to rest.

Ndifuna Ukwazi is assisting the community of Chester Street in making these demands to the City.

Dumisani Joxo was originally from the Eastern Cape. His neighbours describe him as a leader and father for his community. If someone needed a place to stay, he would take them in. He was also an excellent cook, and if someone needed something to eat, he would give them his last food.

He will be very missed, he was very loved and there will be no one who can replace him, said Christin Coleridge, partner of Dumisani.

Dumisani leaves behind his community in Chester Street, his family in Cape Town, his partner Christin, his son, and mother in the Eastern Cape.

The City is guilty of using excessive force to address a by-law offence. To use a loaded fire-arm to threaten someone to extinguish a small fire used for cooking, is a disproportionate and irresponsible response. It is unacceptable that the Citys Law Enforcement be allowed to continue its work without urgent and drastic intervention, and for all those guilty of this heinous and cruel loss of life to be held to account. We demand justice for Dumisani Joxo, said Ndifuna Ukwazi attorney Danielle Louw.

Update: Murder accused Officer Kati appeared at the Wynberg Magistrates Court this morning. Kati was released on bail of R1000 and the matter has been postponed to 12 April 2022.

Watch: Chester Street community describing the events that led to Dumisani Joxos death.

#HomelessnessIsAStateNotATrait

#HomelessnessIsNotACrime

#RestInPeaceDumisani

#JusticeForDumisaniJoxo

For more information, please contact:

Danielle Louw, Ndifuna Ukwazi Law Centre attorney: Danielle@nu.org.za / 072 957 9711

Yusrah Bardien, Ndifuna Ukwazi communications officer: Yusrah@nu.org.za / 082 470 1441 (WhatsApps welcome)

At the time of publishing, this statement was endorsed by the following organisations:

Housing Assembly

The Rehoming Collective

Souper Troopers

Sea Point for all

The Hope Exchange

New Hope SA

The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies

The Interim

Ubuntu Circle of Courage

At the time of publishing, this statement was endorsed by the following individuals:
South Africa: F State teachers, learners urged to exercise caution amid heavy rains

The Free State Department of Education has called on learners and teachers in the province to exercise extreme caution amid heavy rains in QwaQwa.

The department has suspended schooling today in Qwa Qwa due to the heavy downpour that damaged a large part of the region, limiting the movement of residents, including learners and teachers.

Free State Education MEC, Tate Makgoe, said together with other stakeholders, they will on Monday assess the situation and accordingly advise schools in QwaQwa whether the suspension of schooling will continue or not.

"We are painstakingly taking this decision to protect our learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel in our school," Makgoe said.

The department conveyed condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives due to this tragedy.

In urging learners, teachers and parents to exercise caution, the department has called on them to stay indoors in case of heavy rain and stormy weather.

Those living in low lying areas, which often experience flooding, are also urged to take extra caution and never try to walk, swim or drive through fast-moving flood water.

If they must travel by car, they must try to identify alternative routes that are not exposed to flooding. Avoid cross flooded areas. Its best to stop, turn around and go another way. Teachers who are driving should never attempt to cross flooded low water bridges, the department said.

People are also urged to watch for washed out roads, earth slides, and fallen trees or power lines.

The department has encouraged parents and teachers to help in emphasising these precautionary measures at home and at school.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
France's parliament gave final approval on Sunday to the government's latest measures to tackle COVID-19, including a vaccine pass contested by anti-vaccine protesters.

Lawmakers in the lower house of parliament voted 215-58, paving the way for the measure to enter force in the coming days.

The new law, which had a rough ride through parliament with opposition parties finding some of its provisions too tough, will require people to have a certificate of vaccination to enter public places like restaurants, cafes, cinemas and long-distance trains.

Currently, unvaccinated people can enter such places with the results of a recent negative COVID-19 test. Nearly 78 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the Health Ministry on Saturday.


What it was like inside the Colleyville, Texas, synagogue during the 11-hour hostage standoff
A boy shows his coin and stamps for the Year of Tiger near Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Bai Xuefei]

The designer wants to "evoke nostalgia and a sense of multiculturalism" through the vibrant images.

SYDNEY, Jan. 15 (Xinhua)  Australia Post has issued a new set of stamps and coins, featuring playful images of tigers, to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Tiger.

The stamps, designed by award-winning artist and illustrator Chrissy Lau, are a testament to the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

The Year of the Tiger will fall on Feb. 1 this year.

For the second consecutive year, Lau, who is of Chinese heritage but grew up in northern England, has been commissioned by Australia Post to design the annual Chinese New Year stamps.

"The tigers are very active, courageous, persistent, (and) quite stubborn ... I also look at the wider celebration of the Lunar New Year, and all the symbolism that comes with Chinese and Asian culture," Lau told Xinhua.

The images of tigers resemble the "lucky cat" figurines that are commonly seen in Chinese and Japanese restaurants and Asian grocery stores in Australia.

Coins for the Year of Tiger are seen in a post office in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 14, 2022. [Xinhua/Bai Xuefei]

Lau, who weaved in images full of symbolism in Asian cultures, told Xinhua that she wanted the vibrant images to "evoke nostalgia and a sense of multiculturalism."

To that end, the tigers on the three stamps are holding in their upraised paws an array of traditional festive objects such as plum blossoms, firecrackers, lucky endless knots and a string of mandarins.

"There are quite playful elements in the design, but if you know about Asian culture, you'll understand there are deeper meanings," Lau said.

The plum blossom, for example, can survive harsh coldness so it has come to represent perseverance throughout harsh times.

A coin and stamps for the Year of Tiger is seen in a post office in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 13, 2022. [Xinhua/Bai Xuefei]

Ultimately, Lau hopes the eye-catching designs could inspire people to seek out the meaning behind the Asian iconography, such as the firecrackers which ward off evil spirits.

"If people see these designs, they don't need to be Asian or Chinese to understand them, they just need to enjoy a nice picture and then they can find out more about the meaning," she said.

"I hope the stamps make people smile and give them a sense of fun," she said.

Tiger is the third zodiac sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The Chinese zodiac cycle contains 12 animals that record years and reflect people's attributes: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

(Source: Xinhua)
Click the photo and watch the video.

 As the first country to propose the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good and to advocate global vaccine cooperation, China has provided over 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and organizations by the end of 2021.

 Amid the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, China has been advancing economic globalization with openness as a hallmark and shared prosperity as a vision.

 Since 1990, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions. Now it is the second largest funding contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua)  Some 25 km away from Belarus' capital of Minsk is where the "Great Stone," a Chinese-Belarusian industrial park, is situated.

Since the two countries signed an agreement on the construction of the park in 2011, it has grown into a modern facility with the operation of more than 80 enterprises from 10-plus countries. Its industrial production maintained an upward trend even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That is just one of the many examples of how the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping was turned into reality.

Today, in a world affected by combined major changes and a pandemic unseen in a century, the flagship vision not only embodies the common values of mankind and conforms to the trend of the times, but also carries far-reaching influence for the prosperity and progress of mankind.

Photo taken on Oct. 19, 2021 shows the "Great Stone", a Chinese-Belarusian industrial park 25 km away from Minsk, capital of Belarus. [Industrial Park Development Company CJSC/Handout via Xinhua]

Vision to Action

Xi first presented the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind to the world during his visit to Russia in 2013. Since then, he has expounded the idea on multiple occasions.

During his speech at the UN Office in Geneva in 2017, Xi placed priority on partnership, security, growth, inter-civilization exchanges and a sound ecosystem in building such a community.

"The fact that President Xi Jinping came out with such a vision is to be greeted and saluted because it is a very positive attitude towards the future and towards multilateralism and cooperation" said Jean-Jacques de Dardel, former Swiss ambassador to China who had accompanied Xi during his visit to Switzerland five years ago told Xinhua recently in a virtual interview.

Reflecting the hope of people from all countries for a better world, the notion has been enriched to include building a shared future with neighboring countries, with Asia-Pacific partners, with African and Latin American countries, and building a maritime shared future, a shared future in cyberspace and a community of common health for mankind.

The first China-Europe freight train bound for Tilburg from Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, arrives in Tilburg, the Netherlands, June 4, 2021. [Xinhua/Zheng Huansong]

"Today, the concept has developed into a comprehensive system of scientific theories, which constitutes an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy," Zhang Qingmin, professor and chair of the Department of Diplomacy at Peking University, said recently.

Through contributing to the global COVID-19 response among others, China has been transforming the concept into action.

Photo taken on March 6, 2021 shows a container of COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese company Sinovac at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia. [Colombian Presidential Office/Handout via Xinhua]

As the first country to propose the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good and to advocate global vaccine cooperation, China has provided over 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and organizations by the end of 2021, demonstrating its sense of responsibility as a major country.

China, alongside more than 30 countries, also launched an Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on COVID-19 Vaccines Cooperation, to promote the fair distribution of vaccines and enhance vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.

Photo taken on Sept. 6, 2021 shows COVID-19 vaccines on the production line of a factory of the Egyptian Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) in Giza, Egypt. [Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa]

In the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, China set the example of how a major country can lead in the building of a better world for all mankind, said Herman Tiu Laurel, founder of Philippine BRICS Strategic Studies.

Common Development

The past year marked the 20th anniversary of China's entry into the World Trade Organization, the 30th anniversary of China's joining the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, a manifestation of China's integration into the global economy.

Amid the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, China has been advancing economic globalization with openness as a hallmark and shared prosperity as a vision.

Aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2019 shows the COSCO Shipping Pisces approaching Piraeus port, Greece. [Xinhua/Wu Lu]

As the only major economy to register positive growth in foreign trade in goods in 2020, China has made important contributions to keeping global industrial and supply chains stable and boosting world economic recovery.

Over the years, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a popular international public product and the world's largest international cooperation platform, with 141 countries and 32 international organizations having signed relevant cooperation documents with China.

From the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to China-Laos Railway, from the China-Europe freight train service to the Port of Piraeus, from the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway to the Chinese-Belarusian industrial park, progress has been made in an array of key projects that stretch across continents and brought substantial benefits to local people.

The Lane Xang electric multiple unit train passes by the China-Laos borderline inside a tunnel, Oct. 15, 2021. The 1,035-km China-Laos Railway started operation on Dec. 3, 2021. [Photo by Cao Anning/Xinhua]

By 2020, China's trade with BRI partner countries exceeded 9.2 trillion U.S. dollars, and its aggregated direct investment in these countries reached nearly 140 billion dollars.

"China has, by far, the most experience in designing and building infrastructure in recent decades and its commitment to work with the developing world is a major step in redressing deep global imbalances," Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a public intellectual and chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, told Xinhua.

To facilitate more balanced and sustainable post-pandemic global development, China has put forward the Global Development Initiative, which has won the endorsement and support of multiple international organizations including UN agencies and nearly 100 countries.

Photo taken on Feb. 4, 2021 shows the Lahore converter station of the 660kV Matiari-Lahore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan's eastern Punjab Province. [SGCC/Handout via Xinhua]

Besides, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership's entry into force on Jan. 1, a historic step forward in economic globalization, will allow the region and the whole world to better share China's development opportunities.

"We must take a people-centered approach and make global development more equitable, effective and inclusive, so that no country will be left behind," Xi stressed at 16th G20 Leaders' Summit via video link in October 2021.

Upholding Multilateralism

Shortly after Xi's 2017 speech, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind was incorporated into a number of UN resolutions.

Committed to a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Xi has called on all countries to uphold the authority and standing of the United Nations, and work together to practice true multilateralism.

Since 1990, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions. Now it is the second largest funding contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

Chinese peacekeepers clear the ruins of the port explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 30, 2020. [Photo by Zhao Wenhuan/Xinhua]

Ever since China's restoration of its lawful seat in the United Nations, "it has championed multilateralism in all aspects and in its dealing with all regions of the world," said Laurel.

Such multilateral approach has helped China achieve cooperation towards commonly beneficial goals and projects, he added.

A firm believer in honoring its words with actions, China has also been promoting international cooperation against such major threats as climate change and pledged to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

A sub-forum themed "Towards a Carbon Neutral Future: Synergy between Climate Change and Biodiversity" is held during the Ecological Civilization Forum of the first part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Oct. 14, 2021. [Xinhua/Chen Yehua]

It has also announced the launch of a 1.5 billion yuan (233 million dollars) fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries, a commitment which builds hope for "living in harmony with nature."

"China has clearly moved from a production and consumption country to an innovation country. President Xi's global vision of green and low carbon development will complete the progress into a sustainable country. More importantly, the commitment will continue in our efforts to balance humanity with nature," said Lawrence Loh, director of the Center for Governance and Sustainability at National University of Singapore.

Video reporters: Chen Binjie, Chen Junxia, Jiang Xuelan, Nie Xiaoyang, Zhang Dailei, Xu Feng, Zhao Xiaona, Hu Yousong; Video editors: Li Ziwei, Yin Le

(Source: Xinhua)
Boise is the capital of the US state of Idaho. It originally began in the early 19th century as a trading post, then grew into a city, thanks to gold discoveries in the area. The city became the territorial capital and eventually became the state capital when Idaho was admitted into the Union in 1864. When the gold boom went bust, the people of Boise turned to agriculture, and their city continued to grow. Today, Boise is a thriving, outdoor-friendly city of more than 200,000 residents.

Geography Of Boise

The Boise River flowing through Boise.

Boise is located in an area of southwestern Idaho known as Treasure Valley. The city is 68 km east of the border with Oregon and 177 km north of the border with Nevada. Boise's metropolitan area lies on a broad, flat plain descending to the west. Mountains rise to the northeast, stretching from the far southeastern tip of the Boise city limits to the nearby town of Eagle. Locals call these mountains the Boise Foothills, and they are sometimes described as the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The smaller towns of Eagle and Meridian border Boise to the west. The Boise River bisects Boise. Most of the city is on the western side of this river. A series of canals also runs through the city, as do several smaller rivers, including Crane Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Freestone Creek, all of which flow through the city's eastern part. The total area of Boise is 207.33 sq. km, of which 205.54 sq. km is land, and 1.79 sq. km is water.

Population Of Boise

Downtown Boise, Idaho.

Boise has a total population of 229,993, making it the largest city in Idaho. More than 89% of the city's population is white, of which 83.2% are non-Hispanic, and 6.07% are Hispanic. Asians comprise the next most populous group at 2.81% of Boise's total population, while people of mixed racial backgrounds comprise 2.67%, Other Hispanics 1.75%, and African Americans 1.75%. Boise also boasts the largest Basque community in the entire United States, numbering about 15,000. About 90% of Boise residents speak only English, while 4.7% speak Spanish. More than 93% of the city's population was born in the United States, and 44.89% were born in the city itself.

Economy Of Boise

The average household income in Boise is $82,424, and the city's poverty rate is 13.75%. Boise's unemployment rate is 4.5 %. The largest industries in the city, in terms of number of employees, are healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Boise hosts the headquarters of several major companies as well as major manufacturing facilities. The city also boasts a sizeable hi-tech sector. The top 5 employers in Boise are St. Luke's Health Systems, Micron Technology, Saint Alphonsus Health System, Albertsons, and Walmart.

History Of Boise

Before the Europeans arrived, the area in which Boise now sits was the domain of Native Americans from the Shoshone and Bannock peoples, who lived in the area for thousands of years. Europeans began exploring the region in the early 19th century. Among them were French Canadian fur trappers, who came upon the Boise River Valley after traveling through desert terrain for a long time and exclaimed, "Les bois! Les bois! (The woods! The woods!)." Boise, pronounced in French, Boise, literally means "wooded." In fact, to this day, Boise is known as the City of Trees.

In 1834, the Hudson's Bay Company established a trade post northwest of present-day Boise, along the Oregon Trail on the Snake River. They called the outpost "Les Bois," referencing the words used by the fur-trappers to describe the area. Thousands of people passed through this area on their way to Oregon. About 30 years later, gold was discovered in the area, bringing many prospectors. The Hudson's Bay trade post proved to be a convenient supply point for the mining camps. In 1864, Boise was incorporated as a city and made the territorial capital. Its prosperity continued to be fueled by continuing gold discoveries.

Old Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise, Idaho.

Eventually, however, the gold boom did end, and the city's population began to decline. To halt their city's decline, Boise's residents turned to farming. They planted crops, developed irrigation systems, and mapped out a town with shady green streets along the Boise River. The growth of irrigated agriculture in southwestern Idaho ultimately led to the tripling of the population in Boise between 1900 and 1910. In 1925, the first railroad to run through the area was built. Before World War II, several dams and reservoirs were constructed to improve agriculture in the city. Boise became an important city for the US military during WWII. The military established the Gowen Field in the area for flying and training.

Elevated view of an earthen Dam on the Boise River.

The 1960s was another boom time for Boise. Whereas the city's population was 34,481 in 1960, it more than doubled ten years later to 74,990. The 1960s was also the decade that saw the birth of what would become Boise State University. It began in 1965, when Boise Junior College expanded from a two-year to a four-year college, ultimately becoming Boise State University in 1974. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the growth of a high-tech sector in Boise, as Hewlett-Packard built facilities in the city and Micron Technologies was founded. Between 1990 and 2012, Boise's population increased from around 82,000 to almost 208,000.

Attractions In And Around Boise

Arguably, Boise's best attraction is its natural environment. The Boise River, for example, is well-used by locals and visitors who enjoy being on the water. The Boise area also hosts 199 trails on which people can hike or bike. Several nature reserves are located in and around Boise, including the 734-acre military reserve, which has an archery range and is expected to open a new bike park and dog park soon. Other reserves and recreational areas include Oregon Trail Reserve, Polecat Reserve, Shafer Butte Area, and Table Rock Area.

The Capital building in Boise, Idaho.

Boise's other sites or landmarks include the Idaho State Capital Building, which was completed in 1920, following 15 years of construction. The building contains 50,000 square feet of marble and is a great place to learn about the history of the state of Idaho. Another important landmark in Boise is the Old State Penitentiary, home to some of the West's most notorious criminals beginning in 1872. Visitors to the prison can see old cell blocks and gallows.
Hot Springs is a city in the US state of Arkansas. It has the unique distinction of being the only city encompassed within a national park, the Hot Springs National Park. As the city's name implies, Hot Springs is home to natural thermal springs. These springs attracted people to the area long before the arrival of Europeans. Native Americans who lived in the area for thousands of years believed the springs' waters to have healing properties. Today, the waters of the hot springs are used by the city's famous spas and bathhouses. Hot Springs also boasts numerous other attractions, from museums to a natural environment suitable for people seeking an outdoor adventure.

Geography Of Hot Springs

The wilderness area around Hot Springs.

Hot Springs is located on the banks of the Ouachita River in central Arkansas. It is situated at the southeastern edge of the Ouachita Mountains and is 89 km southwest of Little Rock, the state capital. To the east of Hot Springs is the small town of Magnet Cove. Lake Catherine State Park is also located to the east, on the southern banks of the Ouachita River. Directly south of Hot Springs, across the Ouachita River, are the towns of Lake Hamilton and Red Oak. The town of Piney is located to the west of Hot Springs, while the communities of Fountain Lakes and Hot Springs Village are located to the north.

Within Hot Springs itself are two small rivers that flow through the city. One is Hot Springs Creek, which flows in the city's center. The other river, Gulpha Creek, flows through the city's far eastern section. Hot Springs is also home to several lakes. These include Bethel Lake, Dillon Lake, and Sanderson Lake in the north of the city and Redoak Lake in the city's south. The total area of Hot Springs is 91 sq. km.

Population Of Hot Springs

As of 2020, the total population of Hot Springs was 39,111. More than three-quarters of Hot Springs residents are white, of which 67.9% are non-Hispanic, and 6.5% are Hispanic. African Americans make up the second-largest population group in Hot Springs, at 17.1% of the city's total population. People of mixed racial heritage comprise 3.52% of residents in Hot Springs, while other Hispanics make up 2.2%, Asians 1.03%, and Native Americans 1.02%. Close to 90% of the city's population speaks only English, while 7.5% speak Spanish. Over 93% of Hot Springs residents were born in the United States. Around 58% were born in the city itself.

Economy Of Hot Springs

The average household income in Hot Springs is $54,905, while the poverty rate is high at 24.30%. The city's unemployment rate is 5.7%. The leading economic sectors in Hot Springs in terms of the number of employees are healthcare & social assistance, accommodation & food services, and retail trade.

History Of Hot Springs

Built in 1922 at a cost of $93,000 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the Ozark Bathhouse is part of the Hot Springs National Park.

What is now Hot Springs was frequented by Native Americans for 10,000 years before the arrival of Europeans. The Native Americans, who called the area "the Valley of the Vapors," often visited the site to take advantage of the healing properties that were supposedly contained in the thermal waters of the area's 47 hot springs. The first European to visit present-day Hot Springs was Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto in 1541. In 1673, Frenchmen Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet visited the area and claimed it for France. In 1763, following the Treaty of Paris, which ended the French-Indian War, the Hot Springs area came under Spanish rule. The French retook control in 1800 but sold the land to the United States three years later as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

In 1818, the indigenous Native American Quapaw people ceded their land, which surrounded present-day Hot Springs, to the United States. Fourteen years later, US President Andrew Jackson designated Hot Springs to be the country's first federal reservation. It effectively became the first US National Park, though it would not be given that official designation until 1921. Within a decade, Hot Springs transformed from a frontier town to a spa city centered on a row of Victorian-style bathhouses. However, during the American Civil War, most of Hot Springs' residents fled the town, never to return. The town itself was also severely damaged by fighting.

After the Civil War ended, though, Hot Springs was quickly rebuilt. The city underwent a construction boom of bathhouses and hotels. By 1870, the town's population reached 1,200. 1n 1874, a railroad was built connecting Hot Springs to Malvern, attracting even more people to the former. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, particularly during the 1930s, Hot Springs became infamous as a hotbed for organized crime, prostitution, and bootlegging. Thus, the city attracted some of America's most famous gangsters, including Al Capone, Frank Costello, Bugs Moran, and Lucky Luciano. It was only in the 1960s that the gangster culture in Hot Springs was put to an end following a federal government crackdown.

Attractions In And Around Hot Springs

Spas, Baths, and Everything Related

Mineral hot water in Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.

The most well-known attraction in Hot Springs is the thermal springs for which the city is named. Today, the water from these springs is used for the city's spas and baths. Some of Hot Springs' spas and baths are located in "Bathhouse Row," in the city's downtown area, directly across the street from the historic Arlington Hotel and Spa. There are also shops where visitors can buy spa and bath products such as hand-crafted soap, lotions, body scrubs, bath salts, and body washes.

Museums And Historical Sites

Dinosaur Statues on The Dinotrek Exhibit at The Mid-America Science Museum. Editorial credit: Melissa Tate / Shutterstock.com

Among the museums and historical sites in Hot Springs is the Gangster Museum of America. As previously mentioned, Hot Springs was once very popular with gangsters. This museum is dedicated to telling the story of how some of the country's most notorious criminals coexisted with the city's ordinary citizens. Hot Springs' other notable museums and historic sites include the Mountain Spring Valley Water Museum, the Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum, the Garland County Historical Society, the Mid-America Science Museum, the Lamar Bathhouse, the Galaxy Connection, and the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum & Hot Springs.

Outdoor Attractions

Trump Pence Boat Parade held on Lake Hamilton. Editorial credit: mwesselsphotography / Shutterstock.com

Since Hot Springs is located in a national park, it should be no surprise that it is a perfect destination for outdoor adventures. Some outdoor attractions in and around Hot Springs include the Hot Springs Country Club, Hot Springs Farmer's & Artisans Market, the Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo, Cedar Glades Park, and Degray Lake Resort State Park. Popular activities in the area include horseback riding, hiking, zip-lining, fishing, boating, and other watersports.
It is generally known that the United States of America is composed of 50 different states. However, what is not widely known is that there were many proposals for new US states that never came to fruition. If these states had been created, the current inter-state borders of the United States would look very different. Lack of popular support or the refusal of relevant government authorities to grant statehood contributed to the downfall of most of these proposals. Here are ten proposed states that do not exist in the United States today.

1. Franklin

Replica of the Capitol of the State of Franklin in Greenville, Tennessee. Image credit: Brian Stansberry via Wikimedia Commons

After the Revolutionary War, it was common for US states to gift their westernmost lands to the fledgling US federal government, which was broke at that time. The US government would then sell these lands to westbound settlers. The state of North Carolina sold some of its westernmost lands to the US Congress in April 1784. Fearing that the US government would sell this land to France or Spain to pay off its war debt, the area's residents decided to create their own state, the State of Franklin, which declared independence in December 1784. The state lasted for four years, but in 1789, its lands were rejoined to North Carolina. This failed attempt at statehood led to the inclusion of a clause in the US Constitution, which stipulates that a state cannot be forged from the territory of already-existing US states without the consent of the affected states.

2. Jefferson

Flag of the proposed state of Jefferson.

The creation of the State of Jefferson was not proposed in just one area of the United States, but four. One of these was the western part of Kansas Territory, but its residents could not agree on a constitution for the new state, so the Jefferson Territory, later called the Colorado Territory, was created instead. The second and third proposals involved the state of Texas, but there was not enough support for either of these. The fourth proposal was put forth by counties in southern Oregon and northern California, but after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it came off the political agenda.

3. Superior

The proposed new state of Superior consisted of Michigans Upper Peninsula, which is physically separated from Michigan's mitten portion. This proposal was first broached in 1975, though some believe that it should also include part of northern Wisconsin, which borders Michigans Upper Peninsula to the south. A significant barrier to this proposal is that even if northern Wisconsin were included, the population of the proposed new state would be less than 500,000, which is even less than the least populous US state of Wyoming.

4. Madawaska

A historical plaque about Madawaska.

Before 1842, there was a significant border dispute between the United States and Britain over the boundary between the US state of Maine and the British colony of New Brunswick, the latter of which is now a province of Canada. Each country claimed a different boundary, thus creating a large chunk of the disputed territory. In 1827, pro-American activist John Baker unilaterally declared the establishment of the Republic of Madawaska in this disputed territory. However, the prospect of a new state was muted in 1842 when the United States and Britain signed the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, formally demarcating the border between Maine and New Brunswick.

5. Scott

The proposed state of Scott was named for a county of the same name in Tennessee. The residents of this county attempted to secede from Tennessee after Tennessee seceded from the United States to join the Confederacy during the American Civil War. These residents were neither plantation owners nor slave owners, thus seceding from the Union made no sense for them. However, the proclamation of the state of Scott was ignored by the government of Tennessee, and the issue of Scotts statehood was not even brought up again until 1986, the 125th anniversary of the self-proclaimed states founding when its residents formally requested re-admittance to Tennessee.

6. Transylvania

In Elizabethton, Tennessee, a sign documents the location of the 1775 Transylvania Purchase, whereby over 20 million acres in Kentucky were purchased from the Cherokee. Editorial credit: Nolichuckyjake / Shutterstock.com

It is a sheer coincidence that this proposed state was called Transylvania, as the tale of Dracula that Bram Stoker wrote would not be published for more than 100 years hence. Transylvania consisted of the territory now part of present-day western and southeastern Kentucky and northern Tennessee. The founder of Transylvania was Richard Henderson, who owned the Transylvania Company, which purchased the land from Native Americans of the Cherokee Nation. But this purchase was later ruled illegal under British law. Shortly before the formation of the United States, the colony of Virginia, which claimed legitimate ownership of Transylvania, annulled the Transylvania Purchase and reclaimed the land for itself.

7. Deseret

The Deseret Stone used in the construction of the Washington Monument. The stone was donated by the territory in 1853 to represent the provisional state of Deseret.

Named after a word in the Book of Mormon meaning honeybee, Deseret was a region in the southwestern United States claimed by Mormons who wanted to govern themselves. The proposed state consisted of parts of present-day Utah and parts of several other states. But the Mormons proposal for the creation of Deseret was rejected by the US Congress in 1849. Instead, the Mormons were given the much smaller Utah Territory. After assuming control of Utah, however, the Mormons re-enacted many of the laws and regulations that they had made in their failed state of Deseret.

8. Westsylvania

In 1776, when the United States declared independence from the British, residents of what is now West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, and eastern Kentucky tried to create their own state, called Westsylvania. The US Congress ignored the Westsylvanians petition for a new state and allowed the territory of the proposed state to be absorbed into the surrounding states. But the Westsylvanians remained steadfast in their demands for a new state. In response, Pennsylvanias state government passed a law that declared talk of secession and the Westsylvania movement to be treasonous and punishable by execution. As a result, support for the proposed state quickly disappeared.

9. New York City

Aerial view of New York City at twilight.

New York City is the largest city in the entire United States. In 1969, Norman Miller, who was running as a candidate in the Democratic Party's mayoral primary election, proposed that city become a separate state, thereby seceding from New York State. However, this idea quickly fizzled out after Miller was soundly defeated in the primary, finishing second-last and garnering just 5% of the popular vote.

10. Sequoyah

The proposed State of Sequoyah took its name from Sequoyah, the inventor of the Cherokee syllabary.

The proposed state of Sequoyah was an attempt by Native Americans in what was then called Indian Territory to create their own state where they could govern themselves. These Native Americans were members of Native American nations relocated by the US government from their original homelands in the east. But Congress was reluctant to grant the new state since they wanted to preserve a balance between eastern and western states. Finally, US President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt decided that the territory for the proposed state of Sequoyah would be merged with the rest of the Indian Territory to create the state now known as Oklahoma.

Will There Always Be 50 States?

The United States of America did not start out as 50 states. At the onset of independence, there were just 13 states, so it is certainly possible that new states could be added to the Union in the future. For instance, there is a strong case for making the current US Territory of Puerto Rico a full-fledged US state, especially since more than 52% of the people there voted in favor of statehood in a referendum that took place in 2020. There is also substantial popular support for making Washington DC a US state. Moreover, support for some of the proposed states mentioned above has not entirely faded. Thus, it is conceivable that the Union will have more than 50 states in the future.
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Concerns over delays to development plans in Wrexham and Flintshire

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 17th, 2022

Two neighbouring local authorities have raised concerns over delays in the approval of their planning blueprints.

Wrexham Council has been without an adopted development plan to set out how land will be used in the area in future and guide planning decisions since 2011.

Flintshire Councils plan also expired in 2015, which officials said had left the county vulnerable to speculative developments.

Both authorities were in the latter stages of having their new local development plans (LDPs), indicating where thousands of new homes could be built, examined by inspectors last year.

However, the process hit a significant setback after Natural Resources Wales (NRW) announced tough new targets to ensure planning applications do not increase phosphate pollution levels in rivers.

Inspectors said it had cast considerable uncertainty over the viability of sites included in the Wrexham and Flintshire LDPs.

Officials from the two councils have now written to the inspectors to stress the need to have their plans approved to allow new homes to be built.

Wrexhams chief planning officer Lawrence Isted said: The lack of an LDP has been and continues to be a significant constraint to the delivery of housing supply.

Since 2013, the council has received many applications for major housing developments on sites that lie outside of unitary development plan settlement boundaries, in some cases within green barriers.

A number of these have been granted permission, including sites not proposed for allocation in the LDP.

Further delays to the adoption of the plan will discourage the promoters of more of the allocated sites from submitting formal applications and even from engaging with the council, Welsh Water and NRW to identify how their proposals can incorporate phosphorus mitigation.

The Welsh Government issued a statement in which it said a pragmatic approach should be taken to the two LDPs.

It said that due to the advanced stage of the plans there were limits on what can be achieved in relation to phosphate mitigation measures.

Government officials said the finer details of proposals to address NRWs targets were therefore not required as long as some steps were in place.

In December, inspectors Sian Worden and Melissa Hall wrote to Wrexham Council to address the situation.

They said: The phosphates issue has arisen at an unfortunate time for the Wrexham LDP.

In association with NRW, Dwr Cymru, Flintshire Council and its consultants, the council has done its utmost to find solutions against the background of challenging timetables and in an unfamiliar field.

The importance of, and difficulties arising from, this complicated matter cannot be underestimated but the need to have an adopted LDP in place remains of paramount importance.

Flintshire Councils service manager for planning strategy has also sent a letter to the inspectors seeking guidance for the authoritys LDP to be approved.

Andrew Roberts said: The position that both councils were placed in by the NRW advice was an invidious one, given that no guidance had been provided by them on how to address this matter.

This has required an approach which represents the first of its kind in Wales in relation to demonstrating the soundness of an LDP.

There are a number of ways the impact (of phosphates) can be mitigated to allow development to proceed, and/or there are safeguards in the plan to prevent development happening without mitigation of some form.

We await the inspectors further guidance on this matter and will do all we can to assist the inspectors to progress the plan to adoption.

By Liam Randall  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Investigation into Kronospan fire ongoing over two years after incident

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 17th, 2022

A North Wales MS has again questioned the progress of an inquiry report into the cause of a large fire at a factory in Wrexham.

In January 2020, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to a blaze at Kronospan in Chirk. The incident, at the factorys log yard, involved a quantity of logs and wood chip material.

It took five days to dampen down the fire and during that time residents were urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke in the area. A local primary school also made the decision to keep its pupils inside during break time.

Two years on from the devastating fire at Kronospan, Plaid Cymrus North Wales MS has asked about the inquiry into the blaze  repeating his call a year ago.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymrus regional MS, said: The fire took place two years ago in January 2020 and the initial report was due back in April 2020. Of course the Covid pandemic hit us in the meantime and I completely understand why resources and officers were diverted to dealing with that emergency.

However, I think the people of Chirk and all those affected by the fire and ongoing pollution problems do deserve to know what is happening and its important that we get an update on the inquiry and when it is likely to report back. Since the fire, I have had continual updates from local residents about pollution affecting them that emanates from the plant.

So this needs resolving and, despite the ongoing pressures on staff due to the pandemic, I hope we can get an answer from Wrexham Council about when they expect the report into the fire is likely to see the light of day.

Wrexham.com put the question to Wrexham Council who told us, The matters in relation to activity undertaken prior, during and after the fire by Kronospan is still subject to an investigation by Public Protection Officers.

The demands of the Covid pandemic on the Service in addition to the impact on Kronospan to provide information and assist Officers during 2020 caused by reduced activity on site has delayed the investigation.

The site benefits from an environmental permit and as such the investigation relates to potential breaches of permit conditions. As such the matter will follow relevant legal processes and consideration. The matter is yet to be concluded.
Ministers in Wales to review advice over reducing self isolation to five days

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 17th, 2022

Self-isolation guidance for people who test positive for COVID-19 in England has changed from today.

People with Covid-19 in England will be able to reduce their isolation to just five days if they test negative on days 5 and 6 from today (Monday, January 17).

The change is intended to maximise activity in the economy and education while minimising the risk of people passing on the virus.

Wales first minister Mark Drakeford said on Friday we are yet to see that evidence to justify any further reductions to the self-isolation period in Wales.

But Wales chief medical officer Dr Frank Atherton has said today that ministers will be looking at advice around reducing the period of self-isolation to 5 days.

Before omicron, people in the UK with COVID symptoms or a positive test had to self-isolate for ten days.

But when the new variant of concern arrived, governments in the UK changed the self-isolation period to seven days.

People in England will now be able to leave isolation after two negative lateral flow tests  taken 24 hours apart  from day five, the rules are the same regardless of vaccine status.

Self-isolation guidance for people who test positive for COVID-19 in England has changed. From today, people can leave self-isolation after five full days if they test negative on days 5 and 6. Swipe for details   Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 17, 2022

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales today, Dr Atherton was asked if Wales will follow England and reduce the self-isolation period to five days, he said: Theres always a trade-off between the length of time and the risk that you face of reducing that length of time.

If everybody was to be released on day 5 after they tested positive or developed symptoms of Coronavirus, then about 30% of people would still be infectious.

That can be reduced if we use lateral flow test sequentially on the two days before release.

But whatever you use you choose to do, the risk of infectious people in the community does increase if you reduce the number of days so thats advice that well be putting up to ministers this week.

Theyll be looking at that and they will make a decision on that.

People in Wales generally expect us to be a little bit more cautious but ministers will be looking at this week on the basis of advice that we sent up.

Welsh Conservative and Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS that with the booster jab rollout so advanced, the need to keep public services staffed, and the increasing desire to move to a point where we live with the virus, the time for cutting the self-isolation has come.

I can understand nerves about reducing the self-isolation period but it still requires negative testing and data shows most people are not infectious after five days. This is also happening when the dominant strain in the UK is the milder Omicron variant.

Russell George said: We saw over the Christmas period that Covid was harming British society, not through mass hospitalisations and deaths but, through thousands having to isolate, leaving public services understaffed, consumers short-changed, and businesses losing out.

Weve already seen Labours botched over-reaction to Omicron and how that has impacted businesses. By cutting the self-isolation period, they can start atoning for the damage they have done. He said.

During a press conference on Friday, Mark Drakeford said: What we will be doing is looking at whatever evidence the UK Government has used to come to a conclusion (to reduce isolation time from 7 to 5 days).

As I understand it (The UK Government decision) moves the removal of self-isolation by just 24 hours.

I know (the UK Government) is saying seven days to five days but when you look at the small print, its actually 24 hours.

He said that when the Welsh Government was given all the evidence in December prior to the decision to move the self-isolation period from 10 days to seven days in Wales, it showed that at day five, more than three out of 10 people are still infectious.

That did not seem sensible to us to have that number of people with Covid out and about spreading it to others.

We will study whatever evidence is now available if we think it is safe and our chief medical officer and scientific advisers say to us that we can now move down the days in a way that doesnt cause risk to others, of course, thats what we will do.

But were yet to see that evidence or to get that advice.

Current self-isolation rules in Wales.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate and take a PCR test as soon as possible. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you must self-isolate and follow the guidance below.

You can leave self-isolation after 7 full days (on day 8 of your self-isolation period).

You should take a lateral flow test (LFT) on day 6 of your self-isolation period and another lateral flow test 24 hours later. This is to check if you remain infectious and could pass COVID-19 on to others.

You should not take a LFT before the sixth day of your self-isolation period because the risks of remaining infectious and the chances of passing it on to others before this period is significantly higher.

If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should follow this guidance. If you are not fully vaccinated, you are legally required to self-isolate as a close contact for 10 days.

More here: https://gov.wales/self-isolation
Vehicle owners urged to be vigilant following recent catalytic converter thefts

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 17th, 2022

North Wales Police is urging everyone to be vigilant around vehicle security following reports of a number of catalytic converter thefts.

Thefts of catalytic converters in North Wales have risen by more than 400 per cent in a year, according to research.

Data obtained from 25 police forces by Which? shows that, between 2019 and 2020 alone, incidents of theft in England, Northern Ireland and Wales rose 104 per cent on average.

North Wales Police saw the highest rise in the number of thefts, rising from nine in 2019 to 46 in 2020  an increase of 411%.

Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted.

They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute.

DCI Alun Oldfield said: We are currently seeing an increase in the theft of catalytic converters across our force area.

Precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium are used in catalytic converters.

The price of these metals has risen sharply in recent years and has led to an increase in the theft of catalytic converters by organised crime networks.

Two of the most recent reports of this type of theft in our force area involved Mitsubishi Colt vehicles parked close to residential addresses.

While we would ask drivers of this vehicle model to take extra care, we are warning all vehicle owners to be aware of the threat posed by opportunistic thieves.

Police have issued these steps that owners can take to protect their vehicles.

To keep your catalytic converter safe, you can ask your car dealer for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold.

Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle, park it in a secure compound.

If this isnt possible, park in an area thats well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the converter cant be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.

You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of it.

If you have been a victim of this type of theft you can report incidents via our online service: Report | North Wales Police or by calling 101.

For further advice on keeping your vehicle secure visit: Catalytic converter theft | North Wales Police
The decision by provincial governments across the country to reopen schools to in-person learning amid a tsunami of Omicron infections is criminally reckless and must be resisted. The Cross-Canada Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee (CERSC) urges all educators, support staff, students and parents to organize mass walkouts and strike action to close schools immediately as part of a global COVID-19 elimination strategy to save lives.

Educators across Canada must take their place in the global eruption of opposition to the ruling class policy of mass infection and death. Thousands of teachers and students in the United States have refused to return to school since the beginning of the new year, with job actions and major protests in cities like Chicago, New York, Oakland, California and Detroit. In France, a nationwide teachers strike opposing the right-wing Macron governments policy of letting the virus run rampant took place last Thursday.

Hundreds of thousands of teachers in France joined last Thursdays national strike against the right-wing Macron governments ruinous mishandling of the pandemic. Pictured above: parents, teachers and students demonstrate outside a suburban Paris hospital with banners that read "COVID at school equals hospitalized parents, (left) and "Overcrowded classes, equals saturated hospitals" (right). (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

These struggles arise amid unprecedented levels of infection and hospitalizations. Case numbers and hospitalizations in every Canadian province have reached or will soon reach record levels. The number of daily deaths is rapidly rising towards their previous peaks, even though the vast majority of people have received vaccinations. Globally, around 15 million people are getting infected every week.

In reopening schools under these life-threatening conditions, governments are prioritizing corporate profits over human lives. The Trudeau federal government, which fully supports the back-to-school drive, and the provincial governments see schools not as facilities to educate young people, but as warehouses to detain them so that their parents can be freed up to go to work generating corporate profits for big business and the super-rich.

Faced with the choice of letting millions get infected by a potentially deadly disease or adopting lifesaving lockdowns that would interrupt the flow of cash into the bank accounts of the major corporations and the stock market, Canadian governments at all levels prefer mass infection and death. This is the only conclusion one can draw from reviewing the school reopening rules in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. They include provisions to merge classes into groups of up to 50 or 60 to compensate for mass staff absences, to ask untrained parents to keep an eye on students, and to stop reporting school infections to parents, never mind the public at large. Quebec even refuses to give teachers N95 masks, which are critical to prevent airborne transmission.

If there is anything more contemptible than the politicians and media talking heads advocating this strategy with lies about Omicron being mild and schools not being vectors of Covid transmission, it is the trade union bureaucrats ridiculous claims that in-person learning can be made safe amid a raging pandemic. No education union has opposed the return to class across Canada and organized opposition to the back-to-school campaign. Instead, they have complained that governments did not involve them enough in drafting the rules that will guarantee mass infection, the hospitalization of thousands of students and educators, and the deaths of many of their own members. Throughout the pandemic, they have sabotaged every attempt by education workers and parents to fight for workplace safety and a Zero COVID policy.

Hundreds of thousands of educators, parents and working people across the country are rightly outraged by the total indifference shown by the political establishment for the wellbeing of teachers, who are supposed to prepare our young people to contribute to society, and the youth, our hope for a better future.

But merely complaining about the irresponsibility of the pro-big-business politicians and their union lackeys is insufficient if the looming catastrophe is to be averted. The ruling elite has a consciously worked-out policy, which is to let everybody get infected to protect Bay Street and the corporate elites bottom line. This policy has already officially claimed the lives of over 31,000 Canadians. The working class must respond with a no less thoroughly worked-out policy that gives unconditional priority to its interestsfor the protection of workers health and very lives and an end to the pandemicover any and all economic considerations.

This must begin with the understanding that only a mass worker-led movement can force the immediate closure of schools and all nonessential production as part of a comprehensive plan of public health measures to suppress transmission of the virus and bring cases down to zero. This movement should fight for workers to be paid full wages by the pandemic profiteers throughout a lockdown of two to three months, which scientists have shown would suffice to suppress all COVID-19 infections.

The virus is a global problem, which is why educators in Canada must unify their struggle with their colleagues in the US, Europe and around the world by building the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. They must also recognize that ending COVID-19 is above all a political rather than a medical problem. Scientists have a clear understanding of the public health measures needed to suppress the virus and avoid thousands more preventable deaths. But their implementation conflicts with the capitalist profit system and the interests of its political representatives.

To wage this political struggle, educators need their own organizations, built independently of and in opposition to the pro-capitalist unions. The CERSC calls for the establishment of rank-and-file safety committees in every school, university and college to organize mass strikes to halt in-person learning and fight for a global program of COVID-19 elimination. We pledge to do all we can to assist educators and school support staff to build such committees and encourage everyone wishing to take up this urgent fight to contact us today by emailing the CERSC at cersc.csppb@gmail.com or visiting our Twitter or Facebook accounts: https://twitter.com/cersc_csppb and https://www.facebook.com/cersc.csppb .
Three thousand workers at United Airlines, over 4 percent of its workforce, have recently tested positive for COVID-19. In recent weeks, the airline has canceled about 8 percent of its flights, or about 29,000 flights. Over the holidays, almost a third of United Airlines workers called in sick at the Newark Liberty International Airport, which is a major United hub.

The whole aviation industry is facing similar issues. Alaska Airlines has also cut about 10 percent of its January flight schedule because of an unprecedented number of workers who called in sick due to the Omicron variant surge of COVID-19. The airline was physically incapable of running its operations at full capacity safely with the remaining staff.

A Delta Airlines pilot walks through a terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Airlines around the world canceled over 6,000 flights on Christmas Eve, Christmas and the day after Christmas. In the United States, over 2,800 flights were canceled during the holiday weekend as pilots, flight attendants and other airlines workers called in sick.

The airlines have had to become more flexible for travelers who might have their travel plans canceled or changed due to the pandemic. The Alaska Air Group Inc. stated, Right now, we need to build more reliability back into our operation as we deal with the impacts of omicron and during a time when guests generally fly less. [The cancellations] will give us the flexibility and capacity needed to reset while continued flexible travel policies enable guests to adjust their plans accordingly.

Winter weather also played a factor in airline cancellations, with Alaska cutting 120 flights on January 6, about 16 percent of its total scheduled flights, according to FlightAware.com. The United States saw 1,980 flights canceled for the whole industry on January 6 due to the combined causes of employee illness and severe winter weather. During the holidays, Alaska Airlines canceled almost 15 percent and delayed 38 percent of its scheduled flights between December 24 and January 5.

Airlines in the United States, including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, are attempting to get workers back on the job in spite of the risk of infection, using financial incentives to encourage workers to take on extra shifts in order to cover for quarantined workers.

United has recently required its workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said that prior to the companys vaccination requirement, tragically, more than one United employee on average per week was dying from COVID. Kirby said that since the vaccination requirement was enacted, the hospitalization rate among our employees has been 100 times lower than the general population in the U.S.

In December, Kirby had to defend the airlines vaccine decision against criticism from the Republican Party. We did this for safety, we dont compromise on safety, Kirby said at the U.S. Senate hearing. Kirby said, While we have about 3,000 employees who are currently positive for COVID, zero of our vaccinated employees are currently hospitalized.

Little is being done for airline workers aside from vaccine requirements. Vaccination is an important tool against COVID-19, but vaccines alone cannot prevent the spread of the virus, especially as new variants such as Omicron develop the ability to evade immunity. It is also not a complete guarantee against serious health outcomes from infections such as COVID-19. If safety truly is the primary factor in airline decision making, all but the most necessary flights would be grounded until the pandemic is over and COVID-19 is eliminated from the human population.

Underscoring this lack of focus on safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut the recommended quarantine period from 10 days to five after Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian asked the CDC on December 21 to reduce the quarantine requirements because they might significantly impact our workforce and operations. JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes joined in this request the following Wednesday with the support of other airlines. Prior to this, the CDC had already bowed to business interests and arbitrarily shortened the recommended 14 days of isolation to 10.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky openly admitted the economic motivations behind the agencys decision by saying, We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science. Keeping society functioning is a euphemism for keeping the economy open and producing profits for Wall Street.

The US airline industry has received $63 billion in federal stimulus money under the Payroll Support Program (PSP) and other programs since the beginning of the pandemic. In March 2020, $25 billion came through the CARES Act, $15 billion through the December 2020 relief bill and $14 billion through the 2021 American Rescue Plan. An additional $5 billion was given to food service, maintenance and janitorial contractors. The PSP was part of Congresss massive financial support to Wall Street and corporations packaged as part of the CARES Act and was officially intended to help corporations keep their workers employed.

In spite of this, airlines forced over 80,000 workers to take voluntary buyouts and early retirements. As of November, the airlines have 24,000 fewer workers than they did in 2019. For their part, the airline unions have blocked any attempt to shut down the industry in order to save the lives of their own members.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) President Captain Joseph G. DePete released a statement on December 14, saying, Over the past 20 months, the bipartisan Payroll Support Program (PSP) has averted disaster for the airline industry and its workers. Because of the $63 billion in federal relief as well as aviation workers who volunteered to retire early, our industry was ready for Thanksgiving, with many carriers marking their best on-time performance since 2017. The only mention of the pandemic in this statement at all was to claim that thanks to a historic government-labor-airlines partnership, forged during an unprecedented global pandemic, airline pilots are more than ready to safely get passengers to their destinations this holiday season.

Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and a leading member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), praised the CDC for recommendations that recognize concerns raised by our union, by adding the toothless caveat quarantine can be limited to five days only if asymptomatic and with continued mask wearing for an additional five days.

In fact, aviation workers have increasingly been forced to work when they should be in quarantine. Workers whose significant others have tested positive have been ordered to report to work despite the danger of infection. The five-day quarantine period, enacted for business reasons rather than for public health reasons, has made every workplace in the US an unsafe work environment.

A Southwest Airlines flight attendant told the World Socialist Web Site that she was told to report to work during the holidays even after being infected with COVID-19. She said, I worked on December 21 and the 22, which I believe is when I was exposed because there were several passengers not wearing their masks correctly. All we are supposed to do now is make one announcement [about wearing masks] and that is it.

Over the weekend, 157,272 people were in hospitals in the United States, with 25,173 in intensive care units. The daily average in hospital admissions is at 148,782, which is an 80 percent increase from just two weeks ago.

With ALPA, the AFA, the TWU and other airline unions colluding in the attack on workers, airline workers must resort to joining the growing network of independent and international rank-and-file committees in order to protect their lives and livelihoods. The struggle must be taken out of the hands of the pro-corporate unions and placed into the hands of an independent working class working together internationally to prioritize workers lives over corporate profit.
As Australias state and federal governments continue to repeat the baseless assertion that COVID-19 infections will soon peak, New South Wales (NSW) Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant today warned that deaths are expected to climb in the coming days.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt claimed yesterday there were signs that NSW in particular and the ACT may be peaking. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet described yesterdays official figures34,399 new infections, 2,650 people current hospital admissions and 20 deathsas incredibly encouraging and pleasing.

Staff prepare to collect samples at a drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

The reality is, the woeful state of COVID-19 testing in Australia, along with the redefinition of close contacts to include only household transmission, render any scientific assessment of infection numbers impossible.

The claim that the current wave of COVID-19 has peaked, or soon will, is instead part of a barrage of propaganda aimed at forcing people back to work and school.

Australias trade unions are actively participating in this drive. Having covered up the rampant infection throughout workplaces, these thoroughly corporatised bureaucracies have, in recent days, been forced to react to mounting anger among workers and issue mealy-mouthed demands for N95 masks and rapid antigen tests.

These measures would do little to protect the health and lives of workers and are instead aimed at allowing business to continue operating, even as illness decimates the workforce. The primary concern of the unions, together with the governments, is to keep a lid on mounting opposition to the dangerous pandemic policies.

More than 73,500 new COVID-19 infections were reported across Australia today, a vast underestimate of the real figure. The number of people hospitalised for COVID-19 passed 5,000 nationally for the first time in the pandemic, while 410 people are in intensive care, 121 of them on ventilators. Thirty-one COVID-19 deaths were reported today, including seven in Queensland, six in Victoria and one in the Australian Capital Territory.

Today, NSW reported 17 deaths from COVID-19, of people aged between 60 and 100. Fourteen of the victims were fully vaccinated, while one had received only one dose and two were unvaccinated.

In the past week, 140 people have died from COVID in NSW. Ninety-eight were fully vaccinated, two had received only one dose and 40 were unvaccinated. Twenty-five of those who died were aged under 70.

While other states do not regularly report this information, the Victorian Labor governments acting Health Minister James Merlino stated on Friday that around 40 percent of people who had died of COVID-19 in the state recently were fully vaccinated.

Both states have reported that around half of COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions are fully vaccinated patients.

These figures make clear that, while vaccination against COVID-19 is critical, inoculation alone cannot stop the deadly virus. The let it rip policies of almost every Australian state, territory or federal government, Labor and Liberal-National alike, under which virtually all public health measures were abandoned based on arbitrary vaccination targets, have caused infections to surge out of control and have already resulted in hundreds of preventable deaths.

Western Australia, the only state or territory that has not yet acceded to the demands of big business and thrown open its borders, stands as a clear refutation of the claims, advanced by every other government, that the wave of infection was inevitable. Since December 1, the state has recorded just 176 cases. There has not been a death in Western Australia from COVID-19 since May 2020. Its Labor government, however, is preparing to open the borders in line with the Labor Partys full support for the live with the virus program.

Australias deadliest seven-day period since the start of the pandemic301 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in the country in the week ending yesterdayhas done nothing to diminish the insistence from the political establishment that the population must continue to ride the wave.

Merlino declared, We are one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions in the world, and that means we can stay open.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Chant matter-of-factly stated: As we go through 2022, we will see and report people who have died, particularly people who are older and particularly people with underlying health conditions.

Perpetuating the unscientific claim that Omicron is mild, Chant claimed: People with underlying health conditions only need to have a very mild illness to sometimes have them decompensate. Theyre very vulnerable because theyre just on that edge.

In other words, Chant and the NSW political establishment have decided that the preventable deaths of hundreds of people is acceptable, simply because they are older or have underlying health conditions.

Chant also revealed last week that 67 percent of NSWs ICU patients had Omicron, making clear that the variant is far from mild. The corollary is that the remaining one third are the Delta variant, which is clearly still circulating and has not been eliminated by the new variant as was suggested would happen when governments allowed Omicron to run rampant.

The Murdoch press has enthusiastically taken up the campaign to falsely characterise COVID-19 as a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Zeroing in on a single small regional hospital in Lismore, Northern NSW, an article published in yesterdays Sunday Telegraph reported that all six of the hospitals ICU patients were unvaccinated.

The article went on to state that only 106 of the 1,248 COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU in NSW between June and December last year were fully vaccinated. No mention was made of the fact that, for much of that period, vaccines were not available to the majority of Australians. At the beginning of June 2021, just 2.3 percent of the countrys population had received two doses of the vaccine. Except in certain hotspot areas, those aged 16-39 were not eligible to receive their first dose until the beginning of September.

While this was put forward to suggest that vaccination is a panacea and those who suffer severe symptoms have only themselves to blame, it stands as an indictment of Australias shambolic vaccine rollout.

The article estimated that the state had spent $4.9 million per day on ICU care for unvaccinated patients compared to $463,000 per day for vaccinated patients. The clear insinuation is that the small minority of Australian adults who are not vaccinated are a burden on society and should be refused the basic human right of free medical care.

The fact that the vast majority of Australian adults are fully vaccinated (two doses) and are now desperately seeking out booster shots for themselves, and vaccines for their 5-11 year-old children, is a reflection of just how seriously the masses of working people take the pandemic.

On November 27, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said that mass infection with the supposedly mild Omicron variant would be his number one Christmas present.

NSW Liberal-National Health Minister Brad Hazzard stated in December pretty well everybody will get Omicron, while John Gerrard, chief health officer for the Queensland Labor government, said earlier this month, all of us are going to be exposed.

Australias Labor and Liberal-National governments have not merely accepted and promoted this fatalistic position, they are actively ensuring that it takes place. As cases have surged, public health measures have been discarded, borders opened and testing sharply reduced. In line with the demands of big business, governments have used the supply chain crisis created by widespread infection as justification to force possibly infected workers back on the job.

The claims that the current surge has peaked, or will soon peak, are just the latest stage in this propaganda campaign aimed at clearing the way for new policies that will lead to an even greater surge.

Despite the conscious efforts of governments, health authorities and the corporate media to downplay the severity of COVID-19, there is growing opposition to criminal let it rip policies and the forced return to work and school.

In one example, a recent survey of 3,043 families by advocacy group The Parenthood found that just one-fifth of respondents believed it was safe for school to return in Term 1, scheduled for the end of this month and the beginning of next.

This growing anger and concern must find conscious political expression. Teachers, parents and students must join with workers across all industries in opposing the reckless promotion of mass infection with a virus that is anything but mild.

The working class must now take their lives into their own hands, and fight for a socialist perspective, in which the health and lives of the mass of the population are prioritised over the profit interests of a wealthy few.
Hundreds of childcare centres across Australia have been forced to close in recent weeks due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

In the first week of January, 303 childcare centres were listed as closed in New South Wales, Australias most populous state, 30 in Victoria, 29 in South Australia, 22 in Queensland, three in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and one in the Northern Territory. The closures occurred despite a lot of centres having shut down for the summer break. After many reopened last week, closures increased further, with a total of 490 registered as closed yesterday. The tally is almost certain to increase in the next period, as numbers of working parents return from leave and resume placing their children in care.

A childcare center (Argonne Child Development Center/Flickr)

Childcare workers are among those confronting the highest risk of infection in their workplace. Caring for the youngest children, unmasked as well as unvaccinated, cannot occur while maintaining any kind of social distancing, while attending to various hygiene issues further heightens the risk of infection.

The exposure to COVID of thousands of young children and babies, all of whom are unvaccinated, represents another indictment of the bipartisan let it rip policy being implemented by every state and federal government.

The disaster in childcare provides a foretaste of what will happen within the schools, if they are permitted to reopen as scheduled in late January and early February.

Early Learning and Care was experiencing a workforce shortage before the COVID-19 pandemic Elizabeth Death, the chief executive of the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia, explained. We are now in a workforce shortage crisis.

In the early 1990s, the then federal Labor government encouraged private operators into the early learning and childcare sector, which had previously been predominantly publicly operated. Childcare provision has since functioned as a cash cow for business thanks to generous government subsidies.

Australian families are among the highest users of childcare among OECD countries. Almost 40 percent of households spend more than they can afford, according to international benchmarks that outline no more than 7 percent of disposable household income ought to be allocated.

According to a Mitchell Institute report last year, Counting the cost to families: assessing childcare affordability in Australia, 83 percent of families using childcare spend more on it than they do on utilities. Altogether, nearly 40 percent of families spent more than 7 percent of their household income on childcare making it unaffordable for almost 400,000 Australians.

While childcare workers are paid poverty level wages, CEOs in the sector are handed exorbitant salaries. At the same time, babies, toddlers and young children are put at risk, with government regulations widely disregarded.

A recent study found that three-quarters of the 12,000 enforcement actions taken since 2015 were against for-profit providers.

At the same time, cost-cutting and unsustainable workloads have led to high staff turnover and staff shortages. A survey undertaken by the United Workers Union (UWU) reported that between 35-48 percent of educators leave the sector each year, double the average national workforce turnover. Two-thirds of survey respondents said their centre was understaffed, with 60 percent saying they had often come to work or stayed on the job while sick due to staff shortages. Some 71 percent of centre directors report a significant increase in staff leaving the sector since the COVID-19 pandemic.

A quarter of staff said they spent 5-10 unpaid hours per month completing their programming, with another 5-10 unpaid hours worked each month setting up rooms and cleaning. Staff are regularly invited to working-bees on the weekends to try to catch up with cleaning and jobs they havent completed during the week.

A worker responding to the unions survey commented, Its become worse in the last couple of years. We still provide care for the same number of children, but without enough staff. Its happening every day and its dangerous for children and staff. Staff routinely go home crying and then have to come to work the next day even though they are well-beyond exhausted or physically unwell, for fear of making the next day worse for the rest of their colleagues, children and families.

The disastrous state of the sector is the result of bipartisan policies implemented by Labor and Liberal governments alike. The UWU, like its predecessors, United Voice and the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union, has refused to mobilise educators against these attacks, instead functioning as the enforcer of each new government measure. The union upholds Fair Work industrial laws, introduced by the last Labor government, which ban virtually all industrial action.

The UWU, like every other union, is playing a critical role in allowing the Morrison federal government to keep childcare centres open as an essential component of the overall drive to force people back on the job amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

With callous indifference to the health and lives of workers, Australias national cabinet last week responded to the mass closure of childcare centres by adding staff in the sector to its list of those who can be forced to remain working even if they are close contacts of a COVID infection. A close contact is now defined as someone living with an individual who has tested positive to the coronavirus, meaning childcare workers who are likely themselves infected will be compelled to go to work.

New organisations of struggle, independent of the unions, are needed. As a first step childcare workers should form rank-and-file committees and link up with school teachers, university staff and other sections of the working-class facing similar risks to their working conditions and health.

Childcare centres should only be open to children of emergency workers with full income support for all workers affected by the suspension of non-essential production. The strictest safety precautions including effective provision of PPE must be freely available. Staff to children ratios need to be cut to what is scientifically recommended.

Tens of thousands of additional childcare workers need to be hired and decent wages paid. Workloads must be reduced and ongoing and accessible information provided of COVID-19 outbreaks at childcare centres. The wealth of the super-rich, major banks, and large corporations must be expropriated and society must be organised along rational scientific lines to meet the needs of the vast majority.

Childcare workers who agree with this perspective are urged to contact the Committee for Public Education (CFPE) and join the fight for rank-and-file safety committees. In collaboration with educator rank-and-file committees internationally, developed through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, the CFPE has mobilized educators independently of, and in opposition to, the corporatist unions.

Register for the CFPE meeting, No to Australian school reopenings amid record COVID infections! Educators, students, parentsjoin the fight for rank-and-file safety committees! It will be held online on January 23 at 11am (AEDT).

Contact the CFPE:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: @CFPE_Australia
Thousands gathered in the Bronx Sunday to mourn the victims of New Yorks deadliest residential fire in more than three decades. A mass funeral was held for 15 of the 17 victims at the Islamic Cultural Center, about a mile and a half from the scene of the devastating fire.

The funeral drew large numbers of immigrants from across West Africa, some traveling from as far as Ohio to attend the service. Most of the victims of the fire that sent deadly smoke throughout the 19-story high-rise had family connections to the Gambia.

Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site spoke with mourners Sunday. Muhammed, a cousin of the youngest victim, described how his family is grappling with the tragedy of the two-year-old. Just grief. Its really, really hard, he said as he displayed a screenshot of the toddlers death certificate on his phone.

Muhammed, cousin of the two-year-old who died in the fire

Im always there. I was there that day. I went to pick up my cousin at 8:29 that morning. The fire broke out sometime around 11. Muhammed explained that his cousins family lived on the third floor, the same floor where the fire began. His cousin, who works two jobs, often relies on friends or relatives in the building for child care. At the time of the fire, the toddler was with a friend on the 19th floor. Most escaped, but the youngest one passed away. Its really hard. I wish it never happened.

But it never would have happened if they had just provided heat, he said. They do have heat in the building, but it was never enough. I bought a space heater for my cousin on the 29th, he said, scrolling on his phone to a receipt from eBay in December.

They put them up in a hotel on Webster Avenue and said they would provide housing. But they can never return to that apartment. All the doors were sealed.

Ibrema, who came to the funeral with Muhammed, stressed the role of building owners in allowing dangerous conditions: Every building around, the landlords dont want to turn on the heat. I live close by to the fire. Thats the reason people are using space heaters. They dont fix the heat. They dont fix broken windows, where the cold comes in from.

He described conditions in his own one-bedroom apartment, which he shares with a family of five. Two of my kids, a 13- and a 21-year-old, sleep in the living room, he said. The bathroom ceiling has mold and massive cracks. It already collapsed once. Its dangerous, but they wont fix it.

Ive applied for housing lottery for three years but never heard back, he added.

Yusef, a carpenter who lives on Montgomery Avenue, walking distance from the fire, told the WSWS, Those deaths, it is not supposed to happen that way. It is sad. A lot of people lost their family. I am also from West Africa, Ghana. When something bad like this happens, they have to fix it. The politicians come here to say something, but things have to be different.

Rafi Ismail from the Morris Park area of the Bronx, who sells cars, said that like everyone else, he came in sympathy for the families. I am hoping that what will come out of this is for the best. The city has to see that every building is protected, but the door closer did not work, and there was no fire system. Most of them dont care about the working class.

Daloutah, who studies radiology at Bronx Community College, was at the funeral ceremony with his brother. I live in the area, he said. The problem is sometimes the building heat is not on, so people try to get more heat and that causes the accident. Like in my building, sometimes they turn on the heat and then turn it off after 15 minutes, but it is freezing temperatures outside. The landlords turn off the gas because they want to save the money of buying the gas. The government is supposed to go after them, but it is the same BS. If they know the building has violations, they should fix it. It is a business. The rich getting more rich and the poor still getting more poor. They are getting billions and billions.

WSWS reporters also spoke to residents outside the fire-damaged Twin Parks North West Sunday, where fire investigation crews were still on the scene.

Shelly Matthews, who lives next door, said, Its the slum landlords. They live in luxury upstate, or in Connecticut, or in New Jersey, while tenants are suffering. This should have never happened.

Shelly Matthews, a neighbor of the fire victims

Shelly went on to describe a list of unsanitary and dangerous conditions that residents of the neighborhood face. We didnt have heat, no hot water last night. I put on my oven. What else could I do? She said the windows are bolted shut in the lobby. Theres a lot of residue piled up on the radiators.

The building next to hers is worse. They have a lot of issues, she said. No heat. No hot water. A pregnant neighbor had no refrigerator for a month, she said. One of the biggest problems now is that we are infested with rats. Some people said they run into their apartments.

Yahia Williams, a day care teacher, lives in the apartment building directly across the street from the building where the 17 fire victims died. It was an accident, but there should be accountability. Hopefully, Mayor Adams will not blame the tenants. How come the door did not close? When a house catches on fire, people jump into action, and so should the city. But it is always the same. You call 311, the city helpline, and sometimes they get it and sometimes not, especially in low-income neighborhoods. People complain and complain, put some pressure on and then eventually they do something, but just put a Band-Aid on the problem, and then it continues, just a cycle.

Asked about the deaths in the pandemic, Yahia replied, The fire is like the pandemic. It was foreseeable in 2019 when it was still in another country. They should have tried to see it doesnt happen here. When you see the problem, you need to act fast.

Sundays services in the Bronx were attended by prominent Democratic officials, including Senator Chuck Schumer, Mayor Eric Adams, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who were afforded front-row seats for the proceedings. Addressing them, the leader of the Islamic Cultural Center, Sheikh Musa Drammeh, remarked, If these people lived in Midtown Manhattan, this wouldnt have happened. They would not have needed space heaters. The conditions in which they lived in the Bronx caused their death, he said. Mr. Mayor, you heard? Mr. Schumer, you heard?

Thousands gathered at the mass funeral Saturday

Mayor Adams, who had named as an adviser on housing issues one of the landlords responsible for the deadly conditions at Twin Parks North West, responded by pledging support for the families. What is happening here in the Bronx, it is what is happening across our city, where the communities with black, brown, and immigrant people are, he added. Its time to end those inequalities, so we dont have our babies and our families torn apart by tragedy.

The mayors appeal to racial politics is cynical and false. No black and brown millionaires live in slum conditions, while millions of white working people do. His empty promises to end inequality are belied by the reality of the policies of the Democratic Party. Just two days previously, the state ended the moratorium on evictions, empowering landlords to threaten impoverished tenants with homelessness even as more than 500 a week die in New York City from the pandemic.
To tell us about conditions at your plant, email autoworkers@wsws.org. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

On January 13, Caleb Mateo Dye, a young worker at Chicago Ford Assembly Plant (CAP) in Chicago, Illinois, died after a long battle against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Caleb had been in the hospital for infection with COVID-19 since December 10, according to Facebook posts by his wife.

Caleb Dye (Facebook)

A Facebook post announcing Calebs death January 13 in a UAW Local 551 Facebook group received over 400 comments and reactions from workers who mourned the loss of their coworker and expressed condolences for his family.

An obituary posted on Facebook reads, Caleb Mateo Dye, 32, of Chicago and Miami, OK passed away on January 13, 2022, at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, IL.  Caleb was known as a loving husband and father. He was so gentle and playful, and brought joy everywhere he went. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his encouraging spirit, his hard work ethic, his love for bringing people together, his kindness and generosity.

Survivors include his father (Charles Dye), mother (Rose Mary Marshall-Dye), wife (Alma Dye), daughter (Lali), and four brothers: Jason (Chicago), Brian (Chicago), Chuckie (Indiana), and David (New Hampshire) and several nieces (Jocelyn, Chloe, Kendra, Lily Rose, and Olivet) whom he loved dearly.

On December 13, Calebs wife Alma wrote, My husband Caleb Mateo Dye has been in the hospital due to covid since Friday. His body is fighting to clear the pneumonia in his lungs and hes on a bypap machine thats assisting him to breathe at 100%. Without the machine his oxygen levels go from 88-93 to a low 70 They have stopped feeding him and giving him water as a means to keep him dry. This is frustrating for him... Theyre avoiding intubation so please pray he will not need that.

Day and night Im praying for my beloved to heal and come back home!

In the week after his hospitalization, Calebs health seemed to improve very slowly. But like many reported experiences of COVID-19 patients, his condition subsequently worsened, and he was eventually intubated on the morning of January 12. After being placed in a medically induced-coma to aid resuscitation efforts, he succumbed to the virus and his life tragically ended the night of January 13.

The story of Calebs illnessand the suffering of his friends and familypaints a devastating picture of the reality that over 874,000 Americans and millions worldwide have been subjected to. The majority of those who have died from COVID-19 are from the working class, which has been forced by the corporations and the capitalist political parties, aided by the trade unions, to work under conditions that virtually guarantee that the virus will infect them, their coworkers and their families and loved ones.

In a callous display of indifference, neither management nor the United Auto Workers union has stopped production to allow workers to grieve, or apparently even felt the need to tell all workers that their coworker died.

Thanks for letting us know about the forklift driver who died. We both drive forklifts and no, we havent heard anything about it, a Ford CAP forklift operator told the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter upon hearing about Calebs death.

At Ford CAP, infections across the plant have accelerated during the past eight weeks since the Thanksgiving holiday ended. The team leader on the line across from me came in here with COVID last week, the worker said. I know four people in the same area were sick and medical had to come down and take them away. I know there is a supervisor that was on a ventilator and he wasnt doing good, 28-year-old guy on night shift.

Neither the union nor Ford never tells us when someone dies or they get sick, he said. I believe its very dangerous in here.

Workers from the plant have told the Autoworker Newsletter and raised concerns on social media that employees are encouraged to come in sick. Another CAP worker said that those who have been reinfected with the virusan increased likelihood with the highly mutated Omicron variantare not being provided paid COVID leave by Ford. Ford will only pay you when youre positive the first time, he said. Second, third, theyre not going to pay you. It seems to me unfair. If youre coming to work and being exposed so much, they should be paying you when you get sick.

The minimal safety measures that Ford implemented in the spring of 2020 have either been abandoned or are hardly enforced. Workers are not given high-quality N95 or KN95 masks by the company. Instead, they are provided with flimsy surgical masks that break easily and are far less effective against the aerosolized virus.

As is the case throughout the auto industry, the United Auto Workers union hasnt lifted a finger to ensure the safety of its members at CAP. It is wrong for them to keep us in here, and the union people wont do anything, the forklift operator said.

The dangerous conditions at CAP are neither unique to the factory nor the company itself. Workers from auto plants in Michigan have written to the Autoworker Newsletter to expose the same conditions in their workplaces and the UAWs criminal negligence in ignoring the immediate threat to workers safety and health from the spread of the Omicron variant.

Autoworkers are well aware that the UAW has been helping plant management to cover up reports of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the factories since the pandemic started in 2020. Workers have said they are even threatened with firing if they contract or are exposed to COVID-19 and seek to let other workers know so they can get tested.

I heard of 10 people who died at Kansas City since Christmas from COVID, a worker at Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant, which builds the Transit van and F-150 pickup, told the Autoworker Newsletter. The union did not say anything about it from the plant. Theyre protecting the company.

At Stellantis Sterling Stamping Plant north of Detroit, Michigan, at least three workers have died from COVID during the past holiday season. Management and the union continue to keep workers in the dark about the true extent of the spread of the virus.

Like the other Big Three auto companies, Stellantis and General Motors, Ford has reaped a profit bonanza while workers in its plants labor under pandemic conditions. Last year, US automakers reported earnings that beat analysts expectations, driven by the ramp-up of production and the refusal by company management and the UAW to shut down, provide income to workers on furlough and stem the spread of COVID.

Ford Chicago Assembly (WSWS)

More people at Ford Chicago are getting sick, the first worker said. But Ford keeps running junk, even scheduling overtime on Sunday and Saturday. I agree that they should shut down again. Its only getting worse.

Opposition is growing to the ruling classs murderous policy of letting the virus spread without restraint. In the last two weeks, educators in Chicago voted to force a shift to remote learning in order to stop the spread in schools and among childrens families. Their courageous action was sabotaged and betrayed by the Chicago Teachers Union last week, which reached a deal with the citys Democratic Party administration to reopen schools with no serious improvements to safety.

Just last Friday, however, thousands of high school students in Chicago themselves took action, walking out of schools and demanding a transition to virtual instruction and the resignation of Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has brutally enforced the reopening of in-person learning while the virus surges.

Autoworkers across the US have formed rank-and-file safety committees in response to the immediate crisis. The Autoworker Newsletter has published their statements demanding necessary safety measures to stop the explosive spread of COVID, including:

The immediate closure of all schools, non-essential plants and other workplaces, with full income for workers affected

Regular, free testing for all workers

The provision of free, high-quality N95 masks for all workers

A program of rigorous contact tracing and quarantining for at least 14 days of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals

The fight to end the pandemic is not primarily a medical question, but a political one. As long as corporations like Ford are in control of health and safety measures in the plants and dictate government policy, subordinating workers lives to the profit interests of Wall Street, more tragedies like Calebs are inevitable.

The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter urges workers to take matters into their own hands and organize independent rank-and-file committees, in order to prepare walkouts and force the shutdown of COVID-infested plants, and fight for the deployment of all necessary public education and health measures to combat the pandemic. Fill out the form below to get involved today:
This weekend, the Labour Party doubled down on efforts to prop up Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government with a declaration that it will not call a vote of no confidence.

The Tory Party has been rocked by a series of leaks showing that top government officials, including Johnson himself, held at least 11 parties in Whitehall buildings during lockdown, breaking all rules and guidance in place.

But on Sunday, Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Times Radio, We could call a motion of no confidence in the governmentweve been around the block with this before, that would galvanise the Conservative party.

He stressed that the only mechanism for removing the prime minister ultimately sits in the hands of Conservative MPs, and this was Labours goal.

Streeting argued that Labour was acting solely in the national interest.

Boris Johnson carrying on is great for the Labour party, he said. If Im thinking purely through the prism of party politics, then my message is: Keep him on, knock yourselves out, youll be literally knocked out at the next election. But we are still in the middle of a national crisis here and the prime ministers actions and judgments matter.

Only the leader of the main opposition party, Labour's Sir Keir Starmer, has the power to call a vote of no confidence in a governmentwhich can lead to a general election being triggered.

Streetings verbal contortions are a cover for Labours real aim of preventing a popular struggle against the hated Johnson government. Instead, Labour focuses its attentions on peeling off Tory MPs from Johnsonso far, only a handful have called for him to goby a combination of appeals to their better nature and self-interest. In the process they seek to prove to big business their own sense of responsibility and readiness to defend the national interest.

Labours Corbynite left are in full agreement on this.

Streetings comment about having been around the block with this before was in reference to the no-confidence vote tabled by Labour in January 2019 against Theresa Mays minority Conservative government, when Jeremy Corbyn was Labours leader. This followed the parliamentary defeat of the Brexit withdrawal deal she had reached with the European Union. May was able to narrowly see off the confidence vote, but she was by that stage numbered among the walking dead.

Jeremy Corbyn speaking at the Kill the Bill protest in London (Jeremy Corbyn/Twitter)

She was able to survive through to July 2019 thanks to the efforts of Corbyns Labour Party. In April 2019, May offered Corbyn talks on securing a Brexit agreement, appealing to him for national unity. Corbyn accepted citing his own concern for the national interest.

After weeks of talks Corbyns closest ally, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, said negotiations were like trying to enter into a contract with a company which is about to go into administration. But talks continued nevertheless.

Corbyns allies in the trade unions continued with their suppression of every struggle of the working class, allowing May to stagger on. The initiative was handed to the most right-wing political forces in the Tories pro-Brexit wing, who grouped around Johnson, with him taking over as party leader and prime minister in July 2019. Johnson routed Corbyn in the general election later that yearfought on the issue of Brexit.

Last week, McDonnell went on record to declare again that the stability of capitalism was his and the Labour lefts sole concern, telling journalist Robert Pestons news show, in words that could have been uttered by Streeting or Starmer, [I]n the interests of the country he [Johnson] should go. Were in the middle of a crisis. You need a prime minister who people have confidence in.

McDonnell pleaded, I also say to Conservative colleagues as well that propping him up damages not just the Conservative Party, it damages politics overall. Once they lose trust in a prime minister, they start losing trust in the whole political process as well. So he damages not just the Tory Party, he damages politics in general.

Starmer removed the party whip in parliament from Corbyn over a year ago as part of the right-wing witch-hunt, but Corbyn remains the figurehead of the stunted remains of the Labour left and continues to play the same miserable role as during his years as leader.

On Saturday protests were held around the UK against the Tories draconian Police Bill, which is making its way through parliament. After weeks of silence, Labour finally declared on Friday that they will oppose some of the latest government amendments in the House of Lords on Monday, knowing this will do nothing to prevent the core of the Bill becoming legislation.

The main anti-Police Bill protest was held in London, with several thousand in attendance. Corbyn was the main speaker and managed to outdo himself in his display of fidelity to the political establishment.

Corbyns speeches invariably shoehorn in the struggles of the Chartist and Suffragette movements, and he raised the same themes again in Parliament Square. But all this was window dressing to cover a determination not to rock the boat.

The protest was held under the demand Kill the Bill, but the only way to kill, rather than pass the bill with minimal amendments, would be to organise a mass political struggle against the Tories and the Labour Party. Corbyn would have none of this.

In the most timid terms Corbyn said, Im not condoning anything that Johnson has done and Im not condoning the massive amounts of money that have been poured into dodgy companies during COVID, but I am supporting the health workers who have done so much to try to keep us safe during COVID.

A refusal to condone is all that was said of a man who is responsible for the deaths of over 176,000 people and the mass infection of over a fifth of the population, whose party has plunged millions of workers into a life of poverty and economic uncertainty.

He added, What Id also criticise this government for, is the whole agenda behind Johnson There is an agenda here. And its an agenda about disempowering people, empowering the authority and the state at the same time as a massive redistribution of wealth and power in favour of the powerful and the wealthiest

Even given this loosely defined agenda, Corbyn offered nothing by way of struggle to bring down the Tories as this would mean conflicting, albeit only verbally, with the Labour right whose own agenda is the same as the Tories: the defence of big business, ramping up attacks on the working class and developing authoritarian police state measures to face down emerging social and political opposition.

West Streeting's article in the Mail on Sunday headlined "For the sake of our children, we can never shut down our country again"

On Sunday, Streeting also confirmed that Labour was as fervently against any more lockdowns as the Tory government. Writing an opinion piece in the Mail on Sunday, he echoed Downing Street, declaring, We know that the coronavirus is here to stay but, as Labours Shadow Health Secretary, I dont want to see our country in lockdown ever again.

He added, Learning to live well with Covid will prepare us to get through the next wave of infections without more restrictions on our lives, livelihoods and liberties.

A clearly ecstatic Mail headlined Streetings comment with a composite quote, For the sake of our children, we can never shut down our country again.
There is no let-up in the campaign to discredit and, if possible, eliminate artistic figures, past or present, whose work does not conform to the outlook and interests of the gender- and race-obsessed upper middle class.

Norman Mailer, 1948 (Photo by Carl Van Vechten)

The pandemic, which continues to devour its human victims, and the policies of the Biden administration, as indifferent and homicidal as its predecessors, arouse no great concern in these circles. But sexual misconduct, racial insensitivity, even located decades in the pastthese are issues that one can sink ones teeth into.

American novelist Norman Mailer (1923-2007) has now fallen afoul of the campaign of McCarthy-style censorship in the book trade that previously overtook Woody Allen and Blake Bailey, biographer of novelist Philip Roth.

Giant publisher Hachette announced in March 2020 that it would not publish Allens memoir, Apropos of Nothing, after pressure was exerted by journalist Ronan Farrow, Allens son, and in the face of protests by a portion of Hachette employees. This stemmed from the long-discredited claims that Allen molested his adopted daughter Dylan.

Last year W.W. Norton announced its decision to permanently remove Baileys biography of Roth from print, on the basis of several unsubstantiated charges of sexual wrongdoing. In an unprecedented action, Norton boasted that copies of Baileys work would be pulped.

Michael Mailer, one of Norman Mailers sons, told the Associated Press in early January that Random House, owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, had suggested a project to mark 100 years since the novelists birth in 1923. The family, along with Mailer biographer J. Michael Lennon, put together a proposal for a collection of political essays on democracy which they liked and then decided later not to proceed due to objections, putatively, from certain junior executives, according to the AP.

Random House representatives attempted to deflect criticism in weasel-like fashion by explaining that a contract had not actually been signed with the Mailer estate. The book was not technically canceled, noted journalist Michael Wolff, it was instead, not acquired. The publishers fig-leaf of virtue.

As Wolff further observed, With Random House having previously gobbled up most of the publishing industry (including with it many of Mailers former publishers), and having most recently agreed to acquire Simon & Schuster, one of its few remaining rivals, there arent many options left for a major new publication of the Mailer essays, many of which have helped reshape modern journalism. Skyhorse Publishing, which previously came out with the Allen and Bailey books, will release the Mailer collection.

According to Wolff, Random House sources referred to a junior staffers objection to the title of Mailers 1957 essay, The White Negro, among other issues. Complaints about Mailers criticisms of feminism, as well as his some of his more inflammatory comments about women in general, have also been pointed to as grounds for his books being forgotten, or suppressed.

Veteran novelist Joyce Carol Oates, a friend of Mailers, tweeted a number of relevant comments in early January. She noted that it was ironic that Norman Mailer, whod deliberately hoped to provoke controversy, is being repudiated/censored in an age in which controversy is unfashionable because it hurts some individuals feelings. Today, issues are not debated, just deleted.

Oates also commented on Twitter that it was evident the publisher didnt really want to publish the book; a single junior staffer wouldnt have absolute veto power over any title. Not unlike those red states in which a single outraged parent can have a book removed from a school library.

She also observed that if you dont like a book, dont buy it/read it. But why agitate to make it unavailable to others, who dont share your predilections? That seems to be the primary issue. In red states, books are banned; in blue states, books are endangered from within publishing houses.

Oates indicated that she found it touching, or ironic, that, when we were all publishing books, Mailer, [Philip] Roth, [John] Updike, [William] Styron drew virtually 100% of literary attention; the rest of us were small satellites. Now, I find myself defending them. How surprised/appalled they would be!

As part of the attack on Mailers writing, commentators have pointed to the episode in 1960 when he stabbed his second wife (of six) Adele Morales with a penknife during a drunken altercation, seriously injuring her. (Morales failed to press charges.) Oates stuck her neck out when she tweeted that like many oft-married men Norman Mailer wound up finally with a much younger, adoring, & altogether quite wonderful wife (Norris Church) whom everyone liked. Womanizers all eventually wear out, it just takes time & if youre lucky, you are the last wife.

The American media is attempting to cover up the censorship effort directed at Mailer by pointing to the fact, as this AP headline does, that Collection of Norman Mailers writing finds new publisher. The AP story, in line with this, asserts that while news of Random House not publishing the new collection led to allegations on social media that Mailer was being cancelled, his books remain widely available through Random House and the Library of America, which has been releasing permanent bound editions of his work. The White Negro can easily be found online, including Dissent magazine, where the essay first appeared.

What if another publisher had not stepped in? Mailers books may not vanish immediately, or ever for that matter, but that will not be the result of any democratic commitment on the part of the publishers, much less the race and gender zealots.

Barbary Shore (1951)

The episode, like the ones involving Allen and Bailey, has sinister implications. As we noted in the latter case, it is intended to intimidate artists, biographers and scholars alike. The message being sent is clear: any influential figure who rubs establishment public opinion the wrong way can be denounced and dispatched in like manner. We continued, Why should this high-minded campaign stop here? Any writer or artist who has a personal life that in any fashion provokes the disapproval of the moral crusaders risks permanent removal.

The issue of the artistic and social value of Mailers work is not the central one here. The WSWS chronicled in detail his decline from the left-wing stance of his early works, The Naked and the Dead (1948) and Barbary Shore (1951), which, despite their problematic elements, remain eminently worth reading, to his later, often self-destructive clowning. Along the way, there are no doubt important, truthful and oppositional portions of his vast output of fiction and journalism. Objectively speaking, Mailer was, in any event, the product and victim of definite historical circumstances, the stagnant and reactionary postwar years in the US with their state religion of anti-communism.

Rather courageously, Mailers Barbary Shore was written under the influence of emigre Polish leftist writer Jean Malaquais [Wladimir Malacki, 1908-1998], a onetime member of the French Trotskyist movement. Malaquais remarkable book Les Javanais (1939), translated into English as Men From Nowhere, won praise from Leon Trotsky in an unpublished essay, A Masterly First Novel: Jean Malaquais Les Javanais (1939). Mailer later described Malaquais as his mentor and also indicated that he finished Barbary Shore with a political position which was a far-flung mutation of Trotskyism. In fact, it was a rather discouraged version of state capitalist, Third Camp politics. (Malaquais, in fact, did not care for Mailers novel, although the pair remained friends for many years.)

Jean Malaquais in Mexico (Photo creditTino Picos)

Nonetheless, Mailer came under venomous and general assault from the bourgeois media in the US, not so much for the artistic failings of the claustrophobic novel, set in a Brooklyn boarding house, which were real, as for his continued stated interest in socialism.

Time magazines review, for instance, positively oozed cynicism and hostility. Mailers new novel, complained its critic, is hauled from the literary graveyard of the 30s, when social consciousness was in vogue. Like other books of the school, it tries to pin the blame for human evil on the favorite villain of every park-bench anarchist, the system. Barbary Shore was perched on the stilts of various fallacies, including the notion that the Russian Revolution was betrayed, i.e., Lenin was O.K., but Stalin spoiled everything.

In Commentary, existentialist (and former leftist) William Barrett (Irrational Man, 1958) gave vent to his particular version of virulent anti-Marxism. Referring to one incident involving the novels protagonist, Barrett asserted that Mailer seems to be remembering here Trotskys account, in his History of the Russian Revolution, of the mass demonstration that set off the February Revolution (notice, not the October Revolution). This is the kind of heroic political dream we used to nourish ourselves with when we were kids in the 30s. The proletariat never crawled to glory except in the pages of Trotskys book, which must be judged from what we now know as nothing less than a romance and a falsification of the Russian Revolution.

These attacks and others provide some sense of the immense pressures to which those who attempted to pursue a path independent of American imperialist democracy and Stalinism were subject. As noted in our 2009 obituary, Mailer did not long stay the course.

Now, Mailer is threatened by a different sort of right-wing attack, in the guise of defending women and protecting the public against criminals. One tweet brilliantly observed, Norman Mailer stabbed his wife twice with a rusty penknife and told onlookers Dont touch her. Let the bitch die. It was only thanks to emergency surgery that she survived and he only avoided being cancelled by prison because she wouldnt press charges*. F--- Norman Mailer.

Mailers action was inexcusable, but it clearly occurred within the context of a generalized demoralization that afflicted wide layers of the once-leftist intelligentsia in the postwar period. A concrete consideration of the problems in the development of art and society are replaced in many cases today by high-minded puritanism and prudery.

Moreover, as we have argued before on several occasions, it is a serious mistake to identify the personal flaws of individual artists, even serious ones, with the significance of their work as a whole. Some separation has to be made, as we argued in the case of painter Paul Gauguin, between the artist and his or her biography, a separation almost always made, for example, in the case of a scientist. The serious artistic personality is often better than him or herself. Arbitrary and ahistorical moralizing is worse than useless in such cases.

Deleting all those accused or found guilty of crimes from the ranks of artists to be viewed and read would involve removing figures such as poet Francois Villon, accused of manslaughter and robbery; playwright Christopher Marlowe; painter Caravaggio, condemned to death for killing a man in a brawl; goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini; poet Paul Verlaine; playwright Oscar Wilde; painter Egon Schiele; novelist Jean Genet, author of The Thiefs Journal; Beat writers William S. Burroughs and Gregory Corso, and many more.

A portrait of the Italian painter Caravaggio (Ottavio Leoni)

Meanwhile, the truly criminal element, composed of former government officials and generals, bankers and CEOs, has its wretched books published all the time and no one bats an eye.

The censorship of Mailers work has a thoroughly reactionary, antidemocratic content.
As the Omicron variant surges in the US, COVID-19 hospitalizations in Missouri are reaching new records. The illnesses and deaths are throwing hospitals, schools, government offices, grocery stores and other workplaces into disarray.

The St. Louis area has very high COVID-19 positivity rates, reaching nearly 40 percent in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. By comparison, the winter 2021 positivity rate was only 20 percent. In the St. Louis metropolitan area, an average of 208 people a day were admitted to a hospital for COVID last week.

Audra Quisenberry, 6, puts on a mask as she sits at her desk inside Premier Martial Arts on her first day of school Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Wildwood, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

As of January 11, there were over 3,100 COVID patients in the states hospitals. Since the pandemic began, there have been nearly 1.2 million cases and 16,822 deaths in the state. Sixty-three percent of the population has gotten at least one vaccine dose. While there is currently a mask order in place in St. Louis County, it is unenforceable due to a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

Dr. Alex Garza, co-director of the St. Louis Pandemic Task Force, which involves four of the areas largest health care centers, warns, Although its hard to comprehend, we believe its probably going to get worse over the next couple of weeks. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that some patients visiting area emergency rooms must be boarded for days at a time, due to medical staff being busy treating COVID-19 patients. Dr. Aamina Akhtar, chief medical officer for Mercy Hospital South, told the Post-Dispatch, Some of these boarders may sit for hours, sometimes days and sometimes long enough they get discharged from that statusso never reaching the level of health care we would like to provide.

Teacher and staff shortages at St. Louis-area schools have forced some districts to return to virtual learning temporarily. Normandy High School, St. Louis Language Immersion School and Lafayette Prep will have virtual learning until January 18. A dozen other private schools have moved to virtual learning so far this year. The Illinois schools in St. Louiss Metro East will begin in-person learning January 18 after having begun the 2022 school session virtually.

The Missouri state government is actively obstructing efforts to keep students and school staff safe. On January 11, the State Board of Education ruled to keep a 36-hour-per-year limit on online instruction for schools. If schools are forced to temporarily close due to staffing issues, the school year could be extended. Normandy School Board member Mike Jones called those who are blocking online learning Neanderthals who belong to a different age over their refusal to allow districts to switch part of the school year to online.

Some Missouri school districts have reimposed mask mandates. Fox C-6 School District, the largest district in Jefferson County, imposed a mandate January 6 for at least two weeks. The district had ended its previous mandate in November. St. Louis Countys Rockwood School District has a mask mandate in place through February 3. The district was previously mulling whether to recommend but not mandate masks. Large districts in St. Charles County, Wentzville and Fort Zumwalt continue to fail to mandate masks.

Staffing issues reached crisis levels in Columbia Public Schools. The districts COVID-19 dashboard reported that for the week of January 10, the district needed 316 substitute teachers but only 138 staffed classes. This fill rate of 43.9 percent is the districts lowest since the pandemic began. Classes had to be split, meaning that half of the students went to one classroom and the other half went to a different classroom, with a different teacher.

A teacher who asked for anonymity spoke to KOMU about the stress of the situation. Nobodys saying anything to us. Its like, are we teetering on the brink of this? Is no help coming? Because its not getting any better. The lack of consistency in what classes will be taught on a given day is affecting the performance of the teachers and the students. I can tell you that it has been a big point of frustration. It basically negates all of the planning that you have done, said the teacher. It brings the learning to a halt.

Another anonymous teacher sent this to KOMU: It feels like we are experiencing Institutional Betrayal at every level so its hard to know where to start. The mitigation strategies from the district are not reassuring and read like lip service because they are just words with no real actions attached.

On January 10, approximately 120 students at Columbias Hickman High School walked out of classes wearing masks to protest the school boards decision to end mask mandates at the beginning of the year. Some 2,500 students and community members signed a Change.org petition in support of calling an emergency meeting to reconsider the dropping of the mask mandate. As of this writing, the school board has ignored these protests.

Two major St. Louis attractions, the St. Louis Art Museum and the buildings that make up the Missouri Historical Society, will close until February 1. Lindsay Newton, director of education and community engagement for the Missouri Historical Society, released a statement saying, The number of COVID cases among our staff has increased. In general, [weve seen] a steep spike in individuals who have been exposed. And we want to be as safe as possible. The Saint Louis Science Center will also close until February 3.

In addition to the illnesses and deaths, a sign that the pandemic continues to affect Missouris population financially is found in the fact that St. Louis City has paused applications for one-time $500 assistance payments. Ten thousand people have applied for the grants, but the city will fulfill a maximum of 9,300.

Patients are experiencing longer emergency room wait times. Qristyl Frazier spoke to KMOV about taking her mother, who is a stroke survivor, to St. Louiss Barnes Jewish Hospital after she experienced chest pains. Qristyl took her mother inside the Emergency Department at 5 pm. Luckily, my mother didnt have to be admitted, but by the time they saw her and did all the CAT scans This was close to 1:00 a.m.

Area hospitals are postponing elective surgeries to deal with the new influx of COVID-19 patients. BJC HealthCare sent out an email stating, Due to the large number of patients in our hospitals right now, its important to keep non-emergency cases out of the ERs and Convenient Care sites so our team members can focus on sick patients.

Hospitals are also turning away community members who want to receive a COVID test. SSM Health has not suspended tests for asymptomatic people but has asked that they do not go to the Emergency Department for testing. It gets in the way of us seeing the patients who are truly sick, like people who have heart attacks or people who are having a stroke. It just overwhelms us, SSM St. Joseph Hospital-St. Charles ER Medical Director Dr. Benjamin Leacock told KSDK. He requested that the public go to a hospital for tests only if showing severe symptoms like labored breathing or heavy nausea.

BJC has stopped providing tests for asymptomatic people entirely. Mercy Health is considering suspending testing. On January 8, a St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force update reported staffed bed hospital capacity at 88 percent in the metro area, with ICUs at 81 percent of their total staffed bed capacity.

Hospital masking policies have also become more stringent. Mercy Hospital now requires medical-grade masks for all employees and visitors; it will provide masks to the public as needed. BJC Hospital requires medical-grade masks for all employees and contractors.

The surge of the Omicron variant has also brought the return of empty grocery store shelves for some items as in early 2020. Mel Ide told KMOV, It doesnt surprise me one bit because people get panicky, while looking in vain for cough drops at the Maplewood CVS. Dr. Anna Bailey with Mercy Clinic Primary Care speculated that the cold and flu aisles are sold out because most people who get the Omicron variant are able to self-treat at home. We treat the symptoms, and since the symptoms of the flu, COVID-19 and even the common cold overlap, so does your treatment for it, she said. Walgreens and CVS issued public statements stating that there is a nationwide shortage of cold and flu products at this time. Nationally there is a 15 percent unavailability rate for grocery store products; normally the rate is 5-10 percent

Two Walmart stores in the St. Louis area, the Arnold and Bridgeton locations, temporarily closed for up to 48 hours for deep cleaning in response to the rising number of cases.

COVID is causing continued staffing shortages in local government offices. It was announced that from January 13 to March 7, some St. Louis County revenue offices will no longer allow walk-ins. St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page explained in a press conference that more than 80 revenue department employees were not working or were quarantined because of the virus. He also announced that County council meetings will return to meeting virtually. Jury trials in St. Louis Circuit Court will be held virtually until March 7 and judges will hold remote hearings.
The surge in cases in Germany shows that the Omicron wave of infections has now arrived in Germany. From 45,690 infections on Tuesday, the number almost doubled to 80,430 on Wednesdaythe highest figure in the pandemic so far. On Friday, another grim record was set with 92,223 new infections.

The seven-day incidence rate has also more than doubled since the beginning of the year. While it was 207 per 100,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the year, it shot up to 427 in less than two weeks. In Bremen it is already 1,427 and in Berlin 950.

Charite intensiv - Station 43 (Bild: DOCDAYS Production)

However, the official figures are far below the actual number of infections. At the end of last year, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (Social Democratic Party, SPD) stated that the actual numbers were two to three times higher than the recorded figures. Currently, the percentage of positive-tested persons is about 23 percent, which indicates a massive number of unreported cases.

Testing laboratories are also reaching their limits. Michael Muller, chairman of the Association of Accredited Laboratories in Medicine, told the Rheinische Post on Thursday, The high infection figures are accompanied by many tests being carried out. Because PCR tests are currently given hardly any prioritisation, laboratories in Germany are increasingly reaching their capacity limits. This was especially critical for sick people and hospitals.

Instead of reacting to this by expanding testing capacities, the federal government plans to further restrict and prioritise tests. The head of the German governments Coronavirus Crisis Staff, Major General Carsten Breuer, told the Suddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday, We will certainly have to pool capacities where necessary, as with all scarce resources. That also applies to tests.

The current wave of coronavirus infections across Europe is being accelerated by the highly contagious Omicron variant, which already accounts for 73 percent of infections in Germany, and even 96 percent in Bremen. However, due to the time delay in sequencing and the rapid spread of Omicron, the actual proportion is significantly higher.

The rise in infections is so rapid that WHO Director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge warned on Tuesday more than 50 percent of the regions population will be infected with Omicron in the next six to eight weeks. That would cause a massive flood of new cases for the already overburdened hospitals across Europe and drive up the death toll even faster.

In France, where almost three-quarters of the population have already received two vaccinations, 23,371 of the 3.4 million active cases are hospitalised and 3,969 require life support. Extrapolated across Europe, this would mean almost 3 million people in hospitals in the next two months, half a million of whom would need life-sustaining measures.

In Germany, too, the number of hospitalised and dead is rising. In the last three days alone, a total of 3,000 people have been hospitalised and 1,000 have died. The number of those requiring intensive care stands at 3,050, while regional capacity bottlenecks continue to arise.

As the statements by the WHO and the numbers in France and worldwide make clear, hospitals are in danger of collapsing under a deluge of hospitalisations unless far-reaching lockdown measures are not adopted and implemented immediately. This is vehemently opposed by capitalist governments of all stripes.

In Germany, the traffic light coalition of SPD, Liberal Democrats (FDP) and Greens continues unwaveringly with the profits before lives policy, which has already led to more than 115,000 deaths. This was underlined by Lauterbachs speech in the Bundestag (federal parliament) on Thursday and his joint press appearance with Lothar Wieler, head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), and Charite virologist Christian Drosten on Friday.

Although Lauterbach referred at both to the high number of victims and warned of the emergence of even more infectious variants, he made no announcements about effective measures to combat the pandemic. Essentially, his appearances consisted of the cynical assertion that Germany had come through the pandemic better than other European countries and the appeal to get vaccinated.

Vaccination is an important tool to fight the pandemic and can achieve significant success as part of a strategy to eradicate the virus. However, without all the other necessary public health measureslockdowns, mass testing and contact tracingit cannot have a significant impact in containing the pandemic. This has been further confirmed by the Omicron variant.

A strategy relying solely on vaccination conjures up the possibility of new, even more infectious variants emerging. Omicron already requires a third booster vaccination, and an adjustment of the vaccines are necessary. Once the virus has free rein, it is only a matter of time before another variant completely undermines vaccine protection.

Lauterbachs claim that COVID-19 could become an endemic virus with low mortality rates essentially conforms with the strategy of herd immunity, which was openly advocated by the extreme right at the beginning of the pandemic. Meanwhile, it is being implemented by all governments in Europewhether nominally left or right.

The Omicron variant demonstrates that the virus does not mutate in the direction of milder forms but, on the contrary, becomes even more infectious and resistant to vaccines from mutation to mutation. Given such widespread infectivity, a slightly lower mortality rate of the virus strain does not have a mild effect.

Lauterbach, Drosten and Wieler declared on Friday that it was premature to let the virus run [free] (Drosten), but in reality, the deliberate infection of the population has long been taking place. In total, almost 8 million people in Germany have been infectedabout 3 million of them in the past two months since the traffic light coalition took over the reins of government.

The first measure taken by the new government parties was to end the designation of a  national epidemic emergency  and thus the legal basis for nationwide lockdowns. Lauterbach also voted for the repeal of this regulation and has since repeatedly spoken out against the closure of schools and businesses. The latest shortening of the quarantine period aims to maintain the flow of profits even under conditions of mass infection.

The Bundestag debate on Thursday and Friday once again clearly demonstrated that the traffic light coalition will walk over corpses to defend the interests of big business. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) declared that the government was working to return to the constitutionally mandated debt ceiling. The goal was to reduce the German debt ratio. In other words, the government is preparing fierce social attacks.

At the same time, the military is to be massively upgraded. We must continue to increase defence spending. We need this money to provide our troops with the necessary equipment, said Social Democratic Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht. Helicopters that dont fly and guns that miss their target had been ridiculed for a long time. She wanted to modernise procurement as much as possible.

Resistance is growing around the world to the aggressive policies of social attacks and militarism and the refusal of governments to take the necessary measures to protect the health and lives of their populations.

In the US, to protect their health and that of their families, tens of thousands of teachers and students are refusing to return to face-to-face classes. In France, a nationwide teachers strike paralysed the school system on Thursday. In Greece, students occupied more than 250 schools to express their demand for safety in the pandemic. In Germany, the protest of the student Yasmin from Hagen against unsafe face-to-face teaching shows the growing opposition to the pandemic policy.

In the fight against the pandemic, the trade unions stand on the other side of the barricades. In Germany, the GEW education union vehemently supports face-to-face teaching and even the new quarantine guidelines. According to the GEW, teachers should teach classes even when they are in quarantine.

Resistance to mass infection cannot be organised through these rotten organisations, says the latest call from the Network of Action Committees for Safe Education. For a broader struggle against unsafe schools, this independent, internationalist movement must be extended to the whole working class. It must focus on saving lives, not securing profits.

There will be an emergency meeting of the Network on January 18 at 7:00 p.m. to organise and push forward resistance to the policy of deliberate mass infection on this basis. Register for the meeting and inform your friends and colleagues.
The US and its European allies, using Ukraine as a pretext, are deliberately and recklessly escalating their confrontation with Russia. Everything they are saying and doing leads to the conclusion that war, whether declared or undeclared, is their goal.

A Russian tank T-72B3 fires as troops take part in drills at the Kadamovskiy firing range in the Rostov region in southern Russia, on Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo)

All the talk of imminent war is emanating from Washington, the European capitals and filthy pro-imperialist media on both sides of the Atlantic. The claims that Russia is about to invade are supplemented by dire warnings, for which absolutely no evidence is presented, that Moscow is planning to stage a false-flag operation, which it will then use to justify an invasion.

In the present circumstances, it is obvious that the claim is being trumpeted as a cover for precisely such an operation by Ukrainian special forces, trained by US military advisers working inside the country.

As it has in all the wars launched by the United States over the past three decades, the media is presenting unverified allegations and transparent lies as fact. Once again, the New York Times and Washington Post are leading the disinformation campaign, the purpose of which is to disorient and pollute public opinion.

As in 2003, when they promoted the lies about Saddam Husseins aluminum tubes and weapons of mass destruction, the Times and the Post are citing as evidence satellite and video imagery initially posted on social media outlets TikTok and Twitter by unknown individuals in Russia, which supposedly show the movement of military materiel out of the countrys Far East in a westerly direction.

Further proof of an imminent Russian invasion are meaningless images of 1) tire tracks allegedly created in the snow by the weight of military vehicles being loaded for transport near Lake Baikal; 2) Iskander-M launch vehicles covered in tarp at an unspecified location; and 3) a train allegedly parked near a station in Primorskiy Krai fully loaded with what appears to be military vehicles. All of this amounts to nothing.

Turning reality on its head, the Washington Post declared in an editorial published yesterday (January 16): This entire crisis has been manufactured by Mr. Putin.... It has nothing to do with expansion by NATO, whose founding treaty authorizes only defensive military action.

Even if it were true that Russia is about to invade Ukraine, how can it be claimed with a straight face that such a military action would have nothing to do with expansion by NATO, which has extended its boundaries 800 miles to the east since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991? How could Russia not be concerned by NATOs obvious intention to bring Ukraine into its military alliance? And, if the issue of Ukraine is a mere pretext used by Putin to disguise his megalomania, why are the United States and NATO insisting that they will not rule out Ukraines future incorporation?

As for the Posts pious assurance that NATOs founding treaty authorizes only defensive military action, its editorial writers appear to have forgotten that NATO has been at the center of aggressive imperialist operations for the last 30 years. These include participation in the 199091 invasion of Iraq, intervention in Bosnia in 1992, the 1999 bombing of Serbia, the 2001 war against Afghanistan, the 2009 Operation Ocean Shield in Somalia, and the 2011 overthrow of the Libyan government.

The above list is only a partial record of the United States and NATOs bloody violations of other countries national sovereignty. Nevertheless, the Post hypocritically declares: Russias posture toward Ukraine amounts to prohibited conduct under Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, which specifically bars the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

The United Nations Charter also prohibits Great Power interventions in the civil wars of sovereign countries and the overthrow of their governments, a stricture that American and European imperialism have ignored countess times over the past 75 years. In fact, the present government in Kiev is itself the product of a coup financed and organized by the United States and Germany.

Speaking with Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov on Sunday, CNNs Fareed Zakaria highlighted recent tweets by former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. The latter, who worked under the Obama administration, declared that if Putin wished to find a resolution to the present conflict he would have to listen to Americas demands.

These include, according to McFaul, the withdrawal of all Russian troops from the disputed territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as, remarkably, Kaliningrad. The latter is internationally recognized as sovereign Russian territory. The US/NATO demand that it should decide where troops within Russias borders may be stationed means that Russia should accept the loss of its sovereignty. It is the type of demand imposed upon a conquered country.

In this context, the aggressive stance of Germany must be particularly jarring to Russia, which has not forgotten the 1941 invasion, which cost the Soviet Union approximately 30 million lives. Der Spiegel, Germanys most widely circulated news magazine, declares in its latest issue: NATO should finally deliver lethal weapons to Ukraine.

This is not the language used when efforts are being made to de-escalate a crisis. The Washington Post goes so far as to imply that the possibility of a negotiated resolution of differences with Russia has been exhausted.

It writes: With winter turning Ukraines flat terrain into a frozen-earth fast track for Russian tanks, the window of opportunity for a diplomatic solution is rapidly closingif it were ever really open.

The claim that the time for negotiations is coming to an end is a ploy used by those who are planning to launch a war, not by those who are seeking to avoid it.

The fact that more than 75 years after the conclusion of World War II the population of the former Soviet Union is once again confronting a catastrophe is the tragic consequence of the liquidation of the USSR 30 years ago, which was orchestrated by the Communist Party nomenklatura on the basis of the claim, now proven so tragically false, that imperialism was some sort of a myth and the reintegration of Russia into the world capitalist economy would usher in a new era of peace and security.

Russia now faces a situation in which NATO troops and war machinery are stationed on its very borders and NATO regularly conducts massive military exercises all along its western flank.

The question that arises is why the United States, the principal instigator of the confrontation with Russiaand, it must be added, Chinais pursuing an incredibly reckless policy that can lead only to disaster.

The answer can be found only within the context of the crisis of American and world imperialism. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States has repeatedly resorted to war to offset the longstanding decline in its global economic predominance. But all the military interventions have produced results that were the absolute opposite of what the United States intended. From Desert Storm through to the War on Terror, the record of its military operations has been a brutal, bloody and pathetic saga of disasters.

But the United States cannot learn from its mistakes. Thirty years after the first Bush administration proclaimed the unipolar moment and the start of a New American Century, the United States confronts a complex set of international and domestic economic, political and social contradictions for which it has absolutely no rational, let alone progressive solutions.

The entire economic system rests precariously on an unsustainable mountain of debt, which has grown exponentially over the past 14 years, particularly since the bailout of Wall Street in the wake of the 2008 crash.

Fueled by financial parasitism, social inequality has reached staggering levels. The dysfunctional political system is the product of rising and uncontrollable social tensions.

The pandemic, now entering its third year, has brought the tensions within American society to a breaking point.

The US medias relentless pro-war propaganda is driven by the delusional belief that a major military conflict overseas will distract public attention from the massive domestic social, economic and political crisis. Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.

The American crisis is, however, not unique. It is the epicenter of a global crisis of the entire capitalist system.

The murderous foreign policy being pursued by Washington and its allies is the flip side of their homicidal domestic policy. Eight-hundred fifty thousand Americans have died so far from COVID-19. Soon enough it will be well over one million. To that body count can be added 152,000 British citizens, 124,000 French and 116,000 German. The Biden administrations response to the Omicron variant is to promise American households that in two weeks they can order some COVID home-test kits from a government website.

Schools, hospitals, essential infrastructure, productionall of this is breaking down under the weight of the mass infection program pursued by these governments. The markets continue to rise nonetheless, and so workers have to be chained to their workplaces in order that the value needed to sustain the stock bubble can be pumped out of them.

Social anger is mounting, and a strike wave of global dimensions is gathering strength. Walkouts by teachers, autoworkers, health care personnel, miners and other sections of the working class are hitting industries around the globe. But everywhere in the centers of global capitalism the political institutions that have worked to contain popular opposition are in a state of advanced decay. Fascists are climbing out from under every rock. In the US, they were climbing the walls of the Capitol building. In Germany, they sit in the halls of power.

Unable to contain the pressures building within capitalist society, the ruling class turns to war in an attempt to channel social anger in a direction that it thinks, or desperately hopes, will rescue itself from itself. But perhaps the greatest delusion of all is the belief that this policy has support among broad sections of the population.

The American and international working class cannot allow US imperialisms far-reaching war plans to be put into effect. The fight against the ruling classs death policy at home demands a fight against its death policy abroad. The rush, led by the United States and Germany, to draw Russia into a bloody conflict can be stopped only by an international movement of the working class, united on an anti-capitalist and socialist program.
Last Wednesday, January 12, hundreds of students from Redondo Union High School (RUHS), in Redondo Beach, California, walked out in protest against the schools limited mitigation measures as hundreds of students have tested positive for COVID-19. Despite facing threats from the school administration and right-wing elements, anywhere from 150350 students participated in the walkout.

A Redondo high school student speaks during the walkout (Credit: ruhscovid via Instagram)

The militant actions of the students are part of a global wave of resistance led by educators, students and workers against the homicidal herd immunity policies enacted by capitalist governments the world over. Since the start of 2022, teachers in Seattle, Oakland, San Francisco, as well as thousands of students in Chicago, New York City, Boston and other cities, have participated in walkouts to save lives in the face of mass infection.

As is the case throughout the US, the emergence of the Omicron variant coupled with the governments refusal to enact any public health measures that cut into corporate profits has resulted in record-breaking case counts and overflowing hospitals in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

According to New York Times COVID-19 tracker, there are now an average of nearly 42,000 daily new cases in Los Angeles County, where Redondo Beach is located, while the number of daily deaths is beginning to climb, averaging 34 deaths per day over the last week.

Limited mitigation measures are being rolled back as the entire political establishment demands that children be herded back into schools for in-person learning, no matter the level of infection. In response, students have taken it upon themselves to fight for their lives.

Michael Lee-Chang, a 17-year old senior at RUHS who helped promote the walk-out and was threatened for doing so, spoke with the World Socialist Web Site on the courageous actions taken by him and his fellow students last week. The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Jacob Crosse: Hi, Michael, thanks for taking the time to speak with me. Lets start at the beginning, how did this come about, what motivated you to take action?

Michael Lee-Chang: It started on Friday, January 7. A message was sent out by RUHScovid, which is run by two anonymous students who wish to remain so, out of fear of repercussions. It was their idea that students should not show up to school on January 10. This would hurt the schools funding.

It was clear that not many students were comfortable walking out that day so it was scrapped, not many people were catching on. Over the weekend, the students who run the RUHScovid account came to me to see if I would promote another event. I have been running an Instagram account where I have been communicating school policies with students since the school does such a terrible job with communication. There are about 3,000 students at the school and my account has about 4,500 followers.

So the students who run RUHScovid asked me if they planned another walk-out, would I support it and promote it on my Instagram. I said sure.

Before I go further, I understand some will say that planning a mass walkout is just another super-spreader event. I think students gathering in masses, masked and outside, is very powerful. It sends a message. On Monday, January 10, we started spreading the message across social media. On Tuesday, I posted on my Instagram account and a Nextdoor account I have, so that parents would be notified that way too.

Last Tuesday, the Redondo Union School District board of education held a board meeting and I went to share some words on what has been going on at RUHS.

Before the meeting however, at about 5 p.m. I get a call from the district office, from Dr. Anthony Taranto. He is the Executive Director of Student Services. He kept interrogating me, telling me You need to call this off, the walkout.

JC: So you were threatened by an administration official to cancel the walkout within a day of posting it on your Instagram account?

MLC: Yes. They told me, the only way to prove my innocence was to find out who runs the RUHScovid account and turn them in. Dr. Taranto kept demanding to know the identities of the walkout organizers and told me to find out who they were. I had to send him a bunch of screenshots from my computer. He was interrogating me the whole time, forcing me to defend myself. I told him Im not the one planning this.

I was surprised they called me. I found out they had called my mom beforehand, while she was at work, in order to get my phone number. She doesnt speak English very well.

JC: The district didnt have your phone number so they called your mom and manipulated her into giving out your phone number? And they wanted you to inform on your fellow students who came to you for help?

MLC: Yes. I told them no, thats insane.

Prior to having the phone call with the district, I didnt have a strong opinion on whether or not I was going to participate in the walkout. However, after that phone call, which rubbed me the wrong way, I knew I had to support it.

While many students are worried about COVID-19, not everyone had the same goals. For many students the walkout was an opportunity to vent frustrations that have been building against the district for some time.

After the call, I did end up speaking at the board meeting, I told them there are lots of guidelines not being followed. So on January 12, during our home period, which is like a silent study hall, no actual instruction goes on, students just read or do homework, we planned to walk out. At 10:15 a.m. KTLA sent a news helicopter which caught the attention of students.

I cant give an exact estimate, but I would say between 150350 students walked out. I didnt find out till afterwards, but apparently on Wednesday morning the principal sent out an email to teachers saying to let students out.

After the walkout, I guess my phone number got passed around, because I received a phone call from Dr. Steven Keller, our superintendent, who said he wanted to speak to me in-person and get the students perspective on the health and safety of everyone on campus.

So on Thursday, January 13, I attended a meeting with Dr. Keller and the president of the board of education, Raymurr Flinn. I wasnt allowed to record the meeting, but they let me bring my girlfriend along, so at least it was two versus two. I asked them about shutting down the schools and going to remote learning until cases subside. The first day back we had 200 positive cases of COVID-19, and within a week it shot up to 500 cases, out of 3,000 students. Right now we have between 350430 active cases.

They told me that they dont have the authority to do that, that it comes from LA County. I asked them, if you had the authority, would you have shut down schools? They told me, no, they wouldnt shut down and that they dont see hybrid learning as an option.

JC: It is the same across the country. No matter the level of infection, the mantra is schools will not close under any circumstances. In many cases, students mental health is cited as a reason for why schools cannot close. What do you think about this? Do you feel safe?

MLC: No, I dont feel safe. The day after the walkout, a conservative student threw a milk carton at me in the lunchroom. Conservative parents have voiced their opposition to me and the walkout. Students are still testing positive, or coming into close contact with a positive case and coming to school. There is no coherent policy, nothing is being followed. The same students have to be told every day to wear their masks properly, there are no consequences.

I know I have been sitting next to students who have been in close contact or tested positive recently. There was one case where a students entire family, siblings and parents, tested positive, but that one student didnt, so the school said it was fine for them to come to school.

Even when students test positive, sometimes they dont know. Our school is incredibly divided on the issue. The parents get an email when their child tests positive or is in close contact, but some of the conservative parents, who dont believe COVID-19 is real, wont tell their kids and force them to go to school. I brought this up in my meeting with the superintendent.

When I spoke at the board meeting, the day before, the board downplayed the nature of COVID-19, how it spreads, how dangerous it is, claiming they understand it way better now then they did before. But thats not true, I just saw an article in the New York Times that talked about the increased risk of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes for those infected. That is a life-long disease.

JC: The fact is the opposition to these criminal, anti-scientific policies is going to have to come from students like yourself. At the World Socialist Web Site, we have been organizing working class opposition to the herd immunity policies started by Trump and continued by Biden in the form of a network of rank-and-file committees. There is no living with COVID-19. Rather, a policy of Zero COVID must be implemented on a global scale to end the pandemic.

Would you be interested in attending and promoting our upcoming West Coast Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee meeting this Sunday?

MLC: Yes.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) encourages high school youth to contact us today to organize opposition to the deadly school reopening policies.
The World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) recently spoke in Sri Lanka with a Colombo doctor who works at a hospital dedicated to the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The following edited interview, being conducted as part of the Global Workers Inquest, reveals the disastrous impact of the Sri Lankan governments herd immunity policies and the rundown state of public health.

We are not using the doctors real name. Last year the Sri Lankan health ministry issued a circular banning all health employees from freely speaking with the media. The ban is an attempt to hide the catastrophic situation created by the pandemic.

Dead COVID patients on stretchers in Colombo hospital, August 2021 [Source: Facebook]

WSWS: You have worked in a COVID hospital since the beginning of the pandemic. Can you explain some of your experiences?

Dr. Inoka: If we compare the situation now to during the first COVID wave I feel the situation has deteriorated badly and we have fewer necessary minimal facilities.

During the first wave, health workers were self-motivated to face the pandemic and determined to stop its spread. We formed groups and gathered all the available scientific knowledge. We planned and implemented this to the best of our ability in order to convert the hospital to deal with COVID-19 patients.

Although we lacked adequate facilities, we didnt wait for the government to supply things like personal protective equipment (PPE) or provide us special allowances. We bought, or arranged this with our own money, or obtained some funds through philanthropists because we regarded the pandemic, and curing our patients, as a challenge.

Medical knowledge about the pandemic was minimal during the first wave and the health of some patients worsened instantly, but we were determined to deal with the issues. Patients who recovered and were discharged showed their gratitude by providing some equipment to the wards, such as fans and toilet requirements, and even a meal for the patients and staff, etc.

WSWS: Can you speak about the governments role during this time?

Dr. Inoka: The government had no plan whatsoever and just pushed us to face the situation. It took advantage of the motivation of health staff and the general public to fight the pandemic, and it played the role of a bystander.

We gradually realised that the basic necessary facilities were insufficient to deal with the increase of patients during the second wave. For example, we had to arrange treatment for about 200 patients coming from all over the country but we only had five ICU [Intensive Care Unit] beds. To our dismay several patients died because of the lack of proper treatment.

Due to scarcity, we sometimes had to change oxygen from one patient to another, according to the acuteness of their infections. We werent able to follow the right medical procedures because of insufficient facilities, and what was available was not properly maintained and in a dilapidated condition. Patients couldnt be given what they needed and deserved.

We were frightened when seriously ill patients were admitted because we didnt know how to deal with them under these circumstances. We were embarrassed about this and many of us suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Other workers also faced this. We were even fed up with our jobs.

WSWS: How did you cope with this in regard to your family?

Dr. Inoka: We were afraid and wanted to avoid taking the disease home. We therefore took several showers each dayat the hospital and after coming home. Even if I arrived at home from work at midnight, I would have to have a bath. Due to fear we also cleaned our vehicles after each trip.

WSWS: Can you speak about Long COVID?

Dr. Inoka: We see symptoms such as non-specific body pain, joint pain, shortness of breath and other problems. Even physically fit people do not fully recover from COVID-19. Some patients I know will be dependent on domestic oxygen supply machines for their lifetimes; theyre a different stream of patients who will need separate medical attention.

WSWS: The government reopened the country in mid-April, while maintaining some restrictions. It removed some of these restrictions, however, even as the Delta variant loomed. Delta then took tens of thousands of lives in Sri Lanka. Can you comment on this?

Dr. Inoka: We were disgusted to see the removal of more and more restrictions. Some families were wiped out by COVID-19 and we had to take the brunt of the governments brutal decisions. I had one specific experience. When we attempted to hand over a recovered old, elderly patient to their family, we discovered that all the other family members had died from COVID-19.

The government decision to impose a second lockdown only happened when the hospitals were overwhelmed with the patients and the situation was beyond our control. Health workers held protests demanding a lockdown as well as more tests and health facilities. The government only declared a second lockdown because this opposition was developing.

Colombo National Hospital health workers protesting on December 1 (WSWS media)

Many people struggled to get their ailing relatives admitted to a government hospital. When the government allowed the private sector to treat patients, we received the financially-ruined patients and their families.

In Sri Lanka, there are lots of kidney patients who need regular dialysis and have to frequently visit the hospital. This meant they got infected and some lost their lives.

Ive experienced situations where patients have had to travel around the country to find ICU beds. One was sent to Badulla, around 200 kilometres away, another transferred to Jaffna, 300 kilometres away, so you can understand the terrible situation facing those patients. Some COVID patients died while travelling from faraway places, such as Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Vavuniya, to a specialised COVID hospital in Colombo.

WSWS: Can you speak about the situation facing health workers?

Dr. Inoka: Because of the acute shortage of doctors and nurses, internship medical officers, without any experience, were deployed into COVID wards. In most instances, however, they could not make critical decisions. On the other hand, the limited number of experienced health workers meant they had to work for between 24 and 36 hours at a stretch.

WSWS: What do you think about the international situation?

Dr. Inoka: Like Sri Lanka, most countries have implemented Let the virus spread and similar policies. These policies are disgusting and must be rejected.

WSWS: What do you think about evidence from medical scientists showing that the pandemic can be eliminated?

Dr. Inoka: I agree with this. When we treat COVID patients we are always being exposed but because we take precautionary measures, the virus is limited to those particular patients. I think this shows that the pandemic can be eliminated. However, our current facilities are very limited and Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits are limited.

Until recently, a patient would only be admitted to hospital after his/her RAT result was positive. That norm is now different, with patients only given a RAT if he or she is highly suspicious.

This is happening on the eve of another COVID-19 wave, this time with Omicron, and now the entire country has been opened with fully functioning schools. The number of patients is once again going up and we are now admitting around five patients to the hospital every day.

Testing, contact tracing and isolation are needed and the health system must be dramatically developed. These things, however, are not going to happen presently.

WSWS: Have you seen any initiatives by the trade unions regarding this?

Dr. Inoka: I dont see any initiatives from the trade unions, other than shouting like demagogues to just silence members. I dont see them working for the well-being of their members. They dont care about issues such as developing a public health system for the people.

WSWS: What do you think will happen with the pandemic?

Dr. Inoka: If it is normal influenza or typhoid, you can live normally after being cured, but COVID is not this sort of disease. Once you are infected, and even if you survive, you have to live with illnesses like long COVID for a long time and probably have to depend on medicines for the rest of your life. Therefore, theres no such thing as being cured of COVID-19. So, the most correct answer is we need a zero-COVID policy and elimination of the pandemic.
Opposition among scientists is mounting to the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos governments open embrace of mass COVID-19 infections and deaths, calling to treat COVID-19 as an endemic disease like seasonal influenza. COVID-19 cases in Spain are still rising to record levels, and deaths are rapidly increasing.

Last Monday, Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was the first European leader to call on the European Union (EU) to debate the possibility of treating COVID-19 as an endemic illness like the flu. He told radio Cadena SER: The situation is not what we faced a year ago. I think we have to evaluate the evolution of COVID to an endemic illness, from the pandemic we have faced up until now.

People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus walk along a commercial street in downtown Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Later in the week, Health Minister Carolina Darias proposed to change Spains COVID-19 monitoring protocols to align them on the system used to monitor the flu. She said: We have to go from an emergency-style vigilance to one of better quality and which is compatible with other respiratory phenomena. She added: Spain wants to lead this debate in the EU and internationally.

The call to make COVID-19 endemic has nothing to do with science. Endemic means the constant presence and prevalence of a disease within a population in a certain area.

Just like in the US where the federal government will no longer require hospitals to report the number of people who die from COVID-19 every day, in the EU, Spain is taking the lead to limit reporting on COVID-19 driven above all by a political effort to cover up mass infection and death. Scientists have raised the alarm.

Lorenzo Armenteros, spokesperson of Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians told El Confidencial that this policy aims to minimize the situation and bury our head in the sand. He insisted that to treat COVID-19 this way, it would have to be a stable disease with no possible or very few mutations, with a low degree of infection and a therapeutic alternative to be able to treat certain cases with drugs. The PSOE-Podemos governments policy, he added, is closer to hiding data that can be known or cause alarm because it has gotten out of control.

Similarly, epidemiologist Vicente Martin of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (Semergen) said treating COVID like the flu is precipitous. He said, Do we have to consider 200 daily deaths as normal? What is the number of deaths that must be understood as acceptable? He criticised rushing or trivializing Covid by saying that it is like the flu, because its not.

Martin insisted on being more demanding in controlling the flu, which also causes 15,000 annual deaths. Rather than flu-ing covid, he appealed to  covidize the flu and that 99.9 percent of health professionals be vaccinated against this disease, as is done against COVID-19.

Epidemiologist and former WHO official Daniel Lopez Acuna told RTVE.es: we are not going to stop having the problem because we stop counting. He continued, The mistake is in thinking that the problem no longer exists by not counting infections, or by reducing the number of days of isolation, or by establishing quarantines in schools with five children instead of keeping what we had ... The problem continues being there, and it has to be addressed. He added, If we stop acting, what we are going to have are more contagions.

Acuna also referred to the PSOE-Podemos governments recent policy to let the virus spread rapidly in the population. In less than two weeks, the government has announced it may stop recording infection data, reduced quarantine period from 10 to 7 days, decided to quarantine students from classrooms only when five cases are found and scaled back its contact-tracing programme.

Significantly, according to El Pais, the new flu-like monitoring system has been secretly piloted in five regions and nine hospitals. It has been in preparation since Summer of 2020, soon after the PSOE-Podemos lifted the strict lockdown measures it was forced to implement after a wave of wildcat strikes in auto, manufacturing and meatpacking, mainly in Southern Europe and North America, forced governments to impose strict lockdowns in spring 2020. This policy was not implemented, however, apparently based on calculations that was too soon to implement this strategy.

The highly contagious Omicron variant has however exploded the ruling elites hopes in dealing with COVID-19 via a vaccine-only strategy. Their turn is to a naked policy of immunity via mass infection.

The PSOE and the pseudo-left Podemos party plan to relax health restrictions even as the Omicron variant smashes all records in Spain since the pandemic began in February 2020. One in every 33 people in Spain3 percent of the populationhas tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks. On Wednesday, Spain broke its record for the highest number of COVID infections, with 180,000 new cases. Over the past three weeks, there have been over 1,700 COVID deaths.

Nearly 8 million people (or 17 percent of Spains population) has been infected. This is an underestimate, however, as medical testing has collapsed, and many people using self-testing kits do not confirm their positive results to the health authorities.

The rapid spread of the virus is leading to mounting pressure on hospitals. Over 17,000 COVID-19 patients are currently receiving treatment, with 2,228 people in intensive care units (ICUs). In 26 provinces, COVID-19 patients are occupying more than 25 percent of intensive care beds.

Amid this health catastrophe and the government aims to cover up the real infection and death rate, the main discussion dominating the news has been a campaign against the impact of factory farms on animal welfare, after remarks by Stalinist Consumer Affairs Minister Alberto Garzon were published in The Guardian in late December. The treatment of pigs and cows has dominated the news, rather the ruling classes criminal health policy that threatens to kill millions.

The PSOE-Podemos call to make the virus endemic is the Spanish equivalent of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnsons infamous phrase: No more fucking lockdowns! Let the bodies pile high in their thousands! It means letting the virus spread widely among the population to prioritise profits over lives, even if it means millions of infections and deaths. This policy has already led to the deaths of over 115,000 people in Spain, and over 1.5 million throughout Europe.

Podemos decision to support this criminal policy makes it complicit in mass death, echoing Brazils fascistic president, Jair Bolsonaro, who downplayed the virus as just a little flu.

It is also an indictment of Podemos affiliates internationally, like Bernie Sanders in the United States, Jean-Luc Melenchon in France, or Syriza in Greece. It is impossible to fight the pandemic by electing these pseudo-left forces into office. In Germany, the Left Party is imposing the same deadly policies at regional office.

For the working class, there is no electoral strategy to fight COVID-19. Only an elimination strategy can help stem the further loss of life, which requires an international turn to class struggle. Only a conscious mass movement of the Spanish, European and global working class directed against the bourgeoisie and its policies of mass infection can end the pandemic and save lives.
A 10-hour standoff at a Texas synagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth area ended on Saturday evening with the release of four hostages and the death of the hostage taker. In a nighttime news conference, authorities said the man was killed in a shooting but did not answer a question about whether he was shot by law enforcement or if the gunshot was self-inflicted.

The information supplied by the police and FBI has multiple gaps and inconsistencies, and the investigation is said to be continuing. None of the hostages has yet given a public account of the ordeal. All that is certain in the murky incident so far is that the hostages were free and out of danger before 44-year-old British citizen Malik Faisal Akram met his death.

Police stand in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

During a morning service at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, a town 15 miles northeast of Fort Worth, Akram took a rabbi and three others hostage. News reports claimed that he was armed when he entered the synagogue, but this has not been confirmed by the FBI or local police.

The morning service was being livestreamed on Facebook and Zoom. According to witnesses watching the event online, Akram could be heard in the video saying he had a bomb. According to the Fort Worth Telegram, the video image was frozen, but the audio could be heard of a man who was ranting at times with an angry voice, speaking about Islam, using profanities and saying repeatedly that he was going to die. Law enforcement has not confirmed the existence of a bomb.

The Telegram report added, The man talked about religion and repeatedly mentioned someone he called his sister, whom he said he wanted released from prison. It sounded as if he was on the phone, perhaps with police negotiators. The man said a few times he didnt want anyone hurt, and he has mentioned his children.

Colleyville Police Chief Michael Miller said that 200 police and FBI agents were on the scene during the day. The North Tarrant Regional SWAT Team responded first and evacuated residents from nearby homes and set up a perimeter.

The FBI arrived to assume control of the scene with its own SWAT and elite hostage force out of Quantico, Virginia, and began negotiating with Akram. FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno said, We do believe that, from engaging with the subject, he was singularly focused on one issue, and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community.

At 5:00 p.m., one male hostage was released and unharmed. A video shot by a Dallas WFAA-TV photographer Josh Stephen, shows the other three hostages leaving the building at 9:15 p.m. as FBI agents surround the building. A man holding a gun can be seen at the door where the hostages exited and then returning to the interior of the building. This is followed by numerous gunshots and a several flash bangs go off.

Akrams brother Gulbar issued a statement on behalf of his family apologizing to the victims and saying that his brother had mental health issues. The family statement said, We would also like to add that any attack on any human being be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim etc. is wrong and should always be condemned.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said Akram demanded to see his sister, not an actual relative, but a political prisoner, Aafia Siddiqui, serving an 86-year prison sentence on charges of attempted murder and assault of United States officers and employees in Afghanistan in 2008.

The 49-year-old Pakistani neuroscientist is jailed at the Federal Medical Center Carswell, a womens prison in Fort Worth. She had studied in the US from 1990 and earned a Ph.D. at Brandeis University in 2001. She later returned to Pakistan.

There are conflicting accounts of what transpired after this. Siddiqui says she was arrested by the Pakistani secret police, the ISI, in 2003, handed over to the Americans and then held in Bagram Prison for five years, during which time she was interrogated and tortured.

The US government claims she was not arrested until 2008 and that while she was being interrogated, she seized a weapon and attempted to kill a U.S. Army Captain while engaged in ... official duties. This blaming of the victim/prisonershot while attempting to escapeis a familiar concoction of police and military authorities around the world.

Siddiqui was extradited to the US from Afghanistan and stood trial in New York City in 2010, when she was convicted and sentenced to 86 years in prison. The case was a major political issue in Pakistan for a number of years.

The synagogue incident became the occasion for the American media to rehash the Lady Al Qaeda narrative that was supplied to the judge and jury during Siddiquis trial, and that led to the savage prison sentence. The Sunday television talk shows said nothing about the howling absurdities in the case against Siddiqui, relying, as usual, on the unsupported assertions of the US intelligence agencies.

She was identified as an Al-Qaeda courier and financier by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the Guantanamo Bay prisoner called the principal architect of the 9/11 attacks by the US government. This evidence is hardly persuasive, since Mohammed was tortured by the CIA for years and waterboarded at least 183 times.

Through an attorney, Siddiqui issued a statement denying any knowledge of Akram and deploring the attack on the synagogue.
An undersea volcano erupted near the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday, sending a series of waves sweeping into the capital Nukualofa and triggering tsunami advisories across the southwest Pacific as well as Australias east coast, Hawaii, Alaska and the US Pacific coast.

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite, and released by the agency, shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. (Japan Meteorology Agency via AP)

Japan and countries in Latin America were also impacted. Two women drowned at a beach in Lambayeque, in northern Peru, when 2-metre-high waves dragged a truck into the sea. No deaths have been reported in Tonga, but some of the archipelagos 36 inhabited islands are still uncontactable after the disaster severed internet and phone lines.

Eruptions were heard as booms or thumps across the Pacific, in Fiji, Niue, Vanuatu, and in New Zealand and recorded some 2,000km away. Shock waves that traversed many thousands of kilometres were seen from space.

On Tonga, with a population of 105,000, cellphone videos posted to social media showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas, swirling around homes, a church and other buildings. Data from the Pacific tsunami centre detected waves of 80cm (2.7ft). Satellite images showed a huge eruption, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising above the Pacific.

Journalist Mary Fonua told TVNZ News on Saturday evening that the situation was precarious. Fonua said there were a series of huge explosions as the Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai volcano, 65km from the main island, erupted at 5.30 pm. A tsunami warning for the entire country was issued, sending people rushing to higher ground.

Resident Mere Taufa told New Zealand website Stuff she and her family were preparing for dinner when they heard and felt the eruption. It was massive. The ground shook, our house was shaking. It came in waves. My younger brother thought bombs were exploding nearby, she said.

Witnesses described as many as 10 explosions, one after the other, with volcanic ash everywhere, and black smoke in the sky. Stuff reported people were terrified throughout the night, with no idea of what was happening, if the volcano would erupt again or if they faced more tsunamis.

On Sunday, ash was still falling with a huge blanket over the main island of Tongatapu. On the foreshore north of Nukualofa boats and large boulders were washed ashore. Besides flooding and extensive damage to property, contamination to the water catchments is a major issue. It could take weeks to fully restore phone and internet connections after a subsea communications cable to Fiji was cut.

There are growing concerns for at least 8,000 people in the Haapai group of islands nearest the volcano. The New Zealand Herald reported this morning that Rev Ulufonua, a religious leader on Haapai, said there were no known casualties, but not all islands had been heard from.

The volcano has been active for most of the past week after a new volcanic vent began erupting in December. Earth imaging company Planet Labs PBC said satellite images showed the volcanic activity had re-shaped the area over the past month, with ash creating a growing island at the site of the volcano.

Authorities at home and abroad have done little to prepare the population for an emergency. According to the Matangi Tonga news site, early on Friday scientists had observed massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after it started erupting. Satellite images showed a 5km-wide plume rising into the air to about 20km.

The volcano erupted without warning on Saturday, after which tsunami evacuation sirens reportedly went off in Tongatapu. It is not clear how much time people had to move away from the beaches.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano is a massive calderaa large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses. It is part of the string of volcanoes making up the Tonga Arc, formed by the Pacific tectonic plate subducting beneath the Indo-Australian tectonic plate.

The volcano has erupted regularly over the past few decades. In 2014-2015, a series of eruptions in the area created a small new island and disrupted international air travel for several days. According to Marco Brenna, a geologist at the University of Otago, it was not being actively monitored, either due to a lack of funding and resources in Tonga, or because earlier volcanic eruptions were relatively minor and it was not considered a priority.

The event impacted countries throughout the Pacific region. Authorities in nearby Fiji, Samoa and American Samoa issued warnings, and entire villages in parts of Fiji were flooded. In New Zealand, 120 people were evacuated in the countrys far north due to the tsunami threat coinciding with high seas from tropical cyclone Cody.

Tsunami waves more than 1 metre high flooded parts of Nuku'alofa, the Tongan capital. (Credit: Twitter user @sakakimoana)

The US National Tsunami Warning Center sent out an advisory for the entire west coast. There are videos of flooding in Santa Cruz Harbor in California, and coastal parts of Ecuador and Peru. In Japan, 230,000 people were advised to evacuate across eight prefectures as waves of more than a metre hit coastal areas. Reuters reported 10 boats capsized on Shikoku island in southern Japan and 27 flights cancelled.

Australias Bureau of Meteorology issued an evacuation order for Lord Howe Island and warnings for the mainlands east coast. Many beaches were evacuated and a marine threat warning remained in place on Sunday.

Whatever the extent of the destruction in Tonga, the crisis will exacerbate the deepening social disaster in the tiny impoverished country. The monarchy, established in the 19th century through the tutelage of British Methodist missionaries, wields almost absolute power.

While the royal family, nobility and a small business elite live in luxury, youth unemployment is estimated at 40 percent. Most families rely on subsistence agriculture and remittances from family members working abroad. Manufacturing, mainly small-scale industry and handicrafts, contributes only 3 percent of GDP. Tourism has ground to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since riots in 2006 decimated central Nukualofa, followed by the 2008 global financial crisis, the economy has continuously deteriorated, with entrenched poverty and social crisis, including a methamphetamine epidemic and high levels of non-communicable diseases. Wages remain extremely low. A labourer earns just 20.97 paanga per day, about $US9.00. In 2018, the Statistics Department estimated that 23 percent of adults and 33 percent of children live in poverty.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Tongan government has accepted an offer for a reconnaissance flight, and an Air Force Orion departed this morning, while a naval vessel has also been put on standby. The NZ government also announced a small $500,000 initial donation to the country. Australia has pledged to send humanitarian and technical assistance, while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken declared that the United States stood ready to help.

The imperialist powers are not concerned about the plight of the Pacific peoples. Their aim is to exploit environmental and humanitarian catastrophes, which are frequent in the vulnerable region, for geo-political and militarist ends. The US and its allies, Australia and New Zealand, are seeking to strengthen ties with Pacific countries and boost their military presence in the region, to push back against Chinas influence.

There is a danger of more eruptions. Professor of volcanology at the University of Auckland, Shane Cronin, warned on the Conversation that we could be in for several weeks or even years of major volcanic unrest and that more similar-sized eruptions to Saturdays event are possible. For the sake of the people of Tonga I hope not, Cronin added.
Last week, thousands of students staged walkouts from more than 30 schools throughout the city of Chicago in opposition to the resumption of in-person schooling.

The walkouts placed students in opposition to not only Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoots demand that schools remain open during the worst stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the decision of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) to repudiate the demand by teachers for remote learning and orchestrate the resumption of in-person instruction last week.

Following the January 4 vote by Chicago teachers to overwhelmingly reject a return to the classrooms, Jacobin magazine, associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), published an article by Liza Featherstone titled Children belong in school. Thats why we support the Chicago Teachers Union. The article calls for Lightfoot and the CTU to open the schools and effectively tells students and teachers to return to classrooms where they will face the risk of infection with a potentially deadly and debilitating disease.

One thing weve learned from this pandemic is that children and communities need public school, and that remote learning, long-term, without an end in sight, is harmful for kids, the article begins. Thats why the mayor of Chicago should immediately meet the entirely reasonable safety demands of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), and then open the schools.

A Teddy bear is placed on the bed of a child at the pediatric unit of the Robert Debre hospital, in Paris, France, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. In America, over 1,000 children have died from COVID-19 (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

The call by Jacobin for the mayor to accept the reasonable safety demands of the CTU prior to reopening the schools was merely a cover for the effort of the CTU to override the will of teachers and force the reopening of schools. On the same day as Jacobins article, the WSWS wrote, The main demands of the Chicago Teachers Unionthat the district agree to a positivity metric for taking schools remote, the availability of KN95 masks for teachers and staff, and increased testingare utterly inadequate for stopping mass infection.

Two days later, on January 10, the CTU House of Delegates agreed to suspend the action by teachers on the basis of an agreement with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) that did not even meet these inadequate demands. It then rammed through the deal with lies and threats, forcing the reopening of schools last week.

In justifying its demand for schools to be reopened, Jacobin, functioning as an arm of the Democratic Party, is promoting arguments originally developed by supporters of the fascistic Trump, including libertarian think tanks such as the American Institute for Economic Research and the Brownstone Institute.

The call to reopen schools, no matter the cost in lives, was embodied in the Great Barrington Declaration, sponsored by the American Institute for Economic Research and developed in collaboration with the Trump White House.

Notably, Jacobin played a significant role in promoting the herd immunity ideology embodied in the document, providing a favorable interview with Martin Kulldorff, who at that time was a vocal defender of the Trump administrations homicidal response to the pandemic.

Sharing the interview, Jacobins Twitter account wrote, The lockdown is the worst assault on the working class in half a century. Just three weeks later, Kulldorff and his Great Barrington Declaration coauthors would go on to meet with Trump Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar at the White House.

In his interview with Jacobin, the Trump apologist Kulldorff advocated the reopening of schools, writing, Children and young adults have minimal risk, and there is no scientific or public health rationale to close day care centers, schools, or colleges. Good education is not only important for academic achievement and financial well-being; it is also critical for the mental and physical health of children and into their subsequent adulthood. Kids have minimal risk from this virus, and it is sad that we are sacrificing our children.

Over one year later, Jacobin has fully and unequivocally embraced Kulldorffs talking points. Health experts also oppose school closures at this point in the pandemic, Jacobin writes, with all major public health organizations and most epidemiologists saying that the risks of in-person school are outweighed by its benefits.

This is a lie. Epidemiologists and scientists have repeatedly warned that schools are central sites for the transmission of the virus, not only among children and teachers, but the community as a whole.

Since the virus that causes COVID-19 is airborne, crowded and poorly ventilated classrooms are Petri dishes for infection. States that track outbreaks have repeatedly listed schools as the leading centers of COVID-19 transmission. The latest figures from Michigan show that schools account for nearly half of outbreaks tracked by the state.

A study published November 19, 2020 in Nature stated that school closures in the United States have been found to reduce COVID-19 incidence and mortality by about 60 percent. In the United States, 1,084 children have died from COVID-19.

Remote learning has had a demonstrably terrible effect on students mental health, Jacobin continues, but it says nothing about the impact on the mental health of students from having their teachers, parents, grandparents and others die from an entirely preventable pandemic.

Jacobin concludes by emphasizing that its support for the CTU should not in any way be taken as agreement with those who have insisted on an indefinite extension to remote school, consistently ignored the implications of widespread vaccination, exaggerated the dangers of COVID to children and the risks of community spread through school, trivialized the essential role of public school, the single most socialized aspect of American public life.

In line with the arguments of the right-wing ideologues whose ideas they take without attribution, Jacobin argues that those who want to end the pandemic are seeking to promote an indefinite extension to remote school.

In reality, the scientists calling for the pandemic to be ended through a Zero COVID strategy argue that COVID-19 could be brought under control in a matter of months through the closure of all nonessential businesses and schools. Once community transmission is ended, schools and businesses could be reopened with aggressive testing and contact tracing.

Instead, the pandemic has been drawn out for two years, with every school day offering a chance for students and teachers to contract and spread the virus.

Who is it that, in Jacobins words, exaggerated the dangers of COVID to children and the risks of community spread through school? They are clearly referring to the scientists, doctors and public health experts who advocate ending the pandemic and the millions of workers who know through personal experience that schools are a leading source of COVID-19 transmission.

Politically, the warnings of these scientists and the sentiments of workers are expressed in the policies advocated by the World Socialist Web Site.

In the view of Jacobin, the scientists exaggerate the dangers of COVID-19 in schools, while big-business politicians, whether fascists or Democrats, and right-wing economists are the ones who accurately portray the low risks of in-person instruction.

Jacobin is right, however, in insisting that its support for the CTU does not imply rejecting a policy of mass infection. The CTU and the unions as a whole have and are playing a key role in the efforts of corporations and municipalities to get workers back on the job during a raging pandemic, and to cover up and suppress knowledge of outbreaks.

Nationwide, the majority of the public favors keeping schools remote, according to a Harris Poll conducted earlier this month. Support for remote education is highest among those making less than $50,000 per year.

Why is Jacobin promoting the arguments of right-wing ideologues in demanding the end of remote instruction during a pandemic?

The Democratic Socialists of America is a faction of the ruling Democratic Party, and Jacobin is carrying water for the Biden administration as it declares war on the population.

Jacobin and the DSA speak for an affluent upper middle class that is more or less indifferent to the mass death caused by the pandemic. Like the local politicians and corporate executives forcing workers back on the job and kids into classrooms, this social layer can by and large work remotely. Their stock portfolios have surged with the rise of the market in the past two years.

Like the heroes of the rear of the First World War, Jacobin is happy to send teachers and children over the top to ensure their parents continue to work and crank out profits to drive up stock values.

In their fight to save lives in the pandemic, teachers, students and other workers must be on their guard against Jacobin and the DSA, which serve as propagandists for mass infection!
Weather Alert

...The National Weather Service in Indianapolis IN has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Indiana... White River at Elliston and Edwardsport. Wabash River at Montezuma. .Multiple rounds of rain over the last few days including today will lead to minor flooding along lower portions of the White River and upper portions on the Wabash River. Additional rainfall later this week should keep portions of the White and Wabash above flood stage through Saturday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/ind. This statement will be updated within the next 12 to 24 hours. && ...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT TO SUNDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Wabash River at Montezuma. * WHEN...From late tonight to Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, Montezuma agricultural levee is overtopped. Fourteen hundred acres of low bottomlands flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 10:45 AM EDT Tuesday the stage was 9.1 feet. - Forecast...The river will oscillate around flood stage with a maximum value of 16.4 feet early Saturday morning. - Flood stage is 14.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Doctors warn against intentionally getting infected with COVID-19 just to 'be done with it'
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'We know that the best way to respond is not by hunkering down': Madison rabbis react to Texas synagogue hostage incident
Hope Edelman: motherlessness is not all bad news, she argues (Crosbyrobert/CC4.0)

I first read this book in New York, when I was 34. I was given it by a friend and I remember being shocked just by the title: Motherless Daughters. I read it in one go, and afterwards I went to bed for three days. What can I say? I just couldnt get up. When I emerged from this deuil, or period of mourning, I went out and bought a stack of other copies. I wrapped them in gold paper, taking great care with the hospital corners, and sent them to friends in Ireland, England and Canada. As I wrote out the addresses of these friends I realised, for the first time, that we had something in common: we had all lost our mothers young.

In her book, published in 1994, American writer Hope Edelman discusses the effect on a girls life of losing her mother early. Not only is the daughter stripped of her main emotional support, and forever, but she also loses a role model, a way of being a woman. She is condemned to a lifetime of periodic mourning, as the milestones of a female life  jobs, marriages, children  slip by without a mother to watch over them.

Unsurprisingly, motherless daughters suffer from higher incidences of depression, self-harm, addiction, even suicide. I was shocked and upset but also immensely relieved. You mean I wasnt alone? The dysfunction I had suffered since the death of my mother when I was 19, the inability to get on with life, the protracted mess of myself and my family, was normal. I wasnt a freak. The book did for me what literature can sometimes do, reclaimed the broken off bits of the spirit. It took away the burden of isolation, of silence.

(Handout)

Motherlessness is not all bad news, argues Edelman. There are some upsides. In a society where female ambition has often been punished by the mother, acting as involuntary policer of the paternalist project, her early removal can open up a wider field of action. Edelman cites a long list of female high achievers who lost their mothers young: George Eliot, the Bronte sisters, Marie Curie, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dorothy Parker, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna. The light she sheds on some of the great women writers is fascinating.

All her life, Virginia Woolf was haunted by the memory of her mother, who died of rheumatic fever when Virginia was 13. But after writing To The Lighthouse in 1926, in a great transported rush, she was cured of it. Her sister Vanessa wrote thanking her for the portrayal of their mother in Mrs Ramsay, more like her to me than anything I could have conceived as possible.

I still find Motherless Daughters a very painful book to read. But I go back to it over the years, because there is nowhere else where that core part of me  the void left by the early death of a mother  is acknowledged in the same way.
Jan. 7Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Thursday, the first anniversary of the U.S. Capitol insurrection, she plans to push for a voting rights act in New Mexico similar to proposed federal legislation that has stalled in the U.S. Senate.

The Governor's Office issued a news release introducing a proposal Lujan Grisham and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver are drafting, with a goal of protecting and expanding voting rights. The proposal would increase the state's early voting period through the Sunday before Election Day, make Election Day a state holiday, create a permanent absentee voter list and allow residents who do not have an identification card issued from the Motor Vehicle Division to register online using their Social Security number.

The proposal also would extend the timeline for mailing ballots to voters to 35 days before an election and would give Native American communities more time to request alternative voting sites.

"Protecting voting rights is essential to upholding our democracy and ensuring New Mexicans' voices are heard," Lujan Grisham said in the news release.

"On this somber anniversary of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, an anti-democratic attempt to overturn a free and fair election, we are reminded that it is more important than ever to safeguard access to the ballot box," she continued. "While voting rights are under attack across the country, New Mexico is taking every action to protect and expand them."

The move comes as U.S. Senate Republicans continue to block efforts to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, legislation that would give the federal government more control over state elections. Senate Democrats have said they will find a way to break a GOP filibuster on the bill by Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

New Mexico's 2022 legislative session begins a day later.

While the main focus of the 30-day session will be the state budget for fiscal year 2023, the governor has the right to place any item she favors on the call.

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Nora Meyers Sackett, a spokeswoman for Lujan Grisham, wrote in an email the Governor's Office expects "sponsors to be finalized soon" for the voting rights measure. "We're working closely with the Legislature on this initiative and it has the support of legislative leadership."

Rep. Daymon Ely, D-Corrales, a member of the House of Representatives' State Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee, said Thursday he supports the initiative and would sponsor such legislation if he were asked.

"These are needed reforms to ensure that New Mexico citizens have equal access to the ballot," Ely said. "It's what every state should be doing, and I'm very happy that governor and secretary of state are leading the charge on this message."

Rep. Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, another member of the committee, said he didn't have enough information about the proposal yet to determine if he would support it.

"All I have are these bullet points," based on information the governor released Thursday, he said. "I don't know what the language in the

bill will say."

Nibert said, "We all want to have a voting system that makes it easy and accessible for electors to participate in the process. But we also want to have confidence that it's secure and that my ballot is going to count the same as anybody else's ballot.

"The trick for us is to make sure that, even as we try to make it as easy and convenient as possible, that we still have in place these security measures that give us confidence that the system is being handled properly," he added. "I would look at the governor's proposal and see if it meets both of those criteria."

Nayomi Valdez, public policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, said her agency is in "full support" of the voting rights initiative.

"At a time when many of our ACLU colleagues across the country are fighting an uphill battle on this issue, it's the right move to double down on efforts here to expand voting rights access," she said.
The FBI on Sunday identified British national Malik Faisal Akram, 44, as the person who took hostages in a standoff at a Texas synagogue.

Two teenagers were also arrested in Britain in connection to the hostage situation, the Greater Manchester Police announced on Twitter. They were arrested Sunday evening, the police said, and remained in custody for questioning as of 7:00 p.m. ET.

The Greater Manchester Police did not name the suspects or whether they faced any charges. FBI Dallas spokeswoman Katie Chaumont referred questions to police in Manchester.

Dallas FBI chief Matthew DeSarno said the investigation involved Britain and Israel, and the assailant was focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community. Londons Metropolitan Police said Akram was from the Lancashire area of northwest England and British counterterrorism police worked with U.S. authorities on the case.

None of the four hostages at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, a city of 26,000 people 15 miles northeast of Fort Worth, was injured. DeSarno did not discuss how Akram died but said in a statement Sunday that the shooting would be reviewed.

The hostages included Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who said Sunday that the assailant was increasingly belligerent and threatening in the standoffs last hour. Cytron-Walker expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts  and to many others for their prayers.

"I am thankful and filled with appreciation for all of the vigils and prayers and love and support, all of the law enforcement and first responders who cared for us, all of the security training that helped save us," Cytron-Walker wrote in a Facebook post. "I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the CBI Community, the Jewish Community, the Human Community. I am grateful that we made it out. I am grateful to be alive."

SYNAGOGUES SAFE: All Texas synagogue hostages safe after hourslong standoff

A law enforcement official who spoke to USA TODAY on the condition of anonymity said Akram demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist serving 86 years in a Texas prison for attempting to kill Americans in Afghanistan. Siddiqui is suspected of having ties to al-Qaida. Akram reportedly wanted to speak with Siddiqui, who is housed in a federal prison in Fort Worth.

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Law enforcement and FBI crisis negotiators responded Saturday morning to Congregation Beth Israel. Akram took four hostages, though one man was released, according to the Colleyville Police Department. The standoff ended when an FBI SWAT team stormed the building.

President Joe Biden, visiting a food pantry in Philadelphia on Sunday morning, said the hostage taker purchased weapons on the street and may have recently come to the USA, spending his first night in a homeless shelter. Akrams immigration status and history were not immediately available.

Rest assured, we are focused, Biden said. The attorney general is focused and making sure that we deal with these kinds of acts.

Police respond to a hostage situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on Jan. 16 in Colleyville, Texas.

Siddiqui was detained in 2008 by Afghan authorities along with handwritten notes that referred to a "mass casualty attack" and listed various locations in the USA, including the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. Other notes referred to the construction of dirty bombs and reconnaissance drones, underwater bombs and gliders, according to federal prosecutors.

When U.S. officials attempted to interview Siddiqui in Ghazni, Afghanistan, she grabbed an Army officer's M-4 rifle and shot at an officer and other members of the interview team, declaring her intent to kill Americans.

Marwa Elbially, Siddiquis Texas-based lawyer, told USA TODAY that Siddiqui was not involved in the hostage situation and that her only brother, an architect who lives in Houston, confirmed that he had nothing to do with it, either.

John Floyd, chairman of the Houston board of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said his group stood in solidarity against the "antisemitic attack against a house of worship." Floyd, a lawyer for some members of Siddiqui's family, said they strongly condemn the attack.

"Dr. Aafias family has always stood firm in advocating for the release of their sister from incarceration by legal and non-violent means only," Floyd said in a statement, and the attack "directly undermines those of us who are seeking justice for Dr. Aafia."

Saturdays services at Congregation Beth Israel were livestreamed on the synagogues Facebook page. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that an angry man could be heard ranting and talking about religion at times during the livestream, which didnt show what was happening inside the synagogue.

Shortly before 2 p.m., the man said, You got to do something. I dont want to see this guy dead. Moments later, the feed cut out. Meta Platforms, the corporate successor to Facebook, confirmed that Facebook had removed the video.

New York Rabbi Angela Buchdahl said she was brought into the negotiations before the crisis ended. Buchdahl, senior rabbi at Central Synagogue and a leading figure in Reform Judaism, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the gunman called her and she spoke twice to the attacker. Central Synagogue said Buchdahl had no relationship with the gunman and she immediately contacted law enforcement and followed their directions after receiving the first call.

It was a surreal and scary day, Buchdahl told the agency. I am so grateful for the outcome.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he thanked Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for "the determined action of the law enforcement forces in Texas that brought the event to a peaceful conclusion, for his steadfast stand with the Jewish community, his support for Israel and for his fight against antisemitism."

Contributing: Celina TeboKevin Johnson, Claire Thornton and Josh Meyer, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FBI identifies Malik Faisal Akram as Texas synagogue hostage-taker
Dr. Oz

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images Dr. Oz

Dr. Mehmet Oz stopped seeing patients years before his latest venture, a political campaign, but is still teaching at Columbia University.

As first spotted by HuffPost, his title at the Ivy League school has changed from vice chair of surgery to "professor emeritus of surgery" amid his burgeoning Senate campaign in Pennsylvania.

But the school says this switch was made years ago.

A spokesman for the university confirms to PEOPLE that "Dr. Oz became special lecturer and professor emeritus in 2018. The title change reflects the fact that he has not been seeing patients since then, however, he still teaches at Columbia."

Oz, 61, is also listed as a "Special Lecturer in the Department of Surgery" at Columbia.

The longtime TV host  and controversial wellness expert  in November officially announced that he was launching a Republican campaign for Senate in Pennsylvania. (Incumbent Pat Toomey, also a Republican, is retiring.)

A rep for Oz's campaign did not respond to PEOPLE's questions regarding the change in title.

RELATED: Oprah Winfrey Weighs in on Dr. Oz's Republican Senate Campaign in Pennsylvania: 'It's Up to the Residents'

In announcing his campaign, Oz drew heavily on his medical background, writing in an op-ed for The Washington Examiner that he wanted "to help fix the problems and to help us heal."

Writing that the COVID-19 pandemic had ultimately led him to enter the Pennsylvania Senate race, Oz believed that many of the more-than 750,000 American COVID deaths were "preventable."

He also echoed broader conservative sentiment about the flaws in policies to prevent infections.

"Dissenting opinions wrote leading scholars were ridiculed and canceled so their ideas could not be disseminated," he wrote. "Instead, the government mandated policies that caused unnecessary suffering. The public was patronized and misled instead of empowered. We were told to lock down quietly and let those in charge take care of the rest."

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Dr. Oz show

Sony Pictures Television The Dr. Oz Show / Season 11

Oz became a nationally-known name with The Dr. Oz Show, which launched in 2009 after he made a name for himself as a frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

While it helped propel the cardiothoracic surgeon's television career, the show also proved controversial, and Oz has been accused of promoting unproven medical treatments and making false or misleading scientific claims in the years since it has been on the air. (In response to a New York Times article last year detailing some of the issues, his campaign said he went against the "established grain" but was focused on his patients. Oz himself has said he tries to reach the audience where they are and "empower "them.)

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Many of Oz's past claims have been called into questions by other doctors, such as in 2015, when a group of physicians sent a letter to New York's Columbia University demanding Oz's dismissal for promoting what they called "quack treatments."

Last month, Sony confirmed that The Dr. Oz Show would come to an end in January, amid the host's Senate run (according to the Federal Communications Commission, candidates running for office must receive equal airtime, which made his show a potential problem).

The show was replaced by his daughter Daphne Oz's show, The Good Dish.
Elvin Irihamye, an Indiana University student and a Rhodes Scholar, poses Friday in IU's Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art.

Elvin Irihamyes journey has taken him to many places. Kentucky. The Pacific Northwest. China. Bloomington.

Come October, the Indiana University student will start another chapter of his life at Oxford University in the United Kingdom as part of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship program.

Since its establishment at the start of the 20th century, the scholarship has paid to send promising students from around the world to study at the renowned university in England.

More than 2,300 students applied for the American scholarships this time, according to a Rhodes Trust press release. Of those, 826 students received the endorsement from their college or university required to move to the next stage and only 32 were ultimately selected.

Irihamye will be the 19th IU student to achieve the distinction. If asked, he will tell you he does not have any extra neurons in his brain. Instead, he has worked hard to put himself in the right situations and make the most of them. Irihamye has benefited from opportunities that he would be the first to admit not everyone can access.

The son of Rwandan immigrants, Irihamye now calls Washington state home. While he spent much of his life in Lexington, Kentucky, he moved to China when he was 8 for his father's work. The family spent four and a half years in China, as well as traveling to other countries around the world. While Irihamye had to deal with living in a society unaccustomed to people with darker skin, he appreciated the perspective and lived experiences he gained.

"I liked living in that environment," he said. "You realize pretty quickly how different the world looks in different places. You definitely ask yourself why things look different  if things could be better. I think coming back to the United States, I grew up with a very strong sense that  whatever I do in life  it would be so much more fulfilling for me not to be (limited) to the United States."

More: Bloomington woman seeking owner of gold locket found in IU parking garage 2 years ago

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After he returned from China, Irihamye lived in Kentucky and spent his last two years of high school at the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Bowling Green with fellow gifted juniors and seniors. He is grateful for the opportunities provided by the academy, where students were encouraged to do research and seek out opportunities with mentors.

Irihamye got the chance to work in a neurobiology lab under the tutelage of a marine biologist. He was involved in chemotherapy drug research in hopes of reducing hearing loss, which is a common side effect of some drugs, and he is now a published contributor.

Irihamye knows he has benefited from mentors and opportunities that many people simply cannot access.

"I was definitely privileged to be able to go to (Gatton)," he said. "Not everybody had the chance to apply, (many didn't even) know about it and there weren't enough funds in the state of Kentucky to do that for every student. ... I made the most of it."

He has seen firsthand the importance of a mentor, whether thats someone who can show you that there is an image of success that looks like you, someone who can make connections for you or someone who has been through a similar experience.

"Over time, I've learned to put myself in the right place in the right time," Irihamye said. "But I knew that more students needed to be able (to do that, too)."

His firsthand experiences with good mentors and interesting opportunities inspired him to create the Eckford Virtual Mentorship Program, a nonprofit aimed at pairing minority students with minority professionals. The program get its name from Elizabeth Eckford, who was one of the first black students to attend Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in the 1950s.

Irihamye plans to earn a master of science in applied digital health at Oxford. As he dove into his pre-medical and neuroscience studies, he came to an important realization  that a more traditional medical education might not be the most effective way to help people get the quality health care they need.

I quickly realized that the people who were advancing neuroscience as a whole were not actually neurologists, Irihamye said. "They were researchers who were applying technology and computer science to learn more things about the brain. I think that was really the first moment I realized that technology was just as crucial a component of medicine as actually learning medicine, anatomy or physiology. I'd been kind of doing applied digital health without really knowing it.

Elvin Irihamye, an Indiana University student and Rhodes Scholar, does some work on his laptop Friday in IU's Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art.

Irihamye is also part of Create Circles, a nonprofit organization tackling loneliness among older adults, including those in nursing homes and long term care facilities. By pairing trained college students with older individuals to work on projects together, facility residents can stave off the negative mental and physical aspects of loneliness, while imparting their learned wisdom to their student volunteer.

That work has only grown more urgent as the coronavirus pandemic further isolated older people from family members and friends. By using technology like Zoom, Create Circles is continuing to make an impact even when it is impossible to visit in person.

More: Here's why Indiana University sent students into classrooms amid COVID-19 surge

Irihamye hopes to revolutionize health care by leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze a patient's health care information and using technology to get beyond barriers to care. Complex AI will be able to sift through massive amounts of patient data already collected by hospitals in some places and make connections that a human might not see.

If medical records are expanded in more impoverished areas of the world, people can use AI to improve patients' outcomes and figure out how to best deploy a country or community's medical resources using already available technology like drones and mobile phones.

While he is looking forward to his time at Oxford, Irihamye said IU's Bloomington campus is a good place for him to learn and grow. He knew he was in good company with IU's Wells Scholars when a fellow student came to class with a bloody face. It was a cold day and she had slipped on ice while carrying her drum set. Rather than dropping her instruments to try to break her fall, in that split second the dedicated musician chose to accept the risk of facial injuries.

She was worried that if she fell on her hands, she wouldn't be able to play, you know? he recalled. And I just thought that was a little weird, but at the same time that was honestly inspiring."

What will Irihamye miss about IU while he studies at Oxford?

"I'm going to miss so much," he said. "But I hope I'm going to be so busy I don't have the time to think about it too much."

Contact Patrick McGerr at pmcgerr@heraldt.com, 812-307-5636, or follow @patrickmcgerr on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IU student Elvin Irihamye to head to Oxford University on scholarship
Illinois leaders of color came together in a panel discussion Monday to discuss how to honor the legacy of social justice icons Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali, on an overlapping day of celebration.

The Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, which hosted the virtual panel at the Chicago History Museum, was the lead advocate for making Alis birthday, Jan. 17, a state holiday. This year, the first year since the legislation passed, Alis birthday also fell on the third Monday of January  Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

While we may honor both champions of civic justice on the same day this year, make no mistake: The stage is large enough for these giants, for their stage was the world stage, said Dilara Sayeed, president and co-founder of the coalition.

In a recorded video message at the virtual event, civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson called Ali a champion in the ring and a hero outside of the ring.

The advocates on the panel stressed the need for both legislative and nonlegislative action as means of change.

I know a lot of people are disenchanted with government, and people are disappointed. And I get that way as well, said Maryum Ali, one of Muhammad Alis daughter who works as a social worker and activist. But policy laws impact us whether we are disenchanted or not.

People should be informed in voting, she said, and learn history  both the history of racism, beyond whats taught in schools  and for people of color, their own history of overcoming those barriers.

Its not just individuals in elected positions who can create change, said panelist Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Anyone can protest, assist protesters, or use their talents in writing or the arts to bring real greatness and change to our world, she said.

Advocacy for systemic change requires everybody doing a little something, Stratton said. It is sustained action that must take place.

Maaria Mozaffar, an attorney and director of advocacy for the coalition, said helping to write the legislation in Alis honor reminded her of the power of individuals, when speaking the truth isnt always popular.

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It just reminds us that a solo voice can do so much, Mozaffar said.

Multiple panelists highlighted Alis and Kings young age when they began their advocacy.

Both rose to leadership positions by their mid-20s, Chicago History Museum President Donald Lassere said.

That, to me, is whats most remarkable, said Greg Kelley, president of the Service Employees International Union in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas. They were young men, who led and fought at a young age.

Ali and King met and interacted earlier than many people realize, Lassere said.

The FBI surveilled both men illegally, Lassere said, recording that King sent Ali a note to be safe during one of Alis earliest fights. And while the two men saw many issues differently, Alis opposition to the Vietnam War helped inspire King to take his own stand, Lassere said.

They also reached out to each other in times of need: King to Ali when Ali was stripped of a boxing title for opposition to the Vietnam War, and Ali to King when King was in jail for his civil rights activism, Sayeed said.

Panelists painted Alis legacy as one of personal inspiration, as well as social change.

Maryum Ali described her father as someone who often questioned his children on their purpose, a reader who went through books as he worked through his own spirituality, despite having dyslexia.

Lassere told a story of how Ali inspired a woman who had previously failed to row across the Atlantic Ocean to try again, to change her legacy.

He had the ability to inspire people to do things that they didnt believe they could do, Lassere said.

The legislation to make Alis birthday a holiday passed unanimously in Illinois, according to the coalition. The organization has received interest from legislative teams and advocacy groups with interest in introducing similar bills in other states, Mozaffar said.

In the face of Islamophobia, the intent of making Alis birthday a holiday was to remind our state and our great nation that Americas champ, a man known for his work ethic, skill and principle, was a proud African American Muslim, Mozaffar said. And we say this loudly to all of the young Muslim boys and girls.

oolander@chicagotribune.com
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Former President Donald Trump and his family company have a long history of stiffing contractors, but theres one bill they almost certainly wish they had paid.

Ahead of the 2017 presidential inauguration, the Trump Organization reserved a block of rooms at the Loews Madison Hotel. When at least 13 people didnt show up, the Trump Organization refused to pay the bill, something it has done many times in the past. The company then dodged a credit collection agency and eventually squirmed out of it by pushing the $49,358 bill off to the nonprofit presidential inaugural committee, the PIC.

That dodged payment is now the crux of the attorney general for the District of Columbias latest effort to put the Trump Organization back in its crosshairs in an ongoing investigation into how the Trump kids used the Presidential Inauguration Committee to throw lavish parties of their own.

It was their friends. It should never have been sent to the PIC. Thats misuse of funding. The Trump Organization being involved in any way and getting the PIC to pay any sort of balance anywhere on their behalf? It just doesnt seem legitimate, said Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who coordinated inaugural events and is now the governments lead witness in this case.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff Drew Angerer/Getty

Winston Wolkoff is no friend of the Trumpsany more. Although she was close to the family for more than a decade and eventually became Trusted Adviser to First Lady Melania Trump, there was a fallout after Winston Wolkoff felt that the Trump White House made her the scapegoat for inauguration misspending. The New York Times identified a company associated with her, WIS Media Partners, as the recipient of a whopping $26 million, and Winston Wolkoff later overcame Justice Department resistance to publication of her tell-all book called Melania and Me.

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine continues to investigate how the inauguration committee allegedly misspent more than $1 million and was allegedly used to essentially enrich Trumps own company on his way into the White House. And the Attorney Generals office is trying to recover from a courtroom defeat late last year.

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In November, D.C. Superior Court Judge Jose M. Lopez seemed to doom the local attorney generals investigation when he cut the Trump Organization loose from the lawsuit. His reasoning, which surprised those following the case, was that the familys company wasnt directly involvedeven though Don Jr., Ivanka, and other staffers at the companys New York office were on a lot of the paperwork. So he dropped the Trump Organization from the lawsuit.

Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine Alex Wong/Getty

The judges Nov. 8 order hinged on the companys claims that Texas financier Gentry Beach didnt have the authority to list the Trump Organization when he pulled out an American Express credit card and made the large and expensive reservation. However, Beach was no stranger to the Trump Organization. He was Donald Trump Jr.s college pal and was handpicked to serve on the nonprofits finance committee. He was also outed by journalists even before the inauguration for being part of a nonprofitdirected by Eric Trump, Don Jr. and another wealthy Texanthat seemed to be auctioning off access to the Trumps.

Since then, Racines office has filed documents in court seeking to reverse that, pointing to numerous receipts and memos that show how even the debt collector wouldnt be duped into letting the Trump Organization weasel its way out of this one.

In the typical fashion of an aggressive collections agency, Campbell Hightower & Adams in Arizona started bombarding the company with phone calls and emails in June 2017, picking up where the Loews Madison Hotel had left off.

A collector, identified only as Sherie, jotted down notes when she repeatedly communicated with Don Jr.s executive assistant, Kara Hanley.

Unfortunately, this was not an agreement made by anyone at The Trump Organization. Best, Kara, Hanley wrote on June 8.

A contract was signed and then 13 people did not show up for the rooms you reserved [sic] so according to the contract terms, those rooms still have to be paid for. What am I missing? Sherie wrote back.

Donald Trump Jr. Brandon Bell/Getty

A few weeks later, Sherie notified the Trump Organization that she had just found out that yet another Don Jr. executive assistant, Lindsey Santoro, had initially requested the rooms and added Beach as the main contact for the deal. That information seemed to cement even further that the company was indeed involved.

And when the hotel contacted the collections agency in July to request that the bill suddenly change the listed debtor to 58th Presidential Inauguration Committeewith an odd special note saying It just cannot say The Trump OrganizationSherie grew suspicious.

I hesitate as they all seem to be pointing fingers and making excuses as to why they wont pay it and this seems to be another ploy so the Trump Organizations name is not on it, Sherie wrote back on July 10.

Records show the bill was eventually paid by the Presidential Inaugural Committee at the direction of Rick Gates, a Trump political operator ally who served on the committeeand eventually served jail time for committing unrelated crimes caught by special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

The District of Columbias AG hopes this evidence proves that the Trump Organization should remain part of the lawsuit, which seeks to seize money it deems was misused and divert it instead to another nonprofit. Otherwise, the civil investigation would continue only against the PIC (which is no longer active) and the Trump International Hotel Washington (which is being sold anyway).

In court filings, a lawyer for the Trump Organization and Trump Hotel blasted the AGs last-ditch effort as merely rehashed arguments that seek several bites at several apples. On Dec. 14, attorney Rebecca Woods reiterated that Don Jr.s buddy, Beach, didnt have the explicit authority to make the deal. She also wrote that investigators shouldnt be allowed to now seek sworn testimony from him or Santoro, the executive assistant.

The Family Secrets Fueling the Trump Organization Indictment

When approached by The Daily Beast, the AGs office pointed to the arguments it made in court. The Trump Organizations lawyer didnt respond to a request for comment. The collection agency didnt return calls on Friday.

Notably, none of these documents described yet another layer of Trump Organization involvement: how company chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg puzzlingly assumed the responsibility of auditing the nonprofit PICs finances. Last summer, D.C. investigators wanted to interview him under oath, but he was then indicted for criminal tax fraud in New York City.

The local attorney generals request is now up to the judgebut a different one this time. On New Years Eve, the case was reassigned to D.C. Superior Court Judge Yvonne Williams, a former NAACP lawyer appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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It Happened here is a weekly history column by Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Donald W. Meyers. Sources for this weeks column include the Rev. Robert Trimble, Ester Huey and the archives of the Yakima Herald-Republic. Reach him at dmeyers@yakimaherald.com.
Greensboro, NC (27407)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
According to an analysis by credit insurance company Atradius, 39% of companies in Central and Eastern Europe fear that with the expected withdrawal of government bailouts, there will be more bankruptcies this year, according to profitline.hu.

The study shows that the proportion of debts written off in the region has not changed (5%) compared to the previous year.



In CEE, half of the intercompany purchases (B2B) were on credit, the same as in 2020; the figure in Hungary was 48%.



The proportion of overdue invoices in the region improved from 45% to 43%.



The survey interviewed 1,400 Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, and Turkish companies.
Gyorgy Balint, a municipal councillor at the 6th District of Budapest had bribed policemen with amounts of cash worth tens of thousands of euros, according to his testimony he gave in a criminal court case.

At the time of the alleged crime, Balint was working for the company running the notorious Four Tigers chinese market, owned by relatives of Arpad Habony, unofficial advisor to PM Viktor Orban.



The policemen deny taking bribes, the case is still ongoing. In case of a indictment, Balint stands to to escape punishment, as he was the one snitching on the others.



A Budapest politician testified in court that he bribed two policemen with amounts of cash worth tens of thousands of euros in around 2008-10, Atlatszo has revealed. At the time of the alleged crime, Balint Gyorgy was working for a company owned by relatives of Arpad Habony, unofficial advisor to PM Viktor Orban.



Balint has since entered politics, and was elected a municipal councillor at the 6th District of Budapest as a member of the Socialist party  which he exited in December, with an ethical review related to other scandals hanging over him. Balint has not given up his seat in the district council. Though he originally offered an interview to Atlatszo, hes been ghosting our reporter for several weeks now.



According to his testimony as witness, Balint bribed two members of the police local to the 8th District of Budapest, where the notorious Four Tigers market operated in the Chinatown of the Hungarian capital. One of the officers, lieutenant-colonel Zsolt O. was the head of the crime division at the precinct, and regularly visited Four Tigers. The other officer, captain Attila A. worked the same beat.



The alleged payments were supposed to facilitate various permits, including securing authorisation for market stalls that had been extended without the necessary authorisation by Balints employer at the time, Komondor Kft. According to Balints testimony, the officers didnt come through on their promises, and still owe him money worth thousands of euros.



The company employing Balint, Komondor Kft. at the time was owned by Marianne Papa and her two children, who are relatives of Arpad Habony, unofficial advisor to PM Viktor Orban.



The Four Tigers market was originally established in the early nineties on premises belonging to the Hungarian Railways by the entrepreneur Ferenc Szetlik, the late husband of Papa and maternal uncle of Habony.



The market was a hotbed of illicit trade and crime for decades, before it was finally mopped up by 2014. The company Komondor was operating the market and collecting fees from the Chinese, Vietnamese or Arabic retailers operating out of stalls, sometimes under appalling working conditions.



Balint started learning Chinese in the nineties, was hired as an interpreter for Komondor, and was eventually promoted to head operations and security at the Four Tigers. After the Hungarian Railways terminated Komondors lease agreement, Balint acquired all ownership stakes in the company  with Papa holding an option to re-buy.



The company was eventually liquidated without paying or admitting a debt alleged by the Hungarian railways and worth 800 thousand euros, according to Komondors last interim report.



The criminal case, which started in 2014, includes other allegations regarding police officers selling classified information to lawyers. Defendants altogether number 13. The two policemen against whom Balint testified deny taking bribes.



The case is still ongoing at the military tribunal under the regional court in Gyor. The Budapest prosecutors office informed Atlatszo that the leader of the company operating the market disclosed the corrupt relation before it came to the attention of the authorities, therefore there was a [legal reason for his immunity] from punishment.





MTI Photo: Zoltan Mihadak
Hungarian-born biochemist Katalin Kariko has been elected to the French Academy of Sciences as a foreign associate member and awarded the Lipid Science Prize of the Swedish Camurus Lipid Research Foundation.

Kariko, the vice president of BioNTech, which has led research on mRNA-based medicine since the 1990s, has played a major role in developing new vaccination strategies which have been used in the fight against Covid-19.



Kariko also received the Grande Medaille, the most prestigious award of the French Academie des Sciences, last autumn, the University of Szeged, Karikos alma mater, noted on Friday.



Foreign associate membership is awarded to scientists who contributed to the international prestige of the Academie, and the number of foreign associates is limited to 150.



The inauguration ceremony will take place on June 14 in Paris, the university said.



The Camurus Lipid Research Foundation lauded Kariko as proof of scientific excellence going hand in hand with innovation and entrepreneurship. Karikos pioneering work has been the foundation of mRNA-based vaccines today, they said.





Photo courtesy: University of Szeged
YORK  Sarah Beale, 25, a former inmate at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW), has been charged with second degree assault, a Class 2A felony, and second degree domestic assault, a Class 3A felony.

Arraignment proceedings for Beale were held this past week in York County District Court, during which she pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The case against Beale has been bound over to York County District Court where arraignment proceedings are pending.

According to court documents, a guard at the prison said he saw Beale (while an inmate at NCCW) slap another inmate and the two began to grapple.

When they were broken up, guards said the other inmate was injured with bleeding and swelling.

Beale served a prison sentence for convictions of tampering with evidence out of Dawson County, possession of methamphetamine out of Dawson County, third degree domestic assault out of Dawson County, possession of cocaine out of Merrick County, failure to appear out of Merrick County and possession of methamphetamine out of Lincoln County.

She is now facing a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the Class 2A felony and three years in prison for the Class 3A felony.

Judge James Stecker set a jury trial in York County District Court for late spring.
Delivering a strongly conservative message with a vow to "begin to take back our country from the Far Left," Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk announced Sunday that he will challenge embattled Rep. Jeff Fortenberry in the May Republican primary election for the 1st District House seat.

Flood, a former Speaker of the Legislature, announced his candidacy at a news conference in the State Capitol rotunda, arguing that Fortenberry's indictment on charges of allegedly lying to federal officials about illegal foreign contributions that were funneled into his 2016 reelection campaign places Nebraska's 1st District House seat at risk.

"If our Republican nominee is waging a battle against prosecutors in a courtroom out of state instead of campaigning here in the 1st District, this seat is in jeopardy," Flood said.

"If our nominee has to focus on beating felony criminal charges instead of defeating a serious Democrat opponent, we risk defeat in November," he said.

"Today, I am sad to say that Republicans are not on a path to victory here in our district."

Fortenberry, a former Lincoln city councilman, is seeking reelection to the House seat he has held since 2005.

Flood hammered at Democratic policy positions during his announcement, arguing that "Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi are using the House of Representatives to ram through a radical, socialist agenda that would destroy the country we love."

"With just a razor-thin majority, they have claimed a mandate to pass trillions of dollars in big-government giveaways, raise our taxes, grow government's power, seize control of our elections and wage partisan witch hunts that are tearing our country apart," he said.

Flood described Biden as "an inept president" and said America's enemies are "emboldened every day by the weakness they see" in him.

If he wins the eastern Nebraska House seat, Flood said, he would "focus on taking the fight to the radical socialists in Congress who threaten our values and our way of life."

Answering questions, Flood said results of polling undertaken in advance of his decision to enter the race gave him "confidence I am going to be successful" in the Republican primary struggle with Fortenberry, who is seeking his 10th term in the House of Representatives.

Flood was accompanied by his wife and their two sons for the announcement that throws a bright spotlight on the 1st District House race.

"The battle for House control runs right through Nebraska's 1st Congressional District," Flood said. "This is a race we have to win to save America."

Flood returned to the Legislature in 2021 after previously serving eight years, including six years as Speaker, before being term-limited out office. He was Speaker from 2007 to 2013.

As founder and CEO of Flood Communications, Flood currently operates a statewide network of 15 radio stations and five TV stations called News Channel Nebraska.

Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks and Jazari Kual, both of Lincoln, are candidates for the Democratic nomination for the House seat.

"The sitting congressman is now being challenged in his own primary, proving that Nebraskans are ready for a change," Pansing Brooks said.

"At the end of the day," she said, "this race is about more than just his indictment. It's about a culture that must change in Washington."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon
Boeing plane operators are being told to implement extra procedures whenever they land on wet or snowy runways near new 5G networks. It's because the planes may need more space to land due to interference from wireless networks.

Apparently, interference can interfere with systems such as thrust reversers on Boeing 787s, leaving only the brakes available to slow the plane down according to FAA.

As a result, an aircraft might not be able to stop on the runway, said the FAA. More orders are likely to follow in the coming days. Boeing and Airbus have received requests for information on many models by the FAA.

Read also: International flight ops to soon begin from Agartalas Maharaja Bir Bikram airport, check routes

Boeing said it is working with its suppliers, airlines, telecom companies and regulators "to ensure that every commercial airplane model can safely and confidently operate when 5G is implemented in the United States.

As part of its new 5G wireless service, AT&T and Verizon will launch new, faster, wireless service at many airports on Wednesday, as the FAA had begun issuing restrictions on airlines and operators.

Whether these wireless networks will interfere with altimeters, which measure an aircraft's height above the ground, is still being studied by the agency. Pilots use altimeters to guide landings when visibility is poor.

The devices operate on a portion of the radio spectrum that is close to the range used by the new 5G service, called C-Band.

This week's FAA actions are part of a larger fight between the aviation regulator and the telecom industry. The telecom companies and the Federal Communications Commission say 5G networks do not pose a threat to aviation. The FAA says more study is needed.

A FAA test is being conducted to find out how many commercial planes might have altimeters that could be vulnerable to spectrum interference. The agency said this week it expects to estimate the percentage of those planes soon, but didn't put a date on it.

Aircraft with untested altimeters or that need retrofitting or replacement will be unable to perform low-visibility landings where 5G is deployed,? the agency said in a statement.

The order regarding Boeing 787s covers 137 planes in the U.S. and 1,010 worldwide. The 787 is a two-aisle plane that is popular on longer routes, including many international flights.

The FAA said that based on information from Boeing, the 787s might not shift properly from flying to landing mode if there is interference, which could delay the activation of systems that help slow the plane.

AT&T and Verizon have twice agreed to postpone activating their new networks because of concerns raised by aviation groups and the FAA, most recently after the FAA and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg weighed in on the aviation industry's side.

Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson warned that flights could be cancelled or diverted to avoid potential safety risks.

Under an agreement with the telecom companies, the FAA designated 50 airports that will have buffer zones in which the companies will turn off 5G transmitters or make other changes to limit potential interference through early July.

The 50 include the three major airports in the New York City area LaGuardia, JFK and Newark Liberty O'Hare and Midway in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Los Angeles International and San Francisco.

That concession by the telecoms was modelled after an approach used in France, although the FAA said last week that France requires more dramatic reductions in cell-tower reach around airports.

Whith inputs from PTI

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IndianShelf, an online platform that specialises in home decor products has launched its handmade, handpainted Kashmiri knobs. Handmade, gorgeous, and long-lasting, the Kashmiri hardwood door knobs are part of a limited edition collection.

With the correct design intervention, Indianshelf wants to promote Indian handmade and make it accessible to people. The limited edition, handpainted Kashmiri furniture knobs are an effort to help Kashmiri craftsmen while also creating a unique product that good living enthusiasts would appreciate. The handpainted furniture knobs have received a great response and the company plans to bring more collections from other regions in the times to come. This will be an ongoing process says.

The limited edition of exquisite Kashmiri furniture knobs reiterates our commitment to create home decor products by reinventing, redesigning & reviving the rich handicraft & handloom legacy of India. Each knob is individually hand painted with a lot of detailing by artisans of kashmir hence each piece is very unique. says Mr Kshitij Gupta, Indianshelf

The company claims that each door knob has gone through exquisite workmanship by craftsmen yet the company has done its bit to price it economically so that more & more people can have this piece of art at their homes. These knobs are suitable for traditional or casual cabinetry and furniture, adding a dash of colour.

Knobs and handle work as a holder to pull or push the doors and cabinets. Knobs are round shaped lump or balls alike features, unlike handles that are elongated in design and shape; placed at the end of the surface of an object.

IndianShelf is an online platform for home decor products that are made from traditional techniques, skills and hand-based processes. The company links over 5,000 craft based rural producers to modern urban markets, thereby creating a base for skilled, sustainable rural employment, and preserving India's traditional handicrafts in the process.

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New Delhi: Delhi reported 12,527 fresh COVID-19 cases and 24 more deaths due to the viral disease on Monday, while the positivity rate stood at 27.99 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.

However, only 44,762 tests were conducted to detect the infection a day ago, which coincided with a weekend curfew. The number of tests was the lowest since November 30 last year, when the corresponding figure was 46,800.

Monday's count was 31 per cent lower than the corresponding figure of over 18,000 on Sunday, with 65,621 tests being conducted on Saturday. Delhi had reported 18,286 fresh Covid cases and 28 deaths on Sunday, while the positivity rate had dropped to 27.87 per cent from 30.64 per cent the previous day.

On Monday, the daily case count stood at 12,527 with a positivity rate of 27.99 per cent, while 24 deaths due to the disease were also recorded, according to the latest health bulletin.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said the city was likely to witness 4,000-5,000 Covid cases less than the number reported on Sunday. Later, in a statement issued by his office, Jain was quoted as saying that the number of coronavirus cases has "decreased in Delhi over the last four days and the weekend curfew is proving to be beneficial" as fewer and fewer people are venturing outside, limiting the spread of the virus.

The number of cases is decreasing but the government is keeping an eye on the trend, the minister said. He added that no prescription is required to get tested for Covid if someone shows the symptoms of the viral disease.

On Saturday, Delhi had reported 20,718 Covid cases and 30 deaths due to the infection. The city saw 24,383 cases and 34 fatalities on Friday.

On Thursday, the national capital had reported 28,867 Covid cases, the sharpest single-day spike here since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Delhi's previous biggest daily jump of 28,395 coronavirus cases was recorded on April 20 last year.

According to Monday's health bulletin, of the 44,762 tests conducted a day ago, 39,767 were RT-PCR tests and 4,995 were rapid-antigen tests.

According to the Centre's new guidelines issued recently, the asymptomatic patients do not need to undergo a test. Also, the contacts of the laboratory-confirmed Covid patients do not require a test unless they have comorbidities or are aged above 60.

Private laboratories are also ensuring that only those who fulfil the criteria are tested.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said indulging in a blame game over the pandemic situation will not eradicate the virus and it should be eliminated from all over the country.

His remarks came in response to Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij's statement that "an increasing number of coronavirus cases in Delhi has affected the NCR (National Capital Region) and the infection rate has increased in Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat districts".

According to the latest health bulletin, of the 15,505 dedicated Covid beds in Delhi, 2,784 are occupied, while 12,721 are vacant. The number of active Covid cases in Delhi reduced to 83,982 on Monday from 89,819 on Sunday.

A total of 909 coronavirus patients are on oxygen support, out of whom 140 severe Covid patients are on ventilator.

The number of people under home isolation stood at 68,275 while it was 68,411 a day before and the number of containment zones in the city stood at 34,958, a significant jump from 32,983 on Sunday, the bulletin said.

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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has flagged off electric bus service in the capital by inaugurating its first electric bus. Inducted by Delhi Transport Corporation and made by JBM Auto, the electric bus services will be available for general public starting today (January 17). DTC plans to introduce fifty electric buses by the second week of February, and 300 more are likely to arrive by April, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot earlier said.

                  DTC      300                       pic.twitter.com/7M2nTuvnsc  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 17, 2022

Arvind Kejriwal, while inaugurating the bus service, said "It's an imp measure to control pollution; 300 such E-buses will start till April, the target is 2000. It'll cover a minimum distance of 120km; charging points are being arranged." Last week, CM Kejriwal inaugurated 100 new AC CNG buses at Rajghat.

Besides being disabled-friendly, these new low-floor electric AC buses, like their CNG counterparts are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities like a real-time passenger information system, CCTVs, panic buttons and GPS, among others.

In early January, JBM Auto, also the maker of Delhi's CNG buses handed over the first prototype of electric bus to DTC, with new blue livery denoting clean energy. "Congrats Delhi! After a long wait, prototype of DTC's first 100% Electric bus has reached Delhi!" said Gahlot.

Also read: Delhi to get 50 electric buses by February, total 300 ebuses planned

DTC cluster now gets three low floor buses for public - Red one denoting AC low floor buses, green denoting low floor buses and blue denoting AC low floor CNG and AC buses. In November 2021, the Delhi Cabinet had approved the induction of 190 low-floor AC CNG buses under its cluster scheme.

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The United States' auto safety regulators have stated that they are examining "potential safety concerns" regarding Tesla vehicles including their heating systems. It is reported that numerous Tesla owners are experiencing problems with heat pumps in extreme cold, according to Drive Tesla Canada.

In the report, it was stated that the heating problems occurred after Tesla had replaced faulty sensors in some 2020-2021 Model 3 and Model Y heat pumps.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it "is aware of the issue and is continuing to gather information, discuss the issue with Tesla and evaluate potential safety concerns."

Read also: Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG launched in India at Rs 6.58 lakh, offers this much fuel efficiency

Canadian regulators have begun investigating the heating and cooling systems of Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles following 16 consumer complaints about their performance in cold weather.

A malfunctioning heating and air conditioning system concerns Transport Canada as it"may affect windshield defogging/defrosting and therefore driver visibility."

With inputs from Reuters

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New Delhi: After Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, now the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the Election Commission to postpone the February 14 assembly election in Punjab.

The requests have been made in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti as the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas falls on February 16.

In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday (January 16, 2022) seeking postponement of the election, Punjab BJP general secretary Subhash Sharma said, "The state has a substantial population of followers of Guru Ravidas ji, including the Scheduled Caste (SC) community which is about 32 per cent of the population of Punjab."

"On this pious occasion, millions of the devotees would visit Banaras in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the gurparb. So it would not be possible for them to participate in the voting process. It is therefore requested to your goodself that the date of voting may be postponed so that these voters of Punjab could participate in the election process," he wrote.

Former chief minister Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) also supported the demand for postponing the voting for Punjab's 117 assembly seats by a week.

"Tens of thousands of people from Punjab visit Banaras every year around Guru Ravidas Jayanti," said PLC general secretary Kamal Saini in a letter to the poll panel.

"Since elections are scheduled two days before Guru Ravidas Jayanti, many voters may be denied the chance to exercise the franchise as they will be away to Banaras for the annual pilgrimage," Saini wrote.

The PLC leader said it should not be difficult for the poll panel to reschedule the date for Punjab, as everything else will remain the same.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) chief Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, in a letter to the poll panel, also sought that the date of voting be postponed.

Earlier on January 13, Chief Minister Channi had also urged the Election Commission to postpone the polling date by six days 'for enabling around 20 lakh SC devotees to utilise their right to vote for the state legislative assembly.'

"A large number of SC devotees from the state are likely to visit Banaras in Uttar Pradesh from February 10 to 16. In such a situation, many people from this community would not be able to cast their votes for the state assembly," said Channi who belongs to the SC community.

Bahujan Samaj Party's Punjab chief Jasvir Singh Garhi, notably, was one the firsts to demand postponement of the polling. He had requested the Election Commission to hold the polls on February 20, instead of February 14.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, former IPS officer Asim Arun joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Lucknow. During the event, while speaking to the media, the former IPS officer said that he is impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has given a new path of development to the nation.

"BJP gave me a suggestion to join politics to contribute more towards social work. There is a lot that I couldn't do during my job tenure, so I decided to enter politics. I am also impressed with PM Modi who has given a new path of development," said the former IPS officer.

Asim Arun joined BJP days after taking voluntary retirement from service. Union Minister Anurag Thakur and BJP UP president Swatantra Dev Singh welcomed him into the party fold. The senior IPS officer of the 1994 batch had taken to Twitter to announce his VRS from the post of Kanpur Police Commissioner, sparking speculation that he would join the BJP and contest the upcoming assembly polls.

An additional director general of police (ADGP)-rank officer, 51-year-old Asim Arun has previously helmed Uttar Pradesh's Anti-Terrorist Squad, the 112 services besides leading the police force in districts like Aligarh, Gorakhpur and Agra.

Asim Arun is learnt to have won the confidence of CM Yogi Adityanath who picked him to be appointed as Kanpur's first police commissioner. His father, Sri Ram Arun was the UP DGP during the tenure of former CM late Kalyan Singh in 1997. Sri Ram, who passed away in August 2018, is said to have conceived the idea of the UP Special Task Force (STF).

Former IAS Officer Ram Bahadur:

Former IAS officer Ram Bahadur formally joined the BJP in January 2022. Bahadur had contested the 2017 assembly elections on a BSP ticket and had contested from Mohanlalganj seat. Though he lost by a thin margin of around 530 votes. After 2017, Bahadur had floated his own political outfit Nagrik Ekta party and has been active on various social and political issues.

Ram Bahadur has been close to BSP chief Mayawati. As vice-chairman of Lucknow Development Authority, he had taken some very tough decisions including a crackdown on illegal encroachments. He is said to have been a member of All India Backward (SC, ST, OBC) And Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF), the ideological fountainhead of BSP founded by Kanshiram.

Ex- IAS Officer Arvind Kumar Sharma:

Arvind Kumar Sharma, the IAS officer, who had taken voluntary retirement and joined the BJP, was appointed a vice-president of the partys Uttar Pradesh unit. Having worked closely with Narendra Modi for about 20 years, first in the Chief Ministers Office of Gujarat and then at the Centre after Modi became Prime Minister, Arvind Kumar Sharma joined the BJP.

The 1988 batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, Sharma took voluntary retirement earlier this week, more than a year before his superannuation in July 2022. Sharma was inducted into the party in presence of Uttar Pradesh BJP unit president Swatantra Dev Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma.

Former UP DGP Brij Lal:

Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Brijlal joined BJP in presence of party state in-charge Om Mathur and senior party officials. Lal was Mayawatis trusted officer. He was first made additional director-general of law and order and later the state DGP. He also enjoyed the confidence of former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh and is known as an effective administrator.

He held the multiple charge of ADG-Law and Order, Crime, Special Task Force and Anti-Terrorist Squad during Mayawatis tenure as chief minister from 2007 to 2012. He was later promoted as the states top cop and made DGP during the last months of Mayawatis regime. The Election Commission had later removed him from the DGPs post during the run up to the 2012 assembly polls on complaints by the Samajwadi Party and Congress that he was acting like a BSP agent.

Former Mumbai police commissioner Satya Pal Singh:

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP fielded the then Mumbai police commissioner Satya Pal Singh from Baghpat. Singh defeated the then sitting MP and RLD chief Ajit Singh by well over 2 lakh votes. He was subsequently appointed as junior minister in the Union ministry for Human resources. Satya Pal again won Baghpat seat in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, this time defeating Ajit Singh's son Jayant Chaudhary.

Former IAS Kunwar Fateh Bahadur:

Uttar Pradesh cadre officer Kunwar Fateh Bahadur Singh joins the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party. Immediately, he has been made party spokesman to represent party in media debates, a first with BSP. An 1981-batch Kunwar Fateh Bahadur has attained superannuation and joined BSP.

A long-time Mayawati confidant Fateh Bahadur held the important posts of Principal Secretary of Home and Appointment departments during 2007-2012 regime of Mayawati as the Chief Minister. In fact, the Law and Order during the Mayawati regime was generally appreciated by the people with Fateh Bahadur as head of Home department.

Former IAS Panna Lal Punia:

After his retirement in 2005, Punia joined the Congress and contested the Assembly elections from- Fatehpur in 2007, but Mayawati put in all efforts to ensure his defeat. A close confidant of BSP boss Mayawati -- he has been Mayawati's principal secretary in 1995, 1997 and 2002 -- contested from Fatehgarh but lost to BSP's Meeta Gautam.

In 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Congress gave him a ticket to contest from Barabanki which he won. Punia, however, lost the seat to BJP's Prayanka Rawat in 2014. He was then routed to Rajya Sabha.

Former IPS officer Ahmad Hasan:

Ahmad Hasan, a former IPS officer, had joined the Samajwadi Party after retirement and has served as minister in the SP government. He has been the leader of opposition in the Vidhan Parishad and is close to both Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. He currently serves as the Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad. He has previously served as the Minister of Health and Minister of Education in the Samajwadi government.

He was promoted to DIG rank in 1989 and retired in 1992 after serving illustriously for more than 30 years in the police force. In 1994, Ahmad Hasan joined the Samajwadi party to continue working for the upliftment of weaker sections of the society.

Former PCS officer Shyam Singh Yadav:

Sitting BSP MP Shyam Singh Yadav is a former PCS officer who joined BSP just before the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Retired Director General of Police Brijlal joined the BJP after retirement and was sent to the Rajya Sabha in 2020.

Former bureaucrat Tribhuvan Ram:

Former bureaucrat in politics is Tribhuvan Ram who retired as chief engineer of PWD and then joined BSP. He served as MLA and later joined the BJP.

Ex-IPS officer B.P. Singhal:

B.P. Singhal, former IPS officer and brother of late VHP leader Ashok Singhal, was sent to the Rajya Sabha after he joined the BJP post retirement.

Ex-IPS officer Shirish Chandra Dixit:

Shirish Chandra Dixit was among the first IPS officers who joined the BJP in the 1980s and played a key role in the Ayodhya temple movement. He was also elected to the 10th Lok Sabha from Varanasi.

Devendra Bahadur Rai:

Devendra Bahadur Rai, who was SSP Faizabad in 1992 when the Babri Masjid demolition took place, later joined the BJP after retirement and went on to become MP from Sultanpur.

Retired IAS officer Devi Dayal:

Retired IAS officer Devi Dayal also joined the Congress after retirement and even contested a Lok Sabha election.

Former IPS officer Mahendra Singh Yadav:

Former IPS officer Mahendra Singh Yadav had taken voluntary retirement from service and went on to become a legislator from SP. His wife, Neera Yadav, was chief secretary in UP.

Others:

Bureaucrats including S.K. Varma, R.P. Shukla and Baba Hardev joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal after retirement while some others formed their own party.

Former IAS officer Chandrapal formed the Adarsh Samaj Party and Tapendra Prasad, former PCS, formed Samyek Party. Both could not make much headway in politics.

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New Delhi: After receiving requests from several political parties including the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Election Commission on Monday (January 17, 2022) decided to postpone the February 14 assembly election in Punjab.

The Election Commission has announced that the voting for the state's 117 assembly seats will now take place on February 20 (Sunday).

"Commission has received several representations from State Government, Political Parties and other organizations drawing attention regarding movement of a large number of devotees from Punjab to Varanasi for participation in Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti celebrations, which is observed on 16th February 2022. They have also brought to the notice that a large number of devotees start moving for Varanasi around a week before the day of celebration and keeping the poll day on 14th February 2022 will deprive large number of electors from voting," the EC said in a statement.

"In view of this, they have requested to shift the poll date few days after 16th February 2022. Commission has also taken inputs from State Government and Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab in this regard. After considering these new facts emerging out of these representations, inputs from the State Government and Chief Electoral Officer, past precedence and all facts and circumstances in the matter, now Commission has decided to reschedule the General Elections to Legislative Assembly of Punjab," the EC added.

Earlier on Sunday, in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking postponement of the election, Punjab BJP general secretary Subhash Sharma had said, "The state has a substantial population of followers of Guru Ravidas Ji, including the Scheduled Caste (SC) community which is about 32 per cent of the population of Punjab."

"On this pious occasion, millions of the devotees would visit Banaras in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the gurparb. So it would not be possible for them to participate in the voting process. It is therefore requested to your goodself that the date of voting may be postponed so that these voters of Punjab could participate in the election process," he wrote.

Former chief minister Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) also supported the demand for postponing the voting for Punjab's 117 assembly seats by a week.

"Tens of thousands of people from Punjab visit Banaras every year around Guru Ravidas Jayanti," said PLC general secretary Kamal Saini in a letter to the poll panel.

"Since elections are scheduled two days before Guru Ravidas Jayanti, many voters may be denied the chance to exercise the franchise as they will be away to Banaras for the annual pilgrimage," Saini wrote.

The PLC leader said it should not be difficult for the poll panel to reschedule the date for Punjab, as everything else will remain the same.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) chief Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, in a letter to the poll panel, also sought that the date of voting be postponed.

Earlier on January 13, Chief Minister Channi had also urged the Election Commission to postpone the polling date by six days 'for enabling around 20 lakh SC devotees to utilise their right to vote for the state legislative assembly.'

"A large number of SC devotees from the state are likely to visit Banaras in Uttar Pradesh from February 10 to 16. In such a situation, many people from this community would not be able to cast their votes for the state assembly," said Channi who belongs to the SC community.

Bahujan Samaj Party's Punjab chief Jasvir Singh Garhi, notably, was one the firsts to demand postponement of the polling. He had requested the Election Commission to hold the polls on February 20, instead of February 14.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is likely to release the CBSE Class 10, Class 12 Term 1 exam results sometime this week.

According to some reports, the board is set to release the results for Class 10, Class 12 Term 1 exam this week, but no official announcement was made on the same.

Once released, the students will be able to check their CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam 2022 Term 1 result at the official websites- cbse.gov.in, cbseresults.nic.in.

Here are the steps to check scores:

Step 1: Visit the CBSE official website (cbse.nic.in)

Step 2: On the homepage, click 'CBSE 10th Term 1 Result 2022' or 'CBSE 12th Result 2022' link

Step 3: Enter your roll number, other details and click on submit

Step 4: Your classes 10 and 12 results will be displayed on the screen

Step 5. Download your result and take a print out for future reference

Other ways to check result:

It may be noted that the students can also chcek their scores on DigiLocker app and website (digilocker.gov.in); and on Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) app.

Meanwhile, CBSE has also released the CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 Term 2 sample papers on its official website- cbseresults.nic.in.

The board has released term 2 sample papers along with the marking schemes. The sample papers contain questions that could be asked in the upcoming board exam.

The students can download the CBSE Board exam Class 10, 12 Term 2 sample papers from the CBSE website - cbseresults.nic.in, cbseacademic.nic.in.

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New Delhi: Delhi Police has not made any breakthrough in case of the bomb recovered from Ghazipur flower market in East Delhi ahead of Republic Day celebrations, even after three days of continuous investigation.

Officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday (January 17) met with senior special cell officials of the ongoing probes linked with Pakistan`s ISI.

A senior officer with Delhi Police Special cell said that the investigation revealed that explosives recovered were linked to ISI. "The IED recovered in Gazipur is similar to IEDs recently recovered in Punjab that was smuggled into the state from Pakistan. In recent times, more than 40 sightings of drones were spotted in Punjab border with Pakistan," he said.

The officer said that they have activated informers to get leads regarding sleeper cells who have planted the bomb outside the flower market in Gazipur.

"The nature of explosives recovered in Delhi, suggests that it was transported to Delhi from Punjab through the network of sleeper cells. We are putting many mobile phones and IP addresses on surveillance to get any leads regarding sleeper cells," he added.

"We have rounded up several suspects and a team visited Tihar jail to question terror suspect lodged in jail to get any clue about people involved in the case," he added.

Delhi Police Special Cell and other units are investigating the case to trace the people behind planting a huge quantity of explosives at the busy flower market in Ghazipur. So far, police have rounded up several suspects and scanned footage of more than 80 CCTVs but failed to get any leads in the case.

The National Security Guard (NSG) on Monday also submitted a report to Delhi police regarding explosives. The report mentioned that a timer run by battery, ammonium nitrate and RDX were used in the IED found at Ghazipur. The total amount of explosives found was 3 kg.

Police recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from the Ghazipur flower market on Friday. Police rushed a bomb disposal squad and fire engines to control the situation after getting the information. A case has been registered in the Delhi Police Special Cell under provisions of the Explosive Substances Act.

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NEW DELHI: Zee News has conducted one of the biggest opinion polls ever in the history of India and tried to capture the mood of voters in the five poll-bound states  Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur and Punjab.

This opinion poll was jointly conducted by Zee News in association with Design Boxed which is a political campaign management company, which has a long experience of conducting opinion polls. In terms of sample size, this is also the largest opinion poll ever conducted in the history of India.

During this exercise, the feedback and responses from more than 12 lakh people from 690 assembly seats in the five states going to the polls were collected. There are about 60 lakh voters in Uttarakhand, and going by that size, the Zee News poll reached out to one out of every 150 voters in the state.

Through this massive opinion poll, Zee News tried to catch the voters pulse in order to understand the likely outcome of the intense electoral battle in these states. In this series, it first released the opinion poll predictions for the hill state.

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, in his highly popular prime time show DNA aired on January 17, 2022, sought to further analyse the results of the opinion poll and the likely scenario after the votes are actually cast in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand opinion poll 2022: BJP, Congress neck and neck; Harish Rawat most-favoured CM face

The opinion poll appears to suggest that Congress veteran Harish Rawat is the still most-favoured CM candidate with nearly 41 per cent of respondents favouring him for the top post. Rawat has been the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand thrice between 2014 and 2017. Despite infighting within the Congress and dissent over ticket distribution, he has emerged as the first choice for the Chief Ministers chair.

While the incumbent Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is second on this list. Only 27 per cent of those covered in the opinion poll have favoured him as the CM. Though Dhami took charge as Uttarakhand CM nearly 6 months back, he is clearly far behind his Congress rival in terms of popularity and peoples support.

Anil Baluni of BJP is third in this list with the support of 15 per cent of people and Colonel Ajay Kothiyal of Aam Aadmi Party is the choice of 9 per cent people for the post of Chief Minister.

Pushkar Singh Dhami vs Harish Rawat vs Ajay Kothiyal - Who is the people's choice for Chief Minister?

In the 2017 elections, BJP got an absolute majority in Uttarakhand. But despite that, the saffron party could not form a stable government. Between 2017 and 2022, BJP has changed three chief ministers in five years. First Trivendra Singh Rawat was made the Chief Minister, then Tirath Singh Rawat occupied the chair. But after three months, he was also removed and Pushkar Singh Dhami took over the reins from him. This frequent change of guard seems to have dented BJPs image a lot in Uttarakhand.

According to the Zee News-Design Boxed opinion poll, 23 per cent of the people said that unemployment is the biggest issue in the assembly election in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand ranks 10th in the list of 28 states and 8 union territories in terms of unemployment. Besides this, according to a survey, every third person in Uttarakhand is unemployed. Therefore, no party can ignore this issue if it aims to win the popular mandate.

As a state, Uttarakhand is divided into two main regions - Garhwal and Kumaun. In the 41 seats of the Garhwal region, BJP is likely to secure around 43 per cent of the total vote share, while Congress is likely to get 38 per cent. At the same time, Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party is likely to bag 14 per cent of the total vote share while 5 per cent will go to the other parties.

In Garhwal, the ruling BJP is expected to win somewhere between 22-24 (23) seats. Congress is way behind the ruling BJP here, and the party appears to be getting between 15-17 (16) seats. AAP and others may get one seat each here. Talking about the entire state, the ruling BJP can win between 31-35 (33) seats, Congress 33-37 (35), AAP 0-2 (1) and others 0-1 (1).

In Garhwal, Congress veteran Harish Rawat has emerged as the most-favoured CM candidate with 43% of people voting in his favour. At the same time, 23% of people have favoured incumbent CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. He is closely followed by Anil Baluni with 17% and Col Ajay Kothiyal (AAP) with 8% votes, according to the Zee News opinion poll.

Talking about the vote percentage in 29 assembly segments of the Kumaun region, Congress is leading in terms of vote percentage here with 42 % vote share followed by BJP with 38 per cent, AAP 10 per cent vote while others are also likely to get around 10% vote share in the region.

Now talking about assembly seats in Kumaun, BJP is expected to win between 9-11 (10) seats here. Congress is expected to win between 18-20 (19) seats. Others are likely to get 0-1 (0) seats in the region.

In 2017, out of 70 seats in Uttarakhand, BJP got 57 seats while Congress managed to win 11. Two seats were won by independent candidates. But according to the Zee News opinion poll, BJP appears to be wining between 31 to 35 seats this time.

Congress, on the other hand, looks like winning between 33 to 37 seats. That is, Congress seems to be getting the maximum number of seats. Aam Aadmi Party is expected to win zero to 2 seats. While the others are likely to get zero to one seat.

Another worrying factor for the ruling BJP is that its vote share is also likely to decline this time in Uttarakhand. In 2017, BJP got around 46.51 per cent votes and Congress secured 33.49 per cent votes. Others got 20 per cent of the votes.

But this time, the picture looks gloomy for the BJP. Its overall vote share is expected to come down by 7 per cent to 39 per cent. On the other hand, Congress is likely to increase its vote share by 7 per cent to 40 per cent. Amid all this, the Aam Aadmi Party is expected to fetch around 12 per cent and others 9 per cent of the total votes.

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Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who sacked Harak Singh Rawat from his Cabinet, said on Monday (January 17) that Rawat was putting pressure on the party for tickets to his family members.

"Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh Rawat was putting pressure on the party (seeking party tickets) for his family members but we have a different policy, only one member of a family will be given a party ticket for elections," Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is quoted as saying by an ANI report.

#WATCH | "Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh Rawat was putting pressure on the party (seeking party tickets) for his family members but we have a different policy, only one member of a family will be given a party ticket for elections," says Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami pic.twitter.com/AyVpAcSsob  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2022

Ahead of assembly polls, Harak Singh Rawat was dismissed from the Uttarakhand cabinet and was also expelled from the BJP for six years. Rawat is reportedly angry because the BJP did not give Assembly ticket to his daughter-in-law.

Citing close aide of the minister, ANI report said that Rawat along with his daughter-in-law can join Congress as he was in touch with the Congress and talks were on to get him in along with two other BJP MLAs.

Rawat was said to be nursing a grouse against the BJP leadership for quite some time and had expressed his resentment publicly. He had even skipped the party meeting to select candidates in Dehradun on Saturday.

Harak Singh Rawat today broke down while speaking about his expulsion from the Uttarakhand BJP Cabinet. "Union Minister Pralhad Joshi called me to meet in Delhi, due to traffic there was a bit of delay. I wanted to meet him and Home Minister Amit Shah, but as soon as I reached Delhi, I saw on social media that they (BJP) expelled me," the expelled Uttarakhand BJP Minister is quoted as saying by ANI.

#WATCH | Former Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh Rawat breaks down after speaking about his expulsion from the Uttarakhand BJP Cabinet https://t.co/7xjIENtki6 pic.twitter.com/L8rEADPsBs  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2022

He further told ANI that "They (BJP) didn't talk to me once before taking such a big decision. If I hadn't left Congress to join BJP, I would have resigned from BJP 4 years ago. I don't have much interest in being a minister, I just wanted to work."

In 2016, Harak Singh Rawat had led a rebellion against the then Harish Rawat government when nine rebel MLAs including him left the Congress and joined the BJP.

Notably, Congress has taken back Yashpal Arya, who was also BJP MLA, and his son. Both Harak Singh Rawat and Yashpal Arya were among ten MLAs who had rebelled against Harish Rawat and crossed over to the BJP in 2016.

In the last Assembly election, BJP secured the win on 57 seats out of 70 Assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand. The state Assembly polls to elect the 70 members will be held on February 14, while the counting will take place on March 10.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: In an effort to tackle the issue of unemployment, the Haryana government on Sunday (January 16, 2022) s made it mandatory to give 75 per cent reservation in private sector to natives of the state.

According to news agency IANS, fulfilling one of the key poll promise, the government implemented a law that provides 75 per cent reservation in the private sector to job seekers from the state.

After the implementation of the legislation, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Sunday said, Today is a historic day for the youth as from now priority for jobs would be given to the youth of Haryana in all private sector companies, institutions, trusts, societies and industries established in the state.

Notably, the rule regarding 75 per cent job reservation came into effect on January 15.

With the implementation of this system, new avenues for employment will open for lakhs of youth in the private sector, an official statement quoting Chautala said.

In this regard, a dedicated portal has also been created by the Labour Department along with a helpline number. Companies will now have to reflect their vacancy on the portal which will be continuously monitored by the government.

Additionally, in November last year, the BJP-JJP government had notified the law to implement 75 per cent job reservations for locals in the private sector. It envisages reservation for local youth in the private sector with an upper limit of gross monthly salary up to Rs 30,000.

The law will be applicable for 10 years. The state government also relaxed the residency requirement from 15 to five years for a person to get a bona fide resident certificate in the state to provide some flexibility to the private companies in hiring.

(With IANS inputs)

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New Delhi: Social worker and Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi passed away on Sunday night (January 16, 2022) at her residence in Gunupur, Rayagada district of Odisha.

Social worker & Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi passed away last night at her residence in Gunupur, Rayagada district of Odisha (file pic) pic.twitter.com/wI6scYOC5i  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2022

Apart from Padma Shri, Shanti Devi was felicitated with the Jamunalal Bazaz Award and Radhanath Rath Peace Award.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences and tweeted, "Shanti Devi Ji will be remembered as a voice of the poor and underprivileged. She worked selflessly to remove suffering and create a healthier as well as just society. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and countless admirers. Om Shanti."

Shanti Devi Ji will be remembered as a voice of the poor and underprivileged. She worked selflessly to remove suffering and create a healthier as well as just society. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and countless admirers. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/66MLo73LUK  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 17, 2022

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today (January 17, 2022) deliver the State of the World special address at the World Economic Forums Davos Agenda.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, Modi's video conferencing address will begin at 8:30 PM IST.

The virtual event will be held from January 17 to January 21.

It will also be addressed by several Heads of State including Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Israeli PM Naftali Bennett, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, President of the European Commission Ursua von der Leyen, among others.

The event will also witness the participation of top industry leaders, international organizations and civil society, who will deliberate on critical challenges being faced by the world today and discuss how to address them.

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New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday (January 17, 2022) said that the AAP's CM face for Punjab will be announced on Tuesday.

Kejriwal said that the Punjab CM face will be announced at 12 pm.

This comes a day after party MLA Harpal Singh Cheema said that around 15 lakh people have so far responded to the AAP's "Janta Chunegi Apna CM" drive.

In the drive, the party had asked people to name their choice for its chief ministerial face for the February 14 Punjab Assembly polls.

"In the 72 hours since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has released the phone number 7074870748 to know the opinion of the people of Punjab as regards who should be the party's chief ministerial face for the upcoming election, around 15 lakh people have voiced their views," Cheema had said on Sunday.

Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal had asked people who should be the party's chief ministerial face for the Punjab polls, even as he had said that his own choice for the post is Bhagwant Mann.

Kejriwal had ruled himself out of the race as the AAP launched the "Janta Chunegi Apna CM" drive and said the name of the candidate for the top post will be announced after getting the feedback of people.

The mobile number was launched by the party on which people can give their opinion till 5 pm on Monday by recording their voice and sending text or WhatsApp messages as to who should be the party's chief ministerial candidate.

AAP releases 10th list of candidates

The Aam Aadmi Party has released its 10th list of candidates for the Punjab Assembly elections. The list contains the names of three candidates and the party has fielded Joginder Singh Maan from Phagwara, Gurpreet Singh Gogi from Ludhiana West and Ajitpal Singh Kohli from Patiala Urban. Joginder, notably, is a former Congress leader.

EC discusses Punjab Assembly poll date rescheduling

Meanwhile, the request to postpone the Punjab Assembly elections is being discussed by the Election Commission. The request for postponement of polls has been put forth to the poll panel by several parties including AAP, Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress.

The request has been made as many people from the Scheduled Caste community from State are likely to visit Varanasi, in view of Guru Ravidas birth anniversary on February 16.

Voting for Punjab's 117 Assembly seats is scheduled to be held on February 14 and the results will be declared on March 10.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Congress seems to be backing Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in the sweepstakes for the chief ministerial candidate in poll-bound Punjab with the party officially tweeting a video in which actor Sonu Sood states that the "real chief minister is the one who does not have to tell he is the chief ministerial candidate".

The video has footage of the Chief Minister Channi taking part in various events and comes amid an apparent tussle between Channi and Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu for being declared the Chief Ministerial candidate ahead of Punjab assembly polls. Sidhu, who has been talking of changing "the system," is not seen in the campaign video.

Actor Sonu Sood, whose sister Malvika Sood, has been declared Congress candidate from Moga, says in the video that the "real chief minister, the real king is the one who has to be forcibly brought to the chair and who does not have to struggle for it."

"The real chief minister, the real king is the one who has to forcibly brought to the chair and who does not have to struggle for it and does not have to state that I am CM candidate, I deserve it. He should be such a backbencher, who is brought from behind and told that you deserve it. Such a chief minister can bring change in the country," Sood says in the video.

"Punjab is saying that now we are with hand (Congress poll symbol), we will strengthen it," the party said in the tweet.

  ,    -     pic.twitter.com/qQOZpnKItd

The party has not declared a chief ministerial candidate. Channi was picked up by Congress leadership after Capt Amarinder Singh resigned as Chief Minister in September last year and the parting of ways was bitter.

Amid seeming tussle in Punjab Congress over the declaration of chief ministerial candidate ahead of assembly polls, Sidhu had said on Thursday (January 13) that 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 in his tweets 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. "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.

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 Im not running for any post and its either this system will stay or Navjot Singh Sidhu.  Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) January 13, 2022

He had also said the system is being run by "mafias in connivance of mischievous politicians"."A system which could not give justice to our Guru and could not punish the big fishes involved in the 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.

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 & reforms as the glory of Punjab has been annihilated by the nexus of Few political leaders and Mafia.  Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) January 13, 2022

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 tweets had come 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. Channi had also said in an interview that the party should declare a 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 now go to the polls on Februray 20 and the ruling Congress in Punjab faces internal challenges apart from a multi-cornered contest.

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New Delhi: A day after Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat was dismissed from the state cabinet and expelled from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for six years, he has said that he will work for the Congress party.

Reacting to the sudden expulsion, Rawat, who represents the Kotdwar seat in the state assembly, on Monday (January 17, 2022) said that the BJP didn't talk to him even once before taking 'such a big decision'.

"Union Minister Pralhad Joshi called me to meet in Delhi, due to traffic there was a bit of delay. I wanted to meet him and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but as soon as I reached Delhi, I saw on social media that they (BJP) have expelled me," Rawat told ANI.

Rawat also broke down while speaking about his expulsion from the Uttarakhand BJP Cabinet.

#WATCH | Former Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh Rawat breaks down after speaking about his expulsion from the Uttarakhand BJP Cabinet https://t.co/7xjIENtki6 pic.twitter.com/L8rEADPsBs  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2022

"If I hadn't left Congress to join BJP, I would have resigned from BJP four years ago. I don't have much interest in being a minister, I just wanted to work," Rawat said.

He added that will work for Congress and that the party will form the government in Uttarakhand.

Harak Singh Rawat was putting pressure on BJP

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that Rawat was putting pressure on the party (seeking party tickets) for his family members.

"But we have a different policy, only one member of a family will be given a party ticket for elections," he said while talking to reporters.

#WATCH | "Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh Rawat was putting pressure on the party (seeking party tickets) for his family members but we have a different policy, only one member of a family will be given a party ticket for elections," says Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami pic.twitter.com/AyVpAcSsob  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2022

Rawat was said to have been seeking a ticket for his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain from the Lansdowne constituency and a change of seat for himself.

The development comes ahead of the elections in Uttarakhand that are scheduled to be held in single-phase on February 14.

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Dehradun: Barely a month before the Assembly elections in Uttarakhand, slated for February 14, Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat has been sacked from the government and expelled from the BJP for "anti-party activities" for six years. Harak Singh Rawat, who is likely to join the Congress on Monday, has already left for Delhi along with his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain, said an ANI report.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took the action against Rawat on Sunday. Prior to it, the BJP had expelled him from its party`s primary membership for six years for indiscipline.

Rawat, who was said to be nursing a grouse against the BJP leadership for quite some time, has expressed his resentment publicly. He was said to seeking ticket for both him and his daughter-in-law but had been told that the BJP had reportedly made him clear that only one member of a family would be fielded.

He had skipped the party meeting to select candidates in Dehradun on Saturday. As he met a senior Congress leader on Sunday and indicated that he would join the party on Monday, the BJP took action against him.

"Harak Singh Rawat and his daughter-in-law have left for Delhi. Rawat is angry because his daughter-in-law is not getting a ticket," a close aide of the cabinet minister told ANI, adding that Rawat and his daughter-in-law can join Congress if the latter fails to get a ticket from the BJP.

Harak Singh Rawat is reportedly in touch with the Congress and talks are on to get him in along with two other BJP MLAs. The only hurdle said to be for Harak Singh Rawat`s entry to the party is Harish Rawat, who has reservations from him.

A few days back when Harish Rawat was asked about reports of Harak Singh Rawat joining Congress he had replied, "There is no issue if Harak openly admits his mistake and say he did a wrong thing with the party and Uttrakhand, then the doors are open."

Earlier on Sunday, there was an internal meeting scheduled in the Congress War Room of Uttrakhand leaders which were first postponed then it was cancelled. The Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting of Congress was held on Saturday to finalise the candidates for Uttrakhand Assembly Polls but a list of candidates is yet to be announced as some space is being spared for the new entries, said the ANI report.

Citing sources, it further said that the Congress party is busy convincing Harish Rawat on Harak Singh Rawat joining the party and if the party is successful in doing so, then Harak Singh Rawat will join the Congress on Monday.

Notably, Harak Singh Rawat led a rebellion against the then Harish Rawat government in 2016 when nine rebel MLAs including Harak Singh Rawat left the Congress and joined the BJP. Harak Singh Rawat was seeking a ticket from the Lansdowne assembly seat for his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain.

Congress has taken back Yashpal Arya, who was also BJP MLA, and his son. In 2016, both Harak Singh Rawat and Yashpal Arya were among ten MLAs who had rebelled against Harish Rawat and crossed over to the BJP.

In the last Assembly election, BJP secured the win on 57 seats out of 70 Assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand. The state Assembly polls to elect the 70 members will be held on February 14, while the counting will take place on March 10.

(With Agency Inputs)

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One case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in Beijing -- a rare breach of the city's strict containment measures -- as Chinese authorities battle outbreaks elsewhere before the February opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing and the start of the Lunar New Year.

UNICEF'S executive director said Saturday's shipment of 1.1 million COVID vaccines to Rwanda "included the billionth dose supplied to COVAX." Henrietta Fore said, "With so many people yet to be offered a single dose, we know we have much more to do."

The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center said early Sunday 326.2 million people around the world have been infected with the coronavirus, while 5.5 million deaths have been recorded. More than 9 billion vaccines have been administered, the center reported.

A locally transmitted Omicron infection was discovered in Beijing's Haidaian district Saturday morning, Beijing disease prevention and control official Pang Xinghuo said at a news conference. Pang said other occupants in the patient's residential building and an office building were being tested and that access to 17 locations linked to the patient had been restricted.

Officials in the southern city of Zhuhai suspended the city's bus service after uncovering seven cases of the highly contagious variant and advised residents to stay home.

Authorities in China are also trying to contain a series of outbreaks, including from the Omicron variant, in the port city of Tianjin, the central city of Anyang and in other smaller cities, keeping millions of people in lockdown across the country. Additionally, China's National Health Commission spokesperson, Mi Feng, warned Saturday that China is facing "severe" challenges before the Feb. 1 beginning of the Lunar New Year amid the spread of Omicron and Delta variants. "The Lunar New Year travel rush is about to start," Mi noted. "The migration and gathering of people will increase significantly."

In the next week or two, Americans will begin receiving free rapid home coronavirus tests from the U.S. government. Residents will have to request the tests on a designated website. The tests have been almost impossible to find in stores.

The Russian government on Friday delayed approving unpopular legislation that would have restricted access to public places without proof of COVID-19 vaccination, amid a surge in new infections. The Associated Press reports the bill would have required Russians seeking to enter certain public places to have a QR code either confirming vaccination, recent recovery from COVID-19 or a medical exemption from immunization. Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said the measure was pulled due to uncertainty regarding its effectiveness as it was drawn up in response to the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. The Omicron variant is currently driving a surge in new infections in the country.

Meanwhile, a French court suspended an outdoor mask requirement in the streets of Paris. The requirement had been imposed Dec. 31 in an effort to suppress the spread of the Omicron variant. A court in Versailles on Wednesday suspended a similar outdoor masking requirement for the Yvelines region.
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt is heartbroken after hearing about the demise of legendary Kathak dancer and choreographer Pandit Birju Maharaj.

Taking to her Instagram handle on Monday, the actor shared a picture of the late icon and penned a note, remembering the time when he taught her during the prep for 'Ghar More Pardesiya'.

She wrote, "Had the honour and privilege of spending three full days with Pandit Birju Maharaj in 2018 while I was prepping for 'Ghar More Pardesiya'. I will never forget all that he has taught me. It was possibly one of the most creative and fulfilling experiences that I have ever had. A legend who has inspired several and will always continue to do so through his art. Truly breaks my heart to write this post today. May his soul rest in peace."

The beautiful track, featuring Alia along with Bollywood's dance icon Madhuri Dixit is from the film 'Kalank' and is sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Vishali Mhade.

Earlier today, Madhuri Dixit also paid a heartfelt tribute to her late Guru on social media.

Biru Maharaj passed away on Monday after suffering breathlessness. He was 83 when he breathed his last, surrounded by his family at his Delhi residence.
New Delhi: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, who essays the role of Thena in Chloe Zhao's superhero film 'Eternals', describes her character as someone who is not very comfortable during peace time and this trait emanates from the moral injury of the character.

Due to her special ability to manipulate cosmic energy to augment her life force which grants her virtual invulnerability and immortality, Thena is known for being a social misfit. Commenting on this, Angelina says, "Thena is like a soldier who is affected by the memories of battle and has PTSD or moral injury to live with. Thena just assumes that a fight's coming at her rather than care and kindness."

Talking about the complexities of her character, Angelina says, "So she's quite wired, and a lot of her struggle is just holding on to her mind and her center and her peace. I understand her, and how she feels."

She further adds, "Thena is not comfortable in peace time. She doesn't know how to exist as a civilian or as a lover or as a friend, but she does know war. She knows who she is in combat. But she doesn't know how to go to a party or socialise. She just doesn't have those skills."

The film, which features an ensemble of Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden and Kumail Nanjiani, is available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
New Delhi: Self-proclaimed film critic Kamaal R Khan seems to have called for a truce between him and Bollywood superstar Salman Khan over his scandalous post on the actor. Taking to Twitter, KRK dropped a post calling Salman as his 'big brother' and mentioning that there seems to be a misunderstanding between the two. He also requested the media to not link his every Twitter post with Salman.

"I request to media to not connect my each Tweet with @BeingSalmanKhan! We might be having little misunderstanding but still he is my big brother. So I am not his enemy neither hate him nor I tweet everything about him only. There are many other actors, I do tweet about them," wrote Kamaal Rashid Khan on Twitter.

Soon, his followers started trolling him massively on social media asking the self-critic if he is scared of the actor. "Kya hua Bhai kahi Salman Khan Dubai to nahi pahuch Gaye," wrote one. "Kya hua krk bhai upr se phone aya kya?" wrote another.

I request to media to not connect my each Tweet with @BeingSalmanKhan! We might be having little misunderstanding but still he is my big brother. So I am not his enemy neither hate him nor I tweet everything about him only. There are many other actors, I do tweet about them.  KRK (@kamaalrkhan) January 16, 2022

Another user reminded him how he used to age-shame the actor. "Sudden change in the Air kal tak jou Buddha tha ajj Big Brother hogaya...."

Some of the users were on another trip and demanded Umar Riaz back on reality show 'Bigg Boss 15'. "JANTA DEMANDS UMAR RIAZ."

Hehe _ maza agya apko Krk phone Aaya aami ki pas chup jao ___ pic.twitter.com/FKuPjt1cBn  Dr ALii (@DrALiiSherRahoo) January 16, 2022

Kya hua Bhai kahi Salman Khan Dubai to nahi pahuch Gaye __  Najim Ali (@NajimAl05643735) January 16, 2022

Kya hua krk bhai upr se phone aya kya?  __Proudhindu (@indian39987) January 16, 2022

Krk bahi ka software lagta ha taza taza update hwa ha _  Bilal (@Bilalabbasi008) January 16, 2022

JANTA DEMANDS UMAR RIAZ  AvisKumrSi (@Avinashkumar_09) January 17, 2022

Kamaal Rashid Khan aka KRK, who is known for this controversial yet popular movie reviews on YouTube, found himself in legal trouble last year after Bollywood superstar Salman Khan filed a defamation complaint in a Mumbai court against the former's review of his film 'Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai'.

Salman Khan's legal team issued a statement divulging the actual reason why the actor has filed a suit against actor-turned-film critic Kamaal R Khan, who calls himself KRK. The suit was filed because Kamaal R. Khan "has been publishing and endorsing defamatory allegations, including that Mr. Salman Khan is corrupt, that he and his brand 'Being Human' are involved in fraud, manipulation and money laundering transactions, that he and Salman Khan Films are dacoits," DSK Legal, the legal team representing Salman, said.

On the other hand, KRK reacted to Salman's tweet alleging that Salman Khan has filed a defamation case against him because the actor is getting affected by KRK's review of his latest film Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai. "I said so many times that I never review film of any producer, actor if he asks me to not review. Salman Khan filed defamation case on me for review of #Radhe means he is getting too much affected by my review. Hence, I won't review his films anymore. My last video releasing today," KRK had earlier tweeted.
New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan's daughter Suhana Khan, although hasn't entered the Bollywood industry, is already a social media star. The stunning star kid often shares glimpses of her glamorous life and moments with her family and friends.

On Sunday, Suhana shared clicks from her cousin Alia Chhiba's birthday party on Instagram and they're out of this world! Suhana looked drop-dead gorgeous in a black, satin strapless dress and tied hair. She made put on minimal makeup but still looked beautiful as ever.

Her cousin Alia, Gauri Khan's brother's daughter, also stunned in a brown strapless dress. The duo was seen posing together, all decked up and Alia was even seen with a champagne glass in her hand.

Take a look at the pictures:

SRK and Gauri Khan's darling daughter headed to New York University in 2019 where she is studying acting. She completed her graduation from Ardingly College in England.

Speculation of her making her starry entry into the movie business has always been around and now that she is studying acting as a course, looks like very soon the pretty girl will be making her big-screen debut.

Suhana Khan's brother Aryan Khan was embroiled in a huge, public controversy after he was arrested on October 3, 2021, in a drugs case by the NCB. After spending three weeks in jail, the star kid was granted bail by the Bombay HC on October 28, 2021.
New Delhi: Vicky Kaushal kickstarted the week with a series of energetic pics from the sets of his Indore shoot and shared them on Instagram. What caught the fans' attention was his hoodie. Can you guess why? Well, the hoodie was seen being worn by Vicky's wife Katrina Kaif as well in 2020.

It has now made its social media comeback two years later and fans are ecstatic, asking Vicky if Katrina finally returned his hoodie back to him. While one fan wrote, "This hoodie, U took it back from her??", another commented, "Wife ne ye jacket wapas kardiya kya?"

Take a look at his post:

On Sunday, Katrina Kaif shared a couple of beautiful selfies from her hotel room in Indore and fans went absolutely crazy for them. The actress looked super cute as she posed for the camera in a red shirt and open hair.

While in all the selfies Kat was looking at the camera, in the third picture she was caught looking on the side. Fans speculated that she was probably looking at her hubby Vicky in that picture.

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal got married in an extremely private, intimate ceremony at the luxurious Six Senses Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan on December 9. Soon after their gala wedding, the duo jetted off to the exotic island country of Maldives for their honeymoon.

On the work front, she has Merry Christmas with Sriram Raghavan and a few portions of Tiger Zinda Hai 3 with Salman Khan to be completed.

Meanwhile, Vicky is currently shooting for Mimi director Laxman Utekars yet-to-be-titled film with Sara Ali Khan.
New Delhi: Aadhaar issuing body UIDAI allows people to update their name, gender, DoB, address, mobile number and email using the online SSUP portal.

Though for all the above changes on Aadhaar card you can change the details online by visiting https://ssup.uidai.gov.in/web/guest/ssup-home website, for changing the mobile number you need to visit the nearest enrollment centre to update your mobile number. No additional documents are required for this.

Here is a list of 32 documents that UIDAI has listed as PPOI (Proof of Identity) documents containing Name and Photo documents for Aadhaar card

1. Passport

2. PAN Card

3. Ration/ PDS Photo Card

4. Voter ID

5. Driving License

6. Government Photo ID Cards/ Service photo identity card issued by PSU

7. NREGS Job Card

8. Photo ID issued by Recognized Educational Institution

9. Arms License

10. Photo Bank ATM Card

11. Photo Credit Card

12. Pensioner Photo Card

13. Freedom Fighter Photo Card

14. Kissan Photo Passbook

15.CGHS/ ECHS Photo Card

16.Address Card having Name and Photo issued by Department of Posts

17. Certificate of Identity having photo issued by Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

18. Disability ID Card/ handicapped medical certificate issued by the respective State/ UT Governments/ Administrations

19.Bhamashah Card/Jan-Aadhaar card issued by Govt. of Rajasthan

20.Certificate from Superintendent/ Warden/ Matron/ Head of Institution of recognized shelter homes or orphanages etc. on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

21. Certificate of Identity having photo issued by MP or MLA or MLC or Municipal Councilor on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

22.Certificate of Identity having photo issued by Village Panchayat Head or Mukhiya or its equivalent authority (for rural areas) on UIDAI standard

certificate format for enrolment/ update

23.Gazette notification for name change

24.Marriage certificate with photograph

25.RSBY Card

26.SSLC book having candidates photograph

27. ST/ SC/ OBC certificate with photograph

28.School Leaving Certificate (SLC)/ School Transfer Certificate (TC), containing name and photograph

29.Extract of School Records issued by Head of School containing name and photograph

30.Bank Pass Book having name and photograph

31. Certificate of Identity containing name and photo issued by Recognized Educational Institution signed by Head of Institute on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update.

32.Certificate of identity containing Name, DOB and Photograph issued by Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

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New Delhi: At a time when the internet is flooded with financial scamsters and fraudsters looking out to dupe the vulnerable people, Indias largest public sector lender State Bank of India (SBI) has brought a host of convenient and safe features for customers. These safety features protects the customers from fraudsters and are at the same time convenient to use.

One such safe and convenient service is SBIs OTP-based ATM cash withdrawal that puts in place an additional factor of authentication. This additional safety process protects SBI card holders from unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals.

"Our OTP based cash withdrawal system for transactions at SBI ATMs is vaccination against fraudsters. Protecting you from frauds will always be our topmost priority," said SBI in a tweet.

How does SBI OTP-validated ATM transaction work?

The OTP-validated ATM transaction was introduced in 2020 to minimise the number of unauthorised transactions.

With the introduction of its OTP-based cash withdrawal facility, State Bank of India had added another layer of security for cash withdrawals through its ATMs service.

OTP would be received on the customer''s mobile number registered with the bank. This additional factor of authentication protects State Bank card holders from unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals

Who can avail SBI OTP-based ATM cash withdrawal services?

This facility will not be applicable for transactions, where a State Bank card holder withdraws cash from another bank's ATM. It is because this functionality has not been developed in National Financial Switch (NFS), as per SBI. NFS is the largest interoperable ATM network in the country and it manages more than 95 per cent of the domestic interbank ATM transactions.

How to withdraw money using SBI OTP-based ATM cash withdrawal Service?

Once the cardholder enters the amount he/she wishes to withdraw, the ATM screen displays the OTP window.

The customer has to enter the OTP received on the registered mobile number to complete the transaction.

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New Delhi: As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present the Union Budget 2022 on February 1, the most pressing demand from the salaried class is to bring changes in the income-tax slabs and increase the rebates under section 80C, 80EE, 80EEA and 24(b) of the Income Tax Act.

Here is looking at the current slab for Individual (resident or non-resident) less than 60 years of age.

Existing Tax Regime New Tax Regime u/s 115BAC Income Tax Slab Income Tax Rate Income Tax Slab Income Tax Rate Up to Rs 2,50,000 Nil Up to Rs 2,50,000 Nil Rs 2,50,001 - Rs 5,00,000 5% above Rs 2,50,000 Rs 2,50,001 - Rs 5,00,000 5% above Rs 2,50,000 Rs 5,00,001 - Rs 10,00,000 Rs 12,500 + 20% above Rs 5,00,000 Rs 5,00,001 - Rs 7,50,000 Rs 12,500 + 10% above Rs 5,00,000 Above Rs 10,00,000 Rs 1,12,500 + 30% above Rs 10,00,000 Rs 7,50,001 - Rs 10,00,000 Rs 37,500 + 15% above Rs 7,50,000 Rs 10,00,001 - Rs 12,50,000 Rs 75,000 + 20% above Rs 10,00,000 Rs 12,50,001 - Rs 15,00,000 Rs 1,25,000 + 25% above Rs 12,50,000 Above Rs 15,00,000 Rs 1,87,500 + 30% above Rs 15,00,000

It is to be noted that individuals and HUFs can opt for the Existing Tax Regime or the New Tax Regime with lower rate of taxation (u/s 115 BAC of the Income Tax Act). The taxpayer opting for concessional rates in the New Tax Regime will not be allowed certain Exemptions and Deductions (like 80C, 80D,80TTB, HRA) available in the Existing Tax Regime.

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Chennai: Looking to put the massive reach of director Sukumar`s blockbuster film `Pushpa: The Rise`, featuring Allu Arjun in the lead, to good use, the Hyderabad Traffic Police recently chose to use a picture of Allu Arjun from the film to create awareness among the public on the need to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers.

The movie, starring Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, continues to have a strong run even after a month in theatres.

In the poster put out by the police department, the superstar is seen wearing a checked shirt (from the movie) and riding a bike with a helmet on. The post emphasized how helmets save the lives of people and urged citizens to wear them while riding two-wheelers.

After taking the box-office by storm with a record collection of over Rs 300 crore and its Hindi version nearing Rs 90 crore, `Pushpa: The Rise` is bulldozing its way to record books.

After extending its theatrical run and getting an amazing response at the BO, the Hindi version of the movie had marked its OTT debut on Prime Video last week. Interestingly, the superstar`s Telugu action drama `Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo` (2020) is scheduled to release its dubbed Hindi version in cinemas on January 26.

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New Delhi: In a new development in the Malayam actress sexual assault case, the Kerala High Court has allowed the plea filed by the State Government in the case, challenging the trial court's order seeking to re-examine 3 witnesses and summon 5 new witnesses.

The trial court had earlier rejected the plea to re-examine witnesses.

Kerala High Court allows the plea filed by the State Government in the Malayalam actress assault case, challenging the trial court's order seeking to re-examine three witnesses and summon five new witnesses. Earlier the trial court had rejected the plea to re-examine witnesses. pic.twitter.com/tgFwhqu54o  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2022

For the unversed, this is regarding a 2017 abduction and assault case of a Malayam actress. In connection to it, renowned actor Dileep was arrested in July 2017 and spent several weeks in jail before securing bail.

He has been named as a conspirator in the case, being charged with "revenge crime".

This year the case took a new turn after film director Balachandra Kumar's disclosure when he said soon after Dileep was released on bail, he saw the visuals of the assault on the actress in the car.

Kumar also claimed that the visuals were handed over to the actor by a VIP and he was privy to all this.

The Malayalam superstar, according to Balachandra Kumar also openly said that Kerala DGP, B. Sandhya, ADGP Sreejith, SPs A.V. George and S. Sudarshan, and Dy SP Byju Paulose are on the list of officers who would be attacked and done away with.

Police registered an FIR against Dileep and his relatives and investigations are on.

(With agency inputs)
San Francisco: US-based search engine giant Google is planning to launch its first foldable phone 'Pixel Fold' and now in Android 12L Beta 2 new animations were discovered that depict how to insert a SIM card into the upcoming foldable phone.

The animations for the SIM setup screen show a smartphone that has a larger foldable display instead of the usual single-screen design, reports GizmoChina.

It shows that the SIM card slot is situated at the bottom while the volume rocker keys are at the lower right side.

It appears that the Google Pixel Fold could be similar to the recently launched OPPO Find N instead of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3.

The Pixel foldable phone from Google is expected to arrive in 2022. Google was expected to announce a foldable during its recent Pixel 6 launch event, but this did not happen.

Reports indicate that Google's first foldable smartphone could be priced around $1,500 to $1,800.

The company recently announced Android 12L, a version of Android 12 optimised for tablets, foldables, and ChromeOS devices.

In addition to Android 12L, Google also announced new features in OS and Play for developers to better support these devices, reports TechCrunch.

These include updates to its Material Design guidance for large-screen devices, but also updates to Jetpack Compose to make it easier to build for these machines and to ensure that apps can more easily adapt to various screen orientations and sizes.

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London: The man who held four people hostage at a synagogue in the US state of Texas before being shot dead by the FBI was 44-year-old British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, demanding the release of a jailed Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to the al-Qaeda terrorist group.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was aware of the death of a British man in Texas and are in contact with the local authorities".

Akram, who was identified by the FBI, demanded the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

The hostage-taker said that he wanted to speak to Siddiqui, who is being held at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, following her conviction in 2010. Siddiqui is currently serving an 86-year prison term in the US.

Witnesses claim that he referred to her as his sister, but John Floyd of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Siddiqui's brother was not involved.

"This assailant has nothing to do with Dr Aafia, her family, or the global campaign to get justice for Dr Aafia," he said.

Akram's brother Gulbar issued a statement carried by the Blackburn Muslim Community to confirm the death, saying he had been shot dead.

He said he had liaised "with Faisal, the negotiators, FBI etc" during the siege but "there was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender".

"We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident," Gulbar said.

"We would also like to add that any attack on any human being be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim etc is wrong and should always be condemned," Gulbar said.

According to media reports, one hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville in Texas was released six hours into the 10-hour standoff, before an FBI SWAT team entered the building on Saturday night and the remaining hostages were freed unharmed.

FBI Special Agent in-charge Matt DeSarno said earlier there was no immediate indication that the man had connections to any broader plan but that the agency's investigation "will have global reach".

US President Joe Biden told reporters on Sunday authorities "just don't have enough facts" to speculate why the man targeted the Texas synagogue, calling the standoff "an act of terror."

"I don't-- we don't have I don't think there is sufficient information to know about why he targeted that synagogue, why he insisted on the release of someone who's been in prison for over 10 years, why he was engaged, why he was using anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli comments," Biden said.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss took to Twitter to condemn the "appalling act of terrorism and antisemitism in Texas".

"We stand with US in defending the rights and freedoms of our citizens against those who spread hate."

Part of the attack was caught on a Livestream of the morning Shabbat service being broadcast on Facebook.

US media reports said that an angry man was heard shouting about religion before the feed was cut out in the early hours of Sunday. It had been claimed that the suspect had a British accent.

Live TV
SYDNEY: Australia and New Zealand dispatched surveillance flights on Monday to assess the damage in Tonga, isolated from the rest of the world due to the eruption of an underwater volcano that triggered a tsunami and blanketed the Pacific island with ash.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged to provide support for Tonga as early as possible but said the volcano ash had hampered relief efforts.

"There`s been a lot of challenges there with the ash cloud and the disruption to communications and so we are working together to get as much support to Tonga as we possibly can," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday.

No mass casualties

Australia`s Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said initial reports suggested no mass casualties and that the airport "appears to be in relatively good condition" but there were "significant damage" to roads and bridges.

Seselja said Australia was liaising with the United States, New Zealand, France and other countries to coordinate responses.

An underwater volcano off Tonga erupted on Saturday, triggering a tsunami on the shores of Tonga and cutting off phone and internet lines for the entire island.

There are no official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga as yet but communications are still limited and outlying costal areas remain cut off.

Outlying islands submerged in water

Satellite images show some of the outlying islands are submerged in water.

A U.K. woman has reportedly gone missing after she was washed away, media reports said.

Angela Glover and her husband James, who own the Happy Sailor Tattoo in Nuku`alofa, had gone to get their dogs when the wave hit. James managed to hold onto a tree but his wife, who also runs a dog rescue on the island, and their dogs were washed away, New Zealand state broadcaster TVNZ reported. Several social media posts from family and friends said she has still not been found.

Tsunami had a significant impact on infrastructure

New Zealand`s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Sunday that the tsunami had a significant impact on infrastructure.

Red Cross said it was mobilising its regional network to respond to what it called the worst volcanic eruptions the Pacific has experienced in decades.

Red Cross currently has enough relief supplies in the country to support 1,200 households with essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits and hygiene kits, said Katie Greenwood, IFRCs Pacific Head of Delegation.

The agency said there were concerns that communities may not have access to safe drinking water as a result of saltwater inundation caused by the tsunami waves and ashfall.

Shelter is also a concern, particularly for those communities near the coastline, it added.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Twitter that the UN offices in the Pacific are on standby to provide support.

Massive blast

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha`apai volcano has erupted regularly over the past few decades but the impact of Saturday`s eruption was felt was far away as Fiji, New Zealand, the United States and Japan. Two people drowned off a beach in Northern Peru due to high waves caused by the tsunami.

About 26 hours since the eruption, nations thousands of kilometres to the west have volcanic ash clouds over them, New Zealand forecaster WeatherWatch said in a statement.

Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are affected and the ash cloud is expected to fan out towards eastern Australia on Monday, it said.

Volcanic eruption biggest blast since Mount Pinatubo in Philippines

Early data suggests the volcanic eruption was the biggest blast since Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines 30 years ago, New Zealand-based volcanologist Shane Cronin told Radio New Zealand.

"This is an eruption best witnessed from space," Cronin said.

"The large and explosive lateral spread of the eruption suggests that it was probably the biggest one since about the 1991 eruption of Pinatubo," Cronin said.

Live TV
New Delhi: A gunman, now identified as a British national, had taken four people hostage at a Dallas-area synagogue in the United States on Sunday (January 16, 2022).

The daylong siege at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville ended in gunfire with all hostages released unharmed and with the suspect dead.

The FBI identified the suspect as Malik Faisal Akram, 44, a citizen of the United Kingdom but did not say how or when he entered the United States.

As per a few reports, he had demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistan national who is dubbed as the 'Lady Qaeda' and is currently lodged in a US jail.

The hostage-taker also claimed to be the brother of Siddiqui.

Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, is serving an 86-year federal prison. A US jury had convicted Siddiqui in 2010 of attempting to shoot and kill a group of FBI agents, US soldiers and interpreters who were about to interrogate her in Ghazni, Afghanistan, for alleged links to al-Qaeda. None of them were wounded, but Siddiqui was reportedly shot in the abdomen when they returned fire.

A mother of three, Siddiqui was educated in the United States and has degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brandeis University.

She had also made headlines in 2018 when there were reports about a 'deal' weaved between Islamabad and Washington DC to swap physician Dr Shakeel Afridi who aided the US to track down former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011 with Aafia Siddiqui.

She is currently being held at a federal medical lockup in the Fort Worth area in Texas.

Act of terror, says Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden has called the episode 'an act of terror'. Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Sunday, Biden said that Akram had allegedly purchased a weapon on the streets.

"Allegedly - I don't have all the facts, nor does the attorney general - but allegedly the assertion was he got the weapons on the street," Biden said.

"He purchased them when he landed and it turns out there apparently were no bombs that we know of. ... Apparently he spent the first night in a homeless shelter," he added.

President Joe Biden described a Texas synagogue attack on Saturday as an 'act of terror' https://t.co/iCiVg5G5KZ pic.twitter.com/xjq8chMZdC  Reuters (@Reuters) January 16, 2022

British police arrest 2 in investigation into Texas standoff

Police in England have said that they have arrested two teenagers in their investigation into the Texas synagogue. The Greater Manchester Police did not name the suspects or whether they faced any charges and described them as teenagers who were in custody for questioning.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
The morning temperature dipped as low as -16 degrees Celsius on Monday as a cold air mass flowed in from the north.

In Seoul the mercury fell to -9 degrees in the morning.


A North Korean cargo train arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong on Sunday, according to sources, apparently signaling a resumption in cross-border business after the North sealed its border at the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The train, consisting of 13 carriages, is scheduled to return to the North laden with Chinese-made daily necessities and medicines.

"To my knowledge, the train didn't carry anything out of North Korea and intends to transport products from China," a source there said. "It's unclear if the train will run regularly."


SUVA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Around 80 percent of power has been restored in Tonga's capital city of Nuku'alofa, but internet connections remains disrupted after the violent volcanic eruption on Friday and Saturday.

The island nation is sending naval boats to outlying islands to assess the damage from the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano and the consequent tsunami over the weekend, Radio New Zealand reported on Monday.

No casualties were reported on Tonga's main island of Tongatapu, which is covered by ashes, with a number of houses damaged, while significant damage was reported along the western coast of Tongatapu, including many resorts and the waterfront of the capital, the report said.

The capital is in need of water and water storage bladders, as well as food and medical supplies, it added.

On Monday, a New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules is ready to depart for Tonga to airdrop fresh water and other essential supplies in assistance requested by the Tongan authorities.

The C-130 Hercules is the second New Zealand aircraft leaving for Tonga after a P-3K Orion aircraft left Base Auckland to assist in an initial impact assessment of the area and low-lying islands in Tonga.

Meanwhile, an Australian Air Force P8 Poseidon aircraft also reached Tonga on Monday.

In Fiji, the Department of Environment has reported increased sulfur dioxide concentration overnight which could result in acidic rainfall over Fiji, urging Fijians to cover all household water tanks and stay indoors when it rains.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, about 65 km north of Nuku'alofa, is part of the highly active Tonga-Kermadec Islands volcanic arc, a subduction zone extending from New Zealand north-northeast to Fiji. Over the past decades, the volcano has erupted several times. 
South Africa: Germany, South Africa collaborate on green hydrogen

The South African government, led by The Presidency, is collaborating with the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development to promote the development of green hydrogen in the country.

The German ministry has commissioned its development agency called the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to be its role player in the project with The Presidency.

During a stakeholder engagement held at Port Nolloth near Boegoebaai in the Northern Cape, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said the German ministry would be supporting the project with at least 12.5 million in funding.

According to the minister, the project aims to:

Support the development of a favourable strategic and regulatory framework for a green hydrogen economy in South Africa

Coordinate the important contributions of different government departments and stakeholders for such a framework

Enable relevant actors to build a green hydrogen export economy

Enhance capacity and knowledge of South African stakeholders in the green hydrogen and Powerfuels sector

Mitigate potential implications of a green hydrogen and Powerfuels economy on the environment, society, and the economy.

Gungubele added that the Investment and Infrastructure Office in the Presidency has also pledged its support to a project by energy giant Sasol and the German government supported H2Global initiative to produce sustainable aviation fuel to the international community.

He explained that the Infrastructure Offices assessment of the project found that it has the potential to contribute to a just [energy] transition and to create quality green jobs.

The German government through its H2Global initiative has created a sustainable aviation fuel market trading platform which is intended to provide funding to green hydrogen products globally. South Africa has the potential to become a global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) hub due to our renewable endowment and Fisher-Tropsch technology capabilities. Sasol is working with a number of local and international partners on a pioneering sustainable aviation fuel project at the Sasol Secunda facility.

Due to its catalytic nature and its potential to contribution to a just transition, the Investment and Infrastructure Office submitted a letter of support to H2Global for the Sasol Consortiums SAF project, Minister Gungubele said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The home at 438 South Border Road was surrounded by an array of emergency vehicles and workers, along with sight-seers, after a crashing jet plane tore off a section of the roof and set two houses afire in January 1958. A piece of the plane is visible on the left.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Parliament has convened its first session of 2022, with 25 items on the agenda.

The confirmation hearing and vote for Kristinne Grigoryan as the next Human Rights Defender of Armenia is expected. Grigoryan is serving as Deputy Minister of Justice since 2019, being promoted to First Deputy Minister in 2021.She is nominated for Ombudsman by the ruling Civil Contract Party.

Lawmakers will hold first reading debates of the amendments to the civil code, and second reading debates of amendments to the tax code.

The bill on amending the law on automobile transport seeking to regulate the services of taxis at the Yerevan airport is also on the agenda.

Hovhannes Khachatryans confirmation hearing as Vice Governor of the Central Bank is also scheduled to take place during the sitting.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Several French lawmakers are calling on President Emmanuel Macron to demand an apology from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the latters threats against Valerie Pecresse, the President of the Regional Council of Frances Ile-de-France and a candidate for the French presidency who visited Armenia and Artsakh in December 2021.

Particularly, the Azeri leader said at a news conference on January 12: If wed known about Valerie Pecresses illegal visit to [Nagorno Karabakh], we would not have allowed her to leave.

President of The Republicans group (LR) in the French Senate Bruno Retailleau, LR MP of the National Assembly Damien Abad and Member of the European Parliament Francois Xavier Bellamy and 242 other politicians and public figures addressed an open letter to President Macron published in the January 15 Sunday edition of the Le Journal du Dimanche weekly, calling on the French president to demand an apology from Aliyev for his threatening remarks against Pecresse, who is the LRs candidate for the French presidency in the upcoming election.

These scandalous remarks cannot remain unanswered from France, the lawmakers said in the open letter. For a simple reason: these remarks not only constitute hate speech against a French politician, the President of the region of Ile-de-France and a candidate for the French presidency, but are also an overt threat against the French people, the French government and its representatives, taking into account our countrys relations with Armenia. Honorable Mr. President, can you tolerate the government of any other state prohibiting the representatives elected by the French people from traveling to a territory  which, doesnt belong to the given state  and to threaten to encroach against their liberties, up to their physical safety? As unpleasant as it may be for President Aliyev, the people of France are free, and France is a sovereign state. France cannot find any threat to be acceptable, it should not give in to any terror. And moreover when this is done by a dictator who calls Armenians dogs, who deployed prohibited munitions and jihadist mercenaries during the conflict with Armenia and who has always been a low example of human dignity. Thus, Mr. President, we are asking you, to demand on behalf of France that Azerbaijan issues a formal apology, and if this isnt done in the shortest timeframes we demand to recall the French ambassador from Azerbaijan. This is a matter of Frances honor as much it is of Frances values. This is also a matter of support towards the Armenian people which we are obliged to provide at times when the Armenian people, despite Azerbaijani military aggressions, provocations and humiliations, stand tall and with dignity in these trials. Frances attitude must be worthy for the example of Armenia which is going through suffering, which causes admiration reads the letter to Macron.

Earlier on January 13, the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF - Conseil de coordination des Organisations Armeniennes de France) issued a similar statement calling on Macron to take action.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. So far, a total of 2736 people in Armenia received a booster shot against COVID-19, the ministry of health said today.

The total number of COVID-19 vaccinations in the country is 1 million 761 thousand 529, of which the number of fully vaccinated is 784,849.

The following vaccinations are available in Armenia: Coronavac (only the second dose), AstraZeneca, Sputnik-V, Sinopharm and Moderna. Armenia also offers Sputnik Light vaccine which can be used as a booster shot.

Vaccinations are free of charge.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Members of Parliament of Armenia held a moment of silence at todays session in memory of the three Armenian soldiers who were killed as a result of the Azerbaijani attack on January 11.

The respective proposal was made by the opposition Armenia faction MP Andranik Tevanyan.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Armenia is in favor for the borders with Turkey to be opened and relations to be normalized swiftly without preconditions, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan said in his speech to lawmakers during the January 17 session.

Answering a question from opposition Hayastan MP Agnessa Khamoyan, he said the normalization is in the interests of Armenia and the Armenian people.

MP Khamoyan asked for details from the meeting between the special envoys of Armenia and Turkey which took place recently in Moscow.

Mr. Arshakyan, the foreign ministrys statement says that the meeting was held in a positive and constructive atmosphere. As your colleague stated, since important processes are taking place in the country, could you eventually inform the society on the processes and this positive and constructive atmosphere? Could you also explain where the agreement on having special representatives for attempting a normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey was reached? Khamoyan asked Arshakyan, who is the Acting Speaker of Parliament due to Speaker Alen Simonyan currently being on an official trip abroad.

Arshakyan responded by saying that ever since Armenias independence and from the time when Turkey closed the borders the official position of Armenia has always been in favor of establishing relations and repoening of borders without preconditions.

This logic hasnt changed, the Republic of Armenia is maintaining this position now as well, and we are in favor of the reopening of borders and swift normalization of relations without preconditions. This is in the interests of Armenia and the Armenian people. Regarding the negotiations which took place during the meeting: the statement that the foreign ministry released is essentially describing the course of the negotiations. But if you want to obtain deeper and more comprehensive information regarding the course of the very negotiations itself, I believe from collegial and institutional perspective all mechanisms are in place for us to have such discussion and for you to have the chance to ask your questions, Arshakyan said.

MP Khamoyan was dissatisfied from Arshakyans answers, and Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan himself  the Armenian special envoy for dialogue with Turkey - took the floor to present some details from the meeting with his Turkish counterpart.

If you remember, back in 2021 the official representative of the Russian foreign ministry said that there is a process and the Armenian side has spoken with the Russian side about beginning a potential process with Turkey, which was then confirmed by the Armenian foreign ministry, and then Turkey announced the appointment of its special representative, which was welcomed by the Armenian foreign ministry and which noted that it will also appoint a special representative, and after that the Turkish side appointed its special representative, and after that the Armenian side appointed its special representative. This is how the agreements were reached. While the agreements on the exact location were reached with the help of the Russian side and the meeting took place in the Russian foreign ministrys reception building in Moscow. You asked what we mean by saying constructive atmosphere. We mean a constructive atmosphere. As a result of the meeting the Armenian and Turkish foreign ministries issued press released which presented what the special representatives have discussed. The Russian foreign ministry also issued a press release, Rubinyan said.

Hayastan MP Gegham Manukyan inquired from the technicalities, asking whether or not Rubinyan engaged in the negotiations with the Turkish envoy on behalf of the Armenian parliament given that he was sent to Moscow formally under the instruction signed by the Speaker on January 13.

Manukyan asked whether or not the parliament had authorized Rubinyan on behalf of the state to engage in negotiations on behalf of Armenia, whether or not the matter was discussed at the National Assembly Council.

Each negotiation has a delegation, a head of delegation, there is a respective procedure, the agenda, timeframes, and expenses. All these procedures were adhered to in this case as well, Arshakyan said, adding that they are open to answer remaining questions from the opposition MPs.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Parliament adjourned the session after a shouting match erupted between opposition MPs from the Hayastan faction and the Vice Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan.

The quarrel began after the opposition MPs accused Rubinyan  who is the Special Representative for Dialogue with Turkey  in being an agent of influence of Turkey. He strongly denied these accusations.

Then, the Vice Speaker Hakob Arshakyan took the floor to again address the matter.

Id like to inform our opposition colleagues, that to try and label a man, to connect the fact of him having been in any given country during the revolution or in any given period of time with being an agent of influence is the same as accusing someone of being an agent just because of their surname. Please look among yourselves, you might find a suspicion surname, Arshakyan said.

During his speech, opposition MP from Hayastan faction Hripsime Stambulyan started to speak, but inaudibly. As the loud quarrel began, Rubinyan adjourned the session.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that on January 17, the following exchange rates were set by the bank.

The exchange rate of the US dollar increased by 0.61 drams, making 481.49 drams. The exchange rate of Euro decreased by 0.93 Drams, making 550.01 Drams. The exchange rate of Russian ruble decreased by 0.02 drams and made 6.30 drams. The exchange rate of British pound decreased by 1.67 drams, making 658.63 drams.

As for precious metals, the price of gold increased by 75.95 drams, making 28219.74 drams. The price of silver decreased by 1.79 drams, making 357.59 drams. The price of platinum increased by 65.59 drams, making 15155.18 drams.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Official Tehran responded to the first meeting of the Armenian and Turkish special representatives in Moscow, ARMENPRESS reports, referring to ISNA agency, 1lurer.am reports that Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stated at a press conference that Iran welcomes the normalization of relations between its neighbors and supports the efforts made in that direction.

"Our region is tired of the breach of relations and negative attitudes. We must help develop positive attitudes and views," Khatibzadeh said.

Special Representatives for the normalization process between Armenia and Turkey, respectively, the Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Mr. Ruben Rubinyan and Ambassador Serdar Klc met on 14 January 2022, in Moscow.

During their first meeting, conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the Special Representatives exchanged their preliminary views regarding the normalization process through dialogue between Armenia and Turkey. Parties agreed to continue negotiations without preconditions aiming at full normalization.

Date and venue of their second meeting will be decided in due time through diplomatic channels.
YEREVAN, 17 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. Russia is concerned that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are not able to visit Karabakh, ARMENPRESS reports Alexander Lukashevich, Russia's Permanent Representative to the OSCE, said at an online briefing.

"We are concerned that the Co-Chairs have not yet been able to visit the region, to get acquainted with the situation, to outline concrete measures to assist the parties in establishing contacts between citizens, to resolve humanitarian issues," Lukashevich said.

He hoped that the visit will take place in the near future.

Referring to the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, Lukashevich noted that despite some incidents, due to Russia's efforts, it was possible to maintain stability in the region in general. According to him, the stabilization of the situation allowed to address other issues, such as the unblocking of roads, discussions on the "3 + 3" platform, etc.
The new proposed US sanctions, including against the Russian leadership, may break off all relations between the two countries, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on CNN on Sunday, Tass informs.

January 17, 2022, 10:05 US sanctions against Russian leadership risk breaking off ties between countries - Kremlin

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 17, ARTSAKHPRESS: "Of course, its beyond our understanding," Peskov said in an interview, referring to some of the latest US proposals that call for sanctions against the Russian leadership.

"Potentially this kind of sanctions can lead to discontinuation of any relations between our two countries," which wont benefit either Moscow or Washington, he said. "It would be a great mistake."

The Kremlin spokesman said Russia isnt afraid of sanctions.

"To some extent we are trying to take advantage of them in terms of developing our domestic economy, our domestic production," he said. "We are quite big and quite self-sufficient to be fragile against these sanctions."

Peskov said sanctions never succeeded in making countries change their course.

"Can you recall any example of a situation when sanctions helped you to solve a problem? Where sanctions were really effective in making a country to make certain steps?" he said. "Its never happened."

On Wednesday, a group of Democrat legislators led by Senator Bob Menendez introduced a bill to the US Senate on restrictions against Russia if tensions around Ukraine escalate. Titled Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022, it involves, among other things, sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, heads of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Defense, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and other members of the military leadership. In addition, restrictive measures may affect the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

To come into effect, the bill should be approved by both houses of Congress and signed by the US President. Emily Horn, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, said earlier that the US administration supports the proposed legislation.
Several French lawmakers are calling on President Emmanuel Macron to demand an apology from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the latters threats against Valerie Pecresse, the President of the Regional Council of Frances Ile-de-France and a candidate for the French presidency who visited Armenia and Artsakh in December 2021.

January 17, 2022, 11:10 French lawmakers call on Macron to demand apology from Aliyev for threats to presidential candidate after Artsakh visit

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 17, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Particularly, the Azeri leader said at a news conference on January 12: If wed known about Valerie Pecresses illegal visit to [Nagorno Karabakh], we would not have allowed her to leave.

President of The Republicans group (LR) in the French Senate Bruno Retailleau, LR MP of the National Assembly Damien Abad and Member of the European Parliament Francois Xavier Bellamy and 242 other politicians and public figures addressed an open letter to President Macron published in the January 15 Sunday edition of the Le Journal du Dimanche weekly, calling on the French president to demand an apology from Aliyev for his threatening remarks against Pecresse, who is the LRs candidate for the French presidency in the upcoming election.

These scandalous remarks cannot remain unanswered from France, the lawmakers said in the open letter. For a simple reason: these remarks not only constitute hate speech against a French politician, the President of the region of Ile-de-France and a candidate for the French presidency, but are also an overt threat against the French people, the French government and its representatives, taking into account our countrys relations with Armenia. Honorable Mr. President, can you tolerate the government of any other state prohibiting the representatives elected by the French people from traveling to a territory  which, doesnt belong to the given state  and to threaten to encroach against their liberties, up to their physical safety? As unpleasant as it may be for President Aliyev, the people of France are free, and France is a sovereign state. France cannot find any threat to be acceptable, it should not give in to any terror. And moreover when this is done by a dictator who calls Armenians dogs, who deployed prohibited munitions and jihadist mercenaries during the conflict with Armenia and who has always been a low example of human dignity. Thus, Mr. President, we are asking you, to demand on behalf of France that Azerbaijan issues a formal apology, and if this isnt done in the shortest timeframes we demand to recall the French ambassador from Azerbaijan. This is a matter of Frances honor as much it is of Frances values. This is also a matter of support towards the Armenian people which we are obliged to provide at times when the Armenian people, despite Azerbaijani military aggressions, provocations and humiliations, stand tall and with dignity in these trials. Frances attitude must be worthy for the example of Armenia which is going through suffering, which causes admiration reads the letter to Macron.
Australian support remains on standby amid concerns an underwater volcano that erupted in Tonga and sparked a tsunami is likely to erupt again in coming days.

The Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano forms part of the "Pacific ring of fire" volcanoes which are explosive and expected to create powerful eruptions.

"The volcano is likely to erupt further in coming days but without data from the volcano it is not possible to predict or even speculate how explosive these eruptions are going to be," geochemist Oliver Nebel from Monash University said.

The extent of the devastation in Tonga remains unclear with communications to the country largely cut following the tsunami.

Desperate family members across the world have been left in limbo, not knowing if their loved ones are safe.

The extent of the devastation in Tonga remains unclear with communications to the country largely cut following the tsunami. Source: AAP Image/Tonga Meteorological Services

The Red Cross has estimated as many as 80,000 people may have been impacted, although there have been no reports of injuries so far.

The head of the Red Cross' Pacific delegation said trained Tonga teams would be on the ground supporting evacuations in coordination, providing first aid and distributing relief supplies.

Resort has been 'completely wiped out'

Katie Greenwood said local Red Cross teams are well placed to respond quickly to emergencies like this as the organisation continues to work hard to establish contact with colleagues in the country.

"Red Cross currently has enough relief supplies in the country to support 1200 households with essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits and hygiene kits," she said.

"There are fears that communities may not have access to safe and clean drinking water (and) shelter is also a concern, particularly for those communities near the coast line."

Managers of Ha'atafu Beach Resort on the main island of Tongatapu wrote on Facebook the tourist facility had been "completely wiped out".

"The whole western coastline has been completely destroyed along with Kanukupolu village," they wrote.

Story continues

All Australians and other officials in Tonga have been accounted for.

No casualties reported

Pacific Minister Zed Seselja said while there were reports of significant property damage in Tonga, there have been no reports of casualties.

"There is still very limited, if any, information coming from the outer islands, and so that will be the focus in coming hours," Senator Seselja told ABC TV.

Senator Seselja said more support measures were being prepared and ready to go, including a C-130 plane with humanitarian supplies.

A wall of water smashed over Nuku'alofa's waterfront. Source: Twitter/Dr Faka'iloatonga Taumoefolau

Covid complicates Australia's effort to help Tonga

HMAS Adelaide, currently in Sydney, is being deployed to Brisbane where it will be loaded with supplies for Tonga.

He said there were some predeployed emergency supplies in Tonga.

Australia has already sent a P-8 plane to assess the damage following the natural disaster on Saturday.

But Tonga's strict quarantine measures designed to keep Covid-19 out of the country are complicating relief efforts.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Tonga had not requested an Australian medical assistance team following the natural disaster.

"It is a Covid-free country as far as I'm aware and that does complicate the movement of people as well," Senator Payne told reporters.

Since the start of the pandemic, there has been just one confirmed case of Covid-19 in Tonga.

Tsunami videos out of Tonga  this afternoon following the Volcano Eruption. pic.twitter.com/JTIcEdbpGe  Jese Tuisinu (@JTuisinu) January 15, 2022

Ash continues to cause problems

Ash from the volcano is also causing disruptions to flights in the region.

An Aircalin flight from Narita in Japan to La Tontouta in New Caledonia was diverted to Brisbane overnight due to the volcanic disruption.

All passengers and crew from the flight spent the night in quarantine hotels, with a new flight time yet to be set.

Two Fiji Airways flights from Brisbane to Nadi were also cancelled on Monday due to the volcanic cloud.

It also also led to delays for flights to Townsville from Brisbane and Sydney.

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*The following contains spoilers for the 2022 "Scream," now in theaters, plus spoilers for the original "Scream" from 1996, "Scream 2" and for...recent "Star Wars" movies. Also "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." It'll make sense when you read it. You've been warned.*

"Scream," the fifth movie in a slasher series famous for acknowledging other slashers and its own installments, reaches a point that can best be described as "violently self aware." And that says ALOT for a franchise that is absolutely coated with references and in-jokes.

Remember the scene in the first "Scream" where horror-obsessed geek Randy (Jaimie Kennedy) drunkenly watches the 1978 "Halloween" alone, and he yells at the TV, telling Jaimie Lee Curtis' character in that film to look behind her while he unknowingly has one of the Ghostface murderers behind him?

The new "Scream" sure as hell remembers that scene, since you see Randy's niece Mindy (Jasmine Savoy Brown) alone watching the first "Stab." The "Stab" series is the in-universe franchise based around the Ghostface massacres (which always seemed a little weird to me, since the "Stab" movies are supposed to be adaptations of real-life events within this world. It would be like launching a super popular multi-installment horror series based on the Manson Family deaths). Mindy is watching a "Stab" scene that adapts the moment when Randy watched "Halloween."

Mindy is telling the fictionalized version of her uncle to turn around while, of course, one of the new Ghostfaces is actually behind her. So it's a woman telling a movie version of her uncle to turn around, based on the "real life" version of her uncle telling a fictional character to turn around, while the woman in question should, in fact, turn around herself. There are so meta-layers to this moment that it feels like the layers are burying you. It's a clever enough scene, but I actually yelled "Oh, come on!" out loud in the theater when it happened.

That should give you an idea of what you're in for with 2022's "Scream": A mostly clever, insanely self aware effort that adds twists to familiar bits from the old movies. The film, by directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of the 2019 horror comedy "Ready or Not," doesn't incorporate a ton of new elements. It's also important to keep in mind that this is the fifth film in a slasher series, where most franchises give up actually trying to be halfway decent by the third film. It's a wonder this thing has any redeeming value at all.

After teenager Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) is attacked by someone wearing an iconic Ghostface mask in Woodsboro  where a lot of the events of the previous films took place  her sister Sam (Melissa Barrera) is roped back to her hometown with boyfriend Richie (Jack Quaid) in tow as she tries to figure out who is behind the latest attacks, as franchise main characters Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), reporter Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) and grizzled now former-sheriff Dewey Riley (David Arquette) eventually join the action.

Wes Craven's original "Scream" from 1996  and yes, the new film does mock the current trend of a legacy sequel to an old film having the same title as the old one, ala the 2018 "Halloween"  resuscitated the slasher film by calling out and subverting the genre's massive laundry list of old cliches. That includes having the virginal "final girl" who survives in most horror movies lose her virginity to the guy who turns out to be the killer and then she still living. Plus there were super-obvious killers that the movie calls out early for being the likely killers actually being the culprits, and many of the teenage death count fodder characters actually displaying some personality before they die. There was also stuff like characters pointing out that you shouldn't say "I'll be right back" before leaving a room, or people arguing about who the killer could be based on horror flick rules.

The original film lives in its own slightly campy universe, where there are jokes about horror movies, characters referencing those types of movies and comparing the situation they're in to old slasher pictures. Yet the violence and killing are on point as a horror flick, with plenty of tension as its likeable cast gets targeted. Craven's classic is constantly alternating between winking at you and trying to plunge a knife in your gut.

The 2022 "Scream" doesn't quite walk that same tonal tightrope, but it doesn't hesitate to poke at horror film tropes and especially the tropes of its predecessors. Drew Barrymore's Casey immediately picks up the phone in her parent's kitchen and doesn't take long to start chatting up her eventual killer(s) in the opener of the first film.

In the beginning of the new edition, Tara sees her kitchen landline (which is definitely something younger families still have in 2022) is ringing and turns it off. Sure, she picks it up soon after, but that moment shows, just like with the original, that this film is keenly aware of what came before and is aware that the audience also likely knows what came before.

Horror commentary isn't the only thing this "Scream" is targeting, however. As illustrated in a monologue from Mindy on franchise films that have new elements but also incorporate plot points and characters from prior installments and serve as both remakes and sequels, there is a lot of focus on these "requels," as Mindy calls them, and fans' relationship with them. The most interesting part of the film is that it feels like a reaction to not only fans' response to "requels" in pop culture, but to recent "Star Wars" projects in particular.

As Mindy talks about how "requels" need to have to a mix of fresh characters and legacy favorites from the old entries while not being too different from what became, she mentioned that some of these movies angered fans by not continuing old plot points and adding social commentary, such as "Stab 8." One character then says something along the lines of "Stab 8" being made "by the guy who did 'Knives Out.'"

Obviously, "Knives Out" was directed by Rian Johnson, who also helmed "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," an incredibly divisive point in that franchise that either dropped or ended previous storylines and infused social commentary into its storytelling. Even to this day, over four years after its release, very little gets the (likely unwashed) panties of a bunch of nerds into a twist faster than bringing up "The Last Jedi." Many howled about their childhoods being assassinated in front of their very eyes, like Bruce Wayne witnessing his parents' deaths. Personally, I thought it was easily the best recent "Star Wars" movie, and it's not even close. But y'all aren't ready to have that conversation, and at least one person who was reading this far may have just clicked off.

Regardless, the 2022 "Scream" alludes to other projects set in a galaxy far, far away. We learn Sam's father is Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), one of the killers in the first film. Billy, who was shot in the head at the end of that picture, apparently had an affair with Sam and Tara's unseen mom before he was offed. Although different "requels" have featured children of previous main characters, such as in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and the recently released "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," this time it seems like a clear reference to "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

There, Daisy Ridley's Rey is informed she is the grandfather of Emperor Palpatine, the overarching bad guy of the original "Star Wars" trilogy, who somehow returned in a plot point that feels like it was crafted to placate fans who were furious that "The Last Jedi" had severed so many connections to the past and were convinced that Rey's force powers had to be due to her being related to someone. So in the new "Scream," you also have a protagonist who is related to an old baddie.

The new killers are revealed to be Richie and Tara's friend Amber (Mikey Madison), who did all this because they are diehard fans of the "Stab" movies and wanted to give the franchise some new "source material" to start from since they hated the previously mentioned "Stab 8." Richie tells Sam that they see her as the villain in this situation since she is related to a previous villain.

If the parallels to Star Wars" and its fanbase weren't clear enough, Richie also questions how fandom can be toxic since it just shows that you love something. Is the dialogue in this scene a tad on-the-nose? Sure. But it builds on earlier lines from characters talking about the decline about the "Stab" series and how fiercely protective people are of the franchise overall, plus all of the talk about "requels" and how fans hate it when a new film in a series strays from what came in the past. The "Scream" installments have mainly riffed on horror, but each have also skewered movie trends and pop culture in general. This new one just widened its gaze to talk about one of the biggest franchises of all time.

Beyond its meta-commentary, the film is serviceable. The characters are likeable enough to get you to care about them before they get sliced and diced, the pacing keeps events moving and some scenes are suspenseful (when the hospital lights went out on a private floor while Tara was recovering from her earlier attack, someone seating in front of me at my screening exclaimed "Oh shit!").

That said, only some of the jokes are truly funny and the kills aren't that different from what this series has already done. It would have been nice to have spent time with Sidney and Gale, but considering the story and the need to spotlight the new cast, it feels like the old guard in the story just enough.

The reveal of the killers makes sense for the film's commentary but it also strains credibility when you consider a fair amount of the attacks had to have been done by Amber since Richie is with Sam for a decent portion of the movie's running time. Appearances can be deceiving, but it's hard to buy that a petite teenager would be able to take down so many grown adults without too much trouble.

Since Richie was in the elevator with Sam and Tara at one point, Amber had to have been the Ghostface who killed Dewey, who, the nerve damage that he mentions aside, had survived plenty of punishment in the other four flicks. In the first "Scream," with Ulrich as Billy and Matthew Lillard as the other killer, Stu, those two, like Neve Campbell and a lot of people portraying high schoolers in movies and TV, seemed like at least college students trying to pass as 17-year-olds.

Ulrich and Lillard did not look like teenagers but they did look like they were in their early-to-mid-20s, so it wasn't hard to buy them as killers. Laurie Metcalf, who played one of the murderers in "Scream 2," is a grown adult woman so you could believe that she would hold her own. In the latest film, Savoy Brown and Sonia Ben Ammar, who plays teenager Liv, seem tall enough to stand toe-to-toe with and take down this movies' victims, plus they also look more like college students. Madison is good as Amber but she looks closer to a high schooler than a lot of her co-stars. Believing that she could take down at least three people without a ton of effort seems like a stretch.

Overall, the 2022 "Scream" doesn't break a ton of new ground. But considering this one probably didn't need to exist at all, as the fifth film in a franchise where the last entry was in 2011, it's hard to complain too much.

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- French global automotive supplier Faurecia today announced via its WeChat account that its main development business of Cockpit of the Future" has been transferred to the technology center and headquarters of Faurecia China in Shanghai, with effect from Jan. 1, 2022.



Faurecia China's headquarters; photo credit: Faurecia



Faurecia said both Chinese consumers' strong interest in cutting-edge disruptive in-car technologies and the great possibility that the majority of global luxury car market consumption will occur in China after 2025 create great chances for the company to develop and apply the Cockpit of the Future technology.



Besides, the localization of cockpit will greatly shorten the period for Faurecia to put relevant innovation solutions onto the market of the world's largest auto market, added the company.



In addition to the leadership in automotive seats, interior, and electronics fields, Faurecia has also built itself a special marketing position in the domains of cockpit software, interior module, and system architecture. Those efforts will technically support Faurecia in realizing the vision of Cockpit of the Future, and developing personalized, predictable, and connected cockpit using experience, said the company.

Leveraging Faurecia's well-known method for system integration, the Shanghai-based innovation center will be dedicated to developing innovative cockpit solutions, researching insights into Chinese consumers, and integrating businesses of the design of innovative interior, the engineering of complete cockpit, the development of Apps, services, and electromechanical architecture, as well as smart marketing.

Francois Tardif, President of Faurecia China, assumes the role of Chairman of Faurecia's Shanghai-based innovation center of "Cockpit of the Future". Jin Chao, Chief Technology Officer of Faurecia China, is responsible for the center's operations.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

CATL to launch battery-swapping sub brand on Jan.18th

Chinas battery giant, CATL, recently disclosed on its WeChat platform that the company will be hosting a launching ceremony on January 18th to debut its battery-swapping brand, EVOGO, officially. Sources close to the company said that CATLs battery-swapping products would be friendly to all automakers.



Photo credit: CATL



WeRides open road autonomous driving mileage surpasses 10 million km

According to Chinas leading autonomous driving company, WeRide, its autonomous driving mileage has surpassed 10 million kilometers on open roads. Meanwhile, its fully driverless mileage has exceeded 2.5 million kilometers.

Ganfeng Lithium invests in battery-swapping company DU-POWER

Chinas energy player, Ganfeng Lithium, was recently listed as a new shareholder to Shanghai DU-POWER New Energy Technical Co., Ltd. The latters registered capital was also raised to RMB31.827 million after the changes, according to the corporate database, Qichacha.

Mercedes-Benz to recall 639 GLEs in China

The fuel tank pressure sensors in a batch of the Mercedes-Benz GLE vehicles are subpar, affecting the airtightness of the tank, leading to potential safety hazards. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz will recall 639 units of its GLE SUV model in China.

Former BAIC BJEVs senior exec named as vice president of Xiaomis auto unit



Xiaomi Corporation has named Yu Liguo, former senior executive of BAIC BJEV, as Vice President of Xiaomi Automobile Co.,Ltd. and a political commissar of Xiaomi auto unit's Beijing headquarters, according to a local media outlet, citing an internal mail from the smartphone giant.

NavInfo expects to turn loss into profit in 2021 annual performance

Chinas major navigation player, NavInfo, was projected to see a turnaround from loss to profit as high as RMB131 million ($20.61 million) according to its 2021 annual performance preannouncement.

SGMW's vehicles to adopt Horizon Robotics' ADAS solution in H1 2022

Chinas AI chip developer, Horizon Robotics, has reached strategic cooperation with automaker SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) in the ADAS, autonomous driving, and automotive intelligence fields.

SAIC HONGYAN starts production at fuel cell heavy-duty truck plant in Ordos

SAIC HONGYAN, a heavy-duty truck subsidiary of SAIC Motor, on Jan. 14 celebrated the start of production at its vehicle manufacturing plant in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with the first-batch vehicles rolling off the production line at the same time, according to a post on SAIC Motor's WeChat account.

Chinas autonomous driving developer DeepRoute.ai partners with LiDAR supplier ZVision

China's autonomous driving developer, DeepRoute.ai, announced that it had formed a strategic partnership with domestic solid-state MEMS LiDAR supplier ZVision, for a cost-effective mass-producible L4 autonomous driving solution.

NIO pushes NIO OS Aspen 3.1.0 with English user interface

On Jan. 15, NIO shipped the NIO OS Aspen 3.1.0 to users in China with the English-version user interface newly added to attract more expatriates in the country.

Cherys Lion Tech joins hands with location service provider, Dayou Pi for ICV development

Cherys automotive intelligence arm, Lion Tech joined hands with location service provider, Dayou Pi, to build a united work group for intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) R&D and mass production.

Faurecias Cockpit of Future innovation center moves to Shanghai

French global automotive supplier Faurecia today announced via its WeChat account that its main development business of Cockpit of the Future" has been transferred to the technology center and headquarters of Faurecia China in Shanghai, with effect from Jan. 1, 2022.

Chinas Westwell starts mass production of battery-swapping autonomous driving truck

On January 15th, the Shanghai headquartered port driverless autonomous driving commercial vehicle developer, Westwell, announced that it has successfully realized mass production of the worlds first intelligent battery-swapping driverless commercial vehicle, the Q-Truck.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Xiaomi Corporation has named Yu Liguo, former senior executive of BAIC BJEV, as Vice President of Xiaomi Automobile Co.,Ltd. and a political commissar of Xiaomi auto unit's Beijing headquarters, according to a local media outlet, citing an internal mail from the smartphone giant.

Photo credit: Xiaomi



Mr. Yu will be responsible for Xiaomi Automobile's management businesses, advancement of special businesses, as well as construction of organization and talent pool for Xiaomi auto arm's Beijing headquarters.

As publicly disclosed, before joining Xiaomi, Yu Liguo served BAIC BJEV as a director of strategic planning, fixed investment, joint-venture formation, and external cooperation businesses. He was also in charge of such works as mid-/long-term product planning, design of user experience, information technology, and digital application for BAIC BJEV. Besides, he assumed President of ARCFOX business unit.

In last November, Xiaomi Automobile signed an agreement with a committee from the Beijing Economic Technological Development Area to place its entire automotive business in the suburb of Yizhuang.

The consumer electronics giant has decided to build a plant with an annual production capacity of 300,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in Beijing for its automobile unit.

The group stated its EV project remained on track to reach volume production at the Beijing manufacturing facility in the first half of 2024.

Xiaomi Automobile Co.,Ltd. was officially registered in Sept. 2021 with a previously announced registered capital of 10 billion yuan ($1.573 billion).

Xiaomi revealed in the financial results for the third quarter of 2021 that the number of the group's R&D staff members had reached 13,919, over 500 of which was with Xiaomi's automobile unit.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC HONGYAN, a heavy-duty truck subsidiary of SAIC Motor, on Jan. 14 celebrated the start of production at its vehicle manufacturing plant in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with the first-batch vehicles rolling off the production line at the same time, according to a post on SAIC Motor's WeChat account.

SAIC HONGYAN's Ordos plant starting production; photo credit: SAIC Motor



The latest move means that a phased achievement has been made for the world's first project aiming at the industrial application of 10,000 fuel cell heavy trucks, said SAIC Motor.

Covering a floorage of 10,000 square meters, the new plant will be built into a base integrating functions of assembly, testing, and delivery of new energy heavy-duty trucks. It is designed to feature a production capacity of 3,000 vehicles per year.

According to the timeline given by SAIC Motor, the Shanghai-based auto giant struck a deal with Ordos municipal government on Jul. 20, 2021 for the investment in projects about new energy vehicle (NEV)-related industrial chain.

Then in mid-Oct. last year, SAIC HONGYAN broke ground on the hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck manufacturing factory in Ordos.

SAIC HONGYAN will better meet the market demands for new energy heavy-duty trucks by virtue of the joint efforts of its plants in Ordos and Chongqing.

A Shanghai-led city cluster was appointed one of the first batches of FCV demonstration cities in China. Notably, Ordos is included in the cluster.
With the start of Ramadan, I began watching the third season of the Egyptian TV serial Al-Ikhtiyar, or The Choice, a series that chronicles Egyptian political events over the last decade.

The leaks that appear at the end of each episode, and in fact the whole series, reminded me of an article that appeared in the newspaper Al-Watan in October 2013 headed Sinai National Security Adviser: Morsi fled to Gaza and leaked Security Plans to Terrorists.

In the article, journalist Osama Khaled conducted an interview with major-general Sherif Ismail, national security adviser for Sinai during former president Mohamed Morsis rule. Ismails position gave him access to confidential and classified information. At one point, Ismail had no other option but to resign after he realised that working under certain conditions was a betrayal of Egypt.

This is my take on the interview, which was conducted in Arabic. Some details have been omitted for brevity, but the translation maintains the integrity of the interview. Any bracketed information is mine and is there for clarification.

Ismail starts off by talking about the Muslim Brotherhoods agreement with the Americans and the Israelis to liquidate the Palestinian cause by abandoning part of Sinai and annexing it to Gaza so as to facilitate Israels disposal of the Gaza crisis without giving up any of its land.

He comments on the war on terror in Sinai in 2013, saying that the fallout in Sinai today is the upshot of the missteps of the previous regime. Todays operations are corrective measures to fix these missteps.

He then goes on to explain the moves Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood took in Sinai. Morsi released 580 prisoners who had served only half their time, even though they had all been sentenced in cases related to terrorism, insurgency, the arms trade, and drugs. Although Ismail and the security apparatus voiced their concerns over Morsis intention to release these convicts, Morsi went ahead with it anyway.

Morsi also culled the polices ability to retaliate against those crossing into Egypt, something which according to Ismail gave Hamas and other extremist groups the freedom to manoeuvre in Sinai.

On a weekly basis, about 350 Palestinians entered Sinai illegally via tunnels. The presidents instructions were to let them return to Gaza without pursuing any legal action against them. Thats what we did: we simply returned them to Gaza via the border crossings, Ismail said.

He went on to explain the gravity of the situation. Allowing the Palestinians to cross into Sinai was a national security issue  a direct violation of Egyptian authority. Furthermore, Hamas had stored weapons in Sinai and conducted training exercises for Palestinians and Bedouin. Ismail also recorded joint training exercises with Islamist groups from Gaza such as Al-Jihad Al-Islami, Geish Al-Islam, and Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis.

All these groups forgot about their differences and agreed on one principle: to create a terrorist state in Sinai. This is why Hamas permitted them to travel through its territory on the condition that they did not conduct any operations from within Gaza against Israel.

The violence had stopped after Egypt brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas, allowing both to enjoy a long truce. But these groups began to train in Sinai, turning it into a ticking timebomb ready to explode at any moment.

However, the Egyptian presidency did not do much when they were told about these aberrations, Ismail said. Not only did it refuse to conduct any operations against these groups, but it also disclosed the information to the groups in Sinai so that they could correct their bearings.

When Khaled asked Ismail why the army or the police did not react to such events, Ismail said that the army did not act unless instructed to do so. Both the army and the police were subjected to a plot to diminish their capabilities at the time. The government had ignored requests for armaments and vehicles to be used to enforce security and pursue militants and to protect police units themselves. Restrained and unable to act, the army and police were incensed by such actions.

Ismail also confirmed that Safwat Hegazi, the then Muslim Brotherhood leader who visited Sinai often, had played a critical role in ground operations and in the bombing of pipelines (supplying Jordan and Israel with gas). Mohamed Al-Zawahiri, leader of a Salafi jihadist group and brother of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, was captured in Al-Arish, only to be released the same day by a specific order.

Ismail resigned in protest because of two particular incidents. The first was when the presidency aborted the Eagle Operation, an Egyptian counterattack against the killers of 16 Egyptian soldiers in Rafah close to the border with Gaza. Then, Morsi sent a delegation to the area. The fact that Magdi Salem, other Islamist group members, and ex-convicts were among the members of the delegation enraged the security apparatus in Sinai as a whole. They were not qualified to negotiate in the name of Egypt and excluded the army and police force, he said.

The second incident was when Brotherhood leader Khairat Al-Shater established a company called Palestinian Egyptian in Cairo to oversee 70 tunnels crossing from Gaza into Egyptian territory and giving him monopoly control over illegal routes into and out of Gaza.

Ismail then realised that his reports to the presidency were being utilised against Egypt instead of protecting it. He could not continue to work for a regime that was working against his country.

In the interview, he goes on to explain why Morsi ousted field-marshal Tantawi and general Mourad Mowafi. The latter had provided a dossier on Islamist terror operations in Sinai that reported on the increase in the number of terrorist cells in Sinai and the spread of weapons, training camps, and Islamist courts. It also warned that Sinai had become a goal for terrorists from all the Arab countries.

Ismail said that after the Brotherhood took power in Egypt it tried to paralyse the security apparatus. It retired 600 major-generals from the police and shrank the role of state security, refusing to provide it with the necessary arms.

That is in addition to the meeting that took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo between Al-Shater and the leader of the Iranian National Guard with a view to creating a similar militia group in Egypt that would answer to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood was thus working towards destroying the nation in order to build another that fitted its ideology.

Ismail said that after Morsi escaped from the Wadi Al-Natroun Prison, he went to Al-Arish where he stayed with former deputy governor and Brotherhood member Adel Qatamesh. Then he headed to Gaza via the tunnels. When the dust settled, he returned to Egypt.

Morsi wasnt alone on this trip to Gaza. Morsi entered Gaza with Ayman Nofal [the leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas], who coordinated with the Brotherhood office in Al-Arish. Bedouin and Salafi, those who had earlier stormed the prisons and the police stations, and assisted them in crossing into Gaza, Ismail said.

My understanding of what Ismail says regarding events in Sinai is that they constitute acts of treason. When a man of Ismails standing uncovers the cataclysmic situation in Sinai at that time, there is no room for doubt or second-guessing.

* The writer is the author of Cairo Rewind on the First Two Years of Egypts Revolution, 2011-2013.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
Two people have started appearing on shelves in some of Montanas schools, libraries and book stores: Lily Good Path her cousin Elk Morning, both of them Crow children.

The two Apsaalooke kids are part of a series of childrens books produced by former students at Montana State University Billings. The books showcasing the stories of Lily Good Path and Elk Morning join several others recently produced by Crow men and women.

Were doing this because these books will teach children about our culture, and our culture is pretty rich, said Sabrena Half, a Crow woman and MSUB graduate who helped author all four books.

Starting in 2016, Half and other members of the American Indian Business Leaders club at MSUB entered a national competition. The organization, whose clubs throughout the country try to cultivate business professionals and entrepreneurs among Indigenous college students, hosts an annual business plan competition. The team from MSUB took home the first place prize, and their plan centered on Lily Good Path.

The group subsequently formed Bakaate, LLC., bakaate being the Apsaalooke word for children, in order to publish its first book. The company took home the Athena Award when it competed in the annual John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge held at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Bakaate has published three books about Lily Good Path. She transforms into a different animal in each book: a bear, an eagle and a buffalo, each animal assisting her tribe. The character was created by the club with the aim to tell stories with the arching themes of caring for the earth and respecting all cultures.

Bits of autobiography are woven into the narratives, with characters getting their Indian names from the authors and their families. Children who grew up in and around the Crow Nation will also see familiar landmarks, like the Pryor, Crazy and the Big Horn mountains. The artwork for the first three stories came from MSUB marketing professor and club advisor A.J. Otjen, who also assisted in writing.

I dusted off my pencils because I was the advisorIt was incredibly collaborative, Otjen said.

The fourth installment in the series focuses on Lilys cousin, Elk Morning. Since the first Lily Good Path book, its creators had wanted to find a way to add their new character to the Montana Office of Public Instructions Indian Education for All curriculum.

The curriculum requires that books provide specific details about the tribal nations that fill Montana, and lesson plans are currently being accepted by OPI centered on Morning Elk. Public school teachers are obligated by the Montana Constitution to teach students about the history, culture and heritage of the state's first inhabitants.

Elk Morning Counts His First Coup, written by Half, Otjen, and Bessie Stopsatprettyplaces, follows the eponymous Crow child on his quest to steal a rival tribes horse and earn his first of four coups. Counting coups, feats of bravery carried out by Crow men for centuries, also consists of touching an enemy, stealing an enemys weapon and leading a successful war party. The last Crow tribal member to count all four coups was Joe Medicine Crow, a World War II veteran, tribal historian and the last war chief among all the Plains Indians. The children's book will join the works of Medicine Crow, James Welch and D'Arcy McNickle in being a part of the Indian Education for All program.

Mike Jetty, a specialist at the OPI's Indian Education for All for the past two decades, said the ideal lesson plan will be for students ranging from the first through fifth grades, and plans will be accepted through the end of January. The authors of the book have also sponsored an award for the teacher who submits the lesson plan chosen, a first for program, Jetty said.

"From my perspective, as a Dakota man, I would say these authors counted an educational coup," Jetty said.

The works of local Crow artists fill the pages of the book. Those artists include Zachary Dean BirdFarway, Larry Big Lake and Salisha Old Bull.

Right now, were focusing on this book, and getting it into as many places as possible, Half said.

Crow Agency Public School has purchased copies of all four books, and hosted Half for readings of the stories. Also in September of 2021, the Billings Public Library received 18 picture books produced by the Crow Language Consortium and the Language Conservancy. All 18 books are written in the Crow language, and contribute to the tribes efforts to preserve their native language.

Those interested in picking up any of the books featuring Lily Good Path and Elk Morning can find them at the House of Books in Billings, or on the bookstores website at https://thishouseofbooks.indielite.org/.

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A judge has denied North Dakota's request for an order forcing the federal government to hold oil lease sales.

The Bureau of Land Management is planning to hold such a sale in the first quarter of 2022 after canceling all sales last year. U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor ruled against the state Friday in part because a U.S. Justice Department attorney offered an assurance earlier in the week that the bureau plans to hold the sale imminently.

The dispute arose after President Joe Biden early last year issued an executive order pausing oil leasing on federal lands while a review of the leasing program could take place.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem filed a separate suit in U.S. District Court in North Dakota seeking additional relief that would force the federal government to hold the lease sales canceled in the state during 2021, along with future sales.

Traynor wrote in his order that he agreed with the federal government's assessment that the state had made "a premature request" better dealt with later after the parties have a chance to provide more information to the court.

The federal government has appealed the Louisiana ruling. Traynor said North Dakota could try to raise its concerns again if that case is overturned or the scope of the injunction changes.

Stenehjem said in a statement that his office "will be closely following the actions of the federal government agencies as they now proceed with the promised lease sales in February and thereafter."

"We are fully prepared to hold their feet to the fire and will not hesitate to bring the matter before the Court again as the circumstances warrant," he said.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon. A lawyer for the department at a hearing earlier this week offered a different explanation for why lease sales were canceled in North Dakota last year, saying that the bureau needed to revisit the way it conducts environmental analyses following unrelated court rulings tied to leasing.

A date has not yet been announced for the upcoming lease sale. It is expected to include 15 parcels of land in North Dakota. Oil companies can bid on the parcels to secure a lease, which then gives them 10 years to develop the federal minerals. A company must also secure a separate permit from the federal government before drilling for oil.

Reach Amy R. Sisk at 701-250-8252 or amy.sisk@bismarcktribune.com.

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Heres a headline that should be featured in every major newspaper in America: Republican party members and the ex-president organized a coup to overthrow the election of 2020. Not since the British attempted to demolish the Capitol in the War of 1812 has there been such an attempt. Only this time the perpetrators came from within our own government. And this time from the party that saved our Union from secessionists who wanted to preserve slavery.

In his recent memoir, Peter Navarro, the former trade adviser to then-President Donald Trump, details how this coup (called The Green Bay Sweep) was planned and organized by Steve Bannon, Trump and coordinated with politicians like Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and over 100 congressmen committed to it, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), and our very own Matt Rosendale (R-MT). Our senator, Steve Daines (R-MT) was supportive of this coup until the violence on Jan. 6 convinced him otherwise.

As Navarro describes it, the plan would try to overturn the results of the election by increasing pressure on Vice President Mike Pence to send the electoral votes back to the six contested states where the Republican-led legislatures would attempt to overturn the results. This plan included journalists reporting on the allegations by creating a 24-hour delay with televised hearings in the certification process.

Navarros role was to devise a written multi-pronged plan with names like The Immaculate Deception and The Art of the Steal where he would provide receipts for the congressmen to lay the legal predicate for the actions to be taken, even though exhaustive court challenges and recounts proved there was no fraud. Sixty-three lawsuits were filed and lost contesting every aspect of the election process in multiple states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Judges (many Trump-appointed) and lawyers called the suits frivolous. Only one case was initially successful, but did not affect the total of votes and was later overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Some Trump lawyers had their bar licenses suspended and may possibly be revoked and levied fines for their actions.

The other part of the plan was to have televised hearings to put pressure on Pence to return the certification ballots to the states to overturn the votes of the people of those states and thus give the election to Trump.

Many of the key participants in this coup plan have not been identified; yet, many have been refusing to cooperate with the Jan. 6 Committee. If innocent, why? Recently, Rep. Liz Cheney has revealed the messages sent to Trump by Fox News stars and others to stop the assault on the Capitol.

This is why this story should be on every front page of every newspaper in America. The refusal of some participants to testify what they knew in a lawfully submitted subpoena, the news celebrities who knew Trump organized this coup, and the Republican party's refusal to criticize those coup participants stink to high heaven.

David James of Eureka is a retired history/political science teacher with 40 years of teaching experience.

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State health officials over the weekend issued a plea for North Dakotans to take COVID-19 seriously, as infections surge due to the omicron variant of the coronavirus and monoclonal antibody treatments remain limited.

Active cases increased 425% between the start of the month and Saturday, reaching 9,770 before falling to 6,955 on Monday amid a typical drop-off in testing over the weekend, according to Health Department data.

The state's reported 14-day rolling test positivity rate, which was at 7.48% on Jan. 1, reached a pandemic high of 16.71% on Sunday, the department said Monday. The state target is less than 5%.

Newly confirmed COVID-19 cases last week surpassed 2,000 on five consecutive days, and the figure reported last Thursday set a pandemic record, at 2,631. There were 755 new cases reported on the state's coronavirus dashboard Monday, but the daily positivity rate was 28.5%.

Weve seen numbers climb in our communities and schools and among individuals of all ages," Kirby Kruger, head of the Health Department's disease control division and forensic pathology section, said in a statement issued Saturday. "Today, there are three children under the age of 5 who are in the hospital due to COVID-19. While this variant is milder for some, we should not underestimate how serious this virus is, and we should each take proactive measures to protect against infection.

Omicron has become the predominant variant in North Dakota -- it accounted for more than 91% of samples in the latest variant testing. Health officials say many omicron cases have few or no symptoms, however, and deaths and hospitalizations in North Dakota have not soared along with case numbers.

Only one new virus-related death has been confirmed since Friday, and COVID-19 hospitalizations on Monday were at a relatively stable 139.

Available hospital beds are still in short supply, in part because of staffing shortages. The most recent state data showed about 9% of staffed inpatient beds available statewide and about 8.5% of intensive care unit beds open. In Bismarck, CHI St. Alexius Health had no open general care beds but three available ICU beds; Sanford Health had no beds listed in either category.

There have been 196,299 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Dakota during the pandemic that began in March 2020. There have been 187,297 recoveries, 7,171 hospitalizations and 2,047 deaths. Cass and Burleigh counties, the state's two most populous, are seeing the brunt of the latest COVID-19 spike, with a collective 45% of active cases within their borders.

State and federal health officials expect the omicron surge to continue well into February.

Vaccination and booster doses continue to be the most effective way to prevent severe infection, hospitalization and death due to omicron, according to state health officials.

Only one of the three available monoclonal therapies for those with mild or moderate illness is effective against omicron, according to Tim Wiedrich, section chief for North Dakota's Health Resources and Response section. The supply of antivirals and monoclonal antibodies also is limited throughout the country. The state last week received only 72 doses of the monoclonal antibody treatment that works well against omicron.

Individuals should not put off vaccination and count on monoclonal antibody or antiviral treatment when they become sick," Wiedrich said.

More information

North Dakota continues to have one of the worst COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, according to the CDC. Agency data on Tuesday showed 64.2% of North Dakota adults being fully vaccinated. The rate for all vaccine-eligible people in the state -- age 5 and older -- is 57.4%.

The CDC recommends COVID-19 booster shots for all adults; 44.8% of North Dakota adults have received a third dose of vaccine, according to state data. The federal agency last week also recommended that adolescents ages 12-17 receive boosters as well. North Dakota's Health Department hopes to add booster data for teens to the state vaccine dashboard sometime next week.

The coronavirus transmission risk is considered high in all of North Dakota's 53 counties except Slope, according to the CDC's COVID-19 data tracker website. The CDC recommends people in that risk category wear masks in public indoor settings.

People can go to https://www.ndvax.org or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them. A list of free COVID-19 testing offered by local public health units is at health.nd.gov/covidtesting. For more detailed information on coronavirus in North Dakota, go to www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus. For more information on coronavirus variants, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html.

Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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North Dakota court officials are hopeful about a nearly year-old effort to collect race data on defendants -- what one community activist calls an encouraging step toward addressing potential bias in the justice system.

A court rule for race data collection took effect in March 2021. When filing criminal complaints, prosecutors include adult defendants' race perceived by law enforcement in officers' reports and citations.

The judiciary's Minority Justice Implementation Committee will look at the data this spring and identify any issues or disparities.

"The ultimate goal remains to be to identify any types of racial prejudice that we may have in our justice system in an effort to make sure that everybody's entitled to equal justice under the law, and so make sure that everybody is obtaining equal justice and that there's no disparities based on race or ethnicity," said Bottineau-based Northeast District Judge Anthony Swain Benson, who chairs the 15-member panel of judges, prosecutors and attorneys.

State Court Administrator Sally Holewa said the initial goal is to form a starting point: "Can we even get enough data to make a useful analysis?"

"We didn't want to look too early because we know any time you implement these kinds of changes there's usually a rocky road as people get used to the change or figure out the process," she said.

The first look will determine how well race data is being collected and what any related issues are, she said.

Other states that log defendants' race data opt for self-reported race, but North Dakota is recording race as perceived by law enforcement, she said.

"We thought it might be more meaningful to get perceived race if youre looking for bias," Holewa said.

"If at some point we're able to do some data analysis, what we would be looking at is there a wide difference between perception and then self-reporting by the defendant," she added. Race data can be corrected in the system.

OneFargo CEO and founder Wess Philome, whose organization advocates for justice and equality, welcomes the race data rule and what it seeks to accomplish.

The son of Haitian migrants said he's been "embroiled in activism going back to my high school days, basically just trying to combat racism and fight for equality."

He began OneFargo following the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white Minneapolis police officer in 2020. He said he's worked on proposed hate crime legislation and efforts to establish Fargo's hate crime ordinances and citizen-led police oversight panel.

Philome called the race data rule "a measure of transparency and also a measure of accountability as well" and "something exciting to see and read."

He doesn't see an issue with collecting race based on perception, expecting few instances of the wrong race being perceived to a point it would negatively influence the data. One of the race categories is multiracial.

Philome plans to see how he can help "the conversation move along" around the race data, which he was not aware was being collected.

"Being able to provide this kind of information for people to take that kind of look, I truly believe that that's the step our justice system needs to take to ensure that people of color are not unfairly being burdened and prosecuted and harmed by our justice system as it has done to people of color in the past," Philome said.

Some data already offers a picture of racial disparities in North Dakota's criminal justice system. Of the inmates in North Dakota's prison system on Wednesday, 57.5% were white, 24.3% were Native American and nearly 12% were Black, according to a breakdown the Tribune requested.

Those rates are disproportionate to the state's population.

Whites makes up nearly 87% of North Dakota's residents. American Indians and Alaska Natives are the state's largest minority, at 5.6%, followed by Blacks at 3.4%, according to a 2021 population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Devils Lake-based Northeast District Judge Donovan Foughty is curious what impacts or biases the data might find, noting that North Dakota has never had a nonwhite judge, as far as he knows.

The Spirit Lake Tribe shares geography with Benson County, in his judicial district. He sees a large number of Native Americans and many impoverished defendants.

"Actually, it's quite sad. Folks keep coming back and they can't seem to figure some things out, and we can't seem to figure some things out as to how we can get this cycle to end," said Foughty, who has been involved with judicial racial and ethnic fairness issues for about 15 years.

He noted other states, such as Minnesota and Washington, have developed or changed policy based on courts' race data.

In addition to race data, courts might also look at defendants' poverty status, he said.

Criminal penalties are a potential focus area, Foughty said. Is it good policy to take away a repeat DUI offender's driver's license, or instead work to ensure their success and sobriety? Not having a driver's license can create employment challenges, he noted.

"I think it's looking at things differently. What does society want? What do you want as a community?" Foughty said.

Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

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Press Release

January 17, 2022 SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA

Manifestation / Explanation of Vote House Bill No. 8930 Metropolitan Davao Development Authority Mr. President, today's approval of the measure establishing the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority or the MDDA is a great gift to celebrate the new year for the people of Davao region. I would like to commend our hardworking Senator from Cavite and a very good friend of mine, Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino, for shepherding and ensuring the timely creation of the MDDA in this time of pandemic wherein our country's economy been significantly affected. Let me likewise take this opportunity to thank Senator Tolentino for accommodating my amendments, specifically on the inclusion of the Municipalities of Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag and Sulop, of my province of Davao del Sur, and Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental, all of which are located along the Davao gulf. With the passage of the MDDA bill, I am confident that the proper coordination in the delivery of metro-wide services will economically benefit the people in the largest metropolitan area in the southern part of the Philippines, Metro Davao. As I have constantly emphasized, the creation of the MDDA will give rise to strong coordination in development planning in the region, thereby assuring steadfast achievement of sustainable inclusive economic growth which will ultimately redound to the benefit of our national economy. In closing, Mr. President, as a Davaoeno and a Mindanaoan myself, I am looking forward to finally see Mindanao as no longer the backdoor of the Philippines but as the new gateway to the Philippines for businesses and investments. Daghang Salamat ug maayong hapon kanatong tanan, Mr. President!
This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

Wildlife officials consider the first year of electronic land posting to have been a success. Thousands of landowners posted nearly 4 million acres electronically last year through the new system. One North Dakota Game and Fish Department app had 3 million clicks, pans and zooms on opening day of the state deer gun season in November. Although not all hunters have smartphones and some have struggled with the new technology, overall the usage shows the program is beneficial to hunters and landowners. It may also boost tourism, allowing people from out of state to more easily plan hunting trips.

Down

The explosion of the omicron variant of the coronavirus in North Dakota has reached the point where state case investigators can't keep up. The Health Department announced last week that it's cutting back on COVID-19 case investigations amid the surge. People who test positive can still get information on what to do in other ways. But the state's move clearly shows that the pandemic -- now nearly two years old -- isn't going away anytime soon. Daily cases have reached record levels. Officials said last week the omicron surge is expected to continue in the state into February. People who refuse to get vaccinated or follow precautions need to take a long hard look at the situation.

Up

North Dakota House Majority Leader Chet Pollert, R-Carrington, 66, is retiring from politics after nearly a quarter century in the Legislature. He deserves appreciation for his service, including leading the Legislature through some difficult times last year. He oversaw the process that led to the expulsion of former Rep. Luke Simons, R-Dickinson, for workplace and sexual harassment. He also steered November's special session to a quick finish despite lawmakers straying to divisive issues. Pollert says he's looking forward to full retirement, and that an erosion of civility in politics isn't driving him out. Gov. Doug Burgum praised Pollert as "a true statesman" who demonstrated a "lack of gamesmanship." Retiring Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, described Pollert with these three words: "Communication, trust, respect." Pollerts level-headed nature will be missed in an increasingly divided Legislature.

Down

A nonprofit that supplies blood to hospitals in the Dakotas is experiencing a historic, two-year low blood supply. Representatives of Vitalant, which serves 900 hospitals nationwide and 85 in the region, say COVID-19 has reduced the number of healthy donors and also has prompted the cancellation of community blood drives. Severe weather has also affected blood drives in parts of the country. The American Red Cross, which supplies 40% of the nations blood, says the shortage is the worst in more than a decade. Vitalant is seeking new donors, offering people a chance to win a $5,000 prepaid giftcard for donating in January.

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Joslyn Diffenbaugh, an 8th-grade student from Kutztown, Pennsylvania started the Teen Banned Book Club to discuss books that have been banned by the local school district. Nine students attended the first meeting on January 12 at Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown. They discussed George Orwell's Animal Farm.

From Pennsylvania News Today:

In November, there was intense debate between parents and school board members at several meetings about LGBTQ + -themed books that would be available to high school library students. Worried parents said the book contained adult content with inappropriate graphics and demanded that the book be removed.

Director Christian Temchatin confirmed that the books in question were purchased by the district, but they were not placed on the shelves of the school library or made available to students. School officials did not specify the title of the book.

Following a challenge to the material or topic policy procedure, the book will be evaluated and will not be distributed until the process is complete. No further updates have been announced since then.
From The Washington Post:

Police in the city of Mainz, near Frankfurt, successfully petitioned local health authorities to release data from an app called Luca when a man fell to his death after leaving a restaurant in November. They said they were seeking witnesses who had dined at the restaurant around the same time and reportedly found 21 people from the app data. The apparent misuse of the data has been criticized by privacy advocates, who fear that such sensitive information will be used for non-pandemic-control purposes. The incident is also likely to provide fodder for vaccine doubters, some of whom have taken on a broader anti-government stance, and those who believe coronavirus-related conspiracy theories.

While I'm normally not one to give the benefit of the doubt the police, I am impressed that these authorities were actively trying to solve one specific crime, as opposed to broadly collecting more data than they could ever use just so they can assert some more control.

Still, this reminds me the ol' Clickhole classic "Heartbreaking: The Worst Person You Know Just Made A Great Point." Because cops abusing mobile phone location data is definitely bad!But it's also not proof that the whole COVID-19 pandemic is actually a false flag something-or-other bullshit control scheme. Ugh.

German police used a tracing app to scout crime witnesses. Some fear that's fuel for covid conspiracists. [Rachel Pannett / The Washington Post]

Image: Public Domain via Pixabay
Longtime union leader Debbie Hayes remembers the day about three months ago when Gov. Kathy Hochul came to bargaining between the Communications Workers of America and Catholic Health, hearing of challenges inside Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo and also of larger health care industry staffing issues as the two sides labored toward a new contract.

Hayes thought of that day again Jan. 5 when she heard Hochul make big spending promises aimed at bolstering New York's health care workforce in her State of the State address  proof, she said, that the Democratic governor was paying attention that day in October.

"I'm not sure if we could have asked for a better proposal from her in terms of the investment in the health care workforce," said Hayes, the CWA's area director. "As always, the devil is going to be in the details, and I'm anxious to get more detailed information on the plan."

That's exactly how many health care executives feel, as well.

They see Hochul's multiyear pledge to spend $10 billion in health care, including more than $4 billion to boost wages and bonuses for workers, as an optimistic sign, but so far they have more questions than answers. They wonder where exactly that money would come from, how long it would take to spend and how much would go to hospitals, or nursing homes, or other health care facilities.

Hochul presents broad  and costly  2022 agenda for state government Gov. Kathy Hochul, in her first State of the State address, sets an ambitious agenda for her administration and lawmakers in the coming six months.

That fine print will be revealed in Hochul's budget proposal, due Tuesday. That will kick off a couple of months of progressively more tense discussions as state legislators negotiate with the governor in advance of the state budget deadline of April 1.

That process will make clear just how much of Hochul's health care plan will have the chance to come to fruition.

What we know

Hochul's plan to spend $10 billion in health care initiatives grabbed the headlines, a multiyear pledge geared toward growing the state's health care workforce by 20% over the next five years.

Here are five details:

1. Improve the pipeline of new health care employees

Within that $10 billion: $2 billion to support health care wages and another $2 billion for health care and mental hygiene worker retention bonuses, with up to $3,000 bonuses for full-time workers who stay in their jobs for a year. In addition, she pitched $500 million in cost-of-living adjustments to boost wages for human services workers, $2 billion for health care capital infrastructure and the remainder toward spending on other workforce initiatives as well as health care access and delivery.

Broadly, the proposals aim to improve the pipeline of new health care employees, expand training and education and recruit more workers to underserved areas.

"The fact that she's thinking short term and long term is very encouraging," said Bea Grause, president of the Healthcare Association of New York State, which represents nonprofit and public hospitals as well as other health care facilities.

2. Telehealth reimbursements could rise

In addition to funding for health care infrastructure, Grause took note of a proposal that would require private insurers to reimburse appropriate telehealth services at the same rate as equivalent traditional services.

Amid health care staffing crunch, employers adapt with short-term changes and hope for long-term fixes Health care employment across the country is down by 524,000 since February 2020, with nursing and residential care facilities making up about 80% of the loss, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

3. More support for health care workers

Given the ongoing staffing challenges, Grause also was glad to see Hochul's plan would create an Office of Healthcare Workforce Innovation. That office, according to a 237-page State of the State document released by Hochul's office, would regularly gather input from health care providers, educational institutions and labor unions to, among other goals, build an online portal that matches candidates with training, support and job services. The office would also recommend policies to boost the supply of health care personnel to meet the demands of an aging New York population.

4. A plan for more aging New Yorkers

Similarly, LeadingAge New York, which represents 400 nursing homes, senior housing, adult care facilities and other providers across the state, was glad to see a proposal for a State Master Plan for Aging. That plan, billed as "first step toward building a comprehensive roadmap for meeting the needs of aging New Yorkers," aims to address challenges related to coordination, caregiving, long-term financing and innovative care models.

5. Longer postpartum Medicaid coverage for mothers

Hochul's proposals also mention advancing health equity in communities. For example, New York will look to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage for mothers from 60 days to a full year, something states were given the option to do via last year's American Rescue Plan Act.

"We really need to strengthen Medicaid," said Sheila Kee, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. "Enhancing it is a good thing. We haven't seen a lot of Medicaid enhancements in recent years, so her proposals to enhance Medicaid are right on and, in my view, most needed."

What we don't know

While Hochul made her priorities clear, many of the critical details behind the proposals remain unknown.

Here are four questions flagged by those following the proposals:

1. Who will qualify for bonuses?

For example, it's unclear over how many years that $10 billion will be spent. While Hochul said she wanted to grow the workforce over the next five years, she only referred to the $10 billion in spending as a "multi-year investment." And questions remain over which health care workers will qualify for wage support and bonuses.

"Is she going to focus on people at the low end of the income spectrum, or is a brain surgeon in Manhattan going to qualify as well?" wondered Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy, a fiscally conservative think tank in Albany. "Does it only apply to people who actually provide care or does it include administrators and support staff?"

2. Where will the money come from?

Another key question is about how much of the money will come from the federal and state governments. Hammond presumed at least some would flow through the state's Medicaid system, pointing out that the federal government matches every dollar the state spends on Medicaid.

"There's a lot of unknowns here," Hammond said. "And given the unknowns, it's really hard for anybody to analyze what she's proposing and to say whether it's a good idea or not."

3. Will Medicaid reimburse rates increase?

It's also not yet clear whether Hochul's proposals will increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for health care facilities. Nursing homes, which largely rely on Medicaid reimbursements, have said stagnant financial support from the state has made it difficult to cover rising costs, including the recruitment and retention of workers.

LeadingAge New York said it will be looking for details in Hochul's budget proposal for additional clarity.

'The system is broken': How the strained nursing home industry is keeping some people apart Orchard Park resident Connor Kolb has been trying to get his grandparents in the same Western New York nursing home for more than six months. But that has proven difficult, if not nearly impossible, amid severe staffing issues at the region's nursing homes.

But legislators seem to be understanding the worsening situation at nursing homes as of late, noted Christopher Koenig, president and CEO of Niagara Lutheran Health System in Lancaster.

"The key now is to not slow down because the conversation started, and that's what I think we see a lot," he said. "Now the pressure has to keep going until we have action, until actual reform is made. So I think you know, my optimism is going to be tied to how much people keep moving the ball forward and not backing off."

4. What about home health care?

Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat who has served in the Assembly since 1970 and chaired the Health Committee since 1987, said he's never been so optimistic about the health part of the budget as he is this year.

But that doesn't mean some things aren't missing from Hochul's proposal.

"What I did not see was a commitment to substantially increase the pay for home health care workers," he said. "That is a grave crisis that has been developing for several years, and I think substantially increasing home care wages is urgently needed."

Of the 150,000 health care openings anticipated annually in New York, about 60% are for personal care aides, home health aides and nursing assistants, according to a report released this month by the Senate Committees on Aging, Health and Labor.

Despite that growth, a home health care worker's median annual salary is only $22,000, lower than wages for fast food employees, the report notes. Further, the report points out, more than one in seven low-wage workers in New York City are home care workers.

Some are calling for Hochul to pass the Fair Pay for Home Care in her executive budget, a bill that would lift home care wages and has reached a Democratic majority in the State Senate and is gaining support in the Assembly, with 71 Democratic Assembly sponsors as of Friday.

What New York has done, according to the State of the State book released by Hochul, is appeal to the federal government to spend $2.2 billion on 14 initiatives to bolster the home health care workforce.

But overall, Gottfried said Hochul pitched a "dramatic set of proposals" aimed at health care, which he thinks many of his colleagues will support.

"I would be very surprised if there is opposition," he said. "The question is whether we can build on what she's proposed."

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com.

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After a century of feeding Buffalonians at 370 Seneca St., DiTondos Tavern served its last spaghetti parm on Oct. 16, 2018.

Three years later, DiTondo opened at the same address, with an Italian-from-Italy chef offering regional Italian cuisine, like Calabrian swordfish rolls Scilla style, focaccia Pugliese with tomatoes and olives, and gnocchi with radicchio.

Only to be greeted by complaints on social media that there was no spaghetti parm. While Chefs, the dishs actual birthplace, is right there, two blocks away.

The complaints were short-lived. Once you walk in the door, DiTondo makes clear youre in a refreshingly new restaurant.

Now the airy dining room floods with afternoon sunlight pouring through soaring windows. Order at the counter from a brief list of pastas and vegetables, soups and mains, sandwiches and desserts. Decide if you want espresso or wine. Pay up, and take your number to a table.

Servers will arrive bearing your choices. While you sip and chat, you might meet Rita DiTondo, a great-granddaughter of Sebastino DiTondo, who opened his Buffalo restaurant in 1904. She bought the place with her husband, Fabio Consonni, a veteran chef from Lombardy. They oversaw a two-year rebuild, shoring up the century-old foundation, installing a new kitchen and replacing entire systems, from plumbing to point-of-sale.

The couple, veteran operators who met at a boutique hotel on Lake Garda, have recruited enough capable cooks and servers to open, but dinner will have to wait.

In the meantime, lunch at DiTondo has become a dish-by-dish seminar in the virtues of principled understatement. Ive not been blessed to eat in Italy, yet. Even so, I noted auspicious details in several Consonni offerings that have me hungry to eventually see his menu in full dinnertime bloom.

Exhibit 1: Eggplant parmigiana ($12), a popular Italian-American entree for the sort of customers who value their meal by the weight of their doggie bag.

At DiTondo, eggplant parmigiana is sliced eggplant touched with tomato, roasted to silky sweetness under a thin veil of cheese. Thats it.

No ricotta substrata or mozzarella quilts, not a single speck of soggy breadcrumb, just roasted aubergine rounded out with fruity acid and a touch of milky richness. Parmigiana lite?

Exhibit 2: Cauliflower gratin ($8), the only gratin Ive met not soaked in cream, cheese and the allure of a guaranteed calorie coma sleepytime. Consonni delivers a dish full of carefully caramelized crucifer, beautifully buttered, but nothing like gratins usual lake of butterfat. Instead, its enriched with chopped hardboiled egg, fresh parsley, and the briny kiss of anchovy.

Exhibit 3: Marinated swordfish rolls ($15), a particular specialty of Scilla, a Calabrian fishing village whose workers head the sea for swordfish and tuna to make their daily bread. After enduring dry, chalky swordfish samples over the years, DiTondos swordfish was a revelation.

The fish was buttery-tender, the breadcrumb, herb and garlic stuffing notable for its un-pastiness, and the spark of distinct garlic molecules in the matrix.

Both fish and stuffing shattered preconceptions, making DiTondo a place where you want to try everything, because you just dont know what moves the chef might pull.

Whoever heard of pork shoulder braised to fork-tenderness with grapes ($16)? Its delicious. Bursts of tangy fruit in a bronzed stock redefined another dish at the hands of an Italian chef.

Tasting the Plato Dale Farm squash soup with creme fraiche ($10), it seemed that the goal was tasting the vegetable, so that squash soup should taste like squash, not a pumpkin pie McFlurry.

Theres always a fresh pasta on the menu, like tagliatelle with Flat 12 mushrooms, and mascarpone ($15). Housemade focaccia also becomes a sandwich with fresh sliced mortadella and caciocovallo cheese.

As if my Italian calibration chart hadnt already been wrecked enough by DiTondo, I had dessert.

Tiramisu ($7), layers of enriched mascarpone, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, liqueur and cocoa, is ubiquitous in local Italian-American restaurants.

At DiTondo, the ethereal lightness, balance of flavors and overall sense of freshness made me put down my spoon and take stock of my life. A guest who rated it top three lifetime dishes said that if this tiramisu had knees, and it got down and offered to marry me, I would get married again.

Heres the other DiTondo marvel: The prices are conspicuously low. Nothing on this menu  housemade pastas, fresh seafood, braised pork  has hit $17. In terms of best value snazzy lunch in Buffalo, DiTondo is the one to beat.

On any given weekday, DiTondo can show you that its not a mausoleum for culinary memories, but a greenhouse where new notions of Buffalo Italian cuisine can sprout every week.

DiTondo shares more than a name and an address with its progenitors  here is food from the heart, served with pride. Many of the dishes change week to week, but the care with which theyre made does not waver. Family tradition doesnt have to be cheesy.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

DiTondo, 370 Seneca St.

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday. Closed Saturday, Sunday.

Prices: $6-$16

Parking: lot two doors to east, at Seneca and South Cedar

Atmosphere: quietly convivial

Wheelchair accessible: Yes (side entrance)

Gluten-free: limited choices

Outdoor seating: Not in use

Send restaurant tips to agalarneau@buffnews.com and follow @BuffaloFood on Instagram and Twitter.

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WASHINGTON  If you thought the very notion of getting a Covid-19 test was just too confusing, be forewarned: the range of testing options is expanding yet again.

But that is actually good news. Thanks to dual actions by the Biden administration, soon you probably won't have to pay anything for at-home tests.

Starting last Saturday  Jan. 15  private insurers have to start covering the cost of over-the-counter at-home tests. And four days later, on Wednesday, the federal government will unveil a website where Americans can order free tests to be mailed to their homes.

Hence the additional confusion. Even with those new testing options, people will still be able to go to local pharmacies, health clinics and private labs for Covid-19 tests of one kind or another, which are free if ordered by a physician, but which can cost upwards of $150 if they are not.

Get sick with Omicron and your symptoms might not feel 'mild.' What you need to know Omicron may be less virulent, but do not confuse it with the common cold virus that has almost no potential to cause lethal disease, said Dr. Thomas Russo, an infectious disease specialist with the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

So, what is a person with a cough or the sniffles to do? It's confounding, said Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat.

"You've got a mix of free tests," Higgins said. "We've got some people that are still paying. I mean, what is going on here?"

Here's an attempt to answer that question, and others you might have, about the recent testing changes taking place as metro Buffalo and the nation confront the Covid-19 wave brought on by the Omicron variant:

What is going on here?

What's going on is that the Biden administration is trying to ramp up Covid-19 testing in more ways than one by adding to  and not replacing  the elaborate network of testing sites that began to evolve at the start of the pandemic 22 months ago.

"Were seeing real improvement in testing," Biden said last week. "When I got here, we were doing fewer than 2 million tests a day. Now, its changed. ... This month, its estimated that we will hit approximately 15 million tests a day and well have over 375 million at-home rapid tests in January alone. Thats a huge leap."

The administration sees testing as key to understanding the pandemic, as well as treating those suffering from Covid-19. And that's why it launched a two-track effort to increase distribution of at-home tests that can determine whether people have Covid-19 in as little as 15 minutes.

It's important to remember both of those tracks, though: the track where insurers will pay for at-home tests, and the track where you will soon be able to get tests mailed to your home.

So what's with insurers paying for at-home tests now?

Federal regulations now require private insurers to pay for up to eight at-home Covid-19 tests per person per month. Insurers long have paid for lab-processed PCR tests ordered by a physician, but what's new is that now people can get coverage for at-home tests without a prescription.

But that doesn't mean you should go grab eight tests (if you can find them) and use one because you want to go to Canada or because your employer requires a test before returning to the office. For one thing, Canada requires a negative PCR test processed by a lab, not a simpler at-home test. For another, insurers don't have to cover tests ordered by an employer just to prove its employees are healthy.

"We're really covering them for individual use: that means people who have been exposed and/or have symptoms," said Bob Wanovich, vice president of provider contracting at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.

How will my insurer pay for at-home tests?

At first it will be retro  really retro. The Biden administration gave insurers only five days to prepare for implementing the new insurance requirement, meaning they haven't had the time to pick preferred providers for the tests and set up simple systems where customers could pick up tests without paying a dime.

Insurers hope to do that, eventually, but for now, you'll have to pay for the tests yourself and submit claims with your insurer the old-fashioned way: by submitting a form and a receipt. Insurers will have to reimburse you for the full cost of the tests.

Eventually, though, people should be able to get tests free of charge from their pharmacy as long as they show proof of insurance.

"We're trying to figure out how we can make that happen electronically as seamlessly as possible," said Dr. Anthony J. Billittier IV, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Independent Health.

Does this mean my local pharmacy will have lots of tests in stock?

No. The availability of at-home tests has been maddeningly hit-and-miss since the Omicron wave started in December, and insurers said availability of the tests is likely to remain random over the next few weeks.

I'm on Medicare. Does that mean I can get free at-home tests from my pharmacy now, too?

Not if you are on traditional Medicare. The federal health program for seniors covers PCR and antigen tests ordered by a physician, and Medicare recipients can get free tests at community health centers and clinics, but traditional Medicare is not covering free at-home tests sold in stores and online. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover those at-home tests, though, so it is best to check with your provider.

What if I'm on Medicaid?

State Medicaid plans will be required to pay for the over-the-counter tests.

I hear the government will be mailing out tests, too. How will that work?

Starting on Wednesday, Americans will be able to go to a website  COVIDTests.gov  and order up to four tests per residential address, no questions asked. Medicare recipients can order those tests, too, as can the uninsured. The administration also said it would set up a phone line that people without computer access can call to get their tests.

Biden administration officials said Friday the tests will be shipped out between seven and 12 days after the initial request. Some 420 million such tests are on order, with the government planning to eventually buy a billion at-home tests for free distribution by mail.

"This particular program is designed to ensure that Americans have at-home rapid tests on hand in the weeks and months ahead, as they have a need to test," a senior administration official said on a conference call with reporters on Friday.

And when do I need to get tested?

The Centers for Disease Control has said Americans should use the at-home tests if:

 They are experiencing symptoms of what could be Covid-19.

 They have been exposed to someone who has tested positive  although they should wait until five days after the exposure before taking the test.

 They are gathering indoors with people at severe risk of developing Covid-19 or who have not been vaccinated.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul and her team urged New Yorkers planning to travel to do so in advance of the intense winter storm that was forecast to unleash up to 20 inches of windblown snow on parts of upstate beginning Sunday evening and continuing through Monday.

Hochul on Sunday briefed reporters in Latham, near Albany, as local and state crews readied for the storm that was spreading across the eastern United States, moving northward into New York.

Local travel was already expected to be light Monday because schools and some businesses intended to close for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Some MLK events were being put off. In Buffalo, a volunteer cleanup along the African American Heritage Corridor on Michigan Avenue was postponed because the storm was predicted to make travel near impossible Monday morning," organizers said in a statement.

A code blue was activated in Buffalo to open shelters overnight Sunday at 412 Niagara St. and 586 Genesee St. A third shelter is open in the town of Holland at the Rural Outreach Center, 7207 Hunters Creek Road, Lot 15. The shelters in Holland and at 586 Genesee also are to be open through the day Monday.

People needing transportation to the Rural Outreach Center can call 716-222-4020 or 716-240-2220, ext. 106. In Buffalo, people could obtain bus tickets to the citys shelters from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the NFTA Metro Transportation Center, but will not be allowed to wait there outside of those hours.

The National Weather Service predicted the precipitation would begin before midnight, with snow and possibly sleet, then just windblown snow after 2 a.m. Monday. Some 8-12 inches were possible in the Buffalo metro area before daybreak.

The accumulation was expected to continue on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Weather Service said. Another 5-9 inches are possible, with wind gusts around 40 mph, before the snow showers taper off Monday evening. Its all part and parcel of the major winter storm that will impact the eastern United States.

While more snow is possible Tuesday, it could be turning to slush Wednesday, when it is expected to be rainy with temperatures in the mid to high 30s.

The storm led to power failures in southern states, and Hochul said power failures in New York can create a crisis situation when temperatures are plummeting. Her acting commissioner for Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Jackie Bray, said some 7,000 people can be mobilized by the states utility companies.

Bray, saying the rate of snowfall might reach 3 inches an hour in hard-hit regions, also asked people to avoid travel.

Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez urged people to give room to snow plows. The state DOT has about 1,600 large plow trucks, and the Thruway Authority has about 250. They need room to do their work, she said.

Its really wise not to pass a plow, Dominguez said.

A Highway Department dispatcher in Erie County's most populous town, Amherst, said its salt-carrying trucks are loaded and ready to roll out, at an hour usually decided in concert with the town police, who assess road conditions.

The City of Buffalo says its winter fleet numbers more than 100 pieces of equipment to clear more than 800 miles of city streets. City officials also reminded residents to follow alternate parking regulations on Monday and throughout the week, following the end of the storm, so that crews can clean up efficiently. City garbage and recycling pickup remains on schedule for Monday.

During her briefing Sunday, Hochul clearly had Buffalo on her mind, because of the Buffalo Bills blowout victory over the New England Patriots in a wild-card game the night before.

I do want to congratulate the Buffalo Bills for a stunning victory last night, and to the fans, she said. It was just incredible to see the excitement in the crowd.

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If West Seneca resident Tracy Peterson had been sexually abused as a child in New York, his claim in federal bankruptcy court against the Boy Scouts of America could be worth upward of $1 million.

But because the abuse is alleged to have occurred in the early 1970s in Texas, where Peterson was born and raised, he said his lawyers are telling him he probably will be eligible for no more than $30,000, minus 40% in attorney fees.

The huge discrepancy is the result of New York adopting the Child Victims Act that suspended the civil statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases from decades ago, while Texas does not have similar legislation.

Peterson, 58, voted in favor of the Boy Scouts of Americas reorganization plan anyway. He said he needs the money and worries he might end up with nothing if the plan doesnt get approved soon.

Ive just had a real hard life, he said. I need to take as much as I can get. Im not financially in a position to just not get anything.

Former Boy Scouts voting on $1.8 billion bankruptcy plan to settle abuse claims Voting has been underway for weeks and, if approved, the plan could stave off most lawsuits against local councils, including three in Western New York.

The plan would set up a $2.4 billion trust for 82,500 former scouts across the country who filed claims in bankruptcy court. Peterson was among 73% of voting claimants who supported the plan, according to preliminary results  likely not enough for a bankruptcy judge to approve it.

Daniel Jendrowski of Buffalo hopes thats the case. He voted against the Boy Scouts of America plan, even though under a matrix established in the plan, the settlement for his alleged abuse is valued at between $800,000 and $1.2 million.

Jendrowski, 63, said the plan was incomplete and had a lot of loopholes.

Jendrowski said he wants the local councils, including the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, to pay a steeper price for allowing scout leaders to molest children for decades.

Theyre kicking in a few bucks, but even the money theyre kicking in just doesnt cut it, he said.

Boy Scout bankruptcy may cost WNY councils, but no one knows how much Three Western New York Scout councils will have to pay into a $425 million pot to settle sex abuse claims, under a proposed bankruptcy reorganization plan.

Jendrowski filed a Child Victims Act lawsuit in 2019 against the Boy Scouts of America and the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, accusing scout leader Nicholas Eberhardt of fondling him at least four times during scouting trips to Camp Schoellkopf in Cowlesville in 1969 and 1970.

The voting deadline was Dec. 28. The Boy Scouts of America released preliminary voting results on Jan. 4 and is expected to reveal a final tally Monday.

In a prepared statement, the Boy Scouts of America said that the preliminary voting shows significant support from survivors.

We are encouraged by these preliminary results and are actively engaging key parties in our case with the hope of reaching additional agreements, which could potentially garner further support for the plan before confirmation, the statement said.

Members of the Torts Claimants Committee, which consists of nine abuse survivors appointed as fiduciaries for all claimants as part of the bankruptcy process, said they didnt expect the final tally to change much.

Boy Scouts to sell camps in Niagara, Wyoming counties to settle sex abuse claims The Greater Niagara Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America plans to sell two large properties to help fund a bankruptcy reorganization plan for the national organization.

The committee was strongly opposed to the BSAs current reorganization plan and had urged victims to vote against it so that all parties could return to the negotiating table.

The committee said the plan did little to hold accountable the Boy Scouts, its insurers, the local councils and sponsoring organizations.

The committee estimates that local councils can afford to pay at least three times more than what they currently are agreeing to, in exchange for a provision releasing local councils from liability for past child sex abuse cases.

The Greater Niagara Frontier Council, which serves scouts in Erie and western Niagara counties, plans to sell its Camp Stonehaven and Camp Schoellkopf Scout Reservation properties to help pay $1,537,485 toward the settlement.

The Iroquois Trail Council, covering eastern Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties, and the Allegheny Highlands Council, which includes troops in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties and two Pennsylvania counties, are on the hook for $342,546 and $899,358, respectively, according to court papers.

The committee also maintains that insurers were not close to matching their exposure on scout sex abuse claims.

The plan needs support from at least three-quarters of voting claimants before a judge will consider whether to confirm it.

The Boys Scouts of America already have returned to mediated settlement talks with the Torts Claimants Committee and other parties.

Richard Pachulski, an attorney for the Torts Claimants Committee, said the goal was to get higher compensation for abuse victims, a youth protection program, a trust overseen by an independent party and an overall reorganization plan that the court will confirm.

We think we have the pathway to get this plan improved for all survivors, said John Humphrey, committee chair.

A confirmation hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an official day of service and celebration across Western New York.

In that vein, there are local events designed to allow residents to indulge in the joy of sharing and giving back to the community as a way to honor the slain Baptist minister and civil rights leader on the federal holiday set aside to commemorate his birthday.

Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown announced Friday that his office, joined by the city's Division of Citizen Services and the Buffalo Police Department, will launch a donation drive.

Donation boxes for new coats, gloves, hats, scarves and socks have been placed in the lobby of Buffalo City Hall from now through Feb. 1.

Brown said the winter clothing items will be distributed to the city's partnering organizations. They include the Buffalo City Mission's women and children center  Cornerstone Manor  the Salvation Army Emergency Family Shelter, Homeless Alliance of WNY and the Matt Urban Center.

In addition to the donation boxes at City Hall, boxes are also set up at Buffalo's five police districts: A District, 1847 South Park Ave.; B District, 695 Main St.; C District, 693 E. Ferry St.; D District, 669 Hertel Ave.; and E District, 2767 Bailey Ave.

Monarch of Infinite Possibilities, a faith-based organization centered around environment and arts, had partnered with the Michigan Street African-American Heritage Corridor Commission to host a one-hour cleanup from 9 to 10 a.m. along Michigan Avenue.

The organizations' "MLK Day of Caring" was started in 2021 when the President Biden Inaugural Committee organized thousands of volunteers across the country to complete community service projects in hopes of reaching 1 million volunteer hours in one day. Faustenia L. Morrow of Amherst, who was scheduled to attend the inauguration in Washington, instead canceled her trip and partnered with the Presidential Inaugural Committee to organize a cleanup on the City of Buffalo's East Side.

Morrow hoped to get 10 volunteers to clean up Michigan Avenue, but ended up getting more than 23 volunteers. She had hoped to make the event larger this year, but postponed it because of the snowstorm.

"The safety of our volunteers is of the utmost importance to us," the organizers said in a statement. "It is with heavy hearts that we are postponing our MLK Day of Caring due to the incoming storm that is predicted to make travel near impossible Monday morning."

The organizers encouraged everyone to stay home and said a new cleanup day will be scheduled.

In another scheduled event, the Episcopal Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania will hold an online prayer vigil from noon until 5 p.m. Monday to mark the King holiday.

The vigil, Embodied Peacemaking, will include prayers, music, scripture readings and readings from writings and speeches by King. To register for the free event, visit online at bit.ly/31B5xae.

Dr. Gabrie'l Atchison, organizer of the vigil, addressed why it's being held.

In 1963, Dr. King specifically addressed the apathy of white Christians and why African Americans could no longer wait for justice, Atchison said in a statement.

Martin Luther King observances: 'We still have a long way to go' No one wanted to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. virtually, but the annual observances don't stop because of the pandemic.

Now, many decades later and one year after the death of George Floyd, what steps do we need to take as leaders of the Christian church to become the Beloved Community that Dr. King called us to be? she added.

The vigil will include guest preachers from New York City; Columbia, Md.; and Laguna Beach, Calif.

The Student Engagement team at the University at Buffalo annually observes the holiday as a day on, not a day off, noting on UB's website that it is "the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities."

This year, the team, which hosts a community service activity with a community partner in the Buffalo area, will collaborate with the Tool Library on a virtual service activity.

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Press Release

January 17, 2022 Filing of murder charges in 'Bloody Sunday' raid big step forward for human rights community - De Lima Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima welcomed the filing of murder charges against 17 police officers over the killing of two of nine activists killed during the "Bloody Sunday" operations in CALABARZON last March 2021. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said the move is a welcome step in ensuring justice and accountability. "I laud the step taken by the NBI in filing murder complaints against 17 cops, reportedly from the PNP-CIDG CALABARZON, over the killing of two of the nine activists killed during the 'Bloody Sunday' operations in March 2021," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 1205. "These development in the Bloody Sunday raid cases is a big step forward for the human rights community. Lalo na kung iisipin natin ang mga buhay at kalayaan na isinakripisyo." "Kaya hindi puwedeng masanay tayo sa namamayaning sistema ng kawalang-katarungan, kahit paulit-ulit na ang patayan at pag-atake sa mamamayan," she added. Reportedly, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed the case before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the killing of activists and partners Ariel Evangelista and Ana Mariz "Chai" Lemita-Evangelista in Nasugbu, Batangas. According to the six-page complaint, the NBI found that the cops who implemented a search warrant on the Evangelista couple had a "deliberate intent to kill." "Truly, this is the only proper turn that this case could take, especially given evidence of irregularities in an operation that was supposedly merely for the implantation of a search warrant," De Lima said. The NBI said the police officers and personnel involved in the case were from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) CALABARZON, but Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay said the names of the 17 police officers will only be made public once the Office of the Prosecutor issues a subpoena. The Evangelista couple were among the nine activists killed on March 7, 2021, during the joint and simultaneous operations by the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces, now known as "Bloody Sunday." De Lima said the findings of the NBI that there was "deliberate intention to kill" the Evangelista couple in the "Bloody Sunday" raids is not surprising. "It however, remains sickening and horrifying especially because we know that this may be the fate of the other activists, drug suspects, and ordinary people in the many still unresolved cases of extrajudicial killings in our country. This could also happen to anyone of us," she said. The lady Senator from Bicol further said that the filing of murder charges by the NBI against the state agents who were involved in the killing of the couple "should be a warning to law enforcers never to allow themselves to be used as weapons against the very people they vowed to serve and protect. "Kahit gaano pa man kahaba at kasalimuot ang proseso, sa huli mananaig pa rin ang katotohanan," she added. Last March, De Lima filed Proposed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 681 urging the Congress to thoroughly investigate the said joint operations that led to the killings of activists in the CALABARZON region. In the said proposed Resolution, she underscored the need to scrutinize the Duterte administration's counter-insurgency campaign in relation to the widespread allegations of human rights violation.
The rabbi of a Texas synagogue said Monday that he threw a chair at the gunman and then escaped with two other hostages after a 10-hour standoff, crediting past security training for getting himself and his congregation out safely.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker told CBS Mornings that he let the gunman in Saturday because he appeared to need shelter. He said the man was not threatening or suspicious at first. Later, he heard a gun click as he was praying.

Another man held hostage, Jeffrey R. Cohen, described the ordeal on Facebook.

First of all, we escaped. We werent released or freed, Cohen said.

Cohen said the men worked to keep the gunman engaged. They talked to the gunman, he lectured them. At one point as the situation devolved, Cohen said the gunman told them to get on their knees. Cohen recalled rearing up in his chair and slowly moving his head and mouthing no. As the gunman moved to sit back down, Cohen said Cytron-Walker yelled to run.

The exit wasnt too far away, Cytron-Walker said. I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door. And all three of us were able to get out with even a shot being fired.

Authorities identified the hostage-taker as 44-year-old British national, Malik Faisal Akram, who was killed Saturday night after the last hostages ran out of Congregation Beth Israel around 9 p.m.
Yes, I was one of the lucky ones to see the Hamilton play at Sheas theater on New Years Day. While listening to George Washington, tell of his need to Teach em how to say goodbye, I couldnt help but think of the anniversary of the Jan. 6, attack on our Capitol. I was struck at the time thinking that our former presidents followers needed to be taught how to say good-bye when in a republic such as America. After seeing the many replays of the attack on TV, I looked up Washingtons Farewell Address on Mountvernon.org . Hamilton crafted this with Washingtons edits. There is a picture of the original document as well as the easy to read printed version of its contents. It is ironic and/or predictive of what happened on Jan. 6, 2021.

Washington assured the country at that time that the republic would be safe in the hands of a new president. He continued by giving more advice that it was vital to remember the importance of the Union that bonded all Americans together and that it provided for their freedom and prosperity. Further, he warned Americans to guard against would-be despots who would use political parties as potent enginesto subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government. Its awful that a despot was unleashed and nearly stopped the rightful and peaceful transfer of power that makes America so unique among countries. Finally, Washington conveyed a message of unity for the future. Upon further reading I learned that the Farewell Address is read aloud each year in the United States Senate, a tradition dating back to the Civil War to commemorate Washingtons birthday on Feb. 22. It is my fervent hope that all Americans learn to say, Good-bye to our former president.
Should I stay or should I go now?

If I go, there will be trouble

And if I stay it could be double

So come on and let me know

Should I stay or should I go?

The lyrics from a favorite Clash song played on a loop in my head as the holidays approached, and Im sure I had plenty of company. While my plans did not include traveling during the holiday season, I had scheduled my ultimate bucket list trip shortly thereafter.

After retiring from full-time work in October, I decided to take my dream vacation to Kenya. At the same time, my son scheduled a brief trip home for the holidays. I was scheduled to leave for Nairobi a few days after his return to Los Angeles. We were excited to return to a semblance of normalcy and Omicron had yet to make its debut on the pandemic stage.

Everyone in my family is vaxxed and boosted. Scott tested negative before leaving L.A., as did I the day of his arrival. Even with a direct redeye flight, there were crowds at LAX, which he described as a zoo.

He double masked and used sanitizer, arriving with a pressure sore on his nose from his N95 mask. Despite the precautions, Covid came home with him for the holidays.

When he developed a cough and sniffles, a rapid test produced a positive result. Scott retired to the spare room for the next three days, where he spent equal hours sleeping and on phone hold with the airline to rearrange his travel plans.

I schlepped to a free testing location as well, which was closed when I arrived. I took my remaining rapid test, and much like my first at-home pregnancy test, stared at the positive stripe in disbelief.

The result put me on the cusp of finishing a 10-day quarantine before my scheduled departure. When it became obvious I would not be fit enough to travel I canceled my plans, much to the relief of my family.

Our cases were confirmed by PCR tests and we spent the next week in quarantine, everyone sleeping in separate rooms and masking to keep my husband uninfected.

I made an enormous pot of chicken matzo ball soup, which sustained us for days, and ordered New Years Eve dinner through a grocery pickup.

My older son, who was asymptomatic and ended quarantine early, joined us. Everyone was grouchy and there was a brief exchange over something trivial, leading me to announce I was sick of everybody and suggesting they make their own dinner. Happy New Year!

We calmed down, had a lovely meal, and my older son left to enjoy a traditional evening out. For once my husband and I didnt struggle to stay awake, and it was a pleasure to ring in 2022 with Scott present, something that hasnt happened in years and may never happen again.

Despite our uninvited guest, thanks to vaccinations no one became seriously ill. Scott returned to L.A., my older son never had symptoms, my husband remained well and I rescheduled my trip. Come June, Ill be in the Masai Mara watching wildlife.

Happy New Year indeed!
LA FARGE  The science lesson compared the tracks of a bobcat to those of a coyote.

For language arts, the young students were encouraged to use the word "scat" instead of "poop" to describe the deer and rabbit droppings.

Climbing and testing the strength of the branches on a fallen pine tree offered up physics, while recess had students sliding like otters down a snow-covered hill.

"It did it right here, scratch, scratch, scratch," said a rosy-cheeked Fred Severson, 4, as he demonstrated how a buck used its antlers to scrape the bark off a small tree. "It's right here, see."

Almost all of the lessons at the Kickapoo Valley Forest School are held outdoors, even on days when the temperature plunges well below freezing. The nature-based curriculum is central for the 4K and kindergarten students and their teachers, who have had lunch outside all but four days since the first day of school in early September.

But this school, in its first year and based at the nearly 9,000-acre Kickapoo Valley Reserve just up the road from Organic Valley, is doing more than helping grow the minds and physical stamina of rambunctious and curious 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds.

About 75% of the students come from outside of the La Farge School District and are helping to grow the enrollment at a time when rural schools around the state are losing students due to rural population declines, facing increased costs and seeing state aid diminish.

The school will expand to include first grade in 2022-23 and second grade the following school year. A committee is studying what it would take and how the curriculum would look if older grades are added in the future.

The School Board here is really proud with our long-standing partnership with the (Kickapoo Valley Reserve), and weve been looking for a long time to offer some innovative programming," said Meaghan Gustafson, the district's superintendent. "It took a lot of work, but I wouldn't say it took a lot of convincing.

Madison connection

Gustafson, who grew up in Madison's Vilas Park neighborhood, is well acquainted with the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. About 12 years ago, she worked as an educator at the reserve before taking a teaching position with the La Farge School District. She later became a principal and for the past three years has been superintendent of the Vernon County district that has about 265 students and is one of the state's smallest districts that serve students through 12th grade.

Gustafson and Jonel Kiesau, education director at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve for more than 20 years, had spent years talking about creating an outdoor school based at the reserve. Summer camps and other youth programs have long been a part of the reserve's programming, but in spring 2019 they began putting pen to paper to create a business plan for a tuition-free charter school.

That winter, a half-day program that required a fee was launched as a test pilot, and in December 2019 they received permission from the School Board to submit an application for a $700,000 startup grant from the federal government, administered through the state Department of Public Instruction. The grant was received in June with the months that followed spent hiring staff, creating a curriculum and figuring out classroom space.

Organizers used as a model the Riveredge School, which opened in 2019 in Ozaukee County and is believed to be the only other public outdoor charter school in the state. Based at the 402-acre Riveredge Nature Center about 10 miles northwest of Port Washington, the school, part of the Northern Ozaukee School District, offers classes for 72 students in K-5.

"We had this niche here with 9,000 acres and we had parents asking for these kind of opportunities," Kiesau said. "What were seeing is just amazing strides (from students) in strength, resiliency and cooperation. We're seeing huge expansions of vocabulary."

Schaffer Kemp, 6, spent 2 days a week at a Kickapoo Valley Reserve summer camp in 2021, which allowed him to become more familiar with the surroundings and meet many of his classmates. His father, Louis Kemp, said when they learned there would be a full-time school at the reserve, there was little doubt about where his son would attend kindergarten. They had no apprehension about the outdoor curriculum and its approach to learning.

"He's made for this," said Kemp, who works at Organic Valley. "We were more worried about the prospect of him being in a classroom and sitting and having to follow those rules all day, so the second this was an option we knew this was the option for him."

Forts from sticks

Students start arriving a little before 8 a.m. and begin their day with free play in the woods behind the reserve's visitor center. There is no playground equipment. Instead they build forts from sticks, climb trees and wood piles, pull each other in sleds and sit around a fire ring where on this day they had bowls of hot scrambled eggs and graham crackers topped with apple butter.

Just before 9 a.m., the students gather in a circle to sing before breaking up into two groups, the Oaks, led by educator Ximena Puig, 39, and the Lindens, headed up by educator Julia Buckingham.

Each is equipped with backpacks filled with first aid supplies, extra mittens and water as they set out on separate hikes that can last more than two hours to explore different parts of the reserve each day. The afternoon can include lunch, naps inside the two classrooms, reading and numbers work, and then back outdoors. During warmer months, school work is typically done outside.

"So far all of our progress monitoring in academic achievement and growth measures shows theyre learning at the same rate as the students in the La Farge Elementary School," said Gustafson, whose daughter, Margo, is in the Forest School. "As a kindergartner, and as her parents expecting her to learn to read, shes coming home with new inventive spelling and new ideas with a really rich vocabulary."

On Wednesday morning, the Lindens headed west to scope out from a covered bridge the coyote and bobcat tracks in the snow on top of the ice of the partially frozen Kickapoo River. There are designated stop points along each trail so the group doesn't get too spread out. About 50 yards from the river and up a hill, the Lindens discovered impressions in the snow left by deer that had recently bedded down. Signs of beaver were also present on the hike.

Buckingham, who grew up in Chicago but spent lots of time as a child at family property near the reserve, is a graduate of the University of Colorado and has a background in early childhood and environmental education. She and Puig both were part of the planning team that helped create this year's curriculum for the Forest School and this weekend were scheduled to present at a conference of educators at UW-La Crosse about the benefits of outdoor education.

"Whats happening in the forest has really opened opportunities for these children to work and develop themselves," said Buckingham. "We feel that these children are going to be so excited and love the natural world so much that they're going to want to become stewards when they get older. I think these are very important foundational building blocks for that.

Julie Tomaro drives her son, Levon, 6, from Viroqua each day, a trip that takes about 35 minutes. The drive to the reserve, populated with hiking trails, wildlife and stands of hemlock, white pine, maple and oak, is well worth her time and an investment in her son that he would be unable to get in any other area school.

"I just think its such an amazing opportunity for our children who have so much energy," said Tomaro, who has her own sewing and upholstery business. "Hes learning things with his body as opposed to just with his mind, which feels really powerful, as well. It feels like hes going to learn things at a deeper level."

Students return

And none of this, the reserve or the school, would exist had a dam been constructed decades ago in the valley in an attempt to control flooding that had plagued communities like La Farge, Soldiers Grove and Viola.

The initial plan called for a 400- to 800-acre reservoir, but in 1967, plans were revised for a 1,780-acre lake that would require the removal of 149 farms from the valley. Two years later, the Army Corps of Engineers began purchasing 9,000 acres of land from farmers, only to see the project halted in 1975 over environmental concerns, budget overruns and a UW-Madison study showing the lake would quickly silt in and the dam would not be a cure-all for flooding issues.

Many of those families displaced by the dam project never returned.

"Whats really rewarding is that this school, finally, 45 years later, is helping to bring students back to the district with this same piece of land that had originally hurt the district in the first place," Kiesau said. "So its kind of beautiful that way.

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The Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church are making firm progress in preparing a historic meeting between Patriarch Alexiy II and Pope Benedict, a senior Russian prelate has reported.

Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism have been split since the Great Schism of 1054. However, connections with the Russian Orthodox picked up after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union but were soon soured by tension between the two Church bodies.

The Vatican wants a summit with the Russian Church, the largest in the worldwide Orthodox family of 220 million, to close ranks in defence of Christian values in Europe. No pope in history has ever met a Russian Orthodox patriarch.

"There is real movement," Metropolitan Kirill, external relations chief for the Moscow Patriarchate, said at the end of Alexiy's four-day visit to France. "We have achieved some very positive results recently."

France's Catholic Church urged Alexiy on Wednesday to speed up preparations for a meeting and suggested it take place before resolution of several disputes about Catholicism in the former Soviet Union, rather than after as Alexiy has stipulated.

Asked about the contrasting proposals, Kirill told journalists: "I agree with both of them." He said the contentious issues "are being worked on now".

Pope Paul VI held a ground-breaking meeting in 1964 with Athenagoras, then the ecumenical patriarch or spiritual head of all Orthodox. Popes John Paul and Benedict met his successors.

The Russians accuse the Vatican of trying to expand in the former Soviet Union at the same time as Orthodoxy is reasserting itself following seven decades of atheist Soviet pressure.

Kirill gave no timeframe for a possible meeting, which Alexiy said earlier this week could be in one or two years. He said it was premature to speak of a location but hinted neither Moscow nor Rome would be involved, saying it should be "where both can feel at home."

Vatican observers say Vienna or Geneva could fit that description.

The late Pope John Paul described the eastern and western churches as the two lungs of Christianity and longed to visit Moscow. But the Russian Orthodox Church never invited the Polish-born pontiff.

Benedict, who leads 1.1 billion faithful, has frequently stressed how much Catholics have in common with the Orthodox, especially in their defence of Christian values in Europe and opposition to abortion, euthanasia and same-sex unions.

Alexiy echoed several of these themes in an address to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on Tuesday and condemned homosexual acts as sinful.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16)  Three senators running for reelection in the May polls want more transparency measures in government.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri emphasized that accountability among public officers is more important at present, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where government funds are constantly being used for its response efforts.

"There is a special place in hell for people who take advantage of the misery of others," said Zubiri, one of the three senators who guested on CNN Philippines' The Filipino Votes Senatorial Forum on Sunday.

In a way to clean up the government's excesses, Zubiri and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called for the abolition of the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and the Procurement Service office of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

"These two agencies have been used to circumvent spending, making themselves look efficient. These agencies have been used to centralize hundreds of billions of pesos in terms of purchasing," said Gatchalian.

The PITC has been described as a "parking lot" for 11.02 billion worth of unused public funds transferred by various agencies from 2014 to 2020, while PS-DBM is involved in the alleged overpriced purchase of COVID-19 medical supplies for receiving almost 42 billion from the Department of Health.

Senator Risa Hontiveros stressed the importance of the Commission on Audit in promoting transparency in the government and agencies must respect the body's constitutional mandate of flagging irregularities.

"These questionable practices should be stopped," said Hontiveros, one of the active senators in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings investigating the supposed anomalous purchase of COVID-19 medical supplies by the national government.

Is it time to revisit the anti-plunder law?

For Hontiveros, it is always a good idea to revisit the anti-plunder law, as she noted that issues of graft and corruption continue to surface in various probes launched by the Senate.

"Sa mabahabang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, maya't maya ay lumalabas 'yang isyung 'yan," Hontiveros said. "So yes, it is always timely, at never na walang kwenta ang pag-revisit ng batas na ito."

[Translation: In the Philippines' long history, the issue comes up every now and then. So yes, it is always timely, and revisiting the law is never a nonsensical thing.]

Meanwhile, Zubiri believes that instead of amending the law or crafting a new one, the more important thing is to ensure the existing measure is properly implemented.

He said a way to do this is by seeing to it that the Office of the Ombudsman, which deals with complaints against government officers and institutions, has better capacity, such as more skilled lawyers, to investigate plunder cases.

"We have to strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman para 'yung mga kaso airtight at hindi makakalusot, at hindi po sila magbibigay ng excuses o mga mahihinang ebidensya. 'Yan ang dapat nating gawin," Zubiri said.

[Translation: We have to strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman, so the cases will be airtight and erring public officials won't get away with plunder, and they wouldnt give excuses or present weak evidence. That's what we have to do.]

Gatchalian also believes beefing up the Office of the Ombudsman and the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan by augmenting their budget will be more productive. The additional funds, he said, could help hire more employees, as well as increase the number of Sandiganbayan courthouses.

"This way, we can dispense justice very quickly," the senator said. "At the end of the day, it's about evidence. And the more funds that we give them, the more capacity that they can build and the stronger evidence that they can gather against the perpetrator."

Public release of SALNs

The three veteran lawmakers agreed that all government employees and elected officials must publicly release their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

"Alam dapat nila ang aming assets para alam nilang walang conflict of interest sa mga programang isinusulong, batas na pinapasa, o mga desisyong ginagawa depende kung saang sangay kami ng gobyerno nagtatrabaho," said Hontiveros.

[Translation: The public must be aware of our assets so they will know that we don't have any conflict of interest in the programs that we advance, laws that we pass, or decisions made depending on the branch of the government that we are working for.]

To ensure the public release of SALNs, Zubiri highlighted the need to pass a Freedom of Information Law in promoting transparency and accountability among public officials and workers.

"Make it mandatory for everyone, including the President, to release their SALN," said Zubiri, who mentioned in the forum that he has dutifully released his SALN every year.

President Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech last Aug. 31 that it is the prerogative of the Office of the Ombudsman to decide whether his SALN will be released to the public. He last released his SALN to the public in 2017.

The President's remark is in accordance with the Ombudsman's new rules released on September 2020, stating that a consent from the SALN's owner is needed before they could process the request for the document's public release.

Gatchalian said that SALNs of elected officials must be posted on their websites, but safeguards should be made to make sure the document will not be used to weaponize them.

"There are also ways to protect the public servants. We can make sure those who will weaponize SALN and use it to harass, we can file cases against these scrupulous people," he said.

But for Hontiveros, the public release of their SALN is itself a protection against any forms of weaponization on their part and for the people's right to information.

"Higit ang benepisyo sa publiko kapag sila ay may madaling access sa aming [The public will benefit more if they have easy access to our] SALN," she said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17)  Some presidential aspirants were unfazed by the decision of the Commission on Elections second division on Monday to junk a petition to cancel the candidacy of their fellow hopeful Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, the son and namesake of the country's late dictator.

Vice President Leni Robredo, who has been leading recent pre-election surveys alongside Marcos, said she was unaffected, noting that the outcome of the latter's disqualification cases has nothing to do with her bid for the presidency.

"Lagi naming sinasabi na 'yung laban ng aking kandidatura, hindi naman nakadepende saka naka-base sa galaw ng ibang mga kandidato," Robredo said. "Whatever the decision will be, sige lang tayo."

[Translation: As we always say, my candidacy does not depend or is not based on the move of the other candidates. Whatever the decision will be, we'll just keep on going.]

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said it was best that they respect the decision of the poll body since it is "the rule of law."

"Comelec has the mandate to decide on any case that falls under its jurisdiction, and the petition to disqualify ex-Senator Marcos is one such case," he said.

Presidential hopeful and Senator Manny Pacquiao distanced himself from the ruling "because I am not a party to the case."

"Let's leave it at that. Kung ano [mang] plano ng magkabilang panig sa kasong ito ay abangan na lang po natin [Whatever the plans of both parties are regarding this case, we'll just have to wait and see]," he said.

Leody De Guzman, meanwhile, opposed the dismissal of the case, as he expressed concern that the same would happen to the other petitions filed against Marcos.

He said the decision shows the need for electoral and political reforms, particularly on the prohibition on political dynasties and the participation of the people in government matters that will enable them to be responsible voters.

De Guzman, a labor leader, also said the Comelec's ruling was an "insult" to workers who are properly paying their taxes.

A group of civic leaders filed a petition to cancel Marcos' certificate of candidacy on the ground of false material representations. These include his assertion that he could run for president despite his 1995 conviction by a Quezon City court over his multiple failures to file income tax returns from 1982 to 1985.

The petition was dismissed by the poll body's second division, led by commissioners Socorro Inting, Antonio Kho, Jr, and Rey Bulay, over lack of grounds.

The civic group's lead counsel Theodore Te said they will lodge a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec en banc.

READ: Comelec division denies petition to cancel Marcos' presidential bid

The Marcos camp said "the petitioners' mere creativity for writing and wanting what is not written in the law... is way too frivolous and unmeritorious to override the basic concepts of the Constitution."

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Marcos' running mate, welcomed the decision, which she said is "an opportunity for the Filipino people to express their will in fair and free elections."
(CNN) -- The FBI on Sunday identified Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British national, as the man who held four people hostage at a Texas synagogue in an hours-long standoff Saturday before a rescue team entered the building and killed the suspect.

An FBI Hostage Rescue Team killed Akram after the hostages were released around 9 p.m. local time, the agency said. Crime scene investigators at the Beth Israel Congregation in Colleyville, Texas -- about 15 miles from Fort Worth -- recovered one firearm they believe belonged to Akram, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told CNN.

"Prayers answered. All hostages are out alive and safe," Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted about 20 minutes after a large bang and gunfire were heard in the direction of the synagogue.

The resolution came nearly 11 hours after Akram entered the synagogue as it livestreamed its Sabbath morning service on Facebook and Zoom at around 11 a.m. Saturday, Colleyville Police Chief Michael Miller said. The livestream appeared to capture part of the incident before it was removed.

Four people, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, were initially taken hostage. One hostage, a man, was released unharmed around 5 p.m., Colleyville Police Sgt. Dara Nelson said.

Cytron-Walker said the gunman became "increasingly belligerent and threatening" in the last hour of their hostage crisis.

In a statement to CNN, Cytron-Walker described the ordeal as a "traumatic experience." He said that he and the other hostages are alive today due to the multiple security courses his congregation has taken over the years.

"Without the instruction we received, we would not have been prepared to act and flee when the situation presented itself," Cytron-Walker said. "I encourage all Jewish congregations, religious groups, schools, and others to participate in active-shooter and security courses."

President Joe Biden told reporters Sunday authorities "just don't have enough facts" to speculate why a man targeted a Colleyville, Texas synagogue, taking four hostages Saturday, calling the standoff "an act of terror."

"I don't-- we don't have I don't think there is sufficient information to know about why he targeted that synagogue, why he insisted on the release of someone who's been in prison for over 10 years, why he was engaged, why he was using an anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli comments," Biden told reporters.

Akram arrived in the United States approximately five weeks ago, landing at New York's JFK Airport, a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told CNN.

He arrived legally in December, a separate federal law enforcement source told CNN. Therefore, Akram cleared vetting prior to his arrival, which would have been checked against classified and unclassified information available at the time.

Akram was not on a US government watchlist, the law enforcement source said.

A review conducted thus far of U.S. intelligence community databases containing terror-related threat information shows no prior derogatory information on Akram, according to the official.

British intelligence officials have advised their US counterparts that a preliminary review of their databases similarly show no derogatory information about Akram, the source said. UK authorities are continuing to scrub their systems.

UK Counter Terrorism Police for Greater Manchester announced on Sunday the detention of two teenagers in connection with the hostage incident. Both individuals, who were arrested in South Manchester, are still in custody for questioning.

Authorities are still trying to figure out how Akram traveled to Texas.

Suspect spent days at a homeless shelter

Akram spent three nights at Union Gospel Mission Dallas, a homeless shelter, in the week prior to the incident, according to shelter CEO Bruce Butler.

"We were a weigh station for him. He had a plan. He was very quiet. He was in and out," Butler told CNN in a phone call Sunday.

Butler said Akram initially checked in to the shelter on January 6, before checking out and checking back in multiple times over the course of a week.

He left the facility for the final time on January 13, according to Butler, a little more than 48 hours before taking four people hostage inside the synagogue approximately 22 miles away.

Butler couldn't gather much about Akram's personality and said there was not anything obvious or revealing regarding Akram's personal religious beliefs.

Two law enforcement officials told CNN Saturday that investigators believe Akram may have been motivated by a desire to release Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year sentence at a facility in Texas. She was convicted in 2010 on seven charges, including attempted murder and armed assault on US officers in Afghanistan.

"We do believe from our engaging with this subject that he was singularly focused on one issue, and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community, but we'll continue to work to find motive," DeSarno said.

Akram also told hostage negotiators that he was not going to leave the synagogue alive, a US law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told CNN.

The source said that during the conversation with the negotiators, Akram demanded that Siddiqui be brought to the synagogue so they could both die together.

"I just want a bullet in me, and I want to go -- that's it," Akram was heard saying in the livestream. Akram reiterated that sentiment in two telephone conversations picked up on the livestream.

"I'm gunned up. I'm ammo-ed up. Guess what, I will die," he told an individual he called nephew. He later told a second person who called him, "I am going to die, so don't cry for me."

Suspect apparently wanted Siddiqui released

Officials said it's believed Akram wanted Siddiqui released, based on both discussions with the suspect and audio heard on the synagogue's livestream.

The attorney who represents Siddiqui said Saturday "she has absolutely no involvement with" the taking of hostages at the synagogue and said the perpetrator is not Siddiqui's brother.

"She does not want any violence perpetrated against any human being, especially in her name," Marwa Elbially told CNN by phone. "It obviously has nothing to do with Dr. Siddiqui or her family."

At the request of the hostage taker, the rabbi of the congregation who was being held hostage called a well known rabbi in New York City, according to two officials briefed on investigation.

The FBI interviewed the New York City-based rabbi who spoke to the hostage taker earlier Saturday. The hostage taker, who has no connection with the rabbi, told her that Siddiqi was framed and he wants her released, the officials said.

Congregation Beth Israel is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, whose website indicates the congregation serves 157 membership families.

The synagogue, established in 1999 with 25 membership families, was the first Jewish congregation in Northeast Tarrant County, according to CBI's website. The CBI community officially opened the doors to its own new building in 2005.

CBI holds Sabbath morning services every Saturday, and members and non-members alike are welcome to watch from home on the livestream, a practice many synagogues have adopted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Who is Aafia Siddiqui?

In 2010, Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in prison by a New York federal judge following a 14-day trial. A jury found her guilty of the attempted murder of US nationals and government employees, as well as assault against US officers and employees.

Siddiqui -- a Pakistani scientist who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and obtained a doctorate from Brandeis University -- was taken into custody for questioning by the Afghan National Police in 2008, who said they found handwritten notes referring to potential targets of a "mass casualty attack," according to a federal indictment.

When a group of Americans attempted to speak to her, prosecutors said she was able to grab a US soldier's rifle and open fire on the interrogation team, although no one was hit by the gunfire.

At sentencing, the judge found that a terrorism enhancement applied to her crimes, citing statements she had made that the judge concluded demonstrated her actions and intent to retaliate against the US government, including "I hate Americans" and "Death to America."

Her conviction has been the subject of regular protests in the US and overseas. Frequent demonstrations have been organized by the Aafia Foundation, a group named for her. That group has claimed that she was assaulted in prison last year.

Her family has said in interviews with CNN that she is not a terrorist.

During a deadly hostage crisis in Algeria in 2013, a spokesperson for a militant group offered to release hostages if Siddiqui was released from US prison, along with Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center attack, who has since died in prison.

Siddiqui is being held in a medical facility that's part of a federal prison in Fort Worth, with a release date set for 60 years from now.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "FBI identifies hostage-taker at Texas synagogue"
South Africa: Green hydrogen a frontier for investment

Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, says South Africas potential in the production of green hydrogen can be catalytic for economic growth and job creation in the aftermath of COVID-19.

He was speaking during the green hydrogen stakeholder engagement at Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape  not too far from the envisioned Green Hydrogen Special Economic Zone at Boegoebaai.

Green hydrogen has been billed as the fuel of the future because of its low carbon emissions when in use and South Africas potential ability to produce vast amounts of it through renewable energy sources could place the country as a leading player in that market.

South Africa can maximise the potential of green [hydrogen] by following a dual strategy entailing maximising the export potential of green [hydrogen] derivative products in the short-term and using green [hydrogen] as an enabler for domestic, industrial decarbonisation and attracting hard-to-abate industries to relocate to South Africa in the medium term. Both strategies would be underpinned by localisation, Gungubele said.

The Minister highlighted that the country has key advantages in the green hydrogen market including:

A superior renewable energy endowment of both onshore wind and solar which are the largest cost component in the production of green hydrogen

Holding largest concentration of known platinum group metal reserves which are needed for the manufacturing of fuel cells

A deep expertise of the Fischer-Tropsch Process used to produce power fuels such as diesel, petrol and kerosene (jet fuel);

The availability of large tracts of relatively cheap land for renewable energy production;

A large electric grid for the wheeling of renewable energy; and

A large domestic industrial base as a source of local demand.

Gungubele said the global hydrogen export market to reach a potential worth of up to at least $300 billion per annum by 2050.

He explained that as a result, government is developing plans for the country to participate in the market.

Over the past 12 months, Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) has been working with the Northern Cape and Gauteng Provincial Governments to develop catalytic green hydrogen projects that will underpin provincial green hyrdrogen strategies with the Northern Cape being the production hub and Gauteng being the domestic demand hub.

These projects and strategies together with the [Department of Science and Innovations] Hydrogen Society Roadmap for South Africa will be the foundation of a national green hydrogen strategy, the Minister said.

The two provincial governments have already signed three memoranda for the production of green hydrogen including:

The memorandum of agreement between the Northern Cape Provincial Government and Sasol; for Sasol to be the anchor developer of the planned Boegoebaai Green H2 SEZ

A memorandum of agreement between Northern Cape Provincial Government and the Port of Rotterdam (PoR) for the PoR to act as a demand aggregator for green hydrogen into Europe; and

A memorandum of agreement between the Gauteng Provincial Government and Sasol for Sasol to develop green hydrogen production facilities in Gauteng aimed at decarbonising domestic industry.

The Minister reiterated that as government continues its work to recover the economy, the development of green hydrogens remains a big frontier for the country.

Green hydrogen is not only potentially catalytic for the Northern Cape but for South Africa as a whole. It represents a real reindustrialisation vector and a potential enabler of mineral beneficiation by coupling our mineral resource endowment with green energy, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Press Release

January 17, 2022 Bong Go supports provision of COVID-19 home care kits as he urged public to take care of one's health and follow mandated health protocols Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed his support for the initiative of the Department of Health and its partner organizations in launching the "Basic Kalinga Kit" for COVID-19 patients. According to DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, the agency has finished arranging about 35,000 COVID-19 care kits which will contain 20 pieces of masks, a bottle of sanitizer, soap and medicines. This is in partnership with the World Health Organization and Procter & Gamble Company. "Salamat po sa Department of Health at sa private sector dahil napakalaking bagay po talaga itong naging inisyatibo ng DOH lalo na po para sa mga kababayan nating tinamaan ng sakit na COVID-19," expressed Go. "Isa lang po ito sa mga hakbang upang mapalakas pa ang ating COVID-19 response at hindi bumagsak ang ating healthcare system. Sa paraan na ito ay marami pa tayong kababayan na matutulungan lalo na po 'yung mga mahihirap," he continued. "Sa pakikipagtulungan ng pribadong sektor at ng gobyerno, malayo ang ating mararating tungo sa pagkakaroon ng mas ligtas na komunidad lalo na ngayong may pandemya," he added. The senator continued to underscore the significance of boosting the country's health care system especially amid the spike of reported COVID-19 cases due to new variants. He then reaffirmed that he will consistently extend his support towards such efforts to ensure that more Filipinos are protected and provided with necessary support during public health emergencies. "Now, more than ever, we need to focus our resources on health. As Chair of the Committee on Health, I will ensure that we have sufficient funds to improve our COVID-19 response and assist our recovery efforts," Go said earlier. Meanwhile, the senator also renewed his appeal for the passage of his twin bills that seek to boost the country's capacity to respond to the threat of infectious diseases. One of these measures is Senate Bill No. 2158 which establishes the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If passed, the CDC will be the lead agency for developing communicable disease control and prevention initiatives. It will also focus on controlling the spread of infectious diseases in the Philippines. "In other countries, Centers for Disease Control have been instrumental in this pandemic. As experts in the field of infectious diseases, they are at the forefront of the health battle against COVID-19. It is high time for us to have our own CDC. President (Rodrigo) Duterte acknowledges this and has previously urged Congress to pass this important measure," explained Go. Some of its major functions will include investigating potential cases of public health emergency; enforcing regulations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases; procuring and distributing vaccines, antibiotics and other medical supplies; and working with other countries and international organizations to improve disease prevention and control systems and practices. Go also filed SBN 2155 which seeks to create the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP). The facility shall be the principal laboratory for virology research and laboratory investigations as well as the lead technical coordinator of the nationwide network of virology laboratories. Under the proposed measure, the VIP will boost the development and access to new vaccines against diseases such as COVID-19 to make certain that the country has sufficient supplies of emergency vaccine doses. The senator likewise urged eligible Filipinos to get vaccinated and continue adhering to minimum public health protocols to help the government overcome the pandemic, saying, "Patuloy lang po ang ating pagbabakuna. Kung ano po ang bakunang nasa harapan niyo, ipaturok niyo po agad. "Ang bakuna po ang tanging solusyon sa ngayon upang bumalik na tayo sa normal nating pamumuhay. At kung hindi naman po kinakailangan ay huwag na po munang lumabas ng bahay para tumigil sa pagkalat itong COVID-19," he continued.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Monday said it received more than 42,000 consumer complaints on financial transactions, including unauthorized fund transfers, during the pandemic.

At a Senate hearing on the proposed Financial Consumer Protection Act, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said a total of 42,456 complaints reached the central banks Consumer Assistance Mechanism in 2020 and 2021.

Last year alone, the amounts involved in the complaints totaled P540 million.

Diokno said there was a dramatic rise in cybercrimes, as consumers turned to digital transactions in 2020. For instance, hacking and malware attacks surged by a whopping 2,324% compared to the previous year.

The top three cybercrimes in 2020 were account takeover or identity theft, phishing and other social engineering schemes, and card-not-present fraud, Diokno said.

A majority of these cases were deemed closed but the process was long and arduous, and for many complaints, the resolutions were unfavorable to the consumers, the central bank governor said.

Diokno appealed for the swift passage of the Financial Consumer Protection Act, which would include the granting of additional powers to the BSP to adjudicate on consumer complaints.

Should there be a loss of confidence in the financial system, consumers might opt to keep their savings and investments away from the formal financial system, thus undermining the financial systems ability to intermediate and facilitate the flow of funds to protective sectors of the economy, Diokno warned.

Laban Konsyumer president Vic Dimagiba said the law should be passed in the remaining weeks of the 18th Congress, lamenting the very passive way complaints are being handled now.

Ang haba-haba po ng acknowledgment ng financial consumer group ng BSP kapag may consumer complaints po kayong in-endorse, ang haba-haba, ang ganda-ganda the way its written, Dimagiba said. Pero sa dulo po noon ang sasabihin lang ng Bangko Sentral, e-endorse po namin ang complaint niyo sa bangkong ito, X. Pag in-endorse na kay Bank X, matutulog na po iyon doon.

[Translation: BSPs financial consumer group has a lengthy acknowledgement every time you endorse a consumer complaint. Its long and written beautifully. But in the end, Bangko Sentral will only say it will endorse your complaint to Bank X. Once endorsed, it will languish there.]

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the committee on banks, targets to sponsor the bill at the plenary next week. The House of Representatives passed a counterpart measure last year.

For many of us in this hearing, maybe, when we talk about P5,000, P10,000, we can sleep on it and say we can resolve it next week or the week after. But for some people, thats actually their means of survival for the coming weeks. Thats why not to have that resolved right away is really a dilemma, Poe said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15)  Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario backed a recent study by the US State Department invalidating China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

Del Rosario, who chairs local think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, said the study - called Limits in the Seas No. 150 - "draws heavily from the 2016 Arbitral Ruling won by the Philippines in The Hague against China."

"We are proud to see that a small country like the Philippines is able to make that impact in the world, so that the Rule of Law prevails over China's continuing deployment of brute force," Manila's former top diplomat said in a statement on Saturday.

The US State Department study - a follow up to its 2014 report that debunked China's "nine-dash" - said there was no legal basis for China to assert "historic rights" in the South China Sea.

It also questioned China's claims to more than 100 features in the contested waters that are submerged below the sea surface at high tide, which - under international law - cannot be lawfully claimed or generate maritime zones such as a territorial sea. Some of these features fall within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

"Mischief Reef forms part of the waters of the Philippines but China claims Mischief Reef as if it were land territory - thereby artificially and illegally converting the reef as one of its air and naval bases within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines," del Rosario said.

The former secretary called on Filipinos to elect new leaders who will uphold the country's territorial rights.

"Confronting China over its illegal claims in the South China Sea is an intergenerational struggle. We should elect a government that would strongly fight for what is ours and for all nations to uphold the Rule of Law," del Rosario said.

CNN Philippines correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17)  Experts worry about how the slowing down of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila is affecting provinces outside the capital region.

Professor Jomar Rabajante, a data analytics researcher from the University of the Philippines Pandemic Response Team, said cases in Metro Manila continue to increase although at a slower pace. He said the region now only accounts for 50% of the weekly cases compared to the previous 70%.

He said higher cases in the regions outside Metro Manila could pose a problem since provinces also have lower vaccination rates. This could mean more COVID-19 patients will experience severe symptoms that can end up overwhelming hospitals. He added this could be a big problem since there are generally fewer medical facilities and hospital beds in the provinces compared to Metro Manila.

"The outbreak now is having ripples in the provinces. This might be very critical because the healthcare capacity in the provinces is not high compared to NCR," he told CNN Philippines.

OCTA Research fellow Guido David said several provinces located further away from the National Capital Region are starting to register an increase in new coronavirus infections.

"Cebu City and Tacloban in particular, 2 days ago they reported the highest number of cases in a single day. Definitely there is an increase happening in other parts of the country. This is definitely concerning. Possibly the Omicron has leaked to other provinces in the country," he said.
By the end of the 20th century, Volga Germans had made their mark on the Panhandle. Overcoming hardships and harassment, they left an undeniable influence on the area, from farmers to storeowners to entertainers. However, a changing society led to their culture being less and less appreciated over time, and nowadays the legacy of these stalwart immigrants is more obscure.

The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia was founded in 1968, headquartered in Colorado. It relocated to Lincoln in 1973. On Feb. 4, 1977, the Panhandle chapter was chartered, providing a gathering place for Volga Germans.

Dick Kuxhausen, the president of the Panhandle group, said it can be extremely difficult to get younger people interested in joining.

We have a different society now, he said. People are still giving, they just dont want to be bothered.

For the past several decades, membership has been declining because younger people have not been as interested in their heritage as some reckon they should be. Its an issue that impacts numerous longstanding groups in the area, not just the Germans from Russia group.

I think the problem we have in the United States is we have so many things going on now, Kuxhausen said. Some things that probably should be important to our younger children, arent.

Robert Busch, a Volga German descendant whose grandparents moved to the area more than a century ago, said the morals instilled in his generation are much different from the ones people grow up with now.

Drugs are more prevalent in society, he said. People have less respect for their elders and positions of authority. The familial and religious values espoused today are vastly different from when he was growing up in the 1930s and 1940s.

For us old folks, in many cases, its heartbreaking, Busch said.

The importance of agriculture in society has also shifted, transforming the influence the Volga Germans had. At one point, nearly half the farms in Scotts Bluff County were owned by this group. Fewer people farm than in decades past, and it has become exponentially more expensive to do so.

I started out in 1959 on (80) acres. I farmed for three years and fed my family  today, 80 acres wouldnt buy a loaf of bread, Busch said.

In decades past, whole families used to work on farms, with children as young as 5 pitching in to aid their families. Nowadays, they have different things to work on.

Weddings brought in hundreds in big, drawn-out, multi-day affairs. Dutch hop bands came from Colorado to perform in front of dancing, singing Volga Germans. But somewhere along the way, what had been a way of life became an antiquated tradition.

The Panhandle chapter has tried to make more inroads with potential new members. They created a documentary using local Volga German descendants called The Beet Tenders Destiny. This detailed the history of how Germans came from Russia to Nebraska and has been shown at events at the UNL Research Extension Center, among other locations.

Frankly, some of that is dying out. The younger generations arent as interested  and I dont know how were going to keep it going, Gladys Wyatt said. Wyatt is a former Nebraska Panhandle secretary and president, and national charter member of the group.

On a national level, the society is still going strong, with regular events and fundraisers as well as triannual meetings. They also have a variety of merchandise, such as cookbooks, which helps connect Volga Germans with their heritage. For the Nebraska Panhandle, however, things just arent going as well.

We used to have, years ago, a public dinner. Some of the ladies would gather and cook a meal, Wyatt said.

Over the years, that public dinner morphed into a private one. There were also dances and Oktoberfest celebrations in the fall. It became harder to spread the word about Volga German heritage when there were fewer and fewer Volga Germans interested in learning about it.

In just the last few years alone, Kuxhausen estimated the society lost 80% of its fluent German speakers; victims of old age. There are fewer people than ever to attend their group meals.

Part of the reason for younger peoples disinterest may be because the Volga Germans are less of a homogeneous group than they were a century ago. People marry into different cultures, and their children have different traditions to learn and heritages to explore.

People should be interested in their heritage, Wyatt said. Its always good to know where you came from, and pass it down to your children and grandchildren over time.

With luck, the society could see a resurgence as more people grow interested in learning about the past. Perhaps then, the German weddings and Dutch hop bands could make a resurgence, and the legacy of generations of Volga Germans would continue for a good while longer.

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Cumberland County reported 389 cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths in Monday's update from the state Department of Health.

According to department open data, the seven-day average of new cases in the county sits at 480, down from Sunday's rate of 484.3, which was the highest seven-day rate for the county during the pandemic.

There were 164 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Cumberland County in Monday's report, a decrease of eight since Sunday. The highest total was 183 on Dec. 23, 2020. The 14-day average for hospitalizations in the county sits at 151.1, the highest rate since Jan. 12, 2020. The county's highest 14-day hospitalization rate was 168.7 on Jan. 2, 2021. The 14-day average for COVID patients on ventilators sits at 20.6.

There are 23 adults in intensive care (a decrease of five since Sunday) and 24 on ventilators. Nine adult ICU beds remain open of the 109 currently staffed across the county, and 41 of 94 ventilators in the county are in use.

The county reported 56 deaths in October, 33 in November and 54 in December. It has 23 deaths so far in January.

Franklin County reported 148 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Monday (the same as Sunday), with two of 39 currently staffed ICU beds available in the county and 26 of 34 available ventilators in use. There are 25 adults in intensive care and 20 on ventilators.

Dauphin County reported 252 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Monday (an increase of two since Sunday), with 22 of 196 currently staffed ICU beds available in the county and 101 of 174 available ventilators in use. There are 48 adults in intensive care and 35 on ventilators.

Penn State Health cases update (Jan. 10)

Penn State Health lists a COVID-19 dashboard on its website tracking cases at each of its acute care hospitals  Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Hampden Medical Center and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. The dashboard is updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The health system has not updated its dashboard since Jan. 10.

Monday's update shows 230 total cases (216 adults, 14 pediatrics) in the health systems four hospitals, an increase of 33 cases since Jan. 3 and 60 cases since Dec. 27. Of the known-status patients (30 are unknown status), 76 are fully vaccinated (38%) with seven in an ICU and three on a ventilator; 124 are nonvaccinated (62%) with 32 adults in an ICU and 22 adults on ventilators.

There are 14 pediatric patients, with 12 unvaccinated (one in an ICU and one on a ventilator) and one fully vaccinated patient.

Holy Spirit Medical Center in Camp Hill has 47 COVID patients. Nineteen are fully vaccinated adults (one in the ICU and no one on a ventilator) and 28 are unvaccinated adults (one in the ICU and one on a ventilator).

Hampden Medical Center has 13 COVID patients. Nine are unvaccinated (with three in the ICU and two on a ventilator) and four are fully vaccinated (with two in the ICU and one on a ventilator).

Vaccine update

In data updated Saturday evening, the CDC says Cumberland County has 66% of its total population fully vaccinated. The CDC also reported that 69.8% of the population 5 and older are vaccinated, while 73.9% of the population 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

The CDC also began reporting another set of numbers that include booster shots, with 33.6% of the county's total population having received a booster vaccine.

Early Warning Dashboard update (Jan. 7-13)

Cumberland County saw increases in its COVID-19 percent positivity and incidence rate per 100,000 people in the state Health Department's weekly update to its Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard this weekend.

The county's percent positivity increased to 35.2% for the week of Jan. 7-13, up from 29.7% the previous week. The incidence rate per 100,000 people increased to 828.4, up from 685.6 the previous week.

Lebanon and Dauphin counties lead the Midstate in both categories and ranks in the top 10 in the state.

Lebanon County has the second highest positivity rate in the Midstate at 40.9% (seventh highest in the state), an increase from 37.2% the previous week, and the highest incidence rate in the Midstate at 1,538.9 (sixth highest in the state).

Dauphin County has the highest positivity rate in the Midstate at 41.6% (fifth highest in the state).

Lehigh County has the highest positivity rate in the state at 49.3% and highest incidence rate in the state at 2,488.4.

Forest County had the lowest percent positivity in the state at 10.4%. Warren County had the lowest incidence rate per 100,000 people in the state at 354.7.

School-age children

In its weekly update for the 19th week of the school year, the department reported 262 cases among children aged 5-18 in Cumberland County during the week of Dec. 29-Jan. 4, an increase of 101 cases over the previous week. The total number of cases in Cumberland County for this school year is 2,768.

Statewide, the number of cases among 5- to 18-year-olds saw its largest increase of the school year with 20,456 cases reported during the week of Dec. 29-Jan. 4, compared to 12,518 during the previous week. The state said the total number of cases in that age group for the school year is 156,417.

County numbers in the southcentral region (updated Jan. 17):

Adams County (pop. 103,009): 227 new cases; 21,842 total cases (18,306 confirmed, 3,536 probable); 45,870 negatives; 300 deaths; 52.5% of county population vaccinated

227 new cases; 21,842 total cases (18,306 confirmed, 3,536 probable); 45,870 negatives; 300 deaths; 52.5% of county population vaccinated Bedford County (pop. 47,888): 34 new cases; 9,639 total cases (6,497 confirmed, 3,142 probable); 13,142 negatives; 236 deaths; 37.6% of county population vaccinated

34 new cases; 9,639 total cases (6,497 confirmed, 3,142 probable); 13,142 negatives; 236 deaths; 37.6% of county population vaccinated Blair County (pop. 121,829): 64 new cases; 25,582 total cases (20,402 confirmed, 5,180 probable); 49,839 negatives; 535 deaths; 50.3% of county population vaccinated

64 new cases; 25,582 total cases (20,402 confirmed, 5,180 probable); 49,839 negatives; 535 deaths; 50.3% of county population vaccinated Cumberland County (pop. 253,370): 389 new cases; 43,950 total cases (33,631 confirmed, 10,319 probable); 108,579 negatives; 756 deaths; 66% of county population vaccinated

389 new cases; 43,950 total cases (33,631 confirmed, 10,319 probable); 108,579 negatives; 756 deaths; 66% of county population vaccinated Dauphin County (pop. 278,299): 296 new cases; 52,768 total cases (44,283 confirmed, 8,485 probable); 133,399 negatives; 811 deaths; 59.6% of county population vaccinated

296 new cases; 52,768 total cases (44,283 confirmed, 8,485 probable); 133,399 negatives; 811 deaths; 59.6% of county population vaccinated Franklin County (pop. 155,027): 252 new cases; 35,232 total cases (29,185 confirmed, 6,047 probable); 66,253 negatives; 589 deaths; 47% of county population vaccinated

252 new cases; 35,232 total cases (29,185 confirmed, 6,047 probable); 66,253 negatives; 589 deaths; 47% of county population vaccinated Fulton County (pop. 14,530): 22 new cases; 3,556 total cases (1,822 confirmed, 1,734 probable); 5,209 negatives; 55 deaths; 34.3% of county population vaccinated

22 new cases; 3,556 total cases (1,822 confirmed, 1,734 probable); 5,209 negatives; 55 deaths; 34.3% of county population vaccinated Huntingdon County (pop. 45,144): 56 new cases; 9,600 total cases (7,934 confirmed, 1,666 probable); 22,771 negatives; 212 deaths; 49.2% of county population vaccinated

56 new cases; 9,600 total cases (7,934 confirmed, 1,666 probable); 22,771 negatives; 212 deaths; 49.2% of county population vaccinated Juniata County (pop. 24,763): 7 new cases; 4,159 total cases (3,825 confirmed, 334 probable); 7,049 negatives; 156 deaths; 38.8% of county population vaccinated

7 new cases; 4,159 total cases (3,825 confirmed, 334 probable); 7,049 negatives; 156 deaths; 38.8% of county population vaccinated Lebanon County (pop. 141,793): 241 new cases; 33,009 total cases (28,644 confirmed, 4,365 probable); 64,651 negatives; 427 deaths; 52.2% of county population vaccinated

241 new cases; 33,009 total cases (28,644 confirmed, 4,365 probable); 64,651 negatives; 427 deaths; 52.2% of county population vaccinated Mifflin County (pop. 46,138): 41 new cases; 10,307 total cases (9,784 confirmed, 523 probable); 18,302 negatives; 249 deaths; 47.8% of county population vaccinated

41 new cases; 10,307 total cases (9,784 confirmed, 523 probable); 18,302 negatives; 249 deaths; 47.8% of county population vaccinated Perry County (pop. 46,272): 57 new cases; 7,711 total cases (6,067 confirmed, 1,644 probable); 14,292 negatives; 163 deaths; 46.4% of county population vaccinated

57 new cases; 7,711 total cases (6,067 confirmed, 1,644 probable); 14,292 negatives; 163 deaths; 46.4% of county population vaccinated York County (pop. 449,058): 1,092 new cases; 105,307 total cases (87,648 confirmed; 17,659 probable); 200,110 negatives; 1,282 deaths; 56.1% of county population vaccinated

ZIP code-level counts (updated Jan. 17):

17013: 5,060 positives, 16,655 negatives - +201 since Jan. 14

17015: 3,050 positives, 8,206 negatives - +88 since Jan. 14

17050: 4,926 positives, 17,715 negatives - +176 since Jan. 14

17055: 5,361 positives, 19,215 negatives - +210 since Jan. 14

17011: 4,936 positives, 16,024 negatives - +152 since Jan. 14

17007: 757 positives, 2,150 negatives - +28 since Jan. 14

17065: 567 positives, 1,439 negatives - +21 since Jan. 14

17324: 647 positives, 1,432 negatives - +28 since Jan. 14

17241: 1,410 positives, 3,580 negatives - +61 since Jan. 14

17257: 3,942 positives, 8,146 negatives - +204 since Jan. 14

17240: 385 positives, 750 negatives - +20 since Jan. 14

17025: 2,326 positives, 6,740 negatives - +98 since Jan. 14

17070: 2,178 positives, 6,222 negatives - +61 since Jan. 14

17043: 740 positives, 2,401 negatives - +26 since Jan. 14

17019: 2,571 positives, 6,336 negatives - +95 since Jan. 14

17266: 50 positives, 149 negatives - +3 since Jan. 14

School district and college case counts (updated Jan. 12)

The Sentinel's case counts for Cumberland County school districts and colleges or universities are updated Fridays. The policy for each school districts reporting is noted in the list below.

Big Spring School District (reports active cases in past 14 days with school exposure): 10 student cases and 3 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 7.

(reports active cases in past 14 days with school exposure): 10 student cases and 3 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 7. Camp Hill School District (posts chart that includes total case count): 17 student cases and 2 staff cases within a 14-day period. Chart last updated on Jan. 7.

(posts chart that includes total case count): 17 student cases and 2 staff cases within a 14-day period. Chart last updated on Jan. 7. Carlisle Area School District (reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 203 cases within the current 14-day rolling count, according to the charts last update on Jan. 13.

(reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 203 cases within the current 14-day rolling count, according to the charts last update on Jan. 13. Cumberland Valley School District (reports weekly and total number of cases with school exposure): 80 cases in "current week" beginning Jan. 10, as of the charts last update on Jan. 11.

(reports weekly and total number of cases with school exposure): 80 cases in "current week" beginning Jan. 10, as of the charts last update on Jan. 11. Mechanicsburg Area School District (chart lists total cases actively being monitored, updated Tuesday and Friday): 48 positive and presumed positive cases being monitored as of Jan. 11.

(chart lists total cases actively being monitored, updated Tuesday and Friday): 48 positive and presumed positive cases being monitored as of Jan. 11. Shippensburg Area School District (reports weekly and total confirmed case counts involving school exposure): 128 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of charts last update on Jan. 11.

(reports weekly and total confirmed case counts involving school exposure): 128 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of charts last update on Jan. 11. South Middleton School District (posts notices as cases occur, updates table of case counts weekly on Fridays): 17 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of the charts last update on Jan. 7.

(posts notices as cases occur, updates table of case counts weekly on Fridays): 17 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of the charts last update on Jan. 7. West Shore School District (reports active cases with school exposure within past 14 days): 136 student cases and 27 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 11.

(reports active cases with school exposure within past 14 days): 136 student cases and 27 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 11. Dickinson College : school is not currently in session; 59 student cases and 34 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 30). Chart last updated on Dec. 17.

: school is not currently in session; 59 student cases and 34 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 30). Chart last updated on Dec. 17. Messiah University : 36 student cases and 5 employee cases in the spring semester (starting Dec. 30); 139 student cases and 56 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 7). Chart last updated Jan. 12.

: 36 student cases and 5 employee cases in the spring semester (starting Dec. 30); 139 student cases and 56 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 7). Chart last updated Jan. 12. Shippensburg University: school is not currently in session; 270 student cases and 31 employee cases the fall semester (started Aug. 1). Chart last updated on Dec. 16.

(Counties with a percent positivity above 5% in a week go on the Department of Health's watch list)

Pennsylvania: Percent Positivity - 35.7% last 7 days (33.3% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,249.2 (1,085.2 previous 7 days)

Adams County: Percent Positivity - 35.5% last 7 days (34.1% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,235.8 (1,147.5 previous 7 days)

Cumberland County: Percent Positivity - 35.2% last 7 days (29.7% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 828.4 (685.6 previous 7 days)

Dauphin County: Percent Positivity - 41.6% last 7 days (36.4% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,128.3 (968.4 previous 7 days)

Franklin County: Percent Positivity - 37.6% last 7 days (32.6% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,424.9 (1,042.4 previous 7 days)

Lebanon County: Percent Positivity - 40.9% last 7 days (37.2% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,538.9 (1,312.5 previous 7 days)

Perry County: Percent Positivity - 36.8% last 7 days (33.4% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 635.4 (507.9 previous 7 days)

York County:

Percent Positivity - 39.6% last 7 days (37.9% previous 7 days)

last 7 days (37.9% previous 7 days)

Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,481.5 (1,386.9 previous 7 days)

Email Jeff at jpratt@cumberlink.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelPratt.

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HARRISBURG  After one of its most challenging exhibitions ever, the 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show is in the history books.

Food prices were up. Attendance was down.

People square dancing happened. Tractor square dancing didnt.

Small chickens came to the Farm Show. Large geese didnt.

Free masks and hand sanitizers were available throughout the 24-acre complex. Few people used them.

This years eight-day Farm Show, which ended Saturday, was held as the omicron variant of COVID-19 raced across the state and nation. Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding urged but didnt mandate that visitors wear masks to the show. He wore his daily. Well below 20 percent of visitors followed his example.

Yet one year after the Farm Show was held virtually, it was back. Vendors and visitors alike expressed joy in attending their annual reunion of all things agriculture.

Its been an incredibly successful show given the times were in, a blue-ribbon Farm Show, Redding said. Last years show (held virtually) was one dimension. This year, it was in three dimensions. A lot of people have thanked us for having it.

He said Farm Show officials did everything possible to protect those who chose to come to this years eight-day show, including wider aisles, spread out exhibits, an improved HVAC system for better ventilation, free masks and sanitizers and free COVID vaccines and flu shots.

We cautioned people about coming, he said, referring to the unvaccinated and the medically vulnerable. About 75 percent of Pennsylvanians are fully vaccinated. Even if the crowds werent here, the heart, soul and energy of the Farm Show was.

Exhibits in everything from livestock to canned goods in Family Living were down. Jennifer Boling, who chairs the Family Living Department, said that everything went well considering the circumstances. Our entries were down but people were just happy to be here.

Food Court takes a hit

Vendors in the Food Court sold everything from apple dumplings to fried zucchini. The majority reported their business down by 50 percent.

But were 100 percent better than last year, when we werent here, said David Smith Pennsylvania Dairymens Association executive director. His group sold everything from milkshakes to mozzarella cubes.

The Pennsylvania Maple Syrup Producers Council did well on maple syrup and cotton candy sales but were plagued by workers getting sick. Even my husband got COVID after the Farm Show started, said Dora Tice, booth manager. Our business is down by 50 percent.

Corn dogs, battered vegetables and blooming onions sold well at the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association booth, said Bill Troxell, group executive director. Gale Ferranto, a third-generation mushroom farmer from Chester County, said sales were off by 50 percent but were all healthy and happy to be back after last year.

Matt Strite, who headed the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania booth, echoed that sentiment. He said that cider slushies and cider doughnuts were popular this year.

Pierogis and loaded baked potatoes, new this year, did well at the Pennsylvania Cooperative Potato Growers Inc. booth, said Rahn Troutman, booth manager. Lloyd Hess who managed the Pennsylvania Livestock Association booth said the flyin porker sandwich with half beef and half pork was his best seller.

Freshly squeezed lemonade and buffalo chicken pizza sold well at the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation booth even though overall business was down by half, said Sarah Sparks, group executive director.

Bell & Evans stand workers reported fairly slow sales of their three items  chicken sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches and chicken tenders.







Cumberland County presence

Cumberland Countys contributions to the 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show were felt throughout the show, from the donation of more than 1,000 pounds of butter from LandO Lakes for the iconic butter sculpture to the county competitors in dozens of categories.

New this year was a stand by Chef Tonys Food Truck of New Cumberland. This popular stand in the Main Exhibition Hall featured such unique offerings as Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, General Tsos Brussel Sprouts, and apple stuffed churros.

Several Cumberland County residents also participated in the Farm Show horseshoe tournament.

Ive been pitching horseshoes since I was 19, said John Monismith of Enola. Now Im 71.

Bev Barger of North Middleton Township, participating in the tournament with her husband, Brad, said that horseshoes are easy to learn, competitive and fun for a couple to do together.







Time to clean up

As the last exhibitors trudged out of the Farm Show Complex on Saturday evening, workers began the massive cleanup.

The complex, empty of visitors but full of workers, buzzed as people shoveled manure, collected trash, took down stalls and pens, cleaned arenas, bathrooms, exhibit areas, hallways and more. The butter sculpture in the Main Exposition Hall will be dismantled Sunday and transported to a Juniata County dairy farm to be converted into fuel.

Workers have a quick turnout because hundreds of horses and their owners will be moving in for the Keystone Draft Horse Sale scheduled in the complex Monday through Wednesday.

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Preferred Hospice has announced that Dr. Jonathon Bird, MD, has joined the Preferred Hospice medical staff and will serve as a hospice physician in the Farmington office.

Bird graduated high school in Odessa and attended medical school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He completed his residency in family medicine at Baptist Medical Center in Kansas City. He has been active in medicine for 38 years, mostly in family practice, but also has more than 10 years in emergency medicine. Bird has been involved with hospice services for the past 10 plus years and will continue that practice with the Preferred Hospice team.

When asked why he wanted to work for Preferred Hospice, Bird said Ive been drawn to working with hospice patients and families for quite some time, and working with Preferred gives me the opportunity to work with old friends and colleagues as well as make new acquaintances.

"Also, Preferred has the support of a large organization yet the office staff and many of the professionals who work there are definitely local.

Bird joins the Preferred Hospice team which has been active in the Parkland area for almost 12 years. He will provide medical care to Preferred Hospice patients and will work with the rest of the team to ensure the patients have what they need at the end of life.

Dr. Bird comes to Preferred with hospice knowledge and passion," said Sean Copeland, director of operations. "He knows what these patients need at the end of life. He understands what our nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other staff do day in and day out. He knows its a 24-hour-a-day job and hes ready to help us care for people facing a life-limiting illness. We are excited to see how much love he has for hospice.

Bird and his wife Lisa recently renewed their vows on their 20th wedding anniversary. Together they have six children Bethany (and Andy Sherrill), Danielle, Kristen (and Mica Birdshire), Ross (and Holli Ledbetter), Lauren, and Jonathon II. They have five grandchildren.

Bird and his family are active in local groups and activities, as well as traveling and mission work. He stated Ive visited and enjoy relationships at many local churches. I have been active in the most recent years with St. Paul Lutheran Church of Farmington, where four of my five grandchildren attend school.

"With my passion for medicine, my strong faith, and my love of travel, I have a strong affinity to missionary work, and through the years have been privileged to be able to take part in some endeavors to bring medical help and encouragement to people in various areas of the world, commonly after a natural disaster of some sort.

Preferred Hospice of Farmington serves patients in Jefferson, Washington, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Madison, Iron, Wayne, Crawford, Dent, and Reynolds counties. The Preferred Hospice staff is made up of nurses, CNAs, social workers, chaplains, physicians, and volunteers. Together the staff has many years of hospice experience.

For more information, to refer a patient, or to become a volunteer, call Preferred Hospice at 573-756-9800 or toll free at 1-888-756-9802.

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For the first time since 2006, Missouris traffic fatalities surpassed 1,000, according to a news release issued Wednesday by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

According to preliminary data, 1,004 people were killed in Missouri traffic crashes in 2021, a nearly 3% increase over 2020 and marking the second straight year of growing fatality totals after nearly a decade of steady decline.

These fatalities are unacceptable, alarming and preventable, said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. There are simple things we can all do to make a real impact on our roadways. Wearing your seat belt is your best line of defense in a crash and avoiding distractions can prevent those crashes in the first place. Buckle up, phone down.

Fatal traffic accidents in 2021 in the Parkland region, according to Missouri State Highway Patrols (MSHPs) online crash reports, include 12 in St. Francois County; 8 in Ste. Genevieve County; 9 in Washington County; 43 in Jefferson County; 2 in Madison County; and 2 in Iron County.

From data collected by MSHP, lack of seat belt use continues to be a common denominator in fatal crashes. About two-thirds of vehicle occupants killed in Missouri were not wearing a seat belt. Preliminary data shows drivers using a cellphone were involved in more than 2,200 crashes in Missouri in 2021  although distracted driving remains widely underreported  and 40% of the fatal crashes of the year involved speeding or driving too fast for the conditions.

The Missouri State Patrol is dedicated to promoting safety upon our highways and working to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes, said MSHP Superintendent Col. Eric Olson. Every motorist who uses Missouri roadways plays an important role in reducing traffic fatalities. The public can help us prevent fatalities by paying attention to the full-time job of driving, obeying all traffic laws, and wearing a seat belt.

Missouris strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, focuses on four ways every Missourian can help eliminate traffic deaths  buckle up, phone down, slow down and drive sober. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan and to learn how all Missourians can help make the roadways safer, visit www.savemolives.com.

Sarah Haas is the assistant editor for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-518-3617 or at shaas@dailyjournalonline.com.

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The Charlottesville school division is seeking to wean itself off an infusion of one-time federal money that it used to pay for raises, 17 new full-time positions, and other investments aimed at helping students recover from the ongoing pandemic.

An initial draft of the divisions fiscal year 2023 spending plan would rely on about $2.18 million of that federal stimulus money  down from $4.6 million allocated in the current operating budget.

The school division wants to use that money plus an increase in state and local revenue to give its employees an average 5% raise, cover cost increases with recurring contracts, make the theater teacher at Buford Middle School a full-time position and sustain several new positions that were funded in the current fiscal year.

The division has received $15.7 million in federal stimulus funds since the start of the pandemic, which must be spent by Sept. 30, 2024.

Kim Powell, the divisions assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said this is a key budget cycle for using the federal funds.

Its our last full budget year to sort this out, Powell said. You only have one more shot.

Transitioning away from the federal money and implementing the long-awaited reconfiguration project to put the middle grades under one roof are priorities for the board. The topics will dominate budget discussions, as has already been the case. The division has received $15.7 million in federal stimulus funds since the start of the pandemic, which must be spent by Sept. 30, 2024.

This budget cycle will be the first for schools Superintendent Royal Gurley Jr. who started in the position in early October.

Despite the pay raise and stimulus funds, the division is looking at nearly $1 million in cuts. That includes the reduction of 15 full-time instructional assistant positions, which would occur via attrition. No current employees would lose their job, according to the presentation. Specifics regarding the personnel changes affecting 17 full-time changes would be discussed in closed session, Gurley said.

The division has 82 instructional assistants in its general fund and the state staffing standard calls for nine, according to the presentation.

Board members supported the effort to reduce the use of one-time funds and wanted to see more recommendations for how to cut costs or make other adjustments to continue to do so over the next two budget cycles.

When we get to next year, everything has to be on the table, not just always the [instructional assistants], board member Lashundra Bryson Morsberger said, adding the budget should reflect the school systems values. I dont see the resources going to the places that need it the most.

The spending plan will be formally presented to the school board on Feb. 3. The board will vote on the request Feb. 24 before presenting it to City Council on March 7.

Gurley said that at this point, hes not recommending a cut to any program related to children, but he told board members that theyll have to make tough decisions about personnel who work with children.

Board member Jennifer McKeever said that the city has been clear that there has to be some give in the divisions operating budget in order for reconfiguration to be funded.

This is a good faith effort and I would like to continue that effort by having additional recommendations, she said. So I think it would be helpful for them to see us making these hard choices.

Overall, the initial draft of the proposal is a pared down request compared to previous budgets. New line items for school-based program improvements and support totals $48,800. Last year, the total was $1,854,199 and $475,578 in fiscal year 2020  the last budget before the pandemic.

Typically, budget development conversations in Charlottesville focus on changes and new spending rather than the entire budget, which totaled $94 million for this fiscal year. About 84% of the expenses go toward instructional staff.

Overall, the school division is currently planning to request $4,039,070 from the city. Historically, the city has given the school division 40% of new real estate and property tax revenue, which would be $3.1 million for fiscal year 2023.

The $4 million would cover cost increases in contracts with the city for transportation and maintenance as well as a $15,000 storm water tax. The transportation contract is increasing by $567,062, which would include changes implemented this year to offer retention bonusesThe maintenance contract is increasing by $296,459. Both increases would cover the 6% raises recently approved by city council, Powell said.

Local funding makes up the bulk of the divisions budget. The citys $58,709,632 base allocation to the school division hasnt changed in the last two fiscal years. Last year, the division wouldve received $746,069 via the funding formula but that money was not requested given uncertainty surrounding the citys revenues.

The School Board will discuss the spending proposal with the city council at a joint meeting next month. The board is hoping to meet in-person at Buford Middle School.

For the reconfiguration project, the division is expecting to have about $6.8 million left in federal funds to use for one-time projects.

Powell said construction projects are one option for that money if the Virginia Department of Education signs off on an application.

Before we can submit the application, there needs to be some level of understanding, agreement and trust between elected bodies about how we are going to navigate the next two years, Powell said.

Powell said one option for those funds is to pay for the school divisions non-reconfiguration projects in the citys capital improvement plan, totaling $6.755 million. That would include the remaining renovation projects at Greenbrier, Johnson and Venable elementary schools and replacing the roof at Charlottesville High School.

The school system also received an $808,685 state grant for HVAC related projects. Using the grant and federal funds would leave as much as $7.56 million for the city to use in its capital budget.

About $75 million has been included in the citys capital improvement plan for the first phase of reconfiguration.

This is very exciting to see that we potentially have some money so that we can, in good faith, help, board chairwoman Lisa Larson-Torres said.

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Virginia Department of Transportation crews were salting and plowing Sunday afternoon on the heels of the second major snowstorm to hit Central Virginia in two weeks.

Upwards of four inches had fallen in Charlottesville and Albemarle County by early evening Sunday, creating treacherous travel and leaving motorists and pedestrians to slog through slick and slippery streets.

Interstates and primary roads in the Culpeper District are in moderate condition, covered with packed snow but drivable with caution, said Lou Hatter, VDOT spokesman. Secondary roads are also in moderate condition and have not been plowed. VDOT is continuing to ask drivers to stay off the roads.

The winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in place until 7 a.m. Monday, by which time the snow should be moving up the East Coast. The falling snow was expected to turn into freezing rain and ice as the storm worked its way through the overnight hours.

The worst may be yet to come, Hatter said. The snow is changing to sleet in some areas and is forecast to change to freezing rain. The wind will pick up significantly, which could result in downed trees and power lines. After that, bitterly cold temperatures will result in a refreeze, exacerbating dangerous conditions.

The Jan. 3 storm that blew through the region left tens of thousands of utility customers without power, some for nearly a week. As of Sunday evening, however, there were no widespread outages reported and very few scattered outages.

City of Charlottesville road crews began plowing Sunday evening, having already pretreated the roads Saturday night. Exactly how much snow will finally drop is anyones guess as predictions during the past few days have varied from three to five inches to between seven inches and a foot.

As of midday Sunday, weather service prognosticators were predicting four to six inches with about a tenth of an inch of ice.

They also were predicting that a warm layer aloft would move in later Sunday and lead to a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain for areas east of Interstate 81.

Areas along the Interstate 95 corridor should start transitioning first, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. this evening, weather officials said.

Although VDOT, weather officials and even the Virginia State Police exhorted people to stay home, many went driving anyway.

Troopers have responded to 369 traffic crashes and 282 disabled vehicles since 12:01 a.m. Sunday through 4:30 p.m., said Shelby Crouch, of the state police. The majority of those crashes have involved only damage to vehicles. There have been no reported traffic fatalities during this time period.

Police noted that the roads have been and remain extremely risky. Sunday afternoon a state trooper was traveling east on Interstate 64 when another driver tried to pass, lost control and smacked the patrol car. No one was hurt.

To add insult to the regions injury, the snow could make a repeat performance next weekend.

There is a slight winter storm threat for early Saturday morning into Saturday night, meteorologists said. If this threat materializes, it may cause travel disruptions. This would put strong winds in the east and moderate to heavy snow. We still have 5 to 6 days until this potential winter storm, so the exact track and intensity could change quite a few times between now and then.

The City of Charlottesville is asking residents "to prepare to be self-sufficient for 72 hours" and is not currently opening any warming shelters.

"Our strategy has been to assist all individuals and households requesting assistance with a case management approach and to focus on getting and keeping our most vulnerable off the street, aligning with the efforts of PACEM and The Haven," officials said. ""We are utilizing these methods for assisting our residents, making a warming center less of a priority at this time."

This story has been edited to clarify the City of Charlottesville's policy on sheltering.

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As Colorado is experiencing an unprecedented rise in thefts of catalytic converters, a bill introduced in the state Senate Wednesday would try to tackle the issue.

Catalytic converters are exhaust emission control devices found in many lower emission and hybrid vehicles. The converters contain precious metals that are trading at record prices, leading to skyrocketing theft rates nationwide, according to the Catalytic Converter Theft Committee.

If passed, Bill 22-009 would aim to curb the thefts by making it illegal to install, sell or advertise any used, recycled or salvaged catalytic converter, unless it is an aftermarket catalytic converter certified for installation and sale by the air quality control commission. The bill would take effect Oct. 31.

Thefts of catalytic converters are hurting a lot of people in significant ways, said state Rep. Shannon Bird, one of the sponsors of the bill. People need their cars. We need them for work and to generally live our lives. Our bill will take away many of the incentives to steal catalytic converters and will stem the demand for their resale.

Bird said she was inspired to take action after she heard from several constituents and car dealerships who had been victims of catalytic converter thefts. The thefts, in addition to supply chain issues making parts difficult to replace, rendered the vehicles unusable.

In Denver, thefts of catalytic converters increased by more than 15,000% from 2019 to 2021. In 2019, only 15 catalytic converters were reported stolen in the city. In 2021, there were 2,359 catalytic converters stolen by mid-November, according to data from the Denver Police Department.

Nationally, catalytic converter thefts more than quadrupled from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Besides the rise in thefts, Colorados regulations make replacing the stolen parts very expensive, said state Sen. Dennis Hisey, who also sponsored the bill. Colorado follows California emissions standards, requiring catalytic converters be replaced with parts from the vehicle manufacturer. This can lead to costs upward of $5,000 for catalytic converters, Hisey said.

Our current regulations are costing people many times what it should to replace a stolen catalytic convertor, Hisey said. While I want to stop the theft, I also want to make repairs of that vehicle more affordable and invite the governor to support me in this endeavor.

In addition to outlawing the installation and sale of used catalytic converters, the bill would also add catalytic converters to the definition of "major component motor vehicle part and change the definition of "commodity metal" to include rhodium, palladium or platinum-clad components of a catalytic converter.
Emily Dutka was arrested by the Loveland Police Department on two counts of DUI in May 2020. The issue was, she wasnt drunk.

After the arrest, a blood test confirmed Dutkas blood alcohol concentration was 0.027  significantly below the legal limit of 0.08. Charges against Dutka were dropped and her record was expunged, but the damage was already done.

At the time of the arrest, Dutka was in the National Guard and in the process of transferring to the Army Reserves so she could move overseas to be with her husband and two children, who were living in Austria and preparing to move to Serbia for her husbands job. Because of the arrest, the transfer was dissolved and Dutka was separated from her family for nearly six months.

Its time I will never get back, said Dutka, a 27-year-old Fort Collins resident. I missed my daughters first steps. I missed her second birthday.  Its caused issues between my marriage, its caused emotional issues, attachment issues (with my kids).

Dutka was supposed to join her family in Serbia in June 2020, but instead she was forced to start her transfer process over and didnt get to move until November 2020. This came after Dutka had already been away from her family since November 2019 because she had to return to the U.S. for training.

It kept me away from my kids for a year, when it was only supposed to be six months, Dutka said. My son, at the time, he was 5 and my daughter was 2. I already spent so much time away from them and I couldnt return home and they didnt understand what was going on.

Dutka said the incident caused significant emotional hardship for her family, adding that she and her husband are now in the process of getting divorced. The arrest also caused financial hardships due to legal fees and Dutka having to rent an apartment in the U.S. for six months.

Attorney Sarah Schielke with the Life and Liberty Law Office said Dutka is not the only person to be hurt by wrongful DUI arrests made by the Loveland Police Department.

Schielke filed a lawsuit against the police department earlier this month, alleging that Loveland Officer William Gates has knowingly and wrongfully arrested at least four people in the last year for DUI by claiming they smell of alcohol and have watery eyes, only for their test results to come back clear.

I am aware of over a dozen wrongful DUI arrests made by the Loveland PD in just an 18-month span, said Schielke, who represented Dutka in 2020 to get her record expunged. Two more individuals who were wrongfully arrested by LPD officers for DUI have called me in just the last hour. There is a clearly emerging pattern here.

Schielke said she is working on filing an amended complaint against the police department with the new allegations. Dutka didnt pursue legal action at the time of her arrest because she was focused on getting back to her family; however, she said she is considering joining Schielkes lawsuit.

Dutkas arrest happened just after 11:30 p.m. on May 9, 2020, near West 43rd Street and North Wilson Avenue in Loveland. Dutka said she was driving to her aunts house in a rental car after dropping off her friends from a Mixed Martial Arts fight. Loveland Sgt. Antolina Hill pulled her over for having a headlight out.

In a copy of the arrest report provided by Dutka, Hill claims Dutkas eyes were watery and bloodshot and that she smelt alcohol on her breath. Dutka repeatedly maintained her sobriety, admitting to Hill she had taken a few sips from a drink four hours prior to driving. After voluntarily completing a roadside sobriety test, Hill arrested Dutka and took her to get her blood tested, which proved Dutkas sobriety weeks later.

The Loveland Police Department defended Dutkas arrest in a statement sent to The Denver Gazette, saying the arrest was lawful because it was based on probable cause.

Probable cause does not require an officer prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, and it does not require prosecution and conviction, the statement said. The fact that the District Attorneys Office dismissed the charges is an example of the justice system working as intended. This was not a wrongful or unconstitutional arrest."

Immediately after the arrest, Dutka filed a complaint against Hill. The police department responded with a letter two months later, saying they reviewed the incident and found that Hill acted in accordance to their policy.

However, Dutka claims Hill lied on the arrest report to justify the arrest. In the report, Hill wrote that Dutka failed a nystagmus test, meaning her eyes involuntarily jerked as she gazed in a certain direction, a sign of intoxication. Dutka said this isnt true and that she and her father, who is a police officer in Fort Collins, repeated the test when she had drank alcohol and found no sign of nystagmus.

The Loveland Police Department has been the subject of high-profile complaints in the last year. In August, the police department was sued after an officer fatally shot a familys dog for walking up to him.

Most infamously, Loveland officers violently arrested a 73-year-old woman with dementia in June 2020  throwing her to the ground, breaking her arm and dislocating her shoulder  after she allegedly stole less than $15 worth of items from a Walmart store. A resulting lawsuit named Hill as a defendant, saying she ignored the victims complaints of injuries. The lawsuit resulted in a $3 million settlement in September.

Its not just Sgt. Hill that is the problem. Its the police department as a whole, Dutka said. Theres so much misconduct and no accountability. I want them to recognize that their insubordination and their misconduct have caused severe hardship for many families, emotionally, mentally and financially.
The old cowboy saying that when you get bucked off the bronco, youve got to get back on and try again applies to Denver and the National Western Center Authority when it comes to getting a shiny new arena.

In November, voters rejected a $190 million bond measure that would have helped pay for a 10,000-seat arena and revamped a stock show building into a community market.

It certainly didnt help that folks had not been on the campus for almost two years, said Brad Buchanan, CEO of the authority, noting that last year's stock show was canceled due to the pandemic and constant construction made it difficult to visit the stock show grounds.

The authority oversees the land that makes up the National Western Complex and Denver Coliseum off I-70 and Brighton Boulevard.

The authority was created in 2015 when the Colorado State University system, Denver officials and the Western Stock Show Association, which puts on the stock show, signed an agreement to develop the campus and reinvigorate the city land.

Voters passed a measure that November allowing bonds to be issued through a 1.75% tourism tax on hotel rooms and rental cars. The measure was not to exceed $778 million.

Phases 1 and 2 of that bond-fueled construction resulted in the Cille and Ron Williams Stockyards, the 46,000-square-foot HW Hutchison Family Stockyards Event Center, an equestrian center and trade show area. All of the facilities were unveiled during this year's stock show, which runs through Jan. 23, along with the first of three buildings on the CSU Spur campus there.

We were very supportive when the mayor asked us what we thought of the idea, Paul Andrews, president and CEO of the National Western Stock Show, said of the failed bond measure. We raised money to support the idea  but it appears that was not the vehicle voters would like to see used.

Voters probably got confused and thought the measure would include a tax increase, city officials said.

The broader Denver community didnt know the progress we had made, said Jenna Espinoza-Garcia, a Denver spokeswoman. We hope many got to see the progress at the stock show this year.

Were sure people were feeling like, We already approved funding for this, and havent seen any return on investment yet.

Now the Western Stock Show Association, Denver and authority officials are regrouping, talking to community members and trying to formulate a new plan.

Weve got to go back to the drawing board with the community, Espinoza-Garcia said. Were starting discussions again and keeping them in the loop. Its clear they want to be more involved partners.

In the meantime, construction starts this summer on the 3,500-seat Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center.

CoBank recently donated $5 million to the National Western Center through the Honoring the Legacy Campaign, earning naming rights for the CoBank Livestock Arena and the CoBank Livestock Auction Arena.

The 146,000-square-foot, 5,000-seat CoBank Livestock Arena will be one of the most vital and heavily trafficked locations on the National Western Center campus during the National Western Stock Show and throughout the year, according to a news release.

On Friday, the CoBank Livestock Auction Arena hosts the popular Junior Livestock Auction. The 10,000-square-foot facility seats 700.

Andrews said the National Western Stock Show owes $125 million to Denver to pay for phases 1 and 2 of the measure that passed in 2015. It transferred 90 acres of land, valued at $75 million.

The other $50 million had to be a cash infusion, and the CoBank donation is part of that $50 million, Andrews said. The new, multi-purpose building all the partners are trying to have built will be in a different business model, that is yet to be determined.

A new events center would help the stock shows rodeo stay competitive, Andrews said. The aging Denver Coliseum is competing against venues like the 14,000-seat Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, which opened in late 2019.

State-of-the-art facilities cities are building keeps them staying competitive. They can draw higher talent pools and pay out more, Andrews said. Fort Worth pays out $1 million. Were in the $600,000 range.  No one is really suggesting the Denver Coliseum, built in 1952, is a competitive venue across America.
Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT) has signed a new 20-year concession to continue delivering telecommunications services in Cape Verde.

The operator signed the agreement on 12th January 2022, and has agreed to invest CVE40 billion (US$414 million) across the duration of the concession. For comparison, over the past 25 years, the operator has invested CVE35.8 billion into its network and services.

The renewal of CVTs concession was approved under decree-law 36/2021 on 14th April 2021. Its previous concession ended in late 2020, with the renewal process suffering numerous delays  including a nine month gap between the approval of the new concession and the contract being signed.

TeleGeography reports that state-owned CVT is obliged to pay Cape Verdes government an annual fee of CVE41 million as part of its new concession.
Telenors planned sale of its 51 percent stake in Myanmar's Wave Money, a digital payment service provider, for $53 million to a subsidiary of Yoma Strategic, mentioned in these pages in early January, is finally going through.

According to Reuters, the subsidiary, Yoma MFS Holdings Pte Ltd, is to be funded by a consortium of investors led by the Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic, part of Yoma Group. Yoma Group describes itself as a leading conglomerate in Myanmar with a focus on the real estate, financial services, automotive and heavy equipment, healthcare, consumer and tourism sectors.

However, a sale price that values Wave Money at about $104 million is much lower than the $150 million calculation in mid-2020 when the divestment deal was first mooted. That said, Wave Money has seen a significant recovery in volumes since June 2021

Telenors plans to sell its local telecoms business to Lebanese investment firm M1 Group still await approval from the Myanmar authorities.

Meanwhile the changing business climate has already had an effect on Myanmars telecoms industry and its end users after the imposition of new taxes by the countrys ruling military junta.

One major operator, MPT, has reminded its customers that new SIM card activations will be subject to one-time commercial tax of MMK 20,000 (about $11.25) and internet data services will be subject to commercial tax of 15 percent for both mobile and fixed internet services.

The company has therefore told its customers that there will be changes of prices in its products and services especially for data consumption and activation of new SIM according to the new directive.

MPT has over 23 million users and claims to have the widest mobile network coverage (96 percent) across the country.
Romanian cloud service provider ClusterPower has laid out $43 million to start building a data centre campus near the southern city of Craiova.

The 273,000 sq ft campus will scale to a power output of 200MW, once all five data centres being planned come on stream, said the cloud service provider. The company will invest RON 172 mln (EUR 36 mln), of which RON 82 mln was provided under state aid granted last year by the Ministry of Finance.

The exact location of the Tier-3-designed facility is at Mischii in Dolj. The project is the first hyper-scale data centre in the region and has received around half of its initial budget from state funding as part of the Romanian governments efforts to stimulate digital economic growth in the country.

The first of the five data centers will open its doors in the first quarter of 2022. The mtu CCHP units supply electricity, heat and cooling for the building and the infrastructure.

"All five data centers are scheduled for completion in 2025. During this time, ClusterPower plans to expand its gas-fired power plant to a total capacity of 200 MW and thus produce its own sustainable electricity," said a press release.

Rolls-Royce, along with its distributor partner Knopf & Wallisch (K&W), has supplied three mtu customized and containerized combined cooling, heat, and power plant (CCHP) trigeneration units to ClusterPower. They will be used for the efficient and sustainable energy supply at its new technology campus near the southern Romanian city of Craiova, where the IT company will open the largest data center in Romania.

The generator sets are based on mtu 20V 4000 L64 FNER gas engines, which fulfill the strictest emissions standards, allow for quick ramp-up and ramp-down, offer a wide range of load operations, and high performance also at high temperatures.
Orange has signed an EaaS (Energy as a Service) contract with Engie to convert its main African data centre to solar power.

Signed last month, the agreement will see Engie convert the GOS (Groupement Orange Services) to solar power by installing a solar plant on rooftops and solar carports, for a total installed capacity of 355 kWp. This will reduce its environmental footprint, minimize the share of commercial electricity from non-renewable sources and avoid using fuel generators (fossil energy that emits CO2). The commissioning is scheduled for the second half of 2022.

The plant will be made up of 784 latest-generation photovoltaic cells and will provide the data centre with an estimated 527 MWh/year of renewable energy. Its architecture was designed to work 7 days a week in self-consumption mode, i.e. the data centre will directly use the energy as it is produced by the Sun (during the day). This will cover close to 60% of the data centres daytime (7 am - 6 pm) consumption.

The GOS is a resource-pooling entity for the 18 Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) subsidiaries, which provides pooled hosting and infrastructure operation services, service platforms and IT to all the subsidiaries. The data centre was built in 2016 in Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire, on a site covering 16,600 m. It hosts IT and telecommunication equipment which supports the services provided by the GOS to all OMEA subsidiaries.

The GOS is one of the components of the Orange data centre network in Africa, which has Uptime Institute Tier 3 certification design, consolidating Orange's position as a key player in the sub-region's economic ecosystem. It helps to advance digital equality by supporting States to develop agricultural, educational, and healthcare services and fosters entrepreneurship and local innovation.

The initiative to convert the GOS to solar power is consistent with the plan adopted by the Government of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, which aims to make the country the sub-region's energy hub by 2030 renewables accounting for 42% of energy produced.

Alioune Ndiaye, Chairman and CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, said: "This project is a first in West Africa for Orange in terms of its size and scope and it perfectly illustrates our ambition to speed up our solar projects in order to achieve net zero carbon by 2040. In the rest of Africa and the Middle East we have already implemented several initiatives, as equipping 5,400 telecoms sites by solar panels and building solar farms in Jordan and Mali. We intend to go further."



Armand Seya, CEO of ENGIE Services West Africa says: "Engie Africa is active in electricity production, energy services and decentralised solutions for off-grid customers across the continent. We are proud to support the GOS (Groupement Orange Services) in its energy transition having ensured the multi-technical maintenance of the Data Centre since 2019 and now with the implementation of this solar plant."
Chilean telecommunications company Grupo GTD, whose activities include data transmission, network interconnection, internet, mobile telephony, digital television, voice and other communication services, has announced plans to build its second data centre in Peru.

The company already has one data centre in the country. The tier III data centre opened in 2018 in the capitals Surco district and has 202 square metres of white space and 1,161 square metres of floor space.

The new tier III data centre, in which GTD plans to invest $50 million, will be much bigger. Sited in Lima department, 30 kilometres away from its predecessor, it will have more than 6,000 square metres of floor space and 2,000 square metres of white space, with the capacity to accommodate more than 900 racks.

According to the website Data Centre Dynamics, construction of the new data centre is expected to begin in the second half of 2022.

This will not, however, be the biggest Grupo GTD data centre; that honour goes to the facility in the Chilean capital Santiago.

GTD also has a strong presence in Colombia where, late last year, it announced an investment of $20 million for the installation of a data centre in Barranquilla, a landing point for four underwater cables. This will be GTDs second data centre in the country; it opened a data centre in Medellin in early 2016.

The new Colombian data centre, which will, it is hoped, make strong use of renewable energy, will have 6,200 square metres of floor space.

GTD so far has a network of nine data centres in Latin America, six of which are tier III certified. Seven of the data centres are in Chile.
China's ZTE Corporation and China Unicom have jointly completed the Proof of Concept (PoC) of computing power network service scheduling.

This PoC, based on the SDN+SRv6 Policy framework, achieves flexible scheduling of value-added services across multiple resource pools, and completes integrated scheduling of computing power network, said a press release from the international provider of telecommunications, enterprise, and consumer technology solutions for the mobile internet.

"Thus, it provides a basis for further exploration into the application of computing power network and lays a foundation for future commercial deployments of the computing power network," the release added.

The computing power network is a new focus of the development of the digital economy and intelligent society. By introducing new frameworks and technologies, it implements integrated scheduling of computing, storage, and network resources, and optimizes resource utilization and user experiences. Therefore, accelerating the development of computing power networks has become one of the most important strategies of operators.

China Unicom proposed the concept of computing power network brings new value for the first time at the Network 5.0 Summit in June 2019. Taking the transport network based on computing and cloud integration as the basic architecture of CUBE-Net 3.0, China Unicom proposed the ultimate, elastic, intelligent and simplified computing power network and aimed to build it as the first computing power engine of the digital economy.

The release said that ZTE and China Unicom have been jointly promoting cooperation on computing power network, actively exploring cutting-edge technologies and innovations, and continuously investigating deployment scenarios of the computing power network, to achieve a win-win computing power network. At CCSA TC3, ZTE and China Unicom developed the industrial standards of the computing power identification system and led the researches in computing power network DevOps and microservice-based SRv6 computing power network.

In this PoC, the network value-added service scheduling, based on the computing power status perception, was set as the basic scenario. Virtual value-added services were deployed in multiple resource pools, and streaming media AI reasoning services were used based on the computing power network service orchestration system developed by China Unicom Research Institute, it added.

As per the PoC, the unified scheduling of computing power and network in many specific scenarios, including the initial state, service overlapping, intra-resource pool scheduling, inter-resource pool scheduling, and service fallback has been verified via the collaboration of the service orchestration system, network controller, cloud management platform, and computing power gateway, to achieve prototype service flow stickiness and find the nearest service provisioning location of the computing power network.

ZTE and China Unicom defined the instantiated scenarios, selected value-added service types, designed service flows, and selected overlapped service types to complete end-to-end service demonstration and acceptance.
ATLANTA  A man whose toddler son died after he left him in a hot car for hours is asking Georgias highest court to overturn his convictions for murder and child cruelty.

Justin Ross Harris, 41, was convicted in November 2016 on eight counts including malice murder in the death of his 22-month-old son, Cooper. A judge sentenced him to life without parole as well as 32 more years in prison for other crimes.

Harris has appealed his convictions for murder and first-degree child cruelty. The Georgia Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments for Tuesday.

Harris, who moved from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to the Atlanta area for work in 2012, told police he forgot to drop his son off at day care on the morning of June 18, 2014, driving straight to his job as a web developer for Home Depot without remembering that Cooper was still in his car seat.

Cooper died after sitting for about seven hours in the back seat of the vehicle outside his fathers office in suburban Atlanta, where temperatures that day reached at least into the high 80s.

Prosecutors argued at trial that Harris was unhappily married and killed his son on purpose to free himself. Defense attorneys described him as a doting father and said the boys death was a tragic accident.

Police officers who interacted with Harris after his sons death didnt think he acted the way a father should under the circumstances, and began investigating all aspects of his life, according to a defense brief filed with the high court.

Evidence showed he was a loving and attentive father, even if exchanging sexually explicit messages and graphic photos with women and teenage girls and meeting some of them for sex revealed that Harris was not a great husband, the defense brief says.

Investigators cherry picked the mountain of electronic data to support the conclusion that (Harris) murdered his son, ignoring contrary evidence, the brief says.

Harris lawyer, Mitch Durham, argues that the judge shouldnt have admitted evidence of Harris extramarital communications and in-person trysts at trial because his sexual misconduct had nothing to do with the death of his child. Prosecutors argue that plenty of evidence was presented to allow jurors to infer that Harris acted out of a desire to be free of his wife and son so that he could pursue his self-described sexual addiction.

Durham argues that there was insufficient evidence to show that he intended to kill his son and that some of his internet searches, activity and messages were twisted to fit that narrative. He says the evidence of sexual misconduct served only to prejudice the jury against Harris.

The state, represented by the Cobb County district attorneys office and the attorney generals office, argues that the evidence of his sexual conduct outside his marriage is not irrelevant because it illustrates his motive for killing his son. To conclude that Harris did not act with malice or criminal negligence by leaving his son in a hot car, the high court would have to ignore the evidence about Harris double life and its deep connection to his motive for killing Cooper.

Durham also says the trial judge made mistakes in requiring the defense to disclose the notes of a defense expert, allowing the introduction of a 3D animated video and limiting the cross examination of certain witnesses. Each of those errors is enough to justify a new trial, but even if the high court finds each of them alone to be relatively harmless, their collective prejudicial effect is sufficient to authorize a new trial, Durham argues.

Prosecutors, on the other hand, say the trial judge correctly decided these issues and Harris convictions and sentence should be upheld.

Cooper Harris did not get a second chance on June 18, 2014, and his father has fallen short of demonstrating that he is entitled to a second chance in this appeal, the district attorneys brief says.
ELKO  Two weather systems moving through the western U.S. this week arent likely to change the dry weather pattern that has settled into northeastern Nevada this month.

Gradually increasing high clouds are expected through Tuesday as a low pressure system moves into southern California, stated National Weather Service forecasters. However, the area will remain dry with light winds remaining in place.

Elko has received zero inches of snow this month and only a trace of precipitation. The last measurable snow fell on Dec. 30.

High pressure that has been dominating northern Nevada this month will break down Thursday as a low pressure system moves into the Pacific Northwest.

Isolated snow showers in northern Elko County are possible Friday morning but continued dry conditions are likely elsewhere, forecasters said. Another dominant ridge will build quickly Saturday, keeping dry conditions in the region into early next week.

Above seasonal high temperatures are expected through early next week ranging from the upper 30s to mid-40s in northern Nevada and in the mid-40s to low 50s in central Nevada. Overnight lows will range from the teens to mid-20s.

Elkos highs this week will be around 40 degrees, which is slightly above normal for mid-January.

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Although the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars had a whirlwind tour of various programs and groups in northern Nevada, Matthew Fritz Milhelcic emphasized Jan. 7 the military service organization remains vigil in the need to support veterans and their local posts.

Milhelcic attended Nevadas Mid-Winter conference in Sparks Jan. 6-9 that was hosted by VFW Post 3396. The Sparta, Illinois, resident said the VFW is here for the veterans, families and communities. Additionally, he showed a strong affinity to the National Guard.

While visiting the Nevada National Guards Military and Family Support Services with several state VFW officers, Milhelcic learned of issues facing the Guard and how assistance can reach more veterans.

The stop at both the Nevada National Guards Plumb Lane Armory and the Nevada Air National Guard Fire Department at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport revealed Milhelcics early roots in the military. He was a security policeman with the Air National Guards 131st Tactical Fighter Wing from 1989 to 1999 and also deployed to Southwest Asia as part of the Desert Shield and then Desert Storm callup. When he spoke to firefighters, Milhelcic said hes a firm believer in the National Guard.

People dont understand how much the Air Guard does for their country, he said.

Milhelcic said the Air Guards fire station is connected to a busy airport, but remarked firefighters are doing a civilian mission as well as a military one. During his stop at the airport, fire Capt. David Morris, who is also a tech sergeant in the Nevada Air Guard, provided Milhelcic with a tour of the facility and took him aboard one of the C-130s.

Youre coming together. Thats the whole idea of citizen soldiers, Milhelcic pointed out after his visit. Thats why I really enjoyed being in the National Guard. I could continue my day job, but I could give back to my country.

Milhelcic said to the firefighters they werent drafted but chose to join the military. As a VFW member, Mihelcic said he was here for the veterans.

David Sousa, a retired Army soldier who served with Nevadas 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion and as a past Nevada VFW commander, was committee chairman for the mid-winter conference. He augmented Milhelcics comments by saying the VFW, American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans all fight for the states veterans through the legislative process. Every two years, the military organizations receive feedback and then decide which bills they will bring to the Nevada State Legislature.

That stems from all of us working together to make it work, Sousa said.

During the last decade, Sousa said the military organizations made the construction of the state veterans home a priority in northern Nevada, and with the help of former Gov. Brian Sandoval, he provided the extra funding from the state budget to build the facility that opened in December 2018.

The final event Milhelcic attended was meeting families and fellow veterans at the Gold Star Family Tree at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa. A Gold Star family has lost a family member in service to their country. The Nevada Army National Guard has a number of fallen soldiers and airmen who had their photos hanging from the tree.

Since he became national commander, Milhelcic seeks to change the perception of VFW posts and encourage the younger veterans to become more involved. Although their predecessors joined the VFW for camaraderie and that connectiveness, Milhelcic lamented the newer generation doesnt belong to many groups.

This newer generation, he said, are not joiners, but this is occurring in all of our organizations.

Instead of insisting the VFW posts increase their membership by 10 to 25%, for example, Milhelcic said he would prefer posts increase their community projects by 10%.

They (the VFW) partners with other community groups, Milhelcic pointed out.

For example, he said members from the VFW post could work an hour or two instead of a full day with the local Rotary Club on a community cleanup. He said this is one way to shake up what it means to be a VFW member.

Milhelcic is also a proponent on veteran care and wants his fellow VFW members to talk to other veterans.

We need to reach out, he said.

As part of his daylong itinerary, Mihelcic and a small group of state officers toured the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home and the Reno VA (Veterans Affairs) Medical Center. While at the state veterans home, Mihelcic and other veterans raised a new Gold Star flag at the Gold Star Families Memorial, which was dedicated June 29, 2019, and then toured the state home. Both Kat Miller, director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, and Julie Dudley, liaison officer for Nevada State Veterans Home, gave the visitors an overview of the services provided at the veterans home and the care each veteran receives.

At the VA hospital, Mihelcic met with the director, Kevin Amick, and received a tour of the different services that are provided to the veterans of northern Nevada and eastern California.

We were so excited to have him visit us, said Glenna Smith, public affairs officer for the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System. It gives us the opportunity to demonstrate and show all the amazing things our staff departments are doing for veterans.

Smith said the staff was grateful that the national VFW commander was taking time to visit them and learn more about their programs. She said Milhelcic could see how excited and passionate the employees are about their jobs.

The director loved meeting him, and they had a nice conversation, Smith said, adding both men discussed veterans issues and improving healthcare.

Smith said Milhelcic enjoyed experiencing the virtual reality technology, learning more about the care veterans receive and visiting the womens exhibit featuring those who had or are currently serving in the military.

Milhelcic also touted the strength of the VFW at the national level but encouraged veterans to become involved no matter where they live.

I invite all of you to come to a VFW post and see whats going on, he said.

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The American Rescue Plan (ARP), passed in March 2021, included a measure that allowed those who had received unemployment compensation to withhold the reporting of $10,200 when filing taxes. This year no bill that includes and provision like this has been passed, meaning that when those who received unemployment benefits file with the IRS they will have to pay taxes on all compensation they were distributed.

While initial unemployment claims did hit a record low towards the end of 2021, more than twenty million workers still claimed benefits throughout the year. When filing you must report unemployment benefits as a part of your gross annual income.

How will I know how much to report?

If you received benefits then your state unemployment office will send you a 1099-G that you will report when you file. If you would like to determine if your unemployment benefits are being distributed to you pre-taxed you can use the IRS tool 'Are Payments I Receive for Being Unemployed Taxable?'

Still waiting for your tax return?

Last year, many people who had received unemployment insurance had submitted their tax returns to the IRS before Congress passed the American Rescue Plan. This meant that the IRS had to recalibrate their refund amount and send out an updated payment. On 12 January, the IRS reported that they have "issued over 11.8 million refunds totaling $14.5 billion. "The agency is still working on more "complex returns." When the IRS has finalized a person's corrected return they will be sent a letter within thirty days that they will receive their revised refund.

Has the Omicron variant led to increases in unemployment claims?

So far the data has only shown a slight increase in initial unemployment claims. The Department of Labor reported that for the week ending on 8 January, initial unemployment claims increased by 23,000 to 230,000 over the previous week. These claims have also moved the "4-week moving average [to] 210,750, an increase of 6,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 204,500.

Which states saw the most significant changes in initial unemployment claims? Greatest Increases for the week ending on 1 January: New York (+8,812) Pennsylvania (+6,772) Connecticut (+6,020) Washington (+4,626) Michigan (+3,923) Greatest decreases: Missouri (-1,086) Tennessee (-674) Puerto Rico (-329) Rhode Island (-288) New Mexico (-101).

This data came around the same time that the December Jobs Report showed that the unemployment rate fell to its lowest rate of 3.8 percent during the pandemic last month. In response, the White House said that the success if due to the American Rescue Plan which "got the economy off its back and moving again, back on its feet, getting over 20  200 million Americans fully vaccinated; got people out of their homes and back to work, even in the face of wave after wave of COVID."
Omicron covid-19 variant headlines:

- Surgeon General says that Omicron cases have yet to peak in the United States

- New data shows many people with Omicron are contagious for more than five days

- China says that due to the Omicron variant, tickets to the Winter Olympic Games will not be sold to the public

- Site to order at home rapid antigen tests in the US will go live on 19 January at COVIDTests.gov

- Omicron "will find just about everybody", Dr Fauci says

- CDC confirms N95 masks are the safest

General news and information

- When can you get your covid-19 booster vaccine after an infection with Omicron?

- Public health expertsdiscuss possibilities of long covidfrom the Omicron variant.

- Vaccine mandates for workplaces with over 100 employeesstruck down by the Supreme Court

- Experts believe California will soon see its Omicron peak.

- Is it normal to experience armpit pain after receiving the vaccine?

Key websites:

- World Health Organisation

- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

- The Lancet

Further reading:
Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi met and worked with Governor of Kaluga province Vladislav Shapsha on August 17, 2021. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Russia)

Political trust, mutual understanding

According to Ambassador Khoi, the special relationship between the two countries is reflected in the sincere affection between the two peoples.

The Russian people are friends, comrades and brothers who always accompany and support Vietnam with very practical actions in the past and present, contributing to strengthening the good traditional friendship between two peoples.

The relationship between the peoples of the two countries is an invaluable asset and a solid foundation for the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

The Party and State always pay attention to and consider the Vietnamese community in Russia an indispensable part, a resource of the ethnic community and an important factor contributing to strengthening the cooperative and friendly relations between Vietnam and Russia.

The most prominent feature of the two countries' relations is that the political trust and mutual understanding are constantly being enhanced and consolidated, with the regular exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels, especially high-level ones, being the basis for promoting comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides have implemented cooperation in all channels, in all fields from Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, to local cooperation, and people-to-people diplomacy, and especially the warm affection of the two peoples towards each other is increasingly consolidated and enhanced. The two countries share views and stances on many international and regional issues, and work together closely in the international arena, especially at the United Nations forum, actively contributing to the development of each country as well as maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the world and in the region.

In the context of the tense pandemic situation, President V. Putin limited the reception of international guests; however, with the special nature of relations with Vietnam, the official visit to the Russian Federation by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc from November 29 to December 2, 2021 was successfully held and carried a very important meaning, deepening the relationship "Comprehensive strategic partnership" between Vietnam and Russia in the new situation, strengthening the strategic cohesion between the two countries in the context of increasingly complex world and regional situations, and promoting comprehensive and substantive cooperation in all fields.

The two countries have issued a Joint Statement on the Vision of the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership until 2030.

The visit took place in the context that the two countries' relations are developing very well, at the time when the two sides ended the 71st anniversary of the diplomatic relations, right on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership and next year is the 10th anniversary of upgrading to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and the fifth anniversary of Vietnam signing the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Accompanying in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic

The special relationship between the two countries is demonstrated as the former Soviet Union greatly helped Vietnam in the struggle for national independence and today Russia helps Vietnam in the fight against the pandemic.

Russia was the first country to announce that it registered to produce a vaccine against COVID-19 and even in the context that the number of vaccines is not enough to meet domestic demand, as well as for previously signed vaccine supply contracts with other countries, immediately donated 1,000 doses of Sputnik-V vaccine to Vietnam and recently 100,000 doses of Sputnik-Light.

In particular, within the framework of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's visit to Russia, on December 1, 2021, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the transfer of production technology and the establishment of a new production facility of the Sputnik-V vaccine, as well as the production of pharmaceuticals, including drugs for the prevention and control of COVID-19.

With Russia's cooperation in vaccine production, Vietnam has the opportunity to become a vaccine center in the region, helping vaccines to be exported to other countries quickly and conveniently, continuing to affirm its internal strength and position in the international arena.

It can be seen that in the past 20 years, the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation has passed the test of time and is developing strongly in both breadth and depth with many important achievements over all fields, truly becoming the invaluable common property of the two peoples. Vietnam always considers Russia a top priority partner in its foreign policy, and Russia considers Vietnam a priority partner in Russia's policy towards the Asia-Pacific region./.
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At the event (Photo: CPV)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said that in 2021, due to the serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were times the health sector faced a shortage of blood donors, making it difficult to provide treatment for patients.

Noting that the Red Sunday blood donation program is very meaningful, he said that from a blood donation point with nearly 100 blood units in 2009, in over 13 years of organization, it has spread to more than 40 provinces and cities across the country, and each year it receives from 50,000-60,000 units of blood.

Thanks to the joint effort, consensus and enthusiastic response of a large number of people across the country, the amount of blood received has basically met the needs of emergency and treatment for patients during the year.

Thanks to the joint effort, consensus and enthusiastic response of a large number of people across the country, the amount of blood received has basically met the needs of emergency and treatment for patients during the year, he said.

According to Deputy Minister Tuyen, after more than 28 years of launching the voluntary blood donation movement, Vietnam has achieved very encouraging results, from receiving more than 100,000 blood units in 1994 to 1.3- 1.4 million units of blood now. Such an event as Red Sunday contributes to satisfying the need of blood for the health sector to treat patients, he went on to say.

Last year, Red Sunday was held in 43 provinces and cities, mobilising over 61,000 units of blood.

Throughout 13 years, over 200,000 units of blood have been collected in the program./.
According to the report, Asias richest one percent now own more wealth than the poorest 90 percent and the impact of COVID-19 combining with existing inequality has set back equitable development in the region by decades. Existing economic policies are rigged in the favour of the wealthy, allowing them to accumulate incredible amounts of wealth, while narrowing the chances of the poorest to catch up.

Photo: OXFAM

Vulnerable groups such as women, ethnic and religious minorities and migrant workers were worst affected as their incomes shrunk and their access to essential services was reduced. School closures have worsened the education divide with an estimated 10.45 million children dropping out of school and university forever, with far-reaching consequences for their life-chances.

In countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan and Philippines 46-64 per cent households were unable to receive medical attention due to lack of funds. Women make up over 70 percent of healthcare workers in Asia but over 60 percent struggled to receive adequate healthcare during the pandemic Women also experienced an increase in their care-work responsibilities, suffered greater levels of domestic and gender-based violence, while rates of teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions rose.

Meanwhile, Asias richest were shielded from the impact of the pandemic and many even thrived. The number of billionaires in the region grew from 803 in March 2020 to 1087 in November 2021 and billionaires were able to grow their wealth by 74 percent. Some wealthy Asians even profiteered directly from the pandemic and by March 2021 there were twenty new Asian billionaires whose fortunes came from equipment, pharmaceuticals, and services needed for the pandemic response.

Oxfams report makes recommendations to address Asias growing inequality through progressive policy actions by governments that prevent millions of poor Asians from falling through the cracks. According to the report a wealth tax of 2 to 5% on Asia Pacific's multi-millionaires and billionaires, could raise an additional USD776.5 billion every year. That would be enough to increase public spending on health in the region by 60% and can prevent unnecessary and pre-mature deaths in the future or enhance education opportunities to bridge the gap opportunity.

The pandemic has shown the need for better social protection and stronger public health systems. Governments across the region must scale up existing programmes and introduce policies designed to reduce health and economic inequalities. This means increased taxation of rich individuals and corporations, greater investment in public services and vaccines for all, social protection and decent work, living wages, and robust labour rights. It also means investing in and valuing care work to tackle gender inequality.

We are at a turning point in history where we have an opportunity to rebuild a better economic and social system that does not allow a few to accumulate wealth at the expense of millions. Future policies must ensure rights, freedoms and opportunities for women, girls and vulnerable people and protects the planet that we live on,-said Mustafa Talpur, Regional Advocacy & Campaigns Lead, Oxfam in Asia./.
Source: Internet

NEP V may also invest in promising early-stage companies to support the rapid digitization of businesses, helping these companies scale, acquire new customers, and expand into underpenetrated markets.



ADB is excited to partner with the Northstar Group to support the growth of businesses in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, said ADB Private Sector Investment Funds and Special Initiatives Division Director Janette Hall. The flexibility to selectively pursue early-stage deals will also allow the fund to support emerging companies that are introducing technology to transform traditional business models in financial services, education, agribusiness, health care, and other sectors.



ADB will also provide guidance as the Northstar Group implements a more robust environmental, social, and governance approach and looks to enhance gender equality in its operations and across its portfolio of investee companies.



Established in 2003, the Northstar Group manages more than $2.5 billion in committed equity capital dedicated to investing in growth companies in Southeast Asia, mainly in Indonesia./.
Epidemic prevention staff members prepare for disinfection at a railway station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 16, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows bullet trains at a train depot in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows bullet trains at a train depot in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

A staff member carries out a hygienic check on a train in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 16, 2022. The number of railway passenger trips during China's upcoming Spring Festival travel rush is expected to jump 28.5 percent from the holiday season last year, industry data shows. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Editor: GSY
Staff members clean train carriages at a service garage in Hengyang, central China's Hunan Province, Jan. 16, 2022. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua)

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows staff members cleaning train carriages at a service garage in Hengyang, central China's Hunan Province. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua)

Crew members prepare epidemic prevention kits on train G1724 in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 16, 2022. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Fei)

A crew member distributes epidemic prevention pamphlets on train G1724 in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 16, 2022. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Fei)

Crew members place disinfection notices on train G1724 in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 16, 2022. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Fei)

Crew members guide a passenger to board train G1724 at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 16, 2022. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Fei)

Staff members make hand heart gestures at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 16, 2022. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)

A staff member works at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 16, 2022. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)

Staff members spray disinfectants on the platform of Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 16, 2022. The Spring Festival travel rush, China's largest annual travel rush, will last from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 this year. During the 40-day travel season, also known as chunyun, many Chinese people will travel to meet their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which will fall on Feb. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)

Editor: GSY
BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for efforts to safeguard national political security, social stability and the peaceful life of the people.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the call in a recent instruction to the political and legal work.

Efforts should be made to ensure fair access to justice for every individual, Xi said in the instruction.

Calling on the political and legal work front to uphold the absolute leadership of the CPC and draw wisdom and strength from the Party's century-long struggle, Xi urged them to promote the ability to forestall and defuse major risks and improve law enforcement and judicial policies and measures.

Xi also stressed deepening the comprehensive reform of political and legal work and consolidating the achievement made in the education campaign of officers of the front.

Party committees at all levels should study and resolve the prominent issues that restrain political and legal work in a timely manner and support political and legal organs to perform their duties in accordance with laws, Xi noted in the instruction.

Efforts should be made to provide a strong guarantee for advancing the Peaceful China initiative and promoting the rule of law at a higher level, thus welcoming the 20th CPC National Congress with solid actions, Xi said.

Xi's instruction was conveyed by Guo Shengkun, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, at a central conference on the political and legal work on Saturday. 

Editor: JYZ
BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- An article by President Xi Jinping on making continuous efforts to build a stronger digital economy in China will be published.

The article by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published on Sunday in this year's 2nd issue of the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

The article stresses that the rapidly developing digital economy is becoming a key force in reorganizing global factor resources, reshaping the global economic structure and incurring changes in the global competition landscape.

It calls for giving full play to the advantages of massive data and rich application scenarios, promoting deep integration between digital technology and the real economy, empowering the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and creating new industries and new business models to strengthen, optimize and expand China's digital economy.

While acknowledging China's progress and achievements in the sector, the article points out that China's digital economy strength still lags behind the global digital powerhouses, with certain trends of unhealthy and irregular development emerging, which may cause threats to national economic and financial security and must be resolutely rectified.

Stressing that developing the digital economy is a strategic choice to seize the opportunities arising from the new round of technological revolution and industrial change, the article urges efforts including strengthening core technologies, accelerating new infrastructure construction, regulating the sector's development, improving digital economy governance system, and actively participating in international cooperation in the area. 

Editor: JYZ
URUMQI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Overseas Chinese and students from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region condemned rumors and slanders by anti-China forces in the United States and the West at a video exchange meeting on Saturday.

"People often asked me about Xinjiang, and I always showed them photos of my hometown. They were all surprised by the development of Xinjiang," said Kamran Ekramjan, a Chinese student at Anadolu University in Turkey. "I firmly oppose any slanders against Xinjiang."

Kamiljan Ruza of the Turkey-China youth entrepreneurship association has been involved in foreign trade in Turkey for years.

Together with other members of the association, he organized a photo exhibition last year to show China's achievements in recent years. The visitors praised China's development, he said.

"I feel confident no matter what the difficulties, because the motherland always provides solid support to me," Kamiljan Ruza said at the meeting. 

Editor: JYZ
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, noting that Ukraine is looking forward to a productive dialogue on expanding the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"Glad to welcome Foreign Minister of Canada Melanie Joly in Kyiv. Grateful for such an important demonstration of support and openness towards strengthening Ukraine-Canada relations. We look forward to a productive dialogue on expanding the Free Trade Agreement," Shmyhal said on his Twitter page.

According to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Shmyhal also noted that the expansion of the Free Trade Agreement for services and investments is an important element in deepening bilateral cooperation in the economic sphere.

"I believe that the announcement of the start of these talks will take place by the end of this month on the occasion of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries," the Prime Minister said, emphasizing the importance of attracting Canadian investors to implement joint projects in Ukraine.

He thanked Canada for consolidating its international position on Russia's aggressive actions.

"Under the current developments, the support of partners in improving Ukraine's defense capabilities plays a critical role. In this regard, we especially appreciate the activities of the Canadian UNIFIER training mission in Ukraine. We look forward to continuing this mission after March 2022," the head of the Ukrainian government said.

In addition, Shmyhal expressed hope for further dialogue on simplifying the travel regime for Ukrainian citizens to Canada.

"For Ukrainians, Canada is a great friend and partner. Many Ukrainian citizens live and work in Canada, many people of the two countries have family bonds. Therefore, this issue is extremely important for us," he said.

For her part, the Canadian Foreign Minister assured that Canada would provide strong support to Ukraine.

It is noted that during the meeting, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on cooperation in providing technical assistance to the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to improve policy formation coordination, strategic planning and monitoring, public governance processes in order to ensure that they focus on results and the needs of citizens.
Plane with Poroshenko on board lands in Kyiv

The plane with the fifth president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, landed at the Zhuliany airport (Kyiv).

According to the airport's online information desk, the plane landed at 09:03.

Poroshenko returned to Ukraine by a Warsaw-Kyiv scheduled flight.

Members of the European Solidarity faction, who flew to Poroshenko the day before, and the wife of the fifth president, are with him on board.

As reported, Poroshenko was met at the airport by about a thousand people.
Giant kelp canopy showing fronds with varying physiological condition. Lighter colored senescent fronds contain less chlorophyll pigment and are generally older than darker frond with higher chlorophyll content. (Tom Bell,  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

The macroalga giant kelp, which is an iconic and important ecosystem-structuring species found off the coast of California and many other coastlines, can grow 100-feet long within 1-2 years.

Now, researchers using novel remote sensing observations have found that different factors may bear on the spatial growth dynamics of the Macrocystis pyrifera kelp, which is the largest species of algae in the world.

Researchers studying the giant kelp in the Santa Barbara Channel off the coast of California, have found that "spatiotemporal patterns of physiological condition, and thus growth and production, are regulated by different processes depending on the scale of observation," according to Nutrient availability and senescence spatially structure the dynamics of a foundation species, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

"Depending on your spatial scale of observation--whether you are looking at kelp forests regionally or really honing in on a specific local area--the patterns that manifest at these scales may be indicative of different drivers," said lead author Tom Bell, assistant scientist in the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's Department of Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering.

"On a regional scale for areas larger than one kilometer, seawater nutrients were related to the physiological condition dynamics of kelp. However, on local scales of less than one-kilometer, internal senescence processes related to kelp canopy age demographics were related to the patterns of biomass loss across individual kelp forests, despite uniform nutrient conditions," said Bell. Senescence is the progressive and irreversible deterioration in an organism's physiological performance.

The researchers focused on a 4000 square kilometer study area in the Santa Barbara Channel off the coast of California.

Bell has studied giant kelp firsthand, scuba diving through the kelp forests. He says that the kelp, which is anchored at the sea floor, looks like tree trunks with bundles of translucent kelp fronds that form a canopy at the water's surface.

However, because field measurements of kelp occur over small scales, researchers teased out the roles of the external environment and internal biotic drivers on kelp population dynamics by combining longitudinal field observations with remote sensing observations.

The researchers used remote sensing data from several sources. Sea surface temperature dynamics in the channel were assessed using 4-kilometer resolution Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua satellite sensor products. Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite imagery of giant kelp allowed researchers to track kelp canopy biomass and age dynamics. Each Landsat image swath is 185 kilometers wide, and images have a pixel resolution of 30 meters.

In addition, the researchers incorporated into their studies novel 11-kilometer-wide repeat hyperspectral image swaths of the Santa Barbara Channel taken by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) sensor, which has a pixel resolution of 18 meters. The optical sensor, which provided calibrated images of the spectral reflectance in the channel, flew on high-altitude airplanes as part of NASA's Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI) Preparatory Airborne Campaign. HyspIRI is a preparatory mission for NASA's planned Surface Biology and Geology satellite mission, which could launch later this decade.

The researchers used this hyperspectral imagery to examine the spatial patterns of the kelp canopy chlorophyll to carbon ratio, an established proxy for physiological condition, which is positively associated with kelp growth rate, frond initiation, and biomass accumulation. They found that the physiological condition of the kelp canopy declined predictably with age and that older sections of the kelp forest with low physiological condition were more likely to be lost in subsequent months.

Bell said that through this research, he is also trying to help show some of the capabilities for the upcoming satellite mission.

"In the near future, scientists are going to have the opportunity to use hyperspectral data globally, and this will give ecologists another tool in their toolkit to understand how systems change, whether those systems are lowland tropical forests or giant kelp," he said. "This is going to be more important than ever as the environment becomes less predictable. It seems like the more data we have, the more we realize that we cannot predict ecosystem dynamics based on past observations because the climate is changing so rapidly. The availability of direct assessments of plant health from these new sensors will help scientists monitor ecosystem state and anticipate change."

This work was supported by U.S. National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In addition, the NASA Earth and Space Sciences Fellowship program provided support for Tom Bell. The HyspIRI Preparatory Airborne Campaign team provided assistance with the research.

Nutrient availability and senescence spatially structure the dynamics of a foundation species, PNAS

Authors: Tom W. Bell1,2,*, David A. Siegel2,3

Affiliation :

1Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543

2Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106

3Department of Geography, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106

*corresponding author

About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930, its primary mission is to understand the ocean and its interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate an understanding of the ocean's role in the changing global environment. WHOI's pioneering discoveries stem from an ideal combination of science and engineering--one that has made it one of the most trusted and technically advanced leaders in basic and applied ocean research and exploration anywhere. WHOI is known for its multidisciplinary approach, superior ship operations, and unparalleled deep-sea robotics capabilities. We play a leading role in ocean observation and operate the most extensive suite of data-gathering platforms in the world. Top scientists, engineers, and students collaborate on more than 800 concurrent projects worldwide--both above and below the waves--pushing the boundaries of knowledge and possibility. For more information, please visit www.whoi.edu



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The fifth president of Ukraine (2014-2019), leader of the European Solidarity party, Petro Poroshenko, passed through the passport control at Kyiv (Zhuliany) airport on Monday.

The video stream broadcast from the airport shows how an employee of the State Border Guard Service is returning Poroshenko's passport to him after the politician demanded it.

Before that, while Poroshenko was passing through the border control upon arrival from Warsaw, the employees of the State Border Guard Service had been keeping his passport for a long time. "Now they are not letting me, as a citizen of Ukraine, to the territory of the state ... for more than 10 minutes, border guards are not allowing me to enter the territory of Ukraine without explaining any reasons under the pretext of some kind of check," Poroshenko said.

He added: "I think this is a provocation to give a start for mass protest actions." "We call on the border guards not to follow the criminal orders of the President's Office and to ensure my constitutional right ... an access to the territory of Ukraine," Poroshenko said.
The State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) claims that Bureau employees tried to hand over procedural documents to the fifth president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at the Zhuliany airport (Kyiv).

"Indeed, today the employees of the State Bureau of Investigations, in the premises of the Zhuliany airport, tried to hand over to Petro Poroshenko ... procedural documents, namely a summons to summon him to the Pechersky Court for consideration of a petition for a preventive measure, a copy of the petition with attached materials, and provide Poroshenko with the opportunity to voluntarily appear in the court," Tetiana Sapyan, communications adviser for the State Bureau of Investigations, said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday.
British Ambassador urges to unite against Russian aggression, not to be distracted by polarising of Ukraine situation

British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons has called on Ukrainian political leaders to unite against Russian aggression and not be distracted by internal polarization.

"All political leaders in Ukraine need to unite against Russian aggression right now. So important at this time not to lose sight of this or be distracted by polarising domestic politics," Simmons said on Twitter.
The fifth president of Ukraine, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko has arrived at the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv, where a court session will be held on the election of a preventive measure for him.

According to a correspondent of the Interfax-Ukraine agency, Poroshenko arrived at the court building around 10:50, accompanied by members of the European Solidarity faction. Near the building of the court, he was met by several hundred people who support the fifth president. In particular, they chanted "Poroshenko" and "There is powder - we will give fire."

Currently, Poroshenko is speaking to the participants of the rally at the entrance to the courthouse. His spouse Maryna Poroshenko is by his side.
Ukraine is working closely with its partners and allies to implement a comprehensive containment package for the Russian Federation, which includes diplomatic measures, sanctions and defense cooperation, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

In an interview with the German publication Bild, the translation of which was made public by the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Sunday, Kuleba said that the Russian containment package "consists of three levels: strong diplomacy for de-escalation, the development of a number of painful economic sanctions, deepening defense cooperation with Ukraine."

According to him, when in early November 2021 the Russian Federation took "a dangerous new course of escalation, we immediately redoubled our efforts to mobilize international support for Ukraine."

"There is no better way to deter further Russian aggression than a strong Ukraine. What we saw during diplomatic contacts with Russia last week was the culmination of our joint containment diplomacy. The unity of the West was obvious," Kuleba said.
As of 11.30 am on Monday, the website of the company-developer of public websites affected by the hacker attack, Kitsoft, has not been put into operation.

The company itself on its Facebook page on Saturday night published an update of the post about the hacker attack.

According to Kitsoft, this hacker attack was of a complex nature and several vectors for the development of scenarios, and its goal is to destabilize and stress the situation in the country.

The company also said that not only websites developed by Kitsoft were affected, but also others: check.gov.ua, court.gov.ua, dsns.gov.ua, e-driver.hsc.gov.ua, e-journal .iea.gov.ua, mail.gov.ua and minregion.gov.ua.

"We test public websites that are supported by our company for vulnerabilities in due time, fix errors and update them. Unfortunately, not all customers enter into contracts for website support, and, accordingly, we do not have access to them and the ability to update them, because all rights after development are transferred to the customer. To prevent such attacks, it is important for the state to allocate resources for regular support and updating of IT systems," Kitsoft said.

The company also said that they continue work to restore the affected information resources.

As reported, on the night of January 14, there was a global hacker attack on the websites of the government of Ukraine. The websites of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Emergency Service, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Energy, the Diia website did not work.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), together with the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine and the Cyber Police, is investigating the incident. According to the SBU, more than 70 government websites were attacked, 10 of which were subjected to unauthorized interference.

The SBU said it was investigating the involvement of the Russian intelligence services in the cyber attack: "So far, we can say that there are some signs of involvement in the incident of hacker groups associated with the Russian intelligence services." All details of the incident are documented within the framework of the previously criminal proceedings opened by the SBU.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba says that the dialogue between Ukraine and Germany on the issue of arms supplies to protect territorial integrity will continue.

"We know where and what weapons we can get. We know perfectly well how to use it to protect  I emphasize  exclusively protect the territory of our land, and we are working on this every day and we have very good results. And our dialogue with Germany on this issue will also continue," Kuleba said at a joint briefing with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv on Monday.

He noted that during negotiations with Baerbock on Monday, the issue of arms supplies was discussed, however, Ukraine would like the situation to be resolved diplomatically.

"Today, we discussed with the minister the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine from Germany, and I cited the arguments and position of the Ukrainian side. But, first of all, we really want the diplomatic track to work. And so that the efforts that we are currently making with Germany to achieve a result in the Normandy format ... will give their result," Kuleba stressed.

As reported, President of Ukraine Vlodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with the Italian ezine La Repubblica, noted that Germany prevented the supply of anti-drone guns and anti-sniper systems to Ukraine through NATO. "Do we really have no right for them in the eighth year of the war? Obviously, we have. Any democratic State that defends itself from aggression should have the right to acquire such defense tools. But in some capitals, fear is still winning," he said.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly will visit Ukraine on January 17 and 18 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry (MFA) press service said on Monday.

"The heads of the Ukrainian and Canadian diplomats will hold talks, the key topics of which will be countering Russian aggression, consolidating further steps to contain Russia, strengthening the security sector of Ukraine. The ministers will discuss topical issues of bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Canada, in particular, in trade, economic, educational and visa -migration areas," the MFA said in the statement.

On January 18 Kuleba and Joly will hold a joint press conference.
All the Libyan stakeholders must place the welfare of their country first if they are to capitalise on the opportunities given by the postponement of last years elections, writes Ahmed Eleiba

The extension of the current political process in Libya offers hope that this interim phase still has a chance to prove an exception to its four predecessors.

Thus far at least, the failure to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya on 24 December, as was originally scheduled in the roadmap put into effect last year, has not cast the country back to military escalation and civil war.

Certain legal and political mechanisms are in place to ensure this phases continuation, including some civil-society initiatives, and key regional and international stakeholders are determined to contain the crisis and build on concrete achievements since the landmark ceasefire in October 2020.

It appears that some Libyan political actors have learned the lessons from the previous decade and realised the need to set national interests above narrow personal or partisan ones. But there still remain opportunistic, self-serving forces that think they can capitalise on the confusion following the postponement of the elections and may want to derail attempts to set the political process back on track.

Among them are forces believing that their interests are better served by trying to revive the pre-2021 phase under the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA). Any attempt towards this end would be unrealistic and extremely risky. In addition to dragging the country to a new precipice, the current balance of power would not be in its favour.

Two main camps have emerged since the elections were postponed. One camp wants to extend the current interim phase for six months and focus on remedying the problems that led to their postponement, most likely by implementing recommendations made by the parliamentary roadmap committee that include introducing amendments to the presidential elections law, settling legal challenges to some presidential candidates and sorting out administrative problems regarding voter registration cards.

The other camp believes that the problems go deeper and is calling for a two-year extension. It says there is no constitutional basis for the elections and wants to reopen controversial issues such as whether or not to hold a referendum on the constitution before they take place.

The first camp believes that the impetus the electoral process has generated and the hopes that the Libyan people have pinned on the elections as a step towards stability are too important to waste. The UN Support Mission (UNSMIL) in Libya supports this view, fearing that a two-year extension and tensions raised by wrangling over contentious issues, such as the constitutional referendum or whether or not to hold just parliamentary elections and defer the presidential ones, would mean postponing the elections indefinitely with all the dangers that would court.

The second camp has also argued that Libyas military should be unified before the elections. However, the first dismisses this as a pretext since the question is no longer as controversial as it once was given the rapprochement between the western and eastern military commands in the framework of the UN-sponsored 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC).

Two phases can be envisaged. The first benefits from the important gains made during the implementation of the roadmap last year and might be termed a containment scenario. Despite the bumps and pitfalls along the way, such as differences between the two executives (the Presidency Council and the premiership) and tensions within the government itself, the roadmap is still generally accepted among all the players despite divergent views.

One test, however, will be whether the current government continues as a caretaker government. Forming a new government could take time and stir tensions over procedural and other questions. A major stumbling block is current Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dabeiba, who decided to run for president despite his pledge not to owing to the fact that his nomination violated Article 12 of the Electoral Law.

While UNSMIL has stated that the decision on whether to form a new government is a domestic concern, its acting head, Stephanie Williams, fears that the contention surrounding forming a new government will cause people to lose sight of the main aim: the need to hold elections.

The Presidency Council supports this view, returning the problem to the prime minister, who favours a much longer extension and a constitutional referendum before the elections take place.

The unprecedented meeting in Benghazi of presidential candidates shortly before the postponement of the elections was made official also appears to favour sustaining the momentum of the political process. Foremost among the participants were Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar, who issued the invitation and surprised observers who had predicted he would trigger a crisis, and former interior minister Fathi Bashagha, once among Haftars most vehement critics.

The most important aspect of this initiative was that it came from within, boosting the rapprochement between the rival military commands and aiming to preempt factors that could lead towards a backsliding into war.

However, the views of the Western militias, such as those based in Misrata, should not be underestimated. Some observers fear that these militias, which claim to represent the forces of the revolution, may take military action to forestall the elections in the coming period.

In addition to notching up the rhetoric opposed to UNSMIL and the Tobruk-based House of Representatives, the militias have begun to align their views with the current prime minister, especially on the question of the constitutional referendum. They also oppose steps to form a new government to replace Dabeibas.

Libyan sources have reported that Dabeiba, acting in his capacity as acting defence minister, ordered the Misrata militias, generally aligned with Islamist forces, to come to Tripoli to support him in his bid to remain prime minister. As a result, the containment scenario faces challenges such as potential military escalation in western Libya and attempts to thwart the rapprochement between the eastern and western chiefs of staff.

The second phase, which could be termed roadmap II, would involve establishing rules for the extended interim process and curbing the threats to the political process that have loomed in the wake of the postponement of the elections. Mechanisms such as the roadmap committee and UNSMIL and national initiatives such as the Benghazi meeting mentioned above would serve this purpose, which aims to rectify flaws leading to pitfalls in the first roadmap.

Roadmap II would thus not change the goals of the political process, but rather would clear the path towards achieving them and avert the risk of a much longer extension.

The success of this scenario is contingent on the efficacy of the mechanisms that shape it. The roadmap committee is meeting with key bodies such as the Higher National Elections Commission (HNEC), the Higher Council of State (HCS) and UNSMIL preparatory to submitting its recommendations to parliament.

It seems dependable in the light of the clarity of its task and its relative freedom from political polarisation as a technical committee, distinguishing it from the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which is a more politicised body. The roadmap committee can therefore be expected to base its decisions on more objective criteria and, as a parliamentary committee, it can compel the House of Representatives to live up to its responsibilities.

Another critical factor will be how much support there is for the greater national interest. Unanimity is an idealistic goal given the nature of the Libyan political situation, but the emergence of constructive initiatives offers hope that the Libyan players will be able to rise above the most divisive issues in order to avert a backsliding into war and promote the political process.

Equally crucial to the success of the process will be the need to curb foreign meddling. The parliaments denunciation of a British intervention in favour of the Dabeiba government to the extent of considering declaring the British ambassador persona non grata is the type of stance that should be extended to other outside meddlers.

It should apply to those parties responsible for perpetrating the presence of foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya and attempting to obstruct the political process.

What is clear is that the current extension to the roadmap is a last chance for the country. All Libyan stakeholders must now place the welfare of their country first if they are to keep the electoral setback from degenerating into disaster.

A version of this article appears in print in the 6 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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After last years postponement of Libyas parliamentary and presidential elections, a new roadmap for the country may now be the only way forward, writes Kamel Abdallah

After months of anticipation, Libyan voters were unable to go to the polls in parliamentary and presidential elections originally scheduled for 24 December.

Although some 2.8 million eligible voters had received their voting cards, the Libyan Higher National Elections Commission (HNEC) had to call off the polls at the last minute due to force majeure. It proposed 24 January as an alternative date, triggering an outcry among those calling for the revision of current laws and regulations governing the electoral process and those calling for a completely new roadmap.

The postponement of the elections was not unexpected, however, since none of the agencies concerned had taken this important process seriously enough, from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which sponsors the political process, to the Libyan institutions that had been tasked with laying the groundwork for the elections.

The inconsistencies of international players also played a role. Despite their repeated insistence that the elections had to take place as scheduled, their behaviour said something else.

The role of the UN in Libya, which has sponsored the Libyan political process since 2014, has declined since the UN Security Council decided to restructure UNSMIL. According to UN Security Council Resolution 2542 of September 2020, the leadership was split into a special envoy based in Geneva in charge of policy and a coordinator based in Libya in charge of day-to-day operations.

Slovakian diplomat Jan Kubis was special envoy from February last year to his sudden resignation shortly before the elections were to be held, while Zimbabwean diplomat Raisedon Zenenga served as coordinator. The split leadership gave rise to a split in outlooks to the point where some quarters in Libya accused Kubis of trying to obstruct the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).

This occurred during negotiations over the constitutional basis for the elections in June and July last year and again in the LPDFs last meeting in September when Kubis refused to reconvene the forum unless its members could guarantee an agreement.

Some Western powers also accused him of siding with Russia on the political process and the elections. Moscow favoured postponing the elections to ensure the greatest possible unanimity and participation.

The criticisms led to a dispute between Kubis and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, culminating in his abrupt resignation and Guterress refusal to allow him to remain in post until a successor could be found. This decision will need to be taken before the end of January when the Security Council will need to determine whether to renew the UNSMIL mandate, extended provisionally for four months in September because of disagreements between Russia and the Western powers over its structure and functions.

Guterres has appointed US diplomat Stephanie Williams special adviser for Libyan affairs and entrusted her with leading the mediation efforts. As former acting head of UNSMIL and a founder of the current political process, her task this time around may be even more challenging because of the changes that have taken place in Libya and the difficulties that led to the postponement of the elections.

Williams is partly to blame for the situation in Libya reaching this point, as she was instrumental in the restructuring of the political process that gave rise to the Presidency Council and the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU). By sidelining the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) and the Higher Council of State (HCS), she effectively created the space for those institutions to evade their responsibilities.

The Tobruk-based HoR and the Tripoli-based HCS understood that the UN-sponsored political process aimed to exclude them from future arrangements, so they did all they could to undermine the process. They refused to reach a consensus on the constitutional basis for the elections and the electoral laws, and the HoR unilaterally adopted loosely worded electoral laws that ended up delaying the preparations. The result was nearly a hundred presidential elections candidates, most of whom were unknown, while the others were highly controversial figures.

Despite the controversy surrounding the constitutional basis and electoral laws, the HNEC went ahead with the process, acting in response to Western pressure and pressure from Libyan quarters dissatisfied with the arrangements produced by the LPDF and keen to see an end to current institutions.

However, the HNEC then found itself in a bind and was forced to call off the elections. When asked to explain the nature of the force majeure, the HNEC chairperson said it included conflicting judicial rulings and threats to the HNEC if it issued the final candidate list with certain names on it.

The HNEC was wrong to have identified with the HoR and to have agreed to work with flawed electoral laws, especially before making sure that it would be able to control the electoral process and polling stations across the country. These mistakes drew attention to the HNEC, giving rise to demands for a new board, something that HoR member Saleh Afhima has said might take place after 24 January.

For 11 months, the Libyan players have manoeuvred to undermine the current roadmap that was to culminate on 24 December. The international players issued sternly worded statements saying the elections had to proceed on schedule and warning that anyone obstructing them would be liable to sanctions.

But action was taken to back up these words, helping to poison an electoral process that the Libyan parties began to see as a means to advance some parties at the expense of others. The conflict among the major powers over the structure and functions of UNSMIL added fuel to the fire.

Against this complicated backdrop, there seems to be no clear path forward. The stakeholders are debating three alternatives: see the current roadmap to the end with elections set as soon as possible; reorganise the electoral process and amend the governing laws; or abandon the current roadmap and start a new process leading to a new roadmap, executive, constitutional basis and electoral laws.

The first two options will be difficult in view of the complex interests at stake, meaning that all eyes are on the third. This could conceivably take place through a negotiating process with representatives from all sides, now that the HoR and HCS have presented themselves as bodies that could rescue the situation from the current impasse.

It is difficult to envision polls taking place soon because of sharp divisions over a number of issues. The most crucial is whether to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously. The dominant political forces in western Libya have been pushing for parliamentary elections first, while those in the east prioritise the presidential elections.

Reorganising the current process is also problematic, not just because of the time it would take, but also more importantly because of the risks of backsliding into armed conflict, especially in the light of the barrages of legal challenges that many candidates for the parliamentary and presidential elections received and the threats to the HNEC if it omitted certain names.

Even so, the third option might stand the best chance of success. Fresh negotiations among the stakeholders would inspire all the parties to participate more constructively in the political process. What direction these will take will become clearer on 24 January when Williams briefs the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya and her plans for resolving the impasse.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Algiers, 17 January 2022 (SPS) - Sahrawi ambassador to Algiers, Abdelkader Taleb Omar said Saturday he was "optimistic" about the visit of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura to the region, wishing that the peace process would succeed in the last colony in Africa.



"certainly, we are optimistic about the results of the visit of the UN Personal Envoy," said the Sahrawi diplomat at the memory forum organized by "Mechaal Echahid" association.



The Moroccan regime has violated the ceasefire agreements, causing a return to war and tension, added Taleb Omar, hoping that de Mistura "will find a solution to relaunch the peace process."



The Sahrawi ambassador said, in this regard, that "the Sahrawi people are aware of these maneuvers and are ready to sacrifice to recover their sovereignty and achieve justice, peace and stop the expansion" of the Moroccan occupier.



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Get ready to learn more Greek letters. Scientists warn that omicron's whirlwind advance practically ensures it won't be the last version of the coronavirus to worry the world.

Every infection provides a chance for the virus to mutate, and omicron has an edge over its predecessors: It spreads way faster despite emerging on a planet with a stronger patchwork of immunity from vaccines and prior illness.

That means more people in whom the virus can further evolve. Experts don't know what the next variants will look like or how they might shape the pandemic, but they say there's no guarantee the sequels of omicron will cause milder illness or that existing vaccines will work against them.

They urge wider vaccination now, while today's shots still work.

``The faster omicron spreads, the more opportunities there are for mutation, potentially leading to more variants,'' Leonardo Martinez, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Boston University, said.

Since it emerged in mid-November, omicron has raced across the globe like fire through dry grass. Research shows the variant is at least twice as contagious as delta and at least four times as contagious as the original version of the virus.

Omicron is more likely than delta to reinfect individuals who previously had COVID-19 and to cause ``breakthrough infections'' in vaccinated people while also attacking the unvaccinated. The World Health Organization reported a record 15 million new COVID-19 cases for the week of Jan. 3-9, a 55% increase from the previous week.

Along with keeping comparatively healthy people out of work and school, the ease with which the variant spreads increases the odds the virus will infect and linger inside people with weakened immune systems - giving it more time to develop potent mutations.

``It's the longer, persistent infections that seem to be the most likely breeding grounds for new variants,'' said Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University. ``It's only when you have very widespread infection that you're going to provide the opportunity for that to occur.''

Because omicron appears to cause less severe disease than delta, its behavior has kindled hope that it could be the start of a trend that eventually makes the virus milder like a common cold.

It's a possibility, experts say, given that viruses don't spread well if they kill their hosts very quickly. But viruses don't always get less deadly over time.

A variant could also achieve its main goal - replicating - if infected people developed mild symptoms initially, spread the virus by interacting with others, then got very sick later, Ray explained by way of example.

``People have wondered whether the virus will evolve to mildness. But there's no particular reason for it to do so,'' he said. ``I don't think we can be confident that the virus will become less lethal over time.''

Getting progressively better at evading immunity helps a virus to survive over the long term. When SARS-CoV-2 first struck, no one was immune. But infections and vaccines have conferred at least some immunity to much of the world, so the virus must adapt.

There are many possible avenues for evolution. Animals could potentially incubate and unleash new variants. Pet dogs and cats, deer and farm-raised mink are only a few of the animals vulnerable to the virus, which can potentially mutate within them and leap back to people.

Another potential route: With both omicron and delta circulating, people may get double infections that could spawn what Ray calls ``Frankenvariants,'' hybrids with characteristics of both types.

When new variants do develop, scientists said it's still very difficult to know from genetic features which ones might take off. For example, omicron has many more mutations than previous variants, around 30 in the spike protein that lets it attach to human cells. But the so-called IHU variant identified in France and being monitored by the WHO has 46 mutations and doesn't seem to have spread much at all.

To curb the emergence of variants, scientists stress continuing with public health measures such as masking and getting vaccinated. While omicron is better able to evade immunity than delta, experts said, vaccines still offer protection and booster shots greatly reduce serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths.

Anne Thomas, a 64-year-old IT analyst in Westerly, Rhode Island, said she's fully vaccinated and boosted and also tries to stay safe by mostly staying home while her state has one of the highest COVID-19 case rates in the U.S.

``I have no doubt at all that these viruses are going to continue to mutate and we're going to be dealing with this for a very long time,`` she said.

Ray likened vaccines to armor for humanity that greatly hinders viral spread even if it doesn't completely stop it. For a virus that spreads exponentially, he said, ``anything that curbs transmission can have a great effect.'' Also, when vaccinated people get sick, Ray said their illness is usually milder and clears more quickly, leaving less time to spawn dangerous variants.

Experts say the virus won't become endemic like the flu as long as global vaccination rates are so low. During a recent press conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that protecting people from future variants _ including those that may be fully resistant to today's shots _ depends on ending global vaccine inequity.

Tedros said he'd like to see 70% of people in every country vaccinated by mid-year. Currently, there are dozens of countries where less than a quarter of the population is fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University statistics. And in the United States, many people continue to resist available vaccines.

``These huge unvaccinated swaths in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Latin America and elsewhere are basically variant factories,'' said Dr. Prabhat Jha of the Centre for Global Health Research at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. ``It's been a colossal failure in global leadership that we have not been able to do this.''

In the meantime, new variants are inevitable, said Louis Mansky, director of the Institute for Molecular Virology at the University of Minnesota.

With so many unvaccinated people, he said, ``the virus is still kind of in control of what's going on.''

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AstraZeneca announced on Sunday that the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) has granted AstraZenecas Evusheld an emergency use authorisation (EUA).

The EUA follows a recent procurement agreement for Evusheld inked in December 2021 by AstraZeneca and the EDA for unified procurement, medical supply, and technology management for the Ministry of Health and Population.

Evusheld is tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab, a long-acting antibody combination for pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19.

AstraZeneca said that the first doses of the drug are expected to become available in Egypt in the coming weeks.

It added that Evusheld is meant to protect vulnerable populations who may be unable to mount an adequate immune response following a COVID-19 vaccination due to pre-existing medical conditions such as blood cancers, patients receiving chemotherapy, those on hemodialysis, and other conditions causing immunosuppression.

On 14 December, the EDA and AstraZeneca signed a procurement agreement for unified procurement, medical supply, and technology management (UPA) for the recently authorised long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination, Evusheld.

Egypt is one of the first countries to sign a procurement agreement for doses of our new long-acting antibody medicine. Evusheld will play a critical role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent virus symptoms and provide long-lasting protection, said Hatem Werdany, AstraZenecas country president for Egypt.

The company noted that the primary data supporting the Evusheld EUA is from the ongoing PROVENT trial, which demonstrated an 83 percent reduction in the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19, with protection from the virus continuing for at least six months.

Additionally, in the TACKLE outpatient treatment trial, Evusheld reduced the risk of developing severe COVID-19 or death by 88 percent when administered to non-hospitalised patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 within three days, according to the company.

Two independent studies from University College Oxford and Washington University School of Medicine have also shown that Evusheld retains neutralising activity against the Omicron variant.

These tests are in line with previous results from tests conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration and add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that Evusheld retains activity against all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern to date.

As part of its global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, AstraZeneca has also supplied to date over 16.7 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to Egypt.

Also in December, Egypt received 347,460 doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine under the umbrella of the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Initiative (COVAX).

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A World Health Organization official warned last week of a ``closing window of opportunity'' for European countries to prevent their health care systems from being overwhelmed as the omicron variant produces near-vertical growth in coronavirus infections.

In France, Britain and Spain, nations with comparatively strong national health programs, that window may already be closed.

The director of an intensive care unit at a hospital in Strasbourg is turning patients away. A surgeon at a London hospital describes a critical delay in a man's cancer diagnosis. Spain is seeing its determination to prevent a system collapse tested as omicron keeps medical personnel off work.

``There are a lot of patients we can't admit, and it's the non-COVID patients who are the collateral victims of all this,'' said Dr. Julie Helms, who runs the ICU at Strasbourg University Hospital in far eastern France.

Two years into the pandemic, with the exceptionally contagious omicron impacting public services of various kinds, the variant's effect on medical facilities has many reevaluating the resilience of public health systems that are considered essential to providing equal care.

The problem, experts say, is that few health systems built up enough flexibility to handle a crisis like the coronavirus before it emerged, while repeated infection spikes have kept the rest too preoccupied to implement changes during the long emergency.

Hospital admissions per capita right now are as high in France, Italy, and Spain as they were last spring when the three countries had lockdowns or other restrictive measures in place.

England's hospitalization rate of people with COVID-19 for the week ending Jan. 9 was slightly higher than it was in early February 2021, before most residents were vaccinated.

This time, there are no lockdowns. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a population health research organization based at the University of Washington, predicts that more than half of the people in WHO Europe's 53-country region will be infected with omicron within two months.

That includes doctors, nurses, and technicians at public hospitals.

About 15% of the Strasbourg hospital system's staff of 13,000 was out this week. In some hospitals, the employee absentee rate is 20%. Schedules are made and reset to plug gaps; patients whose needs aren't critical must wait.

The French public hospital's 26 ICU beds are almost all occupied by unvaccinated patients, people ''who refuse care, who refuse the medicine or who demand medicines that have no effectiveness,`` Helms said.

She denied 12 requests for admission early in the week, and 10 on Wednesday night.

``When you have three patients for a single bed, we try to take the one who has the best odds of benefiting from it,'' Helms said.

In Britain, like France, omicron is causing cracks in the health system even though the variant appears to cause milder illness than its predecessors.

The British government this month assigned military personnel, including medics, to fill in at London hospitals, adding to the ranks of service members already helping administer vaccines and operate ambulances.

At the Royal Free Hospital in London, Dr. Leye Ajayi described a patient who faced delays in his initial cancer diagnosis.

``Unfortunately, when we eventually got round to seeing the patient, his cancer had already spread,`` Ajayi told Sky News. ``So we're now dealing with a young patient in his mid-50s who, perhaps if we'd seen him a year ago, could have offered curative surgery. We're now dealing with palliative care.''

Nearly 13,000 patients in England were forced to wait on stretchers more than 12 hours before a hospital bed opened, according to figures released last week from the National Health Service.

Britain has a backlog of around 5.9 million people awaiting cancer screenings, scheduled surgeries, and other planned care.

Some experts estimate that figure could double in the next three years.

``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,'' said Dr. Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine.

Having the capacity to accommodate a surge is crucial, and it's just this surge capacity that many in Europe were surprised to learn their countries lacked. The people in a position to turn that around were the same ones dealing with the crisis daily.

In the midst of the first wave, in April 2020, WHO's Europe office put out a how-to guide for health systems to build slack into their systems for new outbreaks, including identifying a temporary health workforce.

``Despite the fact that countries thought they were prepared for a pandemic that might come along, they were not. So it's building the ship as it sails,'' said Dr. David Heymann, who previously led the World Health Organization's infectious diseases department.

But France had been cutting back hospital beds _ and doctors and nurses _ for years before the pandemic. Building it back up in a matter of months proved too much when the current wave infected hospital staff by the hundreds each day.

Even allowing symptomatic COVID-19-positive health workers to report for work hasn't been enough.

Britain's NHS Confederation, a membership organization for sponsors and providers, says the public health service went into the pandemic with a shortage of 100,000 health workers that has only worsened.

The first wave of the pandemic pushed Spain's health system to its limit. Hospitals improvised ways to treat more patients by setting up ICUs in operating rooms, gymnasiums, and libraries.

The public witnessed, appalled, retirees dying in nursing homes without ever being taken to state hospitals that were already well overcapacity.

After that, the Spanish government vowed not to let such a collapse happen again. Working with regional health departments, it designed what officials call ``elasticity plans'' to deal with sudden variations in service demands, especially in ICUs.

The idea is that hospitals have the equipment and, in theory, the personnel, to increase capacity depending on the need. But critics of government health policy say they've warned for years of inadequate hospital staffing, a key driver of the difficulty delivering care in the current wave.

``The key thing is flexibility, having flexible buildings that can expand, having staff that are flexible in terms of accepting task shifting, having flexibility in terms of sharing loads more of a regional structure,'' said Dr. Martin McKee, a public health professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Ultimately, though, McLee said: ``A bed is an item of furniture. What counts is the staff around it,'' McKee said.

Helms, the Strasbourg intensive care doctor, knows that all too well. Her unit has space for 30 beds. But it has only enough staff to care for the patients in the 26 beds currently occupied, a situation unlikely to change quickly after omicron burns through the region.

In the same hospital's infectious diseases unit, frantic schedulers are borrowing staff from elsewhere in the facility, even if it means non-COVID-19 patients get less care.

``We're still in the middle of a complex epidemic that is changing every day. It's hard to imagine what we need to build for the future for other epidemics, but we're going to have to reflect on the system of how we organize care,'' said Dr. Nicolas Lefebvre, who runs the infectious diseases unit at the Strasbourg hospital.

He said Europe is prepared to handle isolated outbreaks as it has in the past, but the pandemic has exposed weakened foundations across entire health systems, even those considered among the world's best.

Frederic Valletoux, the head of the French Hospital Federation, said policymakers at the national level are acutely aware of the problem now. For 2022, the federation has requested more resources from nursing staff on up.

``The difficulty in our system is to shake things up, especially when we're in the heart of the crisis,'' Valletoux said.

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Far-left French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon embraced migrants and Russia and derided campaign rivals as he sought to reinvigorate his flagging campaign for April's election with an unusual immersive and olfactory rally.

Yes, olfactory: The campaign team diffused various smells into the exhibition hall in the western city of Nantes, surrounding participants with screens and speakers.

While the videos were powerful, with ocean waves and starscapes transporting the crowd as Melenchon talked about sea pollution and the dangers of wars in space, the aromatic part was a bit of a flop. The masked crowd had trouble smelling anything at all, or identifying the scents -- some described fruity or marine aromas, others reportedly smelled gasoline _ or their connection to what Melenchon was saying.

The event came as the once-powerful French left wing is deeply fractured and struggling to make its voice heard in a campaign where far-right and conservative figures have grabbed most of the attention so far. Melenchon _ a political firebrand with a notorious temper _ refuses to form a united front with other left-wing candidates against centrist President Emmanuel Macron, who's expected to seek re-election.

At Sunday's rally, Melenchon promised to guarantee jobs for everyone, raise the minimum wage, lower the retirement age to 60 and hike taxes on multinationals and rich households. His campaign platform calls for France to pull out of NATO, disobey EU rules, legalize cannabis, renationalize some businesses, block energy price rises, and spend more on fighting racial and other discrimination.

While other candidates are railing against migration, Melenchon said migrants are ``welcome'' in France, calling immigration the ``No. 1 factor`` in human progress.

He also proudly called Russia a ``partner,`` even as European governments are scrambling to find ways to avert a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.

And he had little kindness for his rivals on the left.

``We don't need union. We need clarity and people's mobilization,'' he said. ``I'm not their friend.''

Melenchon has criticized the French government's vaccine and virus rules as too restrictive, but his team distributed masks at the entrance to Sunday's event.

The 70-year-old Melenchon drew attention in the 2017 presidential race for holding simultaneous campaign rallies via hologram. A similar show is planned for early April.

He was the strongest-performing left-wing candidate in 2017, winning 19.6% of the vote, but came in fourth. This time there are six left-wing candidates vying for the April 10 first-round vote, and polls suggest none will make the likely runoff of the top two vote-getters on April 24.

Many voters are undecided and the field of candidates is still shifting. According to pollsters, Macron's strongest challengers so far are far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who he beat in the 2017 runoff; conservative Republicans candidate Valerie Pecresse, who visited a migrant camp in Greece this weekend to push for stemming migration to Europe; and populist far-right pundit Eric Zemmour, who has been repeatedly convicted of hate speech.

Other contenders include Socialist Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Greens party candidate Yannick Jadot, and former justice minister Christiane Taubira.

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The Kremlin's most prominent critic Alexei Navalny said Monday he did not regret returning to Russia a year ago, despite his jailing and a historic crackdown on the opposition.

Navalny was detained in a Moscow airport on his return to Russia from Germany on January 17 last year, ushering in a months-long crackdown that has seen his most prominent allies imprisoned or exiled.

"I don't regret it for a second," Navalny wrote in a post on Instagram from a penal colony outside Moscow.

"Having served my first year in prison, I want to tell everyone exactly what I shouted to those gathered outside the court when a convoy led me to a police van: don't be afraid of anything," Navalny added.

"This is our country and we have no other."

Navalny's August 2020 poisoning with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok and his subsequent arrest sparked widespread condemnation abroad as well as sanctions from Western capitals.

Moscow has refused to open an investigation into the attempt on his life, claiming there is insufficient evidence to open a probe and blaming Berlin for not cooperating.

On his return to Russia Navalny was jailed for more than two years on old fraud charges he says are politically motivated.

Ahead of the anniversary of his arrest, Russia last week added two of the opposition leader's closest aides to a list of "terrorists and extremists".

Ivan Zhdanov, 33, led Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, which produced hugely popular video probes accusing the authorities of systemic graft, while 41-year-old Leonid Volkov headed Navalny's network of regional offices.

Both of those organisations were banned by Russian courts and shuttered by staff fearing prosecution.

Last month, investigators questioned several former regional Navalny coordinators, including Ksenia Fadeyeva, who is also a local lawmaker in the Siberian city of Tomsk.

'In living hell'

Allies say she is facing up to 12 years in prison for working with an extremist organisation.

Investigators last year launched a new extremism probe against Navalny that could see the opposition leader spend up to 10 more years in jail.

The European Parliament last year awarded Navalny the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought after he was nominated, but passed over, for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ramping up a historic crackdown on critical voices in post-Soviet Russia, authorities have designated dozens of rights groups, media outlets, journalists and anti-Kremlin figures "foreign agents".

In December, courts ordered the shutdown of the country's most prominent rights group, Memorial.

The group chronicled Stalin-era purges and campaigned for the rights of political prisoners, migrants and other disadvantaged groups.

A court on Monday turned down one appeal Navalny had brought against authorities over his treatment in the penal colony and postponed another.

Navalny appeared in court via video link, sitting behind bars in a prison uniform before the Petushki district court in the Vladimir region where he is being held.

The cases heard on Monday concerned his prison salary and his designation as prone to "extremism," which news agencies said the court would revisit in three months.

Amnesty International said Monday that the year since Navalny's arrest had been marked by "an unprecedented campaign of repression" in Russia.

"On the anniversary of his detention, Navalny and the political activists associated with him are in a living hell," said Marie Struthers, Amnesty's Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director.

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A senior UN official said she is pushing for Libya to hold elections by June after the county missed a December deadline to elect its first president since the 2011 ouster and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gaddafi

Stephanie Williams, the U.N.'s special adviser on Libya, told The Associated Press late Sunday that it is still ``very reasonable and possible'' for the country's 2.8 million voters to cast their ballots by June in line with the U.N.-brokered 2020 roadmap.

Libya failed to hold its first-ever presidential elections on Dec. 24 as scheduled, a major blow to international efforts to end a decade-long chaos in the rich-oil Mediterranean nation.

Williams, who led U.N. efforts to end the latest bout of violence in Libya in 2020, said elections are needed in the country to give credence to the country's institutions.

``All the institutions are suffering a crisis of legitimacy,'' she said. ``I don't see any other exit for Libya other than a peaceful political process.''

The country plunged into turmoil after the NATO-backed 2011 uprising and split into rival governments, one in the east, backed by military commander Khalifa Hafter, and another UN-supported administration in the capital of Tripoli, in the west. Each side is supported by a variety of militias and foreign powers.

In April 2019, Hafter and his forces, backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, launched an offensive to try and capture Tripoli. His campaign collapsed after Turkey and Qatar stepped up their military support of the Tripoli government with hundreds of Turkish troops and thousands of Syrian mercenaries.

Mediated by the UN, an October 2020 cease-fire led to the formation of a transitional government and scheduled elections for Dec. 24. But the vote faced steep challenges that eventually forced its postponement.

Williams urged lawmakers, who are convening Monday in the eastern city of Tobruk, to agree on a ``clear, time-bound process with a clear horizon and to not create an open-ended process.''

``They have to shoulder a great responsibility right now to respect the will of the Libyans who registered to vote,'' she said. ``Libyans want an end to this long period of transition that the country has experienced since the events of 2011.``

The missed election deadline came after bitter disputes over the laws governing the electoral process. Outbreaks of fighting among armed factions and the presence of thousands of foreign fighters and troops in the North African country also fed mistrust between the rival groups.

Controversial figures declaring runs for the presidency have further polarized the political scene in recent months. Among them are Hafter, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the ousted dictator's son and one-time heir apparent. Opponents of Hafter and Gaddafi have said they will never accept an election victory by them.

The country's election commission didn't name a final list of candidates for the presidential and parliamentary elections. Imad al-Sayeh, head the commission, told the parliament Monday that militias threatened to stop the electoral process if a final list was announced.

Al-Sayeh said the commission needs betwen six and eight months to prepare for elections, given the uphill challenges that led to the postponement of Dec. 24 vote.

Williams said lawmakers and leaders in Tripoli should work out the disputes over the elections rules. She did not see the departure of foreign mercenaries as a ``prerequisite for the elections,'' saying that holding the cease-fire is the priority.

``There have been mercenaries in Libya since 1970s,'' she said, adding later, ``I don't believe that that is a card that is necessary to play at this time.''

Williams also said all factions should accept the results no matter who wins. ``The way to solve this is (allowing) the Libyan voters go to the ballot box and make their own choice,'' she said. ``Results need to be respected.''

The vote's delay also threatens to open a power vacuum. Lawmakers have argued that the mandate of Dbeibah's government ended on Dec. 24. Aguila Saleh, the influential speaker of parliament, said Monday that the transitional government ``should be restructured.''

The U.N. adviser called on the parliament to focus on delivering the vote rather than appointing a new transitional administration.

``What Libyans have clearly said is that they want to go to the ballot box and choose their government, a democratically government representing the entire Libya,'' she said.

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Algerias Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra agreed on Monday to continue extending support to Tunisian President Kais Saied and the measures he has adopted in the face of unrest in the country.

El-Sisi and Lamamra said in a meeting in Cairo that the Arab region supports Saieds measures and his efforts to achieve stability in the country, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

El-Sisi and Lamamra also discussed the situation in Libya, agreeing on the importance of achieving stability and security and preserving the sovereignty and unity of Libya and its national institutions to end the presence of foreign troops and mercenaries in Libya.

The Algerian foreign minister delivered to El-Sisi a letter from his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune, calling for further coordination and consultations to face multiple challenges in the region.

The meeting tackled means of cementing bilateral ties, with both El-Sisi and Lamamra agreeing on the importance of holding the upcoming session of the Joint Egyptian-Algerian Higher Committee on the level of foreign ministers to back efforts to boost partnerships and bolster coordination and cooperation in issues of common concern.

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Germany will do everything in its power to guarantee Ukraine's security, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Monday on her first visit to Ukraine, amid rising fears of a Russian invasion.

"We will do our all to guarantee Ukraine's security. We will do our all to guarantee Europe's security," she said at a press conference following talks with her Ukrainian counterpart, a day before she is due to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

The West has 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 in its sphere of influence, where it fiercely opposes the expansion of the Atlantic alliance.

Speaking during a visit to Madrid, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said "we expect clear steps from Russia to de-escalate the situation".

"Military aggression against Ukraine would have serious political as well as economic consequences" for Russia, he added at a joint news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Baerbock's visit to Kyiv comes amid attempts to revive the so-called Normandy Format grouping of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine whose aim is to de-escalate the conflict.

Her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, told reporters following discussions that Ukraine and Germany were "committed to a diplomatic settlement of this conflict".

"Our joint goal is the effective work of the Normandy Format and the holding of a summit of leaders of the Normandy Format," Kuleba said.

He reiterated however Ukraine's intention to receive weapons from the West, after Kyiv in December accused Berlin of blocking the supply of NATO arms.

"Our dialogue with Germany on this issue will continue," Kuleba said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is due to hold his first meeting with Baerbock Tuesday.

He said in a statement ahead of the meeting that there would be "an in-depth exchange on current international issues, above all on the realisation of Russian proposals on security guarantees".

Lavrov said during a press conference Monday that Russia was awaiting "concrete answers" to a series of sweeping security demands in Europe.

He added that "Russia's leadership is capable of protecting its interests both in terms of security and in terms of ensuring the rights of Russian citizens".

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Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to fulfil its duties to support African countries affected by terrorism and extremism.

Shoukry participated via videoconference in the ministerial consultative meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the African members of the UNSC on Monday.

Shoukry highlighted the importance of African solidarity in facing the continents crises, especially terrorism and extremism, calling on the Security Council to support African initiatives in this regard.

The top Egyptian diplomat stressed Egypts belief in the vital role played by regional mechanisms and groupings in achieving security and stability in Africa as well as the role that the UNSC can play in supporting the security capabilities of these groupings and mechanisms.

Egypt is intensifying its efforts to support by every means the capacity building of African institutions in areas affected by terrorism, Shoukry said, including by organising training courses for the joint forces of the African peacekeeping missions.

Shoukry called for the continued coordination between the PSC and the three African members of the UNSC to support unified African interests and stances regarding continental security and peace.

On Saturday, Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called for formulating a clear African strategy to eliminate the danger of terrorism and extremism and dry up its sources of funding during a meeting of the AU Bureau of Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly made the remarks via video conference on El-Sisis behalf.

Egypt aims to support African countries by intensifying counterterrorism training to African cadres and by participating in UN peacekeeping efforts, a cabinet statement cited El-Sisi as saying.

This is in addition to Egypts continued efforts through the Cairo-based Sahel-Saharan Counterterrorism Centre, El-Sisi added.

The president expressed Egypts readiness to provide further support on the bilateral level as well as through AU mechanisms, the statement said.

During Mondays meeting, Shoukry also affirmed the need to pay the necessary attention to the effect of climate change on Africas security and peace.

Egypt will seek to coordinate with African countries during its chairmanship of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) to defend continental interests, highlight Africas unified stances, and raise African concerns regarding the negative implications of climate change, Shoukry added.

Late last year, Egypt was officially selected to host COP27 in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh as a representative of Africa.

In a November communique, the PSC pledged support to Egypt, as the host of the conference, to advance African priorities and reach concrete actions on global climate change.

In October, Egypts Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said COP27 would be a chance to voice African demands and to help the continent acquire the needed funds to implement climate adaptation plans.

El-Sisi participated in COP26 in November in Glasgow, where he hailed Africa as a role model for serious climate action.

Speaking during the conference, El-Sisi said Africa suffers the most from the negative consequences of climate crisis, even though it is not responsible for the phenomenon.

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Egypt has reiterated its condemnation of any terrorist act committed by the illegal Houthi terrorists against the UAE after a fire broke out and three oil tankers exploded in Abu Dhabi, killing three civilians.

Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for the incident, which took place near storage facilities of the state oil firm ADNOC, describing it as an attack deep inside the UAE, Reuters reported.

Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed Egypts solidarity with the UAE in light of the incident in a phone call with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Three people were killed and six others are suffering from mild to medium injuries due to the blasts, Emirati news agency WAM cited Abu Dhabi police as saying. The deaths were two Indians and one Pakistani national.

The fires started in the Musaffah area and at a site near Abu Dhabi International airport, the police said.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the fires and blasts were caused by small flying objects, probably drones, the police said, noting that the relevant Emirati authorities have launched an investigation.

The Houthi militia has launched thousands of missiles against Saudi Arabia over the past seven years, since a Saudi-led coalition that includes the UAE intervened in the Yemeni civil war to fight the Houthis.

The militia, however, has claimed few attacks on the UAE.

Shoukry extended condolences to the UAE over the people killed in the explosions and wished the injured a speedy recovery, the foreign ministrys statement said.

Shoukry stressed Egypts condemnation of any terrorist attack by Houthis that target the security, stability, and integrity of the UAE and Emirati citizens.

He also voiced support for measures the UAE takes to deal with any terrorist attack against Emirati lands.

Shoukry reiterated to the Emirati FM Egypts unwavering stance to support the security and stability of the UAE, highlighting the firm link between the national security of both countries.

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By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Steps that can contribute to strengthening cooperation, peace, and security in the South Caucasus were discussed during the meeting of an interfaith delegation led by Caucasus Muslims Office Chairman Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade and Pope Francis in the Vatican.

Azerbaijani ambassador to France and the Vatican Rahman Mustafayev made the remarks on his official Twitter page.

Sharing details about the visit on his Twitter account, the ambassador said: "Official visit to the Vatican, first day [January 13]. Visiting Basilica of St. Sebastien and its Catacomb museum. More than 10 sarcophagi and 200 monumental sarcophagi sculptured fragments of its prestigious collection were restored by the generous contribution of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2016-2018."

Mustafayev commented on the second day of the visit and stressed at the meeting with ?cardinal Ravasi that the "high level of Azerbaijani-Vatican relations, the crucial role of Azerbaijan in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue was underlined, the importance of restoration of destroyed Azerbaidjani churches and mosques in Karabakh was confirmed".

Mustafayev added that as part of the visit, the delegation led by Pashazade visited Commoodilla catacombs.

"The project of restoration of ancient Roman frescos and paintings, dated early 4th century, supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, is in the process of implementation," the ambassador tweeted.

The policy of tolerance and interfaith dialogue of Azerbaijan was highly accessed by the Vatican.

In another tweet, Mustafayev wrote: "H.E. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State: We in the Vatican are proud of the fact, that all religions in Azerbaijan live peacefully together and collaborate for the good of your society and appreciate the establishment in Baku of platform for inter-religious dialogue."

The Vatican and Azerbaijans diplomatic relationship dates back to 1992 when the Vatican was one of the first states to recognize Azerbaijans independence.

Since regaining its independence, Azerbaijan has further developed its relationship with the Holy See as proved by the visit of the national leader Heydar Aliyev to Rome in September 1997 and a few years after in 2002 the head of the Catholic Church, John Paul II visited Azerbaijan at Heydar Aliyev's invitation.

For the first time in history, Azerbaijan, being a country with a Muslim majority, contributed to the restoration of Christian monuments in the Vatican and other Christian countries.

The construction of Saint Marys Catholic Church in Baku, and the participation of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of the Holy See at its official opening in 2008, have strengthened the ties between the two countries.

Azerbaijan also ensured the restoration of the catacombs of St. Marcellinus, St. Peter, and St. Sebastian in the Vatican. It also funded the restoration of Notre Dame in France.

Moreover, a bilateral treaty was established in 2011, recognizing the official judicial status on the presence of the Catholic Church within the Azerbaijani borders, enhancing the Constitutional provisions which protect the right of recognized religious institutions to organize themselves.

Pope Francis visited Azerbaijan in 2016, being well received and acclaimed in the Shi'i majority country while President Ilham Aliyev visited the Vatican in 2020.

It should be noted that the bill "On the establishment of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Holy See [the Vatican]" was debated and adopted at the parliament's plenary session on October 29, 2021.

The country, which has always been distinguished by religious tolerance, is committed to its values ??of multiculturalism and the preservation of religious monuments both in Azerbaijan and abroad.
On a trip to the United Arab Emirates, the president of South Korea on Sunday reportedly reached a preliminary multibillion-dollar deal to sell Seoul's surface-to-air missiles to Abu Dhabi and pledged deeper cooperation with the Gulf Arab federation.

After South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Emirati Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai, the countries signed a memorandum of understanding for the UAE's purchase of a South Korean mid-range missile defense system valued at some $3.5 billion, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

There were no further details on the deal announced during the visit nor immediate comment from the UAE. But during Dubai's weeklong aviation trade show last November, the Emirati Ministry of Defense tweeted it planned to acquire South Korea's M-SAM, an advanced air defense system designed to intercept missiles at altitudes below 40 kilometers (25 miles), saying it would ``constitute a qualitative addition to the capabilities of the national air defense.``

Sheikh Mohammed posted photos of the meeting and said the UAE seeks ``a comprehensive strategic economic partnership'' with South Korea, one of the world's top crude importers and financiers of energy projects.

The nations have strengthened their defense cooperation over the past decade, with South Korean elite special forces even traveling to the UAE to train Emirati troops in an unprecedented years-long deployment for the Asian country.

Meanwhile, the UAE has hosted hundreds of North Korean laborers in past years who provide a key revenue stream for Pyongyang.

But under pressure to enforce US-led sanctions over North Korea's nuclear program, Abu Dhabi has recently moved to choke off the network and stopped renewing North Korean work visas.

From Dubai's Expo 2020, where South Korea boasts a sprawling pavilion to showcase the country's high-tech and cultural achievements, President Moon praised the world's fair and pledged the countries will ``transcend generations and national borders to build back together and leap forward together.''

President Moon landed in the regional financial hub of Dubai on Saturday and was greeted by UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei.

The oil and gas-dependent South Korea imports fossil fuels from the Arab Gulf, including from oil-rich Abu Dhabi, to power its energy-intensive economy, dominated by manufacturing industries from cars to petrochemicals.

The UAE represents 8% of Seoul's oil imports, according to 2019 data from the US Energy Information Administration.

Not only does Seoul buy Emirati oil, but South Korean firms have participated in the development of Emirati oil fields to boost the Asian country's self-sufficiency and, significantly, have built the UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant, the first on the Arabian Peninsula.

The group of four reactors at Barakah in Abu Dhabi's far western desert, which marked the Korea Electric Power Corporation's first international deal, are gradually coming online.

As the UAE seeks to decrease its reliance on fossil fuels and diversify away from oil, it plans to draw a quarter of its electricity from the $20 billion reactors.

During the South Korean trade minister's trip to the UAE late last year, the countries also began negotiations on a new bilateral trade deal, including agreements to develop sources of clean power.

On Monday, Moon met with an Emirati business delegation about clean-burning hydrogen fuel, his press office said.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has sharpened its focus on hydrogen in recent months, building facilities to produce large volumes of the fuel and shipping so-called blue ammonia to Japan.

``Carbon neutrality is obviously a difficult process, but if the two nations promote the hydrogen industry through solidarity and cooperation, they will have new opportunities,'' Yonhap news agency quoted Moon as telling a business forum in Dubai, adding that Seoul has helped the UAE develop a hydrogen-powered public transport system.

A different South Korean export took the center stage later Sunday at Expo, as a string of star K-pop bands including Psy and Stray Kids performed catchy songs with dynamic dance moves for the crowd of frenetic fans who braved the rain to wait in line for hours since the morning.

Hundreds of teenagers crammed up against each other and danced, even as virus cases skyrocket in the UAE.

Before singing his classic 2012 hit ``Gangnam Style,`` Park Jae-sang of Psy announced that he'd release a new song this year for the first time in four years.

``I can promise that to Dubai,'' he said.

The crowd went wild. An ebullient President Moon in attendance joined the applause.

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Taliban fighters paraded through a northwest Afghan city in a show of strength at the weekend, days after reinforcements were sent to quell unrest over the detention of a popular commander.

Protests erupted last week in Maymana, capital of Faryab province, after an Uzbek Taliban commander was detained for alleged links to a kidnapping plot.

The unrest sparked fears of tensions between Uzbek and Pashtun civilians and Taliban fighters, with unconfirmed reports that members of both ethnic groups had been killed in isolated clashes.

"We deployed hundreds of forces from neighbouring provinces and the situation is under control now," Latifullah Hakimi, a senior defence ministry official, told AFP at the weekend.

Sunday's parade included columns of masked fighters clad in matching white shalwar kameez tunics, khaki combat vests, and headscarves inscribed with the Muslim declaration of faith.

Dozens more heavily armed fighters in jungle camouflage rode on the back of pick-up trucks and armoured vehicles, seized from Afghan government and US forces during the Taliban's lightning-fast summer takeover.

Residents of Maymana lined the route, many stony-faced as they filmed the parade with their phone cameras.

"Two days ago the situation was not good because of the demonstration, but now the situation is normal," said Rohullah, a 20-year-old shopkeeper.

"The only problem we have is that people don't have jobs... but they are very happy with the security."

The show of force comes as Afghanistan's new rulers struggle to evolve from an insurgency to a governing power in a country on the brink of economic collapse, with the United Nations estimating more than half the population is facing acute hunger.

Discipline among the rank and file -- particularly in remote areas -- is becoming a problem, with local commanders ignoring edicts from Kabul or implementing orders to their own whim.

Promising a softer rule than their 1996-2001 regime, the Taliban have launched a commission to identify members flouting regulations -- dismissing almost 3,000 people.

"We had a military parade in the city to assure the people that we will not let anyone interrupt security," said Jaweed, a Maymana commander who like many goes by only one name.

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Yemen's Houthi rebels, meanwhile, claimed to have launched an attack at the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi is the UAE's seat of government and steers the country's foreign policy.

Abu Dhabi police said preliminary investigations indicated the detection of small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire. They said there was no significant damage from the incidents, without offering further details.

The incident comes as South Korea's President Moon Jae-in visits the UAE. During the president's meeting with Emirati Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Sunday, the two countries reportedly reached a preliminary deal valued at some $3.5 billion sell mid-range South Korean surface-to-air missiles to the UAE.

The UAE has been at war in Yemen since early 2015, and was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched attacks against the Iranian-backed Houthis after the group overran the capital of Yemen and ousted the internationally backed government from power.

Houthi military spokesman Yahia Sarei said the group launched an attack deep in the UAE. He did not provide further details, saying a statement would be released soon.

The Houthis have claimed previous attacks on Abu Dhabi's airport, as well as the emirate's Barakah nuclear power plant - claims that Emirati officials have denied in the past.

The Houthis have used bomb-laden drones to launch crude and imprecise attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The group has also launched missiles at Saudi airports, oil facilities and pipelines, as well as used booby-trapped boats for attacks in key shipping routes.

Yemen's government-aligned forces, aided by the UAE-backed Giants Brigades and with help from Saudi airstrikes, reclaimed the entire southern province of Shabwa from the Houthis earlier this month and made advances in nearby Marib province.
Iranian diplomats are in Saudi Arabia to start work at a global organisation representing Muslims, a first since the two rivals cut ties in 2016, Iran's foreign ministry announced on Monday.

"The delegation is now in Jeddah to start its work at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation," Saeed Khatibzadeh said in his weekly press conference.

This "can be a good prelude for the two sides to send delegations to visit their embassies," he added.

Shiite-majority Iran and the Sunni Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are both members of the pan-Islamic body of 57 member states. The two regional rivals have so far held four rounds of talks since April aimed at improving relations.

"We have given our written points of interest to the Saudi delegation at the fourth round of negotiations in Baghdad and we are awaiting the responses," Khatibzadeh stressed.

Riyadh and Tehran support opposite sides in several conflict zones across the region including in Syria and Yemen.

In 2016, the kingdom's execution of revered Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr saw protesters attack Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. Riyadh responded at the time by cutting ties with Tehran, while OIC foreign ministers condemned the violence.

Khatibzadeh reiterated Iran's position that Tehran is "ready to open its embassy" but that depends on what "practical steps" Saudi Arabia takes.

In December, foreign ministry officials in both countries said the kingdom had granted visas to three Iranian diplomats to the OIC.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation describes itself as the collective voice of the Muslim world.

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Thousands rallied again on Monday in Sudan to oppose a military takeover which occurred nearly three months ago but security forces quickly fired tear gas towards them, an AFP correspondent said.

The latest protests came with US envoy to the Horn of Africa David Satterfield and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee expected in Khartoum early this week to push a message of "justice" for the Sudanese.

Demonstrators carrying the Sudanese flag gathered in central Khartoum as well as Wad Madani, a city to the south.

Security officers who deployed in large numbers fired volleys of tear gas, a regular tactic at the Khartoum protesters heading toward the presidential palace, an AFP correspondent said.

Sawsan Salah, from the capital's twin city of Omdurman, said protesters burnt car tyres and carried photos of people killed during other demonstrations since the October 25 military takeover.

In Wad Madani, "around 2,000 people took to the streets as they called for civilian rule," said Emad Mohammed, a witness there.

Protesters -- sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands -- have regularly taken to the streets despite a deadly security clampdown and periodic cuts to communications since the putsch led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The military takeover triggered wide international condemnation and derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following the April 2019 ouster of longtime autocratic president Omar al-Bashir.

The crackdown has so far killed at least 64 people, and left hundreds wounded, according to an independent group of medics.

On Thursday, Sudanese authorities said protesters stabbed to death a police general, the first fatality among security forces.

Authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting demonstrators and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during protests that have often "deviated from peacefulness".

- Diplomatic efforts -

Starting Monday in Riyadh, Satterfield and Phee were to meet the Friends of Sudan, a group calling for the restoration of the country's transitional government.

The meeting aims to "marshal international support" for the UN mission to "facilitate a renewed civilian-led transition to democracy" in Sudan, according to a State Department announcement.

The diplomats then travel to Khartoum for meetings with pro-democracy activists, civic groups, military and political figures.

"Their message will be clear: the United States is committed to freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people," the State Department said.

The United Nations last week said it will launch talks involving political, military and social actors to help resolve the crisis.

The mainstream civilian faction of the Forces for Freedom and Change, the leading civilian pro-democracy group, has said it would accept the UN offer for talks if it were to revive the transition to civilian rule.

Proposed talks have been welcomed by the ruling Sovereign Council, formed by Burhan following the military takeover with himself as chairman.

Burhan has insisted that the military takeover "was not a military takeover" but only meant to "rectify the course of the Sudanese transition.

Earlier this month, Sudan's civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned saying the country was now at a "dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival".

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Israeli forces on Monday shot dead a Palestinian man who they claimed \was trying to stab a soldier in the West Bank, Israel's army said, in the latest unrest in the occupied territory.

A statement from Israel's army said the alleged assailant had arrived in a vehicle at the Gush Etzion Junction, which is part of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank.

"The assailant, armed with a knife, got out of the vehicle and attempted to stab a (Israeli) soldier. The soldier fired towards the assailant and neutralised him," the army statement said.

A military spokesperson told AFP the suspect had been killed.

The Palestinian health ministry identified the man killed as Faleh Musa Jaradat, who lived south of Hebron.

Knife attacks by Palestinians targeting Israeli occupied forces are common in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel's army since the Six Day War in 1967.

Nearly 475,000 Jewish settlers have since moved into the territory, living in communities that are widely regarded as illegal under international law.

Tension and violence between settlers and Palestinians is common in the West Bank, which Palestinian claim as a key part of their future state.

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The UAE vowed reprisals after a drone attack on Monday claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels triggered a fuel tank blast that killed three people in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE vowed reprisals after a drone attack on Monday claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels triggered a fuel tank blast that killed three people in Abu Dhabi.

The United Arab Emirates is part of a Saudi-led military coalition that supports Yemen's government against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia with cross-border strikes.

But this is the first deadly assault on its own soil acknowledged by the UAE and claimed by the rebels, who said they had fired ballistic missiles and deployed armed drones.

Two Indians and a Pakistani working for oil giant ADNOC died as three petrol tanks exploded near a storage facility, while a fire also ignited in a construction area at Abu Dhabi airport in the heart of the UAE, a renowned safe haven in the volatile Middle East.

Police said "small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones" were found at both sites. Drone attacks have been a hallmark of the rebels' assaults on neighboring Saudi Arabia.

"We condemn the Houthi terrorist militia's targeting of civilian areas and facilities on UAE soil today... this sinful targeting will not go unpunished," UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said in a statement, as his ministry described the attack as a "heinous criminal escalation".

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said that they had "carried out... a successful military operation" against "important and sensitive Emirati sites and installations" using both ballistic missiles and drones.

The incident follows a surge in fighting in Yemen including advances by UAE-trained troops. The rebels also seized a UAE-flagged ship and its international crew earlier this month.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation all condemned the "terrorist" attack. Eight Houthi drones targeting Saudi Arabia were also intercepted, the coalition said.

The rebels have previously threatened to target Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the gleaming crown jewels of the UAE which last year opened its first nuclear power plant.

'Clear Warning'

Abdul Ilah Hajar, adviser to the president of the Houthis' Supreme Political Council in Sanaa, said it was a warning shot from the rebels.

"We sent them a clear warning message by hitting places that are not of great strategic importance," he told AFP.

"But it is a warning if the UAE continues its hostility to Yemen, it will not be able in the future to withstand the coming strikes."

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry condemned "in the strongest terms the cowardly terrorist attack" while Bahrain and Qatar also slammed the strikes.

The incident comes two weeks after the rebels hijacked the UAE-flagged Rwabee, and released footage purporting to show military equipment on board.

The UAE said the Rwabee, whose 11 crew are now hostages, was a "civilian cargo vessel" and called the hijacking a "dangerous escalation" in the busy Red Sea shipping route.

The rebels later rejected a UN Security Council demand for the ship's immediate release, saying it was "not carrying... toys for children but weapons for extremists".

Yemen's conflict has been a catastrophe for millions of its citizens who have fled their homes, with many on the brink of famine, in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The UAE joined the coalition against the Houthis before announcing a change of tack in 2019.

The pro-government Giants Brigade troops, backed by the Saudis and UAE, recently delivered a significant blow to the rebels by recapturing three districts in Shabwa governorate.

The clashes were part of an upswing in violence in the shattered country, where the war is being fought on several fronts.

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The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi insurgents said Monday it had launched airstrikes targeting the rebel-held capital Sanaa after a deadly attack against coalition ally Abu Dhabi.

"In response to the threat and (out of) military necessity, airstrikes have begun in Sanaa," the official Saudi Press Agency said on Twitter.

The Houthis' Al-Masirah TV channel confirmed the raids by the coalition, without immediately reporting any casualties.

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The coronavirus' omicron variant starting to barrel across South America is pressuring hospitals whose employees are taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed to cope with COVID-19's third wave.

A major hospital in Bolivia's largest city stopped admitting new patients due to lack of personnel, and one of Brazil's most populous states canceled scheduled surgeries for a month.

Members of the Argentine Union of Health, which represents private healthcare providers, estimates that about 30% of its doctors have taken leave after showing light symptoms or coming into contact with someone infected.

The third wave ``is affecting the health team a lot, from the cleaning staff to the technicians, with a high percentage of sick people, despite having a complete vaccination schedule,'' said Jorge Coronel, president of Argentina's medical confederation. ``While symptoms are mostly mild to moderate, that group needs to be isolated.''

It wasn't supposed to be this way: South America's vaccine uptake was eager once shots were available. About two-thirds of its roughly 435 million residents are fully immunized, the highest percentage for any global region, according to Our World in Data.

And health workers in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina have already been receiving booster shots.

But the omicron variant is defying vaccines, sending case numbers surging. Argentina saw an average 112,000 daily confirmed cases in the week through Jan. 16, up from 3,700 a month earlier.

Brazil's health ministry is still recovering from a hack that left coronavirus data incomplete; even so, it shows a jump to an average 69,000 daily cases in the same seven-day period, up 1,900% from the month before.

Omicron spreads even easier than other strains, and is already dominant in many countries _ among them, Brazil and some parts of Argentina.

It also more easily infects those who have already been vaccinated or infected by earlier versions of the virus.

Early studies show omicron is less likely to cause serious diseases than the delta variant, and vaccination and booster shots still offer strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Lesser severity leaves South America's residents loath to give up their long-awaited summer that, so they were told, would mark a return to normality after full vaccination.

The enduring pandemic often seems an afterthought to people who are out and about, and don't glimpse how omicron has started affecting medical staff. Beaches were packed this weekend in Argentina and Brazil.

Matias Fernandez Norte, a surgeon at the Hospital de Clinicas in Buenos Aires, told the AP that the high number of professionals on leave has generated ``physical and spiritual fatigue, in addition to the stress of dealing with a patient on the edge.''

``You feel like you are living a parallel reality. In the street you meet a world that doesn't seem to feel the pandemic,`` he said. ``Sometimes it feels like people have forgotten. Unfortunately, that's what we feel.''

Brazil's council of state health secretariats estimates that between 10% and 20% of all professionals in the health network _ including doctors, nurses, nurse technicians, ambulance drivers and others in direct contact with patients _ have taken sick leave since the last week of 2021.

``We are having trouble making the schedules,'' said the council's director, Carlos Lula.

The press office of Rio de Janeiro state's health secretariat told the AP that about 5,500 professionals have left their jobs since December.

All elective surgeries scheduled in the state health network have been suspended for four weeks. As for urgent care, relocations and overtime are being used as stopgap measures.

``Forty percent of our staff is on sick leave,`` Marcia Fernandes Lucas, health secretary for the municipality of Sao Joao de Meriti, in Rio's metropolitan region, told the AP in her office. ``We are able to work with these 60% by redeploying them (between health centers).''

Public hospitals in Bolivia are operating at 50-70% capacity due to the high number of infections among health care workers, according to the Bolivian doctors' union.

In Santa Cruz, the country's most populous city, the Children's Hospital is overwhelmed _ but less by its number of patients than the amount of staff falling ill, according to Freddy Rojas, its vice director. Last week, the facility stopped admitting new patients.

``There has been a collapse, because we don't have replacements,'' said Jose Luis Guaman, interim president of the doctors' union in Santa Cruz.

Such is the risk of medical services grinding to a halt in Argentina's Buenos Aires province _ the country's most populous _ that health workers have been allowed to return to work even if coming into contact with someone infected, provided they are asymptomatic and vaccinated.

Other provinces in Argentina are expected to adopt the same rules in the coming days, in line with the health ministry's recently-issued guidelines.

Similar measures are being enacted by authorities in France and the US, where omicron has been putting hospital systems to the test for weeks.

Chile has seen a constant increase in its number of cases, prompting the reactivation of public- and private-sector hospital beds, but so far the country hasn't experienced hospital overload. Peru has also seen case its numbers rise, but its facilities aren't yet suffering.

The Pan American Health Organization said Wednesday it expects omicron to become the predominant coronavirus variant in the Americas in the coming week.

Ten countries in the region _ especially in the Caribbean _ didn't reach the goal set by the World Health Organization to have 40% of citizens fully vaccinated by end-2021.

While a smaller fraction of people develop serious illness from the the highly-transmissible variant, the crush of contagion and resulting strain on hospitals means omicron shouldn't be underestimated, said Lula, of the Brazilian health secretariat council.

``People have to understand that the argument that omicron is `mild' is false,'' Lula said. ___

Calatrava reported from Buenos Aires. Reporters Carlos Valdez and Paola Flores contributed to this report from La Paz, Bolivia, Mario Lobao from Rio de Janeiro, Patricia Luna and Eva Vergara from Santiago, Chile, and Franklin Briceno from Lima, Peru.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 17, 2022 - 11:44 | All, Japan, World

U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida virtually on Friday, the White House said, as the two countries seek to further deepen their ties amid China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

The announcement came after Kishida, who took office in October, gave up on visiting the United States for in-person talks with Biden before the Japanese parliament starts its regular session Monday, deciding to focus on the COVID-19 response at home instead.

"The meeting will highlight the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance, which is the cornerstone of peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific and around the world," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement released Sunday.

Biden is looking forward to working with Kishida to advance their "shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific" and partnering on new and emerging technologies, including through the Quad, Psaki said, referring to a group of four major Indo-Pacific democracies that also include Australia and India.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss further cooperation on combating the coronavirus pandemic and climate change issues, according to the White House.

In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno echoed the view, saying that he expects the two to confirm the importance of a closer Japan-U.S. alliance and cooperation in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific region and responding to global issues, including efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons.

"We hope the first virtual meeting in 2022 between the two leaders will serve as an occasion to show the world the unwavering bond under the Japan-U.S. alliance and take it to a higher level," Matsuno said at a press conference.

Biden and Kishida had a phone call in October, shortly after Kishida was elected prime minister in parliament to replace Yoshihide Suga, who stepped down after just over a year in office.

The two leaders also had a brief conversation on the sidelines of the U.N. climate talks in Britain in November.

Kishida was hoping to hold an official bilateral meeting with Biden at an early date, but in-person diplomacy has apparently become difficult amid a resurgence of the pandemic in both countries due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Some 127 mines and munitions have been found and defused in Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenia's occupation in November 2020, the Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) said in its weekly report.

Fourteen antipersonnel mines, an anti-tank mine, and 112 unexploded ordnance were found and neutralized during the demining operations in Tartar, Agdam, Fizuli, Shusha, Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan regions from January 10 to 15, the report added.

A total of 51.8 hectares were cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance in the liberated areas in the said period.

Armenia submitted to Azerbaijan all mine maps of Azerbaijan's liberated territories as a result of talks held through the Russian Defence Ministry's mediation on December 4, 2021.

On December 12, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told reporters that mine maps provided by Armenia so far are not fully accurate.

"New minefield maps given by Armenia are being analyzed by the experts. It will take time. We can prevent the growing number of deaths as a result of mine explosions," he said.

It should be noted that ANAMA, along with the partner countries, carries out demining activities on Azerbaijan's liberated territories.

Armenia deliberately and constantly planted mines on Azerbaijani territories, in violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, thereby being a major threat to regional peace, security, and cooperation.

On December 9, the Prosecutor-General's Office reported that 29 civilians and seven military servicemen were killed, as well as 109 servicemen and 44 civilians received injuries of varying severity as a result of mine explosions in the countrys lands since November 10, 2020.

Previously, on June 12, Azerbaijan handed over 15 Armenian prisoners in exchange for a map detailing the location of 97,000 mines in formerly-occupied Aghdam.

On July 3, Armenia submitted to Azerbaijan maps of about 92,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines planted during the occupation of Fuzuli and Zangilan regions.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Russia-brokered peace agreement on November 10, 2020, to end 44 days of fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 17, 2022 - 12:55 | Japan, Coronavirus, All

Japan plans to allow 87 government-sponsored foreign students into the country, making an exception to the country's entry ban on nonresident foreigners that is currently in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the top spokesman said Monday.

Entry of the students will be allowed possibly from later this month and they will be required to quarantine for 10 days after arrival at hotels prepared by their schools, government sources said.

Tokyo decided on the exception "considering public interest and the urgency of the matter," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference.

The 87 students have less than one year left until they graduate or finish their studies and the government decided to allow them in so they can finish their schooling, Matsuno said.

Japan introduced the entry ban on Nov. 30 last year amid growing concerns over the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The ban was extended last week until the end of February.

The government has said it will ease the entry restrictions if there are "special circumstances," including visits to those who are seriously ill or for funerals, but it has stuck to its policy since the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Matsuno said the government will consider individual cases in making further exceptions.

The move comes as academic and economic circles have continued to voice concerns after a growing number of foreign students gave up on studying in Japan in the face of the country's strict border controls.

The government's measures are "affecting foreign students and businesses that employ foreign workers," ANA Holdings Inc. President Shinya Katanozaka said last week.

"I hope the government will balance both effective infection controls and social economic activities from a scientific viewpoint," he said in a statement released amid a drastic reduction in international flights.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 17, 2022 - 22:54 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japan is considering placing 11 prefectures, including Tokyo and its vicinity, under a COVID-19 quasi-state of emergency to curb rapidly spreading coronavirus cases, government sources said Monday.

Any declaration of a quasi-emergency hinges on requests made by these prefectures, but the Japanese government is preparing to make a decision as early as Wednesday, the sources said as the highly transmissible Omicron strain continues to spread.

If declared, Japan would see 14 of its 47 prefectures under the antivirus measure, reinforcing the view that the nation is experiencing what health experts describe as its sixth wave of the pandemic.

The possible declaration will likely be effective for around three weeks from Friday, one of the sources said.

Tokyo and neighboring Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures jointly asked the central government to put them under a quasi-emergency after their governors held a virtual meeting to discuss the infection situation in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Gifu and Mie prefectures in central Japan also made a request as they too seek to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by a spike in COVID-19 cases. Their neighbor Aichi is expected to follow suit.

The remaining prefectures are Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast as well as Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Nagasaki in the southwest, the national and local government sources said.

Under a quasi-emergency, local governors can request that dining establishments shorten their business hours and stop serving alcohol. Residents in these areas would also be asked to refrain from traveling across prefectural borders.

The Tokyo metropolitan government said the occupancy rate of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients in the Japanese capital surpassed the 20 percent threshold required to seek quasi-emergency steps.

Tokyo's daily count of coronavirus cases came to 3,719 on Monday, after topping 4,000 on Friday for the first time since late August.

Nationwide, the number of newly confirmed coronavirus cases exceeded 20,000 for the fourth straight day, with community transmissions of Omicron accelerating in urban areas including Tokyo, Aichi, and Osaka.

In the Kansai region in western Japan, Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said he plans to consult with the governors of neighboring Kyoto and Hyogo regarding whether to ask for quasi-emergency steps.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the number of new cases "is surging at an unprecedented speed, not just in the metropolitan area but elsewhere too."

In a regular news conference, Matsuno said that health experts have noted the need to consider making a declaration based on wider economic regions rather than prefectures, and he suggested taking such a stance for Tokyo and Osaka and their vicinities.

Amid the resurgence of the virus across the country, a quasi-state of emergency has been already declared in Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima prefectures, effective from Jan. 9 through the end of the month.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a ruling party meeting Monday that the government will "need to implement restrictions on people's movement" if the existing antivirus measures cannot curb the spread of the virus.

To counter the resurgence of COVID-19, the government is now planning to reopen a mass vaccination center in Tokyo on Jan. 31 using a government facility in Chiyoda Ward, the venue of a vaccination program last year, according to a government source.

Kishida announced last week centers operated by the Self-Defense Forces in Tokyo and Osaka would be reopened to speed up giving booster shots to people.

The Defense Ministry is set to decide on the schedule for administering third shots to those aged 18 or older as early as Tuesday.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 17, 2022 - 22:30 | Sports, World, Olympics, All, Coronavirus

Tickets for the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics will not be sold to the general public, organizers said Monday, as community infections of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant have been expanding in China.

Spectator tickets for the sporting event, slated to start Feb. 4, are expected to be distributed to a limited number of people through government organizations and state-run companies to prevent the further outbreak of COVID-19 at home.

The decision indicates that President Xi Jinping, who has been eager to cement his grip to secure a controversial third term as leader at the Communist Party's twice-a-decade congress in fall, has given up hosting the Beijing Olympics in complete form, pundits said.

In a speech online Monday at a session of the World Economic Forum, Xi was quoted by the official Xinhua News Agency as expressing confidence that China will present a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympics to the world.

In September 2021, the International Olympic Committee unveiled a basic slate of preventive steps against the spread of the virus at the Beijing Games, including a ban on all spectators except residents of mainland China.

"Tickets will be sold exclusively to spectators residing in China's mainland, who meet the requirements of the COVID-19 countermeasures," the IOC said in a press release at the time.

The Tokyo Games last summer, postponed for a year due to the pandemic, were held without spectators at almost all venues.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 17, 2022 - 17:06 | World, All

China's economy grew 8.1 percent in 2021 from a year earlier with exports recuperating from the coronavirus shock, registering the sharpest expansion in 10 years, government data showed Monday, but the future of the nation's domestic demand is not necessarily bright.

The pace of economic growth was much faster than the 2.2 percent expansion in 2020, underscoring that consumer and corporate confidence has been recovering in the Asian country, which has effectively brought the virus under control.

In the October-December period of 2021 alone, however, the world's second-biggest economy edged up only 4.0 percent, as the outlook has become gloomier due largely to fears about another wave of infections and potential financial market turmoil.

The National Bureau of Statistics said China "sustained the continuous and steady recovery of the national economy and maintained the leading position in economic growth" in the world in 2021, but it voiced wariness about the forecasts.

"We must be aware that the external environment is more complicated and uncertain, and the domestic economy is under the triple pressure of demand contraction, supply shock and weakening expectations," it said.

Since the increase in novel coronavirus infections apparently peaked in late February 2020, China, dubbed the "world's factory," has shown signs of a V-shaped economic recovery with business activities intensifying and private spending bouncing back.

China was the only major economy to attain growth in 2020. The 8.1 percent expansion in 2021 also surpassed the Communist-led government's target for an annual gross domestic product growth at "over 6 percent" for that year.

In 2021, China's industrial production gained 9.6 percent, with the total value of exports increasing 21.2 percent. Retail sales of consumer goods rose 12.5 percent, while investment in fixed assets, excluding rural households, climbed 4.9 percent.

Last year, China's global trade surplus -- or exports minus imports -- jumped to a record high of $676.4 billion, customs data showed Friday.

The trade surplus with the United States, which has been at loggerheads with China over several issues such as its alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and security challenges to self-ruled democratic Taiwan, soared 25.1 percent to $396.6 billion from 2020.

China's GDP in 2021 reached 114.37 trillion yuan ($18 trillion), according to the bureau.

The average unemployment rate in urban areas was 5.1 percent in 2021, better than the previous year's 5.6 percent.

Prospects for China's economy are expected to hinge on whether the government can curb the latest outbreak ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics, slated to begin Feb. 4, and how to deal with mounting worries about debt woes in the nation's property sector.

The number of new infections has been rising in the mainland in recent months despite the Communist Party's radical "zero corona" policy aimed at stemming the spread of the virus, first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019.

In Xi'an, more than 2,000 people have been infected with the virus since early December, and municipal authorities have locked down China's central city of 13 million since the middle of the month.

Meanwhile, Tianjin, a 14 million population city known as a key gateway to Beijing, has carried out citywide COVID-19 nucleic acid testing since earlier this month, after community infections with the highly contagious Omicron variant were confirmed.

The Beijing municipal government said Saturday that it has found its first case of the Omicron variant.

If strong restrictions by the leadership of President Xi Jinping, who has been keen to host the Beijing Olympics in a complete form, remain in place, private consumption and investment would lose momentum, analysts say.

Concern also lingers that a possible bankruptcy of property developer China Evergrande Group could cause the resurgence of a global financial crisis comparable to the 2008 meltdown triggered by the collapse of U.S. securities company Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.

Evergrande and other Chinese property firms have expanded their business while the real estate market in the country has been languishing in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

Investors have become more eager to reduce their holdings of China-related financial products worldwide, dealers said.

In China, severe regulations on energy consumption, as well as a hike in coal prices, have also eroded corporate performance, with the government of the world's biggest CO2 emitter pledging to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030.
By Tomoyuki Tachikawa, KYODO NEWS - Jan 17, 2022 - 12:14 | World, All, Feature

China's economy is expected to slow down ahead of the ruling Communist Party's twice-a-decade congress in fall 2022 as President Xi Jinping's radical "zero corona" policy and socialist ambition are set to choke private spending in the country.

Even after the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics, slated to start Feb. 4, the Communist-led government is likely to continue implementing strong anti-epidemic measures including locking down major cities and suspending all public transportation services.

To make an achievement in the economic field to secure a controversial third term as party leader at the congress, Xi would also promote "common prosperity," aimed at reducing income gaps at home, by levying more regulations on the nation's lucrative sectors.

Consumption in China has been "tepid" as the movements of people have recovered only to half the level before the coronavirus outbreak began nearly two years ago, said Kokichiro Mio, a senior researcher at the NLI Research Institute in Tokyo.

A scholar familiar with the Chinese government's thinking said, "The Communist Party's zero corona policy is certain to remain in place almost throughout 2022, given that President Xi has been keen to end the congress successfully after the Beijing Olympics."

"For at least another one year, Chinese citizens and companies would be frustrated by severe restrictions by authorities and lose their motivation to increase spending and investment. This would put serious downward pressure on the economy," the scholar, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

The world's second-largest economy grew 8.1 percent in 2021 from the previous year with domestic demand recuperating from the coronavirus shock, marking the biggest expansion in 10 years, government data showed Monday.

The economy, however, edged up only 4.0 percent in the October-December period of 2021 alone, as the outlook has become dim amid mounting fears about another wave of infections, first detected in China's central city of Wuhan in late 2019.

In Xi'an, more than 2,000 people have been infected with the virus for around one month since early December, prompting municipal authorities to lock down the central Chinese city of 13 million since the middle of the month.

Tianjin, known as a key gateway to Beijing, has also conducted COVID-19 nucleic acid testing targeting all the 14 million residents since earlier this month, as community infections with the highly contagious Omicron variant were identified.

The Beijing government said Saturday that it has found its first case of the Omicron variant.

In Shanghai, China's largest commercial hub, some restaurants and stores have been closed since infections were confirmed there.

Hiroyuki Tanaka, a 36-year-old Japanese employee in the city said, "We are not in a situation where we can do business as usual. What we have to do is to stay in Shanghai and stay home."

"Many Chinese people have refrained from going outside and they have tighten their purses as they are feeling anxiety about the future," he said, adding, "Under such circumstances, it is very difficult for the Chinese economy to maintain growth momentum."

In January, the World Bank said in a report that it has cut its forecasts for China's economic expansion in 2022 to 5.1 percent, down from 5.4 percent against a backdrop of the pandemic.

Tanaka said, "I think the pace of China's economic growth would be much slower than the World Bank estimates. I don't know what can be an impetus to the Chinese economy this year unless the coronavirus crisis recedes."

Xi's push to attain common prosperity has been also fanning concern that the most populous country would become a less attractive market, as the goal may place heavy burdens on the rich so that the government can coercively rectify economic inequality.

Drastic policy changes designed to put emphasis on income distribution might "hinder technological progress based on the free ideas of the private sector," said Kenta Maruyama, an economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co. in Tokyo.

Indeed, the Communist Party has been bolstering surveillance of the nation's IT giants to curb their monopolistic behavior and disorderly capital expansion, sparking worries that innovation of the Chinese high-tech industry would be impeded.

Chinese big enterprises and business leaders are also believed to be compelled by the central authorities to take steps that could contribute to narrowing income disparities, such as making donations and providing social supports.

"If the government uses common prosperity as a means of power struggle and moves ahead with it in an unpredictable way, that could put a sharp brake on the Chinese economy. Common prosperity is a double-edged sword," Maruyama said.

Some pundits, meanwhile, said a potential escalation of tensions between China and Taiwan would make foreign firms -- especially those in democratic countries -- reluctant to invest in the mainland, which would deal a crushing blow to the broader economy in 2022.

Speculation is rife that Xi's leadership could take military action against democratic Taiwan to reunify the self-ruled island with the mainland, in the run-up to the party congress where he would attempt to lay the groundwork to hold on to power for life in China.

But Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University Japan, denied the possibility, saying, "There is little chance of an invasion of Taiwan because it is a high-risk option that could backfire on Xi."

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split in 1949 as the result of a civil war. Their relations have deteriorated since independence-leaning Tsai Ing-wen became the island's president in 2016.

Related coverage:

China's economy grows 8.1% in 2021, sharpest expansion in 10 years
ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebel group claimed on Monday responsibility for a "qualitative military operation" that struck areas deep inside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen.

"An important statement will be announced in the upcoming hours to reveal details on the strategic operation deep inside the UAE," said the group's spokesman Yahya Saree in a brief press statement.

The Houthis' claim just after three petroleum tankers exploded in a fire near the storage facilities of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the UAE captial's Musaffah industrial district, the official WAM news agency reported, citing an announcement of the Abu Dhabi police.

A minor fire also broke out in the new construction area of Abu Dhabi International Airport, according to the WAM.

Initial investigations show the fires and explosion were possibly caused by unidentified drones in the area, WAM said.

The UAE is an active member of the Saudi-led coalition which has been fighting a large-scale war against the Houthi rebel militia in various areas of Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in 2015 to support the Yemeni internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Iran-backed Houthi militia forced him out of the capital Sanaa.

The Houthi militia has recently intensified cross-border drone and missile attacks against different Saudi cities. In February 2021, the Houthi militia launched a major offensive against the government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib in central Yemen. 
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania and Burundi have signed an agreement for the joint construction of a 282-kilometer standard gauge railway (SGR), according to a statement issued by the government of Tanzania.

The statement, issued late Sunday by the Tanzanian Ministry of Finance and Planning, said the rail line will start in Uvinza, in Tanzania's western region of Kigoma, and terminate in Gitega in Burundi.

The agreement was signed Sunday evening by Tanzanian Minister for Finance and Planning Mwigulu Nchemba, Minister for Works and Transport Makame Mbarawa on behalf of the government of Tanzania, and Burundian Minister for Infrastructures, Equipment and Social Housing Deogratius Nsanganiyumwami and Minister for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Domitien Ndihokubwayo, the statement said.

Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Nchemba said both countries have started seeking finance for the implementation of the project, which is estimated to cost less than 900 million U.S. dollars.

The rail line will boost goods and passenger traffic between the two countries and the other four member states of the East African Community -- Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda, he said.

Mbarawa, the minister for works and transport, said 156 km of the SGR will be built in Tanzania and 126 km will be built in Burundi.

Tanzania is currently constructing a standard gauge rail line covering 1,637 kilometers, from the major port of Dar es Salaam to western and northern regions, and connecting to landlocked countries of Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
BEIRUT, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Lebanon has allocated 6 million U.S. dollars for supporting the most vulnerable people affected by the ongoing crisis in the country, OCHA said in a statement on Monday.

The funds were allocated through the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) to 14 non-governmental organization projects aimed at providing child protection, gender-based violence, and education assistance in the country, as part of the Lebanon Emergency Response Plan (ERP), according to the OCHA statement.

Syrian and Palestinian refugees and migrants are among the targeted populations, the statement said.

"In this allocation, the support will be for children out of education or at risk of dropout, children with disabilities and child survivors of gender-based violence, as well as survivors of gender-based violence and individuals at high risk of exploitation and abuse including those people with disabilities and special needs," said Najat Rochdi, UN humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon and custodian of the LHF.

It is worth noting that the ERP only received 36.2 million dollars out of its total request of 383 million dollars for 2021, leaving considerable lifesaving activities unmet. 
A staff member disinfects parcels to be delivered to residents at a residential area in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Source tracing has linked Beijing's new local COVID-19 infection with international mail, a health official said Monday at a press conference.

The patient received a mail on Jan. 11 delivered from Canada to Beijing via the United States and Hong Kong. She said that she had touched the outside surface of the package and the first page of the document inside, according to Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of Beijing's center for disease control and prevention.

Pang said they had collected 22 environmental samples from the international mail, and the nucleic acid tests all came back positive.

The new case was reported on Saturday and is confirmed to be an Omicron variant of COVID-19. 
A health worker prepares a dose of Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 during a vaccination drive for children aged 12-17 at Durbar High School in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Jan. 12, 2022.(Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Preliminary results from an Israeli study showed low efficacy of the fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose against the Omicron variant, Israel's largest hospital said in a statement on Monday.

In the study, launched in late December, 270 staff members of Sheba Medical Center received the fourth dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Their immunization and serology data were then compared to those of more than 5,700 hospital workers who did not receive the fourth shot.

Pedestrians walk in front of a COVID-19 vaccination site in the Brooklyn borough of New York, the United States, Nov. 19, 2021. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday authorized boosters of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for all adults. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

"It turned out that the vaccine, which was very effective against the previous variants, is less effective against the Omicron," said the study's leader Gili Regev-Yochay, head of the infection prevention and control unit at Sheba.

"The results indicate a significant increase in antibody levels, but this protection level is only partially effective against the Omicron, which is relatively resistant to the vaccine," she added.

To date, more than 537,000 people have been vaccinated in Israel with the fourth booster shot, most of them aged 60 and over.
A meeting in a video format has been held between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President of the Parliament of Montenegro Aleksa Be?i?.

Pointing out the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Montenegro, President Ilham Aliyev hailed the current high-level dialogue between the two countries, including at the level of heads of state and praised the development of interparliamentary ties.

The President noted the good grounds for the development of cooperation in various fields, including in economic, trade, energy and transport, and underlined the importance of the joint intergovernmental commission in this regard.

President of the Parliament of Montenegro Aleksa Be?i? hailed the active political dialogue between the two countries. Aleksa Be?i? noted that Montenegro has always supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Describing Montenegro as a friend of Azerbaijan, Aleksa Be?i? congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the achievements the country has made.

Noting that the relations between the two countries are of strategic partnership nature, the President of the Montenegrin Parliament stressed the importance of signing a relevant document in this area.

The sides also discussed the two countries mutual support to each other within international organizations, including inter-parliamentary institutions, as well as other issues of interest.
HARARE, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has seen a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases over the past week, with daily cases dropping from 709 on Jan. 10 to 144 on Sunday, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care on Monday.

Deaths have also consistently declined over the period from 20 per day to 4 deaths on Sunday.

The country began experiencing the Omicron variant-driven fourth wave at the beginning of last month, leading the government to tighten lockdown measures.

Daily cases peaked at 6,181 on Dec. 10, and have since then been consistently declining.

Last Friday, the government postponed the reopening of schools that was due on Jan. 10 by three weeks for further monitoring of the COVID-19 situation.

As of Sunday, the country had recorded 226,078 COVID-19 cases, 207,102 recoveries and 5,247 deaths. 
RABAT, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's foreign exchange reserves rose to 37.05 billion U.S. dollars by Jan. 7, up by 6.8 percent on the yearly basis, the Moroccan central bank said in a periodical report published on Monday.

The yearly increase is mainly due to the remittances from Moroccan diaspora, which hit a record 11.2 billion dollars in 2021.

The North African country's foreign exchange reserves are enough to cover seven months of imports.

From Jan. 6 to Jan. 12, the central bank injected 8.1 billion dollars into the financial market, the report said.

The interbank rate has remained unchanged at 1.5 percent, it added.

The local currency dirham remained stable during the same period against the U.S. dollar, and depreciated by 0.36 percent against the euro, the report added. 
This photo taken on May 28, 2016, shows a view of track-laying at a construction site of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, near Sultan Halmud, Kenya, a member state of the East African Community. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

Tanzania and Burundi have signed an agreement for the joint construction of a 282-kilometer standard gauge railway.



DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania and Burundi have signed an agreement for the joint construction of a 282-kilometer standard gauge railway (SGR), according to a statement issued by the government of Tanzania.

The statement, issued late Sunday by the Tanzanian Ministry of Finance and Planning, said the rail line will start in Uvinza, in Tanzania's western region of Kigoma, and terminate in Gitega in Burundi.

The agreement was signed Sunday evening by Tanzanian Minister for Finance and Planning Mwigulu Nchemba, Minister for Works and Transport Makame Mbarawa on behalf of the government of Tanzania, and Burundian Minister for Infrastructures, Equipment and Social Housing Deogratius Nsanganiyumwami and Minister for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Domitien Ndihokubwayo, the statement said.

Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Nchemba said both countries have started seeking finance for the implementation of the project, which is estimated to cost less than 900 million U.S. dollars.

The rail line will boost goods and passenger traffic between the two countries and the other four member states of the East African Community -- Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda, he said.

Mbarawa, the minister for works and transport, said 156 km of the SGR will be built in Tanzania and 126 km will be built in Burundi.

Tanzania is currently constructing a standard gauge rail line covering 1,637 kilometers, from the major port of Dar es Salaam to western and northern regions, and connecting to landlocked countries of Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
KAMPALA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has started giving COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to priority groups as the country grapples with a surge in infection levels.

Emmanuel Ainebyoona, health ministry spokesperson told Xinhua by telephone on Monday that the eligible categories include people aged 50 years and above, health workers, teachers, religious leaders, cultural leaders, security personnel, media, and drivers and conductors of passenger service vehicles. The others are boda boda riders, bar and nightclub workers, market workers and vendors.

Richard Mutyaba, a vendor at Nakasero market in the capital Kampala told Xinhua that he received his shot on Monday.

"I have received my third jab of AstraZeneca vaccine to boost my immunity against the COVID-19 virus. I encourage people who are above 50 years to visit any health center and receive this boost jab because I believe we need it since we are of advanced age," Mutyaba said.

At Kampala Capital City hall vaccination center, the turn up was high as both the elderly and youths turned up to get the vaccination. Dorothy Nalubega, a senior nursing officer said they have so far got over 50 people for the booster jab.

"We had rain disruptions earlier on, but now we have settled and over 50 people have got their booster jabs here," she told Xinhua.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, aged 77 years, earlier this month got his booster doses and urged the public, especially those above 50 years, to go for a booster dose to protect themselves against adverse effects of COVID-19.

The country as of Jan. 15 had administered 12.2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines out of its target of 22 million people or half the country's total population, according to the Ministry of Health. 
CAIRO, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and visiting Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra on Monday agreed to push forward security and stability in Libya, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

"They affirmed the necessity to preserve unity and sovereignty in Libya and unify its national institutions, especially the military and security ones," the statement said.

"The meeting comes to enhance international efforts seeking to end the presence of foreign forces and mercenaries in Libya," it added.

The meeting also touched upon the situation in Tunisia.

"The Egyptian president and Lamamra expressed Arab support to Tunisian President Kais Saied as well as his measures and efforts to achieve stability in the country," the statement said. 
SUVA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The massive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga has lately sent tsunami sweeping across the shore of the South Pacific island country, and multiple countries nearby have reported rising water levels or issued tsunami warnings.

The eruption and its ensuing tsunami are believed to have displaced people, severed communications and suspended flights, though there has been no immediate report so far of injuries or damage due to Tonga's current disrupted internet access to the outside.

As eruptions may continue, countries have voiced concern over disaster-hit Tonga and a potential climate fallout, while pledging aid for the country.

ERUPTION MAY CONTINUE

According to Tonga's news website Matangi Tonga Online, Friday's volcanic eruption continued for over 12 hours and the volcano also erupted for eight minutes on Saturday, sending plumes of ash into the sky.

The Royal Palace grounds, the waterfront and main street were flooded in the capital city of Nuku'alofa, but information about the extent of damage in the island country is unavailable because its communication with the outside world has been cut off since Saturday evening as a result of the volcanic eruptions.

Taaniela Kula, head of Tonga's Geological Services, said the eruption was about seven times more powerful than the last one on Dec. 20, 2021.

Shane Cronin, a professor of Earth Sciences at University of Auckland, New Zealand, said the eruption was one of the biggest in Tonga in the past three decades. "The most remarkable thing about it is how rapidly and violently it is spread."

"The shock waves caused the changes in atmospheric pressure, traveling all the way to Japan, creating waves that move up and down in short periods," Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun quoted Fumihiko Imamura, a tsunami engineering expert at Tohoku University, as saying.

Experts said that it is not clear whether the eruption has reached its peak, warning of the possibility of further eruptions and their potential impact on the climate with the release of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide which may encumber humanity's efforts towards a greener future.

ADVISORIES ISSUED

The eruption of the undersea volcano has wreaked havoc in Tonga and adjacent waters, triggering abnormal seawater activities along the coastline of other countries. So far, tsunami warnings have also been issued in Japan, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Australia and Chile.

Tonga issued on Saturday afternoon another nationwide tsunami warning following a national tsunami marine warning early on Friday, warning Tongans to stay away from coastal areas, after swirling abnormal tides drew crowds to the Nuku'alofa waterfront.

All domestic flights in Tonga were cancelled on Saturday in consequence.

New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency issued on Saturday a tsunami warning, saying in a statement that areas on the north and east coast of the North Island and the Chatham Islands are expected to experience "strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore."

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology issued a marine threat warning for parts of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria as a result of the eruption in Tonga.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for Japan's Pacific coast and urged residents to evacuate from seaside areas.

The United States National Tsunami Warning Center has said in a bulletin that California, Oregon, and Washington state, as well as parts of Hawaii, south Alaska and the Aleutian islands were all expected to be affected by the huge eruption in Tonga.

Though the agency later canceled warnings for American Samoa and Hawaii, it deemed the tsunami a threat for parts of the Pacific near the volcano, warning residents living near beaches, harbors, marinas and other coastal areas to move away from the shore and make their way inland or uphill.

GLOBAL RESPONSE

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday expressed his deep concern over the eruption and its ensuing tsunami and ashes.

"The United Nations offices in the Pacific are closely monitoring the situation and are on standby to provide support if requested. The secretary-general is grateful to countries that have already offered their support," Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the secretary-general, said in a statement.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Sunday that "damage assessments are under way and New Zealand has formally offered to provide assistance to Tonga."

China is closely watching the volcanic eruptions and ensuing disasters including tsunami and volcanic ash in Tonga, and stands ready to provide every possible support and assistance at Tonga's request, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Sunday. 
Bangkok:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday presented a brief blueprint for further expansion of India's multi-sectoral engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), one of the most influential groupings for trade and investment globally. In his opening address at the India-ASEAN summit, the prime minister said enhancing surface, air and maritime connectivity between India and 10 nations of the bloc will significantly boost regional trade and economic growth.

Modi said there was opportunity for boosting cooperation in the maritime security sphere and blue economy as well as in areas of agriculture, engineering, digital technology and scientific research.

The prime minister also welcomed convergence of views between India and ASEAN for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

"India's Act East policy is an important part of our Indo-Pacific vision and ASEAN lies at the core of it. Integrated and economically vibrant ASEAN is in interest of India," Modi said in presence of leaders of ASEAN countries.

The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.

The ties between India and ASEAN have been on an upswing.

The ASEAN region along with India together comprises combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over USD 3.8 trillion. Investment from ASEAN to India has been over USD 70 billion in the last 17 years accounting for more than 17 per cent of India's total FDI.

The prime minister arrived here on a three-day visit on Saturday to attend ASEAN-India, the East Asia and the RCEP summits.

The annual ASEAN summit, a grouping of 10 influential countries, is taking place amid China's aggressive behaviour in the disputed South China Sea as well as in the Indo-Pacific region.

The 10 member countries of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

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Bangkok:

The UN chief on Sunday urged Myanmar to ensure the "safe" return of Rohingya refugees driven out by army operations, a plea made in front of Aung San Suu Kyi more than two years since her country cracked down on the Muslim minority. Speaking at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Bangkok -- with Myanmar's de facto head Suu Kyi in the room -- Antonio Guterres said he remains "deeply concerned" about the plight of the Rohingya.

Violence in Rakhine state in 2017 forced more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee, most seeking refuge in overcrowded camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, in what UN investigators say amounted to genocide. Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens. The country says it welcomes back those who agree to a bureaucratic status below full citizenship, and if they agree to live under tight guard after their villages were incinerated.

Guterres said Myanmar is responsible to "ensure a conducive environment for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of refugees". Suu Kyi sat in the room expressionless as Guterres spoke. Only a few hundred Rohingya have returned to Myanmar so far, with many fearing further persecution in the Buddhist-majority country. The secretary-general also called on Myanmar "to ensure humanitarian actors have full and unfettered access to areas of return".

Despite repeated entreaties by the UN and endless criticism by rights groups and world leaders, Myanmar has refused to bend in its approach to the Rohingya. Much of Rakhine remains largely closed to aid workers and journalists, who can only visit on tightly controlled, military-chaperoned trips.

It has launched an extensive and increasingly bloody campaign against Rakhine Buddhists, who are also fighting the central state for greater autonomy. Suu Kyi has come under fire for failing to use her moral force to defend Rohingya after the 2017 unrest. The treatment of the minority has shredded her image as an upholder of human rights in the eyes of the Western world. Myanmar's army has come under fire for covering up the crackdown, which it blamed on Rohingya "terrorists".

Also Read: US ban on Myanmar army chief not enough, says United Nations

A leaked ASEAN report earlier this year said the repatriation effort could take a further two years. Suu Kyi has faced pressure over her country's treatment of the Rohingya from fellow ASEAN members Malaysia and Indonesia, which are both Muslim-majority.

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New Delhi:

Ayodhya District Magistrate issued a stringent order that restricts use of the social media in the region ahead of the Supreme Courts crucial verdict. The social media advisory bans any kind of instigating remarks on any religious deity of any community. The four-page order will be in force till December 28. Section 144 of the CrPC is already in place in Ayodhya. Theres a blanket ban on any event, rally or cultural programme in Ayodhya. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh DGP OP Singh said that if needed, the National Security Act will be imposed in the state. "We are absolutely ready. Under no circumstances, anybody will be allowed to take law in hand. Our Intelligence machinery is geared up. If needed, the National Security Act will be imposed on elements who attempt to disrupt law and order," Singh was quoted as saying.

Last week, Section 144 was imposed in Ghaziabad from Friday. Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey met Hindu and Muslim religious leaders on Friday. He appealed for communal harmony and said tab irrespective of the judgment citizens of Ghaziabad should abide by law and not pay heed to any kind of sensational rumours. A decision in the longstanding dispute is expected this month after the Supreme Court concluded the hearing of arguments in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid case in Ayodhya last month. Extra security measures were already in place in Ayodhya in the wake of the expected verdict.

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government had cancelled the leave of all police and administrative officers on the field until November 30 and issued directions to district police chiefs to ensure communal harmony. It is being said that security has been strengthened also in view of the Supreme Court's upcoming verdict on Ayodhya land title dispute. The Supreme Court concluded a 40-day hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit on October 16 and reserved its verdict on the disputed 2.77 acres of land in Ayodhya.

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New Delhi:

The impasse over government formation in Maharashtra continued on Sunday. BJP and Shiv Sena, who fought the election together, have been at loggerheads over sharing of power including the post of chief minister. The BJP has rejected the Sena's demand for sharing the chief minister's post for 2.5 years each. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who has been at the centre of this tussle, fired new salvo at BJP on Tuesday. He also claimed that the swearing-in of new government will take place soon and the CM will come from Shiv Sena only. Raut has been at the forefront of vociferously articulating the Sena's demand for equal distribution of power and sharing the chief minister's post.

Earlier, Raut tweeted a poem from Dushyant Kumar in a veiled dig at BJP. The lines read, "Sirf hungama khada karna mera maqsad nahi hai, meri koshish hai ki surat badalani chahiye. Mere seene mein nahi to to tere seene mein sahi, ho kahin bhi aag lekin aag jalni chahiye. (I don't want to just cause chaos, my attempt is to change the scenario. Whether in my heart or yours, a fire should burn surely)."

Raut said politics of Maharashtra was changing and his party would win in its fight for justice.

"The decision on Maharashtra will be taken in Maharashtra, the chief minister will be from the Shiv Sena," Raut told reporters on Tuesday in what could be read as a dig at CM Devendra Fadnavis meeting Amit Shah in Delhi.

Amid reports of the Shiv Sena making friendly overtures to the NCP, Raut said Sharad Pawar will not be the next chief minister of the state.

"The politics of Maharashtra is changing...in our fight for justice, we will win."

On Monday, Raut met the governor and said Shiv Sena is not creating any hurdles in formation of a government in Maharashtra. The Rajya Sabha MP, accompanied by party colleague and Maharashtra minister Ramdas Kadam, met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in the evening at the Raj Bhavan.

ALSO READ: 'NCP Given Mandate To Sit In Opposition But': Sharad Pawar After Meeting With Sonia Gandhi

"We had a discussion with Governor Koshyari on a wide range of issues, including political. We learned a lot about him, especially his deep understanding of the state's political developments,"

Raut told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan in south Mumbai. "We informed the governor that the Shiv Sena is not responsible for the current political situation in the state over formation of new government," he told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan in south Mumbai.

Raut, who is also executive editor of Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', said his party is not creating any hurdles in formation of the new government in Maharashtra, where assembly election results were announced on October 24.

The term of the existing Maharashtra legislative assembly expires on November 9. In the October 21 polls to the 288-member assembly, the BJP won 105 seats followed by the Shiv Sena 56, the NCP 54 and the Congress 44. The majority mark in the house is 145.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Training sessions have been held for commanders in military units under the approved combat training plan, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry has reported.

As part of the sessions, the commanders accomplished various tasks in theoretical and practical exercises on combined arms training using high technology.

The main objective of the sessions is to improve the managerial and practical skills of the command staff.

The Defence Ministry said in a separate report that the work on ensuring the uninterrupted movement of Azerbaijani troops in the winter conditions is conducted in the areas liberated from Armenian occupation.

To maintain the continuous support of units and a high level of combat capability of the troops stationed in liberated Kalbajar and Lachin regions, the Azerbaijan armys engineering units conduct work on keeping roads in working condition, clearing them from snow cover, as well as laying new supply roads towards the positions of the Azerbaijan Army Units stationed in the mountainous and difficult area, the ministry said.

Azerbaijan periodically holds drills to improve its military personnels combat readiness.

The drills also aim to improve interaction and combat coordination between the servicemen during operations, as well as to develop commanders' military decision-making and unit management skills.

Azerbaijani servicemen will participate in over 30 international drills and competitions in the 2022 academic year.

On December 24, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their son Heydar Aliyev visited the liberated Khojavand region's Hadrut village to open a military unit of commando forces. Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan will create many commando brigades across the country. President Aliyev described the creation of the commando brigade unit in Hadrut as a significant event of strategic importance.

Experts described the creation of commando brigades in Azerbaijan as a new stage in the national army building. It was also assessed as a clear message for supporters of revanchist ideas in Armenia.
Bamako:

A "terrorist attack" on a military post in strife-torn northeastern Mali has left 50 soldiers dead, the army said Saturday, revising downward an earlier death toll. But the attack Friday at Indelimane, in the Menaka region, close to the border with Niger, was still one of the deadliest strikes against Mali's military in a region wracked by Islamist violence.

The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) "have recorded 50 dead, three wounded and material damage, and some 20 survivors have been recovered", it said on its Facebook page on Saturday. The situation was now under control and soldiers were sweeping the area, it added.

The government on Friday had said 53 people died in what it described as a "terrorist attack". IS terrorist group claimed responsibility. An army officer said troops arrived at the outpost around 5:00 pm on Friday and "took back control of our positions.

"The terrorists carried out a surprise attack at lunchtime. Army vehicles were destroyed, others taken away," he told AFP. The army and the government announced Friday that reinforcements had been sent to the area.

The attacks comes a month after two jihadist assaults killed 40 soldiers near the border with Burkina Faso. Several sources have said the real death toll was higher. MINUSMA, the UN mission in Mali, condemned the attack in a statement Saturday, and said its peacekeepers were helping Malian troops secure the region.

"This bloodshed that Mali has been living through cannot go on," imam Mahamound Dicko, an influential religious leader in Mali, said Saturday. "Do you want us to resign ourselves to this suffering? We can resist," he added.

Rights activist Alioune Tine, from Mali's western neighbour Senegal, called for action across Africa to tackle the threat. "If Africa does not mobilise for Mali and Burkina (Faso), it won't be spared the bushfire that is quickly catching West Africa's coastal countries, the next chosen targets" of the jihadists, he said.

It is not just Mali's army that has been struggling in the face of the jihadist revolt. The violence has also spilled over into Burkina Faso and Niger where extremists have exploited existing inter-communal strife, leaving hundreds dead.

In Mali, the attacks have spread from the arid north to its centre, an ethnically mixed and volatile region. The recent assaults are a humiliation for the so-called G5 Sahel force -- a much-trumpeted initiative under which five countries created a joint 5,000-man anti-terror force -- and for France, which is committed to shoring up the fragile region.

Also Read: Nearly 100 people killed at central Malian village

Northern Mali came under the control of Al-Qaeda linked jihadists after Mali's army failed to quash a rebellion there in 2012. A French-led military campaign was launched against the jihadists, pushing them back a year later. But the jihadists have regrouped and widened their hit-and-run raids and landmine attacks to central and southern Mali.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Mahatma Gandhi as he refused to join the China-backed mega Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement as negotiations failed to satisfactorily address Indias "outstanding issues and concerns". Modi made the announcement during his speech at the RCEP Summit in Bangkok, which was attended by several world leaders including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

In his remarks on the subject, the Prime minister highlighted that he was guided by the impact it would have on the lives and livelihood of all Indians, especially, vulnerable sections of society. He spoke of Mahatma Gandhiji's advice on recalling the face of the weakest and the poorest and then ask if the steps are of any use to them, the MEA said.

"When I measure the RCEP Agreement with respect to the interests of all Indians, I do not get a positive answer. Therefore, neither the Talisman of Gandhiji nor my own conscience permit me to join RCEP," Modi said.

"The present form of the RCEP Agreement does not fully reflect the basic spirt and the agreed guiding principles of the RCEP. It also does not address satisfactorily India's outstanding issues and concerns. In such a situation, it is not possible for India to join RCEP Agreement," Modi said.

Sources said China was forcefully pushing for inking the deal during the RCEP summit in an attempt to counter-balance the impact of its lingering trade war with the US as well as to project the region's economic might to the West.

India has been forcefully raising the issue of market access as well as protected lists of goods mainly to shield its domestic market as there have been fears that the country may be flooded with cheap Chinese agricultural and industrial products once it signs the deal.

"India stands for greater regional integration as well as for freer trade and adherence to a rule-based international order. India has been pro-actively, constructively and meaningfully engaged in the RCEP negotiations since inception. India has worked for the cherished objective of striking balance, in the spirit of give and take," the prime minister said.

"Today, when we look around we see during seven years of RCEP negotiations, many things, including the global economic and trade scenarios have changed. We cannot overlook these changes," he added.

"When I measure the RCEP Agreement with respect to the interests of all Indians, I do not get a positive answer. Therefore, neither the Talisman of Gandhiji nor my own conscience permit me to join RCEP," Modi said.

The RCEP negotiations were launched by ASEAN leaders and six other countries during the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh in November 2012. The objective of launching RCEP negotiations was to achieve a modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement among the ASEAN member States and its FTA partners.

India conveyed its decision at the summit not to join the RCEP agreement. This reflects both our assessment on the current global situation as well as fairness and balance of the agreement. India had significant issues of core interests that remained unresolved,? Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Vijay Thakur Singh told reporters here.

The negotiations for the proposed free-trade agreement included 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and six of the bloc's dialogue partners -- China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

If finalised, the RCEP would have become the world's largest free trade area, comprising half of the world population and will account for nearly 40 per cent of the global commerce and 35 per cent of the GDP.

The sources said except India, all 15 RCEP member countries were on board in finalising the deal at Monday's summit.

On Saturday, the trade ministers from 16 RCEP countries failed to resolve the outstanding issues identified by India though back-channel talks continued on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit to resolve the sticky issues.

This is not the first time that the Indian government under Prime Minister Modi has demonstrated a strong resolve in matters of international trade and related negotiations. US President Donald Trump who is known for his negotiation skills has himself called Modi a tough negotiator, sources said.

"Gone are the days when Indian negotiators caved-in to pressures from the global powers on trade issues. This time, India played on the front foot, stressing on the need to address India's concerns over trade deficits and the need for other countries to open their markets to Indian services and investments," government sources said.

They said the government of India during the UPA opened 74 per cent of its market to ASEAN countries but richer countries like Indonesia opened only 50 per cent for India.

Also Read | India Not To Join RCEP Agreement, PM Modi Stands Firm As Key Concerns Not Addressed: Reports

India under the UPA also agreed to explore an India-China FTA in 2007 and join RCEP negotiations with China in 2011-12, they added.

The impact of these decisions has resulted in India's trade deficit with RCEP nations increasing from USD 7 billion in 2004 to USD 78 billion in 2014, they said. Indian domestic industry is still reeling under the impact of these decisions, they added.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi:

With BJP and Shiv Sena at loggerheads over sharing of power in the new government, the impasse over the formation of new government in Maharashtra continued on Sunday. The BJP and Shiv Sena, which contested the October 21 state elections together, have been locked in a bitter tussle over sharing of the chief minister's post and are yet to start formal talks over government formation.

There was also speculation that the Shiv Sena may join hands with the NCP and form government with outside support from the Congress. Some state Congress leaders have said the party should back the Sena to keep the BJP out of power. In the recent polls to 288-member state Assembly, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena got 56, NCP won 54 and Congress got 44 seats.

Stage Ready For Swearing-In

While the formation of government is not in sight so far, the stage of swearing-in of the next chief minister is almost ready. The prepartions of the oath taking ceremony is in full swing in Mumbai's Vidhan Bhawan. According to the contractor doing the work he has been asked to complete the work by November 5. The tenure of the previous assembly is ending on November 9th. If there is no government before then, the state may see a spell of President's Rule.

Talks Only On CM Post: Sanjay Raut

Meanwhile, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said his party will talk to the BJP only on the issue of the chief minister's post. He also claimed to have support of at least 170 MLAs.

"The impasse continues. There is no discussion on government formation as yet. If talks happen, it will only be on the issue of the chief minister's post," Raut said.

The Rajya Sabha member further that Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray was in Aurangabad on Sunday to take stock of the crop losses in that district due to unseasonal rains last month.

Shiv Sena's Dig At BJP

In his weekly column in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', Raut likened the impasse over government formation to a "chariot stuck in the mud of arrogance". He dared the BJP to impose President's rule in the state, saying such a step would be the party's "biggest defeat of the century".

Raut's remarks came against the backdrop of the BJP's stand that it will not share the chief minister's post, and minister Sudhir Mungantiwar's comments that the state may head for President's rule if the new government is not in place by November 7.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the global business community that it was the best time to invest in India. Addressing an event in Bangkok, PM Modi hard sold the idea of India as one of the most favourable investment destinations in the world. He assured told a group of influential business leaders that India has is undergoing "transformative changes" becoming an attractive destination for any inverstor. PM Modi said that India had stopped working in a routine, bureaucratic manner which it was once infamous for.

The prime minister was speaking at an event to mark golden jubilee of the Aditya Birla Group's presence in Thailand. He mentioned Goods and Services Tax (GST), digital cash transfers and corporate tax reduction among the reforms.

"This is the best time to be in India. Many things are rising while others are falling. Ease of doing business, ease of living, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), forest cover, patents, productivity, infrastructure are rising. While taxes, tax rates, red tapism, corruption, cronyism are falling," Modi told the audience.

"For investment and easy business, come to India. To innovate and starting up, come to India. To experience some of the best tourist sites and warm hospitality of people, come to India. India awaits you with open arms," he said.

"When India prospers, the world prospers. Our vision for India's development is such that it also leads to a better planet," Modi said.

Talking about the reforms in India's tax regime, PM Modi said that his government is now starting face-less tax assessment procedure so that there is no scope for discretion or harassment.

"In today's India, the contribution of the hard working tax payer is cherished. One area where we have done significant work is taxation. I am happy that India is one of the most people friendly tax regimes. We are committed to further improving it even more," he said.

"All of what I have said just now makes India one of the world's most attractive economies for investment. India received 286 billion US dollar FDI in the last five years. This is almost half of the total FDI in India in the last twenty years," Modi said.

The prime minister also referred to India's dream to become a five trillion dollar economy.

"When my government took over in 2014, India's GDP was about 2 trillion dollars. In 65 years, 2 trillion. But in just 5 years, we increased it to nearly 3 trillion dollars," he said.

The prime minister arrived in Bangkok on a three-day visit on Saturday to attend ASEAN-India, the East Asia and the RCEP summits.

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New Delhi:

A civilian was killed a 15 other injured in a grenade attack in Jammu and Kashmirs capital city Srinagar on Monday. Latest media reports say that the grenade was lobbed at people in a market on Maulana Azad road in Srinagar, news agency ANI said. The attack took place at 1:20 pm in Hari Singh High Street market area. While one person died in the attack, 13 others were injured, two of them critically, police official were quoted as saying by PTI. Security forces have cordoned off the area.

This is second such attack in last 10 days. On October 28, at least 19 civilians were injured when terrorists lobbed a grenade at a bus stand in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore town. Of the six, one person is seriously injured and has been referred to a hospital in Srinagar. The others are undergoing treatment at a local hospital, officials said. Earlier, terrorists had hurled a grenade at a CRPF team, injuring six personnel, in the Karan Nagar area of Srinagar last week. Six personnel were injured in that attack.

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New Delhi:

In further relief to customers of scam-hit Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank, the Reserve Bank on Tuesday enhanced the withdrawal limit to Rs 50,000 per account from Rs 40,000 earlier.

In September, the RBI had put restrictions on PMC for six months and allowed depositors to withdraw up to Rs 1,000 of their total balance. Since then the RBI has been raising the withdrawal limit. The depositors can now withdraw up to Rs 50,000 in one or multiple tranches till the RBI restrictions are in place.

This is the fourth time the regulator has increased the withdrawal limit since it clamped down on PMC Bank on September 23, capping withdrawals at Rs 1,000 per customer, which led to a lot of distress and criticism. Last month the limit was enhanced to Rs 40,000 per account.

The RBI, after reviewing the banks liquidity position and its ability to pay its depositors has decided to further enhance the limit for withdrawal to Rs 50,000, inclusive of Rs 40,000 allowed earlier, the central bank said in a statement.

With the above relaxation, more than 78 per cent of the depositors of the bank will be able to withdraw their entire account balance. The RBI has also been decided to allow the depositors to withdraw from the banks own ATMs within the prescribed limit of Rs 50,000.

This is expected to ease the process of withdrawals, it added. The Reserve Bank further said it was closely monitoring the position and will continue to take further steps as are necessary to safeguard the interest of the depositors of the bank.

Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative Bank, which is among the top 10 urban cooperative banks, was placed under an RBI administrator on September 23 for six months due to massive under-reporting of dud loans.

The bank, over a long period of time, had given over Rs 6,500 crore in loans to HDIL, which is 73 per cent of its total advances, and which has turned sour with a shift in the fortunes of the now bankrupt company.

Its total loans stand at Rs 8,880 crore and the deposits at over Rs 11,610 crore. There have been massive protests across city from the depositors following the RBI action.

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New Delhi:

All schools in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad will remain closed till Tuesday, November 5 due to deteriorating air quality in the National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR). While schools were already ordered to remain closed till November 5 in Delhi, on Sunday the neighbouring districts of Gautam Buddh Nagar- which included Noida and Greater Noida- and Ghaziabad also declared holiday in all schools till Tuesday.

Despite a light drizzle, the air quality in Delhi and the surrounding regions remained in the 'severe' category on Sunday. The air emergency continued in Delhi-NCR as a thick layer of smog engulfed the city on Sunday as well. The air quality index (AQI) was over 480 in Noida while AQI in Delhi stood at 473 at 9 in the morning, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. The air quality above 500 falls in the 'severe plus' category.

All government and private schools up till Class 12 in Noida and Greater Noida will remain closed on November 4 and 5 in the wake of spike in the pollution level, officials said on Sunday. The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration said the decision has been taken as the levels of particulate matter 2.5 and 10 have been excessive in the air since Diwali, resulting in a major dip in the overall air quality.

"Transport vehicles like buses and minibuses, which a lot of schools use to ferry children, are a major contributor of PM 2.5 and PM 10. The movement of such vehicles in the city now could aggravate the situation," District Magistrate B N Singh said in a written order.

"Hence, it is ordered that all schools up till Class 12 in Gautam Buddh Nagar will remain closed on November 4 and 5," he said.
New Delhi:

A 27-year-old engineer identified as Saurabh Ghosh died on Saturday late night after he jumped off a train in an attempt to catch a phone snatcher at Uluberia railway station, West Bengal. The tragic incident took place while he was on his way home to Jamshedpur from Kolkata.

According to the eye-witnesses, Saurabh Ghosh jumped off running train (Sambalpur Express) soon after a thief snatched his iPhone. The incident happened when the victim was talking on the phone inside the train compartment at Uluberia Railway Station and a thief snatched his phone and jumped off the train.

Ghosh immediately decided to chase the thief and jumped off the compartment. As he jumped out of the train, Ghosh fell on the ground and banged his head against the stones. The victim was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The victim, a resident of Jamshedpur, had bought his iPhone some 15 days back. He was working at a factory in Bauria in Howrah. Ghoshs last rites were performed on Sunday afternoon in Howrah after his family reached the city. In the meantime, Police said that they were trying to trace iphone.

Also Read: Delhi: St Stephen's Lecturer Found Dead On Railway Track, Mother's Body Found At Home

Back in July this year, a 52-year-man was run over by a Mumbai local when he tried to chase a phone snatcher at Charni Road Station. The victim was identified as Shakil Sheikh, a resident of Goregaon.
New Delhi:

Lawyers at the Allahabad High Court refrained from judicial work on Monday in a protest against the clash at the Tis Hazari court complex in the national capital on Saturday. The lawyers have alleged police atrocity against their colleagues at the Delhi district court.

The decision to refrain from work was taken at an emergency meeting of the High Court Bar Association held at 9.30 am. Earlier on Sunday, bar association members condemned the police action at the Delhi court.

The HCBA has also demanded a judicial inquiry and action against erring police officers apart from compensation to the lawyers. They are also demanding the Advocates' protection Act for the safety of lawyers.

"We have decided to abstain from work in view of the attack on lawyers at the Tis Hazari court by Delhi policemen. We also request the Modi government to consider enacting a law to protect lawyers from such kinds of violence. There should be Advocates' protection Act, advocate Vineet Vikram, of Allahabad High Court, said.

Lawyers and policemen clashed at the Tis Hazari court complex in Delhi on Saturday in which at least 20 police personnel and several lawyers were injured and many vehicles vandalised or set afire, according to officials.

With Agency Inputs
Washington:

The United States has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, a global agreement in which President Donald Trump's predecessor Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had played instrumental roles. Although Trump had announced his decision to withdraw from the historic Paris Agreement on climate change on June 1, 2017, the process began on Monday with the formal notification and the US will be out of the pact on November 4, 2020.

"Today, the United States began the process to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Per the terms of the agreement, the United States submitted formal notification of its withdrawal to the United Nations. The withdrawal will take effect one year from delivery of the notification," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. A spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General in New York said the US has notified the secretary-general, in his capacity as depositary, of its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement of December 12, 2015 on November 4, 2019. The US had signed the Paris Agreement on April 22, 2016 and expressed its consent to be bound by the agreement by acceptance on 3 September 2016.

"In accordance with the provisions of its article 28, paragraph 1, the United States of America could withdraw from the Paris Agreement as from today by giving written notification to the Secretary-General," the UN spokesperson said. Pompeo said the US approach incorporates the reality of the global energy mix and uses all energy sources and technologies cleanly and efficiently, including fossils fuels, nuclear energy and renewable energy.

"In international climate discussions, we will continue to offer a realistic and pragmatic model ? backed by a record of real world results ? showing innovation and open markets lead to greater prosperity, fewer emissions, and more secure sources of energy," he said. The US will continue to work with its global partners to enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change and prepare for and respond to natural disasters, Pompeo added.

"Just as we have in the past, the United States will continue to research, innovate, and grow our economy while reducing emissions and extending a helping hand to our friends and partners around the globe," he said. The opposition Democrats slammed the Trump Administration for the decision.

"The growing climate crisis is the existential threat of our time, jeopardising the health and well-being of every family in every community around the world. President Trump's shockingly-reckless decision to formally pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement is yet another disastrous anti-science, anti-government decision that sells out our planet and our children's future," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. While the Trump Administration continues to deny the science, an overwhelming majority of American people are demanding bold action to fight the climate crisis, she claimed.

Senator Patrick Leahy alleged that the decision was nothing more than the "fulfilment of a cynical and reckless campaign promise" made for the sole purpose of currying favour with the fossil fuel industry. "It comes in the wake of the latest National Climate Assessment by our country's top scientists, which was unequivocal: Climate change already affects every sector and region of our country, threatening millions of Americans' health, homes and livelihoods," he said.

Also Read: PM Modi Shares Nancy Pelosi's Speech Applauding His Commitment To Tackle Climate Change

"President Trump has long asserted, whether he actually believes it or not, that Paris is some nefarious globalist plot to harm American competitiveness and empower countries like China and India, which are parties to the Paris Agreement," Leahy said. "In fact, leaving the agreement will harm the US economy as our country retreats from a global technology market that is expected to value in the tens of trillions of dollars. This decision also empowers China because the agreement is actually designed to hold it accountable for its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," the senator said.

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Hong Kong: No objection to children's jabs

The scientific committees under the Centre for Health Protection have no objection to allowing the use of the Sinovac vaccine and one-third of the BioNTech dose used for adults in children aged five to 11.

The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging & Zoonotic Diseases, joined by the Chief Executive's expert advisory panel today published the updated consensus interim recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in children.

The experts believe that while both vaccines are expected to lower the risk of severe disease and death, the BioNTech one may provide additional protection against Omicron infection, adding that both vaccines should be rolled out at the same time to provide a real choice.

The dosing interval recommendation between the two doses of Sinovac was 28 days and for the fractional dose of BioNTech it was at least 12 weeks apart.

Children are also recommended to receive the BioNTech jab intramuscularly at the anterolateral aspect of the mid-thigh, although their preference for an upper arm injection would be respected.

The experts also highlighted the urgency of inoculating adults aged 60 or above, particularly those in residential care homes for the elderly, and that they should take priority over children's jabs in the five to 11 age group.

Click here for details of the recommendations.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Azernews

By Suayip Alabay

Turkeys Automotive Industry Association (OSD) Chairman Haydar Yenigun has said that the countrys auto supply industry grew by 25 percent or $12 billion in 2021, Yeni Shafak newspaper has reported.

Yenigun said that the chip crisis (the 20202022 global chip shortage) had significantly increased Turkeys supply industry export, bringing the volume of automotive exports to $30 billion dollars in 2021.

The weakening of Chinese production as a result of the pandemic and the logistical problems experienced by the Western automotive companies led them to prefer Turkey, Yenigun added.

This is something very valuable. But we need to make it permanent. So once life returns to normal, there's a chance this will go away... We need to turn this opportunity into a permanent one. If we look at the year total, we have a 13 percent share in total exports as the automotive industry. If we evaluate it compared to last year, there is a difference of $4 billion, he stressed.

Evaluating the production in Turkey, the OSD president said that the value of exports per kilogram is $10.62, which is the highest level to date and should increase by $20 in the future.

He added that the production has now settled at around 1.3 million units and the sector made $8.23 billion surplus in January-November 2021.

Yenigun also evaluated the high performance in heavy commercial and tractor production.

As the importance of agriculture increases both in Turkey and in the world, it is very normal for us to expect an increase, especially in the tractor market. Here, of course, I have to say that the tractor park in Turkey is very old and they are all small motor tractors. As you know, as the years pass and the business grows quickly, the power of the tractors is increasing, he said.

Speaking about the investments, Yenigun underlined that the automotive sector is not affected by daily, monthly or one to two-year fluctuations. It is a long-term investment sector.

You can see here, we made a serious investment of over $658 million in 2021. I think the most important part of these investments is that new model investments have not stopped. There is an increase in employment. More than 1,000 jobs were created at Ford Otosan. In general, even Honda's retirement has not affected our employment development. In summary, 2021 has been a successful year for OSD members and companies, he stressed.

Furthermore, Peugeot Turkey General Manager Ibrahim Anac said that with the SUV 2008 model, the company achieved a 17 percent market share in 2021, leaving its competitors behind. Peugeot SUV 2008, which has sold 8,937 units in total for the year, became the leader of the B-SUV segment in 2021.

The fact that our SUV 2008 completed 2021 as a leader in the B-SUV segment is a reflection of the quality we offer. We are proud of our continued successful chart. Our 2021 achievements were not limited to SUV 2008. In addition, we had a successful year in the light commercial vehicle segment as well, achieving a 41 percent increase in our sales compared to the previous year. We increased our market share by 1.3 points to 5.7 percent in this class, and we achieved our targets. In the passenger vehicle segment, our market share in 2021 was 5.2 percent. Our goal is to continue our success in the future," he said.
New Delhi:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that her phone was being regularly tapped by the Union government while demanding probe into the WhatsApp snoopgate after the Facebook-owned company admitted that Indian journalists and human rights activists were spied upon by unnamed entities used by Israeli spyware Pegasus.

She criticised the role of the central government in the snooping row and alleged it was totally aware of the security breach on the messaging platform.

She reiterated the allegation that her phone was being regularly tapped by the union government. She criticised the role of the central government in the snooping row and alleged it was totally aware of the security breach on the messaging platform.

Banerjee described the issue as "very serious" and said she will request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get the matter probed.

"My phone is tapped, I know that because I have got the information and have the evidence with me. The government knows it because it is they who are doing it. This is happening at the behest of the central government and two three state governments. I will not name the states but one is a BJP ruled state," she said.

Earlier also on several occasions Banerjee had alleged that her phone was being tapped by the central agencies.

The Trinamool Congress supremo further alleged that espionage practise is going on in the country and described the current situation as "quite serious".

"Where is our freedom of speech? Which Independence are we living in now that today we cannot even talk (freely over the phone). Even if we are talking, they are getting tapped and someone is listening to them," Banerjee told reporters.

"Nothing is safe now, not even WhatsApp. Earlier, we thought WhatsApp can't be intercepted. But, now even WhatsApp has not been spared. Neither the landline phones nor mobile phones are safe. There is total espionage going on (in the country).

"This is a very serious matter. I will request the PM to investigate into the matter," Banerjee said.

WhatsApp on Thursday said Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by unnamed entities using an Israeli spyware Pegasus.

WhatsApp said it was suing NSO Group, an Israeli surveillance firm, that is reportedly behind the technology that helped unnamed entities spies hack into phones of roughly 1,400 users.

These users span across four continents and include diplomats, political dissidents, journalists and senior government officials.

Facebook owened WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion users globally, of which India accounts for about 400 million.

(With PTI inputs)
Mumbai:

Market benchmark BSE Sensex retreated from its record peak in early trade on Tuesday as investors booked profits amid positive cues from global equities. After rising over 165 points in opening session, the 30-share index pared all gains to trade 41.28 points, or 0.10 per cent, lower at 40,260.68. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty slipped 13.60 points, or 0.11 per cent, to 11,927.70.

In the previous session, the 30-share Sensex rose 136.93 points, or 0.34 per cent, to end at an all-time high of 40,301.96. The seven-session winning run is also the best since mid-March for the Sensex. The index also hit its record intra-day high of 40,483.21. The broader NSE Nifty too advanced 50.70 points, or 0.43 per cent, to close at 11,941.30.

On the currency front, the rupee appreciated 4 paise against the US dollar to trade at 70.73 in early session. Brent futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.05 per cent to USD 62.16 per barrel.

Top losers in the Sensex pack included Sun Pharma, TCS, Kotak Bank, Infosys, Tata Steel and HUL, shedding up to 1 per cent. On the other hand, Yes Bank was the biggest gainer, rallying over 5 pc, followed by Hero MotoCorp, Tata Motors, SBI, Bajaj Finance and Bajaj Auto, that rose up to 2 per cent.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) offloaded shares worth Rs 138.53 crore in the capital market on Tuesday, while domestic institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 500.24 crore, data available with stock exchange showed.

According to traders, benchmark indices were trading flat as investors began booking profits at higher levels.

Globally, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul were trading higher on optimism over the US-China trade deal. Shares on Wall Street too ended higher on Monday.

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Bhopal:

In a setback to the opposition BJP, Madhya Pradesh Assembly secretariat on Saturday announced disqualification of BJP MLA from Pawai, Prahlad Lodhi, following his conviction in a criminal case.

It also informed the Election Commission that Pawai seat has now fallen vacant. On Thursday, a Bhopal court sentenced Lodhi and 12 others to two years in jail for attacking a Tehsildar (revenue official) in 2014.

Speaker NP Prajapati said as per the Supreme Courts ruling, a public representative should be disqualified as soon as he or she is convicted, and the rule was followed in Lodhis case.

Also Read | Amit Shah Supervised Revolt By Karnataka Lawmakers: BS Yediyurappa In Leaked Audio

An Assembly official said that as per the apex courts ruling, a legislator is disqualified if he or she is sentenced to two years or more in jail. Ruling Congress has 115 members in 230-member MP Assembly, while the BJP had 108 MLAs, now reduced to 107 with Lodhhis disqualification.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Monday said it is recalling a limited batch of XUV300 vehicles to fix a faulty suspension component. The proactive inspection and replacement of the component would be carried on a limited batch of compact SUV that were manufactured till May 19, 2019.

This is in keeping with the companys customer centric approach. The inspection and subsequent rectification will be carried out free of cost for all XUV300 customers, who will be individually contacted by the company, M&M said in a regulatory filing. The company, however, did not share the number of the recalled units.

Recently, the company reported an 11 per cent decline in total sales at 51,896 units in October. The company had sold 58,416 units in the corresponding month last year, M&M said in a regulatory filing. In the domestic market, sales were down 11 per cent at 49,193 units last month as compared to 55,350 units in October 2018. Exports also registered a decline of 12 per cent at 2,703 units as against 3,066 units in the year-ago month.

In the passenger vehicle segment, which includes utility vehicles, cars and vans, the company sold 18,460 units last month as compared to 24,066 units in the same month last year, down 23 per cent. In the commercial vehicle segment, the company sold 23,582 units as against 24,353 units in the same month a year ago, down 3 per cent.

M&M Chief of Sales and Marketing, Automotive Division, Veejay Ram Nakra said, The festive month of October was excellent for Mahindra, with retail volume exceeding wholesale by approximately 40 per cent. This robust retail performance was contributed by both passenger and commercial vehicles.

Further, the companys billing numbers are in line with what it had planned for the month, since the objective was to significantly correct its channel inventory, Nakra said. We hope to see the positive consumer sentiment continue going forward, he added.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi:

Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not facing any difficulty when it comes to government formation in Maharashtra. "There is no problem in Maharashtra. Soon the government will be formed there," Naqvi told reporters when asked about the political crisis in Maharashtra over power-sharing between BJP and Shiv Sena.

The statement comes amid Shiv Sena insisting on 50:50 formula and insisting on while the BJP has stressed that there was no agreement between the two parties on sharing the post of chief minister like this.

In the recently held Maharashtra Assembly polls, the BJP won 105 seats and Shiv Sena 56 in the 288-member assembly.

Meanwhile, Naqvi said that his ministry has been working on war-footing to set up hunar hubs across the country to train indigenous talent of master artisans, craftsmen in the next five years as per the market needs.

On the occasion of formal inauguration of a Hunar Haat, being held at the north central zone cultural centre here from November 1 to 10, 2019, Naqvi said his ministry has sanctioned 100 Hunar Hubs in different parts of the country in the first 100 days of the Modi government -II.

Training will be provided to master artisans, craftsmen and traditional culinary experts according to the modern needs in these Hunar Hubs, he said, adding that his ministry has been working on war-footing to establish them.

Uttar Pradesh Minister for Khadi and Village Industry Siddharth Nath Singh, Minister of Civil Aviation and Minority Welfare Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and other senior officials were present on the occasion.

Naqvi said the employment-oriented schemes of the Modi Government such as Hunar Haat have ensured economic empowerment of traditional master artisans and craftsmen from minority communities.

More than 2.5 lakh master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts have been provided employment and employment opportunities in the last three years through Hunar Haat. These include a large number of women artisans, the minister said.

More than 300 master artisans and culinary experts including a large number of women artisans from every corner of the country are participating in the Hunar Haat at Allahabad.

All the Hunar Haats to be organised in 2019 and 2020 will be based on the theme of Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat, said Naqvi, adding his minority has decided to organise about 100 Hunar Haat in the next five years across the country.

The next Hunar Haat will be organised at Trade Fair, New Delhi and then in Mumbai.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi will address the World Economic Forum conference on Monday. The PM's address will be held at around 8.30 pm Indian time. This conference is held every year in the gorgeous city of Davos, Switzerland. However, it has to be done in virtual mode for the second time continuously due to corona infection.

This time the theme of the Davos conference is 'The State of the World'. Apart from PM Modi, in this special conference, which will run from January 17-21, many global leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japan PM Kishida Fumio, Australian PM Scott Morrison will give their views. This will also be the first major event of this year in the form of a conference attended by all the heads of state of the world.77

PM Narendra Modi first visited Davos's World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2018. 20 years later, there was a visit by an Indian PM. Before Prime Minister Modi, then PM H.D. Devgowda addressed the WEF. Pm Narendra Modi addressed the Davos Summit in virtual mode for the first time last year due to corona infection. In the second wave of corona when the situation in India was very bad. There was a lot of discussion about a part of PM Narendra Modi's speech in Davos. In fact, the PM had said in his speech, "What many eminent experts and big institutions in the world had said, it was predicted that India would be the worst affected country by corona in the world. It was said that there would be a tsunami of coronavirus in India. Someone said 700-800 million people were coronas, and someone estimated more than two million deaths. Today, India is one of the countries that has managed to save more and more lives from the corona.''

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Home  Just In  Nepal seriously needs a foreign intelligence agency, but theres no preparation

When KP Sharma Oli became the prime minister for the second time, he came up with a plan to reduce the use of papers. In order to do that and promote digitalisation, Oli even gave all the ministers MacBooks. But, people close to the Prime Ministers Office say this decision came because of different reasons.

The reason Oli insisted on making these meetings paperless was he wanted to ensure people other than the ministers did not know about the agenda of these meetings. He believed that information was being leaked out, due to which ministers from his cabinet were being pressured to make decisions in favour of others.

He started getting calls from various interest groups asking for certain decisions to change, says an official on the condition of anonymity. That is why he decided to make things paperless because he didnt want others, mostly from foreign agencies, finding out about what they were planning.

This shows how weak Nepals national security is. Despite talks about the issue, not much has been done as talks have hardly happened. In Nepal, parties, leaders, and experts openly admit that self-centred foreign activities have increased. But, they are not interested in creating a foreign intelligence agency, such as the Research and Analysis Wing of India, to thwart such activities. This has resulted in foreign agencies in the country finding out information before government officials themselves.

Failed efforts

Take the incident in 2009 for example. The Armed Police Force was deployed in 18 districts bordering India. After their deployment, the personnel started to record GPS points of the various border pillars in these districts.

One day, a team of APF officers found a few Indian border officials destroying some pillars in Kailali. They were arrested and a report was submitted to the Home Ministry about this. But, as the report reached the Home Ministry, things started to get weird as outside forces started to pressurise the APF officials to take back the report. Sources say Indian intelligence agency officials from the Kathmandu-based embassy started to contact the then APF IGP Kosh Raj Onta asking what was going on.

This shows how Nepal is facing problems for not having a proper counterintelligence agency that can deal with issues like these.

The office building of the National Investigation Department, Nepals domestic intelligence agency, is located in Singha Durbar.

Former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai has time and again stated that Nepal is run by outsiders. Despite this statement coming from someone like Bhattarai, security officials in the country hardly seem to care about establishing a powerful foreign intelligence agency.

Bhim Rawal, when he was Home Minister in 2009, had tried to create such a body. But due to external forces, he says he was unsuccessful.

Leaders here dont want to upset foreign powers. People from my ministry werent in favour of it. A year later, I wasnt home minister anymore, says Rawal, adding it is crucial for a country to have such a body.

The crucial need

National Investigation Departments former chief Devi Ram Sharma also agrees that the country needs such a body. He says that such a foreign intelligence agency would be working towards the betterment of the country and help in tackling things that are bad for the country.

Such a body would protect important information and find out whos leaking information, says Sharma.

Both feel that a counterintelligence body is an integral part of a countrys security system.

In todays age, a country needs such an agency more than strategy, money, business or natural resources. Every strong country has such a body. It should have existed over a decade ago. We need to come up with a plan on how to establish one, says Rawal.

He says the country needs the agency mainly due to Nepals geopolitical conundrum.

A lot of external forces are in play here. We have to have our own counterintelligence agency to combat this, he adds.

Sharma feels that such a body is needed to take action against Nepalis who are committing treason.

Treason is hardly reported in Nepal, but with such a body, Im sure people would be tried for treason and banished from the country, he adds.

An official at the National Investigation Department says that foreign agencies are doing illegal activities through the help of different NGOs and INGOs and adds that their regulations have not been done properly.

We need to keep a close eye on these organisations and their activities, says an official at the National Investigation Department.

Regression and regrets

This is not the first time that the need for a foreign intelligence agency has come to the surface. People have been talking about the need for such a body for the past 30 years. Sharma recalls that King Birendra Shah, in 1990, had set up such a body as he felt outer forces were trying to disrupt the country.

When people started to protest for the establishment of democracy, the king felt it was done by foreign countries. That is when the Nepal Detective Department was envisioned, says Sharma.

He says that the department was divided into two directorates, one that worked in the country and the other that worked outside it.

There were 172 detectives who were under the leadership of DIG Prabhat Rana, says Sharma, adding internal politics did not let the intelligence agency flourish.

Other experts say that the counter-intelligence agency was formed because of the bomb blast done by Ram Raja Prasad Singh in 1986. Singh, even though he was in India, had masterminded to blast a bomb in Nepal. It was evident to the monarchs that people like Singh were protected by India.

We found that a lot of people were being trained in India to attack Nepal and its monarch. A few years later, other countries also started to get involved with Nepal, says a former AIG who worked at the Nepal Detective Department.

Even though it was working, it did not last long. By 1993, things were different in Nepal. Democracy had been established, after which the counter-intelligence agency was dissolved and turned into the National Investigation Department.

There were many theories why the intelligence agency was dissolved. Some say too much work pressure while others claim that the country did not have funds to run it. But, people who worked there claim it was disbanded due to pressure from other countries.

The home minister told us that as democracy had no threat, Nepal didnt need an intelligence agency, says a former member of the agency.

The agency was disbanded in 1991 and since then the country has not had such an agency despite various leaders and organisations calling for one.

Fresh efforts

After all these years, a bill to amend and integrate provisions related to the Nepal Special Service constitution and operation has been registered at the House of Representatives. This bill might open the door to establishing an intelligence agency. But, things have not moved forward.

There is thinking that this will be misused. How odd is that, says an official from the NID. There is a feeling amongst us that there are external factors trying to stop the formation of a counter-intelligence agency.

If the bill is passed and the agency is formed, it can keep an eye on high ranking officials like ambassadors and other diplomats. The agency will work towards ensuring that the countrys national security is not at risk. The agency is even allowed to tap phones.

The officials at the agency can ask for call details and other data but will only be able to use it for the purpose he/she had requested the information or data for.

But, will it be able to re-establish itself? Only time will tell because it will need honest people.

The security agencies in Nepal are weak. So before we think about establishing a foreign intelligence agency, we need to ensure that we have people who we can trust, says Indra Adhikari, a security expert. Along with that, we need to start looking at how we can make the structure strong so that intelligence agencies from abroad cant shake it.

Currently, the National Investigation Department is misused. Even those within the organisation agree. They say that they get told to spy on political parties and even they feel that is wrong. The officials there say that after democracy, the National Investigation Department has lost its essence as it has not been able to put Nepal first.

For that to happen, experts say that they need make sure that National Investigation Department is independent of the government. They say that unless political appointments stop, Nepal will never be able to form a proper foreign intelligence agency.

The intelligence agency should put Nepal first. It should not care who is leading the government. When that happens, they cant work properly and these agencies should not have people affiliated with political parties, says Adhikari.

She says Nepal needs to evolve with time too, adding while intelligence agencies across the world are using artificial intelligence, Nepal should also start this practice.

Intelligence agencies are a step ahead of everyone. We need to ensure that we are too, says Adhikari.
On May 4, 2012, Ramesh Sah and Prakash Patel, both Indian citizens, were arrested by the Nepal Police from Chipledhunga in Pokhara. They were arrested after police received a tip stating they had narcotic substances. When the police searched them, they found 28 grams of brown sugar, an opioid that is illegal in Nepal. That was not all; they also found cutlery polishes from their bags as well.

This resulted in the two being sentenced to 10 years by the Kaski District Court. While they continuously argued that the drugs were not theirs, they were sent to spend their time in jail. But, on October 21, 2021, the two were released after the Supreme Court acquitted them by reversing the decision made by the District Court and the then Appellate Court. It also asked authorities to take action against Nepal Police officers that framed these people with mala fide intent.

But, how and why did this happen?

False statements

File: Nepal Police Headquarters, Naxal

A report prepared by Nepal Police inspector Rabindra Nath Paudel, assistant sub-inspector Yam Bahadur Nepal and constable Kapil Joshi stated they arrested the two after receiving a tip about them selling illegal items.

The police recorded their statements and kept them in prison. The two told the police that they had come to Pokhara looking for work. Before they came to Pokhara, they had been working at a small factory, polishing and making jewellery items. Realising that Pokhara, Nepals tourism hub, would want such skills, the two, who are cousins, came to Nepal. But, their stay was not what they had hoped for.

But, according to the police report, they told the police that they had come to Nepal with 28 grams of brown sugar. Reportedly, they also confessed to cheating a few people in Pokhara when selling jewellery.

When this statement was read out in court, the two denied saying anything like that. They refused the brown sugar was theirs.

The items that I use for polishing jewellery like acid and tongs are mine. But, the drug isnt. I dont know how it got in my wallet, Sah told the court.

But, as the drug was brown sugar, the District Court sentenced them to 10 years in prison and asked them to pay a fine of Rs 75,000. The Appellate Court also upheld the District Courts decision, after which the case reached the Supreme Court.

New facts

When the case reached the apex court, new facts started to come up. According to officials, a fraud case was filed against the two at the Kaski District Court. The case was filed by Parvati Shrestha, whom the duo had allegedly cheated.

They stole my jewellery and fled, her statement reads. They later returned it to the police after getting caught.

For this, the District Court had booked them for two years in prison and a fine of Rs 139,000. The decision was upheld by the Appellate Court too and the case was settled then and there.

The Supreme Court then started to look into things in detail. According to a report, the two had been arrested on May 1, 2012, on charges of theft and fraud. But, the report about them being arrested with the possession of brown sugar was registered on May 4, 2012.

This made things unclear. Either the Nepal Police personnel had made a huge mistake or they had falsely accused the two of peddling drugs. What made the court sure that this was the Nepal Polices wrongdoing was there was no way that they would have escaped the polices grasp within those three days to get arrested again. The apex court gave a statement that pushed the case back in the Indians favour.

There was no evidence that these two were arrested from Chipledhunga, it read.

After this, the Supreme Court started to look into the case with more scrutiny. They found that no local official was consulted or spoken to during the arrest. This showed that the officer who arrested Sah and Patel had not fulfilled the due procedure needed in cases like these.

The police said they were drug dealers, but they didnt find any weighing object with them. Nor did they catch them selling it to anything and this is a bit fishy, said the Supreme Court.

They also found the Appellate Court at fault as even it did check if the Nepal Police had fulfilled all due procedure before giving its verdict. The apex court has reminded judges of the need to critically analyse facts before reaching any conclusion while delivering justice.

Hence, the Supreme Court gave its verdict that there was no way that it could take that the two had been arrested by Nepal Police on May 4 when there is clear evidence that they had been arrested on May 1. Following this, the Supreme Court dismissed the talk that two were drug peddlers because there was no proof.

The court also asked concerned authorities to pay the two minimum wage for the entire period in compensation because it was evident they were falsely convicted. Along with this, the apex court has also asked the Nepal Police to take action against the police officers who prepared fake reports and sent two people to jail for more than they should have.


Description

On Sunday, January 16, 2022 at 3:00PM, Stephen C. Widom Cultural Arts at Emanuel will present a Video Conversation with Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson (retired), former chief of staff to the late General Colin Powell, moderated by NY1 news anchor, host of Inside City Hall, and CNN political analyst, Errol Louis. Their discussion is entitled: "What Will It Take to Manage the Crises Ahead?"

This program can be viewed through February 6, 2022.

For six years Colonel Wilkerson has been a member of the Climate and Security Working Group (CSWG), principally a gathering of former members of DOD, DHS, NASA, NOAA, and other government departments and agencies, as well as many on active service, meeting quarterly or more frequently to examine the connections between a rapidly changing climate, on the one hand, and national and international security requirements on the other. According to Wilkerson, "During these gatherings, it has become starkly evident that the challenges presented by the climate crisis are not only massive and on almost every front, domestic and international, but are life threatening - perhaps to the entire human population on Earth. Yet both adaptive and ameliorative action, by individual states and by the international community, is woefully inadequate."

Colonel Wilkerson will offer his views in a conversation with moderator Errol Louis on what it will take to change this political lethargy into meaningful action, in addition to commenting on the high stakes issues confronting Americans with regard to the Republican attempt to overturn the presidential election results of 2020, voting rights and the attempt to suppress the vote in upcoming elections, and the threat to democracy that these and other issues underscore.

Lawrence Wilkerson is Visiting Professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. His last positions in government were as the late Secretary of State Colin Powell's Chief of Staff (2002-05), and Associate Director of the State Department's Policy Planning staff under the directorship of Ambassador Richard N. Haass. Before serving at the State Department, Wilkerson served 31 years in the U.S. Army, including as Deputy Executive Officer to then-General Colin Powell when he commanded the U.S. Army Forces Command (1989), Special Assistant to General Powell when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-93), and as Director and Deputy Director of the U.S. Marine Corps War College at Quantico, Virginia (1993-97). Since leaving the State Department, Wilkerson speaks to groups all over America, publishes articles in newspapers and magazines across the country, and regularly offers commentary on television.

This program is funded by Steve and Sandi Richman.

Registration for this event is $10.

For further information, to register and purchase a ticket online, go to:

https://www.scwculturalarts.org/sunday-series

Please call 516.482.5701 to purchase a ticket after Jan. 16th, or if you have additional questions.

Category: Attractions | Talks and Lectures
Spoiler alert for all Ray Dono fans who have not yet watched "Ray Donovan: The Movie": This story reveals major plot points.

Is Ray Donovan really dead?

In the final moments of the "Ray Donovan: The Movie," which premiered on Showtime Friday and offers a true finale for the seven-season series that ended last January, Ray (Liev Schreiber) nods off in the back of an ambulance. He'd been bleeding for hours after Molly Sullivan (Kerry Condon) shot him in the stomach when she learned her father died.

An underwater shot then shows a young man swimming to the surface. Schreiber, as the adult Ray, emerges. The moment wraps a 100-minute movie spurred in part by fan outrage when the series was canceled. Schreiber says when Showtime axed the series, centered on Boston-born and bred Donovan, who became a "fixer" for Los Angeles' elite, he felt conflicted. "I was tired, and I was looking for a break," he admits. "When the initial shock wore off, I was upset because we hadn't finished the story."

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Liev Schreiber returns to his role as celebrity fixer Ray Donovan for a Showtime feature.

Schreiber co-wrote the movie with executive producer and director David Hollander. Schreiber says the two didn't argue about Ray's fate but debated killing Mickey, Ray's dad, played by Jon Voight.

The troublemaking Mickey, an emotionally absent father who had long plagued his family, is shot by his granddaughter Bridget (Kerris Dorsey), after Ray apologizes to his dad for framing him for murder all those years ago. "It had to stop," Bridget says coldly of Mickey's wreckage, explaining her actions to Ray, her father. Schreiber says Mickey's death "felt like the right ending of this chapter of that story."

The actor spoke with USA TODAY about how he interprets the movie's ending, whether fans can expect another installment of 'Ray Donovan' and why Ray and Mickey finally buried the hatchet.

(This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

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Jon Voight's character Mickey Donovan is fatally shot by his granddaughter, Bridget, in "Ray Donovan: The Movie."

Question: Is Ray dead? What does the ending mean?

Liev Schreiber: Best I can tell, and from the information that I have from the powers that be, they want that to be an open question, and I think you can interpret it or see it how you like. For me, the intention as a writer was to feel that we had reached the end of a chapter, we had reached the end of our journey with this family.

That open-ended question is intentional. Like, where would you take it? How does it fit in your life? Does that feel like the end of someone's life or the beginning?

Q: So there's a chance that Ray's alive and that we could get more ''Ray Donovan?"

Schreiber: Yeah, I think there is. He looks like he's alive when the ambulance door closes, right?

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"Ray Donovan: The Movie" star/co-writer Liev Schreiber says Ray's fate after being shot in the torso is open to interpretation.

Q: How do you interpret the end when Ray emerges from the pool in his suit?

Schreiber: When I was acting it, the way I was thinking about it is, you know when people have out-of-body experiences? That's what that was. We spent all this time on these two-time continuums: one is old Ray, and one is present Ray. For me, it felt like that wasn't so much a ghost of Ray, but it was the conscience and consciousness of Ray seeing things separate from them.

Q: What does the water symbolize?

Schreiber: There's a new, clean Ray. It's a baptism. In the Roman Catholic tradition, which Ray is from, there's that sense of revival and renewal and confession. Getting that piece off of his chest (forgiving his father) creates a shiny, new Ray, in a way.

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Mickey Donovan (Bill Heck) is arrested after being setup by his son, Ray.

Q: Let's talk about Ray forgiving his dad. At one point, in the movie, Ray attempts to shoot Mickey, but he has no more bullets in the chamber. But by the end of the film, they make up. Tell me about the complex emotions Ray is feeling at the end of his dad's life.

Schreiber: Over the course of that journey to Boston, he has a series of memories by returning to the scene of the crime. He starts to realize slowly the role he played in his father's demise, like his own anger. Sending his father away to Walpole (prison) for 20-something years, and how that will harden a person as well.

As (Ray) remembers how hard his own life was, he begins to understand how hard his father's life was, and he realizes that wonderful thing that hopefully we realize in our life is that the best you can do is forgive them and move on. For years, I thought my mom did a terrible job. Then I had kids, and I realized, no, it's really hard, and you do your best.

Mortality will also do that to you. I had just lost my own father, oddly enough, when we were (making) this. It really makes you see things differently when someone is no longer around. Ray being shot and realizing the potential for his own death... The most important thing he can do in that moment is to absolve his father, who he's accused his whole life of being the source of all his trouble. That's a very emotional place for (Ray) to be because I don't think he thinks he's going to survive that gunshot wound.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ray Donovan movie ending: Liev Schreiber on that BIG (potential) death
Global multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, Cundall, has appointed Scott McKeever as the new head of building services for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena).

This newly-created role will see him take responsibility for growing Cundalls building services team across the Mena region.

McKeever brings 25 years experience in the construction industry as a mechanical engineer to his new role. He has a wealth of experience leading large regional teams and has led some of the regions largest projects.

He is keenly interested in driving efficiencies through operational processes and understands the importance of design automation and efficiency in the building services industry, said the statement from the company.

Projects that McKeever has led and been involved with include Security Forces Medical City and Diriyah Gate Development Authority Arts District (both in Saudi Arabia); La Mer in Dubai, Lusail Plaza Towers in Doha.

Commenting on his new role, McKeever said: "I am very excited to be given this opportunity to join the Cundall team. The business benefits from a great reputation within the industry and I am delighted to become a part of this talented team."

"I am looking forward to combining my experience with the already great work that the building services team, and the wider Cundall business has accomplished," he noted.

As part of Cundalls building services sector, McKeever will be responsible for the shaping and direction of the Mena building services business and strengthening links into the global Cundall building services teams.

"Cundalls march towards greater sustainability, and its carbon neutral aspirations for all designs, really speaks to me as a building services leader. We must all embrace the challenges ahead and Cundall have shown that they are at the forefront and are prepared to do what is necessary to build a better future for the next generations. I am extremely happy to have the opportunity to be a part of this," he added.

Managing Partner (Mena) Richard Stratton said: "We are really pleased to have Scott on board. His technical expertise in building services and his experience delivering some of the regions most significant projects is invaluable."

"I very much look forward to working alongside Scott as he grows Cundalls building services business," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
LONDON, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market is valued at USD 7338.5 Million in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 22584.1 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 17.42% over the forecast period. Increasing government investments for synthetic biology & genome projects and soaring need for oligo products are some of the major factors driving the growth of the Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market By Brandessence Market Research & Consulting Pvt ltd.

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The Brandessence research team has thoroughly observed the impact of Covid-19 on the global oligonucleotide synthesis market, and it is perceived that the demand for oligonucleotide synthesis has augmented throughout the pandemic time. To control the overwhelming spread of Covid-19, numerous countries throughout the globe have enforced severe lockdown norms, which have hindered many kinds of business activities. However, there has also been a constructive effect and outpouring in demand for several medical services, comprising oligonucleotide products. The many players of the oligonucleotide synthesis market are stepping frontward to contribute to worldwide research efforts by offering oligo products for developing treatments, test kits, and vaccines.

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Scope of Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Report:

Oligonucleotides are short RNA or DNA molecules, oligomers that are used as probes for noticing precise sequences that are complementary to the oligonucleotides. Oligonucleotides have an extensive range of applications in research, genetic testing, and forensics. Oligonucleotide synthesis is the synthesis of moderately small fragments of nucleic acids performed chemically with a defined chemical structure (sequence). This technique delivers speedy and inexpensive access to custom-made oligonucleotides of the preferred sequence. Oligonucleotide synthesis is also useful for carrying out the molecular diagnosis in numerous diseases, counting detection of infectious diseases, such as SARS-COV2, hepatitis, as well as for diagnosis of cancer. These are generally used in laboratories in various applications such as diagnostics, therapeutic, academic, as well as industrial. These are used from early research and screening over to target validation and drug manufacture. Nowadays, number of improvements in oligonucleotide synthesis, automation, and amplification have totally revolutionized biological research. It is also possible to do the customizations and get the desired sequence online effortlessly and at the obligatory time. In the initial 1950s, Alexander Todd's group established H-phosphonate and phosphate triester approaches of oligonucleotide synthesis.

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Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Dynamics:

The surge in demand for oligo products for the treatment of Covid-19 is one of the major factors enhancing the growth of the oligonucleotide synthesis market. The outbreak of Covid-19 has disrupted workflows in the healthcare segment throughout the world. Nevertheless, there has also been an optimistic effect and increase in demand for many medical services, containing oligonucleotide products. The oligo products are majorly used for improving the treatments, test kits, and vaccines which target the novel Coronavirus infection. In addition, with the increase in the cases of coronavirus disease, new generations of oligonucleotide drugs, including mRNA and DNA vaccines, are currently under development. Besides, with the intensification in cases of coronavirus disease and the urgency for a prospective treatment, new generations of oligonucleotide drugs, containing mRNA and DNA vaccines, are presently under progress. For instance; in April 2020, for Covid-19 vaccine progress, TriLink BioTechnologies signed a partnership with Imperial College London for the manufacturing of self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) and also brought ready-to-use cocktail mixes such as the SARS-CoV-2 N2 Oligo Mix, the SARS-CoV-2 N1 Oligo Mix, and the Human RNase P (RP) Oligo Mix for Covid-19 research.

Furthermore, governments in numerous countries have made noteworthy investments in projects associated with the field of synthetic biology and genomics. These government investments have played a chief role in the enlargement of innovative technologies. Oligos play a vital role in these technologies, and thus, the rising funding & improvements in these fields is also fostering the market growth. For example; the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) originated the "Genome India Project" in January 2020. This scheme purposes to gather around 10,000 genetic samples from citizens through India to build a reference genome. In addition to this, in the UK, the Centre for Process Innovation launched a project in the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre in February 2021. This scheme targets to revolutionize the engineering of oligonucleotides over collaboration with Novartis, AstraZeneca, Exactmer, and the UK Research & Innovation. Such ongoing government-sponsored projects will lead to enhancements in genomic technologies, precisely in DNA sequencing, DNA amplification, NGS, and gene expression. Consequently, this factor is playing the main role in the growth of the oligonucleotide synthesis market.

Some of the key players for global Oligonucleotide Synthesis are:

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Biogen Inc.

Danaher Corporation

Eurofins Scientific

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Kaneka Corporation

LGC Limited

Merck KGAA

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Others are also Contributing on Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market

News: Biotage Acquired DNA Synthesis and Purification Company ATDBio

On October 20th, 2021- Biotage, a Swedish analytics and drug discovery company, arrived into an agreement to acquire shares in UK based ATDBio Limited (ATDBio), for a total price of roughly 45 million. ATDBio enhances significant platform solutions to Biotage within DNA and RNA oligonucleotide synthesis and purification. The acquisition is projected to strengthen Biotage as a prominent life science tool and impact tech service provider.

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Oligonucleotide Synthesis Key Segmentation Analysis:

By product:

Oligonucleotide-based Drugs

Synthesized Oligonucleotides

Reagents

Equipment

By Applications:

Therapeutic Applications

Research Applications

Diagnostic Applications

By End-users:

Hospitals

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

Diagnostic Laboratories

CROs and CMOs

Academic Research Institutes

By Disease Type:

Neurological Disorders

Infectious Diseases

Other Diseases

Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Regional Analysis:

Geographically, North America is expected to account for the largest share in the global oligonucleotide synthesis market within the forecast period attributed to the increasing R&D in life sciences, rising focus on improving the safety & quality of healthcare, and many other factors. The presence of numerous global players in this region is the leading key factor contributing to this market segment. Danaher Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Maravai Life Sciences, and many more players are pouring millions into the oligonucleotide synthesis market. Apart from these, the number of small and mid-sized players are also leveraging in this market. For example; on July 29th, 2019; Twist Bioscience Corporation announced the launch of its long oligonucleotides. Withal, Biotage Company acquired UK-based Oligo Maker ATDBio for 45M in Cash, Stock on October 20th, 2021. Many other companies which are not even from the U.S. have a huge presence in the U.S. Similarly, many players from the oligonucleotide synthesis market have largely expanded their business in this region. So, this is intensively boosting the market growth of oligonucleotide synthesis.

Also, Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the oligonucleotide synthesis market owing to an upsurge in cases of chronic disorders such as Covid-19, coronary disease, cancer, and others. For example; in accordance with World Cancer Research Fund; the highest cancer rate in South Korea for men and women together was 313.5 people per 100,000. Furthermore, according to Worlometer, on January 10, 2022, Asia pacific reported more than 86,888,347 total cases of Covid-19 of which nearly 1,263,870 cause death. As the prevalence of the number of chronic diseases is growing day by day, the need for treatment is significantly enhancing with it. Significantly, the oligonucleotide is an emerging therapeutic modality for several common diseases like Covid-19, coronary disease. Therefore, the market value for oligonucleotide synthesis is booming in this region and making the Asia Pacific the fastest growing region all over the globe.

On Special Requirement Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Report is also available for below region:

North America

U.S, Canada

Europe

Germany, France,U.K., Italy, Spain, Sweden, Netherland, Turkey, Switzerland, Belgium, Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

South Korea, Japan, China, India, Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Rest Of APAC,

Latin America

Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Rest of Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest Of MEA

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Buy & sell bitcoin in Dubai

Buy & sell bitcoin in Dubai

Buy & sell bitcoin in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coinsfera has received the award from the largest blockchain conference of MENA and the Eurasia regions. Coinsfera was one of the participants in this prominent event about blockchain technology and the future usage of cryptocurrencies. The summit hosted many prominent cryptocurrency speakers and enthusiasts.

As a result of participation in the largest blockchain conference of MENA and the Eurasian regions, Coinsfera Bitcoin shop received an award. Since 2015 Coinsfera has allowed the buying and selling process of Bitcoin and other 2000+ cryptocurrencies in Dubai.

Blockchain Economy Summit is the annual event to bring all cryptocurrency communities together all over the world. Coinsfera actively participated in this event as a part of the whole cryptocurrency world. At this summit, many crypto-related companies present their products and services which are part of the next financial revolution. At the conference, C-level executives of the companies participated and various speakers expressed their points of view about the future of cryptocurrencies.

People are becoming more interested in crypto as word spreads, and the fear of losing out is motivating them to enter the market, whether by trading or inventing their own digital assets. Coinsfera's Cryptocurrency OTC exchange enables people to buy bitcoin in Dubai and other cryptocurrencies simply and securely. Crypto enthusiasts can do crypto to cash and cash to crypto operations using various currencies  Bitcoin, Cardano, Ethereum, AED, USD, EUR, and GBP, or any other cryptocurrencies.

Now Coinsfera bitcoinshop utilizes new equipment to streamline the customer service in Dubai, UAE. It allows executing the transaction process faster within a few minutes. Besides that, the office in the city center makes cryptocurrency exchange even more accessible for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Consequently, the crypto enthusiasts will transact in a timely efficient manner.

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About Coinsfera Bitcoinshop

Coinsfera, which began operations in Dubai/UAE, now has offices in Turkey, Kosovo, and the United Kingdom. It has a stellar reputation in the bitcoin transfer industry and has been garnering clients' trust for years to sell bitcoin in Dubai. Merchants are compensated in cryptocurrency, which they may get in their wallet or in fiat in their bank account immediately.

Coinsfera is Dubai's first legal cryptocurrency provider, offering a variety of crypto-related services. It offers fast ways to buy and sell bitcoin in Dubai. With all those above-mentioned successes in the crypto sphere, the company has increased its customer base and attracted many people to the exchange. Besides crypto enthusiasts, anyone with little knowledge about cryptocurrencies can buy and sell cryptocurrencies in Dubai.

Buy Bitcoin in Dubai with Cash at the official exchange Coinsfera.

Sell Bitcoin in Dubai with Cash at Coinsfera.

https://www.coinsfera.com/buy-bitcoin-in-dubai/

https://www.coinsfera.com/sell-bitcoin-in-dubai/

Address: Iris Bay tower 16 floor 1601, Business Bay

Email: contact@coinsfera.com

Contact: +971 58 535 0505

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c27da5dd-0376-48a2-a47b-ce5c0234c43e




FILE PHOTO: Antonio Horta-Osorio speaks at the British Chambers of Commerce annual meeting in central London

(Reuters) - Credit Suisse Chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio has resigned https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/credit-suisse-group-appoints-axel-lehmann-new-chairman-2022-01-16 after flouting COVID-19 quarantine rules, the bank said on Monday, raising questions over the embattled lender's new strategy as it tries to recover from a string of scandals.

The abrupt move comes less than a year after Horta-Osorio was brought in to clean up the bank's corporate culture marred by its involvement with collapsed investment firm Archegos and insolvent supply chain finance firm Greensill Capital.

The scandals in recent years that Switzerland's second largest bank had endured, Horta-Osorio had said after joining, were the gravest he had seen in his career.

Here are the main crises to beset the bank in recent years:

CHAIRMAN EXIT

The personal conduct of Horta-Osorio, who joined in April 2021 from Britain's Lloyds Bank and was tasked with the job of fixing the bank, has come under scrutiny, with reports he breached COVID-19 quarantine rules https://www.reuters.com/business/exclusive-credit-suisse-finds-second-breach-covid-19-rules-by-chairman-sources-2021-12-29 twice last year.

The bank said Horta-Osorio resigned following an investigation commissioned by the board https://bit.ly/3fC7Flb.

Board member Axel Lehmann had taken over as chairman with immediate effect, Credit Suisse said.

TUNA BOND FRAUD

Credit Suisse pleaded guilty to defrauding investors https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/credit-suisse-resolves-fraudulent-mozambique-loan-case-547-million-coordinated-global over an $850 million loan to Mozambique meant to pay for a tuna fishing fleet and is paying U.S. and British regulators $475 million to settle the case under a deal announced in October.

About $200 million of the loan went in kickbacks to Credit Suisse bankers and Mozambican government officials. The bank was aware of a huge shortfall between the funds raised and the value of boats bought but failed to disclose this to investors when the loan was restructured in 2016, the regulators said.

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Credit Suisse also arranged a loan that was kept secret from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). When Mozambique admitted to $1.4 billion in undisclosed loans the IMF pulled its support, sending the southern African country's economy into a tailspin.

ARCHEGOS DEFAULT

Credit Suisse lost $5.5 billion when U.S. family office Archegos Capital Management defaulted in March 2021.

The hedge fund's highly leveraged bets on certain technology stocks backfired and the value of its portfolio with Credit Suisse plummeted.

An independent report https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/credit-suisse-posts-78-q2-net-profit-decline-2021-07-29 into the incident slammed the bank's conduct, saying its losses were the result of a fundamental failure of management and control at its investment bank, and its prime brokerage division in particular.

The report said the bank was focused on maximising short-term profits and failed to rein in voracious risk-taking by Archegos, despite numerous warning signals, calling into question the competence of its risk personnel.

GREENSILL FUNDS COLLAPSE

Credit Suisse was forced to freeze $10 billion of supply chain finance funds in March 2021 when British financier Greensill Capital collapsed after losing insurance cover for debt issued against its loans to companies.

The Swiss bank had sold billions of dollars of Greensill's debt to investors, assuring them in marketing material that the high-yield notes were low risk because the underlying credit exposure was fully insured https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-greensill-credit-suisse-idCNL1N2LU0FM.

A number of investors have sued the Swiss bank over the Greensill-linked funds. The bank said on Sept. 27 it had recovered and returned about $6.3 billion to investors but has warned it may struggle to recoup $2.3 billion of the total.

SPYING SCANDAL

Credit Suisse Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam was forced to quit https://www.reuters.com/article/us-credit-suisse-spying-ceo-idUSKBN2010L3 in March 2020 after an investigation found the bank hired private detectives to spy on its former head of wealth management Iqbal Kahn after he left for arch rival UBS.

Credit Suisse repeatedly played down the episode as an isolated incident.

In October, however, Switzerland's financial regulator (FINMA) said Credit Suisse had misled them about the scale of the spying. It said the bank planned seven different spying operations between 2016 and 2019 and carried out most of them.

In a rare rebuke, it said there were serious organisational shortcomings at Credit Suisse and that the bank had even tried to cover its tracks by doctoring an invoice for surveillance.

In response, Credit Suisse said that it condemned the spying and had taken "decisive" steps to improve its governance and strengthen compliance.

(Reporting by Scott Murdoch and David Clarke; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Himani Sarkar)
Board maintains gender balance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, January 17, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HSBC Bank Canada:



Fiona Macfarlane and Andrea Nicholls have been appointed to the HSBC Bank Canada Board of Directors as non-executive directors effective today.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220117005321/en/

Fiona Macfarlane - Appointed to HSBC Bank Canada Board of Directors 17 January 2022 (Photo: Business Wire)

Fiona Macfarlane is the former Managing Partner, British Columbia and Canadas Chief Inclusiveness Officer at Ernst & Young (EY). She began her 36-year career in EYs Cape Town Tax practice and has also led the EY Canada Tax practice and served as COO of the Americas Tax practice. She is on the executive of the British Columbia Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors. She was previously a director of the Aboriginal Business Investment Council and the International Womens Forum, Canada; the Chair of the Employee Relations Committee of the Executive and Board of Governors of the University of British Columbia; on the Executive and Board of Governors of the BC Business Council; and was a member of the BC Ministry of Finances Expert Panel on Business Taxation. For her contributions to the CPA profession, she was awarded an honorary CA. She was also named one of Women of Influences Canadian Diversity Champions and was inducted into the WXN Canadas Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame.

Andrea Nicholls is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Chief Financial Officer, Dentons Canada Region. She is a seasoned finance professional with expertise in both private and public companies spanning various sectors including legal, high-tech, finance, multimedia, digital, pharma and shared services. Andrea is a member of Dentons Canada National Management Committee; the Executive Chair and co-founder of Dentons Canadas Black Professionals Network; and a member of their Inclusion & Diversity Council. She started her career at PwC Montreal and has held senior-level Finance positions in various public and private companies including GE Capital, Otera Capital (subsidiary of Caisse de Depot de Quebec) and Metso Corporation. She sits on the Board of Directors of Centraide de Grand Montreal (United Way) and is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-US).

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Samuel Minzberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors, HSBC Bank Canada said: "I am thrilled that both Fiona and Andrea are bringing their considerable financial skills to our Board. Fionas expertise in inclusion and leading an Americas practice, and Andreas broad sector experience are also significant assets as we work to grow our business.

"Our board and executive committee have been gender balanced since 2013 and approximately 45% of our staff are members of a visible minority. Based in BC and Quebec respectively, their appointments strengthen our representation in two key markets, help us to remain gender balanced through the short and long term and expand visible minority representation on the board."

HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in the country. We help companies and individuals across Canada to do business and manage their finances internationally through three global business lines: Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Wealth and Personal Banking. HSBC has committed to becoming net-zero in its operations and financed emissions and is working with our customers to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy.

The HSBC Group serves customers worldwide from offices in 64 countries and territories its geographical regions: Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,969bn at 30 September 2021, HSBC is one of the worlds largest banking and financial services organizations.

For more information, visit www.hsbc.ca or follow us on Twitter: @hsbc_ca or Facebook: @HSBCCanada

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220117005321/en/

Contacts

Media enquiries to:

Sharon Wilks

416-868-3878

sharon_wilks@hsbc.ca



Caroline Creighton

416-868-8282

caroline.x.creighton@hsbc.ca
DUBLIN, January 17, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Market Insight, Epidemiology and Market Forecast - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the mCRC, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the mCRC market trends in the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and United Kingdom) and Japan.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) Epidemiology

The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Incident Population of Colorectal Cancer, and Incident Population of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) in the 7MM market covering the United States, EU5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom) and Japan from 2018 to 2030.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) Drug Chapters

The drug chapter segment of the Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) report encloses the detailed analysis of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) marketed drugs and mid and late stage pipeline drugs. It also helps to understand the Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) clinical trial details, expressive pharmacological action, agreements and collaborations, approval and patent details of each included drug and the latest news and press releases.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) Market Outlook

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent type of cancer that represents approximately 12 - 14% of all cancer cases in men and women. Out of these, approximately 25% of patients present with metastases at initial diagnosis and almost 50% may eventually develop metastases, contributing to the high mortality rates reported for CRC. In order to identify the optimal treatment strategy for patients with mCRC, tumor staging is essential and should include at least clinical examination, blood counts, liver and renal function tests, CEA, and CT scan of the abdomen and chest (or alternatively MRI).

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The treatment plan may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, which can be used to slow the spread of the disease and often temporarily shrink a cancerous tumor. Palliative care is also important to help relieve symptoms and side effects.

The first, second, and third-line treatment regimen of mCRC involves the use of multi-agent chemotherapy (i.e. FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, CAPEOX), anti-angiogenesis therapy with or without chemotherapy, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors with or without chemotherapy, and others with or without chemotherapy. Along with these therapies, Opdivo, with or without Yervoy, and Braftovi, in combination with Erbitux, are approved for the treatment of mCRC patients as the only second and third-line therapies, while Keytruda is approved as the only first-line therapy of mCRC.

Key Findings

The Metastatic Colorectal Cancer market size in the 7MM is expected to change during the study period 2018 - 2030, at a CAGR of 2.9%. According to the estimates, the highest market size of mCRC is accessed in the United States followed by Japan, in 2020.

The United States Market Outlook - This section provides the total Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) market size and market size by therapies in the United States.

EU-5 Market Outlook - The total Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) market size and market size by therapies in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are provided in this section.

Japan Market Outlook - The total Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) market size and market size by therapies in Japan are provided.

Report Highlights

In the coming years, mCRC market is set to change due to the rising awareness of the disease, and incremental healthcare spending across the world; which would expand the size of the market to enable the drug manufacturers to penetrate more into the market.

The companies and academics are working to assess challenges and seek opportunities that could influence mCRC R&D. The therapies under development are focused on novel approaches to treat/improve the disease condition.

The publisher analysed specific data of mCRC, which suggests that the incidence of mCRC is anticipated to decline during the forecast period.

Currently, the first, second and third-line treatment regimen of mCRC involves the use of multiagent chemotherapy (i.e. FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, CAPEOX), anti-angiogenesis therapy with or without chemotherapy, Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors with or without chemotherapy, Keytruda, Opdivo with or without Yervoy, Braftovi in combination with

Erbitux and others with chemotherapy.

The market space of mCRC would benefitted in the coming years with the launch of several emerging therapies. These therapies include triplet combination of Braftovi + Mektovi + Erbitux, Modufolin (arfolitixorin) + bevacizumab, Adagrasib, Lumakras (sotorasib) + panitumumab, Elunate (fruquintinib), Tukysa (tucatinib) Herceptin (trastuzumab), Onvansertib.

Companies Mentioned

Merck

Alexion Pharmaceuticals

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

Array BioPharma

Pfizer

Eli Lilly

Taiho Oncology

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Amgen

Mirati Therapeutics

Hutchison Medipharma

G1 Therapeutics

Eisai

Isofol Medical

AB Science

Incyte Corporation

Daiichi Sankyo

AstraZeneca

Cardiff oncology

EpicentRx

Seagen

Black Diamond Therapeutics

Gilead Sciences

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/apcqsc

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220117005487/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinix, an emerging brand in the consumer electronics market today launched the INBOOK X2 laptop series featuring innovative dual fill lights, an ultra-thin body and a rich bright display. The Infinix INBOOK X2 series boasts the industry's first dual-star light camera, allowing online video calls to be made anytime anywhere. The 1.24kg all-metal body makes the mobile office easy and convenient, which has never been more important than it is today. The 100% sRGB significantly improves the color reproduction on the INBOOK X2 screen giving users a vivid video experience when consuming online media. Additionally, INBOOK X2 is equipped with a powerful Intel processor, a large 50Wh battery, which provides users with plenty of power for all-day usage, and the Infinix AirLink which enables multi-device collaboration. This series comes with the following three versions: INBOOK X2 with Intel Corei7 /i5 /i3.

Four distinctively bold colors.

Alex Yang, Product Manager at Infinix, said, "Since its creation, the INBOOK is expected to serve as an extension and supplement to mobile phones based on Infinix's deep insight into consumers in the smartphone field, thus better satisfying the demand of young consumers. The first generation product INBOOK X1 led sales among consumer-level notebooks when it made debuts in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and other countries. The newly launched INBOOK X2 series, with an ultra-thin body for maximum portability, directly meeting consumer demand today."

Truly Iconic Design

The Infinix INBOOK X2 series is built from the ground up for young consumers that pursue quality, durability & value. Its two innovative fill lights provide the perfect lighting conditions for video calls, online meetings and classes so that users can always look their best on-screen. A more advanced COB process is adopted in INBOOK X2's camera to further increase the amount of light entering the sensor. The blue light coating of the lens effectively reduces lens glare. Both the face and the background can be clean and clear in the video call giving users a great online video experience with every call.

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Front-facing dual led fill lights.

Less is More

A lightweight construction forms the competitive foundation INBOOK X2 is built around, coming in as light as 1.24kg and as thin as 14.8mm. The flexible and portable design makes it the perfect fit to be taken out and used as a mobile office on the go. The INBOOK X2 features a full-metal body that is sturdy and stable, that incorporates two different processes of frosting and brushed metal. Four bold color options, including Grey, Blue, Green and Red, are available allowing users a variety of colors to express their personality and match their style.

A Rich Immersive Display

INBOOK X2 is equipped with a 14-inch full-color high-brightness display that enables users to enjoy an immersive visual experience. The screen supports 100% sRGB color space which reproduces colors as they were meant to be seen. When consuming online media and gaming, users will truly get to experience the content as it was produced. Additionally, the brightness, which outputs 300nits, ensures clarity even if being used outdoors in harsh lighting conditions and the FHD & IPS screen allows consumers to watch high-definition videos from multiple perspectives. Finally, the screen features a 4.7mm ultra-narrow frame for a boundless view with fewer solids and restraints.

Sharp & crisp 14-inch full-color super bright display.

Next Level Hardware

The INBOOK X2 is equipped with IntelCore processors, with three specifications including i7, i5 and i3 available with storage capacities of 4+256GB and 8+512GB. The INBOOK X2 is equipped with a large 50Wh battery to support 11 hours of web browsing giving users power all day long. Additionally, a 45W PD 3.0 fast charge is included which can replenish 60% battery in just one hour. The charger is equipped with a mainstream Type-C protocol allowing it to charge both smartphones and laptops, weighing only 105g, saving space.

A Seamless Smart Experience

The INBOOK X2 series comes pre-installed with the latest Windows 11 system so users can get started on their next project right away. The AirLink multi-screen collaboration enables seamless collaboration among laptops and Infinix mobile phones through simple operations, covering plenty of daily usage scenarios. The connection from smart hotspot to a mobile hotspot only takes a click, making internet browsing seamless. The INBOOK X2 series can automatically identify nearby Infinix smartphones, allowing users to transfer massive files and pictures between their laptops and smartphones easily.

Additional Functions:

ICE STORM 1.0, a highly efficient cooling system helps the processor dissipate heat faster and effectively reduces its temperature under heavy workloads.

Advanced DTS sound technology delivers immersive surround sound while watching videos & gaming.

Packed with multiple ports to meet different users' needs, including data transmission, fast charging and screen projection.

Availability

The INBOOK X2 series will available from $399 (i3), $549 (i5) & $649 (i7) in Indonesia, Thailand, Egypt, and other countries starting January 22. Prices will vary from region to region.

For more details, please visit http://infinixmobility.com/laptops/inbook-x2

Infinix Mobility is an emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of devices worldwide under the Infinix brand, which was founded in 2013. Targeting today's youth, Infinix focuses on developing cutting-edge technology embodied in meticulously designed mobile devices that offer refined style, power and performance. Infinix devices are trendy and attainable with the end-user at the forefront of every step forward.

With "THE FUTURE IS NOW" as its brand essence, Infinix aims to empower today's youth to stand out from the crowd and show the world who they are.

The company's portfolio of products is sold in more than 40 countries around the world, covering Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Expanding at a phenomenal rate, Infinix grew an unprecedented 157% during 2019-2021 and has huge plans to continue creating flagship-level devices offering striking designs and strong value propositions.

For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

* Microsoft 365 is sold separately.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infinix-launches-inbook-x2-series-featuring-ultra-thin-body-rich-colors--dual-fill-lights-301461788.html

SOURCE Infinix Mobility
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty; National Archives of Malawi

As Americans observe the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., many Africans will be observing the legacy of their own Baptist crusader for racial justice, the Rev. John Chilembwe.

King and Chilembwe both led institutions influenced by the National Baptist Convention, a 19th-century network of African American churches with a missionary zeal.

The poignant history of MLKs Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta has been oft-told: in 1886, John A. Parker, an ex-slave, persuaded a small group of friends to gather for fellowship at a stone marker known as the Ebenezer. In 1894, he was succeeded by pastor Adam Daniel A.D. Williams, a child of slaves who espoused a program of self-determination inspired by the social gospels and the bootstrap ideals of Booker T. Washington. He urged members to get a piece of the turf.

Williams was followed by the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. in 1931. He married Williams daughter, Alberta Christine, and led Ebenezer until 1975eventually sharing pastoral duties with his son, MLK Jr., until the latters assassination in 1968. (Last January, Ebenezer Baptist made history by helping to catapult its pastor, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, to the U.S. Senate in a special election. Warnock became the first Black Senator from GA and is running for re-election to a full term in November.)

The Daddy King of the Civil Rights Movement

The story of John Chilembwe began around the same time as the founding of the Ebenezer. He was born about 1871 in a location of southern Africa known for slave trading by African Muslim tribal groups, Arabs, and Portuguese sea captains. His father was a part of the Muslim group; his mother was related to indigenous people from the interior region of mountains and lakes.

The slave trade attracted British missionaries in the mid-19th century. They urged military campaigns to stop the activity and introduce the civilizing effect of Christianitybut the British used the campaigns to gain control of the natural resources and Black labor in a region dubbed the British Central Africa Protectorate.

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Britain expropriated African common land, established a labor system that reduced locals to peonage, and relied on missionaries to teach a Christianity predicated on acceptance of white domination. Southeast Africa was occupied by settlers from Britain, Portugal, and Germany during the 1890s Scramble for Africa. African Muslim leaders collaborated with British authorities as plantation supervisors, police, and soldiers.

As a young man, Chilembwe worked as a servant to Joseph Booth, a missionary with doubts about European colonialism. Booth promoted egalitarian ideals while criticizing settlers for their lavish lifestyles and brutal treatment of Africans. In 1897, during a trip to the U.S., he published his objections in a manifesto whose title, Africa for the Africans, would become a rallying cry for 20th-century Pan-African activists.

Chilembwe accompanied Booth on that U.S. trip and parted ways after befriending African American Christians like Lewis Jordan, head of the National Baptist Convention. Chilembwe enrolled in the Virginia Seminary, a private historically Black Christian school in Lynchburg.

The Baptists underwrote his education out of their desire to gain emissaries in Africa. In the 1890s, for instance, Black church leaders helped establish African Independent Churches to counter European influence. In South Africa, the independents looked to the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church for Christian inspiration rather than to centers like Rome, Constantinople, Germany or Britain. Needless to say, white missionaries were alarmed by the rise of Ethiopianism.

At the Virginia seminary, Chilembwe learned about the role of Christianity in the abolition of slavery, including the uprisings of Nat Turner, John Brown, and the Haitian Revolution. The school also provided exposure to the industrial educational program of Booker T. Washington. The President of Tuskegee Institute (now university) near Montgomery, Alabama, was a popular speaker at Baptist Convention functions.

In 1900, Chilembwe returned to the Protectorate with a new purpose, as detailed in Let Us Die for Africa by Desmond Phiri. Now an ordained minister, Chilembwe staged open-air baptisms and preached the social gospels of racial equality. He founded the Providence Industrial Mission on 93 acres with funds and guidance from the Baptist Convention. The PIM included the independent New Jerusalem Church that drew congregants from the Church of Scotland in Blantyre, a nearby city.

The PIM had a school with a curriculum inspired by Washington's program: Christian instruction, mechanical crafts, general education, hygiene, self-reliant ideals, farming methods, and western fashions. The school attracted hundreds of recruits from a stretch of African farms and towns that Britain renamed Nyasaland in 1907.

Malawi stamp featuring Chilembwe

By 1912, Chilembwe expanded to seven schools across Nyasaland and Portuguese East Africa with 900 students and model farms that grew cotton, pepper, coffee, rubber, and tea for consumers. Influenced by Washingtons National Negro Business League, Chilembwe established the Natives Industrial Union, a chamber of commerce for African planters and small business owners.

Chilembwes work ignited the rise of educated and worldly strivers known as New Africans. They started churches, farms and businesses to compete with white settlers. Chilembwe also became a prominent critic of the peonage labor conditions on British plantations. His work drew the ire of the controlling structure of administrators, missionaries, settlers, and African Muslim chiefs, according to Independent African by George Shepperson and Thomas Price.

By 1914, colonial opponents engaged in campaigns to undermine the movement. They destroyed some of Chilembwes churches and schools and the businesses of Black competitors. Land was denied to African planters, settlers assaulted Blacks in western clothes, and administrators forced laborers hired by African farmers to work on white plantations. Finally, colonists hatched a plan to deport the Rev. Chilembwe.

As the injustices mounted, Chilembwe recognized that the British would never accept African equality. With his understanding of American abolitionist history, he began to consider the feasibility of leading an armed revolt like Nat Turner. Perhaps the final straw was the misuse of Nyasaland men in assaults against the German colony in East Africa during World War I; many thousands perished from disease, hunger, and overworkor fighting on behalf of colonial rulers.

On Jan. 23, 1915, Chilembwe and hundreds of supporters staged an uprising against British rule. Nyasaland erupted in a convulsion that went on for days as Africans armed with spears, knives, machetes, clubs, and rifles overran settler estates with deaths and atrocities resulting. It caused the British, German, and Portuguese colonials to stop warring among themselves long enough to organize a counter-attack with genocidal efficiency.

Malawi banknote depicting Chilembwe

Over a period of weeks, British soldiers, vigilante settler groups, and African Muslim riflemen interrogated, arrested, tortured, and executed hundredsperhaps thousandsof African Christians. Their churches, schools, farms, and businesses were demolished and suspects deported. Chilembwe was captured when escaping to the mountains, shot, and buried in an unmarked grave.

But while the colonial forces stopped the uprising, they were unable to crush the spirit of the New African Christians; in 1926, the Chilembwe mission was restored and the uprising stands as a prelude to the modern African liberation movements. In 1964, the year MLK was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent campaigns, Nyasaland became the independent Malawi.

Malawians will commemorate John Chilembwe Day on Sunday, January 15, with a public holiday on Monday, January 17, the same day that Americans honor the legacy of MLK Jr. In closing, African Americans can take pride in the role that the Black Baptist church has played in supporting freedom and equality at home and abroad.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Select Group, a prominent privately-owned real estate developer, has launched its latest luxurious waterfront development, Peninsula Five, The Signature Collection, centrally located in Dubai's thriving Business Bay.

Set to be completed in Q4 2024, Peninsula Five represents the premiere of 'The Signature Collection'; a collection of developments that present elevated excellence in residential living for the discerning buyer.

Designed to meet the standards of Select Group's award-wining flagship development, Jumeriah Living Marina Gate, delivered in 2020, Peninsula Five showcases a formidable array of highly refined residences.

Achieved through precise, strategic planning, the development will deliver a perfectly balanced blend of spacious and elegant waterfront residential units.

Combined with unrivalled views of the iconic Burj Khalifa, the famed Dubai Downtown skyline and the stunning Dubai Canal, Peninsula Five is the third series of residences within Select Group's first large-scale waterfront masterplan.

Following the successful launch of Peninsula in October 2021, Peninsula Five is the fourth new development to be announced by Select Group within the past 12 months, highlighting the demand for premium waterfront properties in Dubai.

"We are delighted to unveil our plans for Peninsula Five, the first development within 'The Signature Collection' by Select Group. Having witnessed the immense appetite for luxurious waterfront residences, we feel the timing is right to introduce our latest range of elevated residences to the market. Peninsula Five allows us to offer buyers a premium level product that is currently missing in Business Bay," says Rahail Aslam, CEO, Select Group.

Having almost sold-out Peninsula One & Two within a few weeks of launch, the acceleration of Peninsula Five reaffirms the master plan's desirable status as the first suburban-style ecosystem in the heart of Dubai's most energetic professional setting.

Meticulously designed to deliver a unique and unrivalled community-centric development, Peninsula Five will comprise 381 spacious and luxurious units, spread between a 36-storey residential tower and two standalone blocks of premium waterfront duplex residences.

The tower will consist of 321 units, ranging from spacious and sophisticated studios starting at 513 square feet to three-bedroom 'semi-penthouses', which offer 180-degree panoramic views of the iconic Downtown skyline and pristine waterways.

The premium duplexes, located directly on the Dubai Canal waterfront, will deliver 60 elegantly designed and fitted residences of up to 4,730 square feet, ranging from one to four-bedroom units, and give residents access to an unmatched array of upscale health and lifestyle facilities within the development.

Aligned with Peninsula One & Two's completion date, Select Group will hand over 1,300 units by December 2024 to deliver the first phase of this eagerly anticipated master plan.

In addition to luxurious waterfront residences, Peninsula will offer unique access to the widest array of community amenities for residents, including several manicured parks, unrivalled communal sporting facilities, a waterfront marketplace with various cafes and eateries, and a 66,000 square foot community mall, establishing itself as the only lifestyle enriched community in the heart of a bustling district.

Peninsula's strategic location in the city grants residents immediate access to many of Dubai's most popular social hotspots, vibrant professional districts and an array of the most prominent and recognisable landmarks, such as Dubai's Old Town, Downtown, DIFC and The Marina.-- TradeArabia News Service
What sort of governor do Kansans want?

On Jan. 3, Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Derek Schmidt for Kansas governor. No surprise since Schmidt has backed Trump's "America First" agenda saying Kansans were better off because of it.

This tells me much about Schmidt's character, integrity, backbone and morality. If Schmidt possessed similar qualities, he would have shunned Trump who is the very antithesis of those nouns. Schmidt's no rookie politician though, and he immediately perceived Trump's endorsement for what it was  direct access to thousands of "conservative" Kansas voters, citizens clinging to the man who wreaked more destruction and division to America than anyone can imagine  Trump.

But if these citizens gained any personal, financial, political or power-related advantage, or perhaps just selfish smugness, to heck with the state and the nation.

Schmidt and Trump supporters brush off the persona of Donald Trump; who and what the man is. We all witnessed four years of megalomania (delusional grandiose performance).

The large-scale production Trump foisted upon America requires many elements: lying (30,000+ and now "The Big Lie"), no evidence of a conscience, lack of morals/values, no compassion for others (imagine Trump speaking to a child), immediate personal gratification, inability to admit a mistake and sexual perversion.

Astoundingly, plentiful Americans (including Schmidt) were/are unable see through this masquerade or simply ignore to reach their private goals as mentioned above.

It is interesting that the elements I've listed match exactly the definition of a psychopath, or as mental health professionals more generously call one now, an antisocial personality ("one who is hostile or harmful to organized society" or "marked by behavior deviating sharply from the social norm").

Stephen Ficke, Topeka

Health care experts should be making COVID-19 decisions

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Anything to do with preventive measures and treatment of COVID-19 and variants should be pulled from the courts and politicians. We need health care people making some decisions and advising the public. Masks are worthy tools as are the vaccines.

Lawmakers and courtrooms step aside as both are interfering with appropriate health care and steps to corral this deadly problem. If the health care industry requests assistance from a governor then a governor should respond according to the health care community, not to their own opinions. This is health care after all.

Politicians are not jacks of all trades and certainly not masters of all trades.

Richard Heckler, Topeka

Take Donald Trump's word about Democrats and the economy

This letter is in response to a letter from Jim Clements. Granted, none of us know everything about an unfinished bill. But to quote a recent president "the economy seems to do better under Democrats."

We do know that the BBB provides for tax increases on the rich and on huge corporations. The money raised by these taxes will be used to pay for increased education and health care for our fellow citizens. That can not be a bad thing. For the past five years, there have been between 4 and 5 million jobs that could not be filled because there were not people trained and educated to fill them.

That doesn't count all the jobs now left unfilled because of COVID-19. Yes the public debt is about $29 trillion  $9 trillion of which occurred during Donald Trump's term. Don't let the rightwing talking heads tell you that tax increases on " the job creators " will hurt the economy.

The best years of our economy have been during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. That's when the top tax rates were 50% and 70%. In those years, we had GDP increases in the 5% to 7% range. Since then we are happy to see 3%.

In 1955 and 1959, the GDP went up 7.2%, up 6.1% in 1962, 6.5% in 1966, 5.8 in 1973, 5.4 in 1976 and 5.6 in 1978. After that, the best year during the Bush, Obama and Trump years was 3.6% in 1989. The lows were 2.88% and 2.86% for Obama and Trump. Giving tax breaks to the rich hasn't helped.

By the way, the president who said the economy seems to do better under Democrats was a man named Donald Trump in an early 2000s interview  before he ran for office.

Ron Desch, Topeka

Capital-Journal doesn't understand effects of marijuana

The Capital-Journal glibly says Just legalize it, it just makes sense regarding medical marijuana. This is in blatant disregard of the medical literature that shows increased psychosis, increased violence episodes, increased fatal car accidents, increased suicides, increased opiate overdoses, worse academics and worsened PTSD episodes in medical marijuana or legalization states.

The marijuana industry opposes controls on marijuana concentrations or doses and ignores these serious problems that our neighbors now experience.

We have plenty of drug and legal problems currently. Lets stand firm against making them worse with greater marijuana access.

The Capital-Journal editorial advisory board needs to do its homework before supporting destructive legislation. Review the real medical evidence.

Eric A. Voth, MD, FACP, Topeka

COVID-19 bill in Legislature is dangerous to Kansans

I read in the paper this morning about a bill sponsored by Sens Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson; Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood; Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee; and Caryn Tyson, R-Parker. I became increasingly horrified and disgusted as I read its components.

When infectious disease outbreaks happen, local health officials would not be able to order isolation or quarantine. Officials would be barred from ordering businesses to close and limiting gatherings. All government entities would be banned from requiring face masks. They could not issue stay at home orders or curfews based on epidemic or other health reasons.

The bill would ban businesses from denying services to unvaccinated persons. It would ban incentives to get vaccinated. Employers would be prohibited from not hiring individuals because of vaccination status. The bill would prevent the KDHE from mandating for schoolchildren to be vaccinated. The bill would prevent hospitals from requiring vaccinations for visitors of patients.

It would open the door for prescribing drugs like Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine that the FDA have deemed dangerous. And the list goes on. Its because of elected officials, such as these four and individuals that refuse to be vaccinated and wear masks, that the pandemic persists.

They are selfish, science-denying, misinformed, fools who seemed determined to kill us all. When will the insanity stop? I lost my best friend to COVID and know so many people who have lost friends and family members.

Next election, study closely the voting records of your representatives, concerning health and safety. We must elect individuals who will protect our lives and the lives of our friends and family.

Scott Henson, Topeka

Derek Schmidt: You're up

Pain on Pain. There was no mistaking the crushing grief of Wanda, a caller to the AARP Kansas Town Hall Meeting on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15. Her sister perished in a Kansas nursing home from dehydration.

The meeting's guest, Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Derek Schmidt, expressed his condolences and asked the host to get her information off-air. We don't know what's happened since, but had her sister died anywhere else, it would have already been investigated and publicized.

The sequestered communities of nursing homes are the only place in Kansas where all deaths are not investigated. Once the pandemic has passed, government officials will revert to rarely taking a second look at deaths occurring on their premises.

Even the Kansas Department of Corrections has a protocol for investigating the death of everyone in their custody. Why are KDOC deaths being investigated on the state's dime, but when it comes to those in nursing homes, families are directed to hire a private attorney?

Refusing to investigate deaths based on age and location is blatant discrimination. Kansans should not lose their right to justice simply because their address changed.

Well, Mr. Schmidt?

Valerie Rouviere Harper, Topeka

Poor decision to publish commentary from Heritage Foundation

We are very disappointed that you published the Commentary from the Heritage Foundation on Jan. 11, but at least you put it on the last page of the news section.

Few people are going to even notice that it was written by a member of this far-right ultra-conservative group that is supporting the Trump Big Lie movement, causing so many of the Republicans desperate for re-election on the taxpayers dime to join their idiotic fanatical obsession that is splitting our country apart!

Philip and Marla Williams, Topeka

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Readers: Kansas legislators don't understand effects of COVID-19
A TaiwanPlus Original Series Showcasing Indie Music Bands in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan, January 17, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TaiwanPlus, a new global English-language video streaming platform, launches a 2022 TaiwanPlus Original Series titled "Road to Legacy," which is a 10-episode docuseries detailing the journey to fame of these 10 bands in Taiwan. On January 17, 2022, TaiwanPlus holds the world premiere at Legacy Taipei, with the docuseries launched exclusively and free to stream worldwide via www.TaiwanPlus.com on the same day.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220116005069/en/

The TaiwanPlus Original Series will be released in three installments, kicking off with the episodes on Tizzy Bac, 88BALAZ and Nighteentael on January 17th. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Since its inception, "TaiwanPlus strives to provide a platform to showcase the diverse, creative culture that flourished under Taiwans vibrant democracy. Following the positive reception from the TaiwanPlus Film Festival, which was an online curation of 10 iconic Taiwanese films, the platform now seeks to Bring Taiwan to the World through the countrys dynamic indie music scene," indicates TaiwanPlus CEO Joanne Tsai.

Produced by TaiwanPlus, "Road to Legacy" is a co-production with Legacy Taipei, a live house institution in Taiwan that has hosted many renowned international and Taiwanese bands since 2009. Executive Producer Tien Tsung Ma says, "Contemporary Taiwanese music ranges from electronic music, rock, folk to hip-hop, and this docuseries is a timely snapshot of Taiwans music scene." Shot over the course of 2.5 years, the docuseries unveils the truest side of these music artists, sharing their personalities, philosophy, and vision.

Among the ten bands featured, Tizzy Bac, ABAO and Namewee have garnered the most international presence. Tizzy Bac was established in 1999, offering a unique style of indie rock by integrating jazz, alternative rock, and electronic elements into their music. While indigenous Taiwanese R&B artist, ABAO, is hailed as a symbol of culture and heritage throughout Taiwan for her unique music. Malaysian artist and musician, Namewee, is known for pop and hip-hop, having garnered a following in East and South-East Asia as a passionate, outspoken activist for injustice and inequality. His work has been banned in China due to his song "Fragile Heart."

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The docuseries will be released in three installments, kicking off with the episodes on Tizzy Bac, 88BALAZ and Nighteentael on January 17th. The remaining episodes will be made available in February (PA PUN BAND, Dadado Huang and Sweet John) and March (Namewee, ABAO, The Next Big Thing and LINION). The full listing of "Road to Legacy" can be found at: https://tw.plus/Kb7nt

To coincide with this celebration of music, TaiwanPlus is also hosting an online campaign to crowd-source 12-sec videos with sound that embodies Taiwan on Instagram. Event details can be found here: https://tw.plus/CNV3b.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220116005069/en/

Contacts

Press:

Sara Lin

Sara.lin@taiwanplus.com
Dominion Energy workers were busy in Stafford County on Friday morning preparing equipment ahead of a winter storm expected to strike the Fredericksburg region on Sunday.

Yes, were ready. I think were ready every time, Dominion Energy lead lineman Jason George of Spotsylvania County said. Hopefully, it wont be as critical [as the Jan. 3 storm], but were here to provide, and hopefully we can address outages in a timely manner and be safe about it.

Forecasters said the winter storm is expected to bring a mix of snow, sleet, rain and freezing rain, along with strong gusts of wind well into Monday.

For certain, there will be a lot of mixed precipitation this time, National Weather Service meteorologist Luis Rosa said on Friday.

Rosa said the Fredericksburg area could see 2 to 4 inches of snow, which is expected to start falling late Sunday. Weather models show the snow will change to sleet, then freezing rain, with about one-tenth of an inch of ice covering the area. Around midnight, all precipitation is expected to turn to rain, but wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will prevail into Monday, when temperatures are expected to reach the low 40s.

Theres potential for trees to come down with the weight of the precipitation, Rosa said, who added that could lead to power outages.

About two weeks ago, a winter storm left nearly one foot of heavy snow across the region. The fast-moving storm also downed hundreds of trees in a scene George described as like a hurricane. Many of the trees collapsed onto power lines, putting the lights out for 70,000 of Dominions local 116,00 customers at the peak of the outage. Some rural residents went without power for multiple days in below-freezing temperatures.

On Friday, Dominion workers said many of those delays in repairs during the last storm were caused by the closure of Interstate 95, when hundreds of vehicles took to unplowed or impassible county roadways. Many of those stray vehicles broke down or were simply abandoned, making it nearly impossible for utility workers and their vehicles to gain access to sites in need of critical repairs.

It was very challenging just trying to get from A to B, said Brian Jeter, a Dominion Energy overhead lineman trainee, who lives in Stafford County. A lot of places we couldnt get to with the shutting down of [Interstate] 95, it took all the interstate traffic and dumped it onto secondary roadways.

On Friday, VDOT reported their crews have already started applying salt brine solution to major routes from Caroline to Quanticoalong with the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsulain an effort to reduce the expected icing.

VDOT advises against unnecessary travel this weekend, and does not advise travel on Sunday at all. VDOT also urged motorists planning a trip over the weekend to monitor forecasts for the entire route they intend to take and exercise sound judgment before starting their trip. The Virginia State Police also ask motorists to consider avoiding travel during the storm.

The National Weather Service issued its own hazardous weather outlook for the Interstate 95 corridor through the Fredericksburg area, with an Enhanced Winter Storm threat Sunday afternoon into early Monday morning which brings an increased potential of more significant travel impacts and more closures.

Should power go out as Sundays storm passes over the region, Dominion representatives said residents should immediately notify the utility company of the outage and then monitor the progress of repairs though the companys website. Dominion also urged residents to stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines and ensure family members, pets and surrounding neighbors do the same.

Jeremy Slayton, a media relations specialist with Dominion, said restoration estimates customers see after making a report could change during the outage, depending on additional damage workers might discover once they get to the scene. He urged residents to be patient as crews work through those obstacles.

Our goal is to get all of our customers power restored as quickly and as safely as possible, Slayton said. Our focus has always been to have as accurate information as possible provided to our customers.

Slayton said Dominion Energy has already put in a request for mutual aid from other states to combat the coming storm. He said those crews are ready to converge on the Fredericksburg region in the event additional repair crews are needed. Earlier this month, hundreds of repair crews traveled to the Fredericksburg region from as far away as Indiana and Georgia to help get power restored to homes and businesses.

On Friday, Dominion officials also offered safety tips to consider as the storm approaches, including creating an emergency kit that includes flashlights, batteries, warm clothing, blankets or sleeping bags, hygiene items and face coverings, as well as a basic first-aid kit. Officials also recommend having health care information handy as well as checking and preparing home medical devices that rely on electrical power ahead of the storm.

George said preparation work will continue at the Stafford facility.

Well have crews staged here and standing by, so as the storm comes in, well be ready to work, He said. Were ready.

The Rappahannock Electric Cooperative reported their crews are also busy staging workers and equipment across their service territory. The co-op also said it has plenty of materials, utility poles and supplies at all of its locations, with addition shipments expected by the weekend. Like Dominion Energy, REC urges its customers to take steps now to prepare for the anticipated Sunday storm.

For outage maps, or to report an outage at your home or business, visit: dominionenergy.com or myrec.coop.

James Scott Baron: 540/374-5438 jbaron@freelancestar.com

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James Baron I spent 23 years in the Navy in media relations and as a reporter. Prior to coming to The Free Lance-Star in 2019, I volunteered with a local non-profit that helps formerly incarcerated people transition back into society. I'm also an avid motorcyclist. Follow James Baron 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
There probably wont be peanuts and Cracker Jacks available, but FredNats Ballpark soon will be offering COVID-19 tests.

Fredericksburg has one of nine new Community Testing Centers opening in Virginia this month. A vendor working for the state health department will set up a heated tent at the ballpark, which is in Central Park at 42 Jackie Robinson Way, Fredericksburg.

The center will operate by appointment only, starting Monday, Jan. 24, and be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. An earlier opening was delayed because of inclement weather.

Those interested in making an appointment can go to vase.vdh.virginia.gov/testingappointments and search for the 22401 ZIP code. As noted on the website, appointments fill up quickly and those interested are encouraged to check back repeatedly for open slots.

When appointments at the local center become filled, the facility no longer shows up on the statewide search.

Earlier this month, former Gov. Ralph Northam announced that the new centers would help fill the testing void thats been created in the wake of the fast-spreading omicron variant. The nine new centers are operating in Charlottesville, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Prince William, Richmond and Roanokethe same places were state-operated Community Vaccination Centers opened in October.

The new testing centers plan to provide 50,000 tests in January alone, Northam said.

Tests are free and available by appointment to anyone age 3 and older. No rapid tests will be available. Instead, workers will administer polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests in which nostrils are swabbed, then specimen samples are sent to labs.

Results are available in two to three days and are texted or emailed to those tested, based on information theyve entered when making appointments.

People who need help making appointments can contact the Rappahannock Area Health District call center weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 540/899-4797.

The local health district has held testing clinics in the community throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so, said Mary Chamberlin, public information officer. But it probably wont hold one in the city when the testing center opens at the ballpark, she said.

Northam said the centers are being funded with an initial $5 million from the Virginia Department of Health, which will seek reimbursement from FEMA.

Also this week, the federal government will launch a website where Americans can order free COVID-19 tests. The website COVIDTests.gov opens Wednesday and each household will be able to request four tests. There are no shipping costs and people do not have to enter a credit card number, according to the website.

The rapid tests wont necessarily include a rapid delivery. The White House said last week that tests typically ship seven to 12 days after ordering through the U.S. Postal Service, which may take another one to three days to ship the package.

In addition, private insurance companies are required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home rapid tests per month for people who have ordered them through online retailers or purchased them at pharmacies.

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A dangerous winter storm was bringing significant snowfall, strong thunderstorms and blustery winds to the northeastern U.S. on a holiday Monday.

A foot (30 centimeters) of snow was forecast for parts of New England, New York state, Ohio and Pennsylvania through Tuesday morning, and more than 80,000 customers in the region were without power as of Monday morning.

Forecasters in Buffalo, New York, said the snow was falling fast, dumping more than 16 inches (40 centimeters) by 8 a.m. The city advised people not to travel if they didnt need to on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while some surrounding towns instituted a travel ban.

WOW! (Latest) snow measurement at 1 AM was 4.6 inches in the last hour at the Buffalo Airport! the National Weather Service in Buffalo tweeted overnight. And tack on another 4 inches in the last hour ending at 2 AM! Total so far since late Sun evening - 10.2 inches.
Keene Memorial Library will host author Seth Varner of the book Visit 531Nebraska: Our Journey to Every Incorporated Town in the State at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20.

This book describes Varner and his co-author Austin Schneiders adventures while visiting all 531 incorporated towns in Nebraska during one summer. The synopsis of the book states that it is jam-packed with historical facts, stories, and unique experiences, readers will develop a deep appreciation for The Cornhusker State and discover that its not always about the destination, but rather the journey.

More information about the book or the boys adventures, they can be found online at https://wandermorepublishing.com/shop/p/visit531nebraskabook. On this site, you may purchase a copy of the book as well as see photos, trivia about the state, and information about their upcoming titles. Varner will also have copies of Visit 531Nebraska for those interested in purchasing it at Thursdays reading.

This library event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Elisa Cruz at Keene Memorial Library at 402-727-2694.

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Columbus police arrested a man Sunday on murder charges after the man first responders assisted after he fell outside allegedly told them that he killed a man.

First responders arrived to the scene of a call involving a person who had fallen outside, according to a press release from the police department. The person who had fallen, Michael J. Keener, had a bump on his head.

While officers were talking with Keener, police allege that he said he had killed a person at another location. Keener took officers to that location in the 200 block of 16th Ave, where officers found the body of Larry Houdek, 77. Officers also said they found items belonging Houdek on Keener's person.

According to the release, Keener was arrested on charges of first degree murder and use of deadly weapon to commit a felony and transported to the Platte County Detention Facility.

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Sabic, multinational chemical manufacturing company, participated in the recently held Future Minerals Summit in Riyadh and took part in discussions on the potential of the Middle East region in attracting investments for the mining sector.



Sabic was a Founding Sponsor of the summit, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.



Yousef Al-Benyan, Sabic Vice Chairman and CEO, attended the summit on the inaugural day along with other senior company executives.



The Saudi Iron and Steel Company (Hadeed), a Sabic-owned manufacturing affiliate, joined the global mining industry to discuss with investors the current and future opportunities in the industry and to understand the latest advancements in mining technologies, the governments role in this sector, and the applicable legal frameworks.



Hadeed processes 8 million metric tons per annum of iron ore and 1.5 million tons per annum of scrap at its integrated plant to manufacture iron and steel products.



More than 200,000 metric tons of lime and dololime used in the steelmaking process are procured from local mines. Securing raw material from reliable and responsible sources is a key goal for the company.



Sabic, through its Nusaned local content program, is helping to establish partnerships and empower supply chains in Saudi Arabia that can meet the needs of companies both at home and abroad. The program has registered 21 proposals in the mining and minerals sector, nine of which have completed all requirements for a total capital investment exceeding $290 million.



Sabic also has joint venture partnerships with Ma'aden, which is leading Saudi Arabias efforts to develop the mineral sector, and is ranked among the fastest-growing mining companies in the world.



An exhibition was also organized on the sidelines of the summit to provide visitors with the opportunity to meet mining experts, equipment manufacturers, technology providers and digital transformation specialists who exhibited their latest innovative products and services.  TradeArabia News Service
OMAHA  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 LB63 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 more than 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.

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Many of Afghanistans diplomats watched from abroad as the government they served collapsed in August.

But five months since the Taliban takeover, many of them remain loyal to the fallen Western-backed government and have refused to hand over their diplomatic missions to the militant group.

Many Afghan embassies still fly the black-red-and-green tricolor flag. Even as they run out of funds, many are still offering consular services for Afghans abroad and foreigners seeking to travel to Afghanistan.

In recent weeks, the Taliban has ramped up its efforts to wrest control of Afghanistans 65 foreign posts. The move comes as the Taliban seeks international recognition for its Islamic Emirate, which no country has yet recognized.

Cannot Just Switch Over

An exiled Afghan ambassador serving in Europe told RFE/RL that he recently moved his embassy to a rented home. To reduce costs, he has cut staff and abandoned the two grand villas that previously housed the embassy and the diplomats official residence.

We cannot just abandon our embassies, said the exiled diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for his family members still in Afghanistan. "We are doing our best to turn our diplomatic missions into self-sustaining missions.

He said the embassy was trying to raise funds by increasing the fees for consular services, including issuing, verifying, and extending documents for Afghans and granting occasional visas to Western humanitarian workers or journalists.

"We represented the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the diplomat said, referring to the official name of the former Afghan government. We cannot just switch over to representing the Islamic Emirate, which is not recognized by any country."

Defying The Taliban

After the Taliban seized power on August 15, it sent letters and text messages to Afghan ambassadors ranging from introductions to demands for sharing personnel information and work plans.

But many of Afghanistan's 45 embassies and 20 consulates have defied the Taliban. Some have rebuffed Taliban appointments and actively campaigned against the militants. Some embassies, including the one in neighboring Tajikistan, have become hubs for anti-Taliban opposition.

But the Taliban has recently stepped up its efforts to replace exiled diplomats who have resisted its rule, especially those serving in neighboring countries.

Soon after seizing power, the Taliban took over the Afghan diplomatic mission in neighboring Pakistan, where many Taliban leaders resided during the groups nearly 20-year insurgency against the internationally recognized Afghan government and foreign troops.

On January 10, Afghanistan's ambassador to China, Javid Ahmad Qaem, announced that he had left his post.

In a tweet, Qaem said that many diplomats at the embassy had already left and Kabul had not sent them salaries since August.

"There are many reasons, personal and professional, but I don't want to mention them here," he said of his decision to leave China, a close ally of Pakistan, which is a longtime backer of the Taliban.

Qaem said a new person had been assigned to the embassy, naming him only as "Mr. Sadaat."

Weeks earlier, the Taliban appointed Abdul Qayyum Sulaimani as the head of the Afghan Embassy in neighboring Iran in a move that was described as a power grab.

On January 5, Afghanistans embassy in Rome said it was forced to call Italian police for help after a sacked Afghan diplomat attacked the ambassador.

The embassy said in a statement that the former diplomat -- identified as Mohammad Fahim Kashaf -- entered the embassy building a day earlier claiming he had been named ambassador by the Taliban.

The statement said Kashaf attacked the ambassador in the presence of an embassy employee but the ambassador defended himself and called the Italian police."

Kashaf was escorted by police out of the embassy, it added.

In Kabul, a spokesman for the Talibans Foreign Ministry denied Kashaf had been appointed ambassador but also said he had not been dismissed.

Flying On Autopilot

Another Afghan ambassador serving in Europe told RFE/RL that the embassy had so far managed to rebuff the Talibans efforts to take control of the mission.

"They have tried to impose their control, he said. But our host country recognizes a state, not a particular government. They understood our circumstances."

But he said it was unclear how long they could hold out for.

"Our main problem is financial, he said. We have not received money to pay salaries for four months and to pay for expenses for seven months. It will be difficult to operate the embassies in the long run.

Some former Afghan officials have talked about the possibility of establishing a government in exile. But talks among the countrys squabbling former political figures have yet to make progress.

"We can perhaps keep operating for years, but to what end?" said the ambassador. "Individual actions will not amount to anything, and the leadership of the fallen republic must unite behind a vision."

A female Afghan diplomat serving in Europe told RFE/RL that many ambassadors were struggling with how to serve a government that no longer existed.

"We are on autopilot," she said.
The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for a deadly gun assault on police in Islamabad, as the countrys interior minister warned of the potential for further attacks in the capital.

This is a signal for us that terrorist attacks have [now] been started in Islamabad and we should be alert," Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told journalists as he visited the scene of the incident on January 18.

In the overnight attack, two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a police checkpoint, sparking a shoot-out that killed an officer and both assailants, police said.

Two policemen were also wounded.

Attacks on security forces in Islamabad are rare, although militants of the outlawed Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, and other groups often target security forces elsewhere in the country.

On January 14, a Pakistani soldier was killed in Pakistans restive northwest, bordering Afghanistan, in an attack claimed by the TTP.
Taliban officials in Afghanistan's southern Uruzgan Province have ordered male employees to stop trimming their beards and wear a turban at work.

Seeking to gain recognition and much-needed aid after taking over Afghanistan in August, the hard-line militant group initially indicated it would adopt a more moderate stance and rights-friendly image than during its previous brutal stint in power more than 20 years ago, when it enforced a radical form of Islamic law.

But the United Nations and many human rights groups have been voicing concerns, especially after local media reports surfaced claiming the militants' actions differed sharply from the moderate image the group's leaders were trying to project, mainly when dealing with women's rights but also in other areas.

Mulawi Taib, a senior Taliban official in Uruzgan, told a gathering on January 16 that the hard-line Islamist group wanted people to obey Islamic Shari'a law.

"All employees...should understand that the policy of the Islamic Emirate [of Afghanistan] is based on Shari'a law. All employees are forbidden to shorten their beards and must come to work wearing turbans," Mulawi Taib said.

In November, the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a set of "religious guidelines" that imposed new restrictions on life under the Taliban.

Uruzgan is one of the provinces where the group has imposed strict rules after returning to power.

According to reports, Taliban officials have appointed people at mosques to monitor the observance of prayers and religious orders. An attendance book was introduced in mosques, resulting in punishments for those who do not attend prayers.

Such punishments are meted out mainly by employees appointed by the ministry, reports said.



The Ministry of Vice and Virtue, which replaced the Western-backed government's Women's Affairs Ministry and took over its building after the militant group seized Kabul, was notorious for its abuses, particularly against women and girls, during the previous Taliban rule, from 1996 to 2001.
Sharon Raggio, CEO and president of Mind Springs Health, has drawn criticism from county officials in her centers West Slope coverage area. Among the complaints: long wait times, low quality of care and not disclosing how her organization has spent tax dollars.
BY THE NUMBERS

A look at Leadville National Fish Hatchery by the numbers:

250,000: Trout that annually leave the hatchery to be stocked in fisheries

50,000: Estimated pellets fed to fish in a year

3,072: Acres the hatchery sits on, with trails traveling the surrounding forest

57: Endangered Wyoming toads kept at the hatchery at last check. The hatchery is part of a national conservation effort to improve the toad's numbers.

36 degrees: Temperature of the hatchery's tank water

30: Masons needed to construct the hatchery, beginning in 1889

2: National fish hatcheries in Colorado, with the other in Hotchkiss
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has appointed Andrew Rotteveel as Managing Director for its newly formed programme advisory business in the Middle East, effective January 2022.

As part of his role, Rotteveel leads the companys advisory, cost management, project management and site supervision services across the region which also encapsulate Faithful+Gould brand.

Rotteveel is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years experience across the UK, Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions. He has a strong background in real estate development with experience in strategic consulting, development management, property management, project management, programme management office (PMO) and cost management.

Rotteveel has worked for a number of leading global real estate and construction companies. Previously, Andrew was the Chief Operating Officer of King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Development and Management Company. Before joining KAFD in 2019, he was Regional Director at Jones Lang LaSalle Mena.

His portfolio of projects includes KAFD, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals mixed-use masterplan, General Electric Head Quarters in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi Investment Council Head Quarter and TwoFour54 Media Zone in the UAE, Egypt Festival City Extension and Emaar Up Town Cairo among other flagship projects in the region.

As our markets continue to evolve and how our clients requirements for consultancy services change, we remain committed to adding demonstratable value to their projects, in the most efficient and effective way, said Campbell Gray, CEO, Atkins Middle East & Africa.

Bringing together our advisory, Faithful+Gould, and Atkins supervision services under one umbrella ensures we focus on outcomes for mutual long-term benefits for clients and ourselves. Andrews experience as a consultant and client, as well as his in-depth development knowledge, will enable a truly differentiated market approach in shaping our business growth and anchor trusted advisor status with our clients.

With over 50 years presence in the Middle East and a track record of flagship projects delivered across the region, Im proud to join the business at this important junction in its evolution and be part of its newly formed leadership team that will support the companys strategic growth plans, commented Rotteveel.

With increasing climate change and economic challenges, providing integrated programme advisory services, underpinned by digital solutions, is becoming key to support and add value to our clients programmes and drive more efficiency in project delivery.

Together with Atkins and Faithful+Gould, The SNC-Lavalin Group creates sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to design, deliver and operate the most complex projects across the world. The group professional services and project management solutions cover transportation, buildings and places, water, power and renewables, nuclear, defence, industrial and mining markets.

In August 2021, Campbell Gray re-joined Atkins as Chief Executive Officer to lead its end-to-end advisory, engineering, design, and project management business in the Middle East. Joined by Rotteveel, Matthew Tribe was appointed Managing Director, planning, design, and engineering in the Middle East, effective November 2021.-- TradeArabia News Service
In cases where the government is seeking to hold an indigent person in contempt for unpaid child support and a jail sentence is a possibility, they are entitled to an attorney, the state's Court of Appeals has decided.
Legislators last week introduced a slate of legislation crafted during the legislative interim to combat wildfires in Colorado.

The five bills, now ready for committee action, stem from the work of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, a 10-person panel featuring six Democrats and four Republicans charged with studying wildfire prevention and mitigation during the months in which the General Assembly is not in session.

The bills include:

House Bill 1012, introduced by Democratic Reps. Lisa Cutter of Littleton and Don Valdez of La Jara and Sens. Joann Ginal of Fort Collins and Pete Lee of Colorado Springs, seeks to create a grant program to help counties mitigate and recover from wildfires by funding efforts to clear wood and forest debris.





Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Lee, Cutter and Democratic Sen. Tammy Story of Conifer and Rep. Marc Snyder of Colorado Springs, would direct the Forest Service to implement a wildfire mitigation public awareness campaign for 2023 and 2024 for the 53% of the states population that lives in the Wildland-Urban Interface  areas with grasslands, shrublands and forests.





Senate Bill 2, pushed by Ginal, Story, Cutter and Republican Rep. Perry Will of New Castle, seeks to broaden the pots of money that local volunteer firefighters can be reimbursed through.





House Bill 1007, sponsored by Valdez, Lee and Republican Rep. Mike Lynch of Wellington and Sen. Cleave Simpson of Alamosa, would create a grant program for local governments to fund outreach to property owners on wildfire mitigation strategies. The bill also seeks to end the state income tax deduction for wildfire mitigation expenses two years earlier than scheduled and replace it with a tax credit of 25% of the cost incurred for wildfire mitigation.





House Bill 1011, from Cutter, Snyder, Lee and Story, seeks to create a grant program to match funds local governments raise for wildfire mitigation. That's an effort Cutter in October said would encourage stable, long-term funding in an area she said was severely underfunded.

The panel wrapped up its work on the bills in late October, meaning lawmakers' work on the package came before the Marshall fire tore through populated areas in Boulder County in December.
Tax season is underway, but there are some changes I want you to know about this year. As always, you should also watch for common scams and f
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, has collaborated with India Innovation Hub at the Expo 2020 Dubai to promote start-ups in the region.

Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, Director General of DSO today (January 17) welcomed a delegation led by Dr Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai and Deputy Commissioner-General for India at Expo 2020 Dubai, in the presence of Siddhartha Baraily, Consul, Head of Chancery, and Ghanim Al Falasi, Senior Vice President of Technology and Entrepreneurship at DSO while on tour of Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec).

The delegation included six Indian start-ups with a focus on travel and tourism, who presented their ideas to be incubated at DSO.

They also discussed the collaboration opportunities between DSO, Dtec, and India Innovation Hub at the India Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai.

"The Government of India and the UAE are committed to working together to foster innovation between the two countries and contribute towards a sustainable world. India has emerged as an innovation hub with the world's third-largest startup ecosystem with 42 Indian start-ups joining the Unicorn Club in 2021," stated Dr Puri.

The UAE is a global hub for expats and global businesses, which provides immense business opportunities for Indian talent, he noted.

"Innovation hub at India Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai has featured over 190 Indian start-ups. Elevate pitching series and interactions with prestigious organisations such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, TiE Dubai among others, provided excellent opportunities for the Indian innovators to interact with investors, global counterparts for further networking and partnership," stated Dr Puri.

Dr Al Matrooshi said: "UAE and India share deeply rooted bilateral relations and have been key trading partners for centuries. In the last few weeks of 2021, both nations concluded negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement that aims to boost non-oil trade to at least $100 billion over the next five years."

"In contribution to this ambitious plan, we aim to be a key enabler and incubator for start-ups and entrepreneurs, from all over the world, looking to expand into the region. Providing world-class facilities to streamline business set-up and operations, DSO is home to more than 1,000 companies from more than 75 countries," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Five more cases made it onto the Colorado Supreme Court's docket last week, implicating the insanity defense, the right of the accused to question alternate suspects at trial, and disputes over oil and gas production.
Some Colorado hospitals are already enacting tenets of the state's crisis standards of care amid a crush of patients and a shortage of providers, and emergency physicians have now called on Gov. Jared Polis to officially enact the plan for the first time.
In this file photo, Colorado Democrat Ed Perlmutter waves at passing motorists in the 7th Congressional District on primary election day in 2006 on his way to his first election to the U.S. House. After eight terms, Perlmutter announced on Jan. 10, 2022, that he plans to retire rather than seek re-election in 2022.
Saudi-based International Company for Water and Power Projects (Acwa Power) has named its new board of directors for a three-year period untill January 4, 2025.

Mohammad Abdullah Abunayyan has been re-elected as the Chairman, while its President and CEO Suntharesan 'Paddy' Padmanathan has been elevated to the position of Vice-Chairman, said Acwa Power in its statement to the Saudi bourse Tadawul.

A leader in power generation and water desalination plants, Acwa Power is 44 per cent owned by Saudi's sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund).

The announcement was made yesterday (January 16) following a key board meeting where they also appointed the new board secretary and the representatives of the company in front of the Capital Market Authority and Tadawul.

This comes following the decision taken at the Extraordinary General Assembly meeting held recently.
Virginia may be nearing the record peak of the pandemic this week, but cases remain extremely elevated in the Dan River Region.

Danville and Pittsylvania County combined are averaging about 234 new COVID-19 cases a day, according to the Virginia Department of Health. On Monday alone 195 new infections appeared in the departments daily dashboard update.

The case explosion has spilled into the school systems that are now reporting record numbers of infections. In Pittsylvania County Schools, there are currently 109 active cases  91 students and 18 staff members  by far the largest of the pandemic. Danville Public Schools has 69 cases split between 51 students and 18 staff members.

Case rates continue to grow across the Commonwealth and are now at historic highs, researchers wrote in Fridays report from the University of Virginias Biocomplexity Institute. Early signs suggest this growth may be slowing, but all 35 health districts are still in surge.

The models suggest the steep rise will continue until about Sunday. Then the cases could drop as dramatically as they increased.

Omicron is less severe than Delta, but this surge will cause a large increase of hospitalizations, which could reach record levels in the coming weeks, researchers said.

On Friday, Sovah Health was caring for 50 COVID-19 patients split evenly across both Danville and Martinsville facilities. Thats a decline from nearly 60 a week ago.

Across the state, more than 3,800 people are currently hospitalized with the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. While rapidly rising in recent weeks, the figure has remained steady for the last few days.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates the omicron variant accounts for about 98% of all new cases in the Mid-Atlantic region, UVa reports. COVID-19 vaccines and especially boosters remain effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths, university experts said in the report.

Those same researchers also noted the current caseload figures likely underestimate the true pandemic picture with testing woes still plaguing the system. The official numbers also do not include at-home tests.

In Danville, 38% of people who undergo a COVID-19 test yield a positive result, according to the CDC. That figure is 27% in Pittsylvania County, a drop in recent days. The CDC uses a 5% positivity rate to determine the virus is under control in an area.

State and federal health officials recommend residents wear face masks for indoor public settings with the current high transmission rate.

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A Republican bill targeting diversity efforts at Virginia's Governor's Schools would ban them from using race and other factors in admissions. But school leaders say students aren't selected based on race, and the leader of Maggie Walker Governor's School in Richmond says the bill is written in a way that doesn't address its admissions process.

HB127, introduced by Del. Glenn Davis Jr., R-Virginia Beach, would prevent Governors schools from collecting data on race, sex, nationality, or ethnicity during an application process unless required by federal law. It also prevents schools from participating in what Davis calls proxy discrimination - including using geographic or socioeconomic factors or limiting the number of students from any single school. Some critics say that's aimed directly at new admissions rules at Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology. Davis said those allegations are false.

There are communities that have historically not had the same resources as others when it came to educational opportunity, Davis said in an interview. By adjusting admissions standards significantly by allowing race to be used significantly as [an admission standard], it just covers up the inequities that exist at the middle school level.

Davis is chair of the House of Delegates education committee. While the House is controlled by Republicans, the bill is likely to face a tougher path in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Last year, Thomas Jefferson, colloquially known as TJ, admitted one of the most racially diverse classes it ever has after significant admissions changes. The school says still did not consider race. Instead, the school removed its controversial admissions test and ensured that every feeder middle school in the localities it feeds were represented. The process also considers factors such as whether a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch and whether English is their first language. Those factors are what Davis describes as proxy discrimination.

Maggie Walker in Richmond may not be impacted by the bill as written because it spells out who is barred: Governor's Schools or any "governing board member, director, administrator, or employee."

Walker is regionally governed, and the board and its employees don't select students. Students are selected by the 14 school districts that feed into it. TJ is singularly governed by the Fairfax County School Board.

Some of the localities that feed into Maggie Walker have explored or implemented changes that Davis would describe as proxy discrimination.

Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, whose school district has been seeking greater diversity in its open enrollment and Governors schools admissions process, was the only superintendent in the area to publicly oppose the bill.

I strongly oppose this bill, as it's a thinly veiled effort to prevent Governor's Schools from becoming more diverse, Kamras said in a statement. We should be breaking down barriers to educational opportunity in Virginia, not building them."

And in 2020, Chesterfield County changed its admissions process to allow for more school-based admission  that was a driving factor behind the most diverse class in five years at the Governors school, with nearly half of the Black students selected in the schools freshman class having come from Chesterfield. Before the change, more years than not in the past two decades, Chesterfield had sent zero Black students to the school.

After reviewing the language to the bill, Bob Lowerre, the director of Maggie Walker Governors school, said he doesnt see how the bill could affect the daily operations of the school since they already dont seek demographic data during the admissions process.

As the selection process for students is done by our partner districts and nobody employed by the MLWGS school board is involved in that process besides administering the assessments, the language of the bill does not appear to affect us, Lowerre said in a statement. We have never asked questions about race, sex, or gender on our applications nor would we do so in the future. To be honest, it doesn't appear that the bill would affect the selection process of our students or how we actually operate our school.

Richmond and Henrico seek race during the admissions process, but parents can decline to answer  it also does not factor into whether a student is selected to attend the school.

Makya Little, a graduate of TJ and part of the TJ Action Alumni Network, said the collection of demographics data is key to sound decisions on admissions policy.

"As TJ graduates, you know, we're fortunate enough to receive a world-class education and so we understand the importance of data driven decisions and science in public policy," she said in an interview. "So how do we know that the system is working or improving without the data to evaluate it? And demographic data such as race isn't currently a factor in the admissions at schools like TJ, so we feel like that argument is a strawman."

The Governors schools have struggled with diversity for decades. A six-month investigation by the Times-Dispatch into Maggie Walker found that white students had been selected to attend Maggie Walker Governor's School at a rate four times higher than Black students.

Carrie Kahwajy, a Governors school alumna and member of the Maggie Walker Anti-Racist Alumni Group, says data is key to making sound decisions on diversity. She also worries about the part of the bill that encourages Governors schools to use traditional methods of admissions, like testing. TJ removed their admissions test completely, and Maggie Walker removed the achievement portion of their admissions test after its planning committee found it had "no value."

My concerns in general are that politicians made promises to their voters that they would make some changes, and so some politicians are stretching themselves thin to find ways to execute those promises, Kahwajy said in an interview. I think his intention was to ensure that white children were allowed greater access to these regional schools than other children in the community.

Davis says that diversity shouldnt be made by changing admissions efforts, but instead by fixing pipeline issues at the middle schools by providing more resources to underserved schools. Last year, Davis voted against a bill that would have directed the Virginia Department of Education to address pipeline issues at the schools, but he says he voted against it for other reasons. That bill was later killed in the Senate Education and Health committee, with a discussion centered around TJ.
LEXINGTON, S.C.  The man accused of kidnapping a Lexington girl more than three decades ago will stay in jail after a judge denied him bond.

Thomas Eric McDowell appeared in a South Carolina court for the first time since he was charged with kidnapping, murder and burglary in the 1986 abduction of Jessica Gutierrez. Records show he was booked into the Lexington County jail Thursday after being arrested last week in Wake Forest.

Jessica was 4 years old when she was taken in the middle of the night from her Lexington County home by an intruder. Her body has never been found.

Kinli Abee with the S.C. Attorney Generals Office told Magistrate Judge Arthur Myers that McDowell is considered a flight risk because he lives out of state and has an extensive criminal record, including time spent in a North Carolina prison for sexual assault.

Debra Gutierrez, Jessicas mother, told the court she still considers McDowell to be a danger.

I dont think the community is safe if hes roaming the streets, Gutierrez said. For 36 years, I didnt have the first idea if my baby girl was alive or dead.

McDowell spoke little during his short court appearance. He told the court he did not have an attorney or the money to afford one. Myers told McDowell the court could assist him in acquiring a public defender.

Afterwards, Abee said McDowell will likely have another court appearance in March. Bond on the murder charge must be set by a circuit court judge.

Gutierrez told the media afterwards that the day she heard McDowell had been arrested was her independence day. She encouraged other parents of missing children not to give up hope that justice will still be done.

My daughter isnt the only unsolved crime in this county, Gutierrez said. In every one of them somebody knows something, and they need to step up. ... If youre in prison and you know you arent getting out, please tell these parents where their children are.

Gutierrez thanked law enforcement and private investigators for working to keep Jessicas case alive for so long.

Even after all this time, Gutierrez sounded hopeful that her family is as close as it has ever been to having a definitive answer to what happened to her daughter.

I intend to find my daughter, she said. And I hope to do just that.
GREENSBORO  During the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s visit to Greensboro for a major speech in 1958, members of the NAACP took him by the YWCA, known for actively fighting for equality.

He got missing while we were there. That got us worried, then-Greensboro NAACP president Edwin R. Edmonds told the News & Record before his death in 2007. When we found him, he was in a room shooting pool with some of the kids.

The country observes Monday as the official federal holiday honoring King, the slain civil rights leader, but he left behind lasting memories during a visit to Bennett College in February 1958.

Before Kings speech at the March on Washington, the future Nobel Peace Prize winner warmed up with an overflowing audience at the private womens college.

King was gaining national prominence by that time, having already led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which resulted in the 1956 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Black people must be given equal seating on buses. But there was no cable news or internet. There was only radio and the evening broadcast news.

Sunday sermons, Black-owned newspapers and conversations among neighbors often carried the stories of the civil rights movement, and Kings work was taking root.

Although the 1958 visit would be his first to Bennett, King had spent time here before. He, then-NAACP lawyer and future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and others, often gathered around a huge table in civil rights attorney Kenneth Lees law library. Lee, then an attorney for the NAACP, represented most of the civil rights demonstrators in Greensboro and other parts of the state.

King and other civil rights icons also often slept in the lower level of Lees home, partly because of the inability to find public accommodations.

We often walked in downtown Greensboro and nobody knew who he was, Lee, who was one of the plaintiffs who successfully sued to integrate the law school at UNC-Chapel Hill, said before his death.

The story goes that the local NAACP chapter sponsored Kings visit in 1958, but it almost gave up in frustration because the chapter couldnt find a place to hold the rally until then-Bennett College President Willa B. Player said yes. Others have said that some other potential locations were just too small to accommodate the expected crowd.

Members of the NAACP met King at an airport in Raleigh, not risking having him fly into Greensboro, according to Edmonds, who was also a Bennett professor.

By then King had survived the bombing of his Atlanta home and many threats on his life.

Later dressed in a suit and tie, King spent a part of the afternoon with Bennett student reporters, who interviewed him for the campus newspaper and posed for photographs with workers in the civil rights movement. Then he delivered his message.

The demand was so huge for the 800-seat Pfeiffer Chapel that loudspeakers were set up in other buildings and across the campus lawn for the overflow crowd.

From where Bennett College senior Lola Anne McAdoo crouched in the choir stand, she watched the clean-cut man, who was short in stature but whose presence filled the room. He was recounting the moment that gave him the courage he would need to lead a movement, telling the audience he was sitting in the kitchen of his home, his mind full of the injustices, pleading to the Lord for guidance.

He said he heard, Stand up for righteousness, stand up for truth and God will be at your side,  McAdoo has said. Heres this man saying what I had been hearing about all my life from my parents and in Sunday school.

The Greensboro Daily News covered the speech, writing of his call for nonviolent resistance:

Dr. King said the Negro will continue to say to the white man: Do to us what you will and well still love you. Burn our home, take us out at midnight to torture us, take our children and spit in their faces and we will still love you.

 We will wear you down by our capacity to suffer; and by our compassion and willingness to suffer we will win you in the process. 

At one point, according to an audio snippet provided by Bennett College, King also called out those Black people who did not bother to register to vote.

Dont put it all on resistance, he said. Its true that in many areas, in my state of Alabama, Negroes arent registered in many instances because they cant register, because the resistance is strong, because the registrars refuse to register them ... but I dont think thats true in Greensboro, N.C.

Many Negroes arent registered because they are too lazy to go down and get registered, King said to applause.

Amid the clapping, the shouting and cheers that often greeted Kings remarks, a young Jibreel Khazan  known at the time as Ezell Blair Jr.  a 16-year-old Dudley High junior, was moved to tears. He had been listening from a nearby building where speakers had been set up. Khazan, who had sat there for two hours, afraid to lose his seat, was moved to tears.

He said, Who amongst us will join us,  Khazan recalled. I couldnt see him, but it was like thunder when he spoke. He reached a crescendo. He reached our consciousness.

I said to myself, Im going to join you,  Khazan said.

Two years later, on Feb. 1, 1960, Khazan and three other N.C. A&T students staged a lunch counter sit-in at Woolworths in downtown Greensboro  what King himself would later describe as giving a second wind to the civil rights movement.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 336-373-7049 and follow @nmclaughlinNR on Twitter.

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CHARLOTTE  Between a small coral-colored house and a proposed multi-story apartment building, stands a roughly 65-foot-tall willow oak tree.

The tree, which turns a light orange each fall and towers over nearby cottages and telephone poles, is a microcosm of Charlottes fight to save its canopy.

On one side of the tree are homeowners who hope to preserve it. On the other side is a proposed 200-plus unit apartment complex that could threaten its existence.

And in the middle are city officials who say they do not have the authority to protect the tree.

Its in a gray zone, said Jason Newton, who, along with his wife, Krysten Reilly, own a house just feet from the willow oak.

Citywide, Charlotte is experiencing similar struggles to save trees. Officials have all but abandoned the goal of having a 50% canopy coverage by the year 2050. Charlotte, they say, simply has too much development.

Environmentalists say the citys tree-saving rules are too weak to preserve, let alone grow, its canopy  the tree cover that shaded 45% of the citys area in 2018, the last year it was measured. Experts expect its lower today.

In cities, we lose trees one house at a time, said Newton, 35. With a city growing as fast as Charlotte, one tree at a time multiplied by all the development thats happening is how we lose tree cover.

Newton, a postdoctoral history fellow at UNC-Charlotte, and Reilly, a chief operating officer of a real estate investment company that focuses on affordable housing, call the willow oak our tree, knowing full well that it doesnt belong to them.

They moved to Charlotte from upstate New York in 2020 and bought the small house last year. They fell in love with its history  it was built in 1929  and its charm. It measures about 1,000 square feet.

The beautiful canopy of the towering willow oak provides wonderful shade for their home and yard.

But they fear that could disappear.

From 2012 to 2018, the area  a growing arts district  lost 11.5% of its canopy, according to a study by UNC-Charlotte and the University of Vermont.

Only a handful of neighborhoods lost more.

The willow oak near Newtons home stands in a paper street  what the city classifies as a dedicated but undeveloped right-of-way for a road that was never made. Although its a public right of way, the thin strip of land  and its roughly dozen trees  are not maintained by the city.

Abutting property owners are responsible for maintaining the alleyways and trees. Any conflict would be a civil matter between neighbors, according to the citys arborist.

This paper street is small, about 10 feet wide. Newton and Reilly bought their home next to the paper street in September, knowing that the adjacent 2-acre lot would one day be developed.

When they learned an apartment complex would come within feet of the tree  and feared construction might kill it  they emailed more than two dozen city officials, environmentalists and representatives for the developers.

In November site plans, officials for Ascent Real Estate Capital made no mention of the tree or saving it.

But that has since changed. Decembers drawings said best practices will be taken in an attempt to preserve the tree.

Ascent also plans to increase the buildings distance from the tree from 18 feet to 34 feet, according to Caci Jaeger, a partner with the company.

Ascent has asked the city to rezone the property from single-family to mixed use. Jaeger said the company knows mature urban trees are important and it tries to save them, even though that can be difficult.

Even if developers dont take the tree down, Newton worries that construction could mortally damage its roots or any needed delimbing might promote fungal growth that would kill the tree.

If it dies, so would a mini ecosystem frequented by squirrels, songbirds and red-tailed hawks.

Its easy to say its just one tree, and its not that big of a deal, Reilly said. But when you think of all the big, mature trees that we could lose, what are we left with? Pavement.
This article was reproduced with permission from CalMatters. Read more of their coverage of California state government on CalMatters.org.

Ana Ibarra is a Sacramento-based health reporter. She joined CalMatters in 2020 after four years at Kaiser Health News, where she covered California health care and policy. She started her reporting career at McClatchys Merced Sun-Star. Her work has also appeared in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and many other state and national news outlets.
At the outset of the Syrian crisis, several forces on the scene, at the Global level; The United States of America and Russia emerged, at the regional level; Iran and the Turkish occupying state emerged. Each force intervened on its own internal and external motives and with different agendas, but the common denominator is greater influence and preparation for the post-war phase, trying to put pressure on each other to achieve its goals by holding bargaining.

Through Syria, America has sought to limit Iranian influence and break up another country, as it has done in Iraq, and to impose a regime of government in line with the new Middle East project based on reducing the influence of a nation - state that has proved unsuccessful, weakening Israel's opponents and ensuring its security.

For Russia, Syria was a gateway to return to a multipolar world and to impose itself as a superpower with weight in shaping the world order to be mapped; From the Middle East.

Iran, on the other hand, has continued its traditional policies of fighting outside its territory, settling its calculations with the West on Syrian territory and preventing the hell of war from moving within its borders. Syria is also an important passage for the completion of the Shia Crescent, from Tehran through Baghdad to Damascus to Beirut.

The Syrian war awakened Erdogan's imperial dreams, and in this decade-long war he found a valuable opportunity to implement Misak- Milli to take control of the region from Aleppo in Syria to Kirkuk in Iraq, from there to take control of the entire territory formerly occupied by the Ottoman State.

Internally, the Damascus Government only had to remain in power and restore the situation in the country to what it had been before 2011, a central authority that controlled all of the political, social and economic life.

The common denominator of all these powers is hegemony, all within the limits of the military, economic and technical power they possess.

Under all these circumstances, Rojava, and North and East Syria, the only one with a vision and a democratic project, is not eager behind power and influence, but most important is to democratize Syria and the rescue of peoples who had been strangled by authoritarian regimes for centuries.

This project did not like the the forces of global and regional hegemony. Even at the level of Kurdistan, the PDK and its extension in Rojava, the Kurdish National Council, have striven, and continue to do, to eliminate AANES.

Attacks on AANES began with the beginning of the 19 July Revolution in Rojava, via the attack on Ras al-Ain and later in 2013 on Afrin.

2014 was the strongest and most violent attack on AANES by a mercenary group of Turkey. On the 15 of September, ISIS/ Daesh mercenaries attacked Kobani canton from 3 axes. Turkish mercenaries reached the outskirts of the city of Kobani. Battles were taking place in a narrow geographical area stretching over some streets and alleyways in the besieged city. However, resistance from female fighters and fighters, the general alarm declared by leader Abdullah Ocalan and the participation of female fighters and fighters from all over Kurdistan. After 134 days of resistance, Kobani was completely liberated on 26 January 2015.

With the first strike on ISIS mercenaries, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), formed in October 2015, launched successive liberation campaigns in various areas of North and East Syria.

With these successive victories and the announcement of AANES, and its brightness in Syria and the world, the dominant countries, first and foremost the occupying Turkish state, have moved from war through agents to direct intervention, after their agents failed to achieve their destructive projects.

In 2016, after the Manbij Military Council (MMC) liberated the area from ISIS/ Daesh mercenaries on the 12th of August, and officially declared victory on the 15th of the same month, Turkey began directly occupying Syrian territory, specifically on the 24th of August 2016. The Turkish offensive began in conjunction with the visit of U.S. Vice President John McCain, and a day earlier, on August 23rd, when officials of the PDK met with officials of the Turkish occupying state.



With this attack and the Turkish occupation of Jarablous region, after which Azaz, al--Bab and large parts of Idlib province, the true intentions of the Turkish state began to crystallize. "Bringing down the regime" was not Turkey's first, when the features of a democratic project began to emerge near it.

But Turkey alone was not able to occupy one inch of Syrian territory without the direct consent of the two great powers, America and Russia.

Just before the Turkish attack on Afrin, Turkey handed over its mercenary's necks in Eastern Ghouta and Douma to Russian warplanes and Damascus artillery that caused massive destruction and demolished homes over the heads of its residents.

On 20 January 2018, when the Turkish offensive began, Russian forces withdrew from Afrin and opened the air to Turkish warplanes to commit massacres.

Russian complicity went beyond the issue of coordination with the Turkish occupying state, throwing its weight to prevent any possible agreement between the AANES and the Damascus Government; to defend Afrin jointly. This explains the reluctance of the Damascus Government as well as its push of uniform forces close to Iran and the lack of involvement of uniform forces or the dispatch of any logistical support. When a few dozen uniform forces were sent directly targeted by the Turkish occupying power, dozens were killed in their ranks, but Russia did not lift a finger.

As for the United States of America, its position was clear and in no way sought to stop the Turkish offensive; it silently supported it, claiming that it was not interfering in the areas west of the Euphrates River. This American argument was quickly exposed when former US President Donald Trump intervened directly to stop a Russian military attack on Idlib, also west of the Euphrates River.

As for the European Union, its reactions did not go beyond statements that were only in the context of the registration of positions. At the Arab level, there was no prominent position except the Egyptian one. Even the League of Arab States, which has condemned the Turkish offensive, and Qatar, which is Turkey's partner in supporting mercenary groups, has not manifested its positions into concrete action.

In such circumstances, the Turkish attack on Afrin began. The majority expected Afrin to fall in a matter of days in front of NATO's second most powerful army, supplied with state-of-the-art weapons and supported by some 25,000 mercenaries, as well as hundreds of Turkish Special Forces soldiers.

Despite all this, Afrin resisted its military forces and its people 58 days on. On March 18, 2018, Turkey occupied Afrin canton, and in October 2019 it occupied Tal Abyed canton and Ras al-Ain region.

Turkey occupied those areas, but the AANES project did not fall and remained in place, and the people in North and East Syria and Syria generally believed that self - protection was a guarantee of victory and that reliance on the dominant powers brought only destruction.

T/S

ANHA
The World Gas Conference (WGC2022) is set to kick off on May 23 in Daegu, Korea drawing thousands of industrial and political leaders, gas executives and specialists from across the globe.

It is held every three years in the country holding the Presidency of the International Gas Union (IGU).

This year's event is being hosted by the Korea Gas Union and supported by the Korean Government, host partner Kogas, Daegu Metropolitan City and the National Organising Committee (NOC) and

TradeArabia.com, the Middle Easts premium trade portal, as its media partner.

The WG2022, conducted by the International Gas Union (IGU) since 1931, is the world's largest and most important global gas and energy industry event.

It will be an immersive week of gas industry contents and innovation discussing the event's core theme Sustainable Future - Powered by Gas with 500+ speakers, 350+ exhibitors and 12,000+ global attendees from over 90 countries.

The WGC2022 programme will consist of 95 sessions covering a wide range of strategic, commercial and technical topics facing the gas industry. Currently, over 50 distinguished gas and energy industry leaders have been confirmed as speakers in the Plenary and Current Debates programme.

The confirmed top industry experts include Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar and President & CEO of QatarEnergy, Hamed Al Naamany, CEO of Oman LNG, Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive at World Biogas Association (WBA), Dr Ben K. D. Asante, CEO of Ghana National Gas Company and Stephane Michel, President of Gas, Renewables and Power at TotalEnergies.-TradeArabia News Service
Turkish occupation state continues its attacks on NE Syria, as it recently targeted the city of Kobani and its villages with missiles, resulting in the loss of a citizen's life and the injury of twelve women and children.

A member of the General Council of the Democratic Union Party, Amin Aliko, denounced the repeated attacks launched by the Turkish occupation state on the region and said: "We decry the fascist attacks on the city of Kobani, the city of resistance."

Turkey's endeavors

Aliko pointed out that "the Turkish fascist state seeks, behind its attacks on the region, to increase the occupied areas and to export its internal crises and problems abroad," stressing that NE Syria are subjected to war crimes and genocide in every sense of the word at the hands of the Turkish fascist state.

Aliko noted that what makes the matter worse is the silence of countries in the face of Turkish state terrorism. He said, "The region is being subjected to a war of extermination amid a shameful international silence," stressing "the international community and concerned parties must intervene and put an end to the violations of the Turkish state."

The silence of countries is a stain on the forehead of humanity

Aliko pointed out that the reason for the countries' silence in the face of the Turkish state's violations indicates the existence of common interests linking it to the Justice and Development Party, and said: "The presence of the countries' interests with Turkey prevents it from fulfilling its duty towards what is going on in the region."

Regarding the child Abdo Mustafa Hanifi, whose leg was amputated as a result of the Turkish bombing, Amin Aliko asked, "Is the world not ashamed of its silence, why are there no decisions to stop Turkey's aggression and terrorism against the region?"

At the conclusion of his speech, Amin Aliko stressed the need to take the path of resistance against what the Turkish occupation state is practicing, and said: "No matter what the Turkish state does, it will not be able to break the will of the peoples yearning for freedom, so we must resist the Turkish occupation and not surrender to protect the gains of our revolution."

T/S

ANHA
A record number of new businesses were created in Montana last year, state officials said, noting that more than 51,500 new businesses were registered with the Montana Secretary of State in 2021, surpassing the previous record set in 2020 by more than 12,000 businesses.

Nearly 30,000 Domestic Limited Liability Cos., or LLCs, were registered in 2021.

The Montana Business Economic Report contains information about where, by ZIP code, new businesses are located. The 59901 ZIP code (Flathead County) had the highest increase in 2021, with more than 7,000 new businesses registered.

There were also 178,601 renewal filings in 2021 and 267,900 businesses in good standing, both increases over the prior year.

In addition to new business registrations, business renewals and businesses in good standing both increased in 2021.

Through the Secretary of States Montana Business Economic Report, data is provided about the business economy in Montana. Per the report, March had the largest number of business registrations in 2021, with 5,161 new businesses registering with the Secretary of States Office.

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen said Montana has been rated as one of the best states in the nation for business startups.

Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a news release that Montana is open for business.

He said in the past year the state has seen a record low unemployment rate, a record number of Montanans working, and a record number of new businesses created.

Well continue to foster a climate where businesses can thrive and create sustainable jobs and greater prosperity for more Montanans, he said.

Montana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd OHair said the record growth in business registrations points to a strong Montana economy and a vibrant entrepreneurial base.

The Montana Business Economic Report can be found on the Secretary of States website by going to https://sosmt.gov/economic-report/.

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The Myrna Loy in Helena will receive $61,000 from the more than $1 million in grant funding awarded through the Montana Department of Commerces Tourism Grant Program.

These grants will serve 22 tourism and recreation projects across Montana, including unincorporated small towns, rural communities, and areas of known attractions to non-resident visitors, Commerce Director Scott Osterman said recently in a news release.

The Myrna Loy will use the funds to design, build and install a street archway, a series of wayfinding signage and pageantry banners, the state said.

Other projects that will receive funding include $34,3030 to expand the Blaine County Wildlife Museum; $109,187 for the Carter County Geological Society to install track lighting, spotlights and motion sensor fixtures illuminating exhibits; $113,809 to the Darby Rodeo Association for bleacher sets; and $32,700 to the Deer Lodge Development Group to renovate the front area of the 502 Main Street Building into a visitor center.

The Tourism Grant Program is funded by the 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax, commonly known as the Bed Tax. Enacted by the 1987 Legislature, the Bed Tax is collected from guests of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, guest ranches, resorts, short-term vacation rentals and campgrounds.

For more information, visit MARKETMT.COM.

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DECATUR  Amid a record spike in COVID-19 cases, the Decatur City Council is once again spacing out.

The seven-person body will meet in the theater of the Decatur Civic Center on Tuesday instead of the much-tighter council chambers.

The council conducted business in the larger venue for nearly a year during the previous phase of the pandemic, returning to council chambers last summer when the states indoor mask mandate and capacity limits were lifted.

Though the mask mandate was reimposed later in the summer, the council mostly remained in chambers with city staff citing scheduling conflicts with the theater and lower case totals. But with COVID-19 cases higher than ever before, the council is moving back for now.

The rules keep changing and the situation keeps changing, so we have to adapt to it as well, said city manager Scot Wrighton.

Meanwhile, at Tuesdays meeting, the council will vote on the final agreement necessary before the Brush College Road grade separation project goes out for bid later next week.

The document, known as a local public agency agreement for federal participation, establishes the funding for the project and allows bids to be received and construction to begin.

The projects bid letting is planned for Friday with construction expected to begin within two to three months.

The ambitious project, now pegged at more than $62 million, would separate road and train traffic by a bridge elevating Brush College over Faries Parkway and adjacent railroad tracks, thus relieving massive holdups and congestion.

Even though this project in all of its pieces, including land acquisition and engineering, is over $60 million, the city's portion of this project is only a little over 6%, Wrighton said. That's unprecedented for a project this size ... We've been very, very successful at reducing the local component of this project.

Wrighton said information about road closures and other disruptions will not be known until after a contractor is selected.

More than half the project  $34 million  is being funded by the federal government. The Illinois Commerce Commission is chipping in $20.95 million. Norfolk Southern has agreed to contribute $1 million and the city is expected to pitch in $3.22 million.

The council is also expected to once again consider a proposal to raise the annual per video gambling machine fee paid by terminal operators and establishments from $500 to $750.

The proposal has been tabled twice over concerns about the impact of a new gaming law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last month that, among other things, mandates that such fees be evenly split between terminal operators and establishments.

During the height of the pandemic last year, the council voted to rescind the $500 per machine fee applied to establishments and instead tacked on the fee to terminal operators, which are mostly out-of-town entities.

With the new law, it would be split evenly at $375 apiece between terminal operators and establishments.

However, several licenses have already been renewed with the terminal operators paying the $500 fee and establishments not paying anything.

Hoping to avoid having establishments be charged retroactively, city staff is now recommending that the fee increase take effect March 1, with establishments that renew between now and then not be charged.

Wrighton acknowledged that we've had some missteps with this, with the new state law throwing a wrench in the initial intentions of the city council, which was to have terminal operators cover the entire cost.

It's kind of convoluted because of these legal changes and we're trying to make sure that what the council wants to do is reflected in these actions, Wrighton said.

The council will also codify its strategic plan for the next two years.

In October, council members held a 4 hour retreat where they reaffirmed neighborhood revitalization as the citys top priority and reaffirmed five others, including workforce development and taking downtown to the next level.

The council is meeting on Tuesday this week due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Monday.

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DECATUR  Police report that an employee of Big Sharks Restaurant in Decatur was arrested and booked on a preliminary charge of theft after helping himself to a bag of cash Saturday afternoon.

Sgt. Brian Earles with Decatur Police said the 38-year-old employee managed to reach into the bag and grab a quantity of money before the owner had a chance to put the bag in a safe. The employee was seen on a surveillance camera inside the business.

All preliminary charges are subject to review by the state's attorneys office.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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DECATUR  Firefighters said a fire sparked by unattended cooking burned a family out of their Decatur home Saturday evening.

The alarm was raised at 7:22 p.m. and, in a statement, fire crews said they arrived to find heavy smoke billowing from the roof eaves and the open front door of the house at 1812 E. Johns Ave.

Fire crews made an aggressive attack at the rear of the structure and were able to knock down the bulk of the fire from the exterior, the statement added.

An additional hand line was advanced into the structure to extinguish the remainder of the fire. The first arriving truck company set ground ladders to the roof and cut vent holes to exhaust heat and smoke from inside the structure.

Firefighters reported that one adult and three children were displaced by the fire and the American Red Cross assisted them with emergency accommodation. Damage to the structure and contents is estimated at costing $6,500.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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As the Supreme Court continues dismantling legal support for sensible federal powers that enhance the publics well-being, it also plants the seeds for future national problems.

Consider COVID-19 testing and vaccination mandates. The courts conservative majority ruled Thursday that the Biden administrations use of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to enforce mandates in workplaces of 100 employees or more lacks congressional authorization  and is therefore illegal.

OSHA is charged with securing workplace safety, and the 1970 act that created it required it to develop standards in conjunction with the businesses it regulates and through public hearings. But OSHA is allowed to act more quickly on its own when emergencies arise  by invoking emergency temporary standards.

OSHA has invoked such standards only nine times before now, and courts fully upheld just one of those actions. The bar to qualify for an emergency is high, and the Supreme Court doesnt believe COVID-19 meets it. The White House  pointing to 800,000 American deaths and two years of viral assaults that have sideswiped the economy and communities  thinks it does.

Alas. If it isnt an emergency, the court noted, then OSHA is bound by its enabling legislation. So it cannot tell employers to require people to look after their health and the health of their coworkers. It would be intrusive, the court said, and permit OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life.

The Secretary has ordered 84 million Americans to either obtain a COVID-19 vaccine or undergo weekly medical testing at their own expense, the court also observed. This is no everyday exercise of federal power. 

Thats correct. This isnt an everyday exercise of federal power. The pandemic is not an everyday event. Its a national crisis that provoked a patchwork of responses, exposing how inadequate balkanized measures can be in a national emergency.

But the court insisted on narrowly defining OSHAs mandate  in part, it said, because OSHA is empowered only to set workplace safety standards, not broad public health measures.

Its unfortunate that the Supreme Court embraced this slender bit of legal sophistry first spouted by lower courts to block federal mandates. Lethal, contagious viruses dont distinguish between workplaces and homes. Thats how theyre able to foster pandemics. There are plenty of substances used outside the workplace, including tobacco, drugs and alcohol, that are banned in the workplace. Theyre banned because theyre dangerous  and they illustrate how public health intersects with the workplace.

The court said it could not determine whether the costs and potential resignations that employers would bear from a mandate were less weighty than the White Houses concern for deaths and hospitalizations. Congress has to assess that balance, the court said, and decide whether to further empower OSHA or some other agency to issue workplace mandates.

The courts conservative justices are consistent in citing this reality: Congress makes the laws. But their longstanding preference that the federal government get out of the way of states lurks in the background. States know better how to arrange their own legal and regulatory affairs, the argument goes, and federal overreach is the problem, not the solution.

In the real world, relying on states to be effective stewards of public health and other values that cross state lines will continue to create hornets nests. Not always, but certainly on seminal issues. Public health crises, voting rights, reproductive rights, gun regulation and gambling are just some of the things that states now have an outsized role in managing, even though their choices affect core national values and cause shockwaves beyond their borders.

Public health emergencies arent best left to states alone to manage, or to Congress to endlessly debate  even if the Supreme Court thinks so. Just wait to see what happens when the next virus tears through workplaces nationwide.

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Its coming down to the wire for democracy in the United States. The next insurrection wont come from crowds trying to breach the halls of power, but those working within them. Voting rights and election integrity are under assault in several states where Republican legislatures last year enacted an unprecedented number of restrictive laws to suppress voting and undermine elections. More such laws are in the works this year.

The best hope for the health and longevity of our democratic institutions is for Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Together these important bills will protect against the erosion of trust in elections and ensure that American democracy does not perish from the earth.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore and strengthen a provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that required states with a history of racial discrimination in voting to pre-clear changes in election procedures with the U.S. Justice Department or a federal court. And many of the provisions in the Freedom to Vote Act  early voting, vote by mail, automatic voter registration and independent redistricting  have been used successfully in California and other states to strengthen voter participation. More important, it would set standards on basic voter access and stop efforts in states to subvert the election process.

But passing this legislation is now looking like an impossible feat. Though congressional Republicans have supported voting rights in the past, they have made it clear they arent interested now. They either dont see the threat from the deluge of restrictions at the state level, or dont care.

Democrats alone have been left with the responsibility to act in defense of democracy. The House has done its part by passing voting rights bills. But the effort has stalled in the Senate  where the Democrats have control only through Vice President Kamala Harris tie-breaking vote  and may well be doomed.

Frustratingly, while Senate Democrats have the votes to pass these essential bills, but they dont have enough to call a vote. Its absurd but the Senates filibuster rule requires 60 votes in order to advance legislation.

Democratic Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, though they say they support the voting rights bills, are refusing to remove the filibuster to pass them. Its beyond infuriating that these two are prepared to support an obscure Senate rule that most people dont care about over the fate of the nation.

Its not entirely fair that Sinema and Manchin have become the villains of the moment. Indeed, that label belongs to every Republican senator too craven and fearful of a political backlash to stand up for what they must know is the best course of action. As unfair as it may be to Democrats, any Republican who breaks ranks with their party to support the passage of voting protections would likely go down in the history books as American heroes.

We could use some political heroism right now. Theres so much more at stake than the next election. In just the first few months of 2021, 148 bills were proposed in dozens of states that would allow state legislatures to politicize, criminalize or interfere with elections, according to a report by a trio of nonpartisan organizations that support democracy. Hundreds more were filed in the months since. In a speech about voting rights Wednesday, President Biden referenced a recent law passed in Georgia that prohibits the distribution of food or water to people waiting in line to vote. Thats not America, he said.

Well, not yet. But it may be in the near future. The effort to pass laws to suppress voting or subvert elections continues. Here are some of the bad ideas being proposed: inserting people aligned with a political party into the election review process and empowering state legislatures to overturn presidential election results even after certification by election officials. It requires little imagination to envision how these new laws may be used to thwart outcomes that the party in power doesnt like. Even if these new laws arent used nefariously, they will further whittle down the publics trust in elections. If people dont trust that elections are fair and accurate (and many already dont) our democracy will be lost.

President Biden and Schumer have vowed to keep fighting to protect voting rights. They must do so as long as theres a chance to save our democracy.

Los Angeles Times

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LEBANON, Va.  When four Lebanon High School students were recently summoned to the principals office during second period, they werent sure what was going on.

It was good news, said 18-year-old Isabella Ashby, who was asked by Principal Joseph Long to read an email message aloud to her three engineering classmates and their teacher, Jani Purtee.

The message was from Congressman Morgan Griffith who announced that the team of students won the 2021 Congressional App Challenge in Virginias 9th District, an annual contest that challenges youth to create computer applications or apps.

The winning foursome is Christian Musick, Theodore Boyd, Isabella Ashby and Ava Deckard, all seniors at the high school in Russell County. The students won the challenge for the creation of their app cleverly named Codeducation, an app that provides users with a quick and efficient way to search for information on coding without being overwhelmed by a multitude of results found by popular search engines.

The students are among contestants from 10 congressional districts in Virginia who participated in the 2021 challenge.

Congratulations to these young men and women on their accomplishment. I am proud of the ingenuity and talent displayed by the young people of the Ninth District in this years challenge, wrote Griffith in the December email.

The nationwide challenge, locally sponsored by CGIs Southwest Virginia Onshore Delivery Center in Lebanon, works to promote STEM academic disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math) and showcases the technical and creative talents of students.

The local students received rave reviews from a mentor at CGI who helped them come up with the winning app.

Taylor Robinson, senior consultant at CGI in Lebanon, served as a mentor. She described the students as having extraordinary skills.

They exhibited skills I would expect to see out of college graduates. They had excellent time-management skills and were very communicative, creative and resourceful, said Robinson. They took a great idea and made into a functional application.

The Congressional App Challenge is the most prestigious national prize for students in computer science.

Each year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives host districtwide Congressional App Challenges for middle and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and to inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science.

Winners of the challenge will be invited to attend a #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C. According to the Congressional App Challenge website, the winning apps also are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building and featured on the House of Representatives website, House.gov.

A demonstration of the app created by the Lebanon High School students can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjtRFGF_Wzs.

Codeducation

The creation of the winning app began in an engineering class, taught by Purtee at the school, where the four students learned to write codes in different program languages.

Its very difficult to learn proper syntax for all these languages because theyre all unique, said Deckard in a student-produced video describing the collaborative assignment that began six weeks  and 40 hours  ago.

Even one little semicolon out of place can mess up the whole program, added Boyd.

The students said their Codeducation app is similar to Google except its used for searching information on coding.

Were not sure theres anything else like it out there, said Christian Musick.

Students Boyd and Musick got interested in computer programming when they were as young as elementary-age students.

I think its more like a hobby for them, said their teacher.

I primarily use videos that I can follow. I take concepts I learn and mess around until I understand them, said Boyd.

Ashby and Deckard both said they had not experimented as much with programming before the challenge, but they value the experience they received from the opportunity.

Giving back to the community

Teri Musick, director consulting expert at CGI in Lebanon, explained that the companys STEM@CGI program has been working with local educational organizations in Lebanon and other communities since 2018 to help students build information technology skills.

Part of CGIs mission is to help bridge the education gap between rural and urban communities. As an alumna of Lebanon High School, she said the educational support not only gives schools a boost but also impacts the local economy.

Exposing students to technology, coding and application development not only has a positive impact on our local students, but also increases the talent pipeline for our Southwest Virginia center, she said.

To learn more about the Congressional App Challenge, visit www.congressionalappchallenge.us.

Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at citydesk@bristolnews.com.
In 2007, a future governor, Ralph Northam  who had twice voted for Republican George W. Bush for president and would consider jumping to the GOP, having been wooed with prized committee assignments in the Virginia Senate  was elected to that clubby body as a Democrat, winning with a candidacy that then-Gov. Tim Kaine said perfectly matched a Chesapeake Bay-spanning district that embraced city, suburb and countryside.

Kaines point: That Northam, born to an ancient family on the rural Eastern Shore but living and practicing pediatric neurology in urban Norfolk, and espousing sensibilities that resonated in adjacent suburban Virginia Beach, could offer something to everyone.

Northam would defeat a Republican incumbent, carrying every locality in the district, Democratic and Republican.

Northam would not match that breadth of support running statewide, setting up an intriguing paradox not seen since Jerry Baliles victory for governor in 1985: that a Democrat of rural origin would fully harness the voting strength of the states metropolitan areas, where two in three Virginians live. That is a complete reversal from the mid-20th century, when the population was overwhelmingly rural.

On arriving in Richmond, Northam would have as his desk mate his future running mate for attorney general, Mark Herring of Loudoun County. In the ornate Senate chamber, they would lay the foundation for their statewide candidacies  sometimes while Northam munched the sandwich he would carry in a blue, insulated sack.

That he made his own lunch  and cut his own hair, favoring the high-and-tight look of his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute  magnified the image of Northam as practical, earnest and approachable; more a neighbor from whom youd borrow a lawn mower than a politician on the make.

This helped Northam to the lieutenant governorship in 2013; to a landslide victory for governor four years later  no doubt, aided by revulsion to the Trump presidency  and saved him from a racial calamity that threatened to drive him in 2019 from the office he departs Saturday, closing a term that was consequential and confounding.

It was his sincerity that helped him survive, said Albert Pollard, an environmental lobbyist and former Democratic delegate from the Northern Neck, hard by the Bay, a long-besieged environmental jewel and economic engine for his and Northams legislative districts. His sincerity has prevented him from being a better glad-hander. But that helped him to survive his blackface crisis.

That episode  triggered by the release by a right-wing blog of a photograph purporting to be Northam, as a medical student, in minstrel-like make-up  began in early February and dragged on for months. Northam initially apologized for being in the photo, then said that wasnt him in the picture.

The timing  the photo surfaced at the start of Black History Month  intrigued a Black political activist, Fergie Reid Jr., son of the first Black person elected to the House in the 20th century in 1967 and for whom Northam recently named a row of restored state buildings.

The younger Reid said the photo represented a political assassination attempt intended to demean Northam and diminish Black support for Democrats in the election to decide control of the legislature.

Reid also remains troubled by near-universal demands among Black political figures for Northams resignation, suggesting it played into the hands of Republicans.

Reid dismisses claims Northam may be bigoted, noting that as a middle-aged white guy who came of age during desegregation, the governors sensitivities on race were elevated as he attended integrated public schools, served in a racially diverse Army and worked as a physician in a heavily Black city.

He weathered the storm not with the greatest of ease, but he weathered the storm, nonetheless, said Reid.

The racial embarrassment might have sunk others but Northam endured. An initially ham-handed effort at damage control gave way to a personal doggedness and contrition backed with a program of racial equity. This would largely restore his standing with the public, contributing to the Democratic take-back of the General Assembly.

With his party in complete control of Virginia government for the first time in nearly three decades, a path was clear for Northam to win progressive policies on voter access, abortion rights, gun control, labor rights, energy, the environment, and police reform.

He won the elimination of the death penalty, legalization of marijuana, local authority to remove Confederate monuments, and a freer hand in managing the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

Some of these initiatives, with their racial and cultural overtones, were viewed by voters as overreach and as Northams inability  if only for recompense for the blackface moment  to say no to his partys dominant liberals.

Both contributed this past November to the restoration after two years of a Republican majority in the House of Delegates and the election of Glenn Youngkin as the first GOP governor since 2014. GOP legislators and Youngkin are spoiling to reverse the Northam legacy, but could be thwarted by the single vote with which Democrats still control the Senate.

As a gubernatorial candidate  one seeking to follow a popular fellow Democrat, Terry McAuliffe, whom Youngkin would narrowly defeat  Northam ran as many would-be successors do: vowing a continuum. And while politicians prefer to shape events rather than be shaped by them, Northam capitalized on the latter, playing the hand he was dealt  wild cards and all.

In 2017, his victory was complemented with the Democrats unexpected near-takeover of the House. This brought resistant Republicans to heel on Medicaid expansion and augured the first steps toward criminal justice reform, including an end to the practice of revoking drivers licenses for unpaid fines  a practice that falls heavily on the poor and minorities.

He rolled with the punches, said Pollard. And invoking an activity Northam expects to do more of in retirement, Pollard added, Sometimes when youre out on the water, you have to put out bait for the fish that are out there, not the fish you set out for.
The hotel construction activity across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) witnessed a sharp decline last year with a total of 130,225 rooms being built, down 5.5 per cent over 2020, according to December 2021 data from STR.

On the MEA scenario, the final planning saw a total of 38,765 rooms (-14.3%); while the planning saw 67,142 rooms (+2.8%). The total under contract rooms hit 236,132 down 4.9% over 2020.

The regional activity was mainly led by heavyweights Saudi Arabia (40,269 rooms) and the UAE (31,715), stated the leading provider of premium data for the global hospitality sector.

Globally too, the hotel construction activity fell with a total of 221,789 rooms being built in 2021, down 7.6 per cent over the previous year. Only the Asia Pacific region witnessed increased hotel construction activity, said the STR report.

On Europe, the report said a total of 221,789 rooms were built, down 7.6 per cent over 2020.

The final planning saw a total of 163,805 rooms (-4.9%); while the planning saw 159,232 rooms (+4.7%). The total under contract rooms hit 544,826 down 3.5% over 2020.

For the European region, Germany (45,121) and the UK (31,464) were the main growth drivers.

For the Asia Pacific region, which was the most active globally in terms of hotel construction activity, the in-construction rooms were: 473,983 (+5.0%); final planning: 170,210 rooms (-3.8%); Planning: 297,687 rooms (+16.3%) and total under contract: 941,880 rooms (+6.5%).

Among countries, China (290,265) topped the region with the most rooms in construction, followed by Vietnam (30,546).

For Americas, in construction was: 211,453 rooms (-16.8%); final planning: 220,044 rooms (-20.6%); planning: 329,474 rooms (+39%); total under contract: 760,971 rooms (-1.0%)

The US holds the majority of rooms in construction in the region. After the Americas, Mexico (14,020) and Canada (6,856) ranked second and third, respectively, in room construction.
1986 was my first year of high school. It was also the year that the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday was first recognized as a national holiday. Many people remember high school as a time of fun, discovery and enlightenment. For me, it was also a time of personal and historical reflection.

As part of the first generation of African Americans to experience public education exclusively in a post-segregation system, I developed a unique perspective and set of experiences on race and social interactions. My friends were of various races and backgrounds, and the landscape through which I would come to see the world and my place in it would be viewed through the lens of those interactions.

One of our first assignments in Mr. Hendersons history class at Statesville High School was to write a paper about the 1963 March on Washington. Almost everyone chose to focus on Dr. Kings now famous speech given that day in August on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

I wanted to write something different; however, the academic resources that were available were somewhat limited. Aside from one or two paragraphs about Dr. King in our history books and a handful of articles and publications in reference materials, our high school library had little to offer.

It was my grandfather who provided a narrative and context to not only the words Dr. King and many others spoke that day, but more so to the charge that was given to America as a nation. I also was given a charge by my grandfather: to treat everyone with dignity and respect and to do my part, to the best of my ability, to leave the world better than I found it.

Early on I would imagine that for many people the MLK holiday was just another day to be absent from school or work. I, on the other hand, had grown up in a household where portraits of Jesus, John F. and Bobby Kennedy, and Dr. King were prominently displayed on the kitchen wall. It would stand to reason that the holiday should have a much more significant meaning.

Years later as an adult seminarian, I took a travel course to historic civil rights sites in Alabama and Georgia. We visited The King Center in Atlanta, the Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia, and several other sites during our weeklong study, but the most impactful visit that week was to the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama.

Upon approaching the steps of this beautiful edifice, one cant help being awestricken by the size and scope of the ebony granite infinity pool that greets you from the street level of the center with the famous King quote inscribed on its face: Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.

However, upon further exploration, one finds the more sobering group of inscriptions at the entrance above: the key dates and events that shaped the movement between 1956 (Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas) and 1968 (Dr. Kings assassination in Memphis, Tennessee) as well as the names of 41 martyrs who lost their lives trying to advance the cause of civil rights.

As I paused to stand in silence, solitude, and reflection, the only detectable sound was that of the water cascading over the pools edge. I will never forget that moment nor the question that subsequently came to mind: So many have taken it upon themselves to offer so much. What am I willing to offer to this cause? Each year since, I take time to revisit these experiences and do my best to evaluate progress to this personal charge. This, I believe, is in the spirit of celebrating the King holiday.

Today, some people use the term personal responsibility as a dog whistle to diminish or even eliminate social progress that caters to basic human needs and affirm dignity even for the least among us. My experiences inform me that personal responsibility should speak to our individual contribution to community. Many of us are familiar with the portion of Dr. Kings quote that says: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, but the greater context of his words goes on to conclude, We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

I believe that the celebration of Dr. Kings birthday should be time of reflection and introspection. Most important, it is a time to reevaluate progress on the call to action. It is a time not just to recall and recite Dr. Kings words, but to embody his example of personal responsibility in affecting change.

Each year, many of us participate in some form of King commemorative activity where we are motivated and entertained, only to return to our homes, communities, schools, businesses and places of worship under inspired enough to employ any action we have just recited, sang or learned about the third Monday of January before.

This failure to act in the face of wrongdoing Dr. King reminds us, particularly when we are not the target of wrongdoing is how things remain and will continue to remain unchanged.
" " Suffragettes picketing in front of the White house. Library of Congress

Sometimes it feels like the United States, as a society, has made major strides in the ongoing fight for gender equality. And sometimes reality rears its ugly head and you realize, well, the country still has a long way to go. The truth is, women continue to fight every day for equal rights, and it wasn't that long ago that the female population (roughly half of the United States) was prohibited from participating in politics  until the 19th Amendment changed that.

Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment finally granted women the right to vote in America. "The 19th Amendment prevented states from limiting the right to vote based on sex," says Allison K. Lange, Ph.D., assistant professor of history at Boston's Wentworth Institute of Technology and author of "Picturing Political Power: Images in the Women's Suffrage Movement." "Women started voting in Wyoming in 1869 and won the vote in other states in later years. They also could often vote in local city elections or school board elections before the 19th Amendment. Even so, the 19th Amendment was revolutionary because it enfranchised more people than any other law in U.S. history."

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The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention

Well before the Civil War broke out, many women were beginning to push back against the idea that their role nothing more than a submissive wife and mother dealing with her home and family. At the same time, women were playing leading roles in reform groups, religious movements and anti-slavery organizations. All of these actions helped redefine what it meant to be woman in 19th-century United States.

But that was just the beginning of a battle for female political input that wasn't won quickly or easily. The first real proposal for the idea of women's suffrage as a goal began at the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women's rights convention in the United States. It was held in July 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York. More than 300 people  both men and women  attended, including African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass and leading women's rights advocate, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the meeting organizers. She kicked off the event with a rousing speech:

We are assembled to protest against a form of government, existing without the consent of the governed  to declare our right to be free as man is free, to be represented in the government which we are taxed to support, to have such disgraceful laws as give man the power to chastise and imprison his wife, to take the wages which she earns, the property which she inherits, and, in case of separation, the children of her love.

The delegates wrote a "Declaration of Sentiments" describing women's grievances and demands, and called on women to fight for equality. The convention passed a list of 11 resolutions, including a ninth resolution that encouraged women "to secure themselves their sacred right to the elective franchise"  their right to vote. It was by far the most controversial  even prompting many women's rights supporters to pull their support  and barely passed. But it also became the foundation of the women's suffrage movement going forward.

" " Suffragettes of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage marching during a parade in New York City circa 1913; the women at the front are holding a banner that reads "We demand an amendment to the United States Constitution enfranchising women". FPG/Getty Images

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What Came After Seneca Falls

In the years following, women of all ages began writing about, marching for and practicing civil disobedience  even referring to the Declaration of Sentiments  in an effort to change the Constitution, which originally permitted only land-owning, white men, aged 21 and older to vote.

By the time the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was well established. It was formed in 1890 by suffragists Lucy Stone, Alice Stone Blackwell, Susan B. Anthony, Harriot Stanton Blatch, Rachel Foster and Elizabeth Cady Stanton when the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) and American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) merged.

Members were encouraging women's rights supporters to join in the war effort and arguing that women deserved to vote because their experience and voices were critical in the political conversation. NAWSA's work, in addition to the protests of the National Woman's Party's (NWP), led to a widespread interest and fight for women's suffrage.

"'Suffrage' was a popular term in the 19th century, and it means the right to vote," Lange says. "Americans discussed male suffrage, female suffrage, black suffrage, etc. Today, people often associate the term with the women's voting rights movement."

The 19th Amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1878, but it took more than 40 years of organizing, petitioning, picketing and more to finally get it ratified. Over the decades, different strategies were employed to try and get the amendment passed. Some attempted to get suffrage acts passed in each individual state. The tactic worked to an extent: By 1912, nine western states adopted woman suffrage.

Other advocates went to court to challenge male-only voting laws, and some suffragists organized and participated in parades, hunger strikes and silent vigils. Regardless of the type of action these supporters took, these women almost invariably encountered countless forms of verbal, and even physical, abuse.

By 1916, almost all the major suffrage organizations formed a united front to pass a constitutional amendment. New York officially adopted woman suffrage in 1917 and a year later, President Woodrow Wilson changed his original position on the matter and declared support for the amendment.

Finally, on May 21, 1919, the House of Representatives passed the amendment, and the Senate followed two weeks later. In 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment  with three-fourths of the states in agreement, the U.S. was finally able to officially adopt the new policy. The 19th Amendment states: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

" " Alice Paul unfurls a banner from the balcony of the National Women's Party headquarters after the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote. Bettmann/Bettmann Archive

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But Women Still Had to Fight to Vote

As impactful as the 19th Amendment was, it didn't end the struggle for female political representation. "It's important to keep in mind that the 19th Amendment did not grant all women the right to vote," Lange says. "Many poorer women and women of color were still subject to poll taxes, literacy tests and other restrictive laws. American women gained greater access to the polls through other laws like the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Puerto Rico granted women the vote in 1929. So, the 19th Amendment opened up opportunities, but many women still had to fight for the vote."

While the suffrage movement didn't put an end to sexism in society, its participants and leaders left lasting legacies. "My research examines the ways that women used pictures to persuade Americans to support women's rights," Lange says. "Some of the women who did this most effectively were Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Mary Church Terrell and Alice Paul. All of them challenged popular cartoons that mocked suffragists as manly monsters who threatened American values and gender roles."

Lange's research has turned up countless tales of how these women, in particular, upheld, strengthened and propelled the suffrage movement.

"In the 1860s, Sojourner Truth sold her portrait to support herself and emphasize that black women were respectable, hard-working people who deserved freedom from enslavement and rights," Lange says. In the 1870s and 1880s, Susan B. Anthony also became an icon of the movement, offering supporters an image of what female political leaders could look like.

"In the 1890s, Mary Church Terrell, first president of the National Association of Colored Women, responded by distributing her own images of highly educated, elegant black women to win respect for the reforms she sought."

Lang also says in the 1910s, Alice Paul used new image technology that allowed her to reproduce photos from the newspapers. She staged parades and the first-ever pickets of the White House to get attention and win support for the cause (see more in the sidebar below). These kinds of photos of women in such visible, political spaces proved to be very newsworthy, and convinced Americans of the suffragists' dedication to the cause.

" " Silent Sentinels staged a two-and-a-half-year protest in front of the White House for Women's Suffrage until the 19th Amendment finally passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate. U.S. National Archives

Now That's Dedication A group of women dubbed the Silent Sentinels and organized by Alice Paul, Lucy Burns and the National Woman's Party began a two-and-a-half-year long protest on Jan. 10, 1917, for Women's Suffrage. The women protested for six days a week in front of the White House until June 4, 1919, when the 19th Amendment finally passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

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Originally Published: Jan 10, 2020
" " People sunbathe atop decrepit communist-era bunkers on the shore in Qerret Beach, Albania on July 13, 2011. GENT SHKULLAKU/AFP via Getty Images

In the wake of World War II, Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha began remaking his war-torn country in the image of Stalin's Soviet Union. That is, he ruled with terrifying menace, stoking isolationism and Cold War paranoia.

Then, in the 1970s, with an ominous national mood firmly in place, he began building the bunkers. Bunkers large and bunkers small, bunkers underground and bunkers scattered openly through the countryside. Bunkers obvious, and bunkers secret.

The stated idea was that these reinforced concrete bunkers (bunkeret in Albanian) would serve as defensive positions during an enemy invasion that never came. Ordinary civilians were trained to rush to the bunkers in case of emergency and conditioned by propaganda to be ever vigilant against any and all foreign enemies.

It was part of Hoxha's "people's war" strategy, which relied on guerilla war tactics executed by non-soldiers. He wanted his citizens gjithmone gati, or "always ready," and most were required to do at least a little military training each year. Ultimately, though, what was really happening was that they were being conditioned to obey the hardline regime.

Because of the perpetual secrecy surrounding Hoxha's administration, the bunkers were planned and built with few public details. Engineers were moved from one work site to another, to make it impossible for anyone to fully understand the scope of the project. As such, records are scarce and no one knows how many were constructed; numbers range from roughly 175,000 to nearly 750,000.

Factory employees worked around the clock to make the necessary materials. Some bunker designs were light enough to be carried piecemeal into the mountains by mules and men. Others were dropped into place by helicopter. Still others were virtual cities, meant to survive nuclear strikes.

The project was so massive that it may have required three times as much concrete as France's equally incredible Maginot Line, which tried (and failed) to thwart Nazi hordes. Some experts estimate Albania's bunkers cost twice as much as the Maginot, too. Notably, the bunker strategy didn't sit well with officials in the standing army, in part because the clunky and often cramped bunkers weren't actually useful for professional soldiers. But that, of course, was beside the point.

"The bunkers were also about showing off the regime's military, technical and strategic ability  at a time when Albania was increasingly alone geopolitically  and in that sense they did serve a function," says Elidor Mehilli, a Hunter College associate professor of history, via email. "They were concrete things, but they also carried a kind of symbolic value. The official party propaganda spoke of Albania as 'a fortress.' The regime meant that metaphorically, in the sense of defending Communism."

" " A bunker from the time of dictator Enver Hoxha stands near Berat, Albania. Thousands of bunkers were built for an invasion that never came. Bildagentur-online/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Indeed, Hoxha had cut off relations with neighboring Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union and even China, feeling these countries had either strayed from the hardline Socialist path, or else were warming relations with Western countries. Having no allies made Albania one of the most isolated countries on Earth. The bunkers were allegedly to keep the country safe from its many enemies.

"Their building was above all for public consumption and not for any military purpose," adds Artan Hoxha, a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, by email (he's no relation to the dictator). "The regime was aware that the bunkers would not help in contemporary warfare."

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An Underground Town of Bunkers

In a town named Kukes, what started as a series of bomb bunkers slowly evolved into what became an underground town. It had huge rooms, interconnected tunnels and command centers, and it was meant to provide self-sufficient shelter for up to 10,000 people for half a year.

The government regularly conducted drills in which townspeople rushed to this huge labyrinth; eventually, they were so proficient in this exercise that the entire town could sequester itself within seven minutes. Yet because of the way the underground city was intentionally segmented, no one had any idea how large it really was  not even the construction workers who built it. Once inside, residents were forbidden to move around.

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Albania Today

The bunker building ended with the death of the dictator in 1985. Since then, "Albania has undergone dramatic changes," says Mehllie. "This year marks 30 years since 1990, when the Communist regime began to collapse. Albania has become an open society, which is a big deal, since it was one of Europe's most unforgiving dictatorships. At the same time, the transition has not been easy. Many Albanians have left the country since, seeking opportunities elsewhere, including here in the U.S."

"Today, [Albania] is the most pro-European and pro-American country in the ex-communist bloc. I think this speaks for itself," adds grad student Hoxha.

In the meantime, the old bunkers remain. Given their inherent ruggedness, it's too costly and time-consuming to remove most of them. Instead, enterprising Albanians are converting them  often in spite of government opposition  for other purposes.

In rural areas, they're used to shelter livestock or to store grain. Desperate homeless people use them, too. Teenagers, who in this poor nation lack cars, often use the bunkers for romantic encounters.

" " A woman cooks food inside a bunker that was turned into a house. GENT SHKULLAKU/AFP via Getty Images

Some bunkers now serve as memorials and museums, which put the horrors of the Communist regime on display. Others have been converted into coffee shops, bars, pizzerias and lodging for tourists.

And how do Albanians perceive the bunkers today? "I am not sure most Albanians care about them," says Mehilli. "It's mostly tourists who are obsessed with the bunkers as a kind of curiosity. Most Albanians, I would say, are worried about corruption, poverty, and whether there will be a better future for their children."

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING After the first prototype bunker was built in the 1950s, Enver Hoxha asked the lead engineer how confident he was in his creation. He replied, "very confident." Hoxha ordered the engineer inside the bunker, and then instructed a tank attack, all the better to test the building's integrity. The engineer walked out unharmed, but no doubt shaken. Then, Albania began its bunker-building frenzy in earnest.
The author and her husband, Duane, own and operate a 550-cow dairy in Cochranville, Pa.

I have heard that snowflakes are unique, and if I were to put each flake under a microscope, I would find that each one is different than the other. It is mind boggling if I think about that scientific fact too long.

No two dairy farms are the same, either. Unlike snowflakes, the idea that farms are different from each other is not mind boggling. I have seen this firsthand in enough ways that it is easy for me to accept.

It is the diversity in our farms that adds strength to our dairy stories in the United States. We do not have cookie cutter farms with the same of everything. There are differences in size, in style of milking system, in the cow breeds we milk, the color tractor we drive, and the list goes on and on.

There is also a lot of pride in what we do and the way we get our job done. Take the breed of cows we milk, for example. Farmers who milk Jerseys are convinced that they milk the best breed of all time. The dairy farmers who milk Holsteins think the same. Then there are farmers who like a bouquet of cows of different breeds.



We like to joke and jab each other that milking one kind of cow is better than the other. I have also been involved in conversations when the smack talk toward each other gets intense and farmers are not joking as much as they would like to seem. We take our decisions seriously.

The bottom line is that each dairy farmer is an independent businessman or woman, and we will all make decisions that are best for our farm. Duane and I both grew up milking registered Holsteins, and we have our personal and business reasons for sticking it out with our black and whites.

When our children were in 4-H and showing cows, the grass looked greener on the other side, and Kacie and Robert decided they wanted to show something besides a Holstein. We talked through the pros and cons and in the end, they won out and we added a Jersey calf and Brown Swiss calf to our herd.

The detour into these colored breeds lasted throughout their involvement in the 4-H program, but when they were done with their endeavors, we were done milking Jerseys. I have nothing against the breed, but they just do not work for our farm.



For starters, our parlor stalls are set for long and large Holsteins. A small Jersey has an advantage when it gets in the milking parlor  if it wiggles, squirms, and squishes enough, the cow can turn itself around to get a different view of the parlor. Our employees were not fond of returning the whole parlor group to accommodate the little brown ones, no matter how adorable they claim to be.

Then there is herd size. When my grandmother was milking her Guernseys before and after school, she and her brothers milked 40 cows by hand. That was a large herd in those days, but they had a large family and I guess Pop Kennel wanted to keep them busy.

My father milked 50 cows or more, and when Duane and I started farming with his parents, we went from 60 to 80 cows in a tie stall barn. Then we built a freestall barn with a parlor, and now we are now milking around 800.

The herd size is constantly changing and is never the same as our neighbors. There are reasons why we have made our decisions. Some of those calls were made from what we gleaned from other farmers. Some were made by our own gut feelings.



Like other farmers, we are independent in making our farms decisions. We make conclusions based on research, financial reasons, and because it is what works for our dairy. For the same reasons, our neighbors make their own evaluations.

Quite frankly, if every farm were the same, it would be a bit boring. A highlight for us is to visit other farms, read articles that showcase dairy operations, and meet farmers from all corners of this country. There is a great opportunity to learn from others. Lessons gleaned from other farms does not make us the same; it makes our farms more exceptional.

I hope we can always hold on to our uniqueness. I have a friend who started making cheese a few years ago. Her decision to add a delicious twist to their farm has been paramount for their family business. Every year they make changes for their farm. They have my vote for the best blue cheese around town. Their determination and consideration have put Birchrun Hills Farms on the map in big, cheesy ways.

My friend, Stan Erwine at Dairy Management Inc., says, When you visit one farm in the United States, you visit one farm. His point is that no two farms are the same.



That is a strength for us in this country. Having family-owned farms come in so many shapes, sizes, and styles makes our industry strong and vibrant. It means we have great stories to tell and guarantees we will stay unique, like snowflakes.
MLK Community Conversation

January 7, 2022 - Eduardo Olivo and Karen Stowell

To align with safety precautions, the MLK Community Unity Dinner has been canceled and shifted to a virtual program, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Conversation. The webinar will take place January 17, 2022, 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET. Register for the event on Zoom.

In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. isolated himself from the demands of the civil rights movement, rented a house in Jamaica and labored over his final manuscript. In this prophetic work, which has been unavailable for more than 10 years, he lays out his thoughts, plans and dreams for Americas future.

As part of this years Where Do We Go from Here  Chaos or Community celebration, Foundational Associate Professor in Michigan State Universitys Department of African American and African Studies Tamura Lomax, Ph.D. presents a keynote speech, We Dont Need a Hero. We Need Accountable Community Workers, encouraging listeners to do away with the simplistic whitewashed vision of Dr. King. Her speech calls on MSU to more honestly read the moment we are in and to speak out against the status quo in the courageous manner of Dr. King.

Dr. Lomax will answer questions from the audience, so there will be an opportunity for webinar attendants to engage with the keynote speaker. This featured conversation with Dr. Lomax will be moderated by Stratton Lee, assistant director for Undergraduate Programs, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and president of the MSU Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association.

The event will also feature remarks by President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D.

The MLK Community Conversation takes place on January 17, 2022, 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET. Register for the event on Zoom.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and UNC Health have stopped administering COVID-19 tests in their emergency departments to people who are asymptomatic.

UNC Health issued a statement over the weekend updating its testing policies. UNC Rockingham in Eden is among the systems nine hospitals in the state.

UNC Health said it is following guidance that N.C. Department of Health and Human Services provided last week.

To ensure that our emergency departments have the time and tools to properly care for all patients seeking ... care in our hospitals across North Carolina, we are pausing COVID testing for patients without symptoms, Dr. Matt Ewend, UNC Healths chief clinical officer, said in a statement.

Our emergency departments will only test patients for COVID-19 if they have symptoms or require admission to the hospital for other reasons.

Baptist spokeswoman Paula Faria said Monday the system has implemented a similar emergency department testing policy.

Cone Health said Monday that if someone comes to an emergency department seeking COVID-19 testing, they are tested if a provider finds they have symptoms. They are referred to a testing site if they do not have symptoms.

Novant Health Inc. could not be immediately reached about any changes to testing policies in its emergency departments.

All Triad hospitals have reported overwhelming demand in their emergency departments, including people seeking testing, since the omicron variant surge in recent weeks.

DHHS reported Friday the state reached a record 4,381 COVID-related hospitalizations.

It was the third consecutive day of record-high hospitalizations related to the virus.

COVID warnings

On Jan. 10, leaders of the Triads three largest health care systems warned that their hospitals are at a critical stage in how effectively patients can be treated as the COVID-19 omicron variant spreads.

The chief executives of Baptist, Cone and Novant asked people to follow vaccination and testing recommendations and urged the public not to seek COVID-19 testing in emergency departments.

On Wednesday, the systems were part of a similar N.C. Healthcare Association appeal involving executives from all 115 hospitals in the state.

Baptist chief executive Dr. Julie Ann Freischlag warned that if the public doesnt assist with tamping down community spread, we may continue for an extra few months with the same type of scenario in terms of cases and hospitalizations.

Were waiting to see whether or not people actually pay attention and are able to go back to the constraints we need you to do  even though we dont like them and you dont like them  to make it happen.

More testing options

Dr. Christopher Ohl, an infectious diseases expert with Baptist, said Thursday the system is preparing to offer at least three new community testing options as soon as this week, depending on the lingering effects of Sundays snowstorm.

The sites would be in partnership with DHHS. Venues could include Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, Wilkes County Airport in North Wilkesboro and Providence Place in High Point.

Baptist spokesman Joe McCloskey said Friday that the system is working with the city of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University on setting up a testing site in the near future.

Ohl said the planned operational hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays with reduced hours on Saturdays. Individuals who are symptomatic and asymptomatic are eligible for testing, with an expected turnaround time of up to 72 hours.

DHHS said Jan. 11 that additional state-sponsored COVID-19 testing sites are coming to Forsyth County in the coming weeks. DHHS is expanding local and statewide availability for in-person and at-home testing.

DHHS testing network is being increased by two to 14, with testing companies being provided with additional professional rapid antigen tests.

Forsyth and Guilford are among 10 counties statewide that are expected to benefit from the expansion.

A key element to the expansion initiative is at Greensboro Coliseum and involves Mako Medical in partnership with Cone and the Guilford health department.

DHHS plans to make available more than 1 million professional and at-home rapid antigen tests and at-home collection kits. That total includes a recent order of 700,000 professional and at-home rapid antigen tests from the federal government.

The testing equipment is being prioritized for K-12 schools, health departments, long-term care centers, health centers, farmworker camps and free and charitable care clinics. Community-based organizations are assisting with distributions to historically marginalized populations.

Recommendations

DHHS recommends that anyone seeking testing go to ncdhhs.gov/gettested to find test sites or order at-home testing kits.

DHHS said it is partnering with Labcorp to provide at-home collection kits at no-cost through the COVID-19 test home collection kit program. Go to www.ondemand.labcorp.com/nc for more information.

The program is available to all North Carolinians, with tests delivered to homes. Parents and guardians are required to place the order for anyone 5 to 17 years old.

There are 1,500 tests available each business day for residents to request, DHHS said.

We are aware that the federal government has plans to provide additional at-home tests but are awaiting more information.

COVID-19 dashboard

DHHS did not update statewide COVID-19 numbers on the Martin Luther King. Jr. holiday.

On Friday, DHHS reported North Carolina set another statewide high for daily COVID-19 cases, while Forsyth remained at a record level.

There were 35,759 new cases reported statewide between Thursday and Friday. That eclipsed the previous single-day record of 34,042 reported Thursday.

Meanwhile, Forsyth had 1,205 new cases for the second consecutive report, the highest daily number since the pandemic began.

Forsyth also had one additional COVID-19 related death listed Friday,

Since the onset of the pandemic, Forsyth has had 71,622 cases and 641 related deaths.

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The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources said Friday it is providing just more than $6 million toward 13 Triad and Northwest N.C. state and local parks and recreation projects.

That includes a $500,000 grant toward the establishment of Belews Lake Park in Forsyth County.

The 2021-23 state budgets contain $3 million to the county to help advance the work on a 216-acre site on Belews Lake.

County Manager Dudley Watts said plans for developing the park estimate the cost at $7 million.

In August, the county completed its $640,000 purchase of a tract.

The overall estimated cost for Phase 1 of the project is about $2.84 million, the county said, with $2 million coming from currently available funds and $200,000 from other sources. Forsyth officials anticipate pursuing additional grant funding to assist with the development of the park at Belews Lake.

The tracts are near the intersection of Belews Creek and Craig roads, with extensive lake frontage.

Planted in pines, it would eventually have been clear cut by Duke Energy had the county not expressed interest in the property, county officials said.

In September, the county won a state grant to pay for the tracts. The grant comes from the states Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Because the grant from the Clean Water fund is a matching grant, the county can claim the excess value of the land as its match. Also included in the matching funds is another $65,000 for purchasing costs.

Other grants

The $6 million in state funding for the 13 regional projects comes from the inclusion in the 2021-23 state budgets of an additional $101 million to the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Authority.

As weve seen since the beginning of the pandemic, North Carolina families need more parks, trails, greenways and facilities to get outside and active, said Reid Wilson, secretary of the Natural and Cultural Resources department.

The maximum grant awarded for a single project was $500,000. Awardees must match funds at least dollar-for-dollar for the awarded amount.

At the authoritys Jan. 6 meeting, the board approved $1.1 million for land acquisitions at Elk Knob State Park in Watauga County for lands west of the peak area, along with $850,000 at Stone Mountain State Park in Alleghany and Wilkes counties for a large ridge that dominates the vista from the campground.

The remaining regional projects are:

* Asheboro: $500,000 for Zoo City Sportsplex;

* Blowing Rock: $500,000 for Memorial Park enhancement;

* Denton: $400,000 for Harrison Park Community Center with amenities;

* High Point: $500,000 for City Lake Park Phase 1 renovations;

* Madison: $241,440 for Madison River Park;

* Oak Ridge: $490,000 for Whitaker Park;

* Ramseur: $129,922 for Deep River State trail and blueway;

* Randleman: $354,991 for Stout Street Park improvements;

* Wilkes County: $191,194 for Rivers Edge Park bathhouse and picnic shelter; and

* Wilkesboro: $256,250 for Cub Creek Park expansion.

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On this day we take a few moments  or a couple of hours  to celebrate the life and message of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This great American fought peacefully for racial equality and justice during the turbulent 1950s and 60s and left a legacy that provides hope to people around the world today.

Coming of age in an American landscape of institutionalized racial segregation and prejudice that some today would like to erase from our collective memory, King worked thoughtfully, tirelessly and courageously to change life for the better for millions of Americans.

In 1955, in one of his first public acts of nonviolent demonstration, King led a bus boycott that lasted 382 days and led to a Supreme Court decision that declared segregation on buses to be unconstitutional. Between 1957 and 1968, he traveled more than 6 million miles, wrote five books and spoke more than 2,500 times. He led a massive protest in Birmingham, Ala., that inspired his Letter from a Birmingham Jail; he organized drives in Alabama for the registration of African Americans as voters; he directed the peaceful march on Washington, D.C., of 250,000 people to whom he delivered his unforgettable address, I Have a Dream.

In reaction to his activism, he was arrested and assaulted. His home was bombed. He was subjected to accusations, incriminations and all kind of personal abuse. But he suffered the abuse patiently, never calling for violence in return.

He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at the age of 35. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Many point to society today and say that life has improved for those King championed. This is true in many respects. But racial disparities still exist, marring the American promise. And racism still raises its ugly head in our public discourse and even in the halls of government.

It can and must be called out  peacefully but forcefully.

King was not just concerned about racial equality, but also about poverty, war and violence. A Southern Baptist preacher, he insisted that those of all faiths had something meaningful to contribute to building a just society.

King was not perfect; he had human failings. Some emphasize those failings to undermine his character as well as his message. That does him an injustice.

His message has also at times been misappropriated and even commercialized. That trivializes what he had to teach.

But his true message of peace, hope, unity, fellowship and forgiveness still rings out in his writings, in recordings of his speeches and in many events that will be held today, many of them virtually for the sake of safety.

They include Winston-Salems 42nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Noon Hour Commemoration. The event will be shown on Zoom and livestreamed on the Facebook page of its founder and organizer, Mutter Evans: www.facebook.com/muttermde.

We wouldnt want to extrapolate unjustly, but we cant help thinking that if King were with us today, hed side with the front-line workers and the doctors and nurses who are being exposed to a deadly virus, often through ignorance and sometimes through malice. Hed support them.

And faced with the rancorous political rhetoric that has become all too common, his would be a voice of comfort and much-needed reason.

Thats a good example to follow.

Take a few moments today  or a couple of hours  to honor Martin Luther King Jr.


Twenty-six-year old Sajjad Ahmad Dar alias Sajad Gul, a trainee reporter with a local web portal The Kashmir Walla, was arrested by the Army on January 7. He was booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) a day after a local court had granted him bail in the earlier case. Leading journalist bodiesincluding from Kashmirhave condemned his arrest and demanded his release.

Auqib Javeed | TwoCircles.net

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SRINAGAR  The family of Kashmir based journalist Sajad Gul are in a state of shock and trauma after he was booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA)a preventive law that allows the detention of any individual for up to two years without commission of a crimea day after he was granted bail in a case under which he was currently in detention.

Twenty-six-year old Sajjad Ahmad Dar alias Sajad Gul, a trainee reporter with a local web portal The Kashmir Walla, was arrested by the Army on January 7, a family member told TwoCircles.net.

He was later handed over to a local police station in the Hajin area of North Kashmirs Bandipora district.

Gul lives in Shahgund village of Hajin. He is pursuing Convergent Journalism at Central University, Kashmir.

According to police, Gul was arrested for allegedly provoking people to resort to violence and disturb public peace.

He was arrested days after he posted a video of family members and relatives of a slain militant protesting his killing in a gunfight in Srinagar.

A police spokesman, in a statement, said that Sajad Gul uploaded the objectionable videos with anti-national slogans raised by some women folk on the day when most wanted terrorist Saleem Parray was eliminated in Shalimar Srinagar.

the said person under the garb of journalist [sic] is habitual of spreading disinformation/false narratives through different social media platforms in order to create ill will against the government by provoking general masses to resort to violence and disturb public peace and tranquillity, the statement added.

Moreover, his overall activities are prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and unity of India. Accordingly, a case has been registered against him in which he has been arrested and presently is on Police remand, they said.

As per police, during the encroachment drive carried out by Revenue Department last year in Sajads native village, He instigated the locals against the said lawful drive as a result of which the officials were restrained in discharging their legitimate official duties.

A case FIR No. 12/2021 U/S 147, 447, 336, 353/IPC was registered against him and after producing the charge-sheet the case is subjudice in the court of JMIC Sumbal.

Gul was granted bail before being booked in another case

Gul was granted bail in the above mentioned case by the court on January 15. After receiving the bail copy, the police, however, didnt release him and booked him in another case, including under the charge of attempt to murder.

The FIR under section 153B, 147, 148, 149, 307 Indian Penal Code was filed against him. On January 16, Gul was booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) and was subsequently shifted to Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu.

Booking him under PSA is too harsh (a punishment). He was just a student, Javid Ahmad Dar, Guls brother told TwoCircles.net.

Javid Dar further said that there were many ways that his brother (Sajad) could have counselled if he had done anything wrong but booking him under this law will destroy his career.

But he hasnt done anything wrong. They (Police) should tell him to do what they want, Dar added.

Dars mother Gulshana Begum is restless ever since her son was arrested by the Army. She doesnt know anything about what Gul does and what he is studying. All she wants is to see her son back home.

We havent informed her that he has been booked under PSA and shifted to Jammu, Dar said.

Umair Ronga, the counsel for Gul told The Kashmir Walla, When the orders of release reached the police station Hajin, the family members were made to wait for a few hours, to be informed that the journalist would not be released on the pretext that one more FIR has been registered against him, apparently to thwart the orders of Court.

Ronga said that in terms of the law the police could have added offences during the course of an investigation if attracted. However, the registration of a second FIR defeats the mandate of law, he said, and added, There was no mention of another case registered against him till yesterday. The matter will be brought before a Court of Law and justice will be done.

Gul is the second Kashmiri journalist booked under a stringent law and is currently in jail. An award-winning journalist Asif Sultan continues to remain incarcerated since 2018.

Journalist bodies in Kashmir have said Guls arrest is part of the continued harassment and intimidation of journalists in the region. India ranks 142 of 180 countries in the Press Freedom Index compiled by the France-based Reporters Without Borders.

Journalist Federation of Kashmir condemns the Public Safety Act against Journalist Sajad Gul A day after the court granted him bail in the case over the alleged social media activity, the government on Sunday booked independent journalist & a student of journalism 1/6 pic.twitter.com/HzuV349Wta  Journalist Federation of Kashmir (@pressfreedomJFK) January 17, 2022

Various international press rights groups including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have condemned the detention of Gul and urged authorities to immediately drop the charges.

CPJ said it is deeply disturbed by reports that a Kashmiri journalist was arrested days after posting a video of a protest on social media.

Authorities must immediately release Gul and drop their investigations related to his journalistic work, CPJ said in a statement.

Auqib Javeed is a journalist based in Kashmir. He tweets at @Auqib Javeed.
Before the omicron variant landed and sent COVID-19 cases to record levels over the past couple of weeks, Lancaster County had managed the pandemic better than many similar areas of the country.

That's the conclusion of a study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health released last month.

The study, by researcher Kyu Han Lee, found the county had the most success at preventing COVID-19 deaths. Out of 728 counties with similar socio-demographic profiles (semi-urban, with a high socioeconomic status), Lancaster County ranked in the top 10% for lowest death rate, at 108 per 100,000 people.

The county's case rate of 154 cases per 1,000 people was lower than about 65% of the counties in the study, while its vaccination rate ranked in the top one-third.

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said the study results were "validation of the approaches" both public officials and the community at large have taken to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

"I was really, really pleased to see that because that is our top goal, public safety," she said.

Gaylor Baird said the county's participation in the study was linked to her membership in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, which is a leadership development program for mayors and other senior city officials.

She said mayors involved in the program were invited to participate in public health briefings, and they eventually received an offer to participate in the study.

While the study pointed out that it did not examine the direct impact of any mitigation strategies counties used, Gaylor Baird said she believes the moves such as requiring masks and limiting gatherings absolutely helped to reduce spread of the disease, keep schools open and preserve hospital capacity.

The study examined the period from January 2020 to Dec. 17, 2021. Like most other areas of the country, Lancaster County has seen a large jump in cases in the past two to three weeks because of the omicron variant.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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Hello again, dear readers, and welcome back to our monthly letters column. You've kept our mailboxes overflowing, so we'll dive right in.

-- We heard from a reader in Southern California in response to a column about full ankle replacement, which is a complex surgery with a long and rigorous recovery:

"By my late 70s, my often-injured right ankle had crippled me to the point of limited and painful walking, but thankfully the total ankle replacement you wrote about had become a viable procedure," he wrote. "It took about eight months of therapy to fully recover, but I now have mobility and almost no pain."

We agree with his reminder to fully vet any surgeon you plan to work with. And we will echo our recent column that it's crucial for older adults to make sure they are strong and healthy enough to undergo -- and to recover from -- a surgical procedure.

-- We've written about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. In response to our suggestion that food-based sources are preferable to supplements, a reader had a question: "How much sardines or other fish do we need to consume to get our omega-3s?" he asked. "I would also like to ask about tilapia and flounder. Do they contain the omega-3s we need to consume?"

For adults between the ages of 19 and 55-plus, the adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids is between 1.1 grams per week for women, and 1.6 grams per week for men. This can be achieved by eating fatty fish -- such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines -- two to three times per week.

Mackerel is high in the nutrient, at 2.6 grams per 3.5 ounces. Sardines weigh in a 1.5 grams for the same serving. Tilapia and flounder, which are lean fish, have about .2 grams of omega-3s per serving.

The nutrient is also available in seeds and nuts, such as walnuts and flaxseed, and in plant oils such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil and canola oil.

-- We heard from a reader who is eight months into her recovery from COVID-19. This ongoing illness, which affects up to one-quarter of COVID patients, has come to be known as long-haul COVID.

"I would like to know if there's a study that I could join regarding the long-haulers' COVID symptoms," she wrote. "Yesterday was my first day back at work with the use of oxygen, due to my oxygen levels and heart rate. Is there is anywhere I can volunteer?"

The National Institutes of Health has launched a study into the lingering form of this illness, in which symptoms persist for weeks and months. You can find more information at recovercovid.org. You can also find clinical trials that are still in the process of recruiting at clinicaltrials.gov; use the search phrase "long COVID."

Thank you again to everyone who is taking the time to write. In order to keep up with your questions and comments, we'll be back with a bonus letters column next week.

Send questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu.

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The first time Emma Brown took part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally and March, it was not the same full-house affair that others were used to.

The youth-driven rally, which takes place annually on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, was forced online because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. So this year, the eighth grader at Lefler Middle School was looking forward to a return to normalcy.

Then came the omicron variant, and a change in plans: The rally would be livestreamed with no in-person audience for a second straight year.

"That kind of bummed me out," Brown said. "I was looking forward to all these people coming in."

But like the rest of her peers on the planning committee for the 27th annual rally, Brown knew that the mission of the program remained unchanged.

To educate, empower and engage. To "Walk Together"  the rally's theme this year  in steps toward civility, justice, equity and kindness. To talk about the injustices, too, that still persist today, like the movements across the country to restrict voting rights.

Messages that ring true no matter how they're delivered.

"We're still able to reach people through their screens because it's a really powerful program," Brown said.

And Monday at the Nebraska Union on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, that's exactly what they did.

In front of a handful of people and a camera in a second-floor ballroom, the rally participants honored the legacy of MLK and late civil rights activist Leola Bullock  the rally's founder  with moving speeches, poetry and songs.

This "call to action"  the main event of the rally  included a mix of pre-recorded segments and live performances, including by fifth graders in Belmont Elementary School's TRACKS scholar program, who told the story of the little-known Teachers March in Selma, Alabama, in 1965.

Brown recited the poem "In This Place (An American Lyric)" written by Amanda Gorman, the Black woman who became the youngest poet to read at a presidential inauguration.

To Brown, the poem "is about all these places in America, and how every single person has their own story, and that everybody has a chance to kind of rewrite this nation in that we can change these stories and make our world a better place."

Omaha Central High School sophomore Kherie Posey used her voice in a different way  through music, singing songs such as Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang" and a mashup of the spiritual "The Goodbye Song" and "Glory" by John Legend and Common.

"Music is a universal language," she said.

Posey got involved in the rally for the first time this year after meeting Pete Ferguson, a youth development coordinator at Lincoln Public Schools and one of the rally's advisers, over the summer.

She learned how the rally was more than just honoring people such as MLK and Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman, but all Black people who fought for change and paved the way for greater civil rights.

"Those were not the only people to put in the footmarks," she said.

The MLK Youth Rally, in its 27th year, was the brainchild of Bullock, who wanted to make MLK Day about youth empowerment.

But for the past two years, rally organizers have had to adapt. There is no march through the streets of Lincoln, no in-person audience.

"It's different in a lot of ways," Ferguson said. "Just for people in the community, the elders, who come to be reaffirmed, this is their booster shot. ... You see tears rolling down somebody's cheek; you can't replicate that virtually."

Parents of those involved Monday were able to watch the livestream in adjoining rooms and later met their children after the rally, smiles beaming behind their masks.

"Every year, it seems like they take the notch up just a little bit higher than the previous year," said Scott Moore, whose daughter Tatum Moore, a freshman at Lincoln High School, took part in the rally. "It's really good for our community."

And although it was disappointing not to have a packed house, Lincoln High senior Riek Bol says there is a silver lining.

"We have the exposure to other people around the world, around the country ... to view it and see how powerful our message can be."

Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack

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By the end of the 20th century, Volga Germans had made their mark on the Panhandle. Overcoming hardships and harassment, they left an undeniable influence on the area, from farmers to storeowners to entertainers. However, a changing society led to their culture being less and less appreciated over time, and nowadays the legacy of these stalwart immigrants is more obscure.

The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia was founded in 1968, headquartered in Colorado. It relocated to Lincoln in 1973. On Feb. 4, 1977, the Panhandle chapter was chartered, providing a gathering place for Volga Germans.

Dick Kuxhausen, the president of the Panhandle group, said it can be extremely difficult to get younger people interested in joining.

We have a different society now, he said. People are still giving, they just dont want to be bothered.

For the past several decades, membership has been declining because younger people have not been as interested in their heritage as some reckon they should be. Its an issue that impacts numerous longstanding groups in the area, not just the Germans from Russia group.

I think the problem we have in the United States is we have so many things going on now, Kuxhausen said. Some things that probably should be important to our younger children, arent.

Robert Busch, a Volga German descendant whose grandparents moved to the area more than a century ago, said the morals instilled in his generation are much different from the ones people grow up with now.

Drugs are more prevalent in society, he said. People have less respect for their elders and positions of authority. The familial and religious values espoused today are vastly different from when he was growing up in the 1930s and 1940s.

For us old folks, in many cases, its heartbreaking, Busch said.

The importance of agriculture in society has also shifted, transforming the influence the Volga Germans had. At one point, nearly half the farms in Scotts Bluff County were owned by this group. Fewer people farm than in decades past, and it has become exponentially more expensive to do so.

I started out in 1959 on (80) acres. I farmed for three years and fed my family  today, 80 acres wouldnt buy a loaf of bread, Busch said.

In decades past, whole families used to work on farms, with children as young as 5 pitching in to aid their families. Nowadays, they have different things to work on.

Weddings brought in hundreds in big, drawn-out, multi-day affairs. Dutch hop bands came from Colorado to perform in front of dancing, singing Volga Germans. But somewhere along the way, what had been a way of life became an antiquated tradition.

The Panhandle chapter has tried to make more inroads with potential new members. They created a documentary using local Volga German descendants called The Beet Tenders Destiny. This detailed the history of how Germans came from Russia to Nebraska and has been shown at events at the UNL Research Extension Center, among other locations.

Frankly, some of that is dying out. The younger generations arent as interested  and I dont know how were going to keep it going, Gladys Wyatt said. Wyatt is a former Nebraska Panhandle secretary and president, and national charter member of the group.

On a national level, the society is still going strong, with regular events and fundraisers as well as triannual meetings. They also have a variety of merchandise, such as cookbooks, which helps connect Volga Germans with their heritage. For the Nebraska Panhandle, however, things just arent going as well.

We used to have, years ago, a public dinner. Some of the ladies would gather and cook a meal, Wyatt said.

Over the years, that public dinner morphed into a private one. There were also dances and Oktoberfest celebrations in the fall. It became harder to spread the word about Volga German heritage when there were fewer and fewer Volga Germans interested in learning about it.

In just the last few years alone, Kuxhausen estimated the society lost 80% of its fluent German speakers; victims of old age. There are fewer people than ever to attend their group meals.

Part of the reason for younger peoples disinterest may be because the Volga Germans are less of a homogeneous group than they were a century ago. People marry into different cultures, and their children have different traditions to learn and heritages to explore.

People should be interested in their heritage, Wyatt said. Its always good to know where you came from, and pass it down to your children and grandchildren over time.

With luck, the society could see a resurgence as more people grow interested in learning about the past. Perhaps then, the German weddings and Dutch hop bands could make a resurgence, and the legacy of generations of Volga Germans would continue for a good while longer.

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Kathryn Slattery spends her days mixing flour and sugar and spices, taking the ingredients in her kitchen and spinning them into something sweet and delicious.

That the young woman is there at all, the pastry chef in her familys business, the youngest of Marilyn and Jim Slatterys five children about to turn 28 years old, is oh so sweet  a tale of faith and the miracles of science and embracing life no matter what it throws at you.

Ten years ago last week, surgeons performed a 14-hour surgery on Slattery, then a Pius X High School senior who came out of the operating room with a new liver and heart  the first such dual transplant ever done at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

In the decade since, the medical center has done just two other heart-liver transplants and they remain a rare procedure nationally.

All three of the transplant patients are doing well today, said Nebraska Medicine spokesman Taylor Wilson, though the journey to well is not always a straight line.

Slatterys journey, once the surgery was over, included cancer and seizures and an outlook on life that impressed everybody. In the years following her surgery, the doctors commented on it, nurses noticed, family and friends saw it, followed her lead.

Five years ago, her dad had triple-bypass heart surgery. It was scary and the recovery was painful.

It hurt like the dickens ... but then I thought of Kathryn, said Jim Slattery.

Youve just got to do what they tell you to do and work hard, just like she did ... and things will be OK, he said five years later, sitting at a table with the pastry chef who showed him how to find the strength.

* * *

Maybe Kathryn Slatterys determination and optimism was there from the start, when her 4-pound, 8-ounce self came into the world with a congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, in which parts of the left side of the heart dont develop completely.

She had three open-heart surgeries before she turned 2 years old, then spent years growing up nearly free of doctors and hospitals and sickness. In high school, she suffered several bouts of pancreatitis, had gallbladder surgery and in the fall of 2011 started retaining fluid. By December, shed started running a fever and landed in the hospital.

Initially, doctors said shed need a new heart and liver within three to five years, said Jim Slattery. But once she was hospitalized things deteriorated quickly and a prognosis of years turned to weeks.

The doctors did amazing work, Jim Slattery said, but he believes faith played a part, too.

Ten years ago, doctors couldn't pinpoint the reason for Kathryn's fever, but it dropped enough that she could be put on the transplant list. The organs became available, making it possible for Nebraska Medical Center doctors to perform a first-ever surgery.

So many things happen that faith gets you through it, Jim Slattery said.

Kathryn came home from the hospital 23 days after surgery. She went back to high school, was elected prom queen, graduated and enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

But that summer when her stomach began to hurt, doctors discovered cancer in her small intestine, a post-transplant lymphoma that happens in as many as 20% of transplant patients.

She started a relatively mild chemotherapy treatment and the college student went to class, joined a sorority, lived in a dorm.

Jim Slattery remembers that by late fall, doctors were optimistic the cancer was gone, until  as they were leaving an appointment  the Slatterys mentioned their daughter was having a few motor skills difficulties, something they assumed was a side effect of the chemo.

It wasnt.

Doctors did more tests and found lesions on her brain. More difficult chemo followed, then radiation, a grueling experience. There were times when optimism was difficult to muster.

That first year was hard, Kathryn said. There were days. ... But I didnt see any other way.

So she kept moving forward, doing what she needed to do. She took a break from college when managing classes and treatments became too difficult.

One of the scariest moments: a grand mal seizure that began when she was driving home from SouthPointe Pavilions.

On her way to Goodcents to get her sister a sandwich, she drove over a median, completely stripping the tire from her car. She kept going and ordered the sandwich  though it was all wrong. When she got home, her sister saw she was acting strangely. After an ambulance got her to a hospital, Kathryn crumpled.

When it was over, she couldnt walk, couldnt pick anything up, her left arm nearly useless. Months of physical and occupational therapy followed, and she got back what shed lost, though her left arm was still weak.

Her dad looks back and marvels that his daughter didnt wreck the car  that she managed to get home unharmed before she collapsed.

If you dont believe in guardian angels, thats my proof, he said. Someone was watching over her.

Though the radiation and chemo appeared to work, doctors suggested a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and for the first three months of 2013, the Slatterys made nine trips to the East Coast. When Kathryn was done, doctors found no growth or new lesions.

In June of that year, the family went to Hawaii  a Make-A-Wish gift.

They watched the sunrise from the top of a volcano. They took a submarine ride. Kathryn tried surfing. They had dinner at a fabulous restaurant on the beach.

We sure needed it after all wed been through. The transplant. The cancer, Jim Slattery said. That really helped us refocus.

* * *

Back in Lincoln, life went on, minus the doctors  except for periodic check-ups that have all been good. The cancer has not made a reappearance.

Kathryn considered going back to UNL. But shed always loved baking, so she decided on another path. She attended the culinary program at Southeast Community College and earned an associate's degree in baking and pastry in 2017.

She remembers her instructors surprise that shed never tried decorating a cake, a task shed avoided because of the weakness in her left hand. Now its no problem.

Her hands gotten stronger  a process probably helped by decorating cakes.

And practice makes perfect, she said.

She spends much of her time in the kitchen at her familys restaurant Art & Soul. Her signature creation: carrot cake, a family recipe. But she likes the creativity of trying new things.

I just kind of like experimenting with flavors, she said.

She spends her free time with family and friends, the support system that held her up through the hard times, the people who are always there. She likes movies. Shes thinking of learning to paint.

Life is normal and boring, Kathryn said. Because Im not sick anymore.

Not even a pandemic could deter her.

At the beginning, her dad said, they were terrified. She stayed home for months, but began to go stir crazy. So her parents let her come back to work, though she didnt interact with customers.

And shes well. Blessed, she said.

She hopes shes helped others have a positive outlook. She hopes people consider becoming organ donors. She is thankful for her family, her friends. A life well-lived.

Life is what you make it, she said. I try to make it sweet, with my pastries.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist

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On July 2, 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. stood behind President Lyndon Baines Johnson as the Texan signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although not the first civil rights bill passed by Congress, it was the most comprehensive.

King called the laws passage a great moment  something like the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln. Johnson recognized Kings contributions to the law by gifting him a pen used to sign the historic legislation.

A year later, as Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, King again joined the president for the occasion.

But by the start of 1967, the two most famous men in America were no longer on speaking terms. In fact, they would not meet again before King fell to an assassins bullet on April 4, 1968.

King was foremost a minister who pastored to a local church throughout his career, even while he was doing national civil rights work. And he became concerned that his political ally Johnson was making a grave moral mistake in Vietnam. Johnson quickly escalated American troop presence in Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000 in 1965. And by 1968, more than a half a million troops were stationed in the Southeast Asian nation.

As I write in my 2021 book Nonviolence Before King, the Baptist preacher had been on a pilgrimage to nonviolence for years. And by 1967, he was a radical apostle of Christian nonviolence.

King called on the United States to be born again and undergo a radical revolution of values. King believed that Jim Crow segregation and the war in Vietnam were rooted in the same unjust ethic of race-based domination, and he called on the nation to change its ways.

Speaking against the Vietnam War

King preached nonviolent direct action for years, and his team organized massive protest movements in the cities of Albany, New York, and Selma and Birmingham in Alabama. But by 1967, Kings religious vision for nonviolence went beyond nonviolent street protest to include abolishing what he called the triple evils crippling American society. King defined the triple evils as racism, poverty and militarism, and he believed these forces were contrary to Gods will for all people.

He came to believe, as he said in 1967, that racism, economic exploitation and war were crippling Americas ability to create a beloved community defined by love and nonviolence. And on April 4, 1967, he publicly rebuked the presidents war policy in Vietnam at Riverside Presbyterian Church in New York City in a speech titled Beyond Vietnam.

I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam, he told those gathered in the majestic cathedral. I speak for the poor of America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home, and death and corruption in Vietnam.

King was initially optimistic that Johnsons Great Society program, which aimed to make historic investments in job growth, job training and economic development, would tackle domestic poverty. But by 1967 the Great Society appeared to be a casualty of the mounting costs of the war in Vietnam. I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such, King said in his speech.

King saw the grinding poverty facing Black people at home as inseparable from the war overseas. As he noted, If our nation can spend 35 billion dollars a year to fight an unjust, evil war in Vietnam, and 20 billion dollars to put a man on the moon, it can spend billions of dollars to put Gods children on their own two feet right here on earth.

King could no longer ignore that military force ran contrary to the nonviolence he espoused. As urban revolts in Watts and Newark in the late 1960s rocked the nation, he pleaded with people to remain nonviolent.

But they ask  and rightly so  what about Vietnam? King said in the same 1967 speech. They ask if our own nation wasnt using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted. Their questions hit home, and I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today  my own government.

Kings vision

By 1967, Kings vision of justice was one of flourishing for all people, not only civil rights for African Americans. King was criticized for expanding his vision beyond civil rights for Black Americans. Some worried that aligning with the peace movement would weaken the civil rights movement. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People even issued a statement clearly opposing what it saw as a merging of the civil rights and peace movements.

But in his 1967 Beyond Vietnam speech, King called for a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond ones tribe, race, class, and nation  an all-embracing and unconditional love for all mankind. Such unconditional love is the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality, and he noted that this unifying principle was present in Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism.

King was always first a religious leader. He never sought nor gained elected office, because he wanted to maintain a moral voice and be free to challenge policies he believed to be unjust.

But the cost for Kings speaking out was high: By the time of his assassination, Kings national approval rating was at an all-time low.

He was not a morally perfect man. Declassified files show how the FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover tried to target King over his extramarital affairs. Hoover used a wiretap to tape King having sex with other women and sent those to his wife, Coretta Scott King, with a letter indicating King should kill himself because of his moral transgressions.

Honoring King

For those seeking to honor Kings legacy today, his religious nonviolence is demanding. It asks that people go beyond acts of service and charity  as important as those are  to both speak and act against violence and racism as well as to organize to end those pernicious forces.

It is a radical concept of love that demands we embrace those we know and those we dont, to acknowledge, as King said, that all life is interrelated, that somehow were caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the challenge may be to decipher the meaning of this idea in action for our own lives. The future of what King called the beloved community depends on it  a world at peace because justice is present.

[3 media outlets, 1 religion newsletter. Get stories from The Conversation, AP and RNS.]

Anthony Siracusa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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Hong Kong: Care homes to launch vaccine bubble

The Social Welfare Department today announced that the vaccine bubble will be implemented in all residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities.

From February 24, all people who are employed by and on duty at these care homes and day service units attached to the premises of residential care homes, or who provide services to residents or users through hire-of-service contracts with residential care homes or the aforementioned units are required to have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Those who are unfit for vaccination due to health reasons with relevant proof from a medical practitioner will be exempted from the vaccination requirement.

Institution staff who have only received the first dose are still required to complete COVID-19 vaccination within eight weeks from the day of receiving the first dose.

The prevailing arrangement for testing fee exemptions for institution staff who are required to undergo compulsory testing in the community testing centres, mobile specimen collection stations or Temporary Testing Centres will remain unchanged for the time being.

The Government has been urging the institutions to encourage their staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible. At present, about 95% of institution staff have received at least their first dose.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Sometimes, numbers are cold, cruel, impersonal. Other times, they are a measuring stick, telling a story of character, longing, a lifes work.

Both cases were true Friday in a Douglas County courtroom.

First, the cold and cruel facts: A 28-year-old Omaha man was driving 106 mph in a 45 mph zone on West Dodge Road when he crashed into a Toyota Camry driven by Jim Yungbluth  a 63-year-old husband, father, longtime Omaha musician and Nebraska Furniture Mart employee.

Yungbluth  described as one of the nicest men to walk the Earth in his obituary  died at the scene.

Driver John Caillaus blood alcohol content measured .41% about 45 minutes after the crash. That is five times the legal limit of .08% for driving.

Those numbers were so staggering that Judge Horacio Wheelock raised his voice as he repeated them.

The court cannot ignore the fact that Mr. John Caillau was driving at ONE HUNDRED SIX MILES PER HOUR on Dodge Street at 4:03 a.m. July 9, Wheelock said loudly.

Wheelock said he also could not ignore the staggering blood alcohol content. The first blood draw taken at the hospital was .41%. The second, hours later, measured .26%. Either one blew away Nebraskas legal limit, Wheelock noted.

Wheelock then delivered the cold, hard terms of Caillaus sentence: 16 to 20 years in prison, a term that is cut in half under state law. Twenty was the maximum the judge could give Caillau for motor vehicle homicide.

At that, Caillaus mom burst into tears.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, she said as her son was led away in handcuffs. I cant believe this.

One could have heard the same reaction from Yungbluths relatives the morning of July 9.

And that is where the numbers begin to tell a story of longing. July 9 was the 25th birthday of Yungbluths youngest daughter, Cassidy. It was two days shy of Jim and Becky Yungbluths 29th wedding anniversary. Nine months shy of when Jim Yungbluth would have walked his oldest daughter, Carey, down the aisle for her wedding. Of when father and daughter would have shared a dance to the song Jim Yungbluth sang his daughters before bedtime.

You are my sunshine, Carey said. It was his song for us.

Yungbluth had so much brightness left to give Omaha. The bandmate and music lover had a fitting nickname. Childhood buddies dubbed him Chunga because, they said, he looked exactly like the cover photo on Frank Zappas third album, Chungas Revenge.

Speaking of numbers, Chunga, a drummer and harmonica player, played in more bands than his wife could count. The bands spanned an assortment of classic names: The Eggmen, The Hornets, Jared and the Blues Teachers, The Good Guys, Front Porch Blues and OLUS (Old Like Us).

Like any good dad, he had nicknames for his daughters, eventually calling his oldest daughter by the name of a famous blues harmonica player.

She was Cass, Carey said of her little sister, and I was his Carey Bell.

Yungbluth also had a motto, passed down from his dad, Loyson Joe Yungbluth.

Be good, kind and careful. Sweet and lovable.

Joe Yungbluth lived that motto while a caretaker and property manager at Boys Town  where the Yungbluth children grew up.

Later, Jim Yungbluth had his childhood home moved, via stilts, down West Dodge Road to a lot he bought in Waterloo. He and Becky raised their two daughters there, and the Yungbluth home was the gathering place for family celebrations.

From Waterloo, Jim Yungbluth traveled Dodge daily, showing up for his 4 a.m. to noon shift to make sure delivery vans were loaded with Omahas furniture. He worked for 38 years at Nebraska Furniture Mart, the past several as a warehouse supervisor.

Becky said her husband had the countdown going. That Friday, July 9, he had 255 days until retirement. A long post-work life was a real possibility, too. Dad Joe died five years ago at age 96.

Then an aunt showed up at both Yungbluth daughters workplaces that morning. Cassidy said she had a horrible feeling but hoped against hope that she was just there to cart her away for a surprise 25th birthday party.

It was the wrong kind of surprise, she said.

That morning, Yungbluth was going east on Dodge at 90th Street, less than 2 miles from the Mart.

Caillau, meanwhile, had been out of work from his job at Oriental Trading Co. because of a foot injury. His attorney, Michael Fitzpatrick, said he had been reeling from a breakup with a fiancee of a couple of years.

Fitzpatrick repeatedly emphasized that Caillau had no adult criminal record. In November 2020, he was the subject of a police report that described him as being ejected from a vehicle that nearly hit a pedestrian and crashed into bushes in Sanibel Island, Florida. No arrests were made in that case.

In this case, Caillau drank at least a half-pint of vodka and blacked out, Fitzpatrick said.

Others questioned whether Caillau really blacked out. The cars internal diagnostics noted that it was going over 100 mph for a couple of miles before the crash.

Fitzpatrick said Caillau had no memory of the crash. He has been overwhelmed with grief, Fitzpatrick said.

For his part, Caillau turned to Yungbluths family in court and apologized: Theres nothing I can say to any of you to make any of this right. I completely understand if you guys hate me ... I just ask if you can find it in your hearts to forgive me ... I understand its not likely  If I were in your situation, I probably wouldnt either.

His voice trailed.

Ryan Lindberg, the prosecutor, said he wished he hadnt had to watch surveillance video that captured the devastating crash. At 106 mph  operating essentially as a missile, according to Lindberg  Caillaus 2018 Chevy Equinox vaulted Yungbluths 1998 Camry into the concrete barrier of a bus stop, flipping it on his roof.

By the time medics arrived, Yungbluth had died.

Its hard to understand how this loss has affected and will continue to affect this family, Lindberg said. As one of his sisters put it, it was the loss of a common man who was uncommonly good.

Brother-in-law Bud Sachs  one of more than 30 family members and friends who showed up for Fridays sentencing hearing  vouched for that. He called Chunga a true free spirit, a musician with a heart to match it.

Not a mean bone in his body, Sachs said.

He thumbed through his phone for a photo of Chunga, eventually settling on one. Standing next to Becky, Yungbluth had a slight grin between his salt-and-pepper mustache and beard. Crows feet framed his soft brown eyes.

Such a good man, Sachs said. God always takes the good ones too soon.

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Two Omaha business owners were sentenced to prison on Friday for violating worker safety standards before a 2015 explosion that left two of their employees dead.

Brothers Steven and Adam Braithwaite and their company, Nebraska Railcar Cleaning Services, pleaded guilty in July to a litany of federal charges.

Steven Braithwaite, who served as president of NRCS, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating a worker safety standard causing a worker death and one count of knowingly endangering others by violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. He will serve 30 months in prison.

Adam Braithwaite, vice president of the company, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating a worker safety standard causing death, two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation and one count of perjury. He will serve one year and one day in prison.

NRCS pleaded guilty to all 21 of the counts with which it was charged.

The Braithwaites have each been ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. Additionally, the brothers and the company must serve five years of probation and pay a $21,000 fine.

According to a federal indictment, on April 14, 2015, workers were removing petroleum residue from inside a rail tanker car near First and Hickory streets in Omaha when a spark ignited and caused a deadly explosion.

Despite the fact that a safety data sheet identified the petroleum residue as highly flammable and containing benzene, a known carcinogen, workers were sent into the car without testing for benzene levels.

The tanker car had been tested for explosive gas levels prior to the employees entering. The test showed that the explosive gas levels greatly exceeded the acceptable levels established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to the indictment.

About an hour after the workers were sent into the car, its contents exploded, killing Adrian LaPour, 44, and Dallas Foulk, 40. A third man, Joe Coschka, was knocked off the car but escaped serious injury.

The companys troubles predated the explosion, according to the indictment. In 2013, OSHA completed an inspection of NRCS after receiving health and safety complaints from employees. One of multiple violations was a lack of monitoring of atmospheric conditions  such as the presence of benzene  while employees were in confined spaces.

Steven Braithwaite signed a corrective action agreement with OSHA in 2015, certifying that benzene tubes were being used to test tanker cars at least every hour while employees were inside and before their entry, according to the indictment. But when OSHA came back to conduct a follow-up inspection in March 2015, it was denied entry.

On the same day that OSHA was denied entry, Adam Braithwaite placed NRCSs first-ever order of benzene tubes, according to the indictment. OSHA then requested a plethora of records from NRCS, including invoices for benzene tubes.

A week before the explosion, Adam Braithwaite emailed OSHA falsified records that showed that the company bought benzine tubes in June 2014, according to the indictment. In an OSHA interview after the explosion, Adam Braithwaite falsely stated under oath that NRCS began using benzene tubes immediately after the 2013 OSHA inspection.

Tragically, two workers suffered preventable deaths because of the defendants failure to follow the law, Todd Kim, assistant attorney general of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division, said in a news release. Todays sentence provides a measure of justice for them and their families.

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RACINE  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged the United States onto a path of progress. His work is unfinished.

That was the message of Fridays pre-Martin Luther King Jr. Day wreath-laying at the corner of State and Marquette streets, where the life-sized statue of MLK has stood since the mid-1990s.

I greet you in front of the dreamer, but behind the dream, keynote speaker Corey Prince, NAACP Wisconsin Conference of Branches Criminal Justice Committee chair, said at the beginning of his speech in front of the statue.

Prince described the plight of black Americans as stops and starts of progress.

We ask ourselves: How do we regain hope? Dr. King realized in his dream that it was actually the dream of America, it was the dream of those who founded this country and realized things must change in order for the dream to be a reality. The theme of today is: Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Rebuilding Our Community, he said. Dr. King said it was a cruel joke to tell a bootless man to pull himself up by his bootstraps. And I say today its such a cruel joke to tell black Americans to reach for the stars when all we see is clouds.

As black people in America, we came to this country in bondage  we were sold into the nightmare, beaten, tortured, mutilated, humiliated, raped and hung. But at the first opportunity to fight for our country that didnt love us back, black Americans bought into the dream and were on the front lines for patriotism in the Revolutionary War.

"Harlem" by Langston Hughes What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? This poem was recited by Corey Prince during Friday's wreath-laying in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Racine.

He noted that the Emancipation Proclamation was soon after followed by compromises that stripped blacks of the land they owned or denied them land they were due. There was also Jim Crow, and the destruction of centers of black wealth in Tulsa and Forsyth, Georgia, which were devastating setbacks to what is known as generational wealth, defined by Investopedia as assets passed by one generation of a family to another  in recent years, generational wealth has become a focal point in discussions about the racial wealth gap and the increasing concentration of wealth in the U.S., because it plays a substantial role in both.

Among Kings accomplishments was how he succeeded in galvanizing Americans to bring about positive change nationwide.

Chuck Tyler, who was the master of ceremonies of Fridays wreath-laying, was there in person, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, to hear Kings I Have A Dream speech in person on Aug. 28, 1963 in Washington, D.C.

Tyler said: When I left there, he inspired me to come back to Racine to do more than I was doing.

Tyler worked for the citys parks department until 1999. Inspired by King, among Tylers most important accomplishments in that time was organizing a movement to improve Racines community centers, which in 1966 were still segregated.

When I think of local civil rights leaders, Chuck Tyler is right at the top of that list, Racine Mayor Cory Mason said. While noting the progress that has been made, Mason called for more institutional change.

As of last year, there were still more than 10,000 lead pipes in Racine, one of many issues affecting the citys demonstrably subpar housing stock, particularly for the citys residents of color.

I was naive as a boy to think Oh, those were the things we had to overcome in the 60s,  Mason said of when he learned about the civil rights movement. The older I get, the more it seems like were still marching down the road that Dr. King set us on. Theres still much work to do.

I am aghast that in 2021 (sic) we are still having arguments about whether or not people should have access to the polls, Mason continued. It blows my mind that we are still having this conversation. We are going to have to continue to fight and push to make sure that everybody who is eligible to vote is free to vote  we are now living in a time when people are questioning whether or not we should learn our own history.

Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave made clear that King could still be alive today had he not been assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968.

Saturday would have been Kings 93rd birthday, with the federal holiday celebrating his life held today. Delagrave focused on the hope King held in his dreams of an America without racial divisions.

We are striving to be a community, a county without divisions based on race, religion, gender or ethnic origin, Delagrave said. His message of unity and equality has never been more urgent. We must accept this challenge: the challenge to call out racism, to be vulnerable in our own right that sometimes accepting this challenge to call racism out is not easy.

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Getting vaccinated continues to be encouraged as the best way to limit the spread of COVID-19 and bring about an end to the pandemic.

To find a place to get vaccinated near you, go to
UNION GROVE  The Agriculture students at Union Grove High School recently learned about pig farrowing.

In December, students welcomed a Yorkshire sow named Babe. Babe has seven piglets that were born on Christmas Eve. This month, the students will meet a second sow, Meg. Meg has a due date of Jan. 17. People can check out the live barn camera by visiting the school website, ugbroncos.com.

Robotics

Students in robotics are excited to compete for the first time at a VEX Robotics competition. They have been working in teams to design, build and program a robot. The teams have been working with engineering mentors from Zoomlion, a business partner in Franksville. The UGHS robotics teams will compete against teams from other schools in Wisconsin at the first competition at Shoreland Lutheran High School.

Equestrian Team

The UGHS Equestrian Team of Stephanie Fortier and Mikayla Higgins won first place at the 2021 Wisconsin Interscholastic Horsemanship Association State Finals competition. They competed against eight other teams in Division D. The team took first place at the district competition in September, which qualified them for the state show.

Art winners

Seniors Sadie Graham and Nataly Schoening won awards in the 2021 Societys Assets Youth Art Contest. The contest is a way to promote disability awareness and understanding with students designing around the theme AbilityNot Disability. Winning entries will be featured in the Societys Assets offices as well as their agency calendars and production materials. Sadie received a second-place finish and Nataly received third.

SALT presents

UGHS Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) presented at the WIAA Sportsmanship Summit in Stevens Point. SALT was one of four presenters at the conference and the only student-led presentation. UGHS SALT brought the energy with music blaring, bubbles popping, high fives and smiles shown as students and staff from 84 different schools entered the presentation.

Dual credit courses

During the 2020-2021 school year, 594 Union Grove students saved $263,138 in tuition at Gateway Technical College through Dual Credit courses. Students continue to save more money every year with the expanding opportunities. Dual credit courses are one of many ways the school supports postsecondary success.

DECA winners

Last month, Union Grove High School DECA members competed in business and marketing categories with more than 500 other students from southeast Wisconsin high schools in the district competition at Case High School. Eight UGHS students earned trophies; two teams earned first in their category. This was the first time UGHS has taken first in any category at the district competition. They will compete in February at the state conference at Grand Geneva.

Grant received

UGHS Agriculture department received a grant to participate in the Sand County Foundations Pollinator and Monarch Habitat Grant Program. The grant provides $1,000 and planting supplies. Agriculture students were supplied seeds and are preparing them for stratification. Students will plant them at a Racine County Watershed site at Case Eagle Park in late spring.

This competitive grant program strives to increase the diversity of native forbs (wildflowers) within an agricultural or other working landscape for the benefit of native bees, honey bees and monarch butterflies.

Performing arts

These upcoming Union Grove High School Performing Arts events have been scheduled:

Willy Wonka,

March 18-19, 25-26. This musical cast includes high and grade school students. The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factorybut only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonkas world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonkas army of curious oompa-loompas. Performances are 7 p.m. March 18, 2 and 7 p.m. March 19, 7 p.m. March 25 and 2 p.m. March 26.

Junes Got the Cash

band performance, 7 p.m. April 2. A musical tribute to American Country Music icons Johnny Cash and June Carter. What started off as a simple tribute band has now blossomed into a traveling musical theater show.

Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe,

7 p.m. April 29, 2 and 7 p.m. April 30. Edgar Allan Poe stands alone in the flickering darkness of his mind, trying desperately to convince himself  and us  that hes not mad. The spell he weaves brings us a highly theatrical adaptation of four tales Poe himself considered his best: The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Tell-Tale Heart.

Tickets for events are available online at ughs.ludus.com.

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MLK Day has always been a day on, not off, Martin Luther King III said recently regarding the federal holiday to honor his father, the late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

When we call for no celebration without legislation, were not urging Americans not to honor this day  were asking people to honor Dr. King through action to protect the right to vote, King, chairman of the Drum Major Institute, a nonprofit started by his father, said in a statement to The Washington Post published Thursday. Were directly calling on Congress not to pay lip service to my fathers ideals without doing the very thing that would protect his legacy: Pass voting rights legislation.

That message was shared and elevated Monday by Racine Police Chief Maurice Robinson, Racine Mayor Cory Mason, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and others at the annual MLK Day celebration at Festival Hall in Racine.

When we tamper with the ease of access for people to vote, we tamper with democracy, said Kelly Scroggins-Powell, emcee of the event and founder of the nonprofit Racine Women for Racial Justice. I encourage (those in attendance) to use the vote to stand for those who stand for us.

In the days leading up to and including the celebration of Kings 93rd birthday, several of his descendants marched across the nation, including in Washington, D.C., and in Arizona in support of voting rights, specifically urging the passage of two bills  S.2747, the Freedom to Vote Act, and H.R.4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act  which are currently stalled in Congress; both have passed the House but are expected to not be passed by the Senate.

Robinson said he was inspired by an article by Jelani Cobb, a professor at Columbia University, published last week in The New Yorker magazine.

Robinson said: It was not lost on him (King) that actions designed to oppress poor black people also oppress poor white people  Dr. King said that racial segregation had begun not simply as an expression as an expression of white supremacy but as a political stratagem employed by the emerging bourbon interest in the South to keep the Southern masses divided and keep Southern labor the cheapest in the land  by creating a hyper-exploited class of black people, white elites could hold down the wages of white workers. Therefore, racism didnt just injure black people, its immediate object. It took a toll on white laborers, too.

I would wager that if Dr. King were with us today, he would argue that the efforts to restrict voting rights hurts all Americans. So, we should not lose sight of that most American of rights and responsibilities, and that is to vote. There is a concerted effort to take away the rights of Americans to vote. So remember, thieves never try spending time and money to steal something that has no value.

After U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, a Janesville Republican whose district includes all of Racine and Kenosha counties, voted against passage of those bills  he said he was specifically opposed to how those bills would gut key voter integrity provisions, particularly restrictions on states looking to pass Voter ID requirements  the Racine Branch of the NAACP called for Gateway Technical College to uninvite Steil from its annual MLK Day event. Gateway upheld its invitation to Steil, but the virtual event was canceled due to illness, the college said.

At Mondays Festival Hall event, Mason said we are lucky to live in a democracy, and mentioned how his daughter, a seventh-grader at Walden Middle School, recently wrote a report on Tunisia. That country was among the first to declare democracy during the Arab Spring in 2011. But in July of last year, Tunisias president, Kais Saied, suspended its elected government and dismissed the countrys prime minister, giving himself almost sole power over the country.

There are countries in our world where democracy can flare out, Mason said. In the U.S., he said, every living adult has the right to vote  I feel like Kings legacy is needed now more than ever.

Kaul connected the unsuccessful attempts to stop the certification of the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021, to the election of Americas first black president, Barack Obama, in 2008. The Oath Keepers, an extremist group that was at the center of organizing the Jan. 6 attack, formed two months after Obama was sworn in, specifically in reaction to Obama. Its leaders have now been criminally charged with seditious conspiracy in their attempt to overturn Bidens election win and keep Obamas successor, Donald Trump, in office.

There is a concerted effort to undermine the progress that has been made as we move to true multiracial democracy, where every voter has an equal opportunity to be heard, Kaul said.

Will Martin, a Republican candidate for Wisconsin lieutenant governor, did not speak about voting rights in his speech Monday. He said that we should not put Dr. King away on a shelf again for another year, from this event to the next. That we commit ourselves, today, to leaving this place and being a part of building a blueprint for a better life for ourselves, and a more just and equitable community, state and nation.

State Rep. Tip McGuire, a Kenosha Democrat whose district includes part of Racine, noted how the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ushered in years of progress in the United States, but that much of it was declared unconstitutional in 2013 by the U.S. Supreme Court because one of the formulas within it was based on outdated data. The provisions ruled unconstitutional have not replaced.

The Pew Research Center reported in 2018 that un the five years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down key parts of the Voting Rights Act, nearly a thousand polling places have been shuttered across the country, many of them in Southern black communities. The trend continues: This year alone, 10 counties with large black populations in Georgia closed polling spots after a white elections consultant recommended they do so to save money. When the consultant suggested a similar move in (predominantly black) Randolph County, pushback was enough to keep its nine polling places open.

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No governor in Wisconsins history has pardoned more people than Tony Evers.

That record was set within the past month. On Dec. 28, 30 pardons were granted, reaching a total of 337. Six days later, another 54 were granted, bringing the total to 391.

Two local men were among the 84.

According to releases from the governors office, they are:

Harry Miller, who was with friends when they decided to try to steal soft drinks from a vending machine in a locked laundromat and later resisted arrest by officers responding to break up a bar fight he was involved in, assaulting officers and damaging a police vehicle. In the three decades since, he has focused on his work and family, and looks forward to doing more traveling. He lives in Mount Pleasant.

Carter Evans III, who was 18 years old when he and some friends burglarized a home and robbed an individual. Evans has helped others avoid the mistakes he once made, and he has the support of community leaders and the district attorneys office. He now resides in Racine with his family.

Pardons do not expunge recipients records. But, they do act as an official act of forgiveness that restores the rights lost by those who had been convicted of a felony. Thus, they are again allowed to hold office, receive certain professional licenses, and serve on a jury.

Pardons can be applied for at evers.wi.gov/pardons. Applicants must have completed their sentence at least five years ago and have no criminal charges currently filed against them. Those actively on the sex offender registry are not allowed to apply.

Im proud of our work to give a second chance to folks whove made amends and paid their debt to society, Evers said in a statement accompanying the Dec. 28 pardons. These individuals have recognized and acknowledged their past mistakes, and this sends a powerful message of redemption as each of them work to build a brighter, better future for themselves and their communities.

In a Thursday release announcing the pardons, Evers said: Since the beginning of my administration, weve remained committed to granting pardons to eligible individuals, and we intend to continue this momentum into this new year because we know that people are so much more than the sum of their past mistakes. These pardon recipients have the support of many local officials, neighbors, and community members and have earned a second chance.

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It may escape our memories, but Tommy Thompson began his political career as obstructionist. Upon graduation from law school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he was elected to the State Assembly in 1966. He earned the nickname Dr. No for his skill at stalling and blocking legislation with parliamentary wrangling.

But almost everyone evolves. And when Thompson officially leaves his position as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System on March 18, he does so as someone who became more than the sum of his political experience.

In his resignation letter, Thompson wrote: I love Wisconsin. As you have heard me profess on many occasions, I believe the University of Wisconsin System is among our states greatest assets, second only to its people.

I have worked relentlessly over the past 18 months to lead this organization and put the Wisconsin Idea into action to improve the lives of all Wisconsinites.

We can debate the effectiveness and successes of his run as Wisconsins governor. But the people of our state thought highly of him and elected him to the position four times.

While he remains well-regarded in the state, he had a national presence as well. He served as U.S. Health and Human Services secretary in less challenging times than these. And lest we forget, he championed a new vision for healthcare in his bid for the presidency in 2008. Had he won a term in the White House would we be closer to fixing our broken health system?

Thompson could not have accepted the presidency of the UW system at a more challenging time. Before he could even get his desk chair properly adjusted, he was fighting COVID-19 as it threatened to close every door of the states universities. His leadership was on display every day as he battled the virus, as well as many in the Legislature who thought themselves smarter than Thompson.

As he leaves, Thompson states he is satisfied with his accomplishments. He is departing now to allow the board able time and space to find a new leader.

Thompson took the appointment primarily because of a complete failure to find a replacement for the retiring Ray Cross. The process and search left faculty and students watching from the outside. With a replacement expected to be named next month, we hope the search process has been more inclusive this time.

UW-Parkside students, staff and faculty were able to share time with Thompson in perhaps his last visit to our campus as president. He made a visit to campus Oct. 28 to celebrate the news the school had reached a 70% COVID-19 vaccination rate. He appeared happy and sported a green Parkside polo as he answered questions and imagined the future for UW-P.

You have all this beautiful space, Thompson said. We have the opportunity to improve it through joint ventures, keep the land and also develop (other ways) so we can get more dollars, more resources, so we can expand this wonderful university to its fullest. Thats my dream.

Thompson told the gathered students to stay committed to their own dreams. I would have never run for public office if I would have listened to all the naysayers, he said. Every time I was going to run for something, I believed in myself. Dont let anybody stand in your way.

Thompson was hired as the UW System president in June 2020  but it took persistence for him to take the job, as he twice turned it down.

But now, after he served in the position, Thompson told the UW-P crowd hes thankful he offered his services.

Im so happy I did, he said. I never expected to be president of the (system). Im happy that I did, because its a great system. We have 167,000 students, we graduate 37,000 students every year, and for the next five years, they stay in Wisconsin, building Wisconsin.

We appreciate Thompsons view for the UW-Parkside campus and community. But even more so, we are thankful for his leadership through these trying times and for his service to state and country the past 56 years.

In the meantime, lets keep Thompsons contact information close at hand. No matter who is announced as the next president of the UW-System, there are bound to be complaints and, perhaps, even failures. We might need him to step back in. And, hes not ruling out another run for governor. The 80-year-old Republican told WISN-TV on Jan. 11 that everything is on the table.

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1. Yes. Raising the bar for future developments will boost the citys housing market.

2. Yes. It will help in newer areas, but more needs to be done to change Killeens image.

3. No. The new standards will just slow down homebuilding and drive away developers.

4.No. The ordinance will do little more than drive up the price of new homes in the city.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say what the effect will be until they have been in place for a while.

Vote

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KEARNEY  As the omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads faster than a prairie fire, Two Rivers Public Health Department is urging the unvaccinated to get vaccinated, especially people under 18.

Many in that age group are developing Type I diabetes after recovering from COVID, according to Jeremy Eschliman, the Two Rivers health director.

New diagnoses of Type I diabetes is up 166% nationwide. We dont know everything about Type 1 diabetes, but it often develops after a viral infection of some kind, and this is playing out with COVID, he said Friday. Its one of the best reasons to make sure kids get vaccines. Even though a COVID illness may not be severe, we dont want to increase odds of child turning up a couple months down the road with diabetes.

Vaccines are available for children aged 5 and older.

Eschlimans comments came during the weekly community call from Two Rivers. COVID cases are soaring right now, with 764 cases confirmed by Two Rivers last week (Jan. 5-12.) Thats twice as many as the previous week, and four times as many as the week before that.

This surge is unprecedented in the last two years that Two Rivers has been tracking the epidemic, Aravind Menon, Two Rivers epidemiologist, said after the call. Its the single largest weekly spike in new COVID cases since April 2020.

Susan Puckett, Two Rivers community health nurse, noted that this is more than double the cases confirmed during peak weeks in January 2021.

Isolation vs. quarantine

Puckett noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its quarantine and isolation guidelines. Quarantine is for people who have been exposed through contact, but in whom COVID has not been confirmed. Vaccinated people over 18 should quarantine if they have not received a booster shot, along with those who have received just one, but not two, shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

She said they should isolate for at least five full days, then wear a mask in public for the next five days. They should wear a mask at home if they are in close contact with others.

Regarding isolation, people who have confirmed cases of COVID should isolate for five days, beginning with the first day of symptoms or the first day of testing positive. If they still have a fever after five days, they should remain isolated until the fever is gone.

Hospitals struggle

Nationwide, 63 million people have had COVID, and 842,873 have died, Puckett said. Nebraska has seen 2.8 million cases and 3,527 deaths. I can remember when deaths were around 200 or 300, and now its more than 3,000, Puckett said.

The Two Rivers seven-day average is 103 new cases a day, far above where we were last year, she added. Most cases confirmed last week were in people aged 20-29, and most had not been vaccinated.

Since March 20, 2020, 175 people have died of COVID-19 in the Two Rivers region, which includes Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney and Phelps counties.

Hospital data is sobering, both Puckett and Eschliman said, Twenty-five percent of all the people in hospitals are COVID patients, Eschliman said, and hospitals are experiencing staffing shortages due to nurse burnout.

As of Jan. 13, just 56 of Two Rivers 205 hospital beds were available. Six ICU beds were available. Six ventilators are in use. Right now, 34 COVID patients are in regional hospitals, along with one pediatric patient. Two more adults are being tested for COVID.

The statistics change day by day, hour by hour. We shouldnt be excited about available beds because it doesnt tell the whole story, he said.

Puckett said generally between six and 10 ICU beds are needed for the Two Rivers seven-county district of 97,103 people, but thats not great considering people who have heart problems and other conditions. People are not as acutely ill with the omicron variant of COVID as they were with delta or other variants, but there are so many of them. Those sheer numbers will overwhelm hospitals, she said.

On other points:

- Eschliman credited unseen laboratory workers who have put forth so much effort for a few long years. These people have put in incredible hours under pretty grim circumstances.

- Cases of flu are slowly increasing in the eastern and central U.S. It began with children but is now spreading to people over 25.

- The COVID testing trailer at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds will be closed Monday due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

- Molnupiravir, a new oral antiviral medication for people over 18, has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA to treat moderate to severe COVID-19. It is for COVID patients who are at high risk for developing severe COVID, and for whom alternative FDA-approved COVID-19 treatment options are not accessible or clinically appropriate.

Molnupiravir cannot be started on patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. It cannot be used to prevent COVID-19.
KEARNEY  Nathan Leach has filed for a seat on the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education.

Leach is the first candidate to file for the KPS Board.

Board members whose terms are expiring are Wendy Kreis and Drew Blessing, both elected in 2018, and veteran Alex Straatmann, who was reelected in 2018.

The filing deadline for new candidates is March 1. Incumbents have until Feb. 15 to file.

Leach was born in Gilbert, Arizona, and grew up on a farm near Shelton.

During his time at Kearney High School Leach served on the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board and worked as the Buffalo County Community Partners legislative intern his senior year. He served as a student representative on the KPS Community Assessment Committee for the new high school and attended most school board meetings throughout high school. He graduated from KHS in 2015.

What I have to offer the KPS Board of Education is a unique perspective as a former student leader who struggled in school as much as I succeeded, Leach said in announcing his candidacy.

Leach is the founder and executive director of Nonpartisan Nebraska, a nonprofit that celebrates the nonpartisan single-house Nebraska Legislature.

KPS Board members serve four-year terms. Members who are in the second year of their terms are Steve Gaasch, Dave Brandt and Kathy Gifford.
Last month, I circled the globe like Santa Claus. In 27 days, I drove 2,960 miles through nine states visiting family for Christmas. It was a gift of our modern age, when technology can link us thousands of miles away.

The idea began quietly with an email invitation to my cousins 50th wedding anniversary party in suburban Indianapolis Dec. 10, a Friday. On Dec. 11, my nieces husband Andre would star as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. And on Dec. 12, my twin sister Martha and I could celebrate our birthday together one day early. She is Andres mother-in-law, and shed be in Muncie, too.

The idea tugged at me. I said no, then yes. Then no, then yes. But life is short, and good times are too sweet to miss, so I shoved worries of snow aside and decided to make the 1,600 round-trip long-weekend drive to Muncie.

The only caveat: just 10 days later, on Dec. 23, I would turn around and head east again, flying home to Cleveland for Christmas. I would then rent a car and drive 325 miles to my daughters home in Aldie, Virginia. Id fly back to Kearney on Jan. 2.

Sounds perfect, right? But wait. My daughter Sara had a suggestion: Why dont you drive on to Cleveland from Muncie and work remotely there instead of driving back to Kearney and flying back east to Cleveland?

A light bulb went off. I raised a genius.

Timidly, I asked my boss for permission. He said yes. As long as you turn your stories in, I dont care if you write from Saturn, he said. On Dec. 9, I packed my sleigh and set out like Santa for Christmas.

I wont bore you with my minute-by-minute doings over the next 27 days, but it was a joy. I discovered a charming little toy store in Muncie. I loved seeing brilliant Andre as the cranky, sneering Scrooge.

As we did as children decades ago, my twin and I blew out the candles on our shared birthday cake.

I had dinner with my cousin Julie and her friend Doug at the 219-year-old Golden Lamb Inn in Lebanon, Ohio. That inn opened in 1803 and has hosted 12 presidents, along with Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and Annie Oakley, among others.

Next, I drove 300 miles to my twin sisters house on the shores of Lake Erie in Ashtabula, Ohio, and worked remotely for the next 10 days. In the evenings, we wrapped gifts and hauled in her fresh Christmas tree.

On Dec. 23, I drove 65 miles west to my brother Bobs house in Shaker Heights, a Cleveland suburb, for Christmas. My son Matt flew in from Los Angeles. On Christmas Eve, we went to church, then sipped eggnog around the tree until we heard Rudolph prancing on the roof.

On ensuing days, we took the dog to the park and smirked through Hallmark movies. I lunched with friends. On Dec. 27, the family reunited  my sister, nieces, their kids and more  to celebrate Bobs 70th birthday. My only disappointment was missing a Cleveland Orchestra Christmas concert. It was canceled because an orchestra member tested positive for COVID.

On Dec. 28, Matt and I got back in my car and drove to Saras home in Aldie. More gifts, more food. We did a jigsaw puzzle and browsed through antique shops in Lucketts, Virginia. We explored historic Harpers Ferry, Virginia. I met a man there whose uncle had lived in Ogallala.

Finally, on Jan. 2, I began the two-day, 1,374-mile drive back to Kearney. A wet sock of fog devoured the western Maryland mountain tops, but when the fog dissipated, the land flattened as if it had been pressed by an iron. On I drove, listening to the Cincinnati Bengals edge the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a grand adventure. Best of all, I dodged the snow.

Santas best gift this Christmas wasnt wrapped. It was my longest visit home since I moved to Nebraska in 2012, and the computer wizards that let me work far away and savor the people I love.
Officials at Tomah Health are praising the support of local blood donors this past year.

According to statistics provided by Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, 1,347 blood products were collected from 464 donations during 12 drives this past year compared to 1,186 blood products from 414 donors during 10 drives in 2020.

The huge increase just shows that there are still new donors showing up and continuing to give at these drives, Versiti Blood Center account representative Emalea Cogdill said. Only 5% of the U.S. population actually donates blood, so we need every donor to come out whenever they are eligible considering that blood drives are the only way that we can collect products to be given to patients.

Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin is the sole supplier of blood to nearly 50 hospitals in Wisconsin, including Tomah Health. Cogdill said that Versiti needs to see at least 800 donors every day to meet the demands of community hospitals.

Tomah Health marketing director Eric Prise echoed Cogdills message. Prise said area residents continue to realize the importance of donating blood to help facilities like Tomah Health.

Tomah area residents have really answered the call this past year to help with blood shortages, Prise said. Officials tell us if just 1% more of Americans donated blood, shortages would disappear.

Six two-day blood drives are scheduled this year, including the next drive Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 at Recreation Park in Tomah. Prise said donors can register for a donation time online at tomahhealth.org.

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WASHINGTON  Heres a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

Along with roll call votes this week, the Senate also passed the Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act (H.R. 2471), to measure the progress of post-disaster recovery and efforts to address corruption, governance, rule of law and media freedoms in Haiti.

House votes

GI Bill education aid: The House has passed the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act (H.R. 1836), sponsored by Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif. The bill would include service time in the National Guard or the militarys reserves as counting toward a military members eligibility to receive funds to help pay for the members education. Levin said the change would work to deliver some basic fairness in the way we provide GI Bill benefits for the men and women who serve our nation. The vote, on Jan. 12, was 287 yeas to 135 nays. Yeas:

Kind D-WI (3rd)

Federal election procedures: The House has passed the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act (H.R. 5746), sponsored by Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va. The bill would make numerous changes to voting and election procedures for federal offices, including making the November election day a legal holiday and requiring that formerly imprisoned criminals be able to vote. Beyer called the bill a stand against efforts to manipulate voting rules in favor of the few and take our essential democratic privilege away from all Americans. An opponent, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., said that giving Congress direct control of elections administered by the states was a violation of the Constitution. The vote, on Jan. 13, was 220 yeas to 203 nays. Yeas:

Kind D-WI (3rd)

Senate votes

Digital economy: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Alan Davidson to serve as the Commerce Departments assistant secretary for communications and information. Davidson was a lobbyist for Google from 2005 to 2012, then was a senior official at the Commerce Department and at the Mozilla Foundation. A supporter, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said Davidson had abundant experience in the public and private sectors, and he would help effectively and speedily to get broadband deployed to both sectors of our economy. The vote, on Jan. 11, was 60 yeas to 31 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Railroads: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Amitabha Bose to serve as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Bose has been a senior official at the FRA and the Transportation Department, and before that, the New Jersey government. The vote, on Jan. 12, was 68 yeas to 29 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Appeals court judge: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Gabriel Sanchez to serve as a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. A California state appeals court judge since 2018, Sanchez was previously a legal affairs official in that states gubernatorial branch and a private practice lawyer. A supporter, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said Sanchez has long been held in high esteem in Californias legal circles. He brings thoughtfulness and empathy to every decision that he makes. The vote, on Jan. 12, was 52 yeas to 47 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Gas pipeline sanctions: The Senate has rejected the Protecting Europes Energy Security Implementation Act (S. 3436), sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The bill would have required the imposition of sanctions against entities building the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, which would carry gas from Russia to Germany. Cruz said that by helping block the pipeline, the sanctions would aid Ukraine in its struggle to prevent domination and possible invasion by Russia. An opponent, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said that by cutting off talks with Europe on how to oppose Russia, the sanctions would drive a wedge between us and our allies, particularly between the United States and Germany, at a time that we cannot afford it. The vote, on Jan. 13, was 55 yeas to 44 nays, with a three-fifths majority required for approval. Yeas: Johnson R-WI, Baldwin D-WI

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Across Wisconsin and the nation there is a high number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients being cared for by staff who, while dedicated, are feeling the stress of the high number of very ill patients. Vernon Memorial Healthcare is no exception.

VMH has seen a steady increase in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from October through December. In October there were 12, in November 24 and in December the total was 25.

The increased number of isolated patients increases the workload on all inpatient staff, including nurses, nursing assistants, lab workers and pharmacy techs.

Chief Nursing Officer Kristy Wiltrout said there was one instance where emergency room patients had to be diverted due to the pandemic because space was needed in the ER for higher-care COVID-19 patients who were waiting for transport. (VMH doesnt have an intensive care unit.)

Wiltrout said Hollie Hoffland, medical surgical manager, has received calls from Gundersen Health System, among other hospitals, asking if VMH has swing beds available for patients because nursing homes are full; sometimes beds havent been available.

Hoffland said every day is a balancing act with acute care, rehabilitation, the number of staff and bed space. She said sometimes patients who need further care in a nursing home may have to be held longer in the hospital until there is staff and bed space available. The nursing homes have been spectacular to work with.

Bobbi Johnson, emergency room/respiratory therapy manager, said over the last six months the ER and Urgent Care have seen the monthly average of patients increase from 500 to 900. She said a lot of the patients are there for COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 symptoms. She said with the high volumes of patients, its difficult for staff to see patients in a timely manner.

We are seeing very acutely ill patients; not just COVID patients, Johnson said. People have to wait longer (due to the high patient volumes).

Wiltrout said VMH wants the community to be aware that even though the hospital may be short on staff and beds, staff is still available to offer care to whomever needs it.

Wiltrout said at this point, there is adequate staff for elective surgeries and VMH has not needed to say no to those surgeries. She said patients who need surgery on their joints now have same-day surgery, rather than spend two or three days in the hospital in order to free up inpatient beds.

Hoffland said staff is resilient and the number of shifts they take is phenomenal. In November there were 58 additional shifts; in the first 15 days of December there were 45.

Wiltrout said VMH is a 25-bed critical access hospital. Ove the past few months, they have been consistently providing inpatient care to a substantially higher number of patients than usual. Not only are there more patients, but they are also more acutely ill than usual, and staying longer due to the care they need.

Hoffland said VMH has 41 regular part-time and full-time nurses, 16 PRN (limited part-time) nurses. That speaks to their dedication. She added they have not had massive amounts of employees who are sick because they understand the need to follow safety protocols to keep themselves healthy and be there for patients.

Hoffland and Johnson said it takes a team, not just nurses, to care for patients. That team includes everyone from those working in the lab and laundry to those who clean the rooms. We couldnt do it without them, Johnson said.

Johnson said everyone is tired and they look for situations that are bright spots. Hoffland said not too long ago she heard someone laugh for the first time in a long while; she said that was a good day.

Hoffland said staff can sometimes feel frustration due to the increased demands of the job, but they continue to display compassion to their patients.

Johnson said in the ER, they are taking care of sicker patients than in the past. We are keeping intubated patients comfortable in the ER. She said respiratory staff on are on 24 hours both in the ER and on the patient floors; they werent in the past. They are there to give the best care before patients go (to a facility) that can give a higher level of care.

Hoffland said during this pandemic time, self-care has been a challenge for staff. She said there is a lot of donning and doffing of PPE (personal protective equipment), which can be physically exhausting, and staff may not take time to drink enough fluids. She said a goal is to focus on self-care.

Wiltrout said the nursing leaders are the boots on the ground, making sure nurses take care of themselves and get what they need.

Although staff is tired, there have been examples of staff members showing extra compassion and kindness.

Johnson said an ER nurse had been caring for a patient with COVID-19 who improved and was moved to a COVID room; he ended up having to come back to the ER for a higher level of care.

The patient wanted to give up, Johnson said. The nurse took it upon themselves to go in and wash his hair and made sure he had something to eat. The nurse took time with him and went above and beyond. The patient went home and said that was a pivotal moment when he could not do simple self-care for himself.

Hoffland said she didnt have a special story to share about extra compassion shown to patients because she sees examples every day.

Wiltrout said staff reached out to each other during the holidays with treats for their co-workers.

Hoffland said when she asks new staff the 90-day question, Whats the best thing about the unit? they say their peers kindness and how they help them grow.

Tracey VanPelt, obstetrics/operating room manager who also oversees the GI and infusion clinic, agreed with Hoffland. The care for each other at VMH is outstanding. Teams look out for each other. I see a thread of caring, especially in OB, which is one of my units. When the discussion of central monitoring of OB patients comes up, the reaction is it would take time away from the bedside with patients.

Johnson said respiratory therapists are putting in more time than ever to take care of very sick patients and everyone else. They take night shifts in the hospital to give extra respiratory support.

They are leading like theyve never led before, Hoffland said. They are experts in all thing respiratory, Johnson added.

Wiltrout said the pandemic has thrown them a lot of curveballs and they have adapted.

In a lot of ways its forced us to grow, Hoffland said. Each day is an opportunity to learn, Johnson added.

Advice from the frontlines

Johnson advises the public to seek care if they have an urgent need. Were here to serve you. The ER is open. Were here for you day or night. She also advises people to take care of themselves and see their providers for checkups and keep up-to-date on wellness screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies.

Hoffland reminds people to stay home if they arent feeling well. Its not about toughing it out; its about keeping people healthy and separating yourself (from others when youre not well).

Hoffland said everyone should also be respectful of others and their wishes; she added there are people who are strongly for COVID-19 vaccines and those who are strongly against. It goes both ways. Its been a big separator.

VanPelt said the pandemic has made people realize that its OK not to go to work when they arent feeling well and its OK to stay away from others. You are supporting the team. You dont need the tough-guy attitude. Its better if you dont go in; youre doing others a favor.

Wiltrout said washing hands and wearing masks are still important safety measures. She also advises people call their providers during office hours if they believe they are feeling COVID-19 symptoms and not wait to make that call.

Hoffland added that if people have to come to the hospital its important to be kind and show grace if they have to wait.

Wiltrout said the visitor policy has been a struggle for people to understand. Hoffland said when people have a loved one in the hospital they are scared and sometimes become frustrated when they cant visit. Hoffland said she empathizes with them and tells them the hospital needs to have the staff available to care for their loved one and in order to reduce coronavirus exposure to staff, the number of visitors has to be reduced.

Wiltrout said all patients are tested for COVID-19 prior to surgery and anyone entering the hospital is screened at the front door.

Angela Cina can be reached at angie.cina@lee.net.

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Educate, liberate and mobilize.

Robert S. Harvey lives those words every day as superintendent of East Harlem Scholars Academies in New York City.

Those words served as the theme for NAACP Lancasters 42 annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Worship Service: The Dream: Educate, Liberate, Mobilize.

Harvey was a guest speaker at Sundays service, which was presented in partnership with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Lancaster. A surge in COVID-19 cases led organizers to present the service virtually for the second consecutive year.

An educator and minister, Harvey urged worshippers to remain relentless in our discontent and to continue pushing toward racial equity.

He said he hopes those listening to his message will gain a willingness to become discontented enough to stay centered on the evidence of justice, not the performance of justice.

Until we see in our hands what we see in our dream, we must remain relentless in our discontent, he said.

NAACP Lancaster President Blanding Watson said the annual worship service aims to honor Kings legacy not only to recognize Americas progress, but also to commit to future growth.

Watson said to keep Kings legacy alive year-round, Americans should ask themselves, How do diversity and equity impact our daily lives in small and large ways? The answers, he said, should fuel pushes for racial justice.

No one, regardless of skin color, has escaped the damages of racial injustice in our community or country, Watson said. Everyone, regardless of skin color, would benefit from equity. This is not a zero-sum game. It is not the case that what is gained by one group is lost by another.

We all gain, he said. We all become part of a stronger community.

The Rev. John Knight, senior pastor at Bright Side Baptist Church in Lancaster city, prayed that listeners would serve God and develop the spirit of King during a polarizing time in the nation.

Lancaster City Council President Ismail Smith-Wade-El also spoke at the service, which included songs and spoken-word performances by Jamar Johnson, Frieda Roberson and Sir Dominique Jordan.
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, paid a visit to Tec Centro in Lancaster city on Saturday. Lamb, the current U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district, met with Lancaster city councilwoman Janet Diaz, who is campaigning for the 50th district representative position, as well as members of the Spanish American Civic Association. Lamb, one of seven Democrats currently in the Senate race, later traveled to Brothers Food Market.

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An effort by former President Donald Trumps campaign legal team to get Republicans in key swing states to send alternate slates of electors to Washington ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, election certification hit a snag in Pennsylvania when GOP leaders here balked, documents and interviews show.

Documents obtained by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit American Oversight show Trump electors in five swing states signed documents wrongly declaring a Trump victory as they attempted to cast their states electoral votes for Trump.

Republican electors in two other states  Pennsylvania and Nevada  hedged the language on their certificates to say theyd cast their votes for Trump only if his election challenges succeeded in the courts.

That small distinction could spare Trump electors in those two states the legal trouble potentially facing their counterparts in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin.

The electoral votes from those seven states, all of which President Joe Biden won, would have been more than enough to overturn the election and keep Trump in the White House. The Trump campaigns push to get duplicate slates of electors sent to Congress occurred amid an unprecedented flurry of legal, political and public maneuvering aimed at undermining confidence in U.S. democracy and, ultimately, subverting the will of American voters.

Allegheny Co. Republican insisted on change

While Trump supporters in five states used identical language outright declaring themselves the duly elected and qualified electors, their Pennsylvania counterparts insisted on saying they would only cast their votes for Trump if, as a result of a final non-appealable court order or other proceeding prescribed by law, we are ultimately recognized as being the duly elected and qualified electors. Trump electors in New Mexico added similar language.

We were not going to sign unless the language was changed to say if. This was in no way, shape or form us trying to go around the election, said Allegheny County Republican Committee Chairman and Trump elector Sam DeMarco. DeMarco has been among the highest-profile Republicans in the state to push back against false allegations of widespread fraud in the 2020 election made by Trump and his allies.

Trump campaign lawyer James Fitzpatrick, of Philadelphia, pitched the declaration to electors as a way of preserving Trumps legal rights should his election challenges prevail, DeMarco said. Because state and federal laws require electoral votes to be cast on Dec. 14, they needed to sign the declaration on that day, Trump campaign officials told them.

Fitzpatrick could not be reached. The state Republican Party issued a press release on that date announcing that the Trump electors had met to cast their votes.

Initially, there was a little bit of back and forth over the electors attempt to change the documents language, DeMarco said. ... We wanted to make sure we werent trying to position ourselves as getting in the way of Bidens electors.

Pa. Attorney Generals view

The Pennsylvanians insistence mightve spared them from a criminal investigation.

These fake ballots included a conditional clause that they were only to be used if a court overturned the results in Pennsylvania, which did not happen, according to a statement released by state Attorney General Josh Shapiros office. Though their rhetoric and policy were intentionally misleading and purposefully damaging to our democracy, based on our initial review, our office does not believe this meets the legal standards for forgery.

Not so in Michigan, one of the five states where Trumps electors appear to have falsely declared themselves victors.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on Thursday the electors potentially violated state forgery and election-forgery laws, which carry sentences of up to 15 and five years, respectively.

Rather than pursue state charges, however, Nessels office turned the matter over to the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Western District of Michigan on Thursday, she said.

Because it seems to be a coordinated effort across state lines, we think this is a matter that is best investigated and potentially prosecuted by the feds, Nessel told Maddow.

A multi-pronged campaign

While the scope of Trumps multi-state effort to overturn the election by leaning on state officials isnt fully known, pieces of it have been leaking into the public record since late 2020.

That December, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told a Fox News host, in those four states we saw a lot of problems in with those big metro areas ... there has been an alternate slate of electors voted upon that Congress will decide in January, so we will see what happens.

During a Jan. 2 phone call caught on tape, Trump personally pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger to find enough votes to flip the state into his column, a potential state and federal crime.

That same day, Trump, lawyer Rudy Giuliani and former Justice Department official John Eastman tried to pressure hundreds of state legislators to overturn the election, according to a recording of Eastman by a liberal activist posing as a conservative at an event at the right-wing Clairmont Institute.

Trump, Giuliani and me met with 300 legislators on Jan. 2 via a Zoom conference call and they all spinelessly wouldnt do anything. Even though wed given them all the evidence they wouldnt do it, Eastman, who wrote a memo outlining a legally dubious way for Vice President Mike Pence to reject states legitimate electors, said in the recording.

The multi-pronged effort to overturn the election culminated on Jan. 6, 2021, with a last-ditch pressure campaign by Trump, Republican members of Congress and a pro-Trump mob to convince or force Pence to refuse to certify the votes of legitimate electors. That mob eventually breached the Capitol, temporarily interrupting the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in U.S. history.

Eastman, speaking in the recording about spineless state legislators who wouldnt join their effort, suggested the pressure campaign isnt over.

Now, if we take a bunch of them out in the primaries in 2022, and the precondition for getting elected is were going to fight this stuff, then maybe weve got an opportunity, Eastman said.

Follow Mike Wereschagin on Twitter @Wrschgn.
When: East Cocalico Jan. 3 supervisors meeting.

What: Romao RC Carrasco was re-appointed chairman of the Board of Supervisors during the township reorganization meeting. Carrasco had been chairman since the resignation last March of then-Chairman Alan Fry.

Carrasco nominated fellow supervisor Jeffrey Mitchell as vice chairman but the motion received no second. Mitchell nominated newcomer Lorenzo Bonura as vice chair and the motion passed. Mitchell accepted the nomination as secretary. Mitchell was also elected as treasurer with Bonura as assistant.

Mike Hession was reappointed as township manager, assistant secretary and open records officer, and Darrick Keppley will again serve as police chief.

Mitchell then nominated Bonura as police commissioner but it failed to get a second. Carrasco nominated himself for the job but that also did not receive a second. Mitchell finally renominated Bonura and that was approved unanimously.

The township also approved the following trash haulers to serve East Cocalico. These are Eagle Disposal, Goods Disposal, Republic Services, Waste Industries and Waste Management. One request is still pending for Purple Heart Disposal.

Cleaning out the pipes: In other business, the board voted on a contract with Utility Services Group Inc. to televise and perform light cleaning of stormwater pipes in Reamstown Heights.

The goal is to have this company come and get an idea what these pipes look like, Hession said.

If any pipes filmed show they cannot be cleaned, those may require replacement, Hession said.

The cost of the project will be $13,964 and will come out of the townships share of a $200,000 Community Block Grant the township received.

Other expenditures: The board also approved the purchase of a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at a cost of $34,890. However, they balked at the $40,540 price tag for an aluminum utility bed, lift gate, snow plow and other accessories since the purchase was $10,000 over budget. Because of availability difficulties the truck was ordered, but the township will look for a better price for the accessories.

The board also approved an expenditure of $3,500 to disassemble, repair and powder coat the stairs, railing and platform of the Reamstown Community Pool slide. The work will be done in time for the 2022 season.

Four Seasons traffic: Hession also gave an update on the Line Road/Wabash Road dilemma resulting from tractor-trailer trucks heading for Four Seasons Produce and regularly damaging or breaking a utility pole at the intersection, and causing other property damage. Hession said a traffic study has been done, and he is awaiting clearance from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to erect signs banning trucks from turning right from Line Road onto Wabash.

Whats next: The board of supervisors will meet again at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the township building, 100 Hill Road, Denver.
When: Jan. 11 School District of Lancaster board meeting.

What happened: Board members must decide the next step for dual-language immersion instruction by Feb. 15. Administrators, charged with researching different methods of language instruction, presented three scenarios at the meeting but recommended that the district continue to freeze the program because of a lack of available teachers.

Background: The board voted in June to pause dual language and study options after a consultants report said the current plan didnt work. The district then surveyed all elementary school parents about dual language and received responses from 8% of them.

Quotable: A low response rate does tell us this is not a high priority, said Shannon Smith, who coordinates the districts English language development. Smith also said the district doesnt have enough Spanish teachers to staff a dual language program. We have a Spanish certification shortage right now.

Options: Choices include dual language immersion for kindergarten and first grade students, Spanish as an elementary elective, a Spanish club that would meet before or after school, and a full-immersion program for K-5. Board members may choose among the recommendations or create one of their own.

Costs: The district started dual language immersion in 2009, mostly at Wharton elementary, and has spent about $9.7 million to offer Spanish and English instruction to students in grades K-8. About 39 students have graduated from the program, and the district spends about $1.2 million each year.

COVID-19: The district has shortened isolation and quarantine time from 10 days to five, following CDC guidelines, said Lauren Reagan, who coordinates health services. Increased teacher and staff absences, though, have become a problem.

Quotable: Were facing a dire situation, Reagan told board members, explaining that administrators are covering classes, and teachers are giving up their preparation time to fill in. Schools are reporting 515% staff absences daily, district spokesman Adam Aurand said after the meeting.

Also, administrators have sent 50 COVID-19 tests to each elementary school and 100 tests to McCaskey so nurses can either test students or send kits home for families.

Budget: Board members began talking about how to allocate about $42 million in pandemic money for the 2022-24 school years. Kareena Rios, board vice president, said members will delve into ideas in early February.

Next: The school board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18. The public can view meetings and register to comment on the district website.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. described poverty as one of the most urgent items on the agenda of modern life, along with racial injustice and war.

In his 1964 Nobel Lecture, The Quest for Peace and Justice, he said, We cannot be content to see men hungry, to see men victimized with starvation and ill health when we have the means to help them.

He was talking about the social and economic gulf between the haves and the have-nots of the world.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank addresses hunger by appealing to the haves in our community to share with the have-nots. We leverage the generosity of central Pennsylvanians to buy, collect and distribute millions of pounds of food to our neighbors needing a helping hand. We are truly thankful for the generosity of the donors, volunteers and partners making this mission possible.

While emergency food assistance is important and necessary; we believe it is not enough to provide a temporary fix. We cannot be content to see men and women merely fed when we as a society have the means to change the reasons why they are hungry.

Racial injustice and poverty are intertwined. Nationwide in 2020, food insecurity among Black, non-Hispanic households was more than three-times as high as food insecurity among white, non-Hispanic households  21.7% compared to 7.1%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food insecurity among Hispanic households was 17.2%.

Black households are much more likely to fall into the very low food security category at 8.0%, compared to 3.0% of white households.

The Drexel University Center for Hunger-Free Communities found that people with experiences of discrimination in school, hiring, at work, in public settings and in interactions with law enforcement show statistically significant associations with household food insecurity. These experiences can have a big impact on opportunities for economic security. Never was this more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We believe if the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is going to achieve our bold goal to provide access to enough nutritious food for everyone struggling with hunger in each of the 27 counties we serve, then we must acknowledge and help to address the underlying inequalities caused by the longstanding economic and social disadvantages of systemic racism.

To do that, we must first learn more about our neighbors who have these experiences, empathize with them, respect and humanize them and ensure we are providing the food resources they need to be productive members of our society.

As a proud citizen and as a leader, I love the United States, and I believe that to continue to honor the call in our Constitution to form a more perfect union, we must face some hard truths about racism.

We must recognize the existence and harmful impact of white supremacy culture. As a white man enjoying his 59th winter in comfort, I must personally bear witness to my own privilege.

Although I grew up in coal country in a family of modest means with plenty of challenges, I did not face obstacles due to the color of my skin or my gender. When I applied for jobs, my English-sounding name did not raise alarms, and my resume at least made it to the maybe stack.

When my wife and I married 36 years ago, no law stood in our way. Whenever I sat in job or loan interviews, the person across the desk almost always looked something like I do now. When my white children began to drive, I worried about their skills, but never that they would be profiled or mistreated by law enforcement.

My privilege is evident to me now, even if it wasnt just a few short years ago.

As I reflect on Kings legacy and how much more needs to be done to achieve his dream, I am thankful to work with an amazing board of directors, leadership team and equity, diversity and inclusion team to prioritize those principles in our food banks mission.

We are not issuing boilerplate policies and checking boxes; we are doing hard cultural work. We have pledged to fight racism as a mission imperative. I personally pledge to use my privilege in this necessary fight.

Joe Arthur is the executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.


Israeli researchers say they have successfully taught a goldfish to drive a small, robotic car.

The team said the fish showed its ability to navigate toward a target in order to receive a food reward.

For the experiment, the researchers built what they called a Fish Operated Vehicle (FOV). The main part of the vehicle was a fish tank attached to a moving machine with four motorized wheels.

Attached to the top was a system used to follow all movements of the fish and vehicle. The system was operated by lidar, a technology that uses light lasers to map environments and measure distances.

When the system observed that the fish was up against the side of the glass while facing forward, it would move the vehicle forward in that direction. The researchers said that over time, the fish learned that putting itself in these positions would move the FOV in those directions. In this way, the fish was able to drive the vehicle.

A team at Israels Ben-Gurion University of the Negev carried out the research. Results of the experiment were recently reported in the publication Behavioral Brain Research.

Researcher Shachar Givon told the Reuters news agency it was surprising how quickly the fish learned to drive the vehicle. They're confused at first - they don't know what's going on, he said. But they're very quick to realize that there is a correlation between their movement and the movement of the machine that they're in.

The team used six different goldfish in the study. Each fish took part in about 10 driving exercises. A colorful target was clearly marked on a wall opposite the tank. Each time a fish reached a target, it was rewarded with food.

The researchers said the fish were able to navigate to the target even if something happened to temporarily take them off the path. And, they said, the fish were not fooled by false targets placed by the team.

Researcher Ronen Segev said some of the fish proved to be excellent drivers. Others, he said, showed that while they could control the vehicle, they were not very good at driving it.

The team reported that their experiment led to two main findings. The first was that navigational ability is universal rather than specific to the environment, researcher Givon said in a statement.

Secondly, the experiment showed that goldfish have the cognitive ability to learn to perform a complex operation in an environment completely unlike the one they evolved in.

Givon compared the experiment to a human first learning to ride a bicycle or drive a car. In both of those cases, the beginning can be difficult, he said.

A description of the study noted that navigation is a critical ability for animal survival. Such an ability permits many kinds of creatures to find shelter, seek mates and be successful in many kinds of behaviors.

In this case, the researchers sought to find out whether the fish could use the same navigational skills they use in the water to move a vehicle traveling on land.

In the end, the team found the results demonstrated that a fish is able to keep its space representation and navigation skills when put into a completely terrestrial, or land-based, environment.

Researcher Ronen Segev said, "We humans think of ourselves as very special. And many think of fish as primitive, but this is not correct." He added that there are many other very important and very smart creatures."

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story, based on reports from Ben-Gurion University, Behavioral Brain Research, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

Quiz - Israeli Researchers Teach Goldfish to Drive Robotic Car Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

______________________________________________

Words in This Story

navigate  v. to find the right direction for traveling by using maps or other equipment

reward  n. something good that you receive or experience because you do something good, work hard, behave well, etc.

confused  adj. unable to think clearly or understand something

correlation  n. a connection between two or more things, usually where one causes or influence the other

cognitive  adj. relating to how people think, understand and learn

evolve  v. to develop or make something develop

primitive  adj. relating to human society at a very early stage of development
A fire at a Portage residence Saturday night started after a tenant was smoking a cigarette in bed, according to Portage Fire Chief Troy Haase.

In a statement released Sunday morning, Haase said Portage Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a fire on East Cook Street at 11:34 p.m.

When fire crews arrived, the fire was active and smoke was showing from the exterior of the two story multifamily residence.

The tenant was smoking in bed, thought she had extinguished the cigarette, but it landed on a role of yarn and started a fire, Haase said. The tenant tried to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher, but the heavy smoke forced her out of the structure.

There were no reported injuries from the fire.

Portage Fire made sure all the residents were out of the building. They entered the building and saw heavy fire and smoke damage to the bedroom the fire started in. Haase said three other apartments had smoke and water damage.

Red Cross assisted four residents with finding living arrangements for the evening. The residents will be displaced until it can be cleaned and remodeled, Haase said.

Pardeeville and Poynette Fire Departments were called to assist with the fire along with Alliant Energy to secure the power and gas in the building and surrounding area. Portage Police assisted with traffic control. Aspirus MedEvac was on scene to monitor firefighter health and residents.

Haase said that residents should who smoke in bed should totally extinguish the material before discarding.

In addition, please check your smoke alarms to make sure they are in good working condition, Haase said. If your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old they must be replaced. It is the landlords responsibility to have working smoke and CO alarms in their rental properties.

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A man was arrested after police say he stabbed a 38-year-old woman in the head at a South Side residence Saturday evening.

The woman was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the stabbing that happened about 7:15 p.m. in the 10 block of Malibu Drive near the Capital Springs State Recreation Area, Sgt. Jared Prado said in a statement.

The alleged assailant, a 33-year-old man who the woman knew, was later arrested by police. The mans name and the tentative charges he faces had not been released.

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Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The New York Times Magazine and creator of The 1619 Project that has incensed some conservatives, will speak on the UW-Madison campus next week.

Hannah-Jones is this years keynote speaker for the universitys annual symposium celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 25. She will reflect on the civil rights leaders legacy through the lens of her work investigating racial injustice, according to an event announcement.

Hannah Joness best-known work, The 1619 Project, is a controversial examination of how slavery shaped Americas founding. Published in 2019, the series of essays has drawn praise as a long overdue correction that centers the experiences of Black Americans. But the work, which was also turned into a book released late last year, has also garnered criticism from some historians for inaccuracies.

Some Republicans have railed against the work, calling it propaganda intended to stoke racial divisions and rewrite history to fit a leftist ideology. GOP lawmakers in a handful of states have gone so far as to introduce bills that would cut funding for school districts or public universities that use The 1619 Project in its curriculum. And Donald Trump appointed a panel, the 1776 Commission, to write a report about the countrys patriotic history that refutes the narrative set forth in the series.

Becca Meltz, who chairs the College Republicans of UW-Madison, said the group didnt have a statement about the upcoming event. Speaking generally about speakers on campus, she said the group has always been and will continue to be advocates for free speech. Students should have the opportunity to be exposed to a diverse set of viewpoints, she said, and that can only happen when the university is accepting of any speaker regardless of their opinions and positions.

We just ask that conservative speakers are given the same respect and opportunity that liberal speakers are given, Meltz said.

Its unclear how often, if at all, The 1619 Project is taught in the classroom. The university does not have a centralized tracking system of whether a particular text is taught in a given semester, UW-Madison spokesperson Meredith McGlone said. Those decisions are left to individual instructors.

The speakers fee to bring Hannah-Jones to campus is $55,000, which is on par with past speakers for this event, McGlone said. Gift funds will be used to pay the speakers fee.

Hannah-Joness reporting has earned a number of prestigious awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a Genius grant. In 2016, she co-founded the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, which aims to diversify the journalism industry.

The free event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Shannon Hall in the Memorial Union. Doors open at 6 p.m. No ticket is required.

The event will also be livestreamed. Registration is required for those tuning in online and can be completed at go.madison.com/MLKevent.

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Navient, once one of the countrys largest student loan servicing companies, reached a $1.85 billion deal with dozens of states, including Wisconsin, to settle claims that it steered students toward high-interest loans they were highly unlikely to repay.

The deal announced last week requires Navient to cancel the debt of some 66,000 private loan borrowers nationwide and pay $95 million in restitution to some federal loan borrowers, including more than 4,100 in Wisconsin.

Attorney General Josh Kaul was among a coalition of 39 attorneys general who claimed Navient since 2009 has engaged in widespread and unfair practices directing borrowers to a costly repayment option known as forbearance, which allows borrowers to pause or reduce their debt payments for a short time period while still accruing interest, instead of informing them about more affordable income-driven repayment plans or loan forgiveness programs. As a result, some borrowers fell deeper into debt as interest accrued on their principal balances.

A student loan servicer cannot be permitted to engage in deceptive and predatory practices that add to the burdens that families face because of student loan debt, Kaul said in a statement. This resolution provides meaningful relief to many people who were impacted by Navients actions.

Wisconsin will receive nearly $24 million for two different groups of borrowers: $1.1 million in restitution payments for more than 4,165 federal loan borrowers and $22.8 million for nearly 1,000 borrowers whose private loan debt will be canceled, according to Kauls office.

Many who will see their loans forgiven attended for-profit schools, which often have low graduation rates and shoddy job-placement records. Navient knew, Kaul and others argue, that many of those borrowers would be unable to pay off their loans.

The deal requires Navient to change its practices. Some examples include explaining to borrowers the benefits of income-based repayment plans, offering to estimate what payments under those plans would look like before putting borrowers into forbearance and telling public service workers about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and other programs.

Navient did not admit any fault in the settlement and said it did not act illegally.

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 Mark Heleen, Navients chief legal officer.

The settlement still requires court approval.

If approved, Navient will notify borrowers receiving private loan cancellation by July.

Federal loan borrowers who qualify for a restitution payment  about $260 each  dont need to take any action beyond updating or creating their account at studentaid.gov to make sure their address is up to date. A postcard from the settlement administrator will be mailed in the spring.

More details are available at NavientAGsettlement.com.

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Six decades ago, many states, particularly in the South, passed laws to suppress the votes of people of color. The techniques varied, but they were all quite insidious: poll taxes, literacy tests, English proficiency requirements among them.

Civil rights activists, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., held large and often peaceful demonstrations against this assault on democracy, with King once observing from an Alabama cell that there are more Black people in jail with me than there are on the voting rolls. Local leaders proved unsympathetic and gladly sent in police to break up marches like Selmas Bloody Sunday, where a 25-year-old protester named John Lewis led hundreds across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965, only to be beaten down by state troopers.

Yet the violence proved so shocking to much of the nation, and the cause so just, that Congress rallied to pass the landmark Voting Rights Act by overwhelming, bipartisan margins of 79-18 in the U.S. Senate and 328-74 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats and Republicans alike saw the moral imperative in preserving voting rights for all. In short, they did not want to be remembered as standing up for racial discrimination instead of democratic ideals.

Over time, however, the Voting Rights Act has been weakened through court decisions like that in Shelby County v. Holder. Red states with a history of racial discrimination began passing questionable laws in the wake of that 2013 ruling requiring, for example, voter identification that reduced the turnout of low-income, minority participants.

In the Donald Trump era, the trend accelerated. Republicans, perhaps recognizing that long-term demographic trends worked against their political self-interest, united behind the false claim of widespread voter fraud. And new, less obvious but still insidious, barriers were created: Banning early voting on weekends, for example, when Black churches traditionally organized Souls to the Polls events.

Recently, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer threw down the gauntlet. If Republicans wont support federal voting rights legislation needed to reverse these state-level assaults on democracy, the Senate Democrats will have to go it alone.

That leaves the spotlight on the two recalcitrant members of the caucus, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, to support both voting rights legislation and a carve-out in Senate filibuster rules to allow the bill to pass with a simple majority.

At stake are two essential measures, the Freedom to Vote Act, which supports early and mail-in voting, and the aptly-named John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore the full power of the Voting Rights Act. ...

On voting rights, it appears Senate Republicans have no shame as they buy into the big lie of the 2020 election and the ridiculous pretense of opposing nationalized elections. But what about Sens. Manchin and Sinema? It is one thing to disagree with more liberal Democrats over the scale and purpose of federal spending or energy policy, it is quite another to align yourself with the wrong side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Do these two Democrats want to secure a place in the history books alongside Bull Connor? Or with Rosa Parks?

Last month, relatives of the late King made their preference clear: They do not wish to see his birthday celebrated this year if Congress fails to pass voting rights legislation. Like those who crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, we will not accept empty promises in pursuit of my fathers dream for a more equal and just America, the Rev. Martin Luther King III wrote in a statement. To which we can only add: Amen.

Sen. Schumer has set Jan. 17, the federal holiday observing MLKs birthday, as the deadline for a Senate vote to change the filibuster rules in a 50-50 chamber. Will Senators Manchin and Sinema rise to the occasion? Or will they enable voter suppression that seeks to reduce the political clout of the less favored, less white American? As King once observed, the true measure of such individuals is not how they behave in moments of comfort and convenience but how they stand at a time of controversy and challenges.

That moment is now upon us.
Dear white conservatives:

When youre right, youre right. And you are definitely right about that quote from Martin Luther King.

When he stood at the temple of Lincoln in 1963 and declared his dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, he surely spoke a word for the ages. Your fondness for that word has not gone unnoticed. How could it? You invoke that line all the time  all ... the ... time  to show that King, had he not been murdered by a white supremacist in 1968, would have stood in solidarity with your social and political agenda.

Most recently, youve used it in opposing the teaching of critical race theory. You use it so much that somebody might think you couldnt name another King quote if the survival of the human species depended on it.

Well, did you know Martin Luther King said other things? Its true! In a spirit of public service and in celebration of his birthday, here are a few of them. Youll be happy to know that they support your right-wing agenda exactly as much as your favorite quote does.

For instance, use this one to show that King would have shared your love of capitalism:

Something is wrong with capitalism. Maybe America must move toward a democratic socialism. We must develop programs that will drive the nation to the realization of the need for a guaranteed annual income.

And like you, he surely wouldve condemned reparations and affirmative action:

A society that has done something special against the Negro for hundreds of years must now do something special for him, in order to equip him to compete on a just and equal basis.

Certainly he didnt believe there was any such thing as white privilege:

Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a ... mass effort to reeducate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the white people of America believe they have so little to learn.

And he likely would have opposed ending the filibuster:

I think the tragedy is that we have a Congress with a Senate that has a minority of misguided senators who will use the filibuster to keep the majority of people from even voting.

Surely, King would have sided with the makers over the takers:

This country has socialism for the rich, rugged individualism for the poor.

And he wouldve shared your contempt for Black Lives Matter:

I had seen police brutality with my own eyes and watched Negroes receive the most tragic injustice in the court. All of these things had done something to my growing personality.

Try this quote to prove that King, like you, thought there was no such thing as systemic racism:

For the good of America, it is necessary to refute the idea that the dominant ideology in our country even today is freedom and equality while racism is just an occasional departure from the norm on the part of a few bigoted extremists.

And if all that seems a lot to remember, well, its summed up in something he said on the last night of his life. He was a tired and frustrated man by then after 13 years of marches, speeches and death threats, struggling with a nation that refused to venerate its own lofty ideals. And he told an audience in Memphis:

All we say to America is: be true to what you said on paper.

Pitts Jr. writes for the Miami Herald: lpitts@miamiherald.com.
BURLEY  The Cassia County Historical Society and Museum is planning a community action this spring to raise money to join two buildings together.

There are a couple of reasons why the addition is needed, Gayle Erekson, board secretary and treasurer said. It would be nice to have the buildings connected so people dont have to walk outside to go between them and we are also running out of space for displays.

Museum Curator Janet Gorringe said the plans are to construct a 1,674-square-feet addition that will adjoin the main building, which is 4,620-square feet and a secondary building, called the WWII display, built in the 1990s, which is 8,000-square feet.

Gorringe said the buildings are secured with a camera system that is monitored but there has been a problem at the museum with some theft.

Gorringe said a WWII flak jacket was stolen from a collection.

We knew it had been stolen because we found the empty hanger, Gorringe said.

The addition will provide an added layer of security with one way in and one way out for patrons, she said.

The museum needs to raise $88,237 for construction costs of the addition, which includes some demolition. The museum will also need some additional funding for finishing items like carpeting.

The museum plans to hold a community auction, with a tentative sale date of April 16 where the carnival is held at the Cassia County Fairgrounds.

They need an auctioneer, volunteers and all types of donations, including farm equipment and supplies, vehicles, campers and all types of household goods.

Gorringe said the auction will be modeled after one the museum held on April 16, 1994, which raised the money for the construction of the secondary building.

The museum plans to hold a re-grand opening event on the same day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours and food.

Anyone who would like to volunteer or donate items should call the museum and leave a message at 208-678-7172.

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RUPERT  The Magic Valley Area Humanitarian Center needs more sponsors and more volunteers in 2022.

The centers volunteers spent more than 75,000 hours in the past three years making quilts, baby bereavement clothing, school backpacks and hygiene kits along with homeless sleeping mats and other items for people across south-central Idaho.

Although the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 slowed them down, they still put together mask kits that were delivered all over the Magic Valley to hospitals, senior centers and other agencies that needed them.

We were still always busy, said Becky Schow, Magic Valley Area Humanitarian Center foundation president.

In 2021, the center continued to grow, delivering 135 bereavement items, 222 newborn kits, 384 quilts, 462 educational file folders, 902 school backpack kits and 2,113 hygiene/covid kits to their partners, which include Magic Valley schools, churches, police, hospitals, crisis centers, homeless and domestic violence shelters.

Those are real numbers, Schow said. As a non-profit, volunteer hours and donated items are carefully tracked.

The center does not distribute the donations directly.

But occasionally, people from the center have the opportunity to see the people they help.

Last fall the center met with Community Quilts and delivered quilts and hygiene kits to a Twin Falls family that lost their home in a fire.

When we got there they were pulling things out of their house and their arms were all black, Schow said. It was really emotional.

Through its relationship with the quilting group the center became aware of a Utah group that had a large number of one-piece infant sleepsuits they wanted to donate to someone. The garments were very well made and just needed to be sewed up on one side. The center has sewing machines so they took on the project and were able to donate 4,410 of them to Zimbabwe, Africa.

The babies born there are usually just wrapped in newspaper, she said.

Schow said in 2022, the center plans to continue to expand its networking and build more relationships  so more good deeds can be accomplished.

One of the other major goals for the center is increasing awareness of what they do to draw more volunteers.

On Jan. 11, D. L. Evans Banks Premier Club members, which is a club for people age 50 and over toured the center, along with bank executives.

The bank donated $2,000 to the center, which will be used to buy new towels for the hygiene kits and previously donated desks, chairs and cabinets, Bonnie Zollinger, the banks Premier Club coordinator said.

The relationships with agencies across the Magic Valley the center has established is amazing, Zollinger said.

The sleeping mats made from recycled plastic grocery bags that include an attached pillow and the shape of a heart woven in the pattern and roll up into a backpack, tug at many peoples hearts.

The mats have been hung on the Perrine Bridge so people in need can pick them up.

In 2021 the center donated 234 of them, which exceeds the total number of mats they produced in the previous two years.

I think that really speaks to the growing homeless population in the Magic Valley, Schow said.

The center always needs donations of clean plastic grocery bags, which are used to weave the mats.

Imagine being a homeless person with nothing to sleep on and receiving one of these mattresses that are waterproof, D.L. Evans Bank President and CEO John Evans Jr. said. Congratulations on what they are doing here. It chokes me up.

Anne Martin, of Oakleys who went on the tour said it was her first time inside the center.

I am stunned. Everything in here is brand new and it takes my breath away, Martin said. Everyone can help here and do something. Actions certainly speak louder than words.

Im just amazed, Barbara Andersen, of Albion said. I had no idea this was even here.

Marlene Boettcher, of Heyburn was impressed that the center uses leaders from churches, schools and other organizations to determine who receives the items, which are not available directly from the center.

I didnt know what a gift we have here. We are so lucky, Boettcher said. It feels like it is a generous, helpful and caring place and its a gift for our community to allow people to come here and make a difference.

Boettcher said she may bring a friend and come back later to serve.

In order to keep growing more people need to become aware of the center, Schow said.

The center, 723 F. Street, is open from 10 a.m.  3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment for groups. Call 208-261-2533 for more information.

Projects, which are available for all ages and skill levels, can also be checked out of the center and worked on at home.

The centers motto is Where You Make Miracles Happen.

Schow said miracles have become a regular occurrence at the center.

We dont know yet what the big miracle will be in 2022, Schow said. But it will come.

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The labor shortage thats affecting Idaho and the entire United States is not going away.

Its not temporary, and its not going to be solved by any one thing. Its not caused by lazy people on unemployment, and while COVID-19 accelerated the problem, the labor shortage was creeping up on us before the pandemic.

The labor shortage is systemic and, unfortunately, its only going to get worse.

Its not just a perfect storm, Ron Hetrick, a labor economist with Emsi Burning Glass, a labor market data company with headquarters in Boston and Moscow, Idaho, said Monday. Its literally a hurricane, a tornado and an earthquake rolled into one.

Hetrick was invited to speak at the Idaho legislative academy hosted this week by Idaho Business for Education. Emsi produced a paper on the topic called Demographic Drought, in which they coined the term sansdemic, meaning the labor force is without enough people. Idaho Business for Education brought Hetrick in for the academy as a way to help inform the public about the real root causes of the labor shortage and to inform legislators as the legislative session starts this week.

The Legislature can go down a lot of dark alleys and box canyons and sort of get lost in things that arent all that important to actually improving our education system or helping kids succeed or even helping our state succeed economically and otherwise, Rod Gramer, president and CEO of Idaho Business for Education, said in a phone interview. So what we do is we try to bring thought leaders in that can get our legislators to start thinking more strategically and more forward-looking at things that need to be addressed.

Our current labor shortage, according to Hetrick, is caused by a combination of factors:

Baby boomers retiring from the workforce. Over the past 50 years, baby boomers have provided a massive glut of workers in the workforce, especially since women began flooding the workforce starting in the 1970s.

Well, that bill is coming due, as baby boomers, those 55 and older, are leaving the workforce after decades of accumulating wealth.

While baby boomers made up 66% of the workforce in 1997, they now make up just 41%, and that number continues to decline.

In 2020 alone, 3.2 million baby boomers decided to retire, up from 1.5 million the previous year.

Boomers arent being replaced. Labor force participation rates plunged among prime-age Americans for a variety of reasons, not just sitting at home collecting unemployment. An estimated 2.4 million women, for example, left the workforce in 2020. Prime-age men (24-54) had been leaving the workforce since 1980, dropping from a 94% participation rate to 89% by 2019.

Its not about putting unemployed people back to work, Hetrick said. Were pretty much almost out of unemployed people at this point. Weve consumed them so rapidly. The problem that we have are these people that have all dropped out of the labor force.

Starting in 2009, after the Great Recession eliminated 4.5 million full-time construction and manufacturing jobs, many prime-age men were forced to move into part-time jobs in the restaurant and retail industries. Many of them stayed there, continuing to work 20-30 hours a week, according to Demographic Drought. By 2019, nearly 8 million prime-age men were working part time  by choice.

Birth rates are declining, meaning fewer young people are entering the workforce.

The population of the United States is growing, but its growing at a slower rate than before, at just 6.6% from 2010-20, the lowest decade of growth in U.S. history, lower than the decade of the Great Depression.

Immigration has declined in recent years, removing hundreds of thousands of workers from the labor pool.

Your population only comes from two ways: You either birth them  organic growth  or you get them through migration, Hetrick said. But migration has really plunged, and its plunged, especially since 2016, but in particular the past two years, because of the pandemic, border issues and things like that.

Even the opioid epidemic is a cause, removing an estimated 800,000 young men from the workforce, according to research cited by Hetrick.

All of this adds up to a worker shortfall of roughly 5 million in the United States, Hetrick said.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected the problem in a number of ways, but Hetrick pointed out that the labor shortage was happening before  the pandemic just accelerated it. Even before early 2020, there were 7 million job openings, and unemployment was at historic lows, meaning employers were already having to fight for workers.

Today, that number has grown to a record 10.6 million job openings.

The bad news is that the problem is only projected to get worse, as population is expected to decline further.

What that means is that employers will have to fight each other for employees. Employers will need to do everything they can to retain their existing employees, such as, yes, paying them more, but also providing nonwage incentives and training them to move into unfilled jobs within the company.

On a broader scope, cities, states and even countries are going to find themselves in pitched battles with other cities, states and countries to attract workers.

That means government agencies will need to enact policies that incentivize workers to either move to their area or compel current residents to jump back into the workforce.

For example, lack of affordable child care has been often cited as a reason many people have left the workforce. The state of Idaho could, for example, pass a child- and dependent-care tax credit that could be used to offset the expense of child care, providing a path for stay-at-home parents to come back to work.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, in his state of the state address Monday, proposed cutting $600 million in taxes.

How about targeting tax cuts that help Idahoans rejoin the workforce, fill unfilled jobs and bolster Idahos economy?

Housing affordability is another strike against Idaho, and Boise in particular.

Workforces are moving around, and you just want to be seen as a place that is just really inviting, Hetrick said. People will move to a place where they can get a home and they see themselves having a life, and so having that real estate, having opportunities for people to move into is the key, and it needs to be affordable and it needs to be realistic.

Other policies that legislators could enact to help Idaho compete for workers: fund a really strong public education system, including full-day kindergarten and pre-K programs to attract young families; reduce property taxes; and fund career-technical education programs. Legislators should also ensure that community college and higher education are affordable; facilitate connections between employers and high school graduates through apprenticeship programs; and reduce barriers for those convicted of crimes to reenter the workforce.

Those are just a few. Hopefully, the legislators who were on the call with Hetrick were listening.

Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion expressing the consensus of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members J.J. Saldana and Christy Perry.

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United Kingdom and Egypt Saturday vowed to cooperate on climate change as the current and incoming presidencies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP), reports say.

We affirm our joint commitment to accelerating the fight against climate change during this critical decade, Egypts Foreign Minister and COP27 president-designate Sameh Shoukry, Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad and COP27 ministerial coordinator and envoy and COP26 President Alok Sharma of the UK, said in a statement.

The statement also added that both countries agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation to fight climate change and to maintain and build on the current momentum for global climate action.

We will work together in 2022 and beyond to drive ambitious implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, and to deliver on the outcomes of the Glasgow Climate Pact to keep 1.5 degrees in reach and support developing countries in adapting to the impacts of climate change, it continued.

The countries also stressed the urgency of action required to address the gaps in ambition across mitigation, adaptation, loss, and damage, and finance, and the importance of responding to the best available science in this respect, according to the statement.

We recognise that significant progress was made at COP26, but there is much more to be done  particularly to implement commitments made, it added.

Countries in November in Glasgow, promised at the COP26 climate meeting to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Egypt will host next year in Sharm El-Sheikh the COP 27.
South Korea will grant Egypt $1 billion, the Asian countrys envoy to the Arab country has announced, ahead of Moon Jae-ins visit this week.

Hong Jin-wook, Arab Finance notes, informed Al Mal News about the financial facility without providing further details.

The announcement comes as President Jae-in is expected in Cairo this week for an official visit.

Both countries, during the visit will hold talks in view of signing a trade agreement between the two countries during the visit, the media noted.

Cooperation on EVs, water desalination, green hydrogen and renewables are among the other top priorities for discussion, the reports also noted.
Morocco has strongly condemned the despicable attack perpetrated by the Houthi militias and their backers against the Musaffah region and the Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates.

In a phone talk this Monday with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Emirati Armed Forces, King Mohammed VI has strongly condemned the despicable attack perpetrated by the Houthi militia and their supporters against the territory of the United Arab Emirates, which targeted innocent people and civilian facilities, the Royal office said in a statement.

The King reiterated Moroccos firm support for all measures taken by the United Arab Emirates to defend their territory and the peace of their people in the face of the despicable attacks by the Houthi militia and its backers, the Royal office said.

As part of the tradition of constant and active solidarity between the two brotherly countries, the Sovereign assured Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that the Kingdom will always stand by the United Arab Emirates and provide all forms of support to this brotherly country for the defense of its national security and the protection of its citizens.

Iran-backed Houthi militias set off explosions in fuel trucks that killed three people on January 17 and caused a fire near the airport of Abu Dhabi, drawing worldwide condemnation.

Morocco, through its Foreign Ministry, has also strongly condemned the despicable attack perpetrated by the Houthi militias and their backers against the Musaffah region and the Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates.

The Kingdom strongly denounced the targeting of civilians by the Houthis and expressed its full solidarity with the UAE as well as support for its actions to defend its security, the Foreign Ministry said.

The UAE condemns this terrorist attack by the Houthi militia on areas and civilian facilities on Emirati soil(It) will not go unpunished, the Emirati foreign ministry said in a statement. The UAE reserves the right to respond to these terrorist attacks and criminal escalation.
The Guinean judiciary has ordered the opening of investigations into alleged crimes committed under former President Alpha Conde, who was overthrown by a coup in September 2021.

I instruct you () to initiate without delay or to initiate legal proceedings or to refer to the competent jurisdiction or jurisdictions around the alleged facts committed during the period from 2010 to 2020 by persons who have yet to be identified, said the Attorney General at the Court of Appeal of Conakry Alphonse Charles Wright in a letter Friday and sent to prosecutors under his instructions.

The period mentioned covers the period during which Alpha Conde ruled Guinea (2010-2021) before being overthrown in a military coup led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who has since been installed as transitional president.

The attorney general cited murders, enforced disappearances, arrests or abductions by state agents, torture, and violations of individual freedoms as among the facts to be investigated.

The investigations will be based on calls for witnesses, hearings of victims, judicial requisitions without any form of opposition of professional secrecy, says the Attorney General.

The last years of Mr. Conde at the head of the country have been marked from 2019 by an increasingly authoritarian exercise of power, according to human rights defenders, in the face of a strong protest against a third term of the president. The protest, which was brutally repressed several times, resulted in dozens of civilian deaths and some deaths among the security forces.

Condes re-election in October 2020, vigorously contested by the opposition, was preceded and followed by dozens of arrests.
Fig. 1: STAT3 regulates anabolic genes in human fetal chondrocytes and body size in mice. a Altered gene expression in human fetal chondrocytes after knockdown of STAT3 by shRNA in vitro as determined by bulk RNA-Seq and GO analysis; n = 3. Postnatal deletion of Stat3 in chondrocytes via Acan-Cre+/ERT2 in vivo decreases body weight and size of female (b) and male (c) mice; n  7 for each sex and genotype per timepoint. Images of 6 month old mice are shown. d Reductions in body weight in Stat3 mutants compared to WT littermates were greater in female than in male mice. e Stat3 protein localized to the resting and proliferative zones of the growth plate at 1 month in WT mice. f Stat3 and pStat3 levels were higher in WT female mice as compared to WT male mice (n = 8). Scale bars = 50 m. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02944-y

The IL-6 family of proteins has a bad reputation: it can promote inflammation, arthritis, autoimmune disease and even cancer. However, a new USC-led study published in Communications Biology reveals the importance of IL-6 and associated genes for maintaining and regenerating cartilage in both the joints and in the growth plates that enable skeletal growth in children.

"We show, for the first time, that the IL-6 family, previously almost exclusively associated in the musculoskeletal field with arthritis, bone and muscle loss, and other chronic inflammatory diseases, is required for the maintenance of skeletal stem and progenitor cells, and for the healthy growth and function of the joints and spine," said the study's corresponding author Denis Evseenko, who is the J. Harold and Edna LaBriola Chair in Genetic Orthopedic Research, and an associate professor of orthopedic surgery, and stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at USC. "Our study establishes a link between inflammation and regeneration, and may explain why stem and progenitors are exhausted in chronic inflammation."

In the study, first author Nancy Q. Liu from USC and her colleagues took a close look at a key gene activated by IL-6: STAT3. In both lab-grown human cells and in mice, the scientists demonstrated that STAT3 is critical for the proliferation, survival, maturation and regeneration of cartilage-forming cells in the joints and growth plates. When the gene ceased to function, cartilage-forming cells became increasingly dysfunctional over time, resulting in smaller body size, prematurely fused growth plates, underdeveloped skeletons and mildly degenerated joint cartilage.

Mice experienced the same issues when they lacked a protein called glycoprotein 130 (gp130), which all IL-6 proteins use to activate Stat3. Deactivating another gene Lifr, which encodes a protein that works with gp130 to recognize one of the IL-6 proteins called Lif, produced similar but milder skeletal and cartilage changes.

In mice lacking gp130, the scientists could restore normal growth plates by over-activating Stat3although this also caused an overgrowth of cartilage that led to other skeletal abnormalities.

Interestingly, the researchers noted significant sex-related differences: when Stat3 ceased to function, females experienced more severe cartilage and skeletal changes than males. To understand why, the researchers altered estrogen levels in mice, as well as in lab-grown pig cartilage cells. In both cases, estrogen increased the amount and activity of Stat3, suggesting that females might rely more heavily on this gene.

The study has clinical implications for the use of existing drugs that inhibit STAT3 to curb inflammation in autoimmune diseases: these drugs may also interfere with growth and regeneration.

Conversely, the Evseenko Lab has leveraged their understanding of the nuances of STAT3 and associated genes and proteins to develop a highly targeted drug with the potential to regenerate joint cartilage without triggering inflammation. This drug will soon be tested in human clinical trials.

"Our findings really shift the paradigm and challenge the existing dogmas in the field about how IL-6, STAT3, and associated genes and proteins influence not only inflammation, but also regeneration," said Evseenko.

More information: Nancy Q. Liu et al, gp130/STAT3 signaling is required for homeostatic proliferation and anabolism in postnatal growth plate and articular chondrocytes, Communications Biology (2022). Journal information: Communications Biology Nancy Q. Liu et al, gp130/STAT3 signaling is required for homeostatic proliferation and anabolism in postnatal growth plate and articular chondrocytes,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02944-y
Fig. 1. Rate of DNMS across genomic regions. (A and B) Distribution of the per-individual rate of mutations within (A) different functional genomic regions and (B) different chromatin states. The P values represent the significance of differences in controls or patients with other diseases and were corrected for multiple testing using a false discovery rate. The X axes corresponded to ORs estimated by the Fishers tests, and error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. (C) Schematic and Integrative Genomics Viewer plots are showing two dSVs validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). (D) Comparison of intolerance of genes affected by the same four types of DNMs. SSC control, Simons Simplex Collection siblings; pLI, the probability that a gene is intolerant to a LoF mutation; dSV, de novo SV. Credit: DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi6180

A team of researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Novogene Bioinformatics Institute reports an association between de novo genetic mutations and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their genetic studies involving people with OCD and their parents.

OCD is characterized by excessive behavioral traits, anxiety and stress. In recent years, scientists have found that its roots are genetic, though it is not considered to be an inheritable condition. Instead, it arises in people who have first-generation gene mutations, known as de novo mutations. In this new effort, the researchers sought to learn more about such mutations by conducting a genetic study of people with the disorder and their parents. To that end, they enlisted the assistance of 53 families consisting of two parents and at least one offspring with OCD. Those with the disorder were between the ages of 18 and 65. The researchers conducted whole-genome sequencing on tissue samples from all of the volunteers. The study once again demonstrated that the disorder is not inheritablethe parents did not have genetic evidence of OCD, though their offspring did.

The researchers found commonalities in the genes of people with OCDsimilar de novo mutations associated with the disorder. In all OCD volunteers, the mutations were related to chromatin loops, which prior research has shown play a major role in transcription, in which DNA code is written into RNA. More specifically, the researchers found that the de novo mutations were present in a higher proportion of promoter-anchored chromatin loopsa certain part of genes. They also found the mutation in histone marks, which are genetic regions also involved in gene transcription. They suggest that chromatin modification genes are able to regulate neurotransmitter genes and that problems with such regulations due to mutations can lead to disturbances in the brains of people with OCD.

The researchers note that the genes they found have also been implicated in other neurological conditions such as depression, anxiety, anorexia and Tourette's syndrome.

Explore further Genetic study of heart defects and autism finds new causative genes

More information: Guan Ning Lin et al, De novo mutations identified by whole-genome sequencing implicate chromatin modifications in obsessive-compulsive disorder, Science Advances (2022). Journal information: Science Advances Guan Ning Lin et al, De novo mutations identified by whole-genome sequencing implicate chromatin modifications in obsessive-compulsive disorder,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi6180

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Canada's health authority said Monday it has approved Pfizer's anti-COVID pill, Paxlovid, for adults at high risk of progressing to serious disease.

The oral treatment was approved after an "expedited review," Health Canada said in a statement on its website, adding that it would continue to monitor its safety and effectiveness.

"No drug, including PAXLOVID TM, is a substitute for vaccination," the statement added.

The drug, which comprises two types of tablet, is the first COVID-19 therapy which can be taken at home, and is potentially a huge step towards ending the pandemic.

"Today's announcement is particularly important as access to easy-to-use treatments could help to reduce the severity of COVID-19 in adults who become newly infected and are at high-risk of progressing to serious illness," said Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer.

The approval comes as Canada, like many countries, has been struggling to contain the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The French-speaking province of Quebec recently announced it would levy a tax on the unvaccinated, arguing they impose a burden on everyone else.

Paxlovid has so far been authorized in a handful of countries including the United States and Israel, while the European Union has allowed member states to use it ahead of formal approval as an emergency measure against Omicron.

Unlike vaccines, it does not target the ever-evolving spike protein which the coronavirus uses to invade cells.

It should therefore in theory be more variant-proof, and the company has said preliminary lab studies have backed up that hypothesis.

Explore further EU agency backs Pfizer COVID pill for emergency use

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Dr Herbert Opi is researching the immune responses that provide protection against malaria, particularly in children. Understanding this can point to specific targets for designing more effective malaria vaccines. Credit: Burnet Institute

The epidemiology of COVID-19 is complicated. We've worked out the virus spreads through the air, so instead of wiping things down as was first recommended in 2020 we are now looking to masks and ventilation as key public health tools to prevent community transmission.

But for a disease such as malaria which is spread by a vector (in this case a mosquito), stopping transmission presents a whole different set of challenges.

Burnet Institute malaria vaccine researcher, Dr. Herbert Opi, understands the difficulties of eliminating the disease.

"If a mosquito bit me and I had malaria, it would have to develop for several days in the mosquito first before it could infect another person. It's quite complex," Dr. Opi said.

This complexity is part of the reason some areas of Kenya, Dr. Opi's home country, are badly affected by malaria while other areas rarely see a case. Compare this to COVID-19, which has affected all parts of Kenya in four waves since mid-2020.

"COVID-19 just adds another layer of complexity to what people are already finding difficult to deal with," Dr. Opi said.

Significant gains have been made towards eliminating malaria since 2000, but the coronavirus pandemic threatens to disrupt gains in Asia-Pacific, South America and across Africa, including Kenya.

Burnet Institute Deputy Director and a malaria specialist, Professor James Beeson said history tells us malaria is quick to come back once society takes its foot off the elimination pedal.

Professor Beeson, who heads up Burnet's Malaria Immunity and Vaccines Group, said this isn't the first time that progress in combating the burden of malaria has stalled.

"There are many examples of countries that got malaria right down in the 1950s, '60s and '70s, and then resources were diverted away and malaria bounced back rapidly," he said. "In some countries the numbers went higher than they were before the elimination campaign started."

Now, as countries direct resources to stop COVID-19, Professor Beeson hopes malaria elimination efforts aren't lost.

A complex problem: Developing an effective malaria vaccine

Drug resistance and insecticide resistance present significant hurdles, but Professor Beeson says one elusive tool could make a significant difference: an effective vaccine.

"The recent World Health Organization approval for using the RTS,S malaria vaccine in children is an incredibly important milestone. Many deaths from malaria are in young children under five years of age," Professor Beeson said.

"There are two elements to achieving malaria elimination. One is commitment from governments to implement interventions that we know work," he said. "But there are still missing elements that we need research to provide answers for. A really effective vaccine could be a silver bullet. RTS,S is good but it could be a lot better."

Developing a vaccine against a simple virus organism is exponentially easier than creating one against a parasite like malaria. "For COVID-19, the vaccine targets one protein of the virus. The solution to getting a vaccine based on that protein was relatively straightforward using concepts that have been around for a long time," Professor Beeson said.

"For malaria, we don't have that simple starting point. There are about 5,000 proteins that make up the malaria parasite organism. We have 50 to 100 possible proteins that we could target with a vaccine. Which one do we target? Or do we need a combination?"

The complexity of the science is only part of the problem for researchers. "It's incredibly hard to get funding for malaria," Professor Beeson said.

He's not deterred, and he hopes countries can translate lessons from COVID-19 responses to malaria elimination. More than 400,000 people die each year from malaria.

"We can sit here, passionate about malaria, but we need partnerships from global leaders and funding organizations. We need communities to demand their rights, to malaria treatment, diagnosis, prevention and to a solution."

Professor Beeson has worked in malaria research in Africa and Asia for more than 25 years. At Burnet, he heads our malaria vaccine laboratory and development of new tools and preventative public health strategies to reduce the global burden of the disease.

Explore further New insights into immunity to malaria in pregnancy
Range of motion (ROM) for supraspinatus, Achilles, and patellar tendon with corresponding contrast-enhanced images of murine rotator cuff (supraspinatus tendon), ankle (Achilles tendon), and knee (patellar tendon) joints held in flexion, straight, and in extension. Green dashed lines outline tendons at each position. HH, humeral head; G, glenoid. Credit: Royal Society Interface, DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0421

While tendons of the body differ dramatically in their function, mechanics, and the range of motion, they all connect to bone via an enthesisa specialized interface that integrates tendon into bone. Effective force transfer at the enthesis can allow joint stability and mobility, with strength and stiffness due to a fibrous architecture. However, the mechanisms of enthesis toughness can arise across tendons with different load orientations, which remain to be understood. In this work, Mikhail Golman, and a team of scientists at the Columbia University, New York, Missouri University, MO and the Washington University, St. Louis, U.S., performed simultaneous imaging of the bone and tendon in enthesis to represent variations of tendon-to-bone insertion. They extended the mathematical model to account for variations in insertion and bone geometry and tested the hypothesis that the toughness across a range of tendon enthesis could be observed via different interactions between fiber and bone architectures. The toughness of the model developed here arose from fiber re-orientation, recruitment and rupture mechanisms, mediated by interactions between fibers at the enthesis and bony ridge around it. In application to tendons, some were characterized as either energy storing or positional. The results provided insight into methods for surgical repair of tendon-to-bone attachments in orthopedics medicine, and the effects of attaching highly dissimilar materials, for bone tissue engineering. The work is now published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

Muscle architecture

Joint stability and mobility can be ensured by muscle forces that transfer across the tendon-to-bone attachment via a transitional tissue known as the tendon enthesis. This is applicable across an entire range of tendons including 'positional' and 'energy storing' tendons with compositional differences for specific functions. In order to understand the effect of the simple fibrous architecture and motif, and see how the tailed bone ridge motif could provide different entheses with resilience at diverse insertion sites, and loading directions, the scientists performed imaging and modeling analyses. In this work, Golman et al. determined the roles of architectural and positional factors of enthesis toughness. To accomplish this, they applied mercury (III) chloride contrast micro-CT imaging to murine patellar, supraspinatus and Achilles tendons to identify qualitative differences in the nature of fibrous insertions and the bone surface that interact with such muscles. Golman et al. examined a model of these data to show that the interactions mediated strength, stiffness and toughness across a range of loading orientations. The outcomes provided insight to show how a single motif in insertion anatomy can provide insight to a range of insertions to describe the bony anatomy during fiber recruitment and tendon enthesis mechanics.

Positional-recruitment simulations, where resulting force vs. simulation time curves were generated. Simulations were run with 20 fibers (N=20), a circular bone ridge (A_0=B_0), fiber thickness of w = 10 m, and fiber spacing s/w=1.5. Fiber failure stretch was set to _u=1.2. Initial conditions were set as for energy storing tendons. Tendon enthesis fibers were simulated to be loaded at 90, 60, 45, 30, and 0. Credit: Royal Society Interface, 10.1098/rsif.2021.0421 The experiments

After harvesting the murine patellar, supraspinatus and Achilles' tendon-to-bone attachment units from healthy murine, the scientists submerged enthesis samples in mercury chloride for 24 hours and visualized them using X-ray computed tomography. The team then used a mathematical model based on bioimaging the fibrous architecture and the bony anatomy of the enthesis to predict variations of the toughness of the tendon enthesis with loading direction, fiber recruitment and interactions between the tendon and bony ridge. Golman et al. defined toughness as the energy required to displace the muscle-part of an idealized tendon. The simulations revealed distinct mechanical responses across a range of physiologically relevant loading directions. They then then plotted the relationship between fiber engagement and displacement to represent the percentage of fibers engaged at a given displacement. The model reproduced many trends and variations in mechanical behavior as seen in tendon enthesis mechanical testing experiments.

Positional-recruitment model. (a) Coronal section of high-resolution contrast-enhanced microCT image of a murine supraspinatus tendon attached to the humeral head. (b) Tendon enthesis fibers are shown in green, the semi-elliptical bone (of major axis A0 and minor axis B0) is shown in grey and the unit vector, e, represents the direction of loading at an angle  relative to the horizontal unit vector i. Fiber kinematics were followed to track the region over which each fiber contacted its neighbor (the region between angles 1 and 2, at points a distance r1 and r2, respectively, from the origin shown). These positions changed as the distal end of the tendon was displaced (that is, as r3 increased). The black arrow represents the direction of loading. (c) At rest, the length of the outer fibers is larger than the length of the inner fibers. When a fiber is engaged and oriented so that it contacts the bone ridge, it tightens until it reaches the tangent to the humeral head curvature (blue arrow) and the tangent point to the tendon fiber (purple arrow). (d) To approximate the distribution of fibers at the enthesis, with middle fibers being more numerous and storing more energy, fiber density was varied across the attachment. Specifically, (d, top) the distance between fibers was increased at the outer edges and (d, bottom) fiber stiffness K was increased for middle fibers. Credit: Royal Society Interface, DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0421

The influence of fiber packing density on enthesis mechanics

To understand the effect of fiber density on tendon enthesis mechanics, Golman et al. next varied fiber packing in the model to adjust the ratio between fiber spacing and thickness. The simulations revealed how the spacing between fibers affected the normalized strength, stiffness and toughness, where the effect depended on the joint position. When the tendon enthesis was loaded at 120 degrees, the normalized strength and toughness were lowest, despite the degree of fiber packing. When fibers were tightly packed, the strength did not depend on the loading angle. The team next identified how the enthesis of tendons commonly classified as 'energy-storing' prioritized toughness compared to strength, while those commonly classified as 'positional' demonstrated consistent stiffness. Golman et al. concluded the experiments by describing the influence of bony ridges at the enthesis to govern fiber recruitment and ultimately regulate enthesis mechanics.

Positional-recruitment simulation results. (a) Normalized strengthdisplacement plot from simulations reproduced many trends and variations of loading angle-dependent mechanical responses seen in ex vivo experimental data. (b) Number of fibers engaged (recruited) with respect to displacement dependent on loading angle. (c) Normalized strength, stiffness, and toughness responses for tendon enthesis simulated to be loaded in range of loading directions. Simulations were run with 20 fibers (N = 20), round bone ridge (A0 = B0), fiber thickness of w = 10 m, fiber spacing s/w = 1.5 and fiber failure stretch of u = 1.2. Strength, stiffness and toughness were normalized against idealized scenario where tightly packed fibers (s/w = 1) were pulled to failure uniaxially at 90. Credit: Royal Society Interface, DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0421

Anatomical bone ridge flattening on tendon enthesis mechanics. Simulations were run with 20 fibers (N = 20), fiber thickness of w = 10 m, fiber spacing s/w = 1.5, and a variable aspect ratio for the cylindrical bone ridge. Fiber failure stretch was set to u = 1.2. Initial conditions were set as for energy-storing tendons. Strength, stiffness, and toughness were normalized against idealized scenario where tightly packed fibers (s/w = 1) were pulled to failure uniaxially at 90. Credit: Royal Society Interface, DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0421

Outlook

In this way, Mikhail Golman and colleagues investigated how tendon enthesis achieved a wide range of functions by developing a position dependent fiber recruitment model, which described the range of tendon entheses and bone attachment geometries. The simulations highlighted the toughening mechanisms across a range of joint orientations and revealed tendon enthesis toughness across a range of joint motion, driven by fiber architecture, including fiber orientation, recruitment, and rupture. The simulations highlighted the entheses of tendons commonly characterized as 'energy-storing,' which prioritized toughness above strength, while those characterized as 'positional' prioritized consistent stiffness. The bony anatomy of tendon attachment dictated fiber recruitment patterns and enthesis mechanics to reveal toughening mechanisms that protect the tendon-bone interface from injury, important in clinical orthopedics. The team also identified several parameters that are important for the attachment of architecture materials, useful for applications in bone tissue engineering.

Explore further A tough attachment between rotator cuff, bone achieved through unique fibrous architecture

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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Flu cases are starting to rise across parts of the U.S. And that's concerning because fewer people are vaccinated for flu, compared to last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

With the COVID-19 omicron variant also spreading, Dr. Stephen McMullan, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, explains what a coinfection of the flu and COVID-19 dubbed "flurona" means.

"Coinfection is rare with COVID-19 and the flu, or COVID-19 and other types of infections that you might get as far as upper respiratory infections because COVID-19 tends to take over," says Dr. McMullan. "Once COVID-19 is in your body, it's going to be the predominant virus, but there are some rare cases where we have seen people getting both COVID-19 and the flu. So it is possible, but it's certainly not common."

Historic activity for areas with rising casesthe eastern and central parts of the U.S. as of the first week of 2022show flu typically peaks in late January and February. As to why flu is surging earlier, Dr. McMullan explains that several factors could be the cause.

"We're all a little bit more back together than we were a year ago," says Dr. McMullan. "The kids are back in school, and we have more events that people are attending, which could explain why we're seeing flu cases rise."

The CDC lists the dominant strain of flu this season as H3N2, which the current vaccine is formulated to protect against. However, nearly 20 million fewer doses have been given by the start of 2022, compared to one year earlier.

Credit: Mayo Clinic

When it comes to recognizing symptoms, Dr. McMullan says COVID-19 and flu are similar. He recommends testing to determine the exact illness and appropriate course of action.

"Nasal congestion; coughing; maybe a sore throat; and difficulty breathing or catching your breath, especially with exertion, can be symptoms of the flu," says Dr. McMullan. "More commonly, what we see are fevers and body aches, specifically muscle aches may be more indicative of the flu itself, rather than other upper respiratory viruses or even COVID-19."

If you do contract the flu, Dr. McMullan recommends isolating from those in your household to prevent further spread, and he says that most people will be able to self-treat with symptomatic medications such as anti-inflammatory, cough suppressant and fever-reducing medications. For questions or if a case becomes severe, contact your health care provider.

Dr. McMullan says it's possible to stay safe from COVID-19 and flu.

"Get vaccinated against COVID-19, including your booster if eligible, and make sure to get your flu vaccine," says Dr. McMullan. "Continue to do the same strategies to protect yourself and others, such as wearing a mask in high-risk situations, washing your hands and staying home if you feel ill."

Those who are eligible can get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 at the same time. It's also possible to get vaccinated for flu and receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination at the same time.
An elderly man wearing a face mask to curb the spread of coronavirus, walks past Athens' municipality building and in front of the statue of the ancient statesman Pericles of Athens' Golden Age, on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Greece has imposed a vaccination mandate for people over age 60, as coverage remains below the European Union average and while a recent spike in infections has sustained pressure on hospitals. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

Greece imposed a vaccination mandate Monday for people 60 and older as a spike in infections has put sustained pressure on Greek hospitals, where most of the seriously ill patients belong to that age group.

Older people failing to get vaccinated will face penalties, starting at a 50-euro ($57) fine in January and followed by a monthly fine of 100 euros ($114) after that.

About 69% of Greece's 10.7 million people are fully vaccinated, just under the EU average of 70.3%. COVID-19 deaths and daily hospitalizations in Greece have increased following the arrival of the highly contagious omicron variant, although the overwhelming majority of people in the hospital or dying of the virus have the delta variant. Pressure on ICU capacity has eased slightly.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris said the fines would be collected through the tax office with the money going to help fund state hospitals.

"The age factor is important because of its impact on the public health service," Plevris told private Open TV on Sunday.

Greece imposed a vaccination mandate for health care workers last year. And starting Feb. 1, vaccination certificates for adults will expire after seven months unless the holder receives a booster shot.

New infections surged sharply in early January but have eased over the past week.

A man wearing a face mask to curb the spread of coronavirus, sits on a bench as pedestrians walk outside Evangelismos hospital in Athens, Greece, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Greece has imposed a vaccination mandate for people over age 60, as coverage remains below the European Union average and while a recent spike in infections has sustained pressure on hospitals. Credit: AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis

An elderly woman wearing a face mask to curb the spread of coronavirus, walks in central Athens on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Greece has imposed a vaccination mandate for people over age 60, as coverage remains below the European Union average and while a recent spike in infections has sustained pressure on hospitals. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

A woman wearing a face mask to curb the spread of coronavirus, exits from a Greek Orthodox church in Athens, Greece, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Greece has imposed a vaccination mandate for people over age 60, as coverage remains below the European Union average and while a recent spike in infections has sustained pressure on hospitals. Credit: AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis

Three elderly men wearing FFP2 face masks to curb the spread of coronavirus, sit on a bench in Athens, Greece, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Italy, Spain and other European countries are re-instating or stiffening mask mandates as their hospitals struggle with mounting numbers of COVID-19 patients. Credit: AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File

The vaccination mandate for the 60 and older age group was announced in late December and, according to government data, 41.5% of the 530,000 people targeted by the measure are now fully vaccinated.

Opinion polls suggest strong public support for the mandate, but some lawmakers across party lines have questioned the legality of singling out a specific group. The government defended the measure as constitutional, citing a 2020 high court decision allowing public day care centers to refuse children who had not been vaccinated for childhood illnesses.

Government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said only people with legitimate health exemptions, those who had suffered a recent infection and applicants for home vaccination appointments that were delayed would be spared the fine.

"The law will be fully enforced," Oikonomou said.

Greece has the seventh oldest population in the world, as measured by share of residents aged 65 and over, according to the U.S.-based Population Reference Bureau. It has seen nearly 22,000 virus-related deaths in the pandemic.

Explore further Greece approves mandatory vaccination for those aged over 60

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

These results follow from an analysis of asymptomatic, positive COVID-19 cases in cancer patients during the outbreak of the alpha variant, between December 2020 and February 2021.

The new study, led by Professor Mieke Van Hemelrijck of the School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, analyzed data from cancer patients who were attending Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

A major driving force of the UK's second wave of COVID-19 was the evolution and spread of the alpha variant, which was associated with a greater rate of transmissibility.

A common side effect of cancer and cancer treatments is the death of immune cells, reducing the patient's ability to fight infections such as COVID-19. As a precautionary measure, treatments and follow-up care for cancer were interrupted or paused during the second wave.

To assess the risk of infection towards cancer patients, the authors analyzed COVID-19 positivity rates during the second (alpha-variant driven) wave of COVID-19.

Data were collected from 1,346 patients who tested positive with asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and a logistic regression was conducted. This statistical model was used to analyze the factors associated with COVID-19.

The results, published in Future Oncology, showed that an increased number of tests taken by asymptomatic people and living less than 20km (12.4 miles) from the epicenter of the alpha variant (the area of southeast England associated with its initial outbreak) were associated with higher positive rates.

The latter is a particularly important factor as Guy's Cancer Centre serves many patients who live in Kent and London, where the alpha variant first proliferated.

However, attending Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust was not associated with an increased chance in patients testing positive.

These results suggest that PPE and social distancing guidelines have so far effectively curtailed the risk of cancer patients contracting COVID-19. As a consequence, the authors support continuing cancer treatment and care for patients.

These findings will be important towards efforts to improve cancer care and treatment outcomes, as we begin to assess and manage the impact of COVID-19 related delays and disruptions.

Explore further UK study suggests COVID-19 became much more lethal in late 2020

More information: Kathryn Tremble et al, The impact of hospital attendance on COVID-19 infection in cancer patients: an assessment of data from Guy's Cancer, Future Oncology (2022). Kathryn Tremble et al, The impact of hospital attendance on COVID-19 infection in cancer patients: an assessment of data from Guy's Cancer,(2022). DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-1329
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A substantial majority of prisoners around the world experience psychological problems, yet authorities do little to address this issue. A new volume(verwijst naar een andere website) edited by Piet Hein van Kempen and Maartje Krabbe from Radboud University highlights for the first time how the situation has dramatic consequences worldwide and promotes human rights violations.

Estimates vary, but research shows that 40 percent to 90 percent of detainees in penal institutions worldwide suffer from mental illness. That percentage is extremely high when compared to the prevalence among the general population, where 'only' 18 percent to 29 percent experience psychological problems. According to Assistant Professor of Jurisprudence Maartje Krabbe, it is high time that this topic be addressed on a global level. In Mental Health and Criminal Justice, Krabbe and colleagues examine the precarious situation of prisoners worldwide.

Krabbe: "The numbers are so disproportionately high that mental health should be a dominant factor in our criminal justice system by now. And yet this is far from true: my analysis shows that the system fails this group on all fronts. There is often too little budget, inadequate mental health care and limited staff training."

High recidivism rates

The result is that the mental state of many of these prisoners deteriorates in prison, which makes their reintegration more difficult. Krabbe: "Recidivism among former detainees with mental health problems is relatively high worldwide. That is not only unsafe but expensive. Research shows that the costs of habitual repeat offending are often much higher than the costs of providing treatment and support to a prisoner with mental health problems."

Moreover, Krabbe points out, the current system violates global treaties and UN rules. "Prisoners have their freedom taken away, but that doesn't mean they have no rights as psychiatric patients. In principle, this group is entitled to treatment of the same quality as people outside prison receive. On a global scale, however, this requirement is very rarely met. Many people do not receive the treatment to which they are entitled. That makes their reintegration more difficult because they are kept in an inappropriate system."

Solutions

In their edited volume, Krabbe and colleagues address various aspects of the issue. Among these, they address which international rules are supposed to protect prisoners in theory but fail in practice. They also look at the specific situations in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, the United States and Brazil. This reveals that fundamental errors are made in almost every country. The fact that suspects with psychological problems are less resilient during the criminal process leads to many wrongful convictions andin the United Stateseven to the wrongful imposition of the death penalty."

"Chile, Hungary and the United States, among others, report that prisoners with mental health problems are more likely to be mistreated by prison officials because they cannot keep up in the system. Greece, Hungary and Portugal report that prisoners with mental health problems are often incarcerated for much longer than necessary, for example because there is no other place for them. The WHO reports that in many countries prisons are 'dumping grounds' for people with mental health problems, including those who have not committed any crime. In Japan, it is so difficult to prove that someone is of unsound mind that many suspects with mental health problems end up in prison regardless.

The researchers also point out that there are many solutions to these problems. "International organizations and previous publications make it clear what can be done," says Krabbe. "But all those solutions require both policy and money. The focus should be on providing a good place for defendants and prisoners with psychological problems, one with adequate treatment and expert staff. That will reduce the costs of reintegration in the long term, but it is also above all more humane, in line with human rights and contributing to a safe society."

Explore further Reduction in psychiatric beds associated with rise in prison numbers

More information: Mental Health and Criminal Justice / Sante mentale et justice penale. Mental Health and Criminal Justice / Sante mentale et justice penale. www.boomdenhaag.nl/webshop/men  le-et-justice-penale
Mental health is still a taboo topic for most Ghanaian families. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Despite global advances in disability rights, stigma towards individuals diagnosed with mental illness is common across the African continent. In Ghana, research has shown that one of the main roots of stigmatization is the belief that mental illnesses are caused by supernatural forces, including spiritual punishment for parents' misdeeds. As a result, Ghanaians with mental illness are often mistreated (sometimes violently), mocked by family members and even denied access to their children.

In some cases, parents abandon their mentally ill relatives, either locking them away in their homes or leaving them in spiritual camps where they may suffer abuse and neglect. Where facilities are available, some parents send mentally ill children to psychiatric hospitals.

Ghana has three main psychiatric hospitals. All are in the southern part of the country. But even in these cases, the patients are often abandoned for years on end, and healthcare providers themselves have been known to mistreat patients, deny them food and medicine, and even forcibly detain and physically abuse them.

Ghana's mental health authority was established by an act of parliament in 2012 to implement policies appropriate for the treatment of individuals diagnosed with mental illness.

The denial of basic human rights is a significant national issue, because as many as 10% of the population live with mild mental illness and 1%3% live with severe mental illness. Due to stigma, neglect and abuse, many of them are also rendered powerless and voiceless.

In our research Ghanaians tell their stories about mental illness. We spoke to 10 about their experiences. Their narratives about stigma and discrimination offer important grassroots accounts of the lived experience of mental illness in Ghana, which we hope can contribute to better policy and programs in the future.

Stories of pain

In the first phase of our research we collected stories from 10 current and former in-patients at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. Located in the nation's capital, the hospital is Ghana's first formal psychiatric institution and is one of three main government funded psychiatric hospitals in the country.

In-depth interviews with the participants revealed many insights into stigma towards mental illness.

They reported constantly being reminded of their illnesses through derogatory remarks and name-calling by family members, friends, and strangers in the community. Some referred more explicitly to the problem of stigma in their daily lives. Others were (or are) involuntarily institutionalized, abused physically by family members and strangers, and banished from public spaces. These experiences harmed our participants deeply at a personal level. They felt fear and shame, which led them to hide their conditions from the public, conceal hospital visits and withdraw from their communities.

Most important, perhaps, was the extent to which the patients (most of whom were Christian) had internalized the belief that mental illness has spiritual causes.

One told us: "I was brought here (to the hospital) because of the spirit that entered my room."

Spiritual causes were believed to result from sin or curses imposed by others. After admitting to consuming alcohol and taking marijuana, one patient said that a fellow church member attributed the mental illness to sin and insisted that he "needed to ask for forgiveness." Another believed that they had been under a curse "that the enemy has used against me to destroy my life."

Internalized stigma often produced feelings of shame among our participants, and a reluctance to admit that they were patients at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. One participant told us that when he had to attend appointments using public transport, he always alighted far away from the entrance so that his fellow passengers would not know he struggled with mental illness. Another participant hid his diagnosis from friends and acquaintances, only telling them that he was visiting the "hospital."

In many cases, the sense of shame was reinforced by experiences of discrimination and abuse driven by stigma. Informants spoke of being cheated by market traders, for examples and even physically abused. "I was getting my hair cut in a barbering salon when two men came in and dragged me into a car on the street." The men apparently did not feel it appropriate for someone with mental illness to get a haircut in public.

But spiritual beliefs also provided a coping mechanism for mentally ill Ghanaians suffering from stigma and abuse. Some of them "thanked God for whatever happened" and ascribed their illnesses to "God's plan," because experiencing mental illness brought life lessons and personal growth.

One found refuge in God and the church. "They sometimes call me an illiterate and even tell me my head is not well shaped. You know wisdom and knowledge, it is God that gives it. But I do not care because I know God created us in his own image  Thank God, all the challenges I face within my society I am able to handle it. "

Conclusions

Coping mechanisms and resilience were one of the more surprising findings of our study. Their existence should not, however, be used as an excuse for inaction. Religion might offer a place of refuge, but it is also part of the larger problem of stigma, which in turn lies at the root of many of our participants' negative experiences.

Sharing their stories may provide a sense of empowerment, through engaging in discourse that could help destigmatise mental illness. Beyond this, it offers the hope that publicizing the lived experiences of mental illness would encourage the Ghanaian government and citizenry to respond out of a sense of duty, necessity and community. Part of that response should be the provision of resources, including personnel, to treat individuals diagnosed with mental illness.

Explore further Stigma surrounding depression drops for first time in U.S., but increases for other mental illnesses

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: wikipedia

Students of physiology are invariably taught that the primary function of myelin is to insulate nerves. In particular, to make action potentials more efficient by increasing the thickness of the membrane and thereby decreasing its electric capacitance. But this crude ideathis analogy, reallycan't be correct. Despite the protestations of dogmatic neuroscientists, neurons aren't electric devices, at least not in the sense of electrons flowing in wires.

Sure, there appear to be plenty of electron currents flowing through and between proteins in the inner membranes of mitochondria deep inside of neurons (some say up to 50 amps for the whole body), but these currents have nothing to do with action potential propagation. Spikes are multifaceted biophysical disturbances in the axons. They clearly do have an ionic component in the form of assorted flows of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and potentially even protons, through channels and pumps; however, electrons are not the bearer of any current or conductance here.

So then what does myelin actually do for an axon? One popular answer has been that it provides some kind of energetic or trophic support, perhaps much like a mitochondrion of sorts that could produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation via ectopically expressed respiratory complexes. There is a fascinating literature describing the presence of presumably functioning respiratory complex V, the F 1 F O -ATP synthase, outside of mitochondria in places like rod outer segments in the retina and in myelinating cells. This may not be all that surprising in light of the presence of several kinds of ATP-ases found in different cell compartments.

It is seemingly quite impossible for cells to assemble full-blown respiratory complexes outside of mitochondria due to the need for in-house construction, and subsequent membrane insertion of the extremely hydrophobic mitochondrially expressed proteins, and the extensive intra-mitochondrial processing and maturation of the nuclear-derived protein subunits (see, for example, this critique of allotopic expression of mitochondrial proteins). Nonetheless, there are other ways in which these proteins might find their way to the plasma membrane once they have been assembled. Creative destruction of parts of mitochondria, with the formation of all manner of single- and double-hulled budding vesicles, could conceivably ferry complexes to the border and beyond.

In the current issue of the Royal Society's Open Biology, Alessandro Morelli et al. present intriguing evidence that myelin sheaths with concentric multilamellar structures possess similar bioenergetics to cyanobacterial thylakoids. In addition to a host of eclectic molecular refinements held in common, both structures also share the apparent function of feeding nutrients, potentially including ATP-synthase-derived ATP, into the central heart of a complex multilamellar structure. No one is claiming myelin itself was derived from thylakoids membranes, as that would seem taxonometrically impossible, only that these observations may comprise an enlightening example of convergent evolution to fulfill some fundamentally similar task.

Beyond gross structure and ATP generation, there are other clues to this common underlying function. For example, tightly packed concentric lipids reliably appear as nature's optimal construction for dissolving and sequestering the largest amount of gas in a particular volume. Lipids, particularly neutral lipids, can hold about five times as much gas as water. In this case, the cyanobacteria would be most interested in dissolving CO 2 for carb construction, and nitogen for fixation, while myelin would no doubt be seeking O 2 . Brain tissues do not have the luxury (as do other high-respiring tissues like muscle) of having a high-affinity myoglobin to snatch away O 2 from circulating hemoglobin.

It may be interesting to compare coronal sections of cetacean brain with that of the human in light of the vastly thinner and more convoluted cetacean cortex that has evolved under the selective pressure of oxygen deprived conditions. Cetacean cortex may likely contain a large preponderance of large deep layer projection neurons relative to their thin upper layers in order to maximize the number of axons available for producing white matter. A cursory look at dolphin brains on Google images does not support this one way or the other, however a more exhaustive accounting could be illuminating. Similarly, the spermaceti of the sperm whale, which presumabkly beamshapes and focuses ingoing or outgoing echolocation signals, may moonlight in an oxygen nourishing capacity. Their wax par excellence, i.e. cetyl palmitate is a C16 fatty acid that esterifies an alcohol and may be deal for absorbing oxygen. Curiously, concentric multilamellar structures are also produced in the lung surfactant, the crucial element for good O 2 absorption by the pulmonary alveoli. The outermost layer of pulmonary epithelial cells also have similar lamellar body formations.

Credit Morelli et. al.

In order to overcome the negatively charged repulsive forces of phospholipids in multilamellar structures, nature seems to have unanimously gone with galactolipids. These lipids, which have galactose as their sugar group, are a favorite among plant membrane lipids, where they substitute for phospholipids presumably to conserve phosphate for other essential processes. Galactolipids make up about 70 percent of the lipids in the cyanobacteria thylakoids, up to 80 percent in plant thylakoids, and about 30 percent in myelin. Myelin galactolipids have also been shown to be essential for proper formation of the nodes of Ranvier.

Another commonality with thylakoids is a close homology in the protein sequences of non-selective ion channels in thylakoids with the ubiquitous, voltage-dependent anion channels (VDAC) abundantly expressed in mitochondria and other membranous structures. In myelin, the VDAC can potentially tetramerize into complexes which would form a central pore approximately 1.3 nm in diameter, roughly the same size as the thylakoid ion-channel pore. In the green unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, these channels connect the thylakoid stacks to an essential structure called the pyrenoid. Bicarbonate, NADPH and ATP are all conducted through pores to the central pyrenoid to feed the CalvinBenson cycle.

A very high concentration of the enzyme RuBisCo is required for CO 2 incorporation into organic compounds. While being the most abundant protein in our entire biosphere, RuBisCo displays only modest catalytic efficiency. This is the likely reason that the dense nuclei of RuBusCo complexes which form carboxysome are found deep within the centers of concentric lamellar structures. To transport CO 2 to the business end of the thylakoids, carbonic anhydrase is required to form a bicarbonate intermediate, much as it is in us. Carbonic anhydrase is essential in mitochondria to convert Krebs cycle derived CO 2 into bicarbonate. Another place where carbonic anhydrase is found is the myelin sheath, suggesting a metabolic role in handling this gaseous species.

Mitochondria contain expansive membrane compartments known as cristae. Normally these elements form parallel stacks sporadically connected to the outer membrane by tubular cristae junctions. Under certain circumstances, these cristae can completely reconfigure themselves into concentric, onion-like membranes. Many manipulations, both natural and artificial, cause mitochondria to adopt concentric cristae, including alterations in ATP-synthase expression. Some time ago, a few researchers suggested that myelin acts like a mitochondrion. A theoretical objection to this concept later claimed that if an errant ATP-ase should find its may into myelin, at best, it could only operate in reverse to break down ATP.

These author's calculations for the proton motive force across the myelin membrane were based on known values for pH and the membrane potential of the oligodendrocyte, and a few assumptions about the underlying configuration and polarity of the ATPsynthase in the membrane. Theoretical proofs of metabolic this-or-thats, like the amount of energy required by neurons, are notoriously difficultnature invariably surprises with how much it can do with so little. For example, the same researchers throwing shade on the myelin hypothesis have also made noble attempts to calculate the energy requirements for spiking axons. While many stealth energy sources are also available to the axon, like vesicle-attached ATP generators in the form of GADPH, axons do a lot more than spike. In fact, spiking may be relatively easy compared to more physical processes like transport and growth.

Peter Mitchell, of Nobel fame, introduced the concept of H+-motive force (typically around 250 mV), which would be constituted by the transmembrane electrical potential difference () plus the pH difference between the two aqueous phases (pH). However, in talking to Alessandro, an extant pioneer tangibly connected to that bountiful era, and still quite active today, it quickly becomes apparent that all may not be well in chemiosmotic land. It has been observed that the biological membrane surface is separated from the bulk aqueous phase by ordered water molecules representing an electrostatic barrier, which for H+ ranges around 120 meV. Any calculation of the value of pmf across different surfaces is therefore far from straightforward when the actual biology is considered.

Dr. Alessandro Morelli

The nature of free protons in and around membranes is similarly difficult to intuit. A particularly high proton concentration probably wouldn't be very healthy for membranes. With better techniques, physical variables in structures like mitochondria can now be measured with greater spatial and temporal accuracy, often with astounding results. Temperatures deep inside the matrix literally blaze, calcium sparks fire, and mitochondrial membrane potentials slew about within an order of magnitude of the speed of the spikes of the parent axon itself.

Explore further Unexpected role of two lipid-binding mitochondrial proteins associated with heart disease and diabetes

More information: Alessandro Maria Morelli et al, Myelin sheath and cyanobacterial thylakoids as concentric multilamellar structures with similar bioenergetic properties, Open Biology (2021). Journal information: Open Biology Alessandro Maria Morelli et al, Myelin sheath and cyanobacterial thylakoids as concentric multilamellar structures with similar bioenergetic properties,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210177

 2022 Science X Network
A health worker applies a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a community health center in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. Brasilia started the COVID-19 vaccination of children between ages 5 and 11. Credit: AP Photo/Eraldo Peres

The coronavirus' omicron variant starting to barrel across South America is pressuring hospitals whose employees are taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed to cope with COVID-19s third wave.

A major hospital in Bolivia's largest city stopped admitting new patients due to lack of personnel, and one of Brazil's most populous states canceled scheduled surgeries for a month. Argentina's federation of private healthcare providers told the AP it estimates about 15% of its health workers currently have the virus.

The third wave "is affecting the health team a lot, from the cleaning staff to the technicians, with a high percentage of sick people, despite having a complete vaccination schedule," said Jorge Coronel, president of Argentina's medical confederation. "While symptoms are mostly mild to moderate, that group needs to be isolated."

It wasn't supposed to be this way: South America's vaccine uptake was eager once shots were available. About two-thirds of its roughly 435 million residents are fully immunized, the highest percentage for any global region, according to Our World in Data. And health workers in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina have already been receiving booster shots.

But the omicron variant is defying vaccines, sending case numbers surging. Argentina saw an average 112,000 daily confirmed cases in the week through Jan. 16, up from 3,700 a month earlier. Brazil's health ministry is still recovering from a hack that left coronavirus data incomplete; even so, it shows a jump to an average 69,000 daily cases in the same seven-day period, up 1,900% from the month before.

Teenagers gather late afternoon at the beach in Pinamar, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Amid a rebound in infections by the new Omicron variant of COVID 19, thousands of vacationers in Argentina fill the beaches in one of the hottest summers in recent years. Credit: AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd

Omicron spreads even easier than other strains, and is already dominant in many countriesamong them, Brazil and some parts of Argentina. It also more easily infects those who have already been vaccinated or infected by earlier versions of the virus. Early studies show omicron is less likely to cause serious diseases than the delta variant, and vaccination and booster shots still offer strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Lesser severity leaves South America's residents loath to give up their long-awaited summer that, so they were told, would mark a return to normality after full vaccination. The enduring pandemic often seems an afterthought to people who are out and about, and don't glimpse how omicron has started affecting medical staff. Beaches were packed this weekend in Argentina and Brazil.

Matias Fernandez Norte, a surgeon at the Hospital de Clinicas in Buenos Aires, told the AP that the high number of professionals on leave has generated "physical and spiritual fatigue, in addition to the stress of dealing with a patient on the edge."

A girl hugs her stuffed toy as she gets a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a community health center, in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. Brasilia started the COVID-19 vaccination of children between ages 5 and 11. Credit: AP Photo/Eraldo Peres

"You feel like you are living a parallel reality. In the street you meet a world that doesn't seem to feel the pandemic," he said. "Sometimes it feels like people have forgotten. Unfortunately, that's what we feel."

Brazil's council of state health secretariats estimates that between 10% and 20% of all professionals in the health networkincluding doctors, nurses, nurse technicians, ambulance drivers and others in direct contact with patientshave taken sick leave since the last week of 2021.

"We are having trouble making the schedules," said the council's director, Carlos Lula.

The press office of Rio de Janeiro state's health secretariat told the AP that about 5,500 professionals have left their jobs since December. All elective surgeries scheduled in the state health network have been suspended for four weeks. As for urgent care, relocations and overtime are being used as stopgap measures.

Drivers wait to undergo a free PCR COVID test at a drive-thru testing site on a racetrack in Capiata, Paraguay, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Jorge Saenz

"Forty percent of our staff is on sick leave," Marcia Fernandes Lucas, health secretary for the municipality of Sao Joao de Meriti, in Rio's metropolitan region, told the AP in her office. "We are able to work with these 60% by redeploying them (between health centers)."

Public hospitals in Bolivia are operating at 50-70% capacity due to the high number of infections among health care workers, according to the Bolivian doctors' union. In Santa Cruz, the country's most populous city, the Children's Hospital is overwhelmedbut less by its number of patients than the amount of staff falling ill, according to Freddy Rojas, its vice director. Last week, the facility stopped admitting new patients.

"There has been a collapse, because we don't have replacements," said Jose Luis Guaman, interim president of the doctors' union in Santa Cruz.

A woman uses anti-bacterial gel while waiting in line for her third shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, at the start of a booster shot campaign where people can get even a fourth shot in Santiago, Chile, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Esteban Felix

Such is the risk of medical services grinding to a halt in Argentina's Buenos Aires provincethe country's most populousthat health workers have been allowed to return to work even if coming into contact with someone infected, provided they are asymptomatic and vaccinated. Other provinces in Argentina are expected to adopt the same rules in the coming days, in line with the health ministry's recently-issued guidelines.

Similar measures are being enacted by authorities in France and the U.S., where omicron has been putting hospital systems to the test for weeks.

Chile has seen a constant increase in its number of cases, prompting the reactivation of public- and private-sector hospital beds, but so far the country hasn't experienced hospital overload. Peru has also seen case its numbers rise, but its facilities aren't yet suffering.

A woman is tested due to COVID-19 symptoms in Villa Gesell, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Amid a rebound in infections by the new Omicron variant of COVID 19, thousands of vacationers in Argentina fill the beaches in one of the hottest summers in recent years. Credit: AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd

A COVID-19 virus symbol decorates the window of a bus used to vaccinate people at the start of a forth shot booster campaign in Santiago, Chile, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Esteban Felix

Teenagers dance late afternoon at the beach in Pinamar, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Amid a rebound in infections by the new Omicron variant of COVID 19, thousands of vacationers in Argentina fill the beaches in one of the hottest summers in recent years. Credit: AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd

A healthcare worker knocks on the door of a house during a door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination campaign, in La Paz, Bolivia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Juan Karita

The Pan American Health Organization said Wednesday it expects omicron to become the predominant coronavirus variant in the Americas in the coming week. Ten countries in the regionespecially in the Caribbeandidn't reach the goal set by the World Health Organization to have 40% of citizens fully vaccinated by end-2021.

While a smaller fraction of people develop serious illness from the the highly-transmissible variant, the crush of contagion and resulting strain on hospitals means omicron shouldn't be underestimated, said Lula, of the Brazilian health secretariat council.

"People have to understand that the argument that omicron is 'mild' is false," Lula said.

Explore further PAHO: Omicron to become dominant variant in Americas shortly

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Figure 1. Urea metabolism is impaired in patient-derived human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) differentiated into hepatocytes (hiPSC-Heps). (A) Scheme showing the urea cycle detoxifying ammonia (NH4+) into nontoxic urea in five consecutive urea cycle enzyme (UCE)mediated reactions in mitochondria in hepatocytes. (B) Urea secretion in four control hiPSC-Hep lines (Ctrl_1-4) as compared with PHHs. Data represent the average of 4 to 12 independent biological samples. (C,D) Relative mRNA and protein expression of UCEs analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR (C) and western blot (D) in Ctrl_1 hiPSCs and hiPSC-Heps compared with primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). All samples shown were loaded on the same gel. The line indicates that the image was cropped. Data represent the average of two to four independent biological samples. One-way ANOVA; *p

The urea cycle is responsible for removing nitrogenous waste produced from the breakdown of protein in the organism. If the OTC enzyme is missing in this cycle, ammonia accumulation rises to toxic levels. An OTC deficiency is the most common disorder in the urea cycle. It could not be cured with drugs until now.

The OTC gene is located on the sex chromosome (X chromosome). This means that the manifestation of the disorder is usually weaker in female newborns. However, in male newborns, who have one X and one Y chromosome, a deficiency in the OTC gene has a dramatic effect: In newborn boys, ammonia toxicity due to OTC deficiency is often fatal. The research team looked for ways to test drugs in the lab against the OTC deficiency.

First, the research team generated liver cells from patients' skin tissue in an elaborate process. It worked like this: Initially, a tissue sample of the skin was taken from OTC-deficient patients as well as from a control group (healthy individuals). In a complex process, the samples were differentiated so that they functioned like stem cells. This engineering process was developed by Shin'Ya Yamanaka, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2012.

"By using induced stem cell technology, we succeeded in generating liver cells that function largely like liver cells from patients," explains Dr. med. Alexander Lammle, Senior Physician at the Department of Pediatrics and the University Institute of Clinical Chemistry at Inselspital. "However, we observed that the induced liver cells excrete significantly less urea than real, healthy liver cells, and this is independent of whether they originate from healthy controls or urea cycle patients."

The researchers were able to determine the reason for this behavior. The technologically engineered stem cells were characterized by a complete lack of aquaporin 9, a transport protein in the cell membrane. The reason for this deficiency is the still immature, fetal character of the artificial liver cells.

Aquaporin 9: The key to a functioning artificial liver cell

Aquaporins organize the transport of water and certain substances through the cell membrane. Aquaporin 9 is responsible for the transport of urea. In a next step, the researchers developed a process in which the formation of aquaporin 9 is induced in the stem cells. As a result, the technologically produced liver cells changed their behavior. They were able to break down ammonia into urea and excrete the ureajust as healthy cells do. This provides the basis for a functioning test procedure with artificial liver cells.

Use of artificial cells: Testing therapeutic agents

The OTC deficiency is characterized by the fact that the complex OTC protein structures do not function properly. They needlike most larger proteinshelpers or chaperones in order to assemble and function properly. Prof. Dr. med. Johannes Haberle at the Children Research Center at the University Hospital Zurich explains: "The chaperones ensure that the enzyme molecules are folded correctly and that the enzyme is correctly prepared for its use or reset afterwards. The new test model is now being used to test OTC chaperones to find out more about the OTC deficiency and, of course, about possible therapies."

More information: Alexander Laemmle et al, Aquaporin 9 induction in human i PSC derived hepatocytes facilitates modeling of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, Hepatology (2021). Journal information: Hepatology Alexander Laemmle et al, Aquaporin 9 induction in human i PSC derived hepatocytes facilitates modeling of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/hep.32247

Provided by Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 13, 2022, blocked the Biden administration's vaccine-or-test mandate, which applied to virtually all private companies with 100 or more employees. But it left in place a narrower mandate that requires health care workers at facilities receiving federal funds to get vaccinated. The ruling comes at a time when the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates continues to soar throughout the United States as a result of the omicron variant.

We asked Debbie Kaminer, a professor of law at Baruch College, CUNY, to explain the ruling's impact.

1. What did the Supreme Court decide?

The court's six conservative justices held that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration exceeded its power in issuing the mandate on private companies, which would have covered about 80 million workers.

The majority opinion distinguished between workplace safety and occupational health, determining that "although COVID-19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most," as it can spread wherever people gather. The majority also expressed concern that the mandate was a "blunt instrument" and did not distinguish "based on industry or risk of exposure to COVID-19."

The three liberal judges dissented, arguing that "COVID-19 poses special risks in most workplaces, across the country and across industries."

At the same time, by a narrower 54 vote, the Supreme Court allowed continued enforcement of a mandate requiring health care workers at facilities that receive government funding through Medicare or Medicaid to be vaccinated. According to the court, this mandate by the Department of Health and Human Services "fits neatly" within the congressional power given to the agency because of the increased risk associated with health care workers becoming ill with COVID-19 and infecting their patients.

2. How does this affect other worker mandates?

Despite this Supreme Court ruling, many types of COVID-19 vaccine mandates remain legally enforceable and continue to be an important tool in ensuring Americans get vaccinated.

Approximately half of all states have some type of vaccination mandate, and the enforceability of these mandates is not affected by the court's latest decision. While the Supreme Court limited the authority of administrative agencies, this does not affect the ability of state and local governments to pass laws regulating the health and safety of the public. These mandates most commonly cover health care workers and government employees, while some cover all employees. New York City, for example, recently passed a mandate covering most employees who work in person or interact with the public, and this mandate is not affected by the court's decision.

Some states and localities have also issued vaccine mandates covering customers in public spaces. For example, New York City has broadly mandated the vaccine at most indoor venues, including restaurants, gyms and theaters.

Many private businesses, on their own authority, require employees to get vaccinated. This includes major companies such as Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Delta Airlines, Google and CVS. The ruling doesn't affect their legal ability to impose such mandatesthough it may make companies that had been mulling a mandate less likely to institute one for their workers.

In all, about 36% of U.S. workers are required by their employers to get vaccinated, according to Society for Human Resource Management, an industry group.

3. How about school mandates?

Educational institutions also continue to play an important role in mandating COVID-19 vaccination, and this is not affected by the court's decision.

Over 1,000 universities have some form of vaccine mandate, and in August 2021 the Supreme Court refused to block Indiana University's mandate. Unlike the OSHA case, this did not involve the authority of an administrative agency.

Additionally, as a result of the omicron outbreak, a growing number of universities are now also requiring students, faculty and staff to get the COVID-19 booster.

Some public school districts have mandated the vaccine for teachers and other school employees. At least two states, California and Louisiana, have mandated the vaccine for students, but both states have said they will not enforce the mandate until the 20222023 school year, and even then, only if the vaccine has full FDA authorization for children.

While COVID-19 vaccine mandates in public schools may be challenged, proof of immunization for other diseases, such as measles, are nothing new. As such, I believe there is a strong chance that COVID-19 vaccine mandates for schools will generally be upheld as constitutional. Before the pandemic, all 50 states already had in place some form of vaccine mandate for schoolchildren.

4. Will this affect the government's ability to protect public health?

The court's decision is significant in that it limits the authority of government administrative agencies generally, and specifically limits the power of OSHA to protect public health.

Still, this decision will not meaningfully restrain the government's ability to fight pandemics more generally, as federal statutes, state and local vaccine mandates, public university mandates and public K-12 school mandates are not affected by the decision.

The Supreme Court essentially determined that because the risk of COVID-19 exists both within as well as outside the workplace, OSHA does not have the authority to generally protect employees across workplaces. In doing so, the majority essentially determined that the courtand not OSHAis the institution that should make health policy and decide which workplaces are high enough risk that a vaccine mandate is appropriate.

The dissenting justices responded with incredulity: "In the face of a still-raging pandemic, this court tells the agency charged with protecting safety that it cannot respond in the most effective way possible. Without legal basis, the court usurps a decision that rightfully belongs to others."

The majority did recognize, however, that "where the virus poses a special danger because of the particular features of an employee's job or workplace, targeted regulations are plainly permissible."

It remains to be seen how narrow a government agency mandate must be to be upheld by the Supreme Court.

While the majority of Americans are already fully vaccinated, and approximately 75% of all Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, mandates will likely remain an important tool in continuing to fight the pandemic.

Explore further In blow to Biden, Supreme Court blocks vaccine mandate for businesses

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
ZAMBOANGA CITY  Eight villages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu are now free from the influence of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf...
After 18 years, Tom Bensen is planning to retire from his post as executive director of Arts Missoula, the nonprofit local arts agency.

Missoula is a wonderful place to be working in the arts, he said, citing the volume of energy, creativity and support for the arts.

Bensen said hes reached the right time of his life, and actually postponed it due to the pandemic.

It was not a good idea to disrupt the organization during that, he said.

Hell step down in June, after his replacement has been hired and they have a monthlong transition.

Tom served the Missoula community with strong leadership and enthusiasm, Board President John Calsbeek wrote in a statement.

We will miss his thoughtful and steady leadership, but trust he will continue to be active and engaged with the community, he wrote.

'Bowled over'

Bensens path to Arts Missoula actually began with First Night Missoula, the annual New Years Eve celebration that just marked its 25th year.

He recalls attending the first one and having an experience that ended up shaping his professional career.

I was completely bowled over by the energy and enthusiasm for the arts in this community, and I hadnt really seen that before, he said.

He became involved with First Night, then a separate nonprofit, and worked his way up to the directors post. Feeling ready for a change professionally, he was hired by Arts Missoula, then known as the Missoula Cultural Council, in 2004. The two organizations eventually merged, since First Night didnt seem viable as a standalone entity.

Its most public-facing activities are public events like GermanFest or New Zealand Day, both related to sister-city relationships, but behind the scenes its work has broadened widely over the years.

Its mission statement now is connecting art and culture through education, advocacy and community.

Many groups have reached out to Arts Missoula over the years to work as partners, and as a result, the organization has grown, along with the city growing, Bensen said.

They helped launch SPARK! Arts Ignite Learning, a program that grew out of a Kennedy Center Any Given Child initiative that brings artists into Missoula County Public Schools.

The SPARK! initiative is a really unique collective impact program that involves a whole lot of different organizations, entities, people, artists, teachers, administrators, and that's been a real thrilling thing to be a part of from the beginning, he said.

It now acts as administrator of the public art program, an area where he sees potential for growth.

Through an incubator program, Arts Missoula also acts as a fiscal sponsor for fledgling projects until they were able to apply for their own 501(c)3 status. Current examples include the Montana Book Festival, the Montana Area Music Association and All City Jazz.

Bensen is also proud of the nonprofits international cultural programs. Udo Fluck, a longtime University of Montana professor, came on board as their director of global and cultural affairs. He brings their programs directly into the schools, and to the public through the World View Film Series, which hosts free screenings at the Roxy Theater.

Its very easy to be Missoula-centric. This forces us to look beyond Missoula to see what else is going on in the big wide world. And theres a lot that we can learn from other cultures, he said.

Arts Missoula also maintains the citys two sister-city partnerships with Neckargemund, Germany, and Palmerston North, New Zealand; those include cultural exchanges. During one trip to New Zealand, a Blackfeet artist, Willow Kipp, created a mural there and there are plans to bring a Maori artist here to do the same.

Among the less-glamorous but important functions involve herding cats and collecting data.

They helped facilitate Missoulas participation in a study, Arts and Economic Prosperity, from Americans for the Arts, that quantifies the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture industry in communities around the U.S. The studies, which should begin again soon, have helped provide data to show the importance of the myriad artists and arts organizations on the local economy.

I'm really proud to see where Missoula stands in terms of other communities. It's remarkable how much the arts contribute to our local economy, he said.

This year, Arts Missoula started a Patron Fund that dispersed a round of three $2,500 grants to Missoula artists with no strings attached.

The job opening will be posted sometime this month. Interviews start in March, and the executive director will start in April. Then Bensen will stay on for another month to show them the ropes.

After the transition, hes not going anywhere quiet yet. Hes also looking forward to volunteer work outside of the arts world.

I havent really been able to volunteer my time for nonprofits that arent focused on the arts, he said.

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MONDAY, Jan. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Astronauts can develop a condition called space anemia because their bodies destroy more red blood cells than normal when in space, a groundbreaking study shows.

Assessments of 14 astronauts over six months between space missions found that 54% more blood cells were destroyed while they were in space than when they were on Earth, according to findings published Jan. 14 in Nature Medicine.

"Space anemia has consistently been reported when astronauts returned to Earth since the first space missions, but we didn't know why," said lead author Dr. Guy Trudel of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada. "Our study shows that upon arriving in space, more red blood cells are destroyed, and this continues for the entire duration of the astronauts' mission."

Before this study, it was believed that space anemia was due to fluid shifting into an astronaut's upper body upon arrival in space.

Astronauts lose 10% of the liquid in their blood vessels this way. It was thought that their bodies rapidly destroyed 10% of their red blood cells to restore the balance, and that red blood cell control returned to normal after 10 days in space.

But this study found that red blood cell destruction is a primary effect of being in space, not just the result of fluid shifts.

On Earth, our bodies create and destroy 2 million red blood cells every second. But the astronauts in this study -- both male and female -- destroyed 3 million every second while in space.

Five of 13 astronauts in the study were clinically anemic when they returned to Earth. One of the 14 did not have blood drawn on landing.

The researchers also found that space anemia is reversible, with red blood cells levels progressively returning to normal three to four months after astronauts returned from space.

"Thankfully, having fewer red blood cells in space isnt a problem when your body is weightless," Trudel said in a hospital news release. "But when landing on Earth and potentially on other planets or moons, anemia affecting your energy, endurance and strength can threaten mission objectives. The effects of anemia are only felt once you land, and must deal with gravity again."

The findings could be prove useful for patients who develop anemia after long illnesses that require bed rest. Bed rest has been shown to cause anemia, but how it does so is unknown.

The mechanism may be like what occurs in space anemia, according to Trudel, who plans to investigate this theory in future research.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on anemia.

SOURCE: The Ottawa Hospital, news release, Jan. 14, 2022

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MONDAY, Jan. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Parents struggling with infant feeding issues may have another reason to persevere: New research ties feeding problems with an increased risk of developmental delays.

For the study, the mothers of nearly 3,600 children were surveyed about feeding problems at 18, 24 and 30 months of age, such as gagging, crying during meals or pushing food away. The children were also screened for developmental delays at those ages.

Compared to children with no feeding problems, those with a high level of problems were more than twice as likely to fail the screening tool for markers of developmental delay, the study found.

"Feeding problems may relate to developmental delays because they are indicative of underlying neurological differences," according to study author Erin Bell, a professor of public health at the University at Albany, State University of New York, and colleagues.

While most children did not have high levels of feeding problems at any time during the study, 21% did at one or two of the study's three checkpoints.

Those with problems at one or two checkpoints were more than twice as likely to fail the developmental screening. Those with high levels of feeding problems at all three checkpoints were four or more times more likely to fail the screening at 30 months of age, the investigators found.

The findings suggest that infants with frequent feeding problems, particularly those that continue into the third year of life, could benefit from targeted screening at younger ages, Bell said in a university news release.

Feeding problems "may further contribute to undernutrition and poor physical growth, which impact development, or they relate to emotional temperament, which may contribute to social and behavioral delays," the study authors concluded.

The findings were published online recently in the Journal of Pediatrics.

More information

For more on feeding and swallowing disorders in children, go to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

SOURCE: University at Albany, State University of New York, news release, Jan. 7, 2022

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MONDAY, Jan. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Power outages are becoming more frequent in the United States, and a new study highlights one consequence of prolonged blackouts: carbon monoxide poisonings.

Looking at major U.S. power outages between 2007 and 2018, researchers found that carbon monoxide poisonings spiked during those disruptions, versus the days immediately before.

The pattern is not surprising, said lead researcher Dr. Christopher Worsham. Last year, when a winter storm swept across Texas, causing a massive power outage, carbon monoxide poisonings shot up. More than 1,400 people reportedly ended up in the emergency department, and at least 11 died.

"The big cold snap in Texas gave us a dramatic example of what can happen," said Worsham, a critical care doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, in Boston.

But while there is "no shortage" of such stories, he said, the issue had not been systematically studied before now.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas produced when fuels  including gasoline, coal, wood and natural gas  are incompletely burned. When people breathe in CO, it replaces oxygen in the bloodstream and can prove fatal.

During a typical year, CO poisoning sends more than 20,000 Americans to the emergency room, and kills upwards of 400, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"It's a silent killer," said Katherine Pruitt, national senior director for policy at the American Lung Association. "But these are preventable tragedies."

Often, CO poisonings are related to furnaces and other indoor appliances that are faulty or improperly ventilated to the outdoors.

During major power outages, people often fall victim after running power generators indoors, or bringing outdoor heat and cooking sources  like charcoal grills and campfire stoves  into the home. In some cases, people tried to use a gas stove as a heat source, or ran a car in a closed garage, in an effort to warm up or charge batteries.

It's critical, Pruitt said, to keep those devices out of the home.

"Don't burn anything inside unless it's intended to be used indoors, and has proper ventilation," she said.

For the new study, Worsham's team used federal data to identify 581 major power outages that happened between 2007 and 2018. On average, they lasted 48 hours.

Then, using an insurance claims database, the researchers found 799 emergency department visits for CO poisoning that happened within 10 days before or 10 days after the onset of an outage. The large majority  580  struck after an outage began.

When outages lasted more than 48 hours, the study found, CO poisonings peaked on day three. At that point, they were nine times more common, versus 10 days before the outage began.

The findings were published Jan. 13 as a research letter in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Tracy Fox, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, said it is critical for people to have a working CO detector on each level of the home  plus backup batteries in the event of a blackout.

And while power generators can provide electricity during an outage, Fox said that using them properly is vital. "I think many people don't realize power generators should only be run outdoors," she said.

Pruitt, of the lung association, said that people who rely on power for medical devices, such as supplemental oxygen, should plan for emergencies. Talk to your doctor about what to do should you lose power, she advised.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, headache, nausea and confusion. Fox stressed that people who notice those symptoms, in themselves or their children, should immediately get to fresh air then call 911.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2020 was a record-setting year for power outages  with the average American going eight hours without power, versus a little over three hours in 2013. Weather events, like hurricanes and ice storms, were often the culprit.

Worsham echoed the advice on what individuals should do to prevent CO poisoning, but also said the root causes of power outages need to be addressed: weather extremes related to climate change and the nation's aging power grid.

"We need to invest in our infrastructure for many reasons," Worsham said. "This is one more."

More information

The American Red Cross has more on power outage safety.

SOURCES: Christopher M. Worsham, MD, pulmonologist and critical care doctor, Massachusetts General Hospital, and instructor, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Tracy Fox, spokesperson, American Red Cross, Washington, D.C.; Katherine Pruitt, national senior director for policy, American Lung Association, Chicago; New England Journal of Medicine, Jan. 13, 2022

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MONDAY, Jan. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Growing numbers of folks are turning to CBD or cannabis products to treat skin conditions like acne or rosacea, but researchers warn that the science on their safety and power hasn't kept up with demand.

When more than 500 adults were asked about their use of CBD (cannabidiol) or marijuana, fully 17.6% said they used an over-the-counter cannabis product to treat skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea or eczema without a recommendation from a dermatologist, and even more people were interested in trying these products.

CBD is derived from hemp, a cousin of the marijuana plant, but unlike THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active component in marijuana, CBD doesn't get you high.

"People are using these products without the direction of a doctor, and even those who weren't using them are interested in learning more," said study author Dr. Adam Friedman, chair of dermatology at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.

It's time for science to catch up, he said.

There are some promising early animal data that suggests how these products may help treat inflammatory skin diseases. "We know that cannabinoids activate the body's resolvin pathway, which resolves inflammation," said Friedman. "Cannabinoids set the stage for inflammation to resolve and recruit the players that are essential to cleaning up the damage from inflammation."

About 89% of folks said there is a role for marijuana or other cannabis products in the treatment of skin disease, and the majority said they would be willing to try one of these products if they got a green light from their dermatologist.

Unregulated by FDA

Of the two-thirds of people who had seen a dermatologist, 20% were told to try a CBD product, primarily for acne and psoriasis. Just shy of 8% of these folks used medical cannabis, which requires an approved card from a dermatologist.

However, it's buyer beware when it comes to CBD, as these products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the same way as drugs, Friedman said. Medical marijuana requires a doctor-issued prescription card and can only be purchased from state-run dispensaries so there is more quality control, he added.

So, how can you figure out if the product you choose is any good?

Always review the CBD products Certificate of Analysis (COA). This document provides results of any testing of the supplements, and companies can release it voluntarily, Friedman said. "If it is not online, reach out to the company, and if they don't share it, that's a red flag," he noted.

Look at the other ingredients, too, he said, because "if you have sensitivity to other actives, you could react."

And never use these products in place of prescribed treatments for your skin disease, Friedman stressed.

The findings were published in the January issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

More research needed

Other experts not involved with the study point out there's still a lot to learn about the role of CBD and medical marijuana in skin and other diseases.

"Everything from the correct component CBD or THC, the proper dose and the proper formulation still really needs to be hammered out," said Dr. Peter Lio, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

"There is some evidence that topical CBD products can have anti-itch, anti-inflammatory, and even wound-healing properties in skin disease," he said. "These also appear very safe and do not have the same issues as products that contain THC, which is the psychoactive component of the marijuana plant."

Always do a patch test, Lio stressed: "Any new product could potentially cause issues, especially in those with more sensitive skin."

It makes sense that people are turning toward these products, said Dr. Mark Moyad. He is the Jenkins/Pokempner Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

"Unfilled, unmet or unsatisfied needs and expectations of some of the conventional options may drive people to try CBD or medical marijuana for skin conditions," Moyad explained.

Unfortunately, drug interactions and risks are being learned on the fly, he noted.

"These products are here to stay and people need answers, which means more funding should be dedicated to objective research because we need to find out where these products might be truly helpful," Moyad said.

More information

Harvard Medical School has more about cannabidiol.

SOURCES: Adam Friedman, MD, professor and chair, dermatology, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C.; Peter Lio, MD, clinical assistant professor, dermatology and pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago; Mark Moyad, MD, MPH, Jenkins/Pokempner Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor; Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, January 2022

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MONDAY, Jan. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The latest shipment of 1.1 million COVID-19 vaccines to Rwanda this weekend signaled a noteworthy achievement: The COVAX program, a United Nations-backed program providing poorer countries with vaccines, has now shipped one billion of the doses to combat the coronavirus in 144 countries.

But still, that "is only a reminder of the work that remains," the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement. WHO has long pushed for rich countries and vaccine developers to prioritize COVAX.

"COVAX's ambition was compromised by hoarding/stockpiling in rich countries, catastrophic outbreaks leading to borders and supply being locked," the WHO said in the statement. "And a lack of sharing licenses, technology and know-how by pharmaceutical companies meant manufacturing capacity went unused."

The statement also noted that 36 of the organization's member countries had still only vaccinated 10% of their populations, with 88 of the countries vaccinating less than 40%.

A current goal is to vaccinate 70% of the countries' populations by early July, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in late December, the Associated Press reported.

"With updated vaccines in the pipeline, now is the moment for all citizens to demand that governments & pharmaceutical companies share health tools globally & bring an end to the death & destruction cycles of this pandemic, limit new variants and drive a global economic recovery," WHO said in the statement.

In September, President Joe Biden announced that the United States would buy 500 million more doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to donate to countries in need.

Speaking to the Funke newspaper group, Svenja Schulze, the new international development minister for Germany, expressed plans to leverage Germany's presidency this year of the Group of Seven industrial nations to help prioritize adequate resources for COVAX.

As one possibility, Schulze said she wants to expand help for developing countries via partnerships between companies so that more vaccines can be produced under license. She did not advocate waiving vaccine companies' patents, the AP reported.

"I doubt that developing countries would get vaccines more easily if we waive the patents," Schulze reasoned.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.

SOURCES: Associated Press; World Health Organization, statement, Jan. 16, 2022

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MONDAY, Jan. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Quitting smoking is a daunting challenge for anyone, but a new international study suggests that women may struggle more than men to kick the habit.

Women were less likely than men to be successful on their first day of trying to quit, a critical predictor of long-term success, researchers found, although the team also discovered that larger warning labels on cigarette packs might change that.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 16,500 smokers who took part in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey from 2008-2012. The participants lived in 12 low- and middle-income countries -- Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam -- and had made one or more quit attempts in the past 12 months.

About 60% of the world's smokers live in those 12 countries.

Overall rates of relapse on the first day of trying to quit smoking ranged from 3% to 14%. Rates of women who reported at least one quit attempt varied considerably between countries, from slightly over 1% in Egypt to 43% in Brazil.

Large warning labels on cigarette packs were associated with a lower chance of first-day relapse among women, according to the study published online recently in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

"Compared to male smokers, women tend to rate graphic warning labels overall as more credible, evoking more negative emotions, and eliciting higher motivation to quit," said senior study author Dr. Silvia Martins, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

"Yet, as of 2013, less than half of low-middle income countries included in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey had implemented these warning labels on cigarette boxes," Martins noted in a university news release.

"A successful first day of abstinence is one of the most important predictors for prolonged smoking cessation, and little is known about why women may find this period more challenging than men," said study first author Dr. Joao Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia, a postdoctoral fellow at Mailman.

"It may be that withdrawal syndrome, which typically presents on the first day of abstinence and is cited by smokers as the main reason for relapse, may play an essential role in one-day quit attempt outcomes among women who typically report more withdrawal symptoms than men," he said in the release.

Women are also less likely than men to have long-term success in quitting, and have different reasons for starting smoking and quitting, the researchers noted.

For example, women are more likely to cite weight control as a reason to start smoking, but are more likely to be motivated by health concerns, particularly pregnancy, to try to quit.

More information

For more on quitting tobacco, see the American Cancer Society.

SOURCE: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, news release, Jan. 10, 2022

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The midterm political cycle is picking up as filings began Jan. 13 for the 2022 federal general election.

Montana gained a second U.S. House seat following the 2020 census, which will be voted on this year. This should set the baseline for what likely will be a high-profile and expensive campaign season across the state.

The federal closing date for filing is March 14 with a primary set for June 7. The election is Nov. 8.

County races

On Thursday, Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier announced he was planning to seek re-election for the District 2 board seat.

He has served in the position since 2017. Strohmaier is also the chairman of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, chairs the Transportation Policy Coordination Committee and serves on the board of directors at Partnership Health Center, among other public committee positions.

Prior to his election as commissioner, Strohmaier spent eight years on Missoula City Council. In a statement, he highlighted his work navigating the pandemic, securing federal funding, overhauling county zoning regulations and developing plans for homelessness and affordable housing.

"Im extremely proud of the work that this commission and Missoula County has accomplished. But there is much more work to do," Strohmaier said. "We need to implement our 'Breaking Ground' housing plan, achieve 100% clean electricity, effectively mitigate the risk of community wildfire disaster, cut the ribbon on restored passenger rail service, and much more."

The release also included statements of support from Missoula mayor John Engen and the two other county commissioners  Juanita Vero and Josh Slotnick.

Commissioners serve six-year terms and are paid $99,819 annually.

Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst also filed for reelection. She was first elected in 2014 and has served in the position ever since.

Pabst began her work as a prosecutor in 1994 and currently oversees 23 attorneys. She is from Havre and graduated from the University of Great Falls (now University of Providence) and the University of Montana's school of law.

She highlighted her Calibrate program, which recently won a $600,000 grant, a Secondary Trauma Group, which recently won two national awards, Missoula County's criminal mediation program and their Special Victims unit as recent successes.

"I work closely with justice leaders across the United States, informing policies and reforms at every level," Pabst said in a statement to the Missoulian. "I chair the National Prosecution Well-being Task Force, which has been instrumental in making the challenging work of prosecutors more sustainable.

"I love my job and I love Missoula and I want to keep building upon the good work we've started."

The attorney position is a four-year term and draws a $142,667 annual salary.

Earlier this week, Captain Jeremiah Petersen of the Missoula County Sheriff's Department announced his candidacy for county sheriff. Sheriff TJ McDermott is set to retire in 2022.

"TJ has done an excellent job moving the Sheriffs Office in a positive direction and I intend to keep the momentum he has built over his last two terms moving forward in the next four years, Petersen said in a release.

Missoula County Sheriff is a four-year term and pays $117,906 per year.

County Auditor David Wall also filed for reelection, as did Clerk and Recorder/Treasurer Tyler Gernant.

Legislative races

A number of legislative seats in the state House and Senate will also be up for grabs this year.

In one of the biggest races, state Rep. Willis Curdy, a Democrat, and state Rep. Brad Tschida, a Republican, will face off in a battle for Senate District 49. Tschida, who represents House District 49, announced his intentions to run for state Senate in April, while Curdy, who has represented House District 98 since 2014, announced in August.

Tschida was majority whip in the state House from 2017 to 2018 and majority leader from 2018 to 2020. He has pushed allegations of issues with the 2020 election in Missoula County.

Voters sent me to Helena four consecutive times to fight for smaller government, fiscal responsibility, our Second Amendment Rights, access to public lands, and the sanctity of human life. I will continue to represent these values in the Montana State Senate, Tschida said in an announcement email in April.

Senate District 49 is located in southwestern Missoula County and includes Lolo.

Curdy, in a statement announcing his campaign in August, said "I have worked hard to represent my constituents priorities and sponsor legislation at their request. I am committed to communicating with my constituents in a thoughtful, respectful manner."

In Senate District 50, Tom Steenberg, a former Missoula fire chief, announced his intentions to run for the seat. Steenberg was appointed by the Missoula County Commissioners in late August to fill the remainder of former state Sen. Bryce Bennett's term.

Steenberg was a firefighter in the community for 25 years. He filed as a Democrat.

When a house is on fire, there is no time for people to take credit or grandstand  you run in, you get to work, and you fix the problem, Steenberg said in a release. When I see politicians at the Capitol pushing disgusting attacks on our right to vote, access to abortion, a clean environment, LGBTQ+ rights, and so much of what makes Montana special, I felt that same need to get to work for the people of this state. Thats why Im running.

Andrea Olsen, a Democrat, is also running in SD 50. She was among three finalists to fill Bennett's term and formerly represented HD 100.

In House District 97, Republicans Michael Burks and Lyn Hellegaard as well as Democrat Devin Jackson have announced they will run for office.

Burks is the Montana Wing Leader for Angel Flight West and a local businessman, owning Fuel Fitness gyms throughout Montana.

"(Burks) will advocate for lower property taxes, the reduction of our cost of living and continuing to improve the quality of life for all Montanans," a news release announcing his candidacy said.

Tschida currently holds this seat. House District 97 encompasses Lolo to the state border and then up and out toward Alberton and Frenchtown.

Jackson spent 15 years on the Lolo Community Council and works in sound system instillation.

"We deserve a representative that will support our communities, fight for working families and seniors, and protect our access to public lands. Someone who respects and listens to you. I can do that," Jackson wrote on his campaign website.

Hellegaard served one term as a city councilor and ran for mayor nearly 10 years ago. She has now attempted to run for office in three different House districts.

Hellegaard was involved with a group raising questions around the 2020 election in Missoula County along with Tschida.

In House District 89, Katie Sullivan, the incumbent, filed as a Democrat.

HD 89 encompasses a large swath of land east of Missoula and south of Clinton.

Incumbent Democrat Tom France has filed for reelection in House District 94, which includes Frenchtown, Grant Creek and goes up and out toward Arlee. He is being challenged by Republican Rebecca Mapston.

House District 96 has a crowded field, including Democrats Maggie Bornstein and Jonathan Karlen as well as Republican incumbent Kathy Whitman.

Whitman was first elected in 2020. She had previously served on a school board and several local development groups.

Bornstein is a former political organizer and works in the nonprofit arena.

Karlen is a master's student at the University of Montana pursing a degree in public administration. He also was a Max Baucus fellow and serves on the Missoula City Council Energy and Climate team.

HD 96 includes the area south of Frenchtown and around the airport.

The House District 100 race includes Dave Severson and Zooey Zephyr. Both candidates filed as Democrats.

On Friday, Severson told the Missoulian he decided to run because he didn't see his values reflected in the last legislative session. "I thought, I've got to get involved and do something," he said.

Severson has been involved with education, either as a teacher or with the teacher's union, for nearly four decades. Zephyr is an advocate and activist.

"I am running for office because after spending the last few years working as a human rights activisthelping kids who have faced discrimination in schools, drafting human rights legislation for Missoula, and testifying before a legislature that seemed determined to pass harmful, discriminatory bills," Zephyr said.

In Senate District 48, Shane Morigeau, who was appointed to replace former state senator Nate McConnell in 2020, has filed to run in the 2022 election.

Morigeau also ran for state auditor in the 2020 election and served two terms in the state House.

"Growing up as a member of a marginalized group drove me to public service for three terms in the Montana legislature where I have fought for equal opportunity for women, our BIPOC community, LGBTQ+, and disadvantaged Montanans to ensure everyone has equal opportunity through access to education, health care, public lands, and essential services," Morigeau said. "Our work to protect and support Missoula and Montana is as important as ever."

Judge seeks reelection

Missoula Justice of the Peace Alex Beal has filed for reelection, hoping to continue his role serving as one of two judges in the countys Justice Court.

Beal got started in Justice Court in 2018 after he took home a 62% victory over Marie Andersen. Since then, he points to robust changes and growth in the court that have made it more accessible and a place where defendants have the opportunity to take rehabilitative approaches.

A lot of people when they come through the court system, theyre in a spot where they could go either way, Beal said. And a little bit of help and individual care can make a huge difference in their lives.

Justice Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases within county (but not city) jurisdiction, initial appearances for most defendants charges with felonies, and civil matters up to $15,000 (including evictions). It is split between two departments  Beal shares Justice Court duties with Justice of the Peace Landee Holloway.

While he may be best known for his bow-ties, Judge Beal is most proud of the progress he has helped Justice Court make in being accessible to all and treating everyone fairly and with respect, a press release from Beals campaign said. Since taking office in 2019, Judge Beal has fulfilled his campaign promises to remake the court to work for the people of Missoula.

In the four years hes been sitting on the bench, Beal prides the court on taking hands-on approaches with defendants who have committed less serious, victimless offenses  sometimes these people might be leaving the criminal justice process better off than when they entered it.

Beal has worked with the Missoula County Sheriffs Office to minimize arrest rates for minor offenses, while still holding violent and more serious offenders accountable via higher bonds and strict conditions of release to protect Missoulas community, the release said.

For example, the court implements fine incentives to help individuals maintain monthly car insurance by giving monthly credit off of fines when liability insurance coverage is kept. Through partnerships with the County Attorney and Public Defenders offices, hundreds of people have been able to get their drivers licenses reinstated.

I like to think we have that opportunity to work with people who have maybe made not the best choices and say, you know, youre an individual, what do you need to get past this? What do you need to make this right? Beal said. When they come out of that, and put in that work theyre better off.

If elected for a second term, Beal plans to hone in on the courts response to domestic violence issues. He envisions a treatment court-type idea, one that takes into consideration the real unique and specific aspects at play in domestic violence situations.

Its the hardest thing to address, Beal said.

Prior to the judgeship, Beal worked as a prosecutor, public defender and private attorney. He has lived in Missoula County for his entire adult life with his wife and two sons.

No one has filed to run against Beal yet. Judge positions in Montana are nonpartisan.

Jordan Hansen covers news and local government for the Missoulian. Shout at him on Twitter @jordyhansen or send him an email at Jordan.Hansen@Missoulian.com

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Climate change. Infrastructure. Science-based decision-making. Public health.

As KC Becker ticked off the Biden Administration's priorities as they relate to the Environmental Protection Agency in an interview with The Montana Standard Friday, one of them clearly held a special place for her:

Environmental justice.

The Colorado lawyer, named in November as the new administrator for EPA's Region 8, which includes Montana, said, "We have to help the communities that have been overburdened with pollution, and underrepresented, communities with the least voice and the most needs."

That means places like Butte.

Actually, Becker certainly has plenty of communities in the region that fit that description.

"Because of federal lands, and Indian country, Region 8 is really different from a lot of other regions," she said.

An early priority will be taking advantage of the funds earmarked for the EPA's work in the region from the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress and signed by President Biden last November.

"It's huge, and it's been a long time coming," Becker said.

The agency is working on rulemaking that would sharply reduce methane from both new and existing sources in the oil and gas industry. Some of those sources are abandoned wells on public lands in the West.

Also still in the rulemaking process is a return to the pre-2015 definition of Waters of the United States, a controversial rule covering the EPA's statutory responsibility to regulate "navigable waters" for water quality. The much-challenged regulations have been to the Supreme Court and back. In 2020, a rule that substantially lessened protections was promulgated, but was found insufficient by both the EPA's own staff and the courts. EPA is expected to return to tougher standards in Biden's Administration, and certainly more litigation is expected  making it a priority to get new rules in place.

EPA's role as a protector of water quality came into play just last week when advocates announced a plan to sue the agency for not intervening when Montana's Legislature last year passed a new law eliminating the state's numeric water-quality standards for nutrient pollution, which causes harmful algae blooms and other threats to fish, wildlife and people.

Asked about that, Becker said, "Obviously when there's the threat of litigation involved, I'm limited in what I can say. But clearly state regulators are between a rock and a hard place, having to follow the state laws passed by their Legislature, but also being bound by federal standards."

Becker said that her boss, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, "is passionate about making EPA more a more accessible agency." She said that again, that comes down to working at the community level. "We have this model where we delegate to the states the responsibility to run a lot of programs. But that doesn't mean the EPA should be distant from hearing from and interacting with communities. It's about putting communities first and I love that perspective.

"As we put public health and science first, how do we engage with the communities more?"

Becker, who was formerly Speaker of the House in Colorado's Legislature, said one thing she really appreciates "is the experience and intelligence" of EPA staff. "I'm super-impressed," she said. "Coming from the environment of the Legislature, where if you get named to a committee, suddenly you're an expert, and where term limits have eroded institutional knowledge, it's great to see the deep expertise."

Asked whether EPA still intended to start delisting Butte sites by 2024, after a COVID-strained 2021, Becker deferred to Butte Priority Soils Project Manager Nikia Greene, who said that "although it might look like not a lot got done in 2021, behind the scenes we've been extremely busy. We've been working our butts off with remedial design." He added, "Atlantic Richfield has congracts with TetraTech, Pioneer Technical and others, and they're working hard on a daily basis with EPA oversight."

Greene said that moving dirt on the Grove Gulch portion of the work is expected to start this spring.

He said that delisting in some operable units could potentially still start in 2024.

In the unit where the least has been done to date  Westside Soils  Greene said that remedial investigation was continuing, validating data and identifying data gaps. "We're working with the state of Montana on human health assessment, risk assessment, and feasability. A draft remedial investigation is getting ready to go, and later this summer at some point we hope to share that with the community."

Becker said she's looking forward to visiting Butte and Anaconda this summer, along with other Montana locales.

She said in the meantime, "I encourage people to reach out by email or Zoom. Being more accessible is definitely part of my effort. I want to be as responsive as possible. We also have very capable people on the ground across the state.

"I'm just happy to be in a position where I can make a difference."

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One of the great motion pictures of all time was the 1939 Academy Award blockbuster directed by the legendary Frank Capra called "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." The movie was based on an unpublished manuscript by Lewis R. Foster with the title, The Gentleman from Montana. Columbia pictures offered the leading role to Montana actor Gary Cooper who turned it down, so the Mr. Smith character was accepted by the young up-and-coming actor, Jimmy Stewart.

The plot is that the naive and idealistic Jefferson Smith, a popular boys camp counselor, is appointed by his states governor to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. Immediately after being sworn in, Senator Smith introduces a bill to create a national boys camp along a beautiful mountain stream. Unbeknown to Smith, his proposed camp is located on property which would be flooded by a dam planned by his states dominating corporation.

Smith is pressured by his states senior Senator Joe Payne, a tool of the company, to withdraw his bill. Smith believes the location he has selected is inspirational in its pure beauty, and therefore is the perfect setting for young boys to learn the virtues of conservation and good citizenship. When Smith refuses to abandon his camp proposal, the company uses its newspaper monopoly to blackmail and vilify Smith, and they order Payne to bring phony charges to get Smith expelled from the Senate.

Smith is advised that Senate rules permit him to speak for as long as he can remain standing. In doing so, he exposes his corrupt corporate attackers and defiantly defends the purpose of the camp, until he dramatically collapses on the Senate floor. Smiths earnestness and truthfulness ultimately convince the other senators, including a humiliated Senator Payne, to drop the expulsion scheme and approve the camp.

What Senator Smith did was filibuster. He took advantage of the Senate rule that protected the free speech of any senator. Were Smith serving under Senate rules as they have evolved today, he would actually have been prevented from even being recognized. The time-honored Senate free speech rule has been distorted into a gag rule, and the U.S. Senate, once recognized as the worlds greatest deliberative body, must now have a minimum of 60 of its hundred members willing to go along before it allows itself to debate even a Mothers Day resolution.

In our narrowly divided country, it is very rare for either political party to win a 60-vote majority. And in our superheated political climate, senators are unwilling to break party lines and vote with the other side to create the needed 60-vote majority. So there is gridlock, and the angry blame game continues on and nothing continues to happen.

There are now various proposals to modify Senate rules so the body can again function, and several focus on the filibuster. On the positive side, Montana Sen. Jon Tester has stated his openness to returning to the old rule of a speaking filibuster, as done by Senator Smith in the movie.

Other proposals would reduce the 60-vote rule to perhaps 55. Some suggest that the Senate can possibly do carve outs making certain legislation exempt from the 60-vote requirement every time the need arises.

The trouble is, they are all complicated parliamentary contrivances. The Constitution specifies the matters before the Senate that require a super majority: convicting impeached officials, overriding presidential vetoes, ratifying treaties and enacting constitutional amendments. Nowhere does it require general legislation to have a super majority before it can even be discussed, let alone acted on, as the filibuster rule now requires.

The permanent solution to the gridlock is for the Senate to simply follow the Constitution. All matters, unless specified by the Constitution, should simply be decided by a majority vote. That is fair and something the people understand. Our system is by and for the people, not by and for some arcane set of unworkable procedural rules that would have stifled Mr. Smith, and in the unsettled real world of today are threatening the very existence of our system of American government which cannot survive if it cannot function.

Bob Brown is a former Montana Secretary of State and State Senate President.

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Think of it as an indulgence that allows you to stretch out in luxury while other airline passengers are crammed into economy seats at a time when coronavirus spread remains a top concern. But that extra breathing room comes at an eye-popping price.

Its a semi-private suite aboard the largest passenger jet in the sky. Nestled in your cabin shut off by partitions, you can nap in bed or kick back in a recliner while savoring meals served on fine china and sipping Dom Perignon.

Its made possible by the spaciousness of the Airbus A380, the twin-decker gradually being returned to the skies by the handful of international airlines that still operate the super jumbo jet. Among the developments:

 Australian carrier Qantas plans to reintroduce an A380 with 14 first-class suites on the Los Angeles to Sydney this week. Its A380s havent flown on commercial routes in nearly two years, but one is needed to replace some Boeing 787s. The A380 has nearly twice as many seats overall as a 787.

 Singapore Airlines plans to launch A380 service from New York to Frankfurt, Germany, on March 28 with the flight continuing on to Singapore.

After nearly two years of restrictions, we are seeing tremendous demand for international travel and that includes premium cabins, said Joey Seow, Singapore Airlines' regional vice president for the Americas, in a statement.

 The worlds largest A380 operator, Emirates, has been unabashed in its enthusiasm for the four-engine jet even as other airlines have dropped it in favor of more fuel-miserly twin-engine airliners like the 787. It celebrated the delivery of its 123rd and final A380 last month, though it was operating only about 60 of them as 2021 came to a close.

 British Airways resumed A380 service from London Heathrow to Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami last month.

World's safest airline: The world's safest airline for 2022 revealed, and it's largely influenced by COVID-19 safety

Pandemic decimated US A380 routes

Story continues

All told, airlines have scheduled 519 flights to U.S. destinations in the first quarter of 2022, down 78% from 2,327 in the same period in 2019 before the pandemic struck, according to an analysis for USA TODAY by Juliett Alpha, an aviation marketing and communications firm.

Back then, 11 airlines were flying A380s to the U.S. In the first quarter, the bulk of A380 flights are coming from just three  Emirates, British Airways and China Southern. U.S.-based carriers don't fly the A380.

Airlines have different motivations for returning A380s to the air, said Brett Snyder, who closely follows airline developments at the Cranky Flier website. British Airways can move more passengers into its congested Heathrow hub with an A380 than it can with smaller jets. Qantas is using its one to compensate for a 787 crew staffing shortage.

Overall, the outlook for the A380 is looking slightly brighter, Snyder said, even as their future is dim at carriers like Air France and Germanys Lufthansa.

If you look elsewhere in the world, there were a lot of airlines that said we are going to retire these that are having second thoughts as traffic comes back, he said.

And thats good for passengers since the A380 is known for being comfortable, quiet and of course, roomy.

Those characteristics help make the giant plane a favorite when it comes to premium seating, especially dreamy first-class cabins. Carriers have competed with each other to provide the cushiest amenities.

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Shower spas and caviar at 40,000 feet

Dubai-based Emirates touts its shower spas and private bar lounge for first-class passengers. China Southern points to its private closet space in its suites. And Qantas says it has bedtime turn-down service and in-seat massage units.

For its part, Singapore reduced the number of semi-private cabins on board from 12 to six, making them about 50% larger on its A380s. While the larger cabins have been available in other markets since 2017, this is the first time the updated version has come to the U.S.

Having more personal space is always the ultimate luxury aboard an aircraft, said Betty Wong, Singapore's divisional vice president for inflight service and design.

Emirates takes delivery of its 123rd  and final  A380, the world's largest passenger jet.

The suites for two include a double bed and two swivel chairs. If Dom Perignon champagne doesnt suit a passenger's taste, theres also Krug. Meals, which include delicacies like caviar, are served on linens with Wedgewood china plates.

Sounds great but for all but an elite few, the airfare will be a shocker: For a sample April roundtrip from New Yorks John F. Kennedy International to Frankfurt, Germany, first-class cabins on the A380 go for $11,783 compared to $663 for economy on the same flights.

Sometimes, however, theres a chance to catch a break: Qantas said as it restarts its A380 service to the U.S., it will upgrade some top-tier frequent fliers who have booked business-class passengers seats to suites.

No question about it, its a great airplane to fly, Snyder said.

More travel news

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Cruising during COVID: Cancellation, refund policies vary by cruise line

The Caribbean: Bahamas updates entry requirements, scraps plans for more stringent pre-departure testing

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Airbus A380 returns to US skies with its plush first class suites
Long before the arrival of COVID-19, America was being ravaged by a deadly epidemic. Unlike the coronavirus, though, the drug overdose plague didnt elicit a massive response from public officials. And the epidemic has not only continued but gotten worse.

In 2020, more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses, most of them after ingesting fentanyl or similar synthetic opioids. Thats double the death toll in 2014, and the number continues to rise.

Law enforcement agencies have been fighting the drug war for decades, with no record of success. But that doesnt stop politicians from claiming that tougher policies are still the only answer.

This month, Reps. James Comer of Kentucky and Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, who are the ranking Republicans on two important committees, wrote a letter to officials at the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Biden administrations border policies, they charged, are allowing fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances to cross our borders at unprecedented rates.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo makes the same accusation. Kids all across America are going to die as a result of the failure of this administration to secure that border, he said in October.

But blaming Joe Biden for the jump in fentanyl fatalities is like blaming him for global warming. The problem long predated his arrival. Republicans applauded Donald Trumps border policies, but the number of deaths from overdoses of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids tripled during his term.

Comer and Rodgers also get important facts wrong. They claim that in Arizona, fentanyl is the No. 1 killer of teenagers. But the source they cite says that is true just in one county, not the entire state.

The reasons for opioid addiction are complex. But the reasons for the shift to fentanyl are simple. First, the federal crackdown on prescription opioids meant that many users had to find other ways to satisfy their cravings. Second, the governments efforts to stop smuggling backfired in exactly the way they usually do.

Critics of the drug war cite the Iron Law of Prohibition, coined by marijuana activist Richard Cowan: As law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases. Or, more simply: The harder the enforcement, the harder the drugs.

As smuggling drugs gets more risky, suppliers look for ways to reduce the size and maximize the value of each shipment. Because fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, there are a lot more highs  and dollars  in a pound of the former. As a result, the drug is now mixed into other drugs, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and fake prescription pills, putting unwary users in mortal danger.

Enforcement of drug laws manages to tilt the market toward more powerful and dangerous substances, but it has a long record of failing to curb drug use. If tough border policies were the solution, Trump would have made great progress against overdose deaths. But the epidemic got worse, not better.

There are options that promise better outcomes. One is allowing users to inject drugs in facilities known as supervised injection sites, where medical personnel can monitor them for overdoses and quickly administer naloxone to reverse them. Asked last year if he was ready to promote these, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the administration is looking for every way to do that.

So far, though, there are only two legal facilities in the entire country, both recently opened in Manhattan  though Rhode Island has legalized them. One of the New York sites reported averting at least 59 overdose deaths in the first three weeks of operation. Canadas 37 legal sites have never recorded a fatal overdose.

Another remedy is to expand access to test strips that can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs, giving users a way to know what theyre putting into their bodies. But most states have made it a crime to possess these test strips, on the theory that they encourage drug use. That makes about as much sense as banning seat belts because they encourage drivers to speed.

Expanding access to treatment, for drug users who want to overcome their dependence, also offers promise. But its more important to keep addicts alive than it is to cure them of their addiction. We are still failing at that.

Steve Chapman blogs at chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman. Follow him on Twitter @SteveChapman13 or at facebook.com/stevechapman13.
ARCHIVED - Europe-wide electronic toll system to be implemented in Spain



This will allow drivers to pay tolls throughout the EU with a single device

Later this year the government in Spain will approve a decree to implement an electronic toll device for vehicles travelling across Europe that is compatible with the systems used throughout the European Union.

The Ministry of Transport has indicated that the reasons for the new system are two-fold: firstly, drivers will be able to travel across the continent with a single electronic device, and secondly, the electronic toll will facilitate the exchange of information on unpaid tolls in different Member States.

The date of implementation has yet to be specified, but the royal decree states that the intention is to "guarantee the interoperability of electronic toll systems installed on roads and Spanish motorways with those of other Member States of the European Union".

To this end, the European electronic toll service (EETS) will be a complementary system to the national electronic toll services

The Ministry attempted to adopt a similar measure back in 2004 without success as each European country implemented its own system, and most werent compatible with each other, a pitfall they are hoping to avoid with EETS.

Image: Archive
ARCHIVED - Spain begins key week for predicting the end of the sixth wave



Last week Spain experienced a consistent decrease in daily infections

On the anniversary of the peak of the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic , health experts in Spain are hoping that the sixth wave will follow the same trend. Between January 16 and 17 last year the Ministry of Health believed the worst was over, and it is expecting the data in the coming days to verify that the health crisis is indeed slowing down.

The speed of growth [of infections] has been reduced in the last week, Health Minister Carolina Darias said last week. It has not yet been confirmed, but it is beginning to manifest.

Covid researcher Juan Jose Badiola has taken this a step further and claims that the peak was actually reached last weekend; furthermore, he believes that Spain will see a very rapid decrease in cases in the next two or three weeks as happened in South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first discovered.

Likewise, the Ministry of Health has indicated a downward trend in the number of new infections, although the figures are likely to be somewhat skewed due to people not being required to confirm a Covid infection with an official PCR test. Nevertheless, the number of new cases dropped significantly between Monday and Friday, from 79,601 infections to 65,937.

The situation naturally varies greatly across communities: Navarra and the Basque Country still have an incidence of more than 6,500 cases while in Catalonia, 48% of ICU beds are occupied by Covid patients. On the other hand, Madrid has already announced the peak of its sixth wave after experiencing a 16% decrease in cases last week, while the president of the Valencian Community, Ximo Puig, predicts a quite important and rapid decline in the coming days.

Image: Archive

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A Davenport man wanted in connection with a drug and gun investigation was taken into custody Friday.

James Henry Thomas Jr., 32, of Davenport, was wanted for selling ecstasy, marijuana and cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm in a case investigated by the Davenport Police Departments Narcotics Unit and Gun Investigations Unit.

Thomas is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of possession with the intent to deliver more than 5 grams of a substance containing methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA, known on the street as ecstasy. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

Thomas also is charged with one count each of possession with the intent to deliver marijuana and possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of violating Iowas drug tax stamp law. Each of the four charges is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the affidavits filed by Davenport Police Cpl. Seth Farley, at 10:17 a.m. on July 26, officers searched Thomass residence in the 2800 block of West 13th Street.

Officers seized 2,411 grams, or 5.31 pounds, of marijuana; 771 grams, or 1.7 pounds of marijuana wax; 6.6 grams of cocaine; 74 ecstasy pills; about 5 pounds of marijuana edible products; working digital scales containing marijuana residue and packaging materials.

Officers also seized .22-caliber ammunition, .223-caliber ammunition, a pistol magazine containing 9mm ammunition and a .22-caliber Marlin rifle. Also seized was $1,176 in cash.

A search of Thomass phone indicated numerous messages related to drug sales.

During a post-Miranda interview with police, Thomas told officers he traded a quarter of marijuana and some marijuana wax to another person for the .22-caliber rifle.

An arrest warrant was issued for Thomas on Oct. 18 after lab results and other aspects of the investigation were completed. He was taken into custody by Scott County Sheriffs deputies.

Thomas also is being held for a domestic abuse charge, a serious misdemeanor; contempt of court for failing to pay child support; and two counts of possession of a controlled substance-third offense, each of which is a Class D felony.

During a first appearance Saturday in Scott County District Court, Thomass bond was set at $31,750, cash only, for the drugs, weapons, contempt and domestic abuse charges, and $5,000, cash or surety, for the possession-third offense charges.

A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for Jan. 25 in Scott County District Court.

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For centuries, libraries have been a gathering place and resource to which people turn for information to improve their lives.

But the challenges patrons face increasingly reach beyond the scope of what most librarians are trained to handle, said Brittany Peacock, community outreach supervisor at the Davenport Public Library.

"Libraries are a hub for information," Peacock said. "And we are a gathering place where there are no expectations. You don't have to pay any money to come here. This is a free space. It's welcome to all. So see people from all walks of life come into the library  young families, low-income, high-income, elderly. We see everyone. And all of those people have unique needs."

For years reference librarians and customer service staff have done their best to connect them to resources and information, "but it was really becoming apparent we needed someone who specialized in this" as requests continued to grow, Peacock said.

In a first-floor office near the elevator of the Davenport Main Library, 321 Main St., Quinn OBrian works to aid in connecting residents to services such as housing, unemployment and child care assistance; substance abuse and mental health services; and more.

The Davenport Public Library hired O'Brian full-time in October, becoming the first public library in Iowa to have a social worker on staff.

The library hired O'Brian using federal grants received by the city of Davenport as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The position is funded for three years.

"We knew there was a need way before these funds became available," Peacock said. "This has been an item on our top priority list because our patrons have  so many unique needs. We have wonderful staff here who have been providing resources for years, but we needed somebody with a specific skill set, has a background, knows what they're doing, specializes in this and can get them the information quickly."

Library officials, too, used the federal grant dollars to hire an early literacy coordinator, Alison McGaughey, to promote pre-K early literacy in the community and assist parents in helping their kids be ready for kindergarten. That includes signing them up for the library's 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. The nationwide program encourages parents to read 1,000 books to their child before they reach kindergarten and help them keep track of the books that they've read.

While each position is funded for three years, Peacock said library staff is "taking meticulous statistics" and is hopeful that with the data "proving just where that need is" the library can make a strong case for future city funding.

"There is no guarantee," she said. "Obviously, we don't know what three years from now will bring us. But, we have that data to show."

A needed service

O'Brian, a licensed social worker since 2011, previously worked for Genesis Health System in Davenport. She said she applied for the position after reading articles about the growing trend nationally of libraries finding ways to hire or partner with social workers.

"I felt like that was a service that was really needed," O'Brian said. "While at Genesis ... I noticed a lot of people had other social needs that a hospital setting can really not meet," like housing, employment and food assistance.

"So when I saw this position that is what I saw  another opportunity for people to be able to meet with a social worker and address those needs that they can't find a proper setting of addressing," O'Brian said. "We are meeting the people at their point of need."

As of December, O'Brian said she had already helped about 80 library guests struggling with housing and food insecurity, finding employment, accessing unemployment and health insurance benefits, and needing mental health assistance, among other challenges.

"For me, libraries are like a community center. A place where people find comfort. A place where people want to get information and want to get knowledge," she said. "So if somebody comes to the library, they want to be able to meet all of their needs," including questions about Social Security benefits and food stamps.

"And librarians are not equipped to do that," O'Brian said. "So who best to answer those questions that are not found in books? Who best to be able to help them? It's a social worker."

O'Brian provides information, support and referrals to appropriate organizations. She also often helps library patrons fill out applications for various benefit and assistance programs and schedule medical appointments, in addition to providing brochures or leaflets to community resources commonly needed by patrons.

"Providing that platform where there is no barrier," she said. "A free service residents can use where I can provide you information or lead you in the right direction."

Building partnerships

O'Brian said her work had been hectic, as the pandemic and bitterly cold weather has exacerbated needs for temporary shelter, affordable housing, and food and utility assistance.

"Just everything," she said. "In December I saw a lot of people (asking about) divorces and questions on that and how to go about it."

O'Brian said she also helped direct residents to tutoring services and filing reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of dependent adults.

Patrons can either walk into the Davenport Public Library and be referred to O'Brian by library staff or make appointments to visit with her, including over the phone or via Zoom.

She makes hourly rounds to assist and identify patrons at the Davenport library's other branches who might be in need of services, "or to look at behaviors and deal with people before things do escalate," O'Brian said. She also offers consultation, training and resources to library staff as needed on issues related to social service needs of patrons, including those who are homeless or dealing with psychiatric issues.

"My role here is to let people understand that, you know, this is a societal issue and to look at these people and come from a place of empathy," she said.

O'Brian utilizes Quad Cities Open Network, a collaboration of social service organizations, to make referrals.

"I can go on that platform and put in a referral to maybe three or four different organizations at the same time," she said.

O'Brian also attends monthly meetings of area nonprofit service agencies "to discuss what they are doing and the opportunities that are there."

"Because as part of my role here is to build those partnerships with other organizations in the community to be able to serve our patrons," she said. "My role is to link them to appropriate resources in the community.

To schedule an appointment call or email O'Brian at 563-888-3371 and qobrian@davenportlibrary.com, or click HERE.

"For me, it's all about serving. It's all about helping people," she said. "Whatever I can do at the moment, that is my focus."

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Federal money from the bipartisan infrastructure package could increase Iowas funds for bridge construction and repair by more than a third for the next five years.

The Biden administration and the Iowa Department of Transportation on Friday announced a bridge formula program that represents the single-largest dedicated bridge investment since construction of the interstate highway system.

It will provide $26.5 billion to states over five years, including $5.2 billion this year and $825 million for tribal transportation facilities.

For Iowa, the bipartisan infrastructure package means $431,828,580 over five years, or about $86.2 million a year.

Thats about 35 percent of the $240 million a year the Iowa Department of Transportation has budgeted in its 2022-26 Five-Year Program, according to Stuart Anderson, director of the transportation development division.

Iowa has 4,571 bridges in poor condition, according to the federal DOT.

Anderson cant predict how many more Iowa bridges will be built, repaired or replaced with the additional federal dollars, because bridge costs can vary significantly based on the improvement type, size of the bridge, condition of the bridge, etc.

We expect well see a broad mix of bridge improvement types across the state with this new funding, he said.

The states share can be spent on bridges normally eligible for federal aid, Anderson explained. That includes a large number of bridges on the county and city system and all other bridges.

The $86.2 million a year doesnt include the amount cities and counties will spend on bridges. However, some of Iowas bipartisan infrastructure package funds will be spent on those systems, Anderson said.

In fact, there is a requirement that at least 15 percent of this new federal bridge funding be spent on off-system bridges, he said.

That means about $13 million each year must be spent on bridges that are not normally eligible for federal aid. These off-system bridges are on city and county systems, with the great majority of them being on the county system.

For more information, click here.

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Two of South Africas major business chambers allege that municipalities are making excessive profits from electricity tariffs by charging their customers much more than it costs to provide power.

The Pietermaritzburg & Natal Midlands Business Chamber (PMCB) and Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber have taken on the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) over its approach to municipal tariffs.

Both business chambers said the excessive tariffs are illegal.

They also stated that Nersas guideline and benchmarking methodology were to blame for the exorbitant prices.

The chambers contend that electricity tariffs must be based on the cost of delivering electricity in addition to a reasonable profit margin.

That would be enough to fund municipalities electricity maintenance costs.

With Eskoms tariffs having increased by around 180% in real terms over the last 15 years, municipal tariffs have to be limited to efficiently incurred costs, PMCB CEO Melanie Veness told The Witness.

But Veness said that electricity income was not spent exclusively on this service and was instead used to cross-subsidise other municipal functions.

If tariffs are approved without the efficiency of the costs being interrogated, there is no real incentive for municipalities to spend electricity income on infrastructure or to address theft, waste, fraud and corruption in the electricity system, Veness said.

The business chambers said the current approach led to tariff differentials between electricity distributors in South Africa as high as 60%.

As it stands, Eskom applies for an adjustment to the electricity price with Nersa based on how much it estimates it will cost to generate electricity and distribute it to its customers, in addition to unexpected costs incurred over previous financial periods.

Eskoms customers include municipalities that resell and distribute electricity to residents and businesses.

Nersa uses tariffs from the previous year to guide municipalities on how much they can increase their electricity prices.

If their planned tariff increases fall within Nersas guidelines, they can implement it without further scrutiny by Nersa.

If the increases deviate from the guidelines, they must be motivated by a cost analysis.

One of the big problems is that most municipalities dont know how much it costs them to provide electricity.

Former president of the Chartered Institute of Government Finance Audit and Risk Officers, Peet du Plessis, told Rapport that no more than 20% of the countrys municipalities that resell electricity had performed cost studies.

No short-term relief

The business chambers participated in year-long consultations on the issue with Nersa, but the regulator has refused to review their methodology without a legal challenge.

They are now hoping for a ruling on the matter by late April or early May.

However, if the court found in their favour, it is expected to suspend the decision for a period to give Nersa and municipalities ample opportunity to develop a new methodology.

The case has no bearing on Eskoms electricity tariff increase, which Nersa will announce in February following public consultations. The utility has asked for a 20.5% increase from 1 April 2022.

The Association of South African Chambers (Asac), which consists of multiple business chambers, including the two involved in the case against Nersa, have also slated this increase.

They have claimed that South Africans cannot suffer under heavy tariff increases due to the consequential costs of Eskoms failures at the Medupi and Kusile power stations and the load-shedding and load curtailment this has caused.
A recent update to the Chromium codebase has removed the option to delete prepopulated search engines in the latest versions of the Chrome and Edge browsers.

The problem was first highlighted several days ago when a number of users on a Google Chrome Help page and Reddit thread complained that they were unable to delete the search engines in either browser.

One user said their search engine kept changing to Yahoo in Chrome, despite having Google set as the default.

Ive tried to remove the search engines on Settings in chrome, but it doesnt work since there is no delete button under the three dots, the user said.

Google Chrome comes with specific prepopulated search engines based on the most popular option in each region.

In South Africa, it currently ships with Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia.

MyBroadband found that the delete option was unavailable for these search engines on one of our Windows 11 PCs running Chrome 97.

Soon after the complaints, Chromium developer Justin Donnely claimed responsibility for the issue.

The motivation was simply that if someone deleted a search engine accidentally, theres no way to get it back, so its a potentially very disruptive mistake, he explained. I wanted to protect against that even if very few people are affected by it.

He said the option to delete prepopulated search engines would mean that certain users who werent knowledgeable could delete prepopulated search engines and be left unable to set the suggest, new tab page, or other specialised URLs.

However, Donnelly admitted he did not realise that users had deleted certain prepopulated search engines to avoid search engine hijacking.

It was evident from some responses that some applications, like McAfee, could automatically change the users browser to one of the populated options.

That is because McAfees Secure Search functionality only works with Yahoo. When this is turned on, the search engine automatically switches to Yahoo.

Donnelly said the Chromium team was looking into how they could prevent automatic changes to search engine choices and would bring back to delete option in the next update.

It should return in either Chrome 98 or 99, releasing in early February and early March, respectively, Donnelly said.

Now read: Microsoft rolls back controversial default browser setting on Windows 11
Testing by MyBroadband revealed that The Courier Guy and Fastway easily outperformed the SA Post Offices courier service, Speed Services.

The South African Post Office (SAPO) and Icasa are fighting to stop private courier companies from delivering packages under 1kg in South Africa.

According to the Post Office, it is the only licensed provider who can deliver reserved postal services under the Postal Services Act 124 of 1998.

Reserved postal services include all letters, postcards, printed matter, small parcels, and other postal articles up to and including 1kg.

Private courier companies have warned that it can have devastating consequences if the Post Offices legal bid is successful.

They argue that the SA Post Office does not have the capacity to replace the services offered by private courier companies like FedEx, UPS, The Courier Guy, and Fastway.

MyBroadband decided to test the SA Post Offices courier service, Speed Services, and compare it to two alternatives  The Courier Guy and Fastway.

Speed Services advertise various courier services, including door-to-door, counter-to-counter, and counter-to-door parcel delivery.

According to the Speed Services website, all three of these services offer next day delivery, with the door-to-door and counter-to-door service promising delivery by 10:30.

The Courier Guy and Fastway offer similar services, including door-to-door next-day deliveries.

Courier delivery test results

MyBroadband tested the courier services by sending Chipfox tracking devices between our Centurion office and an address in Port Elizabeth.

We hit an immediate snag with the Post Offices Speed Services when we tried to arrange door-to-door delivery. We received no response via email, and the contact number to arrange collection was not answered, even after holding for more than 30 minutes.

We had to settle for counter-to-door services from Speed Services, which required us to visit a Post Office to send the package.

Our results showed that The Courier Guy and Fastway comfortably outperformed Speed Services.

The Courier Guy parcel arrived at our test recipients door in Port Elizabeth the next working day, as promised.

The parcel sent with Fastway took two working days, which is well within the promised 2 to 3 working day delivery.

The Speed Services counter-to-counter parcel was delivered to a Post Office branch close to the recipient four working days after being sent.

The counter-to-door parcel was delivered after two working days, a day later than what was promised.

We also tested a return trip from Port Elizabeth to Centurion. This was done in early December when the courier services were busy.

The Courier Guy parcel took three working days to be delivered, which was slower than the expected delivery time.

Fastway delivered the package within two working days, which was impressive considering the busy period during which we sent it.

The parcels sent using Speed Services counter-to-counter and counter-to-door services took six and seven working days, respectively.

The Post Offices Speed Services was much slower than the rest and did not deliver what it promised.

The table below provides a summary of the results. The images below the table show the movement of the packages with data from our IoT GPS devices.

Courier Comparison Courier Service Advertised delivery Delivery from PTA to PE Delivery from PE to PTA Price The Courier Guy Overnight 1 working day 1 working day 3 working days R149.50 Fastway National Satchel 2 to 3 working days 2 working days 2 working days R86.25 Speed Services Counter-to-Counter 1 working day 4 working days 6 working days R50.12 Speed Services Counter-to-Door 1 working day 2 working days 7 working days R50.85 + R13.02 Fuel levy

The Courier Guy  Pretoria to Port Elizabeth

The Courier Guy  Port Elizabeth to Pretoria

Fastway  Pretoria to Port Elizabeth

Fastway  Port Elizabeth to Pretoria

Speed Services counter-to-counter  Pretoria to Port Elizabeth

Speed Services counter-to-door  Pretoria to Port Elizabeth

Speed services counter-to-counter  Port Elizabeth to Pretoria

Speed services counter-to-door  Port Elizabeth to Pretoria
FedEx has asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for permission to equip one of its cargo planes with an anti-missile laser system.

In a public notice reported by NBC News, the mailing and transportation services company said it wanted to install the advanced defensive weapon on an Airbus A321-200 that directed infrared laser energy toward an incoming missile to interrupt its heat-seeking capabilities.

Its motivation for the request was several incidents in recent years in which man-portable air defence systems fired upon civilian aircraft.

That has led to companies designing and adapting systems like a laser-based missile-defence system for installation on civilian aircraft.

FedEx acknowledged that infrared laser energy could pose a hazard to people on board the plane, in other aircraft, or on the ground, which is why it had approached the FAA with a set of conditions to mitigate these dangers.

The conditions include a design that would prevent the system from inadvertently operating on the ground and providing safety markings, instructions, and other information to people who might have to interact with the system.

NBC News noted that FedEx does not have an AirBus A321-200 in its fleet yet, so the system is destined for one of its new planes.

The most significant incidents in recent history in which civilian airplanes were hit by missiles occurred in July 2014 and January 2020.

In the first instance, 283 passengers and 15 crew members died when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down by a Buk surface-to-air missile fired from an area of the Ukraine which had been under the control of pro-Russian separatists.

That was only a few months after the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war, which revolves around the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas.

In the second incident, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was downed by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, five days after the US assassinated IRGC Major General Qasem Soleimani.

Iran claimed the airplane was mistaken for a hostile target when it turned towards a sensitive site of the IRGC.

But the US has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the flight be shot down.

Tension has been escalating between Russia and Ukraine in recent months, with fears from the West that Putin is planning a full-scale invasion of the Ukraine.

According to the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Putin views Ukraines tightening military, political, and economic relationships with the West as a threat to Russia.

The Kremlin has massed troops and equipment along the Russia-Ukraine border, and is suspected to be behind a cyberattack on the Ukrainian government.

It was unconfirmed whether FedExs request was in any way related to these developments, however.

Now read: Hacker claims he remotely breached 25 Teslas in 13 countries
Comparing a can of ventresca tuna to a can of Charlie the Tuna is like comparing an Italian luxury car Maserati to a humble German Volkswagen. The first is impossibly silky smooth and refined, the second is pleasant enough but no excitement. Can they really be the same thing? Well, not really.

The Spanish are masters at picking  or catching  a product at its peak and immediately preserving it in a can. On a trip a few years ago, my wife and I saw high-end taverns in Madrid that only serve foods from cans, and were not talking SPAM.

The best example is bonito, (genus Sarda), a tuna-like schooling fish of the tuna and mackerel family, which migrates north off the coast of Spain. During the summer they fatten up for their return journey south. At the peak of their feeding, the tuna is line-caught, filleted by hand, boiled in seawater and canned in olive oil (which is good enough to use as a sauce).

This allows the fishermen to select only the best fish at the time theyre hauled on board, ensures other fish are not a by-catch, and doesnt rely on nets that can damage the sea bottom.

Look for bonito del Norte (Northern Beauty) on the side of the can. This signals it is the rich white albacore tuna. A step up in quality and price is ventresca, the belly of the tuna. Youll find this cut listed on the menu of Japanese restaurants as toro. The standard U.S. supermarket canned tuna in water is skipjack, recognizable by its pink/grey color.

Great canned tuna is the perfect product to stock your cupboard: It keeps forever, and you can pull it and the can opener out and plate an appetizer or simple meal in a moment.

The first question I get, after doing my sales pitch of how good this tuna is: where can I find it? Whole Foods and Oxbow Public Market both carry Ortiz Spanish Bonito del North and I have bought ventresca at Oxbow. Scroll through tienda.com for tuna, Piquillo peppers, and all things in Spanish food that can be captured in a can.

Or check the Italian online food market in New York City, gustiamo.com, for bluefin tuna caught in Sicily plus some other great, but expensive, foods.

One of the best ways to enjoy this tuna is to simply chop it up and stuff it into piquillo peppers (which is another example of great preserved food: usually in glass bottles). These are warm red, beak-shaped peppers with a roasted, sweet flavor from Spain. Heat them on a griddle or warm in an oven and serve as a tasty appetizer that all you had to do was open two containers.

If you want to get more sophisticated, this silky tuna tastes great when dressed up. Here are three ideas.

Ensaladilla Rusa (Russian Salad)

Serves 8 to 10 as a tapa, 4 to 6 as a side dish

Adapted from "The New Spanish Table" by Anya von Bremzen

How did the Russian Salad  which originated in that country but was first known as Olivier Salad, since it was invented in the 18th century by Lucien Olivier  become widely popular in Spain? No one is sure. Since its creation, different regions of Europe have developed their own variations but a few core ingredients remain: potatoes, eggs, carrots, pickles, onions, peas, and a mayonnaise-based dressing. Ms. Von Bremzen writes that it is very popular throughout Spain but found her favorite recipe at a tapas bar in Barcelona called Estrella de Plata.

3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cut in half

1 large carrot, cut in half crosswise

1 small turnip, cut in halt

3 ounces green beans, trimmed

1 cup peas, cooked

6 ounces Spanish tuna packed in oil, drained, and flaked with a fork

2 roasted piquillo peppers, diced (Piquillo peppers are worth a whole article themselves)

3 hard-boiled eggs (2 finely chopped, 1 grated)

20 pimiento-stuffed green olives

7 best-quality oil-packed anchovy fillets, drained and chopped

1/3 cup mayonnaise (or more to taste)

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

Make the salad: Place the potatoes, carrot, and turnip in a medium-size saucepan. Add water to cover by 2 inches, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until all the vegetables feel tender when pierced with a skewer, about 15 minutes for the carrot and turnip, a bit longer for the potatoes.

As the vegetables become soft, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a bowl. Take care not to overcook. Bring the water back to a boil, add the green beans, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes (they should be neither al dente nor overcooked). Drain the beans, blot them dry with paper towels and set them aside. Let the vegetables cool to room temperature.

Peel the potatoes, carrot, and turnip, then cut them into small dice and transfer to a mixing bowl. Cut the green beans into 3/4-inch lengths and add them to the bowl with the diced vegetables. Then add the peas, tuna, roasted peppers, and the 2 chopped eggs. Using a sturdy fork, mash the salad until it has a chunky-creamy consistency.

Make the dressing: Place the olives, anchovies, 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise, and 3 tablespoons water in a blender and process until a medium-fine paste forms.

Stir the olive mixture into the salad. Place the remaining mayonnaise and the lemon juice into a small bowl and whisk to mix, then stir into the salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If you'd like the salad to be moister, add more mayo. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the salad stand for about 2 hours. (You can make the salad up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate it and let it come to room temperature before serving).

To serve, spoon the salad on a shallow serving dish and garnish with the grated egg.

Tuna Belly with Lemon Confit

Makes 8

Adapted from "Pintxos: Small Plates in the Basque Tradition" by Gerald Hirigoyen with Lisa Weiss

This comes from the San Francisco restaurateur Gerald Hirigoyen, chef-owner of Piperade and the sadly closed Bocadillos. Pintxos (pronounced PEEN-chos) are tapas from Spains Basque country. As Chef Hirigoyen, who was born in that northern region next to France, writes in the headnotes to this recipe, The beauty of many pintxos is that they can be prepared in an instant if you have a can opener and a well-stocked pantry.

1 piquillo pepper

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained

 cup pitted brined-cured black olives, such as Saracena, Amfissa or Nicoise

 cup Aioli (recipe below) or you could use prepared mayonnaise if youre really in a hurry

8 diagonally cut baguette slices, about 5/8 inch thick

1 4 -ounce can tuna belly (ventresca packed in olive oil), drained and broken into 8 equal pieces

3 tablespoons rind from preserved lemons, sliced in very thin (1/8 inch or less) strips. You can buy these at specialty stores, online or make yourself

Aioli:

Makes about 1 cup

2 or 3 garlic cloves, skin removed and left whole

Kosher salt

1 whole egg

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (or more, to your taste)

1 cup olive oil or sunflower oil (Ive found that the violence of the food processor makes the extra virgin oil taste bitter)

Chopped preserved lemon for garnish

With the side of a chefs knife, crush the garlic cloves on a cutting board, and then sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt over them. Then mince the garlic to a paste, scraping and spreading it a few times with the knife.

Transfer the garlic paste to a food processor and add the egg and lemon juice. Add about 2 tablespoons of the oil and process for 1 minute.

With the motor running, add the remaining oil in droplets until the mixture begins to emulsify. Then add the oil in a fine, steady stream until all of it has been incorporated and the mixture is the consistency of mayonnaise.

Taste and add more salt or lemon juice as needed. Transfer to a bowl to use. What you dont use is great on sandwiches or salads, so it never goes to waste.

On a cutting board, finely chop together the piquillo pepper, capers, and olives. Transfer to a small bowl, add the aioli, and mix well.

To serve, mound the pepper mixture on the baguette slices, dividing it evenly. Top each mound with a piece of tuna and a little chopped preserved lemon.

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Tuna

Its not just Spaniards who love bonito del Norte tuna, although I dont know if this is recipe can be found in Italy. At least it combines Italian ingredients with the oily tuna and only takes a few minutes to throw together.

Penne pasta about  cup per person

 cup extra virgin olive oil or more as needed

1 or 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cherry tomatoes  8 to 10 per person, cut in half (Yes, you could use canned tomatoes, but the cherry size just works better)

Kosher salt

1 tablespoon fresh oregano or 1  teaspoons dried oregano

1 4-ounce can of Bonito del Norte tuna

Handful pitted black olives, cut in half

Cook the pasta following the manufacturers instructions. Once the pasta is boiled, drain, reserving a little of the cooking water to pour it into the pan.

Drizzle olive oil in a pan, and when it is hot, add the minced garlic. Just as the garlic begins to brown, add the tomatoes. Crush them a little with the spoon to release the juice. Add a dash of salt and oregano. Add a little of the pasta cooking water. (This is why you should never toss it out until you know if you need it or not.)

When the tomatoes have softened and juice is sizzling, add the tuna, a little of the oil from the can, and the sliced black olives. Mix well to integrate the flavors. Mix all the ingredients well and serve immediately.

Ken Morris has been cooking for comfort for more than 30 years and learning in kitchens from Alaska to Thailand to Italy. He now cooks and writes from his kitchen in Napa. Email macmor@sbcglobal.net.
Teacher, law student, viticulturist, and life-long learner Evelyn Allen, who began taking classes at Napa Valley College in 1944 and continued nearly until she passed away on May 8 at the age of 94, has left her estate to the Napa Valley College Foundation. The announcement was made by Napa Valley College Foundation Executive Director Jessica Thomason.

In a revocable trust prepared in 2018, Allen directed that the Foundation would receive her estate, including her 13-acre property, which includes her home, a rental home and eight acres of cabernet grapes, which are currently being sold to Caymus, as well as a separate rental property in Alta Heights. In the trust document, she specifically asked that her gift be used to support the Colleges Agriculture and Adaptive Physical Education programs.

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We are greatly saddened by Evelyns passing, said Thomason. She was well-known and loved as a student and has been actively supporting the college through making gifts to the foundation for several years. Evelyn referred to the college and its students as her family.

We are overwhelmed to hear that she left her estate to the college, which will be the largest gift ever received by the Napa Valley College Foundation. We are honored to be able to steward this significant gift to fulfill Evelyns wishes, which will live on in the lives of students and the community for years to come.

To further cement Evelyns legacy at NVC, the foundation has also established the Evelyn Allen Womens Leadership Fund, a group of key women leaders in the Valley who will provide a voice within the College to cultivate the next generation of women leaders.

Born in 1926 in College City near Colusa, Calif., Evelyn grew up in a humble home where her contractor father and seamstress mother instilled in her a strong work ethic and a love of education. She is described by those who knew her as an exceptionally independent woman with an insatiable desire for knowledge and a fearless approach to life.

She graduated from Napa High School in 1944 and enrolled at what was then called Napa Junior College, located on the high school campus at Jefferson Street and Lincoln Avenue. She took all the required classes, as well as courses in journalism, which she leveraged into an internship with the Napa Register, writing articles about the college. In support of the war effort, Evelyn also held a job at the city engineers office while attending Napa Junior College.

She transferred to UC Berkeley where she got the first of her many degrees, in economics, in 1948. She obtained an emergency teaching credential and a one-year position at Yountville Elementary School, kicking off her 25-year teaching career. Evelyn earned her masters degree in teaching from the University of Colorado in Boulder and traveled the world after winning two Fulbright teaching scholarships to teach and study in Sheffield, England, and Taiwan.

Never one to be idle, Allen decided to attend John F. Kennedy University in Orinda and obtained a law degree in four years. Although she never practiced law, she worked for a lawyer in San Francisco for a few years before coming back to Napa to take care of her father when her mother died in the 1970s.

After moving in with her father on his 13.5-acre property on Silverado Trail, Allen began to explore the possibility of planting wine grapes on the property, which was planted at that time in prunes. To prepare for that transition, she turned to her alma mater, Napa Valley College.

Evelyn enrolled in every winemaking and viticulture class that the college had to offer, and by 2004, she had more than eight acres of prime Napa Valley cabernet grapes growing on the land.

Dr. Steven Krebs, the head of the VWT (Viticulture Winery & Technology) program at that time, recalls Evelyn very fondly. Before virtually every class session, she arrived early at my office with a list of questions, he said. She also frequently phoned with questions, often left on my voice mail. She actively participated in class discussions and was well-loved by her fellow students.

Sylvia Valdez, a fellow viticulture student and longtime friend of Evelyn, remembers Evelyn finding premium wineries to buy her grapes by going through the phone book and calling them. She was enterprising! Valdez says.

Evelyns distant cousin Pam Elder, her last living relative in the Bay Area, said that she found Evelyn to be intellectually curious, fiercely independent, and open to innovation.

She was always forward-thinking, Elder said, offering evidence of the fact that when Evelyn was in her 80s, she planted a second vineyard and had solar panels installed to save energy. In her 90s, she turned a swale on her land into a small pond, hoping to help replenish the groundwater table.

I am so pleased that she had the foresight and generosity to create a legacy that will benefit students at the college from which she began her educational journey.

In order to fulfill Evelyns wishes, the Napa Valley College Foundation plans to sell the properties, the value of which has not yet been determined.

"She lived a full and admirable life, always curious, always growing," said Malcolm de Sieyes, president of the foundation's board of directors. "She was an incredible woman, a lifelong learner, and an inspiring woman. Her passing saddens us, but Evelyn's memory will live on through her amazing gift in perpetuity through her love of the college and incredible generosity. The Viticulture Winery & Technology and Adaptive Physical Education programs will benefit in countless ways, for years to come."
An ordinance amendment allowing adult-use retail cannabis sales in Napa is headed toward the final step of Napa City Council approval Tuesday evening.

Napa currently only permits medical sales of cannabis, which means customers are required to have a physician-approved medical card to purchase cannabis products. Under adult-use retail rules, anyone age 21 or older can purchase cannabis products by showing identification.

California legalized recreational cannabis in 2016 after 57% of voters  and 61% of voters in Napa County  voted to approve Proposition 64. But most California cities, like Napa, still dont allow adult-use cannabis sales.

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Local cannabis retailers say opening up adult-use sales will boost business and increase city tax revenues.

Aimee Henry, an owner of Napa Cannabis Collective, said allowing adult-use sales will essentially allow her business to become sustainable.

In Napa, there really hasnt been high enough demand for medical for us to have a sustainable business thats breaking even, much less reaching profitability, Henry said.

She added that though getting a medical recommendation for cannabis now takes only about 10 to 15 minutes, the need for a recommendation still serves as a barrier for many people.

One reason for that is that recommendations typically cost $30 to $40, Henry said. People may not want to have a conversation with a doctor about the reason they want to use cannabis. And adult-use cannabis can be bought in nearby cities or delivered without the hassle of needing a medical card, she added.

The majority of Napas potential sales have been going to Vallejo or Fairfield or Santa Rosa or people are ordering delivery from an outside area, Henry said.  Really were losing significant revenue not only for us as retailers but for the city.

Riccardo Natoli, president of The Herbivore Cannabis Dispensary, said Napas local economy is highly dependent on tourism. In that spirit, Herbivore focuses on a high-end luxury market, he said and expects to see about 30% to 40% more business if the adult-use amendment is approved.

Natoli also recommended a moratorium on new adult-use applications be established to protect Napas six current dispensaries from the arrival of new adult-use retailers, particularly large corporate brands.

For us, its a sweet and sour proposal, Natoli said. We need to make sure, along with going fully recreational, they also look to protect the existing retail operations.

A two-year moratorium on new retail cannabis applications, which would apply to outside dispensaries, was proposed by a collation of five dispensaries last year. The retailers argued the moratorium would allow the businesses to stabilize financially from the COVID-19 pandemic, and it would give the city time to figure out how and if to regulate the adult-use market.

From our perspective, were not trying to shut anybody out; were not trying to prevent other businesses from opening and getting a piece of the pie, Henry said. We want to make sure that our businesses are going to be able to be sustainable.

But most councilmembers and planning commissioners have not supported the proposed moratorium, and no action to include it has passed.

The amendment to the ordinance was in the works for much of last year.

After prioritizing an update to the ordinance as a policy goal in March 2021, the City Council voted 4-1 in October 2021 for staff to prepare the amendment allowing retail sales of cannabis to anyone age 21 or older. The citys Planning Commission approved the amendment unanimously in November.

The amendment allowing adult-use sales would come into effect 30 days following Napa City Council approval.

In other news, the City Council will hear an update on the Make it in Napa Initiative  an effort to support the space needs of local creatives  and recommendations on an action plan to carry out the initiatives goals.

The Make it in Napa survey the action plan is based on, carried out last year, found that space in Napa is generally unaffordable for artists and makers.

The suggested actions include forming a steering committee to continue the initiative; improving communication and raising the visibility of the citys creative sector; and enhancing city infrastructure and policies to support the initiative, according to the 78-page Creative Space and Local Manufacturing Action Plan.

Additionally, the action plan asks that the city adopt incentive programs to promote Napa as a place for creatives to live; that it creates new, affordable space opportunities; that it explore funding and partnership opportunities and strengthen regional connections; and that it creates a maker-focused district.

You can reach Edward Booth at (707) 256-2213.

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A few weeks ago, the Napa Register received an email from Rhonda Simon, a board member of The Table, a congregate hot lunch program for those needing food. In it, Simon said that their kitchen manager had passed away.

Richard was the heart and soul of The Table, Simon wrote. We are devastated ... Richard knew more people and was loved by more people than anyone I can think of.

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Heres more about Richard, The Tables sole employee, whose smile lit up every room he entered.

Richard started out as one of our diners, said Simon, reached by phone. We got to know him better and eventually, he became our only employee, coordinating the volunteers who cook the food. Various volunteer groups rotate cooking throughout the month. In our program, he oversaw an average of 70 volunteers a month. He worked for Community Projects before coming to us and between that, his other job at CANV and us, he worked with over 700 volunteers, and they all got to know him. He was a light in this community.

Richard Majano was raised in San Francisco. A child of El Salvadorean parents, he and his family emigrated to America in 1965.

Our papers were processed in San Ysidro and then we took a Greyhound bus to San Francisco, said his brother, Martin Majano, who now lives in Bakersfield. We thought it was very fancy. My parents got divorced a few years later and we lived with my mother. When my mom died, he was 11 or 12 years old. We ended up living with my married sister.

Richard was dyslexic, but we didnt know what that was then, Majano continued. I figured out he didnt know how to read. He dropped out of high school in the 12th grade when they told him he wasnt going to graduate.

He had different jobs, but hed get drunk and got into trouble. The family helped him out until we realized we werent really helping him. Thats when he got his act together.

A Napa Valley Register article about the Library Literacy Center in 2011, mentioned Richard as one of their students. He was quoted as saying that he was learning to write and spell and credited the Literacy Center with giving him the confidence to learn.

Writing is awesome and empowering, Majano said in the article, which also mentions that hed gained the self-confidence to enroll in a culinary program.

Drene Johnson is the executive director of CANV, which operated the culinary program at the time.

Yes, he was one of our culinary program graduates, Johnson said. He was one of the best students, always eager to learn and he looked forward to a rewarding career in the food business.

He also drove a truck as a CANV employee, picking up groceries from stores for their food programs.

Rhona Simon echoed praise for his work ethic.

We had about 25 different groups cook every month, Simon said. Richard took care of them for three hours. Its important to note that he worked not just in the kitchen. He took care of all in the kitchen and those in the dining room. If a diner had a bad day, maybe being troublesome, Richard would walk out of the kitchen and talk with the diner to find out the issue. When hed learn the problem and talk about it, the diner would calm down. Actually, he taught us all how to have patience.

Wed call him our resident teacher, she continued. The more people he helped, helped us see the goodness in anyone. If something didnt go well for one of our volunteer groups, an appliance broke down or something, theyd tell us and always add, But Richard was wonderful.

Food meant a lot to him; it was second only to community. Hed come in with a boom box and his extensive playlist. It was a pleasant place to work because of Richard and his music.

He had an infectious smile, beautiful and genuine. It touched each and everyone who worked with him. Richard was a sweet soul. He enjoyed music and going to the park, fishing with his buddies and he adored his grandchildren.

The thing Ill miss most about him were his hugs. Hed enter a room with a smile, and you got a hug. When he closed the kitchen, youd get another hug. Hed led a hard life and lived a simple life. He cared and listened. Hed ask how you were and was a wonderful listener.

Shirley Mendez met Richard in 1987 and was his partner for over four years. They had a daughter together.

Even after we broke up, we still kept in touch. Our daughter had two sons, who are ages 11 and 8. Richard enjoyed them. Hed take the eldest one to church with him. Theyd all go to the movies or hang out and watch movies at home. When I cleaned out his apartment, I found and took back 30 movies to the library.

He played pool; liked to talk and laugh. Fishing with his friends was a passion. He loved spending time with his family and playing games with the kids. He was open to different things. He used to drink back in the day but now was supportive of AA. Richard had diabetes but he took care of himself and watched what he ate. Since COVID, he was cautious and always wore a mask.

One day, before the 10th of December, he said he wasnt feeling good, and I told him to get checked out. I didnt hear from him and tried calling. His best friend Tony asked me if Id spoken to him. Tony called the hospitals and then he told me hed talked to the coroner and Richard had passed. That was about the 14th of December.

Darlene Valencia is the executive pastor at CrossWalk Community Church, where Richard was a regular.

Valencia wrote in an email, His friends have started a GoFundMe donation page (gofund.me/bf29372f) to help with expenses. We know that there are people that would want to help with expenses but wouldnt be comfortable with giving directly to his friends or his family so I offered that if people wanted to help cover the cost of his Celebration, they could drop the money off at CrossWalk to me and I would make sure it goes to help cover the bills. Were hoping to hold a service at CrossWalk in the future once the family decides when.

Richard was found alone in his apartment and his cause of death is still undetermined. Martin Majano was told it could take up to 12 weeks to receive the information from the Coroners office.

Rhonda Simon said that theres a saying in the Jewish religion that she thinks is appropriate. May his memory be a blessing.

Richard Majano was 60 years old.
Pikeville, KY (41501)

Today

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EU: Poland fines in rule of law dispute now top $170 million

Greece and Bulgaria say new LNG terminal will help reduce dependence on Russia

German vice chancellor calls for rapid construction of LNG terminals

Rally of Resistance Movement takes place in France Square

Robert Kocharyan takes part in opposition march

Mario Draghi calls on EU to abandon requirement of unanimity in making foreign policy decisions

Finland and Sweden not yet decided whether to join NATO

Croatian president uses veto power to block Finland and Sweden from joining NATO

Slovakia will seek exemption from the EU embargo on Russian oil imports

NEWS.am digest: Blinken meets Mirzoyan in US, people detained during protests in Yerevan

Turkish Foreign Ministry on meeting of special envoys in Vienna

Opposition rally in central Yerevan starts with Sirusho's performance

Italy to face serious issues in winter if Russian gas supplies are cut off now

Johnson announces new military aid to Ukraine in amount of 300 million euros

Resistance Movement rally on France Square in Yerevan

EU hopes to adopt sixth round of sanctions against Russia at next EU Council meeting

Peaceful rallies of disobedience held in Spitak

Spain extends OVID-19 entry restrictions

Vayk joins demand for Nikol Pashinyan's resignation

Putin and Macron discuss Ukraine

Citizens demanding Pashinyan's resignation block road from Vayots Dzor to Yerevan

Peaceful rallies of disobedience held in Vanadzor demanding PM's resignation

Citizens demanding Pashinyan's resignation block Gyumri-Yerevan highway

Sirusho: Today I will join our compatriots in France Square

Third meeting of Armenia and Turkey special representatives held in Vienna

Dollar rises slightly after long decline, euro also goes up in Armenia

Civil disobedience actions in regions: Yerevan-Goris highway blocked

Azerbaijan settling occupied Armenian Hadrut, Shushi cities of Artsakh

New colors and new services: Team Telecom Armenia completes rebranding

Armenia legislature speaker receives France-Armenia Friendship Group delegation

France senator: We are leaving for Armenia with Senate group

Putin signs decree on economic measures against unfriendly countries

Armenia legislature speaker: Authorities have repeatedly proposed dialogue to opposition

Backpack action of protest being held outside Armenia parliament (PHOTOS)

Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD statement does not correspond to reality

Armenia defense minister receives Kansas National Guard delegation

Armenia Police: Yerevan-Sevan motorway reopened

Ned Price: Mirzoyan-Blinken meeting will launch US-Armenia strategic dialogue

Mirzoyan, Nuland discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement process

Civil disobedience actions are carried out in some Armenia cities

Armenia 2nd-President Kocharyan, ex-deputy PM and now lawmaker Gevorgyan trial to resume

Pashinyan to Morawiecki: This year we mark 30th anniversary of Armenia-Poland diplomatic relations

No new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia Central Bank leaves refinancing rate unchanged at 9.25%

Demonstrators demanding PM Pashinyan's resignation block Sevan-Yerevan motorway

Police: 117 demonstrators apprehended in Yerevan

Kansas National Guard leadership visiting Armenia

Bloomberg: EU new gas partners

Armenian member of Turkey legislature says he was thrown at table of wolves

Italian PM slams Lavrov for his 'Hitler' statements in interview with local television

South Korea and US plan to start air force exercises on May 9

Police special forces apprehend Armenia ex-president Robert Kocharyans son

Police: 70 people apprehended from Yerevan streets

World Press Freedom Index 2022: Journalism as a profession is humiliated in Armenia

Newspaper: Armenia ruling party MPs are worried

Borrell speaks on possible disconnection from SWIFT of new Russian banks

Cyprus becomes first EU country with full 5G coverage

Police apprehending participants of civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

State Department: Deepening US-Armenia cooperation in nuclear energy will strengthen bilateral relations

Peaceful disobedience actions resume in Yerevan early morning

Mirzoyan: Armenia appreciates US support for developing energy sector

Blinken underscores US commitment to help Armenia, Azerbaijan find sustainable peace, prosperity

Eurozone economic sentiment falls much more than expected in April

Apple faces big fine

Armenia ex-president joins discussion in France Square

Poland wants the EU to set a clear date for stopping Russian oil imports

Armenia FM meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Armenia FM meets with Director of USAID Samantha Power

Ann Linde says Finland will almost certainly apply for NATO membership

Police beat reporters, obstruct their work in Yerevan

European Commission may relieve Hungary, Slovakia of embargo on Russian oil purchase

Resistance Movement to continue large-scale civil disobedience actions on 3 May in Yerevan and regions

EU countries to continue to pay in euros or dollars for Russian gas

Resistance Movement participants return to France Square

Russian and Turkish defense ministers discuss current situation in Ukraine

Ukrainian intelligence accuses Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan of helping Russia evade Western sanctions

NEWS.am digest: Turkey says they have agreements with Armenia on border clarification

Toivo Klaar informs about meeting of Armen Grigoryan and Hikmet Hajiyev in Brussels

PACE initiates resolution on threats to journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan

Diplomat kidnapped in Haiti

Hungarian president asks Orban to form new government

Georgia PM hands over first part of questionnaire answers for accession to EU

Resistance Movement participants march in central Yerevan

Half of Japanese oppose change of peaceful constitution

Resistance movement rally on France Square in Yerevan

Blinken and Armenia FM sign memorandum on strategic cooperation in nuclear energy

Another earthquake registered on Armenian-Georgian border

FLYONE ARMENIA launches regular direct flights between Yerevan and Tbilisi

Georgia abolishes requirement to wear masks in closed spaces

One dollar drops below AMD 450, euro also falls in Armenia

Georgia PM receives Justice Minister of Armenia

Armenia MFA says there is no discussion, agreement on re-demarcating border with Turkey

Cavusoglu claims there is agreement to clarify Armenia-Turkey border

Azerbaijan president receives Brice Roquefeuil

Armenia ex-defense minister: These authorities are able to use force inside the country

Police: 244 people apprehended in Yerevan as of 2pm

Incident involving disobedience march participants occurs at Armenian State Pedagogical University

Yerevan Police apprehend opposition MP

Police: 199 people apprehended in Yerevan as of noon

Armenia defense ministry refutes Azerbaijan MOD statement
We have a region and neighbors that we need to think about in terms of GDP and their being various international organizations, their strengths and capabilities. Well-known businessman Khachatur Sukiasyan, a member of the ruling majority Civil Contract Faction in the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, told this to reporters in the NA Mondayand referring to the Armenian-Turkish talks, whose first meeting in Moscow last week was assessed as "constructive."

"If we shall move to the level of personal posts on social media, we cannot smoothly move Armenia to another platform. There are risks in any process," Sukiasyan added.

To the remark that in case of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, Turkey can economically occupy Armenia, the ruling forces lawmaker responded: "First of all, the Armenians who were born where the Turkish state is now and have lived there for tens of hundreds of generationsAs far as I know, high-ranking Turkish officials have said that Armenians feel very good economically here.

Second, up to 200 kilometers beyond our bordersin Turkeys Kars and other areasthe population there will use many services in Armenia. That's why I myself also have such a message to our medical enterprises to acquire the most up-to-date equipment that works with artificial intelligence. (). In that case, our doctors have a pretty good education, and it is possible that the [Turkish] locals [nearby Turkeys Kars] will use [Armenias] Gyumri [city], while [those] from the Margara side [of the Turkish border]will make use of Yerevan. And we will use the services that are developed at their side.

Asked whether Turkey has given up its preconditions for the normalization of its relations with Armenia, Khachatur Sukiasyan responded: The processes, statements, and realities that may be in the region and on the international platform are often not dependent on us. And the countries that want to build a [Turkic] Turan or other unionsother countries more powerful than them may thwartby using the toolsthe plans of countries wishing to form unions. That's why we [i.e., Armenia] have to be smart, not go into everything ourselves, not participate because it is not our job. Our job is to clarify direct relations with our neighbors."
After any war, there are always some convulsions, opposite actions; after some X timedepending on the emotionalitythey decrease, they strive for zero. I believe it is possible for us to have neighborly relations with our neighbor Azerbaijan. Well-known businessman Khachatur Sukiasyan, a member of the ruling majority Civil Contract Faction in the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, told this to reporters in the NA Mondayand when asked by a reporter: "Do you want to have good relations with neighboring Azerbaijan? It is about the same Azerbaijan that killed three 18-year-old [Armenian military] boys a few days ago.

According to Sukiasyan, many neighboring countries have quite a large amount in the gross domestic product of one another.

"If we manage to have a high percentage of gross domestic product with our neighbors, they will be good tools to improve relations.

We will not pass that enmity with Azerbaijan on to our children and [next] generations. When there is an exchange of fire, they also have casualties; we need to be civilized. Second, we need to manage all this silently, with restrained nerves.

Of course, there will be cases; but we have what we have. You know what region we live in, you know what neighbors we have, and we need to normalize our relations with our neighbors so that we do not transfer enmity to our [next] generations," said the lawmaker of Armenias ruling force.
RTHK: US calls on North Korea to cease missile launches

The United States urged North Korea on Monday to "cease its unlawful and destabilising activities," after Pyongyang fired two suspected ballistic missiles in its fourth weapons test this month, a State Department spokesman said.

In a call with South Korean and Japanese officials, the US special representative on North Korea, Sung Kim, "expressed concern" about the missile launches and urged Pyongyang to return to dialogue "without preconditions," the statement from spokesman Ned Price said.

He also "reaffirmed the US commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, as well as its ironclad commitment to the defence of its allies", South Korea and Japan.

Two suspected "short-range ballistic missiles" were fired east from an airport in Pyongyang early on Monday, the South Korean military's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, with Japan also confirming the launch.

They were the latest in a string of weapons tests conducted by Pyongyang this year, as leader Kim Jong Un pursues his avowed goal of further strengthening the military.

Its flexing of its military muscle comes despite tough international sanctions and an economy hard-hit by a self-imposed coronavirus blockade.

North Korea has not responded to Washington's offers of talks, instead vowing a "stronger and certain" response to any attempts to rein it in. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-01-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
It is a familiar scene, a public official at the lectern the day after being indicted or otherwise landing in trouble. But when Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby took to the microphone to defend herself against federal perjury charges, the scene played out in less-familiar fashion.

There was no spouse standing behind her, an absence all the more eyebrow-raising given that Mosbys husband is himself a top officeholder, Democratic City Council President Nick Mosby.

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Publicly silent since Thursday, when prosecutors charged his wife with perjury and false statements to withdraw early from a retirement fund and apply for mortgages to buy homes in Florida, Nick Mosby posted supportive messages Friday on his Instagram account. On Sunday, he joined her at Empowerment Temple AME church, where the pastor preached in her support. But he did not speak, nor has he made any public statements about the case nor returned calls from The Baltimore Sun.

Hes got to walk a fine line, said Anthony McCarthy, a onetime communications aide to multiple Baltimore mayors and other officials who hosts a talk show on WEAA-FM.

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Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby addresses the media outside her office a day after her indictment on federal perjury charges. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

How the council president navigates the coming months could prove tricky, political observers say, and could well determine how her indictment affects the couples intertwined political fortunes. Nick Mosby has not been charged with any crimes.

McCarthy is no stranger to handling the optics of City Hall crises, having served as a spokesman for two Democratic mayors, Sheila Dixon and Catherine Pugh, who were ultimately convicted of charges of their own. He said Nick Mosby will have to carve out a separate political path for his ambitions, even as he shows support for his wife in her current legal battle.

He has to make sure people understand his political identity is separate from her, but also stand by her, McCarthy said. Thats the reality if he wants to stay in politics. But hes got to be very careful not to look like hes betraying his wife.

The indictment, which emerged from a monthslong federal investigation, has thrust the already high-profile couple and their personal and political partnership into an even brighter spotlight.

Congregants at Empowerment Temple AME church encircle Nick and Marilyn Mosby as the Rev. Robert Turner leads a prayer in support of the states attorney, who is under federal indictment. (Amy Davis / Baltimore Sun)

That two of the citys top three public officials, after the mayor, are married to each other has previously raised concerns  of potential conflicts of interest, as well as the consolidation of too much power in one household. But the voters themselves, by electing both, seemingly set such worries aside. And despite revelations of a federal tax lien against them that was in place for more than a year and now the indictment of Marilyn Mosby, the Mosbys continue to enjoy the support of many who see them as a unique and even glamorous local power couple.

Theyre a likable couple who have achieved a level of excellence in the Black community, said Farajii Muhammad, a former WEAA-FM and WOLB-AM talk show host slated to debut a new show on Roland Martins digital Black Star Network.

Marilyn Mosby has framed the charges as part of a political attack against her for her controversial approach to her job as the citys chief prosecutor. The Democrat has become a lightning rod over the years, from her decision to charge the Baltimore Police Department officers involved in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray from injuries suffered in police custody to her decision not to prosecute more minor offenses.

With her husband having his own ambitions  he has run previously for mayor, represented a council district and served in the state House of Delegates  theyre trying to be as careful as possible, Muhammad said.

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He believes Nick Mosbys public silence on the indictment may reflect a strategy of not drawing additional attention when he has not been charged.

Why throw yourself in the mix? Muhammad said.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott administers the oath of office in 2020 to Council President Nick Mosby during the inauguration for council members in front of War Memorial Plaza. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

Like other talk radio hosts, former Democratic state Sen. Larry Young said he is seeing strong support for Marilyn Mosby from his WOLB callers, some of whom view the indictments as a paperwork issue with her personal finances rather than any problem with her official business as states attorney.

She could very well get through this, Young said.

But if she does not, he added, there could be consequences for both of them.

I think hes got breathing room, Young said. But if Marilyn is not able to survive, it could be a problem for Nick.

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Nick Mosby, then a Baltimore City Council member, held a Bible for Marilyn Mosby as she took the oath from Robert Bell, a former chief judge, for the state's attorney position. (Christopher T. Assaf, Baltimore Sun)

While some might have questions about Nick Mosbys absence at his wifes remarks Friday, Young said that it could have been a way of showing that shes the states attorney and she stands on her own two feet.

Others said that as an officeholder and someone who could still be under prosecutorial scrutiny himself, it was a good idea not to have him in the traditional position standing behind his embattled spouse.

Former Democratic mayoral candidate T.J. Smith, who runs a communications business after tours as a spokesman for the Baltimore Police and for the Baltimore County executive, thought Marilyn Mosby might have had the couples two daughters with her at the Friday appearance, given how she sought to highlight the toll her job took on her family. But her husband?

If Nick was there, does that give people more to talk about? Smith mused.

Another possible drawback: Some constituents might have viewed his appearance as him taking time away from his position as council president to handle a personal matter, Smith said. Or, he speculated, perhaps having Marilyn Mosby alone at the lectern was a strategic decision.

Being out there by yourself, maybe thats the image she wanted: Im strong enough to stand here by myself. Im in charge, Smith said.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 33 September 14, 2011 -- Nick Mosby, an electrical engineer, pictured outside City Hall, pulled off a surprise victory by defeating incumbent Belinda Conaway in Tuesday's Democratic primary for city council district 7. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

There isnt much precedent guiding what public role a male spouse should take when his officeholding wife faces trouble, let alone one who is in office himself. By far the more common scenario is a male politician in hot water, most scandalously for a sexual indiscretion, putting his wife in the position of standing literally behind him as he tries to talk his way out of it.

The point of the supportive spouse, especially in sex scandals is: If his wife is willing to forgive him, then certainly the voters should be too, said Melissa Deckman, a professor of public affairs and political science at Washington College in Chestertown.

Its humanizing, Deckman said. Its really doing damage control.

These days, there is less expectation that a woman should stand behind her politician husband, as people come to see spouses more as full, independent persons.

Its a vestige of different expectations of gender roles, Deckman said.

Additionally, it has backfired, most memorably perhaps in the case of then-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who when embroiled in a prostitution scandal in 2008, had his visibly pained wife, Silda Wall Spitzer, with him during a news conference.

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Then-Del. Nick Mosby speaks in the House of Delegates chamber on the opening day of the 2019 General Assembly session. (Ulysses Munoz/Baltimore Sun)

The current Mosby troubles are hard to compare to any previous case. While there have been pairs of politicians, they have largely held office on different timetables, such as Hillary Clinton entering the U.S. Senate shortly before President Bill Clinton had exited office, or locally, former Judge Katie Curran OMalley now running for attorney general long after her husband, Martin OMalley, left the Baltimore mayors and Maryland governors posts.

Surely, though, the indictment will wreak no small amount of political turbulence in Baltimore in the coming months.

Marilyn Mosby is up for reelection this year to what would be a third, four-year term; the primary is June 28. While there have been calls for her to resign, others believe she has been unfairly targeted and should stay right where she is. What it means for Nick Mosby in his current role  hes one year into a four-year term  and any of his campaigns for future office is less clear.

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I just have to wait and see how this plays out, said former Democratic Councilman Carl Stokes. Its very difficult. Im sure Nicks heart and mind says, I should defend my wife. But at the same time, I think hes definitely limited. He doesnt want to complicate his wifes case, or his own situation.

Stokes sees support in the city for the idea that the Mosbys have been unfairly targeted.

Theres a strong belief, whether its true or not, that people out there are trying to get Marilyn and Nick, he said.

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Members of the state House of Delegates in 2020, including Nick Mosby, in front at right, applaud the staffers who assist legislators. (Amy Davis)

That resonates in a city like Baltimore, commentators say, where the Department of Justices civil rights investigation of the police department found officers violated Black residents civil rights with disproportionate stops, searches and arrests and excessive force. Having seen multiple Black officeholders taken down, they say, only further strengthens a belief that the system is racially biased.

Muhammad is among those who say Marilyn Mosby should stand again for her office to give voters the opportunity to say if she should step down.

As for the future, though, he said hes exhausted by the continual controversy and drama over prosecutions of mayors, police chiefs and top officials that take focus from solving the citys biggest problems.

Look at what weve gone through with the leadership of Baltimore City, Muhammad said. We deserve so much more. We just need a break.
Valerie Pecresse, a French presidential candidate from the center-right Republican Party, accused the French authorities of inaction after some statements by President Ilham Aliyev about her visit to Nagorno Karabakh at the end of December, RIA Novosti reported citing the Europe 1 radio station.

The president of Azerbaijan made a completely shocking statement regarding her visit. President said that he would not let her go back if he knew about Pecresse's visit.

She stressed that the issue of Christians of the East was at the core of her commitment and protecting Armenia in that sense was very important.

The politician said that the government's silence in not defending a presidential candidate and called it a scandal.

Earlier, Pecresse announced that she intended to file a complaint because of the statements of the Azerbaijani President, which she considers a threat.

The Azerbaijani leader called Pecresse's trip to Karabakh provocative, noting that it was directed against French President Emmanuel Macron, and its purpose was to get Armenian votes in the upcoming presidential elections.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock hopes that escalating tensions with Russia over Ukraine can be resolved diplomatically.

Baerbock said that every next act of aggression would come at a high price for Russia economically, strategically and politically.

Her remarks came during the joint press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba.

Kuleba said Ukraine and Germany are united in their desire to resume quadrilateral peace talks in the Normandy format, which includes Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia.

Kuleba said that was important for them that neither Berlin nor Paris made any decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine, and did not play any games behind their backs in relations with Russia.
A protest is being held in front of the Ministry of Health, participants protest against restrictions of coronavirus.

In particular, Ara Zohrabyan, lawyer and the founder of the Free Will initiative, stated that at the beginning of the spread of the coronavirus it was stated that the virus mainly affects the elderly, and the tools used by the authorities do not reach the old people, they hurt middle-aged people, that is, working people.

According to him, the authorities have no other tool than demanding either a PCR test result or a vaccination certificate.

Ara Zohrabyan said that an attempt is being made to vaccinate children, adding that one day they will also ask for a PCR certificate from the vaccinated.

Ara Zohrabyan emphasized that the Free Will initiative is against compulsory vaccination, every citizen must voluntarily decide whether to be vaccinated or not, the state's task should be to provide objective information.

One of the protesters said that medicine could not be forced.
In this Aug. 28, 1963 file photo, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, addresses marchers during his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. (AP)

On Monday, we celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a national holiday honoring him. Have race relations improved since King gave his stirring I Have a Dream speech in 1963? The murder of George Floyd and others seems to indicate otherwise. But as the reverend suggested, the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

What would King think about the current state of race relations in America?

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I believe Dr. King would have mixed feelings, says Abel Bartley, director of Pan African studies at Clemson University. Proud of progress thats been made, saddened about the ongoing violence and radical right turn the nation has recently taken, and pressing the government to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Bill.

Mike Vogel writes opinion columns for Newsday (Courtesy of Mike Vogel)

Lets not forget that when King delivered that famous plea for equality and understanding, bigotry and segregation were still part and parcel to our lives and laws. For example, intermarriage between the races was still against the law in 17 states, including Florida. Those laws were declared unconstitutional in 1967 by a unanimous Supreme Court. And according to the documentary I Am a Man: The Struggle For Civil Rights in Florida, our state was second only to Mississippi in the number of lynchings per capita from 1877 to 1950.

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Meanwhile, Florida produced some of the leaders of the civil rights movement, including A. Philip Randolph, the labor leader who spearheaded a group convincing President Harry Truman to accelerate the drive to equality by issuing executive orders promoting fair employment and ending racial segregation in the military.

How do things stand now, compared to when King gave his historic speech?

The African-American poverty rate now registers at about 18%. Still way too high  but about half what it was in Kings time. More than 25% of African Americans have completed four years of higher education, compared to just 4% in 1963. From 2000 to 2018, college enrollment rates among 18 to 24 year olds increased for African Americans from 31% to 37%.

Progress is also undeniably evident as far as African-American representation in politics, with our current Congress more diverse than ever. In 1963, only four members of the House of Representatives were African-American, with no Hispanic or Asian-American representation. Today there are 54 African Americans in Congress, 44 Hispanics, 19 Asian Americans and five Native Americans.

Similarly, there were no African-American senators in the 87th Congress (1961-62), with one Hispanic and one Asian American. Today there are three African Americans, seven Hispanics and two Asian Americans serving in the Senate.

Of course, weve also had our first African American president since Kings speech. Right before his initial campaign for president, Barack Obama said I would not be here if, time and time again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation. Similar to King, President Obama is often seen as a gifted orator. I know Dr. King would have been very proud of him, says Bartley.

So while the battle for justice continues, we should also recognize concrete advances that have been made since the 1960s, thanks to King and those who fought for equality alongside him. To truly honor him, lets recall and realize the heart of his vision: I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Mike Vogel lives in South Florida and has written columns for numerous publications, including Newsday and the Sun Sentinel.
The upcoming meeting of the Turkish government will discuss the results of the Kilic-Rubinyan meeting held a few days ago.

According to Cnnturk, the main topics of the next government meeting are the economy, the fight against terrorism and the fight against coronavirus.

The meeting will also discuss details of the January 14 meeting between Turkish and Armenian special envoys Serdar Kilic and Ruben Rubinyan in Moscow, Cnnturk reported.
The world should vaccinate everyone against COVID-19 to ensure the end of the pandemic, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

His remarks came at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Reuters reported.

"The last two years have demonstrated a simple but brutal truth -- if we leave anyone behind, we leave everyone behind," said the United Nations Secretary-General.

"If we fail to vaccinate every person, we give rise to new variants that spread across borders and bring daily life and economies to a grinding halt."

He said the international community must "confront the pandemic fairly."

He noted that last fall the World Health Organization unveiled a strategy to vaccinate 40 percent of the world's population by the end of 2021 and 70 percent by the middle of this year. "We are nowhere near these targets," Guterres told the World Economic Forum.

"Vaccination rates in high-income countries are, shamefully, seven times higher than in African countries. We need vaccine equity, now," he added.

Guterres said that pharmaceutical companies must "stand in solidarity with developing countries by sharing licenses, know-how and technology so we can all find a way out of this pandemic."
Abu Dhabi attack threatens regional stability: France

A suspected drone attack by Yemen's Huthi rebels in Abu Dhabi killed three people and sparked a separate fire at Abu Dhabi's international airport. File photo: AP

France on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" a deadly drone attack in Abu Dhabi claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels.



"These attacks threaten the security of the United Arab Emirates and regional stability," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.



"France expresses its support for the UAE in the face of these attacks," he said.



Le Drian reiterated his call for the Huthis to "immediately cease their destabilising actions in Yemen and in the region and to engage constructively in a political process for exiting the crisis".



"France reaffirms its mobilisation in favour of a cessation of hostilities in the whole country and a relaunch of talks with a view to a global political agreement under the aegis of the United Nations," the minister said.



The UAE vowed reprisals after the drone attack which triggered a fuel tank blast that left three people dead.



The United Arab Emirates is part of a Riyadh-led military coalition that supports Yemen's government against the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia with cross border strikes.



The conflict in Yemen, which has left 377,000 people dead, has intensified in recent weeks. Millions of people have fled their homes, with many on the brink of famine, in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. (AFP)
Md Shah Ali, a militant leader himself, was arrested by the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and locally made weapons and drugs seized from him.

Cox's Bazar Superintendent, APBn Mohammad Naimul Haque told IANS that further details of the arrest will be announced later.

A group of ARSA gunmen killed Rohingya community leader Mohib Ullah, 48, at a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya on September 29, 2021.

The Chairman of peace-loving Rohingya group Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, Mohib Ullah had come to be known as a 'voice for the Rohingya' in the western media.

After his killing led to international outcry over the murder, Bangladesh law enforcers arrested five suspects, who were involved with the killing, in October 2021. Police continued conducting raids on the camps.

Rohingya refugees said the arrestees were all members of the banned ARSA, or the former Harakah al-Yaqin, active in northern Rakhine state of Myanmar and border areas of Bangladesh.

The five were arrested after raids at different Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and accused of extortion, murder, kidnapping, robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking and assault on police.

--IANS sumi/vd

( 244 Words)

2022-01-17-00:28:03 (IANS)
According to the officials of the North Bengal Frontier, on January 16, troops of border outpost deployed on India-Bangladesh border in Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal apprehended two Bangladeshi nationals -- Md Rifat Hassan (13) and Md Ruhal Amin (14) -- both from Aliahat village in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh.

During questioning, it was learnt that they had inadvertently crossed the International Border.

Later, the BSF contacted the Border Guard Bangladesh and handed over the apprehended Bangladeshi Nationals to them in a Flag Meeting as a goodwill gesture.

The officials of the troops of battalions under North Bengal Frontier BSF deployed on India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal are not only maintaining alertness of highest order along the international border and thwarting every possible attempt of miscreants to execute their nefarious design of smuggling and infiltrations but also making efforts to maintain good relations with the neighbouring country.

They said that during the last one year, a total of 29 Bangladeshi nationals inadvertently crossed the international border from different bordering areas of North Bengal Frontier and all of them were handed over to BGB as a goodwill gesture.

--IANS ams/pgh

( 231 Words)

2022-01-17-22:50:04 (IANS)
Hundreds of Afghan men gather to apply for the humanitarian aid in Qala-e-Naw, Afghanistan, on Dec. 14, 2021. In a statement Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, the White House announced $308 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan, offering new aid to the country as it edges toward a humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover nearly five months earlier. (AP Photo/Mstyslav Chernov, File) (Mstyslav Chernov/AP Photos/AP)

Something doesnt feel comfortable about pledging $308 million to Afghanistan (US announces $308 million in aid for Afghans as crisis grows, Jan. 11). It sends a risky message that if some dangerous, brutal, fundamentalist group takes over your country, youll be rewarded with enormous goodwill aid.

Before one cent goes to Afghanistan, a country whose government enslaves women, abuses citizens and practices cruel Sharia law, we must demand the Taliban return the billions of dollars worth of weapons the United States left behind. Furthermore, Afghan leaders should pay reparations to families of the 13 U.S. service members killed by suicide bomb at the Kabul airport.

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Even if Afghanis cheered as the Taliban gained control, many did not. Those are the ones I grieve for, along with the thousands who aided and supported American and international military personnel. Nevertheless, as a taxpayer who funded all the armaments left behind, we should use their return as a bargaining chip prior to any new aid being delivered.

Rosalind Heid, Baltimore

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The Confederation of All India Traders has requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to waive mandatory GST registration for selling products through e-commerce platforms. GST runs contrary to the vision of "Digital India" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it said in a statement, and it urged the Finance Minister to set things right in consultation with the GST Council. "Under the GST Act, a seller who wishes to sell products in e-commerce is invariably required to obtain a GST number. Any seller who does not have a GST number is not allowed to sell products on any e-commerce portal. This provision of the Act is barring lakhs of traders across the country from using e-commerce to sell their products," a joint statement by the traders' body's national President B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said. "...several ministries and state governments are eager to bring more and more sellers on e-commerce platforms but the provision of not allowing sellers without having a GST number has become a major deterrent and roadblock to embrace digital commerce by lakhs of traders of the Country." The Centre is talking about empowerment of small retailers in the country but since these small retailers are having their annual turnover less than Rs 40 lakh - the threshold for GST registration, they should be exempt from GST registration for digital commerce too. Instead of GST registration, Aadhar number, bank details or similar other measures may be designated as essential qualification for onboarding on e-commerce portals, the CAIT said, adding that a large number of artisans, craftsmen, cottage and household industries are facing challenges. --IANS ad/vd ( 282 Words) 2022-01-16-19:26:02 (IANS)
The investment will be done in those cities for which it has secured a licence, and 33 per cent of the demand potential, in the recently-concluded 11th round of CGD bidding by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board.

Those geographical areas include major districts like Jammu, Pathankot, Sikar, Jalgaon, Guntur (Amravati), Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Dharmapuri and Haldia (East Mednipore).

"These districts contain high demand customers across the industry-commercial-domestic spectrum for PNG (Piped Natural Gas) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). IndianOil plans to invest over Rs 7,000 crore in these new CGD projects, over and above the Rs 20,000 crore already planned for its CGD Vertical," it said in a statement.

After the 11th round of the bidding, Indian Oil, along with its two joint venture companies, is now present in 49 geographical areas and 105 districts spread across 21 states and UTs.

"Gas will play a significant role in India's march towards a low carbon future as part of its Panchamrit pledge during COP-26 summit to reduce total carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now till 2030," IOC Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya said in the statement.

--IANS ad/vd

( 228 Words)

2022-01-16-20:38:03 (IANS)
New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI/Oswaal Books): Finally, the Karnataka SSLC Class 10 Exam 2022 Provisional dates have been released by the examination board and candidates need to check out the exam dates to appear for the same. But when they are appearing for the examination, it is also important to perform the registration. Students look for the Karnataka SSLC class 10 board Exam 2022 registration deadline and register accordingly. KSEEB SSLC board exam date 2022: Recently, the examination board released the temporary schedule for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Exam (SSLC). This is a temporary schedule that has been released by keeping the COVID-19 condition in consideration. The exams are scheduled from March 28 to April 11. The dates that have been decided for the examination are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. 15-minute duration will be provided to the student to go through the question paper. Apart from these additional 15 minutes at the start, no more time will be given to the student. It is just two months only for the Karnataka SSLC Class 10 Exams 2022, so students should pull up their socks for the preparation. Students can also start their preparation with Oswaal Karnataka SSLC Question Bank Class 10 for Exam 2021-22 where they will get best preparation material for upcoming exams and will also get some benefits like: * Latest Board Examination Paper with Board Model Answer * Strictly as per the latest syllabus, blueprint & design of the question paper. * Board-specified typologies of questions for exam success * Perfect answers with Board Scheme of Valuation * Hand written Toppers Answers for exam-oriented preparation * NCERT Textbook Questions fully solved (Only for Science, Social and Math's) * KTBS Textbook Questions fully solved Here is the recommended link for Karnataka SSLC Question Bank Class 10 for Exam 2021-22, click here https://bit.ly/33qqYLR Parents and students need to submit an objection to the Karnataka SSLC Class 10 Board Exams 2022: The Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board is asking the parents and candidates to come up with their objections and submit them between January 6 and 14. The objections will be helpful in knowing about the concerned parents' concerns, and then things will be considered by keeping them under consideration. Do understand this is a temporary schedule and the final schedule will be released by them soon. Download Karnataka SSLC Class 10 Board Exam 2022 schedule: If you are looking forward to downloading the exam schedule, the steps you need to follow are very simple. These are: * Visit the official website at sslc.karnataka.gov.in. * On the main page, the Karnataka SSLC exam 2022 provisional timetable link is available. Click on it. * It will be redirected to the next page where the time table will appear and you can download it in the PDF format. * After downloading a time table in PDF format, you can simply take out the printout for future reference. * How will the exams be conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board? Till date, there has been no confirmation for the online mode, so yes, it is accepted that only the offline mode will be entertained for the examination. Students need to prepare in the same format. If there is any update considered online, we will update it on our portal for sure. Why Karnataka board experts are focusing on students' mental health problems? Read to know more! FAQ: What is the last date for registration? Parents and students are supposed to submit objections from January 6 to January 14. Is it possible for me to register twice for the SSLC exam? There is no need for you to re-register for the SSLC exam twice. Once is acceptable. Do I need to submit any specific documents for registration for SSLC? There is no need for a student to submit any specific document for registration for SSLC because the same will be taken into consideration by the school and college in which you are studying. The rest depends on the college or school, and they will tell you about the documents required for it. Can I skip the SSLC examination? If you are thinking of skipping the SSLC examination, you are making the biggest mistake of your life and you need to appear in the same year next year. We hope now you know about the last date for registration and when the exams will be conducted. As we have mentioned, this is a temporary schedule, so you can start preparing for the same. If there is anything else you would like to know, please stay tuned with us and visit our portal on a regular basis for all relevant updates! This story is provided by Oswaal Books. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Oswaal Books)
New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI/NewsVoir): Peptech Biosciences Limited (ISO 9001:2015) is pleased to announce that they have received the approval for the grant of registration for Technical Indigenous Manufacture of Paclobutrazol technical 95% w/w min. u/s 9(4). from the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC). The company has received the final approval from the registration committee in 434th RC meeting held on 30th November 2021. A triazolic plant growth regulator, the main role of Paclobutrazol is to maintain health & vitality of plants and promote compactness. The mode of action is defined by blocking gibberellin biosynthesis and reducing abscisic acid, ethylene, & indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels along with increasing cytokinin levels. It has been predicted that at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%, the Global Market for Paclobutrazol is growing. The growth will get a boost when there is a notable increase in awareness towards food security and a decline in utilization of arable land. It is believed that the demand for this effective plant growth regulator would increase by 2025. "We are very glad to receive the approval from CIBRC of Paclobutrazol Technical. Apart from conventional molecules, the company has been robustly working on innovative products that ensures good profitability to the farmers," says Suresh Chand Singla, Managing Director. Today, Peptech Biosciences Limited has a bigger portfolio ranging from crop protection to crop and soil nutrition and crop enhancers. The company adds that their strong R&D team is working dedicatedly to deliver state-of-the-art product solutions. Peptech already holds licenses for more than 150 molecules under the CIBRC and assures that there are more under the registration process. Even the company holds registration under FCO for various fertilizers and bio stimulants. Peptech Biosciences Limited was established in 2011 as a subsidiary of Titan Biotech Limited. The company is manufacturing for various reputed and established agricultural brands at a large scale. The company offers complete services from production till packaging in all retail sizes. The company envisions itself as one of the trusted manufacturers of not only generic but also novel products. For more information, please visit: www.peptechbio.com. 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 17 (ANI/Oswaal Books): The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam will be conducted from February 2, 2022, to February 13, 2022. This time IIT Kharagpur has the entire responsibility to conduct the exam seamlessly. Students have been eagerly waiting for their GATE 2022 admit cards. The release date for the admit cards has been canceled twice this time for the GATE 2022 exam. But, now, the wait is over for the students as their admit cards have been released on January 15, 2022, on the official website of IIT Kharagpur at: https://gate.iitkgp.ac.in/ Students should visit the official website at the earliest and download their admit cards to avoid any last-minute troubles. In addition to the release of the admit cards, there are some new updates and final tips to prepare for the GATE exam. Students can refer below, to go through key takeaways for the upcoming GATE exam. Steps to download the GATE 2022 admit card: 1. Visit the official website at https://gate.iitkgp.ac.in/ 2. There is a link available on the right-hand side mentioning the admit card. Click on the same. ( https://gate.iitkgp.ac.in/apps.html) 3. It will take you to the next page, where you will be asked for your enrolment number and password, which are the same as those you created during registration. 4. Your admit card will appear right in front of you. Download the admit card. 5. After downloading the admit card, you can take the printout and keep it safely with you. Exam updates Students can easily download their admit cards for the GATE exam from the official website. They just need to follow some simple steps and the admit card will be downloaded in pdf format. Students need to carry this admit card with valid id proof to the exam center. The exam day guidelines are also mentioned on the admit cards. Students should go through the guidelines properly and adhere to them. It becomes very important for the students to see through all these instructions well in advance to avoid any last-minute troubles. Crack the GATE Exam 2022 in one attempt with Dr. Walter Pauk's OK4R Method! Read to Learn! Final tips to succeed in GATE 2022 Only a couple of weeks are left for the GATE exam, therefore the students need to follow last-minute preparation tips to succeed in the exam. 1. Revision is a must The last few days before the exam are not meant for studying something new. Students should focus only on those topics and concepts that have already been known. Students should make sure to revise the concepts properly to succeed in the exam. Students should plan their exams in last 15 days wisely, so they can also prepare their Gate 2022 Exam with Oswaal previous year-solved question papers for GATE 2022 Exams. Students will get different learning aspects there like: 12 Years Solved Papers 2010-2021 (Year-wise) with detailed explanations 2 Sample Question Papers - Smart Answer key with detailed explanations. Blended Learning (Print and online support) Tips & Tricks to Crack the Exam in the first attempt GATE Qualifying Cut-offs and Highest Marks of 2021 and 2020- Steam-wise GATE General Aptitude 2021 to 2017 - Trend Analysis GATE Score Calculation Mind Maps and concept learnings Here is the recommended link for Previous year Solved Question Papers for GATE examination 2022 click here https://bit.ly/3rsyqxY 2. Use short notes Students should not start revising everything from the scratch just a few days before the exam. They should use the short notes for preparation that they have earlier prepared. This will not only save time but will also allow them to have a glance at every concept covered. 3. Focus on numerical Numerical is the key area where most of the students fail to score well. To succeed in the GATE exam, students must have thorough practice in this area. 4. Stay motivated No doubt, as the date of the exam approaches, students start feeling anxious. Students should stay calm and motivated towards their goals. This will help them perform well on the day of the exam. Final Thoughts GATE admit cards are already available on the official website. Students should download them at the earliest to avoid any issues. Only a few days are left for the exam, so instead of being anxious, students should focus on what they have learned and perform well on the day of the exam. For further updates, keep on checking the official website and stay tuned!! This story is provided by Oswaal Books. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Oswaal Books)
New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI/Oswaal Books): Students appearing for Class 12th from the Karnataka board are eagerly waiting for the syllabus. Finally, Karnataka PUC 2022 syllabus is here. Students can download the syllabus in PDF format. By keeping the COVID-19 pandemic situation into consideration, the department of Pre-University education in Karnataka has reduced the syllabus. Now, candidates need to prepare for sufficient topics to score well in their exams. Karnataka PUC syllabus 2022: The Department of Pre-University Government of Karnataka is in charge of the examination, and they have finally released a syllabus for 2022.The syllabus is categorized into different categories, and students from a particular stream can have a look at it and download the syllabus. For the students, it is integral to understand that, undoubtedly, the syllabus has been reduced, but the marking scheme is not different this time. They are not supposed to prepare for 50 marks only if the exam is supposed to be worth 100 marks. Students taking the class 12th examination must prepare thoroughly in all subjects and achieve passing grades. Also, students who belong to science or commerce backgrounds are feeling fortunate this time because there is no need for them to go through the lengthy chapters anymore. As per the speculations, Karnataka 2nd PUC Syllabus 2022: Steps for Downloading You're probably wondering how you'll be able to download the Karnataka 2nd PUC syllabus 2022.Well, there are some simple steps you need to follow for it. These are as follows: The first thing you need to do is visit the official website. On the official website, you will see there are different links available for the syllabus PDF. Check out the PUC class 12th board exam syllabus link. As soon as you click on the link, there will be a dialogue box that appears asking for the download. Confirm the same and wait for the duration until it gets downloaded on your device. After the downloading procedure has been completed, you are all set to view the second PUC syllabus and curriculum. Make sure to prepare accordingly so that there will be no trouble at the time of the examination. Students can also plan their exams with Oswaal Karnataka PUC Question Bank Class 12 for Exam 2021-22 where they will get best preparation material for upcoming exams and will also get some benefits like: * Latest Board Examination Paper with Scheme of Valuation * Strictly as per the latest syllabus, blueprint & design of the question paper. * Board-specified typologies of questions for exam success * Perfect answers with Board Scheme of Valuation * Hand written Toppers Answers for exam-oriented preparation * NCERT Textbook Questions fully solved * Solutions of PUE Textbook Questions * Previous Years' Board Examination Questions Here is the recommended link for Karnataka SSLC Question Bank Class 10 for Exam 2021-22, click here https://bit.ly/3qzKPB8 Reasons for introducing a new curriculum for students in the 12th grade: Several reasons contribute to the fact that there is a need to launch a new syllabus for Karnataka board 2nd PUC. These are as follows: The COVID-19 situation is affecting students around the world, and there is no clue when the exams will be conducted. Things are very uncertain now and some students are going through trauma because of the syllabus, which is quite broad. Due to uncertainty regarding the examination date, students are not able to prepare well. Some students are taking time to understand the entire syllabus and still have no clue how to start. Why Karnataka board experts are focusing on students' mental health problems? Read to know more! FAQ: How much of the syllabus has been reduced by the department of Pre-University education in Karnataka? About 30% of the syllabus has been reduced for the academic session 2022. This has happened due to the COVID-19 situation. Is it possible for me to purchase a syllabus offline? If you are looking forward to purchasing a syllabus offline, there is no such option available till date. If some publisher comes up with the syllabus by keeping the new PDF in consideration, that is a different scenario. How can I prepare well for my Karnataka PUC examination? If you wish to prepare well for your Karnataka PUC examination, class 12, make sure to consider all the important chapters and go through them thoroughly. This will help you to score good marks and also allow you to achieve the grades you have set up in your head. We hope right now you are aware of the Karnataka PUC syllabus 2022 for the class 12th board examination. Don't worry about anything and download the syllabus now. We hope the best for all our students, and for all the latest updates, you can check our website regularly! This story is provided by Oswaal Books. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Oswaal Books)
UltraTech Cement on Monday said its net profit rose by 8 per cent to Rs 1,708 crore for the third quarter of the current financial year as against Rs 1,584 crore recorded in the corresponding period of last fiscal. The increase in profit is mainly because of a one-time gain of Rs 535 crore in tax for earlier years. UltraTech Cement, an Aditya Birla Group company, posted a consolidated net sales of Rs 12,710 crore during October-December 2021 quarter against Rs 12,144 crore recorded during the corresponding period of previous year. The company's Board at its meeting held on Monday, approved capex of Rs 965 crore towards modernisation and expansion of capacity at Birla White from the current 6.5 LTPA to 12.53 LTPA, in a phased manner. "The capacity expansion will help Birla White strengthen its presence in the growing white cement market, reducing its dependence on high-cost imports," the company said in a statement. UltraTech Cement commenced operations from its bulk terminal at Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai. This is the 7th bulk terminal of the Company. The earlier 6 are located at Cochin in Kerala; Mangalore and Doddaballapur in Karnataka; Uran and Pune in Maharashtra and Shankarpalli in Telangana. "With a capacity to handle 1.2 mtpa cement and considering the large infrastructure development projects in and around Mumbai, the bulk terminal will strengthen the Company to further increase its sales of bulk cement. Cement will be brought in bulk rakes to this terminal from its various manufacturing units. This will effectively help in reducing freight cost, with increase in the usage of rail transportation. This is one more step of the Company in reducing carbon emissions and driving sustainable growth," the company noted in a press statement. On its business operation, UltraTech said: "After gaining pace in October 2021, demand slowed down substantially in November 2021 as a result of the construction ban in the NCR, extended monsoons in the South and a few states in the North, sand issues in the Eastern region as well as in parts of Uttar Pradesh, and the Diwali holiday season." The Company has, yet been able to maintain a strong growth trajectory, recording a 13.2 per cent growth in its domestic cement sales volumes in the nine months ended December 2021, despite a marginal de-growth in the reported quarter. On the cost front, pet coke and international coal prices have started softening during this quarter, though the prevailing rates are still at elevated levels YoY. Diesel prices are up 24 per cent YoY, despite the recent reduction in duty/other levies by the Central/State Governments, it noted. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], January 17 (ANI/NewsVoir): Made in Germany premium baby care brand, has launched Sanosan Baby Skin Care Range in India. The exclusive product range has been launched in the country in collaboration with Sanosan's Indian partner Glowderma. One of India's leading pharmaceutical companies in skincare, Glowderma has tied up with the global premium brand Sanosan to import and market latter's baby skincare products in India. Launched exclusively for the winters in North India, Sanosan Baby Skin Care range includes Sanosan Baby Skin Care Cream and Sanosan Baby Care Lotion, among others. These world-class baby care products are as protective as Mother's touch. The major USP of Sanosan Baby Skin Care Range lies in its natural ingredients such as hydrolised milk protein and organic olive oil that fulfills the need of delicate baby skin. Formulated solely in Germany, Sanosan Baby Skin Care Range preserves natural moisture content of baby skin and protects it against dryness. Rajesh Khatri, Managing Director, Glowderma said, "The winters in India are not just extremely cold but are dry and harsh on soft baby skin and the moms find it a bit complicated to take care of the delicate skin of their babies. Hence we have rolled out Sanosan Baby Skin Care range comprising Sanosan Baby Skin Care Cream and Sanosan Baby Care Lotion that offer complete skin care of the little bundles of joy during winters. Parents around the world trust Sanosan for the gentle cleansing and care of the sensitive skin of babies and we want Indian mothers also to reap the benefits." Considering that the skin of the babies is very gentle and requires extra care especially in winters, Sanosan Baby Skin Care Cream with hydrolysed milk protein and organic olive oil protects, soothes and prevents it from drying. Sanosan Baby Care Lotion also contain hydrolysed milk protein and organic olive oil that guard baby skin against dryness and supports its natural protective function, besides preserving its natural moisture content. Clinically tested and made under specialist supervision, the exciting Sanosan Baby Skin Care Range is Hypoallergenic and free from harmful chemicals such as parabens, silicones and paraffin oil. Available in more than 70 countries across the globe, Sanosan is a renowned brand from 70 years old company - Mann and Schroder Cosmetics (M&S Cosmetics) - Germany. Established in 1951, 'M&S cosmetics' manufactures supreme quality products. It manufactures more than 2000 different products in different categories. M&S - Germany is the family-owned company in the 3rd generation with high ethics and values. Sanosan Baby Skin Care Range is available on Sanosan India website and through e-commerce websites - FirstCry and Amazon with price ranging from Rs 260 to Rs. 1290. Sanosan baby care brand was launched in Germany in the year 1983. Parents all around the world trust Sanosan for the gentle cleansing and care of the sensitive skin of baby. Natural ingredients such as hydrolysed milk protein & organic olive oil with their protective, soothing properties form the basis of product formulas. Every Sanosan product contains combinations of natural substances developed especially for delicate and sensitive baby skin. All Sanosan products have been clinically tested and are produced only in Germany with a high level of diligence and responsibility. Entire production process of Sanosan is subjected to the strictest quality control. Glowderma Lab Private Limited (Glowderma) is a private limited company based in Mumbai, India. A leading pharmaceutical company, Glowderma started its operations in 2003 with a vision to attain leadership in the field of dermatology by launching trusted, innovative and safe products. For more information, please visit: sanosanbaby.in. Glowderma is known for its highest WHO GMP quality standard operations and extensive research based on the feedback of its valued customer. Glowderma understands the social responsibility towards patient safety and hence it started "Mission No Paraben" by making all products paraben free. Glowderma has 800+ pan-India distribution networks along with 400+ enterprising Glowdermians and these numbers are growing. 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 17 (ANI/NewsVoir): OctaFX Copytrading is a popular service that allows its customers to profit by copying orders from professional traders, also known as Master Traders. The service recently introduced major changes to its copying settings - users can now copy the Master Traders' orders in equal, double, triple, or any other desired volume. The new year means new beginnings. Global broker OctaFX decided to jumpstart 2022 by updating some crucial settings of its Copytrading service. OctaFX Copytrading is a top-rated service among the company's clients. There are two great reasons for its popularity. First, you can easily access the service through the OctaFX Copytrading App or desktop. Second, you need little Forex expertise to start making a profit. Wondering how it works? The clients, known as copiers, choose professional traders to copy orders from them. Whenever a Master Trader opens an order, the same order opens in a copier's account automatically. This way, a copier can simply trust a Master Trader's expertise and profit with minimum effort. Recently OctaFX Copytrading has been working on making the subscription process to Master Traders more transparent for the copiers. They updated the parameters a copier can set when subscribing to a professional trader. Firstly, a copier can choose to copy a Master Trader's orders in equal (x1), double (x2), triple (x3), or any other volume. Upon selecting a copying mode, a copier will see the investment required to start copying this Master Trader in this mode. Another new feature for the Copiers is the support funds. Copiers can choose to add support funds to protect their investments from unexpected market movements. This amount will only be used to support the trading strategy when the market fluctuates. The required investment for each Master Trader is calculated automatically. An algorithm calculates this optimal amount from a pro's trading history. This way, copiers can choose Master Traders based on how much they are ready to invest. It comes down to the most significant of the service's recent improvements. Traders utilise various trading strategies that involve different investment minimums for the Copiers. In the Master Rating, Copiers can filter Master Traders by the minimum amount required to invest with them. The system suggests Master Traders with strategies matching Copiers' financial opportunities. In 2021, the TradeForexSA magazine, a prominent South African guide to Forex trading, named OctaFX the Best Forex Copytrading Platform. As it can be seen from the company's performance, this and other awards only inspired its' developers to work harder and deliver the best trading experience for their customers. We will probably hear of more improvements soon. OctaFX is a global broker providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers a state-of-the-art trading experience to over 7 million users globally. OctaFX has won more than 40 awards since its foundation, including the 'Best Forex Broker Asia' from the Global Banking and Finance Review and the 'Best Trading Platform' from Fx Daily Info in 2021. The company is well-known for its social and charity activities. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
If the government does not prohibit Indians from dealing in cryptocurrencies, it could introduce a regressive tax regime for cryptocurrencies, according to Taxmann. Taxmann said in a note that a Bill was expected to be presented during the Winter Session of Parliament to regulate cryptocurrencies. However, it was not introduced, and it is now expected that the government may take up this Bill in the upcoming Budget Session. Considering the size of the market, the amount involved, and the risk coupled with cryptocurrencies, some changes may be brought in the taxation of cryptocurrencies in the Union Budget 2022-23, Taxmann said. Among the TDS/TCS provisions, both sale and purchase of cryptocurrencies above the threshold limit should be brought within the ambit of TDS/TCS provisions. This will help the government get the footprints of the investors, Taxmann said. It could lead to reporting in Statement of Financial Transactions (SFT). Both sale and purchase of cryptocurrencies could be brought within the ambit of reporting in the SFT. The trading companies already do similar reporting of sale and purchase of shares and units of mutual funds. It could also lead to higher tax rates. Similar to winnings from lottery, game shows, puzzle etc., a higher tax rate of 30 per cent is expected to be levied on the income arising from the sale of cryptocurrency. The losses from the sale of cryptocurrency may not be allowed to be adjusted from other income and should also not be allowed to be carried forward, Taxmann said. Among other measures, as per the provisions of Section 201(1A) of the Income Tax Act, in case of failure to deduct TDS, interest is to be paid at the rate of 1.5 per cent from the date of deduction to the date of payment. Any part of the month shall be considered as one full month. So, the understanding should be that if TDS is deducted on April 23, 2017 and payment is made on May 8, 2017, interest should be paid for one month. However, the I-T Department calculates interest for two months because it considers April and May as two separate calendar months. So, the scenario is that even if the TDS is late by one day, interest is calculated for two months which seems to be absurd, Taxmann said. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in the case of Bank of Baroda vs DCIT [2017] also held that interest was to be levied only for actual period of delay, i.e., from the date on which tax was deducted and till the date on which tax was deposited. If such a period exceeds one month, then the full month's interest is leviable. (Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in) --IANS san/arm ( 469 Words) 2022-01-17-20:12:05 (IANS)
After several inches of snow followed by a wintry mix, and heavy rain, officials are warning of potential flooding and strong winds in Central Maryland Monday.

The National Weather Service reported that 0.92 of an inch of rain fell between 7 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday. A coastal flood advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Monday. The weather service said Southern Baltimore County and Baltimore city are most likely to be affected.

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The advisory warned of flooding on Thames Street in Fells Point, along the promenade at the Inner Harbor, and throughout the Bowleys Quarters area.

A wind advisory is also in effect for all areas until 10 p.m. Monday, and officials warn of possible downed trees and power lines, and possible power outages. Winds will be 20 to 30 mph with gusts as high as 55 mph.

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Baltimore Gas and Electric reported more than 150 power outages throughout the Baltimore region midday Monday, affecting more than 2,000 customers.

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A slight chance of rain is expected before 4 p.m. Monday with a high around 40 degrees.

The weather service said the highest unofficial reported snowfall totals from spotters in the Baltimore area were 3 inches in Glyndon in Baltimore County at 7:27 p.m.; in New Windsor and Watersville in Carroll County at 7 p.m.; and in two parts of Columbia in Howard County at 6:35 and 6:45 p.m.

Hazardous road conditions will continue tonight through Monday. Continue to avoid or delay your travels if possible. #mdotsafety #mdWx pic.twitter.com/9kXnwXTCuy  MD State Highway Adm (@MDSHA) January 17, 2022

The high in Harford County was 2.8 inches in Forest Hill at 7:05 p.m. Baltimore Citys high was 2.5 inches in the Pimlico neighborhood at 7:35 p.m. Anne Arundels highs were 2 inches in Odenton at 5:56 p.m., BWI Marshall Airport at 7 p.m. and Green Haven at 6:45 p.m.

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The highest totals in the state were 4.5 inches in Cumberland in Allegany County at 8:45 p.m.; 4 inches in Bloomfield in Frederick County at 7 p.m.; and 4 inches in Grantsville in Garrett County at 7 p.m.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 19 Workers remove snow from the ice rink at Color Burst Park in the Merriweather District in Columbia. (Kevin Richardson)

Saturday, the citys Department of Transportation warned of possible flooding Sunday evening in low-lying areas such as Fells Point and the Inner Harbor due to rising tides. The city opened two garages for residents to relocate parked cars. Theyll remain open until 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to a news release from the department.

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Cold temperatures are expected to continue into the week, with a high temperature near 40 degrees on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday and 39 degrees Tuesday. Wednesday will warm up a bit, though. Its likely to be as warm as 47 degrees and sunny in Baltimore. Theres a 50% chance of rain starting at 2 a.m. Thursday morning, and it could switch to snow by 5 a.m., according to the National Weather Service forecast for the city.

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 will be updated.
People from different walks of life are paying heartfelt tributes to Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj. Political fraternity, too, expressed grief after learning about the demise of Birju Maharaj. "The demise of legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj marks the end of an era. It leaves a deep void in the Indian music and cultural space. He became an icon, making unparalleled contribution to popularise Kathak globally. Condolences to his family and admirers," President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted. Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu, described Pandit Birju Maharaj as "an institution and inspiration." "Deeply saddened by the passing away of the legendary Kathak dancer, Pandit Birju Maharaj. The world renowned Kathak exponent with his unique style was an institution and an inspiration across the globe. His death is a huge loss to the world of performing arts," he wrote on Twitter. The 83-year-old, who was the torchbearer of the Kalka-Bindadin gharana of the Lucknow style of Kathak, breathed his last on Monday. Reportedly, he suffered a heart attack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted that Pandit Birju Maharaj and Kathak were complementary and synonymous to each other. Paying her heartfelt condolences, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, tweeted, "India loses a legend of performing arts. Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj is no more. Born into a family of Kathak masters, belonging to the Lucknow gharana, Pandit Birju Maharaj took kathak to wider audience. Took forward the traditions,held through generations,with great elan." Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, too, mourned the demise of Birju Maharaj. "Received the sad news of the demise of Kathak maestro Shri Birju Maharaj.My condolences to his family, friends and fans. His contribution to the field of Indian classical dance is unparalleled and he will be remembered for it," he wrote. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also condoled the Kathak maestro's demise. He tweeted, "The demise of Kathak Emperor, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj ji is extremely sad. His passing is an irreparable loss to the art world. Praying to Lord Ram to grant the departed soul a place at his feet and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this loss." The Kathak legend was a recipient of the country's second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan. He was fondly called Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his fans and followers. (ANI)
'America's Funniest Home Videos' paid a special tribute to late actor-comedian Bob Saget, who was the original host of the ABC comedy show in the '90s. The iconic comedian died suddenly on January 9 at the age of 65. As per Variety, the tribute aired at the beginning of Sunday's episode, exactly one week after Saget died at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Orlando, Florida. In the full tribute, current 'America's Funniest Home Videos' host Alfonso Ribeiro introduced the emotional segment, which highlighted some of Saget's best moments emceeing the show. Saget hosted 'America's Funniest Home Videos' from 1989 to 1997, where he introduced hilarious homemade videos of people falling, adorable animals and other backyard shenanigans. After he left the show in 1997, John Fugelsang and Daisy Fuentes hosted for two seasons. Bergeron then took over emcee duties in 2001 for a 14-year run, followed by Ribeiro starting in 2015 to the present. The show originated as an hourlong special that Saget hosted in 1989, then it was picked up as a full series. Around the same time, the comedian-actor was starring as father Danny Tanner on ABC's 'Full House', which ran from 1987 to 1995. Saget was found unresponsive at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, and he was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but officials say there was no sign of drug use or foul play. Apart from 'Full House', Saget was also known for his film work, making his feature directorial debut with the raunchy 1998 Norm MacDonald movie 'Dirty Work'. He later directed 2007's 'Farce of the Penguins', a parody of the hit documentary 'March of the Penguins'. His other notable TV work included the voice of the adult Ted Mosby on CBS' long-running 'How I Met Your Mother'. Saget is survived by his wife Kelly Rizzo, whom he wed in October 2018, and his three daughters Aubrey, 34, Lara, 32, and Jennifer, 29, with ex-wife Sherri Kramer. (ANI)
In honour of White's 100th birthday today, Google showered its search page with rose petals -- a nod to Rose, her beloved character from 'The Golden Girls'.

To see the tribute, you can Google search her name and it will unlock a special animated Easter egg with rose petals fluttering down over the Search results page, along with a message that says "Thank you for being a friend," -- the title of 'The Golden Girls' theme song.

As per Variety, White's death certificate revealed that she suffered a stroke six days before she breathed her last on December 31, at the age of 99.

White had a career in TV and film that spanned more than 60 years. In addition to her turn on 'The Golden Girls' from 1985-92, she had more than 120 acting credits to her name.

The Television Hall of Fame inductee's roles included Sue-Ann Nivens on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' in the '70s and Elka Ostrovsky on 'Hot in Cleveland' from 2010-15.

She also hosted 'Saturday Night Live' in 2010 -- at the age of 88 -- and appeared in film comedies such as 'The Proposal', 'You Again' and 'Bringing Down the House'.

A lifelong animal lover, White was born in Oak Park, Ill., before her family moved to Los Angeles, where her acting aspirations began at Beverly Hills High School.

The TV legend won five Primetime Emmy Awards over the span of her acting career. (ANI)
Taking to her Instagram handle on Monday, the actor shared a picture of the late icon and penned a note, remembering the time when he taught her during the prep for 'Ghar More Pardesiya'.

She wrote, "Had the honour and privilege of spending three full days with Pandit Birju Maharaj in 2018 while I was prepping for 'Ghar More Pardesiya'. I will never forget all that he has taught me. It was possibly one of the most creative and fulfilling experiences that I have ever had. A legend who has inspired several and will always continue to do so through his art. Truly breaks my heart to write this post today. May his soul rest in peace."

The beautiful track, featuring Alia along with Bollywood's dance icon Madhuri Dixit is from the film 'Kalank' and is sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Vishali Mhade.

Earlier today, Madhuri Dixit also paid a heartfelt tribute to her late Guru on social media.

Biru Maharaj passed away on Monday after suffering breathlessness. He was 83 when he breathed his last, surrounded by his family at his Delhi residence. (ANI)
Supermodel Bella Hadid was recently spotted out on the town wearing a necklace that showed her support of the Palestinian people. According to Fox News, the model was out in West Hollywood with her brother, Anwar, and some of their friends when she stepped out of a car and was photographed in white knee-high boots, a brown plunging neckline high low halter dress that went down to her belly button. The outfit was completed with a leopard-print purse that she wore slung over her right shoulder. However, the accessory that turned the most heads was the subtle political statement that she wore on her neck. In addition to a necklace that had her full name on it, 'Isabella', the 25-year-old wore another that read 'Palestine'. While subtle, this isn't the first time that Hadid, whose father is Mohamed Hadid, a Palestinian real estate developer, has spoken out in favor of the Palestinian people. In May 2021, amid heightened violence taking place in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the supermodel took to her Instagram to share a collection of photos and videos showing her walking down the streets of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn with demonstrators holding pro-Palestinian flags. "The way my heart feels ... To be around this many beautiful, smart, respectful, loving, kind and generous Palestinians all in one place ... it feels whole! We are a rare breed!!" the model wrote at the time. "It's free Palestine til Palestine is free!!!" she added. Her presence at the demonstration came hours after she shared a different post on Instagram of her grandparents on their wedding day in 1941, along with an image of her father as a child next to his seven siblings and their mom. The star noted that the siblings were "taken out of their homes in Palestine in 1948, becoming refugees in Syria, then Lebanon, then Tunisia." "I love my family, I love my Heritage, I love Palestine," she wrote. The dual posts also came hours after another post that Hadid shared drew accusations of anti-Semitism. That post was highly critical of Israel, calling it a land settled by colonizers that practice "ethnic cleansing, military occupation and apartheid over the Palestinian people." As per Fox News, many Instagram users pointed out inaccuracies in Hadid's posts, with some accusing her of perpetuating anti-Semitic tropes. (ANI)
According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'Drive My Car' was also voted best international feature and best screenplay on Sunday after competing in Cannes. Elsewhere, Jane Campion picked up the best director honor for her period western 'The Power of the Dog'.

Olivia Colman earned the best actress trophy for her role in Maggie Gyllenhaal's 'The Lost Daughter' as a divorced academic whose Greek island encounter with a vacationing family brings acute memories of her own parenting choices in the adaptation of the 2006 Elena Ferrante novel.

Netflix's 'The Lost Daughter' also earned Jessie Buckley the best-supporting actress crown for her performance as a younger version of Colman's character and a best first feature crown for Gyllenhaal.

Also on Sunday, Denzel Washington earned a win for best actor for his performance in Joel Coen's 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' opposite Frances McDormand, and Bradley Cooper was voted best supporting actor for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's 1970s-set 'Licorice Pizza'.

Denmark's Oscar submission 'Flee' from director Jonas Poher Rasmussen was named as the best-animated feature, while Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson's directing debut 'Summer of Soul' picked up the best documentary of 2021 prize, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

The Toronto critics tweeted the winners and runners-up live via their official #TFCAawards Twitter account. (ANI)
American TV personality Farrah Abraham of 'Teen Mom' fame was recently arrested in Los Angeles after allegedly slapping a security guard. According to Fox News, a representative for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the reality TV star was taken into custody on Saturday night. Police said that Abraham was arrested and booked after officers responded to a battery call at the nightclub where she was partying. Security at the location was told there was a possible fight on the rooftop of the establishment. When guards tried to escort Abraham out of location, she slapped one of them. "Security called LAPD and placed the suspect under [private persons arrest] PPA arrest for battery," a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department reads. According to TMZ, someone at the club allegedly picked a fight with Abraham and her friend. When security arrived, the star allegedly got belligerent and was asked to leave the club. At some point, she slapped a guard prompting the police to be called and for her to be detained at the scene. Abraham shared a video of the incident on her Instagram on Sunday showing her struggling on the ground with a security guard on top of her. She also alleged that the altercation was pre-planned by other people. "I post this as no woman or man should ever be battered, abused, conspired, ganged up on, set up, recorded, and video sold. I'm putting a restraining order on @antonelloparloto livebad who made this dinner reservation and conspired an attack on myself with the staff at @grandmaster_recorders as it was a "private persons arrest" complete setup," she wrote. The star went on to lament that she was "attacked, bruised, men on me, and battered. As a single mother to be harassed, battered, and conspired against as a paying customer." She called out the club again and demanded it fire its management. She also thanked the police for "rescuing" her. She concluded, "Woman it is a scary unsafe world we live in, act upon your rights and always care for others even when everyone hurts you and attacks you. You are resilient and you are stronger than all of the weak people out there who hurt and traumatize us." There is currently no word on whether she will be formally charged but the outlet reports that she was released from custody soon after the incident. This isn't the first time in recent years that Abraham has been in trouble with the law. In 2018, she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour stemming from a scuffle she had with a Beverly Hills hotel security guard in June of that year. As a result, she was sentenced to two years of probation and five days of community labor. In addition, Abraham was also "ordered to complete 12 hours of anger management and to stay away from the Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel," according to US Weekly. (ANI)
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday said that India's vaccination programme is "in fact" a role model for the global community. "It is because of Jan Bhagidari that India was able to achieve this feat," he said. Highlighting the remarkable efforts of all the stakeholders in collective fight against Covid-19, the Union Health Minister said: "The entire world community is surprised with our efforts in fighting the Covid pandemic. Despite having a high density of population, we have been able to administer more than 156 Crore Covid-19 vaccine doses". Releasing a postal stamp on Covid-19 vaccine to mark the 1st anniversary of India's National Covid-19 Vaccination programme along with Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health, Mandaviya said that India has encountered various challenges along the journey but it is the resolve and dedication of more than 135 crore people that we could overcome every challenge. "Credit goes to our indigenous Research and Development and streamlined Production and Distribution of Vaccines. Amidst the environment of criticism and disbelief, the country gathered its spirits and worked against those who wanted to spread doubts and misinformation against indigenous vaccines and create vaccine hesitancy," Mandaviya added. "The enormous preparation required with little time has made it an unparalleled journey. Understanding the highly infectious nature of the disease and the need to ensure overall healthcare availability across the country was vital. India did a strategic re-purposing of existing health infrastructure to ensure that the health systems providing primary healthcare at grassroots levels were strengthened," he added. The Union Minister remarked that proactive, pre-emptive, and graded whole of government and the whole of society approach are the hallmarks of India's Covid response. "Earlier, the process of vaccine research to vaccine availability for common people took several years but it was the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that it could be achieved in just nine months. Our Prime Minister has always encouraged our scientific fraternity and development of indigenous Covid vaccines in record time is an outcome of his strong belief," he added. --IANS avr/pgh ( 363 Words) 2022-01-16-22:32:02 (IANS)
Karnataka on Sunday logged 34,047 new Covid cases taking the number of active cases in the state to 1,97,982, while there were fresh 13 deaths in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, 5,902 people have recovered and been discharged from the hospitals. Of the new cases, Bengaluru Urban district alone recorded 21,071. Positivity rate for the day stood at 19.29 per cent. The current number of Omicron patients stood at 479 and 2,937 Delta cases have been reported so far in the state. The rising numbers in southern districts - Mysuru (1,872), Tumakuru (1,373), Hassan (1,171), Dakshina Kannada (782), Mandya (709) - have caused worry for state authorities. Among the new fatalities, four belonged to Bengaluru and were in the age group of 43 to 91 years. They suffered from symptoms of fever, cough, and breathlessness. As over 100 students tested positive for Covid in Athani of Belagavi district, district authorities have taken measures to contain the pandemic from spreading in government high schools where 15 children and a teacher from Yakkunchi village and 62 students at Banajawad Education Societies Residential Primary, Intermediate, and Pre-University College tested positive. Due to the high rate of infections, Vijaypura District Commissioner P. Suneel Kumar has announced a one-week holiday for schools where more than five active cases are reported. As many as 150 students between the age group of 0 to 21 years who go to school, college and technical courses have tested positive for Covid. If more than five cases are reported in a school, it is considered as a cluster and a one week holiday would be declared, he said, adding that after seven days, the school children, who have recovered from symptoms, can attend the schools. --IANS mka/vd ( 297 Words) 2022-01-16-23:00:03 (IANS)
In a statement on Sunday, the Minister said that a total of 25.21 lakh teenagers have been vaccinated in the state till date.

Subramanian also said that on a daily basis, Tamil Nadu was reporting 10 to 20 deaths due to Covid-19, adding that all those who died had not been vaccinated.

He added that 1.91 lakh beds have been readied in hospitals in various parts of Tamil Nadu and added that only 8,912 patients were admitted as of now.

The Minister said that 37,998 patients have been isolated in Chennai alone after the state health secretary's directive for people who test positive to isolate themselves.

Subramanian said that the Chennai Trade Centre Covid care facility has reserved 350 beds for infected police personal.

He said that the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will increase the number of volunteers to 535 for helping those who are isolation at home.

The Minister added that a Siddha Covid-19 treatment facility will be inaugurated in Tambaram on Monday, while there will be 50,000 mega vaccination camps on Saturday.

--IANS aal/ksk/

( 214 Words)

2022-01-17-10:02:04 (IANS)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will hold a meeting on Covid surge in the state, especially in Bengaluru, on Monday evening. The meeting is expected to take decisions on weekend curfew and night curfew as businessmen and shop owners are repeatedly requesting the government to lift the curbs as it is affecting their livelihood. Speaking to reporters, Health Minister K. Sudhakar stated that the cases of fever and cold are reported in greater numbers in the state. From December to February, the period is considered as flu season. But, whoever is getting these symptoms they are tested on priority. The number of deaths have come down among infected, he stated. "Due to our preventive measures the spread of Coronavirus is under control in the state," he said. All measures will be taken to contain the pandemic. The meeting will discuss the children's health. The meeting would also discuss positivity, hospitalisation. A decision will be taken in the meeting attended by experts of the technical committee, task force committee members, cabinet colleagues. Asked about relaxations on present rules and restrictions, Sudhakar stated that it is not right to comment before the meeting. The Chief Minister is discussing the situation continuously by holding meetings for two, three days, he said. The thrust will be given to overall control of Covid pandemic and prevention of deaths. The state government has made elaborate preparations in this regard. He further stated that Karnataka is conducting more tests and hence more number of positive cases are detected, he said. Revenue Minister R. Ashok stated that there is no intention to impose weekend curfew and night curfew by the government. People's health and lives are important. The rules can't be changed for one person's benefit. "We are concerned about people's lives. The guidelines of WHO and central government will have to be followed," he said. Karnataka on Sunday logged 34,047 Covid positive cases taking the number of active cases in the state to 1,97,982. Thirteen deaths have occurred in the last 24 hours. 5,902 people have recovered and been discharged from the hospitals. Bengaluru Urban district alone recorded 21,071 positive cases. Positivity rate for the day stood at 19.29 per cent. The present day Omicron patients number stood at 479 and 2,937 Delta cases have been reported so far in the state. The rising numbers in southern districts Mysuru (1,872), Tumakuru (1,373), Hassan (1,171), Dakshina Kannada (782), Mandya (709) have caused worry for state authorities. --IANS mka/shb/ ( 427 Words) 2022-01-17-13:12:03 (IANS)
The court asked the health authorities to conduct a lakh RT-PCR tests every day. It also directed them to provide separate details about the RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests in the daily Covid bulletin.

The court gave the directions while hearing petitions related to Covid situation in the state.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice N. Tukaramji underlined the need to be more alert to check the spread of Covid-19.

The court said Covid rules like social distancing and wearing of masks need to be strictly implemented.

During the hearing, Advocate General informed the court that the state Cabinet will be meeting later in the day to discuss the Covid-19 situation in the state.

The meeting to be presided over by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to decide new measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.

The bench directed the government to submit a detailed report on the measures taken and adjourned the hearing to January 25.

The High Court's direction on RT-PCR tests is significant as the medical and health department in its daily Covid bulletin has not been sharing the break-up of the tests conducted on a daily basis.

The order came amid criticism for fewer covid tests conducted in the state.

The daily Covid cases in the state have surged five-fold since the beginning of the new year.

On an average, the state is reporting 2,000 new cases. On Sunday, the state logged 2,047 Covid cases. The health authorities conducted 55,883 Covid tests in the 24-hour period that ended at 5.30 p.m. Sunday.

The number of daily tests has come down due to Sankranti festival and weekend.

As part of its efforts to check the spread of Covid, the state government has already banned rallies, public meetings and other public gatherings.

It has also extended holidays for all educational institutions till January 30.

The state Cabinet is likely to take decisions on other measures like imposing night curfew.

--IANS ms/shb/

( 366 Words)

2022-01-17-13:48:02 (IANS)
Complacency among the tribal population in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu to inoculate themselves has affected the vaccine drive in the district. Sources in the district health administration told IANS that the reason for the lack of inoculation among the tribal population is not due to lack of awareness but mainly due to complacency and vaccine hesitancy. About 60 per cent of the tribal population in the district are yet to inoculate themselves with the first dose of vaccine and the health department is trying to launch awareness programmes among the tribal colonies of the district. K.R. Rajashekharan, social activist and leader of the left progressive movement of Dharmapuri told IANS, "The government health department has held several camps, around 455 vaccination camps in the district every week. However, 60 per cent of the tribal population not inoculated with even the first dose of the vaccine is a serious matter and the focus of the health department must now be among this population and to complete vaccination among them as early as possible." He said that the district collector of Dharmapuri has already called a meeting of the tribal leaders and that of 'Oorukootams' to create awareness among them and to overcome their vaccine hesitancy. In Vathalmalai and Sitheri tribal colonies of the district, only 30 per cent of the population have vaccinated themselves after 445 vaccination camps and 100 random mobile vaccine clinics were set up. The district administration along with the health and social welfare department is planning a door-to-door survey of the tribal hamlets of Vathalmalai, Sitheri, Alakattu, and Eriyur to get first-hand knowledge on the exact number of tribal people who are vaccinated. To remove the vaccine hesitancy, educated youths from nearby colonies are being roped in to talk to the tribal leaders to make sure that they take at least the first dose of vaccine as early as possible. A senior doctor with the district health department told IANS, "The situation is grave among the tribal population of this district as more than 60 per cent of the population are yet to take the vaccine and Covid-19 is on a rampage in the state. We have to accelerate the vaccine drive among the tribals and focused action is necessary to inoculate the entire population in a short span of time at least with the first dose." --IANS aal/skp/ ( 409 Words) 2022-01-17-14:36:07 (IANS)
The state health department reported 29,504 new Covid-19 cases and 17 deaths in the last 24 hours, reports Xinhua news agency.

Hospitalisation numbers also continue to rise, with 2,776, including 203 in ICU.

Health officials warned that there will be a high number of Covid-19 deaths, as around half of the eligible people in NSW haven't received their booster dose.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said only one of the 17 people that died had taken their booster shots.

The state's Premier Dominic Perrottet added that among Monday's figures, half of the people in ICU were unvaccinated.

"The evidence is clear, and that's why I continue to ask people right across our state, if you haven't received that booster shot, please go out and do it," he said.

--IANS ksk/

( 177 Words)

2022-01-17-15:38:04 (IANS)
The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel to get the 'precautionary dose' of Covid vaccine before joining poll duty for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur, officials said. The MHA directive came after rising number of Covid-19 cases in the third wave, which has spread across the country, infecting paramilitary personnel as well. The Director Generals of CRPF, BSF, SSB and ITBP have been asked to arrange the precaution doses for the force personnel and majority of them have already been inoculated, officials in the forces said. Around 650 companies of paramilitary forces have been designated for poll duty in the five poll-bound states. The officials also said that during the electioneering process, these personnel will play a vital role by providing security cover to the polling booths and counting centres as well as the strong rooms where EVMs will be kept after polling. If any person gets infected by Covid-19, the whole unit will be isolated, which may affect the poll process. The forces have also been asked to carry masks and sanitisers in adequate numbers and quantity during their deputation in the states. The officials, quoting the ministry's direction, said that administrations in the poll-bound states have been asked to arrange specious accommodation for the stay of the central security forces as per the Covid protocol. Normally, the state government or district administration arranges premises like schools or government facilities, but this time they have directed specifically to arrange specious accommodation so that social distancing and other norms could be followed easily by the force personnel. The troops will take care of sanitation and other precautionary measures and if needed, the local administration will assist them. The Home Ministry has asked the paramilitary forces to appoint a nodal officer in each force to coordinate with the state government/district administration regarding their movement from one place to another, a senior official said. He also said that owing to the Covid factor, movement of the troops from one place to another has been discouraged, barring in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur which have multi-phase elections. According to the EC, Uttar Pradesh (403 seats) will vote in seven phases from February 10 to March 7, Uttarakhand (70 seats) and Goa (40 seats) will have single-day voting on February 14, Punjab (117 seats) will vote on February 20, while Manipur (60 seats) will go to the polls two phases on February 27 and Mach 3. The counting of votes will be taken up on March 10. --IANS ams/arm ( 444 Words) 2022-01-17-21:46:02 (IANS)
Ahead of the assembly elections, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami dismissed State Minister Harak Singh Rawat from the Cabinet, informed Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Saturday. Rawat, a BJP MLA, has also been expelled from the party for a term of six years. The decision to dismiss Rawat from the cabinet was taken during the BJP's Uttarakhand core group meeting held at the party's headquarters in Delhi on Saturday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami were present in the meeting along with the party's National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, State president Madan Kaushik, state election in-charge Pralhad Joshi, election co-in charge RP Singh and others. Harak Singh Rawat did not even attend the BJP core group meeting. Rawat was angry with the party since he had been demanding tickets for himself and for his daughter-in-law Anukruti Gusai, for which BJP was not ready. According to sources, Harak Singh was constantly pressurizing BJP to give three tickets including himself, his daughter-in-law and one of his supporters. Earlier too, he had been pressurizing the party for getting his demands fulfilled. But this time the party did not entertain his demands and showed him the way out by expelling him from the party. Earlier in December, Harak Singh Rawat had quit the cabinet and threatened to resign from the party following which BJP leaders had asked him to remain in the party to which he had agreed. Harak Singh Rawat came to BJP five years ago after rebelling from Congress. Although, speculations are rife about Rawat returning to Congress again. He has a long history of changing political parties. Meanwhile, Dhami on Saturday had said that he will contest the upcoming Assembly polls in the state from the Khatima constituency and said that the list of candidates will be announced soon. The Chief Minister added that they have set a target of winning more than 60 seats out of the 70 seats in the Assembly through a slogan ''Abki Baar 60 Paar'. In the last Assembly election, BJP secured the win on 57 seats out of 70 Assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand. Polls to elect the 70-member State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10. (ANI)
"I met party leaders to discuss the ensuing assembly elections. The final list of candidates will be announced on January 19," said the Goa Chief Minister.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the party discussed the 40 seats for the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant, election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis, G Kishan Reddy along with organization ministers were present.

Sources say that the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to contest 38 out of the 40 assembly seats in Goa this time. The party has decided not to field its candidates in 2 Christian majority seats. (ANI)
In a setback to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the February 14 polls, former Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo, who had resigned as Congress MLA and joined the West Bengal-based outfit last month, on Sunday, resigned from the TMC. In his resignation letter, Reginaldo said that he was resigning from the party's primary membership. On December 21, while resigning from the Congress, Reginaldo had said that the party was directionless and that only the TMC was capable of taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa. Reginaldo is the second MLA to align with the TMC before joining the Congress, the other legislator being independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar, who joined the Congress earlier this month. Reacting to Reginaldo's resignation, TMC's Goa in-charge and Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra said: "AITC has received a letter from Aleixo Reginaldo resigning from primary membership of the party. We had welcomed him into the party as we have countless others. Now that he wishes to leave, we wish him well". --IANS maya/pgh ( 181 Words) 2022-01-16-20:04:05 (IANS)
Ahead of the Republic Day parade, the politics of tableaus has heated up after the Centre rejected the proposals of Kerala and West Bengal governments with the latter's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shooting off a letter to the Prime Minister and Congress alleging partisan and vindictiveness in the selection of the states. Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad has alleged that the BJP is vindictive towards the non-NDA ruled states. "The BJP is having vindictive attitude towards certain states. The Centre has rejected Kerala government's tableau which was based on Narayana Guru, a philosopher & social reformer." "He fought against caste-ridden society & rejecting his tableau is an insult to the spiritual guru. This smells of #BJP conspiracy." he added. The West Bengal Chief Minister on Sunday too shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him to reconsider the decision of excluding West Bengal's tableau. The tableau was to commemorate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA) on his 125th birth anniversary. "All the people of West Bengal are deeply pained by this attitude of the central government. Bengal was at the forefront of the Indian freedom struggle and has paid the heaviest price for the country's Independence through the partition," Banerjee said. In a detailed letter, Banerjee wrote: "We have been profoundly shocked and hurt by the decision of the Government of India to abruptly exclude the proposed tableau of the Government of West Bengal from the ensuing Republic Day Parade. It is even more baffling for us that the tableau was rejected without assigning any reasons or justifications." "The proposed tableau was commemorating the contributions of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his INA on his 125th birth anniversary year and was carrying portraits of some of the most illustrious sons and daughters of this country - Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Sri Aurobindo, Matangini Hazra, Nazrul, Birsa Munda and many patriots," the chief Minister said. "It is shocking to find that this contribution of its valiant freedom fighters finds no place in the nation's ceremony to celebrate the occasion of the Republic Day on the 75th year of our Independence," she wrote. Giving a detailed description of West Bengal's contribution in the freedom struggle and the rich culture of the state, the chief minister said: "I urge you to reconsider the decision and include the tableau of freedom fighters from West Bengal in the Republic Day parade on the 75th year of our Independence. The tableau which showcases the sacrifices and contribution of the lakhs of freedom fighters will be the most befitting way to pay our respect and homage to all those great souls who fought for our freedom". Earlier, floor leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the issue and had said that he is disappointed and shocked. "It is an insult to the people of Bengal that the Central Government has rejected the proposal of West Bengal's tableau showcasing its cultural heritage and Netaji's life and contributions in our Freedom Struggle, on Republic Day," he said. --IANS miz-sbg/skp/pgh ( 536 Words) 2022-01-16-20:56:01 (IANS)
A Delhi court on Sunday refused to grant bail to Aumkareshwar Thakur, the creator of the derogatory "Sulli Deals" app, saying that the investigation is at a very nascent stage and permitting bail at this juncture will "prejudice a fair investigation". Thakur, 25, a resident of Newyork City Township, Indore was apprehended by the Delhi Police on January 8. In its ruling, the court said: "The accused had consciously used Top Browser so that his identity could not be disclosed and various complaints have been received against Sulli Deals App which are pending across India." It further said that the investigation, presently, is a developing investigation and the accused has been arrested after great and time-consuming efforts after following the MLAT process. As counsel appearing for Thakur argued that the bail cannot be denied merely on the sentiments of the community and "accused has been put to media trial", the court maintained that at this stage, it "cannot ignore the peculiar facts of the case which reflect upon the severity and the gravity of the alleged acts of the accused". "Further the misuse of the technology and the impact of the alleged acts on the larger section of society cannot be reduced to negligible when being compared to other offences with harsher punishments," it said. The derogatory mobile app had surfaced in July last year where photos of Muslim women were displayed without their consent for "auction". The Delhi Police's Cyber Crime Unit had registered an FIR under section 354-A (Sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code on July 8. Apart from "Sulli Deals", another shocking incident of harassment and insulting women of the minority community on social media came to light on January 1 after a Delhi-based woman journalist lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police stating that she was being targeted by some unidentified group of people on a mobile application, this time named "Bulli Bai", yet again created on GitHub platform. "Bulli Bai" had a number of pictures of women, including journalists, social workers, students and famous personalities, accompanied by derogatory content. The app listed hundreds of Muslim women for "auction". However, its creator, Niraj Bishnoi, was also arrested by the Delhi Police on January 6. During his interrogation, it emerged that he used to interact with various virtual identities on social media and used to engage in group discussions. In July 2021, in one of the groups in which Bishnoi was a member, another group member shared the details of the "Sulli Deals". That was the first time Bishnoi or other group members had heard about the Sullideals app on GitHub. The said Twitter handle was backtracked and it was learnt that after the uproar, the Twitter handle and other foot prints were erased from various social media platforms. Bishnoi disclosed details that the said Twitter handle belonged to a person who stays in Indore. Based on technical analysis, a Twitter handle in the name of accused Thakur was identified and on January 8, a team of IFSO, Special Cell went to Indore. Thakur was examined and his technical gadgets were subjected to preliminary analysis. During investigation he was subjected to interrogation, in which he confessed that he had created the Sulli Deal app on GitHub. The access of GitHub was with all the members of the group. He had shared the app on his Twitter account where the photos of the Muslim women were uploaded by the group members. --IANS uj/vd ( 598 Words) 2022-01-16-21:08:03 (IANS)
A recommendation in this matter shall be sent to the Central government soon by the state government, the Chief Minister's Office said in a press release.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday via video conferencing.

The meeting was attended by senior officials and doctors.

A 14-year-old deaf and dumb girl was found in a bleeding condition in Alwar.

The passers-by informed the police and she rushed by the police personnel to a hospital. Later, considering her serious condition, she was rushed to the JK Lon Hospital in Jaipur.

A team of seven doctors performed surgery for three hours.

Meanwhile, Alwar SP Tejaswini Gautam on Saturday said that the girl was probably not raped. The BJP took objection to the statement and demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

However, on Sunday, the Alwar SP took a U-turn on her statement and said that she gave a statement on medical report basis. "Police are investigating on different grounds and exploring each angle. Nothing has been concluded as of now," she added.

--IANS arc-atk/pgh

( 220 Words)

2022-01-16-21:48:04 (IANS)
The accused, identified as Aladu alias Mathur Sheikh, a resident of Haruchak village under Kaliachak Police Station in Malda district, was arrested from Mojampur village on Saturday morning.

During preliminary interrogation, the accused disclosed that he received Rs 5,000 commission per Rs 100,000 in fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) for their onward distribution.

Aladu was handed over to the NIA officials by the BSF for further legal proceedings.

On September 16, 2019, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence sleuths had apprehended Asim Sarkar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit from Station Road Jhaljhaliya, Malda with counterfeit notes with the face value of Rs 1,99,000. During interrogation, Sarkar had identified Aladu as his accomplice in the illegal work and since then, Aladu was included in the wanted list of the NIA.

Expressing satisfaction over the arrest of the FICN racketeer, the officials of the BSF South Bengal Frontier said that this was possible only because of the network maintained by intelligence unit at Farakka and the alertness displayed by the jawans who participated in the joint operation.

--IANS ams/vd

( 224 Words)

2022-01-16-22:06:05 (IANS)
A man, appearing in place of an original candidate during a written examination for recruitment to group C category posts in Delhi courts last year, has been arrested, police said on Sunday. The accused, identified as Sumit, a resident of Kaithal, was arrested on Saturday. According to the police, the written examination was held in two shifts at various centres in Delhi on February 28, 2021. "A tip-off was received on that day at the Crime Branch that unfair means were being used during the exam and subsequently a raid was conducted at the exam centre at Mount Abu School, Sector 18, Rohini Delhi," Additional Commissioner of Police Shibesh Singh said. During the checking, 11 candidates were found using Bluetooth devices and hearing aids and a case under sections 419, 420, 120B, 419, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code was registered. The police made the 18th arrest in the case by arresting Sumit. "He had appeared in the exam in place of a candidate named Sonu, but had run away from the venue after the police team arrived," the official said. During interrogation, the accused Sumit revealed that as he was an intelligent student, he, along with his friend Pankaj Dhull, started taking money to sit in exams in place of original candidates. They became part of a larger gang that was involved in organised cheating and leakage of exam question papers. It was further revealed that the gang also used Bluetooth devices and hearing aids as unfair means to crack exams. The main gang members identified so far are Sumit, Manjeet, Gurmel and Sandeep Kohli of Haryana, the official said. According to police, on February 28, 2021 -- the day of examination, the entire gang was involved in using unfair means. They had taken amounts ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh from the candidates. Gurmel was caught at the spot while Sumit had managed to slip away. The police said the main accused Manjeet and Kohli are still absconding. "Further investigation in the case is in progress," the police added. --IANS uj/vd ( 358 Words) 2022-01-16-22:38:02 (IANS)
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal has assured leaders of India's top IT companies that the Central government will give full support to the sector to accelerate growth and help India's Services exports soar to $1 trillion in a decade. Goyal has welcomed the IT industry's proposal to start IT hubs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, which would create numerous jobs and help develop the regions. He said the IT industry should identify the towns, and the Centre would assist them in providing all the necessary infrastructure and facilities. He said the IT industry can make a big contribution to Services exports by focusing on new technology and products that can make India a bigger global player in the sector. Goyal said India was on track to achieve its merchandise exports target of $400 billion this year, while Services exports were likely to be about $240 billion to $250 billion, which is much lower, but can grow rapidly and catch up with merchandise exports. "When I look at the trajectory of these - I personally believe this is going to be a race to the top. We can converge $1 trillion. That should be the ambition, mission. You have a little bit of catching up to do. I'll be delighted if you cross $1 trillion faster than them," the minister told IT industry leaders. In the virtual meeting over the weekend, the minister told leaders of the IT industry that they should focus on high-tech products. He said the IT industry had grown spectacularly on its own and many of the top companies grew at a time when India did not focus on creating a favourable ecosystem for Startups. Goyal said the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will provide any assistance needed by the IT industry to help it grow rapidly and contribute to India's export of Services. IT industry leaders said the sector had seen strong growth last year, and in the past week, strong earnings reported by companies has set a positive tone for the years ahead. --IANS miz/pgh ( 361 Words) 2022-01-16-22:48:02 (IANS)
Taking cognisance of a complaint, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has raised objections to certain fatwas issued by Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband on its website, terming them "misleading, unlawful and harmful for the children". "In one of the fatwas, Darul Uloom Deoband states that adopting a child is not unlawful but merely by adopting a child, the ruling of real child shall not be applicable on him, rather it shall be necessary to observe Shariah Purdah from him after he is mature. The adopted child shall get no share in the property and that the child shall not be a heir in any case," the commission in a letter to the District Magistrate, Saharanpur on Saturday. The commission contended that such fatwas are not only misleading to the law of the land but are also illegal in nature. "The Constitution of India provides for fundamental rights of children including right to education and right to equality," it added. The NCPCR would like to state that publishing such statements as advice, contrary to the rights of children on a website, having open access and available in the public domain, are not only misleading and unlawful but also harmful for the children. "Therefore, it is requested that the website of this organisation may be thoroughly examined, investigated and any such content should be immediately removed," it stated. Further, access to such websites may be prevented until the removal of such content for avoiding the spread and recurrence of "unlawful statements and consequently preventing incidents of violence, abuse, neglect, harassment, discrimination against children", it said. The Commission has requested the District Magistrate that an action taken report may be submitted within 10 days. In response, a Muslim group on Sunday said that the NCPCR's letter "is yet another attempt at targetting Madrasas and their education by cherry-picking some fatwas and sensationalising them". The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) said: "Fatwas are nothing but personal views of religious scholars on various matters pertaining to personal and social life." In fact, on a given issue, the scholars often have differing opinions and none of them carry any legal sanctity or institutional approval. People are completely free to act according to their own understanding of the religion, it said in a statement. "It is a settled position of law in India that issues of inheritance, marriage, divorce and other personal matters including adoption are covered by the respective customary laws of different communities and religions. "The officials at NCPCR must no doubt be aware about this settled position of Indian law, which is protected by the Constitution. Their targetting of the well known Muslim seminary for discussing their position on adoption is a shallow and shameless attempt to defame not just the institution but the entire Muslim community by association," the SIO said. --IANS rdk/vd ( 492 Words) 2022-01-16-23:08:02 (IANS)
The deputy commandant of Border Security Force (BSF) who was arrested by the Gurugram Police has cheated a number of people to the tune of Rs 125 crore, officials said on Sunday. The police have recovered cash around Rs 14 crore, jewelry worth Rs one crore and seven luxury cars from his house. The accused Praveen Yadav reportedly suffered loss of Rs 60 lakh in share market. He wanted to repay his debt and for that he started cheating people. "Yadav allegedly cheated a number of people to the tune of Rs 125 core, on the pretext of providing them tenders, while impersonating himself as an IPS officer, during his posting with NSG at Manesar," said a Gurugram Police officer. A senior police officer said that so far they have recovered seven luxury cars, jewelry and cash from the house of the accused. "Praveen Yadav, the deputy commandant of BSF, his wife Mamta Yadav, sister Ritu and one close aide Dinesh were also arrested by the police. When he cheated the innocent persons, he was posted with NSG on deputation. He had transferred whole amount in an account which he opened in the name of NSG. His sister Ritu is manager at Axis Bank. She helped him in opening the account," said a police official. The police official said that his next posting was in Agartala. But he had collected huge wealth and recently wrote a resignation letter to the concerned department. His resignation has now been accepted. According to the information, on January 8 one Narayan Das Israni lodged a complaint with the police against Praveen Yadav. In his compliant the victim had alleged that Yadav, who claimed to be an IPS official in NSG office of Manesar, took Rs 65 crore from him on the pretext of providing him different tenders. The victim was also given fabricated allotment letters of tenders by the accused. The complainant had also mentioned the name of Ritu Yadav in his compliant that she was assisting her brother in the crime. Seeing the gravity of the matter an SIT was formed by the Gurugram Police to look after the matter. The SIT after conducting a thorough probe arrested the accused and his family members. The police said they have received more complaints against the accused. "We have taken him on police remand to unearth the whole conspiracy. We have found evidences against him," said the police officer. Further probe in the matter is underway. --IANS atk/pgh ( 425 Words) 2022-01-16-23:08:03 (IANS)
The Opposition CPI-M led Left Front on Sunday claimed that the public meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 4 in Agartala has caused a massive surge in the Covid-19 cases in Tripura. "The Central and state governments are aware about the Omicron, the new variant of Covid-19 creating havoc across the country. In this situation the PM's public rally has further aggravated the situation in Tripura," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tripura state Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury told the media. Chaudhury, accompanied by CPI leader Ranjit Majumder, Forward Bloc leader Dulal Deb and Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Dipak Deb on Sunday met Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and suggested several measures to curb the massive spread of the infectious disease. The Left leaders said that the Tripura government has not yet installed the machines for the genome sequence analysis of the Omicron suspect samples of the people who would the tested positive for the new variant and such lacunae would make the situation and required treatment more critical. Chaudhury, also a CPI-M central committee member, said that thousands of people are coming to Tripura by train from different parts of the country including Delhi and they deboarded in various stations where there is no testing facilities to detect the passengers infected by the Covid-19. "However, responding to our demands, the Chief Minister directed the officials to take crtain measures to deal with the situation," he said. The Left leaders also demanded compensation of at least Rs 10 lakh to the poor families of the Covid-19 victims, and give various assistance including financial support and free food grains to the members of the poor families affected by the disease. --IANS sc/pgh ( 295 Words) 2022-01-17-00:12:01 (IANS)
In a statement on Sunday, the Prime Minister's Office said: "Prime Minister Modi will deliver 'State of the World' special address on January 17 via video conferencing.The virtual event will be held from January 17 to 21."

It will also be addressed by several heads of state including Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio, President of the European Commission Ursua von der Leyen, Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett, Chinese President Xi Jinping, among others.

The event will also witness participation of top industry leaders, international organisations and civil society, who will deliberate on critical challenges being faced by the world today and discuss how to address them.

--IANS ssb/pgh

( 160 Words)

2022-01-17-00:24:02 (IANS)
Ahead of assembly polls, Harak Singh Rawat, who was dismissed from the Uttarakhand cabinet and expelled from the BJP for six years, is likely to join the Congress on Monday. Rawat and his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain have already left for Delhi on Sunday and both are likely to join the Congress on Monday. A dramatic turn of events started taking place in Uttarakhand politics after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami sacked Rawat from the Cabinet and the BJP expelled him for six years ahead of assembly polls. "Harak Singh Rawat and his daughter-in-law have left for Delhi. Rawat is angry because his daughter-in-law is not getting a ticket," a close aide of the cabinet minister told ANI. When asked whether Rawat and his daughter-in-law had gone to Delhi join Congress, the very close aide of the minister clearly said that they can join Congress if his daughter-in-law does not get a ticket from BJP. According to sources, Harak Singh Rawat is in touch with the Congress and talks are on to get him in along with two other BJP MLAs. The only hurdle for Harak Singh Rawat's entry to the party is Harish Rawat, who has reservations from him. A few days back when Harish Rawat was asked about reports of Harak Singh Rawat joining Congress he had replied, "There is no issue if Harak openly admits his mistake and say he did a wrong thing with the party and Uttrakhand, then the doors are open." According to sources, on Sunday there was an internal meeting scheduled in the Congress War Room of Uttrakhand leaders which were first postponed then it was cancelled. The Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting of Congress was held on Saturday to finalise the candidates for Uttrakhand Assembly Polls but a list of candidates has not been announced by the party it seems there is some space has left for the entries. If sources are to be believed, the Congress party is busy convincing Harish Rawat on Harak Singh Rawat joining the party and if the party is successful in doing so, then Harak Singh Rawat will be on the Congress' side on Monday. Interestingly, Harak Singh Rawat led a rebellion against the then Harish Rawat government in 2016 when nine rebel MLAs including Harak Singh Rawat left the Congress and joined the BJP. Harak Singh Rawat was seeking a ticket from the Lansdowne assembly seat for his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain. In Uttarakhand, Congress has taken back Yashpal Arya, who was also BJP MLA, and his son, and are ready to secure Congress tickets in the first list. In 2016, both Harak Singh Rawat and Yashpal Arya were among ten MLAs who had rebelled against Congress leader and former chief minister Harish Rawat and crossed over to the BJP. In the last Assembly election, BJP secured the win on 57 seats out of 70 Assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand. Polls to elect the 70-member State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Amid speculation that he was likely to rejoin the Congress, Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat was on Sunday sacked from the government and expelled from the BJP for "anti-party activities" for six years. BJP sources said that Rawat was asking for tickets for three of his family members including his wife in the assembly polls, but had been told that the party had made it a rule that only one member of a family would be fielded. "He has been dropped from the Dhami cabinet and expelled from the party for six years," a source said. The development came barely a month before the Assembly election in the hill state, slated for February 14. It is learnt that Rawat, present in the national capital, is likely to join Congress on Monday. "Rawat is in touch with the Congress leadership and is likely to join the party. His daughter-in-law may also join the party with him on Monday," sources said. Rawat had switched over from the Congress to the BJP before the 2017 Assembly polls. Rawat was said to be nursing a grouse against the BJP leadership for quite some time, and even expressing his resentment publicly. He had skipped the party meeting to select candidates in Dehradun on Saturday. As he met a senior Congress leader on Sunday and indicated that he would join the party on Monday, the BJP took action against him. Similarly, last month, Rawat had left a cabinet meeting and announced his resignation. He threatened to resign demanding a budget for a medical college in assembly constituency Kotdwar and said that Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for the medical college but with that fund,only the boundary can be constructed. Two days later, after a dinner meeting between Dhami and Rawat, the Uttarakhand BJP had claimed the crisis created after the latter's threat to resign from the state cabinet had been resolved. After the meeting, Rawat had said that Dhami is like his "younger brother" and they had a "long relationship." --IANS ssb/shs ( 352 Words) 2022-01-17-00:32:02 (IANS)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has said that it has filed a supplementary chargesheet against four operatives of Lashkar-e-Mustafa (LeM) for allegedly hatching conspiracy to carry out terrorist activities across the nation. The chargesheet, filed before a special NIA court in Jammu and Kashmir, names Mohammed Arman Ali alias Arman Mansuri, Mohammed Ehsanullah alias Guddu Ansari, Imran Ahmad Hajam and Irfan Ahmad. A senior NIA official said that the case relates to hatching of conspiracy by the LeM operatives at the behest of proscribed terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed to carry out terrorist activities in Jammu area with an intention to threaten the sovereignty, integrity and security of India. The investigation of the NIA has revealed that these four accused had conspired, procured and transported weapons from Bihar to Jammu and Kashmir via Punjab and Haryana for LeM terrorist group in order to carry out terror activities in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir especially in Jammu region. The official said that initially a case was registered at police station Gangyal in Jammu. Later on the NIA took over the investigation and re-registered the case. After conducting a thorough probe the NIA filed a chargesheet in the case against six accused persons in August 2021. Later they continued probing the matter and filed a supplementary chargesheet. The NIA official said that further probe in the matter is on. --IANS atk/shs ( 243 Words) 2022-01-17-01:08:05 (IANS)
Shaoli Mitra, famous theatre personality and daughter of 'legendary' Sambhu Mitra and Tripti Mitra, passed away at her Kolkata residence on Sunday evening. She was 74 and was suffering from age related ailments for long. The gifted actor, director, and playwright, as per her last wish, like her father, was cremated at Siriti crematorium without much fanfare. She had been suffering from heart-related ailments but had refused to be hospitalised. Subsequently, her condition worsened on Sunday. Shaoli, who was the recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2003, Padma Shri in 2009, and Banga Bibhusan in 2012, will be remembered by her fans and critics alike for her solo performances as Draupadi in "Naathvati Anaathbat" (which she also wrote and directed), and as Sita in "Sitakatha" or Bitata Bitangso. She acted as "Bangabala" in Ritwik Ghatak's avant-garde film "Jukti Takko Aar Gappo" (Reason, Debate, and a Story). After spending years in "Bahurupi," a famous theatre group founded by Sambhu Mitra and Tripti Mitra, where she had immortalised the character of Amal in Tagore's "Dakghar", Shaoli founded "Pancham Baidik," which established a trailblazer repertoire by introducing widely acclaimed plays on women's emancipation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who had a very close association with Shaoli said, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Shaoli Mitra, a prominent personality of Bengali drama and eminent theatre personality". "Shaoli Mitra was my long-time colleague. She was with me in the Singur-Nandigram movement. He worked closely with me when I was the railway minister. Later, when we formed the government, she became the President of Bangla Academy and did valuable work with responsibility. The Government of Bengal awarded him Bangabibhushan in 2012 and Deenbandhu in 2014," she said. Banerjee who also got the information of her death after her cremation, as per her last wish, said, "I remember her as a close person and as our long-time colleague and friend, she will always remain in in my heart. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and countless admirers of Shaolidia." --IANS sbg/shs ( 346 Words) 2022-01-17-01:34:05 (IANS)
Earlier in the day, Nadda reached BJP headquarters in Delhi.

Elections for the 403 Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases.

Polls to elect the 70-member Uttarakhand assembly and the 117-member Punjab assembly will be held on February 14.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Nadda has recovered from a COVID-19 infection. He tested positive for the virus on January 10.

"I got my COVID-19 test done after witnessing initial symptoms. My report has come positive. I am feeling fine now. On the advice of doctors, I have isolated myself. All those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are requested to get themselves tested," Nadda had tweeted in Hindi. (ANI)
A word of words broke out between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij after the latter blamed the high COVID-19 infection rate in three districts of the State adjoining Delhi on the "uncontrolled" rise in cases in the national capital. Replying to his claims, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain termed it as "political talk" and said "over 1,000 COVID-19 cases are being reported from outside Delhi every day." Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal told media persons, "Blaming won't end the virus. I will not step into this garbage." Vij said Haryana was "adversely affected" due to its vicinity to Delhi, and claimed that "more than half" of the around 9,000 new COVID-19 cases in Haryana were from Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat districts put together. "Haryana reports around 9,000 COVID-19 cases every day, of which over 50 per cent cases are from Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat. Delhi's infection rate is having an impact in the state. However, as per requirements, we are tackling the situation by making all necessary arrangements of healthcare services in the state," he said on Sunday. Vij also said that whether patients come from Delhi or anywhere else, they will be given complete treatment in the state. (ANI)
Nishad President Sanjay Nishad has claimed that his party will contest in 15 Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh as part of an alliance with the BJP. However, Sanjay Nishad said that the seats are yet to be finalised, adding that that he will be meeting senior BJP leaders on Monday to finalise the constituencies where the party will field its candidates. "We have got 15 seats (out of 403 seats) to contest in alliance with the BJP. The seats are almost final. Most of the seats are in 'Purvanchal' (east Uttar Pradesh) and some are in western Uttar Pradesh. There are some seats which we want to change due to changing equations. We are focusing not only on seat but 'jeet'," he said. However, BJP leaders refused to comment on Sanjay Nishad's claim and a party functionary said: "We are not aware of this seat sharing because no such information has bene communicated to us till now." The Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aaam Dal, or Nishad party, was formed in 2016 and its leaders claim to enjoy support of the Nishad community, which is one of the Other Backward Classes (OBC). Sanjay Nishad said his party has built cadre base all over the state and has substantial influence in Gorakhpur, Ballia, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Jaunpur, Bhadohi, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Banda, Hamirpur and Etawah districts. The party fielded 100 candidates in the 2017 assembly election in alliance with the Peace Party of India, Apna Dal and the Jan Adhikar Party, but could win just one seat -- Gyanpur in Bhadohi district. Sanjay Nishad, now a member of the Legislative Council, had contested the last Assembly election from Gorakhpur Rural and came third. In the 2018 Lok Sabha by-election, Sanjay Nishad's son Praveen Kumar Nishad was a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate and wrested the Gorakhpur constituency from the BJP which had been winning the seat since 1989. Praveen Kumar Nishad is now a BJP MP from Sant Kabir Nagar. The Nishad community is the second largest demographic group in Gorakhpur, the home constituency of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Talking about the virtual campaigning in the prevailing pandemic, Sanjay Nishad said: "We have associated youth workers who extensively use social media and digital offices of the party is functional in 70 districts (out of total 75). We are active on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp." On reports that the BJP will be fielding people with criminal background from his party's quota, he said: "We will go through the image of every candidate and his acceptance among party workers and people. If people and workers like a candidate, he can be given a chance." Commenting on ministers and legislators, belonging to the OBC castes, joining SP ahead of the election, Nishad said, "They had no popularity. They were praising and giving positive report card for Prime Minister and Chief Minister till now but when their personal demands were not met, they left the BJP. People now understand such leaders." Sanjay Nishad, however, admitted that SP is in a direct fight with the BJP, but added that the ruling coalition will win more than 300 seats. "BJP takes all castes along. In the first list of candidates, majority of OBCs were given tickets. Its acceptance is good on the ground also due to works done by both the central and state governments," he said. --IANS amita/ksk/ ( 583 Words) 2022-01-17-08:14:03 (IANS)
Kerala High Court has allowed the plea filed by the State Government in the Malayalam actress assault case, challenging the trial court's order seeking to re-examine three witnesses and summon five new witnesses. Earlier the trial court had rejected the plea to re-examine witnesses. Single Bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath observed while allowing the plea that "The entire exercise of adducing additional evidence as per this order shall be concluded in 10 days. The Director General of Prosecution shall see that a new Special Public Prosecutor is deputed or some other alternative arrangement is made to conduct the case on behalf of prosecution and ensure that the examination of the witnesses and production of the documents as allowed as per this order is done within a period of 10 days." The Court also directed the witnesses to co-operate to complete additional evidence within this period. The State Government approached the trial court first and High Court then after the new revelations made by Malayalam film director Balachandra Kumar against actor Dileep. Dileep is the eighth accused in the actress assault case. The Crime Branch of Kerala Police registered a new case against Malayalam movie actor Dileep and five others on January 9 for allegedly threatening the investigating officials in connection with the actress assault case. They were booked under IPC sections 116 (abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment), 118 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life), 120B (party to criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (criminal act done by several people). Dileep is named as the first accused in the FIR. Anoop, who is Dileep's brother and Suraj, Dileep's brother-in-law are the second and third accused. Appu, Babu Chengamanad are the other accused. One more accused has not been identified yet. The case was registered after some audio clips of Dileep and other accused surfaced in which Dileep and others allegedly threatened officials investigating the case. At the same time, Balachandra Kumar, a film director also gave a statement against Dileep on this. After this, DySP Baiju Paulose, the investigating officer of the actress assault case filed a complaint with the Crime Branch against Dileep following which the Crime Branch registered a case against Dileep and five others. The FIR submitted in the Court alleged that the actor had said that the investigating officers Baiju Paulose, Sudarshan, Sandhya, and Sojan are going to suffer. The FIR also says that Dileep conspired to chop off the hand of Sudarshan and another investigating officer. The case pertains that an actress who worked in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu films was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. (ANI)
Harish Rawat is currently in Delhi and is likely to meet senior Congress leaders today.

Speaking to ANI today, Rawat said, "I don't want to make any statement on this. Expelled Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh has not joined the Congress party yet. Party will take a decision after considering several angles."

Ahead of assembly elections, expelled Bharatiya Janata Party Minister Harak Singh Rawat said that Congress Party will form the government in Uttarakhand.

Speaking to ANI today, HS Rawat said, "Congress Party will form government in Uttarakhand. I will work for the Congress party."

"BJP will never understand the problems of the common man. I know that party very well. I understand their approach. I will continue to work for the welfare of people," he said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had dismissed State Minister Harak Singh Rawat from the Cabinet on Sunday.

The decision to dismiss Rawat from the Cabinet was taken during the BJP's Uttarakhand core group meeting held at the party's headquarters in Delhi on Sunday.

In the last Assembly election, BJP secured a win on 57 seats out of 70 Assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand.

Polls to elect the 70-member State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Pawan Kashyap, brother of journalist Raman Kashyap who was killed in the October 3 violence, has joined the Congress and is likely to contest the elections. Pawan joined the Congress in the presence of senior party members Naseemuddin Siddiqui and Satish Ajmani. Raman was allegedly mowed down by the convoy of Union Minister Ajay Misra Teni's son Ashish Misra while he was covering a farmers' agitation in the Tikunia area in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, last year. Pawan is likely to contest the Assembly polls on a Congress ticket from the Nighasan constituency. Pawan told reporters that he was hopeful that farmers and others would vote for him in the memory of his dead brother. "We are victims of violence and persecution, and there are many people like us who have lost their loved ones in a similar way. I can feel their pain. If I win, I will focus on law and order and find ways to control violence in the state. I am also a farmer, so I can empathise with them. I will work towards improving their condition," he stated. He said that the Congress leaders asked him if he wanted to contest the Nighasan seat and he has given his consent. It may be recalled that days after the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, a video had gone viral in which Raman can be seen doing his job as a journalist when suddenly a speeding vehicle runs over him along with several farmers. Four farmers were killed along with Raman that day. The main accused in the case Ashish Misra and 12 others are now in jail for what a special investigation team probing the case said was a 'pre-planned conspiracy'. Nighasan is an OBC-dominated constituency where Shashank Verma of the BJP is the sitting MLA. Ajay Misra Teni was trying hard to get a party ticket for Ashish and there were posters and banners of him everywhere in Nighasan. Ashish was considered a strong contender for the seat until the Lakhimpur Kheri violence happened. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had recently promised to field those candidates who have been victims of violence in the BJP regime and are 'ready to struggle for justice'. The Congress has named Asha Singh, the mother of rape victim in Unnao, as its candidate. Ritu Singh, who was allegedly disrobed during the panchayat elections, is the Congress candidate from Mohammadi, and Poonam Pandey, who was beaten with shoes in front of the chief minister, is the party candidate in Shahjahanpur. Sadaf Jafar, who was jailed for participating in anti-CAA protests, is the Congress candidate in Lucknow. --IANS amita/dpb ( 455 Words) 2022-01-17-09:38:02 (IANS)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a list of those persons working in essential services who can cast vote in upcoming assembly elections through postal ballot in five states. The ECI has allowed media persons authorised by it to exercise their franchise using the postal ballot facility for the upcoming assembly elections in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. The commission in a letter to Chief Electoral Office of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa said that media persons authorized by it for poll coverage day can cast their votes through postal ballot facility. As for Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the poll body has permitted persons employed in Information and Public Relation Department, Health and Family Welfare (Emergency I Ambulance Services), Post Department, Traffic Department, Railways, Electricity Department, Civil Aviation Department, Metro Rail Corporation of Uttar Pradesh, Doordarshan, All India Radio, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to cast their vote via postal ballot. In Goa, persons employed in essential services including Medical Services Viz. Public Health Department, Goa Medical College, Directorate of Health Services, Police, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Fire and Emergency services, Prisons, Excise, Electricity Department, Water Authority 9. Kadamba Transport Corporation [SRTC of Goa], Treasury Service, Forest, All India Radio, Dooradarshan, BSNL, Railways, Posts & Telegraph, Civil Aviation, Ambulance, Shipping/River Navigation/Transport and media persons authorized by ECI for poll coverage have also been granted permissions to cast vote via postal ballot. For Uttarakhand polls, those working in Airport Authority of India, Food Corporation of India, Indian Railway, Press Information Bureau, Doordarshan, All India Radio, Electricity Department, Health and Family Welfare, Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, Food and Civil Supply, BSNL, Media Persons authorized by ECI for Poll day Coverage, and Fire Service can cast vote through postal ballot. In Manipur, those who can cast vote via postal ballot include employees of Electricity Department, BSNL, Railways, Post & Telegram, Doordarshan, All India Radio, Health Department in connection with COVID-19, Aviation, Fire Services, Ambulance Services and Media persons authorized by ECI for poll day coverage. In Punjab polls, employees of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Food Corporation of India, All India Radio, Doordharshan, Post and Telegraph, Railways, BSNL, Power, Health, Fire Services, Civil Aviation and Media Persons authorized by ECI can cast vote through postal ballot. 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. Elections in Goa and Uttarakhand will be held on February 14 and in Manipur from February 27 to March 3. Elections in Punjab will be held on February 20. The counting of votes will be done on March 10. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday said that it will hear the Maharashtra Government's plea on Wednesday (January 19), seeking to recall its order to notify 27 per cent of OBC seats as general seats for local body elections. A Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar posted the hearing for Wednesday after the counsel appearing for Maharashtra said that the government has filed a petition urging the apex court to recall its December 15 order. "We have filed an application seeking a recall of the order dated December 15. Can it be taken up on Friday or Wednesday? The application has been filed today," Maharashtra's counsel told the Bench. Earlier, the apex court had ordered Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) to issue a fresh notification to treat 27 per cent of seats reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) as a general category for local body polls and commence the election process. It had also asked the State Election Commission to renotify the 27 per cent OBC constituencies as general seats and resume the election process along with the remaining 73 per cent. On December 6, the Bench had stayed the 27 per cent reservation for the OBC in the local body elections of Maharashtra until further orders. It had been observed that 27 per cent of the OBC quota cannot be implemented without setting up a commission and without collecting data regarding the inadequacy of representation local government wise. The apex court order came on petitions challenging the Maharashtra Ordinance which introduced a 27 per cent OBC quota in the State's local body elections and the consequent notifications issued by the State Election Commission to give effect to the same. In September, the Maharashtra government had brought an ordinance to ensure reservation to OBC candidates of rural local body elections six months after the Supreme Court struck down the 27 per cent reservation available stating that it breached the cap mandated by the top court. The government promulgated the Ordinance to amend the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961 and Maharashtra Village Panchayat Act for Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samiti and Gram Panchayats. On March 4, the apex court ruled that the reservation for OBC in local bodies should not result in exceeding the 50 per cent cap in reservation quota mandated by it. The pleas contended that the Ordinances provide for 27 per cent reservation to the category of Backward Classes of Citizens was contrary to the judgements of the top court. (ANI)
In a startling revelation by the Kerala Police CCSE (Countering Child Sexual Exploitation) Team, functioning under Cyberdome, it has been found that in many cases online crimes are related to mental addictions that require treatment. Manoj Abraham, Additional Director General of Police and Nodal Officer, Cyberdome, who did the detailed analysis after understanding the gravity of the problem with relation to increasing online crimes against children. He has for the last four years done sustained digital analysis of the virtual trends, particularly during the pandemic and after identifying the culprits a special operation titled P-hunt was launched, which has been highly successful. The study revealed that the basic trends which can be derived from the behaviour of internet users, in Kerala, is that there has been a lot of deterrent effect due to the hyper active work of the CCSE cell and due to the arrests and registration of cases. "But in many cases these crimes are related to mental addictions that require treatment, in the absence of which, there are trends of repetition of offences or the accused coming back to the crime, more prepared, with better tools of anonymity. So after every two months, we again see the trend going up and a spike in such cases against children," the study revealed. The study done over a period of nine operations by the Kerala Police probe team starting from 2017, reveals that there were 2,280 searches conducted leading to registering of 1,235 cases. This operation led to the seizure of 1,693 electronic devices and 258 people were arrested. The feature of the cases reveal that there has been a huge spike during the pandemic as the figures reveal that of the 2,280 searches conducted, 2,199 was done since the pandemic began which accounted for 2,199 cases. The report also points out that a familiar trend is found in porn groups operating over WhatsApp and Telegram and number of such groups have increased drastically during this period. "Due to the police action through P hunt drives, the accused now watches the video and deletes it using specialised software to evade detection. They also have started formatting their phone every three days. Use of malwares to activate the webcams of the victim and to steal information of children has also been reported in certain cases. In a few cases we have seen online live sex sessions involving children that are available on payment over restricted links," the report said. Elaborating on one such special drive of CCSE Cell titled P-Hunt 2022.1, around 410 such locations were identified throughout the state and the covert operation was planned to bring the culprits to book. The information was then collated and passed on to 280 teams under the District Police Chiefs, having members of cyber cells, technical experts and women component. Under the operational supervision of the District SPs, simultaneous raids were conducted throughout the state, on Sunday, January 16, from early morning onwards. He added that the raids were highly successful and as a part of the operation, the teams seized 186 devices in 161 registered cases which included mobile phones, modems, hard disks, memory cards, laptops, computers with graphic and illegal videos and pictures of children. "The distressing part of the same is that many of the videos/pictures appear to be of local children, between the age group of 5 to 16 years. Based on the recovery of the devices with the CSAM material, 10 arrests were made and this includes youth working in good professional jobs and most of them IT savvy, which is the reason why they were using all kinds of encrypted handles to upload and download the material. Some are also suspected to be involved in the trafficking of children as there are many chats to this effect in their devices. The details of rest of the people involved in circulating these images and videos are being further collected. Strong action will be taken against all the individuals involved in this racket, continuing our policy of zero tolerance in these matters," Abraham said. Apart from the police special team, the India Child Protection Fund (ICPF) also provided technical expertise and resources, required to detect these online crimes and worked with the team with a common objective of protecting children from abuse. As per the current law, viewing, distributing or storing of any child pornographic content is a criminal offense and can result in, up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh. Urging support from the community, informing the cyber cells if any member of the public comes across any such channels or groups that spread child sex-related content, he said: "child security is the responsibility of every member of the society." --IANS sg/sks/skp/ ( 805 Words) 2022-01-17-11:14:01 (IANS)
A high-profile Majitha Assembly constituency in Punjab's Majha region has gained prominence for the February 14 poll owing to Majithia versus Majithia versus Majithia -- three namesakes in the fray -- and one among them is facing serious allegations of involvement in drug nexus. The high-profile Assembly constituency is the citadel of 'Majhe da Jarnail' and former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) revenue minister and sitting legislator Bikram Singh Majithia, Congress turncoat and AAP candidate Sukhjinder Raj Singh, alias Lalli Majithia, who lost two consecutive Assembly polls to the Akali leader, and his younger brother and Congress first-time candidate Jagwinder Pal Singh, alias Jagga Majithia, 59. A multi-cornered contest is on the cards with Congress turncoat Bhagwant Pal Sachar, who was president of the District Congress Committee (Rural) and believed to be close to Congress state chief Navjot Sidhu, joined the BJP after his claim for the candidature was denied by the Congress. He's likely to be the BJP candidate from this seat. The contest is among the SAD, the Congress, AAP and the BJP. The BJP has an alliance with former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress and the SAD (Sanyukt), and farm leader Balbir Singh Rajewal's Sanyukt Samaj Morcha. This time the stakes are all the more high due to the entry of several parties, compared to the triangular contest in 2017 in Majitha, part of the Amritsar parliamentary seat. Up against his elder brother, Jagga Majithia, told IANS on Monday that when his brother Lalli Majithia was in the fray in the past two Assembly polls he was the main campaigner. "Nobody knows him in the constituency as he's not a social worker. I was the main campaigner in all his previous elections and I stood with my constituents even when there was no election. No one will vote for him as he kept his doors shut for the public," he said. Before joining AAP, Lalli Majithia, a confidant of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, resigned as chairman-cum-director of the Punjab State Grains Procurement Corporation Ltd (Pungrain) on December 30. On the day of Majithia joining AAP, its leader Raghav Chadha said the Majitha constituency is usually a fixed match with a compromise candidate against SAD candidate Bikram Majithia by the Congress and to return the favour a weaker candidate given by the SAD against Capt Amarinder Singh. "Not anymore! AAP fields a political stalwart Lalli Majithia, a force to reckon with," state party co-in-charge Chadha tweeted. In 2017, the AAP had fielded Himmet Singh Shergill, who faced a humiliating defeat by garnering just 10,252 votes, compared to the winner's total 65,803 votes. At that time Arvind Kejriwal vowed to send him to jail if the party came into power. The younger brother of former Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and brother-in-law of former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, sitting legislator Bikram Majithia, who is the eye of storm again, was summoned by Enforcement Directorate in 2014 for investigating the money laundering link in the Rs 6,000 crore international synthetic drugs racket busted by the Punjab Police in 2013. In the latest drugs case, he got interim protection from arrest from the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 10 in the case registered against him by the Punjab Police in Mohali on December 20. He was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including Sections 25 (punishment for allowing premises), 27 (A) (whoever is financing any activities pertaining to narcotic drugs) and 29 (party to a criminal conspiracy to commit an offence). Bikram Majithia, one of the most powerful Akali leaders, is also facing allegations of having links with certain NRIs who have been accused of international money laundering related to the massive drugs racket. Responding to the recent drug case against Majithia, SAD patriarch and five-time Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that he was apprehending such an action by the Congress government. Daring the state Congress government to arrest him, elderly Badal told the media that, "Congress governments have always tried to weaken Punjab and the Akali Dal. Whenever I was the chief minister, I never troubled any Congress leader." Bikram Majithia, who is educated at the Lawrence School in Sanawar in Himachal Pradesh, was elected MLA from this seat in 2017 with a margin of 22,884 votes, lower than a margin of 47,581 he had got in 2012. He won this seat in 2007 too. His father Sardar Satyajit Singh Majithia is a former Deputy Defence Minister. In the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly and ousted the SAD-BJP government after 10 years. The AAP had emerged as the second-largest party, winning 20 seats. SAD won 15 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had a coalition government with the Akali Dal in Punjab from 2007 to 2017, secured three seats. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) --IANS vg/dpb ( 840 Words) 2022-01-17-12:28:02 (IANS)
A Delhi-based lawyer on Monday filed a complaint against the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu with the New York State Police's Commissioner, Keechant L Sewell, for attempting to wage a war among communities, criminal assault, provocation for rioting, criminal conspiracy against the state of India, threat to the Prime Minister of India and former Judges of Supreme Court of India. The complainant Lawyer, Vineet Jindal stated that SFJ Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu had recently made an announcement through a video widely circulated via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, offering 1 million dollars as a reward to block PM Narender Modi and to remove the Indian flag on Republic day, targeting the Indian Republic day celebration. "Khalistani terror group 'Sikhs For Justice' has provoked masses to 'block' Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to remove the tricolour from the national capital on January 26, 2022 by offering a huge reward," stated the complaint. The complaint also stated that the SFJ's statements and acts clearly are meant to challenge the sovereignty and unity of India and is an attempt to wage war amongst different community and states. "It also dishonours the pride of the national day which is celebrated in our country with great zeal and enthusiasm and develops the spirit of patriotism among the masses. The act of instigating people by offering a monetary reward on social networking sites accessed by millions of users to stop the PM and Indian flag on Republic day indicate the intentions of an attempt to create national unrest and to wage war in the country," the complaint further stated. According to the complainant, the SFJ has also claimed responsibility for the major lapse in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security when he was on his way to Ferozpur for a rally on January 5. A video was released by the Sikhs for Justice on January 3 on the internet inciting the farmers to block PM Modi's cavalcade in Punjab, where he was scheduled to address a political rally. For this, the terrorist organisation had also announced a 100,000 dollar reward, the complainant alleged. "A clear acceptance of criminal act has been made by SJF Chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu which is a criminal act and therefore a legal action should be taken against him by your department," urged the complainant to New York Police chief. SFJ is a US-based secessionist group that supports the secession of Punjab from India as Khalistan. Founded and primarily headed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, it was banned in India in 2019 as an unlawful association. (ANI)
As per information received by the police, the seized one-kilogram heroin drug cost Rs 3 crore in the international market. He has come from Rajasthan to supply drugs.

A case has been registered against the accused under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The accused has also been sent to police custody till January 19. (ANI)
The Lucknow Cantt seat has suddenly turned into a much-coveted Assembly segment with several BJP leaders making a bid for it even though the party has a sitting legislator on it. BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who won the seat in 2017, now wants to field her son Mayank Joshi, who is making his political debut. She had vacated the seat in 2019 after she won the Lok Sabha seat from Allahabad. Joshi has been lobbying hard for the ticket and her supporters claim that if Rajnath Singh, an MP, can get a ticket for his son Pankaj Singh, and Rajvir Singh, also an MP, can get a ticket for his son Sandeep Singh, they Rita Bahuguna Joshi also deserves to field her son. Suresh Tiwari, a former MLA, regained the seat for the BJP in 2019 when he won the by-election from here. He had won the seat in 1996, 2002 and 2007 also. According to party sources, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma also has an eye on this seat that has a sizeable upper caste vote. While the other Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya has been named as a candidate for the Sirathu seat in Kaushambhi district, Sharma's candidature is yet to be cleared. According to a party leader, Dinesh Sharma would prefer the Cantt seat which has 1.5 lakh Brahmin voters, 60,000 Sindhi and Punjabi voters who are traditionally BJP supporters, 25,000 Vaishya voters and Muslim voters are only about 40,000. What has suddenly made this seat into a VIP seat are reports that Aparna Yadav, younger daughter-in-law of Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, is all set to contest this seat. Aparna, wife of Prateek Yadav, had contested the 2017 elections from the Lucknow Cantt seat but lost to BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi. There have been speculations that Aparna is preparing to join the BJP, but sources close to her claim that this is likely to happen only if she is denied a ticket by the Samajwadi Party. Her uncle Shivpal Yadav has already advised her to stay in the family and the party and work. "She will get a reward at the right time," he said. BJP leaders, on the other hand, feel that Suresh Tiwari should be renominated for this seat since he got barely two years after he was elected in the by-election. --IANS amita/dpb ( 405 Words) 2022-01-17-12:40:04 (IANS)
Beginning her career in Paris, refining her skills in New York, where she founded a hugely successful branding agency, Srimoyi Bhattacharya always wanted to move to India. On doing so in 2007 realised that the role of a publicist was still a nascent function and is today happy to note that brands "are increasingly self-aware of the importance of an authentic voice". "Terms like body-positivity, inclusivity or sustainability may have become buzz words now, but conveying a brand value has become part and parcel of branding. It has become important to be in touch with the zeitgeist, to have a pulse of the market, of societal changes -- have an intuitive approach of white space backed by solid research, and you will have a future-proof vision," Bhattacharya, the founder of Peepul Consulting, who is now settled in a 110-year-old mansion in the picturesque Goa village of Olaulim, told IANS in an interview of her debut book "Pitch Perfect" (Penguin). It's the natural transition for Bhattacharya, born and brought up in Paris who felt like she was "in the thick of an exciting start-up culture in Europe, with many US companies looking into penetrating a bustling European market", when she set out in the 1990s. "During this first stage of my career, I learnt the ropes of PR in a highly professional and structured environment (which would help through less structured fields later), but my dream was always to work in fashion and lifestyle. Growing up in Paris, I was fortunate to go for a few fashion shows and do an internship at iconic Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto's press service which was an eye opening experience on the impact of PR on a business and a brand," she explained. Paris was a "tough environment" to wade through and although she was determined, it took her a change of country, a wonderful position in a hospitality group in New York to finally make that conversion nearly a decade later. But deep down, she always wanted to work in India and she finally made her dream come true and more when she moved to the country. "Once I moved to Mumbai sometime end 2007, I realised that the term 'PR' or the role of a publicist was still a nascent function, and not always quite understood by many, whether clients or just anyone around me. It seemed to me that the role was a simple means to get coverage, with very little understanding of the nuances it implied. Essentially, media and PR felt commoditized, despite the efforts of many peers building a promising and flourishing industry in our country," Bhattacharya said. Through the years in India, she also started meeting many business families from jewellery to fashion, who run small businesses and who started seeing potential in giving a name to their firm, marketing a product in India. "I saw this wave of a new profile of entrepreneurs who were essentially taking their family businesses, so far focused on export, and were flipping the business model to a home-grown brand strategy. Simultaneously, fashion glossies were all slowly entering the country and enhancing the definition of building a brand, an experience, an identity. I wanted to cater to both, and I thought one way to do so was to work far more closely with brands, as they would develop their product or their collections, to help shape the story before it would come as a brief," she said. Thus, 'Pitch Perfect' rounds up her experiences on this journey, and serves as a playbook whether for a publicist, an entrepreneur or a legacy brand that aims to reinvent itself. "Believe me, it's a very long time in one singular profession! I shifted from Paris to New York to Mumbai as it was a way to reinvent my work, my network while I was chasing a certain quality of life. The magic lies in how it has all tied up together, my earlier experience in New York and Paris is helping scale Indian brands going global, and vice versa," Bhattacharya elaborated. Noting that we are all in stressful professions, she has always sought and negotiated for a work/life balance. "As I would watch my colleagues work 'double shifts' and weekends, burn out is the biggest cause of turnover. And I came from Paris where a 35-hour working week was just beginning to be implemented, not always realistic but nevertheless a healthy goal. When the pandemic hit India, I just accelerated a wild dream we had, which was to move to Goa. "All stars aligned now that work from home became acceptable, the hours became a bit more flexible -- you could be DM'ing (direct messaging) a journalist in London out of anywhere really. Our relevance comes from our mindset, not a location," Bhattacharya added. What, then, is her mantra for success? "Whether you are launching a lifestyle brand or a service, my key tip is to create a story that is 36-degrees in nature, so you can spin it from any angle necessary, It also needs to be rooted in a solid idea, and concept. The important thing to remember is that what works for sales might not work for the media, and vice versa. What matters is the optics of your label -- a bag that will be picked up by a fashion director will reflect a collection's aesthetic or a trend. While it may not be the bestseller commercially, it will showcase an operational aspect of the brand. That is why it's essential to be clear about who you are addressing and what they might find relevant and helpful," she writes in the book. For instance, Manish Malhotra "transformed the perception of a bridal couture from the perspective of a stylist, making a look iconic and cinematic" Bhattacharya explained during the interview. "I am thrilled to see that there is a new wave of brands that are confidently building global luxury names. The consumer today wants to know the story behind what they are wearing or how an elaborate dinner-set came to life. As storytelling becomes an important driver of value, it has become easier for brands to look beyond the confines of 'verticals' and geography and truly go global," she concluded. (Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in) --IANS vm/dpb ( 1061 Words) 2022-01-17-12:54:04 (IANS)
"When a huge number of people make a demand which is related to their religion and the Election Commission of India listens to them, it becomes a decision that respects and honours the voice of the people," Sidhu told ANI after addressing a press conference in Amritsar.

In his remarks at the press conference, Sidhu had welcomed Election Commission's decision to postpone the Punjab polls.

Several political parties in the state including Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Punjab Lok Congress had requested the poll panel to postpone the elections.

The request was made as many people from the Scheduled Caste community in the state are likely to visit Varanasi in view of Guru Ravidas birth anniversary on February 16.

The results of polls in the state will be announced on March 10. (ANI)
Collarwali tigress (about 16.5-years-old) breathed her last on January 15 at 6.15 pm in room number 589 of Beat Kumbhadev of the Karmajhiri area under Seoni, said forest department.

Collarwali was born in September 2005, gave birth to about 29 cubs and established her territory in the entire Pench border, setting a world record.

Continuous monitoring was being done by the wildlife doctor for the last week.

This tigress gave birth to five cubs simultaneously. A documentary film 'Tiger: Spy in the Jungle' was made on her.

On March 11, 2008, experts from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun put a radio collar to the tigress, since then she was known as "Collarwali". It is most visible to tourists. She reportedly gave birth to three cubs at the age of two and a half years.

Aadhar Gupta, deputy director of Pench National Park, said, "The tigress died of age. Her contribution is immense in restoring back the ecological balance by improving the tiger population."

Dr Akhilesh Mishra, the doctor of Pench Park told, "The tigress has died normally after completing an average age."

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also paid his last respects to Collarwalli on Twitter. (ANI)
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday welcomed the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s decision to postpone the Assembly elections by six days in view of Guru Ravidas birth anniversary on February 16. Addressing a press conference here, Channi thanked the EC on behalf of the people of Punjab and said that he had written to them requesting for a postponement because several devotees from the Scheduled Caste community from the state were likely to visit Varanasi for Guru Ravidas birth anniversary on February 16, which could have "caused hindrance to their right of vote". "I wrote...Because of which there would have been trouble in the voting process. The devotees would not be in the state and would be kept from their right to vote. Several people, devotees had called me for the same and as a Chief Minister of the state, I had requested the EC for the postponement. I am happy that the EC has accepted our request." "On February 14, in almost all villages, the celebrations would begin, and this could have caused trouble in the election process. I would like to thank the EC on behalf of the people of Punjab He further informed that he has written to the EC's Sushil Chandra today to thank the commission for accepting the request. Further, commenting to AAP's Raghav Chadha's press conference today, Channi said, "The way the 'outsiders' are trying to create unrest in the state, the way Raghav Chadha tried to say bad things about the farmers of Punjab and made allegations against the morcha, the people of Punjab resent it." Lashing out at Chadha for asking for an account of funds from the Kisan Morcha, Channi said, "Their attempt to loot the state is disappointing the people here. I want to ask for the account of the millions they received as funds from NRI's last term." Slamming the AAP for their way of functioning, the Punjab Chief Minister said that the party's workers in the state are tired of the "dictatorship" of the top leaders of the party. "Ten of their 20 MLAs have left the party. Three MPs have also left. They have declared new faces for the elections, of which one candidate braved them and spoke against the leaders of AAP, and rejected a ticket from their party," Channi said. Ferozepur Rural candidate Ashu Banger, who quits Aam Aadmi Party today will be joining the Congress party, Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has informed earlier. Earlier today, the ECI decided to postpone the voting dates for the Punjab Assembly election to February 20. The State was scheduled to go for polls on February 14. This comes after several political parties, including Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh's party Punjab Lok Congress, requested the Commission to postpone the elections. According to the statement issued by the ECI, the last date for filing the nomination for candidates is on February 1, while the candidates can withdraw their nominations till February 2. The results will be announced on March 10. (ANI)
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday was among the political leaders who expressed happiness at the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s decision to postpone the Punjab Assembly elections. "Today, ECI has postponed the Punjab polls to February 20. All the parties in Punjab requested the commission to postpone the polls here because many people from the SC community from the state are likely to visit Varanasi in view of Guru Ravidas birth anniversary on February 16," the SAD chief told media persons here. He further said, "We are happy that ECI took this decision and postponed the elections here." Meanwhile, Danjeet Singh Chima, the SAD leader also welcomed the EC's decision today. "I thank the ECI for this decision because they have taken into consideration the religious beliefs of people," he added. Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu also welcomed the decision and said, "When a huge number of people make a demand which is related to their religion and the Election Commission of India listens to them, it becomes a decision that respects and honours the voice of the people." In addition, Anil Sarin, BJP leader said that all the parties in Punjab have written to ECI about postponing of polls here. "We have written to ECI for postponing the Punjab polls. We welcome the decision. We are thankful that they understood the sentiments of people and considered our request," the BJP leader said. He further said, "It is true that it will give us more time for campaigning in the state for polls, but considering the religious beliefs of devotees was more important." Earlier today, the ECI decided to postpone the voting dates for the Punjab Assembly election to February 20. Earlier, the State was scheduled to go for polls on February 14. This comes after several political parties, including Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh's party Punjab Lok Congress, requested the Commission to postpone the elections. According to the statement issued by the ECI, the last date for filing the nomination for candidates is February 1, while the candidates can withdraw their nominations till February 2. The results will be announced on March 10. (ANI)
The kingpin, identified as Lalit Verma, was carrying a bounty of Rs 50,000 on his head.

As per police, he was earlier declared a proclaimed offender under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime (MCOCA) Act in a case registered at Bhajanpura police station in Delhi.

The accused was on the run since 2016, police further said.

According to police, the accused was previously involved and arrested in a case registered with Model Town police station, Ludhiana. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a bounty of Rs 10 lakh in cash for those providing information about Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) operative Jaswinder Singh Multani who is wanted for hatching conspiracy with ISI operatives to carry out terror attack in Mumbai and other parts of India. NIA's Chandigarh branch issued the reward against Multani days after filing a First Information Report (FIR) against him as his links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence were established in hatching an anti-India conspiracy. As for the cash reward, NIA says "information leading to arrest will be rewarded with Rs 10" and mentioned the full details of the SFJ member with his full name as Jaswinder Singh Multani alias Multani alias Jass, son of Ajit Singh and resident of Mansoorpur village in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab. "Share any information leading to arrest or establish Multani's involvement in any terror criminal activity in India or abroad," mentions NIA's wanted list. It is also asked to share the information about "absconding Multani with the Control Room of National Investigation Agency". "The informer will be rewarded with cash reward and his identity will be kept secret," the NIA wanted list reads. In further direction, the agency has shared a telephone number (011-24368800) to share information about Multani. The number is linked to the agency's headquarters in the national capital. Some other telephone numbers of NIA's Chandigarh branch are also mentioned as 0172-2682901 and 0172-2682900 for sharing information about Multani. Multani's last known location is Erfurt, Germany where he was detained. On December 31, NIA said it registered a case under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 121A (conspiracy to commit offence) of Indian Penal Code and sections 10, 13, 17, 18 and 18B of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against Multani and his other associates late on Thursday evening following Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order. In a statement, the NIA then 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 terror attacks 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 then 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 is a prominent member of the designated terror group SFJ and has suspected links to the recent Ludhiana court blast case. Multani, a close associate of SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, 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 learnt to be closely connected with Khalistani leaders like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Pamma, Sabi Singh, Kulwant Singh Mothada and others. (ANI)
In a massive setback, the Bombay High Court on Monday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nitesh Rane, son of Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane - in an attempt to murder case. Kept in reserve last week as Nitesh Rane was granted continued interim protection from arrest, the much-anticipated order was pronounced by Justice C.V. Bhadang. However, on the court's request, the prosecution assured it will continue its earlier commitment and refrain from any coercive steps against Nitesh Rane till Jan 27. Among other things, Nitesh Rane, 39, has been accused as the key conspirator behind an attempt to murder case against a ruling Shiv Sena leader Santosh Parab - which allegedly took place on Dec 18 (2021) - in Kankavli town of Sindhudurg district, considered the political bastion of the Rane family. On Dec 30, the Principal Judge of Sindhudurg District & Sessions Court Shirishkumar V. Hande had rejected the legislator's anticipatory bail plea which was challenged by Rane on Jan 4 in the Bombay High Court. The Kankavli Police lodged an FIR against Rane Jr following a complaint by Parab, but the BJP legislator claimed that he was being targeted for allegedly mocking Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray and to prevent his participation in the Sindhudurg District Cooperative Bank elections held on Dec 30. Nitesh Rane's lawyer, Nitin Pradhan contended before the court that his client had been cooperating with the investigators and had been questioned for four hours last month. The Special Prosecutor Sudeep Pasbola said that they needed Nitesh Rane's custodial interrogation to corroborate the circumstantial evidence collected in the case, various transactions like who had paid and how much for the attempted contract killing, plus the forensic reports of the confiscated phones of the accused. Meanwhile, BJP Leader of Opposition (Council) Pravin Darekar slammed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government for allegedly misusing the official machinery and pursuing vendetta against Rane Jr, but said they respect the court verdict. The Shiv Sena has demanded that now with the Sindhudurg District & Sessions Court and Bombay High Court have rejected the anticipatory bail plea, Nitesh Rane - who was 'incommunicado' for several weeks - should gracefully go and surrender before the police. --IANS qn/skp/ ( 376 Words) 2022-01-17-14:16:04 (IANS)
The farmers' agitation against the three contentious farm laws, which were later revoked, will not impact BJP's victory in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections as the peasants of western part of the state will vote in favour of the party, a veteran BJP leader said. Talking to IANS, he said: "The story of BJP's victory in Uttar Pradesh will start from the first phase on February 10, and will continue till the seventh and final phase." In the first phase on February 10, polling will be held for a total of 58 seats and in the second phase for 55 seats on February 14. The Braj region is said to be the stronghold of farmers. National spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rakesh Tikait also hails from this region and it is being believed that the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance has also weakened the chances of BJP's win. However, contrary to the claims of SP president Akhilesh Yadav and RLD chief Jayant Choudhary, the BJP veteran claimed that the farmers' agitation will have no effect in the first two phases of elections and the party will win equal or more seats than it did in 2017. In the first two phases, a total of 113 seats will be up for grabs. Of this, the BJP has announced its candidature in 105 seats and will declare the candidates for the remaining 8 seats soon. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a skilled election strategist of the BJP, will be in Uttar Pradesh again from January 23. It is being said that Shah has plans to tour the entire state, including the west and the Braj region, to woo the farmers back. As part of the election campaign, Shah is also likely to meet leaders of the Jat community in the western part of the state. Moreover, the party is also expecting a huge public support in Braj on the issue of Mathura. --IANS stp/sks ( 349 Words) 2022-01-17-14:28:06 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by Devas Multimedia Private Limited challenging National Company Law Tribunal (NCLAT) order that allowed to wind up the company. A Bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Justice V Ramasubramanian dismissed the plea of Devas Multimedia and upheld the order of NCLAT. "We do not know if the action of Antrix in seeking the winding up of Devas may send a wrong message, to the community of investors. But allowing Devas and its shareholders to reap the benefits of their fraudulent action, may nevertheless send another wrong message namely that by adopting fraudulent means and by bringing into India investment in a sum of Rs 579 crores, the investors can hope to get tens of thousands of crores of rupees, even after siphoning off INR 488 crores," the Bench stated in its 134 pages of judgement. While dismissing the plea of Devas, the top court in its order said, "Therefore, in fine, we find all the grounds of attack to the concurrent orders of the NCLT and NCLAT to be unsustainable. Therefore, the appeals are dismissed. However, without any order as to costs." "If as a matter of fact, fraud as projected by Antrix, stands established, themotive behind the victim of fraud, coming up with a petition for winding up, is of no relevance. If the seeds of the commercial relationship between Antrix and Devas were a product of fraud perpetrated by Devas, every part of the plant that grew out of those seeds, such as the Agreement, the disputes, arbitral awards etc., are all infected with the poison of fraud. A product of fraud is in conflict with the public policy of any country including India. The basic notions of morality and justice are always in conflict with fraud and hence the motive behind the action brought by the victim of fraud can never stand as an impediment," the judgement further stated. Earlier, the NCLAT had upheld the order of the Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which had on May 25, 2021 directed winding up of Devas Multimedia and appointed a provisional liquidator for the purpose. The directions of the NCLT had come on a petition filed by Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The NCLT Bengaluru bench ordered the winding up of Devas observing that it was incorporated in a "fraudulent manner to carry out unlawful purposes" and its management resorted to "fraudulent activities" in relation to the commercial contract with Antrix. The NCLT had said that Devas Multimedia was incorporated with a fraudulent motive to collude and connive with the then officials of Antrix Corporation to get bandwidth from it by entering into an agreement in 2005, which was subsequently cancelled by the government. The CBI had filed a charge sheet and ED had initiated PMLA proceedings into the Antrix-Devas deal and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs had also initiated an investigation into the affairs of Devas Multimedia. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday directed real estate developer Supertech Ltd to execute a contract within a week with a company to demolish its twin 40-storey towers in its Emerald Court project in Noida. A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant was told by the Noida authority that Edifice Engineering has been chosen to carry out demolition of twin towers in consultation with the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee. "The contract (with a demolishing agency) shall be executed no later within a period of one week from today," the Bench told counsel appearing for Supertech. Senior advocate Parag Tripathi, appearing on behalf of Supertech Ltd told the Bench that there are no objections to the agency, which has been finalised. The apex court noted that the developer would be applying for all necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) within a period of one week. The Bench also refused to give more time to Supertech Ltd for entering into a contract with Edifice. Tripathi asked the top court to give one week for applying for NOC and Supertech will enter into the contract with the agency within two weeks. There are certain NOCs that are required and we are applying for it with a copy to NOIDA authority, Tripathi said. However, the Bench declined the request saying, "No, you do not need two weeks to enter into a contract. You apply for the NOCs in the week thereafter. All authorities will grant you NOCs, it is a direct order from the Supreme Court. We will list it after two weeks for compliance." It also directed Supertech to make the refund payments to the home buyers without prejudice to their rights and contentions. Last week, the top court slammed the Supertech over non-payment to the homebuyers for the flats which were ordered to be demolished. It said that no amount should be deducted while giving back the money. The top court was hearing a contempt plea by home buyers who paid for the flats on which apex court judgment of August 31, 2021 directed demolition of the twin towers. Homebuyers have alleged that Supertech has invited them to collect their money, however, when they approached the company, they were told that the money would be paid back in installments together with certain deductions which were not indicated by the Court. Earlier, the apex court had dismissed a plea of Supertech seeking modification of its August 31 order by which it was directed to demolish two of its 40-storey towers at its Emerald Court housing project in Noida. While directing the demolition of two towers over grave violations of building norms, the court had said that it was a result of "nefarious complicity" between Noida Authority and the Supertech, and ordered that company shall carry out the demolition at its own expense within three months under the supervision of the Noida Authority and an expert body like the Central Building Research Institute. The order had come on a batch of petitions filed by homebuyers for and against the April 11, 2014 verdict of the Allahabad High Court, which had ordered the demolition of the two buildings within four months and the refund of money to apartment buyers. (ANI)
Veteran political leader of Peasants & Workers Party (PWP), an ex-cabinet minister and a four-time legislator, Prof Narayan Dnyandeo Patil - the brother-in-law of Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar - passed away following a brief illness, party leaders said here on Monday. Battling from a recent brain haemorrhage, he breathed his last at a private hospital here early on Monday, aged 93. He is survived by his wife Saroj - who is the sister of Sharad Pawar and Pratap Pawar. Earlier, the fiery leader - considered the progressive and rational face of state politics in over seven decades of public life - was infected by Covid-19 and had recovered from it despite his advanced age. He dedicated his life to the cause of farmers, peasants, mill-workers, casual labourers, the deprived and downtrodden in society and served as Maharashtra Member of Legislative Council for four terms. Prof Patil served as Cooperation minister from 1978-1990 in the Progressive Democratic Front government headed by Pawar when he became Chief Minister for the first time, as the PWP was an ally. Top leaders including Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Jayant Patil, Nawab Malik, Ashok Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, and other dignitaries mourned the passing of Prof Patil. Besides the Pawar family, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, State Congress president Nana Patole, All India Kisan Sabha's Prof Ashok Dhawale, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana's Raju Shetti, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of opposition Devendra Fadnavis (Assembly) and Pravin Darekar (Council) and other prominent personalities paid tributes to Prof Patil. An associate and Shiv Sena farmer leader Kishore Tiwari said he fought for farmers' rights and compensation till his last breath, particularly as the cause was dearest to his heart for decades. However, despite close family connections with the powerful Pawar clan, Prof Patil maintained his independent identity, never compromised on his principles and charted his own path with political convictions, said a close colleague, Dr Vaishali Patil. Born on July 15, 1929 in a peasant family in the small Dhavali village in Sangli, Patil completed his matriculation and then joined the Rajaram College in Kolhapur for his graduation. Later he joined Willingdon College in Sangli for his MA in Economics and acquired an LLB degree from Pune University before serving as a professor at Chhatrapati Shivaji College, Satara, and then became the Principal of KBP College in Islampur, Sangli. While serving the Shivaji University Kolhapur (SUK), Prof Patil served as a Dean and Senate Member. Much before his academic career, in 1948, he joined the PWP, to which he belonged till the end, became an MLC for four terms, served as the General Secretary and later as Convener (1999-2002) of the Democratic Front Government of Congress-Nationalist Congress Party which ruled the state for 15 years from 1999-2014. Prof Patil was appointed head of the legal committee of the Maharashtra government to examine the border dispute with Karnataka in mid-2000s. Outspoken, intelligent and a good orator from his early youth, Prof Patil first joined the Shetkari Kamgar Party - which was founded barely two weeks before India won Independence - for rights and justice to farmers and labourers. The idealist, who idolised legends like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil, Karl Marx, envisioned an 'exploitation-free and equitable progressive society without distinction between the haves and have-nots'. --IANS qn/skp/ ( 567 Words) 2022-01-17-16:22:03 (IANS)
West Bengal Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and MLA Madan Mitra on Monday took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party saying that BJP has no knowledge of Indian history after the Union government rejected the state's tableau for the Republic Day parade. Addressing the BJP, Madan Mitra said, "They don't know about India and Bengal's history, literature. Only knows violence." Speaking about the tableau rejection, Madan Mitra said, "If we (TMC) had been in Congress or in Opposition, the BJP would have seen a burning demonstration from us, which has not even been seen among the Talibs. We would have shown BJP what happens when you ignore the Freedom Fighter." According to Mitra, Bengal and Punjab had made the maximum contribution in India's struggle for independence. "How can they say that the tableau or projection cannot be showcased", asked Mitra. As per state government information, the Bengal tableau for Republic Day parade featured contributions of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his INA's 125th birth anniversary year and also carried the portraits of some of its most illustrious sons and daughters of Bengal-- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Sri Aurobindo, Matangini Hazra, Nazrul, Birsa Munda and many other patriots. Mitra said that the Bengal people would not tolerate the BJP-led Central government rejecting the tableau. "They (BJP) would be ousted next time, kicked out." While speaking about TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, Mitra said, "Just like Mahatma Gandhi was the banner in Indian independence and Netaji was the instrument, here Mamata Banerjee is the banner and Abhishek Banerjee is the weapon." He added, "Party trusts Mamata Banerjee and her leadership." (ANI)
The decision has been taken in the Central Working Committee meeting of BMS today.

"We will organise a nationwide protest in front of all EPFO offices on January 20 and submit a memorandum addressed to the Finance Minister on the long-pending issues related to EPS-95 pensioners," BMS said in an official statement.

The union also demanded that the benefit of an increase in pension should be given to all the 65 lakh pensioners, not only to a few beneficiaries.

"When the pension amount was increased to Rs 1,000 earlier, only 14 lakh pensioners got its benefit out of 44 lakh beneficiaries. However, the benefit of an increase in pension amount should be given to all the 65 lakh pensioners," the statement further read.

The BMS said the issue was also raised earlier in the pre-budget consultation meeting of the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with the Union Trade Unions in New Delhi on December 18, 2021. (ANI)
UDF convener MM Hassan has alleged that CPI(M) is trying to communalise Kerala politics more than BJP. Hassan said that the government issues all restrictions in connection with COVID-19 and the government and party leaders themselves are violating all restrictions. UDF has decided to postpone all functions and protests. Hassan said, "They will talk about anti-minority and whenever they want minority support, they speak against the majority Hindu community." "The COVID-19 situation in Kerala is worsening day by day. The UDF has decided to postpone all other agitations and meetings till the covid situation becomes better", said Hasaan. "In this worsening situation, the ruling party CPI(M) is conducting its district committee meetings with big rallies and mega thiruvathiras. In that context, we have decided to obey all the covid protocols and we have postponed all the meetings and agitation", he added. "The government is giving all kinds of restrictions but the people who are in the government and CPI(M) secretary are violating the government directions and participating in big rallies conducted along with their party meetings. They are actually violating the order. At that, we have decided to obey all our instructions and postpone all our meetings", he said. On CPI(M) secretary Kodiyery Balakrishnan was asking why the Congress party is not giving representation to the minority community in the key post, Hasaan said, "Congress party is a secular party all over India, we have proved our secular credentials. In Kerala, we don't give party posts considering the community. Here Kerala government was headed by K Karunakaran, AK Antony and Ommen Chandy. I was also the president of KPCC. At that time, Kodiyeri and Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the UDF government is controlled by three minority leaders that Ommen Chandy, KM Mani and Kunjalikutty." Hasaan claimed, "Whenever they want the majority Hindu community, they propagate anti-minority campaigns. They will talk about anti-minority and whenever they want minority support, they speak against the majority Hindu community. This is very bad because Kerala is a very progressive state and now BJP throughout the country are trying communal polarisation. In Kerala politics, CPI(M) is trying to communalise Kerala politics more than BJP. This is very dangerous and they must stop this." (ANI)
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According to the new notification, gyms can operate with 50 per cent capacity till 9 pm provided staff and users are fully vaccinated or RTPCR negative.

The government has allowed Jatra (local theatres) with 50 per cent capacity till 9 pm while outdoor shooting for films and TV programmes are allowed in the state following COVID appropriate protocols.

The government has asked people to wear masks and maintain social distancing in view of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, West Bengal logged 9,385 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours taking the total active cases in the state to 1,58,623, stated the health bulletin. (ANI)
Remembering PhD scholar Rohith Vemula on his sixth death anniversary, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday called Vemula his "hero" and said that he will continue to remain a symbol of resistance. "Rohith Vemula was subjected to atrocities and murdered because of his Dalit identity. As years go by, he remains a symbol of resistance and his courageous mother a symbol of hope. For fighting till the very end, Rohith is my hero, my brother who was wronged," Rahul said in a tweet. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also remembered Vemula and said that he was a "strong voice of social justice" for the Dalit youths. Taking to Twitter, Priyanka also alleged that out of the 13 lakh Dalit youths in Uttar Pradesh, only 1.25 lakh received scholarships in the state, and said that the Congress will "strengthen the fight for social justice started by Rohith Vemula". "Rohith Vemula was a strong voice of social justice. Last year, around 55 lakh Dalit youth across the country did not get their scholarship. Out of 13 lakh youth in UP, only 1.25 lakh youth got this scholarship. Strengthening social justice by giving scholarships to Dalit youth for their rights," she tweeted in Hindi. "It is only by doing so that the empowerment of Dalit youth will take place. The Congress party has prepared a complete blueprint of social justice and scholarships for Dalit youth. We will strengthen the fight for social justice started by Rohith Vemula," the tweet further read. Vemula, a 26-year-old PhD scholar at the Hyderabad Central University was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a hostel room on January 17, 2016. He was allegedly upset over disciplinary actions that were taken against him by the university because of "caste-based discrimination". (ANI)
Hours after Congress sent an apparent signal of backing Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as the chief ministerial candidate in the poll-bound state, the Punjab Youth Congress also echoed the message through a tweet. "History tells us that powerful people come from powerful places. History was wrong! Powerful people make places powerful #CongressHiAyegi," the Punjab Youth Congress said in a tweet that was accompanied by a video of the Chief Minister taking part in various events and addressing rallies. Channi was picked up as Chief Minister after Captain Amarinder Singh resigned from the post in September last year amid unending infighting in the party. The parting was on a bitter note and Amarinder Singh has formed his own party to fight the polls. Channi, who belongs to the Dalit community, was a surprise choice of the leadership among various names doing the rounds then. There has been an apparent tussle between him and Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu over the chief ministerial candidate for the Punjab polls to be held on February 20. The party leadership has not declared a CM candidate despite being pushed to do so. The Congress on Monday officially tweeted a video in which actor Sonu Sood states that the "real chief minister is the one who does not have to tell he is the chief ministerial candidate". The video has footage of Channi taking part in various events and Sidhu, who has been talking of changing "the system," is not seen in the clip. Actor Sonu Sood, whose sister Malvika Sood, has been declared Congress candidate from Moga, says in the video that the "real chief minister, the real king is the one who has to be forcibly brought to the chair and who does not have to struggle for it." 'The real chief minister, the real king is the one who has to forcibly brought to the chair and who does not have to struggle for it and does not have to state that I am CM candidate, I deserve it. He should be such a backbencher, who is brought from behind and told that you deserve it. Such a chief minister can bring change in the country," Sood says in the video. "Punjab is saying that now we are with hand (Congress poll symbol), we will strengthen it," the party said in the tweet. Amid seeming tussle in Punjab Congress over chief ministerial candidate ahead of assembly polls, Sidhu had said on Thursday last that 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 in his tweets 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. "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 had also said the system is being run by "mafias in connivance of mischievous politicians". "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 had added. Sidhu's tweets had come 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. Channi had also said in an interview that the party should declare chief ministerial candidate to brighten his prospects in the forthcoming assembly polls. (ANI)
The health and medical education department of the Union territory had recently commissioned three RT-PCR labs for the Kashmir division, one of which was for Pulwama. The testing facilities would be made available to check the growing trend of the new wave of the COVID Pandemic.

According to the health department, this lab can conduct 200 RT-PCR tests per day which can be increased later.

Speaking to ANI, Health Department spokesperson Dr Mohd Rafiq said, "Due to the third wave, which is all over the country including in Jammu Kashmir, and as far Pulwama district is concerned, we have started an (RT-PCR) lab here. It was recently inaugurated by the Additional Chief Secretary of Medical education and we are doing COVID-19 tests regularly and their test reports are coming in a day."

According to Rafiq, a 100-bedded hospital is ready for COVID-19 patients in Pulwama.

Local residents have lauded the step taken by the Jammu and Kashmir administration for the RT-PCR lab and COVID hospital. (ANI)
Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Narayan Rane and Minister of State for MSME Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma on Monday inaugurated the MSME Pavilion virtually in the presence of officials from the Government of Dubai and dignitaries joining from all over the country at World Expo, 2020 Dubai. According to the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the World Expo 2020 Dubai, held under the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) aims at bringing together millions of people for the world's exceptional show, celebrating human brilliance and achievement with the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating Future". Ministry of MSME's participation in the Expo would help to develop understanding about the MSME ecosystem in India as well as enable interaction with Governments of different countries, Business and Industry leaders, which would help in exchange of best practices adopted across the world, said the ministry. The Union Ministers also launched the Khadi India Film produced by (Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). In his inaugural address, Rane said that the MSME sector plays a significant role in terms of job creation and expanding manufacturing base. Today, it has over 6 crore units employing over 11 crore people and is a significant contributor to the economic growth with over 30 per cent of contribution to the GDP and over 48 per cent of overall exports from India. The Ministry's focus is to create a benchmark for MSMEs across the country by scaling them to new heights in terms of exports, quality of products, contribution to GDP and providing world-class infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology to all MSMEs operating in India. MoS Bhanu Pratap Verma said that the Ministry of MSME has been undertaking various important initiatives to boost the MSME sector and has been actively engaged in spearheading initiatives like finance facilitation, capacity building and skill training, facilitating market linkages, technology up-gradation, etc. for the overall inclusive development of MSMEs across the country. (ANI)
A day after the alleged brutal gang rape of a 32-year-old woman came to light in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district, the state police on Monday claimed to have demolished the illegal farmhouse of the main accused in the case. The main accused is the victim's husband, who along with four associates allegedly sexually abused the woman and brutalised her private parts. The victim in her complaint to the police has claimed that she was brutalised by her husband and his friends who performed unnatural sex. She claimed that her husband forced her at knife point to perform unnatural sex with his friends. The victim, who is a teacher by profession and hails from the neighbouring state of Chhattisgarh, told the police that she got married to the accused through a matrimonial site. However, later it emerged that he was already married. After marriage he took her to a hotel for a few days and later shifted her to his farmhouse. The complainant claimed that after shifting to the farmhouse, her husband forced her to perform unnatural sex and recorded it on his mobile phone. But, it was not the end and the husband forced her to perform unnatural sex with his friends also. The victim told the police that she somehow managed to escape from the farmhouse and went to her parents house in Chhattisgarh. But her husband sent one of his friends to her parents home. That person asked her to come back to Indore, otherwise her video and photographs will go viral on social media. However, she refused to return with him and instead went to the police station and lodged a complaint. The police on Sunday claimed to have arrested five accused in the case, including her husband, who is an Indore based property dealer. During the investigation it emerged that the farmhouse was illegally constructed, which was demolished on the direction of the district collector on Monday, said the Indore district police in an official statement on Monday. --IANS pd/bg ( 345 Words) 2022-01-17-19:44:01 (IANS)
Malik Faisal Akram, the British terrorist shot dead in a hostage situation in a Texas synagogue, stayed in various homeless shelters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and bought his guns 'on the street' just before the attack, the Daily Mail reported. In a live Facebook feed, he was heard shouting at the congregation in a strong northern British accent: "If anyone tries to enter this building - everyone will die." He added: "I'm gunned up. I'm ammo-ed up. Guess what, I will die. I am going to die, so don't cry for me," before hurling anti-Semitic insults, the report said. The extent of his criminal record is not yet clear, but it may be that some of his offences may have been too petty or too old to stop him being turned away from the United States' border. As the police in the US and the UK scramble to find if he was part of a wider terror cell, it has emerged that Akram, 44, from Blackburn, Lancashire, was branded a 'menace' for expressing his desire to be onboard one of the planes that destroyed the World Trade Centre in 2001. It is also possible that his 9/11 rants and other crimes may not have been picked up if he lied about not being a criminal, because the US authorities do not routinely have access to Britain's criminal record information database, the report said. Akram had apparently flown to America two weeks ago, lived in homeless shelters and bought a gun 'on the street', according to US President Joe Biden. Akram's links to Pakistan are also being probed, having been a regular visitor to the country where his father was born. He was reportedly a supporter of the conservative Tablighi Jamaat group, set up to 'purify' Islam. While it denies being a terror group, its members are banned in Saudi Arabia after the organisation was branded 'one of the gates of terrorism' by the Gulf state. Akram was banned from the Blackburn Magistrates' Court in September 2001 and was described as a 'menace' after officials complained that he was persistently causing trouble inside the magistrates' court even when he was not appearing before the bench. The ban followed a series of incidents, which culminated with Akram abusing court ushers over the New York attacks. Under the order, Akram was warned that if he entered the court complex, he could be detained under the Contempt of Court Act and face a possible prison sentence or 2,500-pound fine, the report said. The rare Exclusion Order was made against him under Section 12 of the Contempt of Court Act and had only ever been used once before at the Blackburn Magistrates' Court. A letter sent to Akram, known by his middle name Faisal, confirming the ban stated: "Once again you were threatening and abusing court staff. In a clear reference to the terrorist attack on New York, the previous day you said on more than one occasion to one of my court ushers 'you should have been on the f***ing plane'." FBI special agent Matthew DeSarno told reporters in Colleyville, Texas, after the standoff that the investigation would 'have global reach'. He said the suspect's demands were "focused on one issue that was not specifically threatening to the Jewish community". --IANS san/arm ( 560 Words) 2022-01-17-19:48:06 (IANS)
Delhi police on Monday said that they have found the claims of terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, an Al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist militant group, regarding the Ghazipur Mandi bomb scare, as bogus. Senior officials from the special cell, the Delhi Police's Anti-Terror Squad, said they are still probing whether the group is responsible for the terror attack attempt. It was on Friday, that a bag full of explosives was recovered from Ghazipur flower market around 10.30 am, after which the entire market was vacated and the IED defused by the National Security Guard (NSG). On Monday, NSG confirmed that it was a mixture of RDX and ammonia nitrate attached to a sophisticated device to cause the explosion. The Delhi Police which had registered a case under the explosive act to probe the incident, however, said they are yet to zero down on any terror outfit responsible for the attempt. "During social media monitoring, we have come across a letter with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind claiming responsibility for the attempted attack. This group is relatively a newer outfit. We haven't found any authentic source to the note so far," said a senior police officer. The letter doing rounds on social media also mentioned that it was due to some technical error that the device did not explode. But it does not mean that the same will happen even the next time, it said. Police have said it could be an attempt to mislead the probe. (ANI)
Dr Manindra Agrawal, Professor of IIT Kanpur, said that the third wave of COVID-19, which is caused by Omicron, has reached its peak in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata as predicted by IIT's Sutra model. He further said that COVID-19 will peak in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana this week. Earlier in an interview with ANI, Dr Agrawal, who developed the model, had predicted that the COVID-19 third wave will peak by January end. Dr Agrawal said that COVID-19 is spreading faster in India than projected earlier. In a series of tweets, the IIT Professor said, "There appear two plausible reasons for this: 1) there are two groups in the population, one with less immunity against Omicron and the other with more. The mutant first spread in the first group causing a sharp rise. Now the first group is exhausted and so the spread is slower." He further said, "Second, there was a lot of concern when Omicron started spreading, but in the last week or so, people almost everywhere have concluded that it causes only mild infection and have decided to handle it with standard remedies instead of getting tested." "In Maharashtra, it is predicted to peak on 19th. May peak sooner since the trajectory is almost flat at present. Gujarat is predicted to peak on the 19th. Haryana is predicted to peak on 20th," he added. He further said that southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will see the current wave peak next week. "In Karnataka, the COVID-19 wave is predicted to peak on 23rd. A new phase just started and Tamil Nadu has been predicted to peak on 25th Jan. Trajectory has started deviating. Andhra Pradesh is predicted to peak on the 30th. No deviation yet from the predicted trajectory. Probably because of the spread in at a very early stage," he tweeted. "However, Haryana is predicted to peak on the 20th. Now to some states like Assam is predicted to peak on 26th Jan. No phase change yet, but the blue curve is suggesting there will be one soon," he added. (ANI)
The two former Chief Ministers, along with a host of AIADMK supporters and leaders paid floral tributes at the party headquarters.

AIADMK leaders also paid tributes to the statue of former Chief Minister and AIADMK leader late J. Jayalalithaa also at the party headquarters.

State Health Minister Ma Subramanian paid floral tributes to late Chief Minister at the Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Guindy on Monday.

--IANS aal/vd

( 113 Words)

2022-01-17-20:58:05 (IANS)